everything one touches turns to shit: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘everything one touches turns to shit’ mean?
The idiom "everything one touches turns to shit" means that everything a person comes into contact with or tries to do goes wrong or becomes a disaster.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "hit the fan" is used to describe a situation where something goes terribly wrong or chaotic, often as a result of a secret or scandal being revealed. It implies a sudden and explosive response to the situation.
The idiom "go wrong" means that something does not go as planned or expected, and results in a failure or a mistake.
The idiom "go the way of" means to follow the same path or fate as something or someone, usually implying that the outcome will not be favorable or will result in obsolescence or extinction.
The idiom "go down the toilet" means to fail completely or be wasted, often used to describe a situation, plan, or investment that has gone wrong or lost its value.
The idiom "get one's fingers burnt" means to suffer negative consequences or experience a setback due to one's own actions or decisions. It implies getting physically or metaphorically hurt or harmed as a result of taking a risk or involving oneself in a dangerous or risky situation.
The idiom "get into the wrong hands" means that something has fallen into the possession or control of someone who will misuse or mishandle it in some way.
The idiom "fall into the wrong hands" means that something or someone ends up in the possession or control of someone who will misuse or abuse it.
The idiom "everything one touches turns to gold" means that someone is consistently successful in everything they do.
They say that everything one touches turns to gold. But what does that actually mean? Is it some kind of magical power or just a saying? Let's take a closer look.
The idiom "down the pan" means that something has gone wrong or failed completely.
Shitty Midas: Unlocking the Curse
First used by writer Elmore Leonard in his 1975 novel "Glitz," the idiom "everything one touches turns to shit" has since become a widely recognized expression in the English language. It conveys a sense of extreme misfortune and failure in one's actions or endeavors. The idiom assumes a pessimistic outlook on life, suggesting that no matter what one does, the outcome will always be adverse.
This metaphorical phrase emphasizes the complete transformation of anything that comes into contact with the individual, converting it into something unpleasant or undesirable, akin to excrement. Its origins may be murky, but its significance lies in the powerful metaphorical language it employs. This expression encapsulates the despair and hopelessness experienced by individuals trapped in a relentless cycle of failure.
The idiom can be seen as an extreme form of the more common saying "bad luck follows you" or "one has the midas touch in reverse." Its exaggerated nature exacerbates the notion of inevitable failure, intensifying the despair and hopelessness associated with the idiom.
Furthermore, this idiom carries a strong emotional undertone, suggesting a deep-seated belief that the individual is cursed or inherently flawed. It speaks to the internal struggle and self-doubt experienced by someone caught in a continuous cycle of unfortunate events. The idiom becomes a reflection of their perception of themselves and their perceived inability to achieve success or happiness.
The idiom "everything one touches turns to shit" represents the epitome of negativity and the belief in the impossibility of favorable outcomes. It highlights the pervasive influence of personal misfortune and the seemingly inevitable cycle of failure. The idiom implies a sense of helplessness in the face of uncontrollable circumstances, reinforcing the belief that one's actions are futile and destined to fail.
However, it is important to note that not everything in life is governed by this idiom. While it may appear that one is cursed with unfortunate outcomes, it is wise to remember the saying "not everything that glitters is gold." Just as everything one touches may seem to turn to shit, there are instances where everything one touches may turn to gold.
When everything one touches turns to gold, it means that every action or endeavor results in favorable outcomes or success. This idiom stands in direct contrast to the idiom "everything one touches turns to shit." It represents the possibility of achieving positive and desirable results in one's actions or endeavors.
So, while the idiom "everything one touches turns to shit" may reinforce a pessimistic outlook, it is important to recognize that life is full of possibilities. A cycle of failure does not necessarily define one's future. Just as things can seemingly fall apart, they can also come together. It is important to remain resilient and maintain a positive attitude, even when faced with a seemingly unending series of disappointments.
It is important to remember that not all actions or endeavors will lead to success or failure. Some endeavors may simply come to nothing. The idiom "come to nothing" refers to situations where efforts are made but do not result in any meaningful outcome.
These two related idioms, "everything one touches turns to gold" and "come to nothing," provide contrasting perspectives on the outcomes of one's actions or endeavors. While the idiom "everything one touches turns to shit" suggests a cycle of failure and hopelessness, "everything one touches turns to gold" offers the possibility of success and favorable outcomes.
On the other hand, "come to nothing" acknowledges that not all efforts will lead to significant or tangible results. It is a reminder that not every endeavor will be successful, but that does not diminish the value of trying. It recognizes the importance of taking risks and pursuing goals, even if they do not always come to fruition.
The idiom "everything one touches turns to shit" conveys a sense of extreme misfortune and failure. It represents a pessimistic outlook on life and suggests that no matter what one does, the outcome will always be adverse. However, it is important to remember that not everything is governed by this idiom. Life is full of possibilities, and while some actions may seem to result in unfavorable outcomes, others can lead to success and favorable results. Additionally, not all efforts will lead to significant outcomes, but that should not discourage one from trying. The contrasting perspectives provided by the idioms "everything one touches turns to gold" and "come to nothing" remind us of the complexity and variability of life's outcomes.
Example usage
Examples:
- Ever since Adam took over as the manager, everything one touches turns to shit. The company's profits have been steadily declining and projects seem to fail one after another.
- They say that everything one touches turns to shit, and it seems to be true for Sarah. She had a string of failed relationships and each business venture she started ended in bankruptcy.
- John's reputation as a bad luck charm is well-known among his friends. It's like everything one touches turns to shit when he's around. Once, they invited him to their poker game and they ended up losing all their money.
The idiom "everything one touches turns to shit" is used to describe a situation where someone consistently experiences failure or bad luck in whatever they attempt or are involved in. It implies a sense of unintentionally causing negative outcomes or having consistent misfortune.
In the examples provided, the idiom is used to illustrate different contexts where this pattern of consistent failure is seen:
- In the first example, the idiom is used to describe the managerial abilities of Adam. It suggests that since Adam took over as a manager, he has been unable to achieve success. The company is facing declining profits and projects are continuously failing.
- The second example highlights Sarah's personal and professional life. The idiom portrays her as someone whose relationships and business ventures always end in failure. It implies a pattern of bad luck or poor decision-making.
- The third example revolves around John, who is seen as a bringer of bad luck. The idiom suggests that whenever he is around, negative outcomes are likely to occur. This is exemplified by his friends losing all their money in a poker game after inviting him to join.
Overall, the idiom emphasizes a consistent pattern of negative results or misfortune, attributing it to the person involved. It conveys a sense of helplessness or inevitability in the face of failure.
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