Mare's-nest meaning

A mare's-nest is a ridiculous or imaginary discovery or situation.


Mare's-nest definitions

Word backwards tsen-s'eram
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division mare's-nest - mare's-nest
Plural The plural of the word mare's-nest is mare's-nests.
Total letters 9
Vogais (2) a,e
Consonants (5) m,r,s,n,t

Mare's-nest is a term used to describe a confused or disordered situation that is perceived as more complex or impressive than it really is. It is often used in a figurative sense to refer to something that appears to be significant or profound but is, in reality, insignificant or nonsensical.

Origin of Mare's-nest

The term "mare's-nest" dates back to the 16th century and is believed to have originated from a literal translation of a Spanish expression. In Spanish, the term "nido de águilas" (eagle's nest) was used to describe something impressive or noteworthy, and when translated into English, it became "mare's-nest." Over time, the meaning of the term evolved to connote something that is confusing or nonsensical.

Usage of Mare's-nest

In modern usage, the term "mare's-nest" is often used in a metaphorical sense to describe a situation or discovery that is thought to be significant or groundbreaking but is actually trivial or nonsensical. It is commonly used in contexts where someone has made a fuss over something that turns out to be unimportant or erroneous.

Example Sentences:

When the supposed breakthrough turned out to be a mare's-nest, everyone realized they had been chasing after a mirage.

His grand plans for the project were nothing but a mare's-nest of confusion and false promises.

In conclusion, mare's-nest is a term that conveys the idea of a misunderstood or overcomplicated situation that is ultimately found to be trivial or nonsensical. It serves as a reminder to approach things with a critical eye and not be misled by appearances or grandiose claims.


Mare's-nest Examples

  1. The detective claimed to have discovered a mare's-nest of evidence linking the suspect to the crime scene.
  2. The new invention turned out to be nothing more than a mare's-nest, failing to live up to its promises.
  3. The exaggerated claims of the marketing campaign turned out to be a mare's-nest, misleading consumers.
  4. The proposal to build a new shopping mall was dismissed as a mare's-nest by the local community.
  5. The treasure map led the explorers to a mare's-nest of fake jewels, much to their disappointment.
  6. The investigator declared the suspect's alibi to be a mare's-nest, full of inconsistencies.
  7. The ambitious project to launch a new product turned out to be a mare's-nest due to lack of funding.
  8. The so-called miracle cure proved to be nothing more than a mare's-nest, offering no real benefits.
  9. The rumor of a hidden treasure in the old mansion was dismissed as a mare's-nest by the local historian.
  10. The grand plans for a luxurious vacation turned out to be a mare's-nest, as the budget was far too low.


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  • Updated 08/04/2024 - 02:49:13