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break a butterfly upon the wheel. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
break a butterfly upon the wheel, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
break a butterfly upon the wheel in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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break a butterfly upon the wheel, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Coined by English poet Alexander Pope in 1734 in Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot.
Pronunciation
Verb
break a butterfly upon the wheel (third-person singular simple present breaks a butterfly upon the wheel, present participle breaking a butterfly upon the wheel, simple past broke a butterfly upon the wheel, past participle broken a butterfly upon the wheel)
- To inflict a punishment out of all proportion to the offence.
1734, Alexander Pope, An Epistle from Mr. Pope, to Dr. Arbuthnot:Let Paris tremble—“What? that Thing of ſilk,
“Paris, that mere white Curd of Aſs’s milk?
“Satire or Shame alas! can Paris feel?
“Who breaks a Butterfly upon a Wheel?”
Yet let me flap this Bug with gilded wings,
This painted Child of Dirt that ſtinks and ſtings
- To employ great exertions for insignificant ends.
Translations
to inflict a punishment out of all proportion
to employ great exertions for insignificant ends
See also