a shrinking violet

shrinking violet

A negative term for a very shy person. After years of being seen as nothing more than a shrinking violet, Christine decided to overcome her fears and start talking to strangers.
See also: shrink, violet
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a shrinking violet

If you describe someone as a shrinking violet, you mean that they are very shy. Give him a tough assignment and he turns into a shrinking violet. None of the women he paints could be described as shrinking violets. Note: You can say that someone is no shrinking violet to mean that they are very self-confident. Amber is no shrinking violet. She is a brash colourful character. Note: In the past, violets were considered to be a symbol of modesty, because of their small size and the fact that the flowers remain hidden among the leaves until they open.
See also: shrink, violet
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a ˌshrinking ˈviolet

(humorous) a very shy person who is easily frightened: I can’t imagine why a dynamic young woman like her is marrying a shrinking violet like him.
See also: shrink, violet
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

shrinking violet, a

A very shy individual. Why the violet, a small but common shade-loving perennial, should be chosen to designate shyness is unclear. On the contrary, violets can boldly take over patches of ground, and gardeners may even find them difficult to eradicate from unwanted spaces. Nevertheless, the phrase has been used since the early 1900s. The Listener stated (July 22, 1976), “Frayn has not forgotten the underdog. . . . The shrinking violet . . . is the most dangerous plant in the glades of privilege.”
See also: shrink
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • shrinking violet
  • shrinking violet, a
  • violet
  • call of duty
  • haven't
  • shy
  • ASAP
  • starters
  • maid of all work
  • fight shy of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
EILIS LACEY (Saoirse Ronan) is a shrinking violet in 1950s Ireland in Brooklyn (tonight, BBC1, 10.20pm).
WATCH IT
I'VE never been a shrinking violet, but to be called a Labour plant is a new one on me!
No support for idleness; Views of the North
There was a time when Kate was a shrinking violet, too timid to make a stand - but not anymore.
KATE FEELING JADE-D; Neighbours Channel 5
But Eddy's daughter Saffy is no longer a shrinking violet. Don't miss it.
Absolutely Fabulous Christmas Day 10pm [...]
I said to him, 'You are hardly a shrinking violet yourself Joey so come on mate.'" But Newcastle boss Chris Hughton praised the composure shown by Barton.
JOEY TAKES THE MICK
I said to him: 'You're hardly a shrinking violet yourself.' Barton didn't get any more of a sympathetic ear in his own dressing room as Toon boss Chris Hughton said: "When you Referee Stuart Attwell booked 12 players in a fullblooded encounter -including "It's part and parcel of the game.
Joey kicked? Don't make me laugh, says Mac
Poor little Ian must be one hell of a shrinking violet.
A GOAD OF TOSH
Never a shrinking violet on the music scene, the unpredictable IMANI COPPOLA tackles rock, punk and pop genres on The Black and White Album (Ipecac Recordings).
Imani Coppola
JOHN Ashton, never a shrinking violet, has announced he is retiring as north west public health chief rather than apply after 13 years in the job for renewal.
Con-woman exposes fixed penalty chaos
Does he have to think before he laughs in case a shrinking violet in a neighbouring town may be offended?
In the pink or feeling blue?
Chef Gordon Ramsay is not a man known for being a shrinking violet. Still, his latest outburst is genuinely shocking.
Sexy parents give out too much information
Nobody has ever accused Doug Ellis of being a shrinking violet.
Brave lead in cancer fight
Well, take a look at this!" Yuskavage may never strike anyone as a shrinking violet, but the odd mixture o f empathy and prurience aroused by her early work clearly pointed to the confusing dialectic of shame and fascination.
LISA YUSKAVAGE
Bluiett plays the baritone sax, and anyone who has a heard a baritone sax in full cry knows that this is one formidable instrument (after the Gulf War, in fact, Iraq was forbidden from manufacturing them), and Bluiett is anything but a shrinking violet. Although there are sometimes some squeaks and snarls from Bluiett's horn that sound altogether gratuitous, this is one powerful recording as he and Willis work hard together to produce some really moving music.
Hamiet Bluiett and Larry Willis: If Trees Could Talk (Mapleshade 06332)
Belle Vue fans have a reputation for being a bit vociferous, while general manager John Gilburn is hardly a shrinking violet, so blunt speaking is likely to be the order of the day.
Open meet at Belle Vue; Around the North