primrose

the primrose path

A life of pleasure and leisure that results in a negative or detrimental outcome. Usually used in the phrase "lead (one) down the primrose path." After winning the lottery, Jake found himself surrounded by people trying to lead him down the primrose path for their own benefit.
See also: path, primrose
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

primrose path

Fig. earthly delights that come to an end. She led him down the primrose path until she got tired of him.
See also: path, primrose
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

the primrose path

the pursuit of pleasure, especially when it is seen to bring disastrous consequences.
The allusion here is to ‘the primrose path of dalliance’ to which Ophelia refers in Hamlet.
See also: path, primrose
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the primrose ˈpath (to ruin, destruction, etc.)

(literary) an easy life that is full of pleasure but that causes you harm in the end: If we followed your advice we’d all be walking down the primrose path to ruin.This phrase comes from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.
See also: path, primrose
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

primrose path, the

The way of easy self-indulgence. Shakespeare used this term in two ways—as a path of pleasure (“the primrose path of dalliance,” Hamlet, 1.3) and as an easy but dangerous course of action (“the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire,” Macbeth, 2.1). The former meaning survives in the current cliché. See also garden path.
See also: primrose
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • primrose path
  • primrose path, the
  • the primrose path
  • (one's) best foot forward
  • a recipe for disaster
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
  • 57
  • a penny for them
  • enough rope, give someone
  • Give enough rope and he'll hang himself
References in periodicals archive
This transaction represents Primrose's first securitization.
KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to Primrose Funding, LLC, Series 2019-1
Primrose will provide a picnic area and serve light refreshments.
Primrose School to host picnic at Cantigny
Describing the moment Primrose was given the diagnosis, Tim said: "It was like just watching a bombshell explode and everything we knew being torn apart.
Widower met, married and buried the love of his life in just 18 months; TERMINAL CANCER DIAGNOSIS ONLY MONTHS AFTER MEETING
Describing the moment Primrose was given the diagnosis, he said: "It was like just watching a bombshell explode and everything we knew being torn apart.
Heartbroken man met, married and buried love of his life in just 18 months; When Primrose Redworth met Tim Isterling on a night out they soon fell head over heels for each other - but cancer cut her life cruelly short
Describing the moment Primrose was given the diagnosis, he says: "It was like just watching a bombshell explode and everything we knew being torn apart.
'I met, married and then had to bury the love of my life in a year'; Primose Isterling died before the couple's first Chsristmas as a married couple
The defendants CareMed and the driver did not dispute liability but did not agree that Primrose's pain stemmed from injuries sustained in the crash.
Jury awards $792K to Howard Co. woman injured in '15 crash
Until the day she died, Primrose would go into the garden and talk with Nezmiss, but he would run when her husband came out.
TALES FROM THE PAST
Women operate many schools in the Primrose franchise system.
Empowering the Next Generation of Women: An educated woman is an empowered woman
At Marriott, Primrose will have the responsibility for protecting and promoting the image and reputation of the company in partnership with the organisation's leadership, having accountability for all communications and government affairs.
Marriott appoints global communications officer
It's also great to see our native primrose emerge on roadside embankments in hues of pale, creamy yellow.
PLANT OF THE WEEK
The wild primrose has to be my favourite but there are hundreds of cultivars and selections to grace our gardens in every colour of the rainbow.
PRIMED FOR ThE SPRING; RIGHT AT HOME Winter has finally gone and there is no better sign than cheerful clumps of primroses, wild or in gardens, dazzling in brilliant shades
LE MANS NEIL PRIMROSE, drummer from the band Travis, visited Anglesey Circuit last Wednesday to test his Lola T-210 in preparation for this week's Le Mans Classic.
Drummer testing at Anglesey
In this sequel to the Newbery Honor Book Everything on a Waffle, Primrose Squarp's wish to have a best friend appears to be answered when the quiet, hulking Ked shows up at her former foster parents' trailer.
One Year in Coal Harbour
The New England Primrose Show runs from noon to 5 p.m.
Primrose power