Sour grapes

Sour grapes means pretending that something is not worth having because you cannot get it; the phrase comes from the story of a fox and some unreachable grapes in Aesop's fables. It describes disappointment disguised as scorn, not simply envy or dislike.

Where it comes from

The fox and the grapes

The phrase comes from the story of a fox who dismisses grapes only after failing to reach them. His change of attitude protects his pride.

In Aesop's Fables, a fox tries to reach a hanging bunch of grapes. When he cannot get them, he goes away claiming they are unripe.

In Aesop's Fables; A New Translation by Aesop

What it means now

Today, sour grapes describes belittling a prize, opportunity, or success after being denied it. The important clue is that the person wanted it before dismissing it.

The fox in Aesop's Fables does not taste the grapes before judging them. His dismissal follows his failure, which is why the scene fits someone belittling a prize after losing it.

In Aesop's Fables; A New Translation by Aesop

How to use Sour grapes

Look for something the person wanted but could not get.
Check whether disappointment came before the dismissive remarks.
Use the phrase cautiously when someone's motives are unclear.

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Does sour grapes mean jealousy?

Sour grapes is not simply jealousy; it is dismissing something because you cannot have it. Someone may envy another person's success without belittling it. The phrase fits when disappointment leads to claims that the success or prize was never worthwhile.

Can honest criticism be sour grapes?

Honest criticism is not necessarily sour grapes, even when it follows disappointment. A rejected applicant may have sound reasons for criticizing a workplace. Calling it sour grapes suggests that wounded pride, rather than a fair judgment, explains the criticism.