What does “The grass is greener on the other side” mean?












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The grass is greener on the other side.




Can you guys explain this sentence?










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    4















    The grass is greener on the other side.




    Can you guys explain this sentence?










    share|improve this question









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    Özgün Erdem Ceylan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      4


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      The grass is greener on the other side.




      Can you guys explain this sentence?










      share|improve this question









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      Özgün Erdem Ceylan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      The grass is greener on the other side.




      Can you guys explain this sentence?







      meaning meaning-in-context sentence-meaning






      share|improve this question









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      Özgün Erdem Ceylan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      share|improve this question









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      edited 4 hours ago









      Andrew T.

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      asked 8 hours ago









      Özgün Erdem Ceylan

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      New contributor





      Özgün Erdem Ceylan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






      Özgün Erdem Ceylan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






















          1 Answer
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          9














          It is a proverb:



          The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence




          People are never satisfied with their own situation; they always think others have it better.




          (Dictionary.com)




          The idiom derives from a more recent version of an ancient proverb and exists in many variations. The Roman poet Ovid, for example, cited the proverb “ferilor seges est alienis semper in agris,” meaning “the harvest is always more fruitful in another man’s field.” Although dozens of versions of the proverb can be found, “the grass is always greener” is the favorite American way of expressing the sentiment. It is speculated that the expression came from the habit of cattle of grazing through the fence on the grass of the adjacent field, or escaping from one pasture to another through a broken fence line, in search of new grass to eat.




          (Idiomsonline.com)






          share|improve this answer

















          • 4




            I think it's like "I dont like my country. That country is better." but when he went to that country to live it's like "I miss my country. This country is too bad to live, I want to go back." Did I understand it?
            – Özgün Erdem Ceylan
            8 hours ago








          • 1




            @ÖzgünErdemCeylan - yes, it may express also that concept. It always comes down to the idea that others are in a better condition than you are.
            – user070221
            8 hours ago






          • 3




            well, it's a proverb that often said to remind someone that just because the situation of the other(s) might looks better than what they have, that doesn't mean it all is. Since it's often easier to envy what looks better about the other situation, than understanding what's worse about it.
            – LukStorms
            5 hours ago








          • 3




            I like the cow grazing origin hypothesis, but I have always visualized this proverb in a suburban lawn-care setting. As in: "I water, I fertilize, I aerate, I pull up every dandelion as soon as I see it, I carefully mow and keep the mower's blades well honed. But somehow, someway, Dave-the-Neighbor's lawn always looks nicer. (Grumble grumble stupid Dave.)" Good or bad, it's a very American way of thinking.
            – cobaltduck
            4 hours ago






          • 1




            @ÖzgünErdemCeylan No. The proverb doesn't really mean that on its own. Applied to that particular situation, it doesn't say the person has at some point been to that other country. It just means that one always thinks that others have it better. (But this is obviously an absurd sentiment because if everyone thinks that about everyone else...)
            – userr2684291
            3 hours ago











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          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes








          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          9














          It is a proverb:



          The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence




          People are never satisfied with their own situation; they always think others have it better.




          (Dictionary.com)




          The idiom derives from a more recent version of an ancient proverb and exists in many variations. The Roman poet Ovid, for example, cited the proverb “ferilor seges est alienis semper in agris,” meaning “the harvest is always more fruitful in another man’s field.” Although dozens of versions of the proverb can be found, “the grass is always greener” is the favorite American way of expressing the sentiment. It is speculated that the expression came from the habit of cattle of grazing through the fence on the grass of the adjacent field, or escaping from one pasture to another through a broken fence line, in search of new grass to eat.




          (Idiomsonline.com)






          share|improve this answer

















          • 4




            I think it's like "I dont like my country. That country is better." but when he went to that country to live it's like "I miss my country. This country is too bad to live, I want to go back." Did I understand it?
            – Özgün Erdem Ceylan
            8 hours ago








          • 1




            @ÖzgünErdemCeylan - yes, it may express also that concept. It always comes down to the idea that others are in a better condition than you are.
            – user070221
            8 hours ago






          • 3




            well, it's a proverb that often said to remind someone that just because the situation of the other(s) might looks better than what they have, that doesn't mean it all is. Since it's often easier to envy what looks better about the other situation, than understanding what's worse about it.
            – LukStorms
            5 hours ago








          • 3




            I like the cow grazing origin hypothesis, but I have always visualized this proverb in a suburban lawn-care setting. As in: "I water, I fertilize, I aerate, I pull up every dandelion as soon as I see it, I carefully mow and keep the mower's blades well honed. But somehow, someway, Dave-the-Neighbor's lawn always looks nicer. (Grumble grumble stupid Dave.)" Good or bad, it's a very American way of thinking.
            – cobaltduck
            4 hours ago






          • 1




            @ÖzgünErdemCeylan No. The proverb doesn't really mean that on its own. Applied to that particular situation, it doesn't say the person has at some point been to that other country. It just means that one always thinks that others have it better. (But this is obviously an absurd sentiment because if everyone thinks that about everyone else...)
            – userr2684291
            3 hours ago
















          9














          It is a proverb:



          The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence




          People are never satisfied with their own situation; they always think others have it better.




          (Dictionary.com)




          The idiom derives from a more recent version of an ancient proverb and exists in many variations. The Roman poet Ovid, for example, cited the proverb “ferilor seges est alienis semper in agris,” meaning “the harvest is always more fruitful in another man’s field.” Although dozens of versions of the proverb can be found, “the grass is always greener” is the favorite American way of expressing the sentiment. It is speculated that the expression came from the habit of cattle of grazing through the fence on the grass of the adjacent field, or escaping from one pasture to another through a broken fence line, in search of new grass to eat.




          (Idiomsonline.com)






          share|improve this answer

















          • 4




            I think it's like "I dont like my country. That country is better." but when he went to that country to live it's like "I miss my country. This country is too bad to live, I want to go back." Did I understand it?
            – Özgün Erdem Ceylan
            8 hours ago








          • 1




            @ÖzgünErdemCeylan - yes, it may express also that concept. It always comes down to the idea that others are in a better condition than you are.
            – user070221
            8 hours ago






          • 3




            well, it's a proverb that often said to remind someone that just because the situation of the other(s) might looks better than what they have, that doesn't mean it all is. Since it's often easier to envy what looks better about the other situation, than understanding what's worse about it.
            – LukStorms
            5 hours ago








          • 3




            I like the cow grazing origin hypothesis, but I have always visualized this proverb in a suburban lawn-care setting. As in: "I water, I fertilize, I aerate, I pull up every dandelion as soon as I see it, I carefully mow and keep the mower's blades well honed. But somehow, someway, Dave-the-Neighbor's lawn always looks nicer. (Grumble grumble stupid Dave.)" Good or bad, it's a very American way of thinking.
            – cobaltduck
            4 hours ago






          • 1




            @ÖzgünErdemCeylan No. The proverb doesn't really mean that on its own. Applied to that particular situation, it doesn't say the person has at some point been to that other country. It just means that one always thinks that others have it better. (But this is obviously an absurd sentiment because if everyone thinks that about everyone else...)
            – userr2684291
            3 hours ago














          9












          9








          9






          It is a proverb:



          The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence




          People are never satisfied with their own situation; they always think others have it better.




          (Dictionary.com)




          The idiom derives from a more recent version of an ancient proverb and exists in many variations. The Roman poet Ovid, for example, cited the proverb “ferilor seges est alienis semper in agris,” meaning “the harvest is always more fruitful in another man’s field.” Although dozens of versions of the proverb can be found, “the grass is always greener” is the favorite American way of expressing the sentiment. It is speculated that the expression came from the habit of cattle of grazing through the fence on the grass of the adjacent field, or escaping from one pasture to another through a broken fence line, in search of new grass to eat.




          (Idiomsonline.com)






          share|improve this answer












          It is a proverb:



          The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence




          People are never satisfied with their own situation; they always think others have it better.




          (Dictionary.com)




          The idiom derives from a more recent version of an ancient proverb and exists in many variations. The Roman poet Ovid, for example, cited the proverb “ferilor seges est alienis semper in agris,” meaning “the harvest is always more fruitful in another man’s field.” Although dozens of versions of the proverb can be found, “the grass is always greener” is the favorite American way of expressing the sentiment. It is speculated that the expression came from the habit of cattle of grazing through the fence on the grass of the adjacent field, or escaping from one pasture to another through a broken fence line, in search of new grass to eat.




          (Idiomsonline.com)







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 8 hours ago









          user070221

          4,6991831




          4,6991831








          • 4




            I think it's like "I dont like my country. That country is better." but when he went to that country to live it's like "I miss my country. This country is too bad to live, I want to go back." Did I understand it?
            – Özgün Erdem Ceylan
            8 hours ago








          • 1




            @ÖzgünErdemCeylan - yes, it may express also that concept. It always comes down to the idea that others are in a better condition than you are.
            – user070221
            8 hours ago






          • 3




            well, it's a proverb that often said to remind someone that just because the situation of the other(s) might looks better than what they have, that doesn't mean it all is. Since it's often easier to envy what looks better about the other situation, than understanding what's worse about it.
            – LukStorms
            5 hours ago








          • 3




            I like the cow grazing origin hypothesis, but I have always visualized this proverb in a suburban lawn-care setting. As in: "I water, I fertilize, I aerate, I pull up every dandelion as soon as I see it, I carefully mow and keep the mower's blades well honed. But somehow, someway, Dave-the-Neighbor's lawn always looks nicer. (Grumble grumble stupid Dave.)" Good or bad, it's a very American way of thinking.
            – cobaltduck
            4 hours ago






          • 1




            @ÖzgünErdemCeylan No. The proverb doesn't really mean that on its own. Applied to that particular situation, it doesn't say the person has at some point been to that other country. It just means that one always thinks that others have it better. (But this is obviously an absurd sentiment because if everyone thinks that about everyone else...)
            – userr2684291
            3 hours ago














          • 4




            I think it's like "I dont like my country. That country is better." but when he went to that country to live it's like "I miss my country. This country is too bad to live, I want to go back." Did I understand it?
            – Özgün Erdem Ceylan
            8 hours ago








          • 1




            @ÖzgünErdemCeylan - yes, it may express also that concept. It always comes down to the idea that others are in a better condition than you are.
            – user070221
            8 hours ago






          • 3




            well, it's a proverb that often said to remind someone that just because the situation of the other(s) might looks better than what they have, that doesn't mean it all is. Since it's often easier to envy what looks better about the other situation, than understanding what's worse about it.
            – LukStorms
            5 hours ago








          • 3




            I like the cow grazing origin hypothesis, but I have always visualized this proverb in a suburban lawn-care setting. As in: "I water, I fertilize, I aerate, I pull up every dandelion as soon as I see it, I carefully mow and keep the mower's blades well honed. But somehow, someway, Dave-the-Neighbor's lawn always looks nicer. (Grumble grumble stupid Dave.)" Good or bad, it's a very American way of thinking.
            – cobaltduck
            4 hours ago






          • 1




            @ÖzgünErdemCeylan No. The proverb doesn't really mean that on its own. Applied to that particular situation, it doesn't say the person has at some point been to that other country. It just means that one always thinks that others have it better. (But this is obviously an absurd sentiment because if everyone thinks that about everyone else...)
            – userr2684291
            3 hours ago








          4




          4




          I think it's like "I dont like my country. That country is better." but when he went to that country to live it's like "I miss my country. This country is too bad to live, I want to go back." Did I understand it?
          – Özgün Erdem Ceylan
          8 hours ago






          I think it's like "I dont like my country. That country is better." but when he went to that country to live it's like "I miss my country. This country is too bad to live, I want to go back." Did I understand it?
          – Özgün Erdem Ceylan
          8 hours ago






          1




          1




          @ÖzgünErdemCeylan - yes, it may express also that concept. It always comes down to the idea that others are in a better condition than you are.
          – user070221
          8 hours ago




          @ÖzgünErdemCeylan - yes, it may express also that concept. It always comes down to the idea that others are in a better condition than you are.
          – user070221
          8 hours ago




          3




          3




          well, it's a proverb that often said to remind someone that just because the situation of the other(s) might looks better than what they have, that doesn't mean it all is. Since it's often easier to envy what looks better about the other situation, than understanding what's worse about it.
          – LukStorms
          5 hours ago






          well, it's a proverb that often said to remind someone that just because the situation of the other(s) might looks better than what they have, that doesn't mean it all is. Since it's often easier to envy what looks better about the other situation, than understanding what's worse about it.
          – LukStorms
          5 hours ago






          3




          3




          I like the cow grazing origin hypothesis, but I have always visualized this proverb in a suburban lawn-care setting. As in: "I water, I fertilize, I aerate, I pull up every dandelion as soon as I see it, I carefully mow and keep the mower's blades well honed. But somehow, someway, Dave-the-Neighbor's lawn always looks nicer. (Grumble grumble stupid Dave.)" Good or bad, it's a very American way of thinking.
          – cobaltduck
          4 hours ago




          I like the cow grazing origin hypothesis, but I have always visualized this proverb in a suburban lawn-care setting. As in: "I water, I fertilize, I aerate, I pull up every dandelion as soon as I see it, I carefully mow and keep the mower's blades well honed. But somehow, someway, Dave-the-Neighbor's lawn always looks nicer. (Grumble grumble stupid Dave.)" Good or bad, it's a very American way of thinking.
          – cobaltduck
          4 hours ago




          1




          1




          @ÖzgünErdemCeylan No. The proverb doesn't really mean that on its own. Applied to that particular situation, it doesn't say the person has at some point been to that other country. It just means that one always thinks that others have it better. (But this is obviously an absurd sentiment because if everyone thinks that about everyone else...)
          – userr2684291
          3 hours ago




          @ÖzgünErdemCeylan No. The proverb doesn't really mean that on its own. Applied to that particular situation, it doesn't say the person has at some point been to that other country. It just means that one always thinks that others have it better. (But this is obviously an absurd sentiment because if everyone thinks that about everyone else...)
          – userr2684291
          3 hours ago










          Özgün Erdem Ceylan is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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