Explaining "The apple does not fall/never falls far from the tree"

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 03/11/2024, 06:03

English.me team member

What does it mean?

The apple does not fall/never falls far from the tree

The phrase means that children often inherit characteristics, traits, or behaviors from their parents, and therefore they resemble them in many ways.

Tone

The tone is typically neutral, but it can be positive or negative depending on the context, implying similarity or continuity between generations.

Origin

Ralph Waldo Emerson was credited with the first known usage of the phrase in the United States in 1839. It was inspired by an old German proverb, which translates to "As men say, the apple never falls far from the stem."

Examples of usage

Here's your allowance for the week, but remember, do not spend it all in one place.
After receiving his first paycheck, his father advised him, "Do not spend it all in one place."