“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
This phrase means that people often think other situations or places are better than their own, even if that may not be true. It expresses a tendency to be dissatisfied with what we have and to envy what others have.
Tone Reflective and slightly cautionary
Where it comes from
The idea is ancient: the Roman poet Ovid wrote that the harvest is always richer in another’s field. The modern English wording with “fence” became popular in the early 20th century.
Examples
- She always talks about moving to a big city, but sometimes the grass is just greener on the other side of the fence.
- He thought a new job would make him happier, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
- Before you decide to quit, remember that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
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