bite of the cherry en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
A cherry is a small fruit usually eaten in a single bite, and the phrase was originally intended to refer specifically to an attempt to repeat an already-completed action. By the 1940s, cherry had taken on the additional meaning of "virginity" and the phrase was considered embarrassing, and so "apple" replaced "cherry" chiefly in American usage. As an apple is usually eaten in many bites, the additional nuance of "an unrepeatable action" was increasingly lost. The first recorded use of the "apple" form is in 1922.
Meanings
- (idiomatic) A chance; an attempt at something, especially something that can or should only be done once.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| bites of the cherry | Number=Plur | lexicographic |