how the mighty have fallen en · X
Etymology
The phrase originates in the Old Testament, 2 Samuel 1:19. The earliest version in English is found in the Great Bible, (1539): Oh howe are the myghtie ouerthrowen. The modern word fallen version is found in the King James Version, (1611) and is an expression of David's lament over Saul and Jonathan: The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
Meanings
- Used to imply the decline of a once-great person or entity.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| how the mighty have fallen ! | canonical | lexicographic |
Relateds
the bigger they are, the harder they fall
Translations (5)
pl jak potężny upada (proverb) · he אֵיךְ נָפְלוּ גִבּוֹרִים (proverb) · fr ce n'est plus ce que c'était (proverb) · fi kuinka ovatkaan sankarit kaatuneet (proverb) · es quién te ha visto y quién te ve (proverb)