Dictionary

the pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last en · X

Meanings

1. When something is used enough times, it will eventually break down.
   • On these last two points the Chancellor could have given way. He was adamant because he and Hebert wanted to demonstrate their power. The pitcher goes so often to the well, that it is broken at last. 1957, Norman Rich, M.H. Fisher, The Holstein Papers, volume 2, page 317:
   • “And he did valiant service, sire,” the major said. “I marked him in the thick of the fight, and saw more than one Imperialist go down before his sword.” “You know the story of the pitcher and the well, Captain Graheme,” the king said, smiling. “Some day you will go once too often, and I shall have to mourn the loss of one of the bravest young officers in my army.” 1886, G A Henty, “Chapter XI, The Capture of Oppenheim”, in The Lion of the North:
   • Madame knew her hour was fixed and she would not live a minute beyond it; nor did she want to, for, as she said, "The pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last." They bled her when she was too weak to resist, as doctors always do what they like when the patient is feeble. 2005, Julie Baumgold, The Diamond: A Novel, page 116:
   • She couldn't have expected her luck to last forever: The pitcher goes so often to the well, that it is broken at last, wasn't that what they said? 2006, Nigel McCrery, Still Waters, Book 1, page 267:

Relateds

go to the well

Synonyms

the jug goes to the well until it breaks

Translations (8)

fi ruukku käy kaivolla, kunnes se särkyy (When you use a thing too much, it ultimately breaks) · es tanto va el cántaro a la fuente que al final se rompe (When you use a thing too much, it ultimately breaks) · pl póty dzban wodę nosi, póki się ucho nie urwie (When you use a thing too much, it ultimately breaks) · ro ulciorul nu merge de multe ori la apă (When you use a thing too much, it ultimately breaks) · fr tant va la cruche à l'eau qu'à la fin elle se casse (When you use a thing too much, it ultimately breaks) · cs tak dlouho se chodí se džbánem pro vodu, až se ucho utrhne (When you use a thing too much, it ultimately breaks) · pt tantas vezes vai o cântaro à fonte, que um dia lá deixa a asa (When you use a thing too much, it ultimately breaks) · de der Krug geht so lange zum Brunnen, bis er bricht (When you use a thing too much, it ultimately breaks)