the world is someone's oyster en · X
Pronunciation
- (General-American) audio
- /ðə ˈwɜɹld‿ɪz ˌsʌmwʌnz ˈɔɪstəɹ/ (General-American)
- /ðə ˈwɜːld‿ɪz ˌsʌmwʌnz ˈɔɪstə/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
From the version of the play The Merry Wives of Windsor published in the First Folio (1623) of the works of the English playwright William Shakespeare (baptized 1564; died 1616): see the quotation. The original context was that Ancient Pistol would use force to obtain a loan from Sir John Falstaff, like prising open an oyster with a sword to obtain a pearl.
Meanings
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All opportunities are open to someone; the world is theirs.
Irregular gentlemen, to whom the world's their oyster,—said oyster does suddenly snap-to on them, by a chance.
1865, Thomas Carlyle, “Peace of Hubertsburg”, in History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great, volume VI, London: Chapman and Hall, […], →OCLC, book XX, page 328:The world may be your oyster, but that doesn't mean you've found the pearl.
2008, Nick Clayton, “Introduction”, in The Guardian Guide to Working Abroad, London: A[dam] & C[harles] Black Publishers, →ISBN, page 15:Fal[staff]. I vvill not lend thee a penny. / Piſt[ol]. VVhy then the vvorld's mine Oyſter, vvhich I, vvith ſvvord vvill open.
c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, […] [T]he Merrie Wiues of Windsor. […] (First Quarto), London: […] T[homas] C[reede] for Arthur Ihonson, […], published 1602, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii], signature C2, verso:But his wants were not at first great; and though his ambition was perhaps high, it was not of an impatient nature. The world was his oyster; but, circumstanced as he was, he knew it was not for him to open it with his lancet all at once.
1858, Anthony Trollope, “Dr. Thorne”, in Doctor Thorne. […], volume I, London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 58:
Deriveds
Relateds
seize the day · carpe diem · take the bull by the horns
Translations (7)
ja この世は思いのまま (all opportunities are open to someone) · pl świat stoi przed kimś otworem (all opportunities are open to someone) · fi maailma on avoin (all opportunities are open to someone) · es el mundo es tuyo, te vas a comer el mundo (all opportunities are open to someone) · nl de wereld ligt aan iemands voeten (all opportunities are open to someone) · de die Welt liegt einem zu Füßen (all opportunities are open to someone) · he העולם פרוש לרגליך (all opportunities are open to someone)
wikipedia: First Folio · wikipedia: Ancient Pistol · wikipedia: William Shakespeare · wikipedia: The Merry Wives of Windsor