{"id":9661,"date":"2022-09-23T15:34:13","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T15:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=9661"},"modified":"2022-09-23T15:34:13","modified_gmt":"2022-09-23T15:34:13","slug":"too-much-of-a-good-thing-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/too-much-of-a-good-thing-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Too Much of a Good Thing \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did your mom say eating ice cream every day is having \u2018too much of a good thing?\u2019<\/em><\/strong> This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018too much of a good thing'<\/em> means you get diminishing results from consuming or practicing anything in life<\/u>. You might enjoy eating ice cream every day, but it\u2019s going to show on your waistline.<\/p>\n

\u2018Too much of a good thing\u2019<\/em> means something can yield adverse results to what you expect<\/u> if you overdo it. It also refers to the hazards involved with taking behavior to excess<\/u>. Anything in excess will deliver negative results<\/u>. If something is \u2018too much of a good thing,<\/em>\u2019 you need to back off on using it in your life.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\"I want to believe this is good for my health, but too much of a good thing will have negative consequences. I just know it.\"<\/p>\n

\"Sure, you can have too much of a good thing. Cold Stone ice cream tastes great, but it's going to make you fat if you eat too much of it.\"<\/p>\n

\"Too much of a good thing always leads to bad results. Just look at anyone that overeats. They end up fat and out of shape.\"<\/p>\n

\"Can we really have too much of a good thing? I mean, if it's good for you, how can there be any negative result?\"<\/p>\n

\"My mom told me I can have too much of a good thing. Does that mean we have to cut down on the trips to Mcdonald's after school?\"<\/p>\n

\"I enjoy a drink after work, but you can have too much of a good thing and end up so drunk it draws happiness from the following day.\"<\/p>\n

\"I love this chocolate mousse, but you can have too much of a good thing. I better put the spoon down now before my waistline blows up.\"<\/p>\n

\"I understand that you like exercising, but too much of a good thing can end up hurting you. That's why your body is struggling to recover.\"<\/p>\n

\"I love you, girl. But I think I'm getting too much of a good thing here. You belong to the streets and don't deserve to be my full-time girlfriend.\"<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018too much of a good thing\u2019 originates from the late 15th century. The first use of the term is in William Shakespeare\u2019s play, \u2018As You Like It,\u2019 performed in 1600.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy then, can one desire too much of a good thing?<\/p>\n

Come, sister, you shall be the priest and marry us.<\/p>\n

Give me your hand, Orlando. What do you say, sister?\u201d<\/p>\n

The expression maintained its original meaning over the centuries and is a popular saying in modern culture.<\/p>\n