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  1. If someone is like a bull in a china shop, they are very careless in the way that they move or behave: We told her it was a delicate situation but she went into the meeting like a bull in a china shop. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Inability and awkwardness. accident-prone. adorkable. all thumbs idiom. amateurishly. fumblingly.

  2. The idiom "like a bull in a china shop" is a figurative expression used to describe someone who is clumsy, careless, or reckless in their actions, often resulting in a disruptive or destructive outcome. It suggests a lack of grace, finesse, or consideration for delicate situations or surroundings.

    • As Awkward as A Bull in A China Shop Meaning
    • Origin of as Awkward as A Bull in A China Shop
    • Examples of as Awkward as A Bull in A China Shop
    • More Examples
    • Summary

    Definition:Very awkward, clumsy, or reckless. Most often, this idiom is used to describe a person who behaves inappropriately in a delicate situation. Imagine if there truly were a bull in a shop filled with delicate china. The bull wouldn’t realize it had to be careful, and it would accidentally knock over and break the china. This mental image of...

    The 1812 London Review and Literary Journalis the first source to have a written record of the idiom, which can be found in the excerpt below. The business is whimsical and amusing; the changes are numerous, and the tricks, though highly ludicrous, are for the most part original; — at least, we do not remember to have met with anything like them be...

    Another form this idiom often takes is “like a bull in a china shop.” In the example below, this usage can be seen when two coworkers discuss why their department head should not attend a certain meeting. In this case, the idiom refers to the personality of the woman discussed, not her physical clumsiness. Deanna: Did you hear that Cecelia is suppo...

    “Nothing is more important to candidates than the trust they build with voters. And nothing is more fragile. Law enforcement has an unrivaled ability to shatter that trust. Accordingly, it should n...

    As awkward as a bull in a china shop is an idiom that is used to describe people who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, do not act cautiously (in their manner) or gracefully (with their physical presence) in situations where they should.

  3. Someone who is aggressively reckless and clumsy in a situation that requires delicacy and care. My son can be a bit of a bull in a china shop, so I'm worried about taking him to the museum. Surrounding him with valuables does not seem like a wise idea!

  4. Someone who is aggressively reckless and clumsy in a situation that requires delicacy and care. My son can be a bit of a bull in a china shop, so I'm worried about taking him to the museum. Surrounding him with valuables does not seem like a wise idea!

  5. Meaning of Bull In a China Shop: The common expression a bull in a china shop means a person who accidentally breaks things out of clumsiness or because of their inattentive behavior. Example: This is the fourth coffee mug I’ve bought for you in the last two months.

  6. When someone is likened to a bull in a china shop, they’re described as clumsy, awkward or disruptive in a situation or environment where delicacy is required. Imagine a bull in an actual China shop—not a pretty picture, is it?