boiling frog: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  generalinformalfigurative
  • A metaphor for failing to perceive or respond to gradual adverse changes until a crisis occurs.

  Examples

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  • The boiling frog metaphor warns us that small, gradual dangers can catch us unaware until it's too late.

    The boiling frog metaphor warns us that small, gradual dangers can catch us unaware until it's too late.

  • If we ignore climate change, we risk being like the boiling frog, failing to react until disaster strikes.

    If we ignore climate change, we risk being like the boiling frog, failing to react until disaster strikes.

  • Watching the company slowly lose market share without taking action reminded me of the boiling frog story.

    Watching the company slowly lose market share without taking action reminded me of the boiling frog story.

• 2.

  generalneutralcolloquial
  • Reference to the anecdotal (commonly regarded as apocryphal) story in which a frog subjected to slowly increasing heat does not escape and is boiled; used literally when discussing the tale itself.

  Examples

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  • The old tale describes how a boiling frog fails to jump out as the water temperature rises slowly.

    The old tale describes how a boiling frog fails to jump out as the water temperature rises slowly.

  • Scientists have debunked the boiling frog story as an apocryphal anecdote, but it remains popular in teaching.

    Scientists have debunked the boiling frog story as an apocryphal anecdote, but it remains popular in teaching.

  • In biology class, we discussed the boiling frog and whether the story is fact or fiction.

    In biology class, we discussed the boiling frog and whether the story is fact or fiction.

  • During the lecture, the professor used the boiling frog example to illustrate gradual environmental changes.

    During the lecture, the professor used the boiling frog example to illustrate gradual environmental changes.