like a bowl in a china shop

English

Adjective

like a bowl in a china shop

1. Misunderstanding or mishearing of like a bull in a china shop.
2. (simile) mundane
   • 2005, Ex Isle Forums: original fiction:

     On an intuition, Jennifer offered, “That’s why you and Mr Tate get along so well. He’s like an earthenware bowl in a china shop because he’s more real … more solid and down-to-earth.”

   • 2007, Chuck Rybak, Liketown, page 6:

     Now, I sit as quiet as a bowl in a china shop.

   • 2017 August 23, Hilary Leichter, “Like a Bowl in a China Shop”, in The New Yorker:

     “Just get me whatever.” “Whatever what?” “Like a pen. Like a mug,” Jeff says. “Like a bowl in a china shop.”