forbidden fruit

[ fer-bid-n froot, fawr-bid-n ]

noun

1. the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, tasted by Adam and Eve against God's prohibition. Genesis 2:17; 3:3.
2. any unlawful pleasure, especially illicit sexual indulgence.
3. pomelo ( def 1 ).

forbidden fruit

noun

1. any pleasure or enjoyment regarded as illicit, esp sexual indulgence

forbidden fruit

1. The fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden , often pictured as an apple, which God forbade Adam and Eve to eat. Their disobedience brought about the Fall of Man .

Notes

“Forbidden fruit” is used commonly to refer to anything that is tempting but potentially dangerous. It is often associated with sexuality.

Word History and Origins

Origin of forbidden fruit¹

First recorded in 1660–70

Idioms and Phrases

Unlawful pleasure or enjoyment; illicit love. For example, After Mary moved in with John, Tom began courting her—forbidden fruit is sweet, I guess , or Smoking behind the woodshed, that's a case of forbidden fruit . This expression alludes to Adam and Eve's violation of God's commandment not to touch fruit from the tree of knowledge, which resulted in their expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). In the form forbidden fruit is sweet it appeared in numerous early English proverb collections.

Example Sentences

Ever since Eve urged Adam to sample the forbidden fruit, men have been doing crazy things in the name of love.

From The Daily Beast

They have no decision-making skills or sense of moderation when faced with the forbidden fruit roll-up.

From The Daily Beast

In Plate No. 7, Laura, in yellow, acquires the rudiments of obedience and refrains from eating forbidden fruit.

From Project Gutenberg

He has the forbidden fruit in his waistcoat pocket, and can make himself a god as often and as long as he likes.

From Project Gutenberg

We are no saints, sinful men and women, all of us, and as much inclined to forbidden fruit as any good Christians can be.

From Project Gutenberg

Be that as it may, forbidden fruit is always sweet, and the Tommies were inclined to force an entrance.

From Project Gutenberg

And though shot and bullets were forbidden fruit, yet something might be done with hard wadding.

From Project Gutenberg