bed of roses

American  

noun

1. a situation of luxurious ease; a highly agreeable position.

   Caring for a houseful of active kids is no bed of roses.

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bed of roses Idioms  

1. A comfortable or luxurious position, as in Taking care of these older patients is no bed of roses. This metaphor, first recorded in 1635, is often used in a negative context, as in the example. Also see bowl of cherries.

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Etymology

Origin of bed of roses

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bed of roses

Although it's important to note that this contest hasn't been a bed of roses, with Monica Lennon labelling the party "quite nasty" when she failed to make the final leadership ballot.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

The road to where we are now has not been a bed of roses.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 21, 2023

“Chivalry may not have been a bed of roses for those forced to lie in it,” Judge Keenan said about the dress code in her opinion.

From New York Times ● Jun. 17, 2022

Looking back, I realize it wasn't a bed of roses for him.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2021

She flew up the drive and suddenly she saw Miss Honey in the front garden, standing in the middle of a bed of roses doing something with a pair of clippers.

From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl