bear fruit

Idioms  

1. Yield results, have a favorable outcome, as in This new idea of his is bound to bear fruit. This metaphoric term, first recorded in 1879, transfers the production of fruit by a tree or plant to other kinds of useful yield.

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Example Sentences

But this research often takes many years to bear fruit, and the nonprofit was seeking ways to help get new technologies to patients sooner, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

And both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be hoping the visit will bear fruit.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Mediators tasked with salvaging the struggling initiative requested ten more days to deliver their conclusions, the French government said this week after reports suggesting the effort had failed to bear fruit.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Investors have been waiting for the company’s ambitious turnaround under Hill to bear fruit.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

It did not look strong enough to bear fruit, did not look useful at all, like most of the plants here.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• bloom
• blossom
• boom
• develop
• flourish
• grow
• mushroom
• prosper
• shine
• succeed