I remember my mom telling me, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” as she watched me carefully paint Twiggy eyelashes around my eyes. “Oh mom,” I would sigh in my most grown-up voice at the venerable age of 16. What did she know about beauty? She who never wore any make-up and had short cropped white hair. I now think of her face as the most beautiful in the world, with her blue eyes that sparkle. And I am sure she could still look past my ridiculous war paint and find me beautiful. Such is the power of love.
Is a tree still beautiful if no one sees it or appreciates it? Being present with someone while seeing them is such a gift of love. People often forget to show love to those around them when they are tired and worn out from the stresses of daily life. This hits home even more when it comes to the people we care about the most, the ones we know best, and the ones we expect to accept us flaws and all.
I work with couples who are worn out from daily tasks, stress, and life’s many challenges. Sometimes I wonder if it all comes down to this simple but powerful act of seeing with love. Let love fill our hearts and touch us in order to see with love and kindness. There it is all the time, waiting, just like the Beloved that Rumi talks about in so much of his poetry.
This is a private but universal moment that can transform you in an instant. When you see it in the eyes of an animal, a stranger’s smile, the beauty of a tree, or the softness of a baby’s skin, it seems like it’s coming from somewhere else. But in that very instant, there is a reciprocal opening in your heart. Notice that golden moment and guard that beauty in your heart. Bring that golden openness to your touch, your words, and the way you see your partner the next time you look at them or talk to them. You might be very surprised how transformative that moment can be.
Keep walking, though there’s no place to get to. Don’t try to see through the distances, That’s not for human beings. Move within, but don’t move the way fear makes you move.
Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument. Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
The idiomatic phrase “the bloom is off the rose” is a commonly used expression in English But what exactly does this metaphorical idiom mean?
In this article, we’ll break down the origins and unpack the significance behind this popular idiomatic expression.
What Does “The Bloom is Off the Rose” Mean?
The idiom “the bloom is off the rose” means that the luster appeal or attractiveness of something or someone has faded. It refers to a situation relationship or object that has lost its initial excitement, novelty or popularity.
For example:
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“When we first started dating, everything was exciting. But now, the bloom is off the rose and we barely talk anymore.”
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“That hot startup was all the rage last year, but the bloom is off the rose and people have lost interest.”
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“The new CEO was popular at first, but the bloom is off the rose as employees have grown dissatisfied with his leadership.”
So in essence, “the bloom is off the rose” expresses the idea that the first blush of enthusiasm or idealism has worn off, giving way to disappointment or disillusionment. The romantic, perfect image has wilted away.
Origins and Early Usage
The idiom “the bloom is off the rose” employs a metaphor comparing the fading of a rose’s bloom or flower to the deterioration of beauty, love or passion.
This phrase was in use as early as the 16th century. The comparison of the transience of a rose’s bloom to the fleeting nature of beauty and relationships traces back to classical literature and poetry.
Some of the earliest known uses in print include:
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In a 1597 poem by Edmund Spenser: “But ah, sweete Rose, not long shall be, the bloom which now is off the tree.”
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In a 1616 poem by Ben Jonson: “Now withers all the rose, the bloom is gone.”
By the 19th century, the phrase evolved into the modern version “the bloom is off the rose” that we know today. Some early examples:
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In an 1845 poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: “Beloved, thou hast brought me many flowers…But when did beauty ever keep, The bloom, where love had been?”
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An 1876 story by Julian Hawthorne: “Was this the rose…whose bloom was gone?”
So the idiom has a long history stemming from poetic flower metaphors used to represent beauty and passion. Over centuries “the bloom is off the rose” became crystallized into the idiomatic phrase we frequently hear today.
Why a Rose?
The rose has symbolic connotations that make it the perfect flower metaphor for this idiom.
A rose in full bloom is gorgeous, aromatic and vibrant. It represents the height of beauty, love and perfection. But roses also have relatively short lifespans – their blooms quickly wither and die off.
This transient nature of a rose’s beauty makes it a fitting representation of fleeting passion, affection or enthusiasm. The rose mirrors the arc of romance and other facets of life – a euphoric start full of promise that inevitably fades with the passage of time.
Common Examples and Variations
Today this idiom is widely used in everyday speech, writing and news headlines. Some examples:
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“After just one year of marriage, the bloom was already off the rose and they were constantly fighting.”
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“The new TV show was exciting at first but soon the bloom was off the rose as ratings steadily declined.”
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News headline: “After Early Missteps, the Bloom is Off the Rose Between Biden and Progressives.”
There are also some variations on the phrase that substitute “rose” with another flower or object:
- The bloom is off the peach
- The bloom is off the rye
- The bloom is off the cabbage
- The bloom is off the orange
But the classic “bloom is off the rose” remains the most common phrasing.
When to Use This Idiom
You can use this idiom whenever you want to convey the dissipation of enthusiasm, freshness or vitality as the initial magic of something or someone wears thin over time.
It flexibly applies to souring relationships, decreasing business fortunes, politicians falling out of public favor, tv shows declining in popularity or any situation where the first blush has faded.
Just be aware that it contains an implicit negative judgment, implying the current state as inferior to the original glory. Use tactfully if you want to avoid offending.
This idiom has endured for centuries thanks to the rose’s symbolic floral associations. So next time your friend complains “the bloom is off the rose” about a stale relationship, you’ll understand exactly what they really mean!
About the Author: Margaret Mikkelborg
The Fading Beauty: Understanding “Bloom off the Rose”
FAQ
What does it mean to say the bloom is off the rose?
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What does the Bloom is off the Rose mean?
In Reply to: The bloom is off the rose posted by Bob on February 23, 2006 : : : : What does the phrase “the bloom is off the rose mean. What is its origin? : : : When the bloom is off the rose, it means, figuratively, that whatever you are talking about has lost its first freshness, it’s former beauty and allure.
Is the ‘blood of the Rose’ off the Rose?
Outside of Britain, too, the bloom is off the rose. Mrs. Thatcher had a warm relationship with President Ronald Reagan, but her standing with President Bush is less certain. The bloom is off the rose concerning the imperial CEO. Finally shareholders are becoming incensed by these reprehensible bonuses and severance packages.
What does a rose e’re blooming mean?
Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming is a Christmas carol of German origin. The carol was originally known as “ Es ist ein Ros entsprungen ” which means a rose has sprung up. The rose in the text is symbolic of the Virgin Mary. The original hymn had two verses, expressing the prophecy of Isaiah in the first verse and the symbolism in the second verse.