N
Fame Shock News

bull in a china shop meaning

Author

Rachel Fowler

Updated on May 16, 2026

If someone is like a bull in a china shop, they are very careless in the way that they move or behave: We told her it was a delicate situation but she went into the meeting like a bull in a china shop. Want to learn more? Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge.

What does Bull represent in China?

“In Chinese culture, a bull symbolizes perseverance, diligence and wealth.

Where did the phrase bull in a china shop come from?

An extremely clumsy person, as in Her living room, with its delicate furniture and knickknacks, made him feel like a bull in a china shop. The precise origin for this term has been lost; it was first recorded in Frederick Marryat’s novel, Jacob Faithful (1834).

Where does the phrase like a bull in a china shop come from?

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘a bull in a china shop’? It refers to a situation where a person finds himself out of place and deals too roughly with a delicate problem. It is widely believed that the phrase came about from real-life situations, when cattle were brought to the market in London in the 17th century.

What street is the Wall Street bull on?

Where to Find the Wall Street Bull. You can find the Charging Bull in the Financial District. It stands directly north of Bowling Green Park, on Broadway, just below the intersection at Morris Street.

Is like a bull in a china shop an idiom?

Summary. As awkward as a bull in a china shop is an idiom that is used to describe people who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, do not act cautiously (in their manner) or gracefully (with their physical presence) in situations where they should.

Is it bowl in a china shop or bull in a china shop?

Meaning of Bull In a China Shop:

You are like a bull in a china shop, so be a little more careful with this one and try not to break it. Note: This idiom is sometimes confused as “a bowl in a china shop.” Why are you in here? You’re a bull, you have no use for such things!

What does a bull symbolize?

Seen as a symbol of wealth and abundance, the bull was often sacrificed during ancient rituals, people hoping to secure the gods’ goodwill. The bull also stands as a symbol of stubbornness, ferocity, tyranny, brutality.

What does the bull mean in New York?

The charging bull represents the courage and can-do spirit of Americans and New Yorkers in particular. In a melting pot of backgrounds and experiences, Arturo Di Modica installed the bull as an antidote to the causes of the 1987 Wall Street crash: privilege, greed, and excess.

What does the girl in front of the bull mean?

Victoria Bekiempis in New York. Wed 28 Nov 2018 15.25 EST. The Fearless Girl statue considered by many to symbolize female empowerment has been removed from its position facing the Charging Bull of New York’s financial district – but will soon be installed in front of the stock exchange instead.