low-hanging fruit: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘low-hanging fruit’ mean?
The idiom low-hanging fruit refers to tasks or goals that are easily achievable or require little effort. It implies that these tasks or goals are within easy reach, like fruit that hangs low on a tree and can be easily picked.
Idiom Explorer
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The Ubiquitous Symbol of Simplicity
The idiom "low-hanging fruit" is a phrase that is used to describe a situation or opportunity that is easily attainable or readily achievable. The phrase comes from the literal act of picking fruit that is hanging low on a tree, which requires little effort compared to reaching for fruit that is higher up or harder to reach.
One source of this idiom can be traced back to a book written in 1927 called "Benjamin Ide Wheeler: The Progressive as Educator" by William Popper. In this book, the idiom is used metaphorically to discuss the idea of prioritizing tasks or goals that offer quicker and easier results.
Since then, the idiom has gained popularity in business and marketing contexts. It is often used to describe an easy target or goal that can be quickly achieved with minimal effort. This can refer to customers or opportunities that are readily available and can be easily capitalized upon.
The idiom "low-hanging fruit" is frequently used in everyday language as well. It is colloquially used in conversations and informal settings to describe something that is easily obtained or achieved, often with a hint of laziness or lack of ambition attached to it.
It is important to note that the idiom can sometimes have a negative connotation. It implies taking the easiest route or settling for less challenging goals, rather than aiming for higher achievements that may require more effort or risk.
Despite its popularity and well-known meaning, the idiom "low-hanging fruit" remains versatile and adaptable to different situations. It can be used in a variety of contexts to emphasize the ease or simplicity of a particular goal, opportunity, or task.
For example, when we use the idiom "low-hanging fruit" to refer to something as "easy pickings," we are highlighting how effortless and straightforward it is to achieve or obtain that particular thing. It implies that there is no significant challenge or obstacle in reaching for that goal or opportunity. In a business context, this could mean going after a target market that is already within reach and easily accessible.
Another related idiom is "bear fruit." When we say that something will "bear fruit" or that it has the potential to "bear fruit," we are saying that it has the potential to produce positive results or outcomes. This idiom is often used to describe investments, actions, or strategies that are likely to bring about successful or favorable results in the future. In the context of "low-hanging fruit," we can say that focusing on easily attainable goals or opportunities can bear fruit by providing quick and positive outcomes.
The idiom "low-hanging fruit" refers to a situation or opportunity that is easily attainable or achievable with minimal effort. It originated from the literal act of picking low-hanging fruit and has gained popularity in various contexts, including business and everyday language. While it can sometimes imply a lack of ambition or risk-taking, it remains a versatile expression that highlights the ease or simplicity of a goal, opportunity, or task. Additionally, it can be related to idioms like "easy pickings" and "bear fruit" to further emphasize the effortless nature and positive outcomes of pursuing easily attainable goals.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "low-hanging fruit" can be used in a sentence:
- They decided to tackle the low-hanging fruit first by implementing simple cost-cutting measures.
- The marketing team focused on the low-hanging fruit by targeting customers who were already interested in their product.
- Instead of going after more challenging projects, the team chose to pick the low-hanging fruit and complete some quick wins.
The idiom "low-hanging fruit" is often used to describe tasks or goals that are easily achievable or require little effort or skill. It represents opportunities or solutions that are readily available and can be easily accessed or obtained without much difficulty. By focusing on these low-hanging fruits first, individuals or teams can make quick progress or achieve initial success before moving on to more challenging endeavors.
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