one of His Majesty’s bad bargains: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The idiom "one of His Majesty's bad bargains" is of British origin. It refers to a person or thing that is considered to be a disappointing or regrettable acquisition or investment. The phrase "His Majesty" in the idiom refers to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom.

The idiom suggests that the acquisition or investment mentioned in the idiom was obtained at a disadvantageous or unfavorable cost or deal. It conveys a sense of disappointment or regret over an acquisition or investment made by someone of high authority or prestige.

There is limited information available about the exact origin of this idiom or specific instances in which it has been used historically. However, despite its lack of widespread usage, the idiom can still be found in various British literature and historical contexts.

It is important to note that idioms can have multiple interpretations and may vary in meaning depending on the context in which they are used. Due to its British origin and limited usage, the idiom may not be commonly recognized or understood by individuals in the United States.

Now let's take a closer look at how this idiom is related to other idioms:

A "fool's bargain" is a deal or agreement that is foolish or unwise. It is essentially a bad bargain, much like "one of His Majesty's bad bargains". Both idioms convey a sense of regret or disappointment over a particular deal or acquisition.

When someone gets "more than one bargained for", it means they receive more than they initially expected or anticipated. This can be seen as the opposite of "one of His Majesty's bad bargains", where the acquisition or investment turned out to be less than what was expected or desired.

To "deal a bad hand" means to give someone a disadvantageous or unfavorable situation. This idiom is similar to "one of His Majesty's bad bargains", as both suggest that someone received something at a disadvantageous or unfavorable cost or deal.

A "bill of goods" refers to a deceptive or misleading description. It is essentially a false representation of something. This can be seen as similar to "one of His Majesty's bad bargains", where the acquisition or investment turned out to be disappointing or regrettable.

Finally, "a good deal" is a positive idiom that refers to a favorable or advantageous agreement or transaction. It is the opposite of "one of His Majesty's bad bargains", where the acquisition or investment turned out to be unfavorable or disappointing.