Picture a group of friends arguing over who gets the last slice of pizza. One small thing suddenly turns the mood sour, and tension fills the air. That, my friend, is a perfect modern-day apple of discord!
In this post, we’ll explore the meaning, origin, and real-life examples of this intriguing idiom — plus some similar phrases you can use instead.
🏺 Meaning of Apple of Discord
The idiom “apple of discord” refers to something that causes an argument, disagreement, or conflict — often among people who usually get along.
It’s the small but powerful trigger that stirs up trouble or competition.
In short:
“Apple of discord” means a cause of dispute or conflict between people.
Other shades of meaning:
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A subject or issue that divides opinions.
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Something that sparks rivalry or jealousy.
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A trivial thing that leads to a major quarrel.
🌿 Origin of Apple of Discord
The story behind this idiom goes back to ancient Greek mythology — specifically, the myth of the Golden Apple.
According to legend, Eris, the goddess of discord, wasn’t invited to a wedding feast on Mount Olympus. Furious, she tossed a golden apple among the guests with the words “To the fairest” inscribed on it.
Three goddesses — Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena — each claimed the apple. To settle the dispute, Zeus asked the mortal prince Paris of Troy to decide who deserved it. Paris chose Aphrodite, who promised him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta.
And as the story goes, Helen’s abduction led to the Trojan War.
So, the apple of discord literally began as an object that caused conflict, and the phrase has kept that meaning ever since.
💬 Examples in Sentences
Here are a few ways you can use apple of discord in everyday English:
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Formal: “The new policy became an apple of discord among the employees.”
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Formal: “Land ownership has long been the apple of discord between the two families.”
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Casual: “That promotion turned into a real apple of discord in our office.”
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Casual: “The missing phone was the apple of discord that ruined the trip.”
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Creative: “In their relationship, social media likes were the apple of discord.”
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Playful: “The last donut in the box quickly became the apple of discord.”
🌱 Similar Idioms or Phrases
If you want to express a similar idea, here are some idioms that work like apple of discord:
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A bone of contention — something that people keep arguing about.
“Money has always been a bone of contention in their marriage.”
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Stir the pot — to cause trouble or start conflict intentionally.
“He loves to stir the pot just to see people argue.”
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Add fuel to the fire — to make an argument or problem worse.
“Bringing up the past only added fuel to the fire.”
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Rock the boat — to disturb a stable or peaceful situation.
“Let’s not rock the boat by bringing up that topic again.”
💭 PERSONAL INSIGHT
I find apple of discord to be one of those idioms that sound poetic yet perfectly practical. It’s amazing how something from ancient mythology still fits today’s world — especially when small things like a text message or a misunderstanding can spark huge disagreements.
Whenever I hear drama brewing, I can’t help but think, “Ah, there’s the apple of discord!”
🍎 CONCLUSION
The idiom “apple of discord” reminds us how small things can cause big conflicts — just like that golden apple in Greek mythology that started a war.
It’s a timeless phrase for describing disputes, rivalries, or moments of unexpected tension.
Do you use “apple of discord” in your everyday conversations? Share your examples in the comments below — I’d love to see how you use it!