Is there an “opposite” to the idiom “throwing the baby out with the bathwater”?












6















"Throwing the baby out with the bathwater" means that something essential is lost in the process of getting rid of something unwanted (and relatively minor).



I'm looking for a phrase that means that one brings something greatly negative upon oneself in the process of obtaining something that is wanted (and relatively minor). Is there one?



EDIT: Slight elaboration: The phrase should mean that the process of obtaining A (the relatively minor positive thing) unavoidably brings with it B (the big negative thing). It is entirely possible that A might be obtained in another way, by the way.



As I write that, I think I know the phrase, but I'm not sure it exists in English (I'm Swedish). It is something to do with fixing minor problems with hand grenades, e.g. "Like fighting house rats with hand grenades". I don't know if there is an original, standard version however. Has anyone got an idea?










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  • possible duplicate of Expression that means something like "killing the sheep to keep them from being kidnapped"

    – Cameron
    Oct 28 '12 at 17:06
















6















"Throwing the baby out with the bathwater" means that something essential is lost in the process of getting rid of something unwanted (and relatively minor).



I'm looking for a phrase that means that one brings something greatly negative upon oneself in the process of obtaining something that is wanted (and relatively minor). Is there one?



EDIT: Slight elaboration: The phrase should mean that the process of obtaining A (the relatively minor positive thing) unavoidably brings with it B (the big negative thing). It is entirely possible that A might be obtained in another way, by the way.



As I write that, I think I know the phrase, but I'm not sure it exists in English (I'm Swedish). It is something to do with fixing minor problems with hand grenades, e.g. "Like fighting house rats with hand grenades". I don't know if there is an original, standard version however. Has anyone got an idea?










share|improve this question

























  • possible duplicate of Expression that means something like "killing the sheep to keep them from being kidnapped"

    – Cameron
    Oct 28 '12 at 17:06














6












6








6


0






"Throwing the baby out with the bathwater" means that something essential is lost in the process of getting rid of something unwanted (and relatively minor).



I'm looking for a phrase that means that one brings something greatly negative upon oneself in the process of obtaining something that is wanted (and relatively minor). Is there one?



EDIT: Slight elaboration: The phrase should mean that the process of obtaining A (the relatively minor positive thing) unavoidably brings with it B (the big negative thing). It is entirely possible that A might be obtained in another way, by the way.



As I write that, I think I know the phrase, but I'm not sure it exists in English (I'm Swedish). It is something to do with fixing minor problems with hand grenades, e.g. "Like fighting house rats with hand grenades". I don't know if there is an original, standard version however. Has anyone got an idea?










share|improve this question
















"Throwing the baby out with the bathwater" means that something essential is lost in the process of getting rid of something unwanted (and relatively minor).



I'm looking for a phrase that means that one brings something greatly negative upon oneself in the process of obtaining something that is wanted (and relatively minor). Is there one?



EDIT: Slight elaboration: The phrase should mean that the process of obtaining A (the relatively minor positive thing) unavoidably brings with it B (the big negative thing). It is entirely possible that A might be obtained in another way, by the way.



As I write that, I think I know the phrase, but I'm not sure it exists in English (I'm Swedish). It is something to do with fixing minor problems with hand grenades, e.g. "Like fighting house rats with hand grenades". I don't know if there is an original, standard version however. Has anyone got an idea?







idioms phrase-requests






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edited Oct 29 '12 at 17:28







andreasdr

















asked Oct 28 '12 at 10:46









andreasdrandreasdr

2741415




2741415













  • possible duplicate of Expression that means something like "killing the sheep to keep them from being kidnapped"

    – Cameron
    Oct 28 '12 at 17:06



















  • possible duplicate of Expression that means something like "killing the sheep to keep them from being kidnapped"

    – Cameron
    Oct 28 '12 at 17:06

















possible duplicate of Expression that means something like "killing the sheep to keep them from being kidnapped"

– Cameron
Oct 28 '12 at 17:06





possible duplicate of Expression that means something like "killing the sheep to keep them from being kidnapped"

– Cameron
Oct 28 '12 at 17:06










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

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4














You could try "cut off your nose to spite your face".



This is used where you bring a lot of trouble on yourself pursuing a minor victory, such as getting even with somebody. As it has this 'angry' aspect, it might not be exactly the same as throwing the baby out with the bathwater, but I can't think of a closer one.






share|improve this answer


























  • Roaring, I edited question's title since question itself was asking for more of a parallel than an opposite. You may need to adjust last sentence of your answer

    – James Waldby - jwpat7
    Oct 28 '12 at 15:57











  • I'm afraid I had to revert that edit. The choice of the word "opposite" might not be the best, but "parallel" suggests that I'm looking for an analogous phrase. The baby-bathwater-phrase means roughly "get rid of something unwanted: also lose something essential", while I'm looking for a phrase that means "obtain something wanted: also bring something very bad upon oneself"

    – andreasdr
    Oct 29 '12 at 17:12











  • This phrase doesn't capture the aspect of "gaining" two things: one good, one bad, but I believe this phrase is the closest to what I'm looking for (until the one about house rats and hand grenades starts to spread :) ).

    – andreasdr
    Oct 30 '12 at 10:53



















7














Based on your second paragraph, I think a Pyrrhic victory might qualify:




Someone who wins a "Pyrrhic victory" has been victorious in some way; however, the heavy toll or the detrimental consequences negates any sense of achievement or profit.




This doesn't necessarily capture the aspect of "obtaining something that is wanted (and relatively minor)"; however, I don't think the original idiom always reflects that either.



For instance: "To suggest eliminating all military spending to meet defense budget constraints is throwing the baby out with the bathwater". Many might not see budget cuts as "minor", but the proposed solution is nonetheless extreme where the costs may outweigh the benefits.






share|improve this answer
























  • I agree, a Pyrrhic victory describes something that is unexpectedly costly, but ultimately worth the effort. Not quite what I'm looking for, but thanks for the input!

    – andreasdr
    Oct 30 '12 at 10:49






  • 2





    Historically, Hannibal said “One more victory like this will be the end of me.” A pyrrhic victory is definitely not worth it.

    – gnasher729
    Mar 28 '15 at 12:48











  • @gnasher729 Did Hannibal say that too? Pyrrhus said it a few decades before Hannibal's time, and Phyrric victory is named after him, of course :) But not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, you make a valid point though.

    – Jacinto
    Sep 1 '15 at 19:43





















4














A traditional metaphor is "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind".

As noted in the linked Wikipedia article, the origin is the "Book of Hosea", part of the Hebrew Bible.






share|improve this answer

































    1














    "House rats with hand grenades" has an idiomatic ring to it and is completely understandable even though I've never heard it before. It might not be useful for formal speech, but neither are most idioms.






    share|improve this answer
























    • No, that's just something I made up. Hope it catches on ;).

      – andreasdr
      Oct 29 '12 at 18:27











    • @andreasdr But I'm pretty sure I've heard similar idioms - "Swatting flies with a sledgehammer" comes to mind ... I think there's a few specifically including handgrenades, too

      – hunter2
      Jul 26 '13 at 6:49



















    1














    There is an expression ''using a sledge hammer to crack a nut'' which is similar to your hand grenade example but not exactly what you asked for in your opening sentences.

    Another expression ''be careful what you wish for'' generally means that getting what you desire may have unforeseen consequences. This may be closer to what you are looking for.






    share|improve this answer








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      5 Answers
      5






      active

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      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

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      4














      You could try "cut off your nose to spite your face".



      This is used where you bring a lot of trouble on yourself pursuing a minor victory, such as getting even with somebody. As it has this 'angry' aspect, it might not be exactly the same as throwing the baby out with the bathwater, but I can't think of a closer one.






      share|improve this answer


























      • Roaring, I edited question's title since question itself was asking for more of a parallel than an opposite. You may need to adjust last sentence of your answer

        – James Waldby - jwpat7
        Oct 28 '12 at 15:57











      • I'm afraid I had to revert that edit. The choice of the word "opposite" might not be the best, but "parallel" suggests that I'm looking for an analogous phrase. The baby-bathwater-phrase means roughly "get rid of something unwanted: also lose something essential", while I'm looking for a phrase that means "obtain something wanted: also bring something very bad upon oneself"

        – andreasdr
        Oct 29 '12 at 17:12











      • This phrase doesn't capture the aspect of "gaining" two things: one good, one bad, but I believe this phrase is the closest to what I'm looking for (until the one about house rats and hand grenades starts to spread :) ).

        – andreasdr
        Oct 30 '12 at 10:53
















      4














      You could try "cut off your nose to spite your face".



      This is used where you bring a lot of trouble on yourself pursuing a minor victory, such as getting even with somebody. As it has this 'angry' aspect, it might not be exactly the same as throwing the baby out with the bathwater, but I can't think of a closer one.






      share|improve this answer


























      • Roaring, I edited question's title since question itself was asking for more of a parallel than an opposite. You may need to adjust last sentence of your answer

        – James Waldby - jwpat7
        Oct 28 '12 at 15:57











      • I'm afraid I had to revert that edit. The choice of the word "opposite" might not be the best, but "parallel" suggests that I'm looking for an analogous phrase. The baby-bathwater-phrase means roughly "get rid of something unwanted: also lose something essential", while I'm looking for a phrase that means "obtain something wanted: also bring something very bad upon oneself"

        – andreasdr
        Oct 29 '12 at 17:12











      • This phrase doesn't capture the aspect of "gaining" two things: one good, one bad, but I believe this phrase is the closest to what I'm looking for (until the one about house rats and hand grenades starts to spread :) ).

        – andreasdr
        Oct 30 '12 at 10:53














      4












      4








      4







      You could try "cut off your nose to spite your face".



      This is used where you bring a lot of trouble on yourself pursuing a minor victory, such as getting even with somebody. As it has this 'angry' aspect, it might not be exactly the same as throwing the baby out with the bathwater, but I can't think of a closer one.






      share|improve this answer















      You could try "cut off your nose to spite your face".



      This is used where you bring a lot of trouble on yourself pursuing a minor victory, such as getting even with somebody. As it has this 'angry' aspect, it might not be exactly the same as throwing the baby out with the bathwater, but I can't think of a closer one.







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited Oct 29 '12 at 12:26

























      answered Oct 28 '12 at 10:50









      Roaring FishRoaring Fish

      14.3k12453




      14.3k12453













      • Roaring, I edited question's title since question itself was asking for more of a parallel than an opposite. You may need to adjust last sentence of your answer

        – James Waldby - jwpat7
        Oct 28 '12 at 15:57











      • I'm afraid I had to revert that edit. The choice of the word "opposite" might not be the best, but "parallel" suggests that I'm looking for an analogous phrase. The baby-bathwater-phrase means roughly "get rid of something unwanted: also lose something essential", while I'm looking for a phrase that means "obtain something wanted: also bring something very bad upon oneself"

        – andreasdr
        Oct 29 '12 at 17:12











      • This phrase doesn't capture the aspect of "gaining" two things: one good, one bad, but I believe this phrase is the closest to what I'm looking for (until the one about house rats and hand grenades starts to spread :) ).

        – andreasdr
        Oct 30 '12 at 10:53



















      • Roaring, I edited question's title since question itself was asking for more of a parallel than an opposite. You may need to adjust last sentence of your answer

        – James Waldby - jwpat7
        Oct 28 '12 at 15:57











      • I'm afraid I had to revert that edit. The choice of the word "opposite" might not be the best, but "parallel" suggests that I'm looking for an analogous phrase. The baby-bathwater-phrase means roughly "get rid of something unwanted: also lose something essential", while I'm looking for a phrase that means "obtain something wanted: also bring something very bad upon oneself"

        – andreasdr
        Oct 29 '12 at 17:12











      • This phrase doesn't capture the aspect of "gaining" two things: one good, one bad, but I believe this phrase is the closest to what I'm looking for (until the one about house rats and hand grenades starts to spread :) ).

        – andreasdr
        Oct 30 '12 at 10:53

















      Roaring, I edited question's title since question itself was asking for more of a parallel than an opposite. You may need to adjust last sentence of your answer

      – James Waldby - jwpat7
      Oct 28 '12 at 15:57





      Roaring, I edited question's title since question itself was asking for more of a parallel than an opposite. You may need to adjust last sentence of your answer

      – James Waldby - jwpat7
      Oct 28 '12 at 15:57













      I'm afraid I had to revert that edit. The choice of the word "opposite" might not be the best, but "parallel" suggests that I'm looking for an analogous phrase. The baby-bathwater-phrase means roughly "get rid of something unwanted: also lose something essential", while I'm looking for a phrase that means "obtain something wanted: also bring something very bad upon oneself"

      – andreasdr
      Oct 29 '12 at 17:12





      I'm afraid I had to revert that edit. The choice of the word "opposite" might not be the best, but "parallel" suggests that I'm looking for an analogous phrase. The baby-bathwater-phrase means roughly "get rid of something unwanted: also lose something essential", while I'm looking for a phrase that means "obtain something wanted: also bring something very bad upon oneself"

      – andreasdr
      Oct 29 '12 at 17:12













      This phrase doesn't capture the aspect of "gaining" two things: one good, one bad, but I believe this phrase is the closest to what I'm looking for (until the one about house rats and hand grenades starts to spread :) ).

      – andreasdr
      Oct 30 '12 at 10:53





      This phrase doesn't capture the aspect of "gaining" two things: one good, one bad, but I believe this phrase is the closest to what I'm looking for (until the one about house rats and hand grenades starts to spread :) ).

      – andreasdr
      Oct 30 '12 at 10:53













      7














      Based on your second paragraph, I think a Pyrrhic victory might qualify:




      Someone who wins a "Pyrrhic victory" has been victorious in some way; however, the heavy toll or the detrimental consequences negates any sense of achievement or profit.




      This doesn't necessarily capture the aspect of "obtaining something that is wanted (and relatively minor)"; however, I don't think the original idiom always reflects that either.



      For instance: "To suggest eliminating all military spending to meet defense budget constraints is throwing the baby out with the bathwater". Many might not see budget cuts as "minor", but the proposed solution is nonetheless extreme where the costs may outweigh the benefits.






      share|improve this answer
























      • I agree, a Pyrrhic victory describes something that is unexpectedly costly, but ultimately worth the effort. Not quite what I'm looking for, but thanks for the input!

        – andreasdr
        Oct 30 '12 at 10:49






      • 2





        Historically, Hannibal said “One more victory like this will be the end of me.” A pyrrhic victory is definitely not worth it.

        – gnasher729
        Mar 28 '15 at 12:48











      • @gnasher729 Did Hannibal say that too? Pyrrhus said it a few decades before Hannibal's time, and Phyrric victory is named after him, of course :) But not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, you make a valid point though.

        – Jacinto
        Sep 1 '15 at 19:43


















      7














      Based on your second paragraph, I think a Pyrrhic victory might qualify:




      Someone who wins a "Pyrrhic victory" has been victorious in some way; however, the heavy toll or the detrimental consequences negates any sense of achievement or profit.




      This doesn't necessarily capture the aspect of "obtaining something that is wanted (and relatively minor)"; however, I don't think the original idiom always reflects that either.



      For instance: "To suggest eliminating all military spending to meet defense budget constraints is throwing the baby out with the bathwater". Many might not see budget cuts as "minor", but the proposed solution is nonetheless extreme where the costs may outweigh the benefits.






      share|improve this answer
























      • I agree, a Pyrrhic victory describes something that is unexpectedly costly, but ultimately worth the effort. Not quite what I'm looking for, but thanks for the input!

        – andreasdr
        Oct 30 '12 at 10:49






      • 2





        Historically, Hannibal said “One more victory like this will be the end of me.” A pyrrhic victory is definitely not worth it.

        – gnasher729
        Mar 28 '15 at 12:48











      • @gnasher729 Did Hannibal say that too? Pyrrhus said it a few decades before Hannibal's time, and Phyrric victory is named after him, of course :) But not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, you make a valid point though.

        – Jacinto
        Sep 1 '15 at 19:43
















      7












      7








      7







      Based on your second paragraph, I think a Pyrrhic victory might qualify:




      Someone who wins a "Pyrrhic victory" has been victorious in some way; however, the heavy toll or the detrimental consequences negates any sense of achievement or profit.




      This doesn't necessarily capture the aspect of "obtaining something that is wanted (and relatively minor)"; however, I don't think the original idiom always reflects that either.



      For instance: "To suggest eliminating all military spending to meet defense budget constraints is throwing the baby out with the bathwater". Many might not see budget cuts as "minor", but the proposed solution is nonetheless extreme where the costs may outweigh the benefits.






      share|improve this answer













      Based on your second paragraph, I think a Pyrrhic victory might qualify:




      Someone who wins a "Pyrrhic victory" has been victorious in some way; however, the heavy toll or the detrimental consequences negates any sense of achievement or profit.




      This doesn't necessarily capture the aspect of "obtaining something that is wanted (and relatively minor)"; however, I don't think the original idiom always reflects that either.



      For instance: "To suggest eliminating all military spending to meet defense budget constraints is throwing the baby out with the bathwater". Many might not see budget cuts as "minor", but the proposed solution is nonetheless extreme where the costs may outweigh the benefits.







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered Oct 28 '12 at 16:15









      ZairjaZairja

      5,82343078




      5,82343078













      • I agree, a Pyrrhic victory describes something that is unexpectedly costly, but ultimately worth the effort. Not quite what I'm looking for, but thanks for the input!

        – andreasdr
        Oct 30 '12 at 10:49






      • 2





        Historically, Hannibal said “One more victory like this will be the end of me.” A pyrrhic victory is definitely not worth it.

        – gnasher729
        Mar 28 '15 at 12:48











      • @gnasher729 Did Hannibal say that too? Pyrrhus said it a few decades before Hannibal's time, and Phyrric victory is named after him, of course :) But not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, you make a valid point though.

        – Jacinto
        Sep 1 '15 at 19:43





















      • I agree, a Pyrrhic victory describes something that is unexpectedly costly, but ultimately worth the effort. Not quite what I'm looking for, but thanks for the input!

        – andreasdr
        Oct 30 '12 at 10:49






      • 2





        Historically, Hannibal said “One more victory like this will be the end of me.” A pyrrhic victory is definitely not worth it.

        – gnasher729
        Mar 28 '15 at 12:48











      • @gnasher729 Did Hannibal say that too? Pyrrhus said it a few decades before Hannibal's time, and Phyrric victory is named after him, of course :) But not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, you make a valid point though.

        – Jacinto
        Sep 1 '15 at 19:43



















      I agree, a Pyrrhic victory describes something that is unexpectedly costly, but ultimately worth the effort. Not quite what I'm looking for, but thanks for the input!

      – andreasdr
      Oct 30 '12 at 10:49





      I agree, a Pyrrhic victory describes something that is unexpectedly costly, but ultimately worth the effort. Not quite what I'm looking for, but thanks for the input!

      – andreasdr
      Oct 30 '12 at 10:49




      2




      2





      Historically, Hannibal said “One more victory like this will be the end of me.” A pyrrhic victory is definitely not worth it.

      – gnasher729
      Mar 28 '15 at 12:48





      Historically, Hannibal said “One more victory like this will be the end of me.” A pyrrhic victory is definitely not worth it.

      – gnasher729
      Mar 28 '15 at 12:48













      @gnasher729 Did Hannibal say that too? Pyrrhus said it a few decades before Hannibal's time, and Phyrric victory is named after him, of course :) But not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, you make a valid point though.

      – Jacinto
      Sep 1 '15 at 19:43







      @gnasher729 Did Hannibal say that too? Pyrrhus said it a few decades before Hannibal's time, and Phyrric victory is named after him, of course :) But not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, you make a valid point though.

      – Jacinto
      Sep 1 '15 at 19:43













      4














      A traditional metaphor is "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind".

      As noted in the linked Wikipedia article, the origin is the "Book of Hosea", part of the Hebrew Bible.






      share|improve this answer






























        4














        A traditional metaphor is "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind".

        As noted in the linked Wikipedia article, the origin is the "Book of Hosea", part of the Hebrew Bible.






        share|improve this answer




























          4












          4








          4







          A traditional metaphor is "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind".

          As noted in the linked Wikipedia article, the origin is the "Book of Hosea", part of the Hebrew Bible.






          share|improve this answer















          A traditional metaphor is "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind".

          As noted in the linked Wikipedia article, the origin is the "Book of Hosea", part of the Hebrew Bible.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Oct 28 '12 at 11:32

























          answered Oct 28 '12 at 11:25









          MetaEdMetaEd

          25.5k1371123




          25.5k1371123























              1














              "House rats with hand grenades" has an idiomatic ring to it and is completely understandable even though I've never heard it before. It might not be useful for formal speech, but neither are most idioms.






              share|improve this answer
























              • No, that's just something I made up. Hope it catches on ;).

                – andreasdr
                Oct 29 '12 at 18:27











              • @andreasdr But I'm pretty sure I've heard similar idioms - "Swatting flies with a sledgehammer" comes to mind ... I think there's a few specifically including handgrenades, too

                – hunter2
                Jul 26 '13 at 6:49
















              1














              "House rats with hand grenades" has an idiomatic ring to it and is completely understandable even though I've never heard it before. It might not be useful for formal speech, but neither are most idioms.






              share|improve this answer
























              • No, that's just something I made up. Hope it catches on ;).

                – andreasdr
                Oct 29 '12 at 18:27











              • @andreasdr But I'm pretty sure I've heard similar idioms - "Swatting flies with a sledgehammer" comes to mind ... I think there's a few specifically including handgrenades, too

                – hunter2
                Jul 26 '13 at 6:49














              1












              1








              1







              "House rats with hand grenades" has an idiomatic ring to it and is completely understandable even though I've never heard it before. It might not be useful for formal speech, but neither are most idioms.






              share|improve this answer













              "House rats with hand grenades" has an idiomatic ring to it and is completely understandable even though I've never heard it before. It might not be useful for formal speech, but neither are most idioms.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Oct 29 '12 at 17:43









              CharlesCharles

              1,90911428




              1,90911428













              • No, that's just something I made up. Hope it catches on ;).

                – andreasdr
                Oct 29 '12 at 18:27











              • @andreasdr But I'm pretty sure I've heard similar idioms - "Swatting flies with a sledgehammer" comes to mind ... I think there's a few specifically including handgrenades, too

                – hunter2
                Jul 26 '13 at 6:49



















              • No, that's just something I made up. Hope it catches on ;).

                – andreasdr
                Oct 29 '12 at 18:27











              • @andreasdr But I'm pretty sure I've heard similar idioms - "Swatting flies with a sledgehammer" comes to mind ... I think there's a few specifically including handgrenades, too

                – hunter2
                Jul 26 '13 at 6:49

















              No, that's just something I made up. Hope it catches on ;).

              – andreasdr
              Oct 29 '12 at 18:27





              No, that's just something I made up. Hope it catches on ;).

              – andreasdr
              Oct 29 '12 at 18:27













              @andreasdr But I'm pretty sure I've heard similar idioms - "Swatting flies with a sledgehammer" comes to mind ... I think there's a few specifically including handgrenades, too

              – hunter2
              Jul 26 '13 at 6:49





              @andreasdr But I'm pretty sure I've heard similar idioms - "Swatting flies with a sledgehammer" comes to mind ... I think there's a few specifically including handgrenades, too

              – hunter2
              Jul 26 '13 at 6:49











              1














              There is an expression ''using a sledge hammer to crack a nut'' which is similar to your hand grenade example but not exactly what you asked for in your opening sentences.

              Another expression ''be careful what you wish for'' generally means that getting what you desire may have unforeseen consequences. This may be closer to what you are looking for.






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                1














                There is an expression ''using a sledge hammer to crack a nut'' which is similar to your hand grenade example but not exactly what you asked for in your opening sentences.

                Another expression ''be careful what you wish for'' generally means that getting what you desire may have unforeseen consequences. This may be closer to what you are looking for.






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                Heather is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.























                  1












                  1








                  1







                  There is an expression ''using a sledge hammer to crack a nut'' which is similar to your hand grenade example but not exactly what you asked for in your opening sentences.

                  Another expression ''be careful what you wish for'' generally means that getting what you desire may have unforeseen consequences. This may be closer to what you are looking for.






                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  Heather is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.










                  There is an expression ''using a sledge hammer to crack a nut'' which is similar to your hand grenade example but not exactly what you asked for in your opening sentences.

                  Another expression ''be careful what you wish for'' generally means that getting what you desire may have unforeseen consequences. This may be closer to what you are looking for.







                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  Heather is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer






                  New contributor




                  Heather is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                  answered yesterday









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                  111




                  New contributor




                  Heather is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                  New contributor





                  Heather is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                  Heather is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.






























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