Common expression for when ideas meet reality
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I am searching for a common (though, apparently, relatively obscure) expression that goes something like one of the following:
the crucible of reality
the crucible of truth
the mortar and pestle of reality
the mortar and pestle of truth
The essence is that the true test of something, like an idea, is when it meets with reality and is no longer purely theoretical.
Does anyone know the accurate phrasing of this expression?
expressions
asked May 28 at 7:37
user0939user0939
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add a comment
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1
I am searching for a common (though, apparently, relatively obscure) expression that goes something like one of the following:
the crucible of reality
the crucible of truth
the mortar and pestle of reality
the mortar and pestle of truth
The essence is that the true test of something, like an idea, is when it meets with reality and is no longer purely theoretical.
Does anyone know the accurate phrasing of this expression?
expressions
asked May 28 at 7:37
user0939user0939
5162 gold badges6 silver badges16 bronze badges
1
But none of those phrases necessitate, nor even warrant, a euphemism. They are all entirely acceptable in polite discourse.
– High Performance Mark
May 28 at 9:25
Maybe you want a phrase that’s not a euphemism.
– Xanne
May 28 at 9:57
@Xanne: Maybe euphemism is not the correct term. Maybe it's more like a common, widely recognized phrase used to express an idea. Although, this particular one might be less commonly used than some others.
– user0939
May 28 at 11:58
1
Did you mean 'aphorism'? Even then that's not really it. 'Idiom' or 'expression' or 'turn of phrase' or 'metaphor'. But definitely not 'euphemism' or 'aphorism'. Those are both misleading.
– Mitch
May 28 at 12:21
1
@Mitch: I changed "euphemism" to "expression." Thanks. 👍
– user0939
May 28 at 19:19
add a comment
|
1
1
1
I am searching for a common (though, apparently, relatively obscure) expression that goes something like one of the following:
the crucible of reality
the crucible of truth
the mortar and pestle of reality
the mortar and pestle of truth
The essence is that the true test of something, like an idea, is when it meets with reality and is no longer purely theoretical.
Does anyone know the accurate phrasing of this expression?
expressions
asked May 28 at 7:37
user0939user0939
5162 gold badges6 silver badges16 bronze badges
I am searching for a common (though, apparently, relatively obscure) expression that goes something like one of the following:
the crucible of reality
the crucible of truth
the mortar and pestle of reality
the mortar and pestle of truth
The essence is that the true test of something, like an idea, is when it meets with reality and is no longer purely theoretical.
Does anyone know the accurate phrasing of this expression?
expressions
expressions
asked May 28 at 7:37
user0939user0939
5162 gold badges6 silver badges16 bronze badges
asked May 28 at 7:37
user0939user0939
5162 gold badges6 silver badges16 bronze badges
edited May 28 at 19:26
user0939
asked May 28 at 7:37
user0939user0939
5162 gold badges6 silver badges16 bronze badges
asked May 28 at 7:37
user0939user0939
5162 gold badges6 silver badges16 bronze badges
asked May 28 at 7:37
user0939user0939
5162 gold badges6 silver badges16 bronze badges
5162 gold badges6 silver badges16 bronze badges
1
But none of those phrases necessitate, nor even warrant, a euphemism. They are all entirely acceptable in polite discourse.
– High Performance Mark
May 28 at 9:25
Maybe you want a phrase that’s not a euphemism.
– Xanne
May 28 at 9:57
@Xanne: Maybe euphemism is not the correct term. Maybe it's more like a common, widely recognized phrase used to express an idea. Although, this particular one might be less commonly used than some others.
– user0939
May 28 at 11:58
1
Did you mean 'aphorism'? Even then that's not really it. 'Idiom' or 'expression' or 'turn of phrase' or 'metaphor'. But definitely not 'euphemism' or 'aphorism'. Those are both misleading.
– Mitch
May 28 at 12:21
1
@Mitch: I changed "euphemism" to "expression." Thanks. 👍
– user0939
May 28 at 19:19
add a comment
|
1
But none of those phrases necessitate, nor even warrant, a euphemism. They are all entirely acceptable in polite discourse.
– High Performance Mark
May 28 at 9:25
Maybe you want a phrase that’s not a euphemism.
– Xanne
May 28 at 9:57
@Xanne: Maybe euphemism is not the correct term. Maybe it's more like a common, widely recognized phrase used to express an idea. Although, this particular one might be less commonly used than some others.
– user0939
May 28 at 11:58
1
Did you mean 'aphorism'? Even then that's not really it. 'Idiom' or 'expression' or 'turn of phrase' or 'metaphor'. But definitely not 'euphemism' or 'aphorism'. Those are both misleading.
– Mitch
May 28 at 12:21
1
@Mitch: I changed "euphemism" to "expression." Thanks. 👍
– user0939
May 28 at 19:19
1
1
But none of those phrases necessitate, nor even warrant, a euphemism. They are all entirely acceptable in polite discourse.
– High Performance Mark
May 28 at 9:25
But none of those phrases necessitate, nor even warrant, a euphemism. They are all entirely acceptable in polite discourse.
– High Performance Mark
May 28 at 9:25
Maybe you want a phrase that’s not a euphemism.
– Xanne
May 28 at 9:57
Maybe you want a phrase that’s not a euphemism.
– Xanne
May 28 at 9:57
@Xanne: Maybe euphemism is not the correct term. Maybe it's more like a common, widely recognized phrase used to express an idea. Although, this particular one might be less commonly used than some others.
– user0939
May 28 at 11:58
@Xanne: Maybe euphemism is not the correct term. Maybe it's more like a common, widely recognized phrase used to express an idea. Although, this particular one might be less commonly used than some others.
– user0939
May 28 at 11:58
1
1
Did you mean 'aphorism'? Even then that's not really it. 'Idiom' or 'expression' or 'turn of phrase' or 'metaphor'. But definitely not 'euphemism' or 'aphorism'. Those are both misleading.
– Mitch
May 28 at 12:21
Did you mean 'aphorism'? Even then that's not really it. 'Idiom' or 'expression' or 'turn of phrase' or 'metaphor'. But definitely not 'euphemism' or 'aphorism'. Those are both misleading.
– Mitch
May 28 at 12:21
1
1
@Mitch: I changed "euphemism" to "expression." Thanks. 👍
– user0939
May 28 at 19:19
@Mitch: I changed "euphemism" to "expression." Thanks. 👍
– user0939
May 28 at 19:19
add a comment
|
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2
The proof is in the pudding.
which is the very common shortening of:
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
The idea is that the pudding recipe is the theory, but to know it's a good theory you need to test it in reality, by eating the pudding.
answered May 28 at 12:22
MitchMitch
55.6k17 gold badges112 silver badges230 bronze badges
I agree "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," is an expression that matches the requirements of the question. Except the phrase I'm seeking specifically contains an object similar to a "crucible" or a "mortar and pestle." Pudding is far enough away in meaning from those two things that I'm sure that phrase is not the phrase I seek.
– user0939
May 28 at 19:24
Oh, I see, you wanted something with those actual words or very closely related (high heat or high pressure). The metaphor of a crucible goes in many directions. The most prominent one is not about truth specifically but about quality that survives intense testing (like soldiers "forged through the crucible of bootcamp"). I checked collocates of 'crucible' at COCA and it was swamped with fire and forges and blacksmithing.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:03
That said, looking at entries for the word 'tested' gives something like what I think you want (though no mention of truth directly): "college would be a crucible that tested the strength of all my beliefs.", "aspirational laws can be tested in the crucible of real facts.", "soon to be tested in the crucible of hard times"
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:05
"where the rubber meets the road" also fits exactly your title, though not involving blacksmithing or spice grinding skills.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:07
add a comment
|
0
I would say that the accuracy of a metaphor depends on what it evokes to you and is therefore subjective.
However I prefer 'crucible' or 'proving ground'/'testing ground'.
answered May 28 at 7:51
Jacob StewartJacob Stewart
675 bronze badges
add a comment
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
2
The proof is in the pudding.
which is the very common shortening of:
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
The idea is that the pudding recipe is the theory, but to know it's a good theory you need to test it in reality, by eating the pudding.
answered May 28 at 12:22
MitchMitch
55.6k17 gold badges112 silver badges230 bronze badges
I agree "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," is an expression that matches the requirements of the question. Except the phrase I'm seeking specifically contains an object similar to a "crucible" or a "mortar and pestle." Pudding is far enough away in meaning from those two things that I'm sure that phrase is not the phrase I seek.
– user0939
May 28 at 19:24
Oh, I see, you wanted something with those actual words or very closely related (high heat or high pressure). The metaphor of a crucible goes in many directions. The most prominent one is not about truth specifically but about quality that survives intense testing (like soldiers "forged through the crucible of bootcamp"). I checked collocates of 'crucible' at COCA and it was swamped with fire and forges and blacksmithing.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:03
That said, looking at entries for the word 'tested' gives something like what I think you want (though no mention of truth directly): "college would be a crucible that tested the strength of all my beliefs.", "aspirational laws can be tested in the crucible of real facts.", "soon to be tested in the crucible of hard times"
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:05
"where the rubber meets the road" also fits exactly your title, though not involving blacksmithing or spice grinding skills.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:07
add a comment
|
2
The proof is in the pudding.
which is the very common shortening of:
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
The idea is that the pudding recipe is the theory, but to know it's a good theory you need to test it in reality, by eating the pudding.
answered May 28 at 12:22
MitchMitch
55.6k17 gold badges112 silver badges230 bronze badges
I agree "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," is an expression that matches the requirements of the question. Except the phrase I'm seeking specifically contains an object similar to a "crucible" or a "mortar and pestle." Pudding is far enough away in meaning from those two things that I'm sure that phrase is not the phrase I seek.
– user0939
May 28 at 19:24
Oh, I see, you wanted something with those actual words or very closely related (high heat or high pressure). The metaphor of a crucible goes in many directions. The most prominent one is not about truth specifically but about quality that survives intense testing (like soldiers "forged through the crucible of bootcamp"). I checked collocates of 'crucible' at COCA and it was swamped with fire and forges and blacksmithing.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:03
That said, looking at entries for the word 'tested' gives something like what I think you want (though no mention of truth directly): "college would be a crucible that tested the strength of all my beliefs.", "aspirational laws can be tested in the crucible of real facts.", "soon to be tested in the crucible of hard times"
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:05
"where the rubber meets the road" also fits exactly your title, though not involving blacksmithing or spice grinding skills.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:07
add a comment
|
2
2
2
The proof is in the pudding.
which is the very common shortening of:
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
The idea is that the pudding recipe is the theory, but to know it's a good theory you need to test it in reality, by eating the pudding.
answered May 28 at 12:22
MitchMitch
55.6k17 gold badges112 silver badges230 bronze badges
The proof is in the pudding.
which is the very common shortening of:
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
The idea is that the pudding recipe is the theory, but to know it's a good theory you need to test it in reality, by eating the pudding.
answered May 28 at 12:22
MitchMitch
55.6k17 gold badges112 silver badges230 bronze badges
edited May 28 at 19:21
answered May 28 at 12:22
MitchMitch
55.6k17 gold badges112 silver badges230 bronze badges
answered May 28 at 12:22
MitchMitch
55.6k17 gold badges112 silver badges230 bronze badges
answered May 28 at 12:22
MitchMitch
55.6k17 gold badges112 silver badges230 bronze badges
55.6k17 gold badges112 silver badges230 bronze badges
I agree "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," is an expression that matches the requirements of the question. Except the phrase I'm seeking specifically contains an object similar to a "crucible" or a "mortar and pestle." Pudding is far enough away in meaning from those two things that I'm sure that phrase is not the phrase I seek.
– user0939
May 28 at 19:24
Oh, I see, you wanted something with those actual words or very closely related (high heat or high pressure). The metaphor of a crucible goes in many directions. The most prominent one is not about truth specifically but about quality that survives intense testing (like soldiers "forged through the crucible of bootcamp"). I checked collocates of 'crucible' at COCA and it was swamped with fire and forges and blacksmithing.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:03
That said, looking at entries for the word 'tested' gives something like what I think you want (though no mention of truth directly): "college would be a crucible that tested the strength of all my beliefs.", "aspirational laws can be tested in the crucible of real facts.", "soon to be tested in the crucible of hard times"
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:05
"where the rubber meets the road" also fits exactly your title, though not involving blacksmithing or spice grinding skills.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:07
add a comment
|
I agree "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," is an expression that matches the requirements of the question. Except the phrase I'm seeking specifically contains an object similar to a "crucible" or a "mortar and pestle." Pudding is far enough away in meaning from those two things that I'm sure that phrase is not the phrase I seek.
– user0939
May 28 at 19:24
Oh, I see, you wanted something with those actual words or very closely related (high heat or high pressure). The metaphor of a crucible goes in many directions. The most prominent one is not about truth specifically but about quality that survives intense testing (like soldiers "forged through the crucible of bootcamp"). I checked collocates of 'crucible' at COCA and it was swamped with fire and forges and blacksmithing.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:03
That said, looking at entries for the word 'tested' gives something like what I think you want (though no mention of truth directly): "college would be a crucible that tested the strength of all my beliefs.", "aspirational laws can be tested in the crucible of real facts.", "soon to be tested in the crucible of hard times"
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:05
"where the rubber meets the road" also fits exactly your title, though not involving blacksmithing or spice grinding skills.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:07
I agree "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," is an expression that matches the requirements of the question. Except the phrase I'm seeking specifically contains an object similar to a "crucible" or a "mortar and pestle." Pudding is far enough away in meaning from those two things that I'm sure that phrase is not the phrase I seek.
– user0939
May 28 at 19:24
I agree "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," is an expression that matches the requirements of the question. Except the phrase I'm seeking specifically contains an object similar to a "crucible" or a "mortar and pestle." Pudding is far enough away in meaning from those two things that I'm sure that phrase is not the phrase I seek.
– user0939
May 28 at 19:24
Oh, I see, you wanted something with those actual words or very closely related (high heat or high pressure). The metaphor of a crucible goes in many directions. The most prominent one is not about truth specifically but about quality that survives intense testing (like soldiers "forged through the crucible of bootcamp"). I checked collocates of 'crucible' at COCA and it was swamped with fire and forges and blacksmithing.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:03
Oh, I see, you wanted something with those actual words or very closely related (high heat or high pressure). The metaphor of a crucible goes in many directions. The most prominent one is not about truth specifically but about quality that survives intense testing (like soldiers "forged through the crucible of bootcamp"). I checked collocates of 'crucible' at COCA and it was swamped with fire and forges and blacksmithing.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:03
That said, looking at entries for the word 'tested' gives something like what I think you want (though no mention of truth directly): "college would be a crucible that tested the strength of all my beliefs.", "aspirational laws can be tested in the crucible of real facts.", "soon to be tested in the crucible of hard times"
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:05
That said, looking at entries for the word 'tested' gives something like what I think you want (though no mention of truth directly): "college would be a crucible that tested the strength of all my beliefs.", "aspirational laws can be tested in the crucible of real facts.", "soon to be tested in the crucible of hard times"
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:05
"where the rubber meets the road" also fits exactly your title, though not involving blacksmithing or spice grinding skills.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:07
"where the rubber meets the road" also fits exactly your title, though not involving blacksmithing or spice grinding skills.
– Mitch
May 28 at 21:07
add a comment
|
0
I would say that the accuracy of a metaphor depends on what it evokes to you and is therefore subjective.
However I prefer 'crucible' or 'proving ground'/'testing ground'.
answered May 28 at 7:51
Jacob StewartJacob Stewart
675 bronze badges
add a comment
|
0
I would say that the accuracy of a metaphor depends on what it evokes to you and is therefore subjective.
However I prefer 'crucible' or 'proving ground'/'testing ground'.
answered May 28 at 7:51
Jacob StewartJacob Stewart
675 bronze badges
add a comment
|
0
0
0
I would say that the accuracy of a metaphor depends on what it evokes to you and is therefore subjective.
However I prefer 'crucible' or 'proving ground'/'testing ground'.
answered May 28 at 7:51
Jacob StewartJacob Stewart
675 bronze badges
I would say that the accuracy of a metaphor depends on what it evokes to you and is therefore subjective.
However I prefer 'crucible' or 'proving ground'/'testing ground'.
answered May 28 at 7:51
Jacob StewartJacob Stewart
675 bronze badges
answered May 28 at 7:51
Jacob StewartJacob Stewart
675 bronze badges
answered May 28 at 7:51
Jacob StewartJacob Stewart
675 bronze badges
answered May 28 at 7:51
Jacob StewartJacob Stewart
675 bronze badges
675 bronze badges
add a comment
|
add a comment
|
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1
But none of those phrases necessitate, nor even warrant, a euphemism. They are all entirely acceptable in polite discourse.
– High Performance Mark
May 28 at 9:25
Maybe you want a phrase that’s not a euphemism.
– Xanne
May 28 at 9:57
@Xanne: Maybe euphemism is not the correct term. Maybe it's more like a common, widely recognized phrase used to express an idea. Although, this particular one might be less commonly used than some others.
– user0939
May 28 at 11:58
1
Did you mean 'aphorism'? Even then that's not really it. 'Idiom' or 'expression' or 'turn of phrase' or 'metaphor'. But definitely not 'euphemism' or 'aphorism'. Those are both misleading.
– Mitch
May 28 at 12:21
1
@Mitch: I changed "euphemism" to "expression." Thanks. 👍
– user0939
May 28 at 19:19