Forbidden fruit
Meaning
Something that is desired precisely because it is prohibited or considered off-limits.
Origin
The phrase's roots lie in the dramatic tale from the Book of Genesis, where Adam and Eve dwell in the idyllic Garden of Eden. God commands them not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, warning them of death should they disobey. Yet, the serpent tempts Eve, painting the forbidden act as a path to god-like wisdom. The allure of the one thing they couldn't have proved irresistible, leading them to taste the apple—the "forbidden fruit"—and initiating humanity's fall from grace. This foundational story immortalized the concept of a desirable transgression.
Examples
- The antique collector found himself drawn to the rare manuscript, despite knowing it was stolen property; it was truly forbidden fruit.
- After years of being told she couldn't pursue art, her passion for painting became her own delicious forbidden fruit.