Sow discord
Meaning
To intentionally create conflict, disagreement, or animosity among people or groups.
Origin
The phrase "sow discord" draws its powerful imagery from the ancient world of agriculture. To "sow" is to scatter seeds, a foundational act of planting and cultivation. When paired with "discord," meaning conflict or disagreement, the metaphor becomes strikingly clear: deliberately planting seeds of animosity and strife, allowing them to take root and grow into widespread division. This vivid agricultural metaphor is deeply embedded in ancient texts, notably the Bible, where proverbs condemn those who "sow discord among brothers," highlighting the destructive nature of intentionally introducing disunity. It transforms a simple, life-giving farming act into a deliberate, insidious act of societal harm, scattering the potential for conflict as a farmer scatters seeds.
Examples
- The new intern seemed to enjoy sowing discord among the team members by spreading rumors about their performance.
- By constantly criticizing one group to another, the politician effectively sowed discord across the entire community.