The apple of discord
Meaning
A subject or object that causes an argument, disagreement, or rivalry between individuals or groups.
Origin
The phrase hails from ancient Greek mythology, born from the wrath of Eris, the goddess of discord. Outraged at being excluded from the wedding of Thetis and Peleus, Eris sought revenge by hurling a single golden apple into the banquet hall, bearing the inscription "To the fairest." Instantly, three goddesses—Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite—each claimed the prize, igniting a bitter dispute that forced Zeus to appoint the mortal prince Paris of Troy as judge. His fateful decision, swayed by Aphrodite's promise of Helen of Sparta, ultimately sparked the Trojan War, forever solidifying the golden apple's legacy as the quintessential symbol of strife and conflict.
Examples
- The inheritance of the old family farm became the apple of discord among the three siblings.
- Their differing political views quickly turned into the apple of discord, making family gatherings tense.