Under the sun
Meaning
Referring to everything that exists or can happen in the world.
Origin
The phrase "under the sun" gains its profound resonance primarily from its repeated appearance in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Authored by "the Preacher" (Koheleth), the book opens and closes with the melancholic observation, "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity." Throughout the text, the phrase "under the sun" serves as a constant refrain, framing the Preacher's musings on the futility and cyclical nature of human endeavor, wisdom, and pleasure. It encapsulates a worldview where all human activity, no matter how grand, is subject to the same earthly limitations and ultimately fades. This biblical usage cemented its meaning as encompassing everything within the mortal realm, lending it an air of universal truth and a touch of world-weary wisdom that endures to this day.
Examples
- It seems like every kind of human drama, good or bad, can be found under the sun.
- He claimed to have tried every diet known under the sun, but nothing seemed to work for him.