angels fear to tread meaning
The rash or inexperienced will attempt things that wiser people are more cautious of. 'Fool' is now a more derogatory insult than it was when this proverb was coined, in the early 18th century. At that time a fool wasn't a simpleton, lacking in intelligence, simply someone who had behaved foolishly. To beat or press with the feet; as, to tread a path; to tread land when too light; a well trodden path. 3. To walk in a formal or stately manner. He thought she trod the ground with greater grace. Best Answer: The full phrase is fools walk where angels fear to tread. Basically it means that a foolish person will tend to do things or get into situations that ordinary people won't. Source(s): Blue Jean · 9 years ago. Besides having been there in the spirit, I've seen plenty of places and situations here on Earth where hellish conditions are present. And no, there are not very many angels found there. Where angels fear to tread does not mean ALL angels are scared to go there. I can't really imagine Michael being too concerned with going much any place. Report Abuse. I put a twist on the phrase Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread.. I say if there are places where even Angels fear to tread then I am grateful the Fools. Edward Snowden might be one of these Fools, going where good Americans fear to tread. But — fools rush in where angels fear to tread. - Thomas Hardy, in The Woodlanders, 1887: He felt shy of entering Grace's presence as her reconstituted lover-before definite information as to her future state was forthcoming; it seemed too nearly like the act of those who rush in where angels fear to tread.. Report Abuse. The actual phrase is, Only a fool goes where angels fear to tread.. It is used to refer to someone who has done something extremely stupid or dangerous.... such as going someplace that angels are afraid to go to. To tread or tread on, to trample; to set the foot on in contempt. Thou shalt tread upon their high places. Det.33. TREAD, v.t. tred. To step or walk on. Forbid to tread the promis'd land he saw. To compress, as a fowl. To tread the state, to act as a stage-player; to perform a part in a drama. To tread or tread out, to press out with the feet; to press out wine or wheat; as, to tread out grain with cattle or horses. They tread their wine presses and suffer thirst. Job.24. TREAD, n. tred. A step or stepping; pressure with the foot; as a nimble tread; cautious tread; doubtful tread. 1. Way; track; path. Where Angels Fear to Tread (1905) is a novel by E. M. Forster, originally entitled Monteriano. The title comes from a line in Alexander Pope 's An Essay on Criticism : For fools rush in where angels fear to tread. In 1991 it was made into a film by Charles Sturridge, starring Rupert Graves, Giovanni Guidelli, Helen Mirren, Helena Bonham Carter, and Judy Davis.
It means that a foolish person will tend to do things or get into situations that ordinary people won't.