单词 | to put the genie back in the bottle |
释义 | > as lemmasto put the genie back in the bottle b. figurative and in allusive use. Chiefly with reference to unleashing, or attempting to control, some powerful force, effect, etc. Frequently in to let the genie out of the bottle, to put the genie back in the bottle, and variants. ΚΠ 1850 W. Beck Personal Adventures Late War Independent Hungary II. xv. 280 The magic of science has placed at our service a geni more mighty than ever followed the talismans of Eastern fable. 1877 J. Morley Crit. Misc. 2nd Ser. 119 His law..had unbound the hands of the horrible genie of civil murder. 1897 Outlook 5 June 287/2 Having let the genie out of the bottle, the Powers are now engaged in the difficult task of inducing him to go back again. 1919 Education Nov. 136 Culture..is too spirited to be embedded in substantial rules; you cannot shut the genie in the bottle. 1974 Economist 21 Dec. 26/3 Chairman Mao has formally ordered his revolutionary genie back into the bottle. 1988 D. Miller in S. Mendus Justifying Toleration 249 It is tempting to try to keep this particular genie very tightly stoppered up. 2005 Time 1 Aug. 52/2 Nobody thinks the gambling genie can be put back in the bottle. < as lemmas |
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