PUT OUT TO PASTURE Meaning and
Definition
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Put out to pasture is an idiomatic expression that refers to the retirement of a person or animal, particularly from their profession or active duty. This term originates from the practice of allowing livestock, such as horses or cattle, to graze freely in a pasture after they have completed their working years.
When applied to individuals, putting out to pasture implies that someone has reached an age or a point in their career where they are no longer productive or efficient. It suggests that they are no longer able to perform their job adequately due to old age, declining skills, or outdated knowledge. As a result, they are removed from their position or voluntarily step back, ending their professional involvement.
Putting someone out to pasture often conveys the notion of being set aside or dismissed, often with a connotation of irrelevance or insignificance. It can imply that the person may feel inadequate or discarded. Similarly, the expression may also be used humorously or self-deprecatingly, acknowledging that one's abilities or expertise are no longer up to par.
By equating the retirement of humans with the release of livestock into a pasture, this idiomatic phrase highlights the transition from an active and productive role to a more leisurely or unproductive existence. It emphasizes the notion of withdrawing from a demanding or taxing lifestyle and embracing a quieter, less demanding phase of life.
Common Misspellings for PUT OUT TO PASTURE
Idioms with the word PUT OUT TO PASTURE
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put out to pasture
The idiom "put out to pasture" means to retire someone or something, often due to old age or obsolescence. It can also refer to moving something or someone to a less active or relevant role.
