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From Pillar To Post for Dummies

adverb

What does From Pillar To Post really mean?

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"From Pillar to Post" means going from one place or situation to another in a haphazard or disorganized manner. It's like being caught up in a whirlwind and constantly being shuffled around with no clear direction or plan. Imagine being a ping pong ball bouncing back and forth between two players, never staying in one place for too long. It's a bit like that, but instead of two players, it's various places or situations pulling you in different directions.

Let me explain it further with a relatable example. Have you ever played a game of musical chairs? You start off with a group of people, and as the music stops, everyone rushes to find a vacant chair. Now, if there are fewer chairs than people, someone always ends up without a seat. That person has to quickly leave the game and stand on the sidelines, watching everyone else continue playing. It's like they are constantly moving from one place to another, trying to find a spot to settle but never really getting the chance to do so. That feeling of constantly being on the move and never finding a stable position is somewhat similar to what "From Pillar to Post" means.

Another way to understand this phrase is by thinking of a postman or mail carrier who goes from pillar to post, delivering letters and packages to different houses and buildings all day long. They have a long list of addresses to visit, and they sometimes have to backtrack or take different routes to reach their destinations. Just like the postman, going from pillar to post signifies a sense of constant movement, without a clear path or a set destination.

So, "From Pillar to Post" essentially means being shuffled or moved around frequently, without any stable or organized progression. It implies a sense of confusion, chaos, and perhaps even frustration, as one navigates through various places or situations without finding any consistency or stability. It's like being caught in a whirlwind of constant change, never having the chance to settle or find a firm footing.


Revised and Fact checked by Jack Taylor on 2023-10-28 12:38:45

From Pillar To Post In a sentece

Learn how to use From Pillar To Post inside a sentece

  • After losing his job, Jake went from pillar to post, trying to find a new one. He applied to various companies and went for multiple interviews.
  • Jenny's favorite toy got lost, and she looked for it from pillar to post in every room of the house, under the furniture, and in the backyard.
  • During the treasure hunt, the kids searched from pillar to post, exploring every nook and cranny of the park to find the hidden clues.
  • After their car broke down in the middle of nowhere, the family had to walk from pillar to post, searching for help or a phone signal.
  • Sarah and David had a fight, and they went from pillar to post, asking their friends and family for advice on how to resolve their issues.

From Pillar To Post Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

hither and thither hither and thither