monkey's paw

Definitions

1. A situation in which a wish or desire has been fulfilled, but at significant cost or with ironic, usually unfavourable consequences.
   attributive, idiomatic, usually
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see monkey, paw.

Examples

“It’s given me everything I thought I wanted – riches, lucre, affluence, having lots of money, and being very wealthy – but with monkey’s-paw precision it’s turned all my dreams against me.”

“It’s a monkey’s paw of a legacy, to have⟳ birthed an immortal gastronomic titan but not to have⟳ attained immortality of one’s own⟳.”

“For many people, the extended period of quarantine and working from home necessitated by the coronavirus outbreak has turned into a monkey’s paw situation — a theoretical wish⟳ come⟳ true that has significant downsides.”

“One person joked that Chet was the result⟳ of a monkey's paw situation with his father. ¶ 'Chet hanks is the price tom hanks paid to become⟳ tom hanks,' they wrote.”

CEFR level