sour grapes

Definitions

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see sour, grapes.
   plural, plural-only
2. Things that somebody pretends to despise because they cannot obtain or have them.
   idiomatic, plural, plural-only
3. A putting down or expression of disdain about something that one desires but cannot have.
   idiomatic, plural, plural-only

Equivalents

Examples

“I think⟳ his comments about that new car are just sour grapes because he can't afford⟳ it.”

“Despite the egos of individual scientists, the jealousies and the sour grapes, science had worked pretty much the way it was supposed to.”

“His absence was a grievous setback for Liverpool, who had looked the more dangerous team until that point⟳, and it would not be sour grapes for the losers to think⟳ that was the moment the game started to swing⟳ away from them.”

CEFR level