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My idea of Procrustean bed has had legs ... "
Procrustes


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procrustean bed
noun
often capitalized P
: a scheme or pattern into which someone or something is arbitrarily forced


Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Politics submits to constitutional law on a procrustean bed.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'procrustean bed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.



Word History
First Known Use
1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of procrustean bed was in 1832
See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near procrustean bed
procrustean

procrustean bed

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Procrustes
In Greek mythology, Procrustes, "the stretcher [who hammers out the metal]"), also known as Prokoptas, Damastes ("subduer") or Polypemon, was a rogue smith and bandit from Attica who attacked people by stretching them or cutting off their legs, so as to force them to fit the size of an iron bed.

The word Procrustean is thus used to describe situations where an arbitrary standard is used to measure success, while completely disregarding obvious harm that results from the effort.

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The phrase "has legs" is an idiom that means something has the ability to endure, stay relevant, or continue to maintain interest. It is often used to describe a concept, phenomenon, or something discussed. If a story in the news has legs, it will continue for a long time. If something has legs, it can continue to exist and be successful.

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have legs (redirected from has legs)
have legs
To have the ability to endure, stay relevant, or continue to maintain interest. Said of a concept, phenomenon, something discussed, etc.
That theory really has legs—years later, most people still think that the wrong man was convicted.
See also: have, leg
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
have legs
If an idea, plan, or story has legs, it is likely to be successful or to continue. Blucher was confident that his concept had legs, so he pressed Cooper for a meeting. In this instance the story might not have legs.
See also: have, leg
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
have ;legs (informal) if a news story, film/movie, etc. has legs, people will continue to be interested in it, or it will be successful, popular, etc. for a long time: We’ll soon see if the movie has legs. ; Some economists believe that the recovery still has legs.
See also: have, leg
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
hang on for the ride
put (one) through it
put somebody through it
take a licking and keep on ticking
take a licking but keep on ticking
tickin
he that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens
endure
in for a world of hurt
hack