Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

a bull in a china shop

idiom
/ə bʊl ɪn ə ˈtʃaɪnə ʃɒp/
Definition
A person who is clumsy or destructive in a delicate or sensitive situation.
Examples
  • When he started making jokes at the serious meeting, he was like a bull in a china shop.
  • The new manager was a bull in a china shop when he implemented changes without consulting the team.
Meaning
This phrase describes someone who behaves in a careless or reckless manner, particularly in an environment that requires subtlety and care.
Synonyms
  • clumsy oaf
  • blundering fool
  • wrecking ball
  • heavy-handed person