Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

pillar-to-post

idiom

/ˈpɪl.ər tə pəʊst/

Definition

In a continuous or chaotic manner, often implying a lack of stability or direction.

Examples

After losing his job, he felt like he was being sent from pillar to post, searching for any opportunity.
As a child, she was often sent from pillar to post between her parents’ homes during the divorce.
The company’s restructuring left many employees feeling like they were being shuffled from pillar to post.

Meaning

The phrase describes a situation where someone is moved from one place to another frequently and without respite, similar to being tossed between two points without any proper direction.