🗓️ Idiom: Plant the Seed (v)
💬 Meaning
- To begin an idea, thought, or plan that may develop or grow over time.
- Often used when initiating a conversation or suggestion that could lead to future action or results.
- Give someone an idea hoping it can develop later.
🧠 Example Sentences
- She planted the seed for collaboration during the casual lunch meeting.
- The CEO planted the seed for expansion by mentioning new markets in his speech.
- I don’t expect a decision today. I just wanted to plant the seed for next quarter.
🏛️ Origin
The idiom “plant the seed” directly originates from agriculture and gardening. It refers to the act of putting a seed into the ground. Then, with watering and taking care it grows into a plant.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
During the meeting, he __________ the seed for a new marketing strategy.
Answer
planted
2. Choose the correct meaning of “plant the seed”:
A) To finalize a decision
B) To introduce an idea that may grow later
C) To reject a suggestion quickly
Answer
B) To introduce an idea that may grow later
3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:
“She started the discussion that eventually led to a new partnership.” → Change the sentence using: plant the seed
Answer
She planted the seed that eventually led to a new partnership.
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
👉 Relationships and Networking Idioms
👉 Business English Idioms List