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Home > Reference > Idioms > Sell your birthright for a mess of pottage

Idiom: Sell your birthright for a mess of pottage

Idiom Definition

Meaning:

If a person sells their birthright for a mess of pottage, they accept some trivial financial or other gain, but lose something much more important. 'Sell your soul for a mess of pottage' is an alternative form.

Category:

Food

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