clinging vine
A person, typically a woman, whose relationship with someone or others is characterized by emotional overdependence and/or helplessness. I was at first attracted to her intrepid sense of adventure, but when we began dating, it became obvious she was a bit of a clinging vine emotionally.
die on the vine
1. Literally (of fruit), to shrivel and die before being harvested, due to neglect or lack of resources. With the horrible drought we've had this summer, nearly all of the fruit in my orchards died on the vine. You forgot to water my tomato plant! Now they've all died on the vine!
2. By extension, to fail prematurely or not come to fruition, as due to being ignored, neglected, impractical, or without the necessary means to succeed. The president made sweeping promises during his campaign, but many of those have died on the vine. Many of the resources for students with learning disabilities have died on the vine following the school board's budget cuts.
be dead on the vine
1. Literally (of fruit), to have shriveled and died before being harvested, as due to neglect or lack of resources. With the horrible drought we've had this summer, nearly all of the fruit in my orchards are dead on the vine. You forgot to water my tomato plant! Now they're all dead on the vine!
2. By extension, to have failed prematurely or not come to fruition, as due to being ignored, neglected, impractical, or without the necessary means to succeed. The president made sweeping promises during his campaign, but many of those are now dead on the vine. Many of the resources for students with learning disabilities were dead on the vine following the school board's budget cuts.
through the grapevine
Through or via an informal means of communication or information, especially gossip. There is always some absurd rumor or piece of misinformation through the grapevine at work, but I try to just tune most of that out. I heard through the grapevine that John is planning to propose to Samantha next week!
on the grapevine
Through or via an informal means of communication or information, especially gossip. There is always some absurd rumor or piece of misinformation on the grapevine at work, but I try to just tune most of that out. I heard on the grapevine that John is planning to propose to Samantha next week!
all vine and no taters
Appealing but lacking substance. Patty is beautiful but ditzy, truly all vine and no taters. I thought this report would be groundbreaking, but it's all vine and no taters.
all vine and no taters
Rur. to be all display with no real value. She's a good-looking woman, but really she's all vine and no taters. Don't be fooled by Jim's flowery promises. They're all vine and no taters.
wither on the vine
and die on the vine 1. Lit. [for fruit] to shrivel on the vine or stem, unharvested. If we don't get out there into the field, the grapes will wither on the vine. The apples will die on the vine if not picked soon.
2. . Fig. [for someone or something] to be ignored or neglected and thereby be wasted. I hope I get a part in the play. I don't want to just die on the vine. Fred thinks he is withering on the vine because no one has chosen him.
clinging vine
An overly dependent person, as in A clinging vine since her marriage, she's never made a decision on her own. Nearly always applied to a woman (or wife), this metaphor for a climbing plant today criticizes dependency rather than, as in former times, praising the vine's fruitfulness.
wither on the vine
Fail to come to fruition, as in This building project will wither on the vine if they don't agree on a price. This expression alludes to grapes shriveling and drying up because they were not picked when ripe.