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The meaning and origin of the expression: Like a moth to a flame

Like a moth to a flame

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What's the meaning of the phrase 'Like a moth to a flame'?

Irresistibly and dangerously attracted to something or someone.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Like a moth to a flame'?

The phrase is a simple allusion to the well-known attraction that moths have to bright lights. The word moth was used the the 17th century to mean someone who was apt to be tempted by something that would lead to their downfall. This is referred to by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, 1596:

"Thus hath the candle singd the moath."

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

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