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phrase

The Green-Eyed Monster

Jealousy, personified.

Origin

Iago warns Othello: 'O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; / It is the green-ey'd monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on.' Then, of course, he proceeds to feed Othello's jealousy until it destroys him.

Modern usage

Standard English for jealousy, often in advice columns and pop psychology.

Tags

jealousy
emotion

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