The pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last.とは 意味・読み方・使い方

ことわざ

the pitcher goes so often to the well, that it is broken at last

1. When you use a thing too much, it ultimately breaks down at some point.
   • 1957, Norman Rich and M.H. Fisher, The Holstein Papers, volume 2, page 317:

     On these last two points the Chancellor could have given way. He was adamant because he and Hebert wanted to demonstrate their power. The pitcher goes so often to the well, that it is broken at last.

   • 2006, Nigel McCrery, Still Waters, Book 1^[1], page 267:

     She couldn't have expected her luck to last forever: The pitcher goes so often to the well, that it is broken at last, wasn't that what they said?

   • 2005, Julie Baumgold, The Diamond: A Novel^[2], page 116:

     Madame knew her hour was fixed and she would not live a minute beyond it; nor did she want to, for, as she said, "The pitcher goes so often to the well, that it is broken at last." They bled her when she was too weak to resist, as doctors always do what they like when the patient is feeble.