Too much of a good thing

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Grammarist

Too much of a good thing is an idiom that is been in use for hundreds of years. We will examine the meaning of the common idiom too much of a good thing, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences.

Too much of a good thing means an excessive amount that becomes overwhelming or harmful, rather than helpful or pleasurable. In small amounts, the thing in question would be good for you or entertaining; in large amounts, the thing is harmful or a burden. For instance, one mango is delicious and nutritious. Fifty mangoes will cause a stomachache and diarrhea. Too much of a good thing is an idiom that dates back to the 1400s, though a famous example is found in William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, published in 1600: “Why then, can one desire too much of a good thing?”

Examples

How to know when you’ve had too much of a good thing – from water to sunscreen (Mirror)

When it comes to free money, Americans may be getting too much of a good thing. (New York Post)

Like many things in life, mulch is also one of those things where too much of a good thing can turn out to be bad. (Columbus Telegram)