Down the Rabbit Hole Meaning with Helpful Examples

The idiomatic phrase “down the rabbit hole” is not heard as frequently as some other, more common, idioms. Here you will find the meaning of the phrase and some information about the phrase’s origin. You will also find some examples of how to properly use this phrase in conversations/statements and suggestions on some other ways to say the phrase while conveying the same meaning.

Down The Rabbit Hole

Down The Rabbit Hole Meaning

The idiomatic phrase “down the rabbit hole” means to enter into an odd and/or chaos-filled environment where things can be confusing.

Origin of the idiom

The origin of this phrase comes from the children’s book Alice in Wonderland that was written by the author Lewis Carrol in 1865. In this book, the main character, Alice, falls down the rabbit hole into a world full of weirdness, chaos, whimsy and danger.

“Down The Rabbit Hole” Examples

Examples in Statements

A statement made in the local newspaper about the mental breakdown an elected politician recently had.

  • “I do not think he is coming back to his office any time soon. Officials have told me once you go down the rabbit hole, there is no coming back.”

A statement made by a celebrity to a well-known entertainment publication when asked how she feels about her recent overnight success.

  • “I feel like Alice. I feel like I have gone down the rabbit hole and everything is just amazingly chaotic.”

Examples in Conversations

A conversation between two friends discussing recent occurrences in their lives.

  • Friend 1: Things have been so out of sync planning this wedding. It’s like it has consumed my life.
  • Friend 2: I know what you mean. I still remember planning mine. It felt like I had slipped down the rabbit hole and I would never find my way back out.

A conversation between two students regarding finals week.

  • Student 1: I have been studying non-stop for this week.
  • Student 2: Yes, me too! It’s been so crazy. At least this means the school year is finally coming to an end though.
  • Student 1: True, but I could have done without the trip down the rabbit hole.

Other Ways to Say “Down The Rabbit Hole”

Like most idiomatic phrases, the phrase “down the rabbit hole” can be expressed in other, more literal, ways.

Some things you could say instead to convey the same meaning include:

  • Entered chaos
  • Journeyed to a place of lunacy
  • Ventured into weirdness

Down The Rabbit Hole Meaning | Picture

Down The Rabbit Hole

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