camel nose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "camel nose" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in the context of describing a situation where a small concession or request leads to larger demands or encroachments, often in discussions about boundaries or limits. Example: "Once they allowed the first minor change, it was like letting a camel's nose into the tent; soon, they were asking for major revisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ed Miliband "One thing I haven't corrected is 'camel nose'," wrote the now leader of the Labour party in 2005 of an earlier draft of his profile which described him: "Tall, large head on narrow shoulders, sallow complexion, dark hair, camel nose, staring look, effortlessly fluent, supremely confident, eager, boyish manner".

Independent

"We've already abused the Social Security trust and there's no question that taking this action is just another portion of the camel nose under the tent".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Is it the camel's nose?

The New York Times

Barring smokers is the camel's nose under the tent.

The New York Times

"It's the camel's nose under the tent.

The Guardian

It is letting the camel's nose into the tent, the rest follows," says Mr Beck.

The Economist

"It is more than the camel's nose under the tent.

The New York Times - Health

But with little advance notice, the Aircell broadband service has brought the camel's nose into the tent.

The New York Times

"They kept saying, 'Why do you want to let the camel's nose under the tent?' " he recalled".

The New York Times - Science

As one Capitol Hill staffer told me last week: "This is more than the camel's nose under the tent.

The New York Times

"What you've seen so far is the camel's nose under the tent for what they're planning".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "camel nose" to illustrate how a small, seemingly harmless action can lead to significant and often undesirable consequences. It is particularly effective in discussions about policy, ethics, and risk management.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "camel nose" when referring to isolated incidents without a clear connection to a larger pattern or trend. The idiom's power lies in its implication of an unfolding chain of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "camel nose" typically functions as a noun phrase serving as a metaphor for the beginning of an unwanted or detrimental process. It's used to caution against allowing something small that could lead to larger, more problematic issues.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "camel nose" is a metaphorical expression used to describe a situation where a small, seemingly innocuous action or decision opens the door to larger, more problematic consequences. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and identifies its function as a noun phrase that serves as a warning. While the phrase is relatively rare in usage, it is found in both news media and academic contexts. Alternatives such as "thin end of the wedge" or ""slippery slope"" offer similar cautionary connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thin end of the wedge

Focuses on the initial action as a way to introduce larger changes, similar to "camel nose".

slippery slope

Highlights the potential for one action to lead to a series of negative outcomes.

entering wedge

Emphasizes the initial action as a starting point for more significant developments.

foot in the door

Focuses on gaining initial access or opportunity, which can then be exploited further.

Trojan horse

Implies deception and hidden intent behind an initial action or request.

the beginning of the end

Suggests that a current event marks the start of an inevitable decline or downfall.

opening the floodgates

Highlights the risk of unleashing a large and uncontrollable flow of something.

domino effect

Illustrates how one event can trigger a chain reaction of subsequent events.

Pandora's box

Refers to a seemingly harmless action that unleashes unforeseen and negative consequences.

entering the point of no return

Highlights that a decision or action has a point of no return.

FAQs

What does "camel's nose in the tent" mean?

The expression "camel's nose in the tent" refers to a situation where allowing a small, seemingly harmless thing to happen will open the door to larger, more undesirable consequences. It's a warning against the "slippery slope".

When is it appropriate to use "camel nose"?

Use "camel nose" when you want to emphasize the potential for a minor concession or initial step to lead to significant, often negative, ramifications down the line. It's apt in debates about policy, ethics, or risk where seemingly small decisions can have far-reaching effects.

What are some alternatives to saying "camel nose"?

Alternatives to "camel nose" include phrases like "thin end of the wedge", ""slippery slope"", or "foot in the door". These all convey the idea of a small initial action leading to larger consequences.

Is "camel nose" a formal or informal expression?

"Camel nose" is generally considered an informal expression, although it can be used in more formal contexts when the intent is to add emphasis or a more relatable image to the argument. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing or speech.