Phrase guide

fly too close to the sun

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To become overly ambitious or greedy; to overreach oneself; to reach for something unattainable or unachievable.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

In reference to the Greek myth of Icarus, who fell into the sea and drowned after flying too close to the sun on wings made of wax and feathers, despite having been warned by his father, Daedalus, who gave him the wings.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: kurkottaa kuuseen (in the saying joka kuuseen kurkottaa, se katajaan kapsahtaa) — Translations
  • Finnish: lentää liian lähelle aurinkoa — Translations
  • French: se brûler les ailes — Translations
  • Polish: zachowywać się zbyt pewnie siebie — Translations