The idiom “pig in a poke” refers to buying or accepting something without first seeing or inspecting it. It is a cautionary expression that warns against blindly accepting offers or deals without knowing the true value or nature of the item or situation.
When one buys a “pig in a poke,” they are taking a risk or making a decision without having all the necessary information. It can also imply being deceived or tricked into making a poor choice or deal.
For instance, if someone purchases a product online without checking its reviews or specifications, they might later lament that they’ve bought a “pig in a poke.”
About the Author: Chris Drew has a PhD in Education. He has been a teacher in schools and universities and has taught English as a Second Language in Colombia. He is former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education.Pig in a Poke Idiom Origins
The phrase traces its roots back to the Middle Ages in Europe. Here’s a breakdown of its origin:
- Medieval Market Practices: In medieval times, markets were common venues for the exchange of goods. Pigs were a valuable commodity and were often sold in sacks or “pokes”. Unscrupulous sellers might replace the pig with a less valuable animal, like a cat. If the buyer did not inspect the contents of the poke, they might end up with a worthless purchase.
- The Element of Surprise: The saying emphasizes the importance of examining goods before purchase. The practice of selling unseen items in sealed bags was risky, leading to the advice “Don’t buy a pig in a poke.” Over the centuries, the idiom evolved to represent any situation where something is accepted or bought without prior examination.
Today, the expression serves as a reminder to be cautious and do one’s due diligence before making decisions, especially when the outcome is uncertain.
And as we can see from the following Google historical data, the idiom has maintained popularity through time, with a particular spike in its usage in the mid-20th Century:
10 Examples in a Sentence
- “I bought this antique vase without checking its authenticity; I hope it’s not a pig in a poke.”
- “Always test drive a car before purchasing it; you don’t want to get a pig in a poke.”
- “She regretted subscribing to the magazine without reading a sample issue first. It turned out to be a pig in a poke.”
- “The mystery box could be a great deal or a pig in a poke – you never know.”
- “I thought I was getting a great deal on the hotel, but it was a pig in a poke. The conditions were terrible!”
- “Buying property without proper inspection is like buying a pig in a poke.”
- “They bought the company without thoroughly reviewing its debts, only to realize later they had acquired a pig in a poke.”
- “The online course promised expert knowledge, but it was a pig in a poke with outdated information.”
- “Never buy electronics from that shop; they sell them as brand new, but it’s always a pig in a poke.”
- “She invested in the stock without researching the company’s background and ended up with a pig in a poke.”
Practice Questions Worksheet for Students
Question 1: If someone warns you not to buy a “pig in a poke”, what are they advising against?
- a) Buying pork products
- b) Adopting a piglet
- c) Making a decision without all the facts
- d) Cooking with unfamiliar ingredients
Question 2: Which of the following scenarios can be described as buying a “pig in a poke”?
- a) Researching and then buying a product with good reviews
- b) Purchasing a mystery box without knowing its contents
- c) Adopting a pet after spending weeks with it
- d) Choosing a dish from a menu with a detailed description
Question 3: Why should you be cautious about buying a “pig in a poke”?
- a) Pigs are difficult to raise
- b) You might not get what you expect
- c) Pokes are expensive
- d) Pigs are not suitable as pets
Question 4: In a business deal, what does it mean if you’re warned against a “pig in a poke”?
- a) The deal involves livestock
- b) There’s a hidden catch or risk
- c) The deal is extremely profitable
- d) It’s a straightforward deal
Similar Idioms
1. Buy a lemon
Definition: To purchase something that turns out to be worthless or defective.
In a Sentence: “He was excited about his new car, but it turned out he bought a lemon.”
2. Blind date
Definition: A social engagement with a person one has never met before.
In a Sentence: “She was nervous about the blind date; it could be wonderful or a total disaster.”
3. Shot in the dark
Definition: A wild guess; an attempt that is not based on knowledge or experience.
In a Sentence: “Without the clues, his answer was just a shot in the dark.”
4. Wild goose chase
Definition: A futile search or pursuit.
In a Sentence: “Looking for the missing earring in the park was a wild goose chase.”
5. Take a gamble
Definition: To take a risk.
In a Sentence: “Investing in the startup was taking a gamble, but it paid off.”
6. Leap in the dark
Definition: An action or step taken without knowledge of its consequences.
In a Sentence: “Accepting the job offer in a new city was a leap in the dark for him.”
7. Draw straws
Definition: Decide something by picking at random.
In a Sentence: “They couldn’t decide who would go first, so they drew straws.”
8. Potluck
Definition: Whatever is available or comes one’s way, especially in regard to food.
In a Sentence: “We didn’t plan the dinner; it was just potluck.”
9. Toss-up
Definition: A result that is still unclear and can go either way.
In a Sentence: “The election was a toss-up until the very last minute.”
10. Close one’s eyes and jump
Definition: To make a decision without knowing all the facts.
In a Sentence: “He wasn’t sure if the business would succeed, but he closed his eyes and jumped.”
11. Dicey situation
Definition: Something very uncertain or unpredictable.
In a Sentence: “The stock market is a dicey situation right now.”
12. Go out on a limb
Definition: Take a risk or act boldly.
In a Sentence: “She went out on a limb to defend her colleague.”
13. Tread on thin ice
Definition: To be in a risky situation.
In a Sentence: “By lying to the boss, he was treading on thin ice.”
14. Bite the bullet
Definition: Face a difficult or unpleasant situation.
In a Sentence: “The company had to bite the bullet and lay off employees.”
15. Roll the dice
Definition: To take a chance or risk.
In a Sentence: “He rolled the dice when he moved to a new city without a job lined up.”