plant/sow the seeds of

idiom

1

: to cause (an idea, feeling, etc.) to be in someone's mind

Opponents have succeeded in planting/sowing the seeds of suspicion/doubt in our team.

2

: to create a situation in which (something) is likely or certain to happen or develop

They have planted/sowed the seeds of their own destruction.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The Republic was considered to be at its height during this period, but the show is expected to plant the seeds of how the Jedi could eventually be so blind as to have the Senate taken over by a Sith Lord in the prequel trilogy. —Brendan Morrow, The Week, 24 Oct. 2022

In his never-ending quest to improve and expand on his operation, Stewart linked up with the Knox Urban Farming Program as well as local leaders such as Kamora Herrington to plant the seeds of knowledge in other residents that backyard farming is not only possible but achievable. —Ted Glanzer, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2022

Yes, when workers are in the same physical space, their water cooler chats might plant the seeds of big ideas that never would’ve sprouted on Zoom. —Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2022

In addition to familiarizing young people with their products, business could plant the seeds of long-lasting relationships. —Ariane Lafolie, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2021

The National Park Services’ visitor center features exhibits on worker demonstrations that helped plant the seeds of the modern labor movement. —From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2021

As the professional team nearest to Alaska, team officials perhaps hoped to plant the seeds of local support, something enjoyed by the NFL’s Seahawks and MLB’s Mariners today. —David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 11 July 2021

Companies plant the seeds of learning agility by emphasizing goals, experience and perspective. —Ozlem Sarioglu, Forbes, 10 May 2021

Organic compounds and water were identified in the sample, and that organic material could have potentially been enough to plant the seeds of life on some fortunate planet. —Mike Wehner, BGR, 4 Mar. 2021

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