plant/sow the seeds of
Definition of plant/sow the seeds of
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.
From the M-W Editors
Word by Word Definitions
: to put or set in the ground for growth
: to set or sow with seeds or plants
: implant
: a young tree, vine, shrub, or herb planted or suitable for planting
: any of a kingdom (Plantae) of multicellular eukaryotic mostly photosynthetic organisms typically lacking locomotive movement or obvious nervous or sensory organs and possessing cellulose cell walls
: the land, buildings, machinery, apparatus, and fixtures employed in carrying on a trade or an industrial business
: an adult female swine
: the adult female of various other animals (such as a bear)
: a channel that conducts molten metal to molds
: to plant seed for growth especially by scattering
: to set something in motion : begin an enterprise
: to scatter (seed) upon the earth for growth
: the grains or ripened ovules of plants used for sowing
: the fertilized ripened ovule of a flowering plant containing an embryo and capable normally of germination to produce a new plant
: a propagative plant structure (such as a spore or small dry fruit)
: to bear or shed seed
: to sow seed : plant
: to plant seeds in : sow
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