fatted calf
Fattened for celebration
A fatted calf is a young cow fattened for slaughter, particularly for a feast.
The phrase comes from the biblical parable of the prodigal son, where the father orders a fatted calf killed to celebrate his wayward son's return.
To kill the fatted calf is to prepare an elaborate welcome or celebration, especially for someone returning after a long absence: When she finally came home after ten years abroad, the family killed the fatted calf.
- prodigal sonReturning repentant offspring
- prodigalRashly wasteful spender
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- feast daySaint's commemorative holiday
- slaughterKilling for meat
celebration · return · come home · welcome home · banquet · homecoming · lost and found · open arms · forgiveness · welcome · abundance · sacrifice · parable · robe · ring · rejoicing · kill · prepare
- Biblical imageryLamb of God, Good Shepherd, bread of life, light of the world, living water
- Biblical creaturesLeviathan, serpent, lamb, donkey, demon
- Biblical Foodsmanna, unleavened bread, figs, grapes, olives
- Biblical Symbolslamb of God, cross, crown of thorns, burning bush, forbidden fruit
- Luke 15prodigal son, lost coin, lost sheep, father, elder brother
- offeringsburnt offering, altar offerings, sin offering, peace offering, oblations
fatted calfdaily bread
Essential means of living
scraps · gruel · bread and water · crumbs · leftovers
fatted calfcold shoulder
Intentional dismissive treatment
closed door · inhospitality · rejection · shunning · disownment
fatted calfsackcloth and ashes
Traditional mourning and penance symbols
fasting · penance · abstinence · mortification · hair shirt
fat, fatted, fats, fatty, fatten, fattened, fattening, fatness, calf