like a bull in a china shop
Clumsy and careless
Like a bull in a china shop describes someone who is clumsy, reckless, or insensitive in a situation requiring delicacy.
The image is of a large animal crashing through shelves of fragile porcelain: He went through the negotiations like a bull in a china shop, offending everyone.
The phrase usually criticizes someone's lack of finesse or awareness.
Lacking physical coordination
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- blunderingActing with clumsy incompetence
- fumblingClumsy, uncoordinated handling
- bumblingClumsily incompetent
lumbering · ham-handed · heavy-handed · oafish · uncoordinated · maladroit · gauche · gawky
Careless of consequences
- obliviousLacking any awareness
- unawareLacking knowledge of something
- thoughtlessShowing no consideration
- impetuousActing on sudden urge
rash · careless · unthinking · hasty · impulsive · headlong · negligent · incautious
Widespread destruction and chaos
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- smashingBritish slang for excellent
- shatteringBreaking violently apart
- breakageAct of shattering
damage · chaos · rampage · demolition · ruin · devastation · crashing · trampling
clumsy
Lacking physical coordination
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- blunderingActing with clumsy incompetence
- fumblingClumsy, uncoordinated handling
bumbling · lumbering · ham-handed · heavy-handed · oafish · uncoordinated · maladroit · gauche · gawky · cloddish
heedless
Careless of consequences
- obliviousLacking any awareness
- unawareLacking knowledge of something
- thoughtlessShowing no consideration
impetuous · rash · careless · unthinking · hasty · impulsive · headlong · negligent · incautious · unmindful
havoc
Widespread destruction and chaos
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- smashingBritish slang for excellent
- shatteringBreaking violently apart
breakage · damage · chaos · rampage · demolition · ruin · devastation · crashing · trampling · debris
like a bull in a china shopgraceful
Elegant in movement
nimble · agile · adroit · light on one's feet · lithe
like a bull in a china shopwith kid gloves
gentle · delicate · meticulous · careful · cautious
like a bull in a china shoptactful
Socially sensitive and careful
diplomatic · adept · smooth operator · suave · polished