English Explanatory Dictionary

camel's nose

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A situation where the permitting of some small act will lead to a larger undesirable act or circumstance.

Pronunciation

en-au-camel's nose.ogg

Word forms

camel's nose camels' noses

Etymology

The root phrase is usually claimed to be a saying of Arabs or Middle Eastern cultures, roughly as follows: : Do not allow a camel to put his nose under the edge of your tent, for soon you will have a camel in your tent.

Related words

foot in the door give them an inch and they'll take a mile slippery slope thin edge of the wedge
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