Fruit Idioms

8. Pear

1. Go pear-shaped

• Meaning: To fail; to be unsuccessful
• E.g. What are we going to do this weekend if our plans go pear-shaped?

2. Plant pears for your heirs

• Meaning: Take action that will benefit your heirs. Pear trees traditionally took such a long time to yield fruit that one would plant them for the benefit of the next generation.
• E.g. You should look into setting up some sort of trust fund that will grow over time and help your children when you're no longer here. Plant pears for your heirs, as they say.