modest proposal
nounEtymology From Jonathan Swift's 1729 satire A Modest Proposal, which suggested cannibalism as a solution to Irish poverty.
1
Idiomatic An idea which is especially extreme, unorthodox or distasteful, often put forward in jest.
- And for all the chuntering about the "Granny Tax" it is not as though Osborne made a radical or, if you prefer, modest proposal along the lines of offering tax credits or generous allowances to the heirs of pensioners who plump for voluntary, patriotic euthanasia...2012, Alex Massie, “Soak the Old”, in The Spectator:
- I therefore have a modest proposal aimed at rectifying this situation: let's declare war!2006, Rory O'Connor, “A modest proposal”, in The Guardian:
1 more example
- "I have a modest proposal," Alabaster said. "We need two new examples to demonstrate how awesome nuclear war is, so it will sober up politicians, military men and statesmen, not only here but in the Soviet Union."1981 February 15, Art Buchwald, “Firing Away at a Nuclear Solution”, in Los Angeles Times, page 3:
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Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see modest, proposal.