sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage

== English == === Etymology === In allusion to the Biblical character Esau, who sold his birthright for a meal of lentil stew (Genesis 25:29-34). === Verb === sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage (third-person singular simple present sells one's birthright for a mess of pottage, present participle selling one's birthright for a mess of pottage, simple past and past participle sold one's birthright for a mess of pottage) (idiomatic, dated) To make an unfavorable exchange, especially of something of great, but deferred value, for something of very low, but immediate value. ==== Translations ==== === See also === a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush sell the family silver my kingdom for a horse