acrid berries

[rone]

"Sour grapes" refers to an old fable wherein a fox tries to reach some grapes, fails, then disdains them, saying that they are probably sour anyway. Therefore, claiming someone's feelings are "sour grapes" should mean that that person is putting down something which they have actually coveted for some time. It should not be used, as so many out there do, to indicate someone's opinion or accusation is invalid because they are envious or bitter.