This idiom describes a situation or plan going wrong or failing unexpectedly, as if taking the distorted shape of a pear instead of a desired form. It conveys mishap or disaster, often used in informal, professional, or personal contexts to depict things unraveling. The phrase carries a tone of humor, resignation, or surprise, reflecting cultural values of adaptability and the human tendency to face setbacks. Its fruit imagery evokes a comical distortion, resonating in scenarios like botched projects or events. The idiom captures unexpected failure, making it a quirky metaphor for things going awry.

The phrase likely originated in mid-20th-century Britain, possibly tied to Royal Air Force slang for aircraft loops going wrong, resembling a pear’s shape, as noted in military memoirs. Its earliest recorded use appears in *The Guardian* (1960s), describing a failed plan. The idiom gained traction in the 1980s, amplified by British comedies like *Only Fools and Horses*. Its adoption, primarily in the U.K. and Australia, stems from its whimsical imagery and applicability to mishaps, with limited U.S. use.