A phrase that is used to describe a situation in which although the outcome
may look promising, it is only structured that way by the
people who actually profit from it. The actual idea behind the phrase is that the "Honey" is actually Blackstrap Molasses, which is known to be extremely
bitter, mirroring the disappointment one feels when understanding that they've been tricked.
In present tense, use "The honey is
black" instead.
Predatory systems or Loans are a
beautiful example of this idea. Initially, it seems as though the benefits are worth harboring, but overtime, you come to understand that it either wasn't worth it, or it didn't really give you what you wanted. Especially applicable if such an instance of this has either already happened or it is too late to go back on your decision.
"Tiffany told me that she would try harder to be a
better person, and I believed her even though everybody told me not to. You all knew the honey was
black, but I went after it anyway. I have nobody to blame but myself."
