E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Bushel.
To measure other people’s corn by one’s own bushel. To make oneself the standard of right and wrong; to appraise everything as it accords or disagrees with one’s own habits of thought and preconceived opinions; to be extremely bigoted and self-opiniated.
1
Under a bushel. Secretly; in order to hide it.
2
“Do men light a candle and put it under a bushel?”—Matt. v. 15.
