a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush »
It is preferable to have a small but certain advantage than a mere potential of a greater one.
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a cat may look at a king »
Even a purported inferior has certain abilities, even in the presence of a purported superior
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a chain is only as strong as its weakest link »
An organization (especially a process or a business) is only as strong or powerful as its weakest person. A group of associates is only as strong as its laziest member.
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a closed mouth gathers no feet »
One who does not speak can be certain he won't say anything embarrassing.
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a miss is as good as a mile »
A failure remains a failure, regardless of how close to success one has actually come.
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a nod is as good as a wink »
The hint, suggestion etc can be understood without further explaining.
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a picture is worth a thousand words »
Alternative form of a picture paints a thousand words.
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a picture paints a thousand words »
A visualisation is a better description than a verbal description.1971, David Gates (of Bread), If, from Manna album:If a picture paints a thousand wordsThen why can't I paint you;The words will never showThe you I've come to know.1989, Alan Kay, quoted in K?o-tung Huang, Timothy D. Huang, Introduction to Chinese, Japanese and Korean Computing, World Scientific, ISBN 9971506645, p. 9:Most human beings, no matter how familiar they are with abstract symbols, respond to voice and images better than written language. In other words, A picture paints a thousand words.2006, Paul Shakespeare, Building a Dune Buggy: The Essential Manual, ISBN 1904788734, p. 52:See accompanying diagram: a picture paints a thousand words, and all that!
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abide by »
To remain faithful to something or someone; to stand to; to adhere.
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abide with »
To remain or live with someone.
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accident waiting to happen »
A thing or situation which is almost certain to eventually lead to an accident.
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account for »
To explain by relating circumstances; to show that some one, thing or members of a group are present or have been processed.
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across the board »
Pertaining to all categories or things.
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against all odds »
Despite seemingly insurmountable opposition or probability.
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against the clock »
In a time-restricted manner, to meet a deadline, hurriedly, timed.
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against the collar »
In a tight spot.
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against the grain »
Contrary to what is expected; especially, of behavior different from what society expects.
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against the grain »
To sand or plane a piece of wood parallel or nearly parallel to the fibers such that splinters forming ahead of the tool originate below the cutting surface.
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against the grain »
Unwillingly, reluctantly. It went much against the grain with him, i.e. it was much against his inclination, or against his pluck.
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all nations »
A composition of all the different spirits sold in a dram-shop, collected in a vessel into which the drainings of the bottles and quartern pots are emptied.
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all very well »
All right, to a certain extent.
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angle for »
To try to obtain something by subtle indirect means. Political manoeuvres, suggestion, etc.
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April showers bring May flowers »
April, traditionally a rainy period, gives way to May, when flowers will bloom because of the water provided to them by the April rains.By extension, that a period of discomfort can provide the basis for a period of happiness.
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arm candy »
An attractive, seemingly romantic companion who accompanies a person in public simply so that one or both of the individuals can gain attention, enhance social status, or create an impression of sexual appeal.
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ask my arse »
A common reply to any question; still deemed wit at sea, and formerly at court, under the denomination of selling bargains.
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at a stand »
In a state of confusion or uncertainty; undecided what to do next.
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at cross purposes »
Against one another; contrary in direction or goals.
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at loose ends »
In an uncertain position or situation.
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at the mercy of »
In the power of; defenceless/defenseless against.
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back-cloth star »
An actor who stands upstage, forcing the other actors to face him and turn their backs to the audience, in order to gain more attention to himself.
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barrel »
A round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth, and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with hoops, and having flat ends or heads. Sometimes applied to a similar cylindrical container made of metal, usually called a drum.
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barrel of laughs »
That which is enjoyable or entertaining.
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be after »
To try to obtain.
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be off »
To be working against a present or former addiction to.
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be up against »
To be challenged by someone or something stronger than oneself.
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beat around the bush »
To treat a topic but omit its main points, often intentionally.
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beat one's head against a stone wall »
To waste effort on a futile project.
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beat someone's brains out »
To beat someone very severely.
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beddable »
[...] feminine, great body great legs great taste, trained and beddable, Jesus, how beddable.
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bend the truth »
To change or leave out certain facts of a story or situation, generally in order to elicit a specific response in the audience.
|
best laid plans »
A proverbial expression used to signify the futility of making detailed plans when the outcome is uncertain.
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bet the farm »
To be absolutely certain, to have no doubts.
|
better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all »
Having experience of love, even if it ended, is better than having no experience of love.Love is worthwhile despite the pain involved in separation.
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better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness »
In the face of bad times or hopelessness, it is more worthwhile to do some good, however small, in response than to complain about the situation.
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big break »
A breakthrough, especially the first big hit of a previously unknown performer or performers in the entertainment industry.
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big kahuna »
A boss, leader, chieftain, or top-ranking person in an organization.
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big picture »
The main film in a double feature.
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bird of one's own brain »
One's own idea or conception.
|
bits and bobs »
A random assortment of things; small remaining pieces and things.
|
bitter end »
That part of an anchor cable which is abaft the bitts and thus remains onboard when a ship is riding at anchor.
|
blow off »
To vent, usually, to reduce pressure in a container.
|
blue moon »
The third full moon in a quarter that contains four rather than the usual three full moons.
|
bluewash »
To tout a business or organization's commitment to social responsibility, and to use this perception for public relations and economic gain; to present a humanitarian front in this manner.
|
bluewash »
To use a blue paint or glaze.
|
bog standard »
Especially plain, ordinary, or unremarkable; having no special, excess or unusual features; plain vanilla.
|
boot camp »
Any short, intensive course of training.
|
boot camp »
Indoctrination, physical fitness training and basic instruction in service-related subjects for recruits in the Navy and Marine Corps.
|
boys will be boys »
It is hard, often fruitless, to attempt to curb the natural playfulness and tendency to mischief of most growing boys.1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Chapter 13But just then there was a slight altercation between Master Tommy and Master Jacky. Boys will be boys and our two twins were no exception to this golden rule.Even grown men usually remain somewhat boyish in heart"Boys will be boys", grinned grandpa while he joined his adult son playing with the fancy train-set he gave his grandson for Christmas while the kid was in school.
|
brain fart »
A lapse in the thought process; an inability to think or remember something clearly.
|
brain fart »
Something ill-considered and said or done impulsively.
|
brain surgeon »
Someone very intelligent.
|
brain surgeon »
Someone who does brain surgery.
|
brain surgery »
Something that is overly complex, detailed or confusing.
|
brain surgery »
Surgery on any part of the nervous system, especially the brain; neurosurgery.
|
brain teaser »
puzzle
|
brain-dead »
Having an irreversible loss of brain function and cessation of brain activity.
|
brain-dead »
Having no useful thoughts; stupid; ditzy.
|
break even »
To neither gain nor lose money.
|
break out »
To begin suddenly; to emerge in a certain condition.
|
bridge »
A song contained within another song, often demarcated by meter, key, or melody.
|
bridge »
A valence bond, atom or chain of atoms that connects two different parts of a molecule; the atoms so connected being bridgeheads.
|
bridge »
An elevated platform above the upper deck of a mechanically propelled ship from which it is navigated and from which all activities on deck can be seen and controlled by the captain, etc; smaller ships have a wheelhouse, and sailing ships were controlled from a quarterdeck.
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bring round »
To resuscitate; to cause to regain consciousness.
|
bucket down »
To rain heavily.
|
burn down »
To completely burn, so that nothing remains.
|
bustle with »
To teem with; abound with; to exhibit an energetic and active abundance of a thing; to be full of a certain activity or active beings.
|
but then »
Then again, on the other hand; used to show that the opposite viewpoint is possible.
|
butter up »
To flatter, especially with the intent of personal gain.
|
by all means »
Yes certainly; definitely.
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by no means »
Certainly not; definitely not.
|
captain of industry »
A prominent business person who owns or is the highest-ranking executive of one or more major firms, especially one who has considerable wealth and influence.
|
carry on »
To have or maintain.
|
cat and mouse game »
Two individuals and/or groups repeatedly keeping check on each other in a suspicious or self-protective way, often with the goal of one or both parties trying to gain a malicious advantage over the other.
|
chain reaction »
A nuclear reaction in which particles produced by the fission of one atom trigger fissions of other atoms.
|
chain reaction »
A series of events, each one causing the next.
|
chase a rainbow »
To pursue something illusory, impractical, or impossible.
|
cheat sheet »
A sheet of paper containing notes used to assist on a test.
|
cheaters never prosper »
One does not gain from cheating.
|
check out »
To obtain computer source code from a repository.
|
cherry-pick »
To pick out the best, or most desirable items from a list or group, especially to obtain some advantage or to present something in the best possible light.
|
chicken out »
To shy away from a daring task; to decline, refuse, or avoid something due to fear or uncertainty.
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chuck it down »
To rain heavily.
|
chump-change »
Of or pertaining to something of little monetary value.
|
circle the wagons »
To draw a wagon train into a circle to allow the wagons to provide cover when under attack.
|
circle the wagons »
To prepare to defend against an attack.
|
clothes don't make the man »
An aphorism meaning that you cannot judge a person solely by his appearance. Usually pertains to men.
|
clout list »
A usually secret list containing the names of people who are to be given special access, benefits, or influence in a political or social situation, especially as a result of having personal, professional, or financial relationships with those in authority.
|
collect dust »
To remain untouched and unused for a long period of time.
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come across »
To give an appearance or impression; to project a certain image.
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come by »
To obtain; to get, now especially by chance or involuntarily.
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come to »
To recover consciousness after fainting etc.
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come to a head »
To suddenly reveal that which has lain latent for a time.
|
come to terms »
To accept or resign oneself to something emotionally painful.
|
concrete jungle »
An urban or other populated area containing a high density of buildings constructed of concrete or similar materials, especially one which lacks greenery and which seems unattractive, harsh, or unsafe.
|
cookie-cutter »
Of or pertaining to cookie cutters.
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cookie-cutter »
Of or pertaining to identical looking things.
|
cross the floor »
To vote against one's own political party in parliament.
|
cry out »
To shout in a loud voice, due to pain, or fear, or unhappiness.
|
cry out against »
To complain strongly, usually as a group.
|
cry someone a river »
To try to obtain the sympathy of another person by complaining or sniveling.
|
cry the blues »
To complain, especially in order to obtain sympathy for one's own purportedly sad situation.
|
cube out »
To reach the volume limit of a container.
|
curry favor »
To seek to gain favor by flattery or attention.
|
cut and dried »
Simple, straightforward, clear, or certain.
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cut in »
When painting, to paint edges, corners, or trim in preparation for rolling larger areas.
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cut it out »
To stop; refrain from; halt.
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cut one's teeth »
To begin; to gain early experience.
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damn with faint praise »
To provide praise that is so minimal or inconsequential as to actually amount to criticism.
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dead as a doorknob »
Entirely, unquestionably or certainly dead.
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dead set against »
Completely opposed, with no possibility of a change of mind.
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debris field »
Any area, non-dependent of locale, space, or contour, that contains the debris of wreckage, impact, sinking, or other material that once constituted a complete object. Debris fields can be found at the site of air crashes, water vessel sinking, explosions of buildings, collapses, and other events that render a whole entity into components, pieces, or other non-whole items.
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deliver the message to Garcia »
...grasp the demands and exactions of business life. He learns that the main thing to do is to "deliver the message to Garcia"....
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devil's advocate »
A canon lawyer appointed by the Church to argue against the canonization of the proposed candidate.
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dirty laundry »
A clothes hamper or other container used to place unclean or soiled laundry.
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dirty laundry »
Unflattering facts or questionable activities that one wants to remain secret, but which some other may use to blackmail with.
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dirty money »
Money that is illegally gained, illegally transferred or illegally utilized. Especially money gained through forgery, bribery, or thievery.
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discretion is the better part of valour »
It is often wise to refrain from seemingly brave speech or action.1597
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divide and conquer »
A combination of political, military and economic strategies that aim to gain and maintain power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into chunks that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy.(computing) Applied to various algorithms, such as quicksort, that solve a problem by splitting it recursively into smaller problems until all of the remaining problems are trivial.(as imperative, proverb) In order to rule securely, don't allow alliances of your enemies.
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do something with mirrors »
To jokingly pretend that one did something using magic mirrors, that one is a magician; a joking explanation of the fantastic or the unexplained.
|
dog and pony show »
Originally, a small, traveling circus featuring animals as entertainment.
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don't shit where you eat »
(idiomatic, vulgar) One should not cause trouble in a place, group, or situation in which one regularly finds oneself.1998 April 14, Nelson Navarro, "Ever faithful, ever true," Manila Standard (Philippines) (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):The guiding principle is Don't shit where you eat. Office romances are always destructive of morale and objectivity.2003 Oct. 8, Jonathan Valania, "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Pussy," Philadelphia Weekly (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):Limbaugh was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at the NAB convention in, of all places, Philadelphia, thus violating the cardinal law of the animal kingdom: Don't shit where you eat.2006 Sept. 19, Michael Musto, "NY Mirror," Village Voice (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):Mitchell refused to indulge in on-set romances with either gender. "You don't shit where you eat," he told me, plainly.
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down the drain »
Wasted, squandered; irretrievable.
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drain the swamp when up to one's neck in alligators »
(idiomatic) When performing a long and complex task, and when you've gotten utterly immersed in secondary and tertiary unexpected tangential subtasks, it's easy to lose sight of the initial objective. This sort of distraction can be particularly problematic if the all-consuming subtask or sub-subtask is not, after all, particularly vital to the original, primary goal, but ends up sucking up time and resources (out of all proportion to its actual importance) only because it seems so urgent.
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drive the porcelain bus »
To vomit, especially while drunk or hung over.
|
drive-by media »
Media professionals who "spray" a bunch of repetitive misstatements, mistaken and misinterpreted news reports to cause excitement and confusion. They then figuratively "drive off" leaving the cleanup of their mess and hysteria to others, to correct and properly explain and interpret.
|
dyed-in-the-wool »
Firmly established in a person's beliefs or habits; deeply ingrained in the nature of a person or thing.
|
err on the side of caution »
To act in the least risky manner in a situation where one is uncertain about the consequences.
|
every man has a price »
Everyone can be bribed or corrupted for a certain price.
|
every silver lining has a cloud »
Every good situation has the potential to turn bad.2007, Diab A. Shetayh, Actuality : The Reality RequiemA great partnership isn't a self-maintaining entity. Perseverance and persistence make it thrive. For every silver lining has a cloud. Ignorance of this reality is not an option.
|
f** someone over »
To exploit somebody in a way which result in an advantage to oneself, at the cost of the other party gaining a considerable disadvantage.
|
factor space »
A space obtained from another by identification of points that are equivalent to one another in some equivalence relation.
|
faith will move mountains »
Belief in oneself (read sometimes as belief in God) can help one overcome any hurdle in life's path.
|
fall on deaf ears »
Of a request, complaint, etc, to be ignored.
|
familiarity breeds contempt »
The more acquainted one becomes with a person, the more one knows about his or her shortcomings and, hence, the easier it is to dislike that person.1894, H. Rider Haggard, The People Of The Mist, ch. 25:This was the beginning of evil, for if no man is a hero to his valet de chambre, much less can he remain a god for long in the eyes of a curious woman. Here, as in other matters, familiarity breeds contempt.
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feed a cold, starve a fever »
Eating more will cure the common cold, and eating less will cure a fever.1887, J. H. Whelan, "The Treatment of Colds.", The Practitioner, vol. 38, pg. 180:"Feed a cold, starve a fever." There is a deal of wisdom in the first part of this advice. A person with a catarrh should take an abundance of light nutritious food, and some light wine, but avoid spirits, and above all tobacco.1968, Katinka Loeser, The Archers at Home, publ. Atheneum, New York, pg. 60:I have a cold. 'Feed a cold, starve a fever.' You certainly know that.2009, Shelly Reuben, Tabula Rasa, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ISBN 015101079X, pg. 60:They say feed a cold, starve a fever, but they don't tell you what to do when you got both, so I figured scrambled eggs, tea, and toast.
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fend off »
Away; to turn away; to defend against; to repel with force or effort.
|
final curtain »
The end to something which has longed for a long time.
|
find one's feet »
To grow in confidence in a new situation as one gains experience.
|
flat-footed »
To firmly hold and maintain a decision; to stand one's ground.
|
flower »
An inflorescence that resembles a flower, but actually contains many small florets, such as a sunflower.
|
fly the freak flag »
To behave in a unconventional or unrestrained manner; to exhibit the uninhibited side of one's personality.
|
food chain »
A hierarchy.
|
food chain »
The feeding relationships between species in a biotic community.
|
fool's errand »
A foolish undertaking, especially one that is purposeless, fruitless, nonsensical, or certain to fail.
|
footloose and fancy free »
Able to do as one pleases, unconstrained by social ties or responsibilities.
|
for keeps »
With an agreement or intention to retain what one gains or receives.
|
for kicks »
In order to obtain pleasure or excitement; for fun.
|
for my money »
Used to mark a statement made by the speaker as an opinion or something not known with certainty.
|
for the heck of it »
For no particular reason, just because it is fun, entertaining; for to relieve boredom.
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for the hell of it »
For no particular reason, just because it is fun, entertaining; for to relieve boredom.
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for the sake of it »
For no particular reason, just because it is fun, entertaining; for to relieve boredom.
|
forewarned is forearmed »
Advance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it.1863, Charles Reade, Hard Cash, ch. 4:[W]hatever a young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies; but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine . . . forewarned is forearmed.1885, G. A. Henty, Saint George for England, ch. 4:Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed.circa 1903, Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Why Mr. Cropper Changed His Mind":"Well, Miss Maxwell, I think it only fair to tell you that you may have trouble with those boys when they do come. Forewarned is forearmed, you know."
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fountain of youth »
Anything reputed to have the power to restore health and vitality or to restore a youthful appearance.
|
freak flag »
Unconventional or unrestrained behavior; extreme, nonconformist views; the side of one's personality which harbors a tendency toward such behavior or such views.
|
free lunch »
Something obtained without any payment, obligation or effort.
|
free rein »
The absence of constraints; freedom to make decisions.
|
funny money »
Money gained in a devious or sneaky manner.
|
garbage in, garbage out »
(computing, information technology) If input data is not complete, accurate, and timely, then the resulting output is unreliable and of no useful value.1963, Raymond Crowley, "Robot Tax Collector Seeks Indications of 'Fudging'," Times Daily (Alabama, USA), 1 April (retrieved 26 July 2010):Officials explained that the quality of the computer's work depends on the quality of the data fed into it. Neil Hoke, administrative assistant to Stewart, quoted an adage of computer men: "Garbage in, garbage out."2008, Roger K. Lewis, "'In Architectural Design, Brains and Talent Trump the Best Software," Washington Post, 19 July (retrieved 26 July 2010):The old caveat "GIGO"
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get a leg up »
To gain some advantage; to get a head start.
|
get a rise out of »
To obtain a reaction from someone, especially one of annoyance.
|
get at »
gain access to
|
get in »
To enter a place; to gain access.
|
get off »
To disembark from mass transportation, such as a bus or train.
|
get on somebody's case »
To lecture, berate, or complain to somebody, especially to find fault or criticize.
|
get one's feet wet »
To begin gaining experience; To take a risk and try something new.
|
get one's foot in the door »
To initiate contact or a relationship; to gain access, especially to an entry-level job.
|
get one's hands on »
To get; to obtain; to secure.
|
ghost train »
fairground attraction
|
glimmer »
A faint light; a dim glow.
|
glimmer »
A faint or remote possibility.
|
go against the grain »
To defy convention; to do something in a manner that is unusual or out of the ordinary.
|
go apeshit »
To behave in an extreme manner; to act without restraint, especially by becoming explosively angry.
|
go back to the drawing board »
To start again; to scrap a previous idea or plan and try again from the beginning.
|
go Dutch »
To pay for one's own food and bills, or split the cost, when eating at a restaurant or going out for entertainment.
|
go for »
To endure, sustain or spend time.
|
go large »
To have the wind at such an angle to the sail that the vessel gains its highest speed.
|
go the distance »
To have the endurance to see a difficult sustained challenge to its natural end without faltering.
|
go through the mill »
To experience the suffering or discipline necessary to bring one to a certain degree of knowledge or skill, or to a certain mental state.
|
go to the mattresses »
To go to war; to use ruthless tactics; to act without restraint.
|
go up against »
To challenge someone.
|
golden handcuffs »
Any arrangement or agreement designed to provide extremely favorable benefits or pay, so as to discourage participant from wanting to leave, especially to retain a choice employee.
|
good drunk »
A person who is cheerful and companionable when intoxicated, retaining reasonable control of his or her mental and emotional faculties.
|
grain of salt »
A bit of common sense and skepticism. Generally used in some form of to take with a grain of salt.
|
granary »
A fertile, grain-growing region.
|
granary »
A storage facility for grain or sometimes animal feed.
|
gravy train »
A gorging on luxuries, since someone else foots the bill.
|
gravy train »
An occupation or any lucrative endeavor that generates considerable income whilst requiring little effort and carrying little risk.
|
gray area »
A part that is not clear or certain; something that is open to interpretation.
|
group captain »
raf officer
|
hack into »
To gain unauthorized entry to, particularly by exploiting little-known weaknesses.
|
hand waving »
Discussion or argumentation involving approximation, vagueness, educated guessing, or the attempt to explain or excuse vagaries.
|
haul somebody over the coals »
To express anger with someone in no uncertain terms when they do something wrong.
|
have a bone to pick »
To have a complaint or grievance with somebody.
|
have butterflies in one's stomach »
To be nervous, uncertain, or anxious.
|
have it in for »
To be very angry at; to have a grudge against.
|
have one's back to the wall »
To have no other options remaining.
|
have one's wits about one »
To remain calm, composed, or aware.
|
he who smelt it dealt it »
(colloquial, originally) A person who calls attention to or complains about a fart is likely trying to pretend it wasn't his or her own.(colloquial, by extension) Used to suggest that a person calling attention to or complaining about a given problem may in fact be the source of the problem.
|
head scratcher »
July 2002, Fox News - Attorney: Williams' Kids Near Compromise About Father's Remains.
|
hen's teeth »
Anything very rare or impossible to obtain is said to be like finding hen’s teeth.
|
here goes nothing »
Indicates a lack of confidence or certainty about the activity about to be tried.
|
high road »
A main road or highway.
|
history repeats itself »
Things that have happened in the past will happen again.
|
hit the rock »
To use crack cocaine.
|
hold back »
To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.
|
hold back »
To contain; stop.
|
hold down »
To restrain; to check.
|
hold someone's feet to the fire »
To maintain personal, social, political, or legal pressure on someone in order to induce him or her to comply with one's desires; to hold someone accountable for his or her actions.
|
hold the fort »
To maintain a secure position.
|
hold up one's end »
To hold up one's end of the bargain; to fulfill one's promise or obligation.
|
hold with the hare and run with the hounds »
To remain neutral by attempting to placate two factions or both sides of a controversy.
|
homeless dumping »
The practice of hospital employees or emergency workers releasing homeless patients on the streets instead of placing them into the custody of a relative or shelter or retaining them in a hospital where they may require expensive medical care.
|
if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail »
With limited tools, single-minded people apply them inappropriately or indiscriminatelyIf a person is familiar with a certain, single subject/has with them a certain, single instrument, they may have a confirmation bias to believe that it is the answer to/involved in everything.
|
if it ain't broke, don't fix it »
Leave something alone; avoid correcting, fixing, or improving what is already sufficient, as it could end up being detrimental
|
if the mountain won't come to Muhammad »
"If one cannot get one's own way, one must bow to the inevitable.".
|
in for an inch, in for a mile »
Given that one is partly involved in or committed to a project, action, position, etc., there is no reason to refrain from becoming fully involved or fully committed.
|
in front of one's nose »
Plain; clearly apparent; obvious.
|
in layman's terms »
Explaining something in simple words.
|
in no uncertain terms »
With great clarity, emphasis, or exactness; without any ambiguity.
|
in spades »
To excess, a lot, considerably; without restraint.
|
in the face of »
Despite, against, contrary to.
|
in vain »
19C, Friedrich Nietzsche.
|
in vain »
In a disrespectful manner, especially when concerning religion.
|
in vain »
Without success; ending in failure.
|
inside joke »
A joke that is understood or meant to be understood only by certain people who are in the know about the details.
|
it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings »
There are more developments yet to come.
|
it ain't the whistle that pulls the train »
Alternative form of it's not the whistle that pulls the train.
|
it is not the whistle that pulls the train »
Alternative form of it's not the whistle that pulls the train.
|
it isn't the whistle that pulls the train »
Alternative form of it's not the whistle that pulls the train.
|
it never rains but it pours »
Unfortunate events occur in quantity.
|
it's not the whistle that pulls the train »
Boasting and loud talk should not be mistaken for the work that produces real achievements; bravado is no proof of action.1956, James Reston, "Washington: It's Not the Whistle that Pulls the Train," New York Times, 1 July, p. E8:
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it's not what you know but who you know »
For success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.1951, G. P. Bush and L. H. Hattery, "Federal Recruitment of Junior Engineers," Science, vol. 114, no. 2966, p. 456:Eighty-four students referred to political influence as a disadvantage of federal employment with such remarks as: "There are too many political connections necessary . . . it's not what you know but who you know
|
jew down »
To bargain or haggle with a seller in order to obtain a lower price for a good or service.
|
jump »
To employ a move in certain board games where one game piece is moved from one legal position to another passing over the position of another piece.
|
jump rope »
The activity, game or exercise in which a person must jump, bounce or skip repeatedly while a length of rope is swung over and under, both ends held in the hands of the jumper, or alternately, held by two other participants. Often used for athletic training and among schoolchildren. Variations involve speed, chants, varied rope and jumper movement patterns, multiple jumpers and/or multiple ropes.
|
just for fun »
For no particular reason, just because it is fun, entertaining; for to relieve boredom.
|
keel over »
To collapse in a faint; to black out; to die.
|
keep a weather eye open »
To maintain a background awareness of something; to remain alert to changes without it occupying your full attention.
|
keep an eye open »
To maintain vigilance for a possibly dangerous situation.
|
keep an eye open »
To maintain vigilance for someone or something.
|
keep down »
To restrain or control.
|
keep from »
To prevent or restrain ; refrain or cause refrain.
|
keep it up »
To maintain one's erection.
|
keep it up »
To maintain or continue a positive streak.
|
keep on »
To remain in an existing position.
|
keep one's cool »
To remain composed, calm, and even-tempered, especially in a provocative situation.
|
keep one's eye on the ball »
To maintain one's concentration fixed on one important theme.
|
keep one's mouth shut »
To keep a secret; to refrain from speaking indiscreetly or carelessly.
|
keep one's pecker up »
Remain cheerful; keep smiling.
|
keep out »
To refrain from entering a place or condition.
|
keep out »
To restrain someone or something from entering a place or condition.
|
keep out of »
To restrain someone or something from entering a place or condition.
|
keep quiet »
Remain silent.
|
keep quiet »
To refrain from talking about something; to keep a secret.
|
keep up »
To maintain; to preserve; to prevent from deteriorating.
|
keep up »
To ensure that one remains well-informed about something.
|
keep up with »
To manage to remain beside or just behind that is moving away from one.
|
kept up »
maintained
|
kernel of truth »
A core accuracy at the heart of a claim or narrative which also contains dubious or fictitious elements.
|
kick up a fuss »
To show annoyance, or to complain loudly about something, often when it is of little importance in reality.
|
kill the goose that lays the golden eggs »
To seek short term gain at the sacrifice of long term profit.
|
knowledge is power »
With knowledge and/or education, one's potential or ability to succeed in the pursuit of his objectives will certainly increase.
|
laced-up »
Restrained; uptight.
|
lapsed academic »
A person formerly employed as a professor or researcher in a university or other institution of higher education, especially one who no longer attempts to remain current in his or her former academic field.
|
last burst of fire »
A state of exertion where one gives one's all; expending all of one's remaining energy in a final effort to achieve one's goal.
|
last resort »
The only remaining, unwanted, option or choice.
|
latch onto »
To obtain, acquire or get and keep hold of something.
|
lay hands on »
To find, obtain or procure.
|
lay low »
To remain hidden or to hide oneself.
|
lay out »
To arrange in a certain way.
|
lick one's wounds »
He's just off licking his wounds. He'll be back to try again.
|
life of the party »
A person who participates in entertainment events in a very enthusiastic manner and who has a leading role in inspiring others to join in the spirit of festivity.
|
lion »
A large cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly to much of Europe. The term may apply to the species as a whole, to individuals, or to male individuals. It also applies to related species like mountain lions.
|
live on »
To survive solely by consuming a certain thing.
|
log out »
To exit an account in a computer system so that it doesn't recognize you until you log in again.
|
long drink »
Any drink containing more than 5 ounces of liquid and less than 9 ounces. Typically, a long drink will have lots of ice and mixer.
|
longpig »
Human flesh when cooked in cannabalistic rituals in certain Pacific Islands, due to the allegeded similarity to cooked pork.
|
look up »
To obtain information about something from a text source.
|
low-hanging fruit »
Easily obtained gains; what can be obtained by readily available means.
|
lucky dip »
A game in which prizes are covered up and mixed together in a container, so that contestants can dip their hand into the container and randomly pull out a prize.
|
main verte »
Green thumb.
|
make a mountain out of a molehill »
To treat a problem as greater than it is; to blow something out of proportion; to exaggerate the importance of something trivial.
|
make a name for oneself »
To gain fame.
|
make a stink »
To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.
|
measure twice and cut once »
(literally, carpentry) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.1872, "Dressmaking," Hall's Journal of Health, vol. 19, no. 12, p. 280:Look at Carpenters! . . . In old times it was a proverb "Measure twice, and cut once."(figuratively, by extension) Plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action.2008, Hilary Johnson, "Mergers rattle bank relations," Financial Week, 9 Nov. (retrieved 9 Nov. 2008):Mr. Paz noted that since the onset of the credit crisis, eBay, like other companies, hasn
|
meaty »
Of, relating to, or containing meat.
|
mince words »
To restrain oneself in a conversation by withholding some comments or using euphemisms.
|
mind the store »
To remain present in a retail business, in order to maintain the security of the premises and to serve customers.
|
mixed bag »
Any bag containing a mixture of something.
|
muck in »
To join in attaining a common aim.
|
my arse »
Indicates disapproval, disregard, disdain, disgust or disbelief.
|
my eye »
Expression of disapproval, disregard, disdain, disgust or disbelief.
|
my foot »
Indicates disapproval, disregard, disdain, disgust or disbelief.
|
nail down »
Firm or certain.
|
night person »
A person whose preference or custom is to remain awake and active during the night and the early morning hours, and who usually sleeps during part of the daytime.
|
nighthawk »
A person whose preference or custom is to remain awake and active during the night and the early morning hours.
|
nip and tuck »
So evenly matched that the advantage shifts from one to the other, and the outcome is uncertain.
|
no brainer »
Something that supposedly doesn’t take much intellectual thought. Whoever says that something is a no brainer is usually the one with no brains.
|
no fear »
certainly not
|
no pain, no gain »
One must be willing to endure some inconvenience or discomfort in order to achieve worthwhile goals.
|
noarch »
Short for "no architecture". It is a term used mainly in package management systems to mark packages which are architecture independent. Such packages usually contain graphics, documentation or similar data that can be used on any architecture.
|
nose candy »
Cocaine.
|
not have the faintest »
To not know; to have no idea.
|
not long for this world »
Unlikely to remain for much time.
|
nothing ventured, nothing gained »
If one takes no risks, one will not gain any benefits.
|
off the chain »
Crazy and exciting; delirious and wild. By analogy to a frenetic dog when unleashed.
|
off the chain »
Free from work or direct supervision. In reference to slave labor, where workers are chained, or to the figurative chain of workers of an assembly line.
|
off the wagon »
No longer maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from an undesirable habit, especially drinking alcohol.
|
oil colour »
painting
|
oil painting »
works of art
|
old hand »
A person who is experienced at a certain activity.
|
old masters »
great painters
|
on one's feet »
Being well again after a bout of illness.
|
on the brain »
Obsessively in mind.
|
on the bubble »
Uncertain of success.
|
on the clock »
In the official time remaining in a game or other sporting event.
|
on the defensive »
Prepared to defend or protect against criticism, attack or aggression.
|
on the ropes »
Leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse.
|
on the wagon »
By extension, maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from some other undesirable habit.
|
once again »
Again.
|
one of his majesty's bad bargains »
A worthless soldier, a malingeror.
|
ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny »
(biology, social sciences, art, philosophy) The physical, cultural, moral, or intellectual development of each individual passes through stages similar to the developmental stages of that individual's species, society, or civilization.1905, J. A. Harris, "The Importance of Investigations of Seedling Stages," Science, New Series, vol. 22, no. 554, p. 186:With reference to seedling stages the statement that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny must be made with great reserve.1961, M. E. Wolfgang, "Pioneers in Criminology: Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909)," The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science, vol. 52, no. 4, p. 367:Haeckel maintained that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, and this idea was incorporated by Lombroso into his parallelism between the criminal and the child.2002, B. S. Jackson, "Models in Legal History: The Case of Biblical Law," Journal of Law and Religion, vol. 18, no. 1, p. 11:For even if we accept that "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny," those responsible for the drafting of ancient legal documents were not children, and are hardly to be endowed with some form of infantile mentality.
|
out of reach »
Inaccessible or unattainable.
|
out of touch »
No longer maintaining contact or communications.
|
over and over »
Repeatedly; again and again; many times.
|
pain in the ass »
Something that causes discomfort or is otherwise troublesome.
|
pain in the butt »
A nuisance; a source of trouble or annoyance.
|
pain in the neck »
Someone or something which is annoying, irritating or inconvenient.
|
paint oneself into a corner »
To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions.
|
paint the town red »
To party or celebrate in a rowdy, wild manner, especially in a public place.
|
paint with a broad brush »
To describe a class of objects or a kind of phenomenon in general terms, without specific details and without attention to individual variations.
|
painting rocks »
Pointless or futile work organised by the government, supposedly to increase employment but in fact merely disguising the unemployment level.
|
paper »
A sheet material used for writing on or printing on , usually made by draining cellulose fibres from a suspension in water.
|
party crasher »
Someone who attempts and often gains entry to a party or club to which they were not invited, often using social engineering techniques. The party crasher usually tries to blend into the party so as not to be kicked out.
|
pass out »
To faint; fall asleep.
|
pass out »
To graduate, usually marked by the ceremony at the end of their training.
|
pay one's dues »
To acquire status or to earn the right to enjoy certain benefits, especially through lengthy experience, hardship, or service to an organization.
|
pay the bills »
To provide enough income to sustain one's lifestyle.
|
pay up »
To pay for something in total, after a certain amount of time after receiving a purchase.
|
payback's a bitch »
Usually a complete sentence as an interjection: I am amused that someone got their revenge on you...but you certainly had it coming.
|
pelt of the dog »
An immoderate, excessive quantity of alcohol drunk the morning after whilst suffering withdrawal symptoms or a hangover, which goes beyond alleviating the complaint to causing drunkenness; cf. hair of the dog.
|
pencil pusher »
One who does routine office work; someone involved mainly in paperwork.
|
pick somebody's brain »
To seek information from someone knowledgeable; to ask questions of someone.
|
pipe down »
To be quiet; to refrain from being noisy.
|
piss and moan »
To complain, especially needlessly and loudly.
|
pit against »
To set someone in opposition to someone else.
|
pitched battle »
A hostile engagement involving sustained, full-scale fighting between opposing forces in close combat.
|
play dumb »
To pretend to be slow-witted or lacking in specific knowledge, usually in order to avoid responsibility or to gain some advantage.
|
play one against another »
To manipulate two persons into competing against one another in a way that benefits the person carrying out the manipulation.
|
play possum »
To feign death; to remain quiet and still to escape attention or remain undetected; to lay low.
|
play to the gallery »
To appeal to the least sophisticated parts of an audience in order to obtain maximum approval.
|
poacher turned gamekeeper »
A person who now works against the same people they once supported.
|
preprogram »
To predispose to certain thoughts or behaviours.
|
pronunciamiento »
A military uprising or coup in Spain or the Spanish American republics, particularly in the 19th century. They received this designation because coups were usually accompanied by a statement declaring the existing government null and void.
|
proverbs run in pairs »
Every proverb seems to be contradicted by another proverb with an opposed message, such as "too many cooks spoil the broth" and "many hands make light work."1863, Sir Richard Burton, Abeokuta and the Camaroons Mountains, vol. 1, Tinsley (London), p. 309:Moreover, all the world over, proverbs run in pairs, and pull both ways: for the most part one neutralizes, by contradiction, the other.
|
pull out »
To remove something from a container.
|
pump iron »
To lift weights; to engage in weight or strength training.
|
pure and simple »
Plain and unadorned.
|
put across »
To explain or state something clearly and understandably.
|
put oneself across »
To explain one's ideas and opinions clearly so that another person can understand them and get a picture of your personality.
|
question mark »
Doubt or uncertainty.
|
quick-and-dirty »
Of or pertaining to the creation or repair of software or hardware in a manner which permits operation within a brief period of time, although with compromised functionality or reliability.
|
rack one's brain »
To struggle to think of or remember something.
|
rag the puck »
To retain possession of the puck by skillful skating and stickhandling without attempting to score, as a deliberate tactic intended to use up time.
|
rain cats and dogs »
To rain very heavily.
|
rain check »
In social interactions, a polite way to turn down an invitation, with the implication one is simply postponing it and that another time would be acceptable.
|
rain check »
To provide a service at a later date.
|
rain cheque »
Any postponement, especially of an offer.
|
rain cheque »
Any voucher or note issued by a store to allow a customer to get a special or sale price later if an item is out of stock.
|
rain dogs and cats »
To rain very heavily.
|
rain on someone's parade »
To disappoint or discourage someone.
|
rain or shine »
Regardless of what the circumstances are, and how the weather is.
|
rain pitchforks »
To rain heavily.
|
rained cats and dogs »
poured
|
rainy day »
A difficult period of need, when things do not go right.
|
raise a stink »
To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.
|
raise Cain »
To behave in a disruptive manner.
|
raise Cain »
To cause trouble.
|
remains to be seen »
Is not yet known.
|
ride the rails »
To travel by railway train, trolley, etc.
|
right as rain »
Correct; factually accurate.
|
right as rain »
Very good; healthy.
|
rip to shreds »
To rip up, so that only shreds remain.
|
rock the boat »
To disturb the status quo or go against rules or conventions, as in an effort to get attention.
|
root cause »
An initiating cause of a chain of events which leads to an outcome or effect of interest.
|
rub up against »
To touch something with one's body.
|
rub up against »
To touch another person with one's body in a sexually stimulating manner.
|
rub up against »
Of pets. To touch a person's body in a friendly manner, seeking attention.
|
run away with »
To leave secretly with another person. Usually with the intention of getting married or of living together against the wishes of the family.
|
run by »
To inform someone briefly of the main points of an idea.
|
run for »
To try to obtain political position through the democratic voting process.
|
run out the clock »
To preserve a lead in a game by retaining possession, to waste time.
|
run something by »
To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.
|
run something past »
To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.
|
run up against »
Begin to encounter problems with someone or something.
|
rush hour »
The times of the day when traffic jams are commonplace, due mainly to people commuting to or from work.
|
sainted »
Simple past tense and past participle of saint.
|
scotch mist »
fine rain
|
scream »
An entertaingly outrageous person.
|
second nature »
A mindset, skill, or type of behavior so ingrained through habit or practice that it seems natural, automatic, or without a basis in conscious thought.
|
see the light »
To gain an understanding of something previously not understood, especially in a sudden insight.
|
sell a bargain »
A species of wit, much in vogue about the latter end of the reign of Queen Anne, and frequently alluded to by Dean Swift, who says the maids of honour often amused themselves with it. It consisted in the seller naming his or her hinder parts, in answer to the question, What? which the buyer was artfully led to ask. As a specimen, take the following instance: A lady would come into a room full of company, apparently frightened, crying out "It is white, and follows me!" As soon as someone responded "What?" she sold him the bargain, by saying "Mine arse".
|
sell ice to Eskimos »
To persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.
|
serpentine »
Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of snakes.
|
set in stone »
Permanent; certain; firm.
|
set off »
To count an addition in one thing against a reduction in something else.
|
shoot oneself in the foot »
To act against one's own interests, e.g., by saying what one is really thinking.
|
shoot the moon »
To attain great heights, a high value, or a numerically high measurement.
|
short on looks »
Plain, unattractive.
|
sit on »
To block, suppress, restrain.
|
sit on the fence »
To remain neutral on a certain topic, to not have a stance or opinion.
|
sit still »
To remain motionless.
|
sitting pretty »
Having a comfortable or certain supply of money or resources.
|
skeleton crew »
The minimum number of personnel needed to operate and maintain an item at its most simple operating requirements, such as a ship or business, during an emergency or shut down, and at the same time, to keep vital functions operating.
|
slippery slope »
A chain of events that, once initiated, cannot be halted; especially one in which the final outcome is undesirable or precarious.
|
slippery slope »
A logical argument that follows a chain of events or causes and effects to some conclusion.
|
smell like a rose »
To be regarded as appealing, virtuous, or respectable; to be untainted or unharmed.
|
snake oil »
A type of 19th century patent medicine sold in the United States that claimed to contain snake fat, supposedly a Native American remedy for various ailments.
|
snake oil »
Snake oil is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat joint pain.
|
snow on the mountaintop »
Gray or white hair on one's head, especially as an indication of aging.
|
social death »
The alienation of certain people from society to the point of being forgotten, excluded, or ignored in society.
|
soft shoe »
A speech, explanation, sales pitch, or other set of remarks delivered in a restrained or conciliatory manner in order to persuade, distract, or otherwise influence someone.
|
sort out »
To separate from the remainder of a group; often construed with from.
|
sour grapes »
A putting down or expression of disdain about something that one desires but cannot have.
|
speak up »
To talk more loudly or plainly.
|
splice the mainbrace »
To have a drink.
|
sprain one's ankle »
To be pregnant.
|
squeaky wheel gets the grease »
The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which he or she seeks.
|
stand back »
To maintain a safe distance from a hazard.
|
stand back »
To abstain from participation.
|
stand by »
To remain loyal or faithful.
|
stand one's ground »
To maintain or stick by an opinion or position; to remain resolute in the face of opposition.
|
stand the test of time »
To remain useful or valued over a long period of time; to last a long time.
|
stand up against »
To defy or challenge someone.
|
start over »
To begin again; to return to the beginning.
|
stay put »
To remain in one fixed place.
|
stay up »
To remain awake, to not go to bed.
|
step in front of a moving train »
To sacrifice one's own life for a noble and loyal cause.
|
stick around »
To stay; to linger; to remain.
|
stick with »
To remain close by.
|
stickhandle »
To maintain individual possession of the puck or ball by controlling it with movements of one's stick, especially to do so in a skillful manner.
|
sticking point »
The point at which a process or thing, especially a state of mind or emotion, reaches its greatest strength and remains steadfast; sticking-place.
|
sticking-place »
The point at which a process or thing, especially a state of mind or emotion, reaches its greatest strength and remains steadfast; sticking point.
|
stiff upper lip »
The quality of being resolute and showing self-restraint, associated with stereotypical British people.
|
still life »
type of painting
|
strip off »
To remove anything by stripping, e.g. items of clothing or paint from the side of a ship.
|
suck it up »
To put up with something; to deal with something, such as pain or misfortune, without complaining.
|
suck up »
To adulate or flatter somebody excessively, generally to obtain some personal benefit or favour.
|
sure as eggs is eggs »
Absolutely certain.
|
sweat »
Fluid that exits the body through pores in the skin usually due to physical stress and/or high temperature for the purpose of regulating body temperature and removing certain compounds from the circulation.
|
swings and roundabouts »
Offsetting gains and losses.
|
sword and sandal »
Of or pertaining to a genre of books or films relating fantasy-adventure tales involving heroic exploits in ancient or biblical times.
|
sword and sorcery »
Of or pertaining to a genre of narratives—including short stories, novels, television shows, films, and computer games—which combines wizardry and other fantastical supernatural elements with violent combat using medieval weaponry..
|
take against »
To stop liking someone. Become unfriendly.
|
take against »
He took against me when I was promoted over him.
|
take back »
To regain possession of something.
|
take heart »
Be courageous; regain one's courage.
|
take lying down »
To endure without complaint or protest.
|
talk turkey »
To talk or negotiate plainly, frankly, or seriously.
|
tear up »
Or against.
|
that's the way life is »
That is the way things happenCertain things cannot be changed, helped or improved; struggle and objection are pointless.1935, Louis Bromfield, The Man Who Had Everything [1], page 279:That's the way life is, and there's no use trying to go against it.1979, Jay Edward Abrams, A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption [2], ISBN 0310511011, page 45:There are no standards, no values; that's the way life is. Learn to accept it and slide with it. Stop fighting it.2002, B. Eugene Ellison, Rings of the Templars, ISBN 059524050X, page 337:Shit happens; that's the way life is. In fact, I want you to take an additional thousand for your efforts.
|
the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on »
Life goes on, even if some will try to stop or talk against progress.
|
the whistle does not pull the train »
Alternative form of it's not the whistle that pulls the train.
|
the whistle doesn't pull the train »
Alternative form of it's not the whistle that pulls the train.
|
then again »
From another point of view; on the other hand; on second thought.
|
think better of it »
To change one's mind; especially to decide against.
|
throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick »
Try the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2005, Mike Busson (poster on UKScreen forum) Re: Voiceovers!, read at [1] on 02 Nov 06,In terms of places to send your URL or CD's, there's no easy answer. It really is a case of throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.2005, "forwardone" (administrator posting on the HYIPForum), re: Alertpay phishing email, read at [2] on 02 Nov 06,I also think that sometimes they send out phishing e-mails in the hope that it`ll hit people who do have an account with a particular organization. You know, throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick theory.2006, Rob Manuel, How to be funny, read in Comedy Soup on the BBC website at [3] on 02 Nov 06,Throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick. Be prolific and don't be afraid to make stuff that's rubbish. If you keep trying eventually you'll get there.2006, Rex Pierce, Re: [303rd-Talk] D Day read on 303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Believe the planners worked on the principle of "throw enough mud at the wall, and some of it will stick".If enough (perhaps false or reckless) accusations are made against someone, his reputation will suffer, whether or not this is deserved2006, "money" (poster on eTalk Money), Some thoughts about compact surfing, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,Word of advice NVUS time to distance yourself from LuukH as quickly as possible and dish some dirt, otherwise well the saying goes - throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.
|
tickle someone's fancy »
To amuse, entertain, or appeal to someone; to stimulate someone's imagination in a favorable manner.
|
tide over »
To support or sustain someone, especially financially, for a limited period.
|
tie up »
To occupy, detain, keep busy, or delay.
|
tiger team »
An engineering or other group assembled to tackle especially difficult or critical problems, often outside the normal chain of command.
|
time after time »
Again and again; repeatedly; every time; always.
|
tin god »
An individual that abuses or exceeds his authority over others, frequently in petty ways; for example a low-level manager in situational comedies and other entertainment.
|
tipping it down »
Raining heavily.
|
to be sure »
Admittedly, undoubtedly, certainly.
|
to go »
Served in a package or takeout container so as to be taken away from a restaurant rather than eaten on the premises.
|
today we are all »
August 12, 2008:, Robert Barnes, "McCain to Georgian President: "Today, We Are All Georgians"", Washington Post.
|
touch-and-go »
Precarious, delicate, dangerous, risky, sensitive or of uncertain outcome.
|
train wreck »
An inevitable disaster.
|
train wreck »
The aftermath of a train crash.
|
trench mouth »
Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, a severe bacterial infection of the gums, typically characterized by inflammation, bleeding, deep ulceration, necrotized tissue, pain, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue, and halitosis.
|
turn against »
To rebel or oppose something formerly supported.
|
turn against »
To rotate against or in opposition to something.
|
turn on »
To rebel; to go against something formerly supported.
|
turnabout is fair play »
It is allowable to retaliate against an enemy's dirty tricks by using the same ones against him.
|
two can play that game »
The tactics and/or strategies of an enemy can be used against him.
|
two wrongs don't make a right »
(ethics) A wrongful action is not a morally appropriate way to correct or cancel a previous wrongful action.1915, William MacLeod Raine, The Highgrader, ch. 15:"But when it comes to taking what belongs to another
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two-second rule »
A rule of thumb for safe driving by which a driver must maintain a two-second distance from the vehicle in front.
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up against »
Facing; challenging, or opposing.
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up against »
In contact with, abutting.
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up for grabs »
Available for anyone to obtain, claim or win.
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up to »
Against; next to; near; towards.
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uphill battle »
A challenge with the odds of success stacked strongly against.
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valley of death »
The phase of a startup business beginning with the entrepreneur's fulltime commitment to it and ending when the business has achieved sustainable cash flow.
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walk it off »
To deal with an negative emotional event without complaint; to take it like a man.
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walk it off »
To walk or pace in order to relieve a pain or cramp.
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walk the line »
To maintain an intermediate position between contrasting choices, opinions, etc..
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warm down »
Gentle excercise at the end of a training session before cooling off.
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warts and all »
Of or pertaining to a description or other depiction which reveals the full range of characteristics of a person or thing, including the shortcomings and imperfections.
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wash over »
Of open water. To surge over the banks, or other retaining structure.
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watered-down »
Diluted; containing extra water.
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wear out »
To deteriorate or become unusable or ineffective due to continued use, exposure, or strain.
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wear out »
To exhaust; to cause or contribute to another's exhaustion, fatigue, or weariness, as by continued strain or exertion.
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wear out »
To become exhausted, tired, fatigued, or weary, as by continued strain or exertion.
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well ain't that the catfish in the trap »
A sentence commonly spoken in the Southern United States. It can often be used in place of "well, I'll be damned". Used to express surprise.
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when it rains, it pours »
If a person encounters bad luck, more bad luck will follow.
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when it's at home »
Plainly; in plain English; when it comes down to it; at it's most basic level.
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when you're up to your neck in alligators, it's easy to forget that the initial objective was to drain the swamp »
Only because it seems so urgent.
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whistle walk »
The path slaves took to deliver food from the kitchen building of a plantation to the main dining room. Slaves were expected to whistle during this walk in order to assure their masters that they were not eating the food.
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whistle-stop »
A small train station.
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whistle-stop train tour »
A tour in a political campaign that makes many brief stops in small communities.
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whistle-stop train tour »
Any travel that's quick and with only brief pauses.
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whitewash »
A lime and water mixture for painting walls and fences bright white.
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win over »
To persuade someone, gain someone's support, or make someone understand the truth or validity of something.
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window dressing »
These latest modifications are mere window dressing, the same problems remain.
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winter rat »
An old, unattractive automobile, purchased for little money, to be driven during brutal Great Lakes winters while the owner's "good" car remains garaged and protected from corrosive road salt for the season.
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without fail »
Certainly; by all means; as a matter of importance.
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woo back »
To gain somebody back by wooing him or her.
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work against the clock »
To work very quickly because you know you only have a very limited period of time to do something.
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work out »
To habitually exercise rigorously, especially by lifting weights, in order to increase strength or muscle mass or maintain fitness.
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yellow-bellied »
Pertaining to an animal or reptile that has a yellow belly.
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yield up »
To give something against one's will.
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you bet »
Certainly; you're welcome; a reply to thank you or to a request.
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you bet »
Expresses support, agreement, certainty or emphasis.
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you can say that again »
That is very true.
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you never know what you've got till it's gone »
Good friends and acquaintances shouldn't be taken for granted.
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zoom in »
To focus a zoom lens in order to obtain a larger image, or a closer view.
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zoom out »
To focus a zoom lens in order to obtain a smaller image, or a more distant view.
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