a life of its own »
An independent existence with some characteristics of life.
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a man is known by the company he keeps »
People are similar in character to their friends.
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a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down »
An otherwise unpleasant situation can be pleasant when a pleasant aspect is deliberately introduced.1999, Eli Yassif, The Hebrew Folktale: History, Genre, Meaning, Indiana University Press, ISBN 0253335833, page 372,One is known as the "sweetening parable," that is to say a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Thus, when the aim is to preach to the people, to guide them along the "bitter," arduous path of upholding burdensome precepts and prohibitions, a tale can lighten the load, make the "medicine" easier "to swallow."2001, Maureen Reagan, First Father, First Daughter: A Memoir, Little, Brown, ISBN 0316736368, page 319,It put some fun into the tedious business of preparing for a presidential debate. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, right?2004, John Hoover, How to Work for an Idiot: Survive & Thrive... Without Killing Your Boss, Career Press, ISBN 1564147045, page 11,If a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, a barrel of laughs can wash down the big pills you might need to swallow.
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abound in »
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
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abound with »
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
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absence makes the heart grow fonder »
When someone or something is faraway, you realise how much you love (or miss) them or it.
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act out »
To go through the process of a scene from a play, a charade or a pointless exercise.
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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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ahead of one's time »
Showing characteristics of changes yet to be; present in one's work before later advances in the field; coming earlier than could be generally accepted.
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all cats are grey in the dark »
In the dark, physical appearance is unimportant.
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all fur coat and no knickers »
Of superficial appearance and with no real substance beneath.
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almighty dollar »
The dollar, satirically characterized as a being a god.
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an offer one can't refuse »
An offer from one side in any transaction with terms so attractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.
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an offer one can't refuse »
An offer from one side in any transaction with the results of failing to accept so unattractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.
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answer back »
To issue echo characters, protocol responses, reflexive connection requests, etc.
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answer for »
To guarantee.
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apple does not fall far from the tree »
A child grows up to be very similar to its parents, both in behavior and in physical characteristics.1842, E. A. Freidlaender (translator), Frederika Bremer (author), The Neighbours, ch. 10:It is impossible to look at Madam Rhen, without at once making the conclusion that she is pleasantness, hospitality, and loquacity itself; nor can one look upon her daughter Renetta without thinking, "the apple does not fall far from the tree!"1978, Dr. Isador Rosenfeld, "Doctor Asks Patient
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apples and oranges »
Said of a comparison of items that are not comparable.
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at the ready »
Ready; in a state of preparation or waiting; in position or anticipation.
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back office »
The IT and infrastructure support services for a company, separate from the public face of the business.
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back up »
For the non-striker to take a few steps down the pitch, in preparation to taking a run, just as the bowler bowls the ball.
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bad egg »
disreputable character
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beat up »
To cause by some other means, injuries comparable to the result of being beaten up.
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beauty is only skin deep »
What matters is a person's character, rather than his/her appearance.
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behind its time »
Showing characteristics of the past; present in one's work after later advances in the field; coming later than could be generally accepted.
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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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birds of a feather »
People having similar characters, backgrounds, interests, or beliefs.
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birds of a feather flock together »
People of similar character, background, or taste tend to congregate or associate with one another.
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bragging rights »
The prerogative to praise oneself for an accomplishment or for possession of a superior characteristic.
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break a leg »
To perform well in a theatrical production or comparable endeavor.
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break out »
To separate from a bundle.
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break up »
To break or separate into pieces; to disintegrate or come apart.
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break up »
To break or separate into pieces.
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break up »
To stop a fight; to separate people who are fighting.
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bridge »
Any of several electrical devices that measure characteristics such as impedance and inductance by balancing different parts of a circuit.
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calling card »
An attribute, object, or behavior which is distinctly characteristic of someone or something.
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can't wait »
To eagerly anticipate; to find it unbearable to wait for a forthcoming pleasurable event.
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cat that ate the canary »
A person whose appearance and behavior suggest guilt mixed with other qualities, such as satisfaction or feigned nonchalance.
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chance'd be a fine thing »
Given to indicate that an aforementioned thing would be desirable but unlikely. Comparable to if I should be so lucky.
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che sara sara »
Used to express a personal philosophy of fatalism1892 March 17, Cigarette,
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cheese down »
To coil the tail of a rope on deck so as to present a neat appearance.
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clean up »
To become clean, handsome, smart in appearance, e.g. for a special occasion, especially when it is out of character to be seen as such.
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clothes don't make the man »
An aphorism meaning that you cannot judge a person solely by his appearance. Usually pertains to men.
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collect one's thoughts »
To become mentally composed, especially after being distressed, surprised, or disoriented; to become calm or organized in one's emotional state or thinking, as in preparation for a conversation, speech, decision, etc.
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come across »
To give an appearance or impression; to project a certain image.
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common ground »
A characteristic or interest shared by multiple people or systems.
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correlation does not imply causation »
(statistics) The observed correlation between two parameters, say, the growth of a market and the growth of a neighbor's child may, in fact, have nothing to do with each other's causation.
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cover one's ass »
To make preparations or take precautions to ensure that one is not blamed or punished for one's conduct.
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cross my heart »
A declaration that the speaker is telling the truth.
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cross paths »
To be, by chance, in the same physical place at the same time, as a result of two completely separate journeys.
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crush out »
To force out or separate by pressure.
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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 of one's jib »
Someone’s general appearance or the implications thereof, especially in relation to making an impression or one’s style..
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diamond in the rough »
A person whose goodness or other positive qualities are hidden by a harsh or unremarkable surface appearance.
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down in the mouth »
Sad or discouraged, especially as indicated by one's facial appearance.
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draw a bath »
To fill a bathtub with water in preparation for taking a bath.
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dusty miller »
One of several species of plants with leaves of a dusty appearance: Centaurea cineraria, Senecio cineraria, and Lychnis coronaria.
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field day »
A parade day.
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flutter in the dovecote »
I further argued that the principal cause for the political deadlock that persisted for thirty years after the guns fell silent was Israeli intransigence rather than Arab intransigence. The appearance of the first wave of revisionist studies excited a great deal of interest and controversy in the media and more than a flutter in the academic dovecote. — Israel Confronts Its Past.
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fool's paradise »
A state of happiness due to illusion or false hope.
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for all the world »
Entirely, to all appearances.
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forked tongue »
The characteristic of deceptiveness; duplicity; untruthfulness.
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fountain of youth »
Anything reputed to have the power to restore health and vitality or to restore a youthful appearance.
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four-on-the-floor »
Characterised by a steady, uniformly accented beat with a 4/4 time signature.
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from scratch »
From the beginning; starting with no advantage or prior preparation; starting from raw ingredients.
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full of shit »
Characterized by speaking nonsense or falsehoods.
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full-fledged »
Having full qualification, credentials or preparation; entire; real.
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go mad »
Used to indicate that the second verb represents an action that is out of character.
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good to go »
Ready for some specific task or ready for normal activity, especially after preparation or recovery.
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green about the gills »
Having the appearance of being ill.
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hatchet job »
A treatment which serves primarily to disparage its subject; a piece of criticism which aims to destroy a reputation.
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have had it up to here »
To have become very frustrated or angry; to have reached the limit of one's patience or forbearance.
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have it made »
To have accomplished all there is to do; to have no further work or difficulty; to have achieved a lifestyle characterized by good fortune and comfort.
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high horse »
An appearance or sense of smug superiority.
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hold forth »
Talk at great length; expatiate; harangue.
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horse opera »
A theatrical production, film, or program on radio or television depicting adventures of characters in the American Old West; a western.
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hot button »
A central issue, concern or characteristic, especially one that motivates people to make a choice.
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hot mess »
Refers to a person, thing, or situation in such a state of disarray or disapproval by peers, often in reference to physical appearance, perceived to be disastrously embarrassing, pitiful, or beyond repair.
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if the shoe fits »
If it has all of the characteristics of a thing, it probably is that thing.
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in character »
Acting as the character, not as oneself.
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in shape »
In a good state of physical fitness or bodily appearance.
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jug ears »
Ears whose plane is markedly not parallel to the plane of the head.
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jump »
To employ a parachute to leave an aircraft or elevated location.
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jump through hoops »
To put forth effort for the sake of appearance or demonstration.
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keep up appearances »
To pretend to be all right or that everything is going well.
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late bloomer »
A person who lives a child's life comparatively later than their peers.
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late bloomer »
A person who reaches puberty comparatively later than their peers.
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lead »
A thin strip of type metal, used to separate lines of type in printing.
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legwork »
Work, especially research or preparation, that involves significant walking, travel, or similar effort.
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letters after one's name »
A list of abbreviations, separated by commas, representing the academic qualifications and civil or military honours achieved by a person.
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level up »
To progress to the next level of player character stats and abilities. Often used in role-playing games when the character has aquired enough experience points.
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look like »
To be similar in appearance to; resemble.
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made in the shade »
In a condition characterized by comfort, success, easy living, or general well-being.
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make amends »
To repair a relationship; to make up; to resolve an argument or fight; to make reparations or redress.
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make out »
To characterize as; often with to be.
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middle of nowhere »
Nowhere; any place lacking population, interesting things, or defining characteristics.
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mixed bag »
By extension, a group of entities with few characteristics in common; an assortment.
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mixed bag »
Something tending to have both good and bad results or characteristics; something having a mixture of advantages and disadvantages.
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mouth of a sailor »
The characteristic of regularly using vulgar language, especially strong profanities; a person having this characteristic.
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no slave to fashion »
A person whose style of clothing and appearance are unconventional, informal, or slovenly; a person who takes little interest in how he or she is dressed.
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not a pretty sight »
Something visually unappealing, ranging from mildly unattractive to utterly disgusting in appearance.
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off-the-cuff »
Extemporaneous; without prior preparation; impromptu.
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old school »
Characteristic of a style, outlook, or method employed in a former era, remembered either as inferior to the current style, or alternately, remembered nostalgically as superior or preferable to the new style, the older denoting something that would be considered out of date or out of fashion to some, but as such, is considered by others as cool and hip.
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on steroids »
To a greater degree, exaggerating the characteristics of the previously named object.
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on the spot »
Having to answer or decide without warning or preparation.
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one-trick pony »
A person or group noteworthy for only a single achievement, skill, or characteristic.
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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.
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out of character »
Inconsistent with one's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour.
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out of character »
Not acting; not "on"; behaving within one's natural personality rather than that of a character in a performance piece.
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out of character »
Not in character; not successfully performing within the mindset of a given character in a theatrical performance. See also break character, drop character.
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out of one's league »
In a situation in which one is mismatched with one or more others, whose accomplishments, preparedness, or other characteristics are on a significantly higher or lower level than one's own.
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out of the blue »
Unexpectedly; without warning or preparation.
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parade of horribles »
A parade featuring a progression of people wearing comic and grotesque costumes.
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parade of horribles »
A rhetorical device employing a series of progressively more terrible results following from an act.
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pick on »
To bully or make fun of a victim; to bother or harass.
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play along »
To take part in a charade, deception, or practical joke.
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plus »
(literally) The more it changes, the more it's the same thing (sometimes loosely translated as the more things change, the more they stay the same).Although the outward appearance may change, fundamentals are constant.
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potty mouth »
The characteristic of regularly using vulgar language, especially strong profanities; a person having this characteristic.
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pronunciamiento »
A pronouncement or "declaration".
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put someone down as »
To assume someone has a particular character from very little information.
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rain on someone's parade »
To disappoint or discourage someone.
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run a bath »
To fill a bathtub with water in preparation for taking a bath.
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run through »
To pervade, of a quality that is characteristic of a group, organisation, or system.
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say goodbye »
To separate from someone.
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screen out »
To use a screen, grate, sieve or similar means to separate large from small objects or particles.
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second childhood »
The period or state of cognitive decline of an elderly person, characterized by childlike judgment and behavior.
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separate the wheat from the chaff »
To select only that which is of value.
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serpentine »
Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of snakes.
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set aside »
To separate and reserve something for a specific purpose.
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sharp tongue »
The practice or characteristic of speaking to others in a harsh, critical, or insulting manner.
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snazz up »
To improve appearance or appeal by increasing stylishness or functionality, or by adding other attractive features.
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softroader »
. This involves increased ground clearance with tyre, wheel, and suspension tweaks, skid plates and refers to mini SUV or wagons.
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sort out »
To organise or separate into groups, as a collection of items, so as to make tidy.
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sort out »
To separate from the remainder of a group; often construed with from.
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spit-and-polish »
Paying much attention to outward appearance.
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split up »
Separate, disassociate, cause to come apart.
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spruce up »
To refresh, revamp; to freshen or improve something, especially its appearance.
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still water runs deep »
A person with a calm appearance has, or may have, considerable inner emotion, character, or intellect
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still waters run deep »
A person with a calm appearance has, or may have, considerable inner emotion, character, or intellect.
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straight man »
A member of a team of comic performers who plays a supporting role by helping to set up jokes and punch lines through engaging in preparatory dialog with the principal comedian; a foil who plays such a role in theatrical comedy.
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sweet hereafter »
Heaven; paradise as enjoyed in the afterlife.
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switch on »
To change one's expression or appearance as if by turning a switch.
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take after »
In appearance or habit.
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tar with the same brush »
To characterize using the same undesirable attribute, especially unjustly.
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than a bygod »
Used with a comparative to express extreme heat or cold.
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that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger »
Used to express the sentiment that hardship or difficult experiences build moral character.
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the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on »
Life goes on, even if some will try to stop or talk against progress.
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throw enough mud at the wall, 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.2001, And still no one is shouting stop. read in The Kingdom archives at [1] on 02 Nov 06,Many team managers are of the philosophy that if you throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick. They believe that team preparation is all about physical fitness. They run the players into the ground and they believe they will be "flying on the day".2001, Robert McCrum, Let them eat cake, in The Observer 16 Dec 01, read on Guardian Unlimited site at [2] on 02 Nov 06,Australian publishing boomed and in the past 10 years the country's literary culture has undergone a mini golden age, capped by Carey's triumph at the 2001 Booker Prize. As one Australian arts administrator said to me many years ago: 'Listen, mate, if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.'2001, Chris Collin, Re: 2-cp speys on The Strathspey Server mailing list archive at [3] on 02 Nov 06,I am finding that "if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick". It doesn't always work of course (especially on the nights when the class is mostly the beginners), but the class seems to thrive on the challange.2005, Ray Craft (poster on The right scale blog), Fitzhooie and his Burden, read at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Prosecutors everywhere have bad habits of overcharging lots of cases, knowing that if the throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick.2005, Sean Kelleher, Spike Milligan: His part in our downfall in Business 07 Aug 05, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,As long as there is negligible regulation and enforcement anyone can actually try and do the job...Weak regulation allows the industry to build strategies on full time recruitment. The theory goes: throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.c2005, Everything You've Learned About Marketing Is Wrong, read on LINC Performance website at [6] on 02 Nov 06,They have the money to continue to believe in the repetition side of the equation. You throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick. But it still isn
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throw shapes »
To act tough or put up a front. For example, to threaten a person by making "karate chops" at them, without actually doing harm or knowing karate.
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touch of the tar brush »
Of South Asian or Afro-Caribbean in their background and/or in their appearance.
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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.
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truth be told »
Used when admitting something one might otherwise lie about, e.g. to keep up appearances or be polite.
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tune up »
To make preparations for vigorous exercise; to warm up.
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wall off »
To separate with a wall.
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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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what doesn't kill you makes you stronger »
Used to express the sentiment that hardship or difficult experiences build moral character.
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window dressing »
A means of creating a deceptively favourable impression of something or someone; something for appearance only.
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wing it »
To improvise; to make things up or figure things out as one goes; or to perform with little or no preparation.
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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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you can't judge a book by its cover »
It is not possible to make reliable judgments about things or people by considering external appearances alone.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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