all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy »
Too much focus on one's career is often viewed unfavorably.Too much hard work and not enough leisure time can be unhealthy.
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apple of somebody's eye »
A favourite, a particular preference, or a loved one; the object of somebody's affections.
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at arm's length »
Avoiding a close relationship.
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at best »
In the most favorable of conditions; at the most.
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avoir du pois lay »
Stealing brass weights off the counters of shops.
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back away »
Of your attention on the thing in front being avoided.
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bat away »
To avoid by diverting the focus of a discussion.
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beat around the bush »
To delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant.
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beg off »
To avoid, or cancel some event that one has previously arranged with someone.
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black sheep »
A disliked person; one who is disfavored.
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blue-eyed boy »
Someone's favourite, especially a young one.
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break a leg »
To perform well in a theatrical production or comparable endeavor.
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break the ice »
To start to get to know people, by avoiding awkwardness.
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bum rap »
An undeservedly unfavorable portrayal or reputation.
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busy work »
Work or activity performed with the intention or result of occupying time, and not necessarily to accomplish something productive; routine work of low priority undertaken for the sake of avoiding idleness.
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call it even »
To declare debts resolved or favors or other exchange equitable.
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chat up »
In a friendly, open, or casual manner, sometimes also in a charming or affected manner, usually to curry favor, and sometimes flirtatiously with the intention of establishing a romantic or sexual encounter or relationship with that person.
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chicken out »
To shy away from a daring task; to decline, refuse, or avoid something due to fear or uncertainty.
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cop out »
To avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.
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cop-out »
An excuse made in order to avoid performing a task or duty; a reason offered when someone cops out.
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cop-out »
Avoidance or inadequate performance of a task or duty; the action of copping out.
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curry favor »
To seek to gain favor by flattery or attention.
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dive in »
To start a new endeavor enthusiastically and wholeheartedly.
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do-or-die »
Requiring a determined or desperate effort to avoid the consequences of failure.
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dodge a bullet »
To have a narrow escape; to avoid injury or disaster.
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drag one's feet »
To procrastinate, put off; to dawdle, avoid, or make progress slowly and reluctantly.
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dress up »
To present in a favorable light.
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drop back »
Of a quarterback or other player in the backfield, to take a number of steps back from the line of scrimmage immediately after the snap or hike of the ball, to avoid defenders.
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dumb down »
To convey some subject matter in simple terms, avoiding technical or academic language, especially in a way that is considered condescending.
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err on the side of »
To behave in a manner which favours or which is biassed toward.
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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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fight shy of »
To avoid something.
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fish or cut bait »
To choose between taking action now, or forgoing the opportunity and putting that energy into another endeavor; to decide.
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fly-by-night »
One who departs or flees at night in order to avoid creditors, law enforcement etc. .
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fools rush in where angels fear to tread »
A person who does not plan ahead and think matters through becomes involved in risky or unfavorable situations which prudent people avoid.
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fortune favors the bold »
Luck is usually on the side of those who take chances and risks.
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fortune favors the brave »
Alternative form of fortune favors the bold.
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fortune favours the bold »
Alternative form of fortune favors the bold.
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fortune favours the brave »
Alternative form of fortune favors the bold.
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go for the gold »
To attempt to achieve the maximum reward or result in an endeavor.
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go south »
To become unfavorable; to decrease; to take a turn for the worse.
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God works in mysterious ways »
Expressing confidence that a conundrum has a solution despite it not being apparent.Expressing that a seemingly unfortunate or unfavourable situation or change may be beneficial later or in the long run.Person A: It seems that I'm about to be fired from my job.Person B: Well, God works in mysterious ways - maybe it'll be the kick you need to apply to university...
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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.
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gravy train »
An occupation or any lucrative endeavor that generates considerable income whilst requiring little effort and carrying little risk.
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greener pastures »
Any place or condition that is more favorable or beneficial.
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head south »
Alternative form of go south; to decrease or become unfavorable; to take a turn for the worse.
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here you are »
Said when you hand something over to someone or do a favour to them, usually to draw the recipient's attention to the exchange; Equivalent to “thank you” when receiving something..
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hit the jackpot »
To realise a huge load of luck; to receive a more favorable outcome than imagined.
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hot potato »
A child's game in which players pass a ball or other item between them, with the object of avoiding being left holding the item when time expires.
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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
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in Dutch »
In trouble or in disfavor.
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jack of all trades »
One competent in many endeavors, especially one who excels in none of them.
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keep away from »
To avoid.
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keep one's cards close to one's chest »
To avoid revealing one's thoughts, circumstances, or plans.
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keep straight »
To avoid confusing or mixing up something; to keep something clear or organized.
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keep your friends close, and your enemies closer »
One should be on their toes and alert of their surroundings if malicious people are around, to ensure such people can't wreak havoc in one's life.
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kettle of fish »
A situation which is recognized as different from or as an alternative to some other situation, and which is not necessarily unfavorable.
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kind »
Favorable.
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kiss of death »
Something that may seem good and favourable but that actually brings ruin to hopes, plans, etc.
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lean towards »
To favor in a decision.
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leave well enough alone »
To leave something alone; to avoid attempts to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient.
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leave well enough alone »
To leave something alone; to avoid attempts to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient
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let sleeping dogs lie »
To leave things as they are; especially, to avoid restarting or rekindling an old argument; to leave disagreements in the past.
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make hay while the sun shines »
To act while an opportunity exists; to take action while a situation is favorable.
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make oneself scarce »
To leave or depart, or to avoid or stay away.
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may the Force be with you »
Used to wish someone luck with a difficult endeavor.
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meaty »
Resembling meat in flavour, etc.
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mills of the gods grind slowly »
Justice may arrive slowly, but it cannot be avoided.
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music to one's ear »
Some unexpected good news; a favorable outcome after some initial confusion or delay.
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near miss »
narrowly avoided accident
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nervous hit »
A production which receives generally favorably notice, but is not assured of success.
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no dice »
An unfavorable result.
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not touch something with a ten foot pole »
To avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something; signifies a strong aversion.
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on the mend »
Improving or undergoing restoration to a previous, more favorable condition.
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on the plus side »
Positively; from a favorable view or perspective.
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ox is in the ditch »
This is a big problem; there is unavoidable or demanding work ahead.
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pay the piper »
To pay a monetary debt or experience unfavorable consequences, especially when the payment or consequences are inevitable in spite of attempts to avoid them.
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pea patch »
A realm of endeavor.
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play dumb »
To pretend to be slow-witted or lacking in specific knowledge, usually in order to avoid responsibility or to gain some advantage.
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pull strings »
To manipulate, especially by asking favours of.
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put by »
To run a ship aground intentionally to avoid a collision.
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put one's best foot forward »
To show oneself in the best or most positive way possible; to make a favorable impression.
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red hot »
to be keen; he is the favourite to win
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ride one's luck »
To avoid failure only by good fortune.
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rumor campaign »
A method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concerning a person or other target, while the source of the rumors tries to avoid detection.
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run scared »
To try everything to avoid defeat.
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seller's market »
An excess of demand over supply, leading to abnormally high prices; a market condition favoring the seller.
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shoot oneself in the foot »
To deliberately sabotage an activity in order to avoid obligation, though it causes personal suffering. Origins in first world war trench warfare.
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shrinking violet »
A very shy person, who avoids contact with others if avoidable.
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sitting pretty »
In a favorable situation, especially a situation in which one possesses an advantage.
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skip out »
To shirk; to avoid attending or to leave early, especially without permission.
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sleep on it »
To postpone a decision until the following day to avoid making a hasty choice.
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spice up »
To enhance the flavor of something by adding spice to it.
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steer clear »
To avoid; to dodge; to sidestep.
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strike while the iron is hot »
To act on an opportunity promptly; to avoid waiting.
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suck up »
To adulate or flatter somebody excessively, generally to obtain some personal benefit or favour.
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sweetheart deal »
A transaction, contract, or other agreement in which one party provides particularly favorable terms to the other, especially in suspicious circumstances.
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take a dim view of »
To dislike; to regard with skepticism, disbelief, disfavor, etc.
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take a powder »
To leave in a hurry; run away; scram; depart without taking leave or notifying anyone, often with a connotation of avoiding something unpleasant or shirking responsibility.
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take the bull by the horns »
To confront a difficulty, rather than avoiding it.
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take to the cleaners »
To take a significant quantity of a person's money or valuables, through gambling, unfavorable investing, fraud, litigation, etc.
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teacher's pet »
A student who is perceived to be favored by the teacher.
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teacher's pet »
favourite pupil
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the whole shooting match »
Everything; the entire collection, endeavor, or activity.
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tickle someone's fancy »
To amuse, entertain, or appeal to someone; to stimulate someone's imagination in a favorable manner.
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tomorrow is another day »
Tomorrow will bring new opportunities and a fresh start for one's endeavors.1600, author unknown, "Phillidaes Love-call to her Coridon, and his replying" (song), in England's Helicon, printed at London by I.R. for John Flasket:Phil. Yonder comes my Mother, Coridon,whether shall I flie?Cor. Under yonder Beech my lovely one,while she passeth by.Say to her thy true-Love was not heere,remember, remember,to morrow is another day:1896, Amelia E. Barr, A Knight of the Nets, ch. 8:"Well, well, my dear lass, to-night we cannot work, but we may sleep. . . . Keep a still heart tonight, and tomorrow is another day."1936, Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind, ch. 63:"Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day."2005, Fran Schumer, "JERSEY: In Princeton, Taking On Harvard's Fuss About Women," New York Times, 19 June (retrieved 18 Aug. 2009):"Half of me is depressed
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toss-up »
A decision in which neither choice is clearly favorable or unfavorable, or for which the outcome does not matter.
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tread lightly »
To proceed carefully; especially, to seek to avoid causing offense.
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watch one's mouth »
In the imperative form, used as a warning to avoid or stop using inappropriate language, especially profanity, or disrespectful utterances.
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well begun is half done »
Much depends on the beginning of an endeavor.
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whisper campaign »
A method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concerning a person or other target, while the source of the rumors tries to avoid detection.
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white lie »
A deliberate, untrue statement which does no harm or is intended to produce a favorable result.
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willful ignorance »
A bad faith decision to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having to make undesirable decisions that such information might prompt. It may also be shown as for a person to have no clue in a decision but still goes ahead in their decision.
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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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wreak havoc »
To cause damage, disruption, or destruction.
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wreck havoc »
cause destruction
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you don't dip your pen in company ink »
One should avoid romantic relationships in the workplace.
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you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours »
If you do me a favor then I will do you a favor; quid pro quo.
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