a leopard cannot change its spots »
One cannot change one's own nature.1597, William Shakespeare, Richard II Act i, Scene 1 (First Folio):King. Lyons make Leopards tame.Mowbray. Yea but not change his ?pots.1611, King James Version of the Bible, Jeremiah 13:23:Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?1820, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe Chapter 32:End now all unkindness. Let us put the Jew to ransom, since the leopard will not change his spots, and a Jew he will continue to be.1918, Johnston McCulley, Thubway Tham's Inthane Moment:The leopard cannot change his spots, old boy.
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a new broom sweeps clean »
New management will often make radical changes.
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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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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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all hell breaks loose »
Vi A place or state of fury, turmoil, destruction, or chaos.
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all hell broke loose »
A great disaster happened or chaos ensued.
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answer on a postcard »
To give a brief answer or opinion.
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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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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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at a glance »
Upon cursory examination; an abbreviated review.
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avoir du pois lay »
Stealing brass weights off the counters of shops.
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ball-breaker »
A person or task which is excessively demanding or punishing.
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banyan day »
In British naval tradition, this originally referred to a day of the week when galley kitchens served no meat on board ship.
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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 »
A wave that breaks with a hollow compartment.
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barrow man »
A man under sentence of transportation; alluding to the convicts at Woolwich, who are principally employed in wheeling barrows full of brick or dirt.
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bash in »
To break or dent badly by hitting violently.
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beat someone's brains out »
To beat someone very severely.
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beer goggles »
The illusion that people are more attractive, brought on by alcohol consumption.
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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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bird of one's own brain »
One's own idea or conception.
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black and blue »
Covered in bruises.
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blaze a trail »
To set precedent or do something novel; to break new ground.
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blow off »
To pass gas; to break wind.
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brace of shakes »
A very short time.
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brace of shakes »
The time taken for a sail to shake or shiver twice as a ship comes into the wind.
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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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brain fart »
A lapse in the thought process; an inability to think or remember something clearly.
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brain fart »
Something ill-considered and said or done impulsively.
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brain surgeon »
Someone very intelligent.
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brain surgeon »
Someone who does brain surgery.
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brain surgery »
Something that is overly complex, detailed or confusing.
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brain surgery »
Surgery on any part of the nervous system, especially the brain; neurosurgery.
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brain teaser »
puzzle
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brain-dead »
Having an irreversible loss of brain function and cessation of brain activity.
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brain-dead »
Having no useful thoughts; stupid; ditzy.
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branch out »
To expand in the manner of branches.
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branch out »
To attempt something new or different, but related.
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brass farthing »
Something worthless or of small value.
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brass monkey »
A cocktail of vodka, rum and orange juice, sometimes with the addition of galliano.
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brass monkey »
A kind of inexpensive liqueur.
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brass monkey »
An Australian beer.
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brass monkey »
Said of the weather when it is very cold.
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brass monkeys »
Very cold.
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brass neck »
A person with gall.
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brass neck »
Gall, shamelessness, cheek.
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brass ring »
Figuratively, a prize or goal. Often used with respect to employment goals e.g. promotion, better job, etc.
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brass-neck »
To behave boldly or shamelessly.
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brass-necked »
Nervy; cheeky; shameless.
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bread and butter »
Bread spread with butter.
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bread and butter »
That which is central or fundamental, as to one's business, survival, or income; a staple or cornerstone.
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breadwinner »
The member of a household who earns all or most of the income
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break a leg »
A wish for a successful performance; primarily a valediction to an actor wishing him or her a successful theatrical stage performance.
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break a leg »
To perform well in a theatrical production or comparable endeavor.
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break a sweat »
' , Karon Karter - The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Pilates Method page 119.
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break a sweat »
January 2008, The Age - Walkovers blaze a trail for women's equal-pay theory.
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break a sweat »
To put effort into something.
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break a sweat »
To start sweating.
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break away »
To leave suddenly.
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break down »
To fail.
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break down »
To become unstable, mentally or otherwise.
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break down »
To decay.
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break down »
To give more detail.
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break even »
To neither gain nor lose money.
|
break even »
To stay the same; to neither advance nor regress.
|
break ground »
To begin digging in the earth at the start of a new construction, or, originally, for cultivation.
|
break ground »
To initiate a new venture, or to advance beyond previous achievements.
|
break ground »
To lift off the sea bottom when being weighed.
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break in »
To enter by force or illicit means.
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break in »
New function more naturally through use or wear.
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break in the case »
A new discovery in a case.
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break into »
To enter illegally or by force.
|
break into »
To open or begin to use.
|
break into »
To try to start in a profession or business.
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break into »
To begin suddenly.
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break new ground »
By extension, to initiate a new venture.
|
break new ground »
To begin excavating and levelling earth for a new building, or, originally, for cultivation.
|
break off »
To end abruptly, either temporarily or permanently.
|
break off »
To remove a piece from a whole by breaking or snapping.
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break one's duck »
To do something for the first time.
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break one's duck »
To score one's first run in an innings.
|
break out »
To escape, especially forcefully or defiantly.
|
break out »
To bring out, use, or present.
|
break out »
To separate from a bundle.
|
break out »
To begin suddenly; to emerge in a certain condition.
|
break rank »
To march or charge out of the designated order in a military unit.
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break someone's heart »
To cause a person to feel grief or sadness.
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break the back of »
To achieve the greater part of some project.
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break the bank »
To exhaust one's financial resources.
|
break the bank »
To win more money than is available to be paid.
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break the buck »
Fall below the value of one dollar per share.[1].
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break the ice »
To start to get to know people, by avoiding awkwardness.
|
break up »
To break or separate into pieces; to disintegrate or come apart.
|
break up »
To end a relationship.
|
break up »
To dissolve; to part.
|
break up »
Of a telephone conversation, to cease to be understandable because of a bad connection.
|
break up »
To break or separate into pieces.
|
break up »
To stop a fight; to separate people who are fighting.
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break wind »
To flatulate; fart; to expel gases generated during digestion through the anus.
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breakfast of champions »
An ironic appellation for beer, junk food, or other foods implied to be unhealthy.
|
breath of fresh air »
Something relieving, refreshing, or new.
|
breathe down someone's neck »
To follow someone too closely, making it uncomfortable for them.
|
breathe easy »
To relax or feel secure about something.
|
brick by brick »
To create or build something in a steady, step-by-step fashion.
|
brick up »
To block by masonry, particularly using bricks.
|
brick wall »
An obstacle.
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brickbat »
A piece of brick used as a weapon, especially if thrown, or placed in something like a sock and used as a club.
|
brickbat »
A criticism or uncomplimentary remark hurled at artwork or other recipient.
|
brickbat »
For example, it's quite common for magazines to have a section called Bouquets and Brickbats for compliments and criticisms.
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brickbat »
Reason Magazine: Daily Brickbat[1].
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bridge »
A construction or natural feature that spans a divide.
|
bridge »
A device which connects two or more computer buses, typically in a transparent manner.
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bridge »
A particular form of one hand placed on the table to support the cue when making a shot in cue sports.
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bridge »
A prosthesis replacing one or several adjacent teeth.
|
bridge »
A song contained within another song, often demarcated by meter, key, or melody.
|
bridge »
A statement, such as an offer, that signals a possibility of accord.
|
bridge »
A system which connects two or more local area networks at layer 2.
|
bridge »
A valence bond, atom or chain of atoms that connects two different parts of a molecule; the atoms so connected being bridgeheads.
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bridge »
An edge which, if removed, changes a connected graph to one that is not connected.
|
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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bridge »
An unintended solder connection between two or more components or pins.
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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.
|
bridge »
Cue for extended or tedious shots. Also called a spider.
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bridge »
The piece, on string instruments, that supports the strings from the sounding board.
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bridge »
The upper bony ridge of the human nose.
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bright line »
A clear distinction in the context of a legal or moral judgment.
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bright-eyed and bushy-tailed »
Alert and in an eager, frisky, or playful mood; full of life.
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bright-line rule »
A clear-cut, easy to make decision.
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bright-line rule »
A clearly defined rule or standard, comprised of objective factors, which leaves little or no room for varying interpretation.
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brighten up »
To become brighter.
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brighten up »
To make cheerful.
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brighten up »
Brighten up my day.
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brighten up »
Brighten up a room.
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brim over »
To overflow over the brim.
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bring about »
To cause to take place.
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bring about »
To accomplish, achieve.
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bring back »
To fetch something.
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bring back »
To cause someone to remember something from the past.
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bring back »
To reenact an old rule or law.
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bring down »
To make a legitimate rulership lose their position of power.
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bring down »
To reduce.
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bring down »
To make something flying fall to the ground. Usually by firing a weapon of some kind.
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bring down »
To make someone feel bad emotionally.
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bring down the house »
To garner enthusiastic or wild applause.
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bring forth »
To produce, bear as fruit.
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bring forth »
To give birth.
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bring forth »
To create, generate, bring into existence.
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bring forth »
To display, produce, bring out for display.
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bring forward »
To call up for consideration.
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bring forward »
To make something happen earlier than originally planned.
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bring home the bacon »
To have a job and earn money or to lead a successful career.
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bring in »
To introduce a new rule, law, or system of organisation.
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bring in »
To introduce a person or group of people to an organisation.
|
bring in »
To earn money for a company or for the family.
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bring in »
To return a verdict in a court of law.
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bring in »
To move something indoors.
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bring it on »
Used to indicate one's willingness to accept a challenge, confront a threat, etc.
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bring it weak »
To fail to accomplish an accomplishable task or to make an attempt at less than maximum effort; to "half-ass" or "fake the funk".
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bring off »
To succeed in doing something considered to be very difficult.
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bring out »
To elicit, evoke, or emphasize a particular quality.
|
bring out »
On the market; roll out.
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bring out »
To make a shy person more confident.
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bring out »
To cause a visible symptom such as spots or a rash.
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bring owls to Athens »
Forgive me, then, for bringing owls to Athens as a thanks-offering. — Goethe, in a letter to Wilhelm von Humboldt.
|
bring owls to Athens »
Perhaps we have not been sufficiently aware that talking about access and its implications in Scandinavia is like bringing owls to Athens. — Herbert Burkert.
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bring owls to Athens »
To undertake a pointless venture, one that is redundant, unnecessary, superfluous, or highly uneconomical.
|
bring owls to Athens »
Who brings owls to Athens? — Euelpides, in Aristophanes' Birds.
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bring round »
To bring something when coming.
|
bring round »
To resuscitate; to cause to regain consciousness.
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bring to heel »
To be forced to obey.
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bring to heel »
To force someone to obey.
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bring to the table »
To provide a suggestion.
|
bring up »
To bring from a lower position to a higher position.
|
bring up »
To mention.
|
bring up »
To raise children.
|
bring up »
To turn on power or start, as of a machine.
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bring upon »
To cause to befall.
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broad across the beam »
Without fat on the hips and the bottom.
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broad church »
A wide scope of philosophies and ideas.
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broad in the beam »
Without fat on the hips and the bottom.
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broad shoulders »
The ability to take criticism, or accept responsibility.
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broken vessel »
A person who is destroyed or forgotten, or who feels flawed or broken.
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broken-hearted »
Alternative spelling of brokenhearted. Feeling depressed, despondent, or hopeless, especially over losing a love.
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bros before hoes »
(US, informal) A man should prioritize his male friends over his girlfriend or wife.
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bros before hos »
Alternative spelling of bros before hoes.
|
brown bag »
A short presentation or seminar on a given subject, especially one given at lunchtime.
|
brown bread »
Bread with a brown colour as distinct from white bread, wholemeal, granary or other specific types of bread.
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brown noser »
One who sucks up; a bootlicker, ass-kisser, sycophant.
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brown power »
The production of electricity made from conventional sources, such as coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power.
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brown thumb »
Lack of skill at growing plants; something possessed by a poor gardener.
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browned off »
Annoyed, upset, angry, bored, fed up, disgusted.
|
brush off »
An abrupt rebuff or dismissal.
|
brush up »
To review; to improve an existing but rusty or under-developed skill.
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bugger up »
To break or spoil something, or make it inoperative, useless etc.
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built like a brick shithouse »
Exceptionally well constructed; strong or tough.
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built like a brick shithouse »
Of a person, with an exceptionally well-developed chest.
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built like a tank »
Broad shouldered and of solid, muscular build.
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bulletproof »
Unbreakable, very tough.
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burn one's bridges »
To destroy one's path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc.
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by the way »
His mother will be coming for dinner tomorrow, and, by the way, she volunteered to bring dessert.
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carry away »
To break under sudden pressure of violent wind.
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catch a buzz »
To become slightly inebriated, but not yet be drunk.
|
check out »
To withdraw an item, as from a library, and have the withdrawal recorded.
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claim to fame »
That for which one has bragging rights; one's reason for being well-known or famous.
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come in »
Of a broadcast, such as radio or television, to have a strong enough signal to be able to be received well.
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come to think of it »
By the way; now that I think about it; indicates something brought to mind.
|
comfort woman »
A woman forced, or supposedly recruited, into brothels by the Japanese occupation forces during World War II.
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crack a crib »
To break into a house.
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crack up »
To become insane; to suffer a mental breakdown.
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crap out »
To break down.
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cross someone's palm »
To give money to a person, especially as a bribe or as an inducement to perform a service.
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cross that bridge when one comes to it »
To deal with a problem or situation only when it arises.
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cruising for a bruising »
Following a course of action likely to result in injury or other trouble for oneself.
|
cut a wide swath »
To clear a broad track through a grassland, woodland, geographical region, or other area, either by natural means or by human action.
|
cut down »
To bring down by cutting.
|
cut off »
To end abruptly.
|
dar brincos »
To jump, leap.
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dash off »
To leave a place quickly or briefly.
|
dead »
Broken or inoperable.
|
dead air »
An unintended interruption in a radio broadcast during which there is no sound; a similar interruption of a television broadcast in which there is neither sound nor a video signal.
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dead wood »
Dead limbs and branches still attached to a living tree.
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deal breaker »
To fail.
|
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 »
...heaves in a deep breath, gathers himself as though he's crossed a continent to deliver the message to Garcia.
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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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dog's breakfast »
An unappealing mixture; a disorderly situation; a mess.
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don't hold your breath »
"Don't wait." Said cynically to suggest that what has just been mentioned to is unlikely to happen soon or at all.
|
drag out »
To haul or bring out forcefully or as though with force.
|
draw out »
To extract, bring out, as concealed information; elicit; educe.
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every man has a price »
Everyone can be bribed or corrupted for a certain price.
|
everybody and their brother »
A large number of people; most people.
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everyone and their brother »
A large number of people; most people.
|
fall apart »
To break into pieces through being in a dilapidated state.
|
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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fifteen minutes of fame »
A very short time in the spotlight or brief flurry with fame, after which the person or subject involved is quickly forgotten.
|
fire-breathing »
Caustic, vitriolic or scathing.
|
fire-breathing »
That emits flame from the mouth or nostrils.
|
first among equals »
In the British and other parliamentary systems, a term used to describe the relationship of the prime minister to the other members of the cabinet.
|
flat-chested »
Having a flat chest; having small breasts.
|
force someone's hand »
Bring about a situation which necessitates an agent to act, often causing a plan to be executed prematurely.
|
fortune favors the brave »
Alternative form of fortune favors the bold.
|
fortune favours the brave »
Alternative form of fortune favors the bold.
|
four-leaf clover »
A bringer of good luck.
|
fry up »
Full English breakfast.
|
full English »
A cooked breakfast consisting of bacon and eggs, and other foods.
|
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"
|
get down to brass tacks »
Deal with the important details.
|
give ear »
Dante Gabriel Rosetti, A Death-Parting, lines 5-6.
|
give somebody the brush-off »
To rebuff, snub or curtly reject someone.
|
give somebody the heave-ho »
To fire, expel or break up with someone.
|
go down the wrong way »
To swallow food or drink so that it goes down the wrong tube in one's throat and makes one cough or for a short period lose one's breath or choke.
|
go for broke »
To try everything possible or do last thing possible in a final attempt.
|
go for broke »
To wager everything.
|
go off at score »
Of a horse, to break suddenly into a gallop; of a person, suddenly to say or do something impetuous.
|
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.
|
gongoozle »
To leisurely watch the passage of boats, from the bank of a canal, lock or bridge.
|
grease payment »
A bribe or extorted money, usually relatively small in amount, provided to a low-level government official or business person, in order to expedite a business decision, shipment, or other transaction, especially in a country where such payments are not unusual.
|
grease someone's palm »
To bribe a person.
|
greatest thing since sliced bread »
A relatively recent invention likely to significantly improve people's lives.
|
grin like a Cheshire cat »
To smile broadly, especially in a self-satisfied way.
|
grow a pair »
To be brave; to show some courage, especially in a situation in which one has so far failed to do so.
|
has-been »
A formerly popular or influential person whose popularity or effectiveness has peaked and is now in decline. Typically said of professionals or celebrities whose primary success is behind them.
|
hatchet man »
Someone who carries out brutal and unpleasant duties on behalf of another, such as firing dead wood employees.
|
head-on »
Direct, abrupt, blunt or unequivocal; not prevaricating.
|
heart-breaking »
That causes extreme sorrow or grief.
|
historical figure »
A fictional or fabricated person who was was given historical importance in legends and myth.
|
hit paydirt »
To strike it rich; to get lucky or have a big break.
|
hit the bricks »
To leave or depart; to get out.
|
hit the bricks »
To participate in a workplace strike or other job action; to participate in a public protest, especially one involving picketing.
|
hit the bricks »
To travel about, especially on foot.
|
hit the rock »
To make a gesture to show celebration, friendship, or to be part of a secret handshake by one person raising their fist so the fist is pointing at the person and the other person lightly punches the fist.
|
hold one's breath »
To inhale and then intentionally close the epiglottis so that one's breath is not exhaled.
|
hold one's breath »
To wait, as if breathlessly.
|
hoover up »
Into a vacuum cleaner, irrespective of brand.
|
house cooling party »
A party to celebrate when a person decides to leave a house or flat, and sometimes to help prepare the space for the incoming residents.
|
household name »
A brand name that is well known to the great majority of households.
|
hunger is a good sauce »
(dated) Being hungry makes one less concerned about the taste of one's food.1854, Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman, Punch, Vol. XXVI, Punch Publications Ltd., page 74:His bread and cheese were somewhat dry, to be sure; his ale had become flat, and considerably warmer than was desirable; but hunger is a good sauce, and thirst is not particular.
|
idiot light »
Any warning light or indicator on the dashboard of a car, designed to alert the driver of problems, such as the parking brake being on or the oil being low.
|
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
|
in a nutshell »
In summary; briefly or simply.
|
in Abraham's bosom »
No longer living. Dead.
|
in broad daylight »
In a blatant and publicly visible manner.
|
in broad daylight »
In ample natural illumination, during the daytime.
|
in one's pocket »
Subject to one's whims because of bribery.
|
in short »
briefly
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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 one's funeral »
One's decisions or actions will bring undesirable consequences only on oneself.
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jack of all trades, master of none »
A master of integration, who knows enough from many learned trades and skills to be able to bring their disciplines together in a practical manner; a polymath; a renaissance man.
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kick down »
To break or demolish something by physical bodily force.
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kick the bucket »
Of a machine, to break down such that it cannot be repaired.
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kill the fatted calf »
To begin a festive celebration and rejoicing for someone's long-awaited return.
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kill the messenger »
To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.
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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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knock up »
To put together, fabricate, or assemble, particularly if done hastily or temporarily. See also knock together.
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la goutte d'eau qui fait d%C3%A9border le vase »
The final thing that is too much and forces a reaction; the straw that broke the camel's back.
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lady abbess »
A bawd, the mistress of a brothel.
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late model »
Recently designed or fabricated; new.
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lay a finger on »
If you lay a finger on my little brother, I'll have your guts for garters.
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leave nothing to the imagination »
He stripped down to a pair of see-through briefs that left nothing to the imagination.
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less is more »
That which is less complicated is often better understood and more appreciated than what is more complicated; simplicity is preferable to complexity; brevity in communication is more effective than verbosity.1855, Robert Browning, "Men and Women":Well, less is more, Lucrezia: I am judged.1954, "'Less Is More'," Time, 14 Jun.:The essence of Mies's architectural philosophy is in his famous and sometimes derided phrase, "Less is more." This means, he says, having "the greatest effect with the least means."2007, Gia Kourlas, "Dance Review: An Ordered World Defined With Soothing Spareness," New York Times, 3 Mar. (retrieved 22 Oct. 2008):The program, which features two premieres
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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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life's not all skittles and beer »
Skittles and Beer refers to the carefree, indulgent bar life; skittles being a British pub game. Thus, life's not all skittles and beer means that not everything is about pleasure.
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light up »
To become light, to brighten.
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light up »
To bring light to something, to brighten.
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lily-livered »
Cowardly, lacking bravery.
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look up »
To have a bright future.
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look-in »
A brief visit.
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Loose cannon »
A cannon that breaks loose during battle or a storm and causes serious damage to the ship and its crew.
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lose one's shirt »
To lose all of one's money; to go broke; to undergo financial ruin or disaster.
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lubrication payment »
A bribe or extorted money, usually relatively small in amount, provided to a low-level government official or business person, in order to expedite a business decision, shipment, or other transaction, especially in a country where such payments are not unusual.
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lucky break »
A stroke of luck; a fortunate event, particularly of the sort that propels one to success, fame, etc.
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mad money »
A sum of money kept in reserve or to insulate oneself financially in the event of the sudden breakdown of a relationship in which one is economically dependent.
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make out »
To fabricate a story.
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make the welkin ring »
By extension of , to celebrate or revel.
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man up »
To "be a man about it"; to do the things a good man is traditionally expected to do, such as: taking responsibility for the consequences of one's actions; displaying bravery or toughness in the face of adversity; providing for one's family, etc.
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managerial inbreeding »
Bad management, caused by managers making poor selection choices in recruitment, rewards, and promotions of the staff that report to them, leading to another generation of managers who lack the necessary skill sets to reward and promote the most effective staff.
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mouth breather »
A person who is boorish, stupid, or otherwise unattractive.
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mouth breather »
A person who routinely inhales and exhales through the mouth, instead of through the nose.
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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.
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nose test »
An inspection of the nasal passages or a trial of their function, as for breathing difficulties.
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not touch something with a ten foot pole »
Ambrose Bierce , The Fiend's Delight In conclusion, his respect for letter-writing ladies is so great that he would not touch one of them with a ten-foot pole.
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not touch something with a ten foot pole »
Ambrose Bierce, The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Vol. 8.
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not worth a brass farthing »
Worth nothing or next to nothing.
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off balance »
Not physical balanced; not having physical equilibrium.
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oil burner »
A device whose operation causes apparent combustion of lubricating oil.
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on air »
broadcast
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on the brain »
Obsessively in mind.
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on the brink »
Very nearly; imminent; close.
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one brick short of a full load »
Not mentally sound; insane.
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one brick short of a full load »
Stupid.
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one candle short of a box »
not bright; stupid
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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 »
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 fix »
Wrong, broken, nonfunctional.
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out of whack »
Wrong, broken; specifically.
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out of whole cloth »
Fabricated, fictitious.
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out to lunch »
Away eating lunch or for a midday break; especially, away from work or a job.
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paint the town red »
To party or celebrate in a rowdy, wild manner, especially in a public place.
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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.
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palace politics »
The relationships and interactions of top-level officials, advisors and other powerbrokers within a government, especially as involving internal rivalry and intrigue.
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paper »
A sheet material used for writing on or printing on , usually made by draining cellulose fibres from a suspension in water.
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pay off »
To bribe, especially to deter oversight.
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peel out »
To start abruptly from a standing stop, accelerating rapidly, especially so as to produce skid marks.
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physical break »
A short break in a meeting or in a classroom setting, intended to improve attention.
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pick somebody's brain »
To seek information from someone knowledgeable; to ask questions of someone.
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pickin' and grinnin' »
Vigorously playing folk or country music on a stringed musical instrument, especially the guitar or banjo, while smiling broadly.
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pickle »
A cucumber preserved in a solution, usually a brine or a vinegar syrup.
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pickle »
The brine used for preserving food.
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piss and vinegar »
Exuberance or enthusiasm, especially to an excessive degree; bravado; youthful energy.
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play Old Harry »
Blenkiron and I have been moving in the best circles as skilled American engineers who are going to play Old Harry with the British on the Tigris. — John Buchan, "Greenmantle", 1916..
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play the race card »
Mark Fuhrman, Murder in Brentwood p.153.
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pop the cherry »
To break the hymen; to lose one's virginity.
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pre-war »
Describing the period before the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
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pretzel »
A toasted bread or cracker usually in the shape of a loose knot.
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private branch exchange »
Telephone lines.
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prone out »
In order to be propelled shorewards by a broken wave.
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proverbs come in pairs »
Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.1979, Irving Howe, John Hollander, David Bromwich, Literature as Experience: An Anthology, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, ISBN 0155511130, page 325:Sometimes proverbs come in pairs, the first one providing the context, the second, the revision.
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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.
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puff out »
To blow briefly and lightly.
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push the boat out »
To do something, especially spend money, more extravagantly than usual, particularly for a celebration.
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put somebody in his place »
To bring somebody down; to humble or insult.
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quantum mechanics »
The branch of physics which studies matter and energy at the level of atoms and other elementary particles, and substitutes probabilistic mechanisms for classical Newtonian ones.
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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.
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rack one's brain »
To struggle to think of or remember something.
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rake »
A garden tool with a row of pointed teeth fixed to a long handle, used for collecting grass or debris, or for loosening soil.
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rebound relationship »
A relationship proceeding a longterm relationship, usually short in duration and used to help mend the "broken heart".
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rebrousser chemin »
To retrace one's steps, to turn back.
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red light »
A sign of a brothel.
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rules are made to be broken »
it is acceptable to break rules.
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run by »
To inform someone briefly of the main points of an idea.
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run over »
To briefly describe.
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run over »
To practice quickly, briefly.
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run something by »
To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.
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run something past »
To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.
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run through »
To briefly summarise.
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run up »
To bring a flag to the top of it's flag pole.
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sabre-rattling »
A flamboyant display of military power as an implied threat that it might be used.
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sabre-rattling »
Any threat, such as one company threatening another with a lawsuit.
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see the forest for the trees »
To discern an overall pattern from a mass of detail; to see the bigger picture, or the broader, more general situation. Generally used in the negative.
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set the Thames on fire »
To achieve something amazing; to do something which brings great public acclaim.
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sharp cookie »
One who is intelligent, bright, or sharp; especially, one who can identify attempts to deceive or mislead.
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shit a brick »
To react strongly or excessively, especially in anger or fear.
|
shit-eating grin »
A broad smile indicating self-awareness that may suggest self-satisfaction, smugness, discomfort, or embarrassment.
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shoot off at the mouth »
To boast, or brag, or talk too much.
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shoot the breeze »
To chat idly or generally waste time talking.
|
shoot the messenger »
To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.
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shotgun approach »
An approach in which the subject is indiscriminate and haphazard, using breadth, spread, or quantity in lieu of accuracy, planning, etc.
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shotgun wedding »
A wedding in which the bride is already pregnant.
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shroud »
The branching top of a tree; foliage.
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sigh of relief »
A release of stress through breathing motions.
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sign off »
Term used to describe the closing of a radio or television station's studios and cessation of a broadcasting signal, usually during the overnight hours.
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sign on »
The time of day when a radio or television station begins broadcasting, usually after being off the air for several hours.
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silver bullet »
Any straightforward solution perceived to have great effectiveness or bring miraculous results.
|
socialized medicine »
An umbrella term for any system of government-run health care.
|
soft sawder »
"How the old boy swallowed my soft sawder and Brummagem notes!" —Tom Taylor, The Ticket-of-Leave Man.
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splice the mainbrace »
To have a drink.
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split up »
Cease to be together, break apart from the group.
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stand on end »
To stand erect, bristle, especially from fear.
|
stand up »
To bring something up and set it into a standing position.
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sticks and stones »
Evocative of the saying "sticks and stones may (or will) break my bones, but words (or names) will never hurt (or harm) me".1957, Brendan Gill, The Day the Money Stopped
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stiff upper lip »
The quality of being resolute and showing self-restraint, associated with stereotypical British people.
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straight out of the chute »
Something done immediately, or "from the beginning". Taken from rodeo routine: the bucking bronco, or bull, or the calf for the calf-roping contest is kept in a narrow pen, a chute, until it is released and dashes out to its fate.
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strap on a pair »
To be brave; to show some courage, especially in a situation where one has so far failed to do so.
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take a breather »
To take a break; to pause or relax briefly.
|
take five »
To break something up.
|
take five »
To take a five-minute break from some activity, take a short break from some activity.
|
take on »
To acquire, bring in, or introduce.
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talk through one's hat »
To speak lacking expertise, authority, or knowledge; to invent or fabricate facts.
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tar with the same brush »
To characterize using the same undesirable attribute, especially unjustly.
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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.
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the bronx »
new york borough
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the straw that broke the camel's back »
A small and seemingly insignificant addition to a burden that renders it too much to bear; the small thing which causes failure, or causes inability or unwillingness to endure any more of something.
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them's the breaks »
(idiomatic) That is the way things happen; that's life.
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there's no fool like an old fool »
Age does not bring wisdom.
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throw dirt enough, and some will stick »
If enough allegations are made about someone or something, then even if they are all untrue, people's opinion of the person or thing will be diminished.1759, John Wesley, letter to John Downes, Rector of St. Michael's, Wood Street, read at Wesley Center Online at [1] on 14 Oct 06.I hope...that you are ignorant of the whole affair, and are so bold only because you are blind...And blind enough; so that you blunder on through thick and thin, bespattering all that come in your way, according to the old, laudable maxim, 'Throw dirt enough, and some will stick.'1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's Schooldays, read at fullbooks.com on 14 Oct 06,But whatever harm a spiteful tongue could do them, he took care should be done. Only throw dirt enough, and some will stick.1864, John Henry Newman, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, Penguin Classics (1994), p. 10,Archbishop Whately used to say
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tip one's hat »
To briefly remove or tap one's hat as a gesture of greeting, deference, or respect.
|
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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too big for one's britches »
Disturbingly confident, unacceptably cocky.
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too big for one's britches »
Too large to fit into one's pants.
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too many cooks spoil the broth »
If too many people try to take charge at a task, the end product might be ruined.
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toot one's own horn »
To promote oneself; to boast or brag; to tout.
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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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tuck in »
To push the fabric at the bottom of a shirt under the pants.
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under one's breath »
Softly, so as not to be heard.
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underwater basket weaving »
"Sure, somewhere out there, college slackers were taking broom ball and underwater basket weaving." — The Columbus Dispatch, September 15, 2005.
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upper crust »
The topmost layer of a bread, pastry dish, or other item with a hardened coating.
|
urban fabric »
The physical aspect of urbanism, emphasizing building types, thoroughfares, open space, frontages, and streetscapes; while excluding without prejudice to this useful term, environmental, functional, economic and sociocultural aspects.
|
valley of death »
Lord Alfred Tennyson, The Charge of the Light Brigade.
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wade in »
To interrupt someone, or a situation, by doing or saying something abruptly, or forcefully, and usually without thinking about the consequences.
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war bride »
A company or individual whose business is increased by warfare.
|
war bride »
A woman who marries a man who is on active duty military in wartime.
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warm the cockles of someone's heart »
To provide happiness, to bring a deeply-felt contentment.
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waste breath »
To speak in a manner which is needless or futile; in discussion or argument to make points which are not appreciated or heeded.
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water under the bridge »
Something in the past that cannot be controlled or undone, but must be accepted, forgiven, or forgotten.
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wear off »
To disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused.
|
weigh in »
To bring in one's weight, metaphorically speaking, to bear on an issue.
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where there's muck there's brass »
(UK, Irish) There is money to be made in unpleasant dirty jobs.
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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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white wedding »
A wedding in which the bride is still a virgin.
|
whitewash »
A lime and water mixture for painting walls and fences bright white.
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window-shopping »
The browsing of shop windows without any intention of buying.
|
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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with bated breath »
"holding one's breath".
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with bated breath »
Eagerly; with great anticipation.
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with open arms »
With enthusiasm, as if embracing.
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wits' end »
A. 1911, John Muir, in John Muir and Michael P. Branch, John Muir's Last Journey: South to the Amazon and East to Africa, 2002, page 138.
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work around the clock »
To work all day and all night without a break, because it is imperative to finish something.
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yank off »
To remove something, like a piece of cloth or bread, by tearing it with one quick strong pull.
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yellow journalism »
Material published in a broadcast or periodical, such as a tabloid newspaper or magazine, which is sensationalistic and of questionable accuracy and taste.
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you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs »
In order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that something should be destroyed.
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