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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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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abstract nonsense »
Details which involve diagram chasing.
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all bark and no bite »
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
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all fur coat and no knickers »
Of superficial appearance and with no real substance beneath.
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all hat and no cattle »
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
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all mouth and no trousers »
Superficial, engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance.
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all mouth and trousers »
Superficial, engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance.
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all over but the shouting »
The substance of the contest is complete, leaving only the cheering.
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all thumbs »
Clumsy; awkward; not dextrous.
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barrel »
The ribs and belly of a horse or pony.
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bawdy basket »
The twenty-third rank of canters, who carry pins, tape, ballads, and obscene books to sell, but live mostly by stealing.
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bee in one's bonnet »
Something of particular interest or concern; an obsession.
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beggars can't be choosers »
(proverb) When resources are limited, one must accept even substandard gifts.
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bent on »
Completely determined; obstinate.
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bet the farm »
To be absolutely certain, to have no doubts.
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bits and bobs »
A random assortment of things; small remaining pieces and things.
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black »
Absorbing all light and reflecting none; dark and colourless.
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bleep out »
To censor inappropriate spoken words by obscuring them with the sound of a bleep.
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blot out »
To obscure.
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blue moon »
Something absurd.
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borne out »
Substantiated.
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brick wall »
An obstacle.
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bung up »
To close an opening with a cork, cork like object or other improvised obstruction.
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cake crumbs »
Crumbs from a cake.
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cake crumbs »
Hardly anything.
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can of worms »
A complex, troublesome situation arising when a decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems.
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carry the message to Garcia »
To perform a requisite task despite obstacles.
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caught with one's hand in the cookie jar »
Observed or apprehended while committing a theft, especially while embezzling money.
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clay »
A mineral substance made up of small crystals of silica and alumina, that is ductile when moist; the material of pre-fired ceramics.
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cold turkey »
The sudden and complete withdrawal of a dependent substance, especially of a drug.
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controlled substance »
Except for very limited professional testing purposes.
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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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crab mentality »
A way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you." The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot.
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darn tootin' »
Absolute, utter, complete, very.
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darn tootin' »
Absolutely correct; speaking the truth.
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dead »
: So hated by that they are absolutely ignored.
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dead wood »
Dead limbs and branches still attached to a living tree.
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deer in the headlights »
A mental state of high arousal caused by anxiety fear, panic, surpriseand/or confusion, or substance abuse. The behavioral signs are like a deer subjected to a car's headlights, such as widely opened eyes and a lack of motor reactions.
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different as chalk and cheese »
Two things which are superficially alike but very different in substance.
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diplomatic flu »
An illness feigned by one or more government officials or other public figures as an excuse for an absence really based on political reasons.
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don't be penny wise and pound foolish »
Don't be careful when it comes to spending small amounts of money, but careless when spending much larger amounts.Don't focus on minutiae and lose sight of the big picture; don't obsess over tiny inconsequential efficiencies while glaring inefficiencies are going on elsewhere.
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dribs and drabs »
A series of negligible amounts.
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drown out »
To cover, obscure, or hide by being louder than.
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drug of choice »
Substance that a suspect is addicted to.
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fill in »
To fill; to replace material that is absent or has been removed.
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fill in »
To substitute for somebody or something.
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filter down »
Of a liquid; to move slowly down to lower substrate levels.
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fly on the wall »
A quiet, non-participating, or unseen observer; an eavesdropper or witness.
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free rein »
The absence of constraints; freedom to make decisions.
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get by »
To subsist; to succeed, survive, or manage, at least at a minimum level.
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get high »
To intoxicate oneself with drugs or other substances.
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go by the wayside »
To become obsolete or outmoded.
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go the way of the dinosaurs »
To go extinct or become obsolete; to fall out of common use or practice; to go off the firsthand market; to become a thing of the past.
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go the way of the dodo »
To go extinct or become obsolete; to fall out of common use or practice; to go out of the firsthand market; to become a thing of the past.
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golf widow »
A woman who is deprived of her husband's time and attention due to his regular absence in order to play golf.
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gongoozle »
To observe things idly.
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greenwash »
A false or misleading picture of environmental friendliness used to conceal or obscure damaging activities.
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grind to a halt »
Coming to a standstill, or ceasing to be productive or make progress, due to an obstacle.
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hard-nosed »
Guided by practical experience and observation rather than by theory.
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have eyes in the back of one's head »
To be particularly, especially uncannily, observant; a perceived ability to see in all directions at once.
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hold the fort »
To assume responsibility, especially in another’s absence..
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Horsefeathers »
Absolute nonsense; poppycock
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hot lunch »
A sexual act in which a pouch of clingfilm or similar material filled with faeces is placed in one of the participants' mouth and subsequently penetrated by the second participant.
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in the way »
Obstructing, blocking, or hindering.
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it is easy to find a stick to beat a dog »
(rare or obsolete, proverb) If a person is determined to punish someone, they will find a way to do so.1596
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jack up »
To ruin; wreck; mess up; screw up; sometimes as a bowdlerized substitution for f** up.
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keep tabs on »
To monitor; to keep track of; to watch.
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light bucket »
Nickname for a reflecting telescope, especially one with a relatively large aperture and suitable for observing deep sky objects such as nebulae and galaxies.
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link whore »
Someone who goes to great lengths to get other people to link to his/her website or blog.
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link whoring »
The practice of going out of one's way to place links to one's website on someone else's webpage.
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lip service »
Empty talk; words absent of action or intention.
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long absent, soon forgotten »
Love fades away when people are distant and don't keep close physical contact.
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look on »
To watch; to observe.
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meaty »
Substantial.
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monkey wrench »
A problem, obstacle or dilemma; something unexpected or troublesome.
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never in a million years »
Absolutely not.
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no smoke without fire »
Indicative of the fact that gossip or accusations are often substantiated by fact.
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no-show »
An absence; somebody who doesn't show up or a failure to show up.
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not a chance »
Absolutely not; no way.
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not a sausage »
Absolutely nothing, none of something.
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not on your life »
Absolutely not; under no circumstances.
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not on your tintype »
An answer indicating outright rejection or denial; no way; absolutely not.
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off the wagon »
No longer maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from an undesirable habit, especially drinking alcohol.
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off-color »
Considered dirty, vulgar or obscene.
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off-the-wall »
Wildly unconventional; bizarre; absurd.
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on the brain »
Obsessively in mind.
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on the uptake »
In understanding or in the ability to absorb new information; especially in the phrases "quick on the uptake" and "slow on the uptake".
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on the wagon »
By extension, maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from some other undesirable habit.
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one-track mind »
That said to be possessed by someone who is obsessed with something or only able to think of one thing.
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out of the way »
Not obstructing or hindering; not in the way.
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out the window »
Made obsolete; altered drastically as a result of situational change.
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over my dead body »
Under no circumstances; absolutely not.
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pachyderm »
A member of the obsolete taxonomic group Pachydermata, grouping of thick-skinned, hoofed animals such as the rhinoceros, hippopotamus, elephant, pig and horse.
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pass the buck »
To transfer responsibility or blame from oneself onto another; to absolve oneself of concern for a given matter by claiming to lack authority or jurisdiction.
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pencil-neck »
An insubstantial person; a weakling.
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pencil-necked »
Insubstantial; weak.
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pencilneck »
An insubstantial person; a weakling.
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pinch-hit »
To do something in the place of another person who is not able to perform or is less skilled; to substitute or stand in for somebody.
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play hookey »
To be absent without permission, especially from school.
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play second fiddle »
To play a subsidiary or subordinate role to someone or something else.
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poison »
A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism.
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power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely »
The corrupting influence of power is total when one's power is total.Lord Acton see: Wikiquote
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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 go in pairs »
Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.1932, Bertrand Russell,
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proverbs hunt in pairs »
Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.
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proverbs often come in pairs »
Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.
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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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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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rabble rouser »
Someone or something that tends to inspire mobs; something controversial or provocative.
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real Macoy »
The genuine thing, neither a substitute nor an imitation.
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real McCoy »
The genuine thing, neither a substitute nor an imitation.
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real McKoy »
The genuine thing, neither a substitute nor an imitation.
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rivet counter »
A person who has an obsession with the minutae of their particular interest. Anyone preoccupied with small distinguishing features between different items.
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rule with an iron fist »
To rule with absolute authority or to the detriment of the people. To rule tyrannically.
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rumor mill »
A group or network of persons who originate or promulgate gossip and other unsubstantiated claims.
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run off with »
To steal or abscond.
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second banana »
A person who serves in a supporting, secondary, or subsidiary capacity; an assistant.
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set back »
To delay or obstruct.
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shake the pagoda tree »
To find a source of easy enrichment; to become absurdly rich in a short time.
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shell out »
To use a program's "shell escape" function to execute an unrelated command or to invoke a subsidiary, interactive shell.
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sit in for »
To substitute; to take somebody's place.
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smart chance »
A substantial quantity of something.
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soak up »
Absorb.
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spanner »
A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome.
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spectator sport »
An activity which consists of watching or observing.
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spectator sport »
Something, especially a process or activity, which is a popular object of observation; an activity which a person prefers to watch rather than to participate in.
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stand back »
To abstain from participation.
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stand in »
temporary substitute
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stand in for »
To replace; to act as a double or substitute for.
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stew in one's juices »
To be alone and self-absorbed in an uncomfortable state of mind, especially while experiencing the unpleasant effects of one's own actions.
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stretch the truth »
To exaggerate, often to the point where the truth is obscured or lost.
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strike through »
Partly obliterate text by drawing a continuous line through the centre thereof, usually to indicate the deletion of an error or obsolete information.
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strip away »
To ignore a factor which obscures the reality.
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stumbing-block »
A hindrance, obstacle or impediment.
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stumbling block »
A hindrance, obstacle or impediment.
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suck up »
To absorb fluid.
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sure as eggs is eggs »
Absolutely certain.
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take a look »
To examine or observe.
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take away »
To remove something, either material or abstract, so that a person no longer has it.
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take in »
To absorb or comprehend.
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take off »
To absent oneself from work or other responsibility, especially with permission.
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take the shadow for the substance »
To be easily deceived, credulous, superficial.
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tempus fugit »
time flies (used as an alternative to this phrase)."Meanwhile, the irreplaceable time escapes", expressing concern that one's limited time is being consumed by something which may have little intrinsic substance or importance at that moment.
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the finger »
An obscene gesture, typically consisting of extending the middle finger at somebody.
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the long and short of it »
The gist; the essence or substance; the most important or salient features; said of a summary or digest.
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the more things change, the more they stay the same »
A proverb making the observation that turbulent changes do not affect reality on a deeper level other than to cement the status quo.
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the pick of the litter »
The absolute best one has to offer.
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the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak »
(proverbs) For much as one wishes to achieve something, the frailties of the human body often make it impossible.
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the world is one's lobster »
(UK, humorous) intentional misrendering of the proverb "the world is one's oyster"
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throw a spanner in the works »
To be a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.
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throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick »
Try the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2005, Mike Busson (poster on UKScreen forum) Re: Voiceovers!, read at [1] on 02 Nov 06,In terms of places to send your URL or CD's, there's no easy answer. It really is a case of throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.2005, "forwardone" (administrator posting on the HYIPForum), re: Alertpay phishing email, read at [2] on 02 Nov 06,I also think that sometimes they send out phishing e-mails in the hope that it`ll hit people who do have an account with a particular organization. You know, throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick theory.2006, Rob Manuel, How to be funny, read in Comedy Soup on the BBC website at [3] on 02 Nov 06,Throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick. Be prolific and don't be afraid to make stuff that's rubbish. If you keep trying eventually you'll get there.2006, Rex Pierce, Re: [303rd-Talk] D Day read on 303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Believe the planners worked on the principle of "throw enough mud at the wall, and some of it will stick".If enough (perhaps false or reckless) accusations are made against someone, his reputation will suffer, whether or not this is deserved2006, "money" (poster on eTalk Money), Some thoughts about compact surfing, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,Word of advice NVUS time to distance yourself from LuukH as quickly as possible and dish some dirt, otherwise well the saying goes - throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.
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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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thumbs up »
A gesture signifying approval or okay; a thumb pointing up out of a fist.
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thumbs up »
An approval or okay.
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touch%C3%A9 »
An acknowledgement of the success, appropriateness or superiority of an argument, sometimes used sarcastically to mock one's opponent's absurd logic.
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twiddle one's thumbs »
To circle one's thumbs around one another, usually with the fingers interlaced, usually done idly while waiting or bored.
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twiddle one's thumbs »
To wait or dawdle; to accomplish nothing useful or lack a useful occupation.
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two thumbs up »
A hand gesture indicating strong approval.
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two thumbs up »
The strong approval itself.
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under erasure »
Of a bit of text, written and strickenthrough; hence, figuratively in some sense both present and absent.
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up for grabs »
Available for anyone to obtain, claim or win.
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vote with one's feet »
To show a lack of support for something by departing or otherwise absenting oneself.
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wash one's hands of »
To absolve oneself of responsibility or future blame for.
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when the cat's away »
People are likely to take advantage of the absence of authority or enforcement of compliance.
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when the cat's away the mice will play »
In the absence of a controlling entity, subordinates will take advantage of circumstances.
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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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