a drop in the bucket »
An effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem.
|
a golden key can open any door »
Sufficient money can accomplish anything.
|
a man is known by the company he keeps »
People are similar in character to their friends.
|
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!
|
about turn »
A complete change of opinion, direction, etc.
|
across the board »
A racing bet where one bets that the same competitor will place in first, second and third.
|
ahead of the game »
Having completed a task before it is due; ready, prepared, or anticipating.
|
all in a day's work »
A nonchalant dismissal of a significant accomplishment.
|
all nations »
A composition of all the different spirits sold in a dram-shop, collected in a vessel into which the drainings of the bottles and quartern pots are emptied.
|
all over »
Done; finished; complete.
|
all over but the shouting »
The substance of the contest is complete, leaving only the cheering.
|
all over with »
Completely finished; over.
|
all the time »
Always; constantly; for the complete duration.
|
apples and oranges »
Said of a comparison of items that are not comparable.
|
arm candy »
An attractive, seemingly romantic companion who accompanies a person in public simply so that one or both of the individuals can gain attention, enhance social status, or create an impression of sexual appeal.
|
at the end of the road »
No longer in the competition. Voted off. Eliminated.
|
back office »
The IT and infrastructure support services for a company, separate from the public face of the business.
|
bad to the bone »
Completely bad and evil; pure evil.
|
badge bunny »
A woman who is romantically attracted to police officers and who seeks out their companionship.
|
balancing act »
An effort to manage many conflicting or competing items or interests.
|
balum rancum »
A hop or dance, where the women are all prostitutes. N. B. The company dance in their birthday suits.
|
barrel »
A wave that breaks with a hollow compartment.
|
bawl out »
To have a serious argument accompanied with shouting.
|
beat up »
To cause by some other means, injuries comparable to the result of being beaten up.
|
been there, done that, bought the T-shirt »
Expresses the speaker's complete familiarity with a situation, with overtones of cynicism or exhaustion.
|
behind the counter »
Of drugs, dispensed by a pharmacist without needing a doctor's prescription or other form of compliance.
|
bent on »
Completely determined; obstinate.
|
better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness »
In the face of bad times or hopelessness, it is more worthwhile to do some good, however small, in response than to complain about the situation.
|
beyond the pale »
Describing behaviour that is considered to be outside the bounds of morality, good behaviour or judgement in civilised company.
|
big fat »
Complete, utter, total.
|
blow-by-blow »
Detailing every action or occurrence completely.
|
bone dry »
Completely dry; without any trace of moisture.
|
boot up »
To start a computer using its bootstrap procedure.
|
box the compass »
To know, and be able to recite the 32 points and quarter points of the magnetic compass from North, both clockwise and anticlockwise.
|
box the compass »
To make a complete reversal in stance or opinion.
|
bragging rights »
The prerogative to praise oneself for an accomplishment or for possession of a superior characteristic.
|
brain surgery »
Something that is overly complex, detailed or confusing.
|
break a leg »
To perform well in a theatrical production or comparable endeavor.
|
break a sweat »
' , Karon Karter - The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Pilates Method page 119.
|
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.
|
bridge »
A device which connects two or more computer buses, typically in a transparent manner.
|
bridge »
An unintended solder connection between two or more components or pins.
|
bright-line rule »
A clearly defined rule or standard, comprised of objective factors, which leaves little or no room for varying interpretation.
|
bring about »
To accomplish, achieve.
|
bring in »
To earn money for a company or for the family.
|
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".
|
burn down »
To completely burn, so that nothing remains.
|
busy work »
Work or activity performed with the intention or result of occupying time, and not necessarily to accomplish something productive; routine work of low priority undertaken for the sake of avoiding idleness.
|
butt heads »
To argue uncompromisingly with someone.
|
butt-naked »
Stark-naked, completely nude.
|
buy out »
To purchase the ownership of a company.
|
by heart »
Knowing completely; as having committed completely to memory.
|
by oneself »
Alone; without assistance, accompaniment, or help from others.
|
can of worms »
A complex, troublesome situation arising when a decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems.
|
can of worms »
A troublesome situation; an issue whose resolution is difficult or contentious, but not necessarily complex.
|
cap it all off »
To finish or complete something.
|
cat's cradle »
Any complicated structure which appears to be without purpose.
|
catch up »
To compensate for or make up a deficiency.
|
caucus race »
A political competition; the game of campaigning and one-upmanship to get votes and be elected.
|
caucus race »
The competitive process in which a political party selects their candidate, esp. presidential; a primary election via caucus.
|
chalkface »
A musical concept or genre in which music is completely improvised and never played twice. Most often mixing elements of hip-hop, metal, punk and avant-garde jazz.
|
chance'd be a fine thing »
Given to indicate that an aforementioned thing would be desirable but unlikely. Comparable to if I should be so lucky.
|
check out »
To obtain computer source code from a repository.
|
chump change »
An amount of remuneration, reward, or other monetary recompense considered to be insultingly small.
|
clean out »
To empty completely; to remove all money or possessions from.
|
clean someone's clock »
To defeat decisively, in a physical fight or other competition or negotiation.
|
close in on »
To near a goal or completion.
|
closed book »
A person or thing that cannot be easily understood; someone or something incomprehensible or puzzling.
|
Cold hands, warm heart; Dirty feet, no sweetheart! »
A few old timer's "fun" way to compliment a lady & to find out if she could be courted.
|
cold turkey »
The sudden and complete withdrawal of a dependent substance, especially of a drug.
|
collect one's thoughts »
To become mentally composed, especially after being distressed, surprised, or disoriented; to become calm or organized in one's emotional state or thinking, as in preparation for a conversation, speech, decision, etc.
|
come along »
To accompany.
|
come full circle »
To complete a cycle of transition, returning to the point of origin.
|
come full circle »
To make a complete change or reform.
|
company »
A group of individuals with a common purpose, as in a company of actors.
|
company »
A military unit, typically consisting of two or three platoons.
|
company »
A unit of firefighters and their equipment.
|
company »
As he had worked for the CIA for over 30 years, he would soon take retirement from the company.
|
company »
Companionship.
|
company »
I treasure your company.
|
company »
In legal context, an entity that manufactures or sells products , or provides services as a commercial venture. A corporation.
|
company »
In non-legal context, any business, without respect to incorporation.
|
company »
It took six companies to put out the fire.
|
company »
Keep the house clean, I have company coming.
|
company »
Nickname for an intelligence service.
|
company »
Social visitors.
|
company »
The Boys in Company C.
|
company »
The entire crew of a ship.
|
comply with »
To abide by a set of rules.
|
cough up »
To lose a competition by one's own mistakes, usually near the end of the contest.
|
cover one's bases »
To be thorough; to prepare thoroughly or completely.
|
cross off »
To finish; to mark something as complete.
|
cross paths »
To be, by chance, in the same physical place at the same time, as a result of two completely separate journeys.
|
crown jewels »
A part of a company sought by another in a hostile takeover.
|
crown jewels »
The jewelry that accompany the office of rulership in a monarchy. I.e., crown, scepter, signet ring, etc.
|
cry out against »
To complain strongly, usually as a group.
|
cry someone a river »
To try to obtain the sympathy of another person by complaining or sniveling.
|
cry the blues »
To complain, especially in order to obtain sympathy for one's own purportedly sad situation.
|
crystal clear »
Completely clear and understood.
|
crystal-clear »
Completely clear and understood.
|
cut corners »
To do a less than thorough or complete job; to do something poorly or take short cuts.
|
darn tootin' »
Absolute, utter, complete, very.
|
dead »
Completely inactive; without power; without a signal.
|
dead »
Full and complete.
|
dead set against »
Completely opposed, with no possibility of a change of mind.
|
deathblow »
Something that prevents the completion, or ends the existence of some project etc.
|
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.
|
deep six »
To discard, cancel, halt; to completely put an end to something.
|
developments »
A group of building complexes or apartments. Often used for low income housing.
|
devil is in the details »
The specific provisions of, or particular steps for implementing, a general plan, policy, or contract may be complicated, controversial, or unworkable.
|
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.
|
does Macy's tell Gimbel's »
(US, dated, colloquial, rhetorical question) A rhetorical question with the implied answer being that competitors do not share business secrets with one another.
|
don't dip your pen in company ink »
Alternative form of you don't dip your pen in company ink.
|
double Dutch »
Incomprehensible language.
|
drain the swamp when up to one's neck in alligators »
(idiomatic) When performing a long and complex task, and when you've gotten utterly immersed in secondary and tertiary unexpected tangential subtasks, it's easy to lose sight of the initial objective. This sort of distraction can be particularly problematic if the all-consuming subtask or sub-subtask is not, after all, particularly vital to the original, primary goal, but ends up sucking up time and resources (out of all proportion to its actual importance) only because it seems so urgent.
|
eat one's own dog food »
To test the beta programs that are in the test phase on one's own computers; to dogfood.
|
eat up »
To consume completely.
|
engine room »
A compartment on a ship in which the engine machinery is located.
|
eye for an eye »
Compensation for injury caused by a person, in the form of inflicting of an identical injury on that person.
|
eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth »
Compensation for injury caused by a person, in the form of inflicting of an identical injury on that person.
|
facts on the ground »
A euphemism, similar to fait accompli, used as an oblique way of saying that discussions over the possession of a given piece of territory has been rendered moot by the presence of military forces.
|
fail over »
To automatically switch processing from a failed component in a critical system to its live spare or backup component.
|
fall between two stools »
To attempt two tasks and fail at both, when either one could have been accomplished singly.
|
fall by the wayside »
To fail to be completed, particularly for lack of interest; to be left out.
|
fall off »
A hip hop term; to completely lose the plot in terms of artistic direction.
|
fall on deaf ears »
Of a request, complaint, etc, to be ignored.
|
fall over »
Of a computer program, to crash.
|
far be it »
Pewtey in Marriage Guidance Counselor from And Now For Something Completely Different.
|
feather in one's cap »
An accomplishment; particularly one that is flaunted or boasted of.
|
fencepost problem »
In computer programming, a problem dealing with how to treat the initial or boundary values of a discrete problem.
|
fill in »
To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information.
|
finish off »
To finish completely.
|
first loser »
The second place finisher in auto racing competition.
|
fish for compliments »
To try to induce someone to make a compliment.
|
flash in the pan »
A career notable for early success not followed by significant accomplishment.
|
flesh out »
To complete; to create details from a basic outline, structure or skeleton.
|
fold up »
To make or become more compact by folding.
|
follow through »
To finish; to complete, especially, of a commitment.
|
for keeps »
To compete seriously, with a strong resolve to win or succeed, as in sports or business.
|
from A to Z »
Covering a complete range; comprehensively.
|
full marks »
To exclaim complete satisfaction with someone's efforts.
|
full to the gills »
Completely or overly full.
|
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 by the balls »
To have complete control over someone, especially of a woman abusing a man's infatuation with her.
|
get it »
To understand, comprehend, or grasp.
|
get off »
To complete a shift or a day's work.
|
get on somebody's case »
To lecture, berate, or complain to somebody, especially to find fault or criticize.
|
get the boot »
To be voted off a competition in a reality television show.
|
get the chop »
To be eliminated from a competition in a reality television program.
|
give and take »
A process of compromise or accommodation.
|
go along for the ride »
To accompany someone passively, or to take a passive role in a project.
|
go along with »
To comply with something, even if reluctantly; to accept or tolerate.
|
go batshit »
To become completely irrational; to react in an irrationally extreme manner.
|
go in for »
To enter a competition.
|
go native »
Of a contractor or consultant, to begin working directly as an employee for a company and cease to work through a contracting firm or agency.
|
go the whole hog »
To do something as entirely or completely as possible; to reserve or hold back nothing.
|
go up in smoke »
To be completely ruined.
|
God helps those who help themselves »
Fortune comes to those who make a genuine effort to accomplish things.
|
gold standard »
A test or measure of comparison that is considered ultimate or ideal.
|
golden hello »
A payment offered to an employee as an inducement to join, especially if currently working for a competitor.
|
good drunk »
A person who is cheerful and companionable when intoxicated, retaining reasonable control of his or her mental and emotional faculties.
|
hard hitting »
uncompromising
|
have a bone to pick »
To have a complaint or grievance with somebody.
|
have it made »
To have accomplished all there is to do; to have no further work or difficulty; to have achieved a lifestyle characterized by good fortune and comfort.
|
have one's wits about one »
To remain calm, composed, or aware.
|
he who smelt it dealt it »
(colloquial, originally) A person who calls attention to or complains about a fart is likely trying to pretend it wasn't his or her own.(colloquial, by extension) Used to suggest that a person calling attention to or complaining about a given problem may in fact be the source of the problem.
|
head scratcher »
July 2002, Fox News - Attorney: Williams' Kids Near Compromise About Father's Remains.
|
head to toe »
Entirely; completely; over one's full body.
|
heads will roll »
Some people will be fired for incompetence.
|
heart of gold »
A kind, compassionate, or caring attitude; kindheartedness.
|
high ground »
A location which is at a relatively high elevation, especially in comparison to the immediate surrounding area.
|
high ground »
A position of advantage or superiority in a conflict or competition.
|
hit one's stride »
To reach a full level of efficiency, competence, comfort, etc.; to get going.
|
hold a candle »
To compare; to be even remotely of the same quality, skill, etc. as another.
|
hold all the aces »
To be in a strong position when one is competing with someone else, having all the advantages.
|
hold one's own »
To stand up to; to give a respectable performance; to provide worthy competition.
|
hold someone's feet to the fire »
To maintain personal, social, political, or legal pressure on someone in order to induce him or her to comply with one's desires; to hold someone accountable for his or her actions.
|
hold up »
To fulfil / fulfill or complete one's part of an agreement.
|
hole in one »
A round that is completed by sinking the ball in a single shot or attempt, with one hit.
|
hole in one »
Any rare, wonderful, or remarkable accomplishment.
|
hook line and sinker »
completely
|
in a league of one's own »
Far excelling even the closest contender; not having any worthy competition.
|
in all one's glory »
Completely naked.
|
in full swing »
Proceeding fully, quickly, or completely; thoroughly begun and in progress.
|
in order »
Complete, finished.
|
in unity there is strength »
More can be accomplished by a team with a common goal, than individuals.
|
it takes all kinds to make a world »
Diversity is essential: the world would be incomplete if everyone were alike.He irons his clothes how?! That's crazy! Well, I guess it takes all kinds.
|
it's all grist to the mill »
Everything referred to in the present context has some sort of use.1999, Simon Blackburn, Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy (Oxford University Press paperback, ISBN 0199690871), ch. 7 section 6: "Kant
|
jack of all trades »
One competent in many endeavors, especially one who excels in none of them.
|
jack of all trades, master of none »
A person who has a competent grasp of many skills but who is not outstanding in any one.
|
jolly someone along »
To make someone happy or compliant, as by encouragement or flattery.
|
keep one's cool »
To remain composed, calm, and even-tempered, especially in a provocative situation.
|
keep up with the Joneses »
To do or buy things for status, show, or image rather than out of need, especially for the purpose of competing with friends or neighbors.
|
kick up a fuss »
To show annoyance, or to complain loudly about something, often when it is of little importance in reality.
|
kitchen table software »
Especially in the early years of personal computers, a set of computer programs developed by an entrepreneurial advanced amateur or self-employed professional computer programmer in his or her own home; software developed by a small business using the services of such programmers.
|
knock out »
To complete, especially in haste; knock off.
|
lady's man »
A man who attracts women and enjoys their company.
|
late bloomer »
A person who lives a child's life comparatively later than their peers.
|
late bloomer »
A person who reaches puberty comparatively later than their peers.
|
lead time »
The amount of time between the initiation of some process and its completion, e.g. the time required to manufacture or procure a product; the time required before something can be provided or delivered.
|
left-handed compliment »
A complimentary remark which is ambiguous or ineptly worded, so that it may be interpreted as having an unflattering or dismissive sense.
|
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
|
log out »
To exit an account in a computer system so that it doesn't recognize you until you log in again.
|
look-in »
A chance to participate, compete, or succeed.
|
loose end »
A small job that needs to be done, or minor problem that needs to be resolved, before a task can be considered complete.
|
lose the plot »
To have one's results decline severely in quality or suddenly fall below an acceptable standard, especially when compared to past excellence.
|
magic bullet »
A simple remedy to a difficult or complex problem, especially a cure for a disease.
|
make a meal of »
To spend more time and energy on some task than it warrants; to make something overly complicated.
|
make a stink »
To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.
|
make quick work of »
To accomplish a specified task easily and quickly.
|
make up »
To constitute; to compose; to form.
|
make up »
To compensate, fill in or catch up.
|
mark up »
To add coding to text so that it will display properly on a computer.
|
match made in heaven »
A marriage that is likely to be happy and successful because the two people are very compatible with each other.
|
match made in hell »
A marriage that is likely to be unhappy or abusive and unsuccessful because the two people are very incompatible with each other.
|
matter of fact »
Something completely true.
|
measure twice and cut once »
(literally, carpentry) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.1872, "Dressmaking," Hall's Journal of Health, vol. 19, no. 12, p. 280:Look at Carpenters! . . . In old times it was a proverb "Measure twice, and cut once."(figuratively, by extension) Plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action.2008, Hilary Johnson, "Mergers rattle bank relations," Financial Week, 9 Nov. (retrieved 9 Nov. 2008):Mr. Paz noted that since the onset of the credit crisis, eBay, like other companies, hasn
|
memory lane »
A set of recollections available to be reviewed, especially accompanied by a feeling of nostalgia.
|
middle ground »
A compromise position between extremes.
|
misery loves company »
Misery is easier to bear when one is not the only one miserable.1995, Chris Abbott,
|
mix it up »
To compete vigorously, to quarrel, or to fight physically.
|
money talks »
It is easier to accomplish goals using money instead of just talk.
|
moral high ground »
A position or point of view which is ethically superior or more reputable, in comparison to others which are under consideration.
|
more haste, less speed »
When we are in a hurry, we often end up completing our task slower.
|
mouse potato »
A person who spends excessive amounts of time using a computer.
|
mum's the word »
The accompanying facts are a secret, not to be divulged.
|
necker's knob »
A knob attached to the steering wheel of an automobile, especially before the widespread availability of power steering, helping the driver steer with one arm and leaving the other arm free to provide romantic attention to a companion.
|
needle in a haystack »
Something that is difficult or impossible to locate; something impossibly complex or intractable.
|
new school »
A style, way of thinking, or method for accomplishing a task that is typical of the current era, as opposed to former eras.
|
not be caught dead »
To refuse completely to do something.
|
nut-cutting time »
Time to exert maximum effort, for example, due to an approaching deadline or a looming competitive situation.
|
off one's game »
Playing or competing below one's usual level of performance.
|
on one's own »
Alone; by oneself; without the companionship or assistance of others.
|
on the bubble »
Having qualification for an event depend on the upcoming performances of other competitors.
|
on the house »
Free, complimentary.
|
on the pull »
Seeking the intimate company of a member of the opposite sex.
|
on the same wavelength »
In rapport or complete accord.
|
one another »
Used of a reciprocal relationship among a group of more than two people or things; compare each other.
|
one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind »
A cliché used to exaggerate an accomplishment or milestone..
|
one step at a time »
Slowly and carefully, ensuring that each action has been completed successfully before taking the next.
|
one up »
To outdo, to do something slightly better than a competitor's prior effort.
|
one-hit wonder »
A person or group known for achieving only a single major accomplishment.
|
one-up »
To outdo, to do something slightly better than a competitor's prior effort.
|
one-upmanship »
A succession of instances of outdoing a competitor.
|
one-upmanship »
The art or practice of successively outdoing a competitor.
|
opposites attract »
people who are completely different make ideal partners.
|
out of one's league »
In a situation in which one is mismatched with one or more others, whose accomplishments, preparedness, or other characteristics are on a significantly higher or lower level than one's own.
|
out of the running »
No longer in competition.
|
out-and-out »
Complete, utter.
|
outsider »
A competitor or contestant who has little chance of winning; a long shot; a dark horse.
|
over one's head »
More complex or confusing than one can understand; beyond one’s comprehension..
|
payback's a bitch »
Usually a complete sentence as an interjection: I am amused that someone got their revenge on you...but you certainly had it coming.
|
payback's a bitch »
Usually a complete sentence: I will get revenge when you least expect it.
|
peaches-and-cream »
Of facial complexion, smooth, with attractive yellow-pink coloring.
|
pelt of the dog »
An immoderate, excessive quantity of alcohol drunk the morning after whilst suffering withdrawal symptoms or a hangover, which goes beyond alleviating the complaint to causing drunkenness; cf. hair of the dog.
|
personal computers »
PCs
|
pi%C3%A8ce de r%C3%A9sistance »
A masterpiece; the most memorable accomplishment of one’s career or lifetime..
|
piece de resistance »
A masterpiece; the most memorable accomplishment of one’s career or lifetime..
|
pinch and a punch for the first of the month »
Said the first day of a new month, accompanied by a pinch and a punch to the victim.
|
piss and moan »
To complain, especially needlessly and loudly.
|
pissing contest »
A boys' prankish competition to determine who can urinate the furthest up a wall.
|
play one against another »
To manipulate two persons into competing against one another in a way that benefits the person carrying out the manipulation.
|
price on one's head »
A compensation for capturing or killing a person, especially someone guilty of a crime.
|
pronunciamiento »
A military uprising or coup in Spain or the Spanish American republics, particularly in the 19th century. They received this designation because coups were usually accompanied by a statement declaring the existing government null and void.
|
put one foot in front of the other »
To walk, decomposed to stress the fundamentality of the task.
|
put something into perspective »
To compare with something similar to give a clearer, more accurate idea.
|
put through its paces »
To test completely; to exercise the full range of abilities or functions.
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quantum mechanics »
Something overly complicated or detailed.
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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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raise a stink »
To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.
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rocket science »
Anything overly complex, detailed or confusing.
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rocket scientist »
Someone qualified to understand or handle that which is overly complex, detailed or confusing; a genius.
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Rome wasn't built in a day »
It takes a long time to create something complicated or impressive.
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round off »
To complete or finish something.
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round out »
To make more complete by adding details.
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run for one's money »
A difficult challenge for the person indicated, especially one involving a competitive situation.
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run for the roses »
A hard-fought competition or demanding challenge of any kind.
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run the gamut »
To encompass the full range or variety possible.
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run through »
To use completely, in a short space of time. Usually money.
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runner up »
second-placed competitor
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sabre-rattling »
Any threat, such as one company threatening another with a lawsuit.
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said and done »
Agreed to and accomplished or finished.
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see someone's point »
To comprehend the meaning that someone is trying to convey.
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sell a bargain »
A species of wit, much in vogue about the latter end of the reign of Queen Anne, and frequently alluded to by Dean Swift, who says the maids of honour often amused themselves with it. It consisted in the seller naming his or her hinder parts, in answer to the question, What? which the buyer was artfully led to ask. As a specimen, take the following instance: A lady would come into a room full of company, apparently frightened, crying out "It is white, and follows me!" As soon as someone responded "What?" she sold him the bargain, by saying "Mine arse".
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shape up or ship out »
To either improve one's behavior or else be required to leave; to either improve one's performance in an activity or else withdraw from that activity completely.
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shoot 'em up »
A short story, novel, television show, film, computer game, or other narrative which depicts considerable gunplay.
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sign in »
To take some action to access a secured program or web page on a computer; to log in.
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skirt chaser »
A man with amorous intentions who habitually seeks out female companionship.
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slop bowl »
One of the four components of the traditional tea set. Tea drinkers emptied their unwanted, cold tea into the slop bowl before refilling their cups with fresh, hot tea.
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smooth operator »
A person who accomplishes tasks with efficiency and grace, especially one with verbal skills who is persuasive in interpersonal relationships, negotiation, etc.
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song and dance »
An excessively complex set of instructions.
|
soup-to-nuts »
Comprehensive; complete; covering all of something.
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spaghetti western »
Nickname for a motion picture produced by an Italian-based company and filmed in Europe, depicting a tale of cowboys and desperadoes set in the American Old West.
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spell out »
From its component letters.
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square away »
To finish, complete, tidy or put in order.
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squaring the circle »
The historical problem of how to construct, using compass and ruler, a square having the same area as a given circle.
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squeaky wheel gets the grease »
The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which he or she seeks.
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stand stock still »
To stand completely motionless.
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steal somebody's thunder »
To detract from somebody's accomplishments or glory; to undermine.
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suck it up »
To put up with something; to deal with something, such as pain or misfortune, without complaining.
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suffer fools gladly »
To be tolerant of stupidity or incompetence in other people.
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swallow up »
To completely enclose or envelop.
|
swan song »
A final performance or accomplishment, especially one before retirement.
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swear off »
To quit or cease completely, or to promise to quit, as of a bad habit.
|
sweat »
Fluid that exits the body through pores in the skin usually due to physical stress and/or high temperature for the purpose of regulating body temperature and removing certain compounds from the circulation.
|
sword and sorcery »
Of or pertaining to a genre of narratives—including short stories, novels, television shows, films, and computer games—which combines wizardry and other fantastical supernatural elements with violent combat using medieval weaponry..
|
tag along »
To accompany, join, or follow; to go with.
|
tag team »
Two or more people or groups acting alternately to accomplish some task.
|
take apart »
To dismantle something into it's component pieces.
|
take in »
To absorb or comprehend.
|
take lying down »
To endure without complaint or protest.
|
take on »
To attempt to fight or compete.
|
take sides »
To ally oneself with a given opinion, agenda or group; to support one side or viewpoint in a competition or confrontation.
|
take things as they come »
To accept and deal with events as they occur, with a composed state of mind.
|
take up »
That which takes up or tightens; specifically, a device in a sewing machine for drawing up the slack thread as the needle rises, in completing a stitch.
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than a bygod »
Used with a comparative to express extreme heat or cold.
|
the bends »
decompression sickness
|
the company »
Nickname for an intelligence service.
|
the early bird gets the worm »
Whoever arrives first has the best chance of success; some opportunities are only available to the first competitors.
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the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get »
(vulgar) The sexual satisfactions that one receives from a spouse or romantic partner are not sufficient to compensate for the significant periods of bad faith and unpleasant treatment which such relationships routinely involve.1971, Allen Churchill, The Literary Decade, ISBN 9780135375228:Years later she expressed her disillusionment with sex by saying, "The fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."1999, Ben Sonnenberg, Lost Property: Memoirs and Confessions of a Bad Boy, ISBN 9781582430454, p. 93:Maitland got drunk at his parties and threw his arm around you and pulled you over to his wife and made you look down her dress, saying, "The trouble with marriage is that the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."2008, Joseph Heywood, Blue Wolf In Green Fire, ISBN 9781599213590, p. 63:"I can't believe a little pussy got me into dis mess." "Shit happens," Service said. "Sometimes the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."
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the plot thickens »
Used, often ironically, to describe an increasingly complex or mysterious situation.
|
the whole nine yards »
All the way; with everything done completely or thoroughly.
|
through and through »
Completely; entirely; fundamentally.
|
throw down »
To accomplish or produce something in a grand, respectable, or successful manner; to "represent".
|
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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tie up »
To complete, finish, or resolve.
|
tie up loose ends »
To deal with the minor consequences of a previous action; to tidy up, finish, or complete.
|
time and material »
A form of contractual compensation involving payment for materials used and at agreed rates for the those involved in performing the services.
|
to a fare-thee-well »
To the greatest extent or to completion; to a state of refinement or perfection.
|
top dog »
In a competition, the one expected to win.
|
top off »
To fill completely; to fill or refill the final portion of something not empty.
|
totus porcus »
Completely; unreservedly: swallowed the official version totus porcus.
|
tough love »
The compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures, to attempt to improve someone's behavior.
|
turn on its head »
To completely change.
|
turn over »
To produce, complete, or cycle through.
|
turn to stone »
To become completely still, not moving.
|
twiddle one's thumbs »
To wait or dawdle; to accomplish nothing useful or lack a useful occupation.
|
two birds with one stone »
Any two things that were performed or completed at the same time by one action.
|
two's company, three's a crowd »
One companion is better than two.
|
under one's thumb »
Completely controlled by someone; at someone’s command..
|
under way »
A vessel is said to be underway when she is not anchored, moored, aground, or beached[1]. Compare with make way.
|
walk in the park »
Something easy or pleasant, especially by comparison to something.
|
walk it off »
To deal with an negative emotional event without complaint; to take it like a man.
|
walk the walk »
Act competently, like an expert.
|
war bride »
A company or individual whose business is increased by warfare.
|
wash down »
To wash something completely from top to bottom.
|
way out of a paper bag »
A minimal level of competence or effectiveness, as used in phrases where one is unable to perform such.
|
what goes around comes around »
The status eventually returns to its original value after completing some sort of cycle.A person's actions, whether good or bad, will often have consequences for that person.
|
when the cat's away »
People are likely to take advantage of the absence of authority or enforcement of compliance.
|
wild-goose chase »
A task whose execution is inordinately complex relative to the value of the outcome.
|
wooden spoon »
An ironic prize for finishing last in a competition.
|
worth every penny »
Completely worthwhile.
|
worth one's salt »
Competent or adept.
|
wrap up »
To finish off a task completely.
|
you don't dip your pen in company ink »
One should avoid romantic relationships in the workplace.
|
you don't dip your pen in the company's ink »
Alternative form of you don't dip your pen in company ink.
|
you don't dip your pen in the inkwell »
Alternative form of you don't dip your pen in company ink.
|
zip up »
To convert a computer file into a smaller package.
|
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