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 life of its own »
An independent existence with some characteristics of life.
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a man is known by the company he keeps »
People are similar in character to their friends.
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abound in »
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
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abound with »
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
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act out »
To go through the process of a scene from a play, a charade or a pointless exercise.
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ahead of one's time »
Showing characteristics of changes yet to be; present in one's work before later advances in the field; coming earlier than could be generally accepted.
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almighty dollar »
The dollar, satirically characterized as a being a god.
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answer back »
To issue echo characters, protocol responses, reflexive connection requests, etc.
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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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at the high port »
Or in a charge.
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at the wheel »
In control of the situation; in charge.
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autem mort »
A married woman; also a female beggar with several children hired or borrowed to excite charity.
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bad egg »
disreputable character
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barrel »
A metallic tube, as of a gun, from which a projectile is discharged.
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