a rising tide lifts all boats »
Benefits provided to a few may lead to conditions that are beneficial to all.
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an apple a day »
Healthy eating and living using traditional temperate-zone fresh foods.
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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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as is »
In its present state or condition, especially as a contractual condition of sale.
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as long as »
Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; so long as.
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as well »
In addition; also.
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at best »
In the most favorable of conditions; at the most.
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At ease with nudity »
ISM free identification with nude recreation
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at that »
In addition to what has been said; furthermore; moreover.
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balance the books »
To add up all the debits and credits.
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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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bells and whistles »
Extra features added for show rather than function; fancy additions or features.
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brain-dead »
Having no useful thoughts; stupid; ditzy.
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brass monkey »
A cocktail of vodka, rum and orange juice, sometimes with the addition of galliano.
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break out »
To begin suddenly; to emerge in a certain condition.
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calling card »
A prepaid card or credit card, usually electronically readable, used to pay the charges when making a telephone call.
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calling card »
A small printed card which identifies the bearer, traditionally presented for introduction when making a social visit to a home or when attending a formal social event or business meeting.
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cattle call »
An audition which is open to the public and thus draws a large number of applicants, many of whom are inexperienced.
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chalk up »
To attribute, credit, or blame.
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check is in the mail »
A common excuse used by debtors to put off creditors.
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chew the cud »
To meditate or ponder before answering; to be deep in thought; to ruminate.
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close enough for government work »
It is not worth investing additional time on perfecting this thing.
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cock-and-bull story »
A far-fetched and fanciful story or tale of highly dubious validity.
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corner the market »
To monopolize a resource or commodity, as with the intent of driving up prices.
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count sheep »
To attempt to go to sleep by thinking of something boring, traditionally by counting imaginary sheep.
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damn by association »
Discredit or condemn a position, person, or thing by attacking those things with which he/she/it is associated.
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dead tree edition »
Paper version of a publication that can be found online.
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devil's advocate »
One who debates from a view which they may not actually hold, usually to determine its validity, or simply for the sake of argument.
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dig up dirt »
To examine in order to find negative information for public opinion, usually with the purpose of embarrassing or discrediting a person.
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draw out »
To improve a losing hand to a winning hand by receiving additional cards.
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e pluribus unum »
A national motto of the United States of America, meaning "From many, one", or "out of many, one", referring to the integration of 13 independent colonies into one country, and that has taken an additional meaning, giving the pluralistic nature of American society from immigration.
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eat one's hat »
Used in a result clause to express disbelief in the conditional clause proposition.
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face up to »
To confront a condition or situation, typically one that is unpleasant or uncomfortable.
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fancypants »
Alternative spelling of fancy pants. The condition of being overly showy; concerned more about one's reputation than anything else.
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film out »
To transfer images or animation from videotape or digital files to a traditional celluloid film print.
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fine print »
The details, restrictions, terms, or conditions, especially of a contract, often printed in very small type.
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fishing expedition »
A non-specific search for information, especially incriminating information.
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flat-earther »
A person who believes or advocates an outlandish, discredited theory; a person who refuses to acknowledge the truth despite overwhelming evidence.
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flat-footed »
Having the specific physical condition of flat feet.
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fly-by-night »
One who departs or flees at night in order to avoid creditors, law enforcement etc. .
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give ear »
To listen: to devote one's attention to an auditory event.
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go to seed »
To deteriorate; to decline into an unkempt or debased condition.
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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.
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greener pastures »
Any place or condition that is more favorable or beneficial.
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hand it to somebody »
To give somebody credit or praise.
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in addition »
Also; as well; besides.
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in addition »
also
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in aid to this fact »
In addition to; and futhermore.
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in clover »
In a condition of prosperity.
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in cold blood »
In a ruthless and unfeeling manner; premeditated and deliberate.
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in shape »
In good condition, repair; in a good state.
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in the woods »
In critical condition; near death's door.
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jump rope »
The length of rope, sometimes with handles, casing or other additions, used in that activity.
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keep out »
To refrain from entering a place or condition.
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keep out »
To restrain someone or something from entering a place or condition.
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keep out of »
To stay away from a place or condition.
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keep out of »
To restrain someone or something from entering a place or condition.
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last-ditch »
Final, as a last resort; done in desperation.
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long finger »
[hire purchase]] or credit.
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long shot »
A master shot, the primary wide shot of a scene into which the closeups will be edited later.
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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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made in the shade »
In a condition characterized by comfort, success, easy living, or general well-being.
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make a meal of »
That is the eleventh edit that you have made to that word, you are really making a meal of it.
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make out like a bandit »
To profit greatly; to get an excessively good deal.
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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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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
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mint condition »
Used, but still like new, as if freshly minted.
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no strings attached »
Without conditions or obligations; without a catch.
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of course »
Acknowledges the validity of the associated phrase.
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off chance »
A condition of not being likely or probable.
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on the cuff »
On credit, with payment to be made later.
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on the mend »
Improving or undergoing restoration to a previous, more favorable condition.
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on top of »
In addition to something else.
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ox is in the ditch »
This is a big problem; there is unavoidable or demanding work ahead.
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pan out »
By swirling dirt or crushed rock in a pan of water, in the manner of a traditional prospector seeking gold.
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perfect storm »
A powerful hurricane or other major weather disturbance, especially as produced by a combination of meteorological conditions.
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power up »
To turn the electrical power on to a device as a precondition to make it operational.
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screen test »
movie audition
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second banana »
A comedian who plays a secondary or supporting role, especially as straight man and traditionally in vaudeville or burlesque theatre.
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second childhood »
A childlike state in any adult, resulting from mental illness, trauma, or other conditions.
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second string »
Not as good; of a lower quality or condition.
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seller's market »
An excess of demand over supply, leading to abnormally high prices; a market condition favoring the seller.
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senior note »
A bond that takes priority over other debt securities sold by the issuer. In the event the issuer goes bankrupt, senior debt must be repaid before other creditors receive any payment.
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set off »
To count an addition in one thing against a reduction in something else.
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set the stage »
To prepare; to establish the basis or required conditions.
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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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snake oil »
Snake oil is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat joint pain.
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so long as »
Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; as long as.
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sound as a bell »
In excellent condition.
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spark off »
To initiate something by providing the necessary conditions.
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stop press »
The event or news article important enough to delay or interrupt the print, or require a reprint, of a publication, particularly of a newspaper edition.
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success has many fathers, failure is an orphan »
Many will seek credit for success, few will accept responsibility for failure.
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suffer fools gladly »
To be tolerant of stupidity or incompetence in other people.
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talking head »
A pundit who discusses issues of the day, especially one on TV.
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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 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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third string »
Of a decidedly lower quality or condition.
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to the victor go the spoils »
The winner of a conflict wins additional benefits, beyond just the subject of the conflict.
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top up »
To extend the credit of something.
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victory at sea »
Ocean conditions very windblown and messy, possibly to the point of being inimical to surfing and other water sports.
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warm up »
To prepare for executing an already-learned activity by a limited amount of additional practice.
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what is more »
Furthermore, or in addition, moreover.
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win over »
To persuade someone, gain someone's support, or make someone understand the truth or validity of something.
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worse for wear »
In poor physical condition due to long or heavy use.
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write off »
To record an expenditure as an expense.
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