a good man is hard to find »
Men who make good husbands or workers are rare.
|
after the fact »
Too late; after something is finished or final.
|
all over »
Done; finished; complete.
|
all over with »
Completely finished; over.
|
another nail in one's coffin »
One in a series of factors which lead, or purport to lead, to downfall.
|
Apa Sâmbetei »
"for nothing", "to no result", or that what you have done was destroyed or is rendered useless after you finish it.
|
at large »
On the loose; roaming freely; not confined.
|
at last »
In the end; finally; ultimately.
|
at one's fingertips »
Readily available.
|
back out »
To reverse a vehicle from a confined space.
|
bail out »
To rescue, especially financially.
|
black-on-black »
Something that is invisible or intentionally obfuscated, such as warnings or fine print.
|
bo jook »
Bluffing.
|
bottom line »
The final balance; the amount of money or profit left after everything has been tallied.
|
bottom of the ninth »
By extension, any last chance or final opportunity.
|
bottom of the ninth »
In baseball, the second part of the ninth and final inning. The end of the game.
|
break the bank »
To exhaust one's financial resources.
|
bright-line rule »
A clearly defined rule or standard, comprised of objective factors, which leaves little or no room for varying interpretation.
|
buff the muffin »
To masturbate.
|
burn one's fingers »
To harm oneself; to suffer consequences of one's actions.
|
butter fingers »
A clumsy person who always drops things, a klutz.
|
by all means »
Yes certainly; definitely.
|
by no means »
Certainly not; definitely not.
|
call someone's bluff »
To take action on the basis that another person is bluffing.
|
can't wait »
To eagerly anticipate; to find it unbearable to wait for a forthcoming pleasurable event.
|
cap it all off »
To finish or complete something.
|
cap off »
To finish.
|
cash in »
To profit from; to use an opportunity to maximum advantage, especially financially.
|
cast off »
To finish the last row of knitted stitches and remove them securely from the needle.
|
catch-as-catch-can »
A. 1681, John Fryer, Richard Chiswell, Robert Roberts, Robert White, A New Account of East-India and Persia, in Eight Letters, Being Nine Years Travels, Begun 1672 and Finished 1681.
|
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.
|
close the stable door after the horse has bolted »
To attempt to prevent a problem only to find it has already happened.
|
clout list »
A usually secret list containing the names of people who are to be given special access, benefits, or influence in a political or social situation, especially as a result of having personal, professional, or financial relationships with those in authority.
|
cock a snook »
To spread one hand, place the thumb on the nose and wriggle some of the fingers as a gesture of disrespect.
|
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.
|
come across »
To find, usually by accident.
|
coop up »
To confine in a restricted place or situation.
|
cross off »
To finish; to mark something as complete.
|
curveball »
A forespin pitch thrown by rotating the index and middle fingers down and resulting in motion down "curve".
|
cut it close »
To judge or finish something close to its limit.
|
cut it fine »
To achieve something at the last possible moment, or with no margin for error.
|
dead last »
The standings, often by a considerable margin to the next-to-last-place finisher or after an exceptionally poor showing or season.
|
dead to rights »
With sufficient evidence to establish responsibility definitively.
|
dig up dirt »
To examine in order to find negative information for public opinion, usually with the purpose of embarrassing or discrediting a person.
|
dishpan hands »
Hands which are rough, reddish, and dry, as from irritation and chafing caused by immersion in hot water mixed with detergent.
|
don't drop the soap »
(idiomatic) Used as a mockery to someone who is about to be or should be confined in prison.
|
don't shit where you eat »
(idiomatic, vulgar) One should not cause trouble in a place, group, or situation in which one regularly finds oneself.1998 April 14, Nelson Navarro, "Ever faithful, ever true," Manila Standard (Philippines) (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):The guiding principle is Don't shit where you eat. Office romances are always destructive of morale and objectivity.2003 Oct. 8, Jonathan Valania, "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Pussy," Philadelphia Weekly (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):Limbaugh was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at the NAB convention in, of all places, Philadelphia, thus violating the cardinal law of the animal kingdom: Don't shit where you eat.2006 Sept. 19, Michael Musto, "NY Mirror," Village Voice (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):Mitchell refused to indulge in on-set romances with either gender. "You don't shit where you eat," he told me, plainly.
|
done deal »
An agreement that has been finally resolved or decided.
|
down on one's luck »
Unlucky or undergoing a period of bad luck, especially with respect to financial matters.
|
down to a fine art »
Having or showing exceptional proficiency.
|
down to the short strokes »
In the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
|
drink up »
Finish one's drink.
|
earn one's keep »
To perform satisfactory physical labor or to provide other worthy services in return for remuneration, lodging, or other benefits; to support oneself financially.
|
end of the line »
Final cessation or discontinuance of a process, institution, or person, especially one which has existed for a considerable period of time; death.
|
every Jack has his Jill »
everybody will find someone to have a romantic relationship with at some point in their life
|
fat of the land »
The greatest part of anything; the finest and most abundant share of resources; the cream of the crop.
|
feather one's nest »
To achieve benefits, especially financial ones, by taking advantage of the opportunities with which one is presented; to amass a comfortable amount of personal wealth.
|
figure out »
To come to understand; to discover or find a solution; to deduce.
|
final curtain »
The end to something which has longed for a long time.
|
final cut »
A group, after a selection process getting rid of other candidates.
|
final cut »
In the movie industry, the final released version of the film.
|
find one's feet »
To grow in confidence in a new situation as one gains experience.
|
find out »
To discover, as by asking or exploring.
|
finders keepers »
The doctrine that whoever finds something is allowed to keep it
|
fine feathers make fine birds »
Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.
|
fine line »
A difference, albeit vague and difficult to discern.
|
fine print »
The details, restrictions, terms, or conditions, especially of a contract, often printed in very small type.
|
fine words butter no parsnips »
Talking about doing something does not get it done.
|
finish off »
To finish completely.
|
finish off »
To kill.
|
firm up »
To make tentative plans more definite.
|
first loser »
The second place finisher in auto racing competition.
|
five-finger discount »
Theft or pilferage, typically of a small item; shoplifting.
|
follow through »
To finish; to complete, especially, of a commitment.
|
fox in the henhouse »
A relationships wherein a predator is granted free reign within the prey's home confinement, often used in the political sense.
|
get it over with »
To do or finish, especially said of something unpleasant.
|
get on somebody's case »
To lecture, berate, or complain to somebody, especially to find fault or criticize.
|
get one's finger out »
To free one's finger.
|
get one's finger out »
To proceed with the matter in hand.
|
go for broke »
To try everything possible or do last thing possible in a final attempt.
|
go native »
To adopt the lifestyle or outlook of local inhabitants, especially when dwelling in a colonial region; to become less refined under the influence of a less cultured, more primitive, or simpler social environment.
|
go out with »
Often in hopes that the relationship will become more longterm as in definition 1.
|
grand total »
The entire or final sum.
|
green fingers »
A seemingly natural gardening ability.
|
hair-splitting »
The act of finding exceedingly small differences which are probably neither important nor noticeable to most people.
|
hard pressed »
Having or likely to have difficulty or to find a task almost impossible.
|
hear out »
To listen to someone until that person has finished.
|
hem in »
enclose, confine
|
hen's teeth »
Anything very rare or impossible to obtain is said to be like finding hen’s teeth.
|
home in on »
To focus or narrow down to something; to find or draw closer, as by trial and error or a gradual seeking process.
|
home stretch »
The final part of a distance or the final effort needed to finish.
|
in order »
Complete, finished.
|
in the offing »
Nearby, soon to come, in the near future.
|
in the toilet »
Finished; to an end.
|
in the wind »
Impending or in the offing; imminent.
|
index finger »
digit
|
ins and outs »
The details or fine points of something.
|
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
|
itchy trigger finger »
A tendency to act in haste or without consideration.
|
jack it in »
An imperative to stop doing something that the speaker finds annoying.
|
jump off »
To participate in the final round of an equestrian showjumping event.
|
la goutte d'eau qui fait d%C3%A9border le vase »
The final thing that is too much and forces a reaction; the straw that broke the camel's back.
|
last burst of fire »
A final effort or warning.
|
last burst of fire »
A state of exertion where one gives one's all; expending all of one's remaining energy in a final effort to achieve one's goal.
|
last trump »
The moment of God's final judgement on Earth.
|
last word »
A final decision, or the right to make such a decision.
|
last word »
The final statement uttered by a person before death.
|
last word »
The finest, highest, or ultimate representative of some class of objects.
|
last-ditch »
Final, as a last resort; done in desperation.
|
lay a finger on »
If you lay a finger on my little brother, I'll have your guts for garters.
|
lay a finger on »
To merely touch.
|
lay about »
To set about, with infinitive or gerund.
|
lay hands on »
To find, obtain or procure.
|
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
|
lift a finger »
To make minimal effort; to help as little as possible.
|
line in the sand »
A defining moment, a cutoff point.
|
loaded word »
Any word, set phrase or idiom that has strong positive or negative connotations beyond their ordinary definition.
|
long finger »
A state of postponement or procrastination.
|
long finger »
Middle finger.
|
long finger »
[hire purchase]] or credit.
|
long goodbye »
Nickname for Alzheimer's disease, especially for the final phase of the disease, during which the patient suffers a progressive decline of cognitive and motor skills and gradually loses the ability to recognize and to communicate with family and friends.[1]; nickname for the relationship between a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease and that person's family or friends.
|
lose one's shirt »
To lose all of one's money; to go broke; to undergo financial ruin or disaster.
|
mad money »
A sum of money kept in reserve or to insulate oneself financially in the event of the sudden breakdown of a relationship in which one is economically dependent.
|
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
|
mickey finn »
spiked drink
|
middle of nowhere »
Nowhere; any place lacking population, interesting things, or defining characteristics.
|
nail biter »
One who bites or chews his or her fingernails.
|
necessity is the mother of invention »
A person who is in great need of something will find a way to get it.
|
nice guy »
An adult male who seeks sexual attraction and romantic intimacy, but only finds cordial friendship and platonic love.
|
no matter how thin you slice it, it's still baloney »
Regardless of how many clever points or fine distinctions one makes, what one is saying is still false or is still nonsense.
|
nose-picking »
To insert a finger into one's nostril, especially to remove mucus.
|
not to put too fine a point on it »
Used to apologise for a possibly impolite statement one is making.
|
on one's feet »
Being stable or capable, especially in a financial or emotional sense.
|
on track »
On a well-defined promotion path in an organisation, usually tenure.
|
once and for all »
Finally, permanently, conclusively.
|
once or twice »
A small, indefinite number of times.
|
open ended »
without definite limits
|
out of the woods »
Out of peril; likely to recover or prevail over trouble; finished with the worst or most threatening part of a problem or illness.
|
pick one's nose »
The act of picking one's nose, insertion of a finger or other object into one's nostril.
|
play with fire »
To put oneself in a precarious situation with a high risk of getting harmed, particularly emotionally or financially.
|
point out »
To identify with a bodily gesture, notably by pointing a finger or implement.
|
point the finger »
To accuse; to direct or imply blame.
|
point the finger at »
To accuse or blame.
|
prawn cocktail offensive »
A strategy of the Labour Party in winning over important people in the world of finance.
|
pull my finger »
A phrase used when playing a prank regarding flatulence, in which a mark is asked to pull the finger of the person playing the prank, who simultaneously flatulates so as to suggest a causal relationship between the pulling of the finger and the resulting expulsion of gas.
|
pull one's finger out »
To stop wasting time in preliminaries, and concentrate on the important task.
|
put the bee on »
To finish off, to beat.
|
red ink »
A euphemism for financial loss.
|
ring off »
To finish a telephone conversation and disconnect.
|
rough around the edges »
In need of refinement; unsophisticated.
|
round off »
To complete or finish something.
|
run across »
To find or discover by chance.
|
run down »
To find something or someone after searching for a long time.
|
said and done »
Agreed to and accomplished or finished.
|
scotch mist »
fine rain
|
scrounge up »
To seek or find despite a lack of apparent resources or availability.
|
seek and ye shall find »
something can be found if it is looked for.
|
sell-by date »
The final date on which a perishable product can be legally sold to the public.
|
set for life »
Possessing sufficient resources, especially financial, to last a lifetime.
|
shake the pagoda tree »
To find a source of easy enrichment; to become absurdly rich in a short time.
|
short strokes »
The final steps of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
|
slippery slope »
A chain of events that, once initiated, cannot be halted; especially one in which the final outcome is undesirable or precarious.
|
sniff out »
To find something using the sense of smell.
|
sniff out »
To find, especially to find something that cannot be seen.
|
so there »
A defiant expression used to finish a poorly-made argument.
|
square away »
To finish, complete, tidy or put in order.
|
sticky fingers »
A petty thief or petty thieves.
|
sticky fingers »
An inclination to steal.
|
stumble across »
To discover or find something by accident.
|
stumble on »
To discover or find something by accident.
|
stumble upon »
To discover or find something by accident.
|
swan song »
A final performance or accomplishment, especially one before retirement.
|
the finger »
An obscene gesture, typically consisting of extending the middle finger at somebody.
|
the whole nine yards »
And everything. Often used, like etc., to finish out a list.
|
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.
|
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
|
thumb one's nose »
To place a thumb upon the tip of the nose, usually while simultaneous wiggling one's fingers, in a gesture of disrespect.
|
tide over »
To support or sustain someone, especially financially, for a limited period.
|
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.
|
timing is everything »
Consideration of other events can greatly influence some desired outcome (such as an audience laughing to a comedian's joke).Telling the old joke about a butt-crack was not a good idea, just as the plumber arrived, Bob.You know what they say: "timing is everything." I'm sure we can find another plumber before the house floods.
|
to a fare-thee-well »
To the greatest extent or to completion; to a state of refinement or perfection.
|
to go »
Belonging to the subgroup that have not passed or have not been finished or have not been addressed yet.
|
top off »
To fill completely; to fill or refill the final portion of something not empty.
|
track down »
To hunt for or locate; to search for; to find.
|
twiddle one's thumbs »
To circle one's thumbs around one another, usually with the fingers interlaced, usually done idly while waiting or bored.
|
under the wire »
Across the finish line.
|
victory at sea »
Ocean conditions very windblown and messy, possibly to the point of being inimical to surfing and other water sports.
|
wait for the other shoe to drop »
To defer action or decision until another matter is finished or resolved.
|
washed up »
Finished; having no future in a particular role.
|
when, as, and if »
Used to indicate the timing and contingency of some obligation in contracts, especially financial.
|
white elephant »
An ornament etc that is unwanted or is a financial burden; an unprofitable investment.
|
wind up one's bottoms »
To finish a job.
|
wooden spoon »
An ironic prize for finishing last in a competition.
|
work around the clock »
To work all day and all night without a break, because it is imperative to finish something.
|
work one's fingers to the bone »
Work especially hard, usually for an extended period.
|
wrap around one's fingers »
To make one susceptible to desire, in that their behavior or actions are influenced.
|
wrap up »
To finish off a task completely.
|
write one's own ticket »
To be empowered to choose whatever job, financial arrangement, or course of action one desires.
|
you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear »
It is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.
|
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