a drop in the bucket »
An effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem.
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bad apple »
A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy, especially one who has an adverse influence on others.
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bear on »
To influence, have an effect on.
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big boys »
The people or bodies with the most influence and/or power.
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big gun »
Someone who is powerful or influential most often in plural form.
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big wheel »
A person with a great deal of power or influence, especially a high-ranking person in an organization.
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bring owls to Athens »
To undertake a pointless venture, one that is redundant, unnecessary, superfluous, or highly uneconomical.
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busted flush »
A potential flush which ultimately was not filled.
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busted flush »
Anything which ends up worthless despite great potential.
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captain of industry »
A prominent business person who owns or is the highest-ranking executive of one or more major firms, especially one who has considerable wealth and influence.
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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.
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cut a wide swath »
To behave in an expansive, flagrantly showy, or pushy manner, especially in public venues; to exert sweeping influence.
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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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fifteen minutes of fame »
A very short time in the spotlight or brief flurry with fame, after which the person or subject involved is quickly forgotten.
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fifth wheel »
Anything superfluous or unnecessary.
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fluff up »
To make a gaffe or blunder.
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fluff up »
To plump up.
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flunk out »
Often requiring a retaking of the course or academic year.
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flutter in the dovecote »
A disturbance, usually one caused within a prescribed group of people.
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flutter in the dovecote »
I further argued that the principal cause for the political deadlock that persisted for thirty years after the guns fell silent was Israeli intransigence rather than Arab intransigence. The appearance of the first wave of revisionist studies excited a great deal of interest and controversy in the media and more than a flutter in the academic dovecote. — Israel Confronts Its Past.
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get one's claws into »
Have a controlling influence over.
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get the better of »
To overwhelm or overcome; to influence heavily; to tend to control or persuade.
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gild the lily »
To embellish or improve something unnecessarily; to add superfluous attributes to something.
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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.
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has-been »
A formerly popular or influential person whose popularity or effectiveness has peaked and is now in decline. Typically said of professionals or celebrities whose primary success is behind them.
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high as a kite »
Very much under the influence of drugs, extremely high.
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in vino veritas »
drunken folks speak truth, one tells the truth under the influence of alcohol
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it's not what you know but who you know »
For success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.1951, G. P. Bush and L. H. Hattery, "Federal Recruitment of Junior Engineers," Science, vol. 114, no. 2966, p. 456:Eighty-four students referred to political influence as a disadvantage of federal employment with such remarks as: "There are too many political connections necessary . . . it's not what you know but who you know
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jump the queue »
To desire preferential treatment, undue influence; impatient.
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king »
A powerful or influential person.
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kiss of death »
A kiss on the cheek that signifies the death of the receiver, as delivered by a mob boss or one with such influence.
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larger-than-life »
Very imposing, renowned, or impressively influential.
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long arm »
Influence, far-reaching power.
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mama's boy »
A male person, especially a young man or boy, who is overly attached to or influenced by his mother; a sissy.
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mover and shaker »
Someone who has power and influence in some field or activity.
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neither here nor there »
Not important; having no significance or influence on the question at hand; not related; not relevant; not germane; not pertinent.
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power behind the throne »
Someone who appears to be without special status, but who has great covert influence on a person in authority.
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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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put the cat among the pigeons »
If you set the cat among the pigeons, you will cause a flutter in the dovecote.
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robber baron »
Especially in the 19th-century and early 20th-century, a business tycoon who had great wealth and influence but whose methods were morally questionable.
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royal flush »
poker hand
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show the flag »
Of a naval vessel or military force, to identify itself by displaying the flag of its country of origin, especially in order to establish an authoritative presence and to exert diplomatic or political influence.
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soft shoe »
A speech, explanation, sales pitch, or other set of remarks delivered in a restrained or conciliatory manner in order to persuade, distract, or otherwise influence someone.
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suck up »
To absorb fluid.
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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.
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the pen is mightier than the sword »
More influence and power can be usurped by writing than by fighting.
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throw one's weight around »
To exercise influence or authority especially to an excessive degree or in an objectionable manner.
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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.
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under the influence »
Drunk; intoxicated; affected by alcohol.
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wrap around one's fingers »
To make one susceptible to desire, in that their behavior or actions are influenced.
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