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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and so forth »
Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner.
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apply oneself »
To put forth a concerted effort; to try; to focus.
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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 luck would have it »
As it happened; how it turned out; by good fortune; fortunately or luckily.
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at home »
At ease, comfortable.
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bad luck »
ill-fortune
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bad news »
News of unpleasant, unfortunate or sad events.
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balancing act »
An effort to manage many conflicting or competing items or interests.
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be there for »
To be available to provide comfort and support for someone, especially in a period of difficulty.
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bear down »
To intensify one's efforts.
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beat one's head against a stone wall »
To waste effort on a futile project.
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bed of roses »
A comfortable or luxurious position.
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bend over backwards »
To make a great effort; to take extraordinary care; to go to great lengths.
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birds of the feather flock together »
People who are alike physically tend to congregate and socialize together, despite government efforts at forced integration.
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blessing in disguise »
A misfortune that has an unexpected benefit.
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break a sweat »
To put effort into something.
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breathe down someone's neck »
To follow someone too closely, making it uncomfortable for them.
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bring forth »
To produce, bear as fruit.
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bring forth »
To give birth.
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bring forth »
To create, generate, bring into existence.
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bring forth »
To display, produce, bring out for display.
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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".
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buckle down »
To put forth the needed effort; to focus; become serious; apply oneself.
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burst someone's bubble »
To disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable.
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bust chops »
To nag; to berate or hound in an effort to elicit action.
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call forth »
To induce, inspire.
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can't wait »
To eagerly anticipate; to find it unbearable to wait for a forthcoming pleasurable event.
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change horses in midstream »
To change plans or approaches at an inopportune time, such as when an effort is already underway, generally considered an inadvisable thing to do.
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cheek by jowl »
In close proximity; crammed uncomfortably close together.
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cold comfort »
C. 1594, William Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew, act 4, sc. 1.
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cold comfort »
Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
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come a cropper »
To suffer some misfortune; to fail.
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comfort girl »
A sex slave; prostitute.
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comfort woman »
A woman forced, or supposedly recruited, into brothels by the Japanese occupation forces during World War II.
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coug it »
To suddenly lose a contest through reversal of fortune, mistakes, or bad judgment. The phrase is analogous to "blow it", or "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory".
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creature comfort »
Any small item or detail that makes a person comfortable and at home.
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do one's damnedest »
To do one's utmost; to make every effort or to try every possible approach or way.
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do one's darnedest »
To do one's utmost; to make every effort or to try every possible approach or way.
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do-or-die »
Requiring a determined or desperate effort to avoid the consequences of failure.
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dog it »
To underperform; to lag behind; to fail to exert effort.
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don't cry over spilt milk »
It is no use worrying about unfortunate events which have already happened and which cannot be changed.
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elbow grease »
Effort or hard work, especially physical work involving repeated motion of the forearm, such as scrubbing.
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elephant in the room »
A problem or difficult issue that is very obvious, but is ignored for the convenience or comfort of those involved.
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face up to »
To confront a condition or situation, typically one that is unpleasant or uncomfortable.
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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.
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fend off »
Away; to turn away; to defend against; to repel with force or effort.
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for all one is worth »
Intensely, vigorously, with as much effort as one can supply.
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fortune favors the bold »
Luck is usually on the side of those who take chances and risks.
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fortune favors the brave »
Alternative form of fortune favors the bold.
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fortune favours the bold »
Alternative form of fortune favors the bold.
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fortune favours the brave »
Alternative form of fortune favors the bold.
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forty winks »
Sleep, extra sleep, or a nap.
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free lunch »
Something obtained without any payment, obligation or effort.
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full blast »
Maximum capacity or effort.
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full marks »
To exclaim complete satisfaction with someone's efforts.
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full speed ahead »
Maximum effort without reservations or delay.
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get stuck in »
To dedicate a large amount of effort towards.
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give 110%25 »
Make the maximum possible effort.
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give hostage to fortune »
He was very cautious with his words and gave no hostages to fortune.
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give hostage to fortune »
To take an action or make a statement that is risky because it could cause you trouble later.
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give it one's best shot »
To make one's best effort or attempt; to try as hard as possible.
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glutton for punishment »
One persistent in an effort in spite of harmful or unpleasant results.
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go all out »
To reserve nothing; to put forth all possible effort or resources.
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go from zero to hero »
To change from negative outcome to positive outcome. To improve one's fortunes significantly.
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go out of one's way »
To make an extra effort.
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go the extra mile »
To make an extra effort; to do a particularly good job.
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go to the wall »
To make an all-out effort.
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God helps those who help themselves »
Fortune comes to those who make a genuine effort to accomplish things.
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God works in mysterious ways »
Expressing confidence that a conundrum has a solution despite it not being apparent.Expressing that a seemingly unfortunate or unfavourable situation or change may be beneficial later or in the long run.Person A: It seems that I'm about to be fired from my job.Person B: Well, God works in mysterious ways - maybe it'll be the kick you need to apply to university...
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gravy train »
An occupation or any lucrative endeavor that generates considerable income whilst requiring little effort and carrying little risk.
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hands down »
Without much effort; easily.
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hard cheese »
Expressed to someone suffering misfortune.
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hard lines »
Expressed to someone suffering misfortune.
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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.
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have one's ducks in a row »
To be organized; to have one's affairs in order; specifically, to have a multi-person effort coordinated towards the exact same goal.
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high on the hog »
Well off; living comfortably or extravagantly.
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hit one's stride »
To reach a full level of efficiency, competence, comfort, etc.; to get going.
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hit one's stride »
When walking or running, to reach a full or comfortable pace.
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hold forth »
Talk at great length; expatiate; harangue.
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hold forth »
To extend or offer, propose.
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hold the fort »
To assume responsibility, especially in another’s absence..
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hold the fort »
To maintain a secure position.
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home away from home »
A place in which one is as comfortable as one's actual home.
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home stretch »
The final part of a distance or the final effort needed to finish.
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ignorance is bliss »
Lack of knowledge results in happinessSometime you are more comfortable if you dont know something.
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in a canter »
Without much effort; easily.
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it never rains but it pours »
Unfortunate events occur in quantity.
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jump through hoops »
To put forth effort for the sake of appearance or demonstration.
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knock on wood »
To take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted my a presumptuous statement.
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knock up »
To gently hit the ball back and forth before a tennis match, as practice or warm-up, and to gauge the state of the playing surface, lighting, etc. See knock-up.
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last burst of fire »
A final effort or warning.
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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.
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legwork »
Work, especially research or preparation, that involves significant walking, travel, or similar effort.
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licence to print money »
A means of generating a large income with little effort.
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life's a bitch »
An expression of acceptance of misfortune.1950, Joy Davidman, Weeping Bay, page 184:She'd have been willing enough to use them, poor dead little bitch. Life's a bitch. Life's a bad joke.
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lift a finger »
To make minimal effort; to help as little as possible.
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lost cause »
A cause, attempt, or effort that is hopeless or futile.
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luck out »
To experience great luck; to be extremely fortunate or lucky.
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lucky break »
A stroke of luck; a fortunate event, particularly of the sort that propels one to success, fame, etc.
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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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misfortunes never come singly »
bad things or situations always come in groups, they never come in a single way.
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monkey business »
Wasting time, or effort, on some foolish project.
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nail biter »
A nervous or uncomfortable situation.
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no pain, no gain »
One must be willing to endure some inconvenience or discomfort in order to achieve worthwhile goals.
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not in Kansas anymore »
No longer in quiet and comfortable surroundings; in the big city.
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not win for losing »
To repeatedly fail in one's gambles or efforts.
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nut-cutting time »
Time to exert maximum effort, for example, due to an approaching deadline or a looming competitive situation.
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old college try »
A vigorous, committed attempt or effort.
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on accident »
Accidentally; not intentionally; because of error, misfortune, or lack of caution.
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one up »
To outdo, to do something slightly better than a competitor's prior effort.
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one-up »
To outdo, to do something slightly better than a competitor's prior effort.
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out of luck »
Experiencing a temporary misfortune.
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pain in the ass »
Something that causes discomfort or is otherwise troublesome.
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plug away »
To persist or continue, as with an effort.
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point blank »
The distance between a gun and a target such that it requires minimal effort in aiming it. In particular no allowance needs to be made for the effects of gravity, target movement or wind in aiming the projectile.
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pull one's socks up »
To start making an effort; to renew or redouble one's efforts.
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pull oneself up by one's bootstraps »
To begin an enterprise or recover from a setback without any outside help; to succeed only on one's own effort or abilities.
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pull teeth »
To do something that is especially difficult or effortful.
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put forth »
To give or supply; to make or create.
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put one's back into »
To make a strenuous effort to do something.
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put one's mind to it »
To apply oneself; to exert a directed effort.
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put one's shoulder to the wheel »
To work or exert oneself heavily or with full effort.
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put the pedal to the metal »
To exert maximum effort.
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raise the spectre »
To cause concern that something unfortunate might happen.
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red tape »
A derisive term for regulations or bureaucratic procedures that are considered excessive or excessively time- and effort-consuming.
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ride one's luck »
To avoid failure only by good fortune.
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rock the boat »
To disturb the status quo or go against rules or conventions, as in an effort to get attention.
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run after »
To make a determined effort to win someone's affections.
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run somebody ragged »
To exhaust; to demand excessive effort or work from somebody.
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settle in »
To get comfortable or established, as in a new place.
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shit-eating grin »
A broad smile indicating self-awareness that may suggest self-satisfaction, smugness, discomfort, or embarrassment.
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sitting pretty »
Having a comfortable or certain supply of money or resources.
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slip into something a little more comfortable »
To wear something suitable to be stripped off by a lover.
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smear campaign »
An effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.
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snug as a bug in a rug »
Very cosy and comfortable.
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so on and so forth »
Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner.
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soft touch »
A comfortable situation; an easy task or undemanding occupation, especially one which is comfortably remunerative.
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sound off »
To hold forth about something in an opinionated manner.
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spin one's wheels »
To make no progress despite making an effort; to get nowhere.
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spoil the ship for a hap'orth of tar »
To have something important fail for want of a small amount of money or effort.
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spring fever »
A feeling of laziness or listlessness associated with the arrival of the warm, comfortable weather of the spring season.
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stew in one's juices »
To be alone and self-absorbed in an uncomfortable state of mind, especially while experiencing the unpleasant effects of one's own actions.
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stir-crazy »
By extension, restless, uncomfortable, or impatient due to inactivity.
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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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take something in stride »
To cope with something without much effort; to accept or manage something well.
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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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them's the facts »
That's the truth, that's how it is; frequently used in reference to an unfortunate truth.
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there but for the grace of God go I »
A recognition that others' misfortune could be one's own, if it weren't for the blessing/kindness/luck bestowed by fate or the Divine.Man's fate is in God's hands.More generally, our fate is not entirely in our own hands.
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there's no place like home »
one feels the most comfortable at home
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there, there »
Conveys comfort; used to calm somebody urge somebody to relax, especially when the person is crying.
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too bad »
It is unfortunate that.
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too bad »
That's a pity; that's unfortunate.
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twist in the wind »
To be unassisted and without comfort in a situation likely to result in distress or failure.
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twist in the wind »
To wait for an uncomfortably long period of time.
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twist of fate »
An unfortunate turn of events.
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two for two »
Successful at both of two efforts.
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warm fuzzy »
A good impression; a feeling of comfort or trust.
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wear one's heart on one's sleeve »
To be extremely transparent, open, or forthright about one's emotions.
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work at »
To make a physical or mental effort to progress some specified task.
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worth one's while »
Good and important enough for one to spend time, effort, or money on.
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wouldn't you know it »
Expresses dismay or annoyance, especially at bad luck or misfortune.
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you only get what you give »
There is a positive correlation between the effort one puts in and the benefits one receives.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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