a chain is only as strong as its weakest link »
An organization (especially a process or a business) is only as strong or powerful as its weakest person. A group of associates is only as strong as its laziest member.
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a closed mouth gathers no feet »
One who does not speak can be certain he won't say anything embarrassing.
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a little bird told me »
Of information which was gathered from a source not to be overtly exposed.
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a miss is as good as a mile »
A failure remains a failure, regardless of how close to success one has actually come.
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a picture paints a thousand words »
A visualisation is a better description than a verbal description.1971, David Gates (of Bread), If, from Manna album:If a picture paints a thousand wordsThen why can't I paint you;The words will never showThe you I've come to know.1989, Alan Kay, quoted in K?o-tung Huang, Timothy D. Huang, Introduction to Chinese, Japanese and Korean Computing, World Scientific, ISBN 9971506645, p. 9:Most human beings, no matter how familiar they are with abstract symbols, respond to voice and images better than written language. In other words, A picture paints a thousand words.2006, Paul Shakespeare, Building a Dune Buggy: The Essential Manual, ISBN 1904788734, p. 52:See accompanying diagram: a picture paints a thousand words, and all that!
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a rolling stone gathers no moss »
A person who never settles in one place will never be successful.A person who does not keep active will grow mouldy.
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a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down »
An otherwise unpleasant situation can be pleasant when a pleasant aspect is deliberately introduced.1999, Eli Yassif, The Hebrew Folktale: History, Genre, Meaning, Indiana University Press, ISBN 0253335833, page 372,One is known as the "sweetening parable," that is to say a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Thus, when the aim is to preach to the people, to guide them along the "bitter," arduous path of upholding burdensome precepts and prohibitions, a tale can lighten the load, make the "medicine" easier "to swallow."2001, Maureen Reagan, First Father, First Daughter: A Memoir, Little, Brown, ISBN 0316736368, page 319,It put some fun into the tedious business of preparing for a presidential debate. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, right?2004, John Hoover, How to Work for an Idiot: Survive & Thrive... Without Killing Your Boss, Career Press, ISBN 1564147045, page 11,If a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, a barrel of laughs can wash down the big pills you might need to swallow.
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a watched pot never boils »
A process appears to go more slowly if one waits for it rather than engaging in other activities.
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according to Hoyle »
In strict accordance with the rules, especially of card games; in the proper or expected manner.
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against all odds »
Despite seemingly insurmountable opposition or probability.
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against the clock »
In a time-restricted manner, to meet a deadline, hurriedly, timed.
|
against the collar »
In a tight spot.
|
against the grain »
Contrary to what is expected; especially, of behavior different from what society expects.
|
against the grain »
To sand or plane a piece of wood parallel or nearly parallel to the fibers such that splinters forming ahead of the tool originate below the cutting surface.
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against the grain »
Unwillingly, reluctantly. It went much against the grain with him, i.e. it was much against his inclination, or against his pluck.
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ahead of the game »
Having completed a task before it is due; ready, prepared, or anticipating.
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all eyes »
Gazing at devotedly.
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all mouth and no trousers »
Superficial, engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance.
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all mouth and trousers »
Superficial, engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance.
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all over the shop »
Everywhere, scattered, disorganised.
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arm candy »
An attractive, seemingly romantic companion who accompanies a person in public simply so that one or both of the individuals can gain attention, enhance social status, or create an impression of sexual appeal.
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ask my arse »
A common reply to any question; still deemed wit at sea, and formerly at court, under the denomination of selling bargains.
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assault and battery »
. This legal distinction exists only in jurisdictions that distinguish assault as threatened violence rather than actual violence.
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at cross purposes »
Against one another; contrary in direction or goals.
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at the mercy of »
In the power of; defenceless/defenseless against.
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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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back gammon player »
A sodomite.
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back-cloth star »
An actor who stands upstage, forcing the other actors to face him and turn their backs to the audience, in order to gain more attention to himself.
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bag and baggage »
All one's possessions.
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baggage »
Heavy baggage; women and children. Also a familiar epithet for a woman; as, cunning baggage, wanton baggage, &c.
|
baggage »
In a metaphorical sense, factors that restrict a person's freedom, often in an intellectual or psychological way: emotional baggage.
|
baggage »
Luggage; traveling equipment.
|
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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barrel »
The quantity which constitutes a full barrel. This varies for different articles and also in different places for the same article, being regulated by custom or by law. A barrel of wine is 31 1/2 gallons; a barrel of flour is 196 pounds; of beer 31 gallons; of ale 32 gallons; of crude oil 42 gallons.
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bat for both sides »
To be a batter for both teams in an amateur baseball game.
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battle cry »
By extension, a strong motto or purpose statement, especially in regards to winning a goal in sports, games or work.
|
be off »
To be working against a present or former addiction to.
|
be up against »
To be challenged by someone or something stronger than oneself.
|
beat one's head against a stone wall »
To waste effort on a futile project.
|
beat up »
To get something done, derived from the idea of beating for game.
|
beauty sleep »
C. 1900, Ralph Connor, The Man From Glengarry, ch. 23.
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beggars can't be choosers »
(proverb) When resources are limited, one must accept even substandard gifts.
|
below the belt »
Of a punch, landing illegally, below the opponent's waist.
|
best regards »
Used as a polite closing of a letter.
|
big cheese »
A very important figure, especially a high-ranking person in an organization.
|
big enchilada »
A very important person, especially the highest-ranking individual in an organization.
|
big fish in a small pond »
One who has achieved a high rank or is highly esteemed, but only in a small, relatively unimportant, or little known location or organization.
|
big kahuna »
A boss, leader, chieftain, or top-ranking person in an organization.
|
big wheel »
A person with a great deal of power or influence, especially a high-ranking person in an organization.
|
bigwig »
A person of importance to a group or organization.
|
birds of a feather flock together »
People of similar character, background, or taste tend to congregate or associate with one another.
|
birds of the feather flock together »
People who are alike physically tend to congregate and socialize together, despite government efforts at forced integration.
|
bite the bullet »
To accept a negative aspect of a situation in order to continue moving forward.
|
black »
Illegitimate, illegal or disgraced.
|
blow a gasket »
To become very angry or upset.
|
blow away »
Flabbergast; scintillate; impress greatly.
|
blow off »
To pass gas; to break wind.
|
blow someone out of the water »
To trounce; to defeat someone thoroughly, at a game or in battle.
|
blow someone's mind »
To astonish someone, to flabbergast someone.
|
blow the whistle »
To disclose information to the public or to appropriate authorities concerning the illegal or socially harmful actions of a person or group, especially a corporation or government agency.
|
blow the whistle »
To make a piercing sound which signals a referee's action or the end of a game.
|
bluewash »
To tout a business or organization's commitment to social responsibility, and to use this perception for public relations and economic gain; to present a humanitarian front in this manner.
|
booze can »
A nightclub or bar, especially one which operates illegally or is otherwise disreputable.
|
borganism »
An organization of autonomous organisms that exhibit collectivism: individual "units" that have merged to yield a unified construct. Such an amalgam may possess a collective consciousness, arguably an emergent phenomenon of social networking.
|
borganism »
Some forms of government.
|
born in a barn »
Engaging in the annoying behavior of inappropriately, and usually neglectfully, leaving open a door or window.
|
bottom of the ninth »
In baseball, the second part of the ninth and final inning. The end of the game.
|
bounce back »
To recover from a negative without seemingly any damage.
|
bowl over »
To overwhelm with astonishment or wonder; to flabbergast.
|
boys and their toys »
Used to evoke the idea that adult men sometimes dote excessively on machines, automobiles, and gadgets in a childish manner.
|
boys will be boys »
It is hard, often fruitless, to attempt to curb the natural playfulness and tendency to mischief of most growing boys.1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Chapter 13But just then there was a slight altercation between Master Tommy and Master Jacky. Boys will be boys and our two twins were no exception to this golden rule.Even grown men usually remain somewhat boyish in heart"Boys will be boys", grinned grandpa while he joined his adult son playing with the fancy train-set he gave his grandson for Christmas while the kid was in school.
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bragging rights »
The prerogative to praise oneself for an accomplishment or for possession of a superior characteristic.
|
brass monkey »
A cocktail of vodka, rum and orange juice, sometimes with the addition of galliano.
|
brass neck »
A person with gall.
|
brass neck »
Gall, shamelessness, cheek.
|
break even »
To neither gain nor lose money.
|
break into »
To enter illegally or by force.
|
break wind »
To flatulate; fart; to expel gases generated during digestion through the anus.
|
brickbat »
For example, it's quite common for magazines to have a section called Bouquets and Brickbats for compliments and criticisms.
|
brickbat »
Reason Magazine: Daily Brickbat[1].
|
bridge »
An elevated platform above the upper deck of a mechanically propelled ship from which it is navigated and from which all activities on deck can be seen and controlled by the captain, etc; smaller ships have a wheelhouse, and sailing ships were controlled from a quarterdeck.
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bright line »
A clear distinction in the context of a legal or moral judgment.
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bring down the house »
To garner enthusiastic or wild applause.
|
bring in »
To introduce a new rule, law, or system of organisation.
|
bring in »
To introduce a person or group of people to an organisation.
|
bring round »
To resuscitate; to cause to regain consciousness.
|
brown power »
The production of electricity made from conventional sources, such as coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power.
|
brown thumb »
Lack of skill at growing plants; something possessed by a poor gardener.
|
bum steer »
Bad advice, regardless of intention.
|
bunny hop »
A dance from the big band era, a variation of the conga.
|
bush league »
A low-ranking or inferior level among groups, professions, organizations, etc.
|
bush league »
A professional sports association at the lower levels of minor league organization.
|
business before pleasure »
An admonishment that discharging one's obligations must take precedence over devoting time to pursuits meant solely for one's own gratification.
|
but then »
Then again, on the other hand; used to show that the opposite viewpoint is possible.
|
butter up »
To flatter, especially with the intent of personal gain.
|
by the book »
In a manner which adheres strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.
|
by-the-book »
Adhering strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.
|
call off the dogs »
During a one-sided sports contest, to remove the first-string unit of a team from the game after dominating the opponent.
|
Cannon fodder »
Military personnel who are regarded as expendable when attacking the enemy.
|
carry on »
To take baggage or luggage onto an airplane, rather than check it.
|
carry the message to Garcia »
To perform a requisite task despite obstacles.
|
carry the message to Garcia »
To perform a requisite task without having been informed specifically by what method to do so.
|
cat and mouse game »
Two individuals and/or groups repeatedly keeping check on each other in a suspicious or self-protective way, often with the goal of one or both parties trying to gain a malicious advantage over the other.
|
cat's cradle »
A children's string game.
|
caucus race »
A political competition; the game of campaigning and one-upmanship to get votes and be elected.
|
chalkface »
A musical concept or genre in which music is completely improvised and never played twice. Most often mixing elements of hip-hop, metal, punk and avant-garde jazz.
|
chase down »
To investigate the cause of something.
|
che sara sara »
Used to express a personal philosophy of fatalism1892 March 17, Cigarette,
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cheaters never prosper »
One does not gain from cheating.
|
chip on one's shoulder »
A form of challenge in the same spirit as a medieval knight throwing down his gauntlet.
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circle the wagons »
To prepare to defend against an attack.
|
circular firing squad »
A political party or other group experiencing considerable disarray because the members are engaging in internal disputes and mutual recrimination.
|
clean code »
Software code that is formatted correctly and in an organized manner so that another coder can easily read or modify it.
|
clean up »
To make a large profit; to win by a large margin, or to win a large amount, especially in gambling. Also clean house.
|
clear the decks »
To remove, or fasten, all loose material, or partitions prior to a naval engagement.
|
close, but no cigar »
That's almost correct, but not quite.
|
collect one's thoughts »
To become mentally composed, especially after being distressed, surprised, or disoriented; to become calm or organized in one's emotional state or thinking, as in preparation for a conversation, speech, decision, etc.
|
come hell or high water »
Regardless of the hardships.
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come of age »
To reach a specific age where one is legally considered to be an adult.
|
come to »
To regard or specify, as narrowing a field of choices by category.
|
common or garden variety »
Ordinary, standard. Nothing special.
|
common-and-garden »
Ordinary, standard.
|
common-or-garden »
Ordinary, standard.
|
company »
In legal context, an entity that manufactures or sells products , or provides services as a commercial venture. A corporation.
|
company »
In non-legal context, any business, without respect to incorporation.
|
cook the books »
To manipulate accounting information, esp. illegally, by a corporation.
|
cooking with gas »
Now doing something in an effective way.
|
cradle robber »
A person who marries or becomes romantically involved with someone who is much younger or who employs or otherwise engages a young person for a purpose inappropriate for his or her age.
|
cream in one's jeans »
To experience an orgasm while clothed; to be thoroughly excited or delighted.
|
cross paths »
August 5 2004, SFGate.com.
|
cross the floor »
To vote against one's own political party in parliament.
|
cry one's eyes out »
To weep for an elongated time, or in an excessive manner.
|
cry out against »
To complain strongly, usually as a group.
|
cue up »
The act of taking aim on the cue ball with the cue in a game of snooker, or billiards, etc.
|
curry favor »
To seek to gain favor by flattery or attention.
|
cut one's teeth »
To begin; to gain early experience.
|
damned if one does and damned if one doesn't »
A dilemma where either choice results in a negative outcome.
|
dead set against »
Completely opposed, with no possibility of a change of mind.
|
dead wood »
Personnel no longer contributing to an organization.
|
deadbeat dad »
A man, especially one who is divorced or estranged from his partner, who fails to provide monetary child support when he is legally required to do so.
|
deliver the message to Garcia »
...grasp the demands and exactions of business life. He learns that the main thing to do is to "deliver the message to Garcia"....
|
deliver the message to Garcia »
...heaves in a deep breath, gathers himself as though he's crossed a continent to deliver the message to Garcia.
|
deliver the message to Garcia »
Alternative form of carry the message to Garcia.
|
deliver the message to Garcia »
Programmers are consistently dehumanized because so many do indeed deliver the message to Garcia only to be at best ignored.
|
deliver the message to Garcia »
What we need is people who get the job done, no matter how. We don't want pickers who'll only learn if we use their preferred learning method. Have you read "A Message to Garcia" ? That's what we need today - young people who can deliver the message to Garcia.
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devil's advocate »
A canon lawyer appointed by the Church to argue against the canonization of the proposed candidate.
|
dig up dirt »
To examine in order to find negative information for public opinion, usually with the purpose of embarrassing or discrediting a person.
|
dimber damber upright man »
The chief of a gang of thieves or gypsies.
|
dirty money »
Money that is illegally gained, illegally transferred or illegally utilized. Especially money gained through forgery, bribery, or thievery.
|
dirty word »
A word that is considered vulgar, not necessarily sexual in nature.
|
divide and conquer »
A combination of political, military and economic strategies that aim to gain and maintain power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into chunks that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy.(computing) Applied to various algorithms, such as quicksort, that solve a problem by splitting it recursively into smaller problems until all of the remaining problems are trivial.(as imperative, proverb) In order to rule securely, don't allow alliances of your enemies.
|
do drugs »
To abuse an illegal drug or drugs, especially as a result of chemical addiction.
|
do the nasty »
To engage in sexual intercourse.
|
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.
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donkey jacket »
thick garment
|
double Dutch »
A game of jump rope with two ropes and frequently two jumpers.
|
double Dutch »
A language game akin to pig Latin.
|
down in the dumps »
Sad; lacking engagement or enthusiasm.
|
drain the swamp when up to one's neck in alligators »
(idiomatic) When performing a long and complex task, and when you've gotten utterly immersed in secondary and tertiary unexpected tangential subtasks, it's easy to lose sight of the initial objective. This sort of distraction can be particularly problematic if the all-consuming subtask or sub-subtask is not, after all, particularly vital to the original, primary goal, but ends up sucking up time and resources (out of all proportion to its actual importance) only because it seems so urgent.
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drama queen »
Who behaves and speaks in an overly dramatic manner so as to garner attention.
|
drill down »
To examine information at another level or in greater detail; especially in a database, to navigate to a more detailed level or record.
|
Drop out of warp »
Dis-engage the cruise control on the car
|
drop the ball »
To fail in one's responsibilities or duties, or to make a mistake, especially at a critical point or when the result is very negative.
|
drop the gloves »
To remove a prior impediment to action; to prepare for or engage in a dispute.
|
dummy out »
From a video game in the process of localizing that game from a foreign country.
|
each to his own »
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion or tastes.My housemate is a strict vegan. I personally could never not eat meat, but each to his own.
|
edge out »
To win in a contest or a game by a narrow margin of victory.
|
every cloud has a silver lining »
In every bad situation there is an element of good1881, National Academy of Code Administration (U.S.), Folio, page 417:Every cloud has a silver lining; but in the old-fashioned meeting-houses every cloud of hymnal melody generally had a nasal lining before the congregation...1887, Shakers, Religion, page 36:that "a little reserve and thou'lt fail surely," will prove to be true in our experience. Every cloud has a silver lining and so has every sorrow,1918, George Jean Nathan, Performing Arts, page 222:But the most popular attitude toward what we may call "sad" plays is the peculiar one of believing that, since every cloud has a silver lining,
|
f** someone over »
To exploit somebody in a way which result in an advantage to oneself, at the cost of the other party gaining a considerable disadvantage.
|
faceplant »
Death or defeat in popular multiplayer online games.
|
fair game »
A game that is fair, that does not involve cheating etc.
|
fair game »
Actions permissible by the rules.
|
fair game »
An goal or object that may legitimately be sought.
|
fall off a truck »
Of an item of merchandise, to come into a person's possession without having been paid for; to be acquired illegally.
|
fall off the back of a lorry »
Of an item of merchandise, to come into a perons's possession without having been paid for; to have been acquired illegally.
|
familiarity breeds contempt »
The more acquainted one becomes with a person, the more one knows about his or her shortcomings and, hence, the easier it is to dislike that person.1894, H. Rider Haggard, The People Of The Mist, ch. 25:This was the beginning of evil, for if no man is a hero to his valet de chambre, much less can he remain a god for long in the eyes of a curious woman. Here, as in other matters, familiarity breeds contempt.
|
fend and prove »
To engage in argument.
|
fend off »
Away; to turn away; to defend against; to repel with force or effort.
|
filter down »
Of information, or resources; to move slowly down to lower levels of an organisation, or population.
|
find one's feet »
To grow in confidence in a new situation as one gains experience.
|
fire drill »
An organised practice to prepare occupants of an office, school or other public building for evacuation in the event of a fire.
|
fluff up »
To make a gaffe or blunder.
|
fold one's tent »
To withdraw, especially in a discreet manner; to disengage; to quit.
|
for keeps »
With an agreement or intention to retain what one gains or receives.
|
fork over »
To turn over soil with a gardening fork.
|
free lunch »
Something obtained without any payment, obligation or effort.
|
funny money »
Money gained in a devious or sneaky manner.
|
funny stuff »
Irregular, often illegal, activities.
|
gagging for it »
Up for it, having a strong desire for sex.
|
gallows humor »
Comedy that makes light of death or other very serious matters.
|
game face »
The expression of one who is prepared for or is facing a lot of difficult and/or undesirable work, especially when it is imminent.
|
game plan »
Any strategy devised to reach a given objective.
|
gandy dancer »
A railway laborer, especially a member of a crew which carries rails and affixes them to ties.
|
gang up »
To join together, as a gang.
|
gang up on »
To join together in a gang in order to overpower someone else.
|
gapers' block »
A traffic jam resulting from motorists slowing to look at a motor vehicle collision or other roadside distraction.
|
garbage in, garbage out »
(computing, information technology) If input data is not complete, accurate, and timely, then the resulting output is unreliable and of no useful value.1963, Raymond Crowley, "Robot Tax Collector Seeks Indications of 'Fudging'," Times Daily (Alabama, USA), 1 April (retrieved 26 July 2010):Officials explained that the quality of the computer's work depends on the quality of the data fed into it. Neil Hoke, administrative assistant to Stewart, quoted an adage of computer men: "Garbage in, garbage out."2008, Roger K. Lewis, "'In Architectural Design, Brains and Talent Trump the Best Software," Washington Post, 19 July (retrieved 26 July 2010):The old caveat "GIGO"
|
garden variety »
Ordinary, common, or unexceptional.
|
get a leg up »
To gain some advantage; to get a head start.
|
get at »
gain access to
|
get away with murder »
To do something bad or illegal and not be punished.
|
get in »
To enter a place; to gain access.
|
get into trouble »
To perform an action which is illegal, prohibited, forbidden or proscribed and to become subject to punishment for such action.
|
get one's act together »
To become serious, organized, worthwhile, etc.
|
get one's feet wet »
To begin gaining experience; To take a risk and try something new.
|
get one's foot in the door »
To initiate contact or a relationship; to gain access, especially to an entry-level job.
|
gift of the gab »
The ability to talk readily, glibly, and convincingly.
|
give a shit »
To care, often used in the negative.
|
give ear »
Dante Gabriel Rosetti, A Death-Parting, lines 5-6.
|
give hostage to fortune »
He was very cautious with his words and gave no hostages to fortune.
|
give somebody the cold shoulder »
To snub, resist or reject somebody; to regard somebody distantly.
|
go against the grain »
To defy convention; to do something in a manner that is unusual or out of the ordinary.
|
go back to the drawing board »
To start again; to scrap a previous idea or plan and try again from the beginning.
|
go from zero to hero »
To change from negative outcome to positive outcome. To improve one's fortunes significantly.
|
go in for »
To engage or take part in something.
|
go in the out door »
To engage in anal sex.
|
go large »
To have the wind at such an angle to the sail that the vessel gains its highest speed.
|
go off at score »
Of a horse, to break suddenly into a gallop; of a person, suddenly to say or do something impetuous.
|
go out the window »
To vanish or cease, especially due to lack of care, attention, etc.; to be discarded, disregarded, or ignored.
|
go up against »
To challenge someone.
|
goof off »
To dawdle; to engage in idle activity or inactivity.
|
green fingers »
A seemingly natural gardening ability.
|
green thumb »
A natural skill for gardening.
|
grunt work »
That is considered undesirable and therefore delegated to underlings.
|
hack into »
To gain unauthorized entry to, particularly by exploiting little-known weaknesses.
|
hand waving »
Discussion or argumentation involving approximation, vagueness, educated guessing, or the attempt to explain or excuse vagaries.
|
hardball »
In baseball, a type of ball and baseball game, as opposed to softball.
|
have a green thumb »
A person with a green thumb, a natural skill for gardening.
|
have at »
To attack; to engage in combat with.
|
have it in for »
To be very angry at; to have a grudge against.
|
have it large »
To engage intensely in pleasure-seeking activities.
|
have it off »
To engage in sexual intercourse.
|
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.
|
have one's heart set on »
To want or desire deeply, regardless of practicality or rationality.
|
have someone's guts for garters »
To reprimand severely.
|
head honcho »
The person in charge; the highest-ranking person in an organization.
|
head-in-the-sand »
Exhibiting disregard or denial of a problem or threat.
|
heads or tails »
A game to bet upon a which side of a coin lays face up after it is thrown.
|
hide and seek »
children's game
|
high on the hog »
Well off; living comfortably or extravagantly.
|
history repeats itself »
Things that have happened in the past will happen again.
|
hit the gas »
Go, go faster.
|
hold someone's feet to the fire »
To maintain personal, social, political, or legal pressure on someone in order to induce him or her to comply with one's desires; to hold someone accountable for his or her actions.
|
hold up one's end »
To hold up one's end of the bargain; to fulfill one's promise or obligation.
|
hold with the hare and run with the hounds »
To oppose an action or behavior and yet engage in the same action or behavior; to be a hypocrite.
|
horses for courses »
A person suited for one job may not be suited for another job, regardless of their expertise in the former job.
|
hot potato »
A child's game in which players pass a ball or other item between them, with the object of avoiding being left holding the item when time expires.
|
if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle »
(colloquial, vulgar, humorous) It is fruitless to speculate about counterfactual situations."We would have won the match if we'd had a decent goalkeeper.""And if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle!"
|
in bed with »
Engaging in a close mutually beneficial relationship, especially secretly and illicitly.
|
in business »
Engaged in business activity.
|
in the face of »
Despite, against, contrary to.
|
in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king »
Among others with a disadvantage or disability, the one with the mildest disadvantage or disability is regarded as the greatest.Even someone without much talent or ability is considered special by those with no talent or ability at all.
|
jew down »
To bargain or haggle with a seller in order to obtain a lower price for a good or service.
|
jump »
To employ a move in certain board games where one game piece is moved from one legal position to another passing over the position of another piece.
|
jump rope »
A single jump in this game or activity, counted as a measure of achievement.
|
jump rope »
The activity, game or exercise in which a person must jump, bounce or skip repeatedly while a length of rope is swung over and under, both ends held in the hands of the jumper, or alternately, held by two other participants. Often used for athletic training and among schoolchildren. Variations involve speed, chants, varied rope and jumper movement patterns, multiple jumpers and/or multiple ropes.
|
jungle telegraph »
A gossip network; an informal communication system within a group or organization.
|
kangaroo court »
A judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, or a group which conducts such proceedings, which is without proper authority, abusive, or otherwise unjust.
|
keep on truckin' »
To continue or persist, regardless of circumstances or setbacks; to keep trying or striving.
|
keep straight »
To avoid confusing or mixing up something; to keep something clear or organized.
|
kick off »
To make the first kick in a game or part of a game.
|
kid around »
To engage in playful fun.
|
kill the goose that lays the golden eggs »
To seek short term gain at the sacrifice of long term profit.
|
knock about »
An informal game, usually football.
|
knock down »
Sold with a blow from the gavel.
|
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.
|
lady or tiger »
A pure gamble with highly divergent outcomes.
|
lay a finger on »
If you lay a finger on my little brother, I'll have your guts for garters.
|
lay down the law »
To promulgate law.
|
lead down a garden path »
To mislead; to seduce.
|
lead someone down the garden path »
To deceive, hoodwink.
|
legal beagle »
A skillful and adroit attorney.
|
legal duty »
A duty prescribed by the law, to act or forbear from acting.
|
legal duty »
I've done my legal duty.
|
legal eagle »
A skillful and adroit attorney.
|
level up »
To progress to the next level of player character stats and abilities. Often used in role-playing games when the character has aquired enough experience points.
|
lex dubia non obligat »
(law) A doubtful law is not binding.
|
lick one's wounds »
He's just off licking his wounds. He'll be back to try again.
|
life's not all skittles and beer »
Skittles and Beer refers to the carefree, indulgent bar life; skittles being a British pub game. Thus, life's not all skittles and beer means that not everything is about pleasure.
|
light bucket »
Nickname for a reflecting telescope, especially one with a relatively large aperture and suitable for observing deep sky objects such as nebulae and galaxies.
|
light up »
To light a cigarette, pipe, etc.
|
like gangbusters »
Vigorously, rapidly, zealously, or forcibly; in a manner which has considerable impact.
|
line one's pockets »
To accumulate personal wealth, especially in an illegal or morally objectionable manner.
|
lion »
The arms of the University of the West Indies are Barry wavy of six Argent and Azure an open Book proper bound Gules garnished Or on a Chief of the third a Lion passant guardant Erminois. Crest: A Pelican proper. . See talk page.
|
live large »
To have a lavish or overly-extravagant lifestyle.
|
loaded word »
Any word, set phrase or idiom that has strong positive or negative connotations beyond their ordinary definition.
|
lock lips »
To kiss on the lips; to engage in a French kiss.
|
log out »
To exit an account in a computer system so that it doesn't recognize you until you log in again.
|
look into »
To investigate, explore, or consider.
|
low blow »
An unfair or illegal blow that lands below the opponent’s waist; a groin attack..
|
low-hanging fruit »
Easily obtained gains; what can be obtained by readily available means.
|
lucky dip »
A game in which prizes are covered up and mixed together in a container, so that contestants can dip their hand into the container and randomly pull out a prize.
|
make a monkey out of »
To cause a person, organization, or action to appear foolish or inferior; to subject someone or something to ridicule..
|
make a name for oneself »
To gain fame.
|
make book »
To gamble, either by placing or taking bets.
|
make for »
????, translator unknown, author Galileo Galilei, Two Chief World Systems.
|
make game of »
To ridicule; to jest.
|
make light of »
To regard without due seriousness; to joke or disregard inappropriately.
|
make over »
To transfer ownership, especially by means of a legal document.
|
map out »
To organise the basic plan for a project.
|
march to the beat of a different drum »
To do things in one's own way regardless of societal norms and expectations.
|
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
|
member for Barkshire »
Said of one troubled with a cough, vulgarly styled barking.
|
mind the store »
To take active responsibility for a group or process, especially within an organization.
|
miner's canary »
A caged bird kept caged in mines because its demise provided a warning of dangerous levels of toxic gases.
|
miner's canary »
Any thing, especially an organism, whose demise or distress provides an early warning of danger.
|
miners' canary »
A caged bird kept caged in mines because its demise provided a warning of dangerous levels of toxic gases.
|
miners' canary »
Any thing, especially an organism, whose demise or distress provides an early warning of danger.
|
monkey business »
An activity that may be considered illegal, questionable, or a vice, but not felonious.
|
mouth of a sailor »
The characteristic of regularly using vulgar language, especially strong profanities; a person having this characteristic.
|
mouth organ »
harmonica
|
mouthful of marbles »
An indistinct, muffled or garbled manner of speaking.
|
mug's game »
A foolish, profitless, or hopeless undertaking.
|
my arse »
Indicates disapproval, disregard, disdain, disgust or disbelief.
|
my eye »
Expression of disapproval, disregard, disdain, disgust or disbelief.
|
my foot »
Indicates disapproval, disregard, disdain, disgust or disbelief.
|
nail biter »
An engaging or exciting cliffhanger.
|
nightcap »
The second game of a doubleheader.
|
no joy »
A negative outcome.
|
no matter »
regardless of
|
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.
|
no pain, no gain »
One must be willing to endure some inconvenience or discomfort in order to achieve worthwhile goals.
|
no strings attached »
Without conditions or obligations; without a catch.
|
nobody's perfect »
Used when someone's mistakes or flaws are acknowledged, to remind that everyone else makes mistakes and has flaws1995, New York Magazine Vol. 28, No. 5, 30 January 1995, The de-moralization of society (Book Review)Hypocrisy, particularly in sexual matters, is excused on the grounds that hey, nobody's perfect, and at least folks back then felt bad enough to lie.2000, Madonna, Nobody's PerfectI feel so sad. What I did wasn't right. I feel so bad and I must say to you: Sorry, but nobody's perfect. Nobody's perfect. What did you expect? I'm doing my best
|
not win for losing »
To repeatedly fail in one's gambles or efforts.
|
nothing ventured, nothing gained »
If one takes no risks, one will not gain any benefits.
|
noughts and crosses »
pen and paper game
|
nut-cutting time »
Time to gather nuts before they are taken by other animals or buried in snow.
|
off one's game »
C. 1910, Ralph Henry Barbour, "The Dub" in The New Boy at Hilltop and Other Stories.
|
off one's game »
Performing in any activity below one's usual level; behaving in an irregular, inept, or awkward manner; feeling unwell.
|
off one's game »
Playing or competing below one's usual level of performance.
|
off one's own bat »
At one's own instigation.
|
off the top of one's head »
Without great thought or investigation; extemporaneous; natural; offhand.
|
off-color »
Considered dirty, vulgar or obscene.
|
old maid »
card game
|
on board »
Even when I am on board the plane, I can never feel secure that my luggage is, too.
|
on one's feet »
Being well again after a bout of illness.
|
on spec »
I'm writing an article on spec. I hope some magazine will buy it.
|
on the clock »
Displayed numerically on the mileage or kilometric gauge.
|
on the clock »
In the official time expired in a game or other sporting event.
|
on the clock »
In the official time remaining in a game or other sporting event.
|
on the clock »
Of a taxicab, engaged for hire; displayed numerically as time or fare on the meter of a taxicab.
|
on the defensive »
Prepared to defend or protect against criticism, attack or aggression.
|
on the game »
Working as a prostitute.
|
on the ropes »
Leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse.
|
on track »
On a well-defined promotion path in an organisation, usually tenure.
|
once again »
Again.
|
one of his majesty's bad bargains »
A worthless soldier, a malingeror.
|
one-man band »
An organisation or business that is effectively run by only one person.
|
ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny »
(biology, social sciences, art, philosophy) The physical, cultural, moral, or intellectual development of each individual passes through stages similar to the developmental stages of that individual's species, society, or civilization.1905, J. A. Harris, "The Importance of Investigations of Seedling Stages," Science, New Series, vol. 22, no. 554, p. 186:With reference to seedling stages the statement that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny must be made with great reserve.1961, M. E. Wolfgang, "Pioneers in Criminology: Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909)," The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science, vol. 52, no. 4, p. 367:Haeckel maintained that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, and this idea was incorporated by Lombroso into his parallelism between the criminal and the child.2002, B. S. Jackson, "Models in Legal History: The Case of Biblical Law," Journal of Law and Religion, vol. 18, no. 1, p. 11:For even if we accept that "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny," those responsible for the drafting of ancient legal documents were not children, and are hardly to be endowed with some form of infantile mentality.
|
opposite number »
A person who holds a position in an organization that corresponds to that held by another person in an other organization; a counterpart.
|
out of gas »
Lacking fuel.
|
out of gas »
Tired; lacking energy or motivation.
|
out of house and home »
Gail White, Partying with the Intelligentsia.
|
out of reach »
The adult magazines were out of reach of toddlers.
|
out of wedlock »
Of parents not legally married.
|
outsider »
A newcomer with little or no experience in an organization or community.
|
outsider »
One who is not part of a community or organization.
|
over and over »
Repeatedly; again and again; many times.
|
painting rocks »
Pointless or futile work organised by the government, supposedly to increase employment but in fact merely disguising the unemployment level.
|
paper trail »
The records left by a person or organization in the course of activities.
|
party crasher »
Someone who attempts and often gains entry to a party or club to which they were not invited, often using social engineering techniques. The party crasher usually tries to blend into the party so as not to be kicked out.
|
pass by »
To pass over. disregard, overlook.
|
pay one's dues »
To acquire status or to earn the right to enjoy certain benefits, especially through lengthy experience, hardship, or service to an organization.
|
peachy keen »
Extremely good, exactly right; all right. Often used in the negative or with an ironic or sarcastic connotation to mean the opposite.
|
peanut gallery »
Any source of heckling, unwelcome commentary or criticism, especially from a know-it-all or of an inexpert nature.
|
penny pincher »
One who spends little money; one who is very frugal or cautious with money.
|
penny wise and pound foolish »
Prudent and thrifty with small amounts of money, but wasteful and profligate with large amounts.
|
pick up »
To clean up; to return to an organized state.
|
pickle »
Any vegetable preserved in vinegar and consumed as relish.
|
pickle »
A children’s game with three participants that emulates a baseball rundown.
|
pickle »
A cucumber preserved in a solution, usually a brine or a vinegar syrup.
|
pig out »
They watched the game and pigged out on chips and pizza.
|
pinchpenny »
One who spends little money; one who is very frugal or cautious with money.
|
piss and vinegar »
Exuberance or enthusiasm, especially to an excessive degree; bravado; youthful energy.
|
piss up a rope »
To engage in futile or impossible activity.
|
pissing contest »
An argument which is instigated, or exacerbated while consuming alcohol.
|
pit against »
To set someone in opposition to someone else.
|
pitched battle »
A hostile engagement involving sustained, full-scale fighting between opposing forces in close combat.
|
play around »
To engage in sexual practices outside of marriage.
|
play ball »
An expression used at the beginning of a game of baseball.
|
play dumb »
To pretend to be slow-witted or lacking in specific knowledge, usually in order to avoid responsibility or to gain some advantage.
|
play for love »
To play a game of cards without stakes.
|
play games »
To deceive, to lie about one's intentions.
|
play hardball »
To use every means possible to achieve a goal, especially in disregarding the harm caused.
|
play one against another »
To manipulate two persons into competing against one another in a way that benefits the person carrying out the manipulation.
|
play to the gallery »
To appeal to the least sophisticated parts of an audience in order to obtain maximum approval.
|
poacher turned gamekeeper »
A person who now works against the same people they once supported.
|
poison »
A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism.
|
polo shirt »
garment
|
potty mouth »
The characteristic of regularly using vulgar language, especially strong profanities; a person having this characteristic.
|
pound sand »
To engage in a futile activity.
|
press the flesh »
To shake hands and socialize, especially in a political gathering.
|
private eye »
A private personal detective, employed to gather information about someone.
|
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 own weight »
To do the work that one is obligated to.
|
pull one's weight »
To do the work that one is obligated to.
|
pump iron »
To lift weights; to engage in weight or strength training.
|
purple prose »
Extravagant or flowery writing, especially in a literary work.
|
push the boat out »
To do something, especially spend money, more extravagantly than usual, particularly for a celebration.
|
put away »
To store away, place out of the way, clean up, or organize.
|
put away »
To take a large lead in a game.
|
put out feelers »
To explore or watch for; ask around; investigate.
|
put the pedal to the metal »
To press the gas pedal to the maximum extent.
|
put through the wringer »
To interrogate or scrutinize closely; to subject to some trial or ordeal.
|
rain or shine »
Regardless of what the circumstances are, and how the weather is.
|
rake »
A garden tool with a row of pointed teeth fixed to a long handle, used for collecting grass or debris, or for loosening soil.
|
real deal »
A thing or person which is genuine, authentic, or worthy of serious regard.
|
red letter day »
Usually very positive, sometimes very negative.
|
ride roughshod over »
To act in a bullying or inconsiderate manner; to display disregard towards someone or something.
|
ring around »
To call a number of people by phone, usually a circle of friends, to organise something.
|
ring round »
To call a number of people by phone, usually a circle of friends, to organise something.
|
rip off »
To copy, especially illegally.
|
rock the boat »
To disturb the status quo or go against rules or conventions, as in an effort to get attention.
|
roll out the red carpet »
To extend the utmost hospitality; to treat someone as an honored guest; to welcome or host, especially in a showy or extravagant manner.
|
rub up against »
To touch something with one's body.
|
rub up against »
To touch another person with one's body in a sexually stimulating manner.
|
rub up against »
Of pets. To touch a person's body in a friendly manner, seeking attention.
|
rumor mill »
A group or network of persons who originate or promulgate gossip and other unsubstantiated claims.
|
run away with »
To leave secretly with another person. Usually with the intention of getting married or of living together against the wishes of the family.
|
run down »
To criticize someone or an organisation, often unfairly.
|
run for the roses »
A college football game or series of games played with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the championship Rose Bowl game.
|
run out the clock »
To preserve a lead in a game by retaining possession, to waste time.
|
run the gamut »
To encompass the full range or variety possible.
|
run through »
To pervade, of a quality that is characteristic of a group, organisation, or system.
|
run up against »
Begin to encounter problems with someone or something.
|
salad years »
The inexperienced, youthful prime of an individual, group, organization or entity.
|
sauce for the goose »
A short form of what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander
|
scope out »
To examine; to scout; to investigate; to check out.
|
scrape together »
To collect, assemble or gather small amounts , from various sources, with some difficulty.
|
scratch that »
To disregard, omit, or ignore the previous statement.
|
scrimp and save »
To scrimp greatly; to economize; to live very frugally, particularly when saving for something.
|
see the forest for the trees »
To discern an overall pattern from a mass of detail; to see the bigger picture, or the broader, more general situation. Generally used in the negative.
|
see the light »
To gain an understanding of something previously not understood, especially in a sudden insight.
|
sell a bargain »
A species of wit, much in vogue about the latter end of the reign of Queen Anne, and frequently alluded to by Dean Swift, who says the maids of honour often amused themselves with it. It consisted in the seller naming his or her hinder parts, in answer to the question, What? which the buyer was artfully led to ask. As a specimen, take the following instance: A lady would come into a room full of company, apparently frightened, crying out "It is white, and follows me!" As soon as someone responded "What?" she sold him the bargain, by saying "Mine arse".
|
sell ice to Eskimos »
To persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.
|
sell-by date »
The final date on which a perishable product can be legally sold to the public.
|
send away for »
To write to a business or other organisation, requesting a thing.
|
set off »
To count an addition in one thing against a reduction in something else.
|
shoot 'em up »
A short story, novel, television show, film, computer game, or other narrative which depicts considerable gunplay.
|
shoot oneself in the foot »
To act against one's own interests, e.g., by saying what one is really thinking.
|
shoot oneself in the foot »
To deliberately sabotage an activity in order to avoid obligation, though it causes personal suffering. Origins in first world war trench warfare.
|
short of a length »
Of a ball that pitches short of a good length; a ball that bounces closer to the bowler than the area of the pitch regarded as the best for dismissing or restricting the scoring of the batsman.
|
show somebody the door »
To escort someone to the exit of the premises; to expel someone from a room, gathering, etc.
|
show up »
To outperform or one-up, often in an arrogant manner.
|
shroud »
That which clothes, covers, conceals, or protects; a garment.
|
shrug off »
To ignore or disregard; to be indifferent.
|
sing along »
A gathering or event where participants are encouraged to add their voices in song.
|
skin in the game »
A stake; something at risk.
|
skip rope »
To jump over a rope, both of whose ends are held by the jumper or by two others, while the rope is moved under the jumper's feet in a continual rhythm; to play the game of jump rope or exercise by jumping rope.
|
slippery as an eel »
So crafty, or cunning that they cannot be caught by the police, although it is known that they are acting illegally.
|
smear campaign »
An effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.
|
smell like a rose »
To be regarded as appealing, virtuous, or respectable; to be untainted or unharmed.
|
snot-nosed »
Young and arrogant or conceited.
|
so much as »
Even; suggests a minimum, especially regarding what might be expected.
|
so much for »
An expression of disregard, or resignation; something said upon giving up, quitting, or disposing of something.
|
so-called »
Same as above, without the negative connotation.
|
soft mick »
An extravagant person.
|
sort oneself out »
To organize or solve one's personal problems.
|
sort out »
To organise or separate into groups, as a collection of items, so as to make tidy.
|
speak to »
To give evidence regarding something; to attest for.
|
spice up »
To make more exotic, fun or extravagant.
|
spruce up »
To dress or arrange smartly, elegantly, and neatly.
|
stage of the game »
A point in the progress of an ongoing dispute or process.
|
stand up against »
To defy or challenge someone.
|
start over »
To begin again; to return to the beginning.
|
step on a rake »
To step on the tines of a garden rake, causing the handle of the rake to rise from the ground rapidly, invariably striking the person walking in the face.
|
straight man »
A member of a team of comic performers who plays a supporting role by helping to set up jokes and punch lines through engaging in preparatory dialog with the principal comedian; a foil who plays such a role in theatrical comedy.
|
sugarcoated »
Coated with sugar.
|
sugarcoated »
Made superficially more attractive. This often implies the reality has faults that are being hidden.
|
swings and roundabouts »
Offsetting gains and losses.
|
sword and sorcery »
Of or pertaining to a genre of narratives—including short stories, novels, television shows, films, and computer games—which combines wizardry and other fantastical supernatural elements with violent combat using medieval weaponry..
|
take a dim view of »
To dislike; to regard with skepticism, disbelief, disfavor, etc.
|
take a gamble »
To risk; to try something risky.
|
take a gander »
To take a look; to check or examine.
|
take against »
To stop liking someone. Become unfriendly.
|
take against »
He took against me when I was promoted over him.
|
take back »
To regain possession of something.
|
take heart »
Be courageous; regain one's courage.
|
take its toll »
To affect, especially negatively; to damage or degrade; to cause destruction.
|
take the plunge »
To get engaged.
|
take to the cleaners »
To take a significant quantity of a person's money or valuables, through gambling, unfavorable investing, fraud, litigation, etc.
|
take up the gauntlet »
To accept a challenge.
|
take upon »
To take charge of an item of business, or an obligation, as a personal initiative.
|
talk dirty »
To use profane language, especially sexual vulgarities for the purpose of arousal.
|
talk like an apothecary »
To use hard or gallipot words: from the assumed gravity and affectation of knowledge generally put on by the gentlemen of this profession, who are commonly as superficial in their learning as they are pedantic in their language.
|
tank top »
garment
|
tart up »
To dress garishly.
|
tear away »
To remove oneself reluctantly; often expressed in the negative.
|
tear up »
Or against.
|
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.
|
the beast with two backs »
Two people engaged in sexual intercourse.
|
the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on »
Life goes on, even if some will try to stop or talk against progress.
|
the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get »
(vulgar) The sexual satisfactions that one receives from a spouse or romantic partner are not sufficient to compensate for the significant periods of bad faith and unpleasant treatment which such relationships routinely involve.1971, Allen Churchill, The Literary Decade, ISBN 9780135375228:Years later she expressed her disillusionment with sex by saying, "The fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."1999, Ben Sonnenberg, Lost Property: Memoirs and Confessions of a Bad Boy, ISBN 9781582430454, p. 93:Maitland got drunk at his parties and threw his arm around you and pulled you over to his wife and made you look down her dress, saying, "The trouble with marriage is that the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."2008, Joseph Heywood, Blue Wolf In Green Fire, ISBN 9781599213590, p. 63:"I can't believe a little pussy got me into dis mess." "Shit happens," Service said. "Sometimes the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."
|
the name of the game »
The overall purpose; the principal goal, or objective.
|
then again »
From another point of view; on the other hand; on second thought.
|
there's no I in team »
A team game is focused on the team, not on the individual.
|
think better of it »
To change one's mind; especially to decide against.
|
think one's shit doesn't stink »
To be arrogant or snobbish; to feel superior to others.
|
third degree »
Intensive rough interrogation in order to extract information or a confession.
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throw dirt enough, and some will stick »
If enough allegations are made about someone or something, then even if they are all untrue, people's opinion of the person or thing will be diminished.1759, John Wesley, letter to John Downes, Rector of St. Michael's, Wood Street, read at Wesley Center Online at [1] on 14 Oct 06.I hope...that you are ignorant of the whole affair, and are so bold only because you are blind...And blind enough; so that you blunder on through thick and thin, bespattering all that come in your way, according to the old, laudable maxim, 'Throw dirt enough, and some will stick.'1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's Schooldays, read at fullbooks.com on 14 Oct 06,But whatever harm a spiteful tongue could do them, he took care should be done. Only throw dirt enough, and some will stick.1864, John Henry Newman, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, Penguin Classics (1994), p. 10,Archbishop Whately used to say
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throw down the gauntlet »
To issue a challenge.
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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.
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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
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throw money away »
To spend money foolishly or indiscriminately; to waste money without regard of the consequences.
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throw up »
To display a gang sign using the hands.
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throwing money away »
The act of spending money foolishly; wasting money without regard of the consequences.
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tiger team »
A specialized group tasked with testing the effectiveness of an organization's ability to protect assets by attempting to circumvent, defeat or otherwise thwart that organization's internal and external security.
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tight ship »
A well-organized and highly disciplined organization.
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tilt at windmills »
To go on a wild goose chase; to persistently engage in a futile activity.
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time after time »
Again and again; repeatedly; every time; always.
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time heals all wounds »
Negative feelings eventually erode away
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tin ear »
Insensitivity to and inability to appreciate the elements of performed music or the rhythm, elegance, or nuances of language.
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tomorrow is another day »
Tomorrow will bring new opportunities and a fresh start for one's endeavors.1600, author unknown, "Phillidaes Love-call to her Coridon, and his replying" (song), in England's Helicon, printed at London by I.R. for John Flasket:Phil. Yonder comes my Mother, Coridon,whether shall I flie?Cor. Under yonder Beech my lovely one,while she passeth by.Say to her thy true-Love was not heere,remember, remember,to morrow is another day:1896, Amelia E. Barr, A Knight of the Nets, ch. 8:"Well, well, my dear lass, to-night we cannot work, but we may sleep. . . . Keep a still heart tonight, and tomorrow is another day."1936, Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind, ch. 63:"Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day."2005, Fran Schumer, "JERSEY: In Princeton, Taking On Harvard's Fuss About Women," New York Times, 19 June (retrieved 18 Aug. 2009):"Half of me is depressed
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top shelf »
Books, magazines, or movies that have adult content, or soft-core porn.
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track record »
An organization's, product's, or person's past performance reviewed in its entirety, usually for the purpose of making a judgment.
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turf war »
A dispute over territory between rival gangs.
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turn against »
To rebel or oppose something formerly supported.
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turn against »
To rotate against or in opposition to something.
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turn heads »
To garner a considerable amount of attention.
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turn on »
To rebel; to go against something formerly supported.
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turn over a new leaf »
To engage in self-improvement; to begin a good habit or shed a bad habit.
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turnabout is fair play »
It is allowable to retaliate against an enemy's dirty tricks by using the same ones against him.
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two can play that game »
The tactics and/or strategies of an enemy can be used against him.
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under the yoke »
Under subjugation.
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up against »
Facing; challenging, or opposing.
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up against »
In contact with, abutting.
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up to »
Against; next to; near; towards.
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uphill battle »
A challenge with the odds of success stacked strongly against.
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ups and downs »
Periods of positive and negative events, moods, or interactions; highs and lows.
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valley of death »
Lord Alfred Tennyson, The Charge of the Light Brigade.
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walk it off »
To deal with an negative emotional event without complaint; to take it like a man.
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walk the plank »
To be forced to resign from a position in an organization.
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watch one's mouth »
To be careful about what one says, especially with regard to disrespectful or profane language.
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wear rose-colored glasses »
To see the positive in things while being oblivious to the negative.
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what of it »
So what? Who cares? Expresses disinterest, disregard or lack of concern.
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what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander »
If something is acceptable for one person, it is acceptable for another.
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when you're up to your neck in alligators, it's easy to forget that the initial objective was to drain the swamp »
Only because it seems so urgent.
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when, as, and if »
Used to indicate the timing and contingency of some obligation in contracts, especially financial.
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whistle Dixie »
To engage in a pointless or unproductive activity; to do something without resolve, seriousness or commitment.
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willy nilly »
Without regard for consequences or the will of those affected.
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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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winter rat »
An old, unattractive automobile, purchased for little money, to be driven during brutal Great Lakes winters while the owner's "good" car remains garaged and protected from corrosive road salt for the season.
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wolf down »
Quickly and without regard for table manners.
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woo back »
To gain somebody back by wooing him or her.
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work against the clock »
To work very quickly because you know you only have a very limited period of time to do something.
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work the room »
To interact enthusiastically with the attendees at an event, by moving among them, greeting them, and engaging them in conversation.
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wouldn't shout if a shark bit him »
Frugal, miserly.
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wrestling with a pig »
To engage in a pointless task that leaves one worse off for having made an honest attempt.
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yellow journalism »
Material published in a broadcast or periodical, such as a tabloid newspaper or magazine, which is sensationalistic and of questionable accuracy and taste.
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yield up »
To give something against one's will.
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you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar »
It's easier to persuade others with polite requests and a positive attitude than with rude demands and negativity.
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you can say that again »
That is very true.
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you can't polish a turd »
(vulgar) Something inherently bad cannot be improved.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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