act like a bull in a china shop »
To act rudely or clumsily in a delicate situation.
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all the rage »
Very fashionable and popular, like a craze.
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ask for »
To increase the likelihood of something by persisting in some action; to invite.
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back up »
For the non-striker to take a few steps down the pitch, in preparation to taking a run, just as the bowler bowls the ball.
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beat down »
To strike with great force.
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bet dollars to donuts »
To suggest that something is very likely to be true or that one has a strong hunch about something.
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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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black sheep »
A disliked person; one who is disfavored.
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brickbat »
A piece of brick used as a weapon, especially if thrown, or placed in something like a sock and used as a club.
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bring owls to Athens »
Perhaps we have not been sufficiently aware that talking about access and its implications in Scandinavia is like bringing owls to Athens. — Herbert Burkert.
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built like a brick shithouse »
Exceptionally well constructed; strong or tough.
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built like a brick shithouse »
Of a person, with an exceptionally well-developed chest.
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built like a tank »
Broad shouldered and of solid, muscular build.
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built like a tank »
Sturdy; exceptionally well constructed.
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bung up »
To close an opening with a cork, cork like object or other improvised obstruction.
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button-down »
Serious; staid; businesslike.
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by the same token »
For a similar reason; in a similar manner; similarly; likewise; along the same lines.
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castle in the air »
A visionary project or scheme; a day-dream; an idle fancy; a pipe dream; any plan, desire, or idea that is unlikely to be ever realized; a near impossibility.
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chance'd be a fine thing »
Given to indicate that an aforementioned thing would be desirable but unlikely. Comparable to if I should be so lucky.
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chances are »
It is likely that, it is probable that.
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che sera sera »
Used to express a personal philosophy of fatalism1604, Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus:Why then belike we must sin, / And so consequently die. / Aye, we must die an everlasting death. / What doctrine call you this ? Che, sera, sera: / What will be*, shall be; Divinity adieu. / These Metaphysics of Magicians, / And necromantic books, are heavenly.
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chrome horn »
The front bumper of a car when used to bump another vehicle, usually to inform the driver of the other vehicle, that the first car would like to pass.
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cotton to »
To like; approve of, accept, or tolerate.
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cross off »
To strike out; to cross out; to draw a line through.
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cross out »
To strike out; to draw a line through.
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cruising for a bruising »
Following a course of action likely to result in injury or other trouble for oneself.
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cut up »
To behave like a clown.
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dark horse »
A candidate who is nominated unexpectedly, without previously having been discussed or considered as a likely choice.
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date with destiny »
An inevitable future event or encounter, especially one which is likely to be momentous.
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deathblow »
A strike or blow that leads to death, especially a coup de grace.
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deer in the headlights »
A mental state of high arousal caused by anxiety fear, panic, surpriseand/or confusion, or substance abuse. The behavioral signs are like a deer subjected to a car's headlights, such as widely opened eyes and a lack of motor reactions.
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different as chalk and cheese »
Two things which are superficially alike but very different in substance.
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dirty word »
The name of a topic that a person does not like to hear or discuss.
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dog's life »
A life of indolence where the individual may do as he or she pleases, just like a pampered dog.
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don't hold your breath »
"Don't wait." Said cynically to suggest that what has just been mentioned to is unlikely to happen soon or at all.
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drop back »
Of a quarterback or other player in the backfield, to take a number of steps back from the line of scrimmage immediately after the snap or hike of the ball, to avoid defenders.
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ear tunnel »
A piece of jewelry that fits into a stretched earlobe hole and makes it seem like a peephole and makes it see-through.
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even money »
By extension, an event that is somewhat likely to happen, but far from inevitable.
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everything happens for a reason »
All events are purposeful.Everything happens for a reason, so there is no such thing as failure. Mary-Kate OlsenPeople like to say "everything happens for a reason." If you repeat that in your head long enough that starts to sound like "anything can happen with a razor." Laura KightlingerI believe that everything happens for a reason, but I think it's important to seek out that reason - that's how we learn. Drew Barrymore
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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.
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fat chance »
Little or no likelihood of occurrence or success.
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front runner »
The most likely winners in a contest, election, etc.
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give the devil his due »
To acknowledge the positive qualities of a person who is unpleasant or disliked.
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go off »
To like less.
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go to sleep »
An expression used to dismiss an extremely foolish statement, or to dismiss somebody that one does not feel like talking to.
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good luck with that »
An expression wishing someone success in an unlikely enterprise.
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goon squad »
A group of individuals serving as enforcers, bodyguards, and the like, especially persons hired for such a purpose and using violent, thuggish methods.
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great minds think alike »
Used to emphasize a coincidence, or two people reaching the same conclusion in any manner at the same time.
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greatest thing since sliced bread »
A relatively recent invention likely to significantly improve people's lives.
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grin like a Cheshire cat »
To smile broadly, especially in a self-satisfied way.
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grow on »
To become more likeable to someone.
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hard pressed »
Having or likely to have difficulty or to find a task almost impossible.
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he who smelt it dealt it »
(colloquial, originally) A person who calls attention to or complains about a fart is likely trying to pretend it wasn't his or her own.(colloquial, by extension) Used to suggest that a person calling attention to or complaining about a given problem may in fact be the source of the problem.
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hell hath no fury like a woman scorned »
A woman will make someone suffer if they reject her.
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hen's teeth »
Anything very rare or impossible to obtain is said to be like finding hen’s teeth.
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hike up »
To lift; to tug or pull upwards.
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hike up »
To raise or increase sharply.
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hit paydirt »
To strike it rich; to get lucky or have a big break.
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hit the bricks »
To participate in a workplace strike or other job action; to participate in a public protest, especially one involving picketing.
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how do you like them apples »
Directed jestingly or mockingly at someone who has received surprising information, ridiculing the situation.
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if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail »
With limited tools, single-minded people apply them inappropriately or indiscriminatelyIf a person is familiar with a certain, single subject/has with them a certain, single instrument, they may have a confirmation bias to believe that it is the answer to/involved in everything.
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in a pig's eye »
Very unlikely; probably never.
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in for a dime, in for a dollar »
Americanised form of in for a penny, in for a pound.1983, Allen Drury, Decision, p. 356:In for a dime, in for a dollar, he thought crazily, and said what he had to say in a voice he forced to stay level and calm.1998, Ellen Miller, Like Being Killed, p. 47:In for a dime, in for a dollar. I whispered to Gerry,
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in the doghouse »
Unmarried and unlikely to marry.
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in the running »
Of a candidate, potential or likely; worthy of consideration.
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it takes all kinds to make a world »
Diversity is essential: the world would be incomplete if everyone were alike.He irons his clothes how?! That's crazy! Well, I guess it takes all kinds.
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just like that »
In that manner.
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just like that »
Unexpectedly, without warning.
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kick in »
To kick or strike so as to cause the object struck to collapse or fall inwards.
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kids will be kids »
You cannot expect children to act like adults.
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knock out »
To strike or bump someone or something out.
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knock over »
To bump or strike something in such a way as to tip it.
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know like the back of one's hand »
To be intimately knowledgeable about something, especially a place.
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lay about »
To strike blows in all directions.
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life is like a box of chocolates »
Life is full of surprises, you never know what will happen next.
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like a cat on a hot tin roof »
Jumpy, nervous.
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like a million bucks »
Extremely good or well.
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like a million dollars »
Extremely good or well.
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like crazy »
To a great or excessive degree; with great speed, output, enthusiasm, etc.
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like father, like son »
A son will have traits similar to his father upon reaching adulthood.
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like gangbusters »
Vigorously, rapidly, zealously, or forcibly; in a manner which has considerable impact.
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like hot cakes »
Quickly, especially by purchase or consumption.
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like it or lump it »
To accept a situation whether one agrees with it or not.
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like it's going out of style »
Enthusiastically, to an excessive degree.
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like nobody's business »
In an extreme manner; rapidly; excessively; like crazy.
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like the back end of a bus »
Very unattractive.
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like the new time »
Furiously or vigorously, repeatedly.
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like water off a duck's back »
Without immediate or lasting effects.
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lion »
A large cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly to much of Europe. The term may apply to the species as a whole, to individuals, or to male individuals. It also applies to related species like mountain lions.
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long shot »
Something unlikely; something that has little chance of happening or working. The term arose from the accuracy of early ship guns, which were effective only at close range and unlikely to hit the mark at any great distance.
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look like »
To be similar in appearance to; resemble.
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look like »
To seem.
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lost errand »
A mission likely to fail.
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lucky dip »
September 2005, BBC News - Dome sale 'was like a lucky dip'.
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lump it »
To endure, accept, put up with a situation one does not like.
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make out like a bandit »
To profit greatly; to get an excessively good deal.
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match made in heaven »
A marriage that is likely to be happy and successful because the two people are very compatible with each other.
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match made in hell »
A marriage that is likely to be unhappy or abusive and unsuccessful because the two people are very incompatible with each other.
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measure twice and cut once »
(literally, carpentry) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.1872, "Dressmaking," Hall's Journal of Health, vol. 19, no. 12, p. 280:Look at Carpenters! . . . In old times it was a proverb "Measure twice, and cut once."(figuratively, by extension) Plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action.2008, Hilary Johnson, "Mergers rattle bank relations," Financial Week, 9 Nov. (retrieved 9 Nov. 2008):Mr. Paz noted that since the onset of the credit crisis, eBay, like other companies, hasn
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mickey finn »
spiked drink
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mike up »
To fit a microphone and transmitter to a person. Usually for television performers, or for police informers.
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mine arse on a bandbox »
An answer to the offer of any thing inadequate to the purpose for which it is proffered, like offering a bandbox for a seat.
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mint condition »
Used, but still like new, as if freshly minted.
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more like it »
Better, more desirable.
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no love lost »
Dislike, animosity.
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no time like the present »
A shortened form of there's no time like the present
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not cricket »
Unsportsmanlike.
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not long for this world »
Unlikely to remain for much time.
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off chance »
A condition of not being likely or probable.
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off the radar »
Unlikely to happen, or be important in the near future or tending to escape detection or attention.
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out of the woods »
Out of peril; likely to recover or prevail over trouble; finished with the worst or most threatening part of a problem or illness.
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out the door »
The exact image, a lookalike.
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over and out »
Used to signal the end of a conversation, especially one conducted by CB radio or the like.
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pipe dream »
A plan, desire, or idea that will not likely work; a near impossibility.
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pissin like a race horse »
To urinate profusely.
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play down »
To make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.
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play someone like a fiddle »
Skilfully.
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play up »
To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely or obvious; to showcase or highlight.
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push one's luck »
To take an excessive risk or to attempt some task unlikely to succeed, especially after having already been unexpectedly lucky.
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put away »
To strike out a batter.
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Rabbit »
Caught like a rabbit in the headlights.
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rag bagger »
A sailboat, usually a cruising sailboats which tend to carry and store lots of supplies along the deck, or any sailboat that looks like a neglected vessel, or messy vessel.
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rocking horse shit »
A metaphor for something exceedingly rare or, more likely, nonexistent.
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run around with »
To spend a lot of time with a person or group of people. Often used to talk about a person's group of friends that one does not like much.
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second childhood »
A childlike state in any adult, resulting from mental illness, trauma, or other conditions.
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second childhood »
The period or state of cognitive decline of an elderly person, characterized by childlike judgment and behavior.
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sell like hot cakes »
To sell fast.
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shoo-in »
A candidate or contestant generally agreed upon as the presumptive winner; somebody who is well-liked or widely agreed upon.
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shoot through like a Bondi tram »
To leave in haste.
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shotgun »
A play formation in which the quarterback is a few feet behind the snapper when the ball is hiked, ideally allowing for an easier pass play.
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shroud »
That which covers or shelters like a shroud.
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shuffle »
A rhythm commonly used in blues music. Consists of a series of triplet notes with the middle note missing, so that it sounds like a long note followed by a short note. Sounds like a walker dragging one foot.
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silver bullet »
A cocktail somewhat like a martini.
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slim chance »
Little or no likelihood of occurrence or success.
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smack of »
To seem like; to appear or give an impression or feeling of; to arouse suspicion of.
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smell like a rose »
To be regarded as appealing, virtuous, or respectable; to be untainted or unharmed.
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smell the barn »
To experience heightened anticipation or to act with renewed speed or energy as one approaches a destination, goal, or other desired outcome, like a livestock animal at day's end returning to its barn.
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smoke like a chimney »
To smoke tobacco frequently.
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snowball's chance in hell »
Little or no likelihood of occurrence or success.
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spanner »
A hand tool shaped like a small crank handle, for winding the spring of a wheel lock on a musket.
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speak to »
To resonate with, to strike a chord in.
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squint like a bag of nails »
To squint very much, as though one's eyes were directed as many ways as the points of a bag of nails.
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strike through »
Partly obliterate text by drawing a continuous line through the centre thereof, usually to indicate the deletion of an error or obsolete information.
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strike up »
To start something with somebody else. Usually a conversation or relationship.
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strike up »
To start something, usually playing live music.
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strike while the iron is hot »
To act on an opportunity promptly; to avoid waiting.
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stuffed like a turkey »
Engorged from overeating.
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such as »
Like, of the kind mentioned.
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sure enough »
Just like one would expect.
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take a dim view of »
To dislike; to regard with skepticism, disbelief, disfavor, etc.
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take a hike »
To go away; to leave or depart.
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take a hike »
To go hiking.
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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.
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talk the talk »
Speak like an expert, claim to be knowledgeable about something.
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tart up »
To dress like a prostitute.
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the whole nine yards »
And everything. Often used, like etc., to finish out a list.
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there's no fool like an old fool »
Age does not bring wisdom.
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there's no place like home »
one feels the most comfortable at home
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there's no time like the present »
Now (i.e., the present time) is an appropriate time to take a particular action.
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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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tickle somebody's funny bone »
To amuse; to strike somebody as funny.
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tickle the ivories »
I don't have as much time as I'd like, but I still enjoy tickling the ivories from time to time.
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to give a person line »
To allow a person more or less liberty until it is convenient to stop or check him/her, like a hooked fish that swims away with the line.
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toss-up »
Either of two outcomes that are equally likely.
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twist in the wind »
To be unassisted and without comfort in a situation likely to result in distress or failure.
|
up-and-comer »
Someone who is up-and-coming, who has begun to be successful in some field and is likely to become even more successful in the future.
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wail on »
To strike an opponent heavily and repeatedly in a fight.
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walk it off »
To deal with an negative emotional event without complaint; to take it like a man.
|
walk out »
To stage a walkout or strike.
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walk the walk »
Act competently, like an expert.
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whale on »
To strike an opponent heavily and repeatedly in a fight.
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when the cat's away »
People are likely to take advantage of the absence of authority or enforcement of compliance.
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white hole »
A theoretically possible but physically highly unlikely singularity which would emit matter and energy; the antithesis of a black hole.
|
white on rice »
A descriptive analogy of closeness. See like white on rice.
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wimp out »
To behave like a wimp.
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wishful thinking »
The illusion that what one would like is actually true.
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work like a charm »
works great - exactly as expected
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yank off »
To remove something, like a piece of cloth or bread, by tearing it with one quick strong pull.
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yank out »
To remove something like a nail, or a tooth with one quick strong pull.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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