all in a day's work »
A nonchalant dismissal of a significant accomplishment.
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amateur hour »
A situation or activity in which the participants show a lack of skill, sound judgment, or professionalism.
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At ease with nudity »
ISM free identification with nude recreation
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baptism by fire »
A change in initial attitude or ideals through a traumatic situation.
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baptism by fire »
A rite of passage through the survival or success of a crisis.
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baptism by fire »
A trying ordeal that was not experienced before.
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been there, done that, bought the T-shirt »
Expresses the speaker's complete familiarity with a situation, with overtones of cynicism or exhaustion.
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bite the bullet »
To endure a punishment or consequence with dignity or stoicism.
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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.
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borganism »
Some forms of government.
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brickbat »
A criticism or uncomplimentary remark hurled at artwork or other recipient.
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brickbat »
For example, it's quite common for magazines to have a section called Bouquets and Brickbats for compliments and criticisms.
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broad shoulders »
The ability to take criticism, or accept responsibility.
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brush off »
An abrupt rebuff or dismissal.
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che sara sara »
Used to express a personal philosophy of fatalism1892 March 17, Cigarette,
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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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clothes don't make the man »
An aphorism meaning that you cannot judge a person solely by his appearance. Usually pertains to men.
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come out of one's shell »
To become a naturist. To convert to naturism.
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damn the torpedoes »
Used to dismiss the risks of a dangerous action.
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damn with faint praise »
To provide praise that is so minimal or inconsequential as to actually amount to criticism.
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dismal science »
Nickname for economics or for the field of political economy.
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facts on the ground »
A euphemism, similar to fait accompli, used as an oblique way of saying that discussions over the possession of a given piece of territory has been rendered moot by the presence of military forces.
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fourth estate »
Journalism or journalists considered as a group; the Press.
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get one's marching orders »
To be dismissed disgracefully.
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get the boot »
To be dismissed from employment.
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get the chop »
To be dismissed from employment.
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gets down »
dismounts
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give the boot »
To fire, to sack, to dismiss.
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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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grain of salt »
A bit of common sense and skepticism. Generally used in some form of to take with a grain of salt.
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hatchet job »
A treatment which serves primarily to disparage its subject; a piece of criticism which aims to destroy a reputation.
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haul his ashes »
A euphemism for sexual intercourse.
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hold water »
To withstand scrutiny or criticism; to be valid.
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if pigs had wings they would fly »
(colloquial) Expresses speakers skepticism toward a hypothetical argument by another.
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in the works »
In a mechanism or machine.
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kick off the team »
In sports, to dismiss an athlete from a team, usually for misconduct, poor academic performance or other offenses.
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left-handed compliment »
A complimentary remark which is ambiguous or ineptly worded, so that it may be interpreted as having an unflattering or dismissive sense.
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let go »
To dismiss from employment.
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mince words »
To restrain oneself in a conversation by withholding some comments or using euphemisms.
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miner's canary »
Any thing, especially an organism, whose demise or distress provides an early warning of danger.
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miners' canary »
Any thing, especially an organism, whose demise or distress provides an early warning of danger.
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on the defensive »
Prepared to defend or protect against criticism, attack or aggression.
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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.
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out of one's league »
In a situation in which one is mismatched with one or more others, whose accomplishments, preparedness, or other characteristics are on a significantly higher or lower level than one's own.
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out on one's ear »
Fired, dismissed or thrown out, especially for some wrongdoing or otherwise with disgrace.
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patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels »
The appeal to patriotism is often used to distract the public from real issues.
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peanut gallery »
Any source of heckling, unwelcome commentary or criticism, especially from a know-it-all or of an inexpert nature.
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play the race card »
To assert that race or racism is responsible for a course of events, especially when race is not of particular significance to the issue in question; to attempt to inspire a particular reaction by raising the issue of race.
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poison »
A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism.
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quantum mechanics »
The branch of physics which studies matter and energy at the level of atoms and other elementary particles, and substitutes probabilistic mechanisms for classical Newtonian ones.
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real men don't eat quiche »
(aphorism, humorous) The stereotypical man does not do things that are considered effeminate, as to do so would imply they are effeminate.
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red ink »
A euphemism for financial loss.
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run into the ground »
To mismanage to the point of ruin.
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see a man »
A bland euphemism to conceal one's true purpose.
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see red »
To receive a red card, and be dismissed from the playing field.
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see you next Tuesday »
A euphemism for cunt.
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send away »
To dismiss from one's presence.
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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.
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show somebody the door »
To dismiss or reject; to exclude someone who was formerly included.
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socialized medicine »
A politically charged term used to contrast such systems with free market alternatives and emphasize the perceived link to socialism.
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take a dim view of »
To dislike; to regard with skepticism, disbelief, disfavor, etc.
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take apart »
To dismantle something into it's component pieces.
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take one's lumps »
To endure through criticism or other adversity.
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thin-skinned »
Overly sensitive to criticism; quick to take offence; touchy.
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throw cold water on »
To belittle or dismiss; to cast doubt upon; to debunk.
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throw out »
To dismiss or expel someone from any longer performing duty or attending somewhere.
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tomato tomato »
Uses insignificant pronunciation difference to dismiss a correction to one's adherence to an alternative standard.
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urban fabric »
The physical aspect of urbanism, emphasizing building types, thoroughfares, open space, frontages, and streetscapes; while excluding without prejudice to this useful term, environmental, functional, economic and sociocultural aspects.
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wet blanket »
A person who takes the fun out of a situation or activity, as by pessimism, demands, dullness, etc.
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what the dickens »
Euphemism for what the Devil, used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning a question.
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why the dickens »
Euphemism for why the Devil, used to add emphasis to "why" when beginning a question.
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wouldn't you know it »
Expresses dismay or annoyance, especially at bad luck or misfortune.
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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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yellow press »
Newspapers which publish sensationalist articles rather than well researched and sober journalism.
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