a drop in the bucket »
An effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem.
|
a miss is as good as a mile »
A failure remains a failure, regardless of how close to success one has actually come.
|
according to »
According to the directions, the glue takes 24 hours to dry.
|
act like a bull in a china shop »
To act rudely or clumsily in a delicate situation.
|
admiral of the blue »
A landlord or publican wearing a blue apron, as was formerly the custom among men of that vocation.
|
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.
|
all holiday »
A saying signifying that it is all over with the business or person spoken of or alluded to/.
|
all hollow »
As a foregone conclusion.
|
all over the board »
Showing a wide range of values with no particular pattern.
|
all that glitters is not gold »
Things that appear valuable or worthwhile might not actually be so, things that look nice might not be as good as they look.
|
all the tea in China »
Something priceless or invaluable.
|
all thumbs »
Clumsy; awkward; not dextrous.
|
all told »
With everything included, counted or summed.
|
apple does not fall far from the tree »
A child grows up to be very similar to its parents, both in behavior and in physical characteristics.1842, E. A. Freidlaender (translator), Frederika Bremer (author), The Neighbours, ch. 10:It is impossible to look at Madam Rhen, without at once making the conclusion that she is pleasantness, hospitality, and loquacity itself; nor can one look upon her daughter Renetta without thinking, "the apple does not fall far from the tree!"1978, Dr. Isador Rosenfeld, "Doctor Asks Patient
|
argue out »
To discuss to reach an agreed conclusion, or decision.
|
ark ruffian »
Rogues who, in conjunction with watermen, robbed, and sometimes murdered, on the water, by picking a quarrel with the passengers in a boat, boarding it, plundering, stripping, and throwing them overboard, etc. A species of badger.
|
as luck would have it »
As it happened; how it turned out; by good fortune; fortunately or luckily.
|
at a pinch »
By the skin of one’s teeth; only just; Deo volente; perhaps; if you’re lucky..
|
at the top of one's lungs »
Possible.
|
baby blues »
Blue eyes.
|
baby blues »
Period and feeling of depressiveness after giving birth; a less severe form of postnatal depression.
|
back to square one »
Located back at the start, as after a dead-end or failure.
|
bad apple »
A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy, especially one who has an adverse influence on others.
|
bad iron »
Bad luck.
|
bad luck »
ill-fortune
|
baggage »
Luggage; traveling equipment.
|
balum rancum »
A hop or dance, where the women are all prostitutes. N. B. The company dance in their birthday suits.
|
bang for the buck »
Efficiency; cost-effectiveness; value.
|
bar none »
Without exception; excluding nothing else of the same kind.
|
barrow man »
A man under sentence of transportation; alluding to the convicts at Woolwich, who are principally employed in wheeling barrows full of brick or dirt.
|
be on the edge of one's seat »
To be in suspense; to wait eagerly or anxiously for some resolution.
|
bear on »
To influence, have an effect on.
|
bed of roses »
A comfortable or luxurious position.
|
beer goggles »
The illusion that people are more attractive, brought on by alcohol consumption.
|
below par »
Having a price below its face value.
|
bet the farm »
To be absolutely certain, to have no doubts.
|
big boys »
Plural form of big boy.
|
big boys »
The people or bodies with the most influence and/or power.
|
big enchilada »
Some item of high value, especially a top prize or reward.
|
big gun »
Someone who is powerful or influential most often in plural form.
|
big wheel »
A person with a great deal of power or influence, especially a high-ranking person in an organization.
|
bigger fish to fry »
A higher valued result or target to reach.
|
black and blue »
Covered in bruises.
|
blood is thicker than water »
Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.1866, Anthony Trollope, The Belton Estate, ch. 30,Blood is thicker than water, is it not? If cousins are not friends, who can be?circa 1915, Lucy Fitch Perkins, The Scotch Twins, ch. 5,The old clans are scattered now, but blood is thicker than water still, and you're welcome to the fireside of your kinsman!
|
blue devils »
Low spirits; depression.
|
blue moon »
A long time.
|
blue moon »
Something absurd.
|
blue moon »
The moon tinted towards blue as it appears in the sky, caused by dust or smoke in the atmosphere.
|
blue moon »
The third full moon in a quarter that contains four rather than the usual three full moons.
|
blue note »
Notes added to the major scale for expressive quality in jazz and blues music, particularly the flatted third, fifth and seventh.
|
blue state »
A state of the United States voting Democratic in a given election, or tending to vote Democratic in general.
|
blue whale »
largest mammal
|
blue-eyed boy »
Someone's favourite, especially a young one.
|
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.
|
bluewash »
To use a blue paint or glaze.
|
blurt out »
To say suddenly, without thinking.
|
bo jook »
Bluffing.
|
boil down »
As an allusion to the cooking technique of reducing liquids by heat, one boils down a problem, argument, etc. to its most central elements.
|
bolt bucket »
A machine, especially an automobile. Implies that the machine is clunky or unreliable.
|
boo boo »
blunder
|
booze can »
A nightclub or bar, especially one which operates illegally or is otherwise disreputable.
|
bottom of the line »
The worst, the most lackluster, or lowest quality currently on the market, especially among selections in a product line.
|
brass farthing »
Something worthless or of small value.
|
break the buck »
Fall below the value of one dollar per share.[1].
|
brickbat »
A piece of brick used as a weapon, especially if thrown, or placed in something like a sock and used as a club.
|
bring owls to Athens »
To undertake a pointless venture, one that is redundant, unnecessary, superfluous, or highly uneconomical.
|
brown bag »
A short presentation or seminar on a given subject, especially one given at lunchtime.
|
bucket of bolts »
A piece of machinery that is not worth more than its scrap value, often of old cars.
|
burst someone's bubble »
To disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable.
|
busted flush »
A potential flush which ultimately was not filled.
|
busted flush »
Anything which ends up worthless despite great potential.
|
butter fingers »
A clumsy person who always drops things, a klutz.
|
by the way »
His mother will be coming for dinner tomorrow, and, by the way, she volunteered to bring dessert.
|
call it quits »
To conclude; to quit or stop an activity.
|
call someone's bluff »
To take action on the basis that another person is bluffing.
|
camel through the eye of a needle »
Hyperbole to illustrate that something is almost impossible to do or to happen.
|
can of worms »
A troublesome situation; an issue whose resolution is difficult or contentious, but not necessarily complex.
|
captain of industry »
A prominent business person who owns or is the highest-ranking executive of one or more major firms, especially one who has considerable wealth and influence.
|
carry on »
To take baggage or luggage onto an airplane, rather than check it.
|
case in point »
An example that illustrates a point.
|
cast pearls before swine »
To give things of value to those who will not understand or appreciate it.
|
caught between the devil and the deep blue sea »
Having a choice between two alternatives, both undesirable.
|
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.
|
change one's tune »
To reconsider; rethink; to reach a different conclusion.
|
chase a rainbow »
To pursue something illusory, impractical, or impossible.
|
chump-change »
Of or pertaining to something of little monetary value.
|
circuit slugger »
A talented baseball batter that hits home runs.
|
clay »
A mineral substance made up of small crystals of silica and alumina, that is ductile when moist; the material of pre-fired ceramics.
|
clout list »
A usually secret list containing the names of people who are to be given special access, benefits, or influence in a political or social situation, especially as a result of having personal, professional, or financial relationships with those in authority.
|
clue in »
To inform, instruct, or tell.
|
clue stick »
A metaphorical stick used to beat information or understanding into a slow learner.
|
clutter up »
To fill with rubbish.
|
come around »
To change one's mind, especially to begin to agree or appreciate what one was reluctant to accept at first.
|
come by »
To obtain; to get, now especially by chance or involuntarily.
|
cookie-cutter »
A solution to a problem that can be applied in many situations without modification.
|
corner the market »
To have exclusive possession; to possess something to a high or excessive degree.
|
cough up »
To expel from the lungs, throat, etc. by coughing.
|
crank out »
To produce in large volumes mechanically or as if by machine.
|
crank up »
To increase, as the volume, power or energy of something.
|
crocodile tears »
Plural form of crocodile tear.
|
cry out for »
To say that a situation needs a thing, or a solution urgently.
|
cry the blues »
To complain, especially in order to obtain sympathy for one's own purportedly sad situation.
|
cry the blues »
To sing in the style of blues music.
|
cube out »
To reach the volume limit of a container.
|
cut a wide swath »
To behave in an expansive, flagrantly showy, or pushy manner, especially in public venues; to exert sweeping influence.
|
darn tootin' »
Absolute, utter, complete, very.
|
darn tootin' »
Absolutely correct; speaking the truth.
|
days »
Plural form of day.
|
dead »
: So hated by that they are absolutely ignored.
|
dead duck »
A project that is doomed to failure from the start.
|
developments »
Plural form of development.
|
diamonds are a girl's best friend »
A statement that suggests, while love is a luxury, material wealth (particularly jewellery) is more valuable in the long run.
|
diplomatic flu »
An illness feigned by one or more government officials or other public figures as an excuse for an absence really based on political reasons.
|
do-or-die »
Requiring a determined or desperate effort to avoid the consequences of failure.
|
dogs »
Plural form of dog.
|
double entendre »
Plural form of double entendre.
|
down and out »
In trouble; in a bad time or situation or having very bad luck.
|
down on one's luck »
Unlucky or undergoing a period of bad luck, especially with respect to financial matters.
|
down the tubes »
Into a state of collapse or failure.
|
drag »
To act or proceed slowly or without enthusiasm; to be reluctant.
|
drag one's feet »
To procrastinate, put off; to dawdle, avoid, or make progress slowly and reluctantly.
|
drip »
To have a superabundance of valuable things. Usually followed by "with".
|
drop a hint »
To reveal a clue or hint about something.
|
e pluribus unum »
A national motto of the United States of America, meaning "From many, one", or "out of many, one", referring to the integration of 13 independent colonies into one country, and that has taken an additional meaning, giving the pluralistic nature of American society from immigration.
|
end up »
To conclude, turn out, sometimes unexpectedly.
|
enough is as good as a feast »
Just the right amount is as good as more than enough: there is no value in excess.
|
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
|
eye of the beholder »
The evaluation depending on perception of person who sees and considers.
|
face value »
No more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation.
|
face value »
The amount or value listed on a bill, note, stamp, etc.; the stated value or amount.
|
fall off »
To diminish in size or value.
|
fall on one's sword »
To voluntarily take the blame for a situation.
|
fencepost problem »
In computer programming, a problem dealing with how to treat the initial or boundary values of a discrete problem.
|
fifteen minutes of fame »
A very short time in the spotlight or brief flurry with fame, after which the person or subject involved is quickly forgotten.
|
fifth wheel »
Anything superfluous or unnecessary.
|
fight a losing battle »
To try to do something so difficult that it will probably end in failure.
|
figure out »
To come to understand; to discover or find a solution; to deduce.
|
film out »
To transfer images or animation from videotape or digital files to a traditional celluloid film print.
|
flat out »
Bluntly, no holds barred.
|
flower »
Typically including sepals, petals, stamens, and ovaries; often conspicuously colourful.
|
fluff up »
To make a gaffe or blunder.
|
fluff up »
To plump up.
|
flunk out »
Often requiring a retaking of the course or academic year.
|
flutter in the dovecote »
A disturbance, usually one caused within a prescribed group of people.
|
flutter in the dovecote »
I further argued that the principal cause for the political deadlock that persisted for thirty years after the guns fell silent was Israeli intransigence rather than Arab intransigence. The appearance of the first wave of revisionist studies excited a great deal of interest and controversy in the media and more than a flutter in the academic dovecote. — Israel Confronts Its Past.
|
fool's paradise »
A state of happiness due to illusion or false hope.
|
forewarned is forearmed »
Advance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it.1863, Charles Reade, Hard Cash, ch. 4:[W]hatever a young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies; but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine . . . forewarned is forearmed.1885, G. A. Henty, Saint George for England, ch. 4:Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed.circa 1903, Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Why Mr. Cropper Changed His Mind":"Well, Miss Maxwell, I think it only fair to tell you that you may have trouble with those boys when they do come. Forewarned is forearmed, you know."
|
fortune favors the bold »
Luck is usually on the side of those who take chances and risks.
|
four-leaf clover »
A bringer of good luck.
|
free lunch »
Something obtained without any payment, obligation or effort.
|
fruit of the poisonous tree »
And which is therefore excluded from being admitted as evidence in a trial.
|
fudge the issue »
Adopt a solution to a specific problem which does not address the larger, more general problem of which the specific problem is an instance.
|
full of hot air »
Talking a lot, especially without saying anything of value or meaning.
|
funny farm »
An insane asylum.
|
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"
|
get one's claws into »
Have a controlling influence over.
|
get the better of »
To overwhelm or overcome; to influence heavily; to tend to control or persuade.
|
gild the lily »
To embellish or improve something unnecessarily; to add superfluous attributes to something.
|
give or take »
Approximately; plus or minus some unknown amount.
|
glutton for punishment »
One persistent in an effort in spite of harmful or unpleasant results.
|
go all the way »
To continue to the conclusion of a task or project.
|
go along with »
To comply with something, even if reluctantly; to accept or tolerate.
|
go blue »
Of states and counties, to be carried by a Democratic candidate in a given U.S. election.
|
go down »
To decrease; to change from a greater value to a lesser one.
|
go native »
To adopt the lifestyle or outlook of local inhabitants, especially when dwelling in a colonial region; to become less refined under the influence of a less cultured, more primitive, or simpler social environment.
|
go red »
To blush.
|
God works in mysterious ways »
Expressing confidence that a conundrum has a solution despite it not being apparent.Expressing that a seemingly unfortunate or unfavourable situation or change may be beneficial later or in the long run.Person A: It seems that I'm about to be fired from my job.Person B: Well, God works in mysterious ways - maybe it'll be the kick you need to apply to university...
|
gold standard »
A monetary system where the value of circulating money is linked to the value of gold.
|
golden ticket »
A qualification, person or thing that can provide lucrative opportunities.
|
good luck with that »
An expression wishing someone success in an unlikely enterprise.
|
gravy train »
A gorging on luxuries, since someone else foots the bill.
|
gravy train »
An occupation or any lucrative endeavor that generates considerable income whilst requiring little effort and carrying little risk.
|
great minds think alike »
Used to emphasize a coincidence, or two people reaching the same conclusion in any manner at the same time.
|
grey area »
An area intermediate between two mutually exclusive states or categories where the border between the two is fuzzy.
|
guinea pig »
A tailless rodent of the Cavia genus, with short ears and larger than a hamster; the species Cavia porcellus is often kept as a pet.
|
ham fisted »
clumsy
|
happy go lucky »
carefree
|
has-been »
A formerly popular or influential person whose popularity or effectiveness has peaked and is now in decline. Typically said of professionals or celebrities whose primary success is behind them.
|
have the blues »
To be depressed, to have a low morale.
|
head-on »
Direct, abrupt, blunt or unequivocal; not prevaricating.
|
hen's teeth »
Plural form of hen's tooth.
|
here's to »
Denoting proposed salutation while drinking alcohol, toast.
|
hiding to nothing »
A situation in which victory has little or no value, but defeat has a huge cost.
|
high as a kite »
Very much under the influence of drugs, extremely high.
|
hindsight is 20/20 »
(idiomatic) In hindsight things are obvious that were not obvious from the outset; one is able to evaluate past choices more clearly than at the time of the choice.
|
his back is up »
He is offended or angry; an expression or idea taken from a cat; that animal, when angry, always raising its back. An allusion also sometimes used to jeer a crooked man.
|
hit paydirt »
To strike it rich; to get lucky or have a big break.
|
hit the jackpot »
To realise a huge load of luck; to receive a more favorable outcome than imagined.
|
holding pattern »
Any failure to advance; useless or unproductive activity.
|
Horsefeathers »
Absolute nonsense; poppycock
|
hot lunch »
A sexual act in which a pouch of clingfilm or similar material filled with faeces is placed in one of the participants' mouth and subsequently penetrated by the second participant.
|
how are you »
An informal greeting, not requiring a literal response. Typical responses include.
|
in a bind »
In a difficult situation, usually of one's own making; having a dilemma; faced with a problem or a set of problems for which there is no easy solution.
|
in a pinch »
In an urgent or difficult situation; when no other solution is available.
|
in broad daylight »
In ample natural illumination, during the daytime.
|
in detail »
Thoroughly; including every detail.
|
in the light of »
In the illumination from.
|
in vain »
Without success; ending in failure.
|
in vino veritas »
drunken folks speak truth, one tells the truth under the influence of alcohol
|
into detail »
Thoroughly; including every detail.
|
it's a long road that has no turning »
encouragement when things are not going well. Just as a long road eventually has a turning, problems also eventually have a solution, even though one might have to wait.
|
it's better to ask forgiveness than permission »
The value of acting promptly and making a mistake requiring forgiveness is greater than value of delaying to get permission.
|
it's not what you know but who you know »
For success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.1951, G. P. Bush and L. H. Hattery, "Federal Recruitment of Junior Engineers," Science, vol. 114, no. 2966, p. 456:Eighty-four students referred to political influence as a disadvantage of federal employment with such remarks as: "There are too many political connections necessary . . . it's not what you know but who you know
|
join the club »
An expression of sympathy for a shared experience.
|
jump the queue »
To desire preferential treatment, undue influence; impatient.
|
jump to conclusions »
Make conclusions before being presented with all the evidence.
|
keep it real »
In the imperative, an exhortation used as a departing salutation.
|
kicking and screaming »
With extreme reluctance.
|
king »
A powerful or influential person.
|
kiss of death »
A kiss on the cheek that signifies the death of the receiver, as delivered by a mob boss or one with such influence.
|
knacker's yard »
That area of a slaughterhouse where carcasses unfit for human consumption are rendered down to produce useful materials such as glue.
|
knock on wood »
A self-directive to undertake the customary action to ward off bad luck.
|
labor of love »
A task performed voluntarily without expectation of reimbursement; an altruistic work or undertaking.
|
land on one's feet »
To be lucky, or successful, often in difficult situations.
|
lap of luxury »
A position or situation in which one is spoiled and indulged.
|
larger-than-life »
Very imposing, renowned, or impressively influential.
|
lay an egg »
To produce a failure or flop; to do something which is unsuccessful.
|
lay off »
From employment, e.g. at a time of low business volume, often with a severance package.
|
lead a charmed life »
To always be lucky and safe from danger.
|
leave somebody in the lurch »
To abandon somebody; especially, to abandon somebody and leave him or her in a difficult situation.
|
lend a hand »
To help or assist, especially voluntarily.
|
less is more »
That which is less complicated is often better understood and more appreciated than what is more complicated; simplicity is preferable to complexity; brevity in communication is more effective than verbosity.1855, Robert Browning, "Men and Women":Well, less is more, Lucrezia: I am judged.1954, "'Less Is More'," Time, 14 Jun.:The essence of Mies's architectural philosophy is in his famous and sometimes derided phrase, "Less is more." This means, he says, having "the greatest effect with the least means."2007, Gia Kourlas, "Dance Review: An Ordered World Defined With Soothing Spareness," New York Times, 3 Mar. (retrieved 22 Oct. 2008):The program, which features two premieres
|
licence to print money »
The authority to print money, usually given to a central bank exclusively as the issuer of currency.
|
lick one's chops »
To use one's tongue to remove moistness from the sides of one's mouth, as when salivating or at the conclusion of a meal.
|
like it or lump it »
To accept a situation whether one agrees with it or not.
|
long arm »
Influence, far-reaching power.
|
long story short »
Introducing a short version of, or simply the conclusion of, an involved story.
|
lubrication payment »
A bribe or extorted money, usually relatively small in amount, provided to a low-level government official or business person, in order to expedite a business decision, shipment, or other transaction, especially in a country where such payments are not unusual.
|
luck out »
To experience great luck; to be extremely fortunate or lucky.
|
luck out »
To have run out of luck.
|
lucky break »
A stroke of luck; a fortunate event, particularly of the sort that propels one to success, fame, etc.
|
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.
|
lucky dip »
A selection solely at random.
|
lucky dip »
September 2005, BBC News - Dome sale 'was like a lucky dip'.
|
lump in one's throat »
A feeling of emotional sadness. On the point of crying.
|
lump it »
To endure, accept, put up with a situation one does not like.
|
lump to one's throat »
A feeling of emotional sadness. On the point of crying.
|
lump together »
To put different items or groups together and treat them, or think of them as one single group.
|
make up one's mind »
To decide; to reach a conclusion.
|
mama's boy »
A male person, especially a young man or boy, who is overly attached to or influenced by his mother; a sissy.
|
man of parts »
A man that is talented in multiple areas of life. This includes but is not limited to the area of seduction. He puts very little emphasis on memorized scripts or "peacocking" and instead relies on individualized ways to charm a woman.
|
may the Force be with you »
Used to wish someone luck with a difficult endeavor.
|
meat market »
Or night club.
|
mess of pottage »
Something of trivial value, especially of immediate value.
|
money for old rope »
Money exchanged for goods of low value.
|
move heaven and earth »
To do whatever is necessary, including extreme or unusual actions; to go to extremes.
|
mover and shaker »
Someone who has power and influence in some field or activity.
|
my way or the highway »
Will be excluded.
|
neither here nor there »
Not important; having no significance or influence on the question at hand; not related; not relevant; not germane; not pertinent.
|
never in a million years »
Absolutely not.
|
no-show »
An absence; somebody who doesn't show up or a failure to show up.
|
not a chance »
Absolutely not; no way.
|
not a sausage »
Absolutely nothing, none of something.
|
not on your life »
Absolutely not; under no circumstances.
|
not on your tintype »
An answer indicating outright rejection or denial; no way; absolutely not.
|
not touch something with a ten foot pole »
Ambrose Bierce , The Fiend's Delight In conclusion, his respect for letter-writing ladies is so great that he would not touch one of them with a ten-foot pole.
|
not worth a dime »
Worthless, lacking in value.
|
not worth a plug nickel »
Having no or almost no value; worthless.
|
nutfarm »
An insane asylum.
|
nuthouse »
A lunatic asylum.
|
off the beaten path »
In a secluded location; in a place which is not frequently visited or not widely known.
|
oil burner »
A device whose operation causes apparent combustion of lubricating oil.
|
on a roll »
Having a streak of good luck or good progress or success.
|
on board »
Even when I am on board the plane, I can never feel secure that my luggage is, too.
|
on one's hands »
Being one's liability or responsibility; with which one is lumbered.
|
on the plus side »
Positively; from a favorable view or perspective.
|
on the ropes »
Showing signs of imminent failure or collapse.
|
once and for all »
Finally, permanently, conclusively.
|
once in a blue moon »
Never.
|
once in a blue moon »
Very rarely; very infrequently.
|
one who hesitates is lost »
A person who spends too much time contemplating what to do may miss a valuable but fleeting opportunity.
|
out of luck »
Experiencing a temporary misfortune.
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out of the blue »
Unexpectedly; without warning or preparation.
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out of the way »
Remote or secluded.
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out to lunch »
Away eating lunch or for a midday break; especially, away from work or a job.
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out to lunch »
Clueless, inattentive or careless.
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over my dead body »
Under no circumstances; absolutely not.
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paint oneself into a corner »
To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions.
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paper »
A sheet material used for writing on or printing on , usually made by draining cellulose fibres from a suspension in water.
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park the car in Harvard Yard »
A sentence used to illustrate that the Boston accent is non-rhotic; typically pronounced "pahk the cah in Hahvad Yahd".
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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.
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pickle »
A cucumber preserved in a solution, usually a brine or a vinegar syrup.
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pig in a poke »
Something whose true value is concealed or unknown, especially something offered for sale.
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plug away »
To persist or continue, as with an effort.
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plug in »
To a plug socket.
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plump up »
To shake or arrange so as to be fatter or more evenly distributed.
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plus »
(literally) The more it changes, the more it's the same thing (sometimes loosely translated as the more things change, the more they stay the same).Although the outward appearance may change, fundamentals are constant.
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plus fours »
knickerbockers
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pour out »
To talk volubly and deeply. Usually implies telling the truth.
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power behind the throne »
Someone who appears to be without special status, but who has great covert influence on a person in authority.
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power chord »
A chord or combination of notes used in rock music and typically selected to sound good at high volume and high levels of distortion. Power chords make extensive use of intervals such as open fourths and fifths.
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power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely »
The corrupting influence of power is total when one's power is total.Lord Acton see: Wikiquote
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price is right »
The cost of a thing is reasonable and of good value.
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pride comes before a fall »
A person who is extremely proud of his or her abilities will often suffer a setback or failure, because he or she tends to be overconfident and to make errors of judgment.
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pull the plug »
To cease from production or publication.
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pull the plug »
To cease life support.
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pull the plug »
To cease to support; to halt.
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pull the plug »
To unplug or cut power.
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punch bowl waterfall »
A plunging waterfall descending from a narrow stream into a pool.
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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 one's foot in it »
To make a mistake in public, or a social blunder, that is embarrassing, or offensive.
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put the cat among the pigeons »
If you set the cat among the pigeons, you will cause a flutter in the dovecote.
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put to the test »
To test something or someone; to evaluate, scrutinize or explore by testing or experimentation.
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quote unquote »
Emphasizes the following word or phrase for irony, as used almost exclusively in spoken language.
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raise a hand »
To volunteer.
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raise one's hand »
To volunteer.
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raise the flag and see who salutes »
It generates, usually as a preliminary step.
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ramp up »
To increase rapidly to a new value.
|
rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic »
To do something pointless or insignificant that will soon be overtaken by events, or that contributes nothing to the solution of a current problem.
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red face test »
A hypothetical test of a person's embarrassment, that is either passed or failed. Saying one passes the red face test means one would not blush and thus would not be embarrassed by disclosing something to others or doing something, and saying one fails the red face test means a situation would cause them discernible embarrassment.
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red herring »
A clue that is misleading or that has been falsified, intended to divert attention.
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ride one's luck »
To avoid failure only by good fortune.
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ride tall in the saddle »
To act or conduct oneself in a manner that is imposing, impressive, resolute, or manly.
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rip to shreds »
To severely devalue, to refute.
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robber baron »
Especially in the 19th-century and early 20th-century, a business tycoon who had great wealth and influence but whose methods were morally questionable.
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round down »
To the greatest integer that is not greater than it, or to some other lower value, especially a whole number of hundreds, thousands, etc.
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round up »
To the smallest integer that is not less than it, or to some other greater value, especially a whole number of hundreds, thousands, etc.
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royal flush »
poker hand
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rule with an iron fist »
To rule with absolute authority or to the detriment of the people. To rule tyrannically.
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run hot and cold »
To alternate between two opposite extremes, such as enthusiasm and disinterest or success and failure.
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run to »
To reach a particular maximum amount, size, value, etc.
|
scissorbill »
And railroad term for someone who refused to join the union or who openly colluded with management to thwart the union.
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screen out »
Figuratively, to exclude.
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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".
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sell wolf tickets »
To make empty threats or promises; to bluff.
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separate the wheat from the chaff »
To select only that which is of value.
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shit one's pants »
To involuntarily defecate into one's pants or other clothing.
|
shoot down »
To the point of preclusion.
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shoot the moon »
To attain great heights, a high value, or a numerically high measurement.
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shot in the arm »
A stimulus.
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show somebody the door »
To dismiss or reject; to exclude someone who was formerly included.
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show the flag »
Of a naval vessel or military force, to identify itself by displaying the flag of its country of origin, especially in order to establish an authoritative presence and to exert diplomatic or political influence.
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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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silence is golden »
Peace and quiet have immense value.Often the best choice is to say nothing.
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silver bullet »
Any straightforward solution perceived to have great effectiveness or bring miraculous results.
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size up »
To evaluate; to estimate or anticipate the magnitude, difficulty, or strength of something.
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sleeves from one's vest »
Something non-existent; something of no value or cost.
|
slippery slope »
A logical argument that follows a chain of events or causes and effects to some conclusion.
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small fry »
One or more persons or things of relatively little consequence, importance, or value.
|
small potatoes »
One or more persons or things of relatively little consequence, importance, or value.
|
smoke signal »
A method of long-distance communication sometimes used in ancient and undeveloped societies, consisting of messages conveyed by means of columns or intermittent puffs of smoke.
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so quiet one can hear a pin drop »
Said during a lull in a normally bustling place or scene, or as the result of a sudden dramatic or tense moment.
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social death »
The alienation of certain people from society to the point of being forgotten, excluded, or ignored in society.
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soft shoe »
A speech, explanation, sales pitch, or other set of remarks delivered in a restrained or conciliatory manner in order to persuade, distract, or otherwise influence someone.
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spit it out »
To overcome reluctance to say something particular or to speak in general.
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spur of the moment »
Impluse; short notice; a lack of planning.
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stand one's ground »
To maintain or stick by an opinion or position; to remain resolute in the face of opposition.
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stand the test of time »
To remain useful or valued over a long period of time; to last a long time.
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sticking point »
A disputed issue or state of affairs that causes an interruption or outright impasse in progress towards some goal or resolution, especially in negotiation or argumentation.
|
stiff upper lip »
The quality of being resolute and showing self-restraint, associated with stereotypical British people.
|
stop the lights »
An interjection expressing exasperation or incredulity. or to illustrate the humour in a situation.
|
stop up »
To fill a hole or cavity, or block an opening or passage, as with a plug.
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straight from the shoulder »
Done in a direct manner; blunt.
|
streak of good luck »
A series of lucky events.
|
stump up »
To pay for something. Often indicating reluctance to pay.
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success has many fathers, failure is an orphan »
Many will seek credit for success, few will accept responsibility for failure.
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suck up »
To absorb fluid.
|
sure as eggs is eggs »
Absolutely certain.
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sweat »
Fluid that exits the body through pores in the skin usually due to physical stress and/or high temperature for the purpose of regulating body temperature and removing certain compounds from the circulation.
|
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 bow »
To accept applause at the end of a performance in a theatre. Often this includes actually bowing to the audience.
|
take a tumble »
To fall in price or value.
|
take for granted »
To give little attention to or to underestimate the value of, to fail to appreciate.
|
take one's lumps »
To endure through criticism or other adversity.
|
take one's lumps »
To receive physical abuse and to survive.
|
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.
|
talk a blue streak »
To talk for a long time, at great length, or to the point of tedium.
|
talk through one's hat »
To assert something as true or valid; to bluff.
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tall in the saddle »
Imposing, impressive; resolute; manly.
|
tear away »
To remove oneself reluctantly; often expressed in the negative.
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that's the way life is »
That is the way things happenCertain things cannot be changed, helped or improved; struggle and objection are pointless.1935, Louis Bromfield, The Man Who Had Everything [1], page 279:That's the way life is, and there's no use trying to go against it.1979, Jay Edward Abrams, A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption [2], ISBN 0310511011, page 45:There are no standards, no values; that's the way life is. Learn to accept it and slide with it. Stop fighting it.2002, B. Eugene Ellison, Rings of the Templars, ISBN 059524050X, page 337:Shit happens; that's the way life is. In fact, I want you to take an additional thousand for your efforts.
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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."
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the man »
The oppressive powers that be, including the government and corporations; the system, as coordinated outside of one’s control..
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the pen is mightier than the sword »
More influence and power can be usurped by writing than by fighting.
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the pick of the litter »
The absolute best one has to offer.
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the straw that broke the camel's back »
A small and seemingly insignificant addition to a burden that renders it too much to bear; the small thing which causes failure, or causes inability or unwillingness to endure any more of something.
|
there but for the grace of God go I »
A recognition that others' misfortune could be one's own, if it weren't for the blessing/kindness/luck bestowed by fate or the Divine.Man's fate is in God's hands.More generally, our fate is not entirely in our own hands.
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there's more than one way to skin a cat »
A problem generally has more than one solution.
|
there's no such thing as a free lunch »
Nothing is free; everything has a price.
|
three-martini lunch »
A leisurely, expensive, midday meal associated with drinking, which is tax-deductible because business is discussed.
|
three-on-the-tree »
On an automobile, describing the gearshift lever of a steering column-mounted three-speed manual transmission.
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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 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 one's weight around »
To exercise influence or authority especially to an excessive degree or in an objectionable manner.
|
throw the baby out with the bathwater »
To discard something valuable, often inadvertently, in the process of removing waste.
|
throw to the dogs »
To give up on something valuable.
|
time is money »
When a person's time is not used productively; time is valuable and should not be wasted.
|
timing is everything »
Consideration of other events can greatly influence some desired outcome (such as an audience laughing to a comedian's joke).Telling the old joke about a butt-crack was not a good idea, just as the plumber arrived, Bob.You know what they say: "timing is everything." I'm sure we can find another plumber before the house floods.
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tip-off »
An obvious clue or indication.
|
tough luck »
Bad luck.
|
trailer trash »
Deleted from the movie trailer. Not included in theatrical run.
|
trip balls »
Experiencing severe drug-induced hallucinatory trip.
|
trip out »
To hallucinate as a result of drugs.
|
true blue »
Indubitably loyal or faithful.
|
turn down »
To reduce the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.
|
turn the air blue »
To speak a stream of bad language; to curse and swear.
|
turn up »
To increase the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.
|
twist in the wind »
To be unassisted and without comfort in a situation likely to result in distress or failure.
|
two bob »
A small amount of value.
|
two cents »
A nearly worthless amount, alluding to placing a copper penny on each of the eyelids of a pauper's or slave's body before burial.
|
two left feet »
Exhibiting particular clumsiness, especially at dancing or at soccer.
|
two-fisted drinker »
Either someone who can handle their liquor well, or an alcoholic clutching a drink in each hand.
|
under the influence »
Drunk; intoxicated; affected by alcohol.
|
underwater basket weaving »
"Sure, somewhere out there, college slackers were taking broom ball and underwater basket weaving." — The Columbus Dispatch, September 15, 2005.
|
until one is blue in the face »
Forever; for a hopelessly long time.
|
unwashed masses »
Of people who are considered by someone to be somehow uneducated, uninformed, godless, or in some other way unqualified for inclusion in the speaker's elite circles.
|
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.
|
wage war »
A figurative allusion to pay discrepancies.
|
wake up and smell the coffee »
To face reality and stop deluding oneself.
|
warts and all »
Of or pertaining to a description or other depiction which reveals the full range of characteristics of a person or thing, including the shortcomings and imperfections.
|
water down »
To dilute; to add water.
|
watered-down »
Diluted; containing extra water.
|
what goes around comes around »
The status eventually returns to its original value after completing some sort of cycle.A person's actions, whether good or bad, will often have consequences for that person.
|
when it rains, it pours »
If a person encounters bad luck, more bad luck will follow.
|
wild horses »
Plural form of wild horse.
|
wild-goose chase »
A task whose execution is inordinately complex relative to the value of the outcome.
|
willful ignorance »
A bad faith decision to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having to make undesirable decisions that such information might prompt. It may also be shown as for a person to have no clue in a decision but still goes ahead in their decision.
|
willies »
Plural form of willy.
|
wishful thinking »
Decision-making based on self-delusion.
|
wishful thinking »
The illusion that what one would like is actually true.
|
with a vengeance »
Intensely motivated; resolute; forceful.
|
work out »
To conclude with the correct solution.
|
worth its weight in gold »
Highly valuable.
|
worth the risk »
The benefit of the success is more valuable than the problems caused by the potential loss.
|
wouldn't you know it »
Expresses dismay or annoyance, especially at bad luck or misfortune.
|
wrap around one's fingers »
To make one susceptible to desire, in that their behavior or actions are influenced.
|
write down »
To make a downward adjustment in the value of an asset.
|
write off »
To reduce an asset's book value to zero.
|
write off »
Figuratively, to assign a low value to something.
|
you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear »
It is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.
|
you get what you pay for »
In commercial transactions, the quality of goods and services increases as the prices increase, i.e., the more one pays, the better the merchandise.2003, Michael Blumenthal, "For Whom the School Bell Tolls," Time, 7 Dec.:Though it may sound unapologetically capitalistic to say so
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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