a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step »
even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point
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a man is known by the company he keeps »
People are similar in character to their friends.
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a million times »
by a factor of a million
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a miss is as good as a mile »
A failure remains a failure, regardless of how close to success one has actually come.
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a picture paints a thousand words »
A visualisation is a better description than a verbal description.1971, David Gates (of Bread), If, from Manna album:If a picture paints a thousand wordsThen why can't I paint you;The words will never showThe you I've come to know.1989, Alan Kay, quoted in K?o-tung Huang, Timothy D. Huang, Introduction to Chinese, Japanese and Korean Computing, World Scientific, ISBN 9971506645, p. 9:Most human beings, no matter how familiar they are with abstract symbols, respond to voice and images better than written language. In other words, A picture paints a thousand words.2006, Paul Shakespeare, Building a Dune Buggy: The Essential Manual, ISBN 1904788734, p. 52:See accompanying diagram: a picture paints a thousand words, and all that!
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about turn »
An about face; a military command to a formation of soldiers to reverse the direction in which they are facing.
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albatross »
Any of various large seabirds of the family Diomedeidae ranging widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings.
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all that jazz »
Everything else related to something; other similar things.
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and so forth »
Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner.
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and so on »
Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner.
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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
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back-to-back »
Identical or similar and sequential.
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bag of rations »
A fussy or overly zealous military superior.
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baggage »
Heavy baggage; women and children. Also a familiar epithet for a woman; as, cunning baggage, wanton baggage, &c.
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barrel »
A round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth, and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with hoops, and having flat ends or heads. Sometimes applied to a similar cylindrical container made of metal, usually called a drum.
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beat up »
Repeatedly bomb a military target or targets.
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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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between Scylla and Charybdis »
Similar in meaning to between a rock and a hard place.
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birds of a feather »
People having similar characters, backgrounds, interests, or beliefs.
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birds of a feather flock together »
People of similar character, background, or taste tend to congregate or associate with one another.
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black »
Lacking cream, milk, and creamer.
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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!
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boot camp »
A short, intensive, quasi-military program generally aimed at young offenders as an alternative to a jail term.
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born with a silver spoon in one's mouth »
Born rich or in a wealthy family.
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break rank »
To march or charge out of the designated order in a military unit.
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bring in »
To earn money for a company or for the family.
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business end »
The part of a tool or other similar item, that is physically used for its operation, rather than the part which is held.
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button up »
To fasten all the buttons on a coat, or similar item of clothing, to keep warm.
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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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call up »
An order to report for military service.
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Cannon fodder »
Military personnel who are regarded as expendable when attacking the enemy.
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cap over the windmill »
In a crazed manner.
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carry off »
Knowledge, confidence, or familiarity.
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close to home »
Affecting people close to, or within, ones family circle.
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company »
A military unit, typically consisting of two or three platoons.
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concrete jungle »
An urban or other populated area containing a high density of buildings constructed of concrete or similar materials, especially one which lacks greenery and which seems unattractive, harsh, or unsafe.
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country mile »
A long way, a great distance.
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court martial »
military trial
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dead air »
An unintended interruption in a radio broadcast during which there is no sound; a similar interruption of a television broadcast in which there is neither sound nor a video signal.
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divide and conquer »
A combination of political, military and economic strategies that aim to gain and maintain power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into chunks that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy.(computing) Applied to various algorithms, such as quicksort, that solve a problem by splitting it recursively into smaller problems until all of the remaining problems are trivial.(as imperative, proverb) In order to rule securely, don't allow alliances of your enemies.
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dog my cats »
Used as a mild oath, or as an expression of astonishment.
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don't cry over spilled milk »
Alternative spelling of don't cry over spilt milk.
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don't cry over spilt milk »
It is no use worrying about unfortunate events which have already happened and which cannot be changed.
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dusty miller »
A formulaic phrase for a miller, related to the dust generated in the milling process.
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dusty miller »
One of several species of plants with leaves of a dusty appearance: Centaurea cineraria, Senecio cineraria, and Lychnis coronaria.
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eat crow »
To recognize that one has been shown to be mistaken or outdone, especially by admitting that one has made a humiliating error.
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eat humble pie »
To admit one's faults; to make a humiliating apology.
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end of the line »
The termination point of a railway or similar transportation system.
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esprit de corps »
A shared spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm, and devotion to a cause among the members of a group, for example of a military unit.
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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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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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family jewels »
Testicles.
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far cry »
Something very dissimilar or different.
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fight fire with fire »
To respond to an attack with a similar or identical method.
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fit into »
To be of similar cultural or social status as the members of a group of people.
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fly the coop »
To escape from a pen or similar enclosure.
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fresh off the boat »
Newly arrived from a foreign place, especially as an immigrant who is still unfamiliar with the customs and language of his or her new environment.
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frig it »
An expression of frustration similar to, but not as coarse as f** it.
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front and center »
A command to come to the center of attention of an assemblage, as of military personnel or students.
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fruit of the union »
A child, especially from a marriage or similar union.
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full speed ahead »
A command, especially on military vessels, to move forward at maximum speed.
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get into one's stride »
To become familiar with something recently learnt.
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get off lightly »
End up with a mild punishment.
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give somebody the creeps »
To give someone a feeling of uneasiness or mild fright.
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go the extra mile »
To make an extra effort; to do a particularly good job.
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go through the mill »
To experience the suffering or discipline necessary to bring one to a certain degree of knowledge or skill, or to a certain mental state.
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grin like a Cheshire cat »
To smile broadly, especially in a self-satisfied way.
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gunboat diplomacy »
The pursuit of foreign policy objectives with the aid of conspicuous displays of military power.
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hat in hand »
With humility; in an apologetic or self-effacing fashion.
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have egg on one's face »
To suffer embarrassment or humiliation; to damage one's reputation.
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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.
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hot mess »
A warm meal, usually cooked in a large pot, often similar to a stew or porridge; or, service of such a heated meal to soldiers.
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humble pie »
Humility, being humble.
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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 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 for an inch, in for a mile »
Given that one is partly involved in or committed to a project, action, position, etc., there is no reason to refrain from becoming fully involved or fully committed.
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in one's element »
In a situation which is entirely appropriate or familiar.
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in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king »
Among others with a disadvantage or disability, the one with the mildest disadvantage or disability is regarded as the greatest.Even someone without much talent or ability is considered special by those with no talent or ability at all.
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it's all grist to the mill »
Everything referred to in the present context has some sort of use.1999, Simon Blackburn, Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy (Oxford University Press paperback, ISBN 0199690871), ch. 7 section 6: "Kant
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jack up »
To raise, hoist, or lift a thing using a jack, or similar means.
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keep one's pecker up »
Remain cheerful; keep smiling.
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kind »
Mild, gentle, forgiving.
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king »
A male monarch; member of a royal family who is the supreme ruler of his nation.
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last post »
military bugle call
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lay down »
To lie down; to place oneself in a reclined or horizontal position, on a bed or similar, for the purpose of resting.
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legwork »
Work, especially research or preparation, that involves significant walking, travel, or similar effort.
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letters after one's name »
A list of abbreviations, separated by commas, representing the academic qualifications and civil or military honours achieved by a person.
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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 father, like son »
A son will have traits similar to his father upon reaching adulthood.
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long goodbye »
Nickname for Alzheimer's disease, especially for the final phase of the disease, during which the patient suffers a progressive decline of cognitive and motor skills and gradually loses the ability to recognize and to communicate with family and friends.[1]; nickname for the relationship between a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease and that person's family or friends.
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longpig »
Human flesh when cooked in cannabalistic rituals in certain Pacific Islands, due to the allegeded similarity to cooked pork.
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look like »
To be similar in appearance to; resemble.
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look the other way »
To ignore something wrong. Similar to connive.
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lose face »
To lose the respect of others, to be humiliated or experience public disgrace.
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lose touch »
To cease to be familiar with someone or something or to cease to communicate or have contact.
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make a living »
To earn enough income to support oneself and, if applicable, one's family.
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man up »
To "be a man about it"; to do the things a good man is traditionally expected to do, such as: taking responsibility for the consequences of one's actions; displaying bravery or toughness in the face of adversity; providing for one's family, etc.
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mill around »
To move or circulate in a confused or disorderly manner within a limited area.
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mills of the gods grind slowly »
Justice may arrive slowly, but it cannot be avoided.
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mop the floor with somebody »
To trounce or defeat thoroughly or in a humiliating manner.
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naff off »
A mild version of f** off.
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never in a million years »
Absolutely not.
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noarch »
Short for "no architecture". It is a term used mainly in package management systems to mark packages which are architecture independent. Such packages usually contain graphics, documentation or similar data that can be used on any architecture.
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not a pretty sight »
Something visually unappealing, ranging from mildly unattractive to utterly disgusting in appearance.
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not at all »
Used similarly to you're welcome, as a conventional reply to an expression of gratitude.
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nothing special »
Ordinary, run-of-the-mill.
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object lesson »
A lesson taught using a familiar or unusual object as a focus.
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of sorts »
Resembling; similar to; in a way; partial or not entire; somewhat.
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old hat »
Something uninteresting, hackneyed, or passé due to overuse or long-standing familiarity..
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old hat »
Something with which one is very familiar, or in which one is experienced or skilled.
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old money »
Families that have been wealthy for generations or members of such families.
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on all fours »
Similar in nature or effect to something else; consistent.
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on the clock »
Displayed numerically on the mileage or kilometric gauge.
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one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind »
A cliché used to exaggerate an accomplishment or milestone..
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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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pare down »
To reduce by paring or a similar gradual process.
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pickin' and grinnin' »
Vigorously playing folk or country music on a stringed musical instrument, especially the guitar or banjo, while smiling broadly.
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play on words »
A pun, or similar humorous use of language such as a double entendre.
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pronunciamiento »
A military uprising or coup in Spain or the Spanish American republics, particularly in the 19th century. They received this designation because coups were usually accompanied by a statement declaring the existing government null and void.
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pull out »
To withdraw; especially of military forces; to retreat.
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put something into perspective »
To compare with something similar to give a clearer, more accurate idea.
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ring a bell »
To seem at least vaguely familiar.
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rumor mill »
A group or network of persons who originate or promulgate gossip and other unsubstantiated claims.
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run a mile »
To escape, flee or leave a situation or relationship, usually as a result of a shocking or sudden announcement or revelation.
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run away with »
To leave secretly with another person. Usually with the intention of getting married or of living together against the wishes of the family.
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run-of-the-mill »
Ordinary; not special.
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sabre-rattling »
A flamboyant display of military power as an implied threat that it might be used.
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screen out »
To use a screen, grate, sieve or similar means to separate large from small objects or particles.
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send away »
To send to a particular place for a long time, as a family member, an employee, etc.
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serve time »
To be in prison or a similar institute.
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shit-eating grin »
A broad smile indicating self-awareness that may suggest self-satisfaction, smugness, discomfort, or embarrassment.
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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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sing from the same hymnbook »
To make the same or similar statements, especially to express the same opinions in public as a result of a prior agreement.
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slap on the wrist »
A mild or too-mild punishment; a reprimand.
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so on and so forth »
Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner.
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string up »
To suspend by means of rope, cord or similar material.
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take down »
To remove something from a wall or similar vertical surface to which it is fixed.
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talk a mile a minute »
To speak quickly or excessively.
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thanks a bunch »
A mildly sarcastic thank you.
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the apple doesn't fall far from the tree »
A child grows up to be very similar to its parents in the way they act and in their physical abilities.
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there's no point crying over spilt milk »
You should not be upset over something that cannot be undone.
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throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick »
Try the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2005, Mike Busson (poster on UKScreen forum) Re: Voiceovers!, read at [1] on 02 Nov 06,In terms of places to send your URL or CD's, there's no easy answer. It really is a case of throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.2005, "forwardone" (administrator posting on the HYIPForum), re: Alertpay phishing email, read at [2] on 02 Nov 06,I also think that sometimes they send out phishing e-mails in the hope that it`ll hit people who do have an account with a particular organization. You know, throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick theory.2006, Rob Manuel, How to be funny, read in Comedy Soup on the BBC website at [3] on 02 Nov 06,Throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick. Be prolific and don't be afraid to make stuff that's rubbish. If you keep trying eventually you'll get there.2006, Rex Pierce, Re: [303rd-Talk] D Day read on 303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Believe the planners worked on the principle of "throw enough mud at the wall, and some of it will stick".If enough (perhaps false or reckless) accusations are made against someone, his reputation will suffer, whether or not this is deserved2006, "money" (poster on eTalk Money), Some thoughts about compact surfing, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,Word of advice NVUS time to distance yourself from LuukH as quickly as possible and dish some dirt, otherwise well the saying goes - throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.
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throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick »
Try the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2001, And still no one is shouting stop. read in The Kingdom archives at [1] on 02 Nov 06,Many team managers are of the philosophy that if you throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick. They believe that team preparation is all about physical fitness. They run the players into the ground and they believe they will be "flying on the day".2001, Robert McCrum, Let them eat cake, in The Observer 16 Dec 01, read on Guardian Unlimited site at [2] on 02 Nov 06,Australian publishing boomed and in the past 10 years the country's literary culture has undergone a mini golden age, capped by Carey's triumph at the 2001 Booker Prize. As one Australian arts administrator said to me many years ago: 'Listen, mate, if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.'2001, Chris Collin, Re: 2-cp speys on The Strathspey Server mailing list archive at [3] on 02 Nov 06,I am finding that "if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick". It doesn't always work of course (especially on the nights when the class is mostly the beginners), but the class seems to thrive on the challange.2005, Ray Craft (poster on The right scale blog), Fitzhooie and his Burden, read at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Prosecutors everywhere have bad habits of overcharging lots of cases, knowing that if the throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick.2005, Sean Kelleher, Spike Milligan: His part in our downfall in Business 07 Aug 05, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,As long as there is negligible regulation and enforcement anyone can actually try and do the job...Weak regulation allows the industry to build strategies on full time recruitment. The theory goes: throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.c2005, Everything You've Learned About Marketing Is Wrong, read on LINC Performance website at [6] on 02 Nov 06,They have the money to continue to believe in the repetition side of the equation. You throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick. But it still isn
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throw one's cap over the windmill »
To act in a crazed manner.
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tilt at windmills »
To attack imaginary enemies.
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tilt at windmills »
To go on a wild goose chase; to persistently engage in a futile activity.
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tone down »
To relax; to make quieter or less obtrusive; to make milder.
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tone down »
To make a television program, piece of writing, etc. less offensive and so more suitable for a family audience.
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war bride »
A woman who marries a man who is on active duty military in wartime.
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water to my mill »
What energizes you; what stimulates you.
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what's up »
A casual greeting with usage similar to "How are you?" or "Nice to meet you".
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wipe somebody's eye »
To defeat; to humiliate.
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work spouse »
A man or woman in the workplace with whom one shares a special relationship having bonds similar to those of a marriage: special confidences, loyalties, shared jokes and experiences, and unusual degree of honesty or openness.
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you can't take it with you »
It is not possible to take one's material wealth to whatever world may await one after death.1900, E. Phillips Oppenheim, A Millionaire of Yesterday, ch. 6:"The clause which
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your mileage may vary »
It may work differently in your situation, or be different in your experience.
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your mileage may vary »
To express a possible difference in taste, "this is just my opinion, your opinion may be different".
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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