a cat can look at a king »
Alternative form of a cat may look at a king.1982, A J Ayer,
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a cat may look at a king »
Even a purported inferior has certain abilities, even in the presence of a purported superior
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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 hell broke loose »
A great disaster happened or chaos ensued.
|
all holiday »
A saying signifying that it is all over with the business or person spoken of or alluded to/.
|
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.
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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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ask for it »
To provoke an unwanted action.
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back onto »
To overlook something from the rear.
|
bad joke »
A situation that is badly planned, or illogical.
|
balance the books »
To add up all the debits and credits.
|
balance the books »
To put or keep any closed or conservative system or its analysis in balance.
|
banyan day »
In modern usage it refers to a picnic or cookout for the ship's crew.
|
bawdy basket »
The twenty-third rank of canters, who carry pins, tape, ballads, and obscene books to sell, but live mostly by stealing.
|
bleep out »
To censor inappropriate spoken words by obscuring them with the sound of a bleep.
|
blot one's copy book »
To damage one's own reputation through bad behavior.
|
blow smoke »
To speak with a lack of credibility, sense, purpose, or truth; to speak nonsense.
|
blue moon »
The moon tinted towards blue as it appears in the sky, caused by dust or smoke in the atmosphere.
|
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.
|
booby prize »
A prize or status, often unwelcome, awarded as a joke or disincentive to the loser of a contest or for poor performance.
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book in »
register
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boys and their toys »
Used to evoke the idea that adult men sometimes dote excessively on machines, automobiles, and gadgets in a childish manner.
|
bring out »
To elicit, evoke, or emphasize a particular quality.
|
broken vessel »
A person who is destroyed or forgotten, or who feels flawed or broken.
|
broken-hearted »
Alternative spelling of brokenhearted. Feeling depressed, despondent, or hopeless, especially over losing a love.
|
bug out »
Miss school, play truant, play hooky.
|
bush telegraph »
A system used by undeveloped societies in remote regions for communication over long distances, such as drum sounds, word-of-mouth relay, or smoke signals.
|
by hook or by crook »
By any means possible; one way or another.
|
by the book »
In a manner which adheres strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.
|
by the same token »
For a similar reason; in a similar manner; similarly; likewise; along the same lines.
|
by-the-book »
Adhering strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.
|
caught with one's hand in the cookie jar »
Observed or apprehended while committing a theft, especially while embezzling money.
|
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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choke the chicken »
To masturbate.
|
cite chapter and verse »
To provide specific references from an authoritative book, as the Bible or a book of statutes or rules, to support a statement.
|
class clown »
A student who frequently makes jokes or pokes fun; a wiseacre.
|
closed book »
A person or thing that cannot be easily understood; someone or something incomprehensible or puzzling.
|
cock a snook »
To spread one hand, place the thumb on the nose and wriggle some of the fingers as a gesture of disrespect.
|
company »
It took six companies to put out the fire.
|
cook the books »
To manipulate accounting information, esp. illegally, by a corporation.
|
cook up »
To manufacture; to falsify; to devise an elaborate lie.
|
cook up »
To prepare a heroin dose by heating.
|
cook up »
To prepare a meal.
|
cookie-cutter »
A solution to a problem that can be applied in many situations without modification.
|
cookie-cutter »
Of or pertaining to cookie cutters.
|
cookie-cutter »
Of or pertaining to identical looking things.
|
cooking with gas »
Now doing something in an effective way.
|
cue up »
The act of taking aim on the cue ball with the cue in a game of snooker, or billiards, etc.
|
dead »
Broken or inoperable.
|
dish up »
To serve cooked food.
|
do something with mirrors »
To jokingly pretend that one did something using magic mirrors, that one is a magician; a joking explanation of the fantastic or the unexplained.
|
don't look a gift horse in the mouth »
Do not unappreciatively question a gift or handout too closely.
|
don't look at me »
A response indicating that one is not willing or able to perform a task.
|
double booked »
Of a single resource, reserved for two different users at the same time.
|
down to the short strokes »
In the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
|
egg somebody on »
To tease, provoke or encourage.
|
every nook and cranny »
Everywhere.
|
first things first »
Deal with matters of highest priority first; deal with matters in logical sequence.1922, H. G. Wells, The Secret Places of the Heart, ch.4,"First things first," said Sir Richmond. If we set about getting fuel sanely, if we do it as the deliberate, co-operative act of the whole species, then it follows that we shall look very closely into the use that is being made of it.1999, Frank Pellegrini, "House Republicans Quell Mutiny Over Tax Bounty," Time, 23 Jul.,Judging by the polls
|
frying pan »
cooking utensil
|
full English »
A cooked breakfast consisting of bacon and eggs, and other foods.
|
gapers' block »
A traffic jam resulting from motorists slowing to look at a motor vehicle collision or other roadside distraction.
|
garbage in, garbage out »
(computing, information technology) If input data is not complete, accurate, and timely, then the resulting output is unreliable and of no useful value.1963, Raymond Crowley, "Robot Tax Collector Seeks Indications of 'Fudging'," Times Daily (Alabama, USA), 1 April (retrieved 26 July 2010):Officials explained that the quality of the computer's work depends on the quality of the data fed into it. Neil Hoke, administrative assistant to Stewart, quoted an adage of computer men: "Garbage in, garbage out."2008, Roger K. Lewis, "'In Architectural Design, Brains and Talent Trump the Best Software," Washington Post, 19 July (retrieved 26 July 2010):The old caveat "GIGO"
|
get a load of »
To experience someone or something, especially by looking or listening.
|
get it »
To possess a preferred outlook on a given issue or issues.
|
get it »
To realize or understand why a joke is funny.
|
go down the wrong way »
To swallow food or drink so that it goes down the wrong tube in one's throat and makes one cough or for a short period lose one's breath or choke.
|
go for broke »
To try everything possible or do last thing possible in a final attempt.
|
go for broke »
To wager everything.
|
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 over »
To look at carefully; to scrutinize; to analyze.
|
go up in smoke »
To be completely ruined.
|
go up in smoke »
To catch fire and burn.
|
goose is cooked »
All hope is gone; there is no possibility of success.
|
half-baked »
Partially cooked by heating in an oven.
|
have a look-see »
Take a look.
|
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 the books »
To study, especially with particular intensity.
|
hold the phone »
Stop; wait; woah. What's this? Look at this!.
|
hook line and sinker »
completely
|
hook, line and sinker »
Naively or unquestioningly.
|
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.
|
how do I get to Carnegie Hall »
A set phrase, spoken as a rhetorical question, which is answered "Practice, practice, practice!" or sometimes with the humorous literal directions to Seventh Avenue between 56th and 57th.
|
hunger is a good sauce »
(dated) Being hungry makes one less concerned about the taste of one's food.1854, Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman, Punch, Vol. XXVI, Punch Publications Ltd., page 74:His bread and cheese were somewhat dry, to be sure; his ale had become flat, and considerably warmer than was desirable; but hunger is a good sauce, and thirst is not particular.
|
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.
|
if it ain't broke, don't fix it »
Leave something alone; avoid correcting, fixing, or improving what is already sufficient, as it could end up being detrimental
|
if looks could kill »
A phrase said upon catching sight of someone's giving you a particularly nasty look of discontent or disapproval.
|
in Dutch »
Written or spoken in the dutch language.
|
in fun »
as a joke; not serious
|
inside joke »
A joke that is understood or meant to be understood only by certain people who are in the know about the details.
|
keep an eye out »
To watch for, look for, or search for.
|
keep an eye peeled »
To look out attentively.
|
keep one's eyes peeled »
To watch closely; to look for.
|
kick the habit »
To recover from or quit an addiction or habit. For example, to quit smoking, drinking, burping, or drug addiction.
|
la goutte d'eau qui fait d%C3%A9border le vase »
The final thing that is too much and forces a reaction; the straw that broke the camel's back.
|
lame joke »
An attempt at humor which is perceived to have been used previously to the point of being cliche, or was never funny to begin with.
|
lay off »
To place all or part of a bet with another bookmaker in order to reduce risk.
|
leave no stone unturned »
To search thoroughly for something, looking in every conceivable place.
|
leg pull »
To joke
|
lick one's chops »
To look forward avidly to eating something.
|
life's a bitch »
An expression of acceptance of misfortune.1950, Joy Davidman, Weeping Bay, page 184:She'd have been willing enough to use them, poor dead little bitch. Life's a bitch. Life's a bad joke.
|
lion »
The arms of the University of the West Indies are Barry wavy of six Argent and Azure an open Book proper bound Gules garnished Or on a Chief of the third a Lion passant guardant Erminois. Crest: A Pelican proper. . See talk page.
|
little pitchers have big ears »
Small children often overhear more of what is said than adults realize or desire.1844, Charlotte M. Yonge, Abbeychurch, ch. 2:Seeing me listening to something she was saying to Mamma, she turned round upon me with that odious proverb, "Little pitchers have long ears."1939, "Bedtime Bedlam," Time, 17 Apr.:A caution to U. S. parents, but a joy to radio merchandising, is the dread truth that little pitchers have big ears.2002, Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, ISBN 9780743455961, p. 185:I suppose he might say pushed or went woowoo, but took a shit is, I fear, very much in the ballpark (little pitchers have big ears, after all).
|
longpig »
Human flesh when cooked in cannabalistic rituals in certain Pacific Islands, due to the allegeded similarity to cooked pork.
|
look after »
To watch or protect; to keep safe.
|
look at »
Visually.
|
look back »
To look behind oneself.
|
look back »
To reminisce about a past time.
|
look before you leap »
Don't jump into something too precipitously; be at least a bit foresightful or circumspect.
|
look daggers »
To stare sharply at someone to indicate disapproval without actually speaking.
|
look for »
To search; to seek.
|
look forward »
To anticipate or expect; especially, to expect something to be pleasant.
|
look forward to »
To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure.
|
look into »
To investigate, explore, or consider.
|
look like »
To be similar in appearance to; resemble.
|
look like »
To seem.
|
look off »
To mislead by directing one's apparent attention away from one's true object of intent.
|
look off »
To put off by one's facial expression.
|
look on »
To watch; to observe.
|
look out »
To look from within to the outside.
|
look out »
Be vigilant and aware.
|
look out »
warning
|
look out for number one »
To act in one's own interests; to act in a manner advantageous primarily to oneself.
|
look over »
To scan-read and check for errors.
|
look the other way »
To ignore something wrong. Similar to connive.
|
look through rose-tinted glasses »
Alternative spelling of wear rose-colored glasses.
|
look to »
To seek inspiration or advice from someone.
|
look up »
To look in an upwards manner.
|
look up »
To have a bright future.
|
look up »
To obtain information about something from a text source.
|
look up to »
To show respect or admiration for.
|
look what the cat's dragged in »
Used as an ironic acknowledgement of someone's arrival, especially to imply that they are unwelcome or disagreeable in some way.
|
look-in »
A brief visit.
|
look-in »
A chance to participate, compete, or succeed.
|
look-in »
A quick glance.
|
look-in »
A quick short pass to a receiver running diagonally toward the center of the field.
|
looking glass »
mirror
|
looks up »
calls on
|
lose one's shirt »
To lose all of one's money; to go broke; to undergo financial ruin or disaster.
|
lucky break »
A stroke of luck; a fortunate event, particularly of the sort that propels one to success, fame, etc.
|
make a pug face »
To put on a sorry face, as a pug would look.
|
make a pug-face »
Putting on a sorry face, as a pug would look.
|
make book »
To be very confident.
|
make book »
To gamble, either by placing or taking bets.
|
make fun of »
To tease, ridicule or make jokes about.
|
make light of »
To regard without due seriousness; to joke or disregard inappropriately.
|
meals on wheels »
Food delivered to the homes of those unable to cook for themselves.
|
measure twice and cut once »
(literally, carpentry) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.1872, "Dressmaking," Hall's Journal of Health, vol. 19, no. 12, p. 280:Look at Carpenters! . . . In old times it was a proverb "Measure twice, and cut once."(figuratively, by extension) Plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action.2008, Hilary Johnson, "Mergers rattle bank relations," Financial Week, 9 Nov. (retrieved 9 Nov. 2008):Mr. Paz noted that since the onset of the credit crisis, eBay, like other companies, hasn
|
meat rack »
A place where people can meet looking for sexual partners.
|
mess around »
To joke, kid, or play.
|
miss the boat »
To fail to take advantage of an opportunity; to overlook or be too late to pursue an option or course of action.
|
mother hen »
An outspoken and overprotective woman dealing with others' affairs.
|
never look a gift horse in the mouth »
Alternative form of don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
|
no smoke without fire »
Indicative of the fact that gossip or accusations are often substantiated by fact.
|
nobody's perfect »
Used when someone's mistakes or flaws are acknowledged, to remind that everyone else makes mistakes and has flaws1995, New York Magazine Vol. 28, No. 5, 30 January 1995, The de-moralization of society (Book Review)Hypocrisy, particularly in sexual matters, is excused on the grounds that hey, nobody's perfect, and at least folks back then felt bad enough to lie.2000, Madonna, Nobody's PerfectI feel so sad. What I did wasn't right. I feel so bad and I must say to you: Sorry, but nobody's perfect. Nobody's perfect. What did you expect? I'm doing my best
|
not half bad »
Pretty good; okay; decent.
|
now you mention it »
The Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling.
|
now you're cooking »
A phrase, often given in response, meaning that the subject has switched to a more suitable or more efficient approach.
|
nutty as a fruitcake »
Behaving in an eccentric, foolish, or kooky manner; very nutty.
|
off the hook »
Of a telephone, having an open connection; not hung up.
|
off the hook »
Performing extraordinarily well.
|
off the hook »
Relieved of a duty, burden, responsibility, or pressure.
|
old school »
Characteristic of a style, outlook, or method employed in a former era, remembered either as inferior to the current style, or alternately, remembered nostalgically as superior or preferable to the new style, the older denoting something that would be considered out of date or out of fashion to some, but as such, is considered by others as cool and hip.
|
on tenterhooks »
In a state of suspense or apprehension.
|
one fell swoop »
One stroke; one action or event with many results.
|
one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind »
Words spoken by Neil Armstrong when taking the first steps on the moon.
|
one-note »
Having only one opinion, outlook, tone, etc., especially as expressed repetitively; without variety or range.
|
only fools and horses work »
Philosophy of life that people who do not look for an easy way of earning a living are foolish.
|
out of fix »
Wrong, broken, nonfunctional.
|
out of house and home »
Cassandra Chrones Moore, Haunted Housing: How Toxic Scare Stories Are Spooking the Public Out of House and Home.
|
out of whack »
Wrong, broken; specifically.
|
out the door »
The exact image, a lookalike.
|
palace politics »
The relationships and interactions of top-level officials, advisors and other powerbrokers within a government, especially as involving internal rivalry and intrigue.
|
paper »
A written document, generally shorter than a book , in particular one written for the Government.
|
pass by »
To pass over. disregard, overlook.
|
pig in a poke »
Something whose true value is concealed or unknown, especially something offered for sale.
|
play along »
To take part in a charade, deception, or practical joke.
|
play hookey »
To be absent without permission, especially from school.
|
play hooky »
To miss school, work, or other duties without permission or an excuse.
|
plead the fifth »
To invoke the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects witnesses from being forced to incriminate themselves.
|
pope's nose »
The tail end piece of a cooked chicken.
|
prone out »
In order to be propelled shorewards by a broken wave.
|
proverbs run in pairs »
Every proverb seems to be contradicted by another proverb with an opposed message, such as "too many cooks spoil the broth" and "many hands make light work."1863, Sir Richard Burton, Abeokuta and the Camaroons Mountains, vol. 1, Tinsley (London), p. 309:Moreover, all the world over, proverbs run in pairs, and pull both ways: for the most part one neutralizes, by contradiction, the other.
|
pull somebody's leg »
To tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting. It usually implies teasing or goading by jokingly lying.
|
pull the other one, it's got bells on »
The implication is that one leg has been pulled, and the joker will have more fun with the other one due to the bells.
|
put on »
To cook or warm.
|
put oneself in someone's shoes »
To try to look at a situation from a different point of view; as if one were the other person. To empathise.
|
quote unquote »
Emphasizes the following word or phrase for irony, as used almost exclusively in spoken language.
|
rag bagger »
A sailboat, usually a cruising sailboats which tend to carry and store lots of supplies along the deck, or any sailboat that looks like a neglected vessel, or messy vessel.
|
raise the stakes »
To raise the stakes of a hand of poker.
|
rebound relationship »
A relationship proceeding a longterm relationship, usually short in duration and used to help mend the "broken heart".
|
red herring »
A smoke-cured herring.
|
ring off the hook »
Of a telephone, to ring constantly or excessively.
|
royal flush »
poker hand
|
rules are made to be broken »
it is acceptable to break rules.
|
rules OK »
To be popularly accepted, or supported by the general majority of people.
|
seek and ye shall find »
something can be found if it is looked for.
|
sharp cookie »
One who is intelligent, bright, or sharp; especially, one who can identify attempts to deceive or mislead.
|
she'll be right »
OK, no problem, everything will be all right.
|
shell out »
To use a program's "shell escape" function to execute an unrelated command or to invoke a subsidiary, interactive shell.
|
short on looks »
Plain, unattractive.
|
short strokes »
Bare essentials.
|
short strokes »
The final steps of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
|
sick joke »
A joke which is in poor taste, especially one which depicts as amusing a situation which the listener considers to be tragic or disgusting.
|
sight for sore eyes »
A pleasing sight, something that is beautiful to look at.
|
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.
|
singing from the same hymnbook »
Present participle of sing from the same hymnbook.
|
smart arse »
One who is particularly flippant or insolent or tends to make snide remarks or jokes.
|
smoke and mirrors »
A deceptive, fraudulent, or unconvincing explanation or description.
|
smoke like a chimney »
To smoke tobacco frequently.
|
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.
|
smoke signal »
A type of flare or combustion device sometimes used as a distress signal.
|
smoke signal »
An indirect message or indication, especially concerning a future event.
|
smoking gun »
Evidence, particularly of a crime, that is difficult or impossible to dispute.
|
so far so good »
Up to this point, all is OK.Well, you've packed your bags for the holiday, bought your tickets, reserved the hotel and put the dog in kennels. So far so good, now let's get to Minorca without any troubles.
|
spring in one's step »
Enthusiasm, energy or a positive outlook or cheerful attitude.
|
square cut »
cricket stroke
|
straight man »
A member of a team of comic performers who plays a supporting role by helping to set up jokes and punch lines through engaging in preparatory dialog with the principal comedian; a foil who plays such a role in theatrical comedy.
|
stroke of work »
With "do not do a", to do none of the assigned task at all.
|
sword and sandal »
Of or pertaining to a genre of books or films relating fantasy-adventure tales involving heroic exploits in ancient or biblical times.
|
take a gander »
To take a look; to check or examine.
|
take a joke »
To accept a joke at one's expense.
|
take a leaf out of someone's book »
To adopt an idea or practice of another person.
|
take a look »
To examine or observe.
|
take against »
He took against me when I was promoted over him.
|
take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves »
If you take care of little things one at a time, they can add up to big things.1750, Chesterfield, letter 5 Feb. (1932) IV. 1500:Old Mr. Lowndes, the famous Secretary of the Treasury, ?used to say?Take care of the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves.1912, G. B. Shaw, Pygmalion ii. 132:Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves is as true of personal habits as of money.1979, R. Cassilis, Arrow of God, iv. xvii.:Little things, Master Mally. Look after the pennies, Master Mally, and the pounds will look after themselves.1999,
|
that's the way the cookie crumbles »
That is the way things happen; that's life.
|
the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get »
(vulgar) The sexual satisfactions that one receives from a spouse or romantic partner are not sufficient to compensate for the significant periods of bad faith and unpleasant treatment which such relationships routinely involve.1971, Allen Churchill, The Literary Decade, ISBN 9780135375228:Years later she expressed her disillusionment with sex by saying, "The fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."1999, Ben Sonnenberg, Lost Property: Memoirs and Confessions of a Bad Boy, ISBN 9781582430454, p. 93:Maitland got drunk at his parties and threw his arm around you and pulled you over to his wife and made you look down her dress, saying, "The trouble with marriage is that the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."2008, Joseph Heywood, Blue Wolf In Green Fire, ISBN 9781599213590, p. 63:"I can't believe a little pussy got me into dis mess." "Shit happens," Service said. "Sometimes the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."
|
the jig is up »
An expression used to mean "We have been caught out and have no defence", or if spoken to a person who's just been found out as the perpetrator of an offense, it means "You've been discovered.".
|
the rabbit died »
A statement spoken to indicate one's own pregnancy, or that someone has found out they are pregnant.
|
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.
|
the way to a man's heart is through his stomach »
Cooking for a man is a good way to win his affections.
|
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, 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 smoke »
To consistently pitch fastballs that are difficult to hit.
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throw the book at »
To apply the harshest possible punishment to.
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thumbs up »
A gesture signifying approval or okay; a thumb pointing up out of a fist.
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thumbs up »
An approval or okay.
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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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to give a person line »
To allow a person more or less liberty until it is convenient to stop or check him/her, like a hooked fish that swims away with the line.
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too many cooks spoil the broth »
If too many people try to take charge at a task, the end product might be ruined.
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top shelf »
Books, magazines, or movies that have adult content, or soft-core porn.
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tough cookie »
A person who can endure physical or mental hardship; a hardened, strong-willed person.
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trash out »
To criticize the person spoken to in a rant.
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tuits »
Virtual tokens for an amount of time or attention that a particular issue would need to resolve.
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turn a blind eye »
To ignore or deliberately overlook, especially with respect to something unpleasant or improper.
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turn the page »
To proceed to the next page in a book.
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turn up for the book »
A very unexpected, usually pleasant, surprise.
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under the yoke »
Under subjugation.
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up the ante »
To raise the stakes of a hand of poker.
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watch one's head »
To look out for things one's head might bump into.
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watch out »
To be aware or conscious; to look closely or carefully; to use caution. Often used in the imperative.
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well ain't that the catfish in the trap »
A sentence commonly spoken in the Southern United States. It can often be used in place of "well, I'll be damned". Used to express surprise.
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what's cooking »
What's happening?; what's going on?; how are you?.
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where there's smoke, there's fire »
If there is telltale evidence of some event, the event is probably occurring.
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whistle walk »
The path slaves took to deliver food from the kitchen building of a plantation to the main dining room. Slaves were expected to whistle during this walk in order to assure their masters that they were not eating the food.
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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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write off »
To reduce an asset's book value to zero.
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yellow card »
booking
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yoke together »
To unite, or join, or combine.
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you can't judge a book by its cover »
It is not possible to make reliable judgments about things or people by considering external appearances alone.
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you can't tell a book by its cover »
Alternative form of you can't judge a book by its cover.
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you made your bed, now sleep in it »
A moralizing rejection said to someone looking for an easy out, especially of a situation they put themselves into.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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