ad fontes »
Go to the sources: An expression emphasizing the importance of conducting fundamental research and of consulting primary sources.
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bawl out »
To deliver a loud, hard scolding or lecture; to reprimand.
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break a leg »
A wish for a successful performance; primarily a valediction to an actor wishing him or her a successful theatrical stage performance.
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catch hell »
Be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.
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catch it »
Be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.
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caucus race »
The competitive process in which a political party selects their candidate, esp. presidential; a primary election via caucus.
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chew out »
To lecture, scold, reprimand, or rebuke.
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drain the swamp when up to one's neck in alligators »
(idiomatic) When performing a long and complex task, and when you've gotten utterly immersed in secondary and tertiary unexpected tangential subtasks, it's easy to lose sight of the initial objective. This sort of distraction can be particularly problematic if the all-consuming subtask or sub-subtask is not, after all, particularly vital to the original, primary goal, but ends up sucking up time and resources (out of all proportion to its actual importance) only because it seems so urgent.
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dressing-down »
A reprimand or rarely, a thrashing.
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first among equals »
In the British and other parliamentary systems, a term used to describe the relationship of the prime minister to the other members of the cabinet.
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flower »
The best state of things; the prime.
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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.
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gunshy »
Fearing the consequences of repeating an act, especially after being reprimanded.
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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.
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hatchet job »
A treatment which serves primarily to disparage its subject; a piece of criticism which aims to destroy a reputation.
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have someone's guts for garters »
To reprimand severely.
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in the driver's seat »
Having the most important role in a storyline or recognition. Of primary importance.
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jungle telegraph »
A system used by primitive cultures in remote tropical regions for communication over long distances, such as drum sounds or a relay of runners.
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kick up the arse »
A severe reprimand, especially one to motivate someone into doing something.
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long shot »
A master shot, the primary wide shot of a scene into which the closeups will be edited later.
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look out for number one »
To act in one's own interests; to act in a manner advantageous primarily to oneself.
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over the hill »
Old, past the prime of life.
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prima donna »
diva
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prime of life »
The period of one's mature life when one is at a peak of health and performance.
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read somebody the riot act »
To scold or berate somebody; to reprimand.
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salad years »
The inexperienced, youthful prime of an individual, group, organization or entity.
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side issue »
An issue or topic which is not of direct significance to a primary concern.
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slap on the wrist »
A mild or too-mild punishment; a reprimand.
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tell off »
To rebuke, to reprimand, or to admonish.
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telling off »
A reprimand, reproach, or lecture.
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three Rs »
The basic education received in primary schools. Literally; reading, writing and arithmetic.
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tick off »
To reprimand.
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trip to the woodshed »
An occasion on which a reprimand or punishment is administered.
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