a cat may look at a king »
Even a purported inferior has certain abilities, even in the presence of a purported superior
|
a leopard cannot change its spots »
One cannot change one's own nature.1597, William Shakespeare, Richard II Act i, Scene 1 (First Folio):King. Lyons make Leopards tame.Mowbray. Yea but not change his ?pots.1611, King James Version of the Bible, Jeremiah 13:23:Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?1820, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe Chapter 32:End now all unkindness. Let us put the Jew to ransom, since the leopard will not change his spots, and a Jew he will continue to be.1918, Johnston McCulley, Thubway Tham's Inthane Moment:The leopard cannot change his spots, old boy.
|
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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a pull of the hair for being unfair »
The general response to "A kick and a flick for being so quick", which is in turn a response in itself to "A pinch and a punch for the first day of the month".
|
a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down »
An otherwise unpleasant situation can be pleasant when a pleasant aspect is deliberately introduced.1999, Eli Yassif, The Hebrew Folktale: History, Genre, Meaning, Indiana University Press, ISBN 0253335833, page 372,One is known as the "sweetening parable," that is to say a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Thus, when the aim is to preach to the people, to guide them along the "bitter," arduous path of upholding burdensome precepts and prohibitions, a tale can lighten the load, make the "medicine" easier "to swallow."2001, Maureen Reagan, First Father, First Daughter: A Memoir, Little, Brown, ISBN 0316736368, page 319,It put some fun into the tedious business of preparing for a presidential debate. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, right?2004, John Hoover, How to Work for an Idiot: Survive & Thrive... Without Killing Your Boss, Career Press, ISBN 1564147045, page 11,If a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, a barrel of laughs can wash down the big pills you might need to swallow.
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above board »
Honestly, reputably.
|
admiral of the blue »
A landlord or publican wearing a blue apron, as was formerly the custom among men of that vocation.
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all it's cracked up to be »
As good as claims or reputation would suggest.
|
all the rage »
Very fashionable and popular, like a craze.
|
another nail in one's coffin »
One in a series of factors which lead, or purport to lead, to downfall.
|
any press is good press »
Being mentioned in the media is beneficial to the subject because it gets publicity.
|
apply oneself »
To put forth a concerted effort; to try; to focus.
|
Après-ski »
A place "after skiing". Typically a bar or pub where people go after a day on the slopes to ease off and meet other people.
|
arm candy »
An attractive, seemingly romantic companion who accompanies a person in public simply so that one or both of the individuals can gain attention, enhance social status, or create an impression of sexual appeal.
|
at a loss »
Below the cost or price of purchase.
|
at cross purposes »
Against one another; contrary in direction or goals.
|
at cross-purposes »
Mutually misunderstanding each other's plans, intentions or meanings.
|
at sixes and sevens »
In a state of dispute or disagreement.
|
back office »
The IT and infrastructure support services for a company, separate from the public face of the business.
|
backfoot »
To put on the defensive; to put off balance.
|
bad egg »
disreputable character
|
bad money drives out good »
Debased coinage (with low levels of precious metals) replaces purer coinage (with higher levels of precious metals).(metaphorically) Mediocre talent drives away real talent.
|
bad penny »
A person or thing which is unpleasant, disreputable, or otherwise unwanted, especially one which repeatedly appears at inopportune times.
|
bad to the bone »
Completely bad and evil; pure evil.
|
balance the books »
To put or keep any closed or conservative system or its analysis in balance.
|
ball up »
To hunch over and pull in one's arms and legs.
|
ball-breaker »
A person or task which is excessively demanding or punishing.
|
bark up the wrong tree »
To attempt or pursue the wrong thing; to take the wrong approach; to follow a false lead.
|
battle cry »
By extension, a strong motto or purpose statement, especially in regards to winning a goal in sports, games or work.
|
bear down »
When giving birth, to push.
|
beat a dead horse »
To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.
|
beat somebody to the punch »
To do something before somebody else is able to.
|
bed down »
To put an animal to rest for the night.
|
behind closed doors »
Public disclosure.
|
behind the scenes »
In secret; out of public view.
|
below the belt »
Of a punch, landing illegally, below the opponent's waist.
|
bend one's elbow »
To drink alcoholic beverages, especially at a public house or bar.
|
beyond the black stump »
Extremely remote, outside the populated area.
|
big shot »
A person with a reputation of importance or power.
|
bill of goods »
A collection of items purchased or offered for sale.
|
bite the bullet »
To endure a punishment or consequence with dignity or stoicism.
|
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.
|
blow the whistle »
To disclose information to the public or to appropriate authorities concerning the illegal or socially harmful actions of a person or group, especially a corporation or government agency.
|
blow up »
To become popular very quickly.
|
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.
|
bone of contention »
Something that continues to be disputed; something on which no agreement can be reached.
|
boot up »
To start a computer using its bootstrap procedure.
|
booze can »
A nightclub or bar, especially one which operates illegally or is otherwise disreputable.
|
bottle up »
Put into bottles.
|
brain fart »
Something ill-considered and said or done impulsively.
|
brain teaser »
puzzle
|
break a sweat »
To put effort into something.
|
bridge »
A device which connects two or more computer buses, typically in a transparent manner.
|
buckle down »
To put forth the needed effort; to focus; become serious; apply oneself.
|
bum around »
To wander around idly to no purpose; to loaf or loiter.
|
bum rap »
An undeservedly unfavorable portrayal or reputation.
|
burn one's bridges »
To destroy one's path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc.
|
business before pleasure »
An admonishment that discharging one's obligations must take precedence over devoting time to pursuits meant solely for one's own gratification.
|
buy out »
To purchase the entire stock or extent of something.
|
buy out »
To purchase the ownership of a company.
|
buy time »
Purposefully cause a delay to something, in order to achieve something else.
|
buy to let »
To purchase a property as in investment, and to let it out for rental instead of living in it.
|
call off the dogs »
To ease up on after inflicting great punishment.
|
call out »
To arrange for a professional to call at your home for some purpose.
|
can it »
To silence; to quit doing something; to put an end to something.
|
carrot and stick »
Simultaneous rewards for good behavior and punishments for bad behavior.
|
cast on »
To start the first row of knitting by putting stitches on a needle.
|
cat's cradle »
Any complicated structure which appears to be without purpose.
|
catch hell »
Be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.
|
catch it »
Be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.
|
catch on »
To become popular; to become commonplace; to become the standard.
|
catch out »
To put a batsman out by catching the batted ball before it touches the ground.
|
cattle call »
An audition which is open to the public and thus draws a large number of applicants, many of whom are inexperienced.
|
chalkface »
A musical concept or genre in which music is completely improvised and never played twice. Most often mixing elements of hip-hop, metal, punk and avant-garde jazz.
|
chase a rainbow »
To pursue something illusory, impractical, or impossible.
|
chase after »
To pursue someone with romantic intentions; to woo.
|
chase down »
To pursue and apprehend someone.
|
check is in the mail »
A common excuse used by debtors to put off creditors.
|
check out »
To have one's purchases recorded and bagged at a supermarket, and pay for it.
|
check out »
To obtain computer source code from a repository.
|
chip in »
To interrupt a discussion for the purpose of making a comment.
|
chip in »
To put a chip shot in the hole.
|
chip in »
To put into the pot the amount of chips or money required to continue.
|
circular firing squad »
A political party or other group experiencing considerable disarray because the members are engaging in internal disputes and mutual recrimination.
|
clamp down on »
To take measures to stop something; to put an end to.
|
close in on »
To catch up with in a chase; to near the end of a pursuit.
|
closed book »
A person or thing that cannot be easily understood; someone or something incomprehensible or puzzling.
|
come out »
To be published, be issued.
|
come to terms »
To reach an agreement or settle a dispute.
|
company »
A group of individuals with a common purpose, as in a company of actors.
|
company »
It took six companies to put out the fire.
|
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.
|
controlled substance »
Except for very limited professional testing purposes.
|
cook the books »
To manipulate accounting information, esp. illegally, by a corporation.
|
could not get elected dogcatcher »
Is unpopular.
|
cover one's ass »
To make preparations or take precautions to ensure that one is not blamed or punished for one's conduct.
|
crab mentality »
A way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you." The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot.
|
crack down on »
To enforce laws or punish more vigilantly.
|
cradle robber »
A person who marries or becomes romantically involved with someone who is much younger or who employs or otherwise engages a young person for a purpose inappropriate for his or her age.
|
cry the blues »
To complain, especially in order to obtain sympathy for one's own purportedly sad situation.
|
cut a wide swath »
To behave in an expansive, flagrantly showy, or pushy manner, especially in public venues; to exert sweeping influence.
|
cut out »
Well suited; appropriate; fit for a particular activity or purpose.
|
dead tree edition »
Paper version of a publication that can be found online.
|
deadstick landing »
When a pilot lands a plane after the engine has died; a landing lacking any propulsion control.
|
deep six »
To discard, cancel, halt; to completely put an end to something.
|
desktop publishing »
DTP
|
dig up dirt »
To examine in order to find negative information for public opinion, usually with the purpose of embarrassing or discrediting a person.
|
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.
|
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.
|
don't put all your eggs in one basket »
Don't dedicate all your resources into one thing.
|
don't shit where you eat »
(idiomatic, vulgar) One should not cause trouble in a place, group, or situation in which one regularly finds oneself.1998 April 14, Nelson Navarro, "Ever faithful, ever true," Manila Standard (Philippines) (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):The guiding principle is Don't shit where you eat. Office romances are always destructive of morale and objectivity.2003 Oct. 8, Jonathan Valania, "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Pussy," Philadelphia Weekly (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):Limbaugh was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at the NAB convention in, of all places, Philadelphia, thus violating the cardinal law of the animal kingdom: Don't shit where you eat.2006 Sept. 19, Michael Musto, "NY Mirror," Village Voice (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):Mitchell refused to indulge in on-set romances with either gender. "You don't shit where you eat," he told me, plainly.
|
doorprikken »
To puncture.
|
drag »
To pull along a surface or through a medium, sometimes with difficulty.
|
drag one's feet »
To procrastinate, put off; to dawdle, avoid, or make progress slowly and reluctantly.
|
draw back »
To pull something back or apart.
|
draw on »
To advance, continue; to move or pass slowly or continuously, as under a pulling force.
|
drip »
To put a small amount of a liquid on something, drop by drop.
|
drive home »
To push to or into a target.
|
drop the gloves »
To remove a prior impediment to action; to prepare for or engage in a dispute.
|
dye in the wool »
To dye woolen fibers before they are spun into thread.
|
eat one's own dog food »
To test the beta programs that are in the test phase on one's own computers; to dogfood.
|
eat out »
To dine at a restaurant or such public place.
|
eat pussy »
To perform cunnilingus.
|
every cloud has a silver lining »
In every bad situation there is an element of good1881, National Academy of Code Administration (U.S.), Folio, page 417:Every cloud has a silver lining; but in the old-fashioned meeting-houses every cloud of hymnal melody generally had a nasal lining before the congregation...1887, Shakers, Religion, page 36:that "a little reserve and thou'lt fail surely," will prove to be true in our experience. Every cloud has a silver lining and so has every sorrow,1918, George Jean Nathan, Performing Arts, page 222:But the most popular attitude toward what we may call "sad" plays is the peculiar one of believing that, since every cloud has a silver lining,
|
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
|
evil twin »
A rogue wireless access point installed near a legitimate one for purposes of eavesdropping or phishing.
|
expose oneself »
To appear nude in public.
|
face off »
The starting point, in a match of ice hockey. Two players face each other, for snatching the puck.
|
faceplant »
Death or defeat in popular multiplayer online games.
|
fall over »
Of a computer program, to crash.
|
fancypants »
Alternative spelling of fancy pants. The condition of being overly showy; concerned more about one's reputation than anything else.
|
fat lip »
A swelling on the lip, especially one resulting from a punch or other blow.
|
feed a cold, starve a fever »
Eating more will cure the common cold, and eating less will cure a fever.1887, J. H. Whelan, "The Treatment of Colds.", The Practitioner, vol. 38, pg. 180:"Feed a cold, starve a fever." There is a deal of wisdom in the first part of this advice. A person with a catarrh should take an abundance of light nutritious food, and some light wine, but avoid spirits, and above all tobacco.1968, Katinka Loeser, The Archers at Home, publ. Atheneum, New York, pg. 60:I have a cold. 'Feed a cold, starve a fever.' You certainly know that.2009, Shelly Reuben, Tabula Rasa, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ISBN 015101079X, pg. 60:They say feed a cold, starve a fever, but they don't tell you what to do when you got both, so I figured scrambled eggs, tea, and toast.
|
feed the dragon »
To the People's Republic of China.
|
fencepost problem »
In computer programming, a problem dealing with how to treat the initial or boundary values of a discrete problem.
|
fill the bill »
To satisfy a need; to serve a purpose; to fulfill specified requirements.
|
filter down »
Of information, or resources; to move slowly down to lower levels of an organisation, or population.
|
fire drill »
An organised practice to prepare occupants of an office, school or other public building for evacuation in the event of a fire.
|
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
|
fish or cut bait »
To choose between taking action now, or forgoing the opportunity and putting that energy into another endeavor; to decide.
|
fix someone's wagon »
To punish someone; to cause injury, distress, or inconvenience for someone.
|
fool's errand »
A foolish undertaking, especially one that is purposeless, fruitless, nonsensical, or certain to fail.
|
for all intensive purposes »
For all highly demanding purposes.[1].
|
for all intensive purposes »
Misconstruction of “for all intents and purposes”.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].
|
for all intents and purposes »
For every functional purpose; in every practical sense; in every important respect; practically speaking.
|
for the record »
Already publicly known.
|
for the record »
For the purpose of being recorded.
|
fountain of youth »
Anything reputed to have the power to restore health and vitality or to restore a youthful appearance.
|
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 room »
A jocular or sarcastic expression commanding a couple to stop displaying affection in public, and to rent a hotel or motel room to continue amorous activities in private.
|
get away with »
To do something which is prohibited, forbidden or generally not allowed, and not be punished for the action.
|
get away with murder »
To do something bad or illegal and not be punished.
|
get into trouble »
To perform an action which is illegal, prohibited, forbidden or proscribed and to become subject to punishment for such action.
|
get it »
To "get what's coming to him/her"; to feel one's wrath; to receive punishment; to receive a retaliation; to receive a beating.
|
get off lightly »
End up with a mild punishment.
|
get off with »
To befriend someone and snog them, especially in a public place.
|
give chase »
To chase or pursue a person.
|
give someone what for »
To punish; to rebuke.
|
glutton for punishment »
One persistent in an effort in spite of harmful or unpleasant results.
|
go all out »
To reserve nothing; to put forth all possible effort or resources.
|
go bad »
putrefy
|
go figure »
Expresses perplexity, confusion, surprise, or puzzlement.
|
go from zero to hero »
To become very popular after being unpopular.
|
go off »
To putrefy or become inedible.
|
go out »
To leave one's abode to go to public places.
|
go public »
Make public, announce publicly or to the press.
|
go red »
Of states or counties, to be carried by a Republican candidate in a given U.S. election.
|
goon squad »
A group of individuals serving as enforcers, bodyguards, and the like, especially persons hired for such a purpose and using violent, thuggish methods.
|
grab bag »
A gift, purchase, etc. whose contents are concealed until after a selection is made.
|
grasp at straws »
To guess randomly at or pursue any apparent option, as due to lack of options or information.
|
great unwashed »
A contemptuous term for the populace, particularly the working class.
|
gunboat diplomacy »
The pursuit of foreign policy objectives with the aid of conspicuous displays of military power.
|
hang up »
To put up to hang.
|
hanging offence »
A crime so serious that it is punishable by means of death by hanging.
|
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.
|
hatchet job »
A treatment which serves primarily to disparage its subject; a piece of criticism which aims to destroy a reputation.
|
haul off »
To draw back the arm in order to punch.
|
have an axe to grind »
To have a dispute, resentment, or grudge, sometimes with a disposition to act on that resentment covertly; to have a bias; to take issue with something.
|
have egg on one's face »
To suffer embarrassment or humiliation; to damage one's reputation.
|
have someone's hide »
To punish or subdue someone.
|
head girl »
senior female pupil
|
head scratcher »
A particularly puzzling or confusing event.
|
hike up »
To lift; to tug or pull upwards.
|
hit the bricks »
To participate in a workplace strike or other job action; to participate in a public protest, especially one involving picketing.
|
hit the rock »
To make a gesture to show celebration, friendship, or to be part of a secret handshake by one person raising their fist so the fist is pointing at the person and the other person lightly punches the fist.
|
hit the rocks »
To be at a low point in one's pursuits.
|
hold one's water »
To be patient; to control one's impulses.
|
home run »
A success; especially, a popular success.
|
horse pucky »
Nonsense; feces.
|
hot on somebody's heels »
Close behind; pursuing or following closely.
|
household name »
A very well-known public figure.
|
how come »
Why; why is it; for what reason or purpose?.
|
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.
|
in broad daylight »
In a blatant and publicly visible manner.
|
iron out »
To resolve (a dispute); to solve (a problem).
|
it ain't the whistle that pulls the train »
Alternative form of it's not the whistle that pulls the train.
|
it is easy to find a stick to beat a dog »
(rare or obsolete, proverb) If a person is determined to punish someone, they will find a way to do so.1596
|
it is not the whistle that pulls the train »
Alternative form of it's not the whistle that pulls the train.
|
it isn't the whistle that pulls the train »
Alternative form of it's not the whistle that pulls the train.
|
it's not the whistle that pulls the train »
Boasting and loud talk should not be mistaken for the work that produces real achievements; bravado is no proof of action.1956, James Reston, "Washington: It's Not the Whistle that Pulls the Train," New York Times, 1 July, p. E8:
|
joe job »
An act of e-mail spamming where the sender's identity and address are those of an innocent third party, intended either to tarnish that person's reputation or to flood that person's e-mail with bounces.
|
jump on »
To board a public transport vehicle.
|
jump the gun »
To trade securities based on information that is not yet public; to trade on inside information.
|
jump the queue »
To move into a queue ahead of others who have been waiting longer or that have a higher priority; push in.
|
jump through hoops »
To put forth effort for the sake of appearance or demonstration.
|
just deserts »
A punishment or reward that is considered to be what the recipient deserved.
|
keep up with the Joneses »
To do or buy things for status, show, or image rather than out of need, especially for the purpose of competing with friends or neighbors.
|
key off »
To take as a controlling input datum.
|
kitchen table software »
Especially in the early years of personal computers, a set of computer programs developed by an entrepreneurial advanced amateur or self-employed professional computer programmer in his or her own home; software developed by a small business using the services of such programmers.
|
knock out »
To put someone to sleep.
|
knock up »
To put together, fabricate, or assemble, particularly if done hastily or temporarily. See also knock together.
|
knowledge is power »
With knowledge and/or education, one's potential or ability to succeed in the pursuit of his objectives will certainly increase.
|
knuckle sandwich »
A punch to the face, especially to the mouth.
|
lady or tiger »
A pure gamble with highly divergent outcomes.
|
landing strip »
A cultivated pubic hair pattern in which much of the pubic hair is removed, leaving only a central vertical line or rectangle.
|
late bloomer »
A person who reaches puberty comparatively later than their peers.
|
laughing stock »
An object of ridicule, someone who is publicly ridiculed; a butt of sport.
|
lay down »
To lie down; to place oneself in a reclined or horizontal position, on a bed or similar, for the purpose of resting.
|
lay open »
In Japan and South Korea, to publish a patent for initial public review, prior to the formal application for registration.
|
lay up »
To store; to put by.
|
lead nowhere »
To have no purpose, to result in nothing.
|
leg pull »
To joke
|
let off »
To forgive and not punish.
|
life's not all skittles and beer »
Skittles and Beer refers to the carefree, indulgent bar life; skittles being a British pub game. Thus, life's not all skittles and beer means that not everything is about pleasure.
|
like crazy »
To a great or excessive degree; with great speed, output, enthusiasm, etc.
|
like hot cakes »
Quickly, especially by purchase or consumption.
|
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).
|
log out »
To exit an account in a computer system so that it doesn't recognize you until you log in again.
|
long finger »
[hire purchase]] or credit.
|
look off »
To put off by one's facial expression.
|
lose face »
To lose the respect of others, to be humiliated or experience public disgrace.
|
louse up »
Mess up; confuse; put into a state of disorder.
|
low blow »
A rhetorical attack that is considered unfair or unscrupulous.
|
lower the boom on »
To punish someone.
|
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.
|
lump it »
To endure, accept, put up with a situation one does not like.
|
lump together »
To put different items or groups together and treat them, or think of them as one single group.
|
mad money »
A sum of money, often relatively small in amount, kept in reserve to use for impulsive, frivolous purposes.
|
made in China »
Manufactured in the People's Republic of China.
|
magnum opus »
greatest work
|
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 an example of »
To punish someone so as to be a warning to others.
|
make an exhibition of oneself »
To embarrass oneself or others in public.
|
make someone's teeth itch »
To bother or unsettle a person; to put someone on edge.
|
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.
|
mark up »
To add coding to text so that it will display properly on a computer.
|
mess with »
To diss; to put down.
|
middle of nowhere »
Nowhere; any place lacking population, interesting things, or defining characteristics.
|
middle of the road »
Of a type of melodic popular music that has wide appeal.
|
mine arse on a bandbox »
An answer to the offer of any thing inadequate to the purpose for which it is proffered, like offering a bandbox for a seat.
|
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.
|
moral high ground »
A position or point of view which is ethically superior or more reputable, in comparison to others which are under consideration.
|
mouse potato »
A person who spends excessive amounts of time using a computer.
|
naked as a jaybird »
Stark naked; nude; especially, naked in a public setting and without embarrassment.
|
no good deed ever goes unpunished »
Used to express the idea that beneficial actions often go unappreciated or are met with outright hostility.
|
no good deed goes unpunished »
Used to express the idea that beneficial actions often go unappreciated or are met with outright hostility.
|
not a pretty sight »
Something disappointing, disquieting, disreputable, or otherwise unworthy of admiration.
|
not to put too fine a point on it »
Used to apologise for a possibly impolite statement one is making.
|
object lesson »
A punishment intended as a deterrent to others.
|
odd one out »
A visual puzzle where the guesser has to choose which word/picture/symbol etc. does not fit with the others.
|
off-the-shelf »
As purchased or as commonly available, without modification or customization.
|
on purpose »
Purposefully; with intention; deliberately.
|
on the pull »
Seeking the intimate company of a member of the opposite sex.
|
on the right track »
Using the correct general approach to a particular task or problem; pursuing something in a promising way.
|
on the spur of the moment »
On very short notice; spontaneously.
|
opening time »
hour at which a pub can start serving
|
out of house and home »
Cassandra Chrones Moore, Haunted Housing: How Toxic Scare Stories Are Spooking the Public Out of House and Home.
|
over the transom »
Said of an unsolicited work submitted for publication.
|
pack up »
To put back together.
|
paint the town red »
To party or celebrate in a rowdy, wild manner, especially in a public place.
|
paper »
A written document that reports scientific or academic research and is usually subjected to peer review before publication in a scientific journal or in the proceedings of a scientific or academic meeting .
|
patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels »
The appeal to patriotism is often used to distract the public from real issues.
|
pay for »
To be punished or held accountable for.
|
pay up »
To pay for something in total, after a certain amount of time after receiving a purchase.
|
pencil pusher »
One who does routine office work; someone involved mainly in paperwork.
|
perp walk »
The intentional public display before news cameras of someone in police custody, especially someone famous or notorious, for the purpose of satisfying public interest, demonstrating the authorities' effectiveness, or shaming the person.
|
personal computers »
PCs
|
pick up »
To meet and seduce somebody for romantic purposes, especially in a social situation, sometimes used with "on".
|
pinch and a punch for the first of the month »
Said the first day of a new month, accompanied by a pinch and a punch to the victim.
|
pissing contest »
An immature dispute over some trivial matter.
|
play fast and loose »
To ignore proper behavior or social conventions, especially when it suits ones purpose.
|
play on words »
A pun, or similar humorous use of language such as a double entendre.
|
play one against another »
To manipulate two persons into competing against one another in a way that benefits the person carrying out the manipulation.
|
play with fire »
To put oneself in a precarious situation with a high risk of getting harmed, particularly emotionally or financially.
|
pleased as Punch »
Pleased with one's actions or achievements.
|
possession is nine-tenths of the law »
One who has possession of a thing has some right to it; a popular statement of the doctrine of adverse possession.
|
potter's field »
A public place where strangers, paupers, and criminals are buried.
|
price out of the market »
To charge an exorbitant price for a service or product so that no one will purchase it.
|
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.
|
prop up the bar »
To spend time drinking alcohol at the bar in a pub.
|
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.
|
puddle jumper »
A small passenger airplane, typically used for shorter connecting trips to smaller airports.
|
puff out »
To inflate.
|
puff out »
To blow briefly and lightly.
|
puff up »
To inflate with air.
|
puff up »
To swell due to injury or illness.
|
puff up »
To become proud.
|
puke up »
To vomit.
|
pulcher »
Beautiful, fair.
|
pulcher »
Beauty.
|
pulcher »
Noble, honorable, excellent.
|
pull a »
He pulled an Elvis and got really fat.
|
pull a »
To emulate a behaviour generally attributed to the individual named.
|
pull a face »
To make an abnormal facial expression.
|
pull a fast one »
To deceive or trick.
|
pull an all-nighter »
Work diligently throughout the night.
|
pull apart »
To open something by pulling on various parts of it.
|
pull away »
To move ahead.
|
pull my finger »
A phrase used when playing a prank regarding flatulence, in which a mark is asked to pull the finger of the person playing the prank, who simultaneously flatulates so as to suggest a causal relationship between the pulling of the finger and the resulting expulsion of gas.
|
pull off »
To remove by pulling.
|
pull off »
To achieve; to succeed at something difficult.
|
pull one's finger out »
To stop wasting time in preliminaries, and concentrate on the important task.
|
pull one's head in »
To withdraw as a turtle might; to discontinue support of a particular argument.
|
pull one's own weight »
To do the work that one is obligated to.
|
pull one's socks up »
To start making an effort; to renew or redouble one's efforts.
|
pull one's weight »
To do the work that one is obligated to.
|
pull oneself together »
To become mentally focused after a period of being unfocused.
|
pull oneself up by one's bootstraps »
To begin an enterprise or recover from a setback without any outside help; to succeed only on one's own effort or abilities.
|
pull out »
To withdraw; especially of military forces; to retreat.
|
pull out »
To use coitus interruptus as a method of birth control.
|
pull out »
To remove something from a container.
|
pull out »
To maneuver a vehicle from the side of a road onto the lane.
|
pull out all the stops »
To reserve or hold back nothing.
|
pull over »
To cause to pull over.
|
pull rank »
To assert one's authority over a subordinate who disagrees.
|
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 someone down a peg »
To lower someone's high self-opinion.
|
pull strings »
To manipulate, especially by asking favours of.
|
pull teeth »
To do something that is especially difficult or effortful.
|
pull teeth »
To remove teeth, usually because they are diseased or damaged.
|
pull the other leg »
In imperative/precative form, used to imply that the speaker does not accept or believe what another has just said.
|
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.
|
pull the other one, it's got bells on »
Monty Python's Holy Grail.
|
pull the plug »
To cease from production or publication.
|
pull the plug »
To cease life support.
|
pull the plug »
To cease to support; to halt.
|
pull the plug »
To unplug or cut power.
|
pull the trigger »
To commit to a course of action.
|
pull the trigger »
To fire a gun.
|
pull together »
To unite for a common objective.
|
pull up »
Lift upwards or vertically.
|
pull up »
Retrieve; get.
|
pull up »
Drive close to something, especially a curb.
|
pull up stumps »
To cease doing something, at least for the day.
|
pulls up »
stops
|
pump iron »
To lift weights; to engage in weight or strength training.
|
pump up »
To inflate by means of a pump.
|
pump up »
To inflate with a pumping action.
|
pump up »
To excite a person or group to a frenzy.
|
pump up »
To cause one's muscles to swell by means of focussed weightlifting.
|
punch bowl waterfall »
A plunging waterfall descending from a narrow stream into a pool.
|
punch in »
To enter a workplace by punching a time card.
|
punch up »
to fight
|
pure and simple »
Plain and unadorned.
|
purple prose »
Extravagant or flowery writing, especially in a literary work.
|
push one's luck »
To take an excessive risk or to attempt some task unlikely to succeed, especially after having already been unexpectedly lucky.
|
push the boat out »
To do something, especially spend money, more extravagantly than usual, particularly for a celebration.
|
push the envelope »
To go beyond established limits; to pioneer.
|
pushing up daisies »
Dead.
|
put a damper on »
To stop people from enjoying an activity.
|
put a foot wrong »
To make a mistake.
|
put a lid on it »
To be quiet; shut up; to stop talking about something or making noise.
|
put a sock in it »
To be quiet; to shut one's mouth; to stop talking.
|
put a stop to »
To terminate or abolish something.
|
put about »
To change direction.
|
put across »
To explain or state something clearly and understandably.
|
put across »
To perform a theatrical production.
|
put all one's eggs in one basket »
Rather than diversifying.
|
put an end to »
To terminate or abolish something.
|
put aside »
To save money.
|
put aside »
To ignore or intentionally forget something, temporarily or permanently, so that more important things can have one's attention.
|
put away »
To store away, place out of the way, clean up, or organize.
|
put away »
To eat a great deal.
|
put away »
To send someone to prison.
|
put away »
Divorce.
|
put away »
To strike out a batter.
|
put away »
To catch a fly ball or tag out a baserunner.
|
put away »
To take a large lead in a game.
|
put back »
To return something to it's original place.
|
put back »
To postpone an arranged event or appointment.
|
put back »
To drink fast; to knock down alcohol.
|
put back »
To change the time in a time zone to an earlier time.
|
put by »
To preserve food by canning, freezing, drying, etc.
|
put by »
To perform an action without attracting attention.
|
put by »
To save money.
|
put by »
To run a ship aground intentionally to avoid a collision.
|
put down »
To set down, stop carrying, or place in a low location.
|
put down »
To insult, belittle, or demean.
|
put down »
To pay an initial amount of money on a large purchase.
|
put down »
To halt, eliminate, stop, or squelch, often by force.
|
put down »
To administer euthanasia to, as an animal too old or ill to cure.
|
put down »
To write something.
|
put down »
To replace the telephone receiver and terminate a call. To hang up.
|
put down »
To add a name to a list.
|
put down »
To make prices, or taxes, lower.
|
put down »
To place a baby somewhere to sleep.
|
put down »
To land an aircraft.
|
put down »
To drop someone off, or let them out of a vehicle.
|
put down for »
To record that someone has offered to help, or contribute something.
|
put down roots »
To do things which show that one wishes to stay put.
|
put down roots »
To feel that one belong in a place.
|
put down to »
To state the cause of a situation.
|
put forth »
To give or supply; to make or create.
|
put forward »
To propose for consideration.
|
put forward »
To change the time in a time zone to a later time.
|
put hair on somebody's chest »
To make a person stronger or more masculine.
|
put in »
To place inside.
|
put in »
To apply, request, or submit.
|
put into practice »
To take a theory and make it a practical reality.
|
put off »
To procrastinate.
|
put off »
To offend, repulse, or frighten.
|
put off »
postpone
|
put on »
To place upon or atop.
|
put on »
To don clothing or equipment.
|
put on »
To play recorded music.
|
put on »
To cook or warm.
|
put on »
To record, to add to a record or document.
|
put on »
clothe oneself in
|
put on airs »
To become haughty, to assume a haughty manner.
|
put on the dog »
To dress up; to put on airs; to make a show of wealth and/or importance; to be pretentious.
|
put one foot in front of the other »
To move forward, progress steadily.
|
put one foot in front of the other »
To walk, decomposed to stress the fundamentality of the task.
|
put one over »
To fool, trick or deceive.
|
put one past somebody »
To deceive, trick, or fool, especially by concealing something.
|
put one's back into »
To make a strenuous effort to do something.
|
put one's best foot forward »
To show oneself in the best or most positive way possible; to make a favorable impression.
|
put one's feet up »
To relax.
|
put one's foot down »
To insist, demand, or refuse.
|
put one's foot down »
To make a car go faster, accelerate.
|
put one's foot in it »
To make a mistake in public, or a social blunder, that is embarrassing, or offensive.
|
put one's foot in one's mouth »
To misspeak; to say something embarrassing or wrong.
|
put one's hands together »
To clap; to applaud.
|
put one's mind to it »
To apply oneself; to exert a directed effort.
|
put one's money where one's mouth is »
More generally, to take an obvious stake in the truth of a claim that one is making.
|
put one's money where one's mouth is »
To make or take a bet.
|
put one's shoulder to the wheel »
To work or exert oneself heavily or with full effort.
|
put oneself across »
To explain one's ideas and opinions clearly so that another person can understand them and get a picture of your personality.
|
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.
|
put out »
The statistic of the number of outs a defensive player directly caused.
|
put out feelers »
To explore or watch for; ask around; investigate.
|
put paid to »
To stop something once and for all.
|
put paid to »
To mark a bill or a debt record as "paid".
|
put somebody in his place »
To bring somebody down; to humble or insult.
|
put someone down as »
To assume someone has a particular character from very little information.
|
put someone in mind of »
To remind someone of; to inspire a mental image or awareness of; to cause thoughts concerning.
|
put someone's back up »
To annoy someone deliberately.
|
put something into perspective »
To compare with something similar to give a clearer, more accurate idea.
|
put the bee on »
To beg; to borrow money from.
|
put the bee on »
To finish off, to beat.
|
put the boot in »
To kick a fallen opponent.
|
put the boot in »
To kick someone when they are down.
|
put the cart before the horse »
To put things in the wrong order or with the wrong priorities.
|
put the cat among the pigeons »
If you set the cat among the pigeons, you will cause a flutter in the dovecote.
|
put the cat among the pigeons »
Professor Stephen Hawking put the cat among the pigeons last week with his cheery remarks about comet Machholz-2, which some astronomers believe could be heading our way. — The Times, 19 September 1994.
|
put the cat among the pigeons »
To cause alarm.
|
put the clock back »
To change the time in a time zone to an earlier time.
|
put the clock forward »
To change the time in a time zone to a later time.
|
put the feedbag on »
To dine; to eat.
|
put the hammer down »
To drive quickly; to step on the accelerator.
|
put the kibosh on »
To halt, stop, or squelch.
|
put the pedal to the metal »
To exert maximum effort.
|
put the pedal to the metal »
To press the gas pedal to the maximum extent.
|
put the wind up »
To frighten or disturb.
|
put through its paces »
To test completely; to exercise the full range of abilities or functions.
|
put through the wringer »
To interrogate or scrutinize closely; to subject to some trial or ordeal.
|
put to the test »
To test something or someone; to evaluate, scrutinize or explore by testing or experimentation.
|
put together »
To assemble, construct, or build.
|
put two and two together »
To figure out; to deduce or discern.
|
put up »
To place in a high location.
|
put up »
To hang or mount.
|
put up »
To cajole or dare to do something.
|
put up »
To store away.
|
put up »
To house, shelter, or take in.
|
put up »
To present, especially in "put up a fight".
|
put up »
to build
|
put up one's dukes »
Prepare to fight; literally, to raise your fists.
|
put up or shut up »
Desist from saying something unless one is able to prove it.
|
put up with »
To tolerate, suffer through, or allow, esp. something annoying.
|
put words in somebody's mouth »
To attribute to somebody something he or she did not say; to claim inaccurately that somebody said or intended something.
|
put your hands together »
Clap; applaud.
|
question mark »
The punctuation mark “?”, used at the end of a sentence to indicate a question..
|
rag the puck »
To proceed slowly at any activity in order to use up time; to stall for time.
|
rag the puck »
To retain possession of the puck by skillful skating and stickhandling without attempting to score, as a deliberate tactic intended to use up time.
|
red state »
A state of the United States voting Republican in a given election, or tending to vote Republican in general.
|
rein in »
To stop or slow a horse by pulling the reins.
|
ridden hard and put away wet »
Mistreated; not properly cared for.
|
rip off »
To pull off by ripping.
|
rise from the ashes »
To make a comeback after a long hiatus. To come back into common use or practice. To come back into popularity. To come back to being a thing of today.
|
rob the cradle »
To use a young person for a purpose inappropriate to his or her age.
|
root up »
To dig or pull up by the roots; to deracinate.
|
rules OK »
To be popularly accepted, or supported by the general majority of people.
|
sacred cow »
Something which cannot be tampered with, or criticized, for fear of public outcry.
|
save face »
To take an action or make a gesture intended to preserve one's reputation or honour.
|
scratch one's head »
To puzzle, ponder, or wonder about something.
|
see a man »
A bland euphemism to conceal one's true purpose.
|
see a man »
To take one's leave for some urgent purpose, especially to go to the bathroom.
|
sell »
To promote a particular viewpoint; to manipulate towards a desired end.
|
sell-by date »
The final date on which a perishable product can be legally sold to the public.
|
send up »
To be put in prison.
|
send up »
To imitate someone or something for the purpose of satirical humour.
|
set aside »
To separate and reserve something for a specific purpose.
|
set the Thames on fire »
To achieve something amazing; to do something which brings great public acclaim.
|
sex up »
To make more palatable or acceptable to the general public; to improve the image or perception.
|
shitstorm »
Considerable backlash from the public.
|
shoot 'em up »
A short story, novel, television show, film, computer game, or other narrative which depicts considerable gunplay.
|
short hairs »
Pubic hair.
|
sick puppy »
In a morbid or gruesome way.
|
sign in »
To take some action to access a secured program or web page on a computer; to log in.
|
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.
|
sixth former »
senior pupil
|
slap on the wrist »
A mild or too-mild punishment; a reprimand.
|
smash hit »
Something that is tremendously popular or successful.
|
smear campaign »
An effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.
|
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.
|
smoking gun »
Evidence, particularly of a crime, that is difficult or impossible to dispute.
|
smooth operator »
A skillful, manipulative person, con artist, or clever scoundrel.
|
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.
|
soft shoe »
A kind of tap dancing performed in soft-soled shoes, popular in vaudeville.
|
sour grapes »
A putting down or expression of disdain about something that one desires but cannot have.
|
spectator sport »
Something, especially a process or activity, which is a popular object of observation; an activity which a person prefers to watch rather than to participate in.
|
spur of the moment »
Impluse; short notice; a lack of planning.
|
square away »
To finish, complete, tidy or put in order.
|
stage of the game »
A point in the progress of an ongoing dispute or process.
|
stand down »
To wait; to stop pursuing or fighting.
|
stands in »
deputises
|
stat whore »
Through unscrupulous or tacky means.
|
stay put »
To remain in one fixed place.
|
stick one's neck out »
To take a risk, putting oneself in a vulnerable position.
|
stick up »
To put up by sticking.
|
stickhandle »
To maintain individual possession of the puck or ball by controlling it with movements of one's stick, especially to do so in a skillful manner.
|
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.
|
stop press »
The event or news article important enough to delay or interrupt the print, or require a reprint, of a publication, particularly of a newspaper edition.
|
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.
|
suck it up »
To put up with something; to deal with something, such as pain or misfortune, without complaining.
|
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.
|
swing state »
A state which may vote Democratic or Republican, in a given election or generally; a purple state.
|
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 bullet »
To purposely receive a gunshot that was intended for another.
|
take away »
To remove something and put it in a different place.
|
take down a peg »
Alternative form of pull down a peg.
|
take in »
To receive into your home for the purpose of processing for a fee.
|
take one's hat off to »
To publicly praise or thank.
|
take the rap »
To be blamed or punished for something, especially for the actions of another.
|
take up with »
To be contented to receive; to receive without opposition; to put up with.
|
talk dirty »
To use profane language, especially sexual vulgarities for the purpose of arousal.
|
talk like an apothecary »
To use hard or gallipot words: from the assumed gravity and affectation of knowledge generally put on by the gentlemen of this profession, who are commonly as superficial in their learning as they are pedantic in their language.
|
talking head »
A pundit who discusses issues of the day, especially one on TV.
|
teacher's pet »
favourite pupil
|
tear up the pea patch »
To put on a notable performance, especially in sports; to go on a rampage.
|
tempus fugit »
time flies (used as an alternative to this phrase)."Meanwhile, the irreplaceable time escapes", expressing concern that one's limited time is being consumed by something which may have little intrinsic substance or importance at that moment.
|
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 name of the game »
The overall purpose; the principal goal, or objective.
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the proof is in the pudding »
Alternative form of the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
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the proof of the pudding is in the eating »
The only real test of something is as what it is intended to be used for.
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the whistle does not pull the train »
Alternative form of it's not the whistle that pulls the train.
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the whistle doesn't pull the train »
Alternative form of it's not the whistle that pulls the train.
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think tank »
A group of which performs research and develops reports and recommendations on topics relating to strategic planning or public policy, and which is usually funded by corporations, interest groups, or government.
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third wheel »
A person or thing that serves no useful purpose.
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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 off »
To confuse; especially, to lose a pursuer.
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throw shapes »
To act tough or put up a front. For example, to threaten a person by making "karate chops" at them, without actually doing harm or knowing karate.
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throw the book at »
To apply the harshest possible punishment to.
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tip one's hand »
To inadvertently reveal any secret, particularly a secret that puts one at an advantage or disadvantage.
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to all intents and purposes »
For every functional purpose; in every practical sense; in every important respect; practically speaking.
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track record »
An organization's, product's, or person's past performance reviewed in its entirety, usually for the purpose of making a judgment.
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trick out »
To trick out; to mod or customize an object, typically for the purpose of both personalization as well as enhancing the object's performance capabilities and more particularly for the purpose of performing stunts with that object.
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trip to the woodshed »
An occasion on which a reprimand or punishment is administered.
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trump up »
Heavily publicise, promote or market a product.
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tuck in »
To push the fabric at the bottom of a shirt under the pants.
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turf war »
A dispute over territory between rival gangs.
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turn into a pumpkin »
Used to indicate a curfew, or the time by which one must depart.
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turn off »
To repulse, disgust, or discourage.
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turn the other cheek »
To accept a punishment or an injury and not act out revenge or retaliate.
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wear out »
Of apparel, displayed in public.
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wear out »
To punish by spanking.
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what for »
An unspecified punishment or rebuke.
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what you see is what you get »
The screen image resembles the printed output.
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what's the good of »
What is the purpose or advantage of.
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wheel around »
To transport someone or something to various locations by pushing a wheeled transporter such as a wheelchair or a wheelbarrow or trolley.
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when push comes to shove »
When the pressure is on; when the situation is critical or urgent; when the time has come for action, even if it is difficult.
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when the shit hits the fan »
A reference to the messy consequences of a secret or private situation becoming public.
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wild-goose chase »
A futile search, a fruitless errand; a useless and often lengthy pursuit.
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winter rat »
An old, unattractive automobile, purchased for little money, to be driven during brutal Great Lakes winters while the owner's "good" car remains garaged and protected from corrosive road salt for the season.
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yank off »
To remove something, like a piece of cloth or bread, by tearing it with one quick strong pull.
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yank out »
To remove something like a nail, or a tooth with one quick strong pull.
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yellow journalism »
Material published in a broadcast or periodical, such as a tabloid newspaper or magazine, which is sensationalistic and of questionable accuracy and taste.
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yellow press »
Newspapers which publish sensationalist articles rather than well researched and sober journalism.
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you can hang your hat on that »
It's something to put faith in, to rely upon or trust (when used in a positive connotation).
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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.
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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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you only get what you give »
There is a positive correlation between the effort one puts in and the benefits one receives.
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zip up »
To convert a computer file into a smaller package.
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