a cut above »
Superior to; of a higher quality than.
|
a cut below »
Inferior to; of a lower quality than.
|
a few sandwiches short of a picnic »
Exhibiting disquiet or unsoundness of mind; not sane; mad.
|
a house is not a home »
A home is not merely a building but requires inhabitants and a friendly atmosphere.
|
a notch above »
Superior to; of a higher quality than.
|
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!
|
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 question of »
The important question is; the necessary question is.
|
abide by »
To accept a decision or law and act in accordance with it; to conform to; to acquiesce; as, to abide by an award.
|
abound in »
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
|
abound with »
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
|
above and beyond »
More than is expected or required.
|
acid test »
A rigorous test or appraisal of the quality or worth of something.
|
all nations »
A composition of all the different spirits sold in a dram-shop, collected in a vessel into which the drainings of the bottles and quartern pots are emptied.
|
all of a sudden »
Adv suddenly, quickly.
|
all the time »
Very often; frequently.
|
all things being equal »
Without considering or being affected by external factors.
|
am I right or am I right »
Rhetorical question from somebody who has stated what they consider to be an unassailable truth.
|
and change »
And some quantity, but less than the increment to the next round number.
|
answer back »
To reply to a question at a later time.
|
answer back »
To issue echo characters, protocol responses, reflexive connection requests, etc.
|
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
|
ark ruffian »
Rogues who, in conjunction with watermen, robbed, and sometimes murdered, on the water, by picking a quarrel with the passengers in a boat, boarding it, plundering, stripping, and throwing them overboard, etc. A species of badger.
|
arm to the teeth »
To equip thoroughly with weapons.
|
as long as »
Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; so long as.
|
as you sow, so shall you reap »
The personal consequences of one's actions are in proportion to the good or bad intentions towards others.
|
ask around »
To enquire about something to different people.
|
ask for »
request
|
ask for »
make a request
|
ask my arse »
A common reply to any question; still deemed wit at sea, and formerly at court, under the denomination of selling bargains.
|
ask round »
To enquire about something to different people.
|
at all »
Indicating degree, quantity or frequency greater than zero; to the slightest degree, in any way, somewhat, rather.
|
at full tilt »
At full speed; very quickly.
|
at the high port »
At once; unhesitatingly; quickly and vigorously.
|
autem quaver »
Quaker.
|
back to square one »
Located back at the start, as after a dead-end or failure.
|
back-to-back »
Identical or similar and sequential.
|
baggage »
Luggage; traveling equipment.
|
bang out »
To do something quickly, in a slipshod, or unprofessional manner.
|
bar fly »
A person who frequents bars or lounges to get drunk.
|
bar star »
A female who frequents bars or lounges, usually late at night.
|
barrel »
The quantity which constitutes a full barrel. This varies for different articles and also in different places for the same article, being regulated by custom or by law. A barrel of wine is 31 1/2 gallons; a barrel of flour is 196 pounds; of beer 31 gallons; of ale 32 gallons; of crude oil 42 gallons.
|
bash out »
To write something very quickly, without much thought.
|
be of two minds »
To be undecided or unsure; to equivocate; to have multiple opinions.
|
be there or be square »
Used to encourage someone to go somewhere.
|
because you touch yourself at night »
Used to humourously deflect a request for a reason.
|
before you can say Jack Robinson »
Very quickly. Quicker than you expect.
|
behind the bit »
An equestrian term, meaning that the horse is evading the bit.
|
between a rock and a hard place »
Having the choice between two unpleasant or distasteful options; in a predicament or quandary.
|
bite the bullet »
To endure a punishment or consequence with dignity or stoicism.
|
bite the dust »
To quit, or fail.
|
bite to eat »
A snack or quick meal.
|
blink of an eye »
A very short period of time; quickly.
|
blow chunks »
To be very bad, inadequate, unpleasant, or miserable; to thoroughly suck.
|
blow up »
To become popular very quickly.
|
blue moon »
The third full moon in a quarter that contains four rather than the usual three full moons.
|
blue note »
Notes added to the major scale for expressive quality in jazz and blues music, particularly the flatted third, fifth and seventh.
|
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.
|
boil down to »
to be equivalent to; to reduce to.
|
boot camp »
A short, intensive, quasi-military program generally aimed at young offenders as an alternative to a jail term.
|
born in a barn »
Lacking a sense of etiquette; ill-mannered.
|
bottom of the line »
The worst, the most lackluster, or lowest quality currently on the market, especially among selections in a product line.
|
bowl a googly »
Something unexpected, underhand or requiring a quick reaction or correction.
|
box the compass »
To know, and be able to recite the 32 points and quarter points of the magnetic compass from North, both clockwise and anticlockwise.
|
brass monkey »
A kind of inexpensive liqueur.
|
break a sweat »
January 2008, The Age - Walkovers blaze a trail for women's equal-pay theory.
|
brickbat »
For example, it's quite common for magazines to have a section called Bouquets and Brickbats for compliments and criticisms.
|
bridge »
An elevated platform above the upper deck of a mechanically propelled ship from which it is navigated and from which all activities on deck can be seen and controlled by the captain, etc; smaller ships have a wheelhouse, and sailing ships were controlled from a quarterdeck.
|
bring out »
To elicit, evoke, or emphasize a particular quality.
|
bump up »
To give a more prominent place to; to advance position in queue.
|
burn one's fingers »
To harm oneself; to suffer consequences of one's actions.
|
by the book »
In a manner which adheres strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.
|
by-the-book »
Adhering strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.
|
call it even »
To declare debts resolved or favors or other exchange equitable.
|
call it quits »
To conclude; to quit or stop an activity.
|
call on »
To request or ask of somebody; to select for a task.
|
calls for »
Requires; needs to
|
camel's nose »
A metaphor for a situation where the permitting of some small act will lead consequently to a larger undesirable act or circumstance.
|
can it »
To silence; to quit doing something; to put an end to something.
|
can of worms »
A complex, troublesome situation arising when a decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems.
|
carry a torch for »
[2] To harbor feelings of love despite not being in a relationship; generally unrequited or after a relationship has ended, and sometimes implying secret feelings. There is the implication of keeping hope alive.
|
carry the message to Garcia »
To perform a requisite task despite obstacles.
|
carry the message to Garcia »
To perform a requisite task without having been informed specifically by what method to do so.
|
cat that ate the canary »
A person whose appearance and behavior suggest guilt mixed with other qualities, such as satisfaction or feigned nonchalance.
|
center field »
A central role in some activity that requires speed.
|
chalkface »
A cliff or quarry exposing chalk, e.g. the White Cliffs of Dover.
|
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.
|
cheat sheet »
Any summary or quick reference used as a shortcut or reminder, a crib sheet.
|
chicken feed »
A very small or insignificant quantity, especially of money.
|
chickens coming home to roost »
Consequences visited upon someone who originally had appeared to escape them.
|
children should be seen and not heard »
Children should behave well and be quiet, especially in the presence of adults.
|
chip in »
To put into the pot the amount of chips or money required to continue.
|
chip on one's shoulder »
A tendency to take offence quickly.
|
circular firing squad »
A political party or other group experiencing considerable disarray because the members are engaging in internal disputes and mutual recrimination.
|
class clown »
A student who frequently makes jokes or pokes fun; a wiseacre.
|
clay »
An earth material with ductile qualities.
|
close, but no cigar »
That's almost correct, but not quite.
|
come out of the woodwork »
To appear or emerge as though out of nowhere, frequently in large numbers or quantity.
|
coming out of one's ears »
In great or excess quantity.
|
company »
A unit of firefighters and their equipment.
|
consume mass quantities »
To eat or drink abundant amounts of food or beverage.
|
consume mass quantities »
To use large amounts of any resource.
|
cop-out »
Avoidance or inadequate performance of a task or duty; the action of copping out.
|
couldn't happen to a nicer »
Sarcastically asserts that those in question thoroughly deserve their fate.
|
crash course »
A quick, intense course of learning, especially one which is informal or hurried.
|
cross the line »
To cross the equator, as a vessel at sea.
|
cross the Rubicon »
To make an irreversible decision or to take an action with consequences.
|
damn with faint praise »
To provide praise that is so minimal or inconsequential as to actually amount to criticism.
|
damp squib »
A firework that fails to go off, due to wetting.
|
damp squib »
Anything that doesn’t work properly, or fails to come up to expectations..
|
dash off »
To leave a place quickly or briefly.
|
dash off »
To write quickly or informally.
|
dead »
No longer used or required.
|
dead as a dodo »
Undoubtedly and unquestionably dead.
|
dead as a doorknob »
Entirely, unquestionably or certainly dead.
|
dead as a doornail »
Unquestionably dead. Used for both inanimate objects and once living beings.
|
dead men tell no tales »
Once someone is dead, they can no longer communicate, hence killing someone is the best way to keep him/her quiet.
|
deadbeat dad »
A man, especially one who is divorced or estranged from his partner, who fails to provide monetary child support when he is legally required to do so.
|
deep end »
A situation where expertise or experience is required.
|
den of iniquity »
A place of immoral behavior, usually of a sexual type.
|
desk jockey »
One who spends his or her time seated at a desk; especially one who is more concerned with procedure, paperwork, or administration than with its ultimate goal or practical consequence.
|
desperate times require desperate measures »
Alternative form of desperate times call for desperate measures.
|
diamond in the rough »
A person whose goodness or other positive qualities are hidden by a harsh or unremarkable surface appearance.
|
dirty laundry »
Unflattering facts or questionable activities that one wants to remain secret, but which some other may use to blackmail with.
|
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.
|
do-or-die »
Requiring a determined or desperate effort to avoid the consequences of failure.
|
does a bear shit in the woods »
Rhetorical question in response to a question where the answer is an emphatic yes.
|
does Macy's tell Gimbel's »
(US, dated, colloquial, rhetorical question) A rhetorical question with the implied answer being that competitors do not share business secrets with one another.
|
don't be penny wise and pound foolish »
Don't be careful when it comes to spending small amounts of money, but careless when spending much larger amounts.Don't focus on minutiae and lose sight of the big picture; don't obsess over tiny inconsequential efficiencies while glaring inefficiencies are going on elsewhere.
|
don't look a gift horse in the mouth »
Do not unappreciatively question a gift or handout too closely.
|
double Dutch »
A game of jump rope with two ropes and frequently two jumpers.
|
double entendre »
A phrase that has two meanings, especially where one is innocent and literal, the other risqué, bawdy, or ironic; an innuendo..
|
double up »
To double the quantity, amount or duration of something.
|
down the drain »
Wasted, squandered; irretrievable.
|
drama queen »
Any exaggeratedly dramatic person.
|
drama queen »
Who behaves and speaks in an overly dramatic manner so as to garner attention.
|
draw a blank »
To be unable to produce a required piece of information.
|
drink from a firehose »
To take a small amount from an enormous, hard-to-manage quantity.
|
drip »
To put a small amount of a liquid on something, drop by drop.
|
drop back »
Of a quarterback or other player in the backfield, to take a number of steps back from the line of scrimmage immediately after the snap or hike of the ball, to avoid defenders.
|
dummy up »
To not answer questions.
|
eat up »
To accept or believe entirely, immediately, and without questioning.
|
enquire after »
To ask about the health of someone.
|
err on the side of caution »
To act in the least risky manner in a situation where one is uncertain about the consequences.
|
every king needs a queen »
Every man needs a woman to be with for the rest of his life.
|
every silver lining has a cloud »
Every good situation has the potential to turn bad.2007, Diab A. Shetayh, Actuality : The Reality RequiemA great partnership isn't a self-maintaining entity. Perseverance and persistence make it thrive. For every silver lining has a cloud. Ignorance of this reality is not an option.
|
face the music »
To accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
|
factor space »
A space obtained from another by identification of points that are equivalent to one another in some equivalence relation.
|
facts on the ground »
A euphemism, similar to fait accompli, used as an oblique way of saying that discussions over the possession of a given piece of territory has been rendered moot by the presence of military forces.
|
fair and square »
Totally fairly and undoubtedly.
|
fair and square »
Within the applicable rules.
|
fall off a truck »
Of an item of merchandise, to come into a person's possession without having been paid for; to be acquired illegally.
|
fall off the back of a lorry »
Of an item of merchandise, to come into a perons's possession without having been paid for; to have been acquired illegally.
|
fall on deaf ears »
Of a request, complaint, etc, to be ignored.
|
fall short »
To be less satisfactory than expected; to be inadequate or insufficient.
|
familiarity breeds contempt »
The more acquainted one becomes with a person, the more one knows about his or her shortcomings and, hence, the easier it is to dislike that person.1894, H. Rider Haggard, The People Of The Mist, ch. 25:This was the beginning of evil, for if no man is a hero to his valet de chambre, much less can he remain a god for long in the eyes of a curious woman. Here, as in other matters, familiarity breeds contempt.
|
fifteen minutes of fame »
A very short time in the spotlight or brief flurry with fame, after which the person or subject involved is quickly forgotten.
|
fill in »
To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information.
|
fill the bill »
To satisfy a need; to serve a purpose; to fulfill specified requirements.
|
filter down »
Of a liquid; to move slowly down to lower substrate levels.
|
fire away »
To begin to talk or present information quickly.
|
fire off »
To ask an unexpected question rapidly.
|
fire off »
To write a note or letter quickly.
|
first among equals »
A person or position that if formally equivalent to others in a group, but is superior in some attribute.
|
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.
|
first rate »
Superb, exceptional; of the best sort; very high quality.
|
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
|
flipside »
A necessary consequence or corollary of something; especially one seen as opposite, or as pro versus con.
|
flunk out »
Often requiring a retaking of the course or academic year.
|
fly on the wall »
A quiet, non-participating, or unseen observer; an eavesdropper or witness.
|
fold one's tent »
To withdraw, especially in a discreet manner; to disengage; to quit.
|
forbidden fruit is the sweetest »
Forbidden things have more worthwhile short-term consequences.
|
forewarned is forearmed »
Advance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it.1863, Charles Reade, Hard Cash, ch. 4:[W]hatever a young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies; but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine . . . forewarned is forearmed.1885, G. A. Henty, Saint George for England, ch. 4:Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed.circa 1903, Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Why Mr. Cropper Changed His Mind":"Well, Miss Maxwell, I think it only fair to tell you that you may have trouble with those boys when they do come. Forewarned is forearmed, you know."
|
full tilt »
As quickly as possible; very rapidly.
|
full-fledged »
Having full qualification, credentials or preparation; entire; real.
|
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 handle on »
To build or acquire a basic level of understanding or control.
|
get off »
Consequences.
|
get off »
To stop using a piece of equipment.
|
get one's butt somewhere »
Go somewhere, especially quickly.
|
get something over with »
To do something quickly and hastily; without procrastination, especially so as to have something unpleasant behind oneself.
|
gimme a five »
A request to receive a high five.
|
give the devil his due »
To acknowledge the positive qualities of a person who is unpleasant or disliked.
|
go by the board »
To be superseded, rejected, or obliterated; to pass by with little consequence; to amount to nothing.
|
go dutch »
share expenses equally
|
go for »
To be equally valid or appropriate.
|
go jump in the lake »
Used to tell a person that to go away, or that their request will not be met.
|
golden ticket »
A philosophy that a quick fix can be achieved.
|
golden ticket »
A qualification, person or thing that can provide lucrative opportunities.
|
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 and go »
To get something quickly.
|
gravy train »
An occupation or any lucrative endeavor that generates considerable income whilst requiring little effort and carrying little risk.
|
guilty as sin »
Unquestionably guilty.
|
gulp down »
To eat very quickly without chewing the food properly.
|
gun it »
To accelerate or speed up quickly or suddenly.
|
gunshy »
Fearing the consequences of repeating an act, especially after being reprimanded.
|
halfway decent »
No more than adequate.
|
hand over »
To relinquish control or possession of something to someone.
|
hand over fist »
Quickly or in great quantity, especially in reference to earning money.
|
handbags at dawn »
A catty squabble.
|
hands down »
Without question[2].
|
haul ass »
To hurry; to move quickly, especially to leave.
|
have an eye for »
To have good taste; to have the ability to discriminate or identify quality.
|
have it coming »
To deserve or merit, as the consequences of one's actions.
|
have it your way »
Do something the way you want to, but be prepared for the consequences.
|
have to do with the price of tea in China »
To have any relation or bearing whatsoever on the topic at hand, usually used to emphasize the lack of relationship of a non sequitur.
|
he who smelt it dealt it »
(colloquial, originally) A person who calls attention to or complains about a fart is likely trying to pretend it wasn't his or her own.(colloquial, by extension) Used to suggest that a person calling attention to or complaining about a given problem may in fact be the source of the problem.
|
head-on »
Direct, abrupt, blunt or unequivocal; not prevaricating.
|
hear the grass grow »
To hear very well due to being in an exceptionally quiet environment.
|
here you are »
Said when you hand something over to someone or do a favour to them, usually to draw the recipient's attention to the exchange; Equivalent to “thank you” when receiving something..
|
hit up »
To request or demand.
|
hold a candle »
To compare; to be even remotely of the same quality, skill, etc. as another.
|
hold one's liquor »
To be resistant to intoxication or to show few signs of intoxication, even after consuming a significant amount of alcohol.
|
hold one's tongue »
To keep quiet; especially, to leave something unsaid.
|
hold your fire »
Wait, don't retaliate, calm down, be quiet.
|
homeless dumping »
The practice of hospital employees or emergency workers releasing homeless patients on the streets instead of placing them into the custody of a relative or shelter or retaining them in a hospital where they may require expensive medical care.
|
hook, line and sinker »
Naively or unquestioningly.
|
hoover up »
Quickly, especially by taking it into the mouth directly from the plate rather than using cutlery.
|
horse around »
To play or fiddle; to clown; to do nothing of importance or consequence.
|
horse opera »
An equestrian show, as in a circus.
|
hospital pass »
An unwinnable case, often passed to a newly-qualified member of the firm.
|
hot lunch »
A sexual act in which a pouch of clingfilm or similar material filled with faeces is placed in one of the participants' mouth and subsequently penetrated by the second participant.
|
how are you »
An informal greeting, not requiring a literal response. Typical responses include.
|
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.
|
how's the weather »
An inquiry about the weather.
|
how's tricks »
Informal greeting roughly equivalent to How are you?.
|
if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle »
(colloquial, vulgar, humorous) It is fruitless to speculate about counterfactual situations."We would have won the match if we'd had a decent goalkeeper.""And if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle!"
|
if pigs had wings they would fly »
(colloquial) Expresses speakers skepticism toward a hypothetical argument by another.
|
if you lie with dogs you will get fleas »
It is important whom to choose as one's closest acquanitances.
|
in a flash »
Very quickly.
|
in full swing »
Proceeding fully, quickly, or completely; thoroughly begun and in progress.
|
in heaven's name »
An intensifier used with questions.
|
in line »
On a queue; waiting one's turn for something.
|
in order »
In a sequence.
|
in the reign of Queen Dick »
When pigs fly; never.
|
in two shakes »
Very quickly; without delay.
|
inquire after »
To ask about the health of someone.
|
inquire of »
To ask someone.
|
is the Pope Catholic »
The answer to the question is, obviously, resoundingly affirmative.
|
it never rains but it pours »
Unfortunate events occur in quantity.
|
it pays to advertise »
Good qualities do not get rewarded automatically.
|
it's better to ask forgiveness than permission »
The value of acting promptly and making a mistake requiring forgiveness is greater than value of delaying to get permission.
|
it's one's funeral »
One's decisions or actions will bring undesirable consequences only on oneself.
|
jump in »
To enter something quickly. Usually a mode of transport.
|
jump off »
To participate in the final round of an equestrian showjumping event.
|
jump the queue »
To desire preferential treatment, undue influence; impatient.
|
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 the shark »
To undergo a storyline development which is so ridiculous that previous quality is considered to have been lost.
|
kangaroo court »
A judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, or a group which conducts such proceedings, which is without proper authority, abusive, or otherwise unjust.
|
keep buggin on »
Never quit; go on
|
keep it down »
To be quiet.
|
keep one's lips sealed »
To keep quiet; to keep a secret; to not tell.
|
keep quiet »
Remain silent.
|
keep quiet »
To refrain from talking about something; to keep a secret.
|
kick the habit »
To recover from or quit an addiction or habit. For example, to quit smoking, drinking, burping, or drug addiction.
|
knock off »
An imitation, especially one of poorer quality.
|
knock together »
To assemble something quickly; to knock up.
|
know the score »
Be aware of a situation, especially of the consequences of misconduct.
|
la goutte d'eau qui fait d%C3%A9border le vase »
The drop of water that makes the vase overflow.
|
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.
|
latch onto »
To obtain, acquire or get and keep hold of something.
|
lead time »
The amount of time between the initiation of some process and its completion, e.g. the time required to manufacture or procure a product; the time required before something can be provided or delivered.
|
left and right »
All over the place; indiscriminately; frequently or excessively.
|
left, right and center »
All over the place; indiscriminately; frequently or excessively.
|
letters after one's name »
A list of abbreviations, separated by commas, representing the academic qualifications and civil or military honours achieved by a person.
|
level up »
To progress to the next level of player character stats and abilities. Often used in role-playing games when the character has aquired enough experience points.
|
lie doggo »
keep quiet
|
like hot cakes »
Quickly, especially by purchase or consumption.
|
liquid courage »
Alcohol drunk to induce a feeling of courage in the drinker.
|
loaded for bear »
Thoroughly equipped, as for a demanding task or confrontation.
|
lone gunman »
An individual person who acts on his or her own initiative, without partners, especially one who has sole responsibility for doing something questionable, confidential, or iniquitous.
|
long drink »
Any drink containing more than 5 ounces of liquid and less than 9 ounces. Typically, a long drink will have lots of ice and mixer.
|
look-in »
A quick glance.
|
look-in »
A quick short pass to a receiver running diagonally toward the center of the field.
|
lose the plot »
To have one's results decline severely in quality or suddenly fall below an acceptable standard, especially when compared to past excellence.
|
made in China »
Of poor or low quality.
|
made in Japan »
Of poor or low quality.
|
make it snappy »
Do it quickly; be quick about it.
|
make quick work of »
To accomplish a specified task easily and quickly.
|
make short work of »
To make a task quicker or easier.
|
make waves »
To upset the status quo.
|
man up »
To "be a man about it"; to do the things a good man is traditionally expected to do, such as: taking responsibility for the consequences of one's actions; displaying bravery or toughness in the face of adversity; providing for one's family, etc.
|
man up »
To staff adequately; to staff up; to successfully fill all needed labor positions.
|
meatball surgery »
A nickname for surgery that is meant to be performed rapidly to stabilize the patient as quickly as possible.
|
melt into »
To become a liquid by melting.
|
mercury »
A silvery-colored metallic chemical element, liquid at room temperature, with atomic number 80 and symbol Hg.
|
mind one's P's and Q's »
Alternative spelling of mind one's p's and q's.
|
mind one's p's and q's »
To be very careful to behave correctly.
|
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.
|
mix it up »
To compete vigorously, to quarrel, or to fight physically.
|
monkey business »
An activity that may be considered illegal, questionable, or a vice, but not felonious.
|
more equal »
Ostensibly equal, but in reality more privileged.
|
motor mouth »
One who talks incessantly; a chatty or loquacious person.
|
muck about »
To do somethings with a piece of equipment when you do not understand how it works.
|
near the knuckle »
Risqué, sexual, suggestive of impropriety..
|
neither here nor there »
Not important; having no significance or influence on the question at hand; not related; not relevant; not germane; not pertinent.
|
no comment »
An "official" refusal to relay any further information, as a response to a newspaper reporter's question.
|
nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat »
The idea/proposed action is inconsequential to the current situation.
|
not a pretty sight »
Something disappointing, disquieting, disreputable, or otherwise unworthy of admiration.
|
not in Kansas anymore »
No longer in quiet and comfortable surroundings; in the big city.
|
not quite »
Almost, very nearly.
|
not touch something with a ten foot pole »
Francis Lynde, The Quickening.
|
off balance »
Not physical balanced; not having physical equilibrium.
|
off the beaten path »
In a secluded location; in a place which is not frequently visited or not widely known.
|
on a whim »
Done without thinking seriously about the consequences.
|
on demand »
When needed or required.
|
on the bubble »
Having qualification for an event depend on the upcoming performances of other competitors.
|
on the bubble »
Holding the last qualifying position with qualification still in progress, and thus liable to lose that position.
|
on the dot »
Exactly; precisely, especially of a numerical quantity.
|
on the square »
"Are you on the square?".
|
on the square »
A discrete, unassuming reference to freemasonry.
|
on the square »
Honest and open.
|
on the tip of one's tongue »
Known but not quite remembered.
|
on the uptake »
In understanding or in the ability to absorb new information; especially in the phrases "quick on the uptake" and "slow on the uptake".
|
on tiptoe »
Moving carefully, quietly, warily or stealthily.
|
once in a blue moon »
Very rarely; very infrequently.
|
one and the same »
The same person or thing. Used to emphasize the identity or equivalence of two things.
|
one thousand »
Used in a common chronometric counting scheme, in which each iteration is sequentially numbered and supposed to be approximately one second in length.
|
out of order »
Out of normal sequence.
|
out of place »
Amongst all those horsey people I felt quite out of place.
|
out of the question »
Impossible to even contemplate.
|
out of this world »
Exceptionally high quality; wonderful; marvellous.
|
parade of horribles »
A parade featuring a progression of people wearing comic and grotesque costumes.
|
party animal »
A person known for frequent, enthusiastic attendance at parties, especially one whose partying behavior is exuberant or excessive.
|
party crasher »
Someone who attempts and often gains entry to a party or club to which they were not invited, often using social engineering techniques. The party crasher usually tries to blend into the party so as not to be kicked out.
|
pass muster »
To adequately pass a formal or informal inspection.
|
pay for it »
To suffer the consequences of one's actions.
|
pay one's dues »
To acquire status or to earn the right to enjoy certain benefits, especially through lengthy experience, hardship, or service to an organization.
|
pay the fiddler »
To face the consequences of one’s actions..
|
pay the piper »
To pay a monetary debt or experience unfavorable consequences, especially when the payment or consequences are inevitable in spite of attempts to avoid them.
|
peace and quiet »
Tranquility; freedom from stress or interruptions.
|
pelt of the dog »
An immoderate, excessive quantity of alcohol drunk the morning after whilst suffering withdrawal symptoms or a hangover, which goes beyond alleviating the complaint to causing drunkenness; cf. hair of the dog.
|
penny for your thoughts »
Used to inquire into the thoughts and feelings of another, especially when the person appears pensive or conflicted.
|
phase out »
To remove or relinquish the use of something little by little.
|
pick somebody's brain »
To seek information from someone knowledgeable; to ask questions of someone.
|
pipe down »
To be quiet; to refrain from being noisy.
|
play possum »
To feign death; to remain quiet and still to escape attention or remain undetected; to lay low.
|
play the race card »
To assert that race or racism is responsible for a course of events, especially when race is not of particular significance to the issue in question; to attempt to inspire a particular reaction by raising the issue of race.
|
plead the fifth »
To refuse to answer a question, or refuse to speak, especially when the response would reflect badly on the speaker.
|
point blank »
The distance between a gun and a target such that it requires minimal effort in aiming it. In particular no allowance needs to be made for the effects of gravity, target movement or wind in aiming the projectile.
|
point of no return »
The point in any journey, process, or sequence of events when it is no longer possible to reverse course or stop the process.
|
poison »
A drink; liquor.
|
poison tree bears poison fruit »
Unethical actions in the service of good intentions will have immoral or unethical consequences.
|
polish off »
Or liquor.
|
pop the question »
To propose marriage.
|
popped the question »
proposed
|
poster child »
One who is a prototypical or quintessential example of something.
|
pour out »
To leave a place quickly, and in large numbers.
|
power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely »
The corrupting influence of power is total when one's power is total.Lord Acton see: Wikiquote
|
problem child »
Someone or something persistently difficult or vexing; a frequent source of trouble or annoyance.
|
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 down »
To halt, eliminate, stop, or squelch, often by force.
|
put in »
To apply, request, or submit.
|
put on »
To don clothing or equipment.
|
put the hammer down »
To drive quickly; to step on the accelerator.
|
put the kibosh on »
To halt, stop, or squelch.
|
quake in one's boots »
To be frightened, scared, or nervous.
|
quantum mechanics »
Something overly complicated or detailed.
|
quantum mechanics »
The branch of physics which studies matter and energy at the level of atoms and other elementary particles, and substitutes probabilistic mechanisms for classical Newtonian ones.
|
quarter of »
"I need twenty minutes to get to the shop." "You'll be late. It's already a quarter of.".
|
quarter of »
Fifteen minutes before the next hour.
|
quarter past »
Fifteen minutes past any hour.
|
queer fish »
An odd or eccentric person.
|
queer one's pitch »
To make a task more difficult for the speaker.
|
question mark »
Doubt or uncertainty.
|
question mark »
The punctuation mark “?”, used at the end of a sentence to indicate a question..
|
quick on the uptake »
Able to readily understand things; intelligent.
|
quick-and-dirty »
Done or constructed in a hasty, approximate, temporarily adequate manner, but not exact, fully formed, or reliable for a long period of time.
|
quick-and-dirty »
Of or pertaining to the creation or repair of software or hardware in a manner which permits operation within a brief period of time, although with compromised functionality or reliability.
|
quicumque vult »
A forward girl, ready to oblige every man that shall ask her.
|
quicumque vult »
The Athanasian Creed.
|
quiet down »
To become quieter.
|
quiet down »
To reduce intensity of an activity.
|
quiet down »
To make someone or something become quieter.
|
quieten down »
To become quieter.
|
quieten down »
To reduce intensity of an activity.
|
quieten down »
To make someone or something become quieter.
|
quite a bit »
A considerable amount.
|
quote unquote »
Emphasizes the following word or phrase for irony, as used almost exclusively in spoken language.
|
rain cheque »
Any postponement, especially of an offer.
|
rain cheque »
Any voucher or note issued by a store to allow a customer to get a special or sale price later if an item is out of stock.
|
raise one's hand »
To dare to question.
|
rattle off »
To list or recite quickly.
|
real job »
A job which requires the employee to, work regular hours for a consistent wage that often exceeds the provisions of applicable minimum wage legislation. A job that produces a living wage.
|
real men don't eat quiche »
(aphorism, humorous) The stereotypical man does not do things that are considered effeminate, as to do so would imply they are effeminate.
|
reinvent the wheel »
To redo work unnecessarily when it has already been done satisfactorily; to rethink an already working system, technique, etc. in a pointless attempt to improve it.
|
rhyme off »
To list or recite quickly.
|
right away »
Very soon; quickly; immediately.
|
robber baron »
Especially in the 19th-century and early 20th-century, a business tycoon who had great wealth and influence but whose methods were morally questionable.
|
rock the boat »
To disturb the status quo or go against rules or conventions, as in an effort to get attention.
|
rocket scientist »
Someone qualified to understand or handle that which is overly complex, detailed or confusing; a genius.
|
rum go »
An odd affair; a surprising event; a confusing experience; a queer thing.
|
run down »
To read quickly a list or other short text.
|
run for the roses »
A college football game or series of games played with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the championship Rose Bowl game.
|
run off »
To flee or depart quickly.
|
run off »
To write something quickly.
|
run over »
To practice quickly, briefly.
|
run through »
To pervade, of a quality that is characteristic of a group, organisation, or system.
|
run up »
To make something, usually an item of clothing, very quickly.
|
rustle up »
To quickly prepare something.
|
scarf down »
To eat something quickly.
|
seagull manager »
A manager who comes into the workplace or office only on occasion, especially when a problem arises or to criticize or critique employees.
|
seat-of-the-pants »
Done by feel, guess, or trial and error rather than by careful planning, thought or technique.
|
second banana »
A comedian who plays a secondary or supporting role, especially as straight man and traditionally in vaudeville or burlesque theatre.
|
second string »
Not as good; of a lower quality or condition.
|
sell a bargain »
A species of wit, much in vogue about the latter end of the reign of Queen Anne, and frequently alluded to by Dean Swift, who says the maids of honour often amused themselves with it. It consisted in the seller naming his or her hinder parts, in answer to the question, What? which the buyer was artfully led to ask. As a specimen, take the following instance: A lady would come into a room full of company, apparently frightened, crying out "It is white, and follows me!" As soon as someone responded "What?" she sold him the bargain, by saying "Mine arse".
|
send away for »
To write to a business or other organisation, requesting a thing.
|
set the stage »
To prepare; to establish the basis or required conditions.
|
shape up or ship out »
To either improve one's behavior or else be required to leave; to either improve one's performance in an activity or else withdraw from that activity completely.
|
shoot first and ask questions later »
To act boldly.
|
shoot first and ask questions later »
To take action with serious consequences without delay, preserving the benefit of surprise by not providing indication of one's intent.
|
short cut »
quicker route
|
short fuse »
The personality trait of being quick to anger.
|
short of »
Insufficiently equipped with.
|
short temper »
The personality trait of being quick to anger.
|
shotgun »
A play formation in which the quarterback is a few feet behind the snapper when the ball is hiked, ideally allowing for an easier pass play.
|
shotgun approach »
An approach in which the subject is indiscriminate and haphazard, using breadth, spread, or quantity in lieu of accuracy, planning, etc.
|
shut one's face »
To stop talking; to be quiet.
|
shut one's mouth »
To stop talking; to be quiet.
|
silence is golden »
Peace and quiet have immense value.Often the best choice is to say nothing.
|
silver-tongued »
Eloquent and articulate.
|
sit still »
To accept, tolerate, or acquiesce.
|
six of one, half a dozen of the other »
The two alternatives are equivalent or indifferent; it doesn't matter which one we choose.
|
skeleton crew »
The minimum number of personnel needed to operate and maintain an item at its most simple operating requirements, such as a ship or business, during an emergency or shut down, and at the same time, to keep vital functions operating.
|
slam dunk »
Tacking on top of the wind of the following yacht in close quarters.
|
small fry »
One or more persons or things of relatively little consequence, importance, or value.
|
small potatoes »
One or more persons or things of relatively little consequence, importance, or value.
|
smart chance »
A substantial quantity of something.
|
smear campaign »
An effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.
|
smoke like a chimney »
To smoke tobacco frequently.
|
snake oil »
Any product with exaggerated marketing but questionable or unverifiable quality.
|
so long as »
Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; as long as.
|
so much for »
An expression of disregard, or resignation; something said upon giving up, quitting, or disposing of something.
|
so quiet one can hear a pin drop »
Said during a lull in a normally bustling place or scene, or as the result of a sudden dramatic or tense moment.
|
sort of »
Approximately; in a way; partially; not quite; somewhat.
|
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind »
Every decision has consequences; a person's actions will come back to him.
|
spark spread »
The difference between the cost of the fuel required to produce a unit of electricity, and the price of that same unit of electricity.
|
square away »
To finish, complete, tidy or put in order.
|
square cut »
cricket stroke
|
square meal »
A satisfying meal, especially suitable for one performing physical labor.
|
square off »
To get ready for a fight.
|
square off »
To get in the fighting position.
|
square one »
The place where one begins; a lack of progress.
|
square up »
To get ready for a fight.
|
square up »
To get in the fighting position.
|
square up »
To pay back money that is owed.
|
squaring the circle »
A hopeless or impossible task.
|
squaring the circle »
The historical problem of how to construct, using compass and ruler, a square having the same area as a given circle.
|
squeaky wheel gets the grease »
The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which he or she seeks.
|
squint like a bag of nails »
To squint very much, as though one's eyes were directed as many ways as the points of a bag of nails.
|
squirrel away »
To stash or hide; to hoard, collect, save, or accumulate; to create a reserve, stash, or hoard of some supply, so as to recall a squirrel's burying of nuts.
|
step on it »
To act quickly.
|
stiff upper lip »
The quality of being resolute and showing self-restraint, associated with stereotypical British people.
|
stock phrase »
A phrase frequently or habitually used by a person or group, and thus associated with them.
|
stone's throw »
A short distance, roughly equivalent to how far a person can throw a stone.
|
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 away »
Very soon; quickly; immediately.
|
suck donkey balls »
To be terrible, of extremely poor quality.
|
supposed to »
Required.
|
swear off »
To quit or cease completely, or to promise to quit, as of a bad habit.
|
swot up on »
To study particularly hard to learn a subject quickly.
|
tack up »
To prepare a horse for riding by equipping it with tack.
|
take a bite »
To eat a quick, light snack.
|
take off »
To quantify.
|
take on »
To acquire, bring in, or introduce.
|
take over »
To annex a territory by conquest or invasion.
|
take sitting down »
To tolerate, accept, or acquiesce; to take no action.
|
take the heat »
To take the blame; to be the focus of anger or scrutiny; to take the consequences.
|
take to the cleaners »
To take a significant quantity of a person's money or valuables, through gambling, unfavorable investing, fraud, litigation, etc.
|
talk a mile a minute »
To speak quickly or excessively.
|
taper off »
To diminish or lessen gradually; to become smaller, slower, quieter, etc.
|
tell you the truth »
Used to positively assert the frank honesty of an associated statement of set of statements; equivalent to "to you tell the truth".
|
that's what's up »
Used to express acquiescence or concurrence.
|
the Devil »
Used to add emphasis to a question or statement.
|
the more things change, the more they stay the same »
A proverb making the observation that turbulent changes do not affect reality on a deeper level other than to cement the status quo.
|
them's the facts »
That's the truth, that's how it is; frequently used in reference to an unfortunate truth.
|
there are two sides to every question »
One should not make a judgement until one hears the other side.
|
there's nowt so queer as folk »
Nothing is as strange as people can be.
|
thin-skinned »
Overly sensitive to criticism; quick to take offence; touchy.
|
think through »
To fully consider an action, and understand all its consequences.
|
third string »
Of a decidedly lower quality or condition.
|
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.
|
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
|
throw in at the deep end »
To introduce a person to a new situation without adequately preparing him or her.
|
throw in the towel »
To quit; to give up.
|
throw money away »
To spend money foolishly or indiscriminately; to waste money without regard of the consequences.
|
throw somebody a curve »
To surprise; to introduce something unexpected or requiring a quick reaction or correction.
|
throwing money away »
The act of spending money foolishly; wasting money without regard of the consequences.
|
tie up loose ends »
To deal with the minor consequences of a previous action; to tidy up, finish, or complete.
|
time flies »
Time seems to pass quickly. Time flies when you're having fun.
|
time flies when you're having fun »
Time seems to pass quicker when one is enjoying oneself.
|
time off »
A period of time where one is not required to work.
|
tin god »
An individual that abuses or exceeds his authority over others, frequently in petty ways; for example a low-level manager in situational comedies and other entertainment.
|
tit for tat »
Equivalent retribution, an eye for an eye, returning exactly what you get.
|
to beat the band »
Very vigorously; at a frantic pace; to a high degree; in large quantities.
|
to die for »
Very good; exquisite; excellent; particularly desirable.
|
to hell in a handbasket »
To a bad state of affairs quickly.
|
tone down »
To relax; to make quieter or less obtrusive; to make milder.
|
top banana »
The principal comedian in a vaudeville or burlesque show.
|
top drawer »
Of the highest quality.
|
top notch »
Very good; of the highest quality.
|
top of the line »
The best, fanciest, or highest quality, especially among selections in a product line.
|
top shelf »
Best, or high quality.
|
torque off »
To annoy, distress, or anger.
|
torqued off »
Annoyed, upset, angry.
|
toss-up »
Either of two outcomes that are equally likely.
|
toss-upness »
The quality of being a toss-up, usually used in reference to a toss-up state in American presidential elections.
|
trick of the trade »
A shortcut or other quick, or very effective way of doing things, that professional workers learn from experience.
|
trigger-happy »
Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm irresponsibly before adequately identifying the target.
|
tune out »
To change the channel or frequency away from.
|
turn over »
To relinquish; give back.
|
two-fisted drinker »
Either someone who can handle their liquor well, or an alcoholic clutching a drink in each hand.
|
unwashed masses »
Of people who are considered by someone to be somehow uneducated, uninformed, godless, or in some other way unqualified for inclusion in the speaker's elite circles.
|
up to »
Considering all members of an equivalence class the same.
|
up to scratch »
Sufficient; adequate; of acceptable or satisfactory quality.
|
up to snuff »
Adequate; of acceptable or quality; satisfying an appropriate standard.
|
variable tandem repeat locus »
Any DNA sequence that exists in multiple copies strung together in various tandem lengths.
|
vice squad »
police department
|
wade in »
To interrupt someone, or a situation, by doing or saying something abruptly, or forcefully, and usually without thinking about the consequences.
|
wash down »
To help to swallow by drinking a liquid, after eating something, or taking a pill.
|
weekend warrior »
A person who indulges in a sport or pastime on an infrequent basis, usually on weekends when work commitments are not present.
|
well to do »
quite wealthy
|
wet one's whistle »
To have a drink; to quench one's thirst.
|
what goes around comes around »
The status eventually returns to its original value after completing some sort of cycle.A person's actions, whether good or bad, will often have consequences for that person.
|
what in God's name »
Used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question.
|
what on Earth »
Used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question.
|
what the Devil »
Used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning question.
|
what the dickens »
Euphemism for what the Devil, used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning a question.
|
what's eating somebody »
? Inquired of somebody who is upset, worried, angry, etc.
|
whatever it takes »
Anything that may be required to achieve an objective.
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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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wherever you go, there you are »
(colloquial, clich
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whip up »
To produce something quickly, especially of a meal.
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whistle past the graveyard »
To enter a situation with little or no understanding of the possible consequences.
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whistle-stop train tour »
Any travel that's quick and with only brief pauses.
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whomp up »
To produce quickly, particularly a meal.
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why in God's name »
Used to add emphasis to "why" when beginning question.
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why on Earth »
Used to add emphasis to "why" when beginning a question.
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why the dickens »
Euphemism for why the Devil, used to add emphasis to "why" when beginning a question.
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willy nilly »
Without regard for consequences or the will of those affected.
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winkle out »
To acquire something or someone with difficulty.
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wolf down »
Quickly and without regard for table manners.
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work against the clock »
To work very quickly because you know you only have a very limited period of time to do something.
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work the room »
To interact with one's audience, taking queues from its reactions and adapting one's performance or words to elicit the audience's attention and enthusiasm.
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wouldn't say boo to a goose »
Describing a quiet, exceptionally shy person.
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wring out »
To squeeze a wet material, either by twisting with one's hands, or by passing it through a wringer, to remove the water.
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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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yes-man »
A person of unquestioning obedience.
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you bet »
Certainly; you're welcome; a reply to thank you or to a request.
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you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar »
It's easier to persuade others with polite requests and a positive attitude than with rude demands and negativity.
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you can't get a quart into a pint pot »
What is being discussed is not possible.They've asked me to get to New York by five o'clock, but you can't get a quart into a pint pot!
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you get what you pay for »
In commercial transactions, the quality of goods and services increases as the prices increase, i.e., the more one pays, the better the merchandise.2003, Michael Blumenthal, "For Whom the School Bell Tolls," Time, 7 Dec.:Though it may sound unapologetically capitalistic to say so
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you never know what you've got till it's gone »
Good friends and acquaintances shouldn't be taken for granted.
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you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours »
If you do me a favor then I will do you a favor; quid pro quo.
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zip it »
Be quiet; the same as zip one's lip.
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zip one's lip »
To stop talking; to be quiet.
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zoom along »
To proceed quickly a long distance.
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zoom down »
To move quickly along a particular route, list, etc.
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zoom past »
To pass very quickly.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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