a new broom sweeps clean »
New management will often make radical changes.
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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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answer back »
To reply impertinently; to talk back.
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answer back »
To reply to a question at a later time.
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answer back »
To issue echo characters, protocol responses, reflexive connection requests, etc.
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answer for »
To be held responsible for.
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answer for »
To guarantee.
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answer on a postcard »
To give a brief answer or opinion.
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asleep at the switch »
Neglectful of an important task, responsibility, or opportunity.
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back-assward »
Alternative form of bass-ackwards.
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back-asswards »
Alternative form of bass-ackwards.
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backassward »
Alternative form of bass-ackwards.
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backasswards »
Alternative form of bass-ackwards.
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birds of a feather »
C1710, Jonathan Swift, "A Conference," lines 11-12.
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bleeding edge »
Something very current, or modern where there may actually be a hazard or risk in using it, such as with potentially unstable software. The term relates to a sword.
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break a sweat »
' , Karon Karter - The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Pilates Method page 119.
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break a sweat »
January 2008, The Age - Walkovers blaze a trail for women's equal-pay theory.
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break a sweat »
To put effort into something.
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break a sweat »
To start sweating.
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bull's eye »
sweet
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bunny hug »
A sweatshirt with a hood.
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cast pearls before swine »
To give things of value to those who will not understand or appreciate it.
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catch-as-catch-can »
A. 1681, John Fryer, Richard Chiswell, Robert Roberts, Robert White, A New Account of East-India and Persia, in Eight Letters, Being Nine Years Travels, Begun 1672 and Finished 1681.
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chew the cud »
To meditate or ponder before answering; to be deep in thought; to ruminate.
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Cold hands, warm heart; Dirty feet, no sweetheart! »
A few old timer's "fun" way to compliment a lady & to find out if she could be courted.
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con man »
swindler
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cut a swath »
Variant form of cut a wide swath.
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cut a wide swath »
To behave in an expansive, flagrantly showy, or pushy manner, especially in public venues; to exert sweeping influence.
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cut a wide swath »
To clear a broad track through a grassland, woodland, geographical region, or other area, either by natural means or by human action.
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deep end »
The part of a swimming pool with relatively deep water.
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does a bear shit in the woods »
Rhetorical question in response to a question where the answer is an emphatic yes.
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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.
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double-edged sword »
A benefit that is also a liability, or that carries some significant but non-obvious cost or risk.
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drain the swamp when up to one's neck in alligators »
(idiomatic) When performing a long and complex task, and when you've gotten utterly immersed in secondary and tertiary unexpected tangential subtasks, it's easy to lose sight of the initial objective. This sort of distraction can be particularly problematic if the all-consuming subtask or sub-subtask is not, after all, particularly vital to the original, primary goal, but ends up sucking up time and resources (out of all proportion to its actual importance) only because it seems so urgent.
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due course »
A. 1735, Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels.
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dummy up »
To not answer questions.
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fail over »
To automatically switch processing from a failed component in a critical system to its live spare or backup component.
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fall on one's sword »
To commit suicide by allowing one’s body to drop onto the point of one’s sword..
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fall on one's sword »
To resign from a job or other position of responsibility, especially when pressured to do so.
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fall on one's sword »
To voluntarily take the blame for a situation.
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fat lip »
A swelling on the lip, especially one resulting from a punch or other blow.
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forbidden fruit is the sweetest »
Forbidden things have more worthwhile short-term consequences.
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go down the wrong way »
To swallow food or drink so that it goes down the wrong tube in one's throat and makes one cough or for a short period lose one's breath or choke.
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have other fish to fry »
C. 1710, Jonathan Swift, The Journal to Stella, ch. 2, Letter 15.
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hit the nail on the head »
To identify something exactly; to arrive at exactly the right answer.
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hold sway »
Dominate.
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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.
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if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail »
With limited tools, single-minded people apply them inappropriately or indiscriminatelyIf a person is familiar with a certain, single subject/has with them a certain, single instrument, they may have a confirmation bias to believe that it is the answer to/involved in everything.
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in full swing »
Proceeding fully, quickly, or completely; thoroughly begun and in progress.
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in shape »
I hope to get in shape for summer swimsuit season.
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in the swim »
Actively participating in the flow of events; very involved.
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is the Pope Catholic »
The answer to the question is, obviously, resoundingly affirmative.
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jump rope »
The activity, game or exercise in which a person must jump, bounce or skip repeatedly while a length of rope is swung over and under, both ends held in the hands of the jumper, or alternately, held by two other participants. Often used for athletic training and among schoolchildren. Variations involve speed, chants, varied rope and jumper movement patterns, multiple jumpers and/or multiple ropes.
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knock back »
To drink an alcoholic beverage swiftly or often.
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lemon drop »
boiled sweet
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live by the sword, die by the sword »
One who uses violence can expect a violent response. It is better to try to use peaceful means wherever possible.(figuratively) One can expect dire outcomes from any vice; used to convey poetic justice.
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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.
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no sweat »
See: no problem.
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not on your tintype »
An answer indicating outright rejection or denial; no way; absolutely not.
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now you're cooking »
A phrase, often given in response, meaning that the subject has switched to a more suitable or more efficient approach.
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on the spot »
Having to answer or decide without warning or preparation.
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one fell swoop »
One stroke; one action or event with many results.
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one swallow does not a summer make »
One sighting or instance of an event does not necessarily indicate a trend.
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one swallow does not make a summer »
A sign is not proof
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one swallow doesn't make a summer »
One sighting or instance of an event does not necessarily indicate a trend.
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pan out »
By swirling dirt or crushed rock in a pan of water, in the manner of a traditional prospector seeking gold.
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pardon my French »
Please excuse my swearing or bad language.
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pick up »
To answer a telephone. See pick up the phone.
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pin down »
To corner somebody in order to get a firm answer.
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plead the fifth »
To refuse to answer a question, or refuse to speak, especially when the response would reflect badly on the speaker.
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pound the pavement »
To campaign diligently; to seek something, such as business, employment, or answers.
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puff up »
To swell due to injury or illness.
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pump up »
To cause one's muscles to swell by means of focussed weightlifting.
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reckon for »
To answer for; to pay the account for.
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redolent »
Fragrant or aromatic; having a sweet scent.
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rip off »
To steal, cheat or swindle.
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run through »
To impale a person with a blade, usually a sword.
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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".
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shoot the boots »
To kick swiftly and violently, especially in the groin.
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sink or swim »
To fail or succeed, no matter what.
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sit out »
To escape a hold while face-down by swinging one's legs around into the sitting position.
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skin diver »
underwater swimmer
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sleeping at the switch »
Variant form of asleep at the switch.
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soft sawder »
"How the old boy swallowed my soft sawder and Brummagem notes!" —Tom Taylor, The Ticket-of-Leave Man.
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stickhandle »
To deal capably and swiftly with a situation, especially in a manner which deflects potential problems.
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swallow one's pride »
To set aside one's feelings of pride and adopt a more humble or appropriate stance.
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swallow up »
To completely enclose or envelop.
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swan song »
A final performance or accomplishment, especially one before retirement.
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swear by »
To wholeheartedly trust.
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swear off »
To quit or cease completely, or to promise to quit, as of a bad habit.
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swear on a stack of Bibles »
To make a promise or give one's assurance with great conviction.
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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.
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sweat bullets »
To sweat profusely; especially, to be very nervous or anxious.
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sweep someone off their feet »
To seduce someone romantically.
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sweet dreams »
Phrase said to someone before they fall asleep, wishing them a good sleep.
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sweet hereafter »
Heaven; paradise as enjoyed in the afterlife.
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sweet tooth »
A liking for foods that are sweet; a weakness for sweets.
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sweet william »
flower
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sweeten the pot »
To increase a wager.
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sweeten the pot »
To make something more desirable.
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sweetheart deal »
A transaction, contract, or other agreement in which one party provides particularly favorable terms to the other, especially in suspicious circumstances.
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swim with sharks »
To operate among dangerous people.
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swim with sharks »
To take a huge risk.
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swing for the fences »
To act in a way that might generate a very good result, but which also has a large chance of failing.
|
swing for the fences »
To swing at the ball as hard as possible, with the aim of getting a home run, increasing the chance of missing the ball.
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swing state »
A state which may vote Democratic or Republican, in a given election or generally; a purple state.
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swing the lead »
To pretend to be unwell so that you do not have to work.
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swings and roundabouts »
Offsetting gains and losses.
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swiss roll »
cake
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switch off »
To turn a switch to the "off" position in order to stop or disable a device.
|
switch off »
To lose interest, and start thinking about something else.
|
switch off »
To alternate between; to trade.
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switch on »
To turn a switch to the "on" position in order to start or enable a device.
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switch on »
To change one's expression or appearance as if by turning a switch.
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sword and sandal »
Of or pertaining to a genre of books or films relating fantasy-adventure tales involving heroic exploits in ancient or biblical times.
|
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..
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swot up on »
To study particularly hard to learn a subject quickly.
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talk back »
To reply impertinently; to answer in a cheeky manner.
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tell it to Sweeney »
I do not believe what you said.
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the pen is mightier than the sword »
More influence and power can be usurped by writing than by fighting.
|
throw a fit »
To become angry, enraged, or upset; to act or react with an outburst, as by shouting, swearing, etc.
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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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to give a person line »
To allow a person more or less liberty until it is convenient to stop or check him/her, like a hooked fish that swims away with the line.
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totus porcus »
Completely; unreservedly: swallowed the official version totus porcus.
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turn off »
To power down; to stop a device by switching it off.
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turn on »
To power up; to start a device by switching it on.
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turn the air blue »
To speak a stream of bad language; to curse and swear.
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up the walls »
Very busy, swamped.
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up to here »
Overwhelmed, busy, buried or swamped.
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waltz Matilda »
To travel with a swag; that is, with one's belongings wrapped in a cloth.
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wash down »
To help to swallow by drinking a liquid, after eating something, or taking a pill.
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when you're up to your neck in alligators, it's easy to forget that the initial objective was to drain the swamp »
Only because it seems so urgent.
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