albatross »
A long-term impediment, burden, or curse.
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an offer one can't refuse »
An offer from one side in any transaction with terms so attractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.
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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.
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at odds »
on bad terms
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avant la lettre »
An example of a term before the term was coined. Describing a term used anachronistically.
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bear down on »
To approach someone in a very determined way.
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behind the bit »
An equestrian term, meaning that the horse is evading the bit.
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bench jockey »
A baseball term for a player, coach or manager who is annoying and distracts opposition players and umpires from his team's dugout bench with verbal repartee.
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bent on »
Completely determined; obstinate.
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blanket term »
A word or phrase that is used to describe multiple groups of related things. The degree of relation may vary. Blanket terms often trade specificity for ease-of-use; in other words, a blanket term by itself gives little detail about the things that it describes or the relationships between them, but is easy to say and remember. Blanket terms often originate as slang, and eventually become integrated into the general vocabulary.
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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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blind »
An 1800s baseball term meaning no score.
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boot camp »
A short, intensive, quasi-military program generally aimed at young offenders as an alternative to a jail term.
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catch-as-catch-can »
Intermittent; only when possible or when the opportunity presents itself.
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charge up »
To motivate, to instill someone with determination.
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