We've found 926 phrases for VI (0.116 seconds):

a drop in the bucket »    An effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem.

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 rising tide lifts all boats »    Benefits provided to a few may lead to conditions that are beneficial to all.

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.

a stopped clock is right twice a day »    A normally unreliable person or instrument can occasionally provide correct information, even if only by accident.

a watched pot never boils »    A process appears to go more slowly if one waits for it rather than engaging in other activities.

after one's own heart »    Of a person: having the same ideas, opinions or behaviour as oneself.

against the grain »    Contrary to what is expected; especially, of behavior different from what society expects.

ahead of the game »    Having completed a task before it is due; ready, prepared, or anticipating.

air rage »    Disruptive behaviour on an aircraft.

albatross »    Any of various large seabirds of the family Diomedeidae ranging widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings.

all eyes »    Having prominent eyes.

all hell breaks loose »    Vi A place or state of fury, turmoil, destruction, or chaos.

all important »    vital

all one's eggs in one basket »    Investing heavily in just one area.

all out »    The state of a side having no more men to bat, thus ending its innings.

all over but the shouting »    The substance of the contest is complete, leaving only the cheering.

all things come to those who wait »    (dated) A patient seeker will be satisfied in due time; patience is a virtue.

all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy »    Too much focus on one's career is often viewed unfavorably.Too much hard work and not enough leisure time can be unhealthy.

all's fair in love and war »    unpleasant behavior is acceptable during love and conflict.

amateur hour »    A situation or activity in which the participants show a lack of skill, sound judgment, or professionalism.

an apple a day »    Healthy eating and living using traditional temperate-zone fresh foods.

and counting »    Used to show that the number previously mentioned is continuously changing, i.e. increasing or decreasing.

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

April showers bring May flowers »    April, traditionally a rainy period, gives way to May, when flowers will bloom because of the water provided to them by the April rains.By extension, that a period of discomfort can provide the basis for a period of happiness.

arm and a leg »    A relatively high price for an item or service; an exorbitant price.

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.

armed forces »    The Services

as long as »    Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; so long as.

ask for »    To increase the likelihood of something by persisting in some action; to invite.

ask in »    To invite someone to enter one's house.

ask out »    To invite somebody, especially on a date.

ask round »    To invite someone to your house.

asphalt jungle »    A city or urban area, where the landscape is covered by pavement and the environment is alienating and unsafe.

ass into gear »    Get going; get moving; start producing.

assault and battery »    . This legal distinction exists only in jurisdictions that distinguish assault as threatened violence rather than actual violence.

at a glance »    Upon cursory examination; an abbreviated review.

at a loss for words »    Having nothing to say; stunned to the point of speechlessness.

at heart »    In spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings; deep down, really, fundamentally.

at one's beck and call »    In servitude to; at one’s command.

at rest »    Not moving; stationary.

at the end of the road »    No longer living. Dead.

at the high port »    At once; unhesitatingly; quickly and vigorously.

at the wheel »    Driving; in control of a vehicle.

baby blues »    Period and feeling of depressiveness after giving birth; a less severe form of postnatal depression.

back down »    To take a less aggressive position in a conflict than one previously has or has planned to.

back office »    The IT and infrastructure support services for a company, separate from the public face of the business.

back up »    To provide support or the promise of support.

back-burner »    Having low urgency; not currently important.

backseat driver »    A passenger in a car who insists on giving the driver directions.

backseat driver »    By extension, anybody offering unsolicited or unwelcome advice.

bacon-faced »    Having a fat, sleek face.

bad egg »    Someone whose behaviour is reprehensible or irresponsible; a rogue.

bad to the bone »    Completely bad and evil; pure evil.

bail out »    To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail money.

bang about »    To make a lot of percussive noise while doing an activity.

bang around »    To make a lot of percussive noise while doing an activity.

bank night »    An event where patrons are enticed to buy entry tickets into some venue, for example a movie theater, with the anticipation that they will be entered into a drawing to win an amount of money if their ticket is drawn and they are on-site at the time of the winning.

baptism by fire »    A rite of passage through the survival or success of a crisis.

barge in »    To intrude; to enter or interrupt suddenly and without invitation.

barrel »    A jar. 1 Kings xvii. 12.

barrel »    A round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth, and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with hoops, and having flat ends or heads. Sometimes applied to a similar cylindrical container made of metal, usually called a drum.

barrow man »    A man under sentence of transportation; alluding to the convicts at Woolwich, who are principally employed in wheeling barrows full of brick or dirt.

bash in »    To break or dent badly by hitting violently.

bash in »    To injure someone by hitting violently.

be at one's beck and call »    To be in the position of serving someone in any way they desire, usually unwillingly.

be left holding the baby »    To be left with the responsibility of resolving a problem.

be there for »    To be available to provide comfort and support for someone, especially in a period of difficulty.

bear down »    When giving birth, to push.

bear out »    To corroborate, prove, or confirm; to demonstrate; to provide evidence for.

beauty is in the eye of the beholder »    Individuals have different inclinations on what is beautiful. Individuals have different beauty standards.

beefed out »    Having been improved greatly or upgraded; beefed up.

been to the rodeo »    N.d., Alan Neff, Precious Tribes, Vicious Lies, page 72.

beg off »    To avoid, or cancel some event that one has previously arranged with someone.

behind the scenes »    In secret; out of public view.

below par »    Having a price below its face value.

better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all »    Having experience of love, even if it ended, is better than having no experience of love.Love is worthwhile despite the pain involved in separation.

between a rock and a hard place »    Having the choice between two unpleasant or distasteful options; in a predicament or quandary.

beyond the pale »    Describing behaviour that is considered to be outside the bounds of morality, good behaviour or judgement in civilised company.

big break »    A breakthrough, especially the first big hit of a previously unknown performer or performers in the entertainment industry.

big enchilada »    A very important person, especially the highest-ranking individual in an organization.

bird's-eye view »    The view from directly or high above.

birds and bees »    Informal sex education, especially describing the sexual activity of animals rather than that of people.

birds of a feather »    People having similar characters, backgrounds, interests, or beliefs.

bite the bullet »    To accept a negative aspect of a situation in order to continue moving forward.

black »    Bad; evil.

black magic »    Magic derived from evil forces, as distinct from good or benign forces; or magic performed with the intention of doing harm.

black-on-black »    Something that is invisible or intentionally obfuscated, such as warnings or fine print.

blind »    Any device intended to conceal or hide; as, a duck blind.

blind as a bat »    Nearly totally blind, having a very poor sense of vision.

blot one's copy book »    To damage one's own reputation through bad behavior.

blow this pop stand »    To exit or remove oneself from a less than exciting location or environment.

blue devils »    Low spirits; depression.

bog standard »    Especially plain, ordinary, or unremarkable; having no special, excess or unusual features; plain vanilla.

boot camp »    Indoctrination, physical fitness training and basic instruction in service-related subjects for recruits in the Navy and Marine Corps.

borganism »    An organization of autonomous organisms that exhibit collectivism: individual "units" that have merged to yield a unified construct. Such an amalgam may possess a collective consciousness, arguably an emergent phenomenon of social networking.

born in a barn »    Engaging in the annoying behavior of inappropriately, and usually neglectfully, leaving open a door or window.

bouncing off the walls »    Moving hyperactively.

box on the ear »    Administered on the victim's ear, usually by an educator, to enforce attention.

brain-dead »    Having an irreversible loss of brain function and cessation of brain activity.

brain-dead »    Having no useful thoughts; stupid; ditzy.

bread and butter »    That which is central or fundamental, as to one's business, survival, or income; a staple or cornerstone.

break ground »    To initiate a new venture, or to advance beyond previous achievements.

breath of fresh air »    Something relieving, refreshing, or new.

bridge »    A construction or natural feature that spans a divide.

bridge »    A device which connects two or more computer buses, typically in a transparent manner.

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.

bridge »    Any of several electrical devices that measure characteristics such as impedance and inductance by balancing different parts of a circuit.

bring out »    To cause a visible symptom such as spots or a rash.

bring owls to Athens »    Perhaps we have not been sufficiently aware that talking about access and its implications in Scandinavia is like bringing owls to Athens. — Herbert Burkert.

bring to the table »    To provide a suggestion.

brush up »    To review; to improve an existing but rusty or under-developed skill.

bucket down »    To rain heavily.

bum steer »    Bad advice, regardless of intention.

bump and grind »    A combination of movements resembling such a dance, as in road racing, whitewater kayaking, or exercising; any activity involving prolonged jarring or shaking.

bump and grind »    A sexually suggestive dance involving exaggerated hip movements, especially a striptease dance.

bung up »    To close an opening with a cork, cork like object or other improvised obstruction.

buried treasure »    Something, having been concealed for a long time, which later is found and is profitable.

business as usual »    The normal course of an activity, particularly in circumstances that are out of the ordinary.

bustle with »    To teem with; abound with; to exhibit an energetic and active abundance of a thing; to be full of a certain activity or active beings.

busy work »    Work or activity performed with the intention or result of occupying time, and not necessarily to accomplish something productive; routine work of low priority undertaken for the sake of avoiding idleness.

but then »    Then again, on the other hand; used to show that the opposite viewpoint is possible.

buy to let »    To purchase a property as in investment, and to let it out for rental instead of living in it.

by heart »    Knowing completely; as having committed completely to memory.

by the Grace of God »    By divine right.

by virtue of »    Because of; on the grounds of; by reason of; due to; based on.

call 'em as one sees 'em »    To candidly and honestly express an opinion or viewpoint.

call in »    To summon someone, especially for help or advice.

call it a day »    To cease the activity for the day.

call it quits »    To conclude; to quit or stop an activity.

call on »    To visit somebody; to pay a call.

call out »    To order into service; to summon into service.

call up »    An order to report for military service.

calling card »    A small printed card which identifies the bearer, traditionally presented for introduction when making a social visit to a home or when attending a formal social event or business meeting.

calling card »    An attribute, object, or behavior which is distinctly characteristic of someone or something.

carrot and stick »    Simultaneous rewards for good behavior and punishments for bad behavior.

carry away »    To break under sudden pressure of violent wind.

carry out »    To hold while moving something out.

carry the message to Garcia »    To perform a requisite task without having been informed specifically by what method to do so.

cash cow »    A product, service, or enterprise that generates ongoing, high net free cash flows.

cast the first stone »    To act self-righteously in accusing another person, believing that one is blameless.

castle in the air »    A visionary project or scheme; a day-dream; an idle fancy; a pipe dream; any plan, desire, or idea that is unlikely to be ever realized; a near impossibility.

cat and mouse game »    Two individuals and/or groups repeatedly keeping check on each other in a suspicious or self-protective way, often with the goal of one or both parties trying to gain a malicious advantage over the other.

cat that ate the canary »    A person whose appearance and behavior suggest guilt mixed with other qualities, such as satisfaction or feigned nonchalance.

catbird seat »    Expression used to describe an enviable position, often one of great advantage.

catch flies »    An ostensible product of awkwardly having one's mouth open wide.

catch up »    To provide with news.

caucus race »    The competitive process in which a political party selects their candidate, esp. presidential; a primary election via caucus.

caught between the devil and the deep blue sea »    Having a choice between two alternatives, both undesirable.

cave in »    The act of something collapsing or caving in.

center field »    A central role in some activity that requires speed.

ceterum censeo »    A formulaic expression used to end a speech by reinforcing one, often unrelated, major view.

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.

change horses in midstream »    To change plans or approaches at an inopportune time, such as when an effort is already underway, generally considered an inadvisable thing to do.

change one's mind »    To convince someone to make a decision differing from what a previous one.

charity mugger »    A person employed by a charity, or by an intermediary fundraising agency employed by the charity, who stands in the street and invites passersby to set up standing orders or direct debits to make regular donations to the charity.

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.

cheaper by the dozen »    Things are handled more efficiently as a group, rather than individually.

chickens coming home to roost »    Consequences visited upon someone who originally had appeared to escape them.

chip on one's shoulder »    A habitually combative attitude, usually because of a harboured grievance, sense of inferiority, or having something to prove.

chow down »    To eat, especially to eat vigorously.

chuck it down »    To rain heavily.

circle the wagons »    To draw a wagon train into a circle to allow the wagons to provide cover when under attack.

cite chapter and verse »    To provide specific references from an authoritative book, as the Bible or a book of statutes or rules, to support a statement.

cite chapter and verse »    To speak authoritatively, providing detailed factual information.

clean house »    To reform by removing undesirable personnel and procedures.

clean out »    To clean, especially to tidy by removing the contents.

clear cut »    Having had all vegetation removed.

clear cut »    Straightforward, obvious, simple, or basic.

close up shop »    To shut down a shop; to end a business activity.

clout list »    A usually secret list containing the names of people who are to be given special access, benefits, or influence in a political or social situation, especially as a result of having personal, professional, or financial relationships with those in authority.

cold fish »    A heartless individual; a person lacking empathy and emotion.

come down to »    To reach by moving down or reducing.

come down to us »    To survive to the present day; to be extant in some form.

come in »    Of a broadcast, such as radio or television, to have a strong enough signal to be able to be received well.

come online »    To enter service or become active.

come out of the closet »    To tell others about homosexuality, bisexuality or any minority or disapproved-of belief, preference, etc., where previously this had been kept secret.

come through »    To survive.

company »    A group of individuals with a common purpose, as in a company of actors.

company »    In legal context, an entity that manufactures or sells products , or provides services as a commercial venture. A corporation.

company »    Nickname for an intelligence service.

company »    Social visitors.

cook up »    To manufacture; to falsify; to devise an elaborate lie.

copper-bottomed »    Having lower parts made of or covered by copper.

corner the market »    To monopolize a resource or commodity, as with the intent of driving up prices.

coug it »    To suddenly lose a contest through reversal of fortune, mistakes, or bad judgment. The phrase is analogous to "blow it", or "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory".

crack down on »    To enforce laws or punish more vigilantly.

crashpad »    In the aviation industry, used for a place of temporary lodging for airline flight crews.

cross someone's palm »    To give money to a person, especially as a bribe or as an inducement to perform a service.

cross the aisle »    Of a member of a parliament, to resign from one's political party and join another party, resulting in moving from one's currently assigned desk or seat in the legislative chamber to a new desk or seat physically located with the other members of one's new party.

cross the floor »    Of a member of a parliament, to resign from one's political party and join another party, resulting in moving from one's currently assigned desk or seat in the legislative chamber to a new desk or seat physically located with the other members of one's new party.

cry for help »    In her second year at the school Alexis stopped doing her homework and would often scribble on walls. Her teachers wondered whether this was a cry for help, or if she was simply misbehaving.

cry off »    To cancel something that one has previously arranged with someone.

cut a rug »    To dance, especially in a vigorous manner and in one of the dance styles of the first half of the twentieth century.

cut off »    To remove via cutting.

cut out »    Well suited; appropriate; fit for a particular activity or purpose.

damn with faint praise »    To provide praise that is so minimal or inconsequential as to actually amount to criticism.

dark horse »    A candidate who is nominated unexpectedly, without previously having been discussed or considered as a likely choice.

darken somebody's doorstep »    To enter somebody else's home uninvited.

date with destiny »    An inevitable future event or encounter, especially one which is likely to be momentous.

daylight robbery »    An exorbitant charge for a product or service.

dead »    No longer living.

dead air »    An unintended interruption in a radio broadcast during which there is no sound; a similar interruption of a television broadcast in which there is neither sound nor a video signal.

dead as a doornail »    Unquestionably dead. Used for both inanimate objects and once living beings.

dead giveaway »    Obvious, easily apparent.

dead to rights »    With sufficient evidence to establish responsibility definitively.

dead wood »    Dead limbs and branches still attached to a living tree.

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.

deer in the headlights »    A mental state of high arousal caused by anxiety fear, panic, surpriseand/or confusion, or substance abuse. The behavioral signs are like a deer subjected to a car's headlights, such as widely opened eyes and a lack of motor reactions.

den of iniquity »    A place of immoral behavior, usually of a sexual type.

devil is in the details »    The specific provisions of, or particular steps for implementing, a general plan, policy, or contract may be complicated, controversial, or unworkable.

devil's advocate »    A canon lawyer appointed by the Church to argue against the canonization of the proposed candidate.

devil's advocate »    One who debates from a view which they may not actually hold, usually to determine its validity, or simply for the sake of argument.

die »    To stop living; to become dead; to undergo death.

die down »    To become less virulent.

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.

divvy up »    To divide or parcel out.

do a »    To emulate the behavior/behaviour that is generally attributed to the individual named.

do as I say and not as I do »    Don't imitate my behavior but obey my instructions.

dog's life »    A life of indolence where the individual may do as he or she pleases, just like a pampered dog.

don't drive faster than your guardian angel can fly »    Driving (a vehicle) very fast is a dangerous act.

don't give up your day job »    Implying that they could not earn a living from it without other regular employment.

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.

don't try to teach grandma how to suck eggs »    Don't presume to give advice to those who are more experienced.

double-edged sword »    A benefit that is also a liability, or that carries some significant but non-obvious cost or risk.

down and out »    In trouble; in a bad time or situation or having very bad luck.

down to a fine art »    Having or showing exceptional proficiency.

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.

draw out »    To improve a losing hand to a winning hand by receiving additional cards.

drill down »    To examine information at another level or in greater detail; especially in a database, to navigate to a more detailed level or record.

drive away »    To depart by driving a vehicle.

drive-by media »    Media professionals who "spray" a bunch of repetitive misstatements, mistaken and misinterpreted news reports to cause excitement and confusion. They then figuratively "drive off" leaving the cleanup of their mess and hysteria to others, to correct and properly explain and interpret.

drop a dime »    To make a phone call, usually means calling the police to report another's activities.

drop somebody a line »    To write, call or visit somebody.

drop the writ »    To call a federal or provincial election.

dry eye »    Keratoconjunctivitis sicca , an eye disease caused by decreased tear production.

duke it out »    To argue heavily or at length.

dummy out »    From a video game in the process of localizing that game from a foreign country.

e pluribus unum »    A national motto of the United States of America, meaning "From many, one", or "out of many, one", referring to the integration of 13 independent colonies into one country, and that has taken an additional meaning, giving the pluralistic nature of American society from immigration.

earn one's keep »    To perform satisfactory physical labor or to provide other worthy services in return for remuneration, lodging, or other benefits; to support oneself financially.

eat one's own dog food »    To use or consume the economic goods or services that oneself is producing; to be part of a closed household economy.

eat one's young »    To betray a constituent or charge out of self-serving interests or desperation; savaging.

edge out »    To win in a contest or a game by a narrow margin of victory.

elbow grease »    Effort or hard work, especially physical work involving repeated motion of the forearm, such as scrubbing.

elephant in the room »    A problem or difficult issue that is very obvious, but is ignored for the convenience or comfort of those involved.

emperor's new clothes »    Something obvious and embarrassing that is politely ignored or that goes unacknowledged.

even Homer nods »    Not even the most vigilant and expert are immune from erring.

even keel »    A state of having one's emotions under control and balanced.

even keel »    Of a business or other activity which is under control and running smoothly.

even money »    By extension, an event that is somewhat likely to happen, but far from inevitable.

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,

evil twin »    A duplicate or counterpart of something or someone that acts in a contrary, nefarious, or insidious manner.

evil twin »    A rogue wireless access point installed near a legitimate one for purposes of eavesdropping or phishing.

execution style »    Resembling an execution; with the victim aware, but unable to defend himself or resist.

eye candy »    A very attractive person or persons, or the salient visible physical attributes of same.

eye candy »    Any object or sight with considerable visual appeal.

f** this »    The phrase emphatically diminishes the activity or event referred to and expresses that the speaker will have no more to do with it.

factotum »    A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities.

fade out »    A type of transition used in movies usually at the end of a scene, in which the transition fades to black from the cut.

fall into »    Without having planned it.

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.

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.

feast for the eyes »    Visually pleasing sight.

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.

feel one's oats »    To feel energetic or frisky; to behave in a vigorous or bold manner.

feet of clay »    To say that someone, who appears strong or invincible, in fact has a hidden weak point which could cause their fall.

film critic »    movie reviewer

film out »    To transfer images or animation from videotape or digital files to a traditional celluloid film print.

final cut »    In the movie industry, the final released version of the film.

fire-breathing »    Caustic, vitriolic or scathing.

fits and starts »    Activity which is intermittent, variable in intensity, and prolonged by interruptions.

flat-chested »    Having a flat chest; having small breasts.

flat-earther »    A person who believes or advocates an outlandish, discredited theory; a person who refuses to acknowledge the truth despite overwhelming evidence.

flat-footed »    Having feet which are flat.

flat-footed »    Having the specific physical condition of flat feet.

flutter in the dovecote »    I further argued that the principal cause for the political deadlock that persisted for thirty years after the guns fell silent was Israeli intransigence rather than Arab intransigence. The appearance of the first wave of revisionist studies excited a great deal of interest and controversy in the media and more than a flutter in the academic dovecote. — Israel Confronts Its Past.

flying visit »    A very short visit.

follow suit »    To play a card of the same suit as the previous or leading card.

for all one is worth »    Intensely, vigorously, with as much effort as one can supply.

for the birds »    Worthless; pointless; not deserving serious consideration.

fountain of youth »    Anything reputed to have the power to restore health and vitality or to restore a youthful appearance.

four-leaf clover »    An uncommon variation of the clover, having four leaves instead of the usual three.

fourth wall »    The imaginary invisible wall at the front of the stage in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play.

freak flag »    Unconventional or unrestrained behavior; extreme, nonconformist views; the side of one's personality which harbors a tendency toward such behavior or such views.

fresh off the boat »    Newly arrived from a foreign place, especially as an immigrant who is still unfamiliar with the customs and language of his or her new environment.

from the Department of the Bleeding Obvious »    So obvious it was unnecessary to say.

fruit of the poisonous tree »    And which is therefore excluded from being admitted as evidence in a trial.

full as a goog »    Having eaten too much, or being drunk.

full of oneself »    Egotistical, believing oneself to be superior to others; preoccupied with one's own work, interests, point of view, etc.

full-fledged »    Having all its feathers; able to fly.

full-fledged »    Having full qualification, credentials or preparation; entire; real.

funny money »    Money gained in a devious or sneaky manner.

funny stuff »    Irregular, often illegal, activities.

gagging for it »    Up for it, having a strong desire for sex.

game plan »    Any strategy devised to reach a given objective.

gear up »    To prepare for an activity.

get a move on »    To hurry up, to get moving.

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 along »    To survive; to do well enough.

get by »    To subsist; to succeed, survive, or manage, at least at a minimum level.

get moving »    To start hurrying to undertake a task.

get off »    Behaviour.

get one's knickers in a twist »    To become overwrought or unnecessarily upset over a trivial matter.

get out of Dodge »    To leave; in particular to leave a difficult or dangerous environment with all possible haste.

get the better of »    To overwhelm or overcome; to influence heavily; to tend to control or persuade.

get the boot »    To be voted off a competition in a reality television show.

get the chop »    To be eliminated from a competition in a reality television program.

gift of the gab »    The ability to talk readily, glibly, and convincingly.

give as good as one gets »    To behave toward others in a manner resembling or commensurate with their behavior towards oneself, especially in a situation where one is insulted or otherwise ill-treated.

give away the store »    To transact, trade, or negotiate badly, by paying, providing, or conceding too much to the other party.

give notice »    To announce one's intent to leave a job; to inform an employer that one is leaving.

give over »    To devote oneself to a particular activity.

give somebody the runaround »    Especially by providing useless information or directions .

give the devil his due »    To acknowledge the positive qualities of a person who is unpleasant or disliked.

go back to the drawing board »    To start again; to scrap a previous idea or plan and try again from the beginning.

go native »    To adopt the lifestyle or outlook of local inhabitants, especially when dwelling in a colonial region; to become less refined under the influence of a less cultured, more primitive, or simpler social environment.

go on the rampage »    To behave violently or to riot.

go out »    1922, Alfred Edward Housman, XXVIII, lines 3-4.

go to the mat »    To continue to struggle or fight until either victorious or defeated.

go to town »    To proceed enthusiastically, vigorously, or expertly.

go too far »    To exceed an unstated limit, especially a limit of acceptable behaviour.

go with the flow »    To act as others are acting, conforming to common behavior patterns with an attitude of calm acceptance.

go without saying »    To be obvious, apparent or clear, or already established.

golden handcuffs »    Any arrangement or agreement designed to provide extremely favorable benefits or pay, so as to discourage participant from wanting to leave, especially to retain a choice employee.

golden ticket »    A qualification, person or thing that can provide lucrative opportunities.

good things come to those who wait »    A patient seeker will be satisfied in due time; patience is a virtue.

good to go »    Ready for some specific task or ready for normal activity, especially after preparation or recovery.

goof off »    To dawdle; to engage in idle activity or inactivity.

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.

grass roots »    People and society at the local level rather than at the national centre of political activity.

gratuitous violence »    The artificial depiction of excessive violence.

gratuitous violence »    Violence that is not justified.

grease payment »    A bribe or extorted money, usually relatively small in amount, provided to a low-level government official or business person, in order to expedite a business decision, shipment, or other transaction, especially in a country where such payments are not unusual.

green about the gills »    Having the appearance of being ill.

green state »    A state that is, or is perceived as, environmentally friendly.

green with envy »    Consumed by envy; envious to the point where it is noticeable to others.

greenwash »    A false or misleading picture of environmental friendliness used to conceal or obscure damaging activities.

groaning »    That is heavily laden.

guinea pig »    A tailless rodent of the Cavia genus, with short ears and larger than a hamster; the species Cavia porcellus is often kept as a pet.

gut factor »    Feelings about what feels right or wrong, good or bad. An inner persuasion that one may feel convinced is the appropriate decision.

hand grenade »    small explosive device

hand in hand »    Naturally, ordinarily or predictably together; commonly having a correlation or relationship.

hand waving »    Discussion or argumentation involving approximation, vagueness, educated guessing, or the attempt to explain or excuse vagaries.

handwriting on the wall »    Alternative form of writing on the wall. A divine prediction or sentence to fate.

hang a Louie »    Make a left turn while driving a vehicle.

hang a Ralph »    Make a right turn while driving a vehicle.

happily ever after »    Living happily until death. Typically associated with fairy tales.

hard of hearing »    Having difficulty hearing; somewhat deaf.

hard pressed »    Having or likely to have difficulty or to find a task almost impossible.

hardwired »    In humans and animals, genetically determined, instinctive behavior, as opposed to learned behavior.

hardwired »    Of devices, closely or tightly coupled.

have it large »    To engage intensely in pleasure-seeking activities.

have second thoughts »    To change one's opinion, or be uneasy about a previous decision.

he who laughs last laughs best »    success is better after having previously endured ridicule.

he-man »    A strong, virile or sexually active man.

head scratcher »    A device used to scratch the head.

heads-up »    A warning or call to pay attention; an advisory notice.

hear on the grapevine »    To hear rumors; to learn through friends of friends.

hear the grass grow »    To hear very well due to being in an exceptionally quiet environment.

hear through the grapevine »    To hear rumors; to learn through friends of friends.

hear, hear »    Let us hear and applaud the previous speaker; I endorse the previous statement; Expression of support, agreement, or enthusiasm for what has just been said.

here goes nothing »    Indicates a lack of confidence or certainty about the activity about to be tried.

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..

hide nor hair »    A trace, indication, or evidence, especially of a person.

hide one's light under a bushel »    For a person to keep some talent or skill hidden from other people. The tone is that a person having a talent which they can be proud of ought not hide it.

hiding to nothing »    A situation in which victory has little or no value, but defeat has a huge cost.

high on the hog »    Well off; living comfortably or extravagantly.

hindsight is 20/20 »    (idiomatic) In hindsight things are obvious that were not obvious from the outset; one is able to evaluate past choices more clearly than at the time of the choice.

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 ground running »    To begin an activity immediately and with full commitment.

hit the pavement »    To get moving in an automobile or other road vehicle.

hoist by one's own petard »    To be hurt, or destroyed by one's own plot or device, of one's own doing which one intended for another; to be "blown up by one's own bomb".

hold all the aces »    To be in a strong position when one is competing with someone else, having all the advantages.

hold one's own »    To stand up to; to give a respectable performance; to provide worthy competition.

hold out »    To survive, endure.

hold up »    To withstand; to stand up to; to survive.

hold with the hare and run with the hounds »    To oppose an action or behavior and yet engage in the same action or behavior; to be a hypocrite.

holding pattern »    Any failure to advance; useless or unproductive activity.

horror film »    scary movie

horse opera »    A theatrical production, film, or program on radio or television depicting adventures of characters in the American Old West; a western.

horse's ass »    A thing or person which is visually unappealing.

hospital pass »    Exempting one from regular activities, to instead visit a hospital.

hot and cold »    Ambivalent; having conflicting emotions.

hot desking »    The working practice of sharing desks or workstations between workers, as a means of saving space and resources.

hot mess »    A warm meal, usually cooked in a large pot, often similar to a stew or porridge; or, service of such a heated meal to soldiers.

hot to trot »    Eager for sexual activity.

hothouse »    An environment in which growth or development is encouraged; a hotbed.

hung the moon »    To view or be viewed with uncritical or excessive awe, reverence, or infatuation.

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.

hustle and bustle »    A large amount of activity and work, usually in a noisy surrounding.

ice up »    To become clogged with ice, usually of a mechanical device.

idiot box »    Television.

if it ain't broke, don't fix it »    Leave something alone; avoid correcting, fixing, or improving what is already sufficient, as it could end up being detrimental

if looks could kill »    A phrase said upon catching sight of someone's giving you a particularly nasty look of discontent or disapproval.

if the mountain won't come to Muhammad »    "If one cannot get one's own way, one must bow to the inevitable.".

ill advisedly »    unwisely

in a bind »    In a difficult situation, usually of one's own making; having a dilemma; faced with a problem or a set of problems for which there is no easy solution.

in a league of one's own »    Far excelling even the closest contender; not having any worthy competition.

in Abraham's bosom »    No longer living. Dead.

in black and white »    Having it displayed using shades of gray/gray rather than colour/color .

in broad daylight »    In a blatant and publicly visible manner.

in business »    Engaged in business activity.

in business »    Ready to proceed in a desired activity.

in evidence »    Visibly present; noticeable.

in for a penny, in for a pound »    Expressing recognition that one must, having started something, see it through to its end, rather than stopping short thereof; accepting that one must

in front of one's nose »    Plain; clearly apparent; obvious.

in kind »    In the form of goods and service rather than money.

in stride »    Without disturbing one's course of activities.

in the act »    In the process of doing something; used to emphasize the eye-witness evidence.

in the black »    Having positive net income; having greater income than expenses; making a profit.

in the driver's seat »    Having the most important role in a storyline or recognition. Of primary importance.

in the red »    Having net losses; in debt.

in the same boat »    In the same situation or predicament; having the same problems.

in unity there is strength »    More can be accomplished by a team with a common goal, than individuals.

in view of »    Considering.

in vino veritas »    drunken folks speak truth, one tells the truth under the influence of alcohol

in virtue of »    By virtue of.

in with a chance »    Having a chance.

inside job »    A crime or other illicit action committed by or with the help of someone either employed by the victim or entrusted with access to the victim's affairs and premises.

is the Pope Catholic »    The answer to the question is, obviously, resoundingly affirmative.

it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God »    The rich can afford more immoral behavior than the poor.

jack in »    To stop doing a regular activity. Often a job or studies.

jack in »    To insert an electronic coupling into a receptacle; to connect to something, whether involving a physical medium or not.

jew down »    To bargain or haggle with a seller in order to obtain a lower price for a good or service.

jive turkey »    Someone who is jiving, as in behaving in a glib and disingenuous fashion.

jive turkey »    Someone who is jiving, as in dancing. Often applied to people being funny or showy.

jump »    By jerking the body violently.

jump »    To attack suddenly and violently.

jump rope »    A single jump in this game or activity, counted as a measure of achievement.

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.

jump rope »    The length of rope, sometimes with handles, casing or other additions, used in that activity.

jump the shark »    To undergo a storyline development which is so ridiculous that previous quality is considered to have been lost.

jump to conclusions »    Make conclusions before being presented with all the evidence.

keep an eye open »    To maintain vigilance for a possibly dangerous situation.

keep an eye open »    To maintain vigilance for someone or something.

keep on truckin' »    To continue or persist, regardless of circumstances or setbacks; to keep trying or striving.

keep up with »    To manage to remain beside or just behind that is moving away from one.

kick off »    To force the weaning of a bovine cow's calf by restricting the calf's access to its mother's udders. Used figuratively or literally.

kick up »    Into the air while running or walking or driving.

kind »    Mild, gentle, forgiving.

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 around »    To do a relaxing activity.

knock around »    To hit someone, or behave violently towards them.

knock the living daylights out of »    To knock out; to hit and cause to be unconscious.

l'esprit de l'escalier »    The experience of thinking of a devastating rejoinder only after leaving the scene of the debate.

lame joke »    An attempt at humor which is perceived to have been used previously to the point of being cliche, or was never funny to begin with.

landing strip »    A cultivated pubic hair pattern in which much of the pubic hair is removed, leaving only a central vertical line or rectangle.

law of the jungle »    The survival of the fittest, strongest or most cunning.

lay on »    provide;

lay open »    In Japan and South Korea, to publish a patent for initial public review, prior to the formal application for registration.

lay the groundwork »    To create a foundation; to provide the basics or fundamentals.

lay up »    To take out of active service.

lay up »    To go out of active service.

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.

lean and mean »    Efficient because of having nothing in excess of what is needed, and single-minded in one's objective.

leave somebody high and dry »    To abandon somebody; to stop providing assistance at a crucial moment.

leave somebody holding the bag »    To abandon somebody, leaving the responsibility or blame.

leave to one's own devices »    To leave alone, unsupervised, without assistance.

left-handed compliment »    A complimentary remark which is ambiguous or ineptly worded, so that it may be interpreted as having an unflattering or dismissive sense.

legwork »    Skillful or vigorous use of the legs, as in dance or sports.

less is more »    That which is less complicated is often better understood and more appreciated than what is more complicated; simplicity is preferable to complexity; brevity in communication is more effective than verbosity.1855, Robert Browning, "Men and Women":Well, less is more, Lucrezia: I am judged.1954, "'Less Is More'," Time, 14 Jun.:The essence of Mies's architectural philosophy is in his famous and sometimes derided phrase, "Less is more." This means, he says, having "the greatest effect with the least means."2007, Gia Kourlas, "Dance Review: An Ordered World Defined With Soothing Spareness," New York Times, 3 Mar. (retrieved 22 Oct. 2008):The program, which features two premieres

let somebody in on »    To disclose; to tell somebody a secret or share privileged information.

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.

lick one's chops »    To look forward avidly to eating something.

lie back and think of England »    Used to preface any unpleasant but inevitable experience.

life of the party »    A person who participates in entertainment events in a very enthusiastic manner and who has a leading role in inspiring others to join in the spirit of festivity.

life's a bitch »    An expression of acceptance of misfortune.1950, Joy Davidman, Weeping Bay, page 184:She'd have been willing enough to use them, poor dead little bitch. Life's a bitch. Life's a bad joke.

light bucket »    Nickname for a reflecting telescope, especially one with a relatively large aperture and suitable for observing deep sky objects such as nebulae and galaxies.

like gangbusters »    Vigorously, rapidly, zealously, or forcibly; in a manner which has considerable impact.

like the new time »    Furiously or vigorously, repeatedly.

lion »    A large cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly to much of Europe. The term may apply to the species as a whole, to individuals, or to male individuals. It also applies to related species like mountain lions.

lion »    An individual who shows strength and courage, attributes associated with the lion.

lip service »    Empty talk; words absent of action or intention.

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.

live large »    To have a lavish or overly-extravagant lifestyle.

live on »    To survive solely by consuming a certain thing.

live one »    Someone who is easily fooled, victimized, or ridiculed.

live paycheck to paycheck »    To spend all that one earns without saving anything.

live wire »    An especially energetic, alert, or vivacious person.

Living high on the hog »    Living richly, often above one's means

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.

look at »    Visually.

look out »    Be vigilant and aware.

look to »    To seek inspiration or advice from someone.

look-in »    A brief visit.

lose one's touch »    To lose one's special mastery of or knack for a particular skill or activity.

lose the plot »    To cease to be behaving in a predictable and/or rational manner.

lubrication payment »    A bribe or extorted money, usually relatively small in amount, provided to a low-level government official or business person, in order to expedite a business decision, shipment, or other transaction, especially in a country where such payments are not unusual.

made in the shade »    In a condition characterized by comfort, success, easy living, or general well-being.

make a go of it »    To attempt; especially, to attempt to make a living.

make a living »    To earn enough income to support oneself and, if applicable, one's family.

make a mountain out of a molehill »    To treat a problem as greater than it is; to blow something out of proportion; to exaggerate the importance of something trivial.

make a virtue of necessity »    C. 1595, William Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, act 4, sc.1.

make a virtue of necessity »    To make the best of a difficult situation; to recast or portray an action or situation in which one has no alternatives as an action or situation which was deliberately chosen on its merits.

make an honest woman »    Especially if she is having a sexual relationship.

make it »    To survive, to live through something.

make it up as one goes along »    To improvise continuously.

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.

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.

meal ticket »    Someone or something that provides income or livelihood, especially as an exploited source.

memory lane »    A set of recollections available to be reviewed, especially accompanied by a feeling of nostalgia.

mess of pottage »    Something of trivial value, especially of immediate value.

mess up »    To make unwanted mistakes in a given task, usually through distraction or obnoxious behavior.

middle of the road »    Having a centrist attitude or philosophy; not extreme, especially politically.

mike up »    To fit a microphone and transmitter to a person. Usually for television performers, or for police informers.

mind-numbing »    Excessively boring, tedious, or dull; repetitive; of an activity, etc., lacking any interest or variety that might serve as intellectual stimulation.

miner's canary »    A caged bird kept caged in mines because its demise provided a warning of dangerous levels of toxic gases.

miner's canary »    Any thing, especially an organism, whose demise or distress provides an early warning of danger.

miners' canary »    A caged bird kept caged in mines because its demise provided a warning of dangerous levels of toxic gases.

miners' canary »    Any thing, especially an organism, whose demise or distress provides an early warning of danger.

mix it up »    To compete vigorously, to quarrel, or to fight physically.

mixed bag »    Something tending to have both good and bad results or characteristics; something having a mixture of advantages and disadvantages.

monkey business »    An activity that is considered silly, or stupid, or time-wasting.

monkey business »    An activity that may be considered illegal, questionable, or a vice, but not felonious.

moral high ground »    A position or point of view which is ethically superior or more reputable, in comparison to others which are under consideration.

more equal »    Ostensibly equal, but in reality more privileged.

mouth of a sailor »    The characteristic of regularly using vulgar language, especially strong profanities; a person having this characteristic.

mover and shaker »    Someone who has power and influence in some field or activity.

movie star »    famous film actor

much of a muchness »    Of two or more things, having little difference of any significance between them.

mutual admiration society »    A group of two or more people, in a workplace or other social environment, who routinely express considerable esteem and support for one another, sometimes to the point of exaggeration or pretense.

name and shame »    So as to single them out for individual blame and censure.

ne'er cast a clout til May be out »    Advice not to change from winter clothes to summer clothes until June, as there is often a sudden cold snap in May.

necker's knob »    A knob attached to the steering wheel of an automobile, especially before the widespread availability of power steering, helping the driver steer with one arm and leaving the other arm free to provide romantic attention to a companion.

neither here nor there »    Not important; having no significance or influence on the question at hand; not related; not relevant; not germane; not pertinent.

nest egg »    A savings; a reserve of money.

never mind »    I withdraw my previous statement.

nickel and dime »    Small time; operating on a small scale; involving small amounts of money; petty or cheap.

no comment »    A refusal to say the obvious impolite retort.

no frills »    Basic or simple; providing only what is necessary, without anything extra or fancy.

no holds barred »    Without reserve; in an especially ruthless or vicious manner.

nobody's perfect »    Used when someone's mistakes or flaws are acknowledged, to remind that everyone else makes mistakes and has flaws1995, New York Magazine Vol. 28, No. 5, 30 January 1995, The de-moralization of society (Book Review)Hypocrisy, particularly in sexual matters, is excused on the grounds that hey, nobody's perfect, and at least folks back then felt bad enough to lie.2000, Madonna, Nobody's PerfectI feel so sad. What I did wasn't right. I feel so bad and I must say to you: Sorry, but nobody's perfect. Nobody's perfect. What did you expect? I'm doing my best

not a pretty sight »    Something visually unappealing, ranging from mildly unattractive to utterly disgusting in appearance.

not a sausage »    Jill: Not a sausage I'm afraid, I'm just visiting.

not worth a plug nickel »    Having no or almost no value; worthless.

now you're talking »    A phrase indicating agreement with a previously stated suggestion to change a course of action.

nutty as a fruitcake »    Behaving in an eccentric, foolish, or kooky manner; very nutty.

object lesson »    Anything used an example or lesson which serves to warn others as to the outcomes that result from a particular action or behavior, as exemplified by the fates of those who followed that course.

odd one out »    A visual puzzle where the guesser has to choose which word/picture/symbol etc. does not fit with the others.

of an »    Indicates a more or less habitual activity during the given part of the day.

of course »    Asserts that the associated phrase should not be argued, particularly if it is obvious or there is no choice in the matter.

off balance »    Not physical balanced; not having physical equilibrium.

off one's game »    Performing in any activity below one's usual level; behaving in an irregular, inept, or awkward manner; feeling unwell.

off the beaten path »    In a secluded location; in a place which is not frequently visited or not widely known.

off the beaten track »    In a place or places not commonly visited.

off the chain »    Free from work or direct supervision. In reference to slave labor, where workers are chained, or to the figurative chain of workers of an assembly line.

off the hook »    Of a telephone, having an open connection; not hung up.

off the reservation »    Violating rules.

oil burner »    A device whose operation causes apparent combustion of lubricating oil.

oil burner »    A heating device which burns fuel oil; an oil furnace.

old college try »    A vigorous, committed attempt or effort.

Old Fart »    An elderly person who holds views that are considered old-fashioned.

old hand »    A person who is experienced at a certain activity.

on a roll »    Having a streak of good luck or good progress or success.

on good terms with »    Friendly towards; having good relations with.

on opposite sides of the barricades »    Of starkly different, opposite views on an issue.

on steroids »    To a greater degree, exaggerating the characteristics of the previously named object.

on the anvil »    Refers to anything in the making, being created, or in production, especially in the metalworking field.

on the back burner »    Not immediate; inactive; receiving less than full or regular attention.

on the blink »    Functioning erratically, malfunctioning; not working or not working well. Usually refers to a mechanical or electronic device.

on the bubble »    Having qualification for an event depend on the upcoming performances of other competitors.

on the fly »    Spontaneously or extemporaneously; done as one goes, or during another activity.

on the go »    Actively traveling; busy; moving often.

on the loose »    Not incarcerated or in captivity; not under control.

on the mend »    Improving or undergoing restoration to a previous, more favorable condition.

on the other hand »    From another point of view.

on the plus side »    Positively; from a favorable view or perspective.

on the run »    Constantly traveling or moving from place to place.

on the spot »    Having to answer or decide without warning or preparation.

on tiptoe »    Moving carefully, quietly, warily or stealthily.

on wheels »    Having wheels affixed to the bottom, and so transportable.

one at a time »    Individually, as opposed to collectively; slowly or methodically, figuratively.

one by one »    Individually in succession; one at a time.

one's bark is worse than one's bite »    The individual acts threatening but is relatively harmless.

one-hit wonder »    A person or group known for achieving only a single major accomplishment.

one-night stand »    A single sexual encounter between two individuals, where at least one of the parties has no immediate intention or expectation of establishing a longer-term sexual or romantic relationship. As the phrase implies, the relationship lasts for only one night.

one-note »    Having only one opinion, outlook, tone, etc., especially as expressed repetitively; without variety or range.

onesie-twosie »    Individually or in very small groups, rather in larger batches.

only fools and horses work »    Philosophy of life that people who do not look for an easy way of earning a living are foolish.

ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny »    (biology, social sciences, art, philosophy) The physical, cultural, moral, or intellectual development of each individual passes through stages similar to the developmental stages of that individual's species, society, or civilization.1905, J. A. Harris, "The Importance of Investigations of Seedling Stages," Science, New Series, vol. 22, no. 554, p. 186:With reference to seedling stages the statement that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny must be made with great reserve.1961, M. E. Wolfgang, "Pioneers in Criminology: Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909)," The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science, vol. 52, no. 4, p. 367:Haeckel maintained that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, and this idea was incorporated by Lombroso into his parallelism between the criminal and the child.2002, B. S. Jackson, "Models in Legal History: The Case of Biblical Law," Journal of Law and Religion, vol. 18, no. 1, p. 11:For even if we accept that "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny," those responsible for the drafting of ancient legal documents were not children, and are hardly to be endowed with some form of infantile mentality.

opening time »    hour at which a pub can start serving

out of bounds »    Beyond the bounds of civility or morality; extremely unreasonable.

out of character »    Inconsistent with one's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour.

out of character »    Not acting; not "on"; behaving within one's natural personality rather than that of a character in a performance piece.

out of sight »    Not accessible to view.

out of work »    Unemployed, or having nothing to do.

outside world »    The rest of the world outside of some closed, restricted, or remote environment.

over a barrel »    In a disadvantageous or helpless situation, in which one may be controlled or victimized.

paint with a broad brush »    To describe a class of objects or a kind of phenomenon in general terms, without specific details and without attention to individual variations.

palace politics »    The relationships and interactions of top-level officials, advisors and other powerbrokers within a government, especially as involving internal rivalry and intrigue.

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 .

paper trail »    A written record, history, or collection of evidence.

paper trail »    The records left by a person or organization in the course of activities.

parade of horribles »    A rhetorical device employing a series of progressively more terrible results following from an act.

parcel out »    To divide into portions or chunks; to ration.

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.

party to »    Privy to; having knowledge of.

patience is a virtue »    it is better to be patient than impatient

pay for »    To exchange for, especially money for goods or services.

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 bills »    To provide enough income to sustain one's lifestyle.

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.

pay up »    To pay for something in total, after a certain amount of time after receiving a purchase.

pearl of wisdom »    A succinct, insightful saying, piece of advice, or moral precept.

peel grapes »    To perform a menial task, eliminating trivial inconveniences.

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.

pencil whip »    To approve a document without actually knowing or reviewing what it is that is being approved.

pencil-necked »    Having a very thin neck.

pick on »    To bully or make fun of a victim; to bother or harass.

pick up »    To point out (a person's behaviour, habits or actions),in a critical manner.

pick up stitches »    Stitches to the knitting needle that were previously bound off, or that belong to the selvage, during the process of knitting or entrelac.

pickin' and grinnin' »    Vigorously playing folk or country music on a stringed musical instrument, especially the guitar or banjo, while smiling broadly.

pickle »    Any vegetable preserved in vinegar and consumed as relish.

pickle »    A cucumber preserved in a solution, usually a brine or a vinegar syrup.

pickle »    The brine used for preserving food.

piece of cake »    A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple to do.

piffy on a rock bun »    A person ignored or sidelined from an activity.

pile-up »    A traffic accident or collision involving multiple vehicles.

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.

piss and vinegar »    Exuberance or enthusiasm, especially to an excessive degree; bravado; youthful energy.

piss up a rope »    To engage in futile or impossible activity.

pissing contest »    An immature dispute over some trivial matter.

pitched battle »    A hostile engagement involving sustained, full-scale fighting between opposing forces in close combat.

play down »    To make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.

play fast and loose »    To ignore proper behavior or social conventions, especially when it suits ones purpose.

play Old Harry »    Blenkiron and I have been moving in the best circles as skilled American engineers who are going to play Old Harry with the British on the Tigris. — John Buchan, "Greenmantle", 1916..

play Old Harry »    To play the devil; to make mischief.

play the same tape »    To repeat exactly what one previously said or did.

play up »    To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely or obvious; to showcase or highlight.

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.

poison »    A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism.

poison tree bears poison fruit »    Unethical actions in the service of good intentions will have immoral or unethical consequences.

pop in »    To visit in an impromptu manner.

pop the cherry »    To break the hymen; to lose one's virginity.

potty mouth »    The characteristic of regularly using vulgar language, especially strong profanities; a person having this characteristic.

pound of flesh »    Something which is owed and which will be hurtful or difficult to provide; a debt owed to someone who is merciless and demanding.

pound sand »    To engage in a futile activity.

pour oil on troubled waters »    To calm something or someone who is tenacious or misbehaving.

power up »    To turn the electrical power on to a device as a precondition to make it operational.

power up »    To become ready for operation as a result of the provision of electrical power.

practice makes perfect »    If one practices an activity enough, one will eventually master it.

preach to the choir »    Speaking as if to convince a person or group of something which that person or group already believes.

preprogram »    To predispose to certain thoughts or behaviours.

prevail upon »    To convince; to persuade.

price out of the market »    To charge an exorbitant price for a service or product so that no one will purchase it.

problem child »    A child who is particularly difficult to raise or educate, especially due to a lack of self-control and disruptive and antisocial behavior.

proverbs come in pairs »    Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.1979, Irving Howe, John Hollander, David Bromwich, Literature as Experience: An Anthology, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, ISBN 0155511130, page 325:Sometimes proverbs come in pairs, the first one providing the context, the second, the revision.

pull a »    He pulled an Elvis and got really fat.

pull a »    To emulate a behaviour generally attributed to the individual named.

push one's luck »    To take an excessive risk or to attempt some task unlikely to succeed, especially after having already been unexpectedly lucky.

put a damper on »    To stop people from enjoying an activity.

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 shoulder to the wheel »    To work or exert oneself heavily or with full effort.

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.

quiet down »    To reduce intensity of an activity.

quieten down »    To reduce intensity of an activity.

rag the puck »    To proceed slowly at any activity in order to use up time; to stall for time.

rain cats and dogs »    To rain very heavily.

rain check »    In social interactions, a polite way to turn down an invitation, with the implication one is simply postponing it and that another time would be acceptable.

rain check »    To provide a service at a later date.

rain dogs and cats »    To rain very heavily.

rain pitchforks »    To rain heavily.

rank and file »    Those lacking any particular title or status; those having no station.

rat race »    An activity or situation which is congested with participants and which is hectic or tedious, especially in the context of a busy, modern urban lifestyle.

read out »    To read some data and inform the person using the device.

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.

reality check »    A check or review to make sure something is consistent, reasonable, etc.

rediscover fire »    To relearn fundamental concepts, principles or practices that had been previously well known and widely practiced at a prior time in human society.

redolent »    Fragrant or aromatic; having a sweet scent.

redolent »    Having the smell of.

ride herd on »    To supervise a group of people, such as workers, and/or their actions, i.e. their work.

ride out »    To tackle a difficult problem and survive.

ring hollow »    To seem to be false or implausible; to be unconvincing.

ringside seat »    Any vantage point providing an excellent view.

road movie »    A film in which much of the action takes place during a journey, especially one involving overland travel.

roadwarrior »    A person who carries a mobile device such as a laptop or PDA and uses wireless internet connections to work.

rose-coloured »    Having a pink colour.

round off »    To change a number into an approximation having fewer significant digits.

rub off on »    To adapt to a way of behaving after constant exposure to it.

run away with »    To leave secretly with another person. Usually with the intention of getting married or of living together against the wishes of the family.

run down »    To lose power slowly. Used for a machine, battery, or other powered device.

run down »    To reduce the size or stock levels of a business, often with a view to closure.

run for one's money »    A difficult challenge for the person indicated, especially one involving a competitive situation.

run off »    To leave someone without prior advice.

run off with »    To leave with someone with the intention of living with them or marrying them. Usually in secret because other people think it is wrong.

safe and sound »    Having come to no harm, especially after being exposed to danger.

salad years »    The inexperienced, youthful prime of an individual, group, organization or entity.

say goodbye »    To wish someone farewell upon their leaving.

say grace »    To recite a prayer of invocation or thanksgiving at meal time.

scratch that »    To disregard, omit, or ignore the previous statement.

screen test »    movie audition

scrimp and save »    To scrimp greatly; to economize; to live very frugally, particularly when saving for something.

second banana »    A comedian who plays a secondary or supporting role, especially as straight man and traditionally in vaudeville or burlesque theatre.

second childhood »    The period or state of cognitive decline of an elderly person, characterized by childlike judgment and behavior.

second nature »    A mindset, skill, or type of behavior so ingrained through habit or practice that it seems natural, automatic, or without a basis in conscious thought.

see a man about a horse »    A message signaling one needs to go missing for a short while, for any reason, without giving a real explanation.

see the light »    To gain an understanding of something previously not understood, especially in a sudden insight.

seeing is believing »    You need to see something to believe it; visible facts cannot be denied.

seize the day »    To make the most of today by achieving fulfillment in a philosophical or spiritual sense.

sell »    To agree to transfer goods or provide services in exchange for money.

sell »    To promote a particular viewpoint; to manipulate towards a desired end.

serpentine »    Having the shape or form of a snake.

serpentine »    Of, or having attributes associated with, the mythological serpent, such as craftiness or deceitfulness.

serpentine »    Sinuous; curving in alternate directions.

sexual relation »    Behaviour of a sexual nature between one or more individuals.

sexual tension »    Physically induced libidinal unrest arising between two individuals when aware of each other's presence.

shape up »    To improve; to correct one's bad habits or behavior.

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.

shirtless »    Not wearing a shirt. Having a bare torso.

shitstorm »    A violent situation.

Shittin in high cotton »    Living well, often above one's means

shoot 'em up »    A short story, novel, television show, film, computer game, or other narrative which depicts considerable gunplay.

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.

shoot oneself in the foot »    To deliberately sabotage an activity in order to avoid obligation, though it causes personal suffering. Origins in first world war trench warfare.

shoot the boots »    To kick swiftly and violently, especially in the groin.

shot in the dark »    A guess, attempt, or choice made with little or no evidence or knowledge.

show up »    To make visible; to expose.

shrinking violet »    A very shy person, who avoids contact with others if avoidable.

shroud »    A rope or cable serving to support the mast sideways.

shrouded »    Wearing, or provided with a shroud.

sigh of relief »    A reassurance or support, something that reduces stress from an arduous activity.

sight unseen »    Not having seen the object beforehand.

sign off »    Term used to describe the closing of a radio or television station's studios and cessation of a broadcasting signal, usually during the overnight hours.

sign on »    The time of day when a radio or television station begins broadcasting, usually after being off the air for several hours.

silver screen »    By extension, the movies or that related to movies or cinema.

silver screen »    The cinema screen onto which movies are projected.

sit in »    To attend something for one time, as a visitor.

sitting duck »    An obvious or unconcealed target.

sitting pretty »    Having a comfortable or certain supply of money or resources.

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.

smell like a rose »    To be regarded as appealing, virtuous, or respectable; to be untainted or unharmed.

smoke and mirrors »    A deceptive, fraudulent, or unconvincing explanation or description.

smoke signal »    A type of flare or combustion device sometimes used as a distress signal.

smoking gun »    Evidence, particularly of a crime, that is difficult or impossible to dispute.

sneck posset »    A cold reception, closing the door on a visitor.

snipe hunt »    A prank in which a gullible victim is sent off on a fruitless search for a nonexistent item.

so far »    Until now; previously; yet.

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.

soft shoe »    A kind of tap dancing performed in soft-soled shoes, popular in vaudeville.

sort out »    To clarify by reviewing mentally.

sow one's wild oats »    To indulge in a period of irresponsible behavior, particularly sexually; Often used in reference to young adults or to the recently divorced.

spark off »    To initiate something by providing the necessary conditions.

speak for oneself »    To provide an opinion only on one's own behalf.

speak of the devil »    An expression sometimes used when a person mentioned in the current conversation happens to arrive on the scene.

speak of the devil and he appears »    Alternative form of speak of the devil.

speak to »    To give evidence regarding something; to attest for.

special needs »    Needs for special care, services or accommodations.

spectator sport »    A sporting activity which has a relatively high ratio of watchers to direct participants.

spectator sport »    An activity which consists of watching or observing.

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.

spring fever »    A feeling of invigoration and restlessness associated with the arrival of the warm weather and renewal of nature in the spring season.

squaring the circle »    The historical problem of how to construct, using compass and ruler, a square having the same area as a given circle.

stand in someone's shoes »    To see from another's point of view; to feel what another feels.

stand on one's own two feet »    To be independent. To survive without any help.

stand out »    To be obvious or conspicuous, in contrast to one's surroundings.

standard fare »    Something which is normal, routine, or unexceptional; something which is commonly provided or encountered.

stare someone in the face »    To be extremely visible and obvious.

stave off »    To prevent something from happening; to obviate or avert.

step in front of a moving train »    To sacrifice one's own life for a noble and loyal cause.

step on a rake »    To fall victim to a hazard.

stick in the mud »    A person unwilling to participate in activities, often because he or she believes the activity is not wholly kosher; a party pooper.

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.

stir-crazy »    By extension, restless, uncomfortable, or impatient due to inactivity.

stop up »    To fill a hole or cavity, or block an opening or passage, as with a plug.

stop up »    To increase the aperture of a photographic lens, moving from an f/stop represented by a higher number to an f/stop represented by a lower number and causing more light to pass into the camera.

stuck up »    Snobbish, conceited; believing oneself to be better than others; haughty.

sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof »    No need to worry about the future; the present provides enough to worry about.

swear on a stack of Bibles »    To make a promise or give one's assurance with great conviction.

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.

sweetheart deal »    A transaction, contract, or other agreement in which one party provides particularly favorable terms to the other, especially in suspicious circumstances.

switch off »    To turn a switch to the "off" position in order to stop or disable a device.

switch on »    To turn a switch to the "on" position in order to start or enable a device.

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..

take a dim view of »    To dislike; to regard with skepticism, disbelief, disfavor, etc.

take a shot in the dark »    To try on something without having any knowledge about the subject.

take a spin »    To go for a ride; especially, to try riding or driving something.

take a stand »    To assert an opinion or viewpoint; to defend one's point of view or beliefs.

take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves »    If you take care of little things one at a time, they can add up to big things.1750, Chesterfield, letter 5 Feb. (1932) IV. 1500:Old Mr. Lowndes, the famous Secretary of the Treasury, ?used to say?Take care of the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves.1912, G. B. Shaw, Pygmalion ii. 132:Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves is as true of personal habits as of money.1979, R. Cassilis, Arrow of God, iv. xvii.:Little things, Master Mally. Look after the pennies, Master Mally, and the pounds will look after themselves.1999,

take down »    To lower an item of clothing without removing it.

take five »    To take a five-minute break from some activity, take a short break from some activity.

take leave of one's senses »    To go crazy; to stop behaving rationally.

take one's lumps »    To receive physical abuse and to survive.

take sides »    To ally oneself with a given opinion, agenda or group; to support one side or viewpoint in a competition or confrontation.

take the red pill »    To understand the world in its previously unknown reality.

take up »    That which takes up or tightens; specifically, a device in a sewing machine for drawing up the slack thread as the needle rises, in completing a stitch.

talk is cheap »    It is easy to make boastful or unrealistic statements which are not supported by actions or evidence.

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.

talk of the devil »    Alternative form of speak of the devil.

talk out of turn »    To make a remark or provide information when it is inappropriate or indiscreet to do so, or when one does not have permission or the authority to do so.

tart up »    To modify or repackage a product, service, or idea to make it more attractive or easier to sell.

task force »    A group of people working towards a particular task, project, or activity, especially assigned in a particular capacity.

tea service »    crockery set

tear a strip off somebody »    To scold vigorously.

tempest in a teapot »    A major fuss over a trivial matter.

test bed »    Any venue, setup, etc. used for experimentation, testing, proving a concept, etc.

thanks for nothing »    Expression of displeasure towards a person who has not provided what was wanted.

the company »    Nickname for an intelligence service.

the Devil »    Used to add emphasis to a question or statement.

the end justifies the means »    Morally wrong actions are sometimes necessary to achieve morally right outcomes; actions can only be considered morally right or wrong by virtue of the morality of the outcome.

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."

the shoe is on the other foot »    The roles of people in a situation have been reversed, such the advantage has shifted to a party which was previously disadvantaged.

the terrorists will have won »    Phrase used following a description of an activity to indicate that if that activity is not continued or carried out, those who seek to disrupt normal activities through terror will have succeeded, an which is an unacceptable result.

the whole shooting match »    Everything; the entire collection, endeavor, or activity.

then again »    From another point of view; on the other hand; on second thought.

there but for the grace of God go I »    A recognition that others' misfortune could be one's own, if it weren't for the blessing/kindness/luck bestowed by fate or the Divine.Man's fate is in God's hands.More generally, our fate is not entirely in our own hands.

there's no I in team »    A team game is focused on the team, not on the individual.

thin-skinned »    Having a thin skin.

third hand »    Not new, having more than one previous owner.

thorn in the flesh »    Ivar Specto. The Soviet Union and the Muslim World, 1917-1958.

throw dirt enough, and some will stick »    If enough allegations are made about someone or something, then even if they are all untrue, people's opinion of the person or thing will be diminished.1759, John Wesley, letter to John Downes, Rector of St. Michael's, Wood Street, read at Wesley Center Online at [1] on 14 Oct 06.I hope...that you are ignorant of the whole affair, and are so bold only because you are blind...And blind enough; so that you blunder on through thick and thin, bespattering all that come in your way, according to the old, laudable maxim, 'Throw dirt enough, and some will stick.'1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's Schooldays, read at fullbooks.com on 14 Oct 06,But whatever harm a spiteful tongue could do them, he took care should be done. Only throw dirt enough, and some will stick.1864, John Henry Newman, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, Penguin Classics (1994), p. 10,Archbishop Whately used to say

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 the baby out with the bathwater »    To discard something valuable, often inadvertently, in the process of removing waste.

tie up loose ends »    To deal with the minor consequences of a previous action; to tidy up, finish, or complete.

tight-lipped »    Having the lips pressed together.

tilt at windmills »    To go on a wild goose chase; to persistently engage in a futile activity.

time and material »    A form of contractual compensation involving payment for materials used and at agreed rates for the those involved in performing the services.

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 out »    To call for a suspension of activity or conversation.

timeserver »    A device, node or program that distributes the correct time to clients in a network.

tin ear »    Insensitivity to and inability to appreciate the elements of performed music or the rhythm, elegance, or nuances of language.

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.

tip-off »    An obvious clue or indication.

tipping it down »    Raining heavily.

to beat the band »    Very vigorously; at a frantic pace; to a high degree; in large quantities.

to say the least »    Used to suggest that what was previously stated was an understatement.

to the victor go the spoils »    The winner of a conflict wins additional benefits, beyond just the subject of the conflict.

tone down »    To make a television program, piece of writing, etc. less offensive and so more suitable for a family audience.

too hot to hold »    A place that has too much police activity to harbor a fugitive unnoticed.

tooth and nail »    Viciously; with all one’s strength or power; without holding back..

top banana »    The principal comedian in a vaudeville or burlesque show.

top dollar »    The maximum amount of money that an item, service, or worker is worth; a very high price.

top oneself »    To outdo oneself or do more than one's previous best.

top shelf »    Books, magazines, or movies that have adult content, or soft-core porn.

touch base »    To consult, visit, or communicate with.

touchy-feely »    Having a fondness for physical contact with other people, especially to an excessive degree.

tough call »    A choice or judgment which is difficult to make, especially one involving only two alternatives.

tough love »    The compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures, to attempt to improve someone's behavior.

track record »    An organization's, product's, or person's past performance reviewed in its entirety, usually for the purpose of making a judgment.

trailer trash »    Deleted from the movie trailer. Not included in theatrical run.

train wreck »    An inevitable disaster.

trench mouth »    Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, a severe bacterial infection of the gums, typically characterized by inflammation, bleeding, deep ulceration, necrotized tissue, pain, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue, and halitosis.

trigger-happy »    Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm irresponsibly before adequately identifying the target.

trigger-happy »    Inclined to react excessively or violently at the slightest provocation.

trump up »    Heavily publicise, promote or market a product.

truth will out »    A mystery will always be solved, or a truth will always be discoveredTruth will eventually and inevitably be discovered.

tuits »    Virtual tokens for an amount of time or attention that a particular issue would need to resolve.

tune in »    To select a channel, station, etc., as on television or radio.

tune in, turn on, drop out »    Pay attention to the new way of living; take drugs; abandon the established ways.

tune up »    To make preparations for vigorous exercise; to warm up.

turf war »    A fight or confrontation between two divisions or parties for access to resources or capital.

turn a hair »    To become afraid or visibly upset.

turn a trick »    To perform a sexual service for a customer.

turn off »    To power down; to stop a device by switching it off.

turn on »    To power up; to start a device by switching it on.

turn out »    To extinguish a light or other device.

turn out »    To refuse service or shelter; to eject or evict.

turn the page »    To move on to new involvements or activities; to make a fresh start.

turn the tables »    To reverse a situation, such that the advantage has shifted to the party which was previously disadvantaged.

turn to stone »    To become completely still, not moving.

turn tricks »    To work as a prostitute, providing sexual services for money.

two wrongs don't make a right »    (ethics) A wrongful action is not a morally appropriate way to correct or cancel a previous wrongful action.1915, William MacLeod Raine, The Highgrader, ch. 15:"But when it comes to taking what belongs to another

two-second rule »    A rule of thumb for safe driving by which a driver must maintain a two-second distance from the vehicle in front.

under one's nose »    Directly in front of one; clearly visible.

under one's nose »    Obvious or apparent.

underwater basket weaving »    "Sure, somewhere out there, college slackers were taking broom ball and underwater basket weaving." — The Columbus Dispatch, September 15, 2005.

underwater basket weaving »    An easy and useless college or high school class.

until hell freezes over »    Forever; One will never in their life get the results that they want, no matter what they're doing involving the situation.

up to no good »    Misbehaving, being mischievous.

up-and-coming »    Emerging; aspiring; improving; beginning to attract attention or critical acclaim.

urban fabric »    The physical aspect of urbanism, emphasizing building types, thoroughfares, open space, frontages, and streetscapes; while excluding without prejudice to this useful term, environmental, functional, economic and sociocultural aspects.

vice squad »    police department

victory at sea »    Ocean conditions very windblown and messy, possibly to the point of being inimical to surfing and other water sports.

virgin territory »    By extension, ideas or concepts or activities that have not yet been tried, explored or developed.

virgin territory »    Land that has never been explored or developed.

wail on »    To strike an opponent heavily and repeatedly in a fight.

wail on »    To beat heavily on anything.

wait for the other shoe to drop »    To await a seemingly inevitable event, especially one which is not desirable.

war bride »    A company or individual whose business is increased by warfare.

warm the cockles of someone's heart »    To provide happiness, to bring a deeply-felt contentment.

warm up »    To prepare for executing an already-learned activity by a limited amount of additional practice.

wash away »    To eliminate, or destroy by fast moving water, such as in a flood, or a high sea.

washed up »    Finished; having no future in a particular role.

wear rose-colored glasses »    To see the positive in things while being oblivious to the negative.

weekend warrior »    A part-time soldier, or reservist.

wet blanket »    A person who takes the fun out of a situation or activity, as by pessimism, demands, dullness, etc.

whale on »    To strike an opponent heavily and repeatedly in a fight.

whale on »    To beat heavily on anything.

what do I know »    Implies that a statement is based on a guess or assumption rather than on knowledge or evidence.

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.

where there's smoke, there's fire »    If there is telltale evidence of some event, the event is probably occurring.

whistle Dixie »    To engage in a pointless or unproductive activity; to do something without resolve, seriousness or commitment.

whistle in the dark »    To speak of something despite having little knowledge of it.

whistle-blower »    One who reports a problem or violation to the authorities; especially, an employee or former employee who reports a violation by an employer.

white coat hypertension »    Elevated blood pressure measured by a medical practitioner and deemed to result from the patient's emotional response to the medical environment.

white wedding »    A wedding in which the bride is still a virgin.

whitewash »    A victory without reply.

who's 'she', the cat's mother%3F »    A rebuke especially directed towards children for having referred to their mother, or any other woman in the third person, instead of using a properly respectful title or their name when appropriate.

why the dickens »    Euphemism for why the Devil, used to add emphasis to "why" when beginning a question.

willful ignorance »    A bad faith decision to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having to make undesirable decisions that such information might prompt. It may also be shown as for a person to have no clue in a decision but still goes ahead in their decision.

wine merchant »    vintner

wing it »    To improvise; to make things up or figure things out as one goes; or to perform with little or no preparation.

wipe the slate clean »    To forget about previous differences and disagreements, and make a fresh start.

word to the wise »    A piece of advice.

work spouse »    A man or woman in the workplace with whom one shares a special relationship having bonds similar to those of a marriage: special confidences, loyalties, shared jokes and experiences, and unusual degree of honesty or openness.

work the room »    To interact enthusiastically with the attendees at an event, by moving among them, greeting them, and engaging them in conversation.

world »    An individual or group perspective or social setting.

worm's-eye view »    A view of an object from below, from the ground.

wrap around one's fingers »    To make one susceptible to desire, in that their behavior or actions are influenced.

wrestling with a pig »    To engage in a pointless task that leaves one worse off for having made an honest attempt.

write up »    review

written all over someone's face »    Very obvious, from someone's facial expression.

yak shaving »    Any apparently useless activity which, by allowing you to overcome intermediate difficulties, allows you to solve a larger problem.

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.

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs »    In order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that something should be destroyed.

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

you shouldn't have »    Used to express gratitude at unnecessary generosity, especially when receiving a gift.

you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette »    In order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that something should be destroyed.

zoom in »    To focus a zoom lens in order to obtain a larger image, or a closer view.

zoom out »    To focus a zoom lens in order to obtain a smaller image, or a more distant view.

BTW, Why won't you become an editor?