a cold day in Hell »
An event that will never happen.
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a leopard cannot change its spots »
One cannot change one's own nature.1597, William Shakespeare, Richard II Act i, Scene 1 (First Folio):King. Lyons make Leopards tame.Mowbray. Yea but not change his ?pots.1611, King James Version of the Bible, Jeremiah 13:23:Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?1820, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe Chapter 32:End now all unkindness. Let us put the Jew to ransom, since the leopard will not change his spots, and a Jew he will continue to be.1918, Johnston McCulley, Thubway Tham's Inthane Moment:The leopard cannot change his spots, old boy.
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a lie has no legs »
You can't get away with a lie, the truth will always come out.
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a new broom sweeps clean »
New management will often make radical changes.
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a picture paints a thousand words »
A visualisation is a better description than a verbal description.1971, David Gates (of Bread), If, from Manna album:If a picture paints a thousand wordsThen why can't I paint you;The words will never showThe you I've come to know.1989, Alan Kay, quoted in K?o-tung Huang, Timothy D. Huang, Introduction to Chinese, Japanese and Korean Computing, World Scientific, ISBN 9971506645, p. 9:Most human beings, no matter how familiar they are with abstract symbols, respond to voice and images better than written language. In other words, A picture paints a thousand words.2006, Paul Shakespeare, Building a Dune Buggy: The Essential Manual, ISBN 1904788734, p. 52:See accompanying diagram: a picture paints a thousand words, and all that!
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a rolling stone gathers no moss »
A person who never settles in one place will never be successful.A person who does not keep active will grow mouldy.
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about to »
Indicates something that will happen very soon; indicates that something is imminent.
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across the board »
A racing bet where one bets that the same competitor will place in first, second and third.
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against the grain »
Unwillingly, reluctantly. It went much against the grain with him, i.e. it was much against his inclination, or against his pluck.
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agree to disagree »
To tolerate each other's opinion and stop arguing; to acknowledge that an agreement will not be reached.
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all things come to those who wait »
(dated) A patient seeker will be satisfied in due time; patience is a virtue.
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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.
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at will »
At one's preference; as one sees fit.
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bad blood »
Feelings of hostility or ill will.
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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.
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be at one's beck and call »
To be in the position of serving someone in any way they desire, usually unwillingly.
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boys will be boys »
It is hard, often fruitless, to attempt to curb the natural playfulness and tendency to mischief of most growing boys.1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Chapter 13But just then there was a slight altercation between Master Tommy and Master Jacky. Boys will be boys and our two twins were no exception to this golden rule.Even grown men usually remain somewhat boyish in heart"Boys will be boys", grinned grandpa while he joined his adult son playing with the fancy train-set he gave his grandson for Christmas while the kid was in school.
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bring it on »
Used to indicate one's willingness to accept a challenge, confront a threat, etc.
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by the way »
His mother will be coming for dinner tomorrow, and, by the way, she volunteered to bring dessert.
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camel's nose »
A metaphor for a situation where the permitting of some small act will lead consequently to a larger undesirable act or circumstance.
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cast pearls before swine »
To give things of value to those who will not understand or appreciate it.
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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.
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cold comfort »
C. 1594, William Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew, act 4, sc. 1.
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deep pockets »
An ample supply of money, especially money which one is willing to spend; the possessor of such money.
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don't look at me »
A response indicating that one is not willing or able to perform a task.
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draw the line »
To set a boundary, rule, or limit, especially on what one will tolerate.
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eat someone out of house and home »
C. 1598, William Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 2, Act II Scene I.
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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,
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every Jack has his Jill »
everybody will find someone to have a romantic relationship with at some point in their life
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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.
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faith will move mountains »
Belief in oneself (read sometimes as belief in God) can help one overcome any hurdle in life's path.
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far be it »
A disclaimer stating that the person speaking will not do something.
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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.
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fight a losing battle »
To try to do something so difficult that it will probably end in failure.
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first come, first served »
People will be dealt with in the order they arrive.
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five will get you ten »
I strongly believe.
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from my cold, dead hands »
A statement that something will not be taken away from you until the day you die.
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from time to time »
C. 1595, William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, act 3, sc. 3.
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go jump in the lake »
Used to tell a person that to go away, or that their request will not be met.
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go out with »
Often in hopes that the relationship will become more longterm as in definition 1.
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good things come to those who wait »
A patient seeker will be satisfied in due time; patience is a virtue.
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have the run of »
To have permission or freedom to move around throughout an area or to use something at will.
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head scratcher »
July 2002, Fox News - Attorney: Williams' Kids Near Compromise About Father's Remains.
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heads will roll »
Some people will be fired for incompetence.
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hell hath no fury like a woman scorned »
A woman will make someone suffer if they reject her.
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history repeats itself »
Things that have happened in the past will happen again.
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hunger is the best spice »
When one is hungry, anything will taste good.
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if you lie with dogs you will get fleas »
It is important whom to choose as one's closest acquanitances.
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if you love somebody, set them free »
One should be willing to let go of someone they love if they truly love them.
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in the twinkling of an eye »
Circa 1598, William Shakespeare, "The Merchant Of Venice".
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it is easy to find a stick to beat a dog »
(rare or obsolete, proverb) If a person is determined to punish someone, they will find a way to do so.1596
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it's one's funeral »
One's decisions or actions will bring undesirable consequences only on oneself.
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kids will be kids »
You cannot expect children to act like adults.
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knight in shining armor »
A person who will rescue a dangerous situation; a hero.
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knowledge is power »
With knowledge and/or education, one's potential or ability to succeed in the pursuit of his objectives will certainly increase.
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laughing stock »
C. 1598, William Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor, act 3, sc. 1.
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let go and let God »
To consciously surrender one's free will to the will of God.
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life is like a box of chocolates »
Life is full of surprises, you never know what will happen next.
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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.
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like father, like son »
A son will have traits similar to his father upon reaching adulthood.
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long drink »
Any drink containing more than 5 ounces of liquid and less than 9 ounces. Typically, a long drink will have lots of ice and mixer.
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long shot »
A master shot, the primary wide shot of a scene into which the closeups will be edited later.
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make a virtue of necessity »
C. 1595, William Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, act 4, sc.1.
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mark up »
To add coding to text so that it will display properly on a computer.
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marry in haste, repent at leisure »
Getting married too soon will lead to a bad marriage.
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marry in haste, repent at leisure »
Two things together too soon will lead to problems.
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mind over matter »
Willpower alone can overcome a physical problem.
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moment of truth »
A deciding instant; the time when a test determines or makes it apparent whether something will succeed.
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murder will out »
A murderer will always be discovered.
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murder will out »
Secrets or hidden crimes will eventually be exposed or discovered.
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my way or the highway »
Will be excluded.
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necessity is the mother of invention »
A person who is in great need of something will find a way to get it.
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no glove, no love »
Without a condom, there will be no sex.
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no pain, no gain »
One must be willing to endure some inconvenience or discomfort in order to achieve worthwhile goals.
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nothing ventured, nothing gained »
If one takes no risks, one will not gain any benefits.
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on spec »
I'm writing an article on spec. I hope some magazine will buy it.
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on sufferance »
Unwillingly agreed to or barely tolerated.
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payback's a bitch »
Usually a complete sentence: I will get revenge when you least expect it.
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pipe dream »
A plan, desire, or idea that will not likely work; a near impossibility.
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poison tree bears poison fruit »
Unethical actions in the service of good intentions will have immoral or unethical consequences.
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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.
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practice makes perfect »
If one practices an activity enough, one will eventually master it.
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price out of the market »
To charge an exorbitant price for a service or product so that no one will purchase it.
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pride comes before a fall »
A person who is extremely proud of his or her abilities will often suffer a setback or failure, because he or she tends to be overconfident and to make errors of judgment.
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pull the other one, it's got bells on »
The implication is that one leg has been pulled, and the joker will have more fun with the other one due to the bells.
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put the cat among the pigeons »
If you set the cat among the pigeons, you will cause a flutter in the dovecote.
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rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic »
To do something pointless or insignificant that will soon be overtaken by events, or that contributes nothing to the solution of a current problem.
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running on empty »
Losing enthusiasm or willingness, lacking energy.
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screw back »
To cue the cue ball in such a way as to impart backspin. On impact, the ball will follow a reverse trajectory according to the spin.
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see you later »
A phrase used at parting, and not necessarily implying that the person being addressed will be seen later by the speaker.
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she'll be apples »
Everything will be all right.
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she'll be right »
OK, no problem, everything will be all right.
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shy bairns get nowt »
If you're too shy, or don't ask, you will not get what you want.A' forgot te ask hor for me money back!Wye, shy bairns get nowt
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sit through »
To unwillingly stay seated until the end of an event.
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sleep on »
To consider after a period of sleep, implying a decision will be made the next day.
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soft sawder »
"If she goes to act ugly, I'll give her a dose of "soft sawder"; that will take the frown out of her frontispiece...!" —Thomas Haliburton, "The Trotting Horse" — first usage.
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sow the wind, reap the whirlwind »
Every decision has consequences; a person's actions will come back to him.
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spare the rod and spoil the child »
If one does not discipline a child, he or she will never learn obedience and good manners.
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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.
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sticks and stones »
Evocative of the saying "sticks and stones may (or will) break my bones, but words (or names) will never hurt (or harm) me".1957, Brendan Gill, The Day the Money Stopped
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success has many fathers, failure is an orphan »
Many will seek credit for success, few will accept responsibility for failure.
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sweet william »
flower
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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,
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take the wind out of someone's sails »
To discourage someone greatly; to cause someone to lose hope or the will to continue.
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that'll be the day »
Said in reply to something that one believes will never happen.
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the course of true love never did run smooth »
There will always be problems in a relationship.
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the die is cast »
The future is determined; there are no more options; events will proceed in an irreversible manner.
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the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on »
Life goes on, even if some will try to stop or talk against progress.
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the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak »
(proverbs) For much as one wishes to achieve something, the frailties of the human body often make it impossible.
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the straw that broke the camel's back »
A small and seemingly insignificant addition to a burden that renders it too much to bear; the small thing which causes failure, or causes inability or unwillingness to endure any more of something.
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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.
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thorn in the flesh »
A persistent difficulty or something very annoying that will not go away.
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those who will not when they may, when they will they shall have nay »
(archaic) One should take immediate advantage of an opportunity that may not be available later.
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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
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throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick »
Try the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2005, Mike Busson (poster on UKScreen forum) Re: Voiceovers!, read at [1] on 02 Nov 06,In terms of places to send your URL or CD's, there's no easy answer. It really is a case of throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.2005, "forwardone" (administrator posting on the HYIPForum), re: Alertpay phishing email, read at [2] on 02 Nov 06,I also think that sometimes they send out phishing e-mails in the hope that it`ll hit people who do have an account with a particular organization. You know, throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick theory.2006, Rob Manuel, How to be funny, read in Comedy Soup on the BBC website at [3] on 02 Nov 06,Throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick. Be prolific and don't be afraid to make stuff that's rubbish. If you keep trying eventually you'll get there.2006, Rex Pierce, Re: [303rd-Talk] D Day read on 303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Believe the planners worked on the principle of "throw enough mud at the wall, and some of it will stick".If enough (perhaps false or reckless) accusations are made against someone, his reputation will suffer, whether or not this is deserved2006, "money" (poster on eTalk Money), Some thoughts about compact surfing, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,Word of advice NVUS time to distance yourself from LuukH as quickly as possible and dish some dirt, otherwise well the saying goes - throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.
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throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick »
Try the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2001, And still no one is shouting stop. read in The Kingdom archives at [1] on 02 Nov 06,Many team managers are of the philosophy that if you throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick. They believe that team preparation is all about physical fitness. They run the players into the ground and they believe they will be "flying on the day".2001, Robert McCrum, Let them eat cake, in The Observer 16 Dec 01, read on Guardian Unlimited site at [2] on 02 Nov 06,Australian publishing boomed and in the past 10 years the country's literary culture has undergone a mini golden age, capped by Carey's triumph at the 2001 Booker Prize. As one Australian arts administrator said to me many years ago: 'Listen, mate, if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.'2001, Chris Collin, Re: 2-cp speys on The Strathspey Server mailing list archive at [3] on 02 Nov 06,I am finding that "if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick". It doesn't always work of course (especially on the nights when the class is mostly the beginners), but the class seems to thrive on the challange.2005, Ray Craft (poster on The right scale blog), Fitzhooie and his Burden, read at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Prosecutors everywhere have bad habits of overcharging lots of cases, knowing that if the throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick.2005, Sean Kelleher, Spike Milligan: His part in our downfall in Business 07 Aug 05, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,As long as there is negligible regulation and enforcement anyone can actually try and do the job...Weak regulation allows the industry to build strategies on full time recruitment. The theory goes: throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.c2005, Everything You've Learned About Marketing Is Wrong, read on LINC Performance website at [6] on 02 Nov 06,They have the money to continue to believe in the repetition side of the equation. You throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick. But it still isn
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tight-lipped »
Unwilling to divulge information.
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to thine own self be true »
The easiest person to deceive is oneself."This above all:to thine own self be true,and it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man." -William Shakespeare
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tomorrow is another day »
Tomorrow will bring new opportunities and a fresh start for one's endeavors.1600, author unknown, "Phillidaes Love-call to her Coridon, and his replying" (song), in England's Helicon, printed at London by I.R. for John Flasket:Phil. Yonder comes my Mother, Coridon,whether shall I flie?Cor. Under yonder Beech my lovely one,while she passeth by.Say to her thy true-Love was not heere,remember, remember,to morrow is another day:1896, Amelia E. Barr, A Knight of the Nets, ch. 8:"Well, well, my dear lass, to-night we cannot work, but we may sleep. . . . Keep a still heart tonight, and tomorrow is another day."1936, Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind, ch. 63:"Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day."2005, Fran Schumer, "JERSEY: In Princeton, Taking On Harvard's Fuss About Women," New York Times, 19 June (retrieved 18 Aug. 2009):"Half of me is depressed
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tough cookie »
A person who can endure physical or mental hardship; a hardened, strong-willed person.
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treat them mean, keep them keen »
A woman will be more interested in a man if he is not kind to her.
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truth will out »
A mystery will always be solved, or a truth will always be discoveredTruth will eventually and inevitably be discovered.
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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
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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.
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up for »
Willing to participate in; interested in.
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up to »
Able; willing.
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waste not, want not »
If one is not wasteful then one will not be needy.
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watch this space »
An indication that a development will follow.
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what goes around comes around »
The status eventually returns to its original value after completing some sort of cycle.A person's actions, whether good or bad, will often have consequences for that person.
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whatever creams your twinkie »
Do what you will, whatever makes you happy.
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when it rains, it pours »
If a person encounters bad luck, more bad luck will follow.
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when the cat's away the mice will play »
In the absence of a controlling entity, subordinates will take advantage of circumstances.
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when the going gets tough, the tough get going »
in difficult times, it is the strong-willed who take action.
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will on »
To wish intensely that someone succeeds in what they are doing. Often implies a silent, or almost inaudible wish.
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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.
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willies »
Plural form of willy.
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willy nilly »
Seemingly at random, haphazardly.
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willy nilly »
Whether desired or not.
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willy nilly »
Without regard for consequences or the will of those affected.
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yield up »
To give something against one's will.
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you are what you eat »
If you eat well, you will be well; but if you eat badly you will feel bad
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you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours »
If you do me a favor then I will do you a favor; quid pro quo.
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you snooze you lose »
If you are not alert and attentive, you will not be successful.
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