a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush »
It is preferable to have a small but certain advantage than a mere potential of a greater one.
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ace in the hole »
A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage.
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ace up one's sleeve »
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
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behind the eight ball »
At a disadvantage.
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cash in »
To profit from; to use an opportunity to maximum advantage, especially financially.
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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.
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catbird seat »
Expression used to describe an enviable position, often one of great advantage.
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cherry-pick »
To pick out the best, or most desirable items from a list or group, especially to obtain some advantage or to present something in the best possible light.
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f** someone over »
To exploit somebody in a way which result in an advantage to oneself, at the cost of the other party gaining a considerable disadvantage.
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fair weather friend »
Only when it is advantageous or easy.
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feather one's nest »
To achieve benefits, especially financial ones, by taking advantage of the opportunities with which one is presented; to amass a comfortable amount of personal wealth.
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from scratch »
From the beginning; starting with no advantage or prior preparation; starting from raw ingredients.
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get a leg up »
To gain some advantage; to get a head start.
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high ground »
A position of advantage or superiority in a conflict or competition.
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hold all the aces »
To be in a strong position when one is competing with someone else, having all the advantages.
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in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king »
Among others with a disadvantage or disability, the one with the mildest disadvantage or disability is regarded as the greatest.Even someone without much talent or ability is considered special by those with no talent or ability at all.
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inside track »
Any advantage.
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it's not what you know but who you know »
For success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.1951, G. P. Bush and L. H. Hattery, "Federal Recruitment of Junior Engineers," Science, vol. 114, no. 2966, p. 456:Eighty-four students referred to political influence as a disadvantage of federal employment with such remarks as: "There are too many political connections necessary . . . it's not what you know but who you know
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look out for number one »
To act in one's own interests; to act in a manner advantageous primarily to oneself.
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lose out »
To be at a disadvantage.
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make hay »
To take advantage of an opportunity.
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miss the boat »
To fail to take advantage of an opportunity; to overlook or be too late to pursue an option or course of action.
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mixed bag »
Something tending to have both good and bad results or characteristics; something having a mixture of advantages and disadvantages.
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move the goalposts »
To alter the agreed basis, scope, standards or target of a procedure or task during its course, especially to do so to someone's advantage.
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nip and tuck »
So evenly matched that the advantage shifts from one to the other, and the outcome is uncertain.
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on the make »
Actively seeking an opportunity for self-advancement; eager to ingratiate oneself to others in order to secure some advantage.
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over a barrel »
In a disadvantageous or helpless situation, in which one may be controlled or victimized.
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play dumb »
To pretend to be slow-witted or lacking in specific knowledge, usually in order to avoid responsibility or to gain some advantage.
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real job »
A job that can't be replaced advantageously by a machine or a procedure.
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sell out »
To abandon one's supporters or principles to seek profit or other personal advantage.
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sitting pretty »
In a favorable situation, especially a situation in which one possesses an advantage.
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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.
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the upper hand »
An advantage or lead.
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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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timeserver »
A person who conforms to current opinions, especially for reasons of personal advantage; an opportunist.
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tip one's hand »
To inadvertently reveal any secret, particularly a secret that puts one at an advantage or disadvantage.
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turn the tables »
To reverse a situation, such that the advantage has shifted to the party which was previously disadvantaged.
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what's the good of »
What is the purpose or advantage of.
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when the cat's away »
People are likely to take advantage of the absence of authority or enforcement of compliance.
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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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you get more with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone »
It is advantageous not to rely solely on being nice.
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