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 life of its own »
An independent existence with some characteristics of life.
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a man is known by the company he keeps »
People are similar in character to their friends.
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abound in »
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
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abound with »
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
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act out »
To go through the process of a scene from a play, a charade or a pointless exercise.
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ahead of one's time »
Showing characteristics of changes yet to be; present in one's work before later advances in the field; coming earlier than could be generally accepted.
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almighty dollar »
The dollar, satirically characterized as a being a god.
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answer back »
To issue echo characters, protocol responses, reflexive connection requests, etc.
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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
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at the high port »
Or in a charge.
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at the wheel »
In control of the situation; in charge.
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autem mort »
A married woman; also a female beggar with several children hired or borrowed to excite charity.
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bad egg »
disreputable character
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barrel »
A metallic tube, as of a gun, from which a projectile is discharged.
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beauty is only skin deep »
What matters is a person's character, rather than his/her appearance.
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behind its time »
Showing characteristics of the past; present in one's work after later advances in the field; coming later than could be generally accepted.
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between Scylla and Charybdis »
Similar in meaning to between a rock and a hard place.
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birds of a feather »
People having similar characters, backgrounds, interests, or beliefs.
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birds of a feather flock together »
People of similar character, background, or taste tend to congregate or associate with one another.
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black babies »
Third world charities, the missions.
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bragging rights »
The prerogative to praise oneself for an accomplishment or for possession of a superior characteristic.
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break rank »
To march or charge out of the designated order in a military unit.
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bridge »
Any of several electrical devices that measure characteristics such as impedance and inductance by balancing different parts of a circuit.
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business before pleasure »
An admonishment that discharging one's obligations must take precedence over devoting time to pursuits meant solely for one's own gratification.
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call the shots »
To make the decisions;to be in charge;to give orders.
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calling card »
A prepaid card or credit card, usually electronically readable, used to pay the charges when making a telephone call.
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calling card »
An attribute, object, or behavior which is distinctly characteristic of someone or something.
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catch-as-catch-can »
A. 1681, John Fryer, Richard Chiswell, Robert Roberts, Robert White, A New Account of East-India and Persia, in Eight Letters, Being Nine Years Travels, Begun 1672 and Finished 1681.
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charge up »
To recharge, to give electrical power to something.
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charge up »
To motivate, to instill someone with determination.
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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.
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charley horse »
A muscle cramp, usually in the thigh or leg.
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chat up »
In a friendly, open, or casual manner, sometimes also in a charming or affected manner, usually to curry favor, and sometimes flirtatiously with the intention of establishing a romantic or sexual encounter or relationship with that person.
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clean up »
To become clean, handsome, smart in appearance, e.g. for a special occasion, especially when it is out of character to be seen as such.
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common ground »
A characteristic or interest shared by multiple people or systems.
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daylight robbery »
An exorbitant charge for a product or service.
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early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise »
platitude from Benjamin Franklin under the pseudonym Poor Richard.
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eat one's young »
To betray a constituent or charge out of self-serving interests or desperation; savaging.
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forewarned is forearmed »
Advance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it.1863, Charles Reade, Hard Cash, ch. 4:[W]hatever a young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies; but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine . . . forewarned is forearmed.1885, G. A. Henty, Saint George for England, ch. 4:Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed.circa 1903, Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Why Mr. Cropper Changed His Mind":"Well, Miss Maxwell, I think it only fair to tell you that you may have trouble with those boys when they do come. Forewarned is forearmed, you know."
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forked tongue »
The characteristic of deceptiveness; duplicity; untruthfulness.
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four-on-the-floor »
Characterised by a steady, uniformly accented beat with a 4/4 time signature.
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full of shit »
Characterized by speaking nonsense or falsehoods.
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go mad »
Used to indicate that the second verb represents an action that is out of character.
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have it made »
To have accomplished all there is to do; to have no further work or difficulty; to have achieved a lifestyle characterized by good fortune and comfort.
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head honcho »
The person in charge; the highest-ranking person in an organization.
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head up »
To lead or take the lead; to direct; to take charge.
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hold your fire »
Do not discharge your weapon. Used originally for weapons needing a spark or lighting of a fuse to ignite gunpowder, now sometimes used to mean any weapon launching a projectile.
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horse opera »
A theatrical production, film, or program on radio or television depicting adventures of characters in the American Old West; a western.
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hot button »
A central issue, concern or characteristic, especially one that motivates people to make a choice.
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if the shoe fits »
If it has all of the characteristics of a thing, it probably is that thing.
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in character »
Acting as the character, not as oneself.
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lead a charmed life »
To always be lucky and safe from danger.
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level up »
To progress to the next level of player character stats and abilities. Often used in role-playing games when the character has aquired enough experience points.
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little pitchers have big ears »
Small children often overhear more of what is said than adults realize or desire.1844, Charlotte M. Yonge, Abbeychurch, ch. 2:Seeing me listening to something she was saying to Mamma, she turned round upon me with that odious proverb, "Little pitchers have long ears."1939, "Bedtime Bedlam," Time, 17 Apr.:A caution to U. S. parents, but a joy to radio merchandising, is the dread truth that little pitchers have big ears.2002, Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, ISBN 9780743455961, p. 185:I suppose he might say pushed or went woowoo, but took a shit is, I fear, very much in the ballpark (little pitchers have big ears, after all).
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made in the shade »
In a condition characterized by comfort, success, easy living, or general well-being.
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make out »
To characterize as; often with to be.
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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.
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middle of nowhere »
Nowhere; any place lacking population, interesting things, or defining characteristics.
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mixed bag »
By extension, a group of entities with few characteristics in common; an assortment.
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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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mouth of a sailor »
The characteristic of regularly using vulgar language, especially strong profanities; a person having this characteristic.
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no cover »
Without a cover charge.
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old school »
Characteristic of a style, outlook, or method employed in a former era, remembered either as inferior to the current style, or alternately, remembered nostalgically as superior or preferable to the new style, the older denoting something that would be considered out of date or out of fashion to some, but as such, is considered by others as cool and hip.
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on steroids »
To a greater degree, exaggerating the characteristics of the previously named object.
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one-trick pony »
A person or group noteworthy for only a single achievement, skill, or characteristic.
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out of character »
Inconsistent with one's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour.
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out of character »
Not acting; not "on"; behaving within one's natural personality rather than that of a character in a performance piece.
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out of character »
Not in character; not successfully performing within the mindset of a given character in a theatrical performance. See also break character, drop character.
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out of one's league »
In a situation in which one is mismatched with one or more others, whose accomplishments, preparedness, or other characteristics are on a significantly higher or lower level than one's own.
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pick up the tab »
To accept a charge and pay for it, especially at a bar or restaurant.
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play along »
To take part in a charade, deception, or practical joke.
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potty mouth »
The characteristic of regularly using vulgar language, especially strong profanities; a person having this characteristic.
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pretty pictures »
Image supplements in a presentation: graphs, charts, etc.
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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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proverbs run in pairs »
Every proverb seems to be contradicted by another proverb with an opposed message, such as "too many cooks spoil the broth" and "many hands make light work."1863, Sir Richard Burton, Abeokuta and the Camaroons Mountains, vol. 1, Tinsley (London), p. 309:Moreover, all the world over, proverbs run in pairs, and pull both ways: for the most part one neutralizes, by contradiction, the other.
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put someone down as »
To assume someone has a particular character from very little information.
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rip off »
To charge an exorbitant or unfair rate.
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robber baron »
In Europe, an aristocrat who charged exorbitant fees or otherwise exacted money from people who journeyed across land or waterways which he controlled.
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run through »
To pervade, of a quality that is characteristic of a group, organisation, or system.
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second childhood »
The period or state of cognitive decline of an elderly person, characterized by childlike judgment and behavior.
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serpentine »
Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of snakes.
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sharp tongue »
The practice or characteristic of speaking to others in a harsh, critical, or insulting manner.
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socialized medicine »
A politically charged term used to contrast such systems with free market alternatives and emphasize the perceived link to socialism.
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still water runs deep »
A person with a calm appearance has, or may have, considerable inner emotion, character, or intellect
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still waters run deep »
A person with a calm appearance has, or may have, considerable inner emotion, character, or intellect.
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stuffed shirt »
One who is overly official or officious; somebody in charge but not necessarily in power or effective.
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take the reins »
To assume charge over.
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take upon »
To take charge of an item of business, or an obligation, as a personal initiative.
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tar with the same brush »
To characterize using the same undesirable attribute, especially unjustly.
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that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger »
Used to express the sentiment that hardship or difficult experiences build moral character.
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third time's a charm »
One is sure to succeed at a task or event on the third try.
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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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too many cooks spoil the broth »
If too many people try to take charge at a task, the end product might be ruined.
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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.
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valley of death »
Lord Alfred Tennyson, The Charge of the Light Brigade.
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warts and all »
Of or pertaining to a description or other depiction which reveals the full range of characteristics of a person or thing, including the shortcomings and imperfections.
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what doesn't kill you makes you stronger »
Used to express the sentiment that hardship or difficult experiences build moral character.
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work like a charm »
works great - exactly as expected
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