avant la lettre »
An example of a term before the term was coined. Describing a term used anachronistically.
|
believe in »
To ascribe existence to.
|
believe in »
To ascribe some powers or other attributes to.
|
beyond the pale »
Describing behaviour that is considered to be outside the bounds of morality, good behaviour or judgement in civilised company.
|
birds and bees »
Informal sex education, especially describing the sexual activity of animals rather than that of people.
|
blanket term »
A word or phrase that is used to describe multiple groups of related things. The degree of relation may vary. Blanket terms often trade specificity for ease-of-use; in other words, a blanket term by itself gives little detail about the things that it describes or the relationships between them, but is easy to say and remember. Blanket terms often originate as slang, and eventually become integrated into the general vocabulary.
|
born with a silver spoon in one's mouth »
Note. The original nautical expression is just born with a silver spoon and describes those young gentlemen who were able to enter the Royal Navy without examination and whose promotion was assured. the converse was born with a wooden ladle.
|
catbird seat »
Expression used to describe an enviable position, often one of great advantage.
|
cheat sheet »
Any summary or quick reference used as a shortcut or reminder, a crib sheet.
|
crab mentality »
A way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you." The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot.
|
crack a crib »
To break into a house.
|
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.
|
first among equals »
In the British and other parliamentary systems, a term used to describe the relationship of the prime minister to the other members of the cabinet.
|
flutter in the dovecote »
A disturbance, usually one caused within a prescribed group of people.
|
get into trouble »
To perform an action which is illegal, prohibited, forbidden or proscribed and to become subject to punishment for such action.
|
jumped-up »
Describes a person who thinks he is superior in some way that the speaker disagrees with. For instance, of a higher class, or has more authority than they have in reality.
|
legal duty »
A duty prescribed by the law, to act or forbear from acting.
|
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.
|
pre-war »
Describing the most recent or significant war in a culture's history.
|
pre-war »
Describing the period before a war.
|
pre-war »
Describing the period before the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
|
run over »
To briefly describe.
|
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.
|
the plot thickens »
Used, often ironically, to describe an increasingly complex or mysterious situation.
|
there you have it »
Used to introduce a speaker's interpretation of what has just transpired or been described.
|
three-on-the-tree »
On an automobile, describing the gearshift lever of a steering column-mounted three-speed manual transmission.
|
walk the line »
To behave in an authorized or socially accepted manner, especially as prescribed by law or morality; to exercise self-control.
|
what it says on the tin »
Exactly what is described or what one would expect from the name.
|
wouldn't say boo to a goose »
Describing a quiet, exceptionally shy person.
|
| Search from any page on the Web with Abbreviations.com AutoSearch. It's free! |
[