a bit much »
More than is reasonable.
|
a fool and his money are soon parted »
It is easy to get money from foolish people, especially rich ones.
|
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.
|
add up »
To make sense; to be reasonable or consistent.
|
after one's own heart »
Of a person: having the same ideas, opinions or behaviour as oneself.
|
all's fair in love and war »
unpleasant behavior is acceptable during love and conflict.
|
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
|
Après-ski »
A place "after skiing". Typically a bar or pub where people go after a day on the slopes to ease off and meet other people.
|
ask for »
To increase the likelihood of something by persisting in some action; to invite.
|
At ease with nudity »
ISM free identification with nude recreation
|
at hand »
Readily available; within easy reach; nearby.
|
at home »
At ease, comfortable.
|
back up »
As a security measure.
|
bacon fed »
Fat, greasy.
|
bad news »
News of unpleasant, unfortunate or sad events.
|
bad penny »
A person or thing which is unpleasant, disreputable, or otherwise unwanted, especially one which repeatedly appears at inopportune times.
|
bail out »
To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail money.
|
bankers' hours »
Any easy job, especially one with a short working day.
|
bat around »
When at least nine batters bat in a half inning.
|
be in for »
To be able to expect or anticipate; to be about to suffer, generally said of something unpleasant.
|
beat a dead horse »
To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.
|
beat around the bush »
To delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant.
|
because you touch yourself at night »
Used to humourously deflect a request for a reason.
|
bed of roses »
A pleasant or easy situation.
|
beer and skittles »
Something pleasurable.
|
between a rock and a hard place »
Having the choice between two unpleasant or distasteful options; in a predicament or quandary.
|
big up »
To increase one's muscle mass through exercise.
|
bitter pill »
Something unpleasant that must be accepted or endured.
|
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.
|
blow chunks »
To be very bad, inadequate, unpleasant, or miserable; to thoroughly suck.
|
bomb around »
The drive around at speed for pleasure.
|
born yesterday »
New, naive, innocent, inexperienced or easily deceived.
|
brain teaser »
puzzle
|
break up »
Of a telephone conversation, to cease to be understandable because of a bad connection.
|
breathe easy »
To relax or feel secure about something.
|
brickbat »
Reason Magazine: Daily Brickbat[1].
|
bridge »
Any of several electrical devices that measure characteristics such as impedance and inductance by balancing different parts of a circuit.
|
bright-line rule »
A clear-cut, easy to make decision.
|
broad church »
A wide scope of philosophies and ideas.
|
bump and grind »
A sexually suggestive dance involving exaggerated hip movements, especially a striptease dance.
|
bump up »
To increase something suddenly.
|
buried treasure »
Something, having been concealed for a long time, which later is found and is profitable.
|
buried treasure »
Treasure stashed underground or underwater.
|
bury the hatchet »
To stop fighting or arguing; to reach an agreement, or at least a truce.
|
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.
|
by dint of »
By reason of; by means of.
|
by far »
To a considerably large extent, easily.
|
by the same token »
For a similar reason; in a similar manner; similarly; likewise; along the same lines.
|
by the way »
[...] I had counted on a life-lease of the profits, whereas I only received those of a few short years. But this is by the way.
|
by virtue of »
Because of; on the grounds of; by reason of; due to; based on.
|
call it a day »
To cease the activity for the day.
|
call it a night »
To cease what one has been doing for the night.
|
call off the dogs »
To ease up on after inflicting great punishment.
|
can't wait »
To eagerly anticipate; to find it unbearable to wait for a forthcoming pleasurable event.
|
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.
|
cease fire »
truce
|
cease to be »
To die.
|
cherry pick »
To position oneself near the opponent's goal to attempt to receive an errant or intentional pass for an easy score, as in basketball or versions of soccer where offsides are not enforced.
|
child's play »
Something particularly simple or easy.
|
chill out »
Relax, take it easy.
|
claim to fame »
That for which one has bragging rights; one's reason for being well-known or famous.
|
clamp down on »
To take measures to stop something; to put an end to.
|
clean code »
Software code that is formatted correctly and in an organized manner so that another coder can easily read or modify it.
|
climb up »
To make a gradual ascent or increase.
|
clock in »
To be measured at.
|
closed book »
A person or thing that cannot be easily understood; someone or something incomprehensible or puzzling.
|
cold comfort »
Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
|
come round »
To cease anger or hostility.
|
come the acid »
To make oneself unpleasant, especially by sarcasm.
|
company »
I treasure your company.
|
cop-out »
An excuse made in order to avoid performing a task or duty; a reason offered when someone cops out.
|
crank up »
To increase, as the volume, power or energy of something.
|
cut in »
When painting, to paint edges, corners, or trim in preparation for rolling larger areas.
|
day and night »
All the time; round the clock; unceasingly.
|
dead giveaway »
Obvious, easily apparent.
|
dead last »
The standings, often by a considerable margin to the next-to-last-place finisher or after an exceptionally poor showing or season.
|
dead ringer »
Someone or something that very closely resembles another; someone or something easily mistaken for another.
|
desperate times call for desperate measures »
In adverse circumstances actions that might have been rejected under other circumstances may become the best choice.
|
desperate times require desperate measures »
Alternative form of desperate times call for desperate measures.
|
diplomatic flu »
An illness feigned by one or more government officials or other public figures as an excuse for an absence really based on political reasons.
|
do a slow burn »
To experience a gradually increasing feeling of anger or frustration.
|
dog's life »
A life of indolence where the individual may do as he or she pleases, just like a pampered dog.
|
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 stumps »
To cease doing something, at least for the day.
|
drop a bomb »
To release faeces from the bowels; to excrete.
|
dry eye »
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca , an eye disease caused by decreased tear production.
|
dry one's eyes »
To cease crying.
|
dry out »
To sober up; to cease to be drunk.
|
duck soup »
Easy, or a piece of cake.
|
east sussex »
english county
|
easy as falling off a log »
Very easy.
|
easy as pie »
Very easy.
|
easy come, easy go »
Easily won and easily lost; usually said when resigned to a loss.
|
easy does it »
Relax; do something gently, lightly or carefully; slow down; calm down.
|
easy on the eyes »
Attractive; beautiful.
|
easy street »
A carefree situation or lifestyle, especially as resulting from possession of wealth.
|
egg somebody on »
To tease, provoke or encourage.
|
elbow grease »
Effort or hard work, especially physical work involving repeated motion of the forearm, such as scrubbing.
|
enough is as good as a feast »
Just the right amount is as good as more than enough: there is no value in excess.
|
err on the side of caution »
To act in the least risky manner in a situation where one is uncertain about the consequences.
|
everything happens for a reason »
All events are purposeful.Everything happens for a reason, so there is no such thing as failure. Mary-Kate OlsenPeople like to say "everything happens for a reason." If you repeat that in your head long enough that starts to sound like "anything can happen with a razor." Laura KightlingerI believe that everything happens for a reason, but I think it's important to seek out that reason - that's how we learn. Drew Barrymore
|
face the music »
To accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
|
face up to »
To confront a condition or situation, typically one that is unpleasant or uncomfortable.
|
fade out »
decrease gradually
|
fair enough »
An expression used to concede a point; denotes that, upon consideration, something is correct or reasonable; an expression of acknowledgment or understanding.
|
fair weather friend »
Only when it is advantageous or easy.
|
fall away »
To cease to support a person or cause.
|
fall off the wagon »
To cease or fail at a regimen of self-improvement or reform; to lapse back into an old habit or addiction.
|
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.
|
fear »
A strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat.
|
feast for the eyes »
Visually pleasing sight.
|
feast or famine »
A situation in which something is always either extremely abundant or in extremely short supply.
|
final cut »
In the movie industry, the final released version of the film.
|
flat-chested »
Having a flat chest; having small breasts.
|
fly in the ointment »
Something which ruins or spoils everything else; a nuisance or problem; an unpleasant or disagreeable detail.
|
footloose and fancy free »
Able to do as one pleases, unconstrained by social ties or responsibilities.
|
for good measure »
As a precaution; just in case; added as an extra.
|
for kicks »
In order to obtain pleasure or excitement; for fun.
|
for the heck of it »
For no particular reason, just because it is fun, entertaining; for to relieve boredom.
|
for the hell of it »
For no particular reason, just because it is fun, entertaining; for to relieve boredom.
|
for the sake of it »
For no particular reason, just because it is fun, entertaining; for to relieve boredom.
|
for XYZ reasons »
For reasons unknown and not worth speculating on.
|
forbidden fruit »
Illicit pleasure; something that one should not take or get involved with, such as an another person's spouse.
|
friend with benefits »
A friendship with no reserves when it comes to the release of shared sexual tension thus leading to sexual fraternization.
|
get by »
To subsist; to succeed, survive, or manage, at least at a minimum level.
|
get it over with »
To do or finish, especially said of something unpleasant.
|
get out of bed on the wrong side »
To start the day in a bad mood for no apparent reason.
|
get something over with »
To do something quickly and hastily; without procrastination, especially so as to have something unpleasant behind oneself.
|
get the drift »
To understand, at least at some basic or general level.
|
give me liberty or give me death »
A set-phrase indicating enormous displeasure at any over-authoritarian policy or law.
|
give somebody a hard time »
To tease, kid, or rib.
|
give somebody the creeps »
To give someone a feeling of uneasiness or mild fright.
|
give the devil his due »
To acknowledge the positive qualities of a person who is unpleasant or disliked.
|
glutton for punishment »
One persistent in an effort in spite of harmful or unpleasant results.
|
go down »
To decrease; to change from a greater value to a lesser one.
|
go native »
Of a contractor or consultant, to begin working directly as an employee for a company and cease to work through a contracting firm or agency.
|
go off the boil »
Cease to boil when heat is no longer applied.
|
go out the window »
To vanish or cease, especially due to lack of care, attention, etc.; to be discarded, disregarded, or ignored.
|
go south »
To become unfavorable; to decrease; to take a turn for the worse.
|
gold standard »
A test or measure of comparison that is considered ultimate or ideal.
|
good drunk »
A person who is cheerful and companionable when intoxicated, retaining reasonable control of his or her mental and emotional faculties.
|
grease monkey »
A mechanic, often with the specific connotation of an automobile mechanic.
|
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.
|
grease someone's palm »
To bribe a person.
|
greasy spoon »
An inexpensive diner or other informal restaurant, especially one specializing in frying or grilling.
|
grind to a halt »
Coming to a standstill, or ceasing to be productive or make progress, due to an obstacle.
|
hands down »
Without much effort; easily.
|
hatchet man »
Someone who carries out brutal and unpleasant duties on behalf of another, such as firing dead wood employees.
|
have been around »
To be experienced in worldly matters; to be seasoned, not naive.
|
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.
|
head south »
Alternative form of go south; to decrease or become unfavorable; to take a turn for the worse.
|
heebie-jeebies »
A general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea.
|
hell on earth »
A very unpleasant situation; torment, particularly when widespread.
|
hell raiser »
wild pleasure seeker
|
hike up »
To raise or increase sharply.
|
hit the spot »
To be particularly pleasing or appropriate; to be just right.
|
hold a grudge »
Far longer than is reasonable.
|
hold back »
To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.
|
homeless dumping »
The practice of hospital employees or emergency workers releasing homeless patients on the streets instead of placing them into the custody of a relative or shelter or retaining them in a hospital where they may require expensive medical care.
|
horse's ass »
A jerk; an unpleasant, unlikable person; an asshole.
|
hospital pass »
A poorly executed pass to a team-mate causing the receiver to present an easy target for a defender, and thus be tackled hard.
|
hospital pass »
A throw that stays in the air long enough that it allows too many people to get underneath it, increasing the risk of injury and a trip to the hospital. Thus, a hospital pass.
|
hot up »
To increase in temperature.
|
hotheaded »
Easily excited or angered.
|
how come »
Why; why is it; for what reason or purpose?.
|
if you lie with dogs you will get fleas »
It is important whom to choose as one's closest acquanitances.
|
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 canter »
Without much effort; easily.
|
in black and white »
Explicitly, in writing, clearly and without doubt or misunderstanding, without any grey areas.
|
in for an inch, in for a mile »
Given that one is partly involved in or committed to a project, action, position, etc., there is no reason to refrain from becoming fully involved or fully committed.
|
in hot water »
In trouble; in the position of arousing somebody's anger or displeasure.
|
in one's right mind »
Sane, sensible, reasonable; thinking clearly.
|
in shape »
I hope to get in shape for summer swimsuit season.
|
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.
|
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
|
jack up »
To raise, increase, or accelerate; often said of prices, fees, or rates. See also jack up the price.
|
jet set »
A set of wealthy people who travel for pleasure.
|
jet-setter »
A member of the jet set, a rich person who travels for pleasure.
|
jump rope »
A single jump in this game or activity, counted as a measure of achievement.
|
just for fun »
For no particular reason, just because it is fun, entertaining; for to relieve boredom.
|
keep down »
To cause not to increase or rise.
|
kick butt »
To be impressive; to be decisively good or pleasant.
|
knacker's yard »
A place to send a person or object that is spent beyond all reasonable use.
|
knowledge is power »
With knowledge and/or education, one's potential or ability to succeed in the pursuit of his objectives will certainly increase.
|
last minute »
Point in time, too close to a deadline to reasonably begin a critical task.
|
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
|
lie back and think of England »
Used to preface any unpleasant but inevitable experience.
|
life's not all skittles and beer »
Skittles and Beer refers to the carefree, indulgent bar life; skittles being a British pub game. Thus, life's not all skittles and beer means that not everything is about pleasure.
|
live one »
Someone who is easily fooled, victimized, or ridiculed.
|
lock up »
To cease responding, to freeze.
|
long goodbye »
Nickname for Alzheimer's disease, especially for the final phase of the disease, during which the patient suffers a progressive decline of cognitive and motor skills and gradually loses the ability to recognize and to communicate with family and friends.[1]; nickname for the relationship between a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease and that person's family or friends.
|
look before you leap »
Don't jump into something too precipitously; be at least a bit foresightful or circumspect.
|
look forward »
To anticipate or expect; especially, to expect something to be pleasant.
|
look forward to »
To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure.
|
lose the plot »
To cease to be behaving in a predictable and/or rational manner.
|
lose touch »
To cease to be familiar with someone or something or to cease to communicate or have contact.
|
low-hanging fruit »
Easily obtained gains; what can be obtained by readily available means.
|
made in China »
Cheaply manufactured in East Asia.
|
made in Japan »
Cheaply manufactured in East Asia.
|
made in the shade »
In a condition characterized by comfort, success, easy living, or general well-being.
|
magic bullet »
A simple remedy to a difficult or complex problem, especially a cure for a disease.
|
make fun of »
To tease, ridicule or make jokes about.
|
make quick work of »
To accomplish a specified task easily and quickly.
|
make sense »
To be coherent or reasonable.
|
make short work of »
To make a task quicker or easier.
|
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.
|
many hands make light work »
A large number of people co-operating can perform tasks easily.
|
mark up »
To increase the price of something between its wholesale and retail phase.
|
measure twice and cut once »
(literally, carpentry) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.1872, "Dressmaking," Hall's Journal of Health, vol. 19, no. 12, p. 280:Look at Carpenters! . . . In old times it was a proverb "Measure twice, and cut once."(figuratively, by extension) Plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action.2008, Hilary Johnson, "Mergers rattle bank relations," Financial Week, 9 Nov. (retrieved 9 Nov. 2008):Mr. Paz noted that since the onset of the credit crisis, eBay, like other companies, hasn
|
measure twice, cut once »
Alternative form of measure twice and cut once.
|
measure up »
To meet expectations; to be as good as.
|
misery loves company »
Misery is easier to bear when one is not the only one miserable.1995, Chris Abbott,
|
money talks »
It is easier to accomplish goals using money instead of just talk.
|
morning, noon and night »
Constantly; ceaselessly; without stopping.
|
neither fish nor fowl »
Said of something not easily categorized or not fitting neatly into any established group.
|
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 bad »
Reasonably good.
|
not the end of the world »
It's of minor importance, at least not as important as it first seemed.
|
nothing to it »
Easy; simple or straightforward.
|
off the chain »
Crazy and exciting; delirious and wild. By analogy to a frenetic dog when unleashed.
|
old money »
The imperial system of measurement, as opposed to the metric system.
|
on the wane »
In a period of decrease or decline.
|
on top of the world »
Delighted; ecstatic; exceptionally pleased, happy, or satisfied.
|
one in the eye for »
An event or achievement which is unpleasant for someone, especially for those who considered it impossible or unwelcome; an annoyance.
|
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.
|
only fools and horses work »
Philosophy of life that people who do not look for an easy way of earning a living are foolish.
|
out of bounds »
Beyond the bounds of civility or morality; extremely unreasonable.
|
out of line »
Inappropriate or unsuitable, especially by reason of being unmannerly or indelicate.
|
out of proportion »
Not in a proper or pleasing relation to other things, especially in terms of size.
|
over the top »
Bold; beyond normal, expected, or reasonable limits; excessive; outrageous.
|
painting rocks »
Pointless or futile work organised by the government, supposedly to increase employment but in fact merely disguising the unemployment level.
|
pardon my French »
Please excuse my swearing or bad language.
|
pass muster »
To measure up to a particular standard.
|
pave the way »
To make future development easier.
|
payback's a bitch »
Usually a complete sentence: I will get revenge when you least expect it.
|
pea patch »
A small piece of land planted with peas.
|
peashooter »
A toy gun, consisting of a tube through which peas or small objects are blown.
|
peashooter »
Any small or ineffective gun.
|
petits pois »
small peas
|
pick up »
To improve, increase, or speed up.
|
piece of cake »
A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple to do.
|
play to the gallery »
To appeal to the least sophisticated parts of an audience in order to obtain maximum approval.
|
pleased as Punch »
Pleased with one's actions or achievements.
|
pop off »
To release flatulence, in most cases, in short rapid succession.
|
powers that be »
The holders of power or the authorities in a given situation, especially as seen as being faceless or unreasonably bureaucratic.
|
price is right »
The cost of a thing is reasonable and of good value.
|
prove out »
To demonstrate the feasibility of.
|
pull somebody's leg »
To tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting. It usually implies teasing or goading by jokingly lying.
|
pull teeth »
To remove teeth, usually because they are diseased or damaged.
|
pull the plug »
To cease from production or publication.
|
pull the plug »
To cease life support.
|
pull the plug »
To cease to support; to halt.
|
pull up stumps »
To cease doing something, at least for the day.
|
put oneself across »
To explain one's ideas and opinions clearly so that another person can understand them and get a picture of your personality.
|
raise the stakes »
To increase in significance or risk.
|
rake »
The direction of slip during fault movement. The rake is measured within the fault plane.
|
ramp up »
To increase rapidly to a new value.
|
reality check »
A check or review to make sure something is consistent, reasonable, etc.
|
reap what one sows »
To receive as a reward or harvest in the same measure as one's exertions, in a good or a bad sense. To receive justice.
|
rest his soul »
Used parenthetically to mark the referent as being deceased.
|
rev up »
To increase the speed of an engine, especially that of a stationary motor car.
|
rhyme or reason »
Logic. Common sense.
|
ring a bell »
To seem at least vaguely familiar.
|
road to Damascus »
A road to Damascus moment, or change, is an important point in someone's life where a great change, or reversal, of ideas or beliefs occurs.
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rule of thumb »
A general guideline, rather than a strict rule; an approximate measure or means of reckoning based on experience or common knowledge.
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run around after »
To spend a lot of time doing things for another person or group of people. Often used when that person could reasonably do the things for themselves.
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run for one's money »
A reasonable opportunity to succeed, perform acceptably, or escape harm, especially in a difficult situation.
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run up »
Of a bowler, to run, or walk up to the bowling crease in order to bowl a ball.
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scrape the bottom of the barrel »
To use the least desirable parts of something.
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sea legs »
Ability to travel by ship without becoming seasick.
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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.
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set down »
Simple sum of parts set + down, to place, especially on the ground or a surface; to cease carrying.
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sex machine »
Any machine that is used for sexual pleasure.
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sexual enjoyment »
Sexual intercourse that produces physical and psychological pleasure.
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shake the pagoda tree »
To find a source of easy enrichment; to become absurdly rich in a short time.
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shoot the moon »
To attain great heights, a high value, or a numerically high measurement.
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short leash »
Forcing one to function within a strict set of rules, or under great scrutiny or oversight.
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shotgun »
A play formation in which the quarterback is a few feet behind the snapper when the ball is hiked, ideally allowing for an easier pass play.
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sigh of relief »
A reassurance or support, something that reduces stress from an arduous activity.
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sigh of relief »
A release of stress through breathing motions.
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sight for sore eyes »
A pleasing sight, something that is beautiful to look at.
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simmer down »
To decrease in intensity of anger, agitation, or excitement.
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slow burn »
A gradually increasing feeling of anger or frustration.
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snazz up »
To improve appearance or appeal by increasing stylishness or functionality, or by adding other attractive features.
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soft touch »
A comfortable situation; an easy task or undemanding occupation, especially one which is comfortably remunerative.
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soft touch »
A person or group which is sympathetic, accommodating, easily overcome, or easily persuaded, especially one which loans or readily gives money to another.
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softroader »
. This involves increased ground clearance with tyre, wheel, and suspension tweaks, skid plates and refers to mini SUV or wagons.
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speed up »
To accelerate, to increase speed.
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split up »
Cease to be together, break apart from the group.
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spring fever »
A feeling of invigoration and restlessness associated with the arrival of the warm weather and renewal of nature in the spring season.
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spring fever »
A feeling of laziness or listlessness associated with the arrival of the warm, comfortable weather of the spring season.
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squeaky wheel gets the grease »
The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which he or she seeks.
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stand to reason »
To make sense; to seem logical, reasonable, or rational.
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stem the tide »
To slow or stop the increase.
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step up »
To increase speed or rate.
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stew in one's juices »
To be alone and self-absorbed in an uncomfortable state of mind, especially while experiencing the unpleasant effects of one's own actions.
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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.
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straight out of the chute »
Something done immediately, or "from the beginning". Taken from rodeo routine: the bucking bronco, or bull, or the calf for the calf-roping contest is kept in a narrow pen, a chute, until it is released and dashes out to its fate.
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swear off »
To quit or cease completely, or to promise to quit, as of a bad habit.
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sweeten the pot »
To increase a wager.
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swing for the fences »
To swing at the ball as hard as possible, with the aim of getting a home run, increasing the chance of missing the ball.
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take a powder »
To leave in a hurry; run away; scram; depart without taking leave or notifying anyone, often with a connotation of avoiding something unpleasant or shirking responsibility.
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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 it easy »
An informal greeting for parting or closing.
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take it easy »
Immediately calm yourself down; your state of panic does not help.
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take it easy »
To relax or rest.
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take it out on »
To unleash one's anger on [a person or thing other than the one that caused it].
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take something in one's stride »
Not to allow oneself to be set back, daunted, upset or embarrassed by unpleasant or undesirable circumstances.
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take the shadow for the substance »
To be easily deceived, credulous, superficial.
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talk is cheap »
It is easy to make boastful or unrealistic statements which are not supported by actions or evidence.
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tart up »
To modify or repackage a product, service, or idea to make it more attractive or easier to sell.
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tell off »
To speak to someone rudely, disrespectfully or angrily; to berate; to unleash one's fury verbally towards someone.
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thanks for nothing »
Expression of displeasure towards a person who has not provided what was wanted.
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the beast with two backs »
Two people engaged in sexual intercourse.
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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."
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the pits »
Something miserable or unpleasant.
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the plot thickens »
Used, often ironically, to describe an increasingly complex or mysterious situation.
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through the roof »
Rapidly increasing.
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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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timeserver »
A person who conforms to current opinions, especially for reasons of personal advantage; an opportunist.
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to say the least »
Used to suggest that what was previously stated was an understatement.
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to that end »
For that reason, with that goal, intending to produce that result.
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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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tough love »
The compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures, to attempt to improve someone's behavior.
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turn a blind eye »
To ignore or deliberately overlook, especially with respect to something unpleasant or improper.
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turn in one's grave »
To be appalled, offended or disgusted by something, despite being deceased.
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turn on »
To attract, give pleasure, or encourage.
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turn one on »
To increase interest.
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turn up »
To increase the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.
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turn up for the book »
A very unexpected, usually pleasant, surprise.
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turn-on »
Something that attracts, gives pleasure, or encourages, especially sexually.
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two heads are better than one »
Some problems may be solved more easily by two (or more) people working together than by one working alone.
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underwater basket weaving »
An easy and useless college or high school class.
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virgin territory »
By extension, ideas or concepts or activities that have not yet been tried, explored or developed.
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wake up on the wrong side of bed »
To feel grumpy, irritable; to be easily annoyed.
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walk and chew gum at the same time »
To do something very easy.
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walk in the park »
Something easy or pleasant, especially by comparison to something.
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walk on eggshells »
To be overly careful in dealing with a person or situation because they get angry or offended very easily; to try very hard not to upset someone or something.
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war bride »
A company or individual whose business is increased by warfare.
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water down »
To simplify or oversimplify; to make easier; to make less difficult.
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weak sister »
A person or thing which is the least robust or least dependable member of a group.
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wet behind the ears »
Inexperienced; not seasoned; new; just beginning.
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what for »
For what reason; why.
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when you're up to your neck in alligators, it's easy to forget that the initial objective was to drain the swamp »
Only because it seems so urgent.
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where there's muck there's brass »
(UK, Irish) There is money to be made in unpleasant dirty jobs.
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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.
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winter rat »
An old, unattractive automobile, purchased for little money, to be driven during brutal Great Lakes winters while the owner's "good" car remains garaged and protected from corrosive road salt for the season.
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wits' end »
A. 1911, John Muir, in John Muir and Michael P. Branch, John Muir's Last Journey: South to the Amazon and East to Africa, 2002, page 138.
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wolf in sheep's clothing »
Something harmful or problematic disguised as something peaceful or pleasant.
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work out »
To habitually exercise rigorously, especially by lifting weights, in order to increase strength or muscle mass or maintain fitness.
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wrap in the flag »
To claim one's cause deserves support for patriotic reasons or that one's own motives are patriotic.
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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.
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you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear »
It is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.
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you can't say fairer than that »
That is good, reasonable, or fair; one cannot hope for a better decision or outcome.
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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
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you made your bed, now sleep in it »
A moralizing rejection said to someone looking for an easy out, especially of a situation they put themselves into.
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