actions speak louder than words »
It is more effective to act directly than to speak of action.
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add up to »
To have a particular effect.
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as well »
To the same effect.
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bang for the buck »
Efficiency; cost-effectiveness; value.
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basket case »
One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic or stress.
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bear on »
To influence, have an effect on.
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cancel out »
To neutralize the effect of something.
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cold turkey »
The physiological effects of such a withdrawal.
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come up »
To begin to feel the effects of a recreational drug.
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cooking with gas »
Now doing something in an effective way.
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cut it »
To suffice; to be effective or successful.
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cut the mustard »
To suffice; to be good or effective enough.
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do a number on »
To damage; to treat harshly; to produce ill effects.
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double talk »
Speaking in a mixture of real English and English-sounding gibberish, for humorous effect.
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fire on all cylinders »
To operate as effectively as possible.
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flap one's gums »
To speak idly; to talk without effect.
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flash in the pan »
A transient occurrence with no long-term effect.
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grace period »
A length of time during which rules or penalties do not take effect or are withheld.
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has-been »
A formerly popular or influential person whose popularity or effectiveness has peaked and is now in decline. Typically said of professionals or celebrities whose primary success is behind them.
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knock-on effect »
A secondary, often unintended effect.
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knock-on effect »
The continued running of an engine after the ignition has been turned off; dieseling.
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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
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like water off a duck's back »
Without immediate or lasting effects.
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long shot »
Something unlikely; something that has little chance of happening or working. The term arose from the accuracy of early ship guns, which were effective only at close range and unlikely to hit the mark at any great distance.
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managerial inbreeding »
Bad management, caused by managers making poor selection choices in recruitment, rewards, and promotions of the staff that report to them, leading to another generation of managers who lack the necessary skill sets to reward and promote the most effective staff.
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no great shakes »
Unexceptional; not special or noteworthy; not very effective.
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no screaming hell »
Something that is not particularly effective or impressive; something that is below expectations.
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on all fours »
Similar in nature or effect to something else; consistent.
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one-man band »
An organisation or business that is effectively run by only one person.
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peashooter »
Any small or ineffective gun.
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perp walk »
The intentional public display before news cameras of someone in police custody, especially someone famous or notorious, for the purpose of satisfying public interest, demonstrating the authorities' effectiveness, or shaming the person.
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point blank »
The distance between a gun and a target such that it requires minimal effort in aiming it. In particular no allowance needs to be made for the effects of gravity, target movement or wind in aiming the projectile.
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root cause »
An initiating cause of a chain of events which leads to an outcome or effect of interest.
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silver bullet »
Any straightforward solution perceived to have great effectiveness or bring miraculous results.
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sit out »
To lean out to the windward side of a sailboat in order to counterbalance the effects of the wind on the sails.
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slippery slope »
A logical argument that follows a chain of events or causes and effects to some conclusion.
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snake oil »
A fraudulent, ineffective potion or nostrum; panacea.
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staircase wit »
Thinking of an idea or course of action too late to use it effectively, or the tendency to do so.
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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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stuffed shirt »
One who is overly official or officious; somebody in charge but not necessarily in power or effective.
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take effect »
To become active; to become effective.
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tiger team »
A specialized group tasked with testing the effectiveness of an organization's ability to protect assets by attempting to circumvent, defeat or otherwise thwart that organization's internal and external security.
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trick of the trade »
A shortcut or other quick, or very effective way of doing things, that professional workers learn from experience.
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way out of a paper bag »
A minimal level of competence or effectiveness, as used in phrases where one is unable to perform such.
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wear off »
To diminish in effect.
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wear out »
To cause to become damaged, useless, or ineffective through continued use, especially hard, heavy, or careless use.
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wear out »
To deteriorate or become unusable or ineffective due to continued use, exposure, or strain.
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