abide by »
To remain faithful to something or someone; to stand to; to adhere.
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abide with »
To remain or live with someone.
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absence makes the heart grow fonder »
When someone or something is faraway, you realise how much you love (or miss) them or it.
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ache for »
To desire, or want something, or someone, very much.
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angel's advocate »
Someone who sees what's good about an idea and supports it.
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ask in »
To invite someone to enter one's house.
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ask round »
To invite someone to your house.
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bad egg »
Someone whose behaviour is reprehensible or irresponsible; a rogue.
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bail out on »
To abandon, or stop supporting someone or something.
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bash about »
To physically damage something or assault someone.
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bash in »
To injure someone by hitting violently.
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bash up »
To assault someone with the intention of causing physical injury.
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be at one's beck and call »
To be in the position of serving someone in any way they desire, usually unwillingly.
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be glad to see the back of »
To be glad to get rid of someone; to be glad someone has left.
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be there for »
To be available to provide comfort and support for someone, especially in a period of difficulty.
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be there or be square »
Used to encourage someone to go somewhere.
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be up against »
To be challenged by someone or something stronger than oneself.
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bear down »
To press down on someone.
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bear down on »
To approach someone in a very determined way.
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beat down »
To haggle someone to sell at a lower price.
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beat down »
To severely beat someone up.
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beat someone's brains out »
To beat someone very severely.
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beg off »
To avoid, or cancel some event that one has previously arranged with someone.
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big daddy »
Something or someone of importance.
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big gun »
Someone who is powerful or influential most often in plural form.
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big mouth »
The mouth of someone who talks too much, especially by making exaggerated claims or by inappropriately revealing information.
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bite one's tongue »
An admonishment to someone who has said something unfeeling or harsh.
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bite someone's head off »
To severely berate someone.
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blow someone out of the water »
To trounce; to defeat someone thoroughly, at a game or in battle.
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blow someone's mind »
To astonish someone, to flabbergast someone.
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blue-eyed boy »
Someone's favourite, especially a young one.
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bottoming the house »
The process by where someone cleans their house 'from top to bottom'. It is a very thorough clean indeed, even more so than 'spring cleaning'.
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brain surgeon »
Someone very intelligent.
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brain surgeon »
Someone who does brain surgery.
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break someone's heart »
To cause a person to feel grief or sadness.
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breathe down someone's neck »
To follow someone too closely, making it uncomfortable for them.
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bring back »
To cause someone to remember something from the past.
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bring down »
To make someone feel bad emotionally.
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bring to heel »
To force someone to obey.
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bug out »
To abandon someone without warning.
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bump into »
To meet someone by chance.
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burn a hole in one's pocket »
To cause someone to be tempted to spend money.
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burst someone's bubble »
To disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable.
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bust a cap in someone's ass »
Alternative form of pop a cap in someone's ass.
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busy beaver »
Someone who is very busy or hard-working.
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butt heads »
To argue uncompromisingly with someone.
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buzz off »
Used to tell someone to go away.
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call in »
To summon someone, especially for help or advice.
|
call someone's bluff »
To take action on the basis that another person is bluffing.
|
calling card »
An attribute, object, or behavior which is distinctly characteristic of someone or something.
|
carry someone's water »
To do someone's bidding; to serve someone's interests.
|
cash cow »
Someone or something which is a dependable source of appreciable amounts of money; a moneymaker.
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cat got someone's tongue »
Why are you not saying anything?.
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catch someone's eye »
To capture someone's attention.
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catmeat »
Someone who has been badly beaten.
|
change hands »
To become the property of someone else; to be bought or sold.
|
change one's mind »
To convince someone to make a decision differing from what a previous one.
|
charge up »
To motivate, to instill someone with determination.
|
chase after »
To chase someone.
|
chase after »
To pursue someone with romantic intentions; to woo.
|
chase down »
To pursue and apprehend someone.
|
cheer up »
To make someone happy.
|
chew somebody out »
To berate; to shout at someone.
|
chickens coming home to roost »
Consequences visited upon someone who originally had appeared to escape them.
|
chip off the old block »
Someone who takes after their parent.
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chopped liver »
A person or object which is not worthy of being noticed; someone or something insignificant.
|
clean someone's clock »
To defeat decisively, in a physical fight or other competition or negotiation.
|
close down »
To surround someone, as to impede their movement.
|
closed book »
A person or thing that cannot be easily understood; someone or something incomprehensible or puzzling.
|
cop a feel »
To stealthily fondle someone in a sexual manner.
|
cop-out »
An excuse made in order to avoid performing a task or duty; a reason offered when someone cops out.
|
cradle robber »
A person who marries or becomes romantically involved with someone who is much younger or who employs or otherwise engages a young person for a purpose inappropriate for his or her age.
|
cramp someone's style »
To restrict someone's free actions, or to give the impression of such.
|
cross someone's palm »
To give money to a person, especially as a bribe or as an inducement to perform a service.
|
cross someone's path »
To meet by chance.
|
cry off »
To cancel something that one has previously arranged with someone.
|
cry someone a river »
To try to obtain the sympathy of another person by complaining or sniveling.
|
cry someone a river »
To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.
|
cut in »
Especially, to dance with someone who is already dancing by replacing his or her partner.
|
cut of one's jib »
Someone’s general appearance or the implications thereof, especially in relation to making an impression or one’s style..
|
dead men tell no tales »
Once someone is dead, they can no longer communicate, hence killing someone is the best way to keep him/her quiet.
|
dead ringer »
Someone or something that very closely resembles another; someone or something easily mistaken for another.
|
depend on »
To be dependent on something or someone for support or help.
|
do someone proud »
To cause someone to feel pride, admiration, or satisfaction.
|
do the math »
You can do the calculation yourself, with the implication that you don't have to trust someone else's assertions.
|
don't drop the soap »
(idiomatic) Used as a mockery to someone who is about to be or should be confined in prison.
|
doss down »
To sleep on someone's sofa or floor because there is no bed spare.
|
down-and-outer »
Someone who is down and out.
|
drive away »
To force someone or something to leave.
|
dry eye »
An eye which is not crying, i.e. someone emotionally unmoved.
|
eat someone out of house and home »
C. 1598, William Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 2, Act II Scene I.
|
eat someone out of house and home »
To consume such a portion of one's store of food that little is left for the owner.
|
eat someone's dust »
To be outrun.
|
eat someone's dust »
To get one to be on a losing end.
|
enquire after »
To ask about the health of someone.
|
every Jack has his Jill »
everybody will find someone to have a romantic relationship with at some point in their life
|
evil twin »
A duplicate or counterpart of something or someone that acts in a contrary, nefarious, or insidious manner.
|
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.
|
fear »
A phobia, a sense of fear induced by something or someone.
|
feel up »
To grope someone in a sexual manner.
|
feet of clay »
To say that someone, who appears strong or invincible, in fact has a hidden weak point which could cause their fall.
|
fill in »
To inform somebody, especially to supply someone missing or missed information.
|
fish for compliments »
To try to induce someone to make a compliment.
|
fix someone's wagon »
To punish someone; to cause injury, distress, or inconvenience for someone.
|
flag down »
Use a flag or some kind of signal to get the attention of someone.
|
follow in someone's footsteps »
To follow the same path as someone.
|
force someone's hand »
Bring about a situation which necessitates an agent to act, often causing a plan to be executed prematurely.
|
fresh out of »
Of someone who has recently left one stage of life to begin another.
|
full marks »
To exclaim complete satisfaction with someone's efforts.
|
gang up on »
To join together in a gang in order to overpower someone else.
|
get a load of »
To experience someone or something, especially by looking or listening.
|
get a rise out of »
To obtain a reaction from someone, especially one of annoyance.
|
get by the balls »
To have complete control over someone, especially of a woman abusing a man's infatuation with her.
|
get in someone's hair »
To annoy someone.
|
get in someone's hair »
To hinder someone or interfere with their actions.
|
get into someone's pants »
To have sex with.
|
get off »
To stop touching or interfering with something or someone.
|
get off with »
To befriend someone and snog them, especially in a public place.
|
get on someone's wick »
To annoy or upset someone, usually by repeated disagreeable actions.
|
get someone's back up »
To annoy a person either deliberately or inadvertently.
|
get someone's nose out of joint »
To become angry; to take offense or take exception.
|
get someone's nose out of joint »
To make someone angry.
|
give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime »
It is more worthwhile to teach someone to do something, than to do something for them.
|
give a sneck posset »
To give someone a cold reception; to close the door on someone; to reject them.
|
give him enough rope and he'll hang himself »
If one gives someone enough freedom of action, they may destroy themselves by foolish actions.
|
give over »
Usually as an imperative. To tell someone to stop molesting, fooling around, or saying silly things. Or sometimes to stop saying flattering things.
|
give some skin »
To greet or congratulate someone by slapping his or her palm; see slap me five.
|
give somebody an earful »
To shout very loudly at someone.
|
give somebody the brush-off »
To rebuff, snub or curtly reject someone.
|
give somebody the creeps »
To give someone a feeling of uneasiness or mild fright.
|
give somebody the heave-ho »
To fire, expel or break up with someone.
|
give someone the chair »
To execute a person by means of the electric chair.
|
give someone the eye »
To show flirtatious signs with the eye.
|
give someone what for »
To punish; to rebuke.
|
go along for the ride »
To accompany someone passively, or to take a passive role in a project.
|
go away »
Command asking someone to leave them alone.
|
go to someone's head »
To strongly affect a person, especially to the detriment of their senses or mental faculties.
|
go up against »
To challenge someone.
|
good egg »
A good person, someone to be trusted; a friend.
|
good luck with that »
An expression wishing someone success in an unlikely enterprise.
|
gravy train »
A gorging on luxuries, since someone else foots the bill.
|
grease someone's palm »
To bribe a person.
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ground rules »
The basic rules or standards; whatever someone must know before proceeding.
|
grow cold »
To wane; to lose interest or enthusiasm for something or someone; to become disenchanted or to fall out of love with someone.
|
grow on »
To become more likeable to someone.
|
hand off »
To pass or transfer something to someone.
|
hand over »
To relinquish control or possession of something to someone.
|
hang on »
To keep; to store something for someone.
|
hang out to dry »
To abandon someone who is in need or in danger.
|
hard cheese »
Expressed to someone suffering misfortune.
|
hard lines »
Expressed to someone suffering misfortune.
|
harden someone's heart »
To make someone more resistant to something.
|
harsh one's mellow »
Disturbing someone otherwise in a state of calm.
|
harsh one's mellow »
To make someone feel bad emotionally.
|
hatchet man »
Someone who carries out brutal and unpleasant duties on behalf of another, such as firing dead wood employees.
|
haul somebody over the coals »
To express anger with someone in no uncertain terms when they do something wrong.
|
have one's name on it »
To be reserved for someone.
|
have one's number on it »
Te be destined for someone.
|
have someone by the short hairs »
To have someone in a difficult situation in which he or she is without alternatives and can be controlled.
|
have someone's guts for garters »
To reprimand severely.
|
have someone's hide »
To punish or subdue someone.
|
hear out »
To listen to someone until that person has finished.
|
hell hath no fury like a woman scorned »
A woman will make someone suffer if they reject her.
|
here you are »
Said when you hand something over to someone or do a favour to them, usually to draw the recipient's attention to the exchange; Equivalent to “thank you” when receiving something..
|
hit on »
To flirt with; to approach and speak to (someone), seeking romance, love, sex, etc.
|
hit someone for six »
Be affected in a devastating way by some unexpected news.
|
hit someone for six »
To hit another person very hard.
|
hold all the aces »
To be in a strong position when one is competing with someone else, having all the advantages.
|
hold off »
To delay someone or something temporarily; to keep at bay.
|
hold on »
To keep; to store something for someone.
|
hold someone's feet to the fire »
To maintain personal, social, political, or legal pressure on someone in order to induce him or her to comply with one's desires; to hold someone accountable for his or her actions.
|
horse's mouth »
Source; someone who directly experienced or witnessed something.
|
house warming »
Presented as a way of welcoming someone to a home into which he or she recently moved.
|
how do you like them apples »
Directed jestingly or mockingly at someone who has received surprising information, ridiculing the situation.
|
hurt someone's feelings »
To offend or hurt someone.
|
if looks could kill »
A phrase said upon catching sight of someone's giving you a particularly nasty look of discontent or disapproval.
|
if you love somebody, set them free »
One should be willing to let go of someone they love if they truly love them.
|
in high dudgeon »
Resentfully or furiously.
|
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.
|
inquire after »
To ask about the health of someone.
|
inquire of »
To ask someone.
|
inside job »
A crime or other illicit action committed by or with the help of someone either employed by the victim or entrusted with access to the victim's affairs and premises.
|
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
|
it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good »
There is usually something of benefit to someone, no matter how bad the situation.
|
jive turkey »
Someone who is jiving, as in behaving in a glib and disingenuous fashion.
|
jive turkey »
Someone who is jiving, as in dancing. Often applied to people being funny or showy.
|
jolly someone along »
To make someone happy or compliant, as by encouragement or flattery.
|
jump on »
To attack someone verbally, or criticise them over strongly for small errors.
|
jump someone's bones »
To have sex.
|
just another pretty face »
Someone who is attractive, but not too distinguished.
|
keep an eye open »
To maintain vigilance for someone or something.
|
keep out »
To restrain someone or something from entering a place or condition.
|
keep out of »
To restrain someone or something from entering a place or condition.
|
kick ass »
To beat someone at something.
|
kick ass »
To beat someone in a fight.
|
kick someone when they are down »
To make it worse for someone who is going through a difficult time.
|
kick up the arse »
A severe reprimand, especially one to motivate someone into doing something.
|
kill the fatted calf »
To begin a festive celebration and rejoicing for someone's long-awaited return.
|
kindred soul »
Someone with the same feelings or attitudes as oneself; kindred spirit.
|
kindred spirit »
Someone with the same feelings or attitudes as oneself.
|
kneel before »
To kneel in front of someone or something, especially in order to worship or supplicate.
|
knock around »
To spend time with someone as a friend.
|
knock around »
To hit someone, or behave violently towards them.
|
knock out »
To strike or bump someone or something out.
|
knock out »
To render someone unconscious, as by a blow to the head.
|
knock out »
To put someone to sleep.
|
last of the big spenders »
Someone who doesn't spend much money.
|
laughing stock »
An object of ridicule, someone who is publicly ridiculed; a butt of sport.
|
lead someone down the garden path »
To deceive, hoodwink.
|
let in on »
To tell someone a secret.
|
let someone have it »
To attack someone with great force.
|
let someone have it »
To verbally assail someone.
|
lift up »
To lighten the mood of someone.
|
link whore »
Someone who goes to great lengths to get other people to link to his/her website or blog.
|
link whoring »
The practice of going out of one's way to place links to one's website on someone else's webpage.
|
live one »
Someone who is easily fooled, victimized, or ridiculed.
|
live one »
Someone who is eccentric, nonconformist, or otherwise peculiar.
|
lock up »
To imprison or incarcerate someone.
|
long ways, long lies »
Someone who comes back from a far-off country can tell lies without fear of being contradicted.
|
look daggers »
To stare sharply at someone to indicate disapproval without actually speaking.
|
look to »
To seek inspiration or advice from someone.
|
look what the cat's dragged in »
Used as an ironic acknowledgement of someone's arrival, especially to imply that they are unwelcome or disagreeable in some way.
|
lose touch »
To cease to be familiar with someone or something or to cease to communicate or have contact.
|
lower the boom on »
To punish someone.
|
make a monkey out of »
To cause a person, organization, or action to appear foolish or inferior; to subject someone or something to ridicule..
|
make an example of »
To punish someone so as to be a warning to others.
|
make someone's day »
To make someone happy or to be a source of satisfaction.
|
make someone's skin crawl »
To disturb or bother; to frighten or disgust.
|
make someone's teeth itch »
To bother or unsettle a person; to put someone on edge.
|
may the Force be with you »
Used to wish someone luck with a difficult endeavor.
|
me three »
Used to express agreement, after someone has already said "me too".
|
meal ticket »
Someone or something that provides income or livelihood, especially as an exploited source.
|
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.
|
mover and shaker »
Someone who has power and influence in some field or activity.
|
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
|
non-starter »
Someone or something who was listed to start in a race, but did not start in the race.
|
none of someone's business »
A matter that someone is not entitled to be involved in or informed about.
|
not be able to get a word in edgeways »
To be unable to say a single word because of someone else's talkativeness.
|
not touch something with a ten foot pole »
To approach something or someone.
|
odd one out »
Something or someone in a group that is different or exceptional, that does not fit.
|
offer one's condolences »
To offer sympathy to someone.
|
on hold »
On reserve; being held for someone.
|
one can run but one can't hide »
There is nothing someone can do to evade something.You can run but you can't hide.
|
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-track mind »
That said to be possessed by someone who is obsessed with something or only able to think of one thing.
|
open fire »
To begin firing at something or someone.
|
pachyderm »
Someone who is insensitive.
|
pachyderm »
Someone with thick skin. It is used for animals such as an elephant or a hippopotamus.
|
pain in the neck »
Someone or something which is annoying, irritating or inconvenient.
|
pardon me »
Polite expression to get someone to repeat.
|
party crasher »
Someone who attempts and often gains entry to a party or club to which they were not invited, often using social engineering techniques. The party crasher usually tries to blend into the party so as not to be kicked out.
|
party pooper »
Someone who unnecessarily dampens fun.
|
payback's a bitch »
Usually a complete sentence as an interjection: I am amused that someone got their revenge on you...but you certainly had it coming.
|
pencil pusher »
One who does routine office work; someone involved mainly in paperwork.
|
people person »
Someone who is happier or more skilled at dealing with people rather than things or concepts.
|
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.
|
pick somebody's brain »
To seek information from someone knowledgeable; to ask questions of someone.
|
pit against »
To set someone in opposition to someone else.
|
play second fiddle »
To play a subsidiary or subordinate role to someone or something else.
|
play someone like a fiddle »
Skilfully.
|
point out »
To tell, remind, indicate to someone.
|
pop a cap in someone's ass »
To shoot someone with a gun.
|
pop off »
To kill someone.
|
pop someone's cherry »
To deflower someone.
|
pot calling the kettle black »
A situation in which somebody comments on or accuses someone else of a fault which the accuser shares.
|
pound of flesh »
Something which is owed and which will be hurtful or difficult to provide; a debt owed to someone who is merciless and demanding.
|
pour oil on troubled waters »
To calm something or someone who is tenacious or misbehaving.
|
power behind the throne »
Someone who appears to be without special status, but who has great covert influence on a person in authority.
|
price on one's head »
A compensation for capturing or killing a person, especially someone guilty of a crime.
|
private eye »
A private personal detective, employed to gather information about someone.
|
problem child »
Someone or something persistently difficult or vexing; a frequent source of trouble or annoyance.
|
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 someone down a peg »
To lower someone's high self-opinion.
|
put away »
To send someone to prison.
|
put down »
To drop someone off, or let them out of a vehicle.
|
put down for »
To record that someone has offered to help, or contribute something.
|
put oneself in someone's shoes »
To try to look at a situation from a different point of view; as if one were the other person. To empathise.
|
put someone down as »
To assume someone has a particular character from very little information.
|
put someone in mind of »
To remind someone of; to inspire a mental image or awareness of; to cause thoughts concerning.
|
put someone's back up »
To annoy someone deliberately.
|
put the boot in »
To kick someone when they are down.
|
put the cat among the pigeons »
If you set the cat among the pigeons, you will cause a flutter in the dovecote.
|
put the cat among the pigeons »
Professor Stephen Hawking put the cat among the pigeons last week with his cheery remarks about comet Machholz-2, which some astronomers believe could be heading our way. — The Times, 19 September 1994.
|
put the cat among the pigeons »
To cause alarm.
|
put to the test »
To test something or someone; to evaluate, scrutinize or explore by testing or experimentation.
|
quiet down »
To make someone or something become quieter.
|
quieten down »
To make someone or something become quieter.
|
rabble rouser »
Someone or something that tends to inspire mobs; something controversial or provocative.
|
rain on someone's parade »
To disappoint or discourage someone.
|
raise somebody's hackles »
Make someone angry.
|
rattle someone's cage »
To demand attention; to nag, nudge, or remind.
|
ride roughshod over »
To act in a bullying or inconsiderate manner; to display disregard towards someone or something.
|
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.
|
rocket scientist »
Someone qualified to understand or handle that which is overly complex, detailed or confusing; a genius.
|
roll out the red carpet »
To extend the utmost hospitality; to treat someone as an honored guest; to welcome or host, especially in a showy or extravagant manner.
|
run after »
To make a determined effort to win someone's affections.
|
run back »
To take someone home by car. Give someone a lift to their house.
|
run by »
To inform someone briefly of the main points of an idea.
|
run down »
To hit someone with a car or other vehicle and injure or kill them.
|
run down »
To criticize someone or an organisation, often unfairly.
|
run down »
To find something or someone after searching for a long time.
|
run off »
To leave someone without prior advice.
|
run off »
To chase someone away.
|
run off with »
To leave with someone with the intention of living with them or marrying them. Usually in secret because other people think it is wrong.
|
run something by »
To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.
|
run something past »
To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.
|
run up against »
Begin to encounter problems with someone or something.
|
save someone's bacon »
To save someone's life.
|
say goodbye »
To separate from someone.
|
say goodbye »
To wish someone farewell upon their leaving.
|
scare out of one's wits »
To frighten someone to such an extent that they behave irrationally.
|
scissorbill »
And railroad term for someone who refused to join the union or who openly colluded with management to thwart the union.
|
scissorbill »
Someone considered contemptible or foolish.
|
see eye to eye »
To agree with someone; to concur; to get along.
|
see someone through »
To constitute ample supply for one for.
|
see someone through »
To suffice for a time.
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see someone's point »
To comprehend the meaning that someone is trying to convey.
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see through »
To be able to predict or read someone.
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sell »
To trick, or cheat someone.
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sell a bargain »
A species of wit, much in vogue about the latter end of the reign of Queen Anne, and frequently alluded to by Dean Swift, who says the maids of honour often amused themselves with it. It consisted in the seller naming his or her hinder parts, in answer to the question, What? which the buyer was artfully led to ask. As a specimen, take the following instance: A lady would come into a room full of company, apparently frightened, crying out "It is white, and follows me!" As soon as someone responded "What?" she sold him the bargain, by saying "Mine arse".
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sell someone a bill of goods »
To deceive or cheat someone.
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sell-by date »
Used to indicate that something, or someone, is old and out of date.
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send to Coventry »
To ostracize, or systematically ignore someone.
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send up »
To imitate someone or something for the purpose of satirical humour.
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serve somebody right »
To happen to someone who is thought to deserve it.
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settle someone's hash »
To physically or verbally subdue someone.
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sex machine »
Someone with considerable sexual prowess.
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shoulder to cry on »
Someone offering emotional support to another in distress.
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show somebody the door »
To dismiss or reject; to exclude someone who was formerly included.
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show somebody the door »
To escort someone to the exit of the premises; to expel someone from a room, gathering, etc.
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sing the praises of »
To commend someone's attributes to others.
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slag off »
To talk insultingly to or about someone or something.
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slip someone's mind »
To be forgotten; to escape one's memory.
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smear campaign »
An effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.
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snap someone's head off »
To suddenly and sharply rebuke or insult a person, especially in response to a harmless remark.
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soft as a grape »
someone who is limited in their ability
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soft hearted »
Be kind; Fall for someone
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soft shoe »
A speech, explanation, sales pitch, or other set of remarks delivered in a restrained or conciliatory manner in order to persuade, distract, or otherwise influence someone.
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stand corrected »
Said to acknowledge someone who corrects something that one says or writes that was not correct.
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stand in someone's shoes »
To see from another's point of view; to feel what another feels.
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stand off »
To stand some distance apart form something or someone.
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stand up against »
To defy or challenge someone.
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stare someone in the face »
To be extremely visible and obvious.
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steal a march on »
To get ahead of someone or something by starting earlier.
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stick in someone's craw »
To cause lasting annoyance, irritation, or hard feelings.
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stitch up »
To maliciously or dishonestly incriminate someone.
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stop someone in his tracks »
To prevent someone from continuing along a path or way, literal or figurative, he has begun going along.
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suck in »
To cause someone to become slowly more and more involved in a business or situation that is often not to that person's liking.
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suck into »
To cause someone to become slowly more and more involved in a business or situation that is often not to that person's liking.
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surprise surprise »
An indication that the unsurprising happened, especially contrary to someone's hopes or assertions.
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sweep someone off their feet »
To seduce someone romantically.
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sweet dreams »
Phrase said to someone before they fall asleep, wishing them a good sleep.
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take a back seat »
To be second to someone or something; to be less important or have a lower priority.
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take a leaf out of someone's book »
To adopt an idea or practice of another person.
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take after »
To follow someone's example.
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take against »
To stop liking someone. Become unfriendly.
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take apart »
To soundly defeat someone, or a team.
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take apart »
To criticise someone.
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take apart »
To move someone away from others to be able to talk to, or give them something in private.
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take away »
To make someone leave a place and go somewhere else. Usually not with the person's consent.
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take away »
To prevent, or limit, someone from being somewhere, or from doing something.
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take over »
To relieve someone temporarily.
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take over »
To become more successful than someone or something else.
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take someone's point »
To agree with what a person says; to understand a person's argument and be persuaded by it.
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take someone's point »
To grasp the essential meaning of what a person is saying.
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take the wind out of someone's sails »
To discourage someone greatly; to cause someone to lose hope or the will to continue.
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take up with »
To form a close relationship with someone.
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talk over »
To persuade someone; to talk around.
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talk someone's ear off »
To talk excessively or far more than is wanted or appreciated.
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tan someone's hide »
To beat or spank someone.
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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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the rabbit died »
A statement spoken to indicate one's own pregnancy, or that someone has found out they are pregnant.
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the world is one's oyster »
All opportunities are open to someone, the world is theirs.
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thorn in someone's side »
A persistent annoyance.
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throw dirt enough, and some will stick »
If enough allegations are made about someone or something, then even if they are all untrue, people's opinion of the person or thing will be diminished.1759, John Wesley, letter to John Downes, Rector of St. Michael's, Wood Street, read at Wesley Center Online at [1] on 14 Oct 06.I hope...that you are ignorant of the whole affair, and are so bold only because you are blind...And blind enough; so that you blunder on through thick and thin, bespattering all that come in your way, according to the old, laudable maxim, 'Throw dirt enough, and some will stick.'1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's Schooldays, read at fullbooks.com on 14 Oct 06,But whatever harm a spiteful tongue could do them, he took care should be done. Only throw dirt enough, and some will stick.1864, John Henry Newman, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, Penguin Classics (1994), p. 10,Archbishop Whately used to say
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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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throw out »
To dismiss or expel someone from any longer performing duty or attending somewhere.
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throw to the dogs »
To remove or cast out someone or something out of one's protection, such as into the streets.
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throw to the wolves »
To remove or cast out someone or something out of one's protection, such as onto the streets, especially towards predators.
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throw to the wolves »
To sacrifice someone, especially in an attempt to save oneself.
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tickle someone's fancy »
To amuse, entertain, or appeal to someone; to stimulate someone's imagination in a favorable manner.
|
tide over »
To support or sustain someone, especially financially, for a limited period.
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tie someone's hands »
To render one powerless to act, to thwart someone.
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tip off »
To alert or inform someone.
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tire out »
To make someone tired; to exhaust.
|
top of the morning »
A generic greeting said to someone in the morning.
|
touch up »
To touch or to grope someone in flirtatious or sleazy way.
|
tough love »
The compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures, to attempt to improve someone's behavior.
|
turn away »
To rotate the body or head so as not to face someone or something.
|
turn away »
To refuse to admit someone.
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turn back »
To refuse to allow someone to pass a border or enter a place.
|
twist someone's arm »
To coerce, force, or cajole.
|
two-fisted drinker »
Either someone who can handle their liquor well, or an alcoholic clutching a drink in each hand.
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under one's thumb »
Completely controlled by someone; at someone’s command..
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unwashed masses »
Of people who are considered by someone to be somehow uneducated, uninformed, godless, or in some other way unqualified for inclusion in the speaker's elite circles.
|
up-and-comer »
Someone who is up-and-coming, who has begun to be successful in some field and is likely to become even more successful in the future.
|
wade in »
To interrupt someone, or a situation, by doing or saying something abruptly, or forcefully, and usually without thinking about the consequences.
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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.
|
walk out on »
To abandon or desert someone, especially a spouse.
|
warm the cockles of someone's heart »
To provide happiness, to bring a deeply-felt contentment.
|
weigh down »
To be too much for someone to cope with.
|
wheel around »
To transport someone or something to various locations by pushing a wheeled transporter such as a wheelchair or a wheelbarrow or trolley.
|
will on »
To wish intensely that someone succeeds in what they are doing. Often implies a silent, or almost inaudible wish.
|
win over »
To persuade someone, gain someone's support, or make someone understand the truth or validity of something.
|
window dressing »
A means of creating a deceptively favourable impression of something or someone; something for appearance only.
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winkle out »
To acquire something or someone with difficulty.
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work over »
To physically attack someone to cause them injury.
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world-beater »
Someone or something superior to all others of its sort.
|
wring out »
To force someone to give something, usually truth, or money.
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written all over someone's face »
Very obvious, from someone's facial expression.
|
yellowbelly »
Someone from Lincolnshire.
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yes to death »
To agree with someone, often sarcastically.
|
you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink »
You can show someone how to do something, but you can't make them do it.
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you know what »
A phrase used to get someone's attention before announcing something.
|
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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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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