about turn »
A complete change of opinion, direction, etc.
|
angle for »
To try to obtain something by subtle indirect means. Political manoeuvres, suggestion, etc.
|
answer back »
To issue echo characters, protocol responses, reflexive connection requests, etc.
|
ark ruffian »
Rogues who, in conjunction with watermen, robbed, and sometimes murdered, on the water, by picking a quarrel with the passengers in a boat, boarding it, plundering, stripping, and throwing them overboard, etc. A species of badger.
|
board up »
To block doors or windows with boards, either to prevent access or as protection from storms, etc.
|
boil down »
As an allusion to the cooking technique of reducing liquids by heat, one boils down a problem, argument, etc. to its most central elements.
|
brass ring »
Figuratively, a prize or goal. Often used with respect to employment goals e.g. promotion, better job, etc.
|
bring it on »
Used to indicate one's willingness to accept a challenge, confront a threat, etc.
|
bugger up »
To break or spoil something, or make it inoperative, useless etc.
|
burn one's bridges »
To destroy one's path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc.
|
bush league »
A low-ranking or inferior level among groups, professions, organizations, etc.
|
carry one's weight »
To contribute or produce one's fair share, as of work, money, etc.
|
check in »
To announce or record one's arrival at a hotel, airport etc.
|
collect one's thoughts »
To become mentally composed, especially after being distressed, surprised, or disoriented; to become calm or organized in one's emotional state or thinking, as in preparation for a conversation, speech, decision, etc.
|
come out of the closet »
To tell others about homosexuality, bisexuality or any minority or disapproved-of belief, preference, etc., where previously this had been kept secret.
|
come to »
To recover consciousness after fainting etc.
|
cough up »
To expel from the lungs, throat, etc. by coughing.
|
crown jewels »
The jewelry that accompany the office of rulership in a monarchy. I.e., crown, scepter, signet ring, etc.
|
cue up »
The act of taking aim on the cue ball with the cue in a game of snooker, or billiards, etc.
|
deathblow »
Something that prevents the completion, or ends the existence of some project etc.
|
do up »
To redecorate a room etc.
|
draw on »
To sketch or mark with pencil, crayon, etc., on a given surface.
|
face value »
The amount or value listed on a bill, note, stamp, etc.; the stated value or amount.
|
fair game »
A game that is fair, that does not involve cheating etc.
|
flight of fancy »
An idea, narrative, suggestion, etc. which is extremely imaginative and which appears to be entirely unrealistic, untrue, or impractical; thinking which is very speculative.
|
fly-by-night »
One who departs or flees at night in order to avoid creditors, law enforcement etc. .
|
front runner »
The most likely winners in a contest, election, etc.
|
full of oneself »
Egotistical, believing oneself to be superior to others; preoccupied with one's own work, interests, point of view, etc.
|
get one's act together »
To become serious, organized, worthwhile, etc.
|
go out the window »
To vanish or cease, especially due to lack of care, attention, etc.; to be discarded, disregarded, or ignored.
|
grab bag »
A gift, purchase, etc. whose contents are concealed until after a selection is made.
|
hit on »
To flirt with; to approach and speak to (someone), seeking romance, love, sex, etc.
|
hit one's stride »
To reach a full level of efficiency, competence, comfort, etc.; to get going.
|
hold a candle »
To compare; to be even remotely of the same quality, skill, etc. as another.
|
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.
|
jump at »
To accept something enthusiastically. Usually an opportunity, or chance, or job etc.
|
kiss of death »
Something that may seem good and favourable but that actually brings ruin to hopes, plans, etc.
|
knock up »
To gently hit the ball back and forth before a tennis match, as practice or warm-up, and to gauge the state of the playing surface, lighting, etc. See knock-up.
|
light up »
To light a cigarette, pipe, etc.
|
like crazy »
To a great or excessive degree; with great speed, output, enthusiasm, etc.
|
Loose cannon »
An uncontrolled or unpredictable person who causes damage to his own friends, faction, political party, etc.
|
lucky break »
A stroke of luck; a fortunate event, particularly of the sort that propels one to success, fame, etc.
|
man up »
His station, prepared for departure of an aircraft, ship, etc.
|
man up »
To "be a man about it"; to do the things a good man is traditionally expected to do, such as: taking responsibility for the consequences of one's actions; displaying bravery or toughness in the face of adversity; providing for one's family, etc.
|
meaty »
Resembling meat in flavour, etc.
|
mind-numbing »
Excessively boring, tedious, or dull; repetitive; of an activity, etc., lacking any interest or variety that might serve as intellectual stimulation.
|
miss out »
To miss an experience or lose an opportunity, etc. that should not be missed.
|
odd one out »
A visual puzzle where the guesser has to choose which word/picture/symbol etc. does not fit with the others.
|
one-note »
Having only one opinion, outlook, tone, etc., especially as expressed repetitively; without variety or range.
|
play possum »
To feign sleep, illness, etc.
|
pretty pictures »
Image supplements in a presentation: graphs, charts, etc.
|
put by »
To preserve food by canning, freezing, drying, etc.
|
reality check »
A check or review to make sure something is consistent, reasonable, etc.
|
reinvent the wheel »
To redo work unnecessarily when it has already been done satisfactorily; to rethink an already working system, technique, etc. in a pointless attempt to improve it.
|
ride the rails »
To travel by railway train, trolley, etc.
|
round down »
To the greatest integer that is not greater than it, or to some other lower value, especially a whole number of hundreds, thousands, etc.
|
round up »
To the smallest integer that is not less than it, or to some other greater value, especially a whole number of hundreds, thousands, etc.
|
run to »
To reach a particular maximum amount, size, value, etc.
|
send away »
To send to a particular place for a long time, as a family member, an employee, etc.
|
send up »
To make prices or temperatures etc. rise.
|
shotgun approach »
An approach in which the subject is indiscriminate and haphazard, using breadth, spread, or quantity in lieu of accuracy, planning, etc.
|
show off »
To exhibit; to demonstrate one's skill, talent, etc. for its own sake.
|
show somebody the door »
To escort someone to the exit of the premises; to expel someone from a room, gathering, etc.
|
smooth operator »
A person who accomplishes tasks with efficiency and grace, especially one with verbal skills who is persuasive in interpersonal relationships, negotiation, etc.
|
take a dim view of »
To dislike; to regard with skepticism, disbelief, disfavor, etc.
|
take to the cleaners »
To take a significant quantity of a person's money or valuables, through gambling, unfavorable investing, fraud, litigation, etc.
|
taper off »
To diminish or lessen gradually; to become smaller, slower, quieter, etc.
|
test bed »
Any venue, setup, etc. used for experimentation, testing, proving a concept, etc.
|
the whole nine yards »
And everything. Often used, like etc., to finish out a list.
|
think of England »
To tolerate or endure bad sex. Used in conjunction with "I just lie on my back and.." "I just go through the motions and..." etc.
|
throw a fit »
To become angry, enraged, or upset; to act or react with an outburst, as by shouting, swearing, etc.
|
tie up »
To secure with rope, string, etc.
|
tone down »
To make a television program, piece of writing, etc. less offensive and so more suitable for a family audience.
|
try out »
To undergo a test before being selected for a team etc.
|
tune in »
To select a channel, station, etc., as on television or radio.
|
turn down »
To reposition by turning, flipping, etc. in a downward direction.
|
turn up »
To reposition by rotating, flipping, etc. upwards.
|
walk the line »
To maintain an intermediate position between contrasting choices, opinions, etc..
|
wash up »
To clean the utensils, dishes etc. used in preparing and eating a meal.
|
wet blanket »
A person who takes the fun out of a situation or activity, as by pessimism, demands, dullness, etc.
|
what's eating somebody »
? Inquired of somebody who is upset, worried, angry, etc.
|
zoom down »
To move quickly along a particular route, list, etc.
|
| Like Phrases.net? Why won't you tell a friend about us? |
[