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Phrases related to: figuratively

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within an inch of one’s lifeFiguratively or hyperbolically, means very soundly, thoroughly, or completely; To an extreme degree or extent; often follows the verb ‘beat’ to mean ‘very close to or near death’Rate it:

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brass ringFiguratively, a prize or goal. Often used with respect to employment goals e.g. promotion, better job, etc.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
kick offTo force the weaning of a bovine cow's calf by restricting the calf's access to its mother's udders. Used figuratively or literally.Rate it:

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one at a timeIndividually, as opposed to collectively; slowly or methodically, figuratively.Rate it:

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bear fruitTo succeed in some task; literally, of a tree or plant bearing fruit; figuratively in relation to any attempted task.Rate it:

(2.67 / 3 votes)
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, hasnRate it:

(2.00 / 4 votes)
under erasureOf a bit of text, written and strickenthrough; hence, figuratively in some sense both present and absent.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
a real knock out!A very attractive woman. So deemed because her attractiveness is so stunning that it can (figuratively) knock you out.Rate it:

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beat the pants offTo thoroughly and decisively defeat someone, either in a physical fight or, figuratively, in a competition.Rate it:

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calm before the stormA time of peace before any storm or disaster--either an actual storm or hurricane or figuratively to mean any calm before anything bad happensRate it:

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come and goTo alternately enter and exit into something (physically or figuratively)Rate it:

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deadFiguratively, not alive; lacking life.Rate it:

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drive-by mediaMedia professionals who "spray" a bunch of repetitive misstatements, mistaken and misinterpreted news reports to cause excitement and confusion. They then figuratively "drive off" leaving the cleanup of their mess and hysteria to others, to correct and properly explain and interpret.Rate it:

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get acrossTo cross; to move from one side to the other, literally or figuratively.Rate it:

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get inTo get into or inside something, literally or figuratively.Rate it:

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lick the pants offTo thoroughly and decisively defeat someone, either in a physical fight or, figuratively, in a competition.Rate it:

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live by the sword, die by the swordOne who uses violence can expect a violent response. It is better to try to use peaceful means wherever possible.(figuratively) One can expect dire outcomes from any vice; used to convey poetic justice.Rate it:

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on the ladderFiguratively a property ladder, owning property.Rate it:

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over the river and through the woodsTo be lost.(idiomatic, figuratively) To lose one's mind.Rate it:

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plough throughTo persevere with an activity of consuming something, both literally and figuratively.Rate it:

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plow throughTo persevere with an activity of consuming something, both literally and figuratively.Rate it:

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screen outFiguratively, to exclude.Rate it:

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under erasureOf a bit of text, written and strickenthrough; hence, figuratively in some sense both present and absent.Rate it:

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well upTo gradually or steadily flow upwards or outwards so as to begin to fill or overflow something, literally or figuratively.Rate it:

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where you at"Where are you?" Used as an inquiry of location, especially figuratively.Rate it:

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wind back the clockFiguratively to return in time to an earlier period of history.Rate it:

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write offFiguratively, to assign a low value to something.Rate it:

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