a chain is only as strong as its weakest link »
An organization (especially a process or a business) is only as strong or powerful as its weakest person. A group of associates is only as strong as its laziest member.
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a rolling stone gathers no moss »
A person who never settles in one place will never be successful.A person who does not keep active will grow mouldy.
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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.
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abide by »
To remain faithful to something or someone; to stand to; to adhere.
|
all bark and no bite »
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
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all ears »
Listening intently; fully focused.
|
all hat and no cattle »
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
|
all mouth and no trousers »
Superficial, engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance.
|
all mouth and trousers »
Superficial, engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance.
|
as good as one's word »
Faithful to a promise one has made.
|
asleep at the switch »
Neglectful of an important task, responsibility, or opportunity.
|
at full tilt »
At full speed; very quickly.
|
at large »
In full, fully.
|
at peace »
Free of worries; peaceful.
|
au fait »
fully informed;
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back to the drawing board »
Back to the beginning following an unsuccessful attempt.
|
bad news »
An irritating, troublesome, or harmful person, situation, or thing.
|
balancing act »
A performance that involves balancing things precariously and suspensefully.
|
barn burner »
Any successful or impressive event.
|
barrel »
The quantity which constitutes a full barrel. This varies for different articles and also in different places for the same article, being regulated by custom or by law. A barrel of wine is 31 1/2 gallons; a barrel of flour is 196 pounds; of beer 31 gallons; of ale 32 gallons; of crude oil 42 gallons.
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barrel of laughs »
That which is immature, embarrassing, or disgraceful.
|
barrow man »
A man under sentence of transportation; alluding to the convicts at Woolwich, who are principally employed in wheeling barrows full of brick or dirt.
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be all ears »
To listen carefully or eagerly; to anticipate.
|
bear up »
To endure hardship cheerfully.
|
beat Banaghan »
An Irish saying of one who tells wonderful stories, or of something which is amazing and remarkable.
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beauty is in the eye of the beholder »
Individuals have different inclinations on what is beautiful. Individuals have different beauty standards.
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better than sex »
Superlative; wonderful.
|
between a rock and a hard place »
Having the choice between two unpleasant or distasteful options; in a predicament or quandary.
|
big gun »
Someone who is powerful or influential most often in plural form.
|
blow the whistle »
To disclose information to the public or to appropriate authorities concerning the illegal or socially harmful actions of a person or group, especially a corporation or government agency.
|
blue moon »
The third full moon in a quarter that contains four rather than the usual three full moons.
|
born in a barn »
Engaging in the annoying behavior of inappropriately, and usually neglectfully, leaving open a door or window.
|
boys will be boys »
It is hard, often fruitless, to attempt to curb the natural playfulness and tendency to mischief of most growing boys.1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Chapter 13But just then there was a slight altercation between Master Tommy and Master Jacky. Boys will be boys and our two twins were no exception to this golden rule.Even grown men usually remain somewhat boyish in heart"Boys will be boys", grinned grandpa while he joined his adult son playing with the fancy train-set he gave his grandson for Christmas while the kid was in school.
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brain-dead »
Having no useful thoughts; stupid; ditzy.
|
break a leg »
A wish for a successful performance; primarily a valediction to an actor wishing him or her a successful theatrical stage performance.
|
break out »
To escape, especially forcefully or defiantly.
|
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed »
Alert and in an eager, frisky, or playful mood; full of life.
|
brighten up »
To make cheerful.
|
bring home the bacon »
To have a job and earn money or to lead a successful career.
|
bundle of nerves »
A person with an especially nervous, excitable, or fearful disposition.
|
bustle with »
To teem with; abound with; to exhibit an energetic and active abundance of a thing; to be full of a certain activity or active beings.
|
buy time »
Purposefully cause a delay to something, in order to achieve something else.
|
carry out »
To fulfill.
|
cast aspersions »
To make damaging or spiteful remarks.
|
cheat on »
To be unfaithful to.
|
cock-and-bull story »
A far-fetched and fanciful story or tale of highly dubious validity.
|
come full circle »
To complete a cycle of transition, returning to the point of origin.
|
come full circle »
To make a complete change or reform.
|
come in handy »
To be useful or helpful, especially at some time in the future.
|
come of age »
To mature, or become fully developed.
|
come to terms »
To accept or resign oneself to something emotionally painful.
|
cup of tea »
A cup full of tea.
|
cut it »
To suffice; to be effective or successful.
|
dead »
Full and complete.
|
deadweight »
The largest weight of cargo a ship is able to carry; i.e, the weight of a ship when fully loaded minus its weight when empty.
|
do justice »
To really allow to be apprehended in its full scope.
|
do the trick »
To work; to be successful; to solve a problem.
|
don't be penny wise and pound foolish »
Don't be careful when it comes to spending small amounts of money, but careless when spending much larger amounts.Don't focus on minutiae and lose sight of the big picture; don't obsess over tiny inconsequential efficiencies while glaring inefficiencies are going on elsewhere.
|
don't shit where you eat »
(idiomatic, vulgar) One should not cause trouble in a place, group, or situation in which one regularly finds oneself.1998 April 14, Nelson Navarro, "Ever faithful, ever true," Manila Standard (Philippines) (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):The guiding principle is Don't shit where you eat. Office romances are always destructive of morale and objectivity.2003 Oct. 8, Jonathan Valania, "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Pussy," Philadelphia Weekly (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):Limbaugh was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at the NAB convention in, of all places, Philadelphia, thus violating the cardinal law of the animal kingdom: Don't shit where you eat.2006 Sept. 19, Michael Musto, "NY Mirror," Village Voice (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):Mitchell refused to indulge in on-set romances with either gender. "You don't shit where you eat," he told me, plainly.
|
double-tongued »
Saying one thing to one person and something different to another; double talking; deceitful in speech.
|
drag out »
To haul or bring out forcefully or as though with force.
|
drive home »
With tangible or powerful demonstration.
|
easy does it »
Relax; do something gently, lightly or carefully; slow down; calm down.
|
easy on the eyes »
Attractive; beautiful.
|
economical with the truth »
Not telling the whole truth, especially in order to present a false image of a situation; untruthful; lying. Often used with sarcasm or satire.
|
every little helps »
Even the smallest things are helpful when towards a goal.
|
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
|
fall through »
To be unsuccessful, abort, come to nothing/naught; to be cancelled; not to proceed.
|
fill the bill »
To satisfy a need; to serve a purpose; to fulfill specified requirements.
|
fill up »
To make full.
|
fill up »
To become full.
|
fine feathers make fine birds »
Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.
|
flower »
Typically including sepals, petals, stamens, and ovaries; often conspicuously colourful.
|
forked tongue »
The characteristic of deceptiveness; duplicity; untruthfulness.
|
fountain of youth »
Anything reputed to have the power to restore health and vitality or to restore a youthful appearance.
|
from the bottom of one's heart »
In earnest; sincerely; with one's full feeling.
|
fry up »
Full English breakfast.
|
full as a goog »
Having eaten too much, or being drunk.
|
full blast »
Maximum capacity or effort.
|
full English »
A cooked breakfast consisting of bacon and eggs, and other foods.
|
full marks »
To exclaim complete satisfaction with someone's efforts.
|
full of beans »
Energetic and enthusiastic.
|
full of beans »
Incorrect; uninformed; exaggerating or expressing falsehood.
|
full of hot air »
Talking a lot, especially without saying anything of value or meaning.
|
full of it »
Speaking nonsense; lying, exaggerating, or boasting.
|
full of oneself »
Egotistical, believing oneself to be superior to others; preoccupied with one's own work, interests, point of view, etc.
|
full of shit »
Characterized by speaking nonsense or falsehoods.
|
full speed ahead »
A command, especially on military vessels, to move forward at maximum speed.
|
full speed ahead »
Maximum effort without reservations or delay.
|
full tilt »
As quickly as possible; very rapidly.
|
full tilt boogie »
At the most extreme level.
|
full tilt boogie »
In an extremely focused manner.
|
full tilt boogie »
Intensely, fast paced.
|
full tilt boogie »
Out of control.
|
full to the gills »
Completely or overly full.
|
full whack »
The whole amount.
|
full-fledged »
Having all its feathers; able to fly.
|
full-fledged »
Having full qualification, credentials or preparation; entire; real.
|
garbage in, garbage out »
(computing, information technology) If input data is not complete, accurate, and timely, then the resulting output is unreliable and of no useful value.1963, Raymond Crowley, "Robot Tax Collector Seeks Indications of 'Fudging'," Times Daily (Alabama, USA), 1 April (retrieved 26 July 2010):Officials explained that the quality of the computer's work depends on the quality of the data fed into it. Neil Hoke, administrative assistant to Stewart, quoted an adage of computer men: "Garbage in, garbage out."2008, Roger K. Lewis, "'In Architectural Design, Brains and Talent Trump the Best Software," Washington Post, 19 July (retrieved 26 July 2010):The old caveat "GIGO"
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get one's marching orders »
To be dismissed disgracefully.
|
give somebody an earful »
To shout very loudly at someone.
|
glutton for punishment »
One persistent in an effort in spite of harmful or unpleasant results.
|
go off the boil »
To become less successful.
|
go over »
To look at carefully; to scrutinize; to analyze.
|
gold mine »
A plentiful stockpile of something sought after.
|
good drunk »
A person who is cheerful and companionable when intoxicated, retaining reasonable control of his or her mental and emotional faculties.
|
good turn »
A good deed; a thoughtful or selfless act.
|
hack it »
To cope with, to be successful in.
|
handle with kid gloves »
To treat something very delicately or carefully.
|
have a way with »
To be skilled, adept, or graceful in something.
|
have one's hands full »
To be busy or thoroughly preoccupied.
|
head to toe »
Entirely; completely; over one's full body.
|
hit home »
To be especially memorable or meaningful; to be fully understood, believed or appreciated.
|
hit one's stride »
To reach a full level of efficiency, competence, comfort, etc.; to get going.
|
hit one's stride »
When walking or running, to reach a full or comfortable pace.
|
hit the big time »
To become successful and widely known.
|
hit the ground running »
To begin an activity immediately and with full commitment.
|
hold back »
To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.
|
hold up »
To fulfil / fulfill or complete one's part of an agreement.
|
hold up one's end »
To hold up one's end of the bargain; to fulfill one's promise or obligation.
|
hole in one »
Any rare, wonderful, or remarkable accomplishment.
|
honesty is the best policy »
Honesty is the most honorable and fulfilling way to live one's life.
|
hot air »
boastful talk
|
hot mess »
Refers to a person, thing, or situation in such a state of disarray or disapproval by peers, often in reference to physical appearance, perceived to be disastrously embarrassing, pitiful, or beyond repair.
|
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 full swing »
Proceeding fully, quickly, or completely; thoroughly begun and in progress.
|
in high dudgeon »
Resentfully or furiously.
|
in vain »
In a disrespectful manner, especially when concerning religion.
|
it's not what you know but who you know »
For success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.1951, G. P. Bush and L. H. Hattery, "Federal Recruitment of Junior Engineers," Science, vol. 114, no. 2966, p. 456:Eighty-four students referred to political influence as a disadvantage of federal employment with such remarks as: "There are too many political connections necessary . . . it's not what you know but who you know
|
just what the doctor ordered »
Exactly what is necessary or useful in a given situation.
|
keep a close watch on »
To pay careful attention to a situation or a thing, so that you can deal with any changes or problems.
|
keep a weather eye open »
To maintain a background awareness of something; to remain alert to changes without it occupying your full attention.
|
keep one's pecker up »
Remain cheerful; keep smiling.
|
kid around »
To engage in playful fun.
|
king »
A powerful or influential person.
|
knacker's yard »
That area of a slaughterhouse where carcasses unfit for human consumption are rendered down to produce useful materials such as glue.
|
land on one's feet »
To be lucky, or successful, often in difficult situations.
|
lay an egg »
To produce a failure or flop; to do something which is unsuccessful.
|
leave no stone unturned »
To do a task very carefully and thoroughly, not missing any step.
|
legal beagle »
A skillful and adroit attorney.
|
legal eagle »
A skillful and adroit attorney.
|
legwork »
Skillful or vigorous use of the legs, as in dance or sports.
|
let the good times roll »
To have fun or live fully; may imply letting things that are going well proceed.
|
lex dubia non obligat »
(law) A doubtful law is not binding.
|
life is like a box of chocolates »
Life is full of surprises, you never know what will happen next.
|
lighten up »
To become less serious and more cheerful or casual; to relax.
|
live by the sword, die by the sword »
One 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.
|
live down »
To get used to something shameful.
|
live it up »
To have a wonderful life; to live fully and have fun.
|
live up »
To fulfil the expectations placed upon.
|
look before you leap »
Don't jump into something too precipitously; be at least a bit foresightful or circumspect.
|
low road »
A course of action which is undignified, wrongful, or otherwise unseemly.
|
make it »
To become famous and successful.
|
make it big »
To become famous and successful.
|
make the grade »
To prove satisfactory; to be successful or worthy of merit.
|
man up »
To staff adequately; to staff up; to successfully fill all needed labor positions.
|
match made in heaven »
A marriage that is likely to be happy and successful because the two people are very compatible with each other.
|
match made in heaven »
A very successful combination of two people or things.
|
match made in hell »
A marriage that is likely to be unhappy or abusive and unsuccessful because the two people are very incompatible with each other.
|
match made in hell »
A very unsuccessful or conflicting combination of two people or things.
|
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
|
might makes right »
The stronger and more powerful rule others, control the situation or determine right and wrong.
|
mind one's p's and q's »
To be very careful to behave correctly.
|
mind you »
Mind that you; be careful that you.
|
mocking is catching »
An admonishment to be careful of criticising others, lest the same happen to you.Mocking is Catching was the title of a 1726 song by Henry Carey.
|
mouthful of marbles »
An indistinct, muffled or garbled manner of speaking.
|
muck about »
To be playful; full of fun and high spirits.
|
on a full stomach »
Directly after eating, after a meal.
|
on cloud nine »
Very happy, blissful.
|
on purpose »
Purposefully; with intention; deliberately.
|
on the back burner »
Not immediate; inactive; receiving less than full or regular attention.
|
on tiptoe »
Moving carefully, quietly, warily or stealthily.
|
on top of »
Fully informed about, and in control of something; up to speed with.
|
one brick short of a full load »
Not mentally sound; insane.
|
one brick short of a full load »
Stupid.
|
one card shy of a full deck »
Mentally deranged; demented; insane.
|
one step at a time »
Slowly and carefully, ensuring that each action has been completed successfully before taking the next.
|
out of character »
Not in character; not successfully performing within the mindset of a given character in a theatrical performance. See also break character, drop character.
|
out of this world »
Exceptionally high quality; wonderful; marvellous.
|
pearl of wisdom »
A succinct, insightful saying, piece of advice, or moral precept.
|
penny wise and pound foolish »
Prudent and thrifty with small amounts of money, but wasteful and profligate with large amounts.
|
perfect storm »
A powerful hurricane or other major weather disturbance, especially as produced by a combination of meteorological conditions.
|
pipe dream »
fanciful hope
|
piss and vinegar »
Exuberance or enthusiasm, especially to an excessive degree; bravado; youthful energy.
|
piss away »
To spend wastefully.
|
pitched battle »
A hostile engagement involving sustained, full-scale fighting between opposing forces in close combat.
|
play someone like a fiddle »
Skilfully.
|
poison »
A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism.
|
poison pen »
A usually intentionally rude, spiteful, and/or condescending piece of writing directed at a person, group, lifestyle, way of thought, or other target.
|
pore over »
To examine something carefully and attentively.
|
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.
|
pulcher »
Beautiful, fair.
|
pull teeth »
To do something that is especially difficult or effortful.
|
put one's shoulder to the wheel »
To work or exert oneself heavily or with full effort.
|
put through its paces »
To test completely; to exercise the full range of abilities or functions.
|
quick-and-dirty »
Done or constructed in a hasty, approximate, temporarily adequate manner, but not exact, fully formed, or reliable for a long period of time.
|
rag the puck »
To retain possession of the puck by skillful skating and stickhandling without attempting to score, as a deliberate tactic intended to use up time.
|
reflect on »
To think carefully about something, and give it due consideration.
|
rose-coloured »
Cheerfully optimistic.
|
run the gamut »
To encompass the full range or variety possible.
|
salad years »
The inexperienced, youthful prime of an individual, group, organization or entity.
|
screw this »
"I don't care enough to continue"; "This is too stressful for me"; whatever.
|
seat-of-the-pants »
Done by feel, guess, or trial and error rather than by careful planning, thought or technique.
|
see something through »
To fulfill a commitment.
|
seize the day »
To make the most of today by achieving fulfillment in a philosophical or spiritual sense.
|
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".
|
serpentine »
Of, or having attributes associated with, the mythological serpent, such as craftiness or deceitfulness.
|
sight for sore eyes »
A pleasing sight, something that is beautiful to look at.
|
silver-tongue »
The trait of being clever at speaking, often in a deceitful way.
|
slam dunk »
An impressively forceful dunk.
|
slowly but surely »
In a slow, yet careful manner
|
smash hit »
Something that is tremendously popular or successful.
|
smooth operator »
A skillful, manipulative person, con artist, or clever scoundrel.
|
softly softly »
Discreet, low-key, careful.
|
some days you get the bear, other days the bear gets you »
One cannot always overcome a powerful adversary.
|
something awful »
Intensely or extremely; badly; in the worst way.
|
speak with a forked tongue »
To speak deceptively; to be duplicitous or untruthful.
|
spring in one's step »
Enthusiasm, energy or a positive outlook or cheerful attitude.
|
stand by »
To remain loyal or faithful.
|
stand the test of time »
To remain useful or valued over a long period of time; to last a long time.
|
stickhandle »
To maintain individual possession of the puck or ball by controlling it with movements of one's stick, especially to do so in a skillful manner.
|
stretch out »
To lie fully extended.
|
stretch out »
To fully extend a part of the body.
|
take liberties »
To behave disrespectfully, especially to make unwanted sexual advances.
|
take off »
To become successful, to flourish.
|
take one's time »
To go about something slowly and carefully.
|
take out the trash »
To forcefully remove people from a place.
|
take over »
To become more successful than someone or something else.
|
talk is cheap »
It is easy to make boastful or unrealistic statements which are not supported by actions or evidence.
|
tell off »
To speak to someone rudely, disrespectfully or angrily; to berate; to unleash one's fury verbally towards someone.
|
the bee's knees »
Most excellent; surpassingly wonderful; cool.
|
the icing on the cake »
Something wonderful at the end of something good.
|
the salt of the earth »
wonderful
|
think through »
To fully consider an action, and understand all its consequences.
|
third wheel »
A person or thing that serves no useful purpose.
|
thrash out »
To discuss something so fully as to resolve a problem or conflict; to hammer out.
|
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
|
throw down »
To cause something one is holding to drop, often forcefully.
|
throw down »
Admirably or forcefully.
|
throw down »
To accomplish or produce something in a grand, respectable, or successful manner; to "represent".
|
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 enough mud at the wall, 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.2001, And still no one is shouting stop. read in The Kingdom archives at [1] on 02 Nov 06,Many team managers are of the philosophy that if you throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick. They believe that team preparation is all about physical fitness. They run the players into the ground and they believe they will be "flying on the day".2001, Robert McCrum, Let them eat cake, in The Observer 16 Dec 01, read on Guardian Unlimited site at [2] on 02 Nov 06,Australian publishing boomed and in the past 10 years the country's literary culture has undergone a mini golden age, capped by Carey's triumph at the 2001 Booker Prize. As one Australian arts administrator said to me many years ago: 'Listen, mate, if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.'2001, Chris Collin, Re: 2-cp speys on The Strathspey Server mailing list archive at [3] on 02 Nov 06,I am finding that "if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick". It doesn't always work of course (especially on the nights when the class is mostly the beginners), but the class seems to thrive on the challange.2005, Ray Craft (poster on The right scale blog), Fitzhooie and his Burden, read at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Prosecutors everywhere have bad habits of overcharging lots of cases, knowing that if the throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick.2005, Sean Kelleher, Spike Milligan: His part in our downfall in Business 07 Aug 05, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,As long as there is negligible regulation and enforcement anyone can actually try and do the job...Weak regulation allows the industry to build strategies on full time recruitment. The theory goes: throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.c2005, Everything You've Learned About Marketing Is Wrong, read on LINC Performance website at [6] on 02 Nov 06,They have the money to continue to believe in the repetition side of the equation. You throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick. But it still isn
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thumb one's nose »
To act disrespectfully, especially by flouting the object of disrespect.
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to tell the truth »
An attestation to the truthfulness and frankness of an associated statement.
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touch%C3%A9 »
Used in a conversation or debate to concede a point as true, often in response to a successful counter of one's own logic.
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tread lightly »
To proceed carefully; especially, to seek to avoid causing offense.
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true blue »
Indubitably loyal or faithful.
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turn of phrase »
An artful phrasing of words.
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twiddle one's thumbs »
To wait or dawdle; to accomplish nothing useful or lack a useful occupation.
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two for two »
Successful at both of two efforts.
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two wrongs don't make a right »
(ethics) A wrongful action is not a morally appropriate way to correct or cancel a previous wrongful action.1915, William MacLeod Raine, The Highgrader, ch. 15:"But when it comes to taking what belongs to another
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two wrongs make a right »
A logical fallacy whereby a wrongful action is justified by the commission of another
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up front »
Open, honest; tending to disclose information; truthful.
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up to speed »
Fully informed; current.
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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.
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upset the applecart »
To spoil carefully laid plans or arrangements; to spoil something.
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urban fabric »
The physical aspect of urbanism, emphasizing building types, thoroughfares, open space, frontages, and streetscapes; while excluding without prejudice to this useful term, environmental, functional, economic and sociocultural aspects.
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valley of death »
The phase of a startup business beginning with the entrepreneur's fulltime commitment to it and ending when the business has achieved sustainable cash flow.
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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 careful and sensitive, in handling very sensitive matters.
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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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warts and all »
Of or pertaining to a description or other depiction which reveals the full range of characteristics of a person or thing, including the shortcomings and imperfections.
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waste not, want not »
If one is not wasteful then one will not be needy.
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watch one's mouth »
In the imperative form, used as a warning to avoid or stop using inappropriate language, especially profanity, or disrespectful utterances.
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watch one's mouth »
To be careful about what one says, especially with regard to disrespectful or profane language.
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watch out »
To be aware or conscious; to look closely or carefully; to use caution. Often used in the imperative.
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whistle past the graveyard »
To attempt to stay cheerful in a dire situation; To proceed with a task, ignoring an upcoming hazard, hoping for a good outcome.
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who's 'she', the cat's mother%3F »
A rebuke especially directed towards children for having referred to their mother, or any other woman in the third person, instead of using a properly respectful title or their name when appropriate.
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willful ignorance »
A bad faith decision to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having to make undesirable decisions that such information might prompt. It may also be shown as for a person to have no clue in a decision but still goes ahead in their decision.
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wishful thinking »
Decision-making based on self-delusion.
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wishful thinking »
The illusion that what one would like is actually true.
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with a vengeance »
Intensely motivated; resolute; forceful.
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wolf in sheep's clothing »
Something harmful or problematic disguised as something peaceful or pleasant.
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write out »
To write in full length or expanded form.
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you snooze you lose »
If you are not alert and attentive, you will not be successful.
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zero in on »
To successfully narrow down a search.
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