flower» An inflorescence that resembles a flower, but actually contains many small florets, such as a sunflower.
flutter in the dovecote» I further argued that the principal cause for the political deadlock that persisted for thirty years after the guns fell silent was Israeli intransigence rather than Arab intransigence. The appearance of the first wave of revisionist studies excited a great deal of interest and controversy in the media and more than a flutter in the academic dovecote. — Israel Confronts Its Past.
fly-by-night» Businesses that appear and disappear rapidly, or that give an impression of transience.
fool's errand» A foolish undertaking, especially one that is purposeless, fruitless, nonsensical, or certain to fail.
for keeps» With an agreement or intention to retain what one gains or receives.
for the nonce» For the time being, with the expectation that the situation may change.
forbidden fruit» Illicit pleasure; something that one should not take or get involved with, such as an another person's spouse.
force of habit» An act that has been repeated to the point where the performance of the act becomes automatic.
forewarned is forearmed» Advance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it.1863, Charles Reade, Hard Cash, ch. 4:[W]hatever a young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies; but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine . . . forewarned is forearmed.1885, G. A. Henty, Saint George for England, ch. 4:Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed.circa 1903, Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Why Mr. Cropper Changed His Mind":"Well, Miss Maxwell, I think it only fair to tell you that you may have trouble with those boys when they do come. Forewarned is forearmed, you know."
from my cold, dead hands» A statement that something will not be taken away from you until the day you die.
gallows humor» Comedy that makes light of death or other very serious matters.
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"
get it» To "get what's coming to him/her"; to feel one's wrath; to receive punishment; to receive a retaliation; to receive a beating.
