a house is not a home »
A home is not merely a building but requires inhabitants and a friendly atmosphere.
|
about time »
Far past the desired time.
|
about turn »
A complete change of opinion, direction, etc.
|
about turn »
An about face; a military command to a formation of soldiers to reverse the direction in which they are facing.
|
above and beyond »
More than is expected or required.
|
accident of birth »
Reference to the fact that various benefits or detriments to the life of a person arise from the circumstances into which that person was born, these being entirely beyond his control.
|
according to »
According to the directions, the glue takes 24 hours to dry.
|
ache for »
To desire, or want something, or someone, very much.
|
actions speak louder than words »
It is more effective to act directly than to speak of action.
|
add fuel to fire »
To inflame a situation, to make a situation worse.
|
add fuel to the fire »
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
|
all along »
The entire time; always.
|
all fired up »
Excited or energized; highly enthusiastic.
|
all in »
tired out
|
along the lines »
In a general direction or manner.
|
angle for »
To try to obtain something by subtle indirect means. Political manoeuvres, suggestion, etc.
|
as long as »
Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; so long as.
|
ask around »
To enquire about something to different people.
|
ask for the moon »
To claim or desire something that one cannot have.
|
ask round »
To enquire about something to different people.
|
at cross purposes »
Against one another; contrary in direction or goals.
|
autem mort »
A married woman; also a female beggar with several children hired or borrowed to excite charity.
|
backseat driver »
A passenger in a car who insists on giving the driver directions.
|
baptism by fire »
A change in initial attitude or ideals through a traumatic situation.
|
baptism by fire »
A rite of passage through the survival or success of a crisis.
|
baptism by fire »
A trying ordeal that was not experienced before.
|
be at one's beck and call »
To be in the position of serving someone in any way they desire, usually unwillingly.
|
bench jockey »
A baseball term for a player, coach or manager who is annoying and distracts opposition players and umpires from his team's dugout bench with verbal repartee.
|
bird's-eye view »
The view from directly or high above.
|
blood is thicker than water »
Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.1866, Anthony Trollope, The Belton Estate, ch. 30,Blood is thicker than water, is it not? If cousins are not friends, who can be?circa 1915, Lucy Fitch Perkins, The Scotch Twins, ch. 5,The old clans are scattered now, but blood is thicker than water still, and you're welcome to the fireside of your kinsman!
|
blow a kiss »
To kiss one's hand, then blow on the hand in a direction towards the recipient.
|
bogged down »
Stuck; mired, as in detail, difficulty; delayed or made slower.
|
bulletproof »
Capable of withstanding a direct shot by a bullet fired from a gun.
|
buoy up »
To uplift, hearten, inspire or raise the spirits.
|
burn out »
To tire due to overwork.
|
burn rubber »
To accelerate so rapidly from standstill that it leaves a mark of burnt rubber on the road from the tire.
|
burn up »
To catch fire and burn until destroyed.
|
but seriously folks »
Directs attention to immediately preceding failed attempt at humor.
|
buy out »
To purchase the entire stock or extent of something.
|
by the book »
In a manner which adheres strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.
|
by-the-book »
Adhering strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.
|
call forth »
To induce, inspire.
|
call it a day »
To retire.
|
calls for »
Requires; needs to
|
castle in the air »
A visionary project or scheme; a day-dream; an idle fancy; a pipe dream; any plan, desire, or idea that is unlikely to be ever realized; a near impossibility.
|
catch fire »
Become engulfed with flames.
|
cease fire »
truce
|
center field »
A central role in some activity that requires speed.
|
charity mugger »
A person employed by a charity, or by an intermediary fundraising agency employed by the charity, who stands in the street and invites passersby to set up standing orders or direct debits to make regular donations to the charity.
|
chip in »
To put into the pot the amount of chips or money required to continue.
|
clay »
A mineral substance made up of small crystals of silica and alumina, that is ductile when moist; the material of pre-fired ceramics.
|
cold comfort »
Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
|
come to grips »
To confront or deal with directly.
|
company »
A unit of firefighters and their equipment.
|
company »
As he had worked for the CIA for over 30 years, he would soon take retirement from the company.
|
company »
It took six companies to put out the fire.
|
company »
The entire crew of a ship.
|
cry for help »
Acting out as a means of displaying a subconscious desire for attention or help.
|
cut to the chase »
To get to the point; to get on with it; to state something directly.
|
damp squib »
A firework that fails to go off, due to wetting.
|
dead »
No longer used or required.
|
dead as a doorknob »
Entirely, unquestionably or certainly dead.
|
deadbeat dad »
A man, especially one who is divorced or estranged from his partner, who fails to provide monetary child support when he is legally required to do so.
|
deep end »
A situation where expertise or experience is required.
|
desperate times require desperate measures »
Alternative form of desperate times call for desperate measures.
|
die »
Followed by for. Often expressing wider contextual motivations, though sometimes indicating direct causes.
|
die »
Followed by with. Now rare as indicating direct cause.
|
down to the wire »
At the very end of a process or project, especially one with a fast-approaching deadline.
|
draw a blank »
To be unable to produce a required piece of information.
|
drink from a firehose »
To take a small amount from an enormous, hard-to-manage quantity.
|
drink off »
To drink the entirety of in a short period; originally and especially, in a single gulp.
|
eat up »
To accept or believe entirely, immediately, and without questioning.
|
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.
|
enquire after »
To ask about the health of someone.
|
every which way »
All over; in every direction.
|
evil twin »
A rogue wireless access point installed near a legitimate one for purposes of eavesdropping or phishing.
|
face to face »
In person; directly; in the physical presence of somebody.
|
face value »
No more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation.
|
fall off »
A hip hop term; to completely lose the plot in terms of artistic direction.
|
fall off a truck »
Of an item of merchandise, to come into a person's possession without having been paid for; to be acquired illegally.
|
fall off the back of a lorry »
Of an item of merchandise, to come into a perons's possession without having been paid for; to have been acquired illegally.
|
fed up »
Frustrated, annoyed, tired .
|
fifth wheel »
A type of trailer hitch, which consists of a horseshoe-shaped plate on a multi-directional pivot, with a locking pin to couple with the kingpin of a truck trailer.
|
fight fire with fire »
To respond to an attack with a similar or identical method.
|
fight fires »
To deal with urgent matters and minor emergencies rather than longer-term work.
|
fill in »
To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information.
|
fill the bill »
To satisfy a need; to serve a purpose; to fulfill specified requirements.
|
fire away »
To begin shooting at an enemy.
|
fire away »
To begin to talk or present information quickly.
|
fire drill »
An organised practice to prepare occupants of an office, school or other public building for evacuation in the event of a fire.
|
fire escape »
emergency exit
|
fire hose »
A hose used to deliver water in case of fire.
|
fire hose »
The human penis.
|
fire off »
To ask an unexpected question rapidly.
|
fire off »
To write a note or letter quickly.
|
fire on all cylinders »
To operate as effectively as possible.
|
fire up »
To ignite.
|
fire up »
To start.
|
fire up »
To excite; to infuse with energy.
|
fire-breathing »
Caustic, vitriolic or scathing.
|
fire-breathing »
That emits flame from the mouth or nostrils.
|
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.
|
for all the world »
Entirely, to all appearances.
|
full-fledged »
Having full qualification, credentials or preparation; entire; real.
|
gagging for it »
Up for it, having a strong desire for sex.
|
get a handle on »
To build or acquire a basic level of understanding or control.
|
get one's wires crossed »
To get confused or mixed up; to make a mistake.
|
get the axe »
To be fired, axed, terminated.
|
get the sack »
To be fired
|
give somebody the heave-ho »
To fire, expel or break up with someone.
|
give somebody the runaround »
Especially by providing useless information or directions .
|
give the boot »
To fire, to sack, to dismiss.
|
go native »
Of a contractor or consultant, to begin working directly as an employee for a company and cease to work through a contracting firm or agency.
|
go out »
To become extinct, to expire.
|
go the whole hog »
To do something as entirely or completely as possible; to reserve or hold back nothing.
|
go up in smoke »
To catch fire and burn.
|
God works in mysterious ways »
Expressing confidence that a conundrum has a solution despite it not being apparent.Expressing that a seemingly unfortunate or unfavourable situation or change may be beneficial later or in the long run.Person A: It seems that I'm about to be fired from my job.Person B: Well, God works in mysterious ways - maybe it'll be the kick you need to apply to university...
|
goon squad »
A group of individuals serving as enforcers, bodyguards, and the like, especially persons hired for such a purpose and using violent, thuggish methods.
|
grand total »
The entire or final sum.
|
grin like a Cheshire cat »
To smile broadly, especially in a self-satisfied way.
|
hang up one's boots »
Retire, call it a day.
|
hardwired »
Designed to perform a specific task.
|
hardwired »
In humans and animals, genetically determined, instinctive behavior, as opposed to learned behavior.
|
hardwired »
Not changeable.
|
hardwired »
Of devices, closely or tightly coupled.
|
have a seat »
A polite directive to sit down.
|
have eyes in the back of one's head »
To be particularly, especially uncannily, observant; a perceived ability to see in all directions at once.
|
have one's heart set on »
To want or desire deeply, regardless of practicality or rationality.
|
head to toe »
Entirely; completely; over one's full body.
|
head up »
To lead or take the lead; to direct; to take charge.
|
head-on »
Direct, abrupt, blunt or unequivocal; not prevaricating.
|
head-on »
Of a collision, from the front or in the direction of motion.
|
heads will roll »
Some people will be fired for incompetence.
|
hit man »
hired killer
|
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.
|
hold your fire »
Do not discharge your weapon. Used originally for weapons needing a spark or lighting of a fuse to ignite gunpowder, now sometimes used to mean any weapon launching a projectile.
|
hold your fire »
Wait, don't retaliate, calm down, be quiet.
|
homeless dumping »
The practice of hospital employees or emergency workers releasing homeless patients on the streets instead of placing them into the custody of a relative or shelter or retaining them in a hospital where they may require expensive medical care.
|
hoover up »
Quickly, especially by taking it into the mouth directly from the plate rather than using cutlery.
|
horse's mouth »
Source; someone who directly experienced or witnessed something.
|
hot button »
The principal desire that a salesman needs to "hit" in order to make a sale.
|
hot potato »
A child's game in which players pass a ball or other item between them, with the object of avoiding being left holding the item when time expires.
|
how do I get to Carnegie Hall »
A set phrase, spoken as a rhetorical question, which is answered "Practice, practice, practice!" or sometimes with the humorous literal directions to Seventh Avenue between 56th and 57th.
|
how do you like them apples »
Directed jestingly or mockingly at someone who has received surprising information, ridiculing the situation.
|
if only »
I wish that; signifies a wish or desire.
|
in business »
Ready to proceed in a desired activity.
|
in one's element »
In a situation which is entirely appropriate or familiar.
|
inquire after »
To ask about the health of someone.
|
inquire of »
To ask someone.
|
jump the queue »
To desire preferential treatment, undue influence; impatient.
|
kick the bucket »
Of a machine, to break down such that it cannot be repaired.
|
kit and caboodle »
Everything entirely, the whole lot.
|
knock on wood »
A self-directive to undertake the customary action to ward off bad luck.
|
knock up »
To exhaust; wear out; weary; beat; tire out; to fatigue until unable to do more.
|
last burst of fire »
A final effort or warning.
|
last burst of fire »
A state of exertion where one gives one's all; expending all of one's remaining energy in a final effort to achieve one's goal.
|
latch onto »
To obtain, acquire or get and keep hold of something.
|
lay about »
To strike blows in all directions.
|
lay rubber »
To accelerate so rapidly from standstill that it leaves a mark of burnt rubber on the road from the tire.
|
lead time »
The amount of time between the initiation of some process and its completion, e.g. the time required to manufacture or procure a product; the time required before something can be provided or delivered.
|
level up »
To progress to the next level of player character stats and abilities. Often used in role-playing games when the character has aquired enough experience points.
|
light a fire under »
To start sooner or move faster.
|
little pitchers have big ears »
Small children often overhear more of what is said than adults realize or desire.1844, Charlotte M. Yonge, Abbeychurch, ch. 2:Seeing me listening to something she was saying to Mamma, she turned round upon me with that odious proverb, "Little pitchers have long ears."1939, "Bedtime Bedlam," Time, 17 Apr.:A caution to U. S. parents, but a joy to radio merchandising, is the dread truth that little pitchers have big ears.2002, Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, ISBN 9780743455961, p. 185:I suppose he might say pushed or went woowoo, but took a shit is, I fear, very much in the ballpark (little pitchers have big ears, after all).
|
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 wire »
An electrical wire through which there is a flow of electrical current.
|
live wire »
An especially energetic, alert, or vivacious person.
|
long finger »
[hire purchase]] or credit.
|
look off »
To mislead by directing one's apparent attention away from one's true object of intent.
|
member for Barkshire »
Said of one troubled with a cough, vulgarly styled barking.
|
no smoke without fire »
Indicative of the fact that gossip or accusations are often substantiated by fact.
|
of sorts »
Resembling; similar to; in a way; partial or not entire; somewhat.
|
off the chain »
Free from work or direct supervision. In reference to slave labor, where workers are chained, or to the figurative chain of workers of an assembly line.
|
on a full stomach »
Directly after eating, after a meal.
|
on demand »
When needed or required.
|
on spec »
Short form of "on speculation": Creating a work with the hope of selling it, as opposed to creating a work "on commission" for hire.
|
on the clock »
In the official time expired in a game or other sporting event.
|
on the clock »
Of a taxicab, engaged for hire; displayed numerically as time or fare on the meter of a taxicab.
|
open fire »
To begin firing at something or someone.
|
out of gas »
Tired; lacking energy or motivation.
|
out of the frying pan, into the fire »
From an already bad situation to a worse one.
|
out on one's ear »
Fired, dismissed or thrown out, especially for some wrongdoing or otherwise with disgrace.
|
packing heat »
Carrying one or more firearms on one's person, especially in a concealed manner.
|
pay one's dues »
To acquire status or to earn the right to enjoy certain benefits, especially through lengthy experience, hardship, or service to an organization.
|
penny for your thoughts »
Used to inquire into the thoughts and feelings of another, especially when the person appears pensive or conflicted.
|
pipe dream »
A plan, desire, or idea that will not likely work; a near impossibility.
|
play the race card »
To assert that race or racism is responsible for a course of events, especially when race is not of particular significance to the issue in question; to attempt to inspire a particular reaction by raising the issue of race.
|
play with fire »
To put oneself in a precarious situation with a high risk of getting harmed, particularly emotionally or financially.
|
point blank »
The distance between a gun and a target such that it requires minimal effort in aiming it. In particular no allowance needs to be made for the effects of gravity, target movement or wind in aiming the projectile.
|
point of no return »
The point in an aircraft's flight when there is insufficient fuel to reverse direction and return to the place of origin.
|
point the finger »
To accuse; to direct or imply blame.
|
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.
|
pull the trigger »
To fire a gun.
|
put about »
To change direction.
|
put one's mind to it »
To apply oneself; to exert a directed effort.
|
put out »
The statistic of the number of outs a defensive player directly caused.
|
put someone in mind of »
To remind someone of; to inspire a mental image or awareness of; to cause thoughts concerning.
|
rabble rouser »
Someone or something that tends to inspire mobs; something controversial or provocative.
|
rake »
The direction of slip during fault movement. The rake is measured within the fault plane.
|
real job »
A job which requires the employee to, work regular hours for a consistent wage that often exceeds the provisions of applicable minimum wage legislation. A job that produces a living wage.
|
rediscover fire »
To relearn fundamental concepts, principles or practices that had been previously well known and widely practiced at a prior time in human society.
|
roadwarrior »
A person who carries a mobile device such as a laptop or PDA and uses wireless internet connections to work.
|
run away with »
To be misled by imagining that one's desires can come true.
|
sell »
To promote a particular viewpoint; to manipulate towards a desired end.
|
serpentine »
Sinuous; curving in alternate directions.
|
set the stage »
To prepare; to establish the basis or required conditions.
|
set the Thames on fire »
To achieve something amazing; to do something which brings great public acclaim.
|
settle for »
To accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable.
|
shape up or ship out »
To either improve one's behavior or else be required to leave; to either improve one's performance in an activity or else withdraw from that activity completely.
|
shooting iron »
A firearm, especially a handgun.
|
shotgun »
A gun which fires loads consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.
|
side issue »
An issue or topic which is not of direct significance to a primary concern.
|
skeleton crew »
The minimum number of personnel needed to operate and maintain an item at its most simple operating requirements, such as a ship or business, during an emergency or shut down, and at the same time, to keep vital functions operating.
|
sleepy head »
A very tired person.
|
small arms »
Firearms designed to be carried and fired by a single person; often held in the hand.
|
smell the barn »
To experience heightened anticipation or to act with renewed speed or energy as one approaches a destination, goal, or other desired outcome, like a livestock animal at day's end returning to its barn.
|
smoke signal »
An indirect message or indication, especially concerning a future event.
|
so long as »
Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; as long as.
|
sour grapes »
A putting down or expression of disdain about something that one desires but cannot have.
|
spare tire »
An extra wheel or tire carried as a replacement in case of a flat.
|
spare tire »
Excess weight or fat accumulated near the waist.
|
spark spread »
The difference between the cost of the fuel required to produce a unit of electricity, and the price of that same unit of electricity.
|
spectator sport »
A sporting activity which has a relatively high ratio of watchers to direct participants.
|
squint like a bag of nails »
To squint very much, as though one's eyes were directed as many ways as the points of a bag of nails.
|
stop press »
The event or news article important enough to delay or interrupt the print, or require a reprint, of a publication, particularly of a newspaper edition.
|
straight from the horse's mouth »
Directly from the source; firsthand.
|
straight from the shoulder »
Done in a direct manner; blunt.
|
supposed to »
Required.
|
swan song »
A final performance or accomplishment, especially one before retirement.
|
take on »
To acquire, bring in, or introduce.
|
take with a pinch of salt »
Not take entirely seriously.
|
the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get »
(vulgar) The sexual satisfactions that one receives from a spouse or romantic partner are not sufficient to compensate for the significant periods of bad faith and unpleasant treatment which such relationships routinely involve.1971, Allen Churchill, The Literary Decade, ISBN 9780135375228:Years later she expressed her disillusionment with sex by saying, "The fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."1999, Ben Sonnenberg, Lost Property: Memoirs and Confessions of a Bad Boy, ISBN 9781582430454, p. 93:Maitland got drunk at his parties and threw his arm around you and pulled you over to his wife and made you look down her dress, saying, "The trouble with marriage is that the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."2008, Joseph Heywood, Blue Wolf In Green Fire, ISBN 9781599213590, p. 63:"I can't believe a little pussy got me into dis mess." "Shit happens," Service said. "Sometimes the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."
|
the whole shooting match »
Everything; the entire collection, endeavor, or activity.
|
there but for the grace of God go I »
A recognition that others' misfortune could be one's own, if it weren't for the blessing/kindness/luck bestowed by fate or the Divine.Man's fate is in God's hands.More generally, our fate is not entirely in our own hands.
|
there may be snow on the rooftop but there is fire in the furnace »
Even if a person is in his or her senior years, with gray hair, he or she can still have ambition and energy, especially sexual energy.
|
there you have it »
Used to introduce a speaker's interpretation of what has just transpired or been described.
|
think the world of »
To have a good opinion; to esteem; to admire.
|
through and through »
Completely; entirely; fundamentally.
|
time off »
A period of time where one is not required to work.
|
timing is everything »
Consideration of other events can greatly influence some desired outcome (such as an audience laughing to a comedian's joke).Telling the old joke about a butt-crack was not a good idea, just as the plumber arrived, Bob.You know what they say: "timing is everything." I'm sure we can find another plumber before the house floods.
|
tire out »
To make someone tired; to exhaust.
|
tired and emotional »
Drunk.
|
to the gills »
Entirely or extremely; to the greatest degree possible.
|
track record »
An organization's, product's, or person's past performance reviewed in its entirety, usually for the purpose of making a judgment.
|
trigger-happy »
Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm irresponsibly before adequately identifying the target.
|
tucker out »
To exhaust; to tire out.
|
turn back »
To reverse one's direction and retrace one's steps.
|
turn down »
To reposition by turning, flipping, etc. in a downward direction.
|
turn in »
To go to sleep; retire to bed.
|
under fire »
Criticized or held responsible for something.
|
under fire »
Subjected to enemy attack.
|
under one's nose »
Directly in front of one; clearly visible.
|
under the wire »
Across the finish line.
|
under the wire »
At the last minute; before the deadline; barely on time; nearly late.
|
walk in the snow »
An occasion when a momentous career decision is made, especially a decision to resign or retire.
|
washed out »
To be very tired and lacking energy.
|
wear out »
To become exhausted, tired, fatigued, or weary, as by continued strain or exertion.
|
what's eating somebody »
? Inquired of somebody who is upset, worried, angry, etc.
|
whatever it takes »
Anything that may be required to achieve an objective.
|
where there's smoke, there's fire »
If there is telltale evidence of some event, the event is probably occurring.
|
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.
|
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.
|
whole shebang »
Everything; the entire thing.
|
willy nilly »
Whether desired or not.
|
winkle out »
To acquire something or someone with difficulty.
|
word on the wire »
The rumour or news going around on the Internet, in business, on the street, or in social circles.
|
wrap around one's fingers »
To make one susceptible to desire, in that their behavior or actions are influenced.
|
write one's own ticket »
To be empowered to choose whatever job, financial arrangement, or course of action one desires.
|
yellowbelly »
Someone from Lincolnshire.
|
you can't say fairer than that »
That is good, reasonable, or fair; one cannot hope for a better decision or outcome.
|
you can't take it with you »
It is not possible to take one's material wealth to whatever world may await one after death.1900, E. Phillips Oppenheim, A Millionaire of Yesterday, ch. 6:"The clause which
|
you're never too old to learn »
It is possible to learn new things, at any age; (implying) follow your desires and dreams
|
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