a man is known by the company he keeps »
People are similar in character to their friends.
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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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big break »
A breakthrough, especially the first big hit of a previously unknown performer or performers in the entertainment industry.
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big fish in a small pond »
One who has achieved a high rank or is highly esteemed, but only in a small, relatively unimportant, or little known location or organization.
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claim to fame »
That for which one has bragging rights; one's reason for being well-known or famous.
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come up »
To emerge or become known, especially unexpectedly; to come to attention, present itself.
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for my money »
Used to mark a statement made by the speaker as an opinion or something not known with certainty.
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for the record »
Already publicly known.
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for XYZ reasons »
For reasons unknown and not worth speculating on.
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give or take »
Approximately; plus or minus some unknown amount.
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hack into »
To gain unauthorized entry to, particularly by exploiting little-known weaknesses.
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hit the big time »
To become successful and widely known.
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household name »
A brand name that is well known to the great majority of households.
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household name »
A very well-known public figure.
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knock around »
To be in an unknown place.
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