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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lead »
Vertical space in advance of a row or between rows of text. Also known as leading.
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let the cat out of the bag »
To disclose a secret; to let a secret be known, often inadvertently.
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make for »
????, translator unknown, author Galileo Galilei, Two Chief World Systems.
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off the beaten path »
In a secluded location; in a place which is not frequently visited or not widely known.
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old hat »
Something widely or long practiced, known, or accepted; something conventional.
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on the tip of one's tongue »
Known but not quite remembered.
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one-hit wonder »
A musical performer or musical group known for a single hit song, especially after failing at later attempts at success.
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one-hit wonder »
A person or group known for achieving only a single major accomplishment.
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party animal »
A person known for frequent, enthusiastic attendance at parties, especially one whose partying behavior is exuberant or excessive.
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pig in a poke »
Something whose true value is concealed or unknown, especially something offered for sale.
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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.
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remains to be seen »
Is not yet known.
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slippery as an eel »
So crafty, or cunning that they cannot be caught by the police, although it is known that they are acting illegally.
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so-and-so »
A placeholder name, used when a name is not known; a generic name.
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speak out »
To assert or promote one's opinion; to make one's thoughts known.
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speak up »
To make oneself or one's opinions known; to advocate or assert oneself.
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take it to the bank »
Said to emphasize that something is known for sure.
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take the red pill »
To understand the world in its previously unknown reality.
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tomorrow is another day »
Tomorrow will bring new opportunities and a fresh start for one's endeavors.1600, author unknown, "Phillidaes Love-call to her Coridon, and his replying" (song), in England's Helicon, printed at London by I.R. for John Flasket:Phil. Yonder comes my Mother, Coridon,whether shall I flie?Cor. Under yonder Beech my lovely one,while she passeth by.Say to her thy true-Love was not heere,remember, remember,to morrow is another day:1896, Amelia E. Barr, A Knight of the Nets, ch. 8:"Well, well, my dear lass, to-night we cannot work, but we may sleep. . . . Keep a still heart tonight, and tomorrow is another day."1936, Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind, ch. 63:"Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day."2005, Fran Schumer, "JERSEY: In Princeton, Taking On Harvard's Fuss About Women," New York Times, 19 June (retrieved 18 Aug. 2009):"Half of me is depressed
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tried and true »
Well-established and tested; known to work or succeed based on extensive experience.
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yours sincerely »
A polite formula to end a letter, especially when the recipient’s name is known to the sender.
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