a new broom sweeps clean »
New management will often make radical changes.
|
a rising tide lifts all boats »
Benefits provided to a few may lead to conditions that are beneficial to all.
|
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.
|
accident waiting to happen »
A thing or situation which is almost certain to eventually lead to an accident.
|
acknowledge the corn »
To cop a plea; to admit to a small error but not a larger one.
|
air out »
To expose to air; to leave open or spread out, as to allow odor or moisture to dissipate.
|
all clear »
permission to proceed
|
all over but the shouting »
The substance of the contest is complete, leaving only the cheering.
|
all over the place »
Inconsistent; lacking a clear pattern.
|
all roads lead to Rome »
different paths can take one to the same goal
|
all's fair in love and war »
unpleasant behavior is acceptable during love and conflict.
|
another nail in one's coffin »
One in a series of factors which lead, or purport to lead, to downfall.
|
apple does not fall far from the tree »
A child grows up to be very similar to its parents, both in behavior and in physical characteristics.1842, E. A. Freidlaender (translator), Frederika Bremer (author), The Neighbours, ch. 10:It is impossible to look at Madam Rhen, without at once making the conclusion that she is pleasantness, hospitality, and loquacity itself; nor can one look upon her daughter Renetta without thinking, "the apple does not fall far from the tree!"1978, Dr. Isador Rosenfeld, "Doctor Asks Patient
|
atom bomb »
nuclear weapon
|
bad news »
News of unpleasant, unfortunate or sad events.
|
bad penny »
A person or thing which is unpleasant, disreputable, or otherwise unwanted, especially one which repeatedly appears at inopportune times.
|
bail out »
To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail money.
|
bail out »
To leave or not attend.
|
bark up the wrong tree »
To attempt or pursue the wrong thing; to take the wrong approach; to follow a false lead.
|
bat around »
When at least nine batters bat in a half inning.
|
be in for »
To be able to expect or anticipate; to be about to suffer, generally said of something unpleasant.
|
be off »
To leave.
|
beat around the bush »
To delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant.
|
bed of roses »
A pleasant or easy situation.
|
beer and skittles »
Something pleasurable.
|
bend the truth »
To change or leave out certain facts of a story or situation, generally in order to elicit a specific response in the audience.
|
between a rock and a hard place »
Having the choice between two unpleasant or distasteful options; in a predicament or quandary.
|
big kahuna »
A boss, leader, chieftain, or top-ranking person in an organization.
|
bill of goods »
A set of misleading or deceptive claims; misinformation.
|
bitter pill »
Something unpleasant that must be accepted or endured.
|
blow chunks »
To be very bad, inadequate, unpleasant, or miserable; to thoroughly suck.
|
blow this popsicle stand »
To leave an establishment speedily.
|
bomb around »
The drive around at speed for pleasure.
|
born in a barn »
Engaging in the annoying behavior of inappropriately, and usually neglectfully, leaving open a door or window.
|
bottoming the house »
The process by where someone cleans their house 'from top to bottom'. It is a very thorough clean indeed, even more so than 'spring cleaning'.
|
bow out »
To resign, or leave, with one's credibility still intact.
|
brain fart »
A lapse in the thought process; an inability to think or remember something clearly.
|
break away »
To leave suddenly.
|
bright line »
A clear distinction in the context of a legal or moral judgment.
|
bright-line rule »
A clear-cut, easy to make decision.
|
bright-line rule »
A clearly defined rule or standard, comprised of objective factors, which leaves little or no room for varying interpretation.
|
bring home the bacon »
To have a job and earn money or to lead a successful career.
|
brown power »
The production of electricity made from conventional sources, such as coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power.
|
bug off »
Used to tell somebody to leave them alone.
|
bum rap »
A false accusation, or an injustice, especially one that leads to imprisonment.
|
bunny hop »
A jump made where both wheels leave the ground.
|
burn rubber »
To accelerate so rapidly from standstill that it leaves a mark of burnt rubber on the road from the tire.
|
bury the hatchet »
To stop fighting or arguing; to reach an agreement, or at least a truce.
|
bury the lead »
To begin a story with details of secondary importance to the reader while postponing more essential points or facts.
|
bush league »
A low-ranking or inferior level among groups, professions, organizations, etc.
|
bush league »
A professional sports association at the lower levels of minor league organization.
|
business before pleasure »
An admonishment that discharging one's obligations must take precedence over devoting time to pursuits meant solely for one's own gratification.
|
by leaps and bounds »
Rapidly. Said of making progress.
|
by the way »
[...] I had counted on a life-lease of the profits, whereas I only received those of a few short years. But this is by the way.
|
camel's nose »
A metaphor for a situation where the permitting of some small act will lead consequently to a larger undesirable act or circumstance.
|
can't wait »
To eagerly anticipate; to find it unbearable to wait for a forthcoming pleasurable event.
|
chain reaction »
A nuclear reaction in which particles produced by the fission of one atom trigger fissions of other atoms.
|
check out »
To leave in a hurry.
|
clean code »
Software code that is formatted correctly and in an organized manner so that another coder can easily read or modify it.
|
clean house »
To clean the interior of a house.
|
clean house »
To reform by removing undesirable personnel and procedures.
|
clean out »
To clean, especially to tidy by removing the contents.
|
clean out »
To empty completely; to remove all money or possessions from.
|
clean someone's clock »
To defeat decisively, in a physical fight or other competition or negotiation.
|
clean up »
To become clean, handsome, smart in appearance, e.g. for a special occasion, especially when it is out of character to be seen as such.
|
clean up »
To make a large profit; to win by a large margin, or to win a large amount, especially in gambling. Also clean house.
|
clean up »
To make an area or a thing clean; to pick up a mess; to tidy.
|
clean up one's act »
To reform; to improve one's habits.
|
clear cut »
Having had all vegetation removed.
|
clear cut »
Straightforward, obvious, simple, or basic.
|
clear the decks »
To prepare for action.
|
clear the decks »
To remove, or fasten, all loose material, or partitions prior to a naval engagement.
|
clear up »
To clarify, to correct a misconception.
|
clear up »
Of stormy weather, to dissipate, to become calm.
|
clue stick »
A metaphorical stick used to beat information or understanding into a slow learner.
|
cold comfort »
Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
|
come clean »
To confess; admit.
|
come the acid »
To make oneself unpleasant, especially by sarcasm.
|
company »
Keep the house clean, I have company coming.
|
crash course »
A quick, intense course of learning, especially one which is informal or hurried.
|
crystal clear »
Completely clear and understood.
|
crystal-clear »
Completely clear and understood.
|
cut a wide swath »
To clear a broad track through a grassland, woodland, geographical region, or other area, either by natural means or by human action.
|
cut and dried »
Simple, straightforward, clear, or certain.
|
dar brincos »
To jump, leap.
|
dash off »
To leave a place quickly or briefly.
|
deathblow »
A strike or blow that leads to death, especially a coup de grace.
|
deliver the message to Garcia »
...grasp the demands and exactions of business life. He learns that the main thing to do is to "deliver the message to Garcia"....
|
deliver the message to Garcia »
What we need is people who get the job done, no matter how. We don't want pickers who'll only learn if we use their preferred learning method. Have you read "A Message to Garcia" ? That's what we need today - young people who can deliver the message to Garcia.
|
dirty laundry »
A clothes hamper or other container used to place unclean or soiled laundry.
|
dirty laundry »
Laundry that is unclean or soiled.
|
dog's life »
A life of indolence where the individual may do as he or she pleases, just like a pampered dog.
|
draw stumps »
To cease doing something, at least for the day.
|
drip »
To leak slowly.
|
drive away »
To force someone or something to leave.
|
drive off »
To force to leave or go away.
|
drive-by media »
Media professionals who "spray" a bunch of repetitive misstatements, mistaken and misinterpreted news reports to cause excitement and confusion. They then figuratively "drive off" leaving the cleanup of their mess and hysteria to others, to correct and properly explain and interpret.
|
drop a bomb »
To release faeces from the bowels; to excrete.
|
drop off »
To deliver; to deposit or leave.
|
dusty miller »
One of several species of plants with leaves of a dusty appearance: Centaurea cineraria, Senecio cineraria, and Lychnis coronaria.
|
err on the side of caution »
To act in the least risky manner in a situation where one is uncertain about the consequences.
|
every day is a school day »
You learn something new every day.
|
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
|
experience is the best teacher »
Lessons learned from experience are the most lasting.
|
f** knows »
I don't know; nobody knows; it is unclear.
|
face the music »
To accept or confront the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
|
face up to »
To confront a condition or situation, typically one that is unpleasant or uncomfortable.
|
fair off »
To clear.
|
fear »
A strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat.
|
feast for the eyes »
Visually pleasing sight.
|
field day »
Top-to-bottom all-hands cleaning.
|
fight a losing battle »
To continue to wage war when it is clear that one is not going to win.
|
final cut »
In the movie industry, the final released version of the film.
|
five by five »
I hear you loud and clear
|
flea in one's ear »
A stinging rebuke or rebuff.
|
flogging the land »
Damaging agricultural land through excessive grazing or clearing.
|
fly in the ointment »
Something which ruins or spoils everything else; a nuisance or problem; an unpleasant or disagreeable detail.
|
follow suit »
To play a card of the same suit as the previous or leading card.
|
footloose and fancy free »
Able to do as one pleases, unconstrained by social ties or responsibilities.
|
for kicks »
In order to obtain pleasure or excitement; for fun.
|
forbidden fruit »
Illicit pleasure; something that one should not take or get involved with, such as an another person's spouse.
|
four-leaf clover »
A bringer of good luck.
|
four-leaf clover »
An uncommon variation of the clover, having four leaves instead of the usual three.
|
friend with benefits »
A friendship with no reserves when it comes to the release of shared sexual tension thus leading to sexual fraternization.
|
get by »
To subsist; to succeed, survive, or manage, at least at a minimum level.
|
get into one's stride »
To become familiar with something recently learnt.
|
get it over with »
To do or finish, especially said of something unpleasant.
|
get out of Dodge »
To leave; in particular to leave a difficult or dangerous environment with all possible haste.
|
get out of here »
To leave or exit a place.
|
get something over with »
To do something quickly and hastily; without procrastination, especially so as to have something unpleasant behind oneself.
|
get the drift »
To understand, at least at some basic or general level.
|
give me liberty or give me death »
A set-phrase indicating enormous displeasure at any over-authoritarian policy or law.
|
give notice »
To announce one's intent to leave a job; to inform an employer that one is leaving.
|
give the devil his due »
To acknowledge the positive qualities of a person who is unpleasant or disliked.
|
glutton for punishment »
One persistent in an effort in spite of harmful or unpleasant results.
|
go away »
Command asking someone to leave them alone.
|
go by the board »
To estimate the velocity of a boat or ship in knots by casting overboard the knotted line to whose end is attached the lead and thereafter counting the knots in the line as it goes aft along the side boards of the vessel.
|
go off »
To depart; to leave.
|
go out »
To leave, especially a building.
|
go out »
To leave one's abode to go to public places.
|
go without saying »
To be obvious, apparent or clear, or already established.
|
golden handcuffs »
Any arrangement or agreement designed to provide extremely favorable benefits or pay, so as to discourage participant from wanting to leave, especially to retain a choice employee.
|
golden handshake »
A generous severance payment, especially as an inducement to leave employment.
|
gray area »
A part that is not clear or certain; something that is open to interpretation.
|
greenwash »
A false or misleading picture of environmental friendliness used to conceal or obscure damaging activities.
|
grey area »
A topic that is not clearly one thing or the other.
|
hardwired »
In humans and animals, genetically determined, instinctive behavior, as opposed to learned behavior.
|
hatchet man »
Someone who carries out brutal and unpleasant duties on behalf of another, such as firing dead wood employees.
|
haul ass »
To hurry; to move quickly, especially to leave.
|
haul off »
To leave.
|
have it large »
To engage intensely in pleasure-seeking activities.
|
head up »
To lead or take the lead; to direct; to take charge.
|
hear on the grapevine »
To hear rumors; to learn through friends of friends.
|
hear through the grapevine »
To hear rumors; to learn through friends of friends.
|
hell on earth »
A very unpleasant situation; torment, particularly when widespread.
|
hell raiser »
wild pleasure seeker
|
hindsight is 20/20 »
(idiomatic) In hindsight things are obvious that were not obvious from the outset; one is able to evaluate past choices more clearly than at the time of the choice.
|
hit the bricks »
To leave or depart; to get out.
|
hit the road »
To leave a place; to go away.
|
hit the spot »
To be particularly pleasing or appropriate; to be just right.
|
hit the trail »
To leave or depart.
|
hold one's tongue »
To keep quiet; especially, to leave something unsaid.
|
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 »
Into a vacuum cleaner, irrespective of brand.
|
horse's ass »
A jerk; an unpleasant, unlikable person; an asshole.
|
house cooling party »
A party to celebrate when a person decides to leave a house or flat, and sometimes to help prepare the space for the incoming residents.
|
if it ain't broke, don't fix it »
Leave something alone; avoid correcting, fixing, or improving what is already sufficient, as it could end up being detrimental
|
if you lie with dogs you will get fleas »
It is important whom to choose as one's closest acquanitances.
|
in a league of one's own »
Far excelling even the closest contender; not having any worthy competition.
|
in black and white »
Explicitly, in writing, clearly and without doubt or misunderstanding, without any grey areas.
|
in focus »
Clearly perceived.
|
in focus »
Sharp and clear with no fuzziness.
|
in front of one's nose »
Plain; clearly apparent; obvious.
|
in hot water »
In trouble; in the position of arousing somebody's anger or displeasure.
|
in one's right mind »
Sane, sensible, reasonable; thinking clearly.
|
in the clear »
Not guilty or not suspected of wrongdoing.
|
jack of all trades, master of none »
A master of integration, who knows enough from many learned trades and skills to be able to bring their disciplines together in a practical manner; a polymath; a renaissance man.
|
jet set »
A set of wealthy people who travel for pleasure.
|
jet-setter »
A member of the jet set, a rich person who travels for pleasure.
|
jump »
To cause oneself to leave an elevated location and fall downward.
|
jump »
To employ a parachute to leave an aircraft or elevated location.
|
jump down »
To leave an elevated position to a lower position by one jump.
|
keep straight »
To avoid confusing or mixing up something; to keep something clear or organized.
|
kick butt »
To be impressive; to be decisively good or pleasant.
|
l'esprit de l'escalier »
The experience of thinking of a devastating rejoinder only after leaving the scene of the debate.
|
landing strip »
A cultivated pubic hair pattern in which much of the pubic hair is removed, leaving only a central vertical line or rectangle.
|
lay it on the line »
To state something, for example an ultimatum, strongly and clearly.
|
lay rubber »
To accelerate so rapidly from standstill that it leaves a mark of burnt rubber on the road from the tire.
|
lead »
A roof covered with lead sheets or terne plates.
|
lead »
A thin strip of type metal, used to separate lines of type in printing.
|
lead »
Bullets.
|
lead »
I would have the tower two stories, and goodly leads upon the top. — Bacon.
|
lead »
Sheets or plates of lead used as a covering for roofs.
|
lead »
To estimate velocity in knots.
|
lead »
Used in pencils.
|
lead »
Vertical space in advance of a row or between rows of text. Also known as leading.
|
lead a charmed life »
To always be lucky and safe from danger.
|
lead down a garden path »
To mislead; to seduce.
|
lead nowhere »
To have no purpose, to result in nothing.
|
lead someone down the garden path »
To deceive, hoodwink.
|
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.
|
leader of the free world »
The President of the United States.
|
leading lady »
starring actress
|
leaf through »
Rapidly reading short sections at random.
|
lean and mean »
Efficient because of having nothing in excess of what is needed, and single-minded in one's objective.
|
lean on »
To apply pressure on.
|
lean on »
To depend upon for support.
|
lean to »
shed
|
lean towards »
To favor in a decision.
|
leap year »
Period of 366 days
|
learn by heart »
To memorize.
|
leather working »
The technology of making products from leather.
|
leave behind »
To abandon.
|
leave no stone unturned »
To do a task very carefully and thoroughly, not missing any step.
|
leave no stone unturned »
To search thoroughly for something, looking in every conceivable place.
|
leave nothing to the imagination »
He stripped down to a pair of see-through briefs that left nothing to the imagination.
|
leave nothing to the imagination »
To cover or hide very little or nothing.
|
leave somebody high and dry »
To abandon somebody; to stop providing assistance at a crucial moment.
|
leave somebody holding the bag »
To abandon somebody, leaving the responsibility or blame.
|
leave somebody in the lurch »
To abandon somebody; especially, to abandon somebody and leave him or her in a difficult situation.
|
leave to one's own devices »
To leave alone, unsupervised, without assistance.
|
leave well enough alone »
To leave something alone; to avoid attempts to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient.
|
leave well enough alone »
To leave something alone; to avoid attempts to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient
|
less is more »
That which is less complicated is often better understood and more appreciated than what is more complicated; simplicity is preferable to complexity; brevity in communication is more effective than verbosity.1855, Robert Browning, "Men and Women":Well, less is more, Lucrezia: I am judged.1954, "'Less Is More'," Time, 14 Jun.:The essence of Mies's architectural philosophy is in his famous and sometimes derided phrase, "Less is more." This means, he says, having "the greatest effect with the least means."2007, Gia Kourlas, "Dance Review: An Ordered World Defined With Soothing Spareness," New York Times, 3 Mar. (retrieved 22 Oct. 2008):The program, which features two premieres
|
let it be »
To leave something to follow its natural course.
|
let sleeping dogs lie »
To leave things as they are; especially, to avoid restarting or rekindling an old argument; to leave disagreements in the past.
|
lie back and think of England »
Used to preface any unpleasant but inevitable experience.
|
life of the party »
A person who participates in entertainment events in a very enthusiastic manner and who has a leading role in inspiring others to join in the spirit of festivity.
|
life's not all skittles and beer »
Skittles and Beer refers to the carefree, indulgent bar life; skittles being a British pub game. Thus, life's not all skittles and beer means that not everything is about pleasure.
|
look before you leap »
Don't jump into something too precipitously; be at least a bit foresightful or circumspect.
|
look forward »
To anticipate or expect; especially, to expect something to be pleasant.
|
look forward to »
To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure.
|
look off »
To mislead by directing one's apparent attention away from one's true object of intent.
|
lord of the flies »
A ruler over a worthless kingdom; leader of a meaningless microcosm.
|
make oneself scarce »
To leave or depart, or to avoid or stay away.
|
make tracks »
To leave in a hurry.
|
make tracks »
To leave or depart; to go away.
|
managerial inbreeding »
Bad management, caused by managers making poor selection choices in recruitment, rewards, and promotions of the staff that report to them, leading to another generation of managers who lack the necessary skill sets to reward and promote the most effective staff.
|
marry in haste, repent at leisure »
Getting married too soon will lead to a bad marriage.
|
marry in haste, repent at leisure »
Two things together too soon will lead to problems.
|
mixed message »
Any communication that is contradictory, inconsistent, or unclear, especially in its motive or intent.
|
mop up »
To clean with a mop; especially to clean up a spill or mess.
|
move on »
To leave somewhere for another place.
|
muck out »
To clean the excrement and other rubbish from the area where an animal is kept, such as a horse stable or a dog kennel.
|
necker's knob »
A knob attached to the steering wheel of an automobile, especially before the widespread availability of power steering, helping the driver steer with one arm and leaving the other arm free to provide romantic attention to a companion.
|
nobody's perfect »
Used when someone's mistakes or flaws are acknowledged, to remind that everyone else makes mistakes and has flaws1995, New York Magazine Vol. 28, No. 5, 30 January 1995, The de-moralization of society (Book Review)Hypocrisy, particularly in sexual matters, is excused on the grounds that hey, nobody's perfect, and at least folks back then felt bad enough to lie.2000, Madonna, Nobody's PerfectI feel so sad. What I did wasn't right. I feel so bad and I must say to you: Sorry, but nobody's perfect. Nobody's perfect. What did you expect? I'm doing my best
|
nosebleed seat »
A seat high in the back of bleachers, stands, or the balcony at a theater.
|
not leave one's thoughts »
Said when one keeps thinking about something.
|
not the end of the world »
It's of minor importance, at least not as important as it first seemed.
|
off the chain »
Crazy and exciting; delirious and wild. By analogy to a frenetic dog when unleashed.
|
old time used to be »
Roberta, lyrics by Leadbelly.
|
on the clock »
Displayed numerically on the mileage or kilometric gauge.
|
on the ropes »
Leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse.
|
on top of the world »
Delighted; ecstatic; exceptionally pleased, happy, or satisfied.
|
one in the eye for »
An event or achievement which is unpleasant for someone, especially for those who considered it impossible or unwelcome; an annoyance.
|
one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind »
A cliché used to exaggerate an accomplishment or milestone..
|
one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind »
Words spoken by Neil Armstrong when taking the first steps on the moon.
|
one-night stand »
A single sexual encounter between two individuals, where at least one of the parties has no immediate intention or expectation of establishing a longer-term sexual or romantic relationship. As the phrase implies, the relationship lasts for only one night.
|
or else »
Clean up your room, or else!.
|
out of it »
Disoriented; not thinking clearly.
|
out of one's league »
In a situation in which one is mismatched with one or more others, whose accomplishments, preparedness, or other characteristics are on a significantly higher or lower level than one's own.
|
out of proportion »
Not in a proper or pleasing relation to other things, especially in terms of size.
|
overkill »
A destructive capacity that exceeds that needed to destroy an enemy; especially with nuclear weapons.
|
overleap »
To ignore.
|
overleap »
To leap over, to jump over, to cross by jumping.
|
overleap »
To omit.
|
pack up »
To clear away.
|
paint oneself into a corner »
To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions.
|
pardon my French »
Please excuse my swearing or bad language.
|
payback's a bitch »
Usually a complete sentence: I will get revenge when you least expect it.
|
pick up »
To clean up; to return to an organized state.
|
pick up »
To learn, to grasp; to begin to understand.
|
piss off »
To leave, to go away.
|
play to the gallery »
To appeal to the least sophisticated parts of an audience in order to obtain maximum approval.
|
plead the fifth »
To invoke the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects witnesses from being forced to incriminate themselves.
|
plead the fifth »
To refuse to answer a question, or refuse to speak, especially when the response would reflect badly on the speaker.
|
pleased as Punch »
Pleased with one's actions or achievements.
|
pop off »
To leave, and return in a short time.
|
pop off »
To release flatulence, in most cases, in short rapid succession.
|
pop out »
To leave a room or building with the expectation of returning soon.
|
pour out »
To leave a place quickly, and in large numbers.
|
pull somebody's leg »
To tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting. It usually implies teasing or goading by jokingly lying.
|
pull up stumps »
To cease doing something, at least for the day.
|
put across »
To explain or state something clearly and understandably.
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put away »
To store away, place out of the way, clean up, or organize.
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put away »
To take a large lead in a game.
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put oneself across »
To explain one's ideas and opinions clearly so that another person can understand them and get a picture of your personality.
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put something into perspective »
To compare with something similar to give a clearer, more accurate idea.
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ramp up »
To be in the process of learning a new ability.
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red herring »
A clue that is misleading or that has been falsified, intended to divert attention.
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red mist »
Anger sufficient to cloud judgement, to stop clear thinking.
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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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ride the short bus »
To have a need for a special education program, as because learning disabled.
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ride the short bus »
To participate in a special education program, such as for those with learning disabilities.
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ring a bell »
To seem at least vaguely familiar.
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road to Damascus »
That was my Road to Damascus moment. They played one hit after another and this is the song I remember most clearly.
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root cause »
An initiating cause of a chain of events which leads to an outcome or effect of interest.
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rugby league »
sport
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run a mile »
To escape, flee or leave a situation or relationship, usually as a result of a shocking or sudden announcement or revelation.
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run along »
To leave.
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run away »
To leave home, or other place of residence, usually unannounced, or to make good on a threat, with such action usually performed by a child or juvenile.
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run away with »
To leave secretly with another person. Usually with the intention of getting married or of living together against the wishes of the family.
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run into »
To blend into; to be followed by or adjacent to without there being a clear boundary.
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run off »
To leave someone without prior advice.
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run off with »
To leave with someone with the intention of living with them or marrying them. Usually in secret because other people think it is wrong.
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run out on »
To leave a partner suddenly and without prior warning.
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run out the clock »
To preserve a lead in a game by retaining possession, to waste time.
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say goodbye »
To wish someone farewell upon their leaving.
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scrape the bottom of the barrel »
To use the least desirable parts of something.
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see a man »
To take one's leave for some urgent purpose, especially to go to the bathroom.
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seller's market »
An excess of demand over supply, leading to abnormally high prices; a market condition favoring the seller.
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set off »
To leave; to begin a journey or trip.
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sex machine »
Any machine that is used for sexual pleasure.
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sexual enjoyment »
Sexual intercourse that produces physical and psychological pleasure.
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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.
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sharp cookie »
One who is intelligent, bright, or sharp; especially, one who can identify attempts to deceive or mislead.
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shoot through like a Bondi tram »
To leave in haste.
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short leash »
Forcing one to function within a strict set of rules, or under great scrutiny or oversight.
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sigh of relief »
A release of stress through breathing motions.
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sight for sore eyes »
A pleasing sight, something that is beautiful to look at.
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sink in »
Become clear in one's mind.
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sit out »
To lean out to the windward side of a sailboat in order to counterbalance the effects of the wind on the sails.
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skip out »
To shirk; to avoid attending or to leave early, especially without permission.
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sneak off »
To leave a place, or a meeting, without being seen or heard.
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soft sawder »
"How the old boy swallowed my soft sawder and Brummagem notes!" —Tom Taylor, The Ticket-of-Leave Man.
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softroader »
. This involves increased ground clearance with tyre, wheel, and suspension tweaks, skid plates and refers to mini SUV or wagons.
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spare the rod and spoil the child »
If one does not discipline a child, he or she will never learn obedience and good manners.
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spic and span »
Perfectly clean.
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steal away »
To leave secretively.
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steer clear »
To avoid; to dodge; to sidestep.
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stew in one's juices »
To be alone and self-absorbed in an uncomfortable state of mind, especially while experiencing the unpleasant effects of one's own actions.
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sticker shock »
Disgust, shock, or fright upon learning the price of an item offered for sale.
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straight out of the chute »
Something done immediately, or "from the beginning". Taken from rodeo routine: the bucking bronco, or bull, or the calf for the calf-roping contest is kept in a narrow pen, a chute, until it is released and dashes out to its fate.
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swing the lead »
To pretend to be unwell so that you do not have to work.
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swot up on »
To study particularly hard to learn a subject quickly.
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take a hike »
To go away; to leave or depart.
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take a leaf out of someone's book »
To adopt an idea or practice of another person.
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take a leak »
To urinate.
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take a powder »
To leave in a hurry; run away; scram; depart without taking leave or notifying anyone, often with a connotation of avoiding something unpleasant or shirking responsibility.
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take away »
To leave a memory or impression in one's mind that you think about later.
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take away »
To make someone leave a place and go somewhere else. Usually not with the person's consent.
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take it or leave it »
It is said when a situation has to be accepted without change.
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take it out on »
To unleash one's anger on [a person or thing other than the one that caused it].
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take leave of one's senses »
To go crazy; to stop behaving rationally.
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take off »
To leave the ground and begin flight; to ascend into the air.
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take one's leave »
Say goodbye.
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take something in one's stride »
Not to allow oneself to be set back, daunted, upset or embarrassed by unpleasant or undesirable circumstances.
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take the lead »
To assume leadership over a group.
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take the lead »
To become the leader, to advance into first place.
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take to »
To adapt to; to learn, grasp or master.
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take to one's heels »
To leave; especially, to flee or run away.
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take to the cleaners »
To take a significant quantity of a person's money or valuables, through gambling, unfavorable investing, fraud, litigation, etc.
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talk like an apothecary »
To use hard or gallipot words: from the assumed gravity and affectation of knowledge generally put on by the gentlemen of this profession, who are commonly as superficial in their learning as they are pedantic in their language.
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tell off »
To speak to someone rudely, disrespectfully or angrily; to berate; to unleash one's fury verbally towards someone.
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thanks for nothing »
Expression of displeasure towards a person who has not provided what was wanted.
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that's the way life is »
That is the way things happenCertain things cannot be changed, helped or improved; struggle and objection are pointless.1935, Louis Bromfield, The Man Who Had Everything [1], page 279:That's the way life is, and there's no use trying to go against it.1979, Jay Edward Abrams, A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption [2], ISBN 0310511011, page 45:There are no standards, no values; that's the way life is. Learn to accept it and slide with it. Stop fighting it.2002, B. Eugene Ellison, Rings of the Templars, ISBN 059524050X, page 337:Shit happens; that's the way life is. In fact, I want you to take an additional thousand for your efforts.
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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."
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the pits »
Something miserable or unpleasant.
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the road to hell is paved with good intentions »
well-intended acts can lead to disaster
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the show »
The major leagues.
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the upper hand »
An advantage or lead.
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thin end of the wedge »
Something that if allowed or accepted to a small degree would lead to systematic encroachment.
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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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to say the least »
Used to suggest that what was previously stated was an understatement.
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top banana »
The boss, the leader.
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toss-up »
A decision in which neither choice is clearly favorable or unfavorable, or for which the outcome does not matter.
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touch up »
To touch or to grope someone in flirtatious or sleazy way.
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trick of the trade »
A shortcut or other quick, or very effective way of doing things, that professional workers learn from experience.
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turn a blind eye »
To ignore or deliberately overlook, especially with respect to something unpleasant or improper.
|
turn a phrase »
To create a particular linguistic expression which is strikingly clear, appropriate, and memorable.
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turn off »
To leave a road; exit.
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turn on »
To attract, give pleasure, or encourage.
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turn out »
To leave a road.
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turn over a new leaf »
To engage in self-improvement; to begin a good habit or shed a bad habit.
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turn tail »
To flee; to run away; to leave.
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turn up »
To belay or make fast a line on a cleat or pin.
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turn up for the book »
A very unexpected, usually pleasant, surprise.
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turn-on »
Something that attracts, gives pleasure, or encourages, especially sexually.
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under one's nose »
Directly in front of one; clearly visible.
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walk away from »
To abandon or leave; to shun.
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walk in the park »
Something easy or pleasant, especially by comparison to something.
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walk out »
To leave suddenly, especially as a form of protest.
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warm up »
To prepare for executing an already-learned activity by a limited amount of additional practice.
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wash up »
To clean the utensils, dishes etc. used in preparing and eating a meal.
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weak sister »
A person or thing which is the least robust or least dependable member of a group.
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where there's muck there's brass »
(UK, Irish) There is money to be made in unpleasant dirty jobs.
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wipe the slate clean »
To forget about previous differences and disagreements, and make a fresh start.
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wolf in sheep's clothing »
Something harmful or problematic disguised as something peaceful or pleasant.
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wrestling with a pig »
To engage in a pointless task that leaves one worse off for having made an honest attempt.
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you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink »
You can show someone how to do something, but you can't make them do it.
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you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear »
It is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.
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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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your mileage may vary »
It may work differently in your situation, or be different in your experience.
|
your mileage may vary »
To express a possible difference in taste, "this is just my opinion, your opinion may be different".
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