a miss is as good as a mile »
A failure remains a failure, regardless of how close to success one has actually come.
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act out »
To go through the process of a scene from a play, a charade or a pointless exercise.
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all the same »
Anyway; nevertheless; nonetheless.
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all the tea in China »
Something priceless or invaluable.
|
and change »
And some quantity, but less than the increment to the next round number.
|
Apa Sâmbetei »
"for nothing", "to no result", or that what you have done was destroyed or is rendered useless after you finish it.
|
at a loss for words »
Having nothing to say; stunned to the point of speechlessness.
|
at the mercy of »
In the power of; defenceless/defenseless against.
|
babe in the woods »
A person who is innocent, naive, inexperienced, or helpless.
|
baby blues »
Period and feeling of depressiveness after giving birth; a less severe form of postnatal depression.
|
back down »
To take a less aggressive position in a conflict than one previously has or has planned to.
|
back off »
To become less aggressive, particularly when one had appeared committed to act.
|
bang on about »
To keep talking endlessly about the same subject.
|
basket case »
One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic or stress.
|
be that as it may »
Even if that is the case; whether that is true or not; nevertheless.
|
below par »
Less than par for the hole or course.
|
better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness »
In the face of bad times or hopelessness, it is more worthwhile to do some good, however small, in response than to complain about the situation.
|
black »
Absorbing all light and reflecting none; dark and colourless.
|
blessed event »
An occurrence or occasion which is particularly noteworthy and enjoyable.
|
blessed event »
The birth of a baby.
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blessing in disguise »
A misfortune that has an unexpected benefit.
|
blow this pop stand »
To exit or remove oneself from a less than exciting location or environment.
|
box-office bomb »
A motion picture that generates relatively low revenue at the box office, especially that which is less than the budget for the motion picture.
|
boys will be boys »
It is hard, often fruitless, to attempt to curb the natural playfulness and tendency to mischief of most growing boys.1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Chapter 13But just then there was a slight altercation between Master Tommy and Master Jacky. Boys will be boys and our two twins were no exception to this golden rule.Even grown men usually remain somewhat boyish in heart"Boys will be boys", grinned grandpa while he joined his adult son playing with the fancy train-set he gave his grandson for Christmas while the kid was in school.
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brass farthing »
Something worthless or of small value.
|
brass neck »
Gall, shamelessness, cheek.
|
brass-neck »
To behave boldly or shamelessly.
|
brass-necked »
Nervy; cheeky; shameless.
|
bring it weak »
To fail to accomplish an accomplishable task or to make an attempt at less than maximum effort; to "half-ass" or "fake the funk".
|
bring owls to Athens »
To undertake a pointless venture, one that is redundant, unnecessary, superfluous, or highly uneconomical.
|
broken-hearted »
Alternative spelling of brokenhearted. Feeling depressed, despondent, or hopeless, especially over losing a love.
|
bugger up »
To break or spoil something, or make it inoperative, useless etc.
|
bum steer »
Bad advice, regardless of intention.
|
busted flush »
Anything which ends up worthless despite great potential.
|
cast the first stone »
To act self-righteously in accusing another person, believing that one is blameless.
|
champ at the bit »
To bite the bit, especially when restless.
|
coals to Newcastle »
A pointless venture, in the sense of sending something to a place where it's made, or where they already have an abundance.
|
cold comfort »
Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
|
cold fish »
A heartless individual; a person lacking empathy and emotion.
|
come hell or high water »
Regardless of the hardships.
|
cool down »
To become less agitated.
|
cool down »
To cause to become less agitated.
|
cool one's jets »
To become less excited, intense, or active.
|
crab mentality »
A way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you." The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot.
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crying shame »
It's a crying shame that so much money has been wasted on this pointless political campaign.
|
cut corners »
To do a less than thorough or complete job; to do something poorly or take short cuts.
|
dead weight »
That which is useless or excess; that which slows something down.
|
deadweight »
A useless, usually encumbering factor.
|
die down »
To become less virulent.
|
dime a dozen »
So common as to be practically worthless.
|
divide and conquer »
A combination of political, military and economic strategies that aim to gain and maintain power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into chunks that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy.(computing) Applied to various algorithms, such as quicksort, that solve a problem by splitting it recursively into smaller problems until all of the remaining problems are trivial.(as imperative, proverb) In order to rule securely, don't allow alliances of your enemies.
|
dog-eat-dog »
Harsh and ruthless.
|
don't be penny wise and pound foolish »
Don't be careful when it comes to spending small amounts of money, but careless when spending much larger amounts.Don't focus on minutiae and lose sight of the big picture; don't obsess over tiny inconsequential efficiencies while glaring inefficiencies are going on elsewhere.
|
drop off »
To lessen or reduce.
|
egg on »
To encourage or coax a person to do something, especially something foolhardy or reckless.
|
empty promise »
A promise that is either not going to be carried out, worthless or meaningless.
|
even so »
nevertheless
|
evil twin »
A rogue wireless access point installed near a legitimate one for purposes of eavesdropping or phishing.
|
experience is the best teacher »
Lessons learned from experience are the most lasting.
|
f** with »
To mess with; to interact with in a careless or inappropriate way.
|
face value »
No more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation.
|
fall short »
To be less satisfactory than expected; to be inadequate or insufficient.
|
familiarity breeds contempt »
The more acquainted one becomes with a person, the more one knows about his or her shortcomings and, hence, the easier it is to dislike that person.1894, H. Rider Haggard, The People Of The Mist, ch. 25:This was the beginning of evil, for if no man is a hero to his valet de chambre, much less can he remain a god for long in the eyes of a curious woman. Here, as in other matters, familiarity breeds contempt.
|
feed a cold, starve a fever »
Eating more will cure the common cold, and eating less will cure a fever.1887, J. H. Whelan, "The Treatment of Colds.", The Practitioner, vol. 38, pg. 180:"Feed a cold, starve a fever." There is a deal of wisdom in the first part of this advice. A person with a catarrh should take an abundance of light nutritious food, and some light wine, but avoid spirits, and above all tobacco.1968, Katinka Loeser, The Archers at Home, publ. Atheneum, New York, pg. 60:I have a cold. 'Feed a cold, starve a fever.' You certainly know that.2009, Shelly Reuben, Tabula Rasa, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ISBN 015101079X, pg. 60:They say feed a cold, starve a fever, but they don't tell you what to do when you got both, so I figured scrambled eggs, tea, and toast.
|
fool's errand »
A foolish undertaking, especially one that is purposeless, fruitless, nonsensical, or certain to fail.
|
for the birds »
Worthless; pointless; not deserving serious consideration.
|
give somebody the runaround »
Especially by providing useless information or directions .
|
gloss over »
To treat something with less care than it deserves; to skimp.
|
go back on »
To be treacherous or faithless to; betray; as, to go back on friends.
|
go down »
To decrease; to change from a greater value to a lesser one.
|
go native »
To adopt the lifestyle or outlook of local inhabitants, especially when dwelling in a colonial region; to become less refined under the influence of a less cultured, more primitive, or simpler social environment.
|
go off »
To like less.
|
go off the boil »
To become less successful.
|
go to the mattresses »
To go to war; to use ruthless tactics; to act without restraint.
|
good turn »
A good deed; a thoughtful or selfless act.
|
guinea pig »
A tailless rodent of the Cavia genus, with short ears and larger than a hamster; the species Cavia porcellus is often kept as a pet.
|
harden »
To become or make a thing resistant or less sensitive.
|
have one's heart set on »
To want or desire deeply, regardless of practicality or rationality.
|
head over heels »
Hopelessly smitten.
|
hold one's breath »
To wait, as if breathlessly.
|
holding pattern »
Any failure to advance; useless or unproductive activity.
|
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.
|
horses for courses »
A person suited for one job may not be suited for another job, regardless of their expertise in the former job.
|
hunger is a good sauce »
(dated) Being hungry makes one less concerned about the taste of one's food.1854, Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman, Punch, Vol. XXVI, Punch Publications Ltd., page 74:His bread and cheese were somewhat dry, to be sure; his ale had become flat, and considerably warmer than was desirable; but hunger is a good sauce, and thirst is not particular.
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hunger is the best sauce »
Being hungry makes one less concerned about the taste of one's food.
|
if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle »
(colloquial, vulgar, humorous) It is fruitless to speculate about counterfactual situations."We would have won the match if we'd had a decent goalkeeper.""And if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle!"
|
in cold blood »
In a ruthless and unfeeling manner; premeditated and deliberate.
|
it's not what you know but who you know »
For success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.1951, G. P. Bush and L. H. Hattery, "Federal Recruitment of Junior Engineers," Science, vol. 114, no. 2966, p. 456:Eighty-four students referred to political influence as a disadvantage of federal employment with such remarks as: "There are too many political connections necessary . . . it's not what you know but who you know
|
jumped-up »
We're doomed if this wee jumped-up monkey gets Gordon Smith's blessing.
|
keep on truckin' »
To continue or persist, regardless of circumstances or setbacks; to keep trying or striving.
|
keep one's mouth shut »
To keep a secret; to refrain from speaking indiscreetly or carelessly.
|
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 alone »
Much less; to say nothing of.
|
let up »
To lessen.
|
lighten up »
To become less serious and more cheerful or casual; to relax.
|
long drink »
Any drink containing more than 5 ounces of liquid and less than 9 ounces. Typically, a long drink will have lots of ice and mixer.
|
lord of the flies »
A ruler over a worthless kingdom; leader of a meaningless microcosm.
|
lost cause »
A cause, attempt, or effort that is hopeless or futile.
|
march to the beat of a different drum »
To do things in one's own way regardless of societal norms and expectations.
|
mixed blessing »
Something that has both good and bad features.
|
more haste, less speed »
When we are in a hurry, we often end up completing our task slower.
|
morning, noon and night »
Constantly; ceaselessly; without stopping.
|
mug's game »
A foolish, profitless, or hopeless undertaking.
|
ne'er do well »
useless
|
no holds barred »
Without reserve; in an especially ruthless or vicious manner.
|
no matter »
regardless of
|
no matter how thin you slice it, it's still baloney »
Regardless of how many clever points or fine distinctions one makes, what one is saying is still false or is still nonsense.
|
not worth a dime »
Worthless, lacking in value.
|
not worth a plug nickel »
Having no or almost no value; worthless.
|
object lesson »
A lesson taught using a familiar or unusual object as a focus.
|
object lesson »
A punishment intended as a deterrent to others.
|
object lesson »
An example that typifies a principle.
|
object lesson »
Anything used an example or lesson which serves to warn others as to the outcomes that result from a particular action or behavior, as exemplified by the fates of those who followed that course.
|
of an »
Indicates a more or less habitual activity during the given part of the day.
|
on the back burner »
Not immediate; inactive; receiving less than full or regular attention.
|
one of his majesty's bad bargains »
A worthless soldier, a malingeror.
|
one's bark is worse than one's bite »
The individual acts threatening but is relatively harmless.
|
out to lunch »
Clueless, inattentive or careless.
|
over a barrel »
In a disadvantageous or helpless situation, in which one may be controlled or victimized.
|
painting rocks »
Pointless or futile work organised by the government, supposedly to increase employment but in fact merely disguising the unemployment level.
|
pinch-hit »
To do something in the place of another person who is not able to perform or is less skilled; to substitute or stand in for somebody.
|
piss and moan »
To complain, especially needlessly and loudly.
|
play down »
To make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.
|
play fast and loose »
To be recklessly inaccurate, inappropriate, or otherwise ignoring guidelines and conventions.
|
play hardball »
To act rough and ruthless, especially in politics or business.
|
play silly buggers »
To act in a stupid or reckless manner.
|
potter about »
To potter, to be gently active doing various things in an almost aimless manner.
|
potter around »
To potter, to be gently active doing various things in an almost aimless manner.
|
pound of flesh »
Something which is owed and which will be hurtful or difficult to provide; a debt owed to someone who is merciless and demanding.
|
powers that be »
The holders of power or the authorities in a given situation, especially as seen as being faceless or unreasonably bureaucratic.
|
put up or shut up »
Desist from saying something unless one is able to prove it.
|
rain or shine »
Regardless of what the circumstances are, and how the weather is.
|
rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic »
To do something pointless or insignificant that will soon be overtaken by events, or that contributes nothing to the solution of a current problem.
|
reinvent the wheel »
To redo work unnecessarily when it has already been done satisfactorily; to rethink an already working system, technique, etc. in a pointless attempt to improve it.
|
roadwarrior »
A person who carries a mobile device such as a laptop or PDA and uses wireless internet connections to work.
|
round up »
To the smallest integer that is not less than it, or to some other greater value, especially a whole number of hundreds, thousands, etc.
|
scared shitless »
Very scared, terrified.
|
shirtless »
Not wearing a shirt. Having a bare torso.
|
shirtless »
Very poor.
|
shoot one's mouth off »
To make reckless or exaggerated statements.
|
short of »
Less than.
|
sit still »
To remain motionless.
|
snap someone's head off »
To suddenly and sharply rebuke or insult a person, especially in response to a harmless remark.
|
snipe hunt »
A prank in which a gullible victim is sent off on a fruitless search for a nonexistent item.
|
spring fever »
A feeling of invigoration and restlessness associated with the arrival of the warm weather and renewal of nature in the spring season.
|
spring fever »
A feeling of laziness or listlessness associated with the arrival of the warm, comfortable weather of the spring season.
|
squaring the circle »
A hopeless or impossible task.
|
stand stock still »
To stand completely motionless.
|
sticking at nothing »
Being ruthless
|
stir-crazy »
By extension, restless, uncomfortable, or impatient due to inactivity.
|
straight face »
A face that is expressionless, especially not laughing.
|
take a back seat »
To be second to someone or something; to be less important or have a lower priority.
|
taper off »
To diminish or lessen gradually; to become smaller, slower, quieter, etc.
|
ten a penny »
So common as to be practically worthless.
|
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.
|
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.
|
throw enough mud at the wall and 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.2005, Mike Busson (poster on UKScreen forum) Re: Voiceovers!, read at [1] on 02 Nov 06,In terms of places to send your URL or CD's, there's no easy answer. It really is a case of throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.2005, "forwardone" (administrator posting on the HYIPForum), re: Alertpay phishing email, read at [2] on 02 Nov 06,I also think that sometimes they send out phishing e-mails in the hope that it`ll hit people who do have an account with a particular organization. You know, throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick theory.2006, Rob Manuel, How to be funny, read in Comedy Soup on the BBC website at [3] on 02 Nov 06,Throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick. Be prolific and don't be afraid to make stuff that's rubbish. If you keep trying eventually you'll get there.2006, Rex Pierce, Re: [303rd-Talk] D Day read on 303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Believe the planners worked on the principle of "throw enough mud at the wall, and some of it will stick".If enough (perhaps false or reckless) accusations are made against someone, his reputation will suffer, whether or not this is deserved2006, "money" (poster on eTalk Money), Some thoughts about compact surfing, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,Word of advice NVUS time to distance yourself from LuukH as quickly as possible and dish some dirt, otherwise well the saying goes - throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.
|
throw to the dogs »
To throw away useless.
|
tie someone's hands »
To render one powerless to act, to thwart someone.
|
to give a person line »
To allow a person more or less liberty until it is convenient to stop or check him/her, like a hooked fish that swims away with the line.
|
tone down »
To relax; to make quieter or less obtrusive; to make milder.
|
tone down »
To make a television program, piece of writing, etc. less offensive and so more suitable for a family audience.
|
too big for one's boots »
Far less capable than one's claims to be.
|
toy with »
Handling something in a careless or frivolous manner.
|
trigger-happy »
Inclined to behave recklessly, especially with machinery.
|
two cents »
A nearly worthless amount, alluding to placing a copper penny on each of the eyelids of a pauper's or slave's body before burial.
|
two-bit »
Insignificant or worthless.
|
underwater basket weaving »
An easy and useless college or high school class.
|
until one is blue in the face »
Forever; for a hopelessly long time.
|
unwashed masses »
Of people who are considered by someone to be somehow uneducated, uninformed, godless, or in some other way unqualified for inclusion in the speaker's elite circles.
|
waste breath »
To speak in a manner which is needless or futile; in discussion or argument to make points which are not appreciated or heeded.
|
water down »
To simplify or oversimplify; to make easier; to make less difficult.
|
wear out »
To cause to become damaged, useless, or ineffective through continued use, especially hard, heavy, or careless use.
|
whistle Dixie »
To engage in a pointless or unproductive activity; to do something without resolve, seriousness or commitment.
|
wild-goose chase »
A futile search, a fruitless errand; a useless and often lengthy pursuit.
|
wind down »
To slow; to become calmer or less busy.
|
wrestling with a pig »
To engage in a pointless task that leaves one worse off for having made an honest attempt.
|
yak shaving »
Any apparently useless activity which, by allowing you to overcome intermediate difficulties, allows you to solve a larger problem.
|
zoom out »
So as to make it smaller and possibly less detailed.
|
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