a leopard cannot change its spots »
One cannot change one's own nature.1597, William Shakespeare, Richard II Act i, Scene 1 (First Folio):King. Lyons make Leopards tame.Mowbray. Yea but not change his ?pots.1611, King James Version of the Bible, Jeremiah 13:23:Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?1820, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe Chapter 32:End now all unkindness. Let us put the Jew to ransom, since the leopard will not change his spots, and a Jew he will continue to be.1918, Johnston McCulley, Thubway Tham's Inthane Moment:The leopard cannot change his spots, old boy.
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about turn »
A complete change of opinion, direction, etc.
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ahead of the game »
Having completed a task before it is due; ready, prepared, or anticipating.
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all over »
Done; finished; complete.
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all over but the shouting »
The substance of the contest is complete, leaving only the cheering.
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all over with »
Completely finished; over.
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all the time »
Always; constantly; for the complete duration.
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angle for farthings »
To beg out of a prison window with a cap, or box, let down at the end of a long string.
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avant la lettre »
An example of a term before the term was coined. Describing a term used anachronistically.
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bad to the bone »
Completely bad and evil; pure evil.
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been there, done that, bought the T-shirt »
Expresses the speaker's complete familiarity with a situation, with overtones of cynicism or exhaustion.
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bent on »
Completely determined; obstinate.
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best regards »
Used as a polite closing of a letter.
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big fat »
Complete, utter, total.
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bite the bullet »
To accept a negative aspect of a situation in order to continue moving forward.
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