a pull of the hair for being unfair »
The general response to "A kick and a flick for being so quick", which is in turn a response in itself to "A pinch and a punch for the first day of the month".
|
after one's own heart »
Of a person: having the same ideas, opinions or behaviour as oneself.
|
all over hell's half acre »
All over the place; everywhere.
|
all-over oneself »
Feeling self-satisfied.
|
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
|
apply oneself »
To put forth a concerted effort; to try; to focus.
|
back-cloth star »
An actor who stands upstage, forcing the other actors to face him and turn their backs to the audience, in order to gain more attention to himself.
|
bat around »
When at least nine batters bat in a half inning.
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be my guest »
Do as you wish; go ahead; help yourself; go for it!.
|
be up against »
To be challenged by someone or something stronger than oneself.
|
beat up »
To feel badly guilty and accuse oneself over something. Usually followed by over.
|
because you touch yourself at night »
Used to humourously deflect a request for a reason.
|
beside oneself »
Overcome; consumed by an emotion.
|
bite one's tongue »
To forcibly prevent oneself from uttering a word.
|
blanket term »
A word or phrase that is used to describe multiple groups of related things. The degree of relation may vary. Blanket terms often trade specificity for ease-of-use; in other words, a blanket term by itself gives little detail about the things that it describes or the relationships between them, but is easy to say and remember. Blanket terms often originate as slang, and eventually become integrated into the general vocabulary.
|
blow this pop stand »
To exit or remove oneself from a less than exciting location or environment.
|
bragging rights »
The prerogative to praise oneself for an accomplishment or for possession of a superior characteristic.
|
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".
|
bros before hoes »
(US, informal) A man should prioritize his male friends over his girlfriend or wife.
|
buckle down »
To put forth the needed effort; to focus; become serious; apply oneself.
|
burn one's fingers »
To harm oneself; to suffer consequences of one's actions.
|
bust one's chops »
To exert oneself.
|
but who's counting »
Used as a retort or comeback, often to deprecate oneself or another for excessive concern or attention to.
|
by oneself »
Alone; without assistance, accompaniment, or help from others.
|
carry out »
To fulfill.
|
cast the first stone »
To act self-righteously in accusing another person, believing that one is blameless.
|
cat and mouse game »
Two individuals and/or groups repeatedly keeping check on each other in a suspicious or self-protective way, often with the goal of one or both parties trying to gain a malicious advantage over the other.
|
cat that ate the canary »
A person who appears self-satisfied or smug, especially while concealing something mischievous, prohibited, or private.
|
cat's meow »
A self-satisfied person.
|
catch fire »
Become engulfed with flames.
|
catch-as-catch-can »
Intermittent; only when possible or when the opportunity presents itself.
|
cherry pick »
To position oneself near the opponent's goal to attempt to receive an errant or intentional pass for an easy score, as in basketball or versions of soccer where offsides are not enforced.
|
come out of one's shell »
To reveal one's true self.
|
come the acid »
To make oneself unpleasant, especially by sarcasm.
|
come to terms »
To accept or resign oneself to something emotionally painful.
|
come up »
To emerge or become known, especially unexpectedly; to come to attention, present itself.
|
cozy up »
With "to", to ingratiate oneself .
|
cruising for a bruising »
Following a course of action likely to result in injury or other trouble for oneself.
|
cry wolf »
To raise a false alarm; to constantly warn others about an imagined threat, thereby failing to get assistance when a real threat appears.
|
cut a rug »
To dance, especially in a vigorous manner and in one of the dance styles of the first half of the twentieth century.
|
cut off one's nose to spite one's face »
To harm oneself as a result of attempting to harm an adversary.
|
deliver the message to Garcia »
...heaves in a deep breath, gathers himself as though he's crossed a continent to deliver the message to Garcia.
|
do the math »
You can do the calculation yourself, with the implication that you don't have to trust someone else's assertions.
|
don't shit where you eat »
(idiomatic, vulgar) One should not cause trouble in a place, group, or situation in which one regularly finds oneself.1998 April 14, Nelson Navarro, "Ever faithful, ever true," Manila Standard (Philippines) (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):The guiding principle is Don't shit where you eat. Office romances are always destructive of morale and objectivity.2003 Oct. 8, Jonathan Valania, "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Pussy," Philadelphia Weekly (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):Limbaugh was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at the NAB convention in, of all places, Philadelphia, thus violating the cardinal law of the animal kingdom: Don't shit where you eat.2006 Sept. 19, Michael Musto, "NY Mirror," Village Voice (retrieved 12 Aug. 2011):Mitchell refused to indulge in on-set romances with either gender. "You don't shit where you eat," he told me, plainly.
|
don't take any wooden nickels »
Do not permit yourself be cheated or duped; do not be naive.
|
earn one's keep »
To perform satisfactory physical labor or to provide other worthy services in return for remuneration, lodging, or other benefits; to support oneself financially.
|
eat one's own dog food »
To use or consume the economic goods or services that oneself is producing; to be part of a closed household economy.
|
eat one's young »
To betray a constituent or charge out of self-serving interests or desperation; savaging.
|
every silver lining has a cloud »
Every good situation has the potential to turn bad.2007, Diab A. Shetayh, Actuality : The Reality RequiemA great partnership isn't a self-maintaining entity. Perseverance and persistence make it thrive. For every silver lining has a cloud. Ignorance of this reality is not an option.
|
execution style »
Resembling an execution; with the victim aware, but unable to defend himself or resist.
|
expose oneself »
To appear nude in public.
|
f** someone over »
To exploit somebody in a way which result in an advantage to oneself, at the cost of the other party gaining a considerable disadvantage.
|
faith will move mountains »
Belief in oneself (read sometimes as belief in God) can help one overcome any hurdle in life's path.
|
fall off the wagon »
To cease or fail at a regimen of self-improvement or reform; to lapse back into an old habit or addiction.
|
fill the bill »
To satisfy a need; to serve a purpose; to fulfill specified requirements.
|
five-finger discount »
Theft or pilferage, typically of a small item; shoplifting.
|
fork over »
I forked over half the allotment this morning.
|
full of oneself »
Egotistical, believing oneself to be superior to others; preoccupied with one's own work, interests, point of view, etc.
|
get high »
To intoxicate oneself with drugs or other substances.
|
get ready »
prepare oneself
|
get something over with »
To do something quickly and hastily; without procrastination, especially so as to have something unpleasant behind oneself.
|
gird up one's loins »
To prepare oneself for something demanding.
|
give as good as one gets »
To behave toward others in a manner resembling or commensurate with their behavior towards oneself, especially in a situation where one is insulted or otherwise ill-treated.
|
give him enough rope and he'll hang himself »
If one gives someone enough freedom of action, they may destroy themselves by foolish actions.
|
give of oneself »
To devote oneself unselfishly to a task, especially to give time and energy.
|
give over »
To devote oneself to a particular activity.
|
go large »
To enjoy oneself to the maximum.
|
go off half-cocked »
To take a premature or ill-considered action.
|
go out »
1922, Alfred Edward Housman, XXVIII, lines 3-4.
|
golf widow »
A woman who is deprived of her husband's time and attention due to his regular absence in order to play golf.
|
good turn »
A good deed; a thoughtful or selfless act.
|
grin like a Cheshire cat »
To smile broadly, especially in a self-satisfied way.
|
guilt trip »
A feeling of shame or embarrassment, especially if self-indulgent, unwarranted, exaggerated or felt over a significant period of time.
|
half a mind »
A moderate inclination.
|
half nelson »
wrestling hold
|
half-baked »
Partially cooked by heating in an oven.
|
halfway decent »
Good - better than expected.
|
halfway decent »
No more than adequate.
|
hat in hand »
With humility; in an apologetic or self-effacing fashion.
|
hatchet man »
Someone who carries out brutal and unpleasant duties on behalf of another, such as firing dead wood employees.
|
have a good time »
To enjoy oneself.
|
have a whale of a time »
To enjoy oneself greatly.
|
have bats in one's belfry »
To be crazy or eccentric.
|
have the time of one's life »
To enjoy oneself immensely.
|
have the time of one's life »
To enjoy oneself more than ever before.
|
have tickets on oneself »
To be conceited.
|
hell and half of Georgia »
A very large region; everywhere.
|
help oneself »
Take freely.
|
history repeats itself »
Things that have happened in the past will happen again.
|
hold up »
To fulfil / fulfill or complete one's part of an agreement.
|
hold up one's end »
To hold up one's end of the bargain; to fulfill one's promise or obligation.
|
honesty is the best policy »
Honesty is the most honorable and fulfilling way to live one's life.
|
hunker down »
To take shelter; to prepare oneself for some eventuality; to focus on a task.
|
if you can't beat them, join them »
If your adversaries are stronger than yourself, it is better to join the adversaries.
|
if you want a thing done well, do it yourself »
It is better to do something oneself, than rely on others to do it well.
|
in character »
Acting as the character, not as oneself.
|
it is what it is »
This thing has its own distinct nature; this thing is itself.
|
it's one's funeral »
One's decisions or actions will bring undesirable consequences only on oneself.
|
jump »
To cause oneself to leave an elevated location and fall downward.
|
jump »
To propel oneself rapidly upward such that momentum causes the body to become airborne.
|
keep it real »
To be authentic, true to oneself; to be cool.
|
keep oneself to oneself »
To be introverted; to stay away from others.
|
keep the wolf from the door »
To delay sexual ejaculation.
|
keep the wolf from the door »
To ward off poverty or hunger.
|
kick off »
To force the weaning of a bovine cow's calf by restricting the calf's access to its mother's udders. Used figuratively or literally.
|
kick oneself »
To reproach oneself for making a mistake or missing an opportunity.
|
kill the fatted calf »
To begin a festive celebration and rejoicing for someone's long-awaited return.
|
kindred soul »
Someone with the same feelings or attitudes as oneself; kindred spirit.
|
kindred spirit »
Someone with the same feelings or attitudes as oneself.
|
kitchen table software »
Especially in the early years of personal computers, a set of computer programs developed by an entrepreneurial advanced amateur or self-employed professional computer programmer in his or her own home; software developed by a small business using the services of such programmers.
|
knock on wood »
A self-directive to undertake the customary action to ward off bad luck.
|
lay down »
To lie down; to place oneself in a reclined or horizontal position, on a bed or similar, for the purpose of resting.
|
lay low »
To remain hidden or to hide oneself.
|
legal beagle »
A skillful and adroit attorney.
|
legal eagle »
A skillful and adroit attorney.
|
legwork »
Skillful or vigorous use of the legs, as in dance or sports.
|
let one's hair down »
To relax and enjoy oneself.
|
live up »
To fulfil the expectations placed upon.
|
look back »
To look behind oneself.
|
look out for number one »
To act in one's own interests; to act in a manner advantageous primarily to oneself.
|
mad money »
A sum of money kept in reserve or to insulate oneself financially in the event of the sudden breakdown of a relationship in which one is economically dependent.
|
make a fool of oneself »
To appear foolish to others.
|
make a living »
To earn enough income to support oneself and, if applicable, one's family.
|
make a name for oneself »
To gain fame.
|
make an exhibition of oneself »
She had far too much to drink and made an exhibition of herself by flirting with everyone.
|
make an exhibition of oneself »
To embarrass oneself or others in public.
|
make oneself scarce »
To leave or depart, or to avoid or stay away.
|
man is man to man »
The human is a human for itself
|
mince words »
To restrain oneself in a conversation by withholding some comments or using euphemisms.
|
mind one's own business »
To concern oneself only with what is of interest to oneself and not interfere in the affairs of others.
|
never you mind »
Do not concern yourself with it; it is none of your business.
|
not half bad »
Pretty good; okay; decent.
|
off the rails »
In an abnormal manner, especially in a manner that causes damage or malfunctioning.
|
off the wagon »
No longer maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from an undesirable habit, especially drinking alcohol.
|
off-the-shelf »
As purchased or as commonly available, without modification or customization.
|
old time used to be »
Ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend. Often used in songs.
|
on one's high horse »
Self-righteous; proceeding on the belief one is more correct or proper than others.
|
on one's own »
Alone; by oneself; without the companionship or assistance of others.
|
on the blink »
Functioning erratically, malfunctioning; not working or not working well. Usually refers to a mechanical or electronic device.
|
on the make »
Actively seeking an opportunity for self-advancement; eager to ingratiate oneself to others in order to secure some advantage.
|
on the wagon »
By extension, maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from some other undesirable habit.
|
ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny »
(biology, social sciences, art, philosophy) The physical, cultural, moral, or intellectual development of each individual passes through stages similar to the developmental stages of that individual's species, society, or civilization.1905, J. A. Harris, "The Importance of Investigations of Seedling Stages," Science, New Series, vol. 22, no. 554, p. 186:With reference to seedling stages the statement that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny must be made with great reserve.1961, M. E. Wolfgang, "Pioneers in Criminology: Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909)," The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science, vol. 52, no. 4, p. 367:Haeckel maintained that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, and this idea was incorporated by Lombroso into his parallelism between the criminal and the child.2002, B. S. Jackson, "Models in Legal History: The Case of Biblical Law," Journal of Law and Religion, vol. 18, no. 1, p. 11:For even if we accept that "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny," those responsible for the drafting of ancient legal documents were not children, and are hardly to be endowed with some form of infantile mentality.
|
other half »
A spouse.
|
out of house and home »
Helping Your Dog Adjust to a New Home, The Progressive Animal Welfare Society.
|
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.
|
pass the buck »
To transfer responsibility or blame from oneself onto another; to absolve oneself of concern for a given matter by claiming to lack authority or jurisdiction.
|
people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones »
Do not criticize others if you have weaknesses yourself.
|
per se »
by or in itself
|
pig out »
To eat voraciously or ravenously; to gorge oneself.
|
play someone like a fiddle »
Skilfully.
|
play with fire »
To put oneself in a precarious situation with a high risk of getting harmed, particularly emotionally or financially.
|
problem child »
A child who is particularly difficult to raise or educate, especially due to a lack of self-control and disruptive and antisocial behavior.
|
pull oneself together »
To become mentally focused after a period of being unfocused.
|
pull oneself up by one's bootstraps »
To begin an enterprise or recover from a setback without any outside help; to succeed only on one's own effort or abilities.
|
pull someone down a peg »
To lower someone's high self-opinion.
|
put on »
clothe oneself in
|
put one's best foot forward »
To show oneself in the best or most positive way possible; to make a favorable impression.
|
put one's mind to it »
To apply oneself; to exert a directed effort.
|
put one's shoulder to the wheel »
To work or exert oneself heavily or with full effort.
|
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.
|
put oneself in someone's shoes »
To try to look at a situation from a different point of view; as if one were the other person. To empathise.
|
rag the puck »
To retain possession of the puck by skillful skating and stickhandling without attempting to score, as a deliberate tactic intended to use up time.
|
rest on one's laurels »
To rely on a past success instead of trying to improve oneself further.
|
ride tall in the saddle »
To act or conduct oneself in a manner that is imposing, impressive, resolute, or manly.
|
run oneself ragged »
To work or exert oneself to the point of exhaustion.
|
see something through »
To fulfill a commitment.
|
seize the day »
To make the most of today by achieving fulfillment in a philosophical or spiritual sense.
|
sell wolf tickets »
To make empty threats or promises; to bluff.
|
shit oneself »
To soil oneself.
|
shit-eating grin »
A broad smile indicating self-awareness that may suggest self-satisfaction, smugness, discomfort, or embarrassment.
|
shoot oneself in the foot »
To act against one's own interests, e.g., by saying what one is really thinking.
|
shoot oneself in the foot »
To deliberately sabotage an activity in order to avoid obligation, though it causes personal suffering. Origins in first world war trench warfare.
|
show the flag »
Of a naval vessel or military force, to identify itself by displaying the flag of its country of origin, especially in order to establish an authoritative presence and to exert diplomatic or political influence.
|
shuffle off this mortal coil »
To die; to divest oneself of one's mortal body.
|
silver bullet »
A bullet made of silver, usually with reference to the folkloric belief that such bullets are the only weapons which can kill a werewolf.
|
sit back »
To relax, to not exert oneself.
|
six of one, half a dozen of the other »
The two alternatives are equivalent or indifferent; it doesn't matter which one we choose.
|
smooth operator »
A skillful, manipulative person, con artist, or clever scoundrel.
|
sort oneself out »
To calm down emotionally.
|
sort oneself out »
To organize or solve one's personal problems.
|
speak for »
To speak on somebody's behalf.
|
speak for oneself »
Expressing disagreement with an opinion expressed by another.
|
speak for oneself »
To provide an opinion only on one's own behalf.
|
speak up »
To make oneself or one's opinions known; to advocate or assert oneself.
|
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.
|
stick one's neck out »
To take a risk, putting oneself in a vulnerable position.
|
stickhandle »
To maintain individual possession of the puck or ball by controlling it with movements of one's stick, especially to do so in a skillful manner.
|
stiff upper lip »
The quality of being resolute and showing self-restraint, associated with stereotypical British people.
|
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.
|
stuck up »
Snobbish, conceited; believing oneself to be better than others; haughty.
|
sure of oneself »
Self-confident.
|
take it easy »
Immediately calm yourself down; your state of panic does not help.
|
take off »
To absent oneself from work or other responsibility, especially with permission.
|
take sides »
To ally oneself with a given opinion, agenda or group; to support one side or viewpoint in a competition or confrontation.
|
take something in one's stride »
Not to allow oneself to be set back, daunted, upset or embarrassed by unpleasant or undesirable circumstances.
|
take the fall »
To assume blame for oneself.
|
taking upon oneself »
venturing
|
tear away »
To remove oneself reluctantly; often expressed in the negative.
|
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."
|
the shoemaker's children go barefoot »
One often neglects those closest to oneself.
|
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 wolves »
To sacrifice someone, especially in an attempt to save oneself.
|
time flies when you're having fun »
Time seems to pass quicker when one is enjoying oneself.
|
to thine own self be true »
The easiest person to deceive is oneself."This above all:to thine own self be true,and it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man." -William Shakespeare
|
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
|
toot one's own horn »
To promote oneself; to boast or brag; to tout.
|
top oneself »
To commit suicide.
|
top oneself »
To outdo oneself or do more than one's previous best.
|
top shelf »
Best, or high quality.
|
top shelf »
Books, magazines, or movies that have adult content, or soft-core porn.
|
touch cloth »
To be on the point of soiling oneself.
|
touch oneself »
To masturbate.
|
turn over a new leaf »
To engage in self-improvement; to begin a good habit or shed a bad habit.
|
twelfth man »
reserve in cricket
|
two thumbs up »
The strong approval itself.
|
valley of death »
Lord Alfred Tennyson, The Charge of the Light Brigade.
|
vote with one's feet »
To show a lack of support for something by departing or otherwise absenting oneself.
|
wake up and smell the coffee »
To face reality and stop deluding oneself.
|
walk the line »
To behave in an authorized or socially accepted manner, especially as prescribed by law or morality; to exercise self-control.
|
wash one's hands of »
To absolve oneself of responsibility or future blame for.
|
well begun is half done »
Much depends on the beginning of an endeavor.
|
willful ignorance »
A bad faith decision to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having to make undesirable decisions that such information might prompt. It may also be shown as for a person to have no clue in a decision but still goes ahead in their decision.
|
wishful thinking »
Decision-making based on self-delusion.
|
wolf down »
Quickly and without regard for table manners.
|
wolf in sheep's clothing »
Something harmful or problematic disguised as something peaceful or pleasant.
|
yours truly »
myself
|
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