a chain is only as strong as its weakest link »
An organization (especially a process or a business) is only as strong or powerful as its weakest person. A group of associates is only as strong as its laziest member.
|
a rolling stone gathers no moss »
A person who never settles in one place will never be successful.A person who does not keep active will grow mouldy.
|
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.
|
act out »
To express one's feelings through disruptive actions.
|
against the clock »
In a time-restricted manner, to meet a deadline, hurriedly, timed.
|
against the grain »
To sand or plane a piece of wood parallel or nearly parallel to the fibers such that splinters forming ahead of the tool originate below the cutting surface.
|
against the grain »
Unwillingly, reluctantly. It went much against the grain with him, i.e. it was much against his inclination, or against his pluck.
|
all hollow »
Common misspelling of all hallow.
|
all-over oneself »
Feeling self-satisfied.
|
along the lines »
In a general direction or manner.
|
an offer one can't refuse »
An offer from one side in any transaction with the results of failing to accept so unattractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.
|
apple dumplin shop »
A woman's bosom.
|
arse over tit »
Tumbling; falling; upside-down; unstable or unbalanced.
|
arsy varsey »
Tumbling upside down; head over heels.
|
as the crow flies »
In a straight line distance between two locations, as opposed to the road distance or over land distance.
|
ask my arse »
A common reply to any question; still deemed wit at sea, and formerly at court, under the denomination of selling bargains.
|
ass over teakettle »
Tumbling upside down.
|
at heart »
In spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings; deep down, really, fundamentally.
|
avoir du pois lay »
Stealing brass weights off the counters of shops.
|
baby blues »
Period and feeling of depressiveness after giving birth; a less severe form of postnatal depression.
|
bad blood »
Feelings of hostility or ill will.
|
bad taste in one's mouth »
A feeling of disappointment and frustration.
|
bad taste in one's mouth »
A feeling of guilt, responsibility, or embarrassment as to cause nausea.
|
bad taste in one's mouth »
A feeling something is morally despicable as to cause nausea.
|
baggage »
Luggage; traveling equipment.
|
bale out »
Alternative spelling of bail out.
|
barrel »
A round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth, and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with hoops, and having flat ends or heads. Sometimes applied to a similar cylindrical container made of metal, usually called a drum.
|
barrel »
A solid drum, or a hollow cylinder or case.
|
barrow man »
A man under sentence of transportation; alluding to the convicts at Woolwich, who are principally employed in wheeling barrows full of brick or dirt.
|
base over apex »
Falling over in a jumbled heap.
|
bawdy basket »
The twenty-third rank of canters, who carry pins, tape, ballads, and obscene books to sell, but live mostly by stealing.
|
be at one's beck and call »
To be in the position of serving someone in any way they desire, usually unwillingly.
|
bear hug »
wrestling hold
|
beauty is in the eye of the beholder »
Individuals have different inclinations on what is beautiful. Individuals have different beauty standards.
|
belt and suspenders »
Redundant systems, affording mutual backup in the event of one failing.
|
big mouth »
The mouth of someone who talks too much, especially by making exaggerated claims or by inappropriately revealing information.
|
birds of a feather »
C1710, Jonathan Swift, "A Conference," lines 11-12.
|
bite one's tongue »
An admonishment to someone who has said something unfeeling or harsh.
|
blind »
A covering for a window to keep out light. The covering may be made of cloth or of narrow slats that can block light or allow it to pass.
|
blind »
A forced bet.
|
blind »
A player who is or was forced to make a bet.
|
blind »
An 1800s baseball term meaning no score.
|
blind »
Any device intended to conceal or hide; as, a duck blind.
|
blind as a bat »
Nearly totally blind, having a very poor sense of vision.
|
blind date »
A romantic meeting between two people who have never met before.
|
blink of an eye »
A very short period of time; quickly.
|
blow-by-blow »
Detailing every action or occurrence completely.
|
bottom line »
The final balance; the amount of money or profit left after everything has been tallied.
|
bottom line »
The summary or result; the most important information; the upshot; the net-net.
|
bottom of the line »
The worst, the most lackluster, or lowest quality currently on the market, especially among selections in a product line.
|
break new ground »
To begin excavating and levelling earth for a new building, or, originally, for cultivation.
|
bridge »
An elevated platform above the upper deck of a mechanically propelled ship from which it is navigated and from which all activities on deck can be seen and controlled by the captain, etc; smaller ships have a wheelhouse, and sailing ships were controlled from a quarterdeck.
|
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 it on »
Used to indicate one's willingness to accept a challenge, confront a threat, etc.
|
broken-hearted »
Alternative spelling of brokenhearted. Feeling depressed, despondent, or hopeless, especially over losing a love.
|
bros before hos »
Alternative spelling of bros before hoes.
|
bump and grind »
A combination of movements resembling such a dance, as in road racing, whitewater kayaking, or exercising; any activity involving prolonged jarring or shaking.
|
bunny hop »
A ground ball that hops along the field instead of rolling.
|
by the same token »
For a similar reason; in a similar manner; similarly; likewise; along the same lines.
|
calling card »
A prepaid card or credit card, usually electronically readable, used to pay the charges when making a telephone call.
|
calling card »
A small printed card which identifies the bearer, traditionally presented for introduction when making a social visit to a home or when attending a formal social event or business meeting.
|
calling card »
An attribute, object, or behavior which is distinctly characteristic of someone or something.
|
calling card »
Excrement, especially of a domestic animal.
|
carry a torch for »
[2] To harbor feelings of love despite not being in a relationship; generally unrequited or after a relationship has ended, and sometimes implying secret feelings. There is the implication of keeping hope alive.
|
cat that ate the canary »
A person who appears self-satisfied or smug, especially while concealing something mischievous, prohibited, or private.
|
caught with one's hand in the cookie jar »
Observed or apprehended while committing a theft, especially while embezzling money.
|
chicken out »
To shy away from a daring task; to decline, refuse, or avoid something due to fear or uncertainty.
|
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.
|
closed book »
A person or thing that cannot be easily understood; someone or something incomprehensible or puzzling.
|
come about »
To tack; to change tack; to maneuver the bow of a sailing vessel across the wind so that the wind changes from one side of the vessel to the other; to position a boat with respect to the wind after tacking.
|
come online »
To enter service or become active.
|
come to »
To stop a sailing vessel, especially by turning into the wind. See also come about.
|
cop out »
To avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.
|
crashpad »
In the aviation industry, used for a place of temporary lodging for airline flight crews.
|
cross my heart »
A declaration that the speaker is telling the truth.
|
cross off »
To strike out; to cross out; to draw a line through.
|
cross out »
To strike out; to draw a line through.
|
cross the line »
To cross the equator, as a vessel at sea.
|
cross the line »
To overstep a boundary, rule, or limit; to go too far or do something unacceptable.
|
cry someone a river »
To try to obtain the sympathy of another person by complaining or sniveling.
|
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 in »
When painting, to paint edges, corners, or trim in preparation for rolling larger areas.
|
dead men tell no tales »
Once someone is dead, they can no longer communicate, hence killing someone is the best way to keep him/her quiet.
|
dead tree edition »
Paper version of a publication that can be found online.
|
death knell »
A sign or omen foretelling the death or destruction of something.
|
death knell »
The tolling of a bell announcing death.
|
deep pockets »
An ample supply of money, especially money which one is willing to spend; the possessor of such money.
|
do a slow burn »
To experience a gradually increasing feeling of anger or frustration.
|
dog and pony show »
Originally, a small, traveling circus featuring animals as entertainment.
|
dog's breakfast »
An unappealing mixture; a disorderly situation; a mess.
|
don't cry over spilled milk »
Alternative spelling of don't cry over spilt milk.
|
don't look at me »
A response indicating that one is not willing or able to perform a task.
|
down to the wire »
At the very end of a process or project, especially one with a fast-approaching deadline.
|
draw on »
To advance, continue; to move or pass slowly or continuously, as under a pulling force.
|
draw the line »
To set a boundary, rule, or limit, especially on what one will tolerate.
|
drop a dime »
To make a phone call, usually means calling the police to report another's activities.
|
drop a line »
A note or telegram.
|
drop a line »
On the telephone.
|
drop back »
Of a quarterback or other player in the backfield, to take a number of steps back from the line of scrimmage immediately after the snap or hike of the ball, to avoid defenders.
|
drop somebody a line »
To write, call or visit somebody.
|
dusty miller »
A formulaic phrase for a miller, related to the dust generated in the milling process.
|
early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise »
platitude from Benjamin Franklin under the pseudonym Poor Richard.
|
easy as falling off a log »
Very easy.
|
eat out »
To perform cunnilingus.
|
eat pussy »
To perform cunnilingus.
|
economical with the truth »
Not telling the whole truth, especially in order to present a false image of a situation; untruthful; lying. Often used with sarcasm or satire.
|
end of the line »
Final cessation or discontinuance of a process, institution, or person, especially one which has existed for a considerable period of time; death.
|
end of the line »
The termination point of a railway or similar transportation system.
|
every cloud has a silver lining »
In every bad situation there is an element of good1881, National Academy of Code Administration (U.S.), Folio, page 417:Every cloud has a silver lining; but in the old-fashioned meeting-houses every cloud of hymnal melody generally had a nasal lining before the congregation...1887, Shakers, Religion, page 36:that "a little reserve and thou'lt fail surely," will prove to be true in our experience. Every cloud has a silver lining and so has every sorrow,1918, George Jean Nathan, Performing Arts, page 222:But the most popular attitude toward what we may call "sad" plays is the peculiar one of believing that, since every cloud has a silver lining,
|
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.
|
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
|
execution style »
Resembling an execution; with the victim aware, but unable to defend himself or resist.
|
faceplant »
Death or defeat in popular multiplayer online games.
|
faceplant »
The act of landing face first, often associated with bailing during extreme sports.
|
fair to middling »
Only tolerably good.
|
fall in line »
C. 2004, Career Soldiers, "Won't Waste My Life".
|
fall in line »
To submit to the rules of a higher authority; obey; conform.
|
fall into »
To go into something by falling.
|
fall out »
To come out of something by falling.
|
falling out »
A disagreement; a major difference of opinion.
|
fancypants »
Alternative spelling of fancy pants. The condition of being overly showy; concerned more about one's reputation than anything else.
|
farmer's tan »
The tan line left by clothing, especially, by a short-sleeved shirt.
|
fat lip »
A swelling on the lip, especially one resulting from a punch or other blow.
|
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.
|
feel up to »
To have an inclination to do something.
|
fencepost problem »
In computer programming, a problem dealing with how to treat the initial or boundary values of a discrete problem.
|
fine line »
A difference, albeit vague and difficult to discern.
|
fire on all cylinders »
To operate as effectively as possible.
|
fishtail »
The tail of a fish, or an object resembling this.
|
flesh out »
To complete; to create details from a basic outline, structure or skeleton.
|
fly-by-night »
Traveling businessmen and tradesmen.
|
from the bottom of one's heart »
In earnest; sincerely; with one's full feeling.
|
get »
Lineage.
|
get one's claws into »
Have a controlling influence over.
|
get the ball rolling »
To begin; to start some action; to set in motion.
|
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 ear »
Dante Gabriel Rosetti, A Death-Parting, lines 5-6.
|
give over »
Usually as an imperative. To tell someone to stop molesting, fooling around, or saying silly things. Or sometimes to stop saying flattering things.
|
give somebody the creeps »
To give someone a feeling of uneasiness or mild fright.
|
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 down »
To stop functioning, to go offline.
|
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 out »
1922, Alfred Edward Housman, XXVIII, lines 3-4.
|
go through the mill »
To experience the suffering or discipline necessary to bring one to a certain degree of knowledge or skill, or to a certain mental state.
|
go to pot »
To decline or deteriorate.
|
go to seed »
To deteriorate; to decline into an unkempt or debased condition.
|
go to the dogs »
To decline or deteriorate.
|
gold standard »
A monetary system where the value of circulating money is linked to the value of gold.
|
greasy spoon »
An inexpensive diner or other informal restaurant, especially one specializing in frying or grilling.
|
greenwash »
A false or misleading picture of environmental friendliness used to conceal or obscure damaging activities.
|
grunt work »
That is considered undesirable and therefore delegated to underlings.
|
guilt trip »
A feeling of shame or embarrassment, especially if self-indulgent, unwarranted, exaggerated or felt over a significant period of time.
|
guilt trip »
Remarks intended to produce such a feeling.
|
gut factor »
Feelings about what feels right or wrong, good or bad. An inner persuasion that one may feel convinced is the appropriate decision.
|
gut feeling »
An instinct or intuition; an immediate or basic feeling or reaction without a logical rationale.
|
half a mind »
A moderate inclination.
|
half nelson »
wrestling hold
|
hand over »
To relinquish control or possession of something to someone.
|
hang about »
To stay, linger or loiter.
|
hang around »
To stay, linger or loiter.
|
hang by a thread »
To be in danger, calling for precise caution. To be in a precarious situation.
|
hang out to dry »
To attach washing to a clothesline to dry.
|
hard feelings »
Resentment, anger.
|
hard lines »
Expressed to someone suffering misfortune.
|
hard-hearted »
unfeeling
|
has-been »
A formerly popular or influential person whose popularity or effectiveness has peaked and is now in decline. Typically said of professionals or celebrities whose primary success is behind them.
|
have truck with »
To have dealings with.
|
he who smelt it dealt it »
(colloquial, originally) A person who calls attention to or complains about a fart is likely trying to pretend it wasn't his or her own.(colloquial, by extension) Used to suggest that a person calling attention to or complaining about a given problem may in fact be the source of the problem.
|
head over heels »
Tumbling upside down.
|
head scratcher »
A particularly puzzling or confusing event.
|
heebie-jeebies »
A general feeling of anxiety, fear, uneasiness, or nausea.
|
hit the ceiling »
To be explosively angry. To lose one's temper.
|
hit the headlines »
To appear prominently in the news, especially on the front page.
|
hit the road »
To begin traveling in an automobile or other road vehicle.
|
home is where you hang your hat »
Rather than feeling nostalgic or sentimental, one should simply accept any place where one happens to reside as one's home.1948, Ruth L. Yorck, "D.P.
|
honesty is the best policy »
Honesty is the most honorable and fulfilling way to live one's life.
|
honey trap »
The use of a seductive woman to entice a man into revealing secret information.
|
hook line and sinker »
completely
|
hook, line and sinker »
Naively or unquestioningly.
|
horse's ass »
A thing or person which is visually unappealing.
|
hot lunch »
A sexual act in which a pouch of clingfilm or similar material filled with faeces is placed in one of the participants' mouth and subsequently penetrated by the second participant.
|
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.
|
how do you like them apples »
Directed jestingly or mockingly at someone who has received surprising information, ridiculing the situation.
|
hurt someone's feelings »
To offend or hurt someone.
|
if you love somebody, set them free »
One should be willing to let go of someone they love if they truly love them.
|
in a league of one's own »
Far excelling even the closest contender; not having any worthy competition.
|
in cold blood »
In a ruthless and unfeeling manner; premeditated and deliberate.
|
in line »
On a queue; waiting one's turn for something.
|
in line »
Positioned in a straight line.
|
in line »
Suitable or appropriate; keeping with expectations, norms, ideals, or rules.
|
in line »
To assume a position in the future.
|
in the driver's seat »
Having the most important role in a storyline or recognition. Of primary importance.
|
in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king »
Among others with a disadvantage or disability, the one with the mildest disadvantage or disability is regarded as the greatest.Even someone without much talent or ability is considered special by those with no talent or ability at all.
|
in the twinkling of an eye »
Circa 1598, William Shakespeare, "The Merchant Of Venice".
|
in the twinkling of an eye »
Immediately; instantaneously.
|
in touch »
The ball, or a player, is in touch when it, or he, is outside the playing area or touching the touchlines of the playing area.
|
it's all grist to the mill »
Everything referred to in the present context has some sort of use.1999, Simon Blackburn, Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy (Oxford University Press paperback, ISBN 0199690871), ch. 7 section 6: "Kant
|
jack in »
To insert an electronic coupling into a receptacle; to connect to something, whether involving a physical medium or not.
|
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.
|
jack-tar »
Alternative spelling of jacktar.
|
jet setting »
The actions of the jet set; travelling from one fashionable location to another by jet.
|
jet-setting »
The actions of the jet set; travelling from one fashionable location to another by jet.
|
jumbo jet »
airliner
|
jump the shark »
To undergo a storyline development which is so ridiculous that previous quality is considered to have been lost.
|
keep one's cards close to one's chest »
To avoid revealing one's thoughts, circumstances, or plans.
|
keep one's pecker up »
Remain cheerful; keep smiling.
|
key off »
To take as a controlling input datum.
|
kindred soul »
Someone with the same feelings or attitudes as oneself; kindred spirit.
|
kindred spirit »
Someone with the same feelings or attitudes as oneself.
|
knock up »
In the morning as by knocking at the door; rouse; call; summon; also, to go door-to-door on election day to persuade a candidate's supporters to go to the polling station and vote. See also knocker up.
|
knock-on effect »
The continued running of an engine after the ignition has been turned off; dieseling.
|
ladies first »
A phrase encouraging polite gentlemanliness, allowing the ladies to go before the men.
|
ladies man »
Alternative spelling of lady's man.
|
ladies' man »
Alternative spelling of lady's man.
|
landing strip »
A cultivated pubic hair pattern in which much of the pubic hair is removed, leaving only a central vertical line or rectangle.
|
last minute »
Point in time, too close to a deadline to reasonably begin a critical task.
|
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 it on the line »
To state something, for example an ultimatum, strongly and clearly.
|
lead »
A thin strip of type metal, used to separate lines of type in printing.
|
lemon law »
A law dealing with defective items, especially automobiles, and consumers' rights.
|
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.
|
lick out »
To perform cunnilingus on.
|
life's a bitch »
An expression of acceptance of misfortune.1950, Joy Davidman, Weeping Bay, page 184:She'd have been willing enough to use them, poor dead little bitch. Life's a bitch. Life's a bad joke.
|
line in the sand »
A defining moment, a cutoff point.
|
line one's pockets »
To accumulate personal wealth, especially in an illegal or morally objectionable manner.
|
link whore »
Someone who goes to great lengths to get other people to link to his/her website or blog.
|
link whoring »
The practice of going out of one's way to place links to one's website on someone else's webpage.
|
liquid courage »
Alcohol drunk to induce a feeling of courage in the drinker.
|
long arm »
A pole tool used for handling things too far away to reach.
|
long goodbye »
Nickname for Alzheimer's disease, especially for the final phase of the disease, during which the patient suffers a progressive decline of cognitive and motor skills and gradually loses the ability to recognize and to communicate with family and friends.[1]; nickname for the relationship between a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease and that person's family or friends.
|
long haul »
Travelling a long distance.
|
look forward to »
To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure.
|
look through rose-tinted glasses »
Alternative spelling of wear rose-colored glasses.
|
lose the plot »
To have one's results decline severely in quality or suddenly fall below an acceptable standard, especially when compared to past excellence.
|
love is blind »
A person who is in love can see no faults or imperfections in the person who is loved.
|
loved up »
Alternative spelling of loved-up.
|
lump in one's throat »
A feeling of emotional sadness. On the point of crying.
|
lump to one's throat »
A feeling of emotional sadness. On the point of crying.
|
make a killing »
To win or earn a large amount of money.
|
meaty »
Resembling meat in flavour, etc.
|
memory lane »
A set of recollections available to be reviewed, especially accompanied by a feeling of nostalgia.
|
mend one's ways »
To recognise one's failings and attempt to remedy them.
|
mind one's P's and Q's »
Alternative spelling of mind one's p's and q's.
|
mother hen »
An outspoken and overprotective woman dealing with others' affairs.
|
move on »
To start dealing with something else.
|
myope comme une taupe »
Blind as a bat.
|
nickel-and-dime »
Alternative spelling of nickel and dime.
|
no pain, no gain »
One must be willing to endure some inconvenience or discomfort in order to achieve worthwhile goals.
|
nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat »
The idea/proposed action is inconsequential to the current situation.
|
not a pretty sight »
Something visually unappealing, ranging from mildly unattractive to utterly disgusting in appearance.
|
not all it's cracked up to be »
Not as good as claimed; falling short of expectations.
|
now you mention it »
The Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling.
|
nugget of truth »
January 2008, Chicago Tribune - Clinton's Hispanic edge over Obama.
|
nut-cutting time »
Time to exert maximum effort, for example, due to an approaching deadline or a looming competitive situation.
|
of sorts »
Resembling; similar to; in a way; partial or not entire; somewhat.
|
off one's game »
Performing in any activity below one's usual level; behaving in an irregular, inept, or awkward manner; feeling unwell.
|
off the chain »
Free from work or direct supervision. In reference to slave labor, where workers are chained, or to the figurative chain of workers of an assembly line.
|
old money »
The monetary system used in the United Kingdom before decimalisation and consisting of pounds, shillings, and pence.
|
on pins and needles »
Feeling sharp anticipation or anxiety; in a state of suspense.
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on spec »
Short form of "on speculation": Creating a work with the hope of selling it, as opposed to creating a work "on commission" for hire.
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on sufferance »
Unwillingly agreed to or barely tolerated.
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on the blink »
Functioning erratically, malfunctioning; not working or not working well. Usually refers to a mechanical or electronic device.
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on the go »
Actively traveling; busy; moving often.
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on the line »
In a contest or enterprise.
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on the line »
On a level with the eye of the spectator; said of a picture, as hung in an exhibition of pictures.
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on the mend »
Healing or recovering, as from an injury or illness.
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on the run »
Constantly traveling or moving from place to place.
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on the skids »
In decline; going downhill; in trouble.
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on the wane »
In a period of decrease or decline.
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one of his majesty's bad bargains »
A worthless soldier, a malingeror.
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one-hit wonder »
A musical performer or musical group known for a single hit song, especially after failing at later attempts at success.
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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.
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out of house and home »
In a manner that deprives one of dwelling or some aspect thereof.
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out of line »
Inappropriate or unsuitable, especially by reason of being unmannerly or indelicate.
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out on the tiles »
I've had a pint of bitter and now I'm feeling better and I'm out on the tiles." Led Zeppelin in their song "Out on the tiles", 1970.
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pan out »
By swirling dirt or crushed rock in a pan of water, in the manner of a traditional prospector seeking gold.
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pass on »
To skip or decline.
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peanut gallery »
Any source of heckling, unwelcome commentary or criticism, especially from a know-it-all or of an inexpert nature.
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pencil-neck »
An insubstantial person; a weakling.
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pencilneck »
An insubstantial person; a weakling.
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penny for your thoughts »
Used to inquire into the thoughts and feelings of another, especially when the person appears pensive or conflicted.
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people person »
Someone who is happier or more skilled at dealing with people rather than things or concepts.
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phase out »
To remove or relinquish the use of something little by little.
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pickin' and grinnin' »
Vigorously playing folk or country music on a stringed musical instrument, especially the guitar or banjo, while smiling broadly.
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piffy on a rock bun »
A person ignored or sidelined from an activity.
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play fast and loose »
To be recklessly inaccurate, inappropriate, or otherwise ignoring guidelines and conventions.
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pot calling the kettle black »
A situation in which somebody comments on or accuses someone else of a fault which the accuser shares.
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pour out »
To talk volubly and deeply. Usually implies telling the truth.
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price on one's head »
A compensation for capturing or killing a person, especially someone guilty of a crime.
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private branch exchange »
Telephone lines.
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pull apart »
To open something by pulling on various parts of it.
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pull my finger »
A phrase used when playing a prank regarding flatulence, in which a mark is asked to pull the finger of the person playing the prank, who simultaneously flatulates so as to suggest a causal relationship between the pulling of the finger and the resulting expulsion of gas.
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pull off »
To remove by pulling.
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put hair on somebody's chest »
To make a person stronger or more masculine.
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put one past somebody »
To deceive, trick, or fool, especially by concealing something.
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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.
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read between the lines »
To infer a meaning that is not stated explicitly.
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red light »
Denial to proceed. Ruling out of any possibility.
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rein in »
To stop or slow a horse by pulling the reins.
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rim job »
Anilingus; act where one person licks the other's anus.
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ringside seat »
A seat in the front row of a boxing or wrestling match.
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roadwarrior »
Alternative spelling of road warrior.
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roll down the windows »
To flail one's arms in a circular motion when off-balance, as to mimic the act of rolling down a car window.
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rolling pin »
kitchen utensil
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rolling stone »
A person who moves around a lot and never settles down.
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ropable »
Alternative spelling of ropeable. Able to be roped.
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rule of thumb »
A general guideline, rather than a strict rule; an approximate measure or means of reckoning based on experience or common knowledge.
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rule out »
To cross an item out by drawing a straight line through it, as with a ruler.
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run in »
Alternative spelling of run-in.
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run out »
Alternative spelling of runout.
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run up »
Of a bowler, to run, or walk up to the bowling crease in order to bowl a ball.
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running on empty »
Losing enthusiasm or willingness, lacking energy.
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sabre-rattling »
A flamboyant display of military power as an implied threat that it might be used.
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sabre-rattling »
Any threat, such as one company threatening another with a lawsuit.
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second childhood »
The period or state of cognitive decline of an elderly person, characterized by childlike judgment and behavior.
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see a man about a horse »
A message signaling one needs to go missing for a short while, for any reason, without giving a real explanation.
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set in one's ways »
Driven by habit; inclined or determined to continue according to one's custom or established preferences.
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shotgun »
A one-story dwelling with no hallways or corridors, with the rooms arranged in a straight line. Mostly heard in the southern United States.
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shuffle »
The act of shuffling cards.
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shy bairns get noot »
(Geordie) Alternative spelling of shy bairns get nowt.
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sign on the dotted line »
To formalize an agreement.
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sit back »
To recline while still in a seated position, with one's back on the frame of the seat.
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sit out »
To decline to participate; particularly, to decline to dance.
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sit through »
To unwillingly stay seated until the end of an event.
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slop bowl »
One of the four components of the traditional tea set. Tea drinkers emptied their unwanted, cold tea into the slop bowl before refilling their cups with fresh, hot tea.
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slow burn »
A gradually increasing feeling of anger or frustration.
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smack of »
To seem like; to appear or give an impression or feeling of; to arouse suspicion of.
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smell like a rose »
To be regarded as appealing, virtuous, or respectable; to be untainted or unharmed.
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snake eyes »
Two ones, after rolling two dice.
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so quiet one can hear a pin drop »
Said during a lull in a normally bustling place or scene, or as the result of a sudden dramatic or tense moment.
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socialized medicine »
A politically charged term used to contrast such systems with free market alternatives and emphasize the perceived link to socialism.
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soft sawder »
Cajoling or flattery.
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somewhere along the line »
At some unspecified time; eventually or once; at some point.
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space out »
To plant seedlings etc at regular intervals with a calculated space between them.
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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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spine-tingling »
Nervy or scary.
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spring fever »
A feeling of invigoration and restlessness associated with the arrival of the warm weather and renewal of nature in the spring season.
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spring fever »
A feeling of laziness or listlessness associated with the arrival of the warm, comfortable weather of the spring season.
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stand from under »
To escape something falling or being thrown from above.
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stick around »
To stay; to linger; to remain.
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stick in someone's craw »
To cause lasting annoyance, irritation, or hard feelings.
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stick in the mud »
A person unwilling to participate in activities, often because he or she believes the activity is not wholly kosher; a party pooper.
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stick-in-the-mud »
Alternative spelling of stick in the mud.
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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.
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sticky fingers »
An inclination to steal.
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straight man »
A member of a team of comic performers who plays a supporting role by helping to set up jokes and punch lines through engaging in preparatory dialog with the principal comedian; a foil who plays such a role in theatrical comedy.
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strike through »
Partly obliterate text by drawing a continuous line through the centre thereof, usually to indicate the deletion of an error or obsolete information.
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stumbling block »
A hindrance, obstacle or impediment.
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suck hind tit »
To be last in line.
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swallow one's pride »
To set aside one's feelings of pride and adopt a more humble or appropriate stance.
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swing for the fences »
To act in a way that might generate a very good result, but which also has a large chance of failing.
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take out »
Alternative spelling of takeout.
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take the fifth »
To decline to comment, especially on grounds that it might be incriminating.
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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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telling off »
A reprimand, reproach, or lecture.
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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 spirit is willing but the flesh is weak »
(proverbs) For much as one wishes to achieve something, the frailties of the human body often make it impossible.
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the straw that broke the camel's back »
A small and seemingly insignificant addition to a burden that renders it too much to bear; the small thing which causes failure, or causes inability or unwillingness to endure any more of something.
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three skips of a louse »
Said about some trifling or insignificant matter.
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throw dirt enough, and some will stick »
If enough allegations are made about someone or something, then even if they are all untrue, people's opinion of the person or thing will be diminished.1759, John Wesley, letter to John Downes, Rector of St. Michael's, Wood Street, read at Wesley Center Online at [1] on 14 Oct 06.I hope...that you are ignorant of the whole affair, and are so bold only because you are blind...And blind enough; so that you blunder on through thick and thin, bespattering all that come in your way, according to the old, laudable maxim, 'Throw dirt enough, and some will stick.'1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's Schooldays, read at fullbooks.com on 14 Oct 06,But whatever harm a spiteful tongue could do them, he took care should be done. Only throw dirt enough, and some will stick.1864, John Henry Newman, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, Penguin Classics (1994), p. 10,Archbishop Whately used to say
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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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thumb one's nose »
To place a thumb upon the tip of the nose, usually while simultaneous wiggling one's fingers, in a gesture of disrespect.
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tickle the ivories »
I don't have as much time as I'd like, but I still enjoy tickling the ivories from time to time.
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tie up »
link, connection
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tight ship »
A well-organized and highly disciplined organization.
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tight-lipped »
Unwilling to divulge information.
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time heals all wounds »
Negative feelings eventually erode away
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timing is everything »
Consideration of other events can greatly influence some desired outcome (such as an audience laughing to a comedian's joke).Telling the old joke about a butt-crack was not a good idea, just as the plumber arrived, Bob.You know what they say: "timing is everything." I'm sure we can find another plumber before the house floods.
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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.
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toe the line »
To abide by the rules or conventions.
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top of the line »
The best, fanciest, or highest quality, especially among selections in a product line.
|
touch cloth »
To be on the point of soiling oneself.
|
tough love »
The compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures, to attempt to improve someone's behavior.
|
toy with »
Handling something in a careless or frivolous manner.
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trigger-happy »
Inclined to behave recklessly, especially with machinery.
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trigger-happy »
Inclined to react excessively or violently at the slightest provocation.
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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.
|
turn down »
To refuse, decline, or deny.
|
turn over »
To relinquish; give back.
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turn up »
To belay or make fast a line on a cleat or pin.
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two bob »
Two shillings.
|
under the wire »
Across the finish line.
|
under the wire »
At the last minute; before the deadline; barely on time; nearly late.
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up for »
Planned; next in line.
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up for »
Willing to participate in; interested in.
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up to »
Able; willing.
|
walk on eggshells »
To be careful and sensitive, in handling very sensitive matters.
|
walk on eggshells »
To be overly careful in dealing with a person or situation because they get angry or offended very easily; to try very hard not to upset someone or something.
|
walk the line »
To behave in an authorized or socially accepted manner, especially as prescribed by law or morality; to exercise self-control.
|
walk the line »
To maintain an intermediate position between contrasting choices, opinions, etc..
|
walk the line »
To mark or secure a boundary by walking along it.
|
walk the line »
To participate in the procession at a graduation ceremony; to graduate.
|
warm down »
Gentle excercise at the end of a training session before cooling off.
|
warm fuzzy »
A good impression; a feeling of comfort or trust.
|
wash out »
To lose traction while going around a turn, especially in cycling, motorsports and skiing/snowboarding.
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when the cat's away the mice will play »
In the absence of a controlling entity, subordinates will take advantage of circumstances.
|
wrap up »
To form a cylinder by rolling a sheet of something.
|
wrestling with a pig »
To engage in a pointless task that leaves one worse off for having made an honest attempt.
|
yell at »
To scold, to rebuke - often by yelling.
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yellowbelly »
Someone from Lincolnshire.
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