a good man is hard to find »
Men who make good husbands or workers are rare.
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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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a new broom sweeps clean »
New management will often make radical changes.
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a stopped clock is right twice a day »
A normally unreliable person or instrument can occasionally provide correct information, even if only by accident.
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accident of birth »
Reference to the fact that various benefits or detriments to the life of a person arise from the circumstances into which that person was born, these being entirely beyond his control.
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ad fontes »
Go to the sources: An expression emphasizing the importance of conducting fundamental research and of consulting primary sources.
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admiral of the blue »
A landlord or publican wearing a blue apron, as was formerly the custom among men of that vocation.
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agree to disagree »
To tolerate each other's opinion and stop arguing; to acknowledge that an agreement will not be reached.
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albatross »
A long-term impediment, burden, or curse.
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all in a day's work »
A nonchalant dismissal of a significant accomplishment.
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all out »
The state of a side having no more men to bat, thus ending its innings.
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amateur hour »
A situation or activity in which the participants show a lack of skill, sound judgment, or professionalism.
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and change »
And some quantity, but less than the increment to the next round number.
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and counting »
Used to show that the number previously mentioned is continuously changing, i.e. increasing or decreasing.
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and then some »
Used to confirm preceding utterance, while implying that what was said or asked is an understatement.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
