ad fontes »
Go to the sources: An expression emphasizing the importance of conducting fundamental research and of consulting primary sources.
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at heart »
In spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings; deep down, really, fundamentally.
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bread and butter »
That which is central or fundamental, as to one's business, survival, or income; a staple or cornerstone.
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break down »
To become unstable, mentally or otherwise.
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collect one's thoughts »
To become mentally composed, especially after being distressed, surprised, or disoriented; to become calm or organized in one's emotional state or thinking, as in preparation for a conversation, speech, decision, etc.
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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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crack up »
To become insane; to suffer a mental breakdown.
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cross the aisle »
To vote, unite, or otherwise co-operate with members of another political party in order to achieve governmental or political action.
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deep down »
Fundamentally; in essence; in reality; really.
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deer in the headlights »
A mental state of high arousal caused by anxiety fear, panic, surpriseand/or confusion, or substance abuse. The behavioral signs are like a deer subjected to a car's headlights, such as widely opened eyes and a lack of motor reactions.
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from the ground up »
From the beginning; starting with the basics, foundation, or fundamentals.
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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.
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go to someone's head »
To strongly affect a person, especially to the detriment of their senses or mental faculties.
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golden rule »
A fundamental rule or principle.
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good drunk »
A person who is cheerful and companionable when intoxicated, retaining reasonable control of his or her mental and emotional faculties.
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green state »
A state that is, or is perceived as, environmentally friendly.
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greenwash »
A false or misleading picture of environmental friendliness used to conceal or obscure damaging activities.
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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.
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if it ain't broke, don't fix it »
Leave something alone; avoid correcting, fixing, or improving what is already sufficient, as it could end up being detrimental
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lay the groundwork »
To create a foundation; to provide the basics or fundamentals.
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loaded for bear »
Mentally prepared for a daunting situation or confrontation.
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mess up »
To discombobulate, utterly confuse, or confound psychologically; to throw into a state of mental disarray.
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nuts and bolts »
The basic, inner workings of something; the fundamentals or basics; that which makes something operate, on a basic level.
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one brick short of a full load »
Not mentally sound; insane.
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one card shy of a full deck »
Mentally deranged; demented; insane.
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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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pin tuck »
narrow ornamental fold
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plus »
(literally) The more it changes, the more it's the same thing (sometimes loosely translated as the more things change, the more they stay the same).Although the outward appearance may change, fundamentals are constant.
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pull oneself together »
To become mentally focused after a period of being unfocused.
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put one foot in front of the other »
To walk, decomposed to stress the fundamentality of the task.
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put someone in mind of »
To remind someone of; to inspire a mental image or awareness of; to cause thoughts concerning.
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rediscover fire »
To relearn fundamental concepts, principles or practices that had been previously well known and widely practiced at a prior time in human society.
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second childhood »
A childlike state in any adult, resulting from mental illness, trauma, or other conditions.
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soft spot »
A sentimental fondness or affection.
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sort out »
To clarify by reviewing mentally.
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stir-crazy »
Of a prisoner, mentally unbalanced due to prolonged incarceration.
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through and through »
Completely; entirely; fundamentally.
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touched in the head »
Demented, slightly mentally deficient.
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tough cookie »
A person who can endure physical or mental hardship; a hardened, strong-willed person.
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up to snuff »
Mentally alert, shrewd, savvy.
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urban fabric »
The physical aspect of urbanism, emphasizing building types, thoroughfares, open space, frontages, and streetscapes; while excluding without prejudice to this useful term, environmental, functional, economic and sociocultural aspects.
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wear down »
To cause physical or mental fatigue.
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wits' end »
Limit of one's sanity or mental capacity; point of desperation.
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work at »
To make a physical or mental effort to progress some specified task.
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you can't fight city hall »
(chiefly US) Nothing can be done to change the situation, because it is a governmental decision.I see they're going to build the airport after all. I suppose you can't fight city hall.
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