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.
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all ears »
Awaiting an explanation.
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all nations »
A composition of all the different spirits sold in a dram-shop, collected in a vessel into which the drainings of the bottles and quartern pots are emptied.
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ask my arse »
A common reply to any question; still deemed wit at sea, and formerly at court, under the denomination of selling bargains.
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at a glance »
Upon cursory examination; an abbreviated review.
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autem cackler »
Dissenters of every denomination.
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beauty is in the eye of the beholder »
Individuals have different inclinations on what is beautiful. Individuals have different beauty standards.
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best of both worlds »
A combination of two seemingly contradictory benefits.
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boot camp »
Indoctrination, physical fitness training and basic instruction in service-related subjects for recruits in the Navy and Marine Corps.
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born with a silver spoon in one's mouth »
Note. The original nautical expression is just born with a silver spoon and describes those young gentlemen who were able to enter the Royal Navy without examination and whose promotion was assured. the converse was born with a wooden ladle.
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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.
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charge up »
To motivate, to instill someone with determination.
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charity mugger »
A person employed by a charity, or by an intermediary fundraising agency employed by the charity, who stands in the street and invites passersby to set up standing orders or direct debits to make regular donations to the charity.
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circular firing squad »
A political party or other group experiencing considerable disarray because the members are engaging in internal disputes and mutual recrimination.
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divide and conquer »
A combination of political, military and economic strategies that aim to gain and maintain power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into chunks that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy.(computing) Applied to various algorithms, such as quicksort, that solve a problem by splitting it recursively into smaller problems until all of the remaining problems are trivial.(as imperative, proverb) In order to rule securely, don't allow alliances of your enemies.
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do something with mirrors »
To jokingly pretend that one did something using magic mirrors, that one is a magician; a joking explanation of the fantastic or the unexplained.
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e pluribus unum »
A national motto of the United States of America, meaning "From many, one", or "out of many, one", referring to the integration of 13 independent colonies into one country, and that has taken an additional meaning, giving the pluralistic nature of American society from immigration.
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end of the line »
The termination point of a railway or similar transportation system.
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end up »
To arrive at a destination, sometimes unexpectedly.
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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,
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feel up to »
To have an inclination to do something.
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get something over with »
To do something quickly and hastily; without procrastination, especially so as to have something unpleasant behind oneself.
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grass roots »
People and society at the local level rather than at the national centre of political activity.
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half a mind »
A moderate inclination.
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head scratcher »
December 2007, W:Daily News Tribune - Golden Globes nominations a head-scratcher.
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in broad daylight »
In ample natural illumination, during the daytime.
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in other words »
Stated or interpreted another way; introduces an explanation.
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in the light of »
In the illumination from.
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king »
A male monarch; member of a royal family who is the supreme ruler of his nation.
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leave nothing to the imagination »
He stripped down to a pair of see-through briefs that left nothing to the imagination.
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leave nothing to the imagination »
To cover or hide very little or nothing.
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long finger »
A state of postponement or procrastination.
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match made in heaven »
A very successful combination of two people or things.
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match made in hell »
A very unsuccessful or conflicting combination of two people or things.
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oh, well »
An expression of disappointment or resignation; too bad; pity.
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pass the hat »
To ask for money, especially from a group of people; to solicit donations or contributions.
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perfect storm »
A powerful hurricane or other major weather disturbance, especially as produced by a combination of meteorological conditions.
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pink slip »
Notice of the termination of employment.
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potter's clay »
A nation or kingdom.
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power chord »
A chord or combination of notes used in rock music and typically selected to sound good at high volume and high levels of distortion. Power chords make extensive use of intervals such as open fourths and fifths.
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pronunciamiento »
A military uprising or coup in Spain or the Spanish American republics, particularly in the 19th century. They received this designation because coups were usually accompanied by a statement declaring the existing government null and void.
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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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shanks' mare »
One's own legs used for walking; to "travel by shanks' mare" or "ride on shanks' mare" is to walk to your destination.
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smell the barn »
To experience heightened anticipation or to act with renewed speed or energy as one approaches a destination, goal, or other desired outcome, like a livestock animal at day's end returning to its barn.
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smoke and mirrors »
A deceptive, fraudulent, or unconvincing explanation or description.
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so much for »
An expression of disregard, or resignation; something said upon giving up, quitting, or disposing of something.
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social death »
The alienation of certain people from society to the point of being forgotten, excluded, or ignored in society.
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soft shoe »
A speech, explanation, sales pitch, or other set of remarks delivered in a restrained or conciliatory manner in order to persuade, distract, or otherwise influence someone.
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spot check »
A cursory inspection or examination or the inspection or examination of a sample of something.
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sticky fingers »
An inclination to steal.
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strange bedfellows »
An unusual combination or political alliance.
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the sky is the moon »
A new modern combination of "the sky is the limit" and "shoot for the moon".
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tickle someone's fancy »
To amuse, entertain, or appeal to someone; to stimulate someone's imagination in a favorable manner.
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under the microscope »
Under close scrutiny or examination.
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walk around »
To walk with no real planned destination, but to just walk, to meander "around".
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who shot John »
A long and involved explanation; a thing of which an explanation would be long and involved.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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