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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all hollow »
As a foregone conclusion.
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an offer one can't refuse »
An offer from one side in any transaction with terms so attractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.
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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.
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as best one can »
In the best possible way, given the circumstances.
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ask for the moon »
To claim or desire something that one cannot have.
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bite off more than one can chew »
To try to do too much; to take on or attempt more than one is capable of doing.
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bottoming the house »
The process by where someone cleans their house 'from top to bottom'. It is a very thorough clean indeed, even more so than 'spring cleaning'.
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break up »
Of a telephone conversation, to cease to be understandable because of a bad connection.
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calling card »
A prepaid card or credit card, usually electronically readable, used to pay the charges when making a telephone call.
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chain reaction »
A series of events, each one causing the next.
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cop-out »
An excuse made in order to avoid performing a task or duty; a reason offered when someone cops out.
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cross that bridge when one comes to it »
To deal with a problem or situation only when it arises.
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death by spellcheck »
The problems caused by spellcheckers being incapable of correcting most homophone confusions.
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drop a dime »
To make a phone call, usually means calling the police to report another's activities.
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