a rising tide lifts all boats »
Benefits provided to a few may lead to conditions that are beneficial to all.
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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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April showers bring May flowers »
April, traditionally a rainy period, gives way to May, when flowers will bloom because of the water provided to them by the April rains.By extension, that a period of discomfort can provide the basis for a period of happiness.
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as long as »
Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; so long as.
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back up »
To provide support or the promise of support.
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bail out »
To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail money.
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be there for »
To be available to provide comfort and support for someone, especially in a period of difficulty.
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bear out »
To corroborate, prove, or confirm; to demonstrate; to provide evidence for.
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bring to the table »
To provide a suggestion.
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catch up »
To provide with news.
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circle the wagons »
To draw a wagon train into a circle to allow the wagons to provide cover when under attack.
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cite chapter and verse »
To provide specific references from an authoritative book, as the Bible or a book of statutes or rules, to support a statement.
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cite chapter and verse »
To speak authoritatively, providing detailed factual information.
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company »
In legal context, an entity that manufactures or sells products , or provides services as a commercial venture. A corporation.
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damn with faint praise »
To provide praise that is so minimal or inconsequential as to actually amount to criticism.
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deadbeat dad »
A man, especially one who is divorced or estranged from his partner, who fails to provide monetary child support when he is legally required to do so.
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earn one's keep »
To perform satisfactory physical labor or to provide other worthy services in return for remuneration, lodging, or other benefits; to support oneself financially.
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give away the store »
To transact, trade, or negotiate badly, by paying, providing, or conceding too much to the other party.
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give somebody the runaround »
Especially by providing useless information or directions .
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golden handcuffs »
Any arrangement or agreement designed to provide extremely favorable benefits or pay, so as to discourage participant from wanting to leave, especially to retain a choice employee.
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golden ticket »
A qualification, person or thing that can provide lucrative opportunities.
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grease payment »
A bribe or extorted money, usually relatively small in amount, provided to a low-level government official or business person, in order to expedite a business decision, shipment, or other transaction, especially in a country where such payments are not unusual.
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hold one's own »
To stand up to; to give a respectable performance; to provide worthy competition.
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lay on »
provide;
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lay the groundwork »
To create a foundation; to provide the basics or fundamentals.
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lead time »
The amount of time between the initiation of some process and its completion, e.g. the time required to manufacture or procure a product; the time required before something can be provided or delivered.
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leave somebody high and dry »
To abandon somebody; to stop providing assistance at a crucial moment.
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lubrication payment »
A bribe or extorted money, usually relatively small in amount, provided to a low-level government official or business person, in order to expedite a business decision, shipment, or other transaction, especially in a country where such payments are not unusual.
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man up »
To "be a man about it"; to do the things a good man is traditionally expected to do, such as: taking responsibility for the consequences of one's actions; displaying bravery or toughness in the face of adversity; providing for one's family, etc.
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meal ticket »
Someone or something that provides income or livelihood, especially as an exploited source.
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miner's canary »
A caged bird kept caged in mines because its demise provided a warning of dangerous levels of toxic gases.
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miner's canary »
Any thing, especially an organism, whose demise or distress provides an early warning of danger.
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miners' canary »
A caged bird kept caged in mines because its demise provided a warning of dangerous levels of toxic gases.
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miners' canary »
Any thing, especially an organism, whose demise or distress provides an early warning of danger.
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necker's knob »
A knob attached to the steering wheel of an automobile, especially before the widespread availability of power steering, helping the driver steer with one arm and leaving the other arm free to provide romantic attention to a companion.
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no frills »
Basic or simple; providing only what is necessary, without anything extra or fancy.
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pay the bills »
To provide enough income to sustain one's lifestyle.
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pound of flesh »
Something which is owed and which will be hurtful or difficult to provide; a debt owed to someone who is merciless and demanding.
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proverbs come in pairs »
Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.1979, Irving Howe, John Hollander, David Bromwich, Literature as Experience: An Anthology, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, ISBN 0155511130, page 325:Sometimes proverbs come in pairs, the first one providing the context, the second, the revision.
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rain check »
To provide a service at a later date.
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ringside seat »
Any vantage point providing an excellent view.
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sell »
To agree to transfer goods or provide services in exchange for money.
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shoot first and ask questions later »
To take action with serious consequences without delay, preserving the benefit of surprise by not providing indication of one's intent.
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shrouded »
Wearing, or provided with a shroud.
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so long as »
Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; as long as.
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spark off »
To initiate something by providing the necessary conditions.
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speak for oneself »
To provide an opinion only on one's own behalf.
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standard fare »
Something which is normal, routine, or unexceptional; something which is commonly provided or encountered.
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sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof »
No need to worry about the future; the present provides enough to worry about.
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sweetheart deal »
A transaction, contract, or other agreement in which one party provides particularly favorable terms to the other, especially in suspicious circumstances.
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talk out of turn »
To make a remark or provide information when it is inappropriate or indiscreet to do so, or when one does not have permission or the authority to do so.
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thanks for nothing »
Expression of displeasure towards a person who has not provided what was wanted.
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turn tricks »
To work as a prostitute, providing sexual services for money.
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warm the cockles of someone's heart »
To provide happiness, to bring a deeply-felt contentment.
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