a fool and his money are soon parted »
It is easy to get money from foolish people, especially rich ones.
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a man is known by the company he keeps »
People are similar in character to their friends.
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a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down »
An otherwise unpleasant situation can be pleasant when a pleasant aspect is deliberately introduced.1999, Eli Yassif, The Hebrew Folktale: History, Genre, Meaning, Indiana University Press, ISBN 0253335833, page 372,One is known as the "sweetening parable," that is to say a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Thus, when the aim is to preach to the people, to guide them along the "bitter," arduous path of upholding burdensome precepts and prohibitions, a tale can lighten the load, make the "medicine" easier "to swallow."2001, Maureen Reagan, First Father, First Daughter: A Memoir, Little, Brown, ISBN 0316736368, page 319,It put some fun into the tedious business of preparing for a presidential debate. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, right?2004, John Hoover, How to Work for an Idiot: Survive & Thrive... Without Killing Your Boss, Career Press, ISBN 1564147045, page 11,If a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, a barrel of laughs can wash down the big pills you might need to swallow.
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add fuel to the fire »
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
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age before beauty »
A phrase said to allow older people to go before younger ones.
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Après-ski »
A place "after skiing". Typically a bar or pub where people go after a day on the slopes to ease off and meet other people.
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as a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly »
Foolish people repeatedly do foolish things.
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ask around »
To enquire about something to different people.
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ask round »
To enquire about something to different people.
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at all hours »
Late into the night or early morning; when people ought to be sleeping.
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barking dogs seldom bite »
People who make big threats never usually carry them out.
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be in on »
To be a party to a secret shared by a small group of people.
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beer goggles »
The illusion that people are more attractive, brought on by alcohol consumption.
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big boys »
The people or bodies with the most influence and/or power.
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birds and bees »
Informal sex education, especially describing the sexual activity of animals rather than that of people.
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birds of a feather »
People having similar characters, backgrounds, interests, or beliefs.
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birds of a feather flock together »
People of similar character, background, or taste tend to congregate or associate with one another.
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birds of the feather flock together »
People who are alike physically tend to congregate and socialize together, despite government efforts at forced integration.
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black-on-black »
A reference to interactions between black people .
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blind date »
A romantic meeting between two people who have never met before.
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blood is thicker than water »
Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.1866, Anthony Trollope, The Belton Estate, ch. 30,Blood is thicker than water, is it not? If cousins are not friends, who can be?circa 1915, Lucy Fitch Perkins, The Scotch Twins, ch. 5,The old clans are scattered now, but blood is thicker than water still, and you're welcome to the fireside of your kinsman!
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break the ice »
To start to get to know people, by avoiding awkwardness.
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break up »
To stop a fight; to separate people who are fighting.
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bring in »
To introduce a person or group of people to an organisation.
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close off »
To seal or block the entrance to a road, an area, or a building so that people cannot enter.
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close to home »
Affecting people close to, or within, ones family circle.
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close up »
To move people closer together.
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clout list »
A usually secret list containing the names of people who are to be given special access, benefits, or influence in a political or social situation, especially as a result of having personal, professional, or financial relationships with those in authority.
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common ground »
A characteristic or interest shared by multiple people or systems.
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deliver the message to Garcia »
What we need is people who get the job done, no matter how. We don't want pickers who'll only learn if we use their preferred learning method. Have you read "A Message to Garcia" ? That's what we need today - young people who can deliver the message to Garcia.
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empty vessels make the most sound »
noisy, opinionated people are often stupid.
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everybody and his cousin »
Everybody; a huge crowd; too many people.
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everybody and their brother »
A large number of people; most people.
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everyone and their brother »
A large number of people; most people.
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everything happens for a reason »
All events are purposeful.Everything happens for a reason, so there is no such thing as failure. Mary-Kate OlsenPeople like to say "everything happens for a reason." If you repeat that in your head long enough that starts to sound like "anything can happen with a razor." Laura KightlingerI believe that everything happens for a reason, but I think it's important to seek out that reason - that's how we learn. Drew Barrymore
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fall in with »
To join a group of people.
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familiarity breeds contempt »
The more acquainted one becomes with a person, the more one knows about his or her shortcomings and, hence, the easier it is to dislike that person.1894, H. Rider Haggard, The People Of The Mist, ch. 25:This was the beginning of evil, for if no man is a hero to his valet de chambre, much less can he remain a god for long in the eyes of a curious woman. Here, as in other matters, familiarity breeds contempt.
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feed the dragon »
To the People's Republic of China.
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first come, first served »
People will be dealt with in the order they arrive.
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fit into »
To be of similar cultural or social status as the members of a group of people.
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flutter in the dovecote »
A disturbance, usually one caused within a prescribed group of people.
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fools rush in where angels fear to tread »
A person who does not plan ahead and think matters through becomes involved in risky or unfavorable situations which prudent people avoid.
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golden rule »
The principle that one should treat other people in the manner in which one would want to be treated by them.
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good fences make good neighbors »
It is better to mind one's own business than get involved with other people's affairs.
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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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great minds think alike »
Used to emphasize a coincidence, or two people reaching the same conclusion in any manner at the same time.
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greatest thing since sliced bread »
A relatively recent invention likely to significantly improve people's lives.
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hair-splitting »
The act of finding exceedingly small differences which are probably neither important nor noticeable to most people.
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hair-splittingly »
With exceedingly small differences which are probably neither important nor noticeable to most people.
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hammer home »
Until or so that a person or group of people understands it.
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heads will roll »
Some people will be fired for incompetence.
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heaven helps those who help themselves »
A maxim encouraging people to get involved in their own problems.
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hide one's light under a bushel »
For a person to keep some talent or skill hidden from other people. The tone is that a person having a talent which they can be proud of ought not hide it.
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hospital pass »
A throw that stays in the air long enough that it allows too many people to get underneath it, increasing the risk of injury and a trip to the hospital. Thus, a hospital pass.
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hot button »
A central issue, concern or characteristic, especially one that motivates people to make a choice.
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if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail »
With limited tools, single-minded people apply them inappropriately or indiscriminatelyIf a person is familiar with a certain, single subject/has with them a certain, single instrument, they may have a confirmation bias to believe that it is the answer to/involved in everything.
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inside joke »
A joke that is understood or meant to be understood only by certain people who are in the know about the details.
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jet set »
A set of wealthy people who travel for pleasure.
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jive turkey »
Someone who is jiving, as in dancing. Often applied to people being funny or showy.
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keep one's eye on the ball »
My ethos has always been to be very straight with people, tell it as it is. It doesn't often make people happy but I found that over a period of time it's better to be that way. So being straight, also being very focused on your objectives, keep your eye on the ball and not get deflected away from it.
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keep your friends close, and your enemies closer »
One should be on their toes and alert of their surroundings if malicious people are around, to ensure such people can't wreak havoc in one's life.
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link whore »
Someone who goes to great lengths to get other people to link to his/her website or blog.
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long absent, soon forgotten »
Love fades away when people are distant and don't keep close physical contact.
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long time »
Used as part of greeting of two people who have not been in contact for a long time.
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made in China »
Manufactured in the People's Republic of China.
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many hands make light work »
A large number of people co-operating can perform tasks easily.
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match made in heaven »
A marriage that is likely to be happy and successful because the two people are very compatible with each other.
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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 marriage that is likely to be unhappy or abusive and unsuccessful because the two people are very incompatible with each other.
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match made in hell »
A very unsuccessful or conflicting combination of two people or things.
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meat rack »
A place where people can meet looking for sexual partners.
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mutual admiration society »
A group of two or more people, in a workplace or other social environment, who routinely express considerable esteem and support for one another, sometimes to the point of exaggeration or pretense.
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no man is an island »
All people are connected to other people and dependent on other people.1623, John Donne,
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no rest for the wicked »
(humorous) People who are wicked must work harder than normal people.
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of all people »
Especially; more than other people.
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one another »
Used of a reciprocal relationship among a group of more than two people or things; compare each other.
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only fools and horses work »
Philosophy of life that people who do not look for an easy way of earning a living are foolish.
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opposites attract »
people who are completely different make ideal partners.
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other days, other ways »
People of the past thought and acted differently.
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out of place »
Amongst all those horsey people I felt quite out of place.
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parade of horribles »
A parade featuring a progression of people wearing comic and grotesque costumes.
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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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people person »
Someone who is happier or more skilled at dealing with people rather than things or concepts.
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people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones »
Do not criticize others if you have weaknesses yourself.
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poacher turned gamekeeper »
A person who now works against the same people they once supported.
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potter's clay »
A person or people created and shaped by God.
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prawn cocktail offensive »
A strategy of the Labour Party in winning over important people in the world of finance.
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put a damper on »
To stop people from enjoying an activity.
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rat run »
A small road that people venture down when they want to sneak off the motorway and take a short cut.
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read out »
To read something and say the words to inform other people.
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ride herd on »
To supervise a group of people, such as workers, and/or their actions, i.e. their work.
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ring around »
To call a number of people by phone, usually a circle of friends, to organise something.
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ring round »
To call a number of people by phone, usually a circle of friends, to organise something.
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robber baron »
In Europe, an aristocrat who charged exorbitant fees or otherwise exacted money from people who journeyed across land or waterways which he controlled.
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rule with an iron fist »
To rule with absolute authority or to the detriment of the people. To rule tyrannically.
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rules OK »
To be popularly accepted, or supported by the general majority of people.
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run around after »
To spend a lot of time doing things for another person or group of people. Often used when that person could reasonably do the things for themselves.
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run around with »
To spend a lot of time with a person or group of people. Often used to talk about a person's group of friends that one does not like much.
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run off with »
To leave with someone with the intention of living with them or marrying them. Usually in secret because other people think it is wrong.
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rush hour »
The times of the day when traffic jams are commonplace, due mainly to people commuting to or from work.
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sell ice to Eskimos »
To persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.
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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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some people »
Expresses disgust at the actions of a person; a response to a person doing something silly, bizarre, nonsensical or ill-mannered.
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stiff upper lip »
The quality of being resolute and showing self-restraint, associated with stereotypical British people.
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suffer fools gladly »
To be tolerant of stupidity or incompetence in other people.
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swim with sharks »
To operate among dangerous people.
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tag team »
Two or more people or groups acting alternately to accomplish some task.
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take out the trash »
To forcefully remove people from a place.
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talk of the town »
A subject discussed by many people.
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task force »
A group of people working towards a particular task, project, or activity, especially assigned in a particular capacity.
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the beast with two backs »
Two people engaged in sexual intercourse.
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the more the merrier »
It is more fun with more people.
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the shoe is on the other foot »
The roles of people in a situation have been reversed, such the advantage has shifted to a party which was previously disadvantaged.
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the whole world and his dog »
Everybody; too many people; a huge crowd.
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there's no accounting for taste »
When it comes to subjective matters of taste, people have wildly different opinions.Disagreements about matters of taste can't be objectively resolved.
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there's nowt so queer as folk »
Nothing is as strange as people can be.
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throw dirt enough, and some will stick »
If enough allegations are made about someone or something, then even if they are all untrue, people's opinion of the person or thing will be diminished.1759, John Wesley, letter to John Downes, Rector of St. Michael's, Wood Street, read at Wesley Center Online at [1] on 14 Oct 06.I hope...that you are ignorant of the whole affair, and are so bold only because you are blind...And blind enough; so that you blunder on through thick and thin, bespattering all that come in your way, according to the old, laudable maxim, 'Throw dirt enough, and some will stick.'1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's Schooldays, read at fullbooks.com on 14 Oct 06,But whatever harm a spiteful tongue could do them, he took care should be done. Only throw dirt enough, and some will stick.1864, John Henry Newman, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, Penguin Classics (1994), p. 10,Archbishop Whately used to say
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throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick »
Try the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2005, Mike Busson (poster on UKScreen forum) Re: Voiceovers!, read at [1] on 02 Nov 06,In terms of places to send your URL or CD's, there's no easy answer. It really is a case of throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.2005, "forwardone" (administrator posting on the HYIPForum), re: Alertpay phishing email, read at [2] on 02 Nov 06,I also think that sometimes they send out phishing e-mails in the hope that it`ll hit people who do have an account with a particular organization. You know, throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick theory.2006, Rob Manuel, How to be funny, read in Comedy Soup on the BBC website at [3] on 02 Nov 06,Throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick. Be prolific and don't be afraid to make stuff that's rubbish. If you keep trying eventually you'll get there.2006, Rex Pierce, Re: [303rd-Talk] D Day read on 303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Believe the planners worked on the principle of "throw enough mud at the wall, and some of it will stick".If enough (perhaps false or reckless) accusations are made against someone, his reputation will suffer, whether or not this is deserved2006, "money" (poster on eTalk Money), Some thoughts about compact surfing, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,Word of advice NVUS time to distance yourself from LuukH as quickly as possible and dish some dirt, otherwise well the saying goes - throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.
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too many cooks spoil the broth »
If too many people try to take charge at a task, the end product might be ruined.
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touchy-feely »
Having a fondness for physical contact with other people, especially to an excessive degree.
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trailer park trash »
Lower-class people who live in trailer parks.
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two heads are better than one »
Some problems may be solved more easily by two (or more) people working together than by one working alone.
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unwashed masses »
Of people who are considered by someone to be somehow uneducated, uninformed, godless, or in some other way unqualified for inclusion in the speaker's elite circles.
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wee small hours »
The very early morning, just after midnight, when most people are asleep.
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when the cat's away »
People are likely to take advantage of the absence of authority or enforcement of compliance.
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you can't judge a book by its cover »
It is not possible to make reliable judgments about things or people by considering external appearances alone.
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you can't teach an old dog new tricks »
It is impossible, or almost impossible, to change people's habits or traits or mindset.
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