We've found 761 phrases for pro (0.162 seconds):

a chain is only as strong as its weakest link »    An organization (especially a process or a business) is only as strong or powerful as its weakest person. A group of associates is only as strong as its laziest member.

a drop in the bucket »    An effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem.

a good beginning makes a good ending »    Good beginnings promise a good end; start off on a good note to reap the benefits at the end.

a man's home is his castle »    (US) a proverbial expression of personal privacy and security

a rising tide lifts all boats »    Benefits provided to a few may lead to conditions that are beneficial to all.

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.

a stopped clock is right twice a day »    A normally unreliable person or instrument can occasionally provide correct information, even if only by accident.

a watched pot never boils »    A process appears to go more slowly if one waits for it rather than engaging in other activities.

according to »    In a manner conforming or corresponding to; in proportion.

according to Hoyle »    In strict accordance with the rules, especially of card games; in the proper or expected manner.

account for »    To explain by relating circumstances; to show that some one, thing or members of a group are present or have been processed.

act out »    To go through the process of a scene from a play, a charade or a pointless exercise.

admiral of the blue »    A landlord or publican wearing a blue apron, as was formerly the custom among men of that vocation.

against all odds »    Despite seemingly insurmountable opposition or probability.

all clear »    permission to proceed

all eyes »    Having prominent eyes.

all talk and no action »    Speaking, promising, or boasting much, but doing little

all walks of life »    All professions, lifestyles or social classes.

all's well that ends well »    Problems do not matter if things turn out well in the end.

along about »    Approximately; at around some time.

amateur hour »    A situation or activity in which the participants show a lack of skill, sound judgment, or professionalism.

an Englishman's home is his castle »    (UK) a proverbial expression of personal privacy and security

answer back »    To issue echo characters, protocol responses, reflexive connection requests, etc.

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.

apron string hold »    An estate held by a man during his wife's life.

as good as one's word »    Faithful to a promise one has made.

as long as »    Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; so long as.

as you sow, so shall you reap »    The personal consequences of one's actions are in proportion to the good or bad intentions towards others.

ask for it »    To provoke an unwanted action.

ass into gear »    Get going; get moving; start producing.

at hand »    Near; soon; approaching; imminent.

at work »    Working, in the process of doing work.

autem gogler »    Pretended French prophet.

back out »    To withdraw from something one has promised to do.

back up »    To provide support or the promise of support.

back-of-the-envelope »    Approximate, rough, simplified.

bail out »    To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail money.

ballpark estimate »    A ballpark figure, a very rough approximation.

balum rancum »    A hop or dance, where the women are all prostitutes. N. B. The company dance in their birthday suits.

bang out »    To do something quickly, in a slipshod, or unprofessional manner.

bark up the wrong tree »    To attempt or pursue the wrong thing; to take the wrong approach; to follow a false lead.

barrel »    A metallic tube, as of a gun, from which a projectile is discharged.

be in a spot of bother »    To have a slight problem, to be in a predicament.

be left holding the baby »    To be left with the responsibility of resolving a problem.

be there for »    To be available to provide comfort and support for someone, especially in a period of difficulty.

bear down »    To approach another vessel from windward.

bear down on »    To approach someone in a very determined way.

bear out »    To corroborate, prove, or confirm; to demonstrate; to provide evidence for.

beat one's head against a stone wall »    To waste effort on a futile project.

beefed out »    Having been improved greatly or upgraded; beefed up.

beggars can't be choosers »    (proverb) When resources are limited, one must accept even substandard gifts.

best bet »    The best proposal or plan.

best laid plans »    A proverbial expression used to signify the futility of making detailed plans when the outcome is uncertain.

bid fair »    seem probable

bid fair »    seems probable

big mouth »    The mouth of someone who talks too much, especially by making exaggerated claims or by inappropriately revealing information.

big up »    To proclaim or exaggerate the importance of.

bitter end »    The end of a long and difficult process.

blaze a trail »    To show the way or proceed rapidly.

bleep out »    To censor inappropriate spoken words by obscuring them with the sound of a bleep.

blow out of proportion »    To overreact to or overstate; to treat too seriously or be overly concerned with.

blow the whistle »    To disclose information to the public or to appropriate authorities concerning the illegal or socially harmful actions of a person or group, especially a corporation or government agency.

board up »    To block doors or windows with boards, either to prevent access or as protection from storms, etc.

boil down »    As an allusion to the cooking technique of reducing liquids by heat, one boils down a problem, argument, etc. to its most central elements.

boot camp »    A short, intensive, quasi-military program generally aimed at young offenders as an alternative to a jail term.

boot up »    To start a computer using its bootstrap procedure.

born in a barn »    Engaging in the annoying behavior of inappropriately, and usually neglectfully, leaving open a door or window.

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.

bottle out »    To fail to perform a promised or planned action due to lack of courage.

bottom line »    The final balance; the amount of money or profit left after everything has been tallied.

bottom of the line »    The worst, the most lackluster, or lowest quality currently on the market, especially among selections in a product line.

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'.

brain fart »    A lapse in the thought process; an inability to think or remember something clearly.

brass ring »    Figuratively, a prize or goal. Often used with respect to employment goals e.g. promotion, better job, etc.

break a leg »    To perform well in a theatrical production or comparable endeavor.

break into »    To try to start in a profession or business.

break the back of »    To achieve the greater part of some project.

bridge »    A prosthesis replacing one or several adjacent teeth.

bridge »    An elevated platform above the upper deck of a mechanically propelled ship from which it is navigated and from which all activities on deck can be seen and controlled by the captain, etc; smaller ships have a wheelhouse, and sailing ships were controlled from a quarterdeck.

bring forth »    To produce, bear as fruit.

bring forth »    To display, produce, bring out for display.

bring to the table »    To provide a suggestion.

brown power »    The production of electricity made from conventional sources, such as coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power.

brush up »    To review; to improve an existing but rusty or under-developed skill.

bulletproof »    Capable of withstanding a direct shot by a bullet fired from a gun.

bulletproof »    Reliable, infallible, sturdy or error-tolerant.

bulletproof »    Unbreakable, very tough.

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.

bump up »    To promote a person to a higher grade.

bump up »    To give a more prominent place to; to advance position in queue.

bung up »    To close an opening with a cork, cork like object or other improvised obstruction.

buried treasure »    Something, having been concealed for a long time, which later is found and is profitable.

bush league »    A low-ranking or inferior level among groups, professions, organizations, etc.

bush league »    A professional sports association at the lower levels of minor league organization.

business girl »    A prostitute.

busy work »    Work or activity performed with the intention or result of occupying time, and not necessarily to accomplish something productive; routine work of low priority undertaken for the sake of avoiding idleness.

butt heads »    To argue uncompromisingly with someone.

buy to let »    To purchase a property as in investment, and to let it out for rental instead of living in it.

by leaps and bounds »    Rapidly. Said of making progress.

by the book »    In a manner which adheres strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.

by the way »    [...] I had counted on a life-lease of the profits, whereas I only received those of a few short years. But this is by the way.

by trade »    As a profession; professionally.

by-the-book »    Adhering strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.

call out »    To arrange for a professional to call at your home for some purpose.

can of worms »    A complex, troublesome situation arising when a decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems.

captain of industry »    A prominent business person who owns or is the highest-ranking executive of one or more major firms, especially one who has considerable wealth and influence.

carry a tune »    To produce music, especially to sing, with accurate pitch.

carry on »    To continue or proceed as before.

carry one's weight »    To contribute or produce one's fair share, as of work, money, etc.

cash cow »    A product, service, or enterprise that generates ongoing, high net free cash flows.

cash in »    To profit from; to use an opportunity to maximum advantage, especially financially.

cast off »    To let go a cable or rope securing a vessel to a buoy, wharf etc so that she may proceed.

castle in the air »    A visionary project or scheme; a day-dream; an idle fancy; a pipe dream; any plan, desire, or idea that is unlikely to be ever realized; a near impossibility.

cat and mouse game »    Two individuals and/or groups repeatedly keeping check on each other in a suspicious or self-protective way, often with the goal of one or both parties trying to gain a malicious advantage over the other.

cat that ate the canary »    A person who appears self-satisfied or smug, especially while concealing something mischievous, prohibited, or private.

catch flies »    An ostensible product of awkwardly having one's mouth open wide.

catch up »    To provide with news.

caucus race »    The competitive process in which a political party selects their candidate, esp. presidential; a primary election via caucus.

chain reaction »    A nuclear reaction in which particles produced by the fission of one atom trigger fissions of other atoms.

chalkface »    A musical concept or genre in which music is completely improvised and never played twice. Most often mixing elements of hip-hop, metal, punk and avant-garde jazz.

chances are »    It is likely that, it is probable that.

change hands »    To become the property of someone else; to be bought or sold.

change horses in midstream »    To change plans or approaches at an inopportune time, such as when an effort is already underway, generally considered an inadvisable thing to do.

cheaters never prosper »    One does not gain from cheating.

cheek by jowl »    In close proximity; crammed uncomfortably close together.

chip on one's shoulder »    A habitually combative attitude, usually because of a harboured grievance, sense of inferiority, or having something to prove.

circle the wagons »    To draw a wagon train into a circle to allow the wagons to provide cover when under attack.

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.

cite chapter and verse »    To speak authoritatively, providing detailed factual information.

clean house »    To reform by removing undesirable personnel and procedures.

clean up »    To make a large profit; to win by a large margin, or to win a large amount, especially in gambling. Also clean house.

clean up one's act »    To reform; to improve one's habits.

close the stable door after the horse has bolted »    To attempt to prevent a problem only to find it has already happened.

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.

cock of the walk »    A proud or conceited person.

come across »    To give an appearance or impression; to project a certain image.

come along »    To progress; to make progress.

come on »    To progress, to develop.

come out in the wash »    Of problems or difficulties, to work out, resolve, or become understood eventually and naturally.

come out of the closet »    To tell others about homosexuality, bisexuality or any minority or disapproved-of belief, preference, etc., where previously this had been kept secret.

come through »    Not to let somebody down, keep one's promise.

come up »    To come towards, to approach.

comfort girl »    A sex slave; prostitute.

company »    In legal context, an entity that manufactures or sells products , or provides services as a commercial venture. A corporation.

controlled substance »    Except for very limited professional testing purposes.

cookie-cutter »    A solution to a problem that can be applied in many situations without modification.

cordon off »    To protect from intrusion by enclosing in a rope barrier.

cotton to »    To like; approve of, accept, or tolerate.

cradle robber »    A person who marries or becomes romantically involved with someone who is much younger or who employs or otherwise engages a young person for a purpose inappropriate for his or her age.

crank out »    To produce in large volumes mechanically or as if by machine.

creature feature »    A horror film in which one or more monsters plays a prominent role.

cross that bridge when one comes to it »    To deal with a problem or situation only when it arises.

cry someone a river »    To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.

cut out »    Well suited; appropriate; fit for a particular activity or purpose.

damn with faint praise »    To provide praise that is so minimal or inconsequential as to actually amount to criticism.

damp squib »    Anything that doesn’t work properly, or fails to come up to expectations..

dawn of a new day »    A new beginning; a fresh start; an important, promising turning point.

daylight robbery »    An exorbitant charge for a product or service.

dead »    Unproductive.

dead duck »    A project that is doomed to failure from the start.

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.

deadstick landing »    When a pilot lands a plane after the engine has died; a landing lacking any propulsion control.

deafening silence »    A silence, or a lack of any response, that signifies disapproval or lack of any enthusiasm.

death by spellcheck »    The problems caused by spellcheckers being incapable of correcting most homophone confusions.

deathblow »    Something that prevents the completion, or ends the existence of some project etc.

deep thinker »    A person whose thoughts are profound; an intellectual.

deliver the goods »    To keep one's promises.

deliver the message to Garcia »    Programmers are consistently dehumanized because so many do indeed deliver the message to Garcia only to be at best ignored.

desk jockey »    One who spends his or her time seated at a desk; especially one who is more concerned with procedure, paperwork, or administration than with its ultimate goal or practical consequence.

devil is in the details »    The specific provisions of, or particular steps for implementing, a general plan, policy, or contract may be complicated, controversial, or unworkable.

devil's advocate »    A canon lawyer appointed by the Church to argue against the canonization of the proposed candidate.

dictated but not read »    Dictated, as to a secretary or stenographer, but not proofread by the person who dictated the text so annotated.

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.

do a number on »    To damage; to treat harshly; to produce ill effects.

do one's damnedest »    To do one's utmost; to make every effort or to try every possible approach or way.

do one's darnedest »    To do one's utmost; to make every effort or to try every possible approach or way.

do someone proud »    To cause someone to feel pride, admiration, or satisfaction.

do the trick »    To work; to be successful; to solve a problem.

double cream »    dairy product

down to a fine art »    Having or showing exceptional proficiency.

down to the wire »    At the very end of a process or project, especially one with a fast-approaching deadline.

drag »    To act or proceed slowly or without enthusiasm; to be reluctant.

drag one's feet »    To procrastinate, put off; to dawdle, avoid, or make progress slowly and reluctantly.

drain the swamp when up to one's neck in alligators »    (idiomatic) When performing a long and complex task, and when you've gotten utterly immersed in secondary and tertiary unexpected tangential subtasks, it's easy to lose sight of the initial objective. This sort of distraction can be particularly problematic if the all-consuming subtask or sub-subtask is not, after all, particularly vital to the original, primary goal, but ends up sucking up time and resources (out of all proportion to its actual importance) only because it seems so urgent.

draw a blank »    To be unable to produce a required piece of information.

draw on »    To approach, come nearer, as evening.

draw out »    To make something last for more time than is necessary; prolong; extend.

draw out »    To improve a losing hand to a winning hand by receiving additional cards.

drawing near »    approaching

drive-by media »    Media professionals who "spray" a bunch of repetitive misstatements, mistaken and misinterpreted news reports to cause excitement and confusion. They then figuratively "drive off" leaving the cleanup of their mess and hysteria to others, to correct and properly explain and interpret.

drop the writ »    To call a federal or provincial election.

drug of choice »    The best-choice medication to treat a particular medical problem.

dry eye »    Keratoconjunctivitis sicca , an eye disease caused by decreased tear production.

due course »    Regular or appropriate passage or occurrence.

duly noted »    In a due, fit, or becoming manner; as it ought to be; properly.

dummy out »    From a video game in the process of localizing that game from a foreign country.

dummy up »    To make a mock-up or prototype version of something, without some or all off its intended functionality.

dusty miller »    A formulaic phrase for a miller, related to the dust generated in the milling process.

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.

eat one's hat »    Used in a result clause to express disbelief in the conditional clause proposition.

eat one's own dog food »    To test the beta programs that are in the test phase on one's own computers; to dogfood.

eat one's own dog food »    To use or consume the economic goods or services that oneself is producing; to be part of a closed household economy.

egg somebody on »    To tease, provoke or encourage.

elephant in the room »    A problem or difficult issue that is very obvious, but is ignored for the convenience or comfort of those involved.

empty promise »    A promise that is either not going to be carried out, worthless or meaningless.

end of the line »    Final cessation or discontinuance of a process, institution, or person, especially one which has existed for a considerable period of time; death.

estate agent »    property seller

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,

f** with »    To mess with; to interact with in a careless or inappropriate way.

factor space »    In a product space.

fail over »    To automatically switch processing from a failed component in a critical system to its live spare or backup component.

fall behind »    To be progressively below average in performance.

fall off the wagon »    To cease or fail at a regimen of self-improvement or reform; to lapse back into an old habit or addiction.

fall over »    To fall from an upright or standing position to a horizontal or prone position.

fall over »    Of a computer program, to crash.

fall through »    To be unsuccessful, abort, come to nothing/naught; to be cancelled; not to proceed.

far fetched »    improbable

feed the dragon »    To buy or sell products labeled as "Made in China.".

fencepost problem »    In computer programming, a problem dealing with how to treat the initial or boundary values of a discrete problem.

fend and prove »    To engage in argument.

fight a losing battle »    To try to do something so difficult that it will probably end in failure.

final cut »    A group, after a selection process getting rid of other candidates.

first port of call »    The first place to go to start a process.

fits and starts »    Activity which is intermittent, variable in intensity, and prolonged by interruptions.

flipside »    A necessary consequence or corollary of something; especially one seen as opposite, or as pro versus con.

fly in the ointment »    Something which ruins or spoils everything else; a nuisance or problem; an unpleasant or disagreeable detail.

forewarned is forearmed »    Advance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it.1863, Charles Reade, Hard Cash, ch. 4:[W]hatever a young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies; but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine . . . forewarned is forearmed.1885, G. A. Henty, Saint George for England, ch. 4:Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed.circa 1903, Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Why Mr. Cropper Changed His Mind":"Well, Miss Maxwell, I think it only fair to tell you that you may have trouble with those boys when they do come. Forewarned is forearmed, you know."

fourth wall »    The imaginary invisible wall at the front of the stage in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play.

fudge the issue »    Adopt a solution to a specific problem which does not address the larger, more general problem of which the specific problem is an instance.

get away with »    To do something which is prohibited, forbidden or generally not allowed, and not be punished for the action.

get better »    To improve.

get into trouble »    To perform an action which is illegal, prohibited, forbidden or proscribed and to become subject to punishment for such action.

get one's finger out »    To proceed with the matter in hand.

get something over with »    To do something quickly and hastily; without procrastination, especially so as to have something unpleasant behind oneself.

get stuck »    To be unable to make progress.

get the chop »    To be eliminated from a competition in a reality television program.

gild the lily »    To embellish or improve something unnecessarily; to add superfluous attributes to something.

give and take »    A process of compromise or accommodation.

give away the store »    To transact, trade, or negotiate badly, by paying, providing, or conceding too much to the other party.

give birth »    To produce new life into the world; to have a baby. Transitive when used with to.

give or take »    Approximately; plus or minus some unknown amount.

give somebody the runaround »    Especially by providing useless information or directions .

give the lie to »    To prove something to be false; to refute.

go ahead »    To proceed; to begin.

go all the way »    To continue to the conclusion of a task or project.

go along for the ride »    To accompany someone passively, or to take a passive role in a project.

go back on »    To fail to keep; to renege on; as, to go back on one's promises.

go for »    To be equally valid or appropriate.

go from zero to hero »    To change from negative outcome to positive outcome. To improve one's fortunes significantly.

go in for »    To have an interest in or approve of something.

go places »    To make progress or achieve success.

go round in circles »    To repeatedly do the same thing; without making any progress.

go through with »    To proceed; to continue.

go to town »    To proceed enthusiastically, vigorously, or expertly.

gold mine »    A very profitable economic venture.

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.

golden ticket »    A qualification, person or thing that can provide lucrative opportunities.

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.

greatest thing since sliced bread »    A relatively recent invention likely to significantly improve people's lives.

green light »    Approval, or permission to proceed.

grind to a halt »    Coming to a standstill, or ceasing to be productive or make progress, due to an obstacle.

ground rules »    The basic rules or standards; whatever someone must know before proceeding.

guilt trip »    Remarks intended to produce such a feeling.

gulp down »    To eat very quickly without chewing the food properly.

gut factor »    Feelings about what feels right or wrong, good or bad. An inner persuasion that one may feel convinced is the appropriate decision.

hair-splitting »    The act of finding exceedingly small differences which are probably neither important nor noticeable to most people.

hair-splittingly »    With exceedingly small differences which are probably neither important nor noticeable to most people.

hand down »    To forward to the proper officer .

hand waving »    Discussion or argumentation involving approximation, vagueness, educated guessing, or the attempt to explain or excuse vagaries.

hang out one's shingle »    To open an office or business, especially in a profession.

hard hitting »    uncompromising

has-been »    A formerly popular or influential person whose popularity or effectiveness has peaked and is now in decline. Typically said of professionals or celebrities whose primary success is behind them.

hatchet man »    A professional killer.

have one's work cut out for one »    To face a large task or project.

he who smelt it dealt it »    (colloquial, originally) A person who calls attention to or complains about a fart is likely trying to pretend it wasn't his or her own.(colloquial, by extension) Used to suggest that a person calling attention to or complaining about a given problem may in fact be the source of the problem.

head scratcher »    July 2002, Fox News - Attorney: Williams' Kids Near Compromise About Father's Remains.

head-in-the-sand »    Exhibiting disregard or denial of a problem or threat.

heaven helps those who help themselves »    A maxim encouraging people to get involved in their own problems.

here's to »    Denoting proposed salutation while drinking alcohol, toast.

hic Rhodus, hic salta »    (politics) Prove what you can do, here and now.

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.

hit a snag »    To encounter an unexpected problem or delay.

hit on »    To flirt with; to approach and speak to (someone), seeking romance, love, sex, etc.

hit one out of the ballpark »    To produce a spectacular achievement.

hit the bricks »    To participate in a workplace strike or other job action; to participate in a public protest, especially one involving picketing.

hit the headlines »    To appear prominently in the news, especially on the front page.

hit the spot »    To be particularly pleasing or appropriate; to be just right.

hold forth »    To extend or offer, propose.

hold one's own »    To stand up to; to give a respectable performance; to provide worthy competition.

hold up one's end »    To hold up one's end of the bargain; to fulfill one's promise or obligation.

hold your fire »    Do not discharge your weapon. Used originally for weapons needing a spark or lighting of a fuse to ignite gunpowder, now sometimes used to mean any weapon launching a projectile.

holding pattern »    Any failure to advance; useless or unproductive activity.

home in on »    To focus or narrow down to something; to find or draw closer, as by trial and error or a gradual seeking process.

horse opera »    A theatrical production, film, or program on radio or television depicting adventures of characters in the American Old West; a western.

hot mess »    Refers to a person, thing, or situation in such a state of disarray or disapproval by peers, often in reference to physical appearance, perceived to be disastrously embarrassing, pitiful, or beyond repair.

hot potato »    An awkward or delicate problem with which nobody wants to be associated.

household name »    A genericized trademark or anepronym.

hum and haw »    Procrastinate and take a long time before doing something or taking a decision.

idiot light »    Any warning light or indicator on the dashboard of a car, designed to alert the driver of problems, such as the parking brake being on or the oil being low.

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.

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

if looks could kill »    A phrase said upon catching sight of someone's giving you a particularly nasty look of discontent or disapproval.

if the shoe fits »    If it has all of the characteristics of a thing, it probably is that thing.

in a bind »    In a difficult situation, usually of one's own making; having a dilemma; faced with a problem or a set of problems for which there is no easy solution.

in a pig's eye »    Very unlikely; probably never.

in business »    Ready to proceed in a desired activity.

in clover »    In a condition of prosperity.

in for an inch, in for a mile »    Given that one is partly involved in or committed to a project, action, position, etc., there is no reason to refrain from becoming fully involved or fully committed.

in full swing »    Proceeding fully, quickly, or completely; thoroughly begun and in progress.

in line »    Suitable or appropriate; keeping with expectations, norms, ideals, or rules.

in one's element »    In a situation which is entirely appropriate or familiar.

in order »    Appropriate, worthwhile.

in order »    In accordance with the procedural rules governing formal meetings of a deliberative body.

in process of time »    In the course of time; as time goes on; gradually; in due course.

in the act »    In the process of doing something; used to emphasize the eye-witness evidence.

in the black »    Having positive net income; having greater income than expenses; making a profit.

in the doghouse »    In trouble; the subject of somebody's anger or disapproval.

in the making »    In development; in the process of being made.

in the same boat »    In the same situation or predicament; having the same problems.

installed base »    The number of units of a system or product that are currently in use.

iron out »    To resolve (a dispute); to solve (a problem).

it is easy to find a stick to beat a dog »    (rare or obsolete, proverb) If a person is determined to punish someone, they will find a way to do so.1596

it's a long road that has no turning »    encouragement when things are not going well. Just as a long road eventually has a turning, problems also eventually have a solution, even though one might have to wait.

it's better to ask forgiveness than permission »    The value of acting promptly and making a mistake requiring forgiveness is greater than value of delaying to get permission.

it's not the whistle that pulls the train »    Boasting and loud talk should not be mistaken for the work that produces real achievements; bravado is no proof of action.1956, James Reston, "Washington: It's Not the Whistle that Pulls the Train," New York Times, 1 July, p. E8:

jump »    To propel oneself rapidly upward such that momentum causes the body to become airborne.

jump on the bandwagon »    To profit from a craze; to join a trend.

jump ship »    To depart a project without warning.

kangaroo court »    A judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, or a group which conducts such proceedings, which is without proper authority, abusive, or otherwise unjust.

keep a close watch on »    To pay careful attention to a situation or a thing, so that you can deal with any changes or problems.

keep from »    To protect or preserve from.

keep one's cool »    To remain composed, calm, and even-tempered, especially in a provocative situation.

kick oneself »    To reproach oneself for making a mistake or missing an opportunity.

kick up »    To function improperly.

kill the goose that lays the golden eggs »    To seek short term gain at the sacrifice of long term profit.

kill the messenger »    To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.

kill two birds with one stone »    To solve two problems at once.

kitchen table software »    Especially in the early years of personal computers, a set of computer programs developed by an entrepreneurial advanced amateur or self-employed professional computer programmer in his or her own home; software developed by a small business using the services of such programmers.

knacker's yard »    That area of a slaughterhouse where carcasses unfit for human consumption are rendered down to produce useful materials such as glue.

laced-up »    Fixed in the sprockets of the projector.

lady of the night »    Prostitute.

lapsed academic »    A person formerly employed as a professor or researcher in a university or other institution of higher education, especially one who no longer attempts to remain current in his or her former academic field.

lay an egg »    To produce a failure or flop; to do something which is unsuccessful.

lay an egg »    To produce an egg.

lay down the law »    To promulgate law.

lay hands on »    To find, obtain or procure.

lay on »    provide;

lay the groundwork »    To create a foundation; to provide the basics or fundamentals.

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.

leather working »    The technology of making products from leather.

leave somebody high and dry »    To abandon somebody; to stop providing assistance at a crucial moment.

leave well enough alone »    To leave something alone; to avoid attempts to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient.

leave well enough alone »    To leave something alone; to avoid attempts to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient

less is more »    That which is less complicated is often better understood and more appreciated than what is more complicated; simplicity is preferable to complexity; brevity in communication is more effective than verbosity.1855, Robert Browning, "Men and Women":Well, less is more, Lucrezia: I am judged.1954, "'Less Is More'," Time, 14 Jun.:The essence of Mies's architectural philosophy is in his famous and sometimes derided phrase, "Less is more." This means, he says, having "the greatest effect with the least means."2007, Gia Kourlas, "Dance Review: An Ordered World Defined With Soothing Spareness," New York Times, 3 Mar. (retrieved 22 Oct. 2008):The program, which features two premieres

let the good times roll »    To have fun or live fully; may imply letting things that are going well proceed.

level up »    To progress to the next level of player character stats and abilities. Often used in role-playing games when the character has aquired enough experience points.

life of Riley »    An ideal life of carefree prosperity and contentment.

lion »    The arms of the University of the West Indies are Barry wavy of six Argent and Azure an open Book proper bound Gules garnished Or on a Chief of the third a Lion passant guardant Erminois. Crest: A Pelican proper. . See talk page.

little pitchers have big ears »    Small children often overhear more of what is said than adults realize or desire.1844, Charlotte M. Yonge, Abbeychurch, ch. 2:Seeing me listening to something she was saying to Mamma, she turned round upon me with that odious proverb, "Little pitchers have long ears."1939, "Bedtime Bedlam," Time, 17 Apr.:A caution to U. S. parents, but a joy to radio merchandising, is the dread truth that little pitchers have big ears.2002, Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, ISBN 9780743455961, p. 185:I suppose he might say pushed or went woowoo, but took a shit is, I fear, very much in the ballpark (little pitchers have big ears, after all).

long finger »    A state of postponement or procrastination.

long goodbye »    Nickname for Alzheimer's disease, especially for the final phase of the disease, during which the patient suffers a progressive decline of cognitive and motor skills and gradually loses the ability to recognize and to communicate with family and friends.[1]; nickname for the relationship between a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease and that person's family or friends.

look after »    To watch or protect; to keep safe.

look daggers »    To stare sharply at someone to indicate disapproval without actually speaking.

look forward to »    To anticipate, expect, or wait for, especially with a feeling of approval or pleasure.

loom large »    be prominent

loose end »    A small job that needs to be done, or minor problem that needs to be resolved, before a task can be considered complete.

lot lizard »    A prostitute at a truck stop.

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.

lucky break »    A stroke of luck; a fortunate event, particularly of the sort that propels one to success, fame, etc.

magic bullet »    A simple remedy to a difficult or complex problem, especially a cure for a disease.

make a mountain out of a molehill »    To treat a problem as greater than it is; to blow something out of proportion; to exaggerate the importance of something trivial.

make a point »    To argue or promote an idea.

make a stink »    To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.

make for »    To tend to produce or result in.

make headway »    To progress; to move forward.

make it up as one goes along »    To improvise continuously.

make light of »    To regard without due seriousness; to joke or disregard inappropriately.

make out like a bandit »    To profit greatly; to get an excessively good deal.

make the grade »    To prove satisfactory; to be successful or worthy of merit.

make the most of »    To profit as much as possible from.

man proposes, God disposes »    Things don't always work out as they were planned.

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.

managerial inbreeding »    Bad management, caused by managers making poor selection choices in recruitment, rewards, and promotions of the staff that report to them, leading to another generation of managers who lack the necessary skill sets to reward and promote the most effective staff.

map out »    To organise the basic plan for a project.

mark up »    To add coding to text so that it will display properly on a computer.

marry in haste, repent at leisure »    Two things together too soon will lead to problems.

meal ticket »    Someone or something that provides income or livelihood, especially as an exploited source.

measure twice and cut once »    (literally, carpentry) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.1872, "Dressmaking," Hall's Journal of Health, vol. 19, no. 12, p. 280:Look at Carpenters! . . . In old times it was a proverb "Measure twice, and cut once."(figuratively, by extension) Plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action.2008, Hilary Johnson, "Mergers rattle bank relations," Financial Week, 9 Nov. (retrieved 9 Nov. 2008):Mr. Paz noted that since the onset of the credit crisis, eBay, like other companies, hasn

mess up »    To cause a problem with; to introduce an error or mistake in; to make muddled or confused; spoil; ruin.

middle ground »    A compromise position between extremes.

mighty oaks from little acorns grow »    Something great can come from a modest beginning.Don't give up on the project - mighty oaks from little acorns grow!

mind over matter »    Willpower alone can overcome a physical problem.

mind the store »    To take active responsibility for a group or process, especially within an organization.

mine arse on a bandbox »    An answer to the offer of any thing inadequate to the purpose for which it is proffered, like offering a bandbox for a seat.

miner's canary »    A caged bird kept caged in mines because its demise provided a warning of dangerous levels of toxic gases.

miner's canary »    Any thing, especially an organism, whose demise or distress provides an early warning of danger.

miners' canary »    A caged bird kept caged in mines because its demise provided a warning of dangerous levels of toxic gases.

miners' canary »    Any thing, especially an organism, whose demise or distress provides an early warning of danger.

money maker »    Something profitable.

monkey business »    Wasting time, or effort, on some foolish project.

monkey wrench »    A problem, obstacle or dilemma; something unexpected or troublesome.

mop up »    To fix problems; to correct or repair.

mother hen »    An outspoken and overprotective woman dealing with others' affairs.

mouth of a sailor »    The characteristic of regularly using vulgar language, especially strong profanities; a person having this characteristic.

move the goalposts »    To alter the agreed basis, scope, standards or target of a procedure or task during its course, especially to do so to someone's advantage.

mug's game »    A foolish, profitless, or hopeless undertaking.

my arse »    Indicates disapproval, disregard, disdain, disgust or disbelief.

my eye »    Expression of disapproval, disregard, disdain, disgust or disbelief.

my foot »    Indicates disapproval, disregard, disdain, disgust or disbelief.

near the knuckle »    Risqué, sexual, suggestive of impropriety..

neck and neck »    Very close in progress, as in a race or contest.

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.

nervous hit »    A production which receives generally favorably notice, but is not assured of success.

no frills »    Basic or simple; providing only what is necessary, without anything extra or fancy.

no sweat »    See: no problem.

nod off »    To fall asleep, especially while in a seated position or in inappropriate circumstances.

nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat »    The idea/proposed action is inconsequential to the current situation.

nose test »    An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using one's common sense or sense of propriety.

not touch something with a ten foot pole »    To approach something or someone.

now you're cooking »    A phrase, often given in response, meaning that the subject has switched to a more suitable or more efficient approach.

nut-cutting time »    Time to exert maximum effort, for example, due to an approaching deadline or a looming competitive situation.

off chance »    A condition of not being likely or probable.

off the mark »    Inaccurate; not correct or appropriate.

off the wagon »    No longer maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from an undesirable habit, especially drinking alcohol.

off-the-cuff »    Extemporaneous; without prior preparation; impromptu.

off-the-wall »    Greatly inappropriate.

old saw »    A cliché, saying, or overused expression; especially a proverb or maxim.

on a roll »    Having a streak of good luck or good progress or success.

on board »    Is that new teammate properly on board yet?.

on course »    Proceeding smoothly as planned.

on its merits »    Considering only intrinsic good points and bad points, without prejudice or other considerations, such as procedural ones.

on one's high horse »    Self-righteous; proceeding on the belief one is more correct or proper than others.

on one's soapbox »    Stating or professing one's opinion; attempting to persuade others of something.

on the anvil »    Refers to anything in the making, being created, or in production, especially in the metalworking field.

on the bubble »    Holding the last qualifying position with qualification still in progress, and thus liable to lose that position.

on the defensive »    Prepared to defend or protect against criticism, attack or aggression.

on the game »    Working as a prostitute.

on the ladder »    Figuratively a property ladder, owning property.

on the mend »    Improving or undergoing restoration to a previous, more favorable condition.

on the prowl »    Hunting or seeking.

on the right track »    Using the correct general approach to a particular task or problem; pursuing something in a promising way.

on the straight and narrow »    Honest; proceeding according to rules and plans.

on the wagon »    By extension, maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from some other undesirable habit.

on the way »    Coming, approaching.

on track »    On a well-defined promotion path in an organisation, usually tenure.

on track »    Proceeding as planned, as expected, or in a manner consistent with an established pattern.

one another »    Used of a reciprocal relationship among a group of more than two people or things; compare each other.

one step forward, two steps back »    A situation in which progress is more than offset by adverse developments.

one swallow does not make a summer »    A sign is not proof

one thousand »    Used in a common chronometric counting scheme, in which each iteration is sequentially numbered and supposed to be approximately one second in length.

or so »    approximately; there abouts

orange up »    To make more prominent by making orange or adding orange colour.

out of bounds »    Prohibited to enter.

out of house and home »    Helping Your Dog Adjust to a New Home, The Progressive Animal Welfare Society.

out of kilter »    Disturbed; out of order; not working or adjusted properly.

out of line »    Inappropriate or unsuitable, especially by reason of being unmannerly or indelicate.

out of order »    Inappropriate or unsuitable.

out of order »    Not functioning properly.

out of place »    Not in the proper situation or arrangement, or inappropriate for the circumstances.

out of proportion »    Not in a proper or pleasing relation to other things, especially in terms of size.

out of the way »    Improper or offensive.

out of the woods »    Out of peril; likely to recover or prevail over trouble; finished with the worst or most threatening part of a problem or illness.

out of whack »    Not in proper alignment.

out of whack »    Not in proper balance; unbalanced.

out of whack »    Not working or operating properly.

ox is in the ditch »    This is a big problem; there is unavoidable or demanding work ahead.

paint oneself into a corner »    To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions.

palm off »    To attempt to pass off a counterfeit or inferior product as genuine.

pan out »    By swirling dirt or crushed rock in a pan of water, in the manner of a traditional prospector seeking gold.

pan out »    To succeed; to proceed according to plan; to result or end up.

paper »    A written document that reports scientific or academic research and is usually subjected to peer review before publication in a scientific journal or in the proceedings of a scientific or academic meeting .

parade of horribles »    A parade featuring a progression of people wearing comic and grotesque costumes.

parade of horribles »    A rhetorical device employing a series of progressively more terrible results following from an act.

pare down »    To reduce by paring or a similar gradual process.

park the car in Harvard Yard »    A sentence used to illustrate that the Boston accent is non-rhotic; typically pronounced "pahk the cah in Hahvad Yahd".

pass by »    To proceed past something.

pay the bills »    To provide enough income to sustain one's lifestyle.

peel out »    To start abruptly from a standing stop, accelerating rapidly, especially so as to produce skid marks.

pencil whip »    To approve a document without actually knowing or reviewing what it is that is being approved.

penny wise and pound foolish »    Prudent and thrifty with small amounts of money, but wasteful and profligate with large amounts.

perfect storm »    A powerful hurricane or other major weather disturbance, especially as produced by a combination of meteorological conditions.

physical break »    A short break in a meeting or in a classroom setting, intended to improve attention.

pick up »    To improve, increase, or speed up.

pick up stitches »    Stitches to the knitting needle that were previously bound off, or that belong to the selvage, during the process of knitting or entrelac.

piece of ass »    A male prostitute.

piece of work »    A product or manufactured article, especially an item of art or craft.

pissin like a race horse »    To urinate profusely.

play fast and loose »    To be recklessly inaccurate, inappropriate, or otherwise ignoring guidelines and conventions.

play fast and loose »    To ignore proper behavior or social conventions, especially when it suits ones purpose.

play it safe »    To take a cautious, risk-free approach.

play to the gallery »    To appeal to the least sophisticated parts of an audience in order to obtain maximum approval.

plead the fifth »    To invoke the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects witnesses from being forced to incriminate themselves.

point blank »    The distance between a gun and a target such that it requires minimal effort in aiming it. In particular no allowance needs to be made for the effects of gravity, target movement or wind in aiming the projectile.

point of no return »    The point in any journey, process, or sequence of events when it is no longer possible to reverse course or stop the process.

pony in the barn »    An exciting and real prospect, something to be legitimately excited about.

pop in »    To visit in an impromptu manner.

pop the question »    To propose marriage.

popped the question »    proposed

poster child »    One who is a prototypical or quintessential example of something.

potty mouth »    The characteristic of regularly using vulgar language, especially strong profanities; a person having this characteristic.

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.

power up »    To become ready for operation as a result of the provision of electrical power.

preprogram »    To predispose to certain thoughts or behaviours.

preprogram »    To program something in advance.

price out of the market »    To charge an exorbitant price for a service or product so that no one will purchase it.

pride comes before a fall »    A person who is extremely proud of his or her abilities will often suffer a setback or failure, because he or she tends to be overconfident and to make errors of judgment.

problem child »    A child who is particularly difficult to raise or educate, especially due to a lack of self-control and disruptive and antisocial behavior.

problem child »    Someone or something persistently difficult or vexing; a frequent source of trouble or annoyance.

prone out »    In order to be propelled shorewards by a broken wave.

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.

pronunciamiento »    A pronouncement or "declaration".

prop up the bar »    To spend time drinking alcohol at the bar in a pub.

prove out »    To demonstrate the feasibility of.

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.

proverbs go in pairs »    Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.1932, Bertrand Russell,

proverbs hunt in pairs »    Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.

proverbs often come in pairs »    Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.

proverbs run in pairs »    Every proverb seems to be contradicted by another proverb with an opposed message, such as "too many cooks spoil the broth" and "many hands make light work."1863, Sir Richard Burton, Abeokuta and the Camaroons Mountains, vol. 1, Tinsley (London), p. 309:Moreover, all the world over, proverbs run in pairs, and pull both ways: for the most part one neutralizes, by contradiction, the other.

puff up »    To become proud.

pull the plug »    To cease from production or publication.

purple prose »    Extravagant or flowery writing, especially in a literary work.

put across »    To perform a theatrical production.

put forward »    To propose for consideration.

put off »    To procrastinate.

put one foot in front of the other »    To move forward, progress steadily.

put the cat among the pigeons »    Professor Stephen Hawking put the cat among the pigeons last week with his cheery remarks about comet Machholz-2, which some astronomers believe could be heading our way. — The Times, 19 September 1994.

put up or shut up »    Desist from saying something unless one is able to prove it.

quantum mechanics »    The branch of physics which studies matter and energy at the level of atoms and other elementary particles, and substitutes probabilistic mechanisms for classical Newtonian ones.

quick-and-dirty »    Done or constructed in a hasty, approximate, temporarily adequate manner, but not exact, fully formed, or reliable for a long period of time.

quick-and-dirty »    Of or pertaining to the creation or repair of software or hardware in a manner which permits operation within a brief period of time, although with compromised functionality or reliability.

rabble rouser »    Someone or something that tends to inspire mobs; something controversial or provocative.

rag the puck »    To proceed slowly at any activity in order to use up time; to stall for time.

rain check »    To provide a service at a later date.

raise a stink »    To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.

ramp up »    To be in the process of learning a new ability.

ramp up »    Of a project or operation, to start up.

real job »    A job that can't be replaced advantageously by a machine or a procedure.

real job »    A job which requires the employee to, work regular hours for a consistent wage that often exceeds the provisions of applicable minimum wage legislation. A job that produces a living wage.

rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic »    To do something pointless or insignificant that will soon be overtaken by events, or that contributes nothing to the solution of a current problem.

rebound relationship »    A relationship proceeding a longterm relationship, usually short in duration and used to help mend the "broken heart".

red light »    Denial to proceed. Ruling out of any possibility.

red tape »    A derisive term for regulations or bureaucratic procedures that are considered excessive or excessively time- and effort-consuming.

reinvent the wheel »    To redo work unnecessarily when it has already been done satisfactorily; to rethink an already working system, technique, etc. in a pointless attempt to improve it.

rest on one's laurels »    To rely on a past success instead of trying to improve oneself further.

ridden hard and put away wet »    Mistreated; not properly cared for.

ride out »    To tackle a difficult problem and survive.

ride shotgun »    To assist and protect.

ride the short bus »    To have a need for a special education program, as because learning disabled.

ride the short bus »    To participate in a special education program, such as for those with learning disabilities.

ringside seat »    Any vantage point providing an excellent view.

rob Peter to pay Paul »    To solve a problem in a way that makes another problem worse.

rob the cradle »    To use a young person for a purpose inappropriate to his or her age.

round off »    To change a number into an approximation having fewer significant digits.

rule of thumb »    A general guideline, rather than a strict rule; an approximate measure or means of reckoning based on experience or common knowledge.

rumor mill »    A group or network of persons who originate or promulgate gossip and other unsubstantiated claims.

run for »    To try to obtain political position through the democratic voting process.

run something by »    To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.

run something past »    To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.

run up against »    Begin to encounter problems with someone or something.

scrape through »    To marginally manage to progress.

scream bloody murder »    To protest loudly or angrily.

sea change »    A profound transformation.

seagull approach »    The occurence of casual, ill-informed and hasty decisions or comments made by outside authorities who lack an understanding of the local issues or a real understanding of the facts of a particular situ.

seagull manager »    A manager who comes into the workplace or office only on occasion, especially when a problem arises or to criticize or critique employees.

second-guess »    Presumably from trying to improve with a second stab.

sell »    To agree to transfer goods or provide services in exchange for money.

sell »    To promote a particular viewpoint; to manipulate towards a desired end.

sell out »    To abandon one's supporters or principles to seek profit or other personal advantage.

sell out »    To sell all of a product that is in stock.

sell wolf tickets »    To make empty threats or promises; to bluff.

sell-by date »    The final date on which a perishable product can be legally sold to the public.

sex machine »    Someone with considerable sexual prowess.

sex up »    To make more palatable or acceptable to the general public; to improve the image or perception.

sexual enjoyment »    Sexual intercourse that produces physical and psychological pleasure.

shake a leg »    To get busy; to get going; to be productive.

shape up »    To improve; to correct one's bad habits or behavior.

shape up or ship out »    To either improve one's behavior or else be required to leave; to either improve one's performance in an activity or else withdraw from that activity completely.

she'll be right »    OK, no problem, everything will be all right.

shell out »    To use a program's "shell escape" function to execute an unrelated command or to invoke a subsidiary, interactive shell.

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.

shoot the messenger »    To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.

shotgun approach »    An approach in which the subject is indiscriminate and haphazard, using breadth, spread, or quantity in lieu of accuracy, planning, etc.

showstopper »    A performance or segment of a theatrical production that induces a positive reaction strong enough to pause the production.

showstopper »    Any impediment that prevents all further progress.

shroud »    That which clothes, covers, conceals, or protects; a garment.

shrouded »    Wearing, or provided with a shroud.

sign in »    To take some action to access a secured program or web page on a computer; to log in.

silver screen »    The cinema screen onto which movies are projected.

sit in »    form of protest

smear campaign »    An effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.

smell test »    An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using one's common sense or sense of propriety.

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.

snake oil »    Any product with exaggerated marketing but questionable or unverifiable quality.

snappy comeback »    A prompt, clever retort.

snazz up »    To improve appearance or appeal by increasing stylishness or functionality, or by adding other attractive features.

sneak up »    To approach a person or animal without being seen or heard.

sneak up on »    To approach a person or animal without being seen or heard.

sniff test »    An informal reality check of an idea or proposal, using one's common sense or sense of propriety.

so long as »    Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; as long as.

soapbox »    A crate for packing soap, or, by extension, any inexpensive crude platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it, especially when used for speeches.

sort of »    Approximately; in a way; partially; not quite; somewhat.

sort oneself out »    To organize or solve one's personal problems.

sort out »    To fix, as a problem.

spaghetti western »    Nickname for a motion picture produced by an Italian-based company and filmed in Europe, depicting a tale of cowboys and desperadoes set in the American Old West.

spanner »    A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome.

spanner »    A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.

spark off »    To initiate something by providing the necessary conditions.

spark spread »    The difference between the cost of the fuel required to produce a unit of electricity, and the price of that same unit of electricity.

speak for oneself »    To provide an opinion only on one's own behalf.

speak out »    To assert or promote one's opinion; to make one's thoughts known.

spectator sport »    Something, especially a process or activity, which is a popular object of observation; an activity which a person prefers to watch rather than to participate in.

spin one's wheels »    To make no progress despite making an effort; to get nowhere.

spruce up »    To refresh, revamp; to freshen or improve something, especially its appearance.

square one »    The place where one begins; a lack of progress.

squaring the circle »    The historical problem of how to construct, using compass and ruler, a square having the same area as a given circle.

stage of the game »    A point in the progress of an ongoing dispute or process.

standard fare »    Something which is normal, routine, or unexceptional; something which is commonly provided or encountered.

stepping stone »    Something used as a way to progress to something or somewhere else.

stick in the mud »    More generally, one who is slow, old-fashioned, or unprogressive; an old fogey.

stick out »    To protrude; to extend beyond.

stick out »    To be prominent, noticeable, or obtrusive.

stick up »    To protect one's status.

stick up for »    To defend or protect.

stickhandle »    To deal capably and swiftly with a situation, especially in a manner which deflects potential problems.

sticking point »    A disputed issue or state of affairs that causes an interruption or outright impasse in progress towards some goal or resolution, especially in negotiation or argumentation.

sticking point »    The point at which a process or thing, especially a state of mind or emotion, reaches its greatest strength and remains steadfast; sticking-place.

sticking-place »    The point at which a process or thing, especially a state of mind or emotion, reaches its greatest strength and remains steadfast; sticking point.

stir-crazy »    Of a prisoner, mentally unbalanced due to prolonged incarceration.

stretch one's legs »    To walk about, especially after prolonged time sitting or lying down.

strike while the iron is hot »    To act on an opportunity promptly; to avoid waiting.

suck face »    To kiss, especially deeply and for a prolonged time.

sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof »    No need to worry about the future; the present provides enough to worry about.

swallow one's pride »    To set aside one's feelings of pride and adopt a more humble or appropriate stance.

swear off »    To quit or cease completely, or to promise to quit, as of a bad habit.

swear on a stack of Bibles »    To make a promise or give one's assurance with great conviction.

sweat bullets »    To sweat profusely; especially, to be very nervous or anxious.

sweetheart deal »    A transaction, contract, or other agreement in which one party provides particularly favorable terms to the other, especially in suspicious circumstances.

take against »    He took against me when I was promoted over him.

take exception »    To take offense; to object or protest.

take for granted »    To assume something to be true without verification or proof.

take in »    To receive into your home for the purpose of processing for a fee.

take lying down »    To endure without complaint or protest.

take over »    To appropriate something without permission.

take the offensive »    To attack instead of defending; to be bold and proactive.

talk dirty »    To use profane language, especially sexual vulgarities for the purpose of arousal.

talk like an apothecary »    To use hard or gallipot words: from the assumed gravity and affectation of knowledge generally put on by the gentlemen of this profession, who are commonly as superficial in their learning as they are pedantic in their language.

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.

tart up »    To dress like a prostitute.

tart up »    To modify or repackage a product, service, or idea to make it more attractive or easier to sell.

task force »    A group of people working towards a particular task, project, or activity, especially assigned in a particular capacity.

teething troubles »    Small problems such as are to be expected with some any new and untried system or product.

telling off »    A reprimand, reproach, or lecture.

test bed »    Any venue, setup, etc. used for experimentation, testing, proving a concept, etc.

test the waters »    To explore or probe, as before making a commitment.

thanks for nothing »    Expression of displeasure towards a person who has not provided what was wanted.

that's the way life is »    That is the way things happenCertain things cannot be changed, helped or improved; struggle and objection are pointless.1935, Louis Bromfield, The Man Who Had Everything [1], page 279:That's the way life is, and there's no use trying to go against it.1979, Jay Edward Abrams, A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption [2], ISBN 0310511011, page 45:There are no standards, no values; that's the way life is. Learn to accept it and slide with it. Stop fighting it.2002, B. Eugene Ellison, Rings of the Templars, ISBN 059524050X, page 337:Shit happens; that's the way life is. In fact, I want you to take an additional thousand for your efforts.

the course of true love never did run smooth »    There will always be problems in a relationship.

the die is cast »    The future is determined; there are no more options; events will proceed in an irreversible manner.

the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on »    Life goes on, even if some will try to stop or talk against progress.

the end all-be all »    Something ultimate; the best part of something; the thing which solves all problems associated with something.

the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get »    (vulgar) The sexual satisfactions that one receives from a spouse or romantic partner are not sufficient to compensate for the significant periods of bad faith and unpleasant treatment which such relationships routinely involve.1971, Allen Churchill, The Literary Decade, ISBN 9780135375228:Years later she expressed her disillusionment with sex by saying, "The fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."1999, Ben Sonnenberg, Lost Property: Memoirs and Confessions of a Bad Boy, ISBN 9781582430454, p. 93:Maitland got drunk at his parties and threw his arm around you and pulled you over to his wife and made you look down her dress, saying, "The trouble with marriage is that the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."2008, Joseph Heywood, Blue Wolf In Green Fire, ISBN 9781599213590, p. 63:"I can't believe a little pussy got me into dis mess." "Shit happens," Service said. "Sometimes the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."

the more things change, the more they stay the same »    A proverb making the observation that turbulent changes do not affect reality on a deeper level other than to cement the status quo.

the proof is in the pudding »    Alternative form of the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

the proof of the pudding is in the eating »    The only real test of something is as what it is intended to be used for.

the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak »    (proverbs) For much as one wishes to achieve something, the frailties of the human body often make it impossible.

the world is one's lobster »    (UK, humorous) intentional misrendering of the proverb "the world is one's oyster"

there's more than one way to skin a cat »    A problem generally has more than one solution.

there's no time like the present »    Now (i.e., the present time) is an appropriate time to take a particular action.

think twice »    To reconsider, use judgement; to proceed with caution or thought.

thrash out »    To discuss something so fully as to resolve a problem or conflict; to hammer out.

throw a spanner in the works »    To be a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.

throw a wobbly »    To burst out into a verbal uproar.

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

throw down »    To fight, incite to fight, or approach with the intent to fight; to make a stand.

throw down »    To accomplish or produce something in a grand, respectable, or successful manner; to "represent".

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.

throw enough mud at the wall, 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.2001, And still no one is shouting stop. read in The Kingdom archives at [1] on 02 Nov 06,Many team managers are of the philosophy that if you throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick. They believe that team preparation is all about physical fitness. They run the players into the ground and they believe they will be "flying on the day".2001, Robert McCrum, Let them eat cake, in The Observer 16 Dec 01, read on Guardian Unlimited site at [2] on 02 Nov 06,Australian publishing boomed and in the past 10 years the country's literary culture has undergone a mini golden age, capped by Carey's triumph at the 2001 Booker Prize. As one Australian arts administrator said to me many years ago: 'Listen, mate, if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.'2001, Chris Collin, Re: 2-cp speys on The Strathspey Server mailing list archive at [3] on 02 Nov 06,I am finding that "if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick". It doesn't always work of course (especially on the nights when the class is mostly the beginners), but the class seems to thrive on the challange.2005, Ray Craft (poster on The right scale blog), Fitzhooie and his Burden, read at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Prosecutors everywhere have bad habits of overcharging lots of cases, knowing that if the throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick.2005, Sean Kelleher, Spike Milligan: His part in our downfall in Business 07 Aug 05, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,As long as there is negligible regulation and enforcement anyone can actually try and do the job...Weak regulation allows the industry to build strategies on full time recruitment. The theory goes: throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.c2005, Everything You've Learned About Marketing Is Wrong, read on LINC Performance website at [6] on 02 Nov 06,They have the money to continue to believe in the repetition side of the equation. You throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick. But it still isn

throw the baby out with the bathwater »    To discard something valuable, often inadvertently, in the process of removing waste.

throw to the dogs »    To remove or cast out someone or something out of one's protection, such as into the streets.

throw to the wolves »    To remove or cast out someone or something out of one's protection, such as onto the streets, especially towards predators.

thumbs up »    A gesture signifying approval or okay; a thumb pointing up out of a fist.

thumbs up »    An approval or okay.

tick over »    To run smoothly and without problems.

tiger team »    A specialized group tasked with testing the effectiveness of an organization's ability to protect assets by attempting to circumvent, defeat or otherwise thwart that organization's internal and external security.

tiger team »    An engineering or other group assembled to tackle especially difficult or critical problems, often outside the normal chain of command.

time is money »    When a person's time is not used productively; time is valuable and should not be wasted.

timeserver »    A device, node or program that distributes the correct time to clients in a network.

tip of the iceberg »    Only the beginning; just a small indication of a larger possibility; a problem is much bigger than it seems.

to that end »    For that reason, with that goal, intending to produce that result.

today we are all »    An expression indicating that the speaker empathizes with members of an identifiable group that was the subject of a disaster, and projects that others empathize as well.

tomato tomato »    Uses insignificant pronunciation difference to dismiss a correction to one's adherence to an alternative standard.

tone down »    To make a television program, piece of writing, etc. less offensive and so more suitable for a family audience.

too many cooks spoil the broth »    If too many people try to take charge at a task, the end product might be ruined.

toot one's own horn »    To promote oneself; to boast or brag; to tout.

top of the line »    The best, fanciest, or highest quality, especially among selections in a product line.

touch a nerve »    To make a remark or perform a deed which produces a strong response, especially an emotional response such as anxiety or annoyance, because it calls to mind something which has been a source of concern or embarrassment.

touch%C3%A9 »    An acknowledgement of the success, appropriateness or superiority of an argument, sometimes used sarcastically to mock one's opponent's absurd logic.

tough love »    The compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures, to attempt to improve someone's behavior.

tough nut to crack »    A difficult or sticky problem.

track record »    An organization's, product's, or person's past performance reviewed in its entirety, usually for the purpose of making a judgment.

tread lightly »    To proceed carefully; especially, to seek to avoid causing offense.

trick of the trade »    A shortcut or other quick, or very effective way of doing things, that professional workers learn from experience.

trigger-happy »    Inclined to react excessively or violently at the slightest provocation.

trump up »    Heavily publicise, promote or market a product.

try out one's own chops »    To produce one's own records with one's own vocals.

tune up »    To make adjustments to an engine in order to improve its performance.

turn a blind eye »    To ignore or deliberately overlook, especially with respect to something unpleasant or improper.

turn a phrase »    To create a particular linguistic expression which is strikingly clear, appropriate, and memorable.

turn out »    To produce; make.

turn over »    To produce, complete, or cycle through.

turn over a new leaf »    To engage in self-improvement; to begin a good habit or shed a bad habit.

turn the page »    To proceed to the next page in a book.

turn tricks »    To work as a prostitute, providing sexual services for money.

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.

two thumbs up »    A hand gesture indicating strong approval.

two thumbs up »    The strong approval itself.

two wrongs don't make a right »    (ethics) A wrongful action is not a morally appropriate way to correct or cancel a previous wrongful action.1915, William MacLeod Raine, The Highgrader, ch. 15:"But when it comes to taking what belongs to another

under one's wing »    Under one's protection, sponsorship, or tutelage.

under the knife »    Undergoing a surgical procedure.

under way »    In operation, in progress, commenced.

up to snuff »    Adequate; of acceptable or quality; satisfying an appropriate standard.

up-and-coming »    Emerging; aspiring; improving; beginning to attract attention or critical acclaim.

verge on »    To approach or come close to something; to border or be on the edge of something.

vote in »    To collectively approve a nominee into an office or position as a result of voting.

walk out »    To leave suddenly, especially as a form of protest.

walk the line »    To participate in the procession at a graduation ceremony; to graduate.

walk the talk »    To do what one said one could do, or would do, not just making empty promises. To walk one's talk is to be innocent of hypocrisy.

warm the cockles of someone's heart »    To provide happiness, to bring a deeply-felt contentment.

watch one's mouth »    In the imperative form, used as a warning to avoid or stop using inappropriate language, especially profanity, or disrespectful utterances.

watch one's mouth »    To be careful about what one says, especially with regard to disrespectful or profane language.

watch over »    To guard and protect.

way to go »    An expression of congratulations, encouragement, or approval.

what's the matter »    What's wrong? What's the problem?.

where there's smoke, there's fire »    If there is telltale evidence of some event, the event is probably occurring.

whip up »    To produce something quickly, especially of a meal.

whistle Dixie »    To engage in a pointless or unproductive activity; to do something without resolve, seriousness or commitment.

whistle past the graveyard »    To attempt to stay cheerful in a dire situation; To proceed with a task, ignoring an upcoming hazard, hoping for a good outcome.

whistle-blower »    One who reports a problem or violation to the authorities; especially, an employee or former employee who reports a violation by an employer.

white elephant »    An ornament etc that is unwanted or is a financial burden; an unprofitable investment.

white lie »    A deliberate, untrue statement which does no harm or is intended to produce a favorable result.

who's 'she', the cat's mother%3F »    A rebuke especially directed towards children for having referred to their mother, or any other woman in the third person, instead of using a properly respectful title or their name when appropriate.

whomp up »    To produce quickly, particularly a meal.

willful ignorance »    A bad faith decision to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having to make undesirable decisions that such information might prompt. It may also be shown as for a person to have no clue in a decision but still goes ahead in their decision.

window dressing »    These latest modifications are mere window dressing, the same problems remain.

wing it »    To improvise; to make things up or figure things out as one goes; or to perform with little or no preparation.

winter rat »    An old, unattractive automobile, purchased for little money, to be driven during brutal Great Lakes winters while the owner's "good" car remains garaged and protected from corrosive road salt for the season.

wolf in sheep's clothing »    Something harmful or problematic disguised as something peaceful or pleasant.

work at »    To make a physical or mental effort to progress some specified task.

work over »    To improve a prototype, or first draft.

working girl »    A prostitute.

worth the risk »    The benefit of the success is more valuable than the problems caused by the potential loss.

wrap up »    To fold and secure something to be the cover or protection for something.

wrap up »    To wear more clothes as protection from the weather; to bundle up.

write up »    To produce by writing.

yak shaving »    Any apparently useless activity which, by allowing you to overcome intermediate difficulties, allows you to solve a larger problem.

you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear »    It is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.

you can't polish a turd »    (vulgar) Something inherently bad cannot be improved.

you know it »    Indicates agreement, approval, encouragement.

you knows it »    Indicates agreement, approval, encouragement.

you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours »    If you do me a favor then I will do you a favor; quid pro quo.

zoom along »    To proceed quickly a long distance.

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