a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush »
It is preferable to have a small but certain advantage than a mere potential of a greater one.
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a gentleman and a scholar »
An admirable person.
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a scholar and a gentleman »
An admirable person.
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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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all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy »
Too much focus on one's career is often viewed unfavorably.Too much hard work and not enough leisure time can be unhealthy.
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apples and oranges »
Said of a comparison of items that are not comparable.
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at best »
In the most favorable of conditions; at the most.
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at risk »
vulnerable
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beat up »
To cause by some other means, injuries comparable to the result of being beaten up.
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beer and skittles »
Something pleasurable.
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better safe than sorry »
It is preferable to be cautious in one's choices and actions than to suffer afterwards.
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blot out »
To make something undecipherable; to obliterate.
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blow chunks »
To be very bad, inadequate, unpleasant, or miserable; to thoroughly suck.
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break a leg »
To perform well in a theatrical production or comparable endeavor.
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bum rap »
An undeservedly unfavorable portrayal or reputation.
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by far »
To a considerably large extent, easily.
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camel's nose »
A metaphor for a situation where the permitting of some small act will lead consequently to a larger undesirable act or circumstance.
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can of worms »
A complex, troublesome situation arising when a decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems.
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can't wait »
To eagerly anticipate; to find it unbearable to wait for a forthcoming pleasurable event.
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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.
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caught between the devil and the deep blue sea »
Having a choice between two alternatives, both undesirable.
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chance'd be a fine thing »
Given to indicate that an aforementioned thing would be desirable but unlikely. Comparable to if I should be so lucky.
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cherry-pick »
To pick out the best, or most desirable items from a list or group, especially to obtain some advantage or to present something in the best possible light.
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circular firing squad »
A political party or other group experiencing considerable disarray because the members are engaging in internal disputes and mutual recrimination.
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clean house »
To reform by removing undesirable personnel and procedures.
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crab mentality »
A way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you." The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot.
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cream of the crop »
The best or most desirable among some selection.
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crying shame »
A situation that is considered to be a disgrace, or deplorable.
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dead »
Broken or inoperable.
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dead last »
The standings, often by a considerable margin to the next-to-last-place finisher or after an exceptionally poor showing or season.
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dog's life »
A miserable, unhappy existence.
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dress up »
To present in a favorable light.
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dribs and drabs »
A series of negligible amounts.
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drip »
To have a superabundance of valuable things. Usually followed by "with".
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drug on the market »
Something which is overabundant at the moment and thus not in demand.
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embarrassment of riches »
An abundance or overabundance of something; too much of a good thing.
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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.
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eye candy »
Any object or sight with considerable visual appeal.
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f** someone over »
To exploit somebody in a way which result in an advantage to oneself, at the cost of the other party gaining a considerable disadvantage.
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fair to middling »
Only tolerably good.
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flutter in the dovecote »
I further argued that the principal cause for the political deadlock that persisted for thirty years after the guns fell silent was Israeli intransigence rather than Arab intransigence. The appearance of the first wave of revisionist studies excited a great deal of interest and controversy in the media and more than a flutter in the academic dovecote. — Israel Confronts Its Past.
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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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game face »
The expression of one who is prepared for or is facing a lot of difficult and/or undesirable work, especially when it is imminent.
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go south »
To become unfavorable; to decrease; to take a turn for the worse.
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go through hell »
To have a miserable experience.
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God works in mysterious ways »
Expressing confidence that a conundrum has a solution despite it not being apparent.Expressing that a seemingly unfortunate or unfavourable situation or change may be beneficial later or in the long run.Person A: It seems that I'm about to be fired from my job.Person B: Well, God works in mysterious ways - maybe it'll be the kick you need to apply to university...
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golden handcuffs »
Any arrangement or agreement designed to provide extremely favorable benefits or pay, so as to discourage participant from wanting to leave, especially to retain a choice employee.
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grab and go »
To get something quickly.
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grab bag »
A gift, purchase, etc. whose contents are concealed until after a selection is made.
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grab bag »
Any random assortment, selection or possibility.
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gravy train »
An occupation or any lucrative endeavor that generates considerable income whilst requiring little effort and carrying little risk.
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greener pastures »
Any place or condition that is more favorable or beneficial.
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grunt work »
That is considered undesirable and therefore delegated to underlings.
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head and shoulders »
To a considerable degree; better; outstanding.
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head south »
Alternative form of go south; to decrease or become unfavorable; to take a turn for the worse.
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high road »
A course of action which is honorable, dignified, or respectable.
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hit home »
To be especially memorable or meaningful; to be fully understood, believed or appreciated.
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hit the jackpot »
To realise a huge load of luck; to receive a more favorable outcome than imagined.
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honesty is the best policy »
Honesty is the most honorable and fulfilling way to live one's life.
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honorable mention »
An award or recognition given to something that does not make it to a higher standing but is worth mentioning in an honorable way.
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hunger is a good sauce »
(dated) Being hungry makes one less concerned about the taste of one's food.1854, Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman, Punch, Vol. XXVI, Punch Publications Ltd., page 74:His bread and cheese were somewhat dry, to be sure; his ale had become flat, and considerably warmer than was desirable; but hunger is a good sauce, and thirst is not particular.
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in spades »
To excess, a lot, considerably; without restraint.
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it's one's funeral »
One's decisions or actions will bring undesirable consequences only on oneself.
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kettle of fish »
A situation which is recognized as different from or as an alternative to some other situation, and which is not necessarily unfavorable.
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kill the rabbit »
To get a positive test result from an old-fashioned pregnancy test.
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kind »
Favorable.
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kiss of death »
Something that may seem good and favourable but that actually brings ruin to hopes, plans, etc.
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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
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like gangbusters »
Vigorously, rapidly, zealously, or forcibly; in a manner which has considerable impact.
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make hay while the sun shines »
To act while an opportunity exists; to take action while a situation is favorable.
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misery loves company »
Misery is easier to bear when one is not the only one miserable.1995, Chris Abbott,
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more like it »
Better, more desirable.
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music to one's ear »
Some unexpected good news; a favorable outcome after some initial confusion or delay.
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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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nervous hit »
A production which receives generally favorably notice, but is not assured of success.
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nine lives »
Durability; near immunity to damage.
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no dice »
An unfavorable result.
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off the wagon »
No longer maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from an undesirable habit, especially drinking alcohol.
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old school »
Characteristic of a style, outlook, or method employed in a former era, remembered either as inferior to the current style, or alternately, remembered nostalgically as superior or preferable to the new style, the older denoting something that would be considered out of date or out of fashion to some, but as such, is considered by others as cool and hip.
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on the mend »
Improving or undergoing restoration to a previous, more favorable condition.
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on the plus side »
Positively; from a favorable view or perspective.
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on the wagon »
By extension, maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from some other undesirable habit.
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pay the piper »
To pay a monetary debt or experience unfavorable consequences, especially when the payment or consequences are inevitable in spite of attempts to avoid them.
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pi%C3%A8ce de r%C3%A9sistance »
A masterpiece; the most memorable accomplishment of one’s career or lifetime..
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piece de resistance »
A masterpiece; the most memorable accomplishment of one’s career or lifetime..
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pretty penny »
A considerable amount of money; a high price or a high income.
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pulcher »
Noble, honorable, excellent.
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put one's best foot forward »
To show oneself in the best or most positive way possible; to make a favorable impression.
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quite a bit »
A considerable amount.
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Rabbit »
Caught like a rabbit in the headlights.
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rabble rouser »
Someone or something that tends to inspire mobs; something controversial or provocative.
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scrape the bottom of the barrel »
To use the least desirable parts of something.
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settle for »
To accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable.
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sex machine »
Someone with considerable sexual prowess.
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shitstorm »
Considerable backlash from the public.
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shoot 'em up »
A short story, novel, television show, film, computer game, or other narrative which depicts considerable gunplay.
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sitting pretty »
In a favorable situation, especially a situation in which one possesses an advantage.
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slippery slope »
A chain of events that, once initiated, cannot be halted; especially one in which the final outcome is undesirable or precarious.
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soft spot »
A point of vulnerability in a defence.
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stick one's neck out »
To take a risk, putting oneself in a vulnerable position.
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still water runs deep »
A person with a calm appearance has, or may have, considerable inner emotion, character, or intellect
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still waters run deep »
A person with a calm appearance has, or may have, considerable inner emotion, character, or intellect.
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sweeten the pot »
To make something more desirable.
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sweetheart deal »
A transaction, contract, or other agreement in which one party provides particularly favorable terms to the other, especially in suspicious circumstances.
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take something in one's stride »
Not to allow oneself to be set back, daunted, upset or embarrassed by unpleasant or undesirable circumstances.
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take to the cleaners »
To take a significant quantity of a person's money or valuables, through gambling, unfavorable investing, fraud, litigation, etc.
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tar with the same brush »
To characterize using the same undesirable attribute, especially unjustly.
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the grass is always greener on the other side »
Other circumstances seem more desirable than one's own but in reality are often not
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the pits »
Something miserable or unpleasant.
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the rabbit died »
A statement spoken to indicate one's own pregnancy, or that someone has found out they are pregnant.
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the world is one's oyster »
In order to achieve something in this world, one has to grab the opportunity.
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throw down »
Admirably or forcefully.
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tickle someone's fancy »
To amuse, entertain, or appeal to someone; to stimulate someone's imagination in a favorable manner.
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to die for »
Very good; exquisite; excellent; particularly desirable.
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toss-up »
A decision in which neither choice is clearly favorable or unfavorable, or for which the outcome does not matter.
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turn a phrase »
To create a particular linguistic expression which is strikingly clear, appropriate, and memorable.
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turn heads »
To garner a considerable amount of attention.
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up for grabs »
Available for anyone to obtain, claim or win.
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up the ante »
To make something more desirable.
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wait for the other shoe to drop »
To await a seemingly inevitable event, especially one which is not desirable.
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white lie »
A deliberate, untrue statement which does no harm or is intended to produce a favorable result.
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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.
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window dressing »
A means of creating a deceptively favourable impression of something or someone; something for appearance only.
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write off »
unrepairable car
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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.
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