a bad workman always blames his tools »
It is not the tools we use which make us good, but rather how we employ them.
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a watched pot never boils »
A process appears to go more slowly if one waits for it rather than engaging in other activities.
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assault and battery »
. This legal distinction exists only in jurisdictions that distinguish assault as threatened violence rather than actual violence.
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at all »
Indicating degree, quantity or frequency greater than zero; to the slightest degree, in any way, somewhat, rather.
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beauty is only skin deep »
What matters is a person's character, rather than his/her appearance.
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bells and whistles »
Extra features added for show rather than function; fancy additions or features.
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birds and bees »
Informal sex education, especially describing the sexual activity of animals rather than that of people.
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blue moon »
The third full moon in a quarter that contains four rather than the usual three full moons.
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business end »
The part of a tool or other similar item, that is physically used for its operation, rather than the part which is held.
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carry on »
To take baggage or luggage onto an airplane, rather than check it.
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cheaper by the dozen »
Things are handled more efficiently as a group, rather than individually.
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down the road, not across the street »
Along the radial artery rather than across the wrist from side to side.
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druther »
Would rather; would prefer to.
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fight fires »
To deal with urgent matters and minor emergencies rather than longer-term work.
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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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