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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grass roots »
People and society at the local level rather than at the national centre of political activity.
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hard-nosed »
Guided by practical experience and observation rather than by theory.
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hem and haw »
To discuss, deliberate, or contemplate rather than taking action.
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home is where you hang your hat »
Rather than feeling nostalgic or sentimental, one should simply accept any place where one happens to reside as one's home.1948, Ruth L. Yorck, "D.P.
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hoover up »
Quickly, especially by taking it into the mouth directly from the plate rather than using cutlery.
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in black and white »
Having it displayed using shades of gray/gray rather than colour/color .
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in black and white »
Using shades of grey/gray rather than colour/color.
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in for a penny, in for a pound »
Expressing recognition that one must, having started something, see it through to its end, rather than stopping short thereof; accepting that one must
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in kind »
In the form of goods and service rather than money.
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keep up with the Joneses »
To do or buy things for status, show, or image rather than out of need, especially for the purpose of competing with friends or neighbors.
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knuckle dragger »
A large, strong, and rather dimwitted person.
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onesie-twosie »
Individually or in very small groups, rather in larger batches.
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out of character »
Not acting; not "on"; behaving within one's natural personality rather than that of a character in a performance piece.
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people person »
Someone who is happier or more skilled at dealing with people rather than things or concepts.
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play it by ear »
To play a song according to how it sounds, rather than from a written score.
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put all one's eggs in one basket »
Rather than diversifying.
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read somebody's lips »
To discern what somebody is saying by watching the shape of the mouth rather than by hearing the sounds of the words.
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rule of thumb »
A general guideline, rather than a strict rule; an approximate measure or means of reckoning based on experience or common knowledge.
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scream »
A form of singing associated with the metal and screamo styles of music. It is a loud, rough, distorted version of the voice; rather than the normal voice of the singer.
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seat-of-the-pants »
Done by feel, guess, or trial and error rather than by careful planning, thought or technique.
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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.
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take the bull by the horns »
To confront a difficulty, rather than avoiding it.
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to go »
Served in a package or takeout container so as to be taken away from a restaurant rather than eaten on the premises.
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what do I know »
Implies that a statement is based on a guess or assumption rather than on knowledge or evidence.
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yellow press »
Newspapers which publish sensationalist articles rather than well researched and sober journalism.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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