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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accident of birth »
Reference to the fact that various benefits or detriments to the life of a person arise from the circumstances into which that person was born, these being entirely beyond his control.
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after all »
In the end; anyway; referring to something that was believed to be the case, but has now been shown not to be.
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apple of somebody's eye »
A favourite, a particular preference, or a loved one; the object of somebody's affections.
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as for »
with reference to
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at will »
At one's preference; as one sees fit.
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banyan day »
In British naval tradition, this originally referred to a day of the week when galley kitchens served no meat on board ship.
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banyan day »
In modern usage it refers to a picnic or cookout for the ship's crew.
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batten down »
To close or make watertight, referring to hatches and cargo.
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best of the bunch »
The best or most preferred person or item within a group.
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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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black-on-black »
A reference to interactions between black people .
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blow the whistle »
To make a piercing sound which signals a referee's action or the end of a game.
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born in a barn »
Of humble birth, especially when referring to Jesus Christ.
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bought the farm »
Simple past tense and past participle of buy the farm: died; often refers to death in battle.
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by one's own hand »
As a result of one's own actions, especially with reference to death by suicide.
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cat's pyjamas »
A highly sought-after and fancy example of something, usually referring to inanimate objects.
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cheat sheet »
Any summary or quick reference used as a shortcut or reminder, a crib sheet.
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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.
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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.
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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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deliver the message to Garcia »
What we need is people who get the job done, no matter how. We don't want pickers who'll only learn if we use their preferred learning method. Have you read "A Message to Garcia" ? That's what we need today - young people who can deliver the message to Garcia.
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druther »
Would rather; would prefer to.
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druthers »
Wishes, preferences, or ways.
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e pluribus unum »
A national motto of the United States of America, meaning "From many, one", or "out of many, one", referring to the integration of 13 independent colonies into one country, and that has taken an additional meaning, giving the pluralistic nature of American society from immigration.
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every time »
Used to express a strong preference for something.
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f** this »
The phrase emphatically diminishes the activity or event referred to and expresses that the speaker will have no more to do with it.
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get it »
To possess a preferred outlook on a given issue or issues.
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hand over fist »
Quickly or in great quantity, especially in reference to earning money.
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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.
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it's all grist to the mill »
Everything referred to in the present context has some sort of use.1999, Simon Blackburn, Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy (Oxford University Press paperback, ISBN 0199690871), ch. 7 section 6: "Kant
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it's not what you know but who you know »
For success, and especially to obtain employment, one's knowledge and skills are less useful and less important than one's network of personal contacts.1951, G. P. Bush and L. H. Hattery, "Federal Recruitment of Junior Engineers," Science, vol. 114, no. 2966, p. 456:Eighty-four students referred to political influence as a disadvantage of federal employment with such remarks as: "There are too many political connections necessary . . . it's not what you know but who you know
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jump the queue »
To desire preferential treatment, undue influence; impatient.
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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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lie back and think of England »
. "think of England" refers to the importance of children.
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life's not all skittles and beer »
Skittles and Beer refers to the carefree, indulgent bar life; skittles being a British pub game. Thus, life's not all skittles and beer means that not everything is about pleasure.
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many happy returns »
A greeting, usually for birthdays, in reference to the passing year; Happy birthday!.
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night person »
A person whose preference or custom is to remain awake and active during the night and the early morning hours, and who usually sleeps during part of the daytime.
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nighthawk »
A person whose preference or custom is to remain awake and active during the night and the early morning hours.
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nudge nudge wink wink »
A phrase added at the end of the sentence to hint that the speaker is referring to something else, euphemistically.
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off the chain »
Free from work or direct supervision. In reference to slave labor, where workers are chained, or to the figurative chain of workers of an assembly line.
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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 anvil »
Refers to anything in the making, being created, or in production, especially in the metalworking field.
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on the blink »
Functioning erratically, malfunctioning; not working or not working well. Usually refers to a mechanical or electronic device.
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on the level »
A discreet reference to freemasonry.
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on the square »
A discrete, unassuming reference to freemasonry.
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ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny »
(biology, social sciences, art, philosophy) The physical, cultural, moral, or intellectual development of each individual passes through stages similar to the developmental stages of that individual's species, society, or civilization.1905, J. A. Harris, "The Importance of Investigations of Seedling Stages," Science, New Series, vol. 22, no. 554, p. 186:With reference to seedling stages the statement that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny must be made with great reserve.1961, M. E. Wolfgang, "Pioneers in Criminology: Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909)," The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science, vol. 52, no. 4, p. 367:Haeckel maintained that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, and this idea was incorporated by Lombroso into his parallelism between the criminal and the child.2002, B. S. Jackson, "Models in Legal History: The Case of Biblical Law," Journal of Law and Religion, vol. 18, no. 1, p. 11:For even if we accept that "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny," those responsible for the drafting of ancient legal documents were not children, and are hardly to be endowed with some form of infantile mentality.
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red card »
referee's item
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rest his soul »
Used parenthetically to mark the referent as being deceased.
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set in one's ways »
Driven by habit; inclined or determined to continue according to one's custom or established preferences.
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silver bullet »
A bullet made of silver, usually with reference to the folkloric belief that such bullets are the only weapons which can kill a werewolf.
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softroader »
. This involves increased ground clearance with tyre, wheel, and suspension tweaks, skid plates and refers to mini SUV or wagons.
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sow one's wild oats »
To indulge in a period of irresponsible behavior, particularly sexually; Often used in reference to young adults or to the recently divorced.
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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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them's the facts »
That's the truth, that's how it is; frequently used in reference to an unfortunate truth.
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to each his own »
Every person is entitled to his or her personal preferences and tastes.
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toss-upness »
The quality of being a toss-up, usually used in reference to a toss-up state in American presidential elections.
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when the shit hits the fan »
A reference to the messy consequences of a secret or private situation becoming public.
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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.
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wrong side of the tracks »
. May refer to area where the working class, poor or extremely poor live.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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