a drop in the bucket »
An effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem.
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all's well that ends well »
Problems do not matter if things turn out well in the end.
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be in a spot of bother »
To have a slight problem, to be in a predicament.
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be left holding the baby »
To be left with the responsibility of resolving a problem.
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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.
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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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close the stable door after the horse has bolted »
To attempt to prevent a problem only to find it has already happened.
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come out in the wash »
Of problems or difficulties, to work out, resolve, or become understood eventually and naturally.
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cookie-cutter »
A solution to a problem that can be applied in many situations without modification.
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cross that bridge when one comes to it »
To deal with a problem or situation only when it arises.
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death by spellcheck »
The problems caused by spellcheckers being incapable of correcting most homophone confusions.
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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.
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do the trick »
To work; to be successful; to solve a problem.
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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.
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drug of choice »
The best-choice medication to treat a particular medical problem.
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elephant in the room »
A problem or difficult issue that is very obvious, but is ignored for the convenience or comfort of those involved.
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fencepost problem »
In computer programming, a problem dealing with how to treat the initial or boundary values of a discrete problem.
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fly in the ointment »
Something which ruins or spoils everything else; a nuisance or problem; an unpleasant or disagreeable detail.
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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.
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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.
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head-in-the-sand »
Exhibiting disregard or denial of a problem or threat.
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heaven helps those who help themselves »
A maxim encouraging people to get involved in their own problems.
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hit a snag »
To encounter an unexpected problem or delay.
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hot potato »
An awkward or delicate problem with which nobody wants to be associated.
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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.
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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.
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in the same boat »
In the same situation or predicament; having the same problems.
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iron out »
To resolve (a dispute); to solve (a problem).
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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.
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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.
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kill the messenger »
To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.
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kill two birds with one stone »
To solve two problems at once.
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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.
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magic bullet »
A simple remedy to a difficult or complex problem, especially a cure for a disease.
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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.
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make a stink »
To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.
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marry in haste, repent at leisure »
Two things together too soon will lead to problems.
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mess up »
To cause a problem with; to introduce an error or mistake in; to make muddled or confused; spoil; ruin.
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mind over matter »
Willpower alone can overcome a physical problem.
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monkey wrench »
A problem, obstacle or dilemma; something unexpected or troublesome.
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mop up »
To fix problems; to correct or repair.
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no sweat »
See: no problem.
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on the right track »
Using the correct general approach to a particular task or problem; pursuing something in a promising way.
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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.
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ox is in the ditch »
This is a big problem; there is unavoidable or demanding work ahead.
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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.
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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.
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problem child »
Someone or something persistently difficult or vexing; a frequent source of trouble or annoyance.
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raise a stink »
To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.
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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.
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ride out »
To tackle a difficult problem and survive.
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rob Peter to pay Paul »
To solve a problem in a way that makes another problem worse.
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run up against »
Begin to encounter problems with someone or something.
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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.
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she'll be right »
OK, no problem, everything will be all right.
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shoot the messenger »
To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.
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sort oneself out »
To organize or solve one's personal problems.
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sort out »
To fix, as a problem.
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spanner »
A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome.
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squaring the circle »
The historical problem of how to construct, using compass and ruler, a square having the same area as a given circle.
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stickhandle »
To deal capably and swiftly with a situation, especially in a manner which deflects potential problems.
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teething troubles »
Small problems such as are to be expected with some any new and untried system or product.
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the course of true love never did run smooth »
There will always be problems in a relationship.
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the end all-be all »
Something ultimate; the best part of something; the thing which solves all problems associated with something.
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there's more than one way to skin a cat »
A problem generally has more than one solution.
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thrash out »
To discuss something so fully as to resolve a problem or conflict; to hammer out.
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throw a spanner in the works »
To be a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.
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tick over »
To run smoothly and without problems.
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tiger team »
An engineering or other group assembled to tackle especially difficult or critical problems, often outside the normal chain of command.
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tip of the iceberg »
Only the beginning; just a small indication of a larger possibility; a problem is much bigger than it seems.
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tough nut to crack »
A difficult or sticky problem.
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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.
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what's the matter »
What's wrong? What's the problem?.
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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.
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window dressing »
These latest modifications are mere window dressing, the same problems remain.
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wolf in sheep's clothing »
Something harmful or problematic disguised as something peaceful or pleasant.
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worth the risk »
The benefit of the success is more valuable than the problems caused by the potential loss.
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yak shaving »
Any apparently useless activity which, by allowing you to overcome intermediate difficulties, allows you to solve a larger problem.
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