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.
|
accident waiting to happen »
A thing or situation which is almost certain to eventually lead to an accident.
|
act like a bull in a china shop »
To act rudely or clumsily in a delicate situation.
|
add fuel to fire »
To inflame a situation, to make a situation worse.
|
add fuel to the fire »
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
|
against all odds »
Despite seemingly insurmountable opposition or probability.
|
all nations »
A composition of all the different spirits sold in a dram-shop, collected in a vessel into which the drainings of the bottles and quartern pots are emptied.
|
amateur hour »
A situation or activity in which the participants show a lack of skill, sound judgment, or professionalism.
|
arse about face »
Something that is placed or arranged the opposite way to the way it should be.
|
assume the mantle »
To take on a specific role or position, along with any associated responsibilites.
|
at loose ends »
In an uncertain position or situation.
|
at the drop of a hat »
Without any hesitation; instantly.
|
at the high port »
At once; unhesitatingly; quickly and vigorously.
|
at the ready »
Ready; in a state of preparation or waiting; in position or anticipation.
|
at the wheel »
In control of the situation; in charge.
|
| Search from any page on the Web with Abbreviations.com AutoSearch. It's free! |
