a different ballpark »
Something totally unrelated or of a vastly different scale or scope.
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a life of its own »
An independent existence with some characteristics of life.
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a riddle wrapped up in an enigma »
Something very mysterious and hidden.
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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.
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abide by »
To remain faithful to something or someone; to stand to; to adhere.
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abide with »
To remain or live with someone.
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abound in »
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
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abound with »
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
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about to »
Indicates something that will happen very soon; indicates that something is imminent.
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absence makes the heart grow fonder »
When someone or something is faraway, you realise how much you love (or miss) them or it.
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account for »
To explain by relating circumstances; to show that some one, thing or members of a group are present or have been processed.
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ache for »
To desire, or want something, or someone, very much.
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acid test »
A rigorous test or appraisal of the quality or worth of something.
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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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after the fact »
Too late; after something is finished or final.
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