We've found 1320 phrases for some (0.116 seconds):

a different ballpark »    Something totally unrelated or of a vastly different scale or scope.

a life of its own »    An independent existence with some characteristics of life.

a riddle wrapped up in an enigma »    Something very mysterious and hidden.

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.

abide by »    To remain faithful to something or someone; to stand to; to adhere.

abide with »    To remain or live with someone.

abound in »    To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.

abound with »    To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.

about to »    Indicates something that will happen very soon; indicates that something is imminent.

absence makes the heart grow fonder »    When someone or something is faraway, you realise how much you love (or miss) them or it.

account for »    To explain by relating circumstances; to show that some one, thing or members of a group are present or have been processed.

ache for »    To desire, or want something, or someone, very much.

acid test »    A rigorous test or appraisal of the quality or worth of something.

after all »    In the end; anyway; referring to something that was believed to be the case, but has now been shown not to be.

after the fact »    Too late; after something is finished or final.

all that jazz »    Everything else related to something; other similar things.

all the tea in China »    Something priceless or invaluable.

all well and good »    Basically good, but with some shortcoming or limitation.

along about »    Approximately; at around some time.

am I right or am I right »    Rhetorical question from somebody who has stated what they consider to be an unassailable truth.

and change »    And some quantity, but less than the increment to the next round number.

and then some »    Used to confirm preceding utterance, while implying that what was said or asked is an understatement.

angel's advocate »    Someone who sees what's good about an idea and supports it.

angle for »    To try to obtain something by subtle indirect means. Political manoeuvres, suggestion, etc.

apple of somebody's eye »    A favourite, a particular preference, or a loved one; the object of somebody's affections.

are your ears burning »    Said of somebody who was not present but was the topic of discussion.

ark ruffian »    Rogues who, in conjunction with watermen, robbed, and sometimes murdered, on the water, by picking a quarrel with the passengers in a boat, boarding it, plundering, stripping, and throwing them overboard, etc. A species of badger.

arse about face »    Something that is placed or arranged the opposite way to the way it should be.

as long as »    Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; so long as.

as long as »    While; for some period of time.

ask around »    To enquire about something to different people.

ask for »    To increase the likelihood of something by persisting in some action; to invite.

ask for the moon »    To claim or desire something that one cannot have.

ask in »    To invite someone to enter one's house.

ask out »    To invite somebody, especially on a date.

ask round »    To enquire about something to different people.

ask round »    To invite someone to your house.

at all »    Indicating degree, quantity or frequency greater than zero; to the slightest degree, in any way, somewhat, rather.

auction off »    To sell something at an auction.

back burner »    A section of a stove used to keep some pots warm while one focuses on others.

back into »    To back up or walk backwards and hit something.

back off »    To move backwards away from something.

back onto »    To reverse a vehicle onto something.

back onto »    To overlook something from the rear.

back out »    To withdraw from something one has promised to do.

back-to-back »    With one's back facing somebody else's back.

bad apple »    A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy, especially one who has an adverse influence on others.

bad egg »    Someone whose behaviour is reprehensible or irresponsible; a rogue.

bad news »    An irritating, troublesome, or harmful person, situation, or thing.

bad taste in one's mouth »    A feeling something is morally despicable as to cause nausea.

bail out on »    To abandon, or stop supporting someone or something.

balloon goes up »    Something exciting or dangerous begins.

balls-up »    Something which becomes muddled or botched in some way.

bang out »    To do something quickly, in a slipshod, or unprofessional manner.

bang up job »    Something done very well; something performed above average or better than expected.

bank night »    An event where patrons are enticed to buy entry tickets into some venue, for example a movie theater, with the anticipation that they will be entered into a drawing to win an amount of money if their ticket is drawn and they are on-site at the time of the winning.

bank on »    To be sure of something. To depend on it.

barrel »    A round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth, and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with hoops, and having flat ends or heads. Sometimes applied to a similar cylindrical container made of metal, usually called a drum.

barrel of monkeys »    Something very funny or amusing.

bash about »    To physically damage something or assault someone.

bash in »    To injure someone by hitting violently.

bash out »    To write something very quickly, without much thought.

bash up »    To assault someone with the intention of causing physical injury.

battle cry »    Something the troops yell out when going to war or battle.

be at one's beck and call »    To be in the position of serving someone in any way they desire, usually unwillingly.

be glad to see the back of »    To be glad to get rid of someone; to be glad someone has left.

be in for »    To be able to expect or anticipate; to be about to suffer, generally said of something unpleasant.

be on the edge of one's seat »    To be in suspense; to wait eagerly or anxiously for some resolution.

be there for »    To be available to provide comfort and support for someone, especially in a period of difficulty.

be there or be square »    Used to encourage someone to go somewhere.

be up against »    To be challenged by someone or something stronger than oneself.

be-all and end-all »    Something considered to be of the utmost importance; something essential or ultimate.

bear down »    To press down on someone.

bear down on »    To approach someone in a very determined way.

beat around the bush »    To delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant.

beat Banaghan »    An Irish saying of one who tells wonderful stories, or of something which is amazing and remarkable.

beat down »    To haggle someone to sell at a lower price.

beat down »    To severely beat someone up.

beat off »    To drive something away with blows.

beat somebody to the punch »    To do something before somebody else is able to.

beat someone's brains out »    To beat someone very severely.

beat up »    To cause by some other means, injuries comparable to the result of being beaten up.

beat up »    To feel badly guilty and accuse oneself over something. Usually followed by over.

beat up »    To get something done, derived from the idea of beating for game.

bee in one's bonnet »    Something of particular interest or concern; an obsession.

bee's knees »    Something excellent, outstanding.

beer and skittles »    Something pleasurable.

beg off »    To avoid, or cancel some event that one has previously arranged with someone.

behind somebody's back »    Without somebody's knowledge; secretly.

believe in »    To ascribe some powers or other attributes to.

bend somebody's ear »    Sorry to bend your ear with the whole story, but I think you ought to know.

bend somebody's ear »    To bore; to talk too long.

bet dollars to donuts »    To suggest that something is very likely to be true or that one has a strong hunch about something.

better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness »    In the face of bad times or hopelessness, it is more worthwhile to do some good, however small, in response than to complain about the situation.

big daddy »    Something or someone of importance.

big deal »    Something very important, difficult, or of concern.

big enchilada »    Some item of high value, especially a top prize or reward.

big gun »    Someone who is powerful or influential most often in plural form.

big mouth »    The mouth of someone who talks too much, especially by making exaggerated claims or by inappropriately revealing information.

bite one's tongue »    An admonishment to someone who has said something unfeeling or harsh.

bite someone's head off »    To severely berate someone.

bitter pill »    Something unpleasant that must be accepted or endured.

black-on-black »    Something that is invisible or intentionally obfuscated, such as warnings or fine print.

blaze a trail »    To set precedent or do something novel; to break new ground.

bleeding edge »    Something very current, or modern where there may actually be a hazard or risk in using it, such as with potentially unstable software. The term relates to a sword.

blot out »    To make something undecipherable; to obliterate.

blow it »    To fail at something; to mess up; to make a mistake.

blow off »    To shoot something with a gun, causing it to come disconnected.

blow one's chances »    To forfeit opportunities to achieve some goal.

blow over »    To blow on something causing it to topple.

blow someone out of the water »    To trounce; to defeat someone thoroughly, at a game or in battle.

blow someone's mind »    To astonish someone, to flabbergast someone.

blow up »    To explode something or somebody or destroy something or injure or kill somebody by explosion.

blue moon »    Something absurd.

blue-eyed boy »    Someone's favourite, especially a young one.

bone of contention »    Something that continues to be disputed; something on which no agreement can be reached.

borganism »    Some forms of government.

bottoming the house »    The process by where someone cleans their house 'from top to bottom'. It is a very thorough clean indeed, even more so than 'spring cleaning'.

bowl a googly »    Something unexpected, underhand or requiring a quick reaction or correction.

boys and their toys »    Used to evoke the idea that adult men sometimes dote excessively on machines, automobiles, and gadgets in a childish manner.

boys will be boys »    It is hard, often fruitless, to attempt to curb the natural playfulness and tendency to mischief of most growing boys.1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Chapter 13But just then there was a slight altercation between Master Tommy and Master Jacky. Boys will be boys and our two twins were no exception to this golden rule.Even grown men usually remain somewhat boyish in heart"Boys will be boys", grinned grandpa while he joined his adult son playing with the fancy train-set he gave his grandson for Christmas while the kid was in school.

brain fart »    A lapse in the thought process; an inability to think or remember something clearly.

brain fart »    Something ill-considered and said or done impulsively.

brain surgeon »    Someone very intelligent.

brain surgeon »    Someone who does brain surgery.

brain surgery »    Something that is overly complex, detailed or confusing.

branch out »    To attempt something new or different, but related.

brass farthing »    Something worthless or of small value.

brass monkey »    A cocktail of vodka, rum and orange juice, sometimes with the addition of galliano.

break a sweat »    To put effort into something.

break one's duck »    To do something for the first time.

break someone's heart »    To cause a person to feel grief or sadness.

break the back of »    To achieve the greater part of some project.

breath of fresh air »    Something relieving, refreshing, or new.

breathe down someone's neck »    To follow someone too closely, making it uncomfortable for them.

breathe easy »    To relax or feel secure about something.

brick by brick »    To create or build something in a steady, step-by-step fashion.

brickbat »    A piece of brick used as a weapon, especially if thrown, or placed in something like a sock and used as a club.

bring back »    To fetch something.

bring back »    To cause someone to remember something from the past.

bring down »    To make something flying fall to the ground. Usually by firing a weapon of some kind.

bring down »    To make someone feel bad emotionally.

bring forward »    To make something happen earlier than originally planned.

bring in »    To move something indoors.

bring off »    To succeed in doing something considered to be very difficult.

bring round »    To bring something when coming.

bring to heel »    To force someone to obey.

brown thumb »    Lack of skill at growing plants; something possessed by a poor gardener.

bug off »    Used to tell somebody to leave them alone.

bug out »    To abandon someone without warning.

bugger up »    To break or spoil something, or make it inoperative, useless etc.

bump into »    To collide with something.

bump into »    To meet someone by chance.

bump up »    To increase something suddenly.

bumper crop »    A large yield; an excess of something.

buried treasure »    Something, having been concealed for a long time, which later is found and is profitable.

burn a hole in one's pocket »    To cause someone to be tempted to spend money.

burst someone's bubble »    To disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable.

bust a cap in someone's ass »    Alternative form of pop a cap in someone's ass.

busy beaver »    Someone who is very busy or hard-working.

busy work »    Work or activity performed with the intention or result of occupying time, and not necessarily to accomplish something productive; routine work of low priority undertaken for the sake of avoiding idleness.

butt heads »    To argue uncompromisingly with someone.

buy out »    To purchase the entire stock or extent of something.

buy time »    Purposefully cause a delay to something, in order to achieve something else.

buzz off »    Used to tell someone to go away.

by the numbers »    To do something exactly, precisely, or in a formulaic way.

by the way »    Incidentally; a parenthetical statement not timely, central, or crucial to the topic at hand; foregone, passed by, something that has already happened.

call in »    To summon someone, especially for help or advice.

call in »    To withdraw something from sale or circulation.

call on »    To visit somebody; to pay a call.

call on »    To request or ask of somebody; to select for a task.

call out »    To arrange for a professional to call at your home for some purpose.

call someone's bluff »    To take action on the basis that another person is bluffing.

calling card »    An attribute, object, or behavior which is distinctly characteristic of someone or something.

camel through the eye of a needle »    Hyperbole to illustrate that something is almost impossible to do or to happen.

camel's nose »    A metaphor for a situation where the permitting of some small act will lead consequently to a larger undesirable act or circumstance.

can it »    To silence; to quit doing something; to put an end to something.

can of worms »    A complex, troublesome situation arising when a decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems.

can of worms »    A troublesome situation; an issue whose resolution is difficult or contentious, but not necessarily complex.

cancel out »    To neutralize the effect of something.

cap it all off »    To finish or complete something.

cap it all off »    To surpass or outdo something.

carry a torch for »    [2] To harbor feelings of love despite not being in a relationship; generally unrequited or after a relationship has ended, and sometimes implying secret feelings. There is the implication of keeping hope alive.

carry coals to Newcastle »    To do something that is unneeded or redundant.

carry out »    To hold while moving something out.

carry someone's water »    To do someone's bidding; to serve someone's interests.

cash cow »    Someone or something which is a dependable source of appreciable amounts of money; a moneymaker.

cast off »    To discard or reject something.

cast one's vote »    To vote for something.

cat got someone's tongue »    Why are you not saying anything?.

cat in the meal-tub »    Something concealed; a hidden danger.

cat in the sack »    Something to be suspicious of.

cat that ate the canary »    A person who appears self-satisfied or smug, especially while concealing something mischievous, prohibited, or private.

cat's meow »    A highly sought-after and fancy example of something.

cat's pyjamas »    A highly sought-after and fancy example of something, usually referring to inanimate objects.

catch some z's »    To sleep.

catch someone's eye »    To capture someone's attention.

catch up »    To be reaching something that had been ahead.

catmeat »    Someone who has been badly beaten.

caught in the act »    To be found doing something that you weren't supposed to be doing, while you're doing it.

cave in »    The act of something collapsing or caving in.

cave in »    The location where something has caved in.

center field »    A central role in some activity that requires speed.

chalk up to »    To attribute or account for something.

change hands »    To become the property of someone else; to be bought or sold.

change one's mind »    To convince someone to make a decision differing from what a previous one.

charge up »    To recharge, to give electrical power to something.

charge up »    To motivate, to instill someone with determination.

chase a rainbow »    To pursue something illusory, impractical, or impossible.

chase after »    To chase someone.

chase after »    To pursue someone with romantic intentions; to woo.

chase down »    To pursue and apprehend someone.

chase down »    To investigate the cause of something.

chat up »    In a friendly, open, or casual manner, sometimes also in a charming or affected manner, usually to curry favor, and sometimes flirtatiously with the intention of establishing a romantic or sexual encounter or relationship with that person.

check out »    Used to draw attention to something and stimulate excitement about it.

cheer up »    To make someone happy.

cherry-pick »    To pick out the best, or most desirable items from a list or group, especially to obtain some advantage or to present something in the best possible light.

chew somebody out »    To berate; to shout at someone.

chicken out »    To shy away from a daring task; to decline, refuse, or avoid something due to fear or uncertainty.

chickens coming home to roost »    Consequences visited upon someone who originally had appeared to escape them.

child's play »    Something particularly simple or easy.

chip in »    To make a contribution; help in a small way; especially, to pay for a part of something.

chip off the old block »    Someone who takes after their parent.

chip on one's shoulder »    A habitually combative attitude, usually because of a harboured grievance, sense of inferiority, or having something to prove.

chopped liver »    A person or object which is not worthy of being noticed; someone or something insignificant.

chump-change »    Of or pertaining to something of little monetary value.

clamp down on »    To take measures to stop something; to put an end to.

clean someone's clock »    To defeat decisively, in a physical fight or other competition or negotiation.

clean up »    To become clean, handsome, smart in appearance, e.g. for a special occasion, especially when it is out of character to be seen as such.

climb up »    To gradually ascend something.

close down »    To surround someone, as to impede their movement.

closed book »    A person or thing that cannot be easily understood; someone or something incomprehensible or puzzling.

coals to Newcastle »    A pointless venture, in the sense of sending something to a place where it's made, or where they already have an abundance.

cock a snook »    To spread one hand, place the thumb on the nose and wriggle some of the fingers as a gesture of disrespect.

come a cropper »    To suffer some misfortune; to fail.

come down to us »    To survive to the present day; to be extant in some form.

come in handy »    To be useful or helpful, especially at some time in the future.

come on »    A statement or sometimes action reflecting sexual or relational interest.

come out with »    To say something unexpected.

come through »    Not to let somebody down, keep one's promise.

come to terms »    To accept or resign oneself to something emotionally painful.

come to think of it »    By the way; now that I think about it; indicates something brought to mind.

cooking with gas »    Now doing something in an effective way.

cool down »    To cause something temperature to lower.

cop a feel »    To stealthily fondle someone in a sexual manner.

cop-out »    An excuse made in order to avoid performing a task or duty; a reason offered when someone cops out.

corner the market »    To have exclusive possession; to possess something to a high or excessive degree.

count sheep »    To attempt to go to sleep by thinking of something boring, traditionally by counting imaginary sheep.

cradle robber »    A person who marries or becomes romantically involved with someone who is much younger or who employs or otherwise engages a young person for a purpose inappropriate for his or her age.

cramp someone's style »    To restrict someone's free actions, or to give the impression of such.

crank up »    To start something mechanical, an act that often used to involve cranking.

crank up »    To increase, as the volume, power or energy of something.

cream of the crop »    The best or most desirable among some selection.

creep into »    To enter something or somewhere by creeping.

crème de la crème »    Best of the best; something that's superlative. The very best.

crocodile tear »    A tear shed insincerely, in a false display of sorrow or some other emotion.

cross off »    To finish; to mark something as complete.

cross someone's palm »    To give money to a person, especially as a bribe or as an inducement to perform a service.

cross someone's path »    To meet by chance.

cross the line »    To overstep a boundary, rule, or limit; to go too far or do something unacceptable.

cry off »    To cancel something that one has previously arranged with someone.

cry someone a river »    To try to obtain the sympathy of another person by complaining or sniveling.

cry someone a river »    To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.

cut corners »    To do a less than thorough or complete job; to do something poorly or take short cuts.

cut down »    To reduce the amount of something.

cut in »    Especially, to dance with someone who is already dancing by replacing his or her partner.

cut it close »    To judge or finish something close to its limit.

cut it fine »    To achieve something at the last possible moment, or with no margin for error.

cut of one's jib »    Someone’s general appearance or the implications thereof, especially in relation to making an impression or one’s style..

cut somebody some slack »    To be patient or lenient with somebody; to relax standards or expectations.

cut to the chase »    To get to the point; to get on with it; to state something directly.

cutting edge »    The forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field.

darken somebody's doorstep »    To enter somebody else's home uninvited.

dawn on »    To occur to somebody; to be realized.

day in, day out »    Every day; daily; constantly or continuously; especially, of something that has become routine or monotonous.

dead men tell no tales »    Once someone is dead, they can no longer communicate, hence killing someone is the best way to keep him/her quiet.

dead ringer »    Someone or something that very closely resembles another; someone or something easily mistaken for another.

dead weight »    That which is useless or excess; that which slows something down.

death knell »    A sign or omen foretelling the death or destruction of something.

deathblow »    Something that prevents the completion, or ends the existence of some project etc.

deep six »    To discard, cancel, halt; to completely put an end to something.

deep-six »    To get rid of something unwanted.

deep-six »    To throw something overboard from a ship.

depend on »    To be dependent on something or someone for support or help.

die »    Followed by for. Often expressing wider contextual motivations, though sometimes indicating direct causes.

die »    Followed by from. General use, though somewhat more common in medical or scientific contexts.

dig up »    To discover something by digging; to unearth.

dig up »    To excavate something.

dirty laundry »    Unflattering facts or questionable activities that one wants to remain secret, but which some other may use to blackmail with.

dish out »    To distribute or deliver something.

do someone proud »    To cause someone to feel pride, admiration, or satisfaction.

do something with mirrors »    To insinuate one has performed a magic or optical trick with the use of hidden mirrors, insinuating trickery and sham.

do something with mirrors »    To jokingly pretend that one did something using magic mirrors, that one is a magician; a joking explanation of the fantastic or the unexplained.

do the math »    You can do the calculation yourself, with the implication that you don't have to trust someone else's assertions.

do without »    To manage despite the lack of something.

don't count your chickens before they're hatched »    You should not count on something before it happens.

don't drop the soap »    (idiomatic) Used as a mockery to someone who is about to be or should be confined in prison.

doss down »    To sleep on someone's sofa or floor because there is no bed spare.

double up »    To double the quantity, amount or duration of something.

double-edged sword »    A benefit that is also a liability, or that carries some significant but non-obvious cost or risk.

double-tongued »    Saying one thing to one person and something different to another; double talking; deceitful in speech.

down-and-outer »    Someone who is down and out.

drag »    To move a mouse cursor while holding down a button on the mouse, often to move something on the screen.

drag »    To pull along a surface or through a medium, sometimes with difficulty.

draw back »    To pull something back or apart.

draw out »    To make something last for more time than is necessary; prolong; extend.

draw stumps »    To cease doing something, at least for the day.

draw stumps »    To declare an end to the days play, and remove the bails and sometimes the stumps.

drip »    To put a small amount of a liquid on something, drop by drop.

drive away »    To force someone or something to leave.

drive out »    Out of somewhere.

drop a hint »    To reveal a clue or hint about something.

drop somebody a line »    To write, call or visit somebody.

drug on the market »    Something which is overabundant at the moment and thus not in demand.

dry eye »    An eye which is not crying, i.e. someone emotionally unmoved.

dumb down »    To convey some subject matter in simple terms, avoiding technical or academic language, especially in a way that is considered condescending.

dummy up »    To make a mock-up or prototype version of something, without some or all off its intended functionality.

dust off »    To remove dust from something.

dust off »    To use something after a long time without it.

easy does it »    Relax; do something gently, lightly or carefully; slow down; calm down.

eat out of somebody's hand »    To behave in a docile, submissive way towards somebody.

eat someone out of house and home »    C. 1598, William Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 2, Act II Scene I.

eat someone out of house and home »    To consume such a portion of one's store of food that little is left for the owner.

eat someone's dust »    To be outrun.

eat someone's dust »    To get one to be on a losing end.

egg on »    To encourage or coax a person to do something, especially something foolhardy or reckless.

egg somebody on »    To tease, provoke or encourage.

embarrassment of riches »    An abundance or overabundance of something; too much of a good thing.

emperor's new clothes »    Something obvious and embarrassing that is politely ignored or that goes unacknowledged.

end up »    To conclude, turn out, sometimes unexpectedly.

end up »    To arrive at a destination, sometimes unexpectedly.

enough to make the angels weep »    Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.

enquire after »    To ask about the health of someone.

even money »    By extension, an event that is somewhat likely to happen, but far from inevitable.

every day is a school day »    You learn something new every day.

every Jack has his Jill »    everybody will find someone to have a romantic relationship with at some point in their life

every time »    Used to express a strong preference for something.

evil twin »    A duplicate or counterpart of something or someone that acts in a contrary, nefarious, or insidious manner.

eye up »    To examine closely something coveted.

f** someone over »    To exploit somebody in a way which result in an advantage to oneself, at the cost of the other party gaining a considerable disadvantage.

face to face »    In person; directly; in the physical presence of somebody.

factor space »    A space obtained from another by identification of points that are equivalent to one another in some equivalence relation.

facts on the ground »    Some aspects of the situation in a particular location.

fair enough »    An expression used to concede a point; denotes that, upon consideration, something is correct or reasonable; an expression of acknowledgment or understanding.

faith will move mountains »    Belief in oneself (read sometimes as belief in God) can help one overcome any hurdle in life's path.

fall for »    To fall in love with somebody.

fall into »    To go into something by falling.

fall out »    To come out of something by falling.

far be it »    A disclaimer stating that the person speaking will not do something.

far be it »    Pewtey in Marriage Guidance Counselor from And Now For Something Completely Different.

far cry »    Something very dissimilar or different.

farm out »    To subcontract some task to another; to outsource.

fear »    A phobia, a sense of fear induced by something or someone.

feast or famine »    A situation in which something is always either extremely abundant or in extremely short supply.

feed a cold, starve a fever »    Eating more will cure the common cold, and eating less will cure a fever.1887, J. H. Whelan, "The Treatment of Colds.", The Practitioner, vol. 38, pg. 180:"Feed a cold, starve a fever." There is a deal of wisdom in the first part of this advice. A person with a catarrh should take an abundance of light nutritious food, and some light wine, but avoid spirits, and above all tobacco.1968, Katinka Loeser, The Archers at Home, publ. Atheneum, New York, pg. 60:I have a cold. 'Feed a cold, starve a fever.' You certainly know that.2009, Shelly Reuben, Tabula Rasa, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ISBN 015101079X, pg. 60:They say feed a cold, starve a fever, but they don't tell you what to do when you got both, so I figured scrambled eggs, tea, and toast.

feel up »    To grope someone in a sexual manner.

feel up to »    To be confident in being able to do something.

feel up to »    To have an inclination to do something.

feet of clay »    To say that someone, who appears strong or invincible, in fact has a hidden weak point which could cause their fall.

fend away »    To turn something away; to ward off.

field day »    A great time or a great deal to do, at somebody else's expense.

fight a losing battle »    To try to do something so difficult that it will probably end in failure.

fight shy of »    To avoid something.

fill in »    To inform somebody, especially to supply someone missing or missed information.

fill in »    To substitute for somebody or something.

fill somebody's shoes »    To do somebody's job; to perform or assume somebody's role.

final curtain »    The end to something which has longed for a long time.

finders keepers »    The doctrine that whoever finds something is allowed to keep it

fine feathers make fine birds »    Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.

fine words butter no parsnips »    Talking about doing something does not get it done.

first among equals »    A person or position that if formally equivalent to others in a group, but is superior in some attribute.

fish for compliments »    To try to induce someone to make a compliment.

fix someone's wagon »    To punish someone; to cause injury, distress, or inconvenience for someone.

flag down »    Use a flag or some kind of signal to get the attention of someone.

flipside »    A necessary consequence or corollary of something; especially one seen as opposite, or as pro versus con.

flog a dead horse »    To attempt to get more out of something that cannot give more.

fly in the ointment »    Something which ruins or spoils everything else; a nuisance or problem; an unpleasant or disagreeable detail.

follow in someone's footsteps »    To follow the same path as someone.

for my money »    Used to mark a statement made by the speaker as an opinion or something not known with certainty.

forbidden fruit »    Illicit pleasure; something that one should not take or get involved with, such as an another person's spouse.

force someone's hand »    Bring about a situation which necessitates an agent to act, often causing a plan to be executed prematurely.

forewarned is forearmed »    Advance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it.1863, Charles Reade, Hard Cash, ch. 4:[W]hatever a young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies; but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine . . . forewarned is forearmed.1885, G. A. Henty, Saint George for England, ch. 4:Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed.circa 1903, Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Why Mr. Cropper Changed His Mind":"Well, Miss Maxwell, I think it only fair to tell you that you may have trouble with those boys when they do come. Forewarned is forearmed, you know."

four score and seven years ago »    As an opener, a sometimes sarcastic indicator to indicate a past event being mentioned is particularly important.

free lunch »    Something obtained without any payment, obligation or effort.

fresh legs »    Somebody who has yet to play in a match, and therefore has plenty of energy.

fresh out of »    Of someone who has recently left one stage of life to begin another.

from my cold, dead hands »    A statement that something will not be taken away from you until the day you die.

from time to time »    Occasionally; sometimes; once in a while.

full marks »    To exclaim complete satisfaction with someone's efforts.

gang up on »    To join together in a gang in order to overpower someone else.

get a jump on »    To start early, especially to start before something begins or before others begin.

get a leg up »    To gain some advantage; to get a head start.

get a load of »    To experience someone or something, especially by looking or listening.

get a rise out of »    To obtain a reaction from someone, especially one of annoyance.

get away with »    To do something which is prohibited, forbidden or generally not allowed, and not be punished for the action.

get away with murder »    To do something bad or illegal and not be punished.

get by the balls »    To have complete control over someone, especially of a woman abusing a man's infatuation with her.

get carried away »    To become excessively involved, to take something too far.

get down to business »    To become involved with something work-related.

get in »    To be elected to some office.

get in »    To get into or inside something, literally or figuratively.

get in someone's hair »    To annoy someone.

get in someone's hair »    To hinder someone or interfere with their actions.

get into one's stride »    To become familiar with something recently learnt.

get into someone's pants »    To have sex with.

get it »    To get, retrieve, or receive something.

get it over with »    To do or finish, especially said of something unpleasant.

get off »    To stop touching or interfering with something or someone.

get off with »    To befriend someone and snog them, especially in a public place.

get on somebody's case »    To lecture, berate, or complain to somebody, especially to find fault or criticize.

get on somebody's nerves »    To annoy or irritate; to bother.

get on someone's wick »    To annoy or upset someone, usually by repeated disagreeable actions.

get one's butt somewhere »    Go somewhere, especially quickly.

get one's feet wet »    To begin gaining experience; To take a risk and try something new.

get over »    To overcome something.

get over »    To recover from something.

get somebody's goat »    To annoy, infuriate, bother, or incense.

get someone's back up »    To annoy a person either deliberately or inadvertently.

get someone's nose out of joint »    To become angry; to take offense or take exception.

get someone's nose out of joint »    To make someone angry.

get something over with »    To do something quickly and hastily; without procrastination, especially so as to have something unpleasant behind oneself.

get something straight »    To understand; to clarify.

get the ball rolling »    To begin; to start some action; to set in motion.

get the drift »    To understand, at least at some basic or general level.

gild the lily »    To embellish or improve something unnecessarily; to add superfluous attributes to something.

gird up one's loins »    To prepare oneself for something demanding.

give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime »    It is more worthwhile to teach someone to do something, than to do something for them.

give a sneck posset »    To give someone a cold reception; to close the door on someone; to reject them.

give him enough rope and he'll hang himself »    If one gives someone enough freedom of action, they may destroy themselves by foolish actions.

give or take »    Approximately; plus or minus some unknown amount.

give over »    To entrust something to another.

give over »    Usually as an imperative. To tell someone to stop molesting, fooling around, or saying silly things. Or sometimes to stop saying flattering things.

give some skin »    To greet or congratulate someone by slapping his or her palm; see slap me five.

give somebody a hand »    To help, aid, or assist.

give somebody a hard time »    To tease, kid, or rib.

give somebody a piece of one's mind »    To express one's opinion strongly; to voice one's disagreement or dissatisfaction.

give somebody an earful »    To shout very loudly at someone.

give somebody pause »    To give somebody cause for concern.

give somebody the brush-off »    To rebuff, snub or curtly reject someone.

give somebody the cold shoulder »    To snub, resist or reject somebody; to regard somebody distantly.

give somebody the creeps »    To give someone a feeling of uneasiness or mild fright.

give somebody the heave-ho »    To fire, expel or break up with someone.

give somebody the runaround »    Especially by providing useless information or directions .

give somebody the slip »    To evade, escape, or get away from somebody.

give somebody what-for »    To admonish or berate; to speak angrily at somebody.

give someone the chair »    To execute a person by means of the electric chair.

give someone the eye »    To show flirtatious signs with the eye.

give someone what for »    To punish; to rebuke.

give the lie to »    To prove something to be false; to refute.

give the time of day »    To acknowledge somebody; to give somebody any respect or attention.

gloss over »    To treat something with less care than it deserves; to skimp.

go against the grain »    To defy convention; to do something in a manner that is unusual or out of the ordinary.

go along for the ride »    To accompany someone passively, or to take a passive role in a project.

go along with »    To comply with something, even if reluctantly; to accept or tolerate.

go away »    Command asking someone to leave them alone.

go down that road »    To settle a way of doing something; do decide to do something in a particular way.

go down the road »    A way of doing something; to do something in a particular way.

go for »    To attack something.

go for »    To do something, especially for leisure.

go for »    To go somewhere in order to get something.

go for »    To try for something.

go in for »    To have an interest in or approve of something.

go in for »    To engage or take part in something.

go it alone »    To do something alone or independently, especially something that is normally or better done in groups.

go off at score »    Of a horse, to break suddenly into a gallop; of a person, suddenly to say or do something impetuous.

go the whole hog »    To do something as entirely or completely as possible; to reserve or hold back nothing.

go to sleep »    An expression used to dismiss an extremely foolish statement, or to dismiss somebody that one does not feel like talking to.

go to someone's head »    To strongly affect a person, especially to the detriment of their senses or mental faculties.

go to work »    To begin performing some task or work.

go up against »    To challenge someone.

going rate »    The current standard or usual price, rate, or salary for something.

gold mine »    A plentiful stockpile of something sought after.

golden opportunity »    Ideal moment to do something.

good egg »    A good person, someone to be trusted; a friend.

good luck with that »    An expression wishing someone success in an unlikely enterprise.

good old boy »    A friendly, unambitious, relatively uneducated, sometimes racially biased white man who embodies the stereotype of the folksy culture of the rural southern USA.

good to go »    Ready for some specific task or ready for normal activity, especially after preparation or recovery.

grab and go »    To get something quickly.

grain of salt »    A bit of common sense and skepticism. Generally used in some form of to take with a grain of salt.

granary »    A storage facility for grain or sometimes animal feed.

grass roots »    The essential foundation or source of something.

gravy train »    A gorging on luxuries, since someone else foots the bill.

gray area »    A part that is not clear or certain; something that is open to interpretation.

grease someone's palm »    To bribe a person.

ground rules »    The basic rules or standards; whatever someone must know before proceeding.

grow a pair »    To be brave; to show some courage, especially in a situation in which one has so far failed to do so.

grow cold »    To wane; to lose interest or enthusiasm for something or someone; to become disenchanted or to fall out of love with someone.

grow on »    To become more likeable to someone.

grow out of »    To become too physically large for something, especially clothes.

grow out of »    To become too mature for something.

hack into »    To reduce something to by hacking with a cutting instrument.

hand in »    To give something to a responsible person.

hand it to somebody »    To give somebody credit or praise.

hand off »    To pass or transfer something to someone.

hand over »    To relinquish control or possession of something to someone.

handle with kid gloves »    To treat something very delicately or carefully.

hang on »    To keep; to store something for someone.

hang out to dry »    To abandon someone who is in need or in danger.

hard cheese »    Expressed to someone suffering misfortune.

hard lines »    Expressed to someone suffering misfortune.

hard of hearing »    Having difficulty hearing; somewhat deaf.

harden someone's heart »    To make someone more resistant to something.

harsh one's mellow »    Disturbing someone otherwise in a state of calm.

harsh one's mellow »    To make someone feel bad emotionally.

hash out »    To work through the details of something; especially to work through difficulties.

hatchet man »    Someone who carries out brutal and unpleasant duties on behalf of another, such as firing dead wood employees.

hate somebody's guts »    To despise; to hate intensely or passionately.

haul somebody over the coals »    To express anger with someone in no uncertain terms when they do something wrong.

have a bone to pick »    To have a complaint or grievance with somebody.

have a way with »    To be skilled, adept, or graceful in something.

have an axe to grind »    To have a dispute, resentment, or grudge, sometimes with a disposition to act on that resentment covertly; to have a bias; to take issue with something.

have it your way »    Do something the way you want to, but be prepared for the consequences.

have one's name on it »    To be reserved for someone.

have one's number on it »    Te be destined for someone.

have someone by the short hairs »    To have someone in a difficult situation in which he or she is without alternatives and can be controlled.

have someone's guts for garters »    To reprimand severely.

have someone's hide »    To punish or subdue someone.

have something to eat »    To eat anything.

have the run of »    To have permission or freedom to move around throughout an area or to use something at will.

heads will roll »    Some people will be fired for incompetence.

hear out »    To listen to someone until that person has finished.

hell hath no fury like a woman scorned »    A woman will make someone suffer if they reject her.

here you are »    Said when you hand something over to someone or do a favour to them, usually to draw the recipient's attention to the exchange; Equivalent to “thank you” when receiving something..

hide one's light under a bushel »    For a person to keep some talent or skill hidden from other people. The tone is that a person having a talent which they can be proud of ought not hide it.

hill of beans »    Something of no importance.

his back is up »    He is offended or angry; an expression or idea taken from a cat; that animal, when angry, always raising its back. An allusion also sometimes used to jeer a crooked man.

historical figure »    A person who lived long ago, usually of some historical note or importance.

hit home »    To do something particularly great.

hit on »    To flirt with; to approach and speak to (someone), seeking romance, love, sex, etc.

hit someone for six »    Be affected in a devastating way by some unexpected news.

hit someone for six »    To hit another person very hard.

hit the nail on the head »    To identify something exactly; to arrive at exactly the right answer.

hold all the aces »    To be in a strong position when one is competing with someone else, having all the advantages.

hold off »    To delay someone or something temporarily; to keep at bay.

hold off »    To delay commencing an action (until some specified time or event has passed).

hold on »    To keep; to store something for someone.

hold one's tongue »    To keep quiet; especially, to leave something unsaid.

hold out »    To hold something out; to extend forward.

hold out »    To set something aside or save it for later.

hold over »    Something left from an earlier time.

hold somebody's hand »    To grasp or hold a person's hand.

hold somebody's hand »    To guide somebody through the basics or assist with excessively small details.

hold someone's feet to the fire »    To maintain personal, social, political, or legal pressure on someone in order to induce him or her to comply with one's desires; to hold someone accountable for his or her actions.

hold your fire »    Do not discharge your weapon. Used originally for weapons needing a spark or lighting of a fuse to ignite gunpowder, now sometimes used to mean any weapon launching a projectile.

home in on »    To focus or narrow down to something; to find or draw closer, as by trial and error or a gradual seeking process.

honest injun »    A phrase used to emphasize the truth of something.

honorable mention »    An award or recognition given to something that does not make it to a higher standing but is worth mentioning in an honorable way.

horse's mouth »    Source; someone who directly experienced or witnessed something.

hot on somebody's heels »    Close behind; pursuing or following closely.

house cooling party »    A party to celebrate when a person decides to leave a house or flat, and sometimes to help prepare the space for the incoming residents.

house warming »    Presented as a way of welcoming someone to a home into which he or she recently moved.

how do I get to Carnegie Hall »    A set phrase, spoken as a rhetorical question, which is answered "Practice, practice, practice!" or sometimes with the humorous literal directions to Seventh Avenue between 56th and 57th.

how do you like them apples »    Directed jestingly or mockingly at someone who has received surprising information, ridiculing the situation.

how-d'ye-do »    A troublesome state of affairs.

huckleberry above a persimmon »    Something better than something else.

hum and haw »    Procrastinate and take a long time before doing something or taking a decision.

hunger is a good sauce »    (dated) Being hungry makes one less concerned about the taste of one's food.1854, Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman, Punch, Vol. XXVI, Punch Publications Ltd., page 74:His bread and cheese were somewhat dry, to be sure; his ale had become flat, and considerably warmer than was desirable; but hunger is a good sauce, and thirst is not particular.

hunker down »    To take shelter; to prepare oneself for some eventuality; to focus on a task.

hurt someone's feelings »    To offend or hurt someone.

if it ain't broke, don't fix it »    Leave something alone; avoid correcting, fixing, or improving what is already sufficient, as it could end up being detrimental

if looks could kill »    A phrase said upon catching sight of someone's giving you a particularly nasty look of discontent or disapproval.

if you love somebody, set them free »    One should be willing to let go of someone they love if they truly love them.

if you want a thing done well, do it yourself »    It is better to do something oneself, than rely on others to do it well.

ignorance is bliss »    Lack of knowledge results in happinessSometime you are more comfortable if you dont know something.

in bed »    Lying on a bed, especially under some bedsheets.

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

in hot water »    In trouble; in the position of arousing somebody's anger or displeasure.

in layman's terms »    Explaining something in simple words.

in line »    On a queue; waiting one's turn for something.

in the act »    In the process of doing something; used to emphasize the eye-witness evidence.

in the dark »    Without light; somewhere that is dark.

in the doghouse »    In trouble; the subject of somebody's anger or disapproval.

in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king »    Among others with a disadvantage or disability, the one with the mildest disadvantage or disability is regarded as the greatest.Even someone without much talent or ability is considered special by those with no talent or ability at all.

inquire after »    To ask about the health of someone.

inquire of »    To ask someone.

ins and outs »    The details or fine points of something.

inside job »    A crime or other illicit action committed by or with the help of someone either employed by the victim or entrusted with access to the victim's affairs and premises.

it is easy to find a stick to beat a dog »    (rare or obsolete, proverb) If a person is determined to punish someone, they will find a way to do so.1596

it takes two to tango »    Some things need the active cooperation of two parties; blame is to be laid on both parties in a conflict.

it's about time »    Used to express impatience at the eventual occurrence of something that the speaker or writer considered to be long overdue.

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

it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good »    There is usually something of benefit to someone, no matter how bad the situation.

jack in »    To insert an electronic coupling into a receptacle; to connect to something, whether involving a physical medium or not.

jack it in »    An imperative to stop doing something that the speaker finds annoying.

jack up »    To ruin; wreck; mess up; screw up; sometimes as a bowdlerized substitution for f** up.

jive turkey »    Someone who is jiving, as in behaving in a glib and disingenuous fashion.

jive turkey »    Someone who is jiving, as in dancing. Often applied to people being funny or showy.

jolly someone along »    To make someone happy or compliant, as by encouragement or flattery.

jump at »    To accept something enthusiastically. Usually an opportunity, or chance, or job etc.

jump in »    To enter something quickly. Usually a mode of transport.

jump on »    To attack someone verbally, or criticise them over strongly for small errors.

jump rope »    The length of rope, sometimes with handles, casing or other additions, used in that activity.

jump someone's bones »    To have sex.

jumped-up »    Describes a person who thinks he is superior in some way that the speaker disagrees with. For instance, of a higher class, or has more authority than they have in reality.

just another pretty face »    Someone who is attractive, but not too distinguished.

keep a lid on »    To keep something secret.

keep a weather eye open »    To maintain a background awareness of something; to remain alert to changes without it occupying your full attention.

keep an eye open »    To maintain vigilance for someone or something.

keep mum »    Do not talk; especially keep silent about something that may be sensitive or secret.

keep out »    To restrain someone or something from entering a place or condition.

keep out of »    To restrain someone or something from entering a place or condition.

keep quiet »    To refrain from talking about something; to keep a secret.

keep shtum »    Don't tell anyone; especially, keep silent about something that may be sensitive or secret.

keep somebody in stitches »    To keep somebody laughing hard or amused.

keep somebody posted »    To inform or to keep somebody up to date.

keep straight »    To avoid confusing or mixing up something; to keep something clear or organized.

keep up »    To ensure that one remains well-informed about something.

kettle of fish »    A situation which is recognized as different from or as an alternative to some other situation, and which is not necessarily unfavorable.

kick ass »    To beat someone at something.

kick ass »    To beat someone in a fight.

kick down »    To break or demolish something by physical bodily force.

kick someone when they are down »    To make it worse for someone who is going through a difficult time.

kick up a fuss »    To show annoyance, or to complain loudly about something, often when it is of little importance in reality.

kick up the arse »    A severe reprimand, especially one to motivate someone into doing something.

kill the fatted calf »    To begin a festive celebration and rejoicing for someone's long-awaited return.

kill the messenger »    To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.

kind of »    Slightly; somewhat; sort of.

kindred soul »    Someone with the same feelings or attitudes as oneself; kindred spirit.

kindred spirit »    Someone with the same feelings or attitudes as oneself.

kiss of death »    Something that may seem good and favourable but that actually brings ruin to hopes, plans, etc.

kneel before »    To kneel in front of someone or something, especially in order to worship or supplicate.

knock around »    To spend time with someone as a friend.

knock around »    To hit someone, or behave violently towards them.

knock down »    To hit or knock (something), intentionally or accidentally, so that it falls.

knock it off »    Stop doing something; desist.

knock on wood »    To take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted my a presumptuous statement.

knock out »    To strike or bump someone or something out.

knock out »    To render someone unconscious, as by a blow to the head.

knock out »    To put someone to sleep.

knock out of the box »    To cause something to be replaced by something else.

knock over »    To bump or strike something in such a way as to tip it.

knock somebody's socks off »    To impress greatly; amaze; stun.

knock together »    To assemble something quickly; to knock up.

know like the back of one's hand »    To be intimately knowledgeable about something, especially a place.

know something inside and out »    To know something very thoroughly.

last of the big spenders »    Someone who doesn't spend much money.

last word »    The finest, highest, or ultimate representative of some class of objects.

latch onto »    To obtain, acquire or get and keep hold of something.

laughing stock »    An object of ridicule, someone who is publicly ridiculed; a butt of sport.

lay an egg »    To produce a failure or flop; to do something which is unsuccessful.

lay it on the line »    To state something, for example an ultimatum, strongly and clearly.

lead someone down the garden path »    To deceive, hoodwink.

lead time »    The amount of time between the initiation of some process and its completion, e.g. the time required to manufacture or procure a product; the time required before something can be provided or delivered.

leave no stone unturned »    To search thoroughly for something, looking in every conceivable place.

leave somebody high and dry »    To abandon somebody; to stop providing assistance at a crucial moment.

leave somebody holding the bag »    To abandon somebody, leaving the responsibility or blame.

leave somebody in the lurch »    To abandon somebody; especially, to abandon somebody and leave him or her in a difficult situation.

leave well enough alone »    To leave something alone; to avoid attempts to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient.

leave well enough alone »    To leave something alone; to avoid attempts to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient

lemonize »    To damage something and then deny or be aloof from the damage.

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

let down »    To disappoint; to betray or fail somebody.

let in on »    To tell someone a secret.

let it be »    To leave something to follow its natural course.

let somebody down »    To fail somebody; to disappoint or to fail to uphold a commitment.

let somebody in on »    To disclose; to tell somebody a secret or share privileged information.

let someone have it »    To attack someone with great force.

let someone have it »    To verbally assail someone.

lick one's chops »    To anticipate something eagerly.

lick one's chops »    To look forward avidly to eating something.

lift up »    To lighten the mood of someone.

light up »    To bring light to something, to brighten.

link whore »    Someone who goes to great lengths to get other people to link to his/her website or blog.

link whoring »    The practice of going out of one's way to place links to one's website on someone else's webpage.

little pitchers have big ears »    Small children often overhear more of what is said than adults realize or desire.1844, Charlotte M. Yonge, Abbeychurch, ch. 2:Seeing me listening to something she was saying to Mamma, she turned round upon me with that odious proverb, "Little pitchers have long ears."1939, "Bedtime Bedlam," Time, 17 Apr.:A caution to U. S. parents, but a joy to radio merchandising, is the dread truth that little pitchers have big ears.2002, Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, ISBN 9780743455961, p. 185:I suppose he might say pushed or went woowoo, but took a shit is, I fear, very much in the ballpark (little pitchers have big ears, after all).

live down »    To get used to something shameful.

live one »    Someone who is easily fooled, victimized, or ridiculed.

live one »    Someone who is eccentric, nonconformist, or otherwise peculiar.

lock up »    To imprison or incarcerate someone.

lock up »    To invest in something long term.

lone gunman »    An individual person who acts on his or her own initiative, without partners, especially one who has sole responsibility for doing something questionable, confidential, or iniquitous.

long shot »    Something unlikely; something that has little chance of happening or working. The term arose from the accuracy of early ship guns, which were effective only at close range and unlikely to hit the mark at any great distance.

long ways, long lies »    Someone who comes back from a far-off country can tell lies without fear of being contradicted.

look before you leap »    Don't jump into something too precipitously; be at least a bit foresightful or circumspect.

look daggers »    To stare sharply at someone to indicate disapproval without actually speaking.

look forward »    To anticipate or expect; especially, to expect something to be pleasant.

look the other way »    To ignore something wrong. Similar to connive.

look to »    To seek inspiration or advice from someone.

look up »    To obtain information about something from a text source.

look what the cat's dragged in »    Used as an ironic acknowledgement of someone's arrival, especially to imply that they are unwelcome or disagreeable in some way.

lose touch »    To cease to be familiar with someone or something or to cease to communicate or have contact.

lower the boom on »    To punish someone.

lower the boom on »    To terminate or abolish something.

make a meal of »    To spend more time and energy on some task than it warrants; to make something overly complicated.

make a monkey out of »    To cause a person, organization, or action to appear foolish or inferior; to subject someone or something to ridicule..

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.

make a point »    To take care in doing something of something; to pay attention or ensure that something is done.

make a splash »    To do something that attracts attention.

make an example of »    To punish someone so as to be a warning to others.

make it »    To survive, to live through something.

make off with »    To steal something and run.

make someone's day »    To make someone happy or to be a source of satisfaction.

make someone's skin crawl »    To disturb or bother; to frighten or disgust.

make someone's teeth itch »    To bother or unsettle a person; to put someone on edge.

mark up »    To increase the price of something between its wholesale and retail phase.

matter of fact »    Something completely true.

may the Force be with you »    Used to wish someone luck with a difficult endeavor.

me three »    Used to express agreement, after someone has already said "me too".

meal ticket »    Someone or something that provides income or livelihood, especially as an exploited source.

meet up »    To meet somebody, by arrangement.

mess of pottage »    Something of trivial value, especially of immediate value.

mess up »    To make a mistake; to do something incorrectly; to perform poorly.

mete out »    To distribute something in portions; to apportion or dole out.

mighty oaks from little acorns grow »    Something great can come from a modest beginning.Don't give up on the project - mighty oaks from little acorns grow!

mince words »    To restrain oneself in a conversation by withholding some comments or using euphemisms.

mixed bag »    Any bag containing a mixture of something.

mixed bag »    Something tending to have both good and bad results or characteristics; something having a mixture of advantages and disadvantages.

mixed blessing »    Something that has both good and bad features.

moment of truth »    A deciding instant; the time when a test determines or makes it apparent whether something will succeed.

money maker »    Something profitable.

monkey business »    Wasting time, or effort, on some foolish project.

monkey wrench »    A problem, obstacle or dilemma; something unexpected or troublesome.

mop the floor with somebody »    To trounce or defeat thoroughly or in a humiliating manner.

move on »    To leave somewhere for another place.

move on »    To start dealing with something else.

move the goalposts »    To alter the agreed basis, scope, standards or target of a procedure or task during its course, especially to do so to someone's advantage.

mover and shaker »    Someone who has power and influence in some field or activity.

muck about »    To do somethings with a piece of equipment when you do not understand how it works.

mull over »    To think deeply about something; to ponder, deliberate or ruminate.

muscle in on »    To interfere with, or intrude on something forcibly.

music to one's ear »    Some unexpected good news; a favorable outcome after some initial confusion or delay.

mutual admiration society »    A group of two or more people, in a workplace or other social environment, who routinely express considerable esteem and support for one another, sometimes to the point of exaggeration or pretense.

ñapa »    the little something extra

necessity is the mother of invention »    A person who is in great need of something will find a way to get it.

needle in a haystack »    Something that is difficult or impossible to locate; something impossibly complex or intractable.

neither fish nor fowl »    Said of something not easily categorized or not fitting neatly into any established group.

never change a running system »    Don't change something that is working

nine day wonder »    Something that generates interest for a limited time and is then abandoned.

nip in the bud »    To stop something at an early stage.

no biggie »    Not a big deal, not something to worry about.

no brainer »    Something that supposedly doesn’t take much intellectual thought. Whoever says that something is a no brainer is usually the one with no brains.

no pain, no gain »    One must be willing to endure some inconvenience or discomfort in order to achieve worthwhile goals.

no screaming hell »    Something that is not particularly effective or impressive; something that is below expectations.

no-show »    An absence; somebody who doesn't show up or a failure to show up.

nobody's perfect »    Used when someone's mistakes or flaws are acknowledged, to remind that everyone else makes mistakes and has flaws1995, New York Magazine Vol. 28, No. 5, 30 January 1995, The de-moralization of society (Book Review)Hypocrisy, particularly in sexual matters, is excused on the grounds that hey, nobody's perfect, and at least folks back then felt bad enough to lie.2000, Madonna, Nobody's PerfectI feel so sad. What I did wasn't right. I feel so bad and I must say to you: Sorry, but nobody's perfect. Nobody's perfect. What did you expect? I'm doing my best

non-starter »    Someone or something who was listed to start in a race, but did not start in the race.

non-starter »    Something that is not going to happen.

none of someone's business »    A matter that someone is not entitled to be involved in or informed about.

nose test »    An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using one's common sense or sense of propriety.

not a pretty sight »    Something disappointing, disquieting, disreputable, or otherwise unworthy of admiration.

not a pretty sight »    Something visually unappealing, ranging from mildly unattractive to utterly disgusting in appearance.

not a sausage »    Absolutely nothing, none of something.

not be able to get a word in edgeways »    To be unable to say a single word because of someone else's talkativeness.

not be caught dead »    To refuse completely to do something.

not leave one's thoughts »    Said when one keeps thinking about something.

not touch something with a ten foot pole »    Ambrose Bierce , The Fiend's Delight In conclusion, his respect for letter-writing ladies is so great that he would not touch one of them with a ten-foot pole.

not touch something with a ten foot pole »    Ambrose Bierce, The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Vol. 8.

not touch something with a ten foot pole »    Francis Lynde, The Quickening.

not touch something with a ten foot pole »    To approach something or someone.

not touch something with a ten foot pole »    To avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something; signifies a strong aversion.

notch up »    To achieve something.

now and then »    Sometimes; occasionally.

nudge nudge wink wink »    A phrase added at the end of the sentence to hint that the speaker is referring to something else, euphemistically.

nuts and bolts »    The basic, inner workings of something; the fundamentals or basics; that which makes something operate, on a basic level.

odd one out »    Something or someone in a group that is different or exceptional, that does not fit.

of sorts »    Resembling; similar to; in a way; partial or not entire; somewhat.

offer affordances »    To give elbow room or leeway for something to happen.

offer one's condolences »    To offer sympathy to someone.

oh dark hundred »    Some unspecified hour in the early morning.

oh dark thirty »    Some unspecified hour in the early morning.

old hat »    Something uninteresting, hackneyed, or passé due to overuse or long-standing familiarity..

old hat »    Something widely or long practiced, known, or accepted; something conventional.

old hat »    Something with which one is very familiar, or in which one is experienced or skilled.

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.

old time used to be »    Somebody Loan Me A Dime. lyrics by Boz Scaggs.

on all fours »    Similar in nature or effect to something else; consistent.

on hold »    On reserve; being held for someone.

on one's soapbox »    Stating or professing one's opinion; attempting to persuade others of something.

on spec »    I'm writing an article on spec. I hope some magazine will buy it.

on the clock »    Working at one's job; occupied in some manner during one's hours of remunerated employment.

on the make »    Actively seeking an opportunity for self-advancement; eager to ingratiate oneself to others in order to secure some advantage.

on the right track »    Using the correct general approach to a particular task or problem; pursuing something in a promising way.

on the wagon »    By extension, maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from some other undesirable habit.

on the whole »    For the most part; apart from some insignificant details.

on top of »    Fully informed about, and in control of something; up to speed with.

on top of »    In addition to something else.

once in a while »    Occasionally; sometimes.

one can run but one can't hide »    There is nothing someone can do to evade something.You can run but you can't hide.

one in the eye for »    An event or achievement which is unpleasant for someone, especially for those who considered it impossible or unwelcome; an annoyance.

one up »    To outdo, to do something slightly better than a competitor's prior effort.

one's days are numbered »    Some period of time, such as a term of employment or a lifetime, is coming to an end.

one-track mind »    That said to be possessed by someone who is obsessed with something or only able to think of one thing.

one-up »    To outdo, to do something slightly better than a competitor's prior effort.

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.

open fire »    To begin firing at something or someone.

opt in »    To choose to participate in something.

opt out »    To choose not to participate in something.

or what »    Or something else; allows for the existence of an unexpressed alternative to what was said.

out of house and home »    In a manner that deprives one of dwelling or some aspect thereof.

out of it »    Not participating in some trend or group.

out of sight, out of mind »    When something is not nearby, it is forgotten about.

out of sorts »    Irritable or somewhat unwell, with vague medical symptoms.

out on one's ear »    Fired, dismissed or thrown out, especially for some wrongdoing or otherwise with disgrace.

outside world »    The rest of the world outside of some closed, restricted, or remote environment.

pachyderm »    Someone who is insensitive.

pachyderm »    Someone with thick skin. It is used for animals such as an elephant or a hippopotamus.

pain in the ass »    Something that causes discomfort or is otherwise troublesome.

pain in the neck »    Someone or something which is annoying, irritating or inconvenient.

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.

pardon me »    Polite expression to get someone to repeat.

part and parcel »    An integral or essential piece; that which must be done or accepted as part of something else.

party crasher »    Someone who attempts and often gains entry to a party or club to which they were not invited, often using social engineering techniques. The party crasher usually tries to blend into the party so as not to be kicked out.

party pooper »    Someone who unnecessarily dampens fun.

pass by »    To proceed past something.

pass off »    To misrepresent something.

pass through »    To transit something.

pass through »    To make something move through something else.

pay through the nose »    To pay a high price, especially an exorbitant or excessive amount, either in money or in some other manner.

pay up »    To pay for something in total, after a certain amount of time after receiving a purchase.

payback's a bitch »    Usually a complete sentence as an interjection: I am amused that someone got their revenge on you...but you certainly had it coming.

pencil pusher »    One who does routine office work; someone involved mainly in paperwork.

people person »    Someone who is happier or more skilled at dealing with people rather than things or concepts.

perp walk »    The intentional public display before news cameras of someone in police custody, especially someone famous or notorious, for the purpose of satisfying public interest, demonstrating the authorities' effectiveness, or shaming the person.

phase in »    To introduce something little by little.

phase out »    To remove or relinquish the use of something little by little.

pick somebody's brain »    To seek information from someone knowledgeable; to ask questions of someone.

pick up »    To meet and seduce somebody for romantic purposes, especially in a social situation, sometimes used with "on".

pig in a poke »    Something whose true value is concealed or unknown, especially something offered for sale.

pin down »    To corner somebody in order to get a firm answer.

pinch-hit »    To do something in the place of another person who is not able to perform or is less skilled; to substitute or stand in for somebody.

pissing contest »    An immature dispute over some trivial matter.

pit against »    To set someone in opposition to someone else.

play down »    To make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.

play dumb »    To pretend to be slow-witted or lacking in specific knowledge, usually in order to avoid responsibility or to gain some advantage.

play it by ear »    To do something by guessing, intuition, or trial and error; to react to events as they occur.

play possum »    To dissemble or to feign ignorance; to disguise or conceal something in order to deceive.

play second fiddle »    To play a subsidiary or subordinate role to someone or something else.

play someone like a fiddle »    Skilfully.

play up »    To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely or obvious; to showcase or highlight.

plus  »    (literally) The more it changes, the more it's the same thing (sometimes loosely translated as the more things change, the more they stay the same).Although the outward appearance may change, fundamentals are constant.

point out »    To tell, remind, indicate to someone.

poison »    Something that harms a person or thing.

pony in the barn »    An exciting and real prospect, something to be legitimately excited about.

pop a cap in someone's ass »    To shoot someone with a gun.

pop off »    To kill someone.

pop someone's cherry »    To deflower someone.

pore over »    To examine something carefully and attentively.

possession is nine-tenths of the law »    One who has possession of a thing has some right to it; a popular statement of the doctrine of adverse possession.

poster child »    One who is a prototypical or quintessential example of something.

pot calling the kettle black »    A situation in which somebody comments on or accuses someone else of a fault which the accuser shares.

pound of flesh »    Something which is owed and which will be hurtful or difficult to provide; a debt owed to someone who is merciless and demanding.

pound the pavement »    To campaign diligently; to seek something, such as business, employment, or answers.

pour oil on troubled waters »    To calm something or someone who is tenacious or misbehaving.

power behind the throne »    Someone who appears to be without special status, but who has great covert influence on a person in authority.

preach to the choir »    Speaking as if to convince a person or group of something which that person or group already believes.

preprogram »    To program something in advance.

price on one's head »    A compensation for capturing or killing a person, especially someone guilty of a crime.

private eye »    A private personal detective, employed to gather information about someone.

problem child »    Someone or something persistently difficult or vexing; a frequent source of trouble or annoyance.

proverbs come in pairs »    Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.1979, Irving Howe, John Hollander, David Bromwich, Literature as Experience: An Anthology, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, ISBN 0155511130, page 325:Sometimes proverbs come in pairs, the first one providing the context, the second, the revision.

pull apart »    To open something by pulling on various parts of it.

pull off »    To achieve; to succeed at something difficult.

pull out »    To remove something from a container.

pull somebody's leg »    To tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting. It usually implies teasing or goading by jokingly lying.

pull someone down a peg »    To lower someone's high self-opinion.

pull teeth »    To do something that is especially difficult or effortful.

pull up »    Drive close to something, especially a curb.

pull up stumps »    To cease doing something, at least for the day.

push one's luck »    To take an excessive risk or to attempt some task unlikely to succeed, especially after having already been unexpectedly lucky.

push the boat out »    To do something, especially spend money, more extravagantly than usual, particularly for a celebration.

put a lid on it »    To be quiet; shut up; to stop talking about something or making noise.

put a stop to »    To terminate or abolish something.

put across »    To explain or state something clearly and understandably.

put an end to »    To terminate or abolish something.

put aside »    To ignore or intentionally forget something, temporarily or permanently, so that more important things can have one's attention.

put away »    To send someone to prison.

put back »    To return something to it's original place.

put down »    To write something.

put down »    To place a baby somewhere to sleep.

put down »    To drop someone off, or let them out of a vehicle.

put down for »    To record that someone has offered to help, or contribute something.

put hair on somebody's chest »    To make a person stronger or more masculine.

put one past somebody »    To deceive, trick, or fool, especially by concealing something.

put one's back into »    To make a strenuous effort to do something.

put one's foot in one's mouth »    To misspeak; to say something embarrassing or wrong.

put oneself in someone's shoes »    To try to look at a situation from a different point of view; as if one were the other person. To empathise.

put paid to »    To stop something once and for all.

put somebody in his place »    To bring somebody down; to humble or insult.

put someone down as »    To assume someone has a particular character from very little information.

put someone in mind of »    To remind someone of; to inspire a mental image or awareness of; to cause thoughts concerning.

put someone's back up »    To annoy someone deliberately.

put something into perspective »    To compare with something similar to give a clearer, more accurate idea.

put the boot in »    To kick someone when they are down.

put the cat among the pigeons »    Professor Stephen Hawking put the cat among the pigeons last week with his cheery remarks about comet Machholz-2, which some astronomers believe could be heading our way. — The Times, 19 September 1994.

put through the wringer »    To interrogate or scrutinize closely; to subject to some trial or ordeal.

put to the test »    To test something or someone; to evaluate, scrutinize or explore by testing or experimentation.

put up »    To cajole or dare to do something.

put up or shut up »    Desist from saying something unless one is able to prove it.

put up with »    To tolerate, suffer through, or allow, esp. something annoying.

put words in somebody's mouth »    To attribute to somebody something he or she did not say; to claim inaccurately that somebody said or intended something.

quantum mechanics »    Something overly complicated or detailed.

quiet down »    To make someone or something become quieter.

quieten down »    To make someone or something become quieter.

rabble rouser »    Someone or something that tends to inspire mobs; something controversial or provocative.

rack one's brain »    To struggle to think of or remember something.

rain on someone's parade »    To disappoint or discourage someone.

raise somebody's hackles »    Make someone angry.

raise the bar »    To raise standards or expectations, especially by creating something to a higher standard.

raise the spectre »    To cause concern that something unfortunate might happen.

rattle someone's cage »    To demand attention; to nag, nudge, or remind.

read out »    To read something and say the words to inform other people.

read out »    To read some data and inform the person using the device.

read somebody the riot act »    To scold or berate somebody; to reprimand.

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.

reality check »    A check or review to make sure something is consistent, reasonable, etc.

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.

red face test »    A hypothetical test of a person's embarrassment, that is either passed or failed. Saying one passes the red face test means one would not blush and thus would not be embarrassed by disclosing something to others or doing something, and saying one fails the red face test means a situation would cause them discernible embarrassment.

red flag »    A cue, warning, or alert; a sign or signal that something is wrong.

red letter day »    Usually very positive, sometimes very negative.

reflect on »    To think carefully about something, and give it due consideration.

rein in »    To stop or slow something, by exercising control.

ride roughshod over »    To act in a bullying or inconsiderate manner; to display disregard towards someone or something.

ring around »    To call a number of people by phone, usually a circle of friends, to organise something.

ring round »    To call a number of people by phone, usually a circle of friends, to organise something.

road to Damascus »    A road to Damascus moment, or change, is an important point in someone's life where a great change, or reversal, of ideas or beliefs occurs.

rocket scientist »    Someone qualified to understand or handle that which is overly complex, detailed or confusing; a genius.

rocking horse shit »    A metaphor for something exceedingly rare or, more likely, nonexistent.

roll out the red carpet »    To extend the utmost hospitality; to treat someone as an honored guest; to welcome or host, especially in a showy or extravagant manner.

Rome wasn't built in a day »    It takes a long time to create something complicated or impressive.

rose-colored glasses »    An optimistic perception of something; a positive opinion; seeing something in a positive way, often thinking of it as better than it actually is.

round down »    To the greatest integer that is not greater than it, or to some other lower value, especially a whole number of hundreds, thousands, etc.

round off »    To complete or finish something.

round up »    To the smallest integer that is not less than it, or to some other greater value, especially a whole number of hundreds, thousands, etc.

rub somebody the wrong way »    To bother, disturb, irritate, or annoy.

rub up against »    To touch something with one's body.

ruffle some feathers »    To disturb; to arouse resentment, anger, or concern.

rule out »    To make something impossible.

run after »    To make a determined effort to win someone's affections.

run back »    To take someone home by car. Give someone a lift to their house.

run by »    To inform someone briefly of the main points of an idea.

run by »    To repeat some information.

run down »    To hit someone with a car or other vehicle and injure or kill them.

run down »    To criticize someone or an organisation, often unfairly.

run down »    To find something or someone after searching for a long time.

run off »    To write something quickly.

run off »    To leave someone without prior advice.

run off »    To chase someone away.

run off with »    To leave with someone with the intention of living with them or marrying them. Usually in secret because other people think it is wrong.

run somebody ragged »    To exhaust; to demand excessive effort or work from somebody.

run something by »    To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.

run something past »    To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.

run something up the flagpole »    To float an idea that one suspects might be controversial.

run through »    To repeat something.

run up »    To make something, usually an item of clothing, very quickly.

run up against »    Begin to encounter problems with someone or something.

rustle up »    To quickly prepare something.

sacred cow »    Something which cannot be tampered with, or criticized, for fear of public outcry.

save someone's bacon »    To save someone's life.

say goodbye »    To separate from someone.

say goodbye »    To wish someone farewell upon their leaving.

scare out of one's wits »    To frighten someone to such an extent that they behave irrationally.

scarf down »    To eat something quickly.

scissorbill »    And railroad term for someone who refused to join the union or who openly colluded with management to thwart the union.

scissorbill »    Someone considered contemptible or foolish.

scrape off »    To remove something by a scraping action.

scrape the bottom of the barrel »    To use the least desirable parts of something.

scrape together »    To collect, assemble or gather small amounts , from various sources, with some difficulty.

scratch one's head »    To puzzle, ponder, or wonder about something.

scrimp and save »    To scrimp greatly; to economize; to live very frugally, particularly when saving for something.

see a man »    To take one's leave for some urgent purpose, especially to go to the bathroom.

see eye to eye »    To agree with someone; to concur; to get along.

see someone through »    To constitute ample supply for one for.

see someone through »    To suffice for a time.

see someone's point »    To comprehend the meaning that someone is trying to convey.

see something through »    To fulfill a commitment.

see the light »    To gain an understanding of something previously not understood, especially in a sudden insight.

see through »    To be able to predict or read someone.

seeing is believing »    You need to see something to believe it; visible facts cannot be denied.

seek and ye shall find »    something can be found if it is looked for.

sell »    To trick, or cheat someone.

sell a bargain »    A species of wit, much in vogue about the latter end of the reign of Queen Anne, and frequently alluded to by Dean Swift, who says the maids of honour often amused themselves with it. It consisted in the seller naming his or her hinder parts, in answer to the question, What? which the buyer was artfully led to ask. As a specimen, take the following instance: A lady would come into a room full of company, apparently frightened, crying out "It is white, and follows me!" As soon as someone responded "What?" she sold him the bargain, by saying "Mine arse".

sell ice to Eskimos »    To persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.

sell someone a bill of goods »    To deceive or cheat someone.

sell-by date »    Used to indicate that something, or someone, is old and out of date.

send somebody packing »    To expel or eject somebody; to chase off or force out.

send to Coventry »    To ostracize, or systematically ignore someone.

send up »    To imitate someone or something for the purpose of satirical humour.

serve somebody right »    To happen to someone who is thought to deserve it.

set aside »    To declare something invalid or null and void.

set aside »    To disagree with something and reject or overturn it.

set aside »    To separate and reserve something for a specific purpose.

set off »    To count an addition in one thing against a reduction in something else.

set one's cap at »    . Or, more generally, to choose something as a goal.

set the Thames on fire »    To achieve something amazing; to do something which brings great public acclaim.

settle for »    To accept or allow something, especially something not entirely desirable.

settle someone's hash »    To physically or verbally subdue someone.

settle upon »    To decide something over other options.

sex machine »    Someone with considerable sexual prowess.

sex up »    To arouse somebody sexually.

shoo-in »    A candidate or contestant generally agreed upon as the presumptive winner; somebody who is well-liked or widely agreed upon.

shoot off at the mouth »    To disclose some information that was supposed to be secret.

shoot the messenger »    To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.

shoulder to cry on »    Someone offering emotional support to another in distress.

show somebody the door »    To dismiss or reject; to exclude someone who was formerly included.

show somebody the door »    To escort someone to the exit of the premises; to expel someone from a room, gathering, etc.

show the flag »    To represent one's country or some other group in a manner intended to suggest the authority or importance of that country or group.

sick puppy »    In a morbid or gruesome way.

sigh of relief »    A reassurance or support, something that reduces stress from an arduous activity.

sight for sore eyes »    A pleasing sight, something that is beautiful to look at.

sign in »    To sign one's name on a list when entering somewhere.

sign in »    To take some action to access a secured program or web page on a computer; to log in.

silver bullet »    A cocktail somewhat like a martini.

sing the praises of »    To commend someone's attributes to others.

sit in »    To attend something for one time, as a visitor.

sit in for »    To substitute; to take somebody's place.

size up »    To evaluate; to estimate or anticipate the magnitude, difficulty, or strength of something.

skin in the game »    A stake; something at risk.

slag off »    To talk insultingly to or about someone or something.

sleeves from one's vest »    Something non-existent; something of no value or cost.

slip into something a little more comfortable »    To wear something suitable to be stripped off by a lover.

slip someone's mind »    To be forgotten; to escape one's memory.

slippery slope »    A logical argument that follows a chain of events or causes and effects to some conclusion.

smart chance »    A substantial quantity of something.

smash hit »    Something that is tremendously popular or successful.

smear campaign »    An effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.

smell a rat »    To sense something suspicious.

smell test »    An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using one's common sense or sense of propriety.

smoke signal »    A method of long-distance communication sometimes used in ancient and undeveloped societies, consisting of messages conveyed by means of columns or intermittent puffs of smoke.

smoke signal »    A type of flare or combustion device sometimes used as a distress signal.

snap someone's head off »    To suddenly and sharply rebuke or insult a person, especially in response to a harmless remark.

sniff out »    To find something using the sense of smell.

sniff out »    To find, especially to find something that cannot be seen.

so long as »    Depending upon some condition or requirement; provided that; if, assuming; as long as.

so much for »    An expression of disregard, or resignation; something said upon giving up, quitting, or disposing of something.

soft as a grape »    someone who is limited in their ability

soft hearted »    Be kind; Fall for someone

soft shoe »    A speech, explanation, sales pitch, or other set of remarks delivered in a restrained or conciliatory manner in order to persuade, distract, or otherwise influence someone.

some days you get the bear, other days the bear gets you »    One cannot always overcome a powerful adversary.

some people »    Expresses disgust at the actions of a person; a response to a person doing something silly, bizarre, nonsensical or ill-mannered.

something awful »    Intensely or extremely; badly; in the worst way.

somewhere along the line »    At some unspecified time; eventually or once; at some point.

song and dance »    An excessively elaborate story or excuse used to justify something.

sort of »    Approximately; in a way; partially; not quite; somewhat.

sound off »    To hold forth about something in an opinionated manner.

soup-to-nuts »    Comprehensive; complete; covering all of something.

sour grapes »    A putting down or expression of disdain about something that one desires but cannot have.

spanner »    A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome.

spark off »    To initiate something by providing the necessary conditions.

speak for »    To speak on somebody's behalf.

speak of the devil »    An expression sometimes used when a person mentioned in the current conversation happens to arrive on the scene.

speak to »    To give evidence regarding something; to attest for.

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.

spice up »    To enhance the flavor of something by adding spice to it.

spit it out »    To overcome reluctance to say something particular or to speak in general.

spoil the ship for a hap'orth of tar »    To have something important fail for want of a small amount of money or effort.

spot check »    A cursory inspection or examination or the inspection or examination of a sample of something.

spring to mind »    To appear suddenly in one's thoughts, often as an example of something.

spruce up »    To refresh, revamp; to freshen or improve something, especially its appearance.

squirrel away »    To stash or hide; to hoard, collect, save, or accumulate; to create a reserve, stash, or hoard of some supply, so as to recall a squirrel's burying of nuts.

stand by »    To wait in expectation of some event; to make ready.

stand corrected »    Said to acknowledge someone who corrects something that one says or writes that was not correct.

stand from under »    To escape something falling or being thrown from above.

stand in someone's shoes »    To see from another's point of view; to feel what another feels.

stand off »    To stand some distance apart form something or someone.

stand up »    To bring something up and set it into a standing position.

stand up against »    To defy or challenge someone.

standard fare »    Something which is normal, routine, or unexceptional; something which is commonly provided or encountered.

stare someone in the face »    To be extremely visible and obvious.

stars in one's eyes »    The state of being overly or extremely impressed with something; enchanted with romance.

stave off »    To prevent something from happening; to obviate or avert.

steal a march on »    To get ahead of someone or something by starting earlier.

steal somebody's thunder »    To detract from somebody's accomplishments or glory; to undermine.

step down »    To gradually reduce something, a little at a time, as an electronic step down transformer.

stepping stone »    A stone that can be stepped on in crossing something, especially a marsh or creek.

stepping stone »    Something used as a way to progress to something or somewhere else.

stick in someone's craw »    To cause lasting annoyance, irritation, or hard feelings.

stick it to the man »    To take some action intended to defy a source of oppression such as globalization, commercialization, big business or government.

sticking point »    A disputed issue or state of affairs that causes an interruption or outright impasse in progress towards some goal or resolution, especially in negotiation or argumentation.

stitch up »    To maliciously or dishonestly incriminate someone.

stop someone in his tracks »    To prevent someone from continuing along a path or way, literal or figurative, he has begun going along.

straight out of the chute »    Something done immediately, or "from the beginning". Taken from rodeo routine: the bucking bronco, or bull, or the calf for the calf-roping contest is kept in a narrow pen, a chute, until it is released and dashes out to its fate.

straighten out »    To correct; to stop doing something wrong.

strap on a pair »    To be brave; to show some courage, especially in a situation where one has so far failed to do so.

strike up »    To start something with somebody else. Usually a conversation or relationship.

strike up »    To start something, usually playing live music.

strip away »    To remove something bit by bit.

stuffed shirt »    One who is overly official or officious; somebody in charge but not necessarily in power or effective.

stumble across »    To discover or find something by accident.

stumble across »    To meet somebody by chance.

stumble on »    To discover or find something by accident.

stumble on »    To meet somebody by chance.

stumble upon »    To discover or find something by accident.

stumble upon »    To meet somebody by chance.

stump up »    To pay for something. Often indicating reluctance to pay.

suck in »    To cause someone to become slowly more and more involved in a business or situation that is often not to that person's liking.

suck into »    To cause someone to become slowly more and more involved in a business or situation that is often not to that person's liking.

suck it up »    To put up with something; to deal with something, such as pain or misfortune, without complaining.

suck up »    To adulate or flatter somebody excessively, generally to obtain some personal benefit or favour.

surprise surprise »    An indication that the unsurprising happened, especially contrary to someone's hopes or assertions.

sweep someone off their feet »    To seduce someone romantically.

sweet dreams »    Phrase said to someone before they fall asleep, wishing them a good sleep.

sweeten the pot »    To make something more desirable.

switch off »    To lose interest, and start thinking about something else.

tag team »    Two or more people or groups acting alternately to accomplish some task.

take a back seat »    To be second to someone or something; to be less important or have a lower priority.

take a bead on »    To aim a gun at something.

take a chance »    To risk; to try something risky.

take a gamble »    To risk; to try something risky.

take a leaf out of someone's book »    To adopt an idea or practice of another person.

take a powder »    To leave in a hurry; run away; scram; depart without taking leave or notifying anyone, often with a connotation of avoiding something unpleasant or shirking responsibility.

take a risk »    To do something risky.

take a shot in the dark »    To try on something without having any knowledge about the subject.

take a spin »    To go for a ride; especially, to try riding or driving something.

take a tumble »    To fall off something, or down something.

take after »    To follow someone's example.

take against »    To stop liking someone. Become unfriendly.

take apart »    To dismantle something into it's component pieces.

take apart »    To soundly defeat someone, or a team.

take apart »    To criticise someone.

take apart »    To move someone away from others to be able to talk to, or give them something in private.

take away »    To remove something and put it in a different place.

take away »    To remove something, either material or abstract, so that a person no longer has it.

take away »    To subtract or diminish something.

take away »    To make someone leave a place and go somewhere else. Usually not with the person's consent.

take away »    To prevent, or limit, someone from being somewhere, or from doing something.

take away from »    To make something seem not so good or interesting.

take back »    To cause to remember some past event or time.

take back »    To regain possession of something.

take back »    To return something.

take down »    To remove something from a wall or similar vertical surface to which it is fixed.

take down »    To remove something from a hanging position.

take down »    To write a note. Usually to record something that is said.

take five »    To break something up.

take five »    To take a five-minute break from some activity, take a short break from some activity.

take for granted »    To assume something to be true without verification or proof.

take it to the bank »    Said to emphasize that something is known for sure.

take one's time »    To go about something slowly and carefully.

take one's time »    To take more time to do something than is considered acceptable.

take out of context »    To interpret something in a manner in which it was not intended to be understood, often deliberately.

take over »    To assume control of something, especially by force; to usurp.

take over »    To relieve someone temporarily.

take over »    To appropriate something without permission.

take over »    To become more successful than someone or something else.

take somebody's word for it »    To believe what somebody tells one.

take someone's point »    To agree with what a person says; to understand a person's argument and be persuaded by it.

take someone's point »    To grasp the essential meaning of what a person is saying.

take something in one's stride »    Not to allow oneself to be set back, daunted, upset or embarrassed by unpleasant or undesirable circumstances.

take something in stride »    To cope with something without much effort; to accept or manage something well.

take the rap »    To be blamed or punished for something, especially for the actions of another.

take the wind out of someone's sails »    To discourage someone greatly; to cause someone to lose hope or the will to continue.

take to task »    To lecture, berate, admonish, or hold somebody accountable for his or her actions.

take up with »    To form a close relationship with someone.

talk over »    To persuade someone; to talk around.

talk somebody under the table »    With excessive talk or numerous arguments.

talk someone's ear off »    To talk excessively or far more than is wanted or appreciated.

talk the talk »    Speak like an expert, claim to be knowledgeable about something.

talk through one's hat »    To assert something as true or valid; to bluff.

tan someone's hide »    To beat or spank someone.

tear a strip off somebody »    To scold vigorously.

teething troubles »    Small problems such as are to be expected with some any new and untried system or product.

tell off »    To speak to someone rudely, disrespectfully or angrily; to berate; to unleash one's fury verbally towards someone.

tempus fugit »    time flies (used as an alternative to this phrase)."Meanwhile, the irreplaceable time escapes", expressing concern that one's limited time is being consumed by something which may have little intrinsic substance or importance at that moment.

ten foot pole »    See not touch something with a ten foot pole.

that'll be the day »    Said in reply to something that one believes will never happen.

the ball is in your court »    It is your turn to do something; often making a decision.

the bigger they are, the harder they fall »    The larger something is, the more disastrous and spectacular its downfall

the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on »    Life goes on, even if some will try to stop or talk against progress.

the early bird gets the worm »    Whoever arrives first has the best chance of success; some opportunities are only available to the first competitors.

the end all-be all »    Something ultimate; the best part of something; the thing which solves all problems associated with something.

the end justifies the means »    Morally wrong actions are sometimes necessary to achieve morally right outcomes; actions can only be considered morally right or wrong by virtue of the morality of the outcome.

the finger »    An obscene gesture, typically consisting of extending the middle finger at somebody.

the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get »    (vulgar) The sexual satisfactions that one receives from a spouse or romantic partner are not sufficient to compensate for the significant periods of bad faith and unpleasant treatment which such relationships routinely involve.1971, Allen Churchill, The Literary Decade, ISBN 9780135375228:Years later she expressed her disillusionment with sex by saying, "The fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."1999, Ben Sonnenberg, Lost Property: Memoirs and Confessions of a Bad Boy, ISBN 9781582430454, p. 93:Maitland got drunk at his parties and threw his arm around you and pulled you over to his wife and made you look down her dress, saying, "The trouble with marriage is that the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."2008, Joseph Heywood, Blue Wolf In Green Fire, ISBN 9781599213590, p. 63:"I can't believe a little pussy got me into dis mess." "Shit happens," Service said. "Sometimes the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."

the icing on the cake »    Something wonderful at the end of something good.

the nose knows »    Despite the addressee's belief that the speaker was unaware of something, the speaker, in fact, was already aware.

the pits »    Something miserable or unpleasant.

the proof of the pudding is in the eating »    The only real test of something is as what it is intended to be used for.

the rabbit died »    A statement spoken to indicate one's own pregnancy, or that someone has found out they are pregnant.

the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak »    (proverbs) For much as one wishes to achieve something, the frailties of the human body often make it impossible.

the straw that broke the camel's back »    A small and seemingly insignificant addition to a burden that renders it too much to bear; the small thing which causes failure, or causes inability or unwillingness to endure any more of something.

the world is one's oyster »    All opportunities are open to someone, the world is theirs.

the world is one's oyster »    In order to achieve something in this world, one has to grab the opportunity.

there is nothing new under the sun »    There is nothing truly novel in existence. Every new idea has some sort of precedent or echo from the past.

there's many a slip twixt cup and lip »    In any situation, however well planned, something can always go wrong.

there's no point crying over spilt milk »    You should not be upset over something that cannot be undone.

there, there »    Conveys comfort; used to calm somebody urge somebody to relax, especially when the person is crying.

thief in the night »    Something stealthy or that occurs without warning.

thin end of the wedge »    Something that if allowed or accepted to a small degree would lead to systematic encroachment.

thorn in someone's side »    A persistent annoyance.

thorn in the flesh »    A persistent difficulty or something very annoying that will not go away.

thrash out »    To discuss something so fully as to resolve a problem or conflict; to hammer out.

three skips of a louse »    Said about some trifling or insignificant matter.

throw a spanner in the works »    To be a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.

throw away »    To discard or dispose of something.

throw caution to the wind »    Do something despite the risks.

throw dirt enough, and some will stick »    If enough allegations are made about someone or something, then even if they are all untrue, people's opinion of the person or thing will be diminished.1759, John Wesley, letter to John Downes, Rector of St. Michael's, Wood Street, read at Wesley Center Online at [1] on 14 Oct 06.I hope...that you are ignorant of the whole affair, and are so bold only because you are blind...And blind enough; so that you blunder on through thick and thin, bespattering all that come in your way, according to the old, laudable maxim, 'Throw dirt enough, and some will stick.'1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's Schooldays, read at fullbooks.com on 14 Oct 06,But whatever harm a spiteful tongue could do them, he took care should be done. Only throw dirt enough, and some will stick.1864, John Henry Newman, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, Penguin Classics (1994), p. 10,Archbishop Whately used to say

throw down »    To cause something one is holding to drop, often forcefully.

throw down »    To accomplish or produce something in a grand, respectable, or successful manner; to "represent".

throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick »    Try the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2005, Mike Busson (poster on UKScreen forum) Re: Voiceovers!, read at [1] on 02 Nov 06,In terms of places to send your URL or CD's, there's no easy answer. It really is a case of throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.2005, "forwardone" (administrator posting on the HYIPForum), re: Alertpay phishing email, read at [2] on 02 Nov 06,I also think that sometimes they send out phishing e-mails in the hope that it`ll hit people who do have an account with a particular organization. You know, throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick theory.2006, Rob Manuel, How to be funny, read in Comedy Soup on the BBC website at [3] on 02 Nov 06,Throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick. Be prolific and don't be afraid to make stuff that's rubbish. If you keep trying eventually you'll get there.2006, Rex Pierce, Re: [303rd-Talk] D Day read on 303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Believe the planners worked on the principle of "throw enough mud at the wall, and some of it will stick".If enough (perhaps false or reckless) accusations are made against someone, his reputation will suffer, whether or not this is deserved2006, "money" (poster on eTalk Money), Some thoughts about compact surfing, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,Word of advice NVUS time to distance yourself from LuukH as quickly as possible and dish some dirt, otherwise well the saying goes - throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick.

throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick »    Try the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2001, And still no one is shouting stop. read in The Kingdom archives at [1] on 02 Nov 06,Many team managers are of the philosophy that if you throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick. They believe that team preparation is all about physical fitness. They run the players into the ground and they believe they will be "flying on the day".2001, Robert McCrum, Let them eat cake, in The Observer 16 Dec 01, read on Guardian Unlimited site at [2] on 02 Nov 06,Australian publishing boomed and in the past 10 years the country's literary culture has undergone a mini golden age, capped by Carey's triumph at the 2001 Booker Prize. As one Australian arts administrator said to me many years ago: 'Listen, mate, if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.'2001, Chris Collin, Re: 2-cp speys on The Strathspey Server mailing list archive at [3] on 02 Nov 06,I am finding that "if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick". It doesn't always work of course (especially on the nights when the class is mostly the beginners), but the class seems to thrive on the challange.2005, Ray Craft (poster on The right scale blog), Fitzhooie and his Burden, read at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Prosecutors everywhere have bad habits of overcharging lots of cases, knowing that if the throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick.2005, Sean Kelleher, Spike Milligan: His part in our downfall in Business 07 Aug 05, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,As long as there is negligible regulation and enforcement anyone can actually try and do the job...Weak regulation allows the industry to build strategies on full time recruitment. The theory goes: throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.c2005, Everything You've Learned About Marketing Is Wrong, read on LINC Performance website at [6] on 02 Nov 06,They have the money to continue to believe in the repetition side of the equation. You throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick. But it still isn

throw out »    To discard; to dispense with something; to throw away.

throw out »    To dismiss or expel someone from any longer performing duty or attending somewhere.

throw somebody a curve »    To pitch a curve ball.

throw somebody a curve »    To surprise; to introduce something unexpected or requiring a quick reaction or correction.

throw the baby out with the bathwater »    To discard something valuable, often inadvertently, in the process of removing waste.

throw to the dogs »    To give up on something valuable.

throw to the dogs »    To remove or cast out someone or something out of one's protection, such as into the streets.

throw to the wolves »    To remove or cast out someone or something out of one's protection, such as onto the streets, especially towards predators.

throw to the wolves »    To sacrifice someone, especially in an attempt to save oneself.

thus and such »    A placeholder or generic name for something.

tickle somebody's funny bone »    To amuse; to strike somebody as funny.

tickle someone's fancy »    To amuse, entertain, or appeal to someone; to stimulate someone's imagination in a favorable manner.

tide over »    To support or sustain someone, especially financially, for a limited period.

tie someone's hands »    To render one powerless to act, to thwart someone.

timing is everything »    Consideration of other events can greatly influence some desired outcome (such as an audience laughing to a comedian's joke).Telling the old joke about a butt-crack was not a good idea, just as the plumber arrived, Bob.You know what they say: "timing is everything." I'm sure we can find another plumber before the house floods.

tip off »    To alert or inform someone.

tire out »    To make someone tired; to exhaust.

tomorrow is another day »    Tomorrow will bring new opportunities and a fresh start for one's endeavors.1600, author unknown, "Phillidaes Love-call to her Coridon, and his replying" (song), in England's Helicon, printed at London by I.R. for John Flasket:Phil. Yonder comes my Mother, Coridon,whether shall I flie?Cor. Under yonder Beech my lovely one,while she passeth by.Say to her thy true-Love was not heere,remember, remember,to morrow is another day:1896, Amelia E. Barr, A Knight of the Nets, ch. 8:"Well, well, my dear lass, to-night we cannot work, but we may sleep. . . . Keep a still heart tonight, and tomorrow is another day."1936, Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind, ch. 63:"Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day."2005, Fran Schumer, "JERSEY: In Princeton, Taking On Harvard's Fuss About Women," New York Times, 19 June (retrieved 18 Aug. 2009):"Half of me is depressed

top it all off »    To emphasize or underscore; to make something even better or worse.

top of the morning »    A generic greeting said to someone in the morning.

top off »    To fill completely; to fill or refill the final portion of something not empty.

top up »    To fill something.

top up »    To extend the credit of something.

toss-up »    The toss of a coin used to decide some issue.

touch a nerve »    To make a remark or perform a deed which produces a strong response, especially an emotional response such as anxiety or annoyance, because it calls to mind something which has been a source of concern or embarrassment.

touch up »    To touch or to grope someone in flirtatious or sleazy way.

touch%C3%A9 »    An acknowledgement of the success, appropriateness or superiority of an argument, sometimes used sarcastically to mock one's opponent's absurd logic.

tough love »    The compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures, to attempt to improve someone's behavior.

toy with »    Handling something in a careless or frivolous manner.

truth be told »    Used when admitting something one might otherwise lie about, e.g. to keep up appearances or be polite.

try out »    To test something in order to see if it works.

tumble to »    To discover, or suddenly understand something.

turn a blind eye »    To ignore or deliberately overlook, especially with respect to something unpleasant or improper.

turn against »    To rebel or oppose something formerly supported.

turn against »    To rotate against or in opposition to something.

turn away »    To rotate the body or head so as not to face someone or something.

turn away »    To refuse to admit someone.

turn away »    To avert or deflect something.

turn back »    To fold something back; to fold down.

turn back »    To refuse to allow someone to pass a border or enter a place.

turn down »    To reduce the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.

turn in »    To submit something; to give.

turn in one's grave »    To be appalled, offended or disgusted by something, despite being deceased.

turn on »    To rebel; to go against something formerly supported.

turn out »    To turn or rotate outwards or out of something.

turn to stone »    To cause something to become stone.

turn up »    To increase the amount of something by means of a control, such as the volume, heat, or light.

turn-on »    Something that attracts, gives pleasure, or encourages, especially sexually.

twist someone's arm »    To coerce, force, or cajole.

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.

two-fisted drinker »    Either someone who can handle their liquor well, or an alcoholic clutching a drink in each hand.

under erasure »    Of a bit of text, written and strickenthrough; hence, figuratively in some sense both present and absent.

under fire »    Criticized or held responsible for something.

under one's thumb »    Completely controlled by someone; at someone’s command..

under the weather »    Somewhat ill or gloomy.

under the weather »    Somewhat intoxicated or suffering from a hangover.

underwater basket weaving »    "Sure, somewhere out there, college slackers were taking broom ball and underwater basket weaving." — The Columbus Dispatch, September 15, 2005.

unwashed masses »    Of people who are considered by someone to be somehow uneducated, uninformed, godless, or in some other way unqualified for inclusion in the speaker's elite circles.

up the ante »    To make something more desirable.

up to something »    Doing something mischievous or scheming.

up-and-comer »    Someone who is up-and-coming, who has begun to be successful in some field and is likely to become even more successful in the future.

upset the applecart »    To spoil carefully laid plans or arrangements; to spoil something.

verge on »    To approach or come close to something; to border or be on the edge of something.

vote with one's feet »    To show a lack of support for something by departing or otherwise absenting oneself.

vote with one's feet »    To show support for something by going to or otherwise being present somewhere.

wade in »    To interrupt someone, or a situation, by doing or saying something abruptly, or forcefully, and usually without thinking about the consequences.

wait up »    To stay awake waiting for somebody to return.

walk and chew gum at the same time »    To do something very easy.

walk in on »    To enter suddenly or unexpectedly while something is happening; to intrude or interrupt by entering.

walk in the park »    Something easy or pleasant, especially by comparison to something.

walk on eggshells »    To be overly careful in dealing with a person or situation because they get angry or offended very easily; to try very hard not to upset someone or something.

walk out on »    To abandon or desert someone, especially a spouse.

warm the cockles of someone's heart »    To provide happiness, to bring a deeply-felt contentment.

wash down »    To help to swallow by drinking a liquid, after eating something, or taking a pill.

wash down »    To wash something completely from top to bottom.

wash out »    To remove something by washing.

washed out »    Of clothes. When they lose some of their original colour from being washed so often.

water under the bridge »    Something in the past that cannot be controlled or undone, but must be accepted, forgiven, or forgotten.

wax lyrical »    To talk about something with much interest or excitement.

weigh down »    To be too much for someone to cope with.

whack-a-mole »    The practice of trying to stop something that persistently occurs in an apparently random manner at the point where the occurrence is noticed, such as terminating spammers' e-mail accounts or closing pop-up advertisement windows.

what goes around comes around »    The status eventually returns to its original value after completing some sort of cycle.A person's actions, whether good or bad, will often have consequences for that person.

what's eating somebody »    ? Inquired of somebody who is upset, worried, angry, etc.

what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander »    If something is acceptable for one person, it is acceptable for another.

wheel around »    To transport someone or something to various locations by pushing a wheeled transporter such as a wheelchair or a wheelbarrow or trolley.

when, as, and if »    Used to indicate the timing and contingency of some obligation in contracts, especially financial.

where there's smoke, there's fire »    If there is telltale evidence of some event, the event is probably occurring.

whip up »    To produce something quickly, especially of a meal.

whistle Dixie »    To engage in a pointless or unproductive activity; to do something without resolve, seriousness or commitment.

whistle in the dark »    To speak of something despite having little knowledge of it.

who pays the piper calls the tune »    One who pays for something controls it.

whole enchilada »    All of something or a group of related things taken in totality.

will on »    To wish intensely that someone succeeds in what they are doing. Often implies a silent, or almost inaudible wish.

willful ignorance »    A bad faith decision to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having to make undesirable decisions that such information might prompt. It may also be shown as for a person to have no clue in a decision but still goes ahead in their decision.

win over »    To persuade someone, gain someone's support, or make someone understand the truth or validity of something.

wind down »    Lower by winding something.

window dressing »    A means of creating a deceptively favourable impression of something or someone; something for appearance only.

winkle out »    To acquire something or someone with difficulty.

wipe out »    To physically erase something written.

wipe somebody's eye »    To defeat; to humiliate.

wolf in sheep's clothing »    Something harmful or problematic disguised as something peaceful or pleasant.

woo back »    To gain somebody back by wooing him or her.

work against the clock »    To work very quickly because you know you only have a very limited period of time to do something.

work around the clock »    To work all day and all night without a break, because it is imperative to finish something.

work at »    To make a physical or mental effort to progress some specified task.

work over »    To physically attack someone to cause them injury.

world-beater »    Someone or something superior to all others of its sort.

wrap up »    To fold and secure something to be the cover or protection for something.

wrap up »    To form a cylinder by rolling a sheet of something.

wring out »    To force someone to give something, usually truth, or money.

write down »    Down in writing; to record something.

write off »    Figuratively, to assign a low value to something.

written all over someone's face »    Very obvious, from someone's facial expression.

yank off »    To remove something, like a piece of cloth or bread, by tearing it with one quick strong pull.

yank out »    To remove something like a nail, or a tooth with one quick strong pull.

yellowbelly »    Someone from Lincolnshire.

yes to death »    To agree with someone, often sarcastically.

yield up »    To give something against one's will.

yield up »    To disclose something hidden.

you can hang your hat on that »    It's something to put faith in, to rely upon or trust (when used in a positive connotation).

you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink »    You can show someone how to do something, but you can't make them do it.

you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear »    It is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs »    In order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that something should be destroyed.

you can't polish a turd »    (vulgar) Something inherently bad cannot be improved.

you can't unring a bell »    Some things can't be undone.

you know what »    A phrase used to get someone's attention before announcing something.

you made your bed, now sleep in it »    A moralizing rejection said to someone looking for an easy out, especially of a situation they put themselves into.

you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette »    In order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that something should be destroyed.

zero in »    To focus one's aim; to zoom in and center on something.

zero in on »    To converge on something.

zone out »    To stop paying attention and think about something else, or to think about nothing.

New:  We also know Zip Codes FYI!