all it's cracked up to be »
As good as claims or reputation would suggest.
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all well and good »
Basically good, but with some shortcoming or limitation.
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an axe to grind »
A grievance, with implications of confrontation.
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at rest »
Not moving; stationary.
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at the drop of a hat »
Without any hesitation; instantly.
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at the high port »
At once; unhesitatingly; quickly and vigorously.
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bad news »
An irritating, troublesome, or harmful person, situation, or thing.
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barge in »
To intrude; to enter or interrupt suddenly and without invitation.
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barrow man »
A man under sentence of transportation; alluding to the convicts at Woolwich, who are principally employed in wheeling barrows full of brick or dirt.
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beg to differ »
To differ strongly in opinion or interpretation.
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big shot »
A person with a reputation of importance or power.
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blot one's copy book »
To damage one's own reputation through bad behavior.
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bright-line rule »
A clearly defined rule or standard, comprised of objective factors, which leaves little or no room for varying interpretation.
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brown bag »
A short presentation or seminar on a given subject, especially one given at lunchtime.
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bum rap »
An undeservedly unfavorable portrayal or reputation.
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burn one's bridges »
To destroy one's path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc.
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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.
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cite chapter and verse »
To provide specific references from an authoritative book, as the Bible or a book of statutes or rules, to support a statement.
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cite chapter and verse »
To speak authoritatively, providing detailed factual information.
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clear cut »
Having had all vegetation removed.
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come short »
Fail to meet (expectations or standards)
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correlation does not imply causation »
(statistics) The observed correlation between two parameters, say, the growth of a market and the growth of a neighbor's child may, in fact, have nothing to do with each other's causation.
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curveball »
A forespin pitch thrown by rotating the index and middle fingers down and resulting in motion down "curve".
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cut somebody some slack »
To be patient or lenient with somebody; to relax standards or expectations.
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damp squib »
Anything that doesn’t work properly, or fails to come up to expectations..
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dead »
Stationary; static.
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dishpan hands »
Hands which are rough, reddish, and dry, as from irritation and chafing caused by immersion in hot water mixed with detergent.
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dog and pony show »
Any presentation or display that is overly contrived or intricate.
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end of the line »
The termination point of a railway or similar transportation system.
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end of the world »
Any change that seems catastrophic or devastating.
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face off »
Either an actual or a figurative face to face confrontation, especially a bitter one.
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face value »
No more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation.
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fancypants »
Alternative spelling of fancy pants. The condition of being overly showy; concerned more about one's reputation than anything else.
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far be it »
A disclaimer stating that the person speaking will not do something.
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firm up »
To make tentative plans more definite.
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flower »
The best examples or representatives of a group.
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for the nonce »
For the time being, with the expectation that the situation may change.
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get off »
To disembark from mass transportation, such as a bus or train.
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give someone the eye »
To show flirtatious signs with the eye.
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gray area »
A part that is not clear or certain; something that is open to interpretation.
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grease monkey »
A mechanic, often with the specific connotation of an automobile mechanic.
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hand waving »
Discussion or argumentation involving approximation, vagueness, educated guessing, or the attempt to explain or excuse vagaries.
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hatchet job »
A treatment which serves primarily to disparage its subject; a piece of criticism which aims to destroy a reputation.
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have egg on one's face »
To suffer embarrassment or humiliation; to damage one's reputation.
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here's to »
Denoting proposed salutation while drinking alcohol, toast.
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hit someone for six »
Be affected in a devastating way by some unexpected news.
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horse sense »
Common sense, especially with a connotation of folk wisdom independent from, and trumping, formal education.
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hot desking »
The working practice of sharing desks or workstations between workers, as a means of saving space and resources.
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in line »
Suitable or appropriate; keeping with expectations, norms, ideals, or rules.
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joe job »
An act of e-mail spamming where the sender's identity and address are those of an innocent third party, intended either to tarnish that person's reputation or to flood that person's e-mail with bounces.
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keep it real »
In the imperative, an exhortation used as a departing salutation.
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kiss of life »
Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
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knock off »
An imitation, especially one of poorer quality.
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knock up »
In the morning as by knocking at the door; rouse; call; summon; also, to go door-to-door on election day to persuade a candidate's supporters to go to the polling station and vote. See also knocker up.
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l'esprit de l'escalier »
The experience of thinking of a devastating rejoinder only after leaving the scene of the debate.
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labor of love »
A task performed voluntarily without expectation of reimbursement; an altruistic work or undertaking.
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last word »
The finest, highest, or ultimate representative of some class of objects.
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lay down »
To specify, institute, enact, assert firmly, state authoritatively, establish or formulate .
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lay down the law »
To authoritatively or dogmatically assert what is permitted or not permitted.
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lion »
A stylized representation of a large cat, used on a coat of arms.
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live up »
To fulfil the expectations placed upon.
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loaded for bear »
Mentally prepared for a daunting situation or confrontation.
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loaded for bear »
Thoroughly equipped, as for a demanding task or confrontation.
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loaded word »
Any word, set phrase or idiom that has strong positive or negative connotations beyond their ordinary definition.
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man up »
His station, prepared for departure of an aircraft, ship, etc.
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march to the beat of a different drum »
To do things in one's own way regardless of societal norms and expectations.
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measure up »
To meet expectations; to be as good as.
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no ifs, ands, or buts »
Period; exactly so; without modification, limitation, or addendum.
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no screaming hell »
Something that is not particularly effective or impressive; something that is below expectations.
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noarch »
Short for "no architecture". It is a term used mainly in package management systems to mark packages which are architecture independent. Such packages usually contain graphics, documentation or similar data that can be used on any architecture.
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not all it's cracked up to be »
Not as good as claimed; falling short of expectations.
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off board »
Not on or in a means of transportation.
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on board »
On or in a means of transportation.
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on one's soapbox »
Stating or professing one's opinion; attempting to persuade others of something.
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on top of the world »
Delighted; ecstatic; exceptionally pleased, happy, or satisfied.
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one-night stand »
A single sexual encounter between two individuals, where at least one of the parties has no immediate intention or expectation of establishing a longer-term sexual or romantic relationship. As the phrase implies, the relationship lasts for only one night.
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pain in the neck »
Someone or something which is annoying, irritating or inconvenient.
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peachy keen »
Extremely good, exactly right; all right. Often used in the negative or with an ironic or sarcastic connotation to mean the opposite.
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pitched battle »
An intense, rancorous argument or confrontation.
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pop out »
To leave a room or building with the expectation of returning soon.
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pretty pictures »
Image supplements in a presentation: graphs, charts, etc.
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put out »
The statistic of the number of outs a defensive player directly caused.
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put to the test »
To test something or someone; to evaluate, scrutinize or explore by testing or experimentation.
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rain check »
In social interactions, a polite way to turn down an invitation, with the implication one is simply postponing it and that another time would be acceptable.
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raise the bar »
To raise standards or expectations, especially by creating something to a higher standard.
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rank and file »
Those lacking any particular title or status; those having no station.
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real Macoy »
The genuine thing, neither a substitute nor an imitation.
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real McCoy »
The genuine thing, neither a substitute nor an imitation.
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real McKoy »
The genuine thing, neither a substitute nor an imitation.
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rev up »
To increase the speed of an engine, especially that of a stationary motor car.
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rub in »
To irritatingly make a point.
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save face »
To take an action or make a gesture intended to preserve one's reputation or honour.
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shanks' nag »
Transportation by foot. To "take a shanks' nag" means using one's own legs to walk.
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shanks' pony »
Transportation by foot.
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show the flag »
Of a naval vessel or military force, to identify itself by displaying the flag of its country of origin, especially in order to establish an authoritative presence and to exert diplomatic or political influence.
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sign off »
Term used to describe the closing of a radio or television station's studios and cessation of a broadcasting signal, usually during the overnight hours.
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sign on »
The time of day when a radio or television station begins broadcasting, usually after being off the air for several hours.
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simmer down »
To decrease in intensity of anger, agitation, or excitement.
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smear campaign »
An effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.
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so-called »
Same as above, without the negative connotation.
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so-called »
So named; called by such a name, with a very strong connotation that the item is not worthy of that name.
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stand by »
To wait in expectation of some event; to make ready.
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stick in someone's craw »
To cause lasting annoyance, irritation, or hard feelings.
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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.
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strut one's stuff »
To behave, or to perform in a showy or ostentatious manner, especially in a way to impress others; to show off.
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tail between one's legs »
A reaction to a confrontation, specifically one with excessive shame and hurt pride.
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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.
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take sides »
To ally oneself with a given opinion, agenda or group; to support one side or viewpoint in a competition or confrontation.
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talk like an apothecary »
To use hard or gallipot words: from the assumed gravity and affectation of knowledge generally put on by the gentlemen of this profession, who are commonly as superficial in their learning as they are pedantic in their language.
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talk out one's ass »
To speak authoritatively on a subject which one actually knows little about; to exaggerate.
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tear one's hair out »
To react with extreme agitation.
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test bed »
Any venue, setup, etc. used for experimentation, testing, proving a concept, etc.
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there you have it »
Used to introduce a speaker's interpretation of what has just transpired or been described.
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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.
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to tell the truth »
An attestation to the truthfulness and frankness of an associated statement.
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touch up »
To touch or to grope someone in flirtatious or sleazy way.
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touchy-feely »
Driven by intuition or emotion, with a connotation of de-emphasis of rational thought or logic.
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tune in »
To select a channel, station, etc., as on television or radio.
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turf war »
A fight or confrontation between two divisions or parties for access to resources or capital.
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turn up »
To reposition by rotating, flipping, etc. upwards.
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whistle walk »
The path slaves took to deliver food from the kitchen building of a plantation to the main dining room. Slaves were expected to whistle during this walk in order to assure their masters that they were not eating the food.
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whistle-stop »
A small train station.
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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).
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