all kidding aside »
Used to attempt to make a serious point in a jocular conversation.
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back to the drawing board »
Back to the beginning following an unsuccessful attempt.
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bark up the wrong tree »
To attempt or pursue the wrong thing; to take the wrong approach; to follow a false lead.
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bat a thousand »
To achieve success at each attempt.
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bite off more than one can chew »
To try to do too much; to take on or attempt more than one is capable of doing.
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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.
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branch out »
To attempt something new or different, but related.
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bring it weak »
To fail to accomplish an accomplishable task or to make an attempt at less than maximum effort; to "half-ass" or "fake the funk".
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burn a hole in one's pocket »
To cause someone to be tempted to spend money.
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but seriously folks »
Directs attention to immediately preceding failed attempt at humor.
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cherry pick »
To position oneself near the opponent's goal to attempt to receive an errant or intentional pass for an easy score, as in basketball or versions of soccer where offsides are not enforced.
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close the stable door after the horse has bolted »
To attempt to prevent a problem only to find it has already happened.
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count sheep »
To attempt to go to sleep by thinking of something boring, traditionally by counting imaginary sheep.
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cut off one's nose to spite one's face »
To harm oneself as a result of attempting to harm an adversary.
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dummy run »
A trial or practice before the real attempt.
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fall between two stools »
To attempt two tasks and fail at both, when either one could have been accomplished singly.
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familiarity breeds contempt »
The more acquainted one becomes with a person, the more one knows about his or her shortcomings and, hence, the easier it is to dislike that person.1894, H. Rider Haggard, The People Of The Mist, ch. 25:This was the beginning of evil, for if no man is a hero to his valet de chambre, much less can he remain a god for long in the eyes of a curious woman. Here, as in other matters, familiarity breeds contempt.
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flog a dead horse »
To attempt to get extra work out of a ship's crew during the dead horse period.
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flog a dead horse »
To attempt to get more out of something that cannot give more.
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give it a go »
To try or attempt.
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give it a whirl »
To try, test or attempt.
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give it one's best shot »
To make one's best effort or attempt; to try as hard as possible.
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go for broke »
To try everything possible or do last thing possible in a final attempt.
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go for the gold »
To attempt to achieve the maximum reward or result in an endeavor.
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great unwashed »
A contemptuous term for the populace, particularly the working class.
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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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have a go »
To make an attempt; to try.
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herd cats »
To attempt to control those resistant to control.
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hold with the hare and run with the hounds »
To remain neutral by attempting to placate two factions or both sides of a controversy.
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hole in one »
A round that is completed by sinking the ball in a single shot or attempt, with one hit.
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in your face »
An exclamation of derision or contempt.
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lame joke »
An attempt at humor which is perceived to have been used previously to the point of being cliche, or was never funny to begin with.
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lapsed academic »
A person formerly employed as a professor or researcher in a university or other institution of higher education, especially one who no longer attempts to remain current in his or her former academic field.
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leave well enough alone »
To leave something alone; to avoid attempts to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient.
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leave well enough alone »
To leave something alone; to avoid attempts to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient
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lost cause »
A cause, attempt, or effort that is hopeless or futile.
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make a go of it »
To attempt; especially, to attempt to make a living.
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mend one's ways »
To recognise one's failings and attempt to remedy them.
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mutton dressed as lamb »
A mature woman dressed in a style more suited to a young woman, especially if a deliberate attempt to appear young.
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old college try »
A vigorous, committed attempt or effort.
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on one's soapbox »
Stating or professing one's opinion; attempting to persuade others of something.
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one can't hold two watermelons in one hand »
do not attempt to take on more than you can handle
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one-hit wonder »
A musical performer or musical group known for a single hit song, especially after failing at later attempts at success.
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palm off »
To attempt to pass off a counterfeit or inferior product as genuine.
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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.
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pay the piper »
To pay a monetary debt or experience unfavorable consequences, especially when the payment or consequences are inevitable in spite of attempts to avoid them.
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play down »
To make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.
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play the race card »
To assert that race or racism is responsible for a course of events, especially when race is not of particular significance to the issue in question; to attempt to inspire a particular reaction by raising the issue of race.
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play up »
To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely or obvious; to showcase or highlight.
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push one's luck »
To take an excessive risk or to attempt some task unlikely to succeed, especially after having already been unexpectedly lucky.
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rag the puck »
To retain possession of the puck by skillful skating and stickhandling without attempting to score, as a deliberate tactic intended to use up time.
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reinvent the wheel »
To redo work unnecessarily when it has already been done satisfactorily; to rethink an already working system, technique, etc. in a pointless attempt to improve it.
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scissorbill »
Someone considered contemptible or foolish.
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sharp cookie »
One who is intelligent, bright, or sharp; especially, one who can identify attempts to deceive or mislead.
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shot in the dark »
A guess, attempt, or choice made with little or no evidence or knowledge.
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snow job »
An attempt to persuade a person using flattery or deception.
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stand one's ground »
To attempt to hold a position in battle.
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stand up »
To stand immediately behind the wicket so as to catch balls from a slow or spin bowler, and to attempt to stump the batsman.
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take a crack at »
To attempt or try.
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take a stab at »
To attempt or try.
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take on »
To attempt to fight or compete.
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throw to the wolves »
To sacrifice someone, especially in an attempt to save oneself.
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tiger team »
A specialized group tasked with testing the effectiveness of an organization's ability to protect assets by attempting to circumvent, defeat or otherwise thwart that organization's internal and external security.
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tough love »
The compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures, to attempt to improve someone's behavior.
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try one's hand »
To attempt a skill, craft, or trade.
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two for two »
In baseball, meeting two out of two attempts at-bat. Specifically, it means the batter has reached base safely two out of two times.
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whistle past the graveyard »
To attempt to stay cheerful in a dire situation; To proceed with a task, ignoring an upcoming hazard, hoping for a good outcome.
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wrestling with a pig »
To engage in a pointless task that leaves one worse off for having made an honest attempt.
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