a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush »
It is preferable to have a small but certain advantage than a mere potential of a greater one.
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a great deal »
Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.
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add up »
To make sense; to be reasonable or consistent.
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all bark and no bite »
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
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all ears »
Listening intently; fully focused.
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all eyes »
Watching alertly or attentively.
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all eyes and ears »
To be attentive.
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all hat and no cattle »
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
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all over the place »
Inconsistent; lacking a clear pattern.
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all very well »
All right, to a certain extent.
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arm candy »
An attractive, seemingly romantic companion who accompanies a person in public simply so that one or both of the individuals can gain attention, enhance social status, or create an impression of sexual appeal.
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as you sow, so shall you reap »
The personal consequences of one's actions are in proportion to the good or bad intentions towards others.
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at cross-purposes »
Mutually misunderstanding each other's plans, intentions or meanings.
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at hand »
Being at the moment the center of attention or the cause of trouble.
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back away »
Of your attention on the thing in front being avoided.
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back-cloth star »
An actor who stands upstage, forcing the other actors to face him and turn their backs to the audience, in order to gain more attention to himself.
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bash up »
To assault someone with the intention of causing physical injury.
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be around »
To be alive, existent, or present.
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beat around the bush »
To treat a topic but omit its main points, often intentionally.
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big top »
circus tent
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bite me »
An expression of discontent or aggravation to another party.
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black magic »
Magic derived from evil forces, as distinct from good or benign forces; or magic performed with the intention of doing harm.
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black-on-black »
Something that is invisible or intentionally obfuscated, such as warnings or fine print.
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blame Canada »
A catch phrase for shifting attention away from a serious social issue by laying responsibility with Canada.
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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.
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blow hot and cold »
To behave inconsistently; to vacillate or to waver, as between extremes of opinion or emotion.
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bone of contention »
Something that continues to be disputed; something on which no agreement can be reached.
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box on the ear »
Administered on the victim's ear, usually by an educator, to enforce attention.
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bum steer »
Bad advice, regardless of intention.
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busted flush »
A potential flush which ultimately was not filled.
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busted flush »
Anything which ends up worthless despite great potential.
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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.
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but seriously folks »
Directs attention to immediately preceding failed attempt at humor.
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but who's counting »
Used as a retort or comeback, often to deprecate oneself or another for excessive concern or attention to.
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butter up »
To flatter, especially with the intent of personal gain.
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buy out »
To purchase the entire stock or extent of something.
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by far »
To a considerably large extent, easily.
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can of worms »
A troublesome situation; an issue whose resolution is difficult or contentious, but not necessarily complex.
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carry on »
To act or behave; especially to act or behave so as to attract attention.
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catch someone's eye »
To capture someone's attention.
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catch-as-catch-can »
Intermittent; only when possible or when the opportunity presents itself.
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chase after »
To pursue someone with romantic intentions; to woo.
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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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check out »
Used to draw attention to something and stimulate excitement about it.
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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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clean out »
To clean, especially to tidy by removing the contents.
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cock up »
Unintentionally; to screw up, mess up or f** up.
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come to »
To devote attention to in due course; to come around to.
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come to a head »
To suddenly reveal that which has lain latent for a time.
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come up »
To emerge or become known, especially unexpectedly; to come to attention, present itself.
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corner the market »
To monopolize a resource or commodity, as with the intent of driving up prices.
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cry for help »
Acting out as a means of displaying a subconscious desire for attention or help.
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curry favor »
To seek to gain favor by flattery or attention.
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deliver the message to Garcia »
Programmers are consistently dehumanized because so many do indeed deliver the message to Garcia only to be at best ignored.
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doze off »
To fall asleep unintentionally.
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drama queen »
Who behaves and speaks in an overly dramatic manner so as to garner attention.
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dumb down »
To become simpler in expression or content; to become unacceptably simplistic.
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every silver lining has a cloud »
Every good situation has the potential to turn bad.2007, Diab A. Shetayh, Actuality : The Reality RequiemA great partnership isn't a self-maintaining entity. Perseverance and persistence make it thrive. For every silver lining has a cloud. Ignorance of this reality is not an option.
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fall through the cracks »
To be missed; to escape the necessary notice or attention.
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firm up »
To make tentative plans more definite.
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fits and starts »
Activity which is intermittent, variable in intensity, and prolonged by interruptions.
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flag down »
Use a flag or some kind of signal to get the attention of someone.
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fold one's tent »
To withdraw, especially in a discreet manner; to disengage; to quit.
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for all intensive purposes »
Misconstruction of “for all intents and purposes”.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].
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for all intents and purposes »
For every functional purpose; in every practical sense; in every important respect; practically speaking.
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for keeps »
With an agreement or intention to retain what one gains or receives.
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front and center »
A command to come to the center of attention of an assemblage, as of military personnel or students.
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get someone's back up »
To annoy a person either deliberately or inadvertently.
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give ear »
To listen: to devote one's attention to an auditory event.
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give heed »
Pay attention to.
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give notice »
To announce one's intent to leave a job; to inform an employer that one is leaving.
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give the time of day »
To acknowledge somebody; to give somebody any respect or attention.
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glutton for punishment »
One persistent in an effort in spite of harmful or unpleasant results.
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go in one ear and out the other »
Failed to pay attention.
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go out the window »
To vanish or cease, especially due to lack of care, attention, etc.; to be discarded, disregarded, or ignored.
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golf widow »
A woman who is deprived of her husband's time and attention due to his regular absence in order to play golf.
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grab bag »
A gift, purchase, etc. whose contents are concealed until after a selection is made.
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hammer and tongs »
With tools indicating seriousness of intent and capability of harm.
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hang on »
To pay close attention.
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happy camper »
One who is thoroughly content or satisfied.
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he who smelt it dealt it »
(colloquial, originally) A person who calls attention to or complains about a fart is likely trying to pretend it wasn't his or her own.(colloquial, by extension) Used to suggest that a person calling attention to or complaining about a given problem may in fact be the source of the problem.
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heads up »
Used as an informal warning, caution, or call for attention; pay attention!.
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heads-up »
A warning or call to pay attention; an advisory notice.
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hear the grass grow »
To be very aware or discerning; to pay attention to every small detail.
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hedge one's bets »
To place bets with a third party in order to offset potential losses.
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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..
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hog heaven »
A state of contented bliss.
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hold one's breath »
To inhale and then intentionally close the epiglottis so that one's breath is not exhaled.
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hold that thought »
Used to acknowledge that one's attention needs to be diverted from what an speaker was saying.
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if looks could kill »
A phrase said upon catching sight of someone's giving you a particularly nasty look of discontent or disapproval.
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in clover »
Happy and contented.
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in the hot seat »
Under pressure to perform; under scrutiny; at the center of attention.
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in the limelight »
In the focus of attention, especially from the media.
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in the running »
Of a candidate, potential or likely; worthy of consideration.
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jack of all trades »
One competent in many endeavors, especially one who excels in none of them.
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jack of all trades, master of none »
A person who has a competent grasp of many skills but who is not outstanding in any one.
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keep a close watch on »
To pay careful attention to a situation or a thing, so that you can deal with any changes or problems.
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keep a weather eye open »
To maintain a background awareness of something; to remain alert to changes without it occupying your full attention.
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keep an eye on »
To watch and pay attention to.
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keep an eye peeled »
To look out attentively.
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keep one on one's toes »
To keep one attentive, active, busy or alert.
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kill the messenger »
To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.
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kiss up »
To pay false flattery to another, particularly a superior at work, in order to get special attention.
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knock down »
To hit or knock (something), intentionally or accidentally, so that it falls.
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knowledge is power »
With knowledge and/or education, one's potential or ability to succeed in the pursuit of his objectives will certainly increase.
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lay open »
In Japan and South Korea, to publish a patent for initial public review, prior to the formal application for registration.
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let the cat out of the bag »
To disclose a secret; to let a secret be known, often inadvertently.
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life of Riley »
An ideal life of carefree prosperity and contentment.
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lip service »
Empty talk; words absent of action or intention.
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listen up »
To listen closely; to pay attention. Often used in the imperative.
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look off »
To mislead by directing one's apparent attention away from one's true object of intent.
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make a point »
To take care in doing something of something; to pay attention or ensure that something is done.
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make a splash »
To do something that attracts attention.
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make a stink »
To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.
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mind you »
Used to draw attention to adjacent words.
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mixed message »
Any communication that is contradictory, inconsistent, or unclear, especially in its motive or intent.
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monkey on one's back »
A state of persistent distress or worry or the cause of such a state.
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necker's knob »
A knob attached to the steering wheel of an automobile, especially before the widespread availability of power steering, helping the driver steer with one arm and leaving the other arm free to provide romantic attention to a companion.
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off and on »
Intermittently.
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off the radar »
Unlikely to happen, or be important in the near future or tending to escape detection or attention.
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on accident »
Accidentally; not intentionally; because of error, misfortune, or lack of caution.
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on all fours »
Similar in nature or effect to something else; consistent.
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on one's toes »
Attentive, active, busy or alert.
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on purpose »
Purposefully; with intention; deliberately.
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on tenterhooks »
In a state of suspense or apprehension.
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on the back burner »
Not immediate; inactive; receiving less than full or regular attention.
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on the ball »
Alert, active, or attentive; on top of things.
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on track »
Proceeding as planned, as expected, or in a manner consistent with an established pattern.
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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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out of character »
Inconsistent with one's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour.
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out of thin air »
From non-existent resources.
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out to lunch »
Clueless, inattentive or careless.
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outshout »
To merit the most attention or praise.
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paint with a broad brush »
To describe a class of objects or a kind of phenomenon in general terms, without specific details and without attention to individual variations.
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pay attention »
To be attentive; to focus one's attention.
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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.
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physical break »
A short break in a meeting or in a classroom setting, intended to improve attention.
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pitch a tent »
To have an erection that shows through the trousers.
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play games »
To deceive, to lie about one's intentions.
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play possum »
To feign death; to remain quiet and still to escape attention or remain undetected; to lay low.
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poison pen »
A usually intentionally rude, spiteful, and/or condescending piece of writing directed at a person, group, lifestyle, way of thought, or other target.
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poison tree bears poison fruit »
Unethical actions in the service of good intentions will have immoral or unethical consequences.
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pore over »
To examine something carefully and attentively.
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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.
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prick up one's ears »
To listen attentively.
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problem child »
Someone or something persistently difficult or vexing; a frequent source of trouble or annoyance.
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put aside »
To ignore or intentionally forget something, temporarily or permanently, so that more important things can have one's attention.
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put by »
To perform an action without attracting attention.
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put by »
To run a ship aground intentionally to avoid a collision.
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put on the dog »
To dress up; to put on airs; to make a show of wealth and/or importance; to be pretentious.
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put the pedal to the metal »
To press the gas pedal to the maximum extent.
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raise a stink »
To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.
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rattle someone's cage »
To demand attention; to nag, nudge, or remind.
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real job »
A job which requires the employee to, work regular hours for a consistent wage that often exceeds the provisions of applicable minimum wage legislation. A job that produces a living wage.
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reality check »
A check or review to make sure something is consistent, reasonable, etc.
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red herring »
A clue that is misleading or that has been falsified, intended to divert attention.
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rock the boat »
To disturb the status quo or go against rules or conventions, as in an effort to get attention.
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rocking horse shit »
A metaphor for something exceedingly rare or, more likely, nonexistent.
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rub up against »
Of pets. To touch a person's body in a friendly manner, seeking attention.
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run away with »
To leave secretly with another person. Usually with the intention of getting married or of living together against the wishes of the family.
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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.
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run something by »
To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.
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run something past »
To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.
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scare out of one's wits »
To frighten someone to such an extent that they behave irrationally.
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shoot first and ask questions later »
To take action with serious consequences without delay, preserving the benefit of surprise by not providing indication of one's intent.
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shoot the messenger »
To blame a problem on whoever reported it; to hold somebody accountable a problem because he/she brought attention to it.
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shuffle »
To get lost in the shuffle: to lack attention when you deserve it.
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skate on thin ice »
In a risky, potentially dangerous or delicate situation.
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skirt chaser »
A man with amorous intentions who habitually seeks out female companionship.
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sleeves from one's vest »
Something non-existent; something of no value or cost.
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slip through the cracks »
To escape notice or lack sufficient attention.
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smallpox blanket »
An apparently benevolent offering whose real intent is to disrupt, destabilize or weaken.
|
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.
|
snake oil »
A type of 19th century patent medicine sold in the United States that claimed to contain snake fat, supposedly a Native American remedy for various ailments.
|
snipe hunt »
A prank in which a gullible victim is sent off on a fruitless search for a nonexistent item.
|
space out »
To stupefy, intoxicate, disorient, or lose attention or focus, especially by the use of drugs.
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spit-and-polish »
Paying much attention to outward appearance.
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squeaky wheel gets the grease »
The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which he or she seeks.
|
stickhandle »
To deal capably and swiftly with a situation, especially in a manner which deflects potential problems.
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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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take a dive »
To feign a knockout in order to lose intentionally.
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take a dive »
To lose or fail intentionally.
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take for granted »
To give little attention to or to underestimate the value of, to fail to appreciate.
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take into account »
Or pay attention to; to notice.
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take up with »
To be contented to receive; to receive without opposition; to put up with.
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the road to hell is paved with good intentions »
well-intended acts can lead to disaster
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the world is one's lobster »
(UK, humorous) intentional misrendering of the proverb "the world is one's oyster"
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there are plenty more fish in the sea »
There are many more potential opportunities available.
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there are plenty of fish in the sea »
There are many more potential opportunities available.
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thorn in someone's side »
A persistent annoyance.
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thorn in the flesh »
A persistent difficulty or something very annoying that will not go away.
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throw down »
To fight, incite to fight, or approach with the intent to fight; to make a stand.
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throw smoke »
To consistently pitch fastballs that are difficult to hit.
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throw the baby out with the bathwater »
To discard something valuable, often inadvertently, in the process of removing waste.
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tilt at windmills »
To go on a wild goose chase; to persistently engage in a futile activity.
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tip one's hand »
To inadvertently reveal any secret, particularly a secret that puts one at an advantage or disadvantage.
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to a fare-thee-well »
To the greatest extent or to completion; to a state of refinement or perfection.
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to a T »
Precisely; exactly; perfectly; with great attention to detail.
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to all intents and purposes »
For every functional purpose; in every practical sense; in every important respect; practically speaking.
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to one's heart's content »
Until satisfied; as much as is wished.
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to the max »
To a great degree or extent; very.
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to the max »
To the maximum possible degree or extent.
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to the tune of »
Roughly; about; as much as; to the sum of, to the extent of.
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top shelf »
Books, magazines, or movies that have adult content, or soft-core porn.
|
tuits »
Virtual tokens for an amount of time or attention that a particular issue would need to resolve.
|
tune in »
To pay attention.
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tune in, turn on, drop out »
Pay attention to the new way of living; take drugs; abandon the established ways.
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tune out »
To fail to pay attention to; to ignore.
|
turn heads »
To garner a considerable amount of attention.
|
up-and-coming »
Emerging; aspiring; improving; beginning to attract attention or critical acclaim.
|
walk the walk »
Act competently, like an expert.
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walls have ears »
There is a risk of being heard, so pay attention to what you say.
|
warm the cockles of someone's heart »
To provide happiness, to bring a deeply-felt contentment.
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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.
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where's the beef »
Where is the content? So what?.
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window-shopping »
The browsing of shop windows without any intention of buying.
|
work the room »
To interact with one's audience, taking queues from its reactions and adapting one's performance or words to elicit the audience's attention and enthusiasm.
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worth one's salt »
Competent or adept.
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worth the risk »
The benefit of the success is more valuable than the problems caused by the potential loss.
|
you know what »
A phrase used to get someone's attention before announcing something.
|
you snooze you lose »
If you are not alert and attentive, you will not be successful.
|
zero in on »
To concentrate or focus one's attention on at task.
|
zone out »
To stop paying attention and think about something else, or to think about nothing.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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