a nod is as good as a wink »
The hint, suggestion etc can be understood without further explaining.
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albatross »
A double eagle, or three under par on any one hole.
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and then some »
Used to confirm preceding utterance, while implying that what was said or asked is an understatement.
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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.
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ask my arse »
A common reply to any question; still deemed wit at sea, and formerly at court, under the denomination of selling bargains.
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at cross-purposes »
Mutually misunderstanding each other's plans, intentions or meanings.
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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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beaver away »
To busily undertake a large task.
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boo boo »
blunder
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bowl a googly »
Something unexpected, underhand or requiring a quick reaction or correction.
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boxer shorts »
underwear
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break up »
Of a telephone conversation, to cease to be understandable because of a bad connection.
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bring owls to Athens »
To undertake a pointless venture, one that is redundant, unnecessary, superfluous, or highly uneconomical.
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brush up »
To review; to improve an existing but rusty or under-developed skill.
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buried treasure »
Treasure stashed underground or underwater.
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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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by one's lights »
According to one's understanding.
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carry away »
To break under sudden pressure of violent wind.
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cast pearls before swine »
To give things of value to those who will not understand or appreciate it.
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catch on »
To begin to understand; to realize or detect.
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change horses in midstream »
To change plans or approaches at an inopportune time, such as when an effort is already underway, generally considered an inadvisable thing to do.
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circle the wagons »
To draw a wagon train into a circle to allow the wagons to provide cover when under attack.
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closed book »
A person or thing that cannot be easily understood; someone or something incomprehensible or puzzling.
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clue stick »
A metaphorical stick used to beat information or understanding into a slow learner.
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come out in the wash »
Of problems or difficulties, to work out, resolve, or become understood eventually and naturally.
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cotton on »
To realize; come to understand.
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crystal clear »
Completely clear and understood.
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crystal-clear »
Completely clear and understood.
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desperate times call for desperate measures »
In adverse circumstances actions that might have been rejected under other circumstances may become the best choice.
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die »
To stop living; to become dead; to undergo death.
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do a bunk »
To escape or flee under incriminating circumstances.
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dog it »
To underperform; to lag behind; to fail to exert effort.
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down on one's luck »
Unlucky or undergoing a period of bad luck, especially with respect to financial matters.
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down pat »
Thoroughly practiced, rehearsed, or understood.
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down to the short strokes »
In the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
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down under »
In Australia.
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draw back »
To withdraw from an undertaking.
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draw on »
To advance, continue; to move or pass slowly or continuously, as under a pulling force.
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early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise »
platitude from Benjamin Franklin under the pseudonym Poor Richard.
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even keel »
A state of having one's emotions under control and balanced.
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even keel »
Of a business or other activity which is under control and running smoothly.
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fair enough »
An expression used to concede a point; denotes that, upon consideration, something is correct or reasonable; an expression of acknowledgment or understanding.
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fall into »
To be classified as; to fall under.
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figure out »
To come to understand; to discover or find a solution; to deduce.
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fluff up »
To make a gaffe or blunder.
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fool's errand »
A foolish undertaking, especially one that is purposeless, fruitless, nonsensical, or certain to fail.
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fool's errand »
Such an undertaking, assigned as a prank.
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free ride »
An opportunity or benefit which has no cost, especially one enjoyed or undertaken at the expense of others.
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get a handle on »
To build or acquire a basic level of understanding or control.
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get it »
To realize or understand why a joke is funny.
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get it »
To understand, comprehend, or grasp.
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get moving »
To start hurrying to undertake a task.
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get something straight »
To understand; to clarify.
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get the drift »
To understand, at least at some basic or general level.
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go commando »
To not wear underpants.
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go native »
To adopt the lifestyle or outlook of local inhabitants, especially when dwelling in a colonial region; to become less refined under the influence of a less cultured, more primitive, or simpler social environment.
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grunt work »
That is considered undesirable and therefore delegated to underlings.
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hammer home »
Until or so that a person or group of people understands it.
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have a handle on »
To be in control; to understand or grasp.
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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.
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high as a kite »
Very much under the influence of drugs, extremely high.
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hit home »
To be especially memorable or meaningful; to be fully understood, believed or appreciated.
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hospital pass »
A throw that stays in the air long enough that it allows too many people to get underneath it, increasing the risk of injury and a trip to the hospital. Thus, a hospital pass.
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hot under the collar »
Worried.
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in bed »
Lying on a bed, especially under some bedsheets.
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in black and white »
Explicitly, in writing, clearly and without doubt or misunderstanding, without any grey areas.
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in hand »
under control
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in the dock »
Under scrutiny; subject to critical inspection.
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in the hot seat »
Under pressure to perform; under scrutiny; at the center of attention.
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in thunderation »
In any set of circumstances whatsoever.
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in vino veritas »
drunken folks speak truth, one tells the truth under the influence of alcohol
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inside joke »
A joke that is understood or meant to be understood only by certain people who are in the know about the details.
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it's all Greek to me »
I don’t understand any of it; it makes no sense..
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jump rope »
The activity, game or exercise in which a person must jump, bounce or skip repeatedly while a length of rope is swung over and under, both ends held in the hands of the jumper, or alternately, held by two other participants. Often used for athletic training and among schoolchildren. Variations involve speed, chants, varied rope and jumper movement patterns, multiple jumpers and/or multiple ropes.
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jump the shark »
To undergo a storyline development which is so ridiculous that previous quality is considered to have been lost.
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knock on wood »
A self-directive to undertake the customary action to ward off bad luck.
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knuckle under »
To yield or cooperate when pressured or forced to do so.
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labor of love »
A task performed voluntarily without expectation of reimbursement; an altruistic work or undertaking.
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laundry list »
Originally, a list of articles of clothing that had been sent to be laundered.
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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
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light a fire under »
To start sooner or move faster.
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lose one's shirt »
To lose all of one's money; to go broke; to undergo financial ruin or disaster.
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make head or tail of »
To understand even minimally.
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make sense »
To decipher or understand.
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mix up »
misunderstanding
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moral high ground »
A position or point of view which is ethically superior or more reputable, in comparison to others which are under consideration.
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move the goal posts »
To unilaterally change the rules, or terms of an agreement, especially in an unfair or underhand way.
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muck about »
To do somethings with a piece of equipment when you do not understand how it works.
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mug's game »
A foolish, profitless, or hopeless undertaking.
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not on your life »
Absolutely not; under no circumstances.
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on the loose »
Not incarcerated or in captivity; not under control.
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on the mend »
Improving or undergoing restoration to a previous, more favorable condition.
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on the uptake »
In understanding or in the ability to absorb new information; especially in the phrases "quick on the uptake" and "slow on the uptake".
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over my dead body »
Under no circumstances; absolutely not.
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over one's head »
More complex or confusing than one can understand; beyond one’s comprehension..
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pick up »
To learn, to grasp; to begin to understand.
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put across »
To explain or state something clearly and understandably.
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put one's foot in it »
To make a mistake in public, or a social blunder, that is embarrassing, or offensive.
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put oneself across »
To explain one's ideas and opinions clearly so that another person can understand them and get a picture of your personality.
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quick on the uptake »
Able to readily understand things; intelligent.
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rocket scientist »
Someone qualified to understand or handle that which is overly complex, detailed or confusing; a genius.
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seagull approach »
The occurence of casual, ill-informed and hasty decisions or comments made by outside authorities who lack an understanding of the local issues or a real understanding of the facts of a particular situ.
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see the light »
To gain an understanding of something previously not understood, especially in a sudden insight.
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see the light »
To undergo a spiritual conversion.
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short leash »
Forcing one to function within a strict set of rules, or under great scrutiny or oversight.
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short strokes »
The final steps of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
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six feet under »
Buried six feet underground; not alive; dead.
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skin diver »
underwater swimmer
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skip rope »
To jump over a rope, both of whose ends are held by the jumper or by two others, while the rope is moved under the jumper's feet in a continual rhythm; to play the game of jump rope or exercise by jumping rope.
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snowed under »
Have too much work.
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stand from under »
To escape something falling or being thrown from above.
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steal somebody's thunder »
To detract from somebody's accomplishments or glory; to undermine.
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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 out of context »
To interpret something in a manner in which it was not intended to be understood, often deliberately.
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take someone's point »
To agree with what a person says; to understand a person's argument and be persuaded by it.
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take the red pill »
To understand the world in its previously unknown reality.
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talk somebody under the table »
With excessive talk or numerous arguments.
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that's just me »
Indicates the expression of a personal opinion, but often used ironically as an understatement.
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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.
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think through »
To fully consider an action, and understand all its consequences.
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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
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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
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throw under the bus »
To betray or blame; to use as a scapegoat.
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throw under the bus »
To discard or disown.
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to say the least »
Used to suggest that what was previously stated was an understatement.
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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
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top it all off »
To emphasize or underscore; to make something even better or worse.
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try out »
To undergo a test before being selected for a team etc.
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tuck in »
To push the fabric at the bottom of a shirt under the pants.
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tumble to »
To discover, or suddenly understand something.
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twenty-twenty hindsight »
Perfect understanding of events only after they have happened.
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under a cloud »
Under suspicion; subject to critical inspection.
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under a spell »
Bewitched, held by the power of a magical spell.
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under erasure »
Of a bit of text, written and strickenthrough; hence, figuratively in some sense both present and absent.
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under fire »
Criticized or held responsible for something.
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under fire »
Subjected to enemy attack.
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under lock and key »
Imprisoned with little or no chance of escape.
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under one's belt »
Already done; within one's experience; practiced.
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under one's breath »
Softly, so as not to be heard.
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under one's hat »
Concealed; confidential; secret.
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under one's nose »
Directly in front of one; clearly visible.
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under one's nose »
Obvious or apparent.
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under one's thumb »
Completely controlled by someone; at someone’s command..
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under one's wing »
Under one's protection, sponsorship, or tutelage.
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under pressure »
Being subjected to physical pressure.
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under pressure »
Subjected to pressure.
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under sail »
With sails unfurled; powered by the wind.
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under the gun »
The first player to act on the first round of betting in Texas hold 'em.
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under the gun »
Under great pressure to perform.
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under the impression »
Thinking or making assumptions, often incorrectly.
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under the influence »
Drunk; intoxicated; affected by alcohol.
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under the knife »
Undergoing a surgical procedure.
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under the microscope »
Under close scrutiny or examination.
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under the radar »
Without attracting notice; in an undetected or secretive manner.
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under the table »
Secretly or without reporting, especially of payments made or business transacted.
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under the weather »
Experiencing adversity.
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under the weather »
Somewhat ill or gloomy.
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under the weather »
Somewhat intoxicated or suffering from a hangover.
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under the wire »
Across the finish line.
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under the wire »
At the last minute; before the deadline; barely on time; nearly late.
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under the yoke »
Under subjugation.
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under way »
A vessel is said to be underway when she is not anchored, moored, aground, or beached[1]. Compare with make way.
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under way »
In operation, in progress, commenced.
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under wraps »
Secret or hidden.
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underwater basket weaving »
"Sure, somewhere out there, college slackers were taking broom ball and underwater basket weaving." — The Columbus Dispatch, September 15, 2005.
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underwater basket weaving »
An easy and useless college or high school class.
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walk a tightrope »
To undertake a precarious course of action.
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water under the bridge »
Something in the past that cannot be controlled or undone, but must be accepted, forgiven, or forgotten.
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weigh in »
To undergo a weigh-in.
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whistle past the graveyard »
To enter a situation with little or no understanding of the possible consequences.
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win over »
To persuade someone, gain someone's support, or make someone understand the truth or validity of something.
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