all that glitters is not gold »
Things that appear valuable or worthwhile might not actually be so, things that look nice might not be as good as they look.
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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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as long as »
While; for some period of time.
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back burner »
A section of a stove used to keep some pots warm while one focuses on others.
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bail out »
To exit an aircraft while in flight.
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bang about »
To make a lot of percussive noise while doing an activity.
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bang around »
To make a lot of percussive noise while doing an activity.
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better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all »
Having experience of love, even if it ended, is better than having no experience of love.Love is worthwhile despite the pain involved in separation.
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better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness »
In the face of bad times or hopelessness, it is more worthwhile to do some good, however small, in response than to complain about the situation.
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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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bury the lead »
To begin a story with details of secondary importance to the reader while postponing more essential points or facts.
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bury the lede »
To begin a story with details of secondary importance to the reader while postponing more essential points or facts.
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carry out »
To hold while moving something out.
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cat that ate the canary »
A person who appears self-satisfied or smug, especially while concealing something mischievous, prohibited, or private.
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caught in the act »
To be found doing something that you weren't supposed to be doing, while you're doing it.
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caught with one's hand in the cookie jar »
Observed or apprehended while committing a theft, especially while embezzling money.
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chew the scenery »
To display excessive emotion or to act in an exaggerated manner while performing; to be melodramatic; to be flamboyant.
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cream in one's jeans »
To ejaculate while wearing one's trousers.
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cream in one's jeans »
To experience an orgasm while clothed; to be thoroughly excited or delighted.
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diamonds are a girl's best friend »
A statement that suggests, while love is a luxury, material wealth (particularly jewellery) is more valuable in the long run.
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don't be penny wise and pound foolish »
Don't be careful when it comes to spending small amounts of money, but careless when spending much larger amounts.Don't focus on minutiae and lose sight of the big picture; don't obsess over tiny inconsequential efficiencies while glaring inefficiencies are going on elsewhere.
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drag »
To move a mouse cursor while holding down a button on the mouse, often to move something on the screen.
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draw the short straw »
To select the shortest straw or other object while drawing straws.
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drive the porcelain bus »
To vomit, especially while drunk or hung over.
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forbidden fruit is the sweetest »
Forbidden things have more worthwhile short-term consequences.
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from time to time »
Occasionally; sometimes; once in a while.
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get one's act together »
To become serious, organized, worthwhile, etc.
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give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime »
It is more worthwhile to teach someone to do something, than to do something for them.
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grate »
A horizontal metal grille through which water, ash, or small objects can fall, while larger objects cannot.
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hang a Louie »
Make a left turn while driving a vehicle.
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hang a Ralph »
Make a right turn while driving a vehicle.
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here's to »
Denoting proposed salutation while drinking alcohol, toast.
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hold on »
Wait a short while.
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in order »
Appropriate, worthwhile.
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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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kick up »
Into the air while running or walking or driving.
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lick one's wounds »
To withdraw temporarily while recovering from a defeat.
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make hay while the sun shines »
To act while an opportunity exists; to take action while a situation is favorable.
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nightcap »
A warm cloth cap worn while sleeping, often with pajamas. Nightcaps were common in northern Europe before central heating was available, when homes were cold at night.
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no pain, no gain »
One must be willing to endure some inconvenience or discomfort in order to achieve worthwhile goals.
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nod off »
To fall asleep, especially while in a seated position or in inappropriate circumstances.
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nothing to sneeze at »
Not bad; decent; acceptable; worthwhile.
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once in a while »
Occasionally; sometimes.
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pay off »
To become worthwhile after a lapse.
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pickin' and grinnin' »
Vigorously playing folk or country music on a stringed musical instrument, especially the guitar or banjo, while smiling broadly.
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pissing contest »
An argument which is instigated, or exacerbated while consuming alcohol.
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rumor campaign »
A method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concerning a person or other target, while the source of the rumors tries to avoid detection.
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see a man about a horse »
A message signaling one needs to go missing for a short while, for any reason, without giving a real explanation.
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sit back »
To recline while still in a seated position, with one's back on the frame of the seat.
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sit out »
To escape a hold while face-down by swinging one's legs around into the sitting position.
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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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stew in one's juices »
To be alone and self-absorbed in an uncomfortable state of mind, especially while experiencing the unpleasant effects of one's own actions.
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strike while the iron is hot »
To act on an opportunity promptly; to avoid waiting.
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tempus fugit »
time flies (used as an alternative to this phrase)."Meanwhile, the irreplaceable time escapes", expressing concern that one's limited time is being consumed by something which may have little intrinsic substance or importance at that moment.
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thumb one's nose »
To place a thumb upon the tip of the nose, usually while simultaneous wiggling one's fingers, in a gesture of disrespect.
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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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twiddle one's thumbs »
To circle one's thumbs around one another, usually with the fingers interlaced, usually done idly while waiting or bored.
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urban fabric »
The physical aspect of urbanism, emphasizing building types, thoroughfares, open space, frontages, and streetscapes; while excluding without prejudice to this useful term, environmental, functional, economic and sociocultural aspects.
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walk in on »
To enter suddenly or unexpectedly while something is happening; to intrude or interrupt by entering.
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wash out »
To lose traction while going around a turn, especially in cycling, motorsports and skiing/snowboarding.
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wear rose-colored glasses »
To see the positive in things while being oblivious to the negative.
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whisper campaign »
A method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concerning a person or other target, while the source of the rumors tries to avoid detection.
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winter rat »
An old, unattractive automobile, purchased for little money, to be driven during brutal Great Lakes winters while the owner's "good" car remains garaged and protected from corrosive road salt for the season.
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worth every penny »
Completely worthwhile.
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worth one's while »
Good and important enough for one to spend time, effort, or money on.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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