a picture paints a thousand words »
A visualisation is a better description than a verbal description.1971, David Gates (of Bread), If, from Manna album:If a picture paints a thousand wordsThen why can't I paint you;The words will never showThe you I've come to know.1989, Alan Kay, quoted in K?o-tung Huang, Timothy D. Huang, Introduction to Chinese, Japanese and Korean Computing, World Scientific, ISBN 9971506645, p. 9:Most human beings, no matter how familiar they are with abstract symbols, respond to voice and images better than written language. In other words, A picture paints a thousand words.2006, Paul Shakespeare, Building a Dune Buggy: The Essential Manual, ISBN 1904788734, p. 52:See accompanying diagram: a picture paints a thousand words, and all that!
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ace of spades »
The playing card belonging to the spades suit and featuring one pip.
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all holiday »
A saying signifying that it is all over with the business or person spoken of or alluded to/.
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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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baptism by fire »
A trying ordeal that was not experienced before.
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beat Banaghan »
An Irish saying of one who tells wonderful stories, or of something which is amazing and remarkable.
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bench jockey »
A baseball term for a player, coach or manager who is annoying and distracts opposition players and umpires from his team's dugout bench with verbal repartee.
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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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borganism »
An organization of autonomous organisms that exhibit collectivism: individual "units" that have merged to yield a unified construct. Such an amalgam may possess a collective consciousness, arguably an emergent phenomenon of social networking.
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born in a barn »
Engaging in the annoying behavior of inappropriately, and usually neglectfully, leaving open a door or window.
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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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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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bring down »
To make something flying fall to the ground. Usually by firing a weapon of some kind.
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bumper crop »
A large yield; an excess of something.
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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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carry a torch for »
[2] To harbor feelings of love despite not being in a relationship; generally unrequited or after a relationship has ended, and sometimes implying secret feelings. There is the implication of keeping hope alive.
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cat and mouse game »
Two individuals and/or groups repeatedly keeping check on each other in a suspicious or self-protective way, often with the goal of one or both parties trying to gain a malicious advantage over the other.
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cat got someone's tongue »
Why are you not saying anything?.
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chopped liver »
A Jewish food made by frying liver and onions in schmaltz.
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come in »
To join or enter; to begin playing with a group.
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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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crying shame »
A situation that is considered to be a disgrace, or deplorable.
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crying shame »
It's a crying shame that so much money has been wasted on this pointless political campaign.
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don't cry over spilt milk »
It is no use worrying about unfortunate events which have already happened and which cannot be changed.
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don't give up your day job »
Implying that they could not earn a living from it without other regular employment.
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double talk »
Lying, especially in a formal political statement.
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double-tongued »
Saying one thing to one person and something different to another; double talking; deceitful in speech.
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dry eye »
An eye which is not crying, i.e. someone emotionally unmoved.
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dry one's eyes »
To cease crying.
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economical with the truth »
Not telling the whole truth, especially in order to present a false image of a situation; untruthful; lying. Often used with sarcasm or satire.
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facts on the ground »
A euphemism, similar to fait accompli, used as an oblique way of saying that discussions over the possession of a given piece of territory has been rendered moot by the presence of military forces.
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flying visit »
A very short visit.
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for crying out loud »
Expresses frustration, exasperation, or annoyance.
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frying pan »
cooking utensil
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full of hot air »
Talking a lot, especially without saying anything of value or meaning.
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full of it »
Speaking nonsense; lying, exaggerating, or boasting.
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get a room »
A jocular or sarcastic expression commanding a couple to stop displaying affection in public, and to rent a hotel or motel room to continue amorous activities in private.
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get moving »
To start hurrying to undertake a task.
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give away the store »
To transact, trade, or negotiate badly, by paying, providing, or conceding too much to the other party.
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give in »
To relent or yield.
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give over »
Usually as an imperative. To tell someone to stop molesting, fooling around, or saying silly things. Or sometimes to stop saying flattering things.
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go away »
Go away, stop annoying me!.
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go without saying »
To be obvious, apparent or clear, or already established.
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gravy train »
An occupation or any lucrative endeavor that generates considerable income whilst requiring little effort and carrying little risk.
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greasy spoon »
An inexpensive diner or other informal restaurant, especially one specializing in frying or grilling.
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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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hold that thought »
Used to acknowledge that one's attention needs to be diverted from what an speaker was saying.
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house of cards »
A structure made by laying cards perpendicularly on top of each other.
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if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail »
With limited tools, single-minded people apply them inappropriately or indiscriminatelyIf a person is familiar with a certain, single subject/has with them a certain, single instrument, they may have a confirmation bias to believe that it is the answer to/involved in everything.
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in bed »
Lying on a bed, especially under some bedsheets.
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in touch »
The ball, or a player, is in touch when it, or he, is outside the playing area or touching the touchlines of the playing area.
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it's better to ask forgiveness than permission »
The value of acting promptly and making a mistake requiring forgiveness is greater than value of delaying to get permission.
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ivory tower »
A sheltered, overly-academic existence or perspective, implying a disconnection or lack of awareness of reality or practical considerations.
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jack it in »
An imperative to stop doing something that the speaker finds annoying.
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joe job »
An uninteresting, low-level, low-paying job.
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jump about »
To move from side to side, or fidget annoyingly. Usually as a result of being nervous.
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jump around »
To move from side to side, or fidget annoyingly. Usually as a result of being nervous.
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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 on truckin' »
To continue or persist, regardless of circumstances or setbacks; to keep trying or striving.
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king »
A playing card with the image of a king on it.
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knock up »
To gently hit the ball back and forth before a tennis match, as practice or warm-up, and to gauge the state of the playing surface, lighting, etc. See knock-up.
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knocking on heaven's door »
Dying, close to death.
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knuckle under »
To yield or cooperate when pressured or forced to do so.
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lay down »
To give up, surrender, or yield , usually by placing it on the ground.
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level up »
To progress to the next level of player character stats and abilities. Often used in role-playing games when the character has aquired enough experience points.
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little pitchers have big ears »
Small children often overhear more of what is said than adults realize or desire.1844, Charlotte M. Yonge, Abbeychurch, ch. 2:Seeing me listening to something she was saying to Mamma, she turned round upon me with that odious proverb, "Little pitchers have long ears."1939, "Bedtime Bedlam," Time, 17 Apr.:A caution to U. S. parents, but a joy to radio merchandising, is the dread truth that little pitchers have big ears.2002, Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, ISBN 9780743455961, p. 185:I suppose he might say pushed or went woowoo, but took a shit is, I fear, very much in the ballpark (little pitchers have big ears, after all).
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lump in one's throat »
A feeling of emotional sadness. On the point of crying.
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lump to one's throat »
A feeling of emotional sadness. On the point of crying.
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man up »
To "be a man about it"; to do the things a good man is traditionally expected to do, such as: taking responsibility for the consequences of one's actions; displaying bravery or toughness in the face of adversity; providing for one's family, etc.
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mum's the word »
The accompanying facts are a secret, not to be divulged.
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no matter how thin you slice it, it's still baloney »
Regardless of how many clever points or fine distinctions one makes, what one is saying is still false or is still nonsense.
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off one's game »
Playing or competing below one's usual level of performance.
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old saw »
A cliché, saying, or overused expression; especially a proverb or maxim.
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on the bubble »
Holding the last qualifying position with qualification still in progress, and thus liable to lose that position.
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on the town »
Casually enjoying the nightlife of a town or city.
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out of house and home »
Gail White, Partying with the Intelligentsia.
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out of the frying pan, into the fire »
From an already bad situation to a worse one.
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packing heat »
Carrying one or more firearms on one's person, especially in a concealed manner.
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pain in the neck »
Someone or something which is annoying, irritating or inconvenient.
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parade of horribles »
A rhetorical device employing a series of progressively more terrible results following from an act.
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party animal »
A person known for frequent, enthusiastic attendance at parties, especially one whose partying behavior is exuberant or excessive.
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pearl of wisdom »
A succinct, insightful saying, piece of advice, or moral precept.
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perfect storm »
A situation where a calamity is caused by the convergence and amplifying interaction of a number of factors.
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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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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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play one against another »
To manipulate two persons into competing against one another in a way that benefits the person carrying out the manipulation.
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pull my finger »
A phrase used when playing a prank regarding flatulence, in which a mark is asked to pull the finger of the person playing the prank, who simultaneously flatulates so as to suggest a causal relationship between the pulling of the finger and the resulting expulsion of gas.
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pull somebody's leg »
To tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting. It usually implies teasing or goading by jokingly lying.
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put a damper on »
To stop people from enjoying an activity.
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put all one's eggs in one basket »
Rather than diversifying.
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put by »
To preserve food by canning, freezing, drying, etc.
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put down »
To set down, stop carrying, or place in a low location.
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put up or shut up »
Desist from saying something unless one is able to prove it.
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put up with »
To tolerate, suffer through, or allow, esp. something annoying.
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read somebody's lips »
To discern what somebody is saying by watching the shape of the mouth rather than by hearing the sounds of the words.
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red face test »
A hypothetical test of a person's embarrassment, that is either passed or failed. Saying one passes the red face test means one would not blush and thus would not be embarrassed by disclosing something to others or doing something, and saying one fails the red face test means a situation would cause them discernible embarrassment.
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rest on one's laurels »
To rely on a past success instead of trying to improve oneself further.
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ride roughshod over »
To act in a bullying or inconsiderate manner; to display disregard towards someone or something.
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run for the roses »
A college football game or series of games played with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the championship Rose Bowl game.
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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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second fiddle »
The person playing second fiddle.
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second-guess »
Presumably from trying to guess with second sight.
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second-guess »
Presumably from trying to improve with a second stab.
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see red »
To receive a red card, and be dismissed from the playing field.
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see someone's point »
To comprehend the meaning that someone is trying to convey.
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see you later »
A phrase used at parting, and not necessarily implying that the person being addressed will be seen later by the speaker.
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sell a bargain »
A species of wit, much in vogue about the latter end of the reign of Queen Anne, and frequently alluded to by Dean Swift, who says the maids of honour often amused themselves with it. It consisted in the seller naming his or her hinder parts, in answer to the question, What? which the buyer was artfully led to ask. As a specimen, take the following instance: A lady would come into a room full of company, apparently frightened, crying out "It is white, and follows me!" As soon as someone responded "What?" she sold him the bargain, by saying "Mine arse".
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set down »
Simple sum of parts set + down, to place, especially on the ground or a surface; to cease carrying.
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shoot oneself in the foot »
To act against one's own interests, e.g., by saying what one is really thinking.
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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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sleep on »
To consider after a period of sleep, implying a decision will be made the next day.
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spit-and-polish »
Paying much attention to outward appearance.
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square meal »
A satisfying meal, especially suitable for one performing physical labor.
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squirrel away »
To stash or hide; to hoard, collect, save, or accumulate; to create a reserve, stash, or hoard of some supply, so as to recall a squirrel's burying of nuts.
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stand up »
To rise from a lying or sitting position.
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sticks and stones »
Evocative of the saying "sticks and stones may (or will) break my bones, but words (or names) will never hurt (or harm) me".1957, Brendan Gill, The Day the Money Stopped
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stretch one's legs »
To walk about, especially after prolonged time sitting or lying down.
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strike up »
To start something, usually playing live music.
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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 lying down »
To endure without complaint or protest.
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take someone's point »
To grasp the essential meaning of what a person is saying.
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take the field »
To go out onto the playing field.
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tell tales »
To be lying, to be making false claims.
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that's the way life is »
That is the way things happenCertain things cannot be changed, helped or improved; struggle and objection are pointless.1935, Louis Bromfield, The Man Who Had Everything [1], page 279:That's the way life is, and there's no use trying to go against it.1979, Jay Edward Abrams, A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption [2], ISBN 0310511011, page 45:There are no standards, no values; that's the way life is. Learn to accept it and slide with it. Stop fighting it.2002, B. Eugene Ellison, Rings of the Templars, ISBN 059524050X, page 337:Shit happens; that's the way life is. In fact, I want you to take an additional thousand for your efforts.
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the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get »
(vulgar) The sexual satisfactions that one receives from a spouse or romantic partner are not sufficient to compensate for the significant periods of bad faith and unpleasant treatment which such relationships routinely involve.1971, Allen Churchill, The Literary Decade, ISBN 9780135375228:Years later she expressed her disillusionment with sex by saying, "The fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."1999, Ben Sonnenberg, Lost Property: Memoirs and Confessions of a Bad Boy, ISBN 9781582430454, p. 93:Maitland got drunk at his parties and threw his arm around you and pulled you over to his wife and made you look down her dress, saying, "The trouble with marriage is that the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."2008, Joseph Heywood, Blue Wolf In Green Fire, ISBN 9781599213590, p. 63:"I can't believe a little pussy got me into dis mess." "Shit happens," Service said. "Sometimes the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."
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there's no point crying over spilt milk »
You should not be upset over something that cannot be undone.
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there, there »
Conveys comfort; used to calm somebody urge somebody to relax, especially when the person is crying.
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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 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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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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thumbs up »
A gesture signifying approval or okay; a thumb pointing up out of a fist.
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time flies when you're having fun »
Time seems to pass quicker when one is enjoying oneself.
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tip one's hand »
In card playing, to accidentally reveal one's cards or hand.
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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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trigger-happy »
Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm irresponsibly before adequately identifying the target.
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up the creek without a paddle »
In a difficult situation with no means of rectifying it.
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up the ying yang »
Far more than one needs.
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up to snuff »
Adequate; of acceptable or quality; satisfying an appropriate standard.
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wade in »
To interrupt someone, or a situation, by doing or saying something abruptly, or forcefully, and usually without thinking about the consequences.
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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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what's eating you »
What is annoying or bothering you?.
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window-shopping »
The browsing of shop windows without any intention of buying.
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with flying colors »
Extremely well; in an exceptional, noteworthy, or extraordinary manner.
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yield up »
To give something against one's will.
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yield up »
To disclose something hidden.
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you're never too old to learn »
It is possible to learn new things, at any age; (implying) follow your desires and dreams
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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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