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Phrases related to: either-or

Yee yee! We've found 89 phrases and idioms matching either-or.

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longe, alte (longius, altius) repetere (either absolute or ab aliqua re)to go a long way back (in narrative).Rate it:

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board upTo block doors or windows with boards, either to prevent access or as protection from storms, etc.Rate it:

(5.00 / 6 votes)
calm before the stormA time of peace before any storm or disaster--either an actual storm or hurricane or figuratively to mean any calm before anything bad happensRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
damned if one does and damned if one doesn'tA dilemma where either choice results in a negative outcome.Rate it:

(5.00 / 3 votes)
square peg into a round holeThe phrase is typically said, "You cant fit a square peg into a round hole." Often it is shortened to simply "square peg, round hole." Something or someone that does not fit well or at all; something that will not succeed as attempted, except possibly with much force and effort, or alteration of either the peg or the hole or both beyond recognition.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
tip outAn amount or percentage of a server's tips that the server shares, either voluntarily or as mandated in a tip sharing or tip pooling agreement, with other employees such as bussers, bartenders, back waiters and host/hostesses whose job duties indirectly assist the server.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
"never mind your mother sonny.... eat your bleedin' orange"I worked with a man from Foulridge, Lancashire for over 35 years who often used this phrase whenever there was a problem and he wasn't sure of the answer!.. Said the phrase came from a "chap I used to work with in Colne... but he didn't know what it meant either"Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
face offEither an actual or a figurative face to face confrontation, especially a bitter one.Rate it:

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i am what i amI can't help the way I am. The underlying meaning is that I am not going to change either.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
peas and carrotsa phrase used by actors in background scenes that is either verbally said or mouthed to other actors so that their lips moveRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
stop throwing shadesThis means to refrain from throwing sarcasm to a person either via SMS or in personal conversation. It calls to rather get direct to the point. It is like firing a bullet at point blank.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
old schoolCharacteristic of a style, outlook, or method employed in a former era, remembered either as inferior to the current style, or alternately, remembered nostalgically as superior or preferable to the new style, the older denoting something that would be considered out of date or out of fashion to some, but as such, is considered by others as cool and hip.Rate it:

(3.67 / 3 votes)
empty promiseA promise that is either not going to be carried out, worthless or meaningless.Rate it:

(3.60 / 5 votes)
chip shotA shot in which the ball is kicked from underneath with accuracy but with less than maximum force, to launch it high into the air in order either to pass it over the heads of opponents or to score a goal.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
a boon or a baneSomething that can be either a benefit or an affliction.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
break offTo end abruptly, either temporarily or permanently.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
red face testA 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.Rate it:

(3.00 / 4 votes)
tip the scaleTo change the fortunes, either positively or negatively.Rate it:

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better dead than redIt is preferable to be deceased rather than to be either a Communist or ruled by Communists.Rate it:

(2.00 / 6 votes)
go to the matTo continue to struggle or fight until either victorious or defeated.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
have one's head up one's assTo be oblivious to the real state of things, from either stupidity or stubbornness.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
well, i'll be dipped (in a barrell of beer!)When one is completely taken aback by the facts at hand. Can be expressed in both elation and/or frustration. Also, depending on the level of either of the forementioned emotions, the phrase goes from the simple short version of, "(Well), I'll Be Dipped.(!) to the extended version of, "(Well), I'll be Dipped In A Barrell of Beer.(!)Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
das duas, umaeither one or the otherRate it:

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twinkle in one's father's eyeA notional look of anticipation or hope (either for sex or a child) in one's father's eyes at or around the time of one's conception.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
'nuff saidUsed in various situations to either end a discussion, or to imply that further discussion is not needed.Rate it:

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atomic cocktailA drinkable liquid containing a radioactive substance, used in health care either as a diagnostic aid or as a treatment, especially for cancer of the thyroid.Rate it:

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beat the pants offTo thoroughly and decisively defeat someone, either in a physical fight or, figuratively, in a competition.Rate it:

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beg for mercyThis can be taken quite literally and simply means to plead for kindness - either to be spared or at least killed as quickly and painlessly as possible. Particularly when you are in a helpless position.Rate it:

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boon or baneSomething that can be either a benefit or an affliction.Rate it:

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box offTo turn the head of a vessel either way by bracing the headyards aback.Rate it:

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bread-and-butterA saying specifically used to ward off bad luck when separating hands to walk either side of a treeRate it:

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c'est tout un ou tout autreIt is either one thing or the other.Rate it:

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cop outTo avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.Rate it:

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cut a wide swathTo clear a broad track through a grassland, woodland, geographical region, or other area, either by natural means or by human action.Rate it:

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dog and catA team comprised of one male and one female, who are either working as associates or where one is the second in command to the other.Rate it:

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donner raison à quelqu'unTo say any one is right; To give satisfaction to any one (either legally or by a duel).Rate it:

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era só o que me faltavaliterally: “ was the only missing piece for me/ was just what I was missing.” either expresses impatience towards yet another misfortune or expresses disbelief towards an absurd statement: “give me a break!”Rate it:

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être marqué au bTo be either hump-backed, one-eyed, lame, or a stutterer.Rate it:

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exponere aliquid or de aliqua reto give an account of a thing (either orally or in writing).Rate it:

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fall between two stoolsTo attempt two tasks and fail at both, when either one could have been accomplished singly.Rate it:

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feast or famineA situation in which something is always either extremely abundant or in extremely short supply.Rate it:

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Feast or FamineEither you have too much of something or too little of it, something which is surplus sometimes and sometimes you have its shortageRate it:

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fink outTo avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.Rate it:

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Fish or Cut BaitEither do something or let others do without delaying, to finally make a choiceRate it:

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fresh meatA person or group of people who arouse one's interest, either as a new target for deception, humiliation or ridicule, or as a potential love interest or one night stand.Rate it:

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game overThe end of some ongoing situation due to either failure or success.Rate it:

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get someone's back upTo annoy a person either deliberately or inadvertently.Rate it:

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go down onTo perform oral sex upon (either sex).Rate it:

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grand entranceTo enter a room or event with an as if you are a person of royalty or importance, either real or perceived (ie. by the person entering or by their peers at the event.Rate it:

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how's the weather up thereAsked to tall people or someone that is at a high vantage point, either literally or metaphorically.Rate it:

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Nah don't pay any attention to them, they're only ________ tears.
A crocodile
B fish
C fake
D alligator

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