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Phrases related to: have one's back to the wall Page #15

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build castles in the airTo imagine visionary projects or schemes; to daydream; to have an idle fancy, a pipe dream or any plan, desire, or idea that is unlikely to be realized.Rate it:

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bum rapA false accusation, or an injustice, especially one that leads to imprisonment.Rate it:

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bump in the roadA setback or obstacle, especially one which is relatively minor.Rate it:

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bun fightAn altercation, especially one which is chaotic, not terribly serious, or outright ridiculous.Rate it:

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bun fightA formal party or other social gathering, especially one at which food is served.Rate it:

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bundle of energyOne who is especially lively, continually active, or industrious.Rate it:

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burn a hole in one's pocketTo cause someone to be tempted to spend money.Rate it:

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burn one's bridgesTo destroy one's path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc.Rate it:

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burn one's candle at both endsTo work extremely or excessively hard; to work too hard for good health or peace of mind.Rate it:

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burn one's fingersTo harm oneself; to suffer consequences of one's actions.Rate it:

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bury one's head in the sandTo deliberately ignore the reality of a situation; to pretend a problem does not exist.Rate it:

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business before pleasureAn admonishment that discharging one's obligations must take precedence over devoting time to pursuits meant solely for one's own gratification.Rate it:

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bust a gutTo laugh vehemently or uncontrollably; Any reaction (to some news or a sudden change) which is furious, violent, or of an extreme nature; Also one of many similar euphemisms meaning to highly exert oneselfRate it:

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bust one's assTo work very hard, to put in a lot of effort.Rate it:

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bust one's ballsto work very hard; to put in a lot of effort.Rate it:

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bust one's buttTo work exceptionally hard.Rate it:

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bust one's chopsTo exert oneself.Rate it:

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but for the grace of GodWere it not for God's help, someone could have suffered that outcome.Rate it:

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but, satisfaction brought it backa common rejoinder to "curiosity killed the cat"Rate it:

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butt inTo join a conversation or situation in which one is not welcome or invited; to interjectRate it:

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butter one's bread on both sidesTo profit from two things at the same time, especially when those things seem contradictory or incompatible.Rate it:

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button one's lipTo remain silent, especially in order to keep a secret or to avoid saying something inappropriate.Rate it:

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buy backto purchase something already sold, misplaced, destroyed or given awayRate it:

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by all accountsAccording to everything that people have said.Rate it:

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by any stretch of the imaginationby any means; in any sense; regardless of how one puts or considers itRate it:

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by hook or by crookBy any means possible; one way or another.Rate it:

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by one's lightsAccording to one's understanding.Rate it:

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by one's own handAs a result of one's own actions, especially with reference to death by suicide.Rate it:

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by the skin of one's teethBarely; closely; by a narrow margin; with nothing to spare.Rate it:

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c'est à qui le feraThey all wish to do it; They vie with one another to do it. Rate it:

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c'est bien le cas de le direOne may indeed say so.Rate it:

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c'est bonnet blanc et blanc bonnetIt is six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.Rate it:

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c'est ceci, c'est celaIt is sometimes one thing, sometimes another.Rate it:

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c'est comme le couteau de jeannotThat is like the Irishman’s gun (said of anything that has been mended so often as to have nothing of the original left).Rate it:

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c'est du plus loin qu'il me souvienne1. I can barely remember it. 2. It is as far back as I can recollect.Rate it:

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c'est entendu, à la charge d'autant (or, de revanche)I will do the same for you; One good turn deserves another.Rate it:

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c'est la faim qui épouse la soifThey are both very poor; It is one beggar marrying another.Rate it:

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c'est le secret de polichinelleIt is an open secret; Every one knows it.Rate it:

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c'est lui qui fait les sottises et c'est moi qui en paye la façonHe commits the mistakes and I have to pay for them.Rate it:

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c'est sa tarte à la crèmeIt is his one constant objection.Rate 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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c'est un des gros bonnets (or, légumes) de l'endroitHe is one of the bigwigs of the place.Rate it:

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c'est un homme comme il en fautHe is one of the right sort.Rate it:

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c'est une fine moucheHe is a sly dog, a deep one.Rate it:

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ça y estthere we go, there you go, there you have it, that's it, etc.Rate it:

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caeco impetu ferrito have no principles.Rate it:

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café para todosone size fits all; everyone should be treated exactly the sameRate it:

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cala-te, bocaSaid when one is making a malicious statement or badmouthing someone.Rate it:

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calamitatibus defungito come to the end of one's troubles.Rate it:

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call 'em as one sees 'emTo candidly and honestly express an opinion or viewpoint.Rate it:

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