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Phrases related to: can of worms Page #2

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apple does not fall far from the treeA child grows up to be very similar to its parents, both in behavior and in physical characteristics.1842, E. A. Freidlaender (translator), Frederika Bremer (author), The Neighbours, ch. 10:It is impossible to look at Madam Rhen, without at once making the conclusion that she is pleasantness, hospitality, and loquacity itself; nor can one look upon her daughter Renetta without thinking, "the apple does not fall far from the tree!"1978, Dr. Isador Rosenfeld, "Doctor Asks Patient Rate it:

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après lui il faut tirer l'échelleOne cannot do better than he has; No one can come up to him in that; That takes the cake.Rate it:

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april showers bring may flowersApril, traditionally a rainy period, gives way to May, when flowers will bloom because of the water provided to them by the April rains.By extension, that a period of discomfort can provide the basis for a period of happiness.Rate it:

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arm candyAn attractive, seemingly romantic companion who accompanies a person in public simply so that one or both of the individuals can gain attention, enhance social status, or create an impression of sexual appeal.Rate it:

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as best one canIn the best possible way, given the circumstances.Rate it:

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as the twig is bent, so the tree's inclinedAn early influence can have permanent effects.Rate it:

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assume the positionTo turn away, with your hands in a visible and unmovable position so that you can be searchedRate it:

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back to the wall(Can we clean up this sense?) A very difficult situation with no beneficial options available for action.Rate it:

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backhanded complimentan insult disguised as a compliment; a compliment which can be interpreted as an insult.Rate it:

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bad offan extreme or severe situation i.e. badly beaten, in poor health or poor mental well being i.e. hurt, not doing well, struggling to stay alive, etc.; can also mean poor financially or bad in some other wayRate it:

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bargain basementAn area within a retail store, especially an area located below ground level, where the least costly merchandise can be found.Rate it:

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barking-up the wrong tree:{Coon Hunters Remark:} Coon Dogs Chase Raccoon up Trees. They Bark at the Tree so Hunter Can 'Shoot' Coon out of the Tree:Rate it:

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based on experiencethe purpose or a new work can be designed having few numbers or data from the previous successful execution.Rate it:

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be an open bookOne's life and times can be an open book by simply sharing, answering queries, being forthright, carrying no baggage or disagreements.Rate it:

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before you can say boo.It means that you need to do it before you can say anythingRate it:

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before you can say jack robinsonVery quickly. Quicker than you expect.Rate it:

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before you can say knifeVery quickly; quicker than one expects.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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beggars can't be choosers(proverb) When resources are limited, one must accept even substandard things.Rate it:

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beyond wordsIn recalling an incident, in observing an accident, any or all of which can be disastrous and shocking. A destructive fire and explosion may leave one awestruck and beyond words to describe.Rate it:

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big yearan informal competition among birdwatchers to see who can see or hear the largest number of species of birds within a single calendar year and within a specific geographical area.Rate it:

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bite off more than one can chewTo try to do too much; to take on or attempt more than one is capable of doing.Rate it:

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Bite Off More Than You Can ChewTo take on something more than of its actual capacity, a person, who tries to accomplish too much, or is greedy by nature, or overconfident or too much motivated, taking more responsibility or task that a person can manageRate it:

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blank canvasSomething with no content, upon which one can easily impose one's point of viewRate it:

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blindA covering for a window to keep out light. The covering may be made of cloth or of narrow slats that can block light or allow it to pass.Rate it:

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blood is thicker than waterFamily relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.1866, Anthony Trollope, The Belton Estate, ch. 30,Blood is thicker than water, is it not? If cousins are not friends, who can be?circa 1915, Lucy Fitch Perkins, The Scotch Twins, ch. 5,The old clans are scattered now, but blood is thicker than water still, and you're welcome to the fireside of your kinsman!Rate it:

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Blood is Thicker than WaterThere is no other replacement for blood relations. What a person from your family or relatives can do for you, will not be done by strangers in a good senseRate it:

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bone of contentionSomething that continues to be disputed; something on which no agreement can be reached.Rate it:

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

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boots on the groundThis smacks of a military jargon. Troops deployed to confront enemy. Modern warfare can be conducted from helicopters, drones, bombers with remote directed missiles, rockets and missiles from ships.Rate it:

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booze canA nightclub or bar, especially one which operates illegally or is otherwise disreputable.Rate it:

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borrowed timeA period of time whose precise duration is not known but which can be expected to be quite limited, and at the end of which one's situation, benefits, or opportunities will be entirely terminated.Rate it:

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bottomless pitA person who can keep eating without ever seeming to fill up, or a vessel which never fills however much is added.Rate it:

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bridgeAn elevated platform above the upper deck of a mechanically propelled ship from which it is navigated and from which all activities on deck can be seen and controlled by the captain, etc; smaller ships have a wheelhouse, and sailing ships were controlled from a quarterdeck.Rate it:

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burned outIndividuals whom expend more energy and funds than they really possess can overdo, go bankrupt or savage their health status.Rate it:

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c'est à n'y pas croireIt is not to be believed; It is so extraordinary (incredible, preposterous) that we can hardly believe it.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 là son moindre défautThat is not a great weakness of hers (or, his); That is the last thing you can reproach her (or, him) with.Rate it:

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c'est mon dernier motThat is the last concession I can make; I will not take less.Rate it:

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c'est un homme que j'ai dans la mainHe is a man I hold in the hollow of my hand, i.e. I can make him do what I like.Rate it:

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can do withTo need; to want; to be in a position to benefit from.Rate it:

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can I buy you a drinkIndicates the speaker wishes to buy the interlocutor a drink, in a bar.Rate it:

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can I come inAsks for permission to enter a room.Rate it:

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can I use your phoneIndicates that the speaker wants to communicate with someone via the interlocutor's telephone, if it is available.Rate it:

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can itTo silence; to quit doing something; to put an end to something.Rate it:

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can of cornAn easily caught fly ball.Rate it:

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can of wormsA complex, troublesome situation arising when a decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems.Rate it:

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can of wormsA troublesome situation; an issue whose resolution is difficult or contentious, but not necessarily complex.Rate it:

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can we sayUsed sarcastically to draw attention to a motive or agenda.Rate it:

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can you hear me looking at youSelf explanatoryRate it:

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