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Phrases related to: keep at arm's length Page #2

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Buggins's turnThe appointment of a person by rotation or promotion, on the basis of length of service (it being that person's "turn") rather than merit or level of qualification.Rate it:

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bum's rushForcible ejection from an establishment, as of a bum (hobo); someone trying to get you to leave abruptly (quickly).Rate it:

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bumpin' ugliesmaking love; having sex (We never really say "bumping uglies", it's always shortened to bumpin' with the g silent)Rate it:

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butt outdon't be involved in (stop interfering in) what someone else is doingRate 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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button upTo fasten all the buttons on a coat, or similar item of clothing, to keep warm.Rate it:

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Button Your LipTo be quite, to keep silenceRate it:

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by george, i think she's got itan expression used to express surprise or satisfaction when someone finally understands or accomplishes something; See also "By Jove, I think he's got it"Rate it:

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by jove, i think he's got itan expression used to express surprise or satisfaction when someone finally understands or accomplishes something; see also "By George, I think she's got it"Rate it:

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can't put the words back into one's mouth fast enoughThis phrase is often said after someone said something they shouldn't have said as a way of conveying regret for having said it.Rate it:

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can't see the forest for the treesTo miss the major things while only seeing the minor details; to overlook the entire situation due to focusing on small aspectsRate it:

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cat's pajamasA highly sought-after and fancy example of something, usually referring to inanimate objects.Rate it:

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catch someone's driftIf you catch someone's drift (or get someone's drift) it means you understand what they mean; this phrase is used especially when you want to get an idea across to someone but you don't want to exactly speak the words you mean or if you think the listener may be confused about what you meanRate it:

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caveat emptorA provision of Roman law which gave the seller of a house the legal right to keep quiet about any defects of the house.Rate it:

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ces poires sont de bonne gardeThese pears will keep well.Rate it:

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chicken outBack-out of an activity because of fear or other mindless reason. Refuse to keep your word.Rate it:

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civitatem servitute oppressam tenere (Dom. 51. 131)to keep the citizens in servile subjection.Rate it:

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close outOf a wave, to break all at once, instead of progressively along its length.Rate it:

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come rain or come shineIt doesn’t matter what the circumstances are or whatever happens; whatsoever the conditions or the weather is; it's most commonly used to say that an event still happen (will not be canceled) even if it rains; See also, "rain or shine"Rate it:

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come throughNot to let somebody down, keep one's promise.Rate it:

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coming out of one's earshaving too much or too many of something; being overloaded or overwhelmedRate it:

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companyKeep the house clean, I have company coming.Rate it:

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consuetudinem suam tenere, retinere, servareto keep up a usage.Rate it:

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copias castris continereto keep the troops in camp.Rate it:

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Cost an Arm and a LegSomething very expensive and not worth the cost in few casesRate it:

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coûter bonbonto be expensive, to cost an arm and a legRate it:

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coûter la peau du culto be expensive, cost an arm and a legRate it:

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coûter la peau du dosto cost an arm and a leg: to cost too much, to be very expensiveRate it:

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coûter les yeux de la têteto cost arm and a leg, to cost the earth: to cost too much, to be very expensiveRate it:

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cuff Jonassaid of one who is knock-kneed, or who beats his sides to keep himself warm in frosty weather.Rate it:

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custodias agere in valloto keep watch on the rampart.Rate it:

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cut one's lossesTo abandon an unproductive pursuit or leave a failing situation before it gets worseRate it:

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daddy's girlA girl who has a very close relationship with her fatherRate it:

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dead men tell no talesOnce someone is dead, they can no longer communicate, hence killing someone is the best way to keep him/her quiet.Rate it:

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deliver the goodsTo keep one's promises.Rate it:

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des mots longs d'une toiseWords as long as your arm.Rate it:

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diem festum agere (of an individual)to keep, celebrate a festival.Rate it:

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diem festum celebrare (of a larger number)to keep, celebrate a festival.Rate it:

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don't bite the hand that feeds youDon't do something bad to the person who does something for you.Rate it:

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don't bite the hand that feeds youTo cause harm to a benefactor.Rate it:

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don't count your chickens before they're hatchedYou should not count on something before it happens.Rate it:

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don't count your eggs before they hatchDon't get your hopes up before things actually happenRate it:

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don't get your dander all in an uproarDon't get upset or too bothered; usually said to calm someone down from being too angry; Also said this way: Don't get your dander upRate it:

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don't put your cart before the horseThe same as saying, "First things first"; asserts that there is a certain order in which things happen and that the listener should consider that before going forward (outside of that order) regarding the matter at handRate it:

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don't threaten me with a good timea way of saying emphatically that you'd love to do something, after someone just mentioned something to doRate it:

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don't throw the baby out with the bathwaterTo discard something valuable, often inadvertently, in the process of removing waste.Rate it:

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don't zig when you should zag, once you find true love.Make the right steps and not the wrong ones when you have someone who loves you and/or you are in a relationship, in order to keep love and not lose it.Rate it:

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donner une chandelle à dieu et une au diableTo try and keep in with both parties.Rate it:

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double or nothingStatement of bravado. Usually involving a risky or gambling choice to keep going or move forward. Can also be used as a version of: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. -If you don’t take a risk, you’ll not get any reward, if you don’t try something, you won’t get any gainRate it:

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down lowAfter asking you to "high five" or saying "up top" someone will then say "down low". This means they are asking you to "high five" or tap the palm of their hand with the palm of your hand down lower--about waist high--as they extend their hand out toward you. If you don't respond timely they may take their hand away and say "too slow" then laugh. It's just something Americans do to have fun.Rate it:

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