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Phrases related to: military action Page #4

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it's not the whistle that pulls the trainBoasting and loud talk should not be mistaken for the work that produces real achievements; bravado is no proof of action.1956, James Reston, "Washington: It's Not the Whistle that Pulls the Train," New York Times, 1 July, p. E8:Rate it:

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jump before one is pushedto perform an action before being forced to do so.Rate it:

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jump the gun!Take Premature Action:, Begin to run before the report of the starter's gun! Illegal actions:Rate it:

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keep one’s powder dryConserve one’s resources until they are needed; be ready to take action if necessaryRate it:

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keep the ball rollingTo continue an action indicated in the context; to sustain a process.Rate it:

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keep your heads down!A military admonishment to infantrymen while crawling under barbed wire or across terrain toward the enemy.Rate it:

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kick buttThe words describe an action. The words can also describe a command for immediate physical action. Frequently used by military officers, sports team coaches and other leaders. Variations include street talk.Rate it:

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kick the can down the roadTo postpone a decision or action.Rate it:

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Kill Two Birds with One StoneTo achieve or carry out two things with one effort, to do two things in one actionRate it:

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Kilroy was hereInserted in the manner of graffiti in many remote and difficult-to-access locations to mark the presence of American workers or military personnel.Rate it:

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knock on woodA self-directive to undertake the customary action to ward off bad luck.Rate it:

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knock on woodTo take a customary action to ward off some misfortune that is believed to be attracted my a presumptuous statement.Rate it:

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last postmilitary bugle callRate it:

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lather, rinse, repeatIndicating that an action or process was repeated, or needs to be repeated.Rate it:

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let slideTo let go, allow, release, pass over without action.Rate it:

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let's not and say we didIndicates that the speaker does not agree with a proposed action and does not wish to participate; often said as a joke--sometimes as an expression that the speaker doesn't want to do the proposed action or to indicate that they are happy doing what they are doing and don't want to change that by doing the proposed actionRate it:

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let's get the party startedLet's go; let's get this done; let's start more intense action.Rate it:

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let's rollUsed to suggest that an action should begin.Rate it:

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letters after one's nameA list of abbreviations, separated by commas, representing the academic qualifications and civil or military honours achieved by a person.Rate it:

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libel chillUneasiness or unwillingness to speak publicly or to write about a matter, as a result of the threat or suggestion of legal action should one do so.Rate it:

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lights, camera, actionThe traditional cue to the members of a film crew at the beginning of a take.Rate it:

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like a bull at a gatecharging into some task without much thought, taking action hastilyRate it:

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like turkeys voting for ChristmasSelf-defeating or serving to bring about a situation detrimental to the person performing the action.Rate it:

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lip serviceEmpty talk; words absent of action or intention.Rate it:

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long screwdriverInterference (usually in military matters) by politicians.Rate it:

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low roadA course of action which is undignified, wrongful, or otherwise unseemly.Rate it:

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luzes, câmera, açãolights, camera, actionRate it:

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magistratus et imperia (Sall. Iug. 3. 1)civil and military offices.Rate it:

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magnum usum in re militari habere (Sest. 5. 12)to possess great experience in military matters.Rate it:

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make a differenceTo carry out an action, the result of which is a significant change, or an altered circumstance.Rate it:

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make a monkey out ofTo cause a person, organization, or action to appear foolish or inferior; to subject someone or something to ridicule..Rate it:

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make a moveTo initiate a conversation or perform an action intended to engage the willing attention of a person in whom one has a romantic or sexual interest.Rate it:

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make a virtue of necessityTo make the best of a difficult situation; to recast or portray an action or situation in which one has no alternatives as an action or situation which was deliberately chosen on its merits.Rate it:

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make hay while the sun shinesTo act while an opportunity exists; to take action while a situation is favorable.Rate it:

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man-of-warUsed other than as an idiom: see man, of, war. (A military man.)Rate it:

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map out my dayAn action to formulate, plan, schedule one's energies, or attention to various agendas in order of importance:Rate it:

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marching ordersInstructions for action.Rate it:

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Mark Time!Stay With IT!, Us, the Action, The Group, The Program, the Thrust, 'What's Going-On'!Rate it:

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may as wellUsed to reluctantly express that there is no better alternative to do than do a certain actionRate it:

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measure twice and cut once(literally, carpentry) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.1872, "Dressmaking," Hall's Journal of Health, vol. 19, no. 12, p. 280:Look at Carpenters! . . . In old times it was a proverb "Measure twice, and cut once."(figuratively, by extension) Plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action.2008, Hilary Johnson, "Mergers rattle bank relations," Financial Week, 9 Nov. (retrieved 9 Nov. 2008):Mr. Paz noted that since the onset of the credit crisis, eBay, like other companies, hasnRate it:

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might as wellUsed to reluctantly express that there is no better alternative to do than do a certain actionRate it:

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milites sacramento rogare, adigereto make soldiers take the military oath.Rate it:

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militiae vacationem habereto be excused military duty.Rate it:

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militiam detrectare, subterfugereto try to avoid military service.Rate it:

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miss the boatTo fail to take advantage of an opportunity; to overlook or be too late to pursue an option or course of action.Rate it:

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mission creepGradual expansion of the objectives, scope, and/or cost of a military mission without careful planning.Rate it:

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more than one bargained forAn unexpected and, usually, unwanted result of a decision or action.Rate it:

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nail in the coffinAn action that will lead something to come to a final finish.Rate it:

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navem expedireto clear for action.Rate it:

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ne bis in idemThe concept that no legal action can be instituted twice for the same cause.Rate it:

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