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Phrases related to: instrumental action

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a bridge too farA step or action that is too ambitious; an act of overreaching.Rate it:

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a day late and a dollar shortAction that was taken too late and too feeble to be of any use.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
a drop in the bucketAn effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem.Rate it:

(3.00 / 3 votes)
a force for goodsomething or someone, or an action that inspires or stands for morals, principles, laws and makes the world a a more fair and just placeRate it:

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à tous les coups on gagneExclamation de dépit prononcée lorsqu'on vient de répéter par mégarde une action qui a toujours des conséquences fâcheuses.Rate it:

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a whopperReference a statement, action, prevarication, story, hooked fish, enlarged or magnified presentation.Rate it:

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abstract verbA verb of motion whose motion is multidirectional (as opposed to unidirectional) or indirect, or whose action is repeated or in a series (iterative), instead of being a single, completed action. Abstract verbs are always imperfective in aspect, even with prefixes that are normally associated with the perfective aspect.Rate it:

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act up toTo equal in action; to fulfill in practice.Rate it:

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act uponTo take action on the basis of information received or deduced.Rate it:

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action stillFotografía fija que procede de la ampliación de un fotograma, tomado directamente de la película y que normalmente se utiliza con fines publicitarios.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
all bark and no biteFull of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.Rate it:

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all hat and no cattleFull of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
all piss and wind like a barber catAll talk and noise with no actionRate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
all rights reservedThe copyright holder of a creative work reserves all copyright-related rights, typically including the right to publish the work, to make derivative works of it, to distribute it, to make profit from it, to license a number of these rights to other people, and to forbid these uses by any unauthorized people, thus being entitled to take legal action against infringement.Rate it:

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all talk and no actionSpeaking, promising, or boasting much, but doing littleRate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
and be done with itUsed to terminate discussion or delay with a call to actionRate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
aqui se faz, aqui se pagaEvery action brings its consequences.Rate it:

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ask forTo increase the likelihood of something by persisting in some action; to invite.Rate it:

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ask for itTo provoke an unwanted action.Rate 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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bat on a sticky wicketTo take action in unfavourable conditions.Rate it:

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be the way to goRepresent the best of all possible options or courses of action; pre-eminate over all other choices or alternatives.Rate it:

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bell the catTo undertake a dangerous action in the service of a group.Rate it:

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blood and thunderViolent action and language, esp. of a melodramatic kindRate it:

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blow the whistleTo make a piercing sound which signals a referee's action or the end of a game.Rate it:

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blow-by-blowDetailing every action or occurrence completely.Rate it:

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BOHICAAcronym of bend over, here it comes again. Used colloquially to indicate that an adverse situation is about to repeat itself, and that acquiescence is the wisest or only course of action.Rate it:

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boil overTo reach the point where aggressive action is taken.Rate it:

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boots on the groundThe ground forces actually fighting in a war or conflict, rather than troops not engaged or other military action such as air strikes.Rate it:

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bottle outTo fail to perform a promised or planned action due to lack of courage.Rate it:

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bridge too farA step or action that is too ambitious; an act of overreaching.Rate it:

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bust chopsTo nag; to berate or hound in an effort to elicit action.Rate it:

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c'est à la fin du bal qu'on paie les musiciensLa récompense ou l'échec n'est assuré qu'à la fin de l'action.Rate it:

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call someone's bluffTo take action on the basis that another person is bluffing.Rate it:

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

(1.83 / 6 votes)
can't do right for doing wrongBe in a situation where any course of action leads to a negative outcome.Rate it:

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carmen, versum agereto recite a poem, line with appropriate action.Rate it:

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cease and desistTo stop and not resume an action.Rate it:

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clear the decksTo prepare for action.Rate it:

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clear your conscienceAn apology, a return of a book, pay-up on a forgotten loan, an overt action, a harsh, undeserved criticism of a subaltern.Rate it:

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closing timeUsed to suggest that a deadline for action is imminent.Rate it:

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come onA statement or sometimes action reflecting sexual or relational interest.Rate it:

(3.33 / 3 votes)
cop-outAvoidance or inadequate performance of a task or duty; the action of copping out.Rate it:

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coulda, woulda, shouldaAn expression of dismissiveness or disappointment concerning a statement, question, explanation, course of action, or occurrence involving hypothetical possibilities, uncertain facts, or missed opportunities.Rate it:

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cross the aisleTo vote, unite, or otherwise co-operate with members of another political party in order to achieve governmental or political action.Rate it:

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cross the rubiconTo make an irreversible decision or to take an action with consequences.Rate it:

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crossing the barNavigating the dangerous wave action encountered at delta junction of river mouth and ocean reaches.Rate it:

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cruising for a bruisingFollowing a course of action likely to result in injury or other trouble for oneself.Rate it:

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cui bonoThe principle that the ultimate initiator of an action is likely the person who stands to gain from the action.Rate it:

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culpam committere, contrahereto commit some blameworthy action.Rate it:

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