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Phrases related to: not by any means Page #13

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vicar of brayA person who changes their beliefs and principles to stay popular with people above them is a Vicar of Bray. The religious upheavals in England from 1533 to 1559 and from 1633 to 1715 made it almost impossible for any individual to comply with the successive religious requirements of the state.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pigYou can try to change something or one's outward appearance, but it will not change the inward appearance. Even if you put lipstick on a pig, it will always roll in mud and grunt.Rate it:

(4.00 / 4 votes)
turn to stoneTo become completely still, not moving. The phrase "turn to stone" typically means to become motionless, rigid, or unresponsive. It can also refer to becoming emotionally numb or unfeeling. The phrase has its origins in Greek mythology, where the Gorgon Medusa was said to have the power to turn anyone who looked at her into stone. In this context, "turning to stone" meant to become petrified, frozen, and unable to move. In a more metaphorical sense, "turning to stone" can refer to becoming emotionally or mentally rigid, closed off, or unresponsive. For example, a person might be said to have "turned to stone" if they have experienced trauma or emotional distress that has left them numb or unfeeling. The phrase can also be used to describe a situation where a person or group of people becomes unresponsive or unwilling to change their views or actions. For example, a team that is stuck in their ways and resistant to change might be said to have "turned to stone" in terms of their ability to adapt and evolve. Overall, the phrase "turn to stone" implies a sense of rigidity, immobility, and unresponsiveness. It can refer to becoming physically or emotionally petrified, and it can also describe a situation where a person or group is unwilling or unable to change or adapt.Rate it:

(3.86 / 7 votes)
don't look a gift horse in the mouthDo not unappreciatively question a gift or handout too closely.Rate it:

(3.80 / 5 votes)
get thee behind meDo not tempt or torment me; I reject you, your statements, or your beliefs.Rate it:

(3.75 / 4 votes)
you can't always get what you wantIt is not always possible to get what is wanted.Rate it:

(3.75 / 4 votes)
beat a dead horseTo persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.Rate it:

(3.67 / 3 votes)
keep downTo cause not to increase or rise.Rate it:

(3.67 / 3 votes)
Let Sleeping Dogs LieNot to invite trouble, to be calm and avoid stirring any possible troubleRate it:

(3.67 / 3 votes)
rainy dayA difficult period of need, when things do not go right.Rate it:

(3.67 / 3 votes)
empty promiseA promise that is either not going to be carried out, worthless or meaningless.Rate it:

(3.60 / 5 votes)
never in a million yearsAbsolutely not.Rate it:

(3.55 / 11 votes)
a few sandwiches short of a picnicExhibiting disquiet or unsoundness of mind; not sane; mad.Rate it:

(3.50 / 4 votes)
a side glance!Offering/Receiving, observing a straight forward focus of attention, without any variation of head or eye movement.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
asleep at the wheelto not pay attentionRate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
Blind Leading the BlindUninformed people, who try to lead or inform others, or it is about someone, who is not well equipped but wants to educate othersRate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
neither fish, flesh, nor good red herringUnsuitable for anyone or anything; unfit for any purpose.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
quarter pastFifteen minutes past any hour.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
Take With a Grain of SaltTo be in a doubt about something; not to believe entirelyRate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
Leave No Stone UnturnedMake all efforts to accomplish any task or somethingRate it:

(3.40 / 5 votes)
jump for joyAn expression of extreme happiness for any reason.Rate it:

(3.33 / 3 votes)
rule of thumbA general guideline, rather than a strict rule; an approximate measure or means of reckoning based on experience or common knowledge.Rate it:

(3.33 / 3 votes)
seeding on the rockEffort not worth doingRate it:

(3.33 / 3 votes)
soft as a baby's bottomextremely soft (not rough)Rate it:

(3.33 / 6 votes)
yellow-belliedcowardly; not courageousRate it:

(3.33 / 3 votes)
as agile as a monkeythe agility of monkeys in well- known by everyone! to say that someone is agile as a monkey means that he is very agileRate it:

(3.27 / 11 votes)
a fresh fucked fox in a forest fireSomething which is extremely hot, in any sense. Hot weather, sexual arousal, one who is wanted by the police, etc. are all described as "hotter than..." or "as hot as a fresh fucked fox in a forest fire",Rate it:

(3.14 / 7 votes)
800-pound gorillaSomething dangerous, menacing, or spooky that is obvious but not addressed.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
a house divided against itself cannot standA group or organisation weakened by internal dissent will not remain united.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
ancient historyThat which happened a long time ago and not worth discussing any more.Rate it:

(3.00 / 3 votes)
as agile as a monkeyif you say someone is as agile as a monkey then you are saying that the person is able to move as fast and easy as a monkey; therefore, as agile as a monkey means being able to move as swift and easy as a monkeyRate it:

(3.00 / 7 votes)
autant en emporte le ventThat is but so much breath spent in vain; It is not of the slightest consequence.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stickBetter than nothing; not unsatisfactory but also not a reason for enthusiastic excitement.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
body of waterAny significant accumulation of water, usually covering the Earth or another planet, such as a river, lake or a bay.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
do you accept credit cardsUsed to ask whether or not products or services may be paid for by credit card.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
dog and pony showAny presentation or display that is overly contrived or intricate.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
Don't Look a Gift Horse in the MouthDon’t complain if you get gift that is not as good as you expect; accept what you've been given without analyzing its valueRate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
don't try this at homeA caution that the activity being described or demonstrated is not safe.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
drain the swamp when up to one's neck in alligators(idiomatic) When performing a long and complex task, and when you've gotten utterly immersed in secondary and tertiary unexpected tangential subtasks, it's easy to lose sight of the initial objective. This sort of distraction can be particularly problematic if the all-consuming subtask or sub-subtask is not, after all, particularly vital to the original, primary goal, but ends up sucking up time and resources (out of all proportion to its actual importance) only because it seems so urgent.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
ejusdem generisA canon of construction holding that when a general term follows a list of particular terms, the general term only applies to things similar to the particular terms. For example, in the list "sun, moon, and other large objects", the phrase "other large objects" only includes celestial bodies, not houses and elephants.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
exit stage leftAn orderly and uneventful departure, timed so as not to detract or distract.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
free lunchSomething obtained without any payment, obligation or effort.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
ghost of a chanceusually negative meaning is will not happen.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
gray areaA part that is not clear or certain; something that is open to interpretation.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
handy as "pockets in your underwire"Means "not at all handy"Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
hell mend someoneExpressing exasperation at someone whose behavior is likely to result in trouble but who will not heed warnings.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
I'm all right, JackIndicates a selfish attitude, not worried about any problems one's friends and neighbours might have. Often associated with strikes and other trade union industrial actions.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchenIf you cannot handle the pressure, you should not be in a position where you have to deal with it.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
in the pink of healthIn very good health. The phrase "in the pink of health" means to be in very good health or excellent physical condition. It is a positive expression used to describe someone who is healthy, fit, and free from illness or disease.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
it doesn't matterit is not important; do not fretRate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)

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