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Phrases related to: instrumental action Page #2

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hem and hawTo discuss, deliberate, or contemplate rather than taking action.Rate it:

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in for an inch, in for a mileGiven that one is partly involved in or committed to a project, action, position, etc., there is no reason to refrain from becoming fully involved or fully committed.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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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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object lessonAnything used an example or lesson which serves to warn others as to the outcomes that result from a particular action or behavior, as exemplified by the fates of those who followed that course.Rate it:

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pump upTo inflate with a pumping action.Rate it:

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run awayTo leave home, or other place of residence, usually unannounced, or to make good on a threat, with such action usually performed by a child or juvenile.Rate it:

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scrape offTo remove something by a scraping action.Rate it:

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two wrongs make a rightA logical fallacy whereby a wrongful action is justified by the commission of anotherRate 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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so crazy it just might workPossibly feasible though unconventional; plausible and previously unconsidered as a course of action.Rate it:

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walk a tightropeTo undertake a precarious course of action.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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wait for the other shoe to dropTo defer action or decision until another matter is finished or resolved.Rate it:

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to not let any grass grow under one's feetto be always active and never delay in taking an actionRate it:

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hitch one's wagon to a starTo commit to an aspirational goal or course of action that will lead to fulfillment.Rate it:

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hold with the hare and run with the houndsTo oppose an action or behavior and yet engage in the same action or behavior; to be a hypocrite.Rate it:

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nod's as good as a wink to a blind batThe idea/proposed action is inconsequential to the current situation.Rate it:

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shit or get off the potTo choose between taking action now, or foregoing the opportunity until a later date.Rate it:

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sorry, not sorryUsed to sarcastically express a lack of guilt over an action or statement.Rate it:

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ten points to GryffindorUsed to praise someone for a statement or action viewed as commendable.Rate it:

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there is reason in the roasting of eggsThere is a reason behind even the most odd and seemingly unnecessary action.Rate it:

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two birds with one stoneAny two things that were performed or completed at the same time by one action.Rate it:

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use a sledgehammer to crack a nutTo use significantly excessive force to carry out an action; to do something overzealouslyRate it:

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

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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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aqui se faz, aqui se pagaEvery action brings its consequences.Rate it:

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ask for itTo provoke an unwanted 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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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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call someone's bluffTo take action on the basis that another person is bluffing.Rate it:

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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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