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Phrases related to: not touch something with a barge pole Page #24

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Soft SoapTo gently or politely urge someone to do something, to persuade someone with sweet-talking or butteringRate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
speak softly and carry a big stickDo not boast or utter verbal threats, but do make others aware that you are prepared to use physical force if necessary.Rate it:

(2.00 / 2 votes)
sunder outTo remove a piece of something from the whole; separate out.Rate it:

(2.00 / 2 votes)
the world is one's oysterIn order to achieve something in this world, one has to grab the opportunity.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
to thine own self be trueThe easiest person to deceive is oneself."This above all:to thine own self be true,and it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man." -William ShakespeareRate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
whip into shapeTo exert considerable effort to change something or someone into a desired state.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
somewhat of a surpriseNot a complete surpriseRate it:

(1.75 / 4 votes)
stiff as a wedding dickSomething is very hardRate it:

(1.75 / 4 votes)
bang up jobSomething done very well; something performed above average or better than expected.Rate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
hop upto make something, especially a machine, better (faster, bigger etc.)Rate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
keep one's eye on the ballMy ethos has always been to be very straight with people, tell it as it is. It doesn't often make people happy but I found that over a period of time it's better to be that way. So being straight, also being very focused on your objectives, keep your eye on the ball and not get deflected away from it.Rate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
put one pastTo deceive, trick, or fool, especially by concealing something.Rate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
sight to beholdSomething amazing or spectacularRate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
small beerSomething that is of relatively little importance.Rate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
under fireCriticized or held responsible for something.Rate it:

(1.33 / 3 votes)
ace up one's sleeveA surprise advantage of which others are not aware.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
anyone's guessA mystery, something unpredictable.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
Appendix:Snowclones/don't X meUsed as a reply, it means "don't say X to me", where X is something that the interlocutor just said.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
arse about faceSomething that is placed or arranged the opposite way to the way it should be.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
back-burnerHaving low urgency; not currently important.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
Behind the Eight BallGetting into trouble or difficult situation due to bad luck, a situation through which, one might not get out easilyRate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
bit in the biten of lakeIt means that a person is in a serious mood where he is not thinking for the serious matter. Its proper meaning is "serious"Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
Blood is Thicker than WaterThere is no other replacement for blood relations. What a person from your family or relatives can do for you, will not be done by strangers in a good senseRate it:

(1.00 / 2 votes)
box oneself into a cornerTo create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives. or solutions.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
brain crampA temporary mental lapse, such as an inability to remember something, to focus one's attention, to understand something, or to perform some other mental task of which one would ordinarily be capable.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
breathe easyTo relax or feel secure about something.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
bring owls to athensPerhaps we have not been sufficiently aware that talking about access and its implications in Scandinavia is like bringing owls to Athens. — Herbert Burkert.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
bug in one's bonnetSomething that makes someone act crazy or excites them or is of particular interest or concern to them; something that bothers or irritates someone; a lesser known version of the expression “bee in one’s bonnet”Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
Buy a Pig in a PokeTo buy something immediately without even examining itRate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
calm as a millpondVery calm, not choppyRate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
camp outTo wait in a spot for something expected to occur.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
cap it all offTo surpass or outdo something.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
carry coals to newcastleTo do something that is unneeded or redundant.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
ce n'est qu'un feu de pailleIt is only a flash in the pan; It will not last.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
chase a rainbowTo pursue something illusory, impractical, or impossible.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
cherry-pickTo pick out the best, or most desirable items from a list or group, especially to obtain some advantage or to present something in the best possible light.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
close enough for government workIt is not worth investing additional time on perfecting this thing.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
Come AgainTo ask someone to repeat something, as words or tone delivered earlier were not clear enoughRate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
Cost an Arm and a LegSomething very expensive and not worth the cost in few casesRate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
deadNot in play.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
dog in the huntThis is often used erroneously to indicate that one has no stake in the outcome. As such this is a bastardization of two Southern idioms: "no dog in the fight," and "that dog won't hunt." (The latter indicates something is a bad idea or prone to fail.) Use of the phrase "no dog in the hunt" when one wishes to indicate they have no "dog in the fight" will generate funny glances from any Southerners who overhear it.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
don't shoot the messengerThe bearer of bad news should not be held accountable for the bad news.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
duck outTo depart quickly or exit abruptly, especially in a manner which does not attract notice and before a meeting, event, etc. has concluded.Rate it:

(1.00 / 2 votes)
fan the flamesTo intensify something; to worsen an already difficult situation or unfavourable set of circumstances.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
fearA phobia, a sense of fear induced by something or someone.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
feel up toTo be confident in being able to do something.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
fine feathers make fine birdsSomething that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
fudge the issueAdopt a solution to a specific problem which does not address the larger, more general problem of which the specific problem is an instance.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
get backTo do something to hurt or harm someone who has hurt or harmed you.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
get into one's strideTo become familiar with something recently learnt.Rate it:

(1.00 / 2 votes)

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You're choosing to sit on the _______ if you don't pick a side.
A bank
B stairs
C fence
D horse