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Phrases related to: literal and figurative language Page #27

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an apple a day keeps the doctor awayApples are healthy and stave off illness.Eat healthy and you won't get sick.Rate it:

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bawdy basketThe twenty-third rank of canters, who carry pins, tape, ballads, and obscene books to sell, but live mostly by stealing.Rate it:

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be a hundred years too earlyTo be so immature and unprepared as to be hopelessly unable to achieve something.Rate it:

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beat one's swords into ploughsharesTo refrain from doing aggressive activities and to do peaceful ones.Rate it:

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born in a barnEngaging in the annoying behavior of inappropriately, and usually neglectfully, leaving open a door or window.Rate it:

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Born With a Silver Spoon in Your MouthBorn in a family or environment that is rich, comfortable and luxuriantRate it:

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break new groundTo begin excavating and levelling earth for a new building, or, originally, for cultivation.Rate it:

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burn the candle at both endsTo work hard night and day.Rate it:

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buy to letTo purchase a property as in investment, and to let it out for rental instead of living in it.Rate it:

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catch of the dayA type of fish or other seafood which has been caught and brought to market within more-or-less the last 24 hours.Rate it:

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correlation does not imply causation(statistics) The observed correlation between two parameters, say, the growth of a market and the growth of a neighbor's child may, in fact, have nothing to do with each other's causation.Rate it:

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Dime a DozenTo be common and cheap; easy to access and obtainable everywhereRate it:

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do something with mirrorsTo insinuate one has performed a magic or optical trick with the use of hidden mirrors, insinuating trickery and sham.Rate it:

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don't bite the newbieBe patient and friendly toward people who are learning a new technology.Rate it:

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eat shitTo fall and land on one's face.Rate it:

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elle dit qu'elle a vingt ans.—et les mois de nourrice! (fam.)She says she is twenty.—And the rest!Rate it:

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enough to make the angels weepSomething so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.Rate it:

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eternal sleep(mythology, fiction, fantasy) A magical state of suspended animation, where-in the recipient is placed in a state of ageless, deathless, everlasting sleep. Well-known examples are Endymion, (the lover of the Greek moon goddess, Selene), and the princess from Sleeping Beauty.Rate it:

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exit stage leftLeave the scene, and don't make a fuss.Rate it:

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falling glassThe wall-hung mercury barometer utilized in the days of sail presented approximately thirty inches of height level of the mercury in it's glass tube in fair weather. When a vessel sailed into a barometric Low Pressure region, the mercury level became lower and tended to indicate the presence of oncoming thunderstorms, gales, or a possible hurricane.Rate it:

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Get This Show on the RoadGet something moving, step ahead and keep goingRate it:

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Happy HolidaysA greeting used during the Christmas and winter holiday season to recognize the celebration of many holidays, including Christmas, New Year's Day, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, and sometimes Thanksgiving.Rate it:

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hard-nosedGuided by practical experience and observation rather than by theory.Rate it:

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honesty is the best policyHonesty is the most honorable and fulfilling way to live one's life.Rate it:

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Keep a Stiff Upper LipTo be strong and resilient in difficulty or in troubleRate it:

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knocked into a cocked hatAn expression of such nature and composition so as to capture rapt attention, create an air of suspense, curiosity or mystery.Rate it:

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lay on the lineTo state strongly, clearly, and accurately.Rate it:

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long drinkAny drink containing more than 5 ounces of liquid and less than 9 ounces. Typically, a long drink will have lots of ice and mixer.Rate it:

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Mexican breakfastA breakfast consisting of a cigarette and a glass of water, supposedly because that is all Mexicans can afford.Rate it:

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mind one's own businessTo concern oneself only with what is of interest to oneself and not interfere in the affairs of others.Rate it:

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not in kansas anymoreNo longer in quiet and comfortable surroundings; in the big city.Rate it:

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off the chainFree from work or direct supervision. In reference to slave labor, where workers are chained, or to the figurative chain of workers of an assembly line.Rate it:

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on the uptakeIn understanding or in the ability to absorb new information; especially in the phrases "quick on the uptake" and "slow on the uptake".Rate it:

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Oreo cookieA black person that appears to the community to embody the social and cultural features of a white personRate it:

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peep pixelsTo scrutinize a magnified digital photograph carefully in order to make a technical assessment of resolution and image quality.Rate it:

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pronunciamientoA military uprising or coup in Spain or the Spanish American republics, particularly in the 19th century. They received this designation because coups were usually accompanied by a statement declaring the existing government null and void.Rate it:

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rat runA small road that people venture down when they want to sneak off the motorway and take a short cut.Rate it:

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rattle throughTo do something extremely quickly and perfunctorily.Rate it:

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reel offTo list effortlessly and quickly.Rate it:

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rice chaserA white person with a strong inclination and attraction toward Asian men or women.Rate it:

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saddle upTo set and cinch a saddle in preparation for riding.Rate it:

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scrub inTo thoroughly wash one's hands and forearms in preparation for performing a surgery.Rate it:

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See Eye to EyeTo completely agree with someone’s opinion and statementRate it:

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slave to fashionA person who is particularly concerned that his or her clothing and physical appearance conform to the current, accepted style.Rate 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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stupid dumbbeing a stupid person and a dumb personRate it:

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sugar glider or sugar bearA small gliding marsupial often kept as a pet. Looks like a rodent. Known for being carried in owners’ pockets and other concealed places.Rate it:

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swing throughTo swing and miss at a pitch.Rate it:

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tail between one's legsA reaction to a confrontation, specifically one with excessive shame and hurt pride.Rate it:

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take aimTo position oneself and/or one's weapon so as to be aimed specifically at a chosen mark or target (which is indicated after 'at')Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)

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