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Phrases related to: if it's not one thing it's another Page #31

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acknowledge the cornTo cop a plea; to admit to a small error but not a larger one.Rate it:

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actions speak louder than wordsPeople will believe what you do more than they will hear what you say. They will not believe you if you say one thing and do something different than what you say..Rate it:

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aegre, graviter, moleste, indigne ferre aliquidto be discontented, vexed at a thing; to chafe.Rate it:

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airs and gracesTo act in a pretentious or pompous manner; to put on airs and graces, derogatory term for one acting above their social status.Rate it:

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aliquem (tertium) ad (in) amicitiam ascribereto admit another into the circle of one's intimates.Rate it:

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aliquid in usum suum conferreto employ in the furtherance of one's interests.Rate it:

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all work and no play makes jack a dull boyToo much focus on one's career is often viewed unfavorably.Too much hard work and not enough leisure time can be unhealthy.Rate it:

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almost doesn't countNear success (or correctness) is not deemed success (or correctness).Rate it:

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any other businessThe last item on the agenda for a meeting, when any matter not already dealt with may be raised. Abbreviations: a.o.b., AOB.Rate it:

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are you allergic to any medicationsAsked mostly by doctors and nurses to ascertain whether certain medications should not be given to patients.Rate it:

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at heartIn spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings; deep down, really, fundamentally.Rate it:

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at willAt one's preference; as one sees fit.Rate it:

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bad pennyA person or thing which is unpleasant, disreputable, or otherwise unwanted, especially one which repeatedly appears at inopportune times.Rate it:

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bald as a coottotally bald; without any hair on one's head.Rate it:

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banana republicA small country, especially one in Central America, that is dependent on a single export commodity (traditionally bananas) and that has a corrupt, dictatorial government.Rate it:

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barking up the wrong treeA judgement call and assertion to another that he has miscalculated the reality of a situation.Rate it:

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bear oneselfTo behave and conduct oneself in such a manner that others will give one respect.Rate it:

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best-kept secretA significant fact or characteristic that is not well-known.Rate it:

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bet dollars to donutsTo suggest that something is very likely to be true or that one has a strong hunch about something.Rate it:

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bite my shiny metal assAn expression of discontent or aggravation to another party.Rate it:

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blood in the waterIn a competitive situation, the exhibition of apparent weakness or vulnerability by one party, especially when this leads to a feeling of vulnerability or greater pressure to perform on the part of the weak party, and/or enhanced expectation of victory by the other(s).Rate it:

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blood is thicker than waterFamily relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.1866, Anthony Trollope, The Belton Estate, ch. 30,Blood is thicker than water, is it not? If cousins are not friends, who can be?circa 1915, Lucy Fitch Perkins, The Scotch Twins, ch. 5,The old clans are scattered now, but blood is thicker than water still, and you're welcome to the fireside of your kinsman!Rate it:

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bonnet blanc, blanc bonnettomayto, tomahto; same difference; six of one, half a dozen of the otherRate it:

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brass ringOne and one half inch diameter iron rings were offered riders on a Carousel by a dispensing device alongside: A Brass Ring was inserted into the dispenser at random. The Carousel Rider who succeeded in snatching the Brass Ring was rewarded A Free Ride upon return to the Operator of the Brass Ring:Rate it:

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breast upTo cut the face of on one side so as to lay bare the principal upright stems of the plants.Rate it:

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brebis comptées le loup les mangeCounting one’s chickens will not keep the fox off; If you count your chickens, harm will happen to them.Rate it:

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bring owls to athensTo undertake a pointless venture, one that is redundant, unnecessary, superfluous, or highly uneconomical.Rate it:

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bucket listA list of things to accomplish before one's death. [Circa 2007]Rate it:

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bucket of boltsA piece of machinery that is not worth more than its scrap value, often of old cars.Rate it:

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buckle upTo fasten one's seat belt or safety belt.Rate it:

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bustle withTo teem with; abound with; to exhibit an energetic and active abundance of a thing; to be full of a certain activity or active beings.Rate it:

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butt inTo join a conversation or situation in which one is not welcome or invited; to interjectRate it:

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by hook or by crookBy any means possible; one way or another.Rate it:

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by hook or crookWe will get it done.. The task at hand will be done regardless of the cost .. or the possibility of needing to steal other peoples things to do so.. Or the fact a need to associate with criminals/crimes may not be 'your' norm.. it will be doneRate it:

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c'est bonnet blanc et blanc bonnetIt is six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.Rate it:

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cast pearls before swineTo give things of value to those who will not understand or appreciate it.Rate it:

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catch fliesAn ostensible product of awkwardly having one's mouth open wide.Rate it:

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ce n'est pas à un vieux singe qu'on apprend à faire des grimaces (fam.)One does not teach one’s grandmother to suck eggs. Rate it:

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ce n'est pas la mer à boireIt is not an impossibility; It is not so very difficult after all.Rate it:

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chain reactionA series of events, each one causing the next.Rate it:

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Clean As a WhistlePerfectly neat and not having any traces of dirtRate it:

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cognitive dissonanceThe state of behaving in a way that runs contrary to one's core values, worldview, ideals, and/or moral compass. One who does not practice as they preach could be said to have cognitive dissonanceRate it:

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come in from the coldTo gain widespread acceptance in a group or society, especially where there was not any before.Rate it:

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crowbaitWeak, or not in good health.Rate it:

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cry someone a riverTo try to obtain the sympathy of another person by complaining or sniveling.Rate it:

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cry someone a riverTo weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.Rate it:

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curb crawlerA prostitute's client, especially one who travels in a car to search for a prostitute.Rate it:

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darken someone's doorTo arrive at the entrance of someone's residence or of another building associated with that person, especially as an unwelcome visitor.Rate it:

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de facto(adverb) in fact, whether by right or not. (adjective) existing or holding a specified position in fact but not necessarily by legal right.Rate it:

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death spiralA manoeuvre in which a male skater spins in place while holding one hand of his female skating partner as she circles around him with one skate on the ice and one leg extended outward parallel to the ice surface, all the while slowly lowering herself until her back almost touches the ice surface.Rate it:

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