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Phrases related to: literal and figurative language Page #32

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après nous le délugeA short life and a merry one; We need not bother about what will happen after we are gone.Rate it:

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après skiA place "after skiing". Typically a bar or pub where people go after a day on the slopes to ease off and meet other people.Rate it:

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après-skiA place "after skiing". Typically a bar or pub where people go after a day on the slopes to ease off and meet other people.Rate it:

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are you taking any medicationsAsked mostly by doctors and nurses to ascertain whether certain drugs should not be given to patients, as they may interact adversely with other medications.Rate it:

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argue downUsed other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see argue,‎ down.Rate it:

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ark ruffianRogues who, in conjunction with watermen, robbed, and sometimes murdered, on the water, by picking a quarrel with the passengers in a boat, boarding it, plundering, stripping, and throwing them overboard, etc. A species of badger.Rate it:

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armchair quarterbacksomeone who sits back and tries to second-guess or give advice about the quarterback, coach or other players, but who is not involved in the gameRate it:

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arrows in your quiverTo have more arrows in your quiver means you have other ideas, options, resources, alternative ways and/or strategies to accomplish a goalRate it:

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as above, so belowWhat happens on one level of reality also happens on every other level; the microcosm and macrocosm behave alike.Rate it:

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as inUsed other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see as,‎ in.Rate it:

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as it isIn the actual circumstances (and often contrary to expectations).Rate it:

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as white as a sheetVery neat and cleanRate it:

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asfInitialism of age-sex-from : what is your age, what sex are you, and where are you from?Rate it:

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ashes to ashes, dust to dustyou are made of dust and return to ashes and dust after passing away.Rate it:

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ask my arseA common reply to any question; still deemed wit at sea, and formerly at court, under the denomination of selling bargains.Rate it:

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asphalt jungleA city or urban area, where the landscape is covered by pavement and the environment is alienating and unsafe.Rate it:

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asspussya person's anus and rectum, especially a male'sRate it:

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assume the positionTo turn away, with your hands in a visible and unmovable position so that you can be searchedRate it:

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até maisUsed other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see até, mais.Rate it:

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attention whoreAn individual that routinely solicits attention through inappropriate tactics and provocationRate it:

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auctoritas et exemplum (Balb. 13. 31)standard and pattern.Rate it:

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autant prendre la lune avec les dentsYou might just as well try and scale the moon.Rate it:

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autem diverPickpockets who practice in churches; also churchwardens and overseers of the poor.Rate it:

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averso itinere contendere in...to change one's route and march towards...Rate it:

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avoir son pain cuitTo have one’s bread and cheese, a competency.Rate it:

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avoir une tête et des jambesto have a combination of intelligence and athleticismRate it:

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await prince charmingFemales who seem not interested in the company of men and possible marriage offer many reasons, explanations, excuses and apologies.Rate it:

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aye aye, sirThe correct and seamanlike reply, onboard a Royal Navy (or U.S. Navy) ship, on receipt of an order from someone of senior rank or authority. It means "I understand the command and hasten to comply with the order."Rate it:

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back intoTo back up or walk backwards and hit something.Rate it:

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back officeThe IT and infrastructure support services for a company, separate from the public face of the business.Rate it:

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backroom dealDeals that are made in secret, in a dishonest way (sometimes and probably originally literally behind closed doors and/or in some back room in private. See also, shady, back-alley deals (a similar expression meaning the same thing)Rate it:

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Backseat DriverA person, who is bossy and likes to give unwanted advices and order to othersRate it:

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bâcler son ouvrageTo do one’s work quickly and badly; To “polish off” (or, scamp) one’s work.Rate it:

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bad actorUsed other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see bad,‎ actor.Rate it:

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badge bunnyA woman who is romantically attracted to police officers and who seeks out their companionship.Rate it:

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bagatelles que tout celaThat is all stuff and nonsense.Rate it:

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baggageHeavy baggage; women and children. Also a familiar epithet for a woman; as, cunning baggage, wanton baggage, &c.Rate it:

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balancing actA performance that involves balancing things precariously and suspensefully.Rate it:

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bald as a billiard ballOne whom has lost much hair and prematurely bald.Rate it:

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bamboo ceilingIn East Asia, a social barrier to further promotion or progression, in employment and elsewhere, for women.Rate it:

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bamboo ceilingEspecially in America, a social barrier to further promotion or progression, in employment and elsewhere, for a person of East Asian ethnicity.Rate it:

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bang awayto constantly and irritatingly talk (about)Rate it:

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bankers' hoursThe period between 10am and 3pm.Rate it:

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barber's signA standing pole and two wash-balls, historically used outside barber's shops.Rate it:

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bare one's soulTo reveal one's innermost feelings and thoughts, especially concerning one's doubts, regrets, or flaws; to tell one's personal secrets to others.Rate it:

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Bark Up the Wrong TreeTo have a wrong guess or idea about someone or some situation, efforts and attentions being diverted in a wrong directionRate it:

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barrelThe ribs and belly of a horse or pony.Rate it:

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barrelA round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth, and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with hoops, and having flat ends or heads. Sometimes applied to a similar cylindrical container made of metal, usually called a drum.Rate it:

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barrelThe quantity which constitutes a full barrel. This varies for different articles and also in different places for the same article, being regulated by custom or by law. A barrel of wine is 31 1/2 gallons; a barrel of flour is 196 pounds; of beer 31 gallons; of ale 32 gallons; of crude oil 42 gallons.Rate it:

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basket houseA cafe or similar establishment where musical performances are given and the performers are then paid with money placed in a basket by members of the audience.Rate it:

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