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Phrases related to: play the man and not the ball Page #34

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lick someone's assTo flatter someone (especially a superior) in an obsequious manner, and to support their every opinionRate it:

(4.67 / 3 votes)
reasonable personA fictional person used as a comparative legal standard to represent an average member of society and how he or she would behave or think, especially in determining negligence; sometimes formulated as "a person of ordinary prudence exercising due care in like circumstances."Rate it:

(4.67 / 3 votes)
she would rip a dog off a gut wagonA gut wagon was a horse drawn wagon that was used for collecting butcher's scraps for further processing. The wagons were often followed by determined and persistent dogs intent on eating the contents of the wagon. It took a great deal of effort to keep these dogs away from or off the wagon. A person's appearance ugly or objectionable enough to discourage or scare the dogs from the gut wagon would be ugly indeed.Rate it:

(4.67 / 3 votes)
take with a pinch of saltNot take entirely seriously.Rate it:

(4.67 / 3 votes)
with a grain of saltWith a bit of common sense and skepticism. Generally used in some form of to take with a grain of salt.Rate it:

(4.67 / 6 votes)
a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single stepeven the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting pointRate it:

(4.60 / 5 votes)
run downTo hit someone with a car or other vehicle and injure or kill them.Rate it:

(4.56 / 9 votes)
a goose has wandered onto one's midsection.To experience a warm and fuzzy feeling inside ones chest; to feel content and happy.Rate it:

(4.50 / 10 votes)
as sly as a foxvery cunning and smartRate it:

(4.50 / 4 votes)
attic saltpointed and delicate wit.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
bad taste in one's mouthA feeling of disappointment and frustration.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
che sera seraUsed to express a personal philosophy of fatalism1604, Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus:Why then belike we must sin, / And so consequently die. / Aye, we must die an everlasting death. / What doctrine call you this ? Che, sera, sera: / What will be*, shall be; Divinity adieu. / These Metaphysics of Magicians, / And necromantic books, are heavenly.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
cold readingThe technique, or an instance, of using likely guesses and assumptions, then narrowing in on any positive responses, in order to give the impression of having information about a person or event.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
don't look to the floor for pennies, look to the sky for rainbows.Stand tall and never be afraid to embrace the world.Rate it:

(4.50 / 6 votes)
every silver lining has a cloudEvery good situation has the potential to turn bad.2007, Diab A. Shetayh, Actuality : The Reality RequiemA great partnership isn't a self-maintaining entity. Perseverance and persistence make it thrive. For every silver lining has a cloud. Ignorance of this reality is not an option.Rate it:

(4.50 / 4 votes)
fall throughTo be unsuccessful, abort, come to nothing/naught; to be cancelled; not to proceed.Rate it:

(4.50 / 4 votes)
fools rush in where angels fear to treadA person who does not plan ahead and think matters through becomes involved in risky or unfavorable situations which prudent people avoid.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
hot potatoA child's game in which players pass a ball or other item between them, with the object of avoiding being left holding the item when time expires.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
more power to youBest wishes and success; good luck in your endeavor.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
or somethingOr something like that. Used to indicate the possibility that previously mentioned word may not be exactly correct in its applicability.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
paint with a broad brushTo describe a class of objects or a kind of phenomenon in general terms, without specific details and without attention to individual variations.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
peg outTo move one's peg to the last position on the pegboard, and thus win. [from 19th c.]Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
white holeA theoretically possible but physically highly unlikely singularity which would emit matter and energy; the antithesis of a black hole.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
woman of the peopleA woman who shows understanding of and sympathy for the concerns of ordinaries, and who has a rapport with and acceptance by them.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
no more Mr. Nice GuyAn implied individual has ceased being pleasant, and will now resort to unpleasant means to get their way.Rate it:

(4.40 / 5 votes)
wouldn't work in a pie factory tasting piesLazy and will not keep a job anywhereRate it:

(4.40 / 5 votes)
you can't make an omelette without breaking eggsIn order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that something should be destroyed.Rate it:

(4.40 / 5 votes)
a bad workman always blames his toolsIt is not the tools we use which make us good, but rather how we employ them.Rate it:

(4.38 / 8 votes)
all hands on deck!Nautical call for all ships crew to come topside and man their usual station. Work challenge or approaching gale threatens safety of crew and vessel.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
bail outTo leave or not attend.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
born with a silver spoon in one's mouthNote. The original nautical expression is just born with a silver spoon and describes those young gentlemen who were able to enter the Royal Navy without examination and whose promotion was assured. the converse was born with a wooden ladle.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
dive inTo start a new endeavor enthusiastically and wholeheartedly.Rate it:

(4.33 / 6 votes)
every king needs a queenEvery man needs a woman to be with for the rest of his life.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
pour outTo leave a place quickly, and in large numbers.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
round upTo the smallest integer that is not less than it, or to some other greater value, especially a whole number of hundreds, thousands, etc.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
to err is human, to forgive, devineEveryone makes mistakes. The real tragedy is not when someone errs, but when they are not forgiven.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
zombie outBecome like a zombie in being listless, vacant, and unresponsive.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
a rolling stone gathers no mossA person who never settles in one place will never be successful.A person who does not keep active will grow mouldy.Rate it:

(4.25 / 4 votes)
read outTo read something and say the words to inform other people.Rate it:

(4.25 / 4 votes)
run around withTo spend a lot of time with a person or group of people. Often used to talk about a person's group of friends that one does not like much.Rate it:

(4.25 / 4 votes)
a bean counterAn accountant; Someone who keeps track of minute details. One whom counts trivialities and overlooks the major items of the moment.Rate it:

(4.20 / 5 votes)
drink offTo drink the entirety of in a short period; originally and especially, in a single gulp.Rate it:

(4.20 / 5 votes)
fit intoTo be of the right size and shape to be placed in a location.Rate it:

(4.20 / 5 votes)
latch ontoTo obtain, acquire or get and keep hold of something.Rate it:

(4.20 / 5 votes)
sit on the fenceTo remain neutral on a certain topic, to not have a stance or opinion.Rate it:

(4.20 / 10 votes)
until we meet againgoodbye The phrase "until we meet again" is a common expression used when saying goodbye to someone. It suggests that the separation between two people is temporary, and they will see each other again in the future. The phrase conveys a sense of hopefulness and optimism, implying that the bond between two individuals is strong enough to withstand a period of separation and that they will be reunited at some point in the future. It is often used as a way of expressing affection, goodwill, and a desire to maintain a relationship despite physical distance. The phrase can be used in various contexts, from casual conversations between friends to more formal occasions such as graduations, retirements, or funerals. In each case, it carries a similar message of hope and a commitment to maintaining a connection, even when physical proximity is not possible. Overall, the phrase "until we meet again" is a sentimental expression that suggests that separation is only temporary and that two individuals will be reunited in the future. It is often used to express affection, goodwill, and a desire to maintain a relationship despite physical distance or other challenges.Rate it:

(4.20 / 5 votes)
a smoke screenEarly sea battles demonstrated the value of gun smoke and smoke from burning ships to hide one battleship from one belonging to the enemy. Later, smoke was generated prior to commencing battle so as to make it more difficult for gun crews to spot the targeted vessel. This tactic became known as a smoke screen.Rate it:

(4.17 / 6 votes)
look overTo scan-read and check for errors.Rate it:

(4.17 / 6 votes)
"never mind your mother sonny.... eat your bleedin' orange"I worked with a man from Foulridge, Lancashire for over 35 years who often used this phrase whenever there was a problem and he wasn't sure of the answer!.. Said the phrase came from a "chap I used to work with in Colne... but he didn't know what it meant either"Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
a cauliflower earAn ear that has been permanently swollen and disfigured as a result of being repeatedly struck. Often a feature of a veteran boxer or rugby player.Rate it:

(4.00 / 3 votes)

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