Phrases.com »

Phrases related to: down but not out Page #47

Yee yee! We've found 4,535 phrases and idioms matching down but not out.

Sort:RelevancyA - Z
a penny saved is a penny earnedA maxim for thrift that says that money not spent may be spent later, or may earn interest in the meantimeRate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
a pyrrhic victoryAn apparent victory, but one which is no victory at all, due to the great cost incurred. The phrase comes from the victory won by King Pyrrhus at Asculum in 279BC which cost him many of his best men. After the battle Pyrrhus remarked: "One more such victory and we are finished."Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
acknowledge the cornTo cop a plea; to admit to a small error but not a larger one.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
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:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
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:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
almost doesn't countNear success (or correctness) is not deemed success (or correctness).Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
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:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
are you allergic to any medicationsAsked mostly by doctors and nurses to ascertain whether certain medications should not be given to patients.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
are you feeling betterAsked to find out whether someone has recovered to some degree from past illness or unwellness.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
at heartIn spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings; deep down, really, fundamentally.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
at the end of one's ropeOut of options; having no more options.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
At the End of Your RopeTo be out of options, Stamina to do something in a bad situation,Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
baby elephant in the roomAn obvious but mostly inconsequential issue.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
Barmacide feastSomething that appears highly desirable, but proves to be imaginary, illusory and ultimately very disappointing.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
best-kept secretA significant fact or characteristic that is not well-known.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
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:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
bottom handWith a standard batting grip, the hand placed further down the handle of the bat; the batsman's dominant hand, providing most power to a shot.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
break rankTo march or charge out of the designated order in a military unit.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
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:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
brush upTo review; to improve an existing but rusty or under-developed skill.Rate it:

(5.00 / 3 votes)
bucket of boltsA piece of machinery that is not worth more than its scrap value, often of old cars.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
business as usualThe normal course of an activity, particularly in circumstances that are out of the ordinary.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
butt inTo join a conversation or situation in which one is not welcome or invited; to interjectRate it:

(5.00 / 5 votes)
buy cheap, buy twiceBuying a cheap but inferior product is a false economy since it will need replacement.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
by a mileBy a large amount or by a great distance - e.g. won by a mile; When prefixed by ‘out’ or ‘off’ it emphasizes that a significant gap exists between the parties involved and that it is to a decisive degreeRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
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:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
c'est autant de pris sur l'ennemiSo much saved out of the fire; So much to the good.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
c'est un sot à vingt-quatre caratsHe is an out-and-out fool, an A 1 fool.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
call onTo correct; to point out an error or untruth.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
cast pearls before swineTo give things of value to those who will not understand or appreciate it.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
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:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
ce n'est pas la mer à boireIt is not an impossibility; It is not so very difficult after all.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
chalk and cheeseSaid of things that are superficially alike but very different in substance.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
Clean As a WhistlePerfectly neat and not having any traces of dirtRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
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:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
come in from the coldTo gain widespread acceptance in a group or society, especially where there was not any before.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
Cool ItTo calm downRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
crowbaitWeak, or not in good health.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
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:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
dead menThe ends of reefs left flapping instead of being tucked out of sight when a sail has been furled.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
devil beating his wifeWhen it is raining but the sun is outRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
don't be a fool, wrap your toolThere are consequences to not wearing a condom on your penisRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
don't be penny wise and pound foolishDon't be careful when it comes to spending small amounts of money, but careless when spending much larger amounts.Don't focus on minutiae and lose sight of the big picture; don't obsess over tiny inconsequential efficiencies while glaring inefficiencies are going on elsewhere.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
don't buy green bananasdon't make long-term plans as you may not live/survive long enough to accomplish them.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
don't look at meA response indicating that one is not willing or able to perform a task.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
don't shit where you eatOne should not cause trouble in a place, group, or situation in which one regularly finds oneself.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
double or nothingStatement of bravado. Usually involving a risky or gambling choice to keep going or move forward. Can also be used as a version of: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. -If you don’t take a risk, you’ll not get any reward, if you don’t try something, you won’t get any gainRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
dressed/done up like a dog’s dinnerThe root of this idiom, chiefly used in the UK and Australia, is the phrase ‘a dog’s dinner’ which means- very disorganized, untidy, or messy. When it becomes the full idiom, to be ‘dressed up’ or ‘done up like a dog’s dinner’ it takes on the meaning of being inappropriately overdressed - garish or tastelessly. To attract attention by wearing formal or decorative clothing when it is not called for. This phrase is quite similar to ‘a dog’s breakfast’ in that the implication is of something messy and averse, as something socially distasteful or out of place, --an unappealing muddle.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
drugstore cowboyDresses like a cowboy to show off at the drugstore; looks like a cowboy, but ain't.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
easier said than doneEasy to propose, but difficult to accomplish.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)

We need you!

Help us build the largest human-edited phrases collection on the web!

Alternative searches for down but not out:

Quiz

Are you a phrases master?

»
Serves them __________ for sneaking off like that.
A wrong
B best
C right
D up

Browse Phrases.com

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ