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Phrases related to: take the wind out of someone's sails Page #47

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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:

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doubting debbiesomeone who always see's the negativeRate it:

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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:

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Drop You like a Hot PotatoTo disassociate oneself with something/someone as soon as possibleRate it:

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dumber than a door-nailSomeone who is just stupid, and doesn't even know what doornail means anyway so isn't really insulted by the term anyway.Rate it:

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everything happens for a reasonAll events are purposeful.Everything happens for a reason, so there is no such thing as failure. Mary-Kate OlsenPeople like to say "everything happens for a reason." If you repeat that in your head long enough that starts to sound like "anything can happen with a razor." Laura KightlingerI believe that everything happens for a reason, but I think it's important to seek out that reason - that's how we learn. Drew BarrymoreRate it:

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eye for an eye and a tooth for a toothTo take retribution or give penalty similar to the original offense or faultRate it:

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false alarmA warning sound which turns out to have been erroneous.Rate it:

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feel upTo grope someone in a sexual manner.Rate it:

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fish or cut baitTo choose between taking action now, or forgoing the opportunity and putting that energy into another endeavor; to decide; do something constructive, but don't just do nothingRate it:

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fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on meThis phrase is said in response when someone tries to convince someone to do something again that they have done before that did not work out to their advantage.Rate it:

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for old times' sakeAn appeal to the nostalgia of prior experiences to convince someone to do something.Rate it:

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forward-leaningDisposed to take action or to exercise initiative; aggressive; bold.Rate it:

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fox's socksSomething or someone that is ideal or very pleasing.Rate it:

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get by the ballsTo have complete control over someone, especially of a woman abusing a man's infatuation with her.Rate it:

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get off one's chestto relieve oneself by talking to someoneRate it:

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get on like a house on fireTo immediately start a good relationship with someoneRate it:

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get outta hereIndicating disbelief or requesting confirmation; also said "get outta town" or simply "get out!"Rate it:

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get the goods onTo acquire knowledge or develop evidence that reveals the truth about someone's character or behavior, especially criminal behavior.Rate it:

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give overUsually as an imperative. To tell someone to stop molesting, fooling around, or saying silly things. Or sometimes to stop saying flattering things.Rate it:

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go along for the rideTo accompany someone passively, or to take a passive role in a project.Rate it:

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go medievalget very angry at someone; go ballisticRate it:

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Green with EnvyTo get resentful, bitter or envious with someone, Getting jealous and invidiousRate it:

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grinning like a jackass eating greenbriers.Someone with a goofy grin, especially if inappropriate.Rate it:

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ground rulesThe basic rules or standards; whatever someone must know before proceeding.Rate it:

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half-bakedIncomplete; not fully planned or carefully considered, ill-conceived, unsound or badly thought-out; foolish or having no common sense.Rate it:

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hang your hat on thatAssume or take credit for an idea, suggestion, phrase, development, creation, invention, proclamation, prediction, accomplishment, result, acceptance at large for your creation, art.performance et al:Rate it:

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hoi polloithe masses, the general populace, the common people; in America it can carry a negative connotation depending on the context (as though commoners don't belong amongst the rich (high society) but it is not inherently derogatoryRate it:

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hold offTo delay someone or something temporarily; to keep at bay.Rate it:

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hold this lUsed to make fun of someone when they say/do something stupid; they take a "L" or a "Loss"Rate it:

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i could eat a horseI am very hungry; short form of "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse."Rate it:

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i have many bridges to sell you.You've been very naive.Rate it:

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I think therefore I amI am able to think, therefore I exist. A philosophical proof of existence based on the fact that someone capable of any form of thought necessarily exists.Rate it:

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if they sold it to you, you paid too muchEven when you perceive a good deal, someone is making money off you.Rate it:

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if you love somebody, set them freeOne should be willing to let go of someone they love if they truly love them.Rate it:

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il est comme l'anguille de melun (more correctly, languille de melun), il crie avant qu'on l'écorcheHe is like the eel of Melun, he cries out before he is hurt.Rate it:

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it was worth itit deserved it The phrase "it was worth it" is a common expression used to indicate that the effort, time, or cost of something was justified by the outcome or result. It suggests that the benefits or rewards of an experience, action, or decision outweighed the challenges or sacrifices involved. The phrase is often used to express satisfaction, contentment, or a sense of accomplishment after completing a challenging task, achieving a goal, or experiencing a positive outcome. For example, someone who has just finished a difficult workout might say, "It was worth it. I feel great!" Or, a traveler who has just returned from an amazing trip might say, "It was worth it, even though it was expensive." The phrase can also be used to justify or defend a decision that may have negative consequences or be seen as controversial. For example, a business owner who has just taken a significant financial risk might say, "It was worth it in the end. We've seen a significant increase in revenue." Overall, the phrase "it was worth it" suggests that the rewards or benefits of an experience, action, or decision outweighed the challenges or sacrifices involved. It is often used to express satisfaction, contentment, or a sense of accomplishment, and it can also be used to justify or defend a decision.Rate it:

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jiminy cricketAn expression of surprise or annoyance; a euphemism for Jesus Christ used in place of swearing or taking the Lord's name in vainRate it:

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joe schmoeAn average person, especially a male, usually of blue-collar working class; no one in particular; someone unknown to you.Rate it:

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judge, jury and executionerSomeone with the roles of judge, jury and executioner; someone with full power to judge and punish others unilaterally.Rate it:

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keep an eye openTo maintain vigilance for someone or something.Rate it:

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keep houseTo take care of domestic chores; work as a housekeeper.Rate it:

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keep one’s powder dryConserve one’s resources until they are needed; be ready to take action if necessaryRate it:

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kick it withTo hang out with someone.Rate it:

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kick rocksGo do something unproductive, go bother someone else, leave me alone, go away; See idioms: ‘take a hike,’ ‘hit the road,’ ‘beat it’Rate it:

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kill with kindnessheaping generosity, compassion, or excessive favor on someone -usually in response to an insult- to bring them discomfort; to overwhelm with overindulgenceRate it:

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kindred soulSomeone with the same feelings or attitudes as oneself; kindred spirit.Rate it:

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lick his bootsTo try too hard to please someone important.Rate it:

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look aroundTo take note of what is going on; To make oneself aware.Rate it:

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look what the cat's dragged inUsed as an ironic acknowledgement of someone's arrival, especially to imply that they are unwelcome or disagreeable in some way.Rate it:

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