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Phrases related to: close, but no cigar Page #5

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nobody's perfectUsed when someone's mistakes or flaws are acknowledged, to remind that everyone else makes mistakes and has flaws1995, New York Magazine Vol. 28, No. 5, 30 January 1995, The de-moralization of society (Book Review)Hypocrisy, particularly in sexual matters, is excused on the grounds that hey, nobody's perfect, and at least folks back then felt bad enough to lie.2000, Madonna, Nobody's PerfectI feel so sad. What I did wasn't right. I feel so bad and I must say to you: Sorry, but nobody's perfect. Nobody's perfect. What did you expect? I'm doing my bestRate it:

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paper tigerA seemingly fierce or powerful person, country or organisation without the ability to back up their words; apparently powerful but actually ineffective.Rate it:

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poisoned chaliceA scheme or instrument for causing death or harm, especially one which eventually brings about the downfall of its creator; something which is initially regarded as advantageous but which is later recognized to be disadvantageous or harmful.Rate it:

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pull upDrive close to something, especially a curb.Rate it:

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stitch upTo close by sewing.Rate it:

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throw dirt enough, and some will stickIf enough allegations are made about someone or something, then even if they are all untrue, people's opinion of the person or thing will be diminished.1759, John Wesley, letter to John Downes, Rector of St. Michael's, Wood Street, read at Wesley Center Online at on 14 Oct 06.I hope...that you are ignorant of the whole affair, and are so bold only because you are blind...And blind enough; so that you blunder on through thick and thin, bespattering all that come in your way, according to the old, laudable maxim, 'Throw dirt enough, and some will stick.'1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's Schooldays, read at fullbooks.com on 14 Oct 06,But whatever harm a spiteful tongue could do them, he took care should be done. Only throw dirt enough, and some will stick.1864, John Henry Newman, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, Penguin Classics (1994), p. 10,Archbishop Whately used to say Rate it:

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throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stickTry the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2001, And still no one is shouting stop. read in The Kingdom archives at on 02 Nov 06,Many team managers are of the philosophy that if you throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick. They believe that team preparation is all about physical fitness. They run the players into the ground and they believe they will be "flying on the day".2001, Robert McCrum, Let them eat cake, in The Observer 16 Dec 01, read on Guardian Unlimited site at on 02 Nov 06,Australian publishing boomed and in the past 10 years the country's literary culture has undergone a mini golden age, capped by Carey's triumph at the 2001 Booker Prize. As one Australian arts administrator said to me many years ago: 'Listen, mate, if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.'2001, Chris Collin, Re: 2-cp speys on The Strathspey Server mailing list archive at on 02 Nov 06,I am finding that "if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick". It doesn't always work of course (especially on the nights when the class is mostly the beginners), but the class seems to thrive on the challange.2005, Ray Craft (poster on The right scale blog), Fitzhooie and his Burden, read at on 02 Nov 06,Prosecutors everywhere have bad habits of overcharging lots of cases, knowing that if the throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick.2005, Sean Kelleher, Spike Milligan: His part in our downfall in Business 07 Aug 05, read at on 02 Nov 06,As long as there is negligible regulation and enforcement anyone can actually try and do the job...Weak regulation allows the industry to build strategies on full time recruitment. The theory goes: throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.c2005, Everything You've Learned About Marketing Is Wrong, read on LINC Performance website at on 02 Nov 06,They have the money to continue to believe in the repetition side of the equation. You throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick. But it still isnRate it:

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vieil ami et vieux vin sont vraiment deux bons vieux, mais vieux écus sont encore mieuxOld friends and old wine are good, but old gold is better than both.Rate it:

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zip upTo close with a zip fastener.Rate it:

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zip upTo close as if with a zip fastener.Rate it:

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笑貧不笑娼lit. despising poverty but not prostitutionRate it:

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one who hesitates is lostA person who spends too much time contemplating what to do may miss a valuable but fleeting opportunity.Rate it:

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hang onTo pay close attention.Rate it:

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mint conditionUsed, but still like new, as if freshly minted.Rate it:

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little pitchers have big earsSmall children often overhear more of what is said than adults realize or desire.1844, Charlotte M. Yonge, Abbeychurch, ch. 2:Seeing me listening to something she was saying to Mamma, she turned round upon me with that odious proverb, "Little pitchers have long ears."1939, "Bedtime Bedlam," Time, 17 Apr.:A caution to U. S. parents, but a joy to radio merchandising, is the dread truth that little pitchers have big ears.2002, Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, ISBN 9780743455961, p. 185:I suppose he might say pushed or went woowoo, but took a shit is, I fear, very much in the ballpark (little pitchers have big ears, after all).Rate it:

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bawdy basketThe twenty-third rank of canters, who carry pins, tape, ballads, and obscene books to sell, but live mostly by stealing.Rate it:

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Black Sheep of the FamilyA disrespected member of a family, community or any other group or society due to certain actions. It happens when all other are performing or doing well but one person lacks it allRate it:

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chance'd be a fine thingGiven to indicate that an aforementioned thing would be desirable but unlikely. Comparable to if I should be so lucky.Rate it:

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don't ask, don't tellApplied to various other policies that prohibit a behavior but also discourage investigation of it.Rate it:

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hiding to nothingA situation in which victory has little or no value, but defeat has a huge cost.Rate it:

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iron eagleAn American military officer who has attained the rank of colonel but will not be promoted to the rank of general.Rate it:

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money can't buy happinessMoney can buy external things, but true happiness comes from inside.Rate it:

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neighbour's envy, owner's prideA possession envied by neighbours but bringing you pride.Rate it:

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speak softly and carry a big stickDo not boast or utter verbal threats, but do make others aware that you are prepared to use physical force if necessary.Rate it:

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sticks and stonesEvocative of the saying "sticks and stones may (or will) break my bones, but words (or names) will never hurt (or harm) me".1957, Brendan Gill, The Day the Money StoppedRate it:

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wind it upClose the discussion, adjourn the meeting, cease the efforts and labor.Rate it:

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have in towIn one's charge or close guidance; along with one.Rate it:

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keep one's eye on the ballMy ethos has always been to be very straight with people, tell it as it is. It doesn't often make people happy but I found that over a period of time it's better to be that way. So being straight, also being very focused on your objectives, keep your eye on the ball and not get deflected away from it.Rate it:

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All that Glitters is Not GoldA thing or a person that seems attractive at very first glance but actually worth nothingRate it:

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elle a une petite mine chiffonnéeShe has irregular features, but her expression is pleasing.Rate it:

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everything and the kitchen sinkAlternative form of everything but the kitchen sink.Rate it:

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hunger is a good sauce(dated) Being hungry makes one less concerned about the taste of one's food.1854, Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman, Punch, Vol. XXVI, Punch Publications Ltd., page 74:His bread and cheese were somewhat dry, to be sure; his ale had become flat, and considerably warmer than was desirable; but hunger is a good sauce, and thirst is not particular.Rate it:

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jack o'lanternA vegetable, usually a pumpkin, but alternatively a turnip, carved into the form of a face and lighted within by a candle. Associated chiefly with the holiday Halloween.Rate it:

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kiss of deathSomething that may seem good and favourable but that actually brings ruin to hopes, plans, etc.Rate it:

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les grosses mouches passent à travers la toile de la justice, mais les petites y sont prisesOne man may steal a horse, while another dare not look over the hedge; Justice will whip a beggar, but bow to a lord; One does the scath, another has the harm; The crow gets pardoned, and the dove has the blame.Rate it:

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nice guyAn adult male who seeks sexual attraction and romantic intimacy, but only finds cordial friendship and platonic love.Rate it:

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out on one's feetStanding erect but not consciously aware of one's surroundings, or only minimally aware, and having little or no ability to control one's bodily actions, as a result of physical injury or exhaustion.Rate it:

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pitch aroundTo intentionally throw pitches which are slightly out of the strike zone, hoping that the batter will swing wildly at a pitch, but assuming that you will walk himRate it:

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quick-and-dirtyDone or constructed in a hasty, approximate, temporarily adequate manner, but not exact, fully formed, or reliable for a long period of time.Rate it:

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sacrificial poetIn poetry slams, a poet who goes first and gets scored by the judges, but is not actually in the competition.Rate it:

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800-pound gorillaSomething dangerous, menacing, or frightening that is obvious but not addressed.Rate it:

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a house is not a homeA home is not merely a building but requires inhabitants and a friendly atmosphere.Rate it:

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about homeA shortened version of "about to be home" , meaning you are very close to your homeRate it:

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about timeClose to the right time.Rate it:

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accidentally on purposeSeemingly unintentionally but actually deliberatelyRate it:

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acquired tasteSomething that is appreciated only after having initially been regarded as unappealing or unpleasant; a person who is regarded as difficult or dislikable but of whom at least some have grown to approve.Rate it:

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acquired tasteA taste which is not natural or innate, but which has developed through habit or learning.Rate it:

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actors more & stages fewA situation where more are in demand but lacking enough provisions or when right options are scanty or less.Rate it:

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after allIn the end; anyway; referring to something that was believed to be the case, but has now been shown not to be.Rate it:

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agreement in principleA legally enforceable, but incompletely specified, agreement between parties that identifies the fundamental terms that are intended to be or are agreed upon.Rate it:

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