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Phrases related to: little did [they] know/realize/imagine Page #5

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take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselvesIf you take care of little things one at a time, they can add up to big things.1750, Chesterfield, letter 5 Feb. (1932) IV. 1500:Old Mr. Lowndes, the famous Secretary of the Treasury, ?used to say?Take care of the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves.1912, G. B. Shaw, Pygmalion ii. 132:Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves is as true of personal habits as of money.1979, R. Cassilis, Arrow of God, iv. xvii.:Little things, Master Mally. Look after the pennies, Master Mally, and the pounds will look after themselves.1999, Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
tempus fugittime flies (used as an alternative to this phrase)."Meanwhile, the irreplaceable time escapes", expressing concern that one's limited time is being consumed by something which may have little intrinsic substance or importance at that moment.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
watch your mouthdon't swear; admonition mainly addressed to youth when they occasionally became profane, loud, boisterous, or engaged in vulgarities.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
We only admire Sun Rise and Sun Set, like humansWe only admire humans when they are born and about to leave the world.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
When the Cat's Away, the Mice will PlayWithout the presence of authority, people will do as they please even of breaking the rulesRate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
when you're right, you're right, right-right.You know your right not wrongRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
who am I kiddingSaid by someone who, upon the realization that they were kidding themselves, wishes to start thinking in a more sensible, reasonable way.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
who died and made you bossSarcastic response to somebody assuming a position of authority that they have not earned.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
work against the clockTo work very quickly because you know you only have a very limited period of time to do something.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
you ask me, I ask whoI don't know, how should I knowRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
you can't get a quart into a pint potWhat is being discussed is not possible.They've asked me to get to New York by five o'clock, but you can't get a quart into a pint pot!Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
you have the advantage over meYou know my name, but I do not know yours; what is it, please?; you know me but I do not know youRate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
you made your bed, now sleep in itA moralizing rejection said to someone looking for an easy out, especially of a situation they put themselves into.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
you were sayingPrompts the interlocutor to resume what they had been saying prior to an interruption.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
in the interest of timeIn order to save time; in order to use time more efficiently; so that time can be used more efficiently. The phrase "in the interest of time" is a commonly used expression that suggests that a decision or action is being taken with consideration of saving time or avoiding wasting time. The phrase is often used in situations where time is limited, and there is a need to prioritize tasks or actions to complete them efficiently within the available time frame. For example, if a meeting is running late, a speaker might say, "In the interest of time, let's move on to the next item on the agenda," meaning that they want to move quickly to the next topic to ensure that the meeting stays on track and does not run over time. The phrase can also be used to justify a decision that might otherwise be perceived as hasty or incomplete. For example, if someone makes a quick decision about which restaurant to go to for dinner, they might say, "In the interest of time, let's just go here," to suggest that time constraints are a factor in their decision-making process. Overall, the phrase "in the interest of time" implies a sense of urgency and efficiency, suggesting that time is a valuable resource that needs to be managed carefully to ensure that tasks are completed effectively and efficiently.Rate it:

(4.83 / 6 votes)
the one who always envies someone in society, will never live in gaietyThis idiom means that if a person spends time complaining, criticizing and whining about what everyone else does, owns, or how successful other people are about their financial situation, job career, or results they get, instead of focusing and trying their best to improve one's situation, the only consequence is that this behavior will keep them in the guts, that is, at a lower life level than the one they wish to be.Rate it:

(4.83 / 6 votes)
if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nailWith limited tools, single-minded people apply them inappropriately or indiscriminatelyIf a person is familiar with a certain, single subject/has with them a certain, single instrument, they may have a confirmation bias to believe that it is the answer to/involved in everything.Rate it:

(4.67 / 3 votes)
give him enough rope and he'll hang himselfIf one gives someone enough freedom of action, they may destroy themselves by foolish actions.Rate it:

(4.62 / 8 votes)
fat chanceLittle or no likelihood of occurrence or success.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
fly off the handlegetting angry for a small little thingRate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
a stitch in time saves nineA little effort expended sooner to fix a small problem prevents it from becoming a larger problem requiring more effort to fix later; A little preparation can eliminate the need for repairs later; consistency (achieving a set rhythm) is better than trying to rush ahead.Rate it:

(4.43 / 7 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)
catch onTo begin to understand; to realize or detect.Rate it:

(4.25 / 4 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)
"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 dumb priest never got a parish(Irish) Those who fail to speak up fail to get what they want.Rate it:

(4.00 / 3 votes)
a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go downAn otherwise unpleasant situation can be pleasant when a pleasant aspect is deliberately introduced.1999, Eli Yassif, The Hebrew Folktale: History, Genre, Meaning, Indiana University Press, ISBN 0253335833, page 372,One is known as the "sweetening parable," that is to say a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Thus, when the aim is to preach to the people, to guide them along the "bitter," arduous path of upholding burdensome precepts and prohibitions, a tale can lighten the load, make the "medicine" easier "to swallow."2001, Maureen Reagan, First Father, First Daughter: A Memoir, Little, Brown, ISBN 0316736368, page 319,It put some fun into the tedious business of preparing for a presidential debate. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, right?2004, John Hoover, How to Work for an Idiot: Survive & Thrive... Without Killing Your Boss, Career Press, ISBN 1564147045, page 11,If a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, a barrel of laughs can wash down the big pills you might need to swallow.Rate it:

(4.00 / 5 votes)
aliquid magno, parvo stat, constata thing costs much, little.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
all talk and no actionSpeaking, promising, or boasting much, but doing littleRate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
barking-up the wrong tree:{Coon Hunters Remark:} Coon Dogs Chase Raccoon up Trees. They Bark at the Tree so Hunter Can 'Shoot' Coon out of the Tree:Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
doctors make the worst patientsIt's often difficult to advise people on subjects that they are usually experts on.Rate it:

(4.00 / 3 votes)
easy for you to sayRequiring little effort or sacrifice on your part, with the implication that it is or has been more difficult for others.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
hide one's light under a bushelFor a person to keep some talent or skill hidden from other people. The tone is that a person having a talent which they can be proud of ought not hide it.Rate it:

(4.00 / 5 votes)
karma cultureA form of internalized social anxiety that sharing content will result in embarrassment, whether because the content does not receive enough appreciation, or fear they will not have enough clout to influence.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
man of partsA man that is talented in multiple areas of life. This includes but is not limited to the area of seduction. He puts very little emphasis on memorized scripts or "peacocking" and instead relies on individualized ways to charm a woman.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
much of a muchnessOf two or more things, having little difference of any significance between them.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
not much of anythingVery little; not a lot.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
penny pincherOne who spends little money; one who is very frugal or cautious with money.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
sugar and spiceExcerpt from a common nursery rhyme "What are little girls made of?"Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
sweet dreamsPhrase said to someone before they fall asleep, wishing them a good sleep.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
throw a sprat to catch a mackerelTo sacrifice something of little value in the hope of gaining something better.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
wet one's pantsto wet oneself, to urinate in one's clothes when they're being worn.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
winter ratAn old, unattractive automobile, purchased for little money, to be driven during brutal Great Lakes winters while the owner's "good" car remains garaged and protected from corrosive road salt for the season.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
слухом земля полнитсяa little bird told meRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
turn to stoneTo become completely still, not moving. The phrase "turn to stone" typically means to become motionless, rigid, or unresponsive. It can also refer to becoming emotionally numb or unfeeling. The phrase has its origins in Greek mythology, where the Gorgon Medusa was said to have the power to turn anyone who looked at her into stone. In this context, "turning to stone" meant to become petrified, frozen, and unable to move. In a more metaphorical sense, "turning to stone" can refer to becoming emotionally or mentally rigid, closed off, or unresponsive. For example, a person might be said to have "turned to stone" if they have experienced trauma or emotional distress that has left them numb or unfeeling. The phrase can also be used to describe a situation where a person or group of people becomes unresponsive or unwilling to change their views or actions. For example, a team that is stuck in their ways and resistant to change might be said to have "turned to stone" in terms of their ability to adapt and evolve. Overall, the phrase "turn to stone" implies a sense of rigidity, immobility, and unresponsiveness. It can refer to becoming physically or emotionally petrified, and it can also describe a situation where a person or group is unwilling or unable to change or adapt.Rate it:

(3.86 / 7 votes)
call a spade a spadeTo speak the truth; to say things as they really are.Rate it:

(3.67 / 3 votes)
calm your titsCalm down! (Used to tell someone to relax when they are agitated, angry, overexcited, etc.)Rate it:

(3.67 / 6 votes)
no lube, no loveWhen one doesn't have lube. They won't get anal.Rate it:

(3.67 / 3 votes)
am i right or am i rightRhetorical question from somebody who has stated what they consider to be an unassailable truth.Rate it:

(3.50 / 4 votes)
bend somebody's earSorry to bend your ear with the whole story, but I think you ought to know.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)

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