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Phrases related to: close, but no cigar Page #7

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collatis signis (viribus) pugnareto fight hand-to-hand, at close quarters.Rate it:

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color upTo exchange a high number of low-value chips for a lower number of higher value, but keeping the same overall value.Rate it:

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computer says noA popular phrase for an attitude in customer service in which the default response is to check with information stored or generated electronically and then make decisions based on that, apparently without using common sense, and showing a level of unhelpfulness whereby more could be done to reach a mutually satisfactory outcome, but is not.Rate it:

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cone offTo close by putting traffic cones around.Rate it:

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confertis, solutis ordinibuswith close ranks; with ranks in disorder.Rate it:

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congratulations! you made me so proud!Used to express pride and congratulate someone close to you on his/her achievement.Rate it:

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cookie lickingClaiming a project as your own, but without actually finishing it.Rate it:

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cosy up toTo come physically close to, using body language in an attempt to persuade another party to snuggle or embrace.Rate it:

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could go all dayOne has much to say about something, but chooses to say only a fraction of it.Rate it:

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crab mentalityA way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you." The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot.Rate it:

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crony capitalismA form of economy in which success in business depends on close relationships with government officials, often implying favouritism.Rate it:

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culpable homicideHomicide which is culpable but does not rise to the level of murder; unlawful killing of a human being which does not constitute murder.Rate it:

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daddy's girlA girl who has a very close relationship with her fatherRate it:

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dead heatA close race or contest in which no winner is apparent.Rate it:

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deadbeatOwes money but is unlikely to pay it backRate it:

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different as chalk and cheeseTwo things which are superficially alike but very different in substance.Rate it:

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dirty laundryUnflattering facts or questionable activities that one wants to remain secret, but which some other may use to blackmail with.Rate it:

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discretion is the better part of valour.Be brave but be discreet.Rate it:

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double-edged swordA benefit that is also a liability, or that carries some significant but non-obvious cost or risk.Rate it:

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double-edged swordA benefit that is also a liability, or that carries some significant but not-so-obvious cost or risk.Rate it:

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dragon's denA place to do battle, but the enemy is formidable. Only enter if prepared.Rate it:

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each to his ownEveryone is entitled to their own opinion or tastes.My housemate is a strict vegan. I personally could never not eat meat, but each to his own.Rate it:

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elle n'est pas jolie, tant s'en fautShe is not pretty, far from it; She is anything but good-looking.Rate it:

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eminus hastis, comminus gladiis utito use javelins at a distance, swords at close quarters.Rate it:

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every cloud has a silver liningIn every bad situation there is an element of good1881, National Academy of Code Administration (U.S.), Folio, page 417:Every cloud has a silver lining; but in the old-fashioned meeting-houses every cloud of hymnal melody generally had a nasal lining before the congregation...1887, Shakers, Religion, page 36:that "a little reserve and thou'lt fail surely," will prove to be true in our experience. Every cloud has a silver lining and so has every sorrow,1918, George Jean Nathan, Performing Arts, page 222:But the most popular attitude toward what we may call "sad" plays is the peculiar one of believing that, since every cloud has a silver lining,Rate it:

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execution styleResembling an execution; with the victim aware, but unable to defend himself or resist.Rate it:

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Fair-Weather FriendSomeone who is your friend only when you are successful and prosperous but leave you in the time of needRate it:

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false alarmA thing or occurrence which initially causes fear, distress, etc. but which is subsequently recognized as being no cause for concern.Rate it:

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feed a cold, starve a feverEating more will cure the common cold, and eating less will cure a fever.1887, J. H. Whelan, "The Treatment of Colds.", The Practitioner, vol. 38, pg. 180:"Feed a cold, starve a fever." There is a deal of wisdom in the first part of this advice. A person with a catarrh should take an abundance of light nutritious food, and some light wine, but avoid spirits, and above all tobacco.1968, Katinka Loeser, The Archers at Home, publ. Atheneum, New York, pg. 60:I have a cold. 'Feed a cold, starve a fever.' You certainly know that.2009, Shelly Reuben, Tabula Rasa, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ISBN 015101079X, pg. 60:They say feed a cold, starve a fever, but they don't tell you what to do when you got both, so I figured scrambled eggs, tea, and toast.Rate it:

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first among equalsA person or position that if formally equivalent to others in a group, but is superior in some attribute.Rate it:

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fixing toGoing to, preparing to, about to, planning on doing, with the implication that it will not happen or be done immediately, but some time in the near future; can be used conditionally.Rate it:

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fly byAn airplane pilot does a "fly by" when she/he flies too close to the control tower thus making it shake and unnerve the people in itRate it:

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forewarned is forearmedAdvance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it.1863, Charles Reade, Hard Cash, ch. 4:[W]hatever a young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies; but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine . . . forewarned is forearmed.1885, G. A. Henty, Saint George for England, ch. 4:Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed.circa 1903, Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Why Mr. Cropper Changed His Mind":"Well, Miss Maxwell, I think it only fair to tell you that you may have trouble with those boys when they do come. Forewarned is forearmed, you know."Rate it:

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frig itAn expression of frustration similar to, but not as coarse as f** it.Rate it:

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fudge the factsSomeone who complains constantly but does not tell the straight story.Rate it:

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funxuWhen a person is having an absolute blast of a time no thanks to anyone else but only because of themselves.Rate it:

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get the runaroundNot given the answer to a request, but given misleading information.Rate it:

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give a sneck possetTo give someone a cold reception; to close the door on someone; to reject them.Rate it:

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give someone a bloody noseto defeat or frustrate someone, but not doing any permanent damage in the processRate it:

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gladio comminus (opp. eminus) rem gerereto fight with swords at close quarters.Rate it:

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glaze overSame as to gloss over something. When someone makes reference to something or alludes to it, but what was more important was hidden or was not expressly stated.Rate it:

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go beggingTo be available but wasted, unused, or not actualized.Rate it:

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go belly-upTo fail or fold; especially, to close or shut down a business; to go out of business.Rate it:

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going dutchwhen a man and woman each pay for their portion of the bill; often used when on a date, but not necessarily.Rate it:

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goldene hochzeitIt's a German phrase that literally translates to "Golden Wedding", but means that 50th anniversary of someone's wedding.Rate it:

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goodgesser, not a bad gesser.Someone says not bad pretty close, I come back with not a bad gesser or pretty good gessser.Rate it:

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grappledEngage in a close fight or struggle without weapons; wrestle. passersby grappled with the man after the knife attack synonyms: wrestle, struggle, tussle, brawl, fight, scuffle, battleRate it:

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grey marketDealing in shares using methods that are legal but officially frowned upon - for example, before issue and flotation.Rate it:

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guilty pleasureSomething that brings pleasure but is considered taboo, unadvisable or lowbrow.Rate it:

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gym bunnyA person who spends a large amount of time working out at a gym and who may be obsessed with improving his or her physique. Often said of a gay man, but also said of women and heterosexual men.Rate it:

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