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Phrases related to: know which end is up Page #8

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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:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
put out of one's miseryTo end or destroy something for the good of the individuals involved in it.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
saddleA block of wood, usually fastened to one spar and shaped to receive the end of another.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
shoot the moonTo take a risk which may result in great rewards; to succeed after taking such a risk.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
take a bowTo accept applause at the end of a performance in a theatre. Often this includes actually bowing to the audience.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
tell apartTo be able to know the difference between things; to distinguish.Rate it:

(3.00 / 3 votes)
vous ne savez pas où le bât le blesseYou do not know where the shoe pinches him.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
wait for the other shoe to dropTo await a seemingly inevitable event, especially one which is not desirable.Rate it:

(3.00 / 4 votes)
white lieA deliberate, untrue statement which does no harm or is intended to produce a favorable result.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
widow-makerSomething which or someone who takes the lives of men; a hazard that affects mostly men or is specific for some trade, occupied mostly by men.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
you can't take it with youIt is not possible to take one's material wealth to whatever world may await one after death.1900, E. Phillips Oppenheim, A Millionaire of Yesterday, ch. 6:"The clause whichRate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
kangaroo courtA judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, or a group which conducts such proceedings, which is without proper authority, abusive, or otherwise unjust.Rate it:

(2.75 / 4 votes)
yak shavingAny apparently useless activity which, by allowing you to overcome intermediate difficulties, allows you to solve a larger problem.Rate it:

(2.67 / 3 votes)
cash cowSomeone or something which is a dependable source of appreciable amounts of money; a moneymaker.Rate it:

(2.50 / 2 votes)
grace periodA length of time during which rules or penalties do not take effect or are withheld.Rate it:

(2.50 / 2 votes)
mad moneyA sum of money kept in reserve or to insulate oneself financially in the event of the sudden breakdown of a relationship in which one is economically dependent.Rate it:

(2.50 / 2 votes)
the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get(vulgar) The sexual satisfactions that one receives from a spouse or romantic partner are not sufficient to compensate for the significant periods of bad faith and unpleasant treatment which such relationships routinely involve.1971, Allen Churchill, The Literary Decade, ISBN 9780135375228:Years later she expressed her disillusionment with sex by saying, "The fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."1999, Ben Sonnenberg, Lost Property: Memoirs and Confessions of a Bad Boy, ISBN 9781582430454, p. 93:Maitland got drunk at his parties and threw his arm around you and pulled you over to his wife and made you look down her dress, saying, "The trouble with marriage is that the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."2008, Joseph Heywood, Blue Wolf In Green Fire, ISBN 9781599213590, p. 63:"I can't believe a little pussy got me into dis mess." "Shit happens," Service said. "Sometimes the fucking you get isn't worth the fucking you get."Rate it:

(2.34 / 15 votes)
a force to reckon withA competition or entity which is strong with experiences, trained personnel, good reputation, hundreds of successful projects.Rate it:

(2.00 / 4 votes)
bright-line ruleA clearly defined rule or standard, composed of objective factors, which leaves little or no room for varying interpretation.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
catch of the dayA type of fish or other seafood which has been caught and brought to market within more-or-less the last 24 hours.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
down to the short strokesIn the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
get one's money's worthIn a transaction, to receive a good or service which is considered to be of a value equal to or greater than the amount of money expended.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
Hallmark momentA memorable moment or event, one which would make a poignant greeting card.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
hiding to nothingA situation in which victory has little or no value, but defeat has a huge cost.Rate it:

(2.00 / 2 votes)
il sait son pain mangerHe knows on which side his bread is buttered.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
in for a penny, in for a poundExpressing recognition that one must, having started something, see it through to its end, rather than stopping short thereof; accepting that one must Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
in living memoryIn recent history, in recorded history amongst the lifespan of extant people; events or situations which can be remembered by people that are still aliveRate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
jouer la belleTo play the rubber (or third game, to see which of the players is the conqueror).Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
not a hair out of placeThe appearance, condition, presence of a subject which is ideal, almost perfectRate it:

(2.00 / 3 votes)
sweetheart dealA transaction, contract, or other agreement in which one party provides particularly favorable terms to the other, especially in suspicious circumstances.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
take aimTo position oneself and/or one's weapon so as to be aimed specifically at a chosen mark or target (which is indicated after 'at')Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
whisper campaignA method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concerning a person or other target, while the source of the rumors tries to avoid detection.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
heads I win, tails you loseSaid to describe a conflict in which someone has a particular advantage from the start.Rate it:

(1.75 / 4 votes)
three-ring circusA disorderly, complicated, rapidly changing situation or set of events, which is a source of bewilderment, amazement, or amusement.Rate it:

(1.67 / 3 votes)
damn by associationDiscredit or condemn a position, person, or thing by attacking those things with which he/she/it is associated.Rate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
who do you think you are, you've not been to cardiff?You dont know anything. You have no knowkedge of the world or any wisdom.Rate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
ace up one's sleeveA surprise advantage of which others are not aware.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
Behind the Eight BallGetting into trouble or difficult situation due to bad luck, a situation through which, one might not get out easilyRate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
bite offTo accept or commit oneself to a task, project, notion, or responsibility, especially one which presents challenges.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
black tieEvening dress; a standard of dress which is less formal than white tie, consisting of black dinner jacket or tuxedo jacket, and matching trousers, white shirt and black bow tie or, possibly, military dress or national costume.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
body blowA serious setback; a traumatizing event which prevents or hinders continuation of an activity.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
brain crampA temporary mental lapse, such as an inability to remember something, to focus one's attention, to understand something, or to perform some other mental task of which one would ordinarily be capable.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
BroadwayThe wide road which runs diagonally through Manhattan, New York City.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
carry throughTo manage to execute; to perform successfully, all the way to the end.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
cattle callAn audition which is open to the public and thus draws a large number of applicants, many of whom are inexperienced.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
center fieldThe part of a baseball field which is beyond the infield and straight ahead left if you stand on home plate and face the pitcher.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
count one's blessingsTo focus one's attention on the circumstances of one's life which are pleasant or fortunate, especially with the intention of diverting one's thoughts from serious or disagreeable matters.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
cross-purposeA conversational game, in which questions and answers are made so as to involve ludicrous combinations of ideas.Rate it:

(1.00 / 2 votes)
duck outTo depart quickly or exit abruptly, especially in a manner which does not attract notice and before a meeting, event, etc. has concluded.Rate it:

(1.00 / 2 votes)
dunnoEquivalent to, eg: "I don't know".Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)

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