Idiom
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where used
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Meaning
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ace in the hole
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CAN, UK, USA
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A hidden advantage or resource kept in reserve until needed
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Achilles' heel
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Global
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A person's weak spot
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across the board
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Global
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Applies to everyone or everything
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against the grain
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Global
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Doing something even though one does not agree with or believe in it
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(Having) airs and graces
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AUS, UK
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Behaving in a manner above one's social station.
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airy fairy
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USA
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whimsical, nonsensical, abnormal, impractical; refers to the perception of the mythologies of fairies as being a matter of fantasy.
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albatross around one's neck
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Global
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A persistent problem as a result of past actions which hinders present or future success. Alludes to The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, in which a man who killed an albatross was forced to wear the carcass around his neck
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all bark and no bite
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AUS, CAN, UK, USA
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Someone who tries to appear threatening, but when somebody stands up to them, they cannot stand up to their claims.
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all ears
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Global
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Showing intense interest in listening or hearing about something
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all hat and no cattle
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USA
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Talks often and vigorously about something but lacking the power, substance, or courage to do so; also can mean pretentious, or arrogantly taking on a responsibility that one is not suited for. Originates in either Southern or Western USA (possibly Texas). Alternative variation: "Big hat and no cattle."
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all piss and wind
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UK
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Someone who is "all piss and wind" makes a lot of noise and appears threatening or powerful, but in reality has nothing to back up their claims. (Vulgar)
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all talk and no trousers, all mouth and no trousers, all talk, no action
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AUS, UK, USA
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Said of someone who boasts in a macho way but is not likely to be able to back up his boasts. The phrase originated in the North of England. Compare variant "All fur coat and no knickers" said of posh people, implying that their airs and graces were a mask for moral laxity beneath the surface; or a Texas expression "Big hat and no cattle," said of someone of meager finances trying to create the appearance of wealth. Similarly the canine metaphor, "All bark and no bite."
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all over the place
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Global
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Extremely disorganized or confused
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all roads lead to Rome
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Global
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There is more than one effective way to do something
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always a bridesmaid, never a bride
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Global
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Frequently second-best but never a winner
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ants in one's pants
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Global
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Describes someone who is extremely restless or excitable
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any port in a storm
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Global
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An unfavourable option which might well be avoided in good times but which nevertheless looks better than the alternatives at the current time.
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any Tom, Dick or Harry
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Global
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Any ordinary person
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(The) apple doesn't fall far from the tree
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Global
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Children tend to take after their parents.
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apple of one's eye
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Global
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Something or someone that is very dear to another person
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apples and oranges
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Global
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Two things (persons, places, situations) are completely different; there is no common ground on which to compare them
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argue the toss
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AUS, UK
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To refuse to accept the decision in an argument
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armed to the teeth
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Global
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Possessing lots of weapons
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(To pay an) arm and a leg
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Global
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An extremely high price; to pay too much for something, sometimes out of a sense of desperation
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as far as I can throw you
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AUS, USA
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Given the strength required to throw a person, this distance is not very far. Usually preceded by "I trust you..."
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asleep at the wheel
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Global
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Irresponsible or neglectful of one's duties
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as poor as a church mouse
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USA, UK
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Extremely poor/Stone Broke
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a stitch in time saves nine
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AUS, CAN, USA
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If something needs to be done it is best done immediately, because left until later the job only becomes larger (like a hole in clothes)
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at loose ends
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Global
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Having spare time and/or energy but nothing to do
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at death's door
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Global
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Dying
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at sixes and sevens
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Global
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In a state of confusion or disagreement about how to deal with a situation
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at the drop of a hat
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Global
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To do something immediately or spontaneously
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at the end of one's rope (tether)
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Global
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Running out of endurance or patience
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at the end of the day ... (x will happen.)
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orig. & esp. AUS, UK
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Refers to the resultant outcome after all effectors related to a particular activity have concluded. Roughly equivalent to 'when all is said and done', or 'when the smoke has cleared'. A heavily overused cliché, often associated with politicians and sportsmen in press interviews.
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at wits' end
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Global
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Not knowing what to do about something
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axe to grind
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Global
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Most commonly used to indicate a grievance or resentment held by one party for another with an accompanying desire for revenge or resolution. The earliest usage meant to have an ulterior motive. This less commonly used meaning is anecdotally ascribed to an incident in which Benjamin Franklin was 'tricked' into sharpening an axe for an acquaintance who feigned interest in Franklin's new grinding wheel while conveniently having his own axe at hand.
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