the die is cast

/ðə ˌdaɪ ɪz ˈkɑːst/

Calque of Latin iacta ālea est, a grammatically, and thereby semantically, incorrect translation by the Roman historian Suetonius (c. 69 – p. 122 C.E.) in his work Vīta Dīvī Iūlī (On the Life of the Caesars, 121 C.E.) of the Ancient Greek ἀνερρίφθω κύβος (anerrhíphthō kúbos), which was said to have been spoken by Julius Caesar (100 – 44 B.C.E.) when he crossed the Rubicon to irreversibly begin a civil war in the Roman Republic (see cross the Rubicon).
Caesar was quoting from the comedy Ἀρρηφόρῳ (Arrhēphórōi, The Bearer of Ritual Objects) by the dramatist Menander (c. 342 or 341 – c. 290 B.C.E.). The Greek phrase is more accurately translated as “let the die be cast” (meaning “let the game be played” and implying “let us proceed irreversibly”), and refers a game of chance in which the outcome is determined by the throwing of dice or a single die.

noncog

ἀνερρίφθω κύβος

nb...

With an English Translation by Bernadotte Perrin.

lang

Ἑλληνιστὶ πρὸς τοὺς παρόντας ἐκβοήσας, ‘Ἀνερρίφθω κύβος,’ διεβίβαζε τὸν στρατόν.

Δειπνοσοφισταί

Δειπνοσοφισταί

Δεδογμένον τὸ πρᾶγμ’ · ἀνερρίφθω κύβος

Δεδογμένον τὸ πρᾶγμ’ · ἀνερρίφθω κύβος

nb...

par Athénéé, Traduit, tant sur les Textes imprimés, que sur plusieurs Manuscrits, par M. Lefebvre de Villebrune.

Is the die caſt, muſt / At this one throvv all thou haſt gaind be loſt? / The VVorlds a Lott'ry; He that dravves may vvin: / VVho nothing ventur's, looks for nothing;[…]

[1634, H. H., “[Dedication by H. H.]”, in T[homas] H[erbert], A Relation of Some Yeares Trauaile, Begunne Anno 1626. into Afrique and the Greater Asia, […], London: […] William Stansby, and Jacob Bloome, →OCLC:

The die is cast. I cannot go back. I must get ready. Will you see me to the station?

1879, George Meredith, “At the Railway Station”, in The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative. […], volume II, London: C[harles] Kegan Paul & Co., […], →OCLC, page 188:

you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube

(idiomatic) Conclusive action has been taken, so events will proceed in an irreversible manner; the point of no return has been passed; the future is determined; there are no more options.

Athenaeus
Bernadotte Perrin
Harvard University Press
Julius Caesar
Loeb Classical Library
Menander
On the Life of the Caesars
Suetonius

سبق السيف العذل

conclusive action has been taken, so events will proceed in an irreversible manner

木已成舟 (mùyǐchéngzhōu, literally “the wood has already been made into a boat”)


my back teeth are floating

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Where's the restroom? My back teeth are floating!

(informal, slang) I have a strong need to urinate.


let's not and say we did

“We must go on to the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, Pa,” said Seb, bravely. “We can't feel any worse.”
“Let's not and say we did,” groaned the sick father from his position of vantage at the rail.

1921, Harvard Lampoon, volume 80, number 10, page 324:

"Let's kick in a window on George," Dick Buckford said.
 "Let's not and say we did," Andy Houlihan said.

1947, James Thomas Farrell, The Life Adventurous and Other Stories, Vanguard Press, page 286:

Many teachers take a "Let's not and say we did" attitude toward extended experiential learning in the different styles.

2006, Jane A. G. Kise, Differentiated Coaching: A Framework for Helping Teachers Change, Corwin Press, →ISBN, page 65:

(idiomatic, colloquial) Indicates that the speaker does not agree with a proposed action, and does not wish to participate.


a new broom sweeps clean

(figurative) New management will often make radical changes.

càntir nou fa l'aigua fresca

new management will often make radical changes

a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners


five will get you ten

Betting parlance for even odds, i.e. betting five pounds (dollars, etc.) should win you ten.

Five will get you ten that your sheet will have an editorial on the Orchard case Sunday, and what will it say?

Five will get you ten that he's either gone or dead by midnight Sunday.

She has a nice strong tone that falters just a bit in the upper ranges; five'll get you ten that problem clears up as soon as [she] gets completely comfortable with performing publicly.

1983 December 3, Jolanta Benal, “Spandex, Sousa, Bad Politics”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 20, page 6:

As it is I'm going to be in big trouble financially if I lose my job and five will get you ten the bastards will try to drum me out.


there's nowt so queer as folk

Well (shakes her head with a little smile as she goes on knitting)—there's nowt so queer as folk! (Shakes her head again.)

1893, Florence Eveleen Eleanore Bell, Elizabeth Robins, Alan's Wife, act 1, scene 1, pages 11–12:

'Theer's Miss So-and-so bin doon here and gaan on ivver so and glen me sic a blackin' as never was, becos I telt her I cudn't git her intil t' auld grund noa-ways, and I telt her she mud just lig in t' new grund and mud be weel content, an aw, for it was a deal sweeter.' 'And,' added old Joe, ' theer's nowt so queer as folk, specially wick uns.'

1911, Hardwicke Drummond Rawnsley, “Sexton Joe”, in By Fell and Dale at the English Lakes, pages 87–88:

Long ago Aristotle said that you cannot expect to find the same accuracy in all thought as in mathematics—you can only get it as far as the nature of the subject allows. The human factor has to be reckoned with and, as they say in Yorkshire: "There's nowt so queer as folk."

c. 1936, Clement Francis Rogers, “Are Miracles Possible?”, in The Case for Miracle, pages 26–27:

The really remarkable thing about ALBION is the amazing number of people it continues to hoodwink. Nearly 100 subscribers now, all persisting in sending their cash to the Editorial Permanence In Drunkenness Fund. A growth-rate of approximately one new subscriber per week! How you can all tolerate this I cannot understand; however, as they say across the frontier into Yorkshire - 'There's nowt so queer as folk' (being married to a Yorkshirewoman, I subscribe whole-heartedly to this view)

1971 July 1, Don Turnbull, “Ye Second Birthday Editorial”, in Albion, number 30, page 2:

(simile, colloquial, Yorkshire, Lancashire) Nothing is as strange as people can be; people can behave very oddly sometimes.


the jig is up

head

the jig is up (simple past the jig was up)

Jig is an old term for a lively dance, and in the Elizabethan era the word also became slang for a practical joke or a trick. This idiom derives from this obsolete slang word.

We knew then the jig was up, and it was no grin matter for us.

When I first told 'em how the jig was up with us, that the British were going to have the land, without any fighting about it, I never see fellows so mad before in my life, unless it was Major Eaton at Washington when he sot out to flog Mr. Ingham.

1833, Seba Smith (as Jack Downing), The life and writings of Major Jack Downing, of Downingville, away down East in the State of Maine, Lilly; Wait; Colman & Holden, page 176:

After I had returned home in the spring of 1893 from Washington, where I saw so many gray-haired men who had held high elective office begging for the crumbs from Cleveland's table, I gave my wife an account of what I observed, and told her that when the jig was up for me I would hasten back to Missouri to begin the practice of law once more and be a man among men.

1920, Champ Clark, My Quarter Century of American Politics, Harper & brothers, page 96:

The universe works in strange ways: just when you think the jig is up, you get a second chance.

2007, Mary Newport, in Jerry Newport and Mary Newport, Mozart and the Whale: An Asperger's Love Story, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, page 248:

(Australia, New Zealand, US, idiomatic) An expression used to mean "We have been caught out and have no defense", or if spoken to a person who has just been found out as the perpetrator of an offense, where it means "You've been discovered".


one's jig is up

1836, Horatio Hastings Weld, "The Martyr to Science", in Corrected Proofs, Russell, Shattuck & Co., page 74,
P.S. C'est en fait—my jig is up! While under the barber's hands this morning, a boy posted up in the shop the programme of a course of Phrenological Lectures!

1920, Ethel and James Dorrance, Glory Rides the Range, The Macaulay Company, page 272,
"You tell the lie!" she accused. "And you'd better quit, for your jig is up. I've got you right. […]"

2006, Derrick Parker and Matt Diehl, Notorious C.O.P.: the inside story of the Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay investigations from the NYPD's first "hip-hop cop", St. Martin's Press, →ISBN, page 102,
But I'd convinced a witness to come in, […] Sure enough, when we brought Marshall in for the lineup, she picked him right away. ¶ Marshall was naturally upset that his jig was up, […]

(idiomatic) Alternative form of the jig is up [for one].


'nuff said

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Contraction and pronunciation spelling of enough said.

“Your new computer is super expensive!” “Yeah, but it rocks! ’Nuff said!”

Remember, Blanche DuBois was a blotto and her trip to New Orleans didn't get her anywhere. Nuff said.

1979, Margaret Oberman, Doug Steckler, I Could Have Been a Contender: Or, The Other Book of Lists, New York, N.Y.: Avon, →ISBN, page 102:

(informal) Used in various situations to either end a discussion, or to imply that further discussion is not needed.


perish the thought

Equivalent to "[may] the thought perish", with the verb in the subjunctive mood followed by its subject.

What! was he to lose his hold over these boys, and that because he was unable to cope with a boy much smaller and younger than himself? Perish the thought!

1885, Horatio Alger, chapter 13, in Hector's Inheritance:

According to industry gossips, Richard and Judy may soon go their separate ways. Not maritally; no, perish the thought.

2007 June 22, Grace Dent, The Guardian, G2, p. 3:

May the thought perish; said of an idea or suggestion that is deeply undesirable.


the night is young

The night is young, and full of possibilities / Well come on, and let yourself be free

1979, Frederick Knight (lyrics and music), “Ring My Bell”, performed by Anita Ward:

It's not very late (at night) and there's plenty of time.


how much does it cost

What is its price? How much money do you want for it?

偌濟錢？ /偌济钱？

lōa-chōe chîⁿ? / lǒa-chōe chîⁿ? / lōa-chē chîⁿ? / gōa-chōe chîⁿ? / gōa-chē chîⁿ?


a cat may look at a king

A purported inferior has certain rights or prerogatives, even in the presence of a purported superior.

un chien regarde bien un évêque

faigheann an cat cead amharc ar an rí is ní fhaigheann an rí cead é a chaitheamh


a closed mouth gathers no feet

/ə ˈkləʊzd ˌmaʊθ ˈɡæ.ðəz nəʊ ˈfiːt/

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From put one's foot in one's mouth (“to say something embarrassing or wrong, or to make a mistake in public, or a social blunder, that is embarrassing or offensive”), adopting the structure of a rolling stone gathers no moss and a closed mouth catches no flies.

From the wall of a New York bar: "A closed mouth gathers no feet."

1958, “Wall Signs Dept.”, in Advertising Agency, volume 51, Bristol, Conn.: Moore Publishing Company, →OCLC, page 9:

A closed mouth gathers no feet.

1972, American Eagle, San Francisco, Calif.: American Forest Products Corporation, →ISSN, →OCLC, column 2:

Now disinflation is conventional wisdom on Wall Street, and Rutledge makes no apologies for his flamboyance: "A closed mouth gathers no feet," he says.

1987, Forbes, volume 139, New York, N.Y.: Forbes, Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 71:

Or just keep your mouth shut. As sex therapist Marty Klein says, "A closed mouth gathers no feet."

1993 April, “The Playboy Advisor”, in Hugh M[arston] Hefner, editor, Playboy, volume 40, number 4, Chicago, Ill.: Playboy Enterprises, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 39, column 1:

So open your mouth to speak about what is good. And above all remember that "a closed mouth gathers no feet!"

1996, Marvin Phillips, “A Closed Mouth Gathers No Feet”, in Never Lick a Moving Blender!: Humorous Insights that Motivate and Encourage, West Monroe, La.: Howard Publishing, →ISBN; republished New York, N.Y.: Howard Books, 2010, →ISBN, page 72:

Bubba said he would like to go along. Leonard said, "That's okay, Bubba, but please allow me to do the talking. Remember, a closed mouth gathers no feet."

2001, Gary W. Carter, “The Role of a Tax Consultant”, in Getting Started in Tax Consulting, New York, N.Y.: John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN, page 21:

(humorous) One who does not speak can be sure of not saying anything embarrassing.

one who does not speak can be sure of not saying anything embarrassing

ceux qui ne disent rien n’ont jamais tort


I could eat a horse

She said: "I'm starved. I could eat a horse." I told her she was lying, because I had once eaten horse.

1946, George Johnston, Skyscrapers in the Mist, page 46:

(idiomatic, hyperbolic) I am very hungry; short form of "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse."

zjadłbym konia z kopytami

lit.: I would eat a horse, including hoofs

tengo más hambre que el perro de un ciego

lit.: I'm so hungry, I could eat a lamb for a single meal

o kadar açım ki tek oturuşta bir kuzu yiyebilirim


screw you

You'll just lie in your bed all day rather than help us? Well, screw you.

Screw you—go annoy someone else!

Screw you! You think you can come to my house dressed like a slob?

During [Tucker] Carlson’s keynote, he wedged sneers at his critics for crying “racist!” in between racist remarks about [Ilhan] Omar, jeremiads against the media (“I know there’s a bunch of reporters here, so . . . screw you”), and an attack on Elizabeth Warren and her donors (“She’s a tragedy, because she’s now obsessed with racism, which is why the finance world supports her”)—all to gleeful applause.

2019 July 24, David Austin Walsh, “Flirting With Fascism”, in Jewish Currents:

Well, screw you. Screw all of you. I hope this letter is like a knife in your hearts. You ruined my life. All I've done is pay you back in kind.

(slang, idiomatic, mildly vulgar) less offensive version of fuck you.


here you are

(idiomatic) Said when handing something over to someone or doing a favour to them, usually to draw the recipient's attention to the exchange; equivalent to “thank you” when receiving something.


peel me a grape

First recorded use by Mae West in the film I'm no Angel (1933): "Beulah, (yes ma'am) peel me a grape."

His early, brilliant "Peel Me a Grape," which has long been one of Blossom Dearie's anthems, laughs at social ennui in the seventies and eighties in the way that Cole Porter laughed at it in the thirties: Peel me a grape, crush me some ice, Skin me a peach, save the fuzz for my pillow, Start me a smoke, talk to me nice, You gotta wine me and dine me, Don't try and fool me, bejewel me, Either amuse me or lose me, I'm gettin' hungry -- peel me a grape.

2006, Whitney Balliett -, American Singers: Twenty-Seven Portraits in Song, →ISBN, page 242:

Can't you hear Adam say to her, “Peel me a grape, Lilith.” And her response: “Peel it yourself! And while you are at it, where's dinner?”

2009, Ronald B. Allen, Beverly Allen, Liberated Traditionalism: Men and Women in Balance, →ISBN, page 91:

Half an hour later when dad and I ventured into the lounge, mum glaring at us with a face like thunder, Kim was lying contentedly next to Armalade in front of the fire, a real con merchant if ever there was one, basking in all the attention. Talk about peel me a grape!

2011, Maggie Graham, Me and My Animals, →ISBN, page 80:

“Daaaahlings I say, please refill my glass and peel me a grape.” She grinned and mugged it up for us gathered proletariat.

2011, Michael R. Häack, Passport: A Novel of Adventure and Intrigue, →ISBN, page 414:

A request to be pampered or to have one's whims indulged.


who cares

(colloquial, rhetorical question) A reply to an unimportant or irrelevant statement, indicating indifference on the part of the speaker.

"I'll never speak to you again as long as I live," said Joe, rising. "There now!" And he moved moodily away and began to dress himself.
"Who cares!" said Tom. "Nobody wants you to. Go 'long home and get laughed at. Oh, you're a nice pirate. Huck and me ain't crybabies. We'll stay, won't we, Huck? Let him go if he wants to. I reckon we can get along without him, per'aps."

1876, Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Part 4:

"But it's ever so much longer, and we're so late," grumbled Duncan.
"Who cares?" cried Elsie, stolidly. "I'm a girl and I'm not going to climb up the hill in this heat."
Duncan stared again. He had never heard Elsie complain of the hill before. Usually they scampered up it, and rolled down the steepest side—not, truly, when there was milk to carry, but at other times. And now Elsie was walking along in a languid, mincing fashion, as if she had no more fun in her than Robbie himself, and had never scampered bare-foot over the moor six days out of every week, no matter what the weather might be.
"There's Robbie at the garden gate beckoning us. I expect mother's very angry," cried Duncan, despairingly.
"Who cares? let him beckon," Elsie replied, with the most provoking indifference. "Run on by yourself if you're afraid."

1884 July, author not named, “A Little Too Clever”, in Little Folks: A Magazine for the Young:

c.1888, George Manville Fenn, Dick o' the Fens: A Tale of the Great Eastern Swamp,
"No, but it's not nice all the same to live in a place where lots of people were murdered."
"Tchah! who cares! I don't. It's a capital old place, and you never dig anywhere without finding something."
"Yes," said Tom solemnly, "something that isn't always nice."

"Well," said Peter Piper, "we have been called Meg and Peg and Kilmanskeg and Gustibus and Peter Piper instead of our grand names, and now we live in a place called Racketty-Packetty House. Who cares! Let's join hands and have a dance."

1906, Frances H. Burnett, Racketty-Packetty House:

It makes no difference if you fall on the whirl. Who cares? And when you are through dancing you can go out to the faucet and get yourself a drink—provided the water hasn't been turned off.

1922, Robert Benchley, Love Conquers All:

Freddy Farmer added two one-dollar bills to the hockey tickets and walked away. The two soldiers gaped down at the two tickets and the two dollars.
"What's the matter with that guy; is he touched?" one of them mumbled. "And did you hear him, Fuzzy? He didn't even speak English!"
"Who cares?" Fuzzy asked as he came out of his trance. "Two four-buck-forty hockey tickets, and two bucks in cash! Who cares if the guy is touched? He's okay by me!"

1944, Robert Sydney Bowen, Dave Dawson at Casablanca:

(colloquial, rhetorical question) A reply that dismisses the importance of another speaker's immediately preceding statement.


what do you want, a cookie

"I was straight to the point - "Laurie, I'm gay." "Bernard, I've known that for a long time. So, what do you want, a cookie? Now deal the cards!"

1994, R. Jeffrey Ringer, Queer Words, Queer Images: Communication and Construction of Homosexuality, →ISBN, page 230:

DOLL. Buzzet attacked me last night. I have scars! Look at my arm! And my hair is flat too!
SPIDER. What do you want a cookie?

2001, Mary Rogers, Drop Your Webbings! (from Class Acts: High School Plays by High School Writers →ISBN by Randy Lee Hartwig), p.30

"I wait for ju, five minute," He says. "Well what do you want, a cookie" I tell him and he looks at me like he does not understand."

2004, James H. Taylor, Curiosity Killed the Chelsea Boy, →ISBN, page 153:

"The way I see it, I'm already doing all the work, and I'm doing the spells and incantations," stated Bowolf. "So what do you want, a cookie?" laughed Prolok.

2006, Antonio Garza, The House with the Magic Cellar: Realm: I, →ISBN, page 103:

(rhetorical question, sarcastic) A retort to someone who has done something unsurprising or unimpressive and has deemed it necessary to mention it.


you are welcome

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She reached out and handed me a steaming bowl of porridge. / “Thank you!” / Her eyes smiled back at me. “You are welcome.”

2000, Eric Walters, Caged Eagles, Orca Book Publishers, →ISBN, page 50:

(formal) Alternative form of you're welcome.


en-proverb

you pays your money and you takes your choice

You can get there by bus, or train, or taxi. Whatever. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Showman. On your right you will perceive a Prime Minister a Bolishing of hisself. And over your left is another Prime Minister a Bolishing of the Corn-Laws. / Master John Bull. But which is the Prime Minister? / Showman. Which ever you please, my little dear. You pays your money, and you takes your choice.

1846, “THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS.[cartoon]”, in Punch, page 17:

Each person can make his or her own decisions.

you pays your nickel and you takes your choice

you pays your money and you takes your chances


art imitates life

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The observation that a creative work was inspired by true events; based on a true story.


life imitates art

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Expresses the notion that an event in the real world was inspired by a creative work.


God bless you

From Middle English God blesse you, God blisse you. A clause in the present subjunctive inherited intact from a time when English was freely productive of them. Diachronically it is not a shortening; synchronically it is often surface-analyzed as such; present-day English has a heavy need for the modal auxiliary (may) to ensure syntactic clarity, whereas earlier English could more easily take it or leave it.

I heard you helped them with clearing away the downed tree. God bless you! The Lord provides!

You got that whole area cleaned up in one day? God bless you! I'll buy your coffee today!

“But she will be gained by some one else. And if that some one should be the very he whom, of all others, I could least bear—But I will not stay to rob myself of all your compassionate good-will, by shewing that where I have most injured I can least forgive. Good bye,—God bless you!” And with these words, he almost ran out of the room.

1811, [Jane Austen], chapter VIII, in Sense and Sensibility […], volume III, London: […] C[harles] Roworth, […], and published by T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, pages 185–186:

May God bless you; said as a short prayer, benediction, or valediction for the recipient; usually religiously; sometimes nonliterally but rhetorically or culturally.

حَيَّاك اَللّٰه

said as a short prayer for the recipient


you know it

"What he did to her was wrong." "You know it, sister!"

"I've still got a few years on the chain gang." "Counting the days, huh?" "You know it."

2004, Tom Perrotta, Little Children, page 301:

He's a little bit older, mind you, but good people, if you know what I'm saying to you …" "Italian, right?" "You know it, baby, and —" "Over fifty? Widowed? Grown children?" "You're a mind reader!"

2006, Dorothea Benton Frank, Full of Grace, page 19:

"Man, I wonder if David found out. Is that why they divorced?" "You know it."

2007, Sheila M. Goss, Roses Are Thorns, Violets Are True, page 96:

(idiomatic) Indicates agreement, approval, encouragement.


get well soon

Expressing hope that the listener will soon recover from illness.

أَتَمَنَّى لَكَ الشِّفَاءَ الْكَامِل

expressing hope that someone recovers soon

gum fàsadh tu nas fheàrr a dh'aithghearr


lights, camera, action

(cinematography) The traditional cue to the members of a (silent) film crew at the beginning of a take.

الْأَضْوَاء، الْكَامِيرَا، اِبْدَأ

traditional cue at a beginning of a take


on your mark, get set, go

on your mark (get in one's lane or spot)

get set (get to the starting position)

go! (take off)

(sports) A three-command start when racing:


do exactly what it says on the tin

en-verb

do<does,,did,done> exactly what it says<says,said,said> on the tin

do exactly what it says on the tin (third-person singular simple present does exactly what it says on the tin, present participle doing exactly what it said on the tin, simple past did exactly what it said on the tin, past participle done exactly what it said on the tin)

does exactly what it says on the tin (present singular third-person)
doing exactly what it said on the tin (participle present)
did exactly what it said on the tin (past)
done exactly what it said on the tin (participle past)

Based on the slogan from a series of UK television commercials for Ronseal (sealant products), beginning in the 1990s.

[The Erotic Art Museum] does exactly what it says on the tin: presents erotic art […]

2004, Andrea Schulte-Peevers, Germany, Lonely Planet,, →ISBN, page 689:

“That update is doing exactly what it says on the tin,” Jack started, demonstrating the date of birth restriction. It only returned the day and month now, holding back the year, causing some of Jack's regression tests to fail.

2013, Stephen J. Sweeney, Firmware, volume 1:

"Until we get a train that performs to specification, it's difficult to put a timeline on it. The train does not do what it says on the tin.

2022 January 26, Paul Clifton, “Network News: ... and Arterio woes could mean more cascades”, in RAIL, number 949, page 10:

The solutions to this crisis are clear. We must keep fossil fuels in the ground and deliver a clean, green and affordable energy system. We need publicly owned utilities to do what they say on the tin, rather than simply siphon off obscene profits to shareholders.

2022 August 12, Caroline Lucas, “As drought blights the UK, our politicians have their heads buried in the sand”, in The Guardian:

(idiomatic, British, Ireland) To do what is described or what one would expect, with no further explanation needed.


the buck stops here

Popularized by US President Harry Truman. The phrase is based on the metaphorical expression passing the buck, derived from poker gameplay, that came to mean "passing blame", or absolving oneself of responsibility or concern by denying authority or jurisdiction over a given matter.

Well, nobody else can make a decision but me because I was the President and the final decision comes to the President, you know. I used to have a sign on my desk that said, "The Buck Stops Here." The buck stops at the president's desk when he's president of the United States, and he either makes the decisions or he lets them go by default, and you can't afford to do that when you're president.

1965, Harry S. Truman, 0:20 from the start, in MP2002-401 Former President Truman Discusses "The Buck Stops Here", Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives Identifier: 595162:

1994 January 25, William J. Clinton, State of the Union Address, 2004 Gutenberg eBook,
If you will stick with this plan, we will post three consecutive years of declining deficits for the first time since Harry Truman lived in the White House. And once again, the buck stops here.

(idiomatic) A statement that no excuses will be made, that the speaker is going to take direct responsibility for matters, rather than pass the responsibility to higher authorities.

la responsabilité commence ici

die Verantwortung liegt hier bei mir und nirgendwo anders

die Verantwortung liegt hier bei uns und nirgendwo anders


where there's smoke, there's fire

en-au-where there's smoke, there's fire.ogg

with a grain of salt
with a grain of salt

(UK, US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand) If there is a hint of something occurring it could indeed be true, but such rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.

لَا دُخَانَ بِلَا نَار

if there is a hint of something occurring it could indeed be true, but rumors should be handled with skepticism


today is a good day to die

/tʊˈdeɪ ɪz ə ˈɡʊd deɪ tə ˈdaɪ/

Crazy Horse
Leavenworth Times
Low Dog
Oglala Lakota
University of Oklahoma Press

The phrase is frequently attributed to the Oglala Lakota war leader Crazy Horse (c. 1842 – 1877), though this is inaccurate as the earliest published reference, in the 14 August 1881 edition of the Leavenworth Times, attributes it to the Oglala Lakota chief Low Dog (c. 1846 – 1894).

To be given the strength to live without regrets, without the feeling that you should be doing something more, something different. To make today''' a good day to die. To gain fulfillment not with length of time, but with quality.

[2002, Dave Collins, “Gains”, in Please Remain Seated until the Ride has Come to a Complete Stop: Dave Collins Memoir, Lincoln, Neb.: Writer's Showcase, iUniverse, →ISBN, pages 86–87:

The main thing is to die after having truly lived, after leaving behind a contribution. Socrates lived fully and was perfectly content to let go when the time came. As the Native American saying goes, "Today is a good day to die."

2006, Dan Millman, “On Chapter Four: The Sword is Sharpened”, in Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior: A Companion to the Book that Changes Lives, Tilburon, Calif.: H. J. Kramer; Novato, Calif.: New World Library, →ISBN, page 111:

In the native tradition of the Pacific Northwest there is a saying: "Today is a good day to die." What it means, of course, is that today is a good day to live completely. If you were lying on that hospital bed right now, what would be on that short list?

2008, John Izzo, “The First Secret: Be True to Your Self”, in The Five Secrets You must Discover before You Die, San Francisco, Calif.: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, →ISBN, page 43:

An expression indicating that one should not live with any regrets, or tasks left undone.


I approve this message

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(US, humorous) a phrase said after or before one makes a declaration to attach a mock solemnity to a strongly held belief


I'll be

Presumably short for I'll be damned via anapodoton.


that's all she wrote

Unknown; circa 1940s; thought to be a reference to Dear John letters. Ernest Tubb recorded a song titled "That's All She Wrote" (sheet music published in 1942), but earlier printed references exist (e.g. The Brownsville Herald, June 1935).

If you see a long yellow streak of all fine smoke / That’s my rocket pulling out, that’s all she wrote / […]

1951, Jackie Brenston, “My Real Gone Rocket”:

There was a note upon my door... I won’t be back no more / That’s all she wrote, "Dear John".

[…] Goodbye — that’s all she wrote.

Then I got Mary pregnant and man that was all she wrote / And for my nineteenth birthday I got a union card and a wedding coat

Inside information taken down note by note / A silent footstep that's all she wrote

Bye bye, baby, bye-bye, she said in a letter / And that was all she wrote

He said a prayer, and that was all she wrote

2004, Gaither Vocal Band, “I Catch 'Em, God Cleans 'Em”:

I get five short beeps when the machine starts to boot, and then that's all she wrote[…]

2004, Michael Graves, A+ Guide to PC Hardware Maintenance & Repair, page 525:

I, I, got a little paycheck / You got big plans and you gotta move / And I don't feel nothing at all / And you can't feel nothing small / "Honey, I love you", that's all she wrote

2016 February 5, Wesley Schultz and Jeremy Fraites, “Ophelia”, in Cleopatra, performed by The Lumineers:

(idiomatic, originally US) Indicating an abrupt termination of a project, or of one’s hopes or plans.


the British are coming

From a famous line supposedly uttered by the American Paul Revere.

A warning that enemies are about and a battle is about to begin.


how are you doing

A greeting to an existing acquaintance, asking after their welfare.


that's what she said

First attested in the early 20th century. She refers to the speaker's imagined sexual partner.

etydate

Coordinate term: that's what he said

Some seemed bored and irritated by the priapic yahooism and overwillingness of peers to read a sexual double entendre into the most innocuous remark. "No matter what you say," said one student, "someone is going to respond with ‘That's what she said.’ "

2008 March 2, Ron Fletcher, “In the Internet Age, a few lessons about bad jokes, good taste”, in Boston Globe, retrieved 2009-04-07:

So this morning we pulled up a pumpkin-pancake recipe on the kitchen laptop. Just one problem: My wife couldn't read it from where she was mixing. "Can't you make it bigger?" she asked. (Go ahead, insert your own "that's what she said" joke here. No class.)

2008 November 24, Rick Broida, “Quick Tip: Increase the Font Size in Your Browser”, in PCWorld.com, retrieved 2009-04-07:

(humorous, idiomatic) A joking retort that draws attention to the possibility of sexual innuendo in what was just said.


so be it

Minister of State: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Prime Minister, I beg to introduce a bill entitled an Act to amend the Interpretation Act.
Clerk: Interpretation (Amendment) Bill.
Speaker: Second reading what day?
Minister of State: At the next available sitting.
Speaker: So be it.

From storm to storm ! So be it, then. Born in throes, ’tis fit that man should live in pains and die in pangs! So be it, then! Here's stout stuff for woe to work on. So be it, then.

1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “The Doubloon”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 480:

It doesn't matter which party it is. If the people choose one, a Democrat, then so be it.

2009 February 22, This Week with George Stephanopoulos, via ABC:

The reason was that China's stability was at stake, according to Singapore's statesman Lee Kuan Yew. He once said: "He (Deng Xiaoping) took over and said, "If I have to shoot 200,000 students to save China from another 100 years of disorder, so be it."

2014 October 10, Diane M. Francis, “Why Does China Get To Renege on Its Promise of Democracy in Hong Kong?”, in HuffPost:

(idiomatic, subjunctive) An indication of acceptance, especially of a situation which is not entirely favorable.


screw off

en-verb

screw off (third-person singular simple present screws off, present participle screwing off, simple past and past participle screwed off)

screws off (present singular third-person)
screwing off (participle present)
screwed off (participle past)
screwed off (past)

Hold it in two hands and screw off the lid. Set the lid down. Inside are pickled onions.

2004, Cathy Myata, Speaking rules!: Games and activities for creating effective speakers, presenters and storytellers, page 52:

To remove the lid of a jar or other container by unscrewing it.

When the boss wasn't around on the weekend they would sometimes screw off.

On account of the high rate of wages at Sydney, stevedores will not "screw off" now so willingly as they did formerly.

1878, Robert White Stevens, On the stowage of ships and their cargoes: with information regarding freights, charter parties, &c., &c., page 798:

(idiomatic, colloquial) To fail to do one's work; to goof off.

I finished the work early so I screwed off.

(idiomatic, colloquial) To leave; to bugger off.


screw off

I said no. Now screw off!

(idiomatic, vulgar, dismissal) To tell someone to leave or to stop being bothersome.

"We just won a new car!" "Screw off! You're joking, right?"

(idiomatic, possibly vulgar) An expression of surprise or disbelief.


shiver my timbers

A reference to a wooden ship being pounded heavily in stormy seas to the extent that its timbers shake, causing awe and fear to the sailors on board.

I was informed I ſhould meet my dear Anna ſomewhere in theſe woods: I have been ſteering all points of the compaſs, but in vain. However, after having given chaſe to an enemy, ſhall I tamely haul my wind when my miſtreſs is in view? No;—ſhiver my timbers if I do. The man who meanly deſerts his King or his miſtreſs, deſerves to be ſhot for a traitor to both!

1794, James Roberts, Rule Britannia! A Loyal Sketch, in Two Acts, as Performed with Universal Applause at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London: Printed for Hookham and Carpenter, Old and New Bond-street, →OCLC, act II, scene i, page 26:

I weighed anchor inſtantly, and bore up right a-head to Dynevawr-houſe as faſt as my wooden leg would carry me. […] Shiver my timbers! what do you think I found 'em at? Split my wind if there was not a gang, with Mrs. Martha at the head, working away at the temple which was built for us to take our grog in.

1799, [Edward Dubois], chapter XII, in A Piece of Family Biography. In Three Volumes, volume II, London: Printed for J[ohn] Bell, no. 148, Oxford-Street, opposite New Bond-Street, →OCLC, page 216:

"The score!" he burst out. "Three goes o' rum! Why, shiver my timbers, if I hadn't forgotten my score!" And, falling on a bench, he laughed until the tears ran down his cheeks.

1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, “At the Sign of the ‘Spy-Glass’”, in Treasure Island, London, Paris, New York, N.Y.: Cassell & Company, Limited, published 1883, →OCLC, page 66:

When I wake up the next morning there's a seagull on my windowsill. […] They're such big birds, seagulls, so loud and cocksure and arrogant. If they could speak they would all sound like sailors. All avast! and ahoy there! and shiver me timbers! and they'd smoke reedy pipes and down flagons of foamy ale.

2005, Daisy Jordan, chapter 19, in Wild about Harry, London: Bantam Books, →ISBN, page 263:

A mild oath expressing surprise, disbelief or annoyance. It is stereotypically regarded as being uttered by pirates.

Aert Anthoniszoon
National Maritime Museum

u sta hromů

mild oath stereotypically regarded as being uttered by pirates


where you at

Last time I saw ya, you were flippin' burgers; where you at now?

(proscribed, nonstandard, slang, set phrase) Where are you? Used as an inquiry of location, especially figuratively.


Eat at Joe's

For most of the inhabitants of most parts of the world today, the notion of costume begins and often ends with some variant of "Eat at Joe's."

1996, Grolier, Academic American Encyclopedia, →ISBN, page 332:

A lot of crop-duster-type aircraft are used to pull banners around football stadiums: Eat at Joe's.

2003, Jim Saxton, Department of Defenses Role in Combating Terrorism:


there you go

Attagirl! There you go! Keep it up! Now pass the ball back to me again!

'There you go! It worked.' Toby got up, pleased with the result. 'We can hoist it back up now. Take the horses the other side Tad.'

You have done it, or are doing it, correctly.

做得好

you have done it, or are doing it, correctly

Kelly Collins, A Wilde Love Collection
To be honest, I didn't care for that side of the plan, but I needed their manpower to pull all this off, and someone owed me a favor, so there you go. It worked like a charm.

Used to explain or justify something, such as one's course of action.

He told me to bring it back to you when I was done. There you go! Happy Friday!


there ya go

(informal) Alternative form of there you go


bug off

(idiomatic, informal, transitive, dismissal) Used to tell somebody to leave one alone.

häivy

Used to tell somebody to leave them alone


the plot thickens

From the satirical play The Rehearsal. First attested in 1671.

BAYES. Lo' you now, there he's off again.
JOHNS. Admirably done i'faith.
BAYES. Ay, now the Plot thickens very much upon us.

1672 George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, The Rehearsal, Act III Scene ii

Y. Book. Well said, Lad—and as Mr. Bays says, now the Plot thickens upon us, we'll spend our time as gaily as the best of 'em—and all of it in Love …

1703–4 Richard Steele The Lying Lover: Or, the Ladies Friendship Act II Scene i

"His statement is wholly false," was our hero’s reply. "It was his miserable villainy that deprived me of my liberty, and kept me away from my work."
Mr. Goldwin looked puzzled.
"The plot thickens," said he. "Give me your story."

1888, Frank Munsey, chapter XX, in The Boy Broker; Among the Kings of Wall Street, page 143:

1973 April 1, “Watergate: The Plot Thickens”, in The Sun-Herald, Sydney, Australia, page 75

(idiomatic, often humorous) Used to describe an increasingly complex or mysterious situation.

تتشربك الْمُؤَامَرَة

used to describe an increasingly complex or mysterious situation


see you soon

Goodbye; something said at a farewell, not necessarily literally meaning that the speaker will see the hearer(s) again.


that's just me

"Personally, I wouldn't be making jokes if I were sitting on drugs and weapons charges, but that's just me."

2001, Steve Hamilton, Winter of the Wolf Moon, page 197:

(colloquial, idiomatic) Indicates the expression of a personal opinion, but often used ironically as an understatement.


head

The distinguishing features of a camel, like its humps, plate-shaped feet, habitual spitting, strange shape and poor temperament, can be seen as the sort of deformities that typify the sort of ideas that committees come up with that make projects bad.

A camel is a horse designed by a committee, so we hope that this committee will—and I think it will—function appropriately.

1952, Proceedings Regular Meeting, Ohio Valley Transportation Advisory Board, Pacific Northwest Advisory Board, page 24:

And we all know the saying, which is true as well as witty, that a camel is a horse that was designed by a committee.

1964, Peter and the Commissar, Allan Sherman and the Boston Pops

If a camel is a horse designed by a committee, what is a materials policy statement prepared by seven study teams?

1975, The Professional Geographer: The Journal of the Association of American Geographers, volume 27, page 132:

Whoever concluded that a camel is a horse designed by a committee could have similar thoughts about taxicabs.

1976, Popular Science, v.209 1976 Jul-Dec:

"A camel," it has been said, "is a horse designed by committee." This might sound like a telling example of the terrible deficiencies of committee decisions, but it is really much too mild an indictment.

1998, The Possibility of Social Choice, Nobel Lecture, Amartya Sen

"This is a presidential address, Andrea, not a camel (...) A camel! A horse built by committee!" (Toby Ziegler)

2002,The West Wing, episode Night Five, original airdate February 6th, 2002

To quote another ancient proverb, "A camel is a horse designed by a committee." Life or Something Like It is the movie designed by the camel.

2004, Roger Ebert's Movie Yearbook 2005, Roger Ebert, Andrews McMeel Publishing, →ISBN, page 388:

"You know what they say about committees, a camel is a horse designed by a committee - Honorable Mayor Lawrence Werther, Mayor of the Incorporated Village of Mineola, New York.

2011, January 5, 2011 Mineola, NY Village Meeting. original airdate January 5, 2011

Too many people on one project can spoil it by having conflicting or inexperienced ideas.

kameli on komitean suunnittelema hevonen

뱃사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다

baetsagong-i maneumyeon baega saneuro ganda

a camel is a horse designed by committee


sell my clothes, I'm going to heaven

A translation of German verkauft mein Gewand, ich fahr in Himmel.


an angel passes

There was a momentary silence. Mrs. Oliver said: "Is it twenty-to or twenty past? An angel passing . . . My feet aren't crossed—it must be a black angel!"

1936, Agatha Christie, Cards on the Table, →ISBN, page 17:

As Case was picking up his beer, one of those strange instants of silence descended, as though a hundred unrelated conversations had simultaneously arrived at the same pause. […] Ratz grunted. “An angel passed.”

1984, William Gibson, Neuromancer (Sprawl; book 1), New York, N.Y.: Ace Books, →ISBN, page 4:

Ἑρμῆς ἐπεισελήλυθε (Hermês epeiselḗluthe, literally “Hermes has entered”)

дура́к роди́лся (durák rodílsja, literally “a fool has been born”)

мент роди́лся (ment rodílsja, literally “a cop has been born”)


the shoe is on the other foot

Some of the birds on this ship took me for a sucker and tried to make a rummy out of me but I was wise to their game and I guess the shoe is on the other foot this time.

1919, Ring Lardner, chapter 1, in The Real Dope:

(idiomatic) The roles of people in a situation have been reversed, such that the advantage has shifted to a party which was previously disadvantaged.

situacija izmenilasʹ na protivopoložennuju

ситуация изменилась на противоположенную


Christmas is coming

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Christmas is coming.wav

(set phrase, figuratively) Used as a reminder or warning regarding an impending deadline.


blow this for a game of soldiers

In the middle of a very hot mixed-up fight one of our men remarked drily on his radio "What price this for a game of soldiers!"

1941, James Lansdale Hodson, Through the dark night: being some account of a war correspondent's journey, meetings and what was said to him in France, Britain, and Flanders during 1939-40, V. Gollancz Ltd., page 343

A cold gust of wind fans your face, you shiver slightly, you have been standing still, "get moving," you say to yourself, only another hour to do, the rifle is heavy, brrrr, blow this for a game of soldiers, they have no consideration at all.

1952, Hashomer Hatzair, Forging the link: a handbook of Hashomer Hatzair, page 108:

Expressing exasperation or impatience with a situation.


buck up

(idiomatic) Cheer up; take courage; take heart.

(idiomatic, dated) Hurry up; make haste.


buck up

en-verb

buck up (third-person singular simple present bucks up, present participle bucking up, simple past and past participle bucked up)

bucks up (present singular third-person)
bucking up (participle present)
bucked up (participle past)
bucked up (past)

He started bucking up everything to management when he didn't get a raise.

He just bucked everything risky up to management.

Instead of dealing with the customer's complaint himself, he just bucked it up to his boss.

(idiomatic, transitive, colloquial) To pass on to higher authority for resolution. See also pass the buck.


that's it

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-that's it.wav

So, that's it? I thought there would be some more.

I'm not going, and that's it.

That's it, man. Game over, man. Game over! What the fuck are we gonna do now?

That's all (there is nothing more to the issue).


that was it

Channel 4's ambitious plans to move into digital radio were largely ignored last week at its glitzy presentation. There was a single line from its director of television, Kevin Lygo, who mentioned a launch "later this year" and that was it.

2008 March 17, Maggie Brown, The Guardian:

At 0508 on July 18 1981, the last freight train plunged into the 3-mile 66-yard Woodhead Tunnel at Dunford Bridge. [...] As it emerged back into the daylight at Woodhead at 0514, heading west, that was it for this famous railway line.

2021 July 14, Pip Dunn, “Woodhead 40 years on: time to let go”, in RAIL, number 935, page 38:

Finished. There was nothing more to the issue.


whatsamatta

Pronunciation spelling of what's the matter.

pronunciation spelling of

Whatsamatta you? (What's the matter with you?)

(idiomatic) What is the matter? What is wrong?


one thing led to another

From one event, a series of insignificant steps resulted in another event.

(understatement) Things got out of hand.


what would Jesus do

(religion, Christianity, chiefly evangelicalism) Expression intended to help a person facing a choice with moral, ethical or religious implications.


stop the lights

* Originated as a catchphrase on the Irish quiz show Quicksilver, where contestants called out "Stop the lights" when they did not know the answer, to prevent loss of prize money for the next questions.

Sure, stop the lights, I know all about it. There's a great shop in Phibsboro.Transformations' Any size you want.

Oh, stop the lights. The Priest is after parkin' across the street. I think he's comin' over here.

2003, Ronan Noone, The Lepers of Baile Baiste, page 57:

(Ireland, idiomatic) An interjection expressing exasperation or incredulity. or to illustrate the humour in a situation.


kids will be kids

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-kids will be kids.wav

(informal) Children cannot be expected to act like adults.


Kilroy was here

(military, c. 1940s) Inserted in the manner of graffiti in many remote and difficult-to-access locations to mark the presence of American workers or military personnel.

(meme, late 20th c., non-military) Graffiti scrawled by random anglophones in random locations, with no associations or connotations

meme; late 20th c.; non-military; meme; late 20th c.; non-military


that's the ticket

Ellipsis of that's the ticket for soup, from the 1820s.

I'll admit, I like how you kick it / Now you're talkin' baby, that's the ticket

1992, “I Got a Man”, in The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills, performed by Positive K:

(idiomatic) That's just right; that's just what is needed.


I'll see you and raise you

I'll see your five and raise you ten.

I'll see your bet and raise you one thousand.

I'll see your $20 and raise you $200.

Used to accept (or call) a bet, and at the same time raise the stakes.


heads will roll

From the imagery of a head rolling on the ground when a person is decapitated as punishment for a crime.

If this project isn't completed on time, heads will roll.

(idiomatic) Some people will be fired for incompetence.

人頭落地 /人头落地

some people will be fired for incompetence


them's the facts

The boy was left with Bob Yancy mainly because nobody else would take him. Them's the facts. Now go on!

1911, Vaughan Kester, “Law at Balaam's Cross-roads”, in The Prodigal Judge, Indianapolis, Ind.: Bobbs-Merrill Company, OCLC 284963; republished Fairfield, Ind.: 1st World Library Literary Society, 2006, ISBN 978-1-4218-1813-9, page 44

‘Them’s the facts!’ said Brown, taking little trouble to hide his contempt for anyone so stupid as not to understand. ‘The orficers were killed. Couldn’t see it with me own glims ’cos I couldn’t be everywhere at once. But they was dead all right.’

1965, Dudley Pope, Ramage, a Novel, London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, →OCLC:

I know you're worn out. I am too. It's too damn hot and I've forgotten what fresh water tastes like. Them's the facts. But let's just make it easy on ourselves and get this thing done and then we'll all get on back to the beach and off to the islands of nooky-nooky.

2007, Homer Hickam, The Far Reaches: A Novel, New York, N.Y.: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press, →ISBN, page 83:

(idiomatic, colloquial) Those are the facts, that's the truth, that's how it is.


en-proverb

En-au-no matter how thin you slice it, it's still baloney.ogg

Some of our leading scholars trace it back to a favorite American saying of that time, "No matter how thin you slice it, it is still boloney."

1933 November 29, “Topics of the Times”, in New York Times, page 18:

"Do you have the ability," he asked another juror, "to discern between the truth and baloney?"
"I think so, definitely."
"No matter how thin you slice it, it's still baloney, right?"

2002, Dave Distel, The Sweater Letter, →ISBN, page 267:

(chiefly US) Regardless of how many clever points or fine distinctions one makes, what one is saying is still false or is still nonsense.

no matter how you slice it, it's still the same old baloney

no matter how thin you slice it, it's still boloney


be still my heart

How strange, how hellish (God forgive me for saying so!) it seems that she should love him. But, does she love him? Can she love him? Could she love him if she knew all? Know him she shall before she marries him. For the present, be still, my heart.

1868, Charles Reade, chapter 8, in Foul Play:

Roll tape! Action!
"I can't feel a pulse!" shouts Ms. Brunette Beauty, RN.
"Call a code!" commands Blue-Eyed Hunk, MD. . . .
He's talking to me. Be still my heart.

1986, Priscilla Scherer, “Reflections: Daytime Drama,”, in The American Journal of Nursing, volume 86, number 1, page 106:

Calling her installation "information as art," Hesh will have 28 separate documents and artifacts on view, one of which is—be still my heart—a stack of old newspapers.

2004 December 10, Michael O'Sullivan, “In Baltimore, Seeing the '(In)visible'”, in Washington Post, retrieved 2008-07-15:

(idiomatic) An admonition to oneself to calm down when overly excited, especially in terms of romantic attraction.


be still my beating heart

be still my heart
be still my heart#English


the boot is on the other foot

The appointment of Huw Merriman as Minister for Rail and HS2 means the boot is on the other foot for the former chairman of the influential House of Commons Transport Select Committee (TSC).

2022 November 16, Mel Holley, “Network News: Settling rail disputes the priority for new Rail Minister”, in RAIL, number 970, page 10:

the shoe is on the other foot
the shoe is on the other foot#English

Alternative form of the shoe is on the other foot


I came, I saw, I conquered

Calque of Latin vēnī, vīdī, vīcī (“I came, I saw, I conquered”).

cal

I have gained a total and swift victory.

我来つ、我見つ、我勝ちつ

われきつ、われみつ、われかちつ, ware kitsu, ware mitsu, ware kachitsu

prišĭlŭ esmĭ, uzĭrělŭ esmĭ, pobědilŭ esmĭ

пришьлъ есмь, оузьрѣлъ есмь, побѣдилъ есмь

prišĭla esmĭ, uzĭrěla esmĭ, pobědila esmĭ

пришьла есмь, оузьрѣла есмь, побѣдила есмь


speak of the devil and he appears

En-au-speak of the devil and he appears.ogg

speak of the devil
speak of the devil#English

(idiomatic) Synonym of speak of the devil


talk of the devil

(idiomatic) Alternative form of speak of the devil


speak of the devil and he shall appear

En-au-speak of the devil and he shall appear.ogg


I know you are but what am I?

I know you are but what am I (canonical)

Uncertain, but dates back at least to the June 15th, 1957 issue of The New Yorker (Vol. 33 No. 17, page 23). In "The Talk of the Town", which was a collaborative effort by the magazine's staff writers: "INTERROGATIVE WISP FOUND IN GUTTER OF MACDOUGAL STREET: 'I know you are but what am I?'" The phrase is often attributed to Pee-Wee Herman.

I know you are but what am I? Jeannie would say out loud, whenever I mouthed a name at her.

At this point Johnny changes tactics and hollers, "I know you are, but what am I?" and the voice echoes, "I know you are, but what am I?"

2003, Mark E. Jones, Echoes of Heaven, page 7:

So when Mr. Macchia states that people who collect state quarters are fools, my son says I should reply, "I know you are, but what am I?"

2005, American Numismatic Association, The Numismatist, page 14:

(rhetorical question, colloquial, childish) Assertion that an insult made by the party to whom the phrase is directed is actually true of that party, and not of the person using the phrase. Usually considered to be a playground taunt.

assertion that an insult made by the party to whom the phrase is directed is actually true of that party

kdo to říká ten to je, tomu se to rýmuje


one should be so lucky

Calque of Yiddish מען זאָל זיין אזוי מזלדיק (men zol zeyn azoy mazldik, “one should be so lucky”)

calque

מען זאָל זיין אזוי מזלדיק

So now I'm the Beverly Sills of Broadway, right? Hah! I should be so lucky!

1970, The New York Times Biographical Service, New York Times & Arno Press, page 660:

I laugh uncontrollably when I meet women who say, "What if we get equal rights; we'll all be drafted!" My reply is, "You should be so lucky." The male-dominated military are not about to open their last sanctuary to 51 percent of the population.

1971, Equal Rights for Men and Women 1971: Hearings, Ninety-second Congress, First Session, U.S. Government Printing Office, page 131:

I play my heart out. To have me on his team, he should be so lucky. That's right. When I get chosen, I give everything.

1983, Larry Ketron, Asian Shade, Dramatists Play Service, page 37:

"You take pictures in here and you're liable to get a rat in one of them!" "I should be so lucky. I've been trying for years to get a picture of a rat at the Intervale Jewish Center without any luck. They refuse to pose."

1988, Jack Kugelmass, editor, Between Two Worlds, Cornell University Press, page 311:

(informal, sarcastic) It is highly doubtful: indicating that something is not likely to happen to the person specified.

(ugyan/vajon) mikor lesz/van neked olyan/akkora szerencséd?


God Save the King

It is a strange fact, but it is unquestionably true that almost any English intellectual would feel more ashamed of standing to attention during “God save the King” than of stealing from a poor box.

1941, George Orwell, The Lion and the Unicorn:

The national anthem of the United Kingdom when the current monarch is a king.


God Save the King

(Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) An expression of one’s patriotism and hope for the long life of the monarch, especially in his presence.

(UK) A formal statement at the end of many proclamations issued by the King or in his name.

The Queen is dead! God save the King!

(UK) A formal declaration following the death of a reigning monarch when the next monarch is male.


hear ye

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-hear ye.wav

(archaic) Listen to me; used to introduce a public announcement.


mark my words

Mrs. Bowls cautioned her lodger against venturing into the lion's den, "wherein you will rue it, Miss B., mark my words, and as sure as my name is Bowls."

1847 January – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter XL, in Vanity Fair […], London: Bradbury and Evans […], published 1848, →OCLC:

(idiomatic) Listen to me; used before or after a statement one wishes to emphasize, especially a prediction.


your wish is my command

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-your wish is my command.wav

"Your Highness's wish is my command," says Sir Joshua suavely, for he is intensely curious as to the contents of the document.

1900 March 31, The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser, NSW, page 6, column 4:

(often humorous) Whatever you say you wish for I will treat as a command and do straight away.

zure nahiak aginduak dira niretzat

what you wish for I will effect as if it were a command

слу́шаю и повину́юсь (slúšaju i povinújusʹ, literally “I listen and obey”)

твоё жела́ние — для меня́ зако́н (tvojó želánije — dlja menjá zakón, literally “your wish is a law for me”)


there's no such thing as a free lunch

In use since the 1930s. Popularized by the American economist Milton Friedman through the title of a 1975 book, and frequently misattributed to him.

there ain't no such thing as a free lunch

Nothing is free; even things that appear free often have to be paid for in the end.

беспла́тный сыр быва́ет то́лько в мышело́вке (besplátnyj syr byvájet tólʹko v myšelóvke, literally “free cheese may be only in a mouse-trap”)

немає такої речі, як безкоштовний обід

nemaje takoji reči, jak bezkoštovnyj obid


I say

desc

Solombala English: асей (asej, “English sailor”)

→ Swahili: aisee

I say! That's impressive!

I say, what is the meaning of this?

Adrian thought it worth while to try out his new slang. ‘I say, you fellows, here's a rum go. Old Biffo was jolly odd this morning. He gave me a lot of pi-jaw about slacking and then invited me to tea. No rotting! He did really.’

1991, Stephen Fry, chapter III, in The Liar, London: William Heinemann, →ISBN, page 26:

(British, dated) An exclamation of surprise or protest.

I say! ... John ... Are you still there? If you're going into town could you get some eggs?

(British) An exclamation used to call someone or attract someone's attention.

When such men as Mr. Burke, Mr. Dundas, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Windham, and my Lord Grenville: when such men as these unreservedly and repeatedly avowed their sentiments on the condition of the Slave; when they saw no danger in the avowal; […] when, I say, these men thus thought, spoke, and acted […]

1823, William Wilberforce, Appeal to the Religion, Justice and Humanity of the Inhabitants of the British Empire in Behalf of the Negro Slaves in the West Indies:

But when Amelia came down with her kind smiling looks (Rebecca must introduce her to her friend, Miss Crawley was longing to see her, and was too ill to leave her carriage)—when, I say, Amelia came down, the Park Lane shoulder-knot aristocracy wondered more and more that such a thing could come out of Bloomsbury; […]

1847 January – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 63, in Vanity Fair […], London: Bradbury and Evans […], published 1848, →OCLC:

"Stop! Stop I say!" ordered the professor imperiously.

1912, Clarence Young, The Motor Boys on the Wing: Or, Seeking the Airship Treasure, page 63:

Used for emphasis, or when resuming after diversion or interruption.


I'll say

- Jack's put on a bit of weight recently.
- I'll say!

(idiomatic, colloquial) Used to indicate emphatic agreement


the ball is in someone's court

En-au-the ball is in someone's court.ogg

From tennis, as when the ball is in someone's court it is their turn to play.

Well there's not much more I can do, so the ball is in your court now.

Achieving that partnership will require leadership and flexibility. Not just from us, but from our friends, the 27 nations of the EU. And as we look forward to the next stage, the ball is in their court, but I am optimistic it will receive a positive response.

2017 October 9, Theresa May, 1:05 from the start, in Theresa May's Brexit speech, via The Guardian:

(idiomatic) It is someone's turn to do something; often making a decision.


do you come here often

A common phrase for initiating conversation with a stranger, especially one for seeking romantic involvement.

你經常來這兒嗎？ /你经常来这儿吗？

does not imply the seeking of romantic involvement


it doesn't matter

Audio (US)

I’m afraid I’ve broken your mug. – It doesn’t matter; it was old and I was going to throw it away anyway.

It is not important; do not worry (used to reassure or comfort the person to whom it is said).

𣍐要緊 /𫧃要紧

bōe-iàu-kín / bǒe-iàu-kín / bē-iàu-kín / bōe-á-kín


truth be told

Ellipsis of if the truth should be told.

I'm not sure if I can do this, truth be told.

Actually, truth be told, I just don't like you.

Well, certainly there are those who are more responsible than others - and they will be held accountable - but again, truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.

When I opened my laptop on Tuesday to take my first run at GPT-4, the new artificial intelligence language model from OpenAI, I was, truth be told, a little nervous.

2023 March 15, Kevin Roose, “GPT-4 Is Exciting and Scary”, in The New York Times:

(idiomatic) Used when admitting something one might otherwise lie about, e.g. to keep up appearances or be polite.


come to papa

/ˌkʌm tə ˈpɑːpə/

/ˌkʌm tə ˈpɑːpə/

PIE word
 *ph₂tḗr
From come + to + papa (“familiar or old-fashioned term of address to one’s father”), originally an invitation by a father for his child to come to him; later called out by gamblers when throwing dice to “invite” winning numbers.

Cut loose, let your hair down, honey / Unwind, turn the lights down low / Relax, let's uncork the stopper / Come to papa, come on, let's go

1962 August 30 and September 22 (dates recorded), Roy C. Bennett, Sid Tepper (lyrics and music), “Relax”, in It Happened at the World’s Fair (soundtrack), performed by Elvis Presley, New York, N.Y.: RCA Victor, published 10 April 1963, →OCLC:

(idiomatic, originally US) Used to encourage someone or something to approach, or an event to occur.

tule tänne vaan

used to encourage someone or something to approach, or an event to occur


cross my heart

Shortened form of cross my heart and hope to die

(idiomatic) A declaration that the speaker is telling the truth.


God helps those who help themselves

First appearing in English (in this form) in 1698, in Algernon Sidney's Discourses Concerning Government. Translation of a maxim found in Ancient Greek and Roman literature; equivalent proverbs are found in many languages, such as Hungarian and Italian.

Good fortune or providential aid comes to those who make an effort to accomplish things.

اعقِلْها وتَوكَّلْ

good fortune comes to those who make an effort to accomplish things

하늘은 스스로 돕는 자를 돕는다

haneur-eun seuseuro domneun ja-reul domneunda

Dumnezeu te ajută, dacă te ajuți singur; ajută-te și Dumnezeu te va ajuta.

the Lord helps those who help themselves


devil take the hindmost

What if a toy take um ith heeles now, and they runn all away, and cry the Divell take the hindmoſt.

c. 1608–1610 (date written), Francis Beaumont, Iohn Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies a Bleeding. […], 4th edition, London: […] VV[illiam] J[ones] for Richard Hawkins, […], published 1634, →OCLC, Act V, page 66:

Land Alianable which would bring in the Stock Jobbing Temper, the Devill take the Hindmost.

1742, James Oglethorpe, “Letter to the Honorable Trustees”, in Lucian Lamar Knight, Kenneth Coleman, Milton Ready, editors, The Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, volume 23, published 1914:

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
‘Bethankit’ hums.

1786, Robert Burns, Address to a Haggis:

And [we] coldly see the all-conquering valiant Sons of Toil sit enchanted, by the million, in their Poor-Law Bastille, as if this were Nature’s Law;—mumbling to ourselves some vague janglement of Laissez-faire, Supply-and-demand, Cash-payment the one nexus of man to man: Free-trade, Competition, and Devil take the hindmost, our latest Gospel yet preached!

1843 April, Thomas Carlyle, “Two Centuries”, in Past and Present, American edition, Boston, Mass.: Charles C[offin] Little and James Brown, published 1843, →OCLC, book III (The Modern Worker), page 170:

"Oh, don't talk to me about your socialists, I've got no patience with them," she cried. "It only means that another lot of lazy loafers will make a good thing out of the working classes. My motto is, leave me alone; I don't want anyone interfering with me; I'll make the best of a bad job, and the devil take the hindmost."

1915, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, chapter CVIII, in Of Human Bondage, New York, N.Y.: George H[enry] Doran Company, →OCLC, page 572:

Choose your hand, try your best. He who wins, wins it all. Devil take the hindmost.

2010, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Love Never Dies, Song nr. 22

An imprecation that everyone should look after their own interests, leaving those who cannot cope to whatever fate befalls them.


I think, therefore I am

Calque of French je pense, donc je suis or perhaps of Latin cōgitō, ergō sum. First written in French by René Descartes, a 17th century French philosopher, in Discourse on the Method (1637) as je pense donc je suis, which he later expressed in Latin in Principles of Philosophy (1644).

(philosophy) I am able to think, therefore I exist. A philosophical proof of existence based on the fact that someone capable of any form of thought necessarily exists.

French language
I think, therefore I am
René Descartes

bi sedgiǰu bayig-a učir-ača orusiǰu bayin-a

ᠪᠢ ᠰᠡᠳᠭᠢᠵᠤ ᠪᠠᠶᠢᠭᠠ ᠤᠴᠢᠷ ᠠᠴᠠ ᠣᠷᠤᠰᠢᠵᠤ ᠪᠠᠶᠢᠨᠠ


ox is in the ditch

An allusion to the urgency and difficulty of extracting an ox from a ditch in which it has become mired.

"The ox is in the ditch," said she, referring to the New Testament excuse for Sabbath work where the need is great, "and Billy must mend this gate if it is Sunday."

1904, Clifton Johnson, Highways and Byways of the South, Macmillan, page 169:

In talking to his staff, Lyndon B. Johnson always announced the onset of catastrophe with the statement: "The ox is in the ditch!"

1987 March 6, George Reedy, “Can the President Still Lead?”, in New York Times, retrieved 2008-11-07:

"It's obvious that the ox is in the ditch big time," said Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. The Postal Service is projecting up to $5 billion in losses over the next two years.

2001 May 15, “Senators seek Postal Service overhaul”, in USA Today, retrieved 2008-11-07:

"You oughtn't to work on the Lord's Day, son," she told Dad both times. Dad's response was always the same. "The ox is in the ditch, Ma."

2006, Fred Harris, Following the Harvest: A Novel, →ISBN, page 71:

(idiomatic, chiefly southern US) This is a big problem; there is unavoidable or demanding work ahead.


never say die

One should not despair; the outlook may be better than it seems, so one should not give up.


but me no buts

Coined in 1709 by Susanna Centlivre in the play The Busie Body.

Sir Fran. But me no Buts Be gone, Sir: Dare to ask me for Money agen Refuse Forty Thousand Pound! Out of my Doors, I say, without reply.

1709, Susanna Centlivre, The Busie Body:

VVor[thy]. But Sir— / Pol[itick]. But me no buts—vvhat can be the Reaſon of all this vvarlike Preparation, vvhich all our Nevvs-papers have informed us of.

1730, [Henry Fielding], Rape upon Rape; or, The Justice Caught in His Own Trap. A Comedy. […], London: […] J. Wat[t]s, […], →OCLC, Act II, scene xi, page 28:

“I heartily wish I could, but”–– / “Nay, but me no buts—I have set my heart upon it.” / “I am greatly obliged, my dear sir, but”––

1816, [Walter Scott], chapter XI, in The Antiquary. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, →OCLC, page 236:

Nay, but me no buts, offer me no objections.

1889, Mark Twain [pseudonym; Samuel Langhorne Clemens], A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, New York, N.Y.: Charles L. Webster & Company, →OCLC:

"No," said Yapp. "But—" ¶"But me no buts, sir. We can take it that the act of adultery is established.

1980, Tom Sharpe, Ancestral Vices, →ISBN, page 312:

Jim Hacker: But me no buts, Bernard. Shakespeare. / Bernard Woolley: Oh no, Prime Minister. ‘But me no buts’ is circa 1820. Mrs Centlivre used the phrase in 1708, but actually it was Scott’s employment of it in ‘The Antiquary’ in 1816 which made it fashionable.

1982, “The Key”, in Yes, Prime Minister:

‘Yes, but—’ / ‘But me no buts.’ Tom glowered at him. ‘Who’s the captain of this crew, anyway?’

2003, Wilbur Smith, Monsoon, →ISBN, page 1:

Used to cut off objections or qualifications.

ei mitään muttia

used to cut off objections or qualifications


I told you so

1918 September–November, Edgar Rice Burroughs, “The Land That Time Forgot”, in The Blue Book Magazine, Chicago, Ill.: Story-press Corp., →OCLC; republished as chapter IV, in Hugo Gernsback, editor, Amazing Stories, (please specify |part=I to III), New York, N.Y.: Experimenter Publishing, 1927, →OCLC:

For the left, the seismic week delivered an “I told you so” years in the making.

2023 April 1, Jonathan Weisman, “Trump and Fox News, Twin Titans of Politics, Hit With Back-to-Back Rebukes”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

Used to remind someone that they were already warned by the speaker/writer that a certain event would happen.


gag me with a spoon

"Gag me with a spoon," I said. He scratched his head.

1999, Tamar Myers, Baroque and Desperate: A Den of Antiquity Mystery:

"Whatever!" I pretend to stick my finger in my mouth and make a choking sound of mock disgust at Beth's compliment. "Like gag me with a spoon!" I laugh.


I'm all right, Jack

From my vantage point at the large, shiny bar in the centre of the room, I could swear I spotted Harriet Harman with her trade unionist husband "I'm all right, Jack" Dromey.

2008 November 6, Bill Blanko, “Party politics”, in The Guardian:

(British) Indicates a selfish attitude, not worried about any problems one's friends and neighbours might have. Often associated with strikes and other trade union industrial actions.


check is in the mail

Your check is in the mail. I gave it to my son to mail yesterday. I hope he remembered.

The reply was usually either a story about financial problems, or the "check is in the mail" dodge.

It was the sure-fire sign of a business — or an individual — in financial distress: The old check-is-in-the-mail ploy.

1992, Donald L. Barlett with James B. Steele, America: What Went Wrong?, page 155:

The person with whom you speak may be well schooled in the "check is in the mail" run-around.

1997, Jeff Davidson, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Assertiveness, page 306:

(idiomatic, often ironic) A common excuse used by debtors to put off creditors.


shoot me

Expression of dismay, where the speaker is expressing, metaphorically, their wish to die because events (for them) are so bad.


what you see is what you get

Originally a humorous allusion to a catchphrase popularized by comedian Flip Wilson on US TV in the 1960s.

What you see is what you get. No one's been disappointed yet.

With fresh material, taxonomic conclusions are leavened by recognition that the material examined reflects the site it occupied; a herbarium packet gives one only a small fraction of the data desirable for sound conclusions. Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get[…]

1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page vii:

Sonic: What you see is what you get! Just a guy that loves adventure! I’m Sonic the Hedgehog!

2001 June 23, Sonic Team USA, Sonic Adventure 2, Sega, published 2001:

For:Word, like Wang's editing system, is an early approach to a what-you-see-is-what-you-get word processor.

(idiomatic, computing) The screen image resembles the printed output.

所見即所得 /所见即所得

(idiomatic, computing) the screen image resembles the printed output


head

you don't dip your pen in the company inkwell

you don't dip your pen in company ink#English

Alternative form of you don't dip your pen in company ink


there isn't any easy way to say this

ezt nem tudom elég kíméletesen megfogalmazni


fuck you, Jack, I'm alright

Early 20th-century sailors' slang, popularized during the First World War.

(slang, vulgar, offensive) Used to epitomize arrogance and selfishness, with dismissive disregard of others.


Richard of York gave battle in vain

(mnemonic) A mnemonic phrase to help remember the order of the seven colours of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.


my very educated mother just served us nine pumpkins

From the initial letters of the names of the eight planets, plus Pluto, formerly considered a planet.

(astronomy, slightly dated, mnemonic) Used to remember the order and names of the (then) nine planets of the solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.

mein Vater erklärt mir jeden Sonntag unsere neun Planeten

my very educated mother just served us nine pizzas

my very educated mother just served us nachos

my very educated mother just served us noodles


now hear this

(US Navy) An instruction to cease activity and listen to the announcement that will follow.


I'll be blowed

Probably a hyperbole expressing that the speaker is so surprised it is as if they have been blown over by a gust of wind: compare blow me down and blow me over, and also knock someone over with a feather, which have the same sense. Used as a euphemism for I'll be damned; compare also blasted.

Well, I’ll be blowed if it isn’t my old school friend, John!

‘[…] Luke at that there homnibus; why, darn me—’ and now, in his eloquence at this peculiar point, my friend became more loud and powerful than ever—‘why, darn me, if maister harns enough with that there buss to put hiron on them osses feet, I’ll—be—blowed!’

1858, Anthony Trollope, chapter XV, in Doctor Thorne. […], volume II, London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 5:

The sound of his voice quickened the other’s memory, his face expanded to its fullest capacity, and he also broke into a laugh. “Why, Newman—I’ll be blowed! Where in the world—I declare—who would have thought? You know you have changed.”

1876 June, Henry James, Jr., chapter II, in The American, Boston, Mass.: James R[ipley] Osgood and Company, […], published 5 May 1877, →OCLC, page 20:

“I’ll be blowed if it isn’t the kid,” ejaculated Wheeler.

1893, Horatio Alger Jr., chapter XXX, in Cast Upon the Breakers:

(British, euphemistic, informal, dated) Used to express amazement and surprise.


LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-there may be snow on the rooftop but there is fire in the furnace.wav

there may be snow on the mountaintop but there's fire in the valley

(often humorous) Even a person in his or her senior years, with gray hair, can still have ambition and energy, especially sexual energy.

a vén kecske is megnyalja a sót

older people can still have ambition and energy, especially sexual

есть ещё порох в порховницах (jestʹ ješčó porox v porxovnicax, literally “there still is some gunpowder in the powder-flasks”)

there's many a good tune played on an old fiddle


that's what I'm talking about

Daisy Mae just says that the Fiendo-Monster wanted to be sure everybody could see his whole face so he shaved off his mustache.
[Larry] There! That's what I'm talking about. When he turns around he's going to look like me.

1954, Jean Kerr with Eleanor Brooke, King of hearts, page 32:

Yeah, you know what I'm talking 'bout / Yeah, get on with it, baby / That's what I'm talking 'bout / Now dig this!

1967, “Fire”, in Jimi Hendrix (music), Are You Experienced:

[Sister Moore] Is she been trying to serve the Lord? Or is she just wanted to put herself up over everybody else?
[Brother Boxer] Now, that's what I'm talking about. The Word say, You going to know a tree by it's fruit. And we ain't been seeing such good fruit from Sister Margaret.

1968, James Baldwin, The Amen Corner, page 46:

(slang, orignally, African-American Vernacular) Used to express enthusiastic support for an object or person that has just been referenced or for an event that has just occurred.


well begun is half done

Traditional, via Ancient Greek; quoted by Aristotle in his Politics.

Much depends on the beginning of an endeavor.

fillimi i mbarë është gjysma e punës

much depends on the beginning of an endeavour


a good beginning makes a good ending

Start off on a good note to reap the benefits at the end.

一個良好的開端是成功的一半 /一个良好的开端是成功的一半

yī gè liánghǎo de kāiduān shì chénggōng de yībàn

خشت اول چون نهد معمار کج تا ثریا میرود دیوار کج


the squeaky wheel gets the grease

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-the squeaky wheel gets the grease.wav

I think it's true what they say about the squeaky wheel / Always getting the grease

1979, James Taylor (lyrics and music), “Shower the People”, in In the Pocket, →OCLC:

You know perfectly well that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and that if you don't complain nothing ever changes.

1995, Roger Zelazny, Robert Sheckley, A Farce To Be Reckoned With, Bantam, →ISBN, page 13:

The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which they seek.

som man spørger får man svar

the person who complains most receives the attention

ceux qui parlent le plus fort ont toute l’attention

néma gyereknek az anyja sem érti a szavát

the nail that sticks out gets hammered down


I'm rubber, you're glue

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-I'm rubber, you're glue.wav

Likely from a longer phrase, "I'm rubber, you're glue; whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you".

“You’re nothing but a — a cheat,” Florence said.
“I’m rubber, you’re glue, everything you say sticks right back to you,” John said calmly, complete master with all the answers.

1948, Daniel Curley, “A Deal in Cards”, in The Atlantic Magazine, volume 181, Atlantic Monthly Co., page 61:

Few anticommunist accusations are more trite than that Marxism is a religion, the Manifesto a religious tract and Marx himself[…] a ‘religious eschatologist’. At a banal level, to many of the accusers can be said in retort: I am rubber, you are glue.

2022, China Miéville, chapter 6, in A Spectre, Haunting: On the Communist Manifesto, →OCLC:

And in the 2016 campaign, Mr. Trump applied the “I’m rubber, you’re glue” approach to a wide range of vulnerabilities.

2024 January 10, Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman, “One of Trump’s Oldest Tactics in Business and Politics: I’m Rubber. You’re Glue.”, in The New York Times:

(childish) Countering an attack on one's character.

was du sagst, bist du selbst, wenn du deine Klappe hältst

Specchio riflesso se ti muovi sei un cesso

kto pérvyj obzyvájetsja, tot tak i nazyvájetsja

кто пе́рвый обзыва́ется, тот так и называ́ется


I do

They'd been pushing for me to get pregnant ever since I said "I do." And now that I was, do you think they were happy? No way.

2003, Joanne Kimes, Sanford A. Tisherman, Pregnancy Sucks: What to Do when Your Miracle Makes you Miserable, →ISBN, page 101:

When she said ‘I do’ at the altar she was deemed to have made herself sexually available to her husband whenever he might wish.

2008, Mary Holmes, Gender and Everyday Life, →ISBN, page 75:

A traditional phrase said upon acceptance of marriage.


think fast

Catch! (when throwing an object unexpectedly)


how's it going

Oh, hi, Pete. How’s it going? — Hi, Anna. It’s going great. How’s it going with you? — Things are awesome!
Audio (US): (file)

2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)

汝怎樣囉 /汝怎样啰

lí cháiⁿ-iūⁿ--lo͘ / lír chàiⁿ-iūⁿ--lo͘ / lí chóaⁿ-iōⁿ--lo͘h


rest his soul

(idiomatic) Used parenthetically to mark the referent as being deceased


there you have it

(idiomatic) Used to introduce a speaker's interpretation of what has just transpired or been described


the rabbit died

Robin finally was able to announce: "Good news! The rabbit died!" She said she was thrilled and that everybody was happy for her except her mother.

1993, Maurice Apprey, Intersubjectivity, Projective Identification, and Otherness, page 153:

(idiomatic, euphemistic) Indicates one's own pregnancy, or that someone has found out they are pregnant.


you can't say fairer than that

/juː ˈkɑːnt seɪ ˈfɛəɹə ðn̩ ˌðæt/

/ju ˈkænt seɪ ˈfɛəɹəɹ ðən ˌðæt/

En-au-you can't say fairer than that.ogg

An informal way of expressing that one cannot say that anything is better or more fair than the matter being evaluated.

(British, idiomatic, informal) That is fair, good, or reasonable; one cannot hope for a better decision or outcome.

bolje ne može

that is fair, good or reasonable; one cannot hope for a better decision or outcome


may the Force be with you

From the Star Wars film franchise, in which "the Force" is an omnipresent energy that can influence events and may be harnessed by gifted individuals.

What thoughts are you sending into the universe? Are they seeking the results you want, or are they attracting the things you don’t? The mental sharks will be drawn to you as surely as the results you desire. To be certain, be aware of the messages you are sending, and may the Force be with you, whatever you conceive it to be!

2007, Layton Park, Get Out of Your Way: Unlocking the Power of Your Mind to Get What You Want, 1st edition, Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 87:

(idiomatic) Used to wish someone luck with a difficult endeavor.


I believe you, thousands wouldn't

You weren't working on germ warfare five years ago." "Non-lethal," she cries. "Oh, how you can not see." "Well, I believe you, thousands wouldn't[…]

2004, Sandra Newman, The Only Good Thing Anyone Has Ever Done: A Novel, →ISBN, page 185:

(British, Ireland, sarcastic) Used to indicate that the speaker does not put faith in something they have just heard.


I don't speak English

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-I don't speak English.wav

Indicates that the speaker is unable to speak the English language.

ek praat nie Engels nie

I don't speak English (specifically English)

أَنَا لَا أَتَكَلَّم بِالْإِنْجِلِيزِيَّة

我𣍐曉講英文 /我𫧃晓讲英文

góa bōe-hiáu kóng eng-bûn / góa bǒe-hiáu kóng eng-bûn

我𣍐曉講英語 /我𫧃晓讲英语

góa bōe-hiáu kóng eng-gú / góa bǒe-hiáu káng eng-gír / góa bē-hiáu kóng eng-gí

我𣍐曉講紅毛話 /我𫧃晓讲红毛话

góa bōe-hiáu kóng âng-mô͘-ōe / óa bē-hiáu kóng âng-mô͘-ōa

ek praat nie Afrikaans nie

I don't speak (fill with the name of the current foreign language)

我𣍐曉講閩南話 /我𫧃晓讲闽南话

góa bōe-hiáu kóng bân-lâm-ōe / góa bǒe-hiáu kóng bân-lâm-ōe / góa bǒe-hiáu káng bân-lâm-ōe / góa bē-hiáu kóng bân-lâm-ōa

我𣍐曉講臺語 /我𫧃晓讲台语

góa bē-hiáu kóng tâi-gí / góa bōe-hiáu kóng tâi-gú

我𣍐曉講臺灣話 /我𫧃晓讲台湾话

góa bōe-hiáu kóng tâi-oân-ōe / góa bē-hiáu kóng tâi-oân-ōa

我𣍐曉講福建話 /我𫧃晓讲福建话

góa bōe-hiáu kóng hok-kiàn-ōe / óa bē-hiáu kóng hok-kiàn-ōa

我𣍐曉講咱人話 /我𫧃晓讲咱人话

góa bǒe-hiáu kóng lán-nâng-ōe / góa bǒe-hiáu kóng lán-lâng-ōe / góa bǒe-hiáu kóng nán-nâng-ōe


third time's a charm

One is sure to succeed at a task or event on the third try.

Бог лю́бит тро́ицу (Bog ljúbit tróicu, literally “God likes Trinity”)


I'm hungry

我腹肚枵

góa pak-tó͘-iau / óa pak-tó͘-iau / góa bak-tó͘-iau

ฉันหิว (chăn hĭw) (generic, colloquial) (add particles: ครับ (kráp) - male or ค่ะ (kâ) female for politeness)


I'm thirsty

أَنَا عَطْشَانَة

ʔanā ʕaṭšāna

ฉันหิวน้ำ (chăn hĭw náam) (generic, colloquial) (add particles: ครับ (kráp) - male or ค่ะ (kâ) female for politeness)

(usually) I need something to drink (e.g., water).

(more generally) I need something, or want something a lot.

(euphemistic) I want an alcoholic beverage.

(slang) Being too eager for something; desperate. Usually in reference to attention or sexual needs.


I'm tired

Gosh, I'm tired today.

Indicates that the speaker is in need of rest or sleep.

我𤺪囉 /我𤺪啰

góa siān--lo͘ / góa siǎn--lo͘ / góa siān--lo͘h

ฉันเหนื่อย (chăn nèuay) (generic, colloquial) (add particles: ครับ (kráp) - male or ค่ะ (kâ) female for politeness)


leave me alone

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Back ache-leave me alone.wav

Why can't you just leave me alone for once?!

I'll be fine; please just leave me alone for a bit.

stop talking to me, stop being near me, stop interfering with my life (used especially when one is angry, frustrated, or annoyed).


it's someone's funeral

He can make as many empty tubes and corrugations out of me as he likes. It's his funeral.

1928, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, [Germany?]: Privately printed, →OCLC:

And then having the nerve to pray to God. It's her pimp, if she wants to do it it's her funeral.

"Well, it's your funeral," Charlie said. "If you like it, I should worry." "Who says I like it?" the other lad said, angrily. "What else can I do?"

1946, Winston Clewes, Sweet River in the Morning:

(informal) Someone's decisions or actions will bring undesirable consequences only on that person.

het is jouw begrafenis

someone's decisions or actions will bring undesirable consequences only on that person


I see, said the blind man

USA, about 1860. This form of word play is known as a Wellerism.

(idiomatic) Expressing understanding after an initial period of confusion.


that's all

I just think you should take things slowly, that's all.

Used to undercut the force of a suggestion, fact, etc.; that is all I want to say; there is no more to it.


it can't be helped

(idiomatic) It is inevitable. There is no alternative.


how do you pronounce this word

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-how do you pronounce this word.wav

Please say this word out loud so that I can learn how it is pronounced.

この言葉の読み方は何ですか？

このことばのよみかたはなんですか？

이 단어의 읽는 방법은 무엇입니까?

i daneo-ui ilg-neun bangbeob-eun mueosimnikka?


the fix is in

A process (for example, a court case) has been rigged behind the scenes and its outcome will not reflect true justice.


don't call us, we'll call you

(idiomatic, sometimes humorous) A stereotypical statement from a hiring organization to a potential candidate, suggesting that the candidate will not be hired.


I rest my case

The drive will be too long, the seats too few, and the people too many. I rest my case.

(idiomatic) The previous encapsulates my view.


there ought to be a law

There ought to be a law, said Auntie Beatrice, people like that living up against decent people, something should be done.[…] Auntie Beatrice willed Divine Judgement, or an epidemic, or simple eviction, upon the boy and his mother.[…]

1970, Merle Hodge, Crick Crack, Monkey, Heinemann, published 2000, →ISBN, page 111:

Doesn't it kill you how somebody who looks so attractive can be so brilliant? God, there ought to be a law. She looks just like Julie Christie.

1985, Ira Wood, The Kitchen Man, Leapfrog Press, published 1998, →ISBN, page 17:


what did your last slave die of

En-au-what did your last slave die of.ogg

The manager just couldn't get Lorcan to understand that if someone asked for a second cup of coffee, the correct response was 'Certainly, sir, coming right up,' and not 'What did your last slave die of?'

She's trying to meet my every need, waiting on me in ways that would make my mum bleat, 'What did your last slave die of?'

2010, Luisa Plaja, Swapped by a Kiss, page 102:

(idiomatic, humorous) Used to indicate that someone is being unreasonably bossy and demanding.


I must say

“I must say, I was very happy when I met Mr. Coningsby again at Cambridge,” said Lady Wallinger. “It gave me much greater pleasure than seeing any of the colleges.”

1844, Benjamin Disraeli, Coningsby, etc, page 265:


how do I get to

Please show me/tell me the best way to reach ...

...에 가려면 어떻게 해야 합니까?

...e garyeomyeon eotteoke haeya hamnikka?


a golden key can open any door

Sufficient money can accomplish anything.


that ship has sailed

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-that ship has sailed.wav

The point is I… I don't need this right now, OK. It, it's too late, I'm with somebody else, I'm happy. This ship has sailed.

1995 November, “The One Where Ross Finds Out”, in Friends, season 2, episode 7 (television production), spoken by Ross Geller (David Schwimmer):

It’s a comedy-drama called Three Weeks; we’re shooting this autumn and it’s my directorial debut, which is exciting. It’s about a woman coming to terms with the fact that she doesn’t want to be a mother. She’s in her 30s, realising the truth of watching that ship sail as a choice.

2023 August 13, Michael Hogan, quoting Susan Wokoma, “Actor Susan Wokoma: ‘We all want to be married to Emma Thompson, don’t we?’”, in The Observer:

(originally US) That opportunity has already passed; it is too late to do anything about it.

по́езд ушёл (pójezd ušól, literally “the train is gone”)

close the stable door after the horse has bolted


marry me

嫁給我 /嫁给我

marriage proposal from a man to a woman (the shortest form)

wyjdź za mnie (za mąż)

za mąż added for clarification, but this is the shortest form

娶我吧

marriage proposal from a woman to a man (the shortest form)


get outta here

Get outta here! I'm trying to read!

Pronunciation spelling
pronunciation spelling

Pronunciation spelling of get out of here.


chance would be a fine thing

chance'd be a fine thing
chance'd be a fine thing#English

Alternative form of chance'd be a fine thing


you're on

Let's play a game of chess. ― You're on!

(informal) Used to indicate acceptance by the speaker of a proposal or challenge, especially a competitive one.


that's the bunny

"Pass the block of gear across will you? It's there on the table beside you." He looked round, and spied a generous block of dark brown resin wrapped in shrink wrap. Where the plastic had been peeled back, a hunk had already been removed, revealing the glassy green inside of the block. "That's the bunny," Rob was saying, "pass the whole lot across on the board."

2006, Jennifer Kirk, Countdown to Extinction:

"I talked very nicely to an Irishman." "The one in the cell?" "That's the bunny."

(UK, colloquial) That is the right person or thing; that's it.


be it as it may

(idiomatic) Even if that is the case; whether that is true or not; nevertheless.


even Homer nods

even + Homer + nods (“be momentarily inattentive or inaccurate”), alluding to line 359 of Horace’s Ars Poetica indignor quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus (“I become annoyed when the great Homer is being drowsy”). The English translation Homer nods has become standard following Pope (1709), but is due to Dryden (1677).

Horace acknowledges that honeſt Homer''' nods ſometimes: He is not equally awake in every Line: […]

1677, John Dryden, “The Authors Apology for Heroique Poetry; and Poetique Licence”, in The State of Innocence, and Fall of Man: An Opera. Written in Heroique Verse, and Dedicated to Her Royal Highness, the Duchess, London: Printed by T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, at the Anchor in the Lower Walk of the New Exchange, →OCLC:

Thoſe are but Stratagems which Errors ſeem, / Nor is it Homer Nods, but We that Dream.

1709, Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, London: Printed for W. Lewis in Russell-street, Covent-Garden; and sold by W. Taylor at the Ship in Pater-Noster-Row, T. Osborn in Grays-Inn near the Walks, and J. Graves in St. James's-Street, published 1711, →OCLC, page 12:

He [de Vigneul-Marvin] knows that Homer''' nods sometimes, and that Faults are found in the beſt writers. He is an Author himself, and conſequently may commit an Over-ſight as well as Pindar, Virgil, Horace, and all the moſt celebrated Ancient and Modern Authors.

1713, [Jean] de la Bruyere, N[icholas] Rowe, “Of M. de la Bruyere’s Book, entitul’d, The Characters: Or the Manners of the Present Age”, in The Works of Monsieur De La Bruyere. In Two Volumes. Containing, I. The Moral Characters of Theophrastus. II. The Characters, or, The Manners of the Present Age. III. M. Bruyeres Speech upon His Admission into the French Academy. IV. An Account of the Life and Writings of M. Bruyere. By Monsieur Coste. … Revis’d by the Paris Edition: With an Original Chapter, Of the Manner of Living with Great Men: Written after the Method of M. Bruyere, by N. Rowe, Esq., 6th edition, volume I, London: Printed for E[dmund] Curll, at the Dial and Bible, and J. Pemberton, at the Buck and Sun; both against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet, →OCLC, page 102:

And Homer nods: The Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles played in this year's NFC championship, not NFL championship as we said in a Friday follow-up (since corrected).

2009 April 27, James Taranto, “When Pigs Flu: But … but … Mexico has Socialized Medicine!”, in The Wall Street Journal, archived from the original on 2016-03-22:

Not even the most vigilant and expert are immune to error.

на вся́кого мудреца́ дово́льно простоты́


time will tell

This may not be a good idea, but time will tell.

That was harsh on the former Manchester United keeper after a performance which kept his team in the tie at times. But Grant, so often starved of luck himself, will feel both he and his side were worthy of the good fortune. Only time will tell whether it will be enough.

2011 January 11, Jonathan Stevenson, “West Ham 2 - 1 Birmingham”, in BBC:

(idiomatic) Events and outcomes cannot be known beforehand.

الْوَقْت سَيَقُولُ

results of an action cannot be known beforehand

поживём — увидим (poživjóm — uvidim) (we'll live and see)

the proof of the pudding is in the eating


there's a sucker born every minute

(US, slang) There is a great number of fools in the world who can be easily swindled, and they will always exist.

дурако́в не се́ют, не жнут — са́ми родя́тся (durakóv ne séjut, ne žnut — sámi rodjátsja, literally “fools are not sown or reaped – they come into the world themselves”)

nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people


what's your poison

From poison (“(informal) intoxicating drink; liquor”), from the fact that such beverages are toxic to the human body.

What's yer poison, darlin'?

1998 October 29, Black Isle Studios, Fallout 2, v1.02d, spoken by Bartender, Interplay Productions, Windows, level/area: Desperado:

(idiomatic, humorous, informal, dated) Used to someone what alcoholic beverage they would like to drink: what drink would you like to have?

你想喝什麼酒 /你想喝什么酒

used to ask someone what alcoholic beverage they would like to drink


na-na na-na boo-boo

/ˈnæːnəˌnæːnə ˈbuːˌbuː/

Apparently from the longer childish playground taunt sung to a tune particular to the taunt:
: I'm better than you,
: na-na, na-na, boo-boo,
: stick your head in doo-doo.
Na-na and boo-boo may be imitations of sounds a baby or young toddler might make.
Boo-boo may also indicate boo-boo, a minor injury which leaves a mark on a child such as a scraped knee.

... is that the educators out there aren't aware of this, they don't know it or what?
Ms. Bolinger. It's like na na na na boo boo, make me do it.
[Laughter.] ...

1992, Committee on Labor and Human Resources, United States Senate, One Hundred Second Congress, first session, Oversight on the status of special education in Iowa: hearing before the Subcommittee on Disability Policy of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, United States Senate, One Hundred Second Congress, first session, examining the major issues facing students, parents, teachers, related ..., Alternate ISBN: →ISBN, →ISBN, page 82:

[Translator's note by David R. Slavitt] ...here is to make clear that this is a display of Schadenfreude, an elegant cocking of the snooks, a protracted "Na-na, na-na, boo-boo," a symphonic Bronx cheer!

1998, Aeschylus, edited by David R. Slavitt and Palmar Bovie, Aeschylus, 2: The Persians. Seven against Thebes. The Suppliants. Prometheus bound, Alternate ISBN: →ISBN, →ISBN, page 5:

(Canada, US, idiomatic, colloquial, childish, derogatory, taunt, often humorous) A taunt or putdown, typically used to indicate that the speaker believes he or she has beaten the listener in a competition or is better in some other way or in a general sense; or an expression of satisfaction that the listener has received some supposedly deserved minor punishment or misfortune (that is to say, schadenfreude).


will you marry me

propose marriage
propose marriage#English

"will we get married?") összeházasodunk?

私と結婚してくれませんか

わたしとけっこんしてくれませんか

僕と結婚してください

ぼくとけっこんしてください


I'm ... year(s) old

我……歲囉 /我……岁啰

góa ... hè--lo͘ / góa ... hè--lo͘h / góa ... hèr--lo͘ / góa ... hèr--lo͘h / góa ... hòe--lo͘h

…éves vagyok

including tens, and separately from multiple-element numerals


jury is out

The jury is out as to whether there is life anywhere else in the universe.

(idiomatic) An outcome or decision is still unknown and awaited.


you get that

I tried driving into the city this morning during peak hour and it was so crowded. ― Yeah, you get that.

(informal) That's a normal occurrence; that's typical.


I am English

Indicates that the speaker is from England.

私はイングランド人です

わたしはイングランドじんです


the wheels fell off

The coach said, "We were doing well for a while, but they got tired and then the wheels fell off".

(idiomatic) Something failed, often after or amidst a laborious, tiring process.


I'm twenty years old

Indicates that the speaker is aged twenty.


I've been robbed

Indicates that the speaker has been robbed.


I'm blind

我青盲囉 /我青盲啰

góa chhiⁿ-mî--lo͘ / góa chheⁿ-mê--lo͘h / góa chheⁿ-mêe--lo͘h / góa chhiⁿ-mê--lo͘ / óa chheⁿ-mêe--lo͘h

હું આંધળી છું

hũ ā̃dhaḷī chũ


can I use your phone

Indicates that the speaker wants to communicate with someone via the interlocutor's telephone, if it is available.

당신의 전화를 사용해도 되겠습니까?

dangsin-ui jeonhwa-reul sayong-haedo doegetseumnikka?

pot să folosesc telefonul Dumneavoastră?

mogú li ja vospólʹzovatʹsja vášim telefónom?

могу́ ли я воспо́льзоваться ва́шим телефо́ном?

ฉันสามารถใช้โทรศัพท์มือถือของคุณหรือไม่

chăn săamâat chái tohrásàp meu tĕu kŏng kun rĕu mâi


I'm a vegetarian

Indicates that the speaker is a vegetarian.

હું શાકાહારી છું

hũ śākāhārī chũ

私は菜食主義者です

わたしはさいしょくしゅぎしゃです

मी शाकाहारी आहे

mī śākāhārī āhe


what is your phone number

what's your phone number?
what's your phone number#English

Alternative form of what's your phone number?