a little bit of bread and no cheese
Having some resources, but not enough to be sufficient
English · UK & Ireland 608
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in Britain and Ireland — distinctly British usage first, then widespread staples.
a little from column A, a little from column B
Taking a combination of options or ideas from different sources
a little learning is a dangerous thing
Limited knowledge can lead to overconfidence and mistakes
a little of something goes a long way
A small amount can be very effective or have a big impact.
a man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills
People have control over their actions, but not over their desires or intentions.
a man with no pants fears no pickpocket
Someone with nothing to lose has nothing to fear
a mill cannot grind with the water that is past
One cannot change the past
a miss is as good as a mile
A small failure is just as bad as a large one
a mite
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
A new language is a new life (Persian proverb)
Acquiring a new language brings new opportunities and experiences
a notch above
Slightly better than something else
a penny saved is a penny earned
Saving money is as valuable as earning it
a picture is worth a thousand words
A visual representation can convey more information than a large amount of text
a pound to a penny
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
a rising tide lifts all boats
General prosperity benefits everyone
a Roland for an Oliver
To give as good as one gets
a rolling stone gathers no moss
A person who frequently changes jobs or pursuits will not be successful
a ship in harbour is safe, but that's not what a ship is for
Vessels are meant for use, not just safety
a short drop and a sudden stop
a quick and severe punishment or consequence
a stitch in time saves nine
A little effort expended sooner to fix a small problem prevents it from becoming a larger problem requiring more effort to fix later.
a stopped clock is right twice a day
Even an unreliable source can be correct occasionally
a swing and a miss
completely failing to achieve something
a watched man never plays
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
a week from next Tuesday
a time far in the future
a week is a long time in politics
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
a wild goose never laid a tame egg
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
a wrap and a slap
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
a year and a day
a period of time used to establish a precedent or tradition
Abbot's Priory
a place or situation where someone has absolute authority
Abbott and Costello
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
abound in one's own sense
To have a strong and self-centered opinion
about time
happening sooner than expected
about to
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
above and beyond
Exceeding what is expected or required
above board
Honest and transparent in all dealings
above one's bend
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
above one's huckleberry
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
above par
Better than average or expected
above the curve
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
above the fray
Not involved in a contentious or chaotic situation
above the law
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
above the salt
A position of honor or prestige at a table
above water
Managing to survive or stay financially afloat
Abraham and Isaac
A father-son relationship with a significant age gap
absence makes the heart grow fonder
Time apart strengthens affection
Absolute power corrupts absolutely (John Dalberg-Acton, 1887)
Complete power leads to total corruption
abuse of distress
Taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable state
accident of birth
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
accident waiting to happen
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
accidents will happen (in the best-regulated families)
Mistakes are inevitable, even with careful planning
according to Cocker
completely incorrect or inaccurate
according to Gunter
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
according to Hoyle
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
ace up one's sleeve
A secret advantage or surprise
Achilles and Patroclus
A famously close and intimate male friendship
acknowledge the corn
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
acquired taste
Something that people may not like initially but learn to appreciate over time
act of Congress
Something extremely difficult or unlikely to happen
act one's age
Behave in a way that is suitable for one's age
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Behave maturely, not immaturely