whitman's sampler
A selection of assorted items
English · UK & Ireland 745
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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.
who are you telling
Who is your audience or listener?
who shot John
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
who wants to know
a response to a question, implying the asker has no right to know
who will bell the cat?
Who will take the risk to do a dangerous task?
who's 'she', the cat's mother
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
who's who
a list of important or notable people
whole ball of wax
The entire situation or everything involved
whole box of tricks
everything at one's disposal
whole cloth
Completely false or fabricated
whole enchilada
Everything associated with something
whole package
Everything associated with something
whole shebang
Everything associated with a particular situation or activity
whole shooting match
Everything associated with a particular situation or activity
Whom the Gods love die young
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
whomp on
to defeat or beat someone thoroughly
whoop ass
to defeat or dominate someone thoroughly
whoop it up
to celebrate or party loudly and enthusiastically
whooping and hollering
shouting and cheering loudly
why in God's name
Used to express strong frustration or annoyance
why in the world
used to express surprise or confusion
why in time
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
why keep a dog and bark yourself
One should not do something that one has hired someone else to do.
why on Earth
used to express strong surprise or confusion
wicked tongue
A person who speaks badly or maliciously about others
wide awake
Completely awake and alert
wide berth
To avoid someone or something completely
wide of the mark
Completely incorrect or far from the truth
wide open
Completely unprotected or vulnerable
widow's mite
A small donation or contribution given generously
wild and woolly
Uncontrolled and unpredictable
wild horses
nothing can stop or persuade someone
wilful ignorance
Intentional lack of knowledge or awareness about something
will the real someone please stand up
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
willing horse
Someone who is eager to work or help
willow in the wind
Someone who easily adapts to changing circumstances
win back
Regain someone's love, trust, or support
win by a nose
To win by a very small margin
win one for the Gipper
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
win or lose
regardless of the outcome
win over
To convince someone to support or agree with you
win the battle, but lose the war
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
win the day
To succeed or achieve victory in a challenging situation
win the lottery
To suddenly receive a large amount of money or good fortune
wind and rain
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
wind at one's back
To have an advantage or support that helps one succeed
wind back the clock
Return to an earlier time or situation
wind down
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
wind off
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
wind tunnel testing
Testing or evaluating something in a controlled environment
wind up one's bottoms
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
window on the world
A means to learn about or understand the world
wine and dine
to entertain someone with good food and drink
wine and roses
a life of luxury and pleasure
wine tosser
a person who pretentiously talks about wine
winged word
A spoken or written comment that has a powerful effect
wink at
ignore or tolerate something wrong
winning ways
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
winnow down
To reduce or narrow down a list of options
winter rat
A person who deserts or betrays their group during a difficult time.