accidents will happen (in the best-regulated families)
Mistakes are inevitable, even with careful planning
English · UK & Ireland 17968
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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.
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
act out
to perform or express something, especially emotions, in a dramatic way
act the hypocrite
To pretend to have virtues or moral principles one does not actually have
act up
behave badly or mischievously
actions speak louder than words
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
activist judge
A judge who takes an active role in shaping policy or law
activist justice
Justice that is actively pursued or advocated for, often through social or political action.
Adam and Eve
The first man and woman
add oil
to encourage or support someone
add one's twopenn'orth
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
add up
to make sense or be logical when considered together
added value
Additional benefit or feature that enhances something
addition and subtraction
Basic arithmetic operations
adorn oneself with borrowed plumes
To take credit for someone else's achievements
adrenaline rush
A thrilling and exhilarating experience
adversarial collaboration
Collaboration where participants have opposing goals or interests
adversity makes strange bedfellows
People form unlikely alliances during difficult times
affair partner
A person with whom one has a romantic or sexual relationship outside of marriage or a primary partnership
afraid of one's own shadow
Excessively timid or fearful
after all
used to indicate a final decision or conclusion
after one's own heart
Sharing similar interests or values
after the fact
Done or happening after an event has occurred
after the Lord Mayor's show
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
against all odds
Succeeding despite very low chances
against the collar
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
against the law
Not allowed by the rules or laws of a country
against the run of play
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
against the world
Opposed or resisted by everyone
age before beauty
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
ages and generations
For a very long time or forever
agree to disagree
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
aha moment
A moment of sudden understanding or insight
ahead of one's time
Having ideas or concepts that are more advanced than what is currently accepted.
ahead of the curve
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
ahead of the pack
Leading or more successful than others in a group
aid and comfort
Assistance or support that provides relief or consolation.
aim at
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
ain't what it used to was
Something has changed for the worse
air one's dirty laundry in public
To publicly discuss or disclose one's personal problems or embarrassing issues
air one's dirty linen in public
Discuss private or embarrassing matters openly
air out
to discuss or express something openly
air rage
Violent or aggressive behavior by an airline passenger
air sandwich
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
alarm and muster
to alert and assemble people, especially for an emergency
alarums and excursions
A noisy and confusing commotion
alas and alack
Expressing sorrow or regret
albatross around one's neck
A burden or problem that causes worry or trouble
albatross round one's neck
A burden or constant problem
Alexiares and Anicetus
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
alive and kicking
Active.
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