one hand washes the other
People help each other for mutual benefit
English · United States 32588
All languages English Tiếng Việt
Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in the US — distinctly American usage first, then widespread staples.
one hundred and one
A large but indefinite number
one in the eye for
A setback.
one is a poet and doesn't know it
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
one kind word can warm three winter months
A small act of kindness can have a lasting positive impact.
one law for the rich and another for the poor
The wealthy are treated more leniently than the less affluent under the law
one man and his dog
A very small number of people
one man's meat is another man's poison
What is beneficial to one person can be harmful to another
one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
one man's trash is another man's treasure
Something unwanted by one person can be valuable to another
one might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb
It's just as well to take a big risk as a small one
one might as well throw water into the sea as to do a kindness to rogues
Helping dishonest people is pointless
one moment
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
one more again
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
one of a kind
Unique and unlike anything else
one of His Majesty's bad bargains
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
one of those things
An event or situation that is unfortunate but unavoidable
one side
a particular point of view
one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
one step ahead
Having an advantage or being more prepared than others
one step at a time
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
one step forward, two steps back
To make less progress than expected, despite efforts to move forward.
one swallow does not make a summer
A single event or occurrence does not necessarily mean a trend or pattern
one thing led to another
A situation or event developed into something more complex or unexpected.
one thing or another
One thing or another prevents something from happening
one too many
more than one can handle
one up
to outdo or surpass someone
One who believes in Sword, dies by the Sword
Those who use violence will be destroyed by violence
one who hates gifts shall live
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
One who speaks only one language is one person, but one who speaks two languages is two people. Turkish Proverb
Knowing multiple languages increases one's perspectives and abilities
one year's seeding makes seven years weeding
A small initial effort can lead to much larger consequences
one's back is up
Someone is annoyed or offended
one's bark is worse than one's bite
Someone is less harmful than they seem to be.
one's blood is up
Someone is very angry or excited
one's cake is dough
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
one's days are numbered
Someone's time is limited, often because they will soon be replaced or punished.
one's fingers are all thumbs
to be extremely clumsy
one's fingers itch
to feel a strong urge to do something
one's heart in one's mouth
extremely frightened or nervous
one's heart out
to sing or perform with great emotion and energy
one's hour
a moment of great success or importance
one's jig is up
One's scheme or trick has been discovered
one's lips are sealed
Someone will keep a secret and not reveal it
one's name is mud
Someone's reputation is ruined or severely damaged.
one's ship comes in
to experience good fortune or success
one's socks off
to impress or amaze someone very much
one's word is law
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
one-hit wonder
Someone who achieves success once, but not repeatedly.
one-horse town
A small, usually rural town with limited resources or activities.
one-man band
A person who performs multiple tasks or roles alone
one-night stand
A brief, casual romantic or sexual encounter
one-track mind
A person who thinks only about one thing
one-trick pony
Someone or something with only one skill or talent
one-way ticket to Palookaville
A path or decision that leads to failure or obscurity
only fools and horses work
Only foolish people work hard
only game in town
The only available or attractive option
only time will tell
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
onward and upward
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
onwards and upwards
Improving or becoming more successful
open a can of whoop ass
to thoroughly defeat or punish someone
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