a figure of fun
Of droll appearance, whether from untidiness, quaintness, or other peculi- arity. "A pretty figure'* is a rather stronger expression.
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a fish out of water
Said of a person who is out of his usual environment and so feels awkward and in the way; also of one who is without his usual occupation and is restless in consequence.
a fool and his money are soon parted
Someone who is foolish with their finances will quickly lose their money
a fool is ever laughing
A foolish person often laughs inappropriately or excessively
A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees. (William Blake)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a fool's paradise
To be in a fool's paradise is to be in a state of contentment or happiness that rests only on unreal, fanciful foundations.
a fox's sleep
A sleep with one eye. Assumed indifference to what is going on. See above.
a free fight
A fight in which all engage, rules being disregarded.
a free lance
One who acts on his own judg- ment, and not from party motives; a journalist who is not definitely attached to, or on the salaried staff of, any one paper.
a friend at court
Properly, a friend in a court of law who watches the trial and tells the judge if he can discover an error (see AMICUS CURLE). The term is generally applied to a friend who is hi a position to help one by influencing those in power.
a friend cannot be known in prosperity nor an enemy be hidden in adversity
You can't truly know someone's intentions when things are going well
a friend in need is a friend indeed
If a friend helps one when one is in need, that person is a true friend.
a friend is best found in adversity
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a friend to everyone is a friend to no one
Someone who tries to be friends with everyone may not have any genuine friendships
a gentleman at large
A man of means, who does not have to work for his living, and is free to come and go as he pleases. Formerly the term denoted a gentleman attached to the court but having no special duties.
a gentleman of fortune
A pirate, an adven- turer (a euphemistic phrase).
a given name
In American usage a given name is a first, or Christian name.
a go-between
One who acts as an inter- mediary; one who interposes between two parties.
A golden bit does not make the horse any better. (Strauss, 1998 p. 52)
External show does not improve inner quality
a gone coon
A person in a terrible fix; one on the verge of ruin. The coon being hunted for its fur is a "gone coon" when it is treed and so has no escape from its pursuers.
a good beginning makes a good ending. (14th century)
A successful start leads to a successful outcome
a good deal
A significant amount or extent
a good draw
A first-rate attraction — "Performing elephants are always 'a good draw' at circuses." The noun also may mean a drawn game, or the result of drawing lots, etc.
a good friend never offends
A true friend avoids hurting or upsetting others
a good idea
An idea that is useful or effective
a good long run of luck
An innings in cricket is the time that the eleven or an individual is having1 its turn batting at the wicket.
A good mind possesses a kingdom. (Strauss, 1998 p. 58)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
A good name is the best of all treasures. (Strauss, 1998 p. 20)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a good surgeon has an eagle's eye, a lion's heart, and a lady's hand
A skilled surgeon needs precision, courage, and gentleness
a great book is a great evil
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a great card
A bigwig; the boss of the season; a person of note.
a great deal
A large amount or extent of something
a great deal better
much improved or more satisfactory
a great deal of something
A large amount or quantity of something
a great gulf fixed
An impassable separation. The allusion is to the parable of Dives and Lazarus (Luke xvi, 26).
a green cheese
An unripe cheese; also a cheese that is eaten fresh (like a cream cheese) and is not kept to mature.
a guilty conscience needs no accuser
A person with a guilty conscience will feel remorse even if no one accuses them
a half truth is a whole lie
A partial truth can be as misleading as a complete falsehood
a hand from the clouds
To denote God the Father. A lamb, fish, pelican, etc. The Lord Jesus Christ.
a hard nut to crack
A difficult question to answer; a hard problem to solve. He who would eat the nut must first crack the shell. The gods give nothing to man without great labour.
a hard pill to swallow
A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted.
a heart to heart talk
A confidential talk in private; generally one in which good^advice is offered, or a warning or reprimand given.
a hedge between keeps friends green
Good fences make for good neighbors
a horse of another colour
A different affair altogether. A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse.
a horse wins a kingdom
It is said that on the death of Smerdis (522 B.C.), the several competition for the throne of Persia agreed that he should be king whose horse neighed first when they met on the day following. The groom of Darius showed his horse a mare on the place appointed, and as soon as it arrived at the spot on the following day the horse began to neigh, and won the crown for its master.
A horseǃ a horseǃ My kingdom for a horseǃ (William Shakespeare)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a hot potato
A controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with.
a house builded upon a rock
Typical of a person or a thing whose foundations are sure. The allusion is to Matt, vii, 24.
a house of correction
A jail governed by a keeper. Originally it was a place where vagrants were made to v»ork, and offenders were kept in ward for the correction of small offences.
a house-warming
An entertainment given by new occupiers of a house; a first welcoming of friends to a fresh residence.
a hundred and ten percent
completely and totally
a hungry man thinks of bread
A person in need thinks of their basic necessities
A Jack and a half-jack
Counters resembling a sovereign and a half-sovereign; used at gaming-tables.
a job for life
A permanent position with long-term security
a jolly dog
A bon vivant; a jovial fellow. The jolly god, Bacchus. The Bible speaks of wine which "maketh glad the heart of man.
a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Even the longest and most difficult tasks begin with one small action
A Kentish man
A resident of West Kent. TTie Fair Maid of Kent. See FAIR. The Holy Maid of Kent. See HOLY.
a kettle of fish
An old Border name for a kind of fete champe*tre> or picnic by the river- side in which newly caught salmon is the chief dish. Having thickened some water with salt to the consistency of brine, the salmon is put therein and boiled; and when fit for eating, the company partake in gipsy fashion. The dis- comfort of this sort of picnic probably gave rise to the phrase "A pretty kettle of fish," meaning an awkward state of affairs, a mess, a muddle.
A King Log
A king who rules in peace and quietness, but never makes his power felt. In allusion to the fable of the frogs asking for a king. Jupiter first threw them down a log of wood, but they grumbled at so spiritless a king. He then sent them a stork, which devoured them eagerly.
a king should die standing
The reputed dying saying of Louis XVIII.