first things first
Do the most important tasks before less important ones
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
first thoughts are best
The initial idea or solution is often the most effective one
first up
first in a series or sequence
first-mover disadvantage
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
fish
A seaman. A scaly fish; a rough, blunt tar. To have other fish to fry; to have other matters to mind, something else to do.
fish
A person; "a queer FISH," "a loose FISH." Term never used except in doubtful cases, as those quoted.
Fish always rots from the head downwards (The fish rots from the head down)
Corruption or decay starts at the top level of leadership
fish and chips
a traditional British dish of fried fish and potatoes
fish and guests smell after three days
Things that are initially welcome can become unpleasant over time
fish in troubled waters
To take advantage of a confusing or uncertain situation
fish lips
The vagina.
fish or cut bait
Make a decision or take action, rather than hesitating
fish out
to retrieve or remove something from a place
fish to fry
have other more important things to deal with
fish-and-chipper
A chip shop
fish-eating grin
A wide, cheerful smile
Fisherman's Ring
A seal-ring with which the Pope is invested at his election, bearing the device of St. Peter fishing from a boat. It is used for sealing legal briefs, and is officially broken up at his death by the Chamberlain of the Roman Church.
fishfag
Originally a Billingsgate fishwife; now any scolding, vixenish, foul-mouthed woman.
fishhole
A vagina.
fishing expedition
Investigating or asking questions without a clear idea of what you are looking for
fishy
Doubtful, unsound, rotten; used to denote a suspicion of a "screw being loose," or "something rotten in the state of Denmark," in referring to any proposed speculation.
fist magnet
Someone who often gets into fights or arguments
fit
Suitable. It won't fit; It will not suit or do.
fit
An Americanism denoting the preterite of the verb to fight. A Yankee once came upon the words nihil fit, and he immediately wrote off to the editor of the paper to which he subscribed to know "Who was Nihil, who he fit, what amount he fit for, and if he won."
fit as a fiddle
In fine condition, perfect trim or order.
fit for a king
Of very high quality or luxury
fit in or fuck off
Conform to expectations or leave
fit out
To equip or supply something with necessary items
fit to be tied
extremely angry or frustrated
fit to wake the dead
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
fitba
football
fits and starts
Happens or progresses irregularly with interruptions
Fitzroy Cocktail
One of the many concoctions drunk by strong men "out back.'* The recipe is methylated spirits, ginger beer, and one teaspoonful of boot polish.
five and dime
a store selling inexpensive items
five senses
The five senses are feeling, hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting.
five shillings
The sign of five shillings, i.e. the crown. Fifteen shillings; the sign of the three crowns.
five will get you ten
Something is very likely to happen
fives
"bunch of FIVES," the fist.
fix
A predicament, or dilemma; "an awful FIX," a terrible position; "to FIX one’s flint for him," i.e., to "settle his hash," to "put a spoke in his wheel."
fix someone's wagon
to punish or take revenge on someone
fix the roof while the sun is shining
Prepare for problems when things are going well
fixed ah-
An old name of carbonic acid gas, given to it by Dr. Joseph Black (1728-99) because it existed in carbonate of magnesia in a fixed state.
fixed capital
Land, buildings, and machin- ery, which are only gradually consumed.
fixed ofls
The true oils; i.e. those which are not changed by heating or distillation, and which harden on exposure to the air, thus differing from essential oils. The glycarides, such as Unseed and walnut oils, are examples.
fixed stars
Stars whose relative position to other stars is always the same, as distin- guished from planets, which shift their relative positions.
fixings
An Americanism, equivalent to our word "trimmings," which see.
fiz
Champagne; any sparkling wine.
fizzing
First-rate, very good, excellent; synonymous with "stunning."
flabbergast
Or FLABBERGHAST, to astonish, or strike with wonder; literally, to strike aghast.—Old.
flabby
Relaxed, flaccid, not firm or solid.
flag
A groat. CANT.--The flag of defiance, or bloody flag is out; signifying the man is drunk, and alluding to the redness of his face. SEA PHRASE.
flag
A groat, or 4d.—Ancient Cant.
Flag Captain
The captain commanding a vessel in which an admiral is flying his flag.
flag down
to signal or stop something, like a vehicle, by waving a flag or arm
flag of distress
Any overt sign of poverty; the end of a person’s shirt when it protrudes through his trousers.
flakers
Asleep.
flam
A lie, or sham story: also a single stroke on a drum. To flam; to hum, to amuse, to deceive. Flim flams; idle stories.
flam
Nonsense, blarney, a lie, humbug. "A regular FLAM," a tale devoid of truth.
flame up
to suddenly become angry or excited
flamer
One who flames, or posts vitriolic criticism.
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