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One in which the horses that compete are sold after the race, the sale price being determined beforehand. The winner is generally sold by auction, and the owner gets both the selling price and the stakes. If at the auction a price is obtained above the ticketed price it is divided between the second best horse and the race fund. See HANDICAP.
A boxing match, a pugilistic fight, a scolding. In pugilism the combatants were by then: seconds "set to the scratch"1 or line marked on the ground.
An indication of refusal, disapproval, annoyance, etc. I'll do it in a brace of shakes. Instantly, as soon as you can shake the dice-box twice.
Vessels are meant for use, not just safety
A length of thread pointed with a bristle, and used by shoemakers.
a quick and severe punishment or consequence
A proverbial expression used of something that is very welcome, pleasant, and unexpected.
A two-quart pot. Quart pots were bound with three hoops, and when three men joined in drinking each man drank his hoop. Mine host of the Black Bear (Kemlr worth, ch.
A dullard, an unprogressive person. What a dull, old-fashioned ch£gp thou be'st . . . but thou wert always a slow-coach. — MRS. GASKELL: Cibbie Marsh (Era 2).
A hidden or hypocritical enemy, a disguised danger.
Too much hurry or precipitation spoils work, just as too fierce a fire would burn the malt and destroy its sweetness. "Soft and fair goes far," "the more haste the less speed" are sayings of similar meaning.
His outfit. A small three-stringed fiddle, formerly used by dancing masters, was called a kit. The word is from the obsolete gitterne (Fr. quitterne), a sort of guitar.
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
It is easy to find an excuse to punish someone
A cunning and selfish man ; one wise in his own interest; one who avoids talking at meals that he may enjoy his food the better. So called from the old proverb, "The still sow eats the wash" or "draff." We do not act that often jest and laugh, 'Tis old, but true, "Still swine eat all the draugh." Merry Wives of Windsor, iv, 2.
One who remains silent is often considered wise
A little effort expended sooner to fix a small problem prevents it from becoming a larger problem requiring more effort to fix later.
Even an unreliable source can be correct occasionally
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
A mighty to-do about a trifle; making a great fuss about nothing.
A big, sturdy chap; a robust, vigorous young woman is similarly termed a strapper.
Birchin Lane was once famous for all sorts of apparel; references to second-hand clothes m Birchin Lane are common enough in Elizabethan books.
Coat, waistcoat, and trousers all alike, or all ditto (the same).
A rich courtly dress. So long? Nay, then, let the devil wear black, for I'll have a suit of sables. — Hamlett lii, 2.
A person one can fully depend on; a person sure to command success, A project to be certainly depended on. As a winning card in one's hand.
A human being of a surly temper. Dog is often used for "chap" or "fellow": thus we have a gay dog, a man who is always out and about on pleasure, and a sad dog, which means much the same, but carries with it a touch of reproof.
completely failing to achieve something
Of the very best quality. The Spaniards used to plunge their swords and other weapons, while hot from the forge, into the brook Salo [Xalon], near Bilbilis, in Celtiberia, to harden them. The water of this brook is very cold.
A cock-and-bull story; a rigmarole; a nonsensical romance.
A tankard of the best and strongest ale, brewed in October,
A tea-party; especially a church or chapel gathering at which tea and buns, etc., are provided.
Huxley in 1869 (with allusion to St. Paul's mention of an altar to "the Unknown God") to indicate the mental attitude of those who withhold their assent from whatever is incapable of proof, such as an unseen world, a First Cause, etc. Agnostics neither dogmatically accept nor reject such matters, but simply say Agnosco — I do not know — they are not capable of proof, Q?, THEIST.
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
Thus runs the bill. Ely: This would drink deep. Cant.: Twould drink the cup and all.
A toper who can drink three bottles of port at a sitting.
A parliamentary (or other) contest in which there are three com- petitors.
Properly, a sailing ship having three decks, a warship carrying guns on three decks, but applied to 9ther triplicates, such as the ola-fashioned pulpit, reading-desk, and clerk's desk arranged one above the other; and to the three-volume novel — the usual way of publishing fiction in most of the 19th century up to about 1895.
A beglerbeg or prince of princes among the Turks, who has a standard of three horse-tails borne before htm. The next rank is the bashaw with two tails, and then the bey, who has only one horse-tail.
A foolish person reveals their inner thoughts to those around them
A deception, a concealed danger. See WOODEN HORSE OF TROY. Don't look a gift-horse in the month. See GIFT- HORSE.
Under the old judicial system before a case went to the criminal Assizes it was examined by the Grand Jury whose duty it was to decide whether or not there was sufficient evidence to justify a trial. If they decided that there was they were said "to find a true bill"; if, on the other hand, they decided there was not sufficient evidence they were said "to ignore the bill.
A true friend will occasionally speak uncomfortable truths
Emblematical in religious paintings of St. Nicholas (q.v.), in allusion to the two boys murdered and placed in a pickling tub by a landlord, but raised to life again by this saint.
A bit of good luck, unexpected good fortune. Waiting for something to turn up. Expectant that the luck will change, that good fortune will arrive without much effort on one's own part. Mr. Micawber's philosophy of life, in David Copperfield.
A ranting, bullying manner. In the old moralities the tyrants were made to rant, and the loudness of their rant was proportionate to the villainy of their dis- positions.
Formerly one newly called to the bar, who for three years had to attend in "Long Vacation." The practice (and consequently the term) is now obsolete.
Many different types of something
The Zoroastrian and Par- see Bible, dating in its present form from the last quarter of the 4th century, A.D., collected from the ancient writings, sermons, etc., of Zoroaster (fl. before 800 B.C.), oral traditions, etc.
A very easy victory; as in a running match when one's rivals could be beaten by walking.
A part in a play in which the actor has only to walk about on the stage, sometimes with a word or two to say.
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
Said as a mild reproof to one who is showing impatience; watching and anxiety won't hasten matters.
a time far in the future
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
A sort of handicap Oy.v.), in which the weights carried are appor- tioned according to certain conditions. Horses of the same age carry similar weights, costens paribus.
A discouragement; , a . marplot or spoil-sport. A person is a wet blanket who discourages a proposed scheme. "Treated with a wet blanket,*' discouraged. "A wet blanket influence," etc. A wet blanket is used to smother fire, or to prevent one escaping from a fire from being burnt.
An impromptu collection for some benevolent object.
Some possession the expense or responsibility of which is more than it is worth.
A conventional lie, such as telling a caller that Mrs A. or Mrs. B. is not at home, meaning not "at home" to that particu- lar caller.
A thoroughly straight- forward and honourable man.