nose out of joint
to feel offended or upset, usually because someone is getting attention
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nose powder
Cocaine.
nose tax
It is said that in the 9th century the Danes imposed a poll tax in Ireland, and that this was called the "Nose Tax," because those who neglected to pay were punished by having their noses slit.
nose to the grindstone
To work very hard and constantly
nose ’em
Or FOGUS, tobacco. NOSE ’EM is but a contraction of the rhyming slang, which see.
nose-bag
A visitor at a watering-place, or house of refreshment, who carries his own victuals. Term applied by waiters.
nose-ender
A straight blow delivered full on the nasal promontory.
noser
A hard blow, leading to a bloody or contused nose.—Pugilistic.
nosh
Food.
nostrum
A medicine prepared by particular persons only, a quack medicine.
not a chance
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not a hundred mites off
An indirect way of saying in this very neighbourhood, or very spot. The phrase is employed when it would be in- discreet or dangerous to refer more directly to the person or place hinted at.
not a minute too soon
just in time, without a moment to spare
not a pretty sight
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not a red cent
No money at all; "stony- broke." An Americanism; the cent used to be copper, but is now an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc.
not a shirt to one's name
Nothing at all; penniless and propertyless.
Not all those who wander are lost – "All that is gold does not glitter" J.R.R. Tolkien (1954)
Not everyone who is unconventional is without direction or purpose
not any longer
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
not as black as one is painted
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not at all
used to emphasize a negative response
not at home
A familiar locution for "not prepared to receive visitors" — or the one who is applying for admission; it does not neces- sarily mean "away from home.
not be able to hit the broad side of a barn
To be very inaccurate or inept at something
not be caught dead
refuse to do something under any circumstances
not born yesterday
Not to be taken in; worldly wise. Poets are born, not made. One can never be a poet by mere training or education if one has been born without the * 'divine afflatus." A translation of the Latin phrase Poeta nas- citur nonfit, of which an extension is Nascimur poet&fimus orator 'es, we are born poets, we are made orators.
not by a jugful
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not by any means
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not care beans
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not cricket
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not do someone any favors
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not do someone any favours
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not dry behind the ears
As innocent as a new-born child. When young animals are born, the last place to become dry after birth is the small depression behind each ear.
not enough to hang a dog on
Insufficient evidence to prove something
not even
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
not for donkey's years
Not for a long time. The allusion is to the old tradition that one never sees a dead donkey.
not for the world
under no circumstances
not grow on trees
something is rare or not easily obtained
not half
Not half bad means "not at all bad"; pretty good, indeed; better than I had expected; but Not half! has a more ironical meaning, and means something like "Rather! 1 should think so!
not half bad
Surprisingly good or of high quality
not have a leg to stand on
To have no valid argument or support for a claim
not have a prayer
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not hit a cow's arse with a banjo
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not impious yet
Hard steel succeeded then, And stubborn as the metal were the men.
not in a million
very unlikely to happen
not in a million years
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Not in a month of Sundays
Not in a very long time. One's Sunday best, or Sunday-go-to-meeting togs. One's best clothes, kept for wearing on Sundays.
not in Kansas anymore
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not in luck's way
Not unexpectedly pro- moted, enriched, or otherwise benefited.
not in my beat
Not in my line; not in the range of my talents or inclination.
not in the least
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not in the slightest
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not invented here
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not just a pretty face
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not know one is born
to be unaware of one's privileges or advantages
not know what hit one
be completely surprised or shocked by something
not know what one is missing
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not know whether one is coming or going
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not know which way to turn
To feel completely confused or uncertain about what to do
not leave one's thoughts
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
not likely
Probably will not happen
not long for this world
Close to death or demise