open one's mind
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
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open one's mouth
to speak or say something
open Pandora's box
To unleash a multitude of problems or evils
open season
A period when someone or something is vulnerable to criticism or attack
open secret
See SECRET DE POLICHINELLE. Open, Sesame. See SESAME.
open someone's eyes
To make someone aware of a reality or fact they were not aware of
open sores
open source
open the ball
To commence anything.
open the batting
To start or initiate something
open the door
create an opportunity
open the floodgates
To unleash or trigger a large amount of something
open the kimono
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
open the schools
to start the school year
open up
To open.
open wide
to open one's mouth very wide
open-door policy
A management approach that encourages open communication and transparency
opening of an envelope
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
opinions are like assholes
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
opportunity does not knock until you build a door
You must take action to create your own chances
opportunity makes the thief. (13th century)
Circumstances can lead people to do wrong things
opportunity never knocks twice at any man's door
A chance will not repeat itself
opposed to something
Against or disagreeing with something
opposite number
A person with a similar role or position in a different organization
optime
The senior and junior optimes are the second and last classes of Cambridge honors conferred on taking a degree. That of wranglers is the first. The last junior optime is called the Wooden Spoon.
opus operantis
Ex opere operate is a phrase used by theologians to express the efficiency of acts irrespective of the intention of the agent or patient. Ex opere operantis implies the con- currence of intention on the part of the agent; it is the personal piety of the person who does the act, and not the act itself, that causes it to be an instrument of grace. Thus in the Eucha- rist, it is the faith of the recipient which makes it efficient for grace.
opus operatum
The thing done; the theo- logian's term for expressing the effect of sacra- ments irrespective of the disposition of the re- ceivers of them. Thus, baptism is said by many to convey regeneration to an infant in arms.
or else
unless something is done
or so
used to show that something is approximate
or so on
used to indicate a continuation of a list or series
or somebody
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
or something
used to indicate a vague or uncertain alternative
or somewhere
in a location that is not specified
or two
an indefinite small number
or what
or something like that
or words to that effect
Means something like that was said
oracle
"to work the ORACLE," to plan, manœuvre, to succeed by a wily stratagem.
orange blossom
The conventional decora- tion, for the bride at a wedding, introduced as a custom into England from France about 1820. The orange is said to indicate the hope of fruitfulness, as few trees are more prolific, while the -white blossoms are symbolical of innocence.
Orange Free State
This province of the Union of South Africa originated in 1824 when some Dutch fanners from Cape Colony settled across the Orange River.
Orange Lilies
The nickname of the old 35th Foot, now the Royal Sussex Regiment, raised at Belfast in 1701 by the Earl of Donegal. A firm supporter of William III he chose orange facings for the uniform; the lilies represent the white plumes given in recog- nition of their gallantry at Quebec in 1759, when they routed the Royal Roussillon French Grenadiers.
Orange Peel
A nickname given to Sir Robert Peel when Chief Secretary for Ireland (1812-18), on account of his strong anti- Catholic proclivities.
orange wine
a type of white wine with orange hue due to skin contact
oranges with oranges
comparing similar things
orate
An Americanism, which means, to speak in public, or make an oration.
Orator Hunt
Henry Hunt (1773-1835), a politician and radical reformer was so named. He presided at the famous "Peterloo" meeting (q.v) and as M.P. for Preston (1830-33) pre- sented the first petition to Parliament in favour of woman's rights.
Order of St
Michael. It was limited to 100 knights, and has not been revived since the revolution of 1830.
Order was founded by St
Benedict at Subiaco and Monte Cassino, Italy, about 530, and its members have from the earliest times been renowned for their learning. A similar order for nuns was founded by St. Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict.
ordinary people
Normal citizens, not famous or powerful
Oregon Trail
This was the old American trans- continental route from Independence, Mis- souri, to The Dalles, on Columbia River, Oregon, a distance of some 2,000 miles. The loute was principally used by immigrants to the North-west from the Southern states. It was originally blazed by trappers and the Lewis and Clarke Expedition, and crossed the Rockies at South Pass.
oreo cookie
A person with a mix of two different cultural backgrounds
Oreo Namaz
Arya Samaj
organ
A pipe. Will you cock your organ? will you smoke your pipe?
organ-grinder
An itinerant who is supposed to "GRIND" music out of a barrel-organ.
oriental origin
The word is sometimes used adjectivally of soft and gentle speech.
original sin
That corruption which is born with us, and is the inheritance of all the off- spring of Adam, Theology teaches that as Adam was founder of his race, when Adam fell the taint and penalty of his disobedience passed to all his posterity.
originator
An inventor of plans for the formation of joint-stock companies. The originator submits his schemes to the promoter, who accepts or rejects them.
orinoko
(pronounced ORINOKER), a poker.
orion's dogs
Arctophonos (bear-killer) , and Ptoophagos (the glutton of P toon, in Bceotia).
Orlando Furioso
Orlando's unrequited love for her drove him mad. The name was used also by Congreve for the principal character in Love for Love and by Farquhar m The Constant Couple and Sir Harry Wildair. Angelus, The (an' je lus). A Roman.
Orlop Deck
The lowest deck in an old sailing ship, and so called from the Dutch overloogen, or spread over, because it covered the snip's hold.
Orpheus and Eurydice
A romantic relationship where one partner is lost due to the other's mistake