pass the river
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
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pass the torch
To transfer responsibility or leadership to someone else
pass under the yoke
to submit to someone's authority or control
pass up
To decline or reject an opportunity
passage
A camp game with three dice: doublets, making up ten or more, to pass or win; any other chances lose.
passing bell
The hallowed bell which used to be rung when persons were in extremis, to scare away evil spirits which were supposed to lurk about the dying ready to pounce on the soul while passing from the body. It is a very ancient custom, and the Athenians used to beat on brazen kettles at the moment of a decease to scare away the Furies.
Passion Flower
A plant of the genus Passi- flora^ whose flowers bear a fancied resemblance to the instruments of the Passion. Cp.
Passion Play
A development of the medieval mystery play with especial reference to the story of Our Lord's passion and death. The best known survival of such plays, which were common in France in the 14th century, is the Oberammergau Passion Play which takes place every ten years. In 1633 the Black Death swept over the village of Oberammergau; when it abated the inhabitants vowed to enact the scenes of the Passion every ten years.
passy-measures pavin
A reeling dance or motion, like that of a drunken man, from side to side.
paste
To beat, to thrash vigorously.
paste up
to assemble and display printed materials
paste-horn
The nose. Shoemakers nickname any shopmate with a large nose "old PASTE-HORN," from the shape of the horn in which they keep their paste.
pasteboard
A visiting card; "to PASTEBOARD a person," to drop a card at an absent person’s house.
Paston Letters
A series of letters (with wills, leases, and other documents) written by or to members of the Paston family in Norfolk be- tween the years 1440 and 1486.
pat
Apposite, or to the purpose.
Pat and Mick
Prick.
pat on the back
Praise or express approval for someone's achievement
patch
This old English term of reproach, long obsolete in polite language, may yet occasionally be heard in sentences like these:—"Why, he’s not a PATCH upon him," i.e., he is not to be compared with him; "one’s not a PATCH on the other," &c. Shakspeare uses the word in the sense of a paltry fellow:—
patch up
to repair or improve something temporarily
pate
The head. Carroty-pated; red-haired.
patent coats
The first coat, with the pockets inside the skirt, were so termed.
Patent Rolls
Letters patent collected to- fether on parchment rolls. They extend from 1210, and each roll contains a vear, though in some cases the roll is subdivided into two or more parts. Each sheet of parchment is num- bered, and called a membrane; for example, the 8th sheet, say, of the 10th year of Henry III is cited thus: "Pat 10 Hen. Ill, nu 8." If the document is on the back of the roll it is called dorso, and "d" is added to the citation. Co.
patience is a virtue
Being patient is a morally good quality
patience of a saint
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
patience of an angel
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
patience of Job
Great patience and endurance in difficult situations
patience of Mother Teresa
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Patres Conscripti
See CONSCRIPT FA.THBRS. Patriarch (Gr. patna, family, archein, to rule).
Patron saint of Spain
St. James the Greater, who is said to have preached the Gospel in Spain, where his relics are preserved at Compostella.
patter
To talk. PATTER FLASH, to speak the language of thieves, talk cant.
patteran
A gipsy trail, made by throwing down a handful of grass occasionally, especially where they have turned off from the main road.
patterer
One of a race now nearly defunct, who cried last dying speeches, &c., in the streets. The term is also applied to those who help off their wares by long harangues in the public thoroughfares. These men, to use their own term, "are the aristocracy of the street sellers," and despise the costermongers for their ignorance, boasting that they live by their intellect, which, as they do not live wonderfully well, is no particularly wise boast.
pattering
The maundering or pert replies of servants; also talk or palaver in order to amuse one intended to be cheated. Pattering of prayers; the confused sound of a number of persons praying together.
pattern
A common vulgar phrase for "patent."
paul pry
An inquisitive person. From the well-known comedy.
Paul's Cross
A pulpit in the open air situated on the north side of old St. Paul's Cathedral, in which, from 1259-1643, eminent divines preached in the presence of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen every Sunday. Upon its site a new pulpit and cross were erected in 1910.
Paul's Walkers
Jonson called Bobadil (#.v.) a Paul's man, and in his Every Man out of fit's Humour (1599) is a variety of scenes in the interior of St. Paul's.
paunch
The belly. Some think paunch was the original name of that facetious prince of puppets, now called Mr. Punch, as he is always represented with a very prominent belly: though the common opinion is, that both the name and character were taken from a celebrated Italian comedian, called Polichenello.
pave the road to hell
To have good intentions but produce bad results
pave the way
To make it easier for something to happen or for someone to do something
pavement pizza
A patch of vomit on the pavement, road or ground.
paw
A hand.
paw
A hand or foot; look at his dirty paws. Fore paw; the hand. Hind paw; the foot. To paw; to touch or handle clumsily.
paw
The hand. PAW-CASES, gloves. Boots are in some parts of Ireland called "gloves for the feet."
paw at
to touch or handle something clumsily
paw paw tricks
Naughty tricks: an expression used by nurses, &c. to children.
pay
To beat a person, or "serve him out." Originally a nautical term, meaning to stop the seams of a vessel with pitch (French, POIX); "here’s the d‑‑‑‑l to PAY, and no pitch hot," said when any catastrophe occurs which there is no means of averting; "to PAY over face and eyes, as the cat did the monkey;" "to PAY through the nose," to give a ridiculous price,—an expressive phrase of which no one seems to know the origin. Shakspeare uses PAY in the sense of to beat or thrash.
pay a visit
To go see someone or someplace for a short time
pay attention
to focus and listen carefully
pay attention to somebody
Listen and notice what someone is saying
pay dirt
Soil containing gold or diamonds, whichever is being sought.
pay dividends
to produce a benefit or profit
pay for something
to give money for something
pay heed
To pay attention and take notice
pay homage to
Show respect or admiration for something or someone
pay no mind
To ignore or disregard something
pay off old scores
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
pay one's debt to society
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
pay one's dues
to endure difficulties or pay a price to achieve something
pay packet
a person's wages or salary