a dog is a man's best friend
A dog is extremely loyal and beneficial to its owner
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a dog will not howl if you beat him with a bone
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a double first
In the first class both of the classical and mathematical final examinations, Oxford; or of the classical and mathematical triposes, Cambridge. Now, a first class in any two final examinations.
a douse in the chops
A heavy blow in the face. My fellow-servant Umphry Klinker bid him be sivil, and he gave the young man a douse in the chops ; but I'fachins, Mr. Klinker wa'n't long in his debt — • with a good oaken sapling he dusted his doublet. — SMOLLETT: Humphrey Clinker, Lett, xxxiv.
a downy cove
A knowing fellow, up to, or, as formerly, down to every dodge.
a dream come true
Something that is very desirable and has finally happened
a drop in the ocean
An infinitesimal quan- tity; something that scarcely counts or matters in comparison with the whole.
a drop of the creature
A little whisky. The Irish call it "a drop of the cratur.
a dropping fire
An irregular fusillade from small-arms, machine guns, etc.
a drowning man will clutch at a straw
A desperate person will try anything to survive
a far cry
A long way; a very considerable distance; used both of space and of time, as, "it is a far cry from David to Disraeli," but they both were Jews, "it's a far cry from Clapham to Kamschatka." Sir Walter Scott several times uses the phrase, "It's a far cry to Lochow (Lochawe)," and he tells us that this was a proverbial expression among the Campbells, meaning that their ancient hereditary dominions lay beyond the reach of an invading enemy.
a far remove
very far away in distance or character
a fat and pursy man
Shakespeare has "pursy insolence," the insolence of Jesunin, "who waxed fat and kicked." In Hamlet we have "the fatness of these pursy times" — i.e. wanton or self-indulgent times.
a feather in one's cap
An achievement to be proud of; something creditable.
a feather in your cap
An honour to you. The allusion is to the very general custom in Asia and among the American Indians of adding a feather to the headgear for every enemy slain. The ancient Lycians, and many others had a similar custom, and it is still usual for the sportsman who kills the first woodcock to pluck out a feather and stick it in his cap.
a few
a small, indefinite number
a few minutes
a short period of time
a few sandwiches short of a picnic
Lacking intelligence.
a few times
On several occasions
a few years
a small, indefinite number of years
a figure of fun
Of droll appearance, whether from untidiness, quaintness, or other peculi- arity. "A pretty figure'* is a rather stronger expression.
a fish out of water
Said of a person who is out of his usual environment and so feels awkward and in the way; also of one who is without his usual occupation and is restless in consequence.
a fool and his money are soon parted
Someone who is foolish with their finances will quickly lose their money
a fool is ever laughing
A foolish person often laughs inappropriately or excessively
A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees. (William Blake)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a fool's paradise
To be in a fool's paradise is to be in a state of contentment or happiness that rests only on unreal, fanciful foundations.
a fox's sleep
A sleep with one eye. Assumed indifference to what is going on. See above.
a free fight
A fight in which all engage, rules being disregarded.
a free lance
One who acts on his own judg- ment, and not from party motives; a journalist who is not definitely attached to, or on the salaried staff of, any one paper.
a friend at court
Properly, a friend in a court of law who watches the trial and tells the judge if he can discover an error (see AMICUS CURLE). The term is generally applied to a friend who is hi a position to help one by influencing those in power.
a friend cannot be known in prosperity nor an enemy be hidden in adversity
You can't truly know someone's intentions when things are going well
a friend in need is a friend indeed
If a friend helps one when one is in need, that person is a true friend.
a friend is best found in adversity
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a friend to everyone is a friend to no one
Someone who tries to be friends with everyone may not have any genuine friendships
a gentleman at large
A man of means, who does not have to work for his living, and is free to come and go as he pleases. Formerly the term denoted a gentleman attached to the court but having no special duties.
a gentleman of fortune
A pirate, an adven- turer (a euphemistic phrase).
a given name
In American usage a given name is a first, or Christian name.
a go-between
One who acts as an inter- mediary; one who interposes between two parties.
A golden bit does not make the horse any better. (Strauss, 1998 p. 52)
External show does not improve inner quality
a gone coon
A person in a terrible fix; one on the verge of ruin. The coon being hunted for its fur is a "gone coon" when it is treed and so has no escape from its pursuers.
a good beginning makes a good ending. (14th century)
A successful start leads to a successful outcome
a good deal
A significant amount or extent
a good draw
A first-rate attraction — "Performing elephants are always 'a good draw' at circuses." The noun also may mean a drawn game, or the result of drawing lots, etc.
a good friend never offends
A true friend avoids hurting or upsetting others
a good idea
An idea that is useful or effective
a good long run of luck
An innings in cricket is the time that the eleven or an individual is having1 its turn batting at the wicket.
A good mind possesses a kingdom. (Strauss, 1998 p. 58)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
A good name is the best of all treasures. (Strauss, 1998 p. 20)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a good surgeon has an eagle's eye, a lion's heart, and a lady's hand
A skilled surgeon needs precision, courage, and gentleness
a great book is a great evil
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a great card
A bigwig; the boss of the season; a person of note.
a great deal
A large amount or extent of something
a great deal better
much improved or more satisfactory
a great deal of something
A large amount or quantity of something
a great gulf fixed
An impassable separation. The allusion is to the parable of Dives and Lazarus (Luke xvi, 26).
a green cheese
An unripe cheese; also a cheese that is eaten fresh (like a cream cheese) and is not kept to mature.
a guilty conscience needs no accuser
A person with a guilty conscience will feel remorse even if no one accuses them
a half truth is a whole lie
A partial truth can be as misleading as a complete falsehood
a hand from the clouds
To denote God the Father. A lamb, fish, pelican, etc. The Lord Jesus Christ.
a hard nut to crack
A difficult question to answer; a hard problem to solve. He who would eat the nut must first crack the shell. The gods give nothing to man without great labour.
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