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Judged and found wanting
To be judged and found wanting means that something or someone has been examined or tested and has been seen as not good enough.The phrase comes from older English writing and was influenced by a line in the Bible from the Book of Daniel about being "weighed" and found lacking. Over time it became a general expression for failing to meet a required standard.
After examining the cake, the fete committee judged it and found it wanting.
Make a deal with the devil
To make a deal with the devil means to accept help or an offer from someone bad or dangerous in order to get something you want. It suggests that the benefit comes with a serious cost or moral problem.The phrase comes from old stories where a person trades their soul to the devil for power, wealth, or success. People use it when someone chooses a risky or unethical option because it seems useful at the time.
Signing that contract felt like I was about to make a deal with the devil.
Make hay while the sun shines
The idiom make hay while the sun shines draws from farming practices, where you should get as much done as possible at harvest time while the sun is shining, or your hay will spoil from getting wet.It means that you should take advantage of the good times to get work done.
We have a lot of customers at the moment, let's make hay while the sun shines!
Make waves
To make waves means to cause trouble or disagreement, often by speaking up and challenging how things are normally done.The phrase comes from the image of calm water being disturbed so that waves form on the surface. It began to be used in the early 1900s to describe actions that create noticeable disruption.
She did not want to make waves on her first day at the new job, so she kept her concerns to herself.
Make yourself at home
To make yourself at home means to behave in a relaxed and comfortable way in someone else's place, as if it were your own.The phrase has been used for a long time as a friendly way for hosts to welcome guests. By telling someone to make themselves at home, the host shows that the visitor is welcome and should feel comfortable there.
The neighbour's cat wandered in through the dog door, jumped onto the couch, and immediately made itself at home.
Many hands make light work
Many hands make light work is a phrase that means a task is much easier to complete when you have lots of people helping you.She needed to clean up after the big party before her parents came home, and made it just in time when everyone pitched in, and many hands made light work.
Mean business
To mean business means to be serious and determined about what you are saying or doing. When someone means business, they are not joking and expect others to take them seriously.The phrase has been used in English since the 1800s. It comes from the idea that when someone is dealing with business matters, they are focused and intent on getting results.
When the coach blew the whistle and started the tough training drills, everyone knew she meant business.
Measure twice, cut once
Measure twice, cut once is a phrase from carpentry and tailoring that reminds you that you should check your measurements and then check them again before you cut, so you do not make a mistake and waste your materials.
Memory of a goldfish
If you have the memory of a goldfish, it means you have a very short memory or you forget things a lot.The phrase comes from the common belief that goldfish can only remember things for a few seconds. Although this idea is popular in jokes and everyday speech, real goldfish can actually remember things for much longer.
I forgot where I left my keys again, I must have the memory of a goldfish.
Mind your own business
Mind your own business means to focus on your own concerns and not interfere in other people's matters. This idiom is used when someone is being too curious or involved in something that does not concern them.The phrase has been used in English for centuries as a straightforward way of telling someone to stop asking questions or giving opinions about someone else's affairs.
When he started asking about their private plans, she told him to mind your own business.