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die is cast
[die is cast] {v. phr.}, {literary} To make an irrevocable decision. […]
discretion is the better part of valor
[discretion is the better part of valor] {literary} When you are […]
draw and quarter
[draw and quarter] {v. phr.}, {literary} 1. To execute someone in […]
eye-filling
[eye-filling] {adj.}, {literary} Attractive to the eye; beautiful; especially grand; splendid; […]
ferret out
[ferret out] {literary} or [smell out] or [sniff out] {v.} To […]
fine feathers do not make fine birds
[fine feathers do not make fine birds] {literary} A person who […]
for the time being
[for the time being] also {literary} [for the nonce] {adv. phr.} […]
full of the moon
[full of the moon] {n. phr.}, {literary} The moon when it […]
game is not worth the candle
[game is not worth the candle] {literary} What is being done […]
gird one's loins
[gird one's loins] {v. phr.}, {literary} To prepare for action; get […]
give an ear to
[give an ear to] or [lend an ear to] {v. phr.}, […]
give of oneself
[give of oneself] {v. phr.}, {literary} To give your time and […]
give the lie to
[give the lie to] {v. phr.}, {literary} 1. To call (someone) […]
God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb
[God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb] {literary} A person […]
happen on
[happen on] or [happen upon] {v.}, {literary} To meet or find […]
hark back
[hark back] {v.}, {literary} 1. To recall or turn back to […]
heap coals of fire on one's head
[heap coals of fire on one's head] {v. phr.}, {literary} To […]
hither and thither
[hither and thither] or [hither and yon] {adv. phr.}, {literary} In […]
in one fell swoop
[in one fell swoop] or [at one fell swoop] {adv. phr.} […]
in one's cups
[in one's cups] {adj. phr.}, {literary} Drunk. * /The man was […]
in search of
[in search of] or {literary} [in quest of] {prep.} Seeking or […]
in season
[in season] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. {literary} At the proper […]
in the lap of the gods
[in the lap of the gods] also [on the knees of […]
in the wake of
[in the wake of] {prep.}, {literary} As a result of; right […]
kick against the pricks
[kick against the pricks] {v. phr.}, {literary} To fight against rules […]
law unto oneself
[law unto oneself] {n. phr.}, {literary} A person who does only […]
lay at one's door
[lay at one's door] {v. phr.}, {literary} To blame (something) on […]
lay waste
[lay waste] {v. phr.}, {literary} To cause wide and great damage […]
make merry
[make merry] {v. phr.}, {literary} To have fun, laugh, and be […]
man of parts
[man of parts] {n. phr.}, {literary} A man who has several […]
nail one's colors to the mast
[nail one's colors to the mast] {literary} To let everyone know […]
open sesame
[open sesame] {n. phr.}, {literary} Immediate means of entrance, or unobstructed […]
Pandoras box
[Pandora's box] {n. phr.}, {literary} A thing or problem that, if […]
play one false
[play one false] {v. phr.}, {literary} To act disloyally toward (a […]
plume oneself
[plume oneself] {v. phr.}, {literary} To be proud of yourself; boast. […]
pound of flesh
[pound of flesh] {n. phr.}, {literary} The maximum payment authorized by […]
put to the sword
[put to the sword] {v. phr.}, {literary} To kill (people) in […]
set one's face against
[set one's face against] {v. phr.}, {literary} To be very much […]
seventh heaven
[seventh heaven] {n. phr.}, {literary} The pinnacle of happiness. * /We […]
speak with a forked tongue
[speak with a forked tongue] {v. phr.}, {literary} To lie; to […]
stave off
[stave off] {v.}, {literary} To keep from touching or hurting you. […]
swan song
[swan song] {n. phr.}, {literary} A farewell or last appearance. * […]
take heed
[take heed] {v. phr.}, {literary} To pay attention; watch or listen […]
take up arms
[take up arms] {v. phr.}, {literary} To get ready to fight; […]
take up the cudgels for
[take up the cudgels for] {v. phr.}, {literary} To come to […]
throw in one's lot with
[throw in one's lot with] or {literary} [cast in one's lot […]
tilt at windmills
[tilt at windmills] {v. phr.}, {literary} To do battle with an […]
with child
[with child] {adv. phr.}, {literary} Going to have a baby; pregnant. […]
worked up
[worked up] also [wrought up] {adj.}, {literary} Feeling strongly; excited; angry; […]
world without end
[world without end] {adv. phr.}, {literary} Endlessly; forever; eternally. * /Each […]
would that
[would that] or [I would that] or [would God] or [would […]
writing
[writing] or [handwriting on the wall] {n. phr.}, {literary} A warning; […]