art

Art is long and life is short.

Prov. Works of art last much longer than human lives.; Life is too short to learn everything you need to know about a particular discipline. Alan: You ought to do something besides paint pictures in your spare time. Come out with us, have some fun. Bob: Having fun will not win me immortality. Only my paintings can do that. Art is long and life is short. I always feel a sense of awe when I look at the Babylonian statues in the art museum. They were made thousands of years ago. Art is long and life is short.

See also: and, life, long, short

state of the art

using the most recent technology. (Hyphenated before nouns.) Our company's computer setup is strictly state of the art. This state-of-the-art radio is capable of filling the whole room with sound.

See also: state

work of art 

1. Lit. a piece of art. She purchased a lovely work of art for her living room.

2. . Fig. a good result of one's efforts. Your report was a real work of art. Very well done.

See also: work

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have something down to a fine art  (British, American & Australian) also have something off to a fine art (British & Australian)

to be able to do something very well, usually because you have been doing it for a long time He's got sandwich making down to a fine art.

See also: fine, have

state-of-the-art

state-of-the-art equipment and machines are the most modern and of the best quality available State-of-the-art computer graphics show how your kitchen could be transformed.

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to a fine art

in a way that is based on highly developed skill This restaurant elevates the sandwich to a fine art.

See also: fine