any (redirected from Any Time Now)

any [judge/lawyer/teacher etc.] worth their salt

any judge, lawyer, teacher etc. who is good at their job. Any lawyer worth his salt should be aware of the latest changes in taxation. No judge worth her salt would attempt to influence the jury.

See also: judge, salt, worth

Any port in a storm.

something that you say which means you must accept any help you are offered when you are in a difficult situation, although you may not want to do this. I don't even like him very much, but I had to move out of my flat and he offered me a place to stay. Any port in a storm, as they say.

See also: port, storm

any way you slice it (mainly American, informal, mainly American, informal)

something that you say which means you will not change your opinion about something, whatever anyone says about the matter. He shouldn't have hit her, any way you slice it.

See also: slice, way

(in) any way, shape, or form

in any way at all. I have never been involved in any way, shape, or form with criminal activities. (often negative)

See also: form

at any price

if you want something at any price, you will do whatever you have to do in order to get it. We want peace at any price.

See also: price

not by any stretch of the imagination

if you say that by no stretch of the imagination can you describe something or someone in a particular way, you mean that this way of describing them is certainly not correct. She was never a great player, not by any stretch of the imagination. He's pleasant looking but by no stretch of the imagination could you describe him as handsome.

See also: imagination, stretch

not do someone any favours (British, American & Australian, American)

to do something that is likely to have a bad effect on you or on another person. You're not well, and you're not doing yourself any favours by taking on extra work. (often reflexive) The government isn't doing the families of the victims any favor by hiding the truth about what really happened. (usually in continuous tenses; often + by + doing something)

See also: favour

Don't take any wooden nickels. (American, informal)

something that you say when someone leaves, to tell them to be careful and to take good care of themselves. Hey guys - have a good trip, and don't take any wooden nickels.

See also: don't, nickel, take, wooden

go to any lengths to do something

go to great lengths to do something - to try very hard to achieve something. Some men will go to any lengths (= try any method) to disguise the fact that they're going bald.

See also: length

in any shape or form

of any type. I'm opposed to war in any shape or form.

See also: form, shape

no one will be any the wiser

something that you say which means that no one will notice something bad that someone has done. Take the label off the jar and say you made it yourself. No one will be any the wiser.

not pull any punches

to speak in an honest way without trying to be kind. This man doesn't pull any punches. I wouldn't like to get into an argument with him

See also: pull, punch

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any way you slice it

in whatever manner you consider this. Any way you slice it, there are going to be some very unhappy people when the prizes are announced.

See also: slice, way

at any cost

no matter how difficult. Even if I'm sure I am right, I will avoid an argument with most people at any cost.

at all costs

See also: cost

at any price

no matter how difficult. They wanted to find out the truth at any price.

at all costs

See also: price

at any rate

more exactly. I don't think they liked my idea — at any rate, they weren't enthusiastic.

See also: rate

in any case

whatever happens. You should be able to catch a bus, but in any case you can always take a taxi home. In any case, you should test drive the car before buying it.

Usage notes: the same meaning can be also expressed by come what may, come hell or high water, at (the very) least, and either way

one way or the other

See also: case

in any event

whatever happens. I hope to meet her this afternoon, but in any event I have to return home tomorrow.

Usage notes: the same meaning can also be expressed by at (the very) least, come hell or high water, come what may, and either way

one way or the other

See also: event

in any way, shape, or form

in any possible manner or under any conditions. Neither Bill nor Ann is prepared for this in any way, shape, or form.

Usage notes: often used in the form not in any way, shape, or form: The new principal said that she would not in any way, shape, or form tell teachers how to teach their subjects.

See also: form

not by any stretch (of the imagination)

even if you try, it is still difficult to accept. She was never a great player, not by any stretch of the imagination. He's nice-looking but by no stretch of the imagination could you describe him as handsome. Our survey was purely random and by no stretch scientific.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form by any stretch (of the imagination) even possibly: It's the only plan that could, by any stretch, be relied upon to work.It's only a slight stretch of the imagination to call that scissors a weapon.

See also: stretch

not do someone/yourself any favors

to do something that will have a bad effect on you or someone else. We are not doing our children any favors by giving them unrealistic ideas of how the world works.

Usage notes: often said about something that is intended to be helpful or kind but that has the opposite effect

See also: favor