beauty

(I've) got to go home and get my beauty sleep.

Fig. a phrase announcing one's need to depart because it is late. (See also (I) have to shove off for other possible variations.) Sue: Leaving so early? John: I've got to go home and get my beauty sleep. Jane: I've got to go home and get my beauty sleep. Fred: Well, you look to me like you've had enough. Jane: Why, thank you.

See also: and, get, got, home, sleep

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

Prov. Beautiful things give pleasure that lasts even longer than the beautiful things themselves. (This is a line from John Keats's poem "Endymion." Also a thing of beauty and a joy forever, used to describe something beautiful in lofty terms, often ironically.) Jill: I don't understand why someone would pay millions of dollars to have some old painting. Jane: Because a thing of beauty is a joy forever.

See also: forever, joy, thing

age before beauty

a jocular and slightly rude way of encouraging someone to go ahead of oneself; a comical, teasing, and slightly grudging way of indicating that someone else should or can go first. "No, no. Please, you take the next available seat," smiled Tom. "Age before beauty, you know."

See also: age, before

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Prov. Different people have different ideas about what is beautiful. Bob: I can't believe Ted bought that ugly old car. Fred: He loves it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Jill: Have you seen Mary's pictures of her new baby? He looks pretty ugly, to my eyes. Jane: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

See also: eye

Beauty is only skin-deep.

Prov. A person who looks beautiful may not have a pleasing personality; a person's good looks may not last. Fred: I hope Nancy will go out with me. She's so beautiful! Jane: I hate to disappoint you, but in Nancy's case, beauty is definitely only skin-deep. Don't be so proud of your pretty face. Beauty is only skin-deep.

bevy of beauties

Cliché a group of very attractive women, as found in a beauty contest. A whole bevy of beauties waltzed past the old man, but he didn't even notice.

not going to win any beauty contests

Fig. homely; ugly. Fred isn't going to win any beauty contests, but he's smart and considerate and he does well at his job. This old truck of mine is not going to win any beauty contests, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

See also: any, contest, going, win

---

somebody's beauty sleep  (humorous)

the sleep that someone needs in order to feel healthy and look attractive If you don't mind, I'm going to bed now. I have to get my beauty sleep.

See also: sleep

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

something that you say which means that each person has their own opinion about what or who is beautiful Personally, I can't understand why she finds him attractive, but they do say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

See also: eye

Beauty is only skin deep.

something that you say which means a person's character is more important than their appearance She may not be conventionally pretty but you know what they say, beauty's only skin deep.

See also: deep, skin

---

the beauty of something

a quality that makes something good, easy, or of value The beauty of the Internet is its openness. One of the beauties of soccer is that you don't have to be big to play the game.