does

Conscience does make cowards of us all.

Prov. People sometimes fear to do what they want or what they believe is necessary because they think it is wrong. (From Shakespeare's play, Hamlet.) Alan: I really want to go to the ball game with you guys this afternoon, but it just doesn't seem right to skip work to do it. Fred: Conscience does make cowards of us all, right, Alan?

See also: conscience, coward, make

Dog does not eat dog.

Prov. One disreputable person will not harm other disreputable people. Ellen: My lawyer did such a bad job that l want to hire another lawyer to sue him. Jane: You'll never find a lawyer to take on that job. Dog does not eat dog.

See also: dog, eat

Easy does it. 

1. Move slowly and carefully. Bill (holding one end of a large crate): It's really tight in this doorway. Bob (holding the other end): Easy does it. Take your time. Nurse (holding Sue's arm): Easy does it. These first few steps are the hardest. Sue: I didn't know I was so weak.

2. Calm down.; Don't lose your temper. John: I'm so mad I could scream. Bob: Easy does it, John. No need to get so worked up. Sue (frantic): Where is my camera? My passport is gone too! Fred: Easy does it, Sue. I think you have someone else's purse.

See also: easy

Handsome is as handsome does.

Prov. It is more important to treat people well than to be good-looking.; Just because you are good-looking does not mean you are a good person. Jill: I'd like to get to know George better. Jane: Why? Jill: He's so handsome. Jane: Handsome is as handsome does. He's a very unpleasant person.

How does that grab you?

Inf. What do you think of that? (Pronounced more like HowZAT grab ya?.) Looks good, okay? How does that grab you? How does that grab you? Enough salt?

See also: grab, how

Man does not live by bread alone.

Prov. In order to survive, people need more than physical things like food and shelter.; People need mental or spiritual things like satisfaction and love. (Biblical.) Alan: I'm so miserable. Jill: How can you be miserable? You've got a good place to live, plenty to eat, nice clothes.... Alan: But man does not live by bread alone.

See also: alone, bread, live, man

Money does not grow on trees.

Prov. It is not easy to get money. (Implies that the person you are addressing spends money too easily.) Child: Can I have ten dollars to go to the movies? Father: Ten dollars?! Money doesn't grow on trees.

See also: grow, money, tree

neither does someone

[does] not either. Susan does not own a cat, and neither does Mary. Bill doesn't want to see a movie tonight, and neither do I.

See also: neither

One swallow does not make a summer, and One swallow does not a summer make.

Prov. You should not assume that something is true just because you have seen one piece of evidence for it. Amanda: I got a good grade on this quiz! My troubles in school are over. Nancy: One swallow does not a summer make.

See also: make, one, summer, swallow

Pretty is as pretty does.

Prov. It is more important to treat people well than to be good-looking; just because you are good-looking does not mean you are a good person. (Said only of girls and women.) Janice may have a pretty face, but pretty is as pretty does; the way she behaves isn't pretty at all.

See also: pretty

That does it! 

1. Inf. That completes it!; It is now done just right! When Jane got the last piece put into the puzzle, she said, "That does it!" John (signing a paper): Well, that's the last one! That does it! Bill: I thought we'd never finish.

2. and That tears it! Inf. That's the last straw!; Enough is enough! Bill: We're still not totally pleased with your work. Bob: That does it! I quit! Sally: That tears it! I never want to see you again! Fred: I only put my arm around you!

What difference does it make?

Does it really matter?; Does it cause any trouble? What if I choose to leave home? What difference does it make? So Jane dropped out of the club. What difference does it make?

See also: difference

What does that prove?

Fig. So what?; that does not mean anything. (A defensive expression. The heaviest stress is on that. Often with so, as in the examples.) Tom: It seems that you were in the apartment the same night that it was robbed. Bob: So, what does that prove? Tom: Nothing, really. It's just something we need to keep in mind. Rachel: You're late again on your car payment. Jane: What does that prove? Rachel: Simply that you can't afford the car and we are going to repossess it.

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Easy does it!  (informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone to do something carefully 'Easy does it!' Bob shouted, as I steered the boat into the dock.

See also: easy

Lightning does not strike twice.

something that you say which means that a bad thing will not happen to the same person twice I know the crash has scared you, but lightning doesn't strike twice.

See also: lightning, strike, twice

Pretty is as pretty does.  (old-fashioned)

something that you say which means that you should judge people by the way they behave, not by their appearance 'She's very pretty.' 'Yes, but pretty is as pretty does. I haven't been terribly impressed by her manners.'

See a fine kettle of fish, cost a pretty penny

See also: pretty

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easy does it

do this slowly and carefully Easy does it going down the stairs, Mom.

See also: easy