an army marches on its stomach
proverb A well-fed army is most effective. The cook may be the most important person in the unit because an army marches on its stomach. There's been a delay in getting rations to the boys on the front? Well, that's just great—we all know an army marches on its stomach! You've gotta keep morale high and keep these guys well-fed. An army marches on its stomach, after all.
march (in) single file
To walk steadily forward in step with others in a line one person in width. The teacher told the children to line up alphabetically and then march single file to the auditorium. We watched the soldiers march in single file along the street.
march against (someone or something)
To join in a protest march in opposition to someone or something. Nearly 200,000 people have come to march against the legislation being pushed forward by the new administration. Protestors marching against the new prime minister were violently dispelled by police forces earlier this morning.
march in lockstep
1. Literally, to march in a formation in which each person is very close to the other. As I watched the soldiers march past in lockstep, I wondered how they managed to avoid bumping into one another.
2. To move, happen, or act simultaneously with, in conjunction with, or in the same manner as someone or something. For the past two years, the senator and immigration reform activists have been marching in lockstep. The data clearly shows that rates of unemployment and cases of depression march in lockstep.
march in lockstep with someone or something
To move, happen, or act simultaneously with, in conjunction with, or in the same manner as someone or something. For the past two years, the senator has been marching in lockstep with immigration reform activists. The data clearly shows that rates of unemployment march in lockstep with rates of depression.
march in step (with someone or something)
1. Literally, to follow or maintain the proper rhythm of someone or something else while marching. It was impressive to see so many troops all marching in step during the military parade. The children marched in step with their teacher as they made their way to the library.
2. To conform to or act in accordance with someone or something, especially by doing what is considered correct, proper, acceptable, etc. You really need to start marching in step if you want to keep your job as our lead artist—you work for the company, not for yourself. The senator is often criticized for not marching in step with the views of her political party, but that's why so many people across the country love her.
march in time (with someone or something)
To follow or maintain the proper rhythm of someone or something else while marching. It was impressive to see so many troops all marching in time during the military parade. The children marched in time with their teacher as they walked to the library.
march on
1. To continue walking or marching forward. We had no choice but to march on, despite the rain.
2. To continue doing something or making progress. We've run into a few problems with the software, but we're still marching on to meet our December deadline.
3. To progress or continue unabated or unhindered. Each day marches on, and before we know it, we're in our 50s with all the promise of our youth behind us.
march out of step (with someone or something)
1. Literally, to fail to follow or maintain the proper rhythm of someone or something else while marching. It was almost painful watching them all march out of step during the parade like that—it was obvious they hadn't spent any time practicing or rehearsing. One little boy kept marching out of step with the rest of his class as they walked across the stage.
2. To fail or refuse to conform to or act in accordance with someone or something, especially by doing what is considered correct, proper, acceptable, etc. You really need to stop marching out of step if you want to keep your job as our lead artist—you work for the company, not for yourself. The senator is often criticized for marching out of step with the views of her political party, but that's why so many people across the country love her.
march out of time (with someone or something)
1. Literally, to fail to follow or maintain the proper rhythm of someone or something else while marching. It was almost painful watching them all march out of time during the parade like that—it was obvious they hadn't spent any time practicing or rehearsing. One little boy kept marching out of time with the rest of his class as they walked across the stage.
2. To fail or refuse to conform to or act in accordance with someone or something, especially by doing what is considered correct, proper, acceptable, etc. You really need to stop marching out of time if you want to keep your job as our lead artist—you work for the company, not for yourself. The senator is often criticized for marching out of time with the views of her political party, but that's why so many people across the country love her.
march past
1. Literally, to walk past (someone or something) in a unified group or regimented file or formation. We all trembled in fear as the soldiers marched past. As if to add insult to injury at having to stay home and study, a huge crowd of people all marched past my window on their way to the ceremony.
2. To proceed or progress onward toward the future without one. My greatest fear is being stuck in some dead-end job, watching the days of my life march past. They deserve the disqualification—let the championship march past them this year!
march to (one's) own beat
To do something, act, or behave in a manner that does not conform to the standard, prevalent, or popular societal norm. My brother's eschewed the idea of a full-time career and has had every oddball job you could think of, but then he's always been happy marching to his own beat. Look, I respect the fact that you like to march to your own beat, but do you have to make a point of doing everything in a counter-cultural way?
march to (the beat of) (one's) own drum
To do something, act, or behave in a manner that does not conform to the standard, prevalent, or popular societal norm. My brother's eschewed the idea of a full-time career and has had every oddball job you could think of, but then he's always been happy marching to the beat of his own drum. Look, I respect the fact that you like to march to your own drum, but do you have to make a point of doing everything in a counter-cultural way?
march to (the beat of) a different drum
To do something, act, or behave in a manner that does not conform to the standard, prevalent, or popular societal norm. My brother's eschewed the idea of a full-time career and has had every oddball job you could think of, but then he's always been happy marching to the beat of a different drum. Look, I respect the fact that you like to march to a different drum, but do you have to make a point of doing everything in a counter-cultural way?
march to (the beat of) a different drummer
To behave or do things in a manner that does not conform to the standard, prevalent, or popular societal norm. My brother eschewed the idea of a full-time career, taking all kinds of different oddball jobs. But then he's always been happy marching to the beat of a different drummer. Look, I respect the fact that you like to march to a different drummer, but do you have to do everything in such contrarian ways?
march to (the beat of) a different tune
To do something or behave in a manner that does not conform to the standard, prevalent, or popular societal norm. My brother's eschewed the idea of a full-time career and has had every oddball job you could think of, but then he's always been happy marching to the beat of a different tune.
march to a different beat
To do something, act, or behave in a manner that does not conform to the standard, prevalent, or popular societal norm. My brother's eschewed the idea of a full-time career and has had every oddball job you could think of, but then he's always been happy marching to a different beat. Look, I respect the fact that you like to march to a different beat, but do you have to make a point of doing everything in a contrarian way?
quick march
1. verb To walk very quickly or briskly. A reference to military marching. Often issued as a command. Police are pursuing a suspect who was seen quick marching away from the scene of the crime. Come on, now, quick march! It's starting to rain.
2. noun A very quick or brisk walk. But it was no quick march for the celebrity, who made a point of shaking the hands of as many fans as he could.
3. noun Particularly fast progress toward some goal or end. The documentary focuses on the animal's quick march to extinction. The boxer has always reiterated that his quick march to the top of his division has been the result of hard work and dedication.
slow march
1. A slow but steady progression toward a particular end. We know now that Gladys has been on a slow march toward death—her condition is terminal. I'm afraid that, without any changes, the company is on a slow march toward bankruptcy.
2. A slower-paced, rhythmic piece of music originally used to accompany marching soldiers. We're rehearsing a slow march for the concert on Sunday.
time marches on
Time continues to move forward irrespective of our actions or desires. A: "Can you believe it's been 20 years since we graduated from college?" B: "Gosh, that's depressing. Time marches on, eh?" There was so much I wanted to do with my life, but time just marched on without me.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.