do a Melba

To continue to do something after announcing one's plans to stop or retire. The phrase refers to Australian singer Nellie Melba, who performed several "final" concerts. Primarily heard in Australia. A: "I thought Susie was going to retire last month." B: "Nope, she's done a Melba!" How many "farewell" concerts has that singer had? Every time, he ends up doing a Melba! I had hoped to retire at the end of the year, but I had to do a Melba when I got hit with a ton of medical bills.

do a Melba

AUSTRALIAN

If someone does a Melba, they tell people that they are leaving their job or giving their last performance, and then, in fact, they continue. We all believed that Neil was stepping down, but he did a Melba and carried on. Note: This expression comes from the Australian singer Dame Nellie Melba, who did several concerts that she said would be her last.

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

do a Melba

1 return from retirement. 2 make several farewell appearances. Australian & New Zealand informal

The Australian operatic soprano Nellie Melba (the stage name of Helen Mitchell , 1861–1931 ) made repeated ‘farewell’ appearances.

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in periodicals archive

But it is for her Tony Award that Melba is perhaps best known.

Give us Moore; SHE'S A TONY AWARD-WINNER WITH A A STRING OF HIT SINGLES UNDER HER BELT. NEXT WEEK, MELBA MOORE WILL PERFORM AT THE LIVERPOOL DISCO FESTIVAL - BUT SHE FOUND TIME TO CHAT TO EMMA JOHNSON FIRST

Motty Corre paced Melba with a 525 series, while Maryam Al Dosari scored 487.

Cita outplay Melba to stay in top spot

The funding includes a donation of $1.3 million from Melba Shewmaker to help transform a former oncology building now owned by the foundation into a state-of-the-art training facility.

NWA Training Center gets $1.5 million in aid

Melba toast to serve (optional) Preheat the oven to 180degC/Gas 4.

Get cracking with eggs; IT'S A GREAT TIME TO GET SCRAMBLING, SAYS DIANA PILKINGTON

He established his reputation for haute cuisine at the Carlton, while at the Savoy he created one of his most famous recipes, Peach Melba, in honour of hotel guest and Australian singer Nellie Melba.

THE FATHER OF MODERN FRENCH CUISINE AND A FOOD REVOLUTION

Stracciatella-Cherry Tartlets, NutNougat-Cream Tartlets and Peach Melba Cream Tartlets extend the creative assortment of Sweet Moments retail products into the foodservice sector.

Sweet center of attraction delight in new Erlenbacher tartlet treats

of UMass Amherst; a jazz concert featuring the excellent John Handy Quartet; and a dynamic poetry reading on the final afternoon with poets Melba Joyce Boyd, Robert Chrisman, Conyus, Jayne Cortez, Camille T.

The Black Scholar celebrates 40-year anniversary

** MARIN, Gabiann (text) Rae Dale (illus.) Dame Nellie Melba New Frontier (Aussie Heroes), 2010 ll7pp $14.95 pbk 1SBN 9781921042645 SCIS 1483115

Marin, Gabiann (text) Rae Dale (illus.): Dame Nellie Melba

The "We Serve You" video features interviews from some of New York's most renown chefs and restaurateurs, including Marc Murphy of Landmarc, Doug Griebel of Rosa Mexicano, Melba Wilson of Melba's, Koshy Chacko of Fair Deal Cafe and Anthony and Jimmy Dell'Orto of Manganaro's HeroBoy, and restaurants like Isabella's, Fred's, The Gin Mill, Good Enough To Eat, Nice Matin, The 21 Club, Buttercup and Shake Shack.

New York State Restaurant Association's Branding Short Wins 2010 National Aegis Video & Film Award

Curb your candy craving with this gloss which comes in Butterfly Cake or Peach Melba - great colour and none of the calories.

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MARVELOUS MELBA: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF A GREAT DIVA offers a fine survey of opera's first international star, and is based on research in three continents.

Marvelous Melba

Marvelous Melba; the extraordinary life of a great diva.

Marvelous Melba; the extraordinary life of a great diva

To make his spectacular Gizainspired creation, Simeon piled up 26 pieces of wholemeal Melba toast, and painstakingly built them into a peak, before garnishing the display with an ornately carved tomato.

It's a pharaoh effort!