pint

fit a quart into a pint pot

To cram too much into a small container or space. (A quart is a larger amount than a pint, so getting a quart into a pint pot is impossible.) Primarily heard in UK. A: "Just sit on my suitcase while I try zipping it again." B: "Oh, quit trying to fit a quart into a pint pot." You won't even be able to lift that box if you keep trying to fit a quart into a pint pot! Why did you insist on fitting a quart into a pint pot? I can't even seal this box now.

See also: fit, pint, pot, quart

get a quart into a pint pot

To cram too much into a small container or space. (A quart is a larger amount than a pint, so getting a quart into a pint pot is impossible.) Primarily heard in UK. A: "Just sit on my suitcase while I try zipping it again." B: "Oh, quit trying to get a quart into a pint pot." You won't even be able to lift that box if you keep trying to get a quart into a pint pot! Keep in mind that we have other boxes, so there's no need to get a quart into a pint pot here.

See also: get, pint, pot, quart

go for a pint

informal To go to a pub for a beer. Primarily heard in UK. We're going for a pint after work today—want to come? Nah, it was quiet night—we just saw a movie and then went for a pint afterward. A: "Are we going for a pint?" B: "After this stressful week at uni? Absolutely!"

See also: for, go, pint

half-pint

Any small, weak, or insignificant person. Alludes to a pint, a unit of liquid measurement. Don't go picking a fight with me, half-pint, or I'll knock you into next Tuesday! That new half-pint they hired as a CEO is totally incompetent. Listen, half-pint, I said, "Give me your lunch money!"

pint

informal A pint of beer. Primarily heard in UK. We're going for a pint after work today—want to come? Last I saw him, he was down at the pub having a pint.

you can't get a quart into a pint pot

proverb It is useless trying to fit something into a container or area that is simply too small to contain it. (A quart is a larger amount than a pint, so getting a quart into a pint pot is physically impossible.) A: "I'm sure I can make it all fit! Just sit on my suitcase while I try zipping it up again." B: "Oh, give it a rest already. You can't get a quart into a pint pot." A: "She thinks she's going to fit into that dress for her wedding, but you can't get a quart into a pint pot." B: "Oh, Martha, what a mean thing to say!"

See also: get, pint, pot, quart

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

You cannot get a quart into a pint pot.

Prov. You cannot fit too much of something into a space that is too small. That dog is simply too big to get into this kennel. You can't get a quart into a pint pot. Our refrigerator isn't big enough to fit that watermelon in. You can't get a quart into a pint pot.

See also: cannot, get, pint, pot, quart

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

fit a quart into a pint pot

or

squeeze a quart into a pint pot

BRITISH

If someone is trying to fit a quart into a pint pot or squeeze a quart into a pint pot, they are trying to put a large amount of something into a container or space that is too small. In putting together a `brief' article on the Tay Bridge Disaster, I was faced with the problem of fitting a quart into a pint pot, there being so much material available. We're trying to squeeze a quart into a pint pot in terms of the amount of time we have to cover everything. Note: Other verbs can be used instead of fit or squeeze. `The builders tried to put a quart into a pint pot,' he commented, pointing to the narrow space between the house and its neighbours either side. Note: A quart is a unit of measure for liquids. It is equal to two pints.

See also: fit, pint, pot, quart

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

get (or fit) a quart into a pint pot

attempt to do the impossible, especially when this takes the form of trying to fit something into a space that is too small. British

See also: get, pint, pot, quart

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

get/pour/put a ˌquart into a pint ˈpot

(British English) try to do something impossible, especially to try to put something into a space which is too small for it: 30 people in this small room! You can’t put a quart into a pint pot, you know.

A pint is 0.568 litres and a quart is 1.136 litres.

See also: get, pint, pot, pour, put, quart

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017