as (one) pleases
1. In whatever way one wishes or which suits one best. I'm really not concerned with what way you go about researching your report. Do as you please, so long as the report is good! Bill: "I'll not take your dirty money." George: "As you please, it makes no difference to me." Yes, yes, do as you please—your presence is vexing me.
2. To the utmost degree; as much as is conceivable. Most often heard in the phrase "pretty as you please." He looks at himself in the mirror any chance he gets; he's as conceited as you please. She simply stared at me all doe-eyed, pretty as you please, while I tried to remonstrate her for crashing the family car. That odious woman just yelled at me and then stormed off, as haughty as you please!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
as you please
1. However you wish, whatever you choose, as in We can have meat or fish tonight, as you please, or Go or don't go-do as you please. This idiom was introduced about 1500 and inverted what was then the usual order, which was "as it pleases you."
2. Very, extremely, as in After winning the contract he was smug as you please, or She sat there in her new dress, as pretty as you please. [First half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.