a breed apart
A type or group of people that is markedly superior to or unique from most others. Citizens from that state have long considered themselves a breed apart from the rest of the country, and there has been a growing movement to gain secession in recent years. Watching her performance on the field yesterday, it is clearer than ever that the team's captain is truly a breed apart. We know which athletes in the draft were a breed apart in college, but that doesn't always translate to success in the major leagues.
breed in the bone
To deeply and firmly root, ingrain, or establish some trait or behavior, as if inherited genetically. His etiquette is the type of thing the military breeds in the bone. In this part of the country, hospitality is simply bred in the bone. My guess is that those bad habits of his were bred in the bone by prolonged bachelorhood.
breed like rabbits
slang To have several babies in a short period of time. (Rabbits are known to produce a large number of offspring very rapidly.) I can't believe my sister is pregnant for the fourth time in five years. She and her husband just breed like rabbits! Some of these feral cats will breed like rabbits if we don't catch and spay them. A: "I'm surprised they only have one kid. They married so young that I expected them to breed like rabbits." B: "I'm pretty sure they've had some infertility issues."
breed up a storm
Of the weather, to become overcast. I wouldn't go outside right now—it looks to be breeding up a storm. Enjoy this sunshine while it lasts because the sky is supposed to breed up a storm this afternoon. The raincoat is overkill now, but it seemed to be breeding up a storm when I left the house this morning!
familiarity breeds contempt
Repeated exposure to someone or something often creates a contentious relationship. A: "Those two teams have built up quite a rivalry over the years." B: "They play in the same division, and familiarity breeds contempt." I'm afraid it's true when they say that familiarity breeds contempt, because I've been stuck with Larry in the apartment all week, and I'm absolutely sick of him. Of course everyone in your family's annoyed with each other—they've been together on vacation for four days now, and familiarity breeds contempt.
hate breeds hate
proverb If you treat someone with anger, malice, or hatred, it will typically cause them to behave in a similar way to yourself or to others. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and treat people as kindly as possible, even if they've wronged me in the past. Hate only ever breeds hate, after all. It just feels like people only want to attack and tear down anyone with an opposing opinion these days. But hate breeds hate, and all we seem to be getting is an ever-rising sea of ill will between each other. A: "What am I supposed to do, just forgive and forget the awful things she's done to me?" B: "No, I'm just saying is that hate breeds hate—and that forgiveness might benefit you more than you think."
like breeds like
1. A person will usually adopt similar beliefs, characteristics, or behavior to those they spend the most time with, such as family, friends, colleagues, etc. Well, is it any surprise he's acts way, considering his father's behavior? Like breeds like, after all. Like breeds like, and if you're running a company with questionable ethics, don't be surprised if your employees aren't the most morally upright people in the world.
2. People tend to associate with those who share the same beliefs or behaviors, which in turn reinforces them. Like breeds like when it comes to mainstream political discourse, and this has become even more evident in the age of social media. People don't want to examine their own actions or beliefs with a critical eye, they just want to be surrounded by those who are the same or approve of it. Like breeds like, after all.
love breeds love
proverb If you show love, kindness, and goodwill toward someone, it will typically cause them to behave in a similar way to yourself or to others. I feel like we as a people are losing the notion that love breeds love these days, choosing instead to attack or criticize other people as our default reaction. I've always taken the stance that love breeds love, and, in my own experience, anyway, it has always borne out to be true.
old enough to bleed, old enough to breed
rude If a girl has begun to menstruate, then she is old enough to have sex and get pregnant. As someone who first got her period at age 11, I find "old enough to bleed, old enough to breed" deeply horrifying. I can't fathom anyone thinking a girl would be ready to have sex at that age!
old enough to bleed, old enough to butcher
rude If a girl has begun to menstruate, then she is old enough to have sex and get pregnant. As someone who first got her period at age 11, I find "old enough to bleed, old enough to butcher" deeply horrifying. I can't fathom anyone thinking a girl would be ready to have sex at that age!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.