charm

bore the pants off (of) (one)

To cause one to be extremely bored, to the point of distraction, frustration, or irritation. Today's lecture bored the pants off me. A: "Sorry for dozing off, but these old-timey movies bore the pants off me." B: "Fine, go back to sleep then." Politics just bores the pants off of me.

See also: bore, off, pant

charm (someone) with (something)

To enthrall and interest someone with something. During my visit this weekend, the school tried to charm me with activities and future internship opportunities, but I'm still just not interested in going there. She's no fool, so you'll have a hard time charming her with money alone. Good luck charming Lucy with your looks alone—she is not that shallow.

See also: charm

charm offensive

A method of winning support through flattery and congeniality. She knows how aggressive you usually are, so I doubt this charm offensive of yours will sway her. Good luck with the charm offensive—Lucy is not that shallow. I know George is running a charm offensive on the boss, but I highly doubt it'll get him the promotion in the end.

See also: charm, offensive

charm the birds from the trees

To be appealingly and persuasively charming. He isn't the cleverest person on the team, but he could charm the birds from the trees, so people are naturally inclined to trust his opinion. Even a spokesperson who could charm the birds from the trees couldn't sell this stinker of a product. A: "I can't believe you fell for another one of Rich's stupid schemes!" B: "That guy could charm the birds from the trees, and you know it."

See also: bird, charm, tree

charm the birds off the trees

To be appealingly and persuasively charming. He isn't the cleverest person on the team, but he could charm the birds off the trees, so people are naturally inclined to trust his opinion. Even a spokesperson who could charm the birds off the trees couldn't sell this stinker of a product. A: "I can't believe you fell for another one of Rich's stupid schemes!" B: "That guy could charm the birds off the trees, and you know it."

See also: bird, charm, off, tree

charm the birds out of the trees

To be appealingly and persuasively charming. He isn't the cleverest person on the team, but he could charm the birds out of the trees, so people are naturally inclined to trust his opinion. Even a spokesperson who could charm the birds out of the trees couldn't sell this stinker of a product. A: "I can't believe you fell for another one of Rich's stupid schemes!" B: "That guy could charm the birds out of the trees, and you know it."

See also: bird, charm, of, out, tree

charm the pants off (one)

To please and entice one, often in an attempt to yield a desired result. The school really tried to charm the pants off me during my visit this weekend, but I'm still not interested in going there. Your usual act won't charm the pants off a girl like Lucy—she is not that shallow. A: "I can't believe you fell for another one of Rich's stupid schemes!" B: "That guy could charm the pants off of anyone, and you know it."

See also: charm, off, pant

devilish charm

A fiendish or roguish appeal. I'm not surprised by Maddie's new boyfriend—she'll pick the bad boy with devilish charm every single time. Ugh, those jocks with their devilish charm have no appeal to me. I know you think cutting class gives you a devilish charm, but I think you're just an idiot for skipping out on a test.

See also: charm

like a charm

Exceptionally well or effectively. This new software renders 4K video like a charm. I barely had to do anything and the image came out perfect. I read about some negotiating techniques before the big budget meeting, and I have to say that they actually worked like a charm!

See also: charm, like

scare the pants off (of) (one)

To shock, frighten, or terrify one. The sound of the fire alarm scared the pants off of me this morning.

See also: off, pant, scare

third time's a charm

The belief or hope that the third attempt at something will be successful. Primarily heard in US. I've failed this test twice already, so hopefully the third time's a charm. A: "Try turning the generator on again." B: "OK, here we go. Third time's a charm!"

See also: charm, third

third time's the charm

The belief or hope that the third attempt at something will be successful. Primarily heard in US. I've failed this test twice already, so hopefully the third time's the charm. A: "Try turning the generator on again." B: "OK, here we go. Third time's the charm!"

See also: charm, third

three time's a/the charm

The belief or hope that the third attempt at something will be successful. I hope three time's a charm—I've already failed this test twice! A: "Try turning the generator on again." B: "OK, here we go. Three time's the charm!"

See also: charm, three

work like a charm

To work very well or be exceptionally effective. This new software works like a charm. I barely had to do anything and the image is perfect. I read about some negotiating techniques before the big budget meeting, and I have to say that they actually worked like a charm!

See also: charm, like, work

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

charm someone with something

to enchant or fascinate someone with something. He charmed her with stories of his house on the beach. She charmed him with her bright smile.

See also: charm

charm the pants off someone

Fig. to use very charming behavior to persuade someone to do something. (Use with caution.) She is so nice. She just charms the pants off you. He will try to charm the pants off you, but you can still refuse to take the job if you don't want to do it.

See also: charm, off, pant

third time's the charm

Prov. The third time you try to do something, it will work. Jill: I've called Miriam twice, but she doesn't answer her phone. Jane: Try again. The third time's the charm.

See also: charm, third

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

charm the pants off

see under pants off.

See also: charm, off, pant

pants off, the

This phrase is used to intensify the meaning of verbs such as bore or charm or kid or scare or talk . For example, That speech bored the pants off us, or It was a real tornado and scared the pants off me. Playwright Eugene O'Neill used it in Ah, Wilderness! (1933): "I tell you, you scared the pants off him," and Evelyn Waugh, in A Handful of Dust (1934), had a variation, "She bores my pants off." [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see bore to death; beat the pants off.

See also: pant

work like a charm

Function very well, have a good effect or outcome, as in That knife-sharpener works like a charm, or Her deferential manner worked like a charm; he agreed to everything they'd asked for. This expression uses charm in the sense of "a magic spell." [Mid-1800s] Also see work wonders.

See also: charm, like, work

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.

work like a charm

If something works like a charm, it is very successful or effective. Our little arrangement worked like a charm. The medicine worked like a charm and my life has greatly improved.

See also: charm, like, work

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

work like a charm

be completely successful or effective.

Charm here means a magic spell or lucky talisman.

See also: charm, like, work

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˌwork like a ˈcharm

(informal) quickly have the effect you want; work like magic: I don’t know what she said to him, but it worked like a charm — he’s much more cooperative now.

A charm is a small object that is believed to bring good luck, or words believed to have magic power.

See also: charm, like, work

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

work like a charm

To function very well or have a very good effect or outcome.

See also: charm, like, work

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.