Idioms

government

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big government

A derogatory term for a government that is considered or characterized as being intrusive and excessively powerful in its regulations, taxation, public expenditure, etc. The politician ran on a platform that took issue with what he saw as big government interfering with the abilities of businesses to compete fairly in a free market. You oppose taxes and the powers of big government, but how do you expect roads to be built, or schools to be taught, or the military to be funded? Here in this town, we're opposed to big government. What ever happened to personal freedoms, huh?
See also: big, government

close enough for government work

Good enough; OK; only satisfactory. The phrase implies that government work is usually of mediocre quality. When my project ripped in half as I walked out the door, my mom glued it back together and sent me on my way, saying, "It's close enough for government work!" A: "Are you sure this report is ready to be published? There are a lot of issues with some of the research." B: "Meh. Close enough for government work." We need this project done, not perfect. Close enough for government work and all that.
See also: close, enough, for, government, work

good enough for government work

Serviceable or adequate; passably sufficient. The phrase implies that government work is usually of mediocre quality. When my project ripped in half as I walked out the door, my mom glued it back together and sent me on my way, saying, "It's good enough for government work!" A: "Are you sure this report is ready to be published? There are a lot of issues with some of the research." B: "Meh. Good enough for government work." We need this project done, not perfect. Good enough for government work and all that.
See also: enough, for, good, government, work

government house

1. A building that houses the primary offices of a government, especially in a country that is part of the British Commonwealth of Nations. What's the word from the government house? How will this change affect our taxes? Inaction from the government house has turned a bad situation into a full-blown crisis. How do you think the vote will play out in the government house?
2. The official residence of a government representative of the British monarch, as in British Commonwealth countries. The phrase is usually capitalized in this usage. Where is the Government House of the Australian Governor General located? You're looking for the Government House? You mean, 10 Downing Street, where the prime minister resides? A: "Wait, the 'Beehive' I've been hearing about is actually the Government House?" B: "Yes. I take it you're only visiting New Zealand."
See also: government, house

governments have long arms

proverb The controlling sovereign or government of a given nation has broad, far-reaching power and influence that it can use to control or punish people. You do realize that the government is able to track just about every move you make, right? Remember—governments have long arms. The brigands thought they would be safe hiding out in this small provincial town, but governments have long arms, and they were eventually caught and hanged. If you're running from the law, don't trust any strangers. Governments have long arms, after all, and you never know who is in their employ.
See also: arm, government, have, long

kings have long arms

proverb The controlling sovereign or government of a given nation has broad, far-reaching power and influence that it can use to control or punish people. You do realize that the government is able to track just about every move you make, right? Remember—kings have long arms. The brigands thought they would be safe hiding out in this small provincial town, but kings have long arms, and they were eventually caught and hanged.
See also: arm, have, king, long
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

close enough for government work

 and good enough for government work
sufficiently close; done just well enough. (Alludes to the notion that work for the government is not done with care or pride.) I didn't do the best job of mending your shirt, but it's close enough for government work.
See also: close, enough, for, government, work

Kings have long arms.

 and Governments have long arms.
Prov. Those who are in power can always catch and punish people who have opposed them, no matter how far away those opponents may go. After his attempt to assassinate the king, the prince sailed to a distant country, although his wife warned him it would be to no avail. "Kings have long arms," she reminded him.
See also: arm, have, King, long
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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References in periodicals archive
Nevertheless, throughout the developing world, there is an increasingly strong need for the organized dissemination of government information.
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Several questions asked by the Kaiser Family Foundation poll followed this formula: "I'm going to read you a list of things some people have said about allowing the federal government to use its buying power to negotiate with drug companies to try to get a lower price for prescription drugs for people on Medicare, and I'd like you to tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of these statements.
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By contrast, our unified governments have gone on fiscal benders.
Give divided government a chance
This standard is phased in depending on a government's annual revenue in the first fiscal year ending after June 15, 1999, which was the basis for implementation of another important GASB statement on basic financial statements implemented in a similar phased-in fashion.
OPEB unveiled: GASB 45 requires governmental entities to disclose future liabilities
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Motivated to change the college's connections with government, leaders at Housatonic put resources into two economic-impact studies that aimed to answer, in practical ways, one question: What does it mean for the city and the region to have Housatonic Community College downtown?
State of affairs: smart government relations can turn local and state officials into supporters of higher ed
The controversy was triggered when in 1999 government officials seized shipments of the tea, which is produced from plants grown in the rainforests.
Invitation to tea: unanimous Supreme Court says federal religious freedom law protects small group's use of hallucinogenic sacrament
* French and Luxemburg government resistance against the hostile takeover bid by Mittal Steel, the world's largest steelmaker, on behalf of its French/Luxembourg rival Arcelor;
Europe's new protectionism: a former policy insider outlines the disturbing trend
Positivo Informatica, Brazil's largest personal computer maker since 2004, owes its growth--and success--to the Brazilian government. The 17-year-old company sold 90% of its products to the government in 2004.
Hungry for more: in Brazil, selling to government--a big business--is getting easier to do
In a typical acquisition program, the Army would establish a Project Manager Office (PMO), staffed by government employees, that would be responsible for awarding and managing a contract to a prime contractor who would then be responsible for designing and building the weapon system.
An assessment of the lead systems integrator concept as applied to the future combat system program
Ten to 15 years ago, Congress and the federal government took every opportunity to entice the private sector into doing business with federal agencies by changing the rules for government contracting to more closely approach those for commercial contracts.
Stormy weather ahead for government contractors
Government report says TSA mismanaged funds at operations center.
Travel Security Update March 2005
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