Idioms

lack

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a lack of common sense

The absence of sound, practical judgment. The more I pay attention to the news, the more I notice a consistent lack of common sense in politics. Do you have a total lack of common sense or something? Of course you have to wash your hands before you bandage a wound! A: "Todd really just put a pizza in the oven for 30 minutes without first turning it on." B: "Well, he's always had a lack of common sense."
See also: common, lack, of, sense

I find your lack of (something) disturbing

Used to humorously call into question some quality that one finds lacking in someone else. Based on the phrase "I find your lack of faith disturbing," from the 1977 film Star Wars. All your art and writing is based on Star Wars? I find your lack of originality disturbing. If you really think that asinine plan will work, I find your lack of brain cells disturbing. I find your lack of creativity disturbing, Officer. These are known terrorists—they will do anything to carry out their plots.
See also: disturb, find, lack, of

lack common sense

To not have sound, practical judgment. The more I pay attention to the news, the more it seems that politicians completely lack common sense. Do you lack common sense or something? Of course you have to wash your hands before you bandage a wound! A: "Todd just put a pizza in the oven for 30 minutes without first turning it on." B: "Well, he has always lacked common sense."
See also: common, lack, sense

lack for (something)

To lack something one or something wants or requires, or would benefit from. You don't need to get me anything for my birthday, Mom—I really lack for nothing. The only thing he lacks for is the motivation to put his skills to goof use.
See also: for, lack

lack the courage of (one's) convictions

To not have the confidence to act or behave in accordance with one's beliefs or ideologies, especially in the face of resistance, criticism, or persecution. The governor was presented with a bribe to help the corporation avoid regulation, and she accepted it because she lacked the courage of her convictions.
See also: conviction, courage, lack, of

not for (a) lack of trying

Despite putting forth a significant amount of effort or energy. A: "So, did he get you to go on a date with him?" B: "No. Not for lack of trying, mind you." I'm sorry your team lost, but it wasn't for a lack of trying!
See also: for, lack, not, of, trying
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

lack for something

to lack something. We don't lack for new ideas. We lack for nothing, thank you.
See also: for, lack
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

have/lack the courage of your conˈvictions

be/not be brave enough to do what you believe to be right: You say that cruelty to animals is wrong, so why not have the courage of your convictions and join our campaign?
See also: conviction, courage, have, lack, of

not for lack/want of ˈtrying

used to say that although somebody has not succeeded in something, they have tried very hard: He’s had no success in finding a job, though not for lack of trying.
See also: for, lack, not, of, trying, want
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

lack for

v.
To be in need of something or someone. Used chiefly in the negative: She is very popular and does not lack for friends. Because he's rich, he doesn't lack for luxuries.
See also: for, lack
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive
While HeLa cells did revolutionize the medical industry, Henrietta Lacks did not give her consent for her cells to be taken.
Henrietta Lacks: Mother Of Modern Medicine
The media mogul will portray Henrietta's daughter, now deceased Deborah Lacks, as she seeks to know the identity and life of her mother, who succumbed to death in 1951.
Oprah Winfrey is protagonist in new HBO film
We are indebted to the Lacks family for their generosity and thoughtfulness."
NIH comes to agreement on use of HeLa cancer cells in research
Now, for the first time, the Lacks family has been given a say over at least some research involving her cells.
Feds, kin reach deal on use of DNA
Lacks' family was left in the dark about the research, confused and angry about what they perceived as scientists making big money from stolen cells while the family couldn't afford health care.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Few with program management experience can refute that many projects and programs falter because of lack of communication, lack of people skills, or lack of leadership skills, rather than a lack of technical program management skills.
Developing future program leaders: Part I
Instead, motions to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction should be filed.
IRS changes procedures for equitable innocent spouse cases
What it Packs: Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition; rich media capabilities allows users to play back audio and video content What it Lacks: Limited (but expanding) wireless broadband
Motorola Q vs. Palm Treo 700W: these smartphones are packed with features, but not everything is included
All of them have become overwhelmed in recent years due to a lack of upgrades and the upswing in trade as internal security has improved.
Buying in: as free trade looms, Colombia gets ready to spend big on ports, road and rail
of America, where Andy Lack has consolidated operations of Sony Music Entertainment and BMG over the past year.
BMG's big Lack attack
The authors allude to "unexpected events" that prevented "more formal data collection." This information (or lack thereof) leads us to wonder what the particulars were surrounding the study's inability to gather the data.
Response to EGAS: An Innovative Approach to Prevent High School Failure for At-Risk, Urban African American Girls
Research shows the superiority of group decision making over that of even the brightest individual in the group, except when the group lacks harmony or the ability to cooperate.
Understanding emotional intelligence can help alter problem behavior
Look to see if your skin is dry or oily, clear or blemished, If you find that your diet lacks a whole food, such as full-fat milk, and your skin is dry, try gradually increasing your consumption of milk or milk products and monitor whether the skin becomes less dry and tight.
Ask Emily: food for your face: learn to eat right for healthy skin with Emily Ray
Tier One automotive molder Lacks Enterprises in Grand Rapids, Mich., claims to be the first U.S.
Lacks enterprises claims a first in ISO registrations
This is especially true if she, like millions of other people, lacks a key gene.
Smoking inflames joints. (Environmental Disease)
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