a face that launched a thousand ships
Incredible beauty. A reference to Helen of Troy, men's desire of whom is commonly ascribed as the cause of the Trojan War. Often used in parallel constructions describing an extreme quality in someone. When I looked in the mirror, I didn't see a face that launched a thousand ships. I just saw a tired old woman who had frittered her life away. If Helen of Troy had a face that launched a thousand ships, then William Shakespeare had a pen that launched a thousand English phrases. They say that Aunt Betty had a face that launched a thousand ships back in the day. I guess that's why she was married five times.
failure to launch
A psychological difficulty or inability of a young person to transition successfully into being an independent, self-reliant adult. Often used in the phrase "failure to launch syndrome." We create a bit of a paradox for our kids. We want to do everything we can to ensure they are well provided for and have happy lives, but this level of pampering often leads to a failure to launch when they are old enough to leave the house and set off on their own. A: "Our daughter just doesn't want to do anything for herself. She doesn't want to go to college, won't look for a job, and has shown no interest in moving out of our house." B: "It sounds like classic failure to launch syndrome to me." Jenny has always struggled mightily with anxiety and perfectionism—don't you think those might be factors in her failure to launch?
launch (one's) lunch
slang To vomit profusely. I felt like I was going to launch my lunch from seasickness out on that boat. She's so squeamish that she'll lose her lunch at the merest sight of blood.
launch (something) against (someone or something)
To instigate or initiate some action or plan of attack against another person, group, or thing. We are prepared to launch a counterattack against them that would wipe them off the face of the earth, should we be so provoked. We're launching an information campaign against our primary competitor in the market.
launch forth
1. To begin or set out on a journey or trip. We'll need to launch forth around 8 AM if we want to reach New York before dusk. The battalion of soldiers launched forth, heading toward an uncertain fate.
2. To issue, propel, or project something forward with force. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "launch" and "forth." The candidate launched forth another series of attacks against his opponents. We launched our boat forth into the water, hoping to catch the wind and continue our momentum. The great god launched forth his mighty lightning bolts down upon the inhabitants of the planet.
3. To begin or initiate some plan, undertaking, or project. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "launch" and "forth." The government will be launching forth its controversial new plan next month. The group of rebels launched forth their uprising in Spring of that year.
launch forth on (something)
1. old-fashioned To begin or set out on a journey or trip. We'll need to launch forth on our trip around 8 AM if we want to reach New York before dusk. The battalion of soldiers launched forth on their mission.
2. old-fashioned To begin moving or journeying on some body of water. We must ensure our supplies are fully stocked before we launch forth on the unforgiving Atlantic ocean. We launched forth on the wild river.
3. old-fashioned To giving a spoken address of some kind. The priest launched forth on a heated sermon about the sin of material wealth. I left the table when my grandfather launched forth on yet another long-winded diatribe about the government.
4. To begin or initiate some plan, undertaking, or project. The government will be launching forth on its controversial new plan next month. The group of rebels launched forth on a futile attempt to overthrow the government.
launch forth upon (something)
1. old-fashioned To begin or set out on a journey or trip. We'll need to launch forth upon our trip around 8 AM if we want to reach New York before dusk. The battalion of soldiers launched forth upon their mission.
2. old-fashioned To begin moving or journeying in a boat on some body of water. We must ensure our supplies are fully stocked before we launch forth upon the unforgiving Atlantic ocean. We launched forth upon the wild river.
3. old-fashioned To giving a spoken address of some kind. The priest launched forth upon a heated sermon about the sin of material wealth. I left the table when my grandfather launched forth upon yet another long-winded diatribe about the government.
4. To begin or initiate some plan, undertaking, or project. The government will be launching forth upon its controversial new plan next month. The group of rebels launched forth upon a futile attempt to overthrow the government.
launch into (something)
To begin doing something, often excitedly. Don't ask Grandpa about the weather unless you want him to launch into a full analysis of the Farmers' Almanac.
launch out on (something)
1. To begin or set out on a journey or trip. The battalion launched out on their voyage across the sea. I was filled with both pride and sadness to watch my youngest child set out on his first trip by himself.
2. To begin or initiate some plan, undertaking, or project. After a disastrous season last year, the team has bounced back and launched out on a 12-game winning streak. The group of rebels launched out on a futile attempt to overthrow the government. The young entrepreneur was only 23 when he launched out on his own, founding what would eventually become a multi-billion dollar corporation.
3. To begin moving or journeying on some body of water. We must ensure our supplies are fully stocked before we launch out on the unforgiving Atlantic ocean. Nearly 200 rowers launched out on the wild river.
the face that launched a thousand ships
Helen of Troy, whose beauty (and men's desire thereof) is commonly ascribed as the cause of the Trojan War. Questions still remain as to whether the face that launched a thousand ships did so as an unwilling abductee or a treacherous elopement.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
launch forth (upon something)
to set out on something; to begin on something, such as a journey or a long lecture or sermon. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) We launched forth on our trip before dawn. What time shall we launch forth tomorrow morning?
launch into something
to start in doing something. Now, don't launch into lecturing me about manners again! Tim's mother launched into a sermon about how to behave at the dinner table.
launch (one's lunch)
Sl. to empty one's stomach; to vomit. When I saw that mess, I almost launched my lunch. Watch out! She's going to launch!
launch out on something
to start out to do something or go somewhere. When are you going to launch out on your expedition? Ted and Bill launched out on their trip through the mountains.
launch something against someone or something
to set something going against someone or something. The general launched an attack against the town. Claire launched a gossip attack against James.
set forth on something
and launch forth on something 1. Lit. to start out on something, such as a journey. We intend to set forth on our journey very early in the morning. What time will you launch forth on your trip?
2. Fig. to begin presenting a speech or an explanation. As soon as John set forth on his speech, three people walked out. Every time he launches forth on a presentation, it's a half hour before he shuts up.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.