a legend in (one's) own lifetime
A person who has an extraordinary level of fame or reputation while they are still alive. The singer has made such a huge impact on the world of blues that she's come to be a legend in her own lifetime. If you made a billion dollars by the time you were 23, you'd be a legend in your own lifetime too! Few artists seem to become legends in their own lifetimes—it's posthumous recognition that brings them fame.
a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips
Said of food that is very tasty but very fattening. Sometimes used as warning or expression of disapproval. No chocolate cake for me, thanks. A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips! Are you sure you should have a second helping of ice cream? You know what they say: a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. Have you tried this crème brûlée? Who cares about "a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips" when something tastes this good!
chance of a lifetime
An extremely important or fortuitous opportunity, especially one that is not likely to ever present itself again. Often (but not always) used hyperbolically. They offered me the chance of a lifetime to travel the world and write about my experiences abroad. Make sure you take advantage of our sale, it's a chance of a lifetime! How can you say no to a tour around Europe? It's the chance of a lifetime, especially for a recent college graduate like yourself.
give a man a fish...
proverb Simply giving someone a fish is not as helpful to them in the long run as teaching them how to fish. The full proverb is "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." A: "I don't want to teach Billy how to drive!" B: "Well, I know you're sick of driving him around, and this is a solution. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime!" A: "You know 'give a man a fish' and all that?" B: "Yeah." A: "Then teach Grandpa how to use his new computer, so that he doesn't have to call you every time he tries to use it." You're old enough now—I'm going to show you how to use the washing machine. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime"!
in (one's) lifetime
During one's life; before one dies. My Dad has been fighting so hard for this reform. I just hope it happens in his lifetime. I believe that we will find one day a cure for cancer, just probably not in my lifetime. Wow, I never thought I'd see a pandemic in my lifetime, but here we are.
in another life(time)
1. At or during some previous point long ago in one's past. I'm a newspaper editor now, but I actually used to be a professional chef in another life. In another lifetime, I spent my summers traveling to different countries all over the world. It seems so long ago, now that I have kids. Gosh, my ex-pat days are far behind me now, but yes, I did live in France in another life!
2. In an alternate version of one's life, had things progressed differently or different choices been made. I was desperately in love with Claire when we were in college. In another lifetime, she and I might have gotten married. But that's just not how things worked out. In another life, I'd be living in Japan teaching English. But I was offered this job in Europe, and now here I am! Yeah, in another life, maybe I could stay at this job and be happy. But that's not reality.
of a lifetime
Used to describe something extremely exceptional, important, or enjoyable that isn't likely to occur again. They offered me the chance of a lifetime to travel the world and write about my experiences abroad. That tour around Europe really was the trip of a lifetime!
once in a lifetime
Describing something, such as an opportunity, experience, or situation, that seems unlikely to happen again. Often hyphenated when used as a modifier before a noun. You have to take this job in the Zurich office—it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live in Switzerland. Chances like this only ever come around once in a lifetime, Jack, so don't waste it.
once-in-a-lifetime chance
A chance or opportunity afforded to one that is or seems unlikely to ever come about again. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to manage our European office in Switzerland, so please think about it. I found myself with the once-in-a-lifetime chance to have dinner with the famous author.
once-in-a-lifetime experience
An experience that seems highly unlikely to happen again. Going to Disneyland as a young child is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's just not the same if you go when you're older.
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
A chance or opportunity afforded to one that is or seems unlikely to ever come about again. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to manage our European office in Switzerland, so please think about it. I found myself with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have dinner with the famous author.
once-in-a-lifetime situation
A situation that seems highly unlikely to happen again. Moving all the way to Zurich was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime situation to get the new office set up. Now they want to send me back there again to run the darn place. It feels like this is a once-in-a-lifetime situation where we actually have the chance to completely change the way the world works.
Why break the habit of a lifetime?
A rhetorical question expressing doubt that someone will change their bad habit. Typically said after that person has announced their intention to stop such a habit. A: "That's it. That's my last cigarette." B: "Why break the habit of a lifetime?"
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.