a rough passage
A particularly difficult, trying, or unpleasant experience. Despite the romanticized image we have now, America's early pioneers faced a rough passage of starvation, disease, and murder in their journey west. The markets have had a rough passage over the past week, as threats of a trade war has made investors skittish. My grandma had a rough passage as one of the town's first female business owners.
bird of passage
A person who remains unfixed to a certain location, relocating from one place to another. The economy has forced me to become a bird of passage, moving around the state to wherever I can find work. I need stability and consistency in my life, so I could never be married to a bird of passage like Lisa. We've been birds of passage for long enough—I think it's time we bought a house and settled down somewhere.
couldn't stop a pig in a passage
obsolete Used to describe someone who is bow-legged. I know young Joseph couldn't stop a pig in a passage right now, but doctors say that the condition may well correct itself as he grows taller. I couldn't stop a pig in a passage when I was young, but after wearing braces and doing exercises, my legs are much straighter now! As a kid, I couldn't stop a pig in a passage and had a very hard time walking as a result.
passage of arms
obsolete A skirmish, conflict, dispute, or fight. There is no better man to have beside you with a sword in a passage of arms. It came to light that the elderly patron of the theater engaged in a passage of arms with the director about the issue, even going so far as threatening to withdraw her support.
quote from (someone or something)
To write or recite a quotation verbatim from some author or piece of writing. A noun or pronoun can be used between "quote" and "from" to specify what has been quoted. I'd love to quote a few lines from your poem during my speech, if that's all right. It took me a while to realize he was quoting from Shakespeare.
rite of passage
An event or activity often performed or experienced as part of passing from one stage of life to another. Bar Mitzvah celebrations are a rite of passage as Jewish boys become men. Getting lost while trying to find their classrooms is kind of a rite of passage for freshmen at this school.
work (one's) passage
To do work in exchange for free travel to a specific town or country. After his company went bust in Los Angeles, Martin had to work his passage back to his family's home in Britain.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.