be dirty pool
To be deceptive or unfair. Can you believe they didn't give me all the facts on the property I'm buying? That's just dirty pool. I'm trying to maintain a fair and respectable campaign, but my opponent has no problem blatantly lying about me—it's totally dirty pool! They've secretly been working to oust me from the board? Well, that's dirty pool!
dirty pool
Deceptive or unfair behavior. Can you believe they didn't give me all the facts on the property I'm buying? That's just dirty pool. I'm trying to maintain a fair and respectable campaign, but my opponent has no problem blatantly lying about me—it's totally dirty pool! They've secretly been working to oust me from the board? Well, that's dirty pool!
do the (football) pools
To gamble on the outcome of a sporting event, especially a football (soccer) game. Primarily heard in UK. Come on, we're doing the pools. How much are you in for? I don't know how people do the football pools regularly. Any time I've bet on a game, I end up too stressed about the outcome to enjoy the game itself. I can't do the football pools anymore, boys. I can't gamble away my paycheck again.
gene pool
1. The sum of the genetic information contained within all the individuals in a sexually reproducing population. Part of the reason thoroughbreds are so susceptible to disease is that they have been contained within a very narrow gene pool, so they don't have naturally robust genetic defenses. I'm surprised some monarchs lived as long as they did, given the limited gene pool of the royal family at the time. Everyone in my family wears glasses, so I knew my gene pool wouldn't do my vision any favors.
2. Used humorously to indicate an abundance of or deficiency in someone's genetic traits, such as their intelligence or athletic prowess. He accidentally snipped the cord of the hedge trimmer, so he tried to stick the wires directly into the power outlet. He must have been born in the shallow end of the gene pool. Is it any wonder the child is an incredible swimmer? With two Olympic gold medalists for parents, she was born in the deep end of the gene pool! If that guy seriously wants to start a business selling bees as pets, he must have come from the shallow end of the gene pool.
play dirty pool
To behave in a deceptive or unfair way. Can you believe they didn't give me all the facts on the property I'm buying? They totally played dirty pool. I'm trying to maintain a fair and respectable campaign, but my opponent has no problem playing dirty pool!
play pocket pool
vulgar slang To fondle a male's genitalia through a pants pocket. (Based on the comparison of a pool cue and balls to a penis and testicles, respectively.) Some guy at the bank was playing pocket pool while waiting in line. It was quite obscene! Halfway through the movie, she reached over and started playing pocket pool with me.
pocket pool
vulgar slang The fondling of a male's genitalia through a pocket in his pants. (Based on the comparison of a pool cue and balls to a penis and testicles, respectively.) Some guy at the bank was playing pocket pool while waiting in line. It was quite obscene! I told him to quit the pocket pool during class, and I could see his face turn beet red.
pool of cash
An accumulation of money, typically one that can be used to fund some communal expense. Don't pay out of pocket for office supplies—we have a pool of cash for those sorts of things.
pool of knowledge
An accumulation of knowledge available for use. Don't worry, once you get more practice at the reception desk, your pool of knowledge will grow, and you'll be better able to handle weird calls like that one. Researchers from around the country have been contributing their findings in order to increase the general pool of knowledge about this new disease.
pool up
1. Of liquid, to accumulate into a pool. It turns out that rain water had been pooling up under the foundations, causing a massive amount of damage to the property.
2. To gather up, accumulate, or group together something, especially money, from various sources. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "pool" and "up." We've all been pooling our money up to buy these lottery tickets, so we all deserve equal shares of the winnings! The four companies came together pooled up their top legal teams to sue the government over the new law.
pool-hopping
The act of using private or public swimming pools without the knowledge of the owners or when the pool is closed to the public, especially during the night. There wasn't anything to do in our small Mississippi town after dark other than go pool-hopping with our friends.
scoop the pool
To win all, most, or the most coveted of the available awards or rewards in some competition. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. The film scooped the pool at the awards ceremony last night, winning the three top prizes for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress. Among online retailers, the new company clearly scooped the pool this year, capturing an incredible 70% of the market.
talent pool
1. A database of candidates for employment that someone at a business (typically a human resources recruiter) can review and select from while trying to fill a vacant position. Having a robust talent pool will cut down on the time it takes your recruiters to fill a position.
2. All of the players that are on a given athletic team. The team has spent years drafting star players from across the country, and now their talent pool is enviably deep.
the deep end of the gene pool
Used humorously to indicate that one's skills or advantages, especially one's intelligence or athletic prowess, have arisen from excellent genetic heredity. Is it any wonder the child is an incredible swimmer? With two Olympic gold medalists for parents, she was born in the deep end of the gene pool!
the shallow end of the gene pool
Used humorously to indicate that one's deficiencies, especially one's lack of intelligence, have likely arisen from inbreeding or an inferior genetic heredity. He accidentally snipped the cord of the hedge trimmer, so he tried to stick the wires directly into the power outlet. He must have been born in the shallow end of the gene pool.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.