quality

chortle with (a particular quality)

To give a laugh or chuckle filled with some particular emotion or quality. I couldn't help but chortle with delight when I saw the little girl feed her ice cream cone to her dog. I began chortling with amusement over Tom's ridiculous comments. The kids chortled with glee as we entered the amusement park.

See also: chortle, particular

chuckle with (a particular quality)

To laugh in a particular manner. I couldn't help but chuckle with delight when I saw the little girl feed her ice cream cone to her dog. I began chuckling with amusement over Tom's ridiculous comments. The kids chuckled with awe as we entered the amusement park.

See also: chuckle, particular

nice and (something)

Very something. Used to emphasize how nice something is because of the particular quality named after "and." I love your new house! It's nice and bright inside! Ah, this lemonade is nice and cold—just the thing for such a hot day.

See also: and, nice

quality of life

The extent to which one can live a positive, fulfilling life, taking into account such factors as health, safety, wealth, etc. He's in a much better place now. The cancer had spread so much that he had virtually no quality of life in the end. The bug-infested apartment building is practically falling down, so what do you think the tenants' quality of life is?

See also: life, of, quality

quality time

Time spent interacting with someone in a close, meaningful way. This Christmas, I want to spend some real quality time with the family instead of having everyone stuck on their phones and tablets the whole time. I'm looking forward to having some quality time with you on our camping trip.

See also: quality, time

quality-of-life

informal Of or relating to aspects of a video game that make it accessible, convenient, easy to use, etc. Typically hyphenated. The game's latest update includes several quality-of-life improvements, such as a new checkpoint system and improved fast travel. The game lacks some basic quality-of-life features that make for a very frustrating user experience.

sterling quality

cliché Any trait or characteristic considered to be of the highest quality. Sometimes used sarcastically. That kind of integrity is a sterling quality in an employee. Ah yes, Mike's behavior toward women is just another one of his sterling qualities.

See also: quality, sterling

the quality

The condition of something, usually as good or bad. I can barely hear you—the quality of this phone call is terrible. I was willing to spend a little more on these boots because the quality is great.

See also: quality

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

nice and some quality

[being or having] enough of some quality; adequately; sufficiently. It is nice and cool this evening. I think your steak is nice and done now, just the way you like it.

See also: and, nice, quality

quality time

time spent with someone allowing interaction and closeness. He was able to spend a few minutes of quality time with his son, Buxton, at least once every two weeks.

See also: quality, time

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

quality Joe

n. an innocent or straight (male) person. (Underworld.) Lefty is not what I would call your average quality Joe.

See also: joe, quality

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

sterling qualities

Outstanding characteristics. The word sterling, long denoting a standard of value or purity for money, is believed to have come from a medieval coin that was marked with a star. It was extended to anything of sound intrinsic worth by the early nineteenth century. Washington Irving used it in The Alhambra (1832): “The nephew is a young man of sterling worth.”

See also: quality, sterling

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer