sally

Aunt Sally

Something or someone set up as the object of criticism, derision, or as an easily defeated opposing opinion (i.e., a straw man). Named after a game where sticks or balls are thrown at a clay or wooden head (the Aunt Sally). Primarily heard in UK. I hate hanging out with that crowd, they always aim their jokes at me like I'm an Aunt Sally. My opponent's representation of me is nothing but an Aunt Sally; he refuses to debate me on my true position and instead attacks a fictitious one from afar! Come on—that's just a ridiculous Aunt Sally, and you know it! If you want to argue with me, then argue with what I'm actually saying.

See also: aunt, sally

long-tall-Sally

A particularly tall, thin woman or girl. I know it's crazy, but anytime he goes out on his own or with his friends, I have this irrational anxiety that some long-tall-Sally is going to catch his eye and steal him away from me. I was always a long-tall-Sally as a kid, which I think intimidated some of the boys in my class.

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally

A mnemonic device used in mathematics for remembering the order of operations when calculating an equation: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction. If you find yourself getting confused about whether to square the value before you divide while solving for X and Y, just remember the phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally." A: "I know the answer! X equals 75!" B: "You forgot about Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally—you didn't multiply the two values before subtracting them from the third."

See also: aunt, dear, excuse, please, sally

sally fairy ann

obsolete slang It doesn't matter. Used as an expression of cynical resignation to or acceptance of a current state of affairs, especially one that had gone wrong to some degree. An English corruption of the French phrase ça ne fait rien, it became a catchphrase of British troops fighting in France during World War I. A: "The supply drop never arrived. It looks like we're eating potatoes again for the next week." B: "It bloody figures. Ah well, sally fairy ann."

See also: ann, fairy, sally

sally forth

1. To leap out and rush forward very suddenly. We're waiting for some cover fire before we sally forth. The cat hunched behind the sofa in wait, then sallied forth to catch the mouse.

2. To set out, as on some journey, trip, excursion, etc. I spent the week getting everything in order before sallying forth to Europe. As hard as it may be, all parents should urge their children to sally forth to different parts of the country or the world after they finish grade school.

See also: forth, sally

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

sally forth

to go forth; to leave and go out. The soldiers sallied forth from behind the stone wall. Well, it's time to sally forth and drive to work.

See also: forth, sally

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

long-tall-Sally

n. a tall girl or woman. Isn’t she a gorgeous long-tall-Sally?

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