another

another bite at the cherry (British, British)

another opportunity to achieve something or to get something you want. He just missed a gold medal in the 100 metres, but got another bite at the cherry in the 400 metres. She failed the exam but she will get a second bite at the cherry next year.

See also: bite, cherry

another nail in the coffin

an event which causes the failure of something that had already started to fail. I think that argument was the final nail in the coffin of our friendship. (usually + of)

See also: coffin, nail

another string to your bow (British & Australian)

an extra skill or qualification which you can use if you cannot use your main one. If you can teach English as well as yoga, it's another string to your bow.

See also: bow, string

be another/a different kettle of fish

if you say that something or someone is a different kettle of fish, you mean that they are completely different from something or someone else that has been talked about. Andy was never very interested in school, but Anna, now she was a completely different kettle of fish. I'd driven an automatic for years but learning to handle a car with gears was another kettle of fish altogether.

See also: different, fish, kettle

be another/one of life's great mysteries (humorous)

to be something that it is impossible for you to understand. Why people write their names on the walls of public toilets is one of life's great mysteries.

See also: great, mystery

be in another world

to not notice what is happening around you, usually because you are thinking about something else. She just sat and stared out of the window most of the time - she seemed to be in another world. I don't think you even heard me, did you? You're in a world of your own.

See also: world

be (living) on another planet (informal)

if you say that someone is on another planet, you mean they do not notice what is happening around them and behave differently from other people. He doesn't always make much sense. It's like he's on another planet half the time.

See also: planet

but that's another story

something that you say when you have spoken about something, but do not want to say anything more about it at that time. Alex, meanwhile, was falling madly in love with Nicky, but that's another story. Funnily enough, we bumped into each other again in Amsterdam, but that's another story.

See also: but, story

a horse of another/a different color (American)

a situation or a subject that is different from what you had first thought it was. You said you didn't like going to the movies, but if you don't want to go because you're broke, that's a horse of another color.

See also: color, different, horse

If someone thinks something, they've got another thing/think coming! (informal)

something that you say when you are angry with someone because they are expecting you to do something for them that you do not want to do. If he thinks I'm going to do the work for free, he's got another think coming!

See also: coming, got, thing, think

It's (just) one thing after another!

something that you say when bad things keep happening to you. We had our car stolen last week. It's one thing after another at the moment.

See also: after, it's, thing

live to fight another day

to lose a fight or competition but not be completely defeated and therefore be able to try again in the future. The anti-pollution campaigners lost the debate but lived to fight another day.

See also: day, fight, live

One good turn deserves another.

something that you say which means if someone does something to help you, you should do something to help them. He fixed my bike so I let him use my computer. One good turn deserves another.

See also: deserve, good, turn

One man's meat is another man's poison.

something that you say which means that something one person likes very much can be something that another person does not like at all. I wouldn't want to do her job, but she seems to love it. Oh well, one man's meat is another man's poison.

See also: meat, poison

one thing leads to another

if one things leads to another, a series of events happen, each one caused by the previous one. I only asked him in for a coffee, but one thing led to another and we ended up in bed together. (never in continuous tenses) People don't usually decide to become spies. They agree to do someone a favour and one thing leads to another.

See also: lead, thing

one way or the other

1. if you say that you will do something or that something will happen one way or the other, you are determined to do it or that it will happen, although you do not know exactly how. One way or the other, I'm going to finish this job next week.

2. if you have to decide one way or the other, you must choose between two possibilities. They've had a week to think about it and now they must decide one way or the other. It doesn't really matter to me one way or the other. (= it is not important to me which possibility is chosen)

See also: other, way

Tell me another (one)! (informal)

something that you say when you do not believe what someone has just said. 'I never drive over the speed limit.' 'Oh, yeah? Tell me another one.'

See also: tell

Tomorrow's another day.

something that you say in order to encourage someone by showing them that there will be another opportunity to do something at a later time. We've not made much progress today, but don't worry, tomorrow's another day.

See also: day

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at one time or another

on different occasions. Studies show nearly half of all Americans have had trouble sleeping at one time or another.

at times

See also: time

have another think (coming)

to need to consider something again. If you expected praise just for doing your job, you had another think coming. I really do know what I'm talking about, and if you don't agree, you had better have another think.

See also: think

just another day (at the office)

an ordinary or typical event. It was just another day of arguing with my teenage son. When we won in Seattle, everyone was thrilled, but in Buffalo, every win was just another day at the office.

Usage notes: often used to emphasize the idea that just another day for one person is not, for most people, an ordinary series of events at all

See also: day, just

(it's) one thing after another

bad things keep happening. Ever since my car was stolen last year, it's been one thing after another.

See also: after, thing

one thing leads to another

an event or activity results in another that you have usually not planned. I agreed to help him paint his house and one thing led to another until I ended up helping him fix up his kitchen.

See also: lead, thing

one way or another

using any method available. One way or another, I'm going to finish this job by next week.

Usage notes: usually used when you know something will happen or get done, but you do not know exactly how

See also: way

one way or the other

1. which of two possibilities will happen or be chosen. They've had a week to think about it, and now they must decide one way or the other. It doesn't really matter to me one way or the other.

2. whatever method is used. One way or the other, this project must be finished by March first.

See also: other, way

that's another story

that is an explanation I will make at some other time. Strangely enough, we bumped into each other again in Amsterdam, but that's another story.

Usage notes: usually used when you have just said as much about something as you feel is necessary

See also: story