cherry (redirected from cherries)

*red as a cherry and *red as a poppy; *red as a rose; *red as a ruby; *red as blood

bright red. (*Also: as ~.) When she came in from ice-skating, Clara's nose was as red as a cherry. When her boss praised her in front of the whole office, Emily turned red as a poppy. I would like to make a dress out of that beautiful velvet that is red as a rose. Jane painted her fingernails with polish as red as a ruby. I want to have my car painted red as blood.

See also: red

cherry-pick something

Fig. to choose something very carefully. (As if one were closely examining cherries on the tree, looking for the best.) We have to cherry-pick the lumber we want to use for the cabinetry. Nothing but the best will do.

Life is just a bowl of cherries.

Prov. Everything is going well.; Life is carefree. (Often used ironically, as in the second example.) The real estate salesman tried to convince us that life in the suburbs is just a bowl of cherries. Jill: Hi, Jane. How are you? Jane: Oh, my alarm clock didn't go off this morning, and then my car wouldn't start, and I missed the bus and got to work late, and I just found out my rent's going up fifty dollars a month. Life is just a bowl of cherries.

See also: bowl, just, life

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a bite of the cherry  (British & Australian)

a part of something good, especially when there is not enough for everyone who wants it Job-sharing would give twice as many people a bite of the cherry. (British)

See also: bite

cherry-pick somebody/something

to choose only the best people or things in a way that is not fair (usually in continuous tenses) Isn't there a danger that the state schools might start cherry-picking the pupils with the best exam results?

Life is just a bowl of cherries.

something that you say which means that life is very pleasant

Usage notes: This phrase is sometimes used humorously to mean the opposite

The hotel is wonderful and the weather too. Life's just a bowl of cherries. So as well as cleaning up the apartment and getting the paperwork done, I have three children to look after. Yes, life's just a bowl of cherries!

See also: bowl, just, life