church

*poor as a church mouse and *poor as church mice

very poor. (*Also: as ~.) My aunt is as poor as a church mouse. The Browns are poor as church mice.

See also: mouse, poor

Church ain't out till they quit singing.

Rur. things have not yet reached the end. Charlie: No way our team can win now. Mary: Church ain't out till they quit singing. There's another inning to go.

See also: out, quit, singe, till

church key

a two-ended device used to remove bottle tops and to pierce a hole in can lids. I'm looking for the church key so I can open this beer. She opened the can of tomato juice with the church key.

See also: key

nearer the church, the farther from God

Prov. Church officials, or people who live near the church, are not truly pious. Jill: I think our pastor is an evil man. Jane: I didn't think evil men could be pastors. Jill: Of course they can! The nearer the church, the farther from God.

See also: god

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a broad church  (British)

an organization that includes many different types of people with different opinions The Congress remains a broad church with members from a diversity of backgrounds.

See also: broad

be as poor as church mice  (old-fashioned)

to be very poor When we first got married, we were as poor as church mice.

See also: mice, poor