faint (redirected from faintly)

damn someone or something with faint praise

Fig. to criticize someone or something indirectly by not praising enthusiastically. The critic did not say that he disliked the play, but he damned it with faint praise. Mrs. Brown is very proud of her son's achievements, but damns her daughter's with faint praise.

See also: damn, praise

faint dead away

Fig. to faint and fall unconscious. I almost fainted dead away. David will faint dead away when he reads this.

See also: away, dead

faint from something

to faint because of something. I nearly fainted from fear! Three people along the parade route fainted from the heat.

Faint heart never won fair lady.

Prov. A timid suitor never won his lady. (Used to encourage boys or men to be bold in courting women.) Bill: I'd really like to go out with Alice, but what if she says no? Alan: You won't know till you ask her. Faint heart never won fair lady. Don't be so shy about talking to Edith. Faint heart never won fair lady.

See also: fair, heart, lady, never, won

faint of heart

Fig. people who are squeamish; someone who is sickened or disturbed by unpleasantness or challenge. The pathway around the top of the volcano, near the crater, is not for the faint of heart.

See also: heart

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not be for the faint-hearted

if something is not for the faint-hearted, it is not suitable for people who become frightened easily The drive along the winding coast road is not for the faint-hearted, particularly when it's foggy.

not have the faintest (idea)

to have no knowledge of or no information about something 'Do you know where Anna is?' 'I haven't the faintest.' (often + question word) I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.

See also: have

damn somebody/something with faint praise

to praise something or someone in such a weak way that it is obvious you do not really admire them She damned Reynolds with faint praise, calling him one of the best imitators in the world.

See also: damn, praise

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damn (somebody/something) with faint praise

to show only slight approval for someone or something By qualifying his support, you could argue he was damning these leaders with faint praise. Maybe I'm damning them with faint praise, but the Yankees are easier to like than the Atlanta Braves in this series.

See also: damn, praise

not have the faintest idea also not have the foggiest idea

to not know anything at all about something not have the foggiest notion I didn't have the faintest idea where I was or which way I was going – I simply knew I had to get away. These people don't have the foggiest idea what America's really like.

Usage notes: also used in the forms I have no idea and I haven't the slightest idea

See also: have, idea