fine (redirected from fines)

be a fine figure of a man/woman (old-fashioned)

to be someone who is big and strong with an attractive body. She's a fine figure of a woman - not like all these skinny models.

See also: figure, man, woman

be in fine fettle

to be very healthy or working well. She was in fine fettle when she came back from her trip to the States. The business is in fine fettle and we're even planning to expand.

Chance would be a fine thing! (British, informal)

something that you say which means that you would very much like something to happen but there is no possibility that it will. He said I could do it in my spare time. Spare time? Chance would be a fine thing!

See also: chance, thing

cut a fine figure (British, American & Australian, old-fashioned, British, old-fashioned)

if someone cuts a fine figure, people admire their appearance, usually because they are wearing attractive clothes. Giles cut a fine figure in his black velvet suit. Lucy cut a dash in her purple satin ballgown.

See also: cut, figure

cut it/things fine

to only leave yourself just enough time to do something. Only allowing half an hour to get from the station to the airport is cutting it fine, isn't it?

See also: cut, thing

a fine/pretty kettle of fish (mainly American)

a difficult situation. That's a fine kettle of fish - the car won't start and I have to leave in five minutes.

See also: fish, kettle, pretty

the fine/small print

the part of a printed agreement that is printed smaller than the rest but which contains very important information. Never sign a contract until you have read the small print.

See also: print, small

a fine/thin line

if there is a fine line between one thing and another, they are very similar although the second thing is bad. There's a thin line between courage and foolishness. (often + between)

See also: line, thin

have a [fine/good etc.] pair of lungs (humorous)

if you say that a baby has a good pair of lungs, you mean that they can cry very loudly. Well she's got a fine pair of lungs, I'll say that for her!

See also: good, lung, pair

have something down to a fine art (British, American & Australian, British & Australian)

to be able to do something very well, usually because you have been doing it for a long time. He's got sandwich making down to a fine art.

See also: art, down

not to put too fine a point on it

something that you say when you are going to say exactly what you mean, even if other people may not like it. Well, not to put too fine a point on it, it's entirely your fault.

See also: point

tread a fine/thin line between something

if someone treads a fine line between a good quality and a bad quality, they succeed in having only the good quality. Somehow he manages to tread that fine line between honesty and tactlessness.

See also: between, line, thin, tread

with a fine-tooth comb

if you examine something with a fine-tooth comb, you examine every part of it very carefully. I'd advise you to examine your insurance policy with a fine-tooth comb to make sure you're covered if you take your car abroad.

See also: comb

You're a fine one to talk! (informal)

something that you say when someone criticizes another person for doing something that they do themselves. 'He's always complaining.' 'You're a fine one to talk!'

See also: talk, you're

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fine by someone

acceptable or satisfactory to someone. Judy got the bill and said she'd charge it to the company, which was fine by me. I rarely called her by her first name, and that was fine by her.

go over something with a fine-tooth comb

to examine every part of something very carefully. My accountant is going over my tax return with a fine-tooth comb.

Usage notes: also used in the form fine-toothed comb

See also: comb, over

not to put too fine a point on it

to mean exactly what is said. Her performance, not to put too fine a point on it, was terrible.

See also: point

read the fine print

to know all the information contained in a document. This new law will disappoint a lot of voters once they have had a chance to read the fine print. You should always read the fine print before signing a contract.

Etymology: based on the idea that often what is printed in very small type in a document is the most important information

See also: print, read

to a fine art

in a way that is based on highly developed skill. This restaurant elevates the sandwich to a fine art.

See also: art