feast (redirected from ghost at the feast)

*(either) feast or famine

Fig. either too much (of something) or not enough (of something). (*Typically: be ~; have ~.) This month is very dry, and last month it rained almost every day. Our weather is either feast or famine. Sometimes we are busy, and sometimes we have nothing to do. It's feast or famine.

contented mind is a perpetual feast

Prov. If you are mentally at peace, you will always feel that you have enough of everything, and will not have to strive to get more. Jill: Lillian doesn't make very much money, but she seems to be happy all the time. I wonder how she manages that? Jane: A contented mind is a perpetual feast.

See also: mind

Enough is as good as a feast.

Prov. You do not need more than enough of anything. We don't have much of a surplus of food for dinner tonight, but enough is as good as a feast. Jane: I wish I could offer you more lavish hospitality. Jane: Don't be silly. Enough is as good as a feast.

See also: enough, good

feast (up)on something

to eat a great deal of something; to eat a feast built around something in particular. We will feast upon turkey for weeks. We feasted on the fish Harry had caught.

feast one's eyes (on or upon someone or something)

Fig. to enjoy the sight of someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) Just feast your eyes on that beautiful beach. Jane feasted her eyes on Roger for a while and then went on with her studying.

See also: eye

movable feast 

1. Lit. a religious holiday that is on a different date from year to year. Easter is the best known movable feast.

2. Fig. a meal that is served in motion or with different portions of the meal served at different locations. (Jocular or a complete misunderstanding of {1} but in wide use.) We enjoyed a real movable feast on the train from Washington to Maimi.

See also: movable

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a movable feast

something that happens often but at different times so that you are not certain when it will next happen They usually have a party at some point in the summer but it's something of a movable feast.

See also: movable

Enough is as good as a feast.  (British old-fashioned)

something that you say which means you should not have more of something than you need No, thank you, nothing more to drink for me. Enough is as good as a feast.

See also: enough, good

feast your eyes on something

to look at something with a lot of pleasure Just feast your eyes on this fabulous painting.

See also: eye

feast or famine

something that you say which means that you either have too much of something or you have too little It's either feast or famine on television; last week there was nothing I wanted to see and this week there are three good films on at the same time.

the ghost/spectre at the feast  (British literary)

something or someone that spoils your enjoyment by making you remember something unpleasant John was the spectre at the feast, always reminding her of her broken promise.

See also: ghost

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(either) feast or famine

either too much or too little of something It's feast or famine - last week I had no work, and now I am too busy!

Usage notes: often used in the form it's (either) feast or famine, as in the example

feast your eyes on somebody/something

to look at someone or something with pleasure We spent one whole day feasting our eyes on paintings I never thought I'd have the chance to see.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form a feast for the eyes (someone or something that is pleasing to look at): Potter's film is a feast for the eyes.

See also: eye