match (redirected from matching)

be no match for something/someone

to be less powerful or effective than something or someone else. Health warnings are no match for the addictive power of cigarettes.

a marriage/match made in heaven

1. a marriage which is likely to be happy and successful because the two people are very well suited to each other. Jane and Pete had exactly the same likes and interests - it was a marriage made in heaven.

2. a combination of two things or two people which is very successful. Strawberries and cream are a marriage made in heaven.

See also: heaven, made, marriage

meet your match

to meet someone who is able to defeat you in an argument or a competition. The world chess champion finally met his match when he was beaten by a computer.

See also: meet

a shouting match (British, American & Australian, British & Australian)

an argument where people shout at each other. If your child says something rude or unpleasant to you, don't get into a shouting match with them, just leave the room. The debate turned into a slanging match.

See also: shout

the whole shooting match (informal)

the whole of something, including everything that is connected with it. There are four projects at present and Gerry's in charge of the whole shooting match.

See also: shoot, whole

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a match made in heaven

a perfect combination of two people or things. They needed a Spanish teacher as badly as Hayes needed a job, so you could say it was a match made in heaven.

See also: heaven, made

match up (against someone)

to have a chance to win in a competition against someone. He was nominated because he matched up better against the governor. With our team's experience, I think we match up well.

meet your match

to find someone equal to you in some way. Martina finally met her match on the tennis court today and lost, three sets to two.

See also: meet

mix and match

to combine things that are not related. You can mix and match desks, bookcases, and other office furniture to fit your needs.

See also: mix