men

all things to all men and all things to all people

Fig. [for someone or something] liked or used by all people; [for someone or something] everything that is wanted by all people. You simply can't be all things to all people. The candidate set out to be all things to all men and came off looking very wishy-washy.

See also: thing

best-laid plans of mice and men oft(en) go astray, and best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley.

Prov. Things often go wrong even though you have carefully planned what you are going to do. (The gang aft a-gley version is Scots dialect, and comes from Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse.") Jill: I reserved a hotel room for us three weeks ago, but now the clerk says he has no record of our reservation. So much for our fun weekend in the city. Jane: Well, these things happen. The best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray. I had all the arrangements made for my party, and then the guest of honor got sick and I had to call the whole thing off. The best-laid schemes of mice and men gang aft a-gley. If a little rain can ruin the best-laid plans of mice and men, think what an earthquake might do!

See also: and, astray, mice, plan

busiest men have the most leisure and busiest men find the most time

Prov. Industrious people get their work done efficiently and therefore have time to do what they want. Fred: How does Phil do it? He produces more than the rest of us, but he also manages to pursue all his hobbies. Alan: The busiest men have the most leisure. As the town's only doctor, Bert worked extremely hard, yet he always had time to play with his children and go out with his wife. The busiest men find the most time.

See also: busy, have, leisure, most

collar-and-tie men

Rur. businessmen who wear dress shirts and ties. After Jim graduated from college, he went off to join the collar-and-tie men. Us working folks at the plant have an awful time getting the collar-and-tie men to see our point of view.

Dead men tell no tales.

Prov. Dead people will not betray any secrets. The club members liked to hold their secret meetings in a graveyard, since dead men tell no tales. Gangster: Mugsy is going to tell the police that we robbed the bank. How can we stop him? Henchman: Dead men tell no tales.

See also: dead, tales, tell

Good men are scarce. and A good man is hard to find.

Prov. Men who make good husbands or workers are rare. Larry is the best employee I've ever had, and I'll go to a good deal of effort to keep him, because good men are scarce. "I think you should marry John," Sue advised her daughter. "He's a good man, and a good man is hard to find."

See also: good, scarce

Heaven protects children(, sailors,) and drunken men.

Prov. Children(, sailors,) and drunk(ard)s often escape being injured in dangerous situations. (Often used to express amazement that a child, sailor, or drunk person has escaped injury.) Jill: Did you hear? A little girl fell out of a second-floor window in our apartment building. Jane: Was she killed? Jill: She wasn't even hurt. Jane: Heaven protects children, sailors, and drunken men. Mike was so drunk he shouldn't even have been conscious, but he managed to drive home without hurting himself or anyone else; heaven protects children and drunkards.

See also: and, children, heaven, protect

It's ill waiting for dead men's shoes.

Prov. You should not be eager for someone to die so that you inherit something. Phil: Why should I bother to learn some kind of trade? I'll be rich when Grandpa dies and leaves me all his money. Alan: It's ill waiting for dead men's shoes.

See also: dead, ill, shoe, waiting

Men are blind in their own cause.

Prov. If you believe in something very fervently, you will not recognize the flaws in what you believe or the dangers associated with it. Jill: Lyle is so intent on converting people to his religion, that he doesn't see that his constant preaching is alienating his friends. Jane: Men are blind in their own cause.

See also: blind, cause

Men make houses, women make homes.

Prov. Men are often the ones who build or acquire houses for their families, but women provide the things that make a house into a home. When William moved into his own apartment, his mother insisted on choosing and arranging the furniture and decorations for him. "Men make houses, women make homes," she said, "and I want you to have a home as nice as the one you grew up in."

See also: home, make, women

separate the men from the boys and separate the sheep from the goats

Fig. to separate the competent from those who are less competent. (Not necessarily just about males.) This is the kind of task that separates the men from the boys. Working in a challenging place like this really separates the sheep from the goats.

See also: boy, separate

There is a tide in the affairs of men.

Prov. If you have a favorable opportunity to do something, do it, or you will lose your chance. (From Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar.) I think that this is the best possible time to start our own business. We shouldn't hesitate. There is a tide in the affairs of men.

See also: affair, tide

twelve good men and true

Fig. a jury composed of trustworthy men. He was convicted by a jury of twelve good men and true. Not a wino in the lot.

See also: and, good, true

Young men may die, but old men must die.

Prov. Young people may be killed by accidents or disease, but old people cannot avoid dying for very long, simply because they are old. When Grandfather was so sick, he told us, "Don't feel too bad if I pass on; it's my time. Young men may die, old men must die." I'm afraid old Mr. Ferris won't live much longer. Young men may die, but old men must die.

See also: but, die, may, must, old, young

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be all things to all men

to try to please everyone, even when it is impossible to do this You can't possibly keep everyone happy and you've just got to realize that you can't be all things to all men.

See also: thing

Dead men tell no tales.

something that you say which means people who are dead cannot tell secrets I suspect they killed him because he knew too much. Dead men tell no tales.

See also: dead, tales, tell

separate/sort out the men from the boys

if a difficult situation or activity separates the men from the boys, it shows which people in a group are brave and strong and which are not You have to survive outdoors for three days and three nights. That should separate the men from the boys.

See also: boy, out, separate

the men in grey suits

men in business or politics who have a lot of power and influence although the public does not see them or know about them As usual, it is the men in grey suits who will decide the future of the industry.

See also: grey, suit

the men in white coats  (humorous)

doctors who look after people who are mentally ill The men in white coats will be coming to take me away if I stay in this job much longer.

See also: coat, white

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separate the men from the boys

to show which people in a group can do something difficult and which people cannot The five-day camping trip next month should separate the men from the boys!

See also: boy, separate