merry (redirected from merrily)

*merry as a cricket and *merry as the day is long

very happy and carefree. (*Also: as ~.) Mary is as merry as a cricket whenever she has company come to call. The little children are as merry as the day is long.

See also: cricket

Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.

Prov. Enjoy yourself whenever you can, because you may die soon. ("Eat, drink, and be merry" by itself is simply a way of encouraging people to enjoy themselves.) Fred: No cake for me, thank you. I'm on a diet. Jane: But, Fred, this is a birthday party. Eat, drink, and be merry. Natasha encouraged all her guests to eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.

See also: and, die, tomorrow

lead someone on a merry chase

Fig. to lead someone in a purposeless pursuit. What a waste of time. You really led me on a merry chase. Jane led Bill on a merry chase trying to find an antique lamp.

See also: chase, lead

make merry

to have fun; to have an enjoyable time. The guests certainly made merry at the wedding. The children were making merry in the backyard.

See also: make

more the merrier

Cliché the more people there are, the happier the situation will be. Of course you can have a ride with us! The more the merrier. The manager hired a new employee even though there's not enough work for all of us now. Oh, well, the more the merrier.

See also: more

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The more the merrier.

something that you say which means you are happy for other people to join your group in an activity 'Do you mind if Ann comes to the cinema with us?' 'Not at all. The more the merrier.'

See more by accident than design, There is more to than meets the eye, More fool !, have [done etc.] more than has had hot dinners, What more do you want - jam on it?, It's more than my job's worth, more by luck than judgement, bite off more than can chew, More power to your elbow!

See also: more

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the more the merrier

additional people will make something better “Do you mind if I invite my sister and her family?” “Why not? The more the merrier.”

See also: more