pretty (redirected from pretty nearly)

not be a pretty sight (humorous)

to not be pleasant to look at. First thing in the morning, he's not a pretty sight.

See also: sight

be in a (pretty/right) pickle (old-fashioned, informal)

to be in a difficult situation. If you run out of money in the middle of your stay you'll be in a right pickle.

See also: pickle

not be just a pretty face (humorous)

if someone is not just a pretty face, they are not only attractive but also intelligent. 'How did you know that?' 'Well, I'm not just a pretty face, you know.'

See also: face, just

be sitting pretty

to be in a good situation, usually because you have a lot of money. They bought their house when prices were much lower so they're sitting pretty.

See also: sitting

cost (someone) a pretty penny

to be very expensive. That diamond ring must have cost him a pretty penny.

See also: cost, penny

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: fine, fish, kettle

Pretty is as pretty does. (old-fashioned)

something that you say which means that you should judge people by the way they behave, not by their appearance. 'She's very pretty.' 'Yes, but pretty is as pretty does. I haven't been terribly impressed by her manners.'

See also: does

things have come to/reached a pretty pass

something that you say which means a situation is very bad. Things have come to a pretty pass when old people are dying of hypothermia because they can't afford to heat their homes. (often + when)

See also: come, pass, reach, thing

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not a pretty sight

1. unpleasant to look at. A state trooper guarding the crash site said, “It's not a pretty sight out there.”

2. very bad or unpleasant. The first reviews of the new on-line magazine are in, and it's not a pretty sight.

See also: sight

pretty much

almost completely. I've pretty much finished packing. All our kids are pretty well grown up now and one is already in college.

Usage notes: also used in the form pretty nearly: He's pretty nearly always right about cars.

See also: much

sitting pretty

in a good situation. She's sitting pretty as one of the music world's fastest-rising stars. These investments can provide cash to keep you sitting pretty once you retire.

See also: sitting