reason (redirected from reasoning out)

*neither rhyme nor reason

Cliché without logic, order, or planning. (Describes something disorganized. *Typically: be ~; have ~.) There seems to be neither rhyme nor reason to Gerald's filing system. The novel's plot had neither rhyme nor reason.

See also: neither, nor, rhyme

all the more reason for (doing something) and all the more reason to (do something)

with even better reason or cause for doing something. (Can be included in a number of grammatical constructions.) Bill: I don't do well in calculus because I don't like the stuff. Father: All the more reason for working harder at it. Bob: I'm tired of painting this fence. It's so old it's rotting! Sally: All the more reason to paint it.

See also: more

It (only) stands to reason.

It is only reasonable to hold a certain opinion. It stands to reason that most people will not buy a new car if they don't think they can pay for it. I think he will come back to pick up his check. It only stands to reason.

See also: stand

listen to reason

to yield to a reasonable argument; to take the reasonable course. Please listen to reason, and don't do something you'll regret. She got into trouble because she wouldn't listen to reason.

See also: listen

lose one's reason

Fig. to lose one's power of reasoning, possibly in anger. I was so confused that I almost lost my reason. Bob seems to have lost his reason when he struck John.

See also: lose

no earthly reason

no conceivable reason. There is no earthly reason for your rude behavior. I can think of no earthly reason why the repairs should cost so much.

reason something out

to figure something out; to plan a reasonable course of action. Now let's be calm and try to reason this out. Let us reason out our difficulties.

See also: out

reason against something

to argue against something, using reason. I can hardly be expected to reason against a silly argument like that! I reasoned against it, but they paid no attention to me.

See also: against

reason with someone

to discuss something with someone, seeking a reasonable solution to a problem. Try to reason with Jill. If she won't listen, forget her. You cannot reason with someone who is so narrow-minded.

stand to reason

to seem reasonable. It stands to reason that it'll be colder in January than it is in November. It stands to reason that Bill left in a hurry, although no one saw him go.

See also: stand

within reason

reasonable; reasonably. You can do anything you want within reason. I'll pay any sum you ask—within reason.

See also: within

without rhyme or reason

Cliché without purpose, order, or reason. (See variations in the examples. Fixed order.) The teacher said my report was disorganized. My paragraphs seemed to be without rhyme or reason. Everything you do seems to be without rhyme or reason.

See also: rhyme, without

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it stands to reason

if it stands to reason that something happens or is true, it is what you would expect (often + that ) It stands to reason that a child that is constantly criticised will grow up to have no self-confidence.

See also: stand

no rhyme or reason

if there is no rhyme or reason why something happens, there is no obvious explanation for it I don't know what makes her behave like that. There's no rhyme or reason to it.

See also: rhyme

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for some reason (or other)

there could be many explanations why For some reason or other, my son prefers to have a huge lizard rather than a dog or cat for a pet.

See also: some

listen to reason

to be influenced by arguments It's too bad we had to take this problem to court, but that man wouldn't listen to reason.

Usage notes: often used in the form not listen to reason, as in the example

See also: listen

no rhyme or reason also without rhyme or reason

without any reasonable explanation or purpose Because the cave was formed by gases that ate away the rock, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to its shape.

See also: rhyme

stand to reason

to seem likely to be true It stands to reason that the more experience you have, the better you'll be at solving problems.

See also: stand

with good reason also for good reason

because of something obviously true Roberta refused to respond to the charge, and with good reason – it was true.

See also: good

within reason

to the degree that good judgment would allow With a good exercise program, you can eat anything you want, within reason, and not gain weight.

See also: within