rest (redirected from rest case)

Give it a rest! (informal)

something that you say when you want someone to stop talking about something. 'When are you going to wash the car?' 'Oh, give it a rest! I'll do it in a minute.'

See also: give

God rest her/his soul. (old-fashioned)

something that you say when you are talking about someone who is dead, to show that you respect them. My old father - God rest his soul - now he could drink a pint or two.

See also: god, her, his, soul

head and shoulders above [the others/the rest etc.]

much better than other similar people or things. He's a head and shoulders above the other actors in the film. When you think back on the other writers of this period, James stands head and shoulders above them all.

See also: above, head, other, shoulder

I rest my case.

something that you say when someone says or does something that proves the truth of something you have just said. 'It's time Nigel left home, or he'll never learn to be independent.' 'He doesn't even know how to boil an egg.' 'I rest my case.'

See also: case

put/set someone's mind at rest

to make someone stop worrying. If it'll put your mind at rest, I can drive you home and you can make sure the door's locked.

See also: mind, set

the rest is history

something that you say when you do not need to finish a story because everyone knows what happened. The Beatles signed a recording contract in 1962 and the rest is history.

See also: history

rest on your laurels

to be so satisfied with your own achievements that you make no effort to improve. Just because you passed all your exams, that's no reason to rest on your laurels.

See also: laurel

There's no peace/rest for the wicked! (humorous)

something that you say which means you must continue an activity although you might like to stop. I can't talk - I've got to finish this essay. There's no rest for the wicked.

See also: peace, wicked

There's no rest for the wicked!

something that you say which means you must continue an activity although you might want to stop. I can't talk - I've got to finish this essay. There's no rest for the wicked.

See also: wicked

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give it a rest

stop doing something. I was worrying about my brother all the time and needed to give it a rest.

See also: give

God rest someone's soul

I hope this person's spirit is at peace. I mean, Walt Disney — God rest his soul — has been dead for some time, but his presence is still so much a part of that company.

Usage notes: said about someone who is dead

See also: god, soul

I rest my case

you have proved that what I just said is true. Ned's mother said he needs to leave home or he'll never be independent. His sister said, “But he can't even do his wash!” and his mother replied, “I rest my case.”

See also: case

lay someone to rest

to bury a dead person. Hattie died peacefully at age 93 and was laid to rest in the church cemetery.

See also: lay

lay something to rest

to solve or end something. The trial will lay all worry to rest that the wrong man was accused of this crime.

See also: lay

rest assured

to be certain something will happen. I know this fellow well, and you can rest assured he will give you good advice.

rest in peace

to be free from trouble. The late Mr. Aspin, may he rest in peace, was a good friend to all of us. The girl is dead. Why can't you stop criticizing and let her rest in peace?

Usage notes: always used in reference to a dead person

See also: peace

the rest is history

everyone knows what happened next. The Beatles toured the US, made records, had zillions of groupies, and the rest is history.

See also: history

rest on your laurels

to be so satisfied with your achievements that you make no effort to improve. Even though you did well on all your exams, you can't simply rest on your laurels.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of laurels (= a ring of leaves worn on the head in ancient times as a symbol of victory)

See also: laurel

rest on your laurels

rest on your laurels

See also: laurel