seen

Children should be seen and not heard.

something that you say which means that children should be quiet. I can't stand all that shouting. Children should be seen and not heard, in my opinion.

See also: hear, should

have [done/seen/had etc.] more something than someone has had hot dinners (British & Australian)

to have done, seen, had etc. something many times, so that you have had more experience of it than the person you are talking to. Young man, I've been to more football matches than you've had hot dinners, so you don't have to explain the rules of the game to me.

See also: dinner, done, had, has, hot, more

have heard/seen the last of someone/something

if you have heard the last of someone or something unpleasant, they will not cause you any more problems in the future. It's a worrying problem and I dare say we haven't heard the last of it. (often negative) He's a very unpleasant man. I sincerely hope we've seen the last of him.

See also: hear, last

have seen better days (humorous)

if something or someone has seen better days, they are not in such a good condition as they used to be. Our washing machine has seen better days. We were met at the hotel entrance by an ageing porter who had evidently seen better days.

See also: better, days

have to be seen to be believed

if something has to be seen to be believed, it is so surprising or shocking that it is difficult to believe. The devastation had to be seen to be believed.

See also: believe

haven't seen hide nor hair of someone/something (informal)

if you have not seen hide nor hair of someone or something, you have not seen them for a period of time. I haven't seen hide nor hair of her since last Sunday, and I'm beginning to get rather worried. (often + since)

See also: hair, haven't, hide, nor

I've never [felt/heard/seen etc.] something in all my (born) days! (old-fashioned)

something that you say when you are shocked or very surprised by something. There were two men kissing in the street. I've never seen anything like it in all my born days!

See also: all, days, felt, hear, never

wouldn't be caught/seen dead (informal)

if someone wouldn't be seen dead in a particular place or doing a particular thing, they would never do it, usually because it would be too embarrassing. John's dad won't go to the christening, he wouldn't be seen dead in a church. (often + adv/prep) Chris wouldn't be seen dead driving a Lada. (often + doing something)

See also: caught, dead, wouldn't

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have seen better days

something is in bad condition because of heavy use. The airport building had seen better days and needed a lot of repairs.

See also: better, days

have to be seen to be believed

so extreme that it is difficult to accept. Our spacious new offices have to be seen to be believed!

See also: believe

it remains to be seen

it is still unclear. It remains to be seen whether the heating system is really fixed or will have to be replaced.