seen

(I've) seen better.

a noncommittal and not very positive judgment about something or someone. Alice: How did you like the movie? John: I've seen better. Bill: What do you think about this weather? Bob: Seen better.

See also: better

(I've) seen worse.

a noncommittal and not totally negative judgment about something or someone. Alice: How did you like the movie? John: I've seen worse. Bill: What do you think about this weather? Gladys: Seen worse.

See also: worse

(I) haven't seen you in a long time.

Fig. an expression of greeting, often said as part of a series. Mary: Hi, Fred! Haven't seen you in a long time. Fred: Yeah. Longtime no see. Tom: Well, John. Is that you? I haven't seen you in a long time. John: Good to see you, Tom!

See also: haven't, long, time

(I) haven't seen you in a month of Sundays.

Rur. I haven't seen you in a long time. Tom: Hi, Bill Haven't seen you in a month of Sundays! Bill: Hi, Tom. Long time no see. Bob: Well, Fred! Come right in! Haven't seen you in a month of Sundays! Fred: Good to see you, Uncle Bob.

See also: haven't, month, Sunday

children should be seen and not heard

Prov. Children should not speak in the presence of adults. (Often used as a way to rebuke a child who has spoken when he or she should not.) You may come out and meet the party guests if you'll remember that children should be seen and not heard.

See also: and, children, hear, should

have seen better days

Euph. to be in bad condition. My old car has seen better days, but at least it's still running. She's seen better days, it's true, but she's still lots of fun.

See also: better, days, have

Haven't I seen you somewhere before? and Haven't we met before?

a polite or coy way of trying to introduce yourself to someone. Bob: Hi. Haven't I seen you somewhere before? Mary: I hardly think so. Bill (moving toward Jane): Haven't we met before? Jane (moving away from Bill): No way!

See also: haven't, somewhere

I've seen better heads on nickel beers.

Rur. This person is stupid. Jim's good-looking, but I've seen better heads on nickel beers. My students this term aren't what you'd call bright. I've seen better heads on nickel beers.

See also: beer, better, head, nickel

They must have seen you coming.

You were really cheated. They saw you coming and decided they could cheat you easily. Andy: It cost two hundred dollars. Rachel: You paid two hundred dollars for that thing? Boy, they must have seen you coming. Bob: Do you think I paid too much for this car? It's not as good as I thought it was. Tom: It's almost a wreck. They must have seen you coming.

See also: coming, have, must

would not be seen dead (doing something) and would not be caught dead (doing something)

would not do something under any circumstances. I wouldn't be seen dead going out with Bruno! Martha would not be caught dead going into a place like that.

See also: dead

You ain't seen nothing yet!

Rur. The best, most exciting, or cleverest part is yet to come! (The use of ain't is a fixed part of this idiomatic expression.) Alice: Well, the first act was simply divine. Sue: Stick around. You ain'tseen nothing yet! Mary: This part of the city is really beautiful. Bill: You ain't seen nothing yet!

See also: nothing

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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: and, children, hear, should

have [done/seen/had etc.] more something than somebody 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, had, has, have, hot, more

have heard/seen the last of somebody/something

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

See also: have, 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

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 wouldn't be caught dead, have heard the last of

See also: believe, have

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

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

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: 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 (often + adv/prep ) John's dad won't go to the christening, he wouldn't be seen dead in a church. (often + doing sth) Chris wouldn't be seen dead driving a Lada.

See cut dead, Drop dead!, knock them/'em dead

See also: caught, dead

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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

have to be seen to be believed also must 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, have

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.