worse (redirected from so much the worse for)

*none the worse for wear

Fig. no worse because of use or effort. (See also the worse for wear. *Typically: be ~; become ~; look ~.) I lent my car to John. When I got it back, it was none the worse for wear. I had a hard day today, but I'm none the worse for wear.

See also: none, wear

(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: seen

(Things) could be worse and (I) could be worse. a

response to a greeting meaning "My state is not as bad as it might be." (Not necessarily a direct answer.) John: How are you, Fred? Fred: Things could be worse. And you? John: Okay, I guess. Bob: Hi, Bob! What's happening? Bob: I could be worse. What's new with you?

See also: could

fate worse than death

Fig. a terrible fate. (Usually an exaggeration.) Having to sit through one of his lectures is a fate worse than death.

See also: death, fate

for better or for worse

under any conditions; no matter what happens. I married you for better or for worse. For better or for worse, I'm going to quit my job.

See also: better

go from bad to worse

to progress from a bad situation to one that is worse. Things went from bad to worse in a matter of days. I'm afraid that things are going from bad to worse.

See also: bad

Nothing so bad but (it) might have been worse.

Prov. Although bad things do happen, they are not as bad as other things you can imagine that might have happened. Joan: This is like a nightmare! My house burned down—I lost everything! Nancy: At least you and your family are safe. Nothing so bad but might have been worse. My bicycle tire blew out, but at least it blew out within walking distance of a repair shop. Nothing so bad but it might have been worse.

See also: bad, been, but, have, might, nothing

One's bark is worse than one's bite.

Prov. Someone makes a lot of harsh-sounding threats but never carries them out. Don't get upset at anything my father says. His bark is worse than his bite. Jill: Lisa says she's going to sue me for letting my dog dig up her rosebushes. John: Don't pay any attention. Her bark is worse than her bite.

See also: bark, bite

take a turn for the worse

to start to get worse. It appeared that she was going to get well; then, unfortunately, she took a turn for the worse. My job was going quite well; then last week things took a turn for the worse.

See also: take, turn

worse for wear 

1. Euph. intoxicated. You were the worse for wear last night. The three came stumbling in, the worse for wear again.

2. damaged or worn through use. Eventually, every machine becomes worse for wear, you know. The truth is it's the worse for wear; you will just have to get a new one.

3. injured. Tom fell into the street and he's much the worse for wear. Fred had a little accident with his bike and he's the worse for wear.

See also: wear

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somebody's bark is worse than their bite

if someone's bark is worse than their bite, they are not as unpleasant as they seem, and their actions are not as bad as their threats I wouldn't be scared of her if I were you. Her bark's a lot worse than her bite.

See also: bark, bite

be a fate worse than death  (humorous)

to be the worst thing that can happen to you When you're 16, an evening at home with your parents is a fate worse than death.

See seal fate, tempt fate

See also: death, fate

be the worse for wear 

1. if something is the worse for wear, it is in bad condition or damaged because it has been used a lot This sofa is rather the worse for wear, but it will have to do until we can afford a new one.

2. someone who is the worse for wear is very tired or feeling ill I drank far too much and woke up the next morning feeling rather the worse for wear.

See also: wear

for better or (for) worse  also for better, for worse

if a situation exists or happens for better or for worse, it exists or happens whether its results are good or bad

Usage notes: This phrase is used in a traditional marriage ceremony in which the man and woman promise to stay together whether their life is good or bad.

France has a new government, for better or for worse. We cannot deny that our childhood experiences affect us, for better, for worse.

See also: better

go from bad to worse

if a situation goes from bad to worse, it gets worse than it already was The troubles started when John lost his job last March and things have gone from bad to worse ever since.

See also: bad

take a turn for the worse

if a situation or an ill person takes a turn for the worse, they become worse or more ill Their relationship took a turn for the worse when he lost his job.

See also: take, turn

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somebody/something has more bark than bite also somebody's/something's bark is worse than their/its bite

something is not as unpleasant as you expected The storm turned out to have far more bark than bite. My boss sounds tough, but her bark is much worse than her bite, and she's actually pretty easy to work for once you get to know her.

See also: bark, bite, has, more

a fate worse than death

a very bad or unpleasant experience She felt that having to move to a small town was a fate worse than death.

Usage notes: often used in a humorous way to describe something that is not too serious: Spending a day with my aunt would be a fate worse than death.

See also: death, fate

for better or (for) worse

this could be good or bad We now have a new government, for better or for worse.

Usage notes: said about things you think are not likely to be very good

See also: better

go from bad to worse

to become even more difficult or unpleasant The Tigers lost their first game, 25 to 0, and then things went from bad to worse the following week when they lost by 38 points.

See also: bad

none the worse (for something)

not damaged or hurt despite something It was cold and windy during the parade but we were none the worse for the weather.

Usage notes: often used in the form none the worse for wear ( in good condition despite hard use or a difficult experience): He seems to be none the worse for wear after his car wreck.

See also: none

the worse for wear

1. damaged from use The old picnic table is looking the worse for wear, but it should last another year.

2. tired from hard work After our dog had her puppies, she definitely looked the worse for wear.

See also: wear