thousand (redirected from thousands)

if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times

Fig. an expression that introduces a scolding, usually to a child. Mother: If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, don't leave your clothes in a pile on the floor! Bill: Sorry. "If I've toldyou once, I've told you a thousand times, keep out of my study!" yelled Bob.

See also: if, times, told

No, no, a thousand times no!

Fig. Very definitely, no! (Jocular.) Bob: Here, have some sweet potatoes. Bill: No, thanks. Bob: Oh, come on! Bill: No, no, a thousand times no! Sue: The water is a little cold, but it's invigorating. Come on in. Bill: How cold? Sue: Well, just above freezing, I guess. Come on in! Bill: No, no, a thousand times no!

See also: times

Not in a thousand years! and Never in a thousand years!

Fig. No, never! John: Will you ever approve of her marriage to Tom? Sue: No, not in a thousand years! Mary: Will all this trouble ever subside? John: Never in a thousand years!

See also: and, never

one in a thousand and one in a hundred; one in a million

Fig. nearly unique; one of a very few. He's a great guy. He's one in million. Mary's one in a hundred—such a hard worker.

See also: one

picture is worth a thousand words

Prov. Pictures convey information more efficiently and effectively than words do. It's much easier to learn how machines work by looking at pictures, rather than by hearing someone describe them. A picture is worth a thousand words. The newspaper editor decided to devote more space to photographs of the disaster than to text, since a picture is worth a thousand words.

See also: picture, word, worth

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be batting a thousand  (American)

to do something extremely well and better than you had hoped to do it Gloria felt she was batting a thousand. She'd got everything she asked for when she saw her boss.

See be on a sticky wicket

See also: batting

the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question  (informal) also the million-dollar question (informal)

an important or difficult question which people do not know the answer to So will she marry him or not? - that's the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question.

See beg the question, call into question, pop the question

See also: question