wonder (redirected from wonders)

(I) wonder if

a phrase introducing a hypothesis. Henry: I wonder if I could have another piece of cake. Sue: Sure. Help yourself. Andy: Wonder if it's stopped raining yet. Rachel: Why don't you look out the window? Andy: I wonder if I'll pass algebra. Father: That thought is on all our minds.

See also: if

a seven-day wonder

Fig. a person or a process supposedly perfected in only seven days. (Sarcastic.) Tommy is no seven-day wonder. It took him 6 years to get through high school!

I'm not surprised. and I don't wonder.

It is not surprising.; It should not surprise anyone. Mary: All this talk about war has my cousin very worried. Sue: No doubt. At his age, I don't wonder. John: All of the better-looking ones sold out right away. Jane: I'm not surprised.

See also: surprise

nine days' wonder

Fig. something that is of interest to people only for a short time. Don't worry about the story about you in the newspaper. It'll be a nine days' wonder and then people will forget. The elopement of Bob and Anne was a nine days' wonder. Now people never mention it.

See also: nine

no wonder

[something is] not surprising. No wonder the baby is crying. She's wet. It's no wonder that plant died. You watered it too much.

Time works wonders.

Prov. The passing of time can resolve many problems. I thought I would never forgive my ex-husband for leaving me, but now, ten years later, I feel pretty well disposed toward him. Time works wonders. You'll change your mind eventually. Time works wonders.

See also: time, work

wonder about someone or something

to be curious or in doubt about someone or something. I wonder about Carl and what he is up to. Sometimes I wonder about life on other planets. Jenny's performance record made me wonder about her chances for success.

wonder at someone or something

to be amazed at or in awe of someone or something. (Stilted.) We all wondered at Lee and the way he kept his spirits up. The people wondered at the bright light that lit up the sky.

Wonders never cease! and Will wonders never Cease!

Prov. What an amazing thing has happened! (Said when something very surprising happens. Somewhat ironic; can imply that the surprising thing should have happened before, but did not.) Fred: Hi, honey. I cleaned the kitchen for you. Ellen: Wonders never cease! Jill: Did you hear? The company is allowing us to take a holiday tomorrow. Jane: Wonders never cease! Not only was my plane on time, the airline also delivered my luggage safely. Will wonders never cease?

See also: never

work wonders (with someone or something)

to be surprisingly beneficial to someone or something; to be very helpful with someone or something. This new medicine works wonders with my headaches. Jean was able to work wonders with the office staff. They improved their efficiency as soon as she took over.

See also: work

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a chinless wonder  (British & Australian humorous)

an English man from a high social class, who thinks he is intelligent and important, but who other people think is weak and stupid He's just another chinless wonder doing a job that his Daddy got for him.

a nine/one/seven-day wonder

someone or something that causes interest or excitement for a short period but is then quickly forgotten His music was derided by an older generation convinced that he was a nine-day wonder.

a one-hit wonder

someone who performs popular music who makes one successful record and then no others The seventies saw a succession of one-hit wonders who were famous overnight and then never heard of again.

work wonders

to improve something a lot (often + for ) Extra water in the diet is generally beneficial to the health and it works wonders for the skin. He's only been in charge at Arsenal for a couple of months and already he's worked wonders.

See also: work

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(it's) no wonder

it is not surprising It's no wonder ticket prices are so high when you see what the players are being paid. No wonder I couldn't find my keys! They were in the car all along.

Opposite of: it's a wonder

it's a wonder

it is surprising After having so many problems with the house, it's a wonder they ever got to live in it.

Opposite of: (it's) no wonder

work wonders also do wonders

to cause improvements or have a very good effect He's only been here for a couple of months and already he's worked wonders. Drinking lots of water does wonders for the skin.

See also: work