(both) a blessing and a curse
cliché Something that at once provides a great benefit while also or inevitably resulting in negative or burdensome consequences. Being a celebrity is often seen as a blessing and a curse. You have money and acclaim, but you are forever the object of intense and often unforgiving public scrutiny. The success of our company has been both a blessing and a curse. While I'm extremely thankful that our company is doing well, the workload lately has been overwhelming. Looking just like my gorgeous sister is a blessing and a curse. Sure, the attention is nice, but most people mistake me for her!
(it's) better to light a (single) candle than to curse the darkness
proverb It is better to do something, no matter how minor, that can improve a situation rather than simply complaining about it. A: "This whole situation is so messed up. We'll never get out of it!" B: "Well, I know it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. So I'm sure there's something we can do to try to fix things." Stop whining about how your life is stuck in a rut and do something about it—anything at all! Better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness. I definitely feel that it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness—when I ruminate and feel sorry for myself, it just makes everything worse.
a tinker's curse
rude slang That which has little or no value. Fred doesn't give a tinker's curse about what anyone else thinks of him. I was so excited when my grandfather said he'd give me his car, but this old clunker isn't worth a tinker's curse. I don't give a tinker's curse about making money, I just want to do something with my life that makes life better for others.
better to light one (small/little) candle than to curse the darkness
proverb It is better to do something, no matter how minor, that can improve a situation rather than simply complaining about it. A: "This whole situation is so messed up. We'll never get out of it!" B: "Well, I know it's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. So I'm sure there's something we can do to try to fix things." Stop whining about how your life is stuck in a rut and do something about it—anything at all! Better to light one small single candle than to curse the darkness. I definitely feel that it's better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness—when I ruminate and feel sorry for myself, it just makes everything worse.
commentator's curse
In sports, what is said to be responsible when something bad happens or an in-game mistake occurs after a commentator has praised a player or commented on an achievement in progress. How could that fool use the word "shutout" with 10 minutes left to go? No wonder the goalie gave up a goal—it's the commentator's curse! They single out his stellar play, and then he misses a big catch. Typical commentator's curse. Of course I know about the commentator's curse—that's why I didn't utter the words "perfect game" until it was in the books!
curse (oneself) for (something)
To criticize oneself. As I sat in the traffic jam, I cursed myself for not leaving the house earlier. As drowsiness set in, I cursed myself for not having a second cup of coffee before the meeting. Of course I cursed myself when I knocked that stack of books over in the middle of the lecture! How embarrassing!
curse (someone or something) under (one's) breath
To say threatening, consternated, or disgruntled remarks (toward someone or something) in a very soft or indistinct voice, such that no one else can hear or understand them clearly. "You'll get what's coming to you one of these days," Janet cursed under her breath. Steven stormed off to his room, cursing his parents under his breath. My dad spent nearly an hour trying to fix the engine on the side of the road, cursing the broken-down truck under his breath the whole time.
curse (someone) for (something)
To call evil upon someone for something they have done. If he ever mistreats my daughter, I will certainly curse him for it. I swear, the woman who lives on the corner is a witch, and she cursed me after my ball went into her flowers! That's why all this bad stuff has been happening to me! Don't worry, I cursed that jerk for cheating on me, so his future relationships are doomed.
curse a blue streak
To use profane language with great rapidity and intensity. My dad cursed a blue streak after he found out I'd put a dent in his car. Oh boy, my brother's cursing a blue streak, so his team must have lost in overtime. I couldn't help but curse a blue streak at the driver who nearly hit me with his car. I was terrified!
curse at (someone or something)
To use profane language when speaking to someone or something. I cursed at the driver that nearly backed into my car. My dad cursed at the TV when his favorite team allowed a goal in overtime. The coach cursed at me for fumbling the ball.
curse like a sailor
To use profanities or vulgar language very freely or frequently. (An allusion to the rough language presumed to be used by navy personnel.) My little sister has been cursing like a sailor ever since she started college. My granny is the sweetest old lady you'll ever meet, but she curses like a sailor when she gets to talking about someone or something she doesn't like. Wow, those are some mighty vulgar words for a 10-year-old to say. Do your parents know you curse like a sailor?
curse like a trooper
To use profanities or vulgar language very freely or frequently. (An allusion to the rough language presumed to be used by military personnel.) My granny is the sweetest old lady you'll ever meet, but she curses like a trooper when she gets to talking about someone or something she doesn't like. My little sister has been cursing like a trooper ever since she started college. Wow, those are some mighty vulgar words for a 10-year-old to say. Do your parents know you curse like a trooper?
curse out
To use profane or vulgar language toward someone as a reprimand or verbal attack. A noun or pronoun can be used between "curse" and "out." I started cursing out the driver that nearly backed into my car. The coach cursed me out for fumbling the ball. My dad cursed out his favorite team when they allowed a goal in overtime.
curse the day (one) was born
1. Of oneself, to regret having ever existed, as due to some extreme suffering one is or will be experiencing. Basic training in the military is so hard that you'll often find yourself cursing the day you were born. She was so embarrassed by the event that she cursed the day she was born. After making that gigantic blunder, I cursed the day I was born and tried to brace myself for being fired.
2. To detest someone to such a degree as to wish they had never existed. You're just a horrible, selfish pig, and I curse the day you were born! If he ever mistreats my daughter, I will certainly curse the day he was born. Listen here, bub—cross me like that again, and I'll curse the day you were born, got it?
curse under (one's) breath
To utter obscene or blasphemous remarks in a very soft or indistinct voice, such that others are unable to hear or understand them clearly. Steven stormed away from his parents and into his room, cursing under his breath the whole way. My dad spent nearly an hour cursing under his breath as he tried to fix the engine on the side of the road. "You'll get what's coming to you one of these days," Janet cursed under her breath.
curse with (something)
1. To call evil upon one. A noun or pronoun can be used between "curse" and "with." I cursed him with every illness I could think of when I heard how he had mistreated my daughter. I swear, the woman who lives on the corner is a witch, and she cursed me with some spell after my ball went into her flowers! That's why all this bad stuff has been happening to me! Don't worry, after that jerk cheated on me, I cursed him with every bad thing under the sun. His future relationships are doomed.
2. To have a particular problem or affliction. A noun or pronoun can be used between "curse" and "with." I've been cursed with an excellent memory because I can remember every insult or wrong that has ever been done to me. No, I've been cursed with this height, believe me. Do you know how many doorframes I walk into on a daily basis? I'm sorry about that stuff my mom said. She's been cursed with no filter, so she always just blurts out whatever's on her mind.
curses, like chickens, come home to roost
proverb
1. Bad things might happen to you if you wish for bad things to happen to others. I know you're angry, but I'd be careful before you lash out at her—you know that curses, like chickens, come home to roost. A: "But that jerk cheated on me! I hope all of his future relationships fail!" B: "Just keep in mind that curses, like chickens, come home to roost." A: "Listen here, bub—cross me like that again, and I'll curse the day you were born, got it?" B: "I'm not worried—curses, like chickens, come home to roost."
2. One's previous misdeeds will eventually have consequences or cause problems for them. You may not be bothered keeping up with the coursework now, but you'll regret it when the final exam comes around. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost. Of course Al doesn't trust you after what you did! Curses, like chickens, come home to roost, my friend. Sure, you can keep lying to your boss, but keep in mind that curses, like chickens, come home to roost.
not give a tinker's curse
slang To not care about, or have any interest in, someone or something. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Fred does not give a tinker's curse about what anyone else thinks of him.
not worth a tinker's curse
Completely worthless or useless; having little or no value. I was so excited when my grandfather said he'd give me his car, but this old clunker isn't worth a tinker's curse. Over the years working here, I've come to realize that the boss's word isn't worth a tinker's curse.
the curse
euphemism A menstrual period. Sorry, I don't think I'm going to come swimming. I got the curse yesterday. I get really bad cramps whenever the curse strikes.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.