find true north
To find or proceed on the correct course or in the right direction. A reference to finding the position of the North Pole (e.g., by compass or by locating a pole star) so as to navigate properly. I would strongly advise that you seek professional legal counsel to find true north in your case against the state. If he's so panicked that we're looking into his finances, we must have found true north in our investigation. The guidance counselor can help you find true north in your college search.
it's grim up north
cliché An adage that life in Northern England is greatly inferior to that in the South. A: "The company wants me to relocate to the branch in Middlesbrough, but I'm not sure I want to go." B: "Can't say I blame you. It's grim up north."
north and south
The mouth. The phrase comes from rhyming slang in which "north and south" rhymes with "mouth." Primarily heard in UK. Hey, watch what comes out of your north and south around your granny.
north forty
Forty acres on the northern section of a property. I think Pa's working up on the north forty—want me to take you over there?
north of (some number)
Beyond some number; exceeding some number. Now that I'm north of 50, I swear my back hurts no matter what I do. If I sneeze, that's it, I'm doubled over for the rest of the day. Does Joel really make north of $80,000 a year? Dang, I'm in the wrong business.
too far north
slang Extremely shrewd. The phrase refers to people from the north of England, who are thought to be especially astute. Primarily heard in US. You'll never outsmart Alison, she's too far north for you.
up North
To, in, or at the northern part of a country or the world. People from both sides of the political spectrum always threaten to move up North across the border whenever a new president is elected. Maybe it's just that the heat down here makes us more mellow, but I always find people up North to be way more uptight and aggressive.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
find true north
Get on the right course, proceed in the right direction, as in We'd better find true north before our competitors do. This term alludes to locating the position of the North Pole from a particular point. [Slang; late 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.