(as) often as not
In most instances; usually; at least, if not more than, half the time. As often as not, Jamie's and David's debates end up turning into petty arguments. I find these introductory college courses to be, often as not, a rather boring waste of one's time. Todd annoys me as often as not, so if he's going, I'm staying home.
(Do) (you) come here often?
cliché Used to initiate a conversation with someone with whom one wishes to have a sexual or romantic encounter. A: "Hey, pretty lady. Do you come here often?" B: "Get lost, creep." A: "I couldn't help but notice you from across the bar. You come here often?" B: "No, this is my first time." If you want to get my number, you're going to have to do a whole lot better than just asking, "Come here often?"
(have done) more (something) than (one) has had hot dinners
Has more experience at something than the person one is referring to. Oh please, I've completed more of these reports than he's had hot dinners, so no, I'm not going to listen to any of his suggestions. You should really ask the boss for some advice—she's sat in more board meetings than we've had hot dinners. I don't see that up-and-coming gymnast as a threat at all. Come on, I've done more medal-winning routines than she's had hot dinners.
bad workers always blame their tools
proverb If someone performs a job or task poorly or unsuccessfully, they will usually lay the blame on the quality of their equipment, or other such external factors, rather than take responsibility for their own failure. The football player blamed the overinflated ball for costing his team the game, but as they say, bad workers always blame their tools. After John spent all day assembling his new desk only to discover it was lopsided, he immediately declared that the package must have contained the wrong pieces. His wife replied, "Bad workers always blame their tools, dear." When Mary blamed the oven for burning the turkey on Thanksgiving, her husband jokingly replied, "Bad workers always blame their tools."
every so often
Sometimes; occasionally. Josh does stop by the store every so often, but I haven't seen him lately. I don't eat a lot of sweets, but every so often I just need a piece of chocolate cake. Ever since that football injury, I have to go to the doctor every so often to get fluid drained from my knee.
go to the well too often
To use, depend on, or draw from the same resource too many times, to the point of depleting or diminishing it. We've already had to rely on the community's generosity to help pay for Joshua's treatment several times in the past, so we're reluctant to go to the well too often. The film franchise made its name with shocking imagery, but by its seventh entry, it had gone to the well too often and fans were no longer impressed with what it had to offer. They do have an outstanding goalie, but they can't go to the well too often and expect him to bail them out.
half the truth is often a whole lie
proverb Not being completely honest can be as deceitful as lying; intentionally omitting information is equivalent to lying. I know you want to protect his feelings, but you really need to be honest with him. Half the truth is often a whole lie, you know. Don't fall into the trap of lying by omission. Half the truth is often a whole lie. You really should have told me everything from the begging. Remember, half the truth is often a whole lie.
little and often fills the purse
Earning or save small amounts of money as frequently as possible will provide the income or savings that one needs. I never had a proper career, instead making my living by doing various jobs for people all around the city. I might not have had a fat paycheck at the end of each month, but little and often fills the purse. Try to get into the habit of dropping 10, 20, 30 dollars into a savings account whenever you can spare it—little and often fills the purse.
more often than not
Much of the time. Tom is late more often than not—he just never gets caught.
often wrong, never in doubt
Having unwavering confidence despite previous mistakes, missteps, or failures. A: "I don't know how Ted can possibly think his flawed idea will still work out." B: "Well, you know Ted—often wrong, never in doubt."
once too often
One time too many; the latest in a series of actions, the one that finally results in notice, reprisal, punishment, or some other consequence. It seems he tried to hide his earnings from the IRS once too often, and is now facing a tax bill that could possibly bankrupt him. He'd insulted her once too often, so she packed up her things and left the house.
the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry
Said when something ends poorly or differently than expected, despite preparations for success. The phrase is likely an adaptation of a line from 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns. I always thought our business would last forever. I guess it's true what they say, though—the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. A: "I've been working on this project for six months, and now, right before it's due, they tell me they want something completely different." B: "That's rough. The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry, huh?"
the pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last
proverb If one relies on something too much, it will eventually fail them. I know that being on a winning streak is very exciting, but just remember that it won't last forever. The pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last.
the pitcher will go to the well once too often
proverb A period of good luck will eventually end. I know that being on a winning streak is very exciting, but just remember that the pitcher will go to the well once too often. I'm sure he will continue to break the law until he gets caught. The pitcher will go to the well once too often.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.