common or garden variety
A standard, unexceptional, or commonly found kind (of thing). Primarily heard in UK. That's just your common or garden variety house spider; there's no need to be concerned about its bite. I'm just looking for a common or garden variety mobile phone; I don't need anything fancy. I just need a common or garden variety birthday cake for my one-year-old to smash at his birthday party.
garden variety
A standard, unexceptional, or commonly found kind (of thing). That's just your garden variety house spider; there's no need to be concerned about its bite. It may well be "garden variety anxiety," but that doesn't make it feel any less harrowing! She should know how to run these garden variety reports by now.
Heinz 57 (variety)
1. A phrase used to describe anything that is made up of a mixture of things. The phrase refers to an advertising slogan for the H.J. Heinz Company's 57 varieties of pickles. This stew is definitely Heinz 57 variety—there's a lot of different things thrown into it. A: "Are there white chocolate chips in here too?" B: "Yep, those cookies have a little bit of everything—Heinz 57 variety, you know?" Don't just plop everything onto his plate like Heinz 57 variety—he won't eat things that are touching each other.
2. A mixed-breed dog. I have no idea what breed Sparky is—he seems to be Heinz 57. If they're rich, then they must have a purebred dog. Why would they bother with the Heinz 57 variety? This lovable mutt is Heinz 57, and I couldn't care less.
variety is the spice of life
proverb Having many different experiences is what makes life interesting, exciting, enjoyable, or worthwhile. I think everyone should travel the world. Variety is the spice of life, after all! You should really start trying new foods instead of eating the same thing all the time. Variety is the spice of life.
variety shop
A shop that sells a myriad of different items, especially those that are relatively inexpensive. I used to love weird little variety shops like this when I was a kid—there was always something interesting I could find.
variety store
A shop that sells a myriad of different items, especially those that are relatively inexpensive. I used to love weird little variety stores like this when I was a kid—there was always something interesting I could find.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Variety is the spice of life.
Prov. Cliché You should try many different kinds of experiences, because trying different things keeps life interesting. I know we usually spend our summer vacation camping out, but I think we should try something different this year. Variety is the spice of life.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
garden variety
Ordinary, common, as in I don't want anything special in a VCR-the garden variety will do. This term alludes to a common plant as opposed to a specially bred hybrid. [Colloquial; 1920]
variety is the spice of life
Diversity makes life interesting, as in Jim dates a different girl every week-variety is the spice of life, he claims. This phrase comes from William Cowper's poem, "The Task" (1785): "Variety is the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor."
variety store
A retail shop that carries a large selection of usually inexpensive merchandise, as in What this town needs is a good variety store. [Second half of 1700s]
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.
common-or-garden
BRITISH or garden-variety
AMERICANCOMMON You use common-or-garden to describe something of a very ordinary kind and with no special features. These are designer rain boots — not your common-or-garden wellies. He's just a common-or-garden petty criminal. The experiment itself is garden-variety science that normally would attract little public attention. Note: These expressions were originally used to describe the most ordinary variety of a species of plant.
variety is the spice of life
People say that variety is the spice of life, to mean that doing and seeing a lot of different things makes life more enjoyable and interesting. Families have discovered that variety is the spice of life and are switching to adventurous meals like curries, tacos and Chinese food. It is important to vary the training program so that boredom is avoided. Exercise should be fun and variety is the spice of life.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
variety is the spice of life
new and exciting experiences make life more interesting. This proverbial expression comes from William Cowper 's poem ‘The Task’ ( 1785 ): ‘Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour’.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
variety is the spice of ˈlife
(saying) a variety of different activities, interests, places or people in your life makes it more enjoyable: We never go on holiday to the same place twice. It’s good to see different things, and you know what they say — variety is the spice of life.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
Heinz 57 (variety)
(hɑɪnz...)1. n. a mongrel breed of dog. (From the trade name of a condiment company.) We have one pedigreed dog and one Heinz 57 variety.
2. n. any mixture or mixed variety; any composition variable or undetermined parts. Our old house was sort of Heinz 57. A little bit of a lot of styles.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
variety is the spice of life
Diversity keeps life interesting. This phrase comes from William Cowper’s poem “The Task” (1785): “Variety is the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour.” It became so well known that numerous writers punned on it: for example, “Variety is the spice of love” (Helen Rowland, Sayings of Mrs. Solomon, 1913), and “Variety is the vice of wives” (Phyllis McGinley, Much Ado about Nothing, 1940).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer