alter

alter beyond (all) recognition

To change so much or so dramatically as to now be completely unfamiliar or unrecognizable. She had shown me some early drafts, but her final copy was really altered beyond all recognition. Please don't alter the room beyond recognition, OK? I'm just looking to refresh the space, not overhaul it. I started out vowing only to do fillers and other equally-minor procedures, but after several years of "tweaks," my face was altered beyond all recognition.

See also: alter, beyond, recognition

alter ego

1. Another name or identity that one assumes. He's a clean-cut accountant during the week, but on the weekend he indulges in hedonistic pursuits as his alter ego "Jack." Journalist Clark Kent is, of course, better known by his famous alter-ego, Superman. I had no idea John had this punk rock alter-ego, Johnny Bones! Is he really in a band?

2. A separate or different aspect or element of one's personality, identity, or psyche. For such a quiet woman, she has a rage and temper at times that is like some alter ego. I'm very shy in person, but, in my writing, a vivacious alter ego comes out to play. I'd never seen him lash out like that before—it's like he had an alter ego or something.

3. A close, inseparable friend of very similar attitudes and interests. My girlfriend and I are so similar, we are like each other's alter ego. I didn't think I would survive Liz's death. We'd met in second grade, so we'd been basically alter egos our whole lives. I have plenty of friends, but no one really gets me like Sophie does. She's like my alter ego.

4. A person who acts as a substitute for or copy of another person; a doppelgänger. Owing to failing health, the dictator has left his son to run the country for the past month, essentially operating as his alter ego. I'll be filling in for your teacher for the rest of the week. Just think of me as her alter ego! No one respects him because he thinks he's some bigshot when he's really just the boss's alter ego in her absence.

See also: alter, ego

alter kocker

A crotchety old man. From Yiddish; spelled in various ways, such as "alte kocker," "alte kacker," "alter kaker," and so on. Don't you listen to that schlemiel, sonny. He's nothing but an alter kocker! The man downstairs may seem like an alter kocker, but he's really very nice—he's actually helped me carry my groceries many times. Please don't take it personally—my husband can be such an alter kocker sometimes!

See also: alter

alter out of (all) recognition

To change so much or so dramatically as to now be completely unfamiliar or unrecognizable. She had shown me some early drafts, but her final copy was really altered out of recognition. Please don't alter the room out of all recognition, OK? I'm just looking to refresh the space, not overhaul it. I started out vowing only to do fillers and other equally-minor procedures, but after several years of "tweaks," my face was altered out of all recognition.

See also: alter, of, out, recognition

change beyond (all) recognition

To change so much or so dramatically as to now be completely unfamiliar or unrecognizable. I wouldn't have recognized her if she hadn't introduced herself—she's really changed beyond all recognition since we were kids!

See also: beyond, change, recognition

change out of (all) recognition

To change so much or so dramatically as to now be completely unfamiliar or unrecognizable. I wouldn't have recognized her if she hadn't introduced herself—she's really changed out of recognition since we were kids!

See also: change, of, out, recognition

circumstances alter cases

proverb Unique circumstances can spur unconventional action. I know offering such a big refund isn't protocol, but it's for the CEO's grandmother, and circumstances alter cases.

See also: alter, case, circumstance

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Circumstances alter cases.

Prov. In unusual situations, people are allowed to do unusual things. Cashier: I'm sorry, this store does not accept personal checks. Customer: But I need this medicine, and I don't have any cash. I've shopped at this store for fifteen years. Surely you can trust me this once. Cashier: Well, all right. Circumstances alter cases.

See also: alter, case, Circumstance

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

change, alter, etc. beyond/out of (all) recogˈnition

change, etc. such a lot that people do not recognize you, it, etc: I went back to Birmingham after 20 years and it had changed beyond all recognition. ♢ She had changed beyond all recognition since I last saw her.

See also: beyond, of, out, recognition

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017