alter

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."

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.

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.

4. A person who acts as a substitute for or copy of another person; a doppelgänger. Due to his increasingly failing health, the dictator's son has been running the country for the past month, essentially as his alter ego.

See also: alter, ego

circumstances alter cases

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

change beyond (all) recognition

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

See also: change, of, out, recognition

alter beyond (all) recognition

To change so much or so dramatically as to now be unfamiliar or unrecognizable. She had shown me some early drafts, but her final copy was really altered beyond all recognition.

See also: alter, beyond, recognition

alter out of (all) recognition

To change so much or so dramatically as to now be unfamiliar or unrecognizable. She had shown me some early drafts, but her final copy was really altered out of recognition.

See also: alter, of, out, recognition

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

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