anyone

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anyone in their right mind

Anyone of a sound, rational mind. Usually used to set up a context in which any sane person would or could do, say, or think a certain thing. Anyone in their right mind can see that poverty affects the entire world.

anyone who is anybody

All the most famous or important people in society. Usually used to indicate something as being glamorous, trendy, or chic, which all such famous people have, do, or are attending. I hear that the gala in New York City is going to be a star-studded event. Anyone who is anybody will be there!

as far as the eye can see

Extending to the farthest possible point, as of that which one can see in the distance. Sometimes used hyperbolically, humorously, or sarcastically. I love this part of the country. The green hills stretch out as far as the eye can see. My father was always so proud of his little shop. When I was a boy, he'd take me to the roof and say, "One day all this will be yours, as far as the eye can see."

not say boo (to anyone)

1. To be particularly shy, diffident, or timid by nature. Primarily heard in US. My brother is a very sweet, warm-hearted man who wouldn't say boo to anyone. How can you suspect him of committing this crime?

2. To not say a word (to anyone); to keep quiet. Primarily heard in US. The neighbor's daughter is just the cutest little thing, but she wouldn't say boo the whole time we were there. I trust you didn't say boo to those coppers about the little side business we've been running here?

as far as (one) knows

As much as one knows about a certain situation and/or at a particular time. As far as I know, Scott is coming today. Has anyone else heard from him? Thanksgiving dinner has been pushed to 4:00, as far as we know. But I can call Carol and try to get an update, if that makes you feel better.

any (one) worth (one's) salt

A person who warrants respect in a certain field or area, typically because they do their job well. "Any" is typically followed by a particular profession or title. Any teacher worth his salt is able to inspire his students. Any doctor worth her salt is able to diagnose conditions accurately.

anyone I know?

Who? The phrase can be an innocent question or have a suggestive or coy undertone. A: "Some guys from class will be at the party tonight." B: "Oh really? Anyone I know?" A: "I hear you've begun dating again. Anyone I know?" B: "You know Stan and I are back together, stop pretending you don't."

be anybody's/anyone's guess

To be uncertain or unknown. Why dogs and cats hate each other is anybody's guess. No one has been able to determine why my daughter has been having nightmares—apparently, it's anybody's guess.

See also: guess

not give (one) the time of day

To completely ignore, disregard, or be unfriendly toward one. My colleagues wouldn't give me the time of day after they found out that my father had influenced the company's decision to hire me. Once he found such huge success, Tom won't give any of his old friends the time of day. That guy didn't give me the time of day back in high school, and now he won't stop calling me.

anyone would think (something)

It seems that something is true, even though it isn't. This phrase is usually used when someone is acting in a unusual manner. Why are you so nervous? Geez, anyone would think you'd never given a presentation before.

anyone's game

A game that anyone could potentially win (because neither person or side has an advantage). It's anyone's game—all we need is one goal to get the win!

be anyone's

To be promiscuous (and thus easily wooed by anyone). I'm not surprised he left the bar with that girl—he's anyone's these days.

anybody's/anyone's guess

Uncertain or unknown. Why dogs and cats hate each other is anybody's guess. No one has been able to determine why my daughter has been having nightmares—apparently, it's anybody's guess.

See also: guess

Tennis, anyone?

dated An expression of indifference to matters beyond or outside of one's own sphere of concerns. The phrase was popularized in plays in the early 20th century as a jab at the aristocracy and upper class who cared little or not at all for the problems afflicting those in social classes beneath them. Today, the phrase is used more commonly in article and book titles about tennis. Primarily heard in UK. Of course these working-class commoners want more from us, it's in their nature to have such notions of entitlement. Quite appalling really. Anywho, tennis, anyone?

so far as (one) knows

As much as one knows about a certain situation and/or at a particular time. So far as I know, Scott is coming today. Has anyone else heard from him? Thanksgiving dinner has been pushed to 4:00, so far as we know. But I can call Carol and try to get an update, if that makes you feel better.

a little (hard) work never killed anyone

Doing hard, arduous work won't have any ill effects on a person, and, in fact, it is often beneficial to them. I told Mrs. Smith that you would help clean out her attic, and I don't want to hear any complaints about it—a little work never killed anyone. I think it would be good for Sarah to get a job this summer. A little hard work never killed anyone, after all.

See also: anyone, killed, little, never, work

a little (hard) work never hurt anyone

Doing hard, arduous work won't have any ill effects on a person, and, in fact, it is often beneficial to them. I told Mrs. Smith that you would help clean out her attic, and I don't want to hear any complaints about it—a little work never hurt anyone. I think it would be good for Sarah to get a job this summer. A little hard work never hurt anyone, after all.

See also: anyone, hurt, little, never, work

it's anybody's/anyone's guess

It is uncertain or unknown. Why do dogs and cats hate each other? Well, it's anybody's guess. No one has been able to determine why my daughter has been having nightmares—apparently, it's anyone's guess.

See also: guess

Anyone I know?

and Anybody I know?

a coy way of asking who? Sally: Where were you last night? Jane: I had a date. Sally: Anyone I know? Bill: I've got a date for the formal next month. Henry: Anybody I know?

as far as anyone knows

and so far as anyone knows; to the best of one's knowledge

to the limits of anyone's knowledge. (The anyone can be replaced with a more specific noun or pronoun.) As far as anyone knows, this is the last of the great herds of buffalo. Far as I know, this is the best spot to sit. Q: Are the trains on time? A: To the best of my knowledge, all the trains are on time today.

little (hard) work never hurt anyone

and little (hard) work never killed anyone

Prov. One should expect to do hard or difficult work and not avoid doing it. Go help your father with the yard work. A little hard work never hurt anyone. Go ahead. Bring me some more bricks. A little work never killed anyone.

See also: anyone, hurt, little, never, work

not give anyone the time of day

Fig. to ignore someone (usually out of dislike). Mary won't speak to Sally. She won't give her the time of day. I couldn't get an appointment with Mr. Smith. He wouldn't even give me the time of day.

anyone's guess

Something that no one knows for sure, as in Will it rain next Sunday? That's anyone's guess. [Mid-1900s] Also see your guess is as good as mine.

See also: guess

be anybody's guess

be anyone's guess

If you say that something is anybody's guess or is anyone's guess, you mean that it is impossible to know what is true or what will happen. How she managed to stay there for an entire month was anybody's guess. How long the fuel would last was anyone's guess.

See also: guess

anyone's game

an evenly balanced contest.

be anyone's

(of a person) be open to sexual advances from anyone. informal

anyone's guess

a totally unpredictable matter. informal

1999 Jason Elliot An Unexpected Light The most likely scenario was a government alliance with the forces of the north, although it was anyone's guess how long such a Faustian pact might last.

See also: guess

ˈanybody’s/ˈanyone’s guess

(informal) nobody knows: Who will win the next game is anybody’s guess.

See also: guess

anyone would ˈthink (that)...

(also you would have ˈthought (that)...) (of somebody’s strange or surprising behaviour) if you did not know the truth, it would seem that...: Don’t be so nervous! Anyone would think you’d never been to a party before!

Tennis anyone?

A convention of British drawing room comedies and certain novels of the 1920s and '30s was a brainless but good-natured upper-class twit—think P.G. Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster—who would appear in white flannels (de rigeur for tennis in those days), brandish his racquet, and inquire among the other weekend house-party guests, “Anyone for tennis?” The phrase caught on, as such mindless clichés are wont to do, and decades of wannabe-clever young men on both sides of the Atlantic who felt obliged to say something—anything—would ask, “Tennis, anyone?” even if there weren't a court within miles . . . and then they wondered why no one laughed.