beast

(that's) the nature of the beast

(That's) the basic, inherent quality or character of something. You get rich quick in the stock market or you can lose your shirt. That's the nature of the beast. Uncertainty in life is just the nature of the beast. You never know what's going to happen next.

See also: beast, nature, of

be (of) no use to man or beast

To be completely useless; to serve no purpose; to be unsuitable to anyone or anything. I admire the intelligence with which you argue your points, friend, but unless you're willing to put your words into action, I'm afraid your philosophizing is of no use to man or beast. After 20 years, my faithful old truck finally broke down for good. It's no use to man or beast anymore.

See also: beast, man, no, to, use

be no good to man or beast

To be completely useless; to serve no purpose; to be unsuitable to anyone or anything. I admire the intelligence with which you argue your points, friend, but unless you're willing to put your words into action, I'm afraid your philosophizing is no good to man or beast. After 20 years, my faithful old truck finally broke down for good. It's no good to man or beast anymore.

See also: beast, good, man, no, to

beast of burden

A domesticated animal used by humans to carry or pull heavy loads. Camels have been used by people as beasts of burden for thousands of years because of their size, strength, and ability to travel long distances with minimal need for food and water.

See also: beast, burden, of

beast with two backs

A couple engaged in sexual intercourse, referring to the exposure of each partner's back when embraced in the missionary or standing position. Usually used in the phrase "make the beast with two backs." I have my suspicions that, in secret, they are making the beast with two backs.

See also: back, beast, two

feed the beast

1. In politics, to fund or supplement governmental spending, especially through increased tax revenue. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. Politicians are always looking for new ways to feed the beast, but if we really want the economy to recover, we need to be cutting taxes across the board.

2. To devote or contribute an undue amount of resources, time, or energy to a self-perpetuating pursuit, situation, behavior, or desire. His addiction had become so severe that he sold everything he owned to keep feeding the beast. The country's leaders enlisted every able man to feed the beast of its war of expansion. We're brainwashed from a young age to continue feeding the beast of consumerism.

See also: beast, feed

king of (the) beasts

The lion, especially in cultural or artistic depictions. Engraved in striking marble, the king of beasts stands sentinel over this ancient arena. The king of the beasts is the symbol for the zodiac sign Leo.

See also: beast, king, of

make the beast with two backs

To engage in sexual intercourse with another person, referring to the exposure of each partner's back when embraced in the missionary or standing position. I have my suspicions that, in secret, they are making the beast with two backs.

See also: back, beast, make, two

the nature of the beast

The traits inherent to a thing or situation, especially a negative or difficult one. Unfortunately, exhaustion is just the nature of the beast when you're a new parent. Of course you're scared—that's just the nature of the beast when you make big changes in your life.

See also: beast, nature, of

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

no use, it's

1. It's impossible; it can't succeed. For example, It's no use; these pieces just don't fit. [c. 1800]

2. Also, it's no use to man or beast. It's worthless, it serves no purpose, as in This car is so old it's no use to man or beast. Also see have no use for.

See also: no

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.

no use to man or beast

or

no good to man or beast

LITERARY

If someone or something is no use to man or beast, they are completely useless. Much against his will, he took with him six complete beginners, of no use to man or beast. Note: This is part of the old saying, `When the wind is in the east, 'tis neither good for man nor beast.'

See also: beast, man, no, to, use

the nature of the beast

If you say that something is the nature of the beast, you mean that it is a part of the character of the person or thing that you are talking about and cannot be avoided. Negotiations always get tougher towards the end. That's the nature of the beast. If you play any sport at this level, you're going to get injured from time to time. That's just the nature of the beast. Note: If you say that someone knows the nature of the beast, you mean that they know or understand a particular person or thing very well. Having served as Secretary of State for Education in Edward Heath's government, she knew the nature of the beast.

See also: beast, nature, of

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

king of beasts

the lion.

See also: beast, king, of

the nature of the beast

the inherent or essential quality or character of something, which cannot be changed and must be accepted. informal

See also: beast, nature, of

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

be no good/use to ˈman or ˈbeast

(informal) be completely useless: Since the Chernobyl disaster the land round here has been no use to man or beast.

See also: beast, good, man, no, to, use

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

beast

1. n. an ugly person. That beast should give the monkey back its face before the poor creature bumps into something.

2. n. a crude, violent, or sexually aggressive male; an animal. Oh, Martin, you’re such a beast!

3. n. liquor. Pour me some more of that beast.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.