chapter
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Related to chapter: Chapter 11
cite (something) chapter and verse
To recite all the facts or details of something. Likened to quoting scripture by citing the exact chapter and verse where it appears. Ask Stan if you need to be updated on the case—he can cite it chapter and verse.
be a chapter of accidents
To be characterized by multiple problems or mishaps. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Despite all of our planning, the birthday party was a chapter of accidents.
a chapter of accidents
A situation or series of events characterized by multiple problems or mishaps. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Despite all of our planning, the birthday party was a chapter of accidents.
chapter and verse
In thorough and exact detail. Likened to the ability to quote a passage of scripture by citing the exact chapter and verse where it appears. If you need to be updated on the case, ask Stan—he can cite it chapter and verse. I know the manual chapter and verse. Which part are you looking for?
give chapter and verse
To provide full, specific, and authoritative information to support some quote, question, or issue at hand. Can also be used with similar verbs such as "offer," "cite," quote," etc. It is a reference to quoting scripture. Don't try to debate Sarah about physics. She'll give chapter and verse until you realize she's right. You can't be so vague if you want to convince me. You'll have to give chapter and verse.
chapter and verse
Fig. very specifically detailed, in reference to sources of information. (A reference to the method of referring to biblical text.) He gave chapter and verse for his reasons for disputing that Shakespeare had written the play. The suspect gave chapter and verse of his associate's activities.
chapter and verse
The precise authority backing up a statement or view; established rules for or detailed information about something. For example, You can't withdraw a card after you've played it; I'll cite you the rules, chapter and verse . The term alludes to the chapter and verse of a quotation from the Bible, long regarded as an ultimate authority. [Early 1600s]
chapter and verse
If you give someone chapter and verse on a subject, you tell them all the details of it, without missing anything out. It gives chapter and verse on how to select a product. When we expressed doubts they handed us the proof, chapter and verse. Note: This expression refers to the practice of giving precise chapter and verse numbers when quoting passages from the Bible.
a chapter of accidents
BRITISH, FORMALIf you talk about a chapter of accidents, you mean a series of unlucky events. Luckily for him, few people were witness to this chapter of accidents. In fiction, however, such a chapter of accidents can end up seeming comic. Note: This expression has been used many times by various writers. One of the earliest uses is `the chapter of accidents is the longest chapter in the book', the book being the story of a person's life or a record of a particular event.
chapter and verse
an exact reference or authority.Chapter and verse was originally used to refer to the numbering of passages in the Bible. It is now also used more generally to refer to any (usually written) authority for something.
a chapter of accidents
a series of unfortunate events.This expression was apparently coined by Lord Chesterfield in a letter to Solomon Dayrolles in 1753 : ‘The chapter of knowledge is a very short, but the chapter of accidents is a very long one’.
ˌchapter and ˈverse
the exact details of something, especially the exact place where particular information may be found: I can’t give you chapter and verse, but I can tell you that the lines she quoted come from a Brecht play.This originally referred to books of the Bible, which are divided into chapters with numbered divisions called verses.a ˌchapter of ˈaccidents
a series of unlucky events or mistakes in a short period of time: The reorganization of the company has been a chapter of accidents!chapter and verse
mod. in the finest detail. (From the chapter and verse organization of the Bible.) He could recite the law concerning state-funded libraries, chapter and verse.
chapter and verse, cite/give
Back up a statement or belief by citing the precise authority on which it is based. The chapter and verse refer to the Bible, which was long considered the ultimate authority, and was (and is) frequently quoted by the clergy with precise attribution to the exact chapter and verse. The figurative use, referring to any established set of rules, dates from the seventeenth century and was long very common, but is heard less often today.