charm
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charm (someone) with (something)
To enthrall and interest someone with something. During my visit this weekend, the school tried to charm me with activities and future internship opportunities, but I'm still just not interested in going there. She's no fool, so you'll have a hard time charming her with money alone.
See also: charm
charm the pants off (one)
To please and entice one, often in an attempt to yield a desired result. The school really tried to charm the pants off me during my visit this weekend, but I'm still not interested in going there.
devilish charm
A fiendish or roguish appeal. I'm not surprised by Maddie's new boyfriend—she'll pick the bad boy with devilish charm every single time.
See also: charm
third time's a charm
The belief or hope that the third attempt at something will be successful. Primarily heard in US. I hope the third time's a charm—I've already failed this test twice already!
third time's the charm
The belief or hope that the third attempt at something will be successful. I've already failed this test twice already, so hopefully the third time's the charm. A: "Try turning the generator on again." B: "OK, here we go. Third time's the charm!"
work like a charm
To work very well or be exceptionally effective. This new software works like a charm. I barely had to do anything and the image is perfect. I read about some negotiating techniques before the big budget meeting, and I have to say that they actually worked like a charm!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
charm someone with something
to enchant or fascinate someone with something. He charmed her with stories of his house on the beach. She charmed him with her bright smile.
See also: charm
charm the pants off someone
Fig. to use very charming behavior to persuade someone to do something. (Use with caution.) She is so nice. She just charms the pants off you. He will try to charm the pants off you, but you can still refuse to take the job if you don't want to do it.
third time's the charm
Prov. The third time you try to do something, it will work. Jill: I've called Miriam twice, but she doesn't answer her phone. Jane: Try again. The third time's the charm.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
charm the pants off
see under pants off.
pants off, the
This phrase is used to intensify the meaning of verbs such as bore or charm or kid or scare or talk . For example, That speech bored the pants off us, or It was a real tornado and scared the pants off me. Playwright Eugene O'Neill used it in Ah, Wilderness! (1933): "I tell you, you scared the pants off him," and Evelyn Waugh, in A Handful of Dust (1934), had a variation, "She bores my pants off." [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see bore to death; beat the pants off.
See also: pant
work like a charm
Function very well, have a good effect or outcome, as in That knife-sharpener works like a charm, or Her deferential manner worked like a charm; he agreed to everything they'd asked for. This expression uses charm in the sense of "a magic spell." [Mid-1800s] Also see work wonders.
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.
work like a charm
If something works like a charm, it is very successful or effective. Our little arrangement worked like a charm. The medicine worked like a charm and my life has greatly improved.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
work like a charm
be completely successful or effective.Charm here means a magic spell or lucky talisman.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
ˌwork like a ˈcharm
(informal) quickly have the effect you want; work like magic: I don’t know what she said to him, but it worked like a charm — he’s much more cooperative now.A charm is a small object that is believed to bring good luck, or words believed to have magic power.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
work like a charm
To function very well or have a very good effect or outcome.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.