charm
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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!
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
work like a charm
be completely successful or effective.Charm here means a magic spell or lucky talisman.
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.
work like a charm
To function very well or have a very good effect or outcome.