curse
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a tinker's curse
rude slang That which has little or no value. Fred doesn't give a tinker's curse about what anyone else thinks of him. I was so excited when my grandfather said he'd give me his car, but this old clunker isn't worth a tinker's curse.
See also: curse
commentator's curse
In sports, what is said to be responsible when something bad happens or an in-game mistake occurs after a commentator has praised a player or commented on an achievement in progress. How could that fool use the word "shutout" with 10 minutes left to go? No wonder the goalie gave up a goal—it's the commentator's curse! They single out his stellar play, and then he misses a big catch. Typical commentator's curse.
See also: curse
curse (someone or oneself) for (something)
1. To call evil upon one for something they have done. If he ever mistreats my daughter, I will certainly curse him for it.
2. To criticize oneself. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "curse" and "for." As I sat in the traffic jam, I cursed myself for not leaving the house earlier.
curse (someone or something) under (one's) breath
To say threatening, consternated, or disgruntled remarks (toward someone or something) in a very soft or indistinct voice, such that no one else can hear or understand them clearly. "You'll get what's coming to you one of these days," Janet cursed under her breath. Steven stormed off to his room, cursing his parents under his breath. My dad spent nearly an hour trying to fix the engine on the side of the road, cursing the broken-down truck under his breath the whole time.
curse (someone) under (one's) breath
To murmur something in such a soft, quiet voice that others cannot hear it distinctly. (Said especially of rude, unpleasant, complaining, or impertinent remarks.) I could hear Bill cursing the boss under his breath as he walked back to his desk after his annual review. If you curse under your breath around me again, I'll tan your hide so quick it will smart for a week!
curse a blue streak
To use profane language with great rapidity and intensity. My dad cursed a blue streak after he found out I'd put a dent in his car.
curse at (someone or something)
To use profane language when speaking to someone or something. I cursed at the driver that nearly backed into my car. My dad cursed at the TV when his favorite team allowed a goal in overtime.
See also: curse
curse like a sailor
To use profanities or vulgar language very freely or frequently. (An allusion to the rough language presumed to be used by navy personnel.) My little sister has been cursing like a sailor ever since she started college. My granny is the sweetest old lady you'll ever meet, but she curses like a sailor when she gets to talking about someone or something she doesn't like.
curse like a trooper
To use profanities or vulgar language very freely or frequently. (An allusion to the rough language presumed to be used by military personnel.) My granny is the sweetest old lady you'll ever meet, but she curses like a trooper when she gets to talking about someone or something she doesn't like. My little sister has been cursing like a trooper ever since she started college.
curse out
To use profane or vulgar language toward someone as a reprimand or verbal attack. A noun or pronoun can be used between "curse" and "out." I started cursing out the driver that nearly backed into my car. The coach cursed me out for fumbling the ball.
curse the day (one) was born
1. Of oneself, to regret having ever existed, as due to some extreme suffering one is or will be experiencing. Basic training in the military is so hard that you'll often find yourself cursing the day you were born. She was so embarrassed by the event that she cursed the day she was born.
2. To detest someone to such a degree as to wish they had never existed. You're just a horrible, selfish pig, and I curse the day you were born!
curse with (something)
1. To call evil upon one. A noun or pronoun can be used between "curse" and "with." I cursed him with every illness I could think of when I heard how he had mistreated my daughter.
2. To have a particular problem or affliction. A noun or pronoun can be used between "curse" and "with." I've been cursed with an excellent memory because I can remember every insult or wrong that has ever been done to me.
See also: curse
curses, like chickens, come home to roost
proverb
1. Bad things might happen to you if you wish for bad things to happen to others. I know you're angry, but I'd be careful before you lash out at her—you know that curses, like chickens, come home to roost.
2. One's previous misdeeds will eventually have consequences or cause problems for them. You may not be bothered keeping up with the coursework now, but you'll regret it when the final exam comes around. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost. Of course Al doesn't trust you after what you did! Curses, like chickens, come home to roost, my friend.
not give a tinker's curse
slang To not care about, or have any interest in, someone or something. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Fred does not give a tinker's curse about what anyone else thinks of him.
not worth a tinker's curse
Completely worthless or useless; having little or no value. I was so excited when my grandfather said he'd give me his car, but this old clunker isn't worth a tinker's curse. Over the years working here, I've come to realize that the boss's word isn't worth a tinker's curse.
the curse
euphemism A menstrual period. Sorry, I don't think I'm going to come swimming. I got the curse yesterday. I get really bad cramps whenever the curse strikes.
See also: curse
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
curse at someone or something
to swear at someone or something; to use foul language at someone or something. He cursed at the jammed toaster and pounded his fist on the counter in anger. Please don't curse at me.
See also: curse
curse someone for something
to damn someone for doing something; to invoke evil upon someone for doing something. She cursed her mother for ever having borne her. Over and over, she cursed herself for ever having come there.
curse someone or something with something
1. to damn someone or something with something, especially a verbal curse. She cursed him with the fervent wish that he rot in hell. She cursed the day he was born with an unprintable oath.
2. to afflict or oppress someone or something with something. His upbringing cursed him with a strong sense of guilt. The political scandal cursed the town with a dismal reputation for years.
See also: curse
*under one's breath
Fig. [spoken] so softly that almost no one can hear it. (*Typically: curse ~; curse some-one or something ~; mutter ~; mutter something ~; say something ~.) John was muttering something under his breath, and I don't think it was very pleasant. I'm glad he said it under his breath. If he had said it out loud, it would have caused an argument.
See also: breath
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
not give (or care) a tinker's curse (or cuss or damn)
not care at all. informalIn former times, tinkers (itinerant menders of pots, pans, and other metal utensils) had a reputation for using bad language. The expression is often shortened to not give a tinker's .
1984 Patrick O'Brian The Far Side of the World When I was a squeaker nobody gave a tinker's curse whether my daily workings were right or wrong.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
the curse
n. the menses. The curse struck this morning.
See also: curse
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.