a face that launched a thousand ships

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a face that launched a thousand ships

Incredible beauty. A reference to Helen of Troy, men's desire of whom is commonly ascribed as the cause of the Trojan War. Often used in parallel constructions describing an extreme quality in someone. When I looked in the mirror, I didn't see a face that launched a thousand ships. I just saw a tired old woman who had frittered her life away. If Helen of Troy had a face that launched a thousand ships, then William Shakespeare had a pen that launched a thousand English phrases. They say that Aunt Betty had a face that launched a thousand ships back in the day. I guess that's why she was married five times.

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References in periodicals archive ?

The role of the woman with "the face that launched a thousand ships" is inhabited by a beefy middle-aged man who plays three other characters as well--including one of Helen's would-be murderers.

A hunk

The face that launched a thousand ships acquires an engaging, intelligent and surprisingly guileless voice in George's sweeping novel.

George, Margaret. Helen of Troy

The face that launched a thousand ships -actress Diane Kruger who plays Helen in Troy

It's in the Cannes; The annual celebration of celluloid that is the Cannes Film Festival is in full swing in France. Red carpet highlight of the week was the premiere of the new sword and sandals epic Troy

Hers was the face that launched a thousand ships, but who could possibly be beautiful enough to play Helen Of Troy on the big screen?