oak

Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

heart of oak

A trait said to belong to a very emotionally and/or mentally strong person. I don't know how a soldier does it—they must have a heart of oak. My brother has a heart of oak and has remained totally calm while coping with his wife's sudden illness.

all oak and iron bound

In good health. Yes, I was sick a few weeks ago, but I'm all oak and iron bound now.

sound as a barrel

In good health. Yes, I was sick a few weeks ago, but I'm as sound as a barrel now.

mighty oaks from little acorns grow

Large and powerful things once were very small and insignificant. It's hard to believe that her successful clothing line was once a small business run from her tiny studio apartment. Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.

See also: acorn, grow, little, mighty, oak

great oaks from little acorns grow

See also: acorn, great, grow, little, oak

little strokes fell great oaks

Large, seemingly impossible tasks can be completed or accomplished through small, steady efforts. A: "This lawsuit is so huge, I just don't see how we'll be able to get through it!" B: "We just take it one step and one day at a time, taking care of what we can, when we can—remember, little strokes fell great oaks." I thought I'd never be able to pay off my student loans, but little strokes fell great oaks, and after 20 years, I'm finally debt free.

See also: fell, great, little, oak, stroke

a reed before the wind lives on(, while mighty oaks do fall)

Those who remain flexible and adaptable will be able to survive change, hardship, or adversity more easily than those who try to challenge or stand against it. The CEO doesn't tolerate people who won't go along with his ideas or change to meet his demands. A reed before the wind lives on, at least when you're working at this company. Luckily, I had diversified a lot of my revenue streams before the economic crash hit, so I was able to change tack and withstand the blow better than the large companies that had no room to maneuver. A reed before the wind lives on, while mighty oaks to fall.

See also: before, lives, mighty, oak, reed, while, wind

all oak and iron bound and *sound as a barrel

Rur. in good health; feeling good. (*Also: as ~.) Tom: How are you today? Bill: All oak and iron bound, thank you. Jane made a wonderful recovery from her surgery, and now she's as sound as a barrel.

See also: all, and, barrel, bound, iron, oak

Great oaks from little acorns grow, and Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.

Prov. Immense things can come from small sources. Don't tell lies, not even small ones. Great oaks from little acorns grow.

See also: acorn, and, great, little, mighty, oak

Little strokes fell great oaks.

Prov. You can complete a large, intimidating task by steadily doing small parts of it. Jill: How can I possibly write a fifty-page report in two months? Jane: Just write a little bit every day. Little strokes fell great oaks.

See also: fell, great, little, oak, stroke

reed before the wind lives on, while mighty oaks do fall

Prov. An insignificant, flexible person is more likely not to get hurt in a crisis than a prominent or rigid person. Our office has new managers now; I plan to be as inconspicuous as possible while they reorganize everyone. A reed before the wind lives on, while mighty oaks do fall.

See also: before, fall, lives, mighty, oak, reed, while, wind

great oaks from little acorns grow

People say great oaks from little acorns grow when they want to say that large and successful things can begin in a small way. It is going to take at least five seasons before the new club can take its rightful place in the third division. Still, great oaks from little acorns grow. Note: Other adjectives can be used instead of great and little. Henry Ford did not start his operations by hiring 330,000 employees and opening hundreds of factories in his first year. Remember, mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow. Note: Acorns are the nuts that grow on oak trees.

See also: acorn, great, grow, little, oak

heart of oak

a courageous nature.

Literally, the heart is the solid central part of the oak tree traditionally used for timber for ships. The phrase was popularized by the words of an 18th-century song: ‘Heart of oak are our ships, Heart of oak are our men’.

great/tall ˌoaks from little acorns ˈgrow

(saying) large and successful organizations, businesses, etc. sometimes begin in a very small or modest way: Welcome to my new website! It may not look much at the moment, but great oaks from little acorns grow!

An oak is a large tree and the acorn is its fruit.

See also: acorn, great, grow, little, oak, tall

oak(s)

(oks)

mod. OK; satisfactory; worthy. (Prisons.) That dude’s oaks.

oak

verb

See oaks

References in classic literature ?

Carved oak is very pleasant to look at, and to have a little of, but it is no doubt somewhat depressing to live in, for those whose fancy does not lie that way.

No, what was sad in his case was that he, who didn't care for carved oak, should have his drawing-room panelled with it, while people who do care for it have to pay enormous prices to get it.

View in context

As Copley departed, happening to glance backward from the threshold, he beheld Drowne bending over the half-created shape, and stretching forth his arms as if he would have embraced and drawn it to his heart; while, had such a miracle been possible, his countenance expressed passion enough to communicate warmth and sensibility to the lifeless oak.

The face was still imperfect; but gradually, by a magic touch, intelligence and sensibility brightened through the features, with all the effect of light gleaming forth from within the solid oak. The face became alive.

A well-spring of inward wisdom gushed within me as I wrought upon the oak with my whole strength, and soul, and faith.

There was, in truth, an indefinable air and expression that might reasonably induce the query, Who and from what sphere this daughter of the oak should be?

But the aged, whose recollections dated as far back as witch times, shook their heads, and hinted that our forefathers would have thought it a pious deed to burn the daughter of the oak with fire.

View in context

This showed some intelligence in the oak; else how should it have known that any such person existed?

But after a while, Jason observed that the foliage of a great branch which stretched above his head had begun to rustle, as if the wind were stirring that one bough, while all the other boughs of the oak were at rest.

"And now," cried he, as he stood gazing at the calm, majestic face of the statue, "I must go to the Talking Oak and inquire what next to do."

"There is no need of that, Jason," said a voice which, though it was far lower, reminded him of the mighty tones of the great oak. "When you desire good advice, you can seek it of me."

Recovering a little from his surprise, Jason bethought himself that the image had been carved out of the wood of the Talking Oak, and that, therefore, it was really no great wonder, but on the contrary, the most natural thing in the world, that it should possess the faculty of speech.

View in context

His old woods' training was aroused, and he was keenly interested in everything in the moss on the trees and branches; in the bunches of mistletoe hanging in the oaks; in the nest of a wood-rat; in the water-cress growing in the sheltered eddies of the little stream; in the butterflies drifting through the rifted sunshine and shadow; in the blue jays that flashed in splashes of gorgeous color across the forest aisles; in the tiny birds, like wrens, that hopped among the bushes and imitated certain minor quail-calls; and in the crimson-crested woodpecker that ceased its knocking and cocked its head on one side to survey him.

View in context

That is to say, the road leads those to Greenton who succeed in passing the Oak Hill Cemetery.

View in context

The flat-topped, twisted little oaks threw light shadows on the grass.

View in context

Full browser ?

CITE

Site: Follow: Share:

Open / Close