oak

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.

See also: heart, oak, of

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.

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

sound as a barrel

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

See also: barrel, sound

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

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. 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’.

See also: heart, oak, of

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.

See also: oak

oak

verb

See oaks