single
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a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
proverb A daunting task can usually be started by doing a simple thing. I'm feeling really overwhelmed about my research project, but I have to start somewhere, since a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Are you single?
Are you currently in a romantic relationship with anyone? A: "Are you single?" B: "No, I've been with my girlfriend for three years now." A: "Is Mary single?" B: "No, I actually think she's married."
at a (single) blow
All at once, with a single decisive or powerful action. When the economy crashed, thousands of people lost their jobs, their homes, and their pensions at a single blow. As the two leaders ratified the treaty, 10 years of civil war ended at a blow.
See also: blow
at a (single) stroke
All at once, with a single decisive or powerful action. When the economy crashed, thousands of people lost their jobs, their homes, and their pensions at a single stroke. As the two leaders ratified the treaty, 10 years of civil war ended at a stroke.
See also: stroke
each and every one
Each individual person or thing that comprises a group or whole. Used for emphasis. Did you pick up all of your toys—each and every one?
every single one
Every individual person or item within a group, without exception. This is going to be the hardest game we've played all year, so I need every single one of you giving it everything you've got! I can't believe it, every single one of these dishes has been broken!
in single file
In a line one person or one thing in width. The students lined up and walked in single file into the auditorium. Cyclists are reminded to please ride in single file on roads to avoid obstructing traffic.
of a single mind
In agreement. The two parties are rarely of a single mind when it comes to tax reform, but this bill looks like it has garnered some early bipartisan support.
of a single mind about (someone or something)
In agreement about someone or something. The two parties are rarely of a single mind about tax reform, but this bill looks like it has garnered some early bipartisan support.
of one mind
In agreement. The two parties are rarely of one mind when it comes to tax reform, but this bill looks like it has garnered some early bipartisan support.
single file
1. noun A line one person or one thing in width. A single file of geese—such an unusual flight pattern for the bird—crossed overhead as we traversed the field. I arranged all the figurines in a single file.
2. adverb In such a line. The students lined up and walked single file into the auditorium. Cyclists are reminded to please ride single file on roads to avoid obstructing traffic.
single out
To choose and focus on a single person or thing out of a group of others. A noun or pronoun can be used between "single" and "out." They singled out her project from all the other applicants for its creative and ingenious design. For some reason, the bullies keep singling me out to pick on each day.
single-minded
1. Very dedicated and unwavering. Once school starts, Lisa is usually single-minded in her pursuit of good grades.
2. Focused on only one thing. Once school starts, Lisa is usually driven by the single-minded pursuit of good grades.
Singles' Day
In China, a day for young people to celebrate being single. The celebration falls on 11/11, due to the number "one" suggesting being single. Some people, however, choose to celebrate their relationships on this day instead. It is also a major shopping day. All of my friends are single, too, so we're all going out to celebrate Singles' Day.
with a single voice
Unanimously; in total agreement or solidarity. Yes, the entire committee made that decision with a single voice. The only way we'll convince our senators to change the laws is if we all stand together and protest them with a single voice.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*in (a) single file
Fig. lined up, one behind the other; in a line, one person or one thing wide. (*Typically: be ~; get [into] ~; march ~; walk ~.) Have you ever seen ducks walking in single file? Please get into single file. Please march in single file.
of a single mind
(about someone or something) Go to of one mind (about someone or something).
of one mind (about someone or something)
and of a single mind (about someone or something)in agreement about someone or something. You will have to attend one of the state universities. Your father and I are of a single mind about this.
single file
a line of things or people, one person or one thing wide. (See also in single file.) Please get into single file. You have to march single file.
single someone or something out (for something)
to choose or pick someone or something for something; to select an eligible person or thing for something. The committee singled her out for a special award. We singled out Liz for special honors.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
each and every one
Also, every last one; every single one. Every individual in a group, as in Each and every student must register by tomorrow, or I've graded every last one of the exams, or Every single one of his answers was wrong. All of these phrases are generally used for emphasis. The first, although seemingly redundant, has replaced all and every, first recorded in 1502. The first variant dates from the late 1800s, and both it and the second are widely used. Also see every tom, dick, and harry. Every mother's son (late 1500s) and every man Jack (mid-1800s) are earlier versions that refer only to males.
single file, in
Also, in Indian file. Aligned one behind the other, as in We have to bike in single file here, or The children were told to march in Indian file. Both usages are associated with military formations; the first term was first recorded in 1670; the variant, alluding to the usual marching order of Native Americans, was first recorded in 1758.
See also: single
single out
Choose or distinguish from others, as in We singled him out from all the other applicants. This idiom was first recorded in 1629.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
(in) single/Indian ˈfile
in a line, one person after another: The whole class walked along behind the teacher in single file.When American Indians walked in a group, each person walked in the footsteps of the person in front so that they could not be counted by the enemy.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
single out
v.
To choose or distinguish someone or something from others: We singled her out from the list of applicants because she had a college degree. Unable to determine who had committed the offense, the teacher singled out the most mischievous student for punishment.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
single
1. n. one dollar; a dollar bill. I don’t have enough singles in the register to get me through the morning.
2. n. an unmarried person. (Usually plural.) I’m holding a little party for singles.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.