special


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Related to special: Special Olympics

be nothing special

To be not particularly wonderful, remarkable, beautiful, great, etc. A: "How's your sandwich?" B: "Eh, it's nothing special." I don't know why everyone is so enamored of this actress; she's nothing special, in my opinion.
See also: nothing, special

nothing special

Nothing exceptional or particularly wonderful, remarkable, beautiful, great, etc. I don't know why everyone is so enamored of this actress—she's nothing special, in my opinion. A: "What are you doing for your birthday?" B: "Nothing special. We'll probably just stay in."
See also: nothing, special

special delivery

1. A postal service by which letters or packages are delivered outside of the scheduled mail delivery times for an extra fee. I sent that parcel by special delivery so that you would get it in time for your birthday.
2. A phrase said humorously when giving something to someone, especially if the item is unappealing. A: "Special delivery: here's the report you need to work on!" B: "Gee, thanks."
See also: delivery, special

special measures

1. A designation given to a public establishment, such as a school or hospital, that is in need of improvement. Often used in the phrase "in special measures." Primarily heard in UK. My son's school is currently in special measures, so he's transferring to a different one next year.
2. Steps that must be taken, however unusual or extreme, to bring about some outcome. Oh, I will take special measures to ensure that the neighbors' dog stops barking, even if I have to buy him a muzzle myself! Don't worry, we took special measures to make sure that nobody finds us in here—we have furniture blocking all the doors.
See also: measure, special

special needs

Pertaining to one who has a mental or physical disability. I teach special needs kids, and I love it.
See also: needs, special

(special) snowflake

A derisive term for a person (often a young person) who acts or is judged to act entitled to special treatment or opportunities. Generations of students before you have read this book with no gripes about its content, and you will too—you're not special snowflakes.
See also: snowflake

Saturday night special

a small, easily obtainable pistol. There was another killing last night with a Saturday night special. That's the tenth shooting done with a Saturday night special this week.
See also: night, Saturday, special

King Kong pills

and King Kong specials
n. barbiturates. (see also gorilla biscuits.) Watch out for those King Kong pills. She’s a bit numb from “King Kong specials.”
See also: king, Kong, pill

King Kong specials

verb
See King Kong pills
See also: king, Kong, special

Saturday night special

n. a small, easily obtainable pistol. There was another killing last night with a Saturday night special.
See also: night, Saturday, special
References in periodicals archive ?
The need to conduct a dress rehearsal proves fundamental to special event preparations.
International special events
Although we have a reputation for explosive offense, we preach defense and special teams.
Winning with special teams
The Short History of Special Education Data Management
Solutions in special education: smart districts use tech-based approaches to keep special education requirements from draining staff and budgets
the case is assigned may adopt the Special Trial Judge's report or may modify it or may reject it in whole or in part, or may direct the filing of additional briefs or may receive further evidence or may direct oral argument, or may recommit the report with instructions.
Tax court may not exclude special trial judge report from record on appeal
One-hour educational special featuring BSE and animal nutrition experts, with additional ones planned
Ag media covers all the bases of BSE crisis
Under the 2-year-old No Child Left Behind Act, special education students are required to take the same tests as part of an overall goal to have all students pass standardized tests by the 2013-14 school year.
STUDENT-TESTING VARIANCE SOUGHT
One out of every nine children under 18 in the United States receives special education services.
Fulfilling special needs: insurers are playing a critical role in helping families with children with special needs meet the emotional and financially challenging task of planning for the future
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AS AN INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Introduction
Because many will be interacting with residents and all will be working with staff, candidates with special needs are interviewed and assessed to see if they can successfully participate.
Our special volunteers. (Not-for-Profit Report)
Soon, however, Callaway decided that the special reports were cannibalizing his newsletter subscriptions.
Can you sell more than one product in your offer? (DM Notebook)
All other categories of special education combined.
Special education confidential: how schools use the "learning disability" label to cover up their failures
They helped officially announce that the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in Anchorage, Alaska, March 4-11.
Amazing Athletes
Twenty five years after the passage of the nation's special ed law, the Individuals with Disabilites Education Act (IDEA), the real scandal is not simply that we spend too much to educate handicapped kids.
The Scandal of Special Ed
On February 10, voters went to the polls in a special election to determine whether to retain the nondiscrimination protections passed by the legislature last year.
Are we really asking for special rights?
clarify the conditions under which the special valuation rules may be used (including on corrected Forms W-2 and 1099); and
New fringe benefit regulations make useful changes to car and plane valuation rules
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