success

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

a recipe for (something)

Something, especially an activity, behavior, or method of doing something, that is very likely to cause the specified outcome. Studying all night and getting no sleep before your final exam is a recipe for disaster. Eating healthy food and exercising regularly is a recipe for longevity. My recipe for success is to keep a healthy balance between work, family life, and socializing with my friends.

at the summit of (one's) success

At the highest possible degree of success at a given point in time; in the most prosperous, prodigious, or prestigious position that can be achieved. The actress, who is at the summit of her success at the moment, is hoping to get involved in other fields of interest. The business is at the summit of success, supplying nearly every industrialized country at the moment.

be a howling success

To be extremely or triumphantly successful. For having such a limited budget, their play turned out to be a howling success. My business was a howling success in the 1980s and '90s, but the advent of the Internet rendered my services obsolete.

be a roaring success

To be extremely or triumphantly successful. For having such a limited budget, their play turned out to be a roaring success. My business was a roaring success in the 1980s and '90s, but the advent of the Internet rendered my services obsolete.

destined for (something)

Likely to do, receive, or become something in the future. We knew that Sean was destined for greatness the moment he stepped on the stage in his first play. If you didn't study for your exam, then you are destined for failure.

dress for success

To dress nicely, in the hope of inviting success in a particular area. I dressed for success in a suit and tie, but I don't think the recruiter was very impressed with me.

fail of success

To not reach a goal or accomplishment. I know you worked hard on the fundraiser, so I'm really sorry to hear that you failed of success. After not making the team last year, I'm really hoping I don't fail of success this time around.

failure teaches success

proverb Failure gives one the opportunity to learn and improve in a positive way. I know you're bummed that the experiment didn't work, but let's try again. Failure teaches success after all, and now we know what not to do. I'm a big believer that failure teaches success, so we can't give up now!

flirt with (someone or something)

1. To interact with someone in a way that shows romantic or sexual interest. I think Stacy's boyfriend was flirting with me at the bar. Should I tell her? After flirting with each other for months, Dan and Mary are finally going on a date.

2. To consider something, especially briefly or without earnestness. The business tycoon has flirted with running for public office for many years, but has yet to pursue it. I've been flirting with the idea of moving to Europe lately. I would need to save up a bit more money to make it happen, though.

3. To come very close to some outcome or result, often (though not always) a very bad one. The CEO has been flirting with disaster with her off-the-cuff comments to the press lately. The up-and-coming golf pro has flirted with success over the past few years, but he's yet to manage a major tour victory.

key to success

The most important determining factor needed to achieve or accomplish success. A possessive adjective can be used between "to" and "success." As in most things in life, the key to success is to have a diligent work ethic. We have secured an exclusive interview with the wealthy entrepreneur to find out the key to her success.

nothing succeeds like success

proverb Initial success provides the resources and fosters the circumstances for further success. After their surprise championship victory, the team was suddenly flooded with support from the state and went on to become a powerhouse in the region. Nothing succeeds like success, as they say.

See also: like, nothing, succeed, success

overnight success

Someone or something that rapidly becomes successful and famous. You might think I'm an overnight success, but I've actually been working in the fashion industry for the past 10 years. That actress rose to super-stardom after one starring movie role. Talk about an overnight success!

spell (something) for (someone or something)

1. Literally, to write or recite the letters in a word or name to help someone learn or understand it. I usually have to spell my name out for people because it's so unusual. I'm not sure I've heard that term before. Could you spell it for me?

2. To indicate, contribute to, or display signs of some outcome or status for a person, group, organization, country, etc. The sudden shortage of precious metals necessary to manufacture the computer chips spelled disaster for the fledgling tech company. The government is hoping that a massive reinvestment in the city's infrastructure will spell success for its economy.

success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone

Success is achieved through dedication and effort, not one's hopes, dreams, or wishful thinking. You need to work on your writing every single day if you really want to be a famous author because success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone.

success has many fathers, failure is an orphan

People are quick to associate themselves with successful ventures and distance themselves from failures. A: "All the people who were so excited about this project in the beginning now act like they've never even heard of it." B: "Well, success has many fathers, failure is an orphan."

the sweet smell of success

The euphoric feeling of being successful or victorious. We had the sweet smell of success in our nostrils, until a last-minute penalty snatched the victory from our fingertips. It seems like they've let the sweet smell of success cloud their judgment, as this latest business ventures is one of the most baffling in their entire history.

What price (something)?

A question indicating one's doubt that an achievement is or was worth the cost in terms of the problems it has led to or the sacrifices that it required. Most commonly seen in the phrase "What price fame?" When you have to have a security detail just to go to the grocery store, you have to ask: What price fame? What price wealth, when you sell out everything you believe in along the way?

key to success

Fig. the secret to someone's success. Bob said that the key to his success is working hard, being on time, and being extremely lucky.

Nothing succeeds like success.

Prov. If you have succeeded in the past, you will continue to be successful in the future. After Alan's brilliant courtroom victory, everyone wanted to be his client. Nothing succeeds like success.

See also: like, nothing, succeed, success

howling success

A tremendous triumph, as in Their first play was a howling success. This colloquial expression employs howling in the sense of "very pronounced" or "glaring," a usage dating from the mid-1800s.

nothing succeeds like success

success leads to opportunities for further and greater successes. proverb

See also: like, nothing, succeed, success

a recipe for diˈsaster, sucˈcess, etc.

a method or an idea that seems likely to have a particular result: That idea sounds like a recipe for disaster. ♢ What’s her recipe for success?

a ˌroaring sucˈcess

(informal) a very great success: The band was such a roaring success that they have been asked to stay for an extra week. ♢ His movies haven’t exactly been a roaring success, have they?

nothing sucˌceeds like sucˈcess

(saying) success encourages you and often leads to more success: The first task the students do should be one they are likely to do well. This is because nothing succeeds like success.

See also: like, nothing, succeed, success

the sweet smell of sucˈcess

(informal) the pleasant feeling of being successful