Definition of more than someone can shake a stick at chiefly US, informal. : more than anyone can count : a lot She has more troubles than you can shake a stick at.
What does the phrase shake a stick at mean?
A large quantity, more than one can count, as in Our town has more banks than you can shake a stick at. This idiom presumably refers to brandishing a stick as a weapon, but the precise allusion is unclear. [
Where does the saying to shake a stick at come from?
Davy Crockett’s Tour to the North and Down East of 1835: “This was a temperance house, and there was nothing to treat a friend that was worth shaking a stick at”. A Book of Vagaries by James K Paulding of 1868: “The roistering barbecue fellow swore he was equal to any man you could shake a stick at”.
What does the phrase shake a stick at mean?
A large quantity, more than one can count, as in Our town has more banks than you can shake a stick at. This idiom presumably refers to brandishing a stick as a weapon, but the precise allusion is unclear. [
Where did the saying shake a leg come from?
The origins of the phrase shake a leg are murky, though there are claims that the term comes from the American Civil War, when after a battle, stretcher-bearers would violently jostle a leg or arm to see if they could elicit a response from a victim on the field and thereby ascertain if he were alive or dead.
What does nothing to sneeze at mean?
idiom. something that deserves serious attention, esp. an amount of money: An extra two thousand bucks a year is nothing to sneeze at.vor 7 Tagen
What does back in two shakes mean?
Definition of in two shakes informal. : very quickly or soon I’ll be ready to go in two shakes.
Where did the saying on the up and up come from?
The idiom on the up and up—whose exact origins are mysterious, though it dates from the late 19th century, is likely American, and appears to come from sports betting—means (1) open and honest, legitimate; and (2) on the rise.
Where did the saying by and by come from?
“By and by” is an American English adverbial phrase that means “soon” or “before long.” The etymology of “by and by” has its roots in Middle English, with the original “bi and bi” phrase meaning “one by one,” or “at once.” Today, “by and by” is a common phrase that means “in a short while.”
Where does well well well come from?
I humbly thank you; well, well, well . Show activity on this post. It’s from The Wizard of Oz (1039), when the Wicked Witch of the West corners Dorothy in her castle.
What does the phrase shake a stick at mean?
A large quantity, more than one can count, as in Our town has more banks than you can shake a stick at. This idiom presumably refers to brandishing a stick as a weapon, but the precise allusion is unclear. [
Where does the saying to shake a stick at come from?
Davy Crockett’s Tour to the North and Down East of 1835: “This was a temperance house, and there was nothing to treat a friend that was worth shaking a stick at”. A Book of Vagaries by James K Paulding of 1868: “The roistering barbecue fellow swore he was equal to any man you could shake a stick at”.
What is the meaning of in two shakes of a lamb’s tail?
Something that can be done in “two shakes of a lamb’s tail” can be done very quickly: “The repairman said he could fix our tire in two shakes of a lamb’s tail, and he was right: we were back on the road in ten minutes.”
What does shake a bone mean?
(idiomatic) Rattly, unsteady, rickety. adjective.
What does the phrase shake a leg mean?
idiom old-fashioned informal. used to tell someone to hurry or act more quickly: Come on, Nick, shake a leg or we’ll never be ready in time. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.vor 7 Tagen
What does it mean when someone says let play it by ear?
Definition of play it by ear : to do something without special preparation I don’t know how they’ll react to our proposal, so we’ll just have to play it by ear and hope for the best.
Was at pains meaning?
Definition of be at pains : to try hard (to do something) They were at pains to distance themselves from the scandal.
Is not to be sniffed at meaning?
To not be something that should be ignored, passed over, dismissed, or treated with disdain; to not be trivial or inconsequential.
What does three shakes of a lamb’s tail mean?
[old-fashioned, spoken] very soon or very quickly.
What does just my 2 cents worth mean?
Definition of two cents 1 or two cents’ worth : an opinion offered on a topic under discussion send your two cents’ worth to your senator. 2 : a sum or object of very small value : practically nothing said angrily that for two cents he’d punch your nose.
What does when two Sundays come together mean?
“When two Sundays come together/ meet” is used to talk about a situation that never occurs as two Sundays can never meet.
Where does not up to scratch come from?
This idiom originates from early boxing matches when the sport was not very popular. At this time, the referee would draw a line called the “scratch” in the centre of the ring. If a contestant was knocked down, he had to stand up and walk to the line within a certain time limit before the match could continue.
