[by fits and starts] or [jerks] {adv. phr.} With many stops and starts, a little now and a little more later; not all the time; irregularly. * /He had worked […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

if the shoe fits, wear it

[if the shoe fits, wear it] If what is said describes you, you are meant. - A proverb. * /I won't say who, but some children are always late. If […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

give fits

[give fits] {v. phr.} {informal} To upset; bother very much. * /Paul's higher grades give John fits./ * /The short guard gave his tall opponent fits./ Compare: [GIVE A HARD […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

shoe

[shoe] See: [COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE], [COMMON AS AN OLD SHOE], [FILL ONE'S SHOES], [IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT], [IN ONE'S SHOES], [SHAKE IN ONE'S SHOES], [SADDLE SHOE], […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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Chinese proverb

Beat your child once a day. If you don't know why, the child does.

to foul one's own nest

[to foul one's own nest] {v. phr.} To compromise unintentionally one's own interests by sharing private information […]

slap-head

[slap-head] {n.} {adj.} A bald man.

Generica

[Generica] Fast food joints, strip malls, sub-divisions as in "we were so lost in generica that I couldn't remember what city […]

[GJ] "Good job", often sarcastic

from rags to riches

[from rags to riches] {adv. phr.} Suddenly making a fortune; becoming rich overnight. * /The Smiths went from rags to riches […]

off the wall

[off the wall] {adj. phr.} Strange; out of the ordinary; stupid. * /He has been making off-the-wall remarks all day; […]

Derek Bok, president of Harvard University

If you think education is expensive--try ignorance.