[misfire] {v.} To fail to appeal; fall flat. * /The standup comic's jokes misfired with the audience./ Compare: [GO OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

trial balloon

[trial balloon] {n.} A hint about a plan of action that is given out to find out what people will say. * /John mentioned the class presidency to Bill as […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

lead the way

[lead the way] {v. phr.} To go before and show how to go somewhere; guide. * /The boys need someone to lead the way on their hike./ * /The men […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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Charles F. Kettering

(1876-1958) U.S. inventorindustrialist You can be sincere and still be stupid.

rgr

[rgr] "Roger" aka "affirmative" or "10-4", radio talk; "Roger that", meaning "message acknowledged".

banana oil

[banana oil] {n.}, {slang} Flattery that is an obvious exaggeration; statements that are obviously made with an ulterior […]

over the top

[over the top] {adv. phr.} 1. Out of the trenches and against the enemy. * /The plan was to spend the night in the trenches […]

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 […]