N
Idioms beginning with "N"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of N:
[not the only pebble on the beach] {n. phr.}
Not the only person to be considered; one of many.
George was acting pretty self-important and we finally had to tell him that he wasn't the only pebble on the beach.
Compare: [NOT THE ONLY FISH IN THE […]
[not the thing] {n. phr.}
Not the accepted form of action; something socially improper.
It is simply not the thing to wear blue jeans to the opera.
[not to get to first base] {v. phr.}
To fail to make initial progress; have no success at all.
I tried various ways to make Mary interested in me as a potential husband, but I couldn 't even get to first base.
[not to give one the time of day] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To dislike someone strongly enough so as to totally ignore him.
Sue wouldn't give Helen the time of day.
[not to give quarter] {v. phr.}
1. To be utterly unwilling to show mercy; not to allow a weaker or defeated party the chance to save themselves through escape.
* /The occupying foreign army gave no quarter — they took no prisoners, shot everyone, and […]
[not to know one from Adam] {v. phr.}
To not know a person; be unable to recognize someone.
I have no idea who that guy is that Jane just walked in with; I don't know him from Adam.
[not to know the first thing about] {v. phr.}
To be totally ignorant about a certain issue.
Al assured us that he didn't know the first thing about Mary's whereabouts.
[not to know what to make of] {v. phr.}
To be unable to decipher; be unable to identify; not know how to decide what something really is.
* /I got a mysterious letter asking me to meet Santa Claus at 6 P.M. at the supermarket. Is this a joke? I don't […]
[not to know whether one is coming or going] {v. phr.}
To be completely confused.
He was so perplexed he didn't know whether he was coming or going.
Compare: [AT SEA] (2).
[not to lift a finger] {v. phr.}
To not help in the slightest degree.
"My husband won't lift a finger to help me," she complained, "although we have 12 people coming for dinner."