[shut off] {v.} 1. To make (something like water or electricity) stop coming. * /Please shut off the hose before the grass gets too wet./ Compare: [TURN OFF]. 2. To […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

shut up

[shut up] {v.} 1. {informal} To stop talking. * /Little Ruthie told Father about his birthday surprise before Mother could shut her up./ - Often used as a command; usually […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

forty winks

[forty winks] {n. phr.}, {informal} A short period of sleep; a nap. * /When the truck driver felt sleepy, he stopped by the side of the road to catch forty […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

shut out

[shut out] {v.} 1. To prevent from coming in; block. * /During World War II, Malta managed to shut out most of the Italian and German bombers by throwing up […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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Kingsley Amis

(1922-1995) English author It is no wonder that people are so horrible when they start life as children.

hell and high water

[hell and high water] {n. phr.} Troubles or difficulties of any kind. * /After John's father died he went through hell and […]

put someone on

[put someone on] {v.} To play a joke on someone by saying or doing things that are only pretense; kid. * /When the voice on […]

Napoleon Bonaparte

You can stop while you are raising, but not when you are falling.

many hands make light work

[many hands make light work] If many people work together, even a hard job becomes easier. - A proverb. * /Come on boys, […]

up and at them

[up and at them] 1. {adv. phr.} Actively engaged in a task as if doing combat. * /"You want to know whether he will make a […]