[think out] {v.} 1. To find out or discover by thinking; study and understand. * /Andy thought out a way of climbing to the top of the pole./ Compare: [FIGURE […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

play the game

[play the game] {v. phr.}, {informal} To obey the rules; do right; act fairly. * /"That's not playing the game," we told him when he wanted to desert his wife./ […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

the idea

[the idea] or [the very idea] {n. phr.} - Used in exclamations to show that you do not like something. * /The idea! Thinking Mother was my sister!/ * /The […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

game at which two can play

[game at which two can play] {n. phr.} A plan, trick, or way of acting that both sides may use. * /Rough football is a game two can play./ * […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

Recent updates

act of God

[act of God] {n.} An occurrence (usually some sort of catastrophe) for which the people affected are not responsible; said of […]

shortchange

[shortchange] {v. phr.} To return less money to a customer in a store than is coming to him or her; cheat. * /I was […]

Addison Mizner

(1872-1933), The Cynic's Calendar, p. 1. God gives us relatives; thank God, we can choose our friends.

Leo J. Burke

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one.

BTDT

[BTDT] "Been there, done that"

beat one's brains out

[beat one's brains out] or [beat one's brains] {v. phr.}, {slang} To try very hard to understand or think out something […]

short shrift

[short shrift] {n.} Little or no attention. - Usually used with "get" or "give". * /In books about jobs, women's work is […]