English Language

2021-11-05 11:29:02 a law unto themselves

Meaning
If somebody is a law unto themselves, they do things their own way and follow their own ideas about how to live instead of following what others do.

For example

Our boy Billy is a law unto himself. Of course he sometimes makes mistakes and gets into trouble, but we're proud of him because he doesn't just follow the herd.

Our boss does things a bit differently to most other managers, so it's no surprise that some people say he's a law unto himself.
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2021-11-05 11:29:02 Least said soonest mended

Possible meaning
When we do or say something bad to someone, a long apology and discussion does not help. In such a case, the less we say the bett

Note
least (adverb): to the smallest amount | mend (verb): repair; fix
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2021-11-04 11:29:02 lash out

Meaning
laboratory

For example

I'll see you in the science lab after lunch.

Have you got the results of those lab tests yet?

Origin
short for "laboratory"
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2021-11-04 11:29:02 lash out Synonym: hit out

Meaning
to verbally or physically attack someone or something

For example

lash out An angry politician lashed out in parliament today and tried to hit one of his colleagues.

lash out I told my wife I thought her new hairstyle wasn't as nice as her old one, and she lashed out and said I was ignorant and didn't know anything about style or fashion.
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2021-11-03 11:29:02 a kick in the teeth

Meaning
If you get a kick in the teeth, something bad happens to you or you feel that you've been treated poorly.

For example

I'd just lost my job, so hearing that I had to move out of my apartment as well was a real kick in the teeth.

Gerry said that being told to get out of his apartment was a kick in the teeth after spending so much on doing it up.
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2021-11-03 11:29:02 Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

Possible meaning
You'll be safer if you know more about your enemies than you know about your friends. Look after your enemies better than you look after your friends.
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2021-11-02 11:29:02 kerfuffle

Meaning
a noisy dispute, a commotion

For example

There was a kerfuffle at the club when the chairman decided to sack the manager. Lots of people were very angry.

A few of the protesters got cuts and bruises in the kerfuffle when the police tried to arrest them.
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2021-11-02 11:29:02 keep away

Meaning
If you keep something or someone away, you don't let the thing or the person come near.

For example

keep sth/sb away I visited my grandfather's fruit orchard and helped him make scarecrows to keep the birds away.

keep sth/sb away from sth If you bring your dogs to the farm, make sure you keep them away from the sheep.
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2021-11-01 11:29:02 a jam session

Meaning
If musicians play in a jam session, they play whatever they feel like playing in an informal setting.

For example

I have wonderful memories of joining in late-night jam sessions in New York jazz clubs with some really great musicians.

Why don't you come over on Sunday and have a jam session with me and the band?
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2021-11-01 11:29:02 Jack of all trades, master of none

Possible meaning
Suggesting that a person who can do many different types of work is probably not very good at any of them.
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