Figuratively Speaking: Thesaurus of Expressions &Phrases - J. Ajlouny - E-Book

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Beschreibung

A figure of speech is an expression in which the words are used, but not in their literal sense, to create a more forceful or dramatic meaning. They are often in the form of metaphors, similes and hyperbole. “A fountain of knowledge,” is a good example. “Stretching the truth,” is another.


 


With Figuratively Speaking, we finally have a thesaurus to discover these phrases’ origins and the sources of their meanings. Categories include:


  • Attitudes

  • Body Types

  • Competition

  • Creature Comforts

  • Letting Loose

  • Ethics

  • Influence

  • Life, Health, & Death

  • Money

  • Personal Space

  • Personality Types

  • Speech

  • Thinking Power

  • Time

  • Trouble, Turmoil, & Commotion

  • The World of Work



Whether reading it for fun, researching phrases you use, or studying the symbolic foundations of our language, Figuratively Speaking is the resource you’ll reach for time and again.

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FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING

Thesaurus of Expressions & Phrases

Fresh Ink Group’s Collection of 7,500+ Figures of Speech,

Catchphrases, Idioms, and Colloquialisms

Sorted by Meaning & Context

Copyright © 2017, 2000

by J. Ajlouny

All rights reserved

Fresh Ink Group

An Imprint of:

The Fresh Ink Group, LLC

Box 931

Guntersville, AL 35976

Email: [email protected]

FreshInkGroup.com

Edition 1.0   2000

Edition 2.0   2017

Book design by Ann E. Stewart

Cover design by Stephen Geez

Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the Fresh Ink Group, LLC.

BISAC Subject Headings:

REF019000 REFERENCE / Quotations

LAN014000 LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Reference

REF022000 REFERENCE / Thesauri

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017917109

ISBN: 978-1947867-06-2 Paper-cover

ISBN: 978-1-396442-71-3 Hard Cover

ISBN: 978-1-396442-72-0 eBook Editions

Dedicated to everyone who has hadto do battle to safeguard a dream.

Contents

Summary of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Tutorial

i. Attitudes

ii. Body Types

iii. Competition

iv. Creature Comforts

v. Letting Loose

vi. Ethics or Lack Thereof

vii. Influence

viii. Life, Health And Death

ix. Mental States

x. Money

xi. Personal Space

xii. Personality Types

xiii. Speech

xiv. Thinking Power

xv. Time

xvi. Trouble, Turmoil and Commotion

xvii. The World of Work

About the Author

Topical Index

Summary of Contents

I ATTITUDES

Assist Someone On Their Way

Be Persistent and Determined

Move Cautiously Be Alert

Be Submissive to Someone

Make a Comeback

Mindful of Your Needs

Unmindful of Others

Positive Negatives

To Negate

To Dislike

Ignore a Wrongdoing

Humble Yourself

All About Laughter

It’s Not Funny

II BODY TYPES

Lean and Lithe People

Perfect People

Overweight People

Agile and Coordinated People

Awkward People

The Elderly

The Body Unbeautiful

III COMPETITION

Winning

In a Tie

Losing

Surrender

Defeated With Honor

Exceptionally Great

To Become Noticed

IV CREATURE COMFORTS

To Dine

Heavy Eater

Light Eater

To Bed/To Sleep

To Awake/To Arise

Toilet Time

Small Amounts

New Beginnings

Driving a Vehicle

Conserving Energy

V LETTING LOOSE

Carousing

On Drinkers and Drinking

Paying the Piper

VI ETHICS OR LACK THEREOF

Concealing Information

Revealing Information

Avoid Detection,

To Be Good

Doing the Job Right

Doing the Job Poorly

VII INFLUENCE

Gentle Persuasion

Forceful Persuasion

Dote on Someone

Demean Someone

Reprimand Someone Gently

Reprimand Someone Firmly

Reprimand Someone Severely

Admonish Someone Angrily

Warm Up to Someone

Treat Someone Special

Treat Someone Coldly

Be Critical of Someone

Negotiate for Agreement

Express Yourself Openly

Increasing Romantic Interest

VIII LIFE, HEALTH, AND DEATH

Receiving Unearned Good Fortune

Sick

Touching Departures

Close To Leaving

Reflections on the Past

IX MENTAL STATES

Eager/Anxious

Very Nervous/Over-Anxious

Tired/ Fatigued

Energetic

Happy and Content

Sad and Depressed

Become Rejuvenated

Worried About the Outcome

To Worry Excessively

Reacting To Misfortune

Reacting Positively to Misfortune

Try to Forget An Unhappy Incident

Frightened

X MONEY

Financially Independent

In the Middle Financially

Financially Embarrassed

Greedy

Make A Profit

Failed Investment

XI PERSONAL SPACE

To Come/To Arrive

To Go/To Leave

Close Encounters

Rushing a Relationship

Become Curious About Another’s Affairs

Become A Nuisance

XII PERSONALITY TYPES

A Sad Person

A Happy Person

A Generous Person

A Selfish Person

A Spendthrift

Ordinary People

Rich People

Poor People

A Super Person

A Boring Person

An Unpleasant Person

An Untrustworthy Person

Pompous People

An Annoying Person

An Overly-Ambitious Person

Cheaters and Deceivers

An Unsophisticated Person

A Withdrawn Person

An Immodest Person

A Cool Headed Person

A Hot Headed Person

A Person Who Loses Composure

A Person Who Regains Composure

A Recognition Seeker

A Stubborn Person

XIII SPEECH

The Incessant Talker

Idle Talk

The Straight Talker

The Smooth Talker

The Disquieting Talker

Meaningful Conversation

Less Than Forthright* Lies Lies and More Lies

Words of Romance

XIV THINKING POWER

Brainy People

Understand/Comprehend

Having Difficulty Solving a Problem

Ways of Imparting Knowledge

The Thought Process

Cautious

Give It Some Thought

Not Very Bright

Absolute/Final Judgment

XV TIME

Considering Time

Waiting

Close

Very Close

Quick Lasts a Long Time

Final Finishes

Remain

Giving Someone Greater Independence

Possibilities

XVI TROUBLE, TURMOIL AND COMMOTION

Physical Dispute

Avoid Confrontation

Asking For Trouble

In Trouble

Escape/Avoid Disaster

Things That Can Happen to Your Plans

Completely Destroyed

Diminish An Inflated Ego

Astound Someone

Challenge/Compete

Not as Planned

Badly Defeated

Revenge Is Sweet

Unfriendly Relations

Make A Mistake

Heading For Trouble

Running Afoul of the Law

Reckless

Return Bloody But Unbowed

Paying the Price For Wrongdoing

XVII THE WORLD OF WORK

Occupations

The Powers That Be

Employees

Inexperienced Worker

Seasoned Worker

Prior Experience

Agree With a Proposal

Disagree With a Proposal

Delay Action On a Proposal

Dismiss Someone

TOPICAL INDEX

Preface

There is a story, the truth of which I cannot guarantee, that has the great American novelist Henry James asking for his Roget’s Thesaurus from his death bed. He was apparently not convinced his doctor’s diagnosis was stated accurately. With infirm hands and a heavy heart he supposedly searched for a synonym for the word paralytic. No doubt his career as a writer convinced him of the inestimable value of a thesaurus. Can any writer believe less?

This thesaurus is a bit different than Roget’s but I doubt you’ll find it any less useful. Peter Mark Roget’s genius was that he was the first to see the utility of a reference book that listed words not by their definitions as in a dictionary, but by the context of their use. The object, he wrote in the preface to his seminal 1852 edition, was to “find the word or words (sic. for an idea) by which that idea may be most fitly and aptly expressed.” Considering the fact that his work enjoyed 28 editions during his lifetime (1779-1896), it’s clear he was on to something. The hundreds of editions, imitations and variations published since then attest to the lasting excellence of his original scheme. As a system of logically ordered categories it is brilliant. And to the delight of millions, it remains both useful and comprehensive.

In preparing this collection of expressions and phrases it was my intention to emulate Roget’s scheme, though I chose not to copy his categories. On the following pages you will find a Tutorial which explains how to use this work. It is my fervent hope you’ll find it helpful and practical. A reference work such as this should be viewed as a tool. It should be of great use to writers and public speakers. On the other hand, I hope the average citizen will find it useful too. Anybody who wishes to add a touch of the vernacular to their writing or speech will find plenty of suggestions here.

A figure of speech is an expression in which the words are used, not in their literal sense, to create a more forceful or dramatic meaning. They are often in the form of metaphors, similes and hyperbole. Metaphors, as you’ll likely recall, are figures of speech in which a word is transferred from the object it ordinarily designates to an object it may designate only by implicit comparison. “A fountain of knowledge,” is a good example. “Stretching the truth,” is another.

Similes are created when we use words that compare or describe two unlike things with the conjunctive “like” or “as”. “She barked like a dog” and “He was as happy as a pig in mud” are examples of simple similes. We use them all day long as figures of speech. Hyperbole is nothing but exaggeration, typically using colorful, over-the-top language. Of course most of the thousands of entries listed herein don’t neatly fit any of the above models. They are simply well worn idioms that have found a way into the most common version of the English language. The real chore was not in collecting them. To a logophile like myself, that’s the easy part. The chore was to find a system for classifying them so that the book is easy to use. I don’t profess to having found the key here. I’m no Roget; the categories are my own and seemed fitting when I came up with them. The fact that I changed them so frequently proves to me the job is probably not done. It’ll likely remain undone. I challenge the reader to take up the task and do me better.

For their assistance (and willingness to share the blame) I thank several faithful colleagues: Gwen Foss, my chief assistant; Angela Booterbaugh, her successor; Jim Blunt of ABC Editors for whipping it all into shape; and James Conlon for suggesting the idea in the first place. Without their help and support this book would never have seen the proverbial light of day. You see, the fact that I should use such a phrase in describing the chore this compilation entailed proves my point. Figures of speech are worthy of organizing because they are so widely used. Establishing a system of order that permits one to research them for the purpose of finding one’s intended meaning is a cause worth celebrating.

Introduction

This book would not exist if not for the fact that when people talk we like to use figures of speech. Plain old speech gets boring after a while, so folks like to spice up their conversation a bit by describing people, places and things in figurative, colorful language.

A figure of speech is an expression in which words are used, not in their literal sense, but to create a more forceful or dramatic image, as a metaphor, simile, or hyperbole.

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a term is transferred from the object it ordinarily designates to an object it may designate only by implicit comparison or analogy.

A simile is a figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, the comparison being made explicit typically by the use of the introductory ‘like’ or ‘as’.

Hyperbole is an exaggeration or extravagant statement used as a figure of speech.

And of course, a thesaurus is a book of selected words or concepts. In this book, the selection is of figures of speech and illustrative language used in common expressions and phrases.

Here is an example of some of the figures of speech you can expect to see in this thesaurus:

Mountains of information

(metaphor)

Stubborn as a mule

(simile)

Beats a story to death

(hyperbole)

Whenever you need to find an apt phrase to describe someone or something, consult this book; that is its purpose.

It is the fervent hope of the editor that this collection will find its way on to the crowded bookshelves of writers everywhere. For it is there that the fruits of every solemn researcher’s efforts can best be utilized, not for gathering dust, but for quick and handy reference.

Tutorial

You may be wondering how to go about using this book. There are several different ways you can approach it.

If you have plenty of time, you could read it from front to back just like any other book. If you don’t have the time or inclination to read the whole thing straight through, you can scan the contents and find a main topic that interests you, and turn to that section. If you’re extremely short on time, you can turn to the rear index and look up a specific topic that catches your eye, and turn to the page number listed.

There are 17 main topic headings divided into 177 specific topic listings.

The main topics are: Attitudes, Body Types, Competition, Creature Comforts, Drinking, Ethics or Lack Thereof, Influence, Life / Health / Death, Mental States, Money, Personal Space, Personality Types, Speech, Thinking, Power, Time, Trouble / Turmoil/Commotion, and The World of Work. To find page numbers for main topics, look on the Contents pages.

Some of the specific topics are: Lean and Lithe People, Perfect People, Fleshed Out People, Agile and Coordinated People, Awkward People, Old Folks, and The Body Beautiful. These all fall under the main topic of Body Types, which is section II.

For a complete list of the specific topic listings, turn to the Summary of Contents page or the topical index for an alphabetical arrangement.

HOW THE TOPIC PAGES ARE ARRANGED

The specific topic pages have been arranged for ease in reading and researching. Each specific topic is comprised of four sections. The first is the topic header in large capital letters. The second section lists some synonyms underneath a caption. The third section lists characteristics of the topic. The fourth section lists other descriptors. See partial example below.

A SAD PERSON

A SAD PERSON IS A:

Constant Complainer, Depressed Person, Down in the Dumps, Gloomy Gus, Kill-Joy, Merchant of Gloom

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• Anxiously awaits his doom

• Believes the world owes him a living

• Bemoans his fate

• Sings the blues

OR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS:

• Complaining

• Depressed

• Down in the dumps

• Malcontented

• Unhappy

The above example is only a partial sample of the specific topic but is enough to give you an idea of how the book is set up. This collection will make you chuckle, especially when you see a figure of speech somewhere which perfectly describes yourself or someone you know! Any time you need just the perfect phrase to describe someone or something, just reach for this book and you’re sure to find it.

IATTITUDES

ASSIST SOMEONE ON THEIR WAY

WHEN YOU ASSIST SOMEONE ON THEIR WAY, YOU ARE A:

Booster, Brother, Buddy, Cheerleader, Facilitator, Friend In Need, Good Samaritan, Helping Hand, Mentor, Promoter, Saint, Sister, Sponsor.

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• Check up on him

• Even the playing field for him

• Give him a boost

• Give him a hand

• Give him a hand up

• Give him a helping hand

• Give him a kind word

• Give him a leg up

• Give him a pat on the back

• Get in his comer

• Go to bat for him

• Grease the wheels for him

• Help him over the hurdles

• Lead the way

• Light the way

• Make the path smoother

• Offer your services

• Open doors for him

• Pave the way for him

• Point him in the right direction

• Point the way

• Promote his cause

• Pump him up

• Put in a good word

• Relax the rules

• Ride shotgun for him

• Run interference for him

• Share his load

• Smooth the way for him

• Speak in his behalf

• Stand behind him

• Stand by his side

• Step in the breach for him

• Stick up for him

• Take his side

• Take up for him

• Teach him the ropes

• Teach him the tricks of the trade

• Use your good offices to help

OR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS:

• An advocate

• An angel

• A blessing in disguise

BE PERSISTENT AND DETERMINED

WHEN YOU ARE PERSISTENT AND DETERMINED, YOU ARE A:

Bull Dog, Pillar Of Strength, Pit Bull, Rock Of Gibraltar.

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• Circle the wagons

• Cling to your position

• Dig your heels in

• Dig in for the long haul

• Don’t give ground

• Don’t take “no” for an answer

• Draw a line in the sand

• Grit your teeth

• Hang in there

• Hang on like a pit bull

• Hold the fort

• Plant both feet firmly on the ground

• Refuse to back off

• Stand your ground

• Stand pat

• Stand up for what you believe

• Stay in the fight

• Stay the course

• Stick it out

• Stick to your demands

• Stick to your guns

• Take a firm stand

• Take a hard line

• Try and try again

• Wage a constant battle

• Work at it day and night

OR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS:

• See it through to the end

• Set your jaw

• Immovable

• Unflinching

MOVE CAUTIOUSLY OR BE ALERT

WHEN YOU MOVE CAUTIOUSLY OR ARE ALERT, YOU ARE:

Keeping Your Guard Up, On The Lookout, Watching Your Back, Watching Your Step.

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• Avoid the pitfalls

• Be careful

• Cover your rear

• Don’t burn your bridges behind you

• Don’t get backed into a comer

• Ease your way along

• Exercise caution

• Feel your way along

• Have eyes in the back of your head

• Keep a weather-eye out

• Keep an ear to the ground

• Keep a finger on the pulse

• Keep a finger on the trigger

• Keep a hand on the hilt

• Keep your ears open

• Keep your ears tuned

• Keep your eyes peeled

• Keep your guard up

• Keep your options open

• Keep your pistol cocked

• Keep your powder dry

• Keep your wits about you

• Look before you leap

• Look over your shoulder

• Make sure the coast is clear

• On the lookout

• Play it close to the vest

• Put a finger in the wind

• Put a toe in the water

• Send up a trial balloon

• Sharpen your senses

• Size up the situation

• Sleep with one eye open

• Stay at the ready

• Stay awake

• Step lightly

• Take nothing for granted

• Taste before you swallow

• Test the waters

• Walk close to the wall

• Walk on eggs

• Walk on tippy-toes

• Walk softly and carry a big stick

• Watch your back

• Watch your step

OR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS:

• Hesitant

• Leary

• Non-trusting

• Reticent

• Skeptical

• Wary

BE SUBMISSIVE TO SOMEONE

WHEN YOU ARE BEING SUBMISSIVE TO SOMEONE, YOU AREA:

Beggar, Boot-Licker, Brown-Nose, Fall Guy, Foot Kisser, Lackey, Lamb, Mouse, Patsy, Plaything, Slave, Timid Soul, Whipping Boy, Wimp.

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• Act like a robot

• Be a mouse instead of a man

• Be a slave to his desires

• Be afraid to open your mouth

• Be at his beck and call

• Be constantly under his thumb

• Be pushed in the background Be teacher’s pet

• Bend over backwards to please him

• Bow and scrape before him

• Butter him up

• Carry his bags

• Cater to his every wish

• Come hat-in-hand

• Come to him on bended knee

• Cozy up to him

• Crawl to him

• Curry favor with him

• Doff your cap to him

• Eat dirt for him

• Eat humble pie for him

• Give up your self respect

• Go out of your way to please him

• Grovel before him

• Handle him with kid gloves

• Hang around him

• Hang on his every word

• Have his foot on your neck

• Have no mind of your own

• His wish is your command

• Humble yourself before him

• Jump when he snaps his fingers

• Kiss his ass

• Kiss his feet

• Kneel before him

• Kow-tow to him

• Lay out the red carpet for him

• Let him brow-beat you

• Let him buffalo you

• Let him bully you

• Let him push you around

• Let him put you down

• Let him run rough-shod over you

• Let him step on you

• Let him walk all over you

• Lick his boots

• Live under the lash

• Look up to him

• Never question his acts

• Place him on a pedestal

• Play up to him

• Play second fiddle to him

• Polish the apple

• Praise him to the sky

• Put up with his shenanigans

• Sacrifice yourself lfor his wants

• Shine his shoes

• Shine up to him

• Shrivel to his presence

• Stay under his thumb

• Step aside for him

• Submit to his whims

• Suck up to him

• Suffer his indignities

• Suffer in silence

• Surrender your pride

• Swallow your pride

• Take a back seat to him

• Take his guff

• Think he can do no wrong

• Tolerate his insults

• Treat him like a little tin god

• Treat him like royalty

• Wait on him hand and glove

OR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS:

• An apple polisher

• An errand-boy

• Second fiddle

MAKE A COMEBACK

WHEN YOU MAKE A COMEBACK, YOU:

Arise From The Ashes, Get A Fresh Start, Get Back On Your Horse, Pick Up The Pieces, Put The Past Behind You, Try Again.

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• Come up smelling roses

• Believe every knock is a boost

• Get it back on track

• Get it out of your system

• Know it’s an ill wind blows no good

• Learned from experience

• No sense beating a dead horse

• No sense crying over spilled milk

• Put the past behind you

• Put your nose to the grindstone

• Put your shoulder to the wheel

• That’s the way the ball bounces

• That’s the way the cookie crumbles

• Try and try again

• Used some elbow grease

• Used some street smarts

• Used the tricks of the trade

• Will get it right this time

OR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS:

• A comeback kid

• A go getter

• Older and wiser

MINDFUL OF YOUR NEEDS

WHEN YOU’RE MINDFUL OF YOUR OWN NEEDS, YOU:

Do What’s Best For You, Fare For Yourself, Look Out For Number One, Take A Back Seat To No One.

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• Call your own shots

• Chart your own course

• Cut the apron strings

• Decide for yourself

• Depend on yourself

• Do a solo act

• Do it your way

• Do what you see fit

• Figure it out for yourself

• Follow your instincts

• Lean on no one

• Listen to your conscience

• Make it on your own

• Make up your own mind

• Make your own bed and lie in it

• Make your own way

• Make your presence known

• Mind your own affairs

• Muddle through by yourself

• Paddle your own canoe

• Play second fiddle to no one

• Play your own hand

• Pull your own weight

• Pull yourself up by your bootstraps

• Put yourself first

• Rely on your own counsel

• Set your own agenda

• Stand on your own two feet

• Stand up for your rights

• Strike out on your own

• Throw away your crutch

• Tie your own shoes

• Write your own ticket

OR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS:

• Independent

• Proud

• Self serving Self aware

• Self serving

UNMINDFUL OF OTHERS

WHEN YOU ARE UNMINDFUL OF OTHERS, YOU:

Do Unto Others Before They Do Unto You, Get A Leg Up On Someone, Go For The Jugular, Look Out For Number One.

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• All’s fair in love and war

• Believe a good loser is a loser

• Believe God helps those who help themselves

• Get it while the getting is good

• Get there firstest with the mostest

• Every man for himself

• I’ve got my own problems

• Kill or be killed

• Let him shift for himself

• Let the devil take the hindmost

• Might makes right

• Never give a sucker an even break

• Nice guys finish last

• Nice guys never win

• No skin off my nose

• Shoot first and ask questions later

• Stick it to him

• That’s your problem

• To the victor belong the spoils

• What he doesn’t know won’t hurt

• Him

• What’s in it for me?

OR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS:

• A climber

• Neglectful

• Not your brother’s keeper selfish

POSITIVE NEGATIVES

WHEN YOU USE POSITIVE NEGATIVES, YOU:

Exaggerate, Use Sarcasm.

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• Absolutely not!

• Don’t even think it

• Get it out of your mind

• No not never

• No way—no how

• Not a Chinaman’s chance

• Not a snowball’s chance in hell

• Not by a long shot

• Not by the wildest flight of your imagination

• Not even close

• Not even if I could

• Not even in your dreams

• Not for all the money in the world

• Not for all the tea in China

• Not if he were the last man onearth

• Not of my life depended on it

• Not if you value your life

• Not for love or money

• Not in a million years

• Not in your lifetime

• Not in your wildest dreams

• Not now or ever

• Not on this planet

• Not on your life

• Not while I have anything to say about it

• Not while I’m alive.

• Not while there’s a breath of life in me.

• You can’t be serious

• You don’t have a prayer

• You have got to be kidding

• You’re jesting—I’m sure.

• You’re out of your mind

• You’re out of your tree!

OR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS:

• Being absurd

TO NEGATE

WHEN YOU NEGATE SOMETHING, YOU:

Cancel It, Give It Thumbs Down, Nix It, Oppose It, Rule It Out, Shoot It Down, Veto It.

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• Bad mouth it

• Blast it

• Blow it away

• Blow it out of the water

• Boo it

• Boot it out

• Bomb it

• Bury it

• Cancel it

• Cut it off

• Deny it

• File it in the circular file

• Flush it down the tube

• Give it short shrift

• Give it the axe

• Give it the kiss of death

• Ignore it

• Junk it

• Kick it out

• Kill it

• Laugh it out

• Pick it to pieces

• Pooh-pooh it

• Pull the plug on it

• Refuse it outright

• Reject it out of hand

• Scrap it

• Scratch it

• Scuttle it

• Shoot it full of holes

• Shut it down

• Sink it

• Skunk it

• Slough it off

• Submarine it

• Tear it to shreds

• Throw it on the scrap heap

• Toss it out

• Trash it

• Turn it down

OR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS:

• Giving it the boot

TO DISLIKE

WHEN YOU DISLIKE SOMETHING:

It Leaves You Cold, It’s Not Your Cup Of Tea, It’s Not Your Style, It Turns You Off.

AND CAN BE CHARACTERIZEDBY THE FOLLOWING:

• Disgusting

• Disturbs me

• Doesn’t cut it

• Doesn’t excite me

• Doesn’t suit me

• Doesn’t turn me on

• Get it out of my sight

• Gives me goose pimples

• I find it distasteful

• I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it

• It has a long way to go

• It’s a bummer

• It’s only so-so

• It’s the pits

• I’ve seen better

• Leaves a bad taste in my mouth

• Leaves a lot to be desired

• Makes me want to heave

• Makes my blood run cold

• Makes my skin crawl

• Neither here nor there

• Not earth-shaking