thy
Also found in: Dictionary, Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
(something), thy name is (someone or something)
A phrase used to show how much a specific characteristic is embodied or displayed by someone or something. Derived from a line in Shakespeare's Hamlet, "Frailty, thy name is woman!" Gah, I just hate that guy. Arrogance, thy name is Daniel! A: "I feel like social media has been one of the biggest catalysts of social disintegration." B: "I hear you. Evil, thy name is SpaceBook!" Honey, can you please help your old Grandma here with her phone? When you're over 70, frustration, thy name is technology!
beggar thy neighbor
Referring to an economic policy that seeks to improve domestic economic conditions at the expense of other countries. Hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. Yes, but putting these high tariffs on imports would only address our country's economic depression in a beggar-thy-neighbor sort of way. If other countries adopt similar beggar-thy-neighbor policies, couldn't that trigger a global economic depression? Clearly, they don't care one bit about how we're impacted by these beggar-thy-neighbor tariffs!
bird in (one's) bosom
obsolete An oath of faith, servitude, piety, or conscience that is kept guarded in one's heart, mind, and spirit. Truly, my lord, I am at your service and loyal to your name, and I shall guard the bird in my bosom till my last breath. No, Elizabeth would never betray me like that—she has always protected the bird in her bosom. Anyone involved with the king must guard the bird in their bosom. If they fail to, and the king is not in a forgiving mood, they are liable to be killed.
company manners
Exceptional manners; those that are preferred or required in and among polite society. One must at all times exhibit company manners if one is to make a good impression among the more influential members of society. Company manners dictate that a thank you card is to always be sent promptly after a gift has been received. Remember, company manners. So stop discussing personal problems in public.
kingdom come
1. The end of time. Although you don't have to pay for medical care in this country, you'll sometimes be waiting until kingdom come to receive elective treatment. My wife and her sister will talk on the phone until kingdom come if nothing interrupts them!
2. Heaven; the afterlife. The phrase is taken from the Lord's Prayer; often used humorously. You all need to be very careful not to blow us to kingdom come while doing this experiment in the lab.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
company manners
One's best behavior, as in George never interrupts when we have guests; he has fine company manners. This term employs company in the sense of "guests." An older variant, Tell me thy company and I'll tell thee thy manners, uses company in the sense of "companions." The current term implies that one is more mindful of politeness with invited guests.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.