willing

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(the good) Lord willing and the creek don't rise

rural If all goes as it should; if everything goes well. We've had a lot of delays, but Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we should have the house finished before winter. A: "Do you reckon we'll have enough from this harvest to make ends meet?" B: "The good Lord willing and the creek don't rise." Lord willing and the creek don't rise, the event should go off without a hitch!

See also: and, creek, lord, rise, willing

Barkis is willin'

A phrase emphasizing one's availability or openness to a situation. It refers to Mr. Barkis, a character in Charles Dickens' novel David Copperfield, who used the phrase to express his interest in marriage. A: "Are you ready for the race today?" B: "Oh yeah! Barkis is willin'!" A: "Hey Callie, I'm looking for someone to go to the beach with me today. You interested?" B: "Yeah, sure, Barkis is willin'." Roast chicken for dinner? Sure, Barkis is willin', but you better check with Dan—I don't think he eats meat.

die on this hill

1. To pursue some issue or course of action with total and wholehearted conviction, despite the difficulty and potential consequences of doing so. It's clear that the governor's willing to die on this hill. I guess we'll see how voters feel about her tax hike during the next election. Look, having principles in business is important, but not if they're going to destroy your company. Don't die on this hill! A: "I don't want the people on the board to think I'm wishy-washy." B: "OK, but this particular issue is so trivial. Maybe don't die on this hill."

2. To defend or maintain some position or argument with total conviction, without concern as to whether or not one will be considered correct or change anyone else's opinion. Often used facetiously. I know I'm in the minority, but I'll die on this hill—the third film is the best in the entire series! You got into a fight with him over the correct way to organize utensils in the kitchen? You're really going to die on this hill? A: "Are you really defending the Oxford comma this passionately?" B: "Hello, I have two English degrees—I am definitely prepared to die on this hill!"

go to the ends of the earth

To do whatever is possible or necessary to achieve something or benefit someone. She went to the ends of the earth for this company, and they didn't even have the decency to give her a severance package when they let her go. That no-good cheat robbed me of my inheritance, and I'll go to the ends of the Earth to get it back. If your daughter finds out that you hate her boyfriend, she'll be even more driven to go to the ends of the Earth to be with him.

God willing

If all goes as it should; if everything goes well. We've had a lot of delays, but God willing, we should have the house finished before winter. A: "Do you reckon we'll have enough from this harvest to make ends meet?" B: "God willing." God willing the event should go off without a hitch!

See also: god, willing

God willing and the creek don't rise

If all goes as it should; if everything goes well. We've had a lot of delays, but God willing and the creek don't rise, we should have the house finished before winter. A: "Do you reckon we'll have enough from this harvest to make ends meet?" B: "God willing and the creek don't rise." God willing and the creek don't rise, the event should go off without a hitch!

See also: and, creek, god, rise, willing

ready and willing

Prepared and inclined to do something. We'll be there, ornaments in hand, ready and willing to help you decorate! If you're going to join this firm, you have to be ready and willing to work long hours and weekends.

ready, willing, and able

A phrase used to describe someone who is capable of and eager to do something. Our team is read, willing, and able, boss—we just need the order to start production. The senator has inspired a huge number of volunteers who are ready, willing, and able to campaign for her presidential election bid.

See also: able, and

show willing

To demonstrate a willingness or eagerness to do what is necessary. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. The Labour leader has been showing willing to work with opposition parties on a tax reform package for the country.

step in front of a moving train for (someone)

To readily sacrifice oneself to save or protect someone else. I would step in front of a moving train for my kids, but it's not an impulse you really understand until you're a parent. She's been my best friend for 30 years—of course I'd step in front of a moving train for her!

See also: for, front, moving, of, step, train

the spirit is willing, but the/(one's) body is weak

One has the desire or intention to change do something beneficial, but one lacks the resolve or motivation to do it. Every year I resolve to eat better and do more exercise; and every year, inevitably, the spirit is willing, but the body is weak. We all know someone who has the best intentions in the world to get their lives on the right track, whose spirit is willing, but their body is weak.

the spirit is willing, but the/(one's) flesh is weak

One has the desire or intention to change do something beneficial, but one lacks the resolve or motivation to do it. Every year I resolve to eat better and do more exercise; and every year, inevitably, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We all know someone who has the best intentions in the world to get their lives on the right track, whose spirit is willing, but their flesh is weak.

will away

1. To bequeath something (to someone else) in one's will. A noun or pronoun can be used between "will" and "away." I can't believe she willed away that beautiful painting to Cousin Adam. He doesn't even care about art! He had no children, so he willed his entire estate away to a local orphanage.

2. To cause for something to disappear, be removed, or no longer be a problem simply through one's intense desire or intentions. A noun or pronoun can be used between "will" and "away." I know it puts you under a lot of pressure, but you can't just will away your obligations, Stuart. Rather than face up to her mistakes, Sarah would rather hide and try to will them away.

will on

1. To urge, cause, or compel oneself to proceed with some action from one's sheer determination. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "will" and "on." I barely had any strength left in my legs, so I had to keep willing myself on to finish the race. We were so burnt out after the 80-hour work weeks, but we willed ourselves on because we knew that it had to be ready in time for the holiday season.

2. To use the intensity of one's desire or willpower to urge, cause, or compel someone or something to proceed or carry on. A noun or pronoun can used between "will" and "on." I was so tense watching my son compete in his first relay race. I just sat there willing him on the whole time. Everyone I know has been willing on the proposed legislation as it makes its way through Congress.

will to

1. To attempt to cause something to happen or someone to do something from the sheer power of one's thoughts, determination, or desire. A noun or pronoun is used between "will" and "to." He seems to be trying to will the population as a whole to accept electric cars as the new default. Lacking the means to effect any meaningful change ourselves, we've all been willing the upper management to reconsider the move, knowing that it will harm our jobs in the long run. I sat watching him read my proposal, willing him to say yes.

2. To bequeath something to someone in one's will. A noun or pronoun is used between "will" and "to." I was as shocked as everyone else to find out that my grandfather had willed the entire estate to me. We all thought it was a joke, but Mrs. Thompson had in fact willed all her possessions to her cats.

willing and able

A phrase used to describe someone who is ready or capable of doing something I think Nicky is finally willing and able to go back to school. It's fine, my mom is totally willing and able to lend me a few bucks.

willing horse

One who is ready and eager to work. Mark is a willing horse, so we can definitely get him to do this stupid project.

God willing.

If God wants it to happen. (An expression indicating that there is a high certainty that something will happen, so high that only God could prevent it.) John: Please try to be on time. Alice: I'll be there on time, God willing. Bob: Will I see you after your vacation? Mary: Of course, God willing.

See also: god, willing

God willing and the creek don't rise

and Lord willing and the creek don't rise

Rur. If all goes well. Tom: Will you be able to get the house painted before the cold weather sets in? Jane: Yes, God willing and the creek don't rise. We'll be able to visit our daughter for Christmas, Lord willing and the creek don't rise.

See also: and, creek, god, rise, willing

ready, willing, and able

Cliché eager or at least willing [to do something]. If you need someone to help you move furniture, I'm ready, willing, and able. Fred is ready, willing, and able to do anything you ask him.

See also: able, and

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Prov. People cannot always do what they know they ought to do.; People are not always physically capable of doing what they are willing to do. (Biblical.) Alan: Have you started the diet your doctor recommended? Fred: The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

will something away

to give something away in a will. The old man simply willed all his money away. He said he wouldn't need it when he was dead. She had willed away all of her treasures to her grandchildren.

will something to someone

to give something to someone in a will. My uncle willed this chair to me. It's an antique. This watch was willed to me by my grandfather.

ready, willing, and able

Well prepared and eager to do something, as in Any time you want me to babysit, I'm ready, willing, and able.

See also: able, and

spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, the

One would like to undertake something but hasn't the energy or strength to do so. For example, Another set of tennis? The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Today often used as a rueful admission of weariness or other physical weakness, this idiom was first recorded in the New Testament (Matthew 26:41), where Jesus tells his disciples: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." A modern equivalent is I would if I could but I can't.

God willing

used to express the wish that you will be able to do as you intend or that something will happen as planned.

This is an expression found in many cultures: compare with Latin deo volente or Arabic inshallah .

See also: god, willing

the spirit is willing (but the flesh is weak)

someone has good intentions (but yields to temptation and fails to live up to them).

This expression quotes Jesus's words in Matthew 26:41, on finding his disciples asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane despite his instructions that they should stay awake.

God ˈwilling

(spoken) used for expressing your hope that something will happen: We’ve had a lovely holiday and we’ll be back again next year, God willing.

See also: god, willing

show ˈwilling

(British English) show that you are ready to help, work hard, etc. if necessary: The meeting wasn’t due to start for another half an hour, but she thought she’d better go early to show willing.

the ˌspirit is ˈwilling but the ˌflesh (it) is ˈweak

(saying, humorous) you intend to do good things but are too tired, lazy, etc. to actually do them

See also: but, flesh, spirit, weak, willing

will to

To grant something to someone in a legal will: My grandfather willed all of his land to me.

God willing and the creek don’t rise

and GWATCDR

phr. & comp. abb. If we are lucky. I’ll be there, GWATCDR.

See also: and, creek, god, rise, willing

ready, willing, and able

Completely prepared and eager to do something. This term, from the first half of the twentieth century, sounds like the reply of an overeager military recruit. Most likely its rhythmic appeal is what made it survive. For example, “Have you learned all your lines so you can go on?— Ready, willing, and able.”

See also: able, and

spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, the

I would like to do this but I don’t have the willpower or strength. This term comes from the Bible. Jesus, counseling his disciples at the Last Supper, said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). John Lyly was more specific (Euphues, 1579): “The delights of ye flesh are preferred before the holynesse of the spirite.” Today the term often is a rueful admission of physical weakness, much like I would if I could but I can’t (also based on ancient proverbs).