earthly

earthly desires

Desires for tangible things (such as wealth, property, or other material goods) or for pleasures of the body (such as sexual activity, gluttony, or other hedonistic pursuits). Buddhism teaches us to try to let go of our earthly desires, freeing our minds and bodies for a state of enlightenment. Because our earthly desires are a reflection of our sins, we should shun them if we wish to receive God's light.
See also: desire, earthly

no earthly (something)

No conceivable or practical (something). You had all day, so there's no earthly reason you couldn't have finished this on time! It's very sweet that you bought me a laptop, dear, but I'm 85—I have no earthly use for one of those things!
See also: earthly, no

no earthly reason

No conceivable or practical reason. You had all day, so there's no earthly reason you couldn't have finished this on time! It's very sweet that you bought me a laptop, dear, but I'm 85—I have no earthly reason to use one of those things!
See also: earthly, no, reason

no earthly use

1. No conceivable or practical use. It's very sweet that you bought me a laptop, dear, but I'm 85—I have no earthly use for one of those things!
2. Not feasible or worth trying. I've told him how bad those cigarettes are for him, but it's no earthly use trying to argue with that man!
See also: earthly, no, use

not have an earthly chance

To have no possible or feasible chance of doing or accomplishing something. Primarily heard in UK. He doesn't have an earthly chance of winning, but I'm voting for him nonetheless. I knew I wouldn't have an earthly chance of getting that promotion if I didn't make myself stand out in the company more.
See also: chance, earthly, have, not

not stand an earthly

To have no possible or feasible chance (of doing or accomplishing something). A truncated form of "not stand an earthly chance." Primarily heard in UK. He doesn't stand an earthly of winning, but I'm voting for him nonetheless. I knew I wouldn't stand an earthly of getting that promotion if I didn't make myself stand out in the company more.
See also: earthly, not, stand

not stand an earthly chance

To have no possible or feasible chance (of doing or accomplishing something). He doesn't stand an earthly chance of winning, but I'm voting for him nonetheless. I knew I wouldn't stand an earthly chance of getting that promotion if I didn't make myself stand out in the company more.
See also: chance, earthly, not, stand
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

no earthly reason

no conceivable reason. There is no earthly reason for your rude behavior. I can think of no earthly reason why the repairs should cost so much.
See also: earthly, no, reason
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

not have an earthly chance

Also, stand no earthly chance. Have no chance whatever, as in She doesn't have an earthly chance of getting into medical school, or Bill stands no earthly chance of winning the lottery. The use of no earthly in the sense of "no conceivable" dates from the mid-1700s.
See also: chance, earthly, have, not
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

not stand (or have) an earthly

have no chance at all. British informal
See also: earthly, not, stand
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

no earthly ˈuse, ˈreason, etc.

(informal) used to emphasize that there is no use, reason, etc. at all: There’s no earthly reason why she shouldn’t come with us.
See also: earthly, no

not (have) an ˈearthly (chance)

(British English, informal) (have) no chance at all: You haven’t an earthly chance of beating her at tennis — she is one of the best players in the country. ‘Any chance of getting a ticket for the concert?’ ‘Not an earthly, I’m afraid.’
See also: earthly, not
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

no earthly reason

n. no conceivable reason. I can think of no earthly reason why the repairs should cost so much.
See also: earthly, no, reason
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • earthly desires
  • worldly
  • worldly desires
  • all or nothing
  • eat one's cake and have it (too)
  • eat one's cake and have it, too
  • get (one's) (own) way
  • get one's way
  • get/have your way
  • go your own way
References in periodicals archive
Garden of Earthly Delights is out next Friday, via SusannaSontata
LUCKY 13 FOR SUSANNA'S EARTHLY DELIGHTS; They Ida on a a make but
Earthly Mist also sells other types of herbal medicines and has been active in Oklahoma for several years.
Earthly Mist to open marijuana dispensary
This was followed in October by an announcement that Greensphere Capital was to invest up to PS100m to create an AD platform in the UK of six 5.1 MW plants, in partnership with Earthly Energy.
Earthly snaps up second AD site for Teesside boost
According to Kevin Wachs, Earthly Body Inc.'s President and Founder, “Earthly Body is dedicated to the sustainability of our planet, which is seen not only in the natural products we produce, but in our commitment to manufacturing these products in a low-waste, green facility.
Independent Energy Solutions, Inc. to Install Photovoltaic System for Earthly Body
Earthly praised the Government for recognising the importance of an emerging green economy on Teesside.
Green energy firm funds boost
According to Wright, Luther found crucial answers to such skepticism in Lorenzo Valla's conviction that earthly matters must be known and studied differently from spiritual matters.
Martin Luther's Understanding of God's Two Kingdoms: A Response to the Challenge of Skepticism
Melbourne, May 18 (ANI): An Australian woman who has been convicted for dangerous driving and recklessly causing injury has appealed against the convictions, claiming she is not subjected to earthly laws because she is a witch.
Oz 'witch' claims earthly laws don't apply to her
Each of the four beads closest to you has a value of one and is called an earthly bead.
Grades 3-12: Amazing Math Projects You Can Build Yourself
"Any indictment issued by an earthly tribunal does not affect the obligation of resisting the occupier of our countries that aggresses against our nation, land and wealth," he said in a statement.
Omar Bakri: Indictment should not affect resistance
(4) Using our limited knowledge, we can easily choose to divide the religion, (5) doing so in a dispute over earthly death rather than a matter of eternal life (hereafter called "life").
The Qur'an-gospel resurrection resolution
"A Heavenly College on an Earthly Budget: Double Your Financial Aid--Double Your Degree's Value" is a guide to those who want to get into college but don't have the wallets to back up their desires.
A Heavenly College On an Earthly Budget
Water, an energy source, and raw materials are essential for all forms of Earthly life.
Top Class:PROFFESSOR SCIENCE
So far our space stuff reflects our earthly projects, such as industry or war, but what will happen when we move mentally beyond mere globalization?
Cosmic society; towards a sociology of the universe
Earthly Delights, a line of refrigerated organic juices, has been launched by Global Juices and Fruits, L.L.C.
Cold case juices
Based on classic Indian folklore, Hanuman's Journey to the Medicine Mountain is the picturebook story of Hanuman, the monkey son of the celestial nymph Anjana and the wind god Pavan, and helper of Ram, who is the earthly incarnation of Lord Vishnu and hero of the Hindu epic known as the Ramayana.
Hanuman's Journey to the Medicine Mountain