expression
hangdog expression
A self-pitying expression of abjection, defeat, shame, or guilt. Don't just stare at me with that hangdog expression. You've already made a mess of things, so now you have to deal with it! The losing team walked away from the pitch with hangdog expressions after their execrable defeat at the hands of their rivals.
See also: expression, hangdog
I guess
I suppose; sure. Often used as an affirmative answer when one is not completely certain or does not want to fully commit. Bob: "You look a little down today. Everything alright?" Mary: "I guess. I've just been feeling vaguely melancholy lately." A: "It's supposed to be sunny today, right?" B: "I guess. I haven't checked the weather."
See also: guess
if you'll pardon the expression
A preemptive apology for the particular words one is about to use. He was acting like, if you'll pardon the expression, a complete ass.
See also: expression, if, pardon
there, there
A phrase used to soothe one who is upset. There, there, sweetie. Everything is going to be OK.
See also: there
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
I guess
and I expect; I suppose; I suspect1. a phrase that introduces a supposition. (Frequently, in speech, suppose is reduced to 'spose, and expect and suspect are reduced to 'spect. The apostrophe is not always shown.) Bob: I guess it's going to rain. Bill: Oh, I don't know. Maybe so, maybe not. Alice: I expect you'll be wanting to leave pretty soon. John: Why? It's early yet.
2. a vague way of answering 'yes'. John: You want some more coffee? Jane: I 'spose. Alice: Ready to go? John: I spect.
See also: guess
I guess (so).
and I believe so.; I expect (so).; I suppose (so).; I suspect (so).; I think so.a vague expression of assent. (Frequently, in speech, suppose is reduced to 'spose, and expect and suspect are reduced to 'spect. The apostrophe is not always shown.) Tom: Will it rain today? Bob: I suppose so. Sue: Happy? Bill: I 'spect. Sue: You don't sound happy. Bill: I guess not.
See also: guess
if you'll pardon the expression
Fig. excuse the expression I am about to say or just said. This thing is—if you'll pardon the expression—loused up. I'm really jacked, if you'll pardon the expression.
See also: expression, if, pardon
not let someone catch someone doing something
and not want to catch someone doing somethingan expression that scolds someone who has done something wrong. (The idea is that the person ought not to do the wrong thing again, not that the person simply avoid getting caught.) How many times have I told you not to play ball in the house? Don't let me catch you doing that again. If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times: Don't do that! I don't want to catch you doing it again!
See also: catch, let, not
There, there.
and There, now.an expression used to comfort someone. There, there. You'll feel better after you take a nap. There, now. Everything will be all right.
See also: there
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
if you’ll pardon the expression
phr. excuse the expression I am about to say. This thing is—if you’ll pardon the expression—loused up. I’m really jacked, if you’ll pardon the expression.
See also: expression, if, pardon
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
you should excuse the expression
Please forgive what I just said or am about to say. This polite disclaimer for uttering a profanity, obscenity, or vulgarity was adopted from Yiddish about 1930 and became common soon thereafter. See also pardon my French.
See also: excuse, expression, should
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- hangdog
- hangdog expression
- come on
- come upon
- that's wassup
- wassup
- poker face
- poker face, a
- go to (someone or something)
- go to!