grand
Related to grand: Grand Ole Opry
(as) busy as Grand Central Station
Very busy or chaotic, like New York City's Grand Central Terminal train station. Our customer service department always becomes as busy as Grand Central Station at this time of year. So many people coming and going—geez, it's busy as Grand Central Station in here.
See also: busy, central, grand, station
a grand old age
A very old age. My grandfather passed away this weekend. He lead a remarkable life and lived to a grand old age.
See also: age, grand, old
grand
slang A thousand dollars. I heard he spent nearly four grand on that huge new TV. She got caught with 60 grand worth of cocaine in her trunk.
Grand Central Station
A place that is very busy or chaotic, like New York City's Grand Central Terminal train station. Our customer service department always becomes as busy as Grand Central Station at this time of year. So many people coming and going—geez, it's like Grand Central Station in here.
See also: central, grand, station
grand poobah
The most important or powerful person in a group, organization, business, or movement (e.g., the boss, leader, etc.). I think it sounds like a great idea, but you'll have to ask the grand poobah first.
See also: grand
grand scheme
The long term; the complete picture of something. Typically used in the phrase "in the grand scheme of things." I know you're worried about getting a bad grade on this test, but you're such a great student that I doubt it will matter in the grand scheme of things.
See also: grand, scheme
grand slam
1. In the card game bridge, the winning of all thirteen tricks on one deal of the game. I've been playing bridge for years, but I've still never been able to make a grand slam.
2. In baseball, a homerun that is achieved when all three bases have runners on them. It looked like the home team was in for a sure loss, but a grand slam at the last minute edged them ahead of their opponents.
3. (sometimes capitalized) In sports, the winning of all major championships or tournaments in a single year, especially in tennis or golf. The young player shocked the tennis world by winning a Grand Slam in her first year at the professional level.
4. By extension, any total, sweeping victory or success. With the Ohio votes in her favor, it looks like the new president has managed a grand slam.
See also: grand, slam
grand total
The final amount after adding several different numbers or sums. After everything was accounted for, the cost of remodeling the kitchen came to a grand total of $4,500.
See also: grand, total
grand tour
1. An extended tour or sightseeing trip in, through, or across any country or region. Originally used in specific reference to the major cities of Europe, the trip was considered a necessary part of well-bred gentlemen's upbringing. It was later extended to travel in general. I've been saving up all year long for my grand tour through France.
2. By extension, a comprehensive, guided tour, inspection, or survey. This is your first time seeing our new house, right? Let me give you the grand tour! The general insisted on a grand tour of all the sites that are still operational.
See also: grand, tour
granddad
slang Someone who acts in an outdated and uncool manner. Oh, he's a real granddad. He'll never go to a club with us.
in grand style
In a very luxurious or glamorous way. I rented us a limo so we can travel to the gala in grand style!
See also: grand, style
in the (grand) scheme of things
In the long term; in the complete picture of something. I know you're worried about getting a bad grade on this test, but you're such a great student that I doubt it will matter in the grand scheme of things.
See also: of, scheme, thing
the grand old age of
The very old age of. My grandfather passed away this weekend. He lead a remarkable life and lived to the grand old age of 98.
See also: age, grand, of, old
the grand old man of (something)
The most senior and respected man in a particular organization, society, etc. His decades of hosting charity balls and galas have made him the grand old man of London.
See also: grand, man, of, old
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
*busy as a beaver (building a new dam)
and *busy as a bee; *busy as a one-armed paperhanger; *busy as Grand Central Station; *busy as a cat on a hot tin roof; *busy as a fish peddler in Lent; *busy as a cranberry merchant (at Thanksgiving); *busy as popcorn on a skilletvery busy. (*Also: as ~.) My boss keeps me as busy as a one-armed paperhanger. I don't have time to talk to you. I'm as busy as a beaver. When the tourist season starts, this store is busy as Grand Central Station. Sorry I can't go to lunch with you. I'm as busy as a beaver building a new dam. Prying into other folks' business kept him busy as popcorn on a skillet.
See also: beaver, busy
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
busy as a beaver
Also, busy as a bee. Hardworking, very industrious, as in With all her activities, Sue is always busy as a bee, or Bob's busy as a beaver trying to finish painting before it rains. The comparison to beavers dates from the late 1700s, the variant from the late 1300s. Also see eager beaver; work like a beaver.
See also: beaver, busy
grand slam
A sweeping success or total victory, as in This presentation gave us a grand slam-every buyer placed an order. This term originated in the early 1800s in the card game of whist (forerunner of contract bridge), where it refers to the taking of all thirteen tricks. It later was extended to bridge and various sports, where it has different meanings: in baseball, a home run hit with runners on all the bases, resulting in four runs for the team; in tennis, winning all four national championships in a single calendar year; in golf, winning all four major championships. In the 1990s the term was used for four related proposals presented on a ballot at once.
See also: grand, slam
grand tour
A comprehensive tour, survey, or inspection. For example, They took me on a grand tour of their new house, or The new chairman will want to make a grand tour of all the branches. Starting in the late 1600s this term was used for a tour of the major European cities, considered essential to a well-bred man's education. In the mid-1800s it was extended to more general use.
See also: grand, tour
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a big kahuna
ora grand kahuna
AMERICAN, INFORMALA big kahuna is a very important person in an organization. Suncorp Metway big kahuna Steve Jones may be thinking twice about his plans to start a business in North Queensland. Note: The word `kahuna' is from Hawaiian and means `wise man'.
See also: big, kahuna
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
a (or the) grand old man of
a man long and highly respected in a particular field.Recorded from 1882 , and popularly abbreviated as GOM, Grand Old Man was the nickname of the British statesman William Ewart Gladstone ( 1809–98 ), who went on to win his last election in 1892 at the age of eighty-three.
See also: grand, man, of, old
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
a/the ˌgrand old ˈage
a great age: She finally learned to drive at the grand old age of 65.See also: age, grand, old
a/the ˌgrand old ˈman (of something)
an old man who is very experienced and respected in a particular profession, etc: At eighty, he is the grand old man of the British film industry.See also: grand, man, old
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
grand
and G and gee and large n. one thousand dollars. That car probably cost about twenty grand. You owe me three gees! He won three large on the slots!
Grand Central Station
n. any busy and hectic place. (From Grand Central Station in New York City—a very busy place.) At just about closing time, this place becomes Grand Central Station.
See also: central, grand, station
granddad
n. an old-fashioned person; an out-of-date person. Don’t be such a granddad. Live a little.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
grand tour, the
A thorough inspection of any building, facility, business enterprise, or the like. The term comes from the custom, begun in the seventeenth century, of sending the son of a well-to-do family on an extended tour of the European Continent for the purpose of completing his education. Later the custom was extended to daughters as well. In time the term was transferred to other kinds of tour.
See also: grand
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- (as) busy as Grand Central Station
- central
- station
- Grand Central Station
- not know whether (one) is coming or going
- not know whether one is coming or going
- not know whether one is coming or going and not know if one is ...
- not know whether you are coming or going
- hibernate
- (as) busy as a hibernating bear