canvas

blank canvas

A person or thing that has nothing of substance or permanence within or imprinted upon him, her, or it, such that it can be easily filled with entirely new things. Refers to a painter's canvas that has yet to be painted on. Children's minds are blank canvasses, so we have to be sure to provide them with enriching education and opportunities so as to give them the best possible future. I love moving into a new house and having a blank canvas to make my own! These freshmen are all blank canvasses—we can get them to believe anything we tell them!
See also: blank, canvas

by a canvas

By an extremely short or slim margin (of distance, time, or another measure). The phrase comes from boat racing, as the front end of a racing boat was at one time covered with canvas. They're just about to close the gates! It looks like we made the flight by a canvas. The race was neck and neck till the very end, but Sally won it by a canvas.
See also: by, canvas

under canvas

Under or within a tent. There are dozens of vendors who sell their goods under canvas at our market each Saturday.
See also: canvas
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

by a canvas

by a small margin.
The tapered front end of a racing boat was formerly covered with canvas to prevent water being taken on board. In this context, to win by a canvas meant to win by the length between the tip of the bow and the first oarsman.
See also: by, canvas
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

under canvas

1. Nautical With sails spread.
2. In a tent or tents.
See also: canvas
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • blank canvas
  • there is no there there
  • imprint with
  • form and substance
  • imprint on (someone or something)
  • be all fur coat and no knickers
  • all fur coat and no knickers
  • imprint
  • imprint (something) in(to) (someone or something)
  • nothing in it
References in periodicals archive
Fuse the lips to the canvas using an iron or heat press following the manufacturer's instructions.
LIP SERVICE TOTE: Use a cutting machine to embellish a basic canvas tote with foil and glitter lips
Canvas Stretching Machine, LLC is the industry standard for high-production printing facilities.
Canvas Stretching Machine LLC to Exhibit at West Coast Art & Frame Tradeshow in Las Vegas
He said through his seven year experience working for Lobatse Canvas Company, he gained skills in crafting different kinds of canvas goods which included camping tents, bags, book covers and camping chairs among others.
Gaokobelwe find niche in canvas products
The Micromax Canvas Infinity runs Android 7.1.1 OS and is powered by a 2900 mAh battery.
Micromax Canvas Infinity
Nothing is more important than type and quality of canvas used.
Follow These Tips While Selecting A Canvas Printing Company
Canvas Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley.
Canvas Ventures closes USD300m fund for software, services startups investments
"We are excited to have Canvas Home launching exclusively at Selfridges," said Chris Gardner, buying manager for cookshop and dining, at the time of the launch.
Canvas Home adds to tabletop
Until the company officially debuts the Micromax Canvas Doodle 3, the report will remain as speculation only.
Micromax Canvas Doodle 3 Specifications Surface Online; Tipped to Debut this Week
here's five of the best ready-to-hang canvasses Oriental lily canvas wall art, pounds 22, Woolworths Yukari Sweeney London map canvas, pounds 33, Debenhams Keep Calm Eat Cake canvas, pounds 8.90, B&Q Blue boat canvas print, pounds 5, Matalan Pied a Terre pink peony 3D wall art panel, pounds 25, House of Fraser WHERE TO BUY: WWW.DEBENHAMS.COM, WWW.DIY.COM, WWW.HOUSEOFFRASER.CO.UK, WWW.MATALAN.CO.UK, WWW.WOOLWORTHS.CO.UK
Make your own wall art; WORD ART IS ALL THE RAGE, FROM QUOTES AND LYRICS TO SIMPLE MESSAGES, HERE'S HOW TO SAY IT WITH WORDS, BY TURNING A BLANK CANVAS INTO A MASTERPIECE BY CAROLINE COOK
Once upon a time, there was an interval in farm implement history when almost every grain harvesting machine required lengths of wood-slatted canvas to carry the cut stalks into the cylinder for threshing or through a tying-device making bundles.
Taking care of the canvas: key component of harvest machinery required special attention
She held canvas in her hands as a piece of fabric that could be placed or displayed anywhere.
Canvas artists
That was the highest price ever achieved by any Indian canvas. Soon after that, the world went into recession and the art mart didn't see any hope of these canvases being dislodged from their top positions.
Raza canvasmay break his own record of Rs 10 crore
WHERE can we buy a large canvas print for our lounge wall that measures 6ft high x 10ft wide?
Buy some art that won't drive you up the wall; TRICKS of the TRADE
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA -- Fredrix@Print Canvas is pleased to announce a partnership with world-renowned pop artist Nelson De La Nuez to promote its line of archival-quality print canvas.
World-renowned pop artist Nelson De La Nuez partners with Fredrix Print Canvas to promote canvas line
Recently, it was my mum's birthday and my boyfriend had taken a nice photo of me and as I'm so far away from home, I thought my mum would appreciate this photo put on canvas, which gives it a unique and arty look.
Tried and tested