charm

Related to charm: charm offensive

charm (someone) with (something)

To enthrall and interest someone with something. During my visit this weekend, the school tried to charm me with activities and future internship opportunities, but I'm still just not interested in going there. She's no fool, so you'll have a hard time charming her with money alone.
See also: charm

charm the pants off (one)

To please and entice one, often in an attempt to yield a desired result. The school really tried to charm the pants off me during my visit this weekend, but I'm still not interested in going there.
See also: charm, off, pant

devilish charm

A fiendish or roguish appeal. I'm not surprised by Maddie's new boyfriend—she'll pick the bad boy with devilish charm every single time.
See also: charm

third time's a charm

The belief or hope that the third attempt at something will be successful. Primarily heard in US. I hope the third time's a charm—I've already failed this test twice already!
See also: charm, third

third time's the charm

The belief or hope that the third attempt at something will be successful. I've already failed this test twice already, so hopefully the third time's the charm. A: "Try turning the generator on again." B: "OK, here we go. Third time's the charm!"
See also: charm, third

work like a charm

To work very well or be exceptionally effective. This new software works like a charm. I barely had to do anything and the image is perfect. I read about some negotiating techniques before the big budget meeting, and I have to say that they actually worked like a charm!
See also: charm, like, work
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

charm someone with something

to enchant or fascinate someone with something. He charmed her with stories of his house on the beach. She charmed him with her bright smile.
See also: charm

charm the pants off someone

Fig. to use very charming behavior to persuade someone to do something. (Use with caution.) She is so nice. She just charms the pants off you. He will try to charm the pants off you, but you can still refuse to take the job if you don't want to do it.
See also: charm, off, pant

third time's the charm

Prov. The third time you try to do something, it will work. Jill: I've called Miriam twice, but she doesn't answer her phone. Jane: Try again. The third time's the charm.
See also: charm, third
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

charm the pants off

see under pants off.
See also: charm, off, pant

pants off, the

This phrase is used to intensify the meaning of verbs such as bore or charm or kid or scare or talk . For example, That speech bored the pants off us, or It was a real tornado and scared the pants off me. Playwright Eugene O'Neill used it in Ah, Wilderness! (1933): "I tell you, you scared the pants off him," and Evelyn Waugh, in A Handful of Dust (1934), had a variation, "She bores my pants off." [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see bore to death; beat the pants off.
See also: pant

work like a charm

Function very well, have a good effect or outcome, as in That knife-sharpener works like a charm, or Her deferential manner worked like a charm; he agreed to everything they'd asked for. This expression uses charm in the sense of "a magic spell." [Mid-1800s] Also see work wonders.
See also: charm, like, work
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

work like a charm

If something works like a charm, it is very successful or effective. Our little arrangement worked like a charm. The medicine worked like a charm and my life has greatly improved.
See also: charm, like, work
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

work like a charm

be completely successful or effective.
Charm here means a magic spell or lucky talisman.
See also: charm, like, work
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌwork like a ˈcharm

(informal) quickly have the effect you want; work like magic: I don’t know what she said to him, but it worked like a charm — he’s much more cooperative now.
A charm is a small object that is believed to bring good luck, or words believed to have magic power.
See also: charm, like, work
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

work like a charm

To function very well or have a very good effect or outcome.
See also: charm, like, work
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • charm (someone) with (something)
  • charm with
  • charming
  • intoxicate
  • intoxicate (someone) with (something)
  • intoxicate with
  • charm the pants off
  • charm the pants off (one)
  • beat out
  • beat something out
References in periodicals archive
* Thread the purple ribbon through the charm eyelet.
Eerie embellishments
We are best known for our charms collection, which is quirky and fun, but at the same time also elegant and beautiful.
Celebrate the Essence of Motherhood with Fourseven Mother's Day Gifts Collection
Beautifully crafted from sterling silver, this button-shaped charm features a classic relief-style portrait of Disney Minnie Mouse.
Pandora slashes prices of Disney charms by more than 50% in outlet sale; If you're a fan of Pandora and a lover of all things Disney you might want to get yourself to the jewellery store
According to reports from the county, men are implanting the charm into their wives so that men who have sex with them would die nine months after such relationship.
'Nine-month' juju imported from Guinea, Ivory Coast
Reports state that Ijezie had gone to the respected herbalist to procure charms that would effectively make him bullet proof.
Witch doctor shot dead trying to prove his 'bullet-proof' charms worked; WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT The self-styled traditional healer, 26, was killed after instructing one of his clients to shoot him while wearing the 'charms' around his neck
On top of the characteristic black and white striped look, the new, feminine jewellery caskets have a drawer which is available in various colours which represent the 'joie de vivre' of Generation Charm Club.
Come discover a charming new world; WANT TO CREATE A BESPOKE CHARM BRACELET THAT REPRESENTS EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE? CHECK OUT THE NEW GENERATION CHARM CLUB COLLECTION BY THOMAS SABO
Only genuine Swarovski crystals are used in the charms and lockets as well.
Encanto Jewellery Helps You Celebrate New Life
Waugh was by no means the first author to warn of the dangers of charm.
Few worries at all for a charming man
Comprehensive systems for healthcare management tend to be expensive and require on-site staff, but ChARM EHR is a cloud-based product with all the required features, and a clean, easy interface, ideally suited for healthcare facilities that want to migrate to an electronic health records system in a cost-effective and timely manner.
MedicalMine, Emergency Medicine and Disaster Institute Launch Healthcare Management Suite in Gulf Cooperation Council Region
Like the old bracelets, the new ones are also used to tell stories like the little girl who bought a butterfly charm for her grandmother because she herself loves the winged insects.
Charmed life; Popular bracelets capture moments in time
1.45 LEADING LIGHT LEADING LIGHT 2.20 GORDON LORD BYRON (NAP) JACK DEXTER 2.55 SILK SARI SEAL OF APPROVAL 3.30 CHARM SPIRIT CHARM SPIRIT (NAP) 4.05 CIRRUS DES AIGLES NOBLE MISSION 4.45 CHATEZ CORNROW GARRY'S DOUBLE: GORDON LORD BYRON (NAP) & SILK SARI NEWSBOY'S DOUBLE: CHARM SPIRIT (NAP) & NOBLE MISSION HEAVY (Soft in places; GoingStick: Stands' side 6.2, Centre 6.3, Far side 6.3, Round 5.0) DRAW: Too variable to call on straight track, with pace a key factor.
GARRY OWEN NEWSBOY
Tests showed one charm contained 40% of banned phthalates, with EU law stating 0.1% is the legal limit.
Bands are losing their charm
To someone else, a vintage charm bracelet might have been just another piece of jewelry, but to Sobule the charms came to represent the highlights of a narrative.
She Kissed a Girl: Jill Sobule returns with a new album
But you could do something entirely different with worms - and charm them instead.
Charming past me; HELPING YOU PLAN YOUR TIME TOGETHER With Janet Tansley
The surface of each piece is oxidised to lend a vintage yet edgy feel to the charm. Write your own message by combining initials with symbols of love, faith and luck or your most beloved Pandora charms.
Spell out your style with symbols and letters