master

Related to master: Master Cleanse

(one's) lord and master

Someone who has total power over one. Used to humorously exaggerated effect, usually in reference to one's spouse. I'd like to hang out with you guys, but I need to go into town to pick a few things up for my lord and master.

a Jack of all trades is a master of none

proverb A man who is somewhat skilled in or adept at a wide variety of tasks or abilities will not have the time or dedication to become truly masterful in any one thing. (When speaking of a woman, the phrase "a Jill of all trades is a master of none" can be used.) Tom just sort of floated between different interests after he left high school, but he could never settle on anything career-worthy. A Jack of all trades is a master of none, as they say. My father was always quite skilled in a lot of different areas, but he never found much success in any of them. I guess Jack of all trades is a master of none.

See also: all, jack, master, none, of, trade

a Jill of all trades is a master of none

proverb A woman who is somewhat skilled in or adept at a wide variety of tasks or abilities will not have the time or dedication to become truly masterful in any one thing. The female equivalent of the proverb "a Jack of all trades is a master of none." Mary just sort of floated between different interests after she left high school, but never really developed anything career-worthy. A Jill of all trades is a master of none, as they say.

See also: all, jill, master, none, of, trade

a man cannot serve two masters

To divide one's attention, efforts, or loyalty between more than one profession, company, goal, pursuit, etc., will result in none of them being done properly. A: "His work has really started to suffer ever since he started that second job." B: "Well, what do you expect? a man cannot serve two masters." I thought I could write in my spare time while I paid the bills with my day job, but I find I just get too burnt out doing it. I suppose I need to choose one or the other, since a man cannot serve to masters.

See also: cannot, man, master, serve, two

be (one's) own master

To not be subject to or controlled by others, especially at work or at home. I have to be my own master, so I couldn't work in a big company like you and have to answer to a boss.

be (one's) own mistress

Of a woman, to not be subject to or controlled by others, especially at work or at home. I have to be my own mistress, so I couldn't work in a big company like you and have to answer to a boss.

fire is a good servant but a bad master

proverb Fire is useful when monitored and controlled. Left unchecked, however, it is quite dangerous and destructive. Hey, we need to blow out these candles before leaving the house. After all, fire is a good servant but a bad master.

jack of all trades, master of none

A person who is able to do many things but does not have a high amount of skill in any one area. A: "My brother can play several instruments, but none very well." B: "You know what they say—jack of all trades, master of none."

Jill of all trades(, master of none)

A woman who is skilled in or adept at a wide variety of tasks or abilities (i.e., the female equivalent of "Jack of all trades"). If used with "master of none," it implies that while competent in a variety of things, she is not highly skilled in a particular one. I've had all sorts of different jobs through the years, so I consider myself quite a Jill of all trades! Mary just sort of floated between different interests after she left high school—a Jill of all trades, but master of none.

Master of the Universe

1. Literally, the supreme being; God. One must always keep in mind the designs and desires of the Master of the Universe if one wishes to enter into heaven in the afterlife.

2. By extension, an extremely powerful, successful, or wealthy person, especially someone working on Wall Street in the US financial sector. John liked to think of himself as a self-styled Master of the Universe after earning his first million playing the stock market.

no man can serve two masters

To divide one's attention, efforts, or loyalty between more than one profession, company, goal, pursuit, etc., will result in none of them being done properly. A: "His work has really started to suffer ever since he started that second job." B: "Well, what do you expect? No man can serve two masters." I thought I could write in my spare time while I paid the bills with my day job, but I find I just get too burnt out doing it. I suppose I need to choose one or the other, since no man can serve to masters.

See also: can, man, master, no, serve, two

no person is free who is not master of himself

One will continue to have difficulty navigating life if one lacks discipline, self-control, and self-awareness. A: "I think that a lot of John's issues are related to his emotional volatility." B: "Yeah, no person is free who is not master of himself."

See also: free, himself, master, no, not, of, person, who

past master

One who is exceptionally skilled or experienced in a particular activity, craft, or field. Typically followed by "in/of/at (something)." Not to toot my own horn, but I consider myself a bit of a past master in cooking. I don't blame you for feeling that way—Jen is a real past master at eroding your self-confidence. He's always been a past master of getting by with doing as little work as possible.

See also: master, past

serve two masters

To simultaneously tend to or support or devote oneself to two different—often conflicting—responsibilities, pursuits, ideas, or people. It comes from the Biblical phrase, "No man can serve two masters." You need to decide if you are married to your wife or to your work because you simply cannot serve two masters.

See also: master, serve, two

slack master

Someone who is especially lazy, indolent, or given to procrastination. I don't know how a slack master like him manages to get straight A's. That slack master Janet has been pulling our whole project down. I think she's done about 10 minutes of genuine work!

Fire is a good servant but a bad master.

Prov. You must be careful to use fire wisely and under control so that it will not hurt you. Don't play with the candle flames, children. Fire is a good servant but a bad master. At camp, we learned how to build and extinguish fires safely, since fire is a good servant but a bad master.

jack of all trades is a master of none

Prov. If you are able to do a lot of things fairly well, you will not have time to learn to do one thing extremely well. Jill: I envy Bob; he can do so many things. He writes novels, paints pictures, makes sculptures, and even plays the dulcimer. Jane: It's true he does a lot of things, but he probably doesn't do them all terribly well. A jack of all trades is a master of none, you know.

See also: all, jack, master, none, of, trade

No man can serve two masters.

Prov. You cannot work for two different people, organizations, or purposes in good faith, because you will end up favoring one over the other. (Biblical.) Al tried going to school and working, both full-time, but soon discovered that he could not serve two masters.

See also: can, man, master, no, serve, two

*past master (at something)

Fig. someone proven extremely good or skillful at an activity. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) Mary is a past master at cooking omelets. Pam is a past master at the art of complaining.

See also: master, past

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

past master

A person who is thoroughly experienced or exceptionally skilled in some activity or craft. For example, We're lucky to get Ella, because she's a past master at fundraising. This expression probably alludes to the original literal meaning, that is, one who formerly held the post of master in a lodge or other organization. Although past mistress was used for an exceptionally skilled woman in the mid-1800s, it is heard less often today, master serving for both sexes. [Mid-1800s]

See also: master, past

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

serve two masters

FORMAL

If a person or organization tries to serve two masters, they try to be loyal to two opposing principles, beliefs or organizations. An organization such as the BBC can either make a profit or provide an excellent public service. It cannot, however, be asked to serve two masters. Note: This expression is used in the Bible. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says: `No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.' (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13)

See also: master, serve, two

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

serve two masters

take orders from two superiors or follow two conflicting or opposing principles or policies at the same time.

This phrase alludes to the warning given in the Bible against trying to serve both God and Mammon (Matthew 6:24).

See also: master, serve, two

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

be your own ˈmaster/ˈmistress

be free to make your own decisions rather than being told what to do by somebody else: There’s no point trying to tell him what to do. He’s his own master, as you know.

a ˌpast ˈmaster (in/of/at something)

a person who is very good at doing something: He’s a past master at making other people feel guilty.

See also: master, past

serve two ˈmasters

(usually used in negative sentences) support two opposing parties, principles, etc. at the same time: Government ministers are not allowed to work for private companies as nobody can serve two masters at once.This expression comes from the Bible.

See also: master, serve, two

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

(one's) lord and master
200
do not pass Go, do not collect $200
do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollars
be all in a day's work
all in a day's work
big white chief
a right one
adulting
as you do

References in classic literature

"Master Jacques," he cried, "let fate take its course!" The procurator wheeled round in affright; it seemed to him that pincers of iron had clutched his arm.

Let things take their course, Master Jacques, 'tis fate!

Jacques Charmolue recalled him wholly to a sense of reality by addressing to him this question: "Come, now, master, when will you come to aid me in making gold?

"Master Jacques read Michel Psellus' ' Dialogus de Energia et Operatione Daemonum .' What we are doing is not wholly innocent."

Notre Dame de Paris

Some of these stood respectfully at a distance; but two of them, women, perpetrated the hostile act of clutching the master around the neck.

"Then White Fang, to show his friendship, will have to be chief mourner at the funeral," laughed the master.

Then he lay down with a contented grunt at the master's feet, observing all that went on, ever ready to spring to his feet and fight for life with the terrors he felt must lurk under the trap-roof of the dwelling.

White Fang

"Still," said Sancho, "I would be glad if your worship would make Master Pedro ask his ape whether what happened your worship in the cave of Montesinos is true; for, begging your worship's pardon, I, for my part, take it to have been all flam and lies, or at any rate something you dreamt."

At this point Master Pedro came up in quest of Don Quixote, to tell him the show was now ready and to come and see it, for it was worth seeing.

But enough of that for the present; let us go and see Master Pedro's show, for I am sure there must be something novel in it."

"Something!" said Master Pedro; "this show of mine has sixty thousand novel things in it; let me tell you, Senor Don Quixote, it is one of the best-worth-seeing things in the world this day; but operibus credite et non verbis, and now let's get to work, for it is growing late, and we have a great deal to do and to say and show."

Don Quixote

``My master has disposed of them already,'' said Gurth.

``Barely,'' said Gurth, though the sum demanded was more reasonable than he expected, ``and it will leave my master nigh penniless.

If you will not take seventy, I will carry this bag'' (and he shook it till the contents jingled) ``back to my master.''

Ivanhoe

If the lineal descendants of Ham are alone to be scriptur- ally enslaved, it is certain that slavery at the south must soon become unscriptural; for thousands are ushered into the world, annually, who, like myself, owe their existence to white fathers, and those fa- thers most frequently their own masters.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave

词组	master
释义	master Related to master: Master Cleanse (one's) lord and master Someone who has total power over one. Used to humorously exaggerated effect, usually in reference to one's spouse. I'd like to hang out with you guys, but I need to go into town to pick a few things up for my lord and master. See also: and, lord, master a Jack of all trades is a master of none proverb A man who is somewhat skilled in or adept at a wide variety of tasks or abilities will not have the time or dedication to become truly masterful in any one thing. (When speaking of a woman, the phrase "a Jill of all trades is a master of none" can be used.) Tom just sort of floated between different interests after he left high school, but he could never settle on anything career-worthy. A Jack of all trades is a master of none, as they say. My father was always quite skilled in a lot of different areas, but he never found much success in any of them. I guess Jack of all trades is a master of none. See also: all, jack, master, none, of, trade a Jill of all trades is a master of none proverb A woman who is somewhat skilled in or adept at a wide variety of tasks or abilities will not have the time or dedication to become truly masterful in any one thing. The female equivalent of the proverb "a Jack of all trades is a master of none." Mary just sort of floated between different interests after she left high school, but never really developed anything career-worthy. A Jill of all trades is a master of none, as they say. See also: all, jill, master, none, of, trade a man cannot serve two masters To divide one's attention, efforts, or loyalty between more than one profession, company, goal, pursuit, etc., will result in none of them being done properly. A: "His work has really started to suffer ever since he started that second job." B: "Well, what do you expect? a man cannot serve two masters." I thought I could write in my spare time while I paid the bills with my day job, but I find I just get too burnt out doing it. I suppose I need to choose one or the other, since a man cannot serve to masters. See also: cannot, man, master, serve, two be (one's) own master To not be subject to or controlled by others, especially at work or at home. I have to be my own master, so I couldn't work in a big company like you and have to answer to a boss. See also: master, own be (one's) own mistress Of a woman, to not be subject to or controlled by others, especially at work or at home. I have to be my own mistress, so I couldn't work in a big company like you and have to answer to a boss. See also: mistress, own fire is a good servant but a bad master proverb Fire is useful when monitored and controlled. Left unchecked, however, it is quite dangerous and destructive. Hey, we need to blow out these candles before leaving the house. After all, fire is a good servant but a bad master. See also: bad, but, fire, good, master jack of all trades, master of none A person who is able to do many things but does not have a high amount of skill in any one area. A: "My brother can play several instruments, but none very well." B: "You know what they say—jack of all trades, master of none." See also: all, jack, master, none, of Jill of all trades(, master of none) A woman who is skilled in or adept at a wide variety of tasks or abilities (i.e., the female equivalent of "Jack of all trades"). If used with "master of none," it implies that while competent in a variety of things, she is not highly skilled in a particular one. I've had all sorts of different jobs through the years, so I consider myself quite a Jill of all trades! Mary just sort of floated between different interests after she left high school—a Jill of all trades, but master of none. See also: all, jill, master, of Master of the Universe 1. Literally, the supreme being; God. One must always keep in mind the designs and desires of the Master of the Universe if one wishes to enter into heaven in the afterlife. 2. By extension, an extremely powerful, successful, or wealthy person, especially someone working on Wall Street in the US financial sector. John liked to think of himself as a self-styled Master of the Universe after earning his first million playing the stock market. See also: master, of, universe no man can serve two masters To divide one's attention, efforts, or loyalty between more than one profession, company, goal, pursuit, etc., will result in none of them being done properly. A: "His work has really started to suffer ever since he started that second job." B: "Well, what do you expect? No man can serve two masters." I thought I could write in my spare time while I paid the bills with my day job, but I find I just get too burnt out doing it. I suppose I need to choose one or the other, since no man can serve to masters. See also: can, man, master, no, serve, two no person is free who is not master of himself One will continue to have difficulty navigating life if one lacks discipline, self-control, and self-awareness. A: "I think that a lot of John's issues are related to his emotional volatility." B: "Yeah, no person is free who is not master of himself." See also: free, himself, master, no, not, of, person, who past master One who is exceptionally skilled or experienced in a particular activity, craft, or field. Typically followed by "in/of/at (something)." Not to toot my own horn, but I consider myself a bit of a past master in cooking. I don't blame you for feeling that way—Jen is a real past master at eroding your self-confidence. He's always been a past master of getting by with doing as little work as possible. See also: master, past serve two masters To simultaneously tend to or support or devote oneself to two different—often conflicting—responsibilities, pursuits, ideas, or people. It comes from the Biblical phrase, "No man can serve two masters." You need to decide if you are married to your wife or to your work because you simply cannot serve two masters. See also: master, serve, two slack master Someone who is especially lazy, indolent, or given to procrastination. I don't know how a slack master like him manages to get straight A's. That slack master Janet has been pulling our whole project down. I think she's done about 10 minutes of genuine work! See also: master, slack Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. Fire is a good servant but a bad master. Prov. You must be careful to use fire wisely and under control so that it will not hurt you. Don't play with the candle flames, children. Fire is a good servant but a bad master. At camp, we learned how to build and extinguish fires safely, since fire is a good servant but a bad master. See also: bad, but, fire, good, master jack of all trades is a master of none Prov. If you are able to do a lot of things fairly well, you will not have time to learn to do one thing extremely well. Jill: I envy Bob; he can do so many things. He writes novels, paints pictures, makes sculptures, and even plays the dulcimer. Jane: It's true he does a lot of things, but he probably doesn't do them all terribly well. A jack of all trades is a master of none, you know. See also: all, jack, master, none, of, trade No man can serve two masters. Prov. You cannot work for two different people, organizations, or purposes in good faith, because you will end up favoring one over the other. (Biblical.) Al tried going to school and working, both full-time, but soon discovered that he could not serve two masters. See also: can, man, master, no, serve, two past master (at something) Fig.* someone proven extremely good or skillful at an activity. (Typically: be ~; become ~.) Mary is a past master at cooking omelets. Pam is a past master at the art of complaining. See also: master, past McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. past master A person who is thoroughly experienced or exceptionally skilled in some activity or craft. For example, We're lucky to get Ella, because she's a past master at fundraising. This expression probably alludes to the original literal meaning, that is, one who formerly held the post of master in a lodge or other organization. Although past mistress* was used for an exceptionally skilled woman in the mid-1800s, it is heard less often today, master serving for both sexes. [Mid-1800s] See also: master, past The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. serve two masters FORMAL If a person or organization tries to serve two masters, they try to be loyal to two opposing principles, beliefs or organizations. An organization such as the BBC can either make a profit or provide an excellent public service. It cannot, however, be asked to serve two masters. Note: This expression is used in the Bible. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says: `No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.' (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13) See also: master, serve, two Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. serve two masters take orders from two superiors or follow two conflicting or opposing principles or policies at the same time. This phrase alludes to the warning given in the Bible against trying to serve both God and Mammon (Matthew 6:24). See also: master, serve, two Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary be your own ˈmaster/ˈmistress be free to make your own decisions rather than being told what to do by somebody else: There’s no point trying to tell him what to do. He’s his own master, as you know. See also: master, mistress, own a ˌpast ˈmaster (in/of/at something) a person who is very good at doing something: He’s a past master at making other people feel guilty. See also: master, past serve two ˈmasters (usually used in negative sentences) support two opposing parties, principles, etc. at the same time: Government ministers are not allowed to work for private companies as nobody can serve two masters at once.This expression comes from the Bible. See also: master, serve, two Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: (one's) lord and master 200 do not pass Go, do not collect $200 do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollars be all in a day's work all in a day's work big white chief a right one adulting as you do References in classic literature "Master Jacques," he cried, "let fate take its course!" The procurator wheeled round in affright; it seemed to him that pincers of iron had clutched his arm. Let things take their course, Master Jacques, 'tis fate! Jacques Charmolue recalled him wholly to a sense of reality by addressing to him this question: "Come, now, master, when will you come to aid me in making gold? "Master Jacques read Michel Psellus' ' Dialogus de Energia et Operatione Daemonum .' What we are doing is not wholly innocent." Notre Dame de Paris Some of these stood respectfully at a distance; but two of them, women, perpetrated the hostile act of clutching the master around the neck. "Then White Fang, to show his friendship, will have to be chief mourner at the funeral," laughed the master. Then he lay down with a contented grunt at the master's feet, observing all that went on, ever ready to spring to his feet and fight for life with the terrors he felt must lurk under the trap-roof of the dwelling. White Fang "Still," said Sancho, "I would be glad if your worship would make Master Pedro ask his ape whether what happened your worship in the cave of Montesinos is true; for, begging your worship's pardon, I, for my part, take it to have been all flam and lies, or at any rate something you dreamt." At this point Master Pedro came up in quest of Don Quixote, to tell him the show was now ready and to come and see it, for it was worth seeing. But enough of that for the present; let us go and see Master Pedro's show, for I am sure there must be something novel in it." "Something!" said Master Pedro; "this show of mine has sixty thousand novel things in it; let me tell you, Senor Don Quixote, it is one of the best-worth-seeing things in the world this day; but operibus credite et non verbis, and now let's get to work, for it is growing late, and we have a great deal to do and to say and show." Don Quixote ``My master has disposed of them already,'' said Gurth. ``Barely,'' said Gurth, though the sum demanded was more reasonable than he expected, ``and it will leave my master nigh penniless. If you will not take seventy, I will carry this bag'' (and he shook it till the contents jingled) ``back to my master.'' Ivanhoe If the lineal descendants of Ham are alone to be scriptur- ally enslaved, it is certain that slavery at the south must soon become unscriptural; for thousands are ushered into the world, annually, who, like myself, owe their existence to white fathers, and those fa- thers most frequently their own masters. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave
随便看	one to a customer one today is worth two tomorrows one too many one-to-one one-track mind one-track mind, to have a one-trick pony pearl-clutching pearl necklace pearl of great price, a pearl of wisdom pearls before swine pearls of wisdom pearly pearly whites pea souper pebble PEBCAC PEBCAK PEBKAM pec peck peck at pecker peckerhead