miller

dusty miller

Any of several low-growing plants that have fuzzy stems and leaves. I think I've got a dusty miller growing in my back yard.
See also: dusty, miller

ken-miller

obsolete A burglar. I know that man—he's a ken-miller who's stolen from many houses in the area!

Miller of Dee

A person who lives alone or independently from others, usually for selfish reasons. Originates from the English folk song Miller of Dee. Primarily heard in UK. Dan was quickly labeled the miller of Dee because of his carefree, bachelor lifestyle.
See also: dee, miller, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • dusty miller
  • dusty butt
  • not so dusty
  • have been to hell and back
  • brown thumb
  • been to hell and back
  • follow the example of
  • in the not too distant future
  • in the not-so-distant future
  • in the not-too-distant future
References in classic literature
"'Lots of people act well,' answered the Miller; 'but very few people talk well, which shows that talking is much the more difficult thing of the two, and much the finer thing also'; and he looked sternly across the table at his little son, who felt so ashamed of himself that he hung his head down, and grew quite scarlet, and began to cry into his tea.
"Well," said the Linnet, hopping now on one leg and now on the other, "as soon as the winter was over, and the primroses began to open their pale yellow stars, the Miller said to his wife that he would go down and see little Hans.
"I give you all thanks," said the Miller, "but my bag is none that heavy that I cannot carry it e'en by myself."
"Nay, smite me not!" cried the Miller, throwing up his elbow as though he feared the blow.
"I can do it with whistles", Skiff Miller said proudly.
"I nearly ate him once, over on Little Fish River," Miller volunteered grimly.
And yet was he to accuse Miss Daisy Miller of actual or potential inconduite, as they said at Geneva?
But it will be too bad if we don't go up there." And Miss Miller pointed again at the Chateau de Chillon.
Another game, with a similar result, was followed by a revoke from the unlucky Miller; on which the fat gentleman burst into a state of high personal excitement which lasted until the conclusion of the game, when he retired into a corner, and remained perfectly mute for one hour and twenty-seven minutes; at the end of which time he emerged from his retirement, and offered Mr.
Mrs Miller made no answer; and Nancy, to whom her mother had whispered the generosity of Jones, turned pale upon the occasion; though, if either of them was angry with Nightingale, it was surely without reason.
I was too tired even to dream; I only once awoke to hear the wind rave in furious gusts, and the rain fall in torrents, and to be sensible that Miss Miller had taken her place by my side.
A great tumult succeeded for some minutes, during which Miss Miller repeatedly exclaimed, "Silence!" and "Order!" When it subsided, I saw them all drawn up in four semicircles, before four chairs, placed at the four tables; all held books in their hands, and a great book, like a Bible, lay on each table, before the vacant seat.
Long they fought equally, until the Miller began to lose temper at finding himself so stoutly opposed, and at hearing the laughter of his companions, who, as usual in such cases, enjoyed his vexation.
The Miller pressed furiously forward, dealing blows with either end of his weapon alternately, and striving to come to half-staff distance, while Gurth defended himself against the attack, keeping his hands about a yard asunder, and covering himself by shifting his weapon with great celerity, so as to protect his head and body.
To all this Miller replied abruptly, that it was useless to argue with him, as his mind was made up.