lovely

everything in the garden is lovely

Everything is going well. Often used in the negative. Primarily heard in UK. I doubt that everything in the garden is lovely for them—I think their happiness is just an act.
See also: everything, garden, lovely

I/we had a lovely time

1. An expression of gratitude said to someone when leaving some social occasion they hosted. We had a lovely time, guys. What a fantastic party! That was a delicious dinner, and you make for wonderful company. I had a lovely time all around.
2. An expression of gratitude said to someone after spending time with them, as on a date. I've had a lovely time, Jenny. I'd really like to see you again sometime.
See also: lovely, time, we

lovely and (something)

Very something. Used to emphasize how nice something is because of the particular quality named after "and." Primarily heard in UK. I love your new house! It's lovely and bright inside! Ah, this lemonade is lovely and cold—just the thing for such a hot day.
See also: and, lovely

lovely weather for ducks

Wet, rainy weather. It's been lovely weather for ducks lately, so I would sure appreciate some sunshine. Good morning, Carol. Lovely weather for ducks we're having, isn't it?
See also: duck, lovely, weather

thank you for a (some kind of) evening

1. An expression of gratitude said to someone when leaving some social occasion they hosted in the evening. Words like "lovely," "nice," "wonderful," etc., are used before "evening." Thank you for a super evening, guys. What a fantastic party! That was a delicious dinner, and you make for wonderful company. Thank you for a lovely evening all around.
2. An expression of gratitude said to someone after spending an evening with them, as on a date. Thank you for a wonderful evening, Jenny. I'd really like to see you again sometime.
See also: evening, kind, thank

thank you for a (some kind of) time

1. An expression of gratitude said to someone when leaving some social occasion they hosted. Words like "lovely," "nice," "wonderful," etc., are used before "time." Thank you for a super time, guys. What a fantastic party! That was a delicious dinner, and you make for wonderful company. Thank you for a lovely time all around.
2. An expression of gratitude said to someone after spending time with them, as on a date. Thank you for a wonderful time, Jenny. I'd really like to see you again sometime.
See also: kind, thank, time

thanks for a (some kind of) evening

1. An expression of gratitude said to someone when leaving some social occasion they hosted in the evening. Words like "lovely," "nice," "wonderful," etc., are used before "evening." Thanks for a super evening, guys. What a fantastic party! That was a delicious dinner, and you make for wonderful company. Thanks for a lovely evening all around.
2. An expression of gratitude said to someone after spending an evening with them, as on a date. Thanks for a wonderful evening, Jenny. I'd really like to see you again sometime.
See also: evening, kind, thanks

thanks for a (some kind of) time

1. An expression of gratitude said to someone when leaving some social occasion they hosted. Words like "lovely," "nice," "wonderful," etc., are used before "time." Thanks for a super time, guys. What a fantastic party! That was a delicious dinner, and you make for wonderful company. Thanks for a lovely time all around.
2. An expression of gratitude said to someone after spending time with them, as on a date. Thanks for a wonderful time, Jenny. I'd really like to see you again sometime.
See also: kind, thanks, time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

I had a lovely time.

 and We had a lovely time.
a polite expression of thanks to the host or hostess. Fred: Good-bye. I had a lovely time. Bill: Nice to have you. Do come again. Jane: We had a lovely time. Mary: Thank you and thanks for coming.
See also: lovely, time

I've had a lovely time.

 and We've had a lovely time.
a polite expression said to a host or hostess on departure. Bob: I've had a lovely time. Thanks for asking me. Fred: We're just delighted you could come. Good night. Bob: Good night. Sue: We've had a lovely time. Good night. Bill: Next time don't stay away so long. Good night.
See also: lovely, time

Lovely weather for ducks,

 and Fine weather for ducks.
Cliché a greeting meaning that this unpleasant rainy weather must be good for something. Bill: Hi, Bob. How do you like this weather? Bob: Lovely weather for ducks. Sally: What a lot of rain! Tom: Yeah. Lovely weather for ducks. Don't care for it much myself.
See also: duck, lovely, weather

thank you for a lovely evening

an expression said by a departing guest to the host or hostess at the end of an evening. (Other adjectives, such as nice, can be used in place of lovely.) Mary: Thank you for a lovely evening. John: Will I see you again? Bill: Thank you for a nice evening. Mary: Thank you so much for coming. Good night.
See also: evening, lovely, thank

thank you for a lovely time

an expression said by a departing guest to the host or hostess. (Other adjectives, such as nice, can be used in place of lovely.) Bill: Thank you for a nice time. Mary: Thank you so much for coming. Bye now. John: Thank you so much for coming. Jane: Well, thank you for a lovely time. John: Don't stay away so long next time.
See also: lovely, thank, time
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

everything in the garden is lovely (or rosy)

all is well. informal
Everything in the garden is lovely was an early 20th-century catchphrase, originating in a song popularized by the English music-hall artiste Marie Lloyd ( 1870–1922 ), and is used as an expression of general satisfaction and contentment.
See also: everything, garden, lovely
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

everything in the garden is ˈlovely/ˈrosy

(British English, saying, often ironic) everything is satisfactory, is going well, or could not be better: She pretends that everything in the garden is rosy, but I’ve heard that she’s heavily in debt.
See also: everything, garden, lovely, rosy

lovely and ˈwarm, ˈcold, ˈquiet, etc.

(British English, spoken) used when you are emphasizing that something is good because of the quality mentioned: It’s lovely and warm in here.
See also: and, lovely
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • everything in the garden is lovely
  • everything in the garden is lovely/rosy
  • everything in the garden is rosy
  • rosy
  • everything is rosy in the garden
  • everything
  • everything an' all
  • everything under the sun
  • sum total
  • Is everything jake?
References in classic literature
And the goddess bright-eyed Athene girded and clothed her with silvery raiment, and down from her head she spread with her hands a broidered veil, a wonder to see; and she, Pallas Athene, put about her head lovely garlands, flowers of new-grown herbs.
Collection Of Hesiod Homer and Homerica
At Coblenz we had a lovely time, for some students from Bonn, with whom Fred got acquainted on the boat, gave us a serenade.
It was very lovely, but I should have enjoyed it more if I had known the story better.
I've seen the plate, the family jewels, the old servants, and pictures of the country place, with its park, great house, lovely grounds, and fine horses.
Little Women
But betray the lovely woman, and you shall find her a serpent.
Fain to be satisfied with this concession from the lovely woman, R.
Our Mutual Friend
And if he is the lovely Lady, I shall pretend to spring upon her, and so compel her to do my bidding.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
And with busy love toiled the Elves amid the withered leaves, and new strength was given to the flower; while, as day by day the friendless child watered the growing buds, deeper grew her love for the unseen friends who had given her one thing to cherish in her lonely home; sweet, gentle thoughts filled her heart as she bent above it, and the blossom's fragrant breath was to her a whispered voice of all fair and lovely things; and as the flower taught her, so she taught others.
Soon the bright hall was filled with smiling faces and fair forms, and little Eva, as she stood beside the Queen, thought she had never seen a sight so lovely.
"Where have you brought me, and what mean these lovely sounds?" asked Eva.
Delicate and graceful were the little forms, bright the silken hair that fell about each lovely face; and Eva heard the low, sweet murmur of their silvery voices and the rustle of their wings.
Do you see yonder lovely spirit singing with my sister Moonlight?
"I will never break another flower," cried Eva; " but let me go to them, dear Fairy; I would gladly know the lovely spirits, and ask forgiveness for the sorrow I have caused.
Flower Fables
"What do you command, my charming Fairy?" asked the Falcon, bending his beak in deep reverence (for it must be known that, after all, the Lovely Maiden with Azure Hair was none other than a very kind Fairy who had lived, for more than a thousand years, in the vicinity of the forest).
In a few minutes, a lovely little coach, made of glass, with lining as soft as whipped cream and chocolate pudding, and stuffed with canary feathers, pulled out of the stable.
Adventures Of Pinocchio