perfect
Related to perfect: perfect tense
in a perfect world
If things existed or happened exactly as one would like. Well, in a perfect world I'd be able to take time off for paternity leave without having it affect my pay, but at least I get to take the time off at all! Well, we'd be able to provide healthcare services to every citizen without charge in a perfect world, but unfortunately that's never going to happen.
See also: perfect, world
in an ideal world
If things existed or happened exactly as one would like. Well, in an ideal world I'd be able to take time off for paternity leave without having it affect my pay, but at least I get to take the time off at all! Well, we'd be able to provide healthcare services to every citizen without charge in an ideal world, but unfortunately that's never going to happen.
See also: ideal, world
inch-perfect
Extremely accurate; very well placed or perfectly judged. (Used especially of maneuvers, moves, or shots in sport.) Primarily heard in UK. With only a few seconds left, the striker managed an inch-perfect goal from midfield.
let (the) perfect be the enemy of (the) good
To allow the demand, desire, or insistence for perfection decrease the chances of obtaining a good or favorable result in the end. (Usually used in the negative as an imperative.) I know you want your research paper to be great, but don't let perfect be the enemy of good, or you won't even finish it in time! As a manager, you have to realize both the potential and the limits of your employees, so be sure not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
See also: enemy, good, let, of, perfect
match for (someone or something)
1. Someone who is well suited to someone else, especially as a romantic partner. We're actually a perfect match for one another, despite our differences in personality—maybe even because of those differences. I think he would be a good match for you—just go on one date and see how you get on!
2. Someone who able to stand up to or compete against someone else with equal strength or skill. Often used in negative constructions. They've had an impressive run this season, but the young team is just no match for the returning champions. No one put much faith in the young defense attorney, but he has proven a match for the state prosecutor.
See also: match
no one's perfect
All people have faults or make mistakes. Used as a means of consolation or of mitigating judgment or criticism against someone or something. A: "I'm sorry I screwed up our presentation today." B: "Hey, no one's perfect. It's not the end of the world or anything." No one's perfect, so I try not to be too judgmental of other people.
See also: no, perfect
nobody's perfect
All people have faults or make mistakes. Used as a means of consolation or of mitigating judgment or criticism against someone or something. A: "I'm sorry I screwed up our presentation today." B: "Hey, nobody's perfect. It's not the end of the world or anything." Nobody's perfect, so I try not to be too judgmental of other people.
See also: perfect
perfect storm
A chance or rare combination of individual elements, circumstances, or events that together form a disastrous, catastrophic, or extremely unpleasant problem or difficulty. The incumbent mayor's re-election campaign is getting underway amidst a perfect storm of allegations and news stories about corruption, tax evasion, and racketeering within the city's government. The oil crisis has set off a perfect storm in the Middle East, where foreign leaders have depended on its economic stability to keep their warring countries from absolute chaos and anarchy.
See also: perfect, storm
perfect stranger
Someone with whom one has absolutely no previous association. My mom and dad didn't come to see our son until he was nearly three years old, so, to him, they were perfect strangers! She thought it was terribly funny to go up to perfect strangers and begin conversations with them as if they had been lifelong friends.
See also: perfect, stranger
picture perfect
Exactly as desired in every detail. Often hyphenated. My goodness, what a party. Everything was picture perfect. She's obsessed with having a picture-perfect wedding.
See also: perfect, picture
pitch-perfect
Reaching or conveying the exactly right note or tone. The phrase refers to music but it is often applied to writing and other things. After her pitch-perfect rendition, I definitely think we should ask Meredith to join the choir. This is a pitch-perfect parody of Hemingway's writing style, don't you think?
practice makes perfect
proverb Practicing or repeatedly doing something will make one become proficient or skillful at it. A: "I just can't seem to get the rhythm of this song quire right." B: "Keep at it—practice makes perfect!" You can't expect to start a new sport and be amazing at it right away. As is always the case, practice makes perfect.
See also: make, perfect, practice
we're none of us perfect
All people have faults or make mistakes. Used as a means of consolation or of mitigating judgment or criticism against someone or something. A: "I'm sorry I screwed up our presentation today." B: "Hey, we're none of us perfect. It's not the end of the world or anything." We're none of us perfect, so I try not to be too judgmental of other people.
See also: none, of, perfect
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
perfect stranger
and total strangerFig. a person who is completely unknown [to oneself]. I was stopped on the street by a perfect stranger who wanted to know my name. If a total stranger asked me such a personal question, I am sure I would not answer!
See also: perfect, stranger
picture perfect
Fig. looking exactly correct or right. (Hyphenated as a modifier.) At last, everything was picture perfect. Nothing less than a picture-perfect party table will do.
See also: perfect, picture
Practice makes perfect.
Prov. Cliché Doing something over and over again is the only way to learn to do it well. Jill: I'm not going to try to play the piano anymore. I always make so many mistakes. Jane: Don't give up. Practice makes perfect. Child: How come you're so good at peeling potatoes? Father: I did it a lot in the army, and practice makes perfect.
See also: make, perfect, practice
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
practice makes perfect
Frequently doing something makes one better at doing it, as in I've knit at least a hundred sweaters, but in my case practice hasn't made perfect. This proverbial expression was once put as Use makes mastery, but by 1560 the present form had become established.
See also: make, perfect, practice
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
practice makes perfect
COMMON People say practice makes perfect to mean that if you practise something enough, you will eventually be able to do it perfectly. It is like learning to ride a bike. You may fall off a few times but practice makes perfect.
See also: make, perfect, practice
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
practice makes perfect
regular exercise of an activity or skill is the way to become proficient in it.See also: make, perfect, practice
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
ˌpractice makes ˈperfect
(saying) a way of encouraging people by telling them that if you do an activity regularly you will become very good at it: If you want to learn a language, speak it as much as you can. Practice makes perfect!See also: make, perfect, practice
in an ˌideal/a ˌperfect ˈworld
used to say that something is what you would like to happen or what should happen, but you know it cannot: In an ideal world we would be recycling and reusing everything.See also: ideal, perfect, world
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
letter perfect
Correct in every detail; verbatim. The term comes from the nineteenth-century stage, in which actors were told to memorize their parts precisely to the letter of every word. It probably evolved from an earlier expression, to the letter, which had very much the same meaning. “I will obey you to the letter,” wrote Byron (Sardanapalus, 1821).
See also: letter, perfect
picture perfect
Exactly right, especially in appearance. This term, from the twentieth century, alludes to the precise resemblance of a painting or photograph to its subject, as in “The day was picture perfect for a picnic—not a cloud in the sky.” Time magazine used the term as the caption for a photograph of the presidential candidate Al Gore, his wife Tipper, running mate Joe Lieberman, and Lieberman’s wife Hadassah, calling it “the purest moment of their campaign” (Aug. 21, 2000).
See also: perfect, picture
practice makes perfect
The more one does something, the better at it one becomes. This ancient proverb began as use makes perfect. In English it dates from the fifteenth century but probably was a version of a much older Latin proverb. It exists in many languages, so presumably most people agree. Ralph Waldo Emerson almost did: “Practice is nine-tenths,” he wrote (Conduct of Life: Power, 1860). An English writer in the Spectator of May 10, 1902, differed: “Practice never makes perfect. It improves up to a point.”
See also: make, perfect, practice
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- in an ideal/a perfect world
- ideal
- in a perfect world
- in an ideal world
- provide with
- provided
- providing
- provide
- provide (one) with (something)
- provide (something) for (someone or something)