practical
Related to practical: Practical Magic
a (kind of) turn of mind
A particular way of considering, thinking about, or approaching things in one's life. My dad always had a very pragmatic turn of mind, so everything he did had to be weighed against how it would benefit him and the family. With the release of his new non-fiction book about international policy, the star athlete has been revealing a surprisingly intellectual turn of mind.
See also: mind, of, turn
a practical joke
A mischievous trick typically involving some physical action or object intended to make someone look or feel foolish. We hid a rubber snake in the fridge as a practical joke so that it would scare Mom or Dad when they went in for something to eat.
See also: joke, practical
for (all) practical purposes
In reality; basically. For all practical purposes, I might as well have not handed in this proposal at all, with how swiftly the board rejected it.
See also: practical, purpose
play a practical joke (on one)
To play a mischievous trick on one, typically involving some physical action or object, to make one look or feel foolish. The rubber snake in the fridge scared me so badly that it took me a few minutes to realize it was just my brother playing a practical joke on me.
See also: joke, play, practical
to all intents and purposes
In every practical or functional sense; almost completely. To all intents and purposes, the gym is ready for tonight's dance. There's only a few small things we still need to do.
See also: all, and, intent, purpose
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
for all practical purposes
as might be reasonably expected; essentially. For all practical purposes, this is simply a matter of right and wrong. This should be considered final, for all practical purposes.
See also: all, practical, purpose
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
to all intents and purposes
Also, for all intents and purposes; for all practical purposes. In every practical sense, virtually. For example, For all intents and purposes the case is closed, or For all practical purposes the Vice-President is the chief executive while the President is in the hospital . The first phrase, dating from the 1500s, originated in English law, where it was to all intents, constructions, and purposes. A shorter synonym is in effect, def. 1.
See also: all, and, intent, purpose
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
to all intents and purposes
COMMON You say to all intents and purposes to suggest that a situation is not exactly as you describe it but the effect is the same as if it were. To all intents and purposes he was my father. Note: People sometimes just say to all intents with the same meaning. For the first time in many years he was, to all intents, a free man.
See also: all, and, intent, purpose
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
to all intents and purposes
in all important respects. 1992 London Review of Books For if in 1976 pianists really were about to lose the skill of polyphonic piano-playing, then to all intents and purposes the skill of playing the piano was at an end.
See also: all, and, intent, purpose
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
to all intents and ˈpurposes
(British English) (American English for all intents and ˈpurposes) in almost every important way: The fighting has stopped, so to all intents and purposes, the war is over.See also: all, and, intent, purpose
a practical, scientific, etc. turn of ˈmind
a practical, scientific, etc. way of thinking about things: He’s got a very practical turn of mind. He can fix anything.See also: mind, of, turn
for (all) ˈpractical purposes
in actual fact; in reality: Your daughter does so little work at school, Mrs Brown, that for all practical purposes she might as well not be here at all.See also: practical, purpose
(play) a ˌpractical ˈjoke (on somebody)
play a trick on somebody which involves physical action, using an object, etc: They put a frog in his bed as a practical joke. ▶ a ˌpractical ˈjoker noun a person who plays practical jokesSee also: joke, practical
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- a (kind of) turn of mind
- a practical, scientific, etc. turn of mind
- scientific
- it doesn't hurt to (have or do something)
- let (one's) heart rule (one's) head
- let your heart rule your head
- (both) feet on the ground
- do something for all you are worth
- be going on (for) (something)
- be going on something