variety
common or garden variety
A standard, unexceptional, or commonly found kind (of thing). Primarily heard in UK. That's just your common or garden variety house spider; there's no need to be concerned about its bite.
See also: common, garden, variety
garden variety
A standard, unexceptional, or commonly found kind (of thing). That's just your garden variety house spider; there's no need to be concerned about its bite.
See also: garden, variety
Heinz 57 (variety)
1. A phrase used to describe anything that is made up of a mixture of things. The phrase refers to an advertising slogan for the H.J. Heinz Company's 57 varieties of pickles. This stew is definitely Heinz 57 variety—there's a lot of different things thrown into it.
2. A mixed-breed dog. I have no idea what breed Sparky is—he seems to be Heinz 57.
See also: 57, Heinz
variety is the spice of life
proverb Having many different experiences is what makes life interesting, exciting, enjoyable, or worthwhile. I think everyone should travel the world. Variety is the spice of life, after all! You should really start trying new foods instead of eating the same thing all the time. Variety is the spice of life.
See also: life, of, spice, variety
variety shop
A shop that sells a myriad of different items, especially those that are relatively inexpensive. I used to love weird little variety shops like this when I was a kid—there was always something interesting I could find.
See also: shop, variety
variety store
A shop that sells a myriad of different items, especially those that are relatively inexpensive. I used to love weird little variety stores like this when I was a kid—there was always something interesting I could find.
See also: store, variety
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
Variety is the spice of life.
Prov. Cliché You should try many different kinds of experiences, because trying different things keeps life interesting. I know we usually spend our summer vacation camping out, but I think we should try something different this year. Variety is the spice of life.
See also: life, of, spice, variety
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
garden variety
Ordinary, common, as in I don't want anything special in a VCR-the garden variety will do. This term alludes to a common plant as opposed to a specially bred hybrid. [Colloquial; 1920]
See also: garden, variety
variety is the spice of life
Diversity makes life interesting, as in Jim dates a different girl every week-variety is the spice of life, he claims. This phrase comes from William Cowper's poem, "The Task" (1785): "Variety is the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor."
See also: life, of, spice, variety
variety store
A retail shop that carries a large selection of usually inexpensive merchandise, as in What this town needs is a good variety store. [Second half of 1700s]
See also: store, variety
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
common-or-garden
BRITISH orgarden-variety
AMERICANCOMMON You use common-or-garden to describe something of a very ordinary kind and with no special features. These are designer rain boots — not your common-or-garden wellies. He's just a common-or-garden petty criminal. The experiment itself is garden-variety science that normally would attract little public attention. Note: These expressions were originally used to describe the most ordinary variety of a species of plant.
variety is the spice of life
People say that variety is the spice of life, to mean that doing and seeing a lot of different things makes life more enjoyable and interesting. Families have discovered that variety is the spice of life and are switching to adventurous meals like curries, tacos and Chinese food. It is important to vary the training program so that boredom is avoided. Exercise should be fun and variety is the spice of life.
See also: life, of, spice, variety
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
variety is the spice of life
new and exciting experiences make life more interesting.This proverbial expression comes from William Cowper 's poem ‘The Task’ ( 1785 ): ‘Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour’.
See also: life, of, spice, variety
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
variety is the spice of ˈlife
(saying) a variety of different activities, interests, places or people in your life makes it more enjoyable: We never go on holiday to the same place twice. It’s good to see different things, and you know what they say — variety is the spice of life.See also: life, of, spice, variety
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
Heinz 57 (variety)
(hɑɪnz...)1. n. a mongrel breed of dog. (From the trade name of a condiment company.) We have one pedigreed dog and one Heinz 57 variety.
2. n. any mixture or mixed variety; any composition variable or undetermined parts. Our old house was sort of Heinz 57. A little bit of a lot of styles.
See also: 57, Heinz, variety
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
variety is the spice of life
Diversity keeps life interesting. This phrase comes from William Cowper’s poem “The Task” (1785): “Variety is the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour.” It became so well known that numerous writers punned on it: for example, “Variety is the spice of love” (Helen Rowland, Sayings of Mrs. Solomon, 1913), and “Variety is the vice of wives” (Phyllis McGinley, Much Ado about Nothing, 1940).
See also: life, of, spice, variety
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- common or garden variety
- common-or-garden
- garden
- common or garden
- garden variety
- Jane
- average Jane
- that feeling when
- average Joe
- that feel when