amber
Related to amber: Amber Alert
a fly in amber
Something from or indicative of a bygone era that still exists in the present in the same or similar form (like an ancient insect preserved in amber). Amongst the booming modernity of the city's glass-paned skyscrapers and hip, trendy restaurants lies a fly in amber—Madame Couture's Curiosity Shop, still in the exact same building as when it opened in 1874 My brother still lives at home with our parents, with no job, no girlfriend, and no motivation in life, still living as a child, like a fly in amber.
See also: amber, fly
amber gambler
slang A driver who speeds through an intersection just before the traffic light is about to turn red. The middle (yellow) traffic signal is often referred to as being the color amber. Primarily heard in UK. If you keep being a reckless ambler gambler, you're going to get into a car accident soon enough!
See also: amber, gambler
amber nectar
Beer, especially lager. Primarily heard in Australia. It's been a long day at work, I'm looking for a bit of amber nectar when I finish!
See also: amber, nectar
gray amber
Another term for ambergris, a waxy substance excreted by sperm whales and used as a fixative, especially in the preparation of perfumes. The large chunk of gray amber that washed ashore is worth more than gold!
See also: amber, gray
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
a fly in amber
a curious relic of the past, preserved into the present.The image is of the fossilized bodies of insects which are often found preserved in amber.
See also: amber, fly
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- a fly in amber
- a straw will show which way the wind blows
- days gone by
- bygone
- bygone days
- days of yore
- of yore
- yore
- harbinger of things to come
- a harbinger of things to come