world
the best of both (or all possible) worlds the benefits of widely differing situations, enjoyed at the same time.
☞ The variant all possible worlds alludes to the catchphrase of the eternally optimistic philosopher Dr Pangloss in Voltaire's Candide (1759): Dans ce meilleur des mondes possibles…tout est au mieux, usually quoted in English as 'Everything is for the best in the best of all possible worlds'.
brave new world: seebrave.
carry the world before you have rapid and complete success.
citizen of the world: seecitizen.
come (or go) up in the world rise in status, especially by becoming richer.
dead to the world: seedead.
the end of the world: seeend.
for all the world exactly, in every respect.
2007Charles StrossHalting State She pauses and looks straight at the phonecam, for all the world as if she's reading from a teleprompter.
go (or come) down in the world drop in status, especially by becoming poorer.
in a world of your own concerned with your own thoughts and not aware of what is happening around you.
a man (or woman) of the world a person who is experienced and practical in human affairs.
the next world: seenext.
not be long for this world: seelong.
on top of the world: seetop.
out of this world extremely enjoyable or impressive. informal
1995Daily Express I thought the rest of the team, and especially the defence, were out of this world.
set the world alight (or on fire) achieve something sensational. informal
☞ A British variant of this expression is set the Thames on fire.
1976Dick FrancisIn the Frame He was the same sort of man my father had been, middle-aged, middle-of-the-road, expert at his chosen job but unlikely to set the world on fire.
it's a small world: seesmall.
think the world of have a very high regard for.
watch the world go by: seewatch.
the way of the world the manner in which people typically behave or things typically happen (used to express your resignation to it).
with the best will in the world: seewill.
the world and his wife everyone; a large number of people. British
☞ This expression is first recorded in Jonathan Swift's Polite Conversation (1738).
the world, the flesh, and the devil all forms of temptation to sin.
the world is your oyster you are in a position to take the opportunities that life has to offer.
☞ This expression may come from Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor: 'Why, then the world's mine oyster, Which I with sword will open'. The humorously malapropistic variant the world is your lobster was popularized by the Thames TV series Minder (1979–94).
2013BenSilent Words Speak Loudest When you finish your career as a professional footballer, the world is your oyster-there are so many options.
a (or the) world of a very great deal of.
worlds apart very different or distant.