Pairs #40

Inside and out. Thoroughly; down to the last detail.

Far and near. From or in many different places, often ones that are a long distance away.

Ragtag and bobtail. (Also rag, tag and bobtail.) Low-life, riffraff.

Hand and glove. (Also hand in glove.) In close association or collaboration (with someone or something).

Kiss and make up. To reconcile or resolve differences. The phrase can refer to a literal kiss, typically among a romantic couple, but is also used figuratively.

Up and coming. (Also up-and-coming.) On a trajectory to become established or successful, especially in a career or as a business.

Battered and bruised. 1. Having many minor injuries, as from a physical assault or altercation. 2. Thoroughly worn down or exhausted, as from an exhausting or trying experience.

Laugh and grow fat. A proverb meaning that laughter and cheer tend to have a positive effect on one's health.

All brawn and no brain. Having great power or physical strength but lacking mental acuity or intelligence.

On a wing and a prayer. With the hope of a positive outcome despite little chance of success.

Bam and scram. The act of causing or contributing to a motor vehicle accident on the road and fleeing the scene so as not to be identified and held responsible.

Died and gone to heaven. Part of the cliché “I thought I'd died and gone to heaven,” an expression of supreme enjoyment or contentment.

Scrimp and save. To spend as little money as possible; to be especially frugal, especially with the aim of saving up for something bigger.

Wake up and smell the roses. To take time to enjoy the finer or more enjoyable aspects of life, especially when one has become overworked or overly stressed.

Man proposes, and God disposes. Forces outside our control can determine the success or failure of our most ambitious or ingenious plans.

Get in the boat and row. To take action, especially while working together with others.

Pay the piper and call the tune. To be able to dictate how some situation proceeds because one has funded it.

Day and age. The current time period. Typically used in the phrase "in this day and age."

A mover and a shaker. A person who is able to get things done with their power, influence, or money.

Ye gods and little fishes! (primarily US, euphemism, old fashioned) An exclamation of shock, astonishment, or incredulity. A more emphatic, though less serious, way of saying "ye gods," a minced oath used as a stand-in for the more blasphemous "Oh my God!"

Charge it to the dust and let the rain settle it. A humorous response when one is not likely to pay for something.

Take the ball and run with it. To further develop or expand upon an idea or plan to its fullest potential.

Not worth a whoop and a holler. Useless or worthless.

East is East and West is West. Part of the proverb “East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet,” from a Rudyard Kipling poem, and said of two things that are too different to ever be agreeable or harmonious.