Pairs #62

Home, James, and don't spare the horses! A humorous directive for a driver to take one home directly and without delay.

look as if one has lost a shilling and found sixpence. To look annoyed or displeased.

neat and tidy. Very organized and clean.

all that and then some. Exceeding that which has already been discussed.

brown and serve. (of pre-baked or pre-cooked packaged foods) Requiring only a brief browning period in an oven to achieve the desired color or texture and to be ready to serve.

go between the bark and the tree. To be overly involved in someone's personal matters—often those of a married person or couple.

live long and prosper. A catchphrase from the Star Trek media franchise, in which it is used as a blessing adapted from the fictional Vulcan language. In general use, the phrase is often used humorously as part of a farewell to wish someone good fortune or good health.

goodbye and good riddance. An expression used when one is pleased that someone or something is leaving or stopping. A shortened version of the phrase "good riddance to bad rubbish."

close one's eyes and think of England. (primarily UK; typically of a woman, specifically a wife) To endure unwanted or unpleasant sexual intercourse—as out of a sense of duty or obligation—by distracting oneself with more pleasant thoughts. Refers to alleged advice for wives in the 19th and early 20th centuries, placing unwanted sexual activity as the price of the security of marriage.

could fight a circle-saw and it a runnin'. (idiom, primarily rural) Eager to fight.

know the price of everything and the value of nothing. To be so materialistic that one is unable to gauge or recognize something's true value. The phrase comes from Oscar Wilde.

all work and no play. (proverb) A shortening of “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” meaning that working too much can be bad for one's health or can make one boring.

all show and no go. (slang) Visually appealing but lacking ability or substance.

highways and byways. Both major and minor or lesser-traveled roads. (Sometimes used figuratively to describe paths taken in life.)

bound hand and foot. Literally, having one’s hands tied together and one’s feet tied together. By extension, causing one to feel trapped in a daunting situation.

free and easy. Calm and relaxed.

now and anon. (old-fashioned) Occasionally; now and then.

all piss and wind. (primarily UK, rude slang) Full of boastful, arrogant, or shallow talk, especially by a male who then cannot deliver on his claims.

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. (proverb) Because March straddles winter and spring in the northern hemisphere, it tends to have very harsh, unpleasant weather in the beginning but typically has milder, more palatable weather by the end. The phrase is often rearranged, separated, or otherwise slightly reworded.

boys and girls. When not used to address children, a familiar or diminutive version of "ladies and gentlemen," i.e., everyone who is present.

As I live and breathe! An expression of surprise or amazement.

life and death. A shortening of “a matter of life and death,” used to describe an extremely serious situation or one with dire consequences.

hunt high and low. To look absolutely everywhere for someone or something.

five and dime. (primarily US) A store that sells goods at low prices (at one time, for literally 5 and 10 cents). Also called five and ten, five and ten cent store, dime store.