Words and Phrases
To invent a new word or phrase is to do this--makes cents
to coin
When a job is not a chore but a passion, it's a this of this, like hosting "Jeopardy!"
a labor of love
When the legality of something is in question, it may be one of these spots that's more complex than it seems a gray area
a gray area
In song, it was used to describe an arachnid making its way up a drainage pipe
itsy-bitsy
"Come on down"
The Price is Right
Instead of "happy" in wishes for solemn holidays, you can tell people to have this kind of Yom Kippur or Memorial Day
meaningful
Meaning "false step" in French, it's a socially embarrassing act or remark
faux pas
To achieve the ultimate triumph after failure is to have this
the last laugh
If you have a talent for growing things, you're said to have one of these; the Incredible Hulk has 2 of them
a green thumb
It's a planned function where someone famous is introduced to & socializes with audience members
Meet and greet
"Survey says..."
Family Feud
Machiavelli wrote, "in the actions of all men... one judges by the result" but not this similar maxim often attributed to him
the ends justify the means
Term for the technical jargon of attorneys & their documents
legalese
This person who is not fun at parties was popularized by a Rachel Dratch "SNL" character
a Debbie downer
Norfolk capon was one slang term the local fishing industry used for this, now a familiar phrase & a literary device
a red herring
Definitions of this include a country at war, a new night club, a good place for Wi-Fi
a hot spot
"Dumb Dora was so dumb..."
Match Game
It's the rhyming nickname of U. of North Texas sports teams; there's no "Joe", despite a famous football alumnus
the Mean Green
"He who pays the piper holds the reins" is an example of this, incorrectly fusing 2 symbolic comparisons
mixed metaphor
This 2-word phrase derives from a Latin way of saying "the position being reversed"
vice versa
With & without "monster", it's how Shakespeare described jealousy
green-eyed
This bit of advice could be translated as "pretend to be successful until you become so"
fake it till you make it
To the mystery guest: "Enter & sign in, please"
What's My Line
This word precedes "back at the ranch" in a cliché supposedly from old Western movies
meanwhile
From the Latin for "announce", this means to pronounce clearly & correctly
enunciate
On a road trip in my big old whip, we had to stop for fuel every couple of hours--the car is definitely one of these a gas guzzler
a gas guzzler
Jack London's "John Barleycorn" tells of a drinker who sees "blue mice" & these, significantly larger visions
pink elephants
A police helicopter providing surveillance is idiomatically one of these & doesn't need to blink either
an eye in the sky
"Big bucks, no whammies"
Press Your Luck
Horace used this precious phrase for moderation between extremes
the golden mean