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Phrases related to: early action Page #2

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in the interest of timeIn order to save time; in order to use time more efficiently; so that time can be used more efficiently. The phrase "in the interest of time" is a commonly used expression that suggests that a decision or action is being taken with consideration of saving time or avoiding wasting time. The phrase is often used in situations where time is limited, and there is a need to prioritize tasks or actions to complete them efficiently within the available time frame. For example, if a meeting is running late, a speaker might say, "In the interest of time, let's move on to the next item on the agenda," meaning that they want to move quickly to the next topic to ensure that the meeting stays on track and does not run over time. The phrase can also be used to justify a decision that might otherwise be perceived as hasty or incomplete. For example, if someone makes a quick decision about which restaurant to go to for dinner, they might say, "In the interest of time, let's just go here," to suggest that time constraints are a factor in their decision-making process. Overall, the phrase "in the interest of time" implies a sense of urgency and efficiency, suggesting that time is a valuable resource that needs to be managed carefully to ensure that tasks are completed effectively and efficiently.Rate it:

(4.83 / 6 votes)
road movieA film in which much of the action takes place during a journey, especially one involving overland travel.Rate it:

(4.67 / 3 votes)
give him enough rope and he'll hang himselfIf one gives someone enough freedom of action, they may destroy themselves by foolish actions.Rate it:

(4.62 / 8 votes)
all piss and wind like a barber catAll talk and noise with no actionRate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
get the ball rollingTo begin; to start some action; to set in motion.Rate it:

(4.33 / 3 votes)
a smoke screenEarly sea battles demonstrated the value of gun smoke and smoke from burning ships to hide one battleship from one belonging to the enemy. Later, smoke was generated prior to commencing battle so as to make it more difficult for gun crews to spot the targeted vessel. This tactic became known as a smoke screen.Rate it:

(4.17 / 6 votes)
a day late and a dollar shortAction that was taken too late and too feeble to be of any use.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
at all hoursLate into the night or early morning; when people ought to be sleeping.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
back to the wall(Can we clean up this sense?) A very difficult situation with no beneficial options available for action.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
canary in a coal mineSomething whose sensitivity to adverse conditions makes it a useful early indicator of such conditions; something which warns of the coming of greater danger or trouble by a deterioration in its health or welfare.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
in order forTo indicate a possible consequence of an event or action.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
let a thousand flowers bloomDon't interfere with promising developments in their early stages.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
let's not and say we didIndicates that the speaker does not agree with a proposed action and does not wish to participate; often said as a joke--sometimes as an expression that the speaker doesn't want to do the proposed action or to indicate that they are happy doing what they are doing and don't want to change that by doing the proposed actionRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
like a bull at a gatecharging into some task without much thought, taking action hastilyRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
one fell swoopOne stroke; one action or event with many results.Rate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
think throughTo fully consider an action, and understand all its consequences.Rate it:

(4.00 / 3 votes)
all hat and no cattleFull of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
come onA statement or sometimes action reflecting sexual or relational interest.Rate it:

(3.33 / 3 votes)
a drop in the bucketAn effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem.Rate it:

(3.00 / 3 votes)
à qui se lève matin dieu prête la mainIt is the early bird that catches the worm.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
and be done with itUsed to terminate discussion or delay with a call to actionRate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
ask forTo increase the likelihood of something by persisting in some action; to invite.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
bottle outTo fail to perform a promised or planned action due to lack of courage.Rate it:

(3.00 / 3 votes)
hem and hawTo discuss, deliberate, or contemplate rather than taking action.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
in for an inch, in for a mileGiven that one is partly involved in or committed to a project, action, position, etc., there is no reason to refrain from becoming fully involved or fully committed.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
Kill Two Birds with One StoneTo achieve or carry out two things with one effort, to do two things in one actionRate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
let's get the party startedLet's go; let's get this done; let's start more intense action.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
object lessonAnything used an example or lesson which serves to warn others as to the outcomes that result from a particular action or behavior, as exemplified by the fates of those who followed that course.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
pump upTo inflate with a pumping action.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
run awayTo leave home, or other place of residence, usually unannounced, or to make good on a threat, with such action usually performed by a child or juvenile.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
scrape offTo remove something by a scraping action.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
two wrongs make a rightA logical fallacy whereby a wrongful action is justified by the commission of anotherRate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
measure twice and cut once(literally, carpentry) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.1872, "Dressmaking," Hall's Journal of Health, vol. 19, no. 12, p. 280:Look at Carpenters! . . . In old times it was a proverb "Measure twice, and cut once."(figuratively, by extension) Plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action.2008, Hilary Johnson, "Mergers rattle bank relations," Financial Week, 9 Nov. (retrieved 9 Nov. 2008):Mr. Paz noted that since the onset of the credit crisis, eBay, like other companies, hasnRate it:

(2.00 / 4 votes)
so crazy it just might workPossibly feasible though unconventional; plausible and previously unconsidered as a course of action.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
walk a tightropeTo undertake a precarious course of action.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
can of wormsA complex, troublesome situation arising when a decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems.Rate it:

(1.83 / 6 votes)
wait for the other shoe to dropTo defer action or decision until another matter is finished or resolved.Rate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
to not let any grass grow under one's feetto be always active and never delay in taking an actionRate it:

(1.33 / 3 votes)
hitch one's wagon to a starTo commit to an aspirational goal or course of action that will lead to fulfillment.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
hold with the hare and run with the houndsTo oppose an action or behavior and yet engage in the same action or behavior; to be a hypocrite.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
nod's as good as a wink to a blind batThe idea/proposed action is inconsequential to the current situation.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
shit or get off the potTo choose between taking action now, or foregoing the opportunity until a later date.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
sorry, not sorryUsed to sarcastically express a lack of guilt over an action or statement.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
ten points to GryffindorUsed to praise someone for a statement or action viewed as commendable.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
there is reason in the roasting of eggsThere is a reason behind even the most odd and seemingly unnecessary action.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
two birds with one stoneAny two things that were performed or completed at the same time by one action.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
use a sledgehammer to crack a nutTo use significantly excessive force to carry out an action; to do something overzealouslyRate it:

(1.00 / 2 votes)
a force for goodsomething or someone, or an action that inspires or stands for morals, principles, laws and makes the world a a more fair and just placeRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
a whopperReference a statement, action, prevarication, story, hooked fish, enlarged or magnified presentation.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
abstract verbA verb of motion whose motion is multidirectional (as opposed to unidirectional) or indirect, or whose action is repeated or in a series (iterative), instead of being a single, completed action. Abstract verbs are always imperfective in aspect, even with prefixes that are normally associated with the perfective aspect.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)

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