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merchant

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merchant of doom

A person who always focuses on the potential negative outcomes of a situation. I refuse to watch the evening news anymore because the reporters have all become merchants of doom.

See also: doom, merchant, of

rip-off merchant

One who cons or otherwise deceives people. I wouldn't play cards against him if I were you—he has a reputation as a rip-off merchant.

See also: merchant

*busy as a beaver (building a new dam)

 and *busy as a bee; *busy as a one-armed paperhanger; *busy as Grand Central Station; *busy as a cat on a hot tin roof; *busy as a fish peddler in Lent; *busy as a cranberry merchant (at Thanksgiving); *busy as popcorn on a skillet

very busy. (*Also: as ~.) My boss keeps me as busy as a one-armed paperhanger. I don't have time to talk to you. I'm as busy as a beaver. When the tourist season starts, this store is busy as Grand Central Station. Sorry I can't go to lunch with you. I'm as busy as a beaver building a new dam. Prying into other folks' business kept him busy as popcorn on a skillet.

See also: beaver, busy

a merchant of doom

  (informal)

someone who is always saying that bad things are going to happen With exports rising and unemployment falling, the merchants of doom are having to revise their economic predictions.

See also: doom, merchant, of

busy as a beaver

Also, busy as a bee. Hardworking, very industrious, as in With all her activities, Sue is always busy as a bee, or Bob's busy as a beaver trying to finish painting before it rains. The comparison to beavers dates from the late 1700s, the variant from the late 1300s. Also see eager beaver; work like a beaver.

See also: beaver, busy

speed merchant

n. someone who does something fast: a runner, pitcher, swimmer, driver, etc. What a pitch! That guy is a speed merchant for sure.

See also: merchant, speed