dye in the wool
To stain wool fibers with dye before they are spun into thread, thus making the coloration more permanent. This phrase has led to the idiomatic modifier "dyed-in-the-wool," meaning permanent and or firmly established, such as one's opinions. All of our products are handmade, and we always dye in the wool to ensure that your clothing's color remains vibrant for years to come.
more cry than wool
A great deal of fuss, noise, fanfare, or protestation over something of little or no substance, importance, or relevance. My opponent has been making outlandish claims about my track record so as to foment distrust in the public, but I assure you, his remarks are more cry than wool.
all cry and no wool
A great deal of fuss, noise, fanfare, or protestation over something of little or no substance, importance, or relevance. My opponent has been making outlandish claims about my track record so as to foment distrust in the public, but I assure you, his remarks are all cry and no wool.
great cry and little wool
A great deal of fuss, noise, fanfare, or protestation over something of little or no substance, importance, or relevance. My opponent has been making outlandish claims about my track record so as to foment distrust in the public, but I assure you, he is offering great cry and little wool.
live in cotton wool
To lead a sheltered life, one devoid of stress and danger. The image here is of being wrapped in cotton and thus protected. Primarily heard in UK. I never realized how much I had been living in cotton wool until I traveled and saw what true poverty looks like.
all wool and a yard wide
1. Of a person, very honorable. Of course Paul reported the crime he witnessed—he's all wool and a yard wide.
2. Of an object, high quality. That product already broke! It's not all wool and a yard wide, that's for sure.
all wool and no shoddy
1. Of a person, very honorable. Of course Paul reported the crime he witnessed—he's all wool and no shoddy.
2. Of an object, high quality. That product already broke! It's not all wool and no shoddy, that's for sure.
all wool and a yard wide
Fig. trustworthy and genuinely good. (A description of good quality wool cloth.) Mary's a fine human being—all wool and a yard wide. I won't hear a word against Bill. He's all wool and a yard wide.
all wool and no shoddy
Rur. one hundred percent good quality. Everything Mary sells is the best there is, all wool and no shoddy. John's a good man through and through—all wool and no shoddy.
curly dirt
and house moss; slut's woolpuffs of dirt and dust. How long has it been since you swept under this bed? There's a mountain of curly dirt under here! No one's been in this room for an age. Look at all the cobwebs and curly dirt. She was a terrible housekeeper. House moss collected in all the corners of her rooms.
dyed-in-the-wool
[of someone] permanent or extreme. My uncle was a dyed-in-the-wool farmer. He wouldn't change for anything. Sally is a dyed-in-the-wool socialist.
pull the wool over someone's eyes
Fig. to deceive someone. You can't pull the wool over my eyes. I know what's going on. Don't try to pull the wool over her eyes. She's too smart.
all wool and a yard wide
Genuine, not fake; of excellent quality; also, honorable. For example, You can count on Ned-he's all wool and a yard wide. This metaphorical term alludes to a length of highly valued pure-wool cloth that measures exactly a yard (and not an inch less). [Late 1800s]
pull the wool over someone's eyes
Deceive or hoodwink someone, as in His partner had pulled the wool over his eyes for years by keeping the best accounts for himself . This term alludes to the former custom of wearing a wig, which when slipping down can blind someone temporarily. [c. 1800]