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charm

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third time's a charm

The belief or hope that the third attempt at something will be successful. Primarily heard in US. I hope the third time's a charm—I've already failed this test twice already!

See also: charm, third

charm someone with something

to enchant or fascinate someone with something. He charmed her with stories of his house on the beach. She charmed him with her bright smile.

See also: charm

charm the pants off someone

Fig. to use very charming behavior to persuade someone to do something. (Use with caution.) She is so nice. She just charms the pants off you. He will try to charm the pants off you, but you can still refuse to take the job if you don't want to do it.

See also: charm, off, pant

third time's the charm

Prov. The third time you try to do something, it will work. Jill: I've called Miriam twice, but she doesn't answer her phone. Jane: Try again. The third time's the charm.

See also: charm, third

work like a charm

to operate perfectly The modem is easy to install and works like a charm in my computer.

Related vocabulary: like a dream

See also: charm, like, work

work like a charm

if a plan or method works like a charm, it has exactly the effect that you want it to I tried that stain remover you gave me on my tablecloth and it worked like a charm.

See also: charm, like, work

charm the pants off

see under pants off.

See also: charm, off, pant

pants off, the

This phrase is used to intensify the meaning of verbs such as bore or charm or kid or scare or talk . For example, That speech bored the pants off us, or It was a real tornado and scared the pants off me. Playwright Eugene O'Neill used it in Ah, Wilderness! (1933): "I tell you, you scared the pants off him," and Evelyn Waugh, in A Handful of Dust (1934), had a variation, "She bores my pants off." [Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see bore to death; beat the pants off.

See also: pant

work like a charm

Function very well, have a good effect or outcome, as in That knife-sharpener works like a charm, or Her deferential manner worked like a charm; he agreed to everything they'd asked for. This expression uses charm in the sense of "a magic spell." [Mid-1800s] Also see work wonders.

See also: charm, like, work

work like a charm

To function very well or have a very good effect or outcome.

See also: charm, like, work