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company man
A male employee whose allegiance to his company or its management—or the interests thereof—takes precedence or priority over his own opinions or the interests of his fellow workers. It's no use trying to get his help in persuading the boss to increase worker safety—he's just a company man.
company manners
Exceptional manners; those that are preferred or required in and among polite society. One must at all times exhibit company manners if one is to make a good impression among the more influential members of society.
company town
A town or city that is built, maintained, dominated by, and/or wholly dependent on the influence and economic vitality of a single business, industry, or company. During the industrial boom in America following World War II, many company towns sprang up where major manufacturing outfits could support thousands of workers and their families.
bad company
Unsavory people (for one to spend time with). You are keeping some bad company these days, Bill, and if you get arrested, I am not bailing you out! My mom thinks my new friends are bad company, but I'm having so much fun with them!
be in good company
To share similarities with accomplished or respected people. As a Harvard grad, you'll be in good company for the rest of your life. All of your sisters failed the driving test on the first try, too, and they're great drivers now, so you're in good company.
Desert and reward seldom keep company.
Prov. If you deserve a reward, you are not necessarily going to get it. Jill: I worked so hard on that project, and Fred is taking all the credit for it. Jane: You know how it goes; desert and reward seldom keep company.
extend credit (to someone or a company)
and extend someone or a company creditto allow someone to purchase something on credit. I'm sorry, Mr. Smith, but because of your poor record of payment, we are no longer able to extend credit to you. Look at this letter, Jane. The store won't extend credit anymore.
get on (in years)
to grow older; to be aged. Aunt Mat-tie is getting on in years. They were both getting on in years.
get on someone
Fig. to pester someone (about something); to pressure someone. John is supposed to empty the trash every day. He didn't do it, so I will have to get on him. It's time to get on Bill about his homework. He's falling behind.
get on
(something) to enter a conveyance; to get aboard something; to climb onto something. They just announced that it's time to get on the airplane. The bus stopped, and I got on. The child was afraid to get on the train. Where did you get on?
get on (with someone)
and get along (with someone)to be friends with someone; to have a good relationship with someone. (The friendship is always assumed to be good unless it is stated to be otherwise.) How do you get on with John? I get along with John just fine. We get along.
get on (without someone or something)
to survive and carry on without someone or something. I think we can get on without bread for a day or two. Can you get on without your secretary for a while?
get on(to) someone (about something)
Fig. to remind someone about something. I'll have to get onto Sarah about the deadline. I'll get on Gerald right away.
get someone on(to) someone or something
to assign someone to attend to someone or something. Get someone onto the injured man in the hall right now. Get someone on the telephone switchboard at once!
keep company
(with someone) 1. Lit. to spend much time with someone; to associate with or consort with someone. Bill has been keeping company with Ann for three months. Bob has been keeping company with a tough-looking bunch of boys.
2. Fig. to be courting someone. Mary and Bill are keeping company. I heard that Joe is keeping company with Jim Brown's daughter.
keep someone company
to sit or stay with someone, especially someone who is lonely. I kept my uncle company for a few hours. He was very grateful for someone to keep him company. He gets very lonely.
man is known by the company he keeps
Prov. A person tends to associate with people who are like him or her. Son, when you go away to school, spend your time with serious people; don't hang around with people who go to parties all the time. A man is known by the company he keeps. If you want to know what kind of person George is, look at his friends. A man is known by the company he keeps.
Misery loves company.
Prov. Unhappy people like other people to be unhappy too. Jill: Why is Linda criticizing everybody today? Jane: Her boss criticized her this morning, and misery loves company. I should probably feel bad because my sister is so depressed, but I'm pretty depressed myself. Misery loves company.
part company (with someone)
Fig. to leave someone; to depart from someone. Tom finally parted company with his brother. They parted company, and Tom got in his car and drove away.
Two is company, (but) three's a crowd.
and Two's company(, three's a crowd).Prov. A way of asking a third person to leave because you want to be alone with someone. (Often implies that you want to be alone with the person because you are romantically interested in him or her.) When Lucy followed Mark and Nora into the drawing room, Nora turned to her and said, "Two's company, but three's a crowd." Bill: Can I go to lunch with you and Tom? Jane: Two's company, three's a crowd, Bill.
in good company
similar to someone who is better known than you are for their achievements or experience
Einstein didn't do so well in school, so you're in good company. Usage notes: often refers to a negative situation or problem, as in the example
keep somebody company
to stay with someone so they are not alone I kept him company while he was waiting for the bus.
keep company (with somebody)
(slightly formal) 1. to be connected with someone There are rumors that the singer keeps company with some very dangerous criminals.
2. to spend time together in a romantic relationship
They've been keeping company for a year and plan to marry in the spring. Usage notes: often used in this sense for a humorous effect as an old-fashioned expression for beginning a relationship with the intention of marriage
part company (with somebody)
1. to end a relationship
Rick and I parted company a long time ago, and I'm seeing someone else now. Related vocabulary:
parting of the ways 2. to disagree That is an issue on which many people part company with the president.
be in good company
to have done or experienced something bad which someone who people admire has also done or experienced Don't worry, Einstein did badly at school, so you're in good company.
Misery loves company.
something that you say which means that people who are feeling sad usually want the people they are with to also feel sad On a bad day, she isn't satisfied till the entire family is in tears. Misery loves company.
present company excepted
(British, American & Australian humorous) also present company excluded (American humorous) something that you say which means that the criticism you have just made does not describe the people who are listening to you now People just don't know how to dress in this country, present company excepted, of course.
two's company (three's a crowd)
something that you say when you think two people would prefer to be alone together than be with a third person They asked me to go to the cinema with them but two's company if you know what I mean.
See be ten a penny, in two shakes, be two sides of the same coin, kill two birds with one stone, cut both wayscompany man
A male worker more loyal to management than to his fellow workers; also, one who informs on fellow employees. For example, He'll never join in a strike; he's a company man. Dating from the 1920s, a period of considerable labor unrest, this term uses company in the sense of "a business concern" and was often applied as a criticism by supporters of labor unions.
company manners
One's best behavior, as in George never interrupts when we have guests; he has fine company manners. This term employs company in the sense of "guests." An older variant, Tell me thy company and I'll tell thee thy manners, uses company in the sense of "companions." The current term implies that one is more mindful of politeness with invited guests.
get on
1. Also, get upon. Climb on, mount. For example, They say one should get back on a horse as soon as one's fallen off. [Early 1600s]
5. get on in the world or company , etc. Prosper or succeed, as in Her inheritance has helped her get on in society, or Dad asked if Bill was getting on in the company. [Early 1800s]
6. get on with it. Move ahead, pursue one's work. For example, We've spent enough time talking about it; now let's get on with it. [Early 1800s]
7. get on for. Advance toward an age, amount, time, and so on. For example, It's getting on for noon, so we'd better eat lunch. This usage is often put in the participial form, getting on for. [Mid-1800]
8. See
turn on, def. 3. Also see the subsequent entries beginning with
get on.
keep company
1. Also, keep company with. Associate with; also, carry on a courtship. For example, He keeps company with a wild bunch, or Jack and Françoise kept company for two years before they married. [Mid-1500s]
2. keep someone company. Accompany or remain with someone, as in Mary kept Mother company while she shopped, or Do you want me to stay and keep you company? This term was originally put as bear someone company. [c. 1300]
misery loves company
Fellow sufferers make unhappiness easier to bear, as in She secretly hoped her friend would fail, too-misery loves company. Words to this effect appeared in the work of Sophocles (c. 408 b.c.) and other ancient writers; the earliest recorded use in English was about 1349.
part company
Go separate ways; also, disagree about something. For example, After they reached the park Jeff and Jane parted company, or They parted company on their views of foreign policy. [Early 1700s]
three's a crowd
Also,
two's company, three's a crowd. A third person spoils the ideal combination of a couple, as in
No, I won't join you-three's a crowd. This expression, alluding to a third person spoiling the privacy of a pair of lovers, was already a proverb in 1546. For a synonym, see
fifth wheel.
get on
v.1. To place oneself on something that supports, holds, or carries: I got on the train to California. The bus was packed, but I was still able to get on.
2. To place something on some object that supports, holds, or carries: Once I got the kids on the bus, I was alone for the day.
3. To place something, especially clothing, on oneself: I got my coat and hat on and left the dull party. The kids got on their boots and played in the snow.
4. To be or continue to be on harmonious terms with someone; get along: I always got on well with my roommate. Our children get on very well together.
5. To manage or fare reasonably well: How are you getting on?
6. To make progress with something; continue something: Stop complaining about the work and get on with it. I'll get right on your request!
7. To approach old age: My grandparents are getting on in years, so they bought a condominium in Arizona.
8. get on to To acquire understanding or knowledge of something; catch on to something: We eventually got on to the way our landlord was manipulating us.
company bull
n. a detective or guard who works for a private firm. Pete is a company bull for Acme Systems. He works nights.
company man
n. a man who always sides with his employers. Ken’s a company man—he’ll always take management’s side.
keep company
1. To carry on a courtship: a couple who kept company but never married.
2. To socialize or associate: keeps company with some tough thugs.
keep (someone) company
To accompany or remain with.
part company
/ways1. To leave one another's presence; go away or separate.
2. To disagree or stop associating because of a disagreement.