bat an eyelash
To display a subtle emotional reaction, such as consternation, annoyance, sadness, joy, etc. Generally used in the negative to denote that the person in question did not display even a hint of an emotional response. Mary didn't even bat an eyelash when I told her I was moving out. That guy is dangerous. I heard he killed a man without batting an eyelash.
bat an eyelid
To display a subtle emotional reaction, such as consternation, annoyance, sadness, joy, etc. Generally used in the negative to denote that the person in question did not display even a hint of an emotional response. Mary didn't even bat an eyelid when I told her I was moving out. That guy is dangerous. I heard he killed a man without batting an eyelid.
not have all day
To be in a rush; to not have much or any time to spare. Usually used in the present tense. How long is this repair job going to take? I don't have all day!
not know (someone) from a bar of soap
To be completely unaware of or know nothing about someone; to have never met the person indicated. My girlfriend got really excited when a movie star apparently walked past us, but I wouldn't know him from a bar of soap. Someone I wouldn't know from a bar of soap just contacted me online, claiming to be a distant relative.
not have two nickels to rub together
To be extremely poor; to have very little or no money to spend. Primarily heard in US. During college, when I didn't have two nickels to rub together, I survived off of ramen noodles for months at a time. They used to be so well off, but the economy crashed and their business closed, and they don't have two nickels to rub together anymore.
not feel oneself
To not feel physically or mentally well; to not feel as one normally should. I'm sorry for getting upset at you earlier. I just don't feel myself today. I know Mary hasn't felt herself ever since her cousin died.
not have much between the ears
To be rather stupid, dull, or dimwitted; to not have much common sense or basic intelligence. She seems nice enough, but I get the sense that she might not have much between the ears. Jake always goes out with really attractive guys that don't have much between the ears.
not say boo (to anyone)
1. To be particularly shy, diffident, or timid by nature. Primarily heard in US. My brother is a very sweet, warm-hearted man who wouldn't say boo to anyone. How can you suspect him of committing this crime?
2. To not say a word (to anyone); to keep quiet. Primarily heard in US. The neighbor's daughter is just the cutest little thing, but she wouldn't say boo the whole time we were there. I trust you didn't say boo to those coppers about the little side business we've been running here?
not get a wink of sleep
To not get any sleep. Our newborn son is rather colicky, so my wife and I haven't gotten a wink of sleep the last few nights.
not do a stroke (of work)
To not do any work at all. Now that Jim's retired, he just spends all day on the couch watching television. He won't do a stroke of work around the house! I'm going to have a long night ahead with this term paper, as I haven't done a stroke up till now.
not take (something) lightly
To regard something with a great amount of seriousness or gravity. I hope you aren't taking these allegations lightly—they could mean a life in prison! I can promise you that I won't take this job interview lightly.
not give (a) tuppence
To not care in the slightest (about something or someone). Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I don't give a tuppence how you get it done, just make sure the deed to that estate is in my possession within a fortnight! I know that Jeremy has a crush on me, but to be honest I couldn't give tuppence for him.
not give twopence
To not give in the slightest (about something or someone). Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I don't give twopence how you get it done, just make sure the deed to that estate is in my possession within a fortnight! I know that Jeremy has a crush on me, but to be honest I couldn't give twopence for him.
not care twopence
To not care in the slightest (about something or someone). Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I don't care twopence how you get it done, just make sure the deed to that estate is in my possession within a fortnight! I know that Jeremy has a crush on me, but to be honest I couldn't care twopence for him.
not matter tuppence
To not matter in the slightest; to be totally unimportant. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. It doesn't matter tuppence how you get it done, just make sure the deed to that estate is in my possession within a fortnight! She doesn't come from an upper class background, but it wouldn't matter tuppence whether she were the Queen of Sheba or a beggar in the street: I love her, and that's all I care about!
not matter twopence
To not matter in the slightest; to be totally unimportant. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. It doesn't matter twopence how you get it done, just make sure the deed to that estate is in my possession within a fortnight! She doesn't come from an upper class background, but it wouldn't matter twopence whether she were the Queen of Sheba or a beggar in the street: I love her, and that's all I care about!
didn't care a whit
and don't care a whitdidn't care at all. Sally thought Joe liked her, but he didn't care a whit about her. I don't care a whit what you do with my old clothes.
didn't care too hard
Rur. didn't mind. Dad said he didn't care too hard if I took the dog out with me. If you don't care too hard, I'll shut this window.
didn't exchange more than three words with someone
to say hardly anything to someone. (The number may vary.) I know Tom was there, but I am sure that I didn't exchange more than three words with him before he left. We hardly exchanged more than two words the whole evening. Sally and Liz didn't have enough time to exchange more than five words.
didn't invent gunpowder
Rur. did not do anything terribly important. He may be the class president, but he didn't invent gunpowder. What's all this fuss about a movie star? She didn't invent gunpowder!
I didn't catch the name, and I didn't catch your name.
I don't remember your name.; I didn't hear your name when we were introduced. Bill: How do you like this weather? Bob: It's not too good. By the way, I didn't catch your name. I'm Bob Wilson. Bill: I'm Bill Franklin. Bob: Nice to meet you, Bill. Bob: Sorry, I didn't catch the name. Bill: It's Bill, Bill Franklin. And you? Bob: I'm Bob Wilson.
I didn't (quite) catch that (last) remark. and I didn't get that.; I didn't hear you.
I didn't hear what you said, so would you please repeat it. John: What did you say? I didn't quite catch that last remark. Jane: I said it's really a hot day. Bill: Have a nice time, if you can. Sally: I didn't get that. Bill: Have a nice time! Enjoy!