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judge
activist judge
A judge or justice (particularly of the US Supreme Court) who rules in accordance with his or her personal ideology rather than with how the law is strictly written; often used in a derogatory or pejorative sense. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. Many attributed the strict environmental rulings to the activist judge who was appointed last November and is known for his love of nature.
(some score) from the East German judge
An imaginary and exaggeratedly low score for some event, action, statement, or attempt deemed to be a failure or inadequate in some way. It is a reference to judges from the former country of East Germany, who were often seen as giving unfairly low scores to competitors from other countries during international sporting events. I'd say that pitiful retort would only get you 2 out of 10 from the East German judges, my friend.
you be the judge of that
You decide the worth, value, accuracy, etc. of something. Mother: "Did the kids finish their chores?" Father: "You be the judge of that." I think this cake tastes good, but you be the judge of that.
don't judge a book by its cover
Don't base your opinion of something (or someone) on the way it (or one) looks. This report may look dull, but don't judge a book by its cover—I will have you riveted by the facts and figures in no time! I know she's a little frumpy, but don't judge a book by its cover, man!
no one should be judge in his own cause
A phrase that aims to preserve impartiality, as a judge would likely be swayed or otherwise affected if he or she were intimately involved in the issue at hand. It is a translation of the Latin legal maxim nemo debet esse iudex in propria causa. A: "My lawyers are seeking a mistrial in an attempt to get a different judge—one with no ties to my former company." B: "That's a good idea. No one should be judge in his own cause."
be (as) sober as a judge
1. To be stoic and reserved, perhaps even somber. Anita has been sober as a judge ever since she heard of Marshall's death.
2. To be calm and rational. He's usually as sober as a judge, so I'm confident that he'll make a sound decision.
3. To be not at all intoxicated. I haven't been drinking at all, I swear! I'm sober as a judge!
judge between (someone or something and someone or something else)
to decide between people or things, in any combination. You can't expect me to judge between apples and oranges, can you? Can you judge between the prosecution and the defense?
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
and Judge not, that ye be not judged.Prov. If you condemn other people, then they will have the right to condemn you, so it is best not to condemn them. (Biblical.) Jill: I'm sure Gloria is the one who's been stealing from petty cash. She's so sloppy, nasty, and ill-mannered. Don't you think she'd be capable of theft? Jane: Judge not, lest ye be judged.
judge one on one's own merits
to evaluate one on one's own good and bad points and no one else's. Please judge Janet on her own merits. I was judged on my own merits.
judge something on its own merits
to evaluate something on its own good and bad points and nothing else. You must judge this proposal on its own merits. The proposal has not been judged on its own merits.
judging by something
and judging from somethingto make a decision or judgment based on something. Judging by the amount of food eaten, everyone must have been very hungry. Judging from the mess that's left, the party must have been a good one.
*sober as a judge
1. Cliché very formal, somber, or stuffy. (*Also: as ~.) You certainly look gloomy, Bill. You're sober as a judge. Tom's as sober as a judge. I think he's angry.
2. Cliché not drunk; alert and completely sober. (*Also: as ~.) John's drunk? No, he's as sober as a judge. You should be sober as a judge when you drive a car.
not judge a book by its cover
to not be able to really know about someone or something by simply looking at them She doesn't look very bright, but you can't judge a book by its cover.
You can't judge a book by its cover.
something that you say which means you cannot judge the quality or character of someone or something just by looking at them She doesn't look very intelligent, but you can't judge a book by its cover.
any [judge/lawyer/teacher etc.] worth their salt
any judge, lawyer, teacher etc. who is good at their job Any lawyer worth his salt should be aware of the latest changes in taxation. No judge worth her salt would attempt to influence the jury.
be as sober as a judge
to not be at all drunk It's awful when everyone else around you has been drinking and you're as sober as a judge.
judge a book by its cover, one can't
One can't rely on outward appearances to know what something or someone is really like. For example, He seems very quiet, but you can't judge a book by its cover. [First half of 1900s]
sober as a judge
Not at all intoxicated, quite clear-headed, as in Even after three drinks he was sober as a judge. Why judges should be equated with sobriety is not known, but the simile was first recorded in 1694.
(as) sober as a judge
mod. as sober (free from alcohol) as it is possible to be. Kelly—who was starched as could be—claimed to be sober as a judge.
sober as a judge
verb