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marry
marry the gunner's daughter
obsolete naval Of a seaman, to be bound to a cannon or other such armament and flogged or lashed as corporal punishment. The first mate ended up marrying the gunner's daughter for attempting to bring about a mutiny on the ship.
marry beneath (oneself)
To marry someone who is of a lower social class or standing than oneself. A: "I hear that Mr. Sullivan plans to marry a local fishmonger's daughter." B: "Why would a man of his esteem marry beneath himself like that?" Janet has a bright future with one of the best law firms in town, so it's beyond me why she's marrying beneath herself with some fast food worker.
marry above (one's) station
To marry someone who is of a higher social class or standing than oneself. A: "I hear that the local fishmonger's daughter is betrothed to a rich foreign lawyer!" B: "My word, she's certainly marrying above her station, isn't she?" For all the talk that social classes have been wiped away in recent years, you will still find people who believe one can't or shouldn't marry above one's station.
marry into money
To become wealthy or financially secure by marrying someone who is wealthy or has a wealthy family. Ever since he married into money, George has been flaunting all of the exotic vacations he and his new wife take. During college, when I had barely enough money to eat each day, I vowed that someday I'd marry into money and start living a much more comfortable life.
marry (someone) for (his or her) money
To marry someone solely or primarily to have access to his or her personal wealth. Given the extreme age difference between them, a lot of people speculated that she was simply marrying Donald for his money. I think it's quite sad that people would marry for money rather than true love of their spouse.
never marry for money, but marry where money is
Wealth should not be one's primary focus in choosing a spouse, but it is an important consideration. A: "My fiancée is not exactly rich, but she does have a well-paying job." B: "That's good. Never marry for money, but marry where money is."
marry above oneself
Fig. to marry someone in a higher social class than oneself. They say she married above herself, but who cares? Scott thought it would not be possible to marry above himself.
marry below oneself
and marry beneath oneselfFig. to marry someone in a lower social class than oneself. He married beneath himself, but he is happy, and what more is required of a marriage? He did not want to marry beneath himself.
Marry in haste, (and) repent at leisure.
Prov. If you marry someone you do not know well, or decide to marry someone without first carefully considering what you are doing, you will probably regret it for a long time. Sally wanted some time to consider Sam's proposal of marriage; she had heard the saying, "Marry in haste, and repent at leisure."
marry into something
to become a part of a family or a fortune by marriage. She married into money, they say. I always wanted to marry into a large family until I found out what that means in terms of buying gifts.
marry one's way out of something
to get out of something, such as poverty, by marrying someone. She was able to marry her way out of poverty but regretted it in the long run. Sally married her way out of one unhappy home into another one.
marry someone off (to someone)
to manage to get someone married to someone and out of the house or family. Her parents wanted nothing more than to marry her off to a doctor. They married off their children soon.
marry up (with someone)
Rur. to marry someone. They married up in the spring. Jane's going to marry up with someone she met at school.
marry beneath your station
(old-fashioned) to marry someone who belongs to a lower social class than you Her father, who felt that she had married beneath her station, refused to speak to her.
Marry in haste, repent at leisure.
(old-fashioned) something that you say which means if you marry someone too soon, without knowing for certain that they are the right person for you, you will have an unhappy marriage It's true I've only known him for six months and I know you're thinking 'marry in haste, repent at leisure' but I'm telling you, he's the man for me.
not be the marrying kind
(humorous) if a man is not the marrying kind, he does not want to be married
Usage notes: People sometimes use this phrase to mean that the man is homosexual (= sexually attracted to other men).
George has had several girlfriends, but he's not the marrying kind.