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oak
heart of oak
A trait said to belong to a very emotionally and/or mentally strong person. I don't know how a soldier does it—he or she must have a heart of oak. My brother has a heart of oak and has remained totally calm while coping with his wife's sudden illness.
all oak and iron bound
In good health. Yes, I was sick a few weeks ago, but I'm all oak and iron bound now.
all oak and iron bound and *sound as a barrel
Rur. in good health; feeling good. (*Also: as ~.) Tom: How are you today? Bill: All oak and iron bound, thank you. Jane made a wonderful recovery from her surgery, and now she's as sound as a barrel.
Great oaks from little acorns grow, and Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.
Prov. Immense things can come from small sources. Don't tell lies, not even small ones. Great oaks from little acorns grow.
Little strokes fell great oaks.
Prov. You can complete a large, intimidating task by steadily doing small parts of it. Jill: How can I possibly write a fifty-page report in two months? Jane: Just write a little bit every day. Little strokes fell great oaks.
reed before the wind lives on, while mighty oaks do fall
Prov. An insignificant, flexible person is more likely not to get hurt in a crisis than a prominent or rigid person. Our office has new managers now; I plan to be as inconspicuous as possible while they reorganize everyone. A reed before the wind lives on, while mighty oaks do fall.
Great/Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.
something that you say in order to emphasize that a large, successful organization or plan was very small or simple when it began Microsoft, which is now the biggest independent software company in the world, was founded in 1975 by just two men. It goes to show that great oaks from little acorns grow.
oak(s)
(oks) mod. OK; satisfactory; worthy. (Prisons.) That dude’s oaks.
oak
verb