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ribbon

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blue ribbon

1. noun A prize for first place. In contests, the person or thing that wins first place is often awarded a blue ribbon. Congratulations on winning the blue ribbon! It was certainly well-deserved—I never knew pecan pie could taste so good!

2. adjective (often hyphenated) By extension, something that is excellent, or the best of a particular group or category. Wow, Sharon, this is a blue-ribbon pie—I never knew pecan pie could taste so good!

See also: blue, ribbon

cut someone to ribbons

 

1. Lit. to cut or slice someone severely. He broke a mirror and the glass cut his hand to ribbons.

2. Fig. to criticize someone severely. The critics just cut her acting to ribbons!

See also: cut, ribbon

shot full of holes

 and shot to ribbons; shot to hell; shot to pieces 

1. Fig. [of an argument that is] demolished or comprehensively destroyed. Come on, that theory was shot full of holes ages ago. Your argument is all shot to hell.

2. to be very intoxicated due to drink or drugs. Tipsy? Shot to ribbons, more like! Boy, I really felt shot full of holes. I'll never drink another drop.

3. totally ruined. (Use hell with caution.) My car is all shot to hell and can't be depended on. This rusty old knife is shot to hell. I need a sharper one.

See also: full, hole, of, shot