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spice

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be the spice of life

To be that which makes life interesting, exciting, enjoyable, or worthwhile. From the proverb "variety is the spice of life," meaning that having many different experiences is what makes life interesting. My witty friend likes to say that sarcasm is the spice of life for her. In romantic fiction, however, misunderstandings and mishaps are the spice of life!

See also: life, of, spice

hunger is the best spice

Food tastes better when one is hungry. Don't worry too much about what to feed the hikers. Hunger is the best spice, and they're going to love whatever you serve them.

See also: hunger, spice

spice something up

 

1. Lit. to make some food or drink more spicy. Judy spiced the cider up by adding cinnamon and nutmeg. she spiced up the chili too much.

2. Fig. to make something more interesting, lively, or sexy. I'm afraid that the nude scenes spiced the musical up too much. some people walked out. Judy liked to spice her lectures up by telling jokes. she spiced up each lecture with a joke. They spiced up the play too much.

See also: spice, up

Variety is the spice of life.

Prov. Cliché You should try many different kinds of experiences, because trying different things keeps life interesting. I know we usually spend our summer vacation camping out, but I think we should try something different this year. Variety is the spice of life.

See also: life, of, spice, variety

Variety is the spice of life.

something that you say which means life is more interesting when it changes often and you have many different experiences I have to work in the heat of Sudan one week and the cold of Alaska the next, but I suppose variety is the spice of life.

See also: life, of, spice, variety

variety is the spice of life

Diversity makes life interesting, as in Jim dates a different girl every week-variety is the spice of life, he claims. This phrase comes from William Cowper's poem, "The Task" (1785): "Variety is the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor."

See also: life, of, spice, variety

spice up

v.

1. To make something spicy or spicier: The cook spiced up the chili with some peppers. I added some pepper to the sauce in order to spice it up.

2. To make something exciting or more exciting: We spiced up the party by playing some games. That necklace really spices your outfit up.

See also: spice, up