drugstore cowboy
1. A young man who loiters in public places, such as on street corners or outside of drugstores, especially in the attempt to impress or woo young women. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. I hate going through this area, there's always a few drugstore cowboys cat-calling me when I pass by.
2. A person who dresses and acts like a cowboy but who has never worked as one and has none of a cowboy's skills or experience. Originally a reference to extras in Hollywood western films (who would remain in costume off set), it later extended to anyone who wears cowboy clothing purely for the purposes of style or affectation. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. The senator accused his challenger of being a drugstore cowboy—a city slicker who had no idea what it meant to live or work in the rural countryside.
3. One who sells, steals, and/or gets high on prescription or over-the-counter medications. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. Police apprehended a drugstore cowboy who held up a local pharmacy and made off with loads of prescription medication.
give away the store
To pay or concede too much during a negotiation, exchange, or transaction. Focusing on environmental concerns, the congressional candidate has accused his opponent of giving away the store to corporate interests. You have to make your business attractively affordable, but you can't give away the store or you'll never turn a profit. I hope you didn't give away the store for that beat up old car.
set no store by (something or someone)
To have no faith, confidence, or belief in someone or something; to not care about, appreciate, or respect someone or something. I, however, set no store by promises of the afterlife, so I have learned to enjoy my time here to the utmost. I'm afraid my brother should be kept off the list of guests, as he sets no store by obeying social rules or etiquette. My wife sets no store by me ever since she caught me cheating on her.
set no store in (something or someone)
To have no faith, confidence, or belief in someone or something; to not care about, appreciate, or respect someone or something. I, however, set no store in promises of the afterlife, so I have learned to enjoy my time here to the utmost. I'm afraid my brother should be kept off the list of guests, as he sets no store in obeying social rules or etiquette. My wife sets no store in me ever since she caught me cheating on her.
lay store by (something or someone)
To have faith, confidence, or belief in someone or something; to care about, appreciate, or respect someone or something. I, however, have laid store by the promise of the afterlife, so I choose to lead my life piously and devoutly. I'm afraid my brother should be kept off the list of guests, as he's not one to lay great store by obeying social rules or etiquette. It's important to have close friends in life that you may lay store by when times are tough.
lay store in (something or someone)
To have faith, confidence, or belief in someone or something; to care about, appreciate, or respect someone or something. I, however, have laid store in the promise of the afterlife, so I choose to lead my life piously and devoutly. I'm afraid my brother should be kept off the list of guests, as he's not one to lay great store in obeying social rules or etiquette. It's important to have close friends in life that you may lay store in when times are tough.
put store by (something or someone)
To have faith, confidence, or belief in someone or something; to care about, appreciate, or respect someone or something. I, however, have put store by the promise of the afterlife, so I choose to lead my life piously and devoutly. I'm afraid my brother should be kept off the list of guests, as he's not one to put great store by obeying social rules or etiquette. It's important to have close friends in life that you may put store by when times are tough.
put store in (something or someone)
To have faith, confidence, or belief in someone or something; to care about, appreciate, or respect someone or something. I, however, have put store in the promise of the afterlife, so I choose to lead my life piously and devoutly. I'm afraid my brother should be kept off the list of guests, as he's not one to put great store in obeying social rules or etiquette. It's important to have close friends in life that you may put store in when times are tough.
set store in (something or someone)
To have faith, confidence, or belief in someone or something; to care about, appreciate, or respect someone or something. I, however, have set store in the promise of the afterlife, so I choose to lead my life piously and devoutly. I'm afraid my brother should be kept off the list of guests, as he's not one to set great store in obeying social rules or etiquette. It's important to have close friends in life that you may set store in when times are tough.
be like a kid in a candy store
To be so excited about one's surroundings that one acts in a childlike or silly way. Liam loves football so much that he's like a kid in a candy store any time he steps into the stadium.
have something in store (for someone)
Fig. to have something planned for one's future. Tom has a large inheritance in store for him when his uncle dies. I wish I had something like that in store.
hold something in store
(for someone) Go to in store (for someone).
*in store (for someone)
awaiting someone in the future. (*Typically: be ~; hold something ~; lie ~.) None of us knows what lies in store for us tomorrow. Some good lies in store for me, I think.
lie in store
(for someone) Go to in store (for someone).
mind the store
and watch the storeFig. to take care of local matters. Please stay here in the office and mind the store while I go to the conference. I had to stay home and watch the store when Ann went to Boston.
set great store by someone or something
to have positive expectations for someone or something; to have high hopes for someone or something. I set great store by my computer and its ability to help me in my work. Bill sets great store by his expensive tools.
store something away
to put something away for future use; to set something aside. Store the extra rice away for use next week. Please store away the extra food.
store something in something
to set something aside in something. Can I store my bicycle in your garage? Do you mind if I store my coat in your locker?
store something up
to build up and lay away a supply of something. The bears will store fat up for the long winter. They store up fat for the winter.
in store
1. In readiness, in preparation for future use, as in I'm keeping several videos in store for your visit. Edmund Spenser used this idiom in The Faerie Queene (1590): "Then for her son . . . In her own hand the crown she kept in store." [1300s]
2. in store for. Forthcoming for, awaiting, as in There's trouble in store for you. [Mid-1600s]
mind the store
Attend to local or family matters, as in Ask Dad for permission; he's minding the store while Mom's away. This expression transfers looking after an actual business to more general activities. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]
set store by
Also, set great store by. Regard as valuable or worthwhile, as in I don't set much store by her judgment, or He sets great store by his good name. The word store here is used in the sense of "something precious," a usage that is obsolete except in these terms.
variety store
A retail shop that carries a large selection of usually inexpensive merchandise, as in What this town needs is a good variety store. [Second half of 1700s]