wool



dye in the wool

To stain wool fibers with dye before they are spun into thread, thus making the coloration more permanent. This phrase has led to the idiomatic modifier "dyed-in-the-wool," meaning permanent and or firmly established, such as one's opinions. All of our products are handmade, and we always dye in the wool to ensure that your clothing's color remains vibrant for years to come.
See also: dye, wool

more cry than wool

A great deal of fuss, noise, fanfare, or protestation over something of little or no substance, importance, or relevance. My opponent has been making outlandish claims about my track record so as to foment distrust in the public, but I assure you, his remarks are more cry than wool.
See also: cry, more, wool

all cry and no wool

A great deal of fuss, noise, fanfare, or protestation over something of little or no substance, importance, or relevance. My opponent has been making outlandish claims about my track record so as to foment distrust in the public, but I assure you, his remarks are all cry and no wool.
See also: all, and, cry, wool

great cry and little wool

A great deal of fuss, noise, fanfare, or protestation over something of little or no substance, importance, or relevance. My opponent has been making outlandish claims about my track record so as to foment distrust in the public, but I assure you, he is offering great cry and little wool.
See also: and, cry, great, little, wool

live in cotton wool

To lead a sheltered life, one devoid of stress and danger. The image here is of being wrapped in cotton and thus protected. Primarily heard in UK. I never realized how much I had been living in cotton wool until I traveled and saw what true poverty looks like.
See also: cotton, live, wool

all wool and a yard wide

1. Of a person, very honorable. Of course Paul reported the crime he witnessed—he's all wool and a yard wide.
2. Of an object, high quality. That product already broke! It's not all wool and a yard wide, that's for sure.
See also: all, and, wide, wool, yard

all wool and no shoddy

1. Of a person, very honorable. Of course Paul reported the crime he witnessed—he's all wool and no shoddy.
2. Of an object, high quality. That product already broke! It's not all wool and no shoddy, that's for sure.
See also: all, and, wool

all wool and a yard wide

Fig. trustworthy and genuinely good. (A description of good quality wool cloth.) Mary's a fine human being—all wool and a yard wide. I won't hear a word against Bill. He's all wool and a yard wide.
See also: all, and, wide, wool, yard

all wool and no shoddy

Rur. one hundred percent good quality. Everything Mary sells is the best there is, all wool and no shoddy. John's a good man through and throughall wool and no shoddy.
See also: all, and, wool

curly dirt

 and house moss; slut's wool
puffs of dirt and dust. How long has it been since you swept under this bed? There's a mountain of curly dirt under here! No one's been in this room for an age. Look at all the cobwebs and curly dirt. She was a terrible housekeeper. House moss collected in all the corners of her rooms.
See also: curly, dirt

dyed-in-the-wool

[of someone] permanent or extreme. My uncle was a dyed-in-the-wool farmer. He wouldn't change for anything. Sally is a dyed-in-the-wool socialist.

pull the wool over someone's eyes

Fig. to deceive someone. You can't pull the wool over my eyes. I know what's going on. Don't try to pull the wool over her eyes. She's too smart.
See also: eye, pull, wool

pull the wool over somebody's eyes

to deceive someone These people who claim to have paranormal or supernatural powers are just pulling the wool over people's eyes.
See also: eye, pull, wool

dyed-in-the-wool

if you describe someone as dyed-in-the-wool, you mean they have very strong opinions and will not change (always before noun) He's a dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist where cooking is concerned - he won't have any modern gadgets in the kitchen.

pull the wool over somebody's eyes

to deceive someone in order to prevent them from knowing what you are really doing Don't let insurance companies pull the wool over your eyes - ask for a list of all the hidden charges.
See also: eye, pull, wool

wrap somebody up in cotton wool

  (British & Australian)
to protect someone too much without allowing them to be independent enough She wraps that child up in cotton wool as if he's some precious jewel.
See drape in the flag, twist around little finger
See also: cotton, up, wool, wrap

all wool and a yard wide

Genuine, not fake; of excellent quality; also, honorable. For example, You can count on Ned-he's all wool and a yard wide. This metaphorical term alludes to a length of highly valued pure-wool cloth that measures exactly a yard (and not an inch less). [Late 1800s]
See also: all, and, wide, wool, yard

pull the wool over someone's eyes

Deceive or hoodwink someone, as in His partner had pulled the wool over his eyes for years by keeping the best accounts for himself . This term alludes to the former custom of wearing a wig, which when slipping down can blind someone temporarily. [c. 1800]
See also: eye, pull, wool

pull the wool over (someone's) eyes

To deceive; hoodwink.
See also: eye, pull, wool

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Amenhotepah-mən-HO-tep (English)Ancient Egyptian
Allegraə-LEG-rə (English), ahl-LE-grah (Italian)English (Rare), Italian (Rare)
Noam-Hebrew
Alethea[.ælə'θiə]
Tiernan-Irish
Aphrodisios-Ancient Greek