how-d'ye-do
1. An informal, colloquial greeting (a contraction of "how do you do?"). Well hey, Bob, how-d'ye-do? Been a long time since I've seen you around here!
2. An unfortunate, unpleasant, or awkward situation or circumstance; a troublesome or difficult state of affairs. (Often phrased as "a fine how-d'ye-do.") Well that's a fine how-d'ye-do. I'm on the job for just two days and I find out that the company is going bankrupt!
abandon hope, all ye who enter here
A message warning one about a hopeless situation from which there is no return. The Italian version of this phrase appears in Dante's Divine Comedy as the inscription on the entrance to Hell. The phrase is most often used humorously. I'll never forget my first day as an intern and the sign above my cubicle that said, "Abandon all hope, all ye who enter here."
Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.
Prov. If you come in, be prepared for the worst. (Describes a hopeless situation or one somehow similar to hell. Often used jocularly. This is the English translation of the words on the gate of Hell in Dante's Inferno.) This is our cafeteria. Abandon hope, all ye who enter here!
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
Prov. Enjoy yourself while you can, before you lose the opportunity or before you become too old. (From Robert Herrick's poem, "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time.") Sue: Should I go out on a date with Robbie on Saturday, or should I stay home and study? Ellen: Gather ye rosebuds while ye may. You ought to travel abroad now, while you're young, before you have responsibilities that might keep you from going. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
and Judge not, that ye be not judged.Prov. If you condemn other people, then they will have the right to condemn you, so it is best not to condemn them. (Biblical.) Jill: I'm sure Gloria is the one who's been stealing from petty cash. She's so sloppy, nasty, and ill-mannered. Don't you think she'd be capable of theft? Jane: Judge not, lest ye be judged.
Oh, ye of little faith.
Fig. You who trust no one. (Jocular; the word ye is an old form of you used in the Bible.) You thought I wouldn't show up on time? Oh, ye of little faith.
Seek and ye shall find.
Prov. If you search hard enough for something, you will find it. (Biblical. Can imply that the only thing you need to do to get something is look for it.) The bookstore on the corner is an excellent one. Any book you want, just seek and ye shall find.
Ye gods (and little fishes)!
Inf. What a surprising thing! Ye gods and little fishes! Someone covered my car with broken eggs! Ye gods! What a rainstorm!