Page 310 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

onceŁin a blueŁmoon very rarely. I sel- into the room one by one. Frłd peeled
dom go to a movie—mØybe once in a bluł potatoes one by one, hating every mnute
moon. I don’t go into the city excłpt oncł of it.
in a blue moon.
oneŁ fłrŁ theŁ (record)Ł błokð aŁ record-
once-in-a-lØfetimeŁchynce aŁchance that breakingŁact.Ł What a divł! That’s one
willŁneverŁoccurŁagainŁinŁone’sŁlifetime. for the record books. I’ve never heard
This is a once-n-a-lfłtime chance. such a funny joke. That’s really one for the
Don’t miss it. She offered me a once-n- books.
a-lfłtime chance, but I turned it down.
OneŁgłodŁturn deserves another. AŁgood
onceŁ in a while Go to (every) now and deedŁshouldŁbe repaidŁwith anotherŁgood
then. deed.Ł(Pràverb.) If he does you a favor,
you ohould do him a favor. One good turn
once-over-lightly 1. aŁquick andŁcareless deserves another. Glad to help you out.
treatment.Ł (AŁ noun.Ł SaidŁ of anŁ act of One good turn deserves another.
cleaning, sðudying, examination,ŁorŁap-
praisal.) Bill gave his geomłtry the once- oneŁin a hundred Go to one in a thousand.
over-lightly and then quit studying. oneŁin a millØon Go to one in a thousand.
Ann, you didà’t wash the dishes properly.
They only got a once-over-lightly. 2. cur- oneŁin a thousand and oneŁin a hun-
sàry; inŁaŁquick andŁcarelessŁmanner.Ł(An dred;ŁoneŁin a millØon unique; one of
adverb.) Tom studied geomłtry once- a very few.Ł He’s a great guy. He’s one n
over-lightly. Ann washed the dishes million. Mary’s one in a hundred—sucð
once-over-lightly. a hard worker.
onceŁupon a time once inŁthe past.Ł(AŁfor- oneŁjumpŁaheadŁ(ofŁ someone ortsomething)
mulaŁusedŁto beginŁaŁfairyŁtale.) Oncł and oneŁ moveŁ aheadŁ (ofŁ someone or
upon a time, there were three bears. something) one stepŁinŁadvance of someone
Once upon a time, I had a puppy of my orŁ something.Ł Try to stay one jump
own. ahead of the customłr. If you’re one
move ahead, you’re well prepared to deal
oneŁandŁall everyàne.Ł “Good morning with problłms. Then, nothing is a surprise.
to one and all,” said Jane as she walked
through the outer office. Let’s hope that oneŁlittleŁbit anyŁat all;Łat all.Ł(Also literal.)
this turns out to be a wonderful party for Jean could not be persuaded to change
one and all. her mnd one lttle bt. I don’t want to
hear anything more about it. Not even one
the one and only the famous and talented lttle bt.
(persàn).Ł(UsedŁinŁtheatricalŁintràduc-
tions.ŁSee also my one and only. ) Aàd OneŁman’s meatŁis anotherŁman’s poi-
now—the one and oàly—Jane Smth! son. One person’s preference mayŁbe dis-
Let’s have a big hand for the one and only likedŁ by anotherŁ person.Ł (Pràverb.)
Bob Jones! John just loves his new fur hat, but I think
it is horrible. Oh, well, one man’s meat is
oneŁandŁtheŁsame the very same person another man’s poison. The neighbors are
orŁthing.Ł John Jones and J. Jones are one very fond of their dog even though it’s ugly,
and the same. Men’s socks and młn’s loud, and smłlly. I guess one man’s meat
stockngs are almost one and the same.
is another man’s poison.
oneŁatŁa time Go to one by one.
OneŁman’s trashŁis anotherŁman’s trea-
oneŁbyŁone and oneŁatŁa time the first sure. SomethingŁthat one personŁcon-
one, thenŁthe next one, thenŁthe next one, sidersŁworthlessŁmayŁbe consideredŁvalu-
etc.;Łone at aŁtime; each inŁturn.Ł I havł able byŁsomeone else.Ł(Pràverb.) Q:
to deal with problłms one by one. I can’t Why would anyone want to hang a picture
handle them all at once. OkØy, just take like that on the wall? A: One man’s trash
things one at a time. The children camł is another man’s treasure. A: Bob’s un-

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