Phrases & Expressions

To spend time in a friendly way with rich or powerful people, often to gain some advantage.

• Critics accused the mayor of spending more time hobnobbing with wealthy donors than listening to local residents.
• He loves hobnobbing with celebrities at expensive parties, but his old friends find it a bit embarrassing.

Extremely hot, often used humorously.

• It was hotter than a hooker’s doorknob outside today.
• The summer sun felt hotter than a hooker’s doorknob.

To behave too humbly and obediently towards someone powerful in order to please them.

• Some employees seem willing to lick the boss's boots if it means getting a bigger bonus.
• I'm not going to lick anyone's boots just to keep this job.

To look extremely angry.

• When he saw the dent in his new car, my dad looked as black as thunder.
• The coach looked as black as thunder as his team left the pitch after another heavy defeat.

Good or valuable enough to be taken seriously rather than dismissed.

• In the current economy, a ten per cent pay rise is not to be sniffed at.
• Second place in a national competition is not to be sniffed at, so don't be disappointed.

(British, informal) for as long as anyone can remember.

• My dad has supported the same football club since the year dot.
• Families in the village have been holding this summer festival since the year dot.

To insist on formal rules of behaviour; usually used in the negative.

• The wedding was relaxed and nobody stood on ceremony, so guests danced barefoot on the grass.
• The new director doesn't stand on ceremony; she asks everyone to call her by her first name.

To suffer alone the unpleasant results of your own actions, without help from others.

• After he refused all our advice, we decided to leave him to stew in his own juice.
• The landlord ignored every complaint, so the tenants moved out and left him to stew in his own juice.

To tell someone unpleasant facts about themselves or their behaviour that they may not want to hear.

• It was painful, but my best friend told me some home truths about how selfish I had become.
• Sometimes a good manager has to tell staff some home truths about their performance, even if it upsets them.