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1 better half
краща половина, дружина -
2 better half
краща половина, дружина -
3 better
1. nтой, що ставить заклад (йде на парі)2. adj (comp від good)1) кращий; вищий2) більш підхожий, більш вигіднийyou are a better man for this job than I am — ти більше підходиш для цієї роботи, ніж я
3) більшийone's better half — розм. дружина
3. adv (comp від well)1) краще2) більше, більшою міроюI like him better than his brother — він подобається мені більше, ніж його брат
3) повніше, ґрунтовніше; сильнішеto think better of smth. — передумати, змінити думку
better late than never — краще пізно, ніж ніколи
the sooner the better — чим швидше, тим краще
4. v1) поліпшувати; виправляти; удосконалювати2) перевершувати, перевищуватиto better oneself — одержувати підвищення, просуватися (по службі)
* * *I nтой, хто б`ється об закладII nкращий; кращеIII a2) кращий; вищий; який краще підходить, більш вигідний3) краще4) більшийIV adv1) l. compar від well 52) краще3) більшою мірою; більше4) повніше; більш ґрунтовно; сильнішеV v1) покращувати, поліпшувати; виправляти; удосконалювати; покращуватися, поліпшуватися; виправлятися3) перевершувати, перевищувати -
4 better
I ['betə] 1. adj(comp від good) кра́щийthe better half розм. — дружи́на, жі́нка
the better hand — перева́га
to be better off — бу́ти в кра́щому стано́вищі; бу́ти в кра́щих матеріа́льних умо́вах
2. nto get better — виду́жувати
3. advto get the better of smb. — діста́ти перева́гу над кимсь
(comp від well II) кра́щеso much the better — тим кра́ще
4. vyou had better go — вам би кра́ще було́ піти́
полі́пшуватиII ['betə] nтой, що ста́вить закла́д (йде на парі́) -
5 better a lean jade than an empty halter
English-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > better a lean jade than an empty halter
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6 better a small fish than an empty dish
English-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > better a small fish than an empty dish
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7 better one-eyed that stone-blind
English-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > better one-eyed that stone-blind
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8 half
1. n (pl halves)1) половинаhalf a mile — півмилі (тж —mile)
2) спорт. половина гри3) частина (чогось)4) семестр, півріччя5) розм. півстопки віскі6) юр. сторона (у договорі)by half — а) наполовину; б) значно
by halves — частково, не зовсім, наполовину
to do smth. by halves — недоробити, не закінчити
to go halves with smb. in smth. — ділити з кимсь щось пополам (нарівно)
to have half a mind to do smth. — бути не від того, щоб зробити щось
too clever by half — ірон. надто вже розумний
to see smth. with half an eye — а) відразу зрозуміти щось; б) недбало поставитися до чогось
to get half a stretch (for an offence) — розм. одержати півроку ув'язнення (за злочин)
half a loaf is better than no bread — присл. ліпше синиця у жмені, ніж журавель у небі
2. adj1) половинний; що дорівнює половині2) неповний, частковий, половинчастий3. adv1) наполовину, частково; пів-, напів-2) значною мірою; майже3) дуже, страшенно, жахливо4) аж ніяк, зовсім ніI don't half like it — мені це аж ніяк (зовсім) не подобається
not half bad! — розм. непогано!
* * *I n; (pl halves)1) половина2) семестр, півріччя3) частина, частка ( одна з двох приблизно рівних)4) півчарки, півпорції ( віскі)5) = half-crown; = half-dollar6) = halfback7) cпopт. половина гри, тайм; половина поля; рівний рахунок ( гольф)8) юp. сторона ( у договорі)9) як компонент складних слів зі значенням ( half-) пів-, напів-, половина, половинний, наполовинуII a1) половинний; який дорівнює половині2) неповний, частковий; половинчастийIII adv1) наполовину; напів-; недостатньо; неповністю2) значною мірою, майже3) (звич. із запереченням) дуже, жахливо; зовсім, аж ніякIV = halve I -
9 half a loaf is better than no bread
syn: better a small fish than an empty dish≅ на безриб'ї і рак риба на безлюдді і Хома чоловік на безгрішші і копійка гроші among the blind the one-eyed man is kingEnglish-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > half a loaf is better than no bread
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10 _купівля і продаж; торгівля
better buy than borrow buy in the cheapest market and sell in the dearest the buyer has need of a hundred eyes, the seller of but one the customer is always right good things are seldom cheap good wine needs no bush if you buy everything, the result will be that you sell everything if you would not be cheated, ask the price at three shops it is not a sin to sell dear, but it is to make ill measure little goods, little care merchants love nobody pay beforehand was never well served pleasing ware is half sold what is bought is cheaper than a giftEnglish-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > _купівля і продаж; торгівля
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11 _різне
aim at the stars, but keep your feet on the ground all are not thieves that dogs bark at all cats are grey in the dark all roads lead to Rome always lend a helping hand among the blind the one-eyed man is king as the days grow longer, the storms are stronger at a round table, there is no dispute of place a bad excuse is better than none a bad vessel is seldom broken be just before you're generous be just to all, but trust not all the best things come in small packages the best way to resist temptation is to give in to it better alone than in bad company better an empty house than a bad tenant better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion better ride an ass that carries me than a horse that throws me better to beg than to steal, but better to work than to beg better a tooth out than always aching between two stools one goes to the ground a bird may be known by its flight a bird never flew on one wing a bit in the morning is better than nothing all day a bleating sheep loses a bite a blind man would be glad to see a blind man needs no looking glass bread always falls buttered side down a burden which one chooses is not felt butter to butter is no relish cast no dirt in the well that gives you water the chain is no stronger than its weakest link a change is as good as a rest Christmas comes but once a year circumstances after cases cleanliness is next to godliness the cobbler's wife is the worst shod a cold hand, a warm heart comparisons are odious consistency is a jewel consideration is half of conversation a creaking door hangs long on its hinges desperate diseases must have desperate remedies the devil looks after his own diamond cut diamond dirt shows the quickest on the cleanest cotton discontent is the first step in progress do as you would be done by dog does not eat dog a dog that will fetch a bone will carry a bone a dog will not cry if you beat him with a bone do not spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar do not throw pearls before swine do your best and leave the rest with God do your duty and be afraid of none don't be a yes-man don't cut off your nose to spite your face don't drown yourself to save a drowning man don't look a gift horse in the mouth don't spur a willing horse don't strike a man when he is down don't swap the witch for the devil eagles don't catch flies eagles fly alone, but sheep flock together the English are a nation of shopkeepers even a stopped clock is right twice a day every cock sings in his own way every fish that escapes seems greater than it is every man is a pilot in a calm sea every medal has its reverse side every thing comes to a man who does not need it every tub smells of the wine it holds evil communications corrupt good manners the exception proves the rule exchange is no robbery extremes meet facts are stubborn things familiarity breeds contempt fast bind, fast find fields have eyes, and woods have ears fight fire with fire figure on the worst but hope for the best fingers were made before forks the fire which lights us at a distance will burn us when near the first shall be last and the last, first follow your own star forbearance is no acquittance the fox knows much, but more he that catches him from the day you were born till you ride in a hearse, there's nothing so bad but it might have been worse from the sweetest wine, the tartest vinegar fruit is golden in the morning, silver at noon, and lead at night gambling is the son of avarice and the father of despair the game is not worth the candles a gentleman never makes any noise the gift bringer always finds an open door the giver makes the gift precious a good horse cannot be of a bad colour a good tale is none the worse for being twice told good riddance to bad rubbish the greatest right in the world is the right to be wrong the half is more than the whole half a loaf is better than no bread half an orange tastes as sweet as a whole one hawk will not pick out hawk's eyes the heart has arguments with which the understanding is unacquainted he may well swim that is held up by the chin he that doesn't respect, isn't respected he that lies down with dogs must rise with fleas he that would live at peace and rest must hear and see and say the best he who is absent is always in the wrong he who follows is always behind the higher the climb, the broader the view history is a fable agreed upon hitch your wagon to a star the ideal we embrace is our better self if a bee didn't have a sting, he couldn't keep his honey if a sheep loops the dyke, all the rest will follow I fear Greeks even when bringing gifts if each would sweep before his own door, we should have a clean city if the cap fits, wear it if the mountain will not come to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the mountain if you cannot bite, never show your teeth if you cannot have the best, make the best of what you have if you cannot speak well of a person, don't speak of him at all if you leave your umbrella at home, it is sure to rain if you wish to see the best in others, show the best of yourself ill news travels fast ill weeds grow apace an inch breaks no square it always pays to be a gentleman it costs nothing to ask it is easier to descend than ascend it is easier to pull down than to build up it is good fishing in troubled waters it is idle to swallow the cow and choke on the tail it is the last straw that breaks the camel's back it is sometimes best to burn your bridges behind you it is well to leave off playing when the game is at the best it is not clever to gamble, but to stop playing it's a small world it takes all sorts to make a world it takes a thief to catch a thief jealousy is a green-eyed monster jealousy is a proof of self-love keep a dress seven years and it will come back into style keep no more cats than will catch mice kindle not a fire that you cannot extinguish kissing goes by favor jam tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today a joy that's shared is a joy made double justice is blind lay not the load on the lame horse learn to creep before you leap let the cock crow or not, the day will come the longest road is sometimes the shortest way home lookers-on see most of the game man does not live by bread alone many are called but few are chosen many go out for wool and come home shorn many stumble at a straw and leap over a block men cease to interest us when we find their limitations a misty morn may have a fine day the mob has many heads but no brains the moon is not seen when the sun shines the more the merrier mountain has brought forth a mouse much water runs by the mill that the miller knows not of name not a halter in his house that hanged himself the nearer the bone, the sweeter the meat never be the first by whom the new is tried nor yet the last to lay the old aside never do anything yourself you can get somebody else to do never is a long time never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing never make a bargain with the devil on a dark day never quarrel with your bread and butter never tell tales out of school a nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse no joy without alloy no man is a hero to his valet no mud can soil us but the mud we throw no names, no pack-drill no news good news no one but the wearer knows where the shoe pinches none is so blind as they who will not see none of us is perfect nothing is certain but the unforeseen nothing is easy to the unwilling nothing is so good but it might have been better nothing is stolen without hands nothing new under the sun nothing seems quite as good as new after being broken an old poacher makes the best keeper once is no rule one dog barks at nothing, the rest bark at him one good turn deserves another one half of the world does not know how the other half lives one hand washes the other one man's meat is another man's poison one picture is worth ten thousand words one volunteer is worth two pressed men one whip is good enough for a good horse; for a bad one, not a thousand opposites attract each other the orange that is squeezed too hard yields a bitter juice other people's burdens killed the ass out of the mire into the swamp painted flowers have no scent paper is patient: you can put anything on it people condemn what they do not understand pigs might fly the pitcher goes often to the well please ever; tease never plenty is no plague the porcupine, whom one must handle gloved, may be respected but is never loved the proof of the pudding is in the eating the remedy is worse than the disease reopen not the wounds once healed a rolling stone gathers no moss the rotten apple injures its neighbors scratch my back and I shall scratch yours the sea refuses no river seize what is highest and you will possess what is in between seldom seen, soon forgotten silence scandal by scandal the sharper the storm, the sooner it's over the sheep who talks peace with a wolf will soon be mutton since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get small faults indulged in are little thieves that let in greater solitude is at times the best society some people are too mean for heaven and too good for hell the soul of a man is a garden where, as he sows, so shall he reap sour grapes can never make sweet wine sow a thought and reap an act the sow loves bran better than roses a stick is quickly found to beat a dog with still waters run deep stoop low and it will save you many a bump through life a straw shows which way the wind blows a stream cannot rise above its source the style is the man the sun loses nothing by shining into a puddle the sun shines on all the world the sun will shine down our street too sunday plans never stand suspicion may be no fault, but showing it may be a great one sweetest nuts have the hardest shells the tail cannot shake the dog take things as they are, not as you'd have them tastes differ there are more ways of killing a dog than hanging it there is always room at the top there is life in the old dog yet there is no rose without a thorn there is small choice in rotten apples there is truth in wine there's as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it they need much whom nothing will content they that dance must pay the fiddler they walk with speed who walk alone those who hide can find three removals are as bad as a fire to the pure all things are pure to work hard, live hard, die hard, and go to hell after all would be hard indeed too far east is west translation is at best an echo a tree is known by its fruit a tree often transplanted neither grows nor thrives two can play at that game two dogs over one bone seldom agree venture a small fish to catch a great one the voice with a smile always wins wear my shoes and you'll know where they pitch we weep when we are born, not when we die what can you have of a cat but her skin what can't be cured must be endured what matters to a blind man that his father could see what you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail when a dog is drowning, everyone offers him drink when in doubt, do nowt when interest is lost, memory is lost when a man lays the foundation of his own ruin, others will build on it when a river does not make a noise, it is either empty or very full when the devil is dead, he never lacks a chief mourner when two ride on one horse one must sit behind where bees are, there is honey where it is weakest, there the thread breaks who seeks what he should not finds what he would not why keep a dog and bark yourself? a wonder lasts but nine days the worth of a thing is best known by its want the world is a ladder for some to go up and some down would you persuade, speak of interest, not of reason you buy land, you buy stones; you buy meat, you buy bones you can take a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink you can tell the day by the morning you cannot lose what you never had you cannot touch pitch and not be defiled you can't put new wine in old bottles you can't walk and look at the stars if you have a stone in your shoe your looking glass will tell you what none of your friends will zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse -
12 _дурість
all asses wag their ears all men are fools, but the wisest of fools are called philosophers arguing with a fool shows there are two ask a silly question and you get a silly answer as the fool thinks, so the bell clinks the ass is known by its ears asses as well as pitchers have ears blame-all and praise-all are two blockheads change of weather is a discourse of fools children and fools have merry lives children and fools must not play with edged tools children and fools tell the truth dreams give wings to fools the darkest place is under the candlestick every ass loves to hear himself bray every ass thinks himself worthy to stand with the king's horses every fool will be meddling experience is the teacher of fools folly grows without watering a fool always finds a bigger fool to admire a fool always rushes to the fore a fool and his money are soon parted a fool believes everything a fool is known by his conversation a fool is known by his laughing a fool may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man answer in seven years a fool over forty is a fool indeed a fool may give a wise man counsel a fool may sometimes speak to the purpose a fool may throw a stone into a well which a hundred wise men cannot pull out a fool who keeps his mouth closed fools the whole world the fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool the fool wonders; the wise man asks a fool's voice is known by a multitude of words fools and bairns should never see half-done work fools go in crowds fools make feasts and wise men eat them fools never know when they are well fools rush in where angels fear to tread fortune favors the fools give a man enough rope and he will hang himself a great talker may be no fool, but he is one that relies on him he is a fool who cannot be angry but a wise man who will not he that makes himself an ass must not complain if men ride him he who is born a fool is never cured honey is not for the ass's mouth if all fools wore white caps, we'd all look like geese if an ass goes traveling, he'll not come back a horse if fools went not to market, bad wares would not be sold in spite of colleges and schools, the world remains a ship of fools it is better to remain silent and be thought of as a fool than to speak and prove the same it is ill manners to silence a fool, and it is cruelty to let him go on it is a silly fish, that is caught twice with the same bait a learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one lend and lose is the game of fools little wit in the head makes much work for the feet one fool makes many never bray at an ass never show a fool a half-done work no fool like an old fool none is a fool always, everyone sometimes riches serve a wise man but command a fool silence is the virtue of a fool success ruins a fool there are a great many asses without long ears it is better to lose with a wise man than to win with a fool a wager is a fool's argument the way of a fool is right in his own eyes when a fool has made up his mind, the market has gone by a white wall is the fool's writing paper: he writes his name there a wise man changes his mind, a fool never will a wise man learns by the experiences of others; an ordinary man learns by his own experience; a fool learns by nobody's experiences a wise man's day is worth a fool's life the wise seek wisdom; the fool has found it words are the wise man's counters and the fool's money -
13 _людина; людство
all's for the best in the best of all possible worlds all the word's a stage the human race has improved everything except people it is only an uncivilized world which would worship civilisation man changes often but gets better seldom man is the measure of all things mankind lives on promises men, not gold, make a nation one half of the world does not know how the other half lives there's nowst so queer as folk the world does not grow better by force or by the policeman's club the world is a net: the more we stir in it, the more we are entangled the world is what people make it you cannot please the whole world -
14 among the blind the one-eyed man is king
syn: half a loaf is better than no breadодноокий між сліпими король ≅ на безриб'ї і рак риба на безлюдді й Хома чоловік не виливай каламутну воду, доки чисту не знайдеш half a loaf is better than no bread there is small choice in rotten applesEnglish-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > among the blind the one-eyed man is king
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15 _жінка; дружина
all are good lasses, but whence come the bad wives? all women look the same after the sun goes down any woman can keep a secret, but she generally needs one other woman to help her better the devil's than a woman's slave a cat has nine lives; a woman has nine cat's lives a diamond daughter turns to glass as a wife everybody's sweetheart is nobody's wife the fewer the women, the less the trouble the fingers of a housewife do more than a yoke of oxen the first wife is matrimony; the second, company; the third, heresy the grey mare is the better horse the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world handle with care women and glass hanging and wiving goes by destiny happy is the bride that the sun shines on he that has not got a wife is not yet a complete man he who has a fair wife needs more than two eyes hell hath no fury like a woman scorned if it is a secret, don't tell it to a woman it is harder to marry a daughter well than to bring her up well it is a woman's privilege to change her mind it is as great pity to see a woman weep as to see a goose go barefoot ladies don't smoke long hair and short wit the longest five years in a woman's life is between twenty-nine and thirty never choose your woman or your linen by candlelight never praise your wife until you have been married ten years never quarrel with a woman no house was ever big enough for two women no woman is ugly if she is well dressed one tongue is enough for two women the only secret a woman can keep is her age praise from a wife is praise indeed the real housewife is at once a slave and a lady she who is a beauty is half-married she who loves the looking glass hates the saucepan silence is a woman's best garment slander expires at a good woman's door tell a woman and you tell the world ten measures of talk were sent down from heaven, and women took nine there is no fury like a woman's fury there is nothing better than a good woman and nothing worse than a bad one there is one good wife in the country, and every man thinks he has her there's hardly a strife in which a woman has not been a prime mover ugliness is the guardian of women the ugliest woman can look in the mirror and think she is beautiful an undutiful daughter will prove an unmanageable wife when a girl whistles, the angels cry wherever there is a woman, there is gossip a whistling woman and a crowing hen are neither fit for God nor men winter weather and women's thoughts change often a wise woman never outsmarts her husband a woman, a cat, and a chimney should never leave the house a woman fights with her tongue a woman knows a bit more than Satan a woman laughs when she can but cries whenever she wishes the woman who obeys her husband rules him a woman's hair is her crowning glory a woman's hair is long, but her tongue is longer a woman's place is in the home a woman's tongue is one that will never wear out a woman's tongue is the only sharp-edged tool that grows keener with constant use women are necessary evils a woman's work is never done women are strong when they arm themselves with their weaknesses women forgive injuries, but never forget slights women would be more charming if one could fall into their arms without falling into their hands a worthy woman is the crown of her husband -
16 _шлюб; дім; сім'я
accidents will happen in the best regulated families a bad husband cannot be a good man before you go in double harness, look well to the other horse better one house spoiled than two big houses have small families, and small houses big families a blind man's wife needs no paint the calmest husbands take the stormiest wives choose your love, then love your choice choose your man as you choose your shoes – for comfort and long wear a deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple don't marry a girl who wants strawberries in January each husband gets the infidelity he deserves earlier wed, sooner dead every family has a black sheep every man can tame a shrew but he that has one everyone can keep house better than her mother until she tries the father is the guest who best becomes the table first thrive and then wife a friend married is a friend lost a good husband makes a good wife the grey mare is the better horse happy is the bride that the sun shines on he that has not got a wife is not yet a complete man he who has a fair wife needs more than two eyes honest men marry soon, wise men not at all he that marries a widow and four children marries four thieves he that takes a wife takes a care he that tells his wife news is but newly wed he that will thrive must first ask his wife he who marries for wealth sells his liberty the husband is always the last to know the husband is the head of the house, but the wife is the neck and the neck moves the head if you wish praise, die; if you wish blame, marry it is not every couple that is a pair keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards a kind wife makes a faithful husband the Lord makes a man, but the wife makes a husband love takes away the sight, and matrimony restores it a man is newly married who tells his wife everything marriage goes by contrasts marriage is a lottery marriage makes or mars a man marriages are made in heaven marry above your match and you get a master marry in haste, and repent at leisure marry a handsome man and you marry trouble marry late or never marry your son when you please and your daughter when you can men are what their mothers made them most men get as good a wife as they deserve the mother-in-law remembers not that she was a daughter-in-law never interfere with family quarrels never marry for money, but marry where money is a nurse spoils a good housewife nurses put one bit in the child's mouth and two in their own observe the mother and take the daughter put not your hand between the bark and the tree a shotgun marriage won't last longer than the honeymoon sweet-talk to the old lady to get to the daughter there are as many good stepmothers as white ravens there is one good wife in the country, and every man thinks he has her to marry once is a duty, twice is folly, thrice is madness the woman who obeys her husband rules him want makes strife between man and wife when going to sea, pray once; when going to war, pray twice; when going to be married, pray thrice when the husband earns well, the wife spends well when you get married you tie a knot with your tongue that you can't untie with your teeth where there's marriage without love, there will be love without marriage whoever is tired of a happy day, let him take a wifeEnglish-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > _шлюб; дім; сім'я
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17 _істина
always tell your doctor and your lawyer the truth apothecaries would not sugar their pills unless they were bitter better suffer for truth than prosper by falsehood children and fools speak the truth half the truth is often a whole lie it is better to be right than in the majority mad folks and proverbs reveal many truths many a truth is spoken is jest murder will out nothing stings like the truth some people would rather be right than pleasant tell the truth all the time and you won't have to remember what you said tell the truth and shame the Devil those who are right need not talk loudly to withhold truth is to bury gold truth and roses have thorns about them truth fears nothing but concealment truth is heavy; therefore few wear it truth is the daughter of time truth is stranger than fiction truth lies at the bottom of a well truth never grows old the truth always pays the truth shall make you free what everybody says must be true what is new cannot be true -
18 _краса і потворність
a beautiful face is a better of recommendation beauty and brains don't mix beauty doesn't make the pot boil beauty draws with a single hair beauty is a fading flower beauty is in the eye of the beholder beauty is one of God's gifts beauty is only skin deep beauty provokes thieves sooner than gold beauty without virtue is a rose without fragrance care's beauty's thief the fairest apple hangs on the highest bough the good-looking woman needs no paint handsome is as handsome does no woman is ugly if she is well dressed prettiness dies first a rose becomes more beautiful between two thorns she who is a beauty is half-married there is no beauty like the beauty of the soul the uglier the man, the better the husband ugliness is the guardian of women ugly is to the bone; beauty lasts only a day when the candles are all out, all women are fairEnglish-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > _краса і потворність
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19 _початок та кінець
all good things come to an end all great things had a small beginning all is well that ends well better never begin than never make an end the end crowns the work the end justifies the means the first blow is half the battle everything has an end first impressions are half the battle the hardest step is over the threshold a good beginning makes a good ending it is the first step that costs the opera isn't over till the fat lady sings the sooner begun, the sooner doneEnglish-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > _початок та кінець
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20 bread
1. n1) хліб2) засоби для існуванняto make (to earn) one's bread — заробляти на хліб (на життя)
bread and wine — церк. причастя
bread buttered on both sides — повна забезпеченість, добробут
to know on which side one's bread is buttered — знати що до чого, бути собі на умі
half a loaf is better than no bread — присл. на безриб'ї і рак риба
2. vобкачувати в сухарях, панірувати* * *I [bred] n1) хліб; їжа2) засоби до існування; cл. гріш, грошіII [bred] vобвалювати в сухарях, панірувати
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См. также в других словарях:
Better half — Better Bet ter, a.; compar. of Good. [OE. betere, bettre, and as adv. bet, AS. betera, adj., and bet, adv.; akin to Icel. betri, adj., betr, adv., Goth. batiza, adj., OHG. bezziro, adj., baz, adv., G. besser, adj. and adv., bass, adv., E. boot,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Better half — Half Half (h[aum]f), n.; pl. {Halves} (h[aum]vz). [AS. healf. See {Half}, a.] 1. Part; side; behalf. [Obs.] Wyclif. [1913 Webster] The four halves of the house. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. One of two equal parts into which anything may be divided … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
better half — (plural ,better halves) noun someone s better half HUMOROUS someone s husband, wife, or partner: I ll have to ask my better half … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
better half — Your better half is your husband or wife … The small dictionary of idiomes
better half — ► NOUN informal ▪ a person s spouse or partner … English terms dictionary
better half — n. one s spouse; esp., one s wife: a humorous usage … English World dictionary
better half — UK / US noun Word forms better half : singular better half plural better halves someone s better half … English dictionary
better half — noun a person s partner in marriage • Syn: ↑spouse, ↑partner, ↑married person, ↑mate • Derivationally related forms: ↑mate (for: ↑mate), ↑spousal … Useful english dictionary
better half — noun a) A persons spouse or lover, most commonly a mans wife. Generally a compliment or sign of respect. Id like you to meet my better half Linda. b) A persons close friend or companion … Wiktionary
better half — n. one’s wife, and occasionally, one’s husband. □ My better half disapproved of the movie. □ I gotta go home to my better half … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
better half — {n.}, {informal} One s marriage partner (mostly said by men about their wives.) * / This is my better half, Mary, said Joe./ … Dictionary of American idioms