-
1 better the devil you know (than the devil you don't)
más vale malo conocido (que bueno por conocer)English-spanish dictionary > better the devil you know (than the devil you don't)
-
2 better the devil you know than the devil you don't know
посл.лучше известное зло, чем неизвестное; ≈ из двух зол выбирай меньшее‘Why don't you go and work somewhere quite new?’ he asked me hopefully. I told him better the devil I knew than the devil I didn't. This pleased him. (P. H. Johnson, ‘An Impossible Marriage’, part IV, ch. III) — - А почему бы вам не начать работать в другой фирме? - спросил мистер Бейнард с надеждой в голосе. Я ответила ему, что лучше иметь дело со знакомым чертом, чем с незнакомым. Мой ответ понравился ему.
Large English-Russian phrasebook > better the devil you know than the devil you don't know
-
3 better the devil you know than the devil you don't know
English-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > better the devil you know than the devil you don't know
-
4 better the devil you know than the devil you don't
1) Общая лексика: известный дьявол лучше неизвестного2) Пословица: из двух зол выбирают меньшее, свой чёрт ближе, известная беда лучше ожидаемой неизвестности (дословно: Чёрт знакомый лучше чёрта незнакомого)Универсальный англо-русский словарь > better the devil you know than the devil you don't
-
5 Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.
<03> Черт знакомый лучше черта незнакомого. Ср. Известная беда лучше ожидаемой неизвестности.Англо-русский словарь цитат, пословиц, поговорок и идиом > Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.
-
6 better the devil you know than the devil you don't
посл.Чёрт знакомый лучше чёрта незнакомого.ср. Известная беда лучше ожидаемой неизвестности.Англо-русский универсальный дополнительный практический переводческий словарь И. Мостицкого > better the devil you know than the devil you don't
-
7 devil
1 noun∎ Religion the Devil le Diable, Satan m;∎ old-fashioned the devil take him! qu'il aille au diable!, que le diable l'emporte!;∎ you little devil! petit monstre!;∎ you lucky devil! veinard!;∎ British poor devil! pauvre diable!∎ what the devil are you doing? mais enfin, qu'est-ce que tu fabriques?;∎ where the devil is it? où diable peut-il bien être?, mais où est-ce que ça pourrait bien être?;∎ how the devil should I know? comment voulez-vous que je sache?□ ;∎ who the devil are you? qui diable êtes-vous?, et d'où est-ce que vous sortez, vous?;∎ this house is the very devil to keep clean c'est vraiment la galère de nettoyer cette maison;∎ they worked/ran like the devil ils ont travaillé/couru comme des fous ou des malades;∎ he has a devil of a temper il a un fichu caractère, il a un caractère de cochon;∎ I had a devil of a time getting here j'ai eu un mal fou ou un mal de chien à arriver jusqu'ici;∎ there'll be the devil to pay when your father finds out ça va barder quand ton père apprendra ça;∎ we had the devil of a job or the devil's own job finding the house on a eu un mal fou à trouver la maison;∎ to be (caught) between the devil and the deep blue sea être pris entre deux feux, être entre le marteau et l'enclume;∎ to give the devil his due… en toute honnêteté, il faut dire que…, rendons ou rendons-lui justice…;∎ he has the luck of the devil or the devil's own luck il a une veine de pendu ou de cocu;∎ speak or talk of the devil (and he's sure to appear)! quand on parle du loup (on en voit la queue)!;∎ proverb better the devil you know (than the devil you don't) mieux vaut se contenter de ce qu'on a que de risquer de trouver pire;∎ proverb the devil finds or makes work for idle hands (to do) l'oisiveté est (la) mère de tous les vices;∎ proverb (every man for himself and) let the devil take the hindmost chacun pour soi et Dieu pour tous∎ Typography printer's devil apprenti(e) m,f imprimeur∎ devilled egg œuf m à la diable∎ British to devil for sb (author) servir de nègre à qn; (lawyer) être avocat stagiaire auprès de qn; Typography (printer) être apprenti imprimeur chez qn►► devil's advocate avocat m du diable;∎ to play devil's advocate se faire l'avocat du diable;American devil's food cake gâteau m au chocolat noir;Cookery devils on horseback pruneaux mpl au bacon;Devil's Island l'île f du Diable;devil worship culte m du diable -
8 devil
A n3 ○ ( for emphasis) what the devil do you mean? que diable veux-tu dire? ; why the devil do you think I invited her? pourquoi diable est-ce-que tu crois que je l'ai invitée? ; I wondered what the devil he was talking about/why the devil he had come je me demandais de quoi il pouvait bien parler/pourquoi donc il était venu ; how the devil should I know? comment veux-tu que je le sache? ; we'll have a devil of a job cleaning the house ça va être sacrément ○ dur de nettoyer la maison ;4 ○ (expressing affection, sympathy) a lucky devil un sacré ○ veinard ○ ; he's a handsome/cheeky devil il est sacrément ○ beau/effronté ; the poor devil le pauvre diable ; that child is a little devil cet enfant est un vrai petit diable ; some poor devil of a soldier un pauvre (diable de) soldat ;5 ○ †( nuisance) to be a devil for doing avoir la manie de faire ; she's a devil for contradicting people elle a la manie de contredire les autres ; these pans are a devil to clean ces casseroles sont une vraie plaie ○ à nettoyer ; he's a devil for gambling c'est un joueur invétéré ;6 GB Jur avocat stagiaire non rémunéré.be a devil ○ ! allez, laisse-toi tenter! ; the devil you know is better than the devil you don't un danger connu est préférable à un danger inconnu ; to be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea être pris entre l'enclume et le marteau ; we won-the devil looks after his own hum on a gagné-on a eu une sacrée veine ○ ; the devil only knows where/why etc Dieu seul sait où/pourquoi etc ; to have the luck of the devil ○ GB avoir une veine de cocu ○ or de pendu ○ ; like the devil ○ [scream, run] comme un fou/une folle ○ ; speak of the devil! quand on parle du loup (on en voit la queue) ○ ! ; there will be the devil to pay when he finds out! ça va barder ○ quand il l'apprendra! ; go to the devil ○ ! va au diable ○ ! ; the devil you did ○ ! sans blague ○ ! ; to give the devil his due… il faut quand même l'admettre… -
9 ♦ devil
♦ devil /ˈdɛvl/n.1 [u] (relig., spesso maiuscolo) diavolo; demonio: God and the devil, Dio e il diavolo; possessed by the devil, posseduto dal demonio; devil worship, adorazione del diavolo; satanismo; devil-worshipper, adoratore del diavolo; satanista; the devil of greed, il demone della cupidigia2 (fig. fam.) tipo; diavolo: He's lost his job, poor devil!, povero diavolo, ha perso il posto; He's a cheeky devil, ha una bella faccia tosta; He's a lucky devil!, ha una fortuna sfacciata!; little devil, ( di bambino) diavoletto; piccola peste3 (fam. antiq., intensificativo) – a devil of a, un grande, un bel: a devil of a fine horse, un gran bel cavallo; I had a devil of a ( o the devil's own) job to convince him, ho avuto un bel daffare per convincerlo; What the devil are you doing?, che diavolo state facendo?; Who the devil are you?, chi diavolo sei?; How the devil do you expect me to do that?; come diavolo pensi che io possa farlo?6 (edil.) braciere portatile; fornacetta7 (ind. tess.) macchina per triturare gli stracci● the devil's advocate, l'avvocato del diavolo ( nel diritto canonico): (fig.) to play devil's advocate, fare l'avvocato del diavolo (bot.) devil's-bit ( Scabiosa succisa), morso del diavolo □ the devil's book, le carte da gioco □ (bot.) devil's claw ( Harpagophytum procumbens), artiglio del diavolo □ (zool.) devil's coach-horse ( Staphylinus olens), stafilino odoroso □ devil's dozen, (il numero) tredici □ devil's food cake, sorta di torta fondente al cioccolato □ devil-may-care, avventato, scavezzacollo □ (bot., slang) devil's milk, euforbia □ devils on horseback, involtini di prugne e bacon ( serviti come antipasto) □ ( gioco) devil on two sticks, diabolo □ (fam.) ( there'll be) the devil to pay, saranno guai grossi: If he finds out, there'll be the devil to pay, se lo scopre, saranno guai grossi (o succederà il finimondo) □ (fam.) Be a devil!, lasciati tentare!; buttati! □ to be between the devil and the deep blue sea, essere tra l'incudine e il martello; essere tra Scilla e Cariddi □ (fam. antiq.) to be the very devil, essere difficilissimo; essere faticosissimo □ to bring out the devil in sb., tirare fuori gli istinti peggiori (o il lato peggiore) di q. □ to give the devil his due, riconoscere i meriti di q., anche se è un poco di buono □ to go to the devil, andare in malora; andare in rovina □ (fam. antiq.) Go to the devil!, va al diavolo! □ (fam.) to have the luck of the devil, avere una fortuna del diavolo □ (fam.) like the devil, a gran velocità; moltissimo: to drive like the devil, guidare come un pazzo; to run like the devil, correre all'impazzata (o a rotta di collo) □ to play the devil with, sconvolgere; fare scempio di □ to raise the devil, evocare il demonio; (fig. fam.) fare il diavolo a quattro, fare un chiasso del diavolo □ (fam. antiq.) The devil you will [he can't, they do, etc.]!, ( come reazione di incredulità o diniego) figuriamoci!; neanche per sogno! □ (prov.) Better the devil you know ( than the devil you don't), chi lascia la via vecchia per la nuova (sa quel che lascia e non sa quel che trova) □ ( Every man for himself and) the Devil take the hindmost!, ognuno per sé, e Dio per tutti □ (prov.) Speak (o Talk) of the devil, lupus in fabula; si parla del diavolo (e spuntano le corna) □ (prov.) The devil finds work for idle hands, l'ozio è il padre dei vizi □ (prov.) The devil has all the best tunes, il peccato (o il vizio) è più attraente della virtù □ (prov.) The devil is not so black as he is painted, il diavolo non è così brutto come lo si dipinge □ (prov.) The devil looks after his own, la fortuna va spesso a chi se la merita di meno □ (prov.) The devil's in the detail, è nei dettagli che si nascondono le insidie.(to) devil /ˈdɛvl/A v. i. (antiq.)B v. t.(fam. USA) infastidire; tormentare. -
10 devil
'devl1) (the spirit of evil; Satan: He does not worship God - he worships the Devil.) demonio, diablo2) (any evil or wicked spirit or person: That woman is a devil!) demonio3) (a person who is bad or disapproved of: She's a lazy devil.) diablo, demonio4) (an unfortunate person for whom one feels pity: Poor devils! I feel really sorry for them.) pobre diablodevil n diablotr['devəl]1 (Satan, evil spirit) diablo, demonio■ you lucky devil! ¡qué suerte tienes!■ what the devil are you doing? ¿qué diablos estás haciendo?\SMALLIDIOMATIC EXPRESSION/SMALLbetter the devil you know (than the devil you don't) más vale malo conocido (que bueno por conocer)between the devil and the deep blue sea entre la espada y la paredtalk/speak of the devil! ¡hablando del rey de Roma!to be a devil atreverse■ go on, be a devil! ¡anda, atrévete!to play devil's advocate hacer de abogado,-a del diablo————————tr['devəl]1 SMALLBRITISH ENGLISH/SMALL cocer en una salsa picante1) : sazonar con picante y especias2) pester: molestardevil n1) satan: el diablo, Satanás m2) demon: diablo m, demonio m3) fiend: persona f diabólica; malvado m, -da fn.• demonio s.m.• demontre s.m.• diablo s.m.• diantre s.m.• maldito s.m.• mengue s.m.• pateta s.f.• tentador s.m.'devḷ1)a) ( Relig) diablo m, demonio mspeak o talk of the devil... — hablando del rey de Roma...
(the) devil take the hindmost — sálvese quien pueda!
to be (caught) between the devil and the deep blue sea — estar* entre la espada y la pared
b) ( evil spirit) demonio m2) (colloq) (in intensifying phrases)who/what/where the devil... ? — ¿quién/qué/dónde demonios or diablos... ? (fam)
3) (colloq) ( person)['devl]go on, be a devil, have another one! — (BrE) anda, cómete otro, no seas tonto!
1. N1) (=evil spirit) demonio m, diablo mgo to the devil! ** — ¡vete al diablo! **, ¡vete a la porra! (Sp) *
the devil take it! — † ¡que se lo lleve el diablo!
devils on horseback — ciruelas pasas envueltas en beicon servidas sobre pan tostado
- be between the devil and the deep blue sea- give the devil his due- play the devil with- play the devil's advocate- raise the devilluck2) * (=person) demonio mpoor devil — pobre diablo, pobrecito(-a) m / f
go on, be a devil! — ¡anda, atrévete or lánzate!
you little devil! — ¡qué diablillo or malo eres!
3) * (as intensifier)the devil it is! — ¡qué demonio!
it was the devil of a job to do! — ¡menudo trabajo que (me) costó!
we had the devil of a job or the devil's own job to find it — nos costó horrores encontrarlo
to work/run like the devil — trabajar/correr como un descosido
how/what/why/who the devil...? — ¿cómo/qué/por qué/quién demonios...?
4) (Jur) aprendiz m (de abogado); (Typ) aprendiz m de imprenta2. VT1) [+ meat] asar con mucho picante2) (US) * fastidiar3.VIto devil for — (Jur) trabajar de aprendiz para
4.CPDdevil worship N — satanismo m
devil's food cake N — (US) pastel de chocolate
* * *['devḷ]1)a) ( Relig) diablo m, demonio mspeak o talk of the devil... — hablando del rey de Roma...
(the) devil take the hindmost — sálvese quien pueda!
to be (caught) between the devil and the deep blue sea — estar* entre la espada y la pared
b) ( evil spirit) demonio m2) (colloq) (in intensifying phrases)who/what/where the devil... ? — ¿quién/qué/dónde demonios or diablos... ? (fam)
3) (colloq) ( person)go on, be a devil, have another one! — (BrE) anda, cómete otro, no seas tonto!
-
11 devil
-
12 devil
noun1) (Satan)2) orDevil (coll.) who/where/what etc. the devil? — wer/wo/was usw. zum Teufel? (salopp)
the devil take him! — hol' ihn der Teufel! (salopp)
the devil! — Teufel auch! (salopp)
there will be the devil to pay — da ist der Teufel los (ugs.)
[you can] go to the devil! — scher dich zum Teufel! (salopp)
run like the devil — wie der Teufel rennen (ugs.)
between the devil and the deep [blue] sea — in einer Zwickmühle (ugs.)
3)a or the devil of a mess — ein verteufelter Schlamassel (ugs.)
have the devil of a time — es verteufelt schwer haben
he's a clever devil — er ist ein schlauer Hund (ugs.)
you devil! — (ugs.) du Schlingel!
lucky devil — Glückspilz, der (ugs.)
cheeky devil — Frechdachs, der (fam., meist scherzh.)
* * *['devl]1) (the spirit of evil; Satan: He does not worship God - he worships the Devil.) der Teufel2) (any evil or wicked spirit or person: That woman is a devil!) der Teufel3) (a person who is bad or disapproved of: She's a lazy devil.) der Teufel4) (an unfortunate person for whom one feels pity: Poor devils! I feel really sorry for them.) der Teufel* * *dev·il[ˈdevəl]I. n▪ the \devil der Teufelto be possessed by the \devil vom Teufel besessen sein, den Teufel im Leib haben2. (demon) böser Geist, Dämon m; ( fig: wicked person) Teufel(in) m(f) fam, Teufelsbraten m pej fam, Satansbraten m pej famhe's a real \devil er ist ein echtes Scheusal fam3. ( approv fam: sly person) alter Fuchs fam; (daring person) Teufelskerl m fam, Draufgänger(in) m(f) famyou \devil du bist [mir] vielleicht so eine Marke fam4. (affectionately)cheeky \devil Frechdachs m hum famlittle \devil kleiner Schlingel fampoor \devil armer Teufel [o Schlucker] [o Kerl] famto be a \devil of a job eine Heidenarbeit sein famto have the \devil of a job [or time] doing sth es verteufelt [o verdammt] schwer haben, etw zu tun famwe had the \devil of a time trying to find the place es war verdammt schwierig für uns, den Ort zu findenhow/what/where/who/why the \devil...? wie/was/wo/wer/warum zum Teufel...? fam8. ZOOL[Tasmanian] \devil Tasmanischer Teufel, Beutelteufel m9.▶ to give the \devil his due das muss man ihm/ihr lassen▶ go to the \devil! geh zum Teufel! sl, scher dich zum Teufel! sl▶ there'll be the \devil to pay das gibt Ärgerif he catches you doing that there'll be the \devil to pay wenn er dich dabei erwischt, ist die Hölle los▶ to play the \devil with sb/sth jdm/etw übel mitspielen, Schindluder mit jdm/etw treiben▶ speak [or ( dated) talk] of the \devil [and he appears] wenn man vom Teufel spricht[, ist er auch schon da], wenn man den Teufel nennt[, kommt er gerennt] SÜDD prov, man soll den Teufel nicht an die Wand malento \devil for sb für jdn als Anwaltsvertreter tätig sein* * *['devl]1. n1) (= evil spirit) Teufel m2) (inf: person, child) Teufel m (inf); (= object, screw etc) Plage f; (= daring person) Teufelskerl mshall I have another? – go on, be a devil — soll ich noch einen trinken etc? – los, nur zu, riskiers! (inf)
be a devil and say yes — riskier mal was und sag ja or Ja
3) (infI had a devil of a job getting here — es war verdammt schwierig, hierherzukommen (inf)he had a devil of a time selling his car —
I live a devil of a long way away the devil of it is... — ich wohne verdammt weit weg das Ärgerliche daran ist... (inf)
how/what/why/who the devil...? — wie/was/warum/wer zum Teufel or in drei Teufels Namen...?
to run/drive like the devil — wie ein geölter Blitz sausen/fahren (inf)
4)(to be) between the Devil and the deep blue sea — (sich) in einer Zwickmühle (befinden)to sell one's soul to the devil — dem Teufel seine Seele verkaufen
to have the devil's own luck or the luck of the devil (inf) — ein Schweineglück (inf) or unverschämtes Glück haben
better the devil you know ( than the devil you don't) (prov) — von zwei Übeln wählt man besser das, was man schon kennt
2. vi (JUR, TYP, LITER ETC)Handlangerdienste tun3. vt (COOK)kidneys scharf gewürzt grillen* * *devil [ˈdevl]A s1. Teufel m:b) Höllengeist mc) Dämon md) fig Unhold m:a devil in petticoats umg ein Weibsteufel;little devil kleiner Racker;poor devil umg armer Teufel;be a devil umg huma) genier dich nicht!, lang zu!,b) gönn dir was!;be (caught) between the devil and the deep blue sea fig sich zwischen zwei Feuern befinden, in einer Zwickmühle sein oder sitzen;talk ( oder speak) of the devil (and he will appear) umg wenn man vom Teufel spricht, dann kommt er;like the devil umg wie der Teufel, wie verrückt;go to the devil umga) vor die Hunde gehen,b) zum Teufel gehen, sich zum Teufel scheren;the devil take the hindmost den letzten beißen die Hunde;a) alles denkbar Schlechte,b) alles Mögliche;there will be the devil to pay umg das dicke Ende kommt noch (nach);play the devil with umg Schindluder treiben mit;the devil! umga) (verärgert) zum Teufel!, zum Kuckuck!,b) (erstaunt) Donnerwetter!, da hört (sich) doch alles auf!;give the devil his due jedem das Seine lassen;raise devil umg einen Mordskrach schlagen3. umg Draufgängertum n, Schneid m4. fig Laster n, Übel n:a) eine verteufelte Sacheb) ein Mordsding, eine Mordssache:the devil of a job eine Mords- oder Heidenarbeit;isn’t it the devil das ist doch eine verflixte Sache;the devil of it das Vertrackte an der Sache;the devil of a good joke ein verdammt guter Witz6. umg intensivierend (als Verneinung) nicht der (die, das) Geringste:devil a bit überhaupt nicht, nicht die Spur;devil a one nicht ein einziger7. Handlanger(in): → academic.ru/57994/printer">printer 19. scharf gewürztes Pfannen- oder Grillgericht10. Sprühteufel m (Feuerwerk)11. TECHa) Zerkleinerungsmaschine f, besonders Reißwolf m, Holländer mb) Holzgewindedrehbank fB v/t prät und pperf deviled, besonders Br devilled1. umg jemanden plagen, schikanieren, piesacken umg2. TECH Lumpen etc zerfasern, wolfenC v/i1. Handlangerdienste tun ( for für)* * *noun1) (Satan)2) orDevil (coll.) who/where/what etc. the devil? — wer/wo/was usw. zum Teufel? (salopp)
the devil take him! — hol' ihn der Teufel! (salopp)
the devil! — Teufel auch! (salopp)
[you can] go to the devil! — scher dich zum Teufel! (salopp)
run like the devil — wie der Teufel rennen (ugs.)
between the devil and the deep [blue] sea — in einer Zwickmühle (ugs.)
speak or talk of the devil [and he will appear] — wenn man vom Teufel spricht[, kommt er]
3)a or the devil of a mess — ein verteufelter Schlamassel (ugs.)
you devil! — (ugs.) du Schlingel!
lucky devil — Glückspilz, der (ugs.)
cheeky devil — Frechdachs, der (fam., meist scherzh.)
* * *n.Teufel - m. -
13 devil
'devl1) (the spirit of evil; Satan: He does not worship God - he worships the Devil.) djevel2) (any evil or wicked spirit or person: That woman is a devil!) ond ånd/person, djevel3) (a person who is bad or disapproved of: She's a lazy devil.) djevel4) (an unfortunate person for whom one feels pity: Poor devils! I feel really sorry for them.) djevel, krokdjevelIsubst. \/ˈdevl\/1) djevel2) ( overført) djevel, satan, faen, fanden3) ond ånd, demon4) håndlanger (til advokat eller forfatter), usynlig medarbeider5) forklaring: spesielt grusom eller ondskapsfull person6) ( mekanikk) volfemaskin, oppdelingsmaskin7) bærbar ovn8) ( hverdagslig) stridshumør, fart, futtas if the devil was after someone som om djevelen var i hælene på noenbe a devil! ( som oppmuntring til nølende person) kom igjen!, sett i gang!better the devil you know, than the devil you don't know man vet hva man har, men ikke hva man fårbetween the devil and the deep (blue) sea mellom barken og veden, mellom to leirerthe devil! dæven!, pokker også!the devil and his dam fanden og hans oldemorthe devil can quote\/cite scripture for his purpose faen selv kan tyde bibelen til sin fordel, lese noe som fanden leser bibelena devil incarnate en djevel i menneskeskikkelse, en erkeskurka devil of a... pokker til..., en jævla, (et) jævla, et helvetesthe devil of a time et helvete forferdelig lang tidjævlig morsomt, fantastisk morsomtfor the devil of it ( hverdagslig) på (pur) jævelskap, for moro skyldgive the devil his due rett skal være rett, i rettferdighetens navngo to the devil forfalle ( også) dra til helvetehave the devil's own time ha det jævlig (vanskelig), ha et helvetehe that sups with the devil must have a long spoon man må være forsiktig i omgang med ondskapenit's the devil det er forbasket vanskelig\/utrivelig, det er jævlig vanskelig\/utriveliglet the devil take the hindmost redde seg den som redde seg kanplay the devil with kullkaste, ødelegge, gjøre kål påprinter's devil boktrykkerlærlingraise the devil lage bråk, lage helveterun like the devil løpe som bare pokkertalk of the devil (and he will appear) når man snakker om sola, så skinner denthe devil finds work for idle hands to do lediggang er roten til alt ondtthe devil looks after his own ukrutt forgår ikke så lettthere will be the devil to pay det kommer til å bli et helvetes leven, da kommer helvete til å bryte løsthis is the devil and all det er det helewhat the devil...? hva faen...?, hva i helvete...?who the devil...? hvem faen...?, hvem i helvete...?why the devil...? hvorfor i helsike...?IIverb \/ˈdevl\/1) ( for advokat eller forfatter) være håndlanger, slite og streve (uten lønn)2) ( på trykkeri) være visergutt3) forklaring: krydre sterkt og steke eller grillejeg elsker krydrede, stekte egg4) (amer.) plage, pine, irritere, uroe5) ( mekanikk) rive opp med volfemaskindevil for utføre slavearbeid for -
14 devil
s.1 diablo, demonio, Mefistófeles, carracuca.what the devil are you doing? ¿qué diablos o demonios estás haciendo?how the devil…? ¿cómo diablos o demonios…?we had a devil of a job moving it sudamos tinta para moverlohe's a bit of a devil no se corta un pelo (daring, reckless)go on, be a devil! (familiar) ¡venga pues, date el gusto!to be (caught) between the devil and the deep blue sea estar entre la espada y la paredtalk of the devil… hablando del rey de Roma…better the devil you know (than the devil you don't) (Prov) más vale lo malo conocido (que lo bueno por conocer)(to play) devil's advocate (hacer de) abogado del diablo4 diabla.5 aprendiz de abogado.v.sazonar con picante. (pt & pp deviled o devilled) -
15 know
1: he is in the know საქმის კურსშია / საქმის ვითარება იცის2 (knew, known) ცოდნა (იცის)●●I wouldn't know him from Adam თვალით არ მინახავს // პირველად ვხედავ3 (knew, known) ცნობა (იცნობს)let me know მაცნობე! / შემატყობინე4 (knew, known) გარჩევა (გაარჩევს)he knows about wine ღვინოებს კარგად არჩევს // ღვინისა ესმის●●let me know შემატყობინე!I know his sort მაგისთანებს / მაგნაირებს ვიცნობif you know what I mean თუ ხვდებით, რისი თქმაც მინდაI know that he loves me ვიცი, რომ ვუყვარვარI know why it happened ვიცი, ეს რატომაც მოხდაto know better than; you ought to know better than to go out without an overcoat on such a frosty day იმდენი უნდა გესმოდეს, რომ ასეთ ყინვაში უპალტოოდ არ გახვიდეhe says he didn't do it, but I know better ამბობს არ ჩამიდენიაო, მაგრამ მე ხომ ვიციas to me I know nothing about it რაც შემეხება მე, ამის შესახებ არაფერი ვიციhe appeared not to know about it როგორც ჩანს / ეტყობა, არაფერი იცოდაhe was all agog to know what had happened ერთი სული ჰქონდა, გაეგო რა მოხდაI knew it all along თავიდანვე / იმთავითვე ვიცოდიit appeared that nobody knew about it აღმოჩნდა, რომ ამის შესახებ არავინ იცოდაhe swore by all he knew ვინც კი ჰყავდა, ყველა დაიფიცაI wish I knew ნეტავი, ვიცოდეI wish I had known ნეტავი, მცოდნოდაwe knew each other intimately ერთმანეთს ახლოს / კარგად ვიცნობდითI took it for granted that you knew it დარწმუნებული ვიყავი, რომ შენ ეს იცოდიI came the moment I knew როგორც კი გავიგე, მაშინვე მოვედი -
16 blue are the hills that are far from us
Пословица: везде хорошо, где нас нет (contrast: who leaves the old way for the new, will find himself deceived. better the devil you know than the devil you don't know), там хорошо, где нас нет (contrast: who leaves the old way for the new, will find himself deceived. better the devil you know than the devil you don't know), хорошо там, где нас нет (contrast: who leaves the old way for the new, will find himself deceived. better the devil you know than the devil you don't know)Универсальный англо-русский словарь > blue are the hills that are far from us
-
17 of two evils choose the least
syn: it is better to be a has-been than a never-wasз двох лих вибирай менше ≅ краще їсти хліб з водою, ніж буханець з бідою краще погано їхати, ніж добре йти як з поганим молоком, то краще з водою краще з доброго коня впасти, ніж на поганому їхатиEnglish-Ukrainian dictionary of proverbs > of two evils choose the least
-
18 _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 -
19 better
1. adjective compar. ofacademic.ru/31746/good">good 1. besserdo you know of anything better? — kennst du etwas Besseres?
that's better — so ist's schon besser
better still, let's phone — oder noch besser: Rufen wir doch an
be much better — (recovered) sich viel besser fühlen
he is much better today — es geht ihm heute schon viel besser
get better — (recover) gesund werden
be getting better — auf dem Wege der Besserung sein
I am/my ankle is getting better — mir/meinem Knöchel geht es besser
so much the better — um so besser
she is none/much the better for it — das hat ihr nichts/sehr genützt
2. adverb compar. ofmy/his better half — (joc.) meine/seine bessere Hälfte (scherzh.)
well II 2.1) (in a better way) besser2) (to a greater degree) mehrI like Goethe better than Schiller — ich mag Goethe lieber als Schiller
he is better liked than Carter — er ist beliebter als Carter
3)you ought to know better than to... — du solltest es besser wissen und nicht...
3. nounyou'd better! — das will ich aber auch hoffen; see also better off
1) Bessere, dasget the better of somebody/something — jemanden/etwas unterkriegen (ugs.)
for better or for worse — was immer daraus werden wird
2) in pl.4. transitive verbone's betters — Leute, die über einem stehen od. die einem überlegen sind
1) (surpass) übertreffen2) (improve) verbessernbetter oneself — (rise socially) sich verbessern
* * *['betə]comparative; = good* * *bet·ter1[ˈbetəʳ, AM ˈbet̬ɚ]1. (superior) besser\better than nothing besser als nichtsit's \better that way es ist besser soshe is much \better at tennis than I am sie spielt viel besser Tennis als ichfar \better weit besser▪ to be \better for sb/sth für jdn/etw besser seinto be no \better than one should be kein Heiliger/keine Heilige sein2. (healthier) besserI'm much \better now mir geht's schon viel besserhe's no \better sein Zustand hat sich [noch immer] nicht gebessertto get \better sich akk erholen3. (most)the \better part der größte Teilthe \better part of an hour fast eine Stunde [lang]4.▶ \better the devil you know than the devil you don't know ( prov) von zwei Übeln wählt man besser dasjenige, das man bereits kennt▶ discretion is the \better part of valour ( prov) Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Porzellankiste prov famshe did much \better in her second exam sie schnitt in ihrer zweiten Prüfung viel besser abthere is nothing I like \better than lying in bed on a Sunday morning ich mag nichts lieber als an einem Sonntagmorgen im Bett zu liegensome questions are \better left unanswered manche Fragen sollten besser unbeantwortet bleibenor \better still... oder noch besser...2. (to a greater degree) mehrshe is much \better-looking than her brother sie sieht viel besser als ihr Bruder ausyou had \better go home now es wäre besser, wenn Sie jetzt nach Hause gingento think \better of sth sich dat etw anders überlegenI think \better of him ich habe jetzt eine bessere Meinung von ihmI have not seen \better this year ich habe dieses Jahr nichts Besseres gesehento change for the \better sich akk zum Guten wendento expect \better of sb was Besseres von jdm erwartenyou'll be all the \better for a good holiday ein schöner Urlaub wird dir [richtig] gut tun2. ( hum old)▪ one's \betters pl Leute, die über einem stehenour elders and \betters ältere Leute mit mehr [Lebens]erfahrung3.▶ to do sth for \better or [for] worse etw ungeachtet seiner möglichen Folgen tun▶ to get the \better of sb über jdn die Oberhand gewinnenIV. vt▪ to \better sth etw verbessern▪ to \better oneself (improve social position) sich akk verbessern; (further one's knowledge) sich akk weiterbildenbet·ter2[ˈbetəʳ, AM ˈbet̬ɚ]n jd, der eine Wette abschließt* * *I ['betə(r)]nWetter(in) m(f) II1. adj compbesser; route, way also günstigerthe patient/his foot is getting better — dem Patienten/seinem Fuß geht es schon viel besser
I hope you get better soon — hoffentlich sind Sie bald wieder gesund
that's better! (approval) — so ist es besser!; (relief etc)
it couldn't be better — es könnte gar nicht besser sein
I am none the better for it —
the better part of an hour/my money/our trip — fast eine Stunde/fast mein ganzes Geld/fast die ganze Reise
it would be better to go early — es wäre besser, früh zu gehen
to go one better — einen Schritt weiter gehen; (in offer) höher gehen
2. adv comp of wellhe is better off where he is — für ihn ist es besser, da zu sein, wo er ist, er ist besser dran, wo er ist (inf)
See:→ know, late2)you'd better do what he says —
I'd better answer that letter soon — ich beantworte den Brief lieber or besser bald
I won't touch it – you'd better not! — ich fasse es nicht an – das will ich dir auch geraten haben
3. n1)one's betters (socially also) — Höhergestellte pl, höher Gestellte pl
that's no way to talk to your betters — man muss immer wissen, wen man vor sich (dat) hat
respect for one's betters — Achtung f Respektspersonen gegenüber
2)3)it's a change for the better —
to think ( all) the better of sb — (um so) mehr von jdm halten
all the better, so much the better — umso besser
the bigger/sooner the better — je größer/eher, desto besser
it's done now, for better or worse — so oder so, es ist geschehen
for better, for worse (in marriage ceremony) — in Freud und Leid
to get the better of sb (person) — jdn unterkriegen (inf); (illness) jdn erwischen (inf); (problem etc) jdm schwer zu schaffen machen
4. vt(= improve on) verbessern; (= surpass) übertreffen5. vr(= increase one's knowledge) sich weiterbilden; (in social scale) sich verbessern* * *better1 [ˈbetə(r)]1. besser:I am better es geht mir (gesundheitlich) besser;I am none the better for it das hilft mir auch nicht;he’s no better than a cheat er kommt einem Betrüger gleich;she’s no better than she should be euph sie ist nicht gerade eine Heilige;it is no better than it should be man konnte nicht mehr erwarten;be better than one’s word mehr tun, als man versprochen hat;a) besser werden, sich bessern, SPORT sich steigern,b) sich erholen;2. größer:(up)on better acquaintance bei näherer BekanntschaftB sa) in Freud und Leid, in guten wie in schlechten Tagen (Trauformel),b) was auch (immer) geschieht;2. Vorteil m:b) etwas überwinden;his emotions got the better of him seine Gefühle gingen mit ihm durchhis betters die ihm (geistig etc) ÜberlegenenC (komp von well1) adv1. besser:a) besser dran,b) (finanziell) bessergestellt;think better of it sich eines Besseren besinnen, es sich anders überlegen;so much the better desto besser;2. mehr:better than 10 miles über oder mehr als 10 Meilen;D v/t1. Beziehungen, Lebensbedingungen, einen Rekord etc verbessern2. übertreffen3. den Spieleinsatz erhöhen4. better o.s.a) sich (finanziell) verbessern,b) sich weiterbildenbetter2 [ˈbetə(r)] s Wettende(r) m/f(m), Wetter(in)* * *1. adjective compar. ofgood 1. besserbetter still, let's phone — oder noch besser: Rufen wir doch an
be much better — (recovered) sich viel besser fühlen
get better — (recover) gesund werden
I am/my ankle is getting better — mir/meinem Knöchel geht es besser
she is none/much the better for it — das hat ihr nichts/sehr genützt
my/his better half — (joc.) meine/seine bessere Hälfte (scherzh.)
2. adverb compar. of[for] the better part of an hour — fast eine ganze Stunde; see also all 3.
well II 2.1) (in a better way) besser2) (to a greater degree) mehr3)you ought to know better than to... — du solltest es besser wissen und nicht...
3. nounyou'd better! — das will ich aber auch hoffen; see also better off
1) Bessere, dasget the better of somebody/something — jemanden/etwas unterkriegen (ugs.)
2) in pl.4. transitive verbone's betters — Leute, die über einem stehen od. die einem überlegen sind
1) (surpass) übertreffen2) (improve) verbessernbetter oneself — (rise socially) sich verbessern
* * *adj.besser adj. v.besser werden ausdr.bessern v.verbessern v. -
20 better
bet·ter1) ( superior) besser;\better luck next time vielleicht klappt's ja beim nächsten Mal ( fam)\better than nothing besser als nichts;it's \better that way es ist besser so;she is much \better at tennis than I am sie spielt viel besser Tennis als ich;far \better weit besser;to be \better for sb/ sth für jdn/etw besser sein;to be no \better than one should be kein Heiliger/keine Heilige sein2) ( healthier) besser;I'm much \better now mir geht's schon viel besser;he's no \better sein Zustand hat sich [noch immer] nicht gebessert;to get \better sich akk erholen3) ( most)the \better part der größte Teil;the \better part of an hour fast eine Stunde [lang]PHRASES:\better the devil you know than the devil you don't know ( you know than the devil you don't know) von zwei Übeln wählt man besser dasjenige, das man bereits kennt;discretion is the \better part of valour (is the \better part of valour) Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Porzellankiste ( prov) ( fam)\better late than never ( than never) besser spät als nie;she did much \better in her second exam sie schnitt in ihrer zweiten Prüfung viel besser ab;there is nothing I like \better than lying in bed on a Sunday morning ich mag nichts lieber als an einem Sonntagmorgen im Bett zu liegen;some questions are \better left unanswered manche Fragen sollten besser unbeantwortet bleiben;or \better still... oder noch besser...2) ( to a greater degree) mehr;she is much \better-looking than her brother sie sieht viel besser als ihr Bruder aus;you had \better go home now es wäre besser, wenn Sie jetzt nach Hause gingen;to think \better of sth sich dat etw anders überlegen;I think \better of him ich habe jetzt eine bessere Meinung von ihm nI have not seen \better this year ich habe dieses Jahr nichts Besseres gesehen;to change for the \better sich akk zum Guten wenden;to expect \better of sb was Besseres von jdm erwarten;you'll be all the \better for a good holiday ein schöner Urlaub wird dir [richtig] gut tunour elders and \betters ältere Leute mit mehr [Lebens]erfahrungPHRASES:to get the \better of sb über jdn die Oberhand gewinnen;to do sth for \better or [for] worse etw ungeachtet seiner möglichen Folgen tun vtto \better sth etw verbessern;( further one's knowledge) sich akk weiterbilden2. bet·ter [ʼbetəʳ, Am ʼbet̬ɚ] njd, der eine Wette abschließt
- 1
- 2
См. также в других словарях:
better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know — Cf. 1539 R. TAVERNER tr. Erasmus’ Adages 48 Nota res mala, optima. An euyl thynge knowen is best. It is good kepyng of a shrew [a scolding or ill tempered woman] that a man knoweth; 1576 G. PETTIE Petit Palace 84 You had rather keepe those whom… … Proverbs new dictionary
better the devil you know (than the devil you don't) — better the devil you know (than the devil you don’t) phrase used for saying that it is safer to deal with a bad but familiar person or thing than to risk dealing with someone or something that you do not know and that could be worse Thesaurus:… … Useful english dictionary
better the devil you know than the devil you don't — used to say that it is better to deal with a difficult person or situation you know than with a new person or situation that could be worse • • • Main Entry: ↑devil better the devil you know than the devil you don t see ↑devil • • • Main Entry:… … Useful english dictionary
better the devil you know than the devil you don't — better the devil you know (than the devil you don t) something that you say to mean it is better to deal with a person or thing you know, even if you do not like them, than to deal with a new person or thing who could be even worse. I know Mike… … New idioms dictionary
better the devil you know than the devil you don't know — ► better the devil you know than the devil you don t know proverb it s wiser to deal with an undesirable but familiar person or situation than to risk a change that might lead to a situation with worse difficulties or a person whose faults you… … English terms dictionary
The Devil Wears Prada (film) — Infobox Film name = The Devil Wears Prada caption = Promotional poster for The Devil Wears Prada director = David Frankel producer = Wendy Finerman writer = Lauren Weisberger (novel) Aline Brosh McKenna (screenplay) starring = Meryl Streep Anne… … Wikipedia
The Devil Went Down to Georgia — Single by Charlie Daniels from the album Million Mile Reflections … Wikipedia
The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me — Studio album by Brand New Released N … Wikipedia
The Devil and Daniel Webster — This article is about the short story. For other uses, see The Devil and Daniel Webster (disambiguation). The Devil and Daniel Webster Author(s) … Wikipedia
The Devil You Know (album) — Infobox Album | Name = The Devil You Know Type = Studio album Artist = Econoline Crush Released = June 17, 1997 (Canada) March 24, 1998 (US) Recorded = 1996 1997 Genre = Alternative rock/Industrial Length = 44:15 Label = EMI Music Canada/Restless … Wikipedia
better the devil you know — (than the devil you don t) something that you say to mean it is better to deal with a person or thing you know, even if you do not like them, than to deal with a new person or thing who could be even worse. I know Mike can be difficult to work… … New idioms dictionary