Meaning: aachen

n.
a city in western Germany near the Dutch and Belgian borders; formerly it was Charlemagne's northern capital

hen Idiom, Proverb

and then some

and much more besides.

as scarce as hen's teeth

rare, uncommon, not many of them Country doctors are as scarce as hen's teeth.

cross that bridge when I come to it

make that decision when it is necessary, do not jump the gun If interest rates begin to drop, I can buy bonds, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

everything but the kitchen sink

almost everything, the whole works We put everything in his truck, everything but the kitchen sink!

freshen up

wash your hands etc., use the washroom If you want to freshen up, you can use our bathroom.

John Henry

signature, signed name To give you a refund, we need your John Henry on this form.

John Henry (John Hancock)

signature Please sign your John Henry here and we will process your order right away.

now and then

occasionally He likes to go to that restaurant now and then.

off the kitchen etc.

leading from the kitchen, attached to the kitchen The laundry room is off the kitchen - very convenient.

scarce as hen's teeth

not many of them, few or none Rural doctors are scarce as hen's teeth. Doctors like the city life.

time flies when you're having fun

time goes quickly when you are playing, how time flies "Ho looked at his watch, yawned and said, ""Time flies when you're having fun, eh."""

toughen up

become tougher, grow stronger The army will toughen him up. They'll develop his stamina.

when in Rome, do as the Romans do

when you are a visitor do the same things as your hosts do "When I visit an Asian country, I learn the customs, and do as the ""Romans"" do."

when it comes to

when this is the topic, when we talk about this When it comes to cars, I like GM. I would buy a Chev or a Pontiac.

when push comes to shove

when people fight, when the fighting begins, when the going gets tough The workers are demanding a fair wage. When push comes to shove, we may have to call the police.

when the chips are down

when the right decision must be made, when you must win When the chips are down - when we are losing - we play better. We need to be challenged.

when the crunch comes

when there is less money, when the economy fails When the crunch comes, we'll have our mortgage paid off!

when the dust settles

when the fight is finished, when it is calm again, when the lights go on Abortion is a serious issue, but when the dust settles, women will be able to choose.

when the going gets tough

when there are problems, when progress is difficult When the going gets tough, we need people with a good attitude.

zig when you should zag

move the wrong way, move left instead of right I had an accident because I zigged when I should've zagged.

hay shen

a popular term for crack cocaine used mainly in the deep south although the term is catching on in the Midwest also. It's called that primarily because the pusher know that the drugs are coming to the Gulf Coast from outside of the country on small boats like the Haitians did

Hen'

see Hennessey

Hennessey

brand of Cognac

every now and then

from time to time； occasionally 不时；时常
Every now and then I like to walk along the beach and forget my problems．我常常喜欢沿着海滩散步，忘记我的问题。
I meet him every now and then on the street．我时常在街上碰见他。

from then on

from that time onward从那时起
From then on he was a teacher．从那时起他就是一位老师。
Mr．Li became rich from then on．李先生从那时起就发财了。

hardly…when

no sooner…than；only just…when刚…就
He had hardly reached here，when it began to snow．他一到这儿就下起雪来了。
Hardly had I got home，when the telephone rang．我刚到家，电话就响了。
She had hardly heard the news，when she began to cry．她一听到这消息就哭了。

scarcely…when

as soon as 刚…就
Scarcely had be gone out when it began to rain．他刚出去，天就开始下雨了。

when the time is ripe

Idiom(s): when the time is ripe

Theme: TIME

at exactly the right time.
• I'll tell her the good news when the time is ripe.
• When the time is ripe, I'll bring up the subject again.

When the cat's away, the mice will play

Idiom(s): When the cat's away, the mice will play

Theme: BEHAVIOR - IMPROPER

Some people will get into mischief when they are not being watched.
• The students behaved very badly for the substitute teacher. When the cat's away, the mice will play.
• John had a wild party at his house when his parents were out of town. When the cat's away, the mice will play.

when one is good and ready

Idiom(s): when one is good and ready

Theme: PREPARATION - READY

when one is completely ready. (Informal. Fixed order.)
• I'll be there when I'm good and ready.
• Ann will finish the job when she's good and ready and not a minute sooner.

when least expected

Idiom(s): when least expected

Theme: SURPRISE

when one does not expect (something).
• An old car is likely to give you trouble when least expected.
• My pencil usually breaks when least expected.

when it comes right down to it

Idiom(s): when it comes right down to it

Theme: RESULTS

all things considered; when one really thinks about something.
• When it comes right down to it, I'd like to find a new job.
• When it comes right down to it, he can't really afford a new car.

when all is said and done

Idiom(s): when all is said and done

Theme: RESULTS

when everything is finished and settled; when everything is considered.
• When all is said and done, this isn't such a bad part of the country to live in after all.
• When all is said and done, I believe I had a very enjoyable time on my vacation.

time was when

Idiom(s): time was (when)

Theme: TIME

there was a time when; at a time in the past.
• Time was when old people were taken care of at home.
• Time was when people didn't travel around so much.

then and there

Idiom(s): then and there

Theme: TIME

right then. (Fixed order.)
• I asked him right then and there exactly what he meant.
• I decided to settle the matter then and there and not wait until Monday.

scarce as hens' teeth

Idiom(s): (as) scarce as hens' teeth AND scarcer than hens' teeth

Theme: AMOUNT - RARE

very scarce or nonexistent. (Chickens don't have teeth.)
•I've never seen one of those. They're as scarce as hens' teeth.
• I was told that the part needed for my car is scarcer than hens' teeth, and it would take a long time to find one.

mad as a wet hen

Idiom(s): (as) mad as a wet hen

Theme: ANGER

angry. (Folksy.)
• Bob was screaming and shouting—as mad as a wet hen.
• What you said made Mary mad as a wet hen.

cross a bridge when one comes to it

Idiom(s): cross a bridge when one comes to it

Theme: DIFFICULTY

to deal with a problem only when one is faced with the problem. (Note the variations in the examples.)
• Please wait and cross that bridge when you come to it.
• He shouldn't worry about it now. He can cross that bridge when he comes to it.

when the going gets rough

Idiom(s): when the going gets tough AND when the going gets rough

Theme: DIFFICULTY

when things get extremely difficult; when it becomes difficult to proceed. (A second line is sometimes added to the main entry phrase: When the going gets tough, the tough get going. This means that when things become difficult, strong people begin to work or move faster and harder.)
• When the going gets tough, I will be there to help you.
• I appreciate the kind words you sent to us when the going got a little rough last month.

scarcer than hens' teeth

Advice is least heeded when most needed.

When a problem is serious, people often do not follow the advice given.

If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.

Wishing alone is of no use; you must act as well.

Only real friends will tell you when your face is

Only a real friend will tell you the truth.

When the cat's away, the mice play.

People misbehave when their boss, or the person in authority, is absent.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

You should adopt the customs of the people or country you are visiting, and behave in the same way.

Cock in the henhouse

This is used to describe a male in an all-female environment.

Cross that bridge when you come to it

If you will cross that bridge when you come to it, you will deal with a problem when it arises, but not until that point

Don't throw bricks when you live in a glass house

Don't call others out on actions that you, yourself do. Don't be a hypocrite.

I'll cross that road when I come to it

I'll think about something just when it happens, not in advance.

Kitchen-sink

(UK) Kitchen-sink drama deals with ordinary people's lives.