Смысл: every which way

every which way[͵evrıʹwıtʃweı]
adv phr амер. разг.
<Í> 1. в разные стороны
fragments flew every which way - осколки разлетелись в разные стороны
they run every which way - они разбежались кто куда
2. в беспорядке; как попало
toys were scattered about every which way - игрушки валялись где попало

which Идиома

don't know which end is up

are confused, are mixed up After talking to four bureaucrats, I didn't know which end was up.

don't know which side your bread is buttered on

do not know what is really important, have not learned much about life If you refuse the assistance, you don't know which side your bread is buttered on.

know which end is up

know where you are, know what to do next With so many problems, he doesn't know which end is up.

know which side one

know who can help one and try to please him, know what is good for oneself He is careful not to make his boss angry. He knows which side his bread is buttered on.

know which side your bread is buttered on

know who pays your salary, If you refuse extra work, you have common sense, bite the hand that feeds... don't know which side your bread is buttered on.

see which way the wind is blowing

Idiom(s): see which way the wind is blowing

Theme: OBSERVATION

to determine what is the most expedient thing to do.
• We studied the whole situation to see which way the wind was blowing and decided to avoid any conflict at that time.
• Sam failed to see which way the wind was blowing and got himself caught up in an argument.

know which side one's bread is buttered on

Idiom(s): know which side one's bread is buttered on

Theme: ADVANTAGE

to know what is most advantageous for one.
• He'll do it if his boss tells him to. He knows which side his bread is buttered on.
• Since John knows which side his bread is buttered on, he'll be there on time.

know which is which

Idiom(s): know which is which AND tell which is which

Theme: IDENTIFICATION

to be able to distinguish one person or thing from another person or thing.
• I have an old one and a new one, but I don't know which is which.
• I know that Bill and Bob are twins, but I can't tell which is which.

every which way

Idiom(s): every which way

Theme: DIRECTION

in all directions. (Folksy.)
• The children were all running every which way.
• The wind scattered the leaves every which way.

tell which is which

not know which way to turn

Idiom(s): not know where to turn AND not know which way to turn

Theme: INDECISION

to have no idea about what to do (about something).
• I was so confused I didn't know where to turn.
• We needed help, but we didn't know which way to turn.

Know which way the wind blows

This means that you should know how things are developing and be prepared for the future.

See which way the cat jumps

(AU) If you see which way the cat jumps, you postpone making a decision or acting until you have seen how things are developing.

Which came first the chicken or the egg?

This idiomatic expression is used when it is not clear who or what caused something.

see which way the wind blows

to analyse a situation before doing something: "I'm going to see which way the wind blows before asking her about a raise."

every which way|any which way|every|way|which way

In all directions. Bricks and boards were scattered in confusion on the ground every which way, just as they had fallen after the tornado. Compare HELTER-SKELTER.

game at which two can play|game|play

n. phr. A plan, trick, or way of acting that both sides may use. Rough football is a game two can play. Politics is a game at which two can play.

know which side one's bread is buttered on|bread|b

v. phr. To know who can help you and try to please him; know what is for your own gain. Dick was always polite to the boss; he knew which side his bread was buttered on.

not know which way to turn|jump|know|know which wa

v. phr To be puzzled about getting out of a difficulty; not know what to do to get out of trouble. When Jane missed the last bus home, she didn't know which way to turn. After Mr. Brown died, Mrs. Brown had no money to pay the bills. When the landlord told her to pay the rent or move out, she didn't know which way to jump.

which is which|which

n. phr. Which is one person or thing and which is the other; one from another; what the difference is between different ones; what the name of each one is. Joe's coat and mine are so nearly alike that I can't tell which is which. Mr. Hadley hadn't seen his friend's daughters in such a long time that he couldn't remember which was which.
Compare: WHAT'S WHAT, WHO'S WHO.

know which side of one's bread is buttered

know which side of one's bread is buttered
Be aware of where one's best interests lie, as in Jerry always helps out his boss; he knows which side of his bread is buttered. This expression alludes to the more favorable, or buttered, side of bread and has been used metaphorically since the early 1500s.

way the wind blows, which

way the wind blows, which
Also, how the wind blows. How matters stand, as in Let's see which way the wind blows before we decide, or He's going to find out how the wind blows concerning a promotion. This metaphoric term for the course of events first appeared in John Heywood's proverb collection of 1546.

which

which
In addition to the idioms beginning with which, also see every which way; know which side of one's bread is buttered; way the wind blows, which.
* * *
- which is which
- which way the wind blows

which is which

which is which
What particular one is what particular one, or what is the difference between different ones. For example, These twins look so much alike I can't tell which is which, or Both our raincoats are tan; do you know which is which? This idiom was first recorded about 1412.

which way the wind blows

which way the wind blows
see way the wind blows, which.