What does the idiom to fly in the face of mean?

Fly in the face of means to directly challenge something or act in defiance of something, as in His bold behavior flies in the face of everything we expect from a vice president. Example: The unorthodox journalist doesn’t like to follow the rules and often flies in the face of her editor’s advice.

What is the meaning of the phrase a minor irritation that spoils the success or enjoyment of something?

a fly in the ointment a minor irritation or other factor that spoils the success or enjoyment of something. This expression alludes to Ecclesiastes 10:1: ‘Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour’.

What does the idiom gain ground mean?

: to move faster or work harder in order to come closer to She was trailing in the race, but she was beginning to gain ground on the leaders. The company has been gaining ground on its competitors.

What does the idiom to get a fly in one’s head?

To challenge, to take on despite overwhelming odds.

What is the meaning of the idiom close fisted?

If you’re so stingy that you can’t stand to spend any money, not even to buy your adorable little cousin an ice cream cone, you are closefisted. People who prefer to hang onto their money are closefisted, especially if they aren’t generous to others.

What does the phrase Foot in Mouth mean?

Say something foolish, embarrassing, or tactless. For example, Jane put her foot in her mouth when she called him by her first husband’s name. This notion is sometimes put as having foot-in-mouth disease, as in He has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease, always making some tactless remark.

What does pulling no punches mean?

Behave unrestrainedly, hold nothing back, as in The doctor pulled no punches but told us the whole truth. This expression comes from boxing, where to pull one’s punches means “to hit less hard than one can.”