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'''Metaphors''' were common quotations, figures of speech, usually offering a piece of wisdom in reference to a present situation. '''Idioms''' had phrasing that had figurative meaning often unrelated to the actual phrasing, while '''proverbs''' were commonly sourced from [[folklore]], [[history|historical]] allusion, or [[tribal memory|tribal memories]]. |
'''Metaphors''' were common quotations, figures of speech, usually offering a piece of wisdom in reference to a present situation. '''Idioms''' had phrasing that had figurative meaning often unrelated to the actual phrasing, while '''proverbs''' were commonly sourced from [[folklore]], [[history|historical]] allusion, or [[tribal memory|tribal memories]]. |
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| + | [[Colorful metaphor]]s might be used to express emotion. |
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== Adages == |
== Adages == |
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=== Bajoran === |
=== Bajoran === |
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''"Blessed be the Prophets"'' ({{DS9|Strange Bedfellows}}) |
''"Blessed be the Prophets"'' ({{DS9|Strange Bedfellows}}) |
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| + | |||
| + | === Banean === |
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| + | ''"May the fates have mercy on you"'' ({{VOY|Ex Post Facto}}) |
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=== Children of the Son === |
=== Children of the Son === |
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== Idioms == |
== Idioms == |
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| + | ''"Burning the midnight oil"''' ({{ENT|First Flight}}; {{VOY|Waking Moments|Pathfinder|Fair Haven}}; {{TNG|All Good Things...}}) |
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| − | === Between a rock and a hard place === |
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| − | Being '''"between a rock and a hard place"''' is an [[Earth]] idiom, meaning that someone is in a situation where he or she can choose between two alternatives, and neither of them are acceptable. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[1986]], [[Bob Briggs]] told [[Gillian Taylor]], they're "''between a rock and a hard place''" regarding the fate of [[George and Gracie]]. ({{film|4}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Burning the midnight oil === |
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| − | '''"Burning the midnight oil"''' was an [[Earth]] idiom meaning staying up late at night working or studying. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2143]], [[A.G. Robinson]], who got to be the first [[Human]] to test the [[NX-Alpha]] test vehicle, told [[Jonathan Archer]] that he didn't get this assignment because he tried too hard, "''burning the midnight oil''" in the simulator eighteen to twenty hours a day. ({{ENT|First Flight}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2374]], [[Chakotay]] asked [[Captain]] [[Kathryn Janeway]] if she had been "''Burning the midnight oil''", after she, amongst others, had reported late for [[duty shift|duty]]. ({{VOY|Waking Moments}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2376]], when [[Reginald Barclay]] was, late at night, pursuing the possibility of contacting the {{USS|Voyager}}, [[Commander]] [[Peter Harkins]] asked if he was "''burning the midnight oil''". ({{VOY|Pathfinder}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | That same year, Janeway, who was working very late one night in the [[mess hall]], told [[Neelix]] that she was "''just burning the midnight oil''", to which Neelix replied that it was way past midnight. ({{VOY|Fair Haven}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | ''In an [[alternate timeline]] in [[2364]], [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] ordered [[Miles O'Brien]] to bypass the secondary plasma inducer, which required O'Brien to realign the entire power grid, stating "''we're all going to be burning the midnight oil on this one.''" [[Data]], who overheard O'Brien, told him that that would be inadvisable because any "''attempt to ignite a [[petroleum]] product on this ship at 0:00 hours [would] activate the fire suppression system.''"'' ({{TNG|All Good Things...}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Can't see the forest for the trees === |
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| − | To say one "can't see the forest for the trees" was an Earth idiom, meaning that one was so caught up in small details that they weren't able to see the bigger picture. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2373]], [[Miles O'Brien]] felt he hadn't been able to see the forest for the trees when it was [[Rom]] who explained to him that the modifications that he had been making to equipment on [[Deep Space 9]] on the orders of a [[Pah-wraith]] that had possessed [[Keiko O'Brien|his wife]] were designed to turn the station into a [[chroniton]] array aimed at the [[Bajoran wormhole]], one which could [[Death|kill]] the [[Prophet]]s. ({{DS9|The Assignment}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === ''C'est la vie'' === |
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| − | '''"''C'est la vie''"''' ([[French]]: '''"that's life"''') is a Human idiom, meaning bad things happen, it's the way of life. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2285]], when [[Admiral]] [[James Kirk]] self-destructed the USS ''Enterprise'', killing most of [[Kruge]]'s [[Klingon]] crew on board, he told the Commander on the surface of the [[Genesis (planet)|Genesis planet]]: "''Sorry about your crew, but as we say on Earth, ...'c'est la vie.'''" ({{film|3}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Chicken and the egg === |
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| − | The '''"chicken and the egg"''' was a [[paradox]], usually posed as the question, "''Which came first, the [[chicken]] or the [[egg]]?''" |
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| − | |||
| − | ''In an alternate [[anti-time future]] created by [[Q]], retired captain [[Jean-Luc Picard]], used the question of the chicken the egg as a metaphor to explain the paradox of the anti-time anomaly to [[Geordi La Forge]], [[Beverly Picard]], [[Data]], and [[William Riker]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701|-D}}.'' ({{TNG|All Good Things...}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2372]], [[B'Elanna Torres]] described establishing communication with a duplicate of the {{USS|Voyager}} by getting them to recalibrate their comm frequency carrier wave ''before'' they'd first made contact as "''the chicken and the egg.''" ({{VOY|Deadlock}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In the [[31st century]], [[Jonathan Archer]] described {{dis|Daniels|Crewman}}' urgent need to restore the original timeline by returning the [[captain]] to the [[22nd century]] whilst lacking the technology to do so as "''a chicken or the egg problem.''" ({{ENT|Shockwave, Part II}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | Archer again said "''Chicken or the egg''" after Daniels had sent {{EnterpriseNX}} back in time to [[1944]] to stop [[Vosk]]'s [[temporal incursion]]s, and it became apparent that the timeline had changed ''prior'' to the [[1940]]s, with [[Lenin]]'s death in [[1916]]. ({{ENT|Storm Front, Part II}}) |
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| − | {{bginfo|See {{wikipedia|Chicken or the egg}}.}} |
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| − | |||
| − | === Clean their chronometers=== |
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| − | [[colonel]] [[West]] while proposing operation retrieve assured the [[Federation]] [[President of the United Federation of Planets|President]] that should the operation precipitate a full-scale war with the [[Klingon Empire]], [[Starfleet]] could quite frankly "clean their [[chronometers]]". ({{film|6}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | ===Falling on deaf ears=== |
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| − | '''"Falling on deaf ears"''' means something that some believe should be heeded is not. |
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| − | |||
| − | [[Weyoun]] once told [[Major]] [[Kira Nerys|Kira]] that her pleas to have Rom not [[execution|executed]] for [[terrorism]] would fall on deaf ears. ({{DS9|Favor the Bold}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2372]], [[Neelix]] believed diplomatic negotiation with the [[Botha]] might fall on deaf ears. ({{VOY|Persistence of Vision}} |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2374]], [[The Doctor]] complained that his requests for a larger [[sickbay]] were falling on deaf ears. '{{VOY|Waking Moments}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === For all the tea in China === |
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| − | '''"For all the [[tea]] in [[China]]"''' means something is so important to a person, he or she wouldn't exchange it for even the most precious things in the world. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[1986]], [[Gillian Taylor]] told time traveler [[Admiral]] [[James Kirk]], when he explained to her that they want to bring [[George and Gracie]] to the [[23rd century]], and asked her if she's curious about the details, she said, "''I wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China.''" ({{film|4}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === I couldn't fill your shoes === |
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| − | '''"I couldn't fill your shoes"''' was a Human idiom, describing one being in a bad situation, which the other person couldn't bear. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2286]], [[Leonard McCoy]] told [[Spock]], when he suffered from memory loss after being resurrected, "''What I mean is I may have carried your soul, but I sure couldn't fill your shoes,''" to which Spock replied, "''My shoes?''" ({{film|4}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === If we play our cards right === |
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| − | '''"If we play our [[card games|cards]] right"''' was a Human idiom, meaning "if things go well". |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[1986]], [[Admiral]] [[James T. Kirk]] used this idiom when talking to [[Spock]], leading Spock to ask "''How will playing cards help?''" ({{film|4}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Keep it under your hat === |
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| − | Upon learning that [[Quark]] was aware that [[Odo]] was ill, [[Miles O'Brien]] requested that Quark keep that information under his hat. ({{DS9|When It Rains...}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Media circus === |
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| − | '''"Media circus"''' was a [[Human]] idiom which described a news event where the coverage was out of proportion to the event itself. |
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| − | |||
| − | In 1986, Gillian Taylor described to James T. Kirk the farewell ceremony for [[George and Gracie]] as a potential media circus. ({{film|4}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === My mind's turned to clay === |
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| − | This expression was used by [[Geordi La Forge]] in the running up to the battle of [[Wolf 359]]. ({{TNG|The Best of Both Worlds}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Needle in a haystack === |
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| − | '''"[[Needle]] in a [[haystack]]"''' was a [[Human]] idiom which described the long-lasting search for something in a large variety of possibilities. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2267]], when searching for the ''{{dis|Galileo|2267}}'', [[James T. Kirk]] remarked that "''Finding a needle in a haystack would be child's play.''" ({{TOS| The Galileo Seven}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In 2364, [[William T. Riker]] described searching [[Starfleet]] records for an instance of someone [[shower]]ing in their clothes as "''like looking for a needle in a haystack''." ({{TNG|The Naked Now}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2369]] while searching for the [[crash land]]ed [[runabout]] {{USS|Yangtzee Kiang}} in the [[Gamma Quadrant]], Miles O'Brien compared the search with searching a needle in a haystack. O'Brien and [[Jadzia Dax]] had to search several [[planet]]s, two dozen [[moon]]s, and an [[asteroid belt]]. ({{DS9|Battle Lines}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2370]], a [[Paradan]] [[Miles O'Brien (replicant)|replicant of O'Brien]] commented "''Needle in a haystack wouldn't do this job justice''" when searching for a fault in [[Deep Space 9]]'s upper [[pylon]]s. ({{DS9|Whispers}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2373]], Jadzia Dax said to [[Benjamin Sisko]] "''Do the words 'needle in a haystack' mean anything to you?''", after the {{USS|Defiant|2370}} had spent two days unsuccessfully searching the [[Badlands]] for [[Cloaking device|cloaked]] missiles appropriated by the [[Maquis]] for a strike against [[Cardassia]]. ({{DS9|Blaze of Glory}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Over my dead body === |
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| − | This expression was used by captain [[Christopher]] in [[1969]] and again by [[Brunt]] in [[2374]] ({{TOS|Tomorrow is Yesterday}}; {{DS9|Profit and Lace}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Penny for your thoughts === |
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| − | '''"[[Penny]] for your thoughts"''' is a Human idiom, meaning that someone is curious about what the other person is thinking. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2368]], [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]] used the expression when she wanted to get [[Jean-Luc Picard]] to talk to her during a conversation. When Picard asked her if she has one, she told him that the [[replicator]] probably has it on file. ({{TNG|The Perfect Mate}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2369]], when [[Q]] brought back Picard to the incident at [[Starbase Earhart]] in [[2327]], he told him (acting as a bartender): "''Penny for your thoughts? You never told me you were such a lady's man,''" also jokingly referring to Picard's unsuccessful date with [[Penny Muroc]]. ({{TNG|Tapestry}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2370]], Crusher used the expression again, dining with Picard, after they shared thoughts for a time via the [[psi-wave device]] on [[Kesprytt III]]. ({{TNG|Attached}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Rich beyond the dreams of avarice === |
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| − | Doctor [[Leonard McCoy]] managed to convince doctor [[Nichols (Doctor)|Nichols]] to accept the formula for [[transparent aluminum]] as compensation for his services by saying that once he figured out the dynamics of the matrix (which would take years), he'd be rich beyond the dreams of avarice. ({{film|4}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Sauce for the goose === |
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| − | The [[Earth]] [[idiom]] "''what's sauce for the [[goose]], is sauce for the gander,''" was in part spoken by [[Spock]] following [[Saavik]]'s notation that [[Khan Noonien Singh]], aboard the {{USS|Reliant}} was following the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} into the [[Mutara Nebula]]. In response, Spock stated stated "''sauce for the goose, Mr. Saavik''" ({{film|2}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Stone knives and bearskins === |
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| − | '''"Stone knives and bearskins"''' was a colorful term employed by [[Spock]] to describe the [[1930s]] [[technology]] he was forced to use to construct a [[tricorder]] interface. Vital information was locked within Spock's tricorder: How had [[Leonard McCoy]] changed [[history]]? Spock was eventually able to construct an appropriate circuit, but retrieved two separate recordings: one in which [[Edith Keeler]] lived, and one in which she died. At that point, the improvised interface erupted in sparks and flame, ruining his chance to learn which of the recordings represented McCoy's alteration, and which the correct [[timeline]]. ({{TOS|The City on the Edge of Forever}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | [[Kathryn Janeway]] also used this expression when typing on a late [[20th century]] [[computer]] [[keyboard]] trying to find out information about [[Henry Starling]]. ({{VOY|Future's End}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Wash my hands of it === |
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| − | '''"Wash my hands of it"''' is an expression used to avert a wrong decision, claiming that the person can not be held responsible for it. It comes from the [[Bible]], and was said by Pilate after he sentenced [[Jesus Christ]] to crucifixion, for the push of the crowd, however he saw he was apparently innocent. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2266]], [[Doctor]] [[Simon Van Gelder]] accused [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk]] of escaping responsibility by taking him back to the [[Tantalus colony]], and told him, "''You smart, button-pushing brass hat. Wash your hands of it. Is that your system? You're both quite sure of yourselves, aren't you?''" ({{TOS|Dagger of the Mind}}) |
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| − | === Wild goose chase === |
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| − | '''"Wild goose chase"''' is an expression used to mean futile pursuit or search after something. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2153]], Jonathan Archer told T'Pol "''Maybe we're just on a wild goose chase''" after their initial attempts to locate a [[dark matter nebula]] failed. ({{ENT|First Flight}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2268]], [[Leonard McCoy]] accused [[Spock]] of "''run[ning] off on some wild goose chase halfway across the galaxy,''" when Kirk, [[Nyota Uhura|Uhura]] and [[Pavel Chekov|Chekov]] disappeared from [[Gamma II]]. Spock replied, "''Doctor, I am chasing the captain, [[Lieutenant]] Uhura, and [[Ensign]] Chekov, not some wild aquatic fowl.''" ({{TOS|The Gamesters of Triskelion}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | Later that year, Spock described [[M-5]]'s diversionary tactics as "''pursuing a wild goose.''" ({{TOS|The Ultimate Computer}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | After [[Katherine Pulaski]] was abducted by [[Professor]] {{dis|James Moriarty|hologram}} in [[2365]], Geordi La Forge believed she planned "''to lead [Data] on a wild goose chase and then recount the story to everyone between here and [[Alpha Centauri]]."'' ({{TNG|Elementary, Dear Data}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2367]], [[Data]] told [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]], that he "''could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without a cause,''" describing this idiom, when examining the clues of [[Ambassador]] {{dis|T'Pel|Ambassador}}'s presumed death. Crusher eventually recognized the idiom, and corrected him with its common form. ({{TNG|Data's Day}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2368]], Jean-Luc Picard commented that the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701|-D}}'s investigation of a [[Barolian freighter]]'s activities at [[Galorndon Core]] “''may prove to be a wild goose chase''". ({{TNG|Unification II}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2369]], Picard told [[Deanna Troi]] that his continuation of [[Professor]] [[Richard Galen]]'s research was not a case of his taking the ''Enterprise'' and its crew on a wild goose chase. ({{TNG|The Chase}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2371]], [[Kira Nerys]] told [[Tom Riker]] that if she had hijacked the {{USS|Defiant|2370}} as he had, she "''wouldn't have gone flying off into the middle of [[Cardassia]] on some wild goose chase."'' ({{DS9|Defiant}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In 2372, [[Kathryn Janeway]] was concerned that investigating "[[Planet Hell]]" might prove to be a wild goose chase. ({{VOY|Parturition}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === sight for sore eyes === |
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| − | Something was said to be a '''"sight for sore eyes"''' when it was pleasing to look at. |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2376]], [[Harry Kim]] remarked that he would not want to bunk with the great explorers of the past. Tom Paris remarked that that would be a sight for sore eyes. ({{VOY|Memorial}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | Shortly thereafter, after making contact with {{USS|Voyager}} again, [[Lyndsay Ballard]] remarked that Captain Janeway was a sight for sore eyes. ({{VOY|Ashes to Ashes}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | Later that year, the [[con artist]] [[Dala]] used the expression sarcastically upon seeing [[Tuvok]]. ({{VOY|Live Fast and Prosper}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | {{bginfo|Furthermore, Captain Archer used the expression in a deleted scene from {{e|The Expanse}}.}} |
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| − | |||
| − | === Be careful what you wish for === |
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| − | In [[2285]], after "[[Mr._Adventure#.22Mr._Adventure.22|"Mr. Adventure"]] complained that he wanted more challenges, adventure and surprises in his life, Uhura said "be careful what you wish for" and locked him in a closet. ({{film|3}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In [[2373]], upon Tom Paris saying to B'Elanna Torres that he wouldn't mind seeing her [[Klingon]] side again, Torres warned him to be careful what he'd wished for. ({{VOY|Blood Fever}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Second wind === |
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| − | Finding a second wind meant regaining energy after a certain activity had gotten tired. |
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| − | |||
| − | During a 2153 engine test aboard ''Enterprise'', field fluctuations dropped to zero, which lead captain Archer to suggest that they had gotten their second wind. That impression was incorrect. ({{ENT|Similitude}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | Upon James T. Kirk asking Montgomery Scott if the ''Enterprise'' could hold its speed while rushing to the [[Genesis Planet]] in [[2285]], Scott remarked in the affirmative, saying that she had just gotten her second wind. ({{film|3}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | === Joined at the hip === |
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| − | This term referred to people being so close to one another as to appear inseparable (physically or emotionally) |
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| − | |||
| − | After the ordeal [[Jean-Luc Picard]] and [[Beverly Crusher]] went through on [[Kesprytt III]], Crusher remarked that she was happy not to be joined to Picard's hip anymore. ({{TNG|Attached}}) |
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| − | |||
| − | In an [[alternate timeline|alternate]] version of the year [[2390]] [[Chakotay]] and his girlfriend [[Tessa Omond]] were said to be as close as to be joined at the hip. ({{VOY|Timeless}}) |
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== Maxims == |
== Maxims == |
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''"[[Targ]] [[manure]]"'' ({{VOY|In the Flesh}}) |
''"[[Targ]] [[manure]]"'' ({{VOY|In the Flesh}}) |
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{{bginfo|Seemingly used analogous to the current day "bull shit".}} |
{{bginfo|Seemingly used analogous to the current day "bull shit".}} |
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| + | |||
| + | In [[2267]], [[Spock]] described [[Trelane]]'s repositioning of the [[planet]] [[Gothos]] so that it was always in front of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}}'s flight path as a "cat-and-mouse [[game]]", [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] adding that they were the mouse. ({{TOS|The Squire of Gothos}}) |
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| + | |||
| + | [[William T. Riker]] referred to an [[Earth]] [[nursery rhyme]], "[[What Are Little Boys Made Of?]]", which stated: "''Girls are made from [[sugar]] and [[spice]], boys are made from snips and [[snail]]s... and puppy [[dog]] tails,''" to describe the "''old-fashioned way of looking at the sexes''" to the androgynous [[Soren]]. He later clarified that "''physically, men are bigger, stronger''" and that they "''have different [[genitals|sexual organs]]''". He also noted that "''men can't bear young.''" ({{TNG|The Outcast}}) |
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| + | |||
| + | A '''Good Samaritan''' was someone who offered help out of the goodness of their heart, expecting nothing in return. |
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| + | |||
| + | In [[2266]], [[Lenore Karidian]] expressed her wish that the [[Karidian Company of Players]] had alternate travel arrangements by saying, ''"if ever we needed a '''Good Samaritan'''..."'' ({{TOS|The Conscience of the King}}) |
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| + | |||
| + | In [[2373]], a supposedly [[death|dead]] [[Kathryn Janeway]] told the alien posing as her {{dis|Janeway|Male Admiral|father}} that he didn't seem like a Good Samaritan to her, but rather a [[vulture]]. ({{VOY|Coda}}) |
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| + | {{bginfo|The allusion is from the story of the Good Samaritan in the [[Bible]]. The TNG episode {{e|Samaritan Snare}} also takes its title from this story.}} |
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| + | |||
| + | When convinced by [[James T. Kirk]] and [[Spock]] to draw the [[Companion]] out into the open so that it could be neutralized, [[Zefram Cochrane]] recalled the term '''Judas goat''', as he regretfully knew that he was leading the Companion into a trap. ({{TOS|Metamorphosis}}) |
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| + | {{bginfo|The term comes from the Biblical character Judas who betrayed Jesus.}} |
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== Proverbs and sayings == |
== Proverbs and sayings == |
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Various [[Latin language|Latin phrases]] and [[Bible#Quotations and allusions|Biblical allusions]] served a function similar to proverbs in [[Human]] society. |
Various [[Latin language|Latin phrases]] and [[Bible#Quotations and allusions|Biblical allusions]] served a function similar to proverbs in [[Human]] society. |
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| − | {{bginfo|Additionally, a deleted scene from {{e|In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II}} established "''the die is cast"'' as a [[mirror universe]] |
+ | {{bginfo|Additionally, a [[deleted scene]] from {{e|In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II}} established "''the die is cast"'' as a [[mirror universe]] A cut scene from {{e|Dramatis Personae}} furthermore mentioned "cut of your jib". A deleted scene from {{e|E²}} referenced the expression "cut from the same cloth.}} |
=== Jem'Hadar === |
=== Jem'Hadar === |
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''"Healthy as a [[Rigellian ox]]"'' ({{TNG|The Schizoid Man}}) |
''"Healthy as a [[Rigellian ox]]"'' ({{TNG|The Schizoid Man}}) |
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| − | ''"Hot as Vulcan"'' ({{TOS|Amok Time}}) |
+ | ''"Hot as {{dis|Vulcan|planet}}"'' ({{TOS|Amok Time}}) |
| − | ''"Dry as Vulcan"'' ({{VOY|Concerning Flight}}) |
+ | ''"Dry as {{dis|Vulcan|island}}"'' ({{VOY|Concerning Flight}}) |
{{bginfo|Referring to the [[Vulcan (island)|Italian island]].}} |
{{bginfo|Referring to the [[Vulcan (island)|Italian island]].}} |
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{{bginfo|Additionally, two comparisons have worked their way into episode titles: {{e|Loud As A Whisper}} and {{e|How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth}}}} |
{{bginfo|Additionally, two comparisons have worked their way into episode titles: {{e|Loud As A Whisper}} and {{e|How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth}}}} |
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| + | |||
| + | == Other expressions == |
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| + | === Between a rock and a hard place === |
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| + | Being '''"between a rock and a hard place"''' is an [[Earth]] idiom, meaning that someone is in a situation where he or she can choose between two alternatives, and neither of them are acceptable. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[1986]], [[Bob Briggs]] told [[Gillian Taylor]], they're "''between a rock and a hard place''" regarding the fate of [[George and Gracie]]. ({{film|4}}) |
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| + | |||
| + | === Can't see the forest for the trees === |
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| + | To say one "can't see the forest for the trees" was an Earth idiom, meaning that one was so caught up in small details that they weren't able to see the bigger picture. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2373]], [[Miles O'Brien]] felt he hadn't been able to see the forest for the trees when it was [[Rom]] who explained to him that the modifications that he had been making to equipment on [[Deep Space 9]] on the orders of a [[Pah-wraith]] that had possessed [[Keiko O'Brien|his wife]] were designed to turn the station into a [[chroniton]] array aimed at the [[Bajoran wormhole]], one which could [[Death|kill]] the [[Prophet]]s. ({{DS9|The Assignment}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === ''C'est la vie'' === |
||
| + | '''"''C'est la vie''"''' ([[French]]: '''"that's life"''') is a Human idiom, meaning bad things happen, it's the way of life. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2285]], when [[Admiral]] [[James Kirk]] self-destructed the USS ''Enterprise'', killing most of [[Kruge]]'s [[Klingon]] crew on board, he told the Commander on the surface of the [[Genesis (planet)|Genesis planet]]: "''Sorry about your crew, but as we say on Earth, ...'c'est la vie.'''" ({{film|3}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Chicken and the egg === |
||
| + | The '''"chicken and the egg"''' was a [[paradox]], usually posed as the question, "''Which came first, the [[chicken]] or the [[egg]]?''" |
||
| + | |||
| + | ''In an alternate [[anti-time future]] created by [[Q]], retired captain [[Jean-Luc Picard]], used the question of the chicken the egg as a metaphor to explain the paradox of the anti-time anomaly to [[Geordi La Forge]], [[Beverly Picard]], [[Data]], and [[William Riker]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701|-D}}.'' ({{TNG|All Good Things...}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2372]], [[B'Elanna Torres]] described establishing communication with a duplicate of the {{USS|Voyager}} by getting them to recalibrate their comm frequency carrier wave ''before'' they'd first made contact as "''the chicken and the egg.''" ({{VOY|Deadlock}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In the [[31st century]], [[Jonathan Archer]] described {{dis|Daniels|Crewman}}' urgent need to restore the original timeline by returning the [[captain]] to the [[22nd century]] whilst lacking the technology to do so as "''a chicken or the egg problem.''" ({{ENT|Shockwave, Part II}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | Archer again said "''Chicken or the egg''" after Daniels had sent {{EnterpriseNX}} back in time to [[1944]] to stop [[Vosk]]'s [[temporal incursion]]s, and it became apparent that the timeline had changed ''prior'' to the [[1940]]s, with [[Lenin]]'s death in [[1916]]. ({{ENT|Storm Front, Part II}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | {{bginfo|See {{wikipedia|Chicken or the egg}}.}} |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Clean their chronometers=== |
||
| + | [[Colonel]] [[West]] while proposing operation retrieve assured the [[Federation]] [[President of the United Federation of Planets|President]] that should the operation precipitate a full-scale war with the [[Klingon Empire]], [[Starfleet]] could quite frankly "clean their [[chronometer]]s". ({{film|6}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | ===Dining on ashes=== |
||
| + | [[James T. Kirk]] asked if [[Spock]] was dining on ashes after finding him seemingly reflecting on the betrayal of [[Valeris]]. ({{film|6}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | ===Falling on deaf ears=== |
||
| + | '''"Falling on deaf ears"''' means something that some believe should be heeded is not. |
||
| + | |||
| + | [[Weyoun]] once told [[Major]] [[Kira Nerys|Kira]] that her pleas to have Rom not [[execution|executed]] for [[terrorism]] would fall on deaf ears. ({{DS9|Favor the Bold}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2372]], [[Neelix]] believed diplomatic negotiation with the [[Botha]] might fall on deaf ears. ({{VOY|Persistence of Vision}} |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2374]], [[The Doctor]] complained that his requests for a larger [[sickbay]] were falling on deaf ears. '{{VOY|Waking Moments}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === For all the tea in China === |
||
| + | '''"For all the [[tea]] in [[China]]"''' means something is so important to a person, he or she wouldn't exchange it for even the most precious things in the world. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[1986]], [[Gillian Taylor]] told [[time travel]]er [[Admiral]] [[James Kirk]], when he explained to her that they want to bring [[George and Gracie]] to the [[23rd century]], and asked her if she's curious about the details, she said, "''I wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China.''" ({{film|4}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Handing something on a silver platter === |
||
| + | This term referred to something that was offered to someone in a rather obvious manner. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2375]], [[Neelix]] offered [[B'Elanna Torres]] the chance to insult his cooking by telling her to name her [[poison]]. After she missed that chance, he seemed disappointed, claiming he'd handed it to her on a [[silver]] [[platter]]. ({{VOY|Extreme Risk}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | ===Having one's head on a platter=== |
||
| + | This expression meant that the person saying it was angry at someone and intended to punish them for their actions. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2369]], [[Benjamin Sisko]] warned [[Kira Nerys]] that he would have her head on a platter if she went over his head one more time. ({{DS9|Past Prologue}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === I couldn't fill your shoes === |
||
| + | '''"I couldn't fill your shoes"''' was a Human idiom, describing one being in a bad situation, which the other person couldn't bear. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2286]], [[Leonard McCoy]] told [[Spock]], when he suffered from memory loss after being resurrected, "''What I mean is I may have carried your soul, but I sure couldn't fill your shoes,''" to which Spock replied, "''My shoes?''" ({{film|4}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === If we play our cards right === |
||
| + | '''"If we play our [[card games|cards]] right"''' was a Human idiom, meaning "if things go well". |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[1986]], [[Admiral]] [[James T. Kirk]] used this idiom when talking to [[Spock]], leading Spock to ask "''How will playing cards help?''" ({{film|4}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Joined at the hip === |
||
| + | This term referred to people being so close to one another as to appear inseparable (physically or emotionally) |
||
| + | |||
| + | After the ordeal [[Jean-Luc Picard]] and [[Beverly Crusher]] went through on [[Kesprytt III]], Crusher remarked that she was happy not to be joined to Picard's hip anymore. ({{TNG|Attached}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In an [[alternate timeline|alternate]] version of the year [[2390]] [[Chakotay]] and his girlfriend [[Tessa Omond]] were said to be as close as to be joined at the hip. ({{VOY|Timeless}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Keep it under your hat === |
||
| + | Upon learning that [[Quark]] was aware that [[Odo]] was ill, [[Miles O'Brien]] requested that Quark keep that information under his hat. ({{DS9|When It Rains...}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === May God have mercy upon your soul === |
||
| + | "May God have mercy upon your soul" was a phrase used in some ancient Earth cultures upon sentencing a person to execution. It was used in that capacity during [[Worf]]'s [[2371]] promotion ceremony, which included [[holodeck]] roleplaying on an [[USS Enterprise (brig)|sea vessel]] and involved him walking the plank. ({{film|7}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | A variant of the phrase, "May God have mercy on our souls", was used by [[Malcolm Reed]] to end his final log entry when stranded in [[shuttlepod 1]] and he believed there was no chance of rescue. ({{ENT|Shuttlepod One}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Media circus === |
||
| + | '''"Media circus"''' was a [[Human]] idiom which described a news event where the coverage was out of proportion to the event itself. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In 1986, Gillian Taylor described to James T. Kirk the farewell ceremony for [[George and Gracie]] as a potential media circus. ({{film|4}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === My mind's turned to clay === |
||
| + | This expression was used by [[Geordi La Forge]] in the running up to the battle of [[Wolf 359]]. ({{TNG|The Best of Both Worlds}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Needle in a haystack === |
||
| + | '''"[[Needle]] in a [[haystack]]"''' was a [[Human]] idiom which described the long-lasting search for something in a large variety of possibilities. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2267]], when searching for the ''{{dis|Galileo|2267}}'', [[James T. Kirk]] remarked that "''Finding a needle in a haystack would be child's play.''" ({{TOS| The Galileo Seven}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In 2364, [[William T. Riker]] described searching [[Starfleet]] records for an instance of someone [[shower]]ing in their clothes as "''like looking for a needle in a haystack''." ({{TNG|The Naked Now}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2369]] while searching for the [[crash land]]ed [[runabout]] {{USS|Yangtzee Kiang}} in the [[Gamma Quadrant]], Miles O'Brien compared the search with searching a needle in a haystack. O'Brien and [[Jadzia Dax]] had to search several [[planet]]s, two dozen [[moon]]s, and an [[asteroid belt]]. ({{DS9|Battle Lines}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2370]], a [[Paradan]] [[replicant]] of {{dis|Miles O'Brien|replicant|O'Brien}} commented "''Needle in a haystack wouldn't do this job justice''" when searching for a fault in [[Deep Space 9]]'s upper [[pylon]]s. ({{DS9|Whispers}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2373]], Jadzia Dax said to [[Benjamin Sisko]] "''Do the words 'needle in a haystack' mean anything to you?''", after the {{USS|Defiant|2370}} had spent two days unsuccessfully searching the [[Badlands]] for [[Cloaking device|cloaked]] missiles appropriated by the [[Maquis]] for a strike against [[Cardassia]]. ({{DS9|Blaze of Glory}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Over my dead body === |
||
| + | This expression was used by captain [[Christopher]] in [[1969]] and again by [[Brunt]] in [[2374]] ({{TOS|Tomorrow is Yesterday}}; {{DS9|Profit and Lace}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Penny for your thoughts === |
||
| + | '''"[[Penny]] for your thoughts"''' is a Human idiom, meaning that someone is curious about what the other person is thinking. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2368]], [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]] used the expression when she wanted to get [[Jean-Luc Picard]] to talk to her during a conversation. When Picard asked her if she has one, she told him that the [[replicator]] probably has it on file. ({{TNG|The Perfect Mate}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2369]], when [[Q]] brought back Picard to the incident at [[Starbase Earhart]] in [[2327]], he told him (acting as a bartender): "''Penny for your thoughts? You never told me you were such a lady's man,''" also jokingly referring to Picard's unsuccessful date with [[Penny Muroc]]. ({{TNG|Tapestry}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2370]], Crusher used the expression again, dining with Picard, after they shared thoughts for a time via the [[psi-wave device]] on [[Kesprytt III]]. ({{TNG|Attached}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Poetic justice === |
||
| + | In [[2268]], when questioned by a [[time travel]]ling [[Worf]] on his plan to [[assassinate]] [[James T. Kirk]], [[Arne Darvin]] would only say that his [[death]] would have a certain poetic justice to it. ({{DS9|Trials and Tribble-ations}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2371]], [[Kathryn Janeway]] threatened [[Noah Lessing]] with dropping the {{USS|Voyager}}'s [[shield]]s and allowing his "little friends" to find him. He called it [[murder]]; she called it poetic justice. ({{VOY|Equinox}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Preaching to the choir === |
||
| + | '''"Preaching to the [[choir]]"''' was a phrase used to describe someone who was trying to convince another who was already a believer. In [[2365]], [[Phillipa Louvois]] told [[Bruce Maddox]] he was preaching to the choir when he attempted to explain the usefulness of having a [[Data]] aboard every [[starship]]. ({{TNG|The Measure Of A Man}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Rich beyond the dreams of avarice === |
||
| + | Doctor [[Leonard McCoy]] managed to convince Dr. [[Nichols]] to accept the formula for [[transparent aluminum]] as compensation for his services by saying that once he figured out the dynamics of the matrix (which would take years), he'd be rich beyond the dreams of avarice. ({{film|4}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Sauce for the goose === |
||
| + | The [[Earth]] [[idiom]] "''what's sauce for the [[goose]], is sauce for the gander,''" was in part spoken by [[Spock]] following [[Saavik]]'s notation that [[Khan Noonien Singh]], aboard the {{USS|Reliant}} was following the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} into the [[Mutara Nebula]]. In response, Spock stated stated "''sauce for the goose, Mr. Saavik''" ({{film|2}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Stone knives and bearskins === |
||
| + | '''"Stone knives and bearskins"''' was a colorful term employed by [[Spock]] to describe the [[1930s]] [[technology]] he was forced to use to construct a [[tricorder]] interface. Vital information was locked within Spock's tricorder: How had [[Leonard McCoy]] changed [[history]]? Spock was eventually able to construct an appropriate circuit, but retrieved two separate recordings: one in which [[Edith Keeler]] lived, and one in which she died. At that point, the improvised interface erupted in sparks and flame, ruining his chance to learn which of the recordings represented McCoy's alteration, and which the correct [[timeline]]. ({{TOS|The City on the Edge of Forever}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | [[Kathryn Janeway]] also used this expression when typing on a late [[20th century]] [[computer]] [[keyboard]] trying to find out information about [[Henry Starling]]. ({{VOY|Future's End}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Wash my hands of it === |
||
| + | '''"Wash my hands of it"''' is an expression used to avert a wrong decision, claiming that the person can not be held responsible for it. It comes from the [[Bible]], and was said by Pilate after he sentenced [[Jesus Christ]] to crucifixion, for the push of the crowd, however he saw he was apparently innocent. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2266]], [[Doctor]] [[Simon Van Gelder]] accused [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk]] of escaping responsibility by taking him back to the [[Tantalus colony]], and told him, "''You smart, button-pushing brass hat. Wash your hands of it. Is that your system? You're both quite sure of yourselves, aren't you?''" ({{TOS|Dagger of the Mind}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Wild goose chase === |
||
| + | '''"Wild goose chase"''' is an expression used to mean futile pursuit or search after something. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2153]], Jonathan Archer told T'Pol "''Maybe we're just on a wild goose chase''" after their initial attempts to locate a [[dark matter nebula]] failed. ({{ENT|First Flight}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2268]], [[Leonard McCoy]] accused [[Spock]] of "''run[ning] off on some wild goose chase halfway across the [[Milky Way Galaxy|galaxy]],''" when Kirk, [[Nyota Uhura|Uhura]] and [[Pavel Chekov|Chekov]] disappeared from [[Gamma II]]. Spock replied, "''Doctor, I am chasing the captain, [[Lieutenant]] Uhura, and [[Ensign]] Chekov, not some wild aquatic fowl.''" ({{TOS|The Gamesters of Triskelion}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | Later that year, Spock described [[M-5]]'s diversionary tactics as "''pursuing a wild goose.''" ({{TOS|The Ultimate Computer}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | After [[Katherine Pulaski]] was abducted by [[Professor]] {{dis|James Moriarty|hologram}} in [[2365]], Geordi La Forge believed she planned "''to lead [Data] on a wild goose chase and then recount the story to everyone between here and [[Alpha Centauri]]."'' ({{TNG|Elementary, Dear Data}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2367]], [[Data]] told [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]], that he "''could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without a cause,''" describing this idiom, when examining the clues of [[Ambassador]] {{dis|T'Pel|Ambassador}}'s presumed death. Crusher eventually recognized the idiom, and corrected him with its common form. ({{TNG|Data's Day}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2368]], Jean-Luc Picard commented that the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701|-D}}'s investigation of a [[Barolian freighter]]'s activities at [[Galorndon Core]] “''may prove to be a wild goose chase''". ({{TNG|Unification II}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2369]], Picard told [[Deanna Troi]] that his continuation of [[Professor]] [[Richard Galen]]'s research was not a case of his taking the ''Enterprise'' and its crew on a wild goose chase. ({{TNG|The Chase}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2371]], [[Kira Nerys]] told [[Tom Riker]] that if she had hijacked the {{USS|Defiant|2370}} as he had, she "''wouldn't have gone flying off into the middle of [[Cardassia]] on some wild goose chase."'' ({{DS9|Defiant}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In 2372, [[Kathryn Janeway]] was concerned that investigating "[[Planet Hell]]" might prove to be a wild goose chase. ({{VOY|Parturition}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === With one's name on it === |
||
| + | Having one's [[name]] on something meant that the object in question belonged to or was reserved for them. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2372]], [[Julian Bashir]] assured [[Odo]] that there was a [[Spitfire]] with his name on it in the [[hangar]] if he wanted to join the [[Battle of Britain]] [[holoprogram]]. Later, [[Joseph Sisko]] told his [[Jake Sisko|grandson]] there was a [[vat]] of [[crayfish]] that needed cleaning with his name on it. ({{DS9|Homefront}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2375]], [[Miles O'Brien]] told [[Janel Tigan]] he was not looking forward to seeing [[Captain]] [[Benjamin Sisko]] again, as he had a [[boot]] with O'Brien's name on it. ({{DS9|Prodigal Daughter}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2377]], [[Reginald Barclay]] offered [[Deanna Troi]] a [[beverage|drink]]. When she declined, he tried to tempt her, saying he had a [[chocolate passion punch]] with her name on it. ({{VOY|Inside Man}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | === Sight for sore eyes === |
||
| + | Something was said to be a '''"sight for sore eyes"''' when it was pleasing to look at. |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2376]], [[Harry Kim]] remarked that he would not want to bunk with the great explorers of the past. Tom Paris remarked that that would be a sight for sore eyes. ({{VOY|Memorial}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | Shortly thereafter, after making contact with {{USS|Voyager}} again, [[Lyndsay Ballard]] remarked that Captain Janeway was a sight for sore eyes. ({{VOY|Ashes to Ashes}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | Later that year, the [[con artist]] [[Dala]] used the expression sarcastically upon seeing [[Tuvok]]. ({{VOY|Live Fast and Prosper}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | {{bginfo|Furthermore, Captain Archer used the expression in a deleted scene from {{e|The Expanse}}.}} |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Be careful what you wish for === |
||
| + | In [[2285]], after "[[Mr._Adventure#.22Mr._Adventure.22|"Mr. Adventure"]] complained that he wanted more challenges, adventure and surprises in his life, Uhura said "be careful what you wish for" and locked him in a closet. ({{film|3}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | In [[2373]], upon Tom Paris saying to B'Elanna Torres that he wouldn't mind seeing her [[Klingon]] side again, Torres warned him to be careful what he'd wished for. ({{VOY|Blood Fever}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | === Second wind === |
||
| + | Finding a second wind meant regaining energy after a certain activity had gotten tired. |
||
| + | |||
| + | During a 2153 engine test aboard ''Enterprise'', field fluctuations dropped to zero, which lead captain Archer to suggest that they had gotten their second wind. That impression was incorrect. ({{ENT|Similitude}}) |
||
| + | |||
| + | Upon James T. Kirk asking Montgomery Scott if the ''Enterprise'' could hold its speed while rushing to the [[Genesis Planet]] in [[2285]], Scott remarked in the affirmative, saying that she had just gotten her second wind. ({{film|3}}) |
||
== See also == |
== See also == |
||
Revision as of 16:40, 6 February 2016
AT: "xx"
Metaphors were common quotations, figures of speech, usually offering a piece of wisdom in reference to a present situation. Idioms had phrasing that had figurative meaning often unrelated to the actual phrasing, while proverbs were commonly sourced from folklore, historical allusion, or tribal memories.
Colorful metaphors might be used to express emotion.
Adages
"Look before you leap" (VOY: "Bliss")
- Claimed to be an antiquated adage by Seven of Nine.
"Captain goes down with the ship" (VOY: "Year of Hell, Part II")
- Kathryn Janeway also considered this one of three things to remember about being a starship captain on one occasion. (VOY: "Dark Frontier")
Picard also once referenced an old horse trainer's adage about putting too much weight on a young back. (TNG: "Pen Pals")
Aphorisms
"A watched pot never boils." (TNG: "Timescape")
"The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing" (TNG: "Conspiracy")
"one cannot cheat fate" (TNG: "Time's Arrow")
Blessings
Bajoran
"Blessed be the Prophets" (DS9: "Strange Bedfellows")
Banean
"May the fates have mercy on you" (VOY: "Ex Post Facto")
Children of the Son
"May the blessings of the son be upon you" (TOS: "Bread and Circuses")
"Blessed be the son" (TOS: "Bread and Circuses")
Drayan
"May this day find you at peace and leave you with hope" (VOY: "Innocence")
Human
"Peace in your heart, fortune in your steps" (VOY: " Innocence")
- This phrase was in use among the Rubber Tree People, and attributed to the spirits of their people.
"may the wind be at our backs" (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
Yash-El
"Dream not of today" (TNG: "The Chase")
- Described as a "night blessing".
Vulcan
"Live long and prosper"
"Peace and long life"
"May your journey be free of incident" (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
Other and of unknown origin
While impersonating Tuvok, a Vulcan, Mobar adopted the blessing "May the deities bless you" as part of his persona. (VOY: "Live Fast and Prosper")
"May the Great Bird of the Galaxy bless your planet" (TOS: "The Man Trap")
Idioms
"Burning the midnight oil"' (ENT: "First Flight"; VOY: "Waking Moments", "Pathfinder", "Fair Haven"; TNG: "All Good Things...")
Maxims
"No one is more qualified to write your story than you are" (TNG: "Time's Arrow, Part II")
- Mark Twain claimed to have always lived by this maxim.
Metaphors
"Pulling the plug" (ENT: "Broken Bow")
"The eye of the storm" (VOY: "One Small Step")
"Double dumb ass on you" (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
- This "colorful metaphor" had fallen into disuse between 1986 and 2286, as part of a general trend towards less colorful metaphors.
"Catching someone with their pants down" or "Catching someone with their britches down" (TNG: "The Defector", Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
"If you're going to ride in the Kentucky Derby, you don't leave your prized stallion in the stable" (Star Trek)
- Said to be used where Leonard McCoy was from.
"Targ manure" (VOY: "In the Flesh")
In 2267, Spock described Trelane's repositioning of the planet Gothos so that it was always in front of the USS Enterprise's flight path as a "cat-and-mouse game", Kirk adding that they were the mouse. (TOS: "The Squire of Gothos")
William T. Riker referred to an Earth nursery rhyme, "What Are Little Boys Made Of?", which stated: "Girls are made from sugar and spice, boys are made from snips and snails... and puppy dog tails," to describe the "old-fashioned way of looking at the sexes" to the androgynous Soren. He later clarified that "physically, men are bigger, stronger" and that they "have different sexual organs". He also noted that "men can't bear young." (TNG: "The Outcast")
A Good Samaritan was someone who offered help out of the goodness of their heart, expecting nothing in return.
In 2266, Lenore Karidian expressed her wish that the Karidian Company of Players had alternate travel arrangements by saying, "if ever we needed a Good Samaritan..." (TOS: "The Conscience of the King")
In 2373, a supposedly dead Kathryn Janeway told the alien posing as her father that he didn't seem like a Good Samaritan to her, but rather a vulture. (VOY: "Coda")
When convinced by James T. Kirk and Spock to draw the Companion out into the open so that it could be neutralized, Zefram Cochrane recalled the term Judas goat, as he regretfully knew that he was leading the Companion into a trap. (TOS: "Metamorphosis")
Proverbs and sayings
Atrean
"A child born from parents who love each other will have nothing but goodness in his heart." (TNG: "Inheritance")
Bajoran
"He who studies evil is studied by evil." (DS9: "The Changing Face of Evil")
- Said to be an old saying.
"If you're not fighting them, you're helping them." - In the Bajoran Resistance (DS9: "Rocks and Shoals")
"The land and the people are one" (DS9: "The Storyteller")
Cardassian
"Confession is good for the soul." (DS9: "Tribunal")
"Enemies make dangerous friends." (DS9: "The Search, Part II")
Denobulan
"When in Fellebia, do as the Fellebians do." (ENT: "Unexpected")
Ferengi
The Rules of Acquisition performed a function similar to proverbs in Ferengi culture.
The following were quoted as Ferengi sayings, but were not stated to be included in the Rules of Acquisition:
"Never ask when you can take." (DS9: "Babel")
"A good lie is easier to believe than the truth." (VOY: "Shattered")
"Good things come in small packages" (DS9: "Move Along Home")
"Discretion [is] the better part of valor" (DS9: "The House of Quark")
- Claimed to be an old Ferengi saying by Quark.
Founders
"To become a thing is to know a thing. To assume its form is to begin to understand its existence." (DS9: "The Search, Part II", "Behind the Lines")
"The drop becomes the ocean... The ocean becomes the drop..." (DS9: "Behind the Lines")
Human
"A needle in a haystack." (TNG: "The Naked Now"; DS9: "Blaze of Glory")
"When in Rome... do as the Romans do." (ENT: "Babel One"; TOS: "The Savage Curtain"; TNG: "Justice"; DS9: "Let He Who Is Without Sin...")
"Fortune favors the bold." (DS9: "Favor the Bold", "Sacrifice of Angels")
"As healthy as a horse" (TOS: "Tomorrow is Yesterday")
"Easy as pie." (VOY: "Future's End")
"Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely." (TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before", "Patterns of Force")
"You don't kick a man when he's down." (ENT: "Judgment")
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." (TOS: "Friday's Child"; VOY: "Warhead")
- Claimed to be Russian in origin by Pavel Chekov.
"No good deed goes unpunished." (ENT: "The Andorian Incident")
"Blood is thicker than water." (VOY: "Survival Instinct")
"Even the eagle must know when to sleep." (VOY: "Resolutions")
- Used among Chakotay's people.
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions." (DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight")
"May you live in interesting times." (VOY: "The Cloud")
"A stranger is a friend you just haven't met yet." (VOY: "Fair Haven", "Spirit Folk")
- Michael Sullivan speculated that this might be of Irish origin.
"Home is wherever you happen to be." (VOY: "Deadlock")
- Attributed to Kolopak.
"The devil finds work for idle hands." (VOY: "Good Shepherd")
"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime." (ENT: "Marauders")
"In for a penny, in for a pound" (TNG: "Pen Pals"; VOY: "Rise")
"All good things must come to an end." (TNG: "All Good Things..."; DS9: "Business as Usual")
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." (DS9: "Move Along Home")
"The early bird gets the worm." (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds")
- This was transformed into "The early bird gets the gagh" by the EMH when addressing B'Elanna Torres. (VOY: "Drone")
"Best defense is a good offense." (VOY: "In the Flesh")
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." (ENT: "Cold Front")
"The proof is in the pudding." (ENT: "Rogue Planet")
"Two heads are better than one." (DS9: "Bar Association")
"The ball's in your court." (ENT: "Cease Fire")
"A hundred thousand welcomes" (VOY: "Fair Haven")
- Described as an old (in the 19th century) Irish saying.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend" (TNG: "Legacy", Star Trek Into Darkness)
- Spock claimed this to be "an arab proverb attributed to a prince who was betrayed and decapitated by his own subjects".
"There's a warm wind blowing in from Minicoy" (DS9: "The Circle")
- Described by Captain Sisko as an old saying.
"Those who can't, coach" (DS9: "Take Me Out to the Holosuite")
"A man who's always looking over his shoulder is waiting for trouble to find him" (DS9: "Captive Pursuit")
"Time flies when you're having fun" (TNG: "We'll Always Have Paris")
"Follow your heart" (ENT: "E²")
"The customer's always right" (ENT: "Dead Stop")
"To beard the lion in its den" (DS9: "In the Cards")
"Time heals all wounds, but absence makes the heart grow fonder" (ENT: "These Are the Voyages...")
"the angels themselves take pleasure in their bodies of light"
- A holographic Lord Byron described this as something that is said.
"The way to a woman's heart is through her stomach"
- Attributed by Captain Sisko to his father
"Wouldn't hurt a fly" (Star Trek Generations)
"sauce for the goose" (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
"It never rains but it pours" (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
"Waste not, want not" (DS9: "The Ascent")
"spare the rod and spoil the child" (TNG: "The Offspring" DS9: "The Begotten")
"If the shoe fits, wear it"
Various Latin phrases and Biblical allusions served a function similar to proverbs in Human society.
Jem'Hadar
"Obedience brings victory." (DS9: "Rocks and Shoals")
"Victory is life" (DS9: "by Inferno's Light")
Klingon
"Four thousand throats may be cut in one night by a running man with a knife." (TOS: "Day of the Dove")
"Only a fool fights in a burning house." (TOS: "Day of the Dove")
"Revenge is a dish that is best served cold." (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
"You cannot loosen a man's tongue with root beer." (DS9: "Rapture")
"A doctor who operates on himself has a petaQ for a patient." (VOY: "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy")
"Today is a good day to die."
"Own the day." (VOY: "Ashes to Ashes")
In addition, various sayings of Kahless served a function similar to proverbs in Klingon culture.
Mikhal Traveler
"My course is as elusive as a shadow across the sky." (VOY: "Darkling")
Romulan
"Never turn your back on a Breen." (DS9: "By Inferno's Light")
In addition, a Romulan commander described the fact that Vulcans are incapable of lying as a well-known saying. (TOS: "The Enterprise Incident")
Talaxian
"Good news has no clothes." (VOY: "Lineage")
"When the road before you splits in two, take the third path." (VOY: "Author, Author")
"The dream dreams the dreamer." (VOY: "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy")
Vulcan
"Only Nixon could go to China." (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
"One man can summon the future." (ENT: "United")
- Among mirror universe Vulcans, this saying was "One man cannot summon the future." (TOS: "Mirror, Mirror")
"In accepting the inevitable, one finds peace." (VOY: "Once Upon a Time")
Xindi
"It's easier to count the stars in the sky than it is for an aquatic to reach a decision." (ENT: "The Council")
"Dealing with reptilians is like bargaining with the sun. You make no progress, and you come away burned." (ENT: "Azati Prime")
"Patience is for the dead." (ENT: "Azati Prime")
Other and of unknown origin
"It's lonely at the top." - Claimed to be an Arachnian saying by Queen Arachnia.
"Stay out of harm's way." - Claimed to be a Chinese expression by Harry Kim, but disputed by Tom Paris
"Put the shoe on the right foot first, but put the left foot first into the bathtub." - quoted by Jadzia Dax while under the influence of Saltah'na energy spheres. (DS9: "Dramatis Personae")
"There's no time like the past." - In use by crews of 29th century timeships. (VOY: "Relativity")
"There's no time like the present" - In use by Starfleet's Temporal Mechanics Department in an alternative 2404. (VOY: "Endgame")
"The early bird that hesitates gets wormed"
"Little birds in their nest get along" (VOY: "Real Life")
"Once a thief" (DS9: "Resurrection")
"Beware Romulans bearing gifts" (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
Comparisons
"Healthy as a Rigellian ox" (TNG: "The Schizoid Man")
"Hot as Vulcan" (TOS: "Amok Time")
"Dry as Vulcan" (VOY: "Concerning Flight")
"Colder than a Breen winter" (DS9: "Crossfire")
"Blind as a stump" (TNG: "Loud As A Whisper")
"Bigger than Elvis" (DS9: "It's Only a Paper Moon")
"Rich as Rockefeller" (DS9: "It's Only a Paper Moon")
"Poor as a church mouse" (DS9: "It's Only a Paper Moon")
"Clear as Tabalian glass" (DS9: "For the Cause")
"Busier than an Alvanian beehive" (DS9: "Rapture")
"Touchier than a raw antimatter pile" (TOS: "Journey to Babel"
"Quiet as a Zyznian church mouse" (VOY: "Q2")
"Dropping like flies" (DS9: "Business as Usual")
"Crystal clear" (TOS: "Arena"; TOS: "The Mark of Gideon"; Star Trek Into Darkness)
"peaceful as sheep" (TOS: "Wolf in the Fold")
"as right as rain" (DS9: "Children of Time", "Time's Orphan")
Other expressions
Between a rock and a hard place
Being "between a rock and a hard place" is an Earth idiom, meaning that someone is in a situation where he or she can choose between two alternatives, and neither of them are acceptable.
In 1986, Bob Briggs told Gillian Taylor, they're "between a rock and a hard place" regarding the fate of George and Gracie. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
Can't see the forest for the trees
To say one "can't see the forest for the trees" was an Earth idiom, meaning that one was so caught up in small details that they weren't able to see the bigger picture.
In 2373, Miles O'Brien felt he hadn't been able to see the forest for the trees when it was Rom who explained to him that the modifications that he had been making to equipment on Deep Space 9 on the orders of a Pah-wraith that had possessed his wife were designed to turn the station into a chroniton array aimed at the Bajoran wormhole, one which could kill the Prophets. (DS9: "The Assignment")
C'est la vie
"C'est la vie" (French: "that's life") is a Human idiom, meaning bad things happen, it's the way of life.
In 2285, when Admiral James Kirk self-destructed the USS Enterprise, killing most of Kruge's Klingon crew on board, he told the Commander on the surface of the Genesis planet: "Sorry about your crew, but as we say on Earth, ...'c'est la vie.'" (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
Chicken and the egg
The "chicken and the egg" was a paradox, usually posed as the question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
In an alternate anti-time future created by Q, retired captain Jean-Luc Picard, used the question of the chicken the egg as a metaphor to explain the paradox of the anti-time anomaly to Geordi La Forge, Beverly Picard, Data, and William Riker aboard the USS Enterprise-D. (TNG: "All Good Things...")
In 2372, B'Elanna Torres described establishing communication with a duplicate of the USS Voyager by getting them to recalibrate their comm frequency carrier wave before they'd first made contact as "the chicken and the egg." (VOY: "Deadlock")
In the 31st century, Jonathan Archer described Daniels' urgent need to restore the original timeline by returning the captain to the 22nd century whilst lacking the technology to do so as "a chicken or the egg problem." (ENT: "Shockwave, Part II")
Archer again said "Chicken or the egg" after Daniels had sent Enterprise NX-01 back in time to 1944 to stop Vosk's temporal incursions, and it became apparent that the timeline had changed prior to the 1940s, with Lenin's death in 1916. (ENT: "Storm Front, Part II")
Clean their chronometers
Colonel West while proposing operation retrieve assured the Federation President that should the operation precipitate a full-scale war with the Klingon Empire, Starfleet could quite frankly "clean their chronometers". (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
Dining on ashes
James T. Kirk asked if Spock was dining on ashes after finding him seemingly reflecting on the betrayal of Valeris. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
Falling on deaf ears
"Falling on deaf ears" means something that some believe should be heeded is not.
Weyoun once told Major Kira that her pleas to have Rom not executed for terrorism would fall on deaf ears. (DS9: "Favor the Bold")
In 2372, Neelix believed diplomatic negotiation with the Botha might fall on deaf ears. (VOY: "Persistence of Vision"
In 2374, The Doctor complained that his requests for a larger sickbay were falling on deaf ears. 'VOY: "Waking Moments")
For all the tea in China
"For all the tea in China" means something is so important to a person, he or she wouldn't exchange it for even the most precious things in the world.
In 1986, Gillian Taylor told time traveler Admiral James Kirk, when he explained to her that they want to bring George and Gracie to the 23rd century, and asked her if she's curious about the details, she said, "I wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China." (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
Handing something on a silver platter
This term referred to something that was offered to someone in a rather obvious manner.
In 2375, Neelix offered B'Elanna Torres the chance to insult his cooking by telling her to name her poison. After she missed that chance, he seemed disappointed, claiming he'd handed it to her on a silver platter. (VOY: "Extreme Risk")
Having one's head on a platter
This expression meant that the person saying it was angry at someone and intended to punish them for their actions.
In 2369, Benjamin Sisko warned Kira Nerys that he would have her head on a platter if she went over his head one more time. (DS9: "Past Prologue")
I couldn't fill your shoes
"I couldn't fill your shoes" was a Human idiom, describing one being in a bad situation, which the other person couldn't bear.
In 2286, Leonard McCoy told Spock, when he suffered from memory loss after being resurrected, "What I mean is I may have carried your soul, but I sure couldn't fill your shoes," to which Spock replied, "My shoes?" (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
If we play our cards right
"If we play our cards right" was a Human idiom, meaning "if things go well".
In 1986, Admiral James T. Kirk used this idiom when talking to Spock, leading Spock to ask "How will playing cards help?" (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
Joined at the hip
This term referred to people being so close to one another as to appear inseparable (physically or emotionally)
After the ordeal Jean-Luc Picard and Beverly Crusher went through on Kesprytt III, Crusher remarked that she was happy not to be joined to Picard's hip anymore. (TNG: "Attached")
In an alternate version of the year 2390 Chakotay and his girlfriend Tessa Omond were said to be as close as to be joined at the hip. (VOY: "Timeless")
Keep it under your hat
Upon learning that Quark was aware that Odo was ill, Miles O'Brien requested that Quark keep that information under his hat. (DS9: "When It Rains...")
May God have mercy upon your soul
"May God have mercy upon your soul" was a phrase used in some ancient Earth cultures upon sentencing a person to execution. It was used in that capacity during Worf's 2371 promotion ceremony, which included holodeck roleplaying on an sea vessel and involved him walking the plank. (Star Trek Generations)
A variant of the phrase, "May God have mercy on our souls", was used by Malcolm Reed to end his final log entry when stranded in shuttlepod 1 and he believed there was no chance of rescue. (ENT: "Shuttlepod One")
Media circus
"Media circus" was a Human idiom which described a news event where the coverage was out of proportion to the event itself.
In 1986, Gillian Taylor described to James T. Kirk the farewell ceremony for George and Gracie as a potential media circus. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
My mind's turned to clay
This expression was used by Geordi La Forge in the running up to the battle of Wolf 359. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds")
Needle in a haystack
"Needle in a haystack" was a Human idiom which described the long-lasting search for something in a large variety of possibilities.
In 2267, when searching for the Galileo, James T. Kirk remarked that "Finding a needle in a haystack would be child's play." (TOS: " The Galileo Seven")
In 2364, William T. Riker described searching Starfleet records for an instance of someone showering in their clothes as "like looking for a needle in a haystack." (TNG: "The Naked Now")
In 2369 while searching for the crash landed runabout USS Yangtzee Kiang in the Gamma Quadrant, Miles O'Brien compared the search with searching a needle in a haystack. O'Brien and Jadzia Dax had to search several planets, two dozen moons, and an asteroid belt. (DS9: "Battle Lines")
In 2370, a Paradan replicant of O'Brien commented "Needle in a haystack wouldn't do this job justice" when searching for a fault in Deep Space 9's upper pylons. (DS9: "Whispers")
In 2373, Jadzia Dax said to Benjamin Sisko "Do the words 'needle in a haystack' mean anything to you?", after the USS Defiant had spent two days unsuccessfully searching the Badlands for cloaked missiles appropriated by the Maquis for a strike against Cardassia. (DS9: "Blaze of Glory")
Over my dead body
This expression was used by captain Christopher in 1969 and again by Brunt in 2374 (TOS: "Tomorrow is Yesterday"; DS9: "Profit and Lace")
Penny for your thoughts
"Penny for your thoughts" is a Human idiom, meaning that someone is curious about what the other person is thinking.
In 2368, Doctor Beverly Crusher used the expression when she wanted to get Jean-Luc Picard to talk to her during a conversation. When Picard asked her if she has one, she told him that the replicator probably has it on file. (TNG: "The Perfect Mate")
In 2369, when Q brought back Picard to the incident at Starbase Earhart in 2327, he told him (acting as a bartender): "Penny for your thoughts? You never told me you were such a lady's man," also jokingly referring to Picard's unsuccessful date with Penny Muroc. (TNG: "Tapestry")
In 2370, Crusher used the expression again, dining with Picard, after they shared thoughts for a time via the psi-wave device on Kesprytt III. (TNG: "Attached")
Poetic justice
In 2268, when questioned by a time travelling Worf on his plan to assassinate James T. Kirk, Arne Darvin would only say that his death would have a certain poetic justice to it. (DS9: "Trials and Tribble-ations")
In 2371, Kathryn Janeway threatened Noah Lessing with dropping the USS Voyager's shields and allowing his "little friends" to find him. He called it murder; she called it poetic justice. (VOY: "Equinox")
Preaching to the choir
"Preaching to the choir" was a phrase used to describe someone who was trying to convince another who was already a believer. In 2365, Phillipa Louvois told Bruce Maddox he was preaching to the choir when he attempted to explain the usefulness of having a Data aboard every starship. (TNG: "The Measure Of A Man")
Rich beyond the dreams of avarice
Doctor Leonard McCoy managed to convince Dr. Nichols to accept the formula for transparent aluminum as compensation for his services by saying that once he figured out the dynamics of the matrix (which would take years), he'd be rich beyond the dreams of avarice. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)
Sauce for the goose
The Earth idiom "what's sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander," was in part spoken by Spock following Saavik's notation that Khan Noonien Singh, aboard the USS Reliant was following the USS Enterprise into the Mutara Nebula. In response, Spock stated stated "sauce for the goose, Mr. Saavik" (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
Stone knives and bearskins
"Stone knives and bearskins" was a colorful term employed by Spock to describe the 1930s technology he was forced to use to construct a tricorder interface. Vital information was locked within Spock's tricorder: How had Leonard McCoy changed history? Spock was eventually able to construct an appropriate circuit, but retrieved two separate recordings: one in which Edith Keeler lived, and one in which she died. At that point, the improvised interface erupted in sparks and flame, ruining his chance to learn which of the recordings represented McCoy's alteration, and which the correct timeline. (TOS: "The City on the Edge of Forever")
Kathryn Janeway also used this expression when typing on a late 20th century computer keyboard trying to find out information about Henry Starling. (VOY: "Future's End")
Wash my hands of it
"Wash my hands of it" is an expression used to avert a wrong decision, claiming that the person can not be held responsible for it. It comes from the Bible, and was said by Pilate after he sentenced Jesus Christ to crucifixion, for the push of the crowd, however he saw he was apparently innocent.
In 2266, Doctor Simon Van Gelder accused Captain James T. Kirk of escaping responsibility by taking him back to the Tantalus colony, and told him, "You smart, button-pushing brass hat. Wash your hands of it. Is that your system? You're both quite sure of yourselves, aren't you?" (TOS: "Dagger of the Mind")
Wild goose chase
"Wild goose chase" is an expression used to mean futile pursuit or search after something.
In 2153, Jonathan Archer told T'Pol "Maybe we're just on a wild goose chase" after their initial attempts to locate a dark matter nebula failed. (ENT: "First Flight")
In 2268, Leonard McCoy accused Spock of "run[ning] off on some wild goose chase halfway across the galaxy," when Kirk, Uhura and Chekov disappeared from Gamma II. Spock replied, "Doctor, I am chasing the captain, Lieutenant Uhura, and Ensign Chekov, not some wild aquatic fowl." (TOS: "The Gamesters of Triskelion")
Later that year, Spock described M-5's diversionary tactics as "pursuing a wild goose." (TOS: "The Ultimate Computer")
After Katherine Pulaski was abducted by Professor James Moriarty in 2365, Geordi La Forge believed she planned "to lead [Data] on a wild goose chase and then recount the story to everyone between here and Alpha Centauri." (TNG: "Elementary, Dear Data")
In 2367, Data told Doctor Beverly Crusher, that he "could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without a cause," describing this idiom, when examining the clues of Ambassador T'Pel's presumed death. Crusher eventually recognized the idiom, and corrected him with its common form. (TNG: "Data's Day")
In 2368, Jean-Luc Picard commented that the USS Enterprise-D's investigation of a Barolian freighter's activities at Galorndon Core “may prove to be a wild goose chase". (TNG: "Unification II")
In 2369, Picard told Deanna Troi that his continuation of Professor Richard Galen's research was not a case of his taking the Enterprise and its crew on a wild goose chase. (TNG: "The Chase")
In 2371, Kira Nerys told Tom Riker that if she had hijacked the USS Defiant as he had, she "wouldn't have gone flying off into the middle of Cardassia on some wild goose chase." (DS9: "Defiant")
In 2372, Kathryn Janeway was concerned that investigating "Planet Hell" might prove to be a wild goose chase. (VOY: "Parturition")
With one's name on it
Having one's name on something meant that the object in question belonged to or was reserved for them.
In 2372, Julian Bashir assured Odo that there was a Spitfire with his name on it in the hangar if he wanted to join the Battle of Britain holoprogram. Later, Joseph Sisko told his grandson there was a vat of crayfish that needed cleaning with his name on it. (DS9: "Homefront")
In 2375, Miles O'Brien told Janel Tigan he was not looking forward to seeing Captain Benjamin Sisko again, as he had a boot with O'Brien's name on it. (DS9: "Prodigal Daughter")
In 2377, Reginald Barclay offered Deanna Troi a drink. When she declined, he tried to tempt her, saying he had a chocolate passion punch with her name on it. (VOY: "Inside Man")
Sight for sore eyes
Something was said to be a "sight for sore eyes" when it was pleasing to look at.
In 2376, Harry Kim remarked that he would not want to bunk with the great explorers of the past. Tom Paris remarked that that would be a sight for sore eyes. (VOY: "Memorial")
Shortly thereafter, after making contact with USS Voyager again, Lyndsay Ballard remarked that Captain Janeway was a sight for sore eyes. (VOY: "Ashes to Ashes")
Later that year, the con artist Dala used the expression sarcastically upon seeing Tuvok. (VOY: "Live Fast and Prosper")
Be careful what you wish for
In 2285, after ""Mr. Adventure" complained that he wanted more challenges, adventure and surprises in his life, Uhura said "be careful what you wish for" and locked him in a closet. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
In 2373, upon Tom Paris saying to B'Elanna Torres that he wouldn't mind seeing her Klingon side again, Torres warned him to be careful what he'd wished for. (VOY: "Blood Fever")
Second wind
Finding a second wind meant regaining energy after a certain activity had gotten tired.
During a 2153 engine test aboard Enterprise, field fluctuations dropped to zero, which lead captain Archer to suggest that they had gotten their second wind. That impression was incorrect. (ENT: "Similitude")
Upon James T. Kirk asking Montgomery Scott if the Enterprise could hold its speed while rushing to the Genesis Planet in 2285, Scott remarked in the affirmative, saying that she had just gotten her second wind. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)