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1-
in harness
2-
to play ball with somebody
3-
to do one's bit
4-
more than the sum of its parts
5-
to pull one's weight
6-
partner in crime
7-
hand and glove
8-
all hands on deck
in harness
in harness
phrase
uk flag
/ɪn hˈɑːɹnᵻs/
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Idiom

with one another to achieve an aim

example
Example
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The firefighters moved in harness to rescue the people trapped in the burning building.
The team is working in harness to complete the project on time.
What is the origin of the idiom "in harness" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "in harness" is believed to come from the literal meaning of the word "harness," which refers to the gear or equipment used to control or guide a horse or other draft animal. The expression "in harness" originally referred to being harnessed to a plow or other farm tool, and later came to refer more generally to being actively engaged in work. It is used to describe a situation where someone is actively working or engaged in a task or duty, often in collaboration with others.

to [play] ball with {sb}
to play ball with somebody
phrase
uk flag
/plˈeɪ bˈɔːl wɪð ˌɛsbˈiː/
Idiom
Informal

to cooperate, work together, or engage in a mutually beneficial interaction or partnership with someone

What is the origin of the idiom "play ball with someone" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "play ball with someone" is believed to come from the game of baseball, where players must work together to achieve success. The expression originally referred to the idea of playing a game of baseball with someone, but later came to be used more broadly to describe any situation where two or more people are working together in a cooperative way.Today, this phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is willing to cooperate or work together with another person to achieve a common goal.

to [do] {one's} (bit|part)
to do one's bit
phrase
uk flag
/dˈuː wˈʌnz bˈɪt pˈɑːɹt/
Idiom

to fulfill one's share of responsibilities

What is the origin of the idiom "do one's bit" and when to use it?

The idiom "do one's bit" is believed to have originated in English in the late 19th or early 20th century. The expression refers to the idea of each person contributing their fair share to a collective effort. It is used to describe a situation where someone is fulfilling their responsibilities or obligations in a group or collective effort.

(more|greater|better) than the sum of its parts
more than the sum of its parts
phrase
uk flag
/mˈoːɹ ɡɹˈeɪɾɚ bˈɛɾɚ ðɐn ðə sˈʌm ʌv ɪts pˈɑːɹts/
Idiom

surpassing in terms of quality or effectiveness when working as a whole rather than individually

What is the origin of the idiom "more than the sum of its parts" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "more than the sum of its parts" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in English in the early 20th century. This idiomatic expression is used to describe a situation where a group of things or people working together can achieve a greater effect than the individual parts working separately.

to [pull] {one's} weight
to pull one's weight
phrase
uk flag
/pˈʊl wˈʌnz wˈeɪt/
Idiom

to complete one's responsibilities regarding a group task, project, work, etc.

What is the origin of the idiom "pull one's weight" and when to use it?

The idiom "pull one's weight" is believed to have originated in English in the late 19th or early 20th century and is used to describe a situation where someone is contributing their fair share of work or effort in a group or collective effort.

[partner] in crime
partner in crime
phrase
uk flag
/wˈʌnz pˈɑːɹtnɚɹ ɪn kɹˈaɪm/
Idiom

two individuals who managed to plan and get something done together

What is the origin of the idiom "partner in crime" and when to use it?

The origin of the phrase "partner in crime" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. This idiom is used broadly to refer to two people who are close companions in any context.

hand and glove
hand and glove
phrase
uk flag
/hˈænd ænd ɡlˈʌv/
Idiom

used to describe a close and cooperative relationship between two people or parties, often with the goal of achieving a common objective

What is the origin of the idiom "hand and glove" and when to use it?

The idiom "hand and glove" originated in the 16th century and was originally used to describe the close fit between a glove and the hand. It was later used figuratively to describe a close and cooperative relationship between two or more people or entities. It is used to describe a situation where two or more people or entities are working closely and cooperatively with each other, often towards a common goal.

all hands on deck
all hands on deck
sentence
uk flag
/ˈɔːl hˈændz ˌɑːn dˈɛk/
Idiom

used for saying that everyone's assistance is needed for a situation, particularly a difficult one

What is the origin of the idiom "all hands on deck" and when to use it?

The phrase "all hands on deck" originated in the context of sailing ships. When a ship was in a crisis or an emergency, the captain would call for "all hands on deck," meaning that every member of the crew was needed to help. It is now used more broadly to mean that everyone is needed to help with a task or situation. It is often used in a work or business context.

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