10

10 Downing Street

The address of the residence of the prime minister of the United Kingdom, used by extension to refer to the prime minister or the current UK government. Primarily heard in UK. Swift condemnation of the attack has come from 10 Downing Street, the White House, and the Kremlin.See also: 10, Down, street

count to ten

To take a moment to calm down, especially when angry, before doing anything rash or hasty. Used as an imperative, it can but doesn't necessarily mean to literally count to the number ten. I know your boss said some unfair things about you, but just go count to ten so you don't end up saying something that gets you fired.See also: count, ten

handbags at ten paces

A confrontation or disagreement that is highly aggressive, emotionally expressive, and/or highly dramatic, but which does not end or result in violence. Used originally and primarily in reference to football (soccer) players, who would be sent off if they engaged in violent actions, the phrase is a play on the clichéd "pistols at ten paces," indicating a forthcoming pistol duel. Primarily heard in UK. It was handbags at ten paces between the two players, who had been verbally taunting one another throughout the match.See also: handbag, pace, ten

Number Ten

The address of the residence of the prime minister of the United Kingdom (10 Downing Street), used by extension to refer to the prime minister or the current UK government. Swift condemnation of the attack has come from Number Ten, with the prime minister vowing retribution. There are a huge number of people working at Number 10 who never receive the praise or scorn that is often directed solely at the prime minister.See also: number, ten

(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) before the named hour in time (e.g., "quarter of six" would mean 5:45). Primarily heard in US. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter of eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter of before I'm back.See also: given, hour, of, quarter

quarter past (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) after the named hour in time. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter past eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter past before I'm back.See also: given, hour, past, quarter

ten to the dozen

Very rapidly, hurriedly, and/or energetically. My aunt can get talking ten to the dozen if you get her on a topic she's passionate about. Samson came running ten to the dozen when he heard his son crying out to him from the back garden.See also: dozen, ten

take ten

To take a short break, about 10 minutes. I've been painting all morning, can I please take ten? All right, fellas, take ten.See also: take, ten

be ten a penny

To be very common, ordinary, or widespread. At first they were quite novel and interesting, but now these little organic cafés are getting to be ten a penny. Trashy crime novels like his are ten a penny, but at least he's doing what he loves.See also: penny, ten

not touch (someone or something) with a ten-foot pole

To not want to become in any way involved in or with someone or something. Primarily heard in US. You might think John is attractive, but I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot pole. He seems like a creep. Get that cocaine away from me. I wouldn't touch that stuff with a ten-foot pole!See also: not, pole, touch

I wouldn't touch (someone or something) with a ten-foot pole

I do not want to become in any way involved in or with something or someone. Primarily heard in US. Get that cocaine away from me. I wouldn't touch that junk with a ten-foot pole! You might think John is attractive, but I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot pole. He seems like a creep.See also: pole, touch

nine times out of ten

Almost every time. Nine times out of ten, I can count on getting stopped at this red light. A: "Do people always pay extra to get the combo meal?" B: "Nine times out of ten."See also: nine, of, out, ten, times

possession is nine-tenths of the law

Actually possessing or having custody of something represents a strong legal claim to it (moreso than simply claiming ownership). She's arguing that the antique stopwatch rightfully belongs to her, but possession is nine-tenths of the law.See also: law, of, possession

at the tender age of

At the young age of. This phrase is used to emphasize how young one was when one did something in particular. The age is stated after "of." I'm not surprised to hear that he was doing science experiments at the tender age of seven—he's a child genius!See also: age, of, tender

ten out of ten

A perfect score; full marks; an exceptional effort or outcome. The plot was a little flimsy, but I'd give the amazing visuals in the film a ten out of ten.See also: of, out, ten

the top five/ten/etc.

The top (five, ten, twenty, etc.) best-selling or highest-ranked things in a list. The film debuted at number 1 in the box office, but it fell out of the top ten by the following week. It has constantly been ranked in the top five best games for the Nintendo Entertainment System.See also: five, ten, top

10-4

OK; all right. Used to indicate affirmation or acknowledgment. The phrase comes from CB radio, which was commonly used (especially by truck drivers) before the proliferation of cell phones. A: "I'm going to pull over up ahead." B: "10-4."

a 10

Someone or something regarded as perfect or superlative in some way (as on a scale of 1 to 10). This weather is a 10 in my book—lots of sunshine with a cool breeze. A: "Wow, that girl is gorgeous." B: "I know, she's a real 10."See also: 10

Genius is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.

Genius or things considered to have the quality of genius derive from brilliant ideas or intellect but moreso through hard work. All these successful entrepreneurs had great ideas, sure, but they worked extremely hard to realize them. Genius is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.See also: 10, 90, and, genius, inspiration, percent

hang 10

1. slang To stand on a surfboard with all 10 toes extending over the tip of the board. I'm not ready to hang 10 yet—I can barely stay upright as it is!2. slang To stand at the end of a diving board with all 10 toes extending over the edge. I just feel like my dives are better when I hang 10.See also: 10, hang

he wears a $10 hat on a five-cent head

A phrase used to emphasize that someone is wealthy but also stupid. Don't pay attention to anything that guy says—he wears a $10 hat on a five-cent headSee also: hat, he, head, on, wear

ten pounds of shit in a five-pound bag

rude slang Said of something that is physically overstuffed. No wonder you can't get your suitcase zipped—you've got ten pounds of shit in a five-pound bag!See also: bag, of, pound, shit, ten

nine times out of ten

Fig. usually; almost always. Nine times out often people will choose coffee rather than tea.See also: nine, of, out, ten, times

Possession is nine-tenths of the law.

Prov. If you actually possess something, you have a stronger legal claim to owning it than someone who merely says it belongs to him or her. Dana may say he owns this house, but we actually live in it, and possession is nine-tenths of the law.See also: law, of, possession

count to ten

Calm down, get hold of oneself. For example, Before you tell him what you think of him, count to ten. Often used as an imperative, this phrase in effect means that if one takes the time to count from one to ten one can regain one's composure. See also: count, ten

count to ten

count to ten under your breath in order to prevent yourself from reacting angrily to something.See also: count, ten

nine times out of ten

on nearly every occasion.See also: nine, of, out, ten, times

ten out of ten

full marks (used to congratulate someone for doing something perfectly).See also: of, out, ten

ˌnine times out of ˈten

(also ˌninety-nine ˌtimes out of a ˈhundred) almost always: Nine times out of ten our opponents will beat us. We just hope this is the one in ten. ♢ Ninety-nine times out of a hundred she’s right about people but this time she was wrong.See also: nine, of, out, ten, times

possession is nine points/tenths/parts of the ˈlaw

(saying) if you already have or control something, it is difficult for somebody else to take it away from you, even if they have the legal right to itSee also: law, nine, of, part, point, possession, tenth

ˌten out of ˈten (for something)

(British English, often ironic) used to say that somebody has guessed something correctly or done something very well: Not brilliant, Robyn, but I’ll give you ten out of ten for effort.See also: of, out, ten

ten-four

and 10-4 interj. okay. (Citizens band radio.) Ten-four, old buddy. I will do that.

10-4

verbSee ten-four

possession is nine-tenths of the law

Custody presumes ownership. The basis of this legal maxim that comes down from the 17th-century is the commonsense observation that if you have control of something, chances are better than average that it's yours. Lawyers term it a rebuttable presumption: ownership is recognized unless disproved by someone holding a more valid claim. The phrase started life as “possession is nine points of the law,” which referred to possession's satisfying nine out of eleven factors that constituted absolute ownership. However, “nine-tenths” entered popular usage to reflect the idea that custody is 90 percent of legal ownership.See also: law, of, possession

10

10

10 Downing Street

count to ten

handbags at ten paces

Number Ten

(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)

quarter past (a given hour in time)

ten to the dozen

take ten

be ten a penny

not touch (someone or something) with a ten-foot pole

I wouldn't touch (someone or something) with a ten-foot pole

nine times out of ten

possession is nine-tenths of the law

at the tender age of

ten out of ten

the top five/ten/etc.

10-4

a 10

Genius is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.

hang 10

he wears a $10 hat on a five-cent head

ten pounds of shit in a five-pound bag

nine times out of ten

Possession is nine-tenths of the law.

count to ten

count to ten

nine times out of ten

ten out of ten

ˌnine times out of ˈten

possession is nine points/tenths/parts of the ˈlaw

ˌten out of ˈten (for something)

ten-four

10-4

possession is nine-tenths of the law

10

10

Synonyms for 10

noun the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one

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adj being one more than nine

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