ENGLISH
REFERENCE

act of Congress

idiom
Meaning

An authorization that is extremely difficult to obtain, especially in a timely fashion.


Origin

disputed origin

From the literal sense of act (“legislation”) enacted by US Congress.

Examples
SIMPLE

Getting a refund from that company takes an act of Congress.

CONTEXTUAL

I needed to get the manager's signature, but it felt like an act of Congress just to find him.

COMPLEX

Securing approval for the new building project required such extensive paperwork that it felt like an act of Congress to finally move forward.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  2. 02

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  3. 03

    act out

    To perform something specific.

  4. 04

    act the hypocrite

    To behave deceitfully or hypocritically; to dissemble.

  5. 05

    act up

    To misbehave; to cause trouble.

  6. 06

    clean up one's act

    To reform; to improve one's habits.

  7. 07

    get into the act

    To participate in an activity, especially a successful or attractive one.

  8. 08

    get one's act together

    To become serious, organized, worthwhile, etc.

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