make a fist of
To do (something) reasonably successfully.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He made a fair fist of fixing the broken chair.”
“Although she had never cooked for a large group before, she made a decent fist of the dinner party.”
“Despite his lack of formal training in the field, he made a respectable fist of managing the complex project during the director's absence.”
- 01
absence makes the heart grow fonder
One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.
- 02
cannot make it
Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.
- 03
doctors make the worst patients
It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.
- 04
enough to make a cat laugh
Very outlandish or outrageous.
- 05
enough to make the angels weep
Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.
- 06
fine feathers make fine birds
Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.
- 07
fist magnet
An annoying or angering individual; someone who compels others to assault them in rage.
- 08
hand over fist
Quickly or in great quantity, especially in reference to earning money.
Last updated August 10, 2026