one too many
One or more servings too many of alcohol, leading to drunkenness.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He had one too many and started acting silly.”
“After having one too many at the party, he decided it was time to call a taxi home.”
“The guest had clearly consumed one too many, as his speech became slurred and his behavior grew increasingly erratic throughout the evening.”
From the concept of consuming one drink of an alcoholic beverage too many, first recorded in the early 20th century. The phrase relies on the elision of the noun to imply the specific point at which intoxication transitions from a social state to a medical one.
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as best one can
In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.
- 02
as far as one knows
To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.
- 03
back to square one
Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.
- 04
beat as one
To share the same feelings.
- 05
become one flesh
To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.
- 06
bite off more than one can chew
To try to do too much; to take on or attempt more than one is capable of doing.
- 07
bite the big one
To perform poorly; to fail.
- 08
bite the hand that feeds one
To cause harm to a benefactor (especially one that one is dependent on, thus with the idea that this behaviour is self-damaging).
Last updated August 10, 2026