stand up on one's hind legs
To act boldly; to take responsibility.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“It is time to stand up on your hind legs and speak.”
“Instead of hiding from the mistake, he decided to stand up on his hind legs and explain what happened to his boss.”
“The senator finally stood up on his hind legs to defend his controversial policy, despite the intense pressure from his political rivals.”
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abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
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”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
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air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
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air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
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albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026