Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
handsome is as handsome does — Handsome denotes chivalrous or genteel behaviour, though it is often popularly taken to refer to good looks. At its second occurrence in the proverb the word is properly an adverb. For the common US equivalent, see pretty is as pretty does. c… … Proverbs new dictionary
handsome is as handsome does — ► handsome is as handsome does proverb character and behaviour are more important than appearance. Main Entry: ↑handsome … English terms dictionary
handsome is as handsome does — {informal} A person must act well and generously so that he will be truly worth respecting. A proverb. * /Everyone thinks that Bon is a very handsome boy, but he is very mean too. Handsome is as handsome does./ Compare: FINE FEATHERS DO NOT MAKE… … Dictionary of American idioms
handsome\ is\ as\ handsome\ does — informal proverb A person must act well and generously so that he will be truly worth respecting. Everyone thinks that Bon is a very handsome boy, but he is very mean too. Handsome is as handsome does. Compare: fine feathers do not make fine… … Словарь американских идиом
handsome is as handsome does — proverb character and behavior are more important than appearance … Useful english dictionary
Handsome — Hand some (h[a^]n s[u^]m; 277), a. [Compar. {Handsomer} ( [ e]r); superl. {Handsomest}.] [Hand + some. It at first meant, dexterous; cf. D. handzaam dexterous, ready, limber, manageable, and E. handy.] 1. Dexterous; skillful; handy; ready;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
handsome — ► ADJECTIVE (handsomer, handsomest) 1) (of a man) good looking. 2) (of a woman) striking and imposing rather than conventionally pretty. 3) (of a thing) well made, imposing, and of obvious quality. 4) (of an amount) substantial; sizeable. ●… … English terms dictionary
handsome — see handsome is as handsome does … Proverbs new dictionary
To do the handsome thing — Handsome Hand some (h[a^]n s[u^]m; 277), a. [Compar. {Handsomer} ( [ e]r); superl. {Handsomest}.] [Hand + some. It at first meant, dexterous; cf. D. handzaam dexterous, ready, limber, manageable, and E. handy.] 1. Dexterous; skillful; handy;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
pretty is as pretty does — US equivalent to handsome is as handsome does. 1853 T. C. HALIBURTON Sam Slick’s Wise Saws i. 136 Avery smart little boy; and Old Hundreth..tells me you are a very good boy, and that’s better, for pretty is as pretty does. a 1871 A. CARY ‘Pretty… … Proverbs new dictionary
