passy-measure
/ˈpɑːsimɛʒə/ /ˈpasimɛʒə/(also passing-measure) Now historical
noun
= passamezzo. Frequently attributive and in plural, especially in passy-measures pavane.
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in Nicholas Breton (?1555–c1626), poet. Apparently alteration by folk etymology of passamezzo; in β and some forms with further alteration of the first element to passing and pace respectively after Italian passa- and passo.
- between jobs
- between ourselves (or you and me)
- between the devil and the deep blue sea
- between you and me and the bedpost (or the gatepost or the wall)
- between you and me and the gatepost
- between you and me and the wall
- be twice the man/woman (that someone is)
- betwixt
- betwixt and between
- be two a penny
- be two (or ten) a penny
- beun
- be unable to believe one's eyes (or ears)
- be unable to hear oneself think
- be unable to (or be hardly able to) believe one's luck
- be unable to punch one's way out of a paper bag
- be unable to see the wood (or the forest) for the trees
- be under no illusion (or illusions)
- be under the illusion that
- be up shit creek
- be up shit creek (also be up shit creek without a paddle)
- be up the creek
- be up with the lark
- beurre blanc
- beurre manié