Part 72

"This phrase is always applied when people, with pretence of friendship, do you an ill turn, as one licking a mote out of your eye makes it blood shot."--Allan Ramsay.

He'll mak a spune or spoil a horn.

"Ay, ay, we're a' subject to a downcome. Mr Osbaldistone is a gude honest gentleman; but I aye said he was ane o' them wad mak a spune or spoil a horn, as my father, the worthy deacon, used to say."--Rob Roy.

He'll mend when he grows better, like sour ale in summer.

"The young laird of Balmawhapple, ... he had no imperfection but that of keeping light company at a time; such as Jinker the horse-couper, and Gibby Gaethroughwi't, the piper o' Cupar; 'O' whilk follies, Mr Saunderson, he'll mend, he'll mend,' pronounced the bailie. 'Like sour ale in summer,' added Davie Gellatley, who happened to be nearer the conclave than they were aware of."--Waverley.

He'll need to dree the dronach o't.

He'll ne'er send you awa wi' a sair heart.

He'll neither dance nor haud the candle.

Like the dog in the manger, he will neither enjoy himself, nor allow others to do so.

He'll neither dee nor do weel.

Sarcastically applied to people who may be peevish or fretful through ill health.

He'll neither haud nor bind.

"'Then, if ye maun hae't, the folk in Lunnun are a' clean wud about this bit job in the north here.' 'Clean wood! what's that?' 'Ou, just real daft--neither to haud nor to bind--a' hirdy girdy--clean through ither--the deil's ower Jock Wabster.'"--Rob Roy.

"A proverbial phrase expressive of violent excitement, whether in respect of rage, or of folly, or of pride; borrowed, perhaps, from the fury of an untamed beast, which cannot be so long held that it may be bound with a rope."--Jamieson.

He'll neither hup nor wine.

Of similar import to the preceding. Hup and wine are two words used in guiding plough and cart horses.

He'll never rue but ance, and that'll be a' his life.

"Ride down to Portanferry, and let nae grass grow at the nag's heels; and if ye find him in confinement, ye maun stay beside him night and day for a day or twa, for he'll want friends that hae baith heart and hand; and if ye neglect this, ye'll never rue but ance, for it will be for a' your life."--Guy Mannering.

He'll no gie an inch o' his will for a span o' his thrift.

That is, regardless of expense, his wishes must be gratified.

He'll no gie the head for the washing.

To "keep the head for the washing" is to retain possession of an article which has been made to order or repaired until all charges upon it are paid.

He'll no let the grass grow at his heels.

He'll no sell his hen on a rainy day.

He will not sell his wares at an unpropitious time.

He'll rather turn than burn.

He'll shoot higher that shoots at the moon, than he that shoots at the midden, e'en though he may miss his mark.

He'll soon be a beggar that canna say "No."