21-letter words containing n, o

the oldest profession — prostitution
the origin of species — (On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life) a treatise (1859) by Charles Darwin setting forth his theory of evolution.
the press association — the national news agency for the United Kingdom and Ireland
the probation service — a criminal justice service that is mainly responsible for dealing with offenders by placing them under the supervision of a probation officer
the scout association — a worldwide movement for boys or (in some countries) girls, founded as the Boy Scouts in England in 1908 by Lord Baden-Powell with the aim of developing character and responsibility
the shipping forecast — a radio broadcast made by the BBC of weather reports and forecasts for the seas around the British Isles
the slough of despond — a state of extreme despondency, depression or degradation
the sooner the better — You say the sooner the better when you think something should be done as soon as possible.
the stationery office — (in the UK) the company that supplies the civil service with all its office supplies, machinery, printing and binding, etc
the student community — the body of students in further and higher education, considered as a whole
the women's land army — a unit of women recruited to do agricultural work in the United Kingdom during World War I and World War II
theater of operations — the part of the theater of war, including a combat zone and a communications zone, that is engaged in military operations and their support.
therapeutic community — a group-based form of therapy for mental disorders, sometimes residential
there's nothing to it — If you say 'There's nothing to it', 'There's not much to it', or 'That's all there is to it', you are emphasizing how simple you think something is.
thermal decomposition — Thermal decomposition is the process in which a chemical species breaks down when its temperature is increased.
thermal power station — a power station in which heat is converted into electricity
thermophosphorescence — thermoluminescence.
thin end of the wedge — anything unimportant in itself that implies the start of something much larger
think outside the box — to think in a different, innovative, or original manner, esp with regard to business practices, products, systems, etc
threatening behaviour — intimidation or intentional behaviour that causes another person to fear injury or harm
throw one's hat at it — to give up all hope of getting or achieving something
throw someone a curve — a continuously bending line, without angles.
ticker-tape reception — (mainly in New York) the showering of the motorcade of a distinguished politician, visiting head of state, etc, with ticker tape as a sign of welcome
tide-generating force — the difference between the force of gravity exerted by the moon or the sun on a particle of water in the ocean and that exerted on an equal mass of matter at the centre of the earth. The lunar tide-generating forces are about 2.2 times greater than are the solar ones
time and motion study — the systematic investigation and analysis of the motions and the time required to perform a specific operation or task with a view to seeking more efficient methods of production as well as setting time standards.
to be arrayed against — to be opposed to
to be hard luck on sb — to be unfortunate or unlucky for someone
to be in dire straits — to be in a position of acute difficulty
to be mixed up in sth — if you are mixed up in something, usually something bad, you are involved in it
to be on an even keel — If you say that someone or something is on an even keel, you mean that they are working or progressing smoothly and steadily, without any sudden changes.
to bend someone's ear — If you say that someone is bending your ear about something, you mean that they keep talking to you about it because they think it is important; used especially when you are irritated by this.
to blow sth wide open — to expose something
to box someone's ears — If someone boxes a child's ears, they hit them on the side of their head as a punishment.
to change the subject — When someone involved in a conversation changes the subject, they start talking about something else, often because the previous subject was embarrassing.
to cross your fingers — If you cross your fingers, you put one finger on top of another and hope for good luck. If you say that someone is keeping their fingers crossed, you mean they are hoping for good luck.
to dig one's heels in — If you dig your heels in or dig in your heels, you refuse to do something such as change your opinions or plans, especially when someone is trying very hard to make you do so.
to fall into the trap — If someone falls into the trap of doing something, they think or behave in a way which is not wise or sensible.
to feather one's nest — If you say that someone is feathering their nest, you mean that they are getting a lot of money out of something, so that they can lead a comfortable life.
to fly in the face of — If an action or belief flies in the face of accepted ideas or rules, it seems to completely oppose or contradict them.
to fly off the handle — If you fly off the handle, you suddenly and completely lose your temper.
to get into high gear — if people or an activity go into high gear, moves into high gear, etc, people do what they were doing more intensely, or the activity becomes more intense
to have green fingers — If someone has green fingers, they are very good at gardening and their plants grow well.
to have money to burn — If you say that someone has money to burn, you mean that they have more money than they need or that they spend their money on things that you think are unnecessary.
to hit the bookstands — (of a book) to be published
to kick someone's ass — To kick ass or to kick someone's ass means to show them that you are angry with them, either by telling them or by using physical force.
to kill a mockingbird — a novel (1960) by Harper Lee.
to know your own mind — If you know your own mind, you are sure about your opinions, and are not easily influenced by other people.
to lay down your life — If someone lays down their life for another person, they die so that the other person can live.
to lay something bare — If you lay something bare, you uncover it completely so that it can then be seen.
to let your hair down — If you let your hair down, you relax completely and enjoy yourself.

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