engine



employ a steam engine to crack a nut

To use excessive, overcomplicated, or extravagant means or force to accomplish something relatively minor or simple. With this new system of issuing licenses, the government has employed a steam engine to crack a nut: four separate departments now handle each stage of an application, when a single department could easily process applications from start to finish.
See also: crack, employ, engine, nut, steam

engine room

The main source of talent, power, or ability in a team or group, likened to the room that houses a ship's engine. Sarah is our engine room, so with her injured, I'm not sure how we'll be able to win on Saturday.
See also: engine, room

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Makariy-Russian (Archaic)
Tiburtius-Ancient Roman
Alfy
Wes-English
Madeleinema-də-LEN (French), mad-LEN (French), MAD-ə-lin (English), MAD-ə-lien (English)French, English, Swedish
HarrisHAR-is, HER-isEnglish