accord



by all accounts

According to the information or reports that are available or from what people are saying. I don't know how we survived that plane crash; by all accounts, we should be dead right now! By all accounts, this film is the best one of the year!
See also: account, all

according to Cocker

Indicates and/or emphasizes that something is correct, right, or reliable. Refers to 17th-century English arithmetician Edward Cocker. Primarily heard in UK. Now that I've read over my thesis five times, I am quite sure it's free of errors and completed according to Cocker! The car leaking that much oil does not seem to be according to Cocker—I think you should take it to the shop as soon as possible.
See also: accord

according to Gunter

Indicates and/or emphasizes that something is correct, right, or reliable. Considered the American equivalent of the British phrase, "according to Cocker." Refers to 16th-century English mathematician Edmund Gunter. Now that I've read over my thesis five times, I am quite sure it's free of errors and completed according to Gunter! The car leaking that much oil does not seem to be according to Gunter—I think you should take it to the shop as soon as possible.
See also: accord

stretch (one's) legs according to the coverlet

To not spend more money than one makes; to adapt to one's current financial situation. The image is of one positioning oneself as best as possible in a bed that is too small. This new job doesn't pay as well as my old one, so I really need to stretch my legs according to the coverlet and budget responsibly.
See also: accord, leg, stretch

with one accord

Unanimously; in total agreement. Yes, we made that decision with one accord.
See also: accord, one

accord with

To match or agree with something. The suspect's statement does not accord with the information witnesses have given us.
See also: accord

according to (someone/something)

1. As stated by another individual or source. According to the almanac, we're going to have a very hot summer this year. That restaurant is excellent, according to Tom.
2. Proportionate to something. Nate gets paid time and a half according to how many hours of overtime he works.
See also: accord

according to all accounts

Based on all reports or sources. According to all accounts, Lisa was last seen was at the Italian restaurant on the corner. According to all accounts, he was out of town the night of the murder.
See also: accord, account, all

according to Hoyle

According to accepted standards or rules. The phrase refers to 17th-century British writer Edmond Hoyle, who wrote extensively on the rules of card games. According to Hoyle, this is the proper way to change a tire. I refuse to propose to my boyfriend. The man is supposed to propose to the woman, according to Hoyle.
See also: accord

according to (one's) own lights

Based on one's beliefs or inclinations. You may not agree with Kara's free-spirited lifestyle, but she has always lived according to her own lights.
See also: accord, lights, own

accord with something

to agree with or match up with something; to jibe with something. Does this accord with what you heard?
See also: accord

according to all accounts

 and by all accounts
from all the reports [that are available]; according to what everyone is saying. According to all accounts, the police were on the scene immediately. By all accounts, it was a very poor performance.
See also: accord, account, all

according to Hoyle

according to the rules; in keeping with the way something is normally done. (Alludes to the rules for playing games. Edmond Hoyle wrote a widely used book with rules for card games. This expression is usually used for something other than games.) That's wrong. According to Hoyle, this is the way to do it.
See also: accord

according to one's own lights

according to the way one believes; according to the way one's conscience or inclinations lead one. John may have been wrong, but he did what he did according to his own lights.
See also: accord, lights, own

according to someone or something

as said or indicated by someone or something. According to the weather forecast, this should be a beautiful day.
See also: accord

according to something

in proportion to something. You will get paid according to the number of hours that you work.
See also: accord

cut one's coat according to one's cloth

 and cut one's coat to suit one's cloth
Prov. to plan one's aims and activities in line with one's resources and circumstances. We would like a bigger house, but we must cut our coat according to our cloth. They can't afford a vacation abroad—they have to cut their coat according to their cloth.
See also: accord, cloth, coat, cut

in accord (with someone or something) (about someone or something)

agreeing with someone or something. I am in complete accord with you about the policy changes. We are in accord about the proposal.
See also: accord

of one's own accord

 and of one's own free will
by one's own choice, without coercion. I wish that Sally would choose to do it of her own accord. I'll have to order her to do it because she won't do it of her own free will.
See also: accord, of, own

reach an accord (with someone)

 and reach an agreement (with someone)
to come to an agreement with someone. I hope that we can reach an accord with the union so work can start again. We will try one more time to reach an agreement with you. We reached an agreement and signed a contract.
See also: accord, reach

of somebody's/something's own accord

without being asked or forced to My mother thought something was wrong when I cleaned up my room of my own accord. My legs seemed to move of their own accord.
See also: accord, of, own

on its (own) merits

based on considering which person or thing has the best qualities Judge the product on its own merits and not on any advertising claims.
See also: merit, on

of your own accord

if you do something of your own accord, you do it without being asked to do it She left of her own accord. I didn't tell her to go.
See also: accord, of, own

cut your coat according to your cloth

  also cut your cloth according to your means
to only buy what you have enough money to pay for Of course we'd love a huge expensive house, but you have to cut your coat according to your cloth.
See also: accord, cloth, coat, cut

according to Hoyle

In keeping with established rules; on the highest authority, as in The tax records are in excellent order, all according to Hoyle. Edmond Hoyle (1679-1769) of England, author of books of rules for card games, was so highly regarded that numerous writers used his name on their own rule books, even for games that had not been invented by the time of Hoyle's death, so that his name became synonymous with any rules.
See also: accord

by all accounts

Also, according to all accounts. From all reports available, from what everyone is saying. For example, By all accounts the party was a great success, or They spent a fortune on their cruise, according to all accounts. These phrases rely on account in the sense of "a particular report or description of some event." [Late 1700s]
See also: account, all

of one's own accord

Also, of one's own free will. Voluntarily, without prompting or coercion, as in The entire audience rose of their own accord, or No, I'm climbing this mountain of my own free will. The first term dates from about 1450, the variant from about 1600.
See also: accord, of, own

on its merits

Also, on one's merits or according to one's merits . With regard only to the intrinsic quality of something or someone. For example, Who supports it doesn't matter; we have to consider the idea solely on its merits, or The agency doesn't care about her references but wants to hire candidates according to their merits . [Late 1800s]
See also: merit, on

according to Hoyle

In accord with the prescribed rules or regulations.
See also: accord

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Vincenteveen-CHEN-teItalian
Josse-French (Rare), Medieval French
PÀL-Scottish
Benjamim-Portuguese
Harrell['hærəl]
LokiLO-keeNorse Mythology