hundred

Extremely strong or potent. Its original sense refers to the alcohol content of liquor. This cleanser is 110 proof. If it can't get the stain out, nothing can.

A person, group, or organization so powerful (either by size or by influence) that it does not need to heed the rules or threats of others. It refers to the riddle "Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit?" (Answer: "Wherever it likes.") Primarily heard in US. Don't mess with that guy; he's like an 800-pound gorilla! These big corporations act like 800-pound gorillas, making up the rules to suit themselves.

An effort towards something that is greater than one believes one is capable of doing, i.e., beyond 100% of one's ability; often used as a motivation in sports. Primarily heard in US. Alright guys, we all need to dig deep for the second half of the game. Go out there and give a hundred and ten percent and bring home a win!

To be correct or successful around half of the time. Taken from baseball terminology, referring to the average times a player makes a hit when at bat (i.e. the batting average). One hit for every two at-bats is a .500 batting average. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. That math exam didn't go so well, I only batted five hundred or so. The market is so hit and miss at the moment, you can only really expect to be batting five hundred at best.

To put forth the absolute maximum amount of effort or energy possible (i.e., even more than is usually required or seems possible). We're going to have to give 110% if we want to get this project finished by the deadline. A win today secures our spot in the championship, so go out there and give 110%!

To leave one's job/office/post. If members of the British House of Parliament wish to resign from office before the end of their term, they must apply to the honorary post of the "Chiltern Hundreds" (an obsolete administrative district in south-central England). Primarily heard in UK. I can't stand this job's stressful clients and erratic schedule any longer—it's time for me to apply for the Chiltern Hundreds. You better give Mark a raise or something. Otherwise, I think he's going to apply for the Chiltern Hundreds, and then you'll have to fill his position all over again!

In military time, a non-specific time in the early morning, before the sun rises. Why are we meeting at oh dark hundred? That's too early to do anything besides sleep!

The weathiest and most powerful of the social elite. The phrase allegedly originated from the number of people that Caroline Schermerhorn Astor (wife of US millionaire John Jacob Astor) could fit inside her ballroom. Primarily heard in US. Thanks to my new husband, I am now part of the Four Hundred and the recipient of many jealous looks.

in groups of 12. (Compare this with by the dozens.) Eggs are normally sold by the dozen.

Prov. The first hundred years of your life are the hardest, and after that, you can expect things to get easier; in other words, your whole life will probably be difficult. (A jocular, ironic way to console someone who is having difficulties.) Don't worry; things are bound to improve for you. The first hundred years are the hardest.

Fig. nearly unique; one of a very few. He's a great guy. He's one in million. Mary's one in a hundred—such a hard worker.

in large numbers He would sit all day in the dark watching videos by the dozen.

if something is being produced by the dozen, large numbers of that thing are being produced The government is producing new policies by the dozen.

Also, by the hundred or thousand . According to a definite quantity, as in She's buying tapes by the dozen. This usage is generally employed for some kind of rate. A 1950 film about efficiency expert Frank Gilbreth and his family was entitled Cheaper by the Dozen. [c. 1300]