No better than you should be.

No better than you should be.

To be praised by a man who has won his laurels.

To be praised by a man who has won his laurels.

To swallow gudgeons ere they're catch'd.
And count their chickens ere they're hatch'd.

To swallow gudgeons ere they're catch'd.
And count their chickens ere they're hatch'd.

Turn over a new leaf.

Turn over a new leaf.

The coast was clear.

The coast was clear.

A precious pair of brothers [i.e., rascals].

A precious pair of brothers [i.e., rascals].

As cold as cucumbers.

As cold as cucumbers.

Like his that lights a candle to the sun.

Like his that lights a candle to the sun.

To seek a laurel wreath from a bride-cake. [To seek glory by
some trifling performance. A carpet knight.]

To seek a laurel wreath from a bride-cake. [To seek glory by
some trifling performance. A carpet knight.]