when you are supposed to be doing work at school but you are doing something else on your computer and your teacher walks by so you write "I am pretending to type something" so it looks like you're busy working.
-hey, what were you typing in classyesterday?
-i was typing "i am pretending to type something".
a sequence of events wherein each event sets a new, higher standard that will act as a precedent for all subsequent events.
-As far as I know, this phrase has never been coined or defined before.
Bob tells funny stories and does spontaneous imitations at work. each one is a little funnier than the one before. his co-worker's expectations track with his performance so that now he has to maintain the gradient of improvement every time he opens his mouth or, - and this is the key- they will respond as if it was less funny than it really is. He has trapped himself in a system of ascending precedents.
Mostly associated with females however also seen in males, preening is the act of trying to make oneself more attractive to a potential mate or person of the opposite sex.
A common preening technique is straightening of clothing or flicking of ones hair.
More showy forms of preening would include metaphorically wiping dust off ones shoulders showing they are smooth commonly seen in some men trying to impress.
Dianne saw an attractive guy sitting on the park bench
Guy looks up at her
Dianne instant ly reacted by preening herself, flicking her hair before walking past the guy