break a butterfly on a wheel

To use excessive force to accomplish something that can be done with far less.

Break a butterfly on a wheel: Sending a SWAT team to deal with a fifteen year old kid disturbing the peace by having his music turned up too loud.

The original phrase "Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?" was a line from the poem "Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot”, which referenced an ancient torture method known as the “breaking wheel” or “Catherine wheel”.

break a butterfly on a wheel by |SaltyJack| August 31, 2019

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break a butterfly on the wheel

to waste effort on something that there is no chance of succeeding at.

He keeps trying to get it published but I think he is just trying to break a butterfly on the wheel

break a butterfly on the wheel by Mehrdad.Hosseiny January 24, 2009

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dunzo

Dunzo, a slang word for done/finshed. Made famous by the Laguna Beach cast.

This car is so dunzo. (Kristin's car breaks down.)

dunzo by Joey Pellet December 8, 2004

Word of the Day on June 20, 2026

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ankle biter

Someone or something that bites your ankles.
To a postman, an ankle biter is often known as a dog.
To an adult, an ankle biter may be a toddler.
To hikers, an ankle biter is sometimes a tick.
And so on.

"Dang ankle biter took off my whole leg!!"

ankle biter by the sane maniac February 2, 2004

Word of the Day on June 19, 2026

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Male Pattern Blindness

When a man will search for hours to find something that is laying out in the open on a table. Items are often easily found by a women.

Man: "I have been searching for hours for keys."
Woman: "You mean the ones sitting there on the coffee table?"
Man: "Where?"
Woman: "Right there in the middle of that table."
Man: "oh, must have been Male Pattern Blindness"

Male Pattern Blindness by diablo581 February 10, 2008

Word of the Day on June 18, 2026

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Pretty Privilege

A person who has more opportunities, and becomes more successful in life because of how attractive they are.

"Pretty privilege isn't a thing." "Yes it is have you seen GeorgeNotFound"

"GeorgeNotFound has so much pretty privilege its not fair!!!"

Pretty Privilege by justagirljustme March 12, 2021

Word of the Day on June 17, 2026

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priors

Prior convictions

Jenny got in more trouble after being arrested because she had priors.

priors by Jermaine Young. October 14, 2008

Word of the Day on June 16, 2026

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