child’s play—said of smth. very easily done or of very little importance: The work of reformation is child’s play to that of making your friends believe you have reformed. China syndrome • Chinese restaurant syndrome China syndrome—1. (dated) possibility of a catastrophe as a result of a nuclear reactor meltdown: If the heat in the molten fuel cannot be dissipated by conductivity, then the danger from the so-called China Syndrome would be much higher. 2. (Business) relocating manufacturing operations to China to reduce labor costs: It was pointed out that the new European Union countries were actually an alternative for the so-called China Syndrome . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase Vietnam syndrome—(U.S.) an attitude that diplomacy may be more effective in solving political problems than the use of military force (stemming from the American experience in Viet- nam): Lee characterized the new war as an attempt to over- come the Vietnam syndrome to prove we can fight and win. Chinese restaurant syndrome—a group of symptoms varying from sweating and dizziness to heart palpitation observed in some people eating Chinese food (associated with the food ad- ditive “monosodium glutamate” used in Chinese cooking): Chi - nese restaurant syndrome is best diagnosed by the symptoms that a person describes. Chinese auction • Dutch auction Chinese auction—an auction, commonly in a charity type setting, in which bidders buy tickets which are essentially their chances to win items: We will have our usual Chinese auction , which has been so popular in the past. Dutch auction—an auction in which the auctioneer pro- gressively lowers the price until a bidder agrees to buy: Sarah de Clercq began her career as a picture specialist at a Dutch auction house. chocolate soldier • toy soldier chocolate soldier —(derog.) 1. a soldier unwilling to fight: They are chocolate soldiers who merely go to see battles and coolly urge others to fight them. 2. a militiaman or conscripted soldier: Conscripts, known as “chocos” (chocolate soldiers ) were not required to serve outside prescribed areas. toy soldier —(also: tin soldier) 1. a miniature figure of a soldier made of metal, etc.: There are thousands of different hobbies: toy soldiers , model airplanes, cigarette cards. 2. (derog.) a sol- dier in a peacetime army; a ceremonial soldier only: Poor Hugo has gone clucking back for to be a toy soldier at Alder- shot. chosen few • chosen people chosen few—(also: select few) a relatively small number of persons selected for a position of favor or privilege: The Pro- fessor is giving a dinner-party tonight, but that’s just for the chosen few . chosen people—(also: God’s chosen people) 1. the Jews, espe- cially in the Old Testament: This was a greater miracle than that of the cloud with which God defended his chosen people in the wilderness from the heat of the sun. 2. those who are “saved” in keeping with the Christian doctrine of salvation; members of the spiritual Israel: Antichrist is a holder of po- litical power who persecutes God’s chosen people . Cicero of Germany, the • German Cicero, the Cicero of Germany, the —(hist.) the name given to Johann III, elector of Brandenburg (1455–1499): Cicero of Germany , Elector of Brandenburg, could speak four hours at a stretch, in elegantly flowing Latin, with a fair share of meaning in it too. German Cicero, the—(hist.) the name given to Johann Sturm, printer and scholar (1507–1589): He has been called the German Cicero , and has arguably exerted a more powerful influence on education than any single person. citizen of nature • natural citizen citizen of nature—a human being as an integral part of the natural world (knowing no boundaries created by men): The laws of nature defined his natural rights and made him, as it were, a citizen of nature . natural citizen —(also: natural-born citizen) a person born in the country and having the legal status of citizen: I think a true American is one who is a natural citizen . Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase naturalized citizen— an immigrant from another country who has become a citizen: Mr. Johnson is a naturalized citizen of the United States, but a native of England. City Editor (UK) • City Editor (U.S.) City Editor —(UK) the editor dealing with financial news in a newspaper or magazine: Often comment by the City Ed - itors precipitated a run on shares. City Editor —(U.S.) the editor dealing with local news: The City Editor directs the work of the reporters, whose duty is to gather all the local intelligence of the day. City man • city man City man —(UK) a person engaged in commerce or finance: He had made his mark in the mercantile world as a thoroughly representative City-man . city man—1. an inhabitant of a city (as contrasted with a countryman): Mr. White might have made a whole book out of being a city man on a farm. 2. a fellow-inhabitant of a city: He headed out for Calgary or Edmonton, or any American city…. It didn’t matter. Everywhere he found his city men . City of Angels • City of Saints City of Angels—Los Angeles (California, USA): From The City of Angels to the City of Saints: The struggle to build a railroad from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City. City of Saints—1. Montreal (Quebec, Canada): Martin said he came from a city of saints , where all the streets were named after saints. 2. Salt Lake City (Utah, USA): The “City of Saints ” grew from the toil and resolve of a hardy band of Mor- mon pioneers. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase City of God—1. heaven as an ideal abode of bliss: The Chris- tians were convinced that the “City of God ” was infinitely more important than happiness on earth. 2. (also: Holy City) Jerusalem (in Christian and Judaic tradition): The city of God , Jerusalem represents a sphere in which God’s interests are pro- tected and God’s dominion is exercised. clasp hands • clasp one’s hands clasp hands—shake hands showing more emotion than in the usual handshake: At half-past three my friend and I clasped hands upon the mountain top. clasp one’s hands—press hands together with the fingers in- terlaced: Setting aside her glass, Sandra crossed her feet, clasp - ing her hands behind her head. classic play • classical play classic play —a play that serves as a standard; one that has come to be regarded as one of the best: Molly has a dream of acting in a classic play , but all the parts she likes are written for men. classical play —a play which is Roman or ancient Greek: A classical play (ancient Greek drama or work of a classical writer) is presented during the summer in cultural events held by municipalities. – 71 – classic play