An anapodoton is a rhetorical device in which a main clause of a phrase that is not mentioned is implied by a subordinate clause that is mentioned. Some of such expressions are idiomatic and are entries in the Wiktionary.
| Anapodoton
|
Full phrase
|
| all good things |
all good things come to an end
|
| best laid plans |
the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry
|
| if it looks like a duck |
if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck
|
| if looks could kill |
A sentence such as “If looks could kill, her look would have led to a murder of the person she was looking at.”
|
| if pigs had wings |
if pigs had wings they would fly
|
| if the cap fits |
if the cap fits, wear it
|
| if the mountain won't come to Muhammad |
if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain
|
| if the shoe fits |
if the shoe fits, wear it
|
| opinions are like assholes |
opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and they all stink
|
| plus ça change |
plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose (French)
|
| speak of the devil |
speak of the devil and he shall appear
|
| when in Rome |
when in Rome, do as the Romans do
|
| when the cat's away |
when the cat's away the mice will play
|
| where there is a will |
where there is a will there is a way
|
