partial or superficial knowledge or information leads to more serious errors than complete ignorance

A little learning is a dangerous
thing, but a lot of ignorance is just as bad. Google

A little learning is a dangerous thing, but we must take
that risk because a little is as much as our biggest heads can hold.  Google

So they can only be talking about a superficial familiarity, not a deep understanding.
As Alexander Pope said, a little learning is a dangerous thing. Google

a writer of essays, poetry, criticism, novels, who is likely to be of lasting literary worth

He leads the busy life of a professional
man of letters, which I gather is not exactly how he wants to be looked at. Google

 Teen is a man of letters in the puzzle world.  Google

He was "The Last Man of Letters" in our increasingly unimaginative age of information.
 Google

a person or a book with a lot of information

This book is a mine of information, but it is no dry history book, nor
a guide for geologists and miners. Google

The ECATT site is a mine of information on all aspects of the digital economy,
including materials, links and cases related to flexible working !  Google

This book is a mine of information on all aspects of gold and its uses. Google

a subject on which there are, or may be, different opinions, which may be discussed but not, as yet, settled

Lack of bars is a moot point. Google

Abbott wants more board oversight, others say a moot point. Google

Moot Point. Are you then saying that people who are uncertain
about the appropariate usage of the word moot should remain mute? Google

a recently enrolled pupil in a school

On a personal note, in my very early days on the staff of Ipswich Art School, Squirrell was teaching and I have very fond memories of the kindness and helpfulness which this most likeable man extended to me as a new boy.  BNCI

It was in September 1953 that I arrived as a new boy at Woolverstone Hall School and it may be that Ray was also new to the school.  BNCI

Finlayson's flight consisted of Richards and a new boy called Tribe, a big, broad New Zealander.  BNCI

an account of sth that is totally untrue

Democrats would have you believe a pack of lies. Google

Former minister Neil Hamilton has told the High Court that allegations about him
taking cash for asking questions in the House of Commons are a "pack of lies".  Google

You can't just write a pack of lies!' Google

a written description

As an important element of the initial application process for
the role of External Adviser every candidate must complete a pen portrait.  Google

Clearly there are 16 possible types, and most profiling systems offer a pen-portrait
of each one.  Google

I take about an hour to read your palm in detail, and I
can send you a pen portrait if you wish by email or post.  Google

a novel, film, play that repdoduces the activities, life-styles and manners of a previous era

 More than a period piece --; it dates from 1924 --; it may throw light on the view of marriage that led to Humanae Vitae .  BNCI

While it may not fall within the same category as Dances with Wolves as an illustration of a time and people grossly misrepresented, it is a period piece of some strength and charm which just falls short of the epithet epic.  BNCI

'To recreate a period piece in Delhi was a heroic task. Google

extremely easy

It's a piece of cake until you get to the top. google

But with easy-Radio in control it's a piece of cake. Google

At the end of each successful occasion you will be able to stand tall and say,
"it was a piece of cake" (no pun intended) (well it was intended really). Google

sb who has learned a lot from a failure, misjudgement or mishap

He hath experienced many catapult shots and arrested
landings and hence is a sadder and wiser man than thou. Google

This graduate student came back
to our institution a sadder and wiser man. Google

Now he had a bump on his
head which made him a sadder and wiser man. Google

sb who is always trying to seem more clever than everybody else in a way that is annoying

Never respond with a smart-aleck remark in return. Google

At every opportunity, simply show you're not affected, and never stoop to being a smart aleck yourself. Google

Lisa Remer Carla's music shows that being a smart aleck isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Google

a subject of interest, worthy of discussion

World dialect explosion becomes a talking point.  Google

Talking Point reserves the right to terminate access to a Talking Point discussion
group to any participant who does not abide by these terms and conditions. Google

If you
would like to suggest a talking point of the day, email the editor.  Google

a series of consecutive thoughts

He was confused. lose my train of thought, forget my order of thoughts
or words. Google

That was my train of thought as I hurried to the old station
one Sunday afternoon to get some rail brochures.  Google

The train of thought webring
is a webring designed for websites that encourage thought and introspection. Google

sb who has and uses an extensive vocabulary

Have you ever been called a walking dictionary because
your vocabulary is so expansive?  google

He was a good student of history and geography and was called ‘a
walking dictionary" because of the words that he could define. Google

 David
is a walking dictionary of Folk music. Google

sb who spoils other people´s enjoyment of something by refusing to join in an activity

We were all having a good time until Harold walked in and started acting like a wet blanket. Google

Hating to resemble a wet blanket he held his peace.  BNCI

But I haven't done anything --; except be an absolute misery,'; she added honestly as she realised for perhaps the first time what a wet blanket she had been.  BNCI

The morose Mitchells wins the wet blanket award.  BNCI