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[canned music]{n.} Recorded music, as opposed to music played live. •/"Let us go to a real concert, honey," Mike said. "I am tired of all this canned music we’ve been listening to."/

[canoe] See: PADDLE ONE’S OWN CANOE.

[can of worms]{n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A complex problem, or complicated situation. •/Let’s not get into big city politics — that’s a different can of worms./ 2. A very restless, jittery person. •/Joe can’t sit still for a minute — he is a can of worms./

[can’t help but]{informal} also {formal} [cannot but] {v. phr.} To be forced to; can only; must. •/When the streets are full of melting snow, you can’t help but get your shoes wet./ •/When a friend gave Jim a ticket to the game, he couldn’t help but go./ •/When a close friend dies, you cannot but feel sad./ Compare: CAN HELP, HAVE TO.

[can’t make an omelette without breaking (some) eggs] To achieve a certain goal one must sometimes incur damage, experience difficulties, or make sacrifices. — A proverb. •/When we drove across the country, we put a lot of mileage on our car and had a flat tire, but it was a pleasant trip. "Well, you can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs," my wife said with a smile./

[can’t see the wood for the trees] or [can’t see the woods for the trees] or [can’t see the forest for the trees] {v. phr.} To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the value or the aim of the future achievement. •/Teachers sometimes notice language errors and do not see the good ideas in a composition; they cannot see the woods for the trees./ •/The voters defeated a bond issue for the new school because they couldn’t see the forest for the trees; they thought of their taxes rather than of their children’s education./ •/We should think of children’s growth in character and understanding more than of their little faults and misdeeds; some of us can’t see the wood for the trees./

[cap] See: FEATHER IN ONE’S CAP, SET ONE’S CAP FOR, PUT ON ONE’S THINKING CAP.

[cap the climax]{v. phr.} To exceed what is already a high point of achievement. •/Sam’s piano recital was great, but Bill’s performance capped the climax./

[card] See: CREDIT CARD, FLASH CARD, HOUSE OF CARDS, IN THE CARDS or ON THE CARDS, LAY ONE’S CARDS ON THE TABLE, PLAY ONE’S CARDS RIGHT, PUT ONE’S CARDS ON THE TABLE, STACK THE CARDS, TRUMP CARD.

[cards stacked against one] See: STACK THE CARDS.

[card up one’s sleeve]{n. phr.}, {informal} Another help, plan, or argument kept back and produced if needed; another way to do something. •/John knew his mother would lend him money if necessary, but he kept that card up his sleeve./ •/Bill always has a card up his sleeve, so when his first plan failed he tried another./ Compare: ACE IN THE HOLE(2).

[care] See: COULDN’T CARE LESS, HAVE A CARE, GIVE A HANG or CARE A HANG, TAKE CARE.