That is, a dangerous position, as butter in the embrace of a dog
certainly is.

Like Cranshaws kirk--there's as mony dogs as folk, and neither room for
reel nor rock.

"In a remote pastoral region, like that of Cranshaws, lying in the
midst of the Lammermoor hills, it is or was usual for shepherds'
dogs to accompany their masters to the church; and in times of
severe stormy weather, few people except the shepherds, who are
accustomed to be out in all weathers, could attend divine service;
and in such circumstances, it may have occurred that the dogs may
have equalled in number the rational hearers of the Word. We have
heard the saying applied by bustling servant girls to a scene where
three or four dogs were lounging about a kitchen hearth, and
impeding the work."--_G. Henderson._

Liked gear is half-bought.

"When wares please, a bargain is soon made."--_English._

Like draws aye to like, like an auld horse to a fell dike.

Persons of similar tastes draw towards and sympathize with each
other. "Like will to like--a scabbed horse and a sandy
dike."--_Danish._ "Like will to like, as the devil said to the
coal-burner."--_German._

Like hens, ye rin aye to the heap.

Spoken jocularly to those who help themselves to what there is most
of on the table.

Like Hilton kirk, baith narrow and mirk, and can only haud its ain
parish folk.

"Hilton kirk was a very small edifice in Berwickshire, and it would
seem from the saying not very well lighted. When any number of
strangers came as hearers, the accommodation was deficient; the
saying is used when many persons assemble in a small house, and
there is little room to stir about."--_G. Henderson._

Like Lamington's mare, ye break brawly aff, but sune set up.

Likely lies i' the mire, and unlikely gets ower.

Meaning that many undertakings which promise favourably at first
often fail; while those of which no great hopes are entertained are
successfully carried through.

Like maister, like man; like priest, like offering.

Like Moses' breeks, neither shape, form, nor fashion.

Like Orkney butter, neither gude to eat nor creesh woo.

"A minister having in these words compared the covenant, made it a
proverb. Applied to a thing that is useful no way."--_Kelly._

Like paddy's ghost, twa steps ahint.

Like's an ill mark amang ither folk's sheep.