ve me time to think or remember. * /I can't come today. Let me see. How about Friday?/ * /Let's see. Where did I put the key?/ [let off] {v.} 1. To discharge (a gun); explode; fire. * /Willie accidentally let off his father's shotgun and made a hole in the wall./ Syn.: GO OFF, LET LOOSE(2). 2. To permit to go or escape; excuse from a penalty, a duty, or a promise. * /Two boys were caught smoking in school but the principal let them off with a warning./ * /Mary's mother said that she would let Mary off from drying the supper dishes./ * /The factory closed for a month in the summer and let the workers off./ Compare: LET GO. 3. or {informal} [let off the hook] To miss a chance to defeat or score against, especially in sports or games. * /We almost scored a touchdown in the first play against Tech but we let them off the hook by fumbling the ball./ * /The boxer let his opponent off the hook many times./ [let off steam] or [blow off steam] {v. phr.} 1. To let or make steam escape; send out steam. * /The janitor let off some steam because the pressure was too high./ 2. {informal} To get rid of physical energy or strong feeling through activity; talk or be very active physically after forced quiet. * /After the long ride on the bus, the children let off steam with a race to the lake./ * /When the rain stopped, the boys let off steam with a ball game./ * /Bill's mother was very angry when he was late in coming home, and let off steam by walking around and around./ * /Bill had to take his foreman's rough criticisms all day and he would blow off steam at home by scolding the children./ Compare: BLOW ONE'S TOP, LET GO(6). [let off the hook] See: LET OFF(3). [let on] {v.}, {informal} 1. To tell or admit what you know. - Usually used in the negative. * /Frank lost a quarter but he didn't let on to his mother./ 2. To try to make people believe; pretend. * /The old man likes to let on that he is rich./ [let one have it] {v. phr.} 1a. {slang} To hit hard. * /He drew back his fist and let the man have it./ * /Give him a kick in the pants; let him have it!/ Syn.: GIVE IT TO. 1b. {slang} To use a weapon on; to shoot or knife. * /The guard pulled his gun and let the robber have it in the leg./ Compare: OPEN UP. 1c. or [let one have it with both barrels] {slang} To attack with words; scold; criticize. * /Mary kept talking in class until the teacher became angry and let her have it./ Syn.: LIGHT INTO(2). 2. {informal} To tell about it. - Used in the imperative phrase, "let's have it". * /Now, Mary, let's have it from the beginning./ * /We will take turns reading; John, let's have it from page one./ [let one in on] {v. phr.} To reveal a secret to; permit someone to share in. * /If I let you in on something big we're planning, will you promise not to mention it to anyone?/ [let oneself go] See: LET GO(6). [let one's hair down] or [let down one's hair] {v. phr.}, {informal} Act freely and naturally; be informal; relax. * /Kings and queens can seldom let their hair down./ * /After the dance, the college girls let their hair down and compared dates./ Compare: LET GO(6). [let one's left hand know what one's right hand is doing] {v. phr.} 1. To make a show of your kindness or help to others. - Used in the negative. * /The Bible tells us not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing when we give to the poor./ 2. {informal} To let everyone taking part in something know what each is doing; encourage cooperation in working. * /Tom told Fred and Bill to meet him in town, but he forgot to tell them where. Next time he'll let his left hand know what his right hand is doing./ - Often used in the negative. * /Our team lost today because the coach and captain did not let the left hand know what the right was doing, and the players were all mixed up./ [let out] {v.} 1a. To allow to go out or escape. * /The guard let the prisoners out of jail to work in the garden./ * /Mother won't let us out when it rains./ Compare: LET LOOSE. 1b. {informal} To make (a sound) come out of the mouth; utter. * /A bee stung Charles. He let out a yell and ran home./ * /Father told Betty to sit still and not let out a peep during church./ 2. To allow to be known; tell. * /I'll never tell you another secret if you let this one out./ Compare: LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG. 3. To make larger (as clothing) or looser; allow to slip out (as a rope). * /Mary's mother had to let out her dress because Mary is growing so tall./ * /Father hooked a big fish on his line. He had to let the line out so the fish wouldn't break it./ Compare: PIECE OUT. Contrast: TAKE IN. 4. {informal} To allow to move at higher speed. * /The rider let out his horse to try to beat the horse ahead of him./ 5. {informal} To free from blame, responsibility, or duty. - Often used with "of". * /Last time I let you out of it when you were late. I'll have to punish you this time./ * /Frank has shoveled the snow from the sidewalk. That lets me out./ Compare: LET GO, LET OFF. 6, {informal} To discharge from a job; fire. * /The shop closed down and all the men were let out./ 7. {informal} To dismiss or be dismissed. * /The coach let us out from practice at 3 o'clock./ * /I'll meet you after school lets out./ [let pass] {v. phr.} To disregard; overlook. * /Herb may have overheard what was said about him, but he decided to let it pass./ [let ride] {v. phr.}, {informal} To allow to go on without change; accept (a situation or action) for the present. * /The committee could not decide what to do about Bob's idea, so they let the matter ride for a month or so./ * /The class was rather noisy but the teacher let it ride because it was near Christmas./ * /Ruth's paper was not very good, but the teacher let it ride because she knew Ruth had tried./ Compare: LET GO(3), LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE. [let's don't] also [don't let's] {substandard} Let's not; let us not; I suggest that we don't. * /"'Let's go out and play," said Fred. "Let's don't until the rain stops," said Mary./ * /Don't let's go now. Let's go tomorrow instead./ [let's have it] See: LET HAVE IT. [let sleeping dogs lie] Do not make (someone) angry and cause trouble or danger; do not make trouble if you do not have to. - A proverb. * /Don't tell Father that you broke the window. Let sleeping dogs lie./ [let slip] {v. phr.} To unintentionally reveal. * /Ellen let it slip that she had been a witness to the accident./ [letter] See: CHAIN LETTER, NIGHT LETTER, TO THE LETTER. [letter-perfect] {adj. phr.} Memorized perfectly; perfect to the last letter. * /The actor was letter-perfect in his role./ [let the cat out of the bag] {v. phr.}, {informal} To tell about something that is supposed to be a secret. * /We wanted to surprise Mary with a birthday gift, but Allen let the cat out of the bag by asking her what she would like./ - Sometimes used in another form. * /Well, the cat is out of the bag - everybody knows about their marriage./ Compare: GIVE AWAY(3), LET OUT(2), SPILL THE BEANS. [let the chips fall where they may] {v. phr.} To pay no attention to the displeasure caused others by your actions. * /The senator decided to vote against the bill and let the chips fall where they may./ * /The police chief told his men to give tickets to all speeders and let the chips fall where they may./ Compare: COME WHAT MAY. [let the grass grow under one's feet] {v. phr.}, {informal} To waste time; be slow or idle. * /Grandpa spends so much time sitting and thinking that Grandma accuses him of letting the grass grow under his feet./ [let up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To become less, weaker, or quiet; become slower or stop. * /It's raining as hard as ever. It's not letting up at all./ * /It snowed for three days before it let up and we could go outdoors./ 2. To do less or go slower or stop; relax; stop working or working hard. * /Grandfather has been working all his life. When is he going to let up?/ * /Let up for a minute. You can't work hard all day./ * /Jim ran all the way home without letting up once./ Compare: SLOW DOWN. Contrast: BEAR DOWN. 3. To become easier, kinder, or less strict. - Usually used with "on". * /Let up on Jane. She is sick./ Syn.: EASE UP. 4. or [change up] To pitch a ball at less than full speed in baseball. - Usually used with "on". * /John pitched a ball that was very fast and the batter missed it. Then he let up on the next pitch and the batter was badly fooled./ [let well enough alone] or [leave well enough alone] {v. phr.} To be satisfied with what is good enough; not try to improve something because often that might cause more trouble. * /John wanted to make his kite go higher, but his father told him to let well enough alone because it was too windy./ * /Ed polished up his car until his friends warned him to leave well enough alone./ * /Ethel made a lot of changes in her test paper after she finished. She should have let well enough alone, because she made several new mistakes./ Compare: LET RIDE. [level] See: ON THE LEVEL. [level best] {adj. phr.} One's utmost; one's very best. * /Eric refused to stay in school although his parents did their level best to make him finish./ [levelheaded] {adj. phr.} Having good common sense; practical; reasonable. * /What our office needs is a good, level-headed manager./ [level off] or [level out] {v.} 1. To make flat or level. * /The steamroller leveled out the gravel roadbed and then the concrete was poured./ 2. To move on an even level. * /The airplane leveled out at 2,000 feet./ * /After going up for six months, the cost of living leveled off in September./ [level with] {v. phr.} To tell someone the truth; not engage in lies and subterfuge. * /"You can level with me," his father said. "Did you break that window?"/ [liberty] See: TAKE LIBERTIES. [lick and a promise] {n. phr.}, {informal} A careless, hasty job; an unsatisfactory piece of work. * /You didn't wash your hands. You just gave them a lick and a promise./ * /The boys didn't cut the grass properly. All it got was a lick and a promise./ [lickety-split] also [lickety-cut] {adv.}, {informal} At full speed; with a rush. * /As soon as school was out the boys ran lickety-split to the swimming pool./ [lick into shape] {v. phr.} To make perfect; drill; train. * /The sergeant licked the new volunteer army into shape in three months./ [lick one's boots] {v. phr.} To flatter or act like a slave; do anything to please another. * /She wanted her boyfriend to lick her boots all the time./ * /A wise king would not want his friends and officials to lick his boots./ [lick one's chops] {v. phr.}, {informal} To think about something pleasant; enjoy the thought of something. * /John is licking his chops about the steak dinner tonight./ * /Tom is licking his chops about the lifeguard job he will have at the beach next summer./ * /Our team is licking its chops because we beat the champions last night./ (From the fact that some animals lick their mouths when they expect to be fed or when they see food, and after eating.) Compare: LOOK FORWARD TO, MAKE ONE'S MOUTH WATER. [lick the --- out of] See: BEAT THE --- OUT OF. [lid] See: FLIP ONE'S LID, THE LID. [lie] See: GIVE THE LIE TO, LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE, MAKE ONE'S BED AND LIE IN IT. [lie around] {v. phr.} To be unused; inert. * /This old typewriter has been lying around ever since Grandpa died./ [lie down on the job] {v. phr.}, {informal} To purposely fail to do your job; neglect a task; loaf. * /Bill isn't trying to learn his lessons. He is lying down on the job./ * /If you lie down on your job, you will lose it./ [lief] See: AS SOON also AS LIEF, HAD AS SOON also HAD AS LIEF. [lie in state] {v. phr.} Of a dead person: To lie in a place of honor, usually in an open coffin, and be seen by the public before burial. * /When the president died, thousands of people saw his body lying in state./ [lie in wait] {v. phr.} To watch from hiding in order to attack or surprise someone; to ambush. * /The driver of the stage-coach knew that the thieves were lying in wait somewhere along the road./ [lie low] or {nonstandard} [lay low] {v.}, {informal} 1. To stay quietly out of sight; try not to attract attention; hide. * /After holding up the bank, the robbers lay low for a while./ 2. To keep secret one's thoughts or plans. * /I think he wants to be elected president, but he is lying low and not saying anything./ [lie through one's teeth] {v. phr.} To lie uninhibitedly and unashamedly. * /Everyone in the courtroom could sense that the accused was lying through his teeth./ [lie to] {v.} Of a ship: To stay in one place facing against the wind; stop. * /Our ship will lie to outside the harbor until daylight./ Compare: LAY TO(2). [lieu] See: INSTEAD OF also IN LIEU OF. [life] See: BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, BIG AS LIFE, CAT HAS NINE LIVES, CHARMED LIFE, COME ALIVE OT COME TO LIFE, FACTS OF LIFE, FOR DEAR LIFE, FOR THE LIFE OF ONE, LEAD A DOG'S LIFE, NIGHT LIFE, NOT ON YOUR LIFE OR ONE'S LIFE, TAKE ONE'S LIFE IN ONE'S HANDS, TIME OF ONE'S LIFE, YOU BET or YOU BET YOUR LIFE, WALK OF LIFE, WITHIN AN INCH OF ONE'S LIFE. [life of Riley] {n. phr.}, {informal} A soft easy life; pleasant or rich way of living. * /He's living the life of Riley. He doesn't have to work anymore./ Compare: BED OF ROSES, IN CLOVER, LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG. [life of the party] {n. phr.} A person who makes things enjoyable or interesting for a group of people. * /Bill is the life of the party at school. He is always making us laugh./ [lift a finger] or [lift a hand] also [raise a hand] {v. phr.} 1. To do something; do your share; to help. - Usually used in the negative. * /We all worked hard except Joe. He wouldn't lift a finger./ * /The king did not lift a hand when his people were hungry./ Compare: LEND A HAND. [light] See: BRING TO LIGHT, COME TO LIGHT, DASH LIGHT, HIDE ONE'S LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL, IN THE LIGHT OF, MAKE LIGHT OF, MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK, OUT LIKE A LIGHT, SEE THE LIGHT, TRAVEL LIGHT. [light-fingered] {adj.} Given to stealing; having a tendency to be dishonest or a kleptomaniac. * /I always suspected that Freddie might be lightfingered and my suspicions were confirmed when he was arrested for shoplifting./ [light housekeeping] {n.}, {slang} An arrangement in which an unmarried couple live together. * /Are Joe and Sue married? - Oh, no, - it's just a case of light housekeeping./ See: SHACK UP WITH. [light into] See: LAY INTO. [lightly] See: ONCE OVER LIGHTLY at ONCE OVER(2). [lightning never strikes twice in the same place] The same accident does not happen twice; the same person does not have the same luck again. - A proverb. * /Billy won a pony in the contest last year, but lightning never strikes twice in the same place./ [light on] also [light upon] {v.} To pick out by sight from among others; see; notice. * /His eyes lighted on the cookies and he remembered how hungry he was./ * /Her eyes lighted upon the row of boxes, and she asked what was in them./ [light out] {v.}, {slang} 1. To run as fast as you can. * /The boy lit out for home with the bully chasing him./ * /On the next pitch the runner will light out for second./ 2. To go away in a hurry; leave suddenly. - Often used with "for". * /Jack won't be in town long. He wants to light out as soon as he has enough money saved./ * /The robbers lit out for Mexico./ Syn.: BEAT IT, TAKE OFF(1), HEAD FOR THE HILLS. [light up] {v.} Suddenly to look pleased and happy. * /Martha's face lit up when she saw her old friend./ * /Tom will really light up when he sees his new bike!/ [like] See: EAT LIKE A BIRD, FEEL LIKE, LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY, NOTHING LIKE, THE LIKES OF or THE LIKE. [like a bird] See: EAT LIKE A BIRD. [like a book] See: READ ONE LIKE A BOOK. [like a fish out of water] See: FISH OUT OF WATER. [like a glove] See: FIT LIKE A GLOVE. [like a hole in the head] {adv. phr.} Not at all; scarcely; grudgingly; in an unwelcome manner. * /Joan needs her mother-in-law to stay with her for a week like a hole in the head./ [like a horse] See: EAT LIKE A HORSE. [like a light] See: OUT LIKE A LIGHT. [like a million] See: FEEL LIKE A MILLION. [like a million dollars] See: LOOK LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS. [like anything] {adv. phr.} To an extreme degree. * /He swore like anything when he found out that he hadn't been promoted./ [like a steel trap] See: MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP. [like clockwork] See: GO LIKE CLOCKWORK or GO OFF LIKE CLOCKWORK. [like crazy] See: LIKE MAD. [like father, like son] A son is usually like his father in the way he acts. - A proverb. * /Frank's father has been on the city council; he is now the mayor, and is running for governor. Frank is on the student council and is likely to he class president. Like father, like son./ * /Mr. Jones and Tommy are both quiet and shy. Like father, like son./ Compare: SPITTING IMAGE, FOLLOW IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS. [like hell] {adv.}, {slang}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} 1. With great vigor. * /As soon as they saw the cops, they ran like hell./ 2. {interj.} Not so; untrue; indicates the speaker's lack of belief in what he heard. * /Like hell you're gonna bring me my dough!/ [like it is] See: TELL IT LIKE IT IS. [like looking for a needle in a haystack] See: NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK. [like mad] or [like crazy] {adv.}, {slang}, {informal} With great enthusiasm and vigor; very fast. * /We had to drive like mad (like crazy) to get there on time./ See: LIKE HELL(1). [like two peas in a pod] {adj. phr.} Closely similar; almost exactly alike. * /The twin sisters Eve and Agnes are like two peas in a pod./ [like water] {adv. phr.} As something easily poured out or wasted; freely. - Usually used in the phrase "spend money like water". * /Sailors on shore leave often spend money like water./ * /During the World Wars, the United States spent money like water./ [like water off a duck's back] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Without changing your feelings or opinion; without effect. * /Advice and correction roll off him like water off a duck's back./ * /Many people showed him they didn't like what he was doing, but their disapproval passed off him like water off a duck's back./ [lily] See: GILD THE LILY also PAINT THE LILY. [limb] See: OUT ON A LIMB. [line] See: BLOW ONE'S LINES or FLUFF ONE'S LINES, CHOW LINE, DOWN THE LINE, DRAW A LINE or DRAW THE LINE, DROP A LINE, END OF THE ROAD or END OF THE LINE, FOUL LINE, GOAL LINE, GOAL LINE STAND, HOLD THE LINE, HOOK, LINE AND SINKER, IN LINE, IN LINE WITH, INTO LINE, LAY ON THE LINE or PUT ON THE LINE, ON THE LINE, OUT OF LINE, OUT OF LINE WITH, READ BETWEEN THE LINES, TOE THE LINE, WALK THE CHALK or WALK THE CHALK LINE. [line drive] {n.} A batted baseball that is usually hit hard and travels in the air not far above the ground. * /The batter hit a line drive to left field for a single./ [linen] See: AIR ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC or WASH ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC. [line of fire] {n. phr.} The path that something fired or thrown takes. * /When the bandit and the police began to shoot, John was almost in their line of fire./ Compare: CROSS FIRE. [line of least resistance] or [path of least resistance] {n. phr.} The easiest way; the way that takes least effort. * /In becoming a doctor like his father John had really just followed the line of least resistance./ * /Some parents take the path of least resistance with their children and let them do as they please./ [line of scrimmage] {n. phr.} An imaginary line on a football field parallel to the goal lines where each play except the kickoff begins. * /The play was stopped at the line of scrimmage./ [line one's pockets] also [line one's purse] {v. phr.}, {informal} To get a lot of money unfairly; get rich by being dishonest. * /The policeman lined his pockets by taking bribes./ * /The inspector lined his pockets by permitting contractors to use poor building materials./ Compare: FEATHER ONE'S NEST. [lineup] {n.} 1. An alignment of objects in a straight line. * /A lineup of Venus and the moon can be a very beautiful sight in the night sky./ 2. An arrangement of suspects through a one-way mirror so that the victim or the witness of a crime can identify the wanted person. * /She picked out her attacker from a police lineup./ [line up] {v. phr.} 1. To take places in a line or formation; stand side by side or one behind another; form a line or pattern. * /The boys lined up and took turns diving off the springboard./ * /The football team lined up in a "T" formation./ 2. To put in line. * /John lined up the pool balls./ 3. To adjust correctly. * /The garage man lined up the car's wheels./ 4a. {informal} To make ready for action; complete a plan or agreement for; arrange. * /Henry's friends lined up so many votes for him that he won the election./ * /Roger lined up a summer job before school was out./ * /The superintendent lined up all the new teachers he needed before he went on vacation./ 4b. {informal} To become ready for action; come together in preparation or agreement. * /The football schedule is lining up well; the coach has arranged all games except one./ * /Larry wanted to go to the seashore for the family vacation, but the rest of the family lined up against him./ Compare: GANG UP, SHAPE UP, TAKE SIDES. [lining] See: EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING. [link] See: MISSING LINK. [lion's share] {n. phr.} A disproportionate share; the largest part. * /The manager always gets the lion's share of the company's profits./ [lip] See: BUTTON ONE'S LIP or ZIP ONE'S LIP, HANG ON THE WORDS OF or HANG ON THE LIPS OF, KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP, SLIP OF THE TONGUE also SLIP OF THE LIP. [lip service] {n.} Support shown by words only and not by actions; a show of loyalty that is not proven in action. - Usually used with "pay". * /Bv holding elections, communism pays lip service to democracy, but it offers only one candidate per office./ * /Some people pay lip service to education, but don't vote taxes for better schools./ [liquid assets] {n. phr.} Those belongings that can be easily converted into cash. * /Herb asked for a loan and the bank manager told him to bring in proof of all his liquid assets./ [liquor up] {v. phr.}, {slang} To drink an excessive amount of liquor before engaging in some activity as if comparing oneself to a car that needs to be filled before a journey. * /Joe always liquors up before he takes Sue for a dance./ [list] See: SUCKER LIST, WAITING LIST. [listen in] {v.} 1. To listen to a radio broadcast. * /We found them listening in to the president's speech./ 2. To listen to the talk of others, often to talk that is not intended for your ears; eavesdrop. * /When Mary talked to her boyfriend on the telephone, her little brother listened in./ [listen to reason] {v. phr.} To listen to and think about advice that you are given. * /Joe was stubborn and would not listen to reason./ * /It will save you a lot of trouble if you will just listen to reason./ [litterbug] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who leaves garbage in a public place, such as a park or beach or a street; one who litters. * /Don't be a litterbug; keep the city clean!/ [little] See: A LITTLE, A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING, GREAT OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW, LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND, MAKE LITTLE OF, NOT A LITTLE, QUITE A LITTLE or QUITE A LITTLE BIT, THINK LITTLE OF, TWIST AROUND ONE'S LITTLE FINGER. [little does one think] {v. phr.} To not realize; not expect; be hardly aware of. * /Little did Ed think that very soon he would be the father of twin daughters./ [little folk] or [little people] See: WEE FOLK. [little frog in a big pond] or [small frog in a big pond] {n. phr.} An unimportant person in a large group or organization. * /In a large company, even a fairly successful man is likely to feel like a little frog in a big pond./ * /When Bill transferred to a larger high school, he found himself a small frog in a big pond./ Contrast: BIG FROG IN A SMALL POND. [little pitchers have big ears] Little children often overhear things they are not supposed to hear, or things adults do not expect they would notice. - A proverb. * /Be especially careful not to swear in front of little children. Little pitchers have big ears./ [little theater] {n.} A theater, usually with nonprofessional actors and actresses, which presents plays more for personal pleasure and practice than for profit. * /Little theater groups are active in all parts of the United States./ * /Many famous actors began in little theaters./ [lit up like a Christmas tree] {adj. phr.}, {informal} To be drunk. * /On New Year's Eve Ned was lit up like a Christmas tree./ Compare: THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND. [live] See: PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES. [live and learn] You learn more new things the longer you live; you learn by experience. - A proverb. * /"Live and learn," said Mother. "I never knew that the Indians once had a camp where our house is."/ * /Janet made her new dress from cheap cloth, and when she washed it, it shrank and was too little. Live and learn./ [live and let live] To live in the way you prefer and let others live as they wish without being bothered by you. * /Father scolds Mother because she wears her hair in curlers and Mother scolds Father because he smokes a smelly pipe. Grandfather says it's her hair and his pipe; live and let live./ Compare: GIVE AND TAKE(1), LET BYGONES BE BYGONES, FORGIVE AND FORGET. [live down] {v.} To remove (blame, distrust or unfriendly laughter) by good conduct; cause (a mistake or fault) to be forgiven or forgotten by not repeating it. * /John's business failure hurt him for a long time, but in the end he lived it down./ * /Frank was rather a bad boy, but he lived it down as he grew up./ * /Sandra called her principal the wrong name at the banquet, in front of everyone, and she thought she would never live it down./ [live from hand to mouth] {v. phr.} To live on little money and spend it as fast as it comes in; live without saving for the future; have just enough. * /Mr. Johnson got very little pay, and the family lived from hand to mouth when he had no job./ * /These Indians live from hand to mouth on berries, nuts, and roots./ [live high off the hog] or [eat high on the hog] See: EAT (LIVE) HIGH ON THE HOG or EAT (LIVE) HIGH OFF THE HOG. [live in] or [room in] {v.}, {informal} To live in the school you attend or the place where you work. * /Jack decided to live in during his freshman year at college./ * /Many women advertise for mother's helpers to room in with families and help take care of children./ [live in a fool's paradise] {v. phr.} To deceive oneself; tell oneself unreal stories. * /His information is based on a lot of misunderstanding - the poor guy is living in a fool's paradise./ [live in an ivory tower] {v. phr.} To be blind to real life; live an unrealistically sheltered existence. * /Professor Nebelmacher has no idea of the cost of living; he lives in an ivory tower./ [live in the fast lane] {v. phr.}, {informal} To live a full and very active life pursuing wealth and success. * /They have been living in the fast lane ever since they arrived in New York City./ [live it up] {v. phr.}, {informal} To pursue pleasure; enjoy games or night life very much; have fun at places of entertainment. * /Joe had had a hard winter in lonesome places; now he was in town living it up./ * /The western cowboys usually went to town on Saturdays to live it up./ [live off someone] {v. phr.} To be supported by someone. * /Although Eric is already 40 years old, he has no job and continues to live off his elderly parents./ [live off the fat of the land] See: FAT OF THE LAND. [live on borrowed time] {v. phr.} To live or last longer than was expected. * /Ever since his operation, Harvey felt he was living on borrowed time./ * /Mr. Brown was living on borrowed time because a year ago the doctors had told him he would only live six months./ [live out] {v.} 1. To finish (a period of time); spend. * /Smith lived out the year in the North as he had agreed, but then moved to the South again./ * /After retiring, John and his wife lived out their lives in Florida./ 2. To last through; endure to the end of. * /We lived out the winter on short ration./ * /He lived out the earthquake, but his house was destroyed./ [live out of a suitcase] {v. phr.} To have no permanent residence or a permanent place to hang one's clothes. * /When Jennifer accepted her new job, she had no idea that she would have to live out of a suitcase for six months./ [live up to] {v.} To act according to; come up to; agree with; follow. * /So far as he could, John had always tried to live up to the example he saw in Lincoln./ * /Bob was a man who lived up to his promises./ * /The new house didn't live up to expectations./ [live wire] {n. phr.} 1. An electrically charged wire, usually uninsulated. * /The electrician was severely burned by the live wire./ 2. An alert or energetic person. * /To sell the new merchandise, our company needs several salespeople who are live wires./ [living daylights] See: BEAT THE --- OUT OF, KNOCK THE --- OUT OF. [living end] {adj.}, {slang} Great; fantastic; the ultimate. * /That show we saw last night was the living end./ [load] See: GET A LOAD OF. [loaded for bear] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Ready for action; prepared and eager. * /Frank liked the new merchandise and as he set out on his rounds as a salesman, he felt really loaded for bear./ * /The football team arrived Friday noon, loaded for bear./ [load the bases] or [fill the bases] {v. phr.} To get men on all three bases in baseball. * /The Mets loaded the bases with two singles and a base on balls./ * /Don hit a home run with the bases loaded./ [loaf] See: HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NONE or HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NO BREAD. [loan shark] {n. phr.} A money lender who charges excessive interest. * /Why go to a loan shark when you can borrow from the bank at the legal rate?/ [local yokel] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's hand radio jargon} City police officer, as opposed to state police or highway patrol. * /There's a local yokel westbound on the move./ [lock] See: SCALP LOCK. [lock, stock, and barrel] {n. phr.} Everything; completely. * /The robbers emptied the whole house - lock, stock, and barrel./ Compare: HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER. [lock the barn door after the horse is stolen] To be careful or try to make something safe when it is too late. - A proverb. * /After Mary failed the examination, she said she would study hard after that. She wanted to lock the barn door after the horse was stolen./ [lock up] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be assured of success. * /How did your math test go? - I locked it up, I think./ [lodge a complaint] {v. phr.} To make a complaint; complain. * /If our neighbors don't stop this constant noise, I will have to lodge a complaint with the management./ [loggerhead] See: AT LOGGERHEADS. [loin] See: GIRD UP ONE'S LOINS. [lone wolf] {n.} A man who likes to work or live alone. * /The man who paints a picture or establishes a business is often a lone wolf; so is the criminal outlaw./ * /Jones is a good pitcher, but he is a lone wolf./ [long] See: AT LAST or AT LONG LAST, BEFORE LONG, COME A LONG WAY, IN THE LONG RUN, NO LONGER, SO LONG, THE LONG AND THE SHORT. [long and short of it] {n. phr.} The essence; the whole story in a nutshell. * /The long and short of it is that he is lazy and doesn't really want to find a job./ [long ball] {n.} A baseball hit far enough to be a home run. * /The White Sox need a player who can hit the long ball./ [long face] {n.} A sad look; disappointed look. * /He told the story with a long face./ - Often used in the phrase "pull a long face". * /Don't pull a long face when I tell you to go to bed./ [longhair(1)] 1. {n.}, {slang} A male hippie. * /Who's that longhair? - It's Joe./ 2. An intellectual who prefers classical music to jazz or acid rock. * /Catwallender is a regular longhair; he never listens to modern jazz./ [longhair(2)] {adj.}, {slang} Pertaining to classical art forms, primarily in dancing and music. * /Cut out that longhair Mozart Symphony and put on a decent pop record!/ [long haul] or [long pull] {n.}, {informal} 1. A long distance or trip. * /It is a long haul to drive across the country./ Contrast SHORT HAUL. 2. A long length of time during which work continues or something is done; a long time of trying. * /A boy crippled by polio may learn to walk again, but it may be a long haul./ - Often used in the phrase "over the long haul". * /Over the long haul, an expensive pair of shoes may save you money./ Contrast: SHORT HAUL. [long pull] See: LONG HAUL. [long shot] {n.} 1. A bet or other risk taken though not likely to succeed. * /The horse was a long shot, but it came in and paid well./ * /Jones was a long shot for mayor./ * /The business long shot that succeeds often pays extremely well./ 2. See: BY A LONG SHOT. [long-winded] {adj.} Tedious; overlong; given to too much talking. * /Everyone was bored by the old man's long-winded stories./ [look] See: DIRTY LOOK. [look after] also [see after] {v.} To watch over; attend to. * /John's mother told him to look after his younger brother./ * /When he went to Europe, Mr. Jenkins left his son to see after the business./ Syn.: TAKE CARE OF(1). Compare: LOOK OUT(3). [look a gift horse in the mouth] To complain if a gift is not perfect. - A proverb. Usually used with a negative. * /John gave Joe a baseball but Joe complained that the ball was old. His father told him not to look a gift horse in the mouth./ [look alive] {v.} Act lively; be quick; wake up and work; be busy; hurry. - Often used as a command. * /"Look alive there," the boss called./ [look as if butter wouldn't melt in one's mouth] See: BUTTER WOULDN'T MELT IN ONE'S MOUTH. [look as if one has come out of a bandbox] {v. phr.}, {informal} To look very clean and fresh; look as if you had just had a bath and put on all-new clothing. * /In spite of the long, hot train ride, Jody arrived looking as if she had come out of a bandbox./ * /After a day at the rodeo we were all dusty and tired except for Hope, who looked as if she'd come out of a bandbox./ [look at] {v.} To have a way of thinking or feeling toward; think about something in a certain way. * /Is he a hero or a villain? That depends on how you look at it./ * /Depending on how you looked at it, the tea party could be called a pleasure or a bore./ [look at the world through rose-colored glasses] or [see with rose-colored glasses] {v. phr.} To see everything as good and pleasant; not see anything hard or bad. * /When Jean graduated from high school, she looked at the world through rose-colored glasses./ * /If you see everything through rose-colored glasses, you will often be disappointed./ [look back] {v.} To review the past; think of what has happened. * /As John looked back, his life seemed good to him./ * /Murphy looked back on his early struggles as having made him feel especially alive./ * /When Ed applied for a job and asked the school to recommend him, the principal looked back over his records./ [look bleak] {v.} To indicate misfortune; appear threatening or ruinous. * /As prices dropped lower and lower, things looked bleak for Henry's company./ * /Many witnesses gave testimony against Jerry and his case looked bleak./ * /The future looked bleak when Father got hurt and could not work./ [look daggers] {v. phr.} To show anger with a look; express hate or enmity by a look or stare; look fiercely. * /The other driver looked daggers at Morris for turning in before him./ * /Mary did not dare talk back to her father, but she looked daggers./ [look down on] also [look down upon] {v.} To think of (a person or thing) as less good or important; feel that (someone) is not as good as you are, or that (something) is not worth having or doing; consider inferior. * /Mary looked down on her classmates because she was better dressed than they were./ * /Jack looked down on Al for his poor manners./ * /Miss Tracy likes tennis but she looks down on football as too rough./ [look down one's nose at] {v. phr.}, {informal} To think of as worthless; feel scorn for. * /The banker's wife has beautiful china cups, and she looked down her nose at the plastic cups that Mrs. Brown used./ * /Harry has never had to work, and he looks down his nose at people in business./ * /Jerry was the athlete who looked down his nose at the weak student./ [look for] {v.} 1. To think likely; expect. * /We look for John to arrive any day now./ * /The frost killed many oranges, and housewives can look for an increase in their price./ * /Bob wouldn't go for a ride with the boys because he was looking for a phone call from Julie./ 2. To try to find; search for; hunt. * /Fred spent all day looking for a job./ * /Mary and Joe looked for the Smiths at the play./ 3. To do things that cause (your own trouble); make (trouble) for yourself; provoke. * /Joe often gets into fights because he is always looking for trouble./ * /If you say the opposite of everything that others say, you are looking for a quarrel./ [look for a needle in a haystack] See: NEEDLE IN A HAY STACK. [look forward to] {v.} 1. To expect. * /At breakfast, John looked forward to a difficult day./ 2. To expect with hope or pleasure. * /Frank was looking forward to that evening's date./ [look high and low for] {v. phr.} To look everywhere; search all over. * /Everyone has been looking high and low for the lost key but no one could find it./ [look-in] {n.}, {informal} A chance or hope. - Usually used with a negative. * /It wasn't much of a look-in, but it was the only chance they let him have./ * /Charlie didn't realize it, but he never had a look-in with Bonnie./ [look in on] {v.} To go to see; make a short visit with; make a call on. * /On his way downtown, Jim looked in on his aunt./ * /The doctor looked in on Mary each day when he went by./ [look in the eye] or [look in the face] {v. phr.} To meet with a steady look; to face bravely or without shame. * /Mary looked the gangster in the eye, and he turned away without hurting her./ * /John had looked death in the face many times./ * /We often believe a person who looks us in the eye, but it does not prove he is truthful./ * /U promised Harry to write to him while I was on vacation, and if I don't do it, I won't be able to look him in the eye./ [look into] {v.} To find out the facts about; examine; study; inspect. * /The mayor felt he should look into the decrease of income from parking meters./ * /Mr. Jones said he was looking into the possibility of buying a house./ Compare: GO INTO(4), SEE ABOUT. [look like a million dollars] {v. phr.}, {informal} To look well and prosperous; appear healthy and happy and lucky; look pretty and attractive. * /John came back from Florida driving a fine new car, tanned and glowing with health. He looked like a million dollars./ * /Dressed in the new formal and in a new hairdo, Betty looked like a million dollars./ Compare: FEEL LIKE A MILLION. [look like the cat that ate the canary] or [look like the cat that swallowed the canary] {v. phr.} To seem very self-satisfied; look as if you had just had a great success. * /Peter bet on the poorest horse in the race and when it won, he looked like the cat that ate the canary./ * /When she won the prize, she went home looking like the cat that swallowed the canary./ [look on] or [look upon] {v.} 1. To regard; consider; think of. * /The stuff had always been looked on as a worthless factory waste./ * /Until the day Bob made the touchdown, the other boys had looked upon him as rather a sissy./ 2. To be an observer; watch without taking part. * /Fred had never been able to do more than look on at athletic sports./ * /The children played in the park while their mother looked on./ Compare: SIT IN. [look oneself] {v. phr.} To appear self-possessed and well; look or seem in full possession of your abilities and in good health; to appear all right or normal. * /Mary had had a long illness, but now she looked quite herself again./ * /It had been a big night, and Uncle John had been drinking freely, but he looked entirely himself after a night's sleep./ - Often used in the negative. * /What's wrong with Larry? He doesn't look himself./ [lookout] See: ON THE LOOKOUT. [look out] or [watch out] {v.} 1. To take care; be careful; be on guard. - Usually used as a command or warning. * /"Look out!" John called, as the car came toward me./ * /"Look out for the train," the sign at the railroad crossing warns./ 2. To be alert or watchful; keep watching. * /A collector of antique cars asked Frank to look out for a 1906 gas head lamp./ Compare: EYE OUT, ON THE WATCH. 3. {informal} To watch or keep (a person or thing) and do what is needed; provide protection and care. - Used with "for". * /Lillian looked out for her sister's children one afternoon a week./ * /Uncle Fred looked out for his brother's orphan son until the boy was through college./ Compare: LOOK AFTER. [look out for] {v. phr.} To watch out for; be on the alert. * /There were signs along the highway warning drivers to look out for deer crossing./ [look over] {v.} To look at and try to learn something about; look at every part or piece of or at every one of; examine; inspect; study. * /I looked hurriedly over the apples in the basket and took one that looked good./ * /Mrs. Jones spent the evening looking over the month's bills and writing checks./ * /When a new boy comes to school, the others usually look him over rather carefully./ * /We looked over several kinds of new cars before deciding./ Compare: ONCE-OVER, SIZE UP. [look sharp] {v.} To be alert; be very attentive; keep a close watch. * /It pays to look sharp in traffic./ * /The guide told us to look sharp because there were rattlesnakes around./ [look small] See: FEEL SMALL. [look to] {v.} 1. To attend to; get ready for; take care of. * /Plans had been prepared that looked to every possibility./ * /The president assigned a man to look to our needs./ 2. To go for help to; depend on. * /The child looks to his mother to cure his hurts./ 3. See: SEE TO. [look to one's laurels] To make sure that your reputation is not spoiled; protect your good name; keep your record from being beaten by others. * /Tom won the broad jump, but he had to look to his laurels./ * /Look to your laurels, Joan. Betty says she is going to run against you for head cheerleader./ [look up] {v.} 1. {informal} To improve in future chances; promise more success. * /The first year was tough, but business looked up after that./ 2. To search for; hunt for information about; find. * /It is a good habit to look up new words in a dictionary./ 3. To seek and find. * /While he was in Chicago, Henry looked up a friend of college days./ [look upon] See: LOOK ON(1). [look up to] {v.} To think of (someone) as a good example to copy; honor; respect. * /Mr. Smith had taught for many years, and all the students looked up to him./ * /Young children look up to older ones, so older children should be good examples./ [loop] See: KNOCK FOR A LOOP or THROW FOR A LOOP. [loose] See: AT LOOSE ENDS, CAST OFF or CAST LOOSE, CUT LOOSE, FAST AND LOOSE, HAVE A SCREW LOOSE, LET LOOSE or SET LOOSE or TURN LOOSE, ON THE LOOSE. [loose ends] {n.} 1. Parts or things that should be finished or put together. * /Mary's composition had many loose ends./ * /When George came home after a long trip, he started picking up the loose ends./ 2. See: AT LOOSE ENDS. [lord it over] {v. phr.} To act as the superior and master of; dominate; be bossy over; control. * /John learned early to lord it over other children./ * /The office manager lorded it over the clerks and typists./ [Lord knows] See: GOD KNOWS. [lose] See: HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU LOSE. [lose face] {v.} To be embarrassed or shamed by an error or failure; lose dignity, influence or reputation; lose self-respect or the confidence of others. * /Many Japanese soldiers were killed in World War II because they believed that to give up or retreat would make them lose face./ * /John's careless work made him lose face with his employer./ * /The banker lost face when people found out he bet on horse races./ [lose ground] 1. To go backward; retreat. * /The soldiers began to lose ground when their leader was killed./ Compare: GIVE GROUND. 2. To become weaker; get worse; not improve. * /The sick man began to lose ground when his cough grew worse./ * /When the Democrats are in power, the Republicans lose ground./ Contrast: GAIN GROUND. [lose heart] {v. phr.} To feel discouraged because of failure; to lose hope of success. * /The team had won no games and it lost heart./ Contrast: TAKE HEART. [lose one's balance] Contrast: KEEP ONE'S BALANCE. [lose oneself] {v. phr.} 1. To go wrong; miss your way; become unable to find the right direction. * /Fred lost himself in the confusion of downtown Boston streets./ 2. To conceal yourself; hide. * /The pick-pocket lost himself in the crowd and escaped the police./ 3. To become deeply interested and forget yourself; become absorbed. * /Sometimes Harry would lose himself in a book for an afternoon at a time./ Compare: IN A WORLD OF ONE'S OWN. [lose one's grip] {v. phr.} To fail in control or command; lose your strength, force, or ability to lead. * /Mr. Jones began to lose his grip: he no longer wanted the hard jobs, and he left decisions to others./ * /When a locomotive engineer loses his grip, he is no longer trusted with express runs./ [lose one's head (over)] {v. phr.} 1. To panic. * /"Let's not lose our heads," the captain cried. "We have good lifeboats on this vessel."/ 2. To become deeply infatuated with someone. * /Don't lose your head over Jane; she is already married./ Contrast: KEEP ONE'S HEAD. [lose one's heart] {v. phr.} To fall in love; begin to love. * /She lost her heart to the soldier with the broad shoulders and the deep voice./ * /Bill lost his heart to the puppy the first time he saw it./ [lose one's marbles] {v. phr.} To go mad; become crazed. * /Stan must have lost his marbles; he is hopelessly pursuing a happily married woman./ [lose one's shirt] {v. phr.}, {slang} To lose all or most of your money. * /Uncle Joe spent his life savings to buy a store, but it failed, and he lost his shirt./ * /Mr. Matthews lost his shirt betting on the horses./ [lose one's temper] {v. phr.} To lose control over one's anger; to get angry. * /He lost his temper when he broke the key in the lock./ Compare: BLOW A FUSE, FLY OFF THE HANDLE. Contrast: HOLD ONE'S TEMPER. [lose one's tongue] {v. phr.}, informal To be so embarrassed or surprised that you cannot talk. * /The man would always lose his tongue when he was introduced to new people./ Compare: CAT GET ONE'S TONGUE. [lose out] {v.} To fail to win; miss first place in a contest; lose to a rival. * /John lost out in the rivalry for Mary's hand in marriage./ * /Fred didn't want to lose out to the other salesman./ Compare: MISS OUT. Contrast: WIN OUT. [loser] See: FINDERS KEEPERS or FINDERS KEEPERS LOSERS WEEPERS. [lose sight of] {v. phr.} 1. Not to be able to see any longer. * /I lost sight of Mary in the crowd./ * /I watched the plane go higher and higher until I lost sight of it./ Contrast: CATCH SIGHT OF. 2. To forget; overlook. * /Johnny was so interested in the game he lost sight of the time./ * /No matter how rich and famous he became, he never lost sight of the fact that he had been born in the slums./ [lose touch] {v. phr.}, {informal} To fail to keep in contact or communication. - Usually used with "with". * /After she moved to another town, she lost touch with her childhood friends./ Compare: OUT OF TOUCH. [lose track] {v. phr.} To forget about something; not stay informed; fail to keep a count or record. * /What's the score now? I've lost track./ - Usually used with "of". * /Mary lost track of her friends at camp after summer was over./ * /John lost track of the money he spent at the circus./ Compare: OUT OF TOUCH. Contrast: KEEP TRACK. [loss] See: AT A LOSS, THROW FOR A LOSS. [lost] See: GET LOST, NO LOVE LOST. [lost cause] {n. phr.} A movement that has failed and has no chance to be revived. * /Communism in Eastern Europe has become a lost cause./ [lost upon] adj. Wasted. * /Tim's generosity is completely lost upon Sue; he can't expect any gratitude from her./ [lot] See: A LOT, CAST ONE'S LOT WITH, SAND LOT, THINK A GREAT DEAL OF or THINK A LOT OF, THROW IN ONE'S LOT WITH or CAST IN ONE'S LOT WITH. [loud] See: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, OUT LOUD, THINK ALOUD or THINK OUT LOUD. [loud mouth] or [big mouth] {n.}, {slang} A noisy, boastful, or foolish talker. * /Fritz is a loud mouth who cannot be trusted with secrets./ * /When he has had a few drinks, Joe will make empty boasts like any other big mouth./ [loud-mouthed] or [big-mouthed] {adj.}, {slang} Talking noisily, boastfully, or foolishly. * /Fred was a loud-mouthed fellow, whose talk no one listened to./ * /If I were you, I would not listen to that loud-mouthed boy./ [lounge lizard] {n. phr.} A well-dressed male fortune hunter who sits around in bars and other public places, and attends many social events to try to pick up wealthy women through smart conversation. * /Harry has the reputation of being a lounge lizard; he is looking for a rich wife./ [louse up] {v.}, {slang} To throw into confusion; make a mess of; spoil; ruin. * /When the man who was considering John's house heard that the basement was wet, that was enough to louse up the sale./ * /Fred's failure in business not only lost him his business but loused him up with his wife./ * /The rain loused up the picnic./ See: MESS UP(2), FUCK UP. [love] See: FOR LOVE OR MONEY, IN LOVE, LABOR OF LOVE, MAKE LOVE, NO LOVE LOST, PUPPY LOVE also CALF LOVE. [love affair] {n.} A friendship between lovers; a romance or courtship. * /The love affair of Bob and Jane went on for months./ * /Harry had many love affairs, but he never married./ [love game] {n.} A game of tennis which is won without the opponent scoring. * /Britain took a love game on Songster's service./ [love-in] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A festival or occasion to celebrate life, human sensuality, the beauty of nature, human sexuality, and universal love; affairs so conceived by some frequently deteriorate into obscenity and drug using sessions in parody of their stated purpose. * /The hippies gathered for a big love-in in the Halght-Ashbury district of San Francisco./ [lovers' lane] {n.} A hidden road or walk where lovers walk or park in the evening. * /A parked car in a lonely lovers' lane often is a chance for holdup men./ [low] See: LAY LOW, LIE LOW. [lowbrow] {n.} A person of limited culture; a nonintellectual. * /Some people claim that only lowbrows read the comics./ Contrast: HIGH BROW. [lowdown] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} The inside facts of a matter; the total truth. * /Nixon never gave the American people the lowdown on Watergate./ [lower the boom] {v. phr.}, {informal} To punish strictly; check or stop fully. * /The mayor lowered the boom on outside jobs for city firemen./ * /Father lowered the boom on the girls for staying out after midnight./ Syn.: CRACK DOWN. * /The police lowered the boom on open gambling./ [low-key] {adj.} Relaxed and easygoing. * /Surprisingly, dinner with the governor was a low-key affair./ [low season] Contrast: HIGH SEASON. [luck] See: DOWN ON ONE'S LUCK, LUCK OUT, PRESS ONE'S LUCK or PUSH ONE'S LUCK, IN LUCK, OUT OF LUCK. [luck out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. Suddenly to get lucky when in fact the odds are against one's succeeding. * /I was sure I was going to miss the train as I was three minutes late, but I lucked out, the train was five minutes late./ 2. To be extraordinarily fortunate. * /Catwallender really lucked out at Las Vegas last month; he came home with $10,000 in cash./ 3. (By sarcastic opposition) to be extremely unfortunate; to be killed. * /Those poor marines sure lucked out in Saigon, didn't they?/ [lucky] See: THANK ONE'S LUCKY STARS. [lucky star] {n.} A certain star or planet which, by itself or with others, is seriously or jokingly thought to bring a person good luck and success in life. * /John was born under a lucky star./ * /Ted was unhurt in the car accident, for which he thanked his lucky stars./ [lump in one's throat] {n. phr.} A feeling (as of grief or pride) so strong that you almost sob. * /John's mother had a lump in her throat at his college graduation./ * /All during her husband's funeral, Aunt May had a lump in her throat./ * /The bride's mother had a lump in her throat./ [lump sum] {n.} The complete amount; a total agreed upon and to be paid at one time. * /The case was settled out of court with the plaintiff receiving a lump sum of half a million dollars for damages./ [lunar module (L.M.)] or [Lem] {n.}, {Space English} That portion of the rocket assemblage on a flight to the Moon in which the astronauts descend to the Moon's surface. * /Building the L.M. was one of the most expensive parts of the American space program./ [lung] See: AT THE TOP OF ONE'S VOICE or AT THE TOP OP ONE'S LUNGS. [lurch] See: LEAVE IN THE LURCH. [lust for] {v. phr.} To physically yearn for; hanker after; want something very strongly. * /Ed has been lusting after Meg for a very long time./ [luxury] See: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY. M [mackerel] See: HOLY CATS or HOLY MACKEREL. [mad about] {adj. phr.} 1. Angry about. * /What is Harriet so mad about?/ 2. Enthusiastic about. * /Dan is mad about pop music./ [mad as a hatter] or [mad as a March hare] {adj. phr.} Not able to think right; crazy. * /Anyone who thinks the moon is made of green cheese is mad as a hatter./ [mad as a hornet] or [mad as hops] or [mad as a wet hen] {adj. phr.}, {informal} In a fighting mood; very angry. * /When my father sees the dent in his fender, he'll be mad as a hornet./ * /Bill was mad as hops when the fellows went on without him./ * /Mrs. Harris was mad as a wet hen when the rabbits ate her tulips./ [mad as a March hare] See: MAD AS A HATTER. [mad as hops] See: MAD AS A HORNET. [made of money] {adj. phr.} Very rich; wealthy. * /Mr. Jones buys his children everything they want. He must be made of money./ Compare: MONEY TO BURN. [made-to-measure] or [tailor-made] {adj.} Made to fit a special set of measurements or needs. * /John has a new made-to-measure suit./ * /The club is tailor-made for Jane./ Syn.: MADE TO ORDER. [made to order] {adj. phr.} 1. Made specially in the way the buyer wants instead of all the same in large amounts; made especially for the buyer. * /Mr. Black's clothes were all made to order./ Compare: MADE-TO-MEASURE. 2. Just right. * /The weather was made to order for the hike./ [made up out of whole cloth] See: OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH. [magic carpet] {n.} 1. A rug said to be able to transport a person through the air to any place he wishes. * /The caliph of Baghdad flew on his magic carpet to Arabia./ 2. Any form of transportation that is comfortable and easy enough to seem magical. * /Flying the Concord from Dallas to London seemed like boarding the magic carpet./ * /Mr. Smith's new car drove so smoothly it seemed like a magic carpet./ [maiden speech] {n. phr.} One's first public speech, usually before some legislative body. * /It was the new congressman's maiden speech and everyone was listening very keenly./ [maiden voyage] {n. phr.} The first voyage of a boat. * /The Titanic sank on her maiden voyage to America from England./ [mail order] {n. phr.} A purchase made by mail. * /If you don't have a chance to go to a store, you can sometimes make a purchase by mail order./ [main] See: IN THE MAIN, WITH MIGHT AND MAIN. [main drag] {n.}, {colloquial} 1. The most important street or thoroughfare in a town. * /Lincoln Avenue is the main drag of our town./ 2. The street where the dope pushers and the prostitutes are. * /Wells Street is the main drag of Chicago, actionwise./ [main squeeze] {n.}, {slang} 1. The top ranking person in an organization or in a neighborhood; an important person, such as one's boss. * /Mr. Bronchard is the main squeeze in this office./ 2. The top person in charge of an illegal operation, such as drug sales, etc. * /Before we can clean up this part of town, we must arrest the main squeeze./ 3. One's principal romantic or sexual partner. * /The singer's main squeeze is a member of the band./ [majority leader] {n.} The leader of the political party with the most votes in a legislative house. * /The majority leader of the House of Representatives tried to get the members of his party to support the bill./ Compare: MINORITY LEADER. [make] See: ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY, HAVE IT MADE, MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK, ON THE MAKE. [make a beeline for] {v. phr.} To go in a straight line toward. * /The runner made a beeline for first base./ * /When the bell rang Ted made a beeline for the door of the classroom./ [make a big deal about] {v. phr.}, {informal} To exaggerate an insignificant event. * /Jeff said, "I'm sorry I banged into you in the dark. Don't make a big deal out of it."/ [make a clean breast of] {v. phr.} To admit (your guilt); tell all about (your wrong doing); confess everything. * /The police caught the hit-and-run driver and he made a clean breast of his crime./ * /Arthur worried because he cheated on the test, and finally he went to the teacher and made a clean breast of it./ Compare: OFF ONE'S CHEST. [make a clean sweep of] {v. phr.} 1. Achieve a complete victory. * /In 7980 the Reagan Republicans made a clean sweep of the western states./ 2. To eliminate thoroughly and completely. * /The new attorney general is expected to make a clean sweep of all the old administrative personnel./ [make a clown of] See: MAKE A FOOL OF. [make a day of it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do something all day. * /When they go to the beach they take a picnic lunch and make a day of it./ Compare: MAKE A NIGHT OF. [make a dent in] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make less by a very small amount; reduce slightly. - Usually used in the negative or with such qualifying words as "hardly" or "barely". * /John shoveled and shoveled, but he didn't seem to make a dent in the pile of sand./ * /Mary studied all afternoon and only made a dent in her homework./ [make a difference] or [make the difference] {v. phr.} To change the nature of something or a situation; be important; matter. * /John's good score on the test made the difference between his passing or failing the course./ * /It doesn't make a bit of difference if you are late to my party. I just want you to come./ [make a face] {v. phr.}, {informal} To twist your face; make an ugly expression on your face (as by sticking out your tongue). * /The boy made a face at his teacher when she turned her back./ * /The sick boy swallowed the medicine and made a face./ [make a fast buck] See: FAST BUCK. [make a federal case out of] See: MAKE A BIG DEAL ABOUT, MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL. [make a fool of] or (informal) [make a monkey of] {v. phr.} To make (someone) look foolish. * /The boy made a fool of himself./ * /Mary's classmates made a fool of her by telling her the party was to be a masquerade./ [make after] {v. phr.} To chase something; run after something. * /The mouse escaped from the kitchen corner and the cat made after it./ [make a fuss over] {v. phr.} 1. To quarrel about something or someone. * /I want you kids to stop fussing about who gets the drumstick./ 2. To he excessively concerned about someone or something; worry. * /Let's not fuss over such an insignificant problem!/ 3. To show exaggerated care or preoccupation about a person or an animal. * /Aunt Hermione is constantly fussing over her old lapdog./ [make a go of] {v. phr.} To turn into a success. * /He is both energetic and highly skilled at trading; he is sure to make a go of any business that holds his interest./ [make a hit] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be successful; be well-liked; get along well. * /Mary's new red dress made a hit at the party./ * /Alice was so happy that her boyfriend made a hit with her parents./ Compare: GO OVER(6). [make a killing] {v. phr.} To earn or suddenly win a very large sum of money. * /Herb bought a lot of soybean stock when the price was low and sold it when the price went up. Small wonder he made a huge killing./ [make a living] {v. phr.} To earn one's livelihood. * /If you're good at your job, you can make a better living than if you don't know what you're doing./ * /It is easier to make a living in the United States than in many other countries./ [make allowance] {v. phr.} To judge results by the circumstances. - Often used in plural. * /When a small boy is helping you, you must make allowances for his age./ [make a long story short] {v. phr.} To summarize a lengthy narrative. * /"So, to make a long story short," he said, "I made a killing on the stock market."/ Compare: IN A NUTSHELL. [make a match] {v. phr.} To bring a man and woman together for the purpose of an engagement or marriage. * /Sheila's aunt is anxious to make a match between her and an attractive, wealthy man./ [make a mess of] See: SCREW UP. [make a monkey of] See: MAKE A FOOL OF. [make a motion] {v. phr.} To propose in some committee meeting or legislative group that a certain action be taken. * /The secretary made a motion that the minutes of the last meeting be accepted./ [make a mountain out of a molehill] To think a small problem is a big one; try to make something unimportant seem important. * /You're not hurt badly, Johnny. Stop trying to make a mountain out of a molehill with crying./ * /Sarah laughed at a mistake Betty made in class, and Betty won't speak to her; Betty is making a mountain out of a molehill./ [make a move] {v. phr.} 1. To budge; change places. * /"If you make a move," the masked gangster said, "I'll start shooting."/ 2. To go home after dinner or a party. * /"I guess it's time to make a move," Roy said at the end of the party./ [make a name for oneself] {v. phr.} To become recognized in a field of endeavor; become a celebrity. * /Joe has worked so hard at soybean trading that he made quite a name for himself as a trader./ * /Bill has made a name for himself both as a pianist and as a composer./ [make an appearance] See: PUT IN AN APPEARANCE. [make an end of] {v. phr.} To make (something) end; put a stop to; stop. * /To make an end of rumors that the house was haunted, a reporter spent the night there./ [make an example of] {v. phr.} To punish (someone) publicly to show what happens when someone does wrong. * /The teacher made an example of the boy who copied from another student during a test./ * /The Pilgrims made an example of a thief by putting him in the stocks./ [make an exhibition of oneself] {v. phr.} To behave foolishly or embarrassingly in public. * /Stop drinking so much and making an exhibition of yourself./ [make a night of it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To spend the whole night at an activity. * /The dog found the door unlatched and made a night of it./ * /The boys and girls at the dance made a night of it./ Compare: MAKE A DAY OF IT. [make a nuisance of oneself] {v. phr.} To constantly bother others. * /The screaming kids made a nuisance of themselves around the swimming pool./ [make a pass at] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} Make advances toward a member of the opposite sex (usually man to a woman) with the goal of seducing the person. * /We've been dating for four weeks but Joe has never even made a pass at me./ [make a pig of oneself] {v. phr.}, {informal} To overindulge; eat too much. * /Mary said, "This dessert is so delicious that I am going to make a pig of myself and have some more."/ [make a play for] {v. phr.}, {slang} To try to get the interest or liking of; flirt with; attract. * /Bob made a play for the pretty new girl./ * /John made a play for the other boys' votes for class president./ [make a point] {v. phr.} To try hard; make a special effort. - Used with "of" and a verbal noun. * /He made a point of remembering to get his glasses fixed./ * /He made a point of thanking his hostess before he left the party./ [make a practice of] {v. phr.} To make a habit of; do regularly. * /Make a practice of being on time for work./ [make a quick buck] See: FAST BUCK. [make a racket] {v. phr.} To cause a lot of noisy disturbance. * /I wish the kids playing in the street wouldn't make such a racket while I'm trying to take a nap./ [make a scene] {v. phr.} To act hysterically; attract unfavorable attention. * /I didn't want Kate to make a scene in front of all of those people, so I gave her the money she wanted./ [make a splash] {v. phr.} To cause a sensation. * /The brilliant young pianist, barely 14 years old, made quite a splash on the concert circuit./ [make a stab at] {v. phr.} To try doing something at random without sufficient preparation. * /The singer was not familiar with the aria but she decided to make a stab at it anyhow./ Contrast: STAB IN THE BACK, STAB IN THE DARK. [make a stand] {v. phr.} 1. To take a firm position on an issue. * /He keeps talking about politics hut he never makes a stand for what he believes in./ 2. To take up a defensive position against the enemy. * /The retreating troops decided to make a stand by the river./ Contrast: LAST DITCH, LAST STAND. [make a stir] See: MAKE A SCENE. [make a touch] {v. phr.} To borrow money; try to borrow money. * /He is known to make a touch whenever he is hard up for cash./ [make a virtue of necessity] {v. phr.} Make the best of things as they are; do cheerfully what you do. * /After Mr. Wilson lost all his money, he made a virtue of necessity and found a new and interesting life as a teacher./ Compare: MAKE THE BEST OF. [make away with] {v.}, {informal} Take; carry away; cause to disappear. * /The lumberjack made away with a great stack of pancakes./ * /Two masked men held up the clerk and made away with the payroll./ Compare: MAKE OFF. [make-believe] {n.} False; untrue; created by illusion. * /The creatures of Star Wars are all make-believe./ [make believe] {v.} To act as if something is true while one knows it is not; pretend. * /Let's make believe we have a million dollars./ * /Danny made believe he didn't hear his mother calling./ [make book] {v. phr.} To serve as a bookmaker taking bets on the horse races. * /The police were out to prosecute anybody who made book illegally./ [make both ends meet] See: MAKE ENDS MEET. [make bricks without straw] {v. phr.} To make something without the wherewithal; do something the hard way; do a job under hard conditions. * /John could not go to a library, and writing the report was a job of making bricks without straw./ * /It was making bricks without straw to put on plays in that old barn./ [make conversation] {v. phr.} To talk with someone just so that there will be talk. * /John made conversation with the stranger so that he would not feel left out./ * /Mary didn't really mean what she said about Joan. She was only making conversation./ [make do] {v. phr.} To use a poor substitute when one does not have the right thing. * /John did not have a hammer, and he had to make do with a heavy rock./ * /This motel isn't what we wanted, but we must make do./ * /Many families manage to make do on very little income./ Compare: GET ALONG. [make ends meet] {v. phr.} To have enough money to pay one's bills; earn what it costs to live. * /Both husband and wife had to work to make ends meet./ [make eyes at] {v. phr.}, {informal} To look at a girl or boy in a way that tries to attract him to you; flirt. * /The other girls disliked her way of making eyes at their boyfriends instead of finding one of her own./ [make faces at] {v. phr.} To grimace; scowl. * /"Stop making faces at each other, you children," my aunt said, "and start eating."/ [make for] {v.} To go toward; start in the direction of. * /The children took their ice skates and made for the frozen pond./ * /The bee got his load of pollen and made for the hive./ [make free with] {v.} 1. To take or use (things) without asking. * /Bob makes free with his roommate's clothes./ * /A student should not make free with his teacher's first name./ 2. To act toward (someone) in a rude or impolite way. * /The girls don't like Ted because he makes free with them./ Compare: TAKE LIBERTIES. [make friends] {v. phr.} To become friends; form a friendship. * /Mrs. Jones invited Bobby to her home to play with Don. She hoped that they would make friends with each other./ * /You can make friends with an elephant by giving him peanuts./ [make fun of] or [poke fun at] {v. phr.}, {informal} To joke about; laugh at; tease; mock. * /Men like to make fun of the trimmings on women's hats./ * /James poked fun at the new pupil because her speech was not like the other pupils./ [make good] {v. phr.} 1. To do what one promised to do; make something come true. * /Mr. Smith borrowed some money. He promised to pay it back on payday. He made good his promise./ * /Joe made good his boast to swim across the lake./ * /John's mother promised to take him and his friends to the zoo on Saturday. She made good her promise./ Compare: CARRY OUT. 2. To compensate; pay for loss or damage. * /The policeman told the boy's parents that the boy must make good the money he had stolen or go to jail./ - Often used in the phrase "make it good". * /The radio was broken while it was being delivered so the store had to make it good and send us a new radio./ Compare: MAKE UP. 3. To do good work at one's job; succeed. * /Kate wanted to be a nurse. She studied and worked hard in school. Then she got a job in the hospital and made good as a nurse./ [make good time] {v. phr.} To make unimpeded progress on a journey; arrive at one's destination sooner than estimated. * /There was not much traffic on the expressway so we made good time on our way to the airport./ [make haste] {v. phr.} To move fast; hurry. - Rarely used in speaking. * /The dog wriggled into one end of the hollow log, and the rabbit made haste to get out the other end./ * /Mary saw that she had hurt Jane's feelings, and made haste to say she was sorry./ Compare: MAKE TRACKS. [make haste with] See: HURRY ON WITH. [make hay while the sun shines] {v. phr.} To do something at the right time; not wait too long. * /Dick had a free hour so he made hay while the sun shone and got his lesson for the next day./ Compare: MAKE THE MOST OF. [make head or tail of] {v. phr.}, {informal} To see the why of; finding a meaning in; understand. - Used in negative, conditional, and interrogative sentences. * /She could not make head or tail of the directions on the dress pattern./ * /Can you make head or tail of the letter?/ [make headway] {v. phr.} To move forward; make progress. * /The university is making headway with its campus reorganization project./ [make it hot] {v. phr.}, {informal} To bring punishment; cause trouble. * /Dick threatened to make it hot for anyone who tied knots in his pajama legs again./ [make it snappy] {v. phr.}, {informal} To move quickly; be fast; hurry. - Usually used as a command. * /"Make it snappy," Mother said, "or we'll be late for the movie."/ * /The man hurried into the restaurant and told the waitress, "A cup of coffee, and make it snappy."/ [make it with] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. To be accepted by a group. * /Joe finally made it with the in crowd in Hollywood./ 2. {vulgar} To have sex with (someone). * /I wonder if Joe has made it with Sue./ [make light of] {v. phr.} To treat an important matter as if it were trivial. * /One ought to know which problems to make light of and which ones to handle seriously./ Compare: LAUGH OFF. Contrast: MAKE MUCH OF. [make little of] {v. phr.} To make (something) seem unimportant; belittle. * /Mary made little of Jane's new bicycle because she was jealous./ * /Tom made little of his saving the drowning boy./ Contrast: MAKE MUCH OF. [make love] {v. phr.} 1. To be warm, loving, and tender toward someone of the opposite sex; try to get him or her to love you too. * /There was moonlight on the roses and he made love to her in the porch swing./ 2. To have sexual relations with (someone). * /It is rumored that Alfred makes love to every girl he hires as a secretary./ [make merry] {v. phr.}, {literary} To have fun, laugh, and be happy, * /In Aesop's fable the grasshopper made merry while the ant worked and saved up food./ * /In the Bible story a rich man ate and drank and made merry./ [make mincemeat (out) of] {v. phr.} To destroy completely. * /The defense attorney made mincemeat of the prosecution's argument./ [make much of] {v. phr.} To make something seem of more worth or importance than it really is; praise. * /Visitors made much of the new collie./ * /The boy made much of the hard things of his mountain climb./ Contrast: MAKE LIGHT OF, MAKE LITTLE OF. [make neither head nor tail of] {v. phr.} To be unable to figure something out. * /This puzzle is so complicated that I can make neither head nor tail of it./ Compare: HEADS OR TAILS. [make no bones] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To have no doubts; not to worry about right or wrong; not to be against. - Used with "about". * /Bill makes no bones about telling a lie to escape punishment./ * /The boss made no bones about hiring extra help for the holidays./ 2. To make no secret; not keep from talking; admit. - Used with "about" or "of the fact". * /John thinks being poor is no disgrace and he makes no bones of the fact./ * /Mary made no bones about her love of poetry even after some of her friends laughed at her./ [make of] {v. phr.} To interpret; understand. * /What do you make of his sudden decision to go to Africa?/ [make off] {v.} To go away; run away; leave. * /When the deer saw the hunter it made off at once./ * /A thief stopped John on a dark street and made off with his wallet./ Compare: TAKE OFF. [make one feel at home] {v. phr.} To be hospitable; welcome; make someone feel at ease. * /They are very popular hosts because they always manage to make their guests feel at home./ [make one out to be] {v. phr.} To accuse someone of being something. * /Don't make me out to be such a grouch; I am really quite happy-go-lucky./ [make one's bed and lie in it] To be responsible for what you have done and so to have to accept the bad results. * /Billy smoked one of his father's cigars and now he is sick. He made his bed, now let him lie in it./ Compare: FACE THE MUSIC(2). [make one's blood boil] or [make the blood boil] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make someone very angry. * /When someone calls me a liar it makes my blood boil./ * /It made Mary's blood boil to see the children make fun of the crippled girl./ Compare: BOILING POINT. [make one's blood run cold] See: BLOOD RUNS COLD. [make one's ears burn] See: EARS BURN. [make oneself at home] {v. phr.} To feel comfortable; act as if you were in your own home. * /If you get to my house before I do, help yourself to a drink and make yourself at home./ * /John was an outdoor man and could make himself at home in the woods at night./ Compare: AT EASE, AT HOME(2). [make oneself scarce] {v. phr.}, {slang} To leave quickly; go away. * /The boys made themselves scarce when they saw the principal coming to stop their noise./ * /A wise mouse makes himself scarce when a cat is nearby./ [make one's hair stand on end] See: HAIR STAND ON END. [make one's head spin] {v. phr.} To be bewildered; be confused. * /It makes my head spin to think about the amount of work I still have to do./ [make one's mark] {v. phr.} To become known to many people; do well the work you started to do; make a reputation. * /Shakespeare made his mark as a playwright./ [make one's mouth water] {v. phr.} 1. To look or smell very good; make you want very much to eat or drink something you see or smell. * /The pies in the store window made Dan's mouth water./ * /The picture of the ice cream soda made his mouth water./ 2. To be attractive; make you want to have something very much. * /Judy collects folk song records, and the records in the store window made her mouth water./ Compare: LICK ONE'S CHOPS. [make one's pile] {v. phr.} To make one's fortune. * /The rich man made his pile in the stock market./ [make one's way] {v. phr.} 1. To go forward with difficulty; find a path for yourself. * /They made their way through the crowd./ 2. To do many hard things to earn a living; make a life work for yourself. * /He was anxious to finish school and make his own way in the world./ Compare: SHIFT FOR ONESELF. [make one tick] {v. phr.} To cause to operate; to motivate. * /He is so secretive that we are unable to figure out what makes him tick./ [make or break] {v. phr.} To bring complete success or failure, victory or defeat. * /Playing the role of Hamlet will make or break the young actor./ [make out] {v.} 1. To write the facts asked for (as in an application blank or a report form); fill out. * /The teacher made out the report cards and gave them to the students to take home./ * /Mrs. Smith gave the clerk in the store some money and the clerk made out a receipt./ 2. To see, hear, or understand by trying hard. * /It was dark, and we could not make out who was coming along the road./ * /They could not make out what the child had drawn. /* /The book had many hard words and Anne could not make out what the writer meant./ * /Mr. White does many strange things. No one can make him out./ Syn.: FIGURE OUT. 3. {informal} To make someone believe; show; prove. * /Charles and Bob had a fight, and Charles tried to make out that Bob started it./ * /The boy said he did not take the money but the teacher found the money in the boy's desk and it made him out to be a liar./ 4. {informal} Do well enough; succeed. * /John's father wanted John to do well in school and asked the teacher how John was making out./ * /The sick woman could not make out alone in her house, so her friend came and helped her./ 5. To kiss or pet. * /What are Jack and Jill up to? - They're making out on the back porch./ [make over] {v.} 1. To change by law something from one owner to another owner; change the name on the title (lawful paper) from one owner to another. * /Mr. Brown made over the title to the car to Mr. Jones./ 2. To make something look different; change the style of. * /He asked the tailor to make over his pants. The tailor cut off the cuffs and put a belt across the back./ [make passes at] See: MAKE A PASS AT. [make rounds] {v. phr.} To travel the same route, making several stops along the way. * /The milkman makes his rounds every morning./ * /The doctor makes the rounds of the hospital rooms./ [make sense] {v. phr.} 1. To be something you can understand or explain; not be difficult or strange. * /The explanation in the school book made no sense because the words were hard./ Compare: MAKE HEAD OR TAIL OF. 2. To seem right to do; sound reasonable or practical. * /Does it make sense to let little children play with matches?/ [make short work of] {v. phr.} To finish rapidly. * /The cat made short work of the baby rabbit./ * /Tim was anxious to get to the movies so he made short work of his homework./ [make sit up] {v. phr.} To shock to attention; surprise; create keen interest. * /Her sudden appearance at the party and her amazingly low-cut dress made us all sit up./ [make something of] {v. phr.} 1. To make (something) seem important. * /When girls see another girl with a boy, they often try to make something of it./ 2. To start a fight over; use as an excuse to start a quarrel. * /Bob accidentally shoved Bill in the corridor, and Bill made something of it./ * /Ann didn't like what Mary said about her. She tried to make something of what Mary said./ Compare: START SOMETHING. [make sport of] See: MAKE FUN OF. [make sure] {v. phr.} To see about something yourself; look at to be sure. * /Father makes sure that all the lights are off before he goes to bed./ * /Mary thought she had time to get to school but she ran all the way just to make sure./ * /Before you write your report on the life of Washington you should make sure of your facts./ [make the best of] {v. phr.} To do something you do not like to do and not complain; accept with good humor. * /The girl did not like to wash dishes but she made the best of it./ Compare: MAKE A VIRTUE OF NECESSITY. [make the blood boil] See: MAKE ONE'S BLOOD BOIL. [make the feathers fly] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To enjoy working; be strong and work hard. * /When Mrs. Hale did her spring cleaning she made the feathers fly./ 2. See: MAKE THE FUR FLY. [make the fur fly] or [make the feathers fly] {v. phr.}, {informal} Say or write mean things about someone or to jump on and fight hard. * /A man fooled Mr. Black and got his money. Mr. Black will really make the fur fly when he finds the man./ * /Mrs. Baker's dog dug holes in her neighbor's garden. The neighbor really made the fur fly when she saw Mrs. Baker./ [make the grade] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To make good; succeed. * /It was clear that Mr. Baker had made the grade in the insurance business./ * /It takes hard study to make the grade in school./ 2. To meet a standard; qualify. * /That whole shipment of cattle made the grade as prime beef./ [make the most of] {v. phr.} To do the most you can with; get the most from; use to the greatest advantage. * /She planned the weekend in town to make the most of it./ * /George studied hard. He wanted to make the most of his chance to learn./ * /The teacher went out of the room for five minutes and some bad boys made the most of it./ * /Bill liked Mary; he would do anything for her, and Mary made the most of it./ Compare: MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES. [make the scene] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be present; to arrive at a certain place or event. * /I am too tired to make the scene; let's go home./ [make things hum] See: KEEP THINGS HUMMING. [make time] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To be successful in arriving at a designated place in short or good time. * /We're supposed to be there at 6 P.M., and it's only 5:30 - we're making good time./ 2. To be successful in making sexual advances to someone. * /Joe sure is making time with Sue, isn't he?/ [make tongues wag] See: TONGUES TO WAG. [make tracks] {v. phr.}, {informal} To go fast; get a speedy start; hurry. * /Man, it's time we made tracks!/ * /The boys made tracks for home when it began to get dark./ Compare: GET GOING, MAKE HASTE. [makeup] {n.} (stress on "make") 1. Cosmetics. * /All the actors and actresses put on a lot of makeup./ 2. Attributive auxiliary in lieu of, or belated. * /The professor gave a makeup to the sick students./ [make up] {v.} (stress on "up") 1. To make by putting things or parts together. * /A car is made up of many different parts./ 2. To invent; think and say something that is new or not true. * /Jean makes up stories to amuse her little brother./ 3a. To do or provide (something lacking or needed); do or supply (something not done, lost, or missed); get back; regain; give back; repay. * /I have to make up the test I missed last week./ * /I want to go to bed early to make up the sleep I lost last night./ * /We have to drive fast to make up the hour we lost in Boston./ * /Vitamin pills make up what you lack in your diet./ * /The toy cost a dollar and Ted only had fifty cents, so Father made up the difference./ - Often used in the phrase "make it up to". * /Uncle Fred forgot my birthday present but he made it up to me by taking me to the circus./ * /Mrs. Rich spent so much time away from her children that she tried to make it up to them by giving them things./ Compare: MAKE GOOD. 3b. To do what is lacking or needed; do or give what should be done or given; get or give back what has been lost, missed, or not done; get or give instead; pay back. - Used with "for". * /We made up for lost time by taking an airplane instead of a train./ * /Saying you are sorry won't make up for the damage of breaking the window./ * /Mary had to make up for the time she missed in school when she was sick, by studying very hard./ * /The beautiful view at the top of the mountain makes up for the hard climb to get there./ 4. To put on lipstick and face paint powder. * /Clowns always make up before a circus show./ * /Tom watched his sister make up her face for her date./ 5. To become friends again after a quarrel. * /Mary and Joan quarreled, but made up after a while./ Compare: BURY THE HATCHET. 6. To try to make friends with someone; to win favor. - Followed by "to". * /The new boy made up to the teacher by sharpening her pencils./ [make up one's mind] {v. phr.} To choose what to do; decide. * /They made up their minds to sell the house./ * /Tom couldn't decide whether he should tell Mother about the broken window or let her find it herself./ Contrast: ON THE FENCE. [make waves] {v. phr.}, {informal} Make one's influence felt; create a disturbance, a sensation. * /Joe Catwallender is the wrong man for the job; he is always trying to make waves./ [make way] {v. phr.} To move from in front so someone can go through; stand aside. * /The people made way for the king./ * /When older men retire they make way for younger men to take their places./ [mama's boy] {n. phr.}, {informal} A boy who depends too much on his mother; a sissy. * /The other boys called Tommy a mama's boy because he wouldn't come out to play unless his mother stayed near him./ [man] See: COMPANY MAN, EVERY LAST MAN also EVERY MAN JACK, FRONT MAN, HIRED MAN, LADY'S MAN, NEW MAN, SEPARATE THE MEN FROM THE BOYS, TO A MAN, YES-MAN. [man] or [the man] {n.}, {slang} 1. The police; a policeman. * /I am gonna turn you in to the man./ 2. The boss; the leader; the most important figure in an organization or outfit. * /The man will decide./ [man-about-town] {n. phr.} A sophisticate; an idler; a member of cafe society; one who knows where the best plays and concerts are given. * /Ask Mark where to go when you're in New York City; he's a real man-about-town./ [manger] See: DOG IN THE MANGER. [man in the moon] {n. phr.} An imaginary or nonexistent person (often used to indicate a person of ignorance). * /Stop asking me such difficult questions about nuclear physics; I know as much about it as the man in the moon./ [man in the street] {n. phr.} The man who is just like most other men; the average man; the ordinary man. * /The newspaper took a poll of the man in the street./ Compare: JOE DOAKES, JOHN Q. PUBLIC. [manner] See: ALL MANNER OF, TO THE MANNER BORN. [man of few words] {n. phr.} A man who doesn't talk very much; a man who says only what is needed. * /The principal is a man of few words, but the pupils know what he wants./ [man of his word] {n. phr.} A man who keeps his promises and does the things he agrees to do; a man who can be trusted. * /My uncle is a man of his word./ [man of letters] {n. phr.} A writer; an author; a scholar. * /Chekhov was not only a practicing physician but also a first-rate man of letters./ [man of means] {n. phr.} A rich person. * /He became a man of means by successfully playing the stock market./ [man of parts] {n. phr.}, {literary} A man who has several different skills, talents, or qualities. * /The pianist is a man of parts. He wrote the piece he played, and he also plays the organ and paints well./ [man-of-war] {n. phr.} 1. A stinging jellyfish in the Gulf of Mexico. * /"No swimming today," the sign said, "as we have a man-of-war alert."/ 2. A large battleship displaying its national flag or insignia. * /The shipwreck victims were picked up by an American man-of-war./ 3. The albatross bird. * /After several days at sea we noticed some men-of-war majestically sailing through the skies./ [man-to-man] {adj.} Honest and full in the telling; not hiding anything embarrassing. * /Tom and his father had a man-to-man talk about his smoking pot./ Compare: HEART-TO-HEART. [many] See: GOOD MANY or GREAT MANY, IN SO MANY WORDS, SO MANY. [many a] {adj.} Many (persons or things) - Used with a singular noun. * /Many a boy learns to swim before he can read./ * /I have spent many a day in his home./ [many hands make light work] If many people work together, even a hard job becomes easier. - A proverb. * /Come on boys, many hands make light work. If we work together, we can finish painting the barn./ [many is me] There are a great number of (persons or things); many are the (persons or things). - Used at the beginning of a sentence with a singular noun. * /Many is the man I have lent money to./ * /Many was the time I ate at that restaurant./ Compare: MANY A. [many moons ago] {adv. phr.} A long, long time ago. * /Many moons ago, when I was young, I was able to dance all night./ [map] See: PUT ON THE MAP. [map out] {v. phr.} To arrange; lay out; plan. * /The candidate will meet with his campaign manager tomorrow to map out his campaign strategy./ [marble] See: HAVE ALL ONE'S BUTTONS or HAVE ALL ONE'S MARBLES. [March] See: MAD AS A HATTER or MAD AS A MARCH HARE. [march] See: STEAL A MARCH ON. [mare's nest] {n. phr.} Something that doesn't exist; a discovery that proves to be worthless. * /He claims that he has discovered a gasoline substitute but we suspect it will turn out to be a mare's nest./ [marine] See: TELL IT TO THE MARINES. [mark] See: MAKE ONE'S MARK, TOE THE LINE or TOE THE MARK, UP TO THE MARK at UP TO PAR(2), WALK THE CHALK or WALK THE CHALK LINE or WALK THE CHALK MARK, WIDE OF THE MARK. [markdown] {n.} A reduction in price. * /Joan asked, "Do you like my new sandals? They were markdowns at Marshall Field's."/ [mark down] {v. phr.} 1. To lower the price. * /The department store marked down their prices on women's sandals./ 2. To give a poor grade to a student. * /Peter was marked down for his numerous spelling errors./ 3. To make a written note of something. * /Here is my phone number; mark it down./ [marked man] {n. phr.} A man whose behavior has made him the object of suspicion; a man whose life may be in danger. * /When Dave dared to criticize the dictator openly, he became a marked man./ [market] See: FLEA MARKET, IN THE MARKET FOR, ON THE MARKET, PLAY THE MARKET. [mark off] {v. phr.} Mark with lines; lay out in sections. * /The field will be marked off in accordance with the special track events that will take place tomorrow./ [mark one's words] {v. phr.} To pay close attention to what one says; an emphatic expression indicating prophecy. * /"It will certainly rain tomorrow," he said. "Mark my words."/ [mark time] {v. phr.} 1. To move the feet up and down as in marching, but not going forward. * /The officer made the soldiers mark time as a punishment./ 2. To be idle; waiting for something to happen. * /The teacher marked time until all the children were ready for the test./ 3. To seem to be working or doing something, but really not doing it. * /It was so hot that the workmen just marked time./ [marry money] {v. phr.} To marry a rich person. * /Ellen married money when she became Hal's wife./ [masking tape] {n.} A paper tape that is stuck around the edges of a surface being painted to keep the paint off the surface next to it. * /The painters put masking tape around the window frames to keep the paint off the glass./ [masse] See: EN MASSE. [mast] See: NAIL ONE'S COLORS TO THE MAST. [master copy] {n.} 1. A perfect text to which all copies are made to conform; a corrected version used as a standard by printers. * /The master copy must be right, because if it isn't, the mistakes in it will be repeated all through the edition./ 2. A stencil from which other copies are made. * /Mr. Brown told his secretary to save the master copy so that they could run off more copies whenever they needed them./ * /The master copy was too light so many of the copies didn't come out clear./ [master key] {n. phr.} A key that opens a set of different locks. * /The building janitor has a master key to all of the apartments in this building./ [mastermind] {v.} To create; direct; invent the central plan for several individuals to follow. * /Lenin masterminded the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia./ [mastermind] {n.} A person who supplies the intelligence for a project and/or undertakes its management. * /Winston Churchill was the mastermind in the war against Hitler./ [master of ceremonies] or [M.C.] or [emcee] {n.} The person in charge of introducing the various participants in a show or entertainment. * /Bob Hope was the M.C. of many memorable shows./ [mat] See: WELCOME MAT IS OUT. [matter] See: FOR THAT MATTER, LAUGHING MATTER, NO MATTER, THE MATTER. [matter of course] {n. phr.} Something always done; the usual way; habit; rule. * /A was a matter of course for John to dress carefully when he was meeting his wife./ * /Bank officers ask questions as a matter of course when someone wants to borrow money./ [matter of fact] {n. phr.} Something that is really true; something that can be proved. * /The town records showed that it was a matter of fact that the two boys were brothers./ * /It is a matter of fact that the American war against England was successful./ - Often used for emphasis in the phrase "as a matter of fact". * /I didn't go yesterday, and as a matter of fact, f didn't go all week./ * /Mary wasn't wearing a blue dress. As a matter of fact, she hasn't got a blue dress./ Compare: FOR THAT MATTER, IN FACT. Contrast: MATTER OF OPINION. [matter-of-fact] {adj.} 1. Simply telling or showing the truth; not explaining or telling more. * /The newspaper gave a matter-of-fact account of the murder trial./ 2. Showing little feeling or excitement or trouble; seeming not to care much. * /When Mary's father died she acted in a very matter-of-fact way./ * /He was a very matter-of-fact person./ [matter of opinion] {n. phr.} Something that may or may not be true; something that people do not all agree on. * /Whether or not he was a good general is a matter of opinion./ Compare: MATTER OF FACT. [matter of record] {n. phr.} A fact or event that is kept officially as a legal record. * /If you are convicted of speeding it becomes a matter of record./ * /A birth certificate or a marriage license is a matter of record./ [may] See: BE THAT AS IT MAY, COME WHAT MAY, LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY. [M.C.] or [emcee] {v.} To act as master of ceremonies at a show. * /The famous actor emceed the entire television show./ [me] See: DEAR ME, PICK-ME-UP, SO HELP ME. [mean business] {v. phr.}, {informal} To decide strongly to do what you plan to do; really mean it; be serious. * /The boss said he would fire us if we didn't work harder and he means business./ * /When she went to college to study, she meant business./ * /He just liked the company of the other girls he dated, but this time he seems to mean business./ [means] See: BY ALL MEANS, BY MEANS OF, BY NO MEANS, WAYS AND MEANS. [means to an end] {n. phr.} An action leading to some end or purpose. * /Money for him was just a means to an end; actually he wanted power./ [mean well] {v. phr.} To have good intentions. * /Fred generally means well, but he has a tendency to be tactless./ [measure] See: BEYOND MEASURE, FOR GOOD MEASURE, MADE-TO-MEASURE, TAKE ONE'S MEASURE or TAKE THE MEASURE OF. [measure off] {v. phr.} To mark by measuring. * /She measured off three yards with which to make the new dress./ [measure up] {v.} To be equal; be of fully high quality; come up. * /John didn't measure up to the best catchers but he was a good one./ * /Lois' school work didn't measure up to her ability./ Compare up: TO PAR. Contrast: FALL SHORT. [meatball] {n.}, {slang} A dull, boring, slow-witted, or uninteresting person. * /You'll never get an interesting story out of that meatball - stop inviting him./ [medicine] See: TAKE ONE'S MEDICINE. [medium] See: STRIKE A HAPPY MEDIUM. [meet] See: MAKE ENDS MEET. [meet halfway] See: GO HALFWAY. [meeting] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER or SUNDAY-GO-TO-MEETING CLOTHES. [meet one's death] {v. phr.} To die. * /Algernon met his death in a car accident./ [meet one's eye] {v. phr.} To be in plain view or come into plain view; appear clearly or obviously. * /When John rounded the bend, a clear blue lake met his eye./ * /On a first reading the plan looked good, but there was more to it than met the eye./ [meet one's match] {v. phr.} To encounter someone as good as oneself. * /The champion finally met his match and lost the game./ [meet one's Waterloo] {v. phr.} To be defeated; lose an important contest. * /After seven straight victories the team met its Waterloo./ * /John fought instead of running, and the bully met his Waterloo./ (After Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo.) [meet up with] {v. phr.} To meet by accident; come upon without planning or expecting to. * /When he ran around the tree, Bob suddenly meet up with a large bear./ * /The family would have arrived on time, but they met up with a flat tire./ [meet with] {v.} 1. To meet (someone), usually by accident. * /In the woods he met with two strangers./ Syn.: COME UPON. 2. To meet together, usually by plan; join; have a meeting with. * /The two scouts met with the officers to talk about plans for the march./ 3. To experience (as unhappiness); suffer (as bad luck); have (as an accident or mishap). * /The farmer met with misfortune; his crops were destroyed by a storm./ * /The traveler met with an accident on the road./ [melt] See: BUTTER WOULDN'T MELT IN ONE'S MOUTH, MELT IN ONE'S MOUTH. [melting pot] {n. phr.} A country where different nationalities mingle and mix with the result that, in the second generation, most people speak the main language of the country and behave like the majority. * /It is no longer considered entirely true that the United States is a melting pot; many immigrants speak a second language./ [melt in one's mouth] {v. phr.} 1. To be so tender as to seem to need no chewing. * /The chicken was so