to the last minute] {adv. phr.} Until the last possible moment; until the very end. * /When I try to send in an important eyewitness report from the scene of a major accident, I must keep working up to the last minute./ Compare: TO THE BITTER END, UNDER THE WIRE. [up to the mark] See: UP TO PAR(2). [up-to-the-minute] See: UP-TO-DATE. [urban homesteading] {n.}, {informal} Renovation and occupation through cooperative ownership by tenants of previously abandoned city apartment buildings. * /Urban homesteading is on the rise in many big American cities these days./ [use] See: NO USE, PUT TO USE. [used to(1)] {adj. phr.} In the habit of or familiar with. * /People get used to smoking and it is hard for them to stop./ * /Farmers are used to working outdoors in the winter./ * /After my eyes became used to the dim light in the cave, I saw an old shovel on the ground./ * /On the hike Bob soon got tired, but Dick did not because he was used to walking./ [used to(2)] or [did use to] {v. phr.} Did formerly; did in the past. - Usually used with an infinitive to tell about something past. * /Uncle Henry used to have a beard, but he shaved it off./ * /Did your father use to work at the bank?/ * /People used to say that tomatoes were poison./ - Sometimes used without the infinitive. * /I don't go to that school any more, but I used to./ * /We don't visit Helen as much as we used to./ * /I used to go to the movies often. Did you use to?/ [used to be] or [did use to be] {v. phr.} Formerly or once was. * /Mary used to be small; but she has grown up./ * /Dick used to be the best pitcher on the team last year; now two other pitchers are better than he is./ [use every trick in the book] {v. phr.}, {informal} To avail oneself of any means at all in order to achieve one's goal, not exclusive of possibly immoral or illegal acts. * /Algernon used every trick in the book to get Maxine to go out with him, but she kept refusing./ [use one's head] or {slang} [use one's bean] or {slang} [use one's noodle] or {slang} use [one's noggin] {v. phr.} To use your brain or mind; think; have common sense. - Often used as a command. * /If you used your bean you wouldn't be in trouble now./ * /Never point a gun at anybody, John. Use your head!/ [use up] {v. phr.} 1. To use until nothing is left; spend or consume completely. * /Don't use up all the soap. Leave me some to wash with./ * /Jack used up his last dollar to see the movies./ Compare: GIVE OUT(5). 2. {informal} To tire completely; make very tired; exhaust; leave no strength or force in. - Usually used in the passive. * /After rowing the boat across the lake, Robert was used up./ Compare: GIVE OUT(4), WEAR OUT. [utility room] {n.} A room in a house or building for machinery and other things important in the daily use of the building and the work of the people in it. * /There is a utility room upstairs where Mother does the laundry./ * /The oil burner is kept in the utility room in the basement./ V [vain] See: IN VAIN, TAKE ONE'S NAME IN VAIN. [valor] See: DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOR. [value] See: FACE VALUE. [vanish into thin air] See: DISAPPEAR INTO THIN AIR. [vanishing cream] {n.} A cosmetic cream for the skin that is used chiefly before face powder. * /Mrs. Jones spread vanishing cream on her face before applying her face powder./ [vanity case] {n.} 1. A small case containing face powder, lipstick, and other things and usually carried in a woman's handbag; a compact. * /She took out her vanity case and put lipstick on./ 2. A handbag or a small bag carried by a woman and holding various toilet articles. * /She had the porter carry her big bags and she herself carried her vanity case./ [variety show] {n.} A program that includes several different kinds of entertainment (as songs, dances, comic skits and little dramas). * /Jane's father was the master of ceremonies of a variety show on TV./ [variety store] {n.} A store that sells many different kinds of things, especially items that are fairly small and in everyday use. * /I went into a variety store and bought some paint./ * /Five-and-ten cent stores are a kind of variety store./ [vein] See: FREEZE ONE'S BLOOD or FREEZE THE BLOOD IN ONE'S VEINS, FREEZE ONE'S VEINS. [verbal diarrhea] {n. phr.} The inability to keep silent; over-talkativeness. * /Archibald is a nice guy but he's got verbal diarrhea and he can't shut up for a single minute./ [very] See: ALL VERY WELL. [very well] {interj.}, {formal} Agreed; all right. - Used to show agreement or approval. * /Very well. You may go./ * /Very well, I will do as you say./ Compare: ALL RIGHT(2). [vibrations] or [vibes] {n.} Psychic emanations radiating from an object, situation, or person. * /I don't think this relationship will work out - this guy has given me bad vibes./ [vicious circle] {n. phr.} A kind of circular or chain reaction in which one negative thing leads to another. * /Some people take so many different kinds of medicine to cure an illness that they develop other illnesses from the medicine and are thus caught in a vicious circle./ [Vietnam syndrome] {n.}, {informal} An attitude in government circles that diplomacy may be more effective in solving local political problems in other countries than the use of military force, stemming from the failure of the U.S. military intervention in Vietnam. * /The pundits of Foggy Bottom display the Vietnam syndrome these days when it comes to Iran./ [view] See: IN VIEW, IN VIEW OF, TAKE A DIM VIEW OF. [vine] See: DIE ON THE VINE or WITHER ON THE VINE, CLINGING VINE. [virtue] See: BY VIRTUE OF, MAKE A VIRTUE OF NECESSITY. [visiting nurse] {n.} A nurse who goes from home to home taking care of sick people or giving help with other health problems. * /After John returned home from the hospital, the visiting nurse came each day to change his bandages./ [voice] See: AT THE TOP OF ONE'S VOICE, GIVE VOICE. [voice box] {n.} The part of the throat where the sound of your voice is made; the larynx. * /Mr. Smith's voice box was taken out in an operation, and he could not talk after that./ [voiceprint] {n.}, {technological}, {colloquial} The graphic pattern derived from converting an individual's voice into a visible graph used by the police for identification purposes, much as fingerprints. * /They have succeeded in identifying the murderer by using a voiceprint./ [volcano] See: SIT ON A VOLCANO. [volume] See: SPEAK VOLUMES. [vote a straight ticket] {v. phr.} To not differentiate one's ballot according to individual names and posts, but to vote for all candidates for all positions of the same party. * /"I never have time.to study the ballot in detail," Marie said, "and so I tend to vote a straight Republican ticket."/ [vote in] {v. phr.} To elevate to the status of "Law of the Land" by special or general ballot. * /Congress has finally voted in the Brady Law that requires that prospective gun owners wait a special period of time before making their purchase./ [vote one out] {v. phr.} To terminate one's elected office by casting a negative vote about that person (judge, congressman, etc.), mostly so that someone else might occupy the same position. * /Congressman Smith was voted out last November in favor of Congresswoman Bradley./ W [wade in] or [wade into] {v.}, {informal} 1. To go busily to work. * /The house was a mess after the party, but Mother waded in and soon had it clean again./ 2. To attack. * /When Bill had heard Jim's argument, he waded in and took it apart./ * /Jack waded into the boys with his fists flying./ [wade through] {v. phr.} To read through something long and laborious. * /It took John six months to wade through Tolstoy's War and Peace in the original Russian./ [wag] See: TONGUES TO WAG or TONGUES WAG. [wagon] See: FIX SOMEONE'S WAGON, HITCH ONE'S WAGON TO A STAR, JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON, OFF THE WAGON, ON THE WAGON. [wag one's chin] See: BEAT ONE'S GUMS, CHEW THE FAT, CHEW THE RAG, SHOOT THE BREEZE. [wait] See: LIE IN WAIT. [wait at table] or [wait on table] or [wait table] {v. phr.} To serve food. * /Mrs. Lake had to teach her new maid to wait on table properly./ * /The girls earn spending money by waiting at table in the school dining rooms./ [waiting list] {n.} A list of persons waiting to get into something (as a school). * /The nursery school enrollment was complete, so the director put our child's name on the waiting list./ * /The landlord said there were no vacant apartments available, but that he would put the Rogers' name on the waiting list./ [waiting room] {n. phr.} The sitting area in a doctor's, lawyer's, accountant's, etc. office, or in a hospital, or other workplace, where people wait their turn. * /Some doctor's offices have elegantly furnished waiting rooms with magazines, newspapers, and coffee for the patients./ [wait on] or [wait upon] {v.} 1. To serve. * /Sue has a summer job waiting on an invalid./ * /The clerk in the store asked if we had been waited upon./ 2. {formal} To visit as a courtesy or for business. * /We waited upon the widow out of respect for her husband./ * /John waited upon the President with a letter of introduction./ 3. To follow. * /Success waits on hard work./ [wait on hand and foot] {v. phr.} To serve in every possible way; do everything for (someone). * /Sally is spoiled because her mother waits on her hand and foot./ * /The gentlemen had a valet to wait on him hand and foot./ Compare: HAND AND FOOT. [wait on table] See: WAIT AT TABLE. [wait up] {v. phr.} To not go to bed until a person one is worried about comes home (said by parents and marriage partners). * /My mother always waited up for me when I went out as a young student./ * /She always waits up for her husband when he's out late./ [wait upon] See: WAIT ON. [wake] See: IN THE WAKE OF. [walk] See: WIN IN A WALK. [walk all over] See: WALK OVER. [walk a tightrope] {v. phr.} To be in a dangerous or awkward situation where one cannot afford to make a single mistake. * /"When we landed on the moon in 1969," Armstrong explained, "we were walking a tightrope till the very end."/ [walk away with] or [walk off with] {v.} 1. To take and go away with; take away; often: steal. * /When Father went to work, he accidentally walked off with Mother's umbrella./ * /How can a thief walk off with a safe in broad daylight?/ 2. To take, get, or win easily. * /Jim walked away with all the honors on Class Night./ * /Our team walked off with the championship./ [walking dictionary] {n. phr.} A person highly knowledgeable in matters of language use. * /If you want to know what "serendipity" means, ask my Uncle Fred. He is a professor of English and is also a walking dictionary./ [walking encyclopedia] {n. phr.} A polymath; a person very well versed in a number of different disciplines. * /My uncle is a veritable walking encyclopedia when it comes to the history of World War II./ Contrast: WALKING DICTIONARY. [walking papers] or [walking orders] also [walking ticket] {n.}, {informal} A statement that you are fired from your job; dismissal. * /The boss was not satisfied with Paul's work and gave him his walking papers./ * /George is out of work. He picked up his walking ticket last Friday./ [walk off with] See: WALK AWAY WITH. [walk of life] {n. phr.} Way of living; manner in which people live. * /Many rich people have yachts; people in their walk of life can afford them./ * /The banker did not want his son to marry a girl in a different walk of life./ * /People from every walk of life enjoy television./ Compare: THE TRACKS. [walk on air] {v. phr.}, {informal} To feel happy and excited. * /Sue has been walking on air since she won the prize./ * /His father's compliment left Jed walking on air./ Compare: ON CLOUD NINE, ON TOP OF THE WORLD. [walk on eggs] {v. phr.} To act with utmost caution due to being in a precarious position. * /Tom has been walking on eggs ever since he started working for a new boss in Cincinnati./ [walk out] {v.} 1. To go on strike. * /When the company would not give them higher pay, the workers walked out./ 2. To leave suddenly; especially to desert. * /He didn't say he wasn't coming back; he just walked out./ - Often used informally with "on". * /The man walked out on his wife and children./ Compare: LEAVE FLAT, LEAVE IN THE LURCH. [walk over] or [walk all over] or [step all over] {v. phr.} {informal} To make (someone) do whatever you wish; make selfish use of; treat like a slave; impose upon. * /Jill is so friendly and helpful that people walk all over her./ * /We wanted the man's business, so we let him step all over us./ Compare: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF. [walk the chalk] or [walk the chalk line] or [walk the chalk mark] To act exactly as you are supposed to; behave properly; obey. * /That new teacher really makes the students walk the chalk./ * /In some classes the students play and talk, but Mr. Parker makes them walk the chalk./ * /That theater owner wants his place to be orderly, and if boys and girls don't walk the chalk, he puts them out./ (From the fact that sailors used to be asked to walk a chalk line along the deck of the ship to prove they were not drunk.) Compare: TOE THE MARK. [walk the floor] {v. phr.} To walk one direction and then the other across the floor, again and again; pace. * /Mr. Black walked the floor, trying to reach a decision./ * /The sick baby had his mother walking the floor all night./ * /Mrs. Black's toothache hurt so much that she got up and walked the floor./ [walk the plank] {v. phr.} 1. To walk off a board extended over the side of a ship and be drowned. * /The pirates captured the ship and forced the crew to walk the plank./ 2. {informal} To resign from a job because someone makes you do it. * /When a new owner bought the store, the manager had to walk the plank./ [wall] See: BACK TO THE WALL, BEAT ONE'S HEAD AGAINST A WALL, CLIMB THE WALL, FORWARD WALL, HANDWRITING ON THE WALL, HOLE-IN-THE-WALL, STONE WALL or BRICK WALL, TO THE WALL. [wallflower] {n.} A girl who has to sit out dances because nobody is asking her to dance. * /"I used to be a wallflower during my high school days," Valerie complained, "but my luck changed for better once I got into college."/ [wallop] See: PACK A PUNCH or PACK A WALLOP. [walls have ears] Sometimes one's most confidential conversations are overheard. * /"Be careful what you say," he whispered. "Remember that walls have ears."/ [want ad] {n.} A small advertisement on a special page in a newspaper that offers employment opportunities and merchandise. * /"You want a temporary job?" he asked the recent arrival in town. "Go and look at the want ads!"/ [war] See: COLD WAR, TUG OF WAR. [war baby] {n.}, {informal} A person born during a war. * /War babies began to increase college enrollments early in the 1960s./ * /The war babies forced many towns to build new schools./ [ward off] {v. phr.} To deflect; avert. * /Vitamin C is known to ward off the common cold./ [warmer] See: BENCH WARMER. [warm one's blood] {v. phr.} To make you feel warm or excited. * /When the Bakers came to visit on a cold night, Mr. Harmon offered them a drink to warm their blood./ [warm the bench] {v. phr.}, {informal} To act as a substitute on an athletic team. * /Bill has been warming the bench for three football seasons; he hopes that the coach will let him play this year./ - [bench warmer] {n.}, {informal} A substitute player. * /Last year Ted was only a bench warmer, but this year he is the team's star pitcher./ [warm up] {v.} 1. To reheat cooked food. * /Mr. Jones was so late that his dinner got cold; his wife had to warm it up./ * /When the children had left for school, their mother warmed up the breakfast coffee./ 2. To become friendly or interested. * /It takes an hour or so for some children to warm up to strangers./ * /As he warmed up to his subject, Tom forgot his bashfulness./ 3. To get ready for a game or other event by exercising or practicing. * /The dancers began to warm up fifteen minutes before the performance./ * /The coach told us to warm up before entering the pool./ [warm-up] {n.} A period of exercise or practice in preparation for a game or other event. * /During the warm-up the baseball players were throwing the ball around and running up and down the side of the field./ * /Before the television quiz program, there was a warm-up to prepare the contestants./ [warpath] See: ON THE WARPATH. [warrant] See: SIGN ONE'S OWN DEATH WARRANT. [wash and wear] {adj.} Not needing to be ironed. - Refers especially to synthetic and synthetic blend fabrics. * /Dick bought three wash and wear shirts to take on his trip./ * /Sally's dress is made of a wash and wear fabric./ [washed out] {adj.} Listless in appearance; pale, wan. * /Small wonder Harry looks so washed out; he has just recovered from major surgery./ [washed up] {adj.} Ruined; finished; a failure. * /Harry is looking awfully sad. I hear his business has collapsed and he is all washed up./ [wash one's dirty linen in public] See: AIR ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC. [wash one's hands of] {v. phr.} To withdraw from or refuse to be responsible for. * /We washed our hands of politics long ago./ * /The school washed its hands of the students' behavior during spring recess./ [washout] {n.} A dismal failure. * /As far as investments were concerned, Dick and his precious advice turned out to he a total washout./ [wash out] {v. phr.} To disappear; vanish. * /Do you think this stain will wash out?/ [waste] See: GO TO WASTE, LAY WASTE. [waste away] {v.} To become more thin and weak every day. * /Jane is wasting away with tuberculosis./ * /After Mrs. Barnes died, her husband wasted away with grief./ [waste one's breath] {v. phr.} To speak or to argue with no result; do nothing by talking. * /The teacher saw that she was wasting her breath; the children refused to believe her./ * /I know what I want. You're wasting your breath./ [watch] See: BIRD WATCHER, BEAR WATCHING, ON THE WATCH. [watched pot never boils] If you watch or wait for something to get done or to happen, it seems to take forever. - A proverb. * /Jane was nine months pregnant and Tom hovered over her anxiously. She said, "You might as well go away and play some golf. A watched pot never boils, you know!"/ [watcher] See: CLOCK WATCHER. [watch every penny] See: PINCH PENNIES. [watch it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be careful. - Usually used as a command. * /You'd better watch it. If you get into trouble again, you'll be expelled./ * /Watch it - the bottom stair is loose!/ [watch one's dust] or [watch one's smoke] {v. phr.}, {slang} To notice your quick action; watch you do something quickly. * /Offer Bill a dollar to shovel your sidewalk, and watch his smoke!/ * /"We'll have your yard cleaned in a jiffy," the Boy Scouts told Mr. Truitt. "Watch our smoke!"/ * /"I can go to the store and be back in five minutes," bragged Tom. "Just watch my dust."/ [watch one's language] {v. phr.} To be careful of how one speaks; avoid saying impolite or vulgar things. * /"You boys watch your language," Mother said, "or you won't be watching television for a whole week!"/ [watch one's step] {v. phr.} To mend one's ways; exercise prudence, tact, and care. * /I have to watch my step with the new boss as he is a very proud and sensitive individual./ [watch out] See: LOOK OUT. [watch over] {v. phr.} To guard; take care of. * /The museum guards carefully watch over the world-famous paintings./ [water] See: BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER, DEEP WATER, FISH OUT OF WATER, GO THROUGH HELL AND HIGH WATER, HEAD ABOVE WATER, HOLD WATER, HELL AND HIGH WATER, HOT WATER, LIKE WATER, LIKE WATER OFF A DUCK'S BACK, MAKE ONE'S MOUTH WATER, OF THE FIRST WATER, POUR OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS, THROW COLD WATER ON, TREAD WATER. [water down] {v.} To change and make weaker; weaken. * /The Senator argued that the House should water down the bill before passing it./ * /The African American did not accept watered down Civil Rights legislation./ * /After talking with the management about their demands, the workers agreed to water them down./ * /The teacher had to water down the course for a slow-learning class./ [watered down] {adj.} Weakened; diluted. * /The play was a disappointing, watered down version of Shakespeare's Othello./ [waterfront] See: COVER THE WATERFRONT. [watering hole] or [place] {n. phr.} A bar, pub, or nightclub where people gather to drink and socialize. * /I like "The Silver Dollar" - it is my favorite watering hole in all of Sidney, Nebraska./ [Waterloo] See: MEET ONE'S WATERLOO. [water over the dam] or [water under the bridge] {n. phr.} Something that happened in the past and cannot be changed. * /Since the sweater is too small already, don't worry about its shrinking; that's water over the dam./ Compare: CRY OVER SPILLED MILK. [water under the bridge] See: WATER OVER THE DAM. [water wagon] See: ON THE WAGON. [way] See: ALL THE WAY or THE WHOLE WAY, BY THE WAY, BY WAY OF, COME A LONG WAY, CUT BOTH WAYS or CUT TWO WAYS, EVERY WHICH WAY, FROM WAY BACK, GO OUT OF ONE'S WAY, HARD WAY, HAVE A WAY WITH, IN A BAD WAY, IN A BIG WAY, IN A FAMILY WAY, IN A WAY, IN ONE'S WAY or IN THE WAY, KNOW ONE'S WAY AROUND or KNOW ONE'S WAY ABOUT, LEAD THE WAY, MAKE ONE'S WAY, MAKE WAY, NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN, NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT, ON THE WAY or ON ONE'S WAY, PARTING OF THE WAYS, PUT IN THE WAY OF or PUT IN ONE'S WAY, PUT OUT OF THE WAY, RUB THE WRONG WAY, SEE ONE'S WAY CLEAR. [way off] {adj. phr.} At a great distance from a particular point (said of a discrepancy). * /We were way off on our calculations; the house cost us twice as much as we had thought./ [wayside] See: FALL BY THE WAYSIDE. [way the wind blows] or [how the wind blows] {n. phr.} The direction or course something may go; how things are; what may happen. * /Most senators find put which way the wind blows in their home state before voting on bills in Congress./ [ways and means] {n. plural} Methods of getting something done or getting money; how something can be done and paid for. * /The boys were trying to think of ways and means to go camping for the weekend./ * /The United States Senate has a committee on ways and means./ [wear] See: IF THE SHOE FITS - WEAR IT, WASH AND WEAR, WORSE FOR WEAR. [wear and tear] {n. phr.} Deterioration through use. * /After 75,000 miles there is usually a lot of wear and tear on any car./ [wear away] See: WEAR DOWN. [wear blinders] or [blinkers] {v. phr.} To refuse or be unable to consider alternative ways of thinking or acting. * /Anybody who disputes the importance of learning languages is wearing blinders./ [wear down], [wear off] or [wear away] {v.} 1. To remove or disappear little by little through use, time, or the action of weather. * /Time and weather have worn off the name on the gravestone./ * /The eraser has worn off my pencil./ * /The grass has worn away from the path near the house./ 2. To lessen; become less little by little. * /The people went home as the excitement of the fire wore off./ * /John could feel the pain again as the dentist's medicine wore away./ 3. To exhaust; tire out, win over or persuade by making tired. * /Mary wore her mother down by begging so that she let Mary go to the movies./ Compare: DIE OUT. [wear on] {v.} 1. To anger or annoy; tire. * /Having to stay indoors all day long is tiresome for the children and wears on their mother's nerves./ 2. To drag on; pass gradually or slowly; continue in the same old way. * /Johnny tried to wait up for Santa Claus but as the night wore on, he couldn't keep his eyes open./ * /As the years wore on, the man in prison grew old./ * /The boys' quarrel wore on all afternoon./ [wear one's heart on one's sleeve] also [pin one's heart on one's sleeve] {v. phr.} To show your feelings openly; show everyone how you feel; not hide your feelings. * /She wears her heart on her sleeve. It's easy to see if she is sad or happy./ * /Sometimes it is better not to pin your heart on your sleeve./ Compare: OPEN ONE'S HEART. [wear out] {v.} 1a. To use or wear until useless. * /Bobby got a toy truck that would run on a battery, and he used it so much that he soon wore it out./ * /The stockings are so worn out that they can't be mended any more./ Compare: GIVE OUT(4), USE UP. 1b. To become useless from use or wear. * /The old clock finally wore out./ * /One shoe wore out before the other./ 2. or [tire out] To make very tired; weaken. * /The children played inside when it rained, and they soon wore out their mother./ * /When Dick got home from the long walk, he was all worn out./ - Often used with "oneself". * /Don't wear yourself out by playing too hard./ Compare: GIVE OUT(4). 3. To make by rubbing, scraping, or washing. * /The waterfall has worn out a hole in the stone beneath it./ [wear out one's welcome] {v. phr.}, {informal} To visit somewhere too long or come back too often so that you are not welcome any more. * /The Smith children have worn out their welcome at our house because they never want to go home./ * /This hot weather has worn out its welcome with us./ [wear the trousers] or [wear the pants] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have a man's authority; be the boss of a family or household. * /Mr. Wilson is henpecked by his wife; she wears the trousers in that family./ * /Mrs. Jones talks a lot but Mr. Jones wears the pants in their house./ Compare: RULE THE ROOST. [wear thin] {v.} 1. To become thin from use, wearing, or the passing of time. * /My old pair of pants has worn thin at the knees./ * /This old dime has worn very thin./ 2. To grow less, or less interesting; decrease. * /The joke began to wear thin when you heard it too many times./ * /The teacher's patience began to wear thin when he saw that no one knew the lesson./ [wear well] {v.} 1. To continue to be satisfactory, useful, or liked for a long time. * /My old overcoat has worn very well./ * /Their marriage has worn well./ * /That author wears well./ Compare: STAND UP(2). 2. To carry, accept, or treat properly or well. * /Grandfather wears his years well./ * /Tommy has won many honors but he wears them well./ [weasel out] {v. phr.} To renege on a previous promise; not keep an obligation for some not always straight reason. * /I'm so tired I think I am going to weasel my way out of going to that meeting this afternoon./ [weasel word] {n.}, {informal} A word which has more than one meaning and may be used to deceive others. * /When the thief was being questioned by the police, he tried to fool them with weasel words./ [weather] See: FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND. [weather eye] {n.} 1. Eyes that can tell what the weather will be. * /Grandfather's weather eye always tells him when it will rain./ 2. Eyes ready or quick to see; careful watch. - Usually used in phrases like "keep a weather eye on", "open", or "out for". * /Mrs. Brown kept a weather eye on the children so they wouldn't hurt each other./ * /Keep a weather eye out for Uncle George at the store./ * /Keep a weather eye open for deer./ * /The police have a weather eye out for the robbers./ Compare: LOOK OUT. [weather the storm] {v. phr.} To survive some disaster. * /When Peter and Sue started their business they had very little money, but in a year they weathered the storm./ [wedge] See: FLYING WEDGE. [wedlock] See: BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK. [wee hours] The crack of dawn, or just before it, usually between 1 A.M. and 4 A.M. or 2 A.M. and 5 A.M. * /He stayed up all night when they were expecting their first child; finally, a boy was born in the wee hours of the morning./ Compare: SMALL HOURS. [weeper] See: FINDERS KEEPERS or FINDERS KEEPERS LOSERS WEEPERS. [weed out] {v.} 1. To remove what is unwanted, harmful, or not good enough from. * /Mother weeded out the library because there were too many books./ * /Many colleges and universities weed out their freshman classes to make room for better students./ 2. To take (what is not wanted) from a collection or group; remove (a part) for the purpose of improving a collection or group; get rid of. * /The coach is weeding out the weak players this week./ * /The teacher told Elizabeth to read over her English composition and weed out every sentence that was not about the subject./ [wee folk] or [little folk] or [little people] {n. phr.} Fairy people; brownies; elves; fairies; or goblins. * /Mother read me a story about the wee folk who lived in the forest and came out at night./ * /There are many stories about little people dancing in the moonlight./ [week in, week out] See: DAY IN, AND DAY OUT. [week of Sundays] {n. phr.} A long time; seven weeks. * /I haven't seen them in a week of Sundays./ [weigh anchor] {v. phr.} To set sail; get going. * /After a week in Hawaii, we weighed anchor and sailed south toward Tahiti./ [weigh down] also [weight down] 1. To make heavy; cause to go down or bend with weight; overload. * /The evergreens are weighed down by the deep snow./ - Often used with "with" or "by". * /There are so many children in the back seat that they are weighing down the back of the car./ 2a. To overload with care or worry; make sad or low in spirits. - Usually used in the passive. * /The family is weighed down by sorrow./ * /The company is weighed down by debt./ 2b. To make heavy, hard, or slow; make dull or uninteresting. - Often in the passive used with "by" or "with". * /The book is weighted down with footnotes./ * /The TV program is weighed down by commercials./ [weigh in] {v.} 1a. To take the weight of; weigh. * /The man at the airport counter weighed in our bags and took our plane tickets./ * /A doctor weighed in the wrestlers./ 1b. To have yourself or something that you own weighed. - Often used with "at". * /I weighed in at 100 pounds on the scale today./ * /We took our bags to the airport counter to weigh in./ 1c. To have yourself weighed as a boxer or wrestler by a doctor before a match. - Often used with "at". * /The champion didn't want to weigh in at more than 160 pounds./ 2. {slang} To join or interfere in a fight, argument, or discussion. * /We told Jack that if we wanted him to weigh in with his opinion we would ask him./ Compare: TAKE PART. [weigh on] or [weigh upon] {v.} 1. To be a weight or pressure on; be heavy on. * /The pack weighed heavily on the soldier's back./ 2. To make sad or worried; trouble; disturb; upset. * /Sadness weighed on Mary's heart when her kitten died./ * /John's wrongdoing weighed upon his conscience./ * /The teacher's advice weighed upon Tom's mind./ 3. To be a burden to. * /His guilt weighed heavily upon him./ [weigh on one's mind] See: WEIGH ON(2). [weigh one's words] {v. phr.} To choose your words carefully; be careful to use the right words. * /When a teacher explains about religion, he must weigh his words because his pupils may be of several different faiths./ * /When old Mr. Jones talked to the students about becoming teachers, he spoke slowly, weighing his words./ * /In a debate, a political candidate has little time to weigh his words, and may say something foolish./ [weight] See: PULL ONE'S WEIGHT, SWING ONE'S WEIGHT, THROW ONE'S WEIGHT AROUND. [weight down] See: WEIGH DOWN. [weight of the world on one's shoulders] or [world on one's shoulders] or [world on one's back] {n. phr.} A very heavy load of worry or responsibility; very tired or worried behavior, as if carrying the world; behavior as if you are very important. * /Don't look as if you had the weight of the world on your shoulders, Henry, just because you have to mow the lawn./ * /John acts as if he were carrying the world on his back because he has a paper route./ [weigh upon] See: WEIGH ON. [welcome] See: WEAR OUT ONE'S WELCOME. [welcome mat] {n.} 1. A mat for wiping your shoes on, often with the word "welcome" on it, that is placed in front of a door. * /Mother bought a welcome mat for our new house./ 2. {informal} A warm welcome; a friendly greeting. - Used in such phrases as "the welcome mat is out" and "put out the welcome mat". * /Our welcome mat is always out to our friends./ * /Spread out the welcome mat, children, because Uncle Bill is visiting us tonight./ Syn.: LATCH STRING(2). Compare: ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET, WITH OPEN ARMS. [welcome with open arms] See: WITH OPEN ARMS. [well] See: ALL VERY WELL, AS WELL, AS WELL AS, HAIL FELLOW WELL MET, LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE, PLAY ONE'S CARDS RIGHT or PLAY ONE'S CARDS WELL, VERY WELL, WEAR WELL. [well and good] {adj. phr.} Good; satisfactory. * /If my daughter finishes high school, I will call that well and good./ - Often used without a verb to show agreement or understanding. * /Well and good; I will come to your house tomorrow./ Compare: ALL RIGHT, ALL VERY WELL, VERY WELL. [well-heeled] {adj.}, {slang} Wealthy; having plenty of money. * /Bob's father, who is well-heeled, gave him a sports car./ Compare: IN CLOVER, ON EASY STREET. [well-off] {adj. phr.} 1. Rich. * /They may not be millionaires, but they are sufficiently well-off./ 2. In good condition; free of problems or difficulties./ * /He is pleased that his business is well-off./ [well put] {adj. phr.} Well expressed or defined. * /His remarks about too much violence on television were extremely well put./ [well-to-do] {adj.} Having or making enough money to live comfortably; prosperous. * /John's father owns a company and his family is well-to-do./ - Often used with "the" like a plural noun. * /This is the part of town where the well-to-do live./ Compare: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY, IN THE CHIPS, ON EASY STREET. [wet] See: ALL WET, GET ONE'S FEET WET, MAD AS A WET HEN, WRINGING WET. [wet behind the ears] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not experienced; not knowing how to do something; new in a job or place. * /The new student is still wet behind the ears; he has not yet learned the tricks that the boys play on each other./ Compare: DRY BEHIND THE EARS. [wet blanket] {n.}, {informal} A person or thing that keeps others from enjoying life. * /The teenagers don't invite Bob to their parties because he is a wet blanket./ * /The weatherman throws a wet blanket on picnic plans when he forecasts rain./ Compare: CREPE HANGER. [wet one's whistle] {v. phr.}, {slang} To have a drink, especially of liquor. * /Uncle Willie told John to wait outside for a minute while he went in to the cafe to wet his whistle./ [whack] See: OUT OF WHACK. [whale away] {v.}, {informal} 1. To beat or hit hard; strike again and again. - Often used with "at". * /The boxer is whaling away at his opponent with both fists./ 2. To attack severely or again and again; go on without stopping or with great force; pound away. * /Mary has been whaling away on the typewriter for an hour./ - Often used with "at". * /During the election the Mayor whaled away at the other party in his speeches./ [whale the --- out of] See: BEAT THE --- OUT OF. [what] See: COME WHAT MAY, GET WHAT'S COMING TO ONE, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, SO WHAT. [what about] {interrog.} 1. About or concerning what; in connection with what. - Often used alone as a question. * /"I want to talk to you." "What about?"/ Compare: WHAT FOR. 2. See: WHAT OF IT. 3. See: HOW ABOUT. [what about that] See: HOW ABOUT THAT. [What a pity!] How unfortunate! What a shame! * /What a pity that he couldn't join us on our Hawaiian trip./ [what for(1)] {interrog.} For what reason; why? * /I told Mary what I was going to town for./ * /What are you running for?/ - Often used alone as a question. * /Billy's mother told him to wear his hat. "What for?" he asked./ Compare: HOW COME. [what for(2)] {n. phr.}, {informal} A scolding, or other punishment. - Usually used with "get" or "give". * /Tom got what for from his father for answering him rudely, and I heard him crying in the house./ * /The teacher gave me what for because I was late./ [what have you] or [what not] {n. phr.}, {informal} Whatever you like or want; anything else like that. * /The store sells big ones, small ones, medium ones, or what have you./ * /We found suits, coats, hats and what not in the closet./ Syn.: AND SO FORTH. [what if] What would, or will, happen if; what is the difference if; suppose that. * /What if you go instead of me?/ * /What if we paint it red. How will it look?/ * /"You can't go now" said mother. "What if I do?" Dick asked./ * /What if Jack scores a touchdown?/ [what is what] See: WHAT'S WHAT. [what of it] or [what about it] {interj.}, {informal} What is wrong with it; what do you care. * /Martha said "That boy is wearing a green coat." Jan answered, "What of it?"/ * /"John missed the bus." "What of it?"/ Syn.: SO WHAT. [what not] See: WHAT HAVE YOU. [what's cooking] See: WHAT'S UP. [what's doing] See: WHAT'S UP.. [what's sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander] What goes for the one, also goes for the other. - A proverb. * /If Herb gets a speeding ticket, so should Erica, who was right behind him; after all, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander./ [what's the big idea] or [what's the idea] {informal} What is the purpose; what do you have in mind; why did you do that; what are you doing; how dare you. - Often used to question someone or something that is not welcome. * /The Smith family painted their house red, white, and blue. What's the big idea?/ * /What's the idea of coming in here after I told you not to?/ * /I heard you are spreading false rumors about me, what's the big idea?/ [what's the idea] See: WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA. [what's up] or [what's cooking] also [what's doing] {slang} What is happening or planned; what is wrong. - Often used as a greeting. * /"What's up?" asked Bob as he joined his friends. "Are you going to the movies?"/ * /What's cooking? Why is the crowd in the street?/ * /What's doing tonight at the club?/ * /Hello Bob, what's up?/ Compare: WHAT'S WITH. [what's what] or [what is what] {n. phr.}, {informal} 1. What each thing is in a group; one thing from another. * /The weeds and the flowers are coming up together, and we can't tell what is what./ 2. All that needs to be known about something; the important facts or skills. * /Richard did the wrong thing, because he is new here and doesn't yet know what's what./ * /When Bob started his new job, it took him several weeks to learn what was what./ * /When it comes to cooking, Jenny knows what's what./ * /Harold began to tell the teacher how to teach the class, and the teacher told him what was what./ Compare: WHICH IS WHICH, WHO'S WHO. [what's with] or [what's up with] also [what's by] {slang} What is happening to; what is wrong; how is everything; what can you tell me about. * /Mary looks worried. What's with her?/ * /What's with our old friends?/ * /I'm fine. What's with you?/ [what with] {prep.} Because; as a result of. * /I couldn't visit you, what with the snowstorm and the cold I had./ * /What with dishes to wash and children to put to bed, mother was late to the meeting./ Compare: ON ACCOUNT OF. [wheel] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG WHEEL, GREASE THE WHEELS, PUT ONE'S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL. [wheel and deal] {v. phr.}, {slang} To make many big plans or schemes; especially with important people in government and business; in matters of money and influence; handle money or power for your own advantage; plan important matters in a smart or skillful way and sometimes in a tricky, or not strictly honest way. * /Mr. Smith made a fortune by wheeling and dealing on the stock market./ * /The senator got this law passed by wheeling and dealing in Congress./ - [wheeler-dealer] {n. phr.}, {slang} A person with power and control. * /The biggest wheeler-dealer in the state has many friends in high places in business and government and is a rich man himself./ [wheelhorse] {n. phr.} A reliable and industrious worker on whom one may depend. * /Jake is such a good worker that he is the wheelhorse of our tiny firm./ [when hell freezes over] {adv. phr.}, {slang} Never. * /I'll believe you when hell freezes over./ Contrast: UNTIL HELL FREEZES OVER. [when it comes to] See: COME TO(4). [when one's ship comes in] See: SHIP COME IN. [when push comes to shove] {adv. phr.} A time when a touchy situation becomes actively hostile or a quarrel turns into a fight. * /Can we count on the boss' goodwill, when push comes to shove?/ [when the chips are down] {adv. cl.}, {informal} When the winner and loser of a bet or a game are decided; at the most important or dangerous time. * /Tom hit a home run in the last inning of the game when the chips were down./ * /When the chips were down, the two countries decided not to have war./ (From the fact that in gambling games, a person puts chips or money down in front of him to show that he is willing to risk an amount in a bet.) [where] See: TELL ONE WHERE TO GET OFF or TELL ONE WHERE TO HEAD IN. [wherefore] See: WHY AND WHEREFORE. [where it's at] {adv. phr.}, {informal} That which is important; that which is at the forefront of on-going social, personal, or scientific undertakings. * /Young, talented and black, that's where it's at./ * /We send sophisticated machines to Mars instead of people, that's where it's at./ [where the shoe pinches] {n. phr.}, {informal} Where or what the discomfort or trouble is. * /Johnny thinks the job is easy, but he will find out where the shoe pinches when he tries it./ * /The coach said he wasn't worried about any position except quarterback; that was where the shoe pinched./ [whether one is coming or going] See: KNOW IF ONE IS COMING OR GOING. [whether --- or] or [whether --- or whether[] 1. {coord. conj.} Used to introduce an indirect question. * /You must decide whether you should go or stay./ * /I don't know whether Jack or Bill is a better player./ Compare: EITHER --- OR(2). Used to show a choice of things, or that different things are possible. * /Whether the bicycle was blue or red, it didn't matter to Frank./ [which] See: GAME AT WHICH TWO CAN PLAY. [which is which] {n. phr.} Which is one person or thing and which is the other; one from another; what the difference is between different ones; what the name of each one is. * /Joe's coat and mine are so nearly alike that I can't tell which is which./ * /Mr. Hadley hadn't seen his friend's daughters in such a long time that he couldn't remember which was which./ Compare: WHAT'S WHAT, WHO'S WHO. [which was which] See: WHICH is WHICH. [while] See: AFTER A WHILE or IN A WHILE, ALL THE TIME(1), EVERY NOW AND THEN or EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ONCE IN A WHILE. [while ago] {adv.} At a time several minutes in the past; a few minutes ago; a short time ago. - Used with "a". * /I laid mv glasses on this table a while ago; and now they're gone./ * /A while ago, Mary was tired and wanted to go home; now she's dancing with Bob as if she could dance all night./ Compare: JUST NOW(2). [while away] {v.} To make time go by pleasantly or without being bored; pass or spend. * /We whiled away the time that we were waiting by talking and playing cards./ * /We whiled away the summer swimming and fishing./ [while back] {adv.} At a time several weeks or months in the past. - Used with "a". * /We had a good rain a while back, but we need more now./ * /Grandfather is well now, but a while back he was in the hospital for three weeks./ See: CRACK THE WHIP. [whip hand] See: UPPER HAND. [whipping boy] {n. phr.} The person who gets punished for someone else's mistake. * /"I used to be the whipping boy during my early days at the company," he musingly remembered./ [whip up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To make or do quickly or easily. * /Mary whipped up a lunch for the picnic./ * /The reporter whipped up a story about the fire for his paper./ 2. To make active; stir to action; excite. * /The girls are trying to whip up interest for a dance Saturday night./ Compare: STIR UP, WHOOP IT UP(2). [whispering campaign] {n.} The spreading of false rumors, or saying bad things, about a person or group, especially in politics or public life. * /A bad man has started a whispering campaign against the mayor, saying that he isn't honest./ [whistle] See: BLOW THE WHISTLE ON, WET ONE'S WHISTLE. [whistle a different tune] See: SING A DIFFERENT TUNE. [whistle for] {v.}, {informal} To try to get (something) but fail; look for (something) that will not come. * /Mary didn't even thank us for helping her, so the next time she needs help she can whistle for it./ [whistle in the dark] {v. phr.}, {informal} To try to stay brave and forget your fear. * /Tom said he could fight the bully with one hand, but we knew that he was just whistling in the dark./ (From the fact that people sometimes whistle when walking in a dark, scary place to keep up their courage.) [whistle-stop] {n.} A small town where the trains only stop on a special signal. * /President Truman made excellent use of the whistle-stop during his 1948 campaign for the presidency./ [white] See: BLACK AND WHITE, IN BLACK AND WHITE. [white around the gills] See: GREEN AROUND THE GILLS. [white-collar workers] {n. phr.} Workers employed in offices and at desks as opposed to those who work as manual workers; the middle class. * /It is a well-known fact that white-collar workers are less well organized than unionized manual workers./ Contrast BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS. [white elephant] {n. phr.} Unwanted property, such as real estate, that is hard to sell. * /That big house of theirs on the corner sure is a white elephant./ [white lie] {n. phr.} An innocent social excuse. * /I am too busy to go to their house for dinner tonight. I will call them and tell a little white lie about having the flu./ [white sale] {n.} The selling, especially at lower prices, of goods or clothing usually made of white cloth. * /Mother always buys many things at the January white sale to save money./ [whitewash] {n.}, {informal} A soothing official report that attempts to tranquilize the public. * /Some people believe that the Warren Commission's report on the Kennedy assassination was a whitewash./ [whitewash something] {v.}, {informal} To explain a major, national scandal in soothing official terms so as to assure the public that things are under control and there is no need to panic. * /Many people in the United States believe that President Kennedy's assassination was whitewashed by the Warren Commission./ See: WHITEWASH. [whiz] See: GEE WHIZ. [who] See: SAYS WHO. [whodunit] {n.} A detective story; a murder story; a thriller. * /Agatha Christie was a true master of the whodunit./ [who is who] See: WHO'S WHO. [who laughs last laughs best] See: HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST. [whole] See: ALL THE WAY or THE WHOLE WAY, GO THE WHOLE HOG, ON THE WHOLE, WITH A WHOLE SKIN or IN A WHOLE SKIN. [whole cheese] {slang} or {informal} [whole show] {n.}, {informal} The only important person; big boss. * /Joe thought he was the whole cheese in the game because he owned the ball./ * /You're not the whole show just because you got all A's./ Compare: BIG CHEESE. [whole hog] See: GO THE WHOLE HOG. [whole lot] See: A LOT. [whole show] See: WHOLE CHEESE. [whoop it up] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To make a loud noise; have a noisy celebration; enjoy yourself noisily. * /The team whooped it up after winning the game./ 2. To praise something enthusiastically; encourage enthusiasm or support. - Often used with "for". * /Father wanted to go to the country, but the children whooped it up for the beach./ [who's who] or [who is who] {informal} 1. Who this one is and who that one is; who the different ones in a group of people are or what their names or positions are. * /It is hard to tell who is who in the parade because everyone in the band looks alike./ * /It took the new teacher a few days to remember who was who in the class./ Compare: WHICH IS WHICH. 2. Who the important people are. * /John didn't recognize the champion on television. He doesn't know who is who in boxing./ * /After about a year, Mr. Thompson had lived in this town long enough to know who was who./ Compare: WHAT'S WHAT. [why and wherefore] {n.} The answer to a question or problem. Usually used in the plural. * /Father told him not to always ask the whys and wherefores when he was told to do something./ [wide] See: FAR AND WIDE, GIVE A WIDE BERTH. [wide-eyed] See: ROUND-EYED. [wide of the mark] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Far from the target or the thing aimed at. * /James threw a stone at the cat but it went wide of the mark./ 2. Far from the truth; incorrect. * /You were wide of the mark when you said I did it, because Bill did it./ Contrast: HIT THE BULL'S-EYE, HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. [widow] See: GOLF WIDOW. [wiener roast] or [hot dog roast] {n.} A party where frankfurters are cooked and eaten over an outdoor fire. * /For his birthday party, John had a wiener roast in his backyard./ * /Mary's Girl Scout troop had a hot dog roast on their overnight hike./ [wig] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG WIG. [wild] See: RUN WILD, SOW ONE'S WILD OATS. [wildcat strike] {n.}, {informal} A strike not ordered by a labor union; a strike spontaneously arranged by a group of workers. * /The garbage collectors have gone on a wildcat strike, but the union is going to stop it./ [wild goose chase] {n. phr.} An absurd and completely futile errand. * /I was on a wild goose chase when I was sent to find a man who never really existed./ [wild pitch] {n.} A pitch in baseball that is so high, so low, or so far from the plate that the catcher cannot catch it and a base runner can move to the next base. * /The runner went to second base on a wild pitch./ [will] See: AT WILL, OF ONE'S OWN ACCORD or OF ONE'S OWN FREE WILL. [will not hear of] {v. phr.} Will not allow or consider, refuse attention to or permission for. * /I want to go to the show tonight, but I know my mother will not hear of it./ * /Mary needs another day to finish her book report, but the teacher won't hear of any delay./ * /John's father told him he would not hear of his having a car./ [win] See: HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU LOSE. [wind] See: GET WIND OF, GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB, GONE WITH THE WIND, IN THE WIND, IT'S AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NOBODY GOOD, SECOND WIND, STRAW IN THE WIND, TAKE THE WIND OUT OF ONE'S SAILS, THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND or THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND, THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND, WAY THE WIND BLOWS or HOW THE WIND BLOWS. [windbag] {n.} Someone who talks too much; a boring person. * /Uncle Joe goes on and on; he is a boring windbag./ [windfall] {n.} An unexpected gift or gain of sizeable proportion. * /The unexpected retroactive pay raise was a most welcome windfall./ [window] See: GO OUT THE WINDOW. [window dressing] {n. phr.} An elaborate exterior, sometimes designed to conceal one's real motives. * /All those fancy invitations turned out to be nothing but window dressing./ * /All he really wanted was to be introduced to my influential father-in-law./ [wind up] {v.} 1. To tighten the spring of a machine; to make it work or run. * /Mary wound up the toy car and let it run across the room./ * /He doesn't have to wind up his watch because it is run by a battery./ 2. To make very excited, nervous, upset. - Usually used in the past participle. * /The excitement of her birthday party got Jane all wound up so she could not sleep./ 3. {informal} To bring or come to an end; finish; stop. * /John got two hits and wound his afternoon up with a home run./ * /Before Jim knew it, he had spent all his money and he wound up broke./ * /The boys followed the path to the left and wound up where they started./ Syn.: END UP. Compare: FINISH OFF, TURN OUT(6). 4. To put (your business or personal affairs) in order; arrange; settle. * /Fred wound up his business and personal affairs before joining the Navy./ 5. To swing your arm with the ball just before pitching to a batter. * /The pitcher wound up quickly and then threw a curve./ [wing] See: CLIP ONE'S WINGS, LEFT-WING, ON THE WING, RIGHT-WING, UNDER ONE'S WING. [win hands down] {v. phr.} To win conclusively and without external help. * /The opposition was so weak that Dan won the election hands down./ [win in a walk] or [win in a breeze] {v. phr.}, {informal} To win very easily; win without having to try hard. * /Joe ran for class president and won in a walk./ * /Our team won the game in a breeze./ Compare: HANDS DOWN. [wink] See: FORTY WINKS, SLEEP A WINK. [wink at] {v.} To allow and pretend not to know about (a rule or law being broken). * /John was not allowed to stay out late at night, but his parents winked at his being five minutes late./ * /A judge should never wink at any law-breaking./ [winning streak] {n.} A series of several wins one after the other. * /The team extended their winning streak to ten./ [win one's spurs] {v. phr.} 1. In old times, to be named a knight with the right to wear little sharp spikes on your heels. * /A young squire won his spurs in battle./ 2. To win fame or honor. * /The young lieutenant won his spurs by leading an attack on enemy machine guns./ * /Edison won his spurs as an inventor while rather young./ * /He has yet to win his spurs as a big league ball player./ [win out] {v. phr.} To win after a rather protracted struggle. * /The lawsuit lasted a long time, but we finally won out./ [win over] {v. phr.} To convert to one's position or point of view. * /The Democrats offered him a high-level executive position and thus way won him over to their side./ [wipeout] {n.} A total failure. * /The guy is so bad at his job that he is a total wipeout./ [wipe out] {v.} 1. To remove or erase by wiping or rubbing. * /The teacher wiped out with an eraser what she had written on the board./ Compare: RUB OUT. 2. {informal} To remove, kill, or destroy completely. * /The earthquake wiped out the town./ * /Doctors are searching for a cure that will wipe out cancer./ * /The Indians wiped out the soldiers who were sent to stop their attacks./ Compare: RUB OUT, STAMP OUT. [wipe out an old score] See: SETTLE A SCORE. [wipe the floor with] or [wipe up the floor with] See: MOP THE FLOOR WITH. [wire] See: ACROSS THE WIRE, DOWN TO THE WIRE, PULL STRINGS or PULL WIRES. [wise] See: GET WISE, PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH, PUT WISE, THE WISER. [wisecrack] {n.} A joke or witty remark usually made at someone else's expense. * /The comedians kept up a steady stream of wisecracks./ [wise guy] {n. phr.}, {informal} A person who acts as if he were smarter than other people; a person who jokes or shows off too much * /Bill is a wise guy and displeases others by what he says./ [wise up to] {v. phr.}, {slang} To finally understand what is really going on after a period of ignorance. * /Joe immediately quit his job when he wised up to what was really going on./ [wish on] {v.} 1. To use as a lucky charm while making a wish. * /Mary wished on a star that she could go to the dance./ * /Bob wished on his lucky rabbit's foot that he could pass the test./ 2. or [wish off on] {informal} To get rid of (something unwanted) by passing it on to someone else. * /Martha did not like to do the dishes and wished the job on to her little sister./ * /Tom got a very ugly tie for his birthday and when Billy's birthday came, Tom wished the tie off on Billy./ [wit] See: AT ONE'S WITS' END, KEEP ONE'S HEAD or KEEP ONE'S WITS ABOUT ONE, SCARE OUT OF ONE'S WITS. [witch-hunt] {n. phr.} A hysterical movement during which people are persecuted for having views (political or religious) considered different or unpopular. * /During the McCarthy era many innocent Americans were accused of being Communists, as Republican patriotism deteriorated into a witch-hunt./ [with a free hand] See: FREE HAND. [with a grain of salt] or [with a pinch of salt] See: TAKE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. [with all one's heart] See: FROM THE BOTTOM OF ONE'S HEART. [with an eye to] See: EYE TO. [with a silver spoon in one's mouth] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE'S MOUTH. [with a whole skin] also [in a whole skin] {adv. phr.} With no injury; unhurt; safely. * /The boy was lucky to escape with a whole skin when the car went off the road./ * /Jack came through the game with a whole skin./ * /The horse threw him off, but he got away in a whole skin./ Syn.: SAFE AND SOUND. [with bad grace] or [with a bad grace] {adv. phr.} In an unpleasant or discourteous way; unwillingly, * /Fred takes defeat with bad grace./ * /Tom shouted "Hello" to Bill. Bill was in a sour mood and replied with a bad grace./ Contrast: WITH GOOD GRACE. [with bells on] {adv. phr.}, {informal} With enthusiasm; eager or ready and in the best of spirits for an event. * /"Will you come to the farewell party I'm giving for Billy?" asked Jerry. "I'll be there with bells on," replied Ed./ [with child] {adv. phr.}, {literary} Going to have a baby; pregnant. * /The angel told Mary she was with child./ Compare: IN A FAMILY WAY or IN THE FAMILY WAY. [wither on the vine] See: DIE ON THE VINE. [with fire] See: PLAY WITH FIRE. [with flying colors] {adv. phr.} With great or total success; victoriously. * /Tow finished the race with flying colors./ * /Mary came through the examination with flying colors./ [with good grace] {adv. phr.} With pleasant and courteous behavior; politely; willingly; without complaining. * /The boys had been well-coached; they took the loss of the game with good grace./ * /The principal scolded Nora, who accepted his criticism with good grace./ Contrast: WITH BAD GRACE. [with heart and soul] See: HEART AND SOUL. [within an ace of] {informal} or [within an inch of] {adv. phr.} Almost but not quite; very close to; nearly. * /Tim came within an ace of losing the election./ * /John was within an inch of drowning before he was pulled out of the water./ Compare: BY THE SKIN OF ONE'S TEETH. [within an inch of one's life] {adv. phr.} Until you are almost dead; near to dying. * /The bear clawed the hunter within an inch of his life./ Often used after "to". * /The prize fighter was beaten to within an inch of his life./ [within bounds] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Inside of the boundary lines in a game; on or inside of the playing field. * /You must hit the ball inside the lines of the tennis court or it will not be within bounds./ * /If you kick the football over a side-line, it will not be in bounds./ 2. Inside of a place where one is allowed to go or be. * /The soldiers are within bounds on one side of the city, but are out of bounds on the other side./ 3. Inside of safe or proper limits; allowable. * /If you ask Father for a quarter, he might give it to you, but a dollar would not be within bounds./ * /He succeeded in keeping his temper within bounds./ Contrast: OUT OF BOUNDS. [within call] or [within hail] {adv. phr.} 1. Near enough to hear each other's voices. * /When the two ships were within hail, their officers exchanged messages./ * /Billy's mother told him to stay within call because supper was nearly ready./ 2. In a place where you can be reached by phone, radio, or TV and be called. * /The sick man was very low and the doctor stayed within call./ * /The soldiers were allowed to leave the base by day, but had to stay within call./ [within reason] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Within the limits of good sense; in reasonable control or check; moderate. * /I want you to have a good time tonight, within reason./ * /If Tom wants to go to the fair, he must keep his expenses within reason./ * /Jean's plans are quite within reason./ [with it] See: GET WITH IT. [with might and main] {adv. phr.} With full strength or complete effort. * /The sailors pulled the rope with might and main./ * /John tried with all his might and main to solve the problem./ [with one's boots on] See: DIE IN ONE'S BOOTS or DIE WITH ONE'S BOOTS ON. [with one's pants down] See: CATCH ONE WITH ONE'S PANTS DOWN. [with open arms] {adv. phr.} 1. With the arms spread wide for hugging or catching. * /When Father came home from work, little Sally ran out to meet him with open arms./ * /Dick stood under the window with open arms, and Jean dropped the bag of laundry down to him./ 2. With words or actions showing that you are glad to see someone; gladly, warmly, eagerly. * /When Grandmother came to visit us at Christmas, we welcomed her with open arms./ * /After his pioneering flight in the Friendship VII, Col. John Glenn was welcomed with open arms' by the people of his hometown./ [without] See: DO WITHOUT or GO WITHOUT, MAKE BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW, RECKON WITHOUT. [without a paddle] See: UP THE CREEK or UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE. [without batting an eye] or [without batting an eyelash] See: BAT AN EYE. [without fail] {adv. phr.} Without failing to do it or failing in the doing of it; certainly, surely. * /Be here at 8 o'clock sharp, without fail./ * /Ben promised to return the bike at a certain time without fail./ [without number] See: BEYOND NUMBER. [without rhyme or reason] See: RHYME OR REASON. [with reference to] See: IN REFERENCE TO. [with regard to] See: IN REFERENCE TO. [with relation to] See: IN RELATION TO. [with respect to] See: IN RESPECT TO. [with the best] or [with the best of them] {adv. phr.} As well as anyone. * /Bob could horseback ride with the best of them, but he never boasted about it./ * /John can bowl with the best of them./ [with the Joneses] See: KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES. [wolf] See: CRY WOLF, KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR, LONE WOLF, THROW TO THE WOLVES. [wolf in sheep's clothing] {n. phr.} A person who pretends to be good but really is bad. * /Mrs. Martin trusted the lawyer until she realized that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing./ * /Mr. Black was fooled by the salesman's manners until he showed that he was really a wolf in sheep's clothing by selling Mr. Black a car that was falling apart./ [wonder] See: NO WONDER also SMALL WONDER. [woo] See: PITCH WOO. [wood] See: CAN'T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES, KNOCK ON WOOD, SAW WOOD. [woodpile] See: NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE. [woods] See: BABE IN THE WOODS, CROW BEFORE ONE IS OUT OF THE WOODS, NECK OF THE WOODS, TAKE TO THE WOODS. [wool] See: ALL WOOL AND A YARD WIDE, PULL THE WOOL OVER ONE'S EYES. [word] See: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS, AS GOOD AS ONE'S WORD, BY WORD OF MOUTH, EAT ONE'S WORDS, FROM THE WORD "GO", GET A WORD IN, GET THE MESSAGE or GET THE WORD, HANG ON THE WORDS OF, IN BRIEF or IN A WORD, IN SO MANY WORDS, LAST WORD, MAN OF FEW WORDS, MAN OF HIS WORD, MUM IS THE WORD, PLAY ON WORDS, PUT WORDS INTO ONE'S MOUTH, SAY THE WORD, SWALLOW ONE'S WORDS, TAKE AT ONE'S WORD, TAKE THE WORDS OUT OF ONE'S MOUTH, WEASEL WORD, WEIGH ONE'S WORDS. [word for word] {adv. phr.} In exactly the same words. * /Mary copied Sally's composition word for word./ * /Joan repeated the conversation word for word./ * /She learned the poem many years ago but she recited it word for word./ [word of mouth] {n. phr.} Communication by oral rather than written means. * /The merchant told us that the best customers he had were recommended to him by word of mouth./ [words of one syllable] {n. phr.} Language that makes the meaning very clear; simple, or frank language. - Usually used after "in". * /Mary explained the job to Ann in words of one syllable so that she would be sure to understand./ * /Some people say that John is cute and mischievous, but in words of one syllable, he's just a brat./ Compare: IN SO MANY WORDS, SPELL OUT. [word to the wise] {n. phr.} A word of warning or advice which the intelligent person is expected to follow. - A proverb. * /I had once spoken to him about being late all the time, and thought that a word to the wise was enough./ [work] See: ALL IN A DAY'S WORK, ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY, AT WORK, BUSY WORK, IN THE WORKS, MAKE SHORT WORK OF, MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK, SHOOT THE WORKS, THE WORKS, IN THE WORKS. [work cut out] See: CUT OUT(2). [worked up] also [wrought up] {adj.}, {literary} Feeling strongly; excited; angry; worried. * /Mary was all worked up about the exam./ * /John got worked up when they blamed him for losing the game./ Compare: ON EDGE. [work in] {v.} 1. To rub in. * /The nurse told Mary to put some cream on her skin and to work it in gently with her fingers./ 2. To slip in; mix in; put in; * /When Mary was planning the show, she worked a part in for her friend Susan./ [working girl] {n.}, {slang} 1. ({vulgar}, {avoidable}) A prostitute. * /I didn't know Roxanne was a working girl./ 2. A girl, usually single, who supports herself by working in an honest job, such as in an office, etc. * /The average working girl can't afford such a fancy car./ [work into] {v.} 1. Force into little by little. * /John worked his foot into the boot by pushing and pulling./ 2. Put into; mix into. * /Mary worked some blue into the rug she was weaving./ [work off] {v.} To make (something) go away, especially by working. * /John worked off the fat around his waist by doing exercise every morning./ * /Mr. Smith worked off his anger by chopping wood./ [work on] also [work upon] {v.} 1. Have an effect on; influence. * /Some pills work on the nerves and make people feel more relaxed./ 2. To try to influence or convince. * /Senator Smith worked on the other committee members to vote for the bill./ [work one's fingers to the bone] {v. phr.} To work very hard. * /"I have to work my fingers to the bone for a measly pittance of a salary," Fred complained./ [workout] {n.} A physical exercise session. * /My morning workout consists of sit-ups and push-ups./ [work out] {v. phr.} 1. To find an answer to. * /John worked out his math problems all by himself./ * /Mary had trouble getting along with her roommate, but they worked it out./ Compare: FIGURE OUT. 2. To plan; develop. * /Mary worked out a beautiful design for a sweater./ * /Alice worked out a new hair-do./ 3. To accomplish; arrange. * /The engineers worked out a system for getting electricity to the factory./ 4. To be efficient; get results. * /If the traffic plan works out, it will be used in other cities too./ 5. To exercise. * /John works out in the gym two hours every day./ [work over] {v. phr.}, {slang} To beat someone up very roughly in order to intimidate him or extort payment, etc. * /Matthew was worked over by the hoodlums in the park right after midnight./ [work through channels] {v. phr.} To go through the proper procedures and officials. * /At a state university everybody must work through channels to get things done./ [work up] {v.} 1. To stir up; arouse; excite. * /I can't work up any interest in this book./ * /He worked up a sweat weeding the garden./ 2. To develop; originate. * /He worked up an interesting plot for a play./ [work upon] See: WORK ON. [world] See: COME UP IN THE WORLD or RISE IN THE WORLD, DEAD TO THE WORLD, FOR ALL THE WORLD, IN A WORLD OF ONE'S OWN or IN A WORLD BY ONESELF, IN THE WORLD, LOOK AT THE WORLD THROUGH ROSE-COLORED GLASSES, NOT FOR THE WORLD, ON TOP OF THE WORLD or SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD, OUT OF THIS WORLD, SET THE WORLD ON FIRE, THIRD WORLD. [world is one's oyster] Everything is possible for you; the world belongs to you; you can get anything you want. * /When John won the scholarship, he felt as though the world was his oyster./ * /The rich girl acts as though the world is her oyster./ [world on one's shoulders] See: WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS. [world on one's back] See: WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS. [world without end] {adv. phr.}, {literary} Endlessly; forever; eternally. * /Each human being has to die, but mankind goes on world without end./ [worlds apart] {adj. phr.} Completely different; in total disagreement. * /Jack and Al never agree on anything; they are worlds apart in their thinking./ [worm] See: EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM or EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM. [worm in] {v. phr.} To insinuate oneself; penetrate gradually. * /By cultivating the friendship of a few of the prominent merchants, Peter hoped to worm his way into that exclusive elite of export magnates./ [worm may turn] Even the meek will ultimately rebel if always maltreated. * /Sam may think that he can continue to mistreat his wife, but, knowing her, I think that some day the worm may turn./ [warm out] {v. phr.} To learn through persistent questioning; draw out from. * /I finally wormed out of her the reason she broke off her engagement to Larry./ [worn to a frazzle] {adj. phr.} To be fatigued; be exhausted. * /I'm worn to a frazzle cooking for all these guests./ [worrywart] {n. phr.} A person who always worries. * /"Stop being such a worrywart," Bob said to Alice, who was constantly weighing herself on the bathroom scale./ [worse] See: BARK WORSE THAN ONE'S BITE, FOR BETTER OR WORSE or FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, FOR THE WORSE, GO FROM BAD TO WORSE. [worse for wear] {adj. phr.} Not as good as new; worn out; damaged by use. - Used with "the". * /Her favorite tablecloth was beginning to look the worse for wear./ - Often used with "none" to mean: as good as new. * /The doll was Mary's favorite toy but it was none the worse for wear./ [worst] See: GET THE WORST OF also HAVE THE WORST OF, IF WORST COMES TO WORST. [worth] See: BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH, FOR ALL ONE IS WORTH, GAME IS NOT WORTH THE CANDLE, NOT WORTH A TINKER'S DAMN, WORTH A CENT. [worth a cent] {adj. phr.} Worth anything; of any value. - Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. * /The book was old and it was not worth a cent./ [worth one's salt] {adj. phr.} Being a good worker, or a productive person; worth what you cost. * /Mr. Brown showed that he was worth his salt as a salesman when he got the highest sales record for the year./ - Often used with "not" or "hardly". * /When the basketball team did so poorly, people felt that the coach was hardly worth his salt./ Compare: PAY ONE'S WAY(2). [would-be] {adj.} Aspiring. * /The Broadway casting offices are always full of would-be actors./ [would that] or [I would that] or [would God] or [would heaven] {literary} I wish that. - Used at the beginning of a sentence expressing a wish; followed by a verb in the subjunctive; found mostly in poetry and older literature. * /Would that I could only drop everything and join you./ * /Would that my mother were alive to see me married./ Syn.: IF ONLY. [wouldn't put it past one] {v. phr.} To think that someone is quite capable or likely to have done something undesirable or illegal. * /Congressman Alfonso is insisting that he didn't violate congressional ethics, but knowing both his expensive habits and his amorous escapades, many of us wouldn't put it past him that he might have helped himself to funds illegally./ [wrack] See: GO TO WRACK AND RUIN. [wrap] See: UNDER WRAPS. [wrap one around one's finger] See: TWIST ONE AROUND ONE'S LITTLE FINGER. [wrapped up in] {adj. phr.} Thinking only of; interested only in. * /John has no time for sports because he is all wrapped up in his work./ * /Mary was so wrapped up in her book she didn't hear her mother calling her./ * /Jean is so wrapped up in herself, she never thinks of helping others./ * /Mrs. Brown gave up her career because her life was all wrapped up in her children./ Compare: IN A WORLD OF ONE'S OWN (2b). [wrap up] or [bundle up] {v. phr.} 1. To put on warm clothes; dress warmly. * /Mother told Mary to wrap up before going out into the cold./ 2. {informal} To finish (a job). * /Let's wrap up the job and go home./ 3. {informal} To win a game. * /The Mets wrapped up the baseball game in the seventh inning./ [wreak havoc with] {v. phr.} To cause damage; ruin something. * /His rebellious attitude is bound to wreak havoc at the company./ [wrench] See: THROW A MONKEY WRENCH. [wringing wet] adj. Wet through and through; soaked; dripping. * /He was wringing wet because he was caught in the rain without an umbrella./ * /He was wringing wet after working in the fields in the hot sun./ [write home about] {v. phr.} To become especially enthusiastic or excited about; boast about. - Often used after "to". * /Mary's trip to the World's Fair was something to write home about./ * /Joe did a good enough job of painting but it was nothing to write home about./ * /"That was a dinner worth writing home about!" said Bill coming out of the restaurant./ [write off] {v. phr.} 1. To remove (an amount) from a business record; cancel (a debt); accept as a loss. * /If a customer dies when he owes the store money, the store must often write it off./ Compare: CHARGE OFF. 2. To accept (a loss or trouble) and not worry anymore about it; forget. * /Mr. Brown had so much trouble with the new TV set that he finally wrote it off and bought a new one./ * /Jim's mistake cost him time and money, but he wrote it off to experience./ Compare: CHARGE OFF(2). Contrast: CHALK UP(2). To say that (something) will fail or not be good; believe worthless. * /Just because the boys on the team are young, don't write the team off./ Compare: COUNT OUT. [write-off] {n.} A loss. * /This last unfortunate business venture of ours is an obvious write-off./ [writer's cramp] {n.} Pain in the fingers or hand caused by too much writing. * /Holding your pencil too tightly for too long often gives you writer's cramp./ Often used humorously to stress the idea that you have been doing a lot of writing./ * /By the time Mary finished her Christmas cards she complained of writer's cramp./ [writer's block] {n. phr.} A condition of being unable to write; a period when the words just won't come. * /One of the more common problems writers occasionally experience is a writer's block that may last a shorter or a longer time./ * /They say that the reason for Ernest Hemingway's suicide was a severe and seemingly endless writer's block./ [write-up] {n.} A report or story in a newspaper or magazine. * /There was a write-up of the accident in the newspaper./ * /I read an interesting write-up about the President in a new magazine./ [write up] {v.} 1. To write the story of; describe in writing; give a full account of. * /Reporters from many newspapers are here to write up the game./ * /The magazine is writing up the life of the President./ 2. To put something thought or talked about into writing; finish writing (something). * /John took notes of what the teacher said in class and he wrote them up when he got home./ * /The author had an idea for a story when he saw the old house, and he wrote it up later./ [writing] or [handwriting on the wall] {n. phr.}, {literary} A warning; a message of some urgency. * /"This nuclear plant is about to explode, I think," the chief engineer said. "We'd better get out of here in a hurry, the handwriting is on the wall."/ [wrong] See: BARK UP THE WRONG TREE, BET ON THE WRONG HORSE, GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT, GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED, IN THE WRONG, LAUGH ON THE WRONG SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH, RUB THE WRONG WAY. [wrong side of the tracks] See: THE TRACKS. [wrought up] See: WORKED UP. X [x-double minus] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal} Extremely poorly done, bad, inferior (said mostly about theatrical or musical performances). * /Patsy gave an x-double minus performance at the audition and lost her chance for the lead role./ [X marks the spot] An indication made on maps or documents of importance to call attention to a place or a feature of some importance. * /The treasure hunter said to his companion, "Here it is; X marks the spot."/ [x-rated] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal} Pertaining to movies, magazines, and literature judged pornographic and therefore off limits for minors. * /My son celebrated his 21st birthday by going to an x-rated movie./ [x-raying machine] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Speed detection device by radar used by the police. * /The smokies are using the x-raying machine under the bridge!/ Y [yak-yak] or [yakety-yak] or [yakib-yak] {n.}, {slang} Much talk about little things; talking all the time about unimportant things. * /Tom sat behind two girls on the bus and he got tired of their silly yak-yak./ [year] See: ALONG IN YEARS or ON IN YEARS. [year in, year out] See: DAY IN AND DAY OUT. [year-round] or [year-around] {adj.} Usable, effective, or operating all the year. * /Colorado is a year-round resort; there is fishing in the summer and skiing in the winter./ [yellow around the gills] See: GREEN AROUND THE GILLS. [yellow-bellied] {adj.}, {slang} Extremely timid, cowardly. * /Joe Bennett is a yellow-bellied guy, don't send him on such a tough assignment!/ [yellow journalism] {n. phr.} Cheap and sensational newspaper writing; inflammatory language designed to stir up popular sentiment against another country. * /Yellow journalism is hardly ever truly informative./ [yellow-livered] {adj.} Cowardly. * /The young boy greatly resented being called yellow-livered and started to fight right away./ [yeoman service] {n. phr.} Help in time of need; serviceable and good assistance. * /Sam was pressed into yeoman service in organizing our annual fundraiser for cerebral palsy victims./ [yes-man] {n.}, {informal} A person who tries to be liked by agreeing with everything said; especially, someone who always agrees with a boss or the one in charge. * /John tries to get ahead on his job by being a yes-man./ [yesterday] See: BORN YESTERDAY. [yon] See: HITHER AND THITHER or HITHER AND YON. [yoo-hoo] {interj.} - Used as an informal call or shout to a person to attract his attention. * /Louise opened the door and called "Yoo-hoo, Mother - are you home?"/ See: ALL RIGHT FOR YOU, I'M TELLING YOU, SAYS WHO or SAYS YOU, THAT'S --- FOR YOU, WHAT HAVE YOU. [you bet] or [you bet your boots] or [you bet your life] {informal} Most certainly; yes, indeed; without any doubt. - Used to declare with emphasis that a thing is really so. * /Do I like to ski? You bet your life I do./ * /You bet I will be at the party./ * /You can bet your boots that Johnny will come home when his money is gone./ Compare: BET ONE'S BOTTOM DOLLAR. [you can say that again] See: YOU SAID IT. [you can't teach an old dog new tricks] It is very hard or almost impossible to train an older person to acquire some new skill. - A proverb. * /You'll never teach your grandfather how to do his income tax on a personal computer. You can't teach an old dog new tricks./ [you don't say] {interj.}, {informal} - Used to show surprise at what is said. * /Your ring is a real diamond? You don't say!/ * /"Bill and Jean are going to get married." "You don't say!"/ Syn.: DO TELL. [your] See: HANG ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD YOUR HAT, YOU BET YOUR BOOTS or YOU BET YOUR LIFE. [you're telling me] {interj.}, {informal} - Used to show that a thing is so clear that it need not be said, or just to show strong agreement. * /"You're late." "You're telling me!"/ Compare: YOU BET, YOU SAID IT. [you said it] or [you can say that again] {interj.}, {slang} - Used to show strong agreement with what another person has said. * /"That sure was a good show." "You said it!"/ * /"It sure is hot!" "You can say that again!"/ Compare: SAY A MOUTHFUL. [you tell 'em] {interj.}, {slang} - Used to agree with or encourage someone in what he is saying. * /The drunk was arguing with the bartenders and a man cried, "You tell 'em!"/ [yours truly] {adv. phr.} 1. Signing off at the end of letters. * /Yours truly, Tom Smith./ 2. I, the first person singular pronoun, frequently abbreviated as t.y. * /As t.y. has often pointed out.../ * /T.y. is not really interested in the offer./ [yum-yum] {interj.}, {informal} - Used usually by or to children, to express great delight, especially in the taste of food. * /"Yum-Yum! That pie is good!"/ Z [zero hour] {n.} 1. The exact time when an attack or other military action is supposed to start. * /Zero hour for the bombers to take off was midnight./ 2. The time when an important decision or change is supposed to come; the time for a dangerous action. * /It was zero hour and the doctor began the operation on the man./ * /On the day of the championship game, as the zero hour came near, the players grew nervous./ [zero in on] {v.} 1. To adjust a gun so that it will exactly hit (a target); aim at. * /Big guns were zeroed in on the enemy fort./ * /American missiles have been zeroed in on certain targets, to be fired if necessary./ 2. {slang} To give your full attention to. * /The Senate zeroed in on the Latin-American problems./ * /Let's zero in on grammar tonight./ [zip one's lip] See: BUTTON ONE'S LIP. [zone defense] {n.} A defense in a sport (as basketball or football) in which each player has to defend a certain area. * /The coach taught his team a zone defense because he thought his players weren't fast enough to defend against individual opponents./ [zonk out] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To fall asleep very quickly. * /Can I talk to Joe? - Call back tomorrow, he zonked out./ 2. To pass out from fatigue, or alcohol. * /You won't get a coherent word out of Joe, he has zonked out./ [zoom in] {v. phr.} 1. To rapidly close in on (said of airplanes and birds of prey). * /The fighter planes zoomed in on the enemy target./ 2. To make a closeup of someone or something with a camera. * /The photographer zoomed in on the tiny colibri as it hovered over a lovely tropical flower./