Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц
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Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц
Это обновленное и дополненное издание, содержащее более 8000
идиоматических слов и выражений, причем каждое из которых снабжено
грамматическим объяснением и практическим примером. Словарь содержит
лексемные идиомы, фразеологические единицы и поговорки, имеющие
особенное значение. В нем приведены наиболее употребительные выражения
только американского английского языка. Этот словарь - идеальное
пособие для студентов, часто разъезжающих бизнесменов и просто
путешественников.
Предисловие
Что такое идиома?
Если в незнакомом тексте Вы понимаете каждое слово, но не можете
понять смысла. Ваши затруднения, вероятно, вызваны идиоматическими
выражениями. Предположим, Вы прочитали или услышали следующий текст:
Sam is a real cool cat. He never blows his stack and
hardly ever flies off the handle. What's more, he knows how
to get away with things... Well, of course, he is getting
on, too. His hair is pepper and salt, but he knows how to
make up for lost time by taking it easy. He gets up early,
works out, and turns in early. He takes care of the hot dog
stand like a breeze until he gets time off. Sam's got it
made; this is it for him.
Очевидно, что этот стиль нельзя назвать строго литературным, но,
тем не менее, американцы в разговоре друг с другом часто употребляют
такие выражения. Если Вы иностранец и знаете слова cool (прохладно),
cat (кошка), blow (дуть), stack (кучи), fly (лететь), handle (ручка) и
т.д., Вы не поймете данный образец разговорного американского
английского языка, потому что те переводы слов, которые находятся в
обычных английских словарях, не дадут Вам точного значения приведенных
выше выражений. Из этого следует, что идиома - это новое, неожиданное
значение группы слов, каждое из которых обладает своим собственным
значением. Ниже Вы найдете перевод этого разговорного и
нелитературного текста на более формальный вариант американского
диалекта:
Sam is really a calm person. He never loses control of
himself and hardly ever becomes too angry. Furthermore, he
knows how to manage his business financially by using a few
tricks... Needless to say, he, too, is getting older. His
hair is beginning to turn gray, but he knows how to
compensate for wasted time by relaxing. He rises early,
exercises, and goes to bed early. He manages his frankfurter
stand without visible effort, until it is someone else's
turn to work there. Sam is successful; he has reached his
life's goal.
"Сэм очень тихий человек. Он никогда не теряет контроль
над собой и редко сердится. Кроме того, он знает, как вести
свое дело с финансовой точки зрения, употребляя некоторые
хитрости... Безусловно, он тоже стареет. Его волосы седеют,
но он умеет восстанавливать потраченные силы отдыхом. Он
рано встает, делает гимнастику и рано ложится. Со своей
работой в колбасном магазине он справляется без особого
труда, успевая все сделать до того, как его сменят. Сэм
вполне счастлив, - он достиг цели своей жизни".
Идиоматические выражения, употребленные в этом тексте, можно
организовать в следующий небольшой словарь:
+=================К=============================================+
I to be a (real) I "быть очень спокойным человеком" I
I cool cat I I
Л=================+=============================================?
I to blow one's I "потерять контроль над собой, рассердиться" I
I stack I I
Л=================+=============================================?
I to fly off the I "прийти в ярость" I
I handle I I
Л=================+=============================================?
I what's more I "помимо этого, кроме того" I
I I I
I to get away I "смошенничать, оставшись безнаказанным" I
I with something I I
I I I
I of course I "конечно" I
I I I
I to be getting I "постареть" I
I on I I
I I I
I pepper and salt I "седеющие черные или темные волосы" I
I I I
I to make up for I "восполнить что-то" I
I something I I
I I I
I lost time I "потерянное время" I
I I I
I to take it easy I "не обращать внимания" I
I I I
I to get up I "встать утром" I
I I I
I to work out I "делать гимнастику" I
I I I
I to turn in I "лечь спать" I
I I I
I to lake care of I "отвечать за что-то" I
I something I I
I I I
I like a breeze I "легко, элегантно, без усилий" I
I I I
I time off I "время отдыха" I
I I I
I to have got it I "быть счастливым, довольным, удачливым" I
I made I I
I I I
I this is it I "вот и все, что нужно" I
+=================Й=============================================+
Некоторые идиомы из этого небольшого списка можно найти в нашем
словаре. Большая часть идиом принадлежит обыкновенным грамматическим
классам или частям речи. Так, например, некоторые идиомы по своей
природе - типичные глаголы: get away with, get up, work out, turn in и
т.д. Не меньшее число идиоматических выражений - имена. Так, hot dog
(сосиска в хлебе), The White House (Белый Дом - официальная резиденция
американского президента) - имена существительные. Некоторые из идиом
- имена прилагательные: так, в нашем примере pepper and salt (седеющие
черные или темные волосы) обозначает цвет волос. Многие из этих
выражений, как, например, like a breeze (легко), hammer and tongs
(violently, насильственно) - наречия. Идиоматические выражения,
относящиеся к одному из обыкновенных грамматических классов,
называются лексемными идиомами (lexemic idioms).
Вторая основная группа идиом состоит из фраз, таких как наши
примеры to fly off the handle (потерять контроль над собой) и to blow
one's stack (прийти в ярость). В американском варианте английского
языка подобные выражения встречаются очень часто. Некоторые из
наиболее известных следующие: to kick the bucket (die, умереть,
сыграть в ящик, отбросить копыта), to be up the creek (in danger, быть
в опасности), to seize the bull by the horns (face a problem squarely,
разрешать проблему или задачу, стоящую перед нами, взять быка за рога)
и т.д. Идиомы этой группы называются оборотами речи, по-английски
tournures (из французского языка). Они не принадлежат одному
какому-либо грамматическому классу (части речи), и переводить их нужно
не словом, а группой слов.
Форма подобных идиоматических выражений устоялась; многие из них
совсем "застыли" и не могут функционировать в другой форме.
Рассмотрим, например, идиому tо kick the bucket (die, умереть).
Употребив эту форму в пассивном залоге, мы отказываемся от
идиоматического смысла, получив выражение the bucket has been kicked
by the cowboy (ковбой ударил ведро ногой). Впрочем, даже это выражение
может изменяться по времени, так как мы можем сказать the cowboy
kicked the bucket, the cowboy will kick the bucket, the cowboy has
kicked the bucket и т.д. Проблема, можно ли употреблять это
идиоматическое выражение в герундивной форме (герундив, gerundive -
слово, производное от глагола с помощью суффикса -ing, например,
singing от sing, eating от eat и т.д.), не решена окончательно
учеными-лингвистами и носителями языка. Правильная эта форма или нет,
мы не рекомендуем употреблять выражения типа his kicking the bucket
surprised us all.
Следующий большой класс идиом состоит из поговорок, таких как don't
count your chickens before they're hatched (do not celebrate the
outcome of an undertaking prematurely - you may fail and will look
ridiculous); буквально: "не считайте кур, пока они не вылупились из
яиц"; русский вариант поговорки звучит: "цыплят по осени считают".
Большое число поговорок пришло в американский вариант английского
языка из литературных источников или же от первых английских
иммигрантов в Америку.
Своим рождением идиомы обязаны тому, что мы чаще используем уже
существующие слова для выражения новых идей, чем создаем новые слова с
помощью фонем языка. Фактически нет языков, в которых не было бы
идиом. Возьмем, например, слова "ма шанг", китайское выражение,
которое значит "быстро". Переведенное дословно, оно означает
"лошадиная спина". Связь понятий лошадиной спины и быстроты очевидна:
раньше, до появления поезда, автомобиля и самолета, быстрее всего было
путешествовать верхом на лошади. Китайское выражение "ма шанг" было бы
аналогом русской фразы: "Торопитесь, нам надо ехать на лошадиной
спине". Такая форма была бы вполне понятной носителю русского языка,
но иностранец должен был бы понять, что это идиома. Даже если
иностранец никогда не слышал выражения "ма шанг" (лошадиная спина), он
может догадаться, что это значит; однако, во многих случаях подобные
догадки ошибочны.
Например, возьмем английскую идиому the die is cast (жребий
брошен). Вряд ли, не зная ее точного выражения, Вы догадаетесь, что
это выражение значит: "Я решил, и больше не могу изменить свое
решение". Зная точное значение, Вы можете догадаться, как возникло это
идиоматическое выражение: кость, брошенная во время игры в кости, по
правилам может быть брошена только один раз, независимо от результата.
Многие знают, что эту фразу произнес Юлий Цезарь, когда перешел
Рубикон, что явилось началом войны.
Как научиться употреблять идиоматическое выражение правильно?
Прежде всего, подождите, пока Вы не услышите идиому от человека, для
которого американский английский - родной язык. Если Вы неоднократно
слышали идиому и вполне поняли ее значение, Вы сами можете начать
употреблять это выражение. Предположим, молодая девушка очень хочет
выйти замуж. Она может выбирать между двумя возможными женихами,
назовем их Павел и Николай. Павел немолод, некрасив и небогат, но он
уже сделал предложение и готов жениться хоть завтра. Николай красив и
богат, но он пока не собирается жениться и неизвестно, женится ли
когда-нибудь. После некоторого размышления девушка решает принять
предложение Павла, боясь остаться старой девой. Если вскоре после
свадьбы Николай признается ей, что мечтает быть ее мужем, нашей
героине останется только сказать "Oh, well, the die is cast..." ("Что
делать, жребий брошен"). Если, оказавшись в подобной ситуации, Вы
произносите эту фразу, беседуя с американцем, и он смотрит на Вас с
сочувствием и не переспрашивает: "Что Вы имеете в виду?" - считайте,
что Вы достигли первого успеха, употребив новую идиому в правильном
контексте. Американцы относятся к иностранцам более лояльно, чем
другие нации, но они, конечно, оценят, сколь бегло Вы говорите
по-английски. Использование идиом поможет Вам установить контакт со
слушателем и избежать репутации "слишком серьезного" человека. Чем
больше идиом Вы употребляете в правильном контексте, тем лучше о Вас
будут думать Ваши собеседники.
Как пользоваться этим словарем?
Словарь был составлен для людей, говорящих по-английски, но не
родившихся в Америке. Словарь содержит лексемные идиомы,
фразеологические единицы и поговорки, имеющие особенное значение.
Возможно, некоторые из идиоматических выражений Вам уже знакомы, и Вы
понимаете, что они означают. Найдите в словаре перевод одной из
следующих идиом, значение которой Вы уже знаете, - это поможет Вам
понять, как пользоваться этой книгой: boyfriend, girlfriend, piggy
bank, get even, give up, going to, keep on, keep your mouth shut, lead
somebody by the nose, look after, show off, throw away, all over, in
love, mixed-up, out of this world, I'll say.
Чтобы научиться пользоваться словарем, несколько раз внимательно
изучите предписания и попрактикуйтесь в нахождении значения
идиоматических выражений. Если Вы услышите идиому, которой нет в
книге, то, имея некоторый опыт работы с нашим словарем, Вы сможете
найти ее значение и выписать его для себя. Заведите Ваш собственный
список идиом и храните его вместе с Вашим обычным словарем. Пошлите
нам Ваши наблюдения и замечания.
Как узнать, поможет ли Вам "Словарь идиом" понять трудную фразу?
Иногда догадаться, о чем идет речь, не сложно, как в выражениях puppy
love, fun house, dog-eat-dog, mixed-up. Если же Вы не можете перевести
выражение, выберите основное слово из самой трудной части и найдите
его в словаре. Если это первое слово идиомы, Вы найдете всю фразу и
перевод к ней. Таким образом, выражение bats in the belfry напечатано
в этом словаре под буквой В, слово bats. Если слово, которое Вы
выбрали, не первое слово идиомы, Вы найдете список идиом, которые
содержат это слово. Например, слово toe (палец ноги) Вы найдете в
статьях CURL ONE'S HAIR or CURL ONE'S TOES, ON ONE'S TOES, STEP ON THE
TOES (OF SOMEBODY). Конечно, Вы можете столкнуться с тем, что не
понимаете некоторые фразы, потому что Вам незнакомы обыкновенные
слова, а не из-за обилия идиоматических выражений. В этом случае Вам
поможет обычный словарь. Обратите внимание, что в этом словаре
приведены наиболее употребительные выражения только американского
английского языка, без учета идиоматики, например, британского или
австралийского диалектов. Словарь, содержащий идиомы всех диалектов
английского языка, был бы международным словарем английских
идиоматических выражений. В настоящее время такой книги нет, но
надеемся, что в будущем она будет написана.
Типы словарных статей
Этот словарь содержит четыре типа статей: главные статьи,
продолжающиеся статьи, статьи-ссылки и указательные статьи. Главная
статья включает полное объяснение идиомы. Продолжающаяся статья -
фраза, происходящая от другой идиомы, но которая была бы
самостоятельной единицей, если бы она была напечатана в своем
собственном алфавитном месте. Эти производные идиомы приводятся в
конце главной статьи, например, fence sitter "человек, сидящий на
заборе" в конце статьи sit on the fence "сидеть на заборе". В тех
случаях, когда понять производную форму, опираясь на основное
объяснение, затруднительно, приводятся дополнительные объяснения. Если
идиома может употребляться в форме различных частей речи, приводится
отдельная статья на каждый случай.
Ссылки показывают, что объяснение можно найти в другом месте.
Предположим, Вы хотите посмотреть выражение cast in one's lot with
(решить стать соучастниками или партнерами). Вы можете посмотреть на
слово cast (бросать) или на слово lot (судьба), ссылка направит Вас к
слову throw в фразе throw in one's lot with. Причиной этого является
тот факт, что слово cast (бросать) употребляется в сегодняшнем
английском языке гораздо реже чем слово throw. Следовательно, более
распространенная форма этой идиомы начинается глаголом throw.
Указательная статья ведет нас ко всем другим статьям, содержащим
искомое слово. Таким образом, слово chin (подбородок) сопровождается
фразами, в которых Вы найдете слово chin, таких как keep one's chin
up, stick one's chin (or neck) out, take out, take it on the chin, up
to the chin.
Указатели частей речи
Лексемные идиомы, которые мы обсуждали раньше, сопровождены
указателем части речи. В некоторых случаях, таких, как, скажем, в
случае предложных фраз, употреблен двойной указатель, потому что
данная фраза имеет два грамматических употребления. Буква {v.} значит
verb (глагол); она напечатана в фразах, содержащих глагол и наречие,
или глагол и предлог, или все три, то есть глагол, предлог и наречие.
Сокращение {v. phr.} означает "verbal phrase" как, например, look up,
look in и т.д., то есть сочетание глагола с существительным: глагол с
дополнением, глагол с подлежащим и глагол с предложной фразой.
Ограничительные указатели
Иностранцу, для которого американский английский - неродной язык,
следует обратить особое внимание на то, в какой ситуации какую идиому
можно употреблять. В этом читателю словаря помогут ограничительные
указатели. Так, указатель {slang} (слэнг) показывает, что идиома
употребляется только в фамильярном разговоре очень близкими друзьями.
Указатель {informal} (неформальный) показывает, что выражение может
употребляться в разговоре, но не должно встречаться в формальных
сочинениях. Указатель {formal} (формальный) имеет противоположное
значение: он указывает, что форма употребляется только в научных
работах или при чтении лекции в университете. Указатель {literary}
(литературный) напоминает, что интересующая Вас идиома - широко
известная цитата; ее не стоит употреблять слишком часто. Указатель
{vulgar} (вульгарный, грубый) показывает, что Вам не следует
употреблять эту форму. Однако, иметь представление о подобных формах
необходимо, чтобы иметь возможность судить о людях по языку, который
они употребляют. Указатель {substandard} (не соответствующий языковой
норме) показывает, что форма употребляется малообразованными людьми;
{non-standard} (нестандартный) значит, что фраза неуклюжая. Указатель
{archaic} (архаический) редко употребляется в этой книге; он означает,
что форма очень редка в современном английском языке. Географические
указатели показывают, где идиома образовалась и где употребляется.
{Chiefly British} (главным образом британское) значит, что американцы
редко употребляют эту форму; {southern} (южный) значит, что идиома
употребляется чаще на юге США, чем на севере. Молодые формы, которые
образовались не более шести или семи лет назад, находятся в приложении
к главному словарю.
Adam Makkai
Maya Aleksandrovna Glinberg
A
[abide by] {v.} To accept and obey; be willing to follow. * /A
basketball player may know he did not foul, but he must abide by the
referee's decision./ * /The members agree to abide by the rules of the
club./
[a bit] {n., informal} A small amount; some. * /There's no sugar in
the sugar bowl, but you may find a bit in the bag./ * /If the ball had
hit the window a bit harder, it would have broken it./ - Often used
like an adverb. * /This sweater scratches a bit./ - Also used like an
adjective before "less", "more". * /Janet thought she could lose
weight by eating a bit less./ * /"Have some more cake?" "Thanks. A bit
more won't hurt me."/ - Often used adverbially after verbs in
negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences, sometimes in the
form "one bit". * /"Won't your father be angry?" "No, he won't care a
bit."/ * /Helen feels like crying, but I'll be surprised if she shows
it one bit./ - Sometimes used with "little" for emphasis, also in the
emphatic form "the least bit". * /"Wasn't Bob even a little bit sorry
he forgot his date?" "No, Bob wasn't the least bit sorry."/ Syn.: A
LITTLE. Compare: A FEW. Contrast: A LOT.
[about face] {n.} A sudden change of course or a decision opposite
to what was decided earlier. * /Her decision to become an actress
instead of a dentist was an about face from her original plans./
[about one's ears] or [around one's ears] {adv. phr.} To or into
complete collapse, defeat, or ruin; to the destruction of a person's
plans, hopes, or happiness. * /They planned to have factories all over
the world but the war brought their plans down about their ears./ *
/John hoped to go to college and become a great scientist some day,
but when his father died he had to get a job, and John's dreams came
crashing around his ears./ Compare: ON ONE'S HEAD.
[about time] {n. phr.} Finally, but later than it should have been;
at last. * /Mother said, "It's about time you got up, Mary."/ * /The
basketball team won last night. About time./
[about to] 1. Close to; ready to. - Used with an infinitive. * /We
were about to leave when the snow began./ * /I haven't gone yet, but
I'm about to./ Compare: GOING TO, ON THE POINT OF. 2. {informal}
Having a wish or plan to. - Used with an infinitive in negative
sentences. * /Freddy wasn't about to give me any of his ice-cream
cone./ * /"Will she come with us?" asked Bill. "She's not about to,"
answered Mary./
[above all] {adv. phr.} Of first or highest importance; most
especially. * /Children need many things, but above all they need
love./ Syn.: FIRST AND LAST.
[above suspicion] {adj. phr.} Too good to be suspected; not likely
to do wrong. * /The umpire in the game must be above suspicion of
supporting one side over the other./
[absent without leave (AWOL)] {adj.} Absent without permission;
used mostly in the military. * /Jack left Fort Sheridan without asking
his commanding officer, and was punished for going AWOL./
[absentia] See: IN ABSENTIA.
[Acapulco gold] {n., slang} Marijuana of an exceptionally high
quality. * /Jack doesn't just smoke pot, he smokes Acapulco gold./
[accord] See: OF ONE'S OWN ACCORD or OF ONE'S OWN FREE WILL.
[according as] {conj.} 1. Depending on which; whichever. * /You may
take an oral or written exam according as you prefer./ 1. Depending on
whether; if. * /We will play golf or stay home according as the
weather is good or bad./
[according to] {prep.} 1. So as to match or agree with; so as to be
alike in. * /Many words are pronounced according to the spelling but
some are not./ * /The boys were placed in three groups according to
height./ 2. On the word or authority of. * /According to the Bible,
Adam was the first man./
[according to one's own lights] {adv. phr.} In accordance with
one's conscience or inclinations. * /Citizens should vote according to
their own lights./
[account] See: CALL TO ACCOUNT, CHARGE ACCOUNT, LEAVE OUT OF
ACCOUNT, ON ACCOUNT, ON ACCOUNT OF, ON ONE'S ACCOUNT, ON ONE'S OWN
ACCOUNT, SAVINGS ACCOUNT, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.
[ace] See: WITHIN AN ACE OF.
[ace in the hole] {n. phr.} 1. An ace given to a player face down
so that other players in a card game cannot see it. * /When the cowboy
bet all his money in the poker game he did not know that the gambler
had an ace in the hole and would win it from him./ 2. {informal}
Someone or something important that is kept as a surprise until the
right time so as to bring victory or success. * /The football team has
a new play that they are keeping as an ace in the hole for the big
game./ * /The lawyer's ace in the hole was a secret witness who saw
the accident./ Compare: CARD UP ONE'S SLEEVE.
[Achilles' heel] {n. phr.}, {literary} A physical or psychological
weakness named after the Greek hero Achilles who was invulnerable
except for a spot on his heel. * /John's Achilles' heel is his lack of
talent with numbers and math./
[acid head] {n.}, {slang} A regular user of LSD on whom the
hallucinogenic drug has left a visible effect. * /The reason John acts
so funny is that he is a regular acid head./
[acid rock] {n.}, {slang} A characteristic kind of rock in which
loudness and beat predominate over melody; especially such music as
influenced by drug experiences. * /John is a regular acid rock freak./
[acorn] See: GREAT OAKS PROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW.
[acoustic perfume] {n.}, {slang} Sound for covering up unwanted
noise, such as music over loudspeakers in a noisy construction area. *
/Let's get out of here - this acoustic perfume is too much for my
ears./
[acquire a taste for] {v. phr.} To become fond of something; get to
like something. * /Jack acquired a taste for ripe cheeses when he went
to France./
[across the board] {adv. phr.} 1. So that equal amounts of money
are bet on the same horse to win a race, to place second, or third. *
/I bet $6 on the white horse across the board./ - Often used with
hyphens as an adjective. * /I made an across-the-board bet on the
white horse./ 2. {informal} Including everyone or all, so that all are
included. * /Thе President wanted taxes lowered across the board./ -
Often used with hyphens as an adjective. * /Thе workers at the store
got an across-the-board pay raise./
[across the tracks] See: THE TRACKS.
[act] See: READ THE RIOT ACT.
[act high and mighty] {v. phr.} To wield power; act overbearingly;
order others around; look down on others. * /Paul is an inexperienced
teacher and he acts high and mighty with his students./
[actions speak louder than words] What you do shows your character
better and is more important than what you say. - A proverb. * /John
promised to help me, but he didn't. Actions speak louder than words./
* /Joe is very quiet, but actions speak louder than words. He is the
best player on the team./
[act of faith] {n. phr.} An act or a deed that shows unquestioning
belief in someone or something. * /It was a real act of faith on
Mary's part to entrust her jewelry to her younger sister's care./
[act of God] {n.} An occurrence (usually some sort of catastrophe)
for which the people affected are not responsible; said of
earthquakes, floods, etc. * /Hurricane Andrew destroyed many houses in
Florida, but some types of insurance did not compensate the victims,
claiming that the hurricane was an act of God./ See: FICKLE FINGER OF
FATE.
[act one's age] or [be one's age] {v. phr.} To do the things that
people expect someone of your age to do, not act as if you were much
younger than you are. * /Mr. O'Brien was playing tag with the children
at the party. Then Mrs. O'Brien said, "Henry! Act your age!" and he
stopped./
[actor] See: BAD ACTOR.
[act out] {v.} 1. To show an idea, story, or happening by your
looks, talk, and movements. * /He tried to act out a story that he had
read./ 2. To put into action. * /All his life he tried to act out his
beliefs./
[act up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To behave badly; act rudely or
impolitely. * /The dog acted up as the postman came to the door./ 2.
To work or run poorly (as a after all machine); skip; miss. * /Thе car
acted up because the spark plugs were dirty./
[add fuel to the flame] {v. phr.} To make a bad matter worse by
adding to its cause; spread trouble, increase anger or other strong
feelings by talk or action. * /By criticizing his son's girl, the
father added fuel to the flame of his son's love./ * /Bob was angry
with Ted and Ted added fuel to the flame by laughing at him./
[add insult to injury] {v. phr.} 1. To hurt someone's feelings
after doing him harm. * /He added insult to injury when he called the
man a rat after he had already beaten him up./ 2. To make bad trouble
worse. * /We started on a picnic, and first it rained, then to add
insult to injury, the car broke down./
[addition] See: IN ADDITION.
[address] See: PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM.
[add the finishing touches] {v. phr.} To complete; finish. *
/Mary's first novel promised to be excellent; however, her editor
suggested that she should add some finishing touches before accepting
it./
[add up] {v.} 1. To come to the correct amount. * /The numbers
wouldn't add up./ 2. {informal} To make sense; be understandable. *
/His story didn't add up./
[add up to] {v.} 1. To make a total of; amount to. * /The bill
added up to $12.95./ 2. {informal} To mean; result in. * /The rain,
the mosquitoes, and the heat added up to a spoiled vacation./
[ad lib] {v. phr.} To improvise; interpolate during speech. * /When
the actress forgot her lines during the second act, she had to ad lib
in order to keep the show going./
[advance] See: IN ADVANCE or IN ADVANCE OF.
[advantage] See: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, TO ADVANTAGE.
[a few] {n.} or {adj.} A small number (of people or things); some.
* /The dry weather killed most of Mother's flowers, but a few are
left./ * /In the store, Mary saw many pretty rings and bracelets, and
she wanted to buy a few of them./ * /After the party, we thought that
no one would help clean up, but a few couples did./ * /Alice wanted to
read a few pages more before she stopped./ - Usually "a few" is
different in meaning from "few", which emphasizes the negative; "a
few" means "some", but "few" means "not many". * /We thought no one
would come to lunch, but a few came./ * /We thought many people would
come to lunch, but few came./ But sometimes "a few" is used with
"only", and then it is negative. * /We thought many people would come
to lunch, but only a few came./ - Sometimes used like an adverb. *
/Three students have no seats; we need a few more chairs./ * /If we
can set up chairs faster than people come and sit in them, we will
soon be a few ahead./ - Sometimes used with "very" for emphasis. *
/Uncle Ralph gave away almost all of his sea shells, but he still had
a very few left./ Compare: A LITTLE. Contrast: A LOT, QUITE A FEW.
[affair] See: LOVE AFFAIR.
[afoul of] {prep.} 1. In collision with. * /The boat ran afoul of a
buoy./ 2. In or into trouble with. * /The thief ran afoul of the night
watchman./ * /Speeders can expect to fall afoul of the law sometimes./
[afraid of one's shadow] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Scared of small or
imaginary things; very easily frightened; jumpy; nervous. * /Mrs.
Smith won't stay alone in her house at night; she is afraid of her own
shadow./ * /Johnny cries whenever he must say hello to an adult; he is
afraid of his own shadow./
[a friend in need is a friend indeed] A genuine friend on whom one
can always depend. - A proverb; often shortened to "a friend in
need..." * /When John's house burned down, his neighbor Jim helped him
and his family with shelter, food and clothing. John said, "Jim, a
friend in need is a friend indeed - this describes you."/
[after a fashion] {adv. phr.} Not very well or properly; poorly. *
/He played tennis after a fashion./ * /The roof kept the rain out
after a fashion./ Compare: IN A WAY.
[after all] {adv. phr.} 1. As a change in plans; anyway. - Used
with emphasis on "after". * /Bob thought he couldn't go to the party
because he had too much homework, but he went after all./ 2. For a
good reason that you should remember. - Used with emphasis on "all". *
/Why shouldn't Betsy eat the cake? After all, she baked it./
[after a while] {informal} or [in a while] {adv. phr.} Later, at
some time in the future; after a time that is not short and not long.
* /"Dad, will you help me make this model plane?" "After a while,
Jimmy, when I finish reading the newspaper."/ * /The boys gathered
some wood, and in a while, a hot fire was burning./ Syn.: BY AND BY.
Contrast: RIGHT AWAY.
[after hours] {adv. or adj. phr.} Not during the regular, correct,
or usual time; going on or open after the usual hours. * /The store
was cleaned and swept out after hours./ * /The children had a secret
after hours party when they were supposed to be in bed./
[after one's own heart] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Well liked because
of agreeing with your own feelings, interests, and ideas; to your
liking-agreeable. Used after "man" or some similar word. * /He likes
baseball and good food; he is a man after my own heart./ * /Thanks for
agreeing with me about the class party; you're a girl after my own
heart./ Compare: SEE EYE TO EYE.
[after the dust clears] or [when the dust settles] {adv. phr.} When
a troubling, confusing, or disastrous event is finally over. * /John
invited Tim for dinner, but since Tim's father had just died, he
replied, "Thanks. I'd like to come after the dust settles."/
[again] See: COME AGAIN, EVERY NOW AND THEN or EVERY NOW AND AGAIN,
NOW AND THEN or NOW AND AGAIN, OFF AGAIN, ON AGAIN or ON AGAIN, OFF
AGAIN, SOMETHING ELSE AGAIN, THEN AGAIN, TIME AND AGAIN, YOU SAID IT
or YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.
[against it] See: UP AGAINST IT.
[against the clock] See: AGAINST TIME.
[against the current] or [against the stream] See: SWIM AGAINST THE
CURRENT.
[against the grain] {adv. phr.} 1. Across rather than with the
direction of the fibers (as of wood or meat). * /He sandpapered the
wood against the grain./ 2. So as to annoy or trouble, or to cause
anger or dislike. - Usually follows "go". * /His coarse and rude ways
went against the grain with me./ * /It went against the grain with him
to have to listen to her gossip./ Compare: RUB THE WRONG WAY.
[against time] or [against the clock] {adv. phr.} 1. As a test of
speed or time; in order to beat a speed record or time limit. * /John
ran around the track against time, because there was no one else to
race against./ 2. As fast as possible; so as to do or finish something
before a certain time. * /It was a race against the clock whether the
doctor would get to the accident soon enough to save the injured man./
3. So as to cause delay by using up time. * /The outlaw talked against
time with the sheriff, hoping that his gang would come and rescue
him./
[age] See: ACT ONE'S AGE or BE ONE'S AGE, DOG'S AGE or COON'S AGE,
LEGAL AGE or LAWFUL AGE, OF AGE, OVER AGE, UNDER AGE.
[agent] See: FREE AGENT.
[Agent Orange] {n.} A herbicide used as a defoliant during the
Vietnam War, considered by some to cause birth defects and cancer,
hence, by extension, an instance of "technological progress
pollution". * /If things continue as they have, we'll all be eating
some Agent Orange with our meals./
[ago] See: WHILE AGO.
[agree with] {v.} To have a good effect on, suit. * /The meat loaf
did not agree with him./ * /The warm, sunny climate agreed with him,
and he soon grew strong and healthy./
[ahead] See: DEAD AHEAD, GET AHEAD.
[ahead of] {prep.} 1. In a position of advantage or power over. *
/He studies all the time, because he wants to stay ahead of his
classmates./ 2. In front of; before. * /The troop leader walked a few
feet ahead of the boys./ 3. Earlier than; previous to, before. *
/Betty finished her test ahead of the others./
[ahead of the game] {adv. or adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. In a
position of advantage; winning (as in a game or contest); ahead (as by
making money or profit); making it easier to win or succeed. * /The
time you spend studying when you are in school will put you ahead of
the game in college./ * /After Tom sold his papers, he was $5 ahead of
the game./ 2. Early; too soon; beforehand. * /When Ralph came to
school an hour early, the janitor said, "You're ahead of the game."/ *
/John studies his lessons only one day early; if he gets too far ahead
of the game, he forgets what he read./
[ahead of time] {adv. phr.} Before the expected time; early. * /The
bus came ahead of time, and Mary was not ready./ * /The new building
was finished ahead of time./ Contrast: BEHIND TIME.
[a hell of] a [or one hell of a] {adj. or adv. phr.}, {informal}
Extraordinary; very. * /He made a hell of a shot during the basketball
game./ * /Max said seven months was a hell of a time to have to wait
for a simple visa./ * /The fall Max took left one hell of a bruise on
his knee./
[aim] See: TAKE AIM.
[air] See: BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR, CLEAR THE AIR, GIVE ONESELF
AIRS, GET THE AIR at GET THE BOUNCE(1), GIVE THE AIR at GIVE THE
BOUNCE(1), IN THE AIR, INTO THIN AIR, LEAVE HANGING or LEAVE HANGING
IN THE AIR, ON THE AIR, OUT OF THIN AIR, UP IN THE AIR, WALK ON AIR.
[airbus] n. A trade name, also used informally for a wide-bodied
airplane used chiefly as a domestic passenger carrier. * /Airbuses
don't fly overseas, but mainly from coast to coast./
[air one's dirty linen in public] or [wash one's dirty linen in
public] {v. phr.} To talk about your private quarrels or disgraces
where others can hear; make public something embarrassing that should
be kept secret. * /Everyone in the school knew that the superintendent
and the principal were angry with each other because they aired their
dirty linen in public./ * /No one knew that the boys' mother was a
drug addict, because the family did not wash its dirty linen in
public./
[airquake] {n.} An explosive noise of undetermined origin usually
heard in coastal communities and appearing to come from some higher
point in elevation. * /What was that awful noise just now? - I guess
it must have been an airquake./
[air shuttle] {n.}, {informal} Air service for regular commuters
operating between major cities at not too far a distance, e.g.,
between Boston and New York City; such flights operate without
reservation on a frequent schedule. * /My dad takes the air shuttle
from Boston to New York once a week./
[a la] {prep.} In the same way as; like. * /Billy played ball like
a champion today, a la the professional ball players./ * /Joe wanted
to shoot an apple off my head a la William Tell./ (From French "a la",
in the manner of.)
[albatross around one's neck] {n. phr.}, {literary} Guilt, the
haunting past, an unforgettable problem. * /Even though it was an
accident, John's father's death has been an albatross around John's
neck./ Compare: MONKEY ON ONE'S BACK.
[alert] See: ON THE ALERT.
[a little] {n.} or {adj.} A small amount (of); some. - Usually "a
little" is different in meaning from "little", which emphasizes the
negative; "a little" means "some"; but "little" means "not much". We
say * /"We thought that the paper was all gone, but a little was
left."/ But we say, * /"We thought we still had a bag of flour, but
little was left."/ Also, we say, * /"Bob was sick yesterday, but he is
a little better today."/ But we say, * /"Bob was sick yesterday, and
he is little better today."/ Sometimes "a little" is used with "only",
and then it is negative. * /We thought we had a whole bag of flour,
but only a little was left./ * /We have used most of the sugar; but a
little is left./ * /We did not eat all the cake; we saved a little of
it for you./ * /I'm tired; I need a little time to rest./ * /Where is
the paper? I need a little more./ - Often used like an adverb. *
/Usually the teacher just watched the dancing class, but sometimes she
danced a little to show them how./ * /The children wanted to play a
little longer./ - Sometimes used with "very" for emphasis. * /The sick
girl could not eat anything, but she could drink a very little tea./
Syn.: A BIT. Compare: A FEW. Contrast: A LOT, QUITE A LITTLE.
[a little bird told me] To have learned something from a
mysterious, unknown, or secret source. * /"Who told you that Dean
Smith was resigning?" Peter asked. "A little bird told me," Jim
answered./
[a little knowledge is a dangerous thing] {literary} A person who
knows a little about something may think he knows it all and make bad
mistakes. - A proverb. * /John has read a book on driving a car and
now he thinks he can drive. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing./
[alive] See: COME ALIVE, KNOW --- IS ALIVE, LOOK ALIVE, SKIN ALIVE.
[alive and kicking] {adj. phr.} Very active; vigorous; full of
energy. * /Grandpa was taken to the hospital with pneumonia, but he
was discharged yesterday and is alive and kicking./
[alive with] {prep.}, {informal} Crowded with; filled with. * /The
lake was alive with fish./ * /The stores were alive with people the
Saturday before Christmas./
[all] See: AFTER ALL, AND ALL, AT ALL, BEAT ALL or BEAT THE DUTCH,
FOR ALL, FOR ALL ONE IS WORTH, FOR ALL ONE KNOWS, FOR ALL THE WORLD,
FOR GOOD also FOR GOOD AND ALL, FROM THE BOTTOM OF ONE'S HEART or WITH
ALL ONE'S HEART, HAVE ALL ONE'S BUTTONS or HAVE ALL ONE'S MARBLES, IN
ALL, JUMP ON or JUMP ALL OVER or LAND ALL OVER, KNOW-IT-ALL, ON ALL
FOURS, ONCE AND FOR ALL, PUT ALL ONE'S EGGS IN ONE BASKET, STRIKE ALL
OF A HEAP, WALK OVER or WALK ALL OVER or STEP ALL OVER.
[all along] or ({informal}) [right along] {adv. phr.} All the time;
during the whole time. */I knew all along that we would win./ * /I
knew right along that Jane would come./
[all at once] {adv. phr.} 1. At the same time; together. * /The
teacher told the children to talk one at a time; if they all talked at
one time, she could not understand them./ * /Bill can play the piano,
sing, and lead his orchestra all at once./ 2. or [all of a sudden]
Without warning; abruptly; suddenly; unexpectedly. * /All at once we
heard a shot and the soldier fell to the ground./ * /All of a sudden
the ship struck a rock./ Compare: AT ONCE.
[all better] {adj. phr.} Fully recovered; all well again; no longer
painful. - Usually used to or by children. * /"All better now," he
kept repeating to the little girl./
[all but] {adv. phr.} Very nearly; almost. * /Crows all but
destroyed a farmer's field of corn./ * /The hikers were exhausted and
all but frozen when they were found./
[all ears] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Very eager to hear; very
attentive. - Used in the predicate. * /Go ahead with your story; we
are all ears./ * /When John told about the circus, the boys were all
ears./
[alley] See: BLIND ALLEY, DOWN ONE'S ALLEY or UP ONE'S ALLEY.
[alley cat] {n.}, {slang} 1. A stray cat. 2. A person (usually a
female) of rather easy-going, or actually loose sexual morals; a
promiscuous person. * /You'll have no problem dating her; she's a
regular alley cat./
[all eyes] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Wide-eyed with surprise or
curiosity; watching very closely. - Used in the predicate. * /At the
circus the children were all eyes./
[all gone] {adj. phr.} Used up; exhausted (said of supplies); done
with; over with. * /We used to travel a lot, but, alas, those days are
all gone./
[all here] See: ALL THERE.
[all hours] {n. phr.}, {informal} Late or irregular times. * /The
boy's mother said he must stop coming home for meals at all hours./ *
/He stayed up till all hours of the night to finish his school work./
[all in] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Very tired; exhausted. * /The
players were all in after their first afternoon of practice./ Syn.:
PLAYED OUT, WORN OUT.
[all in a day's work] or [all in the day's work] {adj. phr.},
{informal} Unpleasant or bad but to be expected; not harder than
usual; not unusual. * /Keeping ants away from a picnic lunch is all in
the day's work./ * /When the car had a flat tire, Father said that it
was all in a day's work./ Compare: PAR FOR THE COURSE, PUT UP WITH.
[all in all(1)] {n. phr.}, {literary} The person or thing that you
love most. * /She was all in all to him./ * /Music was his all in
all./
[all in all(2)] or [in all] {adv. phr.} When everything is thought
about; in summary; altogether. * /All in all, it was a pleasant day's
cruise./ * /All in all, the pilot of an airplane must have many
abilities and years of experience before he can he appointed./
Compare: ON THE WHOLE 1. * /Counting the balls on the green, we have
six golf balls in all./
[all in good time] {adv. phr.} Some time soon, when the time is
ripe for an event to take place. * /"I want to get married, Dad," Mike
said. "All in good time, Son," answered his father./
[all in one piece] {adv. phr.} Safely; without damage or harm. *
/John's father was terribly concerned when his son was sent to war as
a pilot, but he came home all in one piece./
[all kinds of] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Plenty of. * /People say
that Mr. Fox has all kinds of money./ * /When Kathy was sick, she had
all kinds of company./ Compare: GREAT DEAL.
[all manner of] {adj. phr.}, {formal} Many different kinds of; all
sorts of. * /In a five-and-ten-cent store you can buy all manner of
things./
[all of] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. At least the amount or number
of; fully; no less than. * /It was all of ten o'clock before they
finally started./ * /She must have paid all of $50 for that hat./ 2.
Showing all the signs of; completely in. - Used with "a". * /The girls
were all of a twitter before the dance./ * /Mother is all of a flutter
because of the thunder and lightning./ * /The dog was all of a tremble
with cold./
[all of a sudden] See: ALL AT ONCE 2.
[all out] {adv. phr.}, {informal} With all your strength, power, or
determination; to the best of your ability; without holding back. -
Usually used in the phrase "go all out". * /We went all out to win the
game./ * /John went all out to finish the job and was very tired
afterwards./ Compare: ALL THE WAY 2, FULL TILT, GO THE WHOLE HOG, GO
TO ANY LENGTH, LEAVE A STONE UNTURNED, WITH MIGHT AND MAIN.
[all-out effort] {n.} A great and thorough effort at solving a
given problem. * /The President is making an all-out effort to
convince Congress to pass the pending bill on health care./
[all-out war] {n.} Total war including civilian casualties as
opposed to a war that is limited only to armies. * /Hitler was waging
an all-out war when he invaded Poland./
[all over] {adv. phr.} 1. In every part; everywhere. * /He has a
fever and aches all over./ * /I have looked all over for my glasses./
Compare: FAR AND WIDE. 2. {informal} In every way; completely. * /She
is her mother all over./ 3. {informal} Coming into very close physical
contact, as during a violent fight; wrestling. * /Before I noticed
what happened, he was all over me./
[all over but the shouting] {adv. phr.,} {informal} Finally decided
or won; brought to an end; not able to be changed. * /After Bill's
touchdown, the game was all over but the shouting./ * /John and Tom
both tried to win Jane, but after John's promotion it was all over but
the shouting./
[all over someone] See: FALL ALL OVER SOMEONE.
[allowance] See: MAKE ALLOWANCE.
[allow for] {v.} To provide for; leave room for; give a chance to;
permit. * /She cut the skirt four inches longer to allow for a wide
hem./ * /Democracy allows for many differences of opinion./
[all right(1)] {adv. phr.} 1. Well enough. * /The new machine is
running all right./ 2. {informal} I am willing; yes. * /"Shall we
watch television?" "All right."/ Compare: VERY WELL. 3. {informal}
Beyond question, certainly. - Used for emphasis and placed after the
word it modifies. * /It's time to leave, all right, but the bus hasn't
come./
[all right(2)] {adj. phr.} 1. Good enough; correct; suitable. *
/His work is always all right./ 2. In good health or spirits; well. *
/"How are you?" "I'm all right."/ 3. {slang} Good. * /He's an all
right guy./
[all right for you] {interj.} I'm finished with you! That ends it
between you and me! - Used by children. * /All right for you! I'm not
playing with you any more!/
[all roads lead to Rome] {literary} The same end or goal may be
reached by many different ways. - A proverb. * /"I don't care how you
get the answer," said the teacher, "All roads lead to Rome."/
[all set] {adj. phr.} Ready to start. * /"Is the plane ready for
take-off?" the bank president asked. "Yes, Sir," the pilot answered.
"We're all set."/
[all shook up] also [shook up] {adj.}, {slang} In a state of great
emotional upheaval; disturbed; agitated. * /What are you so shook up
about?/
[all systems go] {Originally from space English, now general
colloquial usage.} Everything is complete and ready for action; it is
now all right to proceed. * /After they wrote out the invitations, it
was all systems go for the wedding./
[all the(1)] {adj. phr.}, {dial.} The only. * /A hut was all the
home he ever had./
[all the(2)] {adv. phr.} Than otherwise; even. - Used to emphasize
comparative adjectives, adverbs, and nouns. * /Opening the windows
made it all the hotter./ * /Take a bus instead of walking and get home
all the sooner./ * /If you don't eat your dessert, all the more for
us./
[all the better] See: ALL THE(2).
[all the ---er] {substandard} The ---est; as ... as. - Used with a
comparative adjective or adverb and subordinate clause in place of a
superlative adjective or adverb. * /That was all the bigger he grew./
* /Is that all the faster you can go?/
[all there] or [all here] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Understanding
well; thinking clearly; not crazy. - Usually used in negative
sentences, * /Joe acted queerly and talked wildly, so we thought he
was not all there./
[all the same(1)] or [all one] {n. phr.} Something that makes no
difference; a choice that you don't care about. * /If it's all the
same to you, I would like to be waited on first./ * /You can get there
by car or by bus - it's all one./
[all the same(2)] or [just the same] {adv. phr.}, {informal} As if
the opposite were so; nevertheless; anyway; anyhow; still. * /Everyone
opposed it, but Sally and Bob got married all the same./ * /Mary is
deaf, but she takes tap dancing lessons just the same./ Compare: AT
THAT 3, IN SPITE OF.
[all the thing] or [all the rage], [the in thing] {n. phr.} The
fashionable or popular thing to do, the fashionable or most popular
artist or form of art at a given time. * /After "The Graduate" Dustin
Hoffman was all the rage in the movies./ * /It was all the thing in
the late sixties to smoke pot and demonstrate against the war in
Vietnam./
[all the time] {adv. phr.} 1. or [all the while] During the whole
period; through the whole time. * /Mary went to college in her home
town and lived at home all the while./ * /Most of us were surprised to
hear that Mary and Tom had been engaged all year, but Sue said she
knew it all the time./ 2. Without stopping; continuously * /Most
traffic lights work all the time./ 3. Very often; many times. * /Ruth
talks about her trip to Europe all the time, and her friends are tired
of it./
[all the way] or [the whole way] {adv. phr.} 1. From start to
finish during the whole distance or time. * /Jack climbed all the way
to the top of the tree./ * /Joe has played the whole way in the
football game and it's almost over./ 2. In complete agreement; with
complete willingness to satisfy. - Often used in the phrase "go all
the way with". * /I go all the way with what George says about Bill./
* /Mary said she was willing to kiss Bill, but that did not mean she
was willing to go all the way with him./ * /The bank was willing to
lend Mr. Jones money to enlarge his factory but it wasn 't willing to
go all the way with his plans to build another in the next town./
Compare: ALL OUT, GO THE WHOLE HOG.
[all the worse] See: ALL THE 2.
[all thumbs] {adj.}, {informal} Awkward, especially with your
hands; clumsy. * /Harry tried to fix the chair but he was all thumbs./
[all told] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Counting or including
everything. * /Including candy sale profits we have collected $300 all
told./
[all to the good] See: TO THE GOOD.
[all up] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Near to certain death or defeat
without any more chance or hope. * /With their ammunition gone the
patrol knew that it was all up with them./
[all very well] {adj.} All right; very good and correct; very true.
- Usually followed by a "but" clause. * /It's all very well for you to
complain but can you do any better?/ * /It's all very well if Jane
comes with us, but how will she get back home?/ Compare: WELL AND
GOOD.
[all walks of life] {n. phr.} All socioeconomic groups; all
professions and lines of work. * /A good teacher has to be able to
communicate with students from all walks of life./ * /A clever
politician doesn't alienate people from any walk of life./
[all wet] {adj.}, {slang} Entirely confused or wrong; mistaken. *
/When the Wright brothers said they could build a flying machine,
people thought they were all wet./ * /If you think I like baseball,
you're all wet./ Compare: OFF ONE'S ROCKER.
[all wool and a yard wide] {adj. phr.} Of fine character;
especially, very generous and kind-hearted. * /He's a wonderful
brother - all wool and a yard wide./
[all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy] Too much hard work
without time out for play or enjoyment is not good for anyone. - A
proverb. * /Bill's mother told him to stop studying and to go out and
play, because all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy./
[all year round] {adv. phr.} Always; all the time; throughout all
seasons of the year. * /In California the sun shines all year round./
[alone] See: LET ALONE or LEAVE ALONE, LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE or
LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.
[along] See: ALL ALONG or RIGHT ALONG, COME ALONG, GET ALONG, GO
ALONG, RUN ALONG, STRING ALONG.
[along for the ride] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Being in a group for
the fun or the credit without doing any of the work. * /He wants no
members in his political party who are just along for the ride./
[along in years] or [on in years] {adj. phr.} Elderly; growing old.
* /As Grandfather got on in years, he became quiet and thoughtful./ *
/Our dog isn 't very playful because it is getting on in years./
[alongside of] {prep.} 1. At or along the side of. * /We walked
alongside of the river./ 2. Together with. * /I played alongside of
Tom on the same team./ Compare: SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, SIDE BY SIDE. 3.
{informal} Compared with or to; measured next to. * /His money doesn't
look like much alongside of a millionaire's./
[a lot] {n.}, {informal} A large number or amount; very many or
very much; lots. * /I learned a lot in Mr. Smith's class./ * /A lot of
our friends are going to the beach this summer./ - Often used like an
adverb. * /Ella is a jolly girl; she laughs a lot./ * /Grandfather was
very sick last week, but he's a lot better now./ * /You'll have to
study a lot harder if you want to pass./ - Also used as an adjective
with "more", "less", and "fewer". * /There was a good crowd at the
game today, but a lot more will come next week./ - Often used with
"whole" for emphasis. * /John has a whole lot of marbles./ * /Jerry is
a whole lot taller than he was a year ago./ Compare: GOOD DEAL, GOOD
MANY, A NUMBER. Contrast: A FEW, A LITTLE.
[aloud] See: THINK ALOUD or THINK OUT LOUD.
[alpha wave] {n.} A brain wave, 8-12 cycles per second, associated
with a state of relaxation and meditation and, hence, free of
anxieties. * /Try to produce some alpha waves; you will instantly feel
a lot better./
[alter] See: CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES.
[always] See: GRASS is ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
FENCE.
[ambulance chaser] {n.} An attorney who specializes in representing
victims of traffic accidents. By extension, a lawyer of inferior rank
or talent. * /Don't hire Cohen; he's just another ambulance chaser./
[American plan] {n.} A system of hotel management in which meals
are included with the room, as opposed to the European plan that does
not include meals. * /American tourists in Europe sometimes expect
that their meals will be included, because they are used to the
American plan./
[amount to] {v.} Signify; add up to. * /John's total income didn't
amount to more than a few hundred dollars./
[a must] {n.} 1. An inevitability; a necessity. * /Visas in many
foreign countries are a must./ 2. An extremely interesting or
memorable event, such as a free concert given by an international
celebrity. * /Alfred Brendel's Beethoven master classes are open to
the public and are not to be missed; they're a must./
[anchor] See: AT ANCHOR.
[--- and ---] 1. - And is used between repeated words to show
continuation or emphasis. * /When the children saw the beautiful
Christmas tree they looked and looked./ * /Old Mr, Bryan has known
Grandfather for years and years, since they were boys./ * /Billy dived
to the bottom of the lake again and again, looking for the lost
watch./ * /Everyone wished the speaker would stop, but he talked on
and on./ Compare: THROUGH AND THROUGH. 2. - When "and" is used between
words with opposite meaning, it often emphasizes how much you mean. *
/Mr. Jones worked early and late to earn enough to live./ * /The
parents hunted high and low for the lost child./ Compare: DAY AND
NIGHT, FROM -- TO, INSIDE AND OUT.
[and all] {informal} And whatever goes with it; and all that means.
* /We don't go out much nowadays, with the new baby and all./ *
/Jack's employer provided the tools and all./
[and how!] {interj.}, {informal} Yes, that is certainly right! -
Used for emphatic agreement. * /"Did you see the game?" "And how!"/ *
/"Isn't Mary pretty?" "And how she is!"/ Syn.: YOU BET, YOU SAID IT.
Compare:: BUT GOOD.
[and so forth] or [and so on] And more of the same kind; and
further amounts or things like the ones already mentioned. * /The
costumes were red, pink, blue, purple, yellow, and so forth./ Compare:
WHAT HAVE YOU.
[and the like] {n. phr.} Things of a similar nature. * /I like
McDonald's, Wendy's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the like./ * /When I
go out to the beach flake towels, a mat, suntan lotion, and the like./
[and then some] And a lot more; and more too. * /It would cost all
the money he had and then some./ * /Talking his way out of this
trouble was going to take all his wits and then some./
[and what not] See: WHAT NOT.
[angel dust] {n.}, {slang} Phencyclidine, an addictive
hallucinatory narcotic drug extremely dangerous to the users' health,
also called PCP. * /Mike has gone from grass to angel dust; he will
end up in the morgue./
[another] See: DANCE TO ANOTHER TUNE.
[answer back] See: TALK BACK.
[answer for] {v.} 1. To take responsibility for; assume charge or
supervision of. * /The secret service has to answer for the safety of
the President and his family./ 2. To say you are sure that (someone)
has good character or ability; guarantee: sponsor. * /When people
thought Ray had stolen the money, the principal said, "Ray is no
thief. I'll answer for him."/ 3. Take the blame or punishment for. *
/When Mother found out who ate the cake, Tom had to answer for his
mischief./
[answer one's calling] {v. phr.} To fulfill one's destiny in terms
of work or profession by doing what one has a talent for. * /Don
answered his calling when he became a chiropractor. Susy answered her
calling when she became a violinist./
[answer the call of nature] or [obey the call of nature] {v. phr.},
{slang} To go to the bathroom to relieve oneself by urinating or
defecating. * /Ted was hiking in the mountains when suddenly he had to
answer the call of nature but since there was no bathroom in the
woods, he excused himself and disappeared behind the bushes./
[answer to] {v.} To be named; go by a certain name or designation;
be accountable. * /When you walk my dog, please remember that he
answers to the name "Caesar."/ * /As head of the company she does not
have to answer to anyone./
[ante up] {v.}, {informal} To produce the required amount of money
in order to close a transaction; to pay what one owes. * /"I guess I'd
better ante up if I want to stay an active member of the Association",
Max said./
[ants in one's pants] {n. phr.}, {slang} Nervous over-activity;
restlessness. * /Jane can not sit still; she has ants in her pants./ *
/You have ants in your pants today. Is something wrong?/
[a number] {n.} A rather large number; numbers. - Used when there
arc more than several and fewer than many. * /The parents were invited
to see the program, and a number came./ * /We knew the Smiths rattier
well; we had visited them a number of times./ - Used like an adjective
before "less", "more". * /We have not set up enough folding chairs; we
need a number more./ Compare: QUITE A FEW.
[any] See: HARDLY ANY or SCARCELY ANY.
[any number] {n.}, {informal} A large number; many. * /There are
any number of reasons for eating good food./ * /Don't ask George what
his excuse is. He can invent any number./ Compare: A LOT, A NUMBER,
GOOD MANY.
[any old how] / [any old way] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Doing
something in a casual, haphazard, or careless way. * /"John," the
teacher said, "you can't just do your homework any old way; you must
pay attention to my instructions!"/
[any port in a storm] Any help is welcome in an emergency. - A
proverb. * /The motel we stopped in was nothing to brag about, but we
were so exhausted that it was a clear case of any port in a storm./
[anything] See: HAVE NOTHING ON or NOT HAVE ANYTHING ON, IF
ANYTHING.
[anything but] {adv. phr.} Quite the opposite of; far from being. *
/I don't mean he's lazy - anything but!/ * /The boys knew they had
broken the rules, and they were anything but happy when they were
called to the office./
[anything like] or [anywhere near] {adv.} Nearly. - Used in
negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences, often in the
negative forms "nothing like" or "nowhere near". * /It's not anything
like as hot today as it was yesterday./ * /Do you think that gold ring
is worth anywhere near a hundred dollars?/ * /Today's game was nowhere
near as exciting as yesterday's game./ * /Studying that lesson should
take nothing like two hours./
[anywhere near] See: ANYTHING LIKE or ANYWHERE NEAR.
[any which way] See: EVERY WHICH WAY.
[apart] See: JOKING ASIDE or JOKING APART, POLES APART, TELL APART.
[apart from] or [aside from] {prep. phr.} Beside or besides; in
addition to. * /The children hardly see anyone, apart from their
parents./ * /Aside from being fun and good exercise, swimming is a
very useful skill./ Syn.: EXCEPT FOR, OUTSIDE OF.
[ape] See: GO APE.
[appear] See: SPEAK OF THE DEVIL AND HE APPEARS.
[appearance] See: PUT IN AN APPEARANCE also MAKE AN APPEARANCE.
[apple] See: POLISH THE APPLE.
[applecart] See: UPSET THE APPLECART or UPSET ONE'S APPLECART.
[apple of one's eye] {n. phr.} Something or someone that is adored;
a cherished person or object. * /Charles is the apple of his mother's
eye./ * /John's first car was the apple of his eye. He was always
polishing it./
[apple-pie order] {n. phr.}, {informal} Exact orderly arrangement,
neatness; tidy arrangement. * /The house was in apple-pie order./ *
/Like a good secretary, she kept the boss's desk in apple-pie order./
[apple polisher]; [apple polishing] See: POLISH THE APPLE.
[approval] See: ON APPROVAL.
[a pretty pass] {n. phr.} An unfortunate condition; a critical
state. * /While the boss was away, things at the company had come to a
pretty pass./
[apron] See: TIED TO ONE'S MOTHER'S APRON STRINGS.
[apropos of] {prep.}, {formal} In connection with; on the subject
of, about; concerning. * /Apropos of higher tuition, Mr. Black told
the boy about the educational loans that banks are offering./ * /Mr.
White went to see Mr. Richards apropos of buying a car./
[arm] See: GIVE ONE'S RIGHT ARM, KEEP AT A DISTANCE Or KEEP AT
ARM'S LENGTH, SHOT IN THE ARM, TAKE UP ARMS, TWIST ONE'S ARM, UP IN
ARMS, WITH OPEN ARMS, COST AN ARM AND A LEG.
[arm and a leg] {n.}, {slang} An exorbitantly high price that must
be paid for something that isn't really worth it. * /It's true that to
get a decent apartment these days in New York you have to pay an arm
and a leg./
[armed to the teeth] {adj. phr.} Having all needed weapons; fully
armed. * /The paratroopers were armed to the teeth./
[arm in arm] {adv. phr.} With your arm under or around another
person's arm, especially in close comradeship or friendship. * /Sally
and Joan were laughing and joking together as they walked arm in arm
down the street./ * /When they arrived at the party, the partners
walked arm in arm to meet the hosts./ Compare: HAND IN HAND.
[around one's ears] See: ABOUT ONE'S EARS.
[around the clock] also [the clock around] {adv. phr.} For 24 hours
a day continuously all day and all night. * /The factory operated
around the clock until the order was filled./ * /He studied around the
clock for his history exam./ - [round-the-clock] {adj.} * /That
filling station has round-the-clock service./
[around the corner] {adv. phr.} Soon to come or happen; close by;
near at hand. * /The fortuneteller told Jane that there was an
adventure for her just around the corner./
[arrest] See: UNDER ARREST.
[as] See: FOR AS MUCH AS, IN AS MUCH AS.
[as a last resort] {adv. phr.} In lieu of better things; lacking
better solutions. * /"We'll sleep in our sleeping bags as a last
resort," John said, "since all the motels are full."/
[as a matter of fact] {adv. phr.} Actually; really; in addition to
what has been said; in reference to what was said. - Often used as an
interjection. * /It's not true that I cannot swim; as a matter of
fact, I used to work as a lifeguard in Hawaii./ * /Do you think this
costs too much? As a matter of fact, I think it is rather cheap./
[as an aside] {adv. phr.} Said as a remark in a low tone of voice;
used in theaters where the actor turns toward the audience as if to
"think out loud." * /During the concert Tim said to his wife as an
aside, "The conductor has no idea how to conduct Beethoven."/
[as a rule] {adv. phr.} Generally; customarily. * /As a rule, the
boss arrives at the office about 10 A.M./
[as an old shoe] See: COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE, COMMON AS AN OLD
SHOE.
[as --- as ---] - Used with an adjective or adverb in a comparison
or with the effect of a superlative. * /John is as tall as his father
now./ * /I didn't do as badly today as I did yesterday./ * /John's
father gave him a hard job and told him to do as well as possible./ *
/The sick girl was not hungry, but her mother told her to eat as much
as she could./ - Also used in the form "so --- as" in some sentences,
especially negative sentences. * /This hill isn't nearly so high as
the last one we climbed./ - Often used in similes (comparisons that
are figures of speech). * /The baby mouse looked as big as a minute./
* /Jim's face was red as a beet after he made the foolish mistake./ -
Most similes in conventional use are cliches, avoided by careful
speakers and writers.
[as best one can] {adv. phr.} As well as you can; by whatever means
are available; in the best way you can. * /The car broke down in the
middle of the night, and he had to get home as best he could./ *
/George's foot hurt, but he played the game as best he could./ * /The
girl's mother was sick, so the girl got dinner as best she could./
[as catch can] See: CATCH AS CATCH CAN.
[as far as] or [so far as] {adv. phr.} 1. To the degree or amount
that; according to what, how much, or how far. * /John did a good job
as far as he went, but he did not finish it./ * /So far as the weather
is concerned, I do not think it matters./ * /As far as he was
concerned, things were going well./ 2. To the extent that; within the
limit that. * /He has no brothers so far as I know./ Compare: FOR
ALL(2).
[as far as that goes] or [as far as that is concerned] or [so far
as that is concerned] also [so far as that goes] {adv. phr.} While we
are talking about it; also; actually. * /You don't have to worry about
the girls. Mary can take care of herself, and as far as that goes,
Susan is pretty independent, too./ * /I didn't enjoy the movie, and so
far as that is concerned, I never like horror movies./ Syn.: FOR THAT
MATTER, IN FACT. Compare: COME TO THINK OF IT.
[as follows] A list of things that come next; what is listed next.
- Followed by a colon. * /My grocery list is as follows: bread,
butter, meat, eggs, sugar./ * /The names of the members are as
follows: John Smith, Mary Webb, Linda Long, Ralph Harper./ * /The
route is as follows: From City Hall go south on Main Street to Elm
Street, east on Elm to 5th Street, and south on 5th two blocks to the
school./
[as for] {prep.} 1. In regard to; speaking of; concerning. * /We
have plenty of bread, and as for butter, we have more than enough./ 2.
Speaking for. * /Most people like the summer but as for me, I like
winter much better./ Compare: FOR ONE'S PART.
[as good as] {adv. phr.} Nearly the same as; almost. * /She claimed
that he as good as promised to marry her./ * /He as good as called me
a liar./ * /We'll get to school on time, we're as good as there now./
* /The man who had been shot was as good as dead./ - Often used
without the first "as" before adjectives. * /When the car was
repaired, it looked good as new./
[as good as a mile] See: MISS IS AS GOOD AS A MILE.
[as good as one gets] See: GIVE AS GOOD AS ONE GETS.
[as good as one's promise] See: AS GOOD AS ONE'S WORD.
[as good as one's word] or [good as one's word] {adj. phr.}
Trustworthy; sure to keep your promise. * /The coach said he would
give the players a day off if they won, and he was as good as his
word./ * /We knew she was always good as her word, so we trusted her./
[as hard as nails] {adj. phr.} Very unfeeling; cruel, and
unsympathetic. * /Uncle Joe is as hard as nails; although he is a
millionaire, he doesn't help his less fortunate relatives./
[aside] See: JOKING ASIDE, SET ASIDE.
[aside from] See: APART FROM.
[aside of] {prep.}, {dialect} Beside; by the side of. * /Mary sits
aside of her sister on the bus./
[as if] or [as though] {conj.} 1. As (he, she, it) would if; in the
same way one would if seeing to show. * /The baby laughed as if he
understood what Mother said./ * /The book looked as though it had been
out in the rain./ * /The waves dashed on the rocks as if in anger./ 2.
That. * /It seems as if you are the first one here./
[as if one has come out of a bandbox] See: LOOK AS IF ONE HAS COME
OUT OF A BANDBOX.
[as is] {adv.} Without changes or improvements; with no guarantee
or promise of good condition. - Used after the word it modifies. *
/They agree to buy the house as is./ * /He bought an old car as is./
Compare: AT THAT(1).
[as it were] {adv. phr.} As it might be said to be; as if it really
were; seemingly. - Used with a statement that might seem silly or
unreasonable, to show that it is just a way of saying it. * /In many
ways children live, as it were, in a different world from adults./ *
/The sunlight on the icy branches made, as it were, delicate lacy
cobwebs from tree to tree./ Compare: SO TO SPEAK.
[ask] See: FOR THE ASKING.
[ask for] {v.}, {informal} To make (something bad) likely to happen
to you; bring (something bad) upon yourself. * /Charles drives fast on
worn-out tires; he is asking for trouble./ * /The workman lost his
job, but he asked for it by coming to work drunk several times./
Compare: HAVE IT COMING, SERVE RIGHT, SIGN ONE'S OWN DEATH WARRANT.
[ask for one's hand] {v. phr.} To ask permission to marry someone.
* /"Sir," John said timidly to Mary's father, "I came to ask for your
daughter's hand."/
[ask for the moon] or [cry for the moon] {v. phr.} To want
something that you cannot reach or have; try for the impossible. *
/John asked his mother for a hundred dollars today. He's always asking
for the moon./ Compare: PROMISE THE MOON.
[asleep at the switch] {adj. phr.} 1. Asleep when it is one's duty
to move a railroad switch for cars to go on the right track. * /The
new man was asleep at the switch and the two trains crashed./ 2.
{informal} Failing to act promptly as expected, not alert to an
opportunity. * /When the ducks flew over, the boy was asleep at the
switch and missed his shot./
[as likely as not] {adv. phr.} Probably. * /As likely as not, he
will disappear forever./
[as long as] or [so long as] {conj.} 1. Since; because; considering
that. * /As long as you are going to town anyway, you can do something
for me./ 2. Provided that; if. * /You may use the room as you like, so
long as you clean it up afterward./
[as luck would have it] {adv. clause} As it happened; by chance;
luckily or unluckily. * /As luck would have it, no one was in the
building when the explosion occurred./ * /As luck would have it,
there was rain on the day of the picnic./
[as much] {n.} The same; exactly that. * /Don't thank me, I would
do as much for anyone./ * /Did you lose your way? I thought as much
when you were late in coming./
[as much as] {adv. phr.} 1. or [much as] Even though; although. *
/As much as I hate to do it, I must stay home and study tonight./ 2.
or [so much as] Just the same as; almost; practically; really. * /By
running away he as much as admitted that he had taken the money./ *
/You as much as promised you would help us./ * /The clerk as much as
told me that I was a fool./ Compare: AS GOOD AS. 3. See: FOR AS MUCH
AS.
[as of] prep. At or until (a certain time). * /I know that as of
last week he was still unmarried./ * /As of now we don't know much
about Mars./
[as one goes] See: PAY AS ONE GOES.
[as one man] {adv. phr.} Unanimously; together; involving all. *
/The audience arose as one man to applaud the great pianist./
[as regards] {prep.} Regarding; concerning; about. * /You needn't
worry as regards the cost of the operation./ * /He was always
secretive as regards his family./
[as soon as] {conj.} Just after; when; immediately after. * /As
soon as the temperature falls to 70, the furnace is turned on./ * /As
soon as you finish your job let me know./ * /He will see you as soon
as he can./
[as the crow flies] {adv. clause} By the most direct way; along a
straight line between two places. * /It is seven miles to the next
town as the crow flies, but it is ten miles by the road, which goes
around the mountain./
[as the story goes] {adv. phr.} As the story is told; as one has
heard through rumor. * /As the story goes, Jonathan disappeared when
he heard the police were after him./
[as though] See: AS IF.
[as to] {prep.} 1. In connection with; about; regarding. * /There
is no doubt as to his honesty./ * /As to your final grade, that
depends on your final examination./ Syn.: WITH RESPECT TO. 2.
According to; following; going by. * /They sorted the eggs as to size
and color./
[as usual] {adv. phr.} In the usual way; as you usually do or as it
usually does. * /As usual, Tommy forgot to make his bed before he went
out to play./ * /Only a week after the fire in the store, it was doing
business as usual./
[as well] {adv. phr.} 1. In addition; also, too; besides. * /The
book tells about Mark Twain's writings and about his life as well./ *
/Tom is captain of the football team and is on the baseball team as
well./ 2. Without loss and possibly with gain. * /After the dog ran
away, Father thought he might as well sell the dog house./ * /Since he
can't win the race, he may as well quit./ * /It's just as well you
didn't come yesterday, because we were away./
[as well as] {conj.} In addition to; and also; besides. * /Hiking
is good exercise as well as fun./ * /He was my friend as well as my
doctor./ * /The book tells about the author's life as well as about
his writings./
[as yet] {adv. phr.} Up to the present time; so far; yet. * /We
know little as yet about the moon's surface./ * /She has not come as
yet./
[as you please] 1. As you like, whatever you like or prefer; as you
choose. * /You may do as you please./ 2. {informal} Very. - Used after
an adjective or adverb often preceded by "as". * /There was Tinker,
sitting there, cheerful as you please./ * /She was dressed for the
dance and she looked as pretty as you please./
[at a blow] or [at a stroke] or [at one stroke] {adv. phr.}
Immediately; suddenly; with one quick or forceful action. * /The
pirates captured the ship and captured a ton of gold at a blow./ * /A
thousand men lost their jobs at a stroke when the factory closed./ *
/All the prisoners escaped at one stroke./ Compare: AT ONCE, AT ONE
TIME.
[at all] {adv. phr.} At any time or place, for any reason, or in
any degree or manner. - Used for emphasis with certain kinds of words
or sentences. 1. Negative * /It's not at all likely he will come./ 2.
Limited * /I can hardly hear you at all./ 3. Interrogative * /Can it
be done at all?/ 4. Conditional * /She will walk with a limp, if she
walks at all./ Syn.: IN THE LEAST.
[at all costs] {adv. phr.} At any expense of time, effort, or
money. Regardless of the results. * /Mr. Jackson intended to save his
son's eyesight at all costs./ * /Carl is determined to succeed in his
new job at all costs./
[at all events] See: IN ANY CASE.
[at all hazards] {adv. phr.} With no regard for danger; at any
risk; regardless of the chances you must take. * /The racer meant to
win the 500-mile race at all hazards./
[at all hours] {adv. phr.} Any time; all the time; at almost any
time. * /The baby cried so much that we were up at all hours trying to
calm her down./
[at a loss] {adj. phr.} In a state of uncertainty; without any
idea; puzzled. * /A good salesman is never at a loss for words./ *
/When Don missed the last bus, he was at a loss to know what to do./
[at anchor] {adj. phr.} Held by an anchor from floating away;
anchored. * /The ship rode at anchor in the harbor./
[at any rate] {adv. phr.} In any case; anyhow. * /It isn't much of
a car, but at any rate it was not expensive./ Compare: AT LEAST(2), IN
ANY CASE.
[at a premium] {adv. phr.} At a high price due to special
circumstances. * /When his father died, Fred flew to Europe at a
premium because he had no chance to buy a less expensive ticket./
[at arm's length] See: KEEP AT A DISTANCE or KEEP AT ARM'S LENGTH.
[at a set time] {prep. phr.} At a particular, pre-specified time. *
/Do we have to eat in this hotel at a set time, or may we come down
whenever we want?/
[at a snail's pace] See: SNAIL'S PACE.
[at a straw] See: GRASP AT STRAWS.
[at a stroke] See: AT A BLOW or AT A STROKE.
[at a time] {adv. phr.} At once; at one time; in one group or unit;
together. * /He checked them off one at a time as they came in./ * /He
ran up the steps two at a time./ See: EVERY OTHER. * /They showed up
for class three and four at a time./
[at bay] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} In a place where you can no longer
run away; unable to go back farther; forced to stand and fight, or
face an enemy; cornered. * /The dog ran the rat into a corner, and
there the rat turned at bay./ * /The police chased the thief to a
roof, where they held him at bay until more policemen came to help./
Compare: BRING TO BAY.
[at best] or [at the best] {adv. phr.} 1. Under the best
conditions; as the best possibility. * /A coal miner's job is dirty
and dangerous at best./ * /We can't get to New York before ten o'clock
at best./ Compare: AT MOST. Contrast: AT WORST. 2. In the most
favorable way of looking at something; even saying the best about the
thing. * The /treasurer had at best been careless with the club's
money, but most people thought he had been dishonest./
[at both ends] See: BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS.
[at call] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Ready or nearby for use, help,
or service; on request. * /Thousands of auto insurance agents all over
the country are at the insured person's call, wherever he may travel./
2. At the word of command; at an order or signal. * /The dog was
trained to come at call./
[at close range] {adv. phr.} Close by; in proximity. * /The police
officer fired at the fleeing murder suspect at close range./
[at cross purposes] {adv. phr.} With opposing meanings or aims;
with opposing effect or result; with aims which hinder or get in each
other's way. * /Tom's parents acted at cross purposes in advising him;
his father wanted him to become a doctor; but his mother wanted him to
become a minister./
[at death's door] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Very near death; dying. *
/He seemed to be at death's door from his illness./
[at each other's throats] {prep. phr.} Always arguing and
quarreling. * /Joan and Harry have been at each other's throats so
long that they have forgotten how much they used to love one another./
[at ease] or [at one's ease] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. In comfort;
without pain or bother. * /You can't feel at ease with a toothache./
2. or [at one's ease] Comfortable in one's mind; relaxed, not
troubled. - Often used in the phrase "put at ease" or "put at one's
ease." * /We put Mary at her ease during the thunderstorm by reading
her stories./ Compare: AT HOME(2). Contrast: ILL AT EASE, ON EDGE. 3.
Standing with your right foot in place and without talking in military
ranks. * /The sergeant gave his men the command "At ease!"/ Compare:
PARADE REST.
[at every turn] {adv. phr.} Every time; all the time; continually
without exception. * /Because of his drinking, the man was refused a
job at every turn./
[at face value] {prep. phr.} What one can actually hear, read, or
see; literally. * /John is so honest that you can take his words at
face value./ * /This store's advertisements are honest; take them at
face value./
[at fault] {adj. phr.} Responsible for an error or failure; to
blame. * /The driver who didn't stop at the red light was at fault in
the accident./ * /When the engine would not start, the mechanic looked
at all the parts to find what was at fault./ Syn.: IN THE WRONG.
[at first] {adv. phr.} In the beginning; at the start. * /The
driver didn't see the danger at first./ * /At first the job looked
good to Bob, but later it became tiresome./ * /There was a little
trouble at first, but things soon were quiet./
[at first blush] {adv. phr.} When first seen; without careful
study. * /At first blush the offer looked good, but when we studied
it, we found things we could not accept./
[at first glance] or [at first sight] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} After a
first quick look. * /At first sight, his guess was that the whole
trouble between the two men resulted from personalities that did not
agree./ * /Tom met Mary at a party, and it was love at first sight./
[at great length] {prep. phr.} 1. In great detail. * /Jim told us
the story of his life at great length./ 2. For a long time. * /The
boring speaker rambled on at great length./
[at half mast] {prep. phr.} Halfway up or down; referring primarily
to flagposts, but may be used jokingly. * /When a president of the
United States dies, all flags are flown at half mast./
[at hand] also [at close hand] or [near at hand] {adv. phr.} 1.
Easy to reach; nearby. * /When he writes, he always keeps a dictionary
at hand./ 2. {formal} Coming soon; almost here. * /Examinations are
past and Commencement Day is at hand./
[at heart] {adv. phr.} 1. In spite of appearances; at bottom; in
reality. * /His manners are rough but he is a kind man at heart./ 2.
As a serious interest or concern; as an important aim or goal. * /He
has the welfare of the poor at heart./
[at home] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In the place where you live or
come from. * * /I went to his house, but he was not at home./ *
/Americans abroad are protected by the government like Americans at
home./ 2. Knowing what to do or say; familiar; comfortable. * /Charles
and John enjoy working together because they feel at home with each
other./ * /The politician was at home among poor farmers and among
rich factory owners./ * /Make the new student feel at home in your
school./ * /Would you be at home driving a truck?/ * /Jim always lived
by a lake, and he is at home in the water./ * /Tom has read many books
about missiles and is at home in that subject./ Syn.: AT EASE(2).
Compare: IN ONE'S ELEMENT, MAKE ONESELF AT HOME. Contrast: AT A LOSS.
[at issue] {adj. phr.} 1. In dispute; to be settled by debate, by
vote, by battle, or by some other contest. * /His good name was at
issue in the trial./ * /The independence of the United States from
England was at issue in the Revolutionary War./ Compare: IN QUESTION.
2. Not in agreement; in conflict; opposing. * /His work as a doctor
was at issue with other doctors' practice./ Syn.: AT ODDS.
[at it] {adj. phr.} Busily doing something; active. * /His rule for
success was to keep always at it./ * /The couple who owned the little
cleaning shop were at it early and late./ * /Mr. Curtis heard a loud
crash in the next apartment - the neighbors were at it again./
[at large] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Not kept within walls, fences,
or boundaries; free. * /The killer remained at large for weeks./
Compare: AT LIBERTY. * /Cattle and sheep roamed at large on the big
ranch./ 2. In a broad, general way; at length; fully. * /The
superintendent talked at large for an hour about his hopes for a new
school building./ 3. As a group rather than as individuals; as a
whole; taken together. * /The junior class at large was not interested
in a senior yearbook./ 4. As a representative of a whole political
unit or area rather than one of its parts; from a city rather than one
of its wards, or a state rather than one of its districts. * /He was
elected congressman at large./ * /Aldermen are voted for at large./
[at last] also [at long last] {adv. phr.} After a long time;
finally. * /The war had been long and hard, but now there was peace at
last./ * /The boy saved his money until at last he had enough for a
bicycle./
[at least] {adv. phr.} 1. or [at the least] At the smallest guess;
no fewer than; no less than. * /You should brush your teeth at least
twice a day./ * /At least three students are failing in mathematics./
* /Mr. Johnson must weigh 200 pounds at least./ Compare: ALL OF. 2.
Whatever else you may say; anyhow; anyway. * /It was a clumsy move,
but at least it saved her from getting hit./ * /She broke her arm, but
at least it wasn't the arm she writes with./ * /The Mortons had fun at
their picnic yesterday - at least the children did - they played while
their parents cooked the food./ * /He's not coming - at least that's
what he said./ Compare: AT ANY RATE.
[at leisure] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Not at work; not busy; with
free time; at rest. * /Come and visit us some evening when you're at
leisure./ 2. or [at one's leisure] When and how you wish at your
convenience; without hurry. * /John made the model plane at his
leisure./ * /You may read the book at your leisure./
[at length] {adv. phr.} 1. In detail; fully. * /You must study the
subject at length to understand it./ * /The teacher explained the new
lesson at length to the students./ 2. In the end; at last; finally. *
/The movie became more and more exciting, until at length people were
sitting on the edge of their chairs./
[at liberty] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Free to go somewhere or do
something; not shut in or stopped. * /The police promised to set the
man at liberty if he told the names of the other robbers./ * /I am
sorry, but I am not at liberty to come to your party./ Compare: AT
LARGE(1).
[at loggerheads] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} In a quarrel; in a fight;
opposing each other. * /The two senators had long been at loggerheads
on foreign aid./ * /Because of their barking dog, the Morrises lived
at loggerheads with their neighbors./ Compare: AT ODDS.
[at long last] See: AT LAST.
[at loose ends] {adj. phr.} Without a regular job or settled
habits; uncertain what to do next; having nothing to do for a while;
undecided; unsettled; restless. * /Feeling at loose ends, I went for a
long walk./ * /He had finished college but hadn't found a job yet, so
he was at loose ends./
[at most] or [at the most] {adv. phr.} By the largest or most
generous guess; at the upper limit; by the maximum account; not more
than; at best; at worst. * /It was a minor offense at most./ * /He had
been gone 15 minutes at the most./ * /Their new house lot is a quarter
acre at most./
[at odds] {adj. phr.} In conflict or disagreement; opposed. * /The
boy and girl were married a week after they met and soon found
themselves at odds about religion./ Compare: AT LOGGERHEADS.
[at once] {adv. phr.} 1. Without delay; right now or right then;
immediately. * /Put a burning match next to a piece of paper and it
will begin burning at once./ * /Mother called the children to lunch,
and Paul came at once, but Brenda stayed in the sand pile a little
longer./ Syn.: RIGHT AWAY or RIGHT OFF. Compare: ALL AT ONCE(2).
[at one] {adj. phr.} 1. In union or harmony; in agreement or
sympathy. Not usually used informally. * /He felt at one with all the
poets who have sung of love./ 2. Of the same opinion, in agreement. *
/Husband and wife were at one on everything but money./ Contrast: AT
ODDS.
[at one fell swoop] See: IN ONE FELL SWOOP.
[at one's beck and call] or [at the beck and call of] {adj. phr.}
Ready and willing to do whatever someone asks; ready to serve at a
moment's notice. * /A good parent isn't necessarily always at the
child's beck and call./
[at one's best] {prep. phr.} In best form; displaying one's best
qualities. * /Tim is at his best when he has had a long swim before a
ballgame./ * /Jane rested before the important meeting because she
wanted to be at her best./
[at one's door] or [at one's doorstep] {adv. phr.} 1. Very close;
very near where you live or work. * /Johnny is very lucky because
there's a swimming pool right at his doorstep./ * /Mr. Green can get
to work in only a few minutes because the subway is at his door./ 2.
See: LAY AT ONE'S DOOR.
[at one's ease] See: AT EASE(2).
[at one's elbow] {adv. phr.} Close beside you; nearby. * /The
President rode in an open car with his wife at his elbow./ * /Mary
practiced for several years to become a champion swimmer and her
mother was always at her elbow to help her./ Contrast: BREATHE DOWN
ONE'S NECK.
[at one's feet] {adv. phr.} Under your influence or power. * /She
had a dozen men at her feet./ * /Her voice kept audiences at her feet
for years./ Compare: THROW ONESELF AT SOMEONE'S FEET.
[at one's fingertips] {adv. phr.} 1. Within easy reach; quickly
touched; nearby. * /Seated in the cockpit, the pilot of a plane has
many controls at his fingertips./ 2. Readily usable as knowledge or
skill; familiar. * /He had several languages at his fingertips./ * /He
had the whole design of the machine at his fingertips./
[at one's heels] {adv. phr.} Close behind; as a constant follower
or companion. * /The boy got tired of having his little brother at his
heels all day./ * /John ran by the finish line with Ned at his heels./
* /Bad luck followed at his heels all his life./
[at one's leisure] See: AT LEISURE(2).
[at one's service] {adv. phr.} 1. Ready to serve or help you;
prepared to obey your wish or command; subject to your orders. * /He
placed himself completely at the President's service./ * /"Now I am at
your service," the dentist told the next patient./ 2. Available for
your use; at your disposal. * /He put a car and chauffeur at the
visitor's service./
[at one stroke] See: AT A BLOW or AT ONE STROKE.
[at one's wit's end] or [at wits end] {adj. phr.} Having no ideas
as to how to meet a difficulty or solve a problem; feeling puzzled
after having used up all of your ideas or resources; not knowing what
to do; puzzled. * /He had approached every friend and acquaintance for
help in vain, and now he was at his wit's end./ * /The designer was at
his wit's end: he had tried out wings of many different kinds but none
would fly./ Compare: AT A LOSS, END OF ONE'S ROPE.
[at one's word] See: TAKE AT ONE'S WORD.
[at one time] {adv. phr.} 1. In the same moment; together. * /Let's
start the dance again all at one time./ * /Mr. Reed's bills came all
at one time and he could not pay them./ Syn.: AT THE SAME TIME(1). 2.
At a certain time in the past; years ago. * /At one time people
thought that Minnesota was not a good place to live./ * /At one time
most school teachers were men, but today there are more women than
men./
[at pains] {adj. phr.} Making a special effort. * /At pains to make
a good impression, she was prompt for her appointment./
[at present] {adv. phr.} At this time; now. * /It took a long time
to get started, but at present the road is half finished./ * /At
present the house is empty, but next week a family will move in./
[at random] {adv. phr.} With no order, plan, or purpose; in a
mixed-up, or thoughtless way. * /He opened the letters at random./ *
/His clothes were scattered about the room at random./
[at sea(1)] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. On an ocean voyage; on a
journey by ship. * /They had first met at sea./ 2. Out on the ocean;
away from land. * /By the second day the ship was well out at sea./ *
/Charles had visited a ship in dock, but he had never been on a ship
at sea./
[at sea(2)] {adj. phr.} Not knowing what to do; bewildered;
confused; lost. * /The job was new to him, and for a few days he was
at sea./ * /When his friends talked about chemistry, Don was at sea,
because he did not study chemistry./ Compare: AT A LOSS.
[at sight] or [on sight] {adv. phr.} 1. The first time the person
or thing is seen; as soon as the person or thing is seen. * /First
graders learn to read many words on sight./ * /Mary had seen many
pictures of Grandfather, so she knew him on sight./ Compare: AT
ONCE(1). 2. On demand, on asking the first time. * /The money order
was payable at sight./
[at sixes and sevens] {adj. phr.} Not in order; in confusion; in a
mess. * /He apologized because his wife was away and the house was at
sixes and sevens./ * /Our teacher had just moved to a new classroom,
and she was still at sixes and sevens./ * /After the captain of the
team broke his leg, the other players were at sixes and sevens./
[at --- stage of the game] {adv. phr.} At (some) time during an
activity; at (some) point. * /At that stage of the game, our team was
doing so poorly that we were ready to give up./ * /It's hard to know
what will happen at this stage of the game./ * /At what stage of the
game did the man leave?/
[at stake] {adj. phr.} Depending, like a bet, on the outcome of
something uncertain; in a position to be lost or gained. * /The team
played hard because the championship of the state was at stake./ *
/The farmers were more anxious for rain than the people in the city
because they had more at stake./ Compare: HANG IN THE BALANCE.
[at straws] See: GRASP AT STRAWS.
[at swords' points] {adj. phr.} Ready to start fighting; very much
opposed to each; other hostile; quarreling. * /The dog's barking kept
the Browns at swords' points with their neighbors for months./ * /The
mayor and the reporter were always at swords' points./
[at table] See: AT THE TABLE; WAIT AT TABLE.
[at that] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. As it is; at that point;
without more talk or waiting. * /Ted was not quite satisfied with his
haircut but let it go at that./ 2. In addition; also. * /Bill's seat
mate on the plane was a girl and a pretty one at that./ 3. After all;
in spite of all; anyway. * /The book was hard to understand, but at
that Jack enjoyed it./ Syn.: ALL THE SAME.
[at the best] See: AT BEST.
[at the bit] See: CHAMP AT THE BIT.
[at the drop of a hat] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. Without waiting;
immediately; promptly. * /If you need a babysitter quickly, call Mary,
because she can come at the drop of a hat./ Compare: ON THE SPUR OF
THE MOMENT. 2. Whenever you have a chance; with very little cause or
urging. * /At the drop of a hat, he would tell the story of the canal
he wanted to build./ * /He was quarrelsome and ready to fight at the
drop of a hat./
[at the eleventh hour] {prep. phr.} At the last possible time. *
/Aunt Mathilda got married at the eleventh hour; after all, she was
already 49 years old./
[at the end of one's rope] See: END OF ONE'S ROPE.
[at the kill] See: IN AT THE KILL.
[at the least] See: AT LEAST.
[at the mercy of] or [at one's mercy] {adj. phr.} In the power of;
subject to the will and wishes of; without defense against. * /The
champion had the other boxer at his mercy./ * /The picnic was at the
mercy of the weather./ * /The small grocer was at the mercy of people
he owed money to./
[at the most] See: AT MOST.
[at the outset] {adv. phr.} At the start; at the beginning. *
/"You'll live in the cheaper barracks at the outset; later you can
move into the better cabins," the camp director said to the new boys./
[at the outside] {adv. phr.} Maximally; at the utmost. * /This old
house can cost no more than $40,000 at the outside./
[at the point of] {prep.} Very near to; almost at or in. * /When
Mary broke her favorite bracelet, she was at the point of tears./ *
/The boy hurt in the accident lay at the point of death for a week,
then he got well./ Compare: ABOUT TO(1), ON THE POINT OF.
[at the ready] {adj. phr.} Ready for use. * /The sailor stood at
the bow, harpoon at the ready, as the boat neared the whale./
[at the same time] {adv. phr.} 1. In the same moment; together. *
/The two runners reached the finish line at the same time./ Syn.: AT
ONCE, AT ONE TIME. 2. In spite of that fact; even though; however;
but; nevertheless. * /John did pass the test; at the same time, he
didn't know the subject very well./
[at the seams] See: BURST AT THE SEAMS.
[at the table] or [at table] {adv. phr.} At a meal; at the dinner
table. * /The telephone call came while they were all at table./
[at the tip of one's tongue] or [on the tip of one's tongue] {adv.
phr.} {informal} 1. Almost spoken; at the point of being said. * /It
was at the tip of my tongue to tell him, when the phone rang./ * /John
had a rude answer on the tip of his tongue, but he remembered his
manners just in time./ 2. Almost remembered; at the point where one
can almost say it but cannot because it is forgotten. * /I have his
name on the tip of my tongue./
[at the top of one's voice] or [at the top of one's lungs] {adv.
phr.} As loud as you can; with the greatest possible sound; very
loudly. * /He was singing at the top of his voice./ * /He shouted at
the top of his lungs./
[at this rate] or [at that rate] {adv. phr.} At a speed like this
or that; with progress like this or that. * /John's father said that
if John kept going at that rate he would never finish cutting the
grass./ * /So Johnny has a whole dollar! At this rate he'll be a
millionaire./ * /"Three 100's in the last four tests! At this rate
you'll soon be teaching the subject," Tom said to Mary./
[at times] {adv. phr.} Not often; not regularly; not every day; not
every week; occasionally; sometimes. * /At times Tom's mother lets him
hold the baby./ * /You can certainly be exasperating, at times!/ * /We
have pie for dinner at times./ Syn.: FROM TIME TO TIME, NOW AND THEN,
ONCE IN A WHILE.
[at will] {adv. phr.} As you like; as you please or choose freely.
* /Little Bobby is allowed to wander at will in the neighborhood./ *
/With an air conditioner you can enjoy comfortable temperatures at
will./
[at wits end] See: AT ONE'S WIT'S END.
[at work] {adj, phr.} Busy at a job; doing work. * /The teacher was
soon hard at work correcting that day's test./ * /Jim is at work on
his car./
[at worst] or [at the worst] {adv. phr.} 1. Under the worst
conditions; as the worst possibility. * /When Don was caught cheating
in the examination he thought that at worst he would get a scolding./
Compare: AT MOST. Contrast AT BEST. 2. In the least favorable view, to
say the worst about a thing. * /The treasurer had certainly not stolen
any of the club's money; at worst, he had forgotten to write down some
of the things he had spent money for./
[aught] See: FOR AUGHT at FOR ALL(2), FOR ALL ONE KNOWS.
[Aunt Tom] {n.}, {slang}, {originally from Black English} A
successful professional or business woman who, due to her success in a
masculine profession, doesn't care about the women's liberation
movement or the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution. * /Hermione is a regular Aunt Tom, she'll never vote for
the ERA./
[avail] See: TO NO AVAIL or OF NO AVAIL.
[average] See: ON AN AVERAGE or ON THE AVERAGE, LAW OF AVERAGES.
[awe] See: STAND IN AWE OF.
[awkward age] {n.} Adolescence; awkwardness during adolescence. *
/Sue used to be an "ugly duckling" when she was at the awkward age,
but today she is a glamorous fashion model./
[AWOL] See: ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE.
[ax to grind] {n. phr.}, {informal} Something to gain for yourself:
a selfish reason. * /In praising movies for classroom use he has an ax
to grind; he sells motion picture equipment./ * /When Charles told the
teacher he saw Arthur copying his homework from Jim, he had an ax to
grind; Arthur would not let Charles copy from him./
B
[babe in the woods] {n. phr.} A person who is inexperienced or
innocent in certain things. * /He is a good driver, but as a mechanic
he is just a babe in the woods./ Compare: OVER ONE'S HEAD, BEYOND
ONE'S DEPTH.
[baby] See: WAR BABY.
[baby boom] {n.} A sudden increase in the birth rate. * /The
universities were filled to capacity due to the baby boom that
followed World War II./
[baby grand] {n.} A small grand piano no longer than three feet,
maximally four feet. * /This apartment can't take a regular grand
piano, so we'll have to buy a baby grand./
[baby kisser] {n.}, {slang} A person campaigning for votes in his
quest for elected political office; such persons often kiss little
children in public. * /Nixon was a baby kisser when he ran for Vice
President with Eisenhower./
[back] See: BACK OF or IN BACK OF, BEHIND ONE'S BACK, BRUSH BACK,
COME BACK, CUT BACK, DOUBLE BACK, DRAW BACK, DROP BACK. EYES IN THE
BACK OF ONE'S HEAD, FADE BACK, FALL BACK, FALL BACK ON, FLANKER BACK.
FROM WAY BACK, GET BACK AT, GET ONE'S BACK UP, GIVE THE SHIRT OFF
ONE'S BACK, GO BACK ON, HANG BACK, HARK BACK, HOLD BACK, LIKE WATER
OFF A DUCK'S BACK, LOOK BACK, OFF ONE'S BACK, ON ONE'S BACK, PAT ON
THE BACK, PIGGY-BACK, PIN ONE'S EARS BACK, PUT BACK THE CLOCK or TURN
BACK THE CLOCK, PUT ONE'S BACK TO IT, SCRATCH ONE'S BACK, SET BACK,
SET BACK ON ONE'S HEELS, SIT BACK, STAB IN THE BACK, TAKE A BACK SEAT,
TAKE BACK, TALK BACK also ANSWER BACK, TURN ONE'S BACK ON, WEIGHT OF
THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS or WORLD ON ONE'S BACK, WHILE BACK.
[back and forth] {adv.} Backwards and forwards. * /The chair is
rocking hack and forth./ * /The tiger is pacing hack and forth in his
cage./ Compare: TO AND FRO.
[back away] {v.} To act to avoid or lessen one's involvement in
something; draw or turn back; retreat. * The townspeople backed away
from the building plan when they found out how much it would cost.
[back door] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Rear of
vehicle. * /I am watching your back door./
[back down] or [back off] {v.}, {informal} To give up a claim; not
follow up a threat. * /Bill said he could beat Ted, but when Ted put
up his fists Bill backed down./ * /Harry claimed Joe had taken his
book, but backed down when the teacher talked with him./ Syn.: BEAT A
RETREAT. Compare: BACK OUT, GIVE IN, GO BACK ON(1).
[back in circulation] {adv. phr.} 1. Socially active once again
(said about people); back on the dating circuit after a divorce or a
romantic breakup. * /Now that Sully is divorced from Jim she is hack
in circulation./ 2. Once again available to the public (said about
types of paper money, rare coins, or other commercially available
goods). * /In the USA the two-dollar hill was back in circulation for
a short time only in the 1950s and 1960s./
[back number] {n.} Something out of fashion, or out of date. *
/Among today's young people a waltz like "The Blue Danube" is a hack
number./
[backfire] {v.} To misfire; to have a reverse effect from what was
intended. * /Mimi's gossip about the Head of the Department backfired
wizen people began to mistrust her./
[backhanded compliment] {n. phr.} A remark that sounds like a
compliment but is said sarcastically. * /"Not had for a girl" the
coach said, offering a backhanded compliment./
[back of] or [in back of] {prep.} 1. In or at the rear of; to the
back of; behind. * /The garage is hack of the house./ * /Our car was
in hack of theirs at the traffic light./ 2. {informal} Being a cause
or reason for; causing. * /Hard work was back of his success./ * /The
principal tried to find out what was back of the trouble on the bus./
3. {informal} In support or encouragement of; helping, clones will be
elected because many powerful men are back of him. * /Get in back of
your team by cheering them at the game./
[back out] {v. phr.} 1. To move backwards out of a place or
enclosure. * /Bob slowly backed his car out of the garage./ 2. To
withdraw from an activity one has promised to carry out. * /Jim tried
to back out of the engagement with Jane, but she insisted that they
get married./ Compare: BEG OFF, GO BACK ON.
[back seat] See: TAKE A BACK SEAT.
[backseat driver] {n.}, {informal} A bossy person in a car who
always tells the driver what to do. * /The man who drove the car
became angry with the back seat driver./
[back street] {n.} A street not near the main streets or from which
it is hard to get to a main street. * /We got lost in the back streets
going through the city and it took us a half hour to find our way
again./ Compare: SIDE STREET.
[back talk] {n.} A sassy, impudent reply. * /Such back talk will
get you nowhere, young man!/ See: TALK BACK.
[back the wrong horse] {v. phr.} To support a loser. * /In voting
for George Bush, voters in 1992 were backing the wrong horse./
[back-to-back] {adv.} 1. Immediately following. * /The health
clinic had back-to-back appointments for the new students during the
first week of school./ 2. Very close to, as if touching. * /Sardines
are always packed in the can back-to-back./ * /The bus was so full
that people had to stand back-to-back./
[back to the salt mines] {informal} Back to the job; back to work;
back to work that is as hard or as unpleasant as working in a salt
mine would be. - An overworked phrase, used humorously. * /The lunch
hour is over, boys. Back to the salt mines!/ * /"Vacation is over,"
said Billy. "Back to the salt mines."/
[back to the wall] or [back against the wall] {adv. phr.} In a
trap, with no way to escape; in bad trouble. * /The soldiers had their
backs to the wall./ * /He was in debt and could not get any help; his
back was against the wall./ * /The team had their backs to the wall in
the second half./ Compare: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA,
LAST DITCH, ON THE SPOT, UP AGAINST IT.
[back up] {v.} 1. To move backwards. * /The train was backing up./
2. To help or be ready to help; stay behind to help; agree with and
speak in support of. * /Jim has joined the Boy Scouts and his father
is backing him up./ * /The principal backs up the faculty./ * /Jim
told us what had happened and Bob backed him up./ Compare: BACK OF(3),
STAND BY(4). 3. To move behind (another fielder) in order to catch the
ball if he misses it. * /The shortstop backed up the second baseman on
the throw./
[backward] See: BEND OVER BACKWARD or LEAN OVER BACKWARD; FALL OVER
BACKWARDS or FALL OVER ONESELF.
[backward and forward] or [backwards and forwards] {adv. phr.} To
the full extent; in all details; thoroughly; completely. * /He
understood automobile engines backwards and forwards./ * /He knew
basketball rules backwards and forwards./ * /I explained matters to
him so that he understood backwards and forwards how it was./
[bacon] See: BRING HOME THE BACON.
[bad] See: GO FROM BAD TO WORSE, IN A BAD WAY, IN BAD, IN ONE'S BAD
GRACES, LEAVE A BAD TASTE IN ONE'S MOUTH, NOT BAD or NOT SO BAD or NOT
HALF BAD, ON ONE'S BAD SIDE, TOO BAD, WITH BAD GRACE.
[bad actor] {n.}, {informal} A person or animal that is always
fighting, quarreling, or doing bad things. * /The boy was a bad actor
and nobody liked him./
[bad blood] {n.}, {informal} Anger or misgivings due to bad
relations in the past between individuals or groups. * /There's a lot
of bad blood between Max and Jack; I bet they'll never talk to each
other again./ Compare: BAD SHIT.
[bad egg] {n.}, {slang} A ne'er-do-well; good-for nothing; a
habitual offender. * /The judge sent the bad egg to prison at last./
Contrast: GOOD EGG.
[bad mouth (someone)] {v.}, {slang} To say uncomplimentary or
libelous things about someone; deliberately to damage another's
reputation. * /It's not nice to had mouth people./
[bad news] {n.}, {slang} An event, thing, or person which is
disagreeable or an unpleasant surprise. * /What's the new professor
like? - He's all bad news to me./
[bad paper] {n.}, {slang} 1. A check for which there are no funds
in the bank. 2. Counterfeit paper money. * /Why are you so mad? - I
was paid with some bad paper./
[bad shit] {n.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} An unpleasant event or
situation, such as a long lasting and unsettled quarrel or recurring
acts of vengeance preventing two people or two groups from reaching
any kind of reconciliation. * /There is so much had shit between the
two gangs that I bet there will he more killings this year./ Compare:
BAD BLOOD.
[bad trip] {n.}, {slang}, {also used colloquially} A disturbing or
frightening experience, such as terrifying hallucinations, while under
the influence of drugs; hence, by colloquial extension any bad
experience in general. * /Why's John's face so distorted? - He had a
bad trip./ * /How was your math exam? - Don't mention it; it was a bad
trip./
[bag] See: GRAB BAG, IN THE BAG, LEAVE HOLDING THE BAG, LET THE CAT
OUT OF THE BAG.
[bag and baggage] {adv.}, {informal} With all your clothes and
other personal belongings, especially movable possessions; completely.
* /If they don't pay their hotel bill they will be put out bag and
baggage./
[baggage] See: BAG AND BAGGAGE.
[bail] See: JUMP BAIL or SKIP BAIL.
[bail out(1)] {v.} 1. To secure release from prison until trial by
leaving or promising money or property for a while. * /When college
students got into trouble with the police, the college president would
always bail them out./ 2. {informal} To free from trouble by giving or
lending money. * /He started a small business, which prospered after
his father had to bail him out a couple of times./
[bail out(2)] {v.} To jump from an airplane and drop with a
parachute. * /When the second engine failed, the pilot told everyone
to bail out./
[bail out(3)] {v.} To dip water from a filling or leaking boat;
throw water out of a boat to prevent its sinking. * /Both men were
kept busy bailing out the rowboat after it began to leak./
[bait] See: FISH OR CUT BAIT.
[bake] See: HALF-BAKED.
[baker's dozen] {n.}, {informal} Thirteen. * /"How many of the
jelly doughnuts, Sir? " the salesclerk asked. "Oh, make it a baker's
dozen."/
[balance] See: HANG IN THE BALANCE, OFF BALANCE.
[ball] See: BASE ON BALLS, CARRY THE BALL, FLY BALL, FOUL BALL, GET
THE BALL ROLLING, SET THE BALL ROLLING, START THE BALL ROLLING, GOPHER
BALL, GROUND BALL, HAVE A HALL, HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BALL, JUMP BALL,
KEEP THE BALL. ROLLING, LONG BALL, ON THE BALL, PASSED BALL, PLAY
BALL.
[ball game] {n.}, {slang}, also {informal} The entire matter at
hand; the whole situation; the entire contest. * /You said we can get
a second mortgage for the house?! Wow! That's a whole new ball game./
[ball of fire] {n.}, {informal} A person with great energy and
ability; a person who can do something very well. * /He did poorly in
school but as a salesman he is a ball of fire./ * /The new shortstop
is a good fielder but certainly no ball of fire in batting./ Compare:
HOT NUMBER, HOT ONE.
[balloon] See: TRIAL BALLOON, LEAD BALLOON.
[ballot stuffing] See: STUFF THE BALLOT BOX.
[ball up] {v.}, {slang} To make a mess of; confuse. * /Don't ball
me up./ * /Hal balled up the business with his errors./ - Often used
in the passive. * /He was so balled up that he did not know if he was
coming or going./ Compare: MIXED UP.
[baloney] {n.}, {informal} Nonsense, unbelievable, trite, or
trivial. * /John brags that he's won the $10 million lottery, and I
think it's just a lot of baloney./ * /"Will you marry Joe?" mother
asked. "Baloney," Susie answered with a disgusted look./ * /Do you
still believe all that baloney about socialism excluding free
enterprise? Look at China and Hungary./
[banana oil] {n.}, {slang} Flattery that is an obvious
exaggeration; statements that are obviously made with an ulterior
motive. * /Cut out the banana oil; flattery will get you nowhere!/
[band] See: BEAT THE BAND.
[bandbox] See: LOOK AS IF ONE HAS COME OUT OF A BANDBOX.
[band together] {v. phr.} To join a group to exert united force. *
/The inhabitants of the ecologically threatened area banded together
to stop the company from building new smokestacks./
[bandwagon] See: JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON.
[bandy about] {v. phr.} To spread rumors or whisper secrets. * /The
news of Jim and Mary's divorce was bandied about until everyone at the
office had heard it./
[bang up] {adj.}, {informal} Very successful; very good; splendid;
excellent. * /The football coach has done a bang-up job this season./
* /John did a bang-up job painting the house./ Syn.: FIRST-CLASS.
[bank] See: PIGGY BANK.
[bank on] {v.}, {informal} To depend on; put one's trust in; rely
on. * /He knew he could bank on public indignation to change things,
if he could once prove the dirty work./ * /The students were banking
on the team to do its best in the championship game./ Syn.: COUNT ON.
[bar] See: BEHIND BARS, PARALLEL BARS.
[bargain] See: DRIVE A BARGAIN, IN THE BARGAIN or INTO THE BARGAIN.
[bargain for] or [bargain on] {v.} To be ready for; expect. * /When
John started a fight with the smaller boy he got more than he
bargained for./ * /The final cost of building the house was much more
than they had bargained on./ Compare: COUNT ON.
[barge in] {v. phr.}, {informal} To appear uninvited at someone's
house or apartment, or to interrupt a conversation. * /I'm sorry for
barging in like that, Sir, but my car died on me and there is no pay
phone anywhere./ * /I'm sorry for barging in while you two are having
a discussion, but could you please tell me where the nearest exit is?/
[bark up the wrong tree] {v. phr.}, {informal} To choose the wrong
person to deal with or the wrong course of action; mistake an aim. *
/If he thinks he can fool me, he is barking up the wrong tree./ * /He
is barking up the wrong tree when he blames his troubles on bad luck./
* /The police were looking for a tall thin man, but were barking up
the wrong tree; the thief was short and fat./
[bark worse than one's bite] {informal} Sound or speech more
frightening or worse than your actions. * /The small dog barks
savagely, but his bark is worse than his bite./ * /The boss sometimes
talks roughly to the men, but they know that his bark is worse than
his bite./ * /She was always scolding her children, but they knew her
bark was worse than her bite./
[barn] See: LOCK THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE HORSE IS STOLEN.
[barrel] See: OVER A BARREL also OVER THE BARREL, SCRAPE THE BOTTOM
OF THE BARREL.
[barrelhead] See: CASH ON THE BARREL-HEAD.
[bar the door] See: CLOSE THE DOOR.
[base] See: FIRST BASE, GET TO FIRST BASE or REACH FIRST BASE, LOAD
THE BASES or FILL THE BASES, OFF BASE, SECOND BASE, STOLEN BASE, THIRD
BASE.
[base on balls] {n.} First base given to a baseball batter who is
pitched four balls outside of the strike zone. * /He was a good judge
of pitchers and often received bases on balls./
[basket] See: PUT ALL ONE'S EGGS IN ONE BASKET.
[basket case] {n.}, {slang}, {also informal} 1. A person who has
had both arms and both legs cut off as a result of war or other
misfortune. 2. A helpless person who is unable to take care of
himself, as if carted around in a basket by others. * /Stop drinking,
or else you'll wind up a basket case!/
[bat] See: AT BAT, GO TO BAT FOR, RIGHT AWAY or RIGHT OFF also
RIGHT OFF THE BAT.
[bat an eye] or [bat an eyelash] {v. phr.}, {informal} To show
surprise, fear, or interest; show your feelings. - Used in negative
sentences. * /When I told him the price of the car he never batted an
eye./ * /Bill told his story without batting an eyelash, although not
a word of it was true./ Compare: STRAIGHT FACE.
[bath] See: SPONGE BATH, THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH.
[bats in one's belfry] or [bats in the belfry] {n. phr.}, {slang}
Wild ideas in his mind; disordered senses; great mental confusion. *
/When he talked about going to the moon he was thought to have bats in
his belfry./
[bat the breeze] See: SHOOT THE BREEZE.
[batting average] {n. phr.} Degree of accomplishment (originally
used as a baseball term). * /Dr. Grace has a great batting average
with her heart transplant operations./
[battle] See: HALF THE BATTLE.
[battle of nerves] {n. phr.} A contest of wills during which the
parties do not fight physically but try to wear each other out. * /It
has been a regular battle of nerves to get the new program accepted at
the local state university./ See: WAR OF NERVES.
[bawl out] {v.}, {informal} To reprove in a loud or rough voice;
rebuke sharply; scold. * /The teacher bawled us out for not handing in
our homework./ Compare: HAUL OVER THE COALS, LIGHT INTO, TELL A THING
OR TWO.
[bay] See: AT BAY, BRING TO BAY.
[be] See: LET BE, TO-BE.
[beach] See: NOT THE ONLY PEBBLE ON THE BEACH.
[beach bunny] {n.}, {slang} An attractive girl seen on beaches -
mostly to show off her figure; one who doesn't get into the water and
swim. * /What kind of a girl is Susie? - She's a beach bunny; she
always comes to the Queen's Surf on Waikiki but I've never seen her
swim./
[bead] See: DRAW A BEAD ON.
[be a fly on the wall] {v. phr.} To eavesdrop on a secret
conversation. * /How I wish I could be a fly on the wall to hear what
my fiance's parents are saying about me!/
[be a good hand at] {v. phr.} To be talented, gifted, or skilled in
some activity. * /Florian is a good hand at both gardening and
building./
[beam] See: OFF THE BEAM, ON THE BEAM.
[bean] See: FULL OF BEANS, SPILL THE BEANS, USE ONE'S HEAD or USE
ONE'S BEAN.
[be an item] {v. phr.} To be a couple; belong to one another. * /No
one is surprised to see them together anymore; if is generally
recognized that they are an item./
[be a poor hand at] {v. phr.} To be inept, untalented, or clumsy in
some activity. * /Archibald is a poor hand at tennis so no one wants
to play with him./ Contrast: BE A GOOD HAND AT.
[be at pains] {v. phr.} To be extremely desirous to do something;
to take the trouble to do something. * /The captain was at pains to
see that everybody got safely into the lifeboats./
[bear] See: GRIN AND BEAR IT, LOADED FOR BEAR.
[bear a grudge] {v. phr.} To persist in bearing ill feeling toward
someone after a quarrel or period of hostility. * /Come on, John, be a
good sport and don't bear a grudge because I beat you at golf./
Contrast: BURY THE HATCHET.
[bear a hand] See: LEND A HAND.
[beard] See: LAUNCH UP ONE'S SLEEVE or LAUGH IN ONE'S SLEEVE or
LAUGH IN ONE'S BEARD.
[bear down] {v.} 1. To press or push harder; work hard at; give
full strength and attention. * /She is bearing down in her studies to
win a scholarship./ * /The baseball pitcher is bearing down./ * /The
pitcher bore down on the star batter./ * /Teachers of the deaf bear
down on English./ * /The sergeant bears down on lazy soldiers./
Contrast: LET UP(2b). 2. To move toward in an impressive or
threatening way. - Often used with "on". * /While he was crossing the
street a big truck bore down on him./ * /The little ship tried to
escape when the big pirate ship bore down./ * /After the boys threw
the snowballs they saw a large lady bearing down upon them from across
the street./
[bear down on] or [upon] {v. phr.} To draw constantly nearer with
great speed and force. * /The police cars were bearing down on the
bank robbers' get-away car./
[bear fruit] {v. phr.} To yield results. * /We hope that the
company's new investment policy will bear fruit./
[bear in mind] See: IN MIND.
[bear in the air] or [bear in the sky] {n. phr.}, {slang},
{citizen's band jargon} A police helicopter flying overhead watching
for speeders. * /Slow down, good buddy, there's a bear in the air./
[bear off the palm] See: CARRY OFF THE PALM.
[bear one's cross] See: CARRY ONE'S CROSS.
[bear out] {v.} To show to be right; prove; support. * /Modern
findings do not bear out the old belief that the earth is flat./ *
/Seward's faith in his purchase of Alaska was borne out, even though
it was once called "Seward's Folly."/
[bear trap] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A police
radar unit designed to catch speeders. * /Watch the bear trap at exit
101./
[bear up] {v.} 1. To hold up; carry; support; encourage. * /The old
bridge can hardly bear up its own weight any more./ * /He was borne up
by love of country./ 2. To keep up one's courage or strength; last. -
Often used with "under". * /This boat will bear up under hurricane
winds./ * /She bore up well at the funeral./ Syn.: STAND UP. Compare:
CARRY ON.
[bear watching] {v. phr.} 1. To be worth watching or paying
attention to; have a promising future. * /That young ball player will
bear watching./ 2. To be dangerous or untrustworthy. * /Those tires
look badly worn; they will bear watching./ Compare: KEEP AN EYE ON.
[bear with] {v.}, {formal} To have patience with; not get angry
with. * /Your little sister is sick. Try to bear with her when she
cries./ * /It is hard to bear with criticism./ Syn.: PUT UP WITH.
Compare: CARRY ONE'S CROSS.
[beat] See: HEART SKIP A BEAT, OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.
[beat about the bush] or [beat around the bush] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To talk about things without giving a clear answer; avoid the question
or the point. * /He would not answer yes or no, but beat about the
bush./ * /He beat about the bush for a half hour without coming to the
point./ Compare: BESIDE THE POINT. Contrast: COME TO THE POINT.
[beat all] or [beat the Dutch] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be strange
or surprising. * /John found a box full of money buried in his garage.
Doesn't that beat all!/ * /It beats the Dutch how Tom always makes a
basket./
[beat all hollow] also [beat hollow] {v. phr.}, {slang} To do much
better than; to beat very badly. * /We beat their team all hollow./ *
/As a speaker, he beats us all hollow./
[beat a retreat] {v. phr.} 1. To give a signal, esp. by beating a
drum, to go back. * /The Redcoats' drums were beating a retreat./ 2.
To run away. * /They beat a retreat when they saw that they were too
few./ * /The cat beat a hasty retreat when he saw the dog coming./
Compare: BACK DOWN, FALL BACK.
[beat around the bush] See: BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH.
[beat down] {v.} 1. To crush or break the spirit of; win over;
conquer. * /All their defenses were beaten down by the tanks./ 2.
{informal} a. To try to get reduced; force down by discussing. * /Can
we beat down the price?/ b. To persuade or force (someone) to accept a
lower price or easier payments. * /He tried to beat us down, so we did
not sell the house./ 3. To shine brightly or hotly. * /At noon the sun
beat down on our heads as we walked home./
[beaten path] {n. phr.} The usual route or way of operating that
has been conventionally established, * /If we always follow the beaten
path, we'll never have the courage to try something new./
[beaten track] {n.} See: BEATEN PATH.
[beat hollow] See: BEAT ALL HOLLOW.
[beat into one's head] {v. phr.}, {informal} To teach by telling
again and again; repeat often; drill, also, to be cross and punish
often. * /Tom is lazy and stubborn and his lessons have to be beaten
into his head./ * /I cannot beat it into his head that he should take
off his hat in the house./
[beat it] {v.}, {slang} To go away in a hurry; get out quickly. *
/When he heard the crash he beat it as fast as he could./ - Often used
as a command. * /The big boy said, "Beat it, kid. We don't want you
with us."/ Compare: CLEAR OUT(2), LIGHT OUT, HEAD FOR THE HILLS.
[beat one to it] {v. phr.} To arrive or get ahead of another
person. * /I was about to call you, John, but you have beat me to it!
Thanks for calling me./
[beat one's brains out] or [beat one's brains] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To try very hard to understand or think out something difficult; tire
yourself out by thinking. * /It was too hard for him and he beat his
brains out trying to get the answer./ * /Some students are lazy, but
others beat their brains and succeed./
[beat one's gums] {v. phr.}, {slang} To engage in idle talk, or
meaningless chatter; generally to talk too much. * /"Stop beating your
gums, Jack," Joe cried. "I am falling asleep."/ Compare: CHEW THE FAT
or CHEW THE RAG, SHOOT THE BREEZE or BAT THE BREEZE or FAN THE BREEZE
or SHOOT THE BULL.
[beat one's head against a wall] {v. phr.} To struggle uselessly
against something that can't be beaten or helped; not succeed after
trying very hard. * /Trying to make him change his mind is just
beating your head against a wall./
[beat the band] {adv. phr.}, {informal} At great speed; with much
noise or commotion. - Used after "to". * /The fire engines were going
down the road to beat the band./ * /The audience cheered and stamped
and clapped to beat the band./
[beat the bushes] also [beat the brush] {v. phr.}, {informal} To
try very hard to find or get something. * /The mayor was beating the
bushes for funds to build the playground./ Contrast: BEAT ABOUT THE
BUSH or BEAT AROUND THE BUSH.
[beat the drum] {v. phr.} To attract attention in order to
advertise something or to promote someone, such as a political
candidate. * /Mrs. Smith has been beating the drum in her town in
order to get her husband elected mayor./
[beat the gun] See: JUMP THE GUN.
[beat the --- out of] or [lick the --- out of] or [whale the ---
out of] {v. phr.}, {informal} To beat hard; give a bad beating to. -
Used with several words after "the", as "daylights", "living
daylights", "tar". * /The big kid told Charlie that he would beat the
daylights out of him if Charlie came in his yard again./
[beat the meat] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To masturbate
(said primarily of men). * /"So what did you do for sex in prison for
seven years?" Joe asked. "Well, unless you want to become gay, you can
beat the meat and that's about it," Max answered./
[beat the pants off] {v. phr.} 1. To prevail over someone in a race
or competition. * /Jim beat the pants off George in the swimming
race./ 2. To give someone a severe physical beating. * /Jack beat the
pants off the two young men who were trying to hold him up in Central
Park./
[beat the rap] {v. phr.} To escape the legal penalty one ought to
receive. * /In spite of the strong evidence against him, the prisoner
beat the rap and went free./
[beat the shit out of] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} See: KNOCK
THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF.
[beat time] {v. phr.} To follow the rhythm of a piece of music by
moving one's fingers or feet. * /Jack was beating time with his foot
during the concert, which annoyed his neighbor./
[beat to] {v.}, {informal} To do something before someone else does
it. * /I was waiting to buy a ticket but only one ticket was left, and
another man beat me to it./ * /We were planning to send a rocket into
space but the Russians beat us to it./ Compare: GET THE JUMP ON.
[beat to the punch] or [beat to the draw] {v. phr.}, {slang} To do
something before another person has a chance to do it. * /John was
going to apply for the job, but Ted beat him to the draw./ * /Lois
bought the dress before Mary could beat her to the punch./
[beat up] {v.}, {informal} To give a hard beating to; hit hard and
much; thrash; whip. * /When the new boy first came, he had to beat up
several neighborhood bullies before they would leave him alone./ -
Used with "on" in substandard speech. * /The tough boy said to Bill,
"If you come around here again, I'll beat up on you."/
[beauty sleep] {n.} A nap or rest taken to improve the appearance.
* /She took her beauty sleep before the party./ * /Many famous
beauties take a beauty sleep every day./
[beaver] {n.}, {slang}, {vulgar}, {avoidable}, {citizen's band
radio jargon} A female, especially one driving along the highway and
operating a CB radio. * /I didn't know there was a beaver aboard that
eighteen wheeler./
[because of] {prep.} On account of; by reason of; as a result of. *
/The train arrived late because of the snowstorm./
[beck] See: AT ONE'S BECK AND CALL.
[become of] {v. phr.} To happen to; befall. * /What will become of
the children, now that both parents are in jail?/
[bed] See: GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED, GO TO BED WITH THE
CHICKENS, MAKE ONE'S BED AND LIE IN IT, PUT TO BED.
[bed of nails] {n. phr.} A difficult or unhappy situation or set of
circumstances. * /"There are days when my job is a regular bed of
nails," Jim groaned./ Contrast: BED OF ROSES.
[bed of roses] or [bowl of cherries] {n. phr.} A pleasant easy
place, job, or position; an easy life. * /A coal miner's job is not a
bed of roses./ * /After nine months of school, summer camp seemed a
bowl of cherries./ Compare: IN CLOVER, LIFE OF RILEY.
[bed of thorns] {n. phr.} A thoroughly unhappy time or difficult
situation. * /I'm sorry I changed jobs; my new one turned out to be a
bed of thorns./ See: BED OF NAILS.
[bee] See: BIRDS AND THE BEES.
[beef about] {v. phr.} To complain about something. * /Stop beefing
about your job, Jack. You could have done a lot worse!/
[beef up] {v.}, {informal} To make stronger by adding men or
equipment; make more powerful; reinforce. * /The general beefed up his
army with more big guns and tanks./ * /The university beefed up the
football coaching staff by adding several good men./
[bee in one's bonnet] {n. phr.}, {informal} A fixed idea that seems
fanciful, odd, or crazy. * /Robert Fulton had a bee in his bonnet
about a steamboat./ * /Grandmother has some bee in her bonnet about
going to the dance./
[beeline] See: MAKE A BEELINE FOR.
[be even-Steven] {v. phr.} To be in a position of owing no favors
or debt to someone. * /Yesterday you paid for my lunch, so today I
paid for yours; now we're even-Steven./
[before long] {adv. phr.} In a short time; without much delay; in a
little while, soon. * /Class will be over before long./ * /We were
tired of waiting and hoped the bus would come before long./
[before one can say Jack Robinson] {adv. cl.}, {informal} Very
quickly; suddenly. - An overused phrase. * /Before I could say Jack
Robinson, the boy was gone./ Compare: IN A FLASH, RIGHT AWAY.
[before swine] See: CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE or CAST ONE'S PEARLS
BEFORE SWINE.
[before you know it] {adv. phr.} Sooner than one would expect. *
/Don't despair; we'll be finished with this work before you know it!/
[beg] See: BEGGING.
[be game] {v. phr.} To be cooperative, willing, sporting. * /When I
asked Charlie to climb Mount McKinley with us, he said he was game if
we were./
[beggars can't be choosers] People who can not choose what they
will have, must accept what they get; if you are not in control, you
must take what you can gel. * /We wanted to leave on the train in the
morning but it doesn't go until afternoon, so we must go then. Beggars
can't he choosers./ * /Mary got a red dress from her sister, although
she didn't like red. She kept it because she said beggars should not
be choosers./ Compare: LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.
[begin with] {adv. phr.} As a preliminary statement; in the first
place. * /To begin with, you are far too young to get married./
[beg off] {v.} To ask to be excused. * /Father told Tom to rake the
yard, but Tom tried to beg off./ * /Mrs. Crane accepted an invitation
to a luncheon, but a headache made her beg off./ Compare: BACK OUT.
[beg the question] {v. phr.}, {literary} To accept as true
something that is still being argued about, before it is proved true;
avoid or not answer a question or problem. * /The girls asked Miss
Smith if they should wear formal dresses to the party; Miss Smith said
they were begging the question because they didn't know yet if they
could get permission for a party./ * /Laura told Tom that he must
believe her argument because she was right. Father laughed and told
Laura she was begging the question./ Compare: TAKE FOR GRANTED.
[behalf] See: IN BEHALF OF or ON BEHALF OF, IN ONE'S BEHALF or ON
ONE'S BEHALF.
[behavior] See: ON ONE'S GOOD BEHAVIOR.
[be hard on] {v. phr.} To be strict or critical with another; be
severe. * /"Don't be so hard on Jimmy," Tom said. "He is bound to
rebel as he gets older."/
[behind] See: DRY BEHIND THE EARS, FALL BEHIND, GET BEHIND, HANG
BACK or HANG BEHIND.
[behind bars] {adv. phr.} In jail; in prison. * /He was a
pickpocket and had spent many years behind bars./ * /That boy is
always in trouble and will end up behind bars./
[behind one's back] {adv. phr.} When one is absent; without one's
knowledge or consent; in a dishonest way; secretly; sneakily. * /Say
it to his face, not behind his back./ * /It is not right to criticize
a person behind his back./ Contrast: TO ONE'S FACE.
[behind the eight-ball] {adj. phr.}, {slang} In a difficult
position; in trouble. * /Mr. Thompson is an older man, and when he
lost his job, he found he was behind the eight-ball./ * /Bill can't
dance and has no car, so he is behind the eight-ball with the girls./
Compare: HAVE TWO STRIKES AGAINST ONE(2), IN A HOLE.
[behind the scenes] {adv. phr.} Out of sight; unknown to most
people; privately. * /Much of the banquet committee s work was done
behind the scenes./ * /John was president of the club, but behind the
scenes Lee told him what to do./
[behind the times] {adj. phr.} Using things not in style; still
following old ways; old-fashioned. * /Johnson's store is behind the
times./ * /The science books of 30 years ago are behind the times
now./ * /Mary thinks her parents are behind the times because they
still do the foxtrot and don't know any new dances./
[behind time] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1a. Behind the correct time;
slow. * /That clock is behind time./ 1b. Behind schedule; late. * /The
train is running behind time today./ 2. Not keeping up; not at the
proper time; overdue. * /Your lessons are good, but why are you behind
time?/ * /We are behind time in paying the rent./ Contrast: AHEAD OF
TIME, IN TIME, ON TIME.
[be-in] {n.}, {slang}, {hippie culture} A gathering or social
occasion with or without a discernible purpose, often held in a public
place like a park or under a large circus tent. * /The youngsters
really enjoyed the great springtime jazz be-in at the park./
[be in a stew] {v. phr.} To be worried, harassed, upset. * /Al has
been in a stew ever since he got word that his sister was going to
marry his worst enemy./
[being] See: FOR THE TIME BEING.
[be in labor] {v. phr.} To be in parturition; experience the
contractions of childbirth. * /Vane had been in labor for eight hours
before her twin daughters were finally born./
[be in someone else's shoes] {v. phr.} To be in someone else's
situation. * /Fred has had so much trouble recently that we ought to
be grateful we're not in his shoes./
[be into something] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have taken something
up partly as a nobby, partly as a serious interest of sorts (basically
resulting from the new consciousness and self-realization movement
that originated in the late Sixties). * /Roger's wife is into women's
liberation and women's consciousness./ * /Did you know that Syd is
seriously into transcendental meditation?/ * /Jack found out that his
teenage son is into pot smoking and gave him a serious scolding./
[be itching to] {v. phr.} To have a very strong desire to do
something. * /Jack is itching to travel abroad./
[be it so] See: SO BE IT.
[belabor the point] {v. phr.} To overexplain something to the point
of obviousness, resulting in ridicule. * /"Lest I belabor the point,"
the teacher said, "I must repeat the importance of teaching good
grammar in class."/
[belfry] See: BATS IN ONE'S BELFRY or BATS IN THE BELFRY.
[believe] See: MAKE BELIEVE, SEEING IS BELIEVING.
[believe one's ears] {v. phr.} 1. To believe what one hears; trust
one's hearing. - Used with a negative or limiter, or in an
interrogative or conditional sentence. * /He thought he heard a horn
blowing in the distance, but he could not believe his ears./ 2. To be
made sure of (something). * /Is he really coming? I can hardly believe
my ears./
[believe one's eyes] {v. phr.} 1. To believe what one sees; trust
one's eyesight. - Used with a negative or limiter or in an
interrogative or conditional sentence. * /Is that a plane? Can I
believe my eyes?/ 2. To be made sure of seeing something. * /She saw
him there but she could hardly believe her eyes./
[bell] See: RING A BELL, WITH BELLS ON.
[bellyache] {v.} To constantly complain. * /Jim is always
bellyaching about the amount of work he is required to do./
[belly up] {adj.}, {informal} Dead, bankrupt, or financially
ruined. * /Tom and Dick struggled on for months with their tiny
computer shop, but last year they went belly up./
[belly up] {v.}, {informal} To go bankrupt, become afunctional; to
die. * /Uncompetitive small businesses must eventually all belly up./
[below par] {adj.} or {adv.} Below standard. * /Bob was fired
because his work has been below par for several months now./ Contrast:
UP TO PAR or UP TO SNUFF.
[below the belt] {adv. phr.} 1. In the stomach; lower than is legal
in boxing. * /He struck the other boy below the belt./ 2. {informal}
In an unfair or cowardly way; against the rules of sportsmanship or
justice; unsportingly; wrongly. * /It was hitting below the belt for
Mr. Jones's rival to tell people about a crime that Mr. Jones
committed when he was a young boy./ * /Pete told the students to vote
against Harry because Harry was in a wheelchair and couldn't be a good
class president, but the students thought Pete was hitting below the
belt./
[belt] See: BELOW THE BELT, SEAT BELT, TIGHTEN ONE'S BELT, UNDER
ONE'S BELT.
[belt out] {v.}, {slang} To sing with rough rhythm and strength;
shout out. * /She belted out ballads and hillbilly songs one after
another all evening./ * /Young people enjoy belting out songs./
[be my guest] {v. phr.} Feel free to use what I have; help
yourself. * /When Suzie asked if she could borrow John's bicycle, John
said, "Be my guest."/
[beneath one] {adj. phr.} Below one's ideals or dignity. * /Bob
felt it would have been beneath him to work for such low wages./
[bench] See: ON THE BENCH, WARM THE BENCH.
[bench warmer] See: WARM THE BENCH.
[bend over backward] or [lean over backward] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To try so hard to avoid a mistake that you make the opposite mistake
instead; do the opposite of something that you know you should not do;
do too much to avoid doing the wrong thing; also, make a great effort;
try very hard. * /Instead of punishing the boys for breaking a new
rule, the principal bent over backward to explain why the rule was
important./ * /Mary was afraid the girls at her new school would be
stuck up, but they leaned over backward to make her feel at home./
Compare: GO OUT OF ONE'S WAY.
[benefit] See: GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.
[bent on] or [bent upon] Very decided, determined, or set. * /The
sailors were bent on having a good time./ * /The policeman saw some
boys near the school after dark and thought they were bent on
mischief./ * /The bus was late, and the driver was bent upon reaching
the school on time./
[be nuts about] {v. phr.} To be enthusiastic or very keen about
someone or something; be greatly infatuated with someone. * /Hermione
is nuts about modern music./ * /"I am nuts about you, Helen," Jim
said. "Please let's get married!"/
[be off] {v. phr.} 1. {v.} To be in error; miscalculate. * /The
estimator was off by at least 35% on the value of the house./ 2. {v.}
To leave. * /Jack ate his supper in a hurry and was off without saying
goodbye./ 3. {adj.} Cancelled; terminated. * /The weather was so bad
that we were told that the trip was off./ 4. {adj.} Crazy. * /I'm sure
Aunt Mathilda is a bit off; no one in her right mind would say such
things./ 5. {adj.} Free from work; having vacation time. * /Although
we were off for the rest of the day, we couldn't go to the beach
because it started to rain./
[be on] {v. phr.} 1. To be in operation; be in the process of being
presented. * /The news is on now on Channel 2; it will be off in five
minutes./ 2. To be in the process of happening; to take place. * /We
cannot travel now to certain parts of Africa, as there is a civil war
on there right now./
[be one's age] See: ACT ONE'S AGE.
[be oneself] {v.} To act naturally; act normally without trying
unduly to impress others. * /Just try being yourself; I promise people
will like you more./
[be on the outs with] {v. phr.} To not be on speaking terms with
someone; be in disagreement with someone. * /Jane and Tom have been on
the outs with one another since Tom started to date another woman./
[be on the rocks] See: ON THE ROCKS, GO ON THE ROCKS.
[be on the verge of] {v. phr.} To be about to do something; be very
close to. * /We were on the verge of going bankrupt when,
unexpectedly, my wife won the lottery and our business was saved./
[be on the wagon] See: ON THE WAGON, FALL OFF THE WAGON.
[be on to] {v. phr.} To understand the motives of someone; not be
deceived. * /Jack keeps telling us how wealthy his family is, but we
are on to him./
[be over] {v. phr.} To be ended; be finished. * /The show was over
by 11 P.M./ * /The war will soon be over./
[be out] {v. phr.} 1. To not be at home or at one's place of work.
* /I tried to call but they told me that Al was out./ 2. To be
unacceptable; not be considered; impossible. * /I suggested that we
hire more salespeople but the boss replied that such a move was
positively out./ 3. To be poorer by; suffer a loss of. * /Unless more
people came to the church picnic, we realized we would be out $500 at
least./ 4. To be in circulation, in print, published. * /Jane said
that her new novel won't be out for at least another month./ 5. A
baseball term indicating that a player has been declared either unfit
to continue or punished by withdrawing him. * /The spectators thought
that John was safe at third base, but the umpire said he was out./
[be out to] {v. phr.} To intend to do; to plan to commit. * /The
police felt that the gang may be out to rob another store./
[berth] See: GIVE A WIDE BERTH.
[be set on] or [upon] {v. phr.} To be determined about something. *
/Tow is set upon leaving his Chicago job for Tokyo, Japan, although he
speaks only English./
[beside oneself] {adj. phr.} Very much excited; somewhat crazy. *
/She was beside herself with fear./ * /He was beside himself, he was
so angry./ * /When his wife heard of his death, she was beside
herself./
[beside the point] or [beside the question] {adj.} or {adv. phr.}
Off the subject; about something different. * /What you meant to do is
beside the point; the fact is you didn't do it./ * /The judge told the
witness that his remarks were beside the point./ Compare: BEAT AROUND
THE BUSH, NEITHER HERE NOR THERE.
[best] See: AS BEST ONE CAN, AT BEST, FOR THE BEST, GET THE BETTER
OF or GET THE BEST OF, HAD BETTER or HAD BEST, HE LAUGHS BEST WHO
LAUGHS LAST, MAKE THE BEST OF, PUT ONE'S BEST FOOT FORWARD, SECOND
BEST, TO THE BEST OF ONE'S KNOWLEDGE, WITH THE BEST or WITH THE BEST
OF THEM.
[best bib and tucker] or [Sunday best] or [Sunday go-to-meeting
clothes] {n. phr.}, {informal} Best clothes or outfit of clothing. *
/The cowboy got all dressed up in his best bib and tucker to go to the
dance./ * /Mary went to the party in her Sunday best and made a hit
with the boys./ Compare: GLAD RAGS.
[best man] {n.} The groom's aid (usually his best friend or a
relative) at a wedding. * /When Agnes and I got married, my brother
Gordon was my best man./
[best seller] {n.} An item (primarily said of books) that outsells
other items of a similar sort. * /Catherine Neville's novel "The
Eight" has been a national best seller for months./ * /Among imported
European cars, the Volkswagen is a best seller./
[bet] See: YOU BET or YOU BET YOUR BOOTS or YOU BET YOUR LIFE.
[be the making of] {v. phr.} To account for the success of someone
or something. * /The strict discipline that we had to undergo in
graduate school was the making of many a successful professor./ * /The
relatively low cost and high gas mileage are the making of Chevrolet's
Geo Metro cars./
[bet one's boots] or [bet one's bottom dollar] or [bet one's shirt]
{v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To bet all you have. * /This horse will win.
I would bet my bottom dollar on it./ * /Jim said he would bet his
boots that he would pass the examination./ 2. or [bet one's life]. To
feel very sure; have no doubt. * /Was I scared when I saw the bull
running at me? You bet your life I was!/
[bet on the wrong horse] {v. phr,}, {informal} To base your plans
on a wrong guess about the result of something; misread the future;
misjudge a coming event. * /To count on the small family farm as an
important thing in the American future now looks like betting on the
wrong horse./ * /He expected Bush to be elected President in 1992 but
as it happened, he bet on the wrong horse./
[better] See: ALL BETTER, DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOR,
FOR BETTER OR WORSE, FOR THE BETTER, GET THE BETTER OF, GO --- ONE
BETTER, HAD BETTER, HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NONE or HALF A LOAF IS
BETTER THAN NO BREAD, SEE BETTER DAYS, THINK BETTER OF.
[better half] {n.}, {informal} One's marriage partner (mostly said
by men about their wives.) * /"This is my better half, Mary," said
Joe./
[better late than never] It is better to come or do something late
than never. * /The firemen didn't arrive at the house until it was
half burned, but it was better late than never./ * /Grandfather is
learning to drive a car. "Better late than never," he says./ Compare:
HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NONE.
[better than] {prep. phr.} More than; greater than; at a greater
rate than. * /The car was doing better than eighty miles an hour./ *
/It is better than three miles to the station./
[between] See: BETWIXT AND BETWEEN, COME BETWEEN, PEW AND FAR
BETWEEN.
[between a rock and a hard place] See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE
DEEP BLUE SEA.
[between life and death] {adv. phr.} In danger of dying or being
killed; with life or death possible. * /He held on to the mountainside
between life and death while his friends went to get help./ * /The
little sick girl lay all night between life and death until her fever
was gone./
[between the devil and the deep blue sea] or {literary} [between
two fires] or [between a rock and a hard place] {adv. phr.} Between
two dangers or difficulties, not knowing what to do. * /The pirates
had to fight and be killed or give up and be hanged; they were between
the devil and the deep blue sea./ * /The boy was between a rock and a
hard place; he had to go home and be whipped or stay in town all night
and be picked up by the police./ * /When the man's wife and her mother
got together, he was between two fires./ Compare: COMING AND GOING(2),
IN A BIND.
[between the eyes] See: HIT BETWEEN THE EYES.
[between the lines] See: READ BETWEEN THE LINES.
[between two fires] See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
[between two shakes of a lamb's tail] See: BEFORE ONE CAN SAY JACK
ROBINSON.
[be up to no good] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be plotting and
conniving to commit some illegal act or crime. * /"Let's hurry!" Susan
said to her husband. "It's dark here and those hoodlums obviously are
up to no good."/
[be up to something] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To feel strong enough
or knowledgeable enough to accomplish a certain task. * /Are you up to
climbing all the way to the 37th floor?/ * /Are we up to meeting the
delegation from Moscow and speaking Russian to them?/ 2. Tendency to
do something mischievous. * /I'm afraid Jack is up to one of his old
tricks again./
[beyond measure] {adj.} or {adv. phr.}, {formal} So much that it
can not be measured or figured without any limits. * /With her parents
reunited and present at her graduation, she had happiness beyond
measure./ * /No one envied him for he was popular beyond measure./
[beyond one's depth] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Over your head in
water; in water too deep to touch bottom. * /Jack wasn't a good
swimmer and nearly drowned when he drifted out beyond his depth./ 2.
In or into something too difficult for you; beyond your understanding
or ability. * /Bill decided that his big brother's geometry book was
beyond his depth./ * /Sam's father started to explain the atom bomb to
Sam but he soon got beyond his depth./ * /When Bill played checkers
against the city champion, Bill was beyond his depth./ Compare: OVER
ONE'S HEAD(1).
[beyond one's means] {adj. phr.} Too expensive, not affordable. *
/Unfortunately, a new Mercedes Benz is beyond my means right now./
[beyond one's nose] See: SEE BEYOND ONE'S NOSE.
[beyond question(1)] {adj. phr.} Not in doubt certain; sure. - Used
in the predicate. * /People always believe anything that Mark says;
his honesty is beyond question./ Contrast: IN QUESTION.
[beyond question(2)] or [without question] {adv. phr.} Without
doubt or argument; surely; unquestionably. * /Beyond question, it was
the coldest day of the winter./ * /John's drawing is without question
the best in the class./
[beyond reasonable doubt] {adv. phr.}, {formal and legal} Virtually
certain; essentially convincing. * /The judge instructed the jurors to
come up with a verdict of guilty only if they were convinced beyond a
reasonable doubt that Algernon was the perpetrator./
[beyond the pale] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} In disgrace; with no chance
of being accepted or respected by others; not approved by the members
of a group. * /After the outlaw killed a man he was beyond the pale
and not even his old friends would talk to him./ * /Tom's swearing is
beyond the pale; no one invites him to dinner any more./
[beyond the shadow of a doubt] {adv. phr.}, {formal and legal}
Absolutely certain, totally convincing. * /Fred burglarized Mrs.
Brown's apartment, beyond the shadow of a doubt./
[bib] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER.
[bide one's time] {v. phr.} To await an opportunity; wait patiently
until your chance comes. * /Refused work as an actor, Tom turned to
other work and bided his time./ * /Jack was hurt deeply, and he bided
his time for revenge./
[bid fair] {v.}, {literary} To seem likely; promise. * /He bids
fair to be a popular author./ * /The day bids fair to be warm./
[big] See: IN A BIG WAY, LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND, LITTLE PITCHERS
HAVE BIG EARS, TALK BIG, TOO BIG FOR ONE'S BREECHES, WHAT'S THE BIG
IDEA.
[big as life] or [large as life] {adj. phr.} 1. or [life-size] The
same size as the living person or thing. * /The statue of Jefferson
was big as life./ * /The characters on the screen were life-size./ 2.
or [big as life and twice as natural] {informal} In person; real and
living. * /I had not seen him for years, but there he was, big as life
and twice as natural./
[big cheese] or [big gun] or [big shot] or [big wheel] or [big wig]
{n.}, {slang} An important person; a leader; a high official; a person
of high rank. * /Bill had been a big shot in high school./ * /John
wanted to be the big cheese in his club./ Compare: WHOLE CHEESE.
[big daddy] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} The most important, largest
thing, person or animal in a congregation of similar persons, animals,
or objects. * /The whale is the big daddy of everything that swims in
the ocean./ * /The H-bomb is the big daddy of all modern weapons./ *
/Al Capone was the big daddy of organized crime in Chicago during
Prohibition./
[big deal] {interj.}, {slang}, {informal} (loud stress on the word
"deal") Trifles; an unimportant, unimpressive thing or matter. * /So
you became college president - big deal!/
[big frog in a small pond] {n. phr.}, {informal} An important
person in a small place or position; someone who is respected and
honored in a small company, school, or city; a leader in a small
group. * /As company president, he had been a big frog in a small
pond, but he was not so important as a new congressman in Washington./
Contrast: LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND.
[bigger than one's stomach] See: EYES BIGGER THAN ONE'S STOMACH.
[big hand] {n.} Loud and enthusiastic applause. * /When Pavarotti
finished singing the aria from Rigoletto, he got a very big hand./
[big head] {n.}, {informal} Too high an opinion of your own ability
or importance; conceit. * /When Jack was elected captain of the team,
it gave him a big head./ Compare: SWELLED HEAD.
[big house] {n.} A large jail or prison. * /The rapist will spend
many years in the big house./
[big lie, the] {n.}, {informal} A major, deliberate
misrepresentation of some important issue made on the assumption that
a bold, gross lie is psychologically more believable than a timid,
minor one. * /We all heard the big lie during the Watergate months./ *
/The pretense of democracy by a totalitarian regime is part of the big
lie about its government./
[big mouth] or [big-mouthed] See: LOUD MOUTH, LOUD-MOUTHED.
[big shot] or [big wig] {n.} An important or influential person. *
/Elmer is a big shot in the State Assembly./
[big stink] {n.}, {slang} A major scandal; a big upheaval. * /I'll
raise a big stink if they fire me./
[big time] {n.}, {informal} 1. A very enjoyable time at a party or
other pleasurable gathering. * /I certainly had a big time at the club
last night./ 2. The top group; the leading class; the best or most
important company. * /After his graduation from college, he soon made
the big time in baseball./ * /Many young actors go to Hollywood, but
few of them reach the big time./
[big-time] {adj.} Belonging to the top group; of the leading class;
important. * /Jean won a talent contest in her home town, and only a
year later she began dancing on big-time television./ * /Bob practices
boxing in the gym every day; he wants to become a big time boxer./ -
Often used in the phrase "big-time operator". * /Just because Bill has
a new football uniform he thinks he is a big-time operator./ Compare:
SHOW OFF. Contrast: SMALL-TIME.
[big top] {n.} The main tent under which a circus gives its show;
the circus and circus life. * /Lillian Leitzel was one of the great
stars of the big top./ * /The book tells of life under the big top./
[big wheel] {n.}, {informal} An influential or important person who
has the power to do things and has connections in high places. *
/Uncle Ferdinand is a big wheel in Washington; maybe he can help you
with your problem./
[big yawn] {n.} A very boring person, story or event. * /I love my
grandma very much, but the stories she tells sure are a yawn./
[bill] See: CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH, FILL THE BILL.
[bind] See: DUTY BOUND, IN A BIND, MUSCLE BOUND, ROOT-BOUND.
[bingo card] {n.}, {slang} A response card, bound into a
periodical, containing numbers keyed to editorial or advertising
matter, giving the reader the opportunity to send for further
information by marking the numbers of the items he is interested in;
such a card can be mailed free of charge. * /Jack thinks he is saving
time by filling out bingo cards instead of writing a letter./
[bird] See: EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM or EARLY BIRD GETS THE
WORM, EAT LIKE A BIRD, FINE FEATHERS DO NOT MAKE FINE BIRDS, FOR THE
BIRDS, KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE.
[bird has flown] {slang} The prisoner has escaped; the captive has
got away. * /When the sheriff returned to the jail, he discovered that
the bird had flown./
[bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (a)] Something we have,
or can easily get, is more valuable than something we want that we may
not be able to get; we shouldn't risk losing something sure by trying
to get something that is not sure. - A proverb. * /Johnny has a job as
a paperboy, but he wants a job in a gas station. His father says that
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush./
[bird of a different feather] {n. phr.} A person who is free
thinking and independent. * /Syd won't go along with recent trends in
grammar; he created his own. He is a bird of a different feather./
[birds of a feather flock together] People who are alike often
become friends or are together; if you are often with certain people,
you may be their friends or like them. - A proverb. * /Don't be
friends with bad boys. People think that birds of a feather flock
together./
[birds and the bees (the)] {n. phr.}, {informal} The facts we
should know about our birth. * /At various ages, in response to
questions, a child can be told about the birds and the bees./
[bird watcher] {n.} A person whose hobby is to study birds close-up
in their outdoor home. * /A bird watcher looks for the first robin to
appear in the spring./
[birthday suit] {n.} The skin with no clothes on; complete
nakedness. * /The little boys were swimming in their birthday suits./
[bit] See: A BIT, CHAMP AT THE BIT, FOUR BITS, QUITE A LITTLE or
QUITE A BIT, SIX BITS, TAKE THE BIT IN ONE'S MOUTH, TWO BITS.
[bitch] See: SON OF A BITCH.
[bite] See: BARK WORSE THAN ONE'S BITE, PUT THE BITE ON, ONCE
BITTEN, TWICE SHY at BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE.
[bite off more than one can chew] {v. phr.}, {informal} To try to
do more than you can; be too confident of your ability. * /He bit off
more than he could chew when he agreed to edit the paper alone./ * /He
started to repair his car himself, but realized that he had bitten off
more than he could chew./
[bite one's head off] {v. phr.} To answer someone in great anger;
answer furiously. * /I'm sorry to tell you that I lost my job, but
that's no reason to bite my head off!/
[bite one's lips] {v. phr.} To force oneself to remain silent and
not to reveal one's feelings. * /I had to bite my lips when I heard my
boss give the wrong orders./
[bite the dust] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To be killed in battle. *
/Captain Jones discharged his gun and another guerrilla bit the dust./
2. To fall in defeat; go down before enemies; be overthrown; lose. *
/Our team bit the dust today./
[bite the hand that feeds one] {v. phr.} To turn against or hurt a
helper or supporter; repay kindness with wrong. * /He bit the hand
that fed him when he complained against his employer./
[bitter] See: TO THE BITTER END.
[bitter pill] {n.} Something hard to accept; disappointment. *
/Jack was not invited to the party and it was a bitter pill for him./
[black] See: BLACK AND WHITE, IN THE BLACK, LOOK BLACK, POT CALLS
THE KETTLE BLACK.
[black and blue] {adj.} Badly bruised. * /Poor Jim was black and
blue after he fell off the apple tree./
[black and white] {n. phr.} 1. Print or writing; words on paper,
not spoken; exact written or printed form. * /He insisted on having
the agreement down in black and white./ * /Mrs. Jones would not
believe the news, so Mr. Jones showed her the article in the newspaper
and said, "There it is in black and white."/ 2. The different shades
of black and white of a simple picture, rather than other colors. *
/He showed us snapshots in black and white./
[black-and-white] {adj.} Divided into only two sides that are
either right or wrong or good or bad, with nothing in between;
thinking or judging everything as either good or bad. * /Everything is
black-and-white to Bill; if you're not his friend, you are his enemy./
* /The old man's religion shows his black-and-white thinking;
everything is either completely good or completely bad./
[black day] {n.} A day of great unhappiness; a disaster. * /It was
a black day when our business venture collapsed./
[black eye] {n.} 1. A dark area around one's eye due to a hard blow
during a fight, such as boxing. * /Mike Tyson sported a black eye
after the big fight./ 2. Discredit. * /Bob's illegal actions will give
a black eye to the popular movement he started./
[blackout] {n.} 1. The darkening of a city curing an air raid by
pulling down all curtains and putting out all street lights. * /The
city of London went through numerous blackouts during World War II./
2. A cessation of news by the mass media. * /There was a total news
blackout about the kidnapping of the prime minister./
[black out] {v.} 1. To darken by putting out or dimming lights, *
/In some plays the stage is blacked out for a short time and the
actors speak in darkness./ * /In wartime, cities are blacked out to
protect against bombing from planes./ 2. To prevent or silence
information or communication; refuse to give out truthful news. * /In
wartime, governments often black out all news or give out false news./
* /Dictators usually black out all criticism of the government./ *
/Some big games are blacked out on television to people who live
nearby./ 3. {informal} To lose consciousness; faint. * /It had been a
hard and tiring day, and she suddenly blacked out./
[black sheep] {n.} A person in a family or a community considered
unsatisfactory or disgraceful. * /My brother Ted is a high school
dropout who joined a circus; he is the black sheep in our family./
[blame] See: TO BLAME.
[blank check] {n.} 1. A bank check written to a person who can then
write in how much money he wants. * /John's father sent him a blank
check to pay his school bills./ 2. {informal} Permission to another
person to do anything he decides to do. * /The teacher gave the pupils
a blank check to plan the picnic./
[blanket] See: WET BLANKET.
[blast off] {v.} 1. To begin a rocket flight. * /The astronaut will
blast off into orbit at six o'clock./ 2. Also [blast away] {informal}
To scold or protest violently. * /The coach blasted off at the team
for poor playing./
[blaze a trail] {v. phr.} 1. To cut marks in trees in order to
guide other people along a path or trail, especially through a
wilderness. * /Daniel Boone blazed a trail for other hunters to follow
in Kentucky./ 2. To lead the way; make a discovery; start something
new. * /Henry Ford blazed a trail in manufacturing automobiles./ *
/The building of rockets blazed a trail to outer space./ See:
TRAILBLAZER.
[bleep out] See: BLIP OUT.
[bless one's heart] {v. phr.} To thank someone; consider one the
cause of something good that has happened. * /Aunt Jane, bless her
heart, left me half a million dollars!/
[blessing] See: MIXED BLESSING.
[blind] See: FLY BLIND.
[blind alley] {n.} 1. A narrow street that has only one entrance
and no exit. * /The blind alley ended in a brick wall./ 2. A way of
acting that leads to no good results. * /John did not take the job
because it was a blind alley./ * /Tom thought of a way to do the
algebra problem, but he found it was a blind alley./
[blind as a bat/beetle/mole/owl] {adj. phr.} Anyone who is blind or
has difficulty in seeing; a person with very thick glasses. * /Without
my glasses I am blind as a bat./
[blind date] {n.} An engagement or date arranged by friends for
people who have not previously known one another. * /A blind date can
be a huge success, or a big disappointment./
[blind leading the blind] One or more people who do not know or
understand something trying to explain it to others who do not know or
understand. * /Jimmy is trying to show Bill how to skate. The blind
are leading the blind./
[blind spot] {n.} 1. A place on the road that a driver cannot see
in the rearview mirror. * /I couldn't see that truck behind me,
Officer, because it was in my blind spot./ 2. A matter or topic a
person refuses to discuss or accept. * /My uncle Ted has a real blind
spot about religion./
[blink] See: ON THE BLINK.
[blip out] or [bleep out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To delete
electronically a word on television or on radio either because it
mentions the name of an established firm in a commercial or because it
is a censored word not allowed for television audiences, resulting in
a sound resembling the word "bleep." * /What was the old product they
compared Spic-n-Span to? - I don't know; they've bleeped it out./
[blitz] See: SAFETY BLITZ.
[block] See: CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK, KNOCK ONE'S BLOCK OFF, ON THE
BLOCK.
[blockhead] {n.}, {informal} An unusually dense, or stupid person
whose head is therefore exaggeratedly compared to a solid block of
wood. * /Joe is such a blockhead that he flunked every course as a
freshman./
[blood] See: DRAW BLOOD, FLESH AND BLOOD, IN COLD BLOOD, IN ONE'S
BLOOD or INTO ONE'S BLOOD, MAKE ONE'S BLOOD BOIL or MAKE THE BLOOD
BOIL, NEW BLOOD, OUT OF ONE'S BLOOD, RUN IN THE BLOOD or RUN IN THE
FAMILY, SPORTING BLOOD, SWEAT BLOOD, WARM ONE'S BLOOD.
[blood and thunder] {n. phr.} The violence and bloodshed of stories
that present fast action rather than understanding of character. *
/Crime movies and westerns usually have lots of blood and thunder./ -
Often used like an adjective. * /John likes to watch blood-and-thunder
stories on television./
[blood freezes] See: BLOOD RUNS COLD.
[blood is thicker than water] Persons of the same family are closer
to one another than to others; relatives are favored or chosen over
outsiders. * /Mr. Jones hires his relatives to work in his store.
Blood is thicker than water./
[blood runs cold] also [blood freezes] or [blood turns to ice] You
are chilled or shivering from great fright or horror; you are
terrified or horrified. - Usually used with a possessive. * /The
horror movie made the children's blood run cold./ * /Mary's blood
froze when she had to walk through the cemetery at night./ * /Oscar's
blood turned to ice when he saw the shadow pass by outside the
window./ Compare: HAIR STAND ON END, THE CREEPS.
[blood turns to ice] See: BLOOD RUNS COLD.
[bloody] See: SCREAM BLOODY MURDER.
[blot out] {v. phr.} 1. To obstruct; cover; obscure. * /The
high-rise building in front of our apartment house blots out the view
of the ocean./ 2. To wipe out of one's memory. * /Jane can't remember
the details when she was attacked in the streets; she blotted it out
of her memory./
[blow] See: AT A BLOW, BODY BLOW, COME TO BLOWS, IT'S AN ILL WIND
THAT BLOWS NOBODY GOOD, WAY THE WIND BLOWS or HOW THE WIND BLOWS.
[blow a fuse] or [blow a gasket] or [blow one's top] or [blow one's
stack] {v. phr.}, {slang} To become extremely angry; express rage in
hot words. * /When Mr. McCarthy's son got married against his wishes,
he blew a fuse./ * /When the umpire called Joe out at first, Joe blew
his top and was sent to the showers./ Syn.: BLOW UP(1b), FLIP ONE'S
LID, LOSE ONE'S TEMPER. Compare: BLOW OFF STEAM(2).
[blow great guns] See: GREAT GUNS.
[blow hot and cold] {v. phr.} To change your ways or likes often;
be fickle or changeable. * /Tom blows hot and cold about coming out
for the baseball team; he cannot decide./ * /Mary blew hot and cold
about going to college; every day she changed her mind./ * /The boys
will get tired of Ann's blowing hot and cold./
[blow in] {v.}, {slang} To arrive unexpectedly or in a carefree
way. * /The house was already full of guests when Bill blew in./
Compare SHOW UP(3).
[blow into] {v.}, {slang} To arrive at (a place) unexpectedly or in
a carefree way. * /Bill blows into college at the last minute after
every vacation./ * /Why Tom, when did you blow into town?/
[blow off steam] See: LET OFF STEAM.
[blow one's brains out] {v. phr.} 1. To shoot yourself in the head.
* /Mr. Jones lost all his wealth, so he blew his brains out./ 2.
{slang} To work very hard; overwork yourself. * /The boys blew their
brains out to get the stage ready for the play./ * /Mary is not one to
blow her brains out./ Compare: BREAK ONE'S NECK.
[blow one's cool] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To lose your
composure or self-control. * /Whatever you say to the judge in court,
make sure that you don't blow your cool./
[blow one's lines] or [fluff one's lines] {v. phr.}, {informal} To
forget the words you are supposed to speak while acting in a play. *
/The noise backstage scared Mary and she blew her lines./
[blow one's mind] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}; {originally from
the drug culture} 1. To become wildly enthusiastic over something as
if understanding it for the first time in an entirely new light. *
/Read Lyall Watson's book "Supernature", it will simply blow your
mind!/ 2. To lose one's ability to function, as if due to an overdose
of drugs, * /Joe is entirely incoherent - he seems to have blown his
mind./ Contrast: BLOW ONE'S COOL.
[blow one's own horn] or [toot one's own horn] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To praise yourself; call attention to your own skill, intelligence, or
successes; boast. * /People get tired of a man who is always blowing
his own horn./ * /A person who does things well does not have to toot
his own horn; his abilities will be noticed by others./
[blow one's top] {v. phr.} To become very excited, angry,
hysterical, or furious. * /"No need to blow your top, Al," his wife
said, "just because you lost a few dollars."/
[blow out] {v. phr.} 1. To cease to function; fail; explode (said
of tires and fuses). * /The accident occurred when Jim's tire blew out
on the highway./ * /The new dishwasher blew out the fuses in the whole
house./ 2. To extinguish. * /Jane blew out her birthday cake candles
before offering pieces to the guests./
[blowout] {n.} 1. An explosion of a tire or a fuse. * /Jim's van
veered sharply to the right after his car had a blowout./ 2. A big
party. * /After graduation from college, my son and his friends staged
a huge blowout./
[blow over] {v.} To come to an end; pass away with little or no bad
effects. * /The sky was black, as if a bad storm were coming, but it
blew over and the sun came out./ * /They were bitter enemies for a
while, but the quarrel blew over./ * /He was much criticized for the
divorce, but it all blew over after a few years./
[blow taps] {v. phr.} To sound the final bugle call of the evening
in a camp or military base. * /After taps is blown the boy scouts go
to their bunks to sleep./
[blow the gaff] {v. phr.} To open one's mouth to reveal a secret. *
/When Al cheated on his wife, his younger brother blew the gaff on
him./
[blow the lid off] {v. phr.}, {informal} Suddenly to reveal the
truth about a matter that has been kept as a secret either by private
persons or by some governmental agency. * /The clever journalists blew
the lid off the Watergate cover-up./
[blow the whistle on] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To inform against;
betray. * /The police caught one of the bank robbers, and he blew the
whistle on two more./ 2. To act against, stop, or tell people the
secrets of (crime or lawlessness). * /The mayor blew the whistle on
gambling./ * /The police blew the whistle on hot reading./
[blow up] {v.} 1a. To break or destroy or to be destroyed by
explosion. * /He blew up the plane by means of a concealed bomb./ *
/The fireworks factory blew up when something went wrong in an
electric switch./ 1b. {informal} To explode with anger or strong
feeling; lose control of yourself. * /When Father bent the nail for
the third time, he blew up./ Compare: BLOW A FUSE. 1c. To stop playing
well in a game or contest, usually because you are in danger of losing
or are tired; {especially}: To lose skill or control in pitching
baseball. * /The champion blew up and lost the tennis match./ * /Our
team was behind but the pitcher on the other team blew up and we got
the winning runs./ 2. {informal} To be ruined as if by explosion; be
ended suddenly. * /The whole scheme for a big party suddenly blew up./
3a. To pump full of air; inflate. * /He blew his tires up at a filling
station./ 3b. To make (something) seem bigger or important. * /It was
a small thing to happen but the newspapers had blown it up until it
seemed important./ 4. To bring on bad weather; also, to come on as bad
weather. * /The wind had blown up a storm./ * /A storm had blown up./
5. To copy in bigger form; enlarge. * /He blew up the snapshot to a
larger size./
[blow up in one's face] {v. phr.}, {informal} To fail completely
and with unexpected force. * /The thief's plan to rob the bank blew up
in his face when a policeman stopped him./
[blue] See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, BOLT FROM THE
BLUE, ONCE IN A BLUE MOON, OUT OF THE BLUE or OUT OF A CLEAR BLUE SKY.
[blue around the gills] See: GREEN AROUND THE GILLS.
[blue collar worker] {n. phr.} A manual laborer who is probably a
labor union member. * /Because Jack's father is a blue collar worker,
Jack was so anxious to become an intellectual./ Contrast: WHITE COLLAR
WORKER.
[blue in the face] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Very angry or upset;
excited and very emotional. * /Tom argued with Bill until he was blue
in the face./ * /Mary scolded Jane until she was blue in the face, but
Jane kept on using Mary's paints./
[blue Monday] {n.} A Monday when you have to work after a happy
weekend. * /It was blue Monday and John nodded sleepily over his
books./ * /Housewives sometimes wish they could sleep through blue
Monday./
[blue-pencil] {v.} To edit. * /The editor blue-penciled John's
manuscript./
[bluff] See: CALL ONE'S BLUFF.
[blurt out] {v. phr.} To suddenly say something even if one was not
planning to do so, or if it was not expected of them. * /"My brother
Bob is in jail," Tony blurted out, before anybody could stop him./
[blush] See: AT FIRST BLUSH.
[board] See: ACROSS THE BOARD, COLLEGE BOARDS, GO BY THE BOARD or
PASS BY THE BOARD, ON BOARD, SANDWICH BOARD.
[boat] See: BURN ONE'S BRIDGES also BURN ONE'S BOATS, IN THE SAME
BOAT, MISS THE BOAT, ROCK THE BOAT.
[bobby-soxer] {n.} A teen-aged girl. (1940s idiom) * /My two
daughters, age 13 and 14, are typical bobby-soxers./
[bob up] See: POP UP(1).
[body] See: KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER.
[body blow] {n.}, {informal} A great disappointment; a bitter
failure. * /When he failed to get on the team it came as a body blow
to him./
[body English] {n.}, {informal} The wishful attempt to make a ball
move in the right direction after it has been hit or let go, by
twisting the body in the desired direction. * /He tried to help the
putt fall by using body English./
[bog down] {v. phr.} To be immobilized in mud, snow, etc.; slow
down. * /Our research got bogged down for a lack of appropriate
funding./ * /Don't get bogged down in too much detail when you write
an action story./
[bog down, to get bogged down] {v. phr.}, {mostly intransitive or
passive} 1. To stop progressing; to slow to a halt. * /Work on the new
building bogged down, because the contractor didn't deliver the needed
concrete blocks./ 2. To become entangled with a variety of obstacles
making your efforts unproductive or unsatisfying. * /The novelist
wrote tittle last summer because she got bogged down in housework./
[boggle the mind] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stop the rational
thinking process by virtue of being too fantastic or incredible. * /It
boggles the mind that John should have been inside a flying saucer!/
[boil] See: MAKE ONE'S BLOOD BOIL or MAKE THE BLOOD BOIL.
[boil down] {v.} 1. To boil away some of the water from; make less
by boiling. * /She boiled down the maple sap to a thick syrup./ * /The
fruit juice boiled down until it was almost not good for jelly./ 2. To
reduce the length of; cut down; shorten. * /The reporter boiled the
story down to half the original length./ 3. To reduce itself to; come
down to; be briefly or basically. * /The whole discussion boils down
to the question of whether the government should fix prices./
[boil over] {v. phr.} 1. To rise due to boiling and overflow down
the sides of a pan or a pot. * /"Watch out!" Jane cried. "The milk is
boiling over on the stove!"/ 2. To become enraged to the point of
being unable to contain oneself. * /John took a lot of abuse from his
boss, but after 25 minutes he suddenly boiled over and told him what
he thought of him./
[boiling point] {n.} 1. The temperature at which a liquid boils. *
/The boiling point of water is 272{sup}o{/sup} Fahrenheit./ 2. The time when you
become very angry. * /He has a low boiling point./ * /After being
teased for a long time, John reached the boiling point./ * /When John
made the same mistake for the fourth time, his teacher reached the
boiling point./ Compare: BLOW UP(1b), MAKE ONE'S BLOOD BOIL.
[bolt from the blue] {n. phr.} Something sudden and unexpected; an
event that you did not see coming; a great and usually unpleasant
surprise; shock. * /We had been sure she was in Chicago, so her sudden
appearance was a bolt from the blue./ * /His decision to resign was a
bolt from the blue./ Compare: OUT OF THE BLUE.
[bombshell] See: EXPLODE A BOMBSHELL.
[bond] See: SAVINGS BOND.
[bone] See: BRED IN THE BONE, FEEL IN ONE'S BONES or KNOW IN ONE'S
BONES, FUNNY BONE, MAKE NO BONES, SKIN AND BONES, T-BONE STEAK, WORK
ONE'S FINGERS TO THE BONE.
[bonehead] {n.}, {slang} An unusually dense or stupid person. *
/John is such a bonehead - small wonder he flunks all of his courses./
[bone of contention] {n. phr.} Something to fight over; a reason
for quarrels; the subject of a fight. * /The boundary line between the
farms was a bone of contention between the two farmers./ * /The use of
the car was a bone of contention between Joe and his wife./
[bone to pick] or [crow to pick] {n. phr.}, {informal} A reason for
dispute; something to complain of or argue about. - Often used
jokingly. * /"I have a bone to pick with you," he said./ * /There was
always a crow to pick about which one would shave first in the
morning./ Compare: BONE OF CONTENTION.
[bone up] {v.}, {informal} To fill with information; try to learn a
lot about something in a short time; study quickly. * /Carl was boning
up for an examination./ * /Jim had to make a class report the next day
on juvenile delinquency, and he was in the library boning up on how
the courts handle it./
[bonnet] See: BEE IN ONE'S BONNET.
[book] See: CLOSED BOOK, CLOSE THE BOOKS, HIT THE BOOKS, KEEP
BOOKS, NOSE IN A BOOK, ONE FOR THE BOOKS, READ ONE LIKE A BOOK,
TALKING BOOK, THROW THE BOOK AT.
[boom] See: LOWER THE BOOM.
[boot] See: DIE IN ONE'S BOOTS, IN ONE'S SHOES also IN ONE'S BOOTS,
LICK ONE'S BOOTS, SHAKE IN ONE'S SHOES or SHAKE IN ONE'S BOOTS, TO
BOOT, TOO BIG FOR ONE'S BREECHES or TOO BIG FOR ONE'S BOOTS, YOU BET
or YOU BET YOUR BOOTS.
[boot hill] {n.} A cemetery in the old Wild West where cowboys and
cops and robbers used to be buried with their boots on. Hence,
jokingly, any cemetery. * /Good old Joe, the cowboy, is resting
comfortably in the nearby boot hill./
[boot out] See: KICK OUT.
[boot strap] See: PULL ONESELF UP BY THE BOOTSTRAPS.
[border on] {v. phr.} To be adjacent to; come close to; adjoin. *
/Our village borders on the Mississippi River./ * /John's actions
border on irresponsibility./
[bore to death] See: TO DEATH.
[bore to tears] {v. phr.} To fill with tired dislike; tire by
dullness or the same old thing bore. * /The party was dull and Roger
showed plainly that he was bored to tears./ * /Mary loved cooking, but
sewing bores her to tears./
[born] See: NATURAL-BORN, TO THE MANNER BORN.
[born out of wedlock] {adj. phr.} Born to parents who are not
married to each other; without legal parents. * /Sometimes when a
married couple can't have children, they adopt a child who was born
out of wedlock./ * /Today we no longer make fun of children born out
of wedlock./
[born with a silver spoon in one's mouth] {adj. phr.} Born to
wealth and comfort; provided from birth with everything wanted; born
rich. * /The stranger's conduct was that of a man who had been born
with a silver spoon in his mouth./ Compare: WELL-HEELED.
[born yesterday] {adj. phr.} Inexperienced and easily fooled; not
alert to trickery; easily deceived or cheated. - Usually used in
negative sentences. * /When Bill started the new job, the other
workers teased him a little, but he soon proved to everyone that he
wasn't born yesterday./ * /I won't give you the money till I see the
bicycle you want to sell me. Do you think I was born yesterday?/
Compare: NOBODY'S FOOL.
[borrow] See: LIVE ON BORROWED TIME.
[borrow trouble] {v. phr.} To worry for nothing about trouble that
may not come; make trouble for yourself needlessly. * /Don't borrow
trouble by worrying about next year. It's too far away./ * /You are
borrowing trouble if you try to tell John what to do./ Compare: ASK
FOR, CROSS ONE'S BRIDGES BEFORE ONE COMES TO THEM, CRY BEFORE ONE IS
HURT.
[bosom friend] {n. phr.} A very close friend; an old buddy with
whom one has a confidential relationship. * /Sue and Jane have been
bosom friends since their college days./
[boss] See: STRAW BOSS.
[boss one around] {v. phr.} To keep giving someone orders; to act
overbearingly toward someone. * /"If you keep bossing me around,
darling," Tom said to Jane, "the days of our relationship are surely
numbered."/
[botch up] {v. phr.} To ruin, spoil, or mess something up. * /"I
botched up my chemistry exam," Tim said, with a resigned sigh./
[both] See: CUT BOTH WAYS, PLAGUE ON BOTH YOUR HOUSES.
[both --- and] {coord. conj.} Used to emphasize that two or more
things are talked about. * /Both Frank and Mary were at the party./ *
/Millie is both a good swimmer and a good cook./ * /In the program
tonight Mary will both sing and dance./ * /The frog can move quickly
both on land and in the water./ Compare: AS WELL AS. Contrast EITHER
OR.
[bothered] See: HOT AND BOTHERED.
[bottle blond] {n.}, {slang} A person who is obviously not a
natural blond but whose hair is artificially colored. * /I doubt that
Leonora's hair color is natural; she strikes me as a bottle blond./
[bottleneck] {n.} A heavy traffic congestion. * /In Chicago the
worst bottleneck is found where the Kennedy and the Eden's expressways
separate on the way to the airport./
[bottle up] {v.} 1. To hide or hold back; control. * /There was no
understanding person to talk to, so Fred bottled up his unhappy
feeling./ 2. To hold in a place from which there is no escape; trap. *
/Our warships bottled up the enemy fleet in the harbor./
[bottom] See: BET ONE'S BOOTS or BET ONE'S BOTTOM DOLLAR, FROM THE
BOTTOM OF ONE'S HEART, FROM --- TO ---, GET TO THE BOTTOM OF, HIT
BOTTOM or TOUCH BOTTOM, ROCK BOTTOM, SCRAPE THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL.
[bottom dollar] {n.}, {v. phr.}, {informal} One's last penny, one's
last dollar. * /He was down to his bottom dollar when he suddenly got
the job offer./
[bottom drop out] or [bottom fall out] {v. phr.} {informal} 1. To
fall below an earlier lowest price. * /The bottom dropped out of the
price of peaches./ 2. To lose all cheerful qualities; become very
unhappy, cheerless, or unpleasant. * /The bottom dropped out of the
day for John when he saw his report card./ * /The bottom fell out for
us when the same ended with our team on the two yard line and six
points behind./
[bottom line] {n.}, {informal} (stress on "line") 1. The last word
on a controversial issue; a final decision. * /"Give me the bottom
line on the proposed merger," said John./ 2. The naked truth without
embellishments. * /Look, the bottom line is that poor Max is an
alcoholic./ 3. The final dollar amount; for example, the lowest price
two parties reach in bargaining about a sale. * /"Five-hundred, " said
the used car dealer, "is the bottom line. Take it or leave it."/
[bottom line] {v.}, {informal} (stress on "bottom") To finish; to
bring to a conclusion. * /Okay, you guys, let's bottom line this
project and break for coffee./
[bottom out] {v. phr.} To reach the lowest point (said chiefly of
economic cycles). * /According to the leading economic indicators the
recession will bottom out within the next two months./
[bounce] See: GET THE BOUNCE, GIVE THE BOUNCE.
[bound] See: BIND, BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS, OUT OF BOUNDS, WITHIN
BOUNDS.
[bound for] {adj. phr.} On the way to; going to. * /I am bound for
the country club./ * /The ship is bound for Liverpool./
[bound up with] {v. phr.} To be connected; be involved with. *
/Tuition at our university is bound up with the state budget./
[bow] See: TAKE A BOW.
[bow and scrape] {v.} To be too polite or obedient from fear or
hope of gain; act like a slave. * /The old servant bowed and scraped
before them, too obedient and eager to please./
[bowl of cherries] See: BED OF ROSES.
[bowl over] {v.}, {informal} 1. To knock down as if with a bowled
ball. * /The taxi hit him a glancing blow and bowled him over./ 2. To
astonish with success or shock with misfortune; upset; stun. * /He was
bowled over by his wife's sudden death./ * /The young actress bowled
over everybody in her first movie./
[bow out] {v.}, {informal} 1. To give up taking part; excuse
yourself from doing any more; quit. * /Mr. Black often quarreled with
his partners, so finally he bowed out of the company./ * /While the
movie was being filmed, the star got sick and had to bow out./ 2. To
stop working after a long service; retire. * /He bowed out as train
engineer after forty years of railroading./
[box] See: IN A BIND or IN A BOX, PENALTY BOX, PRESS BOX, STUFF THE
BALLOT BOX, VOICE BOX.
[box office] {n.}, {informal} 1. The place at movies and theaters
where tickets may be purchased just before the performance instead of
having ordered them through the telephone or having bought them at a
ticket agency. * /No need to reserve the seats; we can pick them up at
the box office./ 2. A best selling movie, musical, or drama (where the
tickets are all always sold out and people line up in front of the box
office). * /John Wayne's last movie was a regular box office./ 3.
Anything successful or well liked. * /Betsie is no longer box office
with me./
[boy] See: ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY, FAIR-HAIRED
BOY, MAMA'S BOY, OLD BOY, SEPARATE THE MEN FROM THE BOYS.
[boyfriend] {n.}, {informal} 1. A male friend or companion. *
/"John and his boyfriends have gone to the ball game," said his
mother./ 2. A girl's steady date, a woman's favorite man friend; a
male lover or sweetheart. * /Jane's new boyfriend is a senior in high
school./ Contrast: GIRL FRIEND.
[boys will be boys] Boys are only children and must sometimes get
into mischief or trouble or behave too roughly. * /Boys will be boys
and make a lot of noise, so John's mother told him and his friends to
play in the park instead of the back yard./
[brain] See: BEAT ONE'S BRAINS OUT, BLOW ONE'S BRAINS OUT, ON THE
BRAIN, RACK ONE'S BRAIN, GET ONE'S BRAINS FRIED.
[brain bucket] {n.}, {slang} A motorcycle helmet. * /If you want to
share a ride with me, you've got to wear a brain bucket./
[brain drain] {n.}, {informal} 1. The loss of the leading
intellectuals and researchers of a country due to excessive emigration
to other countries where conditions are better. * /Britain suffered a
considerable brain drain to the United States after World War II./ 2.
An activity requiring great mental concentration resulting in fatigue
and exhaustion * /That math exam I took was a regular brain drain./
[brain-storm] {v.} To have a discussion among fellow researchers or
co-workers on a project in order to find the best solution to a given
problem. * /Dr. Watson and his research assistants are brain-storming
in the conference room./
[brainstorm] {n.} A sudden insight; a stroke of comprehension. *
/Listen to me, I've just had a major brainstorm, and I think I found
the solution to our problem./
[brain trust] {n.} A group of specially trained, highly intelligent
experts in a given field. * /Albert Einstein gathered a brain trust
around himself at the Princeton Institute of Advanced Studies./
[brake] See: RIDE THE BRAKE.
[branch off] {v.} To go from something big or important to
something smaller or less important; turn aside. * /At the bridge a
little road branches off from the highway and follows the river./ *
/Martin was trying to study his lesson, but his mind kept branching
off onto what girl he should ask to go with him to the dance./
[branch out] {v.} To add new interests or activities; begin doing
other things also. * /First Jane collected stamps; then she branched
out and collected coins, too./ * /John started a television repair
shop; when he did well, he branched out and began selling television
sets too./
[brand-new] also [bran-new] {adj.} As new or fresh as when just
made and sold by the manufacturer; showing no use or wear. * /He had
taken a brand-new car from the dealer's floor and wrecked it./ * /In
Uncle Tom's trunk, we found a wedding ring, still in its little
satin-lined box, still brand-new./
[brass] See: DOUBLE IN BRASS, GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS.
[brass hat] {n.}, {slang} 1. A high officer in the army, navy, or
air force. * /The brass hats In Washington often discuss important
secrets./ 2. Any person who has a high position in business, politics,
or other work. * /Mr. Woods, the rich oil man, is a political brass
hat./
[brass tacks] See: GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS.
[brave it out] {v. phr.} To endure something difficult or dangerous
through to the end; keep on through trouble or danger. * /It was a
dangerous ocean crossing in wartime, but captain and crew braved it
out./
[brazen it out] {v. phr.} To pretend you did nothing wrong; be
suspected, accused, or scolded without admitting you did wrong; act as
if not guilty. * /The teacher found a stolen pen that the girl had in
her desk, but the girl brazened it out; she said someone else must
have put it there./
[bread] See: HALF A LOAF is BETTER THAN NONE, KNOW WHICH SIDE ONE'S
BREAD IS BUTTERED ON, TAKE THE BREAD OUT OF ONE'S MOUTH.
[bread and butter(1)] {n. phr.} The usual needs of life; food,
shelter, and clothing. * /Ed earned his bread and butter as a
bookkeeper, but added a little jam by working with a dance band on
weekends./
[bread and butter(2)] {adj.} Thanking someone for entertainment or
a nice visit; thank-you. * /After spending the weekend as a guest in
the Jones' home, Alice wrote the Joneses the usual bread-and-butter
letter./ See: BREAD AND BUTTER LETTER.
[bread and butter(3)] {interj.}, {informal} Spoken to prevent bad
luck that you think might result from some action. * /We'd say "Bread
and butter!" when we had passed on opposite sides of a tree./
[bread-and-butter letter] {n.} A written acknowledgment of
hospitality received. * /Jane wrote the Browns a bread-and-butter
letter when she returned home from her visit to them./
[breadbasket] {n}, {slang} The stomach. * /John is stuffing his
breadbasket again./
[break] See: COFFEE BREAK.
[break away] or [break loose] {v. phr.} To liberate oneself from
someone or something. * /Jane tried to break loose from her attacker,
but he was too strong./
[break camp] {v. phr.} To take down and pack tents and camping
things; take your things from a camping place. * /The scouts broke
camp at dawn./
[break down] {v.} (stress on "down") 1. To smash or hit (something)
so that it falls; cause to fall by force. * /The firemen broke down
the door./ 2. To reduce or destroy the strength or effect of; weaken;
win over. * /By helpful kindness the teacher broke down the new boy's
shyness./ * /Advertising breaks down a lot of stubbornness against
change./ 3. To separate into elements or parts; decay. * /Water is
readily broken down into hydrogen and oxygen./ * /After many years,
rocks break down into dirt./ 4. To become unusable because of breakage
or other failure; lose power to work or go. * /The car broke down
after half an hour's driving./ * /His health broke down./ * /When the
coach was sick in bed, the training rules of the team broke down./
Compare: GO BACK ON(2).
[breakdown] See: NERVOUS BREAKDOWN.
[breaker] See: JAW-BREAKER.
[break even] {v. phr.}, {informal} (stress on "even") To end a
series of gains and losses having the same amount you started with;
have expenses equal to profits; have equal gain and loss. * /The
storekeeper made many sales, but his expenses were so high that he
just broke even./ * /If you gamble you are lucky when you break even./
[break-even] {n.} The point of equilibrium in a business venture
when one has made as much money as one had invested, but not more -
that would be "profit." * /"We've reached the break-even point at long
last!" - Max exclaimed with joy./
[break ground] {v. phr.} To begin a construction project by digging
for the foundation; especially, to turn the formal first spadeful of
dirt. * /City officials and industrial leaders were there as the
company broke ground for its new building./ See: BREAK NEW GROUND.
[break in] {v.} (stress on "in") 1a. To break from outside. * /The
firemen broke in the door of the burning house./ 1b. To enter by force
or unlawfully. * /Thieves broke in while the family was away./ 2. To
enter suddenly or interrupt. * /A stranger broke in on the meeting
without knocking./ * /The secretary broke in to say that a telegram
had arrived./ Compare: CUT IN(2). 3. To make a start in a line of work
or with a company or association; begin a new job. * /He broke in as a
baseball player with a minor league./ 4. To teach the skills of a new
job or activity to. * /An assistant foreman broke in the new man as a
machine operator./ 5. To lessen the stiffness or newness of by use. *
/He broke in a new pair of shoes./ * /Breaking in a new car requires
careful driving at moderate speeds./
[break-in] {n.} (stress on "break") A robbery; a burglary. * /We
lost our jewelry during a break-in./
[break into] {v.} 1. To force an entrance into; make a rough or
unlawful entrance into. * /Thieves broke into the store at night./ 2.
{informal} To succeed in beginning (a career, business, or a social
life) * /He broke into television as an actor./ 3. To interrupt. * /He
broke into the discussion with a shout of warning./ 4. To begin
suddenly. * /He broke into a sweat./ * /She broke into tears./ * /The
dog heard his master's whistle and broke into a run./
[break new ground] {v. phr.} 1. To start a new activity previously
neglected by others; do pioneering work. * /Albert Einstein broke new
ground with his theory of relativity./ 2. To begin something never
done before. * /The school broke new ground with reading lessons that
taught students to guess the meaning of new words./
[break off] {v.} 1. To stop suddenly. * /The speaker was
interrupted so often that he broke off and sat down./ * /When Bob came
in, Jean broke off her talk with Linda and talked to Bob./ 2.
{informal} To end a friendship or love. * /I hear that Tom and Alice
have broken off./ * /She broke off with her best friend./
[break one's balls] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To do
something with maximum effort; to do something very difficult or
taxing * /I've been breaking my balls to buy you this new color TV set
and you aren't the least bit appreciative!/ Compare: BREAK ONE'S NECK.
[break one's heart] {v. phr.} To discourage greatly; make very sad
or hopeless. * /His son's disgrace broke his heart./ * /When Mr. White
lost everything he had worked so hard for, it broke his heart./
[break one's neck] {v. phr.}, {slang} To do all you possibly can;
try your hardest. - Usually used with a limiting adverb or negative. *
/John nearly broke his neck trying not to be late to school./ *
/Mother asked Mary to go to the store when she was free, but not to
break her neck over it./
[break one's word] {v. phr.} To renege on a promise. * /When Jake
broke his word that he would marry Sarah, she became very depressed./
[break out] {v.} 1. To begin showing a rash or other skin disorder.
- Often used with "with". * /He broke out with scarlet fever./ 2. To
speak or act suddenly and violently. * /He broke out laughing./ * /She
broke out, "That is not so!"/ 3. To begin and become noticeable. *
/Fire broke out after the earthquake./ * /War broke out in 1812./
Compare: FLARE UP. 4. {informal} To bring out; open and show. * /When
word of the victory came, people began breaking out their flags./ *
/When Mr. Carson's first son was born, he broke out the cigars he had
been saving./
[break the ice] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To conquer the first
difficulties in starting a conversation, getting a party going, or
making an acquaintance. * /To break the ice Ted spoke of his interest
in mountain climbing, and they soon had a conversation going./ * /Some
people use an unusual thing, such as an unusual piece of jewelry, to
break the ice./ 2. To be the first person or team to score in a game.
* /The Wolves broke the ice with a touchdown./
[break the record] {v. phr.} To set or to establish a new mark or
record. * /Algernon broke the record in both the pentathlon and the
decathlon and took home two gold medals from the Olympics./
[break through] {v.} To be successful after overcoming a difficulty
or bar to success. * /Dr. Salk failed many times but he finally broke
through to find a successful polio vaccine./ * /Jim studied very hard
this semester in college, and he finally broke through onto the Dean's
List for the first time./
[breakthrough] {n.} A point of sudden success after a long process
of experimentation, trial and error. * /The U.S. Space Program
experienced a major breakthrough when Armstrong and Aldrin landed on
the moon in June of 1969./
[break up] {v. phr.} To end a romantic relationship, a marriage, or
a business partnership. * /Tom and Jane broke up because Tom played so
much golf that he had no time for her./
[break up] {v.} 1. To break into pieces. * /The workmen broke up
the pavement to dig up the pipes under it./ * /River ice breaks up in
the spring./ 2. {informal} To lose or destroy spirit or self-control.
- Usually used in the passive. * /Mrs. Lawrence was all broken up
after her daughter's death, and did not go out of the house for two
months./ Compare: CRACK UP, GO TO PIECES. 3. To come or to put to an
end, especially by separation; separate. * /Some men kept interrupting
the speakers, and finally broke up the meeting./ * /The party broke up
at midnight./ - Often used in the informal phrase "break it up". *
/The boys were fighting, and a passing policeman ordered them to break
it up./ Compare: CUT OUT(1). 4. {informal} To stop being friends. *
/Mary and June were good friends and did everything together, but then
they had a quarrel and broke up/ Compare: BREAK OFF.
[break-up] {n.} The end of a relationship, personal or commercial.
* /The break-up finally occurred when Smith and Brown decided to sue
each other for embezzlement./
[break with] {v.} To separate yourself from; end membership in;
stop friendly association with. * /He broke with the Democratic party
on the question of civil rights./ * /He had broken with some friends
who had changed in their ideas./
[breast] See: MAKE A CLEAN BREAST OF.
[breath] See: CATCH ONE'S BREATH, DRAW A LONG BREATH or TAKE A LONG
BREATH, HOLD ONE'S BREATH, IN THE SAME BREATH, OUT OF BREATH, SAVE
ONE'S BREATH, SECOND WIND also SECOND BREATH, TAKE ONE'S BREATH AWAY,
UNDER ONE'S BREATH, WASTE ONE'S BREATH.
[breathe down one's neck] {v. phr.}, {informal} To follow closely;
threaten from behind; watch every action. * /Too many creditors were
breathing down his neck./ * /The carpenter didn't like to work for Mr.
Jones, who was always breathing down his neck./
[breathe easily] or [breathe freely] {v.} To have relief from
difficulty or worry; relax; feel that trouble is gone; stop worrying.
* /Now that the big bills were paid, he breathed more easily./ * /His
mother didn't breathe easily until he got home that night./
[breathe one's last] {v. phr.} To die. * /The wounded soldier fell
back on the ground and breathed his last./
[bred in the bone] {adj. phr.} Belonging to your nature or
character, especially from early teaching or long habit; natural from
belief or habit; believing deeply. * /The Willett children's cleanness
is bred in the none./ Often used, with hyphens before the noun. * /Joe
is a bred-in-the-bone horseman; he has been riding since he was six./
Contrast: SKIN-DEEP.
[breeches] See: TOO BIG FOR ONE'S BREECHES.
[breeze] See: SHOOT THE BREEZE or BAT THE BREEZE or FAN THE BREEZE,
WIN IN A WALK or WIN IN A BREEZE.
[breeze in] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To walk into a place
casually (like a soft blowing wind). * /Betsie breezed in and sat down
at the bar./
[brew] See: HOME BREW.
[brick] See: MAKE BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW.
[brick wall] See: STONE WALL.
[bridge] See: BURN ONE'S BRIDGES, CROSS A BRIDGE BEFORE ONE COMES
TO IT, WATER OVER THE DAM or WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE.
[brief] See: HOLD A BRIEF FOR, IN BRIEF or IN SHORT or IN A WORD.
[bright and early] {adj. phr.} Prompt and alert; on time and ready;
cheerful and on time or before time. * /He came down bright and early
to breakfast./ * /She arrived bright and early for the appointment./
[bring about] {v.} To cause; produce; lead to. * /The war had
brought about great changes in living./ * /Drink brought about his
downfall./
[bring around] or [bring round] {v.} 1. {informal} To restore to
health or consciousness cure. * /He was quite ill, but good nursing
brought him around./ Compare: BRING TO(1). 2. To cause a change in
thinking; persuade; convince; make willing. * /After a good deal of
discussion he brought her round to his way of thinking./
[bringdown] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. (from "bring down", past
"brought down"). A critical or cutting remark said sarcastically in
order to deflate a braggard's ego. * /John always utters the right
bringdown when he encounters a braggard./ 2. A person who depresses
and saddens others by being a chronic complainer. * /John is a regular
bringdown./
[bring down] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. To deflate
(someone's ego). * /John brought Ted down very cleverly with his
remarks./ 2. To depress (someone). * /The funeral brought me down
completely./
[bring down about one's ears] or [bring down around one's ears]
See: ABOUT ONE'S EARS.
[bring down the house] {v. phr.}, {informal} To start an audience
laughing or clapping enthusiastically. * /The principal's story was
funny in itself and also touched their loyalties, so it brought down
the house./ * /The President made a fine speech which brought down the
house./
[bring home] {v.} To show clearly; emphasize; make (someone)
realize; demonstrate. * /The accident caused a death in his family,
and it brought home to him the evil of drinking while driving./ * /A
parent or teacher should bring home to children the value and pleasure
of reading./
[bring home the bacon] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To support your
family; earn the family living. * /He was a steady fellow, who always
brought home the bacon./ 2. To win a game or prize. * /The football
team brought home the bacon./
[bring in] {v.} In baseball: To enable men on base to score, score.
* /Dick's hit brought in both base runners./ * /A walk and a triple
brought in a run in the third inning./
[bring into line] {v. phr.} To make someone conform to the accepted
standard. * /Sam had to be brought into line when he refused to take
his muddy shoes off the cocktail table./
[bring off] {v.} To do (something difficult); perform successfully
(an act of skill); accomplish (something requiring unusual ability). *
/By skillful discussion, Mr. White had brought off an agreement that
had seemed impossible to get./ * /He tried several times to break the
high jump record, and finally he brought it off./ Compare: PUT
OVER(2).
[bring on] {v.} To result in; cause; produce. * /The murder of
Archduke Franz Ferdinand in the summer of 1914 brought on the First
World War./ * /Spinal meningitis brought on John's deafness when he
was six years old./ * /Reading in a poor light may bring on a
headache./
[bring out] {v.} 1. To cause to appear; make clear. * /His report
brought out the foolishness of the plan./ * /Brushing will bring out
the beauty of your hair./ 2. To help (an ability or skill) grow or
develop. * /The teacher's coaching brought out a wonderful singing
voice of great power and warmth./ 3. To offer to the public by
producing, publishing, or selling. * /He brought out a new play./ *
/The company brought out a line of light personal airplanes./
[bring round] See: BRING AROUND.
[bring suit against] {v. phr.} To sue someone in a court of law. *
/Fred brought suit against Tom for fraud and embezzlement./
[bring to] {v.} (stress on "to") 1. To restore to consciousness;
wake from sleep, anesthesia, hypnosis, or fainting. * /Smelling salts
will often bring a fainting person to./ Compare: BRING AROUND(1). 2.
To bring a ship or boat to a stop. * /Reaching the pier, he brought
the boat smartly to./
[bring to a close] {v. phr.} To terminate; cause to end. * /The
meeting was brought to an abrupt close when the speaker collapsed with
a heart attack./
[bring to a head] {v. phr.} To cause some activity to reach the
point of culmination. * /Time is running out, gentlemen, so let us
bring this discussion to a head./
[bring to bay] {v. phr.} To chase or force into a place where
escape is impossible without a fight; trap; corner. * /The police
brought the robber to bay on the roof and he gave up./ * /The fox was
brought to bay in a hollow tree and the dogs stood around it barking./
Compare: AT BAY.
[bring to heel] See: TO HEEL.
[bring to light] {v. phr.} To discover (something hidden); find out
about; expose. * /Many things left by the ancient Egyptians in tombs
have been brought to light by scientists and explorers./ * /His
enemies brought to light some foolish things he had done while young,
but he was elected anyway because people trusted him./ Compare: COME
TO LIGHT.
[bring to one's knees] {v. phr.} To seriously weaken the power or
impair the function of. * /The fuel shortage brought the automobile
industry to its knees./
[bring to pass] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make (something) happen;
succeed in causing. * /By much planning, the mother brought the
marriage to pass./ * /The change in the law was slow in coming, and it
took a disaster to bring it to pass./ Compare: BRING ABOUT, COME TO
PASS.
[bring to terms] {v. phr.} To make (someone) agree or do; make
surrender. * /The two brothers were brought to terms by their father
for riding the bicycle./ * /The war won't end until we bring the enemy
to terms./ Contrast: COME TO TERMS.
[bring up] {v.} 1. To take care of (a child); raise, train,
educate. * /He gave much attention and thought to bringing up his
children./ * /Joe was born in Texas but brought up in Oklahoma./ 2.
{informal} To stop; halt. - Usually used with "short". * /He brought
the car up short when the light changed to red./ * /Bill started to
complain, I brought him up short./ 3. To begin a discussion of; speak
of; mention. * /At the class meeting Bob brought up the idea of a
picnic./
[bring up the rear] {v. phr.} 1. To come last in a march, parade,
or procession; end a line. * /The fire truck with Santa on it brought
up the rear of the Christmas parade./ * /The governor and his staff
brought up the rear of the parade./ 2. {informal} To do least well; do
the most poorly of a group; be last. * /In the race, John brought up
the rear./ * /In the basketball tournament, our team brought up the
rear./
[bring] or [wheel in] or [out] or [up the big guns] {v. phr.} To
make use of a concealed plan in order to defeat an opponent in an
argument or in a game, debate, or competition. * /The new computer
software company decided to bring out the big guns to get ahead of the
competition./
[broke] See: GO BROKE, GO FOR BROKE, STONE-BROKE OT DEAD BROKE or
FLAT BROKE, STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK.
[Bronx cheer] {n. phr.}, {slang} A loud sound made with tongue and
lips to show opposition or scorn. * /When he began to show anti-union
feelings, he was greeted with Bronx cheers all around./
[broom] See: NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN.
[broth] See: SCOTCH BROTH.
[brow] See: BY THE SWEAT OF ONE'S BROW.
[brown] See: DO UP BROWN.
[brown-bagger] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who does not go
to the cafeteria or to a restaurant for lunch at work, but who brings
his homemade lunch to work in order to save money. * /John became a
brown-bagger not because he can't afford the restaurant, but because
he is too busy to go there./
[brown-nose] {v.}, {slang}, {avoidable}, {though gaining in
acceptance} To curry favor in a subservient way, as by obviously
exaggerated flattery. * /Max brown-noses his teachers, that's why he
gets all A's in his courses./ Compare: POLISH THE APPLE.
[brown paper bag] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} An
unmarked police car. * /The beaver got a Christmas card because she
didn't notice the brown paper bag at her back door./ See: PLAIN WHITE
WRAPPER.
[brown study] {n. phr.} A time of deep thought about something; a
deep thoughtful mood. * /When his wife found him, he had pushed away
his books and was in a brown study./
[brush] See: BEAT THE BUSHES or BEAT THE BRUSH.
[brush aside] {v. phr.} To ignore; give no reply. * /Brushing aside
the editor's comments, the young novelist proceeded with his story,
which was subsequently rejected by the publisher./
[brush back] {v.} To throw a baseball pitch close to. * /The
pitcher threw a high inside pitch to brush the batter back./ Syn.:
DUST OFF.
[brushoff] See: GET THE BRUSHOFF, BRUSH OFF or GIVE THE BRUSHOFF.
[brush off] or [give the brush off] {v. phr.} 1. To refuse to hear
or believe; quickly and impatiently; not take seriously or think
important. * /John brushed off Bill's warning that he might fall from
the tree./ * /I said that it might rain and to take the bus, but Joe
gave my idea the brushoff./ * /Father cut his finger but he brushed it
off as not important and kept working./ 2. {informal} To be unfriendly
to; not talk or pay attention to (someone); get rid of. * /Mary
brushed off Bill at the dance./ * /I said hello to Mr. Smith, but he
gave me the brushoff./ Compare: COLD SHOULDER, HIGH-HAT. Contrast: GET
THE BRUSH OFF.
[brush up] or [brush up on] {v.} To refresh one's memory of or
skill at by practice or review; improve; make perfect. * /She spent
the summer brushing up on her American History as she was to teach
that in the fall./ * /He brushed up his target shooting./
[bubble gum music] {n.}, {slang} The kind of rock'n'roll that
appeals to young teenagers. * /When will you learn to appreciate
Mozart instead of that bubble gum music?/
[bubble trouble] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Tire
trouble, flat tire. * /The eighteen wheeler ahead of me seems to have
bubble trouble./
[buck] See: FAST BUCK or QUICK BUCK, PASS THE BUCK.
[bucket] See: KICK THE BUCKET, RAIN CATS AND DOGS or RAIN BUCKETS.
[bucket of bolts] {n.}, {slang} A very old and shaky car that
barely goes. * /When are you going to get rid of that old bucket of
bolts?/
[buckle] See: BUCKLE DOWN or KNUCKLE DOWN.
[buckle down] or [knuckle down] {v.} To give complete attention (to
an effort or job); attend. * /They chatted idly for a few moments then
each buckled down to work./ * /Jim was fooling instead of studying; so
his father told him to buckle down./
[buck passer], [buck-passing] See: PASS THE BUCK.
[buck up] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make or become more cheerful;
make or become free from discouragement; become more hopeful. * /After
the heavy rain, the scoutmaster bucked up the boys by leading them in
a song./ * /Tom was disappointed that he didn't make the team; but he
soon bucked up./
[bud] See: NIP IN THE BUD.
[bug-eyed] {adj.}, {slang} Wide-eyed with surprise. * /He stood
there bug-eyed when told that he had won the award./
[buggy-whip] {n.}, {slang} An unusually long, thin radio antenna on
a car that bends back like a whip when the car moves fast. * /He's
very impressed with himself ever since he got a buggy whip./
[bughouse(1)] {n.}, {slang} An insane asylum. * /They took Joe to
the bughouse./
[bughouse(2)] {adj.}, {slang} Crazy, insane. * /Joe's gone
bughouse./
[bug in one's ear] {n. phr.}, {informal} A hint; secret information
given to someone to make him act; idea. * /I saw Mary at the jeweler's
admiring the diamond pin; I'll put a bug in Henry's ear./
[build] See: JERRY-BUILT.
[build a fire under] {v. phr.} To urge or force (a slow or
unwilling person) to action; get (someone) moving; arouse. * /The
health department built a fire under the restaurant owner and got him
to clean the place up by threatening to cancel his license./
[build castles in the air] or [build castles in Spain] {v. phr.} To
make impossible or imaginary plans, dream about future successes that
are unlikely. * /He liked to build castles in the air, but never
succeeded in anything./ * /To build castles in Spain is natural for
young people and they may work hard enough to get part of their
wishes./
[build on sand] {v. phr.} To lay a weak or insufficient foundation
for a building, a business, or a relationship. * /"I don't want to
build my business on sand," John said, "so please. Dad, give me that
loan I requested."/
[build up] {v.} 1. To make out of separate pieces or layers;
construct from parts. * /Johnny built up a fort out of large balls of
snow./ * /Lois built up a cake of three layers./ 2. To cover over or
fill up with buildings. * /The fields where Tom's father played as a
boy are all built up now./ * /A driver should slow down when he comes
to an area that is built up./ 3a. To increase slowly or by small
amounts; grow. * /John built up a bank account by saving regularly./ *
/The noise built up until Mary couldn't stand it any longer./ 3b. To
make stronger or better or more effective. * /Fred exercised to build
up his muscles./ * /Joanne was studying to build up her algebra./ 3c.
{informal} To advertise quickly and publicize so as to make famous. *
/The press agent built up the young actress./ * /The movie company
spent much money building up its new picture./
[build up to] {v. phr.} To be in the process of reaching a
culmination point. * /The clouds were building up to a violent storm./
* /Their heated words were building up to a premature divorce./
[bull] See: HIT THE BULLS-EYE, SHOOT THE BREEZE or SHOOT THE BULL,
TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS.
[bullet lane] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} The
passing lane. * /Move over into the bullet lane, this eighteen wheeler
is moving too slow./
[bull in a china shop] {n. phr.} A rough or clumsy person who says
or does something to anger others or upset plans; a tactless person. *
/We were talking politely and carefully with the teacher about a class
party, but John came in like a bull in a china shop and his rough talk
made the teacher say no./
[bull session] {n.}, {slang} A long informal talk about something
by a group of persons. * /After the game the boys in the dormitory had
a bull session until the lights went out./
[bullshit] {n.}, {vulgar, but gaining in acceptance by some}
Exaggerated or insincere talk meant to impress others. * /"Joe, this
is a lot of bullshit!"/
[bullshit] {v.}, {vulgar to informal}, {gaining in social
acceptance by some} To exaggerate or talk insincerely in an effort to
make yourself seem impressive. * /"Stop bullshitting me, Joe, I can't
believe a word of what you're saying."/
[bullshit artist] {n.}, {slang}, {vulgar, but gaining in social
acceptance} A person who habitually makes exaggerated or insincerely
flattering speeches designed to impress others. * /Joe is a regular
bullshit artist, small wonder he keeps gettine promoted ahead of
everyone else./
[bum around] {v. phr.}, {slang} To aimlessly wander in no definite
direction, like a vagabond. * /Jim had been bumming around in the
desert for three days and nights before he was able to remember how he
got there in the first place./
[bump] See: GOOSE BUMPS.
[bump into] {v.}, {informal} To meet without expecting to; happen
to meet; come upon by accident. * /Mary was walking down the street,
when she suddenly bumped into Joan./ * /Ed was surprised to bump into
John at the football game./ Syn.: RUN INTO.
[bump off] {v.}, {slang} To kill in a violent way; murder in
gangster fashion. * /Hoodlums in a speeding car bumped him off with
Tommy guns./
[bum's rush] {n. phr.}, {slang} Throwing or pushing someone out
from where he is not wanted. * /When John tried to go to the party
where he was not invited, Bill and Fred gave him the bum's rush./ *
/Tom became too noisy, and he got the bum's rush./ 2. To hurry or rush
(someone). * /The salesman tried to give me the bum's rush./
[bum steer] {n.} Wrong or misleading directions given naively or on
purpose. * /Man, you sure gave me a bum steer when you told me to go
north on the highway; you should have sent me south!/
[bundle of laughs] {n. phr.} A very amusing person, thing, or
event. * /Uncle Lester tells so many jokes that he is a bundle of
laughs./
[bundle up] See: WRAP UP(1).
[burn] See: EARS BURN, KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING, MONEY TO BURN.
[burn a hole in one's pocket] {v. phr.} To make you want to buy
something; be likely to be quickly spent. * /Money burns a hole in
Linda's pocket./ * /The silver dollar that Don got for his birthday
was burning a hole in his pocket, and Don hurried to a dime store./
[burn down] {v. phr.} To burn to the ground; be totally gutted by
fire. * /The old frame house burned down before the firefighters could
get to it./
[burn in effigy] See: HANG IN EFFIGY.
[burn one's bridges] also [burn one's boats] {v. phr.} To make a
decision that you cannot change; remove or destroy all the ways you
can get back out of a place you have got into on purpose; leave
yourself no way to escape a position. * /Bob was a good wrestler but a
poor boxer. He burned his boats by letting Mickey choose how they
would fight./ * /When Dorothy became a nun, she burned her bridges
behind her./
[burn one's fingers] {v. phr.}, {informal} To get in trouble doing
something and fear to do it again; learn caution through an unpleasant
experience. * /He had burned his fingers in the stock market once, and
didn't want to try again./ * /Some people can't be told; they have to
burn their fingers to learn./
[burn out] {v. phr.} 1. To destroy by fire or by overheating. *
/Mr. Jones burned out the clutch on his car./ 2. To destroy someone's
house or business by fire so that they have to move out. * /Three
racists burned out the Black family's home./ 3a. To go out of order;
cease to function because of long use or overheating. * /The light
bulb in the bathroom burned out, and Father put in a new one./ * /The
electric motor was too powerful, and it burned out a fuse./ 3b. To
break, tire, or wear out by using up all the power, energy, or
strength of. * /Bill burned himself out in the first part of the race
and could not finish./ * /The farmer burned out his field by planting
the same crop every year for many years./
[burn-out] {n.} A point of physical or emotional exhaustion. *
/There are so many refugees all over the world that charitable
organizations as well as individuals are suffering from donor
burn-out./
[burn rubber] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To start up a car or a
motorcycle from dead stop so fast that the tires leave a mark on the
road. * /The neighborhood drag racers burned a lot of rubber - look at
the marks on the road!/ 2. To leave in a hurry. * /I guess I am going
to have to burn rubber./
[burnt child dreads the fire] or [once bitten, twice shy] A person
who has suffered from doing something has learned to avoid doing it
again. - A proverb. * /Once Mary had got lost when her mother took her
downtown. But a burnt child dreads the fire, so now Mary stays close
to her mother when they are downtown./
[burn the candle at both ends] {v. phr.} To work or play too hard
without enough rest; get too tired. * /He worked hard every day as a
lawyer and went to parties and dances every night; he was burning the
candle at both ends./
[burn the midnight oil] {v. phr.} To study late at night. * /Exam
time was near, and more and more pupils were burning the midnight
oil./
[bum to a crisp] {v. phr.} To burn black; burn past saving or using
especially as food. * /While getting breakfast, Mother was called to
the telephone, and when she got back, the bacon had been burned to a
crisp./
[burn up] {v.} 1. To burn completely; destroy or be destroyed by
fire. * /Mr. Scott was burning up old letters./ * /The house burned up
before the firemen got there./ 2. {informal} To irritate, anger,
annoy. * /The boy's laziness and rudeness burned up his teacher./ *
/The breakdown of his new car burned Mr. Jones up./
[burn up the road] {v. phr.}, {informal} To drive a car very fast.
* /In his eagerness to see his girl again, he burned up the road on
his way to see her./ * /Speed demons burning up the road often cause
accidents./
[burst at the seams] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be too full or too
crowded. * /John ate so much he was bursting at the seams./ * /Mary's
album was so full of pictures it was bursting at the seams./
[burst into] {v. phr.} 1. To enter suddenly. * /Stuart burst into
the room, screaming angrily./ 2. To break out. * /The crowd burst out
cheering when the astronauts paraded along Fifth Avenue./
[burst into flames] {v. phr.} To begin to burn suddenly. * /The
children threw away some burning matches and the barn burst into
flames./
[burst into tears] {v. phr.} To suddenly start crying. * /Mary
burst into tears when she heard that her brother was killed in a car
accident./
[burst with joy] or [pride] {v. phr.} To be so full of the feeling
of joy or pride that one cannot refrain from showing one's exuberant
feelings. * /Armstrong and Aldrin burst with pride when they stepped
out on the moon in July, 1969./
[bury one's head in the sand] See: HIDE ONE'S HEAD IN THE SAND.
[bury the hatchet] {v. phr.}, {informal} To settle a quarrel or end
a war; make peace. * /The two men had been enemies a long time, but
after the flood they buried the hatchet./ Compare: MAKE UP(5).
[bus] See: MISS THE BOAT or MISS THE BUS.
[bush] See: BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH, BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN
THE BUSH.
[bushel] See: HIDE ONE'S LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL.
[bushes] See: BEAT THE BUSHES.
[business] See: DO THE BUSINESS, HAVE NO BUSINESS, LAND-OFFICE
BUSINESS, MEAN BUSINESS, MONKEY BUSINESS, THE BUSINESS.
[bust up] {v. phr.}, {slang} To terminate a partnership, a
relationship, a friendship, or a marriage. * /If Jack keeps drinking
the way he does, it will bust up his marriage to Sue./
[busy work] {n.} Work that is done not to do or finish anything
important, but just to keep busy. * /When the teacher finished all she
had to say it was still a half hour before school was over. So she
gave the class a test for busy work./
[but for] See: EXCEPT FOR.
[but good] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Very much so; thoroughly
completely; forcefully. - Used for emphasis. * /Jack called Charles a
bad name, and Charles hit him, but good./ * /Tom fell and broke his
leg. That taught him but good not to fool around in high trees./
Compare: AND HOW.
[but not least] See: LAST BUT NOT LEAST.
[butter] See: BREAD AND BUTTER.
[butterflies in one's stomach] {n. phr.} A queer feeling in the
stomach caused by nervous fear or uncertainty; a feeling of fear or
anxiety in the stomach. * /When Bob walked into the factory office to
ask for a job, he had butterflies in his stomach./
[butter up] {v.}, {informal} To try to get the favor or friendship
of (a person) by flattery or pleasantness. * /He began to butter up
the boss in hope of being given a better job./ Compare: POLISH THE
APPLE.
[butter wouldn't melt in one's mouth] {informal} You act very
polite and friendly but do not really care, you are very nice to
people but are not sincere. * /The new secretary was rude to the other
workers, but when she talked to the boss, butter wouldn't melt in her
mouth./
[butt in] {v.}, {slang} To join in with what other people are doing
without asking or being asked; interfere in other people's business;
meddle. * /Mary was explaining to Jane how to knit a sweater when
Barbara butted in./ Often used with "on". * /John butted in on Bill
and Tom's fight, and got hurt./ Compare: HORN IN.
[button] See: HAVE ALL ONE'S BUTTONS, ON THE BUTTON, PUSH THE PANIC
BUTTON.
[button down] {v.}, {slang} (stress on "down") To state precisely,
to ascertain, to pin down, to peg down. * /First let's get the facts
buttoned down, then we can plan ahead./
[button-down] {attrib. adj.}, {slang} (stress on "button")
Well-groomed, conservatively dressed. * /Joe is a regular button-down
type./
[buttonhole] {v.} To approach a person in order to speak with him
or her in private. * /After waiting for several hours, Sam managed to
buttonhole his boss just as she was about to leave the building./
[button one's lip] also [zip one's lip] {v. phr.}, {slang} To stop
talking; keep a secret; shut your mouth; be quiet. * /The man was
getting loud and insulting and the cop told him to button his lip./ *
/John wanted to talk, but Dan told him to keep his lip buttoned./
Syn.: KEEP ONE'S MOUTH SHUT, SHUT UP.
[buy for a song] {v. phr.} To buy something very cheaply. * /Since
the building on the corner was old and neglected, I was able to buy it
for a song./
[buy off] {v.} To turn from duty or purpose by a gift. * /When the
police threatened to stop the gambling business, the owner bought them
off./ * /The Indians were going to burn the cabins, but the men bought
them off with gifts./ Compare: PAY OFF.
[buy out] {v.} 1. To buy the ownership or a share of; purchase the
stock of. * /He bought out several small stockholders. 2. To buy all
the goods of; purchase the merchandise of./ * /Mr. Harper bought out a
nearby hardware store./ Contrast: SELL OUT.
[buy up] {v. phr.} To purchase the entire stock of something. *
/The company is trying to buy up all the available shares./
[buzz] See: GIVE A RING also GIVE A BUZZ.
[buzz word] {n.} A word that sounds big and important in a sentence
but, on closer inspection, means little except the speaker's
indication to belong to a certain group. * /The politician's speech
was nothing but a lot of misleading statements and phony promises
hidden in a bunch of buzz words./
[by] See: TOO --- BY HALF.
[by a hair] See: HANG BY A THREAD or HANG BY A HAIR
[by] or [in my book] {adv. phr.} In my opinion; as far as I am
concerned; in my judgment. * /By my book, Mr. Murgatroyd is not a very
good department head./
[by all means] also [by all manner of means] {adv. phr.} Certainly,
without fail. * /He felt that he should by all means warn Jones./
Contrast: BY NO MEANS.
[by all odds] {adv. phr.} Without question; certainly. * /He was by
all odds the strongest candidate./ * /By all odds we should win the
game, because the other team is so weak./ Compare: FAR AND AWAY.
[by a long shot] {adv. phr.}, {informal} By a big difference; by
far. - Used to add emphasis. * /Bert was the best swimmer in the race,
by a long shot./ Often used with a negative. * /Tom isn't the kind who
would be fresh to a teacher, by a long shot./ * /Our team didn't win -
not by a long shot./ Compare: MISS BY A MILE.
[by a mile] See: MISS BY A MILE.
[by and by] {adv.} After a while; at some time in the future;
later. * /Roger said he would do his homework by and by./ * /The
mother knew her baby would be a man by and by and do a man's work./
Syn.: AFTER A WHILE.
[by and large] {adv. phr.} As it most often happens; more often
than not; usually; mostly. * /There were bad days, but it was a
pleasant summer, by and large./ * /By and large, women can bear pain
better than men./ Syn.: FOR THE MOST PART, ON THE WHOLE(2).
[by any means] See: BY NO MEANS.
[by a thread] See: HANG BY A THREAD.
[by chance] {adv. phr.} Without any cause or reason; by accident;
accidentally. * /Tom met Bill by chance./ * /The apple fell by chance
on Bobby's head./
[by choice] {adv. phr.} As a result of choosing because of wanting
to; freely. * /John helped his father by choice./ * /Mary ate a plum,
but not by choice. Her mother told her she must eat it./
[by dint of] {prep.} By the exertion of; by the use of; through. *
/By dint of sheer toughness and real courage, he lived through the
jungle difficulties and dangers./ * /His success in college was
largely by dint of hard study./
[bye] See: BY THE WAY also BY THE BYE.
[by ear] {adv. phr.} 1. By sound, without ever reading the printed
music of the piece being played. * /The church choir sang the hymns by
ear./ 2. Waiting to see what will happen. * /I don't want to plan now;
let's just play it by ear./
[by far] {adv. phr.} By a large difference; much. * /His work was
better by far than that of any other printer in the city./ * /The old
road is prettier, but it is by far the longer way./ Compare: FAR AND
AWAY.
[by fits and starts] or [jerks] {adv. phr.} With many stops and
starts, a little now and a little more later; not all the time;
irregularly. * /He had worked on the invention by fits and starts for
several years./ * /You will never get anywhere if you study just by
fits and starts./ Compare: FROM TIME TO TIME, OFF AND ON.
[bygone] See: LET BYGONES BE BYGONES.
[by heart] {adv. phr.} By exact memorizing; so well that you
remember it; by memory. * /The pupils learned many poems by heart./ *
/He knew the records of the major league teams by heart./
[by hook or by crook] {adv. phr.} By honest ways or dishonest in
any way necessary. * /The wolf tried to get the little pigs by hook or
by crook./ * /The team was determined to win that last game by hook or
by crook, and three players were put out of the game for fouling./
[by inches] {adv. phr.} By small or slow degrees; little by little;
gradually. * /The river was rising by inches./ * /They got a heavy
wooden beam under the barn for a lever, and managed to move it by
inches./ * /He was dying by inches./
[by leaps and bounds] {adv. phr.} With long steps; very rapidly. *
/Production in the factory was increasing by leaps and bounds./ * /The
school enrollment was going up by leaps and bounds./
[by means of] {prep.} By the use of; with the help of. * /The
fisherman saved himself by means of a floating log./ * /By means of
monthly payments, people can buy more than in the past./
[by mistake] {adv. phr.} As the result of a mistake; through error.
* /He picked up the wrong hat by mistake./
[by no means] or [not by any means] also [by no manner of means] or
[not by any manner of means] {adv. phr.} Not even a little; certainly
not. * /He is by no means bright./ * /"May I stay home from school?"
"By no means."/ * /Dick worked on his project Saturday, but he is not
finished yet, by any means./ Contrast: BY ALL MEANS.
[B.Y.O.] (Abbreviation) {informal} Bring Your Own. Said of a kind
of party where the host or hostess does not provide the drinks or food
but people ring their own.
[B.Y.O.B.] (Abbreviation) {informal} Bring Your Own Bottle.
Frequently written on invitations for the kind of party where people
bring their own liquor.
[by oneself] {adv. phr.} 1. Without any others around; separate
from others; alone. * /The house stood by itself on a hill./ * /Tom
liked to go walking by himself./ * /Betty felt very sad and lonely by
herself./ 2. Without the help of anyone else; by your own work only. *
/John built a flying model airplane by himself./ * /Lois cleaned the
house all by herself./
[by one's own bootstraps] See: PULL ONE SELF UP BY THE BOOTSTRAPS.
[by storm] See: TAKE BY STORM.
[by surprise] See: TAKE BY SURPRISE.
[by the board] See: GO BY THE BOARD also PASS BY THE BOARD.
[by the bootstraps] See: PULL ONESELF UP BY THE BOOTSTRAPS.
[by the bye] See: BY THE WAY.
[by the dozen] or [by the hundred] or [by the thousand] {adv. phr.}
Very many at one time; in great numbers. * /Tommy ate cookies by the
down./ Often used in the plural, meaning even larger numbers. * /The
ants arrived at the picnic by the hundreds./ * /The enemy attacked the
fort by the thousands./
[by the horns] See: TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS.
[by the hundred] See: BY THE DOZEN.
[by the nose] See: LEAD BY THE NOSE.
[by the piece] {adv. phr.} Counted one piece at a time, separately
for each single piece. * /John bought boxes full of bags of potato
chips and sold them by the piece./ * /Mary made potholders and got
paid by the piece./
[by the seat of one's pants] See: FLY BY THE SEAT OF ONE'S PANTS.
[by the skin of one's teeth] {adv. phr.} By a narrow margin; with
no room to spare; barely. * /The drowning man struggled, and I got him
to land by the skin of my teeth./ * /She passed English by the skin of
her teeth./ Compare: SQUEAK THROUGH, WITHIN AN ACE OF or WITHIN AN
INCH OF.
[by the sweat of one's brow] {adv. phr.} By hard work; by tiring
effort; laboriously. * /Even with modern labor-saving machinery, the
farmer makes his living by the sweat of his brow./
[by the thousand] See: BY THE DOZEN.
[by the way] also [by the bye] {adv. phr.} Just as some added fact
or news; as something else that I think of. - Used to introduce
something related to the general subject, or brought to mind by it. *
/We shall expect you; by the way, dinner will be at eight./ * /I was
reading when the earthquake occurred, and, by the way, it was The Last
Days of Pompeii that I was reading./
[by the wayside] See: FALL BY THE WAYSIDE.
[by turns] {adv. phr.} First one and then another in a regular way;
one substituting for or following another according to a repeated
plan. * /On the drive to Chicago, the three men took the wheel by
turns./ * /The teachers were on duty by turns./ * /When John had a
fever, he felt cold and hot by turns./ Syn.: IN TURN. Compare: TAKE
TURNS.
[by virtue of] also [in virtue of] {prep.} On the strength of;
because of; by reason of. * /By virtue of his high rank and position,
the President takes social leadership over almost everyone else./ *
/Plastic bags are useful for holding many kinds of food, by virtue of
their clearness, toughness, and low cost./ Compare: BY DINT OF.
[by way of] {prep.} 1. For the sake or purpose of; as. * /By way of
example, he described his own experience./ 2. Through; by a route
including; via. * /He went from New York to San Francisco by way of
Chicago./
[by word of mouth] {adv. phr.} From person to person by the spoken
word; orally. * /The news got around by word of mouth./ * /The message
reached him quietly by word of mouth./
C
[cahoots] See: IN LEAGUE WITH or IN CAHOOTS WITH.
[Cain] See: RAISE CAIN.
[cake] See: EAT-ONE'S CAKE AND HAVE IT TOO, PAT-A-CAKE, TAKE THE
CAKE.
[calculated risk] {n.} An action that may fail but is judged more
likely to succeed. * /The sending of troops to the rebellious island
was a calculated risk./
[calf love] See: PUPPY LOVE.
[call] See: AT CALL, AT ONE'S BECK AND CALL, CLOSE CALL, ON CALL,
PORT OF CALL, POT CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK, WITHIN CALL.
[call a halt] {v. phr.} To give a command to stop. * /The scouts
were tired during the hike, and the scoutmaster called a halt./ *
/When the children's play, got too noisy, their mother called a halt./
[call a spade a spade] {v. phr.} To call a person or thing a name
that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language.
* /A boy took some money from Dick's desk and said he borrowed it, but
I told him he stole it; I believe in calling a spade a spade./
[call down] also [dress down] {v.}, {informal} To scold. * /Jim was
called down by his teacher for being late to class./ * /Mother called
Bob down for walking into the kitchen with muddy boots./ Compare: CALL
ON THE CARPET, CHEW OUT, BAWL OUT, READ THE RIOT ACT.
[call for] {v.} 1. To come or go to get (someone or something). *
/John called for Mary to take her to the dance./ Syn.: PICK UP. 2. To
need; require. * /The cake recipe calls for two cups of flour./ *
/Success in school calls for much hard study./
[call girl] {n.}, {slang} A prostitute catering to wealthy
clientele, especially one who is contacted by telephone for an
appointment. * /Rush Street is full of call girls./
[calling down] also [dressing down] {n. phr.}, {informal} A
scolding; reprimand. * /The judge gave the boy a calling down for
speeding./
[call in question] or [call into question] or [call in doubt] {v.
phr.} To say (something) may be a mistake; express doubt about;
question. * /Bill called in question Ed's remark that basketball is
safer than football./
[call it a day] {v. phr.} To declare that a given day's work has
been accomplished and go home; to quit for the day. * /"Let's call it
a day," the boss said, "and go out for a drink."/ * /It was nearly
midnight, so Mrs. Byron decided to call it a day, and left the party,
and went home./ * /The four golfers played nine holes and then called
it a day./ Compare: CLOSE UP SHOP.
[call it a night] {v. phr.} To declare that an evening party or
other activity conducted late in the day is finished. * /I am so tired
that I am going to call it a night and go to bed./
[call it quits] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To decide to stop what you
are doing; quit. * /When Tom had painted half the garage, he called it
quits./ 2. To agree that each side in a fight is satisfied; stop
fighting because a wrong has been paid back; say things are even. *
/Pete called Tom a bad name, and they fought till Tom gave Pete a
bloody nose; then they called it quits./ 3. To cultivate a habit no
longer. * /"Yes, I called it quits with cigarettes three years ago."/
[call names] {v. phr.} To use ugly or unkind words when speaking to
someone or when talking about someone. - Usually used by or to
children. * /Bill got so mad he started calling Frank names./
[call off] {v.} To stop (something planned); quit; cancel. * /When
the ice became soft and sloppy, we had to call off the ice-skating
party./ * /The baseball game was called off because of rain./
[call on] or [call upon] {v.} 1. To make a call upon; visit. * /Mr.
Brown called on an old friend while he was in the city./ 2. To ask for
help. * /He called on a friend to give him money for the busfare to
his home./
[call one's bluff] {v. phr.}, {informal} To ask someone to prove
what he says he can or will do. (Originally from the card game of
poker.) * /Tom said he could jump twenty feet and so Dick called his
bluff and said "Let's see you do it!"/
[call one's shot] {v. phr.} 1. To tell before firing where a bullet
will hit. * /An expert rifleman can call his shot regularly./ * /The
wind was strong and John couldn't call his shots./ 2. or [call the
turn] To tell in advance the result of something before you do it. *
/Mary won three games in a row, just as she said she would. She called
her turns well./ * /Nothing ever happens as Tom says it will. He is
very poor at calling his turns./
[call on the carpet] {v. phr.}, {informal} To call (a person)
before an authority (as a boss or teacher) for a scolding or
reprimand. * /The worker was called on the carpet by the boss for
sleeping on the job./ * /The principal called Tom on the carpet and
warned him to stop coming to school late./
[call the roll] {v. phr.} To read out the names on a certain list,
usually in alphabetical order. * /The sergeant called the roll of the
newly enlisted volunteers in the army./
[call the shots] {v. phr.}, {informal} To give orders; be in
charge; direct; control. * /Bob is a first-rate leader who knows how
to call the shots./ * /The quarterback called the shots well, and the
team gained twenty yards in five plays./ Syn.: CALL THE TUNE.
[call the tune] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be in control; give orders
or directions; command. * /Bill was president of the club but Jim was
secretary and called the tune./ * /The people supported the mayor, so
he could call the tune in city matters./ Syn.: CALL THE SHOTS.
[call the turn] See: CALL ONE'S SHOT(2).
[call to account] {v. phr.} 1. To ask (someone) to explain why he
did something wrong (as breaking a rule). * /The principal called Jim
to account after Jim left school early without permission./ 2. To
scold (as for wrong conduct); reprimand. * /The father called his son
to account for disobeying him./
[call to arms] {v. phr.} To summon into the army. * /During World
War II millions of Americans were called to arms to fight for their
country./
[call to mind] {v. phr.} To remember; cause to remember. * /Your
story calls to mind a similar event that happened to us a few years
back./
[call to order] {v. phr.} 1. To open (a meeting) formally. * /The
chairman called the committee to order./ * /The president pounded with
his gavel to call the convention to order./ 2. To warn not to break
the rules of a meeting. * /The judge called the people in the court
room to order when they talked too loud./
[call out] {v. phr.} 1. To shout; speak loudly. * /My name was
called out several times, but I was unable to hear it./ 2. To summon
someone. * /If the rioting continues, the governor will have to call
out the National Guard./
[call up] {v.} 1. To make someone think of; bring to mind; remind.
* /The picture of the Capitol called up memories of our class trip./
2. To tell to come (as before a court). * /The district attorney
called up three witnesses./ 3. To bring together for a purpose; bring
into action. * /Jim called up all his strength, pushed past the
players blocking him, and ran for a touchdown./ * /The army called up
its reserves when war seemed near./ 4. To call on the telephone. *
/She called up a friend just for a chat./
[call upon] See: CALL ON.
[calm down] {v. phr.} To become quiet; relax. * /"Calm down, Mr.
Smith," the doctor said with a reassuring smile. "You are going to
live a long time."/
[camel] See: STRAW THAT
BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK at LAST STRAW.
[camp] See: BREAK CAMP.
[campaign] See: WHISPERING CAMPAIGN.
[camp follower] {n.} 1. A man or woman who goes with an army, not
to fight but to sell something. * /Nowadays camp followers are not
allowed as they were long ago./ 2. A person who goes with a famous or
powerful person or group in hope of profit. * /A man who runs for
president has many camp followers./
[camp out] {v.} To live, cook, and sleep out of doors (as in a
tent). * /We camped out near the river for a week./
[can] See: AS BEST ONE CAN, CATCH AS CATCH CAN.
[canary] See: LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY or LOOK LIKE
THE CAT THAT SWALLOWED THE CANARY.
[cancel out] {v.} To destroy the effect of; balance or make
useless. * /The boy got an "A" in history to cancel out the "C" he got
in arithmetic./ * /Our track team won the mile relay to cancel out the
other team's advantage in winning the half-mile relay./ * /Tom's hot
temper cancels out his skill as a player./
[cancer stick] {n.}, {slang} A cigarette. * /Throw away that cancer
stick! Smoking is bad for you!/
[candle] BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS, GAME IS NOT WORTH THE
CANDLE, HOLD A CANDLE.
[canned heat] {n.} Chemicals in a can which burn with a hot,
smokeless flame. * /Some people use canned heat to keep food warm./ *
/The mountain climbers used canned heat for cooking./
[canned laughter] {n.}, {informal} The sounds of laughter heard on
certain television programs that were obviously not recorded in front
of a live audience and are played for the benefit of the audience from
a stereo track to underscore the funny points. * /"How can there be an
audience in this show when it is taking place in the jungle? - Why,
it's canned laughter you're hearing."/
[canned music] {n.} Recorded music, as opposed to music played
live. * /"Let us go to a real concert, honey," Mike said. "I am tired
of all this canned music we've been listening to."/
[canoe] See: PADDLE ONE'S OWN CANOE.
[can of worms] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A complex problem, or
complicated situation. * /Let's not get into big city politics -
that's a different can of worms./ 2. A very restless, jittery person.
* /Joe can't sit still for a minute - he is a can of worms./
[can't help but] {informal} also {formal} [cannot but] {v. phr.} To
be forced to; can only; must. * /When the streets are full of melting
snow, you can't help but get your shoes wet./ * /When a friend gave
Jim a ticket to the game, he couldn't help but go./ * /When a close
friend dies, you cannot but feel sad./ Compare: CAN HELP, HAVE TO.
[can't make an omelette without breaking (some) eggs] To achieve a
certain goal one must sometimes incur damage, experience difficulties,
or make sacrifices. - A proverb. * /When we drove across the country,
we put a lot of mileage on our car and had a flat tire, but it was a
pleasant trip. "Well, you can't make an omelette without breaking some
eggs," my wife said with a smile./
[can't see the wood for the trees] or [can't see the woods for the
trees] or [can't see the forest for the trees] {v. phr.} To be unable
to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts;
criticize small things and not see the value or the aim of the future
achievement. * /Teachers sometimes notice language errors and do not
see the good ideas in a composition; they cannot see the woods for the
trees./ * /The voters defeated a bond issue for the new school because
they couldn't see the forest for the trees; they thought of their
taxes rather than of their children's education./ * /We should think
of children's growth in character and understanding more than of their
little faults and misdeeds; some of us can't see the wood for the
trees./
[cap] See: FEATHER IN ONE'S CAP, SET ONE'S CAP FOR, PUT ON ONE'S
THINKING CAP.
[cap the climax] {v. phr.} To exceed what is already a high point
of achievement. * /Sam's piano recital was great, but Bill's
performance capped the climax./
[card] See: CREDIT CARD, FLASH CARD, HOUSE OF CARDS, IN THE CARDS
or ON THE CARDS, LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE, PLAY ONE'S CARDS RIGHT,
PUT ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE, STACK THE CARDS, TRUMP CARD.
[cards stacked against one] See: STACK THE CARDS.
[card up one's sleeve] {n. phr.}, {informal} Another help, plan, or
argument kept back and produced if needed; another way to do
something. * /John knew his mother would lend him money if necessary,
but he kept that card up his sleeve./ * /Bill always has a card up his
sleeve, so when his first plan failed he tried another./ Compare: ACE
IN THE HOLE(2).
[care] See: COULDN'T CARE LESS, HAVE A CARE, GIVE A HANG or CARE A
HANG, TAKE CARE.
[carpet] See: CALL ON THE CARPET, MAGIC CARPET, ROLL OUT THE RED
CARPET.
[car pool] {n.} A group of people who own cars and take turns
driving each other to work or on some other regular trip. * /It was
John's father's week to drive his own car in the car pool./
[carriage trade] {n.}, {literary} Rich or upper class people. *
/The hotel is so expensive that only the carriage trade stays there./
* /The carriage trade buys its clothes at the best stores./
[carrot and stick] {n. phr.} The promise of reward and threat of
punishment, both at the same time. * /John's father used the carrot
and stick when he talked about his low grades./
[carry] See: CASH-AND-CARRY.
[carry a torch] or [carry the torch] {v. phr.} 1. To show great and
unchanging loyalty to a cause or a person. * /Although the others gave
up fighting for their rights, John continued to carry the torch./ 2.
{informal} To be in love, usually without success or return. * /He is
carrying a torch for Anna, even though she is in love with someone
else./
[carry a tune] {v. phr.} To sing the right notes without catching
any false ones. * /Al is a wonderful fellow, but he sure can't carry a
tune and his singing is a pain to listen to./
[carry away] {v.} To cause very strong feeling; excite or delight
to the loss of cool judgment. * /The music carried her away./ * /He
let his anger carry him away./ - Often used in the passive, * /She was
carried away by the man's charm./ * /He was carried away by the sight
of the flag./
[carry coals to Newcastle] {v. phr.} To do something unnecessary;
bring or furnish something of which there is plenty. * /The man who
waters his grass after a good rain is carrying coals to Newcastle./ *
/Joe was carrying coals to Newcastle when he told the doctor how to
cure a cold./ (Newcastle is an English city near many coal mines, and
coal is sent out from there to other places.)
[carrying charge] {n.} An extra cost added to the price of
something bought on weekly or monthly payments. * /The price of the
bicycle was $50. Jim bought it for $5.00 a month for ten months plus a
carrying charge of $1 a month./
[carry on] {v.} 1. To cause death of; kill. * /Years ago smallpox
carried off hundreds of Indians of the Sioux tribe./ Compare: WIPE
OUT. 2. To succeed in winning. * /Bob carried off honors in science./
* /Jim carried off two gold medals in the track meet./ 3. To succeed
somewhat unexpectedly in. * /The spy planned to deceive the enemy
soldiers and carried it off very well./ * /In the class play, Lloyd
carried off his part surprisingly well./
[carry --- off one's feet] See: KNOCK OFF ONE'S FEET, SWEEP OFF
ONE'S FEET.
[carry off the palm] or [bear off the palm] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To gain the victory; win. * /John carried off the palm in the tennis
championship match./ * /Our army bore off the palm in the battle./
(From the fact that long ago a palm leaf was given to the winner in a
game as a sign of victory.)
[carry on] {v.} 1. To work at; be busy with; manage. * /Bill and
his father carried on a hardware business./ * /Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith
carried on a long correspondence with each other./ 2. To keep doing as
before; continue. * /After his father died, Bill carried on with the
business./ * /The colonel told the soldiers to carry on while he was
gone./ * /Though tired and hungry, the Scouts carried on until they
reached camp./ Compare: BEAR UP(2), GO ON. 3a. {informal} To behave in
a noisy, foolish, and troublesome manner. * /The boys carried on in
the swimming pool until the lifeguard ordered them out./ 3b.
{informal} To make too great a show of feeling, such as anger, grief,
and pain. * /John carried on for ten minutes after he hit his thumb
with the hammer./ Compare: TAKE ON(4). 4. {informal} To act in an
immoral or scandalous way; act disgracefully. * /The townspeople said
that he was carrying on with a neighbor girl./
[carry one's cross] or {literary} [bear one's cross] {v. phr.} To
live with pain or trouble; keep on even though you suffer or have
trouble. * /Weak ankles are a cross Joe carries while the other boys
play basketball./ * /We didn't know the cheerful woman was bearing her
cross, a son in prison./
[carry out] {v.} To put into action; follow; execute. * /The
generals were determined to carry out their plans to defeat the
enemy./ * /John listened carefully and carried out the teacher's
instructions./
[carry over] {v.} 1. To save for another time. * /The store had
some bathing suits it had carried over from last year./ * /What you
learn in school should carry over into adult life./ 2. To transfer (as
a figure) from one column, page, or book to another. * /When he added
up the figures, he carried over the total into the next year's account
book./ 3. To continue in another place. * /The story was carried over
to the next page./
[carry the ball] {v. phr.}, {informal} To take the most important
or difficult part in an action or business. * /None of the other boys
would tell the principal about their breaking the window, and John had
to carry the ball./ * /When the going is rough, Fred can always be
depended on to carry the ball./
[carry the banner] {v. phr.} To support a cause or an ideal with
obvious advocacy. * /Our college is carrying the banner for saving the
humpback whale, which is on the list of endangered species./
[carry the day] {v. phr.}, {informal} To win completely; to succeed
in getting one's aim accomplished. * /The defense attorney's summary
before the jury helped him carry the day./
[carry the torch] See: CARRY A TORCH.
[carry the weight of the world on one's shoulders] See: WEIGHT OF
THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS.
[carry through] {v.} 1a. To put into action. * /Mr. Green was not
able to carry through his plans for a hike because he broke his leg./
1b. To do something you have planned; put a plan into action. * /Jean
makes good plans but she cannot carry through with any of them./
Compare: GO THROUGH WITH, CARRY OUT. 2. To keep (someone) from failing
or stopping; bring through; help. * /When the tire blew out, the rules
Jim had learned in driving class carried him through safely./
[carry weight] {n.} To be influential; have significance and/or
clout; impress. * /A letter of recommendation from a full professor
carries more weight than a letter from an assistant professor./
[cart before the horse (to put)] {n. phr.}, {informal} Things in
wrong order; something backwards or mixed up. - An overused
expression. Usually used with "put" but sometimes with "get" or
"have". * /When the salesman wanted money for goods he hadn't
delivered, I told him he was putting the cart before the horse./ * /To
get married first and then get a job is getting the cart before the
horse./
[cart off] or [cart away] {v.}, {informal} To take away, often with
force or with rough handling or behavior. * /The police carted the
rioters off to jail./ * /When Bobby wouldn't eat his supper, his
mother carted him away to bed./
[carved] or [chiseled] or [inscribed in granite] / [written in
stone] {adj. phr.} Holy; unchangeable; noble and of ancient origin. *
/You should wear shoes when you come to class, although this is not
carved in granite./ * /The Constitution of the United States is so
hard to change that one thinks of it as written in stone./
[case] See: BASKET CASE, CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES, COUCH CASE, GET
DOWN TO BRASS TACKS also GET DOWN TO CASES, IN ANY CASE, IN CASE or IN
THE EVENT, IN CASE OF also IN THE EVENT OF, VANITY CASE.
[case in point] {n. phr.} An example that proves something or helps
to make something clearer. * /An American can rise from the humblest
beginnings to become President. Abraham Lincoln is a case in point./
[case the joint] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To study the layout of a
place one wishes to burglarize. * /The hooded criminals carefully
cased the joint before robbing the neighborhood bank./ 2. To
familiarize oneself with a potential workplace or vacation spot as a
matter of preliminary planning. * /"Hello Fred," he said. "Are you
working here now?" "No, not yet," Fred answered. "I am merely casing
the joint."/
[cash] See: COLD CASH.
[cash-and-carry(1)] {adj.} Selling things for cash money only and
letting the customer carry them home, not having the store deliver
them; also sold in this way. * /This is a cash-and-carry store only./
* /You can save money at a cash-and-carry sale./
[cash-and-carry(2)] {adv}. With no credit, no time payments, and no
deliveries. * /Some stores sell cash-and-carry only./ * /It is cheaper
to buy cash-and-carry./
[cash crop] {n.} A crop grown to be sold. * /Cotton is a cash crop
in the South./ * /They raise potatoes to eat, but tobacco is their
cash crop./
[cash in] {v.} 1. To exchange (as poker chips or bonds) for the
value in money. * /He paid the bill by cashing in some bonds./ * /When
the card game ended, the players cashed in their chips and went home./
2. or [cash in one's chips] {slang} To die. * /When the outlaw cashed
in his chips, he was buried with his boots on./ * /He was shot through
the body and knew he was going to cash in./
[cash in on] {v.}, {informal} To see (a chance) and profit by it;
take advantage of (an opportunity or happening). * /Mr. Brown cashed
in on people's great interest in camping and sold three hundred
tents./
[cash on the barrelhead] {n. phr.}, {informal} Money paid at once;
money paid when something is bought. * /Father paid cash on the
barrelhead for a new car./ * /Some lawyers want cash on the
barrelhead./ Compare: COLD CASH.
[cast] or [shed] or [throw light upon] {v. phr.} To explain;
illuminate; clarify. * /The letters that were found suddenly cast a
new light on the circumstances of Tom's disappearance./ * /Einstein's
General Theory of Relativity threw light upon the enigma of our
universe./
[cast about] also [cast around] {v.}, {literary} 1. To look
everywhere; search. * /The committee was casting about for an
experienced teacher to take the retiring principal's place./ 2. To
search your mind; try to remember something; try to think of
something. * /The teacher cast about for an easy way to explain the
lesson./ * /Jane cast around for a good subject for her report./
[cast down] {adj.} Discouraged; sad; unhappy. - Used less often
than the reverse form, "downcast". * /Mary was cast down at the news
of her uncle's death./ * /Charles felt cast down when he lost the
race./
[cast in one's lot with] {formal} See: THROW IN ONE'S LOT WITH.
[castle in the air] See: BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR.
[castles in Spain] See: CASTLES IN THE AIR.
[cast off] {v.} 1a. or [cast loose] To unfasten; untie; let loose
(as a rope holding a boat). * /The captain of the boat cast off the
line and we were soon out in open water./ 1b. To untie a rope holding
a boat or something suggesting a boat. * /We cast off and set sail at
6 A.M./ 2. To knit the last row of stitches. * /When she had knitted
the twentieth row of stitches she cast off./ 3. To say that you do not
know (someone) any more; not accept as a relative or friend. * /Mr.
Jones cast off his daughter when she married against his wishes./
[cast one's lot with] See: THROW IN ONE'S LOT WITH.
[cast out] {v.}, {formal} To force (someone) to go out or away;
banish; expel. * /After the scandal, he was cast out of the best
society./ Compare: CAST OFF(3).
[cast pearls before swine] or [cast one's pearls before swine] {n.
phr.}, {literary} To waste good acts or valuable things on someone who
won't understand or be thankful for them, just as pigs won't
appreciate pearls. - Often used in negative sentences. * /I won't
waste good advice on John any more because he never listens to it. I
won't cast pearls before swine./
[cast the first stone] {v. phr.}, {literary} To be the first to
blame someone, lead accusers against a wrongdoer. * /Jesus said that a
person who was without sin could cast the first stone./ * /Although
Ben saw the girl cheating, he did not want to cast the first stone./
[cast up] {v.}, {literary} 1. To turn or direct upward; raise. *
/The dying missionary cast up his eyes to heaven and prayed./ 2.
{archaic} To do sums; do a problem in addition; add. * /Cast up 15,
43, 27, and 18./ * /When John had all the figures, he cast them up./
[cat] See: COPY CAT, CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT, FRAIDY-CAT or
FRAID-CAT or SCAREDY CAT OY SCARED-CAT, HOLY CATS, LET THE CAT OUT OF
THE BAG, LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY, PLAY CAT AND MOUSE
WITH, RAIN CATS AND DOGS.
[catch] See: EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM, FAIR CATCH, SHOESTRING
CATCH.
[catch-as-catch-can(1)] {adv. phr.} In a free manner; in any way
possible; in the best way you can. * /On moving day everything is
packed and we eat meals catch-as-catch-can./
[catch-as-catch-can(2)] {adj. phr.} Using any means or method;
unplanned; free. * /Rip van Winkle seems to have led a
catch-as-catch-can life./ * /Politics is rather a catch-as-catch-can
business./ Compare: HIT-OR-MISS.
[catch at] {v.} 1. To try to catch suddenly; grab for. * /The boy
on the merry-go-round caught at the brass ring, but did not get it./
2. To seize quickly; accept mentally or physically. * /The hungry man
caught at the sandwich and began to eat./ * /Joe caught at Bill's
offer to help./
[catch at a straw] See: GRASP AT STRAWS.
[catch cold] {v. phr.} 1. or [take cold] To get a common
cold-weather sickness that causes a running nose, sneezing, and
sometimes sore throat and fever or other symptoms. * /Don't get your
feet wet or you'll catch cold./ 2. {informal} To catch unprepared or
not ready for a question or unexpected happening. * /I had not studied
my lesson carefully, and the teacher's question caught me cold./ *
/The opposing team was big and sure of winning, and they were caught
cold by the fast, hard playing of our smaller players./
[catch (someone) dead] {v. phr.}, {informal} To see or hear
(someone) in an embarrassing act or place at any time. Used in the
negative usually in the passive. * /You won't catch Bill dead taking
his sister to the movies./ * /John wouldn't be caught dead in the
necktie he got for Christmas./
[catch fire] {v. phr.} 1. To begin to burn. * /When he dropped a
match in the leaves, they caught fire./ 2. To become excited. * /The
audience caught fire at the speaker's words and began to cheer./ *
/His imagination caught fire as he read./
[catch flat-footed] See: FLAT-FOOTED(2).
[catch forty winks] See: FORTY WINKS.
[catch hold of] {v. phr.} To grasp a person or a thing. * /"I've
been trying to catch hold of you all week," John said, "but you were
out of town."/ * /The mountain climber successfully caught hold of his
friend's hand and thereby saved his life./
[catch it] or [get it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be scolded or
punished. - Usually used of children. * /John knew he would catch it
when he came home late for supper./ * /Wow, Johnny! When your mother
sees those torn pants, you're going to get it./ Compare: GET WHAT'S
COMING TO ONE. Contrast: GIVE IT TO(2).
[catch it in the neck] or [get it in the neck] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To be blamed or punished. * /Tom got it in the neck because he forgot
to close the windows when it rained./ * /Students get it in the neck
when they lose library books./ Compare: CATCH IT, GET WHAT'S COMING TO
ONE.
[catch off balance] {v. phr.} To confront someone with physical
force or with a statement or question he or she is not prepared to
answer or deal with; to exploit the disadvantage of another. * /The
smaller wrestler caught his opponent off balance and managed to throw
him on the float in spite of his greater weight and strength./ * /Your
question has caught me off balance; please give me some time to think
about your problem./
[catch off guard] {v. phr.} To challenge or confront a person at a
time of lack of preparedness or sufficient care. * /The suspect was
caught off guard by the detective and confessed where he had hidden
the stolen car./
[catch on] {v.}, {informal} 1. To understand; learn about. - Often
used with "to". * /You'll catch on to the job after you've been here
awhile./ * /Don't play any tricks on Joe. When he catches on, he will
beat you./ 2. To become popular; be done or used by many people. *
/The song caught on and was sung and played everywhere./ 3. To be
hired; get a job. * /The ball player caught on with a big league team
last year./
[catch one's breath] {v. phr.} 1. To breathe in suddenly with fear
or surprise. * /The beauty of the scene made him catch his breath./
Compare: TAKE ONE'S BREATH AWAY. 2a. To rest and get back your normal
breathing, as after running. * /After running to the bus stop, we sat
down to catch our breath./ 2b. To relax for a moment after any work. *
/After the day's work we sat down over coffee to catch our breath./
[catch one's death of] or [take one's death of] {v. phr.},
{informal} To become very ill with (a cold, pneumonia, flu). * /Johnny
fell in the icy water and almost took his death of cold./ Sometimes
used in the short form "catch your death." * /"Johnny! Come right in
here and put your coat and hat on. You'll catch your death!"/
[catch one's eye] {v. phr.} To attract your attention. * /I caught
his eye as he moved through the crowd, and waved at him to come over./
* /The dress in the window caught her eye when she passed the store./
[catch red-handed] {v. phr.} /To apprehend a person during the act
of committing an illicit or criminal act./ * /Al was caught red-handed
at the local store when he was trying to walk out with a new camera he
had not paid for./
[catch sight of] {v. phr.} To see suddenly or unexpectedly. *
/Allan caught sight of a kingbird in a maple tree./ Contrast: LOSE
SIGHT OF.
[catch some rays] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To get tanned
while sunbathing. * /Tomorrow I'll go to the beach and try to catch
some rays./
[catch some Z's] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To take a nap, to
go to sleep. (Because of the "z" sound resembling snoring.) * /I want
to hit the sack and catch some Z's./
[catch-22] {n.}, {informal} From Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22",
set in World War II. 1. A regulation or situation that is
self-contradictory or that conflicts with another regulation. In
Heller's book it referred to the regulation that flight crews must
report for duty unless excused for reasons of insanity, but that any
one claiming such an excuse must, by definition, be sane. *
/Government rules require workers to expose any wrongdoing in their
office, but the Catch-22 prevents them from their doing so, because
they are not allowed to disclose any information about their work./ 2.
A paradoxical situation. * /The Catch-22 of job-hunting was that the
factory wanted to hire only workers who had experience making
computers but the only way to get the experience was by working at the
computer factory./
[catch up] {v.} 1. To take or pick up suddenly; grab (something). *
/She caught up the book from the table and ran out of the room./ 2. To
capture or trap (someone) in a situation; concern or interest very
much. - Usually used in the passive with "in". * /The Smith family was
caught up in the war in Europe and we did not see them again till it
was over./ * /We were so caught up in the movie we forgot what time it
was./ Compare: MIX UP. 3. To go fast enough or do enough so as not to
be behind; overtake; come even. - Often used with "to" or "with". *
/Johnny ran hard and tried to catch up to his friends./ * /Mary missed
two weeks of school; she must work hard to catch up with her class./
Compare: UP TO. 4. To find out about or get proof to punish or arrest.
- Usually used with "with". * /A man told the police where the robbers
were hiding, so the police finally caught up with them./ 5. To result
in something bad; bring punishment. - Usually used with "with". * /The
boy's fighting caught up with him and he was expelled from school./ *
/Smoking will catch up with you./ Compare: CHICKENS COME HOME TO
ROOST. 6. To finish; not lose or be behind. - Used with "on" and often
in the phrase "get caught up on". * /Frank stayed up late to get
caught up on his homework./ * /I have to catch up on my sleep./ * /We
caught up on all the latest news when we got back to school and saw
our friends again./ Syn.: KEEP UP.
[catch with one's pants down] {v. phr.}, {slang} To surprise
someone in an embarrassing position or guilty act. * /They thought
they could succeed in the robbery, but they got caught with their
pants down./ * /When the weather turned hot in May, the drive-in
restaurant was caught with its pants down, and ran out of ice cream
before noon./
[cat got one's tongue] You are not able or willing to talk because
of shyness. Usually used about children or as a question to children.
* /Tommy's father asked Tommy if the cat had got his tongue./ * /The
little girl had a poem to recite, but the cat got her tongue./
Compare: LOSE ONE'S TONGUE.
[cat has nine lives] A cat can move so fast and jump so well that
he seems to escape being killed many times. * /We thought our cat
would be killed when he fell from the roof of the house. He was not,
but he used up one of his nine lives./
[cathouse] {n.}, {slang} A house of ill repute, a house of
prostitution. * /Massage parlors are frequently cathouses in
disguise./
[cat's meow] or [cat's pajamas] {n.}, {slang} Something very
wonderful, special, or good. * /John's new hike is really the cat's
meow./ * /Mary's party is going to be the cat's pajamas./
[caught short] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not having enough of
something when you need it. * /Mrs. Ford was caught short when the
newspaper boy came for his money a day early./ * /The man was caught
short of clothes when he had to go on a trip./
[cause eyebrows to raise] {v. phr.} To do something that causes
consternation; to shock others. * /When Algernon entered Orchestra
Hall barefoot and wearing a woman's wig, he caused eyebrows to raise./
[cause tongues to wag] See: TONGUES TO WAG.
[caution] See: THROW CAUTION TO THE WINDS.
[cave in] {v.} 1. To fall or collapse inward. * /The mine caved in
and crushed three miners./ * /Don't climb on that old roof. It might
cave in./ 2. {informal} To weaken and be forced to give up. * /The
children begged their father to take them to the circus until he caved
in./ * /After the atomic bomb, Japan caved in and the war ceased./
[cease fire] {v.} To give a military command ordering soldiers to
stop shooting. * /"Cease fire!" the captain cried, and the shooting
stopped./
[cease-fire] {n.} A period of negotiated nonaggression, when the
warring parties involved promise not to attack. * /Unfortunately, the
cease-fire in Bosnia was broken many times by all parties concerned./
[ceiling] See: HIT THE CEILING or HIT THE ROOF.
[cent] See: TWO CENTS, WORTH A CENT.
[center] See: FRONT AND CENTER, OFF-CENTER, SHOPPING CENTER.
[century] See: TURN OF THE CENTURY.
[C.E.O.] {n.} Abbreviation of "Chief Executive Officer." The head
of a company, factory, firm, etc. * /We are very proud of the fact
that our C.E.O. is a young woman./
[ceremony] See: STAND ON CEREMONY.
[certain] See: FOR SURE or FOR CERTAIN.
[chain gang] {n.} A group of convicts or slaves in the old South
who were chained together. * /Chain gangs are no longer an acceptable
way of punishment, according to modern criminologists./
[chain letter] {n.} A letter which each person receiving it is
asked to copy and send to several others. * /Most chain letters die
out quickly./
[chain-smoke] {v.} To smoke cigarettes or cigars one after another
without stopping. * /Mr. Jones is very nervous. He chain-smokes
cigars./ [chain smoker] {n.} * /Mr. Jones is a chain smoker./
[chain-smoking] {adj.} or {n.} * /Chain smoking is very dangerous to
health./
[chain stores] {n.} A series of stores in different locations,
joined together under one ownership and general management. * /The
goods in chain stores tend to be more uniform than in independent
ones./
[chained to the oars] {adj. phr.} The condition of being forced to
do strenuous and unwelcome labor against one's wishes for an extended
period of time. * /Teachers in large public schools frequently
complain that they feel as if they had been chained to the oars./
[chair] See: MUSICAL CHAIRS.
[chalk] See: WALK THE CHALK.
[chalk up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To write down as part of a score;
record. * /The scorekeeper chalked up one more point for the home
team./ 2. To make (a score or part of a score); score. * /The team
chalked up another victory./ * /Bob chalked up a home run and two base
hits in the game./ * /Mary chalked up good grades this term./
[champ at the bit] {v. phr.} To be eager to begin; be tired of
being held back; want to start. * /The horses were champing at the
bit, anxious to start racing./ * /As punishment John was kept after
school for two hours. He was champing at the bit to go out./
[chance] See: BY CHANCE, FAT CHANCE, STAND A CHANCE, TAKE A CHANCE.
[chance it] {v. phr.} To be willing to risk an action whose outcome
is uncertain. * /"Should we take the boat out in such stormy weather?"
Jim asked. "We can chance it," Tony replied. "We have enough
experience."/
[chance on] also [chance upon] {v.} To happen to find or meet; find
or meet by accident. * /On our vacation we chanced upon an interesting
antique store./ * /Mary dropped her ring in the yard, and Mother
chanced on it as she was raking./ Syn.: HAPPEN ON. Compare: RUN INTO.
[change] See: RING THE CHANGES.
[change color] {v. phr.} 1. To become pale. * /The sight was so
horrible that Mary changed color from fear./ * /Bill lost so much
blood from the cut that he changed color./ 2. To become pink or red in
the face; become flushed; blush. * /Mary changed color when the
teacher praised her drawing./ * /Tom got angry at the remark and
changed color./
[change hands] {v. phr.} To change or transfer ownership. * /Ever
since our apartment building changed hands, things are working a lot
better./
[change horses in the middle of a stream] or [change horses in
midstream] {v. phr.} To make new plans or choose a new leader in the
middle of an important activity. * /When a new President is to be
elected during a war, the people may decide not to change horses in
the middle of a stream./
[change off] {v.}, {informal} To take turns doing something;
alternate. * /John and Bill changed off at riding the bicycle./ * /Bob
painted one patch of wall and then he changed off with Tom./
[change of heart] {n. phr.} A change in the way one feels or thinks
about a given task, idea or problem to be solved. * /Joan had a change
of heart and suddenly broke off her engagement to Tim./ * /Fred got
admitted to medical school, but he had a change of heart and decided
to go into the Foreign Service instead./
[change of life] {n. phr.} The menopause (primarily in women). *
/Women usually undergo a change of life in their forties or fifties./
[change of pace] {n. phr.} A quick change in what you are doing. *
/John studied for three hours and then read a comic book for a change
of pace./ * /The doctor told the man he needed a change of pace./
[change one's mind] {v. phr.} To alter one's opinion or judgment on
a given issue. * /I used to hate Chicago, but as the years passed I
gradually changed my mind and now I actually love living here./
[change one's tune] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make a change in your
story, statement, or claim; change your way of acting. * /The man said
he was innocent, but when they found the stolen money in his pocket he
changed his tune./ * /Bob was rude to his teacher, but she threatened
to tell the principal and he changed his tune./ Syn.: SING A DIFFERENT
TUNE.
[change up] See: LET UP(4).
[character] See: IN CHARACTER.
[charge] See: CARRYING CHARGE, CHARGE OFF(2), IN CHARGE, IN CHARGE
OF, TAKE CHARGE.
[charge account] {n.} An agreement with a store through which you
can buy things and pay for them later. * /Mother bought a new dress on
her charge account./ * /Mr. Jones has a charge account at the garage
on the corner./
[charge off] {v.} 1. To consider or record as a loss, especially in
an account book. * /The store owner charged off all of the last
season's stock of suits./ Syn.: WRITE OFF(1). 2. or [charge up]
{informal} To accept or remember (something) as a mistake and not
worry about it any more. - Often used with "to experience". * /He
charged off his mistakes to experience./ Syn.: CHALK UP. Compare:
CHARGE TO.
[charge something to something] {v.} 1. To place the blame on; make
responsible for. * /John failed to win a prize, but he charged it to
his lack of experience./ * /The coach charged the loss of the game to
the team's disobeying his orders./ 2. To buy something on the credit
of. * /Mrs. Smith bought a new pocketbook and charged it to her
husband./ * /Mr. White ordered a box of cigars and had it charged to
his account./
[charge up] {v. phr.} 1. To submit to a flow of electricity in
order to make functional. * /I mustn't forget to charge up my razor
before we go on our trip./ 2. To use up all the available credit one
has on one's credit card(s). * /"Let's charge dinner on the Master
Card," Jane said. "Unfortunately I can't," Jim replied. "All of my
credit cards are completely charged up."/
[charge with] {v. phr.} To accuse someone in a court of law. * /The
criminal was charged with aggravated kidnapping across a state line./
[charmed life] {n.} A life often saved from danger; a life full of
lucky escapes. * /He was in two airplane accidents, but he had a
charmed life./ * /During the war a bullet knocked the gun out of his
hand, but he had a charmed life./
[chase] See: GIVE CHASE, GO CHASE ONESELF, LEAD A MERRY CHASE.
[chase after] See: RUN AFTER.
[chase around] See: RUN AROUND.
[cheapskate] {n.}, {informal} A selfish or stingy person; a person
who will not spend much. - An insulting term. * /None of the girls
like to go out on a date with him because he is a cheapskate./
[cheat on someone] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be unfaithful (to one's
wife or husband, or to one's sweetheart or fiancee). * /It is rumored
that Joe cheats on his wife./
[check] See: BLANK CHECK, CLAIM CHECK, DOUBLE CHECK, IN CHECK, RAIN
CHECK, RUBBER CHECK, SALES CHECK.
[check in] {v.} 1a. To sign your name (as at a hotel or
convention). * /The last guests to reach the hotel checked in at 12
o'clock./ Contrast: CHECK OUT. 1b. {informal} To arrive. * /The
friends we had invited did not check in until Saturday./ 2. To receive
(something) back and make a record of it. * /The coach checked in the
football uniforms at the end of the school year./ * /The students put
their books on the library desk, and the librarian checked them in./
[check off] {v.} To put a mark beside (the name of a person or
thing on a list) to show that it has been counted. * /The teacher
checked off each pupil as he got on the bus./ * /Bill wrote down the
names of all the states he could remember, and then he checked them
off against the list in his book./ Compare: TICK OFF.
[check on someone/thing] or [check up on someone/thing] {v}. To try
to find out the truth or rightness of; make sure of; examine; inspect;
investigate. * /We checked on Dan's age by getting his birth record./
* /Mrs. Brown said she heard someone downstairs and Mr. Brown went
down to check up on it./ * /You can check on your answers at the back
of the book./ * /The police are checking up on the man to see if he
has a police record./ * /Grandfather went to have the doctor check on
his health./ Compare: LOOK INTO, LOOK OVER.
[check out] {v.} 1a. To pay your hotel bill and leave. * /The last
guests checked out of their rooms in the morning./ Contrast: CHECK IN.
1b. {informal} To go away; leave. * /I hoped our guest would stay but
he had to check out before Monday./ Compare: CHECK IN. 2a. To make a
list or record of. * /They checked out all the goods in the store./
2b. To give or lend (something) and make a record of it. * /The boss
checked out the tools to the workmen as they came to work./ 2c. To get
(something) after a record has been made of it. * /I checked out a
book from the library./ 3. {informal} To test (something, like a part
of a motor). * /The mechanic checked out the car battery./ * /"He
checked out from the motel at nine," said the detective, "then he
checked out the air in the car tires and his list of local clients."/
4. {slang} To die. * /He seemed too young to check out./
[check up] {v.} To find out or try to find out the truth or
correctness of something; make sure of something; investigate. * /Mrs.
Brown thought she had heard a burglar in the house, so Mr. Brown
checked up, but found nobody./ * /Bill thought he had a date with
Janie, but phoned her to check up./
[check-up] {n.} A periodic examination by a physician or of some
equipment by a mechanic. * /I am overdue for my annual physical
check-up./ * /I need to take my car in for a check-up./
[check with] {v. phr.} 1. To consult. * /I want to check with my
lawyer before I sign the papers./ 2. To agree with. * /Does my
reconciliation of our account check with the bank statement?/
[cheek] See: TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.
[cheer] See: BRONX CHEER.
[cheer on] {v. phr.} To vociferously encourage a person or a team
during a sports event. * /The spectators at the stadium cheered on
their home team./
[cheer up] {v.} 1. To feel happy; stop being sad or discouraged;
become hopeful, joyous, or glad. * /Jones was sad at losing the
business, but he cheered up at the sight of his daughter./ * /Cheer
up! The worst is over./ 2. To make cheerful or happy. * /The support
of the students cheered up the losing team and they played harder and
won./ * /We went to the hospital to cheer up a sick friend./ *
/Flowers cheer up a room./
[cheese] See: BIG CHEESE, WHOLE CHEESE.
[cheesebox] {n.}, {slang} A small, suburban house built by a land
developer available at low cost and resembling the other houses around
it. * /They moved to a suburb, but their house is just a cheesebox./
[cheesecake] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A showing of the legs of an
attractive woman or a display of her breasts as in certain magazines
known as cheesecake magazines. * /Photographer to model: "Give us some
cheesecake in that pose!"/
[cherry farm] {n.}, {slang} A correctional institution of minimal
security where the inmates, mostly first offenders, work as farmhands.
* /Joe got a light sentence and was sent to a cherry farm for six
months./
[chest] See: OFF ONE'S CHEST, ON ONE'S CHEST.
[chew] See: BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW.
[chew out] {v.}, {slang} To scold roughly. * /The boy's father
chewed him out for staying up late./ * /The coach chews out lazy
players./ Syn.: BAWL OUT, CALL ON THE CARPET, HAUL OVER THE COALS.
[chew the fat] or [chew the rag] {v. phr.}, {slang} To talk
together in an idle, friendly fashion; chat. * /We used to meet after
work, and chew the fat over coffee and doughnuts./ * /The old man
would chew the rag for hours with anyone who would join him./
[chew the scenery] {v. phr.}, {slang} To act overemotionally in a
situation where it is inappropriate; to engage in histrionics. * /I
don't know if Joe was sincere about our house, but he sure chewed up
the scenery!/
[chicken] See: COUNT ONE'S CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED, GO TO
BED WITH THE CHICKENS, SPRING CHICKEN.
[chicken-brained] {adj.} Stupid; narrow-minded; unimaginative. * /I
can't understand how a bright woman like Helen can date such a
chicken-brained guy as Oliver./
[chicken feed] {n.}, {slang} A very small sum of money. * /John and
Bill worked very hard, but they were only paid chicken feed./ * /Mr.
Jones is so rich be thinks a thousand dollars is chicken feed./
[chicken-hearted] {adj.} Cowardly; excessively timid. * /"Come on,
let's get on that roller coaster," she cried. "Don't be so
chicken-hearted."/ See: CHICKEN-LIVERED.
[chicken-livered] {adj.}, {slang}, {colloquial} Easily scared;
cowardly. * /Joe sure is a chicken-livered guy./ See: CHICKEN-HEARTED.
[chicken out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stop doing something because
of fear; to decide not to do something after all even though
previously having decided to try it. * /I used to ride a motorcycle on
the highway, but I've chickened out./ * /I decided to take flying
lessons but just before they started I chickened out./
[chickens come home to roost] {informal} Words or acts come back to
cause trouble for a person; something bad you said or did receives
punishment; you get the punishment that you deserve. * /Fred's
chickens finally came home to roost today. He was late so often that
the teacher made him go to the principal./ - Often used in a short
form. * /Mary's selfishness will come home to roost some day./
[chicken switch] {n.}, {slang}, {Space English} 1. The emergency
eject button used by test pilots in fast and high flying aircraft by
means of which they can parachute to safety if the engine fails; later
adopted by astronauts in space capsules. * /Don't pull the chicken
switch, unless absolutely necessary./ 2. The panic button; a panicky
reaction to an unforeseen situation, such as unreasonable or
hysterical telephone calls to friends for help. * /Joe pulled the
chicken switch on his neighbor when the grease started burning in the
kitchen./
[child] See: BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE, WITH CHILD.
[children and fools speak the truth] Children and fools say things
without thinking; they say what they think or know when grown-ups
might not think it was polite or wise to do so. - A proverb. * /"Uncle
Willie is too fat," said little Agnes. "Children and fools speak the
truth," said her father./
[children should be seen and not heard] A command issued by adults
to children ordering them to be quiet and not to interrupt. - A
proverb. * /Your children should not argue so loudly. Haven't you
taught them that children should be seen and not heard?/
[child's play] {adj.} Easy; requiring no effort. * /Mary's work as
a volunteer social worker is so agreeable to her that she thinks of it
as child's play./
[chill] See: SPINE-CHILLING.
[chime in] {v.} 1. {informal} To join in. * /The whole group chimed
in on the chorus./ * /When the argument got hot, John chimed in./ 2.
To agree; go well together. - Usually used with "with". * /Dick was
happy, and the holiday music chimed in with his feelings./ * /When
Father suggested going to the shore for the vacation, the whole family
chimed in with the plan./
[chin] See: KEEP ONE'S CHIN UP, STICK ONE'S NECK OUT or STICK ONE'S
CHIN OUT, TAKE IT ON THE CHIN, UP TO THE CHIN IN.
[china shop] See: BULL IN A CHINA SHOP.
[China syndrome] {n.}, {informal} From the title of the movie with
Jane Fonda and Jack Lemmon. The possibility that an industrial nuclear
reactor might explode, literally affecting the other side of the
planet (as if by eating a hole through the earth all the way to
China.) * /Antinuclear demonstrators are greatly worried about the
China syndrome./
[chip] See: CASH IN ONE'S CHIPS at CASH-IN, IN THE CHIPS. LET THE
CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY, FISH-AND-CHIPS, WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN.
[chip in] or [kick in] {v.}, {informal} To give together with
others, contribute. * /The pupils chipped in a dime apiece for the
teacher's Christmas present./ * /All the neighbors kicked in to help
after the fire./ * /Lee chipped in ten points in the basketball game./
* /Joe didn't say much but chipped in a few words./
[chip off the old block] {n. phr.} A person whose character traits
closely resemble those of his parents. * /I hear that Tom plays the
violin in the orchestra his father conducts; he sure is a chip off the
old block./
[chip on one's shoulder] {n. phr.}, {informal} A quarrelsome
nature; readiness to be angered. * /He went through life with a chip
on his shoulder./ * /Jim often gets into fights because he goes around
with a chip on his shoulder./
[chips] See: WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN.
[chisel] or [muscle in on] {v. phr.} To illegitimately and
forcefully intrude into someone's traditional sales or professional
arena of operation. * /Tim has a good sales territory, but he is
always afraid that someone might chisel in on it./ * /Las Vegas casino
owners are concerned that the Mafia might muscle in on their
territory./
[choice] See: BY CHOICE, FIELDER'S CHOICE.
[choke off] {v.} To put a sudden end to; stop abruptly or
forcefully. * /It was almost time for the meeting to end, and the
presiding officer had to move to choke off debate./ * /The war choked
off diamond shipments from overseas./
[choke up] {v.} 1a. To come near losing calmness or self-control
from strong feeling; be upset by your feelings. * /When one speaker
after another praised John, he choked up and couldn't thank them./ *
/When Father tried to tell me how glad he was to see me safe after the
accident, he choked up and was unable to speak./ 1b. {informal} To be
unable to do well because of excitement or nervousness. * /Bill was a
good batter, but in the championship game he choked up and did
poorly./ 2. To fill up; become clogged or blocked; become hard to pass
through. * /The channel had choked up with sand so that boats couldn't
use it./
[choose] See: PICK AND CHOOSE.
[chooser] See: BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS.
[choose up sides] {v. phr.} To form two teams with two captains
taking turns choosing players. * /The boys chose up sides for a game
of softball./ * /Tom and Joe were the captains. They chose up sides./
[chop] See: LICK ONE'S CHOPS.
[chow line] {n.}, {slang} A line of people waiting for food. * /The
chow line was already long when John got to the dining hall./ * /The
soldiers picked up trays and got into the chow line./
[Christmas] See: FATHER CHRISTMAS.
[Christmas card] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A
speeding ticket. * /Smokey just gave a Christmas card to the eighteen
wheeler we passed./
[Christmas club] {n.} A plan for putting money in the bank to be
saved for Christmas shopping. * /John deposits $10 each week in the
Christmas club./ * /The woman will get her Christmas club money on
December 10./
[chum around with] {v. phr.} 1. To be close friends with someone. *
/They have been chumming around with one another for quite some time./
2. To travel around with someone. * /Jack is planning to chum around
with Tim in Europe this summer./
[cigar-store Indian] {n. phr.} A wooden statue of an Indian which
in the past was placed in front of a cigar store. * /A cigar store
Indian used to mean a cigar store in the same way a barber pole still
means a barber shop./
[circle] See: COME FULL CIRCLE, IN A CIRCLE or IN CIRCLES, RUN
CIRCLES AROUND also RUN RINGS AROUND.
[circulation] See: IN CIRCULATION, OUT OF CIRCULATION.
[circumstance] See: UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES also IN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.
[circumstances alter cases] {formal} The way things are, or happen,
may change the way you are expected to act. * /John's father told him
never to touch his gun, but one day when Father was away, John used it
to shoot a poisonous snake that came into the yard. Circumstances
alter cases./
[circus] See: THREE-RING CIRCUS.
[citizen] See: SENIOR CITIZEN.
[civil] See: KEEP A CIVIL TONGUE IN ONE'S HEAD.
[claim] See: STAKE A CLAIM.
[claim check] {n.} A ticket needed to get back something. * /The
man at the parking lot gave Mrs. Collins a claim check./ * /The boy
put the dry cleaning claim check in his billfold./ * /The man told
Mary the pictures would be ready Friday and gave her a claim check./
[clamp down] {v.}, {informal} To put on strict controls; enforce
rules or laws. * /After the explosion, police clamped down and let no
more visitors inside the monument./ * /The school clamped down on
smoking./ * /When the crowds became bigger and wilder, the police
clamped down on them and made everyone go home./
[clam up] {v.}, {slang} To refuse to say anything more; stop
talking. * /The suspect clammed up, and the police could get no more
information out of him./
[class] See: HIGH-CLASS, SECOND CLASS.
[clay] See: FEET OF CLAY.
[clay pigeon] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A popular target at
practice shooting made of clay and roughly resembling a pigeon; an
easy target that doesn't move. * /All he can shoot is a clay pigeon./
2. A person who, like a clay pigeon in target practice, is immobilized
or is in a sensitive position and is therefore easily criticized or
otherwise victimized. * /Poor Joe is a clay pigeon./ 3. A task easily
accomplished like shooting an immobile clay pigeon. * /The math exam
was a clay pigeon./
[clean] See: COME CLEAN, KEEP ONE'S NOSE CLEAN, MAKE A CLEAN BREAST
OF, NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN, TAKE TO ONE'S HEELS, also SHOW A CLEAN
PAIR OF HEELS.
[clean bill of health] {n. phr.} 1. A certificate that a person or
animal has no infectious disease. * /The government doctor gave Jones
a clean bill of health when he entered the country./ 2. {informal} A
report that a person is free of guilt or fault. * /The stranger was
suspected in the bank robbery, but the police gave him a clean bill of
health./
[clean break] {n. phr.} A complete separation. * /Tom made a clean
break with his former girlfriends before marrying Pamela./
[cleaners] See: TO TAKE TO THE CLEANERS.
[clean hands] {n. phr.}, {slang} Freedom from guilt or dishonesty;
innocence. * /John grew up in a bad neighborhood, but he grew up with
clean hands./ * /There was much proof against Bill, but he swore he
had clean hands./
[clean out] {v.} 1. {slang} To take everything from; empty; strip.
* /George's friends cleaned him out when they were playing cards last
night./ * /The sudden demand for paper plates soon cleaned out the
stores./ 2. {informal} To get rid of; remove; dismiss. * /The new
mayor promised to clean the crooks out of the city government./
[clean slate] {n. phr.} A record of nothing but good conduct,
without any errors or bad deeds; past acts that are all good without
any bad ones. * /Johnny was sent to the principal for whispering. He
had a clean slate so the principal did not punish him./ * /Mary stayed
after school for a week, and after that the teacher let her off with a
clean slate./ Compare: TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.
[clean sweep] {n. phr.} A complete victory. * /Our candidate for
the United States Senate made a clean sweep over his opponent./
[clean up] {v. phr.} 1. To wash and make oneself presentable. *
/After quitting for the day in the garage, Tim decided to clean up and
put on a clean shirt./ 2. To finish; terminate. * /The secretary
promised her boss to clean up all the unfinished work before leaving
on her Florida vacation./ 3. {informal} To make a large profit. * /The
clever investors cleaned up on the stock market last week./
[clean-up] {n.} 1. An act of removing all the dirt from a given set
of objects. * /What this filthy room needs is an honest clean-up./ 2.
The elimination of pockets of resistance during warfare or a police
raid. * /The FBI conducted a clean-up against the drug pushers in our
district./
[clear] See: COAST IS CLEAR, IN THE CLEAR, OUT OF THE BLUE or OUT
OF A CLEAR SKY or OUT OF A CLEAR BLUE SKY, SEE ONE'S WAY CLEAR, STEER
CLEAR OF.
[clear-cut] {adj.} Definite; well defined. * /The president's new
policy of aggressive action is a clear-cut departure from his old
methods of unilateral appeasement./
[clear-eyed] {adj.} Understanding problems or events clearly; being
able to tell very well the results of a way of acting. * /Tom is very
clear-eyed. He knows he doesn't have much chance of winning the race,
but he will try his best./ * /He is a clear-eyed and independent
commentator on the news./
[clear one's name] {v. phr.} To prove someone is innocent of a
crime or misdeed of which he has been accused. * /The falsely accused
rapist has been trying in vain to clear his name./
[clear out] {v.} 1. To take everything out of; empty. * /When Bill
was moved to another class he cleared out his desk./ 2. {informal} To
leave suddenly; go away; depart. * /The cop told the boys to clear
out./ * /Bob cleared out without paying his room rent./ * /Clear out
of here! You're bothering me./ Compare: BEAT IT.
[clear the air] {v. phr.} To remove angry feelings,
misunderstanding, or confusion. * /The President's statement that he
would run for office again cleared the air of rumors and guessing./ *
/When Bill was angry at Bob, Bob made a joke, and it cleared the air
between them./
[clear the decks] {v. phr.} To put everything in readiness for a
major activity; to eliminate unessentials. * /The governor urged the
State Assembly to clear the decks of all but the most pressing issues
to vote on./
[clear up] {v.} 1. To make plain or clear; explain; solve. * /The
teacher cleared up the harder parts of the story./ * /Maybe we can
clear up your problem./ 2. To become clear. * /The weather cleared up
after the storm./ 3. To cure. * /The pills cleared up his stomach
trouble./ 4. To put back into a normal, proper, or healthy state. *
/The doctor can give you something to clear up your skin./ * /Susan
cleared up the room./ 5. To become cured. * /This skin trouble will
clear up in a day or two./
[clerk] See: ROOM CLERK or DESK CLERK.
[cliffdweller] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A city person who lives on
a very high floor in an apartment building. * /Joe and Nancy have
become cliffdwellers - they moved up to the 30th floor./
[clifihanger] {n.}, {informal} A sports event or a movie in which
the outcome is uncertain to the very end keeping the spectators in
great suspense and excitement. * /Did you see "The Fugitive"? It's a
regular cliffhanger./
[climb] See: SOCIAL CLIMBER.
[climb on the bandwagon] See: ON THE BANDWAGON.
[climb the wall] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. To react to a
challenging situation with too great an emotional response,
frustration, tension, and anxiety. * /By the time I got the letter
that I was hired, I was ready to climb the wall./ 2. To be so
disinterested or bored as to be most anxious to get away at any cost.
* /If the chairman doesn't stop talking, I'll climb the wall./
[clinging vine] {n.} A very dependent woman; a woman who needs much
love and encouragement from a man. * /Mary is a clinging vine; she
cannot do anything without her husband./
[cling to one's mother's apron strings] See: TIED TO ONE'S MOTHER'S
APRON STRINGS.
[clip joint] {n.}, {slang} A low-class night club or other business
where people are cheated. * /The man got drunk and lost all his money
in a clip joint./ * /The angry woman said the store was a clip joint./
[clip one's wings] {v. phr.} To limit or hold you back, bring you
under control; prevent your success. * /When the new president tried
to become dictator, the generals soon clipped his wings./ * /Jim was
spending too much time on dates when he needed to study so his father
stopped his allowance; that clipped his wings./
[cloak-and-dagger] {adj.} Of or about spies and secret agents. *
/It was a cloak-and-dagger story about some spies who tried to steal
atomic secrets./ * /The book was written by a retired colonel who used
to take part in cloak-and-dagger plots./ (From the wearing of cloaks
and daggers by people in old adventure stories.) Compare: BLOOD AND
THUNDER.
[clock] See: AGAINST TIME or AGAINST THE CLOCK, AROUND THE CLOCK or
THE CLOCK AROUND, PUT BACK THE CLOCK or TURN BACK THE CLOCK, GO LIKE
CLOCKWORK or GO OFF LIKE CLOCKWORK, TURN THE CLOCK BACK.
[clock watcher] {n. phr.}, {informal} A worker who always quits at
once when it is time; a man who is in a hurry to leave his job. *
/When Ted got his first job, his father told him to work hard and not
be a clock watcher./
[close at hand] {adj. phr.} Handy; close by; within one's range. *
/My calendar isn't close at hand, so I can't tell you whether we can
come next week or not./ * /I always keep my pencils and erasers close
at hand when I work on a draft proposal./
[close call] or [shave] {n. phr.} A narrow escape. * /That sure was
a close call when that truck came near us from the right!/ * /When Tim
fell off his bicycle in front of a bus, it was a very close shave./
[closed book] {n.} A secret; something not known or understood. *
/The man's early life is a closed book./ * /For Mary, science is a
closed book./ * /The history of the town is a closed book./
[closed-door] {adj.} Away from the public; in private or in secret;
limited to a few. * /The officers of the club held a closed-door
meeting./ * /The committee decided on a closed-door rule for the
investigation./ Compare: IN PRIVATE.
[close down] or [shut down] {v.} To stop all working, as in a
factory; stop work entirely; also: to stop operations in. * /The
factory closed down for Christmas./ * /The company shut down the
condom plant for Easter./
[closed shop] {n. phr.} 1. A plant or factory that employs only
union workers. * /Our firm has been fighting the closed shop policy
for many years now./ 2. A profession or line of work dominated by
followers of a certain mode of thinking and behaving that does not
tolerate differing views or ideas. * /Certain groups of psychologists,
historians, and linguists often behave with a closed-shop mentality./
Contrast: OPEN SHOP.
[close in] {v.} To come in nearer from all sides. * /We wanted the
boat to reach shore before the fog closed in./ - Often used with "on".
* /The troops were closing in on the enemy.
[close its doors] {v. phr.} 1. To keep someone or something from
entering or joining; become closed. * /The club has closed its doors
to new members./ 2. To fail as a business; go bankrupt. * /The fire
was so damaging that the store had to close its doors./ * /Business
was so poor that we had to close our doors after six months./ Compare:
CLOSE THE DOOR. Contrast: OPEN ITS DOORS.
[close-knit] {adj.} Closely joined together by ties of love,
friendship, or common interest; close. * /The Joneses are a close-knit
family./ * /The three boys are always together. They form a very
close-knit group./
[close one's eyes] or [shut one's eyes] {v. phr.} To refuse to see
or think about. * /The park is beautiful if you shut your eyes to the
litter./ * /The ice was very thin, but the boys shut their eyes to the
danger and went skating./ Compare: OPEN ONE'S EYES.
[dose out] {v.} To sell the whole of; end (a business or a business
operation) by selling all the goods; also, to sell your stock and stop
doing business. * /The store closed out its stock of garden supplies./
* /Mr. Jones closed out his grocery./ * /Mr. Randall was losing money
in his shoe store, so he decided to close out./
[close quarters] {n. phr.} Limited, cramped space. * /With seven
boy scouts in a tent, they were living in very close quarters./
[close ranks] {v. phr.} 1. To come close together in a line
especially for fighting. * /The soldiers closed ranks and kept the
enemy away from the bridge./ 2. To stop quarreling and work together;
unite and fight together. * /The Democrats and Republicans closed
ranks to win the war./ * /The leader asked the people to close ranks
and plan a new school./
[close shave] See: CLOSE CALL.
[closet] See: SKELETON IN THE CLOSET.
[close the books] {v. phr.} To stop taking orders; end a
bookkeeping period. * /The tickets were all sold, so the manager said
to close the books./ * /The department store closes its books on the
25th of each month./
[close the door] or [bar the door] or [shut the door] {v. phr.} To
prevent any more action or talk about a subject. * /The President's
veto closed the door to any new attempt to pass the bill./ * /Joan was
much hurt by what Mary said, and she closed the door on Mary's attempt
to apologize./ * /After John makes up his mind, he closes the door to
any more arguments./ Contrast: OPEN THE DOOR.
[close to home] {adv. phr.} Too near to someone's personal
feelings, wishes, or interests. * /When John made fun of Bob's way of
walking, he struck close to home./ * /When the preacher spoke about
prejudice, some people felt he had come too close to home./
[close-up] {n.} A photograph, motion picture, or video camera shot
taken at very close range. * /Directors of movies frequently show
close-ups of the main characters./
[close up shop] {v. phr.} 1. To shut a store at the end of a day's
business, also, to end a business. * /The grocer closes up shop at 5
o'clock./ * /After 15 years in business at the same spot, the garage
closed up shop./ 2. {informal} To stop some activity; finish what you
are doing. * /After camping out for two weeks, the scouts took down
their tents and closed up shop./ * /The committee finished its
business and closed up shop./ Compare: CALL IT A DAY.
[clothes] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER or SUNDAY-GO-TO-MEETING CLOTHES.
[clothing] See: WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.
[cloud] See: EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING, IN THE CLOUDS, ON
CLOUD NINE, UNDER A CLOUD.
[clover] See: FOUR-LEAF CLOVER, IN CLOVER or IN THE CLOVER.
[club] See: CHRISTMAS CLUB.
[cluck and grunt] {n.}, {slang}, {avoid it in restaurants} The
familiar restaurant dish of ham and eggs; since ham is made of pork
(and pigs grunt) and eggs come from hens (which cluck.) * /"I am sorry
I can't fix you an elaborate meal, but I can give you a quick cluck
and grunt."/
[clutch] See: RIDE THE BRAKE.
[coal] See: CARRY COALS TO NEWCASTLE, HAUL OVER THE COALS or RAKE
OVER THE COALS, HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON ONE'S HEAD.
[coast is clear] No enemy or danger is in sight; there is no one to
see you. * /When the teacher had disappeared around the corner, John
said, "Come on, the coast is clear."/ * /The men knew when the night
watchman would pass. When he had gone, and the coast was clear, they
robbed the safe./ * /When Father stopped the car at the stop sign,
Mother said, "The coast is clear on this side."/
[coat tail] See: ON ONE'S COAT TAILS.
[cock] See: GO OFF HALF-COCKED also GO OFF AT HALF COCK.
[cock-and-bull story] {n. phr.} An exaggerated or unbelievable
story. * /"Stop feeding me such cock-and-bull stories," the detective
said to the suspect./
[cockeyed] {adj.} Drunk; intoxicated. * /Frank has been drinking
all day and, when we met, he was so cockeyed he forgot his own
address./
[cocksure] {adj.} Overconfident; very sure. * /Paul was cocksure
that it wasn 't going to snow, but it snowed so much that we had to
dig our way out of the house./
[C.O.D.] {n. phr.} Abbreviation of "cash on delivery." * /If you
want to receive a piece of merchandise by mail and pay when you
receive it, you place a C.O.D. order./
[coffee break] {n.} A short recess or time out from work in which
to rest and drink coffee. * /The girls in the office take a coffee
break in the middle of the morning and the afternoon./
[coffee hour] {n.} A time for coffee or other refreshments after a
meeting; a time to meet people and have refreshments. * /After the
business meeting we had a coffee hour./ * /The Joneses had a coffee
hour so their visitor could meet their neighbors./
[coffee table] {n.} A low table used in a living room. * /There
were several magazines on the coffee table./
[coffin nail] {n.}, {slang} A cigarette. * /"I stopped smoking,"
Algernon said. "In fact, I haven't had a coffin nail in well over a
year."/
[cog] See: SLIP A COG or SLIP A GEAR.
[coin money] or [mint money] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make a lot of
money quickly; profit heavily; gain big profit. * /Fred coined money
with many cigarette vending machines and juke boxes./
[cold] See: BLOOD RUNS COLD, BLOW HOT AND COLD, CATCH COLD or TAKE
COLD, IN COLD BLOOD, OUT COLD, OUT IN THE COLD, PASS OUT(2),
STONE-COLD, STOP COLD, THROW COLD WATER ON.
[cold cash] or [hard cash] {n.} Money that is paid at the time of
purchase; real money; silver and bills. * /Mr. Jones bought a new car
and paid cold cash for it./ * * /Some stores sell things only for cold
cash./ Compare: CASH ON THE BARRELHEAD.
[cold comfort] {n.} Something that makes a person in trouble feel
very little better or even worse. * /When Tim lost the race, it was
cold comfort to him to hear that he could try again in two weeks./ *
/Mary spent her vacation sick in bed and Jane's letter about her trip
was cold comfort./
[cold feet] {n. phr.}, {informal} A loss of courage or nerve; a
failure or loss of confidence in yourself. * /Ralph was going to ask
Mary to dance with him but he got cold feet and didn't./
[cold fish] {n.}, {informal} A queer person; a person who is
unfriendly or does not mix with others. * /No one knows the new
doctor, he is a cold fish./ * /Nobody invites Eric to parties because
he is a cold fish./
[cold-shoulder] {v.}, {informal} To act towards a person; with
dislike or scorn; be unfriendly to. * /Fred cold-shouldered his old
friend when they passed on the street./ * /It is impolite and unkind
to cold-shoulder people./ Compare: BRUSH OFF(2), HIGH-HAT, LOOK DOWN
ONE'S NOSE AT.
[cold shoulder] {n.}, {informal} Unfriendly treatment of a person,
a showing of dislike for a person or of looking down on a person. -
Used in the cliches "give the cold shoulder" or "turn a cold shoulder
to" or "get the cold shoulder". * /When Bob asked Mary for a date she
gave him the cold shoulder./ * /The membership committee turned a cold
shoulder to Jim's request to join the club./
[cold snap] {n.} A short time of quick change from warm weather to
cold. * /The cold snap killed everything in the garden./
[cold turkey] {adv.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. Abruptly and without
medical aid to withdraw from the use of an addictive drug or from a
serious drinking problem. * /Joe is a very brave guy; he kicked the
habit cold turkey./ 2. {n.} An instance of withdrawal from drugs,
alcohol, or cigarette smoking. * /Joe did a cold turkey./
[cold war] {n.} A struggle that is carried on by other means and
not by actual fighting; a war without shooting or bombing. * /After
World War II, a cold war began between Russia and the United States./
[collar] See: HOT UNDER THE COLLAR, ROMAN COLLAR, SAILOR COLLAR.
[collective farm] {n.} A large government-run farm made by
combining many small farms. * /The Russian farmers used to live on
collective farms./
[collector's item] {n.} Something rare or valuable enough to
collect or save. * /Jimmy's mother found an old wooden doll in the
attic that turned out to be a collector's item./
[College Boards] {n.} A set of examinations given to test a
student's readiness and ability for college. * /John got a high score
on his College Boards./ * /College Boards test both what a student has
learned and his ability to learn./
[color] See: CHANGE COLOR, GIVE COLOR TO or LEND COLOR TO, HAUL
DOWN ONE'S COLORS, HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR, NAIL ONE'S COLORS TO
THE MAST, OFF-COLOR or OFF-COLORED, SAIL UNDER FALSE COLORS, SEE THE
COLOR OF ONE'S MONEY, SHOW ONE'S COLORS, WITH FLYING COLORS.
[color guard] {n.} A military guard of honor for the flag of a
country; also: a guard of honor to carry and protect a flag or banner
(as of a club). * /There were four Marines in the color guard in the
parade./ * /Bob was picked to be a color guard and to carry the banner
of the drum corps at the football game./
[color scheme] {n.} A plan for colors used together as decoration.
* /The color scheme for the dance was blue and silver./ * /Mary
decided on a pink and white color scheme for her room./
[comb] See: FINE-TOOTH COMB.
[come] See: CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST, CROSS A BRIDGE BEFORE ONE
COMES TO IT, EASY COME - EASY GO, FIRST COME - FIRST SERVED, GET
WHAT'S COMING TO ONE, HAVE IT COMING, HOW COME also HOW'S COME, IF
WORST COMES TO WORST, JOHNNY-COME-LATELY, KNOW ENOUGH TO COME IN OUT
OF THE RAIN, KNOW IF ONE IS COMING OR GOING, LOOK AS IF ONE HAS COME
OUT OF A BANDBOX, SHIP COME IN.
[come about] {v.} To take place; happen, occur. * /Sometimes it is
hard to tell how a quarrel comes about./ * /When John woke up he was
in the hospital, but he didn't know how that had come about./
[come a cropper] 1. To fall off your horse. * /John's horse
stumbled, and John came a cropper./ 2. To fail. * /Mr. Brown did not
have enough money to put into his business and it soon came a
cropper./ Compare: RIDING FOR A FALL.
[come across] {v.} 1. or [run across] To find or meet by chance. *
/He came across a dollar bill in the suit he was sending to the
cleaner./ * /The other day I ran across a book that you might like./ *
/I came across George at a party last week; it was the first time I
had seen him in months./ Compare: COME ON(3), RUN INTO(3b). 2. To give
or do what is asked. * /The robber told the woman to come across with
her purse./ * /For hours the police questioned the man suspected of
kidnapping the child, and finally he came across with the story./
[come again] {v.}, {informal} Please repeat; please say that again.
- Usually used as a command. * /"Harry has just come into a fortune,"
my wife said. "Come again? " I asked her, not believing it./ * /"Come
again," said the hard-of-hearing man./
[come alive] or [come to life] {v.} 1. {informal} To become alert
or attentive; wake up and look alive; become active. * /When Mr.
Simmons mentioned money, the boys came alive./ * /Bob pushed the
starter button, and the engine came alive with a roar./ 2. To look
real; take on a bright, natural look. * /Under skillful lighting, the
scene came alive./ * /The President came alive in the picture as the
artist worked./
[come along] {v.} To make progress; improve; succeed. * /He was
coming along well after the operation./ * /Rose is coming right along
on the piano./
[come a long way] {v. phr.} To show much improvement; make great
progress. * /The school has come a long way since its beginnings./ *
/Little Jane has come a long way since she broke her leg./
[come apart at the seams] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To become
upset to the point where one loses self-control and composure as if
having suffered a sudden nervous breakdown. * /After his divorce Joe
seemed to be coming apart at the seams./
[come around] See: COME ROUND.
[come at] {v.} 1. To approach; come to or against; advance toward.
* /The young boxer came at the champion cautiously./ 2. To understand
(a word or idea) or master (a skill); succeed with. * /The sense of an
unfamiliar word is hard to come at./
[come back] {v.}, {informal} 1. To reply; answer. * /The lawyer
came back sharply in defense of his client./ * /No matter how the
audience heckled him, the comedian always had an answer to come back
with./ 2. To get a former place or position back, reach again a place
which you have lost. * /After a year off to have her baby, the singer
came back to even greater fame./ * /It is hard for a retired prize
fighter to come hack and beat a younger man./
[comeback] {n.}, {v. phr.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
A return call. * /Thanks for your comeback./
[come back to earth] or [come down to earth] {v. phr.} To return to
the real world; stop imagining or dreaming; think and behave as usual.
* /After Jane met the movie star it was hard for her to come back to
earth./ * /Bill was sitting and daydreaming so his mother told him to
come down to earth and to do his homework./ Compare: COME TO ONE'S
SENSES, DOWN-TO-EARTH. Contrast: IN THE CLOUDS.
[come between] {v.} To part; divide; separate. * /John's
mother-in-law came to live in his home, and as time passed she came
between him and his wife./ * /Bill's hot rod came between him and his
studies, and his grades went down./
[come by] {v.} To get; obtain; acquire. * /A good job like that is
hard to come by./ * /Money easily come by is often easily spent./ *
/How did she come by that money?/
[come by honestly] {v. phr.}, {informal} To inherit (a
characteristic) from your parents. * /Joe comes by his hot temper
honestly; his father is the same way./
[come clean] {v. phr.}, {slang} To tell all; tell the whole story;
confess. * /The boy suspected of stealing the watch came clean after
long questioning./
[comedown] {n.} Disappointment; embarrassment; failure. * /It was
quite a comedown for Al when the girl he took for granted refused his
marriage proposal./
[come down] {v.} 1. To reduce itself; amount to no more than. -
Followed by "to". * /The quarrel finally came down to a question of
which boy would do the dishes./ Syn.: BOIL DOWN(3). 2. To be handed
down or passed along, descend from parent to child; pass from older
generation to younger ones. * /Mary's necklace had come down to her
from her grandmother./
[come down hard on] {v.}, {informal} 1. To scold or punish
strongly. * /The principal came down hard on the boys for breaking the
window./ 2. To oppose strongly. * /The minister in his sermon came
down hard on drinking./
[come down in the world] {v. phr.} To lose a place of respect or
honor, become lower (as in rank or fortune). * /The stranger plainly
had come down a long way in the world./ Compare: DOWN ON ONE'S LUCK.
[come down off one's high horse] {v. phr.} To become less arrogant;
to assume a more modest disposition. * /The boastful candidate for
Congress quickly came down off his high horse when he was soundly
beaten by his opponent./
[come down on like a ton of bricks] {v. phr.}, {slang} To direct
one's full anger at somebody. * /When the janitor was late for work,
the manager came down on him like a ton of bricks./
[come down to earth] See: COME BACK TO EARTH.
[come down with] {v.}, {informal} To become sick with; catch. * /We
all came down with the mumps./ * /After being out in the rain, George
came down with a cold./
[come from far and wide] {v. phr.} To originate or hail from many
different places. * /The students at this university come from far and
wide and speak many languages./
[come full circle] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To become totally
opposed to one's own earlier conviction on a given subject. * /Today's
conservative businessperson has come full circle from former radical
student days./ 2. To change and develop, only to end up where one
started. * /From modern permissiveness, ideas about child raising have
come full circle to the views of our grandparents./
[come hell or high water] {adv. phr.}, {informal} No matter what
happens; whatever may come. * /Grandfather said he would go to the
fair, come hell or high water./ Compare: COME WHAT MAY, THROUGH THE
MILL.
[come home to roost] See: CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST.
[come in] {v.} 1. To finish in a sports contest or other
competition. * /He came in second in the hundred-yard dash./ 2. To
become the fashion; begin to be used. * /Swimming trunks for men came
in after World War I; before that men used full swim suits./
[come in for] {v.} To receive. * /He came in for a small fortune
when his uncle died./ * /His conduct came in for much criticism./
[come in handy] {v. phr.}, {informal} To prove useful. * /Robinson
Crusoe found tools in the ship which came in handy when he built a
house./ * /The French he learned in high school came in handy when he
was in the army in France./
[come into] {v.} To receive, especially after another's death; get
possession of. * /He came into a lot of money when his father died./ *
/He came into possession of the farm after his uncle died./
[come into one's own] {v. phr.} To receive the wealth or respect
that you should have. * /John's grandfather died and left him a
million dollars; when John is 21, he will come into his own./ * /With
the success of the Model T Ford, the automobile industry came into its
own./
[came natural] See: COME EASY.
[come of] {v.} 1. To result from. * /After all the energy we spent
on that advertising campaign, absolutely nothing came of it./ 2. To
become of; happen to. * /"Whatever became of your son, Peter?"/
[come of age] See: OF AGE.
[come off] {v.} 1. To take place; happen. * /The picnic came off at
last, after being twice postponed./ 2. {informal} To do well; succeed.
* /The attempt to bring the quarreling couple together again came off,
to people's astonishment./
[come off it] also [get off it] {v. phr.}, {slang} Stop pretending;
bragging, or kidding; stop being silly. - Used as a command. * /"So I
said to the duchess..." Jimmy began. "Oh, come off it," the other boys
sneered./ * /Fritz said he had a car of his own. "Oh, come off it,"
said John. "You can't even drive."/
[come off] or [through with flying colors] {v. phr.} To succeed;
triumph. * /John came off with flying colors in his final exams at
college./
[come off second best] {v. phr.} To not win first but only second,
third, etc. place. * /Our home team came off second best against the
visitors./ * /Sue complains that she always comes off second best when
she has a disagreement with her husband./
[come on] {v.} 1. To begin; appear. * /Rain came on toward
morning./ * /He felt a cold coming on./ 2. To grow or do well; thrive.
* /The wheat was coming on./ * /His business came on splendidly./ 3.
or [come upon]. To meet accidentally; encounter; find. * /He came on
an old friend that day when he visited his club./ * /He came upon an
interesting idea in reading about the French Revolution./ Syn.: COME
ACROSS, HAPPEN ON. 4. {informal} Let's get started; let's get going;
don't delay; don't wait. - Used as a command. * /"Come on, or we'll he
late," said Joe, but Lou still waited./ 5. {informal} Please do it! -
Used in begging someone to do something. * /Sing us just one song,
Jane, come on!/ * /Come on, Laura, you can tell me. I won't tell
anybody./
[come-on] {n.}, {slang} An attractive offer made to a naive person
under false pretenses in order to gain monetary or other advantage. *
/Joe uses a highly successful come-on when he sells vacant lots on
Grand Bahama Island./
[come one's way] {v. phr.} To be experienced by someone; happen to
you. * /Tom said that if the chance to become a sailor ever came his
way, he would take it./ * /I hope bad luck isn't coming our way./ *
/Luck came Bill's way today and he hit a home run./ Compare: GO ONE'S
WAY, IN ONE'S FAVOR.
[come on strong] {v. phr.}, {slang} To overwhelm a weaker person
with excessively strong language, personality, or mannerisms; to
insist extremely strongly and claim something with unusual vigor. *
/Joe came on very strong last night about the War in Indochina; most
of us felt embarrassed./
[come out] {v.} 1. {Of a girl:} To be formally introduced to polite
society at about age eighteen, usually at a party; begin to go to big
parties, * /In society, girls come out when they reach the age of
about eighteen, and usually it is at a big party in their honor; after
that they are looked on as adults./ 2. To be published. * /The book
came out two weeks ago./ 3. To become publicly known. * /The truth
finally came out at his trial./ 4, To end; result; finish. * /How did
the story come out?/ * /The game came out as we had hoped./ * /The
snapshots came out well./ 5. To announce support or opposition;
declare yourself (for or against a person or thing). * /The party
leaders came out for an acceptable candidate./ * /Many Congressmen
came out against the bill./ 6. See: GO OUT FOR.
[coming-out] {adj.} Introducing a girl to polite society. * /Mary's
parents gave her a coming-out party when she was 17./
[come out for] {v. phr.} To support; declare oneself in favor of
another, especially during a political election. * /Candidates for the
presidency of the United States are anxious for the major newspapers
to come out for them./
[come out in the open] {v. phr.} 1. To reveal one's true identity
or intentions. * /Fred finally came out in the open and admitted that
he was gay./ 2. To declare one's position openly. * /The conservative
Democratic candidate came out in the open and declared that he would
join the Republican party./
[come out with] {v. phr.} 1. To make a public announcement of; make
known. * /He came out with a clear declaration of his principles./ 2.
To say. * /He comes out with the funniest remarks you can imagine./
[come over] {v.} To take control of; cause sudden strong feeling
in; happen to. * /A sudden fit of anger came over him./ * /A great
tenderness came over her./ * /What has come over him?/
[come round] or [come around] {v.} 1. To happen or appear again and
again in regular order. * /And so Saturday night came around again./ *
/I will tell him when he comes round again./ 2. {informal} To get back
health or knowledge of things; get well from sickness or a faint./ *
/Someone brought out smelling salts and Mary soon came round./ * /Jim
has come around after having had stomach ulcers./ 3. To change
direction, * /The wind has come round to the south./ 4. {informal} To
change your opinion or purpose to agree with another's. * /Tom came
round when Dick told him the whole story./
[come through] {v.}, {informal} To be equal to a demand; meet
trouble or a sudden need with success; satisfy a need. * /When the
baseball team needed a hit, Willie came through with a double./ *
/John needed money for college and his father came through./
[come to] {v.} (stress on "to") 1. To wake up after losing
consciousness; get the use of your senses back again after fainting or
being knocked out. * /She fainted in the store and found herself in
the first aid room when she came to./ * /The boxer who was knocked out
did not come to for five minutes./ * /The doctor gave her a pill and
after she took it she didn't come to for two days./ Compare: BRING TO.
2. (stress on "come") To get enough familiarity or understanding to;
learn to; grow to. - Used with an infinitive. * /John was selfish at
first, but he came to realize that other people counted, too./ *
/During her years at the school, Mary came to know that road well./ 3.
To result in or change to; reach the point of; arrive at. * /Mr. Smith
lived to see his invention come to success./ * /Grandfather doesn't
like the way young people act today; he says, "I don't know what the
world is coming to."/ 4. To have something to do with; be in the field
of; be about. - Usually used in the phrase "when it comes to". * /Joe
is not good in sports, but when it comes to arithmetic he's the best
in the class./ * /The school has very good teachers, but when it comes
to buildings, the school is poor./
[come to a dead end] {v. phr.} To reach a point from which one
cannot proceed further, either because of a physical obstacle or
because of some forbidding circumstance. * /Our car came to a dead
end; the only way to get out was to drive back in reverse./ * /The
factory expansion project came to a dead end because of a lack of
funds./
[come to blows] {v. phr.} To begin to fight. * /The two quarreling
boys came to blows after school./ * /The two countries came to blows
because one wanted to be independent from the other./
[come to grief] {v. phr.} To have a bad accident or disappointment;
meet trouble or ruin; end badly; wreck; fail. * /Bill came to grief
learning to drive a car./ * /Nick's hopes for a new house came to
grief when the house he was building burned down./ * /The fishing boat
came to grief off Cape Cod./
[come to grips with] {v. phr.} 1. To get hold of (another wrestler)
in close fighting. * /After circling around for a minute, the two
wrestlers came to grips with each other./ 2. To struggle seriously
with (an idea or problem). * /Mr. Blake's leaching helps students come
to grips with the important ideas in the history lesson./ * /Harry
cannot be a leader, because he never quite comes to grips with a
problem./ Compare: COME TO TERMS(2).
[come to hand] {v. phr.} To be received or obtained. * /Father's
letter was mailed from Florida last week and came to hand today./ *
/The new books came to hand today./ * /New information about the boy's
disappearance came to hand yesterday./
[come to heel] See: TO HEEL.
[come to life] See: COME ALIVE.
[come to light] {v. phr.} To be discovered; become known; appear. *
/John's thefts from the bank where he worked came to light when the
bank examiners made an inspection./ * /When the old woman died it came
to light that she was actually rich./ * /New facts about ancient Egypt
have recently come to light./ Compare: BRING TO LIGHT.
[come to mind] {v. phr.} To occur to someone. * /A new idea for the
advertising campaign came to mind as I was reading your book./
[come to nothing] also {formal} [come to naught] {v. phr.} To end
in failure; fail; be in vain. * /The dog's attempts to climb the tree
after the cat came to nothing./
[come to one's senses] {v. phr.} 1. Become conscious again; wake
up. * /The boxer was knocked out and did not come to his senses for
several minutes./ * /The doctors gave Tom an anesthetic before his
operation; then the doctor took out Tom's appendix before he came to
his senses./ Compare: COME TO(1). 2. To think clearly; behave as usual
or as you should; act sensibly. * /A boy threw a snowball at me and
before I could come to my senses he ran away./ * /Don't act so
foolishly. Come to your senses!/ Contrast: OUT OF ONE'S HEAD.
[come to pass] {v. phr.}, {literary} To happen; occur. * /Strange
things come to pass in troubled times./ * /It came to pass that the
jailer visited him by night./ * /His hopes of success did not come to
pass./ Compare: BRING TO PASS, COME ABOUT.
[come to terms] {v. phr.} To reach an agreement. * /Management and
the labor union came to terms about a new arrangement and a strike was
prevented./
[come to the point] or [get to the point] {v. phr.} To talk about
the important thing; reach the important facts of the matter; reach
the central question or fact. * /Henry was giving a lot of history and
explanation, but his father asked him to come to the point./ * /A good
newspaper story must come right to the point and save the details for
later./ Contrast: BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH.
[come to think of it] {v. phr.}, {informal} As I think again;
indeed; really. * /Come to think of it, he has already been given what
he needs./ * /Come to think of it, I should write my daughter today./
[come true] {v.} To really happen; change from a dream or a plan
into a fact. * /It took years of planning and saving, but their
seagoing vacation came true at last./ * /It was a dream come true when
he met the President./ * /His hope of living to 100 did not come
true./
[come up] {v.} 1. To become a subject for discussion or decision to
talk about or decide about. * /"He was a good salesman, and price
never came up until the very last," Mary said./ * /The question of
wage increases came up at the board meeting./ * /Mayor Jones comes up
for reelection this fall./ 2. To be equal; match in value. - Used with
"to". * /The new model car comes up to last year's./ 3. To approach;
come close. * /We saw a big black bear coming up on us from the
woods./ * /Christmas is coming up soon./ * /The team was out
practicing for the big game coming up./ 4. To provide; supply;
furnish. - Used with "with". * /For years Jones kept coming up with
new and good ideas./ * /The teacher asked a difficult question, but
finally Ted came up with a good answer./
[come up in the world] or [rise in the world] {v. phr.} To gain
success, wealth, or importance in life; rise to a position of greater
wealth or importance. * /He had come up in the world since he peddled
his wife's baked goods from a pushcart./ Compare: GET AHEAD. Contrast:
COME DOWN IN THE WORLD.
[come up smelling like a rose] {v. phr.} To escape from a difficult
situation or misdeed unscathed or without punishment. * /A is
predicted that Congressman Brown, in spite of the current
investigation into his financial affairs, will come up smelling like a
rose at the end./
[come up to] {v. phr.} To equal. * /The meals cooked in most
restaurants do not come up to those prepared at home./
[come up with] {v. phr.} 1. To offer. * /We can always depend on
John Smith to come up with a good solution for any problem we might
have./ 2. To produce on demand. * /I won't be able to buy this car,
because I cannot come up with the down payment you require./ 3. To
find. * /How on earth did you come up with such a brilliant idea?/
[come upon] See: COME ON(3).
[come what may] {adv. phr.} Even if troubles come; no matter what
happens; in spite of opposition or mischance. * /Charles has decided
to get a college education, come what may./ * /The editor says we will
publish the school paper this week, come what may./
[comfort] See: COLD COMFORT.
[comfortable as an old shoe] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Pleasant and
relaxed; not stiff, strict or too polite; easy to talk and work with.
* /The stranger was as comfortable as an old shoe, and we soon were
talking like old friends./
[coming and going] or [going and coming] {adv. phr.} 1. Both ways;
in both directions. * /The truck driver stops at the same cafe coming
and going./ * /John was late. He got punished both going and coming;
his teacher punished him and his parents punished him./ 2. Caught or
helpless; in your power; left with no way out of a difficulty. - Used
after "have". * /If Beth stayed in the house, Mother would make her
help with the cleaning; if she went outside, Father would make her
help wash the car - they had her coming and going./ * /Uncle Mike is a
good checker player, and he soon had me beat coming and going./
Compare: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA.
[coming out] See: COME OUT(1).
[coming out party] {n. phr.} A debutante party in which a young
girl is formally introduced to society. * /Coming out parties used to
be more popular in the early twentieth century than nowadays,
primarily because they cost a lot of money./
[comings and goings] {n. pl.}, {informal} 1. Times of arriving and
going away; movements. * /I can't keep up with the children's comings
and goings./ 2. Activities; doings; business. * /Mary knows all the
comings and goings in the neighborhood./
[command module] {n.}, {Space English} 1. One of the three main
sections of the basic Apollo spacecraft. It weighs six tons and is
cone shaped. It contains crew compartments and from it the astronauts
can operate the lunar module (LM), the docking systems, etc. 2.
{Informal transferred sense.} The cockpit, the chief place where a
person does his most important work. * /My desk is my command module./
[commission] See: IN COMMISSION or INTO COMMISSION, OUT OF
COMMISSION.
[common] See: IN COMMON.
[common as an old shoe] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not showing off;
not vain; modest; friendly to all. * /Although Mr. Jones ran a large
business, he was common as an old shoe./ * /The most famous people are
sometimes as common as an old shoe./
[common ground] {n.} Shared beliefs, interests, or ways of
understanding; ways in which people are alike. * /Bob and Frank don't
like each other because they have no common ground./ * /The only
common ground between us is that we went to the same school./ Compare:
IN COMMON.
[common touch] {n.} The ability to be a friend of the people;
friendly manner with everyone. * /Voters like a candidate who has the
common touch./
[company] See: KEEP COMPANY, PART COMPANY.
[company man] {n.}, {informal} A worker who always agrees with
management rather than labor. - Usually used to express dislike or
disapproval. * /Joe was a company man and refused to take a part in
the strike./ Compare: YES-MAN.
[compare notes] {v. phr.}, {informal} To exchange thoughts or ideas
about something; discuss together. * /Mother and Mrs. Barker like to
compare notes about cooking./
[compliment] See: RETURN THE COMPLIMENT.
[conclusion] See: JUMP TO A CONCLUSION.
[condition] See: IN SHAPE or IN CONDITION, IN THE PINK or IN THE
PINK OF CONDITION, ON CONDITION THAT, OUT OF SHAPE or OUT OF
CONDITION.
[conference] See: PRESS CONFERENCE.
[congregate housing] {n.}, {informal} A form of housing for elderly
persons in which dining facilities and services are shared in multiple
dwelling units. * /Jerry put Grandma in a place where they have
congregate housing./
[conk out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To fall asleep suddenly
with great fatigue or after having drunk too much. * /We conked out
right after the guests had left./
[consent] See: SILENCE GIVES CONSENT.
[consequence] See: IN CONSEQUENCE, IN CONSEQUENCE OF.
[consideration] See: IN CONSIDERATION OF.
[consumer goods] or [consumer items] {n.} Food and manufactured
things that people buy for their own use. * /In time of war, the
supply of consumer goods is greatly reduced./
[content] See: TO ONE'S HEART'S CONTENT.
[contention] See: BONE OF CONTENTION.
[contrary] See: ON THE CONTRARY, TO THE CONTRARY.
[control room] {n.} A room containing the panels and switches used
to control something (like a TV broadcast). * /While a television
program is on the air, engineers are at their places in the control
room./
[control tower] {n.} A tower with large windows and a good view of
an airport so that the traffic of airplanes can be seen and
controlled, usually by radio. * /We could see the lights at the
control tower as our plane landed during the night./
[conversation] See: MAKE CONVERSATION.
[conversation piece] {n.} Something that interests people and makes
them talk about it; something that looks unusual, comical, or strange.
* /Uncle Fred has a glass monkey on top of his piano that he keeps for
a conversation piece./
[conviction] See: HAVE THE COURAGE OF ONE'S CONVICTIONS.
[cook] See: SHORT-ORDER COOK, WHAT'S UP or WHAT'S COOKING.
[cook one's goose] {v. phr.}, {slang} To ruin someone hopelessly;
destroy one's future expectations or good name. * /The bank treasurer
cooked his own goose when he stole the bank's funds./ * /She cooked
John's goose by reporting what she knew to the police./ * /The
dishonest official knew his goose was cooked when the newspapers
printed the story about him./
[cook up] {v.}, {informal} To plan and put together; make up;
invent. * /The boys cooked up an excuse to explain their absence from
school./
[cool] See: PLOW ONE'S COOL.
[cool as a cucumber] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Very calm and brave;
not nervous, worried, or anxious; not excited; composed. * /Bill is a
good football quarterback, always cool as a cucumber./
[cool customer] {n.} Someone who is calm and in total control of
himself; someone showing little emotion. * /Jim never gets too excited
about anything; he is a cool customer./
[cool down] or [cool off] {v.} To lose or cause to lose the heat of
any deep feeling (as love, enthusiasm, or anger); make or become calm,
cooled or indifferent; lose interest. * /A heated argument can be
settled better if both sides cool down first./ * /John was deeply in
love with Sally before he left for college, but he cooled off before
he got back./ * /Their friendship cooled off when Jack gave up
football./ * /The neighbor's complaint about the noise cooled the
argument down./
[cool one's heels] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be kept waiting by
another's pride or rudeness; be forced to wait by someone in power or
authority; wait. * /He cooled his heels for an hour in another room
before the great man would see him./ * /I was left to cool my heels
outside while the others went into the office./
[coon's age] See: DOG'S AGE.
[coop] See: FLY THE COOP.
[coop up] {v. phr.} To hedge in; confine; enclose in a small place.
* /How can poor Jane work in that small office, cooped up all day
long?/
[cop a feel] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To attempt to arouse
sexually by manual contact, usually by surprise. * /John talks big for
a 16 year old, but all he's ever done is cop a feel in a dark movie
theater./ Compare: FEEL UP. Contrast: COP A PLEA.
[cop a plea] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial} To plead guilty
during a trial in the hope of getting a lighter sentence as a result.
* /The murderer of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., copped a plea of
guilty, and got away with a life sentence instead of the death
penalty./
[cop out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To avoid committing
oneself in a situation where doing so would result in difficulties. *
/Nixon copped out on the American people with Watergate./
[cop-out] {n. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} An irresponsible excuse
made to avoid something one has to do, a flimsy pretext. * /Cowe on,
Jim, that's a cheap cop-out, and I don't believe a word of it!/
[copy cat] n. Someone who copies another person's work or manner. -
Usually used by children or when speaking to children. * /He called me
a copy cat just because my new shoes look like his./
[corn ball] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A superficially
sentimental movie or musical in which the word "love" is mentioned too
often; a theatrical performance that is trivially sentimental. * /That
movie last night was a corn hall./ 2. A person who behaves in a
superficially sentimental manner or likes performances portraying such
behavior. * /Suzie can't stand Joe; she thinks he's a corn ball./
[corn belt] {n.} 1. The Midwest; the agricultural section of the
United States where much corn is grown. * /Kansas is one of the slates
that lies within the corn belt./
[corner] See: AROUND THE CORNER, CUT CORNERS, FOUR CORNERS, OUT OF
THE CORNER OF ONE'S EYE.
[cost a bomb] or [an arm and a leg] {v. phr.} To be extremely
expensive. * /My new house has cost us an arm and a leg and we're
almost broke./
[cotton] See: ON TOP OF THE WORLD also SITTING ON HIGH COTTON.
[cotton picking], [cotton-pickin'] {adj.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
Worthless, crude, common, messy. * /Keep your cotton picking hands off
my flowers!/ * /You've got to clean up your room, son, this is a
cotton-pickin' mess!/
[couch case] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person judged emotionally
so disturbed that people think he ought to see a psychiatrist (who,
habitually, make their patients lie down on a couch). * /Joe's divorce
messed him up so badly that he became a couch case./
[couch doctor] {n.}, {slang}, {colloquial} A psychoanalyst who puts
his patients on a couch following the practice established by Sigmund
Freud. * /I didn't know your husband was a couch doctor, I thought he
was a gynecologist!/
[couch potato] {n.} A person who is addicted to watching television
all day. * /Poor Ted has become such a couch potato that we can't
persuade him to do anything./
[cough up] {v.}, {slang} 1. To give (money) unwillingly; pay with
an effort. * /Her husband coughed up the money for the party with a
good deal of grumbling./ 2. To tell what was secret; make known. * /He
coughed up the whole story for the police./
[couldn't care less] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be indifferent; not
care at all. * /The students couldn't care less about the band; they
talk all through the concert./ Also heard increasingly as "could care
less" (nonstandard in this form.)
[counsel] See: KEEP ONE'S OWN COUNSEL.
[count] See: STAND UP AND BE COUNTED.
[countdown] {n.}. {Space English}, {informal} 1. A step-by-step
process which leads to the launching of a rocket. * /Countdown starts
at 23:00 hours tomorrow night and continues for 24 hours./ 2. Process
of counting inversely during the acts leading to a launch; liftoff
occurs at zero. 3. The time immediately preceding an important
undertaking, borrowed from Space English. * /We're leaving for Hawaii
tomorrow afternoon; this is countdown time for us./
[counter] See: UNDER THE COUNTER.
[count heads] or [count noses] {v. phr.}, {informal} To count the
number of people in a group. * /On the class picnic, we counted heads
before we left and when we arrived to be sure that no one got lost./ *
/The usher was told to look out into the audience and count noses./
[count off] {v.} 1. To count aloud from one end of a line of men to
the other, each man counting in turn. * /The soldiers counted off from
right to left./ 2. To place into a separate group or groups by
counting. * /The coach counted off three boys to carry in the
equipment./ * /Tom counted off enough newspapers for his route./
[count on] {v.} 1. To depend on; rely on; trust. * /The team was
counting on Joe to win the race./ * /I'll do it; you know you can
count on me./ * /The company was counting on Brown's making the right
decision./ Syn.: BANK ON. 2. See: FIGURE ON(2).
[count one's chickens before they're hatched] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To depend on getting a profit or gain before you have it; make plans
that suppose something will happen; be too sure that something will
happen. Usually used in negative sentences. * /When Jim said that he
would be made captain of the team, John told him not to count his
chickens before they were hatched./ * /Maybe some of your customers
won't pay, and then where will you be? Don't count your chickens
before they're hatched./
[count out] {v.} 1. To leave (someone) out of a plan; not expect
(someone) to share in an activity; exclude. * /"Will this party cost
anything? If it does, count me out, because I'm broke."/ * /When the
coach was planning who would play in the big game he counted Paul out,
because Paul had a hurt leg./ 2. To count out loud to ten to show that
(a boxer who has been knocked down in a fight) is beaten or knocked
out if he does not get up before ten is counted. * /The champion was
counted. out in the third round./ 3a. To add up; count again to be
sure of the amount. * /Mary counted out the number of pennies she
had./ 3b. To count out loud, (especially the beats in a measure of
music). * /The music teacher counted out the beats
"one-two-three-four," so the class would sing in time./
[count to ten] {v. phr.}, {informal} To count from one to ten so
you will have time to calm down or get control of yourself; put off
action when angry or excited so as not to do anything wrong. * /Father
always told us to count to ten before doing anything when we got
angry./ Compare: KEEP ONE'S HEAD. Contrast: BLOW A FUSE, FLY OFF THE
HANDLE.
[county mounty] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's hand radio jargon}
Sheriff's deputy. * /The county mounties are parked under the bridge./
[courage] See: HAVE THE COURAGE OF ONE'S CONVICTIONS, SCREW UP
ONE'S COURAGE.
[course] See: IN DUE COURSE, MATTER OF COURSE, OF COURSE, PAR FOR
THE COURSE.
[court] See: DAY IN COURT, FRONT COURT, HOLD COURT, KANGAROO COURT.
[cousin] See: FIRST COUSIN, SECOND COUSIN.
[cover] See: FROM COVER TO COVER at FROM --- TO(3), UNDER COVER.
[cover a lot of ground] {v. phr.} To process a great deal of
information and various facts. * /Professor Brown's thorough lecture
on asteroids covered a lot of ground today./
[covered-dish supper] or [potluck supper] A meal to which each
guest brings a share of the food. * /Dolly made a chicken casserole
for the covered-dish supper./
[cover girl] {n.} A pretty girl or woman whose picture is put on
the cover of a magazine. * /Ann is not a cover girl, but she is pretty
enough to be./
[cover ground] or [cover the ground] {v. phr.} 1. To go a distance;
travel. * /Mr. Rogers likes to travel in planes, because they cover
ground so quickly./ 2. {informal} To move over an area at a speed that
is pleasing; move quickly over a lot of ground. * /The new infielder
really covers the ground at second base./ * /Herby's new car really
covers ground!/ 3. To give or receive the important facts and details
about a subject. * /If you're thinking about a trip to Europe, the
airline has a booklet that covers the ground pretty well./ * /The
class spent two days studying the Revolutionary War, because they
couldn't cover that much ground in one day./
[cover one's tracks] or [cover up one's tracks] {v. phr.} 1. To
hide and not leave anything, especially foot marks, to show where you
have been, so that no one can follow you. * /The deer covered his
tracks by running in a stream./ 2. {informal} To hide or not say where
you have been or what you have done; not tell why you do something or
what you plan to do. * /The boys covered their tracks when they went
swimming by saying that they were going for a walk./ Compare: COVER
UP(1).
[cover the waterfront] {v. phr.} To talk or write all about
something; talk about something all possible ways. * /The principal
pretty well covered the waterfront on student behavior./
[cover up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To hide something wrong or bad from
attention. * /The spy covered up his picture-taking by pretending to
be just a tourist./ * /A crooked banker tried to cover up his stealing
some of the bank's money by starting a fire to destroy the records./
Compare: COVER ONE'S TRACKS(2). 2. In boxing: To guard your head and
body with your gloves, arms, and shoulders. * /Jimmy's father told him
to cover up and protect his chin when he boxed./ 3. To protect someone
else from blame or punishment; protect someone with a lie or alibi. -
Often used with "for". * /The teacher wanted to know who broke the
window and told the boys not to try to cover up for anyone./ * /The
burglar's friend covered up for him by saying that he was at his home
when the robbery occurred./
[cover-up] {n.}, {slang} A plan or excuse to escape blame or
punishment; lie, alibi. * /When the men robbed the bank, their
cover-up was to dress like policemen./ * /Joe's cover-up to his mother
after he had been fighting was that he fell down./
[cow] See: HOLY CATS or HOLY COW, SACRED COW.
[cowboy] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who drives his car
carelessly and at too great a speed in order to show off his courage.
* /Joe's going to be arrested some day - he is a cowboy on the
highway./
[cow college] {n.}, {slang} 1. An agricultural college; a school
where farming is studied. * /A new, bigger kind of apple is being
grown at the cow college./ 2. A new or rural college not thought to be
as good as older or city colleges. * /John wanted to go to a big
college in New York City, not to a cow college./
[cows tail] {n.}, {dialect} A person who is behind others. * /John
was the cow's tail at the exam./ * /Fred was always the old cow's tail
for football practice./
[cozy up] {v.}, {slang} To try to be close or friendly; try to be
liked. - Usually used with "to". * /John is cozying up to Henry so he
can join the club./
[crack] See: HARD NUT TO CRACK or TOUGH NUT TO CRACK.
[crack a book] {v. phr.}, {slang} To open a book in order to study.
- Usually used with a negative. * /John did not crack a book until the
night before the exam./ * /Many students think they can pass without
cracking a book./
[crack a bottle] {v. phr.} To open a new bottle of alcoholic
beverage. * /On birthdays it is customary to crack a bottle and offer
one's best wishes./
[crack a joke] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make a joke; tell a joke. *
/The men sat around the stove, smoking and cracking jokes./
[crack a smile] {v. phr.}, {informal} To let a smile show on one's
face; permit a smile to appear. * /Bob told the whole silly story
without even cracking a smile./ * /Scrooge was a gloomy man, who never
cracked a smile./ * /When we gave the shy little boy an ice cream
cone, he finally cracked a smile./
[crack down] {v. phr.}, {informal} To enforce laws or rules
strictly; require full obedience to a rule. * /After a speeding driver
hit a child, the police cracked down./ - Often used with "on". *
/Police suddenly cracked down on the selling of liquors to minors./ *
/The coach cracked down on the players when he found they had not been
obeying the training rules./
[crack of dawn] {n. phr.} The time in the morning when the sun's
rays first appear. * /The rooster crows at the crack of dawn and wakes
up everybody on the farm./
[cracked up] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Favorably described or
presented; praised. - Usually used in the expression "not what it's
cracked up to be". * /The independent writer's life isn't always
everything it's cracked up to be./ * /In bad weather, a sailing cruise
isn't what it's cracked up to be./
[cracking] See: GET CRACKING - at GET GOING(2).
[crackpot] {n.}, {attrib. adj.}, {informal} 1. {n.} An eccentric
person with ideas that don't make sense to most other people. * /Don't
believe what Uncle Noam tells you - he is a crackpot./ 2. {attrib.
adj.} * /That's a crackpot idea./
[crack the whip] {v. phr.}, {informal} To get obedience or
cooperation by threats of punishment. * /If the children won't behave
when I reason with them, I have to crack the whip./
[crack up] {v.} 1. To wreck or be wrecked; smash up. * /The
airplane cracked up in landing./ * /He cracked up his car./ 2.
{informal} To become mentally ill under physical or mental overwork or
worry. * /He had kept too busy for years, and when failures came, he
cracked up./ * /It seemed to be family problems that made him crack
up./ 3. Burst into laughter or cause to burst into laughter. * /That
comedian cracks me up./
[cradle] See: ROB THE CRADLE.
[cradle robber], [cradle robbing] See: ROB THE CRADLE.
[cramp] See: WRITER'S CRAMP.
[cramp one's style] {v. phr.}, {informal} To limit your natural
freedom; prevent your usual behavior; limit your actions or talk. *
/He cramped his style a good deal when he lost his money./ * /Army
rules cramped George's style./
[crash dive] {n.} A sudden dive made by a submarine to escape an
enemy; a dive made to get deep under water as quickly as possible. *
/The captain of the submarine told his crew to prepare for a crash
dive when he saw the enemy battleship approaching./
[crash-dive] {v.} 1. To dive deep underwater in a submarine as
quickly as possible. * /We shall crash-dive if we see enemy planes
coming./ 2. To dive into (something) in an airplane. * /When the
plane's motor was hit by the guns of the enemy battleship, the pilot
aimed the plane at the ship and crash-dived into it./
[crash the gate] {v. phr.}, {slang} To enter without a ticket or
without paying; attend without an invitation or permission. * /Bob got
into the circus without paying. He crashed the gate./ * /Three boys
tried to crash the gate at our party but we didn't let them in./
[craw] See: STICK IN ONE'S CRAW.
[crawl up] See: RIDE UP.
[crazy] or [mad] or [nuts about] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Excessively fond of; infatuated with. * /Jack is totally nuts about
Liz, but she is not too crazy about him./
[cream] See: VANISHING CREAM.
[cream of the crop] {n. phr.} The best of a group; the top choice.
* /May Queen candidates were lovely, but Betsy and Nancy were the
cream of the crop./ * /The students had drawn many good pictures and
the teacher chose the cream of the crop to hang up when the parents
came to visit./
[creature of habit] {n. phr.} A person who does things out of habit
rather than by thought. * /Our boss is a creature of habit, so let us
not confuse him with too many new ideas./
[credibility gap] {n.}, {hackneyed phrase}, {politics} An apparent
discrepancy between what the government says and what one can observe
for oneself. * /There was a tremendous credibility gap in the USA
during the Watergate years./
[credit] See: DO CREDIT.
[creek] See: UP THE CREEK or UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE.
[creep] See: THE CREEPS.
[creep up on] {v.} 1. To crawl towards; move along near the ground;
steal cautiously towards so as not to be seen or noticed. * /The mouse
did not see the snake creeping up on it over the rocks./ * /Indians
were creeping up on the house through the bushes./ 2. or [sneak up on]
To come little by little; arrive slowly and unnoticed. * /The woman's
hair was turning gray as age crept up on her./ * /Winter is creeping
up on us little by little./ * /The boys didn't notice the darkness
creeping up on them while they were playing./ Compare: COME OVER.
[crew] See: SECTION GANG or SECTION CREW.
[crew cut] or [crew haircut] {n.} A boy's or man's hair style, cut
so that the hair stands up in short, stiff bristle. * /Many boys like
to get crew cuts during the summer to keep cooler./
[crisp] See: BURN TO A CRISP.
[crocodile tears] {n.} Pretended grief; a show of sorrow that is
not really felt. * /When his rich uncle died, leaving him his money,
John shed crocodile tears./ (From the old legend that crocodiles make
weeping sounds to attract victims and then shed tears while eating
them.)
[crook] See: BY HOOK OR BY CROOK.
[crop] See: CASH CROP, CREAM OF THE CROP, STICK IN ONE'S CRAW or
STICK IN ONE'S CROP.
[crop out] {v.} To appear at the surface; come through or show
through from hiding or concealment. * /Rocks often crop out in New
England pasture land./ * /A hidden hate cropped out in his words./
[cropper] See: COME A CROPPER.
[crop up] {v.} To come without warning; appear or happen
unexpectedly. * /Problems cropped up almost every day when Mr. Reed
was building his TV station./ * /Serious trouble cropped up just when
Martin thought the problem of his college education was solved./
Compare: TURN UP.
[cross] See: AT CROSS PURPOSES, CARRY ONE'S CROSS, DOUBLE CROSS,
KEEP ONE'S FINGERS CROSSED at CROSS ONE'S FINGERS(1b).
[cross a bridge before one comes to it] {v. phr.} To worry about
future events or trouble before they happen. - Usually used in
negative sentences, often as a proverb. * /"Can I be a soldier when I
grow up, Mother?" asked Johnny. "Don't cross that bridge until you
come to it," said his mother./ Compare: BORROW TROUBLE.
[cross-check(1)] {v.} To test the truth of by examining in
different ways or by seeing different reports about. * /If you see
something in a book that may not be true, be sure to crosscheck it in
other books./
[cross-check(2)] {n.} The testing of the truth of by checking one
report against another or others. * /A cross-check with other books
will show us if this story is true./
[cross fire] {n.} 1. Firing in a fight or battle from two or more
places at once so that the lines of fire cross. * /The soldiers on the
bridge were caught in the crossfire coming from both sides of the
bridge./ 2. Fast or angry talking back and forth between two or more
people; also, a dispute; a quarrel. * /There was a cross fire of
excited questions and answers between the parents and the children who
had been lost in the woods./ * /The principal and the graduates
quarreled about the football team, and the coach was caught in the
cross fire and lost his job./
[cross one's fingers] {v. phr.} 1a. To cross two fingers of one
hand for good luck. * /Mary crossed her fingers during the race so
that Tom would win./ 11b. or [keep one's fingers crossed] {informal}
To wish for good luck. * /Keep your fingers crossed while I take the
test./ 2. To cross two fingers of one hand to excuse an untruth that
you are telling. * /Johnny crossed his fingers when he told his mother
the lie./
[cross one's heart] or [cross one's heart and hope to die] {v.
phr.}, {informal} To say that what you have said is surely true;
promise seriously that it is true. - Often used by children in the
longer form. Children often make a sign of a cross over the heart as
they say it, for emphasis. * /"Cross my heart, I didn't hide your
bicycle," Harry told Tom./ * /"I didn't tell the teacher what you
said. Cross my heart and hope to die," Mary said to Lucy./
[cross one's mind] or [pass through one's mind] {v. phr.} To be a
sudden or passing thought; be thought of by someone; come to your
mind; occur to you. * /At first Bob was puzzled by Virginia's waving,
but then it crossed his mind that she was trying to tell him
something./ * /When Jane did not come home by midnight, many terrible
fears passed through Mother's mind./
[cross one's path] {v. phr.} To meet or encounter someone; to come
upon someone more by accident than by plan. * /Surprisingly, I crossed
John's path in Central Park one afternoon./
[cross street] {n.} A street that crosses a main street and runs on
both sides of it. * /Elm Street is a cross street on Main Street and
there is a traffic light there./ Compare: THROUGH STREET.
[cross swords] {v. phr.}, {literary} To have an argument with;
fight. - Often used with "with". * /Don't argue with the teacher;
you're not old enough to cross swords with her./
[cross the wire] {v. phr.} To finish a race. * /The Russian crossed
the wire just behind the American./
[cross up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To block or upset; throw into
confusion or disorder. * /We were going to catch him at the gate, but
he crossed us up by going in the back way./ * /Father crossed up the
surprise party we had planned for him by not getting back in time./ 2.
To deceive or be false to. * /George crossed up his partner by selling
a lot of things secretly./
[crow] See: EAT CROW.
[crow before one is out of the woods] {v. phr.} To be glad or brag
before you are safe from danger or trouble. - Usually used in negative
sentences, often as a proverb, "Don't crow before you are out of the
woods." * /John thought his team would win because the game was almost
over, but he didn't want to crow before they were out of the woods./
Often used in a short form, "out of the woods". * /Mary nearly died
during the operation, and she is not out of the woods yet./
[crown jewels] {n. pl.} The crown, staff, and jewels used for the
crowning of a king or queen; the crown and jewels representing royal
power and authority. * /The crown jewels are handed down from one king
to the next when the new king is crowned./
[crow to pick] See: BONE TO PICK or CROW TO PICK.
[crust] See: UPPER CRUST.
[crux of the matter] {n. phr.} The basic issue at hand; the core
essence that one must face. * /The crux of the matter is that he is
incompetent and we will have to fire him./
[cry] See: FAR CRY, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, HUE AND CRY.
[cry] or [scream bloody murder] {v. phr.} To bitterly and loudly
complain against an indignity. * /Pete cried bloody murder when he
found out that he didn't get the promotion he was hoping for./
[cry before one is hurt] or [holler before one is hurt] {v. phr.},
{informal} To complain when there is no reason for it; become upset
because you are worried or afraid. - Used in negative sentences. *
/When Billy went to the barber, he began to cry before the barber cut
his hair and his father told him not to cry before he was hurt./ -
Often used as a proverb. * /John was worried because he would soon
have a new boss. His mother said, "Don't cry before you're hurt!"/
Syn.: BORROW TROUBLE.
[cry buckets] {v. phr.} To shed an excessive amount of tears. *
/Grandma is crying buckets over the loss of our cat./
[cry for] or [cry out for] {v.}, {informal} To need badly; be
lacking in. * /It has not rained for two weeks and the garden is
crying for it./ * /The school is crying out for good teachers./
[cry out] {v.} 1. To call out loudly; shout; scream. * /The woman
in the water cried out "Help!"/ 2. To complain loudly; protest
strongly. - Used with "against". * /Many people are crying out against
the new rule./
[cry out for] See: CRY FOR.
[cry over spilled milk] or [cry over spilt milk] {v. phr.},
{informal} To cry or complain about something that has already
happened; be unhappy about something that cannot be helped. * /After
the baby tore up Sue's picture book, Sue's mother told her there was
no use crying over spilled milk./ * /You have lost the game but don't
cry over spilt milk./ Compare: MAKE ONE'S BED AND LIE IN IT, WATER
OVER THE DAM or WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE.
[crystal ball] {n.} A ball, usually made of quartz crystal (glass)
that is used by fortune-tellers. * /The fortune-teller at the fair
looked into her crystal ball and told me that I would take a long trip
next year./ 2. Any means of predicting the future. * /My crystal ball
tells me you'll be making the honor roll./
[crystal gazing] {n.} The attempt to predict future events. * /The
magician's specialty was crystal gazing./
[cry uncle] See: SAY UNCLE.
[cry wolf] {v. phr.} To give a false alarm; warn of a danger that
you know is not there. * /The general said that the candidate was just
crying wolf when he said that the army was too weak to fight for the
country./ (From an old story about a shepherd boy who falsely claimed
a wolf was killing his sheep, just to start some excitement.)
[cub scout] {n.} A member of the Cub Scouts, the junior branch of
the Boy Scouts for boys 8-10 years of age. * /Jimmie is only seven,
too young to be a Cub Scout./
[cucumber] See: COOL AS A CUCUMBER.
[cudgel] See: TAKE UP THE CUDGELS FOR.
[cudgel one's brains] See: BEAT ONE'S BRAINS OUT.
[cue in] {v. phr.}, {informal} To add new information to that which
is already known. * /Let's not forget to cue in Joe on what has been
happening./
[cuff] See: OFF-THE-CUFF, ON THE CUFF.
[culture vulture] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who is an avid
cultural sightseer, one who seeks out cultural opportunities
ostentatiously, such as going to the opera or seeing every museum in a
town visited, and brags about it. * /Aunt Mathilda is a regular
culture vulture; she spends every summer in a different European
capital going to museums and operas./
[cup] See: IN ONE'S CUPS.
[cup of tea] also [dish of tea] {n. phr.}, {informal} 1. Something
you enjoy or do well at; a special interest, or favorite occupation.
Used with a possessive. * /You could always get him to go for a walk:
hiking was just his cup of tea./ Compare: DOWN ONE'S ALLEY. 2.
Something to think about; thing; matter. * /That's another cup of
tea./ Compare: KETTLE OF FISH.
[curb service] {n.} Waiting on customers while they sit in their
cars. * /Families with small children often look for hamburger stands
that offer curb service./
[curiosity killed the cat] {informal} Getting too nosy may lead a
person into trouble. - A proverb. * /"Curiosity killed the cat,"
Fred's father said, when he found Fred hunting around in closets just
before Christmas./
[curl] See: PIN CURL.
[curl one's hair] {v. phr.}, {slang} To shock; frighten; horrify;
amaze. * /Wait till you read what it says about you - this'll curl
your hair./ * /The movie about monsters from another planet curled his
hair./
[curl up] {v.} 1a. To become curly or wavy. * /Bacon curls up when
it is cooked./ 1b. To roll oneself into a ball. * /Tim curled up in
bed and was asleep in five minutes./ 2. See: FOLD UP.
[current] See: SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT.
[curry favor] {v.} To flatter or serve someone to get his help or
friendship. * /Joe tried to curry favor with the new teacher by doing
little services that she didn't really want./ * /Jim tried to curry
favor with the new girl by telling her she was the prettiest girl in
the class./ Compare: POLISH THE APPLE.
[curve] See: THROW A CURVE.
[cut] See: FISH OR CUT BAIT.
[cut a class] {v. phr.} To be truant; to deliberately miss a class
and do something else instead. * /"If you keep cutting classes the way
you do, you will almost surely flunk this course," John's professor
said to him./
[cut a figure] {v. phr.} To make a favorable impression; carry off
an activity with dignity and grace. * /With his handsome face and
sporty figure, Harry cuts quite a figure with all the ladies./
[cut across] {v.} 1. To cross or go through instead of going
around; go a short way. * /John didn't want to walk to the corner and
turn, so he cut across the yard to the next street./ 2. To go beyond
to include; stretch over to act on; affect. * /The love for reading
cuts across all classes of people, rich and poor./
[cut-and-dried] {adj. phr.} Decided or expected beforehand;
following the same old line; doing the usual thing. * /The decision of
the judge was cut-and-dried./ * /The ways of the king's court were
cut-and-dried./ * /People at the convention heard many cut-and-dried
speeches./
[cut and run] {v.}, {informal} To abandon an unfavorable situation.
* /When the price of coffee dropped sharply many investors wanted to
cut and run./
[cut a swathe] {v. phr.} 1a. To mow a path through a field. * /The
farmer cut a swathe through the high grass with his scythe./ 1b. To
cut down as if by mowing. * /The machine gun cut a swathe in the lines
of enemy soldiers./ 2. {informal} To attract notice; make an
impression; seem important. * /The movie star cut a wide swathe when
he walked down the street./ * /John tries to show off and cut a big
swathe with the girls./ Compare: GO OVER(6), MAKE A HIT.
[cut back] {v.} 1. To change direction suddenly while going at full
speed. * /The halfback started to his left, cut back to his right, and
ran for a touchdown./ 2. To use fewer or use less. * /After the big
job was finished, the builder cut back the number of men working for
him./ * /The school employed forty teachers until a lower budget
forced it to cut back./
[cut back] {v. phr.} To diminish; lessen; decrease (said of
budgets). * /The state had to cut back on the university budget./
[cutback] {n.} An act of decreasing monetary sources. * /The
cutback in military spending has caused many bases to be closed./
[cut both ways] or [cut two ways] {v. phr.} To have two effects;
cause injury to both sides. * /People who gossip find it cuts both
ways./
[cut corners] {v. phr.} 1. To take a short way; not go to each
corner. * /He cut corners going home in a hurry./ 2. To save cost or
effort; manage in a thrifty way; be saving. * /John's father asked him
to cut corners all he could in college./ 3. To do less than a very
good job; do only what you must do on a job. * /He had cut corners in
building his house, and it didn't stand up well./
[cut down] {v.} To lessen; reduce; limit. * /Tom had to cut down
expenses./ * /The doctor told Mr. Jones to cut down on smoking./
[cut down to size] {v. phr.}, {informal} To prove that someone is
not as good as he thinks. * /The big boy told John he could beat him,
but John was a good boxer and soon cut him down to size./ Syn.: PUT IN
ONE'S PLACE.
[cut ice] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make a difference; make an
impression; be accepted as important. - Usually used in negative,
interrogative, or conditional sentences. * /When Frank had found a
movie he liked, what others said cut no ice with him./ * /Jones is
democratic; a man's money or importance never cuts any ice with him./
* /Does comfort cut any ice with you?/ * /I don't know if beauty in a
woman cuts any ice with him./
[cut in] {v.} 1. To force your way into a place between others in a
line of cars, people, etc.; push in. * /After passing several cars,
Fred cut in too soon and nearly caused an accident./ - Often used with
"on". * /A car passed Jean and cut in on her too close; she had to
brake quickly or she would have hit it./ * /The teacher beside the
lunch line saw Pete cut in, and she sent him back to wait his turn./
2. To stop a talk or program for a time; interrupt. * /While Mary and
Jim were talking on the porch, Mary's little brother cut in on them
and began to tell about his fishing trip./ * /While we were watching
the late show, an announcer cut in to tell who won the election./
Syn.: BREAK IN(2). 3. {informal} To tap a dancer on the shoulder and
claim the partner. * /Mary was a good dancer and a boy could seldom
finish a dance with her; someone always cut in./ - Often used with
"on". * /At the leap year dance, Jane cut in on Sally because she
wanted to dance with Sally's handsome date./ 4. To connect to an
electrical circuit or to a machine. * /Harry threw the switch and cut
in the motor./ * /The airplane pilot cut in a spare gas tank./ 5.
{informal} To take in; include. * /When John's friends got a big
contract, they cut John in./
[cut into] {v.} 1. To make less; reduce. * /The union made the
company pay higher wages, which cut into the profits./ * /The other
houses got old and shabby, and that cut into the value of his house./
* /At first Smith led in votes, but more votes came in and cut into
his lead./ 2. To get into by cutting in. * /She heard the other women
gossiping and cut into the talk./ * /While Bill was passing another
car, a truck came around a curve heading for him, and Bill cut back
into line quickly./
[cut loose] {v.} 1. To free from ties or connections, cut the
fastenings of. * /The thief hastily cut the boat loose from its
anchor./ Compare: LET LOOSE(1a). 2. {informal} To break away from
control; get away and be free. * /The boy left home and cut loose from
his parents' control./ 3. {informal} To behave freely or wildly. *
/The men had come to the convention to have a good time, and they
really cut loose./ * /When he got the news of his job promotion, Jack
cut loose with a loud "Yippee!"/ Compare: LET GO(6).
[cut no ice] {v. phr.} To have no effect; achieve no result; be
insignificant. * /The fact that the accused is a millionaire will cut
no ice with this particular judge./
[cut off] {v.} 1. To separate or block. * /The flood cut the
townspeople off from the rest of the world./ * /The woods cut off the
view./ * /His rudeness cuts him off from friends he might have./ 2. To
interrupt or stop. * /The television show was cut off by a special
news report./ * /We were told to pay the bill or the water would be
cut off./ 3. To end the life of; cause the death of. * /Disease cut
Smith off in the best part of life./ 4. To give nothing to at death;
leave out of a will. * /Jane married a man her father hated, and her
father cut her off./ * /Frank's uncle cut him off without a penny./ 5.
To stop from operating; turn a switch to stop. * /The ship cut off its
engines as it neared the dock./ Syn.: SHUT OFF, TURN OFF.
[cut off one's nose to spite one's face] {v. phr.} To suffer from
an action intended originally to harm another person. * /In walking
out and leaving his employer in the lurch, John really cut off his
nose to spite his face, since no business wanted to hire him
afterwards./
[cut offs] {n.}, {colloquial} Pants cut to the length of shorts and
usually left unhemmed so as to look old and worn, e.g., considered
cool and elegant. * /Jack always wears cut-offs during the summer./
[cut one's eyeteeth on] See: CUT TEETH(2).
[cut one's losses] {v. phr.} To stop spending time, money, or
energy on unprofitable projects and concentrate on what goes well. *
/"Just cut your losses, Jim," his father suggested, "and get on with
the rest of your life."/
[cut one's teeth on] See: CUT TEETH(2).
[cut one's throat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To spoil one's chances;
ruin a person. * /He cut his own throat by his carelessness./ * /The
younger men in the company were cutting each other's throats in their
eagerness to win success./ * /John cut Freddie's throat with Mary by
telling her lies./
[cut out(1)] {v.}, {slang} 1. To stop; quit. * /All right, now -
let's cut out the talking./ * /He was teasing the dog and Joe told him
to cut it out./ Compare: BREAK UP(3). 2. To displace in favor. * /Tony
cut Ed out with Mary./ * /John cut out two or three other men in
trying for a better job./
[cut out(2)] {adj.} 1. Made ready; given for action; facing. *
/Mary agreed to stay with her teacher's children all day; she did not
know what was cut out for her./ - Often used in the phrase "have one's
work cut out for one." * /If Mr. Perkins wants to become a senator, he
has his work cut out fur him./ 2. Suited to; fitted for. * /Warren
seemed to be cut out for the law. It was clear very early that Fred
was cut out to he a doctor./
[cut rate(1)] {n.} A lower price; a price less than usual. * /Toys
are on sale at the store for cut rates./
[cut-rate(2)] {adj.} Sold for a price lower than usual; selling
cheap things. * /If you buy cut-rate things, be sure they are good
quality first./ * /John's brother bought a cut-rate bicycle at the
second-hand store./ * /There is a cut-rate drug-store on the corner./
[cut short] {v.} To stop or interrupt suddenly; end suddenly or too
soon. * /Rain cut short the ball game./ * /An auto accident cut short
the man's life./ * /When Dick began to tell about his summer vacation
the teacher cut him short, saying "Tell us about that another time."/
[cut teeth] {v. phr.} 1. To have teeth grow out through the gums. *
/The baby was cross because he was cutting teeth./ 2. or [cut eye
teeth] {informal} To learn something very early in life; gain
experience; start by learning or doing. - Used with a possessive,
usually used with "on". * /The professional ball player cut his teeth
on a baseball bat in the sandlots./ * /Mr. Jones's company is building
the new Post Office in town but Mr. Jones cut his eye teeth as a
carpenter./
[cut the ground from under] {v. phr.} {informal} To make (someone)
fail; upset the plans of; spoil the argument for (a person) in
advance. * /Paul wanted to he captain but we cut the ground from under
him by saying that Henry was the best player on the team./ * /Several
workers applied for the retiring foreman's job, but the owner cut the
ground from under them by hiring a foreman from another company./
[cut the mustard] {v. phr.}, {slang} To do well enough in what
needs to be done; to succeed. * /His older brothers and sisters helped
Max through high school, but he couldn't cut the mustard in college./
[cut-throat] {adj.} Severe; intense; unrelenting. * /There is
cut-throat competition among the various software companies today./
[cut to pieces] {v. phr.} 1. To divide into small parts with
something sharp; cut badly or completely. * /Baby has cut the
newspaper to pieces with scissors./ 2. To destroy or defeat
completely. * /The soldiers were cut to pieces by the Indians./ *
/When Dick showed his book report to his big sister for correction,
she cut it to pieces./
[cut to the bone] {v. phr.} To make (something) the least or
smallest possible amount; reduce severely; leave out everything extra
or unnecessary from. * /Father cut Jane's allowance to the bone for
disobeying him./ * /When father lost his job, our living expenses had
to be cut to the bone./
[cut to the quick] {v. phr.} To hurt someone's feelings deeply. *
/The children 's teasing cut Mary to the quick./
[cut two ways] See: CUT BOTH WAYS.
[cut up] {v.} 1. {informal} To hurt the feelings of; wound. -
Usually used in the passive. * /John was badly cut up when Susie gave
him back his ring./ 2. {slang} To act funny or rough; clown, * /Joe
would always cut up if there were any girls watching./ * /At the party
Jim and Ron were cutting up and broke a chair./ Compare: FOOL AROUND.
D
[dab] See: SMACK-DAB or SMACK-TO DAB.
[dagger] See: CLOAK-AND-DAGGER, LOOK DAGGERS.
[daily dozen] {n.}, {informal} Gymnastic exercises; especially,
several different exercises done daily. * /The boys did their daily
dozen early each morning./
[daisy] See: PUSH UP DAISIES.
[dam] See: WATER OVER THE DAM.
[damn] See: GIVE A HANG, NOT WORTH A TINKER'S DAMN.
[damned if one does, damned if one doesn't] {adj. phr.} No matter
what one does, someone is likely to criticize one. * /No matter what
decisions I make, there are always some people who will approve them
and those who won't. It is a classical case of "damned if I do, damned
if I don't."/
[dance] See: SONG AND DANCE.
[dance to another tune] {v. phr.} To talk or act differently,
usually better because things have changed; be more polite or obedient
because you are forced to do it. * /Johnny refused to do his homework
but punishment made him dance to another tune./ Compare: CHANGE ONE'S
TUNE, SING A DIFFERENT TUNE.
[dander] See: GET ONE'S BACK UP, GET ONE'S DANDER UP or GET ONE'S
IRISH UP.
[dandy] See: JIM-DANDY.
[dangerous] See: A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING.
[dare say] {v. phr.} To think probable; suppose; believe. - Used in
first person. * /Mary is unhappy now but I dare say she will be
laughing about this tomorrow./ * /There is no more ice cream on the
table, but I dare say we can find some in the kitchen./
[dare one to do something] {v. phr.} To challenge someone to do
something. * /"I dare you to jump off that rock into the sea," Fred
said to Jack./
[dark] See: IN THE DARK, SHOT IN THE DARK, WHISTLE IN THE DARK.
[darken one's door] or [darken the door] To appear, as in a
doorway; enter someone's home or establishment. - Used in negative
imperative sentences especially with "never" and "again". * /If you
leave this house now, never darken my door again./ * /After a son
shamed his father by having to go to prison, the father told him never
to darken his door again./
[dark horse] {n.}, {informal} A political candidate little known to
the general voting public; a candidate who was not expected to run. *
/Every once in a while a dark horse candidate gets elected President./
[dark of the moon] {n. phr.}, {literary} A time when the moon is
not shining or cannot be seen. * /A was the dark of the moon when the
scouts reached camp and they had to use flashlights to find their
tents./ Contrast: FULL OF THE MOON.
[dash cold water on] See: THROW COLD WATER ON.
[dash light] {n.} A light on the front inside of a car or vehicle.
* /Henry stopped the car and turned on the dash lights to read the
road map./
[dash off] {v.} To make, do, or finish quickly; especially, to
draw, paint, or write hurriedly. * /Ann took out her drawing pad and
pencil and dashed off a sketch of the Indians./ * /John can dash off
several letters while Mary writes only one./ * /Charles had forgotten
to write his English report and dashed it off just before class./
[date] See: DOUBLE-DATE, TO DATE.
[date back] {v. phr.} To go back to a given period in the past. *
/My ancestors date back to the sixteenth century./
[dawn on] {v.} To become clear to. * /It dawned on Fred that he
would fail the course if he did not study harder./
[day] See: ALL IN A DAY'S WORK, CALL IT A DAY, CARRY THE DAY, EVERY
DOG HAS HIS DAY, FATHER'S DAY, FOREVER AND A DAY, GOOD DAY, MAKE A DAY
OF IT, NAME DAY, NIGHT AND DAY, ONE OF THESE DAYS, or SOME OF THESE
DAYS, PASS THE TIME OF DAY, RAINY DAY, SAVE THE DAY, SEE BETTER DAYS,
THAT'LL BE THE DAY.
[day and night] or [night and day] {adv.} 1. For days without
stopping; continually. Syn.: AROUND THE CLOCK. * /Some filling
stations on great highways are open day and night 365 days a year./ *
/The three men took turns driving the truck, and they drove night and
day for three days./ 2. Every day and every evening. * /The girl
knitted day and night to finish the sweater before her mother's
birthday./
[day by day] {adv.} Gradually. * /The patient got better day by
day./
[day in and day out] or [day in, day out] {adv. phr.} Regularly;
consistently; all the time; always. * /He plays good tennis day in and
day out./ - Also used with several other time words in place of day:
week, month, year. * /Every summer, year in, year out, the ice cream
man comes back to the park./
[day in court] {n. phr.} A chance to be heard; an impartial
hearing; a chance to explain what one has done. * /The letters from
the faculty members to the dean gave Professor Smith his day in
court./
[daylight] See: SCARE OUT OF ONE'S WITS or SCARE THE DAYLIGHTS OUT
OF, SEE DAYLIGHT.
[daylight saving time] also [daylight saving] or [daylight time] or
[fast time] {n.} A way of keeping time in summer that is one or two
hours ahead of standard time. - Abbreviation DST. * /Many places in
the United States keep their clocks on daylight saving time in the
summer; in this way people get up earlier and have more free time in
the afternoon and evening while it is still daylight./ * /Father said
that next week it will get dark later because we will change to
daylight saving lime./ * /We go off daylight saving in the fall./
Compare: CENTRAL TIME. Contrast: STANDARD TIME.
[daylight robbery] See: HIGHWAY ROBBERY.
[daydream] {v.} To spend time in reverie; be absentminded during
the day. * /John spends so much time daydreaming that he never gets
anything done./
[day of grace] {n. phr.} An extension period after the due date of
some contract or bond. * /The premium is due on the first of each
month, but they allow ten days of grace./
[day of reckoning] {n. phr.} 1. A time when one will be made to
account for misdeeds. * /When the criminal was caught and brought to
trial his victims said, "finally, the day of reckoning has come."/ 2.
A time when one's will and Judgment are severely tested. * /"You
always wanted to run the department," the dean said to Professor
Smith. "Now here is your chance; this is your day of reckoning."/
[day off] {n.} A day on which one doesn't have to work, not
necessarily the weekend. * /Monday is his day off in the restaurant,
because he prefers to work on Saturdays and Sundays./
[day-to-day] {adj.} Daily; common; everyday. * /For best results,
students' homework should be checked on a day-to-day basis./
[days are numbered] (Someone or something) does not have long to
live or stay. * /The days of the old school building are numbered./ *
/When a man becomes ninety years old, his days are numbered./
[dazzle] See: RAZZLE-DAZZLE.
[dead] See: CATCH DEAD, DROP DEAD, STONEDEAD.
[dead ahead] {adv.}, {informal} Exactly in front; before. * /The
school is dead ahead about two miles from here./ * /Father was driving
in a fog, and suddenly he saw another car dead ahead of him./
[deadbeat] {n.}, {slang} A person who never pays his debts and who
has a way of getting things free that others have to pay for. *
/You'll never collect from Joe - he's a deadbeat./
[dead and buried] {adj. phr.} Gone forever. * /Slavery is dead and
buried in twentieth-century America./
[dead as a doornail] {adj. phr.} Completely dead without the
slightest hope of resuscitation. * /This battery is dead as a
doornail; no wonder your car won't start./
[dead broke] See: STONE-BROKE.
[dead center] {n.} The exact middle. * /The treasure was buried in
the dead center of the island./ Often used like an adverb. * /The
arrow hit the circle dead center./
[dead duck] {n.}, {slang} A person or thing in a hopeless situation
or condition; one to whom something bad is sure to happen. * /When the
pianist broke her arm, she was a dead duck./
[deadhead] {n.}, {slang} An excessively dull or boring person. *
/You'll never get John to tell a joke - he's a deadhead./
[dead letter] {n. phr.} An undeliverable letter that ends up in a
special office holding such letters. * /There is a dead letter office
in most major cities./
[deadline] {n.} A final date by which a project, such as a term
paper, is due. * /The deadline for the papers on Shakespeare is
November 10./
[dead loss] {n. phr.} A total waste; a complete loss. * /Our
investment in Jack's company turned out to be a dead loss./
[dead on one's feet] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Very tired but still
standing or walking; too tired to do more; exhausted. * /Jimmy never
leaves a job unfinished. He continues to work even when he's dead on
his feet./ * /After the soldiers march all night, they are dead on
their feet./ Compare: DEAD TIRED, WEAR OUT(2).
[deadpan] {adj.}, {adv.}, {slang} With an expressionless or
emotionless face; without betraying any hint of emotion. * /She
received the news of her husband's death deadpan./
[dead pedal] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A slow
moving vehicle. * /Better pass that eighteen wheeler, Jack; it's a
dead pedal./
[dead ringer] {n. phr.} A person who strongly resembles someone
else. * /Charlie is a dead ringer for his uncle./
[dead set against] {adj. phr.} Totally opposed to someone or
something. * /Jack is dead set against the idea of marriage, which
upsets Mary./
[dead tired] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Very tired; exhausted; worn
out. * /She was dead tired at the end of the day's work./ Compare:
DEAD ON ONE'S FEET.
[dead to rights] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Without a chance of
escaping blame; proven wrong. * /Mother had Bob dead to rights,
because she caught him with his hand in the cookie jar./ * /The police
caught the man dead to rights./
[dead to the world] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Fast asleep. * /Tim
went to bed very late and was still dead to the world at 10 o'clock
this morning./ 2. As if dead; unconscious. * /Tom was hit on the head
by a baseball and was dead to the world for two hours./
[dead-end] {n.} A street closed at one end; a situation that leads
nowhere. * /Jim drove into a dead-end street and had to back out./ *
/Mary was in a dead-end job./
[dead-end] {v.} To not continue normally but end in a closure (said
of streets). * /Our street dead-ends on the lake./
[deaf] See: TURN A DEAF EAR TO.
[deal] See: GOOD DEAL or GREAT DEAL, NEW DEAL, NO DEAL, THINK A
GREAT DEAL OF, WHEEL AND DEAL.
[deal in] {v. phr.} To sell; do business in a certain commodity. *
/Herb's firm deals in sporting goods./
[deal with] {v. phr.} 1. To conduct negotiations or business
dealings with. * /John refuses to deal with the firm of Brown and
Miller./ 2. To handle a problem. * /Ted is a very strong person and
dealt with the fact that his wife had left him much better than anyone
else I know./
[dealer] See: WHEELER-DEALER at WHEEL AND DEAL.
[dear] See: FOR DEAR LIFE.
[Dear John letter] {n. phr.} A note or a letter informing one that
a romantic relationship or a marriage is over. * /Jane left a "Dear
John letter" on the table and went home to live with her parents./
[dear me] {interj.} Used to show surprise, fear, or some other
strong feeling. * /Dear me! My purse is lost, what shall I do now?/
[death] See: AT DEATH'S DOOR, BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, CATCH ONE'S
DEATH OF or TAKE ONE'S DEATH OF, SIGN ONE'S OWN DEATH WARRANT, TO
DEATH.
[death knell] {n.}, {formal} 1. The ringing of a bell at a death or
funeral. * /The people mourned at the death knell of their friend./ 2.
{literary} Something which shows a future failure. * /Bill's poor
grade on his final examination sounded the death knell of his hope to
be a doctor./ * /His sudden deafness was the death knell of his hope
to become President./
[death on] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Very successful in meeting or
dealing with. * /Joe is death on fast balls. He usually knocks them
out of the park./ 2. Disliking or strongly against; very strict about.
* /The new teacher is death on students who come late to class./ *
/The twins' grandmother is death on smoking./
[deck] See: HIT THE DECK, ON DECK.
[decked out] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Dressed in fancy clothes;
specially decorated for some festive occasion. * /The school band was
decked out in bright red uniforms with brass buttons./ * /Main Street
was decked with flags for the Fourth of July./
[declare] See: I DECLARE.
[deep] See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, GO OFF THE
DEEP END, IN DEEP, KNEE-DEEP.
[deep-six] {v.}, {slang} To throw away; dispose of. * /As the
police boat came near, the drug smugglers deep-sixed their cargo./ (An
expression originally used by sailors, suggesting throwing something
into water six fathoms deep.)
[deep water] {n.} Serious trouble or difficulty. * /When Dad tried
to take Mom's place for a day, he found himself in deep water./
[defense] See: ZONE DEFENSE.
[defiance] See: IN DEFIANCE OF.
[degree] See: TO A DEGREE, TO THE NTH DEGREE.
[deliver the goods] {v. phr.} 1. To carry things and give them to
the person who wants them. * /Lee delivered the goods to the right
house./ 2. {slang} To succeed in doing well what is expected. * /The
new pitcher delivered the goods by striking out 20 men in his first
game./ * /This personal computer surely delivers the goods./ Compare:
BRING HOME THE BACON.
[delta wave] {n.}, {informal}, {semi-technical} A brain wave 1-3
cycles per second, associated with very deep sleep. * /Good night,
honey, I'm off to produce some delta waves./ Compare: CATCH SOME Z'S,
HIT THE HAY or HIT THE SACK.
[demand] See: IN DEMAND.
[Dennis the Menace] {n. phr.} After the notorious television
character played by a young boy who always creates trouble for the
grownups. Any hyperactive little boy who needs calming down. * /"Your
son, Joey, is becoming a regular 'Dennis the Menace'," Jane said to
Elvira./
[dent] See: MAKE A DENT IN.
[deposit] See: ON DEPOSIT.
[depth] See: BEYOND ONE'S DEPTH.
[desk clerk] See: ROOM CLERK.
[detective] See: HOUSE DETECTIVE.
[devil] See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, FULL OF THE
OLD NICK or FULL OF THE DEVIL, GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE, GO TO THE
DEVIL, PLAY THE DEVIL WITH, RAISE THE DEVIL, SPEAK OF THE DEVIL AND HE
APPEARS.
[devil-may-care] {adj.} Not caring what happens; unworried. *
/Johnny has a devil-may-care feeling about his school work./ * /Alfred
was a devil-may-care youth but became more serious as he grew older./
[devil-may-care attitude] {n. phr.} An attitude of no concern for
financial or other loss. * /"Easy come, easy go," John said in a
devil-may-care attitude when he lost all of his money during a poker
game./
[devil of it] or [heck of it] {n. phr.} 1. The worst or most
unlucky thing about a trouble or accident; the part that is most
regrettable. * /Andy lost his notebook, and the devil of it was that
the notebook contained all his homework for the coming week./ * /When
I had a flat tire, the devil of it was that my spare tire was flat
too./ 2. Fun from doing mischief. - Used after "for". * /The boys
carried away Miss White's front gate just for the devil of it./
[devil to pay] {n. phr.} Great trouble. - Used after "the". *
/There'll be the devil to pay when the teacher finds out who broke the
window./ * /When Jim wrecked his father's car, there was the devil to
pay./
[dewey-eyed] See: MISTY-EYED.
[diamond in the rough] {n. phr.} A very smart person without a
formal education who may have untutored manners. * /Jack never went to
school but he is extremely talented; he is a veritable diamond in the
rough./
[dibs] See: TO HAVE DIBS ON or TO PUT DIBS ON.
[dice] See: NO DEAL or NO DICE.
[Dick] See: TOM, DICK AND HARRY.
[die] See: CROSS ONE'S HEART or CROSS ONE'S HEART AND HOPE TO DIE,
DO-OR-DIE, NEVER SAY DIE.
[die away] or [die down] {v.} To come slowly to an end; grow slowly
less or weaker. * /The wind died down./ * /The music died away./ * /He
waited until the excitement had died down./ * /His mother's anger died
away./
[die in one's boots] or [die with one's boots on] {v. phr.},
{informal} To be killed or hanged rather than die in bed. * /The
badmen of the Old West usually died in their boots./ * /The robber
said he wanted to die with his boots on./
[die is cast] {v. phr.}, {literary} To make an irrevocable
decision. (From Julius Caesar's famous words in Latin, "alea iacta
est", when he crossed the river Rubicon, which meant war.) *
/Everything was ready for the invasion of Europe, the die had been
cast, and there was no turning back now./
[die off] {v.} To die one at a time. * /The flowers are dying off
because there has been no rain./
[die on the vine] or [wither on the vine] {v. phr.} To fail or
collapse in the planning stages. * /The program for rebuilding the
city died on the vine./
[die out] {v.} To die or disappear slowly until all gone. * /This
kind of bird is dying out./ * /If you pour salt water on grass, it
dies out./ * /The American colonists started colleges so that learning
would not die out./
[difference] See: MAKE A DIFFERENCE, SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE.
[different] See: SING A DIFFERENT TUNE or WHISTLE A DIFFERENT TUNE.
[dig down] {v.}, {slang} To spend your own money. * /The school let
the club use the bus and driver free for their trip, but they had to
dig down to pay for gas and meals./ * /"So you broke Mrs. Brown's
window?" Tom's father said, "You'll have to dig down and pay for it,"/
[dig in] {v.}, {informal} 1. To dig ditches for protection against
an enemy attack. * /The soldiers dug in and waited for the enemy to
come./ 2a. To go seriously to work; work hard. * /John dug in and
finished his homework very quickly./ 2b. To begin eating. * /Mother
set the food on the table and told the children to dig in./
[dig out] {v.} 1. To find by searching; bring out (something) that
was put away. * /Jack dug his sled out of the cellar./ * /The
newspaper printed an old story dug out of their records./ Compare: DIG
UP. 2. {informal} To escape. - Usually used with "of". Often used in
the phrase "dig oneself out of a hole." * /The pitcher dug himself out
of a hole by striking the batter out./
[dig up] {v.}, {informal} To find or get (something) with some
effort. * /Sue dug up some useful material for her English
composition./ * /Jim asked each boy to dig up twenty-five cents to pay
for the hot dogs and soda./ Compare: DIG OUT.
[dilemma] See: HORNS OF A DILEMMA.
[dim] See: TAKE A DIM VIEW OF.
[dime a dozen] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Easy to get and so of little
value; being an everyday thing because there are many of them; common.
* /Mr. Jones gives A's to only one or two students, but in Mr. Smith's
class, A's are a dime a dozen./
[dime store] or [five-and-dime] or [five-and-ten] {n. phr.} A store
that sells things that cost little. * /Charles bought a pencil at the
five-and-dime./
[dine out] {v. phr.} To not eat at home but to go to a restaurant.
* /"Let's dine out tonight, honey," she said to her husband. "I am
tired of cooking dinner every night."/ See: EAT OUT.
[dint] See: BY DINT OF.
[dip into] {v. phr.} 1. To scan or sample lightly and briefly (said
of printed materials). * /I didn't get a chance to read all of War and
Peace, but I dipped into it here and there./ 2. To take money out of a
savings account or a piggy bank. * /I am sorry to have to say that I
had to dip into the piggy bank; I took out $6.75./
[dirt] See: EAT DIRT, HIT THE DIRT, PAY DIRT.
[dirt cheap] {adj.} Extremely inexpensive. * /The apartment we are
renting is dirt cheap compared to other apartments of similar size in
this neighborhood./
[dirty] See: AIR ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC or WASH ONE'S DIRTY
LINEN IN PUBLIC.
[dirty look] {n.}, {informal} A look that shows dislike. * /Miss
Parker sent Joe to the principal's office for giving her a dirty
look./
[dirty old man] {n. phr.} An older man who shows an unhealthy
interest in young girls. * /"Stay away from Uncle Algernon, Sally,"
her mother warned. "He is a dirty old man."/
[dirty one's hands] or [soil one's hands] {v. phr.} To lower or
hurt one's character or good name; do a bad or shameful thing. * /The
teacher warned the children not to dirty their hands by cheating in
the examination./ * /I would not soil my hands by going with bad
people and doing bad things./
[dirty story] {n. phr.} An improper or obscene story. * /Uncle Bill
is much too fond of telling dirty stories in order to embarrass his
friends./
[dirty trick] {n. phr.} A treacherous action; an unfair act. *
/That was a dirty trick John played on Mary when he ran away with her
younger sister./
[disappear] or [evaporate] or [vanish into thin air] {v. phr.} To
disappear quickly, without leaving a trace. * /Money seems to
disappear into thin air these days./ * /Jack just vanished into thin
air before the meeting had started./
[discretion] See: THROW CAUTION TO THE WINDS also THROW DISCRETION
TO THE WINDS.
[discretion is the better part of valor] {literary} When you are in
danger or trouble, good sense helps more than foolish risks; it is
better to be careful than to be foolishly brave. - A proverb. * /When
you are facing a man with a knife, discretion is the better part of
valor./
[dish] See: COVERED-DISH SUPPER.
[dish of tea] See: CUP OF TEA.
[dish out] {v.} 1. To serve (food) from a large bowl or plate. *
/Ann's mother asked her to dish out the beans./ 2. {informal} To give
in large quantities. * /That teacher dished out so much homework that
her pupils complained to their parents./ 3. {slang} To scold; treat or
criticize roughly. * /Jim likes to dish it out, but he hates to take
it./ Compare: HAND OUT.
[dish the dirt] {v. phr.}, {slang} To gossip, to spread rumors
about others. * /Stop dishing the dirt. Sally, it's really quite
unbecoming!/
[disk jockey] {n.} An employee at a radio station or in a dance
club who puts on the records that will be broadcast. * /Jack is
working as a disk jockey at the local FM station./
[dispose of] {v.} 1. To throw away; give away, or sell; get rid of.
* /John's father wants to dispose of their old house and buy a new
one./ * /The burglars had difficulty in disposing of the stolen
jewelry./ 2. To finish. with; settle; complete. * /The boys were
hungry, and quickly disposed of their dinner./ * /The committee soon
disposed of all its business./ 3. To destroy or defeat. * /The
champion disposed of the other fighter by knocking him out in the
second round./ * /Our planes disposed of two enemy planes./
[dispute] See: IN DISPUTE.
[distance] See: KEEP AT A DISTANCE, KEEP ONE'S DISTANCE.
[ditch] See: LAST DITCH,
[dive] See: GO INTO A TAIL SPIN or GO INTO A NOSE DIVE.
[do] See: HAVE DONE, HAVE DONE WITH, HAVE TO DO WITH, LET GEORGE DO
IT, LET ONE'S RIGHT HAND KNOW WHAT ONE'S LEFT HAND IS DOING, LET'S
DON'T, MAKE DO, WELL-TO-DO, WHAT'S UP or WHAT'S DOING.
[do a double take] {v. phr.}, {informal} To look again in surprise;
suddenly understand what is seen or said. * /John did a double take
when he saw Bill in girls' clothes./ * /When Evvie said she was
quitting school, I did a double take./
[do a job on] {v. phr.}, {slang} To damage badly; do harm to; make
ugly or useless. * /The baby did a job on Mary's book./ * /Jane cut
her hair and really did a job on herself./
[Doakes] See: JOE DOAKES.
[do a stretch] {v. phr.} To spend time in jail serving one's
sentence. * /Jake has disappeared from view for a while; he is doing a
stretch for dope smuggling./
[do away with] {v.} 1. To put an end to; stop. * /The teachers want
to do away with cheating in their school./ * /The city has decided to
do away with overhead wires./ Compare: RID OF. 2. To kill; murder. *
/The robbers did away with their victims./
[do by someone or something] {v.} To deal with; treat. - Used with
a qualifying adverb between "do" and "by". * /Andy's employer always
does very well by him./
[do credit] or [do credit to] also ({informal}) [do proud] To add
to or improve the reputation, good name, honor, or esteem of; show
(you) deserve praise. * /Your neat appearance does you credit./ *
/Mary's painting would do credit to a real artist./
[doctor] See: JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED.
[doctor up] {v. phr.} To meddle with; adulterate. * /You don't have
to doctor up this basic salad with a lot of extras as I am trying to
lose weight./
[do duty for] {v. phr.} To substitute for; act in place of. * /The
bench often does duty for a table./
[Doe] See: JOHN DOE.
[doesn't add up to a can of beans] {v. phr.} To be of little or no
value. (Said of plans, ideas, etc.) * /"That's a fairly interesting
concept you got there, Mike, but the competition is bound to say that
it doesn't add up to a can of beans."/
[do for] {v.}, {informal} To cause the death or ruin of; cause to
fail. - Used usually in the passive form "done for". * /The poor
fellow is done for and will die before morning./ * /Andy's employer
always does very well by him./ * /If Jim fails that test, he is done
for./
[dog] See: EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY, GO TO THE DOGS, HOT DOG, LEAD A
DOG'S LIFE, LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE, RAIN CATS AND DOGS.
[dog days] {n. phr.} The hottest days of the year in the Northern
Hemisphere (July and August). (The ancient Romans associated this time
with the "Dog Star" - Sirius - which becomes visible in the heavens at
this time of year.) * /"The dog days are upon us," John said. "It's
time to go swimming in the lake."/
[dog-eat-dog(1)] {n.} A way of living in which every person tries
to get what he wants for himself no matter how badly or cruelly he
must treat others to get it; readiness to do anything to get what you
want. * /In some early frontier towns it was dog-eat-dog./
[dog-eat-dog(2)] {adj.} Ready or willing to fight and hurt others
to get what you want. * /During the California gold rush, men had a
dog-eat-dog life./
[doghouse] See: IN THE DOGHOUSE.
[dog in the manger] {n. phr.} A person who is unwilling to let
another use what he himself has no use for. * /Although Valerie lives
alone in that big house, she is like a dog in the manger when it comes
to letting someone sharing it with her./
[dog one's steps] {v. phr.} To follow someone closely. * /All the
time he was in Havana, Castro's police were dogging his steps./
[dog's age] or [coon's age] {n.}, {informal} A very long time.
Usually used after "for" or "in" with a negative. * /Charlie Brown! I
haven't seen you for a coon's age./ * /Father hasn't had a night out
with the boys in a dog's age./ * /I waited for him for a dog's age,
but he didn't come./ Syn.: MONTH OF SUNDAYS.
[dog's life] {n. phr.} A life of misery, poverty, and unhappiness.
* /Diogenes, the Greek philosopher, lived a dog's life inside an empty
barrel./
[do in] {v.}, {slang} 1. To ruin; destroy. * /Mr. Smith's business
was done in by a fire that burned down his store./ 2a. To kill;
murder. * /The poor man was done in by two gangsters who ran away
after the crime./ 2b. To make tired; exhaust. * /The boys were done in
after their long hike./ Syn.: WEAR OUT(2). 3. To cheat; swindle. *
/Mr. Jones was done in by two men who claimed to be collecting money
for orphans and widows./
[doing] See: NOTHING DOING.
[do justice to] {v. phr.} 1. To do (something) as well as you
should; do properly. * /Barbara had so many things to do that she
could not do justice to her lessons./ * /The newspaper man did not do
justice to the story./ 2. To eat or drink with enthusiasm or
enjoyment. * /The boy did justice to the meal./
[dole out] {v. phr.} To measure out sparingly. * /Since the water
ration was running low in the desert, the camp commandant doled out
small cups of water to each soldier./
[dollar] See: BET ONE'S BOTTOM DOLLAR at BET ONE'S BOOTS, FEEL LIKE
A MILLION or FEEL LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS, LOOK LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS.
[doll up] {v.}, {slang} 1. To dress in fine or fancy clothes. *
/The girls dolled up for the big school dance of the year./ * /The
girls were all dolled up for the Christmas party./ 2. To make more
pretty or attractive. * /The classrooms were all dolled up with
Christmas decorations./ Compare: DECKED OUT.
[done for] {adj. phr.} Finished; dead. * /When the police burst in
on the crooks, they knew they were done for./
[done to a turn] See: TO A T or TO A TURN.
[done with] {adj. phr.} Finished; completed. * /As soon as you're
done with your work, give us a call./
[don't cross your bridges until you come to them] See: CROSS A
BRIDGE BEFORE ONE COMES TO IT.
[don't cry before you're hurt] See: CRY BEFORE ONE IS HURT.
[don't let's] See: LET'S DON'T.
[don't look a gift horse in the mouth] See: LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN
THE MOUTH.
[do one a good turn] {v. phr.} To perform an act of kindness,
friendship, or help to another person, unselfishly, without
expectation of reward. * /"I'll be happy to help you any time you need
it," John said. "After all you have done me so many good turns."/
[do one good] {v. phr.} To benefit. * /The fresh air will do you
good after having been inside the house all day./
[do one good] or [do one's heart good] {v. phr.} To give
satisfaction; please; gratify. * /It does my heart good to see those
children play./
[do one's best] {v. phr.} To perform at one's optimum capacity;
spare no effort in fulfilling one's duties. * /"I've really done my
best teaching you people," the tired professor said on the last day of
classes. "I hope you got something out of this course."/
[do one's bit] or [part] {v. phr.} To shoulder one's share of
responsibility in a communal undertaking; shirk one's obligation. *
/"Let me go home and rest, fellows, " John said. "I think I've done my
bit for this project. "/
[do one's thing] or [do one's own thing] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1.
To do what one does well and actually enjoys doing. * /Two thousand
fans paid $15 each to hear the rock group do their thing./ 2. To
follow one's bent; for example, to be engaged in left-wing politics,
some sort of meditation, or use of drugs (particularly in the
sixties). * /The hippies were doing their own thing when the cops came
and busted them./ 3. To be engaged in an unusual activity that strikes
others as odd. * /Leave Jim alone, he's just doing his own thing when
he's standing on his head./
[do one's worst] {v. phr.} To do one's utmost by resorting to every
foul means possible. * /Hitler did his worst to drive out the Allied
invasion from Europe, but he failed./
[door] See: AT DEATH'S DOOR, AT ONE'S DOOR, CLOSED-DOOR, CLOSE ITS
DOORS, CLOSE THE DOOR or BAR THE DOOR or SHUT THE DOOR, DARKEN ONE S
DOOR, or DARKEN THE DOOR, FOOT IN THE DOOR, KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE
DOOR, LAY AT ONE'S DOOR, LOCK THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE HORSE IS STOLEN,
NEXT DOOR, OPEN ITS DOORS, OPEN THE DOOR, SHOW THE DOOR, SLAM THE DOOR
IN ONE'S FACE at IN ONE'S FACE.
[do-or-die] {adj.} Strongly decided, very eager and determined. *
/With a real do-or-die spirit the team scored two touchdowns in the
last five minutes of the game./ * /The other army was larger but our
men showed a do-or-die determination and won the battle./
[doorstep] See: AT ONE'S DOOR or AT ONE'S DOOR-STEP.
[do over] {v. phr.} 1. To renovate; redecorate. * /The new owners
are going to do over the entire building in the fall./ 2. To repeat. *
/Please do that math problem over until you get it right./
[dope out] {v.}, {slang} To think of something that explains. *
/The detectives tried to dope out why the man was murdered./ Syn.:
FIGURE OUT.
[do proud] See: DO CREDIT.
[do someone out of something] {v.}, {informal} To cause to lose by
trickery or cheating. * /The clerk in the store did me out of $2.00 by
overcharging me./
[dose of one's own medicine] or [taste of one's own medicine] {n.
phr.} Being treated in the same way you treat others; something bad
done to you as you have done bad to other people. * /Jim was always
playing tricks on other boys. Finally they decided to give him a dose
of his own medicine./
[dot] See: ON THE DOT also ON THE BUTTON.
[do tell] {interj.}, {informal} An inelegant expression used to
show that you are a little surprised by what you hear. * /"You say
George is going to get married after all these years? Do tell!" said
Mrs. Green./ Syn.: YOU DON'T SAY.
[do the business] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do what is needed or
wanted; get the job done; take proper action. * /The boys had trouble
in rolling the stone, but four of them did the business./ * /When the
little boy cut his finger a bandage did the business./
[do the honors] {v. phr.} To act as host or hostess (as in
introducing guests, carving, or paying other attentions to guests.) *
/The president of the club will do the honors at the banquet./
[do the trick] {v. phr.}, {informal} To bring success in doing
something; have a desired result. * /Jim was not passing in English,
but he studied harder and that did the trick./ * /The car wheels
slipped on the ice, so Tom put sand under them, which did the trick./
Compare: TURN THE TRICK.
[do things by halves] {v. phr.} To do things in a careless and
incomplete way. * /When he reads a book he always does it by halves;
he seldom finishes it./
[do time] or [doing time] See: DO A STRETCH.
[do to death] {v. phr.} To overdo; do something so often that it
becomes extremely boring or tiresome. * /The typical car chase scene
in motion pictures has been done to death./
[dot the i's and cross the t's] {v. phr.} To be careful, thorough,
and pay close attention to detail. * /"The best way to get an A on the
final exam," the teacher said, "is for every one to dot the i's and
cross the t's."/ Compare: MIND ONE'S P'S AND Q'S.
[double back] {v.} 1. To turn back on one's way or course. * /The
escaped prisoner doubled back on his tracks./ 2. To fold over; usually
in the middle. * /The teacher told Johnny to double back the sheet of
paper and tear it in half./
[double check] {n.} A careful second check to be sure that
something is right; a careful look for errors. * /The policeman made a
double check on the doors in the shopping area./
[double-check] {v.} 1. To do a double check on; look at again very
carefully. * /When the last typing of his book was finished, the
author double-checked it./ 2. To make a double check; look carefully
at something. * /The proofreader double-checks against errors./
[double-cross] {v.} To promise one thing and deliver another; to
deceive. * /The lawyer double-crossed the inventor by manufacturing
the gadget instead of fulfilling his promise to arrange a patent for
his client./ Compare: SELL DOWN THE RIVER, TWO-TIME.
[double date] {n.}, {informal} A date on which two couples go
together. * /John and Nancy went with Mary and Bill on a double date./
[double-date] {v.}, {informal} To go on a double date; date with
another couple. * /John and Nancy and Mary and Bill double-date./
[double duty] {n.} Two uses or jobs; two purposes or duties. *
/Matthew does double duty. He's the janitor in the morning and
gardener in the afternoon./ * /Our new washer does double duty; it
washes the clothes and also dries them./
[double-header] {n.} Two games or contests played one right after
the other, between the same two teams or two different pairs of teams.
* /The Yankees and the Dodgers played a double-header Sunday
afternoon./ * /We went to a basketball double-header at Madison Square
Garden and saw Seton Hall play St. John's and N.Y.U. play Notre Dame./
[double nickel] {adv.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} The
nationally enforced speed limit on some highways - 55 MPH. * /We'd
better go double nickel on this stretch, partner; there's a bear in
the air./
[double-park] {v.} To park a car beside another car which is at the
curb. * /Jimmy's father double-parked his car and the police gave him
a ticket./ * /If you double-park, you block other cars from passing./
[double-talk] {n.} 1. Something said that is worded, either on
purpose or by accident, so that it may be understood in two or more
different ways. * /The politician avoided the question with
double-talk./ 2. Something said that does not make sense; mixed up
talk or writing; nonsense. * /The man's explanation of the new tax
bill was just a lot of double-talk./
[double up] {v.} 1. To bend far over forward. * /Jim was hit by the
baseball and doubled up with pain./ 2. To share a room, bed, or home
with another. * /When relatives came for a visit, Ann had to double up
with her sister./
[doubt] See: GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, NO DOUBT.
[do up] {v.} 1a. To clean and prepare for use or wear; launder. *
/Ann asked her mother to do up her dress./ 1b. To put in order;
straighten up; clean. * /At camp the girls have to do up their own
cabins./ 2. To tie up or wrap. * /Joan asked the clerk to do up her
purchases./ 3a. To set and fasten (hair) in place. * /Grace helped her
sister to do up her hair./ Compare: PUT UP. 3b. {informal} To dress or
clothe. * /Suzie was done up in her fine new skirt and blouse./
[do up brown] {v. phr.}, {slang} To do in a thorough or complete
way. * /When Jim does a job, he does it up brown./
[do well by] {v. phr.} To benefit; help; treat exceptionally well.
* /In his will Grandpa did well by all of his grandchildren and left
each of them one million dollars./
[do with] {v.} 1. To find enough for one's needs; manage. - Usually
follows "can". * /Some children can do with very little spending
money./ Compare: GET ALONG, MAKE DO. 2. To make use of; find useful or
helpful. - Follows "can" or "could". * /After a hard day's work, a man
can do with a good, hot meal./ * /After cleaning out the basement, the
boy could do with a bath./
[do without] or [go without] {v.} 1. To live or work without
(something you want); manage without. * /Ann said that she likes
candy, but can do without it./ * /We had to go without hot food
because the stove was broken./ 2. To live or work without something
you want; manage. * /If George cannot earn money for a bicycle, he
will have to do without./ Compare: GET ALONG, GET BY.
[down and out] {adj. phr.} Without money; without a job or home;
broke. * /Poor Sam lost his job after his wife had left him; he is
really down and out./
[down-and-outer] {n. phr.} A person who has lost everything and is
penniless. * /Joe goes from shelter to shelter asking for food and a
place to sleep; he's become a regular down-and-outer./
[down-at-heel] or [down-at-the-heel] or [down-at-the-heels] {adj.}
Poorly kept up or dressed shabby; not neat; sloppy. * /John is always
down-at-the-heels, but his sister is always very neat./ * /Old houses
sometimes look down-at-the-heel./
[down east] or [Down East] {n.} The northeast coastal part of the
United States and part of Canada; especially: the coastal parts of
Maine. * /Many people in Boston like to go down east for their summer
vacation./ Compare: I WOULDN'T DO IT FOR A FARM DOWN EAST.
[down in the dumps] or [down in the mouth] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Sad or discouraged; gloomy; dejected. * /The boys were certainly down
in the dumps when they heard that their team had lost./
[down on] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Having a grudge against; angry
at. * /John is down on his teacher because she gave him a low grade./
[down one's alley] or [up one's alley] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Suited
to your tastes and abilities; what you like or like to do. * /Baseball
is right down Jim's alley./ Compare: CUP OF TEA.
[down one's neck] See: BREATHE DOWN ONE'S NECK.
[down one's nose] See: LOOK DOWN ONE'S NOSE.
[down one's throat] See: JUMP DOWN ONE'S THROAT, SHOVE DOWN ONE'S
THROAT or RAM DOWN ONE'S THROAT.
[down on one's luck] {adj.}, {informal} Having bad luck; having
much trouble; not successful in life. * /Harry asked me to lend him
ten dollars, because he was down on his luck./ * /The teacher is easy
on Jane because Jane has been down on her luck lately./ Compare: HARD
ROW TO HOE, HARD SLEDDING, ON ONE'S UPPERS.
[down payment] {n.} A retainer paid to a prospective seller. * /How
much of a down payment do you require for this new car?/
[down the drain] {adj.} or {adv. phr.}, {informal} Wasted; lost. *
/It is money down the drain if you spend it all on candy./ * /Our
plans to go swimming went down the drain when it rained./ Compare: GO
BY THE BOARD.
[down the hatch!] {v. phr.}, {informal} Let us drink! * /When we
celebrated Mom's birthday, we all raised our glasses and cried in
unison, "Down the hatch!"/
[down the line] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. Down the road or street;
straight ahead. * /The church is down the line a few blocks./ 2. All
the way; completely; thoroughly. * /Bob always follows the teacher's
directions right down the line./
[down-to-earth] {adj.} Showing good sense; practical. * /The
committee's first plan for the party was too fancy, but the second was
more down-to-earth./ * /Mr. Jenkins never seems to know what is
happening around him, but his wife is friendly and down-to-earth./
Compare: COME BACK TO EARTH.
[down to the wire] {adj.}, {slang} 1. Running out of time, nearing
a deadline. * /Bob is down to the wire on his project./ 2. Being
financially almost broke, being very low on cash or other funds. * /We
can't afford going to a restaurant tonight - we're really down to the
wire!/
[down with a disease] {adj. phr.} Ill or sick. * /Aunt Liz is down
with the flu this week; she has to stay in bed./
[dozen] See: BY THE DOZEN, DAILY DOZEN, DIME A DOZEN, SIX OF ONE
AND HALF-A-DOZEN OF THE OTHER.
[drag in] {v.} To insist on bringing (another subject) into a
discussion; begin talking about (something different.) * /No matter
what we talk about, Jim drags in politics./ * /Whenever anyone
mentions travel, Grace has to drag in the trip to Mexico she took ten
years ago./
[drag on] or [drag out] {v.} 1. To pass very slowly. * /The cold
winter months dragged on until we thought spring would never come./ 2.
To prolong; make longer. * /The meeting would have been over quickly
if the members had not dragged out the argument about dues./
[drag on the market] {n. phr.} An article for which the demand has
fallen off thus causing an oversupply. * /Your type of word processor
went out of style and is now a drag on the market./
[drag oneself up by one's boot straps] See: PULL ONESELF UP BY THE
BOOT STRAPS.
[drag one's feet] or [drag one's heels] {v. phr.} To act slowly or
reluctantly. * /The children wanted to watch television, and dragged
their feet when their mother told them to go to bed./ * /The city
employees said the mayor had promised to raise their pay, but was now
dragging his feet./
[drag out] See: DRAG ON.
[drag race] {n.}, {slang} An automobile race in which the drivers
try to cover a certain distance (usually one quarter mile) in the
shortest possible time. * /Drag races are often held on airport
landing strips./ * /Holding drag races is a good way to stop teenage
hot rod racing on public highways./ Compare: DRAG STRIP.
[drag strip] {n.}, {slang} A place where drag races are held. *
/Before the race Paul loaded his racer onto the trailer to take it out
of town to the drag strip for the race./ Compare: DRAG RACE.
[drain] See: DOWN THE DRAIN.
[draw] See: BEAT TO THE PUNCH or BEAT TO THE DRAW.
[draw a bead on] {v. phr.} {informal} 1. To aim at; sight (with a
gun). * /The deer bounded into the forest before the hunters could
draw a bead on them./ * /John drew a bead on the elk, but didn't have
the heart to pull the trigger./ 2. To take (something) as an aim or
goal. * /"I'm drawing a bead on the Literary Society president's
office," said Tom./ 3. To use as a target of attack; criticize. *
/Whenever a politician makes a mistake, his opponents are ready to
draw a bead on him./
[draw a blank] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To obtain nothing in return
for an effort made or to get a negative result. * /I looked up all the
Joneses in the telephone book but I drew a blank every time I asked
for Archibald Jones./ 2. To fail to remember something. * /I am trying
to think of the name but I keep drawing a blank./ 3. To be
consistently unsuccessful at doing something. * /I keep trying to pass
that math exam but each time I try it I draw a blank./
[draw a conclusion] {v. phr.} To make an inference. * /After he
failed to keep an appointment with me for the third time, I drew the
conclusion that he was an unreliable person./
[draw a line] or [draw the line] {v. phr.} 1. To think of as
different. * /The law in this country draws a line between murder and
manslaughter./ * /Can you draw the line between a lie and a fib?/ 2.
To set a limit to what will be done; say something cannot be done. *
/We would like to invite everybody to our party, but we have to draw a
line somewhere./ - Often used with "at". * /Mrs. Jones draws the line
at permitting the children to play in their father's den./ * /People
fighting for their freedom often do not draw the line at murder./
[draw a long breath] or [take a long breath] {v. phr.} To breathe
deeply when getting ready to speak or act. * /Father asked who broke
the window. Jim drew a long breath and admitted that he had done it./
* /The salesman took a long breath and started his talk./
[draw a parallel] {v. phr.} To make a comparison. * /It is easy to
draw a parallel between the characters of Saint Francis of Assisi and
Great Saint Theresa of Aquila, but this doesn't mean that all saints
are alike./
[draw and quarter] {v. phr.}, {literary} 1. To execute someone in
the barbaric medieval fashion of having him torn into four pieces by
four horses tearing his body in four different directions. * /The
captured foreign marauders were drawn and quartered by the angry
citizens of ancient Frankfurt./ 2. To punish someone very severely. *
/"If you miss another homework assignment, John," the teacher said,
"I'll have you drawn and quartered."/
[draw aside] {v. phr.} To separate; take to one side. * /He drew
her aside and whispered into her ear, "Johanna, please marry me!"/
[draw back] {v.} To move back; back away; step backward; withdraw;
move away from. * /When the man spotted the rattlesnake, he drew back
and aimed his shotgun./ * /The children drew back from the dog when it
barked at them./ * /When the pitcher drew back his arm to pitch the
ball, Tom ran as fast as he could to steal second base./ * /Some juice
from the grapefruit that Father was eating squirted in his eye and he
drew back in surprise./ Compare: DROP BACK.
[drawback] {n.} Disadvantage; obstacle; hindrance. * /The biggest
drawback of Bill's plan is the cost involved./
[draw blood] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make someone feel hurt or
angry. * /If you want to draw blood, ask Jim about his last
money-making scheme./ * /Her sarcastic comments drew blood./
[drawer] See: TOP-DRAWER.
[draw fire] {v. phr.} 1. To attract or provoke shooting; be a
target. * /The general's white horse drew the enemy's fire./ 2. To
bring criticism or argument; make people say bad things about you. *
/Having the newest car in your group is sure to draw fire./
[drawing card] {n.} The most important figure in a multi-person
event; the top entertainer during a show; the best professor or
researcher at a university, etc. * /During the concert series Barbra
Streisand was the biggest drawing card./ * /The biggest drawing card
at many a university is the resident Nobel Laureate./
[draw in one's horns] See: PULL IN ONE'S HORNS.
[draw interest] {v. phr.} To earn interest on invested capital. *
/My savings account draws 4.5% interest./
[draw lots] {v. phr.} To select at random from a series in order to
determine precedents or apportionment. * /The refugees to be evacuated
drew lots on who would get a place on the first airplane out of the
besieged city./
[draw near] {v. phr.} To approach; come near. * /The time is
drawing near when this century will end and the next will begin./
[draw off] {v. phr.} To drain away; deflect. * /A light flanking
attack was made in order to draw off the enemy's fire./
[draw on] {v. phr.} 1. To arrive; approach. * /As midnight drew on,
the New Year's Eve party grew louder and louder./ 2. To secure funds
from a bank or person. * /Jack kept drawing on his bank account so
much that several of his checks bounced./
[draw out] {v. phr.} 1. To take out; remove. * /Johnny drew a
dollar out of the bank to buy his mother a present./ * /The hunter
drew out his gun and shot the snake./ 2. To make (a person) talk or
tell something. * /Jimmy was bashful but Mrs. Wilson drew him out by
asking him about baseball./ 3. To make come out; bring out. * /The
bell of the ice-cream truck drew the children out of the houses./ *
/Mary was drawn out of her silence by Billy's jokes./ 4. To make
longer or too long; stretch. * /The Smiths drew out their vacation at
the beach an extra week./ * /It was a long drawn out meeting because
everybody tried to talk at once./ * /Mary and her mother drew out
their goodbyes so long at the bus station that Mary almost missed the
bus./
[draw the fire of] See: DRAW OFF.
[draw the line] See: DRAW A LINE.
[draw to a close] {v. phr.} To finish; terminate; come to an end. *
/The meeting drew to a close around midnight./
[draw up] {v.} 1. To write (something) in its correct form; put in
writing. * /The rich man had his lawyers draw up his will so that each
of his children would receive part of his money when he died./ 2. To
plan or prepare; begin to write out. * /The two countries drew up a
peace treaty after the war ended./ * /Plans are being drawn up for a
new school next year./ Compare: WRITE UP. 3. To hold yourself straight
or stiffly, especially because you are proud or angry. * /When we said
that Mary was getting fat, she drew herself up angrily and walked out
of the room./ 4. To stop or come to a stop. * /The cowboy drew up his
horse at the top of the hill./ * /A big black car drew up in front of
the house./ Syn.: PULL UP.
[dread] See: BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE.
[dream of] {v.} To think about seriously; think about with the idea
of really doing; consider seriously. - Usually used with a negative. *
/I wouldn't dream of wearing shorts to church./
[dressing down] {n.}, {informal} A scolding. * /The sergeant gave
the soldier a good dressing down because his shoes were not shined./
[dress a window] See: WINDOW DRESSING.
[dress like a million dollars] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER.
[dress up] {v.} 1a. To put on best or special clothes. * /Billy
hated being dressed up and took off his best suit as soon as he got
home from church./ 1b. To put on a costume for fun or clothes for a
part in a play. * /Mary was dressed up to play Cinderella in her
school play./ 2. To make (something) look different; make (something)
seem better or more important. * /A fresh coat of paint will dress up
the old bicycle very much./ * /Tommy dressed up the story of what he
did on vacation and made it seem twice as interesting as it was./
[dressed fit to kill] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER.
[dressed like a peacock] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER.
[dribs and drabs] {n. phr.} Portions; small bits. * /John paid
Oliver back what he owed him in dribs and drabs./
[drift off] {v. phr.} 1. To fall asleep, * /He kept nodding and
drifting off to sleep while the lecturer was speaking./ 2. To depart;
leave gradually. * /One by one, the sailboats drifted off over the
horizon./
[drink down] {v. phr.} To drink in one gulp; swallow entirely. *
/Steve was so thirsty that he drank down six glasses of orange juice
in rapid succession./
[drink in] {v. phr.} To absorb with great interest. * /The tourists
stood on the beach drinking in the wonderful Hawaiian sunset./
[drink like a fish] {v. phr.} To drink (alcoholic beverages) in
great quantities; to be addicted to alcohol. * /John is a nice guy
but, unfortunately, he drinks like a fish./
[drink up] {v. phr.} To finish drinking; empty one's glass. *
/"Drink up that cough syrup," the nurse said, "and never mind the
taste,"/
[drive] See: LINE DRIVE.
[drive a bargain] {v. phr.} 1. To buy or sell at a good price;
succeed in a trade or deal. * /Tom's collie is a champion; it should
be easy for Tom to drive a bargain when he sells her puppies./ *
/Father drove a hard bargain with the real estate agent when we bought
our new house./ 2. To make an agreement that is better for you than
for the other person; make an agreement to your advantage. * /The
French drove a hard bargain in demanding that Germany pay fully for
World War I damages./
[drive a hard bargain] See: DRIVE A BARGAIN.
[drive at] {v.} To try or want to say; mean. - Used in the present
participle. * /John did not understand what the coach was driving at./
* /He had been talking for half an hour before anyone realized what he
was driving at./
[drive home] {v. phr.} To argue convincingly; make a strong point.
* /The doctor's convincing arguments and explanation of his X-ray
pictures drove home the point to Max that he needed surgery./
[drive-in] {adj.}/{n.} A kind of movie theater, fast food
restaurant, or church, where the customers, spectators, or worshippers
do not leave their automobiles but are served the food inside their
cars, can watch a motion picture from inside their cars, or can
participate in a religious service in their cars. * /Let's not waste
time on the road; let's just eat at the next drive-in restaurant./ *
/There is a drive-in theater not far from where we live./ * /Max and
Hilde go to a drive-in church every Sunday./
[drive like Jehu] {v. phr.}, {informal} To drive very fast,
carelessly or recklessly. * /When Joe is late for work, he drives like
Jehu./
[drive one ape], [bananas], [crazy], [mad] or [nuts] {v. phr.},
{informal} To irritate, frustrate, or tickle someone's fancy so badly
that they think they are going insane. * /"Stop teasing me, Mary,"
John said. "You are driving me nuts."/ * /"You are driving me bananas
with all your crazy riddles," Steve said./
[drive one round the bend] {v. phr.}, {informal} To upset someone
so much that they think they are going crazy. * /"Slow down, please,"
Miss Jones cried. "You are driving me around the bend!"/ Contrast:
DRIVE ONE APE, BANANAS, ETC.
[driver] See: BACKSEAT DRIVER.
[drive to the wall] {v. phr.} To defeat someone completely; to ruin
someone. * /Poor Uncle Jack was driven to the wall
by his angry creditors when his business
failed./ Compare: GO TO THE WALL.
[drive someone bananas] or [drive someone nuts] or [drive someone
ape] {v. phr.}, {slang} {informal} To excite someone to the point that
he or she goes out of his or her mind; to drive someone crazy. *
/You're driving me bananas/nuts with that kind of talk!]
[drop] See: AT THE DROP OF A HAT, BOTTOM DROP OUT, JAW DROP or JAW
DROP A MILE.
[drop a line] {v. phr.} To write someone a short letter or note. *
/Please drop me a line when you get to Paris; I'd like to know that
you've arrived safely./
[drop back] {v.} To move or step backwards; retreat. * /The
soldiers dropped back before the enemy's attack./ * /The quarterback
dropped back to pass the football./ Compare: DRAW BACK, FADE BACK,
FALL BACK.
[drop by] or [stop by] {v.} 1. or [drop around] To make a short or
unplanned visit; go on a call or errand; stop at someone's home. *
/Drop by any time you're in town./ * /Mv sister dropped around last
night./ * /Don't forget to stop by at the gas station./ Syn.: DROP IN.
2. or [drop into] To stop (somewhere) for a short visit or a short
time. * /We dropped by the club to see if Bill was there, but he
wasn't./ * /I dropped into the drugstore for some toothpaste and a
magazine./
[drop by the wayside] See: FALL BY THE WAYSIDE.
[drop dead] {v.}, {slang} To go away or be quiet; stop bothering
someone. - Usually used as a command, * /"Drop dead!" Bill told his
little sister when she kept begging to help him build his model
airplane./ * /When Sally bumped into Kate's desk and spilled ink for
the fifth time, Kate told her to drop dead./ Compare: BEAT IT, GET
LOST.
[drop in] {v.} To make a short or unplanned visit; pay a call. -
Often used with "on". * /We were just sitting down to dinner when
Uncle Willie dropped in./ * /The Smiths dropped in on some old friends
on their vacation trip to New York./ Syn.: DROP BY, RUN IN(2).
[drop in the bucket] {n. phr.} A relatively small amount; a small
part of the whole. * /Our university needs several million dollars for
its building renovation project; $50,000 is a mere drop in the
bucket./
[drop name] {v. phr.} To impress people by mentioning famous names.
* /He likes to pretend he's important by dropping a lot of names./
[drop off] {v.} 1. To take (someone or something) part of the way
you are going. * /Joe asked Mrs. Jones to drop him off at the library
on her way downtown./ 2. To go to sleep. * /Jimmy was thinking of his
birthday party as he dropped off to sleep./ 3. To die. * /The patient
dropped off in his sleep./ 4. or [fall off] To become less. *
/Business picked up in the stores during December, but dropped off
again after Christmas./ Contrast PICK UP(14).
[dropout] {n.} Someone who did not finish school, high school and
college primarily. * /Tim is having a hard time getting a better job
as he was a high-school dropout./ * /Jack never got his B.A. as he
became a college dropout./
[drop out] {v.} To stop attending; quit; stop; leave. * /In the
middle of the race, Joe got a blister on his foot and had to drop
out./ * /Teenagers who drop out of high school have trouble finding
jobs./
[drown one's sorrows] or [drown one's troubles] {v. phr.},
{informal} To drink liquor to try to forget something unhappy. * /When
his wife was killed in an auto accident, Mr. Green tried to drown his
sorrows in whiskey./ * /When Fred lost his job and had to give up his
new car, he tried to drown his troubles at the nearest tavern./
[drown one's troubles] See: DROWN ONE'S SORROWS.
[drown out] {v.} To make so much noise that it is impossible to
hear (some other sound). * /The children's shouts drowned out the
music./ * /The actor's words were drowned out by applause./
[drum up] {v.} 1. To get by trying or asking again and again;
attract or encourage by continued effort. * /The car dealer tried to
drum up business by advertising low prices./ 2. To invent. * /I will
drum up an excuse for coming to see you next week./ Syn.: MAKE UP(2),
THINK UP.
[dry] See: CUT AND DRIED, HIGH AND DRY.
[dry behind the ears] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Experienced; knowing
how to do something. Usually used in the negative. * /John had just
started working for the company, and was not dry behind the ears yet./
Compare: KNOW ONE'S WAY AROUND. Contrast: WET BEHIND THE EARS.
[dry out] {v. phr.} To cure an alcoholic. * /A longtime alcoholic.
Uncle Steve is now in the hospital getting dried out./
[dry up] {v.} 1. To become dry. * /The reservoir dried up during
the four-month drought./ 2. To disappear or vanish as if by
evaporating. * /The Senator's influence dried up when he was voted out
of office./ 3. {slang} To stop talking. - Often used as a command. *
/"Dry up!" Tony said angrily when his friend told him for the third
time that he had made a mistake in his theme./ Syn.: SHUT UP(1).
[dual highway] See: DIVIDED HIGHWAY.
[duck] See: DEAD DUCK, KNEE HIGH TO A GRASSHOPPER or KNEE HIGH TO A
DUCK, LAME DUCK, LIKE WATER OFF A DUCK'S BACK.
[duckling] See: UGLY DUCKLING.
[duck out] {v. phr.} To avoid; escape from something by skillful
maneuvering. * /Somehow or other Jack always manages to duck out of
any hard work./
[duck soup] {n.}, {slang} 1. A task easily accomplished or one that
does not require much effort. * /That history test was duck soup./ 2.
A person who offers no resistance; a pushover. * /How's the new
history teacher? - He's duck soup./
[duddy] See: FUDDY-DUDDY.
[due] See: GIVE ONE'S DUE, GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE, IN DUE COURSE at
IN GOOD TIME.
[due to] {prep.} Because of; owing to; by reason of. * /His injury
was due to his careless use of the shotgun./ * /Joe's application to
the University was not accepted due to his failing English./
[dull] See: ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY.
[dumb bunny] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} Any person who is gullible
and stupid. * /Jack is a regular dumb bunny./
[dumbwaiter] {n.} A small elevator for carrying food, dishes, etc.,
from one floor to another in hotels, restaurants, or large homes. *
/The banquet was delayed because the dumbwaiter broke down and the
food had to be carried upstairs by hand./
[dumps] See: DOWN IN THE DUMPS or DOWN IN THE MOUTH.
[dust] See: BITE THE DUST, KICK UP A FUSS or KICK UP A DUST, WATCH
ONE'S DUST, AFTER THE DUST CLEARS/WHEN THE DUST SETTLES.
[dust off] {v.}, {informal} 1. To get ready to use again. * /Four
years after he graduated from school, Tom decided to dust off his
algebra book./ 2. To throw a baseball pitch close to. * /The pitcher
dusted off the other team's best hitter./ Syn.: BRUSH BACK.
[Dutch] See: BEAT ALL or BEAT THE DUTCH, GO DUTCH, IN DUTCH.
[dutch treat] {n.}, {informal} A meal in a restaurant or an outing
at the movies, concert, or theater where each party pays his or her
own way. * /"I am willing to accept your invitation," Mary said, "but
it will have to be Dutch treat."/
[duty] See: DO DUTY FOR, DOUBLE DUTY, HEAVY DUTY, OFF DUTY, ON
DUTY.
[duty bound] {adj. phr.} Forced to act by what you believe is
right. * /Abraham Lincoln walked miles once to return a few pennies
that he had overcharged a woman because he felt duty bound to do it./
* /John felt duty bound to report that he had broken the window./
[duty calls] {n. phr.} One must attend to one's obligations. *
/"I'd love to stay and play more poker," Henry said, "but duty calls
and I must get back to the office."/
[dwell on] or [dwell upon] {v.} To stay on a subject; not leave
something or want to leave; not stop talking or writing about. * /Joe
dwelt on his mistake long after the test was over./ * /Our eyes
dwelled on the beautiful sunset./ * /The principal dwelled on traffic
safety in his talk./ Compare: HARP ON. Contrast: TOUCH ON.
[dyed-in-the-wool] {adj. phr.} Thoroughly committed; inveterate;
unchanging. * /He is a died-in-the-wool Conservative Republican./
[dying to] {adj. phr.} Having a great desire to; being extremely
eager to. * /Seymour is dying to date Mathilda, but she keeps refusing
him./
E
[each and every] {adj. phr.} Every. - Used for emphasis. * /The
captain wants each and every man to be here at eight o'clock./ * /The
teacher must learn the name of each and every pupil./ Syn.: EVERY
SINGLE.
[each other] or [one another] {pron.} Each one the other; one the
other. * /That man and his wife love each other./ * /Bill and Mary
gave one another Christmas presents last year./ * /All the children at
the party were looking at one another trying to recognize one another
in their masks and costumes./ * /The birds fought each other over the
bread./
[eager beaver] {n. phr.}, {slang} A person who is always eager to
work or do anything extra, perhaps to win the favor of his leader or
boss. * /Jack likes his teacher and works hard for her, but his
classmates call him an eager beaver./ * /The man who was promoted to
be manager was an eager beaver who got to work early and left late and
was always offering to do extra work./
[eagle eye] {n.} Sharp vision like that of an eagle; the ability to
notice even the tiniest details. * /The new boss keeps an eagle eye on
all aspects of our operation./
[ear] See: ABOUT ONE'S EARS or AROUND ONE'S EARS, BELIEVE ONE'S
EARS, DRY BEHIND THE EARS, FLEA IN ONE'S EAR, GIVE AN EAR TO or LEND
AN EAR TO, GO IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER, JUG-EARED, LITTLE PITCHERS
HAVE BIG EARS, MUSIC TO ONE'S EARS, PIN ONE'S EARS BACK, PLAY BY EAR,
PRICK UP ONE'S EARS, ROASTING EAR, TURN A DEAF EAR, UP TO THE CHIN IN
or UP TO THE EARS IN, WET BEHIND THE EARS.
[early] See: BRIGHT AND EARLY.
[early bird] {n} An early riser from bed. * /Jane and Tom are real
early birds; they get up at 6 A.M. every morning./
[early bird catches the worm] or [early bird gets the worm] A
person who gets up early in the morning has the best chance of
succeeding; if you arrive early or are quicker, you get ahead of
others. - A proverb. * /When Billy's father woke him up for school he
said, "The early bird catches the worm."/ * /Charles began looking for
a summer job in January; he knows that the early bird gets the worm./
Compare: FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.
[earn one's keep] {v. phr.} To merit one's salary or keep by
performing the labor or chores that are expected of one. * /John
earned his keep at the music conservatory by dusting off all the
musical instruments every day./
[earnest] See: IN EARNEST.
[ears burn] {informal} To feel embarrassment or shame at hearing
others talk about you. * /Joan overheard the girls criticizing her and
it made her ears burn./ * /Joe's ears burned when he heard his
classmates praising him to each other./
[earth] See: COME BACK TO EARTH or COME DOWN TO EARTH,
DOWN-TO-EARTH, IN THE WORLD or ON EARTH, MOVE HEAVEN AND EARTH.
[ear to the ground] {n. phr.}, {informal} Attention directed to the
way things are going, or seem likely to go, or to the way people feel
and think. * /The city manager kept an ear to the ground for a while
before deciding to raise the city employees' pay./ * /Reporters keep
an ear to the ground so as to know as soon as possible what will
happen./
[ease] See: AT EASE or AT ONE'S EASE, ILL AT EASE.
[ease off] or [ease up] {v.} To make or become less nervous; relax;
work easier. * /When the boss realized that John had been overworking,
he eased off his load./ * /With success and prosperity, Mr. Smith was
able to ease off./ Compare: LET UP(3).
[easily] See: BREATHE EASILY or BREATHE FREELY.
[east] See: DOWN EAST.
[easy] See: FREE AND EASY, GET OFF EASY, ON EASY STREET, TAKE IT
EASY or GO EASY or TAKE THINGS EASY.
[easygoing] {adj.} Amiable in manner; relaxed; not excited. *
/Because Al has an easygoing personality, everybody loves him./
[easy as pie] See: PIECE OF CAKE.
[easy come, easy go] {truncated sent.}, {informal} Something you
get quickly and easily may be lost or spent just as easily. *
/Grandfather thought Billy should have to work for the money Father
gave him, saying "Easy come, easy go."/
[easy does it] {informal} Let's do it carefully, without sudden
movements and without forcing too hard or too fast; let's try to just
hard enough but not too hard. * /"Easy does it," said the boss as they
moved the piano through the narrow doorway./ Compare: TAKE IT EASY.
[easy mark] {n.} A foolishly generous person; one from whom it is
easy to get money. * /Bill is known to all the neighborhood beggars as
an easy mark./ See: SOFT TOUCH.
[easy money] {n.}, {informal} Money gained without hard work; money
that requires little or no effort. * /The movie rights to a successful
play mean easy money to the writer of the play./ * /Young people who
look for easy money are usually disappointed./
[eat] See: DOG-EAT-DOG, LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG or EAT HIGH ON THE
HOG, LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY.
[eat away] {v.} 1. To rot, rust, or destroy. * /Rust was eating
away the pipe./ * /Cancer ate away the healthy flesh./ See: EAT
OUT(2). 2. To gradually consume. * /The ocean waves were gradually
eating the volcanic rocks until they turned into black sand./
[eat away at] {v. phr.} To psychologically gnaw at; to worry
someone. * /Fear of the comprehensive examination was eating away at
Sam./
[eat crow] {v. phr.} To admit you are mistaken or defeated; take
back a mistaken statement. * /John had boasted that he would play on
the first team; but when the coach did not choose him, he had to eat
crow./ * /Fred said he could beat the new man in boxing, but he lost
and had to eat crow./ Compare: BACK DOWN, EAT HUMBLE PIE, EAT ONE'S
WORDS.
[eat dirt] {v. phr.}, {informal} To act humble; accept another's
insult or bad treatment. * /Mr. Johnson was so much afraid of losing
his job that he would eat dirt whenever the boss got mean./
[eat (live) high on the hog] or [eat (live) high off the hog] {v.
phr.} To eat or live well or elegantly. * /For the first few days
after the check arrived, they ate high on the hog./ Compare: IN CLOVER
or IN THE CLOVER, ON EASY STREET.
[eat humble pie] {v. phr.} To be humbled; to accept insult or
shame; admit your error and apologize. * /Tow told a lie about George,
and when he was found out, he had to eat humble pie./ * /In some old
stories a boy with a stepfather has to eat humble pie./
[eating one] {v. phr.} To cause someone to be angry or ill-humored.
* /We can't figure out what's eating Burt, but he hasn't spoken one
pleasant word all day./
[eat like a bird] {v. phr.} To eat very little; have little
appetite. * /Mrs. Benson is on a diet and she eats like a bird./ *
/Alice's mother is worried about her; she eats like a bird and is very
thin./ Contrast: EAT LIKE A HORSE.
[eat like a horse] {v. phr.} To eat a lot; eat hungrily. * /The
harvesters worked into the evening, and then came in and ate like
horses./ Contrast: EAT LIKE A BIRD.
[eat one out of house and home] {v. phr.} 1. To eat so much as to
cause economic hardship. * /Our teenaged sons are so hungry all the
time that they may soon eat us out of house and home./ 2. To overstay
one's welcome. * /We love Bob and Jane very much, but after two weeks
we started to feel that they were eating us out of house and home./
[eat one's cake and have it too] {v. phr.} To use or spend
something and still keep it; have both when you must choose one of two
things. Often used in negative sentences. * /Roger can't make up his
mind whether to go to college or get a job. You can't eat your cake
and have it too./ * /Mary wants to buy a beautiful dress she saw at
the store, but she also wants to save her birthday money for camp. She
wants to eat her cake and have it too./
[eat one's heart out] {v. phr.} To grieve long and hopelessly; to
become thin and weak from sorrow. * /For months after her husband's
death, Joanne simply ate her heart out./ * /We sometimes hear of a dog
eating its heart out for a dead owner./
[eat one's words] also [swallow one's words] {v. phr.} To take back
something you have said; admit something is not true. * /John had
called Harry a coward, but the boys made him eat his words after Harry
bravely fought a big bully./ Compare: EAT CROW.
[eat out] {v.} 1. To eat in a restaurant; eat away from home. *
/Fred ate out often even when he wasn't out of town./ 2. To rust, rot,
or be destroyed in time. * /Rust had eaten out the gun barrel./ See:
EAT AWAY.
[eat out of one's hand] {v. phr.}, {informal} To trust someone
fully; believe or obey someone without question. * /The governor has
the reporters eating out of his hand./ * /Helen is so pretty and
popular that all the boys eat out of her hand./
[eat up] {v.} 1. To eat all of. * /After hiking all afternoon, they
quickly ate up all of the dinner./ 2. To use all of. * /Idle talk had
eaten up the hour before they knew it./ 3. {slang} To accept eagerly;
welcome. * /The girls told John he was a hero because he made the
winning touchdown, and he ate up their praise./ * /Jim told Martha
that she was as smart as she was beautiful and Martha ate it up./
[edge] See: HAVE AN EDGE ON, ON EDGE, SET ONE'S TEETH ON EDGE, TAKE
THE EDGE OFF, THE EDGE.
[edge away] {v. phr.} To withdraw or retreat gradually. *
/Frightened by the growling tiger guarding its catch, the hunter
careful