Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц
---------------------------------------------------------------
Scanned by: Александр Быков
OCR, spellcheck & formatting: Wesha the Leopard (http://wesha.lib.ru)
hrc-файл синтаксической раскраски для просмотра словаря в редакторе
FAR-а можно получить, послав запрос по адресу wesha@hotmail.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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.
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.
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
[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./
[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 th