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McGraw-Hill’s Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Richard A. Spears, Ph.D. pyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the nited States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no rt of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. 07-143578-6 e material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: 0-07-140858-4. l trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than put a trademark symbol er every occurrence of a trademarked name, we use names in an editorial fashion only, and to e benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. Where ch designations appear in this book, they have been printed with initial caps. McGraw-Hill ooks are available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions, or for e in corporate training programs. For more information, please contact George Hoare, Special les, at george_hoare@mcgraw-hill.com or (212) 904-4069. ERMS OF USE is is a copyrighted work and The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“McGraw-Hill”) and its ensors reserve all rights in and to the work. Use of this work is subject to these terms. Except permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976 and the right to store and retrieve one copy of the ork, you may not decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, reproduce, modify, create rivative works based upon, transmit, distribute, disseminate, sell, publish or sublicense the ork or any part of it without McGraw-Hill’s prior consent. You may use the work for your own ncommercial and personal use; any other use of the work is strictly prohibited. Your right to e the work may be terminated if you fail to comply with these terms. HE WORK IS PROVIDED “AS IS.” McGRAW-HILL AND ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO UARANTEES OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR OMPLETENESS OF OR RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM USING THE WORK, CLUDING ANY INFORMATION THAT CAN BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE WORK A HYPERLINK OR OTHERWISE, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTY, XPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES F MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. McGraw-Hill and licensors do not warrant or guarantee that the functions contained in the work will meet your quirements or that its operation will be uninterrupted or error free. Neither McGraw- Hill nor its ensors shall be liable to you or anyone else for any inaccuracy, error or omission, regardless of use, in the work or for any damages resulting therefrom. McGraw-Hill has no responsibility for e content of any information accessed through the work. Under no circumstances shall cGraw-Hill and/or its licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, nsequential or similar damages that result from the use of or inability to use the work, even if y of them has been advised of the possibility of such damages. This limitation of liability shall ply to any claim or cause whatsoever whether such claim or cause arises in contract, tort or herwise. OI: 10.1036/0071435786 About This Dictionary v How to Use This Dictionary ix Acknowledgments xv Terms and Symbols xvii Dictionary 1 Phrase-Finder Index 783 Contents This page intentionally left blank. v All languages have phrases that cannot be under- stood literally and, therefore, cannot be used with confidence. They are opaque or unpredictable because they don’t have expected, literal meaning. Even if you know the meaning of all the words in a phrase and understand all the grammar of the phrase completely, the meaning of the phrase may still be confusing. A phrase or sentence of this type is said to be idiomatic. This dictionary is a collection of the idiomatic phrases and sentences that occur frequently in American English. Many of them occur in some fashion in other varieties of English also. Many overlapping terms have been used to describe the idiomatic phrases included here: ver- bal collocations, idioms, idiomatic expressions, clichés, proverbs, set phrases, fixed phrases, phrasal verbs, common phrases, prepositional verbs, and phrasal/prepositional verbs. They all offer the same kinds of problems to the speaker and writer of English. They are unclear because the meaning of the phrase is not literal or pre- dictable. Phrasal verbs, also called two-word verbs, are idiomatic expressions because the second ele- ment of the verb (the adverb or preposition) is not necessarily predictable. For instance, why the word up in call up a friend? Why not say call on a friend or call in a friend? Actually, those are three separate, unpredictable combinations, and they each mean something completely different. For example, you can call up a friend on the telephone, call on a friend to have a visit, and call in a friend to come and help you with something. Although there are some entries that are very casual or informal English, slang and idioms should not be confused. Some slang is also idiomatic, and some idioms are also slang, but generally they refer to different aspects of lan- guage. There are a few slang terms in this dictio- nary, because they are also fairly commonly known idioms. GOALS OF THE DICTIONARY A major goal of this dictionary is to make certain that each definition of a phrase illustrates the meaning of the phrase and matches it in syntax. The major exceptions are definitions that begin with “a phrase” or “an expression.” Similarly, the examples for each sense must match the defini- tion in meaning and syntax. The best use of the entries is to study the entry head, definition, and example carefully. Look for the meaning that is common to all three. If the diligent user can see the elements of meaning shared by the entry phrase, the definition, and the example(s), the dictionary entry has done its task well. A second goal is to provide the learner with enough information about the many forms that an idiom might take to allow the user to recog- nize it in a variety of contexts and to be able to use it in speech and writing. A third goal is to make the details accessible to the learner. Idiomatic expressions and their variants are complex and unpredictable. There are many synonyms and near synonyms. General cross-referencing in the body of the dictionary will help users find synonymous phrases. The Phrase-Finder Index provides a powerful tool for locating entry forms embedded in other entries and partially remembered phrases. The form of the entry is quite straightforward, consisting of entry, definition, comments (if any), and exam- ples. Senses are numbered and may include vari- ants in addition to those found in the entry head. A minimum of abbreviations and symbols are used, and these are explained in the section “Terms and Symbols.” The user who understands the meaning of entry head, variable, and wild card term is equipped to understand everything that follows. About This Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use. HO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS CTIONARY? dictionary will prove useful for native speak- who are looking for synonymous idiomatic ases. Many phrases can be expressed in a vari- of ways, and this dictionary, through cross- rencing, can lead the native speaker to equiv- t forms with the same or similar meaning. index provides a means for a writer to find most appropriate phrase for a given purpose. ve speakers can find most of what they want ooking up words representing key ideas in the x and following the references to phrases in dictionary itself. ikewise, near-native speakers who need help h phrasal verbs and common idiomatic phrases find this reference very useful. Speakers and ers trained in British English will find this ionary a good reference for checking on the erican form and meaning of expressions pre- usly encountered in British English. The format of the dictionary is designed to vide the information needed by learners who attempting to read and write conventional erican English. It contains far more detail and ificity than is required by people who have rd, spoken, and written standard American lish all their lives. For instance, a dictionary gned for native speakers of English might ude the subentries bail out and see through. wever, there are major differences in meaning ween the idiomatic expressions that can be d on these words. out (of something) “jump out” someone out (of something) “post bond to get person out of jail” l something out (of something) “remove water om a boat” something out “empty a boat (of accumulated ter)” something through “work at something until s finished” through something “see through something at is transparent” through something “detect a trick or decep- n” These differences may never be revealed if the entry heads are just bail out and see through, with no object indicated. This dictionary presents the additional details that a native speaker already knows. The information needed for the learner includes whether the verb can take an object and, if so, what kind of object (human, nonhuman, or both) is needed. The learner also needs to know what additional prepositional phrases are required or optional for the correct use of the expressions. PHRASE ORIGINS A surprising number of phrases have literary or Biblical origins. The works of Shakespeare, in par- ticular, have provided many memorable phrases that are in constant use around the world. When the source is the Bible or Shakespeare, as well as other authors, that is noted in the dictionary entries. Most of the phrasal or two-word verbs are due to the Germanic origins of English. The choice of which particle (the second part of a two-word verb) is an ancient problem. There are many instances, recorded in this dic- tionary, of a figurative phrasal verb being derived from a more literal interpretation of the same phrasal verb. In these instances, the phrasal verbs (or two-word verbs) appear in both figurative and literal senses in the same entry. One sense helps the user understand the other sense. In this case, the figurative sense has its origin in the literal sense. In entries where this occurs, the literal senses are marked Lit. and the figurative senses are marked Fig. A high percentage of the entries in this dictio- nary have their origins in a figurative usage where there is no matching literal sense. That is why they offer special difficulty in understanding. Wher- ever necessary or possible there is a note in the entry suggesting what a figurative entry is based on or alluding to. Sometimes the relationship is completely obvious and no explanation is offered. Quite a few of the similes (for example, as busy as a beaver) are contrived and appear to be part of an ever-expanding repertory of color- ful and quaint comparisons. Similarly, the senses marked Rur. (rural) are often contrived and may vii appear more often as colorful expressions in writ- ing than they ever did in real life. That these rural- sounding expressions actually had a rural origin can be debated. Nor can all the similes be taken seriously. They are included because they might be encountered by the learner and their listing here might be useful for a writer—if nothing more than as something to be avoided. There is another kind of “origin” that needs to be mentioned. There are a few idioms that seem to invite very clever but totally baseless tales of origin. Many of these tales are quite popular and widely known. Two examples of such “story” idioms involve sleep tight and a dead ringer. The first is associated with sleeping on a tightly strung, rope-supported mattress, and the second refers to a corpse ringing a bell. The details depend on the teller of the tale. Such tales of ori- gin are very entertaining to many people. The idioms on which these stories are based are included in this dictionary, but the tale is neither told nor debunked here. There are many additional phrases that are just the customary patterns used to say things in both casual and more formal situations. Common greetings and responses are included in this cat- egory, and these expressions have their origins in the functions they were meant to serve. WHEN WERE THEY FIRST USED? Users often have an interest in dating the origins of a phrase. It is possible to put a specific date on the early use of a word by consulting a historical dictionary, such as the Oxford English Dictionary. That will show the earliest usage recorded in the books and other documents that have been con- sulted for the creation of the dictionary. Some phrases and idioms may be included in the entries and quotations, but that is not the primary focus of a historical dictionary. As more and more data become available in a searchable, digital format, it is possible to find examples of the early uses of specific phrases more easily. A very careful writer of historical novels or screenplays will be inter- ested in making sure that a certain word or phrase was actually in use during the period in question. The OED can be helpful in determining this kind of information. An early date for a phrase (or word) does not necessarily indicate the earliest use of the item nor the period of widespread com- prehension in the population, however. This dictionary offers the user help in seeing semantic relationships and allusions, but it has goals that are quite different from those of a his- torical dictionary. The major concern here is contemporary usage, and it probably reflects idiomatic English over the last 50 years. The older members of the native-speaking population know more of the entries than the younger people, but the latter will learn more as they age. Probably 75 percent of the entries are widely known, conven- tional English for 75 percent of the educated, native-speaking adult population. This page intentionally left blank. ix For most users, most of the time, a single instruc- tion will be enough, and that is to start with the Phrase-Finder Index. In the index, look up a major word in the idiom, preferably a verb, and go to the most appropriate dictionary entry listed in the right-hand column. If no appropriate entry is listed at the verb, try an adverb, preposi- tion, or other word. Further hints can be found at the beginning of the Phrase-Finder Index. The organization and phi- losophy of the dictionary is discussed in much greater detail below. ALPHABETIZATION In the dictionary, phrasal verbs (or two-word verbs) and their related prepositional verbs are alphabetized on the verb. All other idiomatic expressions are alphabetized in their complete forms with no inversion of parts. Entries are not listed by “key word” unless the “key word” is the first word. On the other hand, the index lists all the key words in a phrase. In that way, the key word is the user’s choice and not the compiler’s choice. All alphabetizing is word by word, rather than letter by letter. Initial a, an, and the are ignored in the alphabetization. Significant vari- ants are cross-referenced to a main entry head. In most instances, an object of a verb or preposi- tion is shown by a wild card term, either someone, something, someone or something, or some other expres- sion such as some amount of money. Showing whether an object is human, nonhuman, or of some other semantically limited category is essential to explaining meaning and distinguishing the senses. Wild card terms are included in the alphabetiza- tion. In the Phrase-Finder Index, you are shown which entry head to look up. Those entry heads will include wild card terms. It is much easier to look up these expressions in the dictionary itself if the wild card terms are included in the alpha- betization. OVERCOMING OPAQUE AND UNPREDICTABLE PHRASES There are three general reasons why idiomatic expressions are problems for students, writers, and other adults wishing to expand their skills with conventional American English. The three problems involve (1) difficulties with extracting the core of the idiomatic expression from a sen- tence or paragraph, (2) the variable nature of idioms, and (3) the basic opaque nature of these phrases. There is little that can be done about opacity other than use a dictionary, but there is some information about the other problems that can help the user. What follows will explain the organization of the dictionary and the way the peculiarities of English phrases have been han- dled here. It is not necessary to be able to under- stand the following discussion to use the dictio- nary. EXTRACTING THE IDIOMATIC PART OF A SENTENCE Idiomatic phrases are usually found included within a sentence, and it is difficult to extract the core of the idiom so that it can be looked up in a dictionary. These expressions are often learned in a list, and, unfortunately, the form of the expres- sion presented in the list is probably only one of many variants. In the real world, these expres- sions are never seen or heard except in a complete sentence. In order to look them up in a dictionary, they have to be extracted from the sentence in which they are found. You cannot look up a How to Use This Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use. ase that is found within a sentence unless you w the boundaries of the phrase. Here are some s for extracting idiomatic phrases. plify the Grammar ries in the dictionary and index use the sin- r form of the noun and the present tense e) verb. The index actually lists both regular irregular forms when there are both. For ance old wives’ tale is listed in the index er “old,” “wife,” “wives,” and “tale.” In order ook something up in either section, the user save time by using the simplest form. There more items to choose from at the simplest m. k for Nonliteral Meanings k for something in the sentence that is not erstandable literally. For instance, “Sue is wn for thinking ahead of her time.” How can think ahead of or in front of time? Only fig- ively. Mentally extract the nonliteral phrase, nking ahead of her time.” Try to match “think ad of her time” to a phrase in the index by king at “think” and scanning down to “think ad” where you find think ahead of one’s e or the shorter *ahead of one’s time. ore Immediate Context parts of a sentence that refer to specific es, things, measurements, and activities are likely to be items you can look up in the index. mine the sentence “It’s almost 6:00, and you, m, and I have to thrash this contract out before can meet the President of Acme Widgets for ner at 8:00.” Ignore the specifics that relate y to this time and place: “6:00,” “Tom,” “you,” “President of Acme Widgets,” “dinner at .” That leaves “thrash this contract out.” Look thrash” in the index and find thrash something and it seems to explain the meaning of the ence perfectly. There are things that can cause fusion, though. “Dinner at 8:00” is a common well-known phrase. “Acme” is a (once) com- mon name for a company, and “widget” is a com- mon imaginary name for a product. Those words are not in the index, however. VARIATION IN IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS Idioms are sometimes called fixed phrases. In the real world, many idiomatic expressions are found in many variations, and this makes them hard to use and even harder to find in a dictionary. What follows is a discussion of the seven kinds of vari- ation shown in this dictionary. Unfortunately, many idiomatic expressions exhibit more than one kind of variation. Fortunately, use of the Phrase-Finder Index to find a particular idiom will eliminate most of the problems caused by variation. It is important to know how the vari- ants are related to each other so you do not think that three variants of a single phrase might have three different meanings. Knowing what the core of an idiomatic expression is, and how it can vary, makes it possible to recognize it and use its vari- ants in a far greater number of contexts. Grammatical Variation In idioms in general, nouns can be plural or sin- gular and verbs can occur in a variety of tenses and aspects. Many phrases can appear equally well in the negative or affirmative and undergo question inversion. Use the index to find the sim- plest form. This will lead you to the appropriate entry, even if the entry contains nouns or verbs that do not vary, such as old wives’ tale, which is never singular. Here are some sentence exam- ples of grammatical variation: The tape wouldn’t adhere to the door. Why won’t this glue adhere to the doors? The adhesive adhered to the door easily. That old glue has adhered to the front of the door nicely. That old tape has adhered to it nicely. The thing that all the example sentences have in common is that they all have the verb adhere plus a prepositional phrase beginning with to. The xi object of to can be a variety of nouns or pronouns. The elements each example shares are: adhere to something, and that is the form of the entry in this dictionary. The general rule is to simply reduce the noun to singular and the verbs to present tense and look up the results in the index. The Transposable Adverb Adverbs in certain phrases can swap places with the direct object of a transitive verb. This cannot be done if the object of the verb is a pronoun. Although the result may, in some instances, look like a prepositional phrase, it is not. In the fol- lowing example containing “down the door,” the word down is an adverb that stands between the verb and its direct object: She broke down the door with an axe. She broke the door down with an axe. Please hammer the nail in. Please hammer in the nail. But you cannot say: *She broke down it. *Please hammer in it. The entry head break something down† contains a dagger (†) that indicates that the “down” can be transposed to a position just after the verb. Any word marked with the dagger can be transposed to a position immediately following the verb except when the object of the verb is a pronoun. Only the adverbs followed by † can be swapped in this manner. Prepositions That Become Adverbs There is both a noun hammer and a verb hammer. Similarly, some particles can function as either prepositions or adverbs, depending on how they are used. Prepositions have objects. Out is a preposition in “Run out the door.” It is an adverb in “Put the cat out.” Some prepositional verbs (verb + prepositional phrase) can become phrasal verbs (verb + adverb) by “losing” the object of the preposition. In the phrase add something into some- thing, add has both an object of the verb and a prepositional phrase. Without the object of the preposition, the remaining preposition, in this case in, functions as an adverb, as in add something in. Examine the following sets of sentences. Note the transposable adverb in the second and third examples. Add the flour into the eggs. Add the flour in. Add in the flour. Boil the wax out of the cloth. Boil the wax out. Boil out the wax. In this dictionary, these pairs are presented as variants of the same entry. Usually it is necessary to express this variation in two parts. Then, the cross-referencing or the index will lead the user to the longer entry, which is then followed by the shorter one. Note that the adverb is marked trans- posable in the entry heads below. The relationship between these two varieties of phrasal verb is very common in English around the world. The pairs of entries are listed as follows: add something into something and add something in† boil something out of something and boil something out† Note that the prepositions into and out do not have daggers, indicating that they cannot be transposed to the position immediately after the verb. Idioms with a Limited Verb Choice There are a number of expressions in the dictio- nary that consist of a phrase that is likely to be preceded by one of a limited list of verbs. These expressions can usually stand alone, at least in casual conversations. The core meaning is the same regardless of the choice of initial verb. The members of the limited set of verbs that can come before the expression are not predictable. This kind ariation is similar to wild card terms. Here are mples of the sets of limited sets of verbs. e ahead of Tom et ahead of Tom eep ahead of Tom emain ahead of Tom tay ahead of Tom eep clear of the doors emain clear of the doors tand clear of the doors ch of these idiomatic expressions were a sep- e entry, it would be repetitious and difficult he user to see that they include the same basic ase. Therefore, the core of the entry is pre- ed by an asterisk (*), as with *ahead of some- and *clear of something. Within the entry, a list he appropriate verbs is given at the asterisk The index lists all of the variations, and the t common ones are given cross-references in dictionary itself. Many of them are found after get, and have and are cross-referenced from index only. There are some expressions that t begin with be, get, or have and these are abetized in the dictionary under their initial d. ional Elements ous additional words or phrases can be used onally within a single idiomatic expression. se words or phrases occur often with the m in question, but they are not required. They ncluded as part of the idiomatic pattern since are so typical of conventional usage. Often, matic expressions seem difficult simply ause they are shortened versions of a longer ression that would be easier to understand in ull form. There are many instances of optional positional phrases. The following examples trate optional words: At last, I am able to breathe freely again. At last, I am able to breathe again. ll joking aside oking aside In this dictionary, optional elements are enclosed in parentheses. The word freely is the optional element in the first pair of examples, and all is optional in the second set. Their entries are: able to breathe (freely) again (all) joking aside Variable Classes or Wild Card Terms Idiomatic phrases include both fixed and variable classes of words. The variable classes can be very broad, such as someone, which refers to any per- son, or something, which refers to any thing, object, or group. Many idiomatic phrases are very par- ticular as to whether they include either someone or something. Others can refer to people or things, someone or something, without distinction. In this dictionary, these groups are called wild card terms. They can be thought of as aliases or prox- ies for the members of the classes of words they describe. Wild card terms appear in a unique type style. In a few instances, the expression always contains the real word someone or something and in these instances, special type is not used, as with pick on someone your own size. The follow- ing examples show the kinds of things that wild card terms can stand for: associate with new friends (someone) associate with them (someone) associate with a bunch of different people (someone) associate with the Smiths (someone) play the radio at full blast (something) play my new record at full blast (something) play his huge stereo at full blast (something) play all the audio stuff in the whole dorm at full blast (something) The variable classes are represented in these examples by someone or something as in associate with someone or play something at full blast. The wild card term indicates that any member of the specified class can be used. There are dozens of wild card terms of this kind. All of the wild card xiii terms are descriptive of the kind of words or phrases they can stand for. Here are some of the most common wild card terms with one example of each: a direction “east by northeast” a period of time “about an hour” doing something “eating bread and butter” some amount of money “about three bucks” somehow “without much effort” someone “Fred” some place “the kitchen” something “a toaster” sometime “at noon” and someone or something, which can be either some- one or something. Note: Wild card terms are mostly nouns, pro- nouns, and noun phrases. There is no way that these variables could be listed in an index. There- fore, the user is advised to save time by first look- ing up a verb, adverb, or preposition rather than a noun or pronoun. Random and Unpatterned Variation Some expressions differ by only a word or two and are otherwise essentially synonymous. This is more confusing when not all the senses in an entry share the same synonyms, as in the first example where the full entry is quoted. In this entry, only the first sense has a variant. give someone a lift 1. and give someone a ride Fig. to provide transportation for someone. I’ve got to get into town. Can you give me a lift? 2. Fig. to raise someone’s spirits; to make a person feel better. It was a good conversa- tion, and her kind words really gave me a lift. Other entries with variants of this type are: ache for someone or something and hurt for someone or something amount to the same thing and come to the same thing Equivalent forms of an idiomatic expression are combined into a single entry where possible. The second and any subsequent expression are joined by and to the first. Sometimes a numbered sense has additional variants. These are introduced by and. If the variants apply to all senses, they are listed at the beginning of the entry. If they apply only to some senses, the restricted form appears after the sense number, as with give someone a ride above. This page intentionally left blank. xv The compiler has included idiomatic phrases drawn from or suggested by Anne Bertram in the McGraw-Hill publications, NTC’s Dictionary of Proverbs and Clichés, NTC’s Dictionary of Euphe- misms, and NTC’s Dictionary of Folksy, Regional, and Rural Sayings, as well as other McGraw-Hill special-purpose dictionaries. In addition, I am very grateful for help from my coworkers for their counseling, writing, and editing skills, as applied to various components and stages of this dictio- nary. They are Carla (White) Kirschenbaum, Nancy L. Dray, Michelle Davidson, Garret Lemoi, Steven R. Kleinedler, and Frank Abate. I also wish to thank Mark and William Pattis for providing appropriate atmosphere, support, and encour- agement for the creation of specialized dictio- naries. Acknowledgments Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use. This page intentionally left blank. xvii is a box that marks the beginning of an exam- ple. ~ is a “swung dash” that is an abbreviation for the entry head. † is a “dagger” that is seen in some entry heads. It shows that the adverb that precedes is one that can occur instead just after the verb in the same entry head. This means that the out in ace someone out† can also be ace out someone. [....] enclose a partial entry that is followed by an instruction about where to find the whole entry or a comment. These brackets are also used to enclose information needed to under- stand a definition. and indicates that an entry head has variant forms that are the same or very similar in meaning as the entry head. One or more variant forms are preceded by and. Cliché refers to an overused expression that is trite and tiresome. Entry head is the first phrase or word, in bold- face type, of an entry. It is the phrase or word that the definition explains. Euph. means “euphemistic,” making something sound or seem “nicer” than some other word might. Fig. means “figurative.” When the meaning of an entry head is not literal, it is marked Fig. Some are more figurative than others. Some entries contain both literal and figurative senses. Go to means to search for and read the entry indi- cated. Go to previous means to read the entry immediately above. Go to next means to read the entry that follows. Inf. means “informal.” This is used for expres- sions that are casual but not as intrusive as those marked Sl., “slang.” Jocular refers to an expression that is said in a joking or humorous way. Lit. means “literal,” the normal or expected inter- pretation of a word or phrase. Some entries contain both literal and figurative senses. Prov. means “proverbial,” in the manner or nature of a proverb. Rur. means “rural” and refers to country or folksy expressions. See also means to consult the entry indicated for additional information or to find expressions similar in form or meaning to the entry con- taining the See also instruction. Simile refers to expressions containing as or like, such as dry as dust. Sl. means “slang,” very informal, colorful, play- ful, or intrusive alternates for more common words. Variable is an element that stands for a class of items, usually nouns or pronouns. Many expressions must include a noun that is a per- son, a noun that is a thing, or both. These classes are indicated in the entry head as some- one, something, or someone or something. There are many other variables, such as some place or some- time, whose meaning is obvious. Wild card term is a term that represents a vari- able, such as someone, something, or someone or something. Terms and Symbols Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use. 1 *an A for effort Fig. acknowledgement for having tried to do something, even if it was not successful. (*Typically: get ~; give someone ~.) The plan didn’t work, but I’ll give you an A for effort for trying. A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. Go to You got to do what you got to do. Abandon hope, all ye who enter here. Prov. If you come in, be prepared for the worst. (Describes a hopeless situation or one somehow similar to hell. Often used joc- ularly. This is the English translation of the words on the gate of Hell in Dante’s Inferno.) This is our cafeteria. Abandon hope, all ye who enter here! abandon oneself to something to yield to the comforts or delights of something. The children abandoned them- selves to the delights of the warm summer day. abandon ship 1. Lit. to leave a sinking ship. The cap- tain ordered the crew and passengers to abandon ship. 2. Fig. to leave a failing enterprise. A lot of the younger people are abandoning ship because they can get jobs else- where easily. abandon someone or something to someone or something to leave a person, living creature, or thing to the care of someone or something; to give up someone or something to someone or something. (Usually with the thought that the abandoned person or thing will not receive the best of care.) They had to abandon the dogs to the storm. abbreviate something to something 1. and abbreviate something as something to make specific initials or an acro- nym out of a word or phrase. The phrase was abbrevi- ated to ABC. 2. to make something into a shorter version of itself. The act has been abbreviated to just a few min- utes. the ABCs of something Fig. the basic facts or principles of something. I have never mastered the ABCs of car main- tenance. abduct someone from someone or something to take away or kidnap a person from someone or from a particular place, usually in secret. The thugs abducted the child from her mother. abet someone in something to help someone in some deed; to help someone do something illegal. Surely you do not expect me to abet you in this crime! abide by something to follow the rules of something; to obey someone’s orders. John felt that he had to abide by his father’s wishes. abide with someone to remain with someone; to stay with someone. (Old and stilted. Primarily heard in the church hymn Eventide.) You are welcome to abide with me for a while, young man. able to breathe (easily) again and able to breathe (freely) again 1. Lit. able to breathe clean, fresh air with no restriction or obstruction. After I got out of the dank basement, I was able to breathe easily again. 2. Fig. able to relax and recover from a busy or stressful time; able to catch one’s breath. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Final exams are over, so I can breathe easily again. able to breathe (freely) again Go to previous. able to cut something Fig. to be able to manage or execute something. (Often negative. Able to can be replaced with can.) We thought he could handle the new account, but he is simply not able to cut it. able to do something to have the strength or skill to do something. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Are you able to carry those bags by yourself ? able to do something blindfolded and able to do some- thing standing on one’s head Fig. able to do something very easily, possibly without even looking. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Bill boasted that he could pass his driver’s test blindfolded. able to do something standing on one’s head Go to pre- vious. able to do something with one’s eyes closed Fig. able to do something very easily, even without having to think about it or look at it. (Always affirmative. Able to can be replaced with can.) It’s easy. I can do it with my eyes closed. able to fog a mirror Fig. Inf. alive, even if just barely. (Usually jocular. Alludes to the use of a small mirror placed under the nose to tell if a person is breathing or not. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Look, I don’t need an athlete to do this job! Anybody able to fog a mirror will do fine! able to make an event able to attend an event. (Able to can be replaced with can.) I don’t think I’ll be able to make your party, but thanks for asking me. able to take a joke to be able to accept ridicule good- naturedly; to be able to be the object or butt of a joke will- ingly. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Better not tease Ann. She can’t take a joke. able to take just so much and able to take only so much able to endure only a limited amount of discom- fort or unpleasantness. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Please stop hurting my feelings. I’m able to take just so much. able to take only so much Go to previous. abound in something to be rich and abundant in some- thing; to have plenty of something. (A bit formal.) The entire area abounds in game and fish. abound with someone or something to be plentiful with particular persons, other living beings, or objects. The world abounds with talented people who are too shy to develop their talents. Aa A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use. or something in secret. The boys absconded with all the dessert. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Prov. You will like someone or something better if that person or thing is far away. Ever since Carla’s boyfriend moved away, she can’t stop thinking about him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. absent oneself from someone or something to remain away from or avoid someone or some place. Fred absented himself from the meeting, which he was certain would be boring. *absent without leave absent from a military unit with- out permission; absent from anything without permission. (AWOL is an abbreviation. This is a serious offense in the military. *Typically: be ~; go ~.) The soldier was taken away by the military police because he was absent without leave. an absent-minded professor a bumbling professor who overlooks everyday things. Fred is such an absent- minded professor. He’d forget his head if it wasn’t screwed on. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Prov. One who has total authority is very likely to abuse his position. (This phrase was used by the British historian Lord Acton: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”) We thought that Johnson would be a respon- sible mayor, but within a year of taking office, he was as bad as all the rest. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Absolutely not! a strong denial or refusal. (Compare this with Definitely not!) Bob: Can I please have the car again tonight? Father: Absolutely not! You can’t have the car every night! absolve someone from something and absolve someone of something to prove that an accused person is innocent of something; to demonstrate that someone is not respon- sible for something. Bob attempted to absolve himself of the crime. absorb oneself in someone or something Fig. [for someone] to become very interested or preoccupied with something or someone else’s interests. Tom would often absorb him- self in his children’s activities on weekends. absorb someone in(to) something [of a person or a group of people] to include someone in all the activities of the group; to integrate someone into something. The club absorbed the new members into the organization. absorb something in(to) something [of matter or sub- stance] to draw something into itself. The sponge absorbed all the moisture into its fibers. absorb something with something to soak up a fluid with something. Henry absorbed the spilled milk with a sponge. abstain from something to avoid some activity or the use of some substance, such as alcohol, drugs, sex, or food. They abstained from hard liquor and any other kind of intoxicants. abstain from voting to choose not to vote either for or against a proposition or nominee. I will have to abstain from voting since I cannot make up my mind. ut as exciting as watching (the) paint dry Go exciting as watching (the) paint dry. out one’s business busy doing something. (*Typi- ly: be ~; get ~; go ~.) Why are you still in the use? It’s time to be about your business. Why are you t standing there? You’d better get busy doing something! out to do something in the process of doing something. Typically: be ~; get ~.) I’d better be about my yard rk. about-face (on someone or something) Fig. a reversal attitude or action. (*Typically: do ~; have ~.) did an about-face on her rule about not eating in the ng room. Now we can do it if we want. ove and beyond (something) more than is required; ater than the required amount. (*Typically: be ~; go ) The English teacher helped students after school ry day, even though it was beyond the call of duty. ve average higher or better than the average. Max’s des are always above average. ve (doing) something [of someone] too mature or hon- ble to do something. I thought you were above doing mething so thoughtless. ve one’s bend and above one’s huckleberry Rur. yond one’s ability. Fixing those new cars with com- ers in them is above my bend. Joe’s a good cook, but cy desserts are above his huckleberry. ve one’s huckleberry Go to previous. ve par better than average or normal. His work is ve par, so he should get paid better. ve reproach not deserving of blame or criticism. me politicians behave as though they are above reproach. ve someone at a higher rank than someone else; serv- as someone’s supervisor. Ron is above Ginney, but treats her like an equal. ve someone or something to be in a position that is her than someone or something. The plane is now ectly above us. ove suspicion [for one] to be honest enough that no e would suspect one; in a position where one could not suspected. (This is a translation of words attributed to us Caesar, who divorced his wife, Pompeia, on the unds of her possible involvement in a public scandal; esar stated, “Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion.”) Typically: be ~; keep oneself ~; remain ~.) The eral is a fine old man, completely above suspicion. ve the law not subject to the law; immune to the law. None of us is above the law. We have to obey all of them. veboard in the open; visible to the public; honest. n’t keep it a secret. Let’s make certain that everything is veboard. east of someone or something 1. Lit. keeping even with meone or something. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; keep stay ~.) I had to run hard to stay abreast of Sally. Fig. knowing the news about someone or something. Typically: be ~; get ~; keep ~; stay ~.) The ss corps has to keep abreast of the president. cond with someone or something to steal or run away h someone or something; to make off with someone 3 abstract something from someone or something to steal something from someone or something. (Formal.) The officer was found guilty of abstracting a rather large amount of money from the company. abstract something from something to take the important information from a longer document; to extract the essen- tials or the gist from a piece of complicated writing. Can you abstract a shorter article from this material? abut on something [particularly of the edge of an area of land] to meet or touch something along one boundary or at one point. Our land abuts on the shopping center’s parking lot. abut (up) against something to rest firmly against some- thing solid. The end of the board abutted against the foundation. accede to something 1. to agree to the terms or demands that someone has stated. We cannot accede to your demands. 2. to assume a position of power or authority; to begin serving in one’s official capacity. She acceded to the office of mayor in January. accept someone as something to consent to receive or con- sider someone as a particular type of person or a person who can serve a particular role. Sally finally accepted herself as the only possible peacemaker in the dispute. accept something as something 1. to agree that something will serve in payment of a debt or in return for something. This receipt shows that we have accepted your money as payment on your debt. This money has been accepted as reimbursement for the expenditure. 2. to resign [oneself] to something that cannot be changed. I must accept what you say as the final decision. accept the blame for something Go to the blame for something. acceptable damage and acceptable losses Euph. casualties or destruction inflicted by an enemy that is con- sidered minor or tolerable. At present, the enemy’s first- strike capability would produce acceptable damage. The general indicated that the fifty thousand casualties were within the range of acceptable losses. acceptable losses Go to previous. *access to someone or something permission to approach someone or something; the right to use someone or some- thing. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) Can you get access to a computer? accidentally-on-purpose Inf. deliberate, but meant to look like an accident. Then, I accidentally-on-purpose spilled water on him. Accidents will happen. Prov. It is impossible to com- pletely prevent things from going wrong. (Often used to console someone who has made a mistake or caused an accident.) Child: Mommy, I spilled grape juice all over the carpet! Mother: Don’t cry, honey. Accidents will happen. Jill: I’m so embarrassed. I was just tapping on your win- dow to wake you up. I didn’t mean to break it. Jane: Acci- dents will happen. acclimate someone or an animal to something and accli- matize someone or an animal to something to cause a per- son or other living thing to become used to a different climate or environment. We will help acclimate Henry to the new building. We need to acclimatize the fish to the new aquarium. acclimatize someone or an animal to something Go to pre- vious. accommodate oneself to something to adapt oneself to something, such as someone else’s needs or a new envi- ronment. Please try to accommodate yourself to our rou- tine. accommodate someone with something to provide some- thing special for someone; to do something that provides for someone’s needs or desires. We will try to accom- modate you with an earlier f light. accompanied by something with something extra to go along with something else; with something to comple- ment something else. Dessert was accompanied by a fine white wine. accompany someone on a journey 1. [for someone] to go with someone on a trip, journey, adventure, etc. Would you please accompany me on my next trip? 2. [for some- thing] to be brought with someone on a trip, journey, etc. My cameras always accompany me on my travels. accompany someone on a musical instrument to provide complementary instrumental music for someone’s musi- cal performance. Sally accompanied the singer on the piano. accompany someone with something to use a particular musical instrument to play music that goes along with someone else’s musical performance. She accompanied Mary with her f lute. accord with something to agree with or match up with something; to jibe with something. Does this accord with what you heard? according to all accounts and by all accounts from all the reports [that are available]; according to what everyone is saying. According to all accounts, the police were on the scene immediately. By all accounts, it was a very poor performance. according to Hoyle according to the rules; in keeping with the way something is normally done. (Alludes to the rules for playing games. Edmond Hoyle wrote a widely used book with rules for card games. This expression is usually used for something other than games.) That’s wrong. According to Hoyle, this is the way to do it. according to one’s own lights according to the way one believes; according to the way one’s conscience or incli- nations lead one. John may have been wrong, but he did what he did according to his own lights. according to someone or something as said or indicated by someone or something. According to the weather fore- cast, this should be a beautiful day. according to something in proportion to something. You will get paid according to the number of hours that you work. account for someone or something to know the state of or whereabouts of someone or something. (Usually in refer- ence to some person or thing placed in one’s charge.) They cannot account for three of the passengers. account for something to explain something. Your expla- nation accounts for everything that has happened. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z edit something to someone to assign or attribute a deed someone; to assign or attribute praise to someone. ften passive.) We can accredit this great success to Fred d his committee. ue to someone or something [used of interest paid on ney] to be credited to an account or to a person’s ount. Interest will accrue to your account as long as account is active. use someone of something to charge someone with a me, a violation of rules or instructions, or doing some- ng wrong. Please don’t accuse me of forgetting to lock door. ustom someone to someone or something to get some- e used to someone or something. I think we can ustom Fred to the new rules without difficulty. ustomed to someone or something and *accustomed doing something used to someone or something; used to in the habit of doing something. (*Typically: be ~; come ~; grow ~.) The children are accustomed ating late in the evening. in the hole and someone’s ace in the hole Fig. mething important held in reserve. The twenty-dollar I keep in my shoe is my ace in the hole. in(to something) to be lucky in getting admitted to mething. I aced into the history class at the last minute. out to be fortunate or lucky. Freddy aced out at the ntist’s office with only one cavity. out (of something) to get out of something through k; to evade or avoid something narrowly. I just aced of having to take the math test! someone out† to maneuver someone out; to win out r someone. Martha aced out Rebecca to win the first ce trophy. e for someone or something and hurt for someone or mething Fig. to desire someone or something very much. much that it “hurts.”) Jim ached for the sight of ry, whom he loved deeply. illes’ heel Fig. a weak point or fault in someone or mething otherwise perfect or excellent. (From the leg- d of Greek hero Achilles, who had only one vulnerable t of his body, his heel; as an infant his mother had held m by one heel to dip him in the River Styx to make him ulnerable.) He was very brave, but fear of spiders was Achilles’ heel. ng heart Fig. the feeling of pain because of love that ost or has faded away. (Described as being in the heart, ere love is said to reside.) I try to tell my aching heart t I don’t love him. acid test Fig. a test whose findings are beyond doubt dispute. The senator doesn’t look too popular just now, the acid test will be if he gets reelected. nowledge someone as something to agree or announce blicly that a person holds a particular office or station, that a person has particular qualities. She found it icult to acknowledge herself as a failure. nowledge someone to be right to admit or state that meone is correct about something. Bill said that the was useless, and the mechanic acknowledged him to be ht. acknowledge something as something to agree or announce publicly that something is as previously stated. The president acknowledged the statement as the truth. acknowledge (the) receipt of something to report receiving something, such as a package, letter, or notice. The company acknowledged receipt of the merchandise I returned. acquaint someone with something to introduce someone to an unfamiliar thing; to become familiar with some- thing; to get to know something; to tell someone the facts [about someone or something]. (See also acquainted with someone; acquainted with something.) It took a month for the new attorney to acquaint herself with the facts in the case. *acquainted with someone [of a person] known to some- one; [of a person] having been introduced to someone. (*Typically: be ~; become ~; get ~.) We are only acquainted with each other. We are certainly not what you would call close friends. *acquainted with something familiar with something; able to understand or recognize something. (*Typically: be ~; become ~; get ~.) Tom is fully acquainted with the way we do things. acquiesce to someone or something to give in to someone or someone’s wishes; to agree, perhaps reluctantly, to someone’s ideas or requests. We are willing to acquiesce to your demands. acquire a taste for something Go to a taste for some- thing. acquit someone of something to establish someone’s inno- cence of a criminal charge or the blame for some wrong- doing. The investigator acquitted Wally of the charges. across the board Fig. [distributed] equally for everyone or everything. The school board raised the pay of all the teachers across the board. act as one Go to as one. act as someone to perform in the capacity of someone, temporarily or permanently; to serve in some special capacity, possibly temporarily. This is Mr. Smith. He’ll act as manager from now on. act for someone 1. to represent someone in an official capacity; to represent the interests of someone. Don’t worry. I am acting for the owner. I am his real estate agent. 2. to take action when the proper person fails to take action. I had to act for her since she was out of town. act full of oneself Go to full of oneself. act high-and-mighty Go to high-and-mighty. act in earnest Go to in earnest. act like a cold fish Go to a cold fish. act like oneself again Go to oneself again. an act of faith an act or deed demonstrating religious faith; an act or deed showing trust in someone or some- thing. For him to trust you with his safety was a real act of faith. an act of God an occurrence or an event for which no human is responsible; an act of nature such as a storm, an earthquake, or a wildfire. Will your insurance com- 5 pany pay for damage caused by earthquakes and other acts of God? an act of war 1. Lit. an international act of warlike vio- lence for which war is considered a suitable response. To bomb a ship is an act of war. 2. Fig. any hostile act between two people. “You just broke my stereo!” yelled John. “That’s an act of war!” act out to behave badly. (Usually used to describe young people.) Your son has been acting out in the classroom, and his teacher feels that professional intervention is desir- able. act something out† 1. to perform in real life a role that one has imagined in a fantasy. When I was onstage, I was really acting an old fantasy out. I acted out an old fan- tasy onstage. 2. to convert one’s bad feelings into action rather than words. Don’t act your aggressions out on me! She acted out her aggression. 3. to demonstrate or com- municate something through gestures or action rather than words. Act your request out, if you can’t say it. She had a sore throat and had to act out her request. act tough on someone Go to tough on someone. act up [for a thing or a person] to behave badly. This car is acting up again. act (up)on something 1. to take action on a particular problem. (Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) I will act on this immediately. 2. to take action because of some special information. The police refused to act upon his complaint because he was an ex-convict. 3. to perform on something, usually the stage (in a theater). Ken has never acted on the stage or in front of a camera. act within one’s rights Go to within one’s rights. act young at heart Go to young at heart. Act your age! Behave more maturely! (A rebuke for some- one who is acting childish. Often said to a child who is acting like an even younger child.) Child: Aw, come on! Let me see your book! Mary: Be quiet and act your age. Don’t be such a baby! Actions speak louder than words. Prov. Cliché What you do is more significant than what you say. You keep saying that you’ll do your fair share of the housework. Remember that actions speak louder than words. adapt someone or something to something to cause someone or something to change, adjust to, or get used to some- thing else. Can’t you adapt yourself to my way of doing things? adapt something for something to change or alter something for use with something else. Has this furnace been adapted for natural gas? adapt something from something to derive something from something else; to create by modifying something else. I adapted my new musical from a novel. adapt something to something to convert something to fit or work with something else. We converted our furnace to natural gas. adapt to something to adapt or get used to someone or something. Please try to adapt to our routine. add fuel to the fire and add fuel to the flame Fig. to make a problem worse; to say or do something that makes a bad situation worse; to make an angry person get even angrier. (Alludes to causing a flame to grow larger when fuel is added.) Shouting at a crying child just adds fuel to the fire. add fuel to the flame Go to previous. add insult to injury Fig. Cliché to make a bad situation worse; to hurt the feelings of a person who has already been hurt. First, the basement f looded, and then, to add insult to injury, a pipe burst in the kitchen. My car barely started this morning, and to add insult to injury, I got a f lat tire in the driveway. add something into something and add something in† to introduce something into something else. Now, add the eggs into the mixture. Add in some more eggs. add (something) on(to) something and add (something) on† to extend something by providing more (of something). (This use of on with add is colloquial.) You added nearly one thousand dollars onto the total. You added on a thou- sand dollars to the total! You added too much on. add (something) to something to increase the intensity or amount of something by giving more (of something) to it. You added too much sugar to my coffee. add something together to sum or total two or more things. Add these two together and tell me what you get. add something up† to sum or total a set of figures. (See also add up (to something).) Please add these figures up again. I didn’t add up these figures! add up (to something) 1. Lit. [for a set of figures] to equal a total. These figures don’t add up to the right total! 2. Fig. [for facts or explanations] to make sense. (Con- sidering facts as if they were figures.) Your explanation just doesn’t add up! add up to the same thing Go to amount to the same thing. addict someone to something to cause someone to become habituated to something, usually alcohol or some another drug. The hospital personnel were thought to have addicted John to morphine. She ended up addicting her- self to the substance. address comments or remarks to someone to say something directly to a specific person or group of persons. (See also address oneself to someone; address oneself to something.) George addressed his remarks to everyone. address oneself to someone to speak directly to a partic- ular person, rather than someone else. I did not address myself to you! address oneself to something to turn one’s complete atten- tion to something, such as a problem or an issue. (See also address something to someone.) Please address yourself to these current, pressing problems. address someone as a specific title or attribute 1. to talk to or write to a person, using a particular title. They addressed Abraham Lincoln as “Mr. President.” 2. to treat a person you are talking with in a particular manner. You should address him as your equal. address something to someone to write someone’s name and address on an envelope, package, letter, etc. Gilbert addressed the envelope to Walter. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z ere to something 1. Lit. to stick to something. The mp won’t adhere to the envelope. 2. Fig. to follow or ick to” a particular course of action, plan, or set of iefs. If you don’t adhere to the proper routine, you will fuse the other workers. ourn for a time to bring a meeting to a temporary close the participants can take part in some other activity. We must adjourn for the day. ourn to some place to bring a meeting to a temporary se so the participants can move to another place (where meeting will be started again). We adjourned to the ing room. ust (oneself) to someone or something to make changes one’s opinion or attitude toward someone or something, h as a change in one’s life or environment. Can’t you ust yourself to your new office? st something to something to make something fit some- ng else; to alter something to make it suitable for some- ng else. The builder adjusted the plans for the new use to the requirements of the fire marshal. minister something to someone or an animal to present apply something to a person or an animal. The vet ministered the drug to the cow. mire someone for something to have a positive feeling ward someone because of something. I really admire u for your courage. mire to do something Rur. to want to do something, to happy to do something. He asked her to the dance. said she would admire to go with him. it someone (in)to some place to allow someone to enter me place. They refused to admit us into the theater. mit something into something to allow something to be roduced into something else. You cannot admit this ument into the body of evidence! it something to someone to confess something to some- e. Harry admitted his error to his uncle. mit to something to acknowledge or confess something; acknowledge or confess to having done something. x would not admit to anything. monish someone for something to warn or scold some- e mildly for doing something. The nurse admonished patient for not eating her dinner. pt someone as something to choose someone as some- ng. The committee will adopt Jane as its candidate. pt something as something to take on something, such a policy or principle, as one’s own. I will adopt this icy as my own. re someone for doing something to be in awe of some- e for doing something well. Everyone adores Sally for wonderful sense of humor. re someone for having something to be in awe of some- e because of a particular trait or feature. Robert ores Mary for her smiling eyes. rn someone or something with something to decorate or nament someone or something with something. They orned the room with garlands of f lowers. adulterate something with something to dilute or taint something with some other substance. They adulter- ated the wine with some sort of drug. advance something to someone or something (against something) to make an early payment of a sum of money promised or owed to a person or organization. We advanced the money to Tom against his next month’s salary. advance to(ward) someone or something to move forward in the direction of someone or something. The line of people slowly advanced to the door of the theater. advance (up)on someone or something to move toward someone or something. (Typically in military maneuvers or in team sports, such as American football. Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) They advanced upon the town, firing their rif les and shouting. advanced in years Go to up in years. *the advantage of someone and *the advantage over someone; *an advantage over someone; *the advan- tage over someone; *the edge on someone; *the edge over someone a position superior to that of someone else; a status wherein one controls or has superiority or author- ity over someone else. (*Typically: get ~; give someone ~; have ~.) She’d gotten an advantage over me at the start of the competition. I got an edge on Sally, too, and she came in second. advertise for someone or something to advertise one’s intention to purchase something or hire a particular type of person. Did you advertise for a new receptionist? advertise something for a price to make known by public notice that something is to be sold at a particular price. Is this the one that was advertised for a dollar? advertise something for something to make known by pub- lic notice, such as broadcast or print notice, that some- thing is available for purchase or rent. Was this apart- ment advertised for rent? advise against something to suggest that something not be done. Lisa always advises against hasty actions. advise someone about someone or something to inform someone about someone or something; to counsel some- one about someone or something. Bill needs to advise the committee about Karen’s request. advise someone against doing something to encourage or counsel someone not to do something. I advised Bill against quitting his job. advise someone of something to inform someone of spe- cific facts or some other information. I hope you will advise Larry of the details of the proposal. advise someone on someone or something to provide some- one with specific advice about someone or something. Would you please advise me on what kind of computer to buy? affiliate (someone or something) to someone or something and affiliate (someone or something) with someone or something to cause a person or thing to be associated with some other person or thing. He did not want to affili- ate his club to the other clubs. We tried to affiliate John with other people who shared his interests. 7 affiliate (someone or something) with someone or something Go to affiliate (someone or something) to someone or some- thing. affinity for someone or something a strong preference for something; a strong liking for something. Mary’s affin- ity for classical music accounts for her large collection of recordings. affix one’s signature to something to sign one’s name on something. I affixed my signature to each of the docu- ments. affix something to someone or something to fasten or attach something to someone or something. Please affix these tags to your luggage. afflict someone with someone to burden someone with an annoying person. I was foolish enough to aff lict myself with my young cousin for the weekend. afflict someone with something 1. Lit. to cause someone to suffer from a disease or disability. The virus has aff licted everyone in the valley. 2. Fig. to burden someone with trouble. We were aff licted with all the worry that comes with raising a teenager. afraid of one’s own shadow Fig. easily frightened; always frightened, timid, or suspicious. (An exaggeration.) After Tom was robbed, he was even afraid of his own shadow. after a fashion in a manner that is just barely adequate; poorly. He thanked me—after a fashion—for my help. Oh, yes, I can swim, after a fashion. After a storm comes a calm. and After the storm comes a calm.; The calm after a storm. Prov. Things are often calm after an upheaval. Jill: I can’t believe how peaceful the office is today, when yesterday everyone was either being fired or threatening to quit. Jane: After a storm comes a calm. after all 1. anyway; in spite of what had been decided. (Often refers to a change in plans or a reversal of plans.) It looks like Tom will go to law school after all. 2. recall- ing or considering the fact that. Don’t punish Tommy! After all, he’s only three years old! after all is said and done Cliché when everything is settled or concluded; finally. After all is said and done, it will turn out just as I said. after hours after the regular closing time; after any nor- mal or regular time, such as one’s bedtime. John got a job sweeping f loors in the library after hours. *after someone or something 1. Lit. following someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; come ~.) Tom comes after Mary in the line. 2. Fig. in pursuit of someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; chase ~; run ~.) The dog is after a rabbit. after the fact after something has happened; after some- thing, such as a crime, has taken place. (Originally a legal phrase.) John is always making excuses after the fact. after the fashion of someone or something and after the style of someone or something in the manner or style of someone or something. She walks down the street after the fashion of a grand lady. The parish church was built after the style of a French cathedral. after the style of someone or something Go to after the fashion of someone or something. After while(, crocodile). Inf. Good-bye till later.; See you later. (The word crocodile is used only for the sake of the rhyme. It is the response to See you later, alligator.) Mary: See you later, alligator. Bill: After while, croco- dile. After you. Please go ahead of me.; Please pass through ahead of me. Bob stepped back and made a motion with his hand indicating that Mary should go first. “After you,” smiled Bob. again and again repeatedly; again and even more [times]. He knocked on the door again and again until I finally answered. Again(, please). Say it one more time, please. Tom: I need some money. I’ll pay you back. Bill (pretending not to hear): Again, please. Tom: I said I need some money. How many times do I have to say it? against all odds despite very low probability; in a most unlikely way. Against all odds, she managed to win the trophy. *against someone or something 1. in opposition to some- one or something; in competition with someone or some- thing. (*Typically: be ~; run ~; stand ~.) I am against everything you stand for. She ran against me in the election. 2. to the disadvantage of someone or some- thing; in opposition to someone or something. (*Typi- cally: be ~; go ~; run ~; turn ~.) When did the trial go against us? against someone’s will without a person’s consent or agreement. You cannot force me to come with you against my will! against the clock Fig. in a race with time; in a great hurry to get something done before a particular time. In a race against the clock, they rushed the accident victim to the hos- pital. *against the grain 1. Lit. across the alignment of the fibers of a piece of wood. (*Typically: be ~; cut ~; go ~; run ~; saw ~.) You sawed it wrong. You sawed against the grain when you should have cut with grain. You went against the grain and made a mess of your sand- ing. 2. Fig. running counter to one’s feelings or ideas. (*Typically: be ~; go ~.) The idea of my actually tak- ing something that is not mine goes against the grain. Age before beauty. a jocular and slightly rude way of encouraging someone to go ahead of oneself; a comical, teasing, and slightly grudging way of indicating that some- one else should or can go first. “No, no. Please, you take the next available seat,” smiled Tom. “Age before beauty, you know.” The age of miracles is past. Prov. Miracles do not hap- pen nowadays. I’m afraid this old vacuum cleaner can’t be fixed. The age of miracles is past. age out (of something) [for an adult] to grow [mentally or in years] out of certain behavior or out of a group or classification that is based on age. (Jargon.) Most of them tend to age out at about 35. agitate against someone or something to stir up active dis- satisfaction about someone or something. The students were agitating against the closing of the old cafeteria. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z ate for something to stir up active support for some- ng. The committee agitated for a change, but nothing s done. nize (oneself) over someone or something to fret or guish about someone or something. Now, now, don’t nize yourself over the situation. Time cures all. ee to disagree Cliché [for two or more parties] to mly agree not to come to an agreement in a dispute. have accomplished nothing except that we agree to dis- ee. ee to something to consent to something; to allow mething to be done; to approve something. If you n’t agree to my leaving early, I’ll just do it anyway. ee (up)on someone or something to agree to the choice someone or something. Let’s try to agree upon a date. ee with someone 1. Lit. to hold the same opinion or gment as someone else. I simply do not agree with u! 2. Fig. [for something] to be acceptable to someone ood. (Usually negative, referring to the disagreeable nsequences of eating bad food.) Onions do not agree h me. ee (with someone) (about someone or something) and ree (with someone) ((up)on someone or something) r two or more parties] to agree with one another about facts concerning someone or something. I agree with about Judy; she is brilliant. He agreed with Sam upon me for the meeting. ee with something 1. Fig. [for something] to look good go well with something else. This dress does not agree h these shoes, does it? 2. Fig. [for something] to be in ord with something else. Your analysis agrees with ne. ee (with something) (in something) [for grammatical tures] to match or go together with other grammatical tures. The subject and the verb agree in number. shucks! and (Ah) shoot! Rur. Darn! (A mild oath.) Ah, shucks! I forgot to call Grandma. Tom: We can’t chocolate ice cream. The store’s all out. Jane: Shucks. shoot! I missed my favorite TV show. ead of one’s time Fig. having ideas or attitudes that too advanced to be acceptable in the present. (*Typi- ly: be ~; think ~.) Sue’s grandmother was ahead her time in wanting to study medicine. ead of schedule Fig. having done something before time given on a schedule or before the expected time. Typically: be ~; finish ~.) I want to be able to fin- the job ahead of schedule. ead (of someone or something) farther forward than meone or something. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; keep remain ~; stay ~.) I managed to get ahead of ryone else in line and get tickets for everyone. Try to y ahead of that big truck we just passed. ead of something ahead or on target with one’s work edule or responsibilities. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; ep ~; remain ~; stay ~.) By the end of the week, sually can get ahead of my duties, but not by much. ry can’t seem to get ahead of his work. ead of the game being early; having an advantage a competitive situation; having done more than neces- sary. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; keep ~; remain ~; stay ~.) Without the full cooperation of my office staff, I find it hard to stay ahead of the game. If being ahead of the game is important to you and to your business, lease a mobile phone from us. *ahead of time beforehand; before the announced time. (*Typically: arrive ~; get there ~; leave ~; show up ~.) If you show up ahead of time, you will have to wait. Be there ahead of time if you want to get a good seat. *(a)hold of someone or something 1. Lit. [get/have] a grasp of someone or something. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; take ~.) I got hold of him and dragged him back from the edge just in time. I took ahold of his hand and held on tight. 2. Fig. [get/have] contact with someone or some- thing; [get/have] the location of someone or something. (*Typically: get ~.) I got hold of a replacement part in Peoria. They are shipping it to us today. Try to get ahold of a plumber, would you? 3. Fig. [get/have] contact with someone or a group on the telephone. (*Typically: get ~.) I got hold of her just as she was going out the door. I was able to get ahold of the factory and cancel the order. aid and abet someone Cliché to help someone; to incite someone to do something, possibly something that is wrong. (Originally a legal phrase.) He was scolded for aiding and abetting the boys who were fighting. aid someone in doing something to help someone do some- thing. He aided her in fixing up the back bedroom. aid someone in something to help someone in some kind of trouble. Will you aid me in this difficulty? aim for something and aim at something to strive toward a particular goal; to direct oneself or one’s energies toward something. You should aim for success. Aim at getting this done on time. aim for the sky Go to reach for the sky. Aim for the stars! and Reach for the stars! Aspire to something!; Set one’s goals high! Aim for the stars, son! Don’t settle for second best. Set your sights high. Reach for the stars! aim something at someone or something to point or direct something at someone or something. Wally aimed the hose at Sarah and tried to soak her. aim to do something Rur. to intend to do something. I didn’t aim to hurt your feelings, sugar, you know I didn’t. ain’t fittin’ to roll with a pig Rur. is or are filthy or uncouth. After a day’s work in the hot sun, Clyde ain’t fittin’ to roll with a pig. ain’t got a grain of sense and ain’t got a lick of sense Rur. is or are foolish. Mary spends money like there’s no tomorrow. She sure ain’t got a grain of sense. I wouldn’t trust Jim to take care of my kids. He ain’t got a lick of sense. ain’t got a lick of sense Go to previous. ain’t got the brains God gave a squirrel and ain’t got the sense God gave geese Rur. is or are very foolish. There goes John, running around barefooted in the snow. He ain’t got the brains God gave a squirrel. No use trying to explain anything to Jane. She ain’t got the sense God gave geese. 9 ain’t got the sense God gave geese Go to previous. Ain’t it the truth? Rur. or Jocular That is true.; Isn’t that true? (Used to agree with a statement someone has made.) Jane: I swear, life can be a trial sometimes. Bill: Yes, Lordy. Ain’t it the truth? ain’t particular 1. Rur. doesn’t or don’t care. Tom: Would you rather have ice cream or cheese on your apple pie? Mary: Whatever you’re having. I ain’t particular. 2. Rur. doesn’t or don’t have a preference. Jane ain’t par- ticular. She’ll use any old brand of soap. *the air Fig. a dismissal. (*Typically: get ~; give some- one ~.) Whenever I get around Tom, I end up getting the air. air one’s belly Fig. Sl. to empty one’s stomach; to vomit. I had a bad case of food poisoning and was airing my belly for most of the night. air one’s dirty linen in public and wash one’s dirty linen in public Fig. to discuss private or embarrassing matters in public, especially when quarreling. (This linen refers to sheets and tablecloths or other soiled cloth.) They are arguing again. Why must they always air their dirty linen in public? She will talk to anyone about her problems. Why does she wash her dirty linen in public? air one’s grievances Fig. to complain; to make a public complaint. I know how you feel, John, but it isn’t neces- sary to air your grievances over and over. air one’s lungs 1. Rur. to swear. Don’t pay those old cow- boys no mind. They’re just airin’ the lungs. I could tell John was working on his old car ’cause I could hear him out in the garage, airin’ his lungs. 2. Rur. to talk, gossip, or brag. The ladies just love to air their lungs whenever they get together. air one’s paunch Sl. to vomit. He got so nauseous that he spent much of the night airing his paunch. air one’s pores Sl. to undress oneself; to become naked. Me and Wilbur, that’s my brother, both fell in the creek and had to air our pores a while so our pants could dry out. air out [for something] to remain in the fresh air and become fresher. The pillows are airing out on the bal- cony. air something out† to freshen something up by placing it in the open air; to freshen a room by letting outside air move through it. I’ll have to air out the car. Someone has been smoking in it. alert someone to something to make someone aware of trouble or potential trouble. The auditors alerted us to some problems with the accounts. alienate someone from someone or something to cause someone to feel negative about someone or something. The teacher alienated the entire class from the subject of calculus. alight from something to get off something; to get down off something. Almost three hundred people alighted from the plane. alight (up)on someone or something to land on something; [for a bird or other flying animal] to come to rest on something. (Upon is more formal than on.) A small bird alighted on the branch directly over my head. It alighted upon the branch and began to sing. align oneself with someone or something Fig. to bring one- self into agreement with someone or someone’s ideas; to associate oneself with someone or someone’s cause. She sought to align herself with the older members. align something with something to adjust, straighten, or arrange something in reference to something else. Try to align this piece with the one next to it. *alike as (two) peas in a pod very similar. (Compare this with like (two) peas in a pod. *Also: as ~.) These two books are as alike as peas in a pod. alive and kicking and alive and well Fig. well and healthy. Jane: How is Bill since his illness last month? Mary: Oh; he’s alive and kicking. The last time I saw Tom, he was alive and well. alive and well Go to previous. alive with people or things Fig. covered with, filled with, or active with people or creatures. Look! Ants every- where. The f loor is alive with ants! all agog surprised and amazed. He sat there, all agog, as the master of ceremonies read his name as the winner of first prize. all and sundry Cliché everyone; one and all. Cold drinks were served to all and sundry. all around Robin Hood’s barn going somewhere by an indirect route; going way out of the way [to get some- where]; by a long and circuitous route. We had to go all around Robin Hood’s barn to get to the little town. all at once 1. Lit. all at the same time. The entire group spoke all at once. 2. Fig. suddenly. All at once the little girl fell out of her chair. (all) at sea (about something) Fig. to be confused; to be lost and bewildered. (Alludes to being lost at sea.) When it comes to higher math, John is totally at sea. *(all) balled up troubled; confused; in a mess. (*Typi- cally: be ~; get ~.) John is all balled up because his car was stolen. (all) beer and skittles all fun and pleasure; easy and pleasant. (Skittles is the game of ninepins, a game similar to bowling. Fixed phrase.) For Sam, college was beer and skittles. He wasted a lot of time and money. all better (now) improved or cured. (Juvenile.) I fell off my tricycle and bumped my knee. Mommy kissed it, and it’s all better now. all by one’s lonesome Rur. all alone; by oneself. Mary’s folks went out and left her all by her lonesome. All cats are gray in the dark. Prov. When in the dark, appearances are meaningless, since everything is hard to see or unseen. I don’t care if my date is ugly. All cats are gray in the dark. all day long throughout the day; during the entire day. We waited for you at the station all day long. *(all) dolled up Fig. dressed up and well-groomed. (Usu- ally used of females. *Typically: be ~; get ~.) I have to get all dolled up for the dance tonight. *(all) dressed up dressed in one’s best clothes; dressed formally. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; get someone ~.) I really hate to get all dressed up just to go somewhere to eat. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z dressed up and nowhere to go and all dressed with nowhere to go completely ready for some- ng that has been postponed or has failed to material- (May be literal or figurative.) Tom: I just heard that ur company is closed today. Fred: Gee, I’m all dressed up d nowhere to go. The space shot was cancelled, so all astronauts are all dressed up with nowhere to go. ars Fig. listening eagerly and carefully. Well, hurry and tell me. I’m all ears. yes and ears Fig. listening and watching eagerly and efully. Be careful what you say. The children are all s and ears. Tell us quick. We are all eyes and ears! for someone or something Fig. (completely) in favor of meone or something; supporting someone or some- ng. I’m all for your candidacy. I’m for the incum- t in the upcoming election. for the best good in spite of the way it seems; bet- than you think or than it appears to be. (Often said en someone dies after a painful illness.) I’m very ry to hear of the death of your aunt. Perhaps it’s for the t. I didn’t get into the college I wanted, but I couldn’t ord it anyway. It’s probably all for the best. one used up; finished; over with. Oh, the strawberry y is all gone. We used to have wonderful parties, but se days are all gone. good things must (come to an) end. Prov. All periences, even pleasant ones, eventually end. It’s time eave the party, honey. All good things must end. We’ve d a lovely visit, but all good things must come to an end. hell broke loose all sorts of wild or terrible things ppened. When the boss left early for the weekend, all l broke loose. ) het up Rur. very angry or upset. (All “heated” up. ypically: get ~; be ~.) The boss got all het up when id my project would be late. Jane gets real het up when ks tease her about her freckles. hours (of the day and night) Fig. very late in the ht or very early in the morning. (*Typically: until ~; ~; at ~.) Why do you always stay out until all urs of the day and night? I like to stay out till all hours. n completely tired. I’m all in. I need some rest. After ir 10-mile hike the campers were all in and very hungry. n a day’s work part of what is expected; typical or rmal. I don’t particularly like to cook, but it’s all in a ’s work. Cleaning up after other people is all in a day’s rk for a busboy. n all considering everything that has happened; in mmary and in spite of any unpleasantness. All in all, was a very good party. All in all, I’m glad that I visited w York City. n good time at some future time; in the near future; good time; soon. (This phrase is used to encourage ople to be patient and wait quietly.) When will the by be born? All in good time. Mary: I’m starved! When l Bill get here with the pizza? Tom: All in good time, ry, all in good time. in one breath Fig. spoken very rapidly, usually while e is very excited. Ann said all in one breath, “Hurry, ck! The parade is coming!” Jane was in a play, and she was so excited that she said her whole speech in one breath. all in one piece Fig. safely; without damage. Her son came home from school all in one piece, even though he had been in a fight. The package was handled carelessly, but the vase inside arrived all in one piece. (all) in the family restricted to one’s own family, as with private or embarrassing information. Don’t tell anyone else. Please keep it all in the family. He only told his brother because he wanted it to remain in the family. (all) joking aside and (all) kidding aside being seri- ous for a moment; in all seriousness. I know I laugh at him but, joking aside, he’s a very clever scientist. I know I threatened to leave and go round the world, but, joking aside, I do need a vacation. (all) kidding aside Go to previous. *all kinds of someone or something Fig. a great number of people or things; a great amount of something, especially money. (*Typically: be ~; have ~.) There were all kinds of people there, probably thousands. The Smith family has all kinds of money. all manner of someone or something Fig. all types of peo- ple or things. We saw all manner of people there. They came from every country in the world. They were selling all manner of things in the country store. all my eye (and Betty Martin) nonsense; not true. Jane is always talking about her wonderful childhood, but it’s all my eye. He pretends to have great plans, but they’re all my eye and Betty Martin. all night long throughout the whole night. I couldn’t sleep all night long. John was sick all night long. all oak and iron bound and *sound as a barrel Rur. in good health; feeling good. (*Also: as ~.) Tom: How are you today? Bill: All oak and iron bound, thank you. Jane made a wonderful recovery from her surgery, and now she’s as sound as a barrel. all of a size Rur. all of the same size. I tried to pick out the biggest tomato, but they were pretty much all of a size. The houses in that neighborhood are all of a size. all of a sudden suddenly. All of a sudden lightning struck the tree we were sitting under. I felt a sharp pain in my side all of a sudden. all or nothing 1. Lit. everything or nothing at all. Sally would not accept only part of the money. She wanted all or nothing. I can’t bargain over trif les. I will have to have all or nothing. 2. Fig. [the best] time to choose to do some- thing or not to do it. It was all or nothing. Tim had to jump off the truck or risk drowning when the truck went into the water. Jane stood at the door of the airplane and checked her parachute. It was all or nothing now. She had to jump or be looked upon as a coward. all over 1. and (all) over with finished. Dinner is all over. I’m sorry you didn’t get any. It’s all over. He’s dead now. 2. everywhere. Oh, I just itch all over. She’s spreading the rumor all over. (all) over again starting over completely again; going through something completely yet another time. Do I have to go through this all over again? Please start over again for those who came in late. 11 all over creation and all over hell and half of Geor- gia; all over hell and gone; to hell and gone Rur. everywhere. Little Billy had his toys spread out all over creation. It took forever to clean up after him. They’re looking all over creation, trying to find the missing man. Tom has traveled all over hell and half of Georgia trying to find the man who done him wrong. all over hell and gone Go to previous. all over hell and half of Georgia Go to all over cre- ation. *all over (some place) found in every place; available in all locations. (*Typically: be ~; spread ~.) The win- dow shattered and shards of glass were all over the place. There are ants all over the cake! all over the earth and all over the world Fig. every- where. Gravity acts the same all over the earth. Human nature is the same all over the world. all over the world Go to previous. all over town 1. Lit. in many places in town. Our dog got loose and ran all over town. Jane looked all over town for a dress to wear to the party. 2. Fig. known to many; widely known. Now keep this a secret. I don’t want it all over town. In a short time the secret was known all over town. all right 1. an indication of agreement or acquiescence. (Often pronounced aright in familiar conversation.) Father: Do it now, before you forget. Bill: All right. Tom: Please remember to bring me back a pizza. Sally: All right, but I get some of it. 2. Inf. a shout of agreement or encour- agement. (Usually All right!) Alice: Come on, let’s give Sally some encouragement. Fred: All right, Sally! Keep it up! You can do it! “That’s the way to go! All right!” shouted various members of the audience. 3. well, good, or okay, but not excellent. (This phrase has all the uses that okay has.) I was a little sick, but now I’m all right. His work is all right, but nothing to brag about. All right, it’s time to go. 4. beyond a doubt; as the evidence shows. The dog’s dead all right. It hasn’t moved at all. The train’s late all right. There must be a problem up the line. All right for you! That’s the end of being friendly with you!; That’s the last chance for you! (Usually said by a child who is angry with a playmate.) All right for you, John. See if I ever play with you again. All right for you! I’m telling your mother what you did. all right with someone agreeable to someone. If you want to ruin your life and marry Tom, it’s all right with me. I’ll see if using the car is all right with my father. All righty. Inf. All right.; OK. Tom: Let’s go to the state fair. Bill: All righty, let’s do that. Everybody ready? All righty, then, let’s get started. All right(y) already! Inf. an impatient way of indicating agreement or acquiescence. Alice: All right already! Stop pushing me! Mary: I didn’t do anything! Bill: Come on! Get over here! Bob: All righty already! Don’t rush me! All roads lead to Rome. Prov. There are many different routes to the same goal. Mary was criticizing the way that Jane was planting the f lowers. John said, “Never mind, Mary, all roads lead to Rome.” Some people learn by doing. Others have to be taught. In the long run, all roads lead to Rome. All’s fair in love and war. Prov. Cliché In some situa- tions, such as when you are in love or waging war, you are allowed to be deceitful in order to get what you want. (Often said as an excuse for deception.) I cheated on the entrance exam, but I really want to get into that school, and all’s fair in love and war. To get Judy to go out with him, Bob lied and told her that her boyfriend was seeing another woman. All’s fair in love and war. All’s well that ends well. Prov. Cliché An event that has a good ending is good even if some things went wrong along the way. (This is the name of a play by Shakespeare.) I’m glad you finally got here, even though your car had a f lat tire on the way. Oh, well. All’s well that ends well. The groom was late for the wedding, but everything worked out all right. All’s well that ends well. *(all) set (to do something) prepared or ready to do some- thing. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) Are you set to cook the steaks? Yes, the fire is ready, and I’m all set to start. *all shook up Sl. excited; disturbed and upset. (See also shook up. *Typically: be ~; get ~.) She stole my heart, and I’m all shook up. They were all shook up after the accident. all show and no go Sl. equipped with good looks but lacking action or energy. (Used to describe someone or something that looks good but does not perform as prom- ised.) That shiny car of Jim’s is all show and no go. He’s mighty handsome, but I hear he’s all show and no go. (all) skin and bones Go to nothing but skin and bones. *all spruced up freshened up; tidied up; cleaned up. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; get someone or something ~.) Let’s get the yard all spruced up for spring. all sweetness and light Cliché very kind, innocent, and helpful. She was mad at first, but after a while, she was all sweetness and light. At the reception, the whole fam- ily was all sweetness and light, but they argued and fought after the guests left. All systems (are) go. Cliché Everything is ready. (Orig- inally said when preparing to launch a rocket.) The rocket is ready to blast off—all systems are go. Tom: Are you guys ready to start playing? Bill: Sure, Tom, all systems go. all talk (and no action) talking often about doing some- thing, but never actually doing it. The car needs wash- ing, but Bill is all talk and no action on this matter. Bill keeps saying he’ll get a job soon, but he’s all talk and no action. Bill won’t do it. He’s just all talk. All that glistens is not gold. Go to next. All that glitters is not gold. and All that glistens is not gold. Prov. Just because something looks attractive does not mean it is genuine or valuable. (Often said as a warning.) Hollywood may look like an exciting place to live, but I don’t think you should move there. All that glit- ters is not gold. I know Susie is popular and pretty, but don’t be fooled by that. All that glitters is not gold. All the best to someone. Go to Give my best to someone. all the livelong day all day long. Well, of course you get to feeling stiff, sitting in front of a computer all the live- long day. I’d go crazy if I had to stay at home all the live- long day. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z the marbles Fig. all the winnings, spoils, or rewards. Typically: end up with ~; get ~; win ~; give meone ~.) Somehow Fred always seems to end up with the marbles. I don’t think he plays fair. he more reason for doing something and all the ore reason to do something with even better reason cause for doing something. (Can be included in a num- of grammatical constructions.) Bill: I don’t do well alculus because I don’t like the stuff. Father: All the more son for working harder at it. Bob: I’m tired of paint- this fence. It’s so old it’s rotting! Sally: All the more rea- to paint it. he rage Fig. in current fashion; being a current fad. A new dance called the “f loppy disc” is all the rage. aring a rope instead of a belt was all the rage in those s. he same and just the same nevertheless; anyhow. They were told not to bring presents, but they brought m all the same. His parents told him to stay home, John went out just the same. he same (to someone) and just the same (to some- ) of no consequence to someone—one way or the er; [of a choice] immaterial to someone. It’s all the me to me whether we win or lose. If it’s just the same you, I’d rather walk than ride. If it’s all the same, I’d her you didn’t smoke. he time 1. Lit. throughout a specific period of time. Bill was stealing money for the last two years, and Tom w it all the time. All the time through December and uary, Jane held down two jobs. 2. Fig. at all times; con- uously. Your blood keeps f lowing all the time. That tric motor runs all the time. 3. Fig. repeatedly; habit- ly. She keeps a handkerchief in her hand all the time. He whistles all the time. It drives me crazy. he way 1. Lit. from the beginning to the end; the ire distance, from start to finish. The ladder reaches the way to the top of the house. I walked all the way me. 2. Fig. with everything on it, as with a hamburger h pickles, onion, catsup, mustard, lettuce, etc. I’d one double cheeseburger—all the way. Make mine all way. 3. Sl. [progressing] up to and including sexual ercourse. They went all the way on their date last ht. he way live Sl. very exciting; excellent. Man, this ce is all the way live. Oh, Tiffany is just, like, all the y live! here Fig. alert, aware, and mentally sound. (Usually gative.) After talking with Larry today, I get the feel- that he’s not quite all there. You do such foolish things metimes! I wonder if you’re all there. hings being equal Go to other things being equal. hings must pass. and All things will pass. Fig. erything comes to an end eventually. You’ll get over s setback. All things must pass. hings to all men and all things to all people . [for someone or something] liked or used by all peo- ; [for someone or something] everything that is wanted all people. You simply can’t be all things to all people. The candidate set out to be all things to all men and came looking very wishy-washy. all things to all people Go to previous. All things will pass. Go to All things must pass. all thumbs Fig. very awkward and clumsy, especially with one’s hands. Poor Bob can’t play the piano at all. He’s all thumbs. Mary is all thumbs when it comes to gardening. all to the good for the best; to one’s benefit. He missed the train, but it was all to the good because the train had a wreck. It was all to the good that he died without suffer- ing. all told Fig. totaled up; including all parts. All told, he earned about $700 last week. All told, he has many fine characteristics. *all tore up (about something) Inf. very upset and sorry about something. (The correct torn can also be used. *Typically: be ~; get ~.) When Jim’s dog was lost, he was all tore up about it. I’m all tore up about denting your car like that. I’d be more than happy to pay for fixing it. *(all) tuckered out Rur. tired out; worn out. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) Poor John worked so hard that he’s all tuckered out. Look at that little baby sleeping. She’s really tuckered out. all vine and no taters Rur. to be all display with no real value. She’s a good-looking woman, but really she’s all vine and no taters. Don’t be fooled by Jim’s f lowery promises. They’re all vine and no taters. all walks of life Fig. all social, economic, and ethnic groups. We saw people at the airport from all walks of life. The people who came to the street fair represented all walks of life. (all) well and good good; desirable. It’s well and good that you’re here on time. I was afraid you’d be late again. It’s all well and good that you’re passing English, but what about math and science? all wet 1. Lit. completely wet. I fell in and got all wet. 2. Fig. mistaken; wrongheaded; on the wrong track. That’s not the correct answer, John. You’re all wet. If you think that prices will come down, you’re all wet. all wool and a yard wide Fig. trustworthy and gen- uinely good. (A description of good quality wool cloth.) Mary’s a fine human being—all wool and a yard wide. I won’t hear a word against Bill. He’s all wool and a yard wide. all wool and no shoddy Rur. one hundred percent good quality. Everything Mary sells is the best there is, all wool and no shoddy. John’s a good man through and through— all wool and no shoddy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Prov. It is not healthy for someone to work all the time and never play. (Often used to exhort someone to stop working, or to justify why you have stopped working. You can substi- tute the name of the person you are addressing for Jack.) Don’t come to the office this weekend. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I’d like to take a week’s vaca- tion next month. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. all year round Fig. throughout all the seasons of the year; during the entire year. The public swimming pool is enclosed so that it can be used all year round. In the South they can grow f lowers all year round.
