n colonists started colleges so that learning would not die out./ [difference] See: MAKE A DIFFERENCE, SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE. [different] See: SING A DIFFERENT TUNE or WHISTLE A DIFFERENT TUNE. [dig down] {v.}, {slang} To spend your own money. * /The school let the club use the bus and driver free for their trip, but they had to dig down to pay for gas and meals./ * /"So you broke Mrs. Brown's window?" Tom's father said, "You'll have to dig down and pay for it,"/ [dig in] {v.}, {informal} 1. To dig ditches for protection against an enemy attack. * /The soldiers dug in and waited for the enemy to come./ 2a. To go seriously to work; work hard. * /John dug in and finished his homework very quickly./ 2b. To begin eating. * /Mother set the food on the table and told the children to dig in./ [dig out] {v.} 1. To find by searching; bring out (something) that was put away. * /Jack dug his sled out of the cellar./ * /The newspaper printed an old story dug out of their records./ Compare: DIG UP. 2. {informal} To escape. - Usually used with "of". Often used in the phrase "dig oneself out of a hole." * /The pitcher dug himself out of a hole by striking the batter out./ [dig up] {v.}, {informal} To find or get (something) with some effort. * /Sue dug up some useful material for her English composition./ * /Jim asked each boy to dig up twenty-five cents to pay for the hot dogs and soda./ Compare: DIG OUT. [dilemma] See: HORNS OF A DILEMMA. [dim] See: TAKE A DIM VIEW OF. [dime a dozen] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Easy to get and so of little value; being an everyday thing because there are many of them; common. * /Mr. Jones gives A's to only one or two students, but in Mr. Smith's class, A's are a dime a dozen./ [dime store] or [five-and-dime] or [five-and-ten] {n. phr.} A store that sells things that cost little. * /Charles bought a pencil at the five-and-dime./ [dine out] {v. phr.} To not eat at home but to go to a restaurant. * /"Let's dine out tonight, honey," she said to her husband. "I am tired of cooking dinner every night."/ See: EAT OUT. [dint] See: BY DINT OF. [dip into] {v. phr.} 1. To scan or sample lightly and briefly (said of printed materials). * /I didn't get a chance to read all of War and Peace, but I dipped into it here and there./ 2. To take money out of a savings account or a piggy bank. * /I am sorry to have to say that I had to dip into the piggy bank; I took out $6.75./ [dirt] See: EAT DIRT, HIT THE DIRT, PAY DIRT. [dirt cheap] {adj.} Extremely inexpensive. * /The apartment we are renting is dirt cheap compared to other apartments of similar size in this neighborhood./ [dirty] See: AIR ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC or WASH ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC. [dirty look] {n.}, {informal} A look that shows dislike. * /Miss Parker sent Joe to the principal's office for giving her a dirty look./ [dirty old man] {n. phr.} An older man who shows an unhealthy interest in young girls. * /"Stay away from Uncle Algernon, Sally," her mother warned. "He is a dirty old man."/ [dirty one's hands] or [soil one's hands] {v. phr.} To lower or hurt one's character or good name; do a bad or shameful thing. * /The teacher warned the children not to dirty their hands by cheating in the examination./ * /I would not soil my hands by going with bad people and doing bad things./ [dirty story] {n. phr.} An improper or obscene story. * /Uncle Bill is much too fond of telling dirty stories in order to embarrass his friends./ [dirty trick] {n. phr.} A treacherous action; an unfair act. * /That was a dirty trick John played on Mary when he ran away with her younger sister./ [disappear] or [evaporate] or [vanish into thin air] {v. phr.} To disappear quickly, without leaving a trace. * /Money seems to disappear into thin air these days./ * /Jack just vanished into thin air before the meeting had started./ [discretion] See: THROW CAUTION TO THE WINDS also THROW DISCRETION TO THE WINDS. [discretion is the better part of valor] {literary} When you are in danger or trouble, good sense helps more than foolish risks; it is better to be careful than to be foolishly brave. - A proverb. * /When you are facing a man with a knife, discretion is the better part of valor./ [dish] See: COVERED-DISH SUPPER. [dish of tea] See: CUP OF TEA. [dish out] {v.} 1. To serve (food) from a large bowl or plate. * /Ann's mother asked her to dish out the beans./ 2. {informal} To give in large quantities. * /That teacher dished out so much homework that her pupils complained to their parents./ 3. {slang} To scold; treat or criticize roughly. * /Jim likes to dish it out, but he hates to take it./ Compare: HAND OUT. [dish the dirt] {v. phr.}, {slang} To gossip, to spread rumors about others. * /Stop dishing the dirt. Sally, it's really quite unbecoming!/ [disk jockey] {n.} An employee at a radio station or in a dance club who puts on the records that will be broadcast. * /Jack is working as a disk jockey at the local FM station./ [dispose of] {v.} 1. To throw away; give away, or sell; get rid of. * /John's father wants to dispose of their old house and buy a new one./ * /The burglars had difficulty in disposing of the stolen jewelry./ 2. To finish. with; settle; complete. * /The boys were hungry, and quickly disposed of their dinner./ * /The committee soon disposed of all its business./ 3. To destroy or defeat. * /The champion disposed of the other fighter by knocking him out in the second round./ * /Our planes disposed of two enemy planes./ [dispute] See: IN DISPUTE. [distance] See: KEEP AT A DISTANCE, KEEP ONE'S DISTANCE. [ditch] See: LAST DITCH, [dive] See: GO INTO A TAIL SPIN or GO INTO A NOSE DIVE. [do] See: HAVE DONE, HAVE DONE WITH, HAVE TO DO WITH, LET GEORGE DO IT, LET ONE'S RIGHT HAND KNOW WHAT ONE'S LEFT HAND IS DOING, LET'S DON'T, MAKE DO, WELL-TO-DO, WHAT'S UP or WHAT'S DOING. [do a double take] {v. phr.}, {informal} To look again in surprise; suddenly understand what is seen or said. * /John did a double take when he saw Bill in girls' clothes./ * /When Evvie said she was quitting school, I did a double take./ [do a job on] {v. phr.}, {slang} To damage badly; do harm to; make ugly or useless. * /The baby did a job on Mary's book./ * /Jane cut her hair and really did a job on herself./ [Doakes] See: JOE DOAKES. [do a stretch] {v. phr.} To spend time in jail serving one's sentence. * /Jake has disappeared from view for a while; he is doing a stretch for dope smuggling./ [do away with] {v.} 1. To put an end to; stop. * /The teachers want to do away with cheating in their school./ * /The city has decided to do away with overhead wires./ Compare: RID OF. 2. To kill; murder. * /The robbers did away with their victims./ [do by someone or something] {v.} To deal with; treat. - Used with a qualifying adverb between "do" and "by". * /Andy's employer always does very well by him./ [do credit] or [do credit to] also ({informal}) [do proud] To add to or improve the reputation, good name, honor, or esteem of; show (you) deserve praise. * /Your neat appearance does you credit./ * /Mary's painting would do credit to a real artist./ [doctor] See: JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED. [doctor up] {v. phr.} To meddle with; adulterate. * /You don't have to doctor up this basic salad with a lot of extras as I am trying to lose weight./ [do duty for] {v. phr.} To substitute for; act in place of. * /The bench often does duty for a table./ [Doe] See: JOHN DOE. [doesn't add up to a can of beans] {v. phr.} To be of little or no value. (Said of plans, ideas, etc.) * /"That's a fairly interesting concept you got there, Mike, but the competition is bound to say that it doesn't add up to a can of beans."/ [do for] {v.}, {informal} To cause the death or ruin of; cause to fail. - Used usually in the passive form "done for". * /The poor fellow is done for and will die before morning./ * /Andy's employer always does very well by him./ * /If Jim fails that test, he is done for./ [dog] See: EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY, GO TO THE DOGS, HOT DOG, LEAD A DOG'S LIFE, LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE, RAIN CATS AND DOGS. [dog days] {n. phr.} The hottest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (July and August). (The ancient Romans associated this time with the "Dog Star" - Sirius - which becomes visible in the heavens at this time of year.) * /"The dog days are upon us," John said. "It's time to go swimming in the lake."/ [dog-eat-dog(1)] {n.} A way of living in which every person tries to get what he wants for himself no matter how badly or cruelly he must treat others to get it; readiness to do anything to get what you want. * /In some early frontier towns it was dog-eat-dog./ [dog-eat-dog(2)] {adj.} Ready or willing to fight and hurt others to get what you want. * /During the California gold rush, men had a dog-eat-dog life./ [doghouse] See: IN THE DOGHOUSE. [dog in the manger] {n. phr.} A person who is unwilling to let another use what he himself has no use for. * /Although Valerie lives alone in that big house, she is like a dog in the manger when it comes to letting someone sharing it with her./ [dog one's steps] {v. phr.} To follow someone closely. * /All the time he was in Havana, Castro's police were dogging his steps./ [dog's age] or [coon's age] {n.}, {informal} A very long time. Usually used after "for" or "in" with a negative. * /Charlie Brown! I haven't seen you for a coon's age./ * /Father hasn't had a night out with the boys in a dog's age./ * /I waited for him for a dog's age, but he didn't come./ Syn.: MONTH OF SUNDAYS. [dog's life] {n. phr.} A life of misery, poverty, and unhappiness. * /Diogenes, the Greek philosopher, lived a dog's life inside an empty barrel./ [do in] {v.}, {slang} 1. To ruin; destroy. * /Mr. Smith's business was done in by a fire that burned down his store./ 2a. To kill; murder. * /The poor man was done in by two gangsters who ran away after the crime./ 2b. To make tired; exhaust. * /The boys were done in after their long hike./ Syn.: WEAR OUT(2). 3. To cheat; swindle. * /Mr. Jones was done in by two men who claimed to be collecting money for orphans and widows./ [doing] See: NOTHING DOING. [do justice to] {v. phr.} 1. To do (something) as well as you should; do properly. * /Barbara had so many things to do that she could not do justice to her lessons./ * /The newspaper man did not do justice to the story./ 2. To eat or drink with enthusiasm or enjoyment. * /The boy did justice to the meal./ [dole out] {v. phr.} To measure out sparingly. * /Since the water ration was running low in the desert, the camp commandant doled out small cups of water to each soldier./ [dollar] See: BET ONE'S BOTTOM DOLLAR at BET ONE'S BOOTS, FEEL LIKE A MILLION or FEEL LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS, LOOK LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS. [doll up] {v.}, {slang} 1. To dress in fine or fancy clothes. * /The girls dolled up for the big school dance of the year./ * /The girls were all dolled up for the Christmas party./ 2. To make more pretty or attractive. * /The classrooms were all dolled up with Christmas decorations./ Compare: DECKED OUT. [done for] {adj. phr.} Finished; dead. * /When the police burst in on the crooks, they knew they were done for./ [done to a turn] See: TO A T or TO A TURN. [done with] {adj. phr.} Finished; completed. * /As soon as you're done with your work, give us a call./ [don't cross your bridges until you come to them] See: CROSS A BRIDGE BEFORE ONE COMES TO IT. [don't cry before you're hurt] See: CRY BEFORE ONE IS HURT. [don't let's] See: LET'S DON'T. [don't look a gift horse in the mouth] See: LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH. [do one a good turn] {v. phr.} To perform an act of kindness, friendship, or help to another person, unselfishly, without expectation of reward. * /"I'll be happy to help you any time you need it," John said. "After all you have done me so many good turns."/ [do one good] {v. phr.} To benefit. * /The fresh air will do you good after having been inside the house all day./ [do one good] or [do one's heart good] {v. phr.} To give satisfaction; please; gratify. * /It does my heart good to see those children play./ [do one's best] {v. phr.} To perform at one's optimum capacity; spare no effort in fulfilling one's duties. * /"I've really done my best teaching you people," the tired professor said on the last day of classes. "I hope you got something out of this course."/ [do one's bit] or [part] {v. phr.} To shoulder one's share of responsibility in a communal undertaking; shirk one's obligation. * /"Let me go home and rest, fellows, " John said. "I think I've done my bit for this project. "/ [do one's thing] or [do one's own thing] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To do what one does well and actually enjoys doing. * /Two thousand fans paid $15 each to hear the rock group do their thing./ 2. To follow one's bent; for example, to be engaged in left-wing politics, some sort of meditation, or use of drugs (particularly in the sixties). * /The hippies were doing their own thing when the cops came and busted them./ 3. To be engaged in an unusual activity that strikes others as odd. * /Leave Jim alone, he's just doing his own thing when he's standing on his head./ [do one's worst] {v. phr.} To do one's utmost by resorting to every foul means possible. * /Hitler did his worst to drive out the Allied invasion from Europe, but he failed./ [door] See: AT DEATH'S DOOR, AT ONE'S DOOR, CLOSED-DOOR, CLOSE ITS DOORS, CLOSE THE DOOR or BAR THE DOOR or SHUT THE DOOR, DARKEN ONE S DOOR, or DARKEN THE DOOR, FOOT IN THE DOOR, KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR, LAY AT ONE'S DOOR, LOCK THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE HORSE IS STOLEN, NEXT DOOR, OPEN ITS DOORS, OPEN THE DOOR, SHOW THE DOOR, SLAM THE DOOR IN ONE'S FACE at IN ONE'S FACE. [do-or-die] {adj.} Strongly decided, very eager and determined. * /With a real do-or-die spirit the team scored two touchdowns in the last five minutes of the game./ * /The other army was larger but our men showed a do-or-die determination and won the battle./ [doorstep] See: AT ONE'S DOOR or AT ONE'S DOOR-STEP. [do over] {v. phr.} 1. To renovate; redecorate. * /The new owners are going to do over the entire building in the fall./ 2. To repeat. * /Please do that math problem over until you get it right./ [dope out] {v.}, {slang} To think of something that explains. * /The detectives tried to dope out why the man was murdered./ Syn.: FIGURE OUT. [do proud] See: DO CREDIT. [do someone out of something] {v.}, {informal} To cause to lose by trickery or cheating. * /The clerk in the store did me out of $2.00 by overcharging me./ [dose of one's own medicine] or [taste of one's own medicine] {n. phr.} Being treated in the same way you treat others; something bad done to you as you have done bad to other people. * /Jim was always playing tricks on other boys. Finally they decided to give him a dose of his own medicine./ [dot] See: ON THE DOT also ON THE BUTTON. [do tell] {interj.}, {informal} An inelegant expression used to show that you are a little surprised by what you hear. * /"You say George is going to get married after all these years? Do tell!" said Mrs. Green./ Syn.: YOU DON'T SAY. [do the business] {v. phr.}, {informal} To do what is needed or wanted; get the job done; take proper action. * /The boys had trouble in rolling the stone, but four of them did the business./ * /When the little boy cut his finger a bandage did the business./ [do the honors] {v. phr.} To act as host or hostess (as in introducing guests, carving, or paying other attentions to guests.) * /The president of the club will do the honors at the banquet./ [do the trick] {v. phr.}, {informal} To bring success in doing something; have a desired result. * /Jim was not passing in English, but he studied harder and that did the trick./ * /The car wheels slipped on the ice, so Tom put sand under them, which did the trick./ Compare: TURN THE TRICK. [do things by halves] {v. phr.} To do things in a careless and incomplete way. * /When he reads a book he always does it by halves; he seldom finishes it./ [do time] or [doing time] See: DO A STRETCH. [do to death] {v. phr.} To overdo; do something so often that it becomes extremely boring or tiresome. * /The typical car chase scene in motion pictures has been done to death./ [dot the i's and cross the t's] {v. phr.} To be careful, thorough, and pay close attention to detail. * /"The best way to get an A on the final exam," the teacher said, "is for every one to dot the i's and cross the t's."/ Compare: MIND ONE'S P'S AND Q'S. [double back] {v.} 1. To turn back on one's way or course. * /The escaped prisoner doubled back on his tracks./ 2. To fold over; usually in the middle. * /The teacher told Johnny to double back the sheet of paper and tear it in half./ [double check] {n.} A careful second check to be sure that something is right; a careful look for errors. * /The policeman made a double check on the doors in the shopping area./ [double-check] {v.} 1. To do a double check on; look at again very carefully. * /When the last typing of his book was finished, the author double-checked it./ 2. To make a double check; look carefully at something. * /The proofreader double-checks against errors./ [double-cross] {v.} To promise one thing and deliver another; to deceive. * /The lawyer double-crossed the inventor by manufacturing the gadget instead of fulfilling his promise to arrange a patent for his client./ Compare: SELL DOWN THE RIVER, TWO-TIME. [double date] {n.}, {informal} A date on which two couples go together. * /John and Nancy went with Mary and Bill on a double date./ [double-date] {v.}, {informal} To go on a double date; date with another couple. * /John and Nancy and Mary and Bill double-date./ [double duty] {n.} Two uses or jobs; two purposes or duties. * /Matthew does double duty. He's the janitor in the morning and gardener in the afternoon./ * /Our new washer does double duty; it washes the clothes and also dries them./ [double-header] {n.} Two games or contests played one right after the other, between the same two teams or two different pairs of teams. * /The Yankees and the Dodgers played a double-header Sunday afternoon./ * /We went to a basketball double-header at Madison Square Garden and saw Seton Hall play St. John's and N.Y.U. play Notre Dame./ [double nickel] {adv.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} The nationally enforced speed limit on some highways - 55 MPH. * /We'd better go double nickel on this stretch, partner; there's a bear in the air./ [double-park] {v.} To park a car beside another car which is at the curb. * /Jimmy's father double-parked his car and the police gave him a ticket./ * /If you double-park, you block other cars from passing./ [double-talk] {n.} 1. Something said that is worded, either on purpose or by accident, so that it may be understood in two or more different ways. * /The politician avoided the question with double-talk./ 2. Something said that does not make sense; mixed up talk or writing; nonsense. * /The man's explanation of the new tax bill was just a lot of double-talk./ [double up] {v.} 1. To bend far over forward. * /Jim was hit by the baseball and doubled up with pain./ 2. To share a room, bed, or home with another. * /When relatives came for a visit, Ann had to double up with her sister./ [doubt] See: GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, NO DOUBT. [do up] {v.} 1a. To clean and prepare for use or wear; launder. * /Ann asked her mother to do up her dress./ 1b. To put in order; straighten up; clean. * /At camp the girls have to do up their own cabins./ 2. To tie up or wrap. * /Joan asked the clerk to do up her purchases./ 3a. To set and fasten (hair) in place. * /Grace helped her sister to do up her hair./ Compare: PUT UP. 3b. {informal} To dress or clothe. * /Suzie was done up in her fine new skirt and blouse./ [do up brown] {v. phr.}, {slang} To do in a thorough or complete way. * /When Jim does a job, he does it up brown./ [do well by] {v. phr.} To benefit; help; treat exceptionally well. * /In his will Grandpa did well by all of his grandchildren and left each of them one million dollars./ [do with] {v.} 1. To find enough for one's needs; manage. - Usually follows "can". * /Some children can do with very little spending money./ Compare: GET ALONG, MAKE DO. 2. To make use of; find useful or helpful. - Follows "can" or "could". * /After a hard day's work, a man can do with a good, hot meal./ * /After cleaning out the basement, the boy could do with a bath./ [do without] or [go without] {v.} 1. To live or work without (something you want); manage without. * /Ann said that she likes candy, but can do without it./ * /We had to go without hot food because the stove was broken./ 2. To live or work without something you want; manage. * /If George cannot earn money for a bicycle, he will have to do without./ Compare: GET ALONG, GET BY. [down and out] {adj. phr.} Without money; without a job or home; broke. * /Poor Sam lost his job after his wife had left him; he is really down and out./ [down-and-outer] {n. phr.} A person who has lost everything and is penniless. * /Joe goes from shelter to shelter asking for food and a place to sleep; he's become a regular down-and-outer./ [down-at-heel] or [down-at-the-heel] or [down-at-the-heels] {adj.} Poorly kept up or dressed shabby; not neat; sloppy. * /John is always down-at-the-heels, but his sister is always very neat./ * /Old houses sometimes look down-at-the-heel./ [down east] or [Down East] {n.} The northeast coastal part of the United States and part of Canada; especially: the coastal parts of Maine. * /Many people in Boston like to go down east for their summer vacation./ Compare: I WOULDN'T DO IT FOR A FARM DOWN EAST. [down in the dumps] or [down in the mouth] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Sad or discouraged; gloomy; dejected. * /The boys were certainly down in the dumps when they heard that their team had lost./ [down on] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Having a grudge against; angry at. * /John is down on his teacher because she gave him a low grade./ [down one's alley] or [up one's alley] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Suited to your tastes and abilities; what you like or like to do. * /Baseball is right down Jim's alley./ Compare: CUP OF TEA. [down one's neck] See: BREATHE DOWN ONE'S NECK. [down one's nose] See: LOOK DOWN ONE'S NOSE. [down one's throat] See: JUMP DOWN ONE'S THROAT, SHOVE DOWN ONE'S THROAT or RAM DOWN ONE'S THROAT. [down on one's luck] {adj.}, {informal} Having bad luck; having much trouble; not successful in life. * /Harry asked me to lend him ten dollars, because he was down on his luck./ * /The teacher is easy on Jane because Jane has been down on her luck lately./ Compare: HARD ROW TO HOE, HARD SLEDDING, ON ONE'S UPPERS. [down payment] {n.} A retainer paid to a prospective seller. * /How much of a down payment do you require for this new car?/ [down the drain] {adj.} or {adv. phr.}, {informal} Wasted; lost. * /It is money down the drain if you spend it all on candy./ * /Our plans to go swimming went down the drain when it rained./ Compare: GO BY THE BOARD. [down the hatch!] {v. phr.}, {informal} Let us drink! * /When we celebrated Mom's birthday, we all raised our glasses and cried in unison, "Down the hatch!"/ [down the line] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. Down the road or street; straight ahead. * /The church is down the line a few blocks./ 2. All the way; completely; thoroughly. * /Bob always follows the teacher's directions right down the line./ [down-to-earth] {adj.} Showing good sense; practical. * /The committee's first plan for the party was too fancy, but the second was more down-to-earth./ * /Mr. Jenkins never seems to know what is happening around him, but his wife is friendly and down-to-earth./ Compare: COME BACK TO EARTH. [down to the wire] {adj.}, {slang} 1. Running out of time, nearing a deadline. * /Bob is down to the wire on his project./ 2. Being financially almost broke, being very low on cash or other funds. * /We can't afford going to a restaurant tonight - we're really down to the wire!/ [down with a disease] {adj. phr.} Ill or sick. * /Aunt Liz is down with the flu this week; she has to stay in bed./ [dozen] See: BY THE DOZEN, DAILY DOZEN, DIME A DOZEN, SIX OF ONE AND HALF-A-DOZEN OF THE OTHER. [drag in] {v.} To insist on bringing (another subject) into a discussion; begin talking about (something different.) * /No matter what we talk about, Jim drags in politics./ * /Whenever anyone mentions travel, Grace has to drag in the trip to Mexico she took ten years ago./ [drag on] or [drag out] {v.} 1. To pass very slowly. * /The cold winter months dragged on until we thought spring would never come./ 2. To prolong; make longer. * /The meeting would have been over quickly if the members had not dragged out the argument about dues./ [drag on the market] {n. phr.} An article for which the demand has fallen off thus causing an oversupply. * /Your type of word processor went out of style and is now a drag on the market./ [drag oneself up by one's boot straps] See: PULL ONESELF UP BY THE BOOT STRAPS. [drag one's feet] or [drag one's heels] {v. phr.} To act slowly or reluctantly. * /The children wanted to watch television, and dragged their feet when their mother told them to go to bed./ * /The city employees said the mayor had promised to raise their pay, but was now dragging his feet./ [drag out] See: DRAG ON. [drag race] {n.}, {slang} An automobile race in which the drivers try to cover a certain distance (usually one quarter mile) in the shortest possible time. * /Drag races are often held on airport landing strips./ * /Holding drag races is a good way to stop teenage hot rod racing on public highways./ Compare: DRAG STRIP. [drag strip] {n.}, {slang} A place where drag races are held. * /Before the race Paul loaded his racer onto the trailer to take it out of town to the drag strip for the race./ Compare: DRAG RACE. [drain] See: DOWN THE DRAIN. [draw] See: BEAT TO THE PUNCH or BEAT TO THE DRAW. [draw a bead on] {v. phr.} {informal} 1. To aim at; sight (with a gun). * /The deer bounded into the forest before the hunters could draw a bead on them./ * /John drew a bead on the elk, but didn't have the heart to pull the trigger./ 2. To take (something) as an aim or goal. * /"I'm drawing a bead on the Literary Society president's office," said Tom./ 3. To use as a target of attack; criticize. * /Whenever a politician makes a mistake, his opponents are ready to draw a bead on him./ [draw a blank] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To obtain nothing in return for an effort made or to get a negative result. * /I looked up all the Joneses in the telephone book but I drew a blank every time I asked for Archibald Jones./ 2. To fail to remember something. * /I am trying to think of the name but I keep drawing a blank./ 3. To be consistently unsuccessful at doing something. * /I keep trying to pass that math exam but each time I try it I draw a blank./ [draw a conclusion] {v. phr.} To make an inference. * /After he failed to keep an appointment with me for the third time, I drew the conclusion that he was an unreliable person./ [draw a line] or [draw the line] {v. phr.} 1. To think of as different. * /The law in this country draws a line between murder and manslaughter./ * /Can you draw the line between a lie and a fib?/ 2. To set a limit to what will be done; say something cannot be done. * /We would like to invite everybody to our party, but we have to draw a line somewhere./ - Often used with "at". * /Mrs. Jones draws the line at permitting the children to play in their father's den./ * /People fighting for their freedom often do not draw the line at murder./ [draw a long breath] or [take a long breath] {v. phr.} To breathe deeply when getting ready to speak or act. * /Father asked who broke the window. Jim drew a long breath and admitted that he had done it./ * /The salesman took a long breath and started his talk./ [draw a parallel] {v. phr.} To make a comparison. * /It is easy to draw a parallel between the characters of Saint Francis of Assisi and Great Saint Theresa of Aquila, but this doesn't mean that all saints are alike./ [draw and quarter] {v. phr.}, {literary} 1. To execute someone in the barbaric medieval fashion of having him torn into four pieces by four horses tearing his body in four different directions. * /The captured foreign marauders were drawn and quartered by the angry citizens of ancient Frankfurt./ 2. To punish someone very severely. * /"If you miss another homework assignment, John," the teacher said, "I'll have you drawn and quartered."/ [draw aside] {v. phr.} To separate; take to one side. * /He drew her aside and whispered into her ear, "Johanna, please marry me!"/ [draw back] {v.} To move back; back away; step backward; withdraw; move away from. * /When the man spotted the rattlesnake, he drew back and aimed his shotgun./ * /The children drew back from the dog when it barked at them./ * /When the pitcher drew back his arm to pitch the ball, Tom ran as fast as he could to steal second base./ * /Some juice from the grapefruit that Father was eating squirted in his eye and he drew back in surprise./ Compare: DROP BACK. [drawback] {n.} Disadvantage; obstacle; hindrance. * /The biggest drawback of Bill's plan is the cost involved./ [draw blood] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make someone feel hurt or angry. * /If you want to draw blood, ask Jim about his last money-making scheme./ * /Her sarcastic comments drew blood./ [drawer] See: TOP-DRAWER. [draw fire] {v. phr.} 1. To attract or provoke shooting; be a target. * /The general's white horse drew the enemy's fire./ 2. To bring criticism or argument; make people say bad things about you. * /Having the newest car in your group is sure to draw fire./ [drawing card] {n.} The most important figure in a multi-person event; the top entertainer during a show; the best professor or researcher at a university, etc. * /During the concert series Barbra Streisand was the biggest drawing card./ * /The biggest drawing card at many a university is the resident Nobel Laureate./ [draw in one's horns] See: PULL IN ONE'S HORNS. [draw interest] {v. phr.} To earn interest on invested capital. * /My savings account draws 4.5% interest./ [draw lots] {v. phr.} To select at random from a series in order to determine precedents or apportionment. * /The refugees to be evacuated drew lots on who would get a place on the first airplane out of the besieged city./ [draw near] {v. phr.} To approach; come near. * /The time is drawing near when this century will end and the next will begin./ [draw off] {v. phr.} To drain away; deflect. * /A light flanking attack was made in order to draw off the enemy's fire./ [draw on] {v. phr.} 1. To arrive; approach. * /As midnight drew on, the New Year's Eve party grew louder and louder./ 2. To secure funds from a bank or person. * /Jack kept drawing on his bank account so much that several of his checks bounced./ [draw out] {v. phr.} 1. To take out; remove. * /Johnny drew a dollar out of the bank to buy his mother a present./ * /The hunter drew out his gun and shot the snake./ 2. To make (a person) talk or tell something. * /Jimmy was bashful but Mrs. Wilson drew him out by asking him about baseball./ 3. To make come out; bring out. * /The bell of the ice-cream truck drew the children out of the houses./ * /Mary was drawn out of her silence by Billy's jokes./ 4. To make longer or too long; stretch. * /The Smiths drew out their vacation at the beach an extra week./ * /It was a long drawn out meeting because everybody tried to talk at once./ * /Mary and her mother drew out their goodbyes so long at the bus station that Mary almost missed the bus./ [draw the fire of] See: DRAW OFF. [draw the line] See: DRAW A LINE. [draw to a close] {v. phr.} To finish; terminate; come to an end. * /The meeting drew to a close around midnight./ [draw up] {v.} 1. To write (something) in its correct form; put in writing. * /The rich man had his lawyers draw up his will so that each of his children would receive part of his money when he died./ 2. To plan or prepare; begin to write out. * /The two countries drew up a peace treaty after the war ended./ * /Plans are being drawn up for a new school next year./ Compare: WRITE UP. 3. To hold yourself straight or stiffly, especially because you are proud or angry. * /When we said that Mary was getting fat, she drew herself up angrily and walked out of the room./ 4. To stop or come to a stop. * /The cowboy drew up his horse at the top of the hill./ * /A big black car drew up in front of the house./ Syn.: PULL UP. [dread] See: BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE. [dream of] {v.} To think about seriously; think about with the idea of really doing; consider seriously. - Usually used with a negative. * /I wouldn't dream of wearing shorts to church./ [dressing down] {n.}, {informal} A scolding. * /The sergeant gave the soldier a good dressing down because his shoes were not shined./ [dress a window] See: WINDOW DRESSING. [dress like a million dollars] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER. [dress up] {v.} 1a. To put on best or special clothes. * /Billy hated being dressed up and took off his best suit as soon as he got home from church./ 1b. To put on a costume for fun or clothes for a part in a play. * /Mary was dressed up to play Cinderella in her school play./ 2. To make (something) look different; make (something) seem better or more important. * /A fresh coat of paint will dress up the old bicycle very much./ * /Tommy dressed up the story of what he did on vacation and made it seem twice as interesting as it was./ [dressed fit to kill] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER. [dressed like a peacock] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER. [dribs and drabs] {n. phr.} Portions; small bits. * /John paid Oliver back what he owed him in dribs and drabs./ [drift off] {v. phr.} 1. To fall asleep, * /He kept nodding and drifting off to sleep while the lecturer was speaking./ 2. To depart; leave gradually. * /One by one, the sailboats drifted off over the horizon./ [drink down] {v. phr.} To drink in one gulp; swallow entirely. * /Steve was so thirsty that he drank down six glasses of orange juice in rapid succession./ [drink in] {v. phr.} To absorb with great interest. * /The tourists stood on the beach drinking in the wonderful Hawaiian sunset./ [drink like a fish] {v. phr.} To drink (alcoholic beverages) in great quantities; to be addicted to alcohol. * /John is a nice guy but, unfortunately, he drinks like a fish./ [drink up] {v. phr.} To finish drinking; empty one's glass. * /"Drink up that cough syrup," the nurse said, "and never mind the taste,"/ [drive] See: LINE DRIVE. [drive a bargain] {v. phr.} 1. To buy or sell at a good price; succeed in a trade or deal. * /Tom's collie is a champion; it should be easy for Tom to drive a bargain when he sells her puppies./ * /Father drove a hard bargain with the real estate agent when we bought our new house./ 2. To make an agreement that is better for you than for the other person; make an agreement to your advantage. * /The French drove a hard bargain in demanding that Germany pay fully for World War I damages./ [drive a hard bargain] See: DRIVE A BARGAIN. [drive at] {v.} To try or want to say; mean. - Used in the present participle. * /John did not understand what the coach was driving at./ * /He had been talking for half an hour before anyone realized what he was driving at./ [drive home] {v. phr.} To argue convincingly; make a strong point. * /The doctor's convincing arguments and explanation of his X-ray pictures drove home the point to Max that he needed surgery./ [drive-in] {adj.}/{n.} A kind of movie theater, fast food restaurant, or church, where the customers, spectators, or worshippers do not leave their automobiles but are served the food inside their cars, can watch a motion picture from inside their cars, or can participate in a religious service in their cars. * /Let's not waste time on the road; let's just eat at the next drive-in restaurant./ * /There is a drive-in theater not far from where we live./ * /Max and Hilde go to a drive-in church every Sunday./ [drive like Jehu] {v. phr.}, {informal} To drive very fast, carelessly or recklessly. * /When Joe is late for work, he drives like Jehu./ [drive one ape], [bananas], [crazy], [mad] or [nuts] {v. phr.}, {informal} To irritate, frustrate, or tickle someone's fancy so badly that they think they are going insane. * /"Stop teasing me, Mary," John said. "You are driving me nuts."/ * /"You are driving me bananas with all your crazy riddles," Steve said./ [drive one round the bend] {v. phr.}, {informal} To upset someone so much that they think they are going crazy. * /"Slow down, please," Miss Jones cried. "You are driving me around the bend!"/ Contrast: DRIVE ONE APE, BANANAS, ETC. [driver] See: BACKSEAT DRIVER. [drive to the wall] {v. phr.} To defeat someone completely; to ruin someone. * /Poor Uncle Jack was driven to the wall by his angry creditors when his business failed./ Compare: GO TO THE WALL. [drive someone bananas] or [drive someone nuts] or [drive someone ape] {v. phr.}, {slang} {informal} To excite someone to the point that he or she goes out of his or her mind; to drive someone crazy. * /You're driving me bananas/nuts with that kind of talk!] [drop] See: AT THE DROP OF A HAT, BOTTOM DROP OUT, JAW DROP or JAW DROP A MILE. [drop a line] {v. phr.} To write someone a short letter or note. * /Please drop me a line when you get to Paris; I'd like to know that you've arrived safely./ [drop back] {v.} To move or step backwards; retreat. * /The soldiers dropped back before the enemy's attack./ * /The quarterback dropped back to pass the football./ Compare: DRAW BACK, FADE BACK, FALL BACK. [drop by] or [stop by] {v.} 1. or [drop around] To make a short or unplanned visit; go on a call or errand; stop at someone's home. * /Drop by any time you're in town./ * /Mv sister dropped around last night./ * /Don't forget to stop by at the gas station./ Syn.: DROP IN. 2. or [drop into] To stop (somewhere) for a short visit or a short time. * /We dropped by the club to see if Bill was there, but he wasn't./ * /I dropped into the drugstore for some toothpaste and a magazine./ [drop by the wayside] See: FALL BY THE WAYSIDE. [drop dead] {v.}, {slang} To go away or be quiet; stop bothering someone. - Usually used as a command, * /"Drop dead!" Bill told his little sister when she kept begging to help him build his model airplane./ * /When Sally bumped into Kate's desk and spilled ink for the fifth time, Kate told her to drop dead./ Compare: BEAT IT, GET LOST. [drop in] {v.} To make a short or unplanned visit; pay a call. - Often used with "on". * /We were just sitting down to dinner when Uncle Willie dropped in./ * /The Smiths dropped in on some old friends on their vacation trip to New York./ Syn.: DROP BY, RUN IN(2). [drop in the bucket] {n. phr.} A relatively small amount; a small part of the whole. * /Our university needs several million dollars for its building renovation project; $50,000 is a mere drop in the bucket./ [drop name] {v. phr.} To impress people by mentioning famous names. * /He likes to pretend he's important by dropping a lot of names./ [drop off] {v.} 1. To take (someone or something) part of the way you are going. * /Joe asked Mrs. Jones to drop him off at the library on her way downtown./ 2. To go to sleep. * /Jimmy was thinking of his birthday party as he dropped off to sleep./ 3. To die. * /The patient dropped off in his sleep./ 4. or [fall off] To become less. * /Business picked up in the stores during December, but dropped off again after Christmas./ Contrast PICK UP(14). [dropout] {n.} Someone who did not finish school, high school and college primarily. * /Tim is having a hard time getting a better job as he was a high-school dropout./ * /Jack never got his B.A. as he became a college dropout./ [drop out] {v.} To stop attending; quit; stop; leave. * /In the middle of the race, Joe got a blister on his foot and had to drop out./ * /Teenagers who drop out of high school have trouble finding jobs./ [drown one's sorrows] or [drown one's troubles] {v. phr.}, {informal} To drink liquor to try to forget something unhappy. * /When his wife was killed in an auto accident, Mr. Green tried to drown his sorrows in whiskey./ * /When Fred lost his job and had to give up his new car, he tried to drown his troubles at the nearest tavern./ [drown one's troubles] See: DROWN ONE'S SORROWS. [drown out] {v.} To make so much noise that it is impossible to hear (some other sound). * /The children's shouts drowned out the music./ * /The actor's words were drowned out by applause./ [drum up] {v.} 1. To get by trying or asking again and again; attract or encourage by continued effort. * /The car dealer tried to drum up business by advertising low prices./ 2. To invent. * /I will drum up an excuse for coming to see you next week./ Syn.: MAKE UP(2), THINK UP. [dry] See: CUT AND DRIED, HIGH AND DRY. [dry behind the ears] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Experienced; knowing how to do something. Usually used in the negative. * /John had just started working for the company, and was not dry behind the ears yet./ Compare: KNOW ONE'S WAY AROUND. Contrast: WET BEHIND THE EARS. [dry out] {v. phr.} To cure an alcoholic. * /A longtime alcoholic. Uncle Steve is now in the hospital getting dried out./ [dry up] {v.} 1. To become dry. * /The reservoir dried up during the four-month drought./ 2. To disappear or vanish as if by evaporating. * /The Senator's influence dried up when he was voted out of office./ 3. {slang} To stop talking. - Often used as a command. * /"Dry up!" Tony said angrily when his friend told him for the third time that he had made a mistake in his theme./ Syn.: SHUT UP(1). [dual highway] See: DIVIDED HIGHWAY. [duck] See: DEAD DUCK, KNEE HIGH TO A GRASSHOPPER or KNEE HIGH TO A DUCK, LAME DUCK, LIKE WATER OFF A DUCK'S BACK. [duckling] See: UGLY DUCKLING. [duck out] {v. phr.} To avoid; escape from something by skillful maneuvering. * /Somehow or other Jack always manages to duck out of any hard work./ [duck soup] {n.}, {slang} 1. A task easily accomplished or one that does not require much effort. * /That history test was duck soup./ 2. A person who offers no resistance; a pushover. * /How's the new history teacher? - He's duck soup./ [duddy] See: FUDDY-DUDDY. [due] See: GIVE ONE'S DUE, GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE, IN DUE COURSE at IN GOOD TIME. [due to] {prep.} Because of; owing to; by reason of. * /His injury was due to his careless use of the shotgun./ * /Joe's application to the University was not accepted due to his failing English./ [dull] See: ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY. [dumb bunny] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} Any person who is gullible and stupid. * /Jack is a regular dumb bunny./ [dumbwaiter] {n.} A small elevator for carrying food, dishes, etc., from one floor to another in hotels, restaurants, or large homes. * /The banquet was delayed because the dumbwaiter broke down and the food had to be carried upstairs by hand./ [dumps] See: DOWN IN THE DUMPS or DOWN IN THE MOUTH. [dust] See: BITE THE DUST, KICK UP A FUSS or KICK UP A DUST, WATCH ONE'S DUST, AFTER THE DUST CLEARS/WHEN THE DUST SETTLES. [dust off] {v.}, {informal} 1. To get ready to use again. * /Four years after he graduated from school, Tom decided to dust off his algebra book./ 2. To throw a baseball pitch close to. * /The pitcher dusted off the other team's best hitter./ Syn.: BRUSH BACK. [Dutch] See: BEAT ALL or BEAT THE DUTCH, GO DUTCH, IN DUTCH. [dutch treat] {n.}, {informal} A meal in a restaurant or an outing at the movies, concert, or theater where each party pays his or her own way. * /"I am willing to accept your invitation," Mary said, "but it will have to be Dutch treat."/ [duty] See: DO DUTY FOR, DOUBLE DUTY, HEAVY DUTY, OFF DUTY, ON DUTY. [duty bound] {adj. phr.} Forced to act by what you believe is right. * /Abraham Lincoln walked miles once to return a few pennies that he had overcharged a woman because he felt duty bound to do it./ * /John felt duty bound to report that he had broken the window./ [duty calls] {n. phr.} One must attend to one's obligations. * /"I'd love to stay and play more poker," Henry said, "but duty calls and I must get back to the office."/ [dwell on] or [dwell upon] {v.} To stay on a subject; not leave something or want to leave; not stop talking or writing about. * /Joe dwelt on his mistake long after the test was over./ * /Our eyes dwelled on the beautiful sunset./ * /The principal dwelled on traffic safety in his talk./ Compare: HARP ON. Contrast: TOUCH ON. [dyed-in-the-wool] {adj. phr.} Thoroughly committed; inveterate; unchanging. * /He is a died-in-the-wool Conservative Republican./ [dying to] {adj. phr.} Having a great desire to; being extremely eager to. * /Seymour is dying to date Mathilda, but she keeps refusing him./ E [each and every] {adj. phr.} Every. - Used for emphasis. * /The captain wants each and every man to be here at eight o'clock./ * /The teacher must learn the name of each and every pupil./ Syn.: EVERY SINGLE. [each other] or [one another] {pron.} Each one the other; one the other. * /That man and his wife love each other./ * /Bill and Mary gave one another Christmas presents last year./ * /All the children at the party were looking at one another trying to recognize one another in their masks and costumes./ * /The birds fought each other over the bread./ [eager beaver] {n. phr.}, {slang} A person who is always eager to work or do anything extra, perhaps to win the favor of his leader or boss. * /Jack likes his teacher and works hard for her, but his classmates call him an eager beaver./ * /The man who was promoted to be manager was an eager beaver who got to work early and left late and was always offering to do extra work./ [eagle eye] {n.} Sharp vision like that of an eagle; the ability to notice even the tiniest details. * /The new boss keeps an eagle eye on all aspects of our operation./ [ear] See: ABOUT ONE'S EARS or AROUND ONE'S EARS, BELIEVE ONE'S EARS, DRY BEHIND THE EARS, FLEA IN ONE'S EAR, GIVE AN EAR TO or LEND AN EAR TO, GO IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER, JUG-EARED, LITTLE PITCHERS HAVE BIG EARS, MUSIC TO ONE'S EARS, PIN ONE'S EARS BACK, PLAY BY EAR, PRICK UP ONE'S EARS, ROASTING EAR, TURN A DEAF EAR, UP TO THE CHIN IN or UP TO THE EARS IN, WET BEHIND THE EARS. [early] See: BRIGHT AND EARLY. [early bird] {n} An early riser from bed. * /Jane and Tom are real early birds; they get up at 6 A.M. every morning./ [early bird catches the worm] or [early bird gets the worm] A person who gets up early in the morning has the best chance of succeeding; if you arrive early or are quicker, you get ahead of others. - A proverb. * /When Billy's father woke him up for school he said, "The early bird catches the worm."/ * /Charles began looking for a summer job in January; he knows that the early bird gets the worm./ Compare: FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. [earn one's keep] {v. phr.} To merit one's salary or keep by performing the labor or chores that are expected of one. * /John earned his keep at the music conservatory by dusting off all the musical instruments every day./ [earnest] See: IN EARNEST. [ears burn] {informal} To feel embarrassment or shame at hearing others talk about you. * /Joan overheard the girls criticizing her and it made her ears burn./ * /Joe's ears burned when he heard his classmates praising him to each other./ [earth] See: COME BACK TO EARTH or COME DOWN TO EARTH, DOWN-TO-EARTH, IN THE WORLD or ON EARTH, MOVE HEAVEN AND EARTH. [ear to the ground] {n. phr.}, {informal} Attention directed to the way things are going, or seem likely to go, or to the way people feel and think. * /The city manager kept an ear to the ground for a while before deciding to raise the city employees' pay./ * /Reporters keep an ear to the ground so as to know as soon as possible what will happen./ [ease] See: AT EASE or AT ONE'S EASE, ILL AT EASE. [ease off] or [ease up] {v.} To make or become less nervous; relax; work easier. * /When the boss realized that John had been overworking, he eased off his load./ * /With success and prosperity, Mr. Smith was able to ease off./ Compare: LET UP(3). [easily] See: BREATHE EASILY or BREATHE FREELY. [east] See: DOWN EAST. [easy] See: FREE AND EASY, GET OFF EASY, ON EASY STREET, TAKE IT EASY or GO EASY or TAKE THINGS EASY. [easygoing] {adj.} Amiable in manner; relaxed; not excited. * /Because Al has an easygoing personality, everybody loves him./ [easy as pie] See: PIECE OF CAKE. [easy come, easy go] {truncated sent.}, {informal} Something you get quickly and easily may be lost or spent just as easily. * /Grandfather thought Billy should have to work for the money Father gave him, saying "Easy come, easy go."/ [easy does it] {informal} Let's do it carefully, without sudden movements and without forcing too hard or too fast; let's try to just hard enough but not too hard. * /"Easy does it," said the boss as they moved the piano through the narrow doorway./ Compare: TAKE IT EASY. [easy mark] {n.} A foolishly generous person; one from whom it is easy to get money. * /Bill is known to all the neighborhood beggars as an easy mark./ See: SOFT TOUCH. [easy money] {n.}, {informal} Money gained without hard work; money that requires little or no effort. * /The movie rights to a successful play mean easy money to the writer of the play./ * /Young people who look for easy money are usually disappointed./ [eat] See: DOG-EAT-DOG, LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG or EAT HIGH ON THE HOG, LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY. [eat away] {v.} 1. To rot, rust, or destroy. * /Rust was eating away the pipe./ * /Cancer ate away the healthy flesh./ See: EAT OUT(2). 2. To gradually consume. * /The ocean waves were gradually eating the volcanic rocks until they turned into black sand./ [eat away at] {v. phr.} To psychologically gnaw at; to worry someone. * /Fear of the comprehensive examination was eating away at Sam./ [eat crow] {v. phr.} To admit you are mistaken or defeated; take back a mistaken statement. * /John had boasted that he would play on the first team; but when the coach did not choose him, he had to eat crow./ * /Fred said he could beat the new man in boxing, but he lost and had to eat crow./ Compare: BACK DOWN, EAT HUMBLE PIE, EAT ONE'S WORDS. [eat dirt] {v. phr.}, {informal} To act humble; accept another's insult or bad treatment. * /Mr. Johnson was so much afraid of losing his job that he would eat dirt whenever the boss got mean./ [eat (live) high on the hog] or [eat (live) high off the hog] {v. phr.} To eat or live well or elegantly. * /For the first few days after the check arrived, they ate high on the hog./ Compare: IN CLOVER or IN THE CLOVER, ON EASY STREET. [eat humble pie] {v. phr.} To be humbled; to accept insult or shame; admit your error and apologize. * /Tow told a lie about George, and when he was found out, he had to eat humble pie./ * /In some old stories a boy with a stepfather has to eat humble pie./ [eating one] {v. phr.} To cause someone to be angry or ill-humored. * /We can't figure out what's eating Burt, but he hasn't spoken one pleasant word all day./ [eat like a bird] {v. phr.} To eat very little; have little appetite. * /Mrs. Benson is on a diet and she eats like a bird./ * /Alice's mother is worried about her; she eats like a bird and is very thin./ Contrast: EAT LIKE A HORSE. [eat like a horse] {v. phr.} To eat a lot; eat hungrily. * /The harvesters worked into the evening, and then came in and ate like horses./ Contrast: EAT LIKE A BIRD. [eat one out of house and home] {v. phr.} 1. To eat so much as to cause economic hardship. * /Our teenaged sons are so hungry all the time that they may soon eat us out of house and home./ 2. To overstay one's welcome. * /We love Bob and Jane very much, but after two weeks we started to feel that they were eating us out of house and home./ [eat one's cake and have it too] {v. phr.} To use or spend something and still keep it; have both when you must choose one of two things. Often used in negative sentences. * /Roger can't make up his mind whether to go to college or get a job. You can't eat your cake and have it too./ * /Mary wants to buy a beautiful dress she saw at the store, but she also wants to save her birthday money for camp. She wants to eat her cake and have it too./ [eat one's heart out] {v. phr.} To grieve long and hopelessly; to become thin and weak from sorrow. * /For months after her husband's death, Joanne simply ate her heart out./ * /We sometimes hear of a dog eating its heart out for a dead owner./ [eat one's words] also [swallow one's words] {v. phr.} To take back something you have said; admit something is not true. * /John had called Harry a coward, but the boys made him eat his words after Harry bravely fought a big bully./ Compare: EAT CROW. [eat out] {v.} 1. To eat in a restaurant; eat away from home. * /Fred ate out often even when he wasn't out of town./ 2. To rust, rot, or be destroyed in time. * /Rust had eaten out the gun barrel./ See: EAT AWAY. [eat out of one's hand] {v. phr.}, {informal} To trust someone fully; believe or obey someone without question. * /The governor has the reporters eating out of his hand./ * /Helen is so pretty and popular that all the boys eat out of her hand./ [eat up] {v.} 1. To eat all of. * /After hiking all afternoon, they quickly ate up all of the dinner./ 2. To use all of. * /Idle talk had eaten up the hour before they knew it./ 3. {slang} To accept eagerly; welcome. * /The girls told John he was a hero because he made the winning touchdown, and he ate up their praise./ * /Jim told Martha that she was as smart as she was beautiful and Martha ate it up./ [edge] See: HAVE AN EDGE ON, ON EDGE, SET ONE'S TEETH ON EDGE, TAKE THE EDGE OFF, THE EDGE. [edge away] {v. phr.} To withdraw or retreat gradually. * /Frightened by the growling tiger guarding its catch, the hunter carefully edged away./ [edge in] {v.} To move slowly; get in quietly, especially with some difficulty, by force or without a big enough opening. * /People had crowded around the senator, but Don succeeded in edging in./ * /Harry edged the book in on the shelf./ [edge in (on)] {v. phr.} 1. To gradually approach an individual or a group with the intent of taking over or wielding power. * /Jack was edging in on the firm of Smith and Brown and after half a year actually became its vice president./ 2. To approach for capture (said of a group). * /The hunters were edging in on the wounded leopard./ [edge on] {adv. phr.} Edgewise; with the narrow side forward. * /The board struck him edge on./ [edge out] {v.} To defeat in competition or rivalry; take the place of; force out. * /Harry edged out Tom for a place in Mary's affections./ * /Signal lights on cars have gradually edged out hand signals./ [edgeways] See: GET A WORD IN or GET A WORD IN EDGEWISE, also GET A WORD IN EDGEWAYS. [edgewise] See: GET A WORD IN or GET A WORD IN EDGEWAYS. [education] See: HIGHER EDUCATION. [effect] See: IN EFFECT, INTO EFFECT, SOUND EFFECTS, TAKE EFFECT, TO THAT EFFECT, TO THE EFFECT THAT, [effigy] See: HANG IN EFFIGY or BURN IN EFFIGY. [egg] See: BAD EGG, GOOD EGG, KILL THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG, LAY AN EGG, PUT ALL ONE'S EGGS IN ONE BASKET, ROTTEN EGG. [egg on] {v.} To urge on; excite; lead to action. * /Joe's wife egged him on to spend money to show off./ * /The big boys egged on the two little boys to fight./ Compare: PUT UP(6). [either a feast or a famine] See: FEAST OR A FAMINE. [either hide or hair] See: HIDE OR HAIR. [eke out] {v.} 1. To fill out or add a little to; increase a little. * /Mr. Jones eked out a country teacher's small salary by hunting and trapping in the winter./ * /The modest meal was eked out with bread and milk./ 2. To get (little) by hard work; to earn with difficulty. * /Fred eked out a bare living by farming on a rocky hillside./ [elbow] See: AT ONE'S ELBOW, ELBOW ROOM, RUB ELBOWS, UP TO THE CHIN IN or UP TO THE ELBOWS IN. [elbow grease] {n.} Exertion; effort; energy. * /"You'll have to use a little more elbow grease to get these windows clean," Mother said to Ed./ [elbow one's way into] or [out of] {v. phr.} To force entry into a place by using one's elbows. * /The bus was so crowded that, in order to get off in time, we had to elbow our way to the exit door./ [elbow room] {n.} Adequate space to move around or to work in. * /He doesn't require a huge office, but we must at least give him elbow room./ [element] See: IN ONE'S ELEMENT, OUT OF ONE'S ELEMENT. [eleventh hour] {adj. phr.} Pertaining to the last minutes; the last opportunity to accomplish a task. * /The editors made several eleventh hour changes in the headlines of the morning paper./ [else] See: SOMETHING ELSE AGAIN. [emcee] See: MASTER OF CEREMONIES. [end] See: AT LOOSE ENDS, AT ONE'S WITS' END, BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS, GO OFF THE DEEP END, HAIR STAND ON END, HOLD ONE'S END UP or HOLD UP ONE'S END or KEEP ONE'S END UP or KEEP UP ONE'S END, LIVING END, LOOSE ENDS, MAKE AN END OF, MAKE ENDS MEET, NO END, NO END TO or NO END OF, ON END, PUT AN END OF, REAR END, SHORT END, SPLIT END, TAG END or TAIL END, TIGHT END, TO THE BITTER END, WORLD WITHOUT END. [end for end] {adv. phr.} In a reversed or opposite position (as upside down or backwards); the other way around; over. * /The box turned end for end as it fell, and everything spilled out./ * /The wind caught the canoe and turned it end for end./ [end in itself] {n. phr.} Something wanted for its own sake; a purpose, aim, or goal we want for itself alone and not as a way to something else. * /The miser never spent his gold because for him it was an end in itself./ [end of one's rope] or [end of one's tether] {n. phr.}, {informal} The end of your trying or imagining; the last of your ability, or ideas of how to do more. * /Frank was out of work and broke, and he was at the end of his rope./ * /The doctor saw that Mother had reached the end of her tether, and told us to send her away for a holiday./ Compare: AT ONE'S WIT'S END, FED UP, UP AGAINST IT, UP A TREE. [end of the road] or [end of the line] {n. phr.} The final result or end (as of a way of action or behavior); the condition that comes when you can do no more. * /He had left a trail of forgery and dishonesty across seven states; he had got out of each trouble with a new trick. Now the police had caught up with him, and it was the end of the road./ * /"When I get to the end of the line," Jones thought, "I'd like my children to like and respect me still."/ [end run] {n.} A football play in which a back tries to run around one end of the opponent's line. * /Smith's end run scored the winning touchdown./ [end up] {v.} 1. To come to an end; be ended or finished; stop. * /How does the story end up?/ 2. To finally reach or arrive; land. * /I hope you don't end up in jail./ 3. {informal} To die, be killed. * /The gangster ended up in the electric chair./ 4. or [finish up]. To put an end to; finish; stop. * /The politician finally ended up his speech./ Syn.: WIND UP. [end zone] {n.} Either of the marked areas behind the goal line. * /He caught a pass in the end zone for a touchdown./ [engage in small talk] {v. phr.} To converse with a stranger or casual acquaintance about matters of no great importance in order to make the time go faster. * /The patients in the doctor's waiting room engaged in small talk complaining about the hot weather./ [English] See: BODY ENGLISH. [enjoy oneself] {v. phr.} To have a good time; be happy; feel pleasure. * /Mary enjoyed herself at the party./ * /"Enjoy yourselves, children," Mother urged the guests at our party./ [enlarge on] or [enlarge upon] or [expand on] or [expand upon] {v.} To talk or write more about; say or explain more completely or at greater length. * /The teacher enlarged on the uses of atomic power./ [en masse] {adv. phr.} As a group; in one big mass or group. - Used after the word it modifies. * /The school turned out en masse to cheer the returning astronaut./ [enough] See: GIVE ONE ENOUGH ROPE, AND HE WILL HANG HIMSELF, KNOW ENOUGH TO COME IN OUT OF THE RAIN, LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE, SURE ENOUGH. [enough is enough] That's enough, let's not have any more; that will do, let's cut it short; that's the limit, let's stop there. * /"I don't mind good clean fun, but enough is enough," the principal said./ [enterprise] See: FREE ENTERPRISE. [entry] See: PORT OF ENTRY. [envy] See: GREEN WITH ENVY. [equal to] {adj. phr.} Able to meet, do, or control; able to do something about. * /The situation took quick thinking, but John was equal to it./ * /When a guest upset the coffee pot, Mrs. Smith's tact and quickness of mind were equal to the occasion./ [equal to the occasion] {adj. phr.} Capable of handling the situation. * /Although he had never before assisted in childbirth, the taxi driver proved equal to the occasion and helped deliver the baby in his cab./ [error] See: TRIAL AND ERROR. [evaporate into thin air] See: DISAPPEAR INTO THIN AIR. [eve] See: ON THE EVE OF. [even] See: BREAK EVEN, GET EVEN, ON AN EVEN KEEL. [evening] See: GOOD EVENING. [even so] {adv.} Although that is true; nevertheless; still. * /The fire was out, but even so, the smell of smoke was strong./ [event] See: IN ANY CASE or AT ALL EVENTS, IN ANY CASE also IN ANY EVENT or AT ALL EVENTS, IN CASE or IN THE EVENT, IN CASE OF also IN THE EVENT OF. [ever] See: FOREVER AND EVER, HARDLY EVER or SCARCELY EVER. [ever so much] {adv.} Very much; truly. * /I am ever so much in your debt for your kind assistance when I needed it most./ [every] See: AT EVERY TURN, EACH AND EVERY. [every cloud has a silver lining] Every trouble has something hopeful that you can see in it, like the bright edge around a dark cloud. - A proverb. * /The doctor told Tommy to cheer up when he had measles. "Every cloud has a silver lining," he said./ Compare: IT'S AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NOBODY GOOD. [every dog has his day] Everyone will have his chance or turn; everyone is lucky or popular at some time. - A proverb. * /Mary will be able to go to dances like her sister when she grows up. Every dog has his day./ [every inch] {adv. phr.} To the last part, in every way; completely. * /He was every inch a man./ * /Henry looked every inch a soldier./ [every last] See: EVERY SINGLE. [every last man] also [every man jack] {n. phr.} Every single man; each man without exception. * /I want every last man to be here on time tomorrow morning./ * /Every man jack of you must do his duty./ [every man jack] See: EVERY LAST MAN. [every now and then] or [every now and again] or [every so often] or [every once in a while] {adv. phr.} At fairly regular intervals; fairly often; repeatedly. * /John comes to visit me every now and then./ * /It was hot work, but every so often Susan would bring us something cold to drink./ Compare: NOW AND THEN. [every other] {adj. phr.} Every second; every alternate. * /The milkman comes every other day./ * /On St. Patrick's Day, it seems as if every other man you meet is wearing a shamrock./ [every single] or [every last] {adj. phr.} Every. - Used for emphasis. * /She dropped the box, and when she opened it, every single glass was broken./ * /When she got home she found every last tomato in the box was rotten./ Syn.: EACH AND EVERY. [every so often] See: EVERY NOW AND THEN. [everything] See: HOLD IT or HOLD EVERYTHING. [every time one turns around] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Very often. * /Mr. Winston must be rich. He buys a new suit every time he turns around./ * /No, Charles - I can't drive you to the park every time I turn around./ [every which way] also [any which way] In all directions. * /Bricks and boards were scattered in confusion on the ground every which way, just as they had fallen after the tornado./ Compare HELTER-SKELTER. [evidence] See: IN EVIDENCE. [example] See: FOR EXAMPLE, MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF. [except for] or {formal} [but for] {prep.} 1. With the exception of; if (a certain person or thing) were left out; omitting. * /Except for John, the whole class passed the test./ 2. Without. * /I'd have been lost but for you./ [exception] See: TAKE EXCEPTION TO. [exception proves the rule] Something unusual that does not follow a rule tests that rule to see if it is true; if there are too many exceptions, the rule is no good. - A proverb. * /Frank is very short but is a good basketball player. He is the exception that proves the rule./ [excuse oneself] {v. phr.} 1. To think of reasons for not being to blame; think yourself not at fault. * /John excused himself for his low grades on the ground that the teacher didn't like him./ 2. To ask to be excused after doing something impolite. * /John excused himself for his tardiness, saying his watch was wrong./ 3. To ask permission to leave a group or place. * /The committee meeting lasted so long that Mr. Wilkins excused himself to keep an appointment./ * /John had to go to the dentist's, so he excused himself and left the classroom./ [exert oneself] {v. phr.} To make an effort; try hard; work hard. * /Susan exerted herself all year to earn good marks./ * /Jerry exerted himself to please the new girl./ [expand on] or [expand upon] See: ENLARGE ON or ENLARGE UPON. [explain away] {v.} To explain (something) so that it does not seem true or important. * /John explained away his unfinished homework by showing the teacher his broken arm in a cast./ * /It is hard to explain away Abraham Lincoln's dream about being dead, which he had a few days before he was shot./ * /The man could not explain away the gun and the marked money from the bank robbery that the police found in his car./ [explain oneself] {v. phr.} 1. To make your meaning plainer; make your first statement clear. * /When we didn't understand Fritz, he went on to explain himself./ 2. To give a good reason for something you did or failed to do which seems wrong. * /When Jack brought Mary home at three o'clock in the morning, her father asked him to explain himself./ [explode a bombshell] {v. phr.}, {informal} To say something startling; suggest or show something astonishing or shocking, * /The police exploded a bombshell when they arrested the kindly old banker for stealing money from the bank./ * /The principal exploded a bombshell by cancelling the dance as a penalty./ * /Political leaders exploded a bombshell when they picked the young lawyer to run for mayor./ [express oneself] {v. phr.} To say what you think or feel; put your thoughts or feelings into words by speaking or writing. * /The boy expressed himself well in debate./ * /The mayor expressed himself as opposed to any borrowing./ [extend one's sympathy to] {v. phr.} To offer one's condolences on the occasion of a death or similarly tragic event. * /All of Tom's colleagues extended their sympathy to him when his wife and daughter were killed in a car accident./ [eye] See: APPLE OF ONE'S EYE, BAT AN EYE or BAT AN EYELASH, BELIEVE ONE'S EYES, CATCH ONE'S EYE, CLEAR-EYED, CLOSE ONE'S EYES or SHUT ONE'S EYES, EYES OPEN, EYE OUT, EYE TO, FEAST ONE'S EYES ON, FOUR-EYES, GET THE EYE, GIVE THE EYE, GREEN-EYED MONSTER, HALF AN EYE, HAVE AN EYE ON, HAVE EYES ONLY FOR, HIT BETWEEN THE EYES, IN ONE'S MIND'S EYE, IN THE PUBLIC EYE, KEEP AN EYE ON or KEEP ONE'S EYE ON, KEEP ONE'S EYES PEELED or KEEP ONE'S EYES SKINNED, LAY EYES ON or SET EYES ON, LOOK IN THE EYE, MAKE EYES AT, MEET ONE'S EYE, MISTY-EYED or DEWEY-EYED, ONE EYE ON, OPEN ONE'S EYES or OPEN UP ONE'S EYES, OUT OF THE CORNER OF ONE'S EYE, PULL THE WOOL OVER ONE'S EYES, SEE EYE TO EYE, SHUT-EYE, SIGHT FOR SORE EYES, STARS IN ONE'S EYES, ROUND-EYED or WIDE-EYED also LARGE-EYED, PRIVATE EYE, TO THE EYE, UP TO THE CHIN IN or UP TO THE EYES IN, WEATHER EYE. [eyebrow] See: RAISE EYEBROWS. [eye-catcher] {n.} Something that strongly attracts the eye. See: CATCH ONE'S EYE. * /That new girl in our class is a real eye-catcher./ [eye-catching] See: CATCH ONE'S EYE. [eye-filling] {adj.}, {literary} Attractive to the eye; beautiful; especially grand; splendid; majestic. * /The mountains in the distance were an eye-filling sight./ [eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth] A blow or injury should be given back as hard as each one that is received; every crime or injury should be punished or paid back. * /In ancient times if a man's eye was put out by his enemy, he might get revenge by putting his enemy's eye out. This was the rule of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."/ Sometimes used in a short form. * /Churches today teach that we should forgive people who hurt us, not follow the rule of "an eye for an eye."/ (From the old command in the Bible meaning when you pay back a person, you should not hurt him more than he hurt you.) Compare: DOG EAT DOG, GIVE AS GOOD AS ONE GETS, TIT FOR TAT. [eye-opener] See: OPEN ONE'S EYES. [eye out] Careful watch or attention; guard. - Used after "keep", "have" or "with". * /Keep an eye out. We're close to Joe's house./ - Usually used with "for". * /Mary has her eye out for bargains./ * /They went through the woods very quietly, with an eye out for Indians./ Compare: LOOK OUT(2), ON GUARD, ON THE ALERT, ON THE WATCH. [eyes are bigger than one's stomach] {informal} You want more food than you can eat. * /Annie took a second big helping of pudding, but her eyes were bigger than her stomach./ * /"Your eyes are bigger than your stomach," mother told little Tommy when he piled up food on his plate./ [eye shadow] {n. phr.} A cream used to darken the eyelids in order to make the eyes more noticeable. * /Jane's mother told her that girls in the ninth grade shouldn't be using eye shadow./ [eyes in the back of one's head] {n. phr.}, {informal} Ability to know what happens when your back is turned. * /Mother must have eyes in the back of her head, because she always knows when I do something wrong./ [eyes open] 1. Careful watch or attention; readiness to see. - Usually used with "for". * /Keep your eyes open for a boy in a red cap and sweater./ * /The hunter had his eyes open for rabbits./ * /They drove on with their eyes open for a gas station./ Syn.: EYE OUT, KEEP ONE'S EYES PEELED. 2. Full knowledge; especially of consequences; understanding of what will or might result. - Used with "have" or "with". * /Automobile racing is dangerous. Bob went into it with his eyes open./ * /Betty had her eyes open when she got married./ Contrast: CLOSE ONE'S EYES. [eyes pop out] {informal} (You) are very much surprised. - Used with a possessive noun or pronoun. * /Mary's eyes popped out when her mother entered her classroom./ * /When Joan found a clock radio under the Christmas tree, her eyes popped out./ [eye teeth] See: CUT ONE'S EYE TEETH ON at CUT TEETH(2). [eye to] 1. Attention to. - Usually used with "have" or "with". * /Have an eye to spelling in these test papers./ 2. Plan for, purpose of. - Usually used with "have" or "with". * /Save your money now with an eye to the future./ * /John is going to college with an eye to becoming a lawyer./ F [face] See: BLUE IN THE FACE, CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S FACE, FLY IN THE FACE OF, HATCHET FACE, HIDE ONE'S FACE, IN ONE'S FACE, IN THE FACE OF, LONG FACE, LOOK IN THE EYE or LOOK IN THE FACE, MAKE A FACE, ON THE FACE OF IT, SAVE FACE, SET ONE'S FACE AGAINST, SHOOT OFF ONE'S MOUTH or SHOOT OFF ONE'S FACE, SHOW ONE'S FACE, SLAP IN THE FACE, STARE IN THE FACE, STRAIGHT FACE, THROW IN ONE'S FACE, TO ONE'S FACE. [face down] {v. phr.} To get the upper hand over someone by behaving forcefully; disconcert someone by the displaying of great self-assurance. * /The night guard faced down the burglar by staring him squarely in the face./ Contrast: FACE UP. [face lift] {n. phr.} 1. A surgical procedure designed to make one's face look younger. * /Aunt Jane, who is in her seventies, had an expensive face lift and now she looks as if she were 40./ 2. A renovation, a refurbishing. * /Our house needs a major face lift to make it fit in with the rest of the neighborhood./ [face-saver], [face-saving] See: SAVE FACE. [face the music] {v. phr.}, {informal} To go through trouble or danger, especially because of something you did; accept your punishment. * /The boy was caught cheating in an examination and had to face the music./ * /The official who had been taking bribes was exposed by a newspaper, and had to face the music./ * /George knew his mother would cry when he told her, but he decided to go home and face the music./ Compare: MAKE ONE'S BED AND LIE IN IT, PAY THE PIPER, TAKE ONE'S MEDICINE. [face-to-face] {adv. phr.} 1. With your face looking toward the face of another person; each facing the other. * /Turning a corner, he found himself face-to-face with a policeman./ * /The two teams for the spelling bee stood face-to-face on opposite sides of the classroom./ * /The church and the school stand face-to-face across the street./ 2. In the presence of another or others. * /She was thrilled to meet the President face-to-face./ * /I have heard about him, but I never met him face-to-face./ Compare: IN PERSON. 3. To the point where you must do something. - Used with "with". * /The solution of the first problem brought him face-to-face with a second problem./ Compare: UP AGAINST. [face-to-face] {adj.} Being in the presence of a person; being right with someone. * /The British prime minister came to Washington for a face-to-face meeting with the President./ [face up to] {v. phr.} 1. To bravely confront a person or a challenge; admit. * /Jack doesn't want to face up to the fact that Helen doesn't love him anymore./ * /Jane cannot face up to her mother-in-law who always wins every argument they have./ 2. To confess something to someone; confess to having done something. * /Jim had to face up to having stolen a sweater from the department store./ Contrast: FACE DOWN. [face value] {n.} 1. The worth or price printed on a stamp, bond, note, piece of paper money, etc. * /The savings bond had a face value of $25./ 2. The seeming worth or truth of something. * /She took his stories at face value and did not know he was joking./ [faced with] {adj. phr.} Confronted with. * /We were all faced with the many wars that broke out in the wake of the collapse of communism./ [fact] See: IN FACT, MATTER-OF-FACT. [facts of life] {n. phr.} 1. The truth which we should know about sex, marriage, and births. * /His father told him the facts of life when he was old enough./ 2. The truths one learns about people and their good and bad habits of life, work or play. * /As a cub reporter he would learn the facts of life in the newspaper world./ [fade back] {v.} To back away from the line before passing in football. * /The quarterback is fading back to pass./ Compare: DROP BACK. [fail] See: WITHOUT FAIL. [fail to do] {v. phr.} To neglect to do something that is expected of one. * /Tom waited for Jane for nearly an hour, but she failed to show up./ [fair] See: BID FAIR, PLAY FAIR. [fair and square] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Without cheating; honestly. * /He won the game fair and square./ [fair catch] {n.} A catch of a kicked football by a player after he holds up his hand to show that he will not run with the ball. * /He saw that he would not be able to run with the ball, so he signalled for a fair catch./ [fair-haired boy] {n.}, {informal} A person that gets special favors; favorite; pet. * /If he wins the election by a large majority, he will become his party's fair-haired boy./ * /The local boy playing first base could do no wrong; he was the fair-haired boy of the fans./ * /Charles was a good student and behaved very well; he became the teacher's fair-haired boy./ [fair play] {n.} Equal and right action (to another person); justice. * /The visiting team did not get fair play in the game./ * /The judges decided against Bob, but he said that he had gotten fair play./ * /Sally's sense of fair play made her a favorite with her classmates./ [fair sex] {n. }, {informal} Women in general; the female sex. * /"Better not use four-letter words in front of a member of the fair sex," Joe said./ [fair shake] {n.}, {informal} Honest treatment. * /Joe has always given me a fair shake./ [fair-weather friend] {n.} A person who is a friend only when you are successful. * /Everyone knows that John's only a fair-weather friend./ [fairy godmother] {n.} 1. A fairy believed to help and take care of a baby as it grows up. 2. A person who helps and does much for another. * /The rich man played fairy godmother to the boys and had a baseball field made for them./ * /Jane was a fairy godmother to her poorer friends./ [fairy tale] or [story] {n.} An inaccurate, even false account of something; a result of wishful thinking. * /Jeff said he was going to be promoted soon, but we all suspect that it is only one of his customary fairy tales./ [faith] See: GOOD FAITH, ON FAITH. [fall] See: BOTTOM DROP OUT or BOTTOM FALL OUT, RIDING FOR A FALL. [fall all over] {v. phr.}, {informal} To show too much love or thanks toward (someone). * /She must love him. Every time you see them, she's falling all over him./ * /When Bob found the lady's ring and returned it, she fell all over him./ [fall asleep at the switch] {v. phr.} To fail to perform an expected task; be remiss in one's duty. * /The two airplanes wouldn't have collided, if the control tower operator hadn't fallen asleep at the switch./ * /The dean promised our department $250,000 but the foundation never sent the money because someone in the dean's office fell asleep at the switch./ [fall away] {v. phr.} To decline; diminish. * /I was shocked to see how haggard Alan looked; he seems to be falling away to a shadow./ [fall back] {v.} To move back; go back. - Usually used with a group as subject. * /The army fell back before their stubborn enemies./ * /The crowd around the hurt boy fell back when someone shouted "Give him air!"/ Compare: DROP BACK, GIVE WAY. [fall back on] or [fall back upon] v. 1. To retreat to. * /The enemy made a strong attack, and the soldiers fell back on the fort./ 2. To go for help to; turn to in time of need. * /When the big bills for Mother's hospital care came, Joe was glad he had money in the bank to fall back on./ * /If Mr. Jones can't find a job as a teacher, he can fall back on his skill as a printer./ [fall behind] {v.} To go slower than others and be far behind them. * /When the campers took a hike in the woods, two boys fell behind and got lost./ * /Frank's lessons were too hard for him, and he soon fell behind the rest of the class./ * /Mary was not promoted because she dreamed too much and fell behind in her lessons./ [fall by the wayside] also [drop by the wayside] {v. phr.} To give up or fail before the finish. * /The boys tried to make a 50-mile hike, but most of them fell by the wayside./ * /George, Harry, and John entered college to become teachers, but Harry and John fell by the wayside, and only George graduated./ [fall down on the job] {v. phr.}, {informal} To fail to work well. * /The boss was disappointed when his workers fell down on the job./ [fall due] or [come] or [become due] {v. phr.} To reach the time when a bill or invoice is to be paid. * /Our car payment falls due on the first of every month./ [fall flat] {v.}, {informal} To be a failure; fail. * /The party fell flat because of the rain./ * /His joke fell flat because no one understood it./ [fall for] {v.}, {slang} 1. To begin to like very much. * /Dick fell for baseball when he was a little boy./ 2. To begin to love (a boy or a girl.) * /Helen was a very pretty girl and people were not surprised that Bill fell for her./ 3. To believe (something told to fool you.) * /Nell did not fall for Joe's story about being a jet pilot./ [fall from grace] {v. phr.} To go back to a bad way of behaving; do something bad again. * /The boys behaved well during dinner until they fell from grace by eating their dessert with their fingers instead of their forks./ * /The boy fell from grace when he lied./ [fall guy] {n.}, {slang} The "patsy" in an illegal transaction; a sucker; a dupe; the person who takes the punishment others deserve. * /When the Savings and Loan Bank failed, due to embezzlement, the vice president had to be the fall guy, saving the necks of the owners./ [fall in] {v.} 1. To go and stand properly in a row like soldiers. * /The captain told his men to fall in./ Contrast: FALL OUT(3). 2. to collapse. * /The explosion caused the walls of the house to fall in./ [fall in for] {v.} To receive; get. * /The boy fell in for some sympathy when he broke his leg./ * /The team manager fell in for most of the blame when his team lost the playoffs./ [falling-out] {n.} Argument; disagreement; quarrel. * /Mary and Jane had a falling-out about who owned the book./ * /The boys had a falling-out when each said that the other had broken the rules./ [fall in line] or [fall into line] See: IN LINE, INTO LINE. [fall in love] See: IN LOVE. [fall in] or [into place] {v. phr.} To suddenly make sense; find the natural or proper place for the missing pieces of a puzzle. * /When the detectives realized that a second man was seen at the place of the murder, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place./ [fall in with] {v.}, {informal} 1. To meet by accident. * /Mary fell in with some of her friends downtown./ 2. To agree to help with; support. * /I fell in with Jack's plan to play a trick on his father./ 3. To become associated with a group detrimental to the newcomer. * /John fell in with a wild bunch; small wonder he flunked all of his courses./ Compare: PLAY ALONG. [fall into the habit of] {v. phr.} To develop the custom of doing something. * /Jack has fallen into the bad habit of playing poker for large sums of money every night./ [fall off] See: DROP OFF(4). [fall off the wagon] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {alcoholism and drug culture} To return to the consumption of an addictive, such as alcohol or drugs, after a period of abstinence. * /Poor Joe has fallen off the wagon again - he is completely incoherent today./ [fall on] or [fall upon] {v.} 1. To go and fight with; attack. * /The robbers fell on him from behind trees./ 2. {formal} To meet (troubles). * /The famous poet fell upon unhappy days./ [fallout] {n.} 1. Result of nuclear explosion; harmful radioactive particles. * /Some experts consider fallout as dangerous as the bomb itself./ 2. Undesirable aftereffects in general. * /As a fallout of Watergate, many people lost their faith in the government./ [fall out] {v.} 1. To happen. * /As it fell out, the Harpers were able to sell their old car./ Compare: TURN OUT(6). 2. To quarrel; fight; fuss; disagree. * /The thieves fell out over the division of the loot./ 3. To leave a military formation. * /You men are dismissed. Fall out!/ Contrast: FALL IN. 4. To leave a building to go and line up. * /The soldiers fell out of the barracks for inspection./ [fall over backwards] or [fall over oneself] {v. phr.} To do everything you can to please someone; try very hard to satisfy someone. * /The hotel manager fell over backwards to give the movie star everything she wanted./ * /The boys fell over themselves trying to get the new girl's attention./ [fall over yourself] See: FALL OVER BACKWARDS. [fall short] {v.} To fail to reach (some aim); not succeed. * /His jump fell three inches short of the world record./ * /The movie fell short of expectations./ Contrast: MEASURE UP. [fall through] {v.}, {informal} To fail; be ruined; not happen or be done. * /Jim's plans to go to college fell through at the last moment./ * /Mr. Jones' deal to sell his house fell through./ Contrast: COME OFF. [fall to] {v.} 1. To begin to work. * /The boys fell to and quickly cut the grass./ Syn.: TURN TO. 2. To begin to fight. * /They took out their swords and fell to./ 3. To begin to eat. * /The hungry boys fell to before everyone sat down./ 4. Begin; start. * /The old friends met and fell to talking about their school days./ [fall to pieces] {v. phr.} To disintegrate; collapse. * /After the death of Alexander the Great, his empire started to fall to pieces./ [fall wide of the mark] See: WIDE OF THE MARK. [false] See: PLAY ONE FALSE, SAIL UNDER FALSE COLORS. [family] See: RUN IN THE BLOOD or RUN IN THE FAMILY, IN A FAMILY WAY. [family tree] {n.} Ancestry. * /My family tree can be traced back to the sixteenth century./ [famine] See: FEAST OR A FAMINE. [fancy doing something] - An expression of surprise. * /Fancy meeting you here in such an unexpected place!/ [fancy pants] {n.}, {slang} A man or boy who wears clothes that are too nice or acts like a woman or girl; sissy. * /The first time they saw him in his new band uniform, they yelled "Hey, fancy pants, what are you doing in your sister's slacks?"/ [fan] See: HIT THE FAN. [fan out] {v. phr.} To spread in several directions. * /The main road fans out at the edge of the forest in four different directions./ [fan the breeze] {v. phr.} 1. See: SHOOT THE BREEZE. 2. To swing and miss the ball in baseball. * /The batter tried to hit a home run but he fanned the breeze./ [far] See: AS FAR AS or SO FAR AS, SO FAR also THUS PAR, BY FAR, FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, SO PAR, SO GOOD. [far afield] {adj. phr.} Remote; far from the original starting point. * /When we started to discuss theology. Jack was obviously getting far afield from the subject at hand./ [far and away] {adv. phr.} Very much. * /The fish was far and away the biggest ever caught on the lake./ Compare: BY FAR, HEAD AND SHOULDERS(2). [far and near] {n. phr.} Far places and near places; everywhere. * /People came from far and near to hear him speak./ [far and wide] {adv. phr.} Everywhere, in all directions. * /The wind blew the papers far and wide./ * /My old school friends are scattered far and wide now./ * /The movie company looked far and wide for a boy to act the hero in the new movie./ Compare: ALL OVER. [farfetched] {adj.} Exaggerated; fantastic. * /Sally told us some farfetched story about having been kidnapped by little green men in a flying saucer./ [far cry] {n.} Something very different. * /His last statement was a far cry from his first story./ * /The first automobile could run, but it was a far cry from a modern car./ [far from it] {adv. phr.} Not even approximately; not really at all. * /"Do you think she spent $100 on that dress?" Jane asked. "Far from it," Sue replied. "It must have cost at least $300."/ [far gone] {adj. phr.} In a critical or extreme state. * /He was so far gone by the time the doctor arrived, that nothing could be done to save his life./ [farm] See: COLLECTIVE FARM. [farm out] {v.} 1. To have another person do (something) for you; send away to be done. * /Our teacher had too many test papers to read, so she farmed out half of them to a friend./ 2. To send away to be taken care of. * /While Mother was sick, the children were farmed out to relatives./ 3. To send a player to a league where the quality of play is lower. * /The player was farmed out to Rochester to gain experience./ [far-out] {adj.} 1. Very far away; distant. * /Scientists are planning rocket trips to the moon and far-out planets./ 2. {informal} Very different from others; queer; odd, unusual. * /He enjoyed being with beatniks and other far-out people./ * /Susan did not like some of the paintings at the art show because they were too far-out for her./ [fashion] See: AFTER A FASHION, HIGH FASHION or HIGH STYLE. [fast] See: HARD-AND-FAST, PLAY FAST AND LOOSE. [fast and furious] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Very fast; with much speed and energy. * /He was mowing the grass at a fast and furious rate./ * /When I last saw her she was driving fast and furious down the street./ Compare: GREAT GUNS. [fast buck] or [quick buck] {slang} Money earned quickly and easily, and sometimes dishonestly. * /You can make a fast buck at the golf course by fishing balls out of the water trap./ * /He isn't interested in a career; he's just looking for a quick buck./ [fast talker] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A con artist or a swindler, one who is particularly apt to get away with illegitimate transactions because of the clever way he talks. * /I wouldn't trust Uncle Joe if I were you, - he is a fast talker./ [fast time] See: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME. [fasten on] {v. phr.} To attach; tie something to make it secure. * /"Fasten on your life jackets when you get into the life boats," the captain said./ [fat] See: CHEW THE FAT. [fat chance] {n. phr.}, {slang} Little or no possibility; almost no chance. * /A high school team would have a fat chance of beating a strong college team./ * /Jane is pretty and popular; you will have a fat chance of getting a date with her./ Compare: GHOST OF A. [fat city] {n.}, {slang} A state of contentment due to wealth and position. * /Bully for the Smiths; they have arrived in Fat City./ [fate] See: TEMPT FATE or TEMPT THE FATES. [father] See: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON. [Father Christmas] {n.}, {British} The joyful spirit of Christmas; Santa Claus. * /English children look forward to the visit of Father Christmas./ [Father's Day] {n.} The third Sunday in June set aside especially to honor fathers whether living or dead. * /The children gave nice presents to their father on Father's Day./ [fat is in the fire] Something has happened that will cause trouble or make a bad situation worse. * /He found out you took it? Well, the fat's in the fire now./ [fat of the land] {n. phr.} The best and richest food, clothes, everything. * /When I'm rich I'll retire and live off the fat of the land./ [fault] See: AT FAULT, FIND FAULT, TO A FAULT. [faultfinding] {n.} Recrimination; nagging; criticism. * /All of this constant faultfinding will only to lead to trouble between you and your wife./ [favor] See: CURRY FAVOR, IN FAVOR OF. [favorite son] {n.} A man supported by his home state for President. * /At a national convention, states often vote for their favorite sons first; then they change and vote for another man./ [fear] See: FOR FEAR. [fear and trembling] or [fear and trepidation] {n. phr.} Great fear. * /He came in fear and trembling to tell his father he had a bad report card./ [feast one's eyes on] {v. phr.} To look at and enjoy very much. * /He feasted his eyes on the beautiful painting./ [feast or a famine] {n. phr.} Plenty or very little; big success or bad failure. * /In this business it's either a feast or a famine./ * /He is very careless with his money, it is always a feast or a famine with him./ [feather] See: BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER, TAR AND FEATHER, FINE FEATHERS DO NOT MAKE FINE BIRDS, FUSS AND FEATHERS, MAKE THE FEATHERS FLY, RUFFLE FEATHERS. [feather in one's cap] {n. phr.} Something to be proud of; an honor. * /It was a feather in his cap to win first prize./ (From the medieval practice of placing a feather in the helmet of one who won honors in battle.) [feather one's nest] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To use for yourself money and power, especially from a public office or job in which you are trusted to help other people. * /The rich man told his lawyer to use his money after he died to build a hospital for poor people, but the lawyer feathered his own nest with the money instead./ * /The man feathered his nest in politics by getting money from contractors who built roads./ Syn.: LINE ONE'S POCKETS. 2. To make your home pleasant and comfortable; furnish and decorate your house. * /Furniture stores welcome young couples who want to feather their nests./ [fed up] ({informal}) also ({slang}) [fed to the gills] or [fed to the teeth] {adj. phr.} Having had too much of something; at the end of your patience; disgusted; bored; tired. * /People get fed up with anyone who brags all the time./ * /I've had enough of his complaints. I'm fed up./ * /He was fed to the teeth with television and sold his set to a cousin./ * /John quit football because he was fed to the gills with practice./ Compare: SICK AND TIRED. [feed] See: BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS ONE, CHICKEN FEED, OFF FEED or OFF ONE'S FEED, SPOON FEED. [feel] See: GET THE FEEL OF and HARD FEELING. [feel a draft] {v. phr.}, {slang} To have the sensation that one is not welcome in a place; that one has gotten a cold reception. * /Let's go, Suzie, I feel a draft./ [feel for someone] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be able to sympathize with someone's problems. * /I can really feel for you, John, for losing your job./ [feel free to do] {v. phr.} To take the liberty to engage in an activity. * /Please feel free to take off your jackets; this is an informal party./ [feel in one's bones] or [know in one's bones] {v. phr.} To have an idea or feeling but not know why. * /I feel in my hones that tomorrow will be a sunny day./ * /I know in my bones that God will protect us./ [feel like] {v.}, {informal} To want to do or have. * /I don't feel like running today./ * /I just don't feel like pancakes this morning./ [feel like a million] or [feel like a million dollars] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be in the best of health and spirits. * /I feel like a million this morning./ * /He had a headache yesterday but feels like a million dollars today./ Compare: LOOK LIKE A MILLION. [feel like a new man] {v. phr.} To feel healthy, vigorous, and well again after a major physical illness or emotional upheaval. * /Ted felt like a new man after his successful heart bypass operation./ [feel like two cents] See: TWO CENTS. [feel low] {v. phr.} To be depressed; be in low spirits. * /I don't know what's the matter with Mary, but she says she has been feeling very low all afternoon./ [feel no pain] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be drunk. * /After a few drinks, the man felt no pain and began to act foolishly./ [feel one's oats] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To feel frisky or playful; be eager and excited. * /The horses were feeling their oats./ * /When they first got to camp, the boys were feeling their oats./ 2. To act in a proud or important way. * /The new gardener was feeling his oats and started to boss the other men./ [feel one's way] {v. phr.} To proceed cautiously by trial and error; probe. * /I won't ask her to marry me directly; I will feel my way first./ [feel] or [look small] {v. phr.} To have the impression that one is insignificant, foolish, or humiliated. * /"I feel small next to Hemingway," the young student of creative writing said./ [feel out] {v.} To talk or act carefully with someone and find what he thinks or can do. * /The pupils felt out the principal about a party after the game./ * /John felt out his father about letting him have the car that evening./ * /At first the boxers felt each other out./ Compare: SOUND OUT. [feel out of place] {v. phr.} To experience the sensation of not belonging in a certain place or company. * /Dave felt out of place among all those chess players as he knows nothing about chess./ [feel the pinch] {v. phr.} To be short of money; experience monetary difficulties. * /If we are going to have a recession, everybody will feel the pinch./ [feel up] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To arouse sexually by manual contact. * /You mean to tell me that you've been going out for six months and he hasn't ever tried to feel you up?/ Contrast: COP A FEEL. [feel up to something] {v. phr.}, {informal} To feel adequately knowledgeable, strong, or equipped to handle a given task. * /Do you feel up to jogging a mile a day with me?/ Contrast: BE UP TO SOMETHING. [feet] See: FOOT. [feet of clay] {n. phr.} A hidden fault or weakness in a person which is discovered or shown. * /The famous general showed he had feet of clay when he began to drink liquor./ * /The banker seemed to be honest, but he had feet of clay and was arrested for stealing./ [feet on the ground] {n. phr.} An understanding of what can be done; sensible ideas. Used with a possessive. * /John has his feet on the ground; he knows he cannot learn everything at once./ * /Ted dreams of sudden riches, but Henry keeps his feet on the ground and expects to work for his money./ * /Mrs. Smith was a dreamer, but her husband was a man with his feet on the ground./ Contrast: IN THE CLOUDS. [fell] See: AT ONE FELL SWOOP. [fellow] See: HAIL-FELLOW-WELL-MET, REGULAR GUY or REGULAR FELLOW. [fellow traveller] {n.} A sympathizer with a political movement who does not officially belong to the political party in question. * /Many Germans after World War II were innocently accused of being fellow travellers of Nazism./ * /During the McCarthy era, many Americans were accused of being Communist fellow travellers./ [fence] See: GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE, MEND ONE'S FENCES, ON THE FENCE. [fence in] or [hedge in] or [hem in] {v.} To keep (someone) from doing what he or she would like to do. Usually used in the passive. * /Mary felt fenced in because her father would not let her drive a car or have dates with boys./ * /John didn't like his job because he had to do the same kind of work all the time. He felt that he was hemmed in./ [fence-sitter] {n.} A person unable to pick between two sides; a person who does not want to choose. * /Daddy says he is a fence-sitter because he doesn't know which man he wants for President./ [fence-sitting] {n.} or {adj.} Choosing neither side. * /You have been fence-sitting for too long. It is time you made up your mind./ Contrast: MAKE UP ONE'S MIND, TAKE SIDES. [fence with] or [spar with] {v.} To talk with (someone) as if you were fighting like a swordsman or boxer; to give skillful