up to here

Just fill the bucket with water up to here.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see up to, here.

I have been up to here in paperwork all week.

They have their lives to live and I'm up to here in disgust with mine.

1953, Raymond Chandler, chapter 12, in The Long Goodbye:

(idiomatic) Overwhelmed, busy, buried or swamped.

по́ у́ши (pó úši, literally “up to one's ears”)

I have had it up to here with his sarcasm.

I am stuffed up to here with appetizers.


off one's rocker

He's off his rocker if he thinks he can tackle the whole thing alone.

“Bertie! Your manner is strange.”
“Your manner would be strange if you'd been sitting on the floor of Wilbert Cream's sleeping apartment with a chair round your neck, and Ma Cream had come in.”
“Golly! Did she?”
“In person.”
“What did you say?”
“I said I was looking for a mouse.”
“Couldn't you think of anything better than that?”
“No.”
“And how did it all come out in the end?”
“I melted away, leaving her plainly convinced that I was off my rocker.”

1960, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, chapter VIII, in Jeeves in the Offing, London: Herbert Jenkins, →OCLC, page 86:


in the doghouse

I had a mighty interesting visitor. It was the Crown Prince of Germany's son. […] He is a mighty likable young fellow, about 26 years old, the second son, but the oldest one married outside the thoroughbred pasture and now he is in the doghouse as far as any succession is concerned.

1933 December 17, Will Rogers, “Noted Visitors at the Rogers Ranch”, in Milwaukee Journal, page 6:

Nick was deep in the doghouse with Louella after three days of persistent phone calls and his final less-than-tactful message.

1994, Karen Robards, Maggy's Child, →ISBN, page 196:

He forgets his anniversary, he's in the doghouse, but he pulls out of it with a romantic (i.e. expensive) dinner.

2008 December 5, David Eddie, “My wife told me not to make a fuss on her 50th”, in Globe and Mail:

(informal, idiomatic) In a situation of being the object of someone's anger or disapproval, especially one's spouse.

epäsuosiossa

Experiencing someone's anger or disapproval


according to Hoyle

Named after Edmond Hoyle (1672–1769), an early author on the subject of card gaming.

This isn't a country where things are cut and dried, and done according to Hoyle.

1902, Gilbert Parker, chapter 11, in Donovan Pasha and Some People of Egypt:

When you're lost in the Wild, and you're scared as a child, / And Death looks you bang in the eye, / And you're sore as a boil, it's according to Hoyle / To cock your revolver and . . . die.

1912, Robert W. Service, “The Quitter”, in Rhymes of a Rolling Stone:

The opening round of the Presidents' Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament went according to Hoyle.

2007 February 22, Phil Axelrod, “District Spotlight: PAC men's basketball follows form”, in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, retrieved 2008-08-08:

(idiomatic) In strict accordance with the rules, especially of card games; in the proper or expected manner.


ahead of the game

If you start work on the new assignment now, you'll be ahead of the game for when the teacher sets it officially.

(idiomatic) Having completed a task before it is due; ready, prepared, or anticipating.


around Robin Hood's barn

Reference to Robin Hood, the legendary outlaw, whose barn was simply the fields and pastures surrounding Sherwood forest, his home. “Around Robin Hood’s barn” simply means all around the countryside, all through the fields and pastures.

(idiomatic) the long way around; a roundabout or circuitous route


at hand

I don't have the information at hand, but I can look it up.

The King your brother is now hard at hand,
Meete with the foole, and rid your royall ſhoulders
Of ſuch a burden, as outweighs the ſands
And all the craggie rockes of Caſpea.

c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene iii:

At last, one morning, the propeller was quiet, and the Narwhal was pervaded with an atmosphere of excitement. He felt it, as did the other dogs, and knew that a change was at hand.

1903 July, Jack London, “Into the Primitive”, in The Call of the Wild, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., →OCLC, page 39:

The problem at hand is not the inability of the Arabs and the Jews to live together peacefully.

2001, Ghaith Mahmood, “Problem is about oppression, not coexistence”, in The Daily Bruin, archived from the original on 2007-09-29:

(figurative) Currently receiving attention.


at this point in time

While we are not able to assist you at this point in time, we will be sure to call you if an opportunity arises.

(idiomatic) right now, or in the near and foreseeable future


at the wheel

It is a shame, his first day driving and he falls asleep at the wheel.

(idiomatic) Driving; in control of a vehicle.

We were thriving when Bill was at the wheel, but since the new CEO has started things have been going south.

(idiomatic) In control of the situation; in charge.


at a loss for words

She was at a loss for words when she saw the number of people who had come to grieve for her husband.

(idiomatic) Having nothing to say; not knowing what to say; stunned to the point of being speechless.

brak komuś słów (komuś is replaced with the appropriate noun or pronoun in dative)


at one's fingertips

He seemed to have all sports knowledge at his fingertips: we could scarcely finish a question before he had answered it.


against all odds

Against all odds, the inexperienced new player won the tournament.

But, against all the odds, one company is still alive and most definitely kicking.

2022 February 9, Ben Jones, “Batteries included for future shunters”, in RAIL, number 950, page 54:

(idiomatic) Despite seemingly insurmountable opposition or probability.

въпреки всичко

despite seemingly insurmountable opposition or probability


at loose ends

(US, Canada) Without any activity or purpose.

I am really at loose ends about this choice; I am between the proverbial rock and hard place.

(idiomatic) In an uncertain position or situation.

Not in order; in confusion; carelessly managed.


across the board

Originated with horse racing, where an "across the board" bet was one which covered first, second and third on the betting board.

[…]in favor of a straight across-the-board salary increase[…]

1949, United States Congress Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, Hearings:

A common technique (variously known as an emergency brake or meat axe budgeting) used by governments is across-the-board cuts;

1983, A. Premchard, Government Budgeting and Expenditure: Theory and Practice:

Chile provides the region's best example of a country that has successfully reformed its core public administration across the board.

1998, Shahid Javed Burki, Guillermo Perry, Beyond the Washington Consensus: Institutions Matter:

(idiomatic) Pertaining to all categories or things.

(gambling) Having an equal amount staked on a competitor placing first, second, or third.

(chess) Of a move or sequence of play, made in response to developments occurring in the game, as opposed to pre-planned or according to theory.


at rest

The yatch lies at rest in the marina.

At rest, the car is impressive, but when it's moving, the sight is astounding.

In a state of inactivity or repose, either physical or mental.


at loggerheads

/æt ˈlɔɡɚˌhɛdz/

Uncertain; possibly from the use of a loggerhead (“metal tool consisting of a long rod with a bulbous end”) as a weapon during a fight.

We were really at loggerheads about what to do with the money we found on the side of the road; she said we should turn it in, I said we should keep it.

(figuratively) Unable to agree; opposing.

как ко́шка с соба́кой (kak kóška s sobákoj, literally “like a cat and dog”)


at peace

Since discovering religion, she's been at peace in her personal life.

Thane: I am at peace with what I've done in my life, Shepard. There comes a time when one must rest from war and conflict.
Thane: It is not your time, but it is mine.

2012, BioWare, Mass Effect 3, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Citadel, Huerta Memorial Hospital:

(comparable, literally) Free of worries; peaceful.

He was unhappy when he was alive, but now he's at peace.

(not comparable, euphemistic, idiomatic) Dead.


at the drop of a hat

From the customary starting of competitions by making a sweeping downward motion with a cap.

We're expected to just do it at the drop of a hat.

If you need help, just call on Mike. He can come at the drop of a hat.

A tremendous thing happened when Dean met Carlo Marx. Two keen minds that they are, they took to each other at the drop of a hat.

1957, Jack Kerouac, chapter 1, in On the Road, Viking Press, →OCLC, part 1:

Let's face it. We are swollen up like an overfed slug, our breath stinks, the tiniest irritant is magnified ten thousand times, and we cry at the drop of a hat.

2014, Becky Rutledge, Miss Becky's Charm School, Citadel Press, →ISBN:

(informal, idiomatic) Without any hesitation; instantly.


at a glance

This report is certainly not comprehensive; it is more of a "Marketing Division at a glance".

At a glance it seems that he is a nice guy, but upon digging deeper the truth emerges.


at stake

What is at stake in these next 20 minutes is the championship.

Doesn't he realize that all of our lives are at stake here too?

I see my reputation is at stake
My fame is shrewdly gored.

c. 1602, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:

How, Lucia, wou’dst thou have me sink away
In pleasing Dreams, and lose my self in Love,
When ev’ry moment Cato’s Life’s at Stake?

1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act V, scene i, page 14:

[…] as I have a great deal more at stake on this point than anybody else can have, I think it rather unnecessary in you to be advising me.

1817 (date written), [Jane Austen], chapter V, in Persuasion; published in Northanger Abbey: And Persuasion. […], volume (please specify |volume=III or IV), London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817 (indicated as 1818), →OCLC:


at sea

It is never possible to settle down to the ordinary routine of life at sea until the screw begins to revolve. There is an hour or two, after the passengers have embarked, which is disquieting and fussy.

1915, G[eorge] A. Birmingham [pseudonym; James Owen Hannay], chapter I, in Gossamer, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, →OCLC:

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see at, sea.

Most of the class was at sea after the first week.

Oh, great, the handle just broke—well, we're really all at sea now, aren't we?

Wojciech Szczesny was then called into action twice in a minute to parry fierce drives from Djebbour and Torossidis as Arsenal's back four looked all at sea.

2011 September 28, Tom Rostance, “Arsenal 2-1 Olympiakos”, in BBC Sport:

(idiomatic) In a state of confusion or bewilderment.


at odds

From at + odds (“(obsolete) dissimilarity; inequality”).

The witness’s statement seems to be at odds with the evidence—not a good sign for the prosecutor.

By day and night he vvrongs me, / Euery houre he flaſhes into one groſſe crime or other / That ſets vs all at ods, ile not indure it, […]

c. 1603–1606 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] His True Chronicle Historie of the Life and Death of King Lear and His Three Daughters. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Nathaniel Butter, […], published 1608, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:

[I] began to be at odds vvith myſelf vvhether to be glad or ſorry; […]

1722 (indicated as 1721), [Daniel Defoe], The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, &c. […], London: […] W[illiam Rufus] Chetwood, […]; and T. Edling, […], published 1722, →OCLC, page 186:

In the passage they encountered Mr. Mould the undertaker: a little elderly gentleman, bald, and in a suit of black; with a note-book in his hand, a massive gold watch-chain dangling from his fob, and a face in which a queer attempt at melancholy was at odds with a smirk of satisfaction; […]

1842 December – 1844 July, Charles Dickens, “The Reader is Brought into Communication with Some Professional Persons, and Sheds a Tear over the Filial Piety of Good Mr. Jonas”, in The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1844, →OCLC, page 237:

At Pleasant Valley sheepmen and cattlemen were at odds over the grazing. Sooner or later they would clash.

1940, Zane Grey, chapter 1, in 30,000 on the Hoof, Roslyn, N.Y.: Walter J. Black, →OCLC, page 5:

Evidence now proves that the Primus and the Archon are at odds. Investigations show that the Primus disapproves of the Archon's single-minded interest in Remnant technology, believing it to be a distraction from the kett's attempts to conquer Heleus.

2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Redwood City, Calif.: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Kett: Primus Codex entry:

(idiomatic) In disagreement; conflicting.

не в лада́х (ne v ladáx, literally “not in harmony”)


at sixes and sevens

Unknown, though it may have originated from the game of hazard and the Old French cinc (“five”) and sis (“six”), the riskiest numbers to shoot for, which were misheard and folk-etymologized into English as "six" and "seven".

Yet if his majesty our sovereign lord
Should of his own accord
Friendly himself invite,
And say "I'll be your guest to-morrow night."
How should we stir ourselves, call and command
All hands to work! Let no man idle stand. …
For 'tis a duteous thing
To show all honour to an earthly king,
And after all our travail and our cost,
So he be pleas'd, to think no labour lost.
But at the coming of the King of Heaven
All's set at six and seven:
We wallow in our sin,
Christ cannot find a chamber in the inn.
We entertain him always like a stranger,
And as at first still lodge him in the manger.

17th century, Thomas Ford, "Yet if His Majesty Our Sovereign Lord" (Christ Church MS. 736–8), first published by A. H. Bullen, Lyrics from the Song Books of the Elizabethan Age (1888)

Oh, what a racket! And everything on deck apparently at sixes and sevens. Mail-bags and passengers mixed up in every direction.

1912, Arthur Quiller-Couch, chapter 23, in Poison Island:

A few days after the battle started, we abandoned Pa-chung County. The enemy troops were elated and boasted of their victory. In fact, the loss of Pa-chung County was a great setback for us. The local people, seeing our departure, could not help wavering. Even those engaged in the work of the Soviet government were not altogether clear about the strategy of our army. They were at sixes and sevens, and some went to such lengths as to make preparations for the eventuality that the Red Army might back out of northern Szechwan.

1972, Chang Kuo-tʻao, The Rise of the Chinese Communist Party 1928-1938, volume II, University Press of Kansas, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 342:

(idiomatic, UK, Ireland, Commonwealth) In a state of confusion.

Her outlook on life was so different from what he conceived a woman's outlook should be, that he was more often than not at sixes and sevens with her.

1911, Jack London, chapter 6, in Adventure:

All you will see is a girl you once knew, although she's dressed up to the nines, at sixes and sevens with you.

1976, Tim Rice, Don't Cry For Me Argentina:

(idiomatic, of people or groups) In a state of dispute or disagreement.


at bay

In that case the enemy himself could have occupied the defences of Corinth and held at bay all the Union troops that arrived.

1886, Ulysses S. Grant, chapter XXIX, in Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant:

These two books—of sacred, and secular, passages for memory—will serve other good purposes besides merely occupying vacant hours: they will help to keep at bay many anxious thoughts, worrying thoughts, uncharitable thoughts, unholy thoughts.

1889, Lewis Carroll [pseudonym; Charles Lutwidge Dodgson], “Preface”, in Sylvie and Bruno, London, New York, N.Y.: Macmillan and Co., →OCLC, page xv:

The home side grew in confidence after keeping the visitors at bay and took the lead after only nine minutes, from their first foray into the penalty area.

2011 October 23, Becky Ashton, “QPR 1 - 0 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport:

(set phrase, idiomatic) Unable to come closer; at a distance.

The hills, like giants at a hunting, lay / Chin upon hand, to see the game at bay,— / "Now stab and end the creature - to the heft!"

1855, Robert Browning, Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came, section XXXI:

For a moment my gaze traversed the landscape beneath until it was caught and held by four figures near the base of the cliff—a human figure held at bay by three hyaenodons, those ferocious and blood-thirsty wild dogs of the Eocene.

1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter X, in The Land That Time Forgot:

Instead of mounted riders following a pack of hounds, it is envisaged that just two dogs will be used to locate a stag and hold it at bay.

2004 November 22, Valerie Elliott, “Two-dog plan to keep law at bay”, in The Times:

(set phrase, idiomatic) Cornered; unable to flee.

(heraldry) Of an animal, especially a docile animal in contrast to a predatory animal which would be blazoned statant: standing, in profile toward dexter, with all four feet on the ground. (If gazing at the viewer, the animal is at gaze.)


at will

I'm writing my book at will - there's no deadline or minimum word count.

I gif the witt, I gif the strenght, / of all thou sees, of brede & lengthe; / thou shall be wonder wise. / Myrth and Ioy to haue at will, / All thi likyng to fulfill, / and dwell in paradise.

15th c., “[The Creation]”, in Wakefield Mystery Plays; Re-edited in George England, Alfred W. Pollard, editors, The Towneley Plays (Early English Text Society Extra Series; LXXI), London: […] Oxford University Press, 1897, →OCLC, page 6, lines 174–179:

I give thee consciousness, I give thee strength over all thou seest, over all its breadth and length thou shalt be wondrously wise. Mirth and joy [you shall] have at will to fulfil all thy liking and dwell in paradise.

[...] there is no special incentive to adopt a design on the latest French pattern, in which the gear ratio can be changed at will to permit higher tractive efforts on freight duties as an alternative to higher speeds on passenger duties.

1960 December, “The first hundred 25 kV a.c. electric locomotives for B.R.”, in Trains Illustrated, page 727:

And yet, United always carried the greater threat. Their movement in attack constantly confounded Southampton's defenders, with Rooney, Van Persie and Januzaj swapping places and eluding markers at will.

(idiomatic) At one's preference; as one sees fit.


on the back burner

That project is on the back burner until we deal with higher priorities.

After some years sweating on the back burner of show business, Ms. Brier, 28, has found instant success on the social media platform of the moment, TikTok.

2023 March 14, Alexandra Jacobs, “Your Annoying Roommate Is Slaying on TikTok”, in The New York Times:

(idiomatic) Not immediate; inactive; receiving or requiring less than full or regular attention.


on the dot

He arrived at 10 o'clock, on the dot.

A hundred damage?! On the dot...

2024 February 26, Smii7Yplus, 19:55 from the start, in Worms Moments that End in Disaster, spoken by SMii7Y:

(idiomatic) Exactly; precisely, especially of a time of day.


on the plus side

My boss spilled water all over my keyboard today. On the plus side, it's much cleaner now.

(idiomatic) Positively; from a favorable view or perspective.

på plussidan

positively; from a favorable perspective


around the clock

They worked around the clock to finish the project on time.

(duration, idiomatic) All the time, or seemingly all the time; constantly.


up to date

The clothes of these marching women were, it is quite true, essentially up to date.

1913 May 15, Elizabeth Newport Hepburn, “A Question Not of Sex Appeal; But of Prevailing Mode.”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

The dirty secret of the internet is that all this distraction and interruption is immensely profitable. Web companies like to boast about […], or offering services that let you "stay up to date with what your friends are doing",[…]and so on. But the real way to build a successful online business is to be better than your rivals at undermining people's control of their own attention.

2013 June 21, Oliver Burkeman, “The tao of tech”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 2, page 27:

For example, during the early days of construction, some landowners and local residents felt they were not being kept up to date with what was happening on a day-to-day basis, or that information wasn't always easy to come by.

2023 August 23, Chris Howe, “Green screen: HS2's route through the shires”, in RAIL, number 990, page 35:


under wraps

They're trying to keep the new product under wraps and hidden from their competitors.

(horse-racing) Of a horse: restrained from performing at its best in a race, so as to mislead others regarding its potential.


a fortiori

Ellipsis of ā fortiōrī ratiōne (literally “from a stronger reason”).

ellipsis

Cuius rei veritas vt magis elucescat queritur. An malefice valeant membra virilia virtute demonum vere et realiter vel solummodo prestigiosa apparitione auferre? et arguitur quod vere et realiter per argumentum a fortiori.

1486, Heinrich Kramer, “Pars prīma, Quaestiō nōna”, in Malleus maleficarum [The hammer of witches]^(https://la.wikisource.org/wiki/Malleus_maleficarum_(ed._II)):

In order to make the truth of this matter clearer, it is asked whether witches can—with the help of devils—really and actually remove the virile members, or can only take them away through an illusion. And that they can really and actually do so is argued a fortiori.

(rhetoric, logic, Medieval Latin) a fortiori (as a corollary implied by a stronger claim)


above ground

underground

antonym(s) of “existing within or produced by the establishment”

/əˈbʌvˌɡɹaʊnd/

"This place Rome? It is but the tomb of mighty Rome." He showed Gerard . . . the gigantic vestiges of antiquity that peeped aboveground here and there.

1861, Charles Reade, chapter 60, in The Cloister and the Hearth:

Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.

2012 March-April, Anna Lena Phillips, “Sneaky Silk Moths”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 172:

Alice: I told you, he don't have no wife, not aboveground, anyhow.

1992, David Webb Peoples, Unforgiven, screenplay

(figurative) Not dead and buried; alive.

жив

figuratively: not dead and buried; alive

More disturbing was that zines and underground culture didn't seem to be any sort of threat to this aboveground world.

2003, Henry Jenkins III, Tara McPherson, Jane Shattuc, Hop on Pop: The Politics and Pleasures of Popular Culture, page 228:

And they argue that if aboveground activists continue to express public sympathy for their underground counterparts […]

2006 March, “Watching What You Eat”, in Indianapolis Monthly, page 82:

But there is yet another interlocutor that precedes the underground culture of zines: the aboveground world of straight society.

2014, Stephen Duncombe, Notes from Underground: Zines and the Politics of Alternative Culture:

Not of or relating to the social or political underground; in the open; existing within or produced by the establishment.


under the wire

Lying forward flattened along Sunfish's hard-muscled shoulders, Bud was gaining and gaining—one length, then two lengths as he shot under the wire, slowed and rode back to find a silent crowd watching him.

1921, B. M. Bower, chapter 15, in Cow-Country:

Russians had heard rumors, and foreign correspondents had obtained confirmation, that the Dictator will soon drastically tighten up proverbially loose Bolshevik divorce laws. In a panic to get in under the wire, every Moscow mate who has recently thought of divorce was last week jamming the official bureaus.

(idiomatic) At the last minute; before the deadline; barely on time; nearly late.


on a shoestring

The first year after we bought the house, we lived on a shoestring, but we survived.

(idiomatic) On a very tight budget; with few resources or little money.


off the radar

An accession of the Republic of Turkey to the European Union seems to have moved off the radar.

(idiomatic) Unlikely to happen or be important in the near future, or tending to escape detection or attention.


under the radar

An allusion to flying an airplane at an altitude too low for radar detection.

Institutional change has not happened. But it's done quietly under the radar at lots of places.

2004 August 30, Andrea Sachs, “About-Face”, in Time:

Look, we keep our hand in with Maitland as well as this Partick thing. But we do it under the radar.

2022, Liam McIlvanney, The Heretic, page 48:

(idiomatic) Without attracting notice; in an undetected or secretive manner.


at a loss

We sold those old computers at a loss.

(trade) Below the cost or price of purchase.

I have fixed the parts I understand, and the rest leaves me at a loss.

His policies may be ineffective, but he is never at a loss for words.

I'm at a loss how to proceed.

(idiomatic) Not sure; uncertain; lacking further ideas, direction, or ability.

困惑不解

not sure; uncertain; lacking further ideas, direction, or ability


in shape

I guess I'd better get my room in shape if I have guests.

In good condition, repair; in a good state.

I hope to get in shape for summer swimsuit season.

Whoa, look over here
We got a cute little ol' runner to the right
Blue shorts, no shirt
You're looking good darling
That's right, stay in shape

(idiomatic) In a good state of physical fitness or bodily appearance.

en forme

(idiomatic) in a good state of physical fitness


over the transom

A transom is a lintel or crosspiece over a door; likely an alteration of Latin trānstrum (“crossbeam”). Refers to the idea of a writer tossing a manuscript through the open window over the door of the publisher's office. Alternatively, a "transom" is the nautical term for the back of a small boat. Something which "came in over the transom" would have suddenly (and presumably, surprisingly) entered through the "back door" of the craft, metaphorically.

All the over-the-transom articles are handled by our interns.

Only one piece that came in over the transom appears in this issue.

(idiomatic, of a work submitted for publication) Unsolicited.

They worked into the night and sent an associate to make an over-the-transom filing.

(idiomatic, law, government) Meeting a deadline by delivery after the day of the deadline but before opening of business the following business day.


out of kilter

From out of + kilter, kelter (“(good) condition, form, or order; fettle”). The latter word is of uncertain origin, but appears widely in British dialect and also in the United States.

I stayed up late to watch a movie, and my entire sleeping schedule has been out of kilter ever since.

Aye, ſquire, that thing [a statue of Hercules] has been fixt in this ſpot I warrant you theſe hundred years; it was ſadly out of kilter when I came to the eſtate, but I got my neighbour the conſtable, who is a carpenter, to make him that right arm, and put the ſtaff into it, for I could not bear to ſee ſuch a clumſy log as he had in it before; [...]

1762, [Susan Smythies], “Presents the Reader with a Prospect of the Sullens”, in The Stage-coach: Containing the Character of Mr. Manly, and the History of His Fellow Travellers, Dublin: Printed by Henry Saunders […], →OCLC, page 140:

Wall, chilern, whar dar is so much racket dar must be somethin' out o' kilter. I thik dat 'twixt de niggers of de Souf and de womin at de Norf, all talkin' 'bout rights, de white men will be in a fix pretty soon.

1851 May 29, Sojourner Truth, reported by Frances D[ana] Gage, “Ohio [Reminiscences by Frances D. Gage. Sojourner Truth. [Ain’t I a Woman?]]”, in Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage, editors, History of Woman Suffrage. [...] In Three Volumes, volumes I (1848–1861), Rochester, N.Y., London: Susan B. Anthony; Charles Mann […], published 1887, →OCLC, page 116:

[T]hey are either round-shouldered, knock-kneed, bow-legged, or parrot-toed; some are also badly cross-eyed. It seems as if they can see two different ways at the same time. Jack says they are lop-sided and out of kilter altogether.

1890, Charles Erskine, chapter V, in Twenty Years before the Mast: […], Boston, Mass.: Published by the author, →OCLC, page 72:

[H]e lived on tinned tomatoes, beef embalmed and sourdough bread, / On rusty beans and bacon furred with mould; / His stomach’s out of kilter and his system full of lead, / But it's over, and his poke is full of gold.

1909, Robert W[illiam] Service, “The Man from Eldorado”, in Ballads of a Cheechako, Toronto, Ont.: William Briggs, →OCLC, part I, stanza 2, page 71:

Snowstorms often knock the Government's Salt Lake radio range out of kilter.

1941 March 10, “An Airliner Cracks Up in Pine Woods near Atlanta and Seven People Die”, in Henry R[obinson] Luce, editor, Life, volume 10, number 10, Chicago, Ill., New York, N.Y.: Time Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, photograph caption, page 27:

This was a champion team out of kilter, stung by what was arguably an act of disrespect to their opponents, a failure to appreciate their threat and the fine planning of Carlos Osorio, and never really able to regain its balance.

2018 June 17, Barney Ronay, “Mexico’s Hirving Lozano stuns world champions Germany for brilliant win”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2019-08-05:

(idiomatic) Askew, disturbed; not adjusted or working properly; out of order.

fuori fase

askew, disturbed; not adjusted or working properly


comme chien et chat

LL-Q150 (fra)-Benoît Prieur-comme chien et chat.wav

s’entendre comme chien et chat

to fight like cat and dog; to agree to disagree (uncommon)

être comme chien et chat

to fight like cat and dog, to fight like cats and dogs

(simile) like cats and dogs, not get along, fight all the time


in the black

From the standard accounting practice of using black ink, as opposed to red ink, to denote positive values, especially a net income.

(accounting, idiomatic) Having positive net income; having greater income than expenses; making a profit.

(accounting, idiomatic) Having positive net worth.


at the mercy of

The ball game is scheduled for Saturday, but we're still at the mercy of the weather.

The stories did not seem to me to touch life. […] They left me with the impression of a well-delivered stereopticon lecture, with characters about as life-like as the shadows on the screen, and whisking on and off, at the mercy of the operator.

1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter I, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:

Most of Britain's railways were built in the Victorian era. Railway routes were not only at the mercy of geography, but also of local landowners who wanted to minimise the impact on their estates. Construction was carried out by navvies armed with picks and shovels, with very little understanding of the underlying geology.

2024 March 20, Richard Foster, “Vital experience in an open-air classroom”, in RAIL, number 1005, page 60:

(idiomatic) In the power of; defenceless/defenseless against.


ama

(Received Pronunciation, General American) -ɑːmə

Alternative form of AMA (“against medical advice”)


up to speed

Is Mary up to speed on the situation in Kuala Lumpur?

And I don't happen to recollect whether I did bring her up to speed on what Bert was asking for and so forth.

1977, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs. Subcommittee on Financial Institutions Supervision, Regulation and Insurance, The Safe banking act of 1977: hearings before the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions Supervision, Regulation, and Insurance of the Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs, House of Representatives, Ninety-fifth Congress, first session, on H.R. 9086, U.S. Government Printing Office, page 1239:

In recent weeks, the only way to get up to speed with WallStreetBets would have been through full immersion, absorbing comments about “tendies” and “diamond hands” and “holding the line” until you worked up the nerve to post the group’s most beloved slogan for yourself: “We like the stock.”

2021 January 29, John Herrman, “Everything’s a Joke Until It’s Not”, in The New York Times:

It may take the new hires a week or two to be brought up to speed on the system.

IBM has begun a program to better educate its sales force, Reiswig said, but admits it could take as long as six months to bring them up to speed.

1992 February 3, Ed Scannell, “OS/2 slowed by sales force”, in InfoWorld, InfoWorld Media Group, page 8:

It takes time after the anesthesia for the muscles to get up to speed, so your stomach and intestines may not be functioning normally yet and you won’t be able to eat.

2001, Eric A. Rose, The Columbia Presbyterian Guide to Surgery, page 132:

For new hires joining your teams as software engineers, pair programming is a great way to bring them up to speed. It helps them ease into your codebase with a helpful in-the-moment guide, and it helps to share tribal knowledge and the technical practices that you want to be consistent across your codebase.

2020, Heidi Helfand, Dynamic Reteaming: The Art and Wisdom of Changing Teams, O'Reilly Media, →ISBN, page 54:


behind the scenes

Many videos come with features that show what went on behind the scenes to make the movie and special effects.

(idiomatic, theater, film) behind the scenery and stage area; backstage; among the actors; during the production or rehearsal

The government has been negotiating behind the scenes with the separatists for months.

(idiomatic, figurative) In secret; out of public view.


outside the box

Unclear. Attested since 1971 (see quotations) with allusion to the nine dots puzzle, where one needs to draw lines outside the perimeter of its nine dots. Earlier related phrases include go outside the dots (1956), step outside the box (1969), and think outside the dots (1970).

The boss wants some new ideas—it's time to think outside the box.

"THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX". If you have kept your thinking process operating inside the lines and boxes, then you are normal and average, for that is the way your thinking has been programmed. ... Here are nine dots: If you were asked to pick up a pencil and try to touch every dot using four straight lines only, you would try it this way first. It would be incorrect. That's because this configuration is in the shape of a box and we are conditioned to think this way.

1971 September 5, Michael R. Notaro, Jr., “Management of Personnel: Organization Patterns and Techniques”, in Data Management, volume 9, number 9, page 77:

(idiomatic) Beyond the bounds of convention.

nine dots puzzle
thinking outside the box


by heart

to learn something by heart

to know something by heart

He used to live in that town, and he still knows all the streets by heart.

You should play over all the pieces you know by heart at least once a month or oftener with the printed copies before you: or all sorts of wrong notes may creep in, and you will be leaving out some crescendo, or rallentando, or sforzato.

1906, The Monthly Musical Record, volume 36, page 55:

None of the other animals on the farm could get further than the letter A. It was also found that the stupider animals, such as the sheep, hens, and ducks, were unable to learn the Seven Commandments by heart.

1943 November – 1944 February (date written; published 1945 August 17), George Orwell [pseudonym; Eric Arthur Blair], Animal Farm […], London: Secker & Warburg, published May 1962, →OCLC:


in the works

They always have some wonderful new project in the works.

(idiomatic) Being planned or worked upon.

Be careful not to get any debris in the works.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: In a mechanism or machine.


behind someone's back

The employees talked about their boss behind his back.

You will lose good karma if you say bad things behind people's backs.

I had never defrauded a man of a farthing, nor called him knave behind his back. But now the last rag that covered my nakedness had been torn from me. I was branded a blackleg, card-sharper, and murderer.

1908, W[illiam] B[lair] M[orton] Ferguson, chapter II, in Zollenstein, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC, page 25:

Giant machines, precision tools, monster missiles, and all such [they] did lack.
Indeed, the last industrial revolution happened behind their back.

1974, Tunji Oyelana (lyrics and music), “Which Way Africa”:

You can all just kiss off into the air / Behind my back I can see them stare / They'll hurt me bad, but I won't mind / They'll hurt me bad, they do it all the time

1998, Violent Femmes (lyrics and music), “Kiss Off”, in Violent Femmes:

(idiomatic) Without somebody's knowledge; secretly.


all over the place

They started firing all over the place.

In Genoa there are stray cats all over the place.

I've been looking for you all over the place.

I couldn't believe it. “This is insane! You don't know what you're getting into, Dad. We can't have lots of people swarming all over the place. You're supposed to be getting rest.”

2004, Ruth Ozeki, All Over Creation, Penguin, →ISBN, page 267:

(idiomatic) In multiple directions or locations, often haphazardly; everywhere.

dise-mise

I asked each person in turn, and their answers were all over the place.

England were all over the place for the majority of the opening 45 minutes as gaps broke in defence.

2023 December 1, Emma Sanders, “England 3-2 Netherlands”, in BBC Sport:

(idiomatic) Inconsistent; lacking a clear pattern; with a large amount of variation.


AMA

Alternative forms: A.M.A., A. M. A., a.m.a., a. m. a., ama

(medicine) Initialism of against medical advice.


on a roll

He was on a roll with the answers that day and didn't want to stop.

You're on a roll and now you pray it lasts

1983, Matthew Wilder, Greg Prestopino (lyrics and music), “Break My Stride”, in I Don't Speak the Language:

With unemployment falling, incomes rising, inflation at bay and shoppers crowding into stores, the economy is entering 1984 on a roll.

1984 January 2, Charles P. Alexander, “Cheers for a Banner Year”, in Time, retrieved 2015-08-26:

After a sluggish start to the season, Torino are on a roll. The Granata began their nine-match unbeaten streak in Serie A on December 6.

2015 February 9, Matthew Amalfitano, “Torino eyeing Europa League”, in Independent, UK, retrieved 2015-08-26:

(informal) Having a streak of good luck or good progress or success.

sur un coup (bon)

having a streak of good luck or good progress or success


through the roof

Fuel prices have gone through the roof since last fall.

When I found out fuel prices are through the roof this winter, I hit the roof.

Soybean meal prices have gone through the roof — they're over $100 a ton, back to war-time levels — because of heavy exports and a short 1953 crop.

With 16 minutes left on the clock and the tension climbing through the roof, Trinh-Duc tried his luck with a penalty from just inside halfway only to push it wide, but the unthinkable now seemed a real possibility.

2011 October 23, Tom Fordyce, “2011 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand 8-7 France”, in BBC Sport:

His heartbeat increased in intensity, his hormones went through the roof, and his mind became woozy.

2014, Kwame Owusu-Baafi, Through the Eyes of the Spirit, page 136:

That computer was high priced, and the interest was through the roof, but we got it!

2011, Kaleda Carthran, Looking Through the Mirrors of Me: The Life of Kaleda Carthran:

My numbers were through the roof, and I was beating records held by some of the most successful cyclists.

2012, David Millar, Racing Through the Dark: Crash. Burn. Coming Clean. Coming Back.:

I looked in some estate agents' today – the prices are through the roof.

2015, Linda Newbery, Andie's Moon: The Historical House:

(idiomatic, figurative) Having risen to a very high level or amount.


from the get-go

I watched him closely from the get-go because I did not trust him.

I am 15 and in love with a fellow that goes to college in another state. I met him during the summer vacation and liked him from the get go.

1960 November 8, J. F., “Tell It to Jan: Are College Boys True to the Girls Back Home”, in Baltimore Afro-American, five ★ edition, 69th year, number 31, Baltimore, Md.: Afro-American Co., →ISSN, Afro Magazine section, page 6, column 1:

An artist from the get-go, Gilot declared at the age of 21 that she “felt painting was my whole life”, and her output ranges from portraits to landscapes, still lifes to collage.

2023 June 12, Katy Hessel, “‘Blatant sexism’: why is a great painter who lived to 101 still defined by a man she left in the 1950s?”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

(idiomatic, colloquial) From the very beginning; from the outset; immediately upon starting.


de rien

Literally, “of nothing”. Compare Spanish de nada.

les gens de rien

un homme de rien

insignificant, unimportant, of little account


on one's own

A seven-year-old can get dressed on his own, but it might take a long time.

I love cheese on toast, but I won't eat cheese on its own.

1966, Vicki Wickham, Simon Napier-Bell (English lyrics), Dusty Springfield (vocalist), You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, 1965, Pino Donaggio, Vito Pallavicini, Io che non vivo (senza te),
Don't you see / That now you've gone, / And I'm left here on my own, / I will have to follow you / And beg you to come home.

Private operators, for the most part have done an admirable job of keeping these aging aircraft flying, but FAA has essentially said, “It’s public-use aircraft. You’re on your own.”

2004 May 13, James B. Hull, Oversight Hearing on Firefighting Preparedness:

They may adamantly reject help and insist that they can manage on their own.

2008, Barbara M. Newman, Philip R. Newman, Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach, page 215:

After Bridge of Orchy, the line climbs steeply into the wild country of Rannoch Moor. The railway builders chose a different route across the moor from the road - we are completely on our own up here.

2023 November 29, Paul Clifton, “West is best in the Highlands”, in RAIL, number 997, page 39:

(idiomatic) Alone; by oneself; without the companionship or assistance of others.

self

alone; by oneself; without the companionship or assistance of others

egyedül

without external assistance or influence


off one's nut

Old Smith was awfully bucked because he'd taken four wickets. I should think he'd go off his nut if he took eight ever.

1909, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 17, in Mike: A Public School Story:

"[I]f I was to spring this news in Mr. Wright's hearin', why, such a sensitive, high-tempered gentleman as he would go plumb off his nut."

1914, Zane Grey, chapter 13, in The Rustlers of Pecos County:

"Look at them rapids ahead of us! Why, the guy that laid out this river was off his nut!"

1918, Rex Ellingwood Beach, chapter 11, in The Winds of Chance:

(chiefly British, dated in US, idiomatic) Insane, crazy.


on the spot

He liked the house, so he made an offer on the spot.

There are in the Armies a great many Inſtances of Gun-ſhot Wounds of the Arm near the Scapula, which require Amputation at the Shoulder; but the Apprehenſion of loſing their Patients on the Spot by the Hæmorrhage, has deterred Surgeons from undertaking it.

1739, Samuel Sharp, “Of Amputation” (chapter XXXVII), in A Treatise on the Operations of Surgery, London: J. Brotherton, page 221:

All the sudden questions put him on the spot and he had to think quickly.

(idiomatic) Having to answer or decide without warning or preparation.

tiukille

having to answer or decide without warning

This report comes from our man on the spot in Gaza.

We exercised by jumping up and down on the spot.

I had accepted an engagement to go out with Mystofilms Ltd. in Fake of Dead Man's Bush—the dwarf-men picture, you know, taken on the spot among the Australian bushmen.

1928, Dorothy L. Sayers, “The Abominable History of the Man with Copper Fingers”, in Lord Peter Views the Body:

[…] on October 29, 1888, the Russian imperial train was derailed at Borki by defective track, and twenty-one persons were killed. Although these did not include the Emperor Alexander III, who escaped with a bruising, a footman serving coffee to him at the critical moment, and his dog, which was lying on the floor beside him, were both killed on the spot.

1945 September and October, C. Hamilton Ellis, “Royal Trains—V”, in Railway Magazine, pages 251–252:


from hell

The Hensleys are neighbours from hell.

(informal) Exceptionally bad or unpleasant.


within ames ace

[…]The possibility that he might prefer the excitement of such an adventure to an expedition into Yorkshire did occur to the Major, but he discarded it: Richmond had been within ames-ace of jumping at the chance offered him,[…].

1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 17, in The Unknown Ajax:

(obsolete, British, idiomatic) Nearly, very near.


windward of the law

"[…] drop my anchor to the windward of the law." Adams estimated the distance between them even as he spoke. Ryker gripped his stomach again and more sweat dripped from his unnaturally white face onto his filthy shirt, but he was well enough that any attempt at rushing him would be suicidal.

His code was the end justified the means with men who operated windward of the law. Since thieves followed no rules, he played the game accordingly, with a slight variation. He wrote his own rules as he went along.

2006, Matt Braun, Westward of the Law, page 54:

Within the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law.


in front of one's nose

All that time we've been searching for the answer, and it was right in front of our noses.

(idiomatic) Plain; clearly apparent; obvious.


at arm's length

Iceland were defiant, as they always are, rigid in defence and lacking in attacking ambition, willing to simply keep England at arm's length and maybe land a counter-punch.

2020 September 5, Phil McNulty, “Iceland 0-1 England”, in BBC Sport:

She's been keeping me at arm's length all the time. She doesn't want to get involved.

(idiomatic) Avoiding a close relationship.


with flying colors

He passed the test with flying colors, as everyone had expected.

(American spelling, idiomatic) Extremely well; in an exceptional, noteworthy, or extraordinary manner.


with a bullet

From the magazine Cashbox's practice, in the 1960s and 1970s, of putting a red bullet sign on the chart position of potential climbers. The page stated: "Red bullet indicates sharp upward move."

"Crying" has moved up again and is now Number 7 with a bullet on the Cashbox Top 100 chart!

(of a hit record) That has entered the charts in a high position, or has climbed rapidly in the charts, or is thought to have the potential for further rapid advancement.


up the creek without a paddle

Ian Houlder, a Tory councillor for West Suffolk, said Hancock appeared to be “up the creek without a paddle” in terms of remaining the MP, and so had seemingly decided to go.

2022 December 7, Peter Walker, quoting Ian Houlder, “Row grows over Matt Hancock’s announcement he is quitting as MP”, in The Guardian:


up shit creek

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-up shit creek.wav

(vulgar) In trouble; in a difficult situation.


up the river

A reference to Sing Sing prison, which is located on the Hudson river, to the north of (and upstream from) New York City.

The former baseball player that Cincinnati idolized is being sent up the river to Ashland, Ky., to serve a prison term for cheating on his taxes.

1990 July 21, “Pete Rose: He doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame”, in Dallas Morning News, retrieved 2010-09-23:


OTC

(slang, Internet, text messaging) Initialism of on the cheek.


fka

X (fka Twitter) has quietly redesigned its 🔫 Water Pistol emoji to display as a firearm.

2024 July 23, Keith Broni, “X Redesigns Water Pistol Emoji Back To A Firearm”, in Emojipedia Blog:

formerly known as
formerly known as#English


at large

From Middle English at large (“at liberty or freedom”) (compare Middle English ben at large (“to be at one's liberty, be free”)). Compare Old French au large (“at liberty” and other senses).

cog

For a nervous twenty-four hours, three wanted criminals were at large in the city.

The ambassador-at-large was designated to the Middle East as a region, rather than to a specific country.

(idiomatic) On the loose; roaming freely; not confined.

The like example I find in Lælius à Fonte Eugubinus, consult. 129 […]. Read in him the story at large.

Some people support the measure, but the community at large will probably be against it.

The city has five city council districts; however, the mayor is elected at large.

Although the elections for Boston City Council seats are still seven months away, the race between at-large candidates is beginning to heat up.

1991 May 4, Elizabeth Yukins, “City Council Candidates Lobby For The Gay Vote”, in Gay Community News, page 3:

(US, politics, of an election or elected position) Having an electorate across multiple districts.

不分區

having an electorate across multiple districts


on the uptake

(idiomatic) In understanding or in the ability to absorb new information; especially in the phrases "quick on the uptake" and "slow on the uptake".


above board

'[…] And he explained this business of confidential commissions?' / 'Yes, he did. And it seemed to turn out quite respectable and above board.' Mrs Meatyard considered. 'Or almost above board.

2001, Michael Inne, A Family Affair, page 82:

They conducted the negotiations completely above board.


on the latch

(of a door) Closed but not locked, so that it can be opened by operating the latch.


OT

Unbankin' packs and touches faeces, I was OT, you would find it gross

2024, “Entrapreneur”, performed by Central Cee:


on one's high horse

When she gets on her high horse there is not much to do but go along with it or wait for it to pass.

(idiomatic) Self-righteous; proceeding on the belief one is more correct or proper than others.


LF

(slang, vulgar) Initialism of like fuck.


CSC

contre son camp: against one's own side, like an own goal


ATP

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of at this point; also atp.


off the top of one's head

I cannot think of any good examples off the top of my head, but give me a couple of hours and I'm sure I could come up with something.

Ideally, one would wish to explore them through a series of depth interviews extending over several months, rather than by a brief survey interview, which necessarily tends to elicit responses off the top of one's head.

1990, Ronald Inglehart, Culture Shift in Advanced Industrial Society, Princeton University Press, →ISBN, page 130:

These responses are not analyzed but are intended to discourage answers off the top of one's head to the next question, which explicitly asks if these situated responses reflect the strength of character on focus.

2004, Christopher Peterson, Martin E. P. Seligman, Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 633:

“Oh, I don't have my stuff with me, and I don't know her work phone number off the top of my head. Here, take one of my cards.” “Are you a lawyer, too?” he asked, and then perused her information.

2008, Christine Son, Off the Menu, Penguin, →ISBN:

(idiomatic) In an extemporaneous manner; without careful thought, preparation, or investigation.

(takhle) z fleku

in an extemporaneous manner; without careful thought, preparation, or investigation

bez zastanowienia

where some careful thought might be expected

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see off, top, head.


in kind

In the era before the widespread monetization of transactions with currency, barter was the usual form of selling and buying for farmers, and payment of taxes was often in kind; that is, farmers' payment method was most often their produce itself.

How much did he give? – Hard to say. It was all in kind.

The pay is OK, but the real attraction is all the benefits in kind.

On all articles of import the duties shall be three per cent, payable at the option of the importer, either in kind or money, calculated upon the market value of the goods.

1856, “Treaty signed April 18, 1855; ratified April 5, 1856”, in Treaty of friendship and commerce between Great Britain and Siam, Bangkok: J. H. Chandler, page 13:

(usually after the noun) In the form of goods and services rather than money.


OOTB

Initialism of out of the box. (of a product)


in high dudgeon

When civil dudgeon first grew high, \ And men fell out, they knew not why; \ When hard words, jealousies, and fears, \ Set folks together by the ears..

1663, Hudibras, by Samuel Butler, part 1, canto 1

He puts on a querulous voice and says, "Question. What particular altitude is dudgeon inevitably? Answer. High." He laughs and slaps his knees.

1987, Bernard MacLaverty, short story. "The Drapery Man" (published in The Great Profumo and Other Stories, Jonathan Cape, 1987) - p.35

(idiomatic) Resentfully or furiously, with indignation or pomposity.


on the bench

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on, the, bench.

(law, of a judge) Presiding over a court.

(sports, of a member of a team in competition) Not playing in an ongoing game, either waiting to replace an active player or removed from competition by injury, penalty, etc.

(historical, UK military, of a captain) Waiting to command his first vessel and assume the position of post-captain, ensuring further promotion will remain a matter of seniority rather than merit or ability.


at full tilt

Recorded c. 1600, perhaps from the interpretation of tilt (“a joust”) as derived from "leaning" into an attack, presumably a folk etymology, as tilt in late Middle English meant “a covering of coarse cloth, an awning” and referred to the barrier separating the combatants in a joust.

Don't go racing around corners at full tilt or you'll hit someone.

(idiomatic) At full speed; very quickly.


behind the eight-ball

First use appears c. 1923 in the Buffalo Evening Times. Thought to derive from the game of Kelly pool, in which players assigned balls numerically higher than 8, that is, balls that are behind the 8 ball in order, have little possibility of winning, or from eight-ball pool, where one cannot contact the eight ball on a shot before it is the legal ball, frustrating shots, or more generally, from the fact that the 8 ball is considered harder to aim at because of its color.

After his last two projects failed, he was really behind the eight-ball.

He was desperate, playing behind the eight-ball.

(idiomatic) In a difficult situation or tight spot; at a disadvantage.


under glass

(horticulture, literal) In a greenhouse, a cold frame, or a similar structure; said of the propagation and growth of plants.

In a glass case, like an item in a museum.


in the cards

Referring to the reading of tarot cards to foresee the future.

I don't think another child is in the cards for them.

You will not sell enough to put in your eye. It is not in the cards.

1947, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Appropriations, Government Corporations Appropriation Bill for 1948, page 31:

(idiomatic) Destined or fated to happen; predicted or foreseen.


at the top of one's lungs

He started screaming at the top of his lungs after his team scored.

Wolfman Jack, he's speaking in tongues
He's going on and on at the top of his lungs

(idiomatic) Very loudly; as loudly as (vocally) possible.


in the running

Even if I were looking for a boyfriend, I don't think he would be in the running.

(idiomatic) Of a candidate: potential or likely; worthy of consideration.

My favourite singer wasn't eliminated, so she's still in the running!

(idiomatic) Of a competitor or contestant: still eligible and able to win.


past it

(informal) No longer capable, not as effective as previously.

(informal) Too old to participate in something.


above average

Near-synonym: supernormal


in full swing

We arrived an hour late and found the event already in full swing.

The harvest is now in full swing in the Great Plains and efforts are being made to rush the grain from the fields to the country elevators and then to the large terminals, such as Kansas City, Houston, Galveston and New Orleans.

1964 June 16, “Surprise Strike Stops Traffic On 6 Railroads”, in The Indianapolis Star, volume 62, number 11, Indianapolis, Ind., page 3:

Proceeding fully, quickly, or completely; thoroughly begun and in progress.


like the back end of a bus

Not really fighting over her (puns aside). When you get a current beau and an ex, full of booze and testosterone, meeting up, their common interest isn't much of an issue in the subsequent display of machismo. I think she looks like the back end of a bus but, to them, she was a 'possession'.

2001, "Richard", "A sign of our times...", demon.local http://groups.google.com/group/demon.local/browse_thread/thread/3e3e39af204c46cb/06729fc6d595ef98?lnk=st&q=%22the+back+end+of+a+bus%22&rnum=21#06729fc6d595ef98

Must admit, I like the *original* 911s - the original, late-1960s ones back before they fitted bulgey wheelarches and silly tea-tray rear spoilers. They look much more like delicate, precision instruments compared with the later 'sledgehammer" versions [which IMHO are about as attractive as the back end of a bus].

2002, Tanuki the Raccoon-dog, “I drove a...”, in uk.rec.cars.modifications (Usenet):

You surely can't be comparing Alicia Witt with Sarah Fergusson? Alicia Witt looks stunning, while the duchess of Pork looks like the back end of a bus.

2004, David Platt, “DUCHESS OF YORK NUDE”, in uk.politics.misc (Usenet):

‘You’ve got a face like the back end of a bus,’ he spat, his eyes raw and burning. Then he grinned, his yellow-stained teeth spreading across his mush [...]

2005, Will Hadcroft, Anne Droyd And Century Lodge:

As I once told him, being British, looking like the back end of a bus or weighing 30 stone, was utterly irrelevant to the posting i made

2006, "sheelagh", "Bookie: Did you adopt the blind cat?", rec.pats.cats.health+behav http://groups.google.com/group/rec.pets.cats.health+behav/browse_thread/thread/d6ce604519cdefbb/a5f305d13e68a960?lnk=st&q=%22the+back+end+of+a+bus%22&rnum=10#a5f305d13e68a960

(simile, colloquial, British, derogatory) Very unattractive.


in the long run

But this long run is a misleading guide to current affairs. In the long run we are all dead.

1923, John Maynard Keynes, chapter 3, in A Tract on Monetary Reform, page 80:

If we have learned one thing from the history of invention and discovery, it is that, in the long run — and often in the short one — the most daring prophecies seem laughably conservative.

1951, Arthur C. Clarke, The Exploration of Space, page 111:

(idiomatic) After a very long time; eventually; over a long period of time; more generally.


in twos

Animals entered Noah's ark in twos.

Grouped by pairs; arranged in groups of two.


PCM

Initialism of per calendar month: used in lease arrangements, stating that costs are to be paid on a fixed date every month.


down the drain

Well, my sense of humanity has gone down the drain
Behind every beautiful thing there's been some kind of pain.

1997, Bob Dylan, Not Dark Yet, (Please provide the book title or journal name):

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see down, the, drain.


to the death

The two gladiators fought to the death.

(set phrase, of a contest) That will continue until one of the contestants dies.

Then, alluding with a toss of the head to the tumult in the station-yard, ‘When one has got to make correct entries, one comes to hate those savages - hate them to the death.’ He remained thoughtful for a moment.

1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 208:


on the line

On a level with the eye of the observer, as of a picture hung in on a wall.

The survival of the company is on the line with this project.

I have a stalker. My life is on the line!

2007 January 21, Valerie Ahern, Christian McLaughlin, “Come Play wiz Me”, in Desperate Housewives, season 3, spoken by Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria):

The 40-year-old is happy to put his body on the line in other ways, swapping a mug of tea for a fan’s double pint of lager and messily necking it in one.

2019 January 26, Kitty Empire, “The Streets review – the agony and ecstasy of a great everyman”, in The Guardian:

War or peace? Dictatorship or democracy? Europe’s future is on the line [title]

2023 December 13, Timothy Garton Ash, “War or peace? Dictatorship or democracy? Europe’s future is on the line”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

(figurative) At risk, as in a contest or enterprise.

I have John on the line for you.

The ball was on the line but the umpire ruled it out.

(sports) On one of the lines marked on a playing field or court; (by extension) within bounds.

viivalla

sports:on a line marked on field or court


like shooting fish in a barrel

En-au-like shooting fish in a barrel.ogg

Opponents contend that the lumbering creatures are so easy to shoot that a moose hunt is a slaughter, not a sport. "It's like shooting fish in a barrel," they say.

1982 April 2, Associated Press, “Entrants Gamble For Chance To Stalk Big Game”, in The Dispatch, USA, retrieved 2012-07-18, page 20:

For a photographer, shooting twins at the annual Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio, must be like shooting fish in a barrel.

2003 October 24, Ken Johnson, “Art in Review: Mary Ellen Mark—‘Twins’”, in New York Times, retrieved 2012-07-18:

Standing on those long straight roads with the speed detection gun was like shooting fish in a barrel, somebody said.

2005 March 29, John S. Doyle, “We're all sport crazy... but for all the wrong sports”, in Irish Independent, Ireland, retrieved 2012-07-18:

(simile) Extremely easy; sometimes with a connotation of triumph but at other times with a connotation of being meaningless and unsatisfying.


from time to time

I'll find out your man, / And he shall signify from time to time / Every good hap to you that chances here.

c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:

On these red embers Hatteraick from time to time threw a handful of twigs.

1815 February 24, [Walter Scott], chapter XXV, in Guy Mannering; or, The Astrologer. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; and Archibald Constable and Co., […], →OCLC:

“A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron;[…]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.

1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter IX, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:

But at my back from time to time I hear / The sound of horns and motors, […]

1922 October, T[homas] S[tearns] Eliot, “Part III. The Fire Sermon.”, in The Waste Land, 1st book edition, New York, N.Y.: Boni and Liveright, published December 1922, →OCLC, page 29, lines 196–197:

From time to time the coaches of the Lötschberg Railway itself, which in comfort and décor can rank with the finest in Europe today, travel far from the frontiers of Switzerland on through workings such as these.

1960 December, Cecil J. Allen, “Operating a mountain main line: the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon: Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 743:

Despite all the evidence confirming the existence of the Protheans, little is known about their culture and society. From time to time, dig sites will yield new clues, but after 50,000 years of decay, little of value is unearthed.

2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Protheans: Data Discs Codex entry:

Life on Earth has developed over billions of years, largely unaffected by the solar storms that wash over our planet from time to time.

2023 November 15, Prof. Jim Wild, “This train was delayed because of bad weather in space”, in RAIL, number 996, page 30:

(idiomatic) Occasionally; sometimes; once in a while.

This is another way of saying that the terms of the individual contracts are in part to be found in the agreed collective agreements as they exist from time to time […]

2015, Richard Painter, Ann Holmes, Cases and Materials on Employment Law, page 90:

(law) In whatever status exists at various times.

So was she trayned vp from time to time, / In all chast vertue, and true bounti-hed / Till to her dew perfection she was ripened.

1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto V”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:

(obsolete) Continuously from one time to another; at all times, constantly.


in cold blood

From a specialized meaning of cold, referring to lack of empathy.

It was not a suicide! He was murdered in cold blood.

Police have arrested a suspect in the murder-robbery of a gold shop in Lop Buri two weeks ago, in which a young child and two adults were killed in cold blood.

2020 January 22, “Suspect in Lop Buri gold robbery-murders arrested”, in Bangkok Post, Bangkok: Bangkok Post Public Company Limited, retrieved 2020-01-22:

(idiomatic) In a ruthless and unfeeling manner, particularly as applied to first-degree murder committed without provocation and with malice aforethought.


right back

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-right back.wav

Thank you, all! I love you right back.

2024 February 4, “Celine Dion makes SHOCK appearance at Grammys 2024 amid battle with incurable stiff-person syndrome - as she presents historic award to tearful Taylor Swift”, in dailymail.co.uk:


in absentia

Learned borrowing from Latin in absentia (“in absence”).

lbor

The defendant was convicted in absentia after fleeing during the trial.

The first chancellor of West Germany, w:Conrad Adenauer […] continued to keep w:Hans Globke as his secretary of the chancellery despite protests. […] Even after an East German court indicted Globke in absentia in 1950, Adenauer would not budge.

2004 October 28, Leslie Feinberg, “Denazification in socialist Germany opened door to gay rights”, in Workers World:

in absentia (does not exist in the criminal procedure of the FRG, but exists in Switzerland and the Republic of Austria; for civil procedure it is not idiomatic but should be circumscribed in the FRG with “es erging ein Versäumnisurteil” etc., see de:Kontumazentscheidung)

Since then, the ex-minister has been in absentia, likely relaxing on his private yacht.

At Sora’s involuntary acknowledgment of their crew currently in absentia, Shiro nodded.

2016, Yuu Kamiya, translated by Daniel Komen, No Game No Life, volume 4:

(transferred sense, possibly proscribed) Absent in general; not present.


nazo

[[Appendix:Swahili_noun_classes#N class|n class_((X))]] inflected form of na


a.k.a.

Coordinate term: f.k.a.

Alternative form of AKA (“also known as”).


after all

After all, they never come home for Christmas.

Of course he won't give you credit. After all, his first and last concern is his company's profit margin.

“What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all.—I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies.”

1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], chapter VI, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 53:

After all, it is undeniable that the B.R. standard coach scored highly in comparative trials with other European railway vehicles on the Continent a few years ago, so that B.R. civil engineers must share responsibility for any defects in its behaviour over here.

1960 December, “Talking of Trains: The riding of B.R. coaches”, in Trains Illustrated, pages 705–706:

8 Jan 2020, Felicity Cloake in The Guardian, How to make the perfect gluten-free chocolate brownies – recipe
I’d prefer to keep things straightforward and stick in the lovely, tasty yolks, too. After all, there’s no such thing as too rich when it comes to brownies.

(idiomatic) anyway, in any case; indicates a statement is true regardless of other considerations; used to reinforce or explain a point.

They won't be coming home for Christmas after all.

Then the idea returned to her that, after all, her son might not be innocent in the Ellen matter—and this was so interesting that she felt bound to get as near the truth as she could.

1873–1884 (date written), Samuel Butler, chapter XL, in R[ichard] A[lexander] Streatfeild, editor, The Way of All Flesh, London: Grant Richards, published 1903, →OCLC, page 175:

(idiomatic) in the end, however; used in referring to something that was believed to be the case, but is not; or to an outcome that is not what was expected or predicted.

Of course he's coming to the party. After all, he did promise.

Introduces information that supports the preceding statement.


for sure

I would buy one of those for sure.

Did you enjoy the concert? —For sure.

Yet strictly we should all be teapot agnostics: we cannot prove, for sure, that there is no celestial teapot.

2006 September 18, Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OL, page 52:

Definitely, positively, without a doubt.


in the thick of it

(idiomatic) In a precarious situation; in the trenches; up to one's elbows; knee-deep.


for the hell of it

There's no big unrest; we're having a revolution just for the hell of it.

Gave me gear; thank you, dear, bring your sister over here / Let her dance with me just for the hell of it

2006, The Fratellis (lyrics and music), “Chelsea Dagger”, in Costello Music:

(idiomatic, mildly vulgar) For no particular reason, just because it is fun, entertaining; or to relieve boredom.


by the book

sääntöjen mukaan

in a manner which adheres strictly to rules

As far as he is concerned, he umpired by the book.

2006 August 27, Simon Robinson, “It's Not Just Cricket”, in Time:

(idiomatic) In a manner which adheres strictly to rules, legal requirements, or official procedures.

Romeo: Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!
Give me my sin again.
They kiss again.
Juliet: You kiss by th' book.

c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene v]:

(idiomatic, by extension) In a manner which appears too studied, ritualized, and therefore artificial.


at death's door

The minstrel woman who left the Castle yesterday has spread the report everywhere, that the Duke of Rothsay is murdered, or at death's door.

1828 May 15, [Walter Scott], chapter IX, in Chronicles of the Canongate. Second Series. […] (The Fair Maid of Perth), volume III, Edinburgh: […] [Ballantyne and Co.] for Cadell and Co.; London: Simpkin and Marshall, →OCLC, page 235:

One of my Polynesian sailors lay at death's door with blackwater fever.

1913 August, Jack London, chapter XXXII, in John Barleycorn, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC, page 290:

Clearly, a business with $26 billion in cash reserves isn't exactly at death's door.

2008 June 29, Josh Quittner, “Bill Gates: PC Genius, Internet Fool”, in Time:

(idiomatic) About to die; in a life-threatening state of health.


of late

I have not visited them of late, but I hear they are doing well.

(idiomatic) In the recent past; recently; lately.


NWS

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of no worries.


like rats from a sinking ship

(simile) Quickly but futilely, away from a failing project.


by no means

By no means am I suggesting that euthanasia should be outlawed, but rather that we should look at its inherent risks.

1856: Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary, Part III Chapter XI, translated by Eleanor Marx-Aveling
He by no means gave up his shop. On the contrary, he kept well abreast of new discoveries. He followed the great movement of chocolates; he was the first to introduce "cocoa" and "revalenta" into the Seine-Inferieure.

Every photographer of experience has his own theories and methods of working, but for the last 14 years I have used a Leica exclusively, and have found it best adapted to the somewhat exacting demands of railway photography, which is by no means an easy branch of the art.

1952 February, H. C. Casserley, “Permanent Wayfarings”, in Railway Magazine, page 78:

Well, during our short staycation at Humberston Fitties, just south of Cleethorpes, we cycled through the very unspoilt Lincolnshire Wolds, which are by no means flat and boring as conventional wisdom about the county suggests.

2021 July 28, Christian Wolmar, “Forgotten by the railways, but ripe for the exploring”, in RAIL, number 936, page 35:

(idiomatic) certainly not; definitely not; not by any means.


as luck would have it

I didn't plan to stop there, but as luck would have it, they were open when I went by.

I said, “I’ll send the first sane soul I meet to keep you company.” As luck would have it, I never met one, — only kids, and a baker, who wouldn’t leave his cart, or take it with him either.

(idiomatic) by good fortune; fortunately or luckily.


by all means

"By all means we want people to use social media, but we do not want you to use it in ways that will incite violence," said Jonathan Toy, Southwark council's head of community safety. "This remains a big issue for us and without some form of censorship purely focusing on [violent videos], I'm not sure how we can address it."

2012 April 19, Josh Halliday, “Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?”, in The Guardian:

Emphatically yes; certainly; definitely.

He vowed to attack her by all means possible, suggesting their war was only just beginning.

2015 May 5, Angelique Chrisafis, “Front National family feud goes nuclear as Jean-Marie Le Pen disowns Marine”, in The Guardian:

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see by, all, means.


up one's sleeve

From the practice of magicians hiding tricks or gimmicks in the sleeve.

I have tried everything I can think of, and I don't have anything more up my sleeve.

(idiomatic) Hidden and ready to be produced as needed; in reserve.


over my dead body

"Can I get a new sports car?" "Over my dead body!"

(idiomatic, informal, usually hyperbolic) Under no circumstances; absolutely not.

除非我死了 (chúfēi wǒ sǐ le, literally “over my dead body”)

门都没有 (mén dū méi yǒu, literally “not even a door”)


OOTO

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of out of the office.


on the pull

They're at that new nightclub, on the pull.

Rebecca was on the pull. An air of desperation hung over her like Dior's Poison.

2004, Julia Llewellyn, The Love Trainer:

Everyone was on the pull, determined to have a bit of a holiday fling.

2016, Louie O'Brien, Hasta La Flip Flops!:

(British, slang) Out seeking a sexual partner.


like a duck takes to water

She started skating and learned quickly, like a duck takes to water.

(simile, idiomatic) Very naturally; without effort.


in the hot seat

They really put me in the hot seat during that last job interview. They asked lots of tough questions.

Mr. Tenev, 33, is now in the hot seat again after Robinhood abruptly curtailed its customers’ trading last week amid a frenzy in stocks such as GameStop, which were driven sky high by an army of online investors.

2021 February 2, Nathaniel Popper, Kellen Browning, Erin Griffith, “Robinhood’s C.E.O. Is in the Hot Seat”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

(idiomatic) Under pressure to perform; under scrutiny; at the center of attention.


all over the map

The Kip Hanrahan Band, which opened the concert, is after its own ambitious American-Latin fusion, with internationalist rhythms, introspective lyrics and musicians from all over the map.

1985 October 28, Jon Pareles, “Music: Ruben Blades's Salsa”, in New York Times:

The reactions were swift, impassioned and all over the map.

2008 August 9, “A Financial Earthquake”, in Newsweek:

Prices are even more all over the map than usual here; I've seen them range from just $36 all the way up to $160...

2009, Pauline Frommer, Pauline Frommer's Las Vegas, →ISBN, page 58:

(idiomatic) Widely scattered or distributed; numerous and differing greatly.

“I hit it all over the map,” Anderson joked.

2008 August 13, Scott Petrak, “Browns notes: PGA contender”, in The Chronicle, Ohio: Telegram, retrieved 2008-08-13:

(idiomatic) In widely scattered directions; in a widely varying manner.


in the money

1933: We're In The Money — song title, lyrics Al Dubin, music Harry Warren https://web.archive.org/web/20101126014740/http://harrywarren.org/songs/0140.htm
We're in the money. We're in the money. / We've got a lot of what it takes to get along.

(finance) For an option, having a strike price which makes it profitable to exercise. For a call this is a strike below the market price, or for a put a strike above the market price.

The cash prizes for first, second and third place were too enticing to pass up. If he finished in the money he could just hang out for the next year and concentrate on his new life as Timothy Gales.

2014, Poe Hawkins, The Last Alchemist: And the Love of His Life, page 149:

Achieving a sufficiently high ranking in a contest to earn money (for oneself, or for those who have placed a bet).


in nothing flat

After so many years of practice, she can often find the problem and fix it in nothing flat.

(idiomatic) A very short (but unspecified) amount of time; no time at all.


on the button

They arrived at 3:30, on the button.

Her landing was right on the button.


on the nose

His estimate that they would consume 23 boxes was on the nose.

Boy, are those people getting bargains. Let's see . . . the child population is just about average for the city, on the nose.

1961, Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, New York: Random House, page 10:

“I think the part of me that is sensible, the part that's most on the nose about making decisions about how and what to write, is the part which wants to continue working toward the Turgenev model in fiction. Which is simply based on the idea that novels have to be extremely efficient to survive.[…]”

1979, Toby Thompson, The '60s Report, Rawson, Wade, →ISBN, page 239:

In the last three or four years of the series, with the active and very enthusiastic support of the producers and writers, we did go much more on the nose with political issues.

1995 August 22, Donna Minkowitz, quoting Patrick Stewart, “A New Enterprise”, in The Advocate, number 687/688, →ISSN, page 76:

[Lawrence:] [At the audition,] it was me and five or six women with the large breasts, the short skirts, the hair and makeup. They were just much more on the nose, in terms of what someone who was sexually voracious would look like. I was in a sweater and slacks, hiding the sexuality.

1997 September, Jill Daniel, quoting Sharon Lawrence, “The Metamorph”, in Orange Coast, →ISSN, page 37:

It's best to underplay such moments. In Dickens's time a bit more on-the-nose writing was acceptable. Don't overdo it, or you may lapse into melodrama.

2004, James Scott Bell, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure, Penguin, →ISBN, page 146:

After Hours, originally named the more on the nose, A Night in Soho, was financed by Fox Classics for $3.5 million and scheduled for a forty-night shoot, and a postproduction period of around four months.

2008, Vincent LoBrutto, Martin Scorsese: A Biography, ABC-Clio, →ISBN, page 272:

She cut me off. ‘So you're just wandering around, are you? Showing them to everyone just for the sake of it?’ She laughed a little. No one had spoken to me like this before; she was bang on the nose.

2009, Rhona Cameron, The Naked Drinking Club, Random House, →ISBN, page 155:

In particular Miguel/Guy forces Christina/Mia to swallow bad-tasting food before a dining hall full of onlookers. The double meaning is much more on-the-nose in the remake since Guy actually says “swallow it for once in your life,” to his put-upon spouse.

2011, John Kenneth Muir, Horror Films of the 1990s, McFarland, →ISBN, page 439:

“He is well on the nose. Seriously, he is our best chance,” one senior Labor figure says.

2021 October 2, Sarah Martin, “‘Well on the nose’: is Christian Porter beyond redemption in his WA seat of Pearce?”, in The Guardian:

Wearing that floral dress to a garden party was a little on the nose, wouldn't you say?

Susan: Barbara, I really like these red Christmas bulbs.
Barbara: You think next year we should do the whole Christmas tree in them?
Susan: Don't you think that's a bit on the nose?

Although the show gradually grows more subtle, much of the early writing that establishes the characters is so on the nose it hurts. Any time we see Walt in class, it’s certain that what he writes on the chalkboard will echo events in his secret life.

2013 August 12, Stephen Bowie, “The case against Breaking Bad”, in The A.V. Club:

The song is sumptuously introspective, but on first impression it's a bit too on the nose.

2013 August 19, Marc Hogan, “The Weeknd and Drake ‘Live For’ Whining About Success”, in SPIN:

[…]these days there is a long tradition of ships named Warspite, most famously the Queen Elizabeth-class battleship, but when you actually look at the etymology of the name, it is literally "war's spite", the spite of war, which, again, is, um, a little bit on the nose for a ship full of nuclear death.

2021 June 23, Drachinifel, 56:59 from the start, in The Drydock - Episode 150, archived from the original on 2022-11-05:

And even in ordinary times, conspicuous consumption violates the principle of detachment. New Money signals lack plausible deniability; they're too much on the nose.

2022, W. David Marx, chapter 5, in Status and Culture, Viking, →ISBN:

Unfortunately, [Cormac McCarthy] won’t win because of the ammoniac mist rising up from the marsh in the inexplicable darkness, the jagged, sepulchral mountains stabbing the horizon, and also because the lead characters of his new books are named Bobby and Alicia Western—simply too on the nose.

2022 October 3, Alex Shephard, “Who Will Win the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature?”, in The New Republic, →ISSN:

Perhaps we should be thanking La Vie. By producing something entirely too on the nose, they’ve shown green consumerism for the utterly uninspiring vision it presents: not only totally inadequate for stopping climate change, but a modified version of the same crap we’ve been eating for years.

2022 November 9, Simon Childs, “Why Is This Vegan Bacon Advert So Annoying?”, in Novara Media:

Unimaginative; over-literal; lacking nuance.

That bucket of raw prawns you left in the sun is a bit on the nose.

Now the process has been reversed; it is doubtful if there has ever been a time when politicians and politics have been more on the nose than the period of the first Fraser government, and this is not only unfunny, but unhealthy.

1977, Mungo MacCallum, Mungo's Canberra, University of Queensland Press, →ISBN, page 198:

Dog was so stupid he didn't realise the man was very on the nose. Larry smelt good to him, most times, ripe and earthy.

2004, Wendy Jane Evans, “An Independent Cuss”, in The Diggings Are Silent, Interactive Publications, published 2007, →ISBN, page 94:

Conservatism was on the nose with voters and if Liberals were to regain government, the party must swing smoothly to the left on a range of social issues.

2008 November, Janet Albrechtsen, “Romanticising Australian Conservatism”, in Eric Beecher, editor, The Best Australian Political Writing 2009, Melbourne University Publishing, published 2009, →ISBN, page 236:

(slang, Australia, often figurative) Smelly, malodorous.

It was three o'clock. They were running the third race at Santa Anita and he had ten bucks on the nose.

1941 February, F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Fun in an Artist’s Studio”, in Esquire:

I once knew a fag dip into the till—not the whole two thousand at once on the nose win or Sing Sing.[…]

1962 [1959], William S. Burroughs, Naked Lunch, New York: Grove Press, page 128:

(slang, gambling, of a bet on a horse) To finish first.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on, nose.


of note

Forest, who lost striker Kris Boyd to injury seconds before half-time, produced little after the break, with a Tyson sliced shot from 12 yards their only opportunity of note.

2011 April 15, Saj Chowdhury, “Norwich 2 - 1 Nott'm Forest”, in BBC Sport:

worthy of being remembered mentally or in writing.


in a pig's eye

“Then he planned to kill you, and take over himself as governor.” “Hah, in a pig's eye,” said Nasty Three.

2011, Izzy Auld, chapter 64, in Aggie's Double Dollies, →ISBN, page 366:

(idiomatic) Under very unlikely circumstances; probably never.


by the way

First appeared in the 10th century with literal meaning "by the side of the road", from Old English weġ (which became "way") meaning "road". Soon afterward (circa 1000) it came to mean "during one's journey". The figurative meaning developed in the mid-16th century, with the first instance of the modern meaning being from 1614.

His mother will be coming for dinner tomorrow, and, by the way, she recently sold her collection of ceramic eggs.

[…] I had counted on a life-lease of the profits, whereas I only received those of a few short years. But this is by the way.

1853, Herman Melville, Bartleby, the Scrivener, in Billy Budd, Sailor and Other Stories, New York: Penguin Books, 1968; reprint 1995 as Bartleby, ISBN 0 14 60.0012 9, p.2

“A very welcome, kind, useful present, that means to the parish. By the way, Hopkins, let this go no further. We don't want the tale running round that a rich person has arrived. Churchill, my dear fellow, we have such greedy sharks, and wolves in lamb's clothing.[…]”

1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter VII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:

(conjunctive, idiomatic) Incidentally; used in referencing a parenthetical statement not timely, central, or crucial to the topic at hand; foregone, passed by, something that has already happened.


OMDB

over my dead body
over my dead body#English


on the square

"Are you on the square?" (meaning: "are you a freemason like myself?")

A discreet, unassuming reference to freemasonry.


up to eleven

/ˌʌp tə ɪˈlɛvən/

/ˌʌp tə ɪˈlɛvən/

PIE word
 *óynos
The term refers to a scene in the mockumentary This is Spinal Tap (1984), in which the character Nigel Tufnel, the lead guitarist of the band Spinal Tap, shows the director of the documentary Marty DiBergi a guitar amplifier with setting knobs that go from zero to eleven, rather than the standard zero to ten.

She and River looked at me hard; but I lowered my eyes and leaned forward, with the nonchalance turned up to eleven, extinguished my cigarette, made eye-contact and nodded curtly.

1997, Matthew Branton, The Love Parade, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, published 2002, →ISBN, page 71:

But if we try to fly, especially carrying Zealand, we're going to be puking our guts out by the time we get all the way up there. Flying is like motion sickness turned up to eleven, […]

2008 April, T. A. Pratt [pseudonym; Tim Pratt], chapter 15, in Poison Sleep, New York, N.Y.: Bantam Spectra, Bantam Dell, →ISBN, page 267:

Oh, Lady Ebb, I'm up to eleven today after that last biscuit.

2008, Robin Jones Gunn, chapter 14, in Sisterchicks Go Brit! (A Sisterchicks Book), Colorado Springs, Colo.: Multnomah Books, Random House, →ISBN, page 147:

It's the weekly half hour when the emotion is turned up to 11 but the atmosphere is so quietened that you can hear the dust clattering against the studio's lighting rig.

2010 May 22, Shane Hegarty, “Intimate details prove too close to the chat-show bone”, in The Irish Times, Dublin: Irish Times, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2016-04-22:

As we reach the city today, rush hour has been turned up to eleven, so there's plenty of waiting in traffic.

2013, Mark Mason, “In which We Waver over a Fry-up, Learn How a Stand at Liverpool FC’s Ground Got Its Name, and Experience Fear and Loathing in Bristol”, in Move Along, Please: Land’s End to John O’Groats by Bus, London: Random House Books, →ISBN, page 73:

[W]hen you look at conditions, it's not all happy days down there. Well, maybe it's happier now. But what our textbook said? Was that they had, you know, torture parties there. Once. Where torturers get drunk and turn the dial up to eleven.

2013 May, Charles Baxter, “Loyalty”, in Ellen Rosenbush, editor, Harper’s Magazine, volume 326, number 1956, New York, N.Y.: Harper’s Magazine Foundation, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 81, column 1:

It's not that London was unexciting. But I didn't understand it, felt lost. Its amp went up to eleven.

2014, Joseph O’Connor, chapter 9, in The Thrill of it All, London: Harvill Secker, →ISBN, page 154:

But because this is the internet, someone always has to pitch in and turn the hostility up to 11.

2015 April 18, Helen Lewis, “If only the sci-fi writers who hijacked the Hugo awards had the wit to imagine a world beyond the Good Old Days”, in The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-09-10:

(idiomatic, informal, chiefly humorous) Up to or beyond the maximum possible threshold; to an extremely high or strong degree.

överiksi

(informal, chiefly humorous) up to or beyond the maximum possible threshold; to an extremely high or strong degree


on second thoughts

On second thoughts, gentlemen, I don't wish you had known him.

1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, chapter 49, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC:

on second thought
on second thought#English

(UK) Alternative form of on second thought


in the mood

Don’t start with me: I’m not in the mood.

He wasn't in the mood to tango.

I'm in the mood for love, simply because you're near me.

She said she's not "in the mood" tonight.

Disposed (to do something or for something; often romantic or sexual, without further context).


in retrospect

Near-synonym: retrospectively

Trying to expand the business into the Middle East was doomed to failure. In retrospect, we shouldn't have bothered.

When looked back upon as a past event; as can be seen now, but not at the time.

فِي وَقْت لَاحِق

as can be seen now but was not seen at the outset


to date

To date, they have sold only 500 copies of the book.

HONAN HYDROELECTRIC POWER—To date Wu-chih County has built 101 small hydroelectric power stations with a total capacity of 6,118 kw.

1977 November 28 [1977 October 18], “Briefs”, in Translations on People's Republic of China, number 404, United States Joint Publications Research Service, →OCLC, page 22:

(idiomatic) Until now; until the present time.


to the fore

With flankers Mamuka Gorgodze and Shalva Sutiashvili to the fore, Georgia came swarming back, dominating England at the breakdown.

2011 September 18, Ben Dirs, “Rugby World Cup 2011: England 41-10 Georgia”, in BBC Sport:

In, into, or towards a prominent position.


to the point

His letter was short and to the point.

But, more to the point…

Jonathan Ross is shown congratulating her on being “common” and his identifying the elephant in the room is to the point, although the film doesn’t press the point of how that voice just surged up.

2015 July 2, Peter Bradshaw, “Amy review – a harrowing account of Winehouse's tragic destiny”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Going for broke, the BRB said that Edinburgh-Aberdeen and Hull-Doncaster-Leeds should be considered [for electrification], along with Plymouth-Penzance and Crewe-Holyhead, all to be in place by 2001. Norman Fowler's reply was short and to the point: Sorry, no.

2024 January 10, Howard Johnston, “Launched for enthusiasts - now it's for everyone”, in RAIL, number 1000, page 29:

(idiomatic) Relevant or pertinent; succinct; specific.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see to, point.

pithy. See also Thesaurus:concise and Thesaurus:pertinent


dans la merde

LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-dans la merde.wav

J’ai toujours pas fini le travail que je dois rendre pour demain, je suis dans la merde.

I still haven't finished the work that I have to hand in for tomorrow: I'm in deep shit.

être dans la merde jusqu’au cou

(rather vulgar) in the shit, up shit creek, in deep shit


for toffee

I can't swim for toffee.

This book was always going to be on the cards. As her work testifies, she may not be able to spell for toffee but words are very important to her.

2006 October 7, Nicholas Lezard, “In bed with Tracey Emin”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Bleeding Nora! Half head, it was. Do you want a flake in that, love? Couldn't pull a pint for toffee.

2016, Matthew Bulgo, Constellation Street, Oberon Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, →OL:

(chiefly British, intensifier) At all, especially of a skill or ability.


over the counter

(finance) Through direct trade; outside a standard stock exchange.

(pharmacy) Able to be obtained without a doctor's prescription.

Coordinate term: under the counter


from the bottom of one's heart

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-from the bottom of one's heart.wav

He told her how much he loved her, and he meant it from the bottom of his heart.

From the bottom of my heart, I love you / I can say these words to you without delay

2005, Stevie Wonder (lyrics and music), “From the Bottom of My Heart”, in A Time to Love:

When did all the things I mean / From the bottom of my heart start to lose meaning?

2017, “Lose You”, in More Life, performed by Drake:

In earnest; sincerely; with one's full feeling.


in the nuddy

(British, Australia, New Zealand, childish) Naked or nude.


from dusk to dawn

Roos and wallabies often leap onto roads, particularly from dusk to dawn; keep your speed under 70km/h at these times.

2005, Paul Smitz, Carolyn Bain, Sandra Bao, Susannah Farfor, Australia, Lonely Planet, page 745:

(temporal location) At night, nighttime.


in spades

From the card game of bridge, in which spades is the highest suit. Perhaps influenced by phrases with similar meaning, in spadefuls or in spate.

Last year we harvested almost no potatoes, but this year we're getting them in spades.

"He is three times that bad in spades," I said. "He ain't washed his socks in four months for one thing," […]

1954, Richard [Pike] Bissell, High Water (Atlantic Monthly Press Book), Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Company, OCLC 760577; republished St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society, 1987, ISBN 978-0-87351-221-3, page 115

Character the hotel has in spades. It begins at the parking lot, where bison roam.

1993 June 23, Patricia Leigh Brown, “Yellowstone’s landmark in logs”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 2016-04-28:

This caution hurt JPMorgan's profits at the time but paid off in spades in 2009, as the bank earned $8.5 billion in the first three quarters.

2009 December 8, Justin Fox, “The top 10 everything of 2009: Top 10 best business deals: 2. JPMorgan Chase and the deals it didn't do”, in Time, archived from the original on 2016-04-23:

(idiomatic) In large quantities; to a high degree; to excess, without restraint.


in black and white

I'll believe that when I see it in black and white.

(idiomatic) Explicitly, in writing, clearly and without doubt or misunderstanding, without any grey areas.

This film was shot in black and white.

(literally) Using shades of gray rather than color.

to watch color films in black and white

Having it displayed using shades of gray rather than color (as it was shot or recorded).