for goodness' sake

For goodness' sake, get off the computer! You've been on there for ages!

You're 47, for goodness' sake. Too old for this!

2015 April 28, Tracey Spicer, “Taming tiny terrors: How to have a happy family holiday”, in The Press:

She's 1.98m for goodness sake! How can you not find her!?

2017 May 1, Dana Johannsen, “What happens when you watch six hours of ANZ Premiership netball?”, in New Zealand Herald:

(idiomatic, euphemistic) Used to express frustration, exasperation, annoyance.

herra paratkoon

used to express frustration, exasperation, annoyance

For goodness' sake, I spelled that word correctly. I never knew I could do that.

No salesman is ever a bore if he can make us throw up our hands and say, "Well, for goodness' sake! What do you know about that ?" Yes, surprise is the thing.

1921, Printers' Ink Monthly - Volumes 3-4, page 42:

“For goodness' sake,” Einstein exclaimed. “So that was the famous caviar!" He paused for a moment, then added, "Well, if you offer gourmet food to peasants like me, you know they won't appreciate it."

2008, Walter Isaacson, Einstein: His Life and Universe, →ISBN:

For goodness' sake, we go to Spain for a week and get new next-door neighbors! How lovely!

2014, Louise Millar, The Hidden Girl: A Novel, →ISBN, page 179:

I thought, for goodness' sake, fancy them being the same!

2016 November 24, Te Ahua Maitland, “Woman celebrating 100th birthday receives 50 double-ups on cards”, in The Southland Times:

(idiomatic, euphemistic) Used to express surprise or amazement.

They'll try all they can to deceive and to cheat, But for goodness sake don't say I told you.

1888, Harrison and Morton, The Tippecanoe Campaign Songster:

Well, for goodness sake let me know if I can do anything.

2012 -, Hazel Holt, No Cure for Death, →ISBN:

I am not normally a stickler for tradition – I had a baby out of wedlock, for goodness sake – but for some reason I want Harry to be my husband.

2013 August 26, Bryony Gordon, “'I am not normally a stickler for tradition – I had a baby out of wedlock, for goodness sake'”, in The Telegraph:

But for goodness sake, please review the plan and come up with detail that distinguishes each groups cultural identity and is something that the players can own.

2017 May 9, “Time for former champions to start again”, in Taranaki Daily News:

These young women are busy, for goodness' sake, tired and overworked, stressed, trying to find time for themselves in days that have too little.

2017 May 14, Susan Estrich, “Mothers and memories”, in The Exponent Telegram:

(idiomatic, euphemistic) Used for emphasis


out of house and home

1999 May 31, “Pile Drivers Move Residents Out of House and Home”, in The Press, Christchurch:

Poets will drink you out of house and home
leaving your living room in disarray

2002, Gail White, “Partying with the Intelligentsia”, in Gail White: Greatest Hits 1981-2001, →ISBN, page 15:

The other major reason [to puppy-proof] is to keep you from being chewed out of house and home.

c. 2005, “Helping Your Dog Adjust to a New Home”, in The Progressive Animal Welfare Society, retrieved 2015-04-16:

Many amphibians are being heated out of house and home.

c. 2005, “Global Checkup: How Healthy is Earth?”, in Science NOW:

(idiomatic) In a manner that deprives someone of a dwelling place or some usage thereof.


on air

→ Japanese: オンエア (on'ea)

Broadcasting sense derived from early use of radio, literally sending the transmission on the air waves

Julie is on air now, presenting the weather forecast.

Channel 9 will be on air in a few minutes, giving a live broadcast.

The transmitter remained on air all through the war.

The microphone was on air, and the whole country heard the outburst.

It can get very hectic in the studio, especially when a news story breaks while we are on air.

2003, Focus on Africa: BBC Magazine - Volumes 14-15, page 43:

However, he had no contract with my Tongan friends and it was strictly against the rules to put performers on air without one.

2009, David Attenborough, Life on Air: Memoirs of a Broadcaster:

You should move to a minimal degree while you are on air.

2013, Graham Andrews, You're On Air, page 92:

The on-air studio will comprise of the equipment for recording, editing and storage – both in analog and digital formats. A hard disk based system, CDs and cassette players would form a part of the room. There will be an on-air indicator at the entrance of the room, which indicates the person entering the studio to be aware that the studio is on air, and indicates that there should not be any disturbance from the external source.

2018, M. Neelamalar, Radio Programme Production, page 174:

Taken a bit in drink one evening, and live on air, Davey got into terrible trouble by varying his standard opening words with the memorable line" when roses are red, they're ready to pluck; when girls are sixteen, they're ready to...

Broadcasting or transmitting through the medium of radio or television.

Don't interrupt while the program is on air.

This show isn't on air at the moment — it's only on in the summer.

The popular television series was on air for ten years before it finally ended.

Was his interview on air?

We can't put this material on air.

Sack can be contacted directly when his show is on air (2-5 p.m. EST Sundays) at 1-800-TALK-YES, and welcomes brief phone questions about employment concerns at 1 -2 1 2-702-9000, extension 34.

Thus, all ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC affiliates in the top 30 markets, representing 53.5% of all U.S. households, are on air with DTV.

2004, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Advancing the DTV Transition, page 25:

Czechoslovakia, for instance, had already participated actively in the founding meetings of the IBU, whereas the Polish delegate had joined in the Geneva frequency discussions before Poland even had its own broadcasting stations on air.

2012, Suzanne Lommers, Europe - On Air: Interwar Projects for Radio Broadcasting, page 93:

Obviously, the Japanese officer was sleeping or drunk with sake, and the Allied broadcast in Japanese was broadcast on air. As the local technicians on duty did not understand Japanese, it went on air for some time.

2019, On Air: Untold Stories from Caldecott Hill:

Being, or so as to be, broadcast or transmitted by radio or television.

(bridge, of a trick) Won with a high card though capturing only small cards.

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


in due time

Eventually; when ready; at an opportune moment.


ahead of one's time

With his practice of dream interpretation by free association, Freud was both ahead of his time and behind his time.

1990, Ken Frieden, Freud’s dream of interpretation, SUNY Press, →ISBN, page 135, →ISBN:

(idiomatic) In advance of concurrent commonly accepted ideas; showing characteristics of changes yet to be.


in common

My cousin and I have a grandfather and grandmother in common.

I hate being alone with my boss as we have nothing in common.

The closest affinities of the Jubulaceae are with the Lejeuneaceae. The two families share in common: (a) elaters usually 1-spiral, trumpet-shaped and fixed to the capsule valves, distally[…]

1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page 4:

Shepard: No, you were right. There is something between us.
Liara: I knew it! And I knew you felt it, too. But... does this not seem rather strange? Why do I feel so close to you?
Liara: We have only known each other a short time. We are from two different species. We have almost nothing in common. This makes no sense!

2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Normandy SR-1:

Possessing similar or identical qualities.


on ice

Sense 1 (“not being used; temporarily unavailable or suspended”) probably refers to the practice of putting food on ice to preserve it.

We're putting the new software features on ice until we can fix the existing bugs.

Shortly after taking to the ice, the bear broke loose from its leash and went barreling, spinning, slipping, and sliding all around the rink before he was finally restrained and sedated. Needless to say, that act was put on ice.

2001, Dan Diamond, James Duplacey, Eric Zweig, “The Bus Leagues—Life in the Minors”, in Hockey Stories On and Off the Ice, Kansas City, Mo.: Andrews McMeel Publishing, →ISBN, page 104:

The agency's dry dock project was on ice. Begun as a routine construction job, the project was now also an archaeological site and, ominously, a resting place for an unknown number of human remains.

2009, Lynda V. Mapes, “This Ground Speaks”, in Breaking Ground: The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Unearthing of Tse-whit-zen Village, Seattle, Wash.: University of Washington Press, →ISBN, page 139:

He [Jacques Parizeau] told the press: "We're not saying never, but that project is on ice for quite a while"[…].

2010, “Coon Come, Matthew”, in Bruce E[lliott] Johansen, editor, Native Americans Today: A Biographical Dictionary, Santa Barbara, Calif.: Greenwood, ABC-CLIO, →ISBN, page 60:

But after a public consultation, the three closures were put on ice and the reductions in opening hours revised at many stations [...].

2022 April 6, Conrad Landin, “ScotRail in the public eye...”, in RAIL, number 954, page 39:

(idiomatic) Not being used; temporarily unavailable or suspended; on hold.

u ledu (with "být")

We went to see Cinderella on ice.

Celebs flocked to the House of Mouse on ice this weekend! Many celeb parents including Christina Aguilera, Armie Hammer, Mila Kunis, Jordana Brewster, Vanessa Lachey and more brought their kids and slid on over to the Staples Center in Los Angeles over the weekend to attend Disney On Ice: Follow Your Heart at Staples Center.

2017 December 17, Meg Swertlow, “Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé and More Stars Step Out with Their Kids for Disney on Ice”, in E! Online, archived from the original on 2017-12-18:

Of an entertainment normally performed on a stage: performed by ice skaters as an ice show.

[Frederick] Bohen later reflected that "when she [[Millicent] Fenwick] came out against the pardon as strongly as she did, I think that put the election on ice.

2003, Amy Schapiro, “A Geriatric Triumph”, in Millicent Fenwick: Her Way, New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, →ISBN, page 143:

With [Tug] McGraw on the mound against a left-handed batter, this time Ed Ott, and the bases again loaded, Ott put the game on ice by belting another grand slam off the beleaguered pitcher.

2005, Bill Ranier, David Finoli, “The Regular Season”, in When the Bucs Won It All: The 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, →ISBN, page 33:

Of a sporting or other contest: in a state of assured victory for the leading contestant.

Going to the wine cellar, she said: "I will put three bottles of Tokay wine on ice.[…]"

1899, Moritz Loth, chapter II, in On a Higher Plane, Cincinnati, Oh.: The Monitor Company, →OCLC, page 21:

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


below the belt

(boxing) Of a punch, landing illegally, below the opponent's waist.

onder de gordel

(boxing) of a punch that lands below the opponent's waist

Commenting on his bachelorhood in a debate on marital ethics was a bit below the belt, don't you think?

(by extension, idiomatic) Unfair; dirty; not according to the generally accepted rules.


at gunpoint

At gunpoint I was told to hand over my money.

I held him at gunpoint until police arrived.

Under coercion by someone with a firearm.

تَحْتَ التَّهْدِيد بِالسِّلاح

under coercion by someone with a firearm

(by extension) Under coercion in general.


in stitches

"I was just dancing with old Doctor Riley, and he kept me in stitches. Half the time he had almost to carry me around, I was laughing so."

1918, Laura Lee Hope, chapter 15, in The Outdoor Girls in Army Service:

Leaving the White House after a unilateral chat with Coolidge, Actress Barrymore, in stitches from laughter, was confronted by perplexed newsmen wondering what was so funny.

I took a graduate seminar in close-reading of Dylan Thomas and Joyce, and among the smart students a nun and a rabbi kept us in stitches with their endless whimsy and scholarship.

2004, Willis Barnstone, We Jews and Blacks, →ISBN, page 59:

(idiomatic) Laughing vigorously; very amused; aching due to convulsive laughter.


by hand

The computers went down and they had to do all the bookkeeping by hand that day.

(idiomatic) Manually; without the use of automation or machines.

to bring up an infant by hand

That left me an orphan and folks were at their wits’ end, so Mrs. Thomas said, what to do with me. [...] Finally Mrs. Thomas said she’d take me, though she was poor and had a drunken husband. She brought me up by hand. Do you know if there is anything in being brought up by hand that ought to make people who are brought up that way better than other people? Because whenever I was naughty Mrs. Thomas would ask me how I could be such a bad girl when she had brought me up by hand--reproachful-like.

1908, L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables:

(of raising a child) Without suckling it.


above the law

The emperor is above the law.

You may think you're above the law, but you're not.

'The law,' she laughed with scorn - 'the law! Canst thou not understand, oh Holly, that I am above the law, and so shall my Kallikrates be also? All human law will be to us as the north wind to a mountain.'

1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:

If we hesitate to call those actions and their perpetrator criminal, then we are saying he is above the law and giving license to future presidents to do whatever they want.

2022 August 26, “Donald Trump Is Not Above the Law”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

(idiomatic) Exempt from the laws that apply to everyone else.

凌駕於法律之上

exempt from the laws that apply to everyone else


s.v.

Abbreviation of Latin sub verbo or sub voce, plural sub verbis resp. sub vocibus.

More information is available in Black's Law Dictionary s.v. mortgage.

Transcendentalism is a recent school of philosophy (Some Dictionary of Philosophy, s.v. Transcendentalism (School)).

Used to refer to an entry in a dictionary or encyclopedia: under the word(s) [X]; at headword [X]; at entry [X].


between the jigs and the reels

en-au-between the jigs and the reels.ogg

Possibly related to the apparent chaos in Irish dancing.

(Ireland, idiomatic) eventually, despite all the confusion.


in the loop

Please be sure to keep your manager and the customer contacts in the loop if you must make changes.

While I knew enough of the key players to be kept in the loop I was hardly the guy they went to to discuss tarsus length on Golden Plovers or the morphological differences in cranial structure of the Wandering Albatross complex.

2005, Sean Dooley, The Big Twitch, Sydney: Allen and Unwin, page 128:

Informed; up to date; having current knowledge; part of the discussion.


out of the loop

First use appears c. 1973. See cite below. Its use is thought by some to have roots in computer or telephony terminology.

Automation technology can lead to complacency when it takes the controller ‘out of the loop’ by reducing the need for his interaction with a flightcrew and de-emphasizing the cooperative aspects of the air traffic system.

1973, International Federation of Air Traffic Controller's Association (contributor), The Controller, Volumes 12-15, page 22:

"I was out of the loop," he added, explaining that he was planning to leave government at that time.

1976 September 16, “Former Nixon Aide Denies Soliciting Campaign Fund”, in New York Times:

“Well, we've been out of the loop for a few hours. Anything new that you know?”

The members of parliament have felt ignored by their leaders for much of this crisis, and were kept out of the loop during the negotiations.

2001 August 27, Tony Karon, “Why Macedonians Balk at NATO's Presence”, in Time:

(idiomatic) Not informed, up-to-date, or current; not included in a process or discussion.


in one's element

You can tell he's completely in his element when he's talking about fossils.

In a situation which is entirely suitable, familiar, or enjoyable.


in the first place

The question is not whether I still enjoy the job, when I never enjoyed it in the first place.

(sequence, idiomatic) to begin with; earlier; firstly; originally; at the start,

Why does this exist in the first place?

(idiomatic) at all, even (typically in non-negated statements)


for good

From for + good (“of an action: complete, thorough, utter”, adjective).

A bad haircut is no fun, but at least you’re not stuck with it for good, only until it grows out.

This day I left Chelsea for good (that's a genteel phrase) and am got into Suffolk street.

1711 July 16 (Gregorian calendar), Jonathan Swift, “[Dr. Swift’s Journal to Stella.] Letter XXVI.”, in Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XV, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 85:

[S]he was dozing in the elbovv-chair, having refuſed to lie dovvn, ſaying, She ſhould ſoon, ſhe hoped, lie dovvn for good.

1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter LIII. Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume VII, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; […], →OCLC, page 200:

Well, now, I'm no scholar, and you're a lad as can read and figure; and, to put it straight, do you take it as a dead man is dead for good, or do he come alive again?

1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, “Israel Hands”, in Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC, part V (My Sea Adventure), page 207:

What I want is to get out of this fix, for good—so I can go to sleep at night without worrying over what's going to happen to me tomorrow, and next month, and next year.

1936 June 30, Margaret Mitchell, chapter XXXII, in Gone with the Wind, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company, →OCLC; republished New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company, 1944, →OCLC, part IV, page 540:

Yes, and thanks for the trouble you took from her eyes. I thought it was there for good so I never tried.

1971 March 19, Leonard Cohen (lyrics and music), “Famous Blue Raincoat”, in Songs of Love and Hate, New York, N.Y.: Columbia Records, →OCLC; lyrics republished in Stranger Music: Selected Poems and Songs, Toronto, Ont.: McClelland & Stewart, 1993, →ISBN, page 153:

He […] unbuttons the bottom of his jacket so the rumors can be dispelled for good: he no longer wears his double belts.

2019, Maaza Mengiste, The Shadow King, New York, N.Y.: W[illiam] W[arder] Norton & Company, →ISBN, book 3:

(idiomatic) In a way that is conclusive and final.

завинаги

in a way that is conclusive and final — see also once and for all


in the limelight

From the use of limelight for theatre lighting, in particular, for powering the spotlights which are used to put the focus on individual actors on stage.

The politician was in the limelight from the moment the scandal became public.

(idiomatic) In the focus of attention, especially from the media.


in other words

He has another appointment on Thursday. In other words, I don't think he'll be attending your gathering.

On Tuesday evening he sent a message to the office of the Stamford paper, requesting that, as the "mountain could not wait upon Mahomet, Mahomet would go to the mountain,"—or, in other words, that the printer would call upon him, and receive an order for executing some hand-bills announcing Mr. Lambert's arrival, and his desire to see company.

1809 July, “LINCOLNSHIRE.”, in The Universal Magazine (New Series), volume XII, number LXVIII, page 78, column 1:

Hanks is known as being an avid reader of history and biography, and seems to seek out stories which offer a certain optimism and humanism. In other words, he plays – fundamentally – good people.

2021 February 9, Christina Newland, “Is Tom Hanks part of a dying breed of genuine movie stars?”, in BBC:

(conjunctive, idiomatic) Stated or interpreted another way; Used to introduce an explanation, simplification, or clarification.


on one's toes

I keep my students on their toes with pop quizzes.

(idiomatic) Attentive, active, busy or alert.


van top tot teen

Literally, “from top to toe”, but historically the meaning was “from top to toes”.

Hij zat van top tot teen onder de modder.

head to toe, head to foot, from top to bottom


a mano

fatto a mano

lavorare a mano

trapano a mano


in the dock

Referring to the dock in which an accused person stands in a courtroom.

(idiomatic) Under accusation, scrutiny; subject to critical inspection.

на скамье́ подсуди́мых

(idiomatic) under accusation, scrutiny; subject to critical inspection


under a cloud

2012, Iain W. Provan, 1 & 2 Kings, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series, unnumbered page,
First Kings 9:10-10:29 brings us back to see the glory of this empire. It is glory that must now be seen with respect to 8:22-53 and 9:1-9. It is therefore glory under a cloud, destined to fade away.

(idiomatic) Whose future is uncertain due to an anticipated threat or change in circumstance.

A man accused of a crime is entitled to a speedy trial, not merely because he is under a personal restraint, but also because his reputation is under a cloud, as long as the criminal accusation remains undisposed of.

1900, Christopher Gustavus Tiedeman, A Treatise on State and Federal Control of Persons and Property in in the United States, Considered from Both a Civil and Criminal Standpoint, volume 1, published 2002, page 103:

The enlarged Chilean navy was placed under the command of dashing Lord Cochrane, a very distinguished admiral of the British Royal Navy, then under a cloud at home, who took service under the Chilean flag,[…].

1900, C.S. Walton, The Civil Law in Spain and Spanish-America, page 13:

“The department feels it's got to suspend any cop who's under a cloud if they're going to maintain public faith in the system.[…]"

2006, Eliot Sefrin, Under a Cloud, page 233:

(idiomatic) Under suspicion; subject to critical inspection.

под колпако́м (pod kolpakóm, literally “under a cap”)

“Did she resign?” Cherry asked.
“No, Dr. Fairall fired her. Zelda left here under a cloud. Sort of mysterious. I never found out exactly."

1966, Helen Wells, Cherry Ames: The Mystery in the Doctor's Office, page 67:

[A] series of mishaps including the sinking of INS Sindhurakshak in August last year has put him under a cloud.

2014 February 27, Yogesh Naik, Bipin Kumar Singh, “Submarine mishap sinks navy chief”, in Mumbai Mirror, India, retrieved 2014-03-01:

(idiomatic) In or into controversial circumstances.


above all

From Middle English [Term?]. Compare Dutch bovenal (“above all”).

You could just use ordinary shop-bought kecap manis to marinade the meat, but making your own is easy, has a far more elegant fragrance and is, above all, such a great brag! Flavouring kecap manis is an intensely personal thing, so try this version now and next time cook the sauce down with crushed, split lemongrass and a shredded lime leaf.

2015 October 27, Matt Preston, The Simple Secrets to Cooking Everything Better, Plum, →ISBN, page 192:

Of prime importance; before anything else; especially.


by the by

The second "by" is a noun meaning "a secondary issue". Phrase used since the 17th century.

Now, Mrs. Clarke was one of those to whom caps and crape were the very morality of mourning—she was not the only one, by the by, with whom propriety stands for principle,...

1831, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter I, in Romance and Reality. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, pages 70-71:

She could not get it open, and after all my display, I had to take the Curate (whose name, by-the-by, I did not catch) round the side entrance.

1892, George Grossmith, Weedon Grossmith, chapter 1, in The Diary of a Nobody:

Well, I lay it down, first, that a book quite unornamented can look actually and positively beautiful, and not merely un-ugly, if it be, so to say, architecturally good, which, by the by, need not add much to its price […]

By the by, I like Worcester's Shrub Hill station, a three-platform affair of 1850 which may look tired but has character and a splendid frontage on a sunny day.

2023 January 11, Stephen Roberts, “Bradshaw's Britain: castles and cathedrals”, in RAIL, number 974, page 58:

Used to introduce a new topic; incidentally, by the way.


in character

It was difficult to stay in character, because I kept wanting to laugh.

(idiomatic, drama, roleplaying games) Acting as the character, not as oneself.


on the go

A good suitcase is essential for someone who is on the go as much as he is.

Camila is “extremely dedicated” and “pushes hard” Willis said, noting that they’ve tailored their workouts to her on-the-go lifestyle. “A lot of our workouts include minimal equipment that focus on strength, HIIT, and balance, including complex movements that target the whole body,” Willis said.

2023 May 10, Korin Miller, “Camila Cabello Rocked An Itty-Bitty String Bikini At Coachella, And Her 🔥 Abs Are Toned AF”, in Women's Health:

(idiomatic) Actively traveling; busy; moving often.

The new initiative is now on the go.


in bend

(heraldry) Of figures: placed in a slanting direction from the dexter chief to the sinister base.


out of character

The burst of anger was out of character for the normally placid boy.

In “Treehouse Of Horror” episodes, the rules aren’t just different—they don’t even exist. If writers want Homer to kill Flanders or for a segment to end with a marriage between a woman and a giant ape, they can do so without worrying about continuity or consistency or fans griping that the gang is behaving out of character.

2012 April 29, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992)”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name):

Now, that, admittedly, did do an awful lot more damage (the 5th and 6th were almost completely wiped out), but the High Seas Fleet was, in turn, almost completely wiped out (in fact, basically was wiped out, to a man) by the oncoming rest of the British Grand Fleet, and it was decided by everybody that this kind of, like, suicidal, completely suicidal, charge was probably a bit out of character for Hipper, and so we didn't take that particular one into account.

2018 October 17, Drachinifel, 33:41 from the start, in Last Ride of the High Seas Fleet - Battle of Texel 1918, archived from the original on 2022-08-04:

(idiomatic) Inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour.

xas olmayan

inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour

I was out of character for most of the first act because those people in the third row wouldn't stop chatting.

(idiomatic, acting) Not in character; not in the zone; not successfully performing within the mindset of a given character in a theatrical performance.

After watching him perform so energetically, it is a bit of a trip to hang out with him when he's out of character. In real life, he's really mellow.

Susan asked the GM, out of character, whether she was able to sense magic in the room.

The comedian stepped out of character to mug directly to the audience.

(idiomatic, acting, roleplaying games) Not acting; not "on"; behaving within one's natural personality rather than that of a character, or taking actions entirely outside the fictional context.


off book

After 5 days studying the script, Jane is now off book, and can concentrate on gesture more.

"He will glibly parse a sentence ... and repeat the catechism and whole chapters of the Bible 'off book.'"

1873, Thomas Wright, Our New Masters, Strahan & Co., page 125:

"In all likelihood, the director will leave you alone throughout the rest of the production and focus attention on the guy who isn't off book yet."

1993, Doug Moston, Coming to Terms with Acting, →ISBN, page 74:

"'So if Antigone wants to be off book, I think the rest of you should be off book too.'"

2003, Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex, Picador,, →ISBN, page 332:

(theater) No longer needing the script to rehearse.

"in the winter of 1957-58 prices were 60 percent off book."

1963, Richard Austin Smith, Corporations in Crisis, Doubleday, page 74:


in the gristle

Not yet hardened into bone or strengthened into sinew.


at the ready

The soldiers held their rifles at the ready and listened for the enemy.

The soldiers' rifles were at the ready.

Her apartment is filled with evidence of a furiously busy creative life: […] a laptop perched on a crate atop the dining table; lyric revisions in notebooks on a music stand by an ever-at-the-ready guitar.

2022 October 5, Michael Paulson, “Suzan-Lori Parks Is on Broadway, Off Broadway and Everywhere Else”, in The New York Times:

(idiomatic) Ready; in a state of preparation or waiting; in position or anticipation.

al peu del canó

ready; in a state of preparation or waiting; in position or anticipation


as of right

He may appeal the ruling as of right.

Parliament shall sit as of right.

The Constitutional Council shall, as of right, carry out such an examination.

But we have been educated, by a warped system, to believe that food is cheap as of right. That is why many of us are now suffering sticker shock when we eat out.

2023 June 10, Tim Hayward, “The pie's the limit”, in FT Weekend, Life & Arts, page 2:

(law) By virtue of an entitlement or authority which arises from certain legal conditions or circumstances; by operation of law.

itse lain nojalla

by virtue of an entitlement or authority which arises from certain legal conditions or circumstances


in a pinch

Japanese: ピンチ (pinchi)

It's not a great fashion statement, but in a pinch a large trash bag will keep you dry.

(idiomatic) In an urgent or difficult situation; when no other solution is available.


like the new time

He was running like the new time when the dog chased him.

(simile, colloquial, Ireland) Furiously or vigorously, repeatedly.


under one's belt

Opinions vary between:
# Comparing the experience and what was learned and gained from it, to a meal now eaten and safely stowed away in the stomach.
# The effect of a punch below the belt in boxing or other fist fighting.

He got off to a shaky start, but with a few months of experience under his belt, he kept up handily with the veteran employees.

You were fresh off the boat from Virginia / I had a year in New York City under my belt / We met in a dream, we were both nineteen

1998, “Two Little Girls”, in Ani DiFranco (lyrics), Little Plastic Castle, performed by Ani DiFranco:

Already done; within one's experience; practiced.


for good measure

He tossed in a couple of extra shirts for good measure and closed the suitcase.

Spain plans to issue “digital nomad” visas giving Britons and other non-EU citizens the chance to work in the sun and enjoy a lower cost of living with tax breaks thrown in for good measure.

2022 September 25, Stephen Burgen, “Spain plans ‘digital nomad’ visa scheme to attract remote workers”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

(idiomatic) In excess of the minimum required; added as an extra.


to the gills

He came in with a suitcase, packed to the gills with samples and demonstration products.

It’s a film that is utterly maximalist, stuffed to the gills with gadgets, gimmicks, ideas both good and bad. An exhausting, exhilarating watch.

2017 September 19, Gwilym Mumford, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle review – spy sequel reaches new heights of skyscraping silliness”, in the Guardian:

(idiomatic) Entirely or extremely; to the greatest degree possible.


after the fact

/ˌɑːftə ðə ˈfækt/

/ˌæftɚ ðə ˈfækt/

You made the commitment, and you can't change the terms after the fact.

Too late; after something is finished or final.


at home

Sorry sir, I left my homework at home.

"Where's David?" "He stayed at home to fix the washing machine."

The team has won three-quarters of its games at home, but less than half of away games.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see at, home. In one's place of residence.

I feel at home around my girlfriend's family.

I'm right at home in my new university.

He's quite at home discussing French literature.

I can't believe it: she's 28 and still lives at home.

He is really elderly and can still live at home.

In a private residence as opposed to a nursing home.

The team has a 6–2 record at home.

Today is match day, Grimsby Town are at home, and the ground is walking distance from New Clee station. So, visiting football supporters coming by train have to change at Grimsby Town [station]. That's a real pain.

2024 April 17, “Rural railways: do they deliver?”, in RAIL, number 1007, page 58:

(sports, of a team) Playing at its usual venue, playing as the home team.

1922 Emily Post, Etiquette, Chapter 10: Cards and Visits
When a servant at a door says “Not at home,” this phrase means that the lady of the house is “Not at home to visitors.” This answer neither signifies nor implies—nor is it intended to—that Mrs. Jones is out of the house.

(dated) Available or willing to receive visitors.


مني

مِنِّي (canonical)
مِنِّيَ (canonical)
minnī (romanization)
minniya (romanization)

Form of مِنْ (min) including first-person singular personal pronoun as object.


out of the frying pan, into the fire

En-au-out of the frying pan, into the fire.ogg

(idiomatic) Move or get from an already bad situation to a worse one; end up in a worse situation when trying to escape from a bad or difficult one.

每況愈下

amach as na muineacha is isteach sna driseacha

од дожд на град (od dožd na grad, literally “from rain to hail”)

terlepas dari mulut buaya, masuk ke mulut harimau

из огня́ да в по́лымя (iz ognjá da v pólymja, literally “out of fire and into flame”)

от во́лка бежа́л, да на медве́дя попа́л (ot vólka bežál, da na medvédja popál, literally “ran from a wolf, but ran into a bear”)

salir de Guatemala y meterse en Guatepeor

வாலு போயி கத்தி வந்தது (vālu pōyi katti vantatu, literally “the sword has left, now the knife has come”)

หนีเสือปะจระเข้ (nǐi-sʉ̌ʉa-bpà-jɔɔ-rá-kêe, literally “escape from a tiger only to meet a crocodile”)


FTL

(Internet, slang) Initialism of for the loss.

(Internet, slang) Initialism of for the lulz.


under the gun

He was under the gun to finish the project quickly.

I'm under the gun again / I know I was a 45-percenter then / I know I was a lot of things

2013, The National (lyrics and music), “I Need My Girl”, in Trouble Will Find Me:

(idiomatic) Under great pressure to perform.

James will be under the gun for the first hand of the final table.

(poker) Of, pertaining to, or in the situation of first player to act on the first round of betting.

(obsolete, military) Too close to be subject to artillery fire.


under the pump

Unclear. As an idiom, identified only in Australian and New Zealand English.
* Originally a sailing term for when the ship is taking in water and the ship is literally being bailed out to stay afloat. In the days of yore the crew had to work 24 hours a day pumping out the ship until the ship reaches safe harbour for repairs.
* Also possibly as a punishment.
* Also suggested has been an origin in the construction industry:
Workers can be quite literally under the pump if a concrete pour is occurring and the steel reinforcing and form-work is still being finished. The concrete pump would be reaching out above the workers, who would be completing their duties at a frantic pace. Once the concrete has been delivered, the ‘pour′ must occur ASAP or it may begin to set. Hence being under the pump describes the situation of working at feverish pace to meet a specific deadline.

c. 1970s, Doug Walters, quoted in 2008, Ashley Mallett, One of a Kind: The Doug Walters Story, 2010, ReadHowYouWant, page 219,
I think all the Australian batsmen who came back from South Africa felt a bit under the pump. We simply had to perform or not stay in the side.

Nick was under the pump. He was underdone, and the selectors wanted to replace him with James Stewart.

2003, Harry Gordon, The Time of Our Lives: Inside the Sydney Olympics, page 13:

(Australia, New Zealand) Under pressure to perform, e.g. at work or in a sports contest.

The laws of the state relative to the intermarriage of the whites with the coloured population, are also referred to. A case of this kind took place at New York when I was there; and as soon as the ceremony was over, the husband, I believe it was, but either the husband or the wife, was seized by the mob and put under the pump for half an hour.

1839, “Captain Marryat”, in A Diary in America, with Remarks on its Institutions, page 159:

1863, “Mrs. Lovechild”, The Truant, in The Christmas Tree and Other Stories for the Young, page 48,
Now the punishment for playing truant was to have the truant′s head put under the pump, and pumped upon.

1867, New Zealand Parliament, Parliamentary Debates, Volume 1, Part 1: 9 July - 9 August 1867, page 106,
The unfortunate individual was of course immediately taken, put under the pump, and soundly pumped upon. This was the sort of conduct adopted by the honorable member for the gold fields and his friends.

[…]claim that when he was at Oxford ‘Socialists were put under the pump’.

1995, Graham Chainey, A Literary History of Cambridge, page 201:

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see under, pump.


ex cathedra

Borrowed from Latin ex cathedrā (“from the (teacher's) chair”).

bor

With authority based on one's rank or office.


nao

Contraction of na wao; [[Appendix:Swahili_noun_classes#M-wa class|wa class_((II))]] inflected form of na; and them, with them

na wao

[[Appendix:Swahili_noun_classes#M-mi class|m class_((III))]]/[[Appendix:Swahili_noun_classes#U class|u class_((XI))]] inflected form of na; and it, with it


at last

Now that the dog has stopped barking, perhaps we can at last get some rest.

After three hundred years had passed, at last the vampire's soul was free.

(idiomatic) After a long time; eventually.

After all their troubles, at last they lived happily ever after.

After exhausting all possibilities, Holmes was at last satisfied the problem was unsolvable.

Upon balancing the account, the profit at last will hardly countervail the inconveniences that go along with it.

1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:

No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or[…]. And at last I began to realize in my harassed soul that all elusion was futile, and to take such holidays as I could get, when he was off with a girl, in a spirit of thankfulness.

1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 46:

She was so mad she wouldn't speak to me for quite a spell, but at last I coaxed her into going up to Miss Emmeline's room and fetching down a tintype of the missing Deacon man.

1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VI, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y., London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:

(idiomatic) In the end; finally; ultimately.


with it

There is also the snag that many people prefer aircraft simply because they regard this is a travel medium that is "with it".

1964 September, G. Freeman Allen, “Interim report on the East Coast Route express service”, in Modern Railways, page 160:

(slang) Aware of current trends and fashions.

Jack is sick today and doesn't really seem with it.

(slang, chiefly in the negative) Attentive, alert.


off guard

His sudden appearance at the office caught her completely off guard.


ad idem

Borrowed from Latin ad idem (“to the same thing”).

The parties were ad idem on this important point.


on cloud nine

(idiomatic) In a state of elation; very happy; blissful.


in love

I think John is in love.

Isn't it nice to see two people in love?

Romeo was in love with Juliet.

So she said "What's the problem, baby?" / What's the problem? I don't know / Well, maybe I'm in love (love) / Think about it every time / I think about it / Can't stop thinking 'bout it

2004 May 3, Adam Duritz, Dan Vickrey, David Bryson, Matt Malley, David Immerglück, “Accidentally in Love”, in Shrek 2: Motion Picture Soundtrack, performed by Counting Crows:

Enamored (of a person, etc.) [with with]

I'm not exactly in love with the idea of having to start again from scratch.

(informal) Very fond (of an idea, etc.) [with with]


at the double

2016, FourFourTwo staff, “Arsenal 0 Barcelona 2: Messi at the double to down brave Gunners” at FourFourTwo


on the double

Fortunately, help arrived on the double, and the victim's injuries were soon treated.

My boyfriend's back and you're gonna be in trouble. / You see him comin'; better cut out on the double.

1963, “My Boyfriend's Back”, in My Boyfriend's Back, performed by The Angels:

Liara: We have to hurry. The whole place is caving in!
Shepard: Joker! Get the Normandy airbone and lock in on my signal. On the double, mister!

2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Therum:


in the pink

The sight of so many girls and women clamoring for that particular item, cash clenched in sweaty fists, buoyed the hope of manufacturers everywhere. Then again, maybe we were simply a nation literally “in the pink” with postwar prosperity[…]

2002 October 17, Lynn Peril, Pink Think: Becoming a Woman in Many Uneasy Lessons, W. W. Norton & Company, →ISBN, page 4:

in the pink of health
in the pink of health#English

(informal) Ellipsis of in the pink of health.

I said to Daddy, 'Can you swim?' He said, 'You're not going, and that's that.' I asked him again, later on, when he was drinking his Horlicks, and he said they used to swim from one pier IN THE PINK - Laurie Graham.

1999, Nicholas Royle, Neonlit: The Time Out Book of New Writing:

[I] Somehow believed / That her shit didn't stink / Until I caught her / In the pink / Making her tight / Asshole wink / Turns out this slimy bitch / Had done me grimy for years […]

2011 September 15, Donald T. Williams, The Devil Made Me Do It Too: Pressing, Personal, Poetic, Purview, AuthorHouse, →ISBN, page 115:


in tune

I need to fiddle with the strings on my violin. It doesn't sound in tune.

(music) Having the correct musical pitch.

They are just not in tune with the contemporary market.

(figurative, usually with "with") In an understanding relationship (with something or someone).


round the clock

He had his team work round the clock to get the project finished in time.


nasi

Contraction of na sisi: and us, or with us


nami

هُنِلِزِ نَمِ كَلِ بَيْنِ ، لِوَاپُ نَسُرَ نِسِ كَتَيْ

R. Allen (1946) “Inkishafi—a translation from the Swahili”, in African Studies, volume 5, number 4, →DOI, pages 243–249

Can't you tell it me plainly that I may admit it?

Hunelezi nami kali baini, liwapo na-sura nisi katae.


of even date

SIR,— Our client, Mr. Robert Ferguson, of Ferguson & Muirhead, tea brokers, of Mincing Lane, has made some inquiry from us in a communication of even date concerning vampires.

1924, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire, Norton, published 2005, page 1555:


in nubibus

In a state of suspension; nebulous and unfulfilled.


on the fritz

Unknown. Attested from 1902, originally meaning “in a bad way” or “in bad condition”, malfunctioning of an appliance. Perhaps from German name.
Fritz, or onomatopoeic (here, imitating the sound of electric sparks jumping).

I'd record it, but my tape deck is on the fritz again.

My washing machine has gone on the fritz, and I have a load of muddy clothes to clean.

Actually, no one had noticed, from what I could tell, though I was alarmed to hear about it. Why was our pilot telling us about questionable brakes and a computer on the fritz when we still had a landing to worry about five hours ahead?

2000 November 5, Bob Morris, “Don't Spill It on Me”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

No ′40s movie heroine worth the name would have a house that let in gusts of gelid air, had a heating system that went on the fritz constantly and leaked.

2004, Lisa Marie Rice, Woman On the Run, page 32:

“Or your cell-phone reception went on the fritz. We know how often that happens.”

2006, Nero Blanc, Death on the Diagonal, page 191:

Some time ago, a tenant called me and said her refrigerator was on the fritz. I had a spare, so I took it down to her and exchanged it for her old one.

2010, Ralph Bowersox, Ralph's True Stories: Entertaining Chronicles of Life in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, Late 1920s through the Present Day, page 185:

(of electrical or mechanical appliances, idiomatic, Northern US) Out of order; malfunctioning; broken.

szwankować impf (means more literally "be on the fritz" as a verb)


beyond the black stump

Origin and development contested; possibly from the use of fire-blackened tree-stumps when providing directions to people, or from a particular black stump: see Wikipedia. Attested since the 20th century, and possibly developed in the 19th century.

While Millard did not shift from log cabin to White House, he did transport himself from beyond the Black Stump to strike it rich at Stawell.

2002, John Perry, Quick and the Dead: Stawell and Its Race Through Time, page 118:

“Just don't go gettin' serious,” Frank warned. “We don't want any trouble. We're gonna be beyond the black stump out there, not at the bloody Lennox Hotel.”

2004, Leon F. Williams, Rubies of Mogok, Trafford, page 104:

Kimberly, his eldest daughter who we love dearly, is very pregnant with our great grand daughter, the father of whom I have never met and who has shot through to the outback far beyond the black stump.

2004, John Leonard Spencer, Waving Goodbye to a Thousand Flies, page 241:

(Australia, informal, idiomatic) In an extremely isolated place, remote from populated areas; in the middle of nowhere. Typically used to refer to outback areas.


on call

1984-1986, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure
Know I cannot rely on him to do anything for me while recovering from my surgery. But Bridget & Maryellen are very willing to be on-call for me and even Jim/Kathleen are offering their place for me to come over.

He spent the weekend on call and couldn't fully relax.

Get the surgeon on call in here right now!

Who is on call tonight?


on opposite sides of the barricades

En-au-on opposite sides of the barricades.ogg

The idiom has been in use for at least a century http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1908/jul/23.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20060618034021/http://www.fmep.org/reports/special_reports/no10-winter2000/01-clinton_administration.html. It probably derives from a literal observation of political protests, where government buildings were insulated with barricades, and the government was said to not represent the people because they and the people were on opposite sides of the barricades.

(idiomatic) Holding starkly opposite views on an issue.


in all

There were twenty-one in all.

With everything included, considered or counted.


OOV

Rather, the n-grams are calculated as usual only for the most common k words, and all other words are regarded as Out-Of-Vocabulary (OOV) items and mapped to a single token such as .

1991, Christopher D. Manning, Hinrich Schütze, Foundations of Statistical Natural Language Processing, Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, →ISBN, page 199:

computational linguistics
computational linguistics

(computational linguistics) Initialism of out of vocabulary: describing a term encountered in the input which is not present in a system's dictionary or database of known terms.


down under

Refers to the fact that the Australian continent lies south of, colloquially thought of as 'below' or 'under', the equator.

Surfing is a popular sport down under.

We traveled down under for our vacation.

Thank you Boris and I want to thank that fella down under. Thank you very much, pal; appreciate it Mr. Prime Minister.

2021 September 15, Joe Biden, White House:

(idiomatic) Into Australia; to Australia.

By extension, anywhere, or to anywhere, south of the Equator


like hot cakes

These new toys should sell like hot cakes.

(simile, colloquial) Quickly, especially by purchase or consumption.


behind the wheel

If you've had too much to drink, don't get behind the wheel.

Would you really want to be behind the wheel of a fighter jet?

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


on a sixpence

This motorboat can turn on a sixpence.

This car has excellent brakes that will stop it on a sixpence.


on the loose

There were reports of a giraffe that escaped from the zoo, on the loose in New York.

(idiomatic) Not incarcerated or in captivity; not under control.

(slang, archaic) Out on a spree, or in search of adventure.

Many doctors practising in large cities dwell on the difficulty of checking clandestine prostitution, which is unfortunately on the increase in all crowded centres, where numbers of women are on the loose, over whom the police have little or no hold.

1868, The Indian Medical Gazette, volume 3, page 21:

(slang, archaic) Earning a living by prostitution.


on the prowl

The cat was always on the prowl for bit of string or a dangling shoelace.

(idiomatic) Hunting or seeking; prowling about.


on the run

The skier's wife had the baby while he was still on the run.

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

Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.

2013 June 29, “Travels and travails”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, page 55:

The suspect in the robbery is still on the run.

The corruption charges against her aides have her on the run.

(idiomatic) At a disadvantage; forced to abandon a position.

She's a busy executive and always on the run.

He had to eat on the run.

(idiomatic) Constantly traveling or moving from place to place.


out of bounds

You can play wherever you want, but remember that the cemetery is out of bounds.

(idiomatic) Where one is prohibited to enter.

You were out of bounds to call him a criminal.

Intellectually, the four-year-old is in a growthsome age. He learns best from firsthand experience. He is having fun with language and is liable to run out of bounds verbally.

1962, California Journal of Elementary Education, volume 31, page 205:

(idiomatic) Beyond the bounds of civility, morality, or normality.

asiaton

beyond the bounds of civility, morality or normality

The ball went out of bounds.

Outside the area of play; beyond the sideline of a playing field or court.


in no uncertain terms

The latter held up the lamp where it wouldn't get smashed and admonished them in no uncertain terms that he wanted me alive.

1919, Stewart Edward White, chapter 11, in The Killer:

Kennedy assured West German Ambassador Wilhelm Grewe in no uncertain terms that he does not intend to let West Berlin go down the drain.

1961 November 3, “Toughening Up”, in Time:

We think it's time the people whose lives are being affected by callous indifference and malignant neglect let elected representatives and government agencies know their concerns in no uncertain terms.

1991 December 1, Dawn Schmitz, quoting Reggie Williams, “African American AIDS Money Cut”, in Gay Community News, volume 19, number 20, page 2:

In no uncertain terms do I believe that we should outlaw or 'wuss down' contact sports!!!

2011 January 31, Ben McGrath, “Does football have a future: The NFL and the concussion crisis”, in The New Yorker:

(idiomatic, of a statement, especially a threat or admonishment) Definitely, clearly; bluntly, forthrightly; explicitly, categorically, unequivocally.


by a long shot

He couldn't keep up with me, not by a long shot.

He speaks better than he writes, by a long shot.

‘Yes, I do recognize it now. It is the most wonderful thing I ever heard of; by a long shot the most wonderful—and unexpected.’

1883, Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi:

Well, he won’t find Billy Roberts a sissy by a long shot.

1913, Jack London, The Valley of the Moon:

See here: You KNOW you feel superior to folks. You're not as bad as I say, but you're not as good as you say—not by a long shot! What’s the reason you’re so superior?

(idiomatic, usually with a negative) By a wide margin; indicates a very big difference or disparity.

noch lange

in the context of a negative, temporally


On HMS

(philately, overprint on British Empire stamps) On Her (or His) Majesty's Service.


within the pale

The phrase within the pale, meaning to stay within the limits of law or decency, was in use by the mid-17th century. The phrase is a reference to the general sense of boundary, not to any of the particular places, such as the English pale in Ireland, which bore that name, or the Pale of Settlement, in Imperial Russia. Out of the many districts established by England (Cork, Dublin, Drogheda, Waterford, and Wexford), only a select few followed the laws established by England, hence "within the pale" and beyond the pale.

That settlement has to be a return to her pre-1967 boundaries. Precisely because Israel is by no means forced to make so generous a move, the international support (even love) this would generate would secure her future permanently. It would bring her back within the pale.

2006 July 20, Matthew Parris, “Two reasons why I cannot bring myself to write about the Israel problem”, in Times Online:

Within the boundaries, either physical or metaphorical; especially within the limits of acceptable behavior.


of that ilk

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see of, that, ilk.

Johnstone of that ilk = Johnstone from Johnstone

(Scotland) Having a name that is the same as the place where one lives.

von und zu

having the same name as the place where one lives


of age

He's of age now: he can make his own decisions.

Old enough to be considered an adult (in law, or by society generally).

One must be 18 years of age to be an eligible voter in most countries.

(formal, idiomatic, law, usually literary) Having existed for a certain period of time; used in referring to a person's age.


on the hoof

[…]he is hereby directed to purchase, and have in Readiness by the First Day of July next, Two Hundred good draught Horses, Thirty Hogsheads of Rum, Ninety Thousand Weight of Beef on the Hoof, Hides included,[…]

1780, [Act and resolves]. At the general assembly of the state of Rhode Island and Providence plantations:

A 150-pound whitetail on the hoof can be reduced to 100 pounds of pure meat.

1990, A.D. Livingston, Venison Cookbook:

Barely 10% of the country's corn crop ever goes into commercial channels to become breakfast cereal, corn starch or oil. Less than 25% ever leaves the farm where it was grown - until it leaves on the hoof.

1956, John Weston Walch, Complete Handbook on Farm Policy, volume 2, page 212:

In 1920, votes at the Republican National Convention were selling at $2,500 on the hoof.

It seems to me that the university degrees as I see them on the hoof in Calgary at any rate serve to widen the gulf between the people who need help and the people who are there to help.

1970, Canada. Parliament. Senate. Special Committee on Poverty, Proceedings of the Special Senate Committee on Poverty, page 22:

An essential weakness of these results, of course, is that it is not possible to conclude very much about the importance of these various routes like 'a new person joining the firm' (also referred to as technology transfer 'on the hoof')

1972, Paul Halmos, The Sociological Review Monograph, number 18, page 198:

Stray German cavalry horses are pastured along with many cows in the lush grassland around our tents, and fresh milk is delivered to our doorsteps on the hoof. As a matter of fact, the cows are so numerous we often have to drive them away.

1978, Karl Swindt, 429th Fighter Squadron, the "Retail" Gang, page 98:

Most of the steamers are being "sold on the hoof" to the larger scrap dealers.

1986, Don Ball, The Pennsylvania Railroad, 1940s-1950s, page 139:

Alive; embodied in a living animal (including a human); in working order.

Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion in that Country in 1641, the Mother fled with our Author and another Child towards England, and landing at Leverpoole in Lancashire, they all beated it on the hoof thence to London,[…]

1691, Anthony Wood, Athenae Oxonienses: An Exact History of All the Writers and Bishops Who […] :

Look at this crowd! Bound to be a lot of pussy on the hoof in a crowd like this.

Relaxation, I may say, included long, very hot walks up to the lower slopes of the Tunari, the mountain that dominates the verdant valley of Cochabamba, during which the hyperactive president held discussions on the hoof with local authorities.

2009, Margaret Joan Anstee, The House on the Sacred Lake and Other Bolivian Dreams:

(of a human activity, such as eating) While standing, walking, or running; on foot.

But billets need not be a great issue, and it is possible that, apart from the first and last nights, choice can be made 'on the hoof'. When on the road, consultation with the map and the clock will indicate when to start looking.

To make such an expensive commitment without properly thinking about how best to help travellers on low incomes shows that the policy was developed on the hoof.

2020 January 2, Christian Wolmar, Rail, page 70:

(UK, informal) Without proper thought or preparation; done as one goes.

spontaan

informal: without proper thought or preparation


on the brain

He's only got one thing on the brain: lust.


on the defensive

Last year, despite winning 34 of the legislature’s 57 seats with 47 per cent of the popular vote, the NDP was on the defensive almost from the start.

1982 December 11, Frances Russell, “Economic performance buoys Pawley’s position”, in The Vancouver Sun (The Weekend Sun), Vancouver, BC, page A6:

Prepared to defend or protect against criticism, attack or aggression.

Brazil's greater quality and assurance in possession meant England spent much of the game on the defensive.

2017 November 14, Phil McNulty, “England 0-0 Brazil”, in BBC News:

(sports) defending; playing a defensive game


at heart

I’m a vegan at heart – the thought of the death of animals for my food is abhorrent.

My dad may be old on the outside, but he’s young at heart; he plays video games every now and then to improve his coordination.

One could argue, of course, that most comedies about the risqué misadventures of teenagers are actually pretty wholesome. Horny hits like American Pie and last year's Blockers are, at heart, sweet coming-of-age stories, secretly reassuring everyone that the kids are all right—that no matter how many f-bombs they drop, no matter how raunchy their MPAA-antagonizing hijinks get, they're really just fumbling their inexperienced way through normal rites of passage.

2019 August 14, A. A. Dowd, “Good Boys Puts a Tween Spin on the R-rated Teen Comedy, to Mostly Funny Effect”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 2021-03-04:

In spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings; deep down, fundamentally, really.

je koro

in spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings

I always have your best interests at heart.

Wished earnestly for; held in high esteem.


back in the day

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-back in the day.wav

I wanted to do a song that epitomizes the feeling and vibe from back in the day while still being current.

1995 April 8, Havelock Nelson, quoting Jemini, “Mercury Debut Rapper Jemini Proudly Displays All His ‘Scars’”, in Billboard, volume 107, number 14, Nielsen Business Media, →ISSN, page 18:

Sean May played like they did back in the day, kind of like 29 long years ago, when his father led Indiana to a national championship in 1976.

2005 April 5, Joe Lapointe, “COLLEGE BASKETBALL; North Carolina's Leader Does His Father Proud”, in The New York Times, retrieved 2010-06-27:

Ah, back in the day. After stumbling out of the service entrance, and wandering to the beach to swim off our buzz, we would barefoot it down the beach to the Outrigger, where Mr. Don would sometimes do a cameo at the microphone.

2009, Everett Peacock, The Parrot Talks in Chocolate, Everett Peacock, →ISBN, page 31:

(temporal location, idiomatic, informal) In the distant past; especially, at a time fondly remembered (the good old days).


like new

After a thorough shine, your shoes look like new.

Make your car run like new.


in the making

You're witnessing a great reference work in the making.

Illicit teenage parties were, of course, a health risk. But sad, withdrawn, angry kids who would rather roll over than face another day in lockdown represent a whole new medical crisis in the making.

2021 January 29, Gaby Hinsliff, “Behind closed bedroom doors, a teenage mental health crisis is brewing”, in The Guardian:

(idiomatic) In development; in the process of being made or evolving.


on site

If we can't figure out how to diagnose this problem remotely, we're going to have to go on site again.

Working around an ancient monument has meant having an archaeologist on site whenever there were excavations.

2024 January 24, Peter Plisner, “Rising to the University challenge”, in RAIL, number 1001, page 61:

At the site of a job, or at the location of the customer of a product or service, as opposed to at the vendor's factory or office.


on the down-low

I'll tell you, but keep it on the down-low.

(US, idiomatic, slang, euphemistic) In secret.

(US, idiomatic, slang, euphemistic) Secretly sleeping with someone other than one's partner.

(African-American Vernacular, LGBT) (of a male) Publicly identifying as heterosexual but secretly having sex with other men.


on the back foot

(cricket, of a batsman) Having the weight on the back foot in order to play a defensive stroke

Lawson wasn't going to be put on the back foot by Brian Duff. "I don't know what you're on about. But I've kept my nose clean for over twenty years.

2003, Val McDermid, The distant echo, page 184:

Now I was the one on the back foot. He liked me. "Really?" "I'd like to take you out when we're back in LA"

2005, Clare Naylor with Mimi Hare, The Second Assistant: A Tale from the Bottom of the Hollywood Ladder, page 289:

She was on the back foot now. I had taken the initiative good and proper.

2008, Sue Limb, Zoe & Chloe on the Prowl, page 112:

Thitinan said Yingluck's decision to skip the verdict hearing will have "emboldened" the military government. "They would not have wanted to put her in jail, in this scenario, (but her not showing up today) puts her on the back foot and gives them an edge."

2017 August 25, Euan McKirdy et al, "Arrest warrant to be issued for former Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra", in edition.cnn.com, CNN

HS2 Ltd is presumably on the back foot in its relations with Government, because of its cost increases.

2021 November 17, William Barter, “Will ten platforms do for HS2 at Euston terminus?”, in RAIL, number 944, page 33:

(idiomatic, Commonwealth) in a defensive posture; on the defensive; off balance; at a disadvantage.


on deck

In every sense of the expression he is ‘on deck’; but my Jim, for the most part, skulked down below as though he had been a stowaway.

1899 September – 1900 July, Joseph Conrad, chapter 19, in Lord Jim: A Tale, Edinburgh, London: William Blackwood and Sons, published 1900, →OCLC, page 213:

(nautical) On the deck of a ship, especially of a captain or officer; in charge.

Jones is the on-deck batter.

(baseball) Being the batter who will be up next, typically when that player is waiting on the field.


in step

Of a number of people walking, or especially marching, synchronously, so that that footfalls occur at the same time.

The "Overhead Door" is the garage door that can be opened or closed at a touch every day in the year—regardless of the weather. It is the garage door that opens UP Completely Out of the Way. In short, it is the modern door for the modern garage—in step with the times.

1930 May 31, “The "Overhead Door" for Garage-Factory-Warehouse”, in The Saturday Evening Post, volume 202, number 48, page 110:

(figuratively) Of two or more people agreeing, or following the same policy or procedure.


in action

Seeing a steam engine in action is increasingly rare.

After a month in hospital, the reporter is back in action.

He was wounded in action in his second tour.


exempli gratia

Learned borrowing from Latin exemplī grātiā.

lbor

Exempli gratiâ, the venerable London Stone of many fables.

1869, Richard F[rancis] Burton, Explorations of the Highlands of the Brazil; with a Full Account of the Gold and Diamond Mines. Also, Canoeing Down 1500 miles of the Great River São Francisco, from Sabará to the Sea., volume I, London: Tinsley Brothers, […], page 172:

Even if the respondents had been liable for their administration to the same extent as private trustees, I should still have thought that it was not only within the competency, but that it was the duty of the Court, before pronouncing any decree, to consider how far the respondents might be entitled to recoup themselves, by taking, exempli gratia, the furniture of the school, or by accumulating the future income of these bequests, and what effect their so doing might have upon the efficient maintenance of the school.

1886, A. P. Stone, editor, The Law Reports. […] Appeal Cases before the House of Lords and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, Also Peerage Cases., volume XI, London: […] for the Council of Law Reporting by William Clowes and Sons, Limited, […], page 324:

See, exempli gratia, the encyclical of Leo XIII on the occasion of the third centennial of the Blessed Canisius, who organized, with Emperor Ferdinand, the first merciless repression of the Reformation in Austria.

1917 March–April, Alfredo Taglialatela, “The Church of Rome and Morality”, in William V. Kelley, editor, The Methodist Review, volume XCIX, number 2 (whole 544) / fifth series, volume XXXIII, number 2, New York, N.Y., Cincinnati, Oh.: The Methodist Book Concern, page 213:

There is not enough for certainty, but I set out below a possible scheme, exempli gratia.

1967, Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik [Journal of Papyrology and Epigraphy], page 78:


in hot pursuit

PC Winters gunned the patrol car out of the side road where they'd been parked, bored and waiting for the end of their shift, and took off in hot pursuit.

2011, Colin Bateman, SOS Adventure: Tusk:

Pursuing someone in order to apprehend him, especially across a border.


like the wind

At any rate, in my experience, they could run like the wind, but longer and heavier trains slowly but surely became too much for them.

1947 July and August, “Notes and News: Caledonian Reminiscences”, in Railway Magazine, page 256:

Although we took our eight bogies along to Whitstable at 60 m.p.h., and made a clean start from there, after Herne Bay the engine primed badly on Blacksole Bank and nearly stopped before we got over the top. Then we ran like the wind across the marshes with half-regulator, 30 per cent cut-off, and the engine blowing off.

1959 April, P. Ransome-Wallis, “The Southern in Trouble on the Kent Coast”, in Trains Illustrated, London: Ian Allan Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 220:

How she would fly like the wind, up that road in front of the house, and away.

2006, Bridgette Z. Savage, Fly Like the Wind, →ISBN:

Even if I don't run like the wind I have my own bag of tricks.

2011, V.C. Andrews, Petals on the Wind, →ISBN:

2011, David Roberts, Once They Moved Like the Wind: Cochise, Geronimo, →ISBN:

(simile) changeably, freely and at liberty.

The Spirit Of God is like the wind. Note well that his operation is unexpected. The wind bloweth where it listeth, so that thou knowest not what wind to expect.

1889, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit:

(simile) invisibly, mysteriously, unpredictably.


in particular

Mr. Cooke at once began a tirade against the residents of Asquith for permitting a sandy and generally disgraceful condition of the roads. So roundly did he vituperate the inn management in particular, and with such a loud flow of words, that I trembled lest he should be heard on the veranda.

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

(focus) Especially, individually or specifically.

մասնավորապես

especially, individually or specifically


in the way

I really wanted a clear photo of the president, but all the journalists were in the way.

(idiomatic) obstructing, blocking, or hindering

First thing on the Monday morning, I went to the haberdasher's shop, opposite Mr. Trinkle's, the great upholsterer's in Cheapside. "Mr. Phibbs in the way?"

1850 September 14, [Charles Dickens], “Three “Detective” Anecdotes”, in Charles Dickens, editor, Household Words. A Weekly Journal., volume I, number 25, London: Office, […], →OCLC:

(dated) Around; present; able to be found.


on the way

Don't panic! Reinforcements are on the way.

Don't worry, Mr. President, help's on the way
Your brothers are comin', there'll be hell to pay

We are on our way to the train station.

I can drop you at the station, as it is on my way home.

On the direct route that one intends to travel.

We expressed our readiness, and in ten minutes were in the station wagon, rolling rapidly down the long drive, for it was then after nine. We passed on the way the van of the guests from Asquith.

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

We gathered up what was left of the red deer after skinning and cleaning it, and set out upon our return journey toward the U-boat. On the way Olson, von Schoenvorts and I discussed the needs of our immediate future, and we were unanimous in placing foremost the necessity of a permanent camp on shore.

1918 September–November, Edgar Rice Burroughs, “The Land That Time Forgot”, in The Blue Book Magazine, Chicago, Ill.: Story-press Corp., →OCLC; republished as chapter V, in Hugo Gernsback, editor, Amazing Stories, (please specify |part=I to III), New York, N.Y.: Experimenter Publishing, 1927, →OCLC:


on the house

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-on the house.wav

This voucher entitles you to a free drink on the house.

It is obviously a "plum" job, one distinction being that its motormen are granted an allowance of about 6s. [six shillings] towards the cost of Wagons-Lits food in the crew quarters of the train, [...]. Additionally, by the way, each man is allowed a quarter of a bottle of wine "on the house" per trip!

1960 March, G. Freeman Allen, “Europe's most luxurious express - the "Settebello"”, in Trains Illustrated, page 146:

(of goods or services) free, complimentary.


on top of the world

He was on top of the world after she agreed to marry him.

(idiomatic) Delighted; ecstatic; exceptionally pleased, happy, or satisfied.


like a cat on a hot tin roof

A simile developed from the behaviour of a cat observed on a hot tin roof.

(simile, colloquial, chiefly US) Jumpy, nervous.


on point

Possibly from the French "en pointe" meaning to be on the tip of the toes in ballet and reflects a higher degree of skill. "On point" also describes a degree of competence and in the military the man "on point" was at the front and most exposed position in a combat military formation, that is, the leading soldier or unit advancing through hostile or unsecured territory. In recent American youth (especially hip hop) culture, the idiom "on point" refers either to someone who possesses abundant and various qualities of competence, leadership or style, or to specific acts which demonstrate such qualities.

The last time Madonna was indisputably on point, she had hooked up with French producer Mirwais for Music (2000) and the sensuous possibilities of club culture.

2019 June 8, Kitty Empire, “Madonna: Madame X review – a splendidly bizarre return to form”, in The Guardian:

We have no decisions in our state directly on point. With us the problem is one of first impression. None of the cases cited is on point.

1937, Herdman Motor Co. v. State Bd. of Tax Appeals, 119 N.J.L. 164, 166

His historical discussions always appear on point, well researched, and indicate a great deal of care.

1984, Eike-Henner W. Kluge, “Review of Frege and the Philosophy of Mathematics by Michael D. Resnik and Gottlob Frege by Hans D. Sluga”, in Noûs, volume 18, number 2, page 342:

Eitingon raised Jung's idea of substituting a new complex; Freud did not answer on point, but talked at length about transference.

1994, John Kerr, A Most Dangerous Method: The Story of Jung, Freud, and Sabina Spielrein, →ISBN:

The second question of the night was about the shortage of flu vaccine. Bush gave a fine answer, on point.

2004 October 13, Dick Meyer, “Opinion: Bush Did Well, But Kerry Won”, in CBS News, retrieved 2012-06-22:

(chiefly US, law, philosophy) Having a direct application to the case or topic under consideration; apposite, relevant.

(ballet) On the tips of the toes; en pointe.

Halo interrupted, “We are all dialed in. Music begins in five minutes. Security is on point. Light show is programmed. Do this for me: roll up the road and grab us some smokes at the convenience store across the street. Here's some cash.”

2003, Aaron Traylor, chapter 14, in The DJ Chronicles: A Life Remixed, Port Hole Publications, →ISBN, page 71:

(chiefly military) Having taken point; responsible for leading an operation; more generally, deployed and alert.


nacho

[[Appendix:Swahili_noun_classes#Ki-vi class|ki class_((VII))]] inflected form of na


for all

For all his protests, he was forced to have a bath.

For all that she was of exceptional intellectual enterprise, she had never yet considered these things with unaverted eyes.

Maguire made an horrendous meal of the most basic piece of work to make it a treble helping of dreadful defending by England and for all the flair and fantasy of their attacking play there is no hiding away from the fact this is a serious weakness.

2019 September 10, Phil McNulty, “'England horribly fallible in defence' against Kosovo in Euro 2020 qualifying”, in BBC Sport:

Collins' death can be put down to his devil-may-care attitude—his decision to journey through hostile territory in a large convoy, the inadequate choice of the members of the convoy, and the tactics he adopted in the ambush. For all the debate about ballistics and entry and exit wounds, and the use of powerful historical imaginations, it matters more that Collins was killed than how he was killed. Concentration on the events at Béal na mBláth has, moreover, often meant a failure to place them in the overall context of the war.

1988, Michael Hopkinson, Green Against Green: The Irish Civil War:

For all x in A, x² is even.

(mathematics, literally) Applying to every element of a set.


on tenterhooks

Metaphorically stretched taut, on tenterhooks.

Why do you keep me on tenterhooks like this, putting me off and off?

1921, John Galsworthy, chapter 12, in The Forsyte Saga, part 1:

A 30-hour search for an escaped lioness that had residents on the southern fringes of Berlin shelter in their homes and the rest of the German capital on tenterhooks has found that what was thought to be an exotic feline predator was most likely a common wild pig.

2023 July 21, Philip Oltermann, “Escaped ‘lioness’ in Berlin was most likely a wild boar, mayor says”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

(idiomatic) In a state of suspense or apprehension.


in bed

Reading in bed and breakfasting in bed are two of my three favorite activities.

She wasn't kind or smart, attractive or even funny. Her only redeeming feature was that she was fantastic in bed.

(idiomatic) Regarding sexual activities.

You've been in bed with the opposite party all year and that's why you keep saying we need to compromise.

(by extension) Cooperating with, as if for an illicit reward; in league with.


at the moment

Rumour has it that a new luxury lounge car design is also under discussion at the moment.

1964 July, “XP64: New Standard Carriage Project”, in Modern Railways, page 2:

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham pulled no punches in March 20's Transport for the North board meeting in Leeds. He wants rid of Avanti West Coast. And he may yet get his way, although ministers in London are holding the line at the moment.

2024 April 3, Philip Haigh, “Discord over Avanti West Coast is part of a wider problem”, in RAIL, number 1006, page 52:

'I had the same idea as you,' the Director was saying. 'Wanted to have a look at the savages. Got a permit for New Mexico and went there for my summer holiday. With the girl I was having at the moment. […]

1932, Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, London: Chatto & Windus:


on steroids

The literal sense is from anabolic steroid use as illicit drug use for doping, to become bulked up; the figurative sense is an extension.

Coordinate term: on wheels

Panic is anxiety on steroids

When a processor is running in real mode, it acts like an "8088 on steroids". What this means is that it has the advantage of speed, but it otherwise accesses memory with the same restrictions of the original 8088: a limit of 1 MB of addressable RAM, and slow memory access that doesn't take advantage of the full 32-bit processing of modern CPUs.

c. 2000, “Processor Modes”, in (help manual):

2005 September 19, Tariq Malik, “NASA's New Moon Plans: 'Apollo on Steroids'”, in space.com:

"This planet is much larger than Jupiter or Saturn, and its ring system is roughly 200 times larger than Saturn's rings are today," Mamajek said at the time.
"You could think of it as kind of a super Saturn."
Or, as others have put it, Saturn on steroids.

2016 October 14, “Spin To Survive: How 'Saturn On Steroids' Keeps From Self-Destructing”, in NPR:

Medellín, the first track from Madonna’s 14th studio album, arrived like La Isla Bonita on steroids

(idiomatic, informal) (usually after the name of a place or thing), to a greater degree, exaggerating the characteristics of the previously named object.

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


fs

(text messaging) Abbreviation of for sure.


round the bend

You're bloody berko, Koko! And who's driving? Manny? He's more round the bend than you!

2005, Henrik Moller, Renaissance, page 263:

Down the hill and round the bends, Thomas and his friends.

(idiomatic) Close to or in close proximity to another location.


on the face of

On the face of all the evidence, he was found guilty.


in advance

The money was paid in advance.


above the fold

below the scroll

antonym(s) of “near the top of a web page or application screen”

(newspapers) Situated in the upper half of the front page of a broadsheet newspaper, and thus more prominent, as the lower half is not usually visible when the folded newspaper is displayed for sale.

(web and application design) By extension, situated near the top of a web page or application screen; not requiring scrolling. See above the scroll.

above the scroll

Occupying an exclusive position of relative prominence


in hand

In physical possession; at one's disposal.

Pen in hand, I turned back to the letter I was writing.

(obsolete) In the presence of a particular person.

'What have they to do with the matter in hand - the murder on this train?'

1934, Agatha Christie, chapter 6, in Murder on the Orient Express, London: HarperCollins, published 2017, page 119:

They form part of the vast electrification and reconstruction schemes which have been in hand for a number of years at Liverpool Street, and in suburban Essex, and include the rearrangement of tracks, of which the Ilford flyover forms part; the modern signal boxes, now needed only at key points; the electric control or sub-stations; and a large electric car shed.

1951 January, R. A. H. Weight, “A Railway Recorder in Essex and Hertfordshire”, in Railway Magazine, page 44:

Under consideration; currently being dealt with or addressed.

You need to get this situation in hand, and fast.

(snooker, billiards, pool) Of the cue ball: not on the table; able to be positioned by the current player.

At the other end […] the Sounders completed a run that had taken them from 15 points off the lead, to first place in the Supporters Shield standings with two games in hand.

(sports, chiefly UK) Still to be played.


in fact

From fact (“deed, action”) (now obsolete, except in law).

(law) Resulting from the actions of parties.

People think tomatoes are vegetables, but, in fact, they are fruits.

Now all this was very fine, but not at all in keeping with the Celebrity's character as I had come to conceive it. The idea that adulation ever cloyed on him was ludicrous in itself. In fact I thought the whole story fishy, and came very near to saying so.

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

A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor; as, again, the arm-chair in which Bunting now sat forward, staring into the dull, small fire. In fact, that arm-chair had been an extravagance of Mrs. Bunting. She had wanted her husband to be comfortable after the day's work was done, and she had paid thirty-seven shillings for the chair.

1913, Mrs. [Marie] Belloc Lowndes, chapter I, in The Lodger, London: Methuen, →OCLC; republished in Novels of Mystery: The Lodger; The Story of Ivy; What Really Happened, New York, N.Y.: Longmans, Green and Co., […], [1933], →OCLC, page 0016:

Menggetimur (d. 1433),¹⁸ chief of the Odoli subtribe of the Chien-chou Jurchen, had in fact moved into Korea south of the Tumen River. Because he offered tribute to the Choson court and had encamped at Hoeryŏng (Chinese: Hui-ning), the Koreans regarded him as their vassal.

1998, Donald N. Clark, “Sino-Korean tributary relations under the Ming”, in Denis Twitchett, Frederick W. Mote, editors, The Cambridge History of China, volume 8, number 2, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 286:

We tend to think of the seafloor a few kilometres down as a flat plain. In fact, about two-thirds of this “abyssal” seabed is made up of gentle rolling hills a few hundred metres high, says Jennifer Durden at the University of Southampton, UK.

2015 August 8, Bob Holmes, “Ocean hills yield secret ecosystems”, in New Scientist, number 3033, archived from the original on 2015-09-05, page 14:


like a hawk

If you find one you like, plan to guard it like a hawk until the purchase is finalized.

(simile) With particular vigilance or attention, implying sharp vision.


for the sake of

Release this man, for the sake of justice!

Because of; out of consideration for; in the interest of.

때문에

follows a noun with -에 or a nominalized clause


like gangbusters

From the American true crime radio drama Gang Busters (1936–1957), which opened abruptly with loud sound effects of police sirens, machine guns, etc.

"Put an actress in knock-out clothes and she'll come through like gangbusters."

1954 December 9, Hedda Hopper, “Chandler, Baxter 'Spoilers' Costars”, in Los Angeles Times, page B12:

Chromebooks are selling like gangbusters, but the party could be coming to an end [title]

2021 July 14, Paul Lilly, “Chromebooks are selling like gangbusters, but the party could be coming to an end”, in PC Gamer:

Wearing its politics heavier on its sleeve is Being the Ricardos, a late-breaking Amazon Studios film from Aaron Sorkin that played like gangbusters at industry screenings in New York and Los Angeles.

2022 January 7, Richard Lawson, “The Best-Picture Race: Sure Things, Crowd-Pleasers, and the Late-Breaking Potential Upsets”, in Vanity Fair:

(simile, colloquial, originally US) Vigorously, rapidly, zealously, or forcibly; in a manner which has considerable impact.


of sorts

He wrote a polite retraction, as an apology of sorts for his harsh words.

The Mountain versus the Hound played out entertainingly, with the elder Clegane still outmatching his younger brother pound for pound and blow for blow. Being turned into a walking zombie of sorts didn’t just amplify his strength; it essentially obviated the need to parry blows, as even Sandor sinking his sword deep into his undead brother didn’t seem to slow him down in the slightest.

2019 May 12, Alex McLevy, “Westeros faces a disastrous final battle on the penultimate Game of Thrones (newbies)”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 2019-05-15:

(idiomatic) Resembling; similar to; in a way; partially or not entirely.

eräänlainen

Resembling; similar to; in a way; partial or not entire; somewhat


up the creek

We'll be up the creek if we lose those files, so we should back them up regularly.

“Then we would be up the creek. You can be extradited for grand larceny. Jez you wouldnt^([sic]) have me goin^([sic]) round with dark glasses and false whiskers all my life.”

1925, John Dos Passos, Manhattan Transfer, New York, N.Y., London: Harper & Brothers, →OCLC, 3rd section, page 306:

(idiomatic) In trouble; in a difficult situation.


on the ground

“It’s so obvious that he has no clue as to what is really happening on the ground,” she added.

2023 July 15, Brooks Barnes, quoting Fran Drescher, “In Hollywood, the Strikes Are Just Part of the Problem”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

Directly in an area of interest or active operations; in the field.

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


under one's breath

(of something said) Softly, so as not to be heard.


in no time

Just give me a ring and I'll be over in no time.

My hopes wa'n't disappointed. I never saw clams thicker than they was along them inshore flats. I filled my dreener in no time, and then it come to me that 'twouldn't be a bad idee to get a lot more, take 'em with me to Wellmouth, and peddle 'em out. Clams was fairly scarce over that side of the bay and ought to fetch a fair price.

1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter III, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y., London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:

Neil Lennon and his players have, in no time at all, roared back from trailing Rangers by 15 points in November to ending the year two points clear.

2011 December 29, Keith Jackson, “SPL: Celtic 1 Rangers 0”, in Daily Record:


under control

Don't worry; the police have been called and the situation is under control.

(idiomatic) Being taken care of or being addressed.

Throughout the turbulence encounter, the pilots kept the aircraft under control.

The control rods absorb neutrons in the reactor core, keeping the fission reaction under control and preventing it from going prompt critical.

(literal) Being actively controlled, or able to be actively controlled in its current state.


under a spell

(idiomatic) Bewitched; held (as if) by the power of a magical spell.


up to no good

He acts like an angel when his parents get home, but the rest of the time he's up to no good.

(idiomatic, litotes) Misbehaving, being mischievous.


on offer

The sofa is on offer. It's £200 instead of £500.

Rooney had been suffered a barren spell for England with only one goal in 15 games but he was in no mood to ignore the gifts on offer in front of an increasingly subdued Bulgarian support.

2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in BBC:

(UK) Available to take; at hand; being offered or to be offered.


under one's wing

He took the promising student under his wing.

The promising student came under the professor's wing.

He remained under the great man's wing after graduation.

Now a professor himself he has young students under his wing.

By happy accident, Cyril runs into Samantha (Cécile de France), a single hairdresser who takes him under her wing — first to help him find his missing bike and father, and later, on weekends away from the group home.

2012 March 15, Scott Tobias, “The Kid With A Bike [Review]”, in AV Club, archived from the original on 2019-11-06:

(idiomatic) Under one's protection, sponsorship, or tutelage.


like a bat out of hell

He came tearing around the corner like a bat out of hell and nearly ran us over.

Appellee testified that "the train came through like a bat out of hell," and while this language is probably highly figurative, it nevertheless might tend to indicate that the train was running at a very high speed.

1904, The Texas Civil Appeals Reports: Cases Argued and Determined in the Courts of Civil Appeals of the State of Texas, volume 32, page 594:

The Paranoids cast off, backed the Godzilla II out from the pier, turned and with a concerted whoop took off like a bat out of hell, nearly sending Di Presso over the fantail.

1966 March, Thomas Pynchon, chapter 3, in The Crying of Lot 49, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC, page 38:

Like a bat out of hell
I'll be gone when the morning comes.

1977, Jim Steinman (lyrics and music), “Bat Out of Hell”, in Bat Out of Hell, performed by Meat Loaf:

(simile) With crazy or excessive intensity or speed.


for sale

- Is this ladder for sale?
- No, it is used to reach the products on the upper shelves.

... shoes Baby shoes For sale For sale Never used Never used For sale Never used Baby shoes Never used Baby shoes For ... used Baby shoes For sale Baby shoes Variation in structure is very much the same in writing and essay or a book.[…]

2015 January 1, George E. Yoos, Simplifying Complexity: Rhetoric and the Social Politics of Dealing with Ignorance, Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 144:

འཚོང་ཡག་ཡིན note: the colloquial nominalizer

has no standard orthography and is also written ཡ and ཡའ


at a stand

Now I am quite at a stand.

Well proceede;
What, at a stand? has true loue got the power,
To strike dumbe such a nimble wit?

1622, Gervase Markham, William Sampson, The True Tragedy of Herod and Antipater with the Death of Faire Marriam, London: Matthew Rhodes, act III, scene 1:

Some how or other my eye encountered with Miss Maria’s at the end of this speech; she seemed conscious, and on my observing that Mr. Wellworth was an excellent young man, she reddened excessively, and seemed at a stand for words.

1767, Hugh Kelly, The Babler, London: J. Newbery et al., Volume 1, No. 15, p. 67,http://name.umdl.umich.edu/004886123.0001.001

1847, Joel Palmer, Journal of Travels over the Rocky Mountains to the Mouth of the Columbia River, entry for 12 October, 1845, Reuben Gold Thwaites (ed.), Early Western Travels Volume 30, Cleveland, OH: Arthur H. Clark, 1906, p. 139,
I began for the first time to falter, and was at a stand to know what course to pursue.

1956, J. I. M. Stewart (as Michael Innes), A Question of Queens (alternative title Old Hall, New Hall), New York: Dodd, Mead, Chapter 16, p. 162,
He asked me, had I heard any untoward news abroad? I replied instantly that I had not. Nothing of foreigners come into the neighbourhood? This put me rather at a stand.

(idiomatic) In a state of confusion or uncertainty; undecided what to do next.

Debreas on the other side, with cheerefull speech, and his owne valour, so encouraged his souldiors, that Scanderbeg was there notably resisted, and his fortune as it were at a stand:

1603, Richard Knolles, “The Life of Mahomet, Second of that Name, Seventh King and First Emperor of the Turks”, in The Generall Historie of the Turkes, London, page 367:

1717, John Dryden (translator), Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books, London: Jacob Tonson, Book 15, “The Pythagorean Philosophy,” p. 521,
Thus are their Figures never at a stand,
But chang’d by Nature’s innovating Hand;
All Things are alter’d, nothing is destroy’d,
The shifted Scene for some new Show employ’d.

It is, however, these exclusive affections, and an individual manner of seeing things, produced by ignorance, which keep women for ever at a stand, with respect to improvement […]

1791 (date written), Mary Wollstonecraft, “Some Instances of the Folly which the Ignorance of Women Generates; with Concluding Reflections on the Moral Improvement that a Revolution in Female Manners may Naturally be Expected to Produce”, in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1792, →OCLC, page 442:

During this season of distress, the discouragements to marriage, and the difficulty of rearing a family are so great, that population is at a stand.

1798, Thomas Malthus, chapter 2, in An Essay on the Principle of Population, London: J. Johnson, page 30:

The debate was at a stand […]

1956, Mary Renault, chapter 25, in The Last of the Wine, New York: Vintage, published 1975, page 368:

(idiomatic) Not progressing; not changing; at a standstill; at an impasse.


like it's going out of style

A reference to someone engaging in an activity intensely, as if afraid that it will become unavailable or unpopular before they can get the most out of it.

Jason has been drinking like it’s going out of style.

to spend money like it’s going out of style

(simile, informal) Of engaging in an activity: enthusiastically; to an excessive degree.


in a minute

Clean the kitchen, your grandma's coming in a minute.


in touch

Let's stay in touch.

I'm not reachable over the weekend, but I'll be in touch early in the week.

How can I get in touch with her? It's urgent.

I must keep in touch with Jesus / For he will keep in touch with me

1976, “I'm So Grateful (Keep in Touch)”, in God Save the Children, performed by The Crowns of Glory:

Dear Trevor
The reason I'm writing is because I've lost your address and have no way of getting in touch with you. For that reason, chances are you won't receive this, in which case you should not feel obligated to reply. If however, this letter does reach you and you wish to answer, please enclose your current address so I will know where to send this. By the way, you can ignore the return address on this envelope, as I am moving next week and, although I don't yet have my new address, I will be sending it along as soon as I hear from you.

2004, George Carlin, “LETTER TO A FRIEND”, in When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?, New York: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, →OL, page 259:

The WSR has remained in touch with GO-OP, despite the group deciding to back away from the project in the short term.

2023 February 8, Andrew Mourant, “A serious shuttle service with options to Taunton and beyond”, in RAIL, number 976, page 30:

(idiomatic) In contact, or in communication.

Kick the ball in touch.

And when scrum-half Ben Youngs, who had a poor game, was burgled by opposite number Irakli Abuseridze and the ball shipped down the line to Irakli Machkhaneli, it looked like Georgia had scored a try of their own, but the winger's foot was in touch.

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

(rugby, of a ball or a player) outside the playing area or touching the touchlines of the playing area.


like it's going out of fashion

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-like it's going out of fashion.wav

like it's going out of style
like it's going out of style#English


on the air

Are we starting? We're starting.
Looks like it.
Are we on the air? No one even told me we're on the air.
We're not on the air.
We're not on the air, you're sure?
No.
Can someone tell us- are we on the air? Someone know?
Nobody knows.
Nobody knows. Nobody knows if we're on the air. Anyway, this is Penn Jillette, in Las Vegas, not even knowing if we're on the air. They just snuck up on us like that. But it's after 11.
It's 11 o'clock, we must be on the air.
Which is 2 o'clock in New York and 1 o'clock in Chicago, and I guess we're on the air.

2006 January 3, Penn Jillette, Michael Goudeau, 0:04 from the start, in Penn Radio, number 1:


for kicks

Well you tried it just for once, found it alright for kicks, but now you found it's a habit that sticks, and you're an orgasm addict, you're an orgasm addict.

(colloquial) In order to obtain pleasure or excitement.


in goal

After Chelsea had two goalkeepers injured in one match, their captain went in goal for the last few minutes.


up the wall

Those noisy children are driving me up the wall.

You really are a pain in the arse, aren't you (laugh track)? The PM is going up the wall! Hitting the roof! You can't go around making speeches like that.

1980 February 25, Antony Jay, Jonathan Lynn, “Open Government”, in Yes Minister, season 1, episode 1, spoken by Vic Gould (Edward Jewesbury):


on hand

From Middle English *onhande, onhende, from Old English onhende (“on hand, demanding attention”), from Proto-Germanic *anahandijaz. Equivalent to on- + hand. Cognate with Icelandic áhendur (“within reach”). Compare offhand.

der

If you have cornstarch on hand, use it; otherwise, try a little flour.

Freight rolling stock distribution is the concern of a section in the office. The clerk in charge of this section receives bulk returns from the districts at regular intervals of wagons on hand and wagon requirements.

1950 February, “Crewe Divisional Control Room”, in Railway Magazine, page 115:

Rustu failed to collect a Whitehead corner, Shawcross saw his effort blocked and Crouch was on hand to bundle over the line from three yards out.

2011 September 29, Tom Rostance, “Stoke 2 - 1 Besiktas”, in BBC Sport:

She was on hand again in March when the EU gave €7.4bn (£6.3bn) to Egypt’s abusive dictator, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, partly to curb migrant flows.

2024 May 4, Simon Tisdall, “Giorgia Meloni and Ursula von der Leyen, the double act that is steering the EU ever rightwards”, in The Observer, →ISSN:


up the walls

We were up the walls last week and I got ten hours overtime.

We didn't go to the restaurant as it was up the walls.

(idiomatic, UK, Ireland, regarding a workplace, etc.) Very busy, swamped.


in transit

It is important to maintain the correct temperature for perishable goods in transit.


on the pill

Jane went on the pill when she left for college.

(idiomatic, of a woman) Using oral contraceptives.