in comune

Literally, “in common”. Compare French en commun.

Perché se la personalità è una sequenza ininterrotta di gesti riusciti, allora c’era in lui qualcosa di splendido, una spiccata sensibilità alle promesse della vita, come se avesse qualcosa in comune con quei complicati macchinari che rilevano i terremoti a diecimila miglia di distanza.

If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, as if he were related to one of those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away.


on the wrong foot

My relationship with my neighbours started off on the wrong foot, but we're very close now.

(especially in expressions such as 'start off on the wrong foot') In a state of misunderstanding or inadvertent poor relationship with someone.

In this legal battle we were on the wrong foot from the start.

In a disadvantaged situation, or following a mistaken course of action.


on the right foot

This season, the team needs to be on the right foot from the outset.

In a strong or advantageous position, or following a successful course of action.


in ginocchio

buttarsi in ginocchio

(literally, “to throw oneself onto one's knees”)

una campagna elettorale in ginocchio

(figurative, by extension) completely defeated; overcome, in crisis, on one's last legs


like flies on pie

like white on rice
like white on rice#English


on equal footing

on an equal footing
on an equal footing#English


on the beat

bobby on the beat

From midsize departments like the one in Indianapolis to big-city forces like New York City's, from top commanders to officers on the beat, police officers nationwide were unprepared to calm the summer's unrest, and their approaches consistently did the opposite.

2021 March 20, Kim Barker, Mike Baker, Ali Watkins, “In City After City, Police Completely Mishandled Black Lives Matter Protests”, in The New York Times:

(law enforcement) Of a police officer: patrolling his or her assigned area; on duty.

Well if she did blend in, she easily looked like the oldest prostitute on the beat.

2020, Mark Hughes, A Greater Passion: Lessons on Living Large in Life and Love:

(slang, euphemistic) Synonym of on the game (“working as a prostitute”)


at the door

Colette had met them at the door and told them what they owed and they laughed at her.

2021, Michael Farris Smith, chapter 40, in Nick, New York, Boston, London: Little, Brown and Company, page 205:

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see at, the, door.

The delivery man is at the door.

Ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door.

You can buy tickets at the door, but they will be pricier.

At the first threshold of the event itself rather than in advance.


on one's side

He was sleeping on my side of the bed.

She was on her side and the pale light lay draped across the curve of her body.

2021, Michael Farris Smith, chapter 40, in Nick, New York, Boston, London: Little, Brown and Company, page 207:

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

No matter what happens, we will always be on your side.

Time is not on our side.

Helping to succeed; acting as an advantage.


to one's feet

He sprang to his feet like a good soldier.

2021, Michael Farris Smith, chapter 41, in Nick, New York, Boston, London: Little, Brown and Company, page 211:


dall'alto in basso

guardare dall'alto in basso

(literally, “to look with condescension”)

squadrare qualcuno dall'alto in basso


in anyway, shape, or form

in any way, shape, or form
in any way, shape, or form#English

Misspelling of in any way, shape, or form.


on the hunt

Police are on the hunt for the suspect.

(typically with for) In aggressive pursuit; searching relentlessly.


da capo a piedi

Literally, “from head to feet”. Compare French de la tête aux pieds.

Sono ricoperto di neve da capo a piedi.

guardare da capo a piedi

(idiomatic) from head to toe; from top to bottom


in the meanwhile

From Middle English in the meene while, in þe mene while.


in the interim

The office will be closed for a while, but in the interim, you can just email us.

And it gets worse. Barcelona will have to pay even more if he is fired in the interim. Last week, TV3 reported that a high severance payment - amounting to a total of about 12m euros - is on the table.

2021 September 22, Guillem Balagué, “Barcelona: The toxic battle ripping apart a European giant”, in BBC Sport:

While WMRE makes clear that electrification is the only credible option to decarbonise, it says that bi-mode trains could be used in the interim.

2022 December 28, Philip Haigh, “Building the case for West Midlands rail improvements”, in RAIL, number 973, page 25:


a vuoto

parlare a vuoto

sforzo a vuoto

corde a vuoto

Alla tredicesima battuta quel si va suonato a vuoto.

Per questo pezzo devo riaccordare lo strumento con il re a vuoto sulla sesta.


a viva forza

Se lo tirarono dietro a viva forza.

They dragged him behind them forcefully.


al via

Al via il processo contro l'uomo accusato della morte di George Floyd. L'agente di polizia Derek Chauvin si presenterà oggi sul banco degli imputati e davanti ad un Paese che, col fiato sospeso, chiede giustizia per il 46enne afroamericano ucciso brutalmente per una banconota da 20 dollari contraffatta.

2021 March 29, “Usa, si apre il processo Floyd. La famiglia dell'afroamericano ucciso: "Abbiamo bisogno di una condanna" [US, the Floyd trial begins. The family of the killed African-American: "We need a conviction"]”, in la Repubblica:

The trial against the man acused of the death of George Floyd kicks off. The police officer Derek Chauvin will show up today in the dock and in front of a country that, with bated breath, calls out for justice for the 46-year-old African-American brutually killed for a counterfeit 20 dollar bill.


in the arms of Murphy

Humorous corruption of in the arms of Morpheus.


in prevalenza

Le vittime sono in prevalenza altri afroamericani e minoranze etniche.

2021 March 29, Federico Rampini, “Processo Floyd, è in gioco l'onore dell'America [Floyd trial, America's honor is at stake]”, in la Repubblica:

The victims are other African-Americans and ethnic minorities, for the most part.


in silhouette

But even in silhouette Nick thought that the figure seemed to hold some magical stature, as if a fairytale were being whispered into his ear and his mind creating the vision for it.

2021, Michael Farris Smith, chapter 59, in Nick, New York, Boston, London: Little, Brown and Company, page 292:


for all of someone

They can hang him for all of me!

1916 March 11, Charles E. Van Loan, “His Folks”, in Saturday Evening Post:

So far as someone is concerned; in someone's view. (Often in hyperbolic constructions.)


in controluce

in a position or direction opposite a light source; against the light; in silhouette


in profile

Suthep claimed that, on the night of the coup, the King had resisted meeting with the Generals who overthrew Thaksin. In the end, the King gave in to the entreaties of Queen Sirikit, but he publicly signaled her role in the coup by approving the release of a photograph of that audience which showed the King, casually dressed, in profile, while the Queen faced the camera.

2007 April 24, Boyce, R. L., “Democrat Official Warns of Sonthi’s Ambitions, Surayud’s Weakness”, in The Public Library of US Diplomacy, WikiLeaks, retrieved 2021-08-28:

(chiefly of someone's face) Seen from the side.


on the edge

Our job as social workers is to help families on the edge.

In a precarious position, with one's recourses nearly exhausted.

living on the edge

You know, flying a chopper, a helicopter, it's just natural for me. Maybe... just a little exciting? Yes, man. It's great. There's nothing like it. It's on the edge.

In a state of excitement due to taking risks.

The stock market was on the edge of collapse.

on the edge of lunacy

(with of) With figurative or temporal proximity to (an event, state of mind, etc.).


in servizio

un carabiniere in servizio

Ci è proibito fumare in servizio.

We are not allowed to smoke while on duty.

carrying out the duties of one's work; on duty


a domicilio

consegna a domicilio

lavorare a domicilio

vendite a domicilio

door-to-door sales (literally, “at home sales”)


di pattuglia

auto di pattuglia

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see di, pattuglia.

andare di pattuglia


in colpa

Mi sento in colpa pur non avendo fatto niente.

I feel guilty even though I did not do anything.


met vallen en opstaan

Literally, “with falling and standing up”. In reference to young children who are learning how to walk upright.

lit

by trial and error, with trial and error, involving trial and error


sulla breccia

Literally, “on the breach”. Compare French sur la brèche.

i grandi del passato che sono ancora oggi sulla breccia

the greats of the past who are still in vigor today

acting with continued vitality and success, especially in the defense of one's values or principles; in vigor


in session

Court is now in session, all rise!

Ready to conduct a meeting or direct an assembly of people. (of an institution, place, etc.)


all'ennesima potenza

ottimizzare lo spazio all'ennesima potenza
to optimize space to the max

capitalismo all'ennesima potenza

(idiomatic, by extension) to the best or greatest extent; to the max; at its finest


upon my sivvy

Sivvy is a clipped corruption of asseveration.

(UK, obsolete, slang) Upon my soul or honour; used to underline the truth of what one is saying.


above one's huckleberry

above one's bend
above one's bend#English

(idiomatic, US, dated) Synonym of above one's bend (“beyond one's power or ability”)


al di sopra della mischia

Literally, “above the fray”. Compare French au-dessus de la mêlée.


by a long way

“Now this won’t do - not by a long way”.

1863 Hedderwick's miscellany of instructive and entertaining literature, ed. by J. Hedderwick. (1863). United Kingdom: (n.p.).p.180

(idiomatic) To a considerably large extent, easily. Typically used in the negative to indicate something far removed and not easily altered.


in programma

mettere in programma

to schedule (literally, “put on the schedule”)

Ho in programma di andare in spiaggia.

(literally, “I have on the schedule to go to the beach.”)


voor duur geld

Literally, “for expensive money”. Compare German für teuer Geld.


with good reason

Based on sound judgment and reasonable inference; with one's proper justifications; on good grounds.


på tjukka

ho er på tjukka

(slang, predicative) pregnant, knocked up


utan vidare

(idiomatic) suddenly and unexpectedly; without warning; just like that


for ollo

Og krunprinsen reiste heimatt for ollo 3 mai.

1907, Jens Hæreid, Norigs nyare soga (etter 1814), Kristiania: Aschehoug, page 66:

And the crown prince went back home for good May 3rd.

(idiomatic) for good; forever; permanently


for godt

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see god.


were it not for

if it were not for
if it were not for#English


if it were not for

If a certain condition were not met; used to indicate that a particular person, event, etc. prevented a certain outcome.


without a word of a lie

(chiefly Ireland) With no falsehood at all; emphasizes that one is telling the absolute truth.


in the sack

I'm pooped—I'll be in the sack if anyone needs me.

Her girlfriend was amazing in the sack.

I'm sorry for all those things I said to you last night. You're not the worst fuck I ever had. Believe me, I've had worse. You don't puff or snorkel and make death-like rattles. As a matter of fact, you're rather serene in the sack.

1976, Paddy Chayefsky, Network, spoken by Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway):

(idiomatic, slang) In bed (either literally or figuratively), especially with reference to sexual intercourse.


on the debit side

On the debit side, I do not recommend the room service.

(idiomatic, British) On the negative or bad side of things.


on a collision course

collision course
collision course#English

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on, a, collision course.

The government is putting us on a collision course with nuclear disaster.

(figurative, by extension) (typically with with) Dangerously and imminently approaching (a negative condition, result, etc.).

in rotta di collisione

dangerously approaching a negative result


in a bad way

We have seen that the Delhi empire was in a pretty bad way. Indeed, one could almost say that, as an empire, it was in no way at all.

1934-5, Jawaharlal Nehru, Glimpses of World History, Penguin (2004), p. 372

Doing badly; in a state of ill health or misfortune.


wrth eich bodd

/ˌʊrθ ei̯χ ˈboːð/

/ˌʊrθ əχ ˈboːð/

second-person plural of wrth fodd (“delighted”)


without trace

It's true that NR did submit plans for Castlefield to DfT, but that was back in 2015 and they have sunk without trace.

2021 May 5, Philip Haigh, “I think we need better than this from the rail industry”, in RAIL, number 930, page 51:


up close and personal

With intimate detail and from a perspective of closeness, sometimes with the implication of intrusiveness or invasion of privacy.


a petto nudo

with a bare chest; barechested, shirtless


sur un plateau

sur un plateau d’argent
sur un plateau d'argent#French

Alternative form of sur un plateau d’argent


sur un plateau d'argent

apporter, servir quelque chose sur un plateau d’argent

(figuratively) on a plate, on a platter, on a silver platter

né avec une cuillère d’argent dans la bouche


en un seul morceau

(informal, figuratively) in one piece, all in one piece


on a silver platter

The plainest and simplest is that it is "up to" the automobile workers themselves. Quite obviously, "nothing is going to be handed to them on a silver platter!" Their intelligence, courage and solidarity must answer the question which modern industry puts to them.

1908, Pamphlets on Trade Unions - Volume 1, page 56:

On the other hand, the youth should not wait for an invitation to be active and for readymade programs and plans of actions presented to them on a silver platter. The youth themselves should demonstrate initiative..

1973, United States Joint Publications Research Service, Translations on Near East and North Africa - Issues 878-886, Joint Publications Research Service, page 73:

It is such awkward moves that create frustration within the coalition and, at the same time, present the arguments to the Opposition on a silver platter.

1990, Foreign Broadcast Information Service, Daily Report. West Europe, Foreign Broadcast Information Service, page 41:

Even as the investigator was handing Dartmouth over to him on a silver platter, Goody was whining and complaining, defending himself against the constant and wholly imaginary threat of being taken advantage of.

2012, Gar Anthony Haywood, It's Not a Pretty Sight, Open Road Media, →ISBN, page 32:

(being given something) too easily, more than one deserves


in one piece

Dr. Carlyle: Cavalry to the rescue. Nice to see you guys.
Ryder: You too, Harry. How is everyone?
Cora: Still in one piece. You got here just in time.

2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Habitat 7:

(informal) Uninjured, unhurt, undamaged.


through the hawsehole

(nautical, slang) Of an officer: having risen from the grade of an ordinary seaman, whose original position in the vessel was forward, before the mast.


sul filo del rasoio

Literally, “on the wire of the razor”. Compare French sur le fil du rasoir.

camminare sul filo del rasoio

to walk a tightrope (literally, “to walk on the knife-edge”)

(idiomatic) on the knife-edge, on the edge, on thin ice


before the fact

Coordinate term: after the fact

accessory before the fact

Coordinate term: after the fact

Feminism envisaged as a 'home' insists on commonality before the fact, pushing aside all those who would trouble its domestic idyll.

2021, Amia Srinivasan, “Preface”, in The Right to Sex, Bloomsbury:

Assumed prior to factual study; ipso facto true, good, or correct; a priori.


heb os nac oni bai

beyond a shadow of a doubt
beyond a shadow of a doubt

(idiomatic) beyond a shadow of a doubt (without a doubt)


sans vergogne

/sɑ̃ vɛʁ.ɡɔɲ/

shameless, unblushing, ruthless; shamelessly, unblushingly, ruthlessly


in the twinkling of a bedpost

in the twinkling of a bedstaff
in the twinkling of a bedstaff#English

Alternative form of in the twinkling of a bedstaff


like one o'clock

Brought up as a gentleman, he was, if ever a man was. Ed’cated at no end of expense. Went into the Marshal’s house once to try a new piano for him. Played it, I understand, like one o’clock—beautiful! As to languages—speaks anything.

1855 December – 1857 June, Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1857, →OCLC:

I went over the fence like a shot, and ran like one o'clock for the trap, cussing and swearing as I went.

1899, H. G. Wells, Mr. Brisher's Treasure:

(UK, simile, slang, obsolete) Very quickly or vigorously.


per sommi capi

(relational) summary; in a summarized form, in short


without recourse

For the first time in many decades... those convicted under rules found not to produce fair and reliable verdicts will be left without recourse in federal courts.

2021, Edwards v. Vannoy (U.S. Supreme Court No. 19–5807), Justice Kagan dissenting

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see without, recourse.

bill of exchange
bill of exchange#English

(finance) Written on a bill of exchange to indicate that the buyer might not be paid back.


in risposta

una lettera in risposta

In risposta alla sua domanda, le inviamo il nostro manifestino.

In response to your question, please find our leaflet attached.

Le ho detto della sua bocciatura e, in risposta, ha scoppiato a piangere.

I told her that she failed the class and, in reaction, she burst into tears.


di ritorno

Literally, “of return”. Compare French de retour.

volo di ritorno

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see di, ritorno.

Sarò di ritorno tra poco.

Con questi sforzi possiamo avere di ritorno una società normale.

With these efforts, we can have a normal society back.

dire di ritorno


við trauð ok nauð

with great difficulty
with great difficulty


a rischio di

Literally, “at risk of”. Compare French au risque de.


til høves

(predicative) deserved, meritted, right, fitting


under fire auge

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see auge.


over dammen

Likely a calque of English across the pond.


til gagns

han er til gagns


on the bum

I ask, how many of these hobos, who are on the bum, have the courage to ask for the drink?

1870, M.P. Murphy, Iron Molders' Journal, volume 32, Iron Molders' Union of North America, page 518:

Even now, though it was December, a few poor draggled old wrecks were settling down on the benches, tucking themselves up in sort of parcels of newspaper. Gordon looked at them callously. On the bum, they called it.

1936, George Orwell, Keep the Aspidistra Flying:

(US, slang) Living as a vagrant; homeless.

My typewriter's on the bum—and I'm just lost. One gets so used to one that you're very dependent.

(chiefly US, slang) Not working; out of order.

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


i rette

gå i rette med
gå i rette med#Norwegian_Nynorsk

Only used in gå i rette med and variants thereof.


til rettes

to a rightful, appropriate, ready or comfortable state (Used mostly in fixed constructions)

(obsolete, literally) before a court of law

å stå til rettes for det ein har gjort

to stand accountable for what one has done

eg får stille han til rettes

I'll have to hold him accountable; I'll have to confront him

(by extension, figurative, idiomatic) accountable

det er til rettes

(rare, predicative) rightful, for the best


di nome

solo di nome

un tale di nome Lorenzo

having a particular name; by the name of; called

Lo conosco di nome.


by the name of

A woman by the name of Jill.


in living color

The show will be broadcasted in living color.

The defendant is right here in front of you, in living color.

Some bulletin board subscribers can now dial up displays for their IBM PC or PC XT in living color—and see the results in less than a second.

1984 September 3, Judith Walters von Alten, “Color for Bulletin Boards”, in InfoWorld, volume 6, number 6, InfoWorld Media Group, →ISSN, page 35:


sulla punta delle dita

Literally, “on the point of the fingers”. Compare French sur le bout des doigts.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see sulla, punta, delle, dita.

Fidati, ho questo argomento sulla punta delle dita.

with great and well-versed knowledge; at one's fingertips, down pat


without incident

Without causing or experiencing difficulty; not encountering any impediments.


a credito

Literally, “at credit”. Compare French à crédit.


on credit

With an understanding that the money lent will be paid back.

nisyə

with an understanding that money will be paid back


in a vacuum

Speaking at a UN general debate on the Middle East in New York, Guterres created fury when he said: “It is important to … recognise the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation.”

2023 October 25, Patrick Wintour, quoting António Guterres, “Israel says it will ban UN staff after secretary general’s comments”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Divorced from its proper context and therefore suffering from incomplete analysis.


on form

Doing well; performing as well as would usually be expected.


dietro le spalle

Porta le braccia dietro le spalle.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see dietro, le, spalle.

Si gettò dietro le spalle le vecchie perdite.

dire dietro le spalle

agire dietro le spalle di qualcuno

behind someone's back
behind someone's back


on the way out

Quick! She's already on the way out!

He shook my hand on the way out.


upon the square

You must keep within the compass, and act upon the square with all mankind, for your masonry is but a dead letter if you do not habitually perform its reiterated injunctions.

1857, George Oliver, Signs & Symbols, illustrated & explained, page 190:


all'aria libera

Literally, “at the free air”. Compare French à l’air libre.


in circolazione

Literally, “in circulation”. Compare French en circulation.

monete in circolazione

La notizia fu in circolazione da un pezzo.

The news had been in circulation for quite a while.

Dopo essersi ricoverato, era molto disposto a rimettersi in circolazione.

After having been hospitalized, he was very eager to get back in action.


in circulation

The story has been in circulation for a while now.

Because of the Internet, there is a vast library of free video material in circulation.

Freely available; not restricted in access; in general use.


a tradimento

una domanda a tradimento

Fu colpito a tradimento.
He was stabbed in the back.
(literally, “He was hit treacherously.”)


alle spalle di

vivere alle spalle di Larry

to live off of Larry (literally, “to live on the back of Larry”)

mangiare alle sue spalle

to eat on his dime (literally, “to live at his expense”)

at the expense of (someone); on the back of (someone)

ridere alle loro spalle

sparlare alle spalle di Vanessa


a regola d'arte

Literally, “at rule of art”. Compare French règles de l’art.

È stato disegnato a regola d'arte fino al minimo dettaglio.

It's been perfectly designed down to the last detail.


in pari

mettere in pari i piatti della bilancia

(literally, “put/make the scales [of the balance] level”)

mettersi in pari con i pagamenti

(literally, “put/make oneself up to date with the payments”)


на мою думку

head

на мою́ ду́мку

на мою́ ду́мку • (na mojú dúmku)

на мою́ ду́мку (canonical)
na mojú dúmku (romanization)


on contact

It explodes on contact.

Immediately after being impacted or touched by something.


al sicuro

mettersi al sicuro dal governo

mettere i gioielli al sicuro

in a protected state or place; free from any dangers; safe


in discesa

strada in discesa

prezzi in discesa

Ora che pensavo che la strada fosse in discesa, mi sono abbasato la guardia.

Now that I thought the road [of events] was downhill [from here], I lowered my guard.

easy, smooth, without difficulty; downhill


on long-term sick

In receipt of benefits or allowances for sickness, disability or incapacity for a long period of time, see on the sick


on the sick

(UK, colloquial) In receipt of any of various current or former sickness, disability or incapacity benefits


since Hector was a pup

(Canada, US, colloquial) Since a very long time ago.


بحال والو

ary-prep phrase

بحال والو • (bḥāl wālu)

بحال (bḥāl, “like”) + والو (wālu, “nothing”), literally “like nothing”.


from the jump

(US, informal) from the start, from the word go, from the get-go, from the outset, at the outset (from the very beginning)


on the jump

Come on the jump. Bring the needful for first aid. It's a rifle shot through the lungs or heart or both.

1915, Jack London·, The Little Lady of the Big House:

Accordingly Sam Daniels was sent for and arrived on the jump.

2021, Peter B. Kyne, Cappy Ricks Retires:

Everybody was on the jump, and it was a furious crowd that went rushing down toward where the new shell had been laid, along the shore of the river, at a point where a little beach offered an ideal spot for launching.

2021, Allen Chapman, Fred Fenton on the Crew:

My cavalry is on the jump all the time and in every direction, as you know from having seen several detachments, and I will do my utmost to carry out orders and wishes of the authorities.

1892, E.V. Sumner, Annual Report of the Secretary of War, page 231:

Again she bemoans the inroad of interruptions, especially those of the "inexorable" telephone which keeps Polly on the jump.

1937, The New Outlook for the Blind - Volumes 31-32, page 198:

There were many other jobs to be done during the day, for the traditional smartness of a packet was maintained only by keeping the crews constantly on the jump at times when, on an ordinary freighter, they might be taking life more easily.

1938, Robert Greenhalgh Albion, Square-riggers on Schedule, page 142:

We have been kept on the jump to stabilize the situation and to maintain some mobile striking power as a general reserve both from defensive and local offensive affairs.

1999, Dwight David Eisenhower, Joseph P. Hobbs, George Catlett Marshall, Dear General: Eisenhower's Wartime Letters to Marshall, page 98:

(Canada, US, informal, dated) Very busy; fully engaged in energetic activity; on the go.


nel dubbio

nel dubbio prendine entrambi


alla papalina

cooked and served with cheese, peas, heavy cream, and cured ham (chiefly of pasta)


a specchio

armadio a specchio

occhiali a specchio

with mirrors or some other reflective surface

lucidare una moneta a specchio

in a way that makes (a surface, etc.) shiny

una casetta a specchio del lago

right next to a reflective surface, typically water

versare una salsa vinaigrette a specchio

(literally, “to pour a vinaigrette to cover the face of the plate”)

to cover the face of the plate with vinaigrette

(cooking) in a way that uniformly covers the face of the plate


at bar

(law) Before the court; under consideration by the court.


per terra

Literally, “for ground”. Compare French par terre.


nelle ossa

sentirsi nelle ossa

L'ardore che prova per lo sport ce l'ha nelle ossa.

The ardor he feels for the sport - he has it in his bones.


da solo

I grandi non capiscono mai niente da soli e i bambini si stancano a spiegargli tutto ogni volta.

1943, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Il Piccolo Principe [The Little Prince], page 3:

Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.


in mind

He loaded the gun with bad intentions in mind.


in one's bones

The figurative sense has a linguistic life of its own as a metaphor comparable with others such as at the heart of it all, but it is also related to the literal theme that people with rheumatism can feel weather changes in their bones and joints.

He understood in his bones that the odds were not in his favor.

She could feel the rhythm in her bones.

(idiomatic, figurative) (of a feeling, belief, etc.) Derived from instinct, intuition, or an ingrained inclination.

luissaan

derived from instinct or ingrained attitude

As his aging hands became increasingly arthritic, he would often tell us that he could feel it in his bones when a snowstorm was coming.

She could feel the rhythm in her bones.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, one's, bones: especially, referring to rheumatic aches sensitive to atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity.


til eiendes

(non-standard since 2005) as property, to own


til fullnads

til fullnad
til fullnad#Norwegian_Bokmål

form removed with the spelling reform of 2005; superseded by til fullnad


til ansvars

form removed with the spelling reform of 2005; superseded by til ansvar


alla fiorentina

trippa alla fiorentina

bistecca alla forientina

(cooking) done in the style of the Florentines


over the head

She hit me over the head with a baseball bat.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see over, the, head.

After I said that, they would not give me a break. They just kept beating me over the head with it.

Her exploration of emotion, too, is slightly muted. You have to stop and consult yourself. Pain — or joy or passion — creep up afterwards. These poems never hit you over the head.

1982 August 28, Andrea Loewenstein, “Becker's Experience Talks Back”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 7, page 11:


of the moment

We should not give in to the pressures of the moment, but instead think long-term.

That has fleeting significance; having heightened relevance or importance in the short-term.


alla parmigiana

(cooking) done in the style of Parmesans: typically consisting of vegetables that are sliced, flowered, and fried before adding tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, and sometimes mozzarella


da sotto

uscire da sotto il letto

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see da, sotto.

Il difetto maggiore è che tutto gli è stato regalato; non è mai partito da sotto.

His great weakness is that everything has been given to him; he has never started from the bottom.

from a disadvantaged position; from the bottom


in anteprima

film in anteprima

sneak peek (literally, “film in preview”)

L'ho saputo in anteprima.

I knew it before it was publicly made available.

known before it becomes public knowledge; understood in advance


a casa mia

A casa mia, questo si chiama stalking.

Where I come from, this is called stalking.

as far as I'm concerned
as far as I'm concerned

as far as I'm concerned; where I come from


i bhfolach

/ə vˠəˈl̪ˠax/


до речі

head

до ре́чі • (do réči)

до ре́чі (canonical)
do réči (romanization)

[dɔ ˈrɛt͡ʃʲi]

Composed of до (do, “to”) + річ (rič, “the matter, the subject”).

Я, до речі, не про́ти.


across country

From one side of the country to the other.

From one side of the countryside to the other.

By a course going directly over the countryside rather than by roads.


like anything

I came here and worked like anything to be an example before them.

1999, Julia G. Crane, Statia Silhouettes, page 57:


like old boots

Well, I worked like old boots; and all through the beastly long term I went on steadily creeping ahead of those two.

1905, The Windsor Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly for Men and Women, page 639:

(UK, slang, archaic) Synonym of like anything (“with plenty of effort, speed, etc.”)


on one's own bat

I think you should go on your own bat—and I can get you some cash support.

1977, Lennard Bickel, Mawson's Will: The Greatest Survival Story Ever Written, page 37:

Have ye done it on your own bat or did he kick you out?

2003, Brian Penton, The Inheritors, page 149:

off one's own bat
off one's own bat#English


på eit hengande hår

A blend of two separate idioms, henge i eit hår + på eit hår nær.


ad undas

gå ad undas
gå ad undas#Norwegian_Bokmål


ad undas

gå ad undas
gå ad undas#Norwegian_Nynorsk


in balia di

Romeo e Giuletta sono marionette in balia delle stelle, incapaci di contrastare ciò che è già determinato a priori.

Romeo and Juliet are marionettes at the mercy of the stars, incapable of opposing what has already been determined a priori.


in un primo tempo

Literally, “in a first time”. Compare French dans un premier temps.

Il frate cerca in un primo tempo di nasconderle la verità.

The friar at first tries to hide the truth from her.


in open court

Being present during a public court session.


in piano

Praticamente era come se due bombe ci avessero colpito in piano.

2004 July 22, The Staircase, episode 1, spoken by Martha Ratliff (Martha Ratliff):

It was like two bombshells, I guess, hitting us.


a caro prezzo

pagare a caro prezzo

Mercuzio non conosce l'amore e solo l'amore tra Romeo e Giulietta, protetti da Venere, sarebbe poi riuscito, seppur a caro prezzo, a trascendere l'erotismo senza negarlo, sublimandolo in un sentimento più alto, perfetto nell'eternità, eterno come quest'opera che ha acquistato ormai un valore universale.

2021 July 3 (last accessed), “Romeo e Giulietta”, in Wikipedia, archived from the original on 2021-07-20:

Mercutio does not know the love and only the love between Romeo and Juliet, protected by Venus, would have then been able, even if at a high price, to transcend eroticism without denying it, sublimating it in a higher sentiment, perfect in eternity, eternal like this work that has now gained a universal value.

(figurative, by extension) involving great sacrifices; at a high price; at a price; dearly


at a price

I will give you the secret plans, but at a price.

Requiring a great expense for something to be given over or conceded.

Winning the war came at a price.

He was grateful for the recognition, even though it was achieved at a price.

Gained at the cost of incurring unwelcome consequences.

a caro prezzo

gained at the cost of unwelcome consequences


in date

Check that your driving licence is still in date.

Is that tin of fruit still in date?

Not expired; still valid; still good to be used or eaten, according to a date-stamp.


a distesa

gridare a distesa

to cry out (literally, “yell for a long time”)

continuously and for a long time; uninterruptedly (chiefly of sound)


auf Sparflamme

Die Welt steht still. Vielerorts jedenfalls. Menschen bleiben zu Hause, die Wirtschaft köchelt auf Sparflamme, weniger Verkehr, weniger Besuche, weniger Fernreisen.

2021 March 5, Maria Mast, “Jetzt wäre der Moment, es anders zu machen”, in Die Zeit:

The world stands still. In many places anyway. People stay at home, the economy is simmering, less traffic, fewer visits, fewer long-distance trips.


in un primo momento

Si trova molto spaesato e così, del tutto involontariamente, finisce con il litigare con la sorellina, che in un primo momento si allontana stizzita, ma poi si riappacifica con lui, dopo che lui le ha comprato dei biglietti per la giostra dei cavalli.

2021 July 8 (last accessed), “Il giovane Holden”, in Wikipedia, archived from the original on 2021-08-16:

He feels very lost and so, completely involuntarily, he ends up fighting with his little sister, who at first moves away in irritation, but then makes up with him again, after he buys her some tickets for the horse carousel ride.

in un primo tempo
in un primo tempo#Italian


a pieni polmoni

Literally, “at full lungs”. Compare French à pleins poumons.

C'era tanto da studiare e potevo respirare a pieni polmoni un'aria fresca, giovane e salutare.

2013, chapter 1, in F. Scott Fitzgerald, translated by Ferruccio Russo, Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Edizioni Scientifiche e Artistiche, page 38:

There was so much to read for one thing and so much fine health to be pulled down out of the young breath-giving air.

drawing in as much breath as possible; breathing deeply

at the top of one's lungs
at the top of one's lungs


con la coda dell'occhio

out of the corner of one's eye
out of the corner of one's eye


à l'air

les seins à l’air ― topless

les fesses à l’air


with the best

with the best of them
with the best of them#English

Alternative form of with the best of them


in the lap of the gods

(UK) Up to chance; Outside of one's ability to control or affect the result.


out of someone's hands

ei voida asialle mitään

verb phrase; to be out of someone's (subject) hands


in the nature of things

The ordinary or expected course of events.

asian luonne (usually with kuulua + illative)


a caldo

Literally, “at hot”. Compare French à chaud.

in the heat of the moment
in the heat of the moment


below the gangway

(UK politics) On the benches in the House of Commons located past the central aisle and relatively far from the Speaker, generally occupied by minority groups not belonging to either the government or the Shadow Cabinet.


en présentiel

enseignement en présentiel

cours en présentiel

L’examen aura lieu en présentiel.


on the phone

on the telephone
on the telephone#English

Talking to someone using a telephone; Synonym of on the telephone

(dated, UK) Connected to a telephone system or having a landline telephone in one's home.


to a first approximation

Originally from the scientific concept of order of approximation.

Used to indicate that a statement, though not necessarily entirely accurate or without exceptions, is good enough for basic or preliminary purposes; more or less; basically.


at the top of the heap

In the highest strata; at the height of status, success, etc.


in pugno

avere la spada in pugno

avere in pugno la situazione

tenere qualcuno in pugno

to have someone in the palm of one's hand (literally, “keep someone under one's control”)

(idiomatic) under one's full mastery, influence, or control; under control


in the palm of one's hand

The vamp melted into his sizzling hit, "Don't Stop," and in a matter of seconds the audience was in the palm of his hand.

1983 April 9, Charles Fuller Jr., “Sylvester Sparkles”, in Gay Community News, page 6:

Opinion polls in the wake of the interview showed support for the princess at 92 percent. She had the public in the palm of her hand.

April 5 2022, Tina Brown, “How Princess Diana’s Dance With the Media Impacted William and Harry”, in Vanity Fair:

Being fully controlled or influenced by something.


da buttare

of little value or importance; that can be sneezed at


encol de

From en (“in, on”) + colo (“lap”) + de (“of”).

on (positioned at the upper surface of, touching from above)


on the district

Midwives working on the district rarely saw women die because, on the whole, they would transfer to hospital any women with severe problems.

2013, Nicky Leap, Billie Hunter, The Midwife's Tale:

Pethidine, a synthetic opioid developed in Germany during the war, was used in 75 per cent of hospital labours by 1948. In contrast midwives working on the district were not able to offer it to their women until 1951.

2013, Tania McIntosh, A Social History of Maternity and Childbirth, page 96:

(UK, medicine, historical) Of a midwife: associated with a particular hospital, and travelling to attend patients in the nearby area.


all'indietro

Ero sul punto di prendermi una grandiosa sbornia, per superare l'imbarazzo quando Jordan Baker uscì dalla casa e rimase in cima alle scale di marmo, chinandosi un po' all'indietro e mirando con sdegnoso interesse giù, verso il giardino.

2013, chapter 3, in F. Scott Fitzgerald, translated by Ferruccio Russo, Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Edizioni Scientifiche e Artistiche, page 74:

I was on my way to get roaring drunk from sheer embarrassment when Jordan Baker came out of the house and stood at the head of the marble steps, leaning a little backward and looking with contemptuous interest down into the garden.


al volo

Literally, “at the flight”. Compare French au vol.

un calcio al volo al pallone

(literally, “kick to the ball while it is still in the air”)

Improvvisamente una di queste vagabonde, in un opale tremolante, coglie al volo un cocktail, lo butta giù per prendere coraggio e, muovendo le mani come Frisco, balla da sola al centro del palco.

2013, chapter 3, in F. Scott Fitzgerald, translated by Ferruccio Russo, Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Edizioni Scientifiche e Artistiche, page 73:

Suddenly one of these gypsies in trembling opal, seizes a cocktail out of the air, dumps it down for courage and moving her hands like Frisco dances out alone on the canvas platform.

(also sports) while an object is still moving through the air

capire al volo

(figurative) quickly and readily; on the fly


per il verso giusto

Non bado mai tanto a quello che faccio, così prendo tutto per il verso giusto.

2013, chapter 3, in F. Scott Fitzgerald, translated by Ferruccio Russo, Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Edizioni Scientifiche e Artistiche, page 75:

I never care what I do, so I always have a good time.

Il problema era mia madre, con lei le cose non andavano mai per il verso giusto.

2011, Elena Ferrante, chapter 7, in L'amica geniale [My Brilliant Friend], Edizioni e/o:

The problem was my mother: Things never went right with her.

(transitive) in the right way; in the right direction


in cima in cima

Non arrampicarti in cima in cima alla montagna!

Don't climb all the way up the mountain!

Se lo metti in cima in cima al tavolo, cadrà.

If you put it all the way at the end of the table, it will fall.

on the highest or at the furthest position, often one that is precarious


in prima battuta

Il bar, dove deviammo in prima battuta, era affollato, ma di Gatsby non c'era traccia.

2013, chapter 3, in F. Scott Fitzgerald, translated by Ferruccio Russo, Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Edizioni Scientifiche e Artistiche, page 76:

The bar, where we glanced first, was crowded but Gatsby was not there.

in the first instance
in the first instance

at first, in the first instance, to start with


dall'altro lato

La prima cena – ce ne sarebbe stata un'altra dopo la mezzanotte – stava per essere servita, Jordan m'invitò a unirmi alla sua compagnia che era seduta ad un tavolo dall'altro lato del giardino.

The first supper—there would be another one after midnight—was now being served, and Jordan invited me to join her own party who were spread around a table on the other side of the garden.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see dall', altro, lato.

da un lato... dall'altro lato


au saut du lit

LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-au saut du lit.wav

LL-Q150 (fra)-LoquaxFR-au saut du lit.wav

as soon as one wakes up, as soon as one gets up, early in the morning, at the crack of dawn


per intero

Facemmo un tentativo aprendo una porta massiccia, dall'aria pomposa, ed entrammo in un'alta biblioteca gotica, rivestita con dei pannelli di quercia inglese intagliata e, verosimilmente, trasferita per intero da qualche rovina oltreoceano.

2013, chapter 3, in F. Scott Fitzgerald, translated by Ferruccio Russo, Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Edizioni Scientifiche e Artistiche, page 77:

On a chance we tried an important-looking door, and walked into a high Gothic library, panelled with carved English oak, and probably transported complete from some ruin overseas.


a lato di

Un uomo robusto, di mezza età, con degli enormi occhiali che lo facevano somigliare a un gufo, sedeva bevendo qualcosa a lato di un enorme tavolo fissando, con instabile concentrazione, gli scaffali ricolmi di libri.

A stout, middle-aged man with enormous owl-eyed spectacles was sitting somewhat drunk on the edge of a great table, staring with unsteady concentration at the shelves of books.


dalla testa ai piedi

Literally, “from the head to the feet”. Compare French de la tête aux pieds.

Quando entrammo si voltò verso di noi e contemplò Jordan dalla testa ai piedi.

As we entered he wheeled excitedly around and examined Jordan from head to foot.


nanyi

Contraction of na ninyi: and you (plural), or with you (plural)


en compote

avoir les jambes en compote

(informal, figuratively, of a body part) tired, hurting, wobbly


au coin de la rue

LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-au coin de la rue.wav


murreen-leam

Borrowed from Irish mo bhrón (“my sorrow”) + léim (“jump at”).


sul punto di

Literally, “on the point of”. Compare French sur le point de.

ero sul punto di abbandonare


a cura di

traduzione a cura di Nicola Gardini


di giorno in giorno

Literally, “of day in day”. Compare French de jour en jour.

Il planeta si fa più caldo di giorno in giorno.

The planet is getting increasingly hot [from one day to the next].


a morsi

mangiare un'ala di pollo a morsi

to eat a chicken wing directly with one's mouth

eaten directly with one's mouth, without using utensils

Quando tentò di aggredirla con il coltello, lei si è difesa a morsi.

When he tried to assault her with the knife, she defended herself by biting [the assailant].


in compenso

Lui è un po' duro di comprendonio ma in compenso è abbastanza simpatico.

He is a bit slow-witted, but to make up for it he's pretty likeable.


a voce

leggere a voce

NON / DICE / REIL / LESE / CRITA / ABᴮOCE

c. 9th century, Commodilla catacomb inscription, Rome


senza riserve

Literally, “without reserves”. Compare French sans réserve.

Avrei potuto accettare, senza riserve, che Gatsby fosse venuto fuori dalle paludi della Louisiana o dal Lower Est Side di New York.

2013, chapter 3, in F. Scott Fitzgerald, translated by Ferruccio Russo, Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Edizioni Scientifiche e Artistiche, page 81:

I would have accepted without question the information that Gatsby sprang from the swamps of Louisiana or from the lower East Side of New York.

amore senza riserve


a tavolino

(also sports) awarded by arbitration (of a win or loss)


by the lay

Sailors on whaling ships were traditionally shipped by the lay.

(nautical) Paid a portion of any profits from the voyage, rather than receiving wages.


past one's prime

"Perhaps it might be nearer realisation," growls the cynic, "if we could only produce men according to demand, as we do horses, and promptly send them to the slaughter-house when past their prime"—which, of course, is not to be thought of.

1890, William Booth, “The Submerged Tenth”, in In Darkest England and the Way Out, page 19:

[…]he saw the pretty face grow thin and white, the hair grow scanty, the pretty hands, worn down brutally by work, become like the claws of an old animal—then, when the man was past his prime, the difficulty of getting jobs, the small wages he had to take; […]

1915, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, chapter CXIV, in Of Human Bondage, New York, N.Y.: George H[enry] Doran Company, →OCLC:

On Wednesday, Don Lemon, a co-host of “CNN This Morning,” is scheduled to return to the show, five days after apologizing on Twitter and internally for describing Nikki Haley on air last Thursday as “past her prime.”

2023 February 20, Vanessa Friedman, quoting Don Lemon, “Don Lemon, Nikki Haley and the Lessons of a Hoodie”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:


dans l'ordre

/dɑ̃ l‿ɔʁdʁ/


en âge de

/ɑ̃.n‿ɑʒ də/

population en âge de travailler

être en âge de se marier

to be of marrying age, to be of marriageable age, to be nubile

un enfant en âge d’aller à l’école

ne plus être en âge de faire quelque chose

old enough to; of an age when it is appropriate to


en bonne voie

LL-Q150 (fra)-LoquaxFR-en bonne voie.wav

well underway, on track, coming along nicely


for lack of trying

The solution has not yet been found, and it has not been for lack of trying.

(chiefly in the negative) Due to a failure to make a significant enough effort.


into space

(of a person's gaze) Pointed directly in front of oneself, blankly.


di netto

Nel canale a lato della strada, rovesciata sulla fiancata sinistra e con una ruota staccata di netto, c'era una coupé nuova che s'era avviata per il viale di Gatsby giusto due minuti prima.

2013, chapter 3, in F. Scott Fitzgerald, translated by Ferruccio Russo, Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Edizioni Scientifiche e Artistiche, page 85:

In the ditch beside the road, right side up but violently shorn of one wheel, rested a new coupé which had left Gatsby’s drive not two minutes before.

(figurative, by extension) with a quick, brusque transition; all of a sudden


fuori casa

partita fuori casa

(sports) played in the opponent's home territory; away


de première main

LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-de première main.wav

straight from the horse's mouth
straight from the horse's mouth

straight from the horse's mouth, firsthand, directly from the source


at the invitation of

Due to having been asked or invited to do something.


a occhio

A occhio, direi che pesa cinquanta grammi.

I would say it weighs roughly fifty grams.

by only visual observation, without measurement; roughly; by eye


at the money

(finance, securities) Of an option, having an underlying value approximately equal to its strike price: roughly, such that exercising it yields neither a profit nor a loss.


al cospetto di Dio

Literally, “in the presence of God”. Compare French jurer devant Dieu.

«Ti dirò la verità, al cospetto di Dio.» La sua mano destra, prontamente, ordinò al giudizio divino di attendere.

2013, chapter 4, in F. Scott Fitzgerald, translated by Ferruccio Russo, Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Edizioni Scientifiche e Artistiche, page 94:

"I'll tell you God's truth." His right hand suddenly ordered divine retribution to stand by.


by all appearances

to all appearances
to all appearances#English


precious little

Sandbanks, marshes, forests, savages, - precious little to eat fit for a civilised man, nothing but Thames water to drink.

1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 195:

Then I hit the real world and in the next decade encountered precious little in the way of Twainesque romance or riches.

2007, Darryl Brock, If I Never Get Back, page 22:

(idiomatic) Almost nothing; hardly anything.


on the breadline

She wasn't on the breadline exactly, but she didn't have an awful lot of spare cash to throw around, and she always, always lived within her means.

2021 February 25, Lilac Mills, Sunset on the Square: Escape on a Spanish Holiday with this Heartwarming Love Story, London: Canelo, →ISBN, →OCLC, →ISBN:

This life continuously trapped on the breadline was not what I wanted, not forever.

2012 March 17, Russell M. Nash, Yellow Fever: An Englishman Falls Under the Spell of the Far East, Memoirs Publishing, →ISBN, →ISBN:

He was wearing a grubby white shirt, jeans and scuffed black slip-on shoes. Anyone would think he was on the breadline too.

2014 January 16, Veronica Henry, Love on the Rocks, London: Orion, →ISBN, →OCLC, →ISBN:

With capital of about £16,000 I wasn't exactly on the breadline.

2015, J. R. L. Anderson, Death on the Rocks: A Classic English Murder Mystery, London: Bonnier Publishing Fiction, →ISBN, →OCLC, →ISBN:

There were times where money was tight and we probably were on the breadline, but I still never really wanted for anything.

2012 September 20, Kevin Twaddle, Life on the Line: How to Lose a Million and So Much More, Edinburgh: Black & White Publishing, →ISBN, →OCLC, →ISBN:

Britain survived on the breadline.

1998, Keith Laybourn, Britain on the breadline: A social and political history of Britain 1918-1939, Gloucestershire: Sutton, →ISBN, →OCLC, →ISBN:

It is ridiculous to put our own people on the breadline by reducing their spending power by an enormous sum to save very much less in overseas funds.

1969, New Zealand. Parliament. House of Representatives, Parliamentary Debates, page 4044:

The alternative argument states that, for people living on the breadline where every penny counts, the loss of a job may be the last straw factor.

1993, Valerie Møller, Quality of Life in Unemployment: A Survey Evaluation of Black Township Dwellers, Pretoria: HSRC Publishers, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 70, →ISBN:

(idiomatic) In a situation of extreme poverty; relying on food donations or having only enough to survive.


à la croisée des chemins

LL-Q150 (fra)-LoquaxFR-à la croisée des chemins.wav


sous la coupe de

under someone's thumb
under someone's thumb

under the control of someone, under someone's thumb


en double file

LL-Q150 (fra)-Mecanautes-en double file.wav

stationner en double file

stationnement en double file

next to a car already parked on the side of a street, in such a way that one is obstructing traffic


en double aveugle

double-blind (describing an experiment in which some information which might influence the experiment is withheld from two parties)


de droit

Coordinate term: de fait


au carré

faire le lit au carré

to tuck the sheets neatly under the mattress

une coupe au carré

(of a haircut) in which the hair is typically cut straight around the head at about jaw-level


on trial

Undergoing a trial in a court of law. (of a person)


off-camera

(especially attributive) Alternative form of off camera.


off camera

He would only talk to us off camera.

In a position or situation where one is not being photographed or filmed.

We have some of the best off-camera talent in the business.

(television, film) In or related to a role behind the cameras, e.g. in production, lighting, editing, etc.


to one's credit

At times, Swindon's penalty box resembled a pinball machine. To their credit, they never wavered and for that alone no one could begrudge them the points.

2000 March 12, Stuart Barnes, “Swindon stunner for Curbishley”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Although the Department for Transport (to its credit) wants the GBR legislation, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak does not. He doesn't see railways as a priority in the run-up to a General Election which the smart money says he will likely lose.

2023 May 31, Nigel Harris, “Comment: GBR now! We have no Plan B”, in RAIL, number 984, page 3:

Achieved by the operation of one's personal strengths and merits.


in a box

By virtue of the sonnet's many complications, Shakespeare put himself in a box when writing poetry.

(idiomatic) Under very restrictive limits or boundaries.


on one's ones

2013, [gang] Member 39, quoted in How Gangs Work: An Ethnography of Youth Violence by J. Densley
If you [are] on your ones and someone comes up to you, 'What you got for me bruv?', you look at them in the eye, talk to them straight in the eye, stand your ground[…]

I still don't know, still don't know what to do
I'm on my ones
I'm getting funds

2017, Mickz (lyrics and music), “C4ll M3”:

Charlie melts into his mattress
Watching Twin Peaks on his ones
Then his fingers find a bottle
When he starts to miss his mum

2020, Arlo Parks (lyrics and music), “Hurt”:


over the left

over the left shoulder
over the left shoulder#English

(obsolete, slang) Short for over the left shoulder.


en état de

en état de choc

en état d’alerte

en état d’arrestation

en état de marche, en état de fonctionnement

en état d’ivresse, en état d’ébriété

en état de grâce

en état de légitime défense

en état de mort cérébrale

en état de décomposition avancée

en tout état de cause

Near-synonym: en mesure de

ne pas être en état de faire quelque chose

to not be in a condition to do something

(followed by an infinitive) in a condition to (do something), in a fit state to (do something)


on instruments

We were on instruments for the descent through the clouds.

(aviation) (Flying) by reference to one's flight instruments, rather than by visual contact with the ground.


on order

Having already been ordered for shipment, but not yet received from the supplier.

in ordinazione

having already been ordered but not yet received


hors des clous

The limits of crosswalks used to be marked with very large-headed nails.

traverser hors des clous

(literally) out of the limits of the crosswalk, outside of a designated crossing

(figuratively) out of the box; off the books (not abiding by the rules)


by no stretch

An ellipsis of by no stretch of the imagination (“inconceivable”).

by no stretch of the imagination#English

(idiomatic) Alternative form of by no stretch of the imagination.


in key

(figurative) In harmony, accord, or sympathy (with); congruent.


out of key

It was a figure quite out of key with that lonely landscape, for it wore a panama hat and a neat dark suit, cut to the order of present day dandyism, which required coats to be tight-waisted up to the armpits and trousers belted in that they might bulge out into extra wide mathematically squared bags.

1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 63:

(figurative) Not in harmony (with); at odds (with).


in one's infinite wisdom

(humorous) By relying too much on personal judgement or preference, without realizing the limitations of one's reasoning.


to a lesser extent

A variety of topics are included, but there seems to be a primary concentration on the study of athletes and to a lesser extent the growth and performance of children and youth.

1984, Jan Borms, Human growth and development, page 438:

In laboratory tray tests designed to simulate a field test, pheromones of A. diaperinus cause aggregation responses in adults and, to a lesser extent, larvae.

1986, Adejoju Ajoke Falomo, The Pheromone Biology of the Lesser Mealworm, Alphitobius Diaperinus (Panzer), (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), page 165:

Shanghai and, to a lesser extent, Taiwan, lack the transparency and level playing field of Hong Kong. Singapore, Shanghai, and, to a lesser extent, Sydney, lack the entrepreneurial drive found in Hong Kong.

1997, Michael J. Enright, Edith Elizabeth Scott, David Dodwell, The Hong Kong Advantage, page 274:

To what extent is the Middle Palaeolithic in Mediterranean France similar to, or different from, that found in southwestern France, (and to a lesser extent in other regions) and to what extent do the models of Mousterian variability developed in the classic area of southwestern France apply in Mediterranean France?

2003, Carolyn Szmidt, Mousterian in Mediterranean France, page iii:


a riposo

Literally, “at rest”. Compare French au repos.

(humorous) out of use (because a product is broken, etc.)


of one's own making

It's a complete shambles - yet again - of the Government's own making.

2023 August 23, Nigel Harris, “Comment: End damaging drift at Euston”, in RAIL, number 990, page 3:

As the direct effect of one's actions, rather than those of others or of external events.


at a minimum

At the least; in order to achieve only the bare minimum.


o bryd i'w gilydd

Literally “from a time to its companion”.


comme deux ronds de flan

LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-comme deux ronds de flan.wav

en rester comme deux ronds de flan

(simile, informal) dumbfounded, gobsmacked


al minimo

Literally, “at the minimum”. Compare French au minimum.


with all the salt in the Dead Sea

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-with all the salt in the Dead Sea.wav

(informal, idiomatic) With much doubt and skepticism.


per forza di cose

Literally, “by force of things”. Compare French par la force des choses.


in reserve

The Schynige Platte Railway carries on its traffic with no more than four electric locomotives (with one steam locomotive in reserve).

1960 December, Voyageur, “The Mountain Railways of the Bernese Oberland”, in Trains Illustrated, page 755:

Stored and set aside for possible (future) use.


on the part of

Only one [tomb] stone was damaged (the Scaife one), and this took place on Friday, March 2, 1951, as a result of hooliganism on the part of two boys.

1951 October, “Notes and News: Bromsgrove Tombstone Damaged”, in Railway Magazine, page 709:


off-the-air

Alternative spelling of off the air, especially when used attributively.


off air

Channel 9 will be off air from 11 pm until 6 am.

The transmitter is off air after a fire.

Not broadcasting or transmitting on radio or television.

dark

of a TV or radio station that is shut down

After ten years, the TV series was taken off air.

Fortunately his offensive remarks were off air.

Not being, or so as not to be, broadcast or transmitted by radio or television.


par extension

(linguistics, semantics) by extension, broadly


at grips

No doubt of it, Edmund was at grips with that bumptious little hairy dog. They were going it at the very top note of sadistic fury, screaming and snip-snapping in such a lightning mixture of black and white murder that the eye could not follow it.

1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 140:


de do leontaíl féin

(Ulster) of one's own accord, of your sg own accord


au-dessus de la mêlée

LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-au-dessus de la mêlée.wav

LL-Q150 (fra)-LoquaxFR-au-dessus de la mêlée.wav

From the novel Au-dessus de la mêlée by Romain Rolland, published in 1915. Literally, “above the battle”.

Romain Rolland
fr:Au-dessus de la mêlée (texte)


au-dessus de la mêlée

Unadapted borrowing from French au-dessus de la mêlée.


in the bucket

If you find that you are only $500 dollars in the bucket, don't think you will only need $500 dollars in cash, either.

She said once they won a thousand, but by then they were already thirty thousand in the bucket.

(slang) Short of money, or in debt (by a specified amount).


on the fiddle

He can't possibly afford that house on his salary. He must be on the fiddle.

(slang) Engaged in financially dishonest behaviour.


mellan skål och vägg

among friends (in a situation where one can speak freely)


ar lein

ar lein (mutation mutation-radical)
har lein (mutation prothesis-h)


de oído

(idiomatic, chiefly music, language learning) by ear


in one's feelings

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-in one's feelings.wav

“Nigga please, yes you were. You love me. Been following me around, cashing out for months. Don't get in your feelings and start lying now.”
“I ain't in my feelings, and that money I spent wasn't shit. Best believe it ain't have nothing to do with loving your ass.”

2018, A'zayler, She Took My Heart and Went Crazy (volume 1)

I know now you're thinking Joseph was entirely too old to be marrying her anyway. Do you see how you just got into your feelings finding out that Joseph was potentially in his 90's?

2021, Dr. Lawrence V. Bolar, I’m Not Mad I’m Just in My Feelings: Study Guide:

(US, African-American Vernacular, jargon) Overreacting or having a strong emotional reaction; worked up.


di professione

Literally, “of profession”. Compare French de profession.

Lenin propone la formazione di un partito rivoluzionario composto dall'avanguardia della classe operaia, in cui partecipano rivoluzionari di professione.

2021 October 27 (last accessed), “Che fare?”, in Wikipedia^(https://web.archive.org/web/20211017203652/https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_fare%3F_(Lenin)), archived from the original on 2021-10-17:

Lenin proposes the formation of a revolutionary party composed of a vanguard of the working class, in which professional revolutionaries participate.

done as part of one's profession; professional


out of keeping with

THE CONCISE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF WORLD RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES. Edited by P. Ransome-Wallis. Hutchinson. 50s.
A gaudy jacket, remarkably out of keeping with the contents, camouflages the weightiest and meatiest work on a railway topic since the war.

1960 January, “New reading on railways”, in Trains Illustrated, page 26:


without a shadow of a doubt

beyond a shadow of a doubt
beyond a shadow of a doubt#English


beyond the shadow of a doubt

Alternative form of beyond a shadow of a doubt


kung sa bagay

tl-head

kung sa bagay (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜓᜅ᜔ ᜐ ᜊᜄᜌ᜔)

Kung sa bagay, titira ka naman dito.

(conjunctive) after all; anyways; come to think of it


sotto una campana di vetro

tenere sotto una campana di vetro

to mollycoddle (literally, “to keep in a sheltered environment”)

in a sheltered or overprotective environment


at swordpoint

Being threatened with a sword; under coercion.


in and of themselves

by themselves; with respect to their intrinsic or inherent nature without consideration of extraneous factors; per se, intrinsically, inherently


for one's trouble

Here's a tip, for your trouble.

In exchange for one's effort; as a reward.


on trial for one's life

Undergoing a court trial in which the offender is likely to receive a death sentence if convicted.


to the touch

soft to the touch, smooth to the touch


off the rip

It was obvious Toi's new boyfriend had spent a lot of dough decorating her crib, which put me on alert, 'cause it ain't like he lived with her. So, off the rip I'm wondering what his crib looks like 'cause, unless he's the sweetest trick in the Dirty South, I figured he ain't done laced Toi's crib better than his own.

2009, CASH, Trust No Man: Loyalty To Those Who Are Loyal:

We've searched high and low for this dude and still can't get at him. And now you think you can come home and find him off the rip?

The guy who got shot wasn't my peoples, we had our little beefs and never really got along, but we were from the same hood, so I felt bad when he lost an eye over some Brooklyn dudes trying to invade our turf. We should have handled the intrusion off the rip.

2018, U-God [Lamont Hawkins], Raw: My Journey Into The Wu-Tang, New York, N.Y.: Picador, →ISBN, →OCLC, pages 116–117:

(African-American Vernacular, slang) From the very beginning; immediately; right away.


aan de Noordzee

Het is daarom te hopen dat de delegatie goed geluisterd heeft naar de adviezen die ze ongetwijfeld aan de Noordzee heeft gekregen.

2021 September 16, “Dodelijke werkelijkheid [Lethal reality]”, in De Ware Tijd, archived from the original on 2021-11-16:

It is therefore to be hoped that the delegation listened carefully to the advice that they were undoubtedly given in the Netherlands.

(Suriname, often somewhat derogatory) in the Netherlands


ar bís

(idiomatic) in a state of suspense, on tenterhooks

(idiomatic) impatient, dying (to do something)


ar deighilt

/ɛɾʲˈdʲəilʲtʲ/

/ɛɾʲˈd͡ʒəilʲt͡ʃ/

(idiomatic) in a separate place, separate


gan dídean

na daoine gan dídean


láithreach baill

/ˌlˠɑːhəɾʲəx ˈbˠiːl̠ʲ/

/ˌl̪ˠɑːɾʲəx ˈbˠɑl̠ʲ/

/ˌl̪ˠæːɾʲa(h)ˈbˠɪlʲ/

at a moment's notice
at a moment's notice


in esclusiva

un'anteprima in esclusiva


ar athmhachnamh

/ɛɾʲ aˈvˠɑxn̪ˠəvˠ/

/ɛɾʲ ˈaˈwˠaxn̪ə/

/ɛɾʲ ˈaˈwˠaxn̪uː/


ar an stádar

(law enforcement) (of a police officer) patrolling his assigned area; on duty.


on the rail

(horse racing) Alternative form of on the rails


on the book

That was the “set-up” in the Venner Repertory Company, and I must state that they needed very few prompts, even on the first nights of which we had two a week! I was “on the book” , gave all the “lighting and effects signals” […]

1954, Harald Melvill, Theatrecraft: The A to Z of Show Business, page 103:

I was on the book in the prompt corner on stage right.

2004, Michael Hallifax, Let Me Set the Scene, page 340:


on someone's side

Don't count me out; I'm on your side.

Supporting someone's opinions or interests.


from soda to hock

In reference to the card game faro, in which the soda is the first card and the hock the last.

If two different juries that sat in on the court dealings from soda to hock can't see the same verdict, don't trust no cowhand seventy-one winters gone to judge him.

2008, Richard E. Baker, Letters from Across the Big Divide, page 56:


von Mann zu Mann

Literally, “from man to man”. Compare also man-to-man.

Von Mann zu Mann, es wird nicht besser.

To be completely honest, it won't get any better.

(idiomatic) in private and in total honesty (of two men; sometimes used to indicate that the person is familiar with the matter at hand, especially if concerning male topics)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see von, Mann, zu.


unter uns

Literally, “below us”, or more loosely translated as “among us”.

lit

Das bleibt unter uns!

Der Täter ist mitten unter uns.

Der Boden ist unter uns.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see unter, uns.


a mani basse

Literally, “at low hands”, or more loosely translated as “with one's hands low”.


at one's feet

(idiomatic) At one's disposition; easily controlled by someone due to their power, affluence, charm, etc.


in the twynklyng of an iȝe

English: in the twinkling of an eye

From the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:52, translating the Latin in ictu oculi, from the Greek ἐν ῥιπῇ ὀφθαλμοῦ.

And in a twincling of an eye / Hoere soules weren forloren

c. 1300, Anonymous, St. Bernard's Saws, MS. Digby 86, "Ubi sonnt…"

And, as yn twynkelyng of an ye, / Yn-to þe cherche gun þey flye

c. 1303, Robert of Brunne, Handlyng Synne, "Sacrylage"

1382, 1395, Wycliffe, Bible, 1 Corinthis 15:52

(please add an English translation of this quotation)

In a moment, in the twynklyng of an iye, in the laste trumpe

And then hir Ioye, for oght I can espye, / Ne lasteth not the twinkeling of an ye

But deeth, that wol nat suffre us dwellen heer, / But as it were a twynklyng of an ye

c. 1387-1400, ———, The Canterbury Tales, "The Clerk's Prologue"


im falschen Film

Literally, “in the wrong movie”, or more loosely translated as “in the wrong movie theater auditorium (in a multiplex)” (by synecdoche).

lit

Da waren nur Bekloppte, ich dacht, ich wär im falschen Film.

(idiomatic, colloquial) in a bizarre situation that runs contrary to one's expectations

Du bist wohl im falschen Film.

(literally, “You're apparently in the wrong movie.”)

You're living in La-La Land. (translation matches only approximately)

21.10.2013, Anne-Sophie Balzer, Der letzte Ort vor dem Nichts, Die Zeit, Nr. 41

Es scheint eine Art Initiationsritus zu sein, den die beiden an den Anfang ihres Films gestellt haben. So sieht's hier aus! Falls ihr das nicht sehen könnt, seid ihr im falschen Film, brüllt es einem im Gleichklang mit dem sterbenden Eber entgegen.

(idiomatic, colloquial) disconnected from reality; having a twisted conception or understanding of the facts

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, falsch, Film.


with one's own eyes

I had seen pictures of the Grand Canyon on the Internet, but I wanted to see it with my own eyes.

I watched his demise with my own eyes.

In real life as seen by oneself, as opposed to in a picture or according to someone else's description.


om det kniper

om (“if”) + det (“it”) + kniper (“pinches”)

af

Jag kan hjälpa dig om det kniper


in luogo di

Literally, “in place of”. Compare French au lieu de, French en lieu et place de.


a mani nude

Literally, “at nude hands”. Compare French à mains nues.

with one's bare hands
with one's bare hands


in the rattle

If you were in the rattle too often, you would be labeled a troublemaker. Once that happened, it was virtually impossible to get back into the Navy's good books, and the chances were high that they would find some way to get rid of you.

2005, Charles Gidley Wheeler, Jannaway's Mutiny:

(UK, naval, slang) Kept in confinement as a disciplinary measure.


with blackjack and hookers

From the 1999 episode "The Series Has Landed" of the American animated sitcom Futurama, which includes a running gag involving the robot character Bender stating that he will build his own versions of tourist attractions after being excluded from them, but "with blackjack and hookers" added.

2021, L.C. Mawson, Ember Academy for Young Witches: Books 1-6: The Complete Series, L.C. Mawson
You're suggesting that I start my own Themiscyra, with blackjack and hookers?” Maria frowned. “Well, you could have whatever you wanted. It would be your own island. Though, of course, I would argue for legalised sex work.” “You would?

(US, slang, humorous) Enhanced; improved. Said of a new competing product or service compared to an existing one.

Bender (Futurama)
Futurama
The Series Has Landed

I'm going to build my own X with blackjack and hookers! In fact


fuq moħħ

/ˌfuːʔ ˈmɔħ/

X’għandek fuq moħħok?

Ninżel fuq tarf is-siġġu u ngħolli għajnejja ’l fuq bis-slow motion. Il-brimba ta’ fuq moħħha ma tidhirx feroċi daqskemm ħsibt, ejja.

2018, Antoinette Borg, Amina, Merlin Publishers, →ISBN:


out of book

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-out of book.wav

(chess) No longer following commonly played theoretical lines analyzed in opening books; in territory unfamiliar to one or both of the players.


on the door

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


above the rim

Basketball went from a game of set shots and long jumpers to a game played above the rim, characterized by earth-shattering dunks.

2003, Walter M. Kimbrough, Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities, Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press, →ISBN, page 111:

The same male-centric phenomenon takes place in basketball, where the “standard” version of the game is played above the rim while the “watered-down” female version is played below the rim (and with a smaller ball).

2017, Rick Eckstein, How College Athletics Are Hurting Girls' Sports: The Pay-to-Play Pipeline, Rowman & Littlefield, →ISBN, page 149:

Whereas Erving made his impact above the rim Curry is expanding what we never thought was expandable - the jump shot.

2021 December 13, Bob Padecky, “Stephen Curry has made jump shot an art form”, in The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, California:

(basketball) [handing the ball] higher than the rim of the basket (such as during a slam dunk or alley oop)

I believe in playing above the rim on the court, and in my career.

1995 June, Lloyd Ward, quoted in Lloyd Gite, "Playing Above the Rim" Black Enterprise p. 214

Who can tell the fabric of state government stories better? Who can tell those fabric stories first? And who can do what I call playing above the rim, which is you're in such close contact with legislators and state officials that you can stay ahead of the news.

2004 Eileen N. Gilligan, Competing for News: Reporter's Use of Competition and Cooperation in the Production of News (Thesis, University of Wisconsin–Madison) p. 122

2021 February 16, Shawn Jefferson, quoted in Darren Urban, "Shawn Jefferson's Padded Resumé For Coaching Receivers" azcardinals.com
Jefferson, who once coached new Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson in Detroit, said DeAndre Hopkins is "probably the only one in the league I can compare to Calvin right now, has the skillset Calvin had, playing above the rim and in those competitive situations coming down with the ball."

(figuratively, Canada, US) at a high level of excellence


heb ail

heb fy ail (first-person singular)
heb ein hail (first-person plural)
heb dy ail (second-person singular)
heb eich ail (plural second-person)
heb ei ail m (singular third-person)
heb ei hail f (singular third-person)
heb eu hail (plural third-person)

(idiomatic) without peer, second to none, peerless


på jådnå

(dialectal) preoccupied with work, focused


dros bwysau

dros fy mhwysau (first-person singular)
dros ein pwysau (first-person plural)
dros dy bwysau (second-person singular)
dros eich pwysau (plural second-person)
dros ei bwysau m (singular third-person)
dros ei phwysau f (singular third-person)
dros eu pwysau (plural third-person)
dros bwysau (mutation mutation-radical)
thros bwysau (irregular mutation mutation-aspirate)


di tutto cuore

Literally, “of all heart”. Compare French de tout cœur.

with all one's heart
with all one's heart


on the mop

(slang) Getting drunk; taking part in a session of drinking alcohol.


fino alla fine

Devi impegnarti fino alla fine.

You have to work hard until the very end.


fino a prova contraria

Literally, “until contrary proof”. Compare French jusqu’à preuve du contraire.

innocente fino a prova contraria

(literally, “innocent until proven otherwise”)

until proven otherwise
until proven otherwise


onder de indruk

Literally, “under the impression”; compare indrukwekkend.

Hij was onder de indruk van haar moed.


da grande

Cosa vuoi fare da grade?

What do you want to do when you grow up?

when someone becomes an adult; when one grows up


da piccolo

Da piccolo mi piaceva nuotare.


di primo acchito

Literally, “of the first billiard spot”.


senza indugio

without hesitation; without delay; immediately


in the name of heaven

in heaven's name
in heaven's name#English


like one means it

You play like you mean it, they stay and listen.

2002, Drew Beisswenger, Fiddling Way Out Yonder: The Life and Music of Melvin Wine, page 88:

you need to put your back into it and dance like you mean it

2012, Ni-Ni Simone, Amir Abrams, Get Ready for War, page 312:

“Piano is fine, but you need a hobby that makes you strong, that makes you sweat. Teamwork, too. The team counts on you, so get out there and play like you mean it.”

2016, Jill Penrod, The Lion and the Ladybug, page 80:


til meins

han er meir til meins enn til gangs

(predicatively) harmful, counterproductive, worse

in a manner to make it worse; counterproductively


bil-bajd

Għandhom ħanut tal-merċa bil-bajd.


FYSA

(military) Initialism of for your situational awareness.


tra le nuvole

disconnected from reality; with one's head in the clouds (of a person)


in coppia

Per questo compito dovete lavorare in coppia.

For this assignment, you have to work in pairs.

in two; in pairs; as a couple; as partners (of people)


a forma di

Literally, “at shape of”. Compare French en forme.

biscotti a forma di cuoricini

heart-shaped cookies (literally, “cookies in the shape of (little) hearts”)


da paura

un fucile da paura

a scary rifle (literally, “a rifle that inspires fear”)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see da, paura.


out of sync

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see out, of, sync.

Working poorly together; disagreeing with each other.


per il rotto della cuffia

by the skin of one's teeth
by the skin of one's teeth


in sync

The TV and the speakers are in sync.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, sync.

We / Used to be / Just like twins / So in sync

2008, Katy Perry, Dr. Luke, Max Martin, “Hot n Cold”, in One of the Boys, performed by Katy Perry:

Working well together; agreeing with each other.


sulla stessa lunghezza d'onda

Literally, “on the same wavelength”. Compare French sur la même longueur d’onde.

on the same wavelength
on the same wavelength


in sintonia

in tune; on the same wavelength; in harmony; in sync; on the same page (of two people)


tra l'incudine e il martello

Literally, “between the anvil and the hammer”. Compare French entre le marteau et l’enclume.

lit

between the hammer and the anvil
between the hammer and the anvil


from a standing start

From a standing start, the trains must achieve 360kph (225mph) and run 40km (25 miles) in 535 seconds (8mins 55secs).

2021 December 29, “Network News: HS2 rolling stock”, in RAIL, number 947, page 7:

From rest, a standstill or motionless state.


on that note

The idiom is likely from the musical sense of note.

I heard there's a lemon shortage. On that note, do we have any lemonade stocked up?

You've all done a very good job. I'd like to end the meeting on that note. See you Monday.

On the topic that was just previously mentioned.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on, that, note.


sa kabilang banda

tl-head

sa kabiláng bandá (Baybayin spelling ᜐ ᜃᜊᜒᜎᜅ᜔ ᜊᜈ᜔ᜇ)

sa kabiláng bandá (canonical)
ᜐ ᜃᜊᜒᜎᜅ᜔ ᜊᜈ᜔ᜇ (Baybayin)


all'ultimo

All'ultimo non ci riuscì.


da manuale

Literally, “of manual”, or more loosely translated as “as if taken from a manual”.

lit

come da manuale

by the book (literally, “textbook-like”)

textbook (having the characteristics of some class of phenomenon)


over the fence

Look up the recommended speed for the landing pattern. You'll find tables for varying loads. Okay so far. Now, note that a speed is established for the approach phase and another slower one for over the fence.

1955, Flying Safety, volume 11, page 23:

You can usually wait until you are "over the fence" before you chop the power.

1966, FAA Aviation News, volumes 5-7, page 11:

(aviation) Entering, or having entered, the airfield in preparation for landing.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see over, fence.


on the ran tan

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

The proofreader had been evidently on the ran tan […]

1920, Dogdom: Monthly, volume 21, page 497:


below ground

The station has been refurbished both at ground level and below ground, where the wide, fluorescently lit platforms are an almost unrecognisable metamorphosis of the dingy, reeking Low Level of old.

1960 December, “The Glasgow Suburban Electrification is opened”, in Trains Illustrated, page 713:


in the pocket

The allure of all this athleticism at quarterback is very strong right now, but when push comes to shove, most of the people I talk to would go with the guy in the pocket. The scrambling quarterback is like a beautiful woman -- awfully enticing, but in the end she'll break your heart.

2001 Sept. 3, Brian Billick, quoted in "Run or Gun?", ESPN the Magazine, Vol. IV, No. 18

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, pocket.

Throughout The Late, Late Show, Staton is right on the money (or right in the pocket, as musicians say)...

2010, Will Friedwald, “Dakota Staton”, in A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers, page 448:

I've never thought that the groove was the beat; I always saw it as the space between the beats. I believe that's where the phrase "in the pocket" originated.

2013, Loren Weisman, The Artist's Guide to Success in the Music Business, page 229:

Musicians who play funk and Latin tunes refer to the groove as the sense of being "in the pocket," while jazz players refer to the groove as the sense that a song is really "cooking" or "swinging"... Historically speaking, the term pocket originated in the middle of the previous century, when a strong backbeat (the snare drum striking on beats 2 and 4) became predominant in popular music... Many people feel that the question is not so much what the pocket is as much as how you know when you're in it; I guarantee that you'll know it when you feel it, because the music feels as though it's playing itself. It feels as though everything has merged together, with all the rhythmic parts being played by one instrument.

2016, Bobby Owsinski, The Music Producer's Handbook, 2nd edition:

Use his approach for both songs to keep your rhythms in the pocket. You needn't be rigid; some stretching of the phrase is absolutely allowable for the sake of meaning. For the most part, however, ride the driving pulsations of the accompaniment with an equally grooving vocal approach.

2019, Joseph Church, Rock in the Musical Theatre, page 173:

...Iyer argues that the backbeat in much postwar African-American popular music is seldom precisely on the beat: it is slightly delayed, lending it a more 'laid back' feel. Again, as with swing, playing the backbeat 'in the pocket'—just slightly behind the beat—does not disrupt the regularity of the beat so much as demand that we hear (and feel) the rhythm in a more subtle and integrated way...

2020, Paul Thberge, “Click/Beat/Body: Thoughts on the Materiality of Time and Tempo”, in The Auditory Culture Reader, page 344:

Most musicians who play classical music usually play too "stiff" (rigidly) to perform on popular music recordings. All forms of popular music require musicians to feel the groove and to play in the pocket (playing within the feel of the rhythm section).

2021, Michael Zager, Music Production, page 97:

Hell yes, use that take. She was in the pocket.

(music slang) Alternative form of in the zone, playing perfectly in time, perfectly in sync with others, or with a perfect groove.

No, you can't count on him for the environmental bill. He's in the pocket of Big Oil.

(colloquial, derogatory) Alternative form of in one's pocket.


a posto

mettere a posto i libri

Tutto a posto?

in a good economic condition; having a good job, etc. (of a person)


in conjunction with

The new shed, in conjunction with the existing multiple-unit shed, goes far to provide a complete diesel motive power depot at Stratford, [...].

1960 December, “New G.E. Line diesel loco maintenance depot at Stratford”, in Trains Illustrated, page 767:


con la coda tra le gambe

Literally, “with the tail between the legs”. Compare French la queue entre les jambes.

with one's tail between one's legs
with one's tail between one's legs


بتصرف

head

بِتَصَرُّفٍ • (bitaṣarrufin)

بِتَصَرُّفٍ (canonical)
bitaṣarrufin (romanization)

used after quotes, translations, etc, to indicate that the original text was modified and is not transferred exactly as it appears in the original material.


like a demon

He drove like a demon.

Typically for the 'get-on-with-it' era, the railway and military worked like demons to restore the vital rail link. The crater was rapidly filled in and the earth tamped solid, the wreckage was removed by breakdown trains, new rails and sleepers were rushed forward by willing hands, and US Army bulldozers piled in. By 2020 on the same day, both tracks were open for traffic again where there had been a gaping pit just hours before.

2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948, page 43:

(idiomatic) In a very forceful, fierce, frenzied or skilful way.


par avion

Borrowed from French par avion (“by plane”), a phrase often printed or stamped on air mail envelopes.

bor+

I’ve written you before but I forgot to send it par avion and it probably won’t get there before Christmas.

1946 August 19, John Cheever, “[Letter to Don and Katrina Ettlinger]”, in The Letters of John Cheever, published 1989, →ISBN, page 119:

He was sent to Vietnam to kill people. Signed up for a stupor-second tour when the loved one repudiated him Par Avion.

2006, J. G. Hayes, A Map of the Harbor Islands, →ISBN, page 25:

I have vague memories of her writing on blue airmail stationery—delicate sheets that tuck into themselves—ready to be sealed, stamped, and sent par avion.

2021, Angela Mi Young Hur, Foklorn, →ISBN:


í kjölfar

Analogous to the English in the wake of – a wake always follows a ship. Compare Danish i kølvandet på and Norwegian i kjølvannet av.

Hann var handtekinn og ákærður í kjölfarið.

He was arrested and subsequently charged.

(idiomatic) in the wake of, following, shortly after, subsequently (an event that follows a related event)

Það flæddi mikið í kjölfar fellibylsins.

Significant flooding occurred as a result of the hurricane.

(idiomatic) in the wake of, to occur as a result, to accompany, brought about by


a maggior ragione

Literally, “at greater reason”. Compare French à plus forte raison.

E ſe pur’anche auisò lo ﬅeſso Profeta, che Iddio dona a’ giumenti il loro proprio cibo, & anche a’ polli de’ voraci corui, da’ quali è inuocato […] a maggior ragione habbiamo ad argomentare, che Iddio prouegga a’ giuﬅi nelle neceſſità d’opportuno cibo, a ſoﬅentamento della loro vita.

1647, Tommaso Maria Bracchi, “Iddio con specialissima providenza riguarda il giusto, per provedergli de' beni temporali” (chapter 3), Discorso primo [First speech], in Discorsi predicabili sopra l'imagine del giusto beato, Bologna: Giacomo Monti, page 25:

And, with the same prophet having said that God gives proper food to the beasts of burden, and also to the chicks of voracious crows, by whom he is invoked, […] we can all the more make an argument that God provides the just, when in need, with proper food, in order to sustain their lives.

E ciò che si dice della scelta del punto di passaggio ripetasi a maggior ragione dell’altezza che potrebbe venire attribuita a questo passaggio.

1837 May 6, “Opinione sulla linea da preferirsi nel tracciamento generale della strada ferrata da Venezia a Milano [Opinion on the route to choose in the general outlining of the railway from Venice to Milan]”, in Strada ferrata da Venezia a Milano [Railway from Venice to Milan], Venice: Il Gondoliere, page 63:

And what is said about the choice of the point of passage is to be repeated all the more about the height that could be decided for this passage.

Porrō quod dē amīcitiā dictum est, id multō magis dē coniugiō sentiendum, quod quidem nihil est aliud, quam indīvidua vītae coniūnctiō.

1984 [1509], Eugenio Garin, transl., edited by Eugenio Garin, Elogio della follia, translation of Mōriae encōmium [The praise of folly] by Desiderius Erasmus (in Renaissance Latin), section XX; republished as Erasmo da Rotterdam - Elogio della follia (Oscar Classici; 224), Milan: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, 2011, →ISBN, page 33:

What has been said about friendship applies all the more so to marriage, which is nothing but a lifelong bind between individuals.

even more so, all the more so, a fortiori


over the hump

(idiomatic) Past the most challenging part of something.


í vændum

From the now-archaic term vænd (“hope, prospects”), from væna (“give hope”), from Proto-Germanic *wēnijaną.

Það er stormur í vændum.

for something to be upcoming, for an event to be approaching


pe de altă parte

LL-Q7913 (ron)-Andreea Teodoraa-pe de altă parte.wav


a occi

Io (ſono) del mio Diletto, ed egli verſo di me è rivolto.

1863 [1770s], Antonio Martini, chapter VII, in Giovanni Spano, transl., Lu càntiggu de li càntigghi di Salamoni [Solomon's canticle of canticles], London, translation of Il cantico de' cantici (in Italian), verse 10, page 13:

I am of my beloved, and he is turned in front of me.

Tutti li dinà chi femu
Li punimu a occi a soli

c. 19ᵗʰ century, anonymous author, “[untitled song]”, in Giovanni Spano, editor, Canti popolari in dialetto sassarese, volume 2 (overall work in Italian and Sassarese), Cagliari, published 1873, song 47, page 134:

All the money we make, we put in front of the sun

Intantu un biddisò si fèimma un aizu
sobr’a la grunda di la casa a occi

1989, Giovanni Maria Cherchi, “Cunfini [Boundary]”, in La poesia di l'althri (overall work in Italian and Sassarese), Sassari: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, page 17:

Meanwhile a sparrow perches for a moment on top of the gutter of the house in front

(idiomatic) at the front, in front, before


i ollo

Det vart i ollo skote yver 30 skot

1917 March 19, “Endaa eit skip til hjelpekommissionen i Belgia paateke av tyskarane. [Another C.R.B. ship seized by Germans.]”, in Gula Tidend, page 7:


til side

Ho feia all konkurranse til sides med tida 13.50 minutt.

2013 February 26, Hardanger Folkeblad, page 5:

She swept aside all competition with her time 13.50 minutes.


sa tingin ko

tl-head

sa tingín ko (Baybayin spelling ᜐ ᜆᜒᜅᜒᜈ᜔ ᜃᜓ)

sa tingín ko (canonical)
ᜐ ᜆᜒᜅᜒᜈ᜔ ᜃᜓ (Baybayin)


bis zum Gehtnichtmehr

bis zum Geht-nicht-mehr
bis zum Geht-nicht-mehr#German

Alternative spelling of bis zum Geht-nicht-mehr


yn ei arddegau

yn fy arddegau (first-person singular)
yn ein harddegau (first-person plural)
yn dy arddegau (second-person singular)
yn eich arddegau (plural second-person)
yn ei arddegau m (singular third-person)
yn ei harddegau f (singular third-person)
yn eu harddegau (plural third-person)

/ˌən ei̯ arˈðɛɡaɨ̯/

/ˌən ɪ arˈðɛɡɛ/

/ˌən ɪ arˈðɛɡa/

/ˌən i arˈðeːɡɛ/

/ˌən i arˈðɛɡɛ/


on Jah

Named for XXXTentacion's nickname Jah, a shortened form of his first name Jahseh, modeled after the adverb on God.

Oh, on Jah?


on God

How many times have you been all on God eating healthy, hour later you're stuffing donuts down like just today cause tomorrow is when it really starts.

2019, Justin Blackburn, The Bisexual Christian Suburban Failure Enlightening Bipolar Blues, page 31:

On God.

(African-American Vernacular, Internet slang, informal) With all honesty and seriousness; affirmatively


í essinu sínu

From Danish være i sit es, from German. "Ess" is from Latin esse (“state, condition”). Ásgeir Blöndal suggests the phrase may be influenced by French être à son aise, cognate with English at ease.


in a hen's hiney

(idiomatic, Southern US) Under no circumstances; absolutely not.


up to the mark

He is up to the mark in literature and the arts, in history, and in public affairs.

2008, D. G. Mulcahy, The Educated Person: Toward a New Paradigm for Liberal Education, page 37:


med berått mod

From Old Swedish meth beradho modhe, from Middle Low German mit berādenem mōde.

(law, dated) deliberately, with malice aforethought


at the last

But at the Last will Māna-Yood-Sushāī forget to rest, and will make again new gods and other worlds, and will destroy the gods whom he hath made.

1905, Lord Dunsany [i.e., Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany], The Gods of Pegāna, London: [Charles] Elkin Mathews, […], →OCLC:

(literary or archaic) In the end, after everything, ultimately.


dans le flou

LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-dans le flou.wav

être dans le flou

laisser quelqu’un dans le flou


à la botte de

LL-Q150 (fra)-LoquaxFR-à la botte de.wav

under the control of someone, under someone's thumb


sous le coup de

agir sous le coup de la colère

sous le coup de l’émotion

in the heat of the moment, in the grip of emotion

sous le coup de la fatigue

feeling tired, feeling the effect of tiredness

out of, under the effect of (some emotion)


on the turf

Are you sorry for the one who put you on the turf?

2013, David Bradshaw, Rachel Potter, Prudes on the Prowl, page 130:

And this in turn will surely not only cost her her job, but possibly also land her in jail or, at the best, put her out on the turf as a prostitute.

2016, Margot Norris, The Value of James Joyce, page 16:

(slang, euphemistic) Synonym of on the game (“working as a prostitute”)


in the racket

Their answer is that they are "put wise" by other girls already in the racket.

Many are literally being plundered by their landlord - sex capitalists who often specialize in letting out rooms, flats, or apartments to people in the racket.

1997, Lori Gruen, George E. Panichas, Sex, Morality, and the Law, page 99:

Janet R. is in her late twenties, and has been “in the racket”—prostitution, for twelve years; […]

2013, David P. Ausubel, Martin Meyer Grossack, Mental Health and Segregation, page 104:


jusqu'à son dernier souffle

jusqu’ à son dernier souffle (canonical)

until one's dying day
until one's dying day


tot nader order

until further notice
until further notice


in steam

Apart from brief intervals for watering and coaling, No. 2395 is continuously in steam each week from 4 a.m. on Monday until 3 a.m. on the following Sunday.

1942 March, “Notes and News: Locomotive Notes”, in Railway Magazine, page 93:

(of a steam locomotive) Having steam in its boiler and ready for work.


hors mariage

un enfant hors mariage

être né hors mariage


in the shitter

Boy...your chakras are in the shitter. That past life where you were a gimp for that Blacksmith, all in your auric field. You need Sweet Tea Psychic to clear it. Got eighty bucks on ya?

2019 December, Justin Blackburn, The Bisexual Christian Suburban Failure Enlightening Bipolar Blues, page 101:


nella misura in cui

Literally, “in the measure in which”. Compare French dans la mesure où.

Ti aiuto nella misura in cui è permesso.

I'll help you to the extent that it is allowed.


fino all'ultimo respiro

Literally, “until the last breath”. Compare French jusqu’à son dernier souffle.

with one's dying breath
with one's dying breath

with one's dying breath; until one's dying day; until the last gasp; to the last


come un elefante in una cristalleria

Literally, “like an elephant in a glassware shop”.

lit

like a bull in a china shop
like a bull in a china shop


nel peggiore dei casi

Literally, “in the worst of the cases”. Compare French dans le pire des cas.

Nel peggiore dei casi, perdiamo qualche soldo.

Worst comes to worst, we will lose a bit of money.

worst comes to worst
worst comes to worst


near and dear

This bracelet is a gift from my spouse, who I hold near and dear.

Writing has been near and dear to me for a long time.

(idiomatic) Loved or cared about greatly.


dawn to dusk

from dawn to dusk
from dawn to dusk#English


out of the gate

Analogy from various sports and activities, such as hound racing and bull-riding.

If nicknames and partisan battles are inevitable, better to control branding out of the gate.

2022 November 12, Matteo Wong, “How Did America End Up With the Z.O.M.B.I.E. Act?”, in The Atlantic:

(idiomatic) At or from the very beginning; from the outset; immediately upon starting.


in shit

(vulgar, slang) in trouble, in a bad situation


in attendance

In the position of helping or serving someone


dans son élément

être dans son élément


on tick

(dated, informal, British) bought with an agreement to pay later


sous l'effet de

under the effect of, under the influence of


sous l'action de

by the action of, under the effect of, under the influence of


en ligne directe

héritier en ligne directe

descendance en ligne directe


af erlendu bergi brotinn

"Af X bergi brotinn" literally means "broken from an X rock". It is most likely a Biblically-inspired analogy describing each person as being carved out of a specific rock, with that rock therefore being their origin.

(higher register) (a person who is) of a foreign origin or has a foreign background; (a person who) was born in a foreign country but now lives here


col piede giusto

Literally, “with the right foot”. Compare French du bon pied.


col piede sbagliato

Literally, “with the wrong foot”. Compare French du mauvais pied.


in lesbians

A jocular replacement for love, from both lesbian(s) and love being l-words. Popularized if not coined by Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010).

Wallace Wells: If you want something bad, you have to fight for it. Step up your game, Scott. Break out the l-word.
Scott Pilgrim: Lesbian?
Wallace Wells: The other l-word.
Scott Pilgrim: ...Lesbians?
Wallace Wells: It's love, Scott.
[later, to Ramona]
Scott Pilgrim: I'm in lesbians with you.

"I'm in lesbians with you." She says. Yeah I guess using the term "Love" would be a bit too early still so I'll have to accept "lesbians" for now. "Well I'm totally in gayness with you? Does that work? Uh probably not, that's too weird."

2014, Cameron Sadler, Talk to You Tomorrow, Lulu Press, Inc, →ISBN:

The World demonstrated that when he professed his true feelings thusly: “I'm in lesbians with you.” It's just hard to put yourself out there like that. And it's even harder to do it in front of everyone you care you about […]

2017, James Scheibli, Movie Quotes for All Occasions: Unforgettable Lines for Life's Biggest Moments, Mango Media Inc., →ISBN:

Katie (Glass) 10/10/15 #5 Late Afternoon
Let me be in lesbians with you, Why do you have to be such? Let me get sexy with you, Can we at least touch?

2017, Alexander R. Korponay, PoemS 63 - [Heart]Ache, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 7:

(humorous, slang, uncommon) In love, or feeling affection or lust, especially if sapphic.


in the name of all that is holy

for the love of God
for the love of God#English