over time

This graph shows the population of California over time.

From a historic or evolutionary perspective.

There are surely relationships in which romantic passion dies over time; the price of abandoning them is often less than the price of endless years spent in resuscitation efforts.

2003, Stephen A. Mitchell, Can Love Last?: The Fate of Romance over Time, W. W. Norton & Company, →ISBN, page 55:

It also appears that the older with less education score initially better than the young with higher education, but over time, the young appear to surpass them.

2008, Can Attachment Explain Individual Differences in Cognitive Functioning Over Time?: Results from a 12-year Cohort-sequential Study, ProQuest, →ISBN, page 26:


at a pinch

/ˌæ.təˈpɪnʃ/

(Australia, New Zealand, British, informal, idiomatic) by a small margin or amount

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


in tandem

The seats were in tandem.

He runs the shop in tandem with his brother.

In countries such as the US, bird-feeding, birdwatching, and other types of ornithophilic behaviour form the basis of huge conservation efforts, in tandem with science.

2010, Mark Bonta, “Ethno-ornithology and Biological Conservation”, in Sonia Tidemann, Andrew Gosler, editors, Ethno-ornithology: Birds, Indigenous Peoples, Culture and Society, London: Earthscan, →ISBN, pages 21–22:

Investors were now warier of Underground railways. They had seen that the Metropolitan was bringing in lower returns, having broached its City extensions. But the newly established Metropolitan Board of Works (the first London-wide authority) pressed the District to continue with the next part of the plan - Westminster to Blackfriars - so that the building of the railway could go in tandem with the construction of the new Thames Embankment and the sewer it incorporated.

2012, Andrew Martin, Underground Overground: A passenger's history of the Tube, Profile Books, →ISBN, page 61:


in droves

Viewers are switching off news and current affairs programmes in droves with shows such as Panorama, Tonight with Trevor McDonald and even Watchdog failing to connect with audiences, a new report claims.

2002 October 31, Owen Gibson, “TV audiences desert news in droves”, in The Guardian:

The difference to 2020 has been marked. People have returned to the railway in their droves, far faster than the pessimists predicted - especially this year, now that international travel restrictions have been lifted, bringing back foreign tourism.

2022 November 30, Paul Bigland, “Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland”, in RAIL, number 971, page 79:


at full stretch

We only just managed to finish on time by working at full stretch since first thing in the morning.

And so it proved as, with Neymar showing sleight of foot and flashes of genius, they spent much of the 90 minutes at full stretch in defence, fighting for any semblance of possession and put under stress by Brazil's pressing game.

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


on the spectrum

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I spent some time walking around the exhibitor area before my turn to speak. […] The first exhibitor was a mom with a kid on the spectrum. […] The next person is an artist on the spectrum.

2009 April 7, John Elder Robison, “Autism and Art as a window into the mind” (blog post)

2009, Lynn Kern Koegel, Claire LaZebnik, Growing Up on the Spectrum: A Guide to Life, Love, and Learning for Teens and Young Adults with Autism and Asperger's, Penguin Group, →ISBN:

2010, Julie Brown, Writers on the Spectrum: How Autism and Asperger Syndrome Have Influenced Literary Writing, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN:

2010, Zosia Zaks, Parenting on the Spectrum, Jessica Kingsley Limited, →ISBN:

2011, Valerie L. Gaus, Living Well on the Spectrum: How to Use Your Strengths to Meet the Challenges of Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism, Guilford Publications, →ISBN:

2014 Kumail Nanjiani as Dinesh Chugtai, "Minimum Viable Product", Silicon Valley season 1 episode 1, 6 minutes 10 seconds
There is a personal ad section on this Asperger site. Holy shit this one is looking for "a relationship that has a potential to become sexual in nature". Boy, is she on the spectrum. She can't even make eye contact with the camera.

might slag the project as monotonous or, more callously, "on the spectrum"

2023 March 21, Virginia Heffernan, “I Saw the Face of God in a Semiconductor Factory”, in WIRED:

autism spectrum disorder
autism spectrum disorder

(autism, informal) Having autism spectrum disorder or exhibiting traits pertaining to or within the autism spectrum.

[Infrared light] waves are too long to see, but they have enough energy to make your skin feel warm. They come right before visible light on the spectrum.

2012 September 1, Spectrum, Science, Grade 7, Carson-Dellosa Publishing, →ISBN, page 40:

The basic spectrum model is often coupled with the sex-gender distinction, whereby one's sex is seen as binary and immutable but one's gender can be anywhere on the spectrum.

2019 December 3, Katie Steele, Julie Nicholson, Radically Listening to Transgender Children: Creating Epistemic Justice through Critical Reflection and Resistant Imaginations, Lexington Books, →ISBN, page 70:

This subsection marks out the different points on the spectrum, starting with a minimal level and moving to a higher level of engagement.

2023 May 30, Rebecca J. Cook, Frontiers of Gender Equality: Transnational Legal Perspectives, University of Pennsylvania Press, →ISBN, page 166:

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


on the clock

Coordinate term: o'clock

It was six o'clock on the clock. His own watch had stopped.

1922, D. H. Lawrence, “The Horse Dealer's Daughter,”, in England, My England:

(literally) Displayed on the dial of a clock (timepiece).

Near-synonym: on the job

I discovered after my arrival that I wouldn't be able to start working for six weeks. . . . The Beverley Hills Post Office finally worked my status out with the Chicago Post Office. I was back on the clock.

1983, Odie Hawkins, Scars and Memories, →ISBN, pages 97–98:

Danica Patrick is still on the clock. Her crew members . . . are at the end of their workday. Hers drags on.

2006 May 16, Dave Caldwell, “Patrick Is First Only in Fans' Hearts”, in New York Times, retrieved 2009-04-20:

"I guess it ain't all bad," Kerr said, lighting another cigarette. "I'm on the clock, so I'm getting paid while I wait."

2007 January 22, “VP drops in for quick visit to S.A.”, in San Antonio Express-News, retrieved 2009-04-20:

(idiomatic) Working at one's job; occupied in some manner during one's hours of remunerated employment.

Money earmarked for services and repairs often found its way to payroll, to put yet more unskilled workers on the clock.

1997 August 18, Tamala Edwards, James Carney, “Disaster on the Potomac: How not to run a city”, in Time:

The board authorized the Building Department to schedule Saturday inspections for water line installations as a service to residents and businesses. It requires inspections to be done "on the clock" and in a town vehicle.

2007 August 28, Kristin Shaw, “More work means more pay”, in The Independent, US, retrieved 2009-04-20:

(idiomatic) During one's official working hours; in or into a position of remunerated employment.

If a fare paid him no more than what was on the clock, he'd shout out: "If you can't afford cabs you should take the 'bus."

1971, Barry Pain, “Mrs. Murphy”, in Humorous stories, →ISBN, page 90:

Significant monies are wasted each week as bankers leave taxis outside, waiting on the clock, while they finish their lunches.

2005 April 22, “Cost Controls, Fine—But THAT'S Ridiculous”, in hereisthecity.com, UK, retrieved 2009-04-20:

(idiomatic) Of a taxicab, engaged for hire; displayed numerically as time or fare on the meter of a taxicab.

With only three seconds on the clock and the Knicks about to win, 102-96, in their playoff opener against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden last night, Rick Pitino enjoyed the moment.

1989 April 28, Dave Anderson, “Sports of the Times: Jackson Hits 'Biggest Shot Of My Life'”, in New York Times, retrieved 2009-04-20:

(sports) In the official time remaining in a game or other sporting event.

There were 26 minutes on the clock before Scotland had their first real opportunity.

2007 August 22, “Scotland 1-0 South Africa: Boyd saves blushes”, in ESPN, retrieved 2009-04-20:

(sports) In the official time expired in a game or other sporting event.

(chiefly sports drafts) Under scrutiny due to having to make a decision or produce results within a set period of time.

The obvious advantages of this method of new motor vehicle delivery over long distances,, which the L.M.R. says dealers and ultimate customers are beginning to appreciate, are all-weather reliability, arrival in mint condition and with only a very small mileage "on the clock", and the assurance that the car has not been mishandled during its running-in period; [...].

1962 October, “Talking of Trains: L.M.R. car-carrying success”, in Modern Railways, page 224:

And with 112,000 miles on the clock this isn't scary mileage for this type of car.

2008 November 19, “A grand way to keep travelling”, in Irish Times, retrieved 2009-04-20:

(of a motor vehicle) Displayed numerically on the mileage or kilometric gauge.

Alas, the delivery boy is on the clock; he could and would work much faster on commission!


at the top of one's voice

"Go away!" she screamed at the top of her voice.

Of vocal sounds: very loudly; as loudly as possible.


behind the times

(idiomatic) Out of date; old-fashioned; obsolete; outmoded; outdated.


on the anvil

November 1 1711, William King, letter to Jonathan Swift
I have several things on the anvil, and near finished, that perhaps might be useful if published

She designed his retirement from the Royal Irish Artillery, and had negociated an immediate berth for him on the staff of the Commander of the Forces, and a prospective one in the household of Lord Townshend; she had another arrangement "on the anvil" for a seat in Parliament, which she would accomplish, if that were possible; and finally, a wife.

1863, J[oseph] Sheridan Le Fanu, “In Which Captain Devereux’s Fiddle Plays a Prelude to ‘Over the Hills and Far Away’”, in The House by the Church-yard. […], volume I, London: Tinsley, Brothers, […], →OCLC, page 308:

(idiomatic) In a state of discussion, formation, or preparation; not yet matured.


out there

If you want to improve your public speaking, you should put yourself out there more.

There are a lot of crazy people out there.

If you want to find love, you'll have to put yourself out there.

(informal) in a position that makes one vulnerable to rejection or scrutiny from another person, especially in a romantic context


into detail

I don't know much about it, so I hope I don't have to go into detail.

(idiomatic) Thoroughly; including every detail.


by a whisker

I'm lucky to be alive. The bus missed me by a whisker.

Her communitarian platform Barcelona en Comú won by a whisker, and there was an initial period of transition from Colau the activist who fought the police to Colau the mayor who was responsible for them.

2023 May 27, Stephen Burgen, “‘They say I should clean floors’: Barcelona’s working-class, leftwing mayor Ada Colau fights for third term”, in The Observer, →ISSN:


of blessed memory

A calque of Latin beatae memoriae, possibly a calque of Hebrew זיכרונו לברכה (zikhronó/á/ám/án livrakhá, “memory-of-him/her/them to blessing”), ז״ל (Z.L.).

uder

זיכרונו לברכה

he used often to scold, and sometimes even to beat, my great-grandmother of blessed memory.

It is the noblest domain in New England, and the present Lord of the Manor is worthy of succeeding "the Governor" of blessed memory.

1858, Oliver Wendell Holmes, The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table:

It chanced to be the eve of St. Valentine's — that bishop of blessed memory to youthful lovers

1873, Thomas Hardy, A Pair of Blue Eyes:

Thus, McDonald's, Wal-Mart, FW Woolworth (of blessed memory): store brands maintained and visible across the entire country.

2002, Neil Gaiman, American Gods, page 193:

Honorific epithet used parenthetically to mark a beloved person as being deceased.


in part

The collision was in part my fault: I was starting to fall asleep at the wheel.

Cervicitis was initially described >30 years ago as “the ignored counterpart of urethritis in men”, most likely because the 2 syndromes share known etiologies. However, cervicitis differs from male urethritis in that low-grade signs of infection more often go unnoticed, in part due to the need for a speculum exam to observe these.

2017 July 15, Harold C Wiesenfeld, Lisa E Manhart, “Mycoplasma genitalium in Women: Current Knowledge and Research Priorities for This Recently Emerged Pathogen”, in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, volume 216, number suppl_2, →DOI, pages S389–S395:


in one's opinion

According to one's subjectively formed thoughts, not necessarily having any formal basis in fact.


according to one's understanding

As far as one can understand with the data and knowledge available at the moment.


until Kingdom come

I will love you until Kingdom come.

He pestered me until Kingdom come about the concert.

(colloquial) At overly frequent intervals.


on someone's hands

When I started yelling, the other kids started yelling, so Madame Rosa had seven kids on her hands, all bellowing for their mothers […]

1986, Romain Gary, Ralph Manheim, The life before us:

(idiomatic) Being someone's liability or responsibility; with which someone is lumbered.

I've got a lot of time on my hands.

It is most curious to see that you have so much time on your hands that you are able to simply wander about this house bothering others […]

1990, Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day:

(idiomatic) Available to be used by someone; in someone's possession.


in one's pocket

(idiomatic, derogatory) Subject to one's demands because of bribery.


for all the world

[…] not a ha'porth of him left but a goodish piece of his skin, just for all the world like a hedgehog's, and a piece o' old iron furbished up.

1861, Charles Reade, The Cloister and the Hearth:

[…] Phil offering and giving advice sagely and gravely, for all the world as though he had been old enough to be this young woman's father […]

1885, Catherine Louisa Pirkis, Lady Lovelace:

[…] the babies looking for all the world as though they had stepped out of pictures by Gian Bellini or by Fra Bartolommeo, that greatest of baby painters.

1917 September 5, Frank Hunter Potter, “Prevention First”, in Alfred Emanuel Smith, editor, New Outlook, page 17:

(idiomatic) Entirely, to all appearances.


under lock and key

If it was him we can have him under lock and key in 24 hours.

(US, UK, idiomatic) imprisoned with little or no chance of escape; locked up.

It is the policy of the organization to keep unused check supplies safeguarded under lock and key.

2008, Edward J. McMillan, Model Policies and Procedures for Not-for-Profit Organizations, page 239:

(US, UK, idiomatic) safely guarded; locked away.


for my money

For my money, if you have to pick the one best athlete of all time, it's Brazil's nonpareil Pele, the Michael Jordan of soccer.

1999 January 25, Daniel Okrent, “Who's the Greatest of All?”, in Time, retrieved 2018-10-30:

“For my money, he's the funniest person in America,” said Seth Meyers.

2018 April 30, Bruce Fretts, “The Stealth Success of John Mulaney”, in New York Times, retrieved 2018-10-30:

(idiomatic) In my opinion; as I see it; in all likelihood.


in trouble

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He had a knack for getting in trouble.

Ärger kriegen

verb; to get in trouble with an authority figure e.g. one's parents

He said Robins had not been in trouble with the law before and had no previous convictions. Jail would have an adverse effect on her and her three children as she was the main carer.

2011 December 14, Steven Morris, “Devon woman jailed for 168 days for killing kitten in microwave”, in Guardian:

(chiefly of a child) Liable to be punished for misbehavior; in disgrace.

She didn't even know she was in trouble.

(euphemistic) Pregnant, unmarried, and not likely to be married before giving birth.


off the reservation

(idiomatic) Violating rules or decorum; out of bounds.

While politicians remained blackballed on opening night, the Clintonites' search for "real people" was not limited to the obscure. Thomason floated Billy Graham's name, but Hillary worried that he might get off the reservation on abortion.

1999, Martin Plissner, The Control Room: How Television Calls the Shots in Presidential Elections:

(US, politics) Having broken with one's party or group, usually temporarily.


off one's chump

See chump (“the head”), and compare off one's head.

“Ay, sure ’ave ur; and wot the devil I be to do agin that there Snooks, as ’ll lie through a brick wall, I beant able to say. I be pooty nigh off my chump wot wi’ one thing and another.”

1883, Richard Harris, The Humourous^([sic]) Story of Farmer Bumpkin′s Lawsuit, Gutenberg eBook #30551:

1888, Rolf Boldrewood (Thomas Alexander Browne), A Sydney-Side Saxon, Gutenberg Australia eBook #0607291,
‘ […] I′m not off my chump, no more than you are, and I haven't smelt spirits since last Christmas.’

1890, Catherine Martin, An Australian Girl, 2002, Margaret Ellen Allen (biographical information), Rosemary Campbell (introduction and notes; editor), University of Queensland Press, page 90,
It put him off his chump entirely. He went completely to the bad.

Such luck as he was going for was literally impossible, and he was regarded as “off his chump,” as someone put it expressively.

1891, The Australian journal: A Weekly Record of Literature, science, and Art, volume 26, page 477:

What with the shock of him going in this awful rash way, and thinking myself a made man by that chance, I was nearly off my chump for a week.

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

I'm going away. He's off his chump, he is. I dont want no balmies teaching me.

1912 (date written), [George] Bernard Shaw, “Pygmalion”, in Androcles and the Lion, Overruled, Pygmalion, London: Constable and Company, published 1916, →OCLC, Act II, page 125:

So I′m back to square one, worrying again about whether I′m off my chump even considering doing an MA in Creative Writing, MAICW.

2010, Gwyneth Daniel, The Word Mountain, page 53:


in one sitting

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The bookworm devoured her book in one sitting.

In a single session; finishing a task in the same period when one sets out to do so.


on a go-slow

We'll have to wait: the camera's on a go-slow.


without loss of generality

We wish to prove two ellipses in the plane intersect in an even number of points or are tangent. Without loss of generality, assume one of them has the equation x²#x2B;y²#x3D;1.

(mathematics) With a constraining assumption that, however, makes it clear how to apply the proof performed under this assumption to the general case unconstrained by the assumption.

zonder verlies van algemeenheid (z.v.v.a.)


in verwachting

/ˌɪn vərˈʋɑx.tɪŋ/

/ˌɪn vɛrˈʋɑx.tɪŋ/

Literally, “in expectation”; compare English expecting.


at the expense of

(finance) Paid for by an individual or group.

(by extension, idiomatic) At one's responsibility.

Bengali, like other Aryan languages of India, has spread, and is still spreading, at the expense of the aboriginal tongues.

1926, Suniti Kumar Chatterji, The Origin and Development of the Bengali Language, page 3:

(figurative) In a way as to harm somebody or something; to the detriment of.

عَلَى حِسَابِ

in a way as to harm somebody or something

(figurative) Of a joke, deriding someone.


on the face of it

On the face of it, his case seemed hopeless. But appearances can be deceptive.

(idiomatic) Seemingly; to all appearances; as far as can be seen or determined without deeper investigation or analysis.


in store

He's got some bad news in store for us, judging from his mood.

We have great Christmas deals in store!


for Christ's sake

(colloquial) Used to express surprise, contempt, outrage, disgust, boredom, frustration.


in the swim

He had very little money, but he was lucky at cards, made many acquaintances, took part in all entertainments, in a word, he was in the swim.

1894, Ivan Turgenev, chapter 8, in Constance Garnett, transl., A House of Gentlefolk, published 1859:

These punctual jaunts, very sensibly practised as a purge against dullness, together with the stir and hubbub of a garrison town in which his walled garden stood isolated, as it were, all day long, amid marchings, countermarchings, bugle-calls, and the rumble of wagons filled with material of war, gave him a sense of being in the swim—of close participation in the world's affairs.

1903, Arthur Quiller-Couch, chapter 12, in The Mayor of Troy:

But "he's right there in the center of things, in the swim of art history."

2001 December 23, Ted Loos, “A Flashy Museum Gives a Quiet Painter a New Look”, in New York Times, retrieved 2009-06-22:

(idiomatic) Actively participating in the flow of events; very involved.

dans le courant

actively participating in the flow of events


a prova di

a prova di ladro

"Quel Suv presidenziale non solo è a prova di proiettile, ma sigillato ermeticamente contro gli attacchi chimici. Il rischio di trasmissione di Covid-19 all'interno è alto quanto al di fuori delle procedure sanitarie", ha twittato il dottor James Phillips.

2020 October 5, “Trump annuncia: "Lascio l'ospedale fra qualche ora". E poi: "Non abbiate paura del Covid" [Trump announces: "I'll leave the hospital in a few hours". And then: "Don't fear Covid"]”, in la Repubblica:

"That presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of Covid-19 transmission on the inside is as high as it is outside of healthcare procedures", tweeted Doctor James Phillips.


op hol

From op (“on”) + hol (“a run”) (related to hollen (“to run”)).


s.p.

Abbreviation of sine prole (borrowed from Latin); without offspring, without issue.


on acid

From on + acid, referring to the intoxicating substance.

(idiomatic, informal) Exaggerated, bizarre or unpredictable.

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


by the Grace of God

(idiomatic, religion, Christianity) By divine will.


a capo

A capo della procura di Manhattan c’è un noto magistrato democratico, Cyrus Vance Jr., figlio di un ex segretario di Stato e già sotto i riflettori per l’inchiesta sull’ex direttore del Fondo monetario Dominique Strauss Kahn.

2020 August 3, Federico Rampini, “La procura di Manhattan indaga per frode bancaria sull'azienda di Trump. Presidente Usa: "Caccia alle streghe" [The Manhattan prosecutor's office investigates Trump's company for bank fraud. US President: "Witch hunt"]”, in la Repubblica:

At the head of the Manhattan prosecutor's office there's a well-known Democratic magistrate, Cyrus Vance Jr., son of a former Secretary of State and already in the spotlight for the investigation into the former Director of the Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss Kahn.


on the town

They went out for a night on the town, but it turned into a pub crawl.

They were on the town nearly until dawn.

Casually enjoying the nightlife of a town or city.


in this day and age

(idiomatic) In the current era of history.


beyond reasonable doubt

beyond a reasonable doubt
beyond a reasonable doubt#English

Alternative form of beyond a reasonable doubt


on an irregular basis

(idiomatic) Irregularly, occurring in irregular time intervals or patterns.


on a regular basis

(idiomatic) Regularly; occurring in regular time intervals or patterns.


behind the eight ball

behind the eight-ball
behind the eight-ball#English

Alternative form of behind the eight-ball


back at you

"Hey, good luck with that, buddy!" / "Right back at you, man!"

"You're an idiot!" / "Yeah? Well, back at you, moron!"

(idiomatic, US) Used to return a greeting or insult.


OOTQ

out of the question
out of the question#English

(Internet slang) Initialism of out of the question.


down the tubes

(idiomatic, euphemistic) Synonym of down the toilet: wasted; irretrievable.


in stride

(idiomatic) Without disturbing one's course of activities.


in sum

In sum, the New Testament came to teach a principle of nonretaliation or nonrevenge (Matt. 26:50–52), […]

2007, Frank K. Flinn, Encyclopedia of Catholicism, page 403:

Briefly; summarily; in a few words; to sum up.


to a hair

/tuː‿ə ˈhɛə/

A reference to the very small diameter of a strand of hair: compare hair's breadth.

Pand[arus]. Youle remember your brothers excuſe? / Par[is]. To a hayre.

c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Famous Historie of Troylus and Cresseid. […] (First Quarto), London: […] G[eorge] Eld for R[ichard] Bonian and H[enry] Walley, […], published 1609, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:

As to our own representative, the well-known athlete and international Rugby football player, E. D. Malone, he looks trained to a hair, and as he surveyed the crowd a smile of good-humored contentment pervaded his honest but homely face.

1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, “‘A Procession! A Procession!’”, in The Lost World […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC, page 298:

(idiomatic) To a high degree of precision; with the utmost exactness; to a nicety.


in no way, shape, or form

Hugh vehemently denied this in his first hearing: “I never did anything in any way, shape, or form during the war—in no way, shape, or form was I connected with it or had anything to do with it!”

2009, Linda H. Matthews, Middling Folk […] , Chicago Review Press, →ISBN, page 220:

(idiomatic) Not in any way at all; not at all, nohow.


in someone's way

I couldn't get to the door because there were too many people in my way.

Wrex: Shepard! Get that second hammer going!
Shepard: There's a Reaper in my way, Wrex!
Wrex: I know! You get all the fun!

2012, BioWare, Mass Effect 3 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Tuchanka:

Obstructing, blocking, or impeding the movement or line of sight of someone.

In the meantime, we had found nothing of any value but the silver and the trinkets, and neither of these were in our way.

1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:


to the moon

(dated) To a very distant or unreachable place.

When I saw him, he was wired to the moon. He didn't come down for two days.

(dated) Used as an intensifier: very, immensely, to a great extent.

(slang) Towards prosperity and greatness.

The marketing of this relatively new money has so far been limited mostly to ads on trade websites and targeted pushes on social media, where aficionados swap meme-fueled in-jokes about coin values rocketing to the moon.

2021 July 7, Tiffany Hsu, Coral Murphy Marcos, “Cryptocurrency Seeks the Spotlight, With Spike Lee’s Help”, in The New York Times:

(cryptocurrencies, slang) Of a cryptocurrency, increasing rapidly and substantially in value.


like a train

I could not get a shot in. They turned in my direction and came like a train. I stopped the first and the others spilled round him at a frightful speed. I was in the eddy of the first beast, as it were. I got in another shot at an angle behind the ear and down he went.

1949, Walter Dalrymple Maitland Bell, Karamojo safari, page 85:

"That tide's coming in like a train, and if the Raider breaks up, the currents will drag them under!" Her voice was desperate. "I don't see 'ow anyone can get to them!" It was true.

1994, Sheila Garrigue, The Eternal Spring of Mr. Ito, →ISBN, page 17:

Aspinall was suspended for the first three games but we started like a train. We took ten points from the first twelve, beating Leeds 4—0 at home with Hilaire and Blake coming back, and we went to the top of the league.

2005, Alan Ball, Playing Extra Time, →ISBN, page 221:


under sail

A ship under full sail.

(idiomatic, nautical) With sails unfurled; powered by the wind.


on a pair

(cricket) Describing the status of a batsman who has made a duck in the first innings, and is yet to score in the second.


on paper

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During the final exam, students are allowed to bring their computer science notes that are on paper.

In writing, particularly handwritten or printed as opposed to digital.

From those of the former generation who were in the fulness of age when I came into public life, which was while our controversy with England was on paper only, I soon saw that nothing was to be hoped.

August 25, 1814, Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Coles

Hutchinson, the current champion at 50 miles, is on paper the fastest rider in the field for Sunday's event

June 06, 2002, Graham Snowdon, The Telegraph:

Allen Gregory DeLongpre: Hey, just throwing out a random hypothetical to you. Let's say there's a new kid in school, and on paper he should be killing it, but for some reason the other kids don't like him? Why do you think that would be?

2011 Allen Gregory, "Pilot" (season 1, episode 1)

Before 1914, coal was a true cash-cow, and on paper, the GWR looked to have hit the jackpot by being handed all the railways in the South Wales coal fields.

2021 August 25, Richard Foster, “The rise and fall of railway's Big Four...”, in RAIL, number 938, page 55:

(figuratively) Based on debatable inference; in theory.

This means you can vote even if you are in jail or prison, or “on paper” (on probation, parole or extended supervision) for a misdemeanor.

2024, ACLU Wisconsin, VOTING RIGHTS FOR PERSONS WITH CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS:

(slang) Of a convicted criminal: on parole.


like a hole in the head

like a hole in one's head
like a hole in one's head#English

Alternative form of like a hole in one's head


like a hole in one's head

Calque of Yiddish װי אַ לאָך אין קאָפּ (vi a lokh in kop).

calque

װי אַ לאָך אין קאָפּ

Ford looked at him for a moment. “Fort Apache?” he asked. “Yes, Fort Apache,” said Clothier.
“I need that goddamn sequence like I need a hole in my head,” grumbled Ford. “We'll shoot that whole goddamn thing over right here on the stage.”

2012, Scott Eyman, Print the Legend: The Life and Times of John Ford, page 470:

(informal, emphatic, postpositive) Absolutely not; used to describe how little one needs an undesirable thing or situation.


by ear

(music) To learn to play (an instrument) or sing by listening to recorded music without reading or memorizing sheet music or without any formal instruction.

(language learning) To learn a language without instruction.


in one's dreams

"Can't go? Why not? Got a hot date tonight?" / "In my dreams! No, I've got to visit a friend in the hospital."

"They said the economy will boost sales next quarter." / "In their dreams! Maybe next year the economy will recover."

(idiomatic, colloquial) Used to express the speaker's belief that a preceding statement expressed a desired rather than an actual state of affairs.


in the here and now

(idiomatic) In present practice rather than in theory; with the priority of palpably and actually existing.


AOR

to be discharged from hospital AOR


up shit's creek

(idiomatic) Alternative form of up shit creek


right up someone's alley

up someone's alley
up someone's alley#English


up shit's creek without a paddle

En-au-up shit's creek without a paddle.ogg


on the toss of a coin

(idiomatic) Left to pure chance; based on a flippant metric.


in concert

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

High tides and severe gales are by no means uncommon on the East Coast of England, and in the Thames Estuary, but on the night of January 31, the two acted in concert to such an extent that the sea rose several feet higher than was predicted, with the gale whipping up wave action.

1953 May, “British Railways and the January Floods”, in Railway Magazine, page 301:


for old times' sakes

for old times' sake
for old times' sake#English


for old times' sake

When gang leader Chen Xinfu was apprehended in Haikou, capital of south China’s island province of Hainan, earlier this month he told his arresting officers: “Guys, take good care of me, for old times’ sake.”
Unlike the hundreds of other mob bosses who have been rounded up in recent months, Chen has a special relationship with the police: before his descent into the criminal underworld, he was deputy head of the public security bureau in the city’s Xiuying district.

2019 April 14, Guo Rui, “China’s war on organised crime, corrupt officials sees 79,000 people detained”, in South China Morning Post, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2019-04-14, Politics:

(idiomatic) An appeal to the nostalgia of prior experiences to convince someone to do something.


i fjor

From the Old Norse prepositional phrase í fjǫrð. See fjor for more.


above water

(idiomatic) Out of difficulty, especially financial.


to pieces

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

The dog tore the doll to pieces.

I just love my nieces to pieces.

I went all to pieces when my brother died.

(idiomatic) Into a state of emotional breakdown.


at all costs

We have to retain the majority at all costs.

Of course, closure of the West station took away the hotel's raison d'être. In May 2012, the local newspaper reported that this historic hotel, by then rated the town's worst (exemplified by its final review: "Please avoid at all costs"), was to be converted into 31 first-time-buyer one-bedroom flats.

2021 December 29, Stephen Roberts, “Stories and facts behind railway plaques: Bournemouth (circa 1880)”, in RAIL, number 947, page 60:

As an absolute imperative; sparing no effort or expense


of a kind

All floor traders are of a kind, and most burn out by their late thirties.

(idiomatic) Of the same type or character.


voor zo ver ik weet

to the best of my knowledge
to the best of my knowledge

as far as I know, to the best of my knowledge


on the tap

(British slang) Begging, making requests for loans.


on the street

We haven't been able to pay rent for five months. Next month we'll be on the street.

Delays with universal credit have compounded the problem, pushing people into rent arrears and putting them at risk of losing their homes. And the retrenchment of services such as mental health and drug rehabilitation means that vulnerable people are more likely to find themselves on the street.

2018, The Observer, The Observer view on the budget and the decade of austerity, 28 October

(idiomatic) Without a home; without the means to afford good shelter.

But to work "on the street" is clearly quite different from "working the street."

1983, Streets as Public Property: Opportunities for Public/private Interactin in Planning and Design, page 108:

Indeed, the contribution of study abroad to significant language gains is commonly believed to derive from the numerous opportunities program participants have to engage in first-hand language practice on "the street", in restaurants, in shops, in the homes of native speaker friends and acquaintances as well as a variety of other out-of-class environments in which students find themselves while living in-country.

1995, Barbara F. Freed, Second Language Acquisition in a Study Abroad Context, page 317:

'We took five years of strategy development before we put a single thing on the street,' Slutkin said.

2020, Adam Kucharski, The Rules of Contagion, page 123:

(idiomatic) In actual practice, as opposed to in a laboratory, classroom, etc.


up there

I'd always considered astrology bullshit, right up there with the legal, real estate and banking businesses in terms of thieving ass-sucking charlatanry, but it's clear I've been doing it a misservice.

In a position of prominence or importance.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see up, there.


in the hopper

Already in the hopper was another bill, by Florida's stanch New Deal Senator Claude Pepper, to outlaw poll taxes altogether.

1942 September 14, “U.S. At War: Revolution from Above”, in Time:

Mr. Kotick put a lot of faith in the new “Call of Duty” game due out Tuesday and the other titles in the hopper.

2009 November 5, Jay Miller, “Activision Blizzard Swings to Profit”, in Wall Street Journal:

(idiomatic) In the process of being prepared or produced.


on the take

Recently after Washington officials were in Detroit, our chief told us they were sore because so many motor boats broke down and said some of the boys must be ‘on the take’ [accepting bribes].

1929 July 1, “National Affairs: War on Two Fronts”, in Time:

The investigation uncovered an agency overrun by greed, a crooked culture where bribes routinely doubled the $30,000 salaries of those on the take.

1997 April 24, Greg B. Smith, “Sting to Shaft Lift Inspectors”, in New York Daily News:

Once there was this geezer called Smithy Robinson, who worked for Harry. It was rumoured that he was on the take.

1998, Guy Ritchie, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, spoken by Bacon (Jason Statham):

The Prime Minister suggested that, realistically, it would take at least five years to purge corruption from a police force that is 200,000 strong. About 10 per cent of the force are assumed to be on the take.

2003 August 11, “Sex, bribes and publicity”, in The Independent, UK, retrieved 2009-11-17:

(informal) Corrupt; receiving bribes or other improper payments.


for a change

He had had a hard time in the City, so he explained. Harris, who is callous in his nature, and not prone to pity, said:
"Ah! and now you are going to have a hard time on the river for a change; change is good for everyone. Out you get!"

1889, Jerome K. Jerome, chapter 9, in Three Men in a Boat […] :

If you've had "nuff" of "the blood of the lamb,"
Then join in the grand Industrial band;
If, for a change, you would have eggs and ham,
Then come! Do your share, like a man.

1913, Joe Hill, There Is Power in a Union:

"I've supported her for seventeen years. Why shouldn't she support herself for a change?"

1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence:

1931, Robert E. Howard, The TNT Punch (alternate titles: The Waterfront Law, and The Waterfront Wallop),
"... But I ain't all softness and mush--feel this here for a change!"
And I closed the Kid's eye with a smashing left hander.

1993 February 17, Bill Clinton, speech, First State of the Union Address,
I'd like to use that Superfund to clean up pollution for a change and not just pay lawyers.

(idiomatic) As a departure from the usual.


for once

The invitation for the next evening was accepted, and Cecilia, for once, felt no repugnance to joining the company.

1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, or Memoirs of an Heiress:

For once I would have taken him up upon his insulting wager.

1841, Edgar Allan Poe, Never Bet the Devil Your Head:

Sell her her waste, please, and give her good measure if you can make up your mind to do the liberal thing for once.

1865, Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend:

In France, in Germany, in Austro-Hungary, in Italy, in the United States, writers of all shades of opinion, for once unanimous, have paid a willing tribute to the worth of our great countryman, ignored in life by the official representatives of the kingdom, but laid in death among his peers in Westminster Abbey by the will of the intelligence of the nation.

1882 April 27, “The Funeral Of Mr. Darwin”, in The Times:

For once in her life she was surprised out of her reserve; she caught her girl in her arms and crushed her and her flowers against her heart, kissing the bright hair and sweet face warmly.

1915, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of the Island:

2009 November 9, Jillian Law, Liberal Candidate for Franklin, “Now Rudd's on the nose for once”, in The Age:

(idiomatic) For the first time, after many instances to the contrary; in a rare exception to the rule; as an exception to the usual.


on tilt

(poker) Playing badly, usually overaggressively because of losing hands.


by all accounts

[…]and also by all accounts of the surplus which shall from time to time be settled between the new company and the liquidators of the old company[…]

1881, Francis Beaufort Palmer, Company precedents, for use in relation to companies subject to the Companies acts 1862 to 1880. With copious notes., page 512:

(literally) According to all available accounts or reports.

The reputation of the elder Baron, although by all accounts justly merited, was destined to be completely thrown into the shade by that of his son[…]

1878, Charles Dickens, All Year Round, page 161:

[…]that they say, by all accounts, it costs him great trouble to make, by rason that he must fast a long time, and pray by the day, afore he gets himself[…]

1887, William Carleton, Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry, page 302:

I sent the particulars to the ship-builder, and by all accounts the news killed him, for he died not long after.

2007, Marcus Clarke, For the Term of His Natural Life, →ISBN, page 272:

The society had apparently been formed the previous year, but as the Cheltenham Spa Railway Society, which sounded rather parochial and unambitious - particularly as (by all accounts) its founders had gathered in a garden shed in the town.

2021 December 29, Stephen Roberts, “Stories and facts behind railway plaques Cheltenham (1928)”, in RAIL, number 947, page 60:

(idiomatic) According to everything that people have said.


off one's trolley

The Romance is the best part of the four movements. One is a bit off one’s trolley at such times and I should surely write a better Suite at this time after twenty years of sober reflection.

1919, American Guild of Organists, American Organist, volume 2, page 409:

On the whole, bodily symptoms have at least the consolatory fact about them, that they replace mental symptoms, fears of going off one’s trolley; and I suppose that, if I got rid of all the physical symptoms, things would but have been cleared away for a new worry about mental ones?

1915–1981: Kenneth Burke [contrib.], Malcolm Cowley [contrib.], and Paul Jay (editor), The Selected Correspondence of Kenneth Burke and Malcolm Cowley, 1915–1981, page 302 (1988; Viking; →ISBN, 9780670813360)

Being slightly off one’s trolley
Uppermost in my list of top four teaching behaviours is being ever-so-slightly crazy ... to keep students guessing whether or not I have lost my marbles, and being not quite so predictable.

2006, Mike Ollerton, Getting the Buggers to Add Up, Continuum International Publishing Group, →ISBN, page 164:

(informal, humorous, idiomatic) Having gone mad; insane.


off the ground

The remodeling project is finally off the ground.

We tried to start a company, but we couldn't seem to get it off the ground.

Once a business gets off the ground, a different management style may become appropriate.

Having gotten a good start; having reached a level of stability or self-sufficiency.


in point

"The Bible requires us to be courteous and hospitable," said Mrs. Clarence, smiling, as though she rather more than half believed that her argument or remark was in point.

1846, Joseph Alden, Elizabeth Benton, page 121:


in fine fettle

From in + fine (“of superior quality”) + fettle (“state of physical condition”). Fettle is derived from Late Middle English fetlen (“(verb) to bestow; to fix, prepare, put in place; to prepare (oneself) for battle, gird up; to shape; to be about to, or to ready (oneself), to stay; (adjective) shaped (well or poorly)”) [and other forms], possibly from Old English fetel (“belt, girdle, fettle”), from Proto-Germanic *fatilaz; further etymology unknown.

nb...

fatelen, fetel, fetele, fetelen, fetle, fettel, fettil, fetyl, fitelen

inh

Tortoise: [Y]ou're looking in very fine fettle these days, I must say.
 Achilles: Thank you very much.

1979, Douglas Hofstadter, “Crab Canon”, in Gödel, Escher, Bach, →ISBN, page 199:


to hand

Einhorn had a teaching turn […] And with his son at the university I was the only student he had to hand.

1953, Saul Bellow, chapter 5, in The Adventures of Augie March, New York: Viking Press, →OCLC:

Readily available; within easy reach; nearby.


at long last

At long last, the referee's whistle was mercifully blown. It had been a sobering and underwhelming tournament, but one that must now fuel the future, with a changing of the guard needed ahead of next year's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

2022 November 29, Ian Mitchelmore, “Wales put out of World Cup misery by England as sobering tournament must signal changing of the guard”, in WalesOnline:


up someone's street

This new album should be just up your street.

(informal, idiomatic) Perfectly suitable to someone; matching someone's interests and abilities.


on a losing wicket

Recognize that we are on a losing wicket in Vietnam.

1995, William Conrad Gibbons, The US government and the Vietnam war, V.4, page 292:

I'm sure we're on a losing wicket but we're fighting technology.

2007 September 3, Helen Pidd, “Pitt happy, but Ridley Scott grumbles”, in The Guardian:

Our part-time Defence Secretary is also on a losing wicket over grim milestones.

2008 June 14, Vicki Woods, “They say milestones, but mean tombstones”, in The Daily Telegraph:


in a lather

She was in a lather because she couldn't find her passport.

Don't get yourself into a lather about anything that idiot says. It's not worth it!

In a state of nervousness or anxiety; agitated.


under water

Learning to Breathe I've been learning to breathe under water . Don't laugh . The flood level has already risen overhead and is still rising . It doesn't leave much time . Of course , I'm not the only one to be submerged.[…]

2006, Gael Turnbull, There are Words: Collected Poems, Shearsman Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 167:

(as predicate adjective or adverb) Alternative form of underwater.


for another thing

(sequence) Used to introduce an additional item in a possible sequence


for one thing

(sequence) Used to introduce the first item in a possible sequence


up one's own ass

16 February 2003, The Times - Motor Racing: Coulthard’s driving passion
[David Coulthard on Michael Schumacher] Considering the success and money he's earned, it'd be easy for him to disappear so far up his own arse, but he hasn't; there's something down-to-earth there

It's nice to be able to look back on the thing, because I was so up my own ass at the time about everything that it was hard to enjoy all the craziness...

9 December 2003 The Advocate (magazine) No. 904

19 February 2006 Sunday People - EXCLUSIVE: ON ME WEB CAM, SON!
Just like Leslie Grantham who also slagged off his costars, Forgeham blasted Zoe as "egotistical" and said she was "full of herself...and up her own ass"

(idiomatic, vulgar, Canada, US) Having an excessively high opinion of oneself, excessively preoccupied with one's own affairs, or lost in self-regarding abstraction.


on the one hand

On the one hand, it was quite a good bargain, but on the other hand, do we really need a second car?

1950, Bertrand Russell, acceptance speech for Nobel Prize in Literature
I maintain, however, on the one hand, that there are few occasions upon which large bodies of men, such as politics is concerned with, can rise above selfishness, while, on the other hand, there are a very great many circumstances in which populations will fall below selfishness, if selfishness is interpreted as enlightened self-interest.

The country’s first black president, and its first president to reach adulthood after the Vietnam War and Watergate, Mr. Obama seemed like a digital-age leader who could at last dislodge the stalemate between those who clung to the government of the Great Society, on the one hand, and those who disdained the very idea of government, on the other.

2012 November 7, Matt Bai, “Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds”, in New York Times:

(sequence, idiomatic) From one point of view.

on one hand

often considered incorrect and not found in most dictionaries


like the clappers

Partridge says: "Possibly rhyming slang for 'clappers of a bell', 'hell'."

After hurling their insults, they ran like the clappers to get away.

And when it started off they first studied them, and of course they went like the clappers to prove what they could do, which was the thing they shouldn't be doing because it was a study, and of course, they've got to work like the clappers all the time once it came into operation.

1998, Diana Gittins, Madness in its Place: Narratives of Severalls Hospital, 1913-1997:

We've gone through regional and rural Australia like the clappers, and everywhere we went, irate voters shouted at us and we stuck our heads out the windows and shouted: "What?" and the electorate respected us for it.

In fact she made quite a nice little rider — a bit rough, like these Australians always were, but quite secure in her seat and going like the clappers.

2006, Kerry Greenwood, Murder in the Dark:

(simile, UK, informal) Very hard or very rapidly.


between the pipes

A shutout performance calls for a brilliant display between the pipes and Bill was right on the job.

1927 March 12, “Burghs Back In Race for Eastern Hockey Title”, in Ottawa Citizen, Canada, retrieved 2009-12-26:

[T]he Finns might just have the best goaltending in the 12-team tournament.

2009, Shawn P. Roarke, "Finland's biggest strength is between the pipes," www.nhl.com (National Hockey League), 19 Feb. (retrieved 26 Dec. 2009)

(ice hockey, lacrosse, idiomatic) Between the goalposts; with respect to or playing the position of goaltender.


without troubling the scorers

Watson was caught and bowled for a fairly played eighteen, and Jardine again retired to the pavilion without troubling the scorers.

The PE teacher, the putative authority on all things sporting, went out, as they say, without troubling the scorers.

1993, Tom Raabe, Sports for the Athletically Impaired:

Mark Waugh came and went without troubling the scorers, leaving Australia at a perilous 2/16 with one man on the way to hospital.

He was brought down to earth in Georgetown, however, ten days later, suffering the indignity of being run out without troubling the scorers in the victory over British Guiana.

2003, James P. Coldham, Lord Hawke: a cricketing legend:

(informal, cricket) Describing the manner of the dismissal of a batsman who is out without scoring any runs


in one's stead

Then the people of the land tooke Iehoahaz the ſon of Ioſiah, and made him King in his fathers ſtead in Ieruſalem.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Chronicles 36:1:

In December 2020 the Matlock branch services, which currently run through to Newark, will be cut back to Nottingham, but in their stead EMR will extend the hourly Crewe to Derby service through to Newark Castle.

2019 October, Tony Miles, Philip Sherratt, “EMR kicks off new era”, in Modern Railways, page 58:

(formal) In place of someone or something.


down the banks

Unknown. Probably of Irish origin.
five conjectural etymologies
* Notes & Queries, 3rd series, volume 1 (8 March 1862), page 189 posits a connection with "down the khud", supposedly used of a person falling down a precipice in the Himalayas.
* Cassell's Dictionary of Slang (1998) suggests falling off the raised bank of a bog into muddy water.
* Bernard Share (Slanguage, 1997) suggests a link to "The Banks of my own Lovely Lee", a Cork anthem nicknamed "De Banks".
See also:
* Laurence Urdang, Walter W. Hunsinger, Nancy LaRoche, Picturesque expressions: a thematic dictionary (1985, →ISBN, page 571
* The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English (2006, →ISBN, volume 1 A–I, page 646

Mr. Heberton Fitzjames was (and, if he has not gone 'down the banks,' is) a gentleman such as we frequently see at the watering-places; a leader of the select parties there congregated. […] I became acquainted with Fitzjames in my way of making new friends. I had professional engagements with him, and from the name of 'the plaintiff,' I concluded it grew out of a sporting debt. Ah, Heberton, in that you were nearly gone 'down the banks!'

1852 April, "Flavul", The Knickerbocker, volume 39, page 336, "Transcripts from the docket of a late Sheriff of New-York"

A independent woter ain't the cheese any longer. […] The Stars is out in all kinds o' weather, and if they shines on a feller when he's got half a dozen glasses on board, the Watch-us', Squire Cole, and ten days down the banks, is the word!

1855, Albany Register, "An Independent Voter" (reprinted in Supplement to the Connecticut Courant, volume 20, number 27, page 211)


on the wing

Next comes a supposition, that the bird sleeps on the wing, and that the great distance from land at which it is seen at close of day is thought to favour the supposition[…].

1835 February, Thomas Hutton, “Observations on an Article in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, on the subject of the Albatross”, in Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, volume 4, number 38, page 108:

By surviving the rigors of a life on the wing, birds earn another chance to pass on their genes.

1999, Scott Weidensaul, Living on the Wind: Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds, North Point Press, published 2000, →ISBN, page 346:


for the life of one

For the life of me, I can't remember the name of that song.

Not for the life of him could he remember it.

They were unable, for the life of them, to remember.

[…]Peyró can’t for the life of him fathom why “it’s had less success abroad than Ringo Starr’s solo career”.

2020 April 9, Sam Jones, “Spanish writer spills beans on UK's saucy secrets”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

(colloquial, only with a negative) Even if one's (own) life depended on it; at all.


bij voorbaat

Literally, “with earliness, with timeliness”.


à deux

It is arguable that Litvinov, had he met with civility and those supple conversations à deux in which trained diplomats excel, might have stopped the war […]

(Can we date this quote?), William Manchester, The Last Lion, volume 2, page 458:

Like their leader, none in the party spoke a word of German. Henderson, who would join them in Munich, was fluent in German, but of course he also spoke in tongues. Chamberlain and Hitler would talk à deux[…]

2012 November 20, Paul Reid, William Manchester, The Last Lion Box Set: Winston Spencer Churchill, 1874 - 1965, Little, Brown, →ISBN:


on the shelf

(idiomatic) Laid aside.
Unused; abandoned.

(idiomatic) Laid aside.
Tabled; mothballed.

(idiomatic, especially of a woman) Unmarried, typically through lack of interest from potential spouses.


on bended knee

On bended knee full long he prayed.

1898, Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Franklin's Maid”, in Songs of Action:

Mr. Skinner said airports would not have to rely as much on their airline tenants to approve expansion. "They will be able to build new gates without going to an airline on bended knee," he said.

1990 November 5, John H. Cushman Jr., “Airports planning for big windfall”, in New York Times, retrieved 2017-11-07:

"Howard Dean is the only candidate to have smashed fundraising records, not by going on bended knee to the wealthy but by empowering ordinary Americans to take part in their democracy," Mr Gross said.

2004 February 19, Julian Borger, “Party's over, but the Deaniacs are here to stay”, in Guardian, UK, retrieved 2017-11-07:

(by extension) Supplicatingly, imploringly.


down the hatch

In Cairo, the New York Herald Tribune's correspondent, John ("Tex") O'Reilly, found U.S. soldiers no less infected with the new English language: "When two Americans are having a drink they no longer shout ‘Down the hatch!’ They raise their glasses and say ‘Cheers’ in modulated tones."

1943 March 22, “AIR: You've Had It”, in Time, retrieved 2010-02-07:

As waiters brought trays of meat, the guests reached over and harvested the pink slices with their bare hands, popping them down the hatch.

2008 January 30, Paul Lukas, “Gluttonous Rite Survives Without Silverware”, in New York Times, retrieved 2010-02-07:

(informal) Into the mouth and down the throat, especially with regard to the consumption of a beverage.


behind the curve

But in his 1996 novel, Holy Fire, [Bruce] Sterling imagines a rather different future: a world ruled by an all-powerful gerontocracy, which appropriates most of the world's wealth to pay for ever more costly life-extension techniques. […] When the novel first came out, it seemed that Sterling was behind the curve.

1997 March 9, Paul Krugman, “Does Getting Old Cost Society Too Much?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

Toyota used to be a company with foresight, always ready to take action, but now they have fallen very far behind the curve.

2010 February 4, Alan Ohnsman with Yuki Hagiwara, “Toyota Plans Media Blitz as Stock Loses $21 Billion”, in BusinessWeek:

(US, military) Not making the progress required.


to the hilt

You can't expect him to spare any more money, because he's borrowed up to the hilt from the bank for his new apartment.

This paradox—that a peaceful European settlement was taking shape even as the two Great Powers of the day were arming themselves to the hilt and preparing for the eventuality of a thermonuclear war—was not so bizarre as it might appear.

2005, Tony Judt, “The Politics of Stability”, in Postwar: A history of Europe since 1945, London: Vintage Books, published 2010, →ISBN:


ליד

head

לְיָד • (l'yád)

Either from the above, or from לְ־ (l'-, “to”) + יָד (yád, “hand”); if the latter, then literally roughly “at hand”.

Near, nearby, next, adjacent, alongside.


a più non posso

hell-for-leather, at full speed, flat out, at full tilt


in danger

in a dangerous position or place; exposed to risk


in style

Disco went out of style in the 1980s, but is now in style again.

She's so elegant, no matter what she does, she does it in style.

Let’s dance in style , let’s dance for a while / Heaven can wait, we’re only watching the skies

1984, “Forever Young”, in Forever Young, performed by Alphaville:


in silence

The cat crept down the stairs in silence.


in print

published in e.g. a magazine or newspaper.

(of a book) available for purchase from the publisher.

use painaa in the passive to mean "to be in print"


in truth

I swear in all truth that I never knew about her crimes.

So this was my future home, I thought![…]Backed by towering hills, the but faintly discernible purple line of the French boundary off to the southwest, a sky of palest Gobelin flecked with fat, fleecy little clouds, it in truth looked a dear little city; the city of one's dreams.

1908, W[illiam] B[lair] M[orton] Ferguson, chapter IV, in Zollenstein, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC, page 40:

In truth, Tottenham never really looked like taking all three points and this defeat means they face a battle to reach the knockout stages -with their next home game against PAOK Salonika on 30 November likely to prove decisive.

2011 November 3, Chris Bevan, “Rubin Kazan 1-0 Tottenham”, in BBC Sport:

In truth, I suspect it will take more than the first term of a Labour government to address the shortcomings of the railway system in the North.

2023 March 8, Christian Wolmar, “Labour passes up the chance to deliver a forceful rail policy”, in RAIL, page 34:


in theory

That sounds fine in theory, but will it work in practice?


in use

The man, ye should ken, was cast upon a rock in the sea, where it appears the Good People were in use to come and rest as they went through to Ireland.

1886 May 1 – July 31, Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped, being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751: […], London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 1886, →OCLC:


on the horns of a dilemma

/ɒn‿ðə ˈhɔːnz‿əv‿ə daɪˈlɛmə/

/ɑn‿ðə ˈhɔɹnz‿əv‿ə daɪˈlɛmə/

From horn (“alternative in an argument”), from Latin argūmentum cornūtum (“argument with alternatives”, literally “horned argument”), a reference to an alternative that one can metaphorically get caught on or injured by.

der

To admit of the abſolute foreknovvledge of God, and yet to deny his predeſtination, even in its fulleſt extent, is a palpable abſurdity. The diſputant ſticks faſt on the horns of a dilemma, from vvhich he never can be diſengaged, vvithout the extraction of one. And yet to deny either, involves an equal abſurdity, and leaves the poor logician in the ſame predicament; […]

1779 May, “K.” [pseudonym], “The Church of England Vindicated: or A Defence of the Visible Church of Christ, as Established by the Legislative Authority of this Realm: In Answer to All Objections which have been Offered by Dissidents of Every Denomination. With a Prefatory Address to the Pious and Learned Prelates of Great Britain and Ireland. 8vo. 6s. Thorn, Exeter; Wallis, London. [book review]”, in William Kenrick, William Shakespeare Kenrick, et al., editors, The London Review of English and Foreign Literature, volume IX, London: […] T[homas] Evans, […], →OCLC, page 319:

They vvere ſtuck on the horns of a dilemma, that ſorely pricked them; unable to find a better ſituation, and unreſolved to quit their preſent one.

1784, “An Advocate for Justice” [pseudonym], Oppression Unmasked: Being a Narrative of the Proceedings in a Case between a Great Corporation, and a Little Fishmonger. […], Dublin: [s.n.], →OCLC, pages 25–26:

We are on the horns of a dilemma. If things go on in this manner and the rebellion is not suppressed, in a short time government won't have any copper and there is no knowing what may happen. If we get news of victory over the rebels, our doom is sealed, for it's my belief that every one of us will be put into the crucible and reduced to so much waste copper.

1875 July, G. C. Stent, “A Dream Concerning a Cash. (Translated from the Chinese.)”, in [Nicholas Belfield Dennys], editor, The China Review: Or, Notes and Queries on the Far East, volume IV, number 1, Hong Kong: “China Mail” Office, […], →OCLC, page 27, column 2:

He was busy organising opposition to Lord Ranfurly [Uchter Knox, 5th Earl of Ranfurly], when, in an unlucky moment for his cause, he was called up to sign the deed of cession as the representative of Avatele. Thus was he impaled on the horns of a dilemma. If he refused, another would have gone down to posterity as a greater than he in his own village; if he accepted, he stultified his own words.

1902, Basil Thomson, “Westward Ho!”, in Savage Island: An Account of a Sojourn in Niué and Tonga, London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, pages 147–148:

Ignatius [of Loyola] was on the horns of a dilemma. Should Francis [Borgia] remain in Spain, his fate was fixed. Should he escape to Rome, the Pope [Pope Julius III] would certainly make him a Cardinal.

1917, C[yril] C[harlie] Martindale, “The Duke of Gandia”, in Edmund Lester, editor, In God’s Army: II. Captains of Christ: St. Francis Borgia, St. John Francis Regis, St. Peter Claver (Stella Maris Series), London, Manchester: R. & T. Washbourne, […], →OCLC, pages 43–44:

damned if one does and damned if one doesn't

(idiomatic) Facing a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives.


like a ton of bricks

The Defendant then came down on me like a ton of bricks, as my eye will prove.

Senator Breaux: Did you see this coming on gradually, or did it hit you all of a sudden like a ton of bricks?

2000, United States Senate, The Boomers are Coming: The Challenge of Family Caregiving : Hearing Before the Special Committee on Aging, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session, Monroe, LA, October 11, 1999, →ISBN, page 34:

“I still feel so bad about that. I fell for you like a ton of bricks when I first saw you onstage with the band.[…]"

2009 October 29, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Mr Stink, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN:

(simile, colloquial) Very strongly; very heavily; often unexpectedly.


onder geen beding

under no circumstances
under no circumstances

(idiomatic) under no circumstances, on no account, never ever, not for any reason


under no circumstances

Under no circumstances should I be responsible for your reckless driving of my vehicle.

(idiomatic) never ever, not for any reason


in someone's face

And why do you and all men regard or reward a loving thankful, obedient child, more than one that will scorn you and spit in your face?

1675, Richard Baxter, Richard Baxter's Catholick Theologie: Plain, Pure, Peaceable: for Pacification of the Dogmatic Word-Warriours..., page 226:

(literally) Onto or into someone's face.

This hypocrite will laugh in your face, and cut your throat...

1658, Samuel Crook, Christopher Barker, William Garrett, Ta diapheronta, or, Divine characters: in two parts..., page 70:

(idiomatic) In front of someone's face; before someone's eyes.


as it stands

As it stands, this company has no way of breaking into the European market.


in sort

Vnto that Elfin knight he bad him fly, / Where he slept soundly void of euill thought, / And with false shewes abuse his fantasy, / In sort as he him schooled priuily […]

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


up against it

"But we are up against it, so what's the decision?" "It seems a most questionable step," said Summerlee, argumentative to the last, "but if you are all going, I hardly see how I can remain behind." "Then it is settled," said Lord John, and turning to the chief he nodded and slapped his rifle.

1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:

Yet as intelligently as Rafferty, back at left-back following her recovery from a third ruptured cruciate ligament, was defending against the dangerous Élodie Thomis her side were up against it.

2015 June 9, “Women’s World Cup 2015: England beaten by France in Group F opener”, in The Guardian (London):

(idiomatic) In a very difficult position.


in one's book

Refers to a hypothetical book or list of one's opinions and beliefs. Slang from the mid-1900s.

Clara did nothing wrong in my book.

Is this "the field?" Not in our book, it isn't.

1973, QST, volume 57, number 2, page 87:

[Jeffcoat:] I'll qualify that in a moment, but in my book I think when it comes to sheer professionalism, there's nothing quite like an American broadcaster.

1975 February 8, Kevin O'Donohue, Stan Clark, Brian McClenaughan, Frank Jeffcoat, “Four Broadcasters Compare U.S. Radio with Australian Radio - The Knockout Blow”, in Billboard, page A-7:

My solution, or rather Stumpf's (for in my book I am but the humble follower of the eminent Munich psychologist), was to take neither of these objectionable alternatives, […].

1978, William James, Frederick Burkhardt, Fredson Bowers, Ignas K. Skrupskelis, Essays in Philosophy, page 66:

That's taking things way too far in my book.

2007, Ralph A. Gessner, Deep in My Heart, page 105:

Around 11pm BB King appears onstage, much of his audience one over the eight, talkative but mellow, ready for what is (in my book at least) the experience of a lifetime.

2012 October 6, Ed Vulliamy, “BB King at 87: the last of the great bluesmen”, in The Observer:

Today's homework is in your book. Could I borrow it?

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, one's, book.


over open sights

A method of aiming an artillery piece with the target in sight (direct fire), as opposed to indirect fire where the target is not visible.


with both hands

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see with, both, hands.


in flight

Flying, making a flight, as opposed to being on the ground.


in the wrong place at the wrong time

En-au-in the wrong place at the wrong time.ogg

[The devil] must then chime in with our sentiments, our instincts, even stimulate our devotion to liberty, and defeat liberty by compelling us to seek it in the wrong place, at the wrong time, or by improper means.

1844 July, “Come-outerism”, in Orestes Augustus Brownson, editor, Brownson's quarterly review, volume 1, number 3, page 375:

(literally) Describing actions or activities that the speaker considers inappropriate, misdirected, or unlikely to yield good results.

... W.H. Waring (Dellow) nearly cut short the life of a native of those parts who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and J.W. Cox got his Dellow up at incredible speed, with the front wheels leaping in the air most of the way.

It is a perplexing expression, since many of these young people were not in the "wrong place." ... I believe that when they say "I guess I was in the wrong place at the wrong time," they are reflecting on the randomness of violence.

2009, John A. Rich, Wrong Place, Wrong Time: Trauma and Violence in the Lives of Young Black Men, →ISBN, page xvi:

(idiomatic) At a location or in a situation by where something bad is about to happen at just the time of its occurrence by bad luck.

nel posto sbagliato al momento sbagliato

în locul nepotrivit la momentul nepotrivit


on the radar

After the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union, space exploration was on the radar of many Americans who had ignored it earlier.

(idiomatic) Likely to happen, or be important in the near future or tending to attract attention.


in the long term

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


with God

My mother, rest her soul, is with God now.

(euphemistic, Christianity) Dead; deceased.


behind time

We should leave now - I don't want to be too behind time.

I'm running behind time. I should be home in half an hour or so.


as a result

I forgot to net my raspberries, and as a result the birds ate all the fruit.

(conjunctive) Consequently; thus; therefore; hence.


to one's knowledge

John will be starting his new job next Monday, to my knowledge.

To the extent of one's limited knowledge of the facts.


in return

In exchange, as a means of reciprocating.

в замяна

in exchange, as a means of reciprocating


à la clé

trois bémols à la clé


like that

We don't talk like that around here.

I can't believe anyone past the age of six would behave like that in public.

It happened just like that.

Used adverbially or adjectivally to indicate similitude, similarity, equivalent or comparable quality

(adverbial) In such, the same, a similar way, in that particular manner

We don't say stuff like that around here.

I've never seen anything like that in my life.

(adjectival) Of the same, a similar, that particular kind.

Near-synonym: out of nowhere

He was playing in the yard and, then, like that, he was gone.

"And then the truck turned, the box fell out the back, and the truck just kept going." / "Yea, like that."

(interjectional) Used to indicate agreement with another speaker's statement.


for it

make a break for it

run for it

And then, tenebrously, his mind whispered: Do it anyway. Put her down and swim for it.
But he did not, could not. An awful guilt rose in him at the thought.

You broke the window! Now you're for it!

(all) the wiser for it

sure to smart for it

How much did you pay for it?

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see for, it.


on the bias

(textiles) Describing the method of cutting fabric diagonally across the grain (so as to make the clothing cling to the body)

al biaix

describing the method of cutting fabric diagonally


like fun

"Of course it might happen that the hull kit-and-boodle might start and run, if some big fighting came first-off, and then again they might stay and fight like fun.

1895 October, Stephen Crane, chapter I, in The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC, page 16:

"The railway's begun The Mormons are cutting / And grading like fun."

c'''. 1868, James Crane, a song, in Nothing like it in the world: the men who built the transcontinental railroad, Stephen E. Ambrose, 2001, page 286

Do they think I have a million dollars and spend it? Like fun I do. Not with the kind of discipline my parents believe in.

1927 October 7, “Chess Championship.”, in Ottawa Citizen:

"Give me that gun!" "Like fun I will," Leigh snapped.

a.''' 1946, Raymond J. Healy, J. Francis McComas, editors, Adventures in time and space: an anthology of modern science-fiction stories, page 607:

(as response, US, dated) Definitely not.


in respect

they […] still think their melancholy to be most grievous, none so bad as they are, though it be nothing in respect […].

(obsolete) By comparison, comparatively.


for chrissake

(idiomatic) used to express annoyance or frustration


upon one's speed

In case any one, riding a horse that was upon his speed, should let a bowl drop out of his hand, that bowl being fallen to the ground would continue its motion and follow the horses steps, without tarrying behind him.

1662, Thomas Salusbury, Galileo's dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (Dialogue Two)

Riding on the speed down a steep Hill.

1670, John Milton, The History of Britain, That Part Especially Now Call'd England:


on base

One run, two hits, one walk, no errors; two left on base.

(baseball) Having reached a base in an inning.

Located within the premises of a military base.

The Piper was on base for a landing on runway 9.

(aviation) Flying the base leg of an approach.


on one's tod

Rhyming slang: tod = Tod Sloan = own, a reference to the US jockey Tod Sloan. Various theories exist to explain a connection between Tod Sloan and solitude: that he died alone in impoverished circumstances, that he pursued his career "alone" on his own terms, or that he won races from the front, riding alone.

(idiomatic, chiefly Northern England) On one's own, alone.


in feite

Feite is a fossilized (otherwise obsolete) dative form.


on the turps

From on (“regularly taking”) + the + slang turps (“any alcoholic drink”).

1992, Di Morrissey, The Last Rose of Summer, 2011, Read How You Want, EasyRead Large Edition, page 201,
‘Been on the turps last night, I′d say,’ whispered Tony to Odette.
‘He′ll start to steady down and focus after three cups of my tea,’ laughed Odette.

You might spot the odd parliamentarian on the turps at the Backbencher, a pub opposite the Beehive where rubbery puppets of NZ pollies are mounted trophy-style on the walls (David Lange is a beauty).

2010, Brett Atkinson, Sarah Bennett, Scott Kennedy, New Zealand′s South Island, Lonely Planet, page 107:

1998, Harry Bowling, When the Pedlar Called, 2010, Headline Publishing, eBook, unnumbered page,
Frank an′ ′is ole woman don′t get on, yer see, an′ ′e′s gone on the turps ter drown ′is sorrows.

Out on the water, Jonesy and I also talked about the similarity of the bond we felt with a fellow adventurer after, say, a challenging bushwalk, and the camaraderie of a huge night on the turps with your mates.

2009, James Castrission, Crossing the Ditch, HarperCollins, unnumbered page:

(UK, Australia, slang) Drinking alcohol to excess.


by any chance

Are you by any chance looking for a new staff member?

A perai itself, if wounded by any chance, is at once attacked and devoured by its fellows.

Charles C. Abbott, Young Folks' Cyclopedia of Natural History (page 599)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see by, any, chance.


naar verluidt

A shortening of the phrase naar het verluidt.

Zij is naar verluidt geobsedeerd door de zogenaamde cryogene invriestechnologie.

She's allegedly obsessed with the so-called cryogenic freezing technology.

allegedly, supposedly (according to general belief, true or otherwise)


in form

[I]t being unlikely, he ſays, that he can procure in the time, a letter from Lady Betty, under her own hand, inviting me in form to her houſe, […]

1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter XXXVIII. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe.”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume II, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; […], →OCLC, page 266:

[C]uriosity could not be satisfied by a bride in a pew, and it must be left for the visits in form which were then to be paid, to settle whether she were very pretty indeed, or only rather pretty, or not pretty at all.

1815 December (indicated as 1816), [Jane Austen], chapter XIV, in Emma: […], volume II, London: […] [Charles Roworth and James Moyes] for John Murray, →OCLC, page 254:

Manchester United's in-form striker rose to head home Stewart Downing's corner and then rounded off a sweeping counter-attack involving Theo Walcott and Ashley Young to wrap up the formalities seconds before the break.

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


down the road

They decided to save money by using the cheapest components available, but down the road they ran into problems with reliability.

Sometimes I go to the bars and see these kids and think about the meaninglessness and the emptiness that they'll be feeling five or six years down the road when they're tired of partying.

1980 December 6, Cindy Rizzo, Nancy Toder, “Jewish, Lesbian, Feminist, Psychologist, Author—All of the above and more”, in Gay Community News, volume 8, number 20, page 8:

Ten years down the road: car giant foresees the non-polluting, accident-proof saloon [title]

2006 March 31, David Gow, “Ten years down the road: car giant foresees the non-polluting, accident-proof saloon”, in The Guardian:

Although the precision medicine initiative will probably yield its greatest benefits years down the road, there should be some notable near-term successes.

2015 February 26, Francis S. Collins, Harold Varmus, “A New Initiative on Precision Medicine”, in The New England Journal of Medicine, volume 372, number 9, →DOI, page 795:

(idiomatic) Further along, in terms of time or progress.

Those dudes framed a full side wall a foot too high and it was clearly marked on the layout. They got sent down the road — and deserved it.

1977, Mother Jones Magazine, volume 2, number 4, page 65:

[…] not only did he observe Doran and Angle drinking beer during the lunch, but also he said right then to both, "Look don't do it in front of me. I just got up here. It's company policy, you know. Any other time you're going to be sent down the road."

1989, United States. National Labor Relations Board, Decisions and Orders of the National Labor Relations Board, page 517:

(slang) Dismissed; fired from one's employment.

There's a shop down the road that sells a few basic necessities.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see down, road.


down the line

They decided to save money by using the cheapest components available, but down the line they ran into problems with reliability.

Southgate's side cast off the clouds of dread that have come over England in penalty shootouts in the past, a psychological lift that may yet help them further down the line.

2018 July 3, Phil McNulty, “Colombia 1 - 1 England”, in BBC Sport:

The person said one of the reasons the Chinese had been so pliant in development of a joint position on AI governance was that “playing nice” and acting as a “responsible partner” could help foster conversations about relaxation of US trade barriers later down the line.

2023 November 4, Madhumita Murgia, Anna Gross, Cristina Criddle, “Summit exposes tensions over AI development despite emollient Chinese tone”, in FT Weekend, page 12:


like a man

From Middle English lyke a man (“in the manner of a man, in accordance with man”).

inh

Don't be a wimp: deal with it like a man!

(colloquial, simile) Bravely, decisively, and without complaining.


out of doors

You are allowed to smoke out of doors.

The cat was out of doors, seemingly enjoying the sun.

[U]pon the whole she spent her time comfortably enough; there were half hours of pleasant conversation with Charlotte, and the weather was so fine for the time of year, that she had often great enjoyment out of doors.

1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], chapter VII, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume II, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, pages 80–81:

All things that love the sun are out of doors; / The sky rejoices in the morning's birth;

1815 [1802], William Wordsworth, Resolution and Independence:

I said I would do anything—dig, weed, collect slugs, anything at all, but he must let me work. Work with my hands out of doors was the only thing I felt I could bear to-day. It wasn't the first time, I reflected, that peace has been found among cabbages.

1920, [Elizabeth von Arnim], In the Mountains, Garden City, New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, page 180:

Dated form of outdoors: not inside any building.


a perdita d'occhio

LL-Q652 (ita)-LangPao-a perdita d'occhio.wav

Literally, “at loss of eye”. Compare French à perte de vue.

Il rispetto mistico che sentiva per lei si mescolava con la vista del cielo pallido, limpido, disteso oltre i comignoli a perdita d'occhio.

2019, George Orwell, translated by Nicola Gardini, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Mondadori:

The mystical reverence that he felt for her was somehow mixed up with the aspect of the pale, cloudless sky, stretching away behind the chimney-pots into interminable distance.

as far as the eye can see
as far as the eye can see

as far as the eye can see; vast, long, or boundless


at fault

Goalkeeper Mary Earps, wearing the armband in Bright's absence, was at fault for Beerensteyn's second goal as she allowed the ball to squeeze between her hands at the near post, after the Dutch striker had got the better of Carter and Lucy Bronze for her opener.

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

Of hunting dogs: unable to find the scent.


in fee

(law, idiomatic, archaic) Of an estate in land, inherited or owned by one who has the absolute right to dispose of the land as they desire, including the right to select an inheritor of the land.


under the sun

From Middle English under þe sonne, under þe sunne (compare Old English under sunnan), a calque of Hebrew תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ (táchat hashémesh). The phrase has been associated with the book of Ecclesiastes ever since appearing 29 times in the translation to English by John Wycliffe https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Under+the+sun&version=WYC

calque

תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ

I returned, and saw vnder the Sunne, That the race is not to the swift, nor the battell to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of vnderstanding, nor yet fauour to men of skil; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ecclesiastes 9:11:

She argued boldly with me, on every subject under the sun, law and politics included; and, when I got the better of her, never hesitated to stop me by putting her hand on my lips, or by dragging me out into the garden in the middle of a sentence.

1859, Wilkie Collins, The Queen of Hearts:

He was a most likeable and generous man, a Whitworth Scholar, and possessed of a fund of knowledge which seemed to cover every subject under the sun.

1945 January and February, A Former Pupil, “Some Memories of Crewe Works—III”, in Railway Magazine, page 14:

I have also adopted a stance, familiar from consumer culture, which suggests that the goods under question can do anything under the sun.

2005, Hazel Smith, The writing experiment: strategies for innovative creative writing:

Despite winning every award under the sun and being critically acclaimed + beloved, Schitt's Creek didn't become household-name-levels of popular until its last few seasons.

2024 September 16, Mehera Bonner, “Wondering What Dan Levy Is Making for Hosting the 2024 Emmys? Here's a Deep Dive on His Net Worth!”, in Cosmopolitan:


a.e.t.

(sports) Initialism of after extra time.


at worst

It looks like rain, but let's go out anyway. At worst, we'll only get wet.

If the worst possible alternative happens (especially in an otherwise positive situation).

大不了

if the worst possible alternative happens


għand bżonn

għandi bżonn (first-person singular)
għandek bżonn (second-person singular)
għandu bżonn (masculine singular third-person)
għandha bżonn (feminine singular third-person)
għandna bżonn (first-person plural)
għandkom bżonn (plural second-person)
għandhom bżonn (plural third-person)

Għandek bżonn xi ħaġa?

Għafastha għax emozzjonata ħafna u għandi bżonn kbir li nħoss lil xi ħadd qrib tiegħi.

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


on serve

The fourth set between Gabashvili and Melzer is still on serve, the Russian leading 4-3, but the Austrian holding a two sets to one lead.

(tennis) With each player or pairing having won the same number of games as they have served.


beyond one's ken

Much of what McLuhan wrote and some of what Coupland relates are beyond my ken, but I don’t know about that “hole in heaven” stuff.

2011 January 6, David Carr, “Marshall McLuhan: Media Savant”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

Beyond one's knowledge or understanding.


between the ears

To scratch a cat between the ears.

Tinnitus feels like a ringing between the ears.

Age is between the ears.

The best sex organ sits between the ears.

If she knew [a psychiatrist was] observing her son with a view to finding out if he was foggy between the ears, there would be umbrage on her part, or even dudgeon.

1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter VI:


in gross

appurtenant

antonym(s) of “held independently in law”

Roughly; approximately; generally; without going into details.

In a large quantity or sum; without division or particulars; by wholesale.

an easement in gross, a hereditary office held in gross

(law) Held independently of anything else; not annexed to or appended to anything else.


for one's particular

For my own particular, I cannot deny, that whatever I have ſaid upon this Occaſion, had been more proper in a Preface, and more agreeable to the Mode, which uſually directs it there.

1704, [Jonathan Swift], “Section V. A Digression in the Modern Kind.”, in A Tale of a Tub. […], London: […] John Nutt, […], →OCLC, page 120:

(idiomatic, obsolete) For one's part; as far as one is concerned.


at the coal face

From being in a coal mine, at the face where the mining is actually occurring, especially in dark, cramped, dirty, hazardous conditions. Compare front line and trenches, of similar formation.

(UK, idiomatic) Directly engaged in the operations of a business, rather than in a hands-off, managerial position.


by the ears

they heard Cursell confesse what had formerly passed; and that how in the dividing that they had stolne from him, they fell by the ears amongst themselves, that were actors in it […]

1630, John Smith, True Travels, Kupperman, published 1988, page 38:

For, if (ſaid he) you throw among five Yahoos as much Food as would be ſufficient for fifty, they will, inſtead of eating peaceably, fall together by the ears, each ſingle one impatient to have all to itſelf; […]

1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author’s Great Love of His Native Country. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume II, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part IV (A Voyage to the Houyhnhnms), page 258:

In spite of the recent falls in the value of the Nasdaq index and the value of Amazon stock, the new technology had the city by the ears: the talk was still of start-ups, IPOs, interactivity, the unimaginable future that had just begun to begin.

2001, Salman Rushdie, Fury: A Novel, London: Jonathan Cape, →ISBN, pages 3–4:

In a state of conflict; fighting, scuffling.


to a nicety

"Yes, sure's Gord made liddle apples, 'er'll crack up, an' seems ter me thet would soot some people to a nicety."

1907, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Human Toll (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 197:

She gulped like a bulldog trying to swallow a sirloin steak many sizes too large for its thoracic cavity. “You mean there are two of them?” “Exactly.” “And Wilbert isn't the one I thought he was?” “You have grasped the position of affairs to a nicety.”

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

To a fine point, with great exactness or accuracy.


en chair et en os

/ɑ̃ ʃɛ.ʁ‿e ɑ̃.n‿ɔs/

LL-Q150 (fra)-LoquaxFR-en chair et en os.wav

Literally, “in flesh and in bone”. Compare Italian in carne ed ossa, Spanish en carne y hueso, and Portuguese em carne e osso.

in the flesh (with one's own body and presence)


for better or worse

For better or worse, he’s the president.

Fewer experts are confidently predicting that we have years or even decades to prepare for a wave of world-changing A.I.; many now believe that major changes are right around the corner, for better or worse.

2022 August 24, Kevin Roose, “We Need to Talk About How Good A.I. Is Getting”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

No matter what the future may hold (no matter whether it is good or bad).


of one's own accord

/əv ˌwʌnz əʊn əˈkɔːd/

PIE word
 *ḱérd
From accord (“spontaneous or voluntary impulse to act”).

[O]n mine ovvne accord, Ile off, / But firſt, Ile do my errand.

c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii], page 284, column 2:

But thankes bee to God which put the ſame earneſt care into the heart of Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more forward, of his owne accord he went vnto you.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Corinthians 8:16–17, column 2:

He feeds on fruits, vvhich, of their ovvn accord, / The vvilling Ground, and laden Trees afford.

1697, Virgil, “The Tenth Pastoral. Or, Gallus.”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 92, lines 715–716:

[T]his same car of justice, which he finds it so hard to put in motion on some occasions, can on others run fast enough down hill of its own accord, dragging his reluctant self backwards along with it, […]

1817 December 31 (indicated as 1818), [Walter Scott], chapter VII, in Rob Roy. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co. […]; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, →OCLC, page 163:

And yet I didn't mean to do anything very wrong, and when I did meet him I wouldn't as much as let him take me by the hand;—not of my own accord.

1860 July – 1861 June (date written), Anthony Trollope, “The Angel of Light under a Cloud”, in Orley Farm. […], volume II, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1862, →OCLC, page 59:

Depend on it, Marilla, she'll cool off in a week or so and be ready enough to go back of her own accord, that's what, while, if you were to make her go back right off, dear knows what freak or tantrum she'd take next and make more trouble than ever.

1908 June, L[ucy] M[aud] Montgomery, “A Tempest in the School Teapot”, in Anne of Green Gables, Boston, Mass.: L[ouis] C[oues] Page & Company, published August 1909 (11th printing), →OCLC, pages 165–166:

On the return journey, however, the whistle began to sound once more of its own accord, and was still going at full blast when the train reached Barnstaple at about 9 p.m.

1950 September, “A West Country Whistle”, in The Railway Magazine, London: Tothill Press, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 578:

On one's (or its) own initiative; under one's (or its) own power, without being commanded or controlled.

ինքնըստինքյան

on one’s (or its) own initiative — see also autonomously


to the tonsils

He was stuffed to the tonsils with cream crackers.

They sat there, robed up to the tonsils, and made me feel so below a juvenile delinquent.

And who could say how soon, if I continued to be always at his side, Wilbert Cream would get it up his nose and start attacking me with tooth and claw? Already his manner was that of a man whom the society of Bertram Wooster had fed to the tonsils, and one more sight of the latter at his elbow might quite easily make him decide to take prompt steps through the proper channels.

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

(figuratively, idiomatic, informal, postpositive) Entirely, completely, extremely, to the greatest degree.


for short

This is Ricardo, or Ricki for short.

Just as flamboyant as his wife, Mr. Joseph Martin, Joe for short, died of heart disease brought on by obesity the night of their fourteenth wedding anniversary.

2009, McKenzie MacLaine, Candy Skulls, page 241:


of means

He seemed a person of means and leisure, but he knew nothing of recent concerts, theatres, or books.

1896, H. G. Wells, chapter 29, in The Wheels of Chance:

The reward offered by Mrs. Hasbrouck for the detection of the murderer was a very large one. She is a woman of means.

1915, Anna Katharine Green, The Golden Slipper, Problem 7

Rich and pretty, he shows how meaningless it is to be a man of means. He in incapacitated by wealth, status and the availability of sex with good-looking people.

2007 August 5, Richard Corliss, “When Antonioni Blew Up the Movies”, in Time:

(of a person) Possessing significant wealth, especially as suggesting social standing.


up a storm

They cooked up a storm on the new cooking show.

They were dancing up a storm at the new night club.

They talked up a storm at the leader's debate.

But my Roxburgh could have sung up a storm too if he hadn't been distracted. He could have sung up a much greater storm with his power and volume then your mimsy little Rona managed.

2014, Lari Don, Storm Singing and other Tangled Tasks:

God, we were having a blast! Partying up a storm, flirting up a bigger storm...we ruled the resort.

(informal, used as an intensifier) In a remarkable or excited manner.


at first sight

It looks like a normal car at first sight. But when we open the hood, we discover something quite new.

Superficially, without a full inspection.


in tow

"Do you remember the ship? . . . I mean the dismasted eighty-four that was in tow of the frigate."

1842, James Fenimore Cooper, chapter 13, in The Wing and Wing:

Far down the field a C-47 cargo plane with two loaded gliders in tow began to move slowly up the runway.

1944 December 10, “Freight Carriers, Gliders and Hospital Planes Take Part in Preview of Air Borne Unit's Show”, in Milwaukee Journal, retrieved 2010-08-09, page 1:

Presently the wind nearly died out, and the galley and prizes then took the coasters and fishing craft in tow.

1896, G. A. Henty, chapter 15, in A Knight of the White Cross:

(of a vehicle, conveyance, etc.) Pulled by means of an attached line, such as a cable, chain, or rope.

נִגְרָר

(of a vehicle, conveyance, etc.) pulled by means of an attached line, such as a cable, chain, or rope

"He's got a man from Cincinnati in tow, and they are going to dine at the Calumet Club."

1903, Frank Norris, chapter 2, in The Pit:

The House of Representatives hummed with excitement as Congressmen and Senators, many with their spouses and children in tow, awaited the man of the hour.

1987 October 5, “Central America: Speaking His Peace”, in Time:

Doctor Blimber accompanied them; and Paul had the honour of being taken in tow by the Doctor himself.

1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, chapter 12, in Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC:

Then with an impertinent presumption she came running out the front door with the maid moving in tow.

2005, William Mueller, Rome Revisited, →ISBN, page 10:

(figuratively, usually of persons) Following or accompanying under the direction of another, as if attached by a line and being pulled.

vele

(usually of persons) following or accompanying under the direction of another, as if attached by a line and being pulled


of choice

Yesterday spears were the weapon of choice in the North Rift; today they are being replaced by the Kalashnikov and rocket-fired grenade.

2005 Autumn, Sidney L. Kasfir, “Narrating Trauma as Modernity”, in African Arts, volume 38, number 3, page 66:

"The Doors of Perception," as Aldous Huxley called them, had opened wide, and LSD became the drug of choice.

2006 Summer, Nicholas Delbanco, “Spring and Fall”, in The Southern Review, volume 42, number 3, page 536:

Once the cyst is diagnosed, surgical excision is the treatment of choice.

2010 May, Estiel Meyer with Wakisal Mulwafu, Johannes Fagan, Robin Brown, and Kathryn Taylor, “Ectopic thymic tissue presenting as a neck mass in children: A report of 3 cases.”, in ENT: Ear, Nose & Throat Journal, volume 89, number 5, page 228:


in one's midst

Mona: A living mannequin is in our midst, and you're worried about your fashion show outfit?! Just look at her, trying to be inconspicuous.

1999, Mona the Vampire, "The Living Mannequin" (season 1, episode 5b)

Some of us are deeply troubled by the presence of the US spy base at Menwith Hill – in our midst and in beautiful Nidderdale.

2010 July 3, Lindis Percy, “Letters - Blows against the American empire”, in The Guardian:

In the middle of a group; among a group.


on Earth

Alternative letter-case form of on earth


אויף שפּיץ צונג

on the tip of one's tongue
on the tip of one's tongue


on the Q.T.

Slang for "on the quiet," attested from 1874.

Will you be so kind as to impress him with the fact that this expedition is on the Q.T.? Not that I think he will say anythin'.

1910, Harold MacGrath, chapter 12, in A Splendid Hazard:

[R]ound up some of our friends on the q.t. Don't let Brill get a notion of what's in the air.

1911, William MacLeod Raine, chapter 24, in Mavericks:

All kind of places are good for ads ... Got fellows to stick them up or stick himself for that matter on the q.t. running in to loosen a button. Fly by night.

1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 8: Lestrygonians]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC:

But most are cozy affairs, kept strictly on the Q.T. Nothing is done in writing—no invitations, no tickets, just quiet phone calls.

1962 August 28, Jack Anderson, “Lobbyists Moan Over ‘Shakedown’”, in Sarasota Journal, USA, retrieved 2010-08-25, page 6:

You heard it first here, dear readers... off the record, "on the Q.T.", and very Hush Hush.

Now, what I want is a camp tender to stay in the main camp, where the Forest Service says. But the herder is gonna pitch a pup tent on the Q.T. with the sheep and he's gonna sleep there.

2005, 00:05:05 from the start, in Brokeback Mountain:

“This is hush-hush,” Mr. Fleischer recalled Mr. Libby as saying in effect. “This is on the Q.T. Not many people know about this.”

2007 January 29, David Stout, “Ex-Bush Aide Contradicts Libby on C.I.A. Agent”, in New York Times, retrieved 2010-08-25:

(idiomatic) Quietly; in a secretive manner; clandestinely.


to a tittle

being less in love, she yawned a little, / And felt her veins chilled by the neighbouring sea; / And so, she cooked their breakfast to a tittle […]

(obsolete) Down to the least particular; perfectly, to a T.