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Словарь американских идиом (8000 единиц)

Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

Это обновленное и дополненное издание, содержащее более 8000 идиоматических слов и выражений, причем каждое из которых снабжено грамматическим объяснением и практическим примером. Словарь содержит лексемные идиомы, фразеологические единицы и поговорки, имеющие особенное значение. В нем приведены наиболее употребительные выражения только американского английского языка. Этот словарь - идеальное пособие для студентов, часто разъезжающих бизнесменов и просто путешественников.

Предисловие

Что такое идиома?

Если в незнакомом тексте Вы понимаете каждое слово, но не можете понять смысла. Ваши затруднения, вероятно, вызваны идиоматическими выражениями. Предположим, Вы прочитали или услышали следующий текст:

Sam is a real cool cat. He never blows his stack and

hardly ever flies off the handle. What\'s more, he knows how

to get away with things... Well, of course, he is getting

on, too. His hair is pepper and salt, but he knows how to

make up for lost time by taking it easy. He gets up early,

works out, and turns in early. He takes care of the hot dog

stand like a breeze until he gets time off. Sam\'s got it

made; this is it for him.

Очевидно, что этот стиль нельзя назвать строго литературным, но, тем не менее, американцы в разговоре друг с другом часто употребляют такие выражения. Если Вы иностранец и знаете слова cool (прохладно), cat (кошка), blow (дуть), stack (кучи), fly (лететь), handle (ручка) и т.д., Вы не поймете данный образец разговорного американского английского языка, потому что те переводы слов, которые находятся в обычных английских словарях, не дадут Вам точного значения приведенных выше выражений. Из этого следует, что идиома - это новое, неожиданное значение группы слов, каждое из которых обладает своим собственным значением. Ниже Вы найдете перевод этого разговорного и нелитературного текста на более формальный вариант американского диалекта:

Sam is really a calm person. He never loses control of

himself and hardly ever becomes too angry. Furthermore, he

knows how to manage his business financially by using a few

tricks... Needless to say, he, too, is getting older. His

hair is beginning to turn gray, but he knows how to

compensate for wasted time by relaxing. He rises early,

exercises, and goes to bed early. He manages his frankfurter

stand without visible effort, until it is someone else\'s

turn to work there. Sam is successful; he has reached his

life\'s goal.

\"Сэм очень тихий человек. Он никогда не теряет контроль

над собой и редко сердится. Кроме того, он знает, как вести

свое дело с финансовой точки зрения, употребляя некоторые

хитрости... Безусловно, он тоже стареет. Его волосы седеют,

но он умеет восстанавливать потраченные силы отдыхом. Он

рано встает, делает гимнастику и рано ложится. Со своей

работой в колбасном магазине он справляется без особого

труда, успевая все сделать до того, как его сменят. Сэм

вполне счастлив, - он достиг цели своей жизни\".

Идиоматические выражения, употребленные в этом тексте, можно организовать в следующий небольшой словарь:

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

? to be a (real) ? \"быть очень спокойным человеком\" ?

? cool cat ? ?

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

? to blow one\'s ? \"потерять контроль над собой, рассердиться\" ?

? stack ? ?

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

? to fly off the ? \"прийти в ярость\" ?

? handle ? ?

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

? what\'s more ? \"помимо этого, кроме того\" ?

? ? ?

? to get away ? \"смошенничать, оставшись безнаказанным\" ?

? with something ? ?

? ? ?

? of course ? \"конечно\" ?

? ? ?

? to be getting ? \"постареть\" ?

? on ? ?

? ? ?

? pepper and salt ? \"седеющие черные или темные волосы\" ?

? ? ?

? to make up for ? \"восполнить что-то\" ?

? something ? ?

? ? ?

? lost time ? \"потерянное время\" ?

? ? ?

? to take it easy ? \"не обращать внимания\" ?

? ? ?

? to get up ? \"встать утром\" ?

? ? ?

? to work out ? \"делать гимнастику\" ?

? ? ?

? to turn in ? \"лечь спать\" ?

? ? ?

? to lake care of ? \"отвечать за что-то\" ?

? something ? ?

? ? ?

? like a breeze ? \"легко, элегантно, без усилий\" ?

? ? ?

? time off ? \"время отдыха\" ?

? ? ?

? to have got it ? \"быть счастливым, довольным, удачливым\" ?

? made ? ?

? ? ?

? this is it ? \"вот и все, что нужно\" ?

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Некоторые идиомы из этого небольшого списка можно найти в нашем словаре. Большая часть идиом принадлежит обыкновенным грамматическим классам или частям речи. Так, например, некоторые идиомы по своей природе - типичные глаголы: get away with, get up, work out, turn in и т.д. Не меньшее число идиоматических выражений - имена. Так, hot dog (сосиска в хлебе), The White House (Белый Дом - официальная резиденция американского президента) - имена существительные. Некоторые из идиом - имена прилагательные: так, в нашем примере pepper and salt (седеющие черные или темные волосы) обозначает цвет волос. Многие из этих выражений, как, например, like a breeze (легко), hammer and tongs (violently, насильственно) - наречия. Идиоматические выражения, относящиеся к одному из обыкновенных грамматических классов, называются лексемными идиомами (lexemic idioms).

Вторая основная группа идиом состоит из фраз, таких как наши примеры to fly off the handle (потерять контроль над собой) и to blow one\'s stack (прийти в ярость). В американском варианте английского языка подобные выражения встречаются очень часто. Некоторые из наиболее известных следующие: to kick the bucket (die, умереть, сыграть в ящик, отбросить копыта), to be up the creek (in danger, быть в опасности), to seize the bull by the horns (face a problem squarely, разрешать проблему или задачу, стоящую перед нами, взять быка за рога) и т.д. Идиомы этой группы называются оборотами речи, по-английски tournures (из французского языка). Они не принадлежат одному какому-либо грамматическому классу (части речи), и переводить их нужно не словом, а группой слов.

Форма подобных идиоматических выражений устоялась; многие из них совсем \"застыли\" и не могут функционировать в другой форме. Рассмотрим, например, идиому tо kick the bucket (die, умереть). Употребив эту форму в пассивном залоге, мы отказываемся от идиоматического смысла, получив выражение the bucket has been kicked by the cowboy (ковбой ударил ведро ногой). Впрочем, даже это выражение может изменяться по времени, так как мы можем сказать the cowboy kicked the bucket, the cowboy will kick the bucket, the cowboy has kicked the bucket и т.д. Проблема, можно ли употреблять это идиоматическое выражение в герундивной форме (герундив, gerundive слово, производное от глагола с помощью суффикса -ing, например, singing от sing, eating от eat и т.д.), не решена окончательно учеными-лингвистами и носителями языка. Правильная эта форма или нет, мы не рекомендуем употреблять выражения типа his kicking the bucket surprised us all.

Следующий большой класс идиом состоит из поговорок, таких как don\'t count your chickens before they\'re hatched (do not celebrate the outcome of an undertaking prematurely - you may fail and will look ridiculous); буквально: \"не считайте кур, пока они не вылупились из яиц\"; русский вариант поговорки звучит: \"цыплят по осени считают\". Большое число поговорок пришло в американский вариант английского языка из литературных источников или же от первых английских иммигрантов в Америку.

Своим рождением идиомы обязаны тому, что мы чаще используем уже существующие слова для выражения новых идей, чем создаем новые слова с помощью фонем языка. Фактически нет языков, в которых не было бы идиом. Возьмем, например, слова \"ма шанг\", китайское выражение, которое значит \"быстро\". Переведенное дословно, оно означает \"лошадиная спина\". Связь понятий лошадиной спины и быстроты очевидна: раньше, до появления поезда, автомобиля и самолета, быстрее всего было путешествовать верхом на лошади. Китайское выражение \"ма шанг\" было бы аналогом русской фразы: \"Торопитесь, нам надо ехать на лошадиной спине\". Такая форма была бы вполне понятной носителю русского языка, но иностранец должен был бы понять, что это идиома. Даже если иностранец никогда не слышал выражения \"ма шанг\" (лошадиная спина), он может догадаться, что это значит; однако, во многих случаях подобные догадки ошибочны.

Например, возьмем английскую идиому the die is cast (жребий брошен). Вряд ли, не зная ее точного выражения, Вы догадаетесь, что это выражение значит: \"Я решил, и больше не могу изменить свое решение\". Зная точное значение, Вы можете догадаться, как возникло это идиоматическое выражение: кость, брошенная во время игры в кости, по правилам может быть брошена только один раз, независимо от результата. Многие знают, что эту фразу произнес Юлий Цезарь, когда перешел Рубикон, что явилось началом войны.

Как научиться употреблять идиоматическое выражение правильно? Прежде всего, подождите, пока Вы не услышите идиому от человека, для которого американский английский - родной язык. Если Вы неоднократно слышали идиому и вполне поняли ее значение, Вы сами можете начать употреблять это выражение. Предположим, молодая девушка очень хочет выйти замуж. Она может выбирать между двумя возможными женихами, назовем их Павел и Николай. Павел немолод, некрасив и небогат, но он уже сделал предложение и готов жениться хоть завтра. Николай красив и богат, но он пока не собирается жениться и неизвестно, женится ли когда-нибудь. После некоторого размышления девушка решает принять предложение Павла, боясь остаться старой девой. Если вскоре после свадьбы Николай признается ей, что мечтает быть ее мужем, нашей героине останется только сказать \"Oh, well, the die is cast...\" (\"Что делать, жребий брошен\"). Если, оказавшись в подобной ситуации, Вы произносите эту фразу, беседуя с американцем, и он смотрит на Вас с сочувствием и не переспрашивает: \"Что Вы имеете в виду?\" - считайте, что Вы достигли первого успеха, употребив новую идиому в правильном контексте. Американцы относятся к иностранцам более лояльно, чем другие нации, но они, конечно, оценят, сколь бегло Вы говорите по-английски. Использование идиом поможет Вам установить контакт со слушателем и избежать репутации \"слишком серьезного\" человека. Чем больше идиом Вы употребляете в правильном контексте, тем лучше о Вас будут думать Ваши собеседники.

Как пользоваться этим словарем?

Словарь был составлен для людей, говорящих по-английски, но не родившихся в Америке. Словарь содержит лексемные идиомы, фразеологические единицы и поговорки, имеющие особенное значение. Возможно, некоторые из идиоматических выражений Вам уже знакомы, и Вы понимаете, что они означают. Найдите в словаре перевод одной из следующих идиом, значение которой Вы уже знаете, - это поможет Вам понять, как пользоваться этой книгой: boyfriend, girlfriend, piggy bank, get even, give up, going to, keep on, keep your mouth shut, lead somebody by the nose, look after, show off, throw away, all over, in love, mixed-up, out of this world, I\'ll say.

Чтобы научиться пользоваться словарем, несколько раз внимательно изучите предписания и попрактикуйтесь в нахождении значения идиоматических выражений. Если Вы услышите идиому, которой нет в книге, то, имея некоторый опыт работы с нашим словарем, Вы сможете найти ее значение и выписать его для себя. Заведите Ваш собственный список идиом и храните его вместе с Вашим обычным словарем. Пошлите нам Ваши наблюдения и замечания.

Как узнать, поможет ли Вам \"Словарь идиом\" понять трудную фразу? Иногда догадаться, о чем идет речь, не сложно, как в выражениях puppy love, fun house, dog-eat-dog, mixed-up. Если же Вы не можете перевести выражение, выберите основное слово из самой трудной части и найдите его в словаре. Если это первое слово идиомы, Вы найдете всю фразу и перевод к ней. Таким образом, выражение bats in the belfry напечатано в этом словаре под буквой В, слово bats. Если слово, которое Вы выбрали, не первое слово идиомы, Вы найдете список идиом, которые содержат это слово. Например, слово toe (палец ноги) Вы найдете в статьях CURL ONE\'S HAIR or CURL ONE\'S TOES, ON ONE\'S TOES, STEP ON THE TOES (OF SOMEBODY). Конечно, Вы можете столкнуться с тем, что не понимаете некоторые фразы, потому что Вам незнакомы обыкновенные слова, а не из-за обилия идиоматических выражений. В этом случае Вам поможет обычный словарь. Обратите внимание, что в этом словаре приведены наиболее употребительные выражения только американского английского языка, без учета идиоматики, например, британского или австралийского диалектов. Словарь, содержащий идиомы всех диалектов английского языка, был бы международным словарем английских идиоматических выражений. В настоящее время такой книги нет, но надеемся, что в будущем она будет написана.

Типы словарных статей

Этот словарь содержит четыре типа статей: главные статьи, продолжающиеся статьи, статьи-ссылки и указательные статьи. Главная статья включает полное объяснение идиомы. Продолжающаяся статья фраза, происходящая от другой идиомы, но которая была бы самостоятельной единицей, если бы она была напечатана в своем собственном алфавитном месте. Эти производные идиомы приводятся в конце главной статьи, например, fence sitter \"человек, сидящий на заборе\" в конце статьи sit on the fence \"сидеть на заборе\". В тех случаях, когда понять производную форму, опираясь на основное объяснение, затруднительно, приводятся дополнительные объяснения. Если идиома может употребляться в форме различных частей речи, приводится отдельная статья на каждый случай.

Ссылки показывают, что объяснение можно найти в другом месте. Предположим, Вы хотите посмотреть выражение cast in one\'s lot with (решить стать соучастниками или партнерами). Вы можете посмотреть на слово cast (бросать) или на слово lot (судьба), ссылка направит Вас к слову throw в фразе throw in one\'s lot with. Причиной этого является тот факт, что слово cast (бросать) употребляется в сегодняшнем английском языке гораздо реже чем слово throw. Следовательно, более распространенная форма этой идиомы начинается глаголом throw.

Указательная статья ведет нас ко всем другим статьям, содержащим искомое слово. Таким образом, слово chin (подбородок) сопровождается фразами, в которых Вы найдете слово chin, таких как keep one\'s chin up, stick one\'s chin (or neck) out, take out, take it on the chin, up to the chin.

Указатели частей речи

Лексемные идиомы, которые мы обсуждали раньше, сопровождены указателем части речи. В некоторых случаях, таких, как, скажем, в случае предложных фраз, употреблен двойной указатель, потому что данная фраза имеет два грамматических употребления. Буква <v.> значит verb (глагол); она напечатана в фразах, содержащих глагол и наречие, или глагол и предлог, или все три, то есть глагол, предлог и наречие. Сокращение <v. phr.> означает \"verbal phrase\" как, например, look up, look in и т.д., то есть сочетание глагола с существительным: глагол с дополнением, глагол с подлежащим и глагол с предложной фразой.

Ограничительные указатели

Иностранцу, для которого американский английский - неродной язык, следует обратить особое внимание на то, в какой ситуации какую идиому можно употреблять. В этом читателю словаря помогут ограничительные указатели. Так, указатель <slang> (слэнг) показывает, что идиома употребляется только в фамильярном разговоре очень близкими друзьями. Указатель <informal> (неформальный) показывает, что выражение может употребляться в разговоре, но не должно встречаться в формальных сочинениях. Указатель <formal> (формальный) имеет противоположное значение: он указывает, что форма употребляется только в научных работах или при чтении лекции в университете. Указатель <literary> (литературный) напоминает, что интересующая Вас идиома - широко известная цитата; ее не стоит употреблять слишком часто. Указатель <vulgar> (вульгарный, грубый) показывает, что Вам не следует употреблять эту форму. Однако, иметь представление о подобных формах необходимо, чтобы иметь возможность судить о людях по языку, который они употребляют. Указатель <substandard> (не соответствующий языковой норме) показывает, что форма употребляется малообразованными людьми; <non-standard> (нестандартный) значит, что фраза неуклюжая. Указатель <archaic> (архаический) редко употребляется в этой книге; он означает, что форма очень редка в современном английском языке. Географические указатели показывают, где идиома образовалась и где употребляется. <Chiefly British> (главным образом британское) значит, что американцы редко употребляют эту форму; <southern> (южный) значит, что идиома употребляется чаще на юге США, чем на севере. Молодые формы, которые образовались не более шести или семи лет назад, находятся в приложении к главному словарю.

Adam Makkai

Maya Aleksandrovna Glinberg

A

[abide by] <v.> To accept and obey; be willing to follow. * /A basketball player may know he did not foul, but he must abide by the referee\'s decision./ * /The members agree to abide by the rules of the club./

[a bit] <n., informal> A small amount; some. * /There\'s no sugar in the sugar bowl, but you may find a bit in the bag./ * /If the ball had hit the window a bit harder, it would have broken it./ - Often used like an adverb. * /This sweater scratches a bit./ - Also used like an adjective before \"less\", \"more\". * /Janet thought she could lose weight by eating a bit less./ * /\"Have some more cake?\" \"Thanks. A bit more won\'t hurt me.\"/ - Often used adverbially after verbs in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences, sometimes in the form \"one bit\". * /\"Won\'t your father be angry?\" \"No, he won\'t care a bit.\"/ * /Helen feels like crying, but I\'ll be surprised if she shows it one bit./ - Sometimes used with \"little\" for emphasis, also in the emphatic form \"the least bit\". * /\"Wasn\'t Bob even a little bit sorry he forgot his date?\" \"No, Bob wasn\'t the least bit sorry.\"/ Syn.: A LITTLE. Compare: A FEW. Contrast: A LOT.

[about face] <n.> A sudden change of course or a decision opposite to what was decided earlier. * /Her decision to become an actress instead of a dentist was an about face from her original plans./

[about one\'s ears] or [around one\'s ears] <adv. phr.> To or into complete collapse, defeat, or ruin; to the destruction of a person\'s plans, hopes, or happiness. * /They planned to have factories all over the world but the war brought their plans down about their ears./ * /John hoped to go to college and become a great scientist some day, but when his father died he had to get a job, and John\'s dreams came crashing around his ears./ Compare: ON ONE\'S HEAD.

[about time] <n. phr.> Finally, but later than it should have been; at last. * /Mother said, \"It\'s about time you got up, Mary.\"/ * /The basketball team won last night. About time./

[about to] 1. Close to; ready to. - Used with an infinitive. * /We were about to leave when the snow began./ * /I haven\'t gone yet, but I\'m about to./ Compare: GOING TO, ON THE POINT OF. 2. <informal> Having a wish or plan to. - Used with an infinitive in negative sentences. * /Freddy wasn\'t about to give me any of his ice-cream cone./ * /\"Will she come with us?\" asked Bill. \"She\'s not about to,\" answered Mary./

[above all] <adv. phr.> Of first or highest importance; most especially. * /Children need many things, but above all they need love./ Syn.: FIRST AND LAST.

[above suspicion] <adj. phr.> Too good to be suspected; not likely to do wrong. * /The umpire in the game must be above suspicion of supporting one side over the other./

[absent without leave (AWOL)] <adj.> Absent without permission; used mostly in the military. * /Jack left Fort Sheridan without asking his commanding officer, and was punished for going AWOL./

[absentia] See: IN ABSENTIA.

[Acapulco gold] <n., slang> Marijuana of an exceptionally high quality. * /Jack doesn\'t just smoke pot, he smokes Acapulco gold./

[accord] See: OF ONE\'S OWN ACCORD or OF ONE\'S OWN FREE WILL.

[according as] <conj.> 1. Depending on which; whichever. * /You may take an oral or written exam according as you prefer./ 1. Depending on whether; if. * /We will play golf or stay home according as the weather is good or bad./

[according to] <prep.> 1. So as to match or agree with; so as to be alike in. * /Many words are pronounced according to the spelling but some are not./ * /The boys were placed in three groups according to height./ 2. On the word or authority of. * /According to the Bible, Adam was the first man./

[according to one\'s own lights] <adv. phr.> In accordance with one\'s conscience or inclinations. * /Citizens should vote according to their own lights./

[account] See: CALL TO ACCOUNT, CHARGE ACCOUNT, LEAVE OUT OF ACCOUNT, ON ACCOUNT, ON ACCOUNT OF, ON ONE\'S ACCOUNT, ON ONE\'S OWN ACCOUNT, SAVINGS ACCOUNT, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.

[ace] See: WITHIN AN ACE OF.

[ace in the hole] <n. phr.> 1. An ace given to a player face down so that other players in a card game cannot see it. * /When the cowboy bet all his money in the poker game he did not know that the gambler had an ace in the hole and would win it from him./ 2. <informal> Someone or something important that is kept as a surprise until the right time so as to bring victory or success. * /The football team has a new play that they are keeping as an ace in the hole for the big game./ * /The lawyer\'s ace in the hole was a secret witness who saw the accident./ Compare: CARD UP ONE\'S SLEEVE.

[Achilles\' heel] <n. phr.>, <literary> A physical or psychological weakness named after the Greek hero Achilles who was invulnerable except for a spot on his heel. * /John\'s Achilles\' heel is his lack of talent with numbers and math./

[acid head] <n.>, <slang> A regular user of LSD on whom the hallucinogenic drug has left a visible effect. * /The reason John acts so funny is that he is a regular acid head./

[acid rock] <n.>, <slang> A characteristic kind of rock in which loudness and beat predominate over melody; especially such music as influenced by drug experiences. * /John is a regular acid rock freak./

[acorn] See: GREAT OAKS PROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW.

[acoustic perfume] <n.>, <slang> Sound for covering up unwanted noise, such as music over loudspeakers in a noisy construction area. * /Let\'s get out of here - this acoustic perfume is too much for my ears./

[acquire a taste for] <v. phr.> To become fond of something; get to like something. * /Jack acquired a taste for ripe cheeses when he went to France./

[across the board] <adv. phr.> 1. So that equal amounts of money are bet on the same horse to win a race, to place second, or third. * /I bet $6 on the white horse across the board./ - Often used with hyphens as an adjective. * /I made an across-the-board bet on the white horse./ 2. <informal> Including everyone or all, so that all are included. * /Thе President wanted taxes lowered across the board./ Often used with hyphens as an adjective. * /Thе workers at the store got an across-the-board pay raise./

[across the tracks] See: THE TRACKS.

[act] See: READ THE RIOT ACT.

[act high and mighty] <v. phr.> To wield power; act overbearingly; order others around; look down on others. * /Paul is an inexperienced teacher and he acts high and mighty with his students./

[actions speak louder than words] What you do shows your character better and is more important than what you say. - A proverb. * /John promised to help me, but he didn\'t. Actions speak louder than words./ * /Joe is very quiet, but actions speak louder than words. He is the best player on the team./

[act of faith] <n. phr.> An act or a deed that shows unquestioning belief in someone or something. * /It was a real act of faith on Mary\'s part to entrust her jewelry to her younger sister\'s care./

[act of God] <n.> An occurrence (usually some sort of catastrophe) for which the people affected are not responsible; said of earthquakes, floods, etc. * /Hurricane Andrew destroyed many houses in Florida, but some types of insurance did not compensate the victims, claiming that the hurricane was an act of God./ See: FICKLE FINGER OF FATE.

[act one\'s age] or [be one\'s age] <v. phr.> To do the things that people expect someone of your age to do, not act as if you were much younger than you are. * /Mr. O\'Brien was playing tag with the children at the party. Then Mrs. O\'Brien said, \"Henry! Act your age!\" and he stopped./

[actor] See: BAD ACTOR.

[act out] <v.> 1. To show an idea, story, or happening by your looks, talk, and movements. * /He tried to act out a story that he had read./ 2. To put into action. * /All his life he tried to act out his beliefs./

[act up] <v.>, <informal> 1. To behave badly; act rudely or impolitely. * /The dog acted up as the postman came to the door./ 2. To work or run poorly (as a after all machine); skip; miss. * /Thе car acted up because the spark plugs were dirty./

[add fuel to the flame] <v. phr.> To make a bad matter worse by adding to its cause; spread trouble, increase anger or other strong feelings by talk or action. * /By criticizing his son\'s girl, the father added fuel to the flame of his son\'s love./ * /Bob was angry with Ted and Ted added fuel to the flame by laughing at him./

[add insult to injury] <v. phr.> 1. To hurt someone\'s feelings after doing him harm. * /He added insult to injury when he called the man a rat after he had already beaten him up./ 2. To make bad trouble worse. * /We started on a picnic, and first it rained, then to add insult to injury, the car broke down./

[addition] See: IN ADDITION.

[address] See: PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM.

[add the finishing touches] <v. phr.> To complete; finish. * /Mary\'s first novel promised to be excellent; however, her editor suggested that she should add some finishing touches before accepting it./

[add up] <v.> 1. To come to the correct amount. * /The numbers wouldn\'t add up./ 2. <informal> To make sense; be understandable. * /His story didn\'t add up./

[add up to] <v.> 1. To make a total of; amount to. * /The bill added up to $12.95./ 2. <informal> To mean; result in. * /The rain, the mosquitoes, and the heat added up to a spoiled vacation./

[ad lib] <v. phr.> To improvise; interpolate during speech. * /When the actress forgot her lines during the second act, she had to ad lib in order to keep the show going./

[advance] See: IN ADVANCE or IN ADVANCE OF.

[advantage] See: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, TO ADVANTAGE.

[a few] <n.> or <adj.> A small number (of people or things); some. * /The dry weather killed most of Mother\'s flowers, but a few are left./ * /In the store, Mary saw many pretty rings and bracelets, and she wanted to buy a few of them./ * /After the party, we thought that no one would help clean up, but a few couples did./ * /Alice wanted to read a few pages more before she stopped./ - Usually \"a few\" is different in meaning from \"few\", which emphasizes the negative; \"a few\" means \"some\", but \"few\" means \"not many\". * /We thought no one would come to lunch, but a few came./ * /We thought many people would come to lunch, but few came./ But sometimes \"a few\" is used with \"only\", and then it is negative. * /We thought many people would come to lunch, but only a few came./ - Sometimes used like an adverb. * /Three students have no seats; we need a few more chairs./ * /If we can set up chairs faster than people come and sit in them, we will soon be a few ahead./ - Sometimes used with \"very\" for emphasis. * /Uncle Ralph gave away almost all of his sea shells, but he still had a very few left./ Compare: A LITTLE. Contrast: A LOT, QUITE A FEW.

[affair] See: LOVE AFFAIR.

[afoul of] <prep.> 1. In collision with. * /The boat ran afoul of a buoy./ 2. In or into trouble with. * /The thief ran afoul of the night watchman./ * /Speeders can expect to fall afoul of the law sometimes./

[afraid of one\'s shadow] <adj. phr.>, <informal> Scared of small or imaginary things; very easily frightened; jumpy; nervous. * /Mrs. Smith won\'t stay alone in her house at night; she is afraid of her own shadow./ * /Johnny cries whenever he must say hello to an adult; he is afraid of his own shadow./

[a friend in need is a friend indeed] A genuine friend on whom one can always depend. - A proverb; often shortened to \"a friend in need...\" * /When John\'s house burned down, his neighbor Jim helped him and his family with shelter, food and clothing. John said, \"Jim, a friend in need is a friend indeed - this describes you.\"/

[after a fashion] <adv. phr.> Not very well or properly; poorly. * /He played tennis after a fashion./ * /The roof kept the rain out after a fashion./ Compare: IN A WAY.

[after all] <adv. phr.> 1. As a change in plans; anyway. - Used with emphasis on \"after\". * /Bob thought he couldn\'t go to the party because he had too much homework, but he went after all./ 2. For a good reason that you should remember. - Used with emphasis on \"all\". * /Why shouldn\'t Betsy eat the cake? After all, she baked it./

[after a while] <informal> or [in a while] <adv. phr.> Later, at some time in the future; after a time that is not short and not long. * /\"Dad, will you help me make this model plane?\" \"After a while, Jimmy, when I finish reading the newspaper.\"/ * /The boys gathered some wood, and in a while, a hot fire was burning./ Syn.: BY AND BY. Contrast: RIGHT AWAY.

[after hours] <adv. or adj. phr.> Not during the regular, correct, or usual time; going on or open after the usual hours. * /The store was cleaned and swept out after hours./ * /The children had a secret after hours party when they were supposed to be in bed./

[after one\'s own heart] <adj. phr.>, <informal> Well liked because of agreeing with your own feelings, interests, and ideas; to your liking-agreeable. Used after \"man\" or some similar word. * /He likes baseball and good food; he is a man after my own heart./ * /Thanks for agreeing with me about the class party; you\'re a girl after my own heart./ Compare: SEE EYE TO EYE.

[after the dust clears] or [when the dust settles] <adv. phr.> When a troubling, confusing, or disastrous event is finally over. * /John invited Tim for dinner, but since Tim\'s father had just died, he replied, \"Thanks. I\'d like to come after the dust settles.\"/

[again] See: COME AGAIN, EVERY NOW AND THEN or EVERY NOW AND AGAIN, NOW AND THEN or NOW AND AGAIN, OFF AGAIN, ON AGAIN or ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN, SOMETHING ELSE AGAIN, THEN AGAIN, TIME AND AGAIN, YOU SAID IT or YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.

[against it] See: UP AGAINST IT.

[against the clock] See: AGAINST TIME.

[against the current] or [against the stream] See: SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT.

[against the grain] <adv. phr.> 1. Across rather than with the direction of the fibers (as of wood or meat). * /He sandpapered the wood against the grain./ 2. So as to annoy or trouble, or to cause anger or dislike. - Usually follows \"go\". * /His coarse and rude ways went against the grain with me./ * /It went against the grain with him to have to listen to her gossip./ Compare: RUB THE WRONG WAY.

[against time] or [against the clock] <adv. phr.> 1. As a test of speed or time; in order to beat a speed record or time limit. * /John ran around the track against time, because there was no one else to race against./ 2. As fast as possible; so as to do or finish something before a certain time. * /It was a race against the clock whether the doctor would get to the accident soon enough to save the injured man./ 3. So as to cause delay by using up time. * /The outlaw talked against time with the sheriff, hoping that his gang would come and rescue him./

[age] See: ACT ONE\'S AGE or BE ONE\'S AGE, DOG\'S AGE or COON\'S AGE, LEGAL AGE or LAWFUL AGE, OF AGE, OVER AGE, UNDER AGE.

[agent] See: FREE AGENT.

[Agent Orange] <n.> A herbicide used as a defoliant during the Vietnam War, considered by some to cause birth defects and cancer, hence, by extension, an instance of \"technological progress pollution\". * /If things continue as they have, we\'ll all be eating some Agent Orange with our meals./

[ago] See: WHILE AGO.

[agree with] <v.> To have a good effect on, suit. * /The meat loaf did not agree with him./ * /The warm, sunny climate agreed with him, and he soon grew strong and healthy./

[ahead] See: DEAD AHEAD, GET AHEAD.

[ahead of] <prep.> 1. In a position of advantage or power over. * /He studies all the time, because he wants to stay ahead of his classmates./ 2. In front of; before. * /The troop leader walked a few feet ahead of the boys./ 3. Earlier than; previous to, before. * /Betty finished her test ahead of the others./

[ahead of the game] <adv. or adj. phr.>, <informal> 1. In a position of advantage; winning (as in a game or contest); ahead (as by making money or profit); making it easier to win or succeed. * /The time you spend studying when you are in school will put you ahead of the game in college./ * /After Tom sold his papers, he was $5 ahead of the game./ 2. Early; too soon; beforehand. * /When Ralph came to school an hour early, the janitor said, \"You\'re ahead of the game.\"/ * /John studies his lessons only one day early; if he gets too far ahead of the game, he forgets what he read./

[ahead of time] <adv. phr.> Before the expected time; early. * /The bus came ahead of time, and Mary was not ready./ * /The new building was finished ahead of time./ Contrast: BEHIND TIME.

[a hell of] a [or one hell of a] <adj. or adv. phr.>, <informal> Extraordinary; very. * /He made a hell of a shot during the basketball game./ * /Max said seven months was a hell of a time to have to wait for a simple visa./ * /The fall Max took left one hell of a bruise on his knee./

[aim] See: TAKE AIM.

[air] See: BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR, CLEAR THE AIR, GIVE ONESELF AIRS, GET THE AIR at GET THE BOUNCE(1), GIVE THE AIR at GIVE THE BOUNCE(1), IN THE AIR, INTO THIN AIR, LEAVE HANGING or LEAVE HANGING IN THE AIR, ON THE AIR, OUT OF THIN AIR, UP IN THE AIR, WALK ON AIR.

[airbus] n. A trade name, also used informally for a wide-bodied airplane used chiefly as a domestic passenger carrier. * /Airbuses don\'t fly overseas, but mainly from coast to coast./

[air one\'s dirty linen in public] or [wash one\'s dirty linen in public] <v. phr.> To talk about your private quarrels or disgraces where others can hear; make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret. * /Everyone in the school knew that the superintendent and the principal were angry with each other because they aired their dirty linen in public./ * /No one knew that the boys\' mother was a drug addict, because the family did not wash its dirty linen in public./

[airquake] <n.> An explosive noise of undetermined origin usually heard in coastal communities and appearing to come from some higher point in elevation. * /What was that awful noise just now? - I guess it must have been an airquake./

[air shuttle] <n.>, <informal> Air service for regular commuters operating between major cities at not too far a distance, e.g., between Boston and New York City; such flights operate without reservation on a frequent schedule. * /My dad takes the air shuttle from Boston to New York once a week./

[a la] <prep.> In the same way as; like. * /Billy played ball like a champion today, a la the professional ball players./ * /Joe wanted to shoot an apple off my head a la William Tell./ (From French \"a la\", in the manner of.)

[albatross around one\'s neck] <n. phr.>, <literary> Guilt, the haunting past, an unforgettable problem. * /Even though it was an accident, John\'s father\'s death has been an albatross around John\'s neck./ Compare: MONKEY ON ONE\'S BACK.

[alert] See: ON THE ALERT.

[a little] <n.> or <adj.> A small amount (of); some. - Usually \"a little\" is different in meaning from \"little\", which emphasizes the negative; \"a little\" means \"some\"; but \"little\" means \"not much\". We say * /\"We thought that the paper was all gone, but a little was left.\"/ But we say, * /\"We thought we still had a bag of flour, but little was left.\"/ Also, we say, * /\"Bob was sick yesterday, but he is a little better today.\"/ But we say, * /\"Bob was sick yesterday, and he is little better today.\"/ Sometimes \"a little\" is used with \"only\", and then it is negative. * /We thought we had a whole bag of flour, but only a little was left./ * /We have used most of the sugar; but a little is left./ * /We did not eat all the cake; we saved a little of it for you./ * /I\'m tired; I need a little time to rest./ * /Where is the paper? I need a little more./ - Often used like an adverb. * /Usually the teacher just watched the dancing class, but sometimes she danced a little to show them how./ * /The children wanted to play a little longer./ - Sometimes used with \"very\" for emphasis. * /The sick girl could not eat anything, but she could drink a very little tea./ Syn.: A BIT. Compare: A FEW. Contrast: A LOT, QUITE A LITTLE.

[a little bird told me] To have learned something from a mysterious, unknown, or secret source. * /\"Who told you that Dean Smith was resigning?\" Peter asked. \"A little bird told me,\" Jim answered./

[a little knowledge is a dangerous thing] <literary> A person who knows a little about something may think he knows it all and make bad mistakes. - A proverb. * /John has read a book on driving a car and now he thinks he can drive. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing./

[alive] See: COME ALIVE, KNOW --- IS ALIVE, LOOK ALIVE, SKIN ALIVE.

[alive and kicking] <adj. phr.> Very active; vigorous; full of energy. * /Grandpa was taken to the hospital with pneumonia, but he was discharged yesterday and is alive and kicking./

[alive with] <prep.>, <informal> Crowded with; filled with. * /The lake was alive with fish./ * /The stores were alive with people the Saturday before Christmas./

[all] See: AFTER ALL, AND ALL, AT ALL, BEAT ALL or BEAT THE DUTCH, FOR ALL, FOR ALL ONE IS WORTH, FOR ALL ONE KNOWS, FOR ALL THE WORLD, FOR GOOD also FOR GOOD AND ALL, FROM THE BOTTOM OF ONE\'S HEART or WITH ALL ONE\'S HEART, HAVE ALL ONE\'S BUTTONS or HAVE ALL ONE\'S MARBLES, IN ALL, JUMP ON or JUMP ALL OVER or LAND ALL OVER, KNOW-IT-ALL, ON ALL FOURS, ONCE AND FOR ALL, PUT ALL ONE\'S EGGS IN ONE BASKET, STRIKE ALL OF A HEAP, WALK OVER or WALK ALL OVER or STEP ALL OVER.

[all along] or (<informal>) [right along] <adv. phr.> All the time; during the whole time. */I knew all along that we would win./ * /I knew right along that Jane would come./

[all at once] <adv. phr.> 1. At the same time; together. * /The teacher told the children to talk one at a time; if they all talked at one time, she could not understand them./ * /Bill can play the piano, sing, and lead his orchestra all at once./ 2. or [all of a sudden] Without warning; abruptly; suddenly; unexpectedly. * /All at once we heard a shot and the soldier fell to the ground./ * /All of a sudden the ship struck a rock./ Compare: AT ONCE.

[all better] <adj. phr.> Fully recovered; all well again; no longer painful. - Usually used to or by children. * /\"All better now,\" he kept repeating to the little girl./

[all but] <adv. phr.> Very nearly; almost. * /Crows all but destroyed a farmer\'s field of corn./ * /The hikers were exhausted and all but frozen when they were found./

[all ears] <adj. phr.>, <informal> Very eager to hear; very attentive. - Used in the predicate. * /Go ahead with your story; we are all ears./ * /When John told about the circus, the boys were all ears./

[alley] See: BLIND ALLEY, DOWN ONE\'S ALLEY or UP ONE\'S ALLEY.

[alley cat] <n.>, <slang> 1. A stray cat. 2. A person (usually a female) of rather easy-going, or actually loose sexual morals; a promiscuous person. * /You\'ll have no problem dating her; she\'s a regular alley cat./

[all eyes] <adj. phr.>, <informal> Wide-eyed with surprise or curiosity; watching very closely. - Used in the predicate. * /At the circus the children were all eyes./

[all gone] <adj. phr.> Used up; exhausted (said of supplies); done with; over with. * /We used to travel a lot, but, alas, those days are all gone./

[all here] See: ALL THERE.

[all hours] <n. phr.>, <informal> Late or irregular times. * /The boy\'s mother said he must stop coming home for meals at all hours./ * /He stayed up till all hours of the night to finish his school work./

[all in] <adj. phr.>, <informal> Very tired; exhausted. * /The players were all in after their first afternoon of practice./ Syn.: PLAYED OUT, WORN OUT.

[all in a day\'s work] or [all in the day\'s work] <adj. phr.>, <informal> Unpleasant or bad but to be expected; not harder than usual; not unusual. * /Keeping ants away from a picnic lunch is all in the day\'s work./ * /When the car had a flat tire, Father said that it was all in a day\'s work./ Compare: PAR FOR THE COURSE, PUT UP WITH.

[all in all(1)] <n. phr.>, <literary> The person or thing that you love most. * /She was all in all to him./ * /Music was his all in all./

[all in all(2)] or [in all] <adv. phr.> When everything is thought about; in summary; altogether. * /All in all, it was a pleasant day\'s cruise./ * /All in all, the pilot of an airplane must have many abilities and years of experience before he can he appointed./ Compare: ON THE WHOLE 1. * /Counting the balls on the green, we have six golf balls in all./

[all in good time] <adv. phr.> Some time soon, when the time is ripe for an event to take place. * /\"I want to get married, Dad,\" Mike said. \"All in good time, Son,\" answered his father./

[all in one piece] <adv. phr.> Safely; without damage or harm. * /John\'s father was terribly concerned when his son was sent to war as a pilot, but he came home all in one piece./

[all kinds of] <adj. phr.>, <informal> Plenty of. * /People say that Mr. Fox has all kinds of money./ * /When Kathy was sick, she had all kinds of company./ Compare: GREAT DEAL.

[all manner of] <adj. phr.>, <formal> Many different kinds of; all sorts of. * /In a five-and-ten-cent store you can buy all manner of things./

[all of] <adj. phr.>, <informal> 1. At least the amount or number of; fully; no less than. * /It was all of ten o\'clock before they finally started./ * /She must have paid all of $50 for that hat./ 2. Showing all the signs of; completely in. - Used with \"a\". * /The girls were all of a twitter before the dance./ * /Mother is all of a flutter because of the thunder and lightning./ * /The dog was all of a tremble with cold./

[all of a sudden] See: ALL AT ONCE 2.

[all out] <adv. phr.>, <informal> With all your strength, power, or determination; to the best of your ability; without holding back. Usually used in the phrase \"go all out\". * /We went all out to win the game./ * /John went all out to finish the job and was very tired afterwards./ Compare: ALL THE WAY 2, FULL TILT, GO THE WHOLE HOG, GO TO ANY LENGTH, LEAVE A STONE UNTURNED, WITH MIGHT AND MAIN.

[all-out effort] <n.> A great and thorough effort at solving a given problem. * /The President is making an all-out effort to convince Congress to pass the pending bill on health care./

[all-out war] <n.> Total war including civilian casualties as opposed to a war that is limited only to armies. * /Hitler was waging an all-out war when he invaded Poland./

[all over] <adv. phr.> 1. In every part; everywhere. * /He has a fever and aches all over./ * /I have looked all over for my glasses./ Compare: FAR AND WIDE. 2. <informal> In every way; completely. * /She is her mother all over./ 3. <informal> Coming into very close physical contact, as during a violent fight; wrestling. * /Before I noticed what happened, he was all over me./

[all over but the shouting] <adv. phr.,> <informal> Finally decided or won; brought to an end; not able to be changed. * /After Bill\'s touchdown, the game was all over but the shouting./ * /John and Tom both tried to win Jane, but after John\'s promotion it was all over but the shouting./

[all over someone] See: FALL ALL OVER SOMEONE.

[allowance] See: MAKE ALLOWANCE.

[allow for] <v.> To provide for; leave room for; give a chance to; permit. * /She cut the skirt four inches longer to allow for a wide hem./ * /Democracy allows for many differences of opinion./

[all right(1)] <adv. phr.> 1. Well enough. * /The new machine is running all right./ 2. <informal> I am willing; yes. * /\"Shall we watch television?\" \"All right.\"/ Compare: VERY WELL. 3. <informal> Beyond question, certainly. - Used for emphasis and placed after the word it modifies. * /It\'s time to leave, all right, but the bus hasn\'t come./

[all right(2)] <adj. phr.> 1. Good enough; correct; suitable. * /His work is always all right./ 2. In good health or spirits; well. * /\"How are you?\" \"I\'m all right.\"/ 3. <slang> Good. * /He\'s an all right guy./

[all right for you] <interj.> I\'m finished with you! That ends it between you and me! - Used by children. * /All right for you! I\'m not playing with you any more!/

[all roads lead to Rome] <literary> The same end or goal may be reached by many different ways. - A proverb. * /\"I don\'t care how you get the answer,\" said the teacher, \"All roads lead to Rome.\"/

[all set] <adj. phr.> Ready to start. * /\"Is the plane ready for take-off?\" the bank president asked. \"Yes, Sir,\" the pilot answered. \"We\'re all set.\"/

[all shook up] also [shook up] <adj.>, <slang> In a state of great emotional upheaval; disturbed; agitated. * /What are you so shook up about?/

[all systems go] <Originally from space English, now general colloquial usage.> Everything is complete and ready for action; it is now all right to proceed. * /After they wrote out the invitations, it was all systems go for the wedding./

[all the(1)] <adj. phr.>, <dial.> The only. * /A hut was all the home he ever had./

[all the(2)] <adv. phr.> Than otherwise; even. - Used to emphasize comparative adjectives, adverbs, and nouns. * /Opening the windows made it all the hotter./ * /Take a bus instead of walking and get home all the sooner./ * /If you don\'t eat your dessert, all the more for us./

[all the better] See: ALL THE(2).

[all the ---er] <substandard> The ---est; as ... as. - Used with a comparative adjective or adverb and subordinate clause in place of a superlative adjective or adverb. * /That was all the bigger he grew./ * /Is that all the faster you can go?/

[all there] or [all here] <adj. phr.>, <informal> Understanding well; thinking clearly; not crazy. - Usually used in negative sentences, * /Joe acted queerly and talked wildly, so we thought he was not all there./

[all the same(1)] or [all one] <n. phr.> Something that makes no difference; a choice that you don\'t care about. * /If it\'s all the same to you, I would like to be waited on first./ * /You can get there by car or by bus - it\'s all one./

[all the same(2)] or [just the same] <adv. phr.>, <informal> As if the opposite were so; nevertheless; anyway; anyhow; still. * /Everyone opposed it, but Sally and Bob got married all the same./ * /Mary is deaf, but she takes tap dancing lessons just the same./ Compare: AT THAT 3, IN SPITE OF.

[all the thing] or [all the rage], [the in thing] <n. phr.> The fashionable or popular thing to do, the fashionable or most popular artist or form of art at a given time. * /After \"The Graduate\" Dustin Hoffman was all the rage in the movies./ * /It was all the thing in the late sixties to smoke pot and demonstrate against the war in Vietnam./

[all the time] <adv. phr.> 1. or [all the while] During the whole period; through the whole time. * /Mary went to college in her home town and lived at home all the while./ * /Most of us were surprised to hear that Mary and Tom had been engaged all year, but Sue said she knew it all the time./ 2. Without stopping; continuously * /Most traffic lights work all the time./ 3. Very often; many times. * /Ruth talks about her trip to Europe all the time, and her friends are tired of it./

[all the way] or [the whole way] <adv. phr.> 1. From start to finish during the whole distance or time. * /Jack climbed all the way to the top of the tree./ * /Joe has played the whole way in the football game and it\'s almost over./ 2. In complete agreement; with complete willingness to satisfy. - Often used in the phrase \"go all the way with\". * /I go all the way with what George says about Bill./ * /Mary said she was willing to kiss Bill, but that did not mean she was willing to go all the way with him./ * /The bank was willing to lend Mr. Jones money to enlarge his factory but it wasn \'t willing to go all the way with his plans to build another in the next town./ Compare: ALL OUT, GO THE WHOLE HOG.

[all the worse] See: ALL THE 2.

[all thumbs] <adj.>, <informal> Awkward, especially with your hands; clumsy. * /Harry tried to fix the chair but he was all thumbs./

[all told] <adv. phr.>, <informal> Counting or including everything. * /Including candy sale profits we have collected $300 all told./

[all to the good] See: TO THE GOOD.

[all up] <adj. phr.>, <informal> Near to certain death or defeat without any more chance or hope. * /With their ammunition gone the patrol knew that it was all up with them./

[all very well] <adj.> All right; very good and correct; very true. - Usually followed by a \"but\" clause. * /It\'s all very well for you to complain but can you do any better?/ * /It\'s all very well if Jane comes with us, but how will she get back home?/ Compare: WELL AND GOOD.

[all walks of life] <n. phr.> All socioeconomic groups; all professions and lines of work. * /A good teacher has to be able to communicate with students from all walks of life./ * /A clever politician doesn\'t alienate people from any walk of life./

[all wet] <adj.>, <slang> Entirely confused or wrong; mistaken. * /When the Wright brothers said they could build a flying machine, people thought they were all wet./ * /If you think I like baseball, you\'re all wet./ Compare: OFF ONE\'S ROCKER.

[all wool and a yard wide] <adj. phr.> Of fine character; especially, very generous and kind-hearted. * /He\'s a wonderful brother - all wool and a yard wide./

[all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy] Too much hard work without time out for play or enjoyment is not good for anyone. - A proverb. * /Bill\'s mother told him to stop studying and to go out and play, because all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy./

[all year round] <adv. phr.> Always; all the time; throughout all seasons of the year. * /In California the sun shines all year round./

[alone] See: LET ALONE or LEAVE ALONE, LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE or LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.

[along] See: ALL ALONG or RIGHT ALONG, COME ALONG, GET ALONG, GO ALONG, RUN ALONG, STRING ALONG.

[along for the ride] <adv. phr.>, <informal> Being in a group for the fun or the credit without doing any of the work. * /He wants no members in his political party who are just along for the ride./

[along in years] or [on in years] <adj. phr.> Elderly; growing old. * /As Grandfather got on in years, he became quiet and thoughtful./ * /Our dog isn \'t very playful because it is getting on in years./

[alongside of] <prep.> 1. At or along the side of. * /We walked alongside of the river./ 2. Together with. * /I played alongside of Tom on the same team./ Compare: SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, SIDE BY SIDE. 3. <informal> Compared with or to; measured next to. * /His money doesn\'t look like much alongside of a millionaire\'s./

[a lot] <n.>, <informal> A large number or amount; very many or very much; lots. * /I learned a lot in Mr. Smith\'s class./ * /A lot of our friends are going to the beach this summer./ - Often used like an adverb. * /Ella is a jolly girl; she laughs a lot./ * /Grandfather was very sick last week, but he\'s a lot better now./ * /You\'ll have to study a lot harder if you want to pass./ - Also used as an adjective with \"more\", \"less\", and \"fewer\". * /There was a good crowd at the game today, but a lot more will come next week./ - Often used with \"whole\" for emphasis. * /John has a whole lot of marbles./ * /Jerry is a whole lot taller than he was a year ago./ Compare: GOOD DEAL, GOOD MANY, A NUMBER. Contrast: A FEW, A LITTLE.

[aloud] See: THINK ALOUD or THINK OUT LOUD.

[alpha wave] <n.> A brain wave, 8-12 cycles per second, associated with a state of relaxation and meditation and, hence, free of anxieties. * /Try to produce some alpha waves; you will instantly feel a lot better./

[alter] See: CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES.

[always] See: GRASS is ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.

[ambulance chaser] <n.> An attorney who specializes in representing victims of traffic accidents. By extension, a lawyer of inferior rank or talent. * /Don\'t hire Cohen; he\'s just another ambulance chaser./

[American plan] <n.> A system of hotel management in which meals are included with the room, as opposed to the European plan that does not include meals. * /American tourists in Europe sometimes expect that their meals will be included, because they are used to the American plan./

[amount to] <v.> Signify; add up to. * /John\'s total income didn\'t amount to more than a few hundred dollars./

[a must] <n.> 1. An inevitability; a necessity. * /Visas in many foreign countries are a must./ 2. An extremely interesting or memorable event, such as a free concert given by an international celebrity. * /Alfred Brendel\'s Beethoven master classes are open to the public and are not to be missed; they\'re a must./

[anchor] See: AT ANCHOR.

[--- and ---] 1. - And is used between repeated words to show continuation or emphasis. * /When the children saw the beautiful Christmas tree they looked and looked./ * /Old Mr, Bryan has known Grandfather for years and years, since they were boys./ * /Billy dived to the bottom of the lake again and again, looking for the lost watch./ * /Everyone wished the speaker would stop, but he talked on and on./ Compare: THROUGH AND THROUGH. 2. - When \"and\" is used between words with opposite meaning, it often emphasizes how much you mean. * /Mr. Jones worked early and late to earn enough to live./ * /The parents hunted high and low for the lost child./ Compare: DAY AND NIGHT, FROM -- TO, INSIDE AND OUT.

[and all] <informal> And whatever goes with it; and all that means. * /We don\'t go out much nowadays, with the new baby and all./ * /Jack\'s employer provided the tools and all./

[and how!] <interj.>, <informal> Yes, that is certainly right! Used for emphatic agreement. * /\"Did you see the game?\" \"And how!\"/ * /\"Isn\'t Mary pretty?\" \"And how she is!\"/ Syn.: YOU BET, YOU SAID IT. Compare:: BUT GOOD.

[and so forth] or [and so on] And more of the same kind; and further amounts or things like the ones already mentioned. * /The costumes were red, pink, blue, purple, yellow, and so forth./ Compare: WHAT HAVE YOU.

[and the like] <n. phr.> Things of a similar nature. * /I like McDonald\'s, Wendy\'s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the like./ * /When I go out to the beach flake towels, a mat, suntan lotion, and the like./