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Полезные советы/инфо от Face-Off |
Словарь американских идиом 8000 единиц - Letter F.
[face] See: BLUE IN THE FACE, CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S
FACE, FLY IN THE FACE OF, HATCHET FACE, HIDE ONE'S FACE, IN ONE'S
FACE, IN THE FACE OF, LONG FACE, LOOK IN THE EYE or LOOK IN THE FACE,
MAKE A FACE, ON THE FACE OF IT, SAVE FACE, SET ONE'S FACE AGAINST,
SHOOT OFF ONE'S MOUTH or SHOOT OFF ONE'S FACE, SHOW ONE'S FACE, SLAP
IN THE FACE, STARE IN THE FACE, STRAIGHT FACE, THROW IN ONE'S FACE, TO
ONE'S FACE.
[face down] {v. phr.} To get the upper hand over someone by
behaving forcefully; disconcert someone by the displaying of great
self-assurance. * /The night guard faced down the burglar by staring
him squarely in the face./ Contrast: FACE UP.
[face lift] {n. phr.} 1. A surgical procedure designed to make
one's face look younger. * /Aunt Jane, who is in her seventies, had an
expensive face lift and now she looks as if she were 40./ 2. A
renovation, a refurbishing. * /Our house needs a major face lift to
make it fit in with the rest of the neighborhood./
[face-saver], [face-saving] See: SAVE FACE.
[face the music] {v. phr.}, {informal} To go through trouble or
danger, especially because of something you did; accept your
punishment. * /The boy was caught cheating in an examination and had
to face the music./ * /The official who had been taking bribes was
exposed by a newspaper, and had to face the music./ * /George knew his
mother would cry when he told her, but he decided to go home and face
the music./ Compare: MAKE ONE'S BED AND LIE IN IT, PAY THE PIPER, TAKE
ONE'S MEDICINE.
[face-to-face] {adv. phr.} 1. With your face looking toward the
face of another person; each facing the other. * /Turning a corner, he
found himself face-to-face with a policeman./ * /The two teams for the
spelling bee stood face-to-face on opposite sides of the classroom./ *
/The church and the school stand face-to-face across the street./ 2.
In the presence of another or others. * /She was thrilled to meet the
President face-to-face./ * /I have heard about him, but I never met
him face-to-face./ Compare: IN PERSON. 3. To the point where you must
do something. - Used with "with". * /The solution of the first problem
brought him face-to-face with a second problem./ Compare: UP AGAINST.
[face-to-face] {adj.} Being in the presence of a person; being
right with someone. * /The British prime minister came to Washington
for a face-to-face meeting with the President./
[face up to] {v. phr.} 1. To bravely confront a person or a
challenge; admit. * /Jack doesn't want to face up to the fact that
Helen doesn't love him anymore./ * /Jane cannot face up to her
mother-in-law who always wins every argument they have./ 2. To confess
something to someone; confess to having done something. * /Jim had to
face up to having stolen a sweater from the department store./
Contrast: FACE DOWN.
[face value] {n.} 1. The worth or price printed on a stamp, bond,
note, piece of paper money, etc. * /The savings bond had a face value
of $25./ 2. The seeming worth or truth of something. * /She took his
stories at face value and did not know he was joking./
[faced with] {adj. phr.} Confronted with. * /We were all faced with
the many wars that broke out in the wake of the collapse of
communism./
[fact] See: IN FACT, MATTER-OF-FACT.
[facts of life] {n. phr.} 1. The truth which we should know about
sex, marriage, and births. * /His father told him the facts of life
when he was old enough./ 2. The truths one learns about people and
their good and bad habits of life, work or play. * /As a cub reporter
he would learn the facts of life in the newspaper world./
[fade back] {v.} To back away from the line before passing in
football. * /The quarterback is fading back to pass./ Compare: DROP
BACK.
[fail] See: WITHOUT FAIL.
[fail to do] {v. phr.} To neglect to do something that is expected
of one. * /Tom waited for Jane for nearly an hour, but she failed to
show up./
[fair] See: BID FAIR, PLAY FAIR.
[fair and square] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Without cheating;
honestly. * /He won the game fair and square./
[fair catch] {n.} A catch of a kicked football by a player after he
holds up his hand to show that he will not run with the ball. * /He
saw that he would not be able to run with the ball, so he signalled
for a fair catch./
[fair-haired boy] {n.}, {informal} A person that gets special
favors; favorite; pet. * /If he wins the election by a large majority,
he will become his party's fair-haired boy./ * /The local boy playing
first base could do no wrong; he was the fair-haired boy of the fans./
* /Charles was a good student and behaved very well; he became the
teacher's fair-haired boy./
[fair play] {n.} Equal and right action (to another person);
justice. * /The visiting team did not get fair play in the game./ *
/The judges decided against Bob, but he said that he had gotten fair
play./ * /Sally's sense of fair play made her a favorite with her
classmates./
[fair sex] {n. }, {informal} Women in general; the female sex. *
/"Better not use four-letter words in front of a member of the fair
sex," Joe said./
[fair shake] {n.}, {informal} Honest treatment. * /Joe has always
given me a fair shake./
[fair-weather friend] {n.} A person who is a friend only when you
are successful. * /Everyone knows that John's only a fair-weather
friend./
[fairy godmother] {n.} 1. A fairy believed to help and take care of
a baby as it grows up. 2. A person who helps and does much for
another. * /The rich man played fairy godmother to the boys and had a
baseball field made for them./ * /Jane was a fairy godmother to her
poorer friends./
[fairy tale] or [story] {n.} An inaccurate, even false account of
something; a result of wishful thinking. * /Jeff said he was going to
be promoted soon, but we all suspect that it is only one of his
customary fairy tales./
[faith] See: GOOD FAITH, ON FAITH.
[fall] See: BOTTOM DROP OUT or BOTTOM FALL OUT, RIDING FOR A FALL.
[fall all over] {v. phr.}, {informal} To show too much love or
thanks toward (someone). * /She must love him. Every time you see
them, she's falling all over him./ * /When Bob found the lady's ring
and returned it, she fell all over him./
[fall asleep at the switch] {v. phr.} To fail to perform an
expected task; be remiss in one's duty. * /The two airplanes wouldn't
have collided, if the control tower operator hadn't fallen asleep at
the switch./ * /The dean promised our department $250,000 but the
foundation never sent the money because someone in the dean's office
fell asleep at the switch./
[fall away] {v. phr.} To decline; diminish. * /I was shocked to see
how haggard Alan looked; he seems to be falling away to a shadow./
[fall back] {v.} To move back; go back. - Usually used with a group
as subject. * /The army fell back before their stubborn enemies./ *
/The crowd around the hurt boy fell back when someone shouted "Give
him air!"/ Compare: DROP BACK, GIVE WAY.
[fall back on] or [fall back upon] v. 1. To retreat to. * /The
enemy made a strong attack, and the soldiers fell back on the fort./
2. To go for help to; turn to in time of need. * /When the big bills
for Mother's hospital care came, Joe was glad he had money in the bank
to fall back on./ * /If Mr. Jones can't find a job as a teacher, he
can fall back on his skill as a printer./
[fall behind] {v.} To go slower than others and be far behind them.
* /When the campers took a hike in the woods, two boys fell behind and
got lost./ * /Frank's lessons were too hard for him, and he soon fell
behind the rest of the class./ * /Mary was not promoted because she
dreamed too much and fell behind in her lessons./
[fall by the wayside] also [drop by the wayside] {v. phr.} To give
up or fail before the finish. * /The boys tried to make a 50-mile
hike, but most of them fell by the wayside./ * /George, Harry, and
John entered college to become teachers, but Harry and John fell by
the wayside, and only George graduated./
[fall down on the job] {v. phr.}, {informal} To fail to work well.
* /The boss was disappointed when his workers fell down on the job./
[fall due] or [come] or [become due] {v. phr.} To reach the time
when a bill or invoice is to be paid. * /Our car payment falls due on
the first of every month./
[fall flat] {v.}, {informal} To be a failure; fail. * /The party
fell flat because of the rain./ * /His joke fell flat because no one
understood it./
[fall for] {v.}, {slang} 1. To begin to like very much. * /Dick
fell for baseball when he was a little boy./ 2. To begin to love (a
boy or a girl.) * /Helen was a very pretty girl and people were not
surprised that Bill fell for her./ 3. To believe (something told to
fool you.) * /Nell did not fall for Joe's story about being a jet
pilot./
[fall from grace] {v. phr.} To go back to a bad way of behaving; do
something bad again. * /The boys behaved well during dinner until they
fell from grace by eating their dessert with their fingers instead of
their forks./ * /The boy fell from grace when he lied./
[fall guy] {n.}, {slang} The "patsy" in an illegal transaction; a
sucker; a dupe; the person who takes the punishment others deserve. *
/When the Savings and Loan Bank failed, due to embezzlement, the vice
president had to be the fall guy, saving the necks of the owners./
[fall in] {v.} 1. To go and stand properly in a row like soldiers.
* /The captain told his men to fall in./ Contrast: FALL OUT(3). 2. to
collapse. * /The explosion caused the walls of the house to fall in./
[fall in for] {v.} To receive; get. * /The boy fell in for some
sympathy when he broke his leg./ * /The team manager fell in for most
of the blame when his team lost the playoffs./
[falling-out] {n.} Argument; disagreement; quarrel. * /Mary and
Jane had a falling-out about who owned the book./ * /The boys had a
falling-out when each said that the other had broken the rules./
[fall in line] or [fall into line] See: IN LINE, INTO LINE.
[fall in love] See: IN LOVE.
[fall in] or [into place] {v. phr.} To suddenly make sense; find
the natural or proper place for the missing pieces of a puzzle. *
/When the detectives realized that a second man was seen at the place
of the murder, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place./
[fall in with] {v.}, {informal} 1. To meet by accident. * /Mary
fell in with some of her friends downtown./ 2. To agree to help with;
support. * /I fell in with Jack's plan to play a trick on his father./
3. To become associated with a group detrimental to the newcomer. *
/John fell in with a wild bunch; small wonder he flunked all of his
courses./ Compare: PLAY ALONG.
[fall into the habit of] {v. phr.} To develop the custom of doing
something. * /Jack has fallen into the bad habit of playing poker for
large sums of money every night./
[fall off] See: DROP OFF(4).
[fall off the wagon] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {alcoholism and drug
culture} To return to the consumption of an addictive, such as alcohol
or drugs, after a period of abstinence. * /Poor Joe has fallen off the
wagon again - he is completely incoherent today./
[fall on] or [fall upon] {v.} 1. To go and fight with; attack. *
/The robbers fell on him from behind trees./ 2. {formal} To meet
(troubles). * /The famous poet fell upon unhappy days./
[fallout] {n.} 1. Result of nuclear explosion; harmful radioactive
particles. * /Some experts consider fallout as dangerous as the bomb
itself./ 2. Undesirable aftereffects in general. * /As a fallout of
Watergate, many people lost their faith in the government./
[fall out] {v.} 1. To happen. * /As it fell out, the Harpers were
able to sell their old car./ Compare: TURN OUT(6). 2. To quarrel;
fight; fuss; disagree. * /The thieves fell out over the division of
the loot./ 3. To leave a military formation. * /You men are dismissed.
Fall out!/ Contrast: FALL IN. 4. To leave a building to go and line
up. * /The soldiers fell out of the barracks for inspection./
[fall over backwards] or [fall over oneself] {v. phr.} To do
everything you can to please someone; try very hard to satisfy
someone. * /The hotel manager fell over backwards to give the movie
star everything she wanted./ * /The boys fell over themselves trying
to get the new girl's attention./
[fall over yourself] See: FALL OVER BACKWARDS.
[fall short] {v.} To fail to reach (some aim); not succeed. * /His
jump fell three inches short of the world record./ * /The movie fell
short of expectations./ Contrast: MEASURE UP.
[fall through] {v.}, {informal} To fail; be ruined; not happen or
be done. * /Jim's plans to go to college fell through at the last
moment./ * /Mr. Jones' deal to sell his house fell through./ Contrast:
COME OFF.
[fall to] {v.} 1. To begin to work. * /The boys fell to and quickly
cut the grass./ Syn.: TURN TO. 2. To begin to fight. * /They took out
their swords and fell to./ 3. To begin to eat. * /The hungry boys fell
to before everyone sat down./ 4. Begin; start. * /The old friends met
and fell to talking about their school days./
[fall to pieces] {v. phr.} To disintegrate; collapse. * /After the
death of Alexander the Great, his empire started to fall to pieces./
[fall wide of the mark] See: WIDE OF THE MARK.
[false] See: PLAY ONE FALSE, SAIL UNDER FALSE COLORS.
[family] See: RUN IN THE BLOOD or RUN IN THE FAMILY, IN A FAMILY
WAY.
[family tree] {n.} Ancestry. * /My family tree can be traced back
to the sixteenth century./
[famine] See: FEAST OR A FAMINE.
[fancy doing something] - An expression of surprise. * /Fancy
meeting you here in such an unexpected place!/
[fancy pants] {n.}, {slang} A man or boy who wears clothes that are
too nice or acts like a woman or girl; sissy. * /The first time they
saw him in his new band uniform, they yelled "Hey, fancy pants, what
are you doing in your sister's slacks?"/
[fan] See: HIT THE FAN.
[fan out] {v. phr.} To spread in several directions. * /The main
road fans out at the edge of the forest in four different directions./
[fan the breeze] {v. phr.} 1. See: SHOOT THE BREEZE. 2. To swing
and miss the ball in baseball. * /The batter tried to hit a home run
but he fanned the breeze./
[far] See: AS FAR AS or SO FAR AS, SO FAR also THUS PAR, BY FAR,
FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, SO PAR, SO GOOD.
[far afield] {adj. phr.} Remote; far from the original starting
point. * /When we started to discuss theology. Jack was obviously
getting far afield from the subject at hand./
[far and away] {adv. phr.} Very much. * /The fish was far and away
the biggest ever caught on the lake./ Compare: BY FAR, HEAD AND
SHOULDERS(2).
[far and near] {n. phr.} Far places and near places; everywhere. *
/People came from far and near to hear him speak./
[far and wide] {adv. phr.} Everywhere, in all directions. * /The
wind blew the papers far and wide./ * /My old school friends are
scattered far and wide now./ * /The movie company looked far and wide
for a boy to act the hero in the new movie./ Compare: ALL OVER.
[farfetched] {adj.} Exaggerated; fantastic. * /Sally told us some
farfetched story about having been kidnapped by little green men in a
flying saucer./
[far cry] {n.} Something very different. * /His last statement was
a far cry from his first story./ * /The first automobile could run,
but it was a far cry from a modern car./
[far from it] {adv. phr.} Not even approximately; not really at
all. * /"Do you think she spent $100 on that dress?" Jane asked. "Far
from it," Sue replied. "It must have cost at least $300."/
[far gone] {adj. phr.} In a critical or extreme state. * /He was so
far gone by the time the doctor arrived, that nothing could be done to
save his life./
[farm] See: COLLECTIVE FARM.
[farm out] {v.} 1. To have another person do (something) for you;
send away to be done. * /Our teacher had too many test papers to read,
so she farmed out half of them to a friend./ 2. To send away to be
taken care of. * /While Mother was sick, the children were farmed out
to relatives./ 3. To send a player to a league where the quality of
play is lower. * /The player was farmed out to Rochester to gain
experience./
[far-out] {adj.} 1. Very far away; distant. * /Scientists are
planning rocket trips to the moon and far-out planets./ 2. {informal}
Very different from others; queer; odd, unusual. * /He enjoyed being
with beatniks and other far-out people./ * /Susan did not like some of
the paintings at the art show because they were too far-out for her./
[fashion] See: AFTER A FASHION, HIGH FASHION or HIGH STYLE.
[fast] See: HARD-AND-FAST, PLAY FAST AND LOOSE.
[fast and furious] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Very fast; with much speed
and energy. * /He was mowing the grass at a fast and furious rate./ *
/When I last saw her she was driving fast and furious down the
street./ Compare: GREAT GUNS.
[fast buck] or [quick buck] {slang} Money earned quickly and
easily, and sometimes dishonestly. * /You can make a fast buck at the
golf course by fishing balls out of the water trap./ * /He isn't
interested in a career; he's just looking for a quick buck./
[fast talker] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A con artist or a swindler,
one who is particularly apt to get away with illegitimate transactions
because of the clever way he talks. * /I wouldn't trust Uncle Joe if I
were you, - he is a fast talker./
[fast time] See: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.
[fasten on] {v. phr.} To attach; tie something to make it secure. *
/"Fasten on your life jackets when you get into the life boats," the
captain said./
[fat] See: CHEW THE FAT.
[fat chance] {n. phr.}, {slang} Little or no possibility; almost no
chance. * /A high school team would have a fat chance of beating a
strong college team./ * /Jane is pretty and popular; you will have a
fat chance of getting a date with her./ Compare: GHOST OF A.
[fat city] {n.}, {slang} A state of contentment due to wealth and
position. * /Bully for the Smiths; they have arrived in Fat City./
[fate] See: TEMPT FATE or TEMPT THE FATES.
[father] See: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.
[Father Christmas] {n.}, {British} The joyful spirit of Christmas;
Santa Claus. * /English children look forward to the visit of Father
Christmas./
[Father's Day] {n.} The third Sunday in June set aside especially
to honor fathers whether living or dead. * /The children gave nice
presents to their father on Father's Day./
[fat is in the fire] Something has happened that will cause trouble
or make a bad situation worse. * /He found out you took it? Well, the
fat's in the fire now./
[fat of the land] {n. phr.} The best and richest food, clothes,
everything. * /When I'm rich I'll retire and live off the fat of the
land./
[fault] See: AT FAULT, FIND FAULT, TO A FAULT.
[faultfinding] {n.} Recrimination; nagging; criticism. * /All of
this constant faultfinding will only to lead to trouble between you
and your wife./
[favor] See: CURRY FAVOR, IN FAVOR OF.
[favorite son] {n.} A man supported by his home state for
President. * /At a national convention, states often vote for their
favorite sons first; then they change and vote for another man./
[fear] See: FOR FEAR.
[fear and trembling] or [fear and trepidation] {n. phr.} Great
fear. * /He came in fear and trembling to tell his father he had a bad
report card./
[feast one's eyes on] {v. phr.} To look at and enjoy very much. *
/He feasted his eyes on the beautiful painting./
[feast or a famine] {n. phr.} Plenty or very little; big success or
bad failure. * /In this business it's either a feast or a famine./ *
/He is very careless with his money, it is always a feast or a famine
with him./
[feather] See: BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER, TAR AND FEATHER,
FINE FEATHERS DO NOT MAKE FINE BIRDS, FUSS AND FEATHERS, MAKE THE
FEATHERS FLY, RUFFLE FEATHERS.
[feather in one's cap] {n. phr.} Something to be proud of; an
honor. * /It was a feather in his cap to win first prize./ (From the
medieval practice of placing a feather in the helmet of one who won
honors in battle.)
[feather one's nest] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To use for yourself
money and power, especially from a public office or job in which you
are trusted to help other people. * /The rich man told his lawyer to
use his money after he died to build a hospital for poor people, but
the lawyer feathered his own nest with the money instead./ * /The man
feathered his nest in politics by getting money from contractors who
built roads./ Syn.: LINE ONE'S POCKETS. 2. To make your home pleasant
and comfortable; furnish and decorate your house. * /Furniture stores
welcome young couples who want to feather their nests./
[fed up] ({informal}) also ({slang}) [fed to the gills] or [fed to
the teeth] {adj. phr.} Having had too much of something; at the end of
your patience; disgusted; bored; tired. * /People get fed up with
anyone who brags all the time./ * /I've had enough of his complaints.
I'm fed up./ * /He was fed to the teeth with television and sold his
set to a cousin./ * /John quit football because he was fed to the
gills with practice./ Compare: SICK AND TIRED.
[feed] See: BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS ONE, CHICKEN FEED, OFF FEED or
OFF ONE'S FEED, SPOON FEED.
[feel] See: GET THE FEEL OF and HARD FEELING.
[feel a draft] {v. phr.}, {slang} To have the sensation that one is
not welcome in a place; that one has gotten a cold reception. * /Let's
go, Suzie, I feel a draft./
[feel for someone] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be able to sympathize
with someone's problems. * /I can really feel for you, John, for
losing your job./
[feel free to do] {v. phr.} To take the liberty to engage in an
activity. * /Please feel free to take off your jackets; this is an
informal party./
[feel in one's bones] or [know in one's bones] {v. phr.} To have an
idea or feeling but not know why. * /I feel in my hones that tomorrow
will be a sunny day./ * /I know in my bones that God will protect us./
[feel like] {v.}, {informal} To want to do or have. * /I don't feel
like running today./ * /I just don't feel like pancakes this morning./
[feel like a million] or [feel like a million dollars] {v. phr.},
{informal} To be in the best of health and spirits. * /I feel like a
million this morning./ * /He had a headache yesterday but feels like a
million dollars today./ Compare: LOOK LIKE A MILLION.
[feel like a new man] {v. phr.} To feel healthy, vigorous, and well
again after a major physical illness or emotional upheaval. * /Ted
felt like a new man after his successful heart bypass operation./
[feel like two cents] See: TWO CENTS.
[feel low] {v. phr.} To be depressed; be in low spirits. * /I don't
know what's the matter with Mary, but she says she has been feeling
very low all afternoon./
[feel no pain] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be drunk. * /After a few
drinks, the man felt no pain and began to act foolishly./
[feel one's oats] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To feel frisky or playful;
be eager and excited. * /The horses were feeling their oats./ * /When
they first got to camp, the boys were feeling their oats./ 2. To act
in a proud or important way. * /The new gardener was feeling his oats
and started to boss the other men./
[feel one's way] {v. phr.} To proceed cautiously by trial and
error; probe. * /I won't ask her to marry me directly; I will feel my
way first./
[feel] or [look small] {v. phr.} To have the impression that one is
insignificant, foolish, or humiliated. * /"I feel small next to
Hemingway," the young student of creative writing said./
[feel out] {v.} To talk or act carefully with someone and find what
he thinks or can do. * /The pupils felt out the principal about a
party after the game./ * /John felt out his father about letting him
have the car that evening./ * /At first the boxers felt each other
out./ Compare: SOUND OUT.
[feel out of place] {v. phr.} To experience the sensation of not
belonging in a certain place or company. * /Dave felt out of place
among all those chess players as he knows nothing about chess./
[feel the pinch] {v. phr.} To be short of money; experience
monetary difficulties. * /If we are going to have a recession,
everybody will feel the pinch./
[feel up] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To arouse sexually by
manual contact. * /You mean to tell me that you've been going out for
six months and he hasn't ever tried to feel you up?/ Contrast: COP A
FEEL.
[feel up to something] {v. phr.}, {informal} To feel adequately
knowledgeable, strong, or equipped to handle a given task. * /Do you
feel up to jogging a mile a day with me?/ Contrast: BE UP TO
SOMETHING.
[feet] See: FOOT.
[feet of clay] {n. phr.} A hidden fault or weakness in a person
which is discovered or shown. * /The famous general showed he had feet
of clay when he began to drink liquor./ * /The banker seemed to be
honest, but he had feet of clay and was arrested for stealing./
[feet on the ground] {n. phr.} An understanding of what can be
done; sensible ideas. Used with a possessive. * /John has his feet on
the ground; he knows he cannot learn everything at once./ * /Ted
dreams of sudden riches, but Henry keeps his feet on the ground and
expects to work for his money./ * /Mrs. Smith was a dreamer, but her
husband was a man with his feet on the ground./ Contrast: IN THE
CLOUDS.
[fell] See: AT ONE FELL SWOOP.
[fellow] See: HAIL-FELLOW-WELL-MET, REGULAR GUY or REGULAR FELLOW.
[fellow traveller] {n.} A sympathizer with a political movement who
does not officially belong to the political party in question. * /Many
Germans after World War II were innocently accused of being fellow
travellers of Nazism./ * /During the McCarthy era, many Americans were
accused of being Communist fellow travellers./
[fence] See: GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
FENCE, MEND ONE'S FENCES, ON THE FENCE.
[fence in] or [hedge in] or [hem in] {v.} To keep (someone) from
doing what he or she would like to do. Usually used in the passive. *
/Mary felt fenced in because her father would not let her drive a car
or have dates with boys./ * /John didn't like his job because he had
to do the same kind of work all the time. He felt that he was hemmed
in./
[fence-sitter] {n.} A person unable to pick between two sides; a
person who does not want to choose. * /Daddy says he is a fence-sitter
because he doesn't know which man he wants for President./
[fence-sitting] {n.} or {adj.} Choosing neither side. * /You have
been fence-sitting for too long. It is time you made up your mind./
Contrast: MAKE UP ONE'S MIND, TAKE SIDES.
[fence with] or [spar with] {v.} To talk with (someone) as if you
were fighting like a swordsman or boxer; to give skillful answers or
arguments against (someone). * /The governor was an expert at fencing
with reporters at press conferences./
[ferret out] {literary} or [smell out] or [sniff out] {v.} To hunt
or drive from hiding; to bring out into the open; search for and find.
* /John ferreted out the answer to the question in the library./ *
/Jane smelled out the boys' secret hiding place in the woods./
[few] See: MAN OF FEW WORDS, NOT A FEW, QUITE A FEW.
[few and far between] {adj. phr.} Not many; few and scattered; not
often met or found; rare. - Used in the predicate. * /People who will
work as hard as Thomas A. Edison are few and far between./ * /Places
where you can get water are few and far between in the desert./ *
/Really exciting games are few and far between./
[fickle finger of fate] See: ACT OF GOD.
[fiddle] See: PLAY SECOND FIDDLE.
[fiddle around] See: FOOL AROUND(3).
[fiddler] See: PAY THE PIPER or PAY THE FIDDLER.
[fiddle with] {v. phr.} To carelessly play with something. * /If
Jimmy continues to fiddle with our computer, he is liable to ruin it./
[field] See: CENTER FIELD, LEFT FIELD, OUT IN LEFT FIELD, PLAY THE
FIELD, RIGHT FIELD.
[field goal] {n.} 1. A score in football made by kicking the ball
over the bar between the goal posts. * /The Giants were not able to
make a touchdown but they kicked two field goals./ Compare: EXTRA
POINT. 2. A score in basketball made by a successful shot through the
basket not made on a free throw. * /A field goal counts two points./
Compare: FOUL SHOT, FREE THROW.
[fifth] See: TAKE THE FIFTH.
[fifth column] {n. phr.} A group or organization within a country
that works to bring about the country's downfall, usually through acts
of espionage and sabotage. * /The Communist party in the United States
was considered by Senator McCarthy to be the Soviet Union's fifth
column./
[flfty-flfty(1)] {adv.}, {informal} Equally; evenly. * /The two
boys divided the marbles they won fifty-fifty./ * /When Dick and Sam
bought an old car, they divided the cost fifty-fifty./
[fifty-fifty(2)] {adj.}, {informal} 1. Divided or shared equally. *
/It will be a fifty-fifty arrangement; half the money for me and half
for you./ 2. Half for and half against; half good and half bad. *
/There is only a fifty-fifty chance that we will win the game./
Compare: HALF AND HALF.
[fight against time] See: RACING TO STAND STILL.
[fight fire with fire] {v. phr.}, {slightly formal}, {of Biblical
origin} To fight back in the same way one was attacked; make a defense
similar to the attack. * /The candidate was determined to fight fire
with fire in the debate./
[fight it out] See: SLUG IT OUT.
[fighting chance] {n. phr.} A chance that necessitates struggle and
courage; a slim chance. * /The doctor told the family that Jack had a
fighting chance to recover./ * /Our business lost a lot of money, but
we have a fighting chance to stage a comeback./
[fight off] {v. phr.} 1. To struggle against someone so as to free
oneself; push an attacker back. * /Suzy fought off her two attackers
in Central Park with a couple of karate chops./ 2. To strive to
overcome something negative. * /After twelve hours at the computer
terminal, Jane had to fight off her overwhelming desire to go to
sleep./
[fight shy of] {v. phr.} To avoid; escape from. * /Jack always
fights shy of anything that even remotely resembles serious work./
[fight tooth and nail] See: TOOTH AND NAIL.
[figure in] {v.} 1. {informal} To add to a total; remember to put
down in figures. * /We figured in the travel expenses but forgot the
cost of meals./ 2. To have a part in; be partly responsible for. *
/Joe figured in all our touchdowns./ * /Mary's good grades figured in
her choice as class president./
[figure on] {v.} 1. To expect and think about while making plans. *
/We did not figure on having so many people at the picnic./ * /He
figured on going to town the next day./ Syn.: PLAN ON. 2. To depend
on; be; sure about. * /You can figure on him to be on time./ Syn.:
COUNT ON.
[figure out] {v.} 1. To find an answer by thinking about (some
problem or difficulty); solve. * /Tom couldn't figure out the last
problem on the arithmetic test./ * /Sam couldn't figure out how to
print a program until the teacher showed him how./ * /Mary couldn't
figure out why her cake tasted so funny until she found salt mixed in
the sugar bag./ Compare: FIND OUT(1). 2. To learn how to explain;
understand. * /Laurence is an odd boy; I can't figure him out./
Compare: MAKE OUT(2).
[figure up] {v. phr.} To calculate; add up. * /If you can figure up
how many phone calls I've made from your home, I will pay you right
away./
[fill in] {v.} 1. To write words needed in blanks; put in; fill. *
/You should fill in all the blanks on an application for a job./ 2.
{informal} To tell what you should know. * /The new boy didn't know
the rules so Bob filled him in./ * /The teacher filled in Mary about
class work done while she was sick./ 3. To take another's place;
substitute. * /The teacher was sick and Miss Jones filled in for her./
[fill (in) the gap] {v. phr.} To supply a missing piece of
information; provide a clue during the course of solving a mystery. *
/Sherlock Holmes said, "These fingerprints are bound to fill the gap
in our investigation."/
[fill one's shoes] {v. phr.} To take the place of another and do as
well; to substitute satisfactorily for. * /When Jack got hurt, the
coach had nobody to fill his shoes./ * /Joe hopes to fill his father's
shoes./ See: IN ONE'S SHOES.
[fill out] {v.} 1. To put in what is missing; complete; finish;
{especially}, to complete (a printed application blank or other form)
by writing the missing facts in the blank spaces; to write down facts
which are asked for in (a report or application.) * /After Tom passed
his driving test he filled out an application for his driver's
license./ * /The policeman filled out a report of the accident./ 2. To
become heavier and fatter; gain weight. * /When Bill was nineteen he
began to fill out./ * /The girl was pale and thin after her sickness,
but in a few months she filled out./
[fill the bases] See: LOAD THE BASES.
[fill the bill] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be just what is needed; be
good enough for something; be just right. * /The boss was worried
about hiring a deaf boy, but after he tried Tom out for a few weeks,
he said that Tom filled the bill./ * /I thought I would need a special
tool, but this wrench fills the bill./
[fill up] or [fill it up] or [fill her up] {v. phr.} To fill
entirely. (Said by the driver of a car to a gas station attendant). *
/When the attendant asked Andrew how much gas he wanted in the tank,
Andrew replied, "Fill her up."/
[filthy lucre] {n.}, {informal} Money, especially when thought of
as bad or shameful. * /When the rich gambler tried to make Sarah marry
him, she said, "Keep your filthy lucre - I shall marry the man I
love."/ - Sometimes used in a joking way. * /"Come and let's get rid
of some filthy lucre."/
[filthy rich] {adj. phr.} Extremely rich but without cultural
refinement; nouveau riche. * /"The Murgatroyds are filthy rich," Ted
complained. "They are rolling in money but they never learned how to
behave properly at a dinner table."/
[finders keepers] or [finders keepers, losers weepers] {informal}
Those who find lost things can keep them. - Used usually by children
to claim the right to keep something they have found. * /I don't have
to give it back; it's finders keepers./ * /Finders keepers, losers
weepers! It's my knife now!/
[find fault] {v. phr.} To find something wrong; complain;
criticize. * /She tries to please him, but he always finds fault./ *
/They found fault with every box I made./ Compare: JUMP ON, PICK
AT(3).
[find it in one's heart] {v. phr.} To be able or willing because of
your nature. * /He could not find it in his heart to tell her about
her mother's death./ * /Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?/
* /He could never find it in his heart to be mean to a dog./
[find one's ---] {v. phr.} To become able to use (some power of the
body or mind.) * /In the program for the parents, John was nervous and
could not speak at first; then he found his tongue./ * /The young bird
had just found its wings./ * /The baby was just beginning to find his
feet./ * /The question surprised him, and it was a minute before he
found his tongue./
[find oneself] {v. phr.} To find out what one is fitted for and
succeed in that. * /Mary tried several lines of work, but at last
found herself as a teacher./ * /Sometimes young people move around a
long time from job to job before they find themselves./
[find] or [get one's bearings] {v. phr.} To know where one is or
where one is headed. * /"Without a compass," the sergeant warned the
enlisted men, "you will never find your bearings in the desert."/
[find out] {v.} 1. To learn or discover (something you did not know
before.) * /One morning the baby found out for the first time that she
could walk./ * /I don't know how this car works, but I'll soon find
out./ * /He watched the birds to find out where they go./ * /Mary was
angry when Jane found out her secret./ 2. To get facts; to get facts
about. * /He wrote to find out about a job in Alaska./ * /She found
out how much the house would cost./ 3. To discover (someone) doing
wrong; catch. * /Some children are bad when no one is watching them,
but they are usually found out./ * /The boy knew that if he cheated on
the test the teacher would find him out./
[find out the hard way] See: HARD WAY.
[fine feathers do not make fine birds] {literary} A person who
wears fine clothes may not be as good as he looks. - A proverb. *
/Mary is pretty and she wears pretty clothes, but she is very mean.
Fine feathers do not make fine birds./ Compare: HANDSOME IS AS
HANDSOME DOES.
[fine kettle of fish] See: KETTLE OF FISH.
[fine-tooth comb] {n. phr.} Great care; careful attention so as not
to miss anything. * /The police searched the scene of the crime with a
fine-tooth comb for clues./ * /My room is so clean you couldn't find
dirt if you went over it with a fine-tooth comb./ Compare: LEAVE NO
STONE UNTURNED.
[finger] See: BURN ONE'S FINGERS, CROSS ONE'S FINGERS or KEEP ONE'S
FINGERS CROSSED, LAY A FINGER ON, LIFT A FINGER, PUT ONE'S FINGER ON
also LAY ONE'S FINGER ON, SLIP THROUGH ONE'S FINGERS, SNAP ONE'S
FINGERS AT, STICKY FINGERS, TWIST AROUND ONE'S LITTLE FINGER, WORK
ONE'S FINGERS TO THE BONE.
[finger in the pie] {n. phr.}, {informal} Something to do with what
happens; part interest or responsibility. * /When the girls got up a
Christmas party, I felt sure Alice had a finger in the pie./ * /The
Jones Company was chosen to build the new hospital and we knew Mr.
Smith had a finger in the pie./ * /Jack is a boy with a finger in
every pie at school, from dramatics to football./ Compare: HAVE A HAND
IN, TOO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE.
[fingertip] See: AT ONE'S FINGERTIPS.
[finish up] See: END UP(4).
[fire] See: BALL OF FIRE, BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA
or BETWEEN TWO FIRES, BUILD A FIRE UNDER, BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE,
CATCH FIRE, DRAW FIRE, FAT'S IN THE FIRE, FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE, HANG
FIRE, HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON ONE'S HEAD, HOLD ONE'S FIRE or HOLD FIRE,
IRON IN THE FIRE, KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING, LINE OF FIRE, ON FIRE,
OPEN FIRE, OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE, PLAY WITH FIRE, PULL
ONE'S CHESTNUTS OUT OF THE FIRE, SET FIRE TO, SET THE WORLD ON FIRE,
TILL THE LAST GUN IS FIRED or UNTIL THE LAST GUN IS FIRED, UNDER FIRE.
[firebug] {n.} An arsonist; one who willfully sets fire to
property. * /The police caught the firebug just as he was about to set
another barn ablaze in the country./
[firing squad] {n.} A group of soldiers chosen to shoot a prisoner
to death or to fire shots over a grave as a tribute. * /A dictator
often sends his enemies before a firing squad./ * /The dead general
was honored by a firing squad./
[first] See: AT FIRST BLUSH, AT FIRST SIGHT, CAST THE FIRST STONE,
GET TO FIRST BASE or REACH FIRST BASE, IN THE FIRST PLACE, OF THE
FIRST WATER.
[firsthand] {adj.} Fresh; genuine; from the original source. *
/John says he got the information firsthand from the president
himself./
[first and foremost] {adv. phr.} As the most important thing;
first. * /First and foremost they needed food./ * /I want you to
remember to pay that bill first and foremost./ * /First and foremost,
we must keep America free./
[first and last] {adv. phr.} Most noticeably; all the time;
chiefly. * /He was first and last a school teacher./ * /Steven joined
the army because first and last he wanted to help his country./ Syn.:
ABOVE ALL.
[first base] {n. phr.} 1. The base that must be touched first by a
baseball player after batting. * /He got to first base on four balls./
2. See: GET TO FIRST BASE.
[first class] {n.} 1. The first rank; the highest class; the best
group. * /The pianist was quite good but he was not in the first
class./ 2. The most expensive or comfortable class of travel; the best
or one of the best groups in which to travel, especially by ship,
train, or airplane. * /Most people can't afford the first class when
they take a long journey by ship./ 3. The way of sending all mail that
includes letters and post cards, anything written by hand or
typewriter, and anything sealed so that it cannot be inspected, and
that is the most expensive class of mail but receives the best
treatment. * /The usual way to send a letter is by first class./
Compare: SECOND CLASS, THIRD CLASS.
[first-class(1)] {adj.} 1. Of the highest class or best kind;
excellent; first-rate. * /Jane did a first-class job of repairing the
coat./ * /It was a first-class TV program./ Compare: TOP-NOTCH. 2. Of
the best or most expensive class of travelling. * /Mr. Jones bought a
first-class plane ticket to Chicago./ 3. Belonging to the class of
mail for sending letters, post cards, and handwritten or typewritten
mail that is sealed. * /It is expensive to send a heavy letter by
first-class mail./
[first-class(2)] {adv.} With the best material; in the best or most
expensive way. * /When Mr. Van Smith goes anywhere he always travels
first-class./ * /"How did you send the package?" "First-class."/
[first come, first served] {truncated sent.}, {informal} If you
arrive first, you will be served first; people will be waited on in
the order they come; the person who comes first will have his turn
first. * /Get in line for your ice cream, boys. First come, first
served./ * /The rule in the restaurant is first come, first served./ *
/The team's owners announced that tickets for the World Series would
be sold on a first come, first served basis only./ * /There are only a
few seats left so it's first come, first served./ Compare: EARLY BIRD
CATCHES THE WORM.
[first cousin] {n.} The child of your aunt or uncle. * /Tom's only
first cousin was Ralph, the son of his Uncle John./
[first of all] {adv. phr.} Chiefly; primarily; as the first thing.
* /After we get to Chicago, we will, first of all, try to find a
reliable used car./
[first off] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Before anything else; first. *
/First off, I want you to mow the lawn./
[first-run] {adj. phr.} Shown for the first time; new. * /The local
theater showed only first-run movies./
[first stone] See: CAST THE FIRST STONE.
[first string(1)] {n.}, {informal} 1. The best group of players on
a team; first team; A team. * /Dick loved basketball and practiced
hard until he was put on the first string./ 2. The best group of
workers. * /Tom learned his trade so well that his boss soon called
him one of his first string./
[first-string] {adj.}, {informal} 1. On the starting team or A
team. * /He was the first-string quarterback./ 2. Of the best quality;
foremost. * /He was the least expensive of the city's first-string
lawyers./
[first thing off the bat] {adv. phr.} Immediately; at once. * /He
called home from Paris first thing off the bat as he stepped off the
plane./
[first things first] Other things must wait until the most
important and necessary things are done. * /Study your lessons before
you go out to play. First things first./
[fish] See: COLD FISH, KETTLE OF FISH, NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL, NOT
THE ONLY FISH IN THE SEA, OTHER FISH TO FRY.
[fish-and-chips] {n. phr.} Fried fish and french fried potatoes. *
/The family went to a drive-in restaurant and had fish-and-chips./
[fish for] {v.}, {informal} To try to get or to find out
(something), by hinting or by a roundabout way to try to lead someone
else to give or tell you what you want by hinting. * /Jerry was always
fishing for an invitation to Bob's house./ * /Near examination time,
some of the students fish for information./
[fish for a compliment] {v, phr.} To try to make someone pay a
compliment. * /When Jim showed me his new car, I could tell that he
was fishing for a compliment./
[fish fry] {n.} An outdoor party or picnic at which fish are fried
and eaten. * /The guests at the fish fry caught and cooked their own
fish./
[fish in muddy] or [troubled waters] {v. phr.} To take advantage of
a troubled or confusing situation; seek personal advantage. * /With
the police disorganized after the collapse of communism in Europe,
many criminals started to fish in troubled waters./
[fish or cut bait] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. Decide what you want to
do and stop wasting time; either act now or give someone else a chance
or turn. * /Jack couldn't decide whether to go to college or get a
job, so his father told him to fish or cut bait./ * /"Buy the kind of
ice cream you want or give someone else in line a chance. Fish or cut
bait!"/ Compare: MAKE UP ONE'S MIND. 2. Either try hard and do your
best, or quit. * /Frank missed football practice so often that the
coach told him to fish or cut bait./
[fish out of water] {n. phr.} A person who is out of his proper
place in life; someone who does not fit in. * /Because Ed could not
swim, he felt like a fish out of water at the beach./ * /She was the
only girl at the party not in a formal dress and she felt like a fish
out of water./ Compare: OUT OF ONE'S ELEMENT, OUT OF PLACE.
[fish story] {n. phr.} An unlikely or improbable tale. * /Hunters
and fishermen often exaggerate their successes by telling fish
stories./
[fist] See: HARD-FISTED.
[fit] See: BY FITS AND STARTS, GIVE PITS, HAVE A FIT or HAVE FITS,
IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT, SEE FIT also THINK FIT, SURVIVAL OF THE
FITTEST.
[fit as a fiddle] {adj. phr.} In very good health. * /The man was
almost 90 years old but fit as a fiddle./ * /Mary rested at home for a
few weeks after her operation; then she felt fit as a fiddle./
[fit for] {v. phr.} To be suited for; be prepared for. * /"What
kind of job is Ted fit for?" the social worker asked./
[fit in with] {v. phr.} To fall into agreement or accord with. *
/His plans to take a vacation in early July fit in perfectly with the
university schedule./
[fit like a glove] {v. phr.} To fit perfectly. * /Her new dress
fits her like a glove./
[fit out] or [fit up] {v.} To give things needed; furnish. * /The
soldiers were fitted out with guns and clothing./ * /The government
fitted out warships and got sailors for them./ * /The house was fitted
out very nicely./ * /He fitted his room up as a photographic
laboratory./
[fit the bill] See: FILL THE BILL.
[fit to a T] See: TO A T.
[fit to be tied(1)] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Very angry or upset. *
/She was fit to be tied when she saw the broken glass./
[fit to be tied(2)] {adv. phr.}, {substandard} Very hard. - Used
for emphasis. * /Uncle Willie was laughing fit to be tied at the
surprised look on Mother's face./
[five o'clock shadow] {n. phr.} A very short growth of beard on a
man's face who did shave in the morning but whose beard is so strong
that it is again visible in the afternoon. * /"You have a five o'clock
shadow, honey," Irene said, "and we're going to the opera. Why don't
you shave again quickly?"/
[fix] See: GET A FIX or GIVE SOMEONE A FIX, GET A FIX ON.
[fix someone's wagon] or [fix someone's little red wagon] {v.
phr.}, {informal} 1. (Said to a child as a threat) to administer a
spanking. * /Stop that right away or I'll fix your (little red)
wagon!/ 2. (Said of an adult) to thwart or frustrate another, to
engineer his failure. * /If he sues me for slander, I will counter-sue
him for malicious prosecution. That will fix his wagon!/
[fix someone up with] {v. phr.}, {informal} To help another get a
date with a woman or man by arranging a meeting for the two. * /Say
Joe, can you possibly fix me up with someone this weekend? I am so
terribly lonesome!/
[fix up] {v. phr.} 1. To repair. * /The school is having the old
gym fixed up./ 2. To arrange. * /I think I can fix it up with the
company so that John gets the transfer he desires. /3. To arrange a
date that might lead to a romance or even to marriage. * /Mary is a
great matchmaker; she fixed up Ron and Betty at her recent party./
[fizzle out] {v.}, {informal} 1. To stop burning; die out. * /The
fuse fizzled out before exploding the firecracker./ 2. To fail after a
good start; end in failure. * /The power mower worked fine for a while
but then it fizzled out./ * /The party fizzled out when everyone went
home early./
[flag down] {v.}, {informal} To stop by waving a signal flag or as
if waving a signal flag. * /The signalman flagged down the freight
train./ * /A policeman flagged down the car with his flashlight./
[flakeball] or [flake] {n.}, {slang}, {drug culture} A disjointed,
or "flaky" person, who is forgetful and incoherent, as if under the
influence of narcotics. * /Hermione is a regular flakeball./ Compare:
SPACED OUT.
[flame] See: ADD FUEL TO THE FLAME, GO UP IN FLAMES.
[flanker back] {n.} A football back who can play far to the outside
of his regular place. * /The coach is still looking for a speedy boy
to play flanker back./
[flare up] {v.} 1. To burn brightly for a short time especially
after having died down. * /The fire flared up again and then died./ 2.
To become suddenly angry. * /The mayor flared up at the reporter's
remark./ * /The mother flared up at her children./ 3. To begin again
suddenly, especially for a short time after a quiet time. * /Mr.
Gray's arthritis flared up sometimes./ * /Even after they had
conquered the country, revolts sometimes flared up./
[flare-up] {n.} The reoccurrence of an infection or an armed
conflict. * /He had a flare-up of his arthritis./ * /There was a bad
flare-up of hostilities in some countries./
[flash] See: IN A FLASH.
[flash card] {n.} A card with numbers or words on it that is used
in teaching, a class. * /The teacher used flash cards to drill the
class in addition./
[flash in the pan] {n. phr.}, {slang} A person or thing that starts
out well but does not continue. * /The new quarterback was a flash in
the pan./ * /Mary got 100 on the first test in arithmetic but it was
just a flash in the pan because she failed in arithmetic./
[flat] See: FALL FLAT, IN NO TIME or IN NOTHING FLAT, LEAVE FLAT.
[flat as a pancake] {adj. phr.} Very level; very flat; having no
mountains or hills. * /A great part of the American Midwest is as flat
as a pancake./
[flat broke] See: STONE-BROKE.
[flatfoot] {n.}, {slang}, {derogatory} A policeman. * /"What does
Joe do for a living? - He's a flatfoot."/
[flat-footed] {adj.}, {informal} 1. Straightforward; forthright;
direct; outright. * /The governor issued a flat-footed denial of the
accusation./ * /He came out flat-footed against the idea./ 2. Not
ready; not prepared; - usually used with "catch". * /The teacher's
question caught Tim flat-footed./ * /Unexpected company at lunch time
caught Mrs. Green flat-footed./
[flat-out] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. Without hiding anything;
plainly; openly. * /The student told his teacher flat-out that he was
not listening to her./ 2. At top speed; as fast as possible. * /He saw
two men running flat-out from the wild rhinoceros./
[flatter oneself] To be sure of your own talent or skill; highly
confident. * /I flatter myself that I am a better swimmer than he is./
[flea in one's ear] {n. phr.}, {informal} An idea or answer that is
not welcome; an annoying or surprisingly sharp reply or hint. * /I'll
put a flea in his ear if he bothers me once more./
[flea market] {n. phr.} A place where antiques, second-hand things,
and cheap articles are sold, and especially one in the open air. *
/The local antique dealers held a flea market and fair on the
high-school athletic field./ * /There are many outdoor flea markets in
Europe./
[flesh] See: IN PERSON also IN THE FLESH, NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL
also NEITHER FISH, FLESH, NOR FOWL, PRESS THE FLESH, THORN IN THE
FLESH.
[flesh and blood] {n.} 1. A close relative (as a father, daughter,
brother); close relatives. Used in the phrase "one's own flesh and
blood". * /Such an answer from her - and she's my own flesh and blood,
too!/ 2. The appearance of being real or alive. * /The author doesn't
give his characters any flesh and blood./ 3. The human body. * /Before
child labor laws, small children often worked 50 or 60 hours a week in
factories. It was more than flesh and blood could bear./
[flesh out] {v.}, {informal} 1. To add to; make fuller, bigger, or
longer. * /The author fleshed out his story by adding more about his
war experiences./ 2. also [flesh up] To become heavier, put on weight,
or flesh. * /He lost weight after his illness but is beginning to
flesh out again./ See: FILL OUT.
[flesh up] See: FLESH OUT(2).
[fling oneself at] See: THROW ONESELF AT.
[fling oneself at someone's head] See: THROW ONESELF AT SOMEONE'S
HEAD.
[flip-flop(1)] {v.}, {informal} To alternate the positions of;
exchange the places of; switch. * /The football coach had one play in
which he flip-flopped his left halfback and fullback./
[flip-flop(2)] {n.}, {informal} A complete change; a switch from
one thing to an entirely different one. * /John wanted to be a
carpenter like his father, but when he saw the print shop he did a
flip-flop and now he's learning printing./
[flip-flop(3)] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Involving or using a change
from one of two places, positions, or alternatives to the other. *
/The machine was controlled by a flip-flop switch./ * /The football
coach hoped to surprise his opponents by using a flip-flop offense./
[flip one's lid] also [flip one's wig] {slang} 1. To lose one's
temper. * /When that pushy salesman came back Mom really flipped her
lid./ Compare: BLOW A FUSE. 2. To lose your mind; become insane. *
/When he offered me three times the pay I was getting, I thought he
had flipped his lid./ 3. To become unreasonably enthusiastic. * /She
flipped her lid over a hat she saw in the store window./ * /He's
flipped his lid over that new actress./
[flip out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To go insane, to go out
of one's mind. * /A is impossible to talk to Joe today - he must have
flipped out./
[flock] See: BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER.
[floor] See: GROUND FLOOR, MOP THE FLOOR WITH, WALK THE FLOOR.
[floor one] {v. phr.} To overwhelm; astound; nonplus. * /John's
sudden announcement that he would retire floored all of us in the
office./
[floorwalker] {n.} A section manager in a department store. * /To
exchange this pair of shoes, you must first get the floorwalker's
approval./
[flop] See: FLIP-FLOP.
[flower child] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A young person who
believes in nonviolence and carries flowers around to symbolize his
peace-loving nature. * /Flower children are supposed to be nonviolent,
but they sure make a lot of noise when they demonstrate!/ 2. Any
person who cannot cope with reality. * /"Face facts, Suzie, stop being
such a flower child!"/
[flower power] {n.}, {slang} The supposed power of love and
nonviolence as intended to be used by members of the anti-culture to
change American society. * /The young people were marching for flower
power./
[fluff one's lines] See: BLOW ONE'S LINES.
[fluff stuff] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Snow. *
/We can expect some fluff stuff this afternoon./
[flunk out] {v. phr.} To have to withdraw from school or college
because of too many failing grades. * /Fred flunked out of college
during his junior year./
[flush it] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To fail (something). * /I really
flushed it in my math course./ 2. {interj.}, {used imperatively}
Expression registering refusal to believe something considered stupid
or false. * /"You expect me to buy that story? Flush it!"/
[fly] See: BIRD HAS FLOWN, GO FLY A KITE, MAKE THE FEATHERS FLY,
MAKE THE FUR FLY, ON THE FLY, POP FLY, SACRIFICE FLY.
[fly at one's throat] {v. phr.} To attack you suddenly with great
anger. * /When Tom called Dick a bad name, Dick flew at his throat./
[fly ball] {n.} A baseball hit high into the air. * /He hit an easy
fly ball to center field./
[fly blind] {v. phr.} 1. To fly an airplane by instruments alone. *
/In the heavy fog he had to fly blind./ 2. {informal} To do something
without understanding what you are doing. * /I'm glad the car runs
now; I was flying blind when I fixed it./ * /He's flying blind when he
talks about philosophy./
[fly-by-night(1)] {adj.} Set up to make a lot of money in a hurry,
then disappear so people can't find you to complain about poor work,
etc.; not trustworthy; not reliable. * /Mrs. Blank bought her vacuum
cleaner from a new company; when she tried to have it fixed, she found
it was a fly-by-night business./
[fly-by-night(2)] {n.}, {informal} 1. A company that sells many
cheap things for a big profit and then disappears. * /A dependable
company honors its guarantees, but a fly-by-night only wants your
money./ 2. A person who does not pay his bills, but sneaks away (as at
night.) * /Hotels are bothered by fly-by-nights./
[fly by the seat of one's pants] {v. phr.}, {slang} To fly an
airplane by feel and instinct rather than with the help of the
instruments. * /Many pilots in World War I had to fly by the seat of
their pants./
[flying] See: WITH FLYING COLORS.
[flying high] {adj.}, {slang} Very happy; joyful. * /Jack was
flying high after his team won the game./ Compare: IN THE CLOUDS, ON
TOP OP THE WORLD.
[flying start] See: GET OFF TO A FLYING START.
[flying tackle] {n.}, {informal} A tackle made by jumping through
the air at the person to be tackled. * /Most football coaches don't
want their players to make flying tackles./ * /The policeman stopped
the burglar with a flying tackle./
[flying wedge] {n.}, {informal} 1. An offensive formation in
football in which players link arms and line up to form a "V" with the
ball carrier in the middle. * /The flying wedge was so dangerous and
hurt so many players that rules have forbidden it for over 50 years./
2. A group (as of guards or policemen) who use a "V" formation to help
someone get through a crowd. * /Police had to form a flying wedge to
get the movie star through the crowd of autograph hunters./
[fly in the face of] or [fly in the teeth of] {v. phr.} To ignore;
go against; show disrespect or disregard for. * /You can't fly in the
face of good business rules and expect to he successful./ * /Floyd's
friends tried to help him, but he flew in the teeth of their advice
and soon became a drunkard./
[fly in the ointment] {n. phr.}, {informal} An unpleasant part of a
pleasant thing; something small that spoils your fun. * /We had a lot
of fun at the beach; the only fly in the ointment was George's cutting
his foot on a piece of glass./ * /Your new job sounds too good to be
true - interesting work, high pay, short hours. Isn't there any fly in
the ointment?/
[fly off the handle] {v. phr.}, {informal} To become very angry. *
/John flew off the handle whenever Mary made a mistake./ * /The
children's noise made the man next door fly off the handle./ Syn.:
LOSE ONE'S TEMPER.
[fly the coop] {v. phr.}, {slang} To leave suddenly and secretly;
run away. * /The robbers flew the coop before the police arrived./ *
/His partner flew the coop with all the money./
[flying visit] {n. phr.} A visit of very short duration. * /Tom
came to New York for only a flying visit. We had hardly eaten lunch
when he had to leave./
[flying saucer] See: U.F.O.
[fly into a rage] or [temper] {v. phr.} To become very angry. * /By
the time we mention the name of her ex-husband, she flies into a
rage./
[foam at the mouth] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be very angry, like a mad
dog. * /By the time Uncle Henry had the third flat tire he was really
foaming at the mouth./
[fob off] {v.}, {informal} 1. To get something false accepted as
good or real. * /The peddler fobbed off pieces of glass as diamonds./
Syn.: PALM OFF, PASS OFF. 2. To put aside; not really answer but get
rid of. * /Her little brother asked where she was going, but she
fobbed him off with ah excuse./
[fog] See: IN A FOG.
[foggy bottom] {n.}, {slang} An area in downtown Washington, D.C.
where many offices of the Department of State are located; hence
figuratively, the U.S. Department of State. * /The press secretary
gave us a lot of foggy bottom double-talk about the hostage crisis in
the Near East./
[fold up] {v.}, {informal} To collapse; fail. * /The team folded up
in the last part of the season./ * /The new restaurant folded up in
less than a year./ Compare: FALL APART.
[folk] See: WEE FOLK.
[follow] See: AS FOLLOWS.
[follower] See: CAMP FOLLOWER.
[follow in one's footsteps] also [follow in one's tracks] {v. phr.}
To follow someone's example; follow someone exactly, * /He followed in
his father's footsteps and became a doctor./ Compare: LIKE FATHER,
LIKE SON.
[follow one's heart] {v. phr.} To do what one wishes to do rather
than to follow the voice of reason. * /Instead of accepting a
lucrative job in his father's business, Jim followed his heart and
became a missionary in the jungle./
[follow one's nose] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To go straight ahead;
continue in the same direction. * /Just follow your nose and you'll
get there./ 2. To go any way you happen to think of. * /Oh, I don't
know just where I want to go. I'll just follow my nose and see what
happens./
[follow out] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To do fully; finish (what you
are told to do.) * /The boy followed out the instructions and made a
fine model plane./ Compare: FOLLOW THROUGH. 2. To keep working at
(something) until it is finished; give (something) your attention
until it comes to an end or conclusion. * /The student followed out
all the index references in the encyclopedia until he found what he
wanted to know./ Compare: FOLLOW UP.
[follow suit] {v. phr.} 1. To play a card of the same color and
kind that another player has put down. * /When diamonds were led, I
had to follow suit./ 2. To do as someone else has done; follow
someone's example. * /When the others went swimming, I followed suit./
[follow through] {v. phr.} 1. To finish a movement that you have
started; continue an action to its natural ending. * /A football
passer should follow through after he throws the ball./ 2. To finish
an action that you have started. * /Bob drew plans for a table for his
mother, but he did not follow through by making it./
[follow up] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To chase or follow closely and
without giving up. * /The Indians followed up the wounded buffalo
until it fell dead./ 2. Make (one action) more successful by doing
something more. * /After Mary sent a letter to apply for a job, she
followed it up by going to talk to the personnel manager./ * /The
doctor followed up Billy's operation with x-rays, and special
exercises to make his foot stronger./ Compare: FOLLOW OUT, FOLLOW
THROUGH(2). 3a. To hunt for (more news about something that has
already been in the newspapers, radio or TV news); find more about. *
/The day after news of the fire at Brown's store, the newspaper sent a
reporter to follow up Mr. Brown's future plans./ 3b. To print or
broadcast (more news about some happening that has been in the news
before). * /The fire story was printed Monday, and Tuesday's paper
followed it up by saying that Mr. Brown planned to build a bigger and
better store at the same place./
[follow-up] {n.} Additional work or research by means of which an
earlier undertaking's chances of success are increased. * /I hope
you'll be willing to do a bit of follow-up./
[fond of] Having a liking for; attracted to by strong liking. *
/Alan is fond of candy./ * /Uncle Bill was the children's favorite,
and he was fond of them too./
[food for thought] {n. phr.} Something to think about or worth
thinking about; something that makes you think. * /The teacher told
John that she wanted to talk to his father, and that gave John food
for thought./ * /There is much food for thought in this book./
[fool] See: CHILDREN AND FOOLS SPEAK THE TRUTH, MAKE A FOOL OF.
[fool and his money are soon parted] A foolish person soon wastes
his money. - A proverb, * /Jimmy spends all his pennies for candy. A
fool and his money are soon parted./
[fool around] or [mess around] or [play around] or [monkey around]
{v.}, {informal} 1. To spend time playing, fooling, or joking instead
of being serious or working; waste time. * /If you go to college, you
must work, not fool around./ * /The boys fooled around all afternoon
in the park./ Compare: CUT UP(2). To treat or handle carelessly. *
/Bob cut himself by fooling around with a sharp knife./ * /Suzie says
she wishes John would quit playing around with the girls and get
married./ 3. or [fiddle around] To work or do something in an
irregular or unplanned way; tinker. * /Jimmy likes to monkey around
with automobile engines./ * /Alice is fooling around with the piano in
her spare time./ Compare: FUCK AROUND.
[fool around] See: MESS AROUND.
[fool away] or [fritter away] {v.}, {informal} To waste foolishly.
* /Paul failed history because he fooled away his time instead of
studying./ * /The man won a lot of money, but he soon frittered it
away and was poor again./
[foolish] See: PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH.
[foolproof] {adj.} So constructed that not even a fool can spoil
it; easy. * /This entrance examination is so easy that it is actually
foolproof./
[fool's paradise] See: LIVE IN A FOOL'S PARADISE.
[foot] See: AT ONE'S FEET, COLD FEET, DEAD ON ONE'S FEET, DRAG
ONE'S FEET, FROM HEAD TO FOOT, GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT, GET ONE'S
FEET WET, HAND AND FOOT, KEEP ONE'S FEET, KNOCK OFF ONE'S FEET, LAND
ON ONE'S FEET, LET GRASS GROW UNDER ONE'S FEET, ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE,
ON FOOT, ON ONE'S FEET, PLAY FOOTSIE, PUT ONE'S BEST FOOT FORWARD, PUT
ONE'S FOOT DOWN, PUT ONE'S FOOT IN IT, SET FOOT, SHOE ON THE OTHER
FOOT, STAND ON ONE'S OWN FEET, SWEEP OFF ONE'S FEET, THINK ON ONE'S
FEET, THROW ONESELF AT SOMEONE'S FEET.
[footed] See: FLAT FOOTED.
[foot in the door] {n. phr.}, {informal} The first step toward
getting or doing something; a start toward success; opening. * /Don't
let Jane get her foot in the door by joining the club or soon she'll
want to be president./
[footstep] See: FOLLOW IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS.
[foot the bill] {v. phr.} To cover the expenses of; pay for
something. * /The bride's father footed two-thirds of the bill for hix
daughter's wedding./ Compare: PICK UP THE TAB.
[footloose and fancy-free] {adj. phr.} Free and free to do what one
wants (said of unmarried men). * /Ron is a merry bachelor and seems to
enjoy greatly being footloose and fancy-free./
[for a fall] See: RIDING FOR A FALL.
[for all] 1. In spite of; even with, despite. - Used for contrast.
* /For all his city ways, he is a country boy at heart./ * /There may
be mistakes occasionally, but for all that, it is the best book on the
subject./ * /For all his money, he was very unhappy./ 2. also [for
aught] To the extent that. - Used like a negative with "care" and
"know". * /For all I care, you can throw it away./ * /For all he
knows, we might be in Boston./ Compare: AS FAR AS(2), ONCE AND FOR
ALL.
[for all one cares] {adv. phr.} In the opinion of one who is not
involved or who does not care what happens. * /For all Jane cares,
poor Tom might as well drop dead./
[for all one is worth] With all of your strength; as hard as you
can. * /Roger ran for all he was worth to catch the bus./
[for all one knows] {adv. phr.} According to the information one
has; probably. * /For all we know, Ron and Beth might have eloped and
been married in a French chateau./
[for all that] {adv. phr.} In spite of what has been said, alleged,
or rumored. * /Well, for all that, we think that she is still the most
deserving candidate for Congress./
[for all the world] {adv. phr.} 1. Under no circumstances. * /Betty
said she wouldn't marry Jake for all the world./ 2. Precisely;
exactly. * /It began for all the world like a successful baseball
season for the UIC Flames, when suddenly they lost to the Blue
Demons./
[for a loop] See: KNOCK FOR A LOOP or THROW FOR A LOOP.
[for a loss] See: THROW FOR A LOSS.
[for a ride] See: TAKE FOR A RIDE.
[for as much as] {conj.}, {formal} Because; since. * /For as much
as the senator is eighty years old, we feel he should not run for
reelection./ Syn.: INASMUCH AS.
[for a song] {adv. phr.}, {informal} At a low price; for a bargain
price; cheaply. * /He sold the invention for a song and its buyers
were the ones who got rich./ * /They bought the house for a song and
sold it a few years later at a good profit./
[for aught] See: FOR ALL(2).
[for bear] See: LOADED FOR BEAR.
[for better or worse] or [for better or for worse] {adv. phr.} 1.
With good or bad effect, depending on how one looks at the matter. *
/The historian did justice, for better or worse, to the careers of
several famous men./ 2. Under any eventuality; forever; always. *
/Alex and Masha decided to leave Moscow and come to Chicago, for
better or for worse./ 3. (Marriage vows) Forever, for as long as one
may live. * /With this ring I thee wed, for richer or poorer, in
sickness and in health, for better or worse, til death do us part./
[forbid] See: GOD FORBID.
[for broke] See: GO FOR BROKE.
[force] See: IN FORCE, JOIN FORCES.
[force one's hand] {v. phr.} To make you do something or tell what
you will do sooner than planned. * /Ben did not want to tell where he
was going, but his friend forced his hand./ * /Mr. Smith planned to
keep his land until prices went up, but he had so many doctor bills
that it forced his hand./
[force play] or [force-out] {n.} A play in baseball in which a
runner is out because he does not run to the next base before the
fielder with the ball touches the base. * /Bob was out at second base
when Joe hit into a force play./
[for certain] See: FOR SURE.
[for crying out loud] {informal} Used as an exclamation to show
that you feel surprised or cross. * /For crying out loud, look who's
here!/ * /For crying out loud, that's the third time you've done it
wrong./ Compare: FOR ONE'S SAKE.
[for days on end] {adv. phr.} For a long time; for many days. *
/The American tourists tried to get used to Scottish pronunciation for
days on end, but still couldn't understand what the Scots were
saying./
[for dear life] {adv. phr.} As though afraid of losing your life. *
/He was running for dear life toward town./ * /When the horse began to
run, she held on for dear life./
[fore] See: TO THE FORE.
[foremost] See: FIRST AND FOREMOST.
[forest] See: CAN'T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES or CAN'T SEE THE
FOREST FOR THE TREES.
[forever and a day] {adv. phr.}, {informal} For a seemingly endless
time; forever; always. Used for emphasis. * /We waited forever and a
day to find out who won the contest./ * /They promised to remain
friends forever and a day./
[forever and ever] {adv. phr.} Forever; always. - Used for
emphasis, usually about spiritual things. * /God will live forever and
ever./
[for example] or [for instance] {adv. phr.} As an example; as
proof; to give an example or illustration. * /Not only rich men become
President. For example, Lincoln was born poor./ * /There are jobs more
dangerous than truck driving; for instance, training lions./ Compare:
FOR ONE THING.
[for fear] Because of fear. * /He left an hour early for fear of
missing his train./ * /She worried for fear that the child would be
hurt./
[for fear of] {adv. phr.} Because of being afraid of something; on
account of being scared. * /Dave refuses to go to Europe for fear of
an airplane crash and for fear of a shipwreck./
[for free] {adj. phr.}, {substandard} Without having to pay; free.
* /Hey you guys, look at this balloon! They're for free down at the
new store./
[for fun] {prep. phr.} As amusement, not seriously, as a joke. *
/Let's try to play Beethoven's Emperor Concerto together, you on one
piano, and I on another one./ Compare: IN FUN.
[forget] See: FORGIVE AND FORGET.
[forget oneself] {v. phr.} To do something one should have
remembered not to do; do something below one's usual conduct although
one knows better; let one's self-control slip. * /He forgot himself
only once at dinner - when he belched./ * /He knew he should hold his
temper, but because of the trouble he forgot himself and began to
shout./
[forgive and forget] {v.} To have no bad feelings about what
happened in the past. * /After the argument the boys decided to
forgive and forget./ Syn.: LET BYGONES BE BYGONES, LIVE AND LET LIVE.
[for good] also [for good and all] Permanently, forever, for
always. * /The lost money was gone for good./ * /He hoped that the
repairs would stop the leak for good./ * /When John graduated from
school, he decided that he was done with study for good and all./
Syn.: FOR KEEPS(2).
[for good measure] {adv. phr.} As something more added to what is
expected or needed; as an extra. * /He sold me the car at a cheap
price and included the radio for good measure./ * /She puts in the
spices the recipe calls for and then adds an extra pinch for good
measure./ Compare: IN THE BARGAIN, TO BOOT.
[for granted] See: TAKE FOR GRANTED.
[for Heaven's sake!] {adv. phr.} Please. * /"Help me, for Heaven's
sake!" the injured man cried./
[for hours on end] {adv. phr.} For many hours; for a very long
time. * /We have been trying to get this computer going for hours on
end, but we need serious professional help./
[for instance] See: FOR EXAMPLE.
[for it] See: RUN FOR IT.
[for keeps] {adv. phr.} 1. For the winner to keep. * /They played
marbles for keeps./ 2. {informal} For always; forever, * /He left town
for keeps./ Syn.: FOR GOOD. 3. Seriously, not just for fun. * /This is
not a joke, it's for keeps./ - Often used in the phrase "play for
keeps". * /The policeman knew that the robber was trying to shoot him.
He was playing for keeps./
[forked tongue] See: SPEAK WITH A FORKED TONGUE.
[fork over a lot of money] {v. phr.} To pay an excessive amount of
money often unwillingly. * /"According to my divorce decree," Alan
complained, "I have to fork over a lot of money to my ex-wife every
month."/
[fork over] or [fork out] also [fork up] {v.} To pay; pay out. *
/He had to fork over fifty dollars to have the car repaired./ Compare:
HAND OVER.
[for laughs] {adv. phr.} For pleasure; for fun; as a joke. * /The
college boys climbed up into the girls' dorms and stole some of their
dresses just for laughs, but they were punished all the same./
[for love or money] {adv. phr.} For anything; for any price. Used
in negative sentences. * /I wouldn't give him my dog for love or
money./ Compare: FOR ALL THE WORLD(1).
[form] See: RAN TRUE TO FORM.
[for no man] See: TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN.
[for one] As the first of several possible examples; as one
example. * /Manv people do not like certain foods. I for one do not
like cabbage./ - Also used with similar words instead of "one". *
/Several materials can be used to make the box: plywood, for one;
masonite, for another; sheet metal, for a third./
[for one's money] {prep. phr.} Regarding one's endorsement or
support; as far as one is concerned. * /For my money, the best
candidate for Congress is Ms. Smith./
[for one's part] also [on one's part] {adv. phr.} As far as you are
concerned; the way you feel or think. * /I don't know about you, but
for my part I don't want to go to that place./ Compare: AS FOR.
[for one thing] {adv. phr.} As one thing of several; as one in a
list of things. * /The teacher said, "You get a low mark, for one
thing, because you did not do your homework."/ * /The house was poorly
built; for one thing, the roof leaked./ Compare: FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE
FIRST PLACE.
[for real(1)] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not practice or play;
earnest, real, serious. * /The war games were over now. This battle
was for real./
[for real(2)] {adv. phr.}, {substandard} Not for practice; really;
seriously. * /Let's do our work for real./
[for one's sake] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Used with different
possessive nouns to show surprise, crossness, or impatience. * /For
heaven's sake, where did you come from?/ * /For Pete's sake, look
who's here!/ * /Well, for pity's sake, I wish you'd told me sooner./ *
/Oh, for gosh sake, let me do it./
[for shame] {interj.} Shame on you; you should be ashamed of
yourself. - An exclamation no longer in common use, having been
largely replaced by "shame on you". * /"For shame, John, taking the
toy from your baby brother!"/
[for short] {adv. phr.} So as to make shorter; as an abbreviation
or nickname. * /The boy's name was Humperdink, or "Dink" for short./ *
/The National Broadcasting Company is called NBC for short./
[for sure] or [for certain] {adv. phr.} 1. Without doubt;
certainly; surely. * /He couldn't tell for sure from a distance
whether it was George or Tom./ * /He didn't know for certain which bus
to take./ * /I know for certain that he has a car./ 2. {slang}
Certain. * /"That car is smashed so badly it's no good any more."
"That's for sure!"/ Compare: SURE THING.
[fort] See: HOLD THE FORT.
[forth] See: AND SO FORTH, BACK AND FORTH, CALL FORTH, HOLD FORTH,
SET FORTH.
[for that matter] {adv. phr.} With regard to that; about that. * /I
don't know, and for that matter, I don't care./ * /Alice didn't come,
and for that matter, she didn't even telephone./ Compare: MATTER OP
FACT,
[for the asking] {adv. phr.} By asking; by asking for it; on
request. * /John said I could borrow his bike any time. It was mine
for the asking./ * /Teacher said her advice was free for the asking./
[for the best] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} good or best; not bad as
thought; lucky; well, happily. * /Maybe it's for the best that your
team lost; now you know how the other boys felt./ * /John's parents
thought it would be for the best if he stayed out of school for the
rest of the year./ Often used in the phrase "turn out for the best". *
/You feel unhappy now because you got sick and couldn't go with your
friends, but it will all turn out for the best./ Compare: TURN OUT(6).
Contrast: FOR THE WORSE.
[for the better] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} With a better result; for
something that is better. * /The doctor felt that moving Father to a
dry climate would be for the better./ * /The new large print in the
book is a change for the better./ Compare: TAKE A TURN. Contrast: FOR
THE WORSE.
[for the birds] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Not interesting; dull; silly;
foolish; stupid. * /I think history is for the birds./ * /I saw that
movie. It's for the birds./
[for the books] See: ONE FOR THE BOOKS.
[for the devil] or [heck] or [the hell of it] {adv. phr.} For no
specific reason; just for sport and fun. * /We poured salt into Uncle
Tom's coffee, just for the heck of it./ See: DEVIL OF IT.
[for the hills] See: HEAD FOR THE HILLS.
[for the life of one] {adv.}, {informal} No matter how hard you
try. - Used for emphasis with negative statements. * /I can't for the
life of me remember his name./
[for the moon] See: ASK FOR THE MOON or CRY FOR THE MOON.
[for the most part] {adv. phr.} In general; mostly; most of the
time; commonly; generally. * /European countries are, for the most
part, tired of war./ Syn.: BY AND LARGE, ON THE WHOLE.
[for the nonce] See: FOR THE TIME BEING.
[for the ride] See: ALONG FOR THE RIDE.
[for the sake of] or [for one's sake] {adv. phr.} On behalf of; for
the benefit of. * /For the sake of truth and freedom, Dr. Sakharov,
the Soviet dissident, was willing to be banished from Moscow./ * /"Do
it for my sake, please!" Tom begged./
[for the time being] also {literary} [for the nonce] {adv. phr.}
For now; for a while; temporarily. * /I haven't any note paper, but
this envelope will do for the time being./ * /She hasn't found an
apartment yet; she's staying with her aunt for the time being./
[for the world] See: NOT FOR THE WORLD.
[for the worse] {adj. phr.} or {adv. phr.} For something that is
worse or not as good, with a worse result. * /He bought a new car but
it turned out to be for the worse./ * /The sick man's condition
changed for the worse./ Compare: TAKE A TURN. Contrast: FOR THE
BETTER.
[for to] {prep. phr.}, {dialect} So that you can; to. * /Simple
Simon went a-fishing for to catch a whale./ Syn.: IN ORDER TO.
[forty winks] {n. phr.}, {informal} A short period of sleep; a nap.
* /When the truck driver felt sleepy, he stopped by the side of the
road to catch forty winks./ Compare: SHUT-EYE.
[forward] See: BACKWARD AND FORWARD, LOOK FORWARD TO, PUT ONE'S
BEST FOOT FORWARD.
[forward wall] {n.} The line of a football team. * /Princeton 's
line outplayed the Rutgers forward wall./
[for you] See: THAT'S --- FOR YOU.
[foul ball] {n.} A batted baseball that lands outside the foul
line. * /Mickey hit a long foul ball that landed on the roof./
[foul line] {n.} 1. Either of two lines separating fair from foul
ground in baseball. * /Willie hit the ball just inside the foul line
for a double./ 2. A line across the upper end of a bowling alley
across which a bowler must not step. * /John bowled a strike but it
didn't count because he stepped over the foul line./ 3. A line on the
floor in front of the basket in basketball, from which foul shots are
made. * /Tony scored eight points from the foul line./
[foul out] {v.} 1. To make an out in baseball by hitting a foul fly
ball that is caught. * /He fouled out to the catcher./ 2. To be forced
to leave a basketball game because of getting more than the limit
number of personal fouls. * /A professional basketball player is
allowed six personal fouls before fouling out./
[foul play] {n.} Treachery; a criminal act (such as murder). *
/After they discovered the dead body, the police suspected foul play./
* /"She must have met with foul play," the chief inspector said when
they couldn't find the 12-year-old girl who had disappeared./
[foul shot] {n.} A free throw given in basketball to a player who
has been fouled. * /Tony was given two foul shots when he was fouled
while trying to shoot./ Compare: FIELD GOAL 2, FREE THROW.
[foul up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To make dirty. * /The birds fouled up
his newly washed car./ 2. To tangle up. * /He tried to throw a lasso
but he got the rope all fouled up./ 3. To ruin or spoil by stupid
mistakes; botch. * /He fouled the whole play up by forgetting his
part./ 4. To make a mistake; to blunder. * /Blue suit and brown socks!
He had fouled up again./ 5. To go wrong. * /Why do some people foul up
and become criminals?/
[foul-up] {n.} (stress on "foul") 1. {informal} A confused
situation; confusion; mistake. * /The luncheon was handled with only
one or two foul-ups./ 2. {informal} A breakdown. * /There was a
foul-up in his car's steering mechanism./ 3. {slang} A person who
fouls up or mixes things. * /He had gotten a reputation as a foul-up./
[foundation garment] {n.} A close-fitting garment designed for
women to wear underneath their clothes to make them look slim; a piece
of woman's underwear. * /Jane wears a foundation garment under her
evening dress./
[four] See: HIT ON ALL FOUR, ON ALL FOURS.
[four bits] {n.}, {slang} Fifty cents. * /Tickets to the play are
four bits," said Bill./ Compare: TWO BITS.
[four corners] {n.} All parts of a place. * /People came from the
four corners of the world to see him./ * /He has been to the four
corners of the country./ Compare: ALL OVER.
[four-eyes] {n.}, {slang} A person who wears glasses. - A rude
expression, * /Hey, four-eyes, come over here./
[four-leaf clover] {n.} A small green plant with four leaves which
many people think means good luck because clover plants usually have
three leaves. * /John has a four-leaf clover in his pocket. He thinks
he will have good luck now./
[fourth class] {n.} A class of mail that is not sealed and weighs a
pound or more, that includes things that are bought and sold and sent
in the mail, and printed things that are not second or third class
mail. * /Bill sent away 98 cereal box tops and a dollar and got back a
sheriff's badge and gun in the mail by fourth class./
[fourth-class(1)] {adj.} Belonging to the fourth class of mail. *
/The package weighed a pound and a half, so it had to be sent by
fourth-class mail./
[fourth-class(2)] {adv.} By fourth-class mail. * /How did the
company mail the package? Fourth-class./
[fourth world] {n.}, {informal} The poor nations of the world, as
distinguished from the oil-rich nations of the third world. * /Sri
Lanka will never join OPEC, since it is a fourth world nation./
[fowl] See: NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL.
[fox and geese] {n. phr.} A tag game in which the player
representing the fox tries to catch one of the players representing
geese as they run around the outside of a circle.
[fraidy-cat] or [fraid-cat] or [scaredy-cat] or [scared cat] {n.},
{informal} A shy person; someone who is easily frightened. - Usually
used by or to children. * /Tom was a fraidy-cat and wouldn't go in the
water./
[frame of mind] {n. phr.} One's mental outlook; the state of one's
psychological condition, * /There is no use trying to talk to him
while he is in such a negative frame of mind./
[freak] {n.}, {slang} 1. A good, or well-liked person, the opposite
of a square, someone with long hair and who is likely (or known) to be
a marijuana smoker or a drug user. Also said of homosexuals. * /Is Joe
a square, establishment type? - Oh no, he's a regular freak./ 2. [---
freak] An enthusiast, a person who does or cultivates something in
excess. * /Ellen is a film-freak./
[freak-out(1)] {n.}, {slang} An act of losing control; a situation
that is bizarre or unusual. * /The party last night was a regular
freak-out./
[freak out(2)] {v. phr.}, {slang} To lose control over one's
conscious self due to the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. * /Joe
freaked out last night./
[free] See: FOR FREE, MAKE FREE, MAKE FREE WITH, OF ONE'S OWN
ACCORD or OF ONE'S OWN FREE WILL.
[free agent] {n.} A professional player who does not have a
contract with a team. * /The Giants signed two free agents who had
been released by the Cardinals./
[free and easy] {adj.} Not strict; relaxed or careless. * /The
teacher was free and easy with his students./ * /He had a free and
easy way of acting that attracted many friends./ * /They were free and
easy with their money and it was soon gone./
[free ball] {n.} A ball in football that is in play, that is not in
the possession of anyone, that is not a legally thrown forward pass,
and that belongs to the first team which can grab it. * /A Notre Dame
player fell on a free ball and recovered it for his team./
[free enterprise] {n. phr.} A system in which private business is
controlled by as few government rules as possible. * /The United
States is proud of its free enterprise./
[free hand] {n.} Great freedom. * /The teacher had a free hand in
her classroom./ * /Bob put paint on the fence with a free hand./
Compare: FREE REIN.
[freeload] {v.} To have oneself supported in terms of food and
housing at someone else's expense. * /When are you guys going to stop
freeloading and do some work?/
[free rein] {n.} Freedom to do what you want. * /The king had free
rein in his country./ * /Father is strict with the children, but
Mother gives them free rein./ Compare: FREE HAND.
[free throw] {n.} A shot at the basket in basketball without
interference from opponents. * /Mike scored the winning point on a
free throw./ Compare: FIELD GOAL(2), FOUL SHOT.
[free-for-all] {n.} 1. Unlimited, free access to something
everybody wants. * /The Smith's party was a lavish free-for-all;
everybody could eat and drink as much as they wanted./ 2. A barroom,
tavern, or street fight in which everybody participates. * /The
celebration after the soccer game victory turned into an
uncontrollable free-for-all./
[freeze] See: BLOOD RUNS COLD or BLOOD FREEZES.
[freeze one's blood] See: BLOOD RUNS COLD.
[freeze out] {v.}, {informal} To force out or keep from a share or
part in something by unfriendly or dishonest treatment. * /The other
boys froze John out of the club./
[freeze over] {v.} To become covered with ice. * /The children
wanted the lake to freeze over so they could ice-skate./
[French fried potato] or [French fry] {n.} A narrow strip of potato
fried in deep fat. - Usually used in the plural. * /Sue ordered a
hamburger and french fries./
[French leave] {n.} The act of slipping away from a place secretly
and without saying good-bye to anyone. * /"It's getting late," Rob
whispered to Janet. "Let's take French leave and get out of here."/
[fresh from] {adj.} Recently returned from; experienced in. * /Tom
was fresh from two years in Paris and was very condescending in
matters pertaining to cuisine and wines./
[friction tape] {n.} Black cloth tape with one sticky side used
around electric wires. * /The boy fixed his cracked baseball bat with
some friction tape./
[Friday] See: GIRL FRIDAY.
[friend] See: BOY FRIEND, FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND, GIRL FRIEND, LADY
FRIEND, MAKE FRIENDS.
[friends with] Friendly to; a friend of. * /Alice found several
girls to be friends with on the first day of school./ * /At first I
didn't like John, but now I am friends with him./
[frightened out of one's wits] See: OUT OF ONE'S WITS.
[frightened to death] See: TO DEATH.
[fritter away] See: FOOL AWAY.
[fro] See: TO AND FRO.
[frog] See: BIG FROG IN A SMALL POND, LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND.
[from bad to worse] See: GO FROM BAD TO WORSE.
[from grace] See: FALL FROM GRACE.
[from hand to hand] {adv. phr.} From one person to another and
another. * /The box of candy was passed from hand to hand./ * /Jane
brought her engagement ring, and it passed from hand to hand until all
the girls had admired it./
[from hand to mouth] See: LIVE FROM HAND TO MOUTH.
[from little acorns] See: GREAT OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW.
[from Missouri] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Doubtful; suspicious. * /Don't
try to fool me. I'm from Missouri./
[from mouth to mouth] {adv. phr.} See: BY WORD OF MOUTH.
[from pillar to post] {adv. phr.} From one place to another many
times. * /Sarah's father changed jobs several times a year, and the
family was moved from pillar to post./
[from rags to riches] {adv. phr.} Suddenly making a fortune;
becoming rich overnight. * /The Smiths went from rags to riches when
they unexpectedly won the lottery./
[from scratch] {adv. phr.}, {informal} With no help from anything
done before; from the beginning; from nothing. * /Dick built a radio
from scratch./ * /In sewing class, Mary already knew how to sew a
little, but Jane had to start from scratch./ Compare: FROM THE GROUND
UP.
[from the bottom of one's heart] or [with all one's heart] {adv.
phr.} With great feeling; sincerely. * /A mother loves a baby from the
bottom of her heart./ * /John thanked his rescuer from the bottom of
his heart./ * /The people welcomed the returning soldiers from the
bottom of their hearts./
[from the door] See: KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR.
[from the ground up] {adv. phr.} From the beginning; entirely;
completely. * /After the fire they had to rebuild their cabin from the
ground up./ * /Sam knows about baseball from the ground up./ * /The
new cars have been changed from the ground up./
[from the heart] {adv.} Sincerely; honestly. * /John always speaks
from the heart./
[from the word "go"] {adv. phr.} From start to finish; completely.
* /He may look French but he is a New Yorker from the word "go."/
[from time to time] {adv. phr.} Not often; not regularly;
sometimes; occasionally; at one time and then again at another time. *
/Even though the Smiths have moved, we still see them from time to
time./ * /Mother tries new recipes from time to time, but the children
never like them./ Syn.: NOW AND THEN, AT TIMES, ONCE IN A WHILE.
Compare: BY FITS AND STARTS, OFF AND ON.
[from --- to ---] 1. Used with a repeated word to show that
something keeps on. Without ending. * /The world grows wiser from age
to age./ * /He goes from day to day without changing his necktie./ -
Also used in a short form like an adjective. * /The superintendent
spends more time on plans for the future, and the principal handles
the day-to-day problems of the school./ 2. Used with a repeated word
to show that something happens again and again. * /She sells face
cream from door to door./ * /The artist goes from place to place
painting pictures./ - Also used in a short form like an adjective. *
/Mr. Roberts began as a door-to-door salesman, and now is president of
the company./ 3. Used with words showing opposite or extreme limits,
often to emphasize that something is very large or complete. * /The
eagle's wings measured six feet from tip to tip./ * /Sarah read the
book from cover to cover./ * /Mrs. Miller's dinner included everything
from soup to nuts./ * /That book is a bestseller from Maine to
California./ * /The captain looked the boy over from head to foot./ *
/The dog sniffed the yard from end to end in search of a bone./ *
/This new car has been redesigned from top to bottom./ * /That
bookstore has books on everything from archery to zoology./ * /The
television show was broadcast from coast to coast./ * /He knows
mathematics from A to Z./ - Sometimes used in a short form like an
adjective. * /The airplane made a non-stop coast-to-coast flight./
[from under] See: OUT FROM UNDER, PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER.
[from way back] {adv. phr.} From a previous time; from a long time
ago. * /They have known one another from way back when they went to
the same elementary school./
[front] See: IN FRONT OF.
[front and center] {adv.}, {slang} Used as a command to a person to
go to someone who wants him. * /Front and center, Smith. The boss
wants to see you./
[front court] {n.} The half of a basketball court that is a
basketball team's offensive zone. * /The guard brought the ball up to
the front court./
[front office] {n.}, {informal} The group of persons who manage a
business; the officers. * /The front office decides how much the
workers are paid./
[frown upon] {v. phr.} To look with disfavor upon somebody or
something. * /Everybody in her family frowns upon her attachment to
him./
[fruitcake] See: NUTTY AS A FRUITCAKE.
[fry] See: OTHER FISH TO FRY, OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE,
SMALL FRY.
[fuck around] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} 1. To be
promiscuous. * /John fucks around with the secretaries./ 2. To play at
something without purpose, to mess around. * /He doesn't accomplish
anything, because he fucks around so much./
[fuck off] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} 1. Go away! * /Can't
you see you're bothering me? Fuck off!/ 2. To be lazy. * /John said "I
don't feel like working, so I'll fuck off today."/ Compare: BEAT IT,
GOOF OFF.
[fuck up] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} To make a mess of
something or oneself. * /Because he was totally unprepared, he fucked
up his exam./ * /He is so fucked up he doesn't know whether he is
coming or going./
[fuck-up] {n.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} A mess; a badly botched
situation. * /What a fuck-up the dissolution of the USSR created!/
[fuddy-duddy] {n.} A person whose ideas and habits are
old-fashioned. * /His students think Professor Jones is an old
fuddy-duddy./
[fuel] See: ADD FUEL TO THE FLAME.
[full] See: HAVE ONE'S HANDS FULL, IN FULL SWING, TO THE FULL.
[full blast] {adv.} At full capacity. * /With all the research
money at their disposal, the new computer firm was going ahead full
blast./
[full-bodied] {adj.} Mature; of maximum quality. * /The wines from
that region in California have a rich, full-bodied flavor./
[full-fledged] {adj.} Having everything that is needed to be
something; complete. * /A girl needs three years of training to be a
full-fledged nurse./ * /The book was a full-fledged study of American
history./
[full of beans] {adj. phr.}, {slang} 1. Full of pep; feeling good;
in high spirits. * /The football team was full of beans after winning
the tournament./ * /The children were full of beans as they got ready
for a picnic./ 2. also [full of prunes] Being foolish and talking
nonsense. * /You are full of prunes; that man's not 120 years old./
[full of it] See: FULL OF THE OLD NICK.
[full of oneself] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Interested only in
yourself. * /Joe would be a nice boy if he would stop being so full of
himself./ Compare: BIG HEAD.
[full of prunes] See: FULL OF BEANS(2).
[full of the moon] {n. phr.}, {literary} The moon when it is seen
as a full circle; the time of a full moon. * /The robbers waited for a
dark night when the full of the moon was past./ Contrast: DARK OF THE
MOON.
[full of the Old Nick] or [full of the devil] or [full of it] {adj.
phr.}, {informal} Always making trouble; naughty; bad. * /That boy is
full of the Old Nick./
[full tilt] {adv.} At full speed; at high speed. * /He ran full
tilt into the door and broke his arm./
[fun] See: MAKE FUN OF.
[fun and games] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A party or other
entertaining event. 2. Something trivially easy. 3. Petting, or sexual
intercourse. 4. (Ironically) An extraordinary difficult task. * /How
was your math exam? (With a dismayed expression): - Yeah, it was all
fun and games, man./
[fun house] {n.} A place where people see many funny things and
have tricks played on them to make them laugh or have a good time. *
/The boys and girls had a good time looking at themselves in mirrors
in the fun house./
[funny bone] {n.} 1. The place at the back of the elbow that hurts
like electricity when accidentally hit. * /He hit his funny bone on
the arm of the chair./ 2. or {informal} [crazy bone] Sense of humor;
understanding jokes. * /Her way of telling the story tickled his funny
bone./
[fur] See: MAKE THE FUR FLY.
[furious] See: FAST AND FURIOUS.
[fuse] See: BLOW A FUSE.
[fuss] See: KICK UP A FUSS.
[fuss and feathers] {n.}, {informal} Unnecessary bother and
excitement. * /She is full of fuss and feathers this morning./
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