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Словарь американских идиом 8000 единиц - Letter K.
[kangaroo court] {n.} A self-appointed group that decides what to
do to someone who is supposed to have done wrong. * /The Chicago mob
held a kangaroo court and shot the gangster who competed with Al
Capone./
[keel] See: ON AN EVEN KEEL.
[keel over] {v.} 1. To turn upside down; tip over; overturn. -
Usually refers to a boat. * /The strong wind made the sailboat keel
over and the passengers fell into the water./ 2. {informal} To fall
over in a faint; taint. * /It was so hot during the assembly program
that two girls who were standing on the stage keeled over./ * /When
the principal told the girl her father died, she keeled right over./
[keen about] or [on] {adj. phr.} Very enthusiastic about someone or
something. * /It is well known that Queen Elizabeth is keen on
horses./
[keep abreast (of) someone] or [something] {v. phr.} To be informed
of the latest developments. * /It is difficult to keep abreast of all
the various wars that are being waged on planet Earth./ Compare: KEEP
STEP WITH.
[keep a civil tongue in one's head] {v. phr.} To be polite in
speaking. * /He was very angry with his boss, but he kept a civil
tongue in his head./ * /The bus driver began yelling at the woman and
she told him to keep a civil tongue in his head./
[keep a close check on] See: KEEP TAB(S) ON.
[keep after] {v.}, {informal} To speak to (someone) about something
again and again; remind over and over again. * /Some pupils will do
sloppy work unless the teacher keeps after them to write neatly./ *
/Sue's mother had to keep after her to clean her bedroom./
[keep an ear to the ground] See: EAR TO THE GROUND.
[keep an eye on] or [keep one's eye on] or [have one's eye on] {v.
phr.} 1. To watch carefully; not stop paying attention to. * /Keep an
eye on the stove in case the coffee boils./ * /You must keep your eye
on the ball when you play tennis./ * /A good driver keeps his eye on
the road./ * /The teacher had her eye on me because she thought I was
cheating./ * /Billy keeps a jealous eye on his toys./ * /The lion
tamer keeps a sharp eye on the lions when he is in the cage./ Compare:
LOOK OUT, LOOK OVER. 2. To watch and do what is needed for; mind. *
/Mother told Jane to keep an eye on the baby while she was in the
store./ * /Mr. Brown told John to keep an eye on the store while he
was out./ Syn.: TAKE CARE OF(1).
[keep an eye open] or [keep an eye out for] See: KEEP AN EYE ON.
[keep an eye out] See: EYE OUT.
[keep a stiff upper lip] {v. phr.} To be brave; face trouble
bravely. * /He was very much worried about his sick daughter, but he
kept a stiff upper lip./ * /Although he was having some trouble with
the engine, the pilot kept a stiff upper lip and landed the plane
safely./ Compare: KEEP ONE'S CHIN UP.
[keep a straight face] See: STRAIGHT FACE, DEADPAN.
[keep at] {v.} To continue to do; go on with. * /Mary kept at her
homework until she finished it./ Compare: KEEP ON(1), KEEP UP(1b).
[keep away] {v. phr.} To remain at a distance from. * /Her mother
advised Diane to keep away from men offering a ride./
[keep back] {v. phr.} To refrain or be restrained from entering;
remain back. * /The police had a hard time keeping back the crowd when
the astronauts came to town after walking on the moon./
[keep body and soul together] {v. phr.} To keep alive; survive. *
/John was unemployed most of the year and hardly made enough money to
keep body and soul together./ Compare: KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR.
[keep books] {v. phr.} To keep records of money gained and spent;
do the work of a bookkeeper. * /Miss Jones keeps the company's books./
[keep company] {v. phr.} 1. To stay or go along with (someone) so
that he will not be lonely to visit with (someone). * /John kept Andy
company while his parents went to the movies./ * /I'll go shopping
with you just to keep you company./ 2. To go places together as a
couple; date just one person. * /After keeping company for one year,
Mary and John decided to marry./ * /Who is Bill keeping company with
now?/ Compare: GO STEADY.
[keep cool] {v. phr.} Remain calm; remain unexcited. * /The main
thing to remember in an emergency situation is to not lose one's head
and keep cool./
[keep down] {v.} Keep from progressing or growing; keep within
limits; control. * /The children could not keep their voices down./ *
/We hoe the garden to keep down the weeds./ * /You can't keep a good
man down./ Compare: GET AHEAD.
[keeper] See: FINDERS KEEPERS.
[keep from] {v.}, {informal} To hold yourself back from; stop or
prevent yourself from (doing something). * /Can you keep from
repeating gossip?/ * /Jill can't keep from talking about her trip./ -
Usually used with "can" in the negative. * /You can't keep from liking
Jim./ Compare: CAN HELP.
[keep good time] See: KEEP TIME.
[keep house(1)] {v. phr.} To do the necessary things in a
household; do the cooking and cleaning. * /Since their mother died,
Mary and her brother keep house for their father./
[keep house(2)] also [play house] {v. phr.}, {informal} To live
together without being married. * /Bob and Nancy keep house these
days./
[keeping] See: IN KEEPING, OUT OF KEEPING.
[keep in mind] See: IN MIND.
[keep in touch with] {v. phr.} To remain in communication with;
maintain contact with. * /Don't forget to keep in touch, either by
letter or phone, when you're in Europe!/
[keep late hours] {v. phr.} To go to bed late; habitually stay up
(and work) late. * /"If you always keep such late hours, your health
might suffer," Tom's doctor said./
[keep off] {v. phr.} To refrain from entering; stay away from. *
/"Keep off the grass," the sign in the park indicated./
[keep on] {v.} 1. To go ahead; not stop; continue. * /The neighbors
asked them to stop making noise, but they kept right on./ * /Columbus
kept on until he saw land./ - Often used before a present participle.
* /Relentlessly, the boy kept on asking about the birds and the bees./
* /The boy kept on talking even though the teacher had asked him to
stop./ Syn.: GO ON. Compare: KEEP AT, KEEP UP. 2. To allow to continue
working for you. * /The new owner kept Fred on as gardener./
[keep one at a distance] or [keep one at arm's length] {v. phr.} To
avoid (someone's) company; not become too friendly toward. * /Mr.
Smith is kind to the workers in his store but after work he keeps them
at a distance./ * /Betty likes Bill and is trying to be friendly, but
he keeps her at arm's length./ Compare: KEEP ONE'S DISTANCE, HOLD
OFF(1a).
[keep (one) posted] {v. phr.} To receive current information;
inform oneself. * /My associates phoned me every day and kept me
posted on new developments in our business./
[keep one's balance] {v. phr.} To stay even-tempered; not become
overexcited. * /Mike has the best personality to run our office; he
always keeps his balance./ Contrast: LOSE ONE'S BALANCE.
[keep one's chin up] {v. phr.} To be brave; be determined; face
trouble with courage. * /He didn't think that he would ever get out of
the jungle alive, but he kept his chin up./ Compare: KEEP A STIFF
UPPER LIP.
[keep one's distance] {v. phr.} To be cool toward someone; avoid
being friendly. * /Mary did not like her co-worker, Betty, and kept
her distance from her./ Compare: KEEP ONE AT A DISTANCE.
[keep one's end up] See: HOLD ONE'S END UP.
[keep one's eye on] See: KEEP AN EYE ON.
[keep one's eye on the ball] {v. phr.} 1. To watch the ball at all
times in a sport, usually in order to hit it or get it; not stop
watching the ball. * /Keep your eye on the baseball or you won't be
able to hit it./ 2. {informal} To be watchful and ready; be wide-awake
and ready to win or succeed; be smart. * /Tom is just starting on the
job but if he keeps his eye on the ball, he will be promoted./
Compare: ON THE BALL, KEEP AN EYE ON or KEEP ONE'S EYE ON or HAVE
ONE'S EYE ON.
[keep one's eyes open] See: EYES OPEN.
[keep one's eyes peeled] or [keep one's eyes skinned] {v. phr.},
{informal} To watch carefully; be always looking. * /The bird-watcher
kept his eyes peeled for bluebirds./ * /When the boys walked through
the roads, they kept their eyes skinned for snakes./ Compare: EYES
OPEN(1), EYE OUT.
[keep one's feet] {v. phr.} To keep from falling or slipping down;
keep your balance; remain standing. * /The boy stumbled on the stairs
but was able to keep his feet./ Compare: REGAIN ONE'S FEET.
[keep one's feet on the ground] See: FEET ON THE GROUND.
[keep one's fingers crossed] See: CROSS ONE'S FINGERS(1b).
[keep one's hand in] {v. phr.} To keep in practice; continue to
take part. * /After he retired from teaching, Mr. Brown kept his hand
in by giving a lecture once in a while./ * /Mr. Smith left the
planning of the trip to his wife, but he kept his hand in, too./
Compare: KEEP UP.
[keep one's head] also [keep one's wits about one] {v. phr.} To
stay calm when there is trouble or danger. * /When Tim heard the fire
alarm he kept his head and looked for the nearest exit./ Compare:
COUNT TO TEN. Contrast: LOSE ONE'S HEAD.
[keep one's head above water] {v. phr.} To remain solvent; manage
to stay out of debt. * /Herb's income declined so drastically that he
now has difficulty keeping his head above water./
[keep one's mouth shut] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be or stay silent.
- A rude expression when used as a command. * /When the crooks were
captured by the police, their leader warned them to keep their mouths
shut./ * /Charles began to tell Barry how to kick the ball, and Barry
said angrily, "Keep your mouth shut!"/ Syn.: SHUT UP(1).
[keep one's nose clean] {v. phr.}, {slang} To stay out of trouble;
do only what you should do. * /The boss said Jim could have the job as
long as he kept his nose clean and worked hard./ * /The policeman
warned the boys to keep their noses clean unless they wanted to go to
jail./ Compare: STEER CLEAR OF(2).
[keep one's nose to the grindstone] or [have one's nose to the
grindstone] or [hold one's nose to the grindstone] {v. phr.},
{informal} To work hard all the time; keep busy with boring or
tiresome work. * /Sarah keeps her nose to the grindstone and saves as
much as possible to start her own business./
[keep one's own counsel] {v. phr.}, {formal} To keep your ideas and
plans to yourself. * /John listened to what everyone had to say in the
discussion, but he kept his own counsel./ * /Although everybody gave
Mrs. O'Connor advice about what to do with her house, she kept her own
counsel./
[keep one's shirt on] {v. phr.}, {slang} To calm down; keep from
losing your temper or getting impatient or excited. * /Bob got very
angry when John accidentally bumped into him, but John told him to
keep his shirt on./ - Usually used as a command; may be considered
impolite. * /John said to Bob, "Keep your shirt on."/ Contrast: GET
ONE'S DANDER UP.
[keep one's temper] See: HOLD ONE'S TEMPER.
[keep one's weather eye open] See: WEATHER EYE.
[keep one's wits about one] See: KEEP ONE'S HEAD.
[keep one's word] {v. phr.} To do what one has promised; fulfill
one's promise. * /Paul kept his word and paid me the $250 that he owed
me right on time./
[keep on the good side of] See: ON ONE'S GOOD SIDE.
[keep open house] {v. phr.} To offer hospitality and entertain
those who come at any given time on a certain day or afternoon. *
/Beth and Charlie have a cottage by the lake where they keep open
house on Saturday afternoons during the summer./
[keep out (of)] {v. phr.} 1. To stay out; remain out of. * /The
sign on the fence said, "Danger! Keep out!"/ 2. To stave off; not
allow in. * /The border patrol near El Paso, Texas, is trying to keep
illegal immigrants out of the United States./
[keep pace] {v. phr.} To go as fast; go at the same rate; not get
behind. * /When they go for a walk, Johnny has to take long steps to
keep pace with his father./ * /When Billy was moved to a more advanced
class, he had to work hard to keep pace./ Compare: KEEP UP(2a).
[keep plugging along] {v. phr.}, {informal} To continue to work
diligently and with great effort, often against hardship. * /Bob was
not particularly talented but he kept plugging along year after year,
and eventually became vice president./
[keeps] See: FOR KEEPS.
[keep step with] {v. phr.} To maintain the same degree of progress
as someone else. * /The United States has no choice but to keep step
with potential enemies in terms of modern defense systems./
[keep tab on] or [keep tabs on] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To keep a
record of. * /The government tries to keep tabs on all the animals in
the park./ 2. To keep a watch on; check. * /The house mother kept tabs
on the girls to be sure they were clean and neat./ Compare: KEEP TRACK
OF.
[keep the ball rolling] {v. phr.}, {informal} To keep up an
activity or action; not allow something that is happening to slow or
stop. * /Clyde kept the ball rolling at the party by dancing with a
lamp shade on his head./ Compare: GET THE BALL ROLLING.
[keep the faith] {v. phr.} To not abandon hope; stay committed to
the cause of democracy and racial equality. * /"Keep the faith, Baby,"
my neighbor said as he raised his fingers to show the "V" for victory
sign./
[keep the home fires burning] {v. phr.} To keep things going as
usual while someone is away; wait at home to welcome someone back. *
/While John was in the army, Mary kept the home fires burning./
[keep the wolf (wolves) from the door] {v. phr.} To avoid hunger,
poverty, and/or creditors. * /"I don't like my job," Mike complained,
"but I must do something to keep the wolves from the door."/ Compare:
KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER.
[keep things humming] {v. phr.} To cause thing to perform smoothly
and efficiently. * /Until Mr. Long joined our computer center, we had
all sorts of problems, but he has corrected them and really keeps
things humming./
[keep time] {v. phr.} 1. To show the right time. * /My watch has
not kept good time since I dropped it./ 2. To keep the beat; keep the
same rhythm; keep in step. * /Many people are surprised at how well
deaf people keep time with the music when they dance./
[keep to oneself] See: TO ONESELF(2).
[keep track] {v. phr.} To know about changes; stay informed or
up-to-date; keep a count or record. * /What day of the week is it? I
can't keep track./ - Usually used with "of". * /Mr. Stevens kept track
of his business by telephone when he was in the hospital./ * /The
farmer has so many chickens, he can hardly keep track of them all./
Compare: IN TOUCH, KEEP UP(3). Contrast: LOSE TRACK.
[keep under one's hat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To keep secret; not
tell. * /Mr. Jones knew who had won the contest, but he kept it under
his hat until it was announced publicly./ - Often used as a command. *
/Keep it under your hat./ Syn.: KEEP TO ONESELF.
[keep up] {v.} 1a. To go on; not stop; continue. * /The rain kept
up for two days and the roads were flooded./ Compare: KEEP ON. 1b. To
go on with (something); continue steadily; never stop. * /Mrs. Smith
told John to keep up the good work./ * /The teacher asked Dick to stop
bothering Mary, but he kept it up./ Compare: KEEP AT. 2a. To go at the
same rate as others. * /John had to work hard to keep up./ * /Billy
was the youngest boy on the hike, but he kept up with the others./
Compare: CATCH UP, KEEP PACE. Contrast: FALL BEHIND, GET BEHIND(1).
2b. To keep (something) at the same level or rate or in good
condition. * /The shortage of tomatoes kept the prices up./ *
/Grandfather was too poor to keep up his house./ 3. To keep informed.
- Usually used with "on" or "with". * /Mary is interested in politics
and always keeps up with the news./ Compare: KEEP TRACK.
[keep up appearances] {v. phr.} To maintain an outward show of
prosperity in spite of financial problems. * /Mr. Smith's widow had a
hard time keeping up appearances after her husband's death./
[keep up one's end] See: HOLD ONE'S END UP.
[keep up with] See: KEEP STEP WITH, KEEP ABREAST OF.
[keep up with the Joneses] {v. phr.} To follow the latest fashion;
try to be equal with your neighbors. * /Mrs. Smith kept buying every
new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop
trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself./
[keep watch] {v. phr.} To be vigilant; be alert; guard. * /The
police have asked the neighborhood to keep watch against an escaped
convict./
[keep your fingers crossed] See: CROSS ONE'S FINGERS.
[kettle] See: KETTLE OF FISH, POT CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK.
[kettle of fish] {v. phr.}, {informal} Something to be considered;
how things are; a happening; business. * /I thought he needed money,
but it was another kettle of fish - his car had disappeared./ -
Usually used with "pretty", "fine", "nice", but meaning bad trouble. *
/He had two flat tires and no spare on a country road at night, which
was certainly a pretty kettle of fish./ * /This is a fine kettle of
fish! I forgot my book./ Compare: CUP OP TEA(2).
[key] See: LOW KEY, OFF-KEY.
[keyed up] {adj.}, {informal} Excited; nervous; anxious to do
something. * /Mary was all keyed up about the exam./ * /Mother would
not let Tom read a ghost story at bedtime; she said it would get him
keyed up./
[kick about] See: KICK AROUND(3).
[kick against the pricks] {v. phr.}, {literary} To fight against
rules or authority in a way that just hurts yourself. * /Johnny kicked
against the pricks in his foster home until he learned that he could
trust his new family./
[kick around] {v.}, {informal} 1. To act roughly or badly to; treat
badly; bully. * /John likes to kick around the little boys./ * /Mr.
Jones is always kicking his dog around./ Syn.: PUSH AROUND. 2. To lie
around or in a place; be treated carelessly; be neglected. * /This old
coat has been kicking around the closet for years./ * /The letter
kicked around on my desk for days./ 3. {slang} To talk easily or
carelessly back and forth about; examine in a careless or easy-going
way. * /Bob and I kicked around the idea of going swimming, but it was
hot and we were too lazy./ Compare: TRY OUT, TALK OVER. 4. To move
about often; go from one job or place to another; become experienced.
* /Harry has kicked around all over the world as a merchant seaman./
Compare: HAS BEEN AROUND.
[kick back] {v.}, {slang}, {informal} To pay money illegally for
favorable contract arrangements. * /I will do it if you kick back a
few hundred for my firm./
[kickback] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} Money paid illegally for
favorable treatment. * /He was arrested for making kickback payments./
[kick down] {v. phr.}, {slang} To shift an automobile, jeep, or
truck into lower gear by hand-shifting. * /Joe kicked the jeep down
from third to second, and we slowed down./
[kick in] See: CHIP IN.
[kick in the pants] or [kick in the teeth] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Unexpected scorn or insult when praise was expected; rejection. *
/Mary worked hard to clean up John's room, but all she got for her
trouble was a kick in the teeth./ Compare: SLAP IN THE FACE.
[kick it] {v. phr.}, {slang} To end a bad or unwanted habit such as
drinking, smoking, or drug addiction. * /Farnsworth finally kicked it;
he's in good shape./
[kickoff] {n.} The start of something, like a new venture, a
business, a sports event, or a concert season. * /Beethoven's Ninth
will be the kickoff for this summer season at Ravinia./
[kick off] {v. phr.} 1. To make the kick that begins a football
game. * /John kicked off and the football game started./ 2. {informal}
To begin; launch; start. * /The candidate kicked off his campaign with
a speech on television./ * /The fund raising drive was kicked off with
a theater party./ 3. {slang} To die. * /Mr. Jones was almost ninety
years old when he kicked off./ Syn.: KICK THE BUCKET.
[kick oneself] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be sorry or ashamed;
regret. * /When John missed the train, he kicked himself for not
having left earlier./ * /Mary could have kicked herself for letting
the secret out before it was announced officially./
[kick out] or [boot out] {v.}, {informal} To make (someone) go or
leave; get rid of; dismiss. * /The boys made so much noise at the
movie that the manager kicked them out./ * /The chief of police was
booted out of office because he was a crook./ Syn.: THROW OUT(3).
[kick over] {v.} 1. Of a motor: To begin to work. * /He had not
used his car for two months and when he tried to start it, the motor
would not kick over./ 2. {slang} To pay; contribute. * /The gang
forced all the storekeepers on the block to kick over $5 a week./ 3.
{slang} To die. * /Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicked over this morning./
[kick over the traces] also [jump the traces] {v. phr.} To break
the rules; behave badly. * /When their teacher was absent and they had
a substitute, the children kicked over the traces./ Compare: ACT UP,
CUT UP, LET LOOSE, OUT OF HAND, RAISE CAIN.
[kick the bucket] {v. phr.}, {slang} To die. * /Old Mr. Jones
kicked the bucket just two days before his ninety-fourth birthday./
Compare: KICK OFF(3).
[kick up] {v.}, {informal} To show signs of not working right. *
/John had had too much to eat and his stomach started to kick up./ *
/After working well for a year the air conditioner suddenly started
kicking up./
[kick up a fuss] or [kick up a row] or [raise a row] also [kick up
a dust] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make trouble; make a disturbance. *
/When the teacher gave the class five more hours of homework, the
class kicked up a fuss./ * /When the teacher left the room, two boys
kicked up a row./ Compare: RAISE CAIN, RAISE THE ROOF.
[kick up one's heels] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have a merry time;
celebrate. * /When exams were over the students went to town to kick
up their heels./ * /Mary was usually very quiet but at the farewell
party she kicked up her heels and had a wonderful time./
[kid] See: HANDLE WITH GLOVES or HANDLE WITH KID GLOVES, HANDLE
WITHOUT GLOVES or HANDLE WITHOUT KID GLOVES.
[kiddie car] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A school
bus. * /Watch out for that kiddie car coming up behind you!/
[kill] See: CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT, IN AT THE KILL.
[kill off] {v.} To kill or end completely; destroy. * /The factory
dumped poisonous wastes into the river and killed off the fish./ *
/The president suggested a new law to Congress but many members of
Congress were against the idea and they killed it off./ * /Mother made
Nancy practice her dancing an hour every day; Nancy got tired of
dancing and that killed off her interest./
[kill the goose that laid the golden egg] To spoil something that
is good or something that you have, by being greedy. - A proverb. *
/Mrs. Jones gives you an apple from her tree whenever you go by her
house, but don't kill the goose that laid the golden egg by bothering
her too much./
[kill time] {v. phr.} To cause the time to pass more rapidly; waste
time. * /The plane trip to Hong Kong was long and tiring, but we
managed to kill time by watching several movies./
[kill two birds with one stone] {v. phr.} To succeed in doing two
things by only one action; get two results from one effort. * /Mother
stopped at the supermarket to buy bread and then went to get Jane at
dancing class; she killed two birds with one stone./ * /The history
teacher told us that making an outline kills two birds with one stone;
it makes us study the lesson till we understand it, and it gives us
notes to review before the test./
[kilter] See: OUT OF KILTER.
[kind] See: IN A WAY also IN A KIND OF WAY, IN KIND.
[kindly] See: TAKE KINDLY TO.
[kind of] or [sort of] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Almost but not
quite; rather. * /A guinea pig looks kind of like a rabbit, but it has
short ears./ * /Bob was kind of tired when he finished the job./ *
/The teacher sort of frowned but then smiled./ * /Mary wouldn't tell
what she wanted to be when she grew up; it was sort of a secret./
[kindled spirits] {n. phr.} People who resemble each other in
numerous ways, including their ways of thinking and feeling. * /They
are kindred spirits; they both like to go on long walks in the
forest./
[king's ransom] {n. phr.} 1. An excessively large sum of money
extorted by kidnappers to let someone go free. * /The Smith family had
to pay a kings ransom for the freedom of their seven-year-old son,
Tommy./ 2. An exorbitant fee one is forced to pay. * /The realtors
exacted a king's ransom for that choice lot on the comer./
[kiss someone] or [something goodbye] {v. phr.} To lose or give up
someone or something forever. * /"If you won't marry Jane," Peter said
to Tom, "you might as well kiss her goodbye."/ * /People who bet on a
losing horse at the races might as well kiss their money goodbye./
[kite] See: GO FLY A KITE.
[kitten] See: HAVE KITTENS.
[knee] See: BRING TO ONE'S KNEES, IN THE LAP OF THE GODS also ON
THE KNEES OF THE GODS, ON ONE'S KNEES, UP TO THE CHIN IN or UP TO THE
KNEE IN.
[knee-deep] or [neck-deep] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Very much;
deeply; having a big part in. * /Johnny was knee-deep in trouble./ 2.
Very busy; working hard at. * /We were neck-deep in homework before
the exams./ 3. Getting or having many or much. * /The television
station was knee-deep in phone calls./ Compare: UP TO THE CHIN IN.
[knee-high to a grasshopper] also [knee-high to a duck] {adj.
phr.}, {informal} As tall as a very small child; very young. *
/Charles started reading when he was knee-high to a grasshopper./ *
/I've known Mary ever since she was knee-high to a duck./
[kneeling bus] {n.}, {informal} A bus equipped with a hydraulic
device to enable it to drop almost to curb level for greater ease of
boarding and leaving vehicle, as a convenience for elderly or
handicapped passengers. * /The man on crutches was pleased to see the
kneeling bus./
[knell] See: DEATH KNELL.
[knit] See: CLOSE-KNIT.
[knitting] See: STICK TO ONE'S KNITTING or TEND TO ONE'S KNITTING.
[knock] See: SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.
[knock about] or [knock around] {v.} To travel without a plan; go
where you please. * /After he graduated from college, Joe knocked
about for a year seeing the country before he went to work in his
father's business./ Compare: KICK AROUND.
[knock back on one's heels] See: SET BACK ON ONE'S HEELS.
[knock cold] {v. phr.}, {informal} To render unconscious. * /The
blow on the chin knocked Harry cold./
[knock down] {v. phr.} To reduce; lower. * /The realtors said that
if we decided to buy the house, they would knock the price down by
10%./
[knocked out] {adj.}, {slang} Intoxicated; drugged; out of one's
mind. * /Jim sounds so incoherent, he must be knocked out./
[knock for a loop] or [throw for a loop] {v. phr.}, {slang} To
surprise very much. * /When I heard they were moving, I was really
knocked for a loop./ * /The news of their marriage threw me for a
loop./
[knock it off] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. To stop talking
about something considered not appropriate or nonsensical by the
listener. - Used frequently as an imperative. * /Come on, Joe, knock
it off, you're not making any sense at all!/ 2. To cease doing
something; to quit. - Heavily favored in the imperative. * /Come on
boys, knock it off, you're breaking the furniture in my room!/
[knock off] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To burglarize someone. * /They
knocked off the Manning residence./ 2. To murder someone. * /The
gangsters knocked off Herman./
[knock off one's feet] {v. phr.} To surprise (someone) so much that
he does not know what to do. * /Her husband's death knocked Mrs. Jones
off her feet./ * /When Charlie was given the prize, it knocked him off
his feet for a few minutes./ Compare: BOWL OVER(2), SWEEP OFF ONE'S
FEET.
[knock one's block off] {v. phr.}, {slang} To hit someone very
hard; beat someone up. * /Stay out of my yard or I'll knock your block
off./ * /Jim will knock your block off if he catches you riding his
bike./
[knock oneself out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To work very hard; make a
great effort. * /Mrs. Ross knocked herself out planning her daughter's
wedding./ * /Tom knocked himself out to give his guests a good time./
Compare: BREAK ONE'S NECK, FALL OVER BACKWARDS, OUT OF ONE'S WAY.
[knock on wood] {v. phr.} To knock on something made of wood to
keep from having bad luck. - Many people believe that you will have
bad luck if you talk about good luck or brag about something, unless
you knock on wood; often used in a joking way. * /Charles said, "I
haven't been sick all winter." Grandfather said, "You'd better knock
on wood when you say that."/
[knockout] {n.}, {slang} 1. Strikingly beautiful woman. * /Sue is a
regular knockout./ 2. A straight punch in boxing that causes one's
opponent to fall and lose consciousness. * /The champion won the fight
with a straight knockout./
[knock out] {v. phr.} To make helpless, unworkable, or unusable. *
/The champion knocked out the challenger in the third round./ * /The
soldier knocked out two enemy tanks with his bazooka./
[knock over] {v. phr.} To overturn; upset. * /I accidentally
knocked over the Chinese lamp that fell on size floor and broke./
[knock the living daylights out of] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To render (someone) unconscious (said in exaggeration). * /The news
almost knocked the living daylights out of me./
[knock the stuffing out of] See: KNOCK THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF.
[knot] See: TIE IN KNOTS, TIE THE KNOT.
[knotty problem] {n. phr.} A very complicated and difficult problem
to solve. * /Doing one's income tax properly can present a knotty
problem./
[know] See: FOR ALL ONE KNOWS, GOD KNOWS or GOODNESS KNOWS or
HEAVEN KNOWS, IN THE KNOW, NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN or NOT KNOW
WHICH WAY TO JUMP.
[know a thing or two about] {v. phr.} To be experienced in; have a
fairly considerable knowledge of. * /Tom has dealt with many foreign
traders; he knows a thing or two about stocks and bonds./
[know enough to come in out of the rain] {v. phr.} To have good
sense; know how to take care of yourself. - Usually used in the
negative. * /Bob does so many foolish things that his mother says he
doesn't know enough to come in out of the rain./ * /Sally may look
stupid, but she knows enough to come in out of the rain./
[know-how] {n.}, {slang} Expertise; ability to devise and
construct. * /The United States had the know-how to beat the Soviet
Union to the moon in 1969./
[know if one is coming or going] or [know whether one is coming or
going] {v. phr.} To feel able to think clearly; know what to do. -
Usually used in the negative or with limiters. * /On Monday, the car
broke down; on Tuesday, Mother broke her arm; on Wednesday, the
children all became ill with the mumps; by Thursday, poor Father
didn't know if he was coming or going./ * /My cousin is so much in
love that she scarcely knows whether she's coming or going./ Compare:
IN A FOG.
[know in one's bones] See: FEEL IN ONE'S BONES.
[know-it-all] {n.} A person who acts as if he knows all about
everything; someone who thinks no one can tell him anything new. *
/After George was elected as class president, he wouldn't take
suggestions from anyone; he became a know-it-all./ - Also used like an
adjective. * /The other students didn't like George's know-it-all
attitude./
[knowledge] See: A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING, TO THE
BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
[know one in high places] {v. phr.} To be connected with people in
power. * /Ted's grandfather was the mayor of Chicago so he knows
people in high places./
[know one is alive] {v. phr.} Not to notice a person. - Used with
negative or limiting words and in questions. * /She was a good-looking
girl but she didn't know I was alive./ Compare: GIVE A HANG.
[know one's own mind] {v. phr.} To no( hesitate or vacillate; be
definite in one's ideas or plans. * /It is impossible to do business
with Fred, because he doesn't know his own mind./
[know one's place] {v. phr.} To be deferential to one's elders or
superiors. * /Ken is a talented teaching assistant, but he has a
tendency to tell the head of the department how to run things.
Somebody ought to teach him to know his place./
[know one's way around] or [know one's way about] {v. phr.} 1. To
understand how things happen in the world; he experienced in the ways
of the world. * /The sailor had been in the wildest ports in the
world. He knew his way around./ Compare: HAVE BEEN AROUND. 2. or
{informal} [know one's onions] or [know one's stuff] To have
experience and skill in an activity. * /Before trying to make any
pottery, it is better to get advice from someone who knows his stuff
in ceramics./ Compare: DRY BEHIND THE EARS.
[know something inside out] {v. phr.} To be extremely well
conversant with something; be an expert in; have thorough knowledge
of. * /Tom knows the stock market inside out./
[know the ropes] See: THE ROPES.
[know the score] See: THE SCORE.
[know what's what] See: KNOW SOMETHING INSIDE OUT.
[know which side one's bread is buttered on] {v. phr.} To know who
can help you and try to please him; know what is for your own gain. *
/Dick was always polite to the boss; he knew which side his bread was
buttered on./
[know which way to turn] See: NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN.
[knuckle] See: BUCKLE DOWN or KNUCKLE DOWN, RAP ONE'S KNUCKLES.
[knuckle down] See: BUCKLE DOWN.
[knuckle under] {v. phr.} To do something because you are forced to
do it. * /Bobby refused to knuckle under to the bully./ Compare: GIVE
IN.
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Полезные советы/инфо от Face-Off |
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