>>3-4 >You are welcome →いろんなバラエテーを覚えましょう？ シテュエーション１ ○部下の女性にフェラチオして貰って、「サンキュー」言われれば、 「ANYTIME]＝何時でもどうぞ ○お年寄りに、電車など公共の乗り物で、席を譲り、「サンキュー」と言われれば、 「BY ALL MEANS」＝とんでもないです。どういたしまして。 ○友達を車で送ってあげて、「サンキュー」と言われれば、 「YOU BET」＝「いつも当てにしてね」 ○アメリカ人の間で、最も一般的なのが、「サンキュー」と言えば 軽く「SURE」と言われる。 「you are welcome」も普通だが、そう言われて、戸惑うのもミットもない。 ★あと、人に依頼するとき、pleaseをつけると丁寧になるがcould、wouldなどの 過去形にするといいが過去進行形が尚一層丁寧な印象を与える。 一般に、過去形にすると丁寧になるから、ホテルの予約などで、従業員が過去形を使って、 予約の確認などをした時、戸惑ってはならない。 例 （客）I have reservation for two days. （フロント）Yes, Mr. ××. You were staying in our hotel for a couple of days. （客）予約してんですけど （フロント）はい。二日間、当ホテルに御滞在の予定になっております。
Yuriko, I really like you. Will you marry me? We can have sensational sex every night. Never ending stream of my white liquid gets mixed with lemon-scented love juice of yours. It will be all over your face.
>>60 食べ物を持ち出すのは”take out”や”wrap up”が普通じゃない？ could you wrap it up for me? （持ち帰れる様）包んでくれる？ can i take it to go? 持ち帰ってもいい？（だからなんとかしてくれ） って聞いてるよ。 容器を渡されて自分でつめるスタイルの所では後者を使ってコンテーナーくださいって言えばおk "bring over"は”持ってくる”って意味だから違うと思う。
Introduced by a sportsman in 1931, this American English phrase describes a person who rebukes others for how they handled a problem and offers their own solution despite the fact that this situation is already in the past . (which makes their solution useless)
This American expression has emerged in old studios producing silent movies. It’s related to a way information is presented: “cut to the chase” stands for getting to a point and presenting crucial facts.
People say this all the time. You will hear it in school, in business, and in casual cultural references. The “box” in the case, represents what’s been done, the standard, something that’s boring or something everyone else is doing. “Outside the box” means you’re creative, unique, thinking about things in new ways and considering new and different approaches to a problem or idea. Example: “I think as we approach this project, we really need to think outside of the box.”
When an American uses this expression, it is an indication that someone or a group of people has betrayed you in order to secure their own advancement at work.
Literally, when an object is bent out of shape, it means that something distorted it or altered it, such as a hit or an accident. But this expression is rarely used literally. Most commonly, it’s American slang and it means angry, upset or annoyed. Let’s look at some common examples,
“They were bent out of shape because we were late.”
“She was bent out of shape because we didn’t invite her.”
“Don’t get all bent out of shape. I’m sure he didn’t mean to insult you.”
Attentive, knowledgeable, and quick to take action. I'm so glad that my assistant is always on the ball because I'm too scatterbrained to manage my schedule on my own. I can't believe Molly got that report done so quickly―she's really on the ball.
Where is the content or substance？ This usage was originally the slogan for a television commercial for a hamburger chain attacking the poor quality of rival chains.
☝
1980年代にアメリカにいた人なら誰でも知ってる、 Wendy’s のコマーシャルで大ヒットしたフレーズだ。 「Where is the beef ? It it between Wendy’s buns」 と言うセリフが当時のポルノ映画で大流行した。
Sentence example: "all their calculations were out of whack"
Similar phrase: out of order not working Not available for use Out of breath Physically lopsided and not evenly balanced Erratic or out of control Not done or acting according to a fixed plan of service not functioning not working acting up broken broken-down defective
“On the money ” is an informal American expression which means ‘exactly’ or ‘precisely’. Most commonly, we combine it with ‘right’ as in the following examples,
“I think what she said is right on the money.”
“She was right on the money when she told me that I should find a new job.”
What's the meaning of the phrase 'A different kettle of fish' ? 「A different kettle of fish」is an alternative to what has been previously considered; a different thing altogether. For example, We might offer to have a friend stay for a few days but remark that a stay of a few months would be a 「different kettle of fish」.
A comparison of apples and oranges occurs when two items or groups of items are compared that cannot be practically compared. The idiom, comparing apples and oranges, refers to the apparent differences between items which are popularly thought to be incomparable or incommensurable, such as apples and oranges. Wikipedia
☝
これもアメリカ人が大好きなフレーズだ。 俺がアメリカで初めてこのフレーズを聞いた時、 まったく正反対の意味だと思っていた。(笑) Apple もOrange も似たようなもんだろ、みたいに理解していたが、なぜか全く生活には支障がなかった。 Apple とOrangeが、似ていようと似ていまいが、 人生には何の影響も及ぼさないのだ。(笑)
This informal expression means “proceed slowly and carefully.” We often use it when someone needs to be very gentle and attentive due to a delicate physical situation. If you are moving to a new house, and you have a large, fragile glass vase that needs to be packed in a box and carried to the moving truck, you might tell the movers (the people carrying and transporting your things), “Easy does it” as they are handling the vase.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade is a proverbial phrase used to encourage optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune. Lemons suggest sourness or difficulty in life; making lemonade is turning them into something positive or desirable.
It’s always the dog that wags its tail. So what’s up with this idiom? How does a tail wag the dog? This expressions comes from a popular phrase that says: “a dog is smarter than its tail, but if the tail were smarter, then the tail would wag the dog“. A shorter version of this phrase is “wag the dog” which means to divert attention to a less important issue in order to get away with a bigger issue. Meaning: A situation wherein a smaller or less important group appears to control a larger or more important person or organization. Example 1: Ever since Adrian headed the new team, the management seems to be doing everything to please them. This is a case of the tail wagging the dog. Example 2: I can see what you’re doing; you’re trying to wag the dog so I would forget how you crashed my car last night!
Let’s say your friend discovered his love for photography and excitedly shows you the photos he took. Unfortunately you can see that he just does not have the eye for taking good photos! How can you jokingly tell him that he’s not that good? You say, don’t give up your day job! Meaning: Used as a humorous but well-meaning way to tell someone they’re not very good at something. Example: It’s cool that you like to paint, but don’t give up your day job!
" If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen"
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen proverb: If you can't cope with or handle the pressure in a given situation, you should remove yourself from that situation. Typically used to imply that the one being addressed is weak or unsuited for such work. The expression was popularized by US President Harry S. Truman. The pace is only going to pick up from here, newbie, so if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
☝ これは今日メジャーリーグの試合をMLB.TVで見てたら、 エンジェルスのアナウンサーが、He got out of kitchen ！！！って言った。 ８回にエンジェルスのピッチャーがピンチを切り抜けた際にこう言ったのだが、 この表現もアメリカではよく使う。
Similar: close by nearby very near near here not far away a short distance away in the neighborhood close at hand within walking distance within reach on the doorstep coming coming soon coming up approaching close imminent forthcoming brewing in prospect in the offing in the wings in the wind on the way on the horizon nearly on us at hand in the cards about to happen. "the commander was claiming that peace was just around the corner"
If you refer to someone or something as one of a kind, you mean that there is nobody or nothing else like them.
[approval] She's a very unusual woman, one of a kind.
You use one-of-a-kind to describe something that is special because there is nothing else exactly like it. [mainly US] ...a small one-of-a-kind publishing house
:someone is extremely busy and does not have room in their schedule to do anything else. The idiom a full plate means that someone has enough to do and will not take on any additional workload, burden or responsibility. If someone has a full plate he has reached the limit of what he can do. A full plate may also be used in a literal sense to mean that someone has a dinner plate full of food.
Alert to new ideas, methods, and trends. "maintaining contact with customers keeps me on the ball" indicating competence, alertness, or intelligence. "a woman like that, with so much on the ball" If someone is on the ball, they are very alert and aware of what is happening. She really is on the ball; she's bought houses at auctions so she knows what she's doing.
Alert to new ideas, methods, and trends. "maintaining contact with customers keeps me on the ball" indicating competence, alertness, or intelligence. "a woman like that, with so much on the ball" If someone is on the ball, they are very alert and aware of what is happening. She really is on the ball; she's bought houses at auctions so she knows what she's doing.
English Idiom: When Pigs Fly It is very unlikely that you will ever see pigs fly right? ‘When pigs fly’ is an English idiom used to express that something is very unlikely to happen. It is often used to mock something. For example, “I’ll believe you’re going to give up chocolate when pigs fly.”
☝ これも、いかにもネイティブっぽい表現だな。(笑) “Once in a blue moon”よりも遥かに現実に起きる可能性が低い場合に使われるが、雰囲気的には半分冗談が混ざってる感じだ。イントネーション次第で嫌味にもなるから要注意。
The idiom to ‘beat around the bush’ means to talk about a topic without talking about the main point of the subject. It means to talk about something in a round about way rather than directly. For example, “Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.”
In complete control or with complete awareness of someone or something, often due to being diligent, fully informed, and/or up-to-date. Example: A: "How is the new project going?" B: "Right on track! Jen was on top of it while you were on vacation." I don't know how you keep on top of all the different student issues that are brought to your attention. How Janet manages to stay on top of all eight of those kids is really beyond me.
phrase of hold remain tightly secured. "the door held fast, obviously locked" continue to believe in or adhere to an idea or principle. "it is important that we hold fast to the policies"
What does the phrase dime a dozen mean? In English, we use the word in an expression that describes something not so special. That term is a dime a dozen. This means that something is very easy to find or ordinary. “Ordinary” is one of the many synonyms for “dime a dozen.” Something that is a dime a dozen could also be called commonplace or typical.
1. having started and in progress; being done or carried out. "the remodeling should be underway by July" 2. (of a boat) moving through the water. "the ship was so huge and silent, I hadn't realized we had gotten underway"
1. having started and in progress; being done or carried out. "the remodeling should be underway by July" 2. (of a boat) moving through the water. "the ship was so huge and silent, I hadn't realized we had gotten underway"
Definition of go overboard informal : to do something in a way that is excessive or extreme : to do too much of something She went overboard with the decorations.
What does it mean when you have been Catfished? Catfishing is the act of creating a false identity in order to lure people into relationships online. The “catfish” refers to the predator who creates the false identity. Catfishing is abusive and deceptive. This practice was widely brought to light in Nev Schulman's 2010 documentary Catfish.
Phrasal verb of ”call” 1 Summon someone to deal with an emergency or provide a service. "The police were constantly called out for “emergencies” by the paranoid diva" 2 NORTH AMERICAN Draw critical attention to someone's unacceptable actions or behavior. "People were calling him out for his negative comments" Idiomatic expressions, and related words for call-out, like: callout, exclaim, cry-out, shout, cry, outcry, call-for-help, call-in and call-outs.
Baseball Term: A pitcher who so dominates the hitters that the game is effectively over once he takes the mound. ― so they can turn out the lights and go home. The pitcher retires the batters in order without allowing a single run. "Putz pitched lights-out baseball once he took over the job for good from Guardado."
What does it mean the buck stops with you? ―used to say that one accepts a responsibility and will not try to give it to someone else. I'm willing to accept the blame for what happened. The buck stops here with me.
The saying “The buck stops here” is a commitment that responsibility will not be passed on to anyone else. It is used to show that a person is fully responsible for a certain action and will be fully answerable to the outcomes without passing down the responsibilities to a different person.
Phrase of "lion" Noun: lion's share The largest part of something. "William was appointed editor, which meant that he did the lion's share of the work"
What is the meaning of the idiom lion's share? The lion's share: The largest part (or share) of something. Note: It's important to notice that we are talking about the biggest part of something. We are not just saying that one thing is bigger than something else.
“A lot of guys let it eat, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how hard you throw,” Montero said. “You have to make pitches. You can let it eat as much as you want, but that fastball’s going to get hit.”
“Let it eat” is a fixture of baseball slang; asking a ballplayer about it is like asking any person off the street to define “OK.” ... “If you've been around the game of baseball, you've probably heard it for as long as you've played.”
☝ これは日本人からすると一見摩訶不思議な野球用語なんだが、 アメリカの野球ファンなら誰でも知ってる表現だ。 おそらく辞書には載ってないだろう。 昨日のエンジェルスの試合の後に、 インタビューで大谷選手の通訳の一平さんがこの表現を使っていた。 このアメリカ英語はアメリカだから使えるのだ。 同じシチュエーションでも日本にいたら使わない。 アメリカの野球村の方言みたいなもんだな。 ちなみにこの表現は元々はゴルフ用語だったそうだ。 "Let the big dogs eat"が原型らしい。 （諸説あります） In the world of golf, the phrase, "Let the big dog eat" means to swing away with the driver. For example, a golfer might say, "Number 12 is a long par five but it is wide open, so you can let the big dog eat."
Interjection. attaboy. (idiomatic, colloquial) Used to show encouragement or approval to a boy, man, or male animal.
ORIGIN OF ATTABOY Alteration of That's the boy! From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition It has otherwise been suggested that “attaboy” goes back to the hunters’ language, in which boy acquired the meaning “hunted animal.” attaboy (ataboy, as it is sometimes spelled, because no one knows the “right” spelling of this phrase) would go back to "a tout a boy!" ("a tout", a call to incite dogs). (Attaboy! Or, The Male-Intimate Affectionate Overtones Questions By Anatoly Liberman, December 13th, 2006) From Wiktionary The OED gives 'attaboy' as a "careless pronunciation" of "that's the boy!", though the more common expression is "that's a [good] boy!", which derives from the expressions "That's my [good] boy" which first appears in Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. From Wiktionary
phrasal verb of double US 1.strengthen one's commitment to a particular strategy or course of action, typically one that is potentially risky. "he decided to double down and escalate the war" 2.(in blackjack) double a bet after seeing one's initial cards, with the requirement that one additional card be drawn. "the amount only increases when you choose to split or double down"
What is an Uncle Charlie? Sometimes when watching baseball, you may hear an announcer or player refer to a pitch as an “Uncle Charlie”. What is an Uncle Charlie in baseball? Uncle Charlie is another name for a ”curveball”. Although it can be used to describe any curveball, it is usually reserved for a pitcher that has a premium curveball.
1. To agree with something. Comes from the Military Saying "Affirmative," which was said by soldiers in the Heat of battle as "Fucking Affirmative" which was later shortened to "Fucking A" 2. However over the years the meaning of this phrase has been changed and is now used to express something as good. 3. Also can be used to describe something bad. 4. Pretty much can be used for anything depending on the user 1. Bob: Hey man did you see the Red Sox Game last night? Antwon: Ya, Fucking A man!!!! 2. Bob: Hey how did the Red sox Game go last night? Antwon: Fucking A man, they kicked ass!
1. To eat something in its entirety very quickly and eagerly. A noun or pronoun can be used between "gobble" and "up." Now that the baby is eating solid food, she just gobbles up anything we put in front of her. 2. To use or deplete something quickly and in its entirety. A noun or pronoun can be used between "gobble" and "up." Developers have gobbled up all of the least expensive homes in our neighborhood, unfortunately.
phrase of "whack" out of order; not working. "all their calculations were out of whack" What does being out of whack mean? If something is out of whack, it is not working properly, often because its natural balance has been upset. [mainly US, informal] The ecosystem will be thrown out of whack.
interjection \ ˈȯi-ˈvā \ variants: or less commonly oy vay or oy veh Collegiate Definition ―used to express dismay, frustration, or grief //Mail! Oy veh, I get such mail. Such mail as I never dreamed of before the advent of the Internet. ― Anne Bendheim First Known Use 1914, in the meaning defined above History and Etymology borrowed from Yiddish, from oy, interjection expressing surprise or dismay + vey, interjection exprssing distress or grief, going back to Middle High German wē, going back to Old High German wah, wē, going back to Germanic *wai (whence Old English wā) ― more at WOE entry 1
easily available The Internet makes it possible to have all kinds of information on tap at any time. Synonyms and related words AMERICANINFORMALplanned for a particular time What’s on tap for tomorrow? if beer is on tap, it can be served from a large container with a tap, instead of from a bottle We have a light beer on tap, or imported beers in bottles.
☝ アメリカに来て初めてバーに行ってビールを頼んだ時に、バーテンにTap or bottle?って聞かれたのを覚えている人は多いと思う。アメリカで”on tap”って聞くとなんか安心できるんだよな。ビールの影響は大きいと思う。(笑)
/ˈɡo͞of ˌôf/ nounINFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN a person who is habitually lazy or does less than their fair share of work. "it miffed us that the goof-offs hardly ever got fired" chiefly US, informal. : to spend time doing silly or playful things The kids were goofing around in the backyard.
transitive verb. 1 : to increase the power, efficiency, or performance of soup up an engine Some cars souped up with customized engines and suspensions may be uninsurable through standard policies. ― : to heighten the impact of : to make more exciting or colorful The ads you've seen are for old cold remedies that have been souped up and given a new marketing spin. ― Joe and Teresa Graedon But she's doing what Kirstein accuses the dilettantes of doing―souping up her performance with ballet stylization. ― Arlene Croce First Known Use of soup up 1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1 History and Etymology for soup up soup (drug injected into a racehorse to improve its performance)
noun INFORMAL・US a very short time; a moment. "blink of an eye" "you mention that price and she'll be out of here in a New York minute" Feedback Translations and more definitions People also ask Why is it called a New York minute? Mr Know-It-All: The phrase 'New York minute' can be traced back to the 1960s. A New York minute is a reference to the hectic pace of New Yorkers and is believed to have been coined in Texas in the late 1960s. It was said a New Yorker does in an instant what a Texan would do in a whole minute. "blink of an eye" Share Definitions of "blink of an eye" noun a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat) synonyms:New York minute, flash, heartbeat, instant, jiffy, split second, trice, twinkling, winksee less type of: bit, minute, mo, moment, second an indefinitely short time.
phrasal verb of flip suddenly lose control or become very angry. "she would have flipped out if someone had done this to her" What is the meaning of "flip out" on someone? /flɪp/ -pp- to become extremely angry or to lose control of yourself from surprise or shock: I nearly flipped out when she told me she and David were getting married. Becoming angry and expressing anger. What is a flipped out? : to become crazy or very excited or angry I flipped out when I saw how they had changed my work.
1 : a long distance. 2 : something notably different the effects of the new law were a far cry from what was intended. Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About far cry. How do you use far cry in a sentence? : very different from (something or someone) The movie is a far cry from the book. He's a far cry from the idealistic young writer he once was.
adjective mainly US informal US/ˌwɪɡd ˈaʊt/ UK /ˌwɪɡd ˈaʊt/ nervous or frightened, often in a way that is not reasonable: Somehow I would have expected her to be more wigged out about seeing him. More examples: The kid has been calling all day, totally wigged out. Even the bravest among us are wigged out about traveling these days. Our huge stroller wouldn't go through the barriers on the Metro and I was too wigged out to work out how to get through. He was wigged out at the prospect that he was going to be a father at the age of 18. WIGGED OUT adjective (originally U.S.) 1 [1950s-60s] (drugs) intoxicated by a drug. 2) [1950s and still in use] eccentric, insane, deluded, out of touch.
The correct usage is "to call in". I've heard people say that they "called in" meaning they called their job to say that they wouldn't be able to be there that day. More common is "to call in sick", that is, to telephone your job to say that you are sick that day and won't be able to make it. “Calling out sick” seems to be most common in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. But some people even say they "call off sick." Feb 8, 2018
☝ これは俺がニューヨークに初めて来たとき、 まじで愕然とした英語表現だった。 カリフォルニアでは普通に”Call in sick”と言う。 俺は自分の耳を疑った。 俺は長い間、 IN とOUTを勘違いして使ってたのか？ 本気でそう思った。 答えは、NOだった。 恥を偲んで同僚のアメリカ人に聞いてみた。 当時はネットなど無かったのだ。 そのアメリカ人はメイン州出身だったが、 アメリカ西海岸では”Call in sick”で、 東海岸では”Call out sick”と言うと教えてくれた。 彼もカリフォルニアで、 同じくショックを受けたと言っていた。(笑)
absolutely not When you use the English expression No way José you are saying 'absolutely not'. The message you are giving is that whatever is being asked of you will never ever happen. No way José is a way of giving a very definite NO! as an answer. This slang expression originated in America sometime around the 1960s. In Chapman and Kipfer's Dictionary of American Slang 'no way' is listed as a 1960s phrase and 'no way Jose' as originating in Village Voice.
☝ この表現も俺がアメリカで初めて英語で覚えた、 英語の一つだった。 Jose はJohnのメキシコ名なので、 ポリコレに敏感なニューヨーカーは使わない。 サウンドがレッドネックっぽいので要注意。
What is meant by eleventh hour? eleventh hour. The latest possible time, as in We turned in our report at the eleventh hour. This term is thought to allude to the parable of the laborers (Matthew 20:1–16), in which those workers hired at the eleventh hour of a twelve-hour working day were paid the same amount as those who began in the first hour.
What is meant by eleventh hour? eleventh hour. The latest possible time, as in We turned in our report at the eleventh hour. This term is thought to allude to the parable of the laborers (Matthew 20:1–16), in which those workers hired at the eleventh hour of a twelve-hour working day were paid the same amount as those who began in the first hour.
to be so annoyed with someone or something that you do not want to be involved with them any longer have had it with: He says he’s had it with politics. have had it up to here (=be extremely annoyed): I’ve had it up to here with Kevin – he never stops complaining.
phrase of hand easily and decisively. "she won the debate hands down" Antonyms arduously, hardly, laboriously, strenuously Examples //She could win any race hands down. //It's hands down the best movie of the year. 1 : without much effort : easily. 2 : without question.
/ˈbəmb(ə)liNG/ adjective acting in a confused or ineffectual way; incompetent. What is a bumbling person? If you describe a person or their behavior as bumbling, you mean that they behave in a confused, disorganized way, making mistakes and usually not achieving anything.”he's a bumbling fool" “bumbling” in American English (ˈbʌmblɪŋ) ADJECTIVE 1. liable to make awkward blunders a bumbling mechanic 2. clumsily incompetent or ineffectual bumbling diplomacy NOUN 3. the act or practice of making blunders The bumbling of their officers cost them the battle.
phrasal verb of let INFORMAL (of something undesirable) become less intense or severe. "the rain's letting up—it'll be clear soon" Similar: abate, lessen, decrease, diminish, subside, moderate, decline relent, slacken,die down/off, ease (off), tail off, taper off, drop off/away peter out, ebb, wane, dwindle, fade, calm (down), weaken, stop, cease finish, come to a stop, come to an end, terminate, quieten, quieten down quiet, quiet down Opposite: continue, relax one's efforts. "she was so far ahead that she could afford to let up a bit" Similar: relax one's efforts, relax, ease up/off, do less What does Don’t let up mean? Don't let up means keep the pressure on. Until it comes out means until the truth surfaces, or is revealed.
What does it mean to be taken with someone? be taken with somebody/something to find somebody/something attractive or interesting. We were all very taken with his girlfriend.
phrase of bar with no exceptions. "the greatest living American poet bar none" What does bar none mean in slang? DEFINITIONS1. used for emphasizing that someone or something is the best. He's the best teacher we have, bar none. Bar none basically means without exception. The phrase is used to emphasize that a statement is completely true and often is used at the end of a phrase or sentence -- nearly always set off with a comma or commas. Here are some examples in context: She is the brightest student I've ever known, bar none. [=I have never known a student who is brighter than she is] We have the best stadium, bar none, in college football. This is, bar none, the best ice cream I've ever had. My brother-in-law is the single most boring man on the planet, bar none.
The saying "the buck stops here" derives from the slang expression "pass the buck" which means passing the responsibility onto someone else. Where did the phrase ”the buck stops here” come from? "The buck stops here" is a phrase that was popularized by U.S. President Harry S. Truman, who kept a sign with that phrase on his desk in the Oval Office. The phrase refers to the notion that the President has to make the decisions and accept the ultimate responsibility for those decisions. What does it mean the buck stops with? —used to say that one accepts a responsibility and will not try to give it to someone else I'm willing to accept the blame for what happened. The buck stops here with me.
in American English (ˈɑrbəˌtrɛri) ADJECTIVE 1. not fixed by rules, but left to one's judgment or choice; discretionary arbitrary decision, arbitrary judgment 2. based on one's preference, notion, whim, etc.; capricious young children and their arbitrary rules for games 3. absolute; despotic Definition of 'arbitrary' Word Frequency arbitrary (ɑrbɪtrɛri) ADJECTIVE If you describe an action, rule, or decision as arbitrary, you think that it is not based on any principle, plan, or system. It often seems unfair because of this. [disapproval] Arbitrary arrests and detention without trial were common.
[More than (one) bargained for] More than one expected to encounter, experience, deal with, etc. The specific thing can be stated between "more" and "than." I'm so overwhelmed right now—I definitely got more than I'd bargained for when I decided to buy a fixer-upper. This project is more work than I'd bargained for. See also: bargain, for, more more than one thought one would get. (Usually in reference to trouble or difficulty.) When Betsy brought home the sweet little puppy for a companion, she got more than she bargained for. That animal has cost her hundreds of dollars in bills. I got more than I bargained for when I took this job. See also: bargain, for, more, one An unexpected outcome, especially an unfavorable one, as in Serving on the board this year has involved more work than I bargained for. This expression alludes to a higher than anticipated cost for a transaction. [Mid-1800s]
US informal to try something or examine it carefully before you buy it: Come and kick the tires on this latest version of the software. ”kick the tires” To inspect or test something or someone to ensure that he, she, or it meets the required or expected standard of quality. Primarily heard in US, Canada. You should always ”kick the tires” of anything you plan to buy from someone online, or else you might end up buying a piece of junk! The boss always assigns difficult projects as a way of ”kicking the tires” of new employees. We should hire a few interns to kick the tires on this app before we release it to the public. kick the ˈtyres (British English) (American English kick the ˈtires) (especially American English) test the quality of something; see if something is suitable for you: We now spend longer kicking the tyres before investing in new companies. ▶ ˈtyrekicker (British English) (American English ˈtirekicker) noun a possible customer who asks a lot of questions about a product but never buys anything: Your sales team can waste a huge amount of time on tyrekickers.
Definition of 'the jury is out' the jury is out PHRASE If you say that the jury is out or that the jury is still out on a particular subject, you mean that people in general have still not made a decision or formed an opinion about that subject. The jury is out is an expression that means no decision has been made in a matter, or that the answer to a question is not yet apparent. The phrase is also sometimes rendered as the jury is still out. The phrase comes from the court system, in which a jury hears a case and is then dismissed in order to debate the merits of that case and render a verdict. These deliberations are secret, and as long as the jury is out, no one knows what the verdict will be. The idiom the jury is out first came into use during the twentieth century, its popularity as an expression has soared since the 1980s.
☝ アメリカ人はこの表現を使うのが大好きだ。 スポーツでも芸能ゴシップでも政治でもビジネスでも良く使われる。 We still don't knowって言うより知的に聞こえるから不思議だ。 それだけアメリカ人はアメリカの法律を信頼してるのだろう。 日本のことわざに、「三人寄れば文殊の知恵」と言うのがあるが、 アメリカの陪審員は１２人だ。 「十二人寄れば文殊の知恵」だと言う事なんだろう。 それだけアメリカの陪審員は人々に信用されているのだ。
What does lash out at you mean? When you lash out at someone, you express your anger by saying or writing furious words about them. ... You can also lash out in a physical way, by kicking or hitting someone in anger — this is the phrase's original meaning, from the verb lash, "to whip."
phrase of measure in addition to what has already been done, said, or given. "he added a couple of chili peppers for good measure" Similar: as a bonus, as an extra, into the bargain, to boot, in addition, besides, as well Definitions from Oxford Languages What does just for good measure mean? phrase. If you say that something is done for good measure, you mean that it is done in addition to a number of other things. What does just for good measure mean? How do you use good measure in a sentence? In addition to the required amount. For example, Whenever she bakes she adds a little more cinnamon for good measure, or He didn't argue with my price, so I gave him some extra supplies for good measure.
To take on or embrace something difficult or unpleasant, usually through determination or perseverance ; to find a way to benefit from, or alleviate the harm of, risk, uncertainty and difficult situations. What does it mean to lean into a relationship? To lean in to a relationship, we have to be open and honest with our partners. We also have to be able to be attentive to their needs while clearly communicating and prioritizing our own. It's a balance, but it can improve the quality of our relationships more than any marker or milestone we're intent on achieving. lean into (someone or something) 1. To push into or press against someone or something. People in the audience behind me kept leaning into me throughout the concert. I leaned into the door to keep people from opening it. The wind is so strong in this city that you need to lean into it when you're outside. 2. To pursue some task or activity with great effort, determination, and perseverance. She's really been leaning into her gymnastics lately. At this rate, she could have a shot at a professional career. I gave up sports so I could lean into my studies. 3. To accept and embrace something as a means of dealing with it or turning it into something positive. Instead of trying to hide from your fame, why don't you try leaning into it a bit more? You'd probably enjoy life more if you did. The breakup still hurts, but after being in a relationship for so long, I'm finally starting to lean into being single. 4. To embrace and exaggerate some trait or characteristic, especially something ostensibly negative that has been attributed to one by someone else. The perverse language in my first book seemed to get the most heated reaction from readers, so I decided to really lean into it for the sequel. You can tell that he leans into the social agitator shtick simply because he knows how much it aggravates people.
Definition of "latch on to" 1 : to grab and hold (something) He latched onto her arm and wouldn't let go. —often used figuratively The news media has latched on to the scandal. 2 : to begin using, doing, or enjoying (something) in an enthusiastic way Many companies have latched onto the trend of using consultants. "latch on" When you latch on to something, you attach yourself to it. You can latch on to your friend by grabbing her arm, or you can latch onto a trend by enthusiastically following it. When your sister latches on to a new hat craze, she'll buy a bagful of berets and fedoras and wear one to school every single day. And if you latch on to a new health regimen, you may annoy your family by throwing out everything in the house with sugar in it. When you latch on to a person, it's often unwelcome to them: "My little brother latched on to my friends, so we jumped on our bikes and rode away."
“jack of all trades” (jack of all trades, master of none)
phrase of jack a person who can do many different types of work. Is jack of all trades an insult? Jack of all trades has become somewhat of an insult, but it didn't begin as one. The phrase was originally used to describe a playwright who was always hanging around the theatres. ... The full phrase is “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” It was a compliment. "Jack of all trades, master of none" is a figure of speech used in reference to a person who has dabbled in many skills, rather than gaining expertise by focusing on one. The original version "a jack of all trades" is often a compliment for a person who is good at fixing and has a very good broad knowledge. Wikipedia
☝ この表現はよく前半の「Jack of all trades」だけで使われる事が多いので、意味を勘違いする人が多い。 俺もずいぶん長い間、ポジティブな表現だと勘違いしていた。日本語で言う「器用貧乏」と言う意味に近いんだが、器用貧乏とは日本人が自分を謙遜して使うことがあるが、この英語表現も親しい間柄の人同士だったら自分を揶揄する為に使う事もある。 親しくない人に使うと失礼だから要注意だ。
noun cleverness or skill. "he lacks political adroitness" How do you use adroitness in a sentence? 1) He turned his large car with some adroitness and drove away. 2) His adroitness and eloquence had always prevented his friends from forming any general policy against him. 3) In my military history I've acknowledged his adroitness and his inspiring force as a politician. What is an adroit person? clever, cunning, ingenious mean having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving. clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude. a person clever with horses adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties. Is adroit positive or negative? Deft, adroit, and masterful have positive connotations suggesting a high level of skill. Slick, on the other hand, can have a negative connotation.
☝ この単語は本や雑誌でたまに見かけるが、 実際に会話で使う人は滅多にいない。 だからなかなか覚えられなくて、 この単語に遭遇するたびに今だに辞書を引いてる。 ああ、そうだった、そうだったな、 てな感じでね。w なぜこの単語は俺の記憶に止まらないのだろうか？w この単語の語源はフランス語だそうだ。 Where does the word ”adroit” come from? Borrowed from French adroit, from French à (“on the; to”) (from Old French a (“to; towards”), from Latin ad (“to; towards”), from Proto-Indo-European *ád (“at; near”)) + French droit (“right”) (from Old French droit, dreit, from Vulgar Latin *drēctus, syncopated form of Latin dīrectus (“laid straight; direct, straight; ... だから、フランス人なら簡単に覚えられるのだろうか？ フランス語とスペイン語はよく似ているのだが、 スペイン語にはこれに近い単語は存在しない。 不思議だ。
(phrase of fit) INFORMAL highly amused. "he had us all in fits"
“Fits and starts “ INFORMAL To do something in “fits and starts” is to do it intermittently or sporadically: “Martina has been working on her master's thesis in fits and starts; she needs to work on it consistently.” 1, Military technology advances by fits and starts. 2, He spoke in fits and starts. 3, Technology advances by fits and starts. 4, The radio works by fits and starts. With irregular intervals of action and inaction, spasmodically, as in The campaign is proceeding by fits and starts. This expression began in the late 1500s as by fits, the noun fit meaning a “paroxysm” or “seizure”; starts was added about a century later.
Definition of fastidious showing or demanding excessive delicacy or care fastidious attention to detail. reflecting a meticulous, sensitive, or demanding attitude fastidious workmanship. having high and often capricious standards. difficult to please critics. Fastidious does not, in all cases, have a negative connotation. It's primary meaning is careful attention to detail and can include attention to personal appearance. While it isn't a synonym for nit-picking or petty, it can mean difficult to please. If you have any reservations, you could use meticulous. Fastidious in a Sentence My mother was a fastidious woman who always had a complaint on her lips. Arrogant and fastidious, the diva made no friends on her music tour. While Henry would eat just about anything, his wife was so fastidious she barely ate anything.
Definition of a roll in the hay informal + old-fashioned : an act of having sex with someone Where did the term roll in the hay come from? Sexual intercourse, as in The main character in the movie was always looking for a roll in the hay. This phrase alludes to secret lovemaking in a hayloft. [ Slang; mid-1900s]
phrase of check under control. "a way of keeping inflation in check"
What does it mean to get in check? Restrained from moving or acting; under control. For example, The first division held the enemy in check, or Mary kept her emotions in check. This term replaced at check and out of check, which date from the mid-1500s.
"in check" being controlled within reasonable limits: We’ve got to find ways of keeping our expenses in check.
"keep in check" keep (someone or something) in check To limit or restrain someone or something. We need to come up with provisions to keep the new director in check —otherwise, he'll totally dismantle our department.
noun a quarrel or disagreement. "the two of them had a falling-out" What does it mean a falling out? Falling out is defined as a disagreement or something that causes two people to no longer be friendly with one another. An example of a falling out is when two sisters fight over their inheritance and stop speaking to each other. noun. What does falling out mean in a relationship? When it comes to relationships, 'fall out' means “to cut off a relationship over an argument”. The noun 'falling out' means a severe quarrel or disagreement. Falling out over something means you have a big argument that ends a relationship. What is another word for falling out? In this page you can discover 25 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for falling-out, like: dispute, disagreement, contention, bicker, brawl, feud, severance, fight, fracas, fuss and misunderstanding.
phrase of buck INFORMAL shift the responsibility for something to someone else. "elected political leaders cannot pass the buck for crisis decisions to any alternative source of authority"
“Passing the buck" originated from a ritual practiced during card games. Card players used to place a marker, called a "buck," in front of the person who was the dealer. That marker was passed to the next player along with the responsibility of dealing.
What does the buck stops mean? —used to say that one accepts a responsibility and will not try to give it to someone else I'm willing to accept the blame for what happened. The buck stops here with me.
The gain-loss principle states that as one person's opinion of someone else becomes more favorable, that other person will tend to develop a more favorable opinion of the first person. This increase is more marked in people with an initially less favorable opinion of the other person.
a theory of interpersonal attraction stating that people's like (or dislike) for another person is more strongly affected by the degree to which they believe they have gone up (or down) in that individual's estimation than by the unvarying degree to which they think they are attractive (or unattractive) to that person. ...
to make a mistake Definition of trip up : to cause (someone) to make a mistake. He tried to trip up the cashier as she counted his change. What does it mean to trip yourself up? to make a mistake, or to cause someone to make a mistake. The tests are designed to trip you up.
>>277 GAIN-LOSS THEORY OF INTERPERSONAL ATTRACTION
An attempt to formulate a theory that takes account of changes in people’s liking for each other. It suggests that increases or decreases in the rewarding behaviour we receive from another person have more effect on us than a constant level of liking or disliking. Thus, we like best someone who starts out negatively in our estimation and becomes more positive, and we like least a person who starts out positive and becomes negative.
gain–loss theory a theory of interpersonal attraction stating that people’s like (or dislike) for another person is more strongly affected by the degree to which they believe they have gone up (or down) in that individual’s estimation than by the unvarying degree to which they think they are attractive (or unattractive) to that person. [first studied in 1965 by U.S. psychologists Elliot Aronson (1932– ) and Darwyn E. Linder (1939– )]
adjective Informal - US 1. uninhibited, especially in a sexual manner. "the script required her to get jiggy with Leonardo" 2. trembling or nervous, especially as the result of drug withdrawal.
What does Jiggy mean in slang? adjective, jig·gi·er, jig·gi·est. Slang. nervous; active; excitedly energetic. wonderful and exciting, especially because stylish.
A fifth column is any group of people who undermine a larger group from within, usually in favor of an enemy group or nation. The activities of a fifth column can be overt or clandestine. Forces gathered in secret can mobilize openly to assist an external attack. fifth column, clandestine group or faction of subversive agents who attempt to undermine a nation's solidarity by any means at their disposal. The term is conventionally credited to Emilio Mola Vidal, a Nationalist general during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39). Origin The term dates from the Spanish Civil War, when General Mola, leading four columns of troops towards Madrid, declared that he had a fifth column inside the city.
a : to speak up in a loud voice b : to voice one's opinions freely and vigorously What is the purpose of sounding off? to express your opinions forcefully, especially without being asked for them: He's always sounding off about how he thinks the country should be run.
to reveal or uncover private Definition of lay bare : to reveal or uncover private information or feelings. He laid bare his soul. The book is an attempt to lay bare the secrets of this very powerful political family.
What does strip out mean? verb. (tr) to remove the working parts of (a machine) to remove (a chemical or component) from a mixture. to take or pull (the covering, clothes, etc.) off (oneself, another person, or thing)
use one's position or authority to pressure (someone) to do something. "the Treasury could jawbone the banks into lending more to small businesses. "What is jawboning economics? "Jawboning", or "moral suasion," in economics and politics is the use of authority to persuade various entities to act in certain ways, which is sometimes underpinned by the implicit threat of future government regulation. What does bone jaw mean? : to speak forcefully and persuasively to jawboned them into accepting the deal. intransitive verb. : to talk especially forcefully and persuasively jawboning about the tax cuts.
Condescend commonly means to interact with others in a way that implies that you're superior to them. It especially refers to when this is done in an arrogant or patronizing way—meaning when you act as if you're doing someone a favor by supposedly lowering yourself to their level of understanding or intelligence.
“Condescend” Definition intransitive verb to assume an air of superiority The writer treats her readers as equals and never condescends to them. to descend to a less formal or dignified level. would not condescend to respond to such a crass remark to waive the privileges of rank ☝ この単語はややこしいが、 Con-descendと区切って考えた方が分かりやすいな。
10 Behaviors People Find Condescending From calling people 'chief' to saying you 'actually' like someone's idea, here are some patronizing behaviors to avoid. Everyone knows what it’s like to be around someone who just doesn’t make them feel great about themselves. There are all kinds of people who are unpleasant to be around—debbie downers, complainers, jealous green monsters, mean-spirited snarks, most anyone who wears neon sunglasses—but if you walk away from another person feeling worse about yourself, there’s a good chance you’ve been condescended to. People act patronizing for different reasons, but usually it boils down to insecurity and/or arrogance. Yes, you can definitely be arrogant and insecure at the same time.
What does take umbrage with mean? To strongly disagree with, take offense at, or become angered by something. Usually followed by "at," "with," or, less commonly, "to." Hey, I take umbrage at the idea that I didn't put my full effort into this project. noun 1 offense or annoyance. "she took umbrage at his remarks" Similar: take offense, be offended
Verbally abuse someone, use offensive epithets, as in The teacher told the children to stop calling names. call someone names COMMON If someone calls you names, they use insulting words to describe you when they are talking to you. At school they called me names because I was so slow. She was bullied by a gang of girls who called her names and teased her about her weight. Note: You can describe this behavior as name-calling. Many of his critics simply resort to childish name-calling. insult If someone calls you names, they insult you by saying unpleasant things to you or about you. At my last school they called me names because I was so slow.
noun the infliction of an injury or insult in return for one that one has suffered. "as we struggled for those last two votes, the tit for tat continued" "Tit for tat" is an English saying meaning "equivalent retaliation". It developed from "tip for tap", first recorded in 1558. It is also a highly effective strategy in game theory. An agent using this strategy will first cooperate, then subsequently replicate an opponent's previous action. If the opponent previously was cooperative, the agent is cooperative. If not, the agent is not. What does tit-for-tat mean urban dictionary? Tit for tat is meaner — it's when someone does something like hit or steal something from someone, and the other person does something equally nasty back. This phrase is related to the saying "Let the punishment fit the crime."
On trial On trial, especially in a criminal case. For example, The accused stood in the dock through the entire proceeding. This expression employs dock in the sense of “an enclosed place for the defendant in a court of law,” a usage dating from the late 1500s, and is used even in American courts where no such enclosure exists.
INFORMAL act before the proper time. What does jump the gun mean slang? act too soon phrase. If you jump the gun, you do something before everyone else or before the proper or right time. [informal] Some booksellers have jumped the gun and decided to sell it early. Synonyms: act with haste, be over-hasty, act too soon, act prematurely More Where does the term jump the gun come from? This phrase originated from track and field races and was known since the early 1900s. It refers to athletes starting the race before the gun was fired. (which was used to signal to start of the race). This phrase was preceded in America by “beat the gun”.
How do you use all hands on a deck? If a situation requires all hands on deck, it needs everyone to work hard to achieve an aim or do a task. Come on then, boys, all hands on deck tonight, we need all the help we can get. Your job was so big that we needed all hands on deck. “ all hands on deck “ 1. A call for all members of a ship's crew to come to the deck, usually in a time of crisis. (A "hand" is a member of a ship's crew.) We're under attack! All hands on deck! All hands on deck! Man your posts! We were all filled with dread at the sound of the command: "All hands on deck!" 2. By extension, everyone available to help with a problem, or a call for those people to help. Your grandmother arrives tomorrow and the house is still a mess—I need all hands on deck to help me clean All hands on deck! We've got to roll out this tarp before the rain starts. Now let's go! Mom says she needs all hands on deck for the garage sale on Saturday, so my brothers and I are going home to help her.
/dēk/ ICE HOCKEY noun a deceptive movement or feint that induces an opponent to move out of position. verb draw (a player) out of position by performing a deke. "four minutes into the third period, Hull scored his 70th goal of the season, deking a Flyer defenseman to the ice" BASEBALL What is a deke in baseball? Such a play, known as a deke (short for “decoy”), has long been a staple of major league baseball. In it, a fielder acts as if a play he has no chance of making is in front of him, so as to slow or stop a runner who might otherwise advance to the next base.
as·per·sion /əˈspərZHən,aˈspərSHən/ noun an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something. "I don't think anyone is casting aspersions on you" What does the word aspersion meaning? Definition of aspersion 1a : a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone's reputation casting aspersions on her integrity. b : the act of making such a charge : defamation. 2 : a sprinkling with water especially in religious ceremonies the aspersion of the congregation before Mass. What is the synonym of aspersion? you can discover 32 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for aspersion, like: backbiting, innuendo, character assassination, invective, reproach, denigration, abuse, calumny, slander, defamation and accusation.
noun 1. a projecting support of stone or brick built against a wall. "the cathedral's massive buttresses" Similar: prop support abutment shore pier reinforcement stanchion stay strut 2. a source of defense or support. "there was a demand for a new stable order as a buttress against social collapse" verb 1. provide (a building or structure) with projecting supports built against its walls. "we buttressed the wall as it was showing signs of cracking and collapse" 2. increase the strength of or justification for; reinforce. "authority was buttressed by religious belief"
doo·zy /ˈdo͞ozē/ noun INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN something outstanding or unique of its kind. "it's gonna be a doozy of a black eye"
What is doozy slang for? Noun. doozy (plural doozies) (US, informal) Something that is extraordinary: often troublesome, difficult or problematic, but sometimes extraordinary in a positive sense.
noun plural doo·zies. Also doo·zer [doo-zer] . something that is extraordinary or outstanding of its kind: The storm was a doozy, with winds of fifty miles an hour. Verb Phrases past and past participle doo·zied,present participle doo·zy·ing. doozy up, to make more attractive or appealing, as by adding features or ornaments, cleaning or repairing, or clothing brightly: You'll have to doozy up the house before you can sell it.
Definition of perk up 1 : to become more lively or cheerful or to make (someone) more lively or cheerful We perked up when we heard the good news. The good news perked everyone up. 2 : to make (something) fresher or more appealing The new paint job really perked up the room. 3 chiefly US, of an animal's ears : to be lifted in a quick and alert way The dog's ears perked up. —often used figuratively of a person My ears perked up when I heard my name mentioned.
co·nun·drum /kəˈnəndrəm/ noun a confusing and difficult problem or question. "one of the most difficult conundrums for the experts" Similar: problem difficult question vexed question difficulty quandary dilemma puzzle enigma mystery poser facer stumper cruncher a question asked for amusement, typically one with a pun in its answer; a riddle. Similar: riddle puzzle word game anagram brain-teaser
What is an example of conundrum? The conundrum takes place when the actual question is difficult to answer. For example, whether or not you should lie about cheating on your spouse is not a moral conundrum; but whether or not you should lie so that your spouse feels better about the way he looks might be a moral conundrum.
noun a situation of being very or uncomfortably close to someone or something. "living in close quarters with people"
Definition of at/in close quarters 1 : close together usually in a very small space The sailors were living in close quarters. 2 : being in close contact We could observe the behavior of all the animals at close quarters.
verb make (someone) be quiet or stop talking. "he placed a finger before pursed lips to hush her" Similar: silence shush gag muzzle quieten quieten down quiet quiet down shut up noun a silence. "a hush descended over the crowd" Similar: silence quiet quietness quietude
un·tapped /ˌənˈtapt/ adjective (of a resource) not yet exploited or used. "the vast untapped potential of individual women and men" What is untapped potentials? An untapped supply or source of something has not yet been used.
What does it mean to be running on fumes? (of an engine or vehicle) to have almost no fuel left: By the end of the day many of the drivers were running on fumes or had experienced mechanical problems. to have almost reached a point where you are unable to continue, because you have almost no energy, money, etc.
phrase of tread maintain an upright position in deep water by moving the feet with a walking movement and the hands with a downward circular motion. "they were at the deep end of the pool and trod water to keep afloat" fail to advance or make progress. "men who are treading water in their careers"
What does it mean to tread waters? phrase. If you say that someone is treading water, you mean that they are in an unsatisfactory situation where they are not progressing, but are just continuing doing the same things. I could either tread water until I was promoted, or I could change what I was doing.
INFORMAL freely available whenever needed. "trained staff are on tap from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m."phrase of tap
ready to be poured from a tap. "the hard water most of us have on tap"
INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN on schedule to occur. "the first space walk is on tap for December"
What does on tap mean slang? Available for immediate use, ready, as in We have two more trumpeters on tap for the parade. This metaphoric expression alludes to a beverage such as beer that is ready to be drawn from a cask.
idiom Definition of get under someone's skin informal 1 : to irritate or upset someone His constant boasting was beginning to get under my skin. to make someone very annoyed or upset Ignore Justin: don’t let him get under your skin.
phrase of whistle extremely clean or clear. INFORMAL free of incriminating evidence. "the cops raided the warehouse but the place was clean as a whistle"
Why do we say ”as clean as a whistle” ? The phrase seems to reiterate the older phrase, “as clear as a whistle.” Whistles make a shrill tone piercing silence.
noun a confusing and difficult problem or question. "one of the most difficult conundrums for the experts"
What is an example of a conundrum? The conundrum takes place when the actual question is difficult to answer. For example, whether or not you should lie about cheating on your spouse is not a moral conundrum; but whether or not you should lie so that your spouse feels better about the way he looks might be a moral conundrum.
An effort to deceive, overwhelm, or persuade with insincere talk, especially flattery. The entire presentation was a complete snow job.
a deception or concealment of one's real motive in an attempt to flatter or persuade. "we need to do a snow job on him"
Do a snow job in a sentence? an attempt to persuade someone to do something, or to persuade someone that something is good or true, when it is not: My boss did a snow job on me to get me to take on that project. The media, once again, is giving us a snow job.
noun NORTH AMERICAN the weight of someone or something. "he was buckle-kneed from the heft of his staggering load"
How to use "Heft" in a sentence The demon righted him and tried to heft him but stopped. ... But power is configured to deliver greatest heft in the mid-range. ... This is the perfect look for anyone who loves the heft of a substantial frame, but also wants to keep an eye on their budget.
while in motion or progress. "his deep shot was caught on the fly"
COMPUTING during the running of a computer program without interrupting the run.
What does the expression "on the fly" mean? In a hurry In a hurry, on the run, as in I picked up some groceries on the fly. The transfer of this expression, which literally means “in midair or in flight,” dates from the mid-1800s.
verb past participle: denominated; past tense: denominated 1. (of sums of money) be expressed in a specified monetary unit. "the borrowings were denominated in U.S. dollars" 2. FORMAL call; name. "the whole train was denominated a “bull-outfit.”"
What does it mean by denominated? 1 : to give a name to : designate. 2 : to express or designate in some denomination will denominate prices in U.S. dollars.
What is example of denomination? Denomination is defined as the act of categorizing or making a category, particularly of a religion. An example of a denomination is Catholicism as a category of Christianity. An example of a denomination is a $5 bill.
noun INFORMAL a very long way. "he hit the ball a country mile"
Why is it called a country mile? The idea behind a "country mile" is the fact that most country roads are not in a straight line. Instead, roads in the country tend to meander up and down and all around. This makes it seem as if a mile in the country takes longer to cross than a straight mile in the city.
verb (of a river or road) follow a winding course. "a river that meandered gently through a meadow"
noun a winding curve or bend of a river or road. "the river flows in sweeping meanders"
What meander means? meanders; meandered; meandering. 1 to have a lot of curves instead of going in a straight or direct line. 2 to follow a winding course.
Can a person meander? "Meander"comes from a river in modern-day Turkey, the Maiandros, which winds and wanders on its course. Today, a stream or a path meanders, as does a person who walks somewhere in a roundabout fashion. If your speech meanders, you don't keep to the point.
verb exchange (goods or services) for other goods or services without using money. "he often bartered a meal for drawings"
noun the action or system of exchanging goods or services without using money. "it will be paid for by a mixture of barter and cash"
What is the full meaning of barter? 1 : the act or practice of trading goods or services for other goods or services : the act or practice of carrying on trade by bartering. 2 : goods or services that are traded for other goods or services : the thing given in exchange in bartering.
What is "barter" example? Barter is an alternative method of trading where goods and services are exchanged directly for one another without using money as an intermediary. For instance, a farmer may exchange a bushel of wheat for a pair of shoes from a shoemaker.
noun 1. a key fact, point, or idea to be remembered, typically one emerging from a discussion or meeting. "the main takeaway for me is that we need to continue to communicate all the things we're doing for our customers"
adjective INFORMAL mad; crazy. "and the fans go bonkers"
What does bonkers mean slang? crazy, mad informal. : crazy, mad: such as. a : very fond, enthusiastic, or excited She's bonkers for/about opera. He's bonkers for/about her. The fans went bonkers when their team won.
verb quickly and eagerly buy or secure something that is in short supply or being sold cheaply. "all the tickets have been snapped up"
: to buy or take (something or someone) quickly or eagerly Shoppers came to the store to snap up bargains after the holidays. The company is hiring. When they see your work history, they'll snap you up!
believe people used the term to mean "problematic" rather than merely "complex". A deal had hair on it if there was something that would make it hard to sell, not just hard to figure out. Hair On It An extremely useful phrase that can be added to just about any statement to add emphasis of something nasty or strong.
Said emphasis may refer to, but not be limited to, the strength of a smell, the power of a punch or hit, poor taste or any other situation where accentuation of something nasty or rank is needed. Braaaahh that fart is nasty it has got hair on it.
adjective away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course; amiss. "I got the impression that something was awry" Similar: amiss, wrong, not right out of the normal or correct position; askew. "he was hatless, his silver hair awry"
How do you use awry? My mind was too awry to applaud or condemn his action. Something had gone awry,
chiefly US. 1 : to lower the body to the ground by bending the legs. The hikers hunkered down under a cliff until the storm passed. 2 : to stay in a place for a period of time. The leaders hunkered down at a country estate for difficult peace negotiations.
verb reject with disdain or contempt. "he spoke gruffly, as if afraid that his invitation would be spurned"
How do you use the word spurn? Spurn in a Sentence Mikey is such a picky eater that he will spurn everything except chicken nuggets and ice cream. Even after you spurn this so-called charity's request for donations, they continue to hound you every week.
phrasal verb of blow 1.INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN fail to keep an appointment with someone. "I just made this date before I met you— I didn't want to blow her off" 2. INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN ignore or dismiss someone or something. "I took the car in and told them about the problem and they just blew me off"
slang. to decide not to do something you are expected to do, or not to meet someone you are expected to meet: "Aren't you going to the meeting?" "No, I'm going to blow it off."
What does blowing it out of the water mean? destroy or defeat idiom. to destroy or defeat something or someone completely: They came to court with fresh evidence that would, they said, blow the prosecution's case completely out of the water.
Defeat completely, ruin. This term comes from naval warfare; an early citation (1860) defines it as blowing a craft out of the water with broadsides. A century later it was used figuratively, as in “These bad reviews will blow our show out of the water in no time.
What does throw this out of the water mean? Where does the phrase blown out of the water come from? This idiom alludes to a torpedo or other weapon striking a ship and causing a great explosion that makes pieces of the ship literally fly out of the water. This is common to see in naval battles, and there are many early references to pirates and warships blowing people out of the water.
verb recognize or find out. "I can discern no difference between the two policies" distinguish (someone or something) with difficulty by sight or with the other senses. "she could faintly discern the shape of a skull"
What do you mean by discern? 1a : to detect with the eyes discerned a figure approaching through the fog. b : to detect with senses other than vision discerned a strange odor. 2 : to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : discriminate discern right from wrong.
What is another word for discern? OTHER WORDS FOR discern 1 discover, descry, espy. 2, 3 differentiate, judge.
How do I discern something? If you can make out, pick out, or distinguish something, you can discern it. This is a word for recognizing and perceiving things. Discerning has to do with being able to see or hear something.
noun a favor or advantage granted or expected in return for something. "the pardon was a quid pro quo for their help in releasing hostages"
What does "quid pro quo" mean literally? something for something. In Latin, the phrase means literally “what for what”, or “something for something” (quid being short for aliquid, or “something”). One issue with quid pro quo is that the sense in which the phrase is used nowadays is subtly different from its original use.
Etymology: mid 16th century (denoting a medicine substituted for another): Latin, ‘something for something’.
1. To confront someone in defiance or hostility or in preparation for a fight. He squared up with against guy who had been making lewd remarks about his girlfriend. Protestors squared up against police during the march, but thankfully there was no violence. 2. To face someone in competition. The heavyweight champion is squaring up against his challenger this Saturday at 2 PM. The last time I squared up against her, she only beat me by a couple of points. This time, I'll come out on top!
noun meaningless talk or activity, often designed to draw attention away from and disguise what is actually happening. "some people still view psychology as a lot of hocus-pocus" Similar:jargon, unintelligible language, obscure language,mumbo jumbo argle-bargle, gibberish, balderdash claptrap, nonsense, twaddle, rubbish US deception; trickery.
What is the true meaning of hocus pocus? noun. a meaningless chant or expression used in conjuring or incantation. a juggler's trick; sleight of hand. trickery; deception. unnecessarily mysterious or elaborate activity or talk to cover up a deception, magnify a simple purpose, etc.
Why do people say hocus pocus? Hocus-pocus is a reference to the actions of magicians, often as the stereotypical magic words spoken when bringing about some sort of change. It was once a common term for a magician, juggler, or other similar entertainers.
noun lively and noisy festivities, especially when these involve drinking a large amount of alcohol. "sounds of revelry issued into the night"
a situation in which people are drinking, dancing, singing, etc. at a party or in public, especially in a noisy way: Sounds of revelry came from next door. The revelries next door kept me awake all night.
noun a vigorous struggle or scuffle, typically in order to obtain or achieve something. "there was a tussle for the ball"
What does tussle mean in slang? 1 : a physical contest or struggle : scuffle. 2 : an intense argument, controversy, or struggle. tussle. verb.
Who uses the word tussle? Though a tussle is often a physical fight, it's rarely a serious one. Two wrestling dogs, a couple of scuffling teenagers — these are examples of tussles. The word tussle is Scottish, a variant of touselen, which is related to tousle, or "dishevel or muss," which you might do to a little kid's hair.
Energy vampires are people who — sometimes intentionally — drain your emotional energy. They feed on your willingness to listen and care for them, leaving you exhausted and overwhelmed. Energy vampires can be anywhere and anyone.
How to Recognize and Respond to Energy Vampires at Home, Work, and More
What is an energy vampire? Energy vampires can be anywhere and anyone. They can be your spouse or your best friend. They can be your cubicle mate or your neighbor.
Learning how to identify and respond to this toxic behavior can help you preserve your energy and protect yourself from a great deal of emotional — and physical — distress.
Read on to learn more about how an energy vampire acts and what you can do next.
They don’t take accountability
Energy vampires are often charismatic. They may slink out of trouble when problems arise because of this charm.
They’re crafty and may pin problems on someone else in almost every situation.
They never accept culpability for their role in any disagreement or issue. You’re often left holding the guilt — and possibly the blame.
noun a warning or proviso of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations. "there are a number of caveats which concern the validity of the assessment results" Similar: warning, caution, admonition, monition, red flag, alarm bells, proviso.
LAW a notice, especially in a probate, that certain actions may not be taken without informing the person who gave the notice.
What does it mean by caveats? a warning enjoining ˈkā-vē-ˌat. : a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices. a caveat against unfair practices. : an explanation to prevent misinterpretation. : a modifying or cautionary detail to be considered when evaluating, interpreting, or doing something.
Catfishing is when someone sets up a fake online profile to trick people who are looking for love, usually to get money out of them. If you're online dating, read these tips so you know how to spot a catfish.
What Is Catfishing? Catfishing is creating a fake identity online and using it to lure people into a relationship, usually romantic in nature. ... For instance, pedophiles may pretend to be teenagers in order to develop relationships with tweens and teens. ... Meanwhile, teens also engage in other types of online impersonation.
noun a violent person, especially one involved in crime.
What is the synonym of Ruffian? savage person. beast. bigot. boor. brute.
Ruffian comes from a Germanic word that literally translates as “scabbiness,” and perhaps ruffians are covered in scabs from all the fights they start. Sometimes a ruffian is a person involved in crime, however, the word is always used to describe someone who's a cruel, violent jerk.
Ghosting — when someone cuts off all communication without explanation — extends to all things, it seems. Most of us think about it in the context of digital departure: a friend not responding to a text, or worse, a lover, but it happens across all social circumstances and it's tied to the way we view the world.
Ghosting happens when someone cuts off all online communication with someone else, and without an explanation. Instead, like a ghost, they just vanish.
It makes you an unreliable friend. It shows you have no respect for another person's feelings. It say you are inconsiderate and don't care much about the impact or consequences of your actions. It's easier than breaking up but it also shows you have no character when you choose easy over integrity.
adjective exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical. "a vast and perhaps quixotic project"
Who is a quixotic person? quixotic is impracticality in pursuit of ideals, especially those ideals manifested by rash, lofty and romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action. It also serves to describe an idealism without regard to practicality. An impulsive person or act might be regarded as quixotic.
Does quixotic come from Don Quixote? What a wonderful word quixotic is! While it is most often used to mean equally impractical and idealistic, it also has the sense of romantic nobility. Its source is from the great Spanish novel "Don Quixote," whose title character is given to unrealistic schemes and great chivalry.
What does it mean if someone is 1. : very confident and aggressive in a loud and sometimes annoying way. a brassy woman/reporter.
tastelessly showy or loud in appearance or manner (typically used of a woman). "her brassy, audacious exterior"
Resembling brass in color. "the last rays of the sun were brassy and chill" sounding like a brass musical instrument; harsh and loud. "audience members are tapping their feet to the brassy music of the band"
adjective sparkling or shining brightly. "the scintillating sun" Similar: sparkling shining bright brilliant gleaming glittering twinkling coruscating flashing shimmering shimmery scintillant Opposite: dull matte brilliantly and excitingly clever or skillful. "the audience loved his scintillating wit"
How do you use scintillating in a sentence? A scintillating conversation or performance is very lively and interesting. You can hardly expect scintillating conversation from a kid that age.
What does it mean when someone is scintillating? brilliantly lively, stimulating : brilliantly lively, stimulating, or witty. a scintillating conversation.
noun a warning or proviso of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations. "there are a number of caveats which concern the validity of the assessment results" Similar: warning caution admonition monition red flag alarm bells proviso condition stipulation provision clause rider qualification restriction reservation limitation strings LAW a notice, especially in a probate, that certain actions may not be taken without informing the person who gave the notice.
What does caveat mean? a warning enjoining ˈkā-vē-ˌat. : a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices. a caveat against unfair practices. : an explanation to prevent misinterpretation. : a modifying or cautionary detail to be considered when evaluating, interpreting, or doing something.
noun an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information. "conjectures about the newcomer were many and varied" Similar: guess, speculation, surmise, suspicion presumption, assumption.
verb form an opinion or supposition about (something) on the basis of incomplete information. "many conjectured that the jury could not agree"
noun the art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, especially in politics. "in any game of brinkmanship, it is possible that one side will collapse suddenly"
brinkmanship, foreign policy practice in which one or both parties force the interaction between them to the threshold of confrontation in order to gain an advantageous negotiation position over the other.
Why do states use brinkmanship? States can signal a high level of resolve by making a threat that appears likely to trigger extraordinary costs.
verb make known (private or sensitive information). "I do not want to divulge my plans at the moment"
What does divulge meaning? to make known : to make known (something, such as a confidence or secret) refused to divulge the name of her informant. divulge the company's sales figures. archaic : to make public : proclaim. divulgence.
noun 1. a tournament in which each competitor plays in turn against every other. "a round-robin competition"
2. a petition, especially one with signatures written in a circle to conceal the order of writing.
What is meant by round robin method? A round robin is an arrangement of choosing all elements in a group equally in some rational order, usually from the top to the bottom of a list and then starting again at the top of the list and so on. A simple way to think of round robin is that it is about "taking turns."
Etymology: The term round-robin is derived from the French term ruban, meaning "ribbon". Over a long period of time, the term was corrupted and idiomized to robin. In a single round-robin schedule, each participant plays every other participant once.
verb compete eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something. "rival mobs vying for control of the liquor business"
Is vie a real word? vied; vying; vies
English vie comes from the Latin verb meaning "to invite" as in to invite a challenge. Be careful of the spelling which includes an ie to y shift. “He intends to vie for the top prize,” but “He is vying for the top prize.”
What does out of the water mean? idiom. to destroy or defeat something or someone completely: They came to court with fresh evidence that would, they said, blow the prosecution's case completely out of the water.
What Does "Blow out of the Water" Mean? "Blow out of the water" is an idiomatic expression that means to defeat an opponent overwhelmingly. The term isn’t used to describe a narrow victory, it's used only to describe a victory of monumental proportions. Most commonly found in discussions of military engagements and sports contests, the term has its origins in naval warfare. In World War II, naval warfare and munitions reached the point where ships, particularly submarines, had such destructive weapons and delivery systems that when they hit a target, it would sometimes literally blow out of the water. The phrase appeared in battle reports and newspaper accounts, and soon came to symbolize overwhelming victory. The term was especially applicable to sports contests that ended in lopsided victories.
In baseball, a "squibbler" (or "squib") refers to a type of batted ball that is hit weakly off the end of the bat and rolls slowly along the ground. This type of hit often results in a difficult play for the fielder because the ball may have an unpredictable trajectory or spin. Squibblers are typically the result of a mis-hit ball that doesn't make solid contact with the sweet spot of the bat. As a result, the ball doesn't travel far or with much velocity, making it an easy target for infielders to field and throw to first base.
nounINFORMAL money paid to someone to prevent them from disclosing embarrassing or discreditable information. "he used it as hush money for his mistress"
hat is meant by a hush money? : money paid so that someone will keep information secret : money that a person pays someone to hush something up. He's accused of paying her hush money to keep their affair secret.
The expression hush money has been in use since at least 1709, and was first used by Sir Richard Steele in a publication called The Tatler: ”I expect Hush-Money to be regularly sent for every Folly or Vice any one commits in this whole Town.” Steele was an Irish playwright and politician.
apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action.
Why is it called getting cold feet? They got cold feet. ' That is they lost courage or enthusiasm. By the early 1900s, the phrase was being used on college campuses, and a few years later, the term `coldfooter' was applied to those who were afraid to fight in the Great War.
Is it normal to get cold feet in a relationship? If it's the kind of cold feet where you have some anxiety about getting married or you're feeling nervous about making a long-term commitment to someone, then that's completely normal.
Move the needle is an idiom that means to make a change that is noticeable, to alter or modify something so that the effect of your action is measurable. Most often, move the needle is used in a positive sense, meaning to make progress toward a goal.
What is an example of moving the needle? What does the idiom “move the needle” mean? Example: We're all hoping that the new product line will move the needle on sales —revenues have been flat lately.
How do you move the needle in life? Structure, progress, and balance. The 3 P's are – one physical goal, one personal goal, and one professional goal. Together they achieve balanced productivity and regardless of what is going on in your life, if you accomplish these three things every day, you will move the needle in your life.
What is the meaning of roped into? phrasal verb. rope somebody in | rope somebody into something. [usually passive] (informal) to persuade somebody to join in an activity or to help to do something, even when they do not want to. be roped in to do something Everyone was roped in to help with the show. Rope into: join in an activity or to help to do something, even when they do not want to be roped in to do something. Everyone was roped in to help with the show. be roped into doing something. Ben was roped into making coffee for the whole team.
Synonyms of roped (in) led on. drew in. persuaded. snowed. tempted. seduced. baited. decoyed.
phrase of twist INFORMAL persuade someone to do something that they are or might be reluctant to do. "I've twisted his arm and he'll get you some tickets"
What does twisting arm mean? informal : to try to force someone to do something. My wife really had to twist my arm to get me to apologize to my boss.
Is twist my arm a metaphor? To 'twist someone's arm' is an idiom that means to persuade or convince someone to do something. In other words, to get somebody to do something they maybe don't want to do. It's often used in speaking, especially when trying get someone to do something in a friendly or non-forceful way.
What does jazzed mean slang? full of excitement or enthusiasm informal. : full of excitement or enthusiasm. The evening before his interview with AU's search committee, he spent three hours rehearsing questions and answers with the banker. The 35-year-old coach was so jazzed he couldn't sleep.
When did people start saying jazzed? “Jazz” seems to have originated among white Americans, and the earliest printed uses are in California baseball writing, where it means “lively, energetic.” (The word still carries this meaning, as in “Let's jazz this up!”) The earliest known usage occurs on April 2, 1912, in an article discovered by researcher George ...
"jazzed up" (adjective) having been made more interesting, lively, or exciting. "a jazzed-up version of ‘Jingle Bells’" INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN full of excitement or enthusiasm. "there were a lot of people along the route who were really jazzed up about seeing the Air Force"
Can you hone in on something? Hone in means to advance toward a goal and is also often used alongside on, resulting in hone in on. The phrase also means to focus attention. However, many people think this phrase is a mistake, and a case of simply using the wrong verb, since hone means “to sharpen.”
What does honing in on something mean? US: to find and go directly toward (someone or something) The missile was honing in on its target. usually used figuratively. Researchers are honing in on the cause of the disease.
How do you use hone in a sentence? hone something:
1 She honed her debating skills at college. 2 It was a finely honed piece of writing. hone something to something: His body was honed to perfection.
What is the meaning Topsy-Turvy? in utter confusion or disorder Synonyms of topsy-turvy. : in utter confusion or disorder. : with the top or head downward : upside down.
What is a synonym for Topsy-Turvy? synonyms for topsy-turvy chaotic. tangled. cluttered. cockeyed. confused.
Can you tell of something that go topsy turvy? The things that go topsy-turvy at home are: (i) The newspapers are not arranged date-wise. You have to ransack the whole pile to find the newspaper you need. (ii) The keys are not in their proper place, and you look for them everywhere.
INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN verb greedily or unfairly charge (someone) many small amounts for minor services. "we don't nickel-and-dime our customers like some vendors that charge extra for every little utility" adjective of little importance; petty. "the only games this weekend are nickel-and-dime stuff"
What is a nickel and dime slang? (US, idiomatic, colloquial) Small time; operating on a small scale; involving small amounts of money; petty or cheap. I bought my new ride from some nickel and dime used-car salesman. Don't waste your time with that; their operations are nickel and dime.
Where does the saying nickel and dime come from? A nickel-and-dime operation is a small-time outfit, cheap, petty. To nickel-and-dime a customer is to jack up costs by adding lots of fees for little extras. The expression dates back to the late 19th century referring to five-and-ten-cent stores.
exclamation be quiet. "“Shush! Do you want to wake everyone?”" noun 1. an utterance of “shush”. "the thumps were followed by shushes from the aunts" 2. a soft swishing or rustling sound. verb 1. tell or signal (someone) to be silent. "she shushed him with a wave" 2. move with or make a soft swishing or rustling sound. "I stood to watch a big liner shushing slowly past"
does shush mean in slang? someone to be quiet informal. used to tell someone to be quiet: Shush!
The phrase 'get on the horn' is an expression meant as an imperative, directing someone to use the phone immediately. The phrase likely has its origins in the early 1900's with the invention of the telephone.
What is the horn in American slang? US slang. : the telephone. When he heard there was trouble, he got on the horn to the police.
show impatience at restraint To the dictionary we go: Webster's says "champ at the bit" is to "show impatience at restraint; be restless." It comes from something said about horses when they bite their bits "repeatedly and restlessly." They "champ."
: to drop abruptly : settle into position. transitive verb. : to put down usually firmly or abruptly. plunked the items down on the counter. What is a synonym for plunked down? Definitions of plunk down. verb. set (something or oneself) down with or as if with a noise. synonyms: flump, plank, plonk, plop, plump, plump down, plunk. type of: place down, put down, set down.
What is the meaning of swoop on? to sweep through the air, as a bird or a bat, especially down upon prey. to come down upon something in a sudden, swift attack (often followed by down and on or upon): The army swooped down on the town. verb (used with object)
adjective changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties, interests, or affection. "Web patrons are a notoriously fickle lot, bouncing from one site to another on a whim"
What does it mean if a person is fickle? : marked by lack of steadfastness, constancy, or stability : given to erratic changeableness. fickleness noun.
noun INFORMAL NORTH AMERICAN plural noun: gangbusters 1. a police officer or other person who takes part in breaking up criminal gangs. 2. very successful. "the restaurant did gangbuster business"
What does the slang gangbusters mean? Meaning of gangbusters in English to show a large amount of energy, activity, speed, or success: The economy is going like gangbusters.
etymology: Originally it meant with great initial excitement, speedily, with a strong start, or with immediate success. The idiom originally came from the midcentury American radio program Gang Busters, which began each episode with great excitement and vigor (i.e., with lots of loud sound effects).
Toe the Slab: This is when a pitcher steps on the rubber on the mound.
What does toe the rubber mean in baseball? The pitcher must stand on the rubber when he receives the signal. He can't be rubbing up the ball or standing off the mound or anything like that. And he can't walk into a windup position, like coming from the back of the mound.
toe the slab To take the mound; to pitch. Literally, to put his toe on the rubber. took the ball out of the catcher's glove
What does roll over mean in slang? If you say that someone rolls over, you mean that they stop resisting someone and do what the other person wants them to do. That's why most people and organizations just roll over and give up when they're challenged or attacked by the I.R.S.
1 an imaginary object of fear : an imaginary object of fear. : bugbear sense 2. also : something that causes fear or distress out of proportion to its importance.
COUNTABLE NOUN Something or someone that is your bugaboo worries or upsets you. [US] Red tape is the bugaboo of small business.
Where does the term bugaboo come from? "something to frighten a child, fancied object of terror," 1843, earlier buggybow (1740), probably an alteration of bugbear (also see bug (n.)), but connected by Chapman ["Dictionary of American Slang"] with Bugibu, demon in the Old French poem "Aliscans" from 1141, which is perhaps of Celtic origin (compare Cornish ...
Other forms: bugaboos Use the noun bugaboo to describe something that causes worry, like the bugaboo of having three tests on the same day at school. Bugaboo is also another name for the creature known as the bogeyman, an imaginary monster that children believe will hurt them or even take them away if they don't behave. Some usage experts trace bugaboo to Scotland, where the now-obsolete word bogill meant "goblin, bugbear." A bugbear, in the 1580 coining of the word, was a demon that looked like a bear and ate small children.
efficient and successful : efficient and successful. We wanted our business to be lean and mean.
Is lean and mean good? "Lean and mean" describes someone, or some animal, (such as a bull dog), that is strong and powerful, that does not have a lot of fat and certainly is not lazy or sluggish.
Meaning of lean and mean in English using only what is necessary, and determined to work effectively in order to compete successfully: Companies that have survived the crisis are going to be lean and mean.
adjective (especially of clothing or a color) not flattering. "an unbecoming striped sundress"
(of behavior) not fitting or appropriate; unseemly. "it was unbecoming for a university to do anything so crass as advertising its wares"
What does being unbecoming mean? indecorous, improper, unseemly, unbecoming, indelicate mean not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste. indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.
Not flattering, attractive or appropriate. She wore a rather unbecoming hairstyle. Not in keeping with the expected standards of one's position. He was accused of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
noun LAW a right to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is discharged. "they shall be entitled to a lien on any lot sold"
Why does lien mean? Liens: A lien refers to a legal claim against property that can be used as collateral to repay a debt. Depending on the type of debt owed, liens can be attached to real property, such as a home, or personal property, such as a car or furniture.
frittered away; frittering away; fritters away. : to spend or use up (something) in a slow and usually foolish way. He frittered the afternoon away. He frittered away his fortune on gambling.
What is a synonym for frittered away? blow, deplete, dissipate, fribble away, fritter, gamble away, misspend, run through, squander, throw away, trifle away.
Etymology: fritter (v.) "whittle away, waste bit by bit, spend on trifles," 1728, probably from noun fritter "fragment or shred" (though this is recorded later), perhaps an alteration of 16c. fitters "fragments or pieces, " which is perhaps ultimately from Old French fraiture " a breaking," from Latin fractura
adjective reserved, modest, and shy (typically used of a woman). "a demure young lady" Similar: modest, unassuming, meek, mild, reserved
Is demure a compliment? Other forms: demurest; demurer. A demure person can be described as polite and a little shy. A demure outfit is a modest one — think high neckline and low hem. Demure is a word you don't hear a lot these days, but it used to be a huge compliment for a woman or a girl, for them to be considered shy and quiet and modest.
verb move unsteadily from side to side. "the table wobbles where the leg is too short"
cause to move unsteadily from side to side. move unsteadily in a particular direction. "they wobble around on their bikes" Similar: teeter, totter, stagger, walk unsteadily.
(of the voice) tremble; quaver. "her voice wobbled dangerously, but she brought it under control" Similar: tremble, shake, quiver, quaver, waver.
hesitate or waver between different courses of action; vacillate. "he is beginning to wobble on the issue" Similar: waver, hesitate, vacillate, dither, shilly-shally.
noun the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization. "they had reached the nadir of their sufferings" Similar: the lowest point, the all-time low, the lowest level, low-water mark, the bottom as low as one can get, rock-bottom, the depths.
What is the opposite of nadir? ▲ Opposite of the lowest point, level or part (of something) top. zenith. acme.
１ Japanification in the economic sense refers to the stagnation that Japan's economy has faced over the past three decades, and is typically applied in reference to the concern among economists that other developed countries will follow along the same path.
２ Japanification (日本化) is the process of becoming or wishing to become a member of Japanese society. It most commonly refers to expats living for an extended period of time in Japan, though it may also be used to describe persons living outside Japan who have a certain affinity to some aspect of Japanese culture. Cultural assimilation could include adoption of Japanese mannerisms, style of clothing, taste in entertainment, and sometimes aspects of Japanese language. In expats this process often occurs because of a feeling of isolation or desire to conform, whereas outside Japan it may occur because of an especially strong interest in some kind of fan culture based in Japan, e.g. anime, manga, television dramas, music or lolita fashion or mental health issues.
noun 1. a board or screen placed over or behind a pulpit or stage to reflect a speaker's voice forward. 2. a person or group whose reactions to suggested ideas are used as a test of their validity or likely success before they are made public. "I considered him mainly as a sounding board for my impressions"
phrase of measure in addition to what has already been done, said, or given. "he added a couple of chili peppers for good measure" Similar: as a bonus, as an extra, into the bargain, to boot, in addition, besides
What is an example of for "good measure" ? In addition to the required amount. For example, Whenever she bakes she adds a little more cinnamon for good measure, or He didn't argue with my price, so I gave him some extra supplies for good measure.
What does here for it mean? Excited about it When someone says they're "here for it," it means they're happy about something - which they likely described in the same social media post, forum post, or text message. For example, if McDonald's were to announce the McRib was becoming a permanent menu item, many social media users would likely say they're "here for it," because they love the McRib. Online, saying you're "here for" something is roughly the same thing as "showing up" and showing your support for that thing. However, it's certainly not the same as showing up or giving support IRL. For example, if you were to say you're "here for" the McRib, but then never actually buy a McRib after McDonald's adds it to their menu, your online excitement would be meaningless. (When this situation occurs while discussing political causes, it can be a mild form of performative activism.)
Example Hey, hey, guess who dyed their hair red today? OMG, here for it!
noun the state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect. "they lived in squalor and disease"
What does it mean to be living in Squalor? the condition of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, often because of lack of money: These people are forced to live in squalor. It was a dirty, damp, smelly apartment - the usual student squalor.
: very bad and dirty conditions. The family was living in squalor. I was shocked by the squalor of their surroundings.
verb give a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of or in anticipation of pain or distress. "he winced at the disgust in her voice"
a slight grimace or shrinking movement caused by pain or distress. Similar: grimace, flinch.
What does it mean to wince at something? A wince is a facial or bodily expression of pain, disgust, or regret. Think of something you've done that was really, really embarrassing or dumb: now feel your face or take a look in the mirror as you wince at the uncomfortable memory. A moment of pain or a recollection of something painful can make you wince.
adjective not showing a serious or respectful attitude. "a flippant remark" showing or having a rude attitude of not being serious esp. by trying to be amusing when most people expect you to be serious: We had lost thousands of dollars, so we did not appreciate his flippant remark about "better luck next time."
What does it mean force to be reckoned with? If an organization or a person is described as a force to be reckoned with, it means that they are powerful and have a lot of influence: The United Nations is now a force to be reckoned with. The three-time Oscar winner and mother of four is a force to be reckoned with.
Phrase: Her natural charisma and popularity make her a force to be reckoned with. He's certainly a force to be reckoned with in tennis circles. There's absolutely no doubt that he is a political force to be reckoned with. It was a performance that left us in no doubt that this former Broadway star is once again a real force to be reckoned with.
Every dog has its own day said to mean that everyone will be successful or lucky at some time in their life. This expression is sometimes used to encourage someone at a time when they are not having any success or luck.
What is the quote like every dog has its day? “Don't worry, every dog has its day. You'll get your chance to shine.” “The underdog team won the championship. Every dog has its day.”
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a diverse group of conditions. They are characterized by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication. Other characteristics are atypical patterns of activities and behaviours, such as difficulty with transition from one activity to another, a focus on details and unusual reactions to sensations.
The abilities and needs of autistic people vary and can evolve over time. While some people with autism can live independently, others have severe disabilities and require life-long care and support. Autism often has an impact on education and employment opportunities. In addition, the demands on families providing care and support can be significant. Societal attitudes and the level of support provided by local and national authorities are important factors determining the quality of life of people with autism.
Characteristics of autism may be detected in early childhood, but autism is often not diagnosed until much later.
People with autism often have co-occurring conditions, including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as challenging behaviours such as difficulty sleeping and self-injury. The level of intellectual functioning among autistic people varies widely, extending from profound impairment to superior levels.
BOSTON, A city on north east USA. Why is Boston is named Beantown? Of course, one of Boston's most enduring nicknames is easily its most humble — emerging perhaps in the 18th century, and popular by the early 19th century – when the city was flush with molasses from sugar trade with the West Indies, and had a penchant for slow cooking beans in the sugary goop.
Why are beans associated with Boston? Baked beans are a pretty big part of Boston's history, though they weren't always the beans we know today. Baked beans became popular with 17th century Puritans, who could cook them on Saturdays and eat them on Sundays to avoid working on the Sabbath.
noun a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something. "he has a penchant for adopting stray dogs"
What does having a penchant mean? a special liking for If someone has a penchant for something, they have a special liking for it or a tendency to do it. ... a stylish woman with a penchant for dark glasses.
Is penchant positive or negative? Now penchant can mean both an attraction towards something you enjoy or like, or it can mean an inclination or something you tend to do (whether positive or negative). So someone could also have a penchant for violence or a penchant for criticizing others; it's behavior that they tend to do often.
noun thick, dark brown syrup obtained from raw sugar during the refining process, a version of which is used in baking.
What is the slang molasses mean? very slow or slowly : very slow or slowly. I used to be a fast runner, but now I'm slow as molasses. People have complained that the legislature is moving/working slower than molasses.
What is molasses used for? Molasses | Definition & Uses | Britannica The lighter grades of molasses made from sugarcane are edible and are used in baking and candy-making and to make rum. Blackstrap and other low grades of cane molasses are used in mixed animal feed and in the industrial production of vinegar, citric acid, and other products.
US noun a person, especially a child, who reveals secrets or informs on others; a telltale.
t does tattletale mean in slang? tat·tle·tale ˈta-tᵊl-ˌtāl. Synonyms of tattletale. chiefly US, informal. : someone (such as a child) who tells secrets about what someone else has done : one who tattles : informer.
hy is it called tattletale? The word tattletale is mostly used in the U.S. (in Britain it's more common to use telltale). It comes from the verb tattle, "report someone's wrongdoing." In the 16th century, you'd have called a tattletale a pickthank. These days, you can also use words like snitch or whistle-blower.
adjective Informal mad; crazy. "and the fans go bonkers"
at does bonkers mean in slang? crazy If you say that someone is bonkers, you mean that they are silly or act in a crazy way. [British, informal, disapproval]
If you say that someone is bonkers, you mean that they are silly or act in a crazy way. [British, informal, disapproval] The man must be bonkers to take such a risk. I nearly went bonkers with frustration.
Essentially, 'still game' means still up for the challenge.
What does the phrase “are you game” mean? If someone asks you if 'you are game,' they want to know whether you are willing to try something; whether you are interested in doing something fun or unusual. To be game" is informal and means "to be prepared or willing for something.
adverb upside down. "the fairground ride turned riders topsy-turvy" Similar: upside down, inverted, reversed, wrong side up, head over heels upset, backwards, vice versa Opposite: right way up, adjective, placed upside down. "the bookmark showed a topsy-turvy flag" noun a state of utter confusion. "this economic topsy-turvy has been set in motion by employee ownership of public companies" : in utter confusion or disorder : with the top or head downward : UPSIDE DOWN : turned topsy-turvy : totally disordered What is the origin expression Topsy-Turvy? This word dates back at least as far as the 16th century, and there are many theories about its origin. The most likely root is the now-obsolete terve, "to overturn," from the Old English tearflian, "to roll over and over."
phrasal verb of ramp increase the level or amount of something sharply. "they ramped up production to meet booming demand" sharply increase in level or amount. "the level of violence is ramping up”
People also ask What does it mean to ramp up to something? increase activity, ramp sth up to increase activity or the level of something: The company announced plans to ramp up production to 10,000 units per month to meet demand.
noun 1. a gear in a motor vehicle providing a gear ratio higher than that of direct drive (the usual top gear), so that the engine speed can be reduced at high road speeds to lessen fuel consumption or to allow further acceleration. 2. a state of great or excessive activity. "the city's worried public relations group went into overdrive" verb 1. give (an electric guitar) a distorted sound. "cranking the volume up results in overdriving the bass" 2. drive or work to exhaustion. "he says he did not overdrive the horses"
noun short, fine fibers that separate from the surface of cloth or yarn, especially during processing. a fabric, originally of linen, with a raised nap on one side, used for dressing wounds. the fibrous material of a cotton boll.
Lint is the common name for visible accumulations of textile fibers and other materials, usually found on and around clothing. Certain materials used in the manufacture of clothing, such as cotton, linen, and wool, contain numerous, very short fibers bundled together. Wikipedia
verb (of a person) give a loud shout or cry. "he hollers when he wants feeding" noun a loud cry or shout. "the audience responded with whoops and hollers"
What does Holler mean in America? to shout or call loudly She hollered "Stop!" just before the collision.
noun an organized massacre of a particular ethnic group, in particular that of Jewish people in Russia or eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "the pogroms of the 1880s drove many westwards to the USA"
Pogrom A pogrom is a violent riot which is incited with the aim of massacring or expelling an ethnic or religious group, particularly Jews. The term entered the English language from Russian and originally, it was used to describe 19th- and 20th-century attacks on Jews in the Russian Empire. Wikipedia
adverb upside down. "the fairground ride turned riders topsy-turvy"
adjective placed upside down. "the bookmark showed a topsy-turvy flag" noun a state of utter confusion. "this economic topsy-turvy has been set in motion by employee ownership of public companies"
What is the origin expression Topsy Turvy? This word dates back at least as far as the 16th century, and there are many theories about its origin. The most likely root is the now-obsolete terve, "to overturn," from the Old English tearflian, "to roll over and over."
phrase of rope BOXING forced against the ropes by the opponent's attack. in state of near collapse or defeat. "behind the apparent success the company was on the ropes"
at does on the ropes mean slang? If you say that someone is on the ropes, you mean that they are very near to giving up or being defeated. The army claims the rebels are on the ropes.
noun a form of written command in the name of a court or other legal authority to act, or abstain from acting, in some way.
Similar: summons, subpoena, warrant, arraignment, indictment, court order process, decree, citation, subpoena, ad testificandum one's power to enforce compliance or submission; one's authority. noun: one's writ; plural noun: one's writs "you have business here which is out of my writ and competence"
What does its writ mean? a formal order under seal, issued in the name of a sovereign, government, court, or other competent authority, enjoining the officer or other person to whom it is issued or addressed to do or refrain from some specified act.
An official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions. : a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or usher 2 chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm
bailiff 1. NORTH AMERICAN an official in a court of law who keeps order, looks after prisoners, etc. "as the bailiff took him away, his mother wept while I averted my eyes" 2. BRITISH a sheriff's officer who executes writs and processes and carries out distraints and arrests. "word spread that bailiffs, accompanied by the police, had turned up to evict traders and seize their properties"
What does it mean to be a Fussbudget? a fussy person Britannica Dictionary definition of FUSSBUDGET. [count] US, informal + disapproving. : a person who worries or complains about small things : a fussy person. a grumpy old fussbudget.
Where did the saying Fussbudget come from? Fussbudget “one who is fussy or needlessly faultfinding” is a transparent compound of the nouns fuss “bustle, commotion” and budget “itemized list of funds or expenses.” The word entered English in the early 20th century; it became associated with the character Lucy Van Pelt in the comic strip Peanuts in the 1960s.
adverb, old Enough apart; divided. "those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder"
into pieces. "the desk burst asunder"
What does it mean to put asunder? into separate places Asunder comes from the Old English phrase on sundran, which means "into separate places." It is a somewhat archaic and uncommon word and many people know it only from religious marriage ceremonies: "What God has joined together let no man put asunder." In most cases, you can use its more common synonym "apart" and ...
adverb, old English apart; divided. "those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder"
into pieces. "the desk burst asunder"
What does it mean to put asunder? into separate places Asunder comes from the Old English phrase on sundran, which means "into separate places." It is a somewhat archaic and uncommon word and many people know it only from religious marriage ceremonies: "What God has joined together let no man put asunder." In most cases, you can use its more common synonym "apart" and ...
verb (of an animal such as a dog) make an aggressive growl with bared teeth. "the dog snarled at the boy"
noun an act or sound of snarling. "the cat drew its mouth back in a snarl"
Examples from Collins dictionaries The dogs snarled at the intruders. With a snarl, the second dog made a dive for his heel. 'Let go of me,' he snarled. I vaguely remember snarling at someone who stepped on my foot.
verb (of an animal such as a dog) make an aggressive growl with bared teeth. "the dog snarled at the boy"
noun an act or sound of snarling. "the cat drew its mouth back in a snarl"
Examples from Collins dictionaries The dogs snarled at the intruders. With a snarl, the second dog made a dive for his heel. 'Let go of me,' he snarled. I vaguely remember snarling at someone who stepped on my foot.
verb (of an animal such as a dog) make an aggressive growl with bared teeth. "the dog snarled at the boy"
noun an act or sound of snarling. "the cat drew its mouth back in a snarl"
Examples from Collins dictionaries The dogs snarled at the intruders. With a snarl, the second dog made a dive for his heel. 'Let go of me,' he snarled. I vaguely remember snarling at someone who stepped on my foot.
noun 1 the pointed end part of a pen, which distributes the ink on the writing surface. 2 shelled and crushed coffee or cocoa beans.
What is a nib in English? nib in American English 1. the point of a pen, or either of its divisions. 2. a penpoint for insertion into a penholder.
What is a nib in calligraphy? A calligraphy nib is the pointed, detachable end of a pointed pen (also called a dip pen). This type of calligraphy pen is a very traditional utensil, and is used for the pointed pen or Copperplate styles (terms are used interchangeably).Sep 8, 2022
to reduce the amount, level, size, or importance of something: As the price of gasoline rose above $3 a gallon, consumers cut their spending elsewhere, tamping down profits in retail, travel and other industries.
What is another word for tamp down? press down tightly. synonyms: pack, tamp. type of: compact, compress, pack together. make more compact by or as if by pressing.
to press something such as soil or tobacco down firmly. Synonym. pack. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Squeezing and grinding
phrase of bar with no exceptions. "the greatest living American poet bar none"
Why does bar none mean? without exception Bar none basically means without exception. The phrase is used to emphasize that a statement is completely true and often is used at the end of a phrase or sentence -- nearly always set off with a comma or commas. We have the best stadium, bar none, in college football.
What's another word for bar none? On this page you'll find 16 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to bar none, such as: whole, any, barring no one, complete, each and every, and entire.
adjective having or showing good judgment. "the restaurant attracts discerning customers"
What does it mean if someone is discerning? If you describe someone as discerning, you mean that they are able to judge which things of a particular kind are good and which are bad. [approval] Even the most accomplished writers show their work-in-progress to discerning readers. Synonyms: discriminating, knowing, sharp, critical More Synonyms of discerning.
verb enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way, especially with drinking and dancing. "they spent the evening reveling with their guests"
noun lively and noisy enjoyment, especially with drinking and dancing. "late-night revels"
What does it mean to revel in something? to take great pleasure Revel means to take great pleasure. If you revel in something, you're not just pleased or even excited; you're overwhelmed by joy.
: a small mass, bundle, or tuft: such as a : a soft mass especially of a loose fibrous material variously used (as to stop an aperture, pad a garment, or hold grease around an axle) b (1) : a soft plug used to retain a powder charge or to avoid windage especially in a muzzle-loading gun (2) : a felt or paper disk used to separate the components of a shotgun cartridge c : a small mass of a chewing substance //a wad of gum
In social media slang, "cap" means "lie" or "falsehood". It's often used on Instagram and TikTok. For example, if a follower comments "cap" or "all cap" on a post, they're accusing the user of lying. "No cap" means "no lie" or "for real". For example, "Johnson is gonna cancel the quiz this Friday, no cap". The term's origins are unclear, but it's thought to have originated in hip-hop culture. It then spread to other aspects of African American culture before being adopted by mainstream culture. "Cap" can also mean the special hat that baseball players wear.
phrasal verb of sound express one's opinions in a loud or forceful manner. "Pietro started sounding off to the press"
What does it mean when someone says you sound off? to express your opinions forcefully, especially without being asked for them: sound off about He's always sounding off about how he thinks the country should be run. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Expressing and asking opinions.
Amirite" is an informal way to spell "am I right". It's used to get agreement or solidarity with a statement. It can also be used to mock or undermine the preceding statement. "Amirite" is often used on social media after making a joke or sharing an opinion. For example, "We all know what that's like, amirite?" . "Amirite" is a slang term that represents the rhetorical " am I right". It's used to imitate the use of this phrase as a tag question in informal speech. The word "amirite" comes from "am" + "I" + "rite" ("right
In politics, a dog whistle is a statement or expression that has a secondary meaning that only a specific group can understand. The term is used to describe the use of coded or suggestive language to gain support from a group without provoking opposition. It's named after ultrasonic dog whistles, which can only be heard by dogs. Berkeley political scientist Ian Haney Lopez describes "dog whistle politics" as a strategy to win elections by: Causing minorities to feel anxious or fearful Dividing class interests Using coded or suggestive language. Article Talk. In politics, a dog whistle is the use of coded or suggestive language in political messaging to garner support from a particular group without provoking opposition. The concept is named after ultrasonic dog whistles, which are audible to dogs but not humans.
verb past tense: shrouded; past participle: shrouded 1. wrap or dress (a body) in a shroud for burial. "the body was washed and shrouded" 2. cover or envelop so as to conceal from view. "mountains shrouded by cloud"
What is a synonym for shrouded? to keep secret or shut off from view shrouded the fact that the child had been adopted. conceal. hide. obscure. cover.
adjective beginning to grow or increase rapidly; flourishing. "manufacturers are eager to cash in on the burgeoning demand"
What is an example of burgeoning? growing or developing quickly:The company was criticized for not doing more to pare down its burgeoning debt. (of a plant) putting forth buds, flowers, shoots, etc.: The overcast sky was more than made up for by the brilliant purple blossoms of the burgeoning jacaranda trees.
Chortled" is the past simple and past participle of the verb "chortle". It means to laugh or chuckle, especially when amused or pleased.
"Chortle" may also mean to sing or chant exultantly. For example, "He chortled in his joy". Lewis Carroll coined the word "chortle" in 1871 in his poem "Jabberwocky". The poem is about a son who slays a monster and returns to his father who is relieved and happy. Carroll completed the poem in 1855 but only introduced it to the public in his 1871 novel Through the Looking-Glass. For example, "She chortled with glee at the news".
verb past tense: razed; past participle: razed completely destroy (a building, town, or other site). "villages were razed to the ground"
What does it mean for a house to be razed? to destroy or tear it down To “raze a building” means to destroy or tear it down. This term is often associated with tear downs that occur when a company buys a new piece of land. There may be buildings on the land that need to be “razed” or destroyed .
Importunate means making repeated or annoying requests or demands. For example, you might describe a child's demands for candy at the grocery store as importunate. persistent, especially to the point of annoyance or intrusion. "importunate creditors"
Entreat means to ask someone earnestly, beseech, implore, or beg. It implies that the person doing the entreating is serious about what has to happen. For example, you might entreat a judge for mercy or entreat the jury to spare your life.
"Beseech" means to ask someone earnestly, to entreat, or to implore. It can also mean to ask for something earnestly, to solicit eagerly, or to beg for.
Implore means to ask someone earnestly to do something. It can also mean to say something as a serious or emotional request. For example, you might implore a friend for a loan if you're short on
What does the expression peas and carrots mean? “Like peas and carrots” means any two things that go well together, get along very well together, or are well-suited. It is a reference to a common American vegetable side-dish, peas and carrots served as one dish.
What does coon mean? dark-skinned person Slang. Coon, a racial slur, used pejoratively to refer to a dark-skinned person of African, Australian Aboriginal, or Pacific islander heritage. Coon Carnival, the original name for the Kaapse Klopse, a yearly minstrel festival in Cape Town, South Africa.
adjective. : having negative connotations; especially : tending to disparage or belittle : depreciatory. Examples. The captain has come under fire for making pejorative remarks about teammates.
What is an example of pejorative language? Calling someone 'loser', for example, is a way of soliciting listeners to view them as undesirable, damaged, inferior, and so forth. Racial slurs have the function of propagating racism in a speech community.
What does the idiom round peg mean? Also, round peg in a square hole. A misfit, especially a person unsuited for a position or activity. For example, Ruth doesn't have the finesse for this job; she's a round peg in a square hole. This idiom, with its graphic image of something that cannot fit, dates from about 1800.
What does it mean to be convoluted? complicated and difficult to understand (kɒnvəluːtɪd ) adjective. If you describe a sentence, idea, or system as convoluted, you mean that it is complicated and difficult to understand.
What does it mean to be a convoluted person? Definitions of convoluted. adjective. highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious.
adjective knowing or using several languages. "New Orleans has always been a polyglot city" noun a person who knows and is able to use several languages. "Slovenians, being surrounded by many countries, are mostly polyglots"
What is the meaning of Lest we forget? it should not be forgotten Borrowed from a line in a well-known poem written in the 19th century, the phrase 'lest we forget' means 'it should not be forgotten'. We say or write 'lest we forget' in commemorations to remember always the service and sacrifice of people who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
How do you use Lest we forget in a sentence? we should not forget (often used as a cautionary phrase):Lest we forget, many large conflicts have started over small, insignificant areas. Lest we forget, fake news is still with us. in case you have forgotten (used facetiously):The 1980s, lest we forget, was a terrible era for fashion.
noun a piece of wood, metal, or some other material having one thick end and tapering to a thin edge, that is driven between two objects or parts of an object to secure or separate them. Similar: tapered block chock door stop verb 1. fix in position using a wedge. "the door was wedged open" 2. force into a narrow space. "I wedged the bags into the back seat"
flipped off; flipping off; flips off. transitive verb. : to hold up the middle finger as an obscene gesture of contempt to.
To show someone in an offensive way that you are annoyed with them or do not like them by turning the back of your hand toward them and putting your middle finger up: The player was fined $5,000 for flipping off fans who had booed him. An angry man in the crowd flipped off the mayor's vehicle as it passed.
verb INFORMAL hit forcefully. "Jess socked his father across the face"
What does sock mean slang? slang. : to subject to or as if to a vigorous assault. they may let you off the first time … but the second time they'll sock it to you James Jones.
What does sock someone mean? When you sock someone, it has nothing to do with footwear; you punch them. If something "knocks your socks off," it makes you extremely enthusiastic or excited, and if your brother tells you to "put a sock in it," he means "be quiet."
adjective (of a door or other opening) slightly open. "she had left the window ajar that morning"
What does it mean to be ajar? slightly open The adjective ajar describes something that is slightly open. A door that has been left ajar is easily pushed open by the wind or a nosy person. To correctly pronounce ajar, say "uh-JAR." People in a hurry leave drawers and cabinet doors ajar, or hanging open.
What does it mean to be caprice? 1. a sudden, unpredictable change, as of one's mind or the weather. 2. a tendency to change one's mind without apparent or adequate motive; whimsicality; capriciousness.
adjective. characterized by or liable to sudden unpredictable changes in attitude or behaviour; impulsive; fickle.
A cummerbund is a broad waist sash, usually pleated, which is often worn with single-breasted dinner jackets (or tuxedos).[1] The cummerbund was adopted by British military officers in colonial India, where they saw it worn by sepoys (Indian soldiers) of the British Indian Army.[2] It was adopted as an alternative to the waistcoat, and later spread to civilian use. The modern use of the cummerbund to Europeans and North Americans is as a component of the traditional black tie Western dress code.[2]
What’s the purpose of a cummerbund? Cummerbunds are an essential part of black tie etiquette and they give formal suits a finished appeal. Cummerbunds are used to cover the unsightly bunching that occurs when a shirt is tucked into trousers and they also provide an aesthetic benefit to your overall ensemble.
Move the needle is an idiom that means to make a change that is noticeable, to alter or modify something so that the effect of your action is measurable. Most often, move the needle is used in a positive sense, meaning to make progress toward a goal.
The phrase "move the needle" means to have enough of an effect that people notice a change. He thinks, "I have to remember this one."
“Move the needle”
That time has passed. What to say instead: “Have an effect” “Generate a reaction”
at does barbs mean in slang? countable noun. A barb is an unkind remark meant as a criticism of someone or something. The barb stung her exactly the way he hoped it would. Synonyms: dig, abuse, slight, insult More Synonyms of barb.
an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect. ...
What does barbs mean in slang? countable noun. A barb is an unkind remark meant as a criticism of someone or something. The barb stung her exactly the way he hoped it would. Synonyms: dig, abuse, slight, insult More Synonyms of barb.
an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect. ...
adjective witheringly scornful; severely critical. "he unleashed a scathing attack on his former boss"
What is the meaning of word scathing? harshly critical; scornful scathing. / (ˈskeɪðɪŋ) / adjective. harshly critical; scornful: a scathing remark. damaging; painful.
a light spear thrown in a competitive sport or as a weapon. the athletic event or sport of throwing the javelin. noun: the javelin "his nearest rival in the javelin" The word javelin comes from Middle English and it derives from Old French javelin, a diminutive of javelot, which meant spear.
noun an uncontrolled outburst of anger and frustration, typically in a young child. "he has temper tantrums if he can't get his own way"
Temper tantrums range from whining and crying to screaming, kicking, hitting, and breath-holding spells. They're equally common in boys and girls and usually happen between the ages of 1 to 3. Some kids may have tantrums often, and others have them rarely. Tantrums are a normal part of child development.
commotion, controversy A kerfuffle is some kind of commotion, controversy, or fuss. If you read about a scandal in a newspaper, it could be described as a kerfuffle. Kerfuffle is a humorous-sounding word for a mostly non-humorous situation: some kind of disturbance, scandal or mess. However, a kerfuffle usually isn't 100% serious.
What is a kerfunkle slang? informal. : a disturbance or commotion typically caused by a dispute or conflict. In all the kerfuffle, nobody seemed to have noticed Harry, which suited him perfectly.
What does palpable mean? It is obvious that it can easily be seen or known, or (of a feeling) so strong that it seems as if it can be touched or physically felt: The tension in the room was palpable during the exam.
What is a synonym for palpable? Some common synonyms of palpable are appreciable, perceptible, ponderable, sensible, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable. the tension in the air was almost palpable.
: one that squats: such as a : one that settles on property without right or title or payment of rent b : one that settles on public land under government regulation with the purpose of acquiring title
to make yourself comfortable in a place or situation, or to prepare to stay in a place or position for a long time, usually in order to achieve something or for protection: The press have hunkered down for the night outside the palace, waiting for news of the royal birth.
Where does the term hunkering down come from? Hunker comes from Scottish — it means "crouch on your heels" or "squat." Sometimes the phrase is also used to mean "get to work," like when you hunker down and finish your homework.
What is a synonym for hunker down? to lie low with the limbs close to the body had to hunker down so no one would see him behind the gate. crouch. huddle. hunch. squat.
What is the difference between there you go and there you are? “There you go” can also be an expression of encouragement or pride, when someone you are helping has a success. “There you are” is also an expression of triumph at finding something or someone. In these examples, the phrases are NOT interchangeable.
What is an example of there you go? We didn't win the competition, but there you go - we can always try again next year. used to mean "I told you so": There you go - I knew you'd forget if you didn't write it down.
there you are phrase of there INFORMAL 1. this is what you wanted. "there you are—that'll be $3.80 please" 2. expressing confirmation, triumph, or resignation. "sometimes it is embarrassing, but there you go"
American Idiom verb turn an initial stake or winnings from a previous bet into (a greater amount) by gambling. "it involved parlaying a small bankroll into big winnings" noun a cumulative series of bets in which winnings accruing from each transaction are used as a stake for a further bet.
What does the slang term parlay mean? verb (used with object) to bet or gamble (an original amount and its winnings) on a subsequent race, contest, etc. Informal. to use (one's money, talent, or other assets) to achieve a desired objective, as spectacular wealth or success: He parlayed a modest inheritance into a fortune.
Use the phrase in a nutshell when you want to make it clear that you're going to sum something up in just a few words. Another way to say this would be "to make a long story short."
completely free from penalty or harm The phrase 'Scot-Free' means that something or someone is completely free from penalty or harm. The term is also used in discussing a person who has avoided paying taxes. Example of Use: “He was guilty of robbery, yet the jury error meant he got away with his crime scot-free.”
verb past tense: spearheaded; past participle: spearheaded lead (an attack or movement). "he's spearheading a campaign to reduce the number of accidents at work" Similar: lead, head, front be the driving force behind be in the forefront of
What does it mean to be spearheaded? to lead something such as an attack or a course of action: British troops spearheaded the invasion. Joe Walker will be spearheading our new marketing initiative.
To take stock (of something) is to think carefully about a situation or event and form an opinion about it, so that you can decide what to do: take stock of After two years spent teaching overseas, she returned home for a month to take stock of her life. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. phrase. If you take stock, you pause to think about all the aspects of a situation or event before deciding what to do next. It was time to take stock of the situation. Synonyms: review the situation, weigh up, appraise, estimate More Synonyms of take stock.
Baseball Slang. a remarkably straight and hard-hit line drive: Mitchell's frozen rope sailed right through the gap in left field, giving him an easy stand-up double.Apr
commotion, controversy A kerfuffle is some kind of commotion, controversy, or fuss. If you read about a scandal in a newspaper, it could be described as a kerfuffle. Kerfuffle is a humorous-sounding word for a mostly non-humorous situation: some kind of disturbance, scandal or mess. However, a kerfuffle usually isn't 100% serious.
What is a kerfunkle slang? informal. : a disturbance or commotion typically caused by a dispute or conflict. In all the kerfuffle, nobody seemed to have noticed Harry, which suited him perfectly
"Malleability" is the quality of something that can be shaped into something else without breaking, like the malleability of clay. Malleability — also called plasticity — has to do with whether something can be molded.
What is an example of malleability? The metals property which can be beaten into thin sheets, then the property is called malleability. This property is observed by metals that can be drawn into sheets when hammered. Example: steel, aluminium, copper, silver, lead etc.
What is malleability and ductility? Ductility - Meaning, Definition, Comparison of Malleability ... Ductility is the property of metal associated with the ability to be stretched into wire without breaking. Malleability is the property of metal associated with the ability to be hammered into a thin sheet without breaking. The external force or stress is tensile stress.
A kerfuffle is some kind of commotion, controversy, or fuss. If you read about a scandal in a newspaper, it could be described as a kerfuffle. Kerfuffle is a humorous-sounding word for a mostly non-humorous situation: some kind of disturbance, scandal or mess. However, a kerfuffle usually isn't 100% serious.
noun the fact or condition of being magnanimous; generosity. "both sides will have to show magnanimity"
What does magnanimity literally mean? Magnanimity is kindness and generosity toward someone, especially after defeating them or being treated badly by them. [formal] The father of one victim spoke with remarkable magnanimity. Synonyms: generosity, nobility, benevolence, selflessness More Synonyms of magnanimity.
verb past tense: confabbed; past participle: confabbed engage in informal private conversation. "Peter was confabbing with a curly-haired guy"
What does it mean to be confabbed? Definition of confabbed. past tense of confab. as in consulted. to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem the members of the condo board have been confabbing about the security problem. consulted.
If you say that something is ballyhooed, you mean that there is a lot of excitement about it and people are claiming that it is very good. You use this word especially when you think the thing is not as exciting or good as people say.
What does ballyhoo mean in slang? 1. : a noisy attention-getting demonstration or talk. 2. : flamboyant, exaggerated, or sensational promotion or publicity.
What is the meaning of ballyhoo in English? a lot of noise and activity
The term "anchor baby" is a derogatory term used to describe a child born in a country with birthright citizenship to non-citizen parents, with the idea that the child's citizenship will help the parents gain legal residency. For example, in the United States, a child born to non-citizen parents may automatically become a citizen if the mother was present in the country at the time of birth. This could potentially allow the parents to improve their own immigration status. However, federal law states that a child must be 21 years old to petition for a non-citizen parent, so a family would have to wait that long to benefit. Additionally, some say that the idea that people give birth in the US to stay there is a myth, and that it's actually difficult for undocumented immigrant parents to obtain legal safeguards against deportation.
verb pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury). "she feigned nervousness"
What does it mean to feign something? a. : to give a false appearance of : induce as a false impression. feign death. b. : to assert as if true : pretend.
to display ostentatiously or impudently : to display ostentatiously or impudently : parade. flaunting his superiority. a chance to flaunt clothes, bodies, and sexuality . 2. : to treat contemptuously.
What does it mean to flaunt something? : to show (something) in a very open way so that other people will notice. She liked to flaunt her wealth by wearing furs and jewelry. Their motto seems to be, “If you've got it, flaunt it!”
noun the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization. "they had reached the nadir of their sufferings" Similar: the lowest point the all-time low the lowest level low-water mark the bottom as low as one can get rock-bottom the depths zero the pits
What is the meaning of the word nadir? the lowest point 1. : the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and directly under the observer. 2. : the lowest point. our hopes reached their nadir.
What is a puncher's chance? The puncher's chance is a boxing idiom that indicates the improbable. In boxing, it specifically refers to a boxer who is out matched, still having the capacity to win, if they can land one or two clean heavy punches.
Meaning of giddily in English in a way that shows you feel silly, happy, and excited: They laugh giddily, too caught up in the moment to care. "It's like a dream," she says giddily. in a way that makes you feel as if your sense of balance is not good and that you may fall down: Suddenly she swayed giddily.
Does giddy mean excited? feeling silly, happy, and excited and showing this in your behavior: giddy with She was giddy with excitement.
Is giddy a positive word? Giddy has been used to describe someone incapable of serious thought or easily excited as far back as the 16th century.
verb past tense: languished; past participle: languished 1. (of a person or other living thing) lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble. "plants may appear to be languishing simply because they are dormant" Similar: weaken grow weak deteriorate decline go into a decline wither droop flag wilt fade fail waste away go downhill Opposite: thrive flourish 2. suffer from being forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation. "he has been languishing in jail since 1974" Similar: waste away rot decay wither away molder be abandoned
A friar belongs to a religious order, a group within the Catholic church. A friar is similar to a monk. Friars are like monks in that they are devoted to a religious life. The difference is that a friar lives and works among regular people in society, while a monk lives in a secluded, self-sufficient group of monks.
withdraw or resign from a position or office. "he stood down as leader of the party" 2. relax after being ready or alert. "no further action was required and all units stood down"
In one's charge or close guidance; along with one. For example, The older girl took the new student in tow , or Peter always had his family in tow . This expression alludes to the literal meaning of being pulled along.
at does it mean to say "in tow"? If you have someone in tow, they are following you closely because you are looking after them or you are leading them somewhere. [informal] There she was on my doorstep with child in tow. She had a reporter and a photographer in tow. Synonyms: accompanying, following, in attendance, by your side More Synonyms of in tow.
noun an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived and without basis in the object's qualities; a craze. "prairie restoration is the latest gardening fad in the Midwest"
You use fad to refer to an activity or topic of interest that is very popular for a short time, but which people become bored with very quickly.
noun a small swirling mass of something, especially snow or leaves, moved by sudden gusts of wind. "a flurry of snow" Similar: swirl whirl eddy billow shower gust rush burst gale squall storm verb (especially of snow or leaves) be moved in small swirling masses by sudden gusts of wind. "gusts of snow flurried through the door"
What is flurry slang for? sudden commotion, excitement, or confusion; nervous hurry. There was a flurry of activity before the guests arrived.
The term derives from the early American custom in which candidates campaigned from town to town and stood upon a sawed off tree stump to deliver their speech.
noun an obstacle to progress toward an agreement or goal. "job security has emerged as a key sticking point in negotiations"
What is the meaning of sticking point? sticking point in American English noun. 1. a point, detail, or circumstance causing or likely to cause a stalemate or impasse.
What is another word for sticking point? obstacle deadlock impasse stumbling block bone of contention hindrance
(of food) fried quickly at a high temperature so as to retain its juices in subsequent cooking. "seared chicken livers"
What does seared with mean? : to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden application of intense heat. b. : to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat. sear a steak.
Sharecropping is a system where the landlord/planter allows a tenant to use the land in exchange for a share of the crop. This encouraged tenants to work to produce the biggest harvest that they could, and ensured they would remain tied to the land and unlikely to leave for other opportunities. How is sharecropping different from slavery? Although they were no longer legally enslaved, sharecroppers were kept in place by debt. As their income was dependent on both the profits from the sale of the crop and the whims of the landowners, sharecroppers had to find means to sustain themselves during the rest of the year.
What does it mean to inculcate someone? : to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions. inculcation.
The teacher inculcated in her students the importance of good study habits. A sense of responsibility was inculcated in the students. = The students were inculcated with a sense of responsibility.
adjective untidy, disorganized, or incongruously varied in character. "a ragtag group of idealists" noun a group of people perceived as disreputable or undesirable. "the ragtag had been organized into some kind of marching order"
"Ganged up on" is an informal phrasal verb that means to join together in a group to attack, criticize, hurt, frighten, or oppose someone, usually unfairly: "At school the older boys ganged up on him and called him names". "Some older girls have been ganging up on her at school". "Harrison complained that his colleagues ganged up on him".
Smacked of is a phrasal verb that means to seem to contain or involve something unpleasant. For example, you might say "Her behavior smacks of hypocrisy" or "Today's announcement smacks of a government cover-up".
phrase of fly INFORMAL lose one's temper suddenly and unexpectedly.
What does it mean when someone flies off the handle? very angry to react in a very angry way to something that someone says or does: He's extremely irritable - he flies off the handle at the slightest thing.
What does it mean to anchor a team? Anchors are usually the backbone of a team since they implement workable strategies to ensure the team completes tasks quickly and effectively.
What does it mean to anchor an event? As an anchor, you hold the power to set the tone, engage attendees, and ensure the seamless progression of the program. Your presence on stage serves as a bridge between the event and the audience, guiding them through various segments while maintaining an atmosphere of enthusiasm and anticipation.
What is a synonym for disheveled? dirty disarranged disarrayed disordered ruffled tousled unbuttoned unzipped.
What does a disheveled person look like? Technically, disheveled means having uncombed, untidy hair. Although in modern usage, people often use disheveled to refer to untidy, perhaps torn and patched clothing, it would be a bit of a stretch to use the word to describe an untidy pile of blankets or newspapers… so I'd avoid doing so.
verb raise (a sensitive or difficult subject) for discussion. "he broached the subject he had been avoiding all evening" What does it mean to broach something? : to open up (a subject) for discussion. a good time to broach the subject. intransitive verb. : to break the surface from below. the whale broached.
A simpleton is a person who is not very intelligent or lacks common sense or judgment. It can also imply that someone is innocent or naive. The word is sometimes considered offensive and is similar to other words that insult a person's intelligence, such as "moron", "dummy", and "dimwit".
Scarf down" is a slang term that means to eat or drink something quickly and voraciously. For example, "The kids were just scarfing down candy". Synonyms of "scarf down" include "consume", "gobble", "guzzle", "imbibe", "inhale", "quaff", "swallow", and "swig".
"Tough it out" is an American English phrasal verb that means to remain strong and determined in a difficult situation, or to put up with something painful or difficult. For example, "I know you feel sick, but can you tough it out until the end of your work shift?" . It can also mean to deal with a difficult period without becoming less certain or determined in your plans or opinions. For example, "It's a difficult situation, but if we can just tough it out, things are bound to get better soon.
verb talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way. "she began to prattle on about her visit to the dentist
to talk in a silly way or like a child for a long time about things that are not important or without saying anything important: She'd have prattled on about her new job for the whole afternoon if I'd let her.
noun the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community. "an offense against social mores"
What is mores and examples? Examples of Mores. Mores are norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance. Mores include gossiping, stealing, lying, bullying, and breaking a promise.
“an arrow in the quiver“ and its meaning is “one of a number of resources or strategies or options that could be used to achieve your goal; quiver figuratively means a number of resources or strategies; Literally, quiver is an archer's portable case for holding arrows”.Aug
adjective having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority. "she thought the teachers were arrogant and condescending"
Condescension is rude and patronizing. Treating someone with condescension is the opposite of treating them with respect. Condescension is full of arrogant and snooty attitude, and people who practice condescension treat others like inferior idiots. Sarcasm goes well with condescension if you're trying to be a jerk.
"Fast asleep" is an idiom that means someone is sleeping very deeply and soundly. For example, "It was late at night and everyone was fast asleep". Synonyms of "fast asleep" include "sound asleep" and "asleep
Radio static, also known as radio noise, is a sound that occurs when a radio receiver is picking up unwanted radio frequency electrical signals and fluctuating voltages in addition to the desired radio signal. It can also refer to a lack of clarity in the sound when a radio station is not tuned in correctly
adjective comparable in certain respects, typically in a way which makes clearer the nature of the things compared. "they saw the relationship between a ruler and his subjects as analogous to that of father and children"
: similar or comparable to something else either in general or in some specific detail. Timbre in music is analogous to color in painting.
noun Law a wrongful act or an infringement of a right (other than under contract) leading to civil legal liability. "public nuisance is a crime as well as a tort"
Which is an example of a tort? There are numerous specific torts including trespass, assault, battery, negligence, products liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. There are also separate areas of tort law including nuisance, defamation, invasion of privacy, and a category of economic torts.
The phrase "shoot the bull" originated between 1920 and 1925 and means to talk aimlessly or informally about unimportant things. For example, "We just sat around shooting the bull"
Where did the term "shoot the bull" come from? Originating in the southern United States, the phrase seems to date from the late 1800s. A synonymous phrase is “chew the fat,” while “shoot the bull,” has a slightly different connotation meaning gossiping or joking around. All three of these phrases are still in common use in western and rural areas.Jun
hesitate; be indecisive. "I waste a lot of time hemming and hawing before going into action"
What does the phrase hem and haw mean? Be hesitant and indecisive Be hesitant and indecisive; avoid committing oneself, as in When asked about their wedding date, she hemmed and hawed , or The President hemmed and hawed about new Cabinet appointments . This expression imitates the sounds of clearing one's throat.
The idiom "hem and haw" originated in the late 1700s and imitates the sound of throat clearing. It means to be hesitant or indecisive, or to avoid committing to something. For example, "When asked about their wedding date, she hemmed and hawed". It can also mean to stop often and change what you're saying while speaking, either because you're unsure of what to say or because you're trying to avoid saying something. For example, "The question surprised her and she hemmed and hawed a bit before
noun an entrance hall or other open area in a building used by the public, especially a hotel or theater. "the foyer of the concert hall"
NORTH AMERICAN an entrance hall in a house or apartment.
What does foyer mean in a house? A foyer is a large entrance, like the foyer of a building that you enter before you reach the elevators. Sometimes a foyer is also called a "lobby." Foyer originally was a term in French that referred to the room where actors waited when they were not on stage. Today, a foyer is a large entrance to a building or home.
crooked or askew; not level. "cockeyed camera angles"
absurd; impractical. "do you expect us to believe a cockeyed story like that?"
drunk. "I got cockeyed"
having cross-eye, squint, or any other visible abnormality of the eyes. 2. appearing to be physically or logically abnormal, absurd, etc; crooked; askew. cockeyed ideas.
excited : to enjoy or be excited by (something) especially in a sexual way. He's one of those guys who seem to get off on making other people feel guilty.
(transitive, slang) To excite or arouse, especially in a sexual manner, as to cause to experience orgasm. (intransitive, slang) To experience great pleasure, especially sexual pleasure; in particular, to experience an orgasm. It takes more than a picture in a girlie magazine for me to get off.
annoy The verb irk means "annoy," so if the incessant barking of your next door neighbor's pug is driving you crazy, you can say that the noise irks you.
djective (of something regarded as unpleasant) continuing without pause or interruption. "the incessant beat of the music" continuing without interruption; ceaseless
adjective having many curves and turns. "the river follows a sinuous trail through the forest"
Definitions of sinuous. adjective. curved or curving in and out. synonyms: sinuate, wiggly curved, curving. having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend.
What is meant by shuffle? a. : to move by sliding along or back and forth without lifting. shuffle one's feet. b. : to perform (something, such as a dance) with a dragging, sliding step.
noun OFTEN HUMOROUS a letter, especially a long or official one. "he hastily banged out electronic missives"
to send No matter how you deliver it, a missive is a message. The noun missive comes from the Latin word missus, meaning "to send." You may have heard the phrase, "fire off a missive," meaning a note, memo or dispatch that was written and sent with urgency and conveyed an important message.
noun a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen. "they believed that wild birds in the house were portents of death"
. : something that foreshadows a coming event : omen, sign. 2. : prophetic indication or significance.
verb intrude on (a person's territory or a thing considered to be a right). "rather than encroach on his privacy she might have kept to her room"
advance gradually beyond usual or acceptable limits. "the sea has encroached all around the coast"
The verb encroach comes from the Old French word encrochier, meaning “seize, fasten on, catch with a hook.” If others slowly take over what belongs to you, they encroach, like people who encroach on your personal space at a crowded concert, or someone whose questions get more and more personal, which encroaches on your ...
Lay into" is an informal phrasal verb that means to attack someone physically or verbally, or to criticize someone in an angry way. For example, "His parents really laid into him for wasting so much money" or "In the middle of the meeting she suddenly laid into him for no apparent reason" Here are some other definitions of "lay into": To attack and hit repeatedly, To beat, To scold, To assail, and To attack forcefully
adjective laughing in a half-suppressed, typically scornful way. "when I informed my fellow writers, I received a snickering reply" noun half-suppressed, typically scornful laughter. "the snickering and guffaws continued"
verb repeat or prolong an action, thought, or utterance after the stimulus that prompted it has ceased. "they perseverate under stress"
Perseveration, in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and speech–language pathology, is the repetition of a particular response (such as a word, phrase, or gesture) regardless of the absence or cessation of a stimulus. It is usually caused by a brain injury or other organic disorder.
verb wrap or cover for warmth. "on a chair by the far wall, muffled in an absurd overcoat"
What is a muffled sound? A muffled sound is quiet or not clear: I could hear muffled voices next door but couldn't make out any words. The muffled roar of traffic could be heard in the distance. Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples. making little or no noise
noun a receptacle in a furnace or kiln in which things can be heated without contact with combustion products. "a muffle furnace"
adjective remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree. "the stove consumed a prodigious amount of fuel"
What is a prodigious person? Prodigious, monstrous, tremendous, and stupendous all mean extremely impressive. Prodigious suggests marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something that is felt as going far beyond a previous maximum of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size ("acrobats performing prodigious aerial feats").
noun thick, soft, wet mud or a similar viscous mixture of liquid and solid components, especially the product of an industrial or refining process. dirty oil, especially in the sump of an internal combustion engine. sea ice newly formed in small pieces.
"Milling around" is a phrasal verb that means a group of people are moving around in an area without a clear purpose or direction, sometimes while waiting for someone. For example, "In the square, people were milling around in the sunshine".
means in a way that is slow and awkward because of being very heavy or large. For example, you might describe someone walking or a vehicle moving ponderously.
a crusty, ill-tempered 1. : a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man. 2. archaic : miser.
What makes a person a curmudgeon? Old, cranky, and more than a little stubborn, a curmudgeon is the gruff, grey-haired neighbor who refuses to hand out candy at Halloween and shoos away holiday carolers with a "bah humbug!" As fickle and stubborn as the type of person it describes, curmudgeon comes to us without a history, its origins undisclosed.
adjective 1. (of a person's hair) disarranged. "he ran a hand through his ruffled hair" 2. (of a garment or part of a garment) having a ruffle or ruffles. "she wore a sparkly top and a ruffled silk skirt"
adjective bad-tempered or irritable. "he was a choleric, self-important little man"
influenced by or predominating in the humor called choler. "a choleric disposition"
Similar: bad-tempered, irascible, irritable
Choleric people are natural-born leaders, driven, and goal-oriented. They tend to be decisive, assertive, and impatient with those who do not keep up. Cholerics have a need for control and power that can sometimes border on dominance.
Slovenliness is a noun that means the state or quality of being untidy, unclean, or careless in appearance or habits. It can also refer to a sloppy or slipshod quality in work, research, or writing. For example, you might describe a place as looking like a junk room with a general sense of slovenliness
Also, skeleton crew, or skeleton staff, is a group of people that is the minimum number required to keep a business or organization running. This can happen when full staffing is not necessary or possible, such as during seasonal fluctuations, reduced demand, or unexpected events
noun informal the exact double of (another person or thing). "she's the spitting image of her mother"
Why do we say spitting image? Spitten image followed spit and image, and finally spitting image began to see use at the end of the 19th century. The initial reason given for why we should have used spit in this manner is that it was said of a child that he or she looked enough like a parent to have been spit out of their mouth.
verb rub or push against gently with the nose and mouth. "he nuzzled her hair"
lean or snuggle against. "the dog nuzzled up against me"
What does it mean to nuzzle someone? If you nuzzle someone or something, you gently rub your nose and mouth against them to show affection. She nuzzled me and I cuddled her. The dog came and nuzzled up against me. Synonyms: snuggle, cuddle, nudge, burrow More Synonyms of nuzzle.
noun a thing that has a restraining or subduing effect. "television and booze, those twin dampeners of the revolutionary spirit"
Meaning of dampener in English something that makes something less active, less exciting, or less enjoyable: dampener on Interest rate rises may act as a dampener on the market.
baseball term: What is the nitro zone in baseball? Feature Friday | #FeatureFriday Learn more about our Nitro ... Nitro Zone was created to help players make better decisions in the area of the strike zone where they do the most damage.
adjective having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing. "a wistful smile
Similar: regretful, nostalgic, yearning, longing, sad
: having or showing sad thoughts and feelings about something that you want to have or do and especially about something that made you happy in the past. She was wistful for a moment, then asked, “Do you remember the old playground?”
If you goad someone, you deliberately make them feel angry or irritated, often causing them to react by doing something.
goad verb [T] (provoke)
be goaded on The runner was goaded on by his desire to keep up with the others. A group of children were goading (= laughing at or pushing) another child in the school playground.
hat does it mean to be pious? Someone who is pious is very religious and moral. He was brought up by pious female relatives. ... pious acts of charity. Synonyms: religious, godly, devoted, spiritual More Synonyms of pious.
What does it mean to be pious? Someone who is pious is very religious and moral. He was brought up by pious female relatives. ... pious acts of charity. Synonyms: religious, godly, devoted, spiritual More Synonyms of pious.
What does slang show up mean? embarrassed to behave in a way that makes someone you are with feel ashamed or embarrassed: I wish you wouldn't show me up in front of my parents by getting so drunk.
verb walk with short steps and a clumsy swaying motion. "three geese waddled across the road"
What does it mean if someone waddles? (usually of a person or animal with short legs and a fat body) to walk with short steps, moving the body from one side to the other: The ducks waddled down to the river. A short, fat waiter waddled over. Compare. toddle.
verb give a short, half-suppressed laugh; giggle. "the audience began to titter"
drew only nervous titters. The room broke into nervous titters of laughter. The announcement brought a round of half-stiffled titters. A few titters were heard at a moment that should have some sad grandeur about it
"I wouldn't put it past him" is an idiom that means you would not be surprised if someone did something bad, especially because it's typical for them to do so. For example, "I wouldn't put it past him to lie
(of a person) tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion. "I shuddered with horror" noun an act of shuddering. "the elevator rose with a shudder"
What does it mean if you shudder? If you shudder, you shake with fear, horror, or disgust, or because you are cold. Lloyd had urged her to eat caviar. She had shuddered at the thought. Synonyms: shiver, shake, tremble, quake
walk in an awkward way, typically because of pain from an injury. "he was hobbling around on crutches"
noun 1.an awkward way of walking, typically due to pain from an injury. "he finished the game almost reduced to a hobble" 2.a rope or strap used for hobbling a horse or other animal.
What is the act of hobbling? to walk with difficulty in an awkward way, or to cause someone to walk in this way, usually because of an injury to the feet or legs: He hobbled over on crutches.
The idiom "keep your hand in" means to practice a skill or hobby occasionally to maintain a level of proficiency. For example, "I do a bit of teaching now and then just to keep my hand in
An average or normal amount; just what one might expect. For example, I missed three questions, but that's par for the course . This term comes from golf, where it refers to the number of strokes needed by an expert golfer to finish the entire course.
How do you use "par for the course" in a sentence? It used to be regarded as par for the course. There is nothing unusual in our case; it is just about par for the course. It is all about politics rather than security, and this is par for the course. I suppose that is par for the course.
verb carry or drag (a heavy or bulky object) with great effort. "she began to lug her suitcase down the stairs" Similar: carry, lift, bear, tote, heave
To haul or drag along (especially something heavy); to carry; to pull, including its figurative senses. lug (verb) To run at too slow a speed.
Shriveled means something has become dry, wrinkled, and smaller, often due to a loss of moisture. For example, you might describe a grape as shriveled, or say that leaves have shriveled up in the sun.
What does shriveled mean? to become dry, smaller, and covered with lines as if by crushing or folding, or to make something do this: The lack of rain has shriveled the crops. You ought to pick that lettuce before it shrivels (up) and dies.
"Towheaded" is an adjective that describes a person or their hair as having a very light blond or yellowish color, almost white. The term is most often used to describe children with blond hair, as blond hair usually darkens with age.
The word "towhead" comes from the noun "tow", which often referred to textile fibers in 14th-century England. "Tow" is usually a golden color, similar to the color of flax
noun a joint formed by one or more tapered projections (tenons) on one piece which interlock with corresponding notches or recesses (mortises) in another. verb join together by means of a dovetail.
to fit together well to fit together well, or to cause something to fit together well with something else: [ I ] Our plans dovetailed, and we were able to meet that evening.
having a dejected or guilty appearance; shamefaced. "the boys wore hangdog looks as the police marched them down the steps"
shamefaced; guilty: He sneaked out of the room with a hangdog expression. Synonyms: contrite, sheepish, ashamed. browbeaten; defeated; intimidated: He always went about with a hangdog look.
adjective (of a person or their clothes) unfashionable and without style in appearance (typically used of a woman). "she could achieve the kind of casual chic that made every other woman around her look dowdy"
an a man be dowdy? Yes, men, can be dowdy. Albert Einstein was dowdy. So was Abraham Lincoln. And Louis C.K
: not neat or becoming in appearance : shabby. a dowdy old hat. 2. a. : lacking smartness or taste
adjective smiling in an irritatingly smug, conceited, or silly way. "a smirking teammate offered mocking applause"
“smirk” is a negative expression Smirk expression is used to describe sarcasm, insincerity, or the unsatisfied feeling of an individual. Grin is considered a positive expression and even inappropriate in some situations. Smile is considered a positive expression and represents pleasure and happiness. A smirk is considered a negative expression
What does tousled mean? The adjective tousled can be used for anything that's untidy, but you'll usually see it describing a head of hair. Tousled hair is messy, windblown, or otherwise unkempt. The verb tousle came first—today it means "make untidy," but originally to tousle was "to handle or push roughly." Definitions of tousled.
verb say (something) suddenly and without careful consideration. "“It wasn't my idea,” Gordon blurted"
What is the meaning of the word blurt? to utter suddenly or inadvertently; divulge impulsively or unadvisedly (usually followed by out ): He blurted out the hiding place of the spy.
(of a liquid) flow out in a rapid and plentiful stream, often suddenly. "William watched the murky liquid gushing out" Similar: surge, burst, spout, spurt, jet
speak or write with effusiveness or exaggerated enthusiasm. "a nice old lady reporter who covers the art openings and gushes about everything" Similar: enthuse, over-enthuse, be enthusiastic.
a rapid and plentiful stream or burst of something. "a gush of blood"
What does "gush" mean in slang? to express oneself extravagantly or emotionally; talk effusively: She gushed with pride over her new grandchild.
worried phrase. If someone wrings their hands, they hold them together and twist and turn them, usually because they are very worried or upset about something. You can also say that someone is wringing their hands when they are expressing sorrow that a situation is so bad but are saying that they are unable to change it.
verb (of a person or animal) make a series of low, feeble sounds expressive of fear, pain, or discontent. "a child in a bed nearby began to whimper" Similar: whine, cry, sniffle, snivel
noun a low, feeble sound expressive of fear or pain. "she gave a little whimper of protest"
verb suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it. "he surmised that something must be wrong"
To surmise is to form an opinion or make a guess about something. If you surmise that something is true, you don't have much evidence or knowledge about it. Near synonyms are guess, conjecture, and suppose.
"Two bits" is an old-fashioned term for 25 cents, or a quarter dollar. It's based on the idea that a "bit" is one-eighth of a dollar, or 12.5 cents, and that monetary amounts were only counted in multiples of two. The phrase originated in the early 1700s and comes from the Spanish dollar, which was made up of eight reales, or eight bits.
"Two bits" can also be used as a general term to mean a small amount, especially in negative statements. For example, "That piece of junk isn't worth two bits.
"Two-bit" is also an informal adjective that means something is inferior, cheap, worthless, or insignificant. It's often used to describe a person who is not very good at what they do, or to insult someone who has a high opinion of themselves. For example, "I'm just a two-bit actor who'll probably be unemployed in a few years.
verb walk or move in a leisurely manner. "we decided to mosey on up to Montgomery"
noun a leisurely walk or drive.
What is an example of Mosey? He moseyed up to the bar. For dessert, mosey your way a few blocks down to The Whisky Club. The event will feature a 1.25-mile route for classic cars to mosey around the fairgrounds. Last summer, the little Udin farm met its match: Deer moseyed over and devoured most of the crop
adverb as quickly as possible; immediately. "I took off lickety-split across the lawn"
How do you use Lickety split? Examples of lickety-split We would take that in a lickety-split second. ... If she gets the answer "lickety-split," as her dad says, she can check it off. ... The class is nonstop, moving lickety-split from jumping jacks to cross-over steps, squats, mountain climbers and other familiar exercises.
: a skill or instinctive ability to appreciate or make good use of something : talent a flair for color, also : inclination, tendency, a flair for the dramatic
a uniquely attractive quality : style fashionable dresses with a flair all their own Montreal is a city noted for its … European flair
idiom The phrase “get stale” means to become dull, outdated, or no longer fresh or interesting. It’s often used in various contexts:
1. Food: When food, like bread or crackers, “gets stale,” it means it has lost its freshness and becomes hard or dry. • Example: “The bread got stale after a few days.” 2. Ideas or Relationships: It can also refer to ideas, routines, or relationships that lose their excitement or vitality over time. • Example: “Their relationship got stale after years of doing the same things.”
In both cases, it signifies a loss of quality or appeal over time.
verb forcibly pull (something) from a person's grasp. "Leila tried to wrest her arm from his hold"
What is the meaning of the word wrest? To wrest is to forcefully grab or take something away. You can wrest away many things, such as remote controls and championships. This word is strong and a little violent.
How do you use the word wrest? to get something with effort or difficulty: The shareholders are planning to wrest control of the company (away) from the current directors. to violently pull something away from someone: He wrested the letter from my grasp.
a book or other collection of financial accounts of a particular type. "the total balance of the purchases ledger"
Similar: book, account book, record book, register, registry, log
What is ledger in simple words? A ledger is a book or collection of accounts in which accounting transactions are recorded. Each account has: an opening or brought-forward balance; a list of transactions, each recorded as either a debit or credit in separate columns (usually with a counter-entry on another page)
"Hunker down" is a phrasal verb that has multiple meanings: To crouch or squat: To lower the body to the ground by bending the legs, often with the buttocks resting on the heels. For example, "The hikers hunkered down under a cliff until the storm passed". To stay in a place for a period of time: To be prepared to stay in a particular place or situation for as long as necessary, especially for protection or to achieve something. For example, "The leaders hunkered down at a country estate for difficult peace negotiations".
"Keep tabs on" is an informal idiom that means to carefully watch or observe someone or something in order to learn what they are doing. For example, "We are keeping tabs on their movements" or "The magazine keeps tabs on the latest fashion trends".
If someone keeps tabs on you, they make sure that they always know where you are and what you are doing, often in order to control you. [informal] It was obvious Hill had come over to keep tabs on Johnson and make sure he didn't do anything drastic.
noun an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one's own conduct; a misgiving. "military regimes generally have no qualms about controlling the press"
How do you use qualm in a sentence? She had/felt some qualms about moving to the big city. He had no qualms about accepting their offer.
adjective (of a person) large and strong; heavily built. "I saw a burly figure approaching"
The adjective burly describes someone (usually male) who is muscular and beefy. Types of people that you might describe as burly? Football players, wrestlers, and bouncers at nightclubs. The word burly is a synonym for words like husky, brawny, and muscular.
A **Fedora** is a type of hat characterized by a soft brim and indented crown, usually creased lengthwise down the crown with pinched sides. It has been a popular fashion accessory, especially for men, since the late 19th century and peaked in popularity during the early to mid-20th century.
**Key features of a fedora**: - **Brim**: The brim is flexible and can be shaped according to preference, often about 2.5 inches wide. - **Crown**: The crown typically has a crease at the top and is pinched at the sides. - **Materials**: Fedoras are commonly made of felt, but they can also be made from wool, cashmere, rabbit, or beaver fur. Lighter summer versions are often made of straw or cotton.
Cultural and Fashion History: - **Origins**: The fedora was originally a women’s hat when it first appeared in the late 19th century but quickly transitioned into men’s fashion. - **Golden Age**: In the 1920s to 1950s, the fedora became an essential part of men's business attire in the United States and Europe. It was popularized by Hollywood stars like Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant. - **Decline**: With the rise of casual clothing styles in the 1960s, the fedora lost its status as a daily wear item for most men. In recent years, the fedora has experienced a resurgence as a fashionable accessory, often worn for its vintage or retro appeal. -
Whatnot is another word for odds and ends. Whatnot also means etcetera, so it often comes at the end of a list. On top of a dresser, there might be souvenirs, snow globes, a collection of porcelain pigs, and whatnot.
1. INFORMAL used to refer to an item or items that are not identified but are felt to have something in common with items already named. "little flashing digital displays, electric zooms and whatnots"
is a slang word for someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law, sometimes also politics or economics.
adjective very angry; enraged. "I was absolutely incensed"
anger Definition of incensed. as in enraged. feeling or showing anger incensed residents demanded that the police apprehend the punks who vandalized the cemetery.
adjective causing intense disgust; disgusting. "there was a revolting smell that lingered in the air"
disgusting adjective. If you say that something or someone is revolting, you mean you think they are horrible and disgusting. The smell in the cell was revolting. Synonyms: disgusting, shocking, offensive, appalling
to leave in a hurry; depart take a powder in American English slang. to leave in a hurry; depart without taking leave, as to avoid something unpleasant. He took a powder and left his mother to worry about his gambling debts. Also: take a runout powder.
A vestige is a trace, mark, or sign of something that has been lost or disappeared. For example, you might describe a lump of snow with a carrot in it as a vestige of a snowman. The word vestige comes from the Latin word vestigium, which means "footprint.
"Hoggy" is an informal slang term derived from the word "hog," which refers to a pig. When someone is described as being "hoggy," it means they are acting greedy, selfish, or as if they are trying to take more than their fair share, often in the context of food or resources. Essentially, it suggests someone is being overly possessive or unwilling to share.
For example: - "Don't be hoggy" means "Don't be greedy" or "Don't take everything for yourself."
It's often used in a casual or playful manner when reminding someone to share.
perfectly or exactly right You can use to a T or to a tee to mean perfectly or exactly right. For example, if something suits you to a T, it suits you perfectly. If you have an activity or skill down to a T, you have succeeded in doing it exactly right.
verb past tense: tut-tutted; past participle: tut-tutted make an exclamation expressing disapproval or annoyance. "people were tutting"
express disapproval or disbelief : to express disapproval or disbelief by or as if by uttering tut. editorialists tut-tutted over the recent congressional scandal
noun plural noun: tribulations a cause of great trouble or suffering. "the tribulations of being a megastar" a state of great trouble or suffering. "his time of tribulation was just beginning"
nounas in bad situation or occurrence. adversity. bad break. bummer. calamity.
adjective said or done for amusement; joking. "a jesting commentary on world affairs" noun the action of saying or doing something for amusement. "laughing and jesting were out of the question"
phrase of upper have the advantage over someone or something. "he usually has the upper hand because he's older"
If you have the upper hand, you have more power than anyone else and so have control: After hours of fierce negotiations, the president gained/got/had the upper hand.
verb move or cause to move up and down or from side to side with small rapid movements. "Stasia wiggled her toes" Similar: jiggle, wriggle, twitch, flutter
: to avoid doing (something that one does not want to do) in some clever or dishonest way. She tried to wriggle out of the contract.
adjective (of an area of land) lacking vegetation and exposed to the elements. "a bleak and barren moor"
(of a building or room) charmless and inhospitable; dreary. "he looked around the bleak little room in despair" (of the weather) cold and miserable. "a bleak midwinter's day"
a. : lacking in warmth, life, or kindliness : grim. a bleak prison documentary. b. : not hopeful or encouraging : depressing
phrasal verb of butt interrupt or intrude on a conversation or activity. "he's always butting in—not letting her finish her story and giving her advice she never asked for"
to interrupt a conversation or discussion or someone who is talking: He kept on butting in with silly comments Interrupting & preventing from speaking. barge
verb make a soft, muffled crackling sound like that caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper. "she came closer, her skirt swaying and rustling"
rustle noun (NOISE)
the sound that paper or leaves make when they move: I could hear (a) rustling in the bushes. A small animal was making rustling noises among the leaves.
adjective making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise. "raucous youths"
Raucous means unpleasantly loud, or behaving in a noisy and disorderly way. It can be hard to give an oral report in the front of a classroom when the kids in the back are being raucous.
adjective looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering. "I trailed on behind, haggard and disheveled"
a gaunt, wasted adjective. 1. having a gaunt, wasted, or exhausted appearance, as from prolonged suffering, exertion, or anxiety; worn. the haggard faces of the tired troops.
adjective informal cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions. "a city leery of gang violence"
not trusting someone or something and usually avoiding him, her, or it if possible: I've always been a little leery of authority figures. Synonyms. suspicious.
adjective (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little. "after such gatherings she would be taciturn and morose"
adjective. A taciturn person does not say very much and can seem unfriendly. A taciturn man, he replied to my questions in monosyllables. Synonyms: uncommunicative, reserved, reticent, unforthcoming
noun a long or fast speech or story, typically one intended as a means of persuasion or as an excuse but regarded with skepticism or contempt by those who hear it. "he delivers a breathless and effortless spiel in promotion of his new novel"
A spiel is a lengthy, often glib talk that's intended to persuade or make excuses. Infomercials feature salespeople giving a 30-minute spiel about some product. Used as a noun or verb, spiel originates from the German word spielen, meaning “to play." It's often somewhat rehearsed and should be greeted with skepticism.
adjective (of words or the person speaking them) fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow. "she was careful not to let the answer sound too glib"
readily fluent, often thoughtlessly, superficially, or insincerely so: a glib talker; glib answers. Synonyms: smooth, facile, loquacious, talkative. easy or unconstrained, as actions or manners.
noun a private romantic rendezvous between lovers. "a moonlight tryst" verb keep a private, romantic rendezvous.
A meeting is when people get together for any reason. But when they are sneaking to meet, notably as secret lovers, it's called a tryst. The origin of the word tryst comes from Middle English, and originally referred to a designated hunting station.
djective agitated or confused. "a flustered commuter"
embarrassed, agitated When you're flustered, you're embarrassed, agitated, or just confused. If your pants fell down in the middle of class while you were giving a presentation, you'd probably be flustered: highly embarrassed, out of breath, and a little freaked out.
verb (of a person's skin or a part of the body) experience a tingling sensation, especially as a result of strong emotion. "the sound made her skin prickle with horror"
noun a short, slender, sharp-pointed outgrowth on the bark or epidermis of a plant; a small thorn. "the prickles of the blackberry bushes"
1. as fast or as hard as possible. "the whole team is working flat out to satisfy demand" 2. INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN without hesitation or reservation; unequivocally. "flat-out perjury"
moving or working at top speed or with maximum effort; all-out. a flat-out effort by all contestants. 2. downright; thoroughgoing.
verb make or cause to make a sharp sound or series of such sounds as a result of a hard object striking another. "he heard the sound of her heels clacking across flagstones"
noun a sharp sound or series of sounds. "the clack of her high heels"
What is an example of Clack? If two hard objects clack, they make a short sharp noise because they hit together: Their heels clacked on the bare concrete. A typewriter was clacking in the next room. She heard his footsteps clacking along the concrete sidewalk.
: to add (one's comment or opinion) to a conversation or discussion that one has been listening to. He kept chiming in with his opinions. 2. : to be in agreement or harmony with (something) The illustrations chimed in perfectly with the story.
verb make (someone) anxious or unsettled. "they were perturbed by her capricious behavior"
What does it mean to perturb someone? Other forms: perturbed; perturbing; perturbs. To perturb is to bug or bother someone by confusing them or throwing them off balance.
attempt to resolve a dispute or misunderstanding by confronting someone and engaging in a frank discussion or argument. "give her the chance of a night's rest before you have it out with her"
Definition of 'to have it out' If you have it out or have things out with someone, you discuss a problem or disagreement very openly with them, even if it means having an argument, because you think this is the best way to solve the problem. Why not have it out with your critic, discuss the whole thing face to face?
inebriated is just a fancy way of saying drunk. If you see a man staggering down the street grasping a bottle of rum in his hand, chances are he's inebriated. When you want to use an impressive word to say that someone is drunk, go ahead and use inebriated.
verb (of a person) tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion. "I shuddered with horror"
noun an act of shuddering. "the elevator rose with a shudder"
If you shudder, you shake with fear, horror, or disgust, or because you are cold. Lloyd had urged her to eat caviar. She had shuddered at the thought. Synonyms: shiver, shake, tremble, quake
phrase of writ clear and obvious. "the unspoken question writ large upon Rose's face" in a stark or exaggerated form. "bribing people by way of tax allowances is the paternalistic state writ large"
If you say that something is writ large, you mean that it is very obvious. [literary]
noun a thing that is helpful or beneficial. "the navigation system will be a boon to both civilian and military users"
Think of a boon as a favor that no one has necessarily asked for, something extra. "We'd just spent our last dollar on a cup of coffee so it was a real boon to find a ten dollar bill lying on the sidewalk." Boon can also be an adjective for someone friendly and welcoming, as in "a boon companion."
"Left field" is an American slang term that means something is unusual, unexpected, or strange. For example, you might say "That question came out of left field".
singular noun [usu prep N] If you say that someone or something has come out of left field or is out in left field, you mean that they are untypical, unusual, or strange in some way.
What does it mean to have someone's number? idiom. informal. : to be able to deal with or defeat someone easily especially because one knows or understands that person so well.
to understand what kind of person someone is, so you know how to treat them or deal with them.
: psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one's emotional or mental stability
adjective dark-skinned. "she looked frail standing next to her strong and swarthy brother"
Swarthy means dark skinned. If you like tall, dark and handsome men, you find a swarthy complexion attractive. Not everyone with dark skin is swarthy. The word is usually used to describe someone whose skin is weather beaten and darkened by the sun, or has an olive complexion.
Pack in" is an informal British and New Zealand slang term that means to stop or quit. For example, "I have no intention of packing in just yet “My heart will pack in if this goes on any longer!”
"Pack in" can also mean to end a relationship with someone or to stop spending time with them. For example, "Is Emma still seeing Joe?" "No, she's packed him in
verb past tense: entreated; past participle: entreated 1. ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something. "his friends entreated him not to go"
She would, she pleaded, write herself to Prince Llewelyn, entreat him to agree for her sake. In his pain and misery he was advised to entreat the abbot, whom he had injured, to cure him. Bel sent one of his sons to entreat him to return, but was refused.
forcibly pull (something) from a person's grasp. "Leila tried to wrest her arm from his hold"
take (something, especially power or control) from someone or something else after considerable effort or difficulty. "they wanted to allow people to wrest control of their lives from impersonal bureaucracies"
To wrest is to forcefully grab or take something away. You can wrest away many things, such as remote controls and championships. This word is strong and a little violent. It's not easy to wrest something away.
adjective slightly burnt; scorched. "he had singed eyebrows and soot all over his face"
What does it mean to be singed? : to burn superficially or lightly : scorch. especially : to remove the hair, down, or fuzz from usually by passing rapidly over a flame.
noun plural noun: quibbles a slight objection or criticism about a trivial matter. "the only quibble about this book is the price"
to argue about, or say you disapprove of, something that is not important: There's no point quibbling about/over a couple of dollars. Compare. bicker disapproving.
noun living quarters. "they are looking for new digs"
If you don't know that digs means where you live, the same as pad and crib, there's no hiding it, man, you're over 25! Digs is derived from the earlier term diggings, which shares the same meaning of "living quarters" or "lodging." This sense of diggings goes back to the 19th century.
to move unsteadily : STAGGER, WOBBLE to tremble or rock as if about to fall : SWAY to become unstable : threaten to collapse
(of a person's steps) feeble or unsteady. "she swayed on her feet and took a few tottering steps" (of a structure) shaking or swaying as if about to collapse. "all that was left of this historic building were sections of tottering, smoke-blackened walls"
verb (of a living organism or cell) separate and expel as waste (a substance, especially a product of metabolism). "excess bicarbonate is excreted by the kidney"
To get rid of waste material (ek-SKREET) To get rid of waste material from the blood, tissues, or organs by a normal discharge (such as sweat, urine, or stool).
adjective soft and moist. "the bananas will turn soft and squishy"
What does it mean when someone is squishy? allowing someone to do what they like and not punishing them severely enough for things they do wrong: They feel he is too squishy on issues such as the rights of suspected terrorists.
Anything that's soft and typically damp. Something like puddy, mud can be as well, a balloon partially filled with water, Play-dough, the insides of a kiwi, Jell-o, pudding, marshmallows, and thick wet cotton socks would be a few common examples
falsely represent a person or thing as being someone or something else. "the drink was packaged in champagne bottles and was being passed off as the real stuff"
What does it mean to be passed off? : to give a false identity or character to
"Draw near" is an idiom that means to come closer or approach something or someone. For example, "He became more nervous as the day of the wedding drew near The idiom “draw near” means to come closer or approach: “Spring is drawing near” “As the day set for departure drew near, I told Sophie that I could not accompany them” “The holidays are drawing closer”
"Prised open" means to force something open with a tool, such as a lever or jemmy:
If you prize something open or prize it away from a surface, you force it to open or force it to come away from the surface. [mainly British]regional note: in AM, usually use pry.
(of the fingers or hand) closed into a tight ball. "he struck the wall with his clenched fist" (of the teeth) pressed tightly together, especially with anger or determination or so as to suppress a strong emotion. "his angry words were spat through clenched teeth"
seek to obtain (something, typically food or money) at the expense or through the generosity of others or by stealth. "he had managed to scrounge a free meal"
What does it mean to be on the scrounge? Someone who is on the scrounge is asking people for things or for money: At college he was always broke and on the scrounge.
"To carry someone's water" does indeed mean to occupy a subservient position, to do the bidding, the menial tasks, and frequently the dirty work, of a more powerful person, and is most often used in a political context
(of farmland) plowed and harrowed but left unsown for a period in order to restore its fertility as part of a crop rotation or to avoid surplus production. "incentives for farmers to let the land lie fallow in order to reduce grain surpluses"
: left untilled or unsown after plowing. : dormant, inactive. used especially in the phrase to lie fallow. at this very moment there are probably important inventions lying fallow
noun an unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment to its originator; a blunder. "an unforgivable social gaffe"
a stupid or careless mistake (gæf ) also gaff. Word forms: gaffes. countable noun. A gaffe is a stupid or careless mistake, for example when you say or do something that offends or upsets people.
adjective stretched or pulled tight; not slack. "the fabric stays taut without adhesive"
(especially of muscles or nerves) tense; not relaxed. "my voice was taut with anger"
(of writing, music, etc.) concise and controlled. "a taut text of only a hundred and twenty pages"
Taut means tight rather than slack. The tightrope ought to be taut and not dangling down by the lion cage. It sounds like the word "taught" and means stretched tight, like a rope, muscles, or even nerves.
noun a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant. "her husband's sharp vicissitudes of fortune"
alternation between opposite or contrasting things. "the vicissitude of the seasons"
Examples of vicissitude Losing a pet, crashing the car, being called in for jury duty: these are examples of vicissitudes — chapters in one's life that one would rather avoid but must get through. Some lives have more vicissitudes than others, to be sure, but no life is without events that test and challenge us.
phrase of bay prevent (someone or something) from approaching or having an effect. "drugs were keeping severe pain at bay"
What does it mean to keep you at bay? or to keep someone at bay. phrase. If you keep something or someone at bay, or hold them at bay, you prevent them from reaching, attacking, or affecting you.
What does muzzle slang mean? to restrain from speech, the expression of opinion, etc.: The censors muzzled the press. Synonyms: suppress, still, quiet, silence.
What does Muzzling mean? : a fastening or covering for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or biting. muzzle.
noun a thing that has already happened or been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept it. "the results were presented to shareholders as a fait accompli"
What is the meaning of fait accompli? The phrase fait accompli is French, and it literally means "an accomplished fact." Definitions of fait accompli. noun. an irreversible accomplishment. synonyms: accomplished fact.
Around-the-horn" describes a ground-ball double or triple play that starts with the third baseman and involves a throw to second followed by a throw to first. "Around-the-horn" can also be used to describe when the infielders throw the ball to one another following an out with no men on base.
adjective extremely stupid or foolish. "Lydia ignored his asinine remark"
Some common synonyms of asinine are: fatuous, foolish, silly, and simple. While all these words mean "actually or apparently deficient in intelligence," asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception.
noun a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise. "the fans made an awful din"
verb make (someone) learn or remember something by constant repetition. "the doctrine that has been dinned into all our heads"
make a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise. "the sound dinning in my ears was the telephone ringing"
a loud continued noise. especially : a welter of discordant sounds. trying to hear each other over the din in the bar. a situation or condition resembling a din.
noun a small piece of tasty food. "when you are out with your puppy always have a tidbit in your pocket"
a small and particularly interesting item of gossip or information. "they were hoping for tidbits about the family"
What does tidbit mean in slang? a bit of gossipy information The word tidbit can also mean "a bit of gossipy information," and you may notice yourself lingering where you can overhear a phone conversation, hoping for a few tidbits. Tidbit, or titbit in the U.K., comes from the dialectical tid, "fond or tender." Definitions of tidbit. noun. a small tasty bit of food.
A feral cat is an unsocialized outdoor cat who has either never had any physical contact with humans, or human contact has diminished over enough time that she is no longer accustomed to it. Most feral cats are fearful or people and are not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors.
verb play a keyboard or plucked stringed instrument, especially in an inexpressive or unskilled way. "I got a guitar when I was twelve and started plunking away on it"
hit (someone) abruptly. "he plunked him in the back"
noun the sound made by abruptly plucking a string of a stringed instrument. "the singing was punctuated by the plunks of the guitar"
: to search through something quickly and carelessly often in order to take or steal something.
to ransack especially with the intent to steal.
rifle (through) something to search quickly through something in order to find or steal something She rifled through her clothes for something suitable to wear.
verb (of a bird or other winged creature) fly unsteadily or hover by flapping the wings quickly and lightly. "a couple of butterflies fluttered around the garden"
noun an act of fluttering. "there was a flutter of wings at the window"
If someone makes your heart flutter, you find that person very physically attractive and you feel excited when you see or talk to them: James has been making hearts flutter ever since he joined the company.
A quick, witty, or pointed remark or retort Something that causes or is meant to cause interest, surprise, or shock A person or thing that has vitality or animation or produces startling results
a striking or amusing or caustic remark. “he always greeted me with a new zinger” “she tried to think of some killer of an argument, a real zinger that would disarm all opposition” comment, input, remark. a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information.
noun a casual romantic or sexual relationship. "Jack was not averse to an occasional dalliance with a pretty girl" brief or casual involvement with something. "Berkeley was my last dalliance with the education system"
to waste time, to act playfully, especially in a flirtatious way. Dalliance often describes a casual flirtation — generally something short-term and not very serious.
In combat sports A submission, or "tap out", is when a fighter acknowledges defeat to their opponent. This is usually done by tapping the floor or opponent with the hand or foot, or by verbally communicating with the opponent or referee.
noun (chiefly in military contexts) a turn made so as to face the opposite direction. "he did an about-face and marched out of the tent" verb turn so as to face the opposite direction. "protestors retreated, about-faced, and resumed chanting" exclamation (in military contexts) a command to turn so as to face the opposite direction.
to say or do something that shows a complete change of opinion or behavior: He has done an about-face on both issues. After her stint in jail for drug possession, she's done an about-face and gotten clean. The Supreme Court did an about face and curtailed the judges' powers
"Plop down" is a phrasal verb that means to sit or lie down in a careless or heavy manner. For example, "They plopped down on the floor". It can also mean to put something down in a careless or heavy way, such as "He plopped the tray down". In the United States, "plop down" can also mean to spend or pay money, such as "I can't afford to just plop down $30 for a T-shirt".
Synonyms of "plop down" include flump, plank, plonk, plump, place down, put down, and set down.
adjective agitated or confused. "a flustered commuter"
What does it mean if a person is flustered? state of agitated confusion Definitions of flustered. adjective. thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (`rattled' is an informal term) synonyms: hot and bothered, perturbed, rattled. discomposed.
adjective having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements. "he was feeling smug after his win"
very pleased and satisfied with yourself, and having no doubt about the value of what you know or have done: His attitude showed a smug indifference to the hardships others faced.
noun a state of privileged seclusion or separation from the facts and practicalities of the real world. "the ivory tower of academia"
: an impractical often escapist attitude marked by aloof lack of concern with or interest in practical matters or urgent problems. 2. : a secluded place that affords the means of treating practical issues with an impractical often escapist attitude. especially a place of learning.
adjective fresh and invigorating. "the bracing sea air"
The crisp weather was oddly bracing. The air on top of the hill was cool and bracing. (of an activity) making you feel full of energy because it is done outside when the weather is cold and perhaps windy: We enjoyed a bracing walk on the beach.
The slang phrase "card me" means to ask someone for identification, usually to verify their age to drink alcohol. For example, "The bartender was carding all youthful customers to be sure they were of legal drinking age.
In baseball, "raking" is an informal term that means a player is hitting the ball hard and well all over the field. The term comes from the gardening tool of the same name. Raking can also refer to the tool used to maintain baseball fields. Infield rakes are used to: Remove divots and cleat marks, Knock down high spots, and Pull material to low spots
verb make a soft, muffled crackling sound like that caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper. "she came closer, her skirt swaying and rustling"
A rustling is a gentle swishing sound, like the rustling of leaves in the trees on a breezy night. Rustling can be a noun or an adjective, in both cases describing the muffled sound of leaves or paper.
noun the final or eventual outcome or conclusion of a discussion, action, or series of events. "the upshot of the meeting was that he was on the next plane to New York"
the final result or outcome of a process, discussion, etc.
djective having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing. "a wistful smile"
having or showing sad thoughts and feelings about something that you want to have or do and especially about something that made you happy in the past. She was wistful for a moment, then asked, “Do you remember the old playground?”
used to emphasize that something has happened on many other occasions. "she checked her watch for the umpteenth time"
Umpteen usually describes an indefinite and large number or amount, while the related umpteenth is used for the latest or last in an indefinitely numerous series.
verb formally support or endorse (a nomination or resolution or its proposer) as a necessary preliminary to adoption or further discussion. "Bertonazzi seconded Birmingham's nomination"
I second that” is a common idiom in English used when confirming or agreeing with what another person has to say. The phrase is commonly used when one needs to support something someone else has said.
"Rake over the coals" is an idiom that means to reprimand someone severely for a mistake or error. For example, "The coach hauled him over the coals for missing practice.
"Rake over" can also mean to continue to think or talk about something that happened in the past, especially when it should be forgotten. For example, "Let us not waste time raking over the coals when there is hard work to be done
verb cow: past tense: cowed; past participle: cowed cause (someone) to submit to one's wishes by intimidation. "the intellectuals had been cowed into silence"
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats: a sharp glare cowed the child into being quiet.
noun: catchall a term or category that includes a variety of different possibilities. "the stigmatizing catch-all term “schizophrenia.”"
What is an example of a catchall? A catch-all is a term or category which includes many different things. Globalisation is a catch-all to describe increased international trade. Indigestion is a catch-all term for any kind of stomach distress.
phrase of hang leave someone in a difficult or vulnerable situation. "the White House wasn't about to hang Thomas out to dry"
to allow someone to be punished, criticized, or made to suffer in a way that is unfair, without trying to help them: They felt they had been hung out to dry by their employers. He said, "We will not let the media hang this man out to dry. Unhelpful and Uncooperative.
phrasal verb of latch take up an idea or trend enthusiastically. "the newspapers latched onto the idea of healthy eating" understand the meaning of something. "she'll soon latch onto what is happening"
noun a rapid inspection or search. "some doctor came and gave us all a once-over" a piece of work that is done quickly. "a quick once-over with a broom"
a quick look, examination, or appraisal. a quick, superficial job: He gave the car just a once-over with a rag.
adjective (of cloth, clothing, or soft furnishings) becoming thin and tattered with age. "shabby rooms with threadbare carpets"
(of a person, building, or room) poor or shabby in appearance. "we huddle around a cassette deck in a threadbare rehearsal room" (of an argument, excuse, idea, etc.) used so often that it is no longer effective. "the song was a tissue of threadbare clichés"
noun used to refer to a situation in which someone can make a lot of money for very little effort. "come to Hollywood and get on the gravy train"
a position in which a person or group receives excessive and unjustified money or advantages with little or no effort: The top executives were on the gravy train with their huge bonuses.
A boondoggle is a project or activity that is a waste of time, money, or resources, or has no value. It can also refer to work that is done just to appear busy or important. For example, a senator might call a new highway proposal a boondoggle if they think it is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer money
verb (of a person or animal) move around restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of or as if in search of prey. "black bears prowl the canyons"
noun an act of prowling. "I met her once on one of my off-duty bookstore prowls"
phrasal verb of get (of an idea) be communicated clearly. "your meaning didn't really get across" manage to communicate an idea clearly. "he's not very good at getting his ideas across"
to be communicated or understood; to succeed in communicating something Your meaning didn't really get across. He's not very good at getting his ideas across.
adverb as a whole. "such proposals should be subjected to specific criticism rather than rejected in toto" in all; overall. "there was, in toto, an increase in legal regulation and public surveillance"
In toto is a Latin phrase that means in all, or completely. For example, if a judge accepts a lawyer's argument in toto, it means that the judge accepts the entire argument. The phrase in toto is also commonly used in the context of rescission of contracts.
adjective sordid and disreputable. "his seedy affair with a soft-porn starlet"
unwell. "she felt weak and seedy"
adjective. If you describe a person or place as seedy, you disapprove of them because they look dirty and messy, or they have a bad reputation. [disapproval] Frank ran errands for a seedy local villain. We were staying in a seedy hotel close to the red light district.
phrase of cross misunderstanding or having different aims from one another. "we had been talking at cross purposes"
in a way that causes confusion or failure because people are working or talking with different goals or purposes. We'll never succeed together if we continue to work at cross-purposes (with each other). It became clear that they were talking at cross-purposes.
"Sound him out" means to try and discover someone's opinion or intentions about something by asking questions, often in a casual or indirect way; essentially, to gauge their thoughts on a matter by talking to them to see where they stand.
"Slink away" means to walk or leave quietly, especially when you don't want to be noticed or are embarrassed
"I was so embarrassed that I tried to slink away
"I tried to slink out of the room so that nobody would see me go
to walk away from somewhere quietly so that you are not noticed: I tried to slink out of the room so that nobody would see me go. disapproving He usually slinks off (= leaves) at about
Depart furtively, as in The shoplifter slipped an item into his coat pocket and slunk away , or After that severe scolding, she slunk off . This term employs slink in the sense of “move stealthily,” a usage dating from the late 1300s.
a period of reflection or thought. "his musings were interrupted by the sound of the telephone"
your thoughts or comments on something you have been thinking about carefully and for a long time : His musings on everything from sex to religion are profound.
"Sound him out" means to try and discover someone's opinion or intentions on a matter by asking them questions, often in a casual or indirect way; essentially, to gauge their thoughts on something by talking to them
adjective: straightlaced having or showing very strict moral attitudes. "his strait-laced parents were horrified"
To be strait-laced is to be extremely strict and uptight. Your strait-laced cousin won't be interested in joining the rest of your family in an impromptu dance party. If you know anyone who's extremely prim and proper, you can describe them as strait-laced.
verb (especially of a small animal or child) run with quick light steps, especially through fear or excitement. "he scampered in like an overgrown puppy"
A lynchpin is a person or thing that is the essential element in a complex system or structure, holding everything together. For example, you might describe a witness as the lynchpin of a defense's case
a locking pin inserted crosswise (as through the end of an axle or shaft) 2. : one that serves to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit. the linchpin in the defense's case.
adjective (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking. "a malleable metal can be beaten into a sheet"
If you say that someone is malleable, you mean that they are easily influenced or controlled by other people. She was young enough to be malleable.
deal with something difficult or unpleasant in a calm and accepting way. "we took each new disease in stride"
to deal with a problem or difficulty calmly and not to allow it to influence what you are doing: When you become a politician, you soon learn to take criticism in stride.
“Tag along” is an informal phrasal verb that means to go somewhere with a person or group, typically when you weren't asked to go. For example, “I don't know her, she just tagged along with us”
to go somewhere with a person or group, usually when they have not asked you to go with them: tag along with I don't know her, she just tagged along with us
"The dregs of society" is a phrase that refers to a group of people in society who are considered to be immoral, worthless, or bad. For example, someone might say "People tend to regard drug addicts as the dregs of society
If you talk about the dregs of society or of a community, you mean the people in it who you consider to be the most worthless and bad. [disapproval] He sees dissidents as the dregs of society
noun a novel dealing with one person's formative years or spiritual education. "the book is a bildungsroman of sorts, as Tull overcomes his abused childhood and learns about love"
bildungsroman, class of novel that depicts and explores the manner in which the protagonist develops morally and psychologically. The German word Bildungsroman means “novel of education” or “novel of formation.
"In a fix" means to be in a difficult or awkward situation, a dilemma, or an embarrassing predicament; essentially, to be stuck with no easy solution to a problem.
to help or support someone during a difficult period in their life: He was a prisoner of war for five years, but his courage saw him through. My brother lent me $500 to see me through the next few weeks. related words and phrases. Helping and co-operating.
consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position. "they aim to prevent women from being relegated to a secondary role"
to put someone or something into a lower or less important rank or position: She resigned when she was relegated to a desk job. The story was relegated to the middle pages of the paper.
adjective bewildered or perplexed. "he became flummoxed and speechless"
: completely unable to understand : utterly confused or perplexed. Then, perforce, his eyes returned to the highway as he headed for I-95 and South Carolina, the most flummoxed driver on the road.
Upshot is a noun that means the final outcome or result of a series of actions, events, or decisions "The upshot of the court's ruling is that a number of communities will now have to change their gun laws
"The upshot of the discussions is that there will be no layoffs
The final result or outcome : the final result or outcome of a process, discussion, etc. The upshot is that we'll see him Thursday
climb, move, or get in or out of something in an awkward and laborious way, typically using both hands and feet. "I clambered out of the trench"
: to climb awkwardly or with effort especially by using both the hands and the feet. We clambered over the rocks. They clambered up the hill. clamberer.
noun a person's way of standing or moving. "a man of precise military bearing"
relation; relevance. "the case has no direct bearing on the issues"
the manner in which one behaves or comports oneself : the manner in which one bears (see bear entry 2 sense 2f) oneself. a man of dignified bearing. … a confident and cheerful bearing.
come to the point. "cut to the chase—what is it you want us to do?"
The idiom cut to the chase means “speak about something without wasting time or including unimportant details.” “Cut to the chase” originated in the 1920s, when silent film editors would splice in a chase scene after a slower scene in order to keep the audience's attention
Wood pencils, when bent, break in one loud SNAP. Popcorn, when heated, explodes in lots of small POPS, all about the same size. Fire CRACKLES. Something about the way the flame eats into the wood happens in bursts.
“When it hits the fan” is an American English idiom that means something has suddenly become embarrassing, awkward, or troublesome. For example, “When news of the incident was leaked to the press, everything hit the fan at once”
The idiom evokes a chaotic image in the mind, even when the scatological reference is toned down. There are also variants of the idiom, such as “egg,” “soup,” and “stuff” hitting the fan
The idiom "play it close to the vest" means to be secretive or reserved, or to avoid taking risks: "He plays his cards very close to the vest, causing some attorneys with whom he's worked to describe him as secretive and manipulative". "It's better to hold such information close to the vest".
He plays it close to the vest when it comes to his business deals. She always plays it close to the vest, so it’s hard to know what she’s thinking. The idiom alludes to holding one's cards up against one's chest so that no one else can see them.
"Take the bull by the horns" is an idiom that means to confront a difficult situation with confidence and directness. For example, you might say "She decided to take the bull by the horns and try to solve the problem without any further delay".
She decided to take the bull by the horns and confront her boss about the unfair workload.
The project was failing, but he took the bull by the horns and turned things around.
adverb in a manner that shows tenacity and grim persistence. "she has doggedly pursued her own path"
in a very determined way, even if something is very difficult: I kept at it, doggedly and patiently, until finally I could skate. John is one of the most doggedly persistent of men.
verb pass or cause to pass easily or gently through or as if through the air. "the smell of stale fat wafted out from the cafe"
What does it mean to waft something? : to move or go lightly on or as if on a buoyant medium. heavenly aromas wafted from the kitchen. transitive verb. : to cause to move or go lightly by or as if by the impulse of wind or waves.
adjective lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm. "a few people were left, dancing in a desultory fashion"
(of conversation or speech) going constantly from one subject to another in a halfhearted way; unfocused. "the desultory conversation faded" occurring randomly or occasionally. "desultory passengers were appearing"
A dabbler is someone who participates in an activity as a hobby rather than a profession, and who may not have serious intentions or the ability to master it: "They are dabblers in African music rather than experts". "I'm a dabbler, but have long since given up any serious pencil work
amateur, dilettante, dabbler, tyro mean a person who follows a pursuit without attaining proficiency or professional status.
drive or collect a number of people or animals together for a particular purpose. "in the afternoon the cows are rounded up for milking"
arrest a number of people. "the secret police rounded up the group"
Collect or gather in a body, as in We'll have to round up some more volunteers for the food drive , or The police rounded up all the suspects . This term comes from the West, where since the mid-1800s it has been used for collecting livestock by riding around the herd and driving the animals together.
What is the meaning of the word wry? showing that you find a bad or difficult situation slightly funny: a wry smile/comment. Humour & humorous. amusingly. bitingly.
adjective using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor. "a wry smile"
(of a person's face or features) twisted into an expression of disgust, disappointment, or annoyance.
"In a nutshell" is an idiom that means to describe something in a very brief way, using as few words as possible. For example, "The answer, in a nutshell, is yes"
: to become very tired. We worked all morning but we pooped out in the afternoon.
Definitions of poop out. verb. use up all one's strength and energy and stop working. synonyms: conk out, peter out, run down, run out. fatigue, jade, pall, tire, weary.
Take some doing" means that something will require a significant amount of effort or work to achieve; it implies a task is difficult and will not be easily accomplished
Example: "Convincing the whole team to go on that challenging hike will take some doing
: to be quick about removing a gun from where it is kept : to quickly draw a gun and be ready to shoot it. often used figuratively. Critics may have been a little too quick on the draw.
He's quick on the draw when he feels something's not right. She soon realized what had happened, though not everyone was so quick on the draw. He looked confused at times and was slow on the draw with his answers
phrase of part (of two or more people) cease to be together; go in different directions. "they parted company outside the Red Lion" (of two or more parties) cease to associate with each other, especially as the result of a disagreement. "the chairman has parted company with the club"
A crag is a rough, jagged section of rock. Some sections of the Maine coast are made up of rugged crags and rocky beaches. Steep rock faces and cliffs are covered with crags — if you're a rock climber, you might attempt to scale the crags of a jagged rocky mountain.
make one's way quickly or awkwardly up a steep slope or over rough ground by using one's hands as well as one's feet. "we scrambled over the wet boulders"
to move or climb quickly but with difficulty, often using your hands to help you: scramble up/over She scrambled up the steep hillside and over the rocks. scramble into He scrambled into his clothes (= put them on quickly) and raced to get help.
"Lay in wait" means to hide and wait in a concealed position, usually with the intention of making a surprise attack on someone; essentially, to ambush someone by waiting for the right moment to strike
become very angry informal. : to lose control of one's emotions : to become very angry. He tends to fly off the handle when people disagree with him.
The expression “Fly off the Handle” is used to indicate that someone has become irrationally angry due to a complete loss of self-control. Example in use: 'Try not to make Sam mad. He has a tendency to fly off the handle at the slightest provocation.
noun the final or eventual outcome or conclusion of a discussion, action, or series of events. "the upshot of the meeting was that he was on the next plane to New York"
verb push, elbow, or bump against (someone) roughly, typically in a crowd. "people jostled against us"
noun the action of jostling. "the jostle of shoppers"
to bump, push, shove, brush against, or elbow roughly or rudely. to drive or force by, or as if by, pushing or shoving: The crowd jostled him into the subway.
to exist in close contact or proximity with: The three families jostle each other in the small house.
"Tucking into" is an informal British English phrasal verb that means to start eating something, especially with enthusiasm. For example, "He was tucking into a huge plateful of pasta
"Tuck in" can also mean to put someone to bed and make them snug. For example, "I read Lili a story and tucked her in her own bed
phrasal verb of round make something more complete. "his father insisted he went to university to round out his education"
to bring to completion or fullness : finish out. round out my quartet of Americana with an autobiography the republic had rounded out a century of independence
Codger" is an informal term for an elderly man, often one who is eccentric or amusing. It can be used as a term of affection or mild derision. For example, "Her father is a feisty old codger"
"Blab out" is a verb that means to reveal a secret or confidential information, especially through indiscreet chatter. For example, you might accidentally blab to your dad about your brother getting in trouble at school
adjective adjective: barebones reduced to or comprising only the basic or essential elements of something. "a bare-bones version of the story"
Bare bones is often used to refer to something that only includes its essential parts and nothing else. The adjective form bare-bones means most basic and without any frills, as in My apartment is pretty bare-bones, with just a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette.
adjective not in the usual, expected, or correct condition or state."the economy is off-kilter" adverb away from the usual, expected, or correct condition or state. "the songs are thrown off-kilter by Wilson's guileless lyrics"
cause to happen. "decisions which give rise to arguments"
cause to happen Definitions of give rise. verb. cause to happen, occur or exist. “The new law gave rise to many complaints” synonyms: achieve, beget, bring about, produce.
The phrase "lining their pockets" is an idiom that means to make money in an unfair or dishonest way, usually through illegal or immoral methods. For example, you might say "Some of these lawyers are only interested in lining their pockets"
adjective focused on or concerned with the phallus or penis as a symbol of male dominance. "the apartment block was an architectural monument to a phallocentric world"
: The privileging of the masculine (the phallus) in understanding meaning or social relations.
noun a personal stake or involvement in an undertaking or state of affairs, especially one with an expectation of financial gain. "banks have a vested interest in the growth of their customers" a person or group having a personal stake or involvement. "the problem is that the authorities are a vested interest" LAW an interest (usually in land or money held in trust) recognized as belonging to a particular person.
verb past tense: inured; past participle: inured accustom (someone) to something, especially something unpleasant. "these children have been inured to violence"
to inure is to get used to something difficult or unpleasant. If after spending an hour in your brother's room, you stop noticing the stinky-sock smell, you have become inured to the odor. Although the Latin roots of inure mean "in work," it may be easier to think of "in use" when you see inure.
verb gerund or present participle: clambering climb, move, or get in or out of something in an awkward and laborious way, typically using both hands and feet. "I clambered out of the trench"
to climb up, across, or into somewhere with difficulty, using the hands and the feet: They clambered over/up the rocks. I clambered into/onto the bus. She clambered into bed
reveal or divulge information to someone. "she knows a lot more than she lets on"
to tell other people about something that you know, especially when it is a secret: I suspect he knows more than he's letting on. related words and phrases: Revealing secrets & becoming known. anti-secrecy.
phrase of round (of a story or joke) be passed on from person to person. "she recounts a joke making the rounds when she was there"
of a rumor, a piece of news, etc. : to be passed from one person to another person and become widely known. Rumors about his resignation were making the rounds.
Ring true" is an idiom that means something seems to be true or genuine: "Her explanation didn't ring true" "Something about his explanation didn't quite ring true" "Joanna's denial rang true" "He said he was sorry for upsetting me but his apology just didn't ring true
What does a gangly person mean? Someone who's tall, long-limbed, and awkward is gangly. Many teenagers go through a gangly phase before they reach their full height and weight. Gangly people are gawky and skinny, and you could also describe an adolescent colt or puppy with long, ungraceful legs as gangly.
adjective nervously awkward and ungainly. "a gawky teenager"
Lacking grace in movement or posture. “a gawky lad with long ungainly legs” synonyms: clumsy, clunky, ungainly, unwieldy. awkward. lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance.
Dexterity is the ability to use the hands, fingers, and arms to perform a task with skill and ease. It can also refer to mental skill or quickness. For example, you might describe someone as having "great dexterity" if they catch a ball quickly and skillfully
"Jutting out" means to stick out, especially above or beyond the edge or surface of something. For example, you might describe a ship docked at a pier that juts out into a harbor
noun a very small or inadequate amount of money paid to someone as an allowance or wage.
a very small amount of money, especially money received as payment, income, or a present: He works hard but he's paid a pittance. Small amounts of money.
"Last licks" is an idiom that means a final opportunity or turn. For example, "We got in our last licks on the tennis court before the vacation ended".
noun the use of government funds for projects designed to please voters or legislators and win votes. "they should not be allowed to dip into the pork barrel"
spending by politicians of large amounts of government money on projects in the areas they depend on for being elected in order to become more popular: They viewed the huge amounts spent on community environmental projects as pork barrel.
"Man alive" is an exclamation used to express surprise, excitement, or astonishment. It's also used to emphasize the intensity of a situation or feeling.
People often use this interjection to express surprise. It can be positive or negative surprise.
phrasal verb of knuckle apply oneself seriously to a task. "the sailors knuckled down when there was work to be done"
Study very hard Definition of 'knuckle down' If someone knuckles down, they begin to work or study very hard, especially after a period when they have done very little work. [informal] The only thing to do was knuckle down and get on with some serious hard work.
: the act or action of grasping with the mind : understanding, comprehension. usually used in the phrases “quick on the uptake” and “slow on the uptake” Djuna was a very haughty lady, quick on the uptake [=quick to learn or understand], and with a wisecracking tongue that I was far too discreet to try and rival.
adjective arrogantly superior and disdainful. "a look of haughty disdain"
Arrogant Someone who is haughty is arrogant and full of pride. When you're haughty, you have a big attitude and act like you're better than other people. A haughty person acts superior and looks down on others. Haughty people are disdainful, overbearing, prideful, swaggering, and obnoxious.
A pack rat is someone who loves to collect things and hates to get rid of them. If your new roommate turns out to be a pack rat, you may find yourself increasingly crowded by all of her stuff.
"Sizing up" is an informal phrasal verb that means to evaluate or critically assess someone or something: "She knew that he was looking at her, sizing her up". "He sized up the situation very quickly". "I could see her trying to size me up". Here are some examples of "sizing up" in a sentence: A chess player sizes up her competition to make a judgment about what kind of player she might be facing. Before giving a speech, it might help to size up your audience. After sizing up the opposition, Abe suggested a strategy.
phrase of ante increase what is at stake or under discussion, especially in a conflict or dispute.
If you up the ante, you increase your demands or the risks in a situation in order to achieve a better result: The government has upped the ante by refusing to negotiate until a ceasefire has been agreed . Taking risks. "he decided to up the ante in the trade war"
A mercenary is a private individual who fights in an armed conflict for personal gain, rather than for political interests. Mercenaries are not members of any official military and are usually outsiders to the conflict. Mercenaries are motivated by the desire for private gain and are promised material compensation that is substantially higher than what is paid to combatants of similar rank and function in the armed forces of the party to the conflict. Mercenary can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who is only interested in the money that can be obtained from a situation. For example, "I don't trust his motives – he's too mercenary"
an idiom that means to examine a situation or event carefully and form an opinion about it. The purpose is to make a decision about what to do next. For example, "After the storm homeowners came out to take stock of the damage". Here are some other examples of using "taking stock of" in a sentence: "We need to take stock and formulate a plan". "She returned home for a month to take stock of her life". "Existing landlords should also take stock of their situation"
"Run it back" means to repeat something again, essentially asking to do something over or try it one more time; it's often used in casual contexts like sports or everyday situations where you want to re-do an action to achieve a desired outcome
phrase of land the features or characteristics of an area. the current situation or state of affairs. "she was beginning to see the lay of the land with her in-laws"
the general state or condition of affairs under consideration; the facts of a situation: We asked a few questions to get the lay of the land.
"Fast asleep" is an idiom that means someone is sleeping very deeply and soundly, and is difficult to wake up: "They were both fast asleep in their beds". "The baby fell fast asleep in my arms
"Out cold" is an idiom that means someone is unconscious or sleeping very heavily. For example, "He crashed into the wall and was out cold". Some synonyms of "out cold" include: unconscious, out, knocked out, stunned, numb, senseless, blacked out, comatose, and dead to the world
to become unable to think clearly and control your emotions because of something unpleasant or difficult that you have experienced: She went to pieces at the funeral.
Sanctimonious means to pretend to be more ethical or pious than others, when in reality one is no better than those around them. It is an adjective that is used to express disapproval of someone who is trying to appear morally superior.
“Check that" is an informal phrase that means to take back or correct a previous statement. For example, "Sir, I don't know why but there must be a foot or two of water coming down. No, check that—three feet.
It is most commonly used to refer to someone's most recent claim or action. This phrase has the same meaning as similar phrases in English, notably scratch that. This use of “check that” should not be confused another use of the phrase, which is to reexamine something.
verb move swiftly and lightly. "small birds flitted about in the branches"
noun an act of leaving one's home or moving, typically secretly so as to escape creditors or obligations. "moonlight flits from one insalubrious dwelling to another"
phrase of time used to refer to a point of time in the past that was so long ago that people have no knowledge or memory of it. "markets had been held there from time immemorial"
"Like a pirate and his rum" means someone is inseparable from something they love very much, just as a pirate is always closely associated with their bottle of rum, often depicted as drinking it frequently and relying on it as a source of comfort or enjoyment; it signifies a deep, almost loyal connection to something
adjective using or expressed in more words than are needed. "much academic language is obscure and verbose"
verbose mean using more words than necessary to express thought. wordy may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity. a wordy speech. verbose suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision.
adjective tending to talk a great deal; talkative. "never loquacious, Sarah was now totally lost for words"
the quality of being very chatty or talkative. Your friend's loquaciousness is much more charming during a dinner party than first thing in the morning, when you're still half asleep.
adjective changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties, interests, or affection. "Web patrons are a notoriously fickle lot, bouncing from one site to another on a whim"
A clap of thunder is a single, sharp, loud crash of thunder. It can also refer to something that is sudden, sharp, or loud, similar to the sound of thunder. For example, you might describe a shocking surprise or unexpected event as a clap of thunder
"Just for kicks" means doing something solely for the enjoyment or thrill of it, without any serious purpose or reason other than to have fun or experience excitement; essentially, "just for the heck of it.
"Make a pass" means to flirt with someone or make a clear attempt to initiate a romantic or sexual relationship with them, often in a suggestive or forward manner. It implies actively trying to "hit on" someone.
Example: "He was clearly making a pass at her at the bar, but she politely ignored him."
"Boomed out" is a verb that means to make a deep, hollow, and loud sound. For example, "The cannons boomed in the night" or "He boomed out an order to the soldiers".
Here are some other definitions of "boom": To cause something to resound, often used with "out". For example, "His voice booms out the lyrics"
Gee willikers" is an informal interjection used to express delight or astonishment. It's often used after "gee" or "golly gee" as an intensifier.
The earliest known use of "gee willikers" was in the 1840s. Some linguists believe it may have originated from "gee willikens", which was used as a substitute for "Jerusalem", a common exclamation of surprise in the 19th century
Off to the races" means to start something quickly and with great enthusiasm, often implying a sense of excitement and anticipation, like when a race begins at the starting line; it essentially means to jump right into action on a project or endeavor.
Example sentences: "Once the new marketing campaign was approved, the team was off to the races to get it launched on time."
"With the new CEO on board, the company is now off to the races with its ambitious growth plans.
phrase of lie (especially of a criminal) keep out of sight; avoid detection or attention. "at the time of the murder he appears to have been lying low in a barn"
to tell someone something they do not know, especially something that happened when they were not there: I haven't seen the latest report, so perhaps you could fill me in?
phrase of twiddle rotate one's thumbs around each other with the fingers linked together.
be bored or idle because one has nothing to do. "I have been sitting here for goodness knows how long twiddling my thumbs"
Be bored or idle, as in There I sat for three hours, twiddling my thumbs, while he made call after call . This expression alludes to the habit of idly turning one's thumbs about one another during a period of inactivity.
continuously watch a place or person in secret. "they'd staked out Culley's house for half a day"
an act of secretly watching a place or person, esp. to see if any illegal activity is taking place: The stakeout did not provide much help to investigators.
GETTING PLAYED mean someone made a fool of you. With lies or tricks you have become a victim of sorts. You were serious; they were not. Example: George realized he was getting played by his two timing girlfriend.
phrase of eat retract what one has said, especially in a humiliated way. "they will eat their words when I win"
If you say that someone has to eat their words, you mean that they have to admit that they were wrong about something they said in the past, especially when this makes them look foolish.
to become too tired to continue what you are doing: I just poop out if I stay up too late. to stop working or operating: The engine pooped out before we reached our destination
Duck into" is an informal phrase that means to move quickly into a place, usually to avoid being seen. For example, you might duck into a store to avoid running into an ex on the street.
small rural town informal, derogatory. a small rural town that is considered to be very unsophisticated. His car breaks down in a hick town in the middle of baking Arizona.
"You don't say" is an idiom that is used to express surprise or disbelief in a sarcastic way.
It can be used as a statement or a question, and often implies that the information being conveyed is obvious or already known. For example, "She ran off with another man." "You don't say
"Volitionally" means done of one's own will or choosing, or deliberately decided. For example, deciding to walk to the library to return overdue books is a volitional act
"End of the bargain" refers to the area of responsibility for someone in a bargain or agreement. For example, "We've kept our end of the deal— let's see if they keep theirs
"Keep one's end of the bargain" is an idiom that means to honor a promise or do what one has agreed to do
A midwit is a person with slightly above average abilities who can pass basic qualifications but is not exceptional. The term is likely a combination of the words "mid-" and "wit", and is similar to other terms like "halfwit" and "nitwit
A person of middling intellect; someone who is neither particularly dumb nor notably intelligent, especially if they act as if they are smarter than they are.
adjective lacking physical sensation. "a patient who was permanently unconscious and insensate" lacking sympathy or compassion; unfeeling. "a positively insensate hatred" completely lacking sense or reason. "insensate jabbering"
noun the theory and practice of dramatic composition. "studies of Shakespeare's dramaturgy"
The basic definition of dramaturgy is “the art or technique of dramatic composition or theatrical representation.” It comes from the Greek word dramatourgía, meaning “a dramatic composition” or “action of a play.” In essence, dramaturgy is the practice of understanding the structure, context, characters, language, and ...
Originates from horse racing, where the horse on the inside lane has a shorter distance to cover and therefore an advantage. Figuratively, it refers to having a favorable position or access to information that others might not have.
girl's fifteenth birthday(Latin culture) : a celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday that is traditionally observed in Latin American cultures to mark her transition to adulthood.
excited or euphoric. "when they told me I was on the team, I was stoked"
stoked is a slang adjective that describes someone as being very excited, as in I just heard that my favorite director is making a new movie and I'm already stoked.
Less commonly, stoked describes someone being intoxicated or stupefied by drugs.
noun the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region. "he wrote in the vernacular to reach a larger audience"
What is the vernacular? The word vernacular means the way people use language in a specific country or region. For instance, while English is a common language in places like the US, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia, the way that people use English is vernacular—it varies from country to country
Business expenses Overhead is a business's ongoing costs that aren't directly tied to producing goods or services. These costs support the business's overall operations and revenue-generating activities. Examples of overhead include rent, insurance, and sales team salaries. Overhead costs can be fixed, variable, or semi-variable
Dapple has multiple definitions, including a word that describes a pattern, a verb, and a noun: Pattern A coat pattern with lighter and darker patches that create a marbled effect. This pattern is caused by the merle gene, which affects the pigmentation of the coat. Verb To cover something with spots or areas of light and darkness that are different from the main color. For example, "Thin patches of snow dapple the sandstone". Noun A small area of color or light. For example, "They walked through a dapple of sunlight".
A "spell of time" is a short or indeterminate period of time during which a particular activity or condition occurs: "Waited a spell before advancing, "A spell of cold weather, and "A spell of wet weather.
an indeterminate period of time. waited a spell before advancing. also : a continuous period of time.
"Hollows of time" refers to a concept, often used in fiction, signifying a place or moment where time is distorted, fragmented, or seemingly absent, creating a void or "hollow" within the timeline, often associated with the idea of lost memories, forgotten events, or a break in the natural flow of time.
Hookup culture is a social environment that encourages casual sexual encounters without the expectation of emotional intimacy, commitment, or a relationship:
Hookup culture is a culture that accepts and encourages casual sexual encounters, such as one-night stands, without the expectation of emotional intimacy, commitment, or a relationship
noun a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization. "regular brushing is the linchpin of all good dental hygiene"
a pin passed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel in position.
the most important member of a group or part of a system, that holds together the other members or parts or makes it possible for them to operate as intended: Woodford is the linchpin of the British athletics team.
verb: To give a guarantee, supply supporting evidence, or testify
For example, "As a medical examiner I can vouch that his death was accidental"
assert or confirm as a result of one's own experience that something is true or accurately so described. "they say New York is the city that never sleeps, and I can certainly vouch for that"
"Spouting off" is an American English phrase that means to speak in a hasty, irresponsible, or boastful manner: "The man is all hair and no horse, spouting off soundbites that have no basis in reality, but delivered with all the certainty of a conman".
Definition of spout (off) as in to shout. to voice one's opinions freely with force got in trouble for spouting off in class in a disrespectful way. shout.
"Let's table this" means to postpone discussing a topic or issue until later, essentially putting it on hold to address at a different time; it's often used in meetings to indicate that a subject should not be debated right now but will be revisited later. Key points about "table this": Meaning: To delay discussion or consideration of something. Context: Frequently used in business meetings or formal settings. Similar phrase: "Let's put this on hold".
to become involved in an argument or discussion in a forceful way: weigh in with Several leading architects weighed in with criticisms regarding the design of the new museum.
phrasal verb. If you weigh in on a plan, decision, or discussion, you add your advice or comments to it.
adjective completely engrossing; compelling. "the book is a riveting account of the legendary freedom fighter"
extremely interesting and exciting If you describe something as riveting, you mean that it is extremely interesting and exciting, and that it holds your attention completely.
"In one sitting" means to complete an activity without stopping, during a single continuous period of time while seated; essentially, finishing something all at once in one go, like reading a whole book in one sitting.
“He watched the whole series in one sitting.” Example: "I was so engrossed in the movie that I watched it all in one sitting."
.a person who is given to witticisms, jokes, and pranks. a professional fool or clown, esp. at a medieval court.
A jester, also known as joker, court jester, or fool, was a member of the household of a nobleman or a monarch employed to entertain guests during royal court.
“Yuk it up” is slang for laughing or joking in an exaggerated or inappropriate way.
"Yuk it up" is an expression that uses the word "yuk" as a verb to mean to laugh or joke:
Yuk As a noun, "yuk" is slang for a loud laugh or something that causes it. As a verb, "yuk" means to laugh or joke. For example, "Broccoli? Yuck!".
Yucky "Yucky" is an informal term that means causing discomfort, disgust, or a strong feeling of dislike. For example, "The water was dirty and smelled yucky"
noun a very long way. "he hit the ball a country mile"
Why is it called a country mile? The idea behind a "country mile" is the fact that most country roads are not in a straight line. Instead, roads in the country tend to meander up and down and all around. This makes it seem as if a mile in the country takes longer to cross than a straight mile in the city.
seek to obtain (something, typically food or money) at the expense or through the generosity of others or by stealth. "he had managed to scrounge a free meal"
What does it mean to be on the scrounge? Someone who is on the scrounge is asking people for things or for money: At college he was always broke and on the scrounge.
"Rake over the coals" is an idiom that means to reprimand someone severely for a mistake or error. For example, "The coach hauled him over the coals for missing practice.
"Rake over" can also mean to continue to think or talk about something that happened in the past, especially when it should be forgotten. For example, "Let us not waste time raking over the coals when there is hard work to be done
ブックマークへ