A

[abide by] {v.}

To accept and obey; be willing to follow.

/A basketball player may know he did not foul, but he must abide by the referee's decision./

/The members agree to abide by the rules of the club./

[a bit] {n.}, {informal}

A small amount; some.

/There's no sugar in the sugar bowl, but you may find a bit in the bag./

/If the ball had hit the window a bit harder, it would have broken it./

— Often used like an adverb.

* /This sweater ...

[about face] {n.}

A sudden change of course or a decision opposite to what was decided earlier.

/Her decision to become an actress instead of a dentist was an about face from her original plans./

[about one's ears] or [around one's ears] {adv. phr.}

To or into complete collapse, defeat, or ruin; to the destruction of a person's plans, hopes, or happiness.

* /They planned to have factories all over the world but the war brought their plans down ...

[about time] {n. phr.}

Finally, but later than it should have been; at last.

/Mother said, "It's about time you got up, Mary."/

/The basketball team won last night. About time./

[about to]

1. Close to; ready to. — Used with an infinitive.

/We were about to leave when the snow began./

/I haven't gone yet, but I'm about to./

Compare: [GOING TO], [ON THE POINT OF].

2. {informal} Having a wish or plan to. — Used with ...

[above all] {adv. phr.}

Of first or highest importance; most especially.

/Children need many things, but above all they need love./

Syn.: [FIRST AND LAST].

[above suspicion] {adj. phr.}

Too good to be suspected; not likely to do wrong.

/The umpire in the game must be above suspicion of supporting one side over the other./

[absent without leave (AWOL)] {adj.}

Absent without permission; used mostly in the military.

/Jack left Fort Sheridan without asking his commanding officer, and was punished for going AWOL./

[absentia] See: IN ABSENTIA.