G
Idioms beginning with "G"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
No categories:
Contents of G:
[gab]
See:
[GIFT OF GAB] or
[GIFT OF THE GAB].
[gain ground] {v. phr.}
1. To go forward; move ahead.
The soldiers fought hard and began to gain ground.
2. To become stronger; make progress; improve.
The sick man gained ground after being near death.
* /Under Lincoln, the Republican […]
[gallows' humor] {n. phr.}
Bitter joke(s) that make fun of a very serious matter, e.g. death, imprisonment, etc.
When the criminal was led to the electric chair on Monday morning, he said, "Nice way to start the week, eh?"
[game]
See:
[AHEAD OF THE GAME],
[LOVE GAME],
[NAME OF THE GAME],
[PLAY THE GAME],
[AT --- STAGE OF THE GAME].
[game at which two can play] {n. phr.}
A plan, trick, or way of acting that both sides may use.
Rough football is a game two can play.
Politics is a game at which two can play.
[game is not worth the candle] {literary}
What is being done is not worth the trouble or cost; the gain is not worth the effort.
I don't want to walk so far on such a hot day. The game is not worth the candle.
[game is up] or {slang} [jig is up]
The secret or plan won't work; we are caught or discovered.
The game is up; the teacher knows who took her keys.
The jig's up; the principal knows the boys have been smoking in the basement.
Compare: [FAT […]
[gang up on] or [gang up against] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To jointly attack someone, either physically or verbally; take sides in a group against an individual.
* /The class bully was stronger than all the other boys, so they had to gang up on him to put […]
[garbage down] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To eat eagerly and at great speed without much regard for manners or social convention.
The children garbaged down their food.
[garden apartment] {n.}
An apartment with a garden near it.
The couple live in a garden apartment.
[gas]
See: [STEP ON IT] or [STEP ON THE GAS].
[gas up] {v.}, {informal}
1. To fill the gasoline tank of.
The mechanics gassed up the planes for their long trip.
2. To fill the tank with gasoline.
The big truck stopped at the filling station and gassed up.
[gather in] {v.}, {informal}
To catch.
The end gathered in the pass and went over for a touchdown.
[gay nineties] {n.}
The years between 1890 and 1900; remembered as a happy exciting time.
Ladies wore large hats in the gay nineties.
Picnics were popular in the gay nineties.
[gee whiz] {interj.}, {informal}
Used as an exclamation to show surprise or other strong feeling. Rare in written English.
Gee whiz! I am late again.
[generation gap] {n.}, {informal}, {hackneyed phrase}
The difference in social values, philosophies, and manners between children and their parents, teachers and relatives which causes a lack of understanding between them and frequently leads to violent […]
[generous to a fault] {adj. phr.}
Excessively generous.
Generous to a fault, my Aunt Elizabeth gave away all her rare books to her old college.
[get]
See:
[GIVE AS GOOD AS ONE GETS],
[EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM] or
[EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM],
[GO-GETTER],
[TELL ONE WHERE TO GET OFF].
[get a black eye] {v. phr.}
1. To receive a dark ring around the eye after being hit by someone's fist or an object.
In the fistfight Tom got a black eye from Pete.
Sue got a black eye when she ran into a tree.
2. To have one's character […]
[get a break] {v. phr.}
To receive a stroke of luck.
Bill got a break when he won the lottery.
[get across] {v.}
1. To explain clearly, make (something) clear; to make clear the meaning of.
Mr. Brown is a good coach because he can get across the plays.
Syn.: [PUT ACROSS].
2. To become clear.
* /The teacher tried to explain the problem, […]
[get after] {v.}, {informal}
1. To try or try again to make someone do what he is supposed to do.
Ann's mother gets after her to hang up her clothes.
2. To scold or make an attack on.
* /Bob's mother got after him for tracking mud into the […]
[get ahead] {v.}
1. {informal}
To become successful.
Mr. Brown was a good lawyer and soon began to get ahead.
The person with a good education finds it easier to get ahead.
2. To be able to save money; get out of debt.
* /In a few more […]
[get a load of] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To take a good look at; see (something unusual or interesting.) — Often used to show surprise or admiration.
Get a load of that pretty girl!
Get a load of Dick's new car!
Compare: [LOOK OVER].
2. To […]
[get along] also [get on] {v.}
1. To go or move away; move on.
The policeman told the boys on the street corner to get along.
2. To go forward; make progress; advance,
John is getting along well in school. He is learning more every day.
[…]
[get a fix] or [give a fix] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {drug culture}
To provide (someone) with an injection of narcotics.
The neighborhood pusher gave Joe a fix.
Contrast: [GET A FIX ON].
[get a fix on] {v. phr.}, {informal}
Receive a reading of a distant object by electronic means, as by radar or sonar.
Can you get a fix on the submarine?
Contrast: [GET A FIX].
[get a grip on] {v. phr.}
To take firm control of something.
If Tim wants to keep his job, he had better get a grip on himself and start working harder.
Contrast: [LOSE ONE'S GRIP].
[get a head start on] {v. phr.}
To receive preliminary help or instruction in a particular subject so that the recipient is in a favorable position compared to his or her peers.
* /At our school, children get a head start on their reading ability […]
[get a kick out of] {v. phr.}
To be greatly thrilled; derive pleasure from.
Tom and Many get a kick out of playing four hands on the piano.
[get a line on] {v. phr.}
To receive special, sometimes even confidential information about something.
Before Bill accepted his new position, he got a line on how the business was being run.
[get a move on] {informal} or {slang} [get a wiggle on] {v. phr.}
To hurry up; get going. — Often used as a command.
Get a move on, or you will be late.
[get a raise] {v. phr.}
To receive an increment in salary.
Because of his good work, Ted got a raise after May 1.
[get a rise out of] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To have some fun with (a person) by making (him) angry; tease.
The boys get a rise out of Joe by teasing him about his girl friend.
2. {vulgar}, {avoidable}
To be sexually aroused (said of males)
* /Jim […]
[get along] or [on in years] {v. phr.}
To age; grow old.
My father is getting along in years; he will be ninety on his next birthday.
[get an earful] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To hear more (of usually unwelcome news) than one expects or wishes to hear.
I asked how Tim and his wife were getting along, and I certainly got an earful.
Contrast: [SAY A MOUTHFUL].
[get around] {v.}
1a. To go to different places; move about.
Mary's father really gets around; Monday he was in Washington; Wednesday he was in Chicago; and today he is in New York.
Fred broke his leg, but he is able to get about on crutches.
[…]
[get around to] {v.}
To do (something) after putting it off; find time for.
Mr. Lee hopes to get around to washing his car next Saturday.
[get at] {v.}
1. To reach an understanding of; find out the meaning.
This book is very hard to get at.
2. To do harm to.
The cat is on the chair trying to get at the canary.
Compare: [GET BACK AT].
3. To have a chance to do; attend to.
* […]
[getaway car] {n. phr.}
A vehicle parked near the scene of a crime in which the criminals escape.
The police intercepted the getaway car at a major crossroads.
[get away] {v.}
1. To get loose or get free; become free from being held or controlled; succeed in leaving; escape.
As Jim was trying the bat, it got away from him and hit Tom.
Someone left the door open, and the puppy got away.
* /Mary tried […]
[get away with] {v.}, {informal}
To do (something bad or wrong) without being caught or punished.
Some students get away without doing their homework.
See: [GET BY] (3).
[get away with murder] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To do something very bad without being caught or punished.
John is scolded if he is late with his homework, but Robert gets away with murder.
Mrs. Smith lets her children get away with murder.
[get a word in] or [get a word in edgewise] also [get a word in edgeways] {v. phr.}
To find a chance to say something when others are talking.
The little boy listened to the older students and finally got in a word.
* /Mary talked so much that […]
[get back at] {v.}, {informal}
To do something bad to (someone who has done something bad to you) hurt in return.
John played a joke on Henry, and next day Henry got back at him.
* /The elephant waited many years to get back at the man who fed him […]
[get back on one's feet] {v. phr.}
To once again become financially solvent; regain one's former status and income, or health.
* /Max got back on his feet soon after his open heart surgery. Tom's business was ruined due to the inflation, but he got […]
[get behind] {v.}
1. To go too slowly: be late; do something too slowly.
The post office got behind in delivering Christmas mail.
Syn.: [FALL BEHIND]. Contrast: [KEEP UP].
2. {informal} To support; help.
* /A club is much better if members get […]
[get busy] {v. phr.}
To accelerate the pace in one's activities.
We've got to get busy if we want to make the deadline.
[get by] {v.}, {informal}
1. To be able to go past; pass.
The cars moved to the curb so that the fire engine could get by.
2. To satisfy the need or demand.
Mary can get by with her old coat this winter.
* /The janitor does just enough work […]
[get couthed up] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To get oneself dressed up neatly and look elegant and presentable.
What are you getting all couthed up for? (This derives from "uncouth" ("outlandish, ill-mannered") by leaving off the prefix "un-".)
[get cracking] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To hurry up, to start moving fast. (Used mostly as an imperative).
Come on, you guys, let's get cracking! (Let's hurry up!)
Compare: [GET GOING] 2.
[get credit for] {v. phr.}
To be given points of merit, recognition, or praise for labor or intellectual contribution.
Our firm got a lot of credit for developing parts of the space shuttle.
Contrast: [GIVE CREDIT FOR].
[get one down] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To make (someone) unhappy; cause low spirits; cause discouragement.
Low grades are getting Helen down.
Three straight losses got the team down.
2. To swallow; digest.
* /The medicine was so bitter I […]
[get down cold] {v. phr.}
To memorize perfectly.
Terry got the text of his speech down cold.
[get down to] {v.}, {informal}
To get started on, being on.
Joe wasted a lot of time before he got down to work.
Let's get down to work.
Compare: [GET AT] (3), [GET GOING], [GET TO].
[get down to brass tacks] also [get down to cases] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To begin the most important work or business; get started on the most important things to talk about or know.
* /The men talked about little things and then got down to brass […]
[get down to business] or [work] {v. phr.}
To start being serious; begin to face a problem to be solved, or a task to be accomplished.
Gentlemen, I'm afraid the party is over and we must get down to business.
[get even] {v.}, {informal}
1. To owe nothing.
Mr. Johnson has a lot of debts, but in a few years he will get even.
2. To do something bad to pay someone back for something bad; get revenge; hurt back.
* /Jack is waiting to get even with Bill […]
[get going] {v.}, {informal}
1. To excite; stir up and make angry.
The boys' teasing gets John going.
Talking about her freckles gets Mary going.
2. or {chiefly British} [get cracking]
To begin to move; get started.
* /The teacher told […]
[get gray hair] or [get gray] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To become old or gray from worrying; become very anxious or worried. — Often used with "over".
"If John doesn't join the team, I won't get gray hair over it," the coach said.
* /Naughty children […]
[get his or hers] {v. phr.}
To receive one's proper reward or punishment.
Tim will get his when his wife finds out that he's been seeing other women.
[get hitched] {v. phr.}
To get married.
After a long period of dating, Fred and Mary finally got hitched.
[get hold of] {v.}
1. To get possession of.
Little children sometimes get hold of sharp knives and cut themselves.
2. To find a person so you can speak with him.
Mr. Thompson spent several hours trying to get hold of his lawyer.
[get in] {v. phr.}
1. To be admitted.
Andy wants to go to medical school but his grades aren't good enough for him to get in.
2. To arrive.
What time does the plane from New York get in?
3. To enter.
* /"Get in the car, and let's go," Tom […]
[get in on] {v. phr.}
To be permitted to participate; become privy to; be included.
This is your chance to get in on a wonderful deal with the new company if you're willing to make an investment.
[get in on the ground floor] {v. phr.}
To be one of the first members or employees to participate in the growth of a firm, educational institution, etc.
Elliott got in on the ground floor and made a fortune at the company.
* /Mr. Smith who joined […]
[get in on the] or [one's act] {v. phr.}
To do something because others are engaged in the same act; join others.
John's business is succeeding so well that both of his brothers want to get in on the act.
[get into line] {v. phr.}
To cooperate; conform.
The maverick members of the party were advised to get into line unless they wanted to be expelled.
Contrast: [OUT OF LINE].
[get in with] {v. phr.}
To join up with; begin to associate with; be accepted by.
He got in with the wrong gang of boys and wound up in jail.
She got in with her father's firm and made a successful career of it.
[get in wrong] {v. phr.}
To incur the anger or dislike of someone; come into disfavor.
Although he means well, Fred is always getting in wrong with someone at the office.
[get it] {v.}
1. See: [CATCH IT].
2. To understand; comprehend; grasp.
"I can't get it," John said. "Why do you spend so much on clothes."
[get it all together] {v. phr.}
1. To be in full possession and control of one's mental faculties; have a clear purpose well pursued.
You've sure got it all together, haven't you?
2. Retaining one's self-composure under pressure.
* /A few […]
[get it] or [something in] or [into one's head] {v. phr.}
To become possessed of an idea; develop a fixed idea.
Jack got it into his head to become a marine and nothing we could say would make him change his mind.
[get lost] {v. phr.}, {slang}
Go away! — Used as a command.
Get lost! I want to study.
John told Bert to get lost.
Compare: [DROP DEAD].
[get off] {v.}
1. To come down from or out of.
The ladder fell, and Tom couldn't get off the roof.
The bus stopped, the door opened, and Father got off.
2. To take off.
Joe's mother told him to get his wet clothes off.
3. To get away; […]
[get off cheap] {v. phr.}
1. To receive a lesser punishment than one deserves.
Ted could have been sentenced to fifteen years in prison; he got off cheap by receiving a reduced sentence of five years.
2. To pay less than the normal price.
* /If […]
[get off easy] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To have only a little trouble; escape something worse.
The children who missed school to go to the fair got off easy.
* /John got off easy because it was the first time he had taken his father's car without […]
[get off one's back] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
To stop criticizing or nagging someone.
"Get off my back! Can't you see how busy I am?"
[get off one's case] or [back] or [tail] {v. phr.}
To stop bothering and constantly checking up on someone; quit hounding one.
"Get off my case!" he cried angrily. "You're worse than the cops."
Contrast: [ON ONE'S CASE].
[get off one's tail] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To get busy, to start working.
OK you guys! Get off your tails and get cracking!
[get off on the wrong foot] {v. phr.}
To make a bad start; begin with a mistake.
Peggy got off on the wrong foot with her new teacher; she chewed gum in class and the teacher didn't like it.
[get off the ground] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To make a successful beginning; get a good start; go ahead; make progress.
Our plans for a party didn't get off the ground because no one could come.
[get off to a flying] or [running start] {v. phr.}
To have a promising or successful beginning.
Ron got off to a flying start in business school when he got nothing but A's.
[get on] or [get onto] {v.}, {informal}
1. To speak to (someone) roughly about something he did wrong; blame; scold.
Mrs. Thompson got on the girls for not keeping their rooms clean.
* /The fans got on the new shortstop after he made several […]
[get one's back up] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To become or make angry or stubborn.
Fred got his back up when I said he was wrong.
Our criticisms of his actions just got his hack up.
[get one's brains fried] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {also used colloquially}
1. To sit in the sun and sunbathe for an excessive length of time.
Newcomers to Hawaii should be warned not to sit in the sun too long — they'll get their brains fried.
2. To […]
[get one's dander up] or [get one's Irish up] {v. phr.}
To become or make angry.
The boy got his dander up because he couldn't go to the store.
The children get the teacher's dander up when they make a lot of noise.
Compare: [BLOW A FUSE].
[get one's ducks in a row] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To get everything ready.
The scoutmaster told the boys to get their ducks in a row before they went to camp.
Mr. Brown got his ducks in a row for his trip.
Compare: [LINE UP].
[get one's feet wet] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To begin; do something for the first time.
The party was at Bill's house and when Ruth and I got there the party had already started. "Jump right in and don't be afraid to get your feet wet," said Bill.
* […]
[get one's goat] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To make a person disgusted or angry.
The boy's laziness all summer got his father's goat.
The slow service at the cafe got Mr. Robinson's goat.
[get one's number] or [have one's number] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To find out or know what kind of person somebody is.
The boys soon had the new student's number.
The girls got their new roommate's number the first week of school.
[get one's rear in gear] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To hurry up, to get going.
I'm gonna have to get my rear in gear.
[get one's teeth into] or [sink one's teeth into] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To have something real or solid to think about; go to work on seriously; struggle with.
After dinner, John got his teeth into the algebra lesson.
* /Frank chose a subject for […]
[get on one's good side] {v. phr.}
To gain the favor of someone; flatter or please another.
A clever lobbyist knows how to get on the good side of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
[get on one's nerves] {v. phr.}
To make you nervous.
John's noisy eating habits get on your nerves.
Children get on their parents' nerves by asking so many questions.
[get on the stick] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To get moving; to stop being idle and to start working vigorously.
All right, man, let's get on the stick!
Compare: [ON THE BALL], [GET OFF ONE'S TAIL].
[get on to one] {v. phr.}
To figure someone out; understand what someone else is up to.
The FBI is on to Jim's secret trading with the enemy.
[get one wrong] {v. phr.}
To misinterpret; misunderstand another.
Don't get me wrong; I didn 't mean to criticize you.
[get one's say] or [have one's say]
See: [DAY IN COURT].
[get out] {v. phr.}
1. Leave or depart.
"Get out of here!" the teacher shouted angrily to the misbehaving student.
"Driver, I want to get out by the opera."
2. To publish; produce.
Our press is getting out two new books on ecology.
3. […]
[get out of] {v. phr.}
1. To be excused from; avoid.
He got out of jury duty because of his illness.
2. To gain from; extract from.
Tom complained that he didn't get anything out of the course on grammar.
[get over] {v.}
1. To finish.
Tom worked fast to get his lesson over.
2. To pass over.
It was hard to get over the muddy road.
3. To get well from; recover from.
The man returned to work after he got over his illness.
4. To accept or […]
[get rattled] {v. phr.}
To become confused, overexcited, or nervous.
The thief got so rattled when he saw the police following him that he drove his car into a ditch.
[get set] {v. phr.}
To get ready to start.
The runners got set.
The seniors are getting set for the commencement.
[get something out of one's system] {v. phr.}
1. To eliminate some food item or drug from one's body.
John will feel much better once he gets the addictive sleeping pills out of his system.
2. To free oneself of yearning for something in order to […]
[get something straight] {v. phr.}
To clearly comprehend an issue.
"Let me get this straight," Burt said. "You want $85,000 for this miserable shack?"
[get stoned] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To become very drunk or high on some drug.
Poor Fred was so stoned that Tom had to carry him up the stairs.
Compare: [THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND].
[get stuck] {v. phr.}
1. To be victimized; be cheated.
The Smiths sure got stuck when they bought that secondhand car; it broke down just two days after they got it.
2. To become entrapped or embroiled in a physical, emotional, or social obstacle […]
[get (all) the breaks] {v. phr.}
To be fortunate; have luck.
That fellow gets all the breaks! He's been working here only six months, and he's already been promoted to vice president!
[get the ax] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To be fired from a job.
Poor Joe got the ax at the office yesterday.
2. To be dismissed from school for improper conduct, such as cheating.
Joe got caught cheating on his final exam and he got the ax.
3. […]
[get the ball rolling] or [set the ball rolling] or [start the ball rolling] {informal}
To start an activity or action; make a beginning; begin.
George started the ball rolling at the party by telling a new joke.
Compare: [KEEP THE BALL ROLLING].
[get the better of] or [get the best of] {v. phr.}
1. To win over, beat; defeat.
Our team got the best of the visitors in the last quarter.
George got the better of Robert in a game of checkers.
* /When the opposing player fouled John, John […]
[get the bounce] or [get the gate] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. or [get the air]
To lose one's sweetheart; not be kept for a friend or lover.
Joe is sad because he just got the gate from his girl.
* /Shirley was afraid she might get the air from her […]
[get the brush-off] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To be paid no attention; not be listened to or thought important.
My idea for a party got the brush-off from the other children.
2. To be treated in an unkind or unfriendly way; be ignored.
* /Frank and […]
[get the eye] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To be looked at, especially with interest and liking.
The pretty girl got the eye as she walked past the boys on the street corner.
2. To be looked at or stared at, especially in a cold, unfriendly way.
* […]
[get the feel of] {v. phr.}
To become used to or learn about, especially by feeling or handling; get used to the experience or feeling of; get skill in.
John had never driven a big car, and it took a while for him to get the feel of it.
* /You'll […]
[get the go-ahead] or [the green light] {v. phr.}
To receive the permission or signal to start or to proceed.
We had to wait until we got the go-ahead on our research project.
[get the goods on] or [have the goods on] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To find out true and, often, bad information about; discover what is wrong with; be able to prove the guilt of.
* /Tell the truth, Johnny. We know who your girl is because we've got the goods […]
[get the jitters] {v. phr.}
To become very nervous or excited.
I always get the jitters when I sit in an airplane that's about to take off.
[get the jump on] or [have the jump on] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To get ahead of; start before (others); have an advantage over.
Don't let the other boys get the jump on you at the beginning of the race.
* /Our team got the jump on their rivals in the […]
[get the lead out of one's pants] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To get busy; work faster.
The captain told the sailors to get the lead out of their pants.
The coach told the players to get the lead out of their pants.
[get the lowdown on] {v. phr.}
To receive the full inside information on a person or thing.
We need to get the lowdown on Peter before we can decide whether or not to hire him.
[get the message] or [get the word] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To understand clearly what is meant.
The principal talked to the students about being on time, and most of them got the message.
* /Mary hinted to her boyfriend that she wanted to break up, […]
[get the sack] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To be fired or dismissed from work.
John got the sack at the factory last week.
2. To be told by one's lover that the relationship is over.
Joanna gave Sam the sack.
See: [GET THE AX] and [GET THE […]
[get the show on the road] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To start a program; get work started.
It was several years before the rocket scientists got the show on the road.
Compare: [GET THE BALL ROLLING].
[get the worst of] also [have the worst of] {v. phr.}
To lose; be defeated or beaten in; suffer most.
Joe got the worst of the argument with Molly.
- Often used in the phrase "the worst of it".
* /If you start a fight with Jim, you may get the […]
[get through] {v. phr.}
1. To finish.
Barry got through his homework by late evening.
2. To pass a course or an examination.
I got through every one of my courses except mathematics.
[get through one's head] {v. phr.}
1. To understand or believe.
Jack couldn't get it through his head that his father wouldn't let him go to camp if his grades didn't improve.
* /At last Mary got it through her head that she had failed to pass the […]
[get through to] {v.}
To be understood by; make (someone) understand.
The little boy could not get through to his housemother.
Deaf people sometimes find it hard to get through to strangers.
* /When the rich boy's father lost his money, it […]
[get to] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To begin by chance; begin to. — Used with a verbal noun or an infinitive.
George meant to save his dollar, but he got to thinking how good an ice cream cone would taste, and he spent it.
* /On a rainy day, Sally […]
[get to first base] or [reach first base] {v. phr.}
To make a good start; really begin; succeed,
Joe had a long paper to write for history class, but when the teacher asked for it, Joe hadn't got to first base yet.
* /Suppose Sam falls in love […]
[get together] {v.}
To come to an agreement; agree.
Mother says I should finish my arithmetic lesson, and Father says I should mow the lawn. Why don't you two get together?
[get-together] {n.}
A party; a gathering.
I hate to break up this nice get-together but we must leave.
We manage to have a get-together with our old friends once or twice a year.
[get to the bottom of] {v. phr.}
To find out the real cause of.
The superintendent talked with several students to get to the bottom of the trouble.
The doctor made several tests to get to the bottom of the man's headaches.
Compare: [GET TO […]
[get to the heart of] {v. phr.}
To find the most important facts about or the central meaning of; understand the most important thing about.
You can often get to the heart of people's unhappiness by letting them talk.
* /"If you can find a topic […]
[get underway] {v. phr.}
To set out on a journey; start going.
We are delighted that our new Ph.D. program finally got underway.
[get under one's skin] {v. phr.}
To bother; upset.
The students get under Mary's skin by talking about her freckles.
Children who talk too much in class get under the teacher's skin.
[get up] {v.}
1. To get out of bed.
John's mother told him that it was time to get up.
2. To stand up; get to your feet.
A man should get up when a woman comes into the room.
3. To prepare; get ready.
* /Mary got up a picnic for her […]
[get up with the chickens] or [rise with the chickens] {v. phr.}
To rise very early in the morning.
All the farmers in this village get up with the chickens.
Contrast: [GO TO BED WITH THE CHICKENS].
[get-up-and-go] also [get-up-and-get] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Energetic enthusiasm; ambitious determination; pep; drive; push.
Joe has a lot of get-up-and-go and is working his way through school.
[get up on the wrong side of the bed] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To awake with a bad temper.
Henry got up on the wrong side of the bed and wouldn't eat breakfast.
The man went to bed very late and got up on the wrong side of the bed.
[get up the nerve] {v. phr.}
To build up your courage until you are brave enough; become brave enough.
Jack got up the nerve to ask Ruth to dance with him.
The hungry little boy got up nerve to ask for another piece of cake.
[get what's coming to one] or {slang} [get one's] {v. phr.}
To receive the good or bad that you deserve; get what is due to you; get your share.
At the end of the movie the villain got what was coming to him and was put in jail.
* /John didn't […]
[get wind of] {v. phr.}
To get news of; hear rumors about; find out about.
The police got wind of the plans to rob the bank.
The captain didn't want the sailors to get wind of where the ship was going.
[get wise] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To learn about something kept secret from you; become alert.
One girl pretended to be sick on gym days when she had athletics, until the teacher got wise and made her go anyway.
- Often used with "to".
* /The boys […]
[get with it] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To pay attention; be alive or alert; get busy.
The students get with it just before examinations.
The coach told the team to get with it.
Compare: [ON THE BALL].
[ghost of a]
Least trace of; slightest resemblance to; smallest bit even of; a very little.
Usually used with "chance" or "idea" in negative sentences, or with "smile".
There wasn't a ghost of a chance that Jack would win.
* /We didn't have the […]
[ghost-writer] {n.}
A writer whose identity remains a secret and who writes for another who receives all the credit.
It is rumored that John Smith's best-selling novel was written by a ghost-writer.
[gift of gab] or [gift of the gab] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Skill in talking; ability to make interesting talk that makes people believe you.
Many men get elected because of their gift of gab.
Mr. Taylor's gift of gab helped him get a good job.
[gild the lily] also [paint the lily] {v. phr.}
To add unnecessarily to something already beautiful or good enough.
To talk about a beautiful sunset is to gild the lily.
For the beautiful girl to use makeup would be to gild the lily.
* […]
[gill]
See:
[FED TO THE GILLS] at [FED UP],
[GREEN AROUND THE GILLS] or [PALE AROUND THE GILLS].
[gilt-edged] {adj.}
Of the highest quality.
Government saving bonds are considered by many to be a gilt-edged investment.
[gin mill] {n.}, {slang}
A bar where liquor is sold.
Rush Street in Chicago is full of gin mills.
Syn.: [SPEAKEASY].
[G.I.] or ["government issue"] {n.}
An American soldier.
After the war many GI's were able to get a free education.
[gird one's loins] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To prepare for action; get ready for a struggle or hard work.
David girded up his loins and went out to meet the giant Goliath.
Seniors must gird their loins for the battles of life.
[girl Friday] {n.}
A very dependable and helpful female office worker; especially a secretary.
Miss Johnson is the manager's girl Friday.
There was an advertisement in the newspaper for a girl Friday.
[girl friend] {n.}, {informal}
1. A female friend or companion.
Jane is spending the night at her girlfriend's house.
2. A boy's steady girl; the girl or woman partner in a love affair; girl; sweetheart.
* /John is taking his girl friend to the […]
[give a hang] or [care a hang] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To have any interest or liking; care. — Used also with other words in the place of "hang", such as "damn", "rap", "straw"; usually used in the negative.
* /You can quit helping me if you want to. I […]
[give a hard time] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To give trouble by what you do or say; complain.
Jane gave her mother a hard time on the bus by fighting with her sister and screaming.
* /Don't give me a hard time, George. I'm doing my best on this […]
[give-and-take] {n. phr.}
1. A sharing; giving and receiving back and forth between people; a giving up by people on different sides of part of what each one wants so that they can agree.
* /Jimmy is too selfish. He has no notion of give-and-take with […]
[give an ear to] or [lend an ear to] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To listen to.
Children should give an ear to their parents' advice.
The king lent an ear to the complaints of his people.
[give a pain] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To make (you) disgusted; annoy.
Ann's laziness gives her mother a pain.
John's bad manners give his teacher a pain.
Compare: [PAIN IN THE NECK].
[give as good as one gets] {v. phr.}
To be able to give back blow for blow; defend yourself well in a fight or argument.
The Americans gave as good as they got in the war with the English.
* /George gave as good as he got in his fight with the […]
[give away] {v.}
1. To give as a present.
Mrs. Jones has several kittens to give away.
2. To hand over (a bride) to her husband at the wedding.
Mr. Jackson gave away his daughter.
3. To let (a secret) become known; tell the secret of.
* […]
[giveaway] or [dead giveaway] {n.}
(stress on "give")
1. An open secret.
By mid-afternoon, it was a dead giveaway who the new boss would be.
2. A forced or sacrifice sale at which items are sold for much less than their market value.
* /The […]
[give a wide berth] {v. phr.}
To keep away from; keep a safe distance from.
Mary gave the barking dog a wide berth.
Jack gave a wide berth to the fallen electric wires.
After Tom got Bob into trouble. Bob gave him a wide berth.
[give birth to] {v. phr.}
1. To bear live offspring.
The mother gave birth to twin baby girls.
2. To bring about; create; occasion.
Beethoven gave birth to a new kind of symphony.
[give chase] {v. phr.}
To chase or run after someone or something.
The dog saw a rabbit and gave chase.
The policeman gave chase to the man who robbed the bank.
[give color to] or [lend color to] {v. phr.}
To make (something) seem true or likely.
The boy's torn clothes gave color to his story of a fight.
The way the man ate lent color to his story of near starvation.
[give credence to] {v. phr.}
1. To be willing to believe that something is true.
Larry gave credence to the rumor that Fred used to be a convict.
* /Give no credence to the rumor that our state is bankrupt; nothing could be farther from the […]
[give fits] {v. phr.} {informal}
To upset; bother very much.
Paul's higher grades give John fits.
The short guard gave his tall opponent fits.
Compare: [GIVE A HARD TIME].
[give forth] {v. phr.}
To emit; produce.
When the gong was struck it gave forth a rich, resounding sound.
[give gray hair] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To make (someone) anxious, confused, or worried.
The traffic problem is enough to give a policeman gray hairs.
Compare: [GET GRAY HAIR].
[give ground] {v. phr.}
To go backward under attack; move back; retreat.
After fighting for a while the troops slowly began to give ground.
Although they were outnumbered by the enemy, the men refused to give ground.
Compare:
[DRAW BACK],
[…]
[give in] {v.}
To stop fighting or arguing and do as the other person wants; give someone his own way; stop opposing someone.
Mother kept inviting Mrs. Smith to stay for lunch, and finally she gave in.
* /After Billy proved that he could ride a […]
[give it some thought] {v. phr.}
To wait and see; consider something after some time has elapsed.
"Will you buy my car?" Fred asked. "Let me give it some thought," Jim answered.
Contrast: [SLEEP ON].
[give it the gun] or [give her the gun] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To gun or speed up a motor; make a car, airplane, or something driven by a motor go faster.
The race driver gave it the gun.
The speedboat pilot gave her the gun.
Compare: [STEP ON […]
[give it to] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To give punishment to; beat.
The crowd yelled for the wrestler to give it to his opponent.
Syn.: [LET HAVE IT].
2. To scold.
Jerry's mother gave it to him for coming home late.
Compare: [GIVE A PIECE […]
[give it to one straight] {v. phr.}
To be direct; be frank.
I asked the doctor to give it to me straight how long I have to live.
[give no quarter] {v. phr.}
To be ruthless and show no mercy.
The enemy soldiers gave no quarter and shot all the prisoners.
[give notice] {v. phr.}
To inform an employer, an employee, a landlord, or a tenant of the termination of a contractual agreement of service or tenancy.
Max gave notice at the bank where he was working.
Sally was given notice by her landlord.
[given to] {adj. phr.}
Having a tendency to; addicted to.
Phil is given to telling fantastic tales about his chateau in France.
[give off] {v.}
To send out; let out; put forth.
Rotten eggs give off a bad smell.
Burning leaves give off thick smoke.
Syn.: [GIVE OUT] (2).
[give of oneself] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To give your time and effort to help others.
You should give of yourself sometimes.
During World War II, Governor Baldwin gave of himself by sweeping the halls of a hospital every afternoon.
[give one a lift] {v. phr.}
1. To give someone a ride.
Jack gave me a lift in his new car.
2. To comfort someone.
Talking to my doctor yesterday gave me a lift.
[give one an inch, and he will take a mile]
If you give some people a little or yield anything, they will want more and more; some people are never satisfied.
* /I gave Billy a bite of candy and he wanted more and more. If you give him an inch, he'll […]
[give one a piece of one's mind] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To scold angrily; say what you really think to (someone).
Mr. Allen gave the other driver a piece of his mind.
The sergeant gave the soldier a piece of his mind for not cleaning his boots.
[…]
[give one a ring] also {informal} [give a buzz]
To call on the telephone.
Mrs. Jacobs promised to give her husband a ring in the afternoon.
Alice will give her friend a buzz tonight.
[give one enough rope and he will hang himself] {informal}
Give a bad person enough time and freedom to do as he pleases, and he may make a bad mistake or get into trouble and be caught. — A proverb.
* /Johnny is always stealing and hasn't been […]
[give one pause] {v. phr.}
To astonish someone; cause one to stop and think.
"Your remark gives me pause," Tom said, when Jane called him an incurable gambler.
[give oneself airs] {v. phr.}
To act proud; act vain.
Mary gave herself airs when she wore her new dress.
John gave himself airs when he won first prize.
[give oneself away] {v. phr.}
To show guilt; show you have done wrong.
The thief gave himself away by spending so much money.
Carl played a joke on Bob and gave himself away by laughing.
Compare: [GIVE AWAY].
[give oneself up] {v.}
To stop hiding or running away; surrender.
The thief gave himself up to the police.
Mr. Thompson hit another car, and his wife told him to give himself up.
Compare: [TURN IN].
[give oneself up to] {v. phr.}
Not to hold yourself back from; let yourself enjoy.
Uncle Willie gave himself up to a life of wandering.
John came inside from the cold and gave himself up to the pleasure of being in a warm room.
Compare: […]
[give one some of his] or [her own medicine] {v. phr.}
To treat someone the way he or she treats others (used in the negative).
The gangster beat up an innocent old man, so when he resisted arrest, a policeman gave him a little of his own medicine.
[…]
[give one's due] {v. phr.}
To be fair to (a person), give credit that (a person) deserves.
The boxer who lost gave the new champion his due.
We should give a good worker his due.
Compare: [GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE].
[give one's right arm for] {v. phr.}
To give something of great value; sacrifice.
During our long hike in the desert, I would have given my right arm for an ice cold drink.
[give one's word] {v. phr.}
To seriously promise.
"You gave me your word you would marry me," Mary bitterly complained, "but you broke your word."
[give one the eye] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To look at, especially with interest and liking.
A pretty girl went by and all the boys gave her the eye.
2. To look or stare at, especially in a cold or unfriendly way.
* /Mrs. Jones didn't like Mary and […]
[give or take] {v, phr.}
To add or subtract. Used with a round number or date to show how approximate it is.
The house was built in 1900, give or take five years.
[give out] {v.}
1. To make known; let it be known; publish.
Mary gave out that she and Bob were going to be married.
2. To let escape; give.
The cowboy gave out a yell.
Syn.: [GIVE OFF], [LET GO].
3. to give to people; distribute.
* /The […]
[give pause] {v. phr.}
To cause you to stop and think; make you doubt or worry.
The heavy monthly payments gave Mr. Smith pause in his plans to buy a new car.
The bad weather gave Miss Carter pause about driving to New York City.
[give rein to] or [give free rein to] {v. phr.}
To remove all restrictions or limitations from someone or something.
When she wrote her first mystery novel, the talented novelist gave rein to her imagination.
[give rise to] {v. phr.}
To be the reason for; cause.
A branch floating in the water gave rise to Columbus' hopes that land was near.
John's black eye gave rise to rumors that he had been in a fight.
[give someone his rights] or [read someone his rights] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. The act of advising arrested criminals that they have the right to remain silent and that everything they say can be held against them in a court of law; that they have the […]
[give the ax] {v. phr.}, {colloquial}
1. Abruptly to finish a relationship.
She gave me the ax last night.
2. To fire an employee in a curt manner.
His boss gave John the ax last Friday.
[give the benefit of the doubt] {v. phr.}
To believe (a person) is innocent rather than guilty when you are not sure.
The money was stolen and John was the only boy who had known where it was, but the teacher gave him the benefit of the doubt.
* […]
[give the bounce] or [give the gate] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. or [give the air]
To stop being a friend or lover to (a person); separate from.
Mary gave John the bounce after she saw him dating another girl.
* /Bill and Jane had an argument and Bill […]
[give the devil his due] {v. phr.}
To be fair, even to someone who is bad; tell the truth about a person even though you don't like him,
I don't like Mr. Jones, but to give the devil his due, I must admit that he is a good teacher.
[give the glad eye] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To give (someone) a welcoming look as if saying "come over here, I want to talk to you."
I was surprised when Joe gave me the glad eye.
[give the go-by] {v. phr.}
To pay no attention to a person; avoid.
John fell in love with Mary, but she gave him the go-by.
The boy raised his hand to answer the question, but the teacher gave him the go-by.
Compare: [THE RUNAROUND].
[give the lie to] {v. phr.}, {literary}
1. To call (someone) a liar.
The police gave the lie to the man who said that he had been at home during the robbery.
2. To show (something) to be false; prove untrue.
* /The boy's dirty face gave the lie […]
[give the shirt off one's back] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To give away something or everything that you own.
He'd give you the shirt off his back.
[give the show away] {v. phr.}
To reveal a plan or information that is supposed to be secret.
You have read further in the book than I have, but please don't tell me where the treasure was buried; otherwise you'd be giving the show away.
[give the slip] {v.}
To escape from (someone); run away from unexpectedly; sneak away from.
An Indian was following, but Boone gave him the slip by running down a hill.
* /Some boys were waiting outside the school to beat up Jack, but he gave them […]
[give the willies] {v. phr.}
To cause someone to be uncomfortable, fearful, or nervous.
Sue hates to camp out in a tent; the buzzing of the mosquitoes gives her the willies.
[give thought to] {v. phr.}
To consider; think about.
Have you given any thought to the question of how to sell Grandpa's old house?
Contrast: [GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT].
[give to understand] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To make a person think that something is true but not tell him; suggest; hint.
Mr. Johnson gave Billy to understand that he would pay him if he helped him clean the yard.
2. To make a person understand […]
[give up] {v.}
1a. To stop trying to keep; surrender; yield.
The dog had the ball in his mouth and wouldn't give it up.
Jimmy is giving up his job as a newsboy when he goes back to school.
Compare: [GIVE ONESELF UP], [HAND OVER], [LET GO] […]
[give (one) up for] {v. phr.}
To abandon hope for someone or something.
After Larry had not returned to base camp for three nights, his fellow mountain climbers gave him up for dead.
[give up the ghost] {v. phr.}
To die; stop going.
After a long illness, the old woman gave up the ghost.
The motor turned over a few times and gave up the ghost.
[give up the ship] {v. phr.}
To stop fighting and surrender; stop trying or hoping to do something.
"Don't give up the ship, John," said his father when John failed a test.
[give voice] {v. phr.}, {formal}
To tell what you feel or think; especially when you are angry or want to object. — Used with "to".
The students gave voice to their pleasure over the new building.
* /Little Willie gave voice to his pain when the […]
[give way] {v.}
1. To go back; retreat.
The enemy army is giving way before the cannon fire.
Compare: [FALL BACK].
2. To make room, get out of the way.
The children gave way and let their mother through the door.
Compare: [MAKE WAY].
3. […]
[give way to] {v. phr.}
1a. To make room for; allow to go or pass; yield to.
John gave way to the old lady and let her pass.
1b. To allow to decide.
Mrs. Rogers gave way lo her husband in buying the car.
1c. To lose control of (your […]
[glad hand] {n.}, {informal}
A friendly handshake; a warm greeting.
Father went to the front door to give Uncle Fred the glad hand when he arrived.
The politician went down the street on election day giving everyone the glad hand.
[glad rags] {n.}, {slang}
Clothes worn to parties or on special occasions; best clothes.
Mrs. Owens put on her glad rags for the party.
Compare: [BEST BIB AND TUCKER].
[glance off] {v. phr.}
To ricochet.
The bullet glanced off the wall and wounded an innocent bystander.
[glass jaw] {n.}, {slang}
The inability of a boxer to get a hard punch on the jaw without being knocked out; a tendency to be knocked out easily.
He would have been champion except for his glass jaw.
[globe-trotter] {n.}
One who has travelled far and wide.
Tim and Nancy are regular globe-trotters; there are few countries they haven't been to.
[gloss over] {v.}
To try to make what is wrong or bad seem right or not important; try to make a thing look easy; pretend about; hide.
* /Billy broke a window and Mother tried to gloss it over by saying it wouldn't cost much to have it fixed, but […]
[glutton for punishment] {n. phr.}
A greedy person; someone who wants too much of something, such as food or drink, which will make him sick.
Fred eats so much red meat that he is a regular glutton for punishment.
[go]
See:
[HERE GOES],
[HERE GOES NOTHING],
[BEST BIB AND TUCKER] or [SUNDAY-GO-TO-MEETING CLOTHES],
[COMINGS AND GOINGS],
[EASY COME EASY GO],
[GET GOING],
[GET-UP-AND-GO]
[HAVE A GO AT],
[HEART GOES OUT TO],
[KNOW WHETHER ONE IS COMING OR […]
[go about] {v.}
1. To be busy with; keep busy at or working on; start working on; do.
Bobby is going about his homework very seriously tonight.
Just go about your business and don't keep looking out of the window.
* /How will you go about […]
[go about one's business] {v. phr.}
To mind one's own affairs.
Fred kept bothering me with his questions all day, so I finally told him to go about his business and leave me alone.
[go after] {v.}
To try to get.
"First find out what job you want and then go after it," said Jim's father.
[go ahead] {v.}
To begin to do something; not wait.
The teacher told the students not to write on the paper yet, but John went ahead and wrote his name.
"May I ask you a question?" "Go ahead."
Compare: [GO ON] (1).
[go astray] {v. phr.}
To become lost.
The letter has obviously gone astray; otherwise it would have been delivered a long time ago.
[goal line] {n.}
A line that marks the goal in a game (as football.)
The fullback went over the goal line from five yards out.
[goal line stand] {n.}
A strong defensive effort right in front of the goal line.
A goal line stand by the home team held the visitors on the two-yard line.
[go along] {v.}
1. To move along; continue.
Uncle Bill made up the story as he went along.
Compare: [GO ON] (1).
2. To go together or as company; go for fun. — Often used with "with". /Mary went along with us to Jane's house./
* /John just went […]
[go ape] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To become highly excited or behave in a crazy way.
Amy went ape over the hotel and beautiful beaches.
The electric door opener malfunctioned and caused the garage door to go ape.
[go around] {v.}
1a. To go from one place or person to another.
Mr. Smith is going around looking for work.
Don't go around telling lies like that.
Chicken pox is going around the neighborhood.
* /A rumor is going around school that we […]
[go at] {v.}
1. To start to fight with; attack.
The dog and the cat are going at each other again.
2. To make a beginning on; approach; tackle.
How are you going to go at the job of fixing the roof?
Compare: [START IN]. Syn.: [GO ABOUT] (1).
[go at it hammer and tongs] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To attack or fight with great strength or energy; have a bad argument.
Bill slapped George's face and now they're going at it hammer and tongs in back of the house.
* /Helen and Mary have been […]
[go back on] {v. phr.}
1. To turn against; not be faithful or loyal to.
Many of the man's friends went back on him when he was sent to prison.
The boy's father told him not to go back on his promise.
Compare: [BACK DOWN], [TURN ONE'S BACK].
[…]
[go back on one's word] {v. phr.}
To renege; break a promise.
Patrick went back on his word when he refused to marry Karen in spite of his earlier promise.
[go] or [be on the rocks]
See: [ON THE ROCKS].
[go] or [be on the wagon]
See: [ON THE WAGON].
Contrast: [FALL OFF THE WAGON].
[go bail for] {v. phr.}
To advance the necessary money as security in order to release an accused person until trial.
The arrested driver had no trouble finding someone to go bail for him.
[go begging] {v. phr.}
To be not needed or wanted.
Many old homes in the city go begging.
Most of the apples on the market went begging.
[go broke] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To lose all one's money; especially by taking a chance; owe more than you can pay.
The inventor went broke because nobody would buy his machine.
Dan had a quarter but he went broke matching pennies with Fred.
[go-between] {n.}
An intermediary.
They expect Mr. Smith to act as a go-between in the dispute between management and labor.
[go bust] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To become bankrupt.
Our company lost a lot of money and went bust.
Compare: [BELLY UP].
[go by] {v.}
1. To go or move past; pass.
Bob had to go by the post office on his way to school, so he mailed the letter.
2. To follow; copy; obey.
Mother goes by a pattern when she makes a dress.
* /You will find Main Street without […]
[go by the board] also [pass by the board] {v. phr.}
To go away or disappear forever, be forgotten or not used.
Tom had several chances to go to college, but he let them go by the board.
* /Grandfather said he was too old to go to the beach. […]
[go by the name of] {v. phr.}
To be called.
Adolf Schicklegruber went by the name of Adolf Hitler.
[go chase oneself] {v. phr.}, {slang}
Go away and stop being a nuisance.
John's father was busy and told him to go chase himself.
The owner of the store told the boys in front to go chase themselves.
Compare: [BEAT IT], [GO JUMP IN THE LAKE].
[God]
See:
[IN THE LAP OF THE GODS] also [ON THE KNEES OF THE GODS],
[MY GOD] or [MY GOODNESS],
[WOULD THAT] or [WOULD GOD].
[God forbid] {interj.}
May God prevent (something from happening); I hope that will not happen or is not true.
Someone told the worried mother that her son might have drowned. She said, "God forbid!"
* /God forbid that the dam break and flood the […]
[God knows] or [goodness knows] or [heaven knows] {informal}
1. Maybe God knows but I don't know and no one else knows. — Often used with "only".
Do you know where Susan is? God only knows!
2. Surely; certainly.
* /Goodness knows, the poor man […]
[go down] {v. phr.}
1. To deteriorate in quality.
This hotel, which used to be one of the best, has gone down during the past few years.
2. To become lower in price.
It is said that the price of milk is expected to go down soon.
3. To sink. […]
[go down in history] or [go down in the records] {v. phr.}
To be remembered or recorded for always.
The lives of great men go down in history.
Babe Ruth went down in history as a home run hitter.
* /The boy's straight A's for four years of […]
[go down the drain] {v. phr.}
To be lost or wasted forever.
If he doesn't pass the bar examination tomorrow, his best efforts to become a lawyer will go down the drain.
[God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb] {literary}
A person who is already helpless will not have more trouble; you will not have more trouble than you can bear.
* /After Mr. Smith lost his job, the Smith's house caught fire, but the fire was put out […]
[go Dutch] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To go out for fun together but have each person pay for himself.
High school students often go Dutch to basketball games.
Sometimes boys and girls go Dutch on dates.
* /The girl knew her boyfriend had little […]
[go fly a kite] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To go away; leave. Usually used as a command, to show that you do not accept someone's ideas.
Harry was tired of John's advice and told him to go fly a kite.
* /After Mary stood around telling Sue what was wrong […]
[go for] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To try to get; aim for; try for.
Our team is going for the championship in the game tonight.
The dog went for Bob's leg.
2. To favor; support; like.
Little Susie really goes for ice cream.
* /Bob goes […]
[go for a spin] {v. phr.}
To go for a ride in a car.
Billy has invited us to go for a spin in his new car.
[go for broke] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To risk everything on one big effort; use all your energy and skill; try as hard as possible.
The racing car driver decided to go for broke in the biggest race of the year.
Compare: [ALL-OUT].
[go for nothing] also {formal} [go for naught] {v. phr.}
To count for nothing; be useless; be wasted.
What the teacher said went for nothing because the pupils did not pay attention.
I hope that all your good work doesn't go for naught.
[…]
[go from bad to worse] {adv. phr.}
To change from a bad position or condition to a worse one; become worse.
Dick's typing went from bad to worse when he was tired.
Jack's conduct in school has gone from bad to worse.
Compare: [OUT OF THE […]
[go from strength to strength] {v. phr.}
To move forward, increasing one's fame, power, or fortune in a series of successful achievements.
Our basketball team has gone from strength to strength.
[go-getter] {n.}
A person who works hard to become successful; an active, ambitious person who usually gets what he wants.
The governor of the state has always been a go-getter.
The best salesmen are the go-getters.
[go-go] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal}
1. Vigorous youthful, unusually active.
Joe is a go-go kind of guy.
2. Of a discotheque or the music or dances performed there.
3a. Unrestrained.
3b. Very up-to-date, hip.
* /Mary wore handsome go-go boots […]
[go halfway] or [go halfway to meet one] or [meet one halfway] {v. phr.}
To give up part of what you want or to do your share in reaching an agreement with someone.
* /Our neighbors are willing to go halfway to meet us and pay their share for a fence […]
[go halves] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To share half or equally become partners.
The boys went halves in raising pigs.
The men are going halves in a new business.
The girl bought a box of candy and went halves with her roommate.
[go hang] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To stop being of interest or importance; be forgotten. — Usually used with "let".
Mr. Johnson let his business go hang after his wife died.
2. To leave you alone; not bother.
* /When the neighbor told Father how […]
[go hard with] {v. phr.}
To be painful, troublesome, or hard for; happen or result badly for. — Used after "it".
It will go hard with you if I catch you smoking.
[go haywire] {v. phr.}, {informal}
Mixed-up, out of order, not in regular working condition.
My electric typewriter has gone all haywire; I have to call the repair man.
[go hog wild] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To become extremely agitated and go out of control.
After the soccer game was won, the fans went hog wild.
[go in for] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To try to do; take part in; take pleasure in.
Most girls do not go in for rough games.
Mrs. Henry goes in for simple meals.
Compare: [GO INTO] (3), [TAKE UP] (5b).
[going for one] {adj. phr.}
Working to help; in one's favor.
The young woman surely will get the job; she has everything going for her.
[going on] {adv. phr.}
Almost; nearly.
Joe is going on six years old.
It is going on six o'clock.
[going through changes] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To be in trouble, to have difficulties, to be trapped in unfavorable circumstances.
"What's the matter with Joe?" — "He's going through changes."
[going to]
Can be expected to; planning to. — Used after "is" (or "was", etc.), with an infinitive, in the same way "will" is used, to show future.
Some day that big tree is going to rot and fall.
Look at those dark clouds. It's going to rain.
[…]
[go in one ear and out the other] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be not really listened to or understood; be paid no attention.
The teacher's directions to the boy went in one ear and out the other.
* /Mother scolded Martha, but it went in one ear and […]
[go into] {v.}
1a. To go or fit inside of; able to be put in.
The table is too big to go into the closet.
1b. To be able to be divided into; be divisible into.
Two goes into four two times.
2. To enter a state or condition of; pass into.
[…]
[go into a huddle] {v. phr.}
1. To gather close together as a team in a football game, usually to find out your team's next play.
The football team which has the ball goes into a huddle before every play to get orders on what play they will use.
[…]
[go into a tailspin] or [go into a nose dive] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To fall or go down badly; collapse; give up trying.
The team went into a tailspin after their captain was hurt, and they were badly beaten.
2. {informal}
To become very […]
[go into orbit] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To become very happy or successful.
Our team has gone into orbit.
Compare: [FLY HIGH].
2. To lose one's temper or control completely; become very angry.
* /John was afraid his father would go into orbit […]
[go it] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To go fast; run hard; not to spare yourself. — Often used as a command.
The coach yelled to the runner to go it.
At the party the girls cheered for their partners to go it.
* /The boys called, "Go it!" to the […]
[go jump in the lake] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To go away and quit being a bother.
George was tired of Tom's advice and told him to go jump in the lake.
Compare: [GO CHASE YOURSELF], [GO FLY A KITE].
[goldfish bowl] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
1. A situation in which it is not possible to keep things secret for any length of time.
Washington Society is a goldfish bowl.
2. An apartment or place that provides no privacy for its occupant, e.g., an […]
[golf widow] {n.}, {informal}
A woman whose husband is often away from home playing golf.
Mrs. Thompson didn't like being a golf widow.
[go legit] {v. phr.}
To start practicing a legitimate business after having been operating outside of the law.
"The old days are over," the crime boss said to his friends. "We are going legit as of right now."
[go like clockwork] or [go off like clockwork] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To run smoothly and regularly like the workings of a clock; go smoothly and without difficulty; go on time or as planned.
The car's motor went like clockwork after Bob fixed it.
* […]
[go native] {v. phr.}
To behave like a native (said of European Americans in tropical countries).
Mainlanders often go native in Hawaii.
[gone goose] also [gone gosling] {n.}, {slang}
A person for whom there is no hope.
Herbert's grades have been so low that he is a gone goose for the year.
The man was a gone gosling when a policeman caught him breaking the store window.
[gone with the wind] {adj. phr.}
Gone forever; past; vanished.
All the Indians who used to live here are gone with the wind.
Joe knew that his chance to get an "A" was gone with the wind when he saw how hard the test was.
Compare: [DOWN THE […]
[good]
See:
[AS GOOD AS],
[AS GOOD AS ONE GETS],
[BUT GOOD],
[DO ONE GOOD],
[FOR GOOD],
[FOR GOOD MEASURE],
[GET THE GOODS ON],
[HOLD GOOD],
[IN GOOD],
[IN GOOD FAITH],
[IN GOOD TIME],
[IN ONE'S GOOD GRACES],
[IT IS AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS […]
[good and ---] {adv.}, {informal}
Very; completely.
John's father was good and mad when John came home late.
Jack knew good and well that Tom had thrown the snowball at him.
I pushed Bill good and hard.
* /Susan wouldn't come out till […]
[good buddy] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
Salutation used by truckers and automobile drivers who have CB radios.
What's the Smokey situation, good buddy?
[good day] {interj.}
Hello or goodbye. — Used as a formal greeting or salute when you meet or leave someone during the day.
Miss Rogers said, "Good day!" when she met her friend on the street.
Mr. Lee said "Good day!" and left the office.
[good deal] or [great deal] {n.}, {informal}
A large amount; much. — Used with "a".
Mrs. Walker's long illness cost her a good deal.
George spends a great deal of his time watching television.
- Often used like an adverb.
* /Cleaning up […]
[good egg] {slang} or {informal} [good scout] {n. phr.}
A friendly, kind or good-natured person, a nice fellow.
Tommy is such a good egg that everybody wants to be his friend.
Syn.: [REGULAR GUY]. Contrast: [BAD EGG].
[good evening] {interj.}
Hello or goodbye. — Used as a formal greeting or salute when you meet or leave someone in the evening.
When the TV program began, an announcer appeared and said, "Good evening, everyone."
* /Finally Aunt May stood up and […]
[good faith] {n.}
1. Belief in another person's honesty; trust.
Uncle Dick let me have the keys to his candy store to show his good faith.
- Often used in the phrase "in good faith".
* /The teacher accepted Bob's excuse for being late in good […]
[good for] or [hurrah for] {adj. phr.}
Used with a name or pronoun to praise someone.
Good for George! He won the 100-yard dash.
You got 100 on the test? Hurrah for you.
[good-for-nothing] {adj. phr.}
Worthless.
While Janice works hard each day, her good-for-nothing husband hangs around in the bars.
[good grief!] {interj.}, {informal}
Wow! Indication of surprise, good or bad.
"Good grief," Joe cried out loud. "Is this all you will pay me for my hard work?"
* /What a figure Melanie has, good grief! I wonder if she would be willing to go out […]
[good head on one's shoulders] {n. phr.}
Good sense; good judgment.
Jack has a good head on his shoulders; he never drives too fast.
Alice is a girl with a good head on her shoulders, she always keeps good company.
* /George showed he had a […]
[good many] or [great many] {n.} or {adj.}
A large number (of); very many. Used with "a".
We found some fall flowers, but the frost had already killed a good many.
A great many of the houses were knocked down by the earthquake.
* /Tom has a […]
[good nature] {n.}
Readiness to please others and to be pleased. Cheerfulness, pleasantness.
Everybody likes Mr. Crowe because of his good nature.
Miss Reynolds was remembered by her students for her good nature.
[goodness gracious] {interj.}, {slightly archaic}
Exclamation of surprise and a certain degree of disapproval.
* /"Can my boyfriend stay overnight, Dad?" Melanie asked. "Goodness gracious, most certainly not!" her father replied. "What would the […]
[good night] {interj.}
1. Used as a polite phrase when you leave someone at night.
"Good night!" said Bob as he left Dick's house after the party. "I'll see you in the morning."
Bill said good night to his parents and went upstairs to bed.
[…]
[good riddance] {n.}
A loss that you are glad about. Often used as an exclamation, and in the sentence "good riddance to bad rubbish". To show that you are glad that something or somebody has been taken or sent away.
* /The boys thought it was good […]
[good show!] {adj. phr.}
Excellent; terrific; wonderful.
"Good show, boys!" the coach cried, when our team won the game.
[go off] {v.}
1. To leave; to depart.
Helen's mother told her not to go off without telling her.
2a. To be fired; explode.
The firecracker went off and scared Jack's dog.
2b. To begin to ring or buzz.
* /The alarm clock went off at six […]
[go off half-cocked] also [go off at half cock] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To act or speak before getting ready; to do something too soon.
Bill often goes off half cocked.
* /Mr. Jones was thinking about quilting his job, but his wife told him not to […]
[go off the deep end] or [go overboard] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To act excitedly and without careful thinking.
John has gone off the deep end about owning a motorcycle.
Mike warned his roommate not to go off the deep end and get married.
* /Some […]
[goof off] {v.}, {slang}
To loaf or be lazy; not want to work or be serious; fool around.
Tow didn't get promoted because he goofed off all the time and never did his homework.
If you goof off on the job too much, you'll be fired.
[go off in a huff] {v. phr.}
To depart in anger.
Marian went off in a huff just because Jeff failed to open the door for her.
[go on] {v.}
1a. To continue; not stop.
After he was hit by the ball, Billy quit pitching and went home, but the game went on.
The TV picture began to jump, and it went on like that until Father turned a knob.
* /I asked Jane a question but […]
[go on record] {v. phr.}
To make an official statement as opposed to an informal one; say something officially that may be quoted with the person's name added for reference.
* /I want to go on record that I oppose the merger with the firm of […]
[go one's way] {v. phr.}
1. To start again or continue to where you are going.
The milkman left the milk and went his way.
The man stopped and asked me for a match, then went his way.
Compare: [GO ALONG], [GO ON].
2. To go or act the way you […]
[goose]
See:
[COOK ONE'S GOOSE],
[FOX AND GEESE],
[KILL THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG],
[GONE GOOSE].
[goose bumps] or [goose pimples] {n. plural}, {informal}
Small bumps that come on a person's skin when he gets cold or afraid.
Nancy gets goose bumps when she sees a snake.
* /Ann, put on your sweater; you're so cold you have goose pimples on your […]
[go out] {v. phr.}
1. To pass out of date or style.
Short skirts are gradually going out.
2. To stop giving off light or burning.
Put more wood on the fire or it will go out.
3. To leave.
* /When I called Sue, her mother said that she had […]
[go out for] or [come out for] {v. phr.}
To try for a place on (an athletic team.)
Ten boys went out for track that spring.
The coach asked Tom why he didn't come out for basketball.
[go out of business] {v. phr.}
To cease functioning as a commercial enterprise.
The windows of the store are all boarded up because they went out of business.
[go out of one's way] {v. phr.}
To make an extra effort; do more than usual.
Jane went out of her way to be nice to the new girl.
Don did not like Charles, and he went out of his way to say bad things about Charles.
Compare: [BEND OVER […]
[go out the window] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To go out of effect; be abandoned.
During the war, the school dress code went out the window.
[go over] {v.}
1. To examine; think about or look at carefully.
The teacher went over the list and picked John's name.
The police went over the gun for fingerprints.
2. To repeat; do again.
Don't make me go all over it again.
* /We […]
[go over like a lead balloon] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To fail to generate a positive response or enthusiasm; to meet with boredom or disapproval.
The president's suggested budget cuts went over like a lead balloon.
* /Jack's off-color jokes went […]
[go over one's head] {v. phr.}
1. To be too difficult to understand.
Penny complains that what her math teacher says simply goes over her head.
2. To do something without the permission of one's superior.
* /Fred went over his boss's head when […]
[gopher ball] {n.}, {slang}
A baseball pitch that is hit for a home run.
The pitcher's only weakness this year is the gopher ball.
[go sit on a tack] {v.}, {slang}
Shut up and go away; stop bothering. — Usually used as a command and considered rude.
Henry told Bill to go sit on a tack.
Compare: [GO JUMP IN THE LAKE].
[go somebody one better] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To do something better than (someone else); do more or better than; beat.
* /Bill's mother gave the boys in Bill's club hot dogs for refreshments, so Tom's mother said that she would go her one better next […]
[go stag] {v. phr.}
1. To go to a dance or party without a companion of the opposite sex.
When Sally turned him down, Tom decided to go stag to the college prom.
2. To participate in a party for men only.
* /Mrs. Smith's husband frequently goes […]
[go steady] {v. phr.}
To go on dates with the same person all the time; dale just one person.
At first Tom and Martha were not serious about each other, but now they are going steady.
* /Jean went steady with Bob for a year; then they had a […]
[go straight] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To become an honest person; lead an honest life.
After the man got out of prison, he went straight.
Mr. Wright promised to go straight if the judge would let him go free.
[got a thing going] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To be engaged in a pleasurable or profitable activity with someone else as a partner either in romance or in mutually profitable business.
"You two seem to have got a thing going, haven't you?"
* […]
[go the rounds] {v. phr.}
To pass or be told from one person to another; spread among many people.
There is a rumor going the rounds that Mr. Norton will be the new superintendent.
* /The story about Mr. Cox's falling into the lake is making the […]
[go the whole hog] or [go whole hog] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To do something completely or thoroughly; to give all your strength or attention to something.
When Bob became interested in model airplanes, he went the whole hog.
* /The family went […]
[go through] {v.}
1. To examine or think about carefully; search.
I went through the papers looking for Jane's letter.
Mother went through the drawer looking for the sweater.
Syn.: [GO OVER].
2. To experience; suffer; live through.
* […]
[go through hell and high water] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To go through danger, or trouble.
John is ready to go through hell and high water to help his chum.
The soldiers went through hell and high water to capture the fort.
Compare: [COME HELL […]
[go through the motions] {v. phr.}
To pretend to do something by moving or acting as if you were really doing it; do something without really trying hard or caring.
* /Jane was angry because she couldn't go out, and when her mother said to dust her […]
[go through with] {v. phr.}
To finish; do as planned or agreed; not stop or fail to do.
The boys don't think Bob will go through with his plans to spend the summer at a camp.
* /Mr. Trent hopes the city won't go through with its plans to widen the […]
[go to] {v.}
To be ready to do; start doing something.
When Jack went to write down the telephone number, he had forgotten it.
[go to any length] {v. phr.}
To do everything you can.
Bill will go to any length to keep Dick from getting a date with Mary.
Compare: [ALL-OUT].
[go to bat for] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To help out in trouble or need; give aid to.
Everybody else thought Billy had broken the window, but Tom went to bat for him.
Mary went to bat for the new club program.
Syn.: [STAND UP FOR].
[go to bed with the chickens] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To go to bed early at night.
On the farm John worked hard and went to bed with the chickens.
Mr. Barnes goes to bed with the chickens because he has to get up at 5 A.M.
[go together] {v.}
1. To go with the same boy or girl all the time; date just one person.
Herbert and Thelma go together.
Compare:
[GO STEADY],
[GO WITH] (2),
[KEEP COMPANY].
2. To be suitable or agreeable with each other; match.
* /Roast […]
[go to it!] {v. phr.}
An expression of encouragement meaning go ahead; proceed.
"Go to it!" my father cried enthusiastically, when I told him I had decided to become a doctor.
[go to one's head] {v. phr.}
1. To make one dizzy.
Beer and wine go to a person's head.
Looking out the high window went to the woman's head.
2. To make someone too proud; make a person think he is too important.
* /Being the star player […]
[go to pieces] {v. phr.}
To become very nervous or sick from nervousness; become wild.
Mrs. Vance went to pieces when she heard her daughter was in the hospital.
* /The man went to pieces when the judge said he would have to go to prison for […]
[go to pot] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be ruined; become bad; be destroyed.
Mr. Jones' health has gone to pot.
The motel business went to pot when the new highway was built.
Compare: [GO TO WRACK AND RUIN], [GO TO THE DOGS].
[go to seed] or [run to seed] {v. phr.}
1. To grow seeds.
Onions go to seed in hot weather.
2. To lose skill or strength; stop being good or useful.
Sometimes a good athlete runs to seed when he gets too old for sports.
* /Mr. Allen was a […]
[go to show] or [go to prove] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To seem to prove; act or serve to show (a fact); demonstrate. — Often used after "it".
Our team beat a bigger team, and it just goes to show you can win if you play hard enough.
* /The hard […]
[go to the chair] {v. phr.}
To be executed in the electric chair.
After many stays of execution, the criminal finally had to go to the chair.
[go to the devil] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To go away, mind your own business. — Used as a command; considered rude.
George told Bob to go to the devil.
"Go to the devil!" said Jack, when his sister tried to tell him what to do.
2. To become […]
[go to the dogs] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To go to ruin; to be ruined or destroyed.
The man went to the dogs after he started drinking.
After the death of the owner, the business went to the dogs.
* /The team went to the dogs when its best […]
[go to the trouble] or [take the trouble] {v. phr.}
To make trouble or extra work for yourself; bother.
John told Mr. Brown not to go to the trouble of driving him home.
* /Since your aunt took the trouble to get you a nice birthday present, the […]
[go to town] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To do something quickly or with great force or energy; work fast or hard.
The boys went to town on the old garage, and had it torn down before Father came home from work.
* /While Sally was slowly washing the […]
[go to waste] {v. phr.}
To be wasted or lost; not used.
The strawberries went to waste because there was nobody to pick them.
Joe's work on the model automobile went to waste when he dropped it.
Compare: [IN VAIN].
[go to wrack and ruin] {v. phr.}
To fall apart and be ruined; to become useless.
The barn went to wrack and ruin after the farmer moved.
The car will soon go to wrack and ruin standing out in all kinds of weather.
[go under] {v.}
1. To be sunk.
The ship hit an iceberg and went under.
2. To fail; be defeated.
The filling station went under because there were too many others on the street.
[go under the hammer] {v. phr.}
To be auctioned off.
Our old family paintings went under the hammer when my father lost his job.
[go up] {v.}
1. To go or move higher; rise.
Many people came to watch the weather balloon go up.
The path goes up the hill.
2. To be able to become heard; become loud or louder.
A shout went up from the crowd at the game.
3. Grow in […]
[go up in smoke] or [go up in flames] {v. phr.}
1. To burn; be destroyed by fire.
The house went up in flames.
The barn full of hay went up in smoke.
2. Disappear; fail; not come true.
* /Jane's hopes of going to college went up in smoke […]
[go up in the air] {v. phr.}
To become angry; lose one's temper.
Herb is so irritable these days that he goes up in the air for no reason at all.
[go with] {v.}
1. To match; to look good with.
A yellow blouse goes with her blonde hair.
The woman bought a purse to go with her new shoes.
2. To go out in the company of.
Tom goes with the girl who lives across the street.
[go without saying] {v. phr.}
To be too plain to need talking about; not be necessary to say or mention.
It goes without saying that children should not be given knives to play with.
* /A person with weak eyes should wear glasses. That goes […]
[go wrong] {v. phr.}
1. To fail; go out of order.
Something went wrong with our car and we stalled on the road.
2. To sink into an immoral or criminal existence.
In a large city many young people go wrong every year.
[grab bag] {n.}
1. A bag from which surprise packages are chosen; a bag in which there are many unknown things.
The woman paid a quarter for a chance at the grab bag.
* /The children brought packages to be sold from the grab bag at the school […]
[grab off] {v.}, {informal}
To take quickly; take or grab before anybody else can; choose for yourself.
The people who got to the show first grabbed off the best seats.
The women hurried to the store to grab off the things on sale.
* /The […]
[grace]
See:
[FALL FROM GRACE],
[IN ONE'S BAD GRACES],
[IN ONE'S GOOD GRACES],
[WITH BAD GRACE],
[WITH GOOD GRACE].
[grace period] or [period of grace] {n.}
The time or extra time allowed in which to do something.
Most insurance companies have a grace period of one month for payments.
The teacher gave the class a week's period of grace to finish workbooks.
[grand slam] {n.}
A home run hit when there are three men on the bases.
Tony's grand slam won the game for the Yankees, 4—0.
[grandstand] {v.}, {slang}, {informal}
To show off, to perform histrionics needlessly.
Stop grandstanding and get down to honest work!
[grandstander] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
A showoff, a person who likes to engage in histrionics.
Many people think that Evel Knievel is a grandstander.
[grasp at straws] or [clutch at straws] {v. phr.}
To depend on something that is useless or unable to help in a time of trouble or danger; try something with little hope of succeeding.
* /To depend on your memory without studying for a test is to grasp […]
[grass is always greener on the other side of the fence] or [grass is always greener on the other side of the hill]
We are often not satisfied and want to be somewhere else; a place that is far away or different seems better than where we are.
* /John […]
[graveyard shift] {n. phr.}
The work period lasting from sundown to sunup, when one has to work in the dark or by artificial light.
* /"Why are you always so sleepy in class?" Professor Brown asked Sam. "Because I have to work the graveyard shift […]
[gravy train] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
The kind of job that brings in a much higher income than the services rendered would warrant.
Jack's job at the Athletic Club as Social Director is a regular gravy train.
[grease-ball] {n.}, {slang}, {derogatory} (avoid)
An immigrant from a southern country, such as Mexico, Italy, or Spain; a person with oily looking black hair.
* /Mr. White is a racist; he calls Mr. Lopez from Tijuana a grease-ball because he has dark […]
[grease monkey] {n.}, {slang}
1. A person who greases or works on machinery; a mechanic or worker in a garage or gasoline station.
Hey, grease monkey, fill up my gas tank!
The grease monkey was all dirty when he came out from under the car.
[…]
[grease one's palm] or [grease the palm] {slang}
1. To pay a person for something done or given, especially dishonestly; bribe.
Some politicians will help you if you grease their palms.
2. To give a tip; pay for a special favor or extra help.
* […]
[grease the wheels] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To do something or act to make something go smoothly or happen in the way that is wanted.
Mr. Davis asked a friend to grease the wheels so he could borrow money from the bank.
* /William's father tried to […]
[greasy spoon] {n.}, {informal}
Any small, inexpensive restaurant patronized by workers or people in a hurry; a place not noted for its excellence of cuisine or its decor.
* /I won't have time to eat lunch at the club today; I'll just grab a sandwich […]
[great Godfrey] or [great guns] or [great Scott] {interj.}, {informal}
A saying usually used to show surprise or anger.
Great Godfrey! Uncle Willie is sitting on top of the flagpole!
Great guns! The lion is out of his cage.
* /Great Scott! […]
[great guns] {adv. phr.}, {informal}
1. Very fast or very hard. — Usually used in the phrases "blow great guns", "go great guns".
The wind was blowing great guns, and big waves beat the shore.
The men were going great guns to finish the job.
[…]
[great oaks from little acorns grow]
As great oak trees grow from tiny acorns, so many great people or things grew from a small and unimportant beginning, so be patient. — A proverb.
* /Many great men were once poor, unimportant boys. Great oaks from […]
[green]
See:
[GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE] or
[GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL].
[green around the gills] or [pale around the gills] {adj. phr.}, {slang}
Pale-faced from fear or sickness; sickly; nauseated.
* /Bill's father took him for a ride in his boat while the waves were rough, and when he came back he was green around the […]
[green-eyed monster] {n. phr.}
Jealousy; envy.
When John's brother got the new bicycle, the green-eyed monster made John fight with him.
[green power] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
The social prestige or power money can buy one.
In American political elections the candidates that win are usually the ones who have green power backing them.
[green thumb] {n.}, {informal}
A talent for gardening; ability to make things grow. — Considered trite by many.
Mr. Wilson's neighbors say his flowers grow because he has a green thumb.
[green with envy] {adj. phr.}
Very jealous; full of envy.
Alice's girlfriends were green with envy when they saw her new dress.
The other boys were green with envy when Joe bought a second-hand car.
Compare: [GREEN-EYED MONSTER].
[grin and bear it] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be as cheerful as possible in pain or trouble; do something without complaining.
* /The doctor told Mrs. Howard that she had to stop eating sweets if she wanted to lose weight, and she tried to grin and bear […]
[grind to a halt] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To slow down and stop like a machine does when turned off.
The old car ground to a halt in front of the house.
The Cardinals' offense ground to a halt before the stubborn Steeler defense.
[gross out] {v.}, {slang}
To commit a vulgar act; to repel someone by saying a disgusting or vulgar thing.
You are going to gross out people if you continue talking like that.
[gross-out session] {n.}, {slang}, {avoidable}
A verbal contest between teen-agers in which the object of the game is to see who can be more disgusting or vulgar than anybody else.
* /When Jim got home he found his two teen-age sons engaged in a […]
[ground]
See:
[BREAK GROUND],
[COMMON GROUND],
[COVER GROUND] or [COVER THE GROUND],
[CUT THE GROUND FROM UNDER],
[EAR TO THE GROUND],
[FEET ON THE GROUND],
[GAIN GROUND],
[GET OFF THE GROUND],
[GIVE GROUND],
[HAPPY HUNTING GROUND],
[HOLD […]
[ground ball] {n.}
A ball batted onto the ground in baseball; a grounder.
Taylor hit a ground ball to the short-stop.
[ground floor] {n.}
1. First floor of a house or building.
Mrs. Turner has an apartment on the ground floor.
2. {informal}
The first or best chance, especially in a business.
* /That man got rich because he got in on the ground floor of the […]
[ground rule] {n.}
1. A rule in sports that is made especially for the grounds or place where a game is played. — Usually used in the plural.
* /There was such a big crowd at the baseball game, that the ground rules of the field were changed in case a […]
[growing pains] {n.}
1. Pains in children's legs supposed to be caused by changes in their bodies and feelings as they grow.
The little girl's legs hurt, and her mother told her she had growing pains.
2. {informal}
Troubles when something new is […]
[grow on] or [grow upon] {v.}
1. To become stronger in; increase as a habit of.
The habit of eating before going to bed grew upon John.
2. To become more interesting to or liked by.
The more Jack saw Mary, the more she grew on him.
* […]
[grow out of] {v. phr.}
1. To outgrow; become too mature for.
As a child he had a habit of scratching his chin all the time, but he grew out of it.
2. To result from; arise.
* /Tom's illness grew out of his tendency to overwork and neglect his […]
[grow up] {v.}
1. To increase in size or height; become taller or older; reach full height.
Johnny is growing up; his shoes are too small for him.
I grew up on a farm.
The city has grown up since I was young.
2. To become adult in mind […]
[gum up] {v.}, {slang}
To cause not to work or ruin; spoil; make something go wrong. — Often used in the phrase "gum up the works".
Jimmy has gummed up the typewriter.
Syn.: [THROW A MONKEY WRENCH].
[gun]
See:
[BIG CHEESE] or [BIG GUN],
[GIVE IT THE GUN] or [GIVE HER THE GUN],
[GREAT GODFREY] or [GREAT GUNS],
[JUMP THE GUN],
[SON OF A GUN],
[STICK TO ONE'S GUNS] or [STAND BY ONE'S GUNS],
[TILL THE LAST GUN IS FIRED] or [UNTIL THE LAST GUN IS […]
[gun for] {v.}, {informal}
1. To hunt for with a gun; look hard for a chance to harm or defeat.
The cowboy is gunning for the man who stole his horse.
Bob is gunning for me because I got a higher mark than he did.
2. To try very hard to get.
[…]
[gung-ho] {adj.}, {colloquial}
Enthusiastic, full of eagerness in an uncritical or unsophisticated manner.
Suzie is all gung-ho on equal rights for women, but fails to see the consequences.
[gut feeling] {n. phr.}
An instinctive reaction.
I have a gut feeling that they will never get married in spite of all they say.
[gut reaction] {n. phr.}
A mental or physical response that springs from one's depths.
My gut reaction was to get out of here as fast as possible.
[gut talk] {n. phr.}
Sincere, honest talk.
We admire people who speak gut talk and tell exactly what they think and feet.
[guy]
See: [REGULAR GUY], [WISE GUY].