U

[U.F.O.] {n. phr.}

Unidentified Flying Object.

/Some people think that the U.F.O.s are extraterrestrial beings of higher than human development who pay periodic visits to Earth to warn us of our self-destructive tendencies./

[ugly duckling] {n.}

An ugly or plain child who grows up to be pretty and attractive.

/Mary was the ugly duckling in her family, until she grew up./

[uh-huh] or [um-hum] {adv.}, {informal}

Yes. — Used only in speech or when recording dialogue.

/Are you going to the Fair? Uh-huh./

/We were in Alaska, um-hum, but that was long before the earthquakes./

* /When I asked for an appointment, the ...

[um-hum] See: UH-HUH.

[unbosom oneself] {v. phr.}

To confess one's personal thoughts or feelings; disclose private information to a confidante.

/Once she was at home with her mother, she unbosomed herself of all her troubles./

[uncertain] See: IN SO MANY WORDS(2). or IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS.

[uncle] See: SAY UNCLE also CRY UNCLE.

[under]

See:

[CUT THE GROUND FROM UNDER],

[GO UNDER],

[OUT FROM UNDER, SNOW UNDER].

[under a bushel] See: HIDE ONE'S LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL.

[under a cloud] {adj. phr.}

1. Under suspicion; not trusted.

/Joyce has been under a cloud since her roommate's bracelet disappeared./

/The butcher is under a cloud because the inspectors found his scales were not honest./

2. Depressed, sad, ...