A
Idioms beginning with "A"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of A:
[act of God] {n.}
An occurrence (usually some sort of catastrophe) for which the people affected are not responsible; said of earthquakes, floods, etc.
* /Hurricane Andrew destroyed many houses in Florida, but some types of insurance did not compensate […]
[act one's age] or [be one's age] {v. phr.}
To do the things that people expect someone of your age to do, not act as if you were much younger than you are.
* /Mr. O'Brien was playing tag with the children at the party. Then Mrs. O'Brien said, "Henry! […]
[act out] {v.}
1. To show an idea, story, or happening by your looks, talk, and movements.
He tried to act out a story that he had read.
2. To put into action.
All his life he tried to act out his beliefs.
[act up] {v.}, {informal}
1. To behave badly; act rudely or impolitely.
The dog acted up as the postman came to the door.
2. To work or run poorly (as a after all machine); skip; miss.
Thе car acted up because the spark plugs were dirty.
[add fuel to the flame] {v. phr.}
To make a bad matter worse by adding to its cause; spread trouble, increase anger or other strong feelings by talk or action.
By criticizing his son's girl, the father added fuel to the flame of his son's love.
* […]
[add insult to injury] {v. phr.}
1. To hurt someone's feelings after doing him harm.
He added insult to injury when he called the man a rat after he had already beaten him up.
2. To make bad trouble worse.
* /We started on a picnic, and first it […]
[add the finishing touches] {v. phr.}
To complete; finish.
Mary's first novel promised to be excellent; however, her editor suggested that she should add some finishing touches before accepting it.