C
Idioms beginning with "C"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of C:
[calculated risk] {n.}
An action that may fail but is judged more likely to succeed.
The sending of troops to the rebellious island was a calculated risk.
[call]
See:
[AT CALL],
[AT ONE'S BECK AND CALL],
[CLOSE CALL],
[ON CALL],
[PORT OF CALL],
[POT CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK],
[WITHIN CALL].
[call a halt] {v. phr.}
To give a command to stop.
The scouts were tired during the hike, and the scoutmaster called a halt.
When the children's play, got too noisy, their mother called a halt.
[call a spade a spade] {v. phr.}
To call a person or thing a name that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language.
* /A boy took some money from Dick's desk and said he borrowed it, but I told him he stole it; I believe in calling […]
[call down] also [dress down] {v.}, {informal}
To scold.
Jim was called down by his teacher for being late to class.
Mother called Bob down for walking into the kitchen with muddy boots.
Compare:
[CALL ON THE CARPET],
[CHEW OUT],
[BAWL […]
[call for] {v.}
1. To come or go to get (someone or something).
John called for Mary to take her to the dance.
Syn.: [PICK UP].
2. To need; require.
The cake recipe calls for two cups of flour.
* /Success in school calls for much hard […]
[call girl] {n.}, {slang}
A prostitute catering to wealthy clientele, especially one who is contacted by telephone for an appointment.
Rush Street is full of call girls.
[calling down] also [dressing down] {n. phr.}, {informal}
A scolding; reprimand.
The judge gave the boy a calling down for speeding.
[call in question] or [call into question] or [call in doubt] {v. phr.}
To say (something) may be a mistake; express doubt about; question.
Bill called in question Ed's remark that basketball is safer than football.
[call it a day] {v. phr.}
To declare that a given day's work has been accomplished and go home; to quit for the day.
"Let's call it a day," the boss said, "and go out for a drink."
* /It was nearly midnight, so Mrs. Byron decided to call it a […]
[call it a night] {v. phr.}
To declare that an evening party or other activity conducted late in the day is finished.
I am so tired that I am going to call it a night and go to bed.
[call it quits] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To decide to stop what you are doing; quit.
When Tom had painted half the garage, he called it quits.
2. To agree that each side in a fight is satisfied; stop fighting because a wrong has been paid back; […]
[call names] {v. phr.}
To use ugly or unkind words when speaking to someone or when talking about someone. — Usually used by or to children.
Bill got so mad he started calling Frank names.
[call off] {v.}
To stop (something planned); quit; cancel.
When the ice became soft and sloppy, we had to call off the ice-skating party.
The baseball game was called off because of rain.
[call on] or [call upon] {v.}
1. To make a call upon; visit.
Mr. Brown called on an old friend while he was in the city.
2. To ask for help.
He called on a friend to give him money for the busfare to his home.
[call one's bluff] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To ask someone to prove what he says he can or will do. (Originally from the card game of poker.)
Tom said he could jump twenty feet and so Dick called his bluff and said "Let's see you do it!"
[call one's shot] {v. phr.}
1. To tell before firing where a bullet will hit.
An expert rifleman can call his shot regularly.
The wind was strong and John couldn't call his shots.
2. or [call the turn]
To tell in advance the result of […]
[call on the carpet] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To call (a person) before an authority (as a boss or teacher) for a scolding or reprimand.
The worker was called on the carpet by the boss for sleeping on the job.
* /The principal called Tom on the […]
[call the roll] {v. phr.}
To read out the names on a certain list, usually in alphabetical order.
The sergeant called the roll of the newly enlisted volunteers in the army.
[call the shots] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To give orders; be in charge; direct; control.
Bob is a first-rate leader who knows how to call the shots.
The quarterback called the shots well, and the team gained twenty yards in five plays.
Syn.: […]
[call the tune] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be in control; give orders or directions; command.
Bill was president of the club but Jim was secretary and called the tune.
The people supported the mayor, so he could call the tune in city matters.
[…]
[call to account] {v. phr.}
1. To ask (someone) to explain why he did something wrong (as breaking a rule).
The principal called Jim to account after Jim left school early without permission.
2. To scold (as for wrong conduct); reprimand.
* /The […]
[call to arms] {v. phr.}
To summon into the army.
During World War II millions of Americans were called to arms to fight for their country.
[call to mind] {v. phr.}
To remember; cause to remember.
Your story calls to mind a similar event that happened to us a few years back.
[call to order] {v. phr.}
1. To open (a meeting) formally.
The chairman called the committee to order.
The president pounded with his gavel to call the convention to order.
2. To warn not to break the rules of a meeting.
* /The judge called […]
[call out] {v. phr.}
1. To shout; speak loudly.
My name was called out several times, but I was unable to hear it.
2. To summon someone.
If the rioting continues, the governor will have to call out the National Guard.
[call up] {v.}
1. To make someone think of; bring to mind; remind.
The picture of the Capitol called up memories of our class trip.
2. To tell to come (as before a court).
The district attorney called up three witnesses.
3. To bring […]
[calm down] {v. phr.}
To become quiet; relax.
"Calm down, Mr. Smith," the doctor said with a reassuring smile. "You are going to live a long time."
[camp follower] {n.}
1. A man or woman who goes with an army, not to fight but to sell something.
Nowadays camp followers are not allowed as they were long ago.
2. A person who goes with a famous or powerful person or group in hope of profit.
* […]
[camp out] {v.}
To live, cook, and sleep out of doors (as in a tent).
We camped out near the river for a week.
[canary]
See:
[LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY] or
[LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT SWALLOWED THE CANARY].
[cancel out] {v.}
To destroy the effect of; balance or make useless.
The boy got an "A" in history to cancel out the "C" he got in arithmetic.
* /Our track team won the mile relay to cancel out the other team's advantage in winning the half-mile […]
[cancer stick] {n.}, {slang}
A cigarette.
Throw away that cancer stick! Smoking is bad for you!
[candle]
See:
[BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS],
[GAME IS NOT WORTH THE CANDLE],
[HOLD A CANDLE TO].
[canned heat] {n.}
Chemicals in a can which burn with a hot, smokeless flame.
Some people use canned heat to keep food warm.
The mountain climbers used canned heat for cooking.
[canned laughter] {n.}, {informal}
The sounds of laughter heard on certain television programs that were obviously not recorded in front of a live audience and are played for the benefit of the audience from a stereo track to underscore the funny points. […]
[canned music] {n.}
Recorded music, as opposed to music played live.
"Let us go to a real concert, honey," Mike said. "I am tired of all this canned music we've been listening to."
[can of worms] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
1. A complex problem, or complicated situation.
Let's not get into big city politics — that's a different can of worms.
2. A very restless, jittery person.
* /Joe can't sit still for a minute — he is a […]
[can't help but] {informal} also {formal} [cannot but] {v. phr.}
To be forced to; can only; must.
When the streets are full of melting snow, you can't help but get your shoes wet.
* /When a friend gave Jim a ticket to the game, he couldn't help […]
[can't make an omelette without breaking (some) eggs]
To achieve a certain goal one must sometimes incur damage, experience difficulties, or make sacrifices. — A proverb.
* /When we drove across the country, we put a lot of mileage on our car and had a […]
[can't see the wood for the trees] or
[can't see the woods for the trees] or
[can't see the forest for the trees] {v. phr.}
To be unable to judge or understand the whole because of attention to the parts; criticize small things and not see the […]
[cap the climax] {v. phr.}
To exceed what is already a high point of achievement.
Sam's piano recital was great, but Bill's performance capped the climax.
[card]
See:
[CREDIT CARD],
[FLASH CARD],
[HOUSE OF CARDS],
[IN THE CARDS] or [ON THE CARDS],
[LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE],
[PLAY ONE'S CARDS RIGHT],
[PUT ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE],
[STACK THE CARDS],
[TRUMP CARD].
[card up one's sleeve] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Another help, plan, or argument kept back and produced if needed; another way to do something.
John knew his mother would lend him money if necessary, but he kept that card up his sleeve.
* /Bill always […]
[car pool] {n.}
A group of people who own cars and take turns driving each other to work or on some other regular trip.
It was John's father's week to drive his own car in the car pool.
[carriage trade] {n.}, {literary}
Rich or upper class people.
The hotel is so expensive that only the carriage trade stays there.
The carriage trade buys its clothes at the best stores.
[carrot and stick] {n. phr.}
The promise of reward and threat of punishment, both at the same time.
John's father used the carrot and stick when he talked about his low grades.
[carry a torch] or [carry the torch] {v. phr.}
1. To show great and unchanging loyalty to a cause or a person.
Although the others gave up fighting for their rights, John continued to carry the torch.
2. {informal}
To be in love, usually without […]
[carry a tune] {v. phr.}
To sing the right notes without catching any false ones.
Al is a wonderful fellow, but he sure can't carry a tune and his singing is a pain to listen to.
[carry away] {v.}
To cause very strong feeling; excite or delight to the loss of cool judgment.
The music carried her away.
He let his anger carry him away.
- Often used in the passive,
She was carried away by the man's charm.
* /He […]
[carry coals to Newcastle] {v. phr.}
To do something unnecessary; bring or furnish something of which there is plenty.
The man who waters his grass after a good rain is carrying coals to Newcastle.
* /Joe was carrying coals to Newcastle when he […]
[carrying charge] {n.}
An extra cost added to the price of something bought on weekly or monthly payments.
The price of the bicycle was $50. Jim bought it for $5.00 a month for ten months plus a carrying charge of $1 a month.
[carry off] {v.}
1. To cause death of; kill.
Years ago smallpox carried off hundreds of Indians of the Sioux tribe.
Compare: [WIPE OUT].
2. To succeed in winning.
Bob carried off honors in science.
* /Jim carried off two gold medals in the […]
[carry --- off one's feet]
See:
[KNOCK OFF ONE'S FEET],
[SWEEP OFF ONE'S FEET].
[carry off the palm] or [bear off the palm] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To gain the victory; win.
John carried off the palm in the tennis championship match.
Our army bore off the palm in the battle.
(From the fact that long ago a palm leaf was […]
[carry on] {v.}
1. To work at; be busy with; manage.
Bill and his father carried on a hardware business.
Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith carried on a long correspondence with each other.
2. To keep doing as before; continue.
* /After his father […]
[carry one's cross] or {literary} [bear one's cross] {v. phr.}
To live with pain or trouble; keep on even though you suffer or have trouble.
Weak ankles are a cross Joe carries while the other boys play basketball.
* /We didn't know the cheerful […]
[carry out] {v.}
To put into action; follow; execute.
The generals were determined to carry out their plans to defeat the enemy.
John listened carefully and carried out the teacher's instructions.
[carry over] {v.}
1. To save for another time.
The store had some bathing suits it had carried over from last year.
What you learn in school should carry over into adult life.
2. To transfer (as a figure) from one column, page, or book to […]
[carry the ball] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To take the most important or difficult part in an action or business.
None of the other boys would tell the principal about their breaking the window, and John had to carry the ball.
* /When the going is […]
[carry the banner] {v. phr.}
To support a cause or an ideal with obvious advocacy.
Our college is carrying the banner for saving the humpback whale, which is on the list of endangered species.
[carry the day] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To win completely; to succeed in getting one's aim accomplished.
The defense attorney's summary before the jury helped him carry the day.
[carry the weight of the world on one's shoulders]
See: [WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS].
[carry through] {v.}
1a. To put into action.
Mr. Green was not able to carry through his plans for a hike because he broke his leg.
1b. To do something you have planned; put a plan into action.
* /Jean makes good plans but she cannot carry […]
[carry weight] {n.}
To be influential; have significance and/or clout; impress.
A letter of recommendation from a full professor carries more weight than a letter from an assistant professor.
[cart before the horse] (to put) {n. phr.}, {informal}
Things in wrong order; something backwards or mixed up. — An overused expression. Usually used with "put" but sometimes with "get" or "have".
* /When the salesman wanted money for goods he hadn't […]
[cart off] or [cart away] {v.}, {informal}
To take away, often with force or with rough handling or behavior.
The police carted the rioters off to jail.
When Bobby wouldn't eat his supper, his mother carted him away to bed.
[carved] or [chiseled] or [inscribed in granite] / [written in stone] {adj. phr.}
Holy; unchangeable; noble and of ancient origin.
You should wear shoes when you come to class, although this is not carved in granite.
* /The Constitution of the […]
[case]
See:
[BASKET CASE],
[CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES],
[COUCH CASE],
[GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS] also [GET DOWN TO CASES],
[IN ANY CASE],
[IN CASE] or [IN THE EVENT],
[IN CASE OF] also [IN THE EVENT OF],
[VANITY CASE].
[case in point] {n. phr.}
An example that proves something or helps to make something clearer.
An American can rise from the humblest beginnings to become President. Abraham Lincoln is a case in point.
[case the joint] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To study the layout of a place one wishes to burglarize.
The hooded criminals carefully cased the joint before robbing the neighborhood bank.
2. To familiarize oneself with a potential workplace or vacation […]
[cash-and-carry] (1) {adj.}
Selling things for cash money only and letting the customer carry them home, not having the store deliver them; also sold in this way.
This is a cash-and-carry store only.
You can save money at a cash-and-carry sale.
[cash-and-carry] (2) {adv.}
With no credit, no time payments, and no deliveries.
Some stores sell cash-and-carry only.
It is cheaper to buy cash-and-carry.
[cash crop] {n.}
A crop grown to be sold.
Cotton is a cash crop in the South.
They raise potatoes to eat, but tobacco is their cash crop.
[cash in] {v.}
1. To exchange (as poker chips or bonds) for the value in money.
He paid the bill by cashing in some bonds.
When the card game ended, the players cashed in their chips and went home.
2. or [cash in one's chips] {slang}
To die.
[…]
[cash in on] {v.}, {informal}
To see (a chance) and profit by it; take advantage of (an opportunity or happening).
Mr. Brown cashed in on people's great interest in camping and sold three hundred tents.
[cash on the barrelhead] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Money paid at once; money paid when something is bought.
Father paid cash on the barrelhead for a new car.
Some lawyers want cash on the barrelhead.
Compare: [COLD CASH].
[cast] or [shed] or [throw light upon] {v. phr.}
To explain; illuminate; clarify.
The letters that were found suddenly cast a new light on the circumstances of Tom's disappearance.
* /Einstein's General Theory of Relativity threw light upon the […]
[cast about] also [cast around] {v.}, {literary}
1. To look everywhere; search.
The committee was casting about for an experienced teacher to take the retiring principal's place.
2. To search your mind; try to remember something; try to think of […]
[cast down] {adj.}
Discouraged; sad; unhappy. — Used less often than the reverse form, "downcast".
Mary was cast down at the news of her uncle's death.
Charles felt cast down when he lost the race.
[cast off] {v.}
1a. or [cast loose]
To unfasten; untie; let loose (as a rope holding a boat).
The captain of the boat cast off the line and we were soon out in open water.
1b. To untie a rope holding a boat or something suggesting a boat.
* /We […]
[cast out] {v.}, {formal}
To force (someone) to go out or away; banish; expel.
After the scandal, he was cast out of the best society.
Compare: [CAST OFF] (3).
[cast pearls before swine] or [cast one's pearls before swine] {n. phr.}, {literary}
To waste good acts or valuable things on someone who won't understand or be thankful for them, just as pigs won't appreciate pearls. — Often used in negative sentences.
[…]
[cast the first stone] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To be the first to blame someone, lead accusers against a wrongdoer.
Jesus said that a person who was without sin could cast the first stone.
* /Although Ben saw the girl cheating, he did not want to […]
[cast up] {v.}, {literary}
1. To turn or direct upward; raise.
The dying missionary cast up his eyes to heaven and prayed.
2. {archaic}
To do sums; do a problem in addition; add.
Cast up 15, 43, 27, and 18.
* /When John had all the figures, […]
[cat]
See:
[COPY CAT],
[CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT],
[FRAIDY-CAT] or [FRAID-CAT] or [SCAREDY CAT OY SCARED-CAT],
[HOLY CATS],
[LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG],
[LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY],
[PLAY CAT AND MOUSE WITH],
[RAIN CATS AND DOGS].
[catch-as-catch-can] (1) {adv. phr.}
In a free manner; in any way possible; in the best way you can.
On moving day everything is packed and we eat meals catch-as-catch-can.
[catch-as-catch-can] {adj. phr.}
Using any means or method; unplanned; free.
Rip van Winkle seems to have led a catch-as-catch-can life.
Politics is rather a catch-as-catch-can business.
Compare: [HIT-OR-MISS].
[catch at] {v.}
1. To try to catch suddenly; grab for.
The boy on the merry-go-round caught at the brass ring, but did not get it.
2. To seize quickly; accept mentally or physically.
The hungry man caught at the sandwich and began to eat.
* […]
[catch cold] {v. phr.}
1. or [take cold]
To get a common cold-weather sickness that causes a running nose, sneezing, and sometimes sore throat and fever or other symptoms.
Don't get your feet wet or you'll catch cold.
2. {informal}
To catch […]
[catch (someone) dead] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To see or hear (someone) in an embarrassing act or place at any time. Used in the negative usually in the passive.
You won't catch Bill dead taking his sister to the movies.
* /John wouldn't be caught […]
[catch fire] {v. phr.}
1. To begin to burn.
When he dropped a match in the leaves, they caught fire.
2. To become excited.
The audience caught fire at the speaker's words and began to cheer.
His imagination caught fire as he read.
[catch hold of] {v. phr.}
To grasp a person or a thing.
"I've been trying to catch hold of you all week," John said, "but you were out of town."
The mountain climber successfully caught hold of his friend's hand and thereby saved his life.
[catch it] or [get it] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be scolded or punished. — Usually used of children.
John knew he would catch it when he came home late for supper.
Wow, Johnny! When your mother sees those torn pants, you're going to get it.
[…]
[catch it in the neck] or [get it in the neck] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To be blamed or punished.
Tom got it in the neck because he forgot to close the windows when it rained.
Students get it in the neck when they lose library books.
Compare: […]
[catch off balance] {v. phr.}
To confront someone with physical force or with a statement or question he or she is not prepared to answer or deal with; to exploit the disadvantage of another.
* /The smaller wrestler caught his opponent off balance and […]
[catch off guard] {v. phr.}
To challenge or confront a person at a time of lack of preparedness or sufficient care.
The suspect was caught off guard by the detective and confessed where he had hidden the stolen car.
[catch on] {v.}, {informal}
1. To understand; learn about. — Often used with "to".
You'll catch on to the job after you've been here awhile.
Don't play any tricks on Joe. When he catches on, he will beat you.
2. To become popular; be done or […]
[catch one's breath] {v. phr.}
1. To breathe in suddenly with fear or surprise.
The beauty of the scene made him catch his breath.
Compare: [TAKE ONE'S BREATH AWAY].
2a. To rest and get back your normal breathing, as after running.
* /After […]
[catch one's death of] or [take one's death of] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To become very ill with (a cold, pneumonia, flu).
Johnny fell in the icy water and almost took his death of cold.
Sometimes used in the short form "catch your death."
* […]
[catch one's eye] {v. phr.}
To attract your attention.
I caught his eye as he moved through the crowd, and waved at him to come over.
The dress in the window caught her eye when she passed the store.
[catch red-handed] {v. phr.}
To apprehend a person during the act of committing an illicit or criminal act.
Al was caught red-handed at the local store when he was trying to walk out with a new camera he had not paid for.
[catch sight of] {v. phr.}
To see suddenly or unexpectedly.
Allan caught sight of a kingbird in a maple tree.
Contrast: [LOSE SIGHT OF].
[catch some rays] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To get tanned while sunbathing.
Tomorrow I'll go to the beach and try to catch some rays.
[catch some Z's] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To take a nap, to go to sleep. (Because of the "z" sound resembling snoring.)
I want to hit the sack and catch some Z's.
[catch-22] {n.}, {informal}
From Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22", set in World War II.
1. A regulation or situation that is self-contradictory or that conflicts with another regulation. In Heller's book it referred to the regulation that flight crews […]
[catch up] {v.}
1. To take or pick up suddenly; grab (something).
She caught up the book from the table and ran out of the room.
2. To capture or trap (someone) in a situation; concern or interest very much. — Usually used in the passive with […]
[catch with one's pants down] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To surprise someone in an embarrassing position or guilty act.
They thought they could succeed in the robbery, but they got caught with their pants down.
* /When the weather turned hot in May, the […]
[cat got one's tongue]
You are not able or willing to talk because of shyness. Usually used about children or as a question to children.
Tommy's father asked Tommy if the cat had got his tongue.
* /The little girl had a poem to recite, but the cat […]
[cat has nine lives]
A cat can move so fast and jump so well that he seems to escape being killed many times.
We thought our cat would be killed when he fell from the roof of the house. He was not, but he used up one of his nine lives.
[cathouse] {n.}, {slang}
A house of ill repute, a house of prostitution.
Massage parlors are frequently cathouses in disguise.
[cat's meow] or [cat's pajamas] {n.}, {slang}
Something very wonderful, special, or good.
John's new hike is really the cat's meow.
Mary's party is going to be the cat's pajamas.
[caught short] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Not having enough of something when you need it.
Mrs. Ford was caught short when the newspaper boy came for his money a day early.
The man was caught short of clothes when he had to go on a trip.
[cause eyebrows to raise] {v. phr.}
To do something that causes consternation; to shock others.
When Algernon entered Orchestra Hall barefoot and wearing a woman's wig, he caused eyebrows to raise.
[cave in] {v.}
1. To fall or collapse inward.
The mine caved in and crushed three miners.
Don't climb on that old roof. It might cave in.
2. {informal}
To weaken and be forced to give up.
* /The children begged their father to take them to […]
[cease fire] {v.}
To give a military command ordering soldiers to stop shooting.
"Cease fire!" the captain cried, and the shooting stopped.
[cease-fire] {n.}
A period of negotiated nonaggression, when the warring parties involved promise not to attack.
Unfortunately, the cease-fire in Bosnia was broken many times by all parties concerned.
[C.E.O.] {n.}
Abbreviation of "Chief Executive Officer." The head of a company, factory, firm, etc.
We are very proud of the fact that our C.E.O. is a young woman.
[chain gang] {n.}
A group of convicts or slaves in the old South who were chained together.
Chain gangs are no longer an acceptable way of punishment, according to modem criminologists.
[chain letter] {n.}
A letter which each person receiving it is asked to copy and send to several others.
Most chain letters die out quickly.
[chain-smoke] {v.}
To smoke cigarettes or cigars one after another without stopping.
Mr. Jones is very nervous. He chain-smokes cigars.
[chain smoker] {n.}
Mr. Jones is a chain smoker.
[chain-smoking] {adj.} or {n.}
* /Chain smoking is very […]
[chain stores] {n.}
A series of stores in different locations, joined together under one ownership and general management.
The goods in chain stores tend to be more uniform than in independent ones.
[chained to the oars] {adj. phr.}
The condition of being forced to do strenuous and unwelcome labor against one's wishes for an extended period of time.
* /Teachers in large public schools frequently complain that they feel as if they had been chained […]
[chalk up] {v.}, {informal}
1. To write down as part of a score; record.
The scorekeeper chalked up one more point for the home team.
2. To make (a score or part of a score); score.
The team chalked up another victory.
* /Bob chalked up a […]
[champ at the bit] {v. phr.}
To be eager to begin; be tired of being held back; want to start.
The horses were champing at the bit, anxious to start racing.
* /As punishment John was kept after school for two hours. He was champing at the bit to […]
[chance it] {v. phr.}
To be willing to risk an action whose outcome is uncertain.
"Should we take the boat out in such stormy weather?" Jim asked. "We can chance it," Tony replied. "We have enough experience."
[chance on] also [chance upon] {v.}
To happen to find or meet; find or meet by accident.
On our vacation we chanced upon an interesting antique store.
Mary dropped her ring in the yard, and Mother chanced on it as she was raking.
Syn.: […]
[change color] {v. phr.}
1. To become pale.
The sight was so horrible that Mary changed color from fear.
Bill lost so much blood from the cut that he changed color.
2. To become pink or red in the face; become flushed; blush.
* /Mary […]
[change hands] {v. phr.}
To change or transfer ownership.
Ever since our apartment building changed hands, things are working a lot better.
[change horses in the middle of a stream] or [change horses in midstream] {v. phr.}
To make new plans or choose a new leader in the middle of an important activity.
* /When a new President is to be elected during a war, the people may decide not to […]
[change off] {v.}, {informal}
To take turns doing something; alternate.
John and Bill changed off at riding the bicycle.
Bob painted one patch of wall and then he changed off with Tom.
[change of heart] {n. phr.}
A change in the way one feels or thinks about a given task, idea or problem to be solved.
Joan had a change of heart and suddenly broke off her engagement to Tim.
* /Fred got admitted to medical school, but he had a […]
[change of life] {n. phr.}
The menopause (primarily in women).
Women usually undergo a change of life in their forties or fifties.
[change of pace] {n. phr.}
A quick change in what you are doing.
John studied for three hours and then read a comic book for a change of pace.
The doctor told the man he needed a change of pace.
[change one's mind] {v. phr.}
To alter one's opinion or judgment on a given issue.
I used to hate Chicago, but as the years passed I gradually changed my mind and now I actually love living here.
[change one's tune] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To make a change in your story, statement, or claim; change your way of acting.
The man said he was innocent, but when they found the stolen money in his pocket he changed his tune.
* /Bob was rude to his […]
[charge]
See:
[CARRYING CHARGE],
[CHARGE OFF] (2),
[IN CHARGE],
[IN CHARGE OF],
[TAKE CHARGE].
[charge account] {n.}
An agreement with a store through which you can buy things and pay for them later.
Mother bought a new dress on her charge account.
Mr. Jones has a charge account at the garage on the corner.
[charge off] {v.}
1. To consider or record as a loss, especially in an account book.
The store owner charged off all of the last season's stock of suits.
Syn.: [WRITE OFF] (1).
2. or [charge up] {informal}
To accept or remember (something) as a […]
[charge something to something] {v.}
1. To place the blame on; make responsible for.
John failed to win a prize, but he charged it to his lack of experience.
The coach charged the loss of the game to the team's disobeying his orders.
2. To […]
[charge up] {v. phr.}
1. To submit to a flow of electricity in order to make functional.
I mustn't forget to charge up my razor before we go on our trip.
2. To use up all the available credit one has on one's credit card(s).
* /"Let's charge […]
[charge with] {v. phr.}
To accuse someone in a court of law.
The criminal was charged with aggravated kidnapping across a state line.
[charmed life] {n.}
A life often saved from danger; a life full of lucky escapes.
He was in two airplane accidents, but he had a charmed life.
During the war a bullet knocked the gun out of his hand, but he had a charmed life.
[cheapskate] {n.}, {informal}
A selfish or stingy person; a person who will not spend much. — An insulting term.
None of the girls like to go out on a date with him because he is a cheapskate.
[cheat on someone] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be unfaithful (to one's wife or husband, or to one's sweetheart or fiancee).
It is rumored that Joe cheats on his wife.
[check]
See:
[BLANK CHECK],
[CLAIM CHECK],
[DOUBLE CHECK],
[IN CHECK],
[RAIN CHECK],
[RUBBER CHECK],
[SALES CHECK].
[check in] {v.}
1a. To sign your name (as at a hotel or convention).
The last guests to reach the hotel checked in at 12 o'clock.
Contrast: [CHECK OUT].
1b. {informal}
To arrive.
The friends we had invited did not check in until Saturday.
[…]
[check off] {v.}
To put a mark beside (the name of a person or thing on a list) to show that it has been counted.
The teacher checked off each pupil as he got on the bus.
* /Bill wrote down the names of all the states he could remember, and then […]
[check on someone/thing] or [check up on someone/thing] {v}
To try to find out the truth or rightness of; make sure of; examine; inspect; investigate.
We checked on Dan's age by getting his birth record.
* /Mrs. Brown said she heard someone […]
[check out] {v.}
1a. To pay your hotel bill and leave.
The last guests checked out of their rooms in the morning.
Contrast: [CHECK IN].
1b. {informal}
To go away; leave.
I hoped our guest would stay but he had to check out before Monday.
[…]
[check up] {v.}
To find out or try to find out the truth or correctness of something; make sure of something; investigate.
Mrs. Brown thought she had heard a burglar in the house, so Mr. Brown checked up, but found nobody.
* /Bill thought he had a […]
[check-up] {n.}
A periodic examination by a physician or of some equipment by a mechanic.
I am overdue for my annual physical check-up.
I need to take my car in for a check-up.
[check with] {v. phr.}
1. To consult.
I want to check with my lawyer before I sign the papers.
2. To agree with.
Does my reconciliation of our account check with the bank statement?
[cheer on] {v. phr.}
To vociferously encourage a person or a team during a sports event.
The spectators at the stadium cheered on their home team.
[cheer up] {v.}
1. To feel happy; stop being sad or discouraged; become hopeful, joyous, or glad.
Jones was sad at losing the business, but he cheered up at the sight of his daughter.
Cheer up! The worst is over.
2. To make cheerful or happy. […]
[cheesebox] {n.}, {slang}
A small, suburban house built by a land developer available at low cost and resembling the other houses around it.
They moved to a suburb, but their house is just a cheesebox.
[cheesecake] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
A showing of the legs of an attractive woman or a display of her breasts as in certain magazines known as cheesecake magazines.
Photographer to model: "Give us some cheesecake in that pose!"
[cherry farm] {n.}, {slang}
A correctional institution of minimal security where the inmates, mostly first offenders, work as farmhands.
Joe got a light sentence and was sent to a cherry farm for six months.
[chew out] {v.}, {slang}
To scold roughly.
The boy's father chewed him out for staying up late.
The coach chews out lazy players.
Syn.:
[BAWL OUT],
[CALL ON THE CARPET],
[HAUL OVER THE COALS].
[chew the fat] or [chew the rag] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To talk together in an idle, friendly fashion; chat.
We used to meet after work, and chew the fat over coffee and doughnuts.
* /The old man would chew the rag for hours with anyone who would join […]
[chew the scenery] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To act overemotionally in a situation where it is inappropriate; to engage in histrionics.
I don't know if Joe was sincere about our house, but he sure chewed up the scenery!
[chicken]
See:
[COUNT ONE'S CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED],
[GO TO BED WITH THE CHICKENS],
[SPRING CHICKEN].
[chicken-brained] {adj.}
Stupid; narrow-minded; unimaginative.
I can't understand how a bright woman like Helen can date such a chicken-brained guy as Oliver.
[chicken feed] {n.}, {slang}
A very small sum of money.
John and Bill worked very hard, but they were only paid chicken feed.
Mr. Jones is so rich, he thinks a thousand dollars is chicken feed.
[chicken-hearted] {adj.}
Cowardly; excessively timid.
"Come on, let's get on that roller coaster," she cried. "Don't be so chicken-hearted."
See: [CHICKEN-LIVERED].
[chicken-livered] {adj.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
Easily scared; cowardly.
Joe sure is a chicken-livered guy.
See: [CHICKEN-HEARTED].
[chicken out] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To stop doing something because of fear; to decide not to do something after all even though previously having decided to try it.
I used to ride a motorcycle on the highway, but I've chickened out.
* /I decided […]
[chickens come home to roost] {informal}
Words or acts come back to cause trouble for a person; something bad you said or did receives punishment; you get the punishment that you deserve.
* /Fred's chickens finally came home to roost today. He was late […]
[chicken switch] {n.}, {slang}, {Space English}
1. The emergency eject button used by test pilots in fast and high flying aircraft by means of which they can parachute to safety if the engine fails; later adopted by astronauts in space capsules.
* […]
[children and fools speak the truth]
Children and fools say things without thinking; they say what they think or know when grown-ups might not think it was polite or wise to do so. — A proverb.
* /"Uncle Willie is too fat," said little Agnes. "Children […]
[children should be seen and not heard]
A command issued by adults to children ordering them to be quiet and not to interrupt. — A proverb.
* /Your children should not argue so loudly. Haven't you taught them that children should be seen and not […]
[child's play] {adj.}
Easy; requiring no effort.
Mary's work as a volunteer social worker is so agreeable to her that she thinks of it as child's play.
[chime in] {v.}
1. {informal}
To join in.
The whole group chimed in on the chorus.
When the argument got hot, John chimed in.
2. To agree; go well together. — Usually used with "with".
* /Dick was happy, and the holiday music chimed in with […]
[chin]
See:
[KEEP ONE'S CHIN UP],
[STICK ONE'S NECK OUT] or [STICK ONE'S CHIN OUT],
[TAKE IT ON THE CHIN],
[UP TO THE CHIN IN].
[China syndrome] {n.}, {informal}
From the title of the movie with Jane Fonda and Jack Lemmon. The possibility that an industrial nuclear reactor might explode, literally affecting the other side of the planet (as if by eating a hole through the earth […]
[chip]
See:
[CASH IN ONE'S CHIPS] at [CASH-IN],
[IN THE CHIPS],
[LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY],
[FISH-AND-CHIPS],
[WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN].
[chip in] or [kick in] {v.}, {informal}
To give together with others, contribute.
The pupils chipped in a dime apiece for the teacher's Christmas present.
All the neighbors kicked in to help after the fire.
* /Lee chipped in ten points in the […]
[chip off the old block] {n. phr.}
A person whose character traits closely resemble those of his parents.
I hear that Tom plays the violin in the orchestra his father conducts; he sure is a chip off the old block.
[chip on one's shoulder] {n. phr.}, {informal}
A quarrelsome nature; readiness to be angered.
He went through life with a chip on his shoulder.
Jim often gets into fights because he goes around with a chip on his shoulder.
[chisel] or [muscle in on] {v. phr.}
To illegitimately and forcefully intrude into someone's traditional sales or professional arena of operation.
Tim has a good sales territory, but he is always afraid that someone might chisel in on it.
* /Las […]
[choke off] {v.}
To put a sudden end to; stop abruptly or forcefully.
It was almost time for the meeting to end, and the presiding officer had to move to choke off debate.
The war choked off diamond shipments from overseas.
[choke up] {v.}
1a. To come near losing calmness or self-control from strong feeling; be upset by your feelings.
When one speaker after another praised John, he choked up and couldn't thank them.
* /When Father tried to tell me how glad he was to […]
[choose up sides] {v. phr.}
To form two teams with two captains taking turns choosing players.
The boys chose up sides for a game of softball.
Tom and Joe were the captains. They chose up sides.
[chow line] {n.}, {slang}
A line of people waiting for food.
The chow line was already long when John got to the dining hall.
The soldiers picked up trays and got into the chow line.
[Christmas card] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
A speeding ticket.
Smokey just gave a Christmas card to the eighteen wheeler we passed.
[Christmas club] {n.}
A plan for putting money in the bank to be saved for Christmas shopping.
John deposits $10 each week in the Christmas club.
The woman will get her Christmas club money on December 10.
[chum around with] {v. phr.}
1. To be close friends with someone.
They have been chumming around with one another for quite some time.
2. To travel around with someone.
Jack is planning to chum around with Tim in Europe this summer.
[cigar-store Indian] {n. phr.}
A wooden statue of an Indian which in the past was placed in front of a cigar store.
A cigar store Indian used to mean a cigar store in the same way a barber pole still means a barber shop.
[circle]
See:
[COME FULL CIRCLE],
[IN A CIRCLE] or [IN CIRCLES],
[RUN CIRCLES AROUND] also [RUN RINGS AROUND].
[circumstances alter cases] {formal}
The way things are, or happen, may change the way you are expected to act.
* /John's father told him never to touch his gun, but one day when Father was away, John used it to shoot a poisonous snake that came into […]
[claim check] {n.}
A ticket needed to get back something.
The man at the parking lot gave Mrs. Collins a claim check.
The boy put the dry cleaning claim check in his billfold.
* /The man told Mary the pictures would be ready Friday and gave […]
[clamp down] {v.}, {informal}
To put on strict controls; enforce rules or laws.
After the explosion, police clamped down and let no more visitors inside the monument.
The school clamped down on smoking.
* /When the crowds became bigger and […]
[clam up] {v.}, {slang}
To refuse to say anything more; stop talking.
The suspect clammed up, and the police could get no more information out of him.
[clay pigeon] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
1. A popular target at practice shooting made of clay and roughly resembling a pigeon; an easy target that doesn't move.
All he can shoot is a clay pigeon.
2. A person who, like a clay pigeon in target […]
[clean]
See:
[COME CLEAN],
[KEEP ONE'S NOSE CLEAN],
[MAKE A CLEAN BREAST OF],
[NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN],
[TAKE TO ONE'S HEELS] also [SHOW A CLEAN PAIR OF HEELS].
[clean bill of health] {n. phr.}
1. A certificate that a person or animal has no infectious disease.
The government doctor gave Jones a clean bill of health when he entered the country.
2. {informal}
A report that a person is free of guilt or […]
[clean break] {n. phr.}
A complete separation.
Tom made a clean break with his former girlfriends before marrying Pamela.
[clean hands] {n. phr.}, {slang}
Freedom from guilt or dishonesty; innocence.
John grew up in a bad neighborhood, but he grew up with clean hands.
There was much proof against Bill, but he swore he had clean hands.
[clean out] {v.}
1. {slang}
To take everything from; empty; strip.
George's friends cleaned him out when they were playing cards last night.
The sudden demand for paper plates soon cleaned out the stores.
2. {informal}
To get rid of; remove; […]
[clean slate] {n. phr.}
A record of nothing but good conduct, without any errors or bad deeds; past acts that are all good without any bad ones.
* /Johnny was sent to the principal for whispering. He had a clean slate so the principal did not punish […]
[clean sweep] {n. phr.}
A complete victory.
Our candidate for the United States Senate made a clean sweep over his opponent.
[clean up] {v. phr.}
1. To wash and make oneself presentable.
After quitting for the day in the garage, Tim decided to clean up and put on a clean shirt.
2. To finish; terminate.
* /The secretary promised her boss to clean up all the unfinished […]
[clean-up] {n.}
1. An act of removing all the dirt from a given set of objects.
What this filthy room needs is an honest clean-up.
2. The elimination of pockets of resistance during warfare or a police raid.
* /The FBI conducted a clean-up […]
[clear]
See:
[COAST IS CLEAR],
[IN THE CLEAR],
[OUT OF THE BLUE] or [OUT OF A CLEAR SKY] or [OUT OF A CLEAR BLUE SKY],
[SEE ONE'S WAY CLEAR],
[STEER CLEAR OF].
[clear-cut] {adj.}
Definite; well defined.
The president's new policy of aggressive action is a clear-cut departure from his old methods of unilateral appeasement.
[clear-eyed] {adj.}
Understanding problems or events clearly; being able to tell very well the results of a way of acting.
Tom is very clear-eyed. He knows he doesn't have much chance of winning the race, but he will try his best.
* /He is a […]
[clear one's name] {v. phr.}
To prove someone is innocent of a crime or misdeed of which he has been accused.
The falsely accused rapist has been trying in vain to clear his name.
[clear out] {v.}
1. To take everything out of; empty.
When Bill was moved to another class he cleared out his desk.
2. {informal}
To leave suddenly; go away; depart.
The cop told the boys to clear out.
* /Bob cleared out without paying his […]
[clear the air] {v. phr.}
To remove angry feelings, misunderstanding, or confusion.
The President's statement that he would run for office again cleared the air of rumors and guessing.
* /When Bill was angry at Bob, Bob made a joke, and it cleared […]
[clear the decks] {v. phr.}
To put everything in readiness for a major activity; to eliminate unessentials.
The governor urged the State Assembly to clear the decks of all but the most pressing issues to vote on.
[clear up] {v.}
1. To make plain or clear; explain; solve.
The teacher cleared up the harder parts of the story.
Maybe we can clear up your problem.
2. To become clear.
The weather cleared up after the storm.
3. To cure.
* /The pills […]
[cliffdweller] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
A city person who lives on a very high floor in an apartment building.
Joe and Nancy have become cliffdwellers — they moved up to the 30th floor.
[clifihanger] {n.}, {informal}
A sports event or a movie in which the outcome is uncertain to the very end keeping the spectators in great suspense and excitement.
Did you see "The Fugitive"? It's a regular cliffhanger.
[climb the wall] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
1. To react to a challenging situation with too great an emotional response, frustration, tension, and anxiety.
By the time I got the letter that I was hired, I was ready to climb the wall.
2. To be […]
[clinging vine] {n.}
A very dependent woman; a woman who needs much love and encouragement from a man.
Mary is a clinging vine; she cannot do anything without her husband.
[cling to one's mother's apron strings]
See: [TIED TO ONE'S MOTHER'S APRON STRINGS].
[clip joint] {n.}, {slang}
A low-class night club or other business where people are cheated.
The man got drunk and lost all his money in a clip joint.
The angry woman said the store was a clip joint.
[clip one's wings] {v. phr.}
To limit or hold you back, bring you under control; prevent your success.
When the new president tried to become dictator, the generals soon clipped his wings.
* /Jim was spending too much time on dates when he needed […]
[cloak-and-dagger] {adj.}
Of or about spies and secret agents.
It was a cloak-and-dagger story about some spies who tried to steal atomic secrets.
The book was written by a retired colonel who used to take part in cloak-and-dagger plots.
[…]
[clock]
See:
[AGAINST TIME] or [AGAINST THE CLOCK],
[AROUND THE CLOCK] or [THE CLOCK AROUND],
[PUT BACK THE CLOCK] or [TURN BACK THE CLOCK],
[GO LIKE CLOCKWORK] or [GO OFF LIKE CLOCKWORK],
[TURN THE CLOCK BACK].
[clock watcher] {n. phr.}, {informal}
A worker who always quits at once when it is time; a man who is in a hurry to leave his job.
When Ted got his first job, his father told him to work hard and not be a clock watcher.
[close at hand] {adj. phr.}
Handy; close by; within one's range.
My calendar isn't close at hand, so I can't tell you whether we can come next week or not.
I always keep my pencils and erasers close at hand when I work on a draft proposal.
[close call] or [shave] {n. phr.}
A narrow escape.
That sure was a close call when that truck came near us from the right!
When Tim fell off his bicycle in front of a bus, it was a very close shave.
[closed book] {n.}
A secret; something not known or understood.
The man's early life is a closed book.
For Mary, science is a closed book.
The history of the town is a closed book.
[closed-door] {adj.}
Away from the public; in private or in secret; limited to a few.
The officers of the club held a closed-door meeting.
The committee decided on a closed-door rule for the investigation.
Compare: [IN PRIVATE].
[close down] or [shut down] {v.}
To stop all working, as in a factory; stop work entirely; also: to stop operations in.
The factory closed down for Christmas.
The company shut down the condom plant for Easter.
[closed shop] {n. phr.}
1. A plant or factory that employs only union workers.
Our firm has been fighting the closed shop policy for many years now.
2. A profession or line of work dominated by followers of a certain mode of thinking and behaving […]
[close in] {v.}
To come in nearer from all sides.
We wanted the boat to reach shore before the fog closed in.
- Often used with "on".
* /The troops were closing in on the enemy.
[close its doors] {v. phr.}
1. To keep someone or something from entering or joining; become closed.
The club has closed its doors to new members.
2. To fail as a business; go bankrupt.
* /The fire was so damaging that the store had to close its […]
[close-knit] {adj.}
Closely joined together by ties of love, friendship, or common interest; close.
The Joneses are a close-knit family.
The three boys are always together. They form a very close-knit group.
[close one's eyes] or [shut one's eyes] {v. phr.}
To refuse to see or think about.
The park is beautiful if you shut your eyes to the litter.
The ice was very thin, but the boys shut their eyes to the danger and went skating.
Compare: [OPEN […]
[close out] {v.}
To sell the whole of; end (a business or a business operation) by selling all the goods; also, to sell your stock and stop doing business.
The store closed out its stock of garden supplies.
Mr. Jones closed out his grocery.
* […]
[close quarters] {n. phr.}
Limited, cramped space.
With seven boy scouts in a tent, they were living in very close quarters.
[close ranks] {v. phr.}
1. To come close together in a line especially for fighting.
The soldiers closed ranks and kept the enemy away from the bridge.
2. To stop quarreling and work together; unite and fight together.
* /The Democrats and […]
[close the books] {v. phr.}
To stop taking orders; end a bookkeeping period.
The tickets were all sold, so the manager said to close the books.
The department store closes its books on the 25th of each month.
[close the door] or [bar the door] or [shut the door] {v. phr.}
To prevent any more action or talk about a subject.
The President's veto closed the door to any new attempt to pass the bill.
* /Joan was much hurt by what Mary said, and she closed […]
[close to home] {adv. phr.}
Too near to someone's personal feelings, wishes, or interests.
When John made fun of Bob's way of walking, he struck close to home.
* /When the preacher spoke about prejudice, some people felt he had come too close to […]
[close-up] {n.}
A photograph, motion picture, or video camera shot taken at very close range.
Directors of movies frequently show close-ups of the main characters.
[close up shop] {v. phr.}
1. To shut a store at the end of a day's business, also, to end a business.
The grocer closes up shop at 5 o'clock.
After 15 years in business at the same spot, the garage closed up shop.
2. {informal}
To stop some […]
[cloud]
See:
[EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING],
[IN THE CLOUDS],
[ON CLOUD NINE],
[UNDER A CLOUD].
[cluck and grunt] {n.}, {slang}, {avoid it in restaurants}
The familiar restaurant dish of ham and eggs; since ham is made of pork (and pigs grunt) and eggs come from hens (which cluck.)
* /"I am sorry I can't fix you an elaborate meal, but I can give […]
[coal]
See:
[CARRY COALS TO NEWCASTLE],
[HAUL OVER THE COALS] or [RAKE OVER THE COALS],
[HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON ONE'S HEAD].
[coast is clear]
No enemy or danger is in sight; there is no one to see you.
When the teacher had disappeared around the corner, John said, "Come on, the coast is clear."
* /The men knew when the night watchman would pass. When he had gone, and […]
[cock-and-bull story] {n. phr.}
An exaggerated or unbelievable story.
"Stop feeding me such cock-and-bull stories," the detective said to the suspect.
[cockeyed] {adj.}
Drunk; intoxicated.
Frank has been drinking all day and, when we met, he was so cockeyed he forgot his own address.
[cocksure] {adj.}
Overconfident; very sure.
Paul was cocksure that it wasn 't going to snow, but it snowed so much that we had to dig our way out of the house.
[C.O.D.] {n. phr.}
Abbreviation of "cash on delivery."
If you want to receive a piece of merchandise by mail and pay when you receive it, you place a C.O.D. order.
[coffee break] {n.}
A short recess or time out from work in which to rest and drink coffee.
The girls in the office take a coffee break in the middle of the morning and the afternoon.
[coffee hour] {n.}
A time for coffee or other refreshments after a meeting; a time to meet people and have refreshments.
After the business meeting we had a coffee hour.
* /The Joneses had a coffee hour so their visitor could meet their […]
[coffee table] {n.}
A low table used in a living room.
There were several magazines on the coffee table.
[coffin nail] {n.}, {slang}
A cigarette.
"I stopped smoking," Algernon said. "In fact, I haven't had a coffin nail in well over a year."
[coin money] or [mint money] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To make a lot of money quickly; profit heavily; gain big profit.
Fred coined money with many cigarette vending machines and juke boxes.
[cold]
See:
[BLOOD RUNS COLD],
[BLOW HOT AND COLD],
[CATCH COLD] or [TAKE COLD],
[IN COLD BLOOD],
[OUT COLD],
[OUT IN THE COLD],
[PASS OUT] (2),
[STONE-COLD],
[STOP COLD],
[THROW COLD WATER ON].
[cold cash] or [hard cash] {n.}
Money that is paid at the time of purchase; real money; silver and bills.
Mr. Jones bought a new car and paid cold cash for it.
Some stores sell things only for cold cash.
Compare: [CASH ON THE BARRELHEAD].
[cold comfort] {n.}
Something that makes a person in trouble feel very little better or even worse.
When Tim lost the race, it was cold comfort to him to hear that he could try again in two weeks.
* /Mary spent her vacation sick in bed and Jane's […]
[cold feet] {n. phr.}, {informal}
A loss of courage or nerve; a failure or loss of confidence in yourself.
Ralph was going to ask Mary to dance with him but he got cold feet and didn't.
[cold fish] {n.}, {informal}
A queer person; a person who is unfriendly or does not mix with others.
No one knows the new doctor, he is a cold fish.
Nobody invites Eric to parties because he is a cold fish.
[cold-shoulder] {v.}, {informal}
To act towards a person with dislike or scorn; be unfriendly to.
Fred cold-shouldered his old friend when they passed on the street.
It is impolite and unkind to cold-shoulder people.
Compare: [BRUSH OFF] (2), […]
[cold shoulder] {n.}, {informal}
Unfriendly treatment of a person, a showing of dislike for a person or of looking down on a person. — Used in the cliches "give the cold shoulder" or "turn a cold shoulder to" or "get the cold shoulder".
* /When Bob […]
[cold snap] {n.}
A short time of quick change from warm weather to cold.
The cold snap killed everything in the garden.
[cold turkey] {adv.}, {slang}, {informal}
1. Abruptly and without medical aid to withdraw from the use of an addictive drug or from a serious drinking problem.
Joe is a very brave guy; he kicked the habit cold turkey.
2. {n.}
An instance of […]
[cold war] {n.}
A struggle that is carried on by other means and not by actual fighting; a war without shooting or bombing.
After World War II, a cold war began between Russia and the United States.
[collective farm] {n.}
A large government-run farm made by combining many small farms.
The Russian farmers used to live on collective farms.
[collector's item] {n.}
Something rare or valuable enough to collect or save.
Jimmy's mother found an old wooden doll in the attic that turned out to be a collector's item.
[College Boards] {n.}
A set of examinations given to test a student's readiness and ability for college.
John got a high score on his College Boards.
College Boards test both what a student has learned and his ability to learn.
[color]
See:
[CHANGE COLOR],
[GIVE COLOR TO] or
[LEND COLOR TO],
[HAUL DOWN ONE'S COLORS],
[HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR],
[NAIL ONE'S COLORS TO THE MAST],
[OFF-COLOR] or [OFF-COLORED],
[SAIL UNDER FALSE COLORS],
[SEE THE COLOR OF ONE'S MONEY],
[…]
[color guard] {n.}
A military guard of honor for the flag of a country; also: a guard of honor to carry and protect a flag or banner (as of a club).
There were four Marines in the color guard in the parade.
* /Bob was picked to be a color guard […]
[color scheme] {n.}
A plan for colors used together as decoration.
The color scheme for the dance was blue and silver.
Mary decided on a pink and white color scheme for her room.
[come]
See:
[CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST],
[CROSS A BRIDGE BEFORE ONE COMES TO IT],
[EASY COME, EASY GO],
[FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED],
[GET WHAT'S COMING TO ONE],
[HAVE IT COMING],
[HOW COME] also [HOW'S COME],
[IF WORST COMES TO WORST],
[…]
[come about] {v.}
To take place; happen, occur.
Sometimes it is hard to tell how a quarrel comes about.
When John woke up he was in the hospital, but he didn't know how that had come about.
[come a cropper]
1. To fall off your horse.
John's horse stumbled, and John came a cropper.
2. To fail.
Mr. Brown did not have enough money to put into his business and it soon came a cropper.
Compare: [RIDING FOR A FALL].
[come across] {v.}
1. or [run across]
To find or meet by chance.
He came across a dollar bill in the suit he was sending to the cleaner.
The other day I ran across a book that you might like.
* /I came across George at a party last week; it […]
[come again] {v.}, {informal}
Please repeat; please say that again. — Usually used as a command.
"Harry has just come into a fortune," my wife said. "Come again? " I asked her, not believing it.
"Come again," said the hard-of-hearing man.
[come alive] or [come to life] {v.}
1. {informal}
To become alert or attentive; wake up and look alive; become active.
When Mr. Simmons mentioned money, the boys came alive.
Bob pushed the starter button, and the engine came alive with a roar.
[…]
[come along] {v.}
To make progress; improve; succeed.
He was coming along well after the operation.
Rose is coming right along on the piano.
[come a long way] {v. phr.}
To show much improvement; make great progress.
The school has come a long way since its beginnings.
Little Jane has come a long way since she broke her leg.
[come apart at the seams] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To become upset to the point where one loses self-control and composure as if having suffered a sudden nervous breakdown.
After his divorce Joe seemed to be coming apart at the seams.
[come at] {v.}
1. To approach; come to or against; advance toward.
The young boxer came at the champion cautiously.
2. To understand (a word or idea) or master (a skill); succeed with.
The sense of an unfamiliar word is hard to come at.
[come back] {v.}, {informal}
1. To reply; answer.
The lawyer came back sharply in defense of his client.
No matter how the audience heckled him, the comedian always had an answer to come back with.
2. To get a former place or position back, […]
[comeback] {n.}, {v. phr.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
A return call.
Thanks for your comeback.
[come back to earth] or [come down to earth] {v. phr.}
To return to the real world; stop imagining or dreaming; think and behave as usual.
After Jane met the movie star it was hard for her to come back to earth.
* /Bill was sitting and daydreaming […]
[come between] {v.}
To part; divide; separate.
John's mother-in-law came to live in his home, and as time passed she came between him and his wife.
Bill's hot rod came between him and his studies, and his grades went down.
[come by] {v.}
To get; obtain; acquire.
A good job like that is hard to come by.
Money easily come by is often easily spent.
How did she come by that money?
[come by honestly] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To inherit (a characteristic) from your parents.
Joe comes by his hot temper honestly; his father is the same way.
[come clean] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To tell all; tell the whole story; confess.
The boy suspected of stealing the watch came clean after long questioning.
[comedown] {n.}
Disappointment; embarrassment; failure.
It was quite a comedown for Al when the girl he took for granted refused his marriage proposal.
[come down] {v.}
1. To reduce itself; amount to no more than. — Followed by "to".
The quarrel finally came down to a question of which boy would do the dishes.
Syn.: [BOIL DOWN] (3).
2. To be handed down or passed along, descend from parent to […]
[come down hard on] {v.}, {informal}
1. To scold or punish strongly.
The principal came down hard on the boys for breaking the window.
2. To oppose strongly.
The minister in his sermon came down hard on drinking.
[come down in the world] {v. phr.}
To lose a place of respect or honor, become lower (as in rank or fortune).
The stranger plainly had come down a long way in the world.
Compare: [DOWN ON ONE'S LUCK].
[come down off one's high horse] {v. phr.}
To become less arrogant; to assume a more modest disposition.
The boastful candidate for Congress quickly came down off his high horse when he was soundly beaten by his opponent.
[come down on like a ton of bricks] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To direct one's full anger at somebody.
When the janitor was late for work, the manager came down on him like a ton of bricks.
[come down with] {v.}, {informal}
To become sick with; catch.
We all came down with the mumps.
After being out in the rain, George came down with a cold.
[come from far and wide] {v. phr.}
To originate or hail from many different places.
The students at this university come from far and wide and speak many languages.
[come full circle] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To become totally opposed to one's own earlier conviction on a given subject.
Today's conservative businessperson has come full circle from former radical student days.
2. To change and develop, only to […]
[come hell or high water] {adv. phr.}, {informal}
No matter what happens; whatever may come.
Grandfather said he would go to the fair, come hell or high water.
Compare: [COME WHAT MAY], [THROUGH THE MILL].
[come in] {v.}
1. To finish in a sports contest or other competition.
He came in second in the hundred-yard dash.
2. To become the fashion; begin to be used.
* /Swimming trunks for men came in after World War I; before that men used full swim […]
[come in for] {v.}
To receive.
He came in for a small fortune when his uncle died.
His conduct came in for much criticism.
[come in handy] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To prove useful.
Robinson Crusoe found tools in the ship which came in handy when he built a house.
The French he learned in high school came in handy when he was in the army in France.
[come into] {v.}
To receive, especially after another's death; get possession of.
He came into a lot of money when his father died.
He came into possession of the farm after his uncle died.
[come into one's own] {v. phr.}
To receive the wealth or respect that you should have.
John's grandfather died and left him a million dollars; when John is 21, he will come into his own.
* /With the success of the Model T Ford, the automobile […]
[come of] {v.}
1. To result from.
After all the energy we spent on that advertising campaign, absolutely nothing came of it.
2. To become of; happen to.
"Whatever became of your son, Peter?"
[come off] {v.}
1. To take place; happen.
The picnic came off at last, after being twice postponed.
2. {informal}
To do well; succeed.
The attempt to bring the quarreling couple together again came off, to people's astonishment.
[come off it] also [get off it] {v. phr.}, {slang}
Stop pretending; bragging, or kidding; stop being silly. — Used as a command.
"So I said to the duchess..." Jimmy began. "Oh, come off it," the other boys sneered.
* /Fritz said he had a car of […]
[come off] or [through with flying colors] {v. phr.}
To succeed; triumph.
John came off with flying colors in his final exams at college.
[come off second best] {v. phr.}
To not win first but only second, third, etc. place.
Our home team came off second best against the visitors.
Sue complains that she always comes off second best when she has a disagreement with her husband.
[come on] {v.}
1. To begin; appear.
Rain came on toward morning.
He felt a cold coming on.
2. To grow or do well; thrive.
The wheat was coming on.
His business came on splendidly.
3. or [come upon]. To meet accidentally; […]
[come-on] {n.}, {slang}
An attractive offer made to a naive person under false pretenses in order to gain monetary or other advantage.
Joe uses a highly successful come-on when he sells vacant lots on Grand Bahama Island.
[come one's way] {v. phr.}
To be experienced by someone; happen to you.
Tom said that if the chance to become a sailor ever came his way, he would take it.
I hope bad luck isn't coming our way.
* /Luck came Bill's way today and he hit a home […]
[come on strong] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To overwhelm a weaker person with excessively strong language, personality, or mannerisms; to insist extremely strongly and claim something with unusual vigor.
* /Joe came on very strong last night about the War in […]
[come out] {v.}
1. Of a girl: To be formally introduced to polite society at about age eighteen, usually at a party; begin to go to big parties.
* /In society, girls come out when they reach the age of about eighteen, and usually it is at a big party […]
[coming-out] {adj.}
Introducing a girl to polite society.
Mary's parents gave her a coming-out party when she was 17.
[come out for] {v. phr.}
To support; declare oneself in favor of another, especially during a political election.
Candidates for the presidency of the United States are anxious for the major newspapers to come out for them.
[come out in the open] {v. phr.}
1. To reveal one's true identity or intentions.
Fred finally came out in the open and admitted that he was gay.
2. To declare one's position openly.
* /The conservative Democratic candidate came out in the open […]
[come out with] {v. phr.}
1. To make a public announcement of; make known.
He came out with a clear declaration of his principles.
2. To say.
He comes out with the funniest remarks you can imagine.
[come over] {v.}
To take control of; cause sudden strong feeling in; happen to.
A sudden fit of anger came over him.
A great tenderness came over her.
What has come over him?
[come round] or [come around] {v.}
1. To happen or appear again and again in regular order.
And so Saturday night came around again.
I will tell him when he comes round again.
2. {informal}
To get back health or knowledge of things; get well […]
[come through] {v.}, {informal}
To be equal to a demand; meet trouble or a sudden need with success; satisfy a need.
When the baseball team needed a hit, Willie came through with a double.
* /John needed money for college and his father came […]
[come to] {v.}
(stress on "to")
1. To wake up after losing consciousness; get the use of your senses back again after fainting or being knocked out.
She fainted in the store and found herself in the first aid room when she came to.
* /The boxer […]
[come to a dead end] {v. phr.}
To reach a point from which one cannot proceed further, either because of a physical obstacle or because of some forbidding circumstance.
* /Our car came to a dead end; the only way to get out was to drive back in […]
[come to blows] {v. phr.}
To begin to fight.
The two quarreling boys came to blows after school.
The two countries came to blows because one wanted to be independent from the other.
[come to grief] {v. phr.}
To have a bad accident or disappointment; meet trouble or ruin; end badly; wreck; fail.
Bill came to grief learning to drive a car.
* /Nick's hopes for a new house came to grief when the house he was building burned […]
[come to grips with] {v. phr.}
1. To get hold of (another wrestler) in close fighting.
After circling around for a minute, the two wrestlers came to grips with each other.
2. To struggle seriously with (an idea or problem).
* /Mr. Blake's […]
[come to hand] {v. phr.}
To be received or obtained.
Father's letter was mailed from Florida last week and came to hand today.
The new books came to hand today.
New information about the boy's disappearance came to hand yesterday.
[come to light] {v. phr.}
To be discovered; become known; appear.
John's thefts from the bank where he worked came to light when the bank examiners made an inspection.
When the old woman died it came to light that she was actually rich.
* […]
[come to mind] {v. phr.}
To occur to someone.
A new idea for the advertising campaign came to mind as I was reading your book.
[come to nothing] also {formal} [come to naught] {v. phr.}
To end in failure; fail; be in vain.
The dog's attempts to climb the tree after the cat came to nothing.
[come to one's senses] {v. phr.}
1. Become conscious again; wake up.
The boxer was knocked out and did not come to his senses for several minutes.
* /The doctors gave Tom an anesthetic before his operation; then the doctor took out Tom's appendix […]
[come to pass] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To happen; occur.
Strange things come to pass in troubled times.
It came to pass that the jailer visited him by night.
His hopes of success did not come to pass.
Compare: [BRING TO PASS], [COME ABOUT].
[come to terms] {v. phr.}
To reach an agreement.
Management and the labor union came to terms about a new arrangement and a strike was prevented.
[come to the point] or [get to the point] {v. phr.}
To talk about the important thing; reach the important facts of the matter; reach the central question or fact.
* /Henry was giving a lot of history and explanation, but his father asked him to come […]
[come to think of it] {v. phr.}, {informal}
As I think again; indeed; really.
Come to think of it, he has already been given what he needs.
Come to think of it, I should write my daughter today.
[come true] {v.}
To really happen; change from a dream or a plan into a fact.
It took years of planning and saving, but their seagoing vacation came true at last.
It was a dream come true when he met the President.
* /His hope of living to […]
[come up] {v.}
1. To become a subject for discussion or decision to talk about or decide about.
"He was a good salesman, and price never came up until the very last," Mary said.
The question of wage increases came up at the board meeting.
* […]
[come up in the world] or [rise in the world] {v. phr.}
To gain success, wealth, or importance in life; rise to a position of greater wealth or importance.
He had come up in the world since he peddled his wife's baked goods from a pushcart.
[…]
[come up smelling like a rose] {v. phr.}
To escape from a difficult situation or misdeed unscathed or without punishment.
* /A is predicted that Congressman Brown, in spite of the current investigation into his financial affairs, will come up smelling […]
[come up to] {v. phr.}
To equal.
The meals cooked in most restaurants do not come up to those prepared at home.
[come up with] {v. phr.}
1. To offer.
We can always depend on John Smith to come up with a good solution for any problem we might have.
2. To produce on demand.
* /I won't be able to buy this car, because I cannot come up with the down payment […]
[come what may] {adv. phr.}
Even if troubles come; no matter what happens; in spite of opposition or mischance.
Charles has decided to get a college education, come what may.
* /The editor says we will publish the school paper this week, come what […]
[comfortable as an old shoe] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Pleasant and relaxed; not stiff, strict or too polite; easy to talk and work with.
The stranger was as comfortable as an old shoe, and we soon were talking like old friends.
[coming and going] or [going and coming] {adv. phr.}
1. Both ways; in both directions.
The truck driver stops at the same cafe coming and going.
* /John was late. He got punished both going and coming; his teacher punished him and his parents […]
[coming out party] {n. phr.}
A debutante party in which a young girl is formally introduced to society.
Coming out parties used to be more popular in the early twentieth century than nowadays, primarily because they cost a lot of money.
[comings and goings] {n. pl.}, {informal}
1. Times of arriving and going away; movements.
I can't keep up with the children's comings and goings.
2. Activities; doings; business.
Mary knows all the comings and goings in the neighborhood.
[command module] {n.}, {Space English}
1. One of the three main sections of the basic Apollo spacecraft. It weighs six tons and is cone shaped. It contains crew compartments and from it the astronauts can operate the lunar module (LM), the docking […]
[common as an old shoe] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Not showing off; not vain; modest; friendly to all.
Although Mr. Jones ran a large business, he was common as an old shoe.
The most famous people are sometimes as common as an old shoe.
[common ground] {n.}
Shared beliefs, interests, or ways of understanding; ways in which people are alike.
Bob and Frank don't like each other because they have no common ground.
* /The only common ground between us is that we went to the same […]
[common touch] {n.}
The ability to be a friend of the people; friendly manner with everyone.
Voters like a candidate who has the common touch.
[company man] {n.}, {informal}
A worker who always agrees with management rather than labor. — Usually used to express dislike or disapproval.
Joe was a company man and refused to take a part in the strike.
Compare: [YES-MAN].
[compare notes] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To exchange thoughts or ideas about something; discuss together.
Mother and Mrs. Barker like to compare notes about cooking.
[condition]
See:
[IN SHAPE] or [IN CONDITION],
[IN THE PINK] or [IN THE PINK OF CONDITION],
[ON CONDITION THAT],
[OUT OF SHAPE] or [OUT OF CONDITION].
[congregate housing] {n.}, {informal}
A form of housing for elderly persons in which dining facilities and services are shared in multiple dwelling units.
Jerry put Grandma in a place where they have congregate housing.
[conk out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To fall asleep suddenly with great fatigue or after having drunk too much.
We conked out right after the guests had left.
[consumer goods] or [consumer items] {n.}
Food and manufactured things that people buy for their own use.
In time of war, the supply of consumer goods is greatly reduced.
[control room] {n.}
A room containing the panels and switches used to control something (like a TV broadcast).
While a television program is on the air, engineers are at their places in the control room.
[control tower] {n.}
A tower with large windows and a good view of an airport so that the traffic of airplanes can be seen and controlled, usually by radio.
We could see the lights at the control tower as our plane landed during the night.
[conversation piece] {n.}
Something that interests people and makes them talk about it; something that looks unusual, comical, or strange.
Uncle Fred has a glass monkey on top of his piano that he keeps for a conversation piece.
[cook one's goose] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To ruin someone hopelessly; destroy one's future expectations or good name.
The bank treasurer cooked his own goose when he stole the bank's funds.
* /She cooked John's goose by reporting what she knew to the […]
[cook up] {v.}, {informal}
To plan and put together; make up; invent.
The boys cooked up an excuse to explain their absence from school.
[cool as a cucumber] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Very calm and brave; not nervous, worried, or anxious; not excited; composed.
Bill is a good football quarterback, always cool as a cucumber.
[cool customer] {n.}
Someone who is calm and in total control of himself; someone showing little emotion.
Jim never gets too excited about anything; he is a cool customer.
[cool down] or [cool off] {v.}
To lose or cause to lose the heat of any deep feeling (as love, enthusiasm, or anger); make or become calm, cooled or indifferent; lose interest.
A heated argument can be settled better if both sides cool down first.
[…]
[cool one's heels] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To be kept waiting by another's pride or rudeness; be forced to wait by someone in power or authority; wait.
He cooled his heels for an hour in another room before the great man would see him.
* /I was left to […]
[coop up] {v. phr.}
To hedge in; confine; enclose in a small place.
How can poor Jane work in that small office, cooped up all day long?
[cop a feel] {v. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable}
To attempt to arouse sexually by manual contact, usually by surprise.
John talks big for a 16 year old, but all he's ever done is cop a feel in a dark movie theater.
Compare: [FEEL UP]. Contrast: [COP […]
[cop a plea] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
To plead guilty during a trial in the hope of getting a lighter sentence as a result.
* /The murderer of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., copped a plea of guilty, and got away with a life sentence instead of […]
[cop out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To avoid committing oneself in a situation where doing so would result in difficulties.
Nixon copped out on the American people with Watergate.
[cop-out] {n. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
An irresponsible excuse made to avoid something one has to do, a flimsy pretext.
Cowe on, Jim, that's a cheap cop-out, and I don't believe a word of it!
[copy cat] {n.}
Someone who copies another person's work or manner. — Usually used by children or when speaking to children.
He called me a copy cat just because my new shoes look like his.
[corn ball] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
1. A superficially sentimental movie or musical in which the word "love" is mentioned too often; a theatrical performance that is trivially sentimental.
That movie last night was a corn hall.
2. A person who […]
[corn belt] {n.}
1. The Midwest; the agricultural section of the United States where much corn is grown.
Kansas is one of the slates that lies within the corn belt.
[corner]
See:
[AROUND THE CORNER],
[CUT CORNERS],
[FOUR CORNERS],
[OUT OF THE CORNER OF ONE'S EYE].
[cost a bomb] or [an arm and a leg] {v. phr.}
To be extremely expensive.
My new house has cost us an arm and a leg and we're almost broke.
[cotton picking], [cotton-pickin'] {adj.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
Worthless, crude, common, messy.
Keep your cotton picking hands off my flowers!
You've got to clean up your room, son, this is a cotton-pickin' mess!
[couch case] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
A person judged emotionally so disturbed that people think he ought to see a psychiatrist (who, habitually, make their patients lie down on a couch).
* /Joe's divorce messed him up so badly that he became a couch […]
[couch doctor] {n.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
A psychoanalyst who puts his patients on a couch following the practice established by Sigmund Freud.
I didn't know your husband was a couch doctor, I thought he was a gynecologist!
[couch potato] {n.}
A person who is addicted to watching television all day.
Poor Ted has become such a couch potato that we can't persuade him to do anything.
[cough up] {v.}, {slang}
1. To give (money) unwillingly; pay with an effort.
Her husband coughed up the money for the party with a good deal of grumbling.
2. To tell what was secret; make known.
He coughed up the whole story for the police.
[couldn't care less] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be indifferent; not care at all.
The students couldn't care less about the band; they talk all through the concert.
Also heard increasingly as "could care less" (nonstandard in this form.)
[countdown] {n.}. {Space English}, {informal}
1. A step-by-step process which leads to the launching of a rocket.
Countdown starts at 23:00 hours tomorrow night and continues for 24 hours.
2. Process of counting inversely during the acts leading […]
[count heads] or [count noses] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To count the number of people in a group.
On the class picnic, we counted heads before we left and when we arrived to be sure that no one got lost.
* /The usher was told to look out into the […]
[count off] {v.}
1. To count aloud from one end of a line of men to the other, each man counting in turn.
The soldiers counted off from right to left.
2. To place into a separate group or groups by counting.
* /The coach counted off three boys […]
[count on] {v.}
1. To depend on; rely on; trust.
The team was counting on Joe to win the race.
I'll do it; you know you can count on me.
The company was counting on Brown's making the right decision.
Syn.: [BANK ON].
2. See: [FIGURE ON] […]
[count one's chickens before they're hatched] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To depend on getting a profit or gain before you have it; make plans that suppose something will happen; be too sure that something will happen. Usually used in negative sentences.
* […]
[count out] {v.}
1. To leave (someone) out of a plan; not expect (someone) to share in an activity; exclude.
"Will this party cost anything? If it does, count me out, because I'm broke."
* /When the coach was planning who would play in the big […]
[count to ten] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To count from one to ten so you will have time to calm down or get control of yourself; put off action when angry or excited so as not to do anything wrong.
* /Father always told us to count to ten before doing […]
[county mounty] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
Sheriff's deputy.
The county mounties are parked under the bridge.
[cover a lot of ground] {v. phr.}
To process a great deal of information and various facts.
Professor Brown's thorough lecture on asteroids covered a lot of ground today.
[covered-dish supper] or [potluck supper]
A meal to which each guest brings a share of the food.
Dolly made a chicken casserole for the covered-dish supper.
[cover girl] {n.}
A pretty girl or woman whose picture is put on the cover of a magazine.
Ann is not a cover girl, but she is pretty enough to be.
[cover ground] or [cover the ground] {v. phr.}
1. To go a distance; travel.
Mr. Rogers likes to travel in planes, because they cover ground so quickly.
2. {informal} To move over an area at a speed that is pleasing; move quickly over a lot of […]
[cover one's tracks] or [cover up one's tracks] {v. phr.}
1. To hide and not leave anything, especially foot marks, to show where you have been, so that no one can follow you.
The deer covered his tracks by running in a stream.
2. {informal}
To […]
[cover the waterfront] {v. phr.}
To talk or write all about something; talk about something all possible ways.
The principal pretty well covered the waterfront on student behavior.
[cover up] {v.}, {informal}
1. To hide something wrong or bad from attention.
The spy covered up his picture-taking by pretending to be just a tourist.
* /A crooked banker tried to cover up his stealing some of the bank's money by starting a fire […]
[cover-up] {n.}, {slang}
A plan or excuse to escape blame or punishment; lie, alibi.
When the men robbed the bank, their cover-up was to dress like policemen.
Joe's cover-up to his mother after he had been fighting was that he fell down.
[cowboy] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
A person who drives his car carelessly and at too great a speed in order to show off his courage.
Joe's going to be arrested some day — he is a cowboy on the highway.
[cow college] {n.}, {slang}
1. An agricultural college; a school where farming is studied.
A new, bigger kind of apple is being grown at the cow college.
2. A new or rural college not thought to be as good as older or city colleges.
* /John […]
[cow's tail] {n.}, {dialect}
A person who is behind others.
John was the cow's tail at the exam.
Fred was always the old cow's tail for football practice.
[cozy up] {v.}, {slang}
To try to be close or friendly; try to be liked. — Usually used with "to".
John is cozying up to Henry so he can join the club.
[crack a book] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To open a book in order to study. — Usually used with a negative.
John did not crack a book until the night before the exam.
Many students think they can pass without cracking a book.
[crack a bottle] {v. phr.}
To open a new bottle of alcoholic beverage.
On birthdays it is customary to crack a bottle and offer one's best wishes.
[crack a joke] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To make a joke; tell a joke.
The men sat around the stove, smoking and cracking jokes.
[crack a smile] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To let a smile show on one's face; permit a smile to appear.
Bob told the whole silly story without even cracking a smile.
Scrooge was a gloomy man, who never cracked a smile.
* /When we gave the shy […]
[crack down] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To enforce laws or rules strictly; require full obedience to a rule.
After a speeding driver hit a child, the police cracked down.
- Often used with "on".
* /Police suddenly cracked down on the selling of […]
[crack of dawn] {n. phr.}
The time in the morning when the sun's rays first appear.
The rooster crows at the crack of dawn and wakes up everybody on the farm.
[cracked up] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Favorably described or presented; praised. — Usually used in the expression "not what it's cracked up to be".
The independent writer's life isn't always everything it's cracked up to be.
* /In bad weather, a […]
[crackpot] {n.}, {attrib. adj.}, {informal}
1. {n.}
An eccentric person with ideas that don't make sense to most other people.
Don't believe what Uncle Noam tells you — he is a crackpot.
2. {attrib. adj.}
That's a crackpot idea.
[crack the whip] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To get obedience or cooperation by threats of punishment.
If the children won't behave when I reason with them, I have to crack the whip.
[crack up] {v.}
1. To wreck or be wrecked; smash up.
The airplane cracked up in landing.
He cracked up his car.
2. {informal}
To become mentally ill under physical or mental overwork or worry.
* /He had kept too busy for years, and when […]
[cramp one's style] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To limit your natural freedom; prevent your usual behavior; limit your actions or talk.
He cramped his style a good deal when he lost his money.
Army rules cramped George's style.
[crash dive] {n.}
A sudden dive made by a submarine to escape an enemy; a dive made to get deep under water as quickly as possible.
The captain of the submarine told his crew to prepare for a crash dive when he saw the enemy battleship approaching.
[…]
[crash-dive] {v.}
1. To dive deep underwater in a submarine as quickly as possible.
We shall crash-dive if we see enemy planes coming.
2. To dive into (something) in an airplane.
* /When the plane's motor was hit by the guns of the enemy […]
[crash the gate] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To enter without a ticket or without paying; attend without an invitation or permission.
Bob got into the circus without paying. He crashed the gate.
* /Three boys tried to crash the gate at our party but we […]
[crazy] or [mad] or [nuts about] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Excessively fond of; infatuated with.
Jack is totally nuts about Liz, but she is not too crazy about him.
[cream of the crop] {n. phr.}
The best of a group; the top choice.
May Queen candidates were lovely, but Betsy and Nancy were the cream of the crop.
* /The students had drawn many good pictures and the teacher chose the cream of the crop to hang […]
[creature of habit] {n. phr.}
A person who does things out of habit rather than by thought.
Our boss is a creature of habit, so let us not confuse him with too many new ideas.
[credibility gap] {n.}, {hackneyed phrase}, {politics}
An apparent discrepancy between what the government says and what one can observe for oneself.
There was a tremendous credibility gap in the USA during the Watergate years.
[creep up on] {v.}
1. To crawl towards; move along near the ground; steal cautiously towards so as not to be seen or noticed.
The mouse did not see the snake creeping up on it over the rocks.
* /Indians were creeping up on the house through the […]
[crew cut] or [crew haircut] {n.}
A boy's or man's hair style, cut so that the hair stands up in short, stiff bristle.
Many boys like to get crew cuts during the summer to keep cooler.
[crocodile tears] {n.}
Pretended grief; a show of sorrow that is not really felt.
When his rich uncle died, leaving him his money, John shed crocodile tears.
(From the old legend that crocodiles make weeping sounds to attract victims and then shed […]
[crop out] {v.}
To appear at the surface; come through or show through from hiding or concealment.
Rocks often crop out in New England pasture land.
A hidden hate cropped out in his words.
[crop up] {v.}
To come without warning; appear or happen unexpectedly.
Problems cropped up almost every day when Mr. Reed was building his TV station.
* /Serious trouble cropped up just when Martin thought the problem of his college education was […]
[cross]
See:
[AT CROSS PURPOSES],
[CARRY ONE'S CROSS],
[DOUBLE CROSS],
[KEEP ONE'S FINGERS CROSSED] at [CROSS ONE'S FINGERS] (1b).
[cross a bridge before one comes to it] {v. phr.}
To worry about future events or trouble before they happen. — Usually used in negative sentences, often as a proverb.
* /"Can I be a soldier when I grow up, Mother?" asked Johnny. "Don't cross that […]
[cross-check] (1) {v.}
To test the truth of by examining in different ways or by seeing different reports about.
If you see something in a book that may not be true, be sure to crosscheck it in other books.
[cross-check] (2) {n.}
The testing of the truth of by checking one report against another or others.
A cross-check with other books will show us if this story is true.
[cross fire] {n.}
1. Firing in a fight or battle from two or more places at once so that the lines of fire cross.
The soldiers on the bridge were caught in the crossfire coming from both sides of the bridge.
2. Fast or angry talking back and forth […]
[cross one's fingers] {v. phr.}
1a. To cross two fingers of one hand for good luck.
Mary crossed her fingers during the race so that Tom would win.
1b. or [keep one's fingers crossed] {informal}
To wish for good luck.
* /Keep your fingers […]
[cross one's heart] or [cross one's heart and hope to die] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To say that what you have said is surely true; promise seriously that it is true. — Often used by children in the longer form. Children often make a sign of a cross over […]
[cross one's mind] or [pass through one's mind] {v. phr.}
To be a sudden or passing thought; be thought of by someone; come to your mind; occur to you.
* /At first Bob was puzzled by Virginia's waving, but then it crossed his mind that she was trying […]
[cross one's path] {v. phr.}
To meet or encounter someone; to come upon someone more by accident than by plan.
Surprisingly, I crossed John's path in Central Park one afternoon.
[cross street] {n.}
A street that crosses a main street and runs on both sides of it.
Elm Street is a cross street on Main Street and there is a traffic light there.
Compare: [THROUGH STREET].
[cross swords] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To have an argument with; fight. — Often used with "with".
Don't argue with the teacher; you're not old enough to cross swords with her.
[cross the wire] {v. phr.}
To finish a race.
The Russian crossed the wire just behind the American.
[cross up] {v.}, {informal}
1. To block or upset; throw into confusion or disorder.
We were going to catch him at the gate, but he crossed us up by going in the back way.
* /Father crossed up the surprise party we had planned for him by not […]
[crow before one is out of the woods] {v. phr.}
To be glad or brag before you are safe from danger or trouble. — Usually used in negative sentences, often as a proverb, "Don't crow before you are out of the woods."
* /John thought his team would win […]
[crown jewels] {n. pl.}
The crown, staff, and jewels used for the crowning of a king or queen; the crown and jewels representing royal power and authority.
The crown jewels are handed down from one king to the next when the new king is crowned.
[crux of the matter] {n. phr.}
The basic issue at hand; the core essence that one must face.
The crux of the matter is that he is incompetent and we will have to fire him.
[cry bloody murder] or [scream bloody murder] {v. phr.}
To bitterly and loudly complain against an indignity.
Pete cried bloody murder when he found out that he didn't get the promotion he was hoping for.
[cry before one is hurt] or [holler before one is hurt] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To complain when there is no reason for it; become upset because you are worried or afraid. — Used in negative sentences.
* /When Billy went to the barber, he began to cry […]
[cry buckets] {v. phr.}
To shed an excessive amount of tears.
Grandma is crying buckets over the loss of our cat.
[cry for] or [cry out for] {v.}, {informal}
To need badly; be lacking in.
It has not rained for two weeks and the garden is crying for it.
The school is crying out for good teachers.
[cry out] {v.}
1. To call out loudly; shout; scream.
The woman in the water cried out "Help!"
2. To complain loudly; protest strongly. — Used with "against".
Many people are crying out against the new rule.
[cry over spilled milk] or [cry over spilt milk] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To cry or complain about something that has already happened; be unhappy about something that cannot be helped.
* /After the baby tore up Sue's picture book, Sue's mother told her […]
[crystal ball] {n.}
A ball, usually made of quartz crystal (glass) that is used by fortune-tellers.
The fortune-teller at the fair looked into her crystal ball and told me that I would take a long trip next year.
2. Any means of predicting the […]
[crystal gazing] {n.}
The attempt to predict future events.
The magician's specialty was crystal gazing.
[cry wolf] {v. phr.}
To give a false alarm; warn of a danger that you know is not there.
The general said that the candidate was just crying wolf when he said that the army was too weak to fight for the country.
(From an old story about a shepherd […]
[cub scout] {n.}
A member of the Cub Scouts, the junior branch of the Boy Scouts for boys 8—10 years of age.
Jimmie is only seven, too young to be a Cub Scout.
[cue in] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To add new information to that which is already known.
Let's not forget to cue in Joe on what has been happening.
[culture vulture] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
A person who is an avid cultural sightseer, one who seeks out cultural opportunities ostentatiously, such as going to the opera or seeing every museum in a town visited, and brags about it.
* /Aunt Mathilda […]
[cup of tea] also [dish of tea] {n. phr.}, {informal}
1. Something you enjoy or do well at; a special interest, or favorite occupation. Used with a possessive.
You could always get him to go for a walk: hiking was just his cup of tea.
Compare: […]
[curb service] {n.}
Waiting on customers while they sit in their cars.
Families with small children often look for hamburger stands that offer curb service.
[curiosity killed the cat] {informal}
Getting too nosy may lead a person into trouble. — A proverb.
"Curiosity killed the cat," Fred's father said, when he found Fred hunting around in closets just before Christmas.
[curl one's hair] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To shock; frighten; horrify; amaze.
Wait till you read what it says about you — this'll curl your hair.
The movie about monsters from another planet curled his hair.
[curl up] {v.}
1a. To become curly or wavy.
Bacon curls up when it is cooked.
1b. To roll oneself into a ball.
Tim curled up in bed and was asleep in five minutes.
2. See: [FOLD UP].
[curry favor] {v.}
To flatter or serve someone to get his help or friendship.
Joe tried to curry favor with the new teacher by doing little services that she didn't really want.
* /Jim tried to curry favor with the new girl by telling her she was […]
[cut a class] {v. phr.}
To be truant; to deliberately miss a class and do something else instead.
"If you keep cutting classes the way you do, you will almost surely flunk this course," John's professor said to him.
[cut a figure] {v. phr.}
To make a favorable impression; carry off an activity with dignity and grace.
With his handsome face and sporty figure, Harry cuts quite a figure with all the ladies.
[cut across] {v.}
1. To cross or go through instead of going around; go a short way.
John didn't want to walk to the corner and turn, so he cut across the yard to the next street.
2. To go beyond to include; stretch over to act on; affect.
* […]
[cut-and-dried] {adj. phr.}
Decided or expected beforehand; following the same old line; doing the usual thing.
The decision of the judge was cut-and-dried.
The ways of the king's court were cut-and-dried.
* /People at the convention heard […]
[cut and run] {v.}, {informal}
To abandon an unfavorable situation.
When the price of coffee dropped sharply many investors wanted to cut and run.
[cut a swathe] {v. phr.}
1a. To mow a path through a field.
The farmer cut a swathe through the high grass with his scythe.
1b. To cut down as if by mowing.
The machine gun cut a swathe in the lines of enemy soldiers.
2. {informal}
To […]
[cut back] {v.}
1. To change direction suddenly while going at full speed.
The halfback started to his left, cut back to his right, and ran for a touchdown.
2. To use fewer or use less.
* /After the big job was finished, the builder cut back the […]
[cut back] {v. phr.}
To diminish; lessen; decrease (said of budgets).
The state had to cut back on the university budget.
[cutback] {n.}
An act of decreasing monetary sources.
The cutback in military spending has caused many bases to be closed.
[cut both ways] or [cut two ways] {v. phr.}
To have two effects; cause injury to both sides.
People who gossip find it cuts both ways.
[cut corners] {v. phr.}
1. To take a short way; not go to each corner.
He cut corners going home in a hurry.
2. To save cost or effort; manage in a thrifty way; be saving.
John's father asked him to cut corners all he could in college.
3. […]
[cut down] {v.}
To lessen; reduce; limit.
Tom had to cut down expenses.
The doctor told Mr. Jones to cut down on smoking.
[cut down to size] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To prove that someone is not as good as he thinks.
The big boy told John he could beat him, but John was a good boxer and soon cut him down to size.
Syn.: [PUT IN ONE'S PLACE].
[cut ice] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To make a difference; make an impression; be accepted as important. — Usually used in negative, interrogative, or conditional sentences.
When Frank had found a movie he liked, what others said cut no ice with him.
* […]
[cut in] {v.}
1. To force your way into a place between others in a line of cars, people, etc.; push in.
After passing several cars, Fred cut in too soon and nearly caused an accident.
- Often used with "on".
* /A car passed Jean and cut in on […]
[cut into] {v.}
1. To make less; reduce.
The union made the company pay higher wages, which cut into the profits.
The other houses got old and shabby, and that cut into the value of his house.
* /At first Smith led in votes, but more votes […]
[cut loose] {v.}
1. To free from ties or connections, cut the fastenings of.
The thief hastily cut the boat loose from its anchor.
Compare: [LET LOOSE] (1a).
2. {informal}
To break away from control; get away and be free.
* /The boy left home […]
[cut no ice] {v. phr.}
To have no effect; achieve no result; be insignificant.
The fact that the accused is a millionaire will cut no ice with this particular judge.
[cut off] {v.}
1. To separate or block.
The flood cut the townspeople off from the rest of the world.
The woods cut off the view.
His rudeness cuts him off from friends he might have.
2. To interrupt or stop.
* /The television show was […]
[cut off one's nose to spite one's face] {v. phr.}
To suffer from an action intended originally to harm another person.
* /In walking out and leaving his employer in the lurch, John really cut off his nose to spite his face, since no business wanted to […]
[cut offs] {n.}, {colloquial}
Pants cut to the length of shorts and usually left unhemmed so as to look old and worn, e.g., considered cool and elegant.
Jack always wears cut-offs during the summer.
[cut one's losses] {v. phr.}
To stop spending time, money, or energy on unprofitable projects and concentrate on what goes well.
"Just cut your losses, Jim," his father suggested, "and get on with the rest of your life."
[cut one's throat] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To spoil one's chances; ruin a person.
He cut his own throat by his carelessness.
The younger men in the company were cutting each other's throats in their eagerness to win success.
* /John cut […]
[cut out] (1) {v.}, {slang}
1. To stop; quit.
All right, now — let's cut out the talking.
He was teasing the dog and Joe told him to cut it out.
Compare: [BREAK UP] (3).
2. To displace in favor.
Tony cut Ed out with Mary.
* /John cut […]
[cut out] (2) {adj.}
1. Made ready; given for action; facing.
Mary agreed to stay with her teacher's children all day; she did not know what was cut out for her.
- Often used in the phrase "have one's work cut out for one."
* /If Mr. Perkins […]
[cut rate] (1) {n.}
A lower price; a price less than usual.
Toys are on sale at the store for cut rates.
[cut-rate] (2) {adj.}
Sold for a price lower than usual; selling cheap things.
If you buy cut-rate things, be sure they are good quality first.
John's brother bought a cut-rate bicycle at the second-hand store.
* /There is a cut-rate […]
[cut short] {v.}
To stop or interrupt suddenly; end suddenly or too soon.
Rain cut short the ball game.
An auto accident cut short the man's life.
* /When Dick began to tell about his summer vacation the teacher cut him short, saying "Tell us […]
[cut teeth] {v. phr.}
1. To have teeth grow out through the gums.
The baby was cross because he was cutting teeth.
2. or [cut eye teeth] {informal}
To learn something very early in life; gain experience; start by learning or doing. — Used with a […]
[cut the ground from under] {v. phr.} {informal}
To make (someone) fail; upset the plans of; spoil the argument for (a person) in advance.
* /Paul wanted to he captain but we cut the ground from under him by saying that Henry was the best player on the […]
[cut the mustard] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To do well enough in what needs to be done; to succeed.
His older brothers and sisters helped Max through high school, but he couldn't cut the mustard in college.
[cut-throat] {adj.}
Severe; intense; unrelenting.
There is cut-throat competition among the various software companies today.
[cut to pieces] {v. phr.}
1. To divide into small parts with something sharp; cut badly or completely.
Baby has cut the newspaper to pieces with scissors.
2. To destroy or defeat completely.
The soldiers were cut to pieces by the Indians.
* […]
[cut to the bone] {v. phr.}
To make (something) the least or smallest possible amount; reduce severely; leave out everything extra or unnecessary from.
Father cut Jane's allowance to the bone for disobeying him.
* /When father lost his job, our […]
[cut to the quick] {v. phr.}
To hurt someone's feelings deeply.
The children 's teasing cut Mary to the quick.
[cut up] {v.}
1. {informal}
To hurt the feelings of; wound. — Usually used in the passive.
John was badly cut up when Susie gave him back his ring.
2. {slang}
To act funny or rough; clown.
* /Joe would always cut up if there were any girls […]