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suitable. * /John was very rude at the party, and that was not in
character because he is usually very polite./ * /The way Judy
comforted the little girl was in character. She did it gently and
kindly./ 2. Suitable for the part or the kind of part being acted;
natural to the way a character in a book or play is supposed to act. *
/The fat actor in the movie was in character because the character he
played was supposed to be fat and jolly./ * /It would not have been in
character for Robin Hood to steal from a poor man./ Contrast: OUT OF
CHARACTER.
[in charge] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, 1. In authority or control; in a
position to care for or supervise; responsible. * /If you have any
questions, ask the boss. He's in charge./ 2. Under care or
supervision. * /The sick man was taken in charge by the doctor./ *
/During your visit to the library, you will be in the librarian's
charge./ Compare: TAKE CARE OF.
[in charge of] {prep.} 1. Responsible for; having supervision or
care of. * /Marian is in charge of selling tickets./ * /The girl in
charge of refreshments forgot to order the ice cream for the party./ *
/When our class had a play, the teacher put Harold in charge of the
stage curtain./ 2. or [in the charge of] Under the care or supervision
of. * /Mother puts the baby in the charge of the baby-sitter while she
is out./ * /The money was given in charge of Mr. Jackson for
safekeeping./
[in check] {adv. phr.} In a position where movement or action is
not allowed or stopped; under control; kept quiet or back. * /The boy
was too small to keep the big dog in check, and the dog broke away
from his leash./ * /The soldiers tried to keep the attacking Indians
in check until help came./ * /Mary couldn't hold her feelings in check
any longer and began to cry./
[in circles] See: IN A CIRCLE.
[in circulation] or [into circulation] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Going around and doing things as usual; joining what others are doing,
* /John broke his leg and was out of school for several weeks, but now
he is back in circulation again./ * /Mary's mother punished her by
stopping her from dating for two weeks, but then she got hack into
circulation./ Contrast: OUT OF CIRCULATION.
[inclined to] {adj. phr.} Having a tendency to; positively disposed
toward. * /I am inclined to fall asleep after a heavy meal./
[in clover] or [in the clover] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In
rich comfort; rich or successful; having a pleasant or easy life. *
/They live in clover because their father is rich./ * /When we finish
the hard part we'll be in the clover./ Compare: BED OF ROSES, LIFE OF
RILEY, LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG, ON EASY STREET.
[in cold blood] {adv. phr.} Without feeling or pity; in a purposely
cruel way; coolly and deliberately. * /The bank robbers planned to
shoot in cold blood anyone who got in their way./ * /The bandits
planned to murder in cold blood all farmers in the village by the
river./
[in command] {adv. phr.} In control of; in charge. * /Helen is in
command of the situation./
[in commission] or [into commission] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. On
duty or ready to be put on duty by a naval or military service; in
active service. * /The old battleship has been in commission for
twenty years./ * /It took many months to build the new bomber, and now
it is ready to be put into commission./ 2. In proper condition; in use
or ready for use; working; running. * /The wheel of my bicycle was
broken, but it is back in commission now./ Compare: IN ORDER(2).
Contrast: OUT OF COMMISSION(2).
[in common] {adv. phr.} Shared together or equally; in use or
ownership by all. * /Mr. and Mrs. Smith own the store in common./ *
/The four boys grew up together and have a lot in common./ * /The
swimming pool is used in common by all the children in the
neighborhood./ Compare: COMMON GROUND.
[in condition] See: IN SHAPE.
[in consequence] {adv. phr.} As a result; therefore; so. * /Jennie
got up late, and in consequence she missed the bus./ * /You studied
hard, and in consequence you passed the test./
[in consequence of] {prep.}, {formal} As a result of. * /In
consequence of the deep snow, school will not open today./ * /In
consequence of his promise to pay for the broken window, Bill was not
punished./ Compare: BECAUSE OF, ON ACCOUNT OF.
[in consideration of] {adv. phr.} 1. After thinking about and
weighing; because of. * /iN consideration of the boy's young age, the
judge did not put him in jail for carrying a gun./ 2. In exchange for;
because of; in payment for. * /In consideration of the extra work Joe
had done, his boss gave him an extra week's pay./ Compare: IN RETURN.
[in days] or [weeks] or [years to come] {adv. phr.} In the future.
* /In the years to come I will be thinking of my father's advice about
life./
[in deep] {adj. phr.} Seriously mixed up in something, especially
trouble. * /George began borrowing small sums of money to bet on
horses, and before he knew it he was in deep./ Compare: DEEP WATER, UP
TO THE CHIN IN.
[in deep water] See: DEEP WATER.
[in defiance of] {prep.} Acting against; in disobedience to. * /The
girl chewed gum in defiance of the teacher's rule./ * /Bob stayed up
late in defiance of the coach's orders./
[in demand] {adj. phr.} Needed; wanted. * /Men to shovel snow were
in demand after the snow storm./ * /The book about dogs was much in
demand in the library./
[Indian] See: CIGAR-STORE INDIAN.
[Indian giver] {n. phr.} A person who gives one something, but
later asks for it back. - An ethnic slur; avoidable. * /John gave me a
beautiful fountain pen, but a week later, like an Indian giver, he
wanted it back./
[Indian sign] {n.}, {informal} A magic spell that is thought to
bring bad luck; curse; jinx; hoo-doo. - Used with "the", usually after
"have" or "with"; and often used in a joking way. * /Bill is a good
player, but Ted has the Indian sign on him and always beats him./ *
/Father says that he always wins our checker games because he has put
the Indian sign on me, but I think he is joking./ Compare: GET ONE'S
NUMBER.
[Indian summer] {n. phr.} A dry and warm period of time late in the
fall, usually in October. * /After the cold and foggy weather, we had
a brief Indian summer, during which the temperature was up in the high
seventies./
[in dispute] {adj. phr.} Disagreed about; being argued. * /The
penalty ordered by the referee was in dispute by one of the teams./ *
/Everyone in the clans wanted to say something about the subject in
dispute./
[in doubt] {adv. phr.} In the dark; having some question or
uncertainty. * /When in doubt about any of the words you're using,
consult a good dictionary./
[in due course] or [in due season] or [in due time] See: IN GOOD
TIME(2).
[in due season] or [in due time] See: IN GOOD TIME.
[industrial park] {n.} A complex of industrial buildings and/or
businesses usually located far from the center of a city in a setting
especially landscaped to make such buildings look better. * /The
nearest supermarket that sells car tires is at the industrial park
twenty miles from downtown./
[in Dutch] {adj. phr.}, {slang} In trouble. * /George got in Dutch
with his father when he broke a window./ * /John was in Dutch with his
mother because he tore his new jacket./
[in earnest] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Seriously; in a determined way.
* /The beaver was building his dam in earnest./ * /Bill did his
homework in earnest./ - Often used like a predicate adjective.
Sometimes used with "dead", for emphasis. * /Betty's friends thought
she was joking when she said she wanted to be a doctor, but she was in
dead earnest./
[in effect] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. The same in meaning or result.
* /The teacher gave the same assignment, in effect, that she gave
yesterday./ * /Helping your mother with the dishes is in effect
earning your allowance./ 2. Necessary to obey; being enforced. * /The
coach says that players must be in bed by midnight, and that rule is
in effect tonight./ Syn.: IN FORCE.
[in effigy] See: HANG IN EFFIGY or BURN IN EFFIGY.
[in error] {adv. phr.} Wrong; mistaken. * /You were in error when
you assumed that he would wait for us./
[in evidence] {adj. phr.} Easily seen; noticeable. * /The little
boy's measles were very much in evidence./ * /The tulips were
blooming; spring was in evidence./
[in fact] also [in point of fact] {adv. phr.} Really truthfully. -
Often used for emphasis. * /No one believed it but, in fact, Mary did
get an A on her book report./ * /It was a very hot day; in fact, it
was 100 degrees./ Compare: MATTER OF FACT.
[in favor of] {prep.} On the side of; in agreement with, *
/Everyone in the class voted in favor of the party./ * /Most girls are
in favor of wearing lipstick./ Compare: IN BACK OF(2).
[in fear and trembling] See: FEAR AND TREMBLING.
[in fear of] {adj. phr.} Fearful of; afraid of. * /They live so
close to the border that they are constantly in fear of an enemy
attack./
[in for] {prep.}, {informal} Unable to avoid; sure to get. * /The
naughty puppy was in for a spanking./ * /On Christmas morning we are
in for some surprises./ * /We saw Father looking angrily out of the
broken window, and we knew we were in for it./ Compare: HAVE IT IN
FOR.
[in force] {adj. phr.} 1. To be obeyed. * /New times for eating
meals are now in force./ Syn.: IN EFFECT. 2. In a large group. *
/People went to see the parade in force./ Syn.: EN MASSE.
[in front of] prep. Ahead of; before. * /The rabbit was running in
front of the dog./ * /A big oak tree stood in front of the building./
Contrast: IN BACK OF(1).
[in full swing] {adj. phr.} Actively going on; in full action. *
/The Valentine party was in full swing./ * /All of the children were
planting seeds; the gardening project was in full swing./
[in fun] See: FOR FUN.
[in general(1)] {adv. phr.} Usually; very often. * /In general,
mother makes good cookies./ * /The weather in Florida is warm in
general./ Compare: ON THE WHOLE(2).
[in general(2)] {adj. phr.} Most; with few exceptions. * /Women in
general like to shop for new clothes./ * /Boys in general like active
sports more than girls do./ Contrast: IN PARTICULAR.
[in glass houses] See: PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT
THROW STONES.
[in good] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Well liked; accepted. - Used with
"with". * /The boy washed the blackboards so that he would get in good
with Iris teacher./ * /Although Tom was younger, he was in good with
the older boys./ Compare: ON ONE'S GOOD SIDE. Contrast: IN BAD.
[in good faith] See: GOOD FAITH.
[in good form] Contrast: IN BAD FORM.
[in good season] See: IN GOOD TIME.
[in good stead] See: STAND IN GOOD STEAD.
[in good time] or [in good season] {adv. phr.} 1. A little early;
sooner than necessary. * /The school bus arrived in good time./ * /The
students finished their school work in good time./ * /We reached the
station in good season to catch the 9:15 bus for New York./ 2. or [in
due course] or [in due season] or [in due time] In the usual amount of
time; at the right time; in the end. * /Spring and summer will arrive
in due course./ * /Sally finished her spelling in due course./
[in great measure] {adv. phr.} To a great extent; largely. * /The
Japanese attack on Hawaii was in great measure a contributing factor
to President Roosevelt's decision to enter World War II./ Compare: TO
A LARGE EXTENT.
[in half] {adv. phr.} 1. Into two equal parts. * /The ticket taker
at the football game tore the tickets in half./ * /Mother cut the
apple in half so each child could have an equal share./ Syn.: IN TWO.
2. To half the size before; to one half as big. * /As a punishment,
Father cut Bob's allowance in half./
[in hand] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Under control. * /The principal
was happy to find that the new teacher had her class in hand./ * /The
baby-sitter kept the children well in hand./ * /Mabel was frightened
when the barking dog ran at her, but she soon got herself in hand and
walked on./ Contrast: OUT OF HAND. 2. In your possession; with you. -
Often used in the phrase "cash in hand". * /Tom figured that his cash
in hand with his weekly pay would be enough to buy a car./ Compare: ON
HAND. 3. Being worked on; with you to do. * /We should finish the work
we have in hand before we begin something new./
[in honor of] {prep.} As an honor to; for showing respect or thanks
to. * /We celebrate Mother's Day in honor of our mothers./ * /The city
dedicated a monument in honor of the general./
[in hopes] {adj. phr.} Hopeful; hoping. * /The Mayor was in hopes
of having a good day for the parade./ * /Mother was in hopes that the
cake would be good to eat./
[in horror] See: THROW UP ONE'S HANDS IN HORROR.
[in hot water] See: HOT WATER.
[in] or [into orbit] {adj. phr.} Thrilled; exuberantly happy; in
very high spirits. * /When Carol won the lottery she went right into
orbit./
[in] or [into the clear] {adj. phr.} Free; cleared of all
responsibility and guilt. * /Because of the new evidence found, Sam is
still in the clear, but Harry is still behind bars./
[in] or [into the doldrums] {adj. phr.} Inactive; sluggish;
depressed. * /The news of our factory's going out of business put all
of us in the doldrums./
[in] or [into the limelight] {adj. phr.} In the center of
attention. * /Some people will do almost anything to be able to step
into the limelight./ Compare: IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
[in itself] See: END IN ITSELF.
[injury] See: ADD INSULT TO INJURY.
[in keeping] {adj. phr.} Going well together; agreeing; similar. *
/Mary's hair style was in keeping with the latest fashion./ * /Having
an assembly on Friday morning was in keeping with the school program./
Contrast: OUT OF KEEPING.
[in kind] {adv. phr.} In a similar way; with the same kind of
thing. * /My neighbor pays me in kind for walking her dog./ * /Low
returned Mary's insult in kind./
[in knots] See: TIE IN KNOTS.
[in league with] or {informal} [in cahoots with] {prep.} In secret
agreement or partnership with (someone); working together secretly
with, especially for harm. * /People once believed that some women
were witches in league with the devil./ * /The mayor's enemies spread
a rumor that he was in cahoots with gangsters./
[in left field] See: OUT IN LEFT FIELD.
[in lieu of] See: INSTEAD OF.
[in light of] also [in the light of] {adj. phr.} 1. As a result of
new information; by means of new ideas. * /The teacher changed John's
grade in the light of the extra work in the workbook./ 2. Because of.
* /In light of the muddy field, the football team wore their old
uniforms./ Syn.: IN VIEW OF.
[in line(1)] {adv. phr.} In or into a straight line. * /The boys
stood in line to buy their tickets./ * /Tom set the chairs in line
along the wall./ * /The carpenter put the edges of the boards in
line./
[in line(2)] {adj. phr.} 1. In a position in a series or after
someone else. * /John is in line for the presidency of the club next
year./ * /Mary is fourth in line to be admitted to the sorority./ 2.
Obeying or agreeing with what is right or usual; doing or being what
people expect or accept; within ordinary or proper limits. * /The
coach kept the excited team in line./ * /When the teacher came back
into the room, she quickly brought the class back in line./ * /The
government passed a new law to keep prices in line./ Compare: IN HAND.
Contrast: OUT OF LINE.
[in line with] {prep.} In agreement with. * /Behavior at school
parties must be in line with school rules./ * /In line with the custom
of the school, the students had a holiday between Christmas and New
Year's Day./
[in love] {adj. phr.} Liking very much; loving. * /John is in love
with Helen./ * /Tom and Ellen arc in love./ * /Mary is in love with
her new wristwatch./
[in luck] {adj. phr.} Being lucky; having good luck; finding
something good by chance. * /Bill was in luck when he found the money
on the street./ * /Mary dropped her glasses and they did not break.
She was in luck./
[in memory of] {prep.} As something that makes people remember (a
person or thing); as a reminder of; as a memorial to. * /The building
was named Ford Hall in memory of a man named James Ford./ * /Many
special ceremonies are in memory of famous men./
[in midair] See: UP IN THE AIR(2).
[in mind] {adv. phr.} 1. In the center of your thought; in your
close attention. * /You have to be home by 11 o'clock. Keep that in
mind, Bob./ * /Mary is studying hard with a good grade in mind./ *
/Bear in mind the rules of safety when you swim./ Compare: ON ONE'S
MIND. 2. See: PUT IN MIND OF.
[in mint condition] {adj. phr.} Excellent; as good as new. *
/Grandma seldom uses her car; it is already ten years old, but it is
still in mint condition./
[in my book] See: BY MY BOOK.
[in name] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Having a title, but not really
doing what someone with the title is expected to do. * /The old man is
a doctor in name only. He does not have patients now./ * /He was the
captain of the team in name only./
[in need of] {adj. phr.} Destitute; lacking something. * /The young
girl is so ill that she is seriously in need of medical attention./
[inner city] {n.}, {colloquial} Densely populated neighborhoods in
large metropolitan areas inhabited by low income families usually of
minority backgrounds, such as Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, or African
Americans; characterized by slums and government-owned high rises. *
/Joe comes from the inner city - he may need help with his reading./
[in nothing flat] See: IN NO TIME.
[in no time] or [in nothing flat] {adv. phr.}, {informal} In a very
little time; soon; quickly. * /When the entire class worked together
they finished the project in no time./ * /The bus filled with students
in nothing flat./
[in no uncertain terms] See: IN SO MANY WORDS(2).
[in on] {prep.} 1. Joining together for. * /The children collected
money from their classmates and went in on a present for their
teacher./ 2. Told about; having knowledge of. * /Bob was in on the
secret./ * /The other girls wouldn't let Mary in on what they knew./
[in one ear and out the other] See: GO IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE
OTHER.
[in one fell swoop] or [at one fell swoop] {adv. phr.} 1.
{literary} In one attack or accident; in one bad blow. * /The
millionaire lost his money and his friends at one fell swoop./ 2. At
one time; at the same time. * /Three cars drove into the driveway, and
Mrs. Crane's dinner guests all arrived at one fell swoop./
[in one's bad graces] {adj. phr.} Not approved by; not liked by. *
/John was in his mother's bad graces because he spilled his milk on
the tablecloth./ * /Don got in the bad graces of the teacher by
laughing at her hat./ Compare: DOWN ON, IN BAD, OUT OF FAVOR.
Contrast: IN ONE S GOOD GRACES.
[in one's behalf] or [on one's behalf] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1.
For someone else; in your place. * /My husband could not be here
tonight, but I want to thank you on his behalf./ 2. For the good of
another person or group; as a help to someone. * /My teacher went to
the factory and spoke in my behalf when I was looking for a job./
Compare: IN BEHALF OF, ON ONE'S ACCOUNT.
[in one's blood] or [into one's blood] {adv. phr.} Agreeing
perfectly with one's sympathies, feelings, and desires. * /Living in a
warm section of the country gets in your blood./ * /The woods got into
Jim's blood./ Contrast: OUT OF ONE'S BLOOD.
[in one's bones] See: FEEL IN ONE'S BONES.
[in one's boots] See: DIE IN ONE'S BOOTS or DIE WITH ONE'S BOOTS
ON, IN ONE'S SHOES also IN ONE'S BOOTS.
[in one's craw] or [in one's crop] See: STICK IN ONE'S CRAW or
STICK IN ONE'S CROP.
[in one's cups] {adj. phr.}, {literary} Drunk. * /The man was in
his cups and talking very loudly./
[in one's element] {adv. phr.} 1. In one's natural surroundings. *
/The deep-sea fish is in his element in deep ocean water./ 2. Where
you can do your best. * /John is in his element working on the farm./
Compare: AT HOME 2. Contrast: OUT OF ONE'S ELEMENT.
[in one's face] {adv. phr.} 1. Against your face. * /The trick
cigar blew up in the clown's face./ * /A cold wind was in our faces as
we walked to school./ 2. In front of you. * /The maid slammed the door
in the salesman's face./ * /I told the boys that they were wrong, but
they laughed in my face./ Compare: IN THE FACE OF, THROW SOMETHING IN
ONE'S FACE, TO ONE'S FACE, UNDER ONE'S NOSE.
[in one's favor] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} In a way that is good for
you. * /Both teams claimed the point, but the referee decided in our
favor./ * /Bob made good grades in high school, and that was in his
favor when he looked for a job./ Compare: COME ONE'S WAY.
[in one's footsteps] See: FOLLOW IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS.
[in one's glory] {adj. phr.} Pleased and contented with yourself. *
/When John won the race, he was in his glory./ * /Tom is very vain,
and praise puts him in his glory./
[in one's good books] See: IN ONE'S GOOD GRACES.
[in one's good graces] or [in one's good books] {adv. phr.}
Approved of by you; liked by someone. * /Ruth is in her mother's good
graces because she ate all her supper./ * /Bill is back in the good
graces of his girlfriend because he gave her a box of candy./ Compare:
IN GOOD. Contrast: IN ONE'S BAD GRACES.
[in one's grave] See: TURN IN ONE'S GRAVE or TURN OVER IN ONE'S
GRAVE.
[in one's hair] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Bothering you again and
again; always annoying. * /Johnny got in Father's hair when he was
trying to read the paper by running and shouting./ * /The grown-ups
sent the children out to play so that the children wouldn't be in
their hair while they were talking./ Compare: GIVE A HARD TIME, IN
ONE'S WAY. Contrast: OUT OF ONE'S HAIR.
[in one's hands] See: TAKE ONE'S LIFE IN ONE'S HANDS.
[in one's heart of hearts] {adv. phr.} Deep down where it really
matters; in one's innermost feelings. * /In my heart of hearts, I
think you're the nicest person in the whole world./
[in one's mind's eye] {adv. phr.} In the memory; in the
imagination. * /In his mind's eye he saw again the house he had lived
in when he was a child./ * /In his mind's eye, he could see just what
the vacation was going to be like./
[in one's mouth] See: BUTTER WOULDN'T MELT IN ONE'S MOUTH, MELT IN
ONE'S MOUTH.
[in one's own juice] See: STEW IN ONE'S OWN JUICE.
[in one's right mind] {adj. phr.} Accountable; sane and sober. *
/If you were in your right mind, you wouldn't be saying such stupid
things to our boss./
[in one's shell] or [into one's shell] {adv.} or {adj. phr.},
{informal} In or into bashfulness; into silence; not sociable;
unfriendly. * /After Mary's mother scolded her, she went into her
shell./ * /The teacher tried to get Rose to talk to her, but she
stayed in her shell./ Contrast: OUT OF ONE'S SHELL.
[in one's shoes] also [in one's boots] {adv. phr.} In or into one's
place or position. * /How would you like to be in a lion tamer's
boots?/ Compare: PUT ONESELF IN ANOTHER'S PLACE, STEP INTO ONE'S
SHOES.
[in one's sleeve] See: UP ONE'S SLEEVE.
[in one's tracks] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. Just where one is at
the moment; abruptly; immediately. * /The hunter's rifle cracked and
the rabbit dropped in his tracks./ * /Mary stopped dead in her tracks,
turned around, and ran back home./ Syn.: ON THE SPOT(1), THEN AND
THERE. 2. See: FOLLOW IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS.
[in one's way] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Within reach; likely to be
met; before you. * /The chance to work for a printer was put in my
way./ Compare: PUT IN THE WAY OF. 2. or [in the way] In your path as a
hindrance; placed so as to block the way. * /Fred tried to get to the
door, but the table was in the way./ * /A tree had fallen across the
street and was in Jim's way as he drove./ * /Mary tried to clean the
house, but the baby was always in the way./
[in order] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In arrangement; in the proper
way of following one another. * /Come to my desk in alphabetical order
as I call your names./ * /Line up and walk to the door in order./ *
/Name all the presidents in order./ Compare: IN TURN. 2. In proper
condition. * /The car was in good working order when I bought it./ *
/The club leader looked at the club treasurer's records of money
collected and spent, and found them all in order./ Compare: IN
COMMISSION(2), PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER. 3. Following the rules;
proper; suitable. * /Is it in order to ask the speaker questions at
the meeting?/ * /At the end of a program, applause for the performers
is in order./ Compare: IN PLACE. Contrast: OUT OF ORDER. 4. See: PUT
ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER or SET ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER.
[in order that] See: SO THAT(1).
[in order to] or [so as to] {conj.} For the purpose of; to. - Used
with an infinitive. * /In order to follow the buffalo, the Indians
often had to move their camps./ * /We picked apples so as to make a
pie./ Compare: SO THAT.
[in part] {adv. phr.} To some extent; partly; not wholly. - Often
used with "large" or "small". * /We planted the garden in pan with
flowers. But in large part we planted vegetables./ * /Tom was only in
small part responsible./
[in particular] {adv. phr.} In a way apart from others; more than
others; particularly; especially. * /The speaker talked about sports
in general and about football In particular./ * /All the boys played
well and Bill in particular./ * /Margaret liked all her classes, but
she liked sewing class in particular./ Contrast: IN GENERAL.
[in passing] {adv. phr.} While talking about that subject; as extra
information; also. * /Our teacher showed us different kinds of flowers
and told us in passing that those flowers came from her garden./ *
/The writer of the story says he grew up in New York and mentions in
passing that his parents came from Italy./ Compare: BY THE WAY.
[in person] also [in the flesh] {adv. phr.} Yourself; personally. *
/A TV actor appeared in person today in school./ * /The governor
cannot march in the parade in person today, but his wife wilt march./
Compare: FACE-TO-FACE(2). Contrast: INSTEAD OF.
[in place(1)] {adv. phr.} 1a. In the right or usual place or
position. * /Nothing is in place after the earthquake. Even trees and
houses are turned over./ * /The picture is not in place on the wall.
It is crooked./ 1b. In one place. * /Our first exercise in gym class
was running in place./ 2. In proper order. * /Stay in place in line,
children./ Compare: IN ORDER. Contrast: OUT OF PLACE.
[in place(2)] {adj. phr.} In the right place or at the right time;
suitable; timely. * /A dog is not in place in a church./ * /Linda
wondered if it would be in place to wish the bride good luck after the
wedding./ Compare: IN ORDER(1). Contrast: OUT OF PLACE.
[in place of] See: INSTEAD OF.
[in plain English] {adv. phr.} Plainly; simply; in clear language.
* /Stop healing around the bush and saying that John "prevaricates";
in plain English he is a liar./
[in poor shape] {adv. phr.} In a bad condition. * /Most of the
streets of Chicago are in poor shape due to the heavy snow and frost
during the winters./
[in practice(1)] also [into practice] {adv. phr.} In actual doing.
* /The idea sounds good but will it work in practice?/ * /It is easy
to say that we will he good. It is harder to put the saying into
practice./
[in practice(2)] {adj. phr.} In proper condition to do something
well through practice. * /A pianist gets his fingers in practice by
playing scales./ * /An ice-skater keeps in practice by skating every
day./ Compare: IN SHAPE. Contrast: OUT OF PRACTICE.
[in print] {adj. phr.} Obtainable in printed form from a printer or
publisher; printed. * /The author has finished writing his book but it
is not yet in print./ * /The story of the students' trip to Washington
appeared in print in the newspaper./ * /It is a very old book and no
longer in print./ Contrast: OUT OF PRINT.
[in private] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Not openly or in public; apart
from others; confidentially; secretly. * /Mr. Jones waited until they
were home in private before he punished his son./ * /The teacher told
Susan that she wanted to talk to her in private after class./ Compare:
IN SECRET. Contrast: IN PUBLIC.
[in progress] {adj. phr.} Going ahead; being made or done;
happening. * /Plans are in progress to build a new school next year./
* /A dog ran out on the playing field while the game was in progress./
Contrast: IN CHECK.
[in public] {adv. phr.} 1. In a place open to the people; in such a
way that the public may see, hear, or know; not secretly; openly. *
/Two boys down the street are dancing in public for pennies./ *
/Actors are used to appearing in public./ * /The mayor has told his
friends that he is sick but will not admit it in public./ Contrast: IN
PRIVATE. 2. See: AIR ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC or WASH ONE'S DIRTY
LINEN IN PUBLIC.
[in question] {adj. phr.} 1. In doubt; in dispute; being argued
about or examined. * /I know Bill would he a good captain for the
team. That is not in question. But does he want to be captain?/
Contrast: BEYOND QUESTION. 2. Under discussion; being talked or
thought about. * /The girls in question are not in school today./ *
/On the Christmas Day in question, we could not go to Grandmother's
house, as we do every year./
[in quest of] See: IN SEARCH OF.
[in reason] {adv. phr.}, {formal} Following the rules of reasoning;
sensibly; reasonably. * /One cannot in reason doubt that freedom is
better than slavery./
[in reference to] or [with reference to] or [in regard to ] or
[with regard to] {prep.} In connection with; from the standpoint of;
concerning; regarding; about. * /I am writing with reference to your
last letter./ * /He spoke in reference to the Boy Scouts./ * /I spoke
to him with regard to his low marks./ * /In regard to the test
tomorrow, it is postponed./ Compare: IN RELATION TO, IN RESPECT TO.
[in regard to] See: IN REFERENCE TO.
[in relation to] or [with relation to] {prep.} In connection with;
in dealing with; as concerns; in comparison to; respecting; about. *
/Father spoke about school in relation to finding a job when we are
older./ * /What did you say in relation to what happened yesterday?/ *
/With relation to his job, skill is very important./ * /In relation to
Texas, Rhode Island is quite a small state./ Compare: IN REFERENCE TO,
IN RESPECT TO.
[in respect to] or [with respect to] In connection with; related
to, about; on. * /The teacher told stories about Washington and
Lincoln in respect to the importance of being honest./ * /In respect
to your visit with us, we hope you can come before September./ *
/There was no shortage in respect to food./ Compare: AS TO, IN
REFERENCE TO, IN RELATION TO.
[in return] {adv. phr.} In order to give back something; as
payment; in recognition or exchange. - Often used with "for". * /Bud
gave me his knife and I gave him marbles in return./ * /The lady
helped Mother when she was sick and in return Mother often invited her
to dinner./ * /How much did John give you in return for your bicycle?/
* /I hit him in return for the time he hit me./ * /I wrote Dad a
letter and got a package in return./
[in reverse] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} In a backward direction;
backward. * /John hit the tree behind him when he put the car in
reverse without looking first./ * /The first of the year Bob did well
in school but then he started moving in reverse./
[in round figures] {adv. phr.} As an estimated number; as a
rounded-off figure containing no decimals or fractions. * /Skip the
cents and just tell me in round figures how much this car repair will
cost./
[in round numbers] See: IN ROUND FIGURES.
[ins and outs] {n. phr.} The special ways of going somewhere or
doing something; the different parts. * /The janitor knows all the ins
and outs of the big school building./ * /Jerry's father is a good life
insurance salesman; he knows all the ins and outs of the business./
[in search of] or {literary} [in quest of] {prep.} Seeking or
looking for; in pursuit of. * /Many men went West in search of gold./
* /The hunter stayed in the woods all day in quest of game./ * /We
looked everywhere in search of our dog./
[in season] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. {literary} At the proper or
best time. * /Fred's father told him that he was not old enough yet
but that he would learn to drive in season./ 2a. At the right or
lawful time for hunting or catching. * /Deer will be in season next
week./ * /In spring we'll go fishing when trout are in season./ 2b. At
the right time or condition for using, eating, or marketing; in a ripe
or eatable condition. * /Christmas trees will be sold at the store in
season./ * /Native tomatoes will be in season soon./ * /Oysters are in
season during the "R" months./ Compare: IN GOOD TIME. Contrast: OUT OF
SEASON.
[in secret] {adv. phr.} In a private or secret way; in a hidden
place. * /The miser buried his gold in secret and no one knows where
it is./ * /The robbers went away in secret after dark./ Compare: IN
PRIVATE.
[in shape] or [in condition] {adj. phr.} In good condition; able to
perform well. * /The football team will he in shape for the first game
of the season./ * /Mary was putting her French in shape for the lest./
Compare: IN PRACTICE. Contrast: OUT OF SHAPE.
[in short] See: IN BRIEF.
[in short order] {adv. phr.} Without delay; quickly. * /Johnny got
ready in short order after his father said that he could come to the
ball game if he was ready in time./
[in short supply] {adj. phr.} Not enough; in too small a quantity
or amount; in less than the amount or number needed. * /The cookies
are in short supply, so don't eat them all up./ * /We have five people
and only four beds, so the beds are in short supply./
[inside] See: STEP INSIDE.
[inside and out] See: INS AND OUTS, INSIDE OUT(2).
[inside of] {prep.} In; within; on or in an inside part of; not
beyond; before the end of. * /There is a broom inside of the closet./
* /There is a label on the inside of the box./ * /Hand your papers in
to me inside of three days./ Contrast: OUTSIDE OF.
[inside out] {adv.} 1. So that the inside is turned outside. *
/Mother turns the stockings inside out when she washes them./ 2. or
[inside and out] also [in and out] In every part; throughout;
completely. * /David knows the parts of his bicycle inside out./ * /We
searched the house inside and out for the kitten./ Compare: BACKWARDS
AND FORWARDS, INS AND OUTS, THROUGH AND THROUGH.
[inside track] {n. phr.} 1. The inside, shortest distance around a
curved racetrack; the place that is closest to the inside fence. * /A
big white horse had the inside track at the start of the race./ 2.
{informal} An advantage due to special connections or information. *
/I would probably get that job if I could get the inside track./
[insofar as ] {conj.} To the extent that; to the point that; as
much as. * /You will learn your lessons only insofar as you are
willing to keep studying them./
[in so many words] {adv. phr.} 1. In those exact words. * /He
hinted that he thought we were foolish but did not say so in so many
words./ 2. or [in no uncertain terms] In an outspoken way; plainly;
directly. * /I told him in so many words that he was crazy./ * /Bob
was very late for their date, and Mary told Bob in no uncertain terms
what she thought of him./ Compare: WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE.
[in someone else's shoes] See: IN ONE'S SHOES.
[insomuch as] See: INASMUCH AS.
[in spite of] {prep. phr.} Against the influence or effect of; in
opposition to; defying the effect of; despite. * /In spite of the bad
storm John delivered his papers on time./ * /In spite of all their
differences, Joan and Ann remain friends./
[instance] See: FOR EXAMPLE or FOR INSTANCE.
[in state] See: LIE IN STATE.
[instead of] or [in place of] also {formal} [in lieu of] {prep.} In
the place of; in substitution for; in preference to; rather than. * /I
wore mittens instead of gloves./ * /The grown-ups had coffee but the
children wanted milk in place of coffee./ * /The boys went fishing
instead of going to school./ * /The Vice-President talked at the
meeting in place of the President, because the President was sick./ *
/The magician appeared on the program in lieu of a singer./ Compare:
IN PERSON.
[in step] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. With the left or right foot
stepping at the same time as another's or to the beat of music; in
matching strides with another person or persons. * /The long line of
soldiers marched all in step: Left, right! Left, right!/ * /Johnny
marched behind the band in step to the music./ 2. In agreement;
abreast. - Often followed by "with". * /Mary wanted to stay in step
with her friends and have a doll too./ Contrast: OUT OF STEP.
[in stitches] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Laughing so hard that the
sides ache; in a fit of laughing hard. * /The comedian was so funny
that he had everyone who was watching him in stitches./
[in stock] {adj. phr.} Having something ready to sell dr use; in
present possession or supply; to be sold. * /The store had no more red
shoes in stock, so Mary chose brown ones instead./ Compare: IN STORE,
ON HAND. Contrast: OUT OF STOCK.
[in store] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Saved up in case of need; ready
for use or for some purpose. * /If the electricity goes off, we have
candles in store in the closet./ * /The squirrel has plenty of nuts in
store for the winter./ Compare: IN RESERVE, IN STOCK, ON HAND. 2.
Ready to happen; waiting. - Often used in the phrase "hold in store"
or "have in store". * /What does the future hold in store for the boy
who ran away?/ * /There is a surprise in store for Helen when she gets
home./
[in stride] See: TAKE IN STRIDE.
[in substance] {adv. phr.} In important facts; in the main or basic
parts; basically; really. * /In substance the weather report said that
it will be a nice day tomorrow./ * /The two cars are the same in
substance, except one is red and the other is red and white./
[insult] See: ADD INSULT TO INJURY.
[intent] See: TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.
[in terms of] {prep.} 1. In the matter of; on the subject of;
especially about; about. * /He spoke about books in terms of their
publication./ * /What have you done in terms affixing the house?/ *
/The children ate a great many hot dogs at the party. In terms of
money, they ate $20 worth./ 2. As to the amount or number of. * /We
swam a great distance. In terms of miles, it was three./
[in that] {conj.} For the reason that; because. * /I like the city,
but I like the country better in that I have more friends in the
country./
[in the air] {adv. phr.} 1. In everyone's thoughts. * /Christmas
was in the air for weeks before./ * /The war filled people's thoughts
every day; it was in the air./ Compare: IN THE WIND. 2. Meeting the
bodily senses; surrounding you so as to be smelled or felt. * /Spring
is in the air./ * /Rain is in the air./ 3. See: LEAVE HANGING, UP IN
THE AIR.
[in the back] See: STAB IN THE BACK.
[in the bag] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Sure to be won or gotten;
certain. * /Jones had the election in the bag after the shameful news
about his opponent came out./ * /We thought we had the game in the
bag./ Compare: SEWED UP.
[in the balance] See: HANG IN THE BALANCE.
[in the bargain] or [into the bargain] {adv. phr.} In addition;
besides; also. * /Frank is a teacher, and an artist into the bargain./
* /The heat failed, and then the roof began to leak in the bargain./
Compare: TO BOOT, FOR GOOD MEASURE.
[in the black] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In a successful or
profitable way; so as to make money. * /The big store was running in
the black./ * /A business must stay in the black to keep on./
Contrast: IN THE RED.
[in the blood] See: RUN IN THE BLOOD or RUN IN THE FAMILY.
[in the bud] See: NIP IN THE BUD.
[in the can] {adj.}, {slang}, {movie jargon} Ready; finished;
completed; about to be duplicated and distributed to exhibitors. * /No
sneak previews until it's all in the can!/ * /Once my book's in the
can, I'll go for a vacation./
[in the cards] also [on the cards] {adj. phr.}, {informal} To be
expected; likely to happen; foreseeable; predictable. * /It was in the
cards for the son to succeed his father as head of the business./ *
/John finally decided that it wasn't in the cards for him to succeed
with that company./
[in the charge of] See: IN CHARGE OF(2).
[in the chips] {slang} or {informal} [in the money] {adj. phr.}
Having plenty of money; prosperous; rich. * /After his rich uncle
died, Richard was in the chips./ * /After years of struggle and
dependence, air transportation is in the money./ Compare: ON EASY
STREET, WELL-TO-DO.
[in the circumstances] See: UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
[in the clear] {adj. phr.} 1. Free of anything that makes moving or
seeing difficult; with nothing to limit action. * /The plane climbed
above the clouds and was flying in the clear./ * /Jack passed the ball
to Tim, who was in the clear and ran for a touchdown./ 2. {informal}
Free of blame or suspicion; not thought to be guilty. * /After John
told the principal that he broke the window, Martin was in the clear./
* /Steve was the last to leave the locker room, and the boys suspected
him of stealing Tom's watch, but the coach found the watch and put
Steve in the clear./ 3. Free of debt; not owing money to anyone. *
/Bob borrowed a thousand dollars from his father to start his
business, but at the end of the first year he was in the clear./ Syn.:
IN THE BLACK.
[in the clouds] {adj. phr.} Far from real life; in dreams; in
fancy; in thought. * /When Alice agreed to marry Jim, Jim went home in
the clouds./ - Often used with "head", "mind", "thoughts". * /Mary is
looking out the window, not at the chalkboard; her head is in the
clouds again./ * /A good teacher should have his head in the clouds
sometimes, but his feet always on the ground./ Contrast: COME BACK TO
EARTH, FEET ON THE GROUND.
[in the clover] See: IN CLOVER.
[in the cold] See: OUT IN THE COLD.
[in the cold light of day] {adv. phr.} After sleeping on it; after
giving it more thought; using common sense and looking at the matter
unemotionally and realistically. * /Lost night my ideas seemed
terrific, but in the cold light of day I realize that they won't
work./
[in the dark] {adj. phr.} 1. In ignorance; without information. *
/John was in the dark about the job he was being sent to./ * /If the
government controls the news, it can keep people in the dark on any
topic it chooses./ * /Mary had a letter from Sue yesterday, but she
was left in the dark about Sue's plans to visit her./ Contrast: IN THE
KNOW. See: WHISTLE IN THE DARK.
[in the doghouse] {adj. phr.}, {slang} In disgrace or disfavor. *
/Our neighbor got in the doghouse with his wife by coming home drunk./
* /Jerry is in the doghouse because he dropped the ball, and the other
team won because of that./ Compare: DOWN ON.
[in the door] See: FOOT IN THE DOOR.
[in the driver's seat] {adv. phr.} In control; having the power to
make decisions. * /Stan is in the driver's seat now that he has been
made our supervisor at the factory./
[in the dumps] See: DOWN IN THE DUMPS.
[in the event] See: IN CASE(1).
[in the event of] See: IN CASE OF.
[in the eye] See: LOOK IN THE EYE.
[in the face] See: BLUE IN THE FACE, LOOK IN THE EYE or LOOK IN THE
FACE, SLAP IN THE FACE, STARE IN THE FACE.
[in the face of] {adv. phr.} 1. When met or in the presence of;
threatened by. * /He was brave in the face of danger./ * /She began to
cry in the face of failure./ 2. Although opposed by; without being
stopped by. * /Talking continued even in the face of the teacher's
command to stop./ Syn.: IN SPITE OF. Compare: FLY IN THE FACE OF, IN
ONE'S FACE. 3. See: FLY IN THE PACE OF.
[in the family] See: RUN IN THE BLOOD or RUN IN THE FAMILY.
[in the first place] {adv. phr.} 1. Before now; in the beginning;
first. * /You already ate breakfast! Why didn't you tell me that in
the first place instead of saying you didn't want to eat?/ * /Carl
patched his old football but it soon leaked again. He should have
bought a new one in the first place./ 2. See: IN THE PLACE.
[in the flesh] See: IN PERSON.
[in the groove] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Doing something very well;
near perfection; at your best. * /The band was right in the groove
character because he is usually very polite./ * /The way Judy
comforted the little girl was in character. She did it gently and
kindly./ 2. Suitable for the part or the kind of part being acted;
natural to the way a character in a book or play is supposed to act. *
/The fat actor in the movie was in character because the character he
played was supposed to be fat and jolly./ * /It would not have been in
character for Robin Hood to steal from a poor man./ Contrast: OUT OF
CHARACTER.
[in charge] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, 1. In authority or control; in a
position to care for or supervise; responsible. * /If you have any
questions, ask the boss. He's in charge./ 2. Under care or
supervision. * /The sick man was taken in charge by the doctor./ *
/During your visit to the library, you will be in the librarian's
charge./ Compare: TAKE CARE OF.
[in charge of] {prep.} 1. Responsible for; having supervision or
care of. * /Marian is in charge of selling tickets./ * /The girl in
charge of refreshments forgot to order the ice cream for the party./ *
/When our class had a play, the teacher put Harold in charge of the
stage curtain./ 2. or [in the charge of] Under the care or supervision
of. * /Mother puts the baby in the charge of the baby-sitter while she
is out./ * /The money was given in charge of Mr. Jackson for
safekeeping./
[in check] {adv. phr.} In a position where movement or action is
not allowed or stopped; under control; kept quiet or back. * /The boy
was too small to keep the big dog in check, and the dog broke away
from his leash./ * /The soldiers tried to keep the attacking Indians
in check until help came./ * /Mary couldn't hold her feelings in check
any longer and began to cry./
[in circles] See: IN A CIRCLE.
[in circulation] or [into circulation] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Going around and doing things as usual; joining what others are doing,
* /John broke his leg and was out of school for several weeks, but now
he is back in circulation again./ * /Mary's mother punished her by
stopping her from dating for two weeks, but then she got hack into
circulation./ Contrast: OUT OF CIRCULATION.
[inclined to] {adj. phr.} Having a tendency to; positively disposed
toward. * /I am inclined to fall asleep after a heavy meal./
[in clover] or [in the clover] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In
rich comfort; rich or successful; having a pleasant or easy life. *
/They live in clover because their father is rich./ * /When we finish
the hard part we'll be in the clover./ Compare: BED OF ROSES, LIFE OF
RILEY, LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG, ON EASY STREET.
[in cold blood] {adv. phr.} Without feeling or pity; in a purposely
cruel way; coolly and deliberately. * /The bank robbers planned to
shoot in cold blood anyone who got in their way./ * /The bandits
planned to murder in cold blood all farmers in the village by the
river./
[in command] {adv. phr.} In control of; in charge. * /Helen is in
command of the situation./
[in commission] or [into commission] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. On
duty or ready to be put on duty by a naval or military service; in
active service. * /The old battleship has been in commission for
twenty years./ * /It took many months to build the new bomber, and now
it is ready to be put into commission./ 2. In proper condition; in use
or ready for use; working; running. * /The wheel of my bicycle was
broken, but it is back in commission now./ Compare: IN ORDER(2).
Contrast: OUT OF COMMISSION(2).
[in common] {adv. phr.} Shared together or equally; in use or
ownership by all. * /Mr. and Mrs. Smith own the store in common./ *
/The four boys grew up together and have a lot in common./ * /The
swimming pool is used in common by all the children in the
neighborhood./ Compare: COMMON GROUND.
[in condition] See: IN SHAPE.
[in consequence] {adv. phr.} As a result; therefore; so. * /Jennie
got up late, and in consequence she missed the bus./ * /You studied
hard, and in consequence you passed the test./
[in consequence of] {prep.}, {formal} As a result of. * /In
consequence of the deep snow, school will not open today./ * /In
consequence of his promise to pay for the broken window, Bill was not
punished./ Compare: BECAUSE OF, ON ACCOUNT OF.
[in consideration of] {adv. phr.} 1. After thinking about and
weighing; because of. * /iN consideration of the boy's young age, the
judge did not put him in jail for carrying a gun./ 2. In exchange for;
because of; in payment for. * /In consideration of the extra work Joe
had done, his boss gave him an extra week's pay./ Compare: IN RETURN.
[in days] or [weeks] or [years to come] {adv. phr.} In the future.
* /In the years to come I will be thinking of my father's advice about
life./
[in deep] {adj. phr.} Seriously mixed up in something, especially
trouble. * /George began borrowing small sums of money to bet on
horses, and before he knew it he was in deep./ Compare: DEEP WATER, UP
TO THE CHIN IN.
[in deep water] See: DEEP WATER.
[in defiance of] {prep.} Acting against; in disobedience to. * /The
girl chewed gum in defiance of the teacher's rule./ * /Bob stayed up
late in defiance of the coach's orders./
[in demand] {adj. phr.} Needed; wanted. * /Men to shovel snow were
in demand after the snow storm./ * /The book about dogs was much in
demand in the library./
[Indian] See: CIGAR-STORE INDIAN.
[Indian giver] {n. phr.} A person who gives one something, but
later asks for it back. - An ethnic slur; avoidable. * /John gave me a
beautiful fountain pen, but a week later, like an Indian giver, he
wanted it back./
[Indian sign] {n.}, {informal} A magic spell that is thought to
bring bad luck; curse; jinx; hoo-doo. - Used with "the", usually after
"have" or "with"; and often used in a joking way. * /Bill is a good
player, but Ted has the Indian sign on him and always beats him./ *
/Father says that he always wins our checker games because he has put
the Indian sign on me, but I think he is joking./ Compare: GET ONE'S
NUMBER.
[Indian summer] {n. phr.} A dry and warm period of time late in the
fall, usually in October. * /After the cold and foggy weather, we had
a brief Indian summer, during which the temperature was up in the high
seventies./
[in dispute] {adj. phr.} Disagreed about; being argued. * /The
penalty ordered by the referee was in dispute by one of the teams./ *
/Everyone in the clans wanted to say something about the subject in
dispute./
[in doubt] {adv. phr.} In the dark; having some question or
uncertainty. * /When in doubt about any of the words you're using,
consult a good dictionary./
[in due course] or [in due season] or [in due time] See: IN GOOD
TIME(2).
[in due season] or [in due time] See: IN GOOD TIME.
[industrial park] {n.} A complex of industrial buildings and/or
businesses usually located far from the center of a city in a setting
especially landscaped to make such buildings look better. * /The
nearest supermarket that sells car tires is at the industrial park
twenty miles from downtown./
[in Dutch] {adj. phr.}, {slang} In trouble. * /George got in Dutch
with his father when he broke a window./ * /John was in Dutch with his
mother because he tore his new jacket./
[in earnest] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Seriously; in a determined way.
* /The beaver was building his dam in earnest./ * /Bill did his
homework in earnest./ - Often used like a predicate adjective.
Sometimes used with "dead", for emphasis. * /Betty's friends thought
she was joking when she said she wanted to be a doctor, but she was in
dead earnest./
[in effect] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. The same in meaning or result.
* /The teacher gave the same assignment, in effect, that she gave
yesterday./ * /Helping your mother with the dishes is in effect
earning your allowance./ 2. Necessary to obey; being enforced. * /The
coach says that players must be in bed by midnight, and that rule is
in effect tonight./ Syn.: IN FORCE.
[in effigy] See: HANG IN EFFIGY or BURN IN EFFIGY.
[in error] {adv. phr.} Wrong; mistaken. * /You were in error when
you assumed that he would wait for us./
[in evidence] {adj. phr.} Easily seen; noticeable. * /The little
boy's measles were very much in evidence./ * /The tulips were
blooming; spring was in evidence./
[in fact] also [in point of fact] {adv. phr.} Really truthfully. -
Often used for emphasis. * /No one believed it but, in fact, Mary did
get an A on her book report./ * /It was a very hot day; in fact, it
was 100 degrees./ Compare: MATTER OF FACT.
[in favor of] {prep.} On the side of; in agreement with, *
/Everyone in the class voted in favor of the party./ * /Most girls are
in favor of wearing lipstick./ Compare: IN BACK OF(2).
[in fear and trembling] See: FEAR AND TREMBLING.
[in fear of] {adj. phr.} Fearful of; afraid of. * /They live so
close to the border that they are constantly in fear of an enemy
attack./
[in for] {prep.}, {informal} Unable to avoid; sure to get. * /The
naughty puppy was in for a spanking./ * /On Christmas morning we are
in for some surprises./ * /We saw Father looking angrily out of the
broken window, and we knew we were in for it./ Compare: HAVE IT IN
FOR.
[in force] {adj. phr.} 1. To be obeyed. * /New times for eating
meals are now in force./ Syn.: IN EFFECT. 2. In a large group. *
/People went to see the parade in force./ Syn.: EN MASSE.
[in front of] prep. Ahead of; before. * /The rabbit was running in
front of the dog./ * /A big oak tree stood in front of the building./
Contrast: IN BACK OF(1).
[in full swing] {adj. phr.} Actively going on; in full action. *
/The Valentine party was in full swing./ * /All of the children were
planting seeds; the gardening project was in full swing./
[in fun] See: FOR FUN.
[in general(1)] {adv. phr.} Usually; very often. * /In general,
mother makes good cookies./ * /The weather in Florida is warm in
general./ Compare: ON THE WHOLE(2).
[in general(2)] {adj. phr.} Most; with few exceptions. * /Women in
general like to shop for new clothes./ * /Boys in general like active
sports more than girls do./ Contrast: IN PARTICULAR.
[in glass houses] See: PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT
THROW STONES.
[in good] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Well liked; accepted. - Used with
"with". * /The boy washed the blackboards so that he would get in good
with Iris teacher./ * /Although Tom was younger, he was in good with
the older boys./ Compare: ON ONE'S GOOD SIDE. Contrast: IN BAD.
[in good faith] See: GOOD FAITH.
[in good form] Contrast: IN BAD FORM.
[in good season] See: IN GOOD TIME.
[in good stead] See: STAND IN GOOD STEAD.
[in good time] or [in good season] {adv. phr.} 1. A little early;
sooner than necessary. * /The school bus arrived in good time./ * /The
students finished their school work in good time./ * /We reached the
station in good season to catch the 9:15 bus for New York./ 2. or [in
due course] or [in due season] or [in due time] In the usual amount of
time; at the right time; in the end. * /Spring and summer will arrive
in due course./ * /Sally finished her spelling in due course./
[in great measure] {adv. phr.} To a great extent; largely. * /The
Japanese attack on Hawaii was in great measure a contributing factor
to President Roosevelt's decision to enter World War II./ Compare: TO
A LARGE EXTENT.
[in half] {adv. phr.} 1. Into two equal parts. * /The ticket taker
at the football game tore the tickets in half./ * /Mother cut the
apple in half so each child could have an equal share./ Syn.: IN TWO.
2. To half the size before; to one half as big. * /As a punishment,
Father cut Bob's allowance in half./
[in hand] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Under control. * /The principal
was happy to find that the new teacher had her class in hand./ * /The
baby-sitter kept the children well in hand./ * /Mabel was frightened
when the barking dog ran at her, but she soon got herself in hand and
walked on./ Contrast: OUT OF HAND. 2. In your possession; with you. -
Often used in the phrase "cash in hand". * /Tom figured that his cash
in hand with his weekly pay would be enough to buy a car./ Compare: ON
HAND. 3. Being worked on; with you to do. * /We should finish the work
we have in hand before we begin something new./
[in honor of] {prep.} As an honor to; for showing respect or thanks
to. * /We celebrate Mother's Day in honor of our mothers./ * /The city
dedicated a monument in honor of the general./
[in hopes] {adj. phr.} Hopeful; hoping. * /The Mayor was in hopes
of having a good day for the parade./ * /Mother was in hopes that the
cake would be good to eat./
[in horror] See: THROW UP ONE'S HANDS IN HORROR.
[in hot water] See: HOT WATER.
[in] or [into orbit] {adj. phr.} Thrilled; exuberantly happy; in
very high spirits. * /When Carol won the lottery she went right into
orbit./
[in] or [into the clear] {adj. phr.} Free; cleared of all
responsibility and guilt. * /Because of the new evidence found, Sam is
still in the clear, but Harry is still behind bars./
[in] or [into the doldrums] {adj. phr.} Inactive; sluggish;
depressed. * /The news of our factory's going out of business put all
of us in the doldrums./
[in] or [into the limelight] {adj. phr.} In the center of
attention. * /Some people will do almost anything to be able to step
into the limelight./ Compare: IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
[in itself] See: END IN ITSELF.
[injury] See: ADD INSULT TO INJURY.
[in keeping] {adj. phr.} Going well together; agreeing; similar. *
/Mary's hair style was in keeping with the latest fashion./ * /Having
an assembly on Friday morning was in keeping with the school program./
Contrast: OUT OF KEEPING.
[in kind] {adv. phr.} In a similar way; with the same kind of
thing. * /My neighbor pays me in kind for walking her dog./ * /Low
returned Mary's insult in kind./
[in knots] See: TIE IN KNOTS.
[in league with] or {informal} [in cahoots with] {prep.} In secret
agreement or partnership with (someone); working together secretly
with, especially for harm. * /People once believed that some women
were witches in league with the devil./ * /The mayor's enemies spread
a rumor that he was in cahoots with gangsters./
[in left field] See: OUT IN LEFT FIELD.
[in lieu of] See: INSTEAD OF.
[in light of] also [in the light of] {adj. phr.} 1. As a result of
new information; by means of new ideas. * /The teacher changed John's
grade in the light of the extra work in the workbook./ 2. Because of.
* /In light of the muddy field, the football team wore their old
uniforms./ Syn.: IN VIEW OF.
[in line(1)] {adv. phr.} In or into a straight line. * /The boys
stood in line to buy their tickets./ * /Tom set the chairs in line
along the wall./ * /The carpenter put the edges of the boards in
line./
[in line(2)] {adj. phr.} 1. In a position in a series or after
someone else. * /John is in line for the presidency of the club next
year./ * /Mary is fourth in line to be admitted to the sorority./ 2.
Obeying or agreeing with what is right or usual; doing or being what
people expect or accept; within ordinary or proper limits. * /The
coach kept the excited team in line./ * /When the teacher came back
into the room, she quickly brought the class back in line./ * /The
government passed a new law to keep prices in line./ Compare: IN HAND.
Contrast: OUT OF LINE.
[in line with] {prep.} In agreement with. * /Behavior at school
parties must be in line with school rules./ * /In line with the custom
of the school, the students had a holiday between Christmas and New
Year's Day./
[in love] {adj. phr.} Liking very much; loving. * /John is in love
with Helen./ * /Tom and Ellen arc in love./ * /Mary is in love with
her new wristwatch./
[in luck] {adj. phr.} Being lucky; having good luck; finding
something good by chance. * /Bill was in luck when he found the money
on the street./ * /Mary dropped her glasses and they did not break.
She was in luck./
[in memory of] {prep.} As something that makes people remember (a
person or thing); as a reminder of; as a memorial to. * /The building
was named Ford Hall in memory of a man named James Ford./ * /Many
special ceremonies are in memory of famous men./
[in midair] See: UP IN THE AIR(2).
[in mind] {adv. phr.} 1. In the center of your thought; in your
close attention. * /You have to be home by 11 o'clock. Keep that in
mind, Bob./ * /Mary is studying hard with a good grade in mind./ *
/Bear in mind the rules of safety when you swim./ Compare: ON ONE'S
MIND. 2. See: PUT IN MIND OF.
[in mint condition] {adj. phr.} Excellent; as good as new. *
/Grandma seldom uses her car; it is already ten years old, but it is
still in mint condition./
[in my book] See: BY MY BOOK.
[in name] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Having a title, but not really
doing what someone with the title is expected to do. * /The old man is
a doctor in name only. He does not have patients now./ * /He was the
captain of the team in name only./
[in need of] {adj. phr.} Destitute; lacking something. * /The young
girl is so ill that she is seriously in need of medical attention./
[inner city] {n.}, {colloquial} Densely populated neighborhoods in
large metropolitan areas inhabited by low income families usually of
minority backgrounds, such as Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, or African
Americans; characterized by slums and government-owned high rises. *
/Joe comes from the inner city - he may need help with his reading./
[in nothing flat] See: IN NO TIME.
[in no time] or [in nothing flat] {adv. phr.}, {informal} In a very
little time; soon; quickly. * /When the entire class worked together
they finished the project in no time./ * /The bus filled with students
in nothing flat./
[in no uncertain terms] See: IN SO MANY WORDS(2).
[in on] {prep.} 1. Joining together for. * /The children collected
money from their classmates and went in on a present for their
teacher./ 2. Told about; having knowledge of. * /Bob was in on the
secret./ * /The other girls wouldn't let Mary in on what they knew./
[in one ear and out the other] See: GO IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE
OTHER.
[in one fell swoop] or [at one fell swoop] {adv. phr.} 1.
{literary} In one attack or accident; in one bad blow. * /The
millionaire lost his money and his friends at one fell swoop./ 2. At
one time; at the same time. * /Three cars drove into the driveway, and
Mrs. Crane's dinner guests all arrived at one fell swoop./
[in one's bad graces] {adj. phr.} Not approved by; not liked by. *
/John was in his mother's bad graces because he spilled his milk on
the tablecloth./ * /Don got in the bad graces of the teacher by
laughing at her hat./ Compare: DOWN ON, IN BAD, OUT OF FAVOR.
Contrast: IN ONE S GOOD GRACES.
[in one's behalf] or [on one's behalf] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1.
For someone else; in your place. * /My husband could not be here
tonight, but I want to thank you on his behalf./ 2. For the good of
another person or group; as a help to someone. * /My teacher went to
the factory and spoke in my behalf when I was looking for a job./
Compare: IN BEHALF OF, ON ONE'S ACCOUNT.
[in one's blood] or [into one's blood] {adv. phr.} Agreeing
perfectly with one's sympathies, feelings, and desires. * /Living in a
warm section of the country gets in your blood./ * /The woods got into
Jim's blood./ Contrast: OUT OF ONE'S BLOOD.
[in one's bones] See: FEEL IN ONE'S BONES.
[in one's boots] See: DIE IN ONE'S BOOTS or DIE WITH ONE'S BOOTS
ON, IN ONE'S SHOES also IN ONE'S BOOTS.
[in one's craw] or [in one's crop] See: STICK IN ONE'S CRAW or
STICK IN ONE'S CROP.
[in one's cups] {adj. phr.}, {literary} Drunk. * /The man was in
his cups and talking very loudly./
[in one's element] {adv. phr.} 1. In one's natural surroundings. *
/The deep-sea fish is in his element in deep ocean water./ 2. Where
you can do your best. * /John is in his element working on the farm./
Compare: AT HOME 2. Contrast: OUT OF ONE'S ELEMENT.
[in one's face] {adv. phr.} 1. Against your face. * /The trick
cigar blew up in the clown's face./ * /A cold wind was in our faces as
we walked to school./ 2. In front of you. * /The maid slammed the door
in the salesman's face./ * /I told the boys that they were wrong, but
they laughed in my face./ Compare: IN THE FACE OF, THROW SOMETHING IN
ONE'S FACE, TO ONE'S FACE, UNDER ONE'S NOSE.
[in one's favor] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} In a way that is good for
you. * /Both teams claimed the point, but the referee decided in our
favor./ * /Bob made good grades in high school, and that was in his
favor when he looked for a job./ Compare: COME ONE'S WAY.
[in one's footsteps] See: FOLLOW IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS.
[in one's glory] {adj. phr.} Pleased and contented with yourself. *
/When John won the race, he was in his glory./ * /Tom is very vain,
and praise puts him in his glory./
[in one's good books] See: IN ONE'S GOOD GRACES.
[in one's good graces] or [in one's good books] {adv. phr.}
Approved of by you; liked by someone. * /Ruth is in her mother's good
graces because she ate all her supper./ * /Bill is back in the good
graces of his girlfriend because he gave her a box of candy./ Compare:
IN GOOD. Contrast: IN ONE'S BAD GRACES.
[in one's grave] See: TURN IN ONE'S GRAVE or TURN OVER IN ONE'S
GRAVE.
[in one's hair] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Bothering you again and
again; always annoying. * /Johnny got in Father's hair when he was
trying to read the paper by running and shouting./ * /The grown-ups
sent the children out to play so that the children wouldn't be in
their hair while they were talking./ Compare: GIVE A HARD TIME, IN
ONE'S WAY. Contrast: OUT OF ONE'S HAIR.
[in one's hands] See: TAKE ONE'S LIFE IN ONE'S HANDS.
[in one's heart of hearts] {adv. phr.} Deep down where it really
matters; in one's innermost feelings. * /In my heart of hearts, I
think you're the nicest person in the whole world./
[in one's mind's eye] {adv. phr.} In the memory; in the
imagination. * /In his mind's eye he saw again the house he had lived
in when he was a child./ * /In his mind's eye, he could see just what
the vacation was going to be like./
[in one's mouth] See: BUTTER WOULDN'T MELT IN ONE'S MOUTH, MELT IN
ONE'S MOUTH.
[in one's own juice] See: STEW IN ONE'S OWN JUICE.
[in one's right mind] {adj. phr.} Accountable; sane and sober. *
/If you were in your right mind, you wouldn't be saying such stupid
things to our boss./
[in one's shell] or [into one's shell] {adv.} or {adj. phr.},
{informal} In or into bashfulness; into silence; not sociable;
unfriendly. * /After Mary's mother scolded her, she went into her
shell./ * /The teacher tried to get Rose to talk to her, but she
stayed in her shell./ Contrast: OUT OF ONE'S SHELL.
[in one's shoes] also [in one's boots] {adv. phr.} In or into one's
place or position. * /How would you like to be in a lion tamer's
boots?/ Compare: PUT ONESELF IN ANOTHER'S PLACE, STEP INTO ONE'S
SHOES.
[in one's sleeve] See: UP ONE'S SLEEVE.
[in one's tracks] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. Just where one is at
the moment; abruptly; immediately. * /The hunter's rifle cracked and
the rabbit dropped in his tracks./ * /Mary stopped dead in her tracks,
turned around, and ran back home./ Syn.: ON THE SPOT(1), THEN AND
THERE. 2. See: FOLLOW IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS.
[in one's way] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Within reach; likely to be
met; before you. * /The chance to work for a printer was put in my
way./ Compare: PUT IN THE WAY OF. 2. or [in the way] In your path as a
hindrance; placed so as to block the way. * /Fred tried to get to the
door, but the table was in the way./ * /A tree had fallen across the
street and was in Jim's way as he drove./ * /Mary tried to clean the
house, but the baby was always in the way./
[in order] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In arrangement; in the proper
way of following one another. * /Come to my desk in alphabetical order
as I call your names./ * /Line up and walk to the door in order./ *
/Name all the presidents in order./ Compare: IN TURN. 2. In proper
condition. * /The car was in good working order when I bought it./ *
/The club leader looked at the club treasurer's records of money
collected and spent, and found them all in order./ Compare: IN
COMMISSION(2), PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER. 3. Following the rules;
proper; suitable. * /Is it in order to ask the speaker questions at
the meeting?/ * /At the end of a program, applause for the performers
is in order./ Compare: IN PLACE. Contrast: OUT OF ORDER. 4. See: PUT
ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER or SET ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER.
[in order that] See: SO THAT(1).
[in order to] or [so as to] {conj.} For the purpose of; to. - Used
with an infinitive. * /In order to follow the buffalo, the Indians
often had to move their camps./ * /We picked apples so as to make a
pie./ Compare: SO THAT.
[in part] {adv. phr.} To some extent; partly; not wholly. - Often
used with "large" or "small". * /We planted the garden in pan with
flowers. But in large part we planted vegetables./ * /Tom was only in
small part responsible./
[in particular] {adv. phr.} In a way apart from others; more than
others; particularly; especially. * /The speaker talked about sports
in general and about football In particular./ * /All the boys played
well and Bill in particular./ * /Margaret liked all her classes, but
she liked sewing class in particular./ Contrast: IN GENERAL.
[in passing] {adv. phr.} While talking about that subject; as extra
information; also. * /Our teacher showed us different kinds of flowers
and told us in passing that those flowers came from her garden./ *
/The writer of the story says he grew up in New York and mentions in
passing that his parents came from Italy./ Compare: BY THE WAY.
[in person] also [in the flesh] {adv. phr.} Yourself; personally. *
/A TV actor appeared in person today in school./ * /The governor
cannot march in the parade in person today, but his wife wilt march./
Compare: FACE-TO-FACE(2). Contrast: INSTEAD OF.
[in place(1)] {adv. phr.} 1a. In the right or usual place or
position. * /Nothing is in place after the earthquake. Even trees and
houses are turned over./ * /The picture is not in place on the wall.
It is crooked./ 1b. In one place. * /Our first exercise in gym class
was running in place./ 2. In proper order. * /Stay in place in line,
children./ Compare: IN ORDER. Contrast: OUT OF PLACE.
[in place(2)] {adj. phr.} In the right place or at the right time;
suitable; timely. * /A dog is not in place in a church./ * /Linda
wondered if it would be in place to wish the bride good luck after the
wedding./ Compare: IN ORDER(1). Contrast: OUT OF PLACE.
[in place of] See: INSTEAD OF.
[in plain English] {adv. phr.} Plainly; simply; in clear language.
* /Stop healing around the bush and saying that John "prevaricates";
in plain English he is a liar./
[in poor shape] {adv. phr.} In a bad condition. * /Most of the
streets of Chicago are in poor shape due to the heavy snow and frost
during the winters./
[in practice(1)] also [into practice] {adv. phr.} In actual doing.
* /The idea sounds good but will it work in practice?/ * /It is easy
to say that we will he good. It is harder to put the saying into
practice./
[in practice(2)] {adj. phr.} In proper condition to do something
well through practice. * /A pianist gets his fingers in practice by
playing scales./ * /An ice-skater keeps in practice by skating every
day./ Compare: IN SHAPE. Contrast: OUT OF PRACTICE.
[in print] {adj. phr.} Obtainable in printed form from a printer or
publisher; printed. * /The author has finished writing his book but it
is not yet in print./ * /The story of the students' trip to Washington
appeared in print in the newspaper./ * /It is a very old book and no
longer in print./ Contrast: OUT OF PRINT.
[in private] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Not openly or in public; apart
from others; confidentially; secretly. * /Mr. Jones waited until they
were home in private before he punished his son./ * /The teacher told
Susan that she wanted to talk to her in private after class./ Compare:
IN SECRET. Contrast: IN PUBLIC.
[in progress] {adj. phr.} Going ahead; being made or done;
happening. * /Plans are in progress to build a new school next year./
* /A dog ran out on the playing field while the game was in progress./
Contrast: IN CHECK.
[in public] {adv. phr.} 1. In a place open to the people; in such a
way that the public may see, hear, or know; not secretly; openly. *
/Two boys down the street are dancing in public for pennies./ *
/Actors are used to appearing in public./ * /The mayor has told his
friends that he is sick but will not admit it in public./ Contrast: IN
PRIVATE. 2. See: AIR ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC or WASH ONE'S DIRTY
LINEN IN PUBLIC.
[in question] {adj. phr.} 1. In doubt; in dispute; being argued
about or examined. * /I know Bill would he a good captain for the
team. That is not in question. But does he want to be captain?/
Contrast: BEYOND QUESTION. 2. Under discussion; being talked or
thought about. * /The girls in question are not in school today./ *
/On the Christmas Day in question, we could not go to Grandmother's
house, as we do every year./
[in quest of] See: IN SEARCH OF.
[in reason] {adv. phr.}, {formal} Following the rules of reasoning;
sensibly; reasonably. * /One cannot in reason doubt that freedom is
better than slavery./
[in reference to] or [with reference to] or [in regard to ] or
[with regard to] {prep.} In connection with; from the standpoint of;
concerning; regarding; about. * /I am writing with reference to your
last letter./ * /He spoke in reference to the Boy Scouts./ * /I spoke
to him with regard to his low marks./ * /In regard to the test
tomorrow, it is postponed./ Compare: IN RELATION TO, IN RESPECT TO.
[in regard to] See: IN REFERENCE TO.
[in relation to] or [with relation to] {prep.} In connection with;
in dealing with; as concerns; in comparison to; respecting; about. *
/Father spoke about school in relation to finding a job when we are
older./ * /What did you say in relation to what happened yesterday?/ *
/With relation to his job, skill is very important./ * /In relation to
Texas, Rhode Island is quite a small state./ Compare: IN REFERENCE TO,
IN RESPECT TO.
[in respect to] or [with respect to] In connection with; related
to, about; on. * /The teacher told stories about Washington and
Lincoln in respect to the importance of being honest./ * /In respect
to your visit with us, we hope you can come before September./ *
/There was no shortage in respect to food./ Compare: AS TO, IN
REFERENCE TO, IN RELATION TO.
[in return] {adv. phr.} In order to give back something; as
payment; in recognition or exchange. - Often used with "for". * /Bud
gave me his knife and I gave him marbles in return./ * /The lady
helped Mother when she was sick and in return Mother often invited her
to dinner./ * /How much did John give you in return for your bicycle?/
* /I hit him in return for the time he hit me./ * /I wrote Dad a
letter and got a package in return./
[in reverse] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} In a backward direction;
backward. * /John hit the tree behind him when he put the car in
reverse without looking first./ * /The first of the year Bob did well
in school but then he started moving in reverse./
[in round figures] {adv. phr.} As an estimated number; as a
rounded-off figure containing no decimals or fractions. * /Skip the
cents and just tell me in round figures how much this car repair will
cost./
[in round numbers] See: IN ROUND FIGURES.
[ins and outs] {n. phr.} The special ways of going somewhere or
doing something; the different parts. * /The janitor knows all the ins
and outs of the big school building./ * /Jerry's father is a good life
insurance salesman; he knows all the ins and outs of the business./
[in search of] or {literary} [in quest of] {prep.} Seeking or
looking for; in pursuit of. * /Many men went West in search of gold./
* /The hunter stayed in the woods all day in quest of game./ * /We
looked everywhere in search of our dog./
[in season] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. {literary} At the proper or
best time. * /Fred's father told him that he was not old enough yet
but that he would learn to drive in season./ 2a. At the right or
lawful time for hunting or catching. * /Deer will be in season next
week./ * /In spring we'll go fishing when trout are in season./ 2b. At
the right time or condition for using, eating, or marketing; in a ripe
or eatable condition. * /Christmas trees will be sold at the store in
season./ * /Native tomatoes will be in season soon./ * /Oysters are in
season during the "R" months./ Compare: IN GOOD TIME. Contrast: OUT OF
SEASON.
[in secret] {adv. phr.} In a private or secret way; in a hidden
place. * /The miser buried his gold in secret and no one knows where
it is./ * /The robbers went away in secret after dark./ Compare: IN
PRIVATE.
[in shape] or [in condition] {adj. phr.} In good condition; able to
perform well. * /The football team will he in shape for the first game
of the season./ * /Mary was putting her French in shape for the lest./
Compare: IN PRACTICE. Contrast: OUT OF SHAPE.
[in short] See: IN BRIEF.
[in short order] {adv. phr.} Without delay; quickly. * /Johnny got
ready in short order after his father said that he could come to the
ball game if he was ready in time./
[in short supply] {adj. phr.} Not enough; in too small a quantity
or amount; in less than the amount or number needed. * /The cookies
are in short supply, so don't eat them all up./ * /We have five people
and only four beds, so the beds are in short supply./
[inside] See: STEP INSIDE.
[inside and out] See: INS AND OUTS, INSIDE OUT(2).
[inside of] {prep.} In; within; on or in an inside part of; not
beyond; before the end of. * /There is a broom inside of the closet./
* /There is a label on the inside of the box./ * /Hand your papers in
to me inside of three days./ Contrast: OUTSIDE OF.
[inside out] {adv.} 1. So that the inside is turned outside. *
/Mother turns the stockings inside out when she washes them./ 2. or
[inside and out] also [in and out] In every part; throughout;
completely. * /David knows the parts of his bicycle inside out./ * /We
searched the house inside and out for the kitten./ Compare: BACKWARDS
AND FORWARDS, INS AND OUTS, THROUGH AND THROUGH.
[inside track] {n. phr.} 1. The inside, shortest distance around a
curved racetrack; the place that is closest to the inside fence. * /A
big white horse had the inside track at the start of the race./ 2.
{informal} An advantage due to special connections or information. *
/I would probably get that job if I could get the inside track./
[insofar as ] {conj.} To the extent that; to the point that; as
much as. * /You will learn your lessons only insofar as you are
willing to keep studying them./
[in so many words] {adv. phr.} 1. In those exact words. * /He
hinted that he thought we were foolish but did not say so in so many
words./ 2. or [in no uncertain terms] In an outspoken way; plainly;
directly. * /I told him in so many words that he was crazy./ * /Bob
was very late for their date, and Mary told Bob in no uncertain terms
what she thought of him./ Compare: WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE.
[in someone else's shoes] See: IN ONE'S SHOES.
[insomuch as] See: INASMUCH AS.
[in spite of] {prep. phr.} Against the influence or effect of; in
opposition to; defying the effect of; despite. * /In spite of the bad
storm John delivered his papers on time./ * /In spite of all their
differences, Joan and Ann remain friends./
[instance] See: FOR EXAMPLE or FOR INSTANCE.
[in state] See: LIE IN STATE.
[instead of] or [in place of] also {formal} [in lieu of] {prep.} In
the place of; in substitution for; in preference to; rather than. * /I
wore mittens instead of gloves./ * /The grown-ups had coffee but the
children wanted milk in place of coffee./ * /The boys went fishing
instead of going to school./ * /The Vice-President talked at the
meeting in place of the President, because the President was sick./ *
/The magician appeared on the program in lieu of a singer./ Compare:
IN PERSON.
[in step] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. With the left or right foot
stepping at the same time as another's or to the beat of music; in
matching strides with another person or persons. * /The long line of
soldiers marched all in step: Left, right! Left, right!/ * /Johnny
marched behind the band in step to the music./ 2. In agreement;
abreast. - Often followed by "with". * /Mary wanted to stay in step
with her friends and have a doll too./ Contrast: OUT OF STEP.
[in stitches] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Laughing so hard that the
sides ache; in a fit of laughing hard. * /The comedian was so funny
that he had everyone who was watching him in stitches./
[in stock] {adj. phr.} Having something ready to sell dr use; in
present possession or supply; to be sold. * /The store had no more red
shoes in stock, so Mary chose brown ones instead./ Compare: IN STORE,
ON HAND. Contrast: OUT OF STOCK.
[in store] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Saved up in case of need; ready
for use or for some purpose. * /If the electricity goes off, we have
candles in store in the closet./ * /The squirrel has plenty of nuts in
store for the winter./ Compare: IN RESERVE, IN STOCK, ON HAND. 2.
Ready to happen; waiting. - Often used in the phrase "hold in store"
or "have in store". * /What does the future hold in store for the boy
who ran away?/ * /There is a surprise in store for Helen when she gets
home./
[in stride] See: TAKE IN STRIDE.
[in substance] {adv. phr.} In important facts; in the main or basic
parts; basically; really. * /In substance the weather report said that
it will be a nice day tomorrow./ * /The two cars are the same in
substance, except one is red and the other is red and white./
[insult] See: ADD INSULT TO INJURY.
[intent] See: TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.
[in terms of] {prep.} 1. In the matter of; on the subject of;
especially about; about. * /He spoke about books in terms of their
publication./ * /What have you done in terms affixing the house?/ *
/The children ate a great many hot dogs at the party. In terms of
money, they ate $20 worth./ 2. As to the amount or number of. * /We
swam a great distance. In terms of miles, it was three./
[in that] {conj.} For the reason that; because. * /I like the city,
but I like the country better in that I have more friends in the
country./
[in the air] {adv. phr.} 1. In everyone's thoughts. * /Christmas
was in the air for weeks before./ * /The war filled people's thoughts
every day; it was in the air./ Compare: IN THE WIND. 2. Meeting the
bodily senses; surrounding you so as to be smelled or felt. * /Spring
is in the air./ * /Rain is in the air./ 3. See: LEAVE HANGING, UP IN
THE AIR.
[in the back] See: STAB IN THE BACK.
[in the bag] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Sure to be won or gotten;
certain. * /Jones had the election in the bag after the shameful news
about his opponent came out./ * /We thought we had the game in the
bag./ Compare: SEWED UP.
[in the balance] See: HANG IN THE BALANCE.
[in the bargain] or [into the bargain] {adv. phr.} In addition;
besides; also. * /Frank is a teacher, and an artist into the bargain./
* /The heat failed, and then the roof began to leak in the bargain./
Compare: TO BOOT, FOR GOOD MEASURE.
[in the black] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In a successful or
profitable way; so as to make money. * /The big store was running in
the black./ * /A business must stay in the black to keep on./
Contrast: IN THE RED.
[in the blood] See: RUN IN THE BLOOD or RUN IN THE FAMILY.
[in the bud] See: NIP IN THE BUD.
[in the can] {adj.}, {slang}, {movie jargon} Ready; finished;
completed; about to be duplicated and distributed to exhibitors. * /No
sneak previews until it's all in the can!/ * /Once my book's in the
can, I'll go for a vacation./
[in the cards] also [on the cards] {adj. phr.}, {informal} To be
expected; likely to happen; foreseeable; predictable. * /It was in the
cards for the son to succeed his father as head of the business./ *
/John finally decided that it wasn't in the cards for him to succeed
with that company./
[in the charge of] See: IN CHARGE OF(2).
[in the chips] {slang} or {informal} [in the money] {adj. phr.}
Having plenty of money; prosperous; rich. * /After his rich uncle
died, Richard was in the chips./ * /After years of struggle and
dependence, air transportation is in the money./ Compare: ON EASY
STREET, WELL-TO-DO.
[in the circumstances] See: UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
[in the clear] {adj. phr.} 1. Free of anything that makes moving or
seeing difficult; with nothing to limit action. * /The plane climbed
above the clouds and was flying in the clear./ * /Jack passed the ball
to Tim, who was in the clear and ran for a touchdown./ 2. {informal}
Free of blame or suspicion; not thought to be guilty. * /After John
told the principal that he broke the window, Martin was in the clear./
* /Steve was the last to leave the locker room, and the boys suspected
him of stealing Tom's watch, but the coach found the watch and put
Steve in the clear./ 3. Free of debt; not owing money to anyone. *
/Bob borrowed a thousand dollars from his father to start his
business, but at the end of the first year he was in the clear./ Syn.:
IN THE BLACK.
[in the clouds] {adj. phr.} Far from real life; in dreams; in
fancy; in thought. * /When Alice agreed to marry Jim, Jim went home in
the clouds./ - Often used with "head", "mind", "thoughts". * /Mary is
looking out the window, not at the chalkboard; her head is in the
clouds again./ * /A good teacher should have his head in the clouds
sometimes, but his feet always on the ground./ Contrast: COME BACK TO
EARTH, FEET ON THE GROUND.
[in the clover] See: IN CLOVER.
[in the cold] See: OUT IN THE COLD.
[in the cold light of day] {adv. phr.} After sleeping on it; after
giving it more thought; using common sense and looking at the matter
unemotionally and realistically. * /Lost night my ideas seemed
terrific, but in the cold light of day I realize that they won't
work./
[in the dark] {adj. phr.} 1. In ignorance; without information. *
/John was in the dark about the job he was being sent to./ * /If the
government controls the news, it can keep people in the dark on any
topic it chooses./ * /Mary had a letter from Sue yesterday, but she
was left in the dark about Sue's plans to visit her./ Contrast: IN THE
KNOW. See: WHISTLE IN THE DARK.
[in the doghouse] {adj. phr.}, {slang} In disgrace or disfavor. *
/Our neighbor got in the doghouse with his wife by coming home drunk./
* /Jerry is in the doghouse because he dropped the ball, and the other
team won because of that./ Compare: DOWN ON.
[in the door] See: FOOT IN THE DOOR.
[in the driver's seat] {adv. phr.} In control; having the power to
make decisions. * /Stan is in the driver's seat now that he has been
made our supervisor at the factory./
[in the dumps] See: DOWN IN THE DUMPS.
[in the event] See: IN CASE(1).
[in the event of] See: IN CASE OF.
[in the eye] See: LOOK IN THE EYE.
[in the face] See: BLUE IN THE FACE, LOOK IN THE EYE or LOOK IN THE
FACE, SLAP IN THE FACE, STARE IN THE FACE.
[in the face of] {adv. phr.} 1. When met or in the presence of;
threatened by. * /He was brave in the face of danger./ * /She began to
cry in the face of failure./ 2. Although opposed by; without being
stopped by. * /Talking continued even in the face of the teacher's
command to stop./ Syn.: IN SPITE OF. Compare: FLY IN THE FACE OF, IN
ONE'S FACE. 3. See: FLY IN THE PACE OF.
[in the family] See: RUN IN THE BLOOD or RUN IN THE FAMILY.
[in the first place] {adv. phr.} 1. Before now; in the beginning;
first. * /You already ate breakfast! Why didn't you tell me that in
the first place instead of saying you didn't want to eat?/ * /Carl
patched his old football but it soon leaked again. He should have
bought a new one in the first place./ 2. See: IN THE PLACE.
[in the flesh] See: IN PERSON.
[in the groove] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Doing something very well;
near perfection; at your best. * /The band was right in the groove