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behind. * /When they go for a walk, Johnny has to take long steps to
keep pace with his father./ * /When Billy was moved to a more advanced
class, he had to work hard to keep pace./ Compare: KEEP UP(2a).
[keep plugging along] {v. phr.}, {informal} To continue to work
diligently and with great effort, often against hardship. * /Bob was
not particularly talented but he kept plugging along year after year,
and eventually became vice president./
[keeps] See: FOR KEEPS.
[keep step with] {v. phr.} To maintain the same degree of progress
as someone else. * /The United States has no choice but to keep step
with potential enemies in terms of modern defense systems./
[keep tab on] or [keep tabs on] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To keep a
record of. * /The government tries to keep tabs on all the animals in
the park./ 2. To keep a watch on; check. * /The house mother kept tabs
on the girls to be sure they were clean and neat./ Compare: KEEP TRACK
OF.
[keep the ball rolling] {v. phr.}, {informal} To keep up an
activity or action; not allow something that is happening to slow or
stop. * /Clyde kept the ball rolling at the party by dancing with a
lamp shade on his head./ Compare: GET THE BALL ROLLING.
[keep the faith] {v. phr.} To not abandon hope; stay committed to
the cause of democracy and racial equality. * /"Keep the faith, Baby,"
my neighbor said as he raised his fingers to show the "V" for victory
sign./
[keep the home fires burning] {v. phr.} To keep things going as
usual while someone is away; wait at home to welcome someone back. *
/While John was in the army, Mary kept the home fires burning./
[keep the wolf (wolves) from the door] {v. phr.} To avoid hunger,
poverty, and/or creditors. * /"I don't like my job," Mike complained,
"but I must do something to keep the wolves from the door."/ Compare:
KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER.
[keep things humming] {v. phr.} To cause thing to perform smoothly
and efficiently. * /Until Mr. Long joined our computer center, we had
all sorts of problems, but he has corrected them and really keeps
things humming./
[keep time] {v. phr.} 1. To show the right time. * /My watch has
not kept good time since I dropped it./ 2. To keep the beat; keep the
same rhythm; keep in step. * /Many people are surprised at how well
deaf people keep time with the music when they dance./
[keep to oneself] See: TO ONESELF(2).
[keep track] {v. phr.} To know about changes; stay informed or
up-to-date; keep a count or record. * /What day of the week is it? I
can't keep track./ - Usually used with "of". * /Mr. Stevens kept track
of his business by telephone when he was in the hospital./ * /The
farmer has so many chickens, he can hardly keep track of them all./
Compare: IN TOUCH, KEEP UP(3). Contrast: LOSE TRACK.
[keep under one's hat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To keep secret; not
tell. * /Mr. Jones knew who had won the contest, but he kept it under
his hat until it was announced publicly./ - Often used as a command. *
/Keep it under your hat./ Syn.: KEEP TO ONESELF.
[keep up] {v.} 1a. To go on; not stop; continue. * /The rain kept
up for two days and the roads were flooded./ Compare: KEEP ON. 1b. To
go on with (something); continue steadily; never stop. * /Mrs. Smith
told John to keep up the good work./ * /The teacher asked Dick to stop
bothering Mary, but he kept it up./ Compare: KEEP AT. 2a. To go at the
same rate as others. * /John had to work hard to keep up./ * /Billy
was the youngest boy on the hike, but he kept up with the others./
Compare: CATCH UP, KEEP PACE. Contrast: FALL BEHIND, GET BEHIND(1).
2b. To keep (something) at the same level or rate or in good
condition. * /The shortage of tomatoes kept the prices up./ *
/Grandfather was too poor to keep up his house./ 3. To keep informed.
- Usually used with "on" or "with". * /Mary is interested in politics
and always keeps up with the news./ Compare: KEEP TRACK.
[keep up appearances] {v. phr.} To maintain an outward show of
prosperity in spite of financial problems. * /Mr. Smith's widow had a
hard time keeping up appearances after her husband's death./
[keep up one's end] See: HOLD ONE'S END UP.
[keep up with] See: KEEP STEP WITH, KEEP ABREAST OF.
[keep up with the Joneses] {v. phr.} To follow the latest fashion;
try to be equal with your neighbors. * /Mrs. Smith kept buying every
new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop
trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself./
[keep watch] {v. phr.} To be vigilant; be alert; guard. * /The
police have asked the neighborhood to keep watch against an escaped
convict./
[keep your fingers crossed] See: CROSS ONE'S FINGERS.
[kettle] See: KETTLE OF FISH, POT CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK.
[kettle of fish] {v. phr.}, {informal} Something to be considered;
how things are; a happening; business. * /I thought he needed money,
but it was another kettle of fish - his car had disappeared./ -
Usually used with "pretty", "fine", "nice", but meaning bad trouble. *
/He had two flat tires and no spare on a country road at night, which
was certainly a pretty kettle of fish./ * /This is a fine kettle of
fish! I forgot my book./ Compare: CUP OP TEA(2).
[key] See: LOW KEY, OFF-KEY.
[keyed up] {adj.}, {informal} Excited; nervous; anxious to do
something. * /Mary was all keyed up about the exam./ * /Mother would
not let Tom read a ghost story at bedtime; she said it would get him
keyed up./
[kick about] See: KICK AROUND(3).
[kick against the pricks] {v. phr.}, {literary} To fight against
rules or authority in a way that just hurts yourself. * /Johnny kicked
against the pricks in his foster home until he learned that he could
trust his new family./
[kick around] {v.}, {informal} 1. To act roughly or badly to; treat
badly; bully. * /John likes to kick around the little boys./ * /Mr.
Jones is always kicking his dog around./ Syn.: PUSH AROUND. 2. To lie
around or in a place; be treated carelessly; be neglected. * /This old
coat has been kicking around the closet for years./ * /The letter
kicked around on my desk for days./ 3. {slang} To talk easily or
carelessly back and forth about; examine in a careless or easy-going
way. * /Bob and I kicked around the idea of going swimming, but it was
hot and we were too lazy./ Compare: TRY OUT, TALK OVER. 4. To move
about often; go from one job or place to another; become experienced.
* /Harry has kicked around all over the world as a merchant seaman./
Compare: HAS BEEN AROUND.
[kick back] {v.}, {slang}, {informal} To pay money illegally for
favorable contract arrangements. * /I will do it if you kick back a
few hundred for my firm./
[kickback] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} Money paid illegally for
favorable treatment. * /He was arrested for making kickback payments./
[kick down] {v. phr.}, {slang} To shift an automobile, jeep, or
truck into lower gear by hand-shifting. * /Joe kicked the jeep down
from third to second, and we slowed down./
[kick in] See: CHIP IN.
[kick in the pants] or [kick in the teeth] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Unexpected scorn or insult when praise was expected; rejection. *
/Mary worked hard to clean up John's room, but all she got for her
trouble was a kick in the teeth./ Compare: SLAP IN THE FACE.
[kick it] {v. phr.}, {slang} To end a bad or unwanted habit such as
drinking, smoking, or drug addiction. * /Farnsworth finally kicked it;
he's in good shape./
[kickoff] {n.} The start of something, like a new venture, a
business, a sports event, or a concert season. * /Beethoven's Ninth
will be the kickoff for this summer season at Ravinia./
[kick off] {v. phr.} 1. To make the kick that begins a football
game. * /John kicked off and the football game started./ 2. {informal}
To begin; launch; start. * /The candidate kicked off his campaign with
a speech on television./ * /The fund raising drive was kicked off with
a theater party./ 3. {slang} To die. * /Mr. Jones was almost ninety
years old when he kicked off./ Syn.: KICK THE BUCKET.
[kick oneself] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be sorry or ashamed;
regret. * /When John missed the train, he kicked himself for not
having left earlier./ * /Mary could have kicked herself for letting
the secret out before it was announced officially./
[kick out] or [boot out] {v.}, {informal} To make (someone) go or
leave; get rid of; dismiss. * /The boys made so much noise at the
movie that the manager kicked them out./ * /The chief of police was
booted out of office because he was a crook./ Syn.: THROW OUT(3).
[kick over] {v.} 1. Of a motor: To begin to work. * /He had not
used his car for two months and when he tried to start it, the motor
would not kick over./ 2. {slang} To pay; contribute. * /The gang
forced all the storekeepers on the block to kick over $5 a week./ 3.
{slang} To die. * /Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicked over this morning./
[kick over the traces] also [jump the traces] {v. phr.} To break
the rules; behave badly. * /When their teacher was absent and they had
a substitute, the children kicked over the traces./ Compare: ACT UP,
CUT UP, LET LOOSE, OUT OF HAND, RAISE CAIN.
[kick the bucket] {v. phr.}, {slang} To die. * /Old Mr. Jones
kicked the bucket just two days before his ninety-fourth birthday./
Compare: KICK OFF(3).
[kick up] {v.}, {informal} To show signs of not working right. *
/John had had too much to eat and his stomach started to kick up./ *
/After working well for a year the air conditioner suddenly started
kicking up./
[kick up a fuss] or [kick up a row] or [raise a row] also [kick up
a dust] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make trouble; make a disturbance. *
/When the teacher gave the class five more hours of homework, the
class kicked up a fuss./ * /When the teacher left the room, two boys
kicked up a row./ Compare: RAISE CAIN, RAISE THE ROOF.
[kick up one's heels] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have a merry time;
celebrate. * /When exams were over the students went to town to kick
up their heels./ * /Mary was usually very quiet but at the farewell
party she kicked up her heels and had a wonderful time./
[kid] See: HANDLE WITH GLOVES or HANDLE WITH KID GLOVES, HANDLE
WITHOUT GLOVES or HANDLE WITHOUT KID GLOVES.
[kiddie car] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A school
bus. * /Watch out for that kiddie car coming up behind you!/
[kill] See: CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT, IN AT THE KILL.
[kill off] {v.} To kill or end completely; destroy. * /The factory
dumped poisonous wastes into the river and killed off the fish./ *
/The president suggested a new law to Congress but many members of
Congress were against the idea and they killed it off./ * /Mother made
Nancy practice her dancing an hour every day; Nancy got tired of
dancing and that killed off her interest./
[kill the goose that laid the golden egg] To spoil something that
is good or something that you have, by being greedy. - A proverb. *
/Mrs. Jones gives you an apple from her tree whenever you go by her
house, but don't kill the goose that laid the golden egg by bothering
her too much./
[kill time] {v. phr.} To cause the time to pass more rapidly; waste
time. * /The plane trip to Hong Kong was long and tiring, but we
managed to kill time by watching several movies./
[kill two birds with one stone] {v. phr.} To succeed in doing two
things by only one action; get two results from one effort. * /Mother
stopped at the supermarket to buy bread and then went to get Jane at
dancing class; she killed two birds with one stone./ * /The history
teacher told us that making an outline kills two birds with one stone;
it makes us study the lesson till we understand it, and it gives us
notes to review before the test./
[kilter] See: OUT OF KILTER.
[kind] See: IN A WAY also IN A KIND OF WAY, IN KIND.
[kindly] See: TAKE KINDLY TO.
[kind of] or [sort of] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Almost but not
quite; rather. * /A guinea pig looks kind of like a rabbit, but it has
short ears./ * /Bob was kind of tired when he finished the job./ *
/The teacher sort of frowned but then smiled./ * /Mary wouldn't tell
what she wanted to be when she grew up; it was sort of a secret./
[kindled spirits] {n. phr.} People who resemble each other in
numerous ways, including their ways of thinking and feeling. * /They
are kindred spirits; they both like to go on long walks in the
forest./
[king's ransom] {n. phr.} 1. An excessively large sum of money
extorted by kidnappers to let someone go free. * /The Smith family had
to pay a kings ransom for the freedom of their seven-year-old son,
Tommy./ 2. An exorbitant fee one is forced to pay. * /The realtors
exacted a king's ransom for that choice lot on the comer./
[kiss someone] or [something goodbye] {v. phr.} To lose or give up
someone or something forever. * /"If you won't marry Jane," Peter said
to Tom, "you might as well kiss her goodbye."/ * /People who bet on a
losing horse at the races might as well kiss their money goodbye./
[kite] See: GO FLY A KITE.
[kitten] See: HAVE KITTENS.
[knee] See: BRING TO ONE'S KNEES, IN THE LAP OF THE GODS also ON
THE KNEES OF THE GODS, ON ONE'S KNEES, UP TO THE CHIN IN or UP TO THE
KNEE IN.
[knee-deep] or [neck-deep] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Very much;
deeply; having a big part in. * /Johnny was knee-deep in trouble./ 2.
Very busy; working hard at. * /We were neck-deep in homework before
the exams./ 3. Getting or having many or much. * /The television
station was knee-deep in phone calls./ Compare: UP TO THE CHIN IN.
[knee-high to a grasshopper] also [knee-high to a duck] {adj.
phr.}, {informal} As tall as a very small child; very young. *
/Charles started reading when he was knee-high to a grasshopper./ *
/I've known Mary ever since she was knee-high to a duck./
[kneeling bus] {n.}, {informal} A bus equipped with a hydraulic
device to enable it to drop almost to curb level for greater ease of
boarding and leaving vehicle, as a convenience for elderly or
handicapped passengers. * /The man on crutches was pleased to see the
kneeling bus./
[knell] See: DEATH KNELL.
[knit] See: CLOSE-KNIT.
[knitting] See: STICK TO ONE'S KNITTING or TEND TO ONE'S KNITTING.
[knock] See: SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.
[knock about] or [knock around] {v.} To travel without a plan; go
where you please. * /After he graduated from college, Joe knocked
about for a year seeing the country before he went to work in his
father's business./ Compare: KICK AROUND.
[knock back on one's heels] See: SET BACK ON ONE'S HEELS.
[knock cold] {v. phr.}, {informal} To render unconscious. * /The
blow on the chin knocked Harry cold./
[knock down] {v. phr.} To reduce; lower. * /The realtors said that
if we decided to buy the house, they would knock the price down by
10%./
[knocked out] {adj.}, {slang} Intoxicated; drugged; out of one's
mind. * /Jim sounds so incoherent, he must be knocked out./
[knock for a loop] or [throw for a loop] {v. phr.}, {slang} To
surprise very much. * /When I heard they were moving, I was really
knocked for a loop./ * /The news of their marriage threw me for a
loop./
[knock it off] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. To stop talking
about something considered not appropriate or nonsensical by the
listener. - Used frequently as an imperative. * /Come on, Joe, knock
it off, you're not making any sense at all!/ 2. To cease doing
something; to quit. - Heavily favored in the imperative. * /Come on
boys, knock it off, you're breaking the furniture in my room!/
[knock off] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To burglarize someone. * /They
knocked off the Manning residence./ 2. To murder someone. * /The
gangsters knocked off Herman./
[knock off one's feet] {v. phr.} To surprise (someone) so much that
he does not know what to do. * /Her husband's death knocked Mrs. Jones
off her feet./ * /When Charlie was given the prize, it knocked him off
his feet for a few minutes./ Compare: BOWL OVER(2), SWEEP OFF ONE'S
FEET.
[knock one's block off] {v. phr.}, {slang} To hit someone very
hard; beat someone up. * /Stay out of my yard or I'll knock your block
off./ * /Jim will knock your block off if he catches you riding his
bike./
[knock oneself out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To work very hard; make a
great effort. * /Mrs. Ross knocked herself out planning her daughter's
wedding./ * /Tom knocked himself out to give his guests a good time./
Compare: BREAK ONE'S NECK, FALL OVER BACKWARDS, OUT OF ONE'S WAY.
[knock on wood] {v. phr.} To knock on something made of wood to
keep from having bad luck. - Many people believe that you will have
bad luck if you talk about good luck or brag about something, unless
you knock on wood; often used in a joking way. * /Charles said, "I
haven't been sick all winter." Grandfather said, "You'd better knock
on wood when you say that."/
[knockout] {n.}, {slang} 1. Strikingly beautiful woman. * /Sue is a
regular knockout./ 2. A straight punch in boxing that causes one's
opponent to fall and lose consciousness. * /The champion won the fight
with a straight knockout./
[knock out] {v. phr.} To make helpless, unworkable, or unusable. *
/The champion knocked out the challenger in the third round./ * /The
soldier knocked out two enemy tanks with his bazooka./
[knock over] {v. phr.} To overturn; upset. * /I accidentally
knocked over the Chinese lamp that fell on size floor and broke./
[knock the living daylights out of] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To render (someone) unconscious (said in exaggeration). * /The news
almost knocked the living daylights out of me./
[knock the stuffing out of] See: KNOCK THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF.
[knot] See: TIE IN KNOTS, TIE THE KNOT.
[knotty problem] {n. phr.} A very complicated and difficult problem
to solve. * /Doing one's income tax properly can present a knotty
problem./
[know] See: FOR ALL ONE KNOWS, GOD KNOWS or GOODNESS KNOWS or
HEAVEN KNOWS, IN THE KNOW, NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN or NOT KNOW
WHICH WAY TO JUMP.
[know a thing or two about] {v. phr.} To be experienced in; have a
fairly considerable knowledge of. * /Tom has dealt with many foreign
traders; he knows a thing or two about stocks and bonds./
[know enough to come in out of the rain] {v. phr.} To have good
sense; know how to take care of yourself. - Usually used in the
negative. * /Bob does so many foolish things that his mother says he
doesn't know enough to come in out of the rain./ * /Sally may look
stupid, but she knows enough to come in out of the rain./
[know-how] {n.}, {slang} Expertise; ability to devise and
construct. * /The United States had the know-how to beat the Soviet
Union to the moon in 1969./
[know if one is coming or going] or [know whether one is coming or
going] {v. phr.} To feel able to think clearly; know what to do. -
Usually used in the negative or with limiters. * /On Monday, the car
broke down; on Tuesday, Mother broke her arm; on Wednesday, the
children all became ill with the mumps; by Thursday, poor Father
didn't know if he was coming or going./ * /My cousin is so much in
love that she scarcely knows whether she's coming or going./ Compare:
IN A FOG.
[know in one's bones] See: FEEL IN ONE'S BONES.
[know-it-all] {n.} A person who acts as if he knows all about
everything; someone who thinks no one can tell him anything new. *
/After George was elected as class president, he wouldn't take
suggestions from anyone; he became a know-it-all./ - Also used like an
adjective. * /The other students didn't like George's know-it-all
attitude./
[knowledge] See: A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING, TO THE
BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
[know one in high places] {v. phr.} To be connected with people in
power. * /Ted's grandfather was the mayor of Chicago so he knows
people in high places./
[know one is alive] {v. phr.} Not to notice a person. - Used with
negative or limiting words and in questions. * /She was a good-looking
girl but she didn't know I was alive./ Compare: GIVE A HANG.
[know one's own mind] {v. phr.} To no( hesitate or vacillate; be
definite in one's ideas or plans. * /It is impossible to do business
with Fred, because he doesn't know his own mind./
[know one's place] {v. phr.} To be deferential to one's elders or
superiors. * /Ken is a talented teaching assistant, but he has a
tendency to tell the head of the department how to run things.
Somebody ought to teach him to know his place./
[know one's way around] or [know one's way about] {v. phr.} 1. To
understand how things happen in the world; he experienced in the ways
of the world. * /The sailor had been in the wildest ports in the
world. He knew his way around./ Compare: HAVE BEEN AROUND. 2. or
{informal} [know one's onions] or [know one's stuff] To have
experience and skill in an activity. * /Before trying to make any
pottery, it is better to get advice from someone who knows his stuff
in ceramics./ Compare: DRY BEHIND THE EARS.
[know something inside out] {v. phr.} To be extremely well
conversant with something; be an expert in; have thorough knowledge
of. * /Tom knows the stock market inside out./
[know the ropes] See: THE ROPES.
[know the score] See: THE SCORE.
[know what's what] See: KNOW SOMETHING INSIDE OUT.
[know which side one's bread is buttered on] {v. phr.} To know who
can help you and try to please him; know what is for your own gain. *
/Dick was always polite to the boss; he knew which side his bread was
buttered on./
[know which way to turn] See: NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN.
[knuckle] See: BUCKLE DOWN or KNUCKLE DOWN, RAP ONE'S KNUCKLES.
[knuckle down] See: BUCKLE DOWN.
[knuckle under] {v. phr.} To do something because you are forced to
do it. * /Bobby refused to knuckle under to the bully./ Compare: GIVE
IN.
[labor movement] {n.} Groups which form, strengthen, and increase
membership in labor unions. * /His father was connected with the labor
movement in the 1920's./
[labor of love] {n. phr.} Something done for personal pleasure and
not pay or profit. * /Building the model railroad was a labor of love
for the retired engineer./
[labor the point] See: BELABOR THE POINT.
[labor under] {v. phr.} To be the victim of; suffer from. * /Ken is
obviously laboring under the delusion that Jennifer will marry him out
of love./
[lace into] or [tie into] {v.}, {informal} To attack physically or
with words; begin to hit or criticize. * /The boxer laced into his
opponent./ * /The critics laced into the new movie./ Syn.: LAY INTO,
RIP INTO. Compare: GIVE IT TO.
[ladies' room] {n. phr.} A public toilet and restroom for women. *
/Can you please tell me where the ladies' room is?/
[lady friend] {n.} 1. A woman friend. * /His aunt stays with a lady
friend in Florida during the winter./ 2. A woman who is the lover of a
man. - Used by people trying to appear more polite, but not often used
by careful speakers. * /The lawyer took his lady friend to dinner./
Syn.: GIRLFRIEND.
[lady-killer] {n.}, {informal} 1. Any man who has strong sex appeal
toward women. * /Joe is a regular lady-killer./ 2. A man who
relentlessly pursues amorous conquests, is successful at it, and then
abandons his heartbroken victims. * /The legendary Don Juan of Spain
is the most famous lady-killer of recorded history./ Compare: LADY'S
MAN.
[lady of the house] {n. phr.} Female owner, or wife of the owner,
of the house; the hostess. * /"Dinner is served," the lady of the
house announced to her guests./
[lady's man] {n.} A man or boy who likes to be with women or girls
very much and is popular with them. * /Charlie is quite a lady's man
now./
[lake] See: GO JUMP IN THE LAKE.
[laid out] {adj.} Arranged. * /Her house is very conveniently laid
out./
[laid up] {adj.} Sick; confined to bed. * /I was laid up for a
couple of weeks with an ear infection./
[lam] See: ON THE LAM.
[lamb] See: GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB, IN TWO SHAKES
OF A LAMB'S TAIL.
[lame duck] {n.}, {informal} An elected public official who has
been either defeated in a new election or whose term cannot be
renewed, but who has a short period of time left in office during
which he can still perform certain duties, though with somewhat
diminished powers. * /In the last year of their second terms, American
presidents are lame ducks./
[land] See: FAT OF THE LAND, LAY OF THE LAND also HOW THE LAND
LIES.
[land all over] See: JUMP ON.
[landing ship] {n.} A ship built to land troops and army equipment
on a beach for an invasion. * /The landing ship came near the beach,
doors in the bow opened, and marines ran out./
[land-office business] {n.}, {informal} A great rush of business. *
/It was a hot day, and the drive-ins were doing a land-office business
in ice cream and cold drinks./
[land of nod] {n. phr.} Sleep. * /The little girl went off to the
land of nod./
[land on] See: JUMP ON.
[land on one's feet] also [land on both feet] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To get yourself out of trouble without damage or injury and sometimes
with a gain; be successful no matter what happens. * /No matter what
trouble he gets into, he always seems to land on his feet./ * /Mary
lost her first job because she was always late to work, but she landed
on her feet and soon had a better job./
[landslide] {n.} An overwhelming victory during a political
election. * /Ronald Reagan won the election of 1980 in a landslide./
[lane] See: LOVERS' LANE.
[lap] See: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY, IN THE LAP OF THE GODS.
[lap up] {v.} 1. To eat or drink with the tip of the tongue. * /The
kitten laps up its milk./ 2. {informal} To take in eagerly. * /She
flatters him all the time and he just laps it up./ * /William is
interested in rockets and space, and he laps up all he can read about
them./ Syn.: EAT UP(3).
[lardhead] {n.}, {slang} A stupid or slow-witted person. * /You'll
never convince Donald; he's a lardhead./
[large] See: AT LARGE, BY AND LARGE.
[large as life] See: BIG AS LIFE.
[large-eyed] See: ROUND-EYED.
[large order] {n. phr.} Difficult job; a difficult task to fulfill.
* /It is a large order to educate three children in college at the
same time./ Compare: TALL ORDER.
[lash] See: TONGUE LASHING.
[lash out] {v.} 1. To kick. * /The horse lashed out at the man
behind him./ 2. To try suddenly to hit. * /The woman lashed out at the
crowd with her umbrella./ 3. To attack with words. * /The senator
lashed out at the administration./ * /The school newspaper lashed out
at the unfriendly way some students treated the visiting team./
[last] See: AT LAST, EVERY LAST MAN, EVERY SINGLE or EVERY LAST,
FIRST AND LAST, HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST, HAVE THE LAST LAUGH,
ON ONE'S LAST LEGS, TILL THE LAST GUN IS FIRED or UNTIL THE LAST GUN
IS FIRED.
[last but not least] {adv. phr.} In the last place but not the
least important. * /Billy will bring sandwiches, Alice will bring
cake, Susan will bring cookies, John will bring potato chips, and last
but not least, Sally will bring the lemonade./
[last ditch] {n.} The last place that can be defended; the last
resort. * /They will fight reform to the last ditch./
[last-ditch] {adj.} Made or done as a last chance to keep from
losing or tailing. * /He threw away his cigarettes in a last-ditch
effort to stop smoking./ Compare: BACK TO THE WALL.
[last-ditch effort] See: LAST DITCH.
[last lap] {n. phr.} The final stage. * /Although the trip had been
very interesting, we were glad that we were on the last lap of our
tiring journey./ See: LAST LEG.
[last laugh] See: HAVE THE LAST LAUGH.
[last leg] {n. phr.} 1. Final stages of physical weakness before
dying. * /The poor old man was on his last leg in the nursing home./
2. The final stage of a journey. * /The last leg of our
round-the-world trip was Paris to Chicago./ See: LAST LAP.
[last out] {v.} 1. To be enough until the end of. * /There is
enough food in the house to last out the snowstorm./ * /Our candies
won't last out the night./ 2. To continue to the end of; continue to
live after; live or go through. * /The old man is dying; he won't last
out the night./ * /This car will never last out the winter./ Compare:
HOLD OUT.
[last stand] {n. phr.} See: LAST DITCH.
[last straw] or [straw that breaks the camel's back] {n. phr.} A
small trouble which follows other troubles and makes one lose patience
and be unable to bear them. * /Bill had a bad day in school yesterday.
He lost his knife on the way home, then he fell down, and when he
broke a shoe lace, that was the last straw and he began to cry./ *
/Mary didn't like it when the other girls said she was proud and lazy,
but when they said she told fibs it was the straw that broke the
camel's back and she told the teacher./
[last word] {n.} 1. The last remark in an argument. * /I never win
an argument with her. She always has the last word./ 2. The final say
in deciding something. * /The superintendent has the last word in
ordering new desks./ 3. {informal} The most modern thing. * /Mrs.
Green's stove is the last word in stoves./
[latch on] or [hitch onto] {v.}, {informal} 1. To get hold of;
grasp or grab; catch. * /He looked for something to latch onto and
keep from falling./ * /The football player latched onto a pass./ 2.
{slang} To get into your possession. * /The banker latched onto a
thousand shares of stock./ 3. {slang} To understand. * /The teacher
explained the idea of jet engines until the students latched onto it./
Syn.: CATCH ON. 4. {informal} To keep; to hold. * /The poor woman
latched onto the little money she had left./ 5. {slang} To stay with;
not leave. * /Marie and Dick wanted to go to the movies by themselves,
but Mane's little brother latched onto them./
[latch string] {n.} 1. A string that opens an old-fashioned door by
lifting a small bar. * /The early settlers kept the latch string
outside the door when they were working around the house, but at night
they pulled it to the inside./ 2. {informal} A warm welcome; a
friendly greeting. - Used in such phrases as "the latch string is
out." * /Mary has her latch siring out for everyone who comes./ Syn.:
WELCOME MAT(2).
[late] See: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, OF LATE.
[lately] See: JOHNNY-COME-LATELY.
[later] See: SOONER OR LATER.
[later on] {adv.} Later; not now. * /Finish your lessons. Later on,
we may have a surprise./ * /Bill couldn't stand on his head when
school started, but later on he learned how./
[lather] See: IN A LATHER.
[laugh] See: HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST, HAVE THE LAST LAUGH.
[laugh all the way to the bank] {v. phr.} To have made a
substantial amount of money either by lucky investment or by some
fraudulent deal and rejoice over one's gains. * /If you had done what
I suggested, you, too, could be laughing all the way to the bank./
[laughing matter] {n.} A funny happening; a silly situation. -
Usually used with "no". * /John's failing the test is no laughing
matter!/ * /We were amused when our neighbor's cat had five kittens,
but when our own cat had six kittens it was no laughing matter./
[laugh in one's beard] See: LAUGH UP ONE'S SLEEVE.
[laugh in one's sleeve] See: LAUGH UP ONE'S SLEEVE.
[laugh off] {v.} To dismiss with a laugh as not important or not
serious; not take seriously. * /He had a bad fall while ice skating
but he laughed it off./ * /You can't laugh off a ticket for speeding./
Compare: MAKE LIGHT OF.
[laugh one out of] {v. phr.} To cause another to forget his/her
worries and sorrows by joking. * /Jack was worried about getting
airsick, but his son and daughter laughed him out of it./
[laugh one's head off] {v. phr.}, {informal} To laugh very hard; be
unable to stop laughing. * /Paul's stories are so wildly funny that I
laugh my head off whenever he starts telling one of them./
[laugh on the wrong side of one's mouth] or [laugh on the other
side of one's mouth] or [laugh out of the other side of one's mouth]
{v. phr.}, {informal} To be made sorry; to feel annoyance or
disappointment; cry. * /Paul boasted that he was a good skater, but
after he fell, he laughed out of the other side of his mouth./
[laugh up one's sleeve] or [laugh in one's sleeve] or [laugh in
one's beard] To be amused but not show it; hide your laughter. * /He
was laughing up his sleeve when Joe answered the phone because he knew
the call would he a joke./
[launch window] {n.}, {Space English}, {informal} 1. A period of
time when the line-up of planets, Sun, and Moon are such as to make
favorable conditions for a specific space launch. * /The mission was
canceled until the next launch window which will be exactly six weeks
from today./ 2. A favorable time for starting some kind of ambitious
adventure. * /My next launch window for a European trip isn't until
school is over in June./
[laurel] See: LOOK TO ONE'S LAURELS, REST ON ONE'S LAURELS.
[lavender] See: LAY OUT(7).
[law] See: LAY DOWN THE LAW, PARLIAMENTARY LAW, TAKE THE LAW INTO
ONE'S OWN HANDS.
[law-abiding] {adj.} Obeying or following the law. * /Michael had
been a law-abiding citizen all his life./
[lawful age] See: LEGAL AGE.
[law of averages] {n. phr.} The idea that you can't win all the
time or lose all the time. * /The Celtics have won 10 games in a row
but the law of averages will catch up with them soon./
[law unto oneself] {n. phr.}, {literary} A person who does only
what he wishes; a person who ignores or breaks the law when he doesn't
like it. * /Everybody in Germany feared Hitler because he was a law
unto himself./ * /Mr. Brown told Johnny that he must stop trying to be
a law unto himself./ Compare: TAKE THE LAW INTO ONE'S OWN HANDS.
[lay] See: KILL THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG.
[lay about one] {v. phr.} To hit out in all directions. - Used with
a reflexive object: "her", "him", or "them". * /The bandits surrounded
the sheriff, but he laid about him so hard, with his gun used as a
club, that they stepped back and let him escape./ * /Mrs. Franklin
didn't kill the mouse, but she laid about her so hard with the broom
that she scared it away./
[lay a finger on] {v. phr.} To touch or bother, even a little. -
Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. * /Don't
you dare lay a finger on the vase!/ * /Suppose Billy fakes his brother
with him; wilt the mean, tough boy down the street dare lay a finger
on him?/ * /If you so much as lay a finger on my boy, I'll call the
police./ Compare: LAY HANDS ON, PUT ONE'S FINGER ON.
[lay an egg] {v. phr.}, {slang} To fail to win the interest or
favor of an audience. * /His joke laid an egg./ * /Sometimes he is a
successful speaker, but sometimes he lays an egg./
[lay aside] {v. phr.} 1. To put off until another time; interrupt
an activity. * /The president laid aside politics to turn to foreign
affairs./ 2. To save. * /They tried to lay aside a little money each
week for their vacation./
[lay at one's door] {v. phr.}, {literary} To blame (something) on a
person. * /The failure of the plan was laid at his door./ Compare: LAY
TO(1).
[lay away] {v.} 1. To save. * /She laid a little of her pay away
each week./ 2. To bury (a person). - Used to avoid the word "bury",
which some people think is unpleasant. * /He was laid away in his
favorite spot on the hill./
[lay-away plan] {n.} A plan for buying something that you can't pay
cash for; a plan in which you pay some money down and pay a little
more when you can, and the store holds the article until you have paid
the full price. * /She could not afford to pay for the coat all at
once, so she used the lay-away plan./
[lay bare] {v. phr.} To expose; reveal; divulge. * /During his
testimony the witness laid bare the whole story of his involvement
with the accused./
[lay by] {v.} To save, especially a little at a time. * /The
students laid a little money by every week till they had enough for a
trip to Florida./ * /The farmer laid by some of his best corn to use
the next year for seed./
[lay down] {v.} 1. To let (something) be taken; give up or
surrender (something). * /The general told the troops to lay down
their arms./ * /He was willing to lay down his life for his country./
Compare: GIVE UP. 2. To ask people to follow; tell someone to obey;
make (a rule or principle). * /The committee laid down rules about the
size of tennis courts./ 3. To declare; say positively; say surely;
state. * /She laid it down as always true that "a fool and his money
are soon parted."/ 4. To store or save for future use, especially in a
cellar. * /They laid down several barrels of cider./
[lay down one's arms] {v. phr.} To cease fighting; surrender. *
/The Civil War ended when the Confederate army finally laid down its
arms./
[lay down one's cards] See: LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE.
[lay down one's life] {v. phr.} To sacrifice one's life for a cause
or person; suffer martyrdom. * /The early Christians often laid down
their lives for their faith./
[lay down the law] {v. phr.} 1. To give strict orders. * /The
teacher lays down the law about homework every afternoon./ 2. To speak
severely or seriously about a wrongdoing; scold. * /The principal
called in the students and laid down the law to them about skipping
classes./ Compare: TELL ONE WHERE TO GET OFF.
[lay eyes on] or [set eyes on] {v. phr.} To see. * /She knew he was
different as soon as she laid eyes on him./ * /I didn't know the man;
in fact, I had never set eyes on him./
[lay for] {v.}, {informal} To hide and wait for in order to catch
or attack; to lie in wait for. * /The bandits laid for him along the
road./ * /I knew he had the marks for the exam, so I was laying for
him outside his office./
[lay hands on] {v. phr.} 1. To get hold of; find; catch. * /The
treasure hunters can keep any treasure they can lay hands on./ * /If
the police can lay hands on him, they will put him in jail./ Compare:
LAY ONE'S HAND ON(2). 2. To do violence to; harm; hurt. * /They were
afraid that if they left him alone in his disturbed condition he would
lay hands on himself./
[lay hold of] {v. phr.} 1. To take hold of; grasp; grab. * /He laid
hold of the rope and pulled the boat ashore./ 2. To get possession of.
* /He sold every washing machine he could lay hold of./ 3. {Chiefly
British} To understand. * /Some ideas in this science book are hard to
lay hold of./
[lay in] {v.} To store up a supply of; to get and keep for future
use. * /Mrs. Mason heard that the price of sugar might go up, so she
laid in a hundred pounds of it./ * /Before school starts, the
principal will lay in plenty of paper for the students' written work./
Compare: LAY UP.
[lay into] or [light into] {v.}, {informal} 1. To attack
physically; go at vigorously. * /The two fighters laid into each other
as soon as the bell rang./ * /John loves Italian food and he really
laid into the spaghetti./ Syn.: PITCH INTO, SAIL INTO. 2. {slang} To
attack with words. * /The senator laid into the opponents of his
bill./ Syn.: LACE INTO, RIP INTO. Compare: BAWL OUT, TELL OFF.
[lay it on] or [lay it on thick] also [put it on thick] or [spread
it on thick] or [lay it on with a trowel] {v. phr.}, {informal} To
persuade someone by using very much flattery; flatter. * /Bob wanted
to go to the movies. He laid it on thick to his mother./ * /Mary was
caught fibbing. She sure spread it on thick./ Compare: PUT ON(2b).
[lay it on the line] See: LAY ON THE LINE(2).
[lay low] {v.} 1. To knock down; to force into a lying position; to
put out of action. * /Many trees were laid low by the storm./ * /Jane
was laid low by the flu./ 2. To kill. * /The hunters laid low seven
pheasants./ 3. See: LIE LOW.
[layoff] {n.} A systematic or periodical dismissal of employees
from a factory or a firm. * /Due to the poor economy, the car
manufacturer announced a major layoff starting next month./
[lay off] {v. phr.} 1. To mark out the boundaries or limits. * /He
laid off a baseball diamond on the vacant lot./ Compare: LAY OUT(5).
2. To put out of work. * /The company lost the contract for making the
shoes and laid off half its workers./ 3. {slang} To stop bothering;
leave alone. - Usually used in the imperative. * /Lay off me, will
you? I have to study for a test./ 4. {slang} To stop using or taking.
* /His doctor told him to lay off cigarettes./
[lay of the land] also [how the land lies] {n. phr.} 1. The natural
features of a piece of land, such as hills and valleys. * /The style
of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land./
2. The way something is arranged; the important facts about something;
how things are. * /The banker wanted to check the lay of the land
before buying the stock./ * /Before the new boy will join our club, he
wants to see how the land lies./
[lay on] {v.} 1. To spread on or over a surface; apply. * /He told
us that we should lay on a second coat of paint for better protection
against the weather./ 2. To beat; to strike. * /Little John seized a
staff and began to lay on with great energy./ 3. See: LAY IT ON.
[lay one's cards on the table] or [lay down one's cards] or [put
one's cards on the table] {v. phr.}, {informal} To let someone know
your position and interest openly; deal honestly; act without trickery
or secrets. * /In talking about buying the property, Peterson laid his
cards on the table about his plans for it./ * /Some of the graduates
of the school were unfriendly toward the new superintendent, but he
put his cards on the table and won their support./
[lay oneself open to] {v. phr.} To make oneself vulnerable to;
expose oneself. * /If you don't perform your job properly, you will
lay yourself open to criticism./
[lay oneself out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make an extra hard
effort; try very hard. * /Larry wanted to win a medal for his school,
so he really laid himself out in the race./
[lay one's finger on] See: PUT ONE'S FINGER ON.
[lay one's hands on] or [get one's hands on] {v. phr.} 1. To seize
in order to punish or treat roughly. * /If I ever lay my hands on that
boy he'll be sorry./ Compare: LAY A FINGER ON. 2. To get possession
of. * /He was unable to lay his hands on a Model T Ford for the school
play./ Compare: LAY HANDS ON(1). 3. or [lay one's hand on] or [put
one's hand on] To find; locate. * /He keeps a file of letters so he
can lay his hands on one whenever he needs it./
[lay on the line] or [put on the line] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To
pay or offer to pay. * /The sponsors had to lay nearly a million
dollars on the line to keep the show on TV./ * /The bank is putting
$5,000 on the line as a reward to anyone who catches the robber./
Compare: PUT UP. 2. To say plainly so that there can be no doubt; tell
truthfully, * /I'm going to lay it on the line for you, Paul. You must
work harder if you want to pass./ 3. To take a chance of losing; risk.
* /The champion is laying his title on the line in the fight tonight./
* /Frank decided to lay his job on the line and tell the boss that he
thought he was wrong./
[lay out] {v. phr.} 1. To prepare (a dead body) for burial. * /The
corpse was laid out by the undertaker./ 2. {slang} To knock down flat;
to hit unconscious. * /A stiff right to the jaw laid the boxer out in
the second round./ 3. To plan. * /Come here, Fred, I have a job laid
out for you./ 4. To mark or show where work is to be done. * /The
foreman laid out the job for the new machinist./ 5. To plan the
building or arrangement of; design. * /The architect laid out the
interior of the building./ * /The early colonists laid out towns in
the wilderness./ Compare: LAY OFF(1). 6. {slang} To spend; pay. * /How
much did you have to lay out for your new car?/ 7. or [lay out in
lavender] {slang} To scold; lecture. * /He was laid out in lavender
for arriving an hour late for the dance./ Compare: JUMP ON, LAY
INTO(2), LET HAVE IT(1c).
[layout] {n.} General situation; arrangement; plan. * /The layout
of their apartment overlooking Lake Michigan was strikingly unusual./
Compare: LAID OUT.
[layover] {n.} A stopover, usually at an airport or in a hotel due
to interrupted air travel. * /There were several layovers at O'Hare
last month due to bad weather./
[lay over] {v.} 1. To put off until later; delay; postpone. * /We
voted to lay the question over to our next meeting for decision./ 2.
To arrive in one place and wait some time before continuing the
journey. * /We had to lay over in St. Louis for two hours waiting for
keep pace with his father./ * /When Billy was moved to a more advanced
class, he had to work hard to keep pace./ Compare: KEEP UP(2a).
[keep plugging along] {v. phr.}, {informal} To continue to work
diligently and with great effort, often against hardship. * /Bob was
not particularly talented but he kept plugging along year after year,
and eventually became vice president./
[keeps] See: FOR KEEPS.
[keep step with] {v. phr.} To maintain the same degree of progress
as someone else. * /The United States has no choice but to keep step
with potential enemies in terms of modern defense systems./
[keep tab on] or [keep tabs on] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To keep a
record of. * /The government tries to keep tabs on all the animals in
the park./ 2. To keep a watch on; check. * /The house mother kept tabs
on the girls to be sure they were clean and neat./ Compare: KEEP TRACK
OF.
[keep the ball rolling] {v. phr.}, {informal} To keep up an
activity or action; not allow something that is happening to slow or
stop. * /Clyde kept the ball rolling at the party by dancing with a
lamp shade on his head./ Compare: GET THE BALL ROLLING.
[keep the faith] {v. phr.} To not abandon hope; stay committed to
the cause of democracy and racial equality. * /"Keep the faith, Baby,"
my neighbor said as he raised his fingers to show the "V" for victory
sign./
[keep the home fires burning] {v. phr.} To keep things going as
usual while someone is away; wait at home to welcome someone back. *
/While John was in the army, Mary kept the home fires burning./
[keep the wolf (wolves) from the door] {v. phr.} To avoid hunger,
poverty, and/or creditors. * /"I don't like my job," Mike complained,
"but I must do something to keep the wolves from the door."/ Compare:
KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER.
[keep things humming] {v. phr.} To cause thing to perform smoothly
and efficiently. * /Until Mr. Long joined our computer center, we had
all sorts of problems, but he has corrected them and really keeps
things humming./
[keep time] {v. phr.} 1. To show the right time. * /My watch has
not kept good time since I dropped it./ 2. To keep the beat; keep the
same rhythm; keep in step. * /Many people are surprised at how well
deaf people keep time with the music when they dance./
[keep to oneself] See: TO ONESELF(2).
[keep track] {v. phr.} To know about changes; stay informed or
up-to-date; keep a count or record. * /What day of the week is it? I
can't keep track./ - Usually used with "of". * /Mr. Stevens kept track
of his business by telephone when he was in the hospital./ * /The
farmer has so many chickens, he can hardly keep track of them all./
Compare: IN TOUCH, KEEP UP(3). Contrast: LOSE TRACK.
[keep under one's hat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To keep secret; not
tell. * /Mr. Jones knew who had won the contest, but he kept it under
his hat until it was announced publicly./ - Often used as a command. *
/Keep it under your hat./ Syn.: KEEP TO ONESELF.
[keep up] {v.} 1a. To go on; not stop; continue. * /The rain kept
up for two days and the roads were flooded./ Compare: KEEP ON. 1b. To
go on with (something); continue steadily; never stop. * /Mrs. Smith
told John to keep up the good work./ * /The teacher asked Dick to stop
bothering Mary, but he kept it up./ Compare: KEEP AT. 2a. To go at the
same rate as others. * /John had to work hard to keep up./ * /Billy
was the youngest boy on the hike, but he kept up with the others./
Compare: CATCH UP, KEEP PACE. Contrast: FALL BEHIND, GET BEHIND(1).
2b. To keep (something) at the same level or rate or in good
condition. * /The shortage of tomatoes kept the prices up./ *
/Grandfather was too poor to keep up his house./ 3. To keep informed.
- Usually used with "on" or "with". * /Mary is interested in politics
and always keeps up with the news./ Compare: KEEP TRACK.
[keep up appearances] {v. phr.} To maintain an outward show of
prosperity in spite of financial problems. * /Mr. Smith's widow had a
hard time keeping up appearances after her husband's death./
[keep up one's end] See: HOLD ONE'S END UP.
[keep up with] See: KEEP STEP WITH, KEEP ABREAST OF.
[keep up with the Joneses] {v. phr.} To follow the latest fashion;
try to be equal with your neighbors. * /Mrs. Smith kept buying every
new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop
trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself./
[keep watch] {v. phr.} To be vigilant; be alert; guard. * /The
police have asked the neighborhood to keep watch against an escaped
convict./
[keep your fingers crossed] See: CROSS ONE'S FINGERS.
[kettle] See: KETTLE OF FISH, POT CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK.
[kettle of fish] {v. phr.}, {informal} Something to be considered;
how things are; a happening; business. * /I thought he needed money,
but it was another kettle of fish - his car had disappeared./ -
Usually used with "pretty", "fine", "nice", but meaning bad trouble. *
/He had two flat tires and no spare on a country road at night, which
was certainly a pretty kettle of fish./ * /This is a fine kettle of
fish! I forgot my book./ Compare: CUP OP TEA(2).
[key] See: LOW KEY, OFF-KEY.
[keyed up] {adj.}, {informal} Excited; nervous; anxious to do
something. * /Mary was all keyed up about the exam./ * /Mother would
not let Tom read a ghost story at bedtime; she said it would get him
keyed up./
[kick about] See: KICK AROUND(3).
[kick against the pricks] {v. phr.}, {literary} To fight against
rules or authority in a way that just hurts yourself. * /Johnny kicked
against the pricks in his foster home until he learned that he could
trust his new family./
[kick around] {v.}, {informal} 1. To act roughly or badly to; treat
badly; bully. * /John likes to kick around the little boys./ * /Mr.
Jones is always kicking his dog around./ Syn.: PUSH AROUND. 2. To lie
around or in a place; be treated carelessly; be neglected. * /This old
coat has been kicking around the closet for years./ * /The letter
kicked around on my desk for days./ 3. {slang} To talk easily or
carelessly back and forth about; examine in a careless or easy-going
way. * /Bob and I kicked around the idea of going swimming, but it was
hot and we were too lazy./ Compare: TRY OUT, TALK OVER. 4. To move
about often; go from one job or place to another; become experienced.
* /Harry has kicked around all over the world as a merchant seaman./
Compare: HAS BEEN AROUND.
[kick back] {v.}, {slang}, {informal} To pay money illegally for
favorable contract arrangements. * /I will do it if you kick back a
few hundred for my firm./
[kickback] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} Money paid illegally for
favorable treatment. * /He was arrested for making kickback payments./
[kick down] {v. phr.}, {slang} To shift an automobile, jeep, or
truck into lower gear by hand-shifting. * /Joe kicked the jeep down
from third to second, and we slowed down./
[kick in] See: CHIP IN.
[kick in the pants] or [kick in the teeth] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Unexpected scorn or insult when praise was expected; rejection. *
/Mary worked hard to clean up John's room, but all she got for her
trouble was a kick in the teeth./ Compare: SLAP IN THE FACE.
[kick it] {v. phr.}, {slang} To end a bad or unwanted habit such as
drinking, smoking, or drug addiction. * /Farnsworth finally kicked it;
he's in good shape./
[kickoff] {n.} The start of something, like a new venture, a
business, a sports event, or a concert season. * /Beethoven's Ninth
will be the kickoff for this summer season at Ravinia./
[kick off] {v. phr.} 1. To make the kick that begins a football
game. * /John kicked off and the football game started./ 2. {informal}
To begin; launch; start. * /The candidate kicked off his campaign with
a speech on television./ * /The fund raising drive was kicked off with
a theater party./ 3. {slang} To die. * /Mr. Jones was almost ninety
years old when he kicked off./ Syn.: KICK THE BUCKET.
[kick oneself] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be sorry or ashamed;
regret. * /When John missed the train, he kicked himself for not
having left earlier./ * /Mary could have kicked herself for letting
the secret out before it was announced officially./
[kick out] or [boot out] {v.}, {informal} To make (someone) go or
leave; get rid of; dismiss. * /The boys made so much noise at the
movie that the manager kicked them out./ * /The chief of police was
booted out of office because he was a crook./ Syn.: THROW OUT(3).
[kick over] {v.} 1. Of a motor: To begin to work. * /He had not
used his car for two months and when he tried to start it, the motor
would not kick over./ 2. {slang} To pay; contribute. * /The gang
forced all the storekeepers on the block to kick over $5 a week./ 3.
{slang} To die. * /Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicked over this morning./
[kick over the traces] also [jump the traces] {v. phr.} To break
the rules; behave badly. * /When their teacher was absent and they had
a substitute, the children kicked over the traces./ Compare: ACT UP,
CUT UP, LET LOOSE, OUT OF HAND, RAISE CAIN.
[kick the bucket] {v. phr.}, {slang} To die. * /Old Mr. Jones
kicked the bucket just two days before his ninety-fourth birthday./
Compare: KICK OFF(3).
[kick up] {v.}, {informal} To show signs of not working right. *
/John had had too much to eat and his stomach started to kick up./ *
/After working well for a year the air conditioner suddenly started
kicking up./
[kick up a fuss] or [kick up a row] or [raise a row] also [kick up
a dust] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make trouble; make a disturbance. *
/When the teacher gave the class five more hours of homework, the
class kicked up a fuss./ * /When the teacher left the room, two boys
kicked up a row./ Compare: RAISE CAIN, RAISE THE ROOF.
[kick up one's heels] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have a merry time;
celebrate. * /When exams were over the students went to town to kick
up their heels./ * /Mary was usually very quiet but at the farewell
party she kicked up her heels and had a wonderful time./
[kid] See: HANDLE WITH GLOVES or HANDLE WITH KID GLOVES, HANDLE
WITHOUT GLOVES or HANDLE WITHOUT KID GLOVES.
[kiddie car] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A school
bus. * /Watch out for that kiddie car coming up behind you!/
[kill] See: CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT, IN AT THE KILL.
[kill off] {v.} To kill or end completely; destroy. * /The factory
dumped poisonous wastes into the river and killed off the fish./ *
/The president suggested a new law to Congress but many members of
Congress were against the idea and they killed it off./ * /Mother made
Nancy practice her dancing an hour every day; Nancy got tired of
dancing and that killed off her interest./
[kill the goose that laid the golden egg] To spoil something that
is good or something that you have, by being greedy. - A proverb. *
/Mrs. Jones gives you an apple from her tree whenever you go by her
house, but don't kill the goose that laid the golden egg by bothering
her too much./
[kill time] {v. phr.} To cause the time to pass more rapidly; waste
time. * /The plane trip to Hong Kong was long and tiring, but we
managed to kill time by watching several movies./
[kill two birds with one stone] {v. phr.} To succeed in doing two
things by only one action; get two results from one effort. * /Mother
stopped at the supermarket to buy bread and then went to get Jane at
dancing class; she killed two birds with one stone./ * /The history
teacher told us that making an outline kills two birds with one stone;
it makes us study the lesson till we understand it, and it gives us
notes to review before the test./
[kilter] See: OUT OF KILTER.
[kind] See: IN A WAY also IN A KIND OF WAY, IN KIND.
[kindly] See: TAKE KINDLY TO.
[kind of] or [sort of] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Almost but not
quite; rather. * /A guinea pig looks kind of like a rabbit, but it has
short ears./ * /Bob was kind of tired when he finished the job./ *
/The teacher sort of frowned but then smiled./ * /Mary wouldn't tell
what she wanted to be when she grew up; it was sort of a secret./
[kindled spirits] {n. phr.} People who resemble each other in
numerous ways, including their ways of thinking and feeling. * /They
are kindred spirits; they both like to go on long walks in the
forest./
[king's ransom] {n. phr.} 1. An excessively large sum of money
extorted by kidnappers to let someone go free. * /The Smith family had
to pay a kings ransom for the freedom of their seven-year-old son,
Tommy./ 2. An exorbitant fee one is forced to pay. * /The realtors
exacted a king's ransom for that choice lot on the comer./
[kiss someone] or [something goodbye] {v. phr.} To lose or give up
someone or something forever. * /"If you won't marry Jane," Peter said
to Tom, "you might as well kiss her goodbye."/ * /People who bet on a
losing horse at the races might as well kiss their money goodbye./
[kite] See: GO FLY A KITE.
[kitten] See: HAVE KITTENS.
[knee] See: BRING TO ONE'S KNEES, IN THE LAP OF THE GODS also ON
THE KNEES OF THE GODS, ON ONE'S KNEES, UP TO THE CHIN IN or UP TO THE
KNEE IN.
[knee-deep] or [neck-deep] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Very much;
deeply; having a big part in. * /Johnny was knee-deep in trouble./ 2.
Very busy; working hard at. * /We were neck-deep in homework before
the exams./ 3. Getting or having many or much. * /The television
station was knee-deep in phone calls./ Compare: UP TO THE CHIN IN.
[knee-high to a grasshopper] also [knee-high to a duck] {adj.
phr.}, {informal} As tall as a very small child; very young. *
/Charles started reading when he was knee-high to a grasshopper./ *
/I've known Mary ever since she was knee-high to a duck./
[kneeling bus] {n.}, {informal} A bus equipped with a hydraulic
device to enable it to drop almost to curb level for greater ease of
boarding and leaving vehicle, as a convenience for elderly or
handicapped passengers. * /The man on crutches was pleased to see the
kneeling bus./
[knell] See: DEATH KNELL.
[knit] See: CLOSE-KNIT.
[knitting] See: STICK TO ONE'S KNITTING or TEND TO ONE'S KNITTING.
[knock] See: SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.
[knock about] or [knock around] {v.} To travel without a plan; go
where you please. * /After he graduated from college, Joe knocked
about for a year seeing the country before he went to work in his
father's business./ Compare: KICK AROUND.
[knock back on one's heels] See: SET BACK ON ONE'S HEELS.
[knock cold] {v. phr.}, {informal} To render unconscious. * /The
blow on the chin knocked Harry cold./
[knock down] {v. phr.} To reduce; lower. * /The realtors said that
if we decided to buy the house, they would knock the price down by
10%./
[knocked out] {adj.}, {slang} Intoxicated; drugged; out of one's
mind. * /Jim sounds so incoherent, he must be knocked out./
[knock for a loop] or [throw for a loop] {v. phr.}, {slang} To
surprise very much. * /When I heard they were moving, I was really
knocked for a loop./ * /The news of their marriage threw me for a
loop./
[knock it off] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. To stop talking
about something considered not appropriate or nonsensical by the
listener. - Used frequently as an imperative. * /Come on, Joe, knock
it off, you're not making any sense at all!/ 2. To cease doing
something; to quit. - Heavily favored in the imperative. * /Come on
boys, knock it off, you're breaking the furniture in my room!/
[knock off] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To burglarize someone. * /They
knocked off the Manning residence./ 2. To murder someone. * /The
gangsters knocked off Herman./
[knock off one's feet] {v. phr.} To surprise (someone) so much that
he does not know what to do. * /Her husband's death knocked Mrs. Jones
off her feet./ * /When Charlie was given the prize, it knocked him off
his feet for a few minutes./ Compare: BOWL OVER(2), SWEEP OFF ONE'S
FEET.
[knock one's block off] {v. phr.}, {slang} To hit someone very
hard; beat someone up. * /Stay out of my yard or I'll knock your block
off./ * /Jim will knock your block off if he catches you riding his
bike./
[knock oneself out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To work very hard; make a
great effort. * /Mrs. Ross knocked herself out planning her daughter's
wedding./ * /Tom knocked himself out to give his guests a good time./
Compare: BREAK ONE'S NECK, FALL OVER BACKWARDS, OUT OF ONE'S WAY.
[knock on wood] {v. phr.} To knock on something made of wood to
keep from having bad luck. - Many people believe that you will have
bad luck if you talk about good luck or brag about something, unless
you knock on wood; often used in a joking way. * /Charles said, "I
haven't been sick all winter." Grandfather said, "You'd better knock
on wood when you say that."/
[knockout] {n.}, {slang} 1. Strikingly beautiful woman. * /Sue is a
regular knockout./ 2. A straight punch in boxing that causes one's
opponent to fall and lose consciousness. * /The champion won the fight
with a straight knockout./
[knock out] {v. phr.} To make helpless, unworkable, or unusable. *
/The champion knocked out the challenger in the third round./ * /The
soldier knocked out two enemy tanks with his bazooka./
[knock over] {v. phr.} To overturn; upset. * /I accidentally
knocked over the Chinese lamp that fell on size floor and broke./
[knock the living daylights out of] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To render (someone) unconscious (said in exaggeration). * /The news
almost knocked the living daylights out of me./
[knock the stuffing out of] See: KNOCK THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF.
[knot] See: TIE IN KNOTS, TIE THE KNOT.
[knotty problem] {n. phr.} A very complicated and difficult problem
to solve. * /Doing one's income tax properly can present a knotty
problem./
[know] See: FOR ALL ONE KNOWS, GOD KNOWS or GOODNESS KNOWS or
HEAVEN KNOWS, IN THE KNOW, NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN or NOT KNOW
WHICH WAY TO JUMP.
[know a thing or two about] {v. phr.} To be experienced in; have a
fairly considerable knowledge of. * /Tom has dealt with many foreign
traders; he knows a thing or two about stocks and bonds./
[know enough to come in out of the rain] {v. phr.} To have good
sense; know how to take care of yourself. - Usually used in the
negative. * /Bob does so many foolish things that his mother says he
doesn't know enough to come in out of the rain./ * /Sally may look
stupid, but she knows enough to come in out of the rain./
[know-how] {n.}, {slang} Expertise; ability to devise and
construct. * /The United States had the know-how to beat the Soviet
Union to the moon in 1969./
[know if one is coming or going] or [know whether one is coming or
going] {v. phr.} To feel able to think clearly; know what to do. -
Usually used in the negative or with limiters. * /On Monday, the car
broke down; on Tuesday, Mother broke her arm; on Wednesday, the
children all became ill with the mumps; by Thursday, poor Father
didn't know if he was coming or going./ * /My cousin is so much in
love that she scarcely knows whether she's coming or going./ Compare:
IN A FOG.
[know in one's bones] See: FEEL IN ONE'S BONES.
[know-it-all] {n.} A person who acts as if he knows all about
everything; someone who thinks no one can tell him anything new. *
/After George was elected as class president, he wouldn't take
suggestions from anyone; he became a know-it-all./ - Also used like an
adjective. * /The other students didn't like George's know-it-all
attitude./
[knowledge] See: A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING, TO THE
BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
[know one in high places] {v. phr.} To be connected with people in
power. * /Ted's grandfather was the mayor of Chicago so he knows
people in high places./
[know one is alive] {v. phr.} Not to notice a person. - Used with
negative or limiting words and in questions. * /She was a good-looking
girl but she didn't know I was alive./ Compare: GIVE A HANG.
[know one's own mind] {v. phr.} To no( hesitate or vacillate; be
definite in one's ideas or plans. * /It is impossible to do business
with Fred, because he doesn't know his own mind./
[know one's place] {v. phr.} To be deferential to one's elders or
superiors. * /Ken is a talented teaching assistant, but he has a
tendency to tell the head of the department how to run things.
Somebody ought to teach him to know his place./
[know one's way around] or [know one's way about] {v. phr.} 1. To
understand how things happen in the world; he experienced in the ways
of the world. * /The sailor had been in the wildest ports in the
world. He knew his way around./ Compare: HAVE BEEN AROUND. 2. or
{informal} [know one's onions] or [know one's stuff] To have
experience and skill in an activity. * /Before trying to make any
pottery, it is better to get advice from someone who knows his stuff
in ceramics./ Compare: DRY BEHIND THE EARS.
[know something inside out] {v. phr.} To be extremely well
conversant with something; be an expert in; have thorough knowledge
of. * /Tom knows the stock market inside out./
[know the ropes] See: THE ROPES.
[know the score] See: THE SCORE.
[know what's what] See: KNOW SOMETHING INSIDE OUT.
[know which side one's bread is buttered on] {v. phr.} To know who
can help you and try to please him; know what is for your own gain. *
/Dick was always polite to the boss; he knew which side his bread was
buttered on./
[know which way to turn] See: NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN.
[knuckle] See: BUCKLE DOWN or KNUCKLE DOWN, RAP ONE'S KNUCKLES.
[knuckle down] See: BUCKLE DOWN.
[knuckle under] {v. phr.} To do something because you are forced to
do it. * /Bobby refused to knuckle under to the bully./ Compare: GIVE
IN.
[labor movement] {n.} Groups which form, strengthen, and increase
membership in labor unions. * /His father was connected with the labor
movement in the 1920's./
[labor of love] {n. phr.} Something done for personal pleasure and
not pay or profit. * /Building the model railroad was a labor of love
for the retired engineer./
[labor the point] See: BELABOR THE POINT.
[labor under] {v. phr.} To be the victim of; suffer from. * /Ken is
obviously laboring under the delusion that Jennifer will marry him out
of love./
[lace into] or [tie into] {v.}, {informal} To attack physically or
with words; begin to hit or criticize. * /The boxer laced into his
opponent./ * /The critics laced into the new movie./ Syn.: LAY INTO,
RIP INTO. Compare: GIVE IT TO.
[ladies' room] {n. phr.} A public toilet and restroom for women. *
/Can you please tell me where the ladies' room is?/
[lady friend] {n.} 1. A woman friend. * /His aunt stays with a lady
friend in Florida during the winter./ 2. A woman who is the lover of a
man. - Used by people trying to appear more polite, but not often used
by careful speakers. * /The lawyer took his lady friend to dinner./
Syn.: GIRLFRIEND.
[lady-killer] {n.}, {informal} 1. Any man who has strong sex appeal
toward women. * /Joe is a regular lady-killer./ 2. A man who
relentlessly pursues amorous conquests, is successful at it, and then
abandons his heartbroken victims. * /The legendary Don Juan of Spain
is the most famous lady-killer of recorded history./ Compare: LADY'S
MAN.
[lady of the house] {n. phr.} Female owner, or wife of the owner,
of the house; the hostess. * /"Dinner is served," the lady of the
house announced to her guests./
[lady's man] {n.} A man or boy who likes to be with women or girls
very much and is popular with them. * /Charlie is quite a lady's man
now./
[lake] See: GO JUMP IN THE LAKE.
[laid out] {adj.} Arranged. * /Her house is very conveniently laid
out./
[laid up] {adj.} Sick; confined to bed. * /I was laid up for a
couple of weeks with an ear infection./
[lam] See: ON THE LAM.
[lamb] See: GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB, IN TWO SHAKES
OF A LAMB'S TAIL.
[lame duck] {n.}, {informal} An elected public official who has
been either defeated in a new election or whose term cannot be
renewed, but who has a short period of time left in office during
which he can still perform certain duties, though with somewhat
diminished powers. * /In the last year of their second terms, American
presidents are lame ducks./
[land] See: FAT OF THE LAND, LAY OF THE LAND also HOW THE LAND
LIES.
[land all over] See: JUMP ON.
[landing ship] {n.} A ship built to land troops and army equipment
on a beach for an invasion. * /The landing ship came near the beach,
doors in the bow opened, and marines ran out./
[land-office business] {n.}, {informal} A great rush of business. *
/It was a hot day, and the drive-ins were doing a land-office business
in ice cream and cold drinks./
[land of nod] {n. phr.} Sleep. * /The little girl went off to the
land of nod./
[land on] See: JUMP ON.
[land on one's feet] also [land on both feet] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To get yourself out of trouble without damage or injury and sometimes
with a gain; be successful no matter what happens. * /No matter what
trouble he gets into, he always seems to land on his feet./ * /Mary
lost her first job because she was always late to work, but she landed
on her feet and soon had a better job./
[landslide] {n.} An overwhelming victory during a political
election. * /Ronald Reagan won the election of 1980 in a landslide./
[lane] See: LOVERS' LANE.
[lap] See: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY, IN THE LAP OF THE GODS.
[lap up] {v.} 1. To eat or drink with the tip of the tongue. * /The
kitten laps up its milk./ 2. {informal} To take in eagerly. * /She
flatters him all the time and he just laps it up./ * /William is
interested in rockets and space, and he laps up all he can read about
them./ Syn.: EAT UP(3).
[lardhead] {n.}, {slang} A stupid or slow-witted person. * /You'll
never convince Donald; he's a lardhead./
[large] See: AT LARGE, BY AND LARGE.
[large as life] See: BIG AS LIFE.
[large-eyed] See: ROUND-EYED.
[large order] {n. phr.} Difficult job; a difficult task to fulfill.
* /It is a large order to educate three children in college at the
same time./ Compare: TALL ORDER.
[lash] See: TONGUE LASHING.
[lash out] {v.} 1. To kick. * /The horse lashed out at the man
behind him./ 2. To try suddenly to hit. * /The woman lashed out at the
crowd with her umbrella./ 3. To attack with words. * /The senator
lashed out at the administration./ * /The school newspaper lashed out
at the unfriendly way some students treated the visiting team./
[last] See: AT LAST, EVERY LAST MAN, EVERY SINGLE or EVERY LAST,
FIRST AND LAST, HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST, HAVE THE LAST LAUGH,
ON ONE'S LAST LEGS, TILL THE LAST GUN IS FIRED or UNTIL THE LAST GUN
IS FIRED.
[last but not least] {adv. phr.} In the last place but not the
least important. * /Billy will bring sandwiches, Alice will bring
cake, Susan will bring cookies, John will bring potato chips, and last
but not least, Sally will bring the lemonade./
[last ditch] {n.} The last place that can be defended; the last
resort. * /They will fight reform to the last ditch./
[last-ditch] {adj.} Made or done as a last chance to keep from
losing or tailing. * /He threw away his cigarettes in a last-ditch
effort to stop smoking./ Compare: BACK TO THE WALL.
[last-ditch effort] See: LAST DITCH.
[last lap] {n. phr.} The final stage. * /Although the trip had been
very interesting, we were glad that we were on the last lap of our
tiring journey./ See: LAST LEG.
[last laugh] See: HAVE THE LAST LAUGH.
[last leg] {n. phr.} 1. Final stages of physical weakness before
dying. * /The poor old man was on his last leg in the nursing home./
2. The final stage of a journey. * /The last leg of our
round-the-world trip was Paris to Chicago./ See: LAST LAP.
[last out] {v.} 1. To be enough until the end of. * /There is
enough food in the house to last out the snowstorm./ * /Our candies
won't last out the night./ 2. To continue to the end of; continue to
live after; live or go through. * /The old man is dying; he won't last
out the night./ * /This car will never last out the winter./ Compare:
HOLD OUT.
[last stand] {n. phr.} See: LAST DITCH.
[last straw] or [straw that breaks the camel's back] {n. phr.} A
small trouble which follows other troubles and makes one lose patience
and be unable to bear them. * /Bill had a bad day in school yesterday.
He lost his knife on the way home, then he fell down, and when he
broke a shoe lace, that was the last straw and he began to cry./ *
/Mary didn't like it when the other girls said she was proud and lazy,
but when they said she told fibs it was the straw that broke the
camel's back and she told the teacher./
[last word] {n.} 1. The last remark in an argument. * /I never win
an argument with her. She always has the last word./ 2. The final say
in deciding something. * /The superintendent has the last word in
ordering new desks./ 3. {informal} The most modern thing. * /Mrs.
Green's stove is the last word in stoves./
[latch on] or [hitch onto] {v.}, {informal} 1. To get hold of;
grasp or grab; catch. * /He looked for something to latch onto and
keep from falling./ * /The football player latched onto a pass./ 2.
{slang} To get into your possession. * /The banker latched onto a
thousand shares of stock./ 3. {slang} To understand. * /The teacher
explained the idea of jet engines until the students latched onto it./
Syn.: CATCH ON. 4. {informal} To keep; to hold. * /The poor woman
latched onto the little money she had left./ 5. {slang} To stay with;
not leave. * /Marie and Dick wanted to go to the movies by themselves,
but Mane's little brother latched onto them./
[latch string] {n.} 1. A string that opens an old-fashioned door by
lifting a small bar. * /The early settlers kept the latch string
outside the door when they were working around the house, but at night
they pulled it to the inside./ 2. {informal} A warm welcome; a
friendly greeting. - Used in such phrases as "the latch string is
out." * /Mary has her latch siring out for everyone who comes./ Syn.:
WELCOME MAT(2).
[late] See: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, OF LATE.
[lately] See: JOHNNY-COME-LATELY.
[later] See: SOONER OR LATER.
[later on] {adv.} Later; not now. * /Finish your lessons. Later on,
we may have a surprise./ * /Bill couldn't stand on his head when
school started, but later on he learned how./
[lather] See: IN A LATHER.
[laugh] See: HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST, HAVE THE LAST LAUGH.
[laugh all the way to the bank] {v. phr.} To have made a
substantial amount of money either by lucky investment or by some
fraudulent deal and rejoice over one's gains. * /If you had done what
I suggested, you, too, could be laughing all the way to the bank./
[laughing matter] {n.} A funny happening; a silly situation. -
Usually used with "no". * /John's failing the test is no laughing
matter!/ * /We were amused when our neighbor's cat had five kittens,
but when our own cat had six kittens it was no laughing matter./
[laugh in one's beard] See: LAUGH UP ONE'S SLEEVE.
[laugh in one's sleeve] See: LAUGH UP ONE'S SLEEVE.
[laugh off] {v.} To dismiss with a laugh as not important or not
serious; not take seriously. * /He had a bad fall while ice skating
but he laughed it off./ * /You can't laugh off a ticket for speeding./
Compare: MAKE LIGHT OF.
[laugh one out of] {v. phr.} To cause another to forget his/her
worries and sorrows by joking. * /Jack was worried about getting
airsick, but his son and daughter laughed him out of it./
[laugh one's head off] {v. phr.}, {informal} To laugh very hard; be
unable to stop laughing. * /Paul's stories are so wildly funny that I
laugh my head off whenever he starts telling one of them./
[laugh on the wrong side of one's mouth] or [laugh on the other
side of one's mouth] or [laugh out of the other side of one's mouth]
{v. phr.}, {informal} To be made sorry; to feel annoyance or
disappointment; cry. * /Paul boasted that he was a good skater, but
after he fell, he laughed out of the other side of his mouth./
[laugh up one's sleeve] or [laugh in one's sleeve] or [laugh in
one's beard] To be amused but not show it; hide your laughter. * /He
was laughing up his sleeve when Joe answered the phone because he knew
the call would he a joke./
[launch window] {n.}, {Space English}, {informal} 1. A period of
time when the line-up of planets, Sun, and Moon are such as to make
favorable conditions for a specific space launch. * /The mission was
canceled until the next launch window which will be exactly six weeks
from today./ 2. A favorable time for starting some kind of ambitious
adventure. * /My next launch window for a European trip isn't until
school is over in June./
[laurel] See: LOOK TO ONE'S LAURELS, REST ON ONE'S LAURELS.
[lavender] See: LAY OUT(7).
[law] See: LAY DOWN THE LAW, PARLIAMENTARY LAW, TAKE THE LAW INTO
ONE'S OWN HANDS.
[law-abiding] {adj.} Obeying or following the law. * /Michael had
been a law-abiding citizen all his life./
[lawful age] See: LEGAL AGE.
[law of averages] {n. phr.} The idea that you can't win all the
time or lose all the time. * /The Celtics have won 10 games in a row
but the law of averages will catch up with them soon./
[law unto oneself] {n. phr.}, {literary} A person who does only
what he wishes; a person who ignores or breaks the law when he doesn't
like it. * /Everybody in Germany feared Hitler because he was a law
unto himself./ * /Mr. Brown told Johnny that he must stop trying to be
a law unto himself./ Compare: TAKE THE LAW INTO ONE'S OWN HANDS.
[lay] See: KILL THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG.
[lay about one] {v. phr.} To hit out in all directions. - Used with
a reflexive object: "her", "him", or "them". * /The bandits surrounded
the sheriff, but he laid about him so hard, with his gun used as a
club, that they stepped back and let him escape./ * /Mrs. Franklin
didn't kill the mouse, but she laid about her so hard with the broom
that she scared it away./
[lay a finger on] {v. phr.} To touch or bother, even a little. -
Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. * /Don't
you dare lay a finger on the vase!/ * /Suppose Billy fakes his brother
with him; wilt the mean, tough boy down the street dare lay a finger
on him?/ * /If you so much as lay a finger on my boy, I'll call the
police./ Compare: LAY HANDS ON, PUT ONE'S FINGER ON.
[lay an egg] {v. phr.}, {slang} To fail to win the interest or
favor of an audience. * /His joke laid an egg./ * /Sometimes he is a
successful speaker, but sometimes he lays an egg./
[lay aside] {v. phr.} 1. To put off until another time; interrupt
an activity. * /The president laid aside politics to turn to foreign
affairs./ 2. To save. * /They tried to lay aside a little money each
week for their vacation./
[lay at one's door] {v. phr.}, {literary} To blame (something) on a
person. * /The failure of the plan was laid at his door./ Compare: LAY
TO(1).
[lay away] {v.} 1. To save. * /She laid a little of her pay away
each week./ 2. To bury (a person). - Used to avoid the word "bury",
which some people think is unpleasant. * /He was laid away in his
favorite spot on the hill./
[lay-away plan] {n.} A plan for buying something that you can't pay
cash for; a plan in which you pay some money down and pay a little
more when you can, and the store holds the article until you have paid
the full price. * /She could not afford to pay for the coat all at
once, so she used the lay-away plan./
[lay bare] {v. phr.} To expose; reveal; divulge. * /During his
testimony the witness laid bare the whole story of his involvement
with the accused./
[lay by] {v.} To save, especially a little at a time. * /The
students laid a little money by every week till they had enough for a
trip to Florida./ * /The farmer laid by some of his best corn to use
the next year for seed./
[lay down] {v.} 1. To let (something) be taken; give up or
surrender (something). * /The general told the troops to lay down
their arms./ * /He was willing to lay down his life for his country./
Compare: GIVE UP. 2. To ask people to follow; tell someone to obey;
make (a rule or principle). * /The committee laid down rules about the
size of tennis courts./ 3. To declare; say positively; say surely;
state. * /She laid it down as always true that "a fool and his money
are soon parted."/ 4. To store or save for future use, especially in a
cellar. * /They laid down several barrels of cider./
[lay down one's arms] {v. phr.} To cease fighting; surrender. *
/The Civil War ended when the Confederate army finally laid down its
arms./
[lay down one's cards] See: LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE.
[lay down one's life] {v. phr.} To sacrifice one's life for a cause
or person; suffer martyrdom. * /The early Christians often laid down
their lives for their faith./
[lay down the law] {v. phr.} 1. To give strict orders. * /The
teacher lays down the law about homework every afternoon./ 2. To speak
severely or seriously about a wrongdoing; scold. * /The principal
called in the students and laid down the law to them about skipping
classes./ Compare: TELL ONE WHERE TO GET OFF.
[lay eyes on] or [set eyes on] {v. phr.} To see. * /She knew he was
different as soon as she laid eyes on him./ * /I didn't know the man;
in fact, I had never set eyes on him./
[lay for] {v.}, {informal} To hide and wait for in order to catch
or attack; to lie in wait for. * /The bandits laid for him along the
road./ * /I knew he had the marks for the exam, so I was laying for
him outside his office./
[lay hands on] {v. phr.} 1. To get hold of; find; catch. * /The
treasure hunters can keep any treasure they can lay hands on./ * /If
the police can lay hands on him, they will put him in jail./ Compare:
LAY ONE'S HAND ON(2). 2. To do violence to; harm; hurt. * /They were
afraid that if they left him alone in his disturbed condition he would
lay hands on himself./
[lay hold of] {v. phr.} 1. To take hold of; grasp; grab. * /He laid
hold of the rope and pulled the boat ashore./ 2. To get possession of.
* /He sold every washing machine he could lay hold of./ 3. {Chiefly
British} To understand. * /Some ideas in this science book are hard to
lay hold of./
[lay in] {v.} To store up a supply of; to get and keep for future
use. * /Mrs. Mason heard that the price of sugar might go up, so she
laid in a hundred pounds of it./ * /Before school starts, the
principal will lay in plenty of paper for the students' written work./
Compare: LAY UP.
[lay into] or [light into] {v.}, {informal} 1. To attack
physically; go at vigorously. * /The two fighters laid into each other
as soon as the bell rang./ * /John loves Italian food and he really
laid into the spaghetti./ Syn.: PITCH INTO, SAIL INTO. 2. {slang} To
attack with words. * /The senator laid into the opponents of his
bill./ Syn.: LACE INTO, RIP INTO. Compare: BAWL OUT, TELL OFF.
[lay it on] or [lay it on thick] also [put it on thick] or [spread
it on thick] or [lay it on with a trowel] {v. phr.}, {informal} To
persuade someone by using very much flattery; flatter. * /Bob wanted
to go to the movies. He laid it on thick to his mother./ * /Mary was
caught fibbing. She sure spread it on thick./ Compare: PUT ON(2b).
[lay it on the line] See: LAY ON THE LINE(2).
[lay low] {v.} 1. To knock down; to force into a lying position; to
put out of action. * /Many trees were laid low by the storm./ * /Jane
was laid low by the flu./ 2. To kill. * /The hunters laid low seven
pheasants./ 3. See: LIE LOW.
[layoff] {n.} A systematic or periodical dismissal of employees
from a factory or a firm. * /Due to the poor economy, the car
manufacturer announced a major layoff starting next month./
[lay off] {v. phr.} 1. To mark out the boundaries or limits. * /He
laid off a baseball diamond on the vacant lot./ Compare: LAY OUT(5).
2. To put out of work. * /The company lost the contract for making the
shoes and laid off half its workers./ 3. {slang} To stop bothering;
leave alone. - Usually used in the imperative. * /Lay off me, will
you? I have to study for a test./ 4. {slang} To stop using or taking.
* /His doctor told him to lay off cigarettes./
[lay of the land] also [how the land lies] {n. phr.} 1. The natural
features of a piece of land, such as hills and valleys. * /The style
of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land./
2. The way something is arranged; the important facts about something;
how things are. * /The banker wanted to check the lay of the land
before buying the stock./ * /Before the new boy will join our club, he
wants to see how the land lies./
[lay on] {v.} 1. To spread on or over a surface; apply. * /He told
us that we should lay on a second coat of paint for better protection
against the weather./ 2. To beat; to strike. * /Little John seized a
staff and began to lay on with great energy./ 3. See: LAY IT ON.
[lay one's cards on the table] or [lay down one's cards] or [put
one's cards on the table] {v. phr.}, {informal} To let someone know
your position and interest openly; deal honestly; act without trickery
or secrets. * /In talking about buying the property, Peterson laid his
cards on the table about his plans for it./ * /Some of the graduates
of the school were unfriendly toward the new superintendent, but he
put his cards on the table and won their support./
[lay oneself open to] {v. phr.} To make oneself vulnerable to;
expose oneself. * /If you don't perform your job properly, you will
lay yourself open to criticism./
[lay oneself out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make an extra hard
effort; try very hard. * /Larry wanted to win a medal for his school,
so he really laid himself out in the race./
[lay one's finger on] See: PUT ONE'S FINGER ON.
[lay one's hands on] or [get one's hands on] {v. phr.} 1. To seize
in order to punish or treat roughly. * /If I ever lay my hands on that
boy he'll be sorry./ Compare: LAY A FINGER ON. 2. To get possession
of. * /He was unable to lay his hands on a Model T Ford for the school
play./ Compare: LAY HANDS ON(1). 3. or [lay one's hand on] or [put
one's hand on] To find; locate. * /He keeps a file of letters so he
can lay his hands on one whenever he needs it./
[lay on the line] or [put on the line] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To
pay or offer to pay. * /The sponsors had to lay nearly a million
dollars on the line to keep the show on TV./ * /The bank is putting
$5,000 on the line as a reward to anyone who catches the robber./
Compare: PUT UP. 2. To say plainly so that there can be no doubt; tell
truthfully, * /I'm going to lay it on the line for you, Paul. You must
work harder if you want to pass./ 3. To take a chance of losing; risk.
* /The champion is laying his title on the line in the fight tonight./
* /Frank decided to lay his job on the line and tell the boss that he
thought he was wrong./
[lay out] {v. phr.} 1. To prepare (a dead body) for burial. * /The
corpse was laid out by the undertaker./ 2. {slang} To knock down flat;
to hit unconscious. * /A stiff right to the jaw laid the boxer out in
the second round./ 3. To plan. * /Come here, Fred, I have a job laid
out for you./ 4. To mark or show where work is to be done. * /The
foreman laid out the job for the new machinist./ 5. To plan the
building or arrangement of; design. * /The architect laid out the
interior of the building./ * /The early colonists laid out towns in
the wilderness./ Compare: LAY OFF(1). 6. {slang} To spend; pay. * /How
much did you have to lay out for your new car?/ 7. or [lay out in
lavender] {slang} To scold; lecture. * /He was laid out in lavender
for arriving an hour late for the dance./ Compare: JUMP ON, LAY
INTO(2), LET HAVE IT(1c).
[layout] {n.} General situation; arrangement; plan. * /The layout
of their apartment overlooking Lake Michigan was strikingly unusual./
Compare: LAID OUT.
[layover] {n.} A stopover, usually at an airport or in a hotel due
to interrupted air travel. * /There were several layovers at O'Hare
last month due to bad weather./
[lay over] {v.} 1. To put off until later; delay; postpone. * /We
voted to lay the question over to our next meeting for decision./ 2.
To arrive in one place and wait some time before continuing the
journey. * /We had to lay over in St. Louis for two hours waiting for