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a plane to Seattle./
[lay rubber] or [lay a patch] {v. phr.}, {slang} To take off in a
car or a motorcycle so fast that the tires (made of rubber) leave a
mark on the pavement. * /Look at those crazy drag racers; they laid
rubber in front of my house./
[lay the blame at one's door] {v. phr.} To say that another person
or group is responsible for one's own failure. * /The angry coach laid
the blame at the door of the players when our college lost the
basketball game./
[lay the fault at one's door] See: LAY THE BLAME AT ONE'S DOOR.
[lay their heads together] See: PUT THEIR HEADS TOGETHER.
[lay to] {v.} 1. To give the blame or credit to; to name as cause.
* /He was unpopular and when he made money, it was laid to his
dishonesty, but when he lost money, it was laid to his stupidity./
Compare: LAY AT ONE'S DOOR. 2. To hold a ship or boat still against
the wind. * /The pirates decided to lay to that night and go ashore in
the morning./ Compare: LIE TO. 3. To exert oneself; to work hard. *
/He picked up a shovel and laid to with the rest of the gang./
[lay to heart] See: TAKE TO HEART.
[lay to rest] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To put a dead person into a
grave or tomb; bury. * /President Kennedy was laid to rest in
Arlington National Cemetery./ 2. To get rid of; put away permanently;
stop. * /The Scoutmaster's fears that Tom had drowned were laid to
rest when Tom came back and said he had gone for a boat ride./ * /The
rumor that the principal had accepted another job was laid to rest
when he said it wasn't true./
[lay up] {v.} 1. To collect a supply of; save for future, use;
store. * /Bees lay up honey for the winter./ 2. To keep in the house
or in bed because of sickness or injury; disable. * /Jack was laid up
with a twisted knee and couldn't play in the final game./ 3. To take
out of active service; put in a boat dock or a garage. * /Bill had to
lay up his boat when school started./ * /If you lay up a car for the
winter, you should take out the battery./
[lay waste] {v. phr.}, {literary} To cause wide and great damage
to; destroy and leave in ruins; wreck. * /Enemy soldiers laid waste
the land./
[lead] See: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME, BLIND LEADING THE BLIND.
[lead] See: GET THE LEAD OUT OF ONE'S PANTS.
[lead a dog's life] {v. phr.}, {informal} To live a hard life, work
hard, and be treated unkindly. * /A new college student of long ago
led a dog's life./
[lead a merry chase] {v. phr.} To delay or escape capture by
(someone) skillfully; make (a pursuer) work hard. * /The deer led the
hunter a merry chase./ * /Valerie is leading her boyfriend a merry
chase./
[lead by the nose] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have full control of;
make or persuade (someone) to do anything whatever. * /Many people are
easily influenced and a smart politician can lead them by the nose./ *
/Don't let anyone lead you by the nose; use your own judgment and do
the right thing./
[leader] See: MAJORITY LEADER, MINORITY LEADER.
[lead-footed] See: HEAVY-FOOTED.
[leading light] {n. phr.} A prominent person in a community,
company, or group. * /Alan is the leading light of our discussion
group on music./
[lead off] {v.} To begin; start; open. * /Richardson led off the
inning with a double./ * /We always let Henry lead off./ * /Mr. Jones
led off with the jack of diamonds./ * /When the teacher asked if the
film helped them to understand, Phil led off by saying that he learned
a lot from it./
[lead on] {v. phr.} To encourage you to believe something untrue or
mistaken. * /Tom led us on to believe that he was a world traveler,
but we found out that he had never been outside our state./ * /We were
led on to think that Jeanne and Jim were engaged to be married./
[lead one a merry dance] {v. phr.} To cause someone unusual
discomfort or expense; tire someone by causing one to overdo. * /With
her personal extravagances and constant social activities that cost a
fortune, Carol led her husband a merry dance./
[lead the way] {v. phr.} To go before and show how to go somewhere;
guide. * /The boys need someone to lead the way on their hike./ * /The
men hired an Indian to lead the way to the Pueblo ruins./ * /That
school led the way in finding methods to teach reading./
[lead to] {v. phr.} To result in. * /Such a heavy arms race can
only lead to war./
[leaf] See: TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.
[leaf through] {v. phr.} To scan or glance through a book or other
reading matter. * /I only had time to leaf through the program before
the concert started./
[league] See: IN LEAGUE WITH, IVY LEAGUE.
[leaguer] See: TEXAS LEAGUER.
[leak out] {v. phr.} To become known; escape. * /The famous beauty
queen tried to keep her marriage a secret, but news of it soon leaked
out./
[leak to] {v. phr.} To purposely let a secret be known, as if
conveying it in the strictest confidence. * /The movie star's secret
divorce was leaked to the tabloids by her housekeeper./
[lean on] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To pressure (someone) by
blackmailing, threats, physical violence, or the withholding of some
favor in order to make the person comply with a wish or request. * /I
would gladly do what you ask if you only stopped leaning on me so
hard!/
[lean over backward] See: BEND OVER BACKWARD.
[lean-to] {n.} 1. A shed for tools, such as spades, hoes, etc.,
attached to the wall of a house, * /Joe looked for the garden hose in
the lean-to./ 2. A small cabin in the country. * /They spend their
weekends in their modest lean-to in Wisconsin./
[leap] See: BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS.
[leap year] {n.} Every fourth year during which the month of
February contains 29 rather than 28 days. * /During a leap year one
must wait a day longer for one's February pay check./
[learn] See: LIVE AND LEARN.
[learn by heart] See: BY HEART.
[learn by rote] {v. phr.} To blindly memorize what was taught
without thinking about it. * /If you learn a subject by rote, it will
be difficult to say anything original about it./
[learn one's way around] See: KNOW ONE'S WAY AROUND.
[learn the hard way] See: HARD WAY.
[learn the ropes] See: THE ROPES.
[least] See: AT LEAST, IN THE LEAST, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, LINE OF
LEAST RESISTANCE.
[leatherneck] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A member of the United
States Marine Corps. * /I didn't know your son Joe became a
leatherneck./
[leave] See: SHORE LEAVE, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, TAKE LEAVE OF, TAKE
ONE'S LEAVE.
[leave a bad taste in one's mouth] {v. phr.} To feel a bad
impression; make you feel disgusted. * /Seeing a man beat his horse
leaves a bad taste in your mouth./ * /His rudeness to the teacher left
a bad taste in my mouth./
[leave alone] See: LET ALONE.
[leave at the altar] {v. phr.} 1. To decide not to marry someone in
the last minute; jilt. * /Ed left poor Susan at the altar./ 2. To
overlook and skip for promotion; not fulfill deserved expectation. *
/Once again I didn't get my promotion and was left at the altar./
[leave behind] {v. phr.} 1. Abandon. * /Refugees on the run must
sometimes leave old and sick people behind./ 2. To forget; go away
without. * /We had reached our car when we noticed that we had left
our keys behind./
[leave flat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To quit or leave suddenly
without warning when wanted or needed; desert; forsake; abandon. *
/Sam found that being a member of the trail-clearing group was a lot
of hard work, so he left them flat./ * /My car ran out of gas and left
me flat, ten miles from town./ Compare: LEAVE IN THE LURCH, WALK
OUT(2).
[leave hanging] or [leave hanging in the air] {v. phr.} To leave
undecided or unsettled. * /Because the committee could not decide on a
time and place, the matter of the spring dance was left hanging./ *
/Ted's mother didn't know what to do about the broken window, so his
punishment was left hanging in the air until his father came home./
Compare: UP IN THE AIR.
[leave high and dry] See: HIGH AND DRY.
[leave holding the bag] or [leave holding the sack] {v. phr.},
{informal} 1. To cause (someone) not to have something needed; leave
without anything, * /In the rush for seats, Joe was left holding the
bag./ 2. To force (someone) to take the whole responsibility or blame
for something that others should share. * /When the ball hit the
glass, the team scattered and left George holding the bag./ * /After
the party, the other girls on the clean-up committee went away with
their dates, and left Mary holding the bag./
[leave in the lurch] {v. phr.} To desert or leave alone in trouble;
refuse to help or support. * /The town bully caught Eddie, and Tom
left him in the lurch./ * /Bill quit his job, leaving his boss in the
lurch./ Compare: LEAVE FLAT, HIGH AND DRY(2), WALK OUT(2).
[leave it at that] {v. phr.} To avoid further and more acrimonious
disagreement; not argue or discuss any further. * /Our opinion on
health care is obviously different, so let's just leave it at that./
[leave no stone unturned] {v. phr.} To try in every way; miss no
chance; do everything possible. - Usually used in the negative. * /The
police will leave no stone unturned in their search for the bank
robbers./ Compare: ALL OUT, BEND HEAVEN AND EARTH, FINE-TOOTH COMB.
[leave off] {v.} To come or put to an end; stop. * /There is a high
fence where the school yard leaves off and the woods begin./ * /Don
told the boys to leave off teasing his little brother./ * /Marion put
a marker in her book so that she would know where she left off./
Contrast: TAKE UP.
[leave one's mark] {v. phr.} To leave an impression upon; influence
someone. * /Tolstoy never won the Nobel Prize, but he left his mark on
world literature./ See: MAKE ONE'S MARK.
[leave open] {v. phr.} To remain temporarily unsettled; subject to
further discussion. * /Brad said that the question of health insurance
would be left open until some future date./
[leave out] {v. phr.} To skip; omit. * /The printer accidentally
left out two paragraphs from Alan's novel./
[leave out in the cold] See: OUT IN THE COLD.
[leave out of account] {v. phr.} To fail to consider; forget about.
* /The picnic planners left out of account that it might rain./
Contrast: TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.
[leave-taking] See: TAKE ONE'S LEAVE.
[leave the matter open] See: LEAVE OPEN.
[leave well enough alone] See: LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE.
[leave without a leg to stand on] See: LEG TO STAND ON.
[leave word with] {v. phr.} To leave a message. * /Hank left word
with his secretary where he could be reached by phone while he was
away from his office./
[left] See: OUT IN LEFT FIELD, RIGHT AND LEFT.
[left field] {n.} 1. The part of a baseball out-field to the
batter's left. * /Right-handed batters usually hit to left field./
Compare: CENTER FIELD, RIGHT FIELD. 2. See: OUT IN LEFT FIELD. - [left
fielder] {n.} The player in baseball who plays in left field. * /The
scoreboard in the ball park is on the fence behind the left fielder./
[left-handed] {adj.}, {informal} 1. Using the left hand habitually.
2. Crooked; phoney; homosexual. * /Morris is such a left-handed guy./
3. Clumsy; untoward; awkward. * /Grab that hammer and stop acting so
left-handed./
[left-handed compliment] An ambiguous compliment which is
interpretable as an offense. * /I didn't know you could look so
pretty! Is that a wig you're wearing?/
[left-wing] {adj.} That which is or belongs to a group of people in
politics that favors radical change in the direction of socialism or
communism. * /The left-wing faction called for an immediate strike./
[leg] See: ON ONE'S LAST LEGS, PULL ONE'S LEG, SHAKE A LEG, TAIL
BETWEEN ONE'S LEGS.
[legal age] or [lawful age] The age at which a person is allowed to
do a certain thing or is held responsible for an action. * /In most
states the legal age for voting is 27./ * /He could not get a driver's
license because he was not of lawful age./
[leg man] {n.}, {informal} 1. An errand boy; one who performs
messenger services, or the like. * /Joe hired a leg man for the
office./ 2. {slang}, {semi-vulgar}, {avoidable} A man who is
particularly attracted to good looking female legs and pays less
attention to other parts of the female anatomy. * /Herb is a leg man./
[leg-pulling] See: PULL ONE'S LEG.
[Legree] See: SIMON LEGREE.
[leg to stand on] {n. phr.} A firm foundation of facts; facts to
support your claim. - Usually used in the negative. * /Jerry's
answering speech left his opponent without a leg to stand on./ * /Amos
sued for damages, but did not have a leg to stand on./
[leg work] {n.}, {informal} The physical end of a project, such as
the typing of research reports; the physical investigating of a
criminal affair; the carrying of books to and from libraries; etc. *
/Joe, my research assistant, does a lot of leg work for me./
[leisure] See: AT LEISURE or AT ONE'S LEISURE.
[lend a hand] or [give a hand] also [bear a hand] {v. phr.} To give
help; make yourself useful; help. * /The stage manager asked some of
the boys to lend a hand with the scenery./ * /Dick saw a woman with a
flat tire and offered to give her a hand with it./ Compare: LIFT A
FINGER.
[lend an ear to] See: GIVE AN EAR TO.
[lend color to] See: GIVE COLOR TO.
[lend itself to] {v. phr.} To give a chance for or be useful for;
to be possible or right for. * /Bob was sick and did not go to Jane's
party, but his absence lent itself to misunderstanding./ * /The
teacher's paperweight was a heavy piece of metal which sometimes lent
itself to use as a hammer./ * /This poem lends itself to our program
very well./ Compare: LEND ONESELF TO.
[lend oneself to] {v. phr.} To give help or approval to; encourage;
assist. * /Alice wouldn't lend herself to the plot to hide the
teacher's chalk./
[length] See: AT LENGTH, GO TO ANY LENGTH, KEEP AT A DISTANCE or
KEEP AT ARM'S LENGTH.
[less] See: MORE OR LESS, MUCH LESS.
[lesson] See: TEACH A LESSON.
[less than] {adv.} Not; little. * /We were busy and less than
delighted to have company that day./ * /The boys were less than happy
about having a party./ Contrast: MORE THAN.
[less than no time] {n. phr.}, {informal} Very quickly. * /We can
be ready to go in less than no time./ * /It took Sally less than no
time to get dinner ready./
[let] See: LIVE AND LET LIVE.
[let alone] {conj. phr.} 1. Even less; certainly not. - Used after
a negative clause. * /I can't add two and two, let alone do
fractions./ * /Jim can't drive a car, let alone a truck./ Compare:
MUCH LESS, NOT TO MENTION. 2. [let alone] or [leave alone] {v.} To
stay away from; keep hands off; avoid. * /When Joel gets mad, just let
him alone./ * /Little Patsy was warned to leave the birthday cake
alone./ Compare: LET BE.
[let be] {v.} To pay no attention to; disregard; forget. * /Let her
be; she has a headache./ Compare: LET ALONE.
[let bygones be bygones] {v. phr.} To let the past be forgotten. *
/After a long, angry quarrel the two boys agreed to let bygones be
bygones and made friends again./ * /We should let bygones be bygones
and try to get along with each other./ Syn.: FORGIVE AND FORGET.
Compare: BURY THE HATCHET, LIVE AND LET LIVE.
[letdown] {n.} A disappointment; a heartbreak. * /It was a major
letdown for John when Mary refused to marry him./
[let down] {v. phr.} 1. To allow to descend; lower. * /Harry let
the chain saw down on a rope and then climbed down himself./ 2. To
relax; stop trying so hard; take it easy. * /The horse let down near
the end of the race and lost./ * /The team let down in the fourth
quarter because they were far ahead./ Compare: LET GO. 3. To fail to
do as well as (someone) expected; disappoint. * /The team felt they
had let the coach down./
[let down easy] {v. phr.} To refuse or say no to (someone) in a
pleasant manner; to tell bad news about a refusal or disappointment in
a kindly way. * /The teacher had to tell George that he had failed his
college examinations, but she tried to let him down easy./ * /The boss
tried to let Jim down easy when he had to tell him he was too young
for the job./
[let down one's hair] See: LET ONE'S HAIR DOWN.
[let drop] {v. phr.} 1. To cease to talk about; set aside; forget.
* /This is such an unpleasant subject that I suggest we let it drop
for a few days./ 2. To disclose; hint. * /He unexpectedly let drop
that he was resigning and joining another firm./
[let fall] See: LET DROP.
[let George do it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To expect someone else to
do the work or take the responsibility. * /Many people expect to let
George do it when they are on a committee./ Compare: PASS THE BUCK.
[let go] {v.} 1a. To stop holding something; loosen your hold;
release. * /The boy grabbed Jack's coat and would not let go./ - Often
used with "of". * /When the child let go of her mother's hand, she
fell down./ Compare: GIVE UP(1a), LET LOOSE. 1b. To weaken and break
under pressure. * /The old water pipe suddenly let go and water poured
out of it./ Syn.: GIVE WAY. Contrast: HOLD ON TO. 2. To pay no
attention to; neglect. * /Robert let his teeth go when he was young
and now he has to go to the dentist often./ * /After she was married,
Jane let herself go and was not pretty anymore. / 3. To allow
something to pass; do nothing about. * /When Charles was tardy, the
teacher scolded him and let it go at that./ * /The children teased
Frank, but he smiled and let it go./ Compare: LET OFF(2), LET RIDE. 4.
To discharge from a job; fire. * /Mr. Wilson got into a quarrel with
his boss and was let go./ 5. To make (something) go out quickly;
shoot; fire. * /The soldiers let go a number of shots./ * /Robin Hood
let go an arrow at the deer./ * /Paul was so angry that he let go a
blow at the boy./ * /The truck driver saw the flat tire and let go a
loud curse./ * /The pitcher let go a fast ball and the batter swung
and missed./ Compare: CUT LOOSE, LET OUT. 6. or [let oneself go]
{informal} To be free in one's actions or talk; relax. * /Judge Brown
let go at the reunion of his old class and had a good time./ * /The
cowboys worked hard all week, but on Saturday night they went to town
and let themselves go./ Syn.: CUT LOOSE, LET LOOSE(3), LET OFF
STEAM(2).
[let go hang] See: GO HANG.
[let go of] {v. phr.} To release one's grasp. * /As soon as Sally
let go of the leash, her dog ran away./
[let go of one's mother's apron strings] See: TIED TO ONE'S
MOTHER'S APRON STRINGS.
[let grass grow under one's feet] {v. phr.} To be idle; be lazy;
waste time. - Used in negative, conditional, and interrogative
sentences. * /The new boy joined the football team, made the honor
roll, and found a girlfriend during the first month of school. He
certainly did not let any grass grow under his feet./
[let it all hang out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} Not to
disguise anything; to let the truth be known. * /Sue can't deceive
anyone; she just lets it all hang out./
[let it lay] {v. phr.}, {used imperatively}, {slang} Forget it;
leave it alone; do not be concerned or involved. * /Don't get involved
with Max again - just let it lay./
[let it rip] {v. phr.}, {used imperatively}, {slang} Don't be
concerned; pay no attention to what happens. * /Why get involved?
Forget about it and let it rip./ 2. (Imperatively) Do become involved
and make the most of it; get in there and really try to win. * /Come
on man, give it all you've got and let it rip!/
[let know] {v. phr.} To inform. * /Please let us know the time of
your arrival./
[let loose] {v.} 1a. or [set loose] or [turn loose] To set free;
loosen or give up your hold on. * /The farmer opened the gate and let
the bull loose in the pasture./ * /They turned the balloon loose to
let it rise in the air./ 1b. or [turn loose] To give freedom (to
someone) to do something; to allow (someone) to do what he wants. *
/Mother let Jim loose on the apple pie./ * /The children were turned
loose in the toy store to pick the toys they wanted./ 1c. To stop
holding something; loosen your hold. * /Jim caught Ruth's arm and
would not let loose./ Compare: LET GO, LET OUT. 2a. {informal} To let
or make (something) move fast or hard; release. * /The fielder let
loose a long throw to home plate after catching the ball./ 2b.
{informal} To release something held. * /Those dark clouds are going
to let loose any minute./ Syn.: CUT LOOSE, LET GO. 3. {informal} To
speak or act freely; disregard ordinary limits. * /The teacher told
Jim that some day she was going to let loose and tell him what she
thought of him./ * /Mother let loose on her shopping trip today and
bought things for all of us./ Syn.: CUT LOOSE, LET GO.
[let me see] or [let us see] {informal} 1. Let us find out by
trying or performing an action. * /Let me see if you can jump over the
fence./ 2. Give me time to think or remember. * /I can't come today.
Let me see. How about Friday?/ * /Let's see. Where did I put the key?/
[let off] {v.} 1. To discharge (a gun); explode; fire. * /Willie
accidentally let off his father's shotgun and made a hole in the
wall./ Syn.: GO OFF, LET LOOSE(2). 2. To permit to go or escape;
excuse from a penalty, a duty, or a promise. * /Two boys were caught
smoking in school but the principal let them off with a warning./ *
/Mary's mother said that she would let Mary off from drying the supper
dishes./ * /The factory closed for a month in the summer and let the
workers off./ Compare: LET GO. 3. or {informal} [let off the hook] To
miss a chance to defeat or score against, especially in sports or
games. * /We almost scored a touchdown in the first play against Tech
but we let them off the hook by fumbling the ball./ * /The boxer let
his opponent off the hook many times./
[let off steam] or [blow off steam] {v. phr.} 1. To let or make
steam escape; send out steam. * /The janitor let off some steam
because the pressure was too high./ 2. {informal} To get rid of
physical energy or strong feeling through activity; talk or be very
active physically after forced quiet. * /After the long ride on the
bus, the children let off steam with a race to the lake./ * /When the
rain stopped, the boys let off steam with a ball game./ * /Bill's
mother was very angry when he was late in coming home, and let off
steam by walking around and around./ * /Bill had to take his foreman's
rough criticisms all day and he would blow off steam at home by
scolding the children./ Compare: BLOW ONE'S TOP, LET GO(6).
[let off the hook] See: LET OFF(3).
[let on] {v.}, {informal} 1. To tell or admit what you know. -
Usually used in the negative. * /Frank lost a quarter but he didn't
let on to his mother./ 2. To try to make people believe; pretend. *
/The old man likes to let on that he is rich./
[let one have it] {v. phr.} 1a. {slang} To hit hard. * /He drew
back his fist and let the man have it./ * /Give him a kick in the
pants; let him have it!/ Syn.: GIVE IT TO. 1b. {slang} To use a weapon
on; to shoot or knife. * /The guard pulled his gun and let the robber
have it in the leg./ Compare: OPEN UP. 1c. or [let one have it with
both barrels] {slang} To attack with words; scold; criticize. * /Mary
kept talking in class until the teacher became angry and let her have
it./ Syn.: LIGHT INTO(2). 2. {informal} To tell about it. - Used in
the imperative phrase, "let's have it". * /Now, Mary, let's have it
from the beginning./ * /We will take turns reading; John, let's have
it from page one./
[let one in on] {v. phr.} To reveal a secret to; permit someone to
share in. * /If I let you in on something big we're planning, will you
promise not to mention it to anyone?/
[let oneself go] See: LET GO(6).
[let one's hair down] or [let down one's hair] {v. phr.},
{informal} Act freely and naturally; be informal; relax. * /Kings and
queens can seldom let their hair down./ * /After the dance, the
college girls let their hair down and compared dates./ Compare: LET
GO(6).
[let one's left hand know what one's right hand is doing] {v. phr.}
1. To make a show of your kindness or help to others. - Used in the
negative. * /The Bible tells us not to let the left hand know what the
right hand is doing when we give to the poor./ 2. {informal} To let
everyone taking part in something know what each is doing; encourage
cooperation in working. * /Tom told Fred and Bill to meet him in town,
but he forgot to tell them where. Next time he'll let his left hand
know what his right hand is doing./ - Often used in the negative. *
/Our team lost today because the coach and captain did not let the
left hand know what the right was doing, and the players were all
mixed up./
[let out] {v.} 1a. To allow to go out or escape. * /The guard let
the prisoners out of jail to work in the garden./ * /Mother won't let
us out when it rains./ Compare: LET LOOSE. 1b. {informal} To make (a
sound) come out of the mouth; utter. * /A bee stung Charles. He let
out a yell and ran home./ * /Father told Betty to sit still and not
let out a peep during church./ 2. To allow to be known; tell. * /I'll
never tell you another secret if you let this one out./ Compare: LET
THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG. 3. To make larger (as clothing) or looser;
allow to slip out (as a rope). * /Mary's mother had to let out her
dress because Mary is growing so tall./ * /Father hooked a big fish on
his line. He had to let the line out so the fish wouldn't break it./
Compare: PIECE OUT. Contrast: TAKE IN. 4. {informal} To allow to move
at higher speed. * /The rider let out his horse to try to beat the
horse ahead of him./ 5. {informal} To free from blame, responsibility,
or duty. - Often used with "of". * /Last time I let you out of it when
you were late. I'll have to punish you this time./ * /Frank has
shoveled the snow from the sidewalk. That lets me out./ Compare: LET
GO, LET OFF. 6, {informal} To discharge from a job; fire. * /The shop
closed down and all the men were let out./ 7. {informal} To dismiss or
be dismissed. * /The coach let us out from practice at 3 o'clock./ *
/I'll meet you after school lets out./
[let pass] {v. phr.} To disregard; overlook. * /Herb may have
overheard what was said about him, but he decided to let it pass./
[let ride] {v. phr.}, {informal} To allow to go on without change;
accept (a situation or action) for the present. * /The committee could
not decide what to do about Bob's idea, so they let the matter ride
for a month or so./ * /The class was rather noisy but the teacher let
it ride because it was near Christmas./ * /Ruth's paper was not very
good, but the teacher let it ride because she knew Ruth had tried./
Compare: LET GO(3), LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE.
[let's don't] also [don't let's] {substandard} Let's not; let us
not; I suggest that we don't. * /"'Let's go out and play," said Fred.
"Let's don't until the rain stops," said Mary./ * /Don't let's go now.
Let's go tomorrow instead./
[let's have it] See: LET HAVE IT.
[let sleeping dogs lie] Do not make (someone) angry and cause
trouble or danger; do not make trouble if you do not have to. - A
proverb. * /Don't tell Father that you broke the window. Let sleeping
dogs lie./
[let slip] {v. phr.} To unintentionally reveal. * /Ellen let it
slip that she had been a witness to the accident./
[letter] See: CHAIN LETTER, NIGHT LETTER, TO THE LETTER.
[letter-perfect] {adj. phr.} Memorized perfectly; perfect to the
last letter. * /The actor was letter-perfect in his role./
[let the cat out of the bag] {v. phr.}, {informal} To tell about
something that is supposed to be a secret. * /We wanted to surprise
Mary with a birthday gift, but Allen let the cat out of the bag by
asking her what she would like./ - Sometimes used in another form. *
/Well, the cat is out of the bag - everybody knows about their
marriage./ Compare: GIVE AWAY(3), LET OUT(2), SPILL THE BEANS.
[let the chips fall where they may] {v. phr.} To pay no attention
to the displeasure caused others by your actions. * /The senator
decided to vote against the bill and let the chips fall where they
may./ * /The police chief told his men to give tickets to all speeders
and let the chips fall where they may./ Compare: COME WHAT MAY.
[let the grass grow under one's feet] {v. phr.}, {informal} To
waste time; be slow or idle. * /Grandpa spends so much time sitting
and thinking that Grandma accuses him of letting the grass grow under
his feet./
[let up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To become less, weaker, or quiet;
become slower or stop. * /It's raining as hard as ever. It's not
letting up at all./ * /It snowed for three days before it let up and
we could go outdoors./ 2. To do less or go slower or stop; relax; stop
working or working hard. * /Grandfather has been working all his life.
When is he going to let up?/ * /Let up for a minute. You can't work
hard all day./ * /Jim ran all the way home without letting up once./
Compare: SLOW DOWN. Contrast: BEAR DOWN. 3. To become easier, kinder,
or less strict. - Usually used with "on". * /Let up on Jane. She is
sick./ Syn.: EASE UP. 4. or [change up] To pitch a ball at less than
full speed in baseball. - Usually used with "on". * /John pitched a
ball that was very fast and the batter missed it. Then he let up on
the next pitch and the batter was badly fooled./
[let well enough alone] or [leave well enough alone] {v. phr.} To
be satisfied with what is good enough; not try to improve something
because often that might cause more trouble. * /John wanted to make
his kite go higher, but his father told him to let well enough alone
because it was too windy./ * /Ed polished up his car until his friends
warned him to leave well enough alone./ * /Ethel made a lot of changes
in her test paper after she finished. She should have let well enough
alone, because she made several new mistakes./ Compare: LET RIDE.
[level] See: ON THE LEVEL.
[level best] {adj. phr.} One's utmost; one's very best. * /Eric
refused to stay in school although his parents did their level best to
make him finish./
[levelheaded] {adj. phr.} Having good common sense; practical;
reasonable. * /What our office needs is a good, level-headed manager./
[level off] or [level out] {v.} 1. To make flat or level. * /The
steamroller leveled out the gravel roadbed and then the concrete was
poured./ 2. To move on an even level. * /The airplane leveled out at
2,000 feet./ * /After going up for six months, the cost of living
leveled off in September./
[level with] {v. phr.} To tell someone the truth; not engage in
lies and subterfuge. * /"You can level with me," his father said. "Did
you break that window?"/
[liberty] See: TAKE LIBERTIES.
[lick and a promise] {n. phr.}, {informal} A careless, hasty job;
an unsatisfactory piece of work. * /You didn't wash your hands. You
just gave them a lick and a promise./ * /The boys didn't cut the grass
properly. All it got was a lick and a promise./
[lickety-split] also [lickety-cut] {adv.}, {informal} At full
speed; with a rush. * /As soon as school was out the boys ran
lickety-split to the swimming pool./
[lick into shape] {v. phr.} To make perfect; drill; train. * /The
sergeant licked the new volunteer army into shape in three months./
[lick one's boots] {v. phr.} To flatter or act like a slave; do
anything to please another. * /She wanted her boyfriend to lick her
boots all the time./ * /A wise king would not want his friends and
officials to lick his boots./
[lick one's chops] {v. phr.}, {informal} To think about something
pleasant; enjoy the thought of something. * /John is licking his chops
about the steak dinner tonight./ * /Tom is licking his chops about the
lifeguard job he will have at the beach next summer./ * /Our team is
licking its chops because we beat the champions last night./ (From the
fact that some animals lick their mouths when they expect to be fed or
when they see food, and after eating.) Compare: LOOK FORWARD TO, MAKE
ONE'S MOUTH WATER.
[lick the --- out of] See: BEAT THE --- OUT OF.
[lid] See: FLIP ONE'S LID, THE LID.
[lie] See: GIVE THE LIE TO, LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE, MAKE ONE'S BED
AND LIE IN IT.
[lie around] {v. phr.} To be unused; inert. * /This old typewriter
has been lying around ever since Grandpa died./
[lie down on the job] {v. phr.}, {informal} To purposely fail to do
your job; neglect a task; loaf. * /Bill isn't trying to learn his
lessons. He is lying down on the job./ * /If you lie down on your job,
you will lose it./
[lief] See: AS SOON also AS LIEF, HAD AS SOON also HAD AS LIEF.
[lie in state] {v. phr.} Of a dead person: To lie in a place of
honor, usually in an open coffin, and be seen by the public before
burial. * /When the president died, thousands of people saw his body
lying in state./
[lie in wait] {v. phr.} To watch from hiding in order to attack or
surprise someone; to ambush. * /The driver of the stage-coach knew
that the thieves were lying in wait somewhere along the road./
[lie low] or {nonstandard} [lay low] {v.}, {informal} 1. To stay
quietly out of sight; try not to attract attention; hide. * /After
holding up the bank, the robbers lay low for a while./ 2. To keep
secret one's thoughts or plans. * /I think he wants to be elected
president, but he is lying low and not saying anything./
[lie through one's teeth] {v. phr.} To lie uninhibitedly and
unashamedly. * /Everyone in the courtroom could sense that the accused
was lying through his teeth./
[lie to] {v.} Of a ship: To stay in one place facing against the
wind; stop. * /Our ship will lie to outside the harbor until
daylight./ Compare: LAY TO(2).
[lieu] See: INSTEAD OF also IN LIEU OF.
[life] See: BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, BIG AS LIFE, CAT HAS NINE
LIVES, CHARMED LIFE, COME ALIVE OT COME TO LIFE, FACTS OF LIFE, FOR
DEAR LIFE, FOR THE LIFE OF ONE, LEAD A DOG'S LIFE, NIGHT LIFE, NOT ON
YOUR LIFE OR ONE'S LIFE, TAKE ONE'S LIFE IN ONE'S HANDS, TIME OF ONE'S
LIFE, YOU BET or YOU BET YOUR LIFE, WALK OF LIFE, WITHIN AN INCH OF
ONE'S LIFE.
[life of Riley] {n. phr.}, {informal} A soft easy life; pleasant or
rich way of living. * /He's living the life of Riley. He doesn't have
to work anymore./ Compare: BED OF ROSES, IN CLOVER, LIVE HIGH OFF THE
HOG.
[life of the party] {n. phr.} A person who makes things enjoyable
or interesting for a group of people. * /Bill is the life of the party
at school. He is always making us laugh./
[lift a finger] or [lift a hand] also [raise a hand] {v. phr.} 1.
To do something; do your share; to help. - Usually used in the
negative. * /We all worked hard except Joe. He wouldn't lift a
finger./ * /The king did not lift a hand when his people were hungry./
Compare: LEND A HAND.
[light] See: BRING TO LIGHT, COME TO LIGHT, DASH LIGHT, HIDE ONE'S
LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL, IN THE LIGHT OF, MAKE LIGHT OF, MANY HANDS MAKE
LIGHT WORK, OUT LIKE A LIGHT, SEE THE LIGHT, TRAVEL LIGHT.
[light-fingered] {adj.} Given to stealing; having a tendency to be
dishonest or a kleptomaniac. * /I always suspected that Freddie might
be lightfingered and my suspicions were confirmed when he was arrested
for shoplifting./
[light housekeeping] {n.}, {slang} An arrangement in which an
unmarried couple live together. * /Are Joe and Sue married? - Oh, no,
- it's just a case of light housekeeping./ See: SHACK UP WITH.
[light into] See: LAY INTO.
[lightly] See: ONCE OVER LIGHTLY at ONCE OVER(2).
[lightning never strikes twice in the same place] The same accident
does not happen twice; the same person does not have the same luck
again. - A proverb. * /Billy won a pony in the contest last year, but
lightning never strikes twice in the same place./
[light on] also [light upon] {v.} To pick out by sight from among
others; see; notice. * /His eyes lighted on the cookies and he
remembered how hungry he was./ * /Her eyes lighted upon the row of
boxes, and she asked what was in them./
[light out] {v.}, {slang} 1. To run as fast as you can. * /The boy
lit out for home with the bully chasing him./ * /On the next pitch the
runner will light out for second./ 2. To go away in a hurry; leave
suddenly. - Often used with "for". * /Jack won't be in town long. He
wants to light out as soon as he has enough money saved./ * /The
robbers lit out for Mexico./ Syn.: BEAT IT, TAKE OFF(1), HEAD FOR THE
HILLS.
[light up] {v.} Suddenly to look pleased and happy. * /Martha's
face lit up when she saw her old friend./ * /Tom will really light up
when he sees his new bike!/
[like] See: EAT LIKE A BIRD, FEEL LIKE, LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE
THE CANARY, NOTHING LIKE, THE LIKES OF or THE LIKE.
[like a bird] See: EAT LIKE A BIRD.
[like a book] See: READ ONE LIKE A BOOK.
[like a fish out of water] See: FISH OUT OF WATER.
[like a glove] See: FIT LIKE A GLOVE.
[like a hole in the head] {adv. phr.} Not at all; scarcely;
grudgingly; in an unwelcome manner. * /Joan needs her mother-in-law to
stay with her for a week like a hole in the head./
[like a horse] See: EAT LIKE A HORSE.
[like a light] See: OUT LIKE A LIGHT.
[like a million] See: FEEL LIKE A MILLION.
[like a million dollars] See: LOOK LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS.
[like anything] {adv. phr.} To an extreme degree. * /He swore like
anything when he found out that he hadn't been promoted./
[like a steel trap] See: MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP.
[like clockwork] See: GO LIKE CLOCKWORK or GO OFF LIKE CLOCKWORK.
[like crazy] See: LIKE MAD.
[like father, like son] A son is usually like his father in the way
he acts. - A proverb. * /Frank's father has been on the city council;
he is now the mayor, and is running for governor. Frank is on the
student council and is likely to he class president. Like father, like
son./ * /Mr. Jones and Tommy are both quiet and shy. Like father, like
son./ Compare: SPITTING IMAGE, FOLLOW IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS.
[like hell] {adv.}, {slang}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} 1. With great
vigor. * /As soon as they saw the cops, they ran like hell./ 2.
{interj.} Not so; untrue; indicates the speaker's lack of belief in
what he heard. * /Like hell you're gonna bring me my dough!/
[like it is] See: TELL IT LIKE IT IS.
[like looking for a needle in a haystack] See: NEEDLE IN A
HAYSTACK.
[like mad] or [like crazy] {adv.}, {slang}, {informal} With great
enthusiasm and vigor; very fast. * /We had to drive like mad (like
crazy) to get there on time./ See: LIKE HELL(1).
[like two peas in a pod] {adj. phr.} Closely similar; almost
exactly alike. * /The twin sisters Eve and Agnes are like two peas in
a pod./
[like water] {adv. phr.} As something easily poured out or wasted;
freely. - Usually used in the phrase "spend money like water". *
/Sailors on shore leave often spend money like water./ * /During the
World Wars, the United States spent money like water./
[like water off a duck's back] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Without
changing your feelings or opinion; without effect. * /Advice and
correction roll off him like water off a duck's back./ * /Many people
showed him they didn't like what he was doing, but their disapproval
passed off him like water off a duck's back./
[lily] See: GILD THE LILY also PAINT THE LILY.
[limb] See: OUT ON A LIMB.
[line] See: BLOW ONE'S LINES or FLUFF ONE'S LINES, CHOW LINE, DOWN
THE LINE, DRAW A LINE or DRAW THE LINE, DROP A LINE, END OF THE ROAD
or END OF THE LINE, FOUL LINE, GOAL LINE, GOAL LINE STAND, HOLD THE
LINE, HOOK, LINE AND SINKER, IN LINE, IN LINE WITH, INTO LINE, LAY ON
THE LINE or PUT ON THE LINE, ON THE LINE, OUT OF LINE, OUT OF LINE
WITH, READ BETWEEN THE LINES, TOE THE LINE, WALK THE CHALK or WALK THE
CHALK LINE.
[line drive] {n.} A batted baseball that is usually hit hard and
travels in the air not far above the ground. * /The batter hit a line
drive to left field for a single./
[linen] See: AIR ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC or WASH ONE'S DIRTY
LINEN IN PUBLIC.
[line of fire] {n. phr.} The path that something fired or thrown
takes. * /When the bandit and the police began to shoot, John was
almost in their line of fire./ Compare: CROSS FIRE.
[line of least resistance] or [path of least resistance] {n. phr.}
The easiest way; the way that takes least effort. * /In becoming a
doctor like his father John had really just followed the line of least
resistance./ * /Some parents take the path of least resistance with
their children and let them do as they please./
[line of scrimmage] {n. phr.} An imaginary line on a football field
parallel to the goal lines where each play except the kickoff begins.
* /The play was stopped at the line of scrimmage./
[line one's pockets] also [line one's purse] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To get a lot of money unfairly; get rich by being dishonest. * /The
policeman lined his pockets by taking bribes./ * /The inspector lined
his pockets by permitting contractors to use poor building materials./
Compare: FEATHER ONE'S NEST.
[lineup] {n.} 1. An alignment of objects in a straight line. * /A
lineup of Venus and the moon can be a very beautiful sight in the
night sky./ 2. An arrangement of suspects through a one-way mirror so
that the victim or the witness of a crime can identify the wanted
person. * /She picked out her attacker from a police lineup./
[line up] {v. phr.} 1. To take places in a line or formation; stand
side by side or one behind another; form a line or pattern. * /The
boys lined up and took turns diving off the springboard./ * /The
football team lined up in a "T" formation./ 2. To put in line. * /John
lined up the pool balls./ 3. To adjust correctly. * /The garage man
lined up the car's wheels./ 4a. {informal} To make ready for action;
complete a plan or agreement for; arrange. * /Henry's friends lined up
so many votes for him that he won the election./ * /Roger lined up a
summer job before school was out./ * /The superintendent lined up all
the new teachers he needed before he went on vacation./ 4b. {informal}
To become ready for action; come together in preparation or agreement.
* /The football schedule is lining up well; the coach has arranged all
games except one./ * /Larry wanted to go to the seashore for the
family vacation, but the rest of the family lined up against him./
Compare: GANG UP, SHAPE UP, TAKE SIDES.
[lining] See: EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING.
[link] See: MISSING LINK.
[lion's share] {n. phr.} A disproportionate share; the largest
part. * /The manager always gets the lion's share of the company's
profits./
[lip] See: BUTTON ONE'S LIP or ZIP ONE'S LIP, HANG ON THE WORDS OF
or HANG ON THE LIPS OF, KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP, SLIP OF THE TONGUE
also SLIP OF THE LIP.
[lip service] {n.} Support shown by words only and not by actions;
a show of loyalty that is not proven in action. - Usually used with
"pay". * /Bv holding elections, communism pays lip service to
democracy, but it offers only one candidate per office./ * /Some
people pay lip service to education, but don't vote taxes for better
schools./
[liquid assets] {n. phr.} Those belongings that can be easily
converted into cash. * /Herb asked for a loan and the bank manager
told him to bring in proof of all his liquid assets./
[liquor up] {v. phr.}, {slang} To drink an excessive amount of
liquor before engaging in some activity as if comparing oneself to a
car that needs to be filled before a journey. * /Joe always liquors up
before he takes Sue for a dance./
[list] See: SUCKER LIST, WAITING LIST.
[listen in] {v.} 1. To listen to a radio broadcast. * /We found
them listening in to the president's speech./ 2. To listen to the talk
of others, often to talk that is not intended for your ears;
eavesdrop. * /When Mary talked to her boyfriend on the telephone, her
little brother listened in./
[listen to reason] {v. phr.} To listen to and think about advice
that you are given. * /Joe was stubborn and would not listen to
reason./ * /It will save you a lot of trouble if you will just listen
to reason./
[litterbug] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who leaves garbage
in a public place, such as a park or beach or a street; one who
litters. * /Don't be a litterbug; keep the city clean!/
[little] See: A LITTLE, A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING,
GREAT OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW, LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND, MAKE
LITTLE OF, NOT A LITTLE, QUITE A LITTLE or QUITE A LITTLE BIT, THINK
LITTLE OF, TWIST AROUND ONE'S LITTLE FINGER.
[little does one think] {v. phr.} To not realize; not expect; be
[lay rubber] or [lay a patch] {v. phr.}, {slang} To take off in a
car or a motorcycle so fast that the tires (made of rubber) leave a
mark on the pavement. * /Look at those crazy drag racers; they laid
rubber in front of my house./
[lay the blame at one's door] {v. phr.} To say that another person
or group is responsible for one's own failure. * /The angry coach laid
the blame at the door of the players when our college lost the
basketball game./
[lay the fault at one's door] See: LAY THE BLAME AT ONE'S DOOR.
[lay their heads together] See: PUT THEIR HEADS TOGETHER.
[lay to] {v.} 1. To give the blame or credit to; to name as cause.
* /He was unpopular and when he made money, it was laid to his
dishonesty, but when he lost money, it was laid to his stupidity./
Compare: LAY AT ONE'S DOOR. 2. To hold a ship or boat still against
the wind. * /The pirates decided to lay to that night and go ashore in
the morning./ Compare: LIE TO. 3. To exert oneself; to work hard. *
/He picked up a shovel and laid to with the rest of the gang./
[lay to heart] See: TAKE TO HEART.
[lay to rest] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To put a dead person into a
grave or tomb; bury. * /President Kennedy was laid to rest in
Arlington National Cemetery./ 2. To get rid of; put away permanently;
stop. * /The Scoutmaster's fears that Tom had drowned were laid to
rest when Tom came back and said he had gone for a boat ride./ * /The
rumor that the principal had accepted another job was laid to rest
when he said it wasn't true./
[lay up] {v.} 1. To collect a supply of; save for future, use;
store. * /Bees lay up honey for the winter./ 2. To keep in the house
or in bed because of sickness or injury; disable. * /Jack was laid up
with a twisted knee and couldn't play in the final game./ 3. To take
out of active service; put in a boat dock or a garage. * /Bill had to
lay up his boat when school started./ * /If you lay up a car for the
winter, you should take out the battery./
[lay waste] {v. phr.}, {literary} To cause wide and great damage
to; destroy and leave in ruins; wreck. * /Enemy soldiers laid waste
the land./
[lead] See: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME, BLIND LEADING THE BLIND.
[lead] See: GET THE LEAD OUT OF ONE'S PANTS.
[lead a dog's life] {v. phr.}, {informal} To live a hard life, work
hard, and be treated unkindly. * /A new college student of long ago
led a dog's life./
[lead a merry chase] {v. phr.} To delay or escape capture by
(someone) skillfully; make (a pursuer) work hard. * /The deer led the
hunter a merry chase./ * /Valerie is leading her boyfriend a merry
chase./
[lead by the nose] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have full control of;
make or persuade (someone) to do anything whatever. * /Many people are
easily influenced and a smart politician can lead them by the nose./ *
/Don't let anyone lead you by the nose; use your own judgment and do
the right thing./
[leader] See: MAJORITY LEADER, MINORITY LEADER.
[lead-footed] See: HEAVY-FOOTED.
[leading light] {n. phr.} A prominent person in a community,
company, or group. * /Alan is the leading light of our discussion
group on music./
[lead off] {v.} To begin; start; open. * /Richardson led off the
inning with a double./ * /We always let Henry lead off./ * /Mr. Jones
led off with the jack of diamonds./ * /When the teacher asked if the
film helped them to understand, Phil led off by saying that he learned
a lot from it./
[lead on] {v. phr.} To encourage you to believe something untrue or
mistaken. * /Tom led us on to believe that he was a world traveler,
but we found out that he had never been outside our state./ * /We were
led on to think that Jeanne and Jim were engaged to be married./
[lead one a merry dance] {v. phr.} To cause someone unusual
discomfort or expense; tire someone by causing one to overdo. * /With
her personal extravagances and constant social activities that cost a
fortune, Carol led her husband a merry dance./
[lead the way] {v. phr.} To go before and show how to go somewhere;
guide. * /The boys need someone to lead the way on their hike./ * /The
men hired an Indian to lead the way to the Pueblo ruins./ * /That
school led the way in finding methods to teach reading./
[lead to] {v. phr.} To result in. * /Such a heavy arms race can
only lead to war./
[leaf] See: TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.
[leaf through] {v. phr.} To scan or glance through a book or other
reading matter. * /I only had time to leaf through the program before
the concert started./
[league] See: IN LEAGUE WITH, IVY LEAGUE.
[leaguer] See: TEXAS LEAGUER.
[leak out] {v. phr.} To become known; escape. * /The famous beauty
queen tried to keep her marriage a secret, but news of it soon leaked
out./
[leak to] {v. phr.} To purposely let a secret be known, as if
conveying it in the strictest confidence. * /The movie star's secret
divorce was leaked to the tabloids by her housekeeper./
[lean on] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To pressure (someone) by
blackmailing, threats, physical violence, or the withholding of some
favor in order to make the person comply with a wish or request. * /I
would gladly do what you ask if you only stopped leaning on me so
hard!/
[lean over backward] See: BEND OVER BACKWARD.
[lean-to] {n.} 1. A shed for tools, such as spades, hoes, etc.,
attached to the wall of a house, * /Joe looked for the garden hose in
the lean-to./ 2. A small cabin in the country. * /They spend their
weekends in their modest lean-to in Wisconsin./
[leap] See: BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS.
[leap year] {n.} Every fourth year during which the month of
February contains 29 rather than 28 days. * /During a leap year one
must wait a day longer for one's February pay check./
[learn] See: LIVE AND LEARN.
[learn by heart] See: BY HEART.
[learn by rote] {v. phr.} To blindly memorize what was taught
without thinking about it. * /If you learn a subject by rote, it will
be difficult to say anything original about it./
[learn one's way around] See: KNOW ONE'S WAY AROUND.
[learn the hard way] See: HARD WAY.
[learn the ropes] See: THE ROPES.
[least] See: AT LEAST, IN THE LEAST, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, LINE OF
LEAST RESISTANCE.
[leatherneck] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A member of the United
States Marine Corps. * /I didn't know your son Joe became a
leatherneck./
[leave] See: SHORE LEAVE, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, TAKE LEAVE OF, TAKE
ONE'S LEAVE.
[leave a bad taste in one's mouth] {v. phr.} To feel a bad
impression; make you feel disgusted. * /Seeing a man beat his horse
leaves a bad taste in your mouth./ * /His rudeness to the teacher left
a bad taste in my mouth./
[leave alone] See: LET ALONE.
[leave at the altar] {v. phr.} 1. To decide not to marry someone in
the last minute; jilt. * /Ed left poor Susan at the altar./ 2. To
overlook and skip for promotion; not fulfill deserved expectation. *
/Once again I didn't get my promotion and was left at the altar./
[leave behind] {v. phr.} 1. Abandon. * /Refugees on the run must
sometimes leave old and sick people behind./ 2. To forget; go away
without. * /We had reached our car when we noticed that we had left
our keys behind./
[leave flat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To quit or leave suddenly
without warning when wanted or needed; desert; forsake; abandon. *
/Sam found that being a member of the trail-clearing group was a lot
of hard work, so he left them flat./ * /My car ran out of gas and left
me flat, ten miles from town./ Compare: LEAVE IN THE LURCH, WALK
OUT(2).
[leave hanging] or [leave hanging in the air] {v. phr.} To leave
undecided or unsettled. * /Because the committee could not decide on a
time and place, the matter of the spring dance was left hanging./ *
/Ted's mother didn't know what to do about the broken window, so his
punishment was left hanging in the air until his father came home./
Compare: UP IN THE AIR.
[leave high and dry] See: HIGH AND DRY.
[leave holding the bag] or [leave holding the sack] {v. phr.},
{informal} 1. To cause (someone) not to have something needed; leave
without anything, * /In the rush for seats, Joe was left holding the
bag./ 2. To force (someone) to take the whole responsibility or blame
for something that others should share. * /When the ball hit the
glass, the team scattered and left George holding the bag./ * /After
the party, the other girls on the clean-up committee went away with
their dates, and left Mary holding the bag./
[leave in the lurch] {v. phr.} To desert or leave alone in trouble;
refuse to help or support. * /The town bully caught Eddie, and Tom
left him in the lurch./ * /Bill quit his job, leaving his boss in the
lurch./ Compare: LEAVE FLAT, HIGH AND DRY(2), WALK OUT(2).
[leave it at that] {v. phr.} To avoid further and more acrimonious
disagreement; not argue or discuss any further. * /Our opinion on
health care is obviously different, so let's just leave it at that./
[leave no stone unturned] {v. phr.} To try in every way; miss no
chance; do everything possible. - Usually used in the negative. * /The
police will leave no stone unturned in their search for the bank
robbers./ Compare: ALL OUT, BEND HEAVEN AND EARTH, FINE-TOOTH COMB.
[leave off] {v.} To come or put to an end; stop. * /There is a high
fence where the school yard leaves off and the woods begin./ * /Don
told the boys to leave off teasing his little brother./ * /Marion put
a marker in her book so that she would know where she left off./
Contrast: TAKE UP.
[leave one's mark] {v. phr.} To leave an impression upon; influence
someone. * /Tolstoy never won the Nobel Prize, but he left his mark on
world literature./ See: MAKE ONE'S MARK.
[leave open] {v. phr.} To remain temporarily unsettled; subject to
further discussion. * /Brad said that the question of health insurance
would be left open until some future date./
[leave out] {v. phr.} To skip; omit. * /The printer accidentally
left out two paragraphs from Alan's novel./
[leave out in the cold] See: OUT IN THE COLD.
[leave out of account] {v. phr.} To fail to consider; forget about.
* /The picnic planners left out of account that it might rain./
Contrast: TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.
[leave-taking] See: TAKE ONE'S LEAVE.
[leave the matter open] See: LEAVE OPEN.
[leave well enough alone] See: LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE.
[leave without a leg to stand on] See: LEG TO STAND ON.
[leave word with] {v. phr.} To leave a message. * /Hank left word
with his secretary where he could be reached by phone while he was
away from his office./
[left] See: OUT IN LEFT FIELD, RIGHT AND LEFT.
[left field] {n.} 1. The part of a baseball out-field to the
batter's left. * /Right-handed batters usually hit to left field./
Compare: CENTER FIELD, RIGHT FIELD. 2. See: OUT IN LEFT FIELD. - [left
fielder] {n.} The player in baseball who plays in left field. * /The
scoreboard in the ball park is on the fence behind the left fielder./
[left-handed] {adj.}, {informal} 1. Using the left hand habitually.
2. Crooked; phoney; homosexual. * /Morris is such a left-handed guy./
3. Clumsy; untoward; awkward. * /Grab that hammer and stop acting so
left-handed./
[left-handed compliment] An ambiguous compliment which is
interpretable as an offense. * /I didn't know you could look so
pretty! Is that a wig you're wearing?/
[left-wing] {adj.} That which is or belongs to a group of people in
politics that favors radical change in the direction of socialism or
communism. * /The left-wing faction called for an immediate strike./
[leg] See: ON ONE'S LAST LEGS, PULL ONE'S LEG, SHAKE A LEG, TAIL
BETWEEN ONE'S LEGS.
[legal age] or [lawful age] The age at which a person is allowed to
do a certain thing or is held responsible for an action. * /In most
states the legal age for voting is 27./ * /He could not get a driver's
license because he was not of lawful age./
[leg man] {n.}, {informal} 1. An errand boy; one who performs
messenger services, or the like. * /Joe hired a leg man for the
office./ 2. {slang}, {semi-vulgar}, {avoidable} A man who is
particularly attracted to good looking female legs and pays less
attention to other parts of the female anatomy. * /Herb is a leg man./
[leg-pulling] See: PULL ONE'S LEG.
[Legree] See: SIMON LEGREE.
[leg to stand on] {n. phr.} A firm foundation of facts; facts to
support your claim. - Usually used in the negative. * /Jerry's
answering speech left his opponent without a leg to stand on./ * /Amos
sued for damages, but did not have a leg to stand on./
[leg work] {n.}, {informal} The physical end of a project, such as
the typing of research reports; the physical investigating of a
criminal affair; the carrying of books to and from libraries; etc. *
/Joe, my research assistant, does a lot of leg work for me./
[leisure] See: AT LEISURE or AT ONE'S LEISURE.
[lend a hand] or [give a hand] also [bear a hand] {v. phr.} To give
help; make yourself useful; help. * /The stage manager asked some of
the boys to lend a hand with the scenery./ * /Dick saw a woman with a
flat tire and offered to give her a hand with it./ Compare: LIFT A
FINGER.
[lend an ear to] See: GIVE AN EAR TO.
[lend color to] See: GIVE COLOR TO.
[lend itself to] {v. phr.} To give a chance for or be useful for;
to be possible or right for. * /Bob was sick and did not go to Jane's
party, but his absence lent itself to misunderstanding./ * /The
teacher's paperweight was a heavy piece of metal which sometimes lent
itself to use as a hammer./ * /This poem lends itself to our program
very well./ Compare: LEND ONESELF TO.
[lend oneself to] {v. phr.} To give help or approval to; encourage;
assist. * /Alice wouldn't lend herself to the plot to hide the
teacher's chalk./
[length] See: AT LENGTH, GO TO ANY LENGTH, KEEP AT A DISTANCE or
KEEP AT ARM'S LENGTH.
[less] See: MORE OR LESS, MUCH LESS.
[lesson] See: TEACH A LESSON.
[less than] {adv.} Not; little. * /We were busy and less than
delighted to have company that day./ * /The boys were less than happy
about having a party./ Contrast: MORE THAN.
[less than no time] {n. phr.}, {informal} Very quickly. * /We can
be ready to go in less than no time./ * /It took Sally less than no
time to get dinner ready./
[let] See: LIVE AND LET LIVE.
[let alone] {conj. phr.} 1. Even less; certainly not. - Used after
a negative clause. * /I can't add two and two, let alone do
fractions./ * /Jim can't drive a car, let alone a truck./ Compare:
MUCH LESS, NOT TO MENTION. 2. [let alone] or [leave alone] {v.} To
stay away from; keep hands off; avoid. * /When Joel gets mad, just let
him alone./ * /Little Patsy was warned to leave the birthday cake
alone./ Compare: LET BE.
[let be] {v.} To pay no attention to; disregard; forget. * /Let her
be; she has a headache./ Compare: LET ALONE.
[let bygones be bygones] {v. phr.} To let the past be forgotten. *
/After a long, angry quarrel the two boys agreed to let bygones be
bygones and made friends again./ * /We should let bygones be bygones
and try to get along with each other./ Syn.: FORGIVE AND FORGET.
Compare: BURY THE HATCHET, LIVE AND LET LIVE.
[letdown] {n.} A disappointment; a heartbreak. * /It was a major
letdown for John when Mary refused to marry him./
[let down] {v. phr.} 1. To allow to descend; lower. * /Harry let
the chain saw down on a rope and then climbed down himself./ 2. To
relax; stop trying so hard; take it easy. * /The horse let down near
the end of the race and lost./ * /The team let down in the fourth
quarter because they were far ahead./ Compare: LET GO. 3. To fail to
do as well as (someone) expected; disappoint. * /The team felt they
had let the coach down./
[let down easy] {v. phr.} To refuse or say no to (someone) in a
pleasant manner; to tell bad news about a refusal or disappointment in
a kindly way. * /The teacher had to tell George that he had failed his
college examinations, but she tried to let him down easy./ * /The boss
tried to let Jim down easy when he had to tell him he was too young
for the job./
[let down one's hair] See: LET ONE'S HAIR DOWN.
[let drop] {v. phr.} 1. To cease to talk about; set aside; forget.
* /This is such an unpleasant subject that I suggest we let it drop
for a few days./ 2. To disclose; hint. * /He unexpectedly let drop
that he was resigning and joining another firm./
[let fall] See: LET DROP.
[let George do it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To expect someone else to
do the work or take the responsibility. * /Many people expect to let
George do it when they are on a committee./ Compare: PASS THE BUCK.
[let go] {v.} 1a. To stop holding something; loosen your hold;
release. * /The boy grabbed Jack's coat and would not let go./ - Often
used with "of". * /When the child let go of her mother's hand, she
fell down./ Compare: GIVE UP(1a), LET LOOSE. 1b. To weaken and break
under pressure. * /The old water pipe suddenly let go and water poured
out of it./ Syn.: GIVE WAY. Contrast: HOLD ON TO. 2. To pay no
attention to; neglect. * /Robert let his teeth go when he was young
and now he has to go to the dentist often./ * /After she was married,
Jane let herself go and was not pretty anymore. / 3. To allow
something to pass; do nothing about. * /When Charles was tardy, the
teacher scolded him and let it go at that./ * /The children teased
Frank, but he smiled and let it go./ Compare: LET OFF(2), LET RIDE. 4.
To discharge from a job; fire. * /Mr. Wilson got into a quarrel with
his boss and was let go./ 5. To make (something) go out quickly;
shoot; fire. * /The soldiers let go a number of shots./ * /Robin Hood
let go an arrow at the deer./ * /Paul was so angry that he let go a
blow at the boy./ * /The truck driver saw the flat tire and let go a
loud curse./ * /The pitcher let go a fast ball and the batter swung
and missed./ Compare: CUT LOOSE, LET OUT. 6. or [let oneself go]
{informal} To be free in one's actions or talk; relax. * /Judge Brown
let go at the reunion of his old class and had a good time./ * /The
cowboys worked hard all week, but on Saturday night they went to town
and let themselves go./ Syn.: CUT LOOSE, LET LOOSE(3), LET OFF
STEAM(2).
[let go hang] See: GO HANG.
[let go of] {v. phr.} To release one's grasp. * /As soon as Sally
let go of the leash, her dog ran away./
[let go of one's mother's apron strings] See: TIED TO ONE'S
MOTHER'S APRON STRINGS.
[let grass grow under one's feet] {v. phr.} To be idle; be lazy;
waste time. - Used in negative, conditional, and interrogative
sentences. * /The new boy joined the football team, made the honor
roll, and found a girlfriend during the first month of school. He
certainly did not let any grass grow under his feet./
[let it all hang out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} Not to
disguise anything; to let the truth be known. * /Sue can't deceive
anyone; she just lets it all hang out./
[let it lay] {v. phr.}, {used imperatively}, {slang} Forget it;
leave it alone; do not be concerned or involved. * /Don't get involved
with Max again - just let it lay./
[let it rip] {v. phr.}, {used imperatively}, {slang} Don't be
concerned; pay no attention to what happens. * /Why get involved?
Forget about it and let it rip./ 2. (Imperatively) Do become involved
and make the most of it; get in there and really try to win. * /Come
on man, give it all you've got and let it rip!/
[let know] {v. phr.} To inform. * /Please let us know the time of
your arrival./
[let loose] {v.} 1a. or [set loose] or [turn loose] To set free;
loosen or give up your hold on. * /The farmer opened the gate and let
the bull loose in the pasture./ * /They turned the balloon loose to
let it rise in the air./ 1b. or [turn loose] To give freedom (to
someone) to do something; to allow (someone) to do what he wants. *
/Mother let Jim loose on the apple pie./ * /The children were turned
loose in the toy store to pick the toys they wanted./ 1c. To stop
holding something; loosen your hold. * /Jim caught Ruth's arm and
would not let loose./ Compare: LET GO, LET OUT. 2a. {informal} To let
or make (something) move fast or hard; release. * /The fielder let
loose a long throw to home plate after catching the ball./ 2b.
{informal} To release something held. * /Those dark clouds are going
to let loose any minute./ Syn.: CUT LOOSE, LET GO. 3. {informal} To
speak or act freely; disregard ordinary limits. * /The teacher told
Jim that some day she was going to let loose and tell him what she
thought of him./ * /Mother let loose on her shopping trip today and
bought things for all of us./ Syn.: CUT LOOSE, LET GO.
[let me see] or [let us see] {informal} 1. Let us find out by
trying or performing an action. * /Let me see if you can jump over the
fence./ 2. Give me time to think or remember. * /I can't come today.
Let me see. How about Friday?/ * /Let's see. Where did I put the key?/
[let off] {v.} 1. To discharge (a gun); explode; fire. * /Willie
accidentally let off his father's shotgun and made a hole in the
wall./ Syn.: GO OFF, LET LOOSE(2). 2. To permit to go or escape;
excuse from a penalty, a duty, or a promise. * /Two boys were caught
smoking in school but the principal let them off with a warning./ *
/Mary's mother said that she would let Mary off from drying the supper
dishes./ * /The factory closed for a month in the summer and let the
workers off./ Compare: LET GO. 3. or {informal} [let off the hook] To
miss a chance to defeat or score against, especially in sports or
games. * /We almost scored a touchdown in the first play against Tech
but we let them off the hook by fumbling the ball./ * /The boxer let
his opponent off the hook many times./
[let off steam] or [blow off steam] {v. phr.} 1. To let or make
steam escape; send out steam. * /The janitor let off some steam
because the pressure was too high./ 2. {informal} To get rid of
physical energy or strong feeling through activity; talk or be very
active physically after forced quiet. * /After the long ride on the
bus, the children let off steam with a race to the lake./ * /When the
rain stopped, the boys let off steam with a ball game./ * /Bill's
mother was very angry when he was late in coming home, and let off
steam by walking around and around./ * /Bill had to take his foreman's
rough criticisms all day and he would blow off steam at home by
scolding the children./ Compare: BLOW ONE'S TOP, LET GO(6).
[let off the hook] See: LET OFF(3).
[let on] {v.}, {informal} 1. To tell or admit what you know. -
Usually used in the negative. * /Frank lost a quarter but he didn't
let on to his mother./ 2. To try to make people believe; pretend. *
/The old man likes to let on that he is rich./
[let one have it] {v. phr.} 1a. {slang} To hit hard. * /He drew
back his fist and let the man have it./ * /Give him a kick in the
pants; let him have it!/ Syn.: GIVE IT TO. 1b. {slang} To use a weapon
on; to shoot or knife. * /The guard pulled his gun and let the robber
have it in the leg./ Compare: OPEN UP. 1c. or [let one have it with
both barrels] {slang} To attack with words; scold; criticize. * /Mary
kept talking in class until the teacher became angry and let her have
it./ Syn.: LIGHT INTO(2). 2. {informal} To tell about it. - Used in
the imperative phrase, "let's have it". * /Now, Mary, let's have it
from the beginning./ * /We will take turns reading; John, let's have
it from page one./
[let one in on] {v. phr.} To reveal a secret to; permit someone to
share in. * /If I let you in on something big we're planning, will you
promise not to mention it to anyone?/
[let oneself go] See: LET GO(6).
[let one's hair down] or [let down one's hair] {v. phr.},
{informal} Act freely and naturally; be informal; relax. * /Kings and
queens can seldom let their hair down./ * /After the dance, the
college girls let their hair down and compared dates./ Compare: LET
GO(6).
[let one's left hand know what one's right hand is doing] {v. phr.}
1. To make a show of your kindness or help to others. - Used in the
negative. * /The Bible tells us not to let the left hand know what the
right hand is doing when we give to the poor./ 2. {informal} To let
everyone taking part in something know what each is doing; encourage
cooperation in working. * /Tom told Fred and Bill to meet him in town,
but he forgot to tell them where. Next time he'll let his left hand
know what his right hand is doing./ - Often used in the negative. *
/Our team lost today because the coach and captain did not let the
left hand know what the right was doing, and the players were all
mixed up./
[let out] {v.} 1a. To allow to go out or escape. * /The guard let
the prisoners out of jail to work in the garden./ * /Mother won't let
us out when it rains./ Compare: LET LOOSE. 1b. {informal} To make (a
sound) come out of the mouth; utter. * /A bee stung Charles. He let
out a yell and ran home./ * /Father told Betty to sit still and not
let out a peep during church./ 2. To allow to be known; tell. * /I'll
never tell you another secret if you let this one out./ Compare: LET
THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG. 3. To make larger (as clothing) or looser;
allow to slip out (as a rope). * /Mary's mother had to let out her
dress because Mary is growing so tall./ * /Father hooked a big fish on
his line. He had to let the line out so the fish wouldn't break it./
Compare: PIECE OUT. Contrast: TAKE IN. 4. {informal} To allow to move
at higher speed. * /The rider let out his horse to try to beat the
horse ahead of him./ 5. {informal} To free from blame, responsibility,
or duty. - Often used with "of". * /Last time I let you out of it when
you were late. I'll have to punish you this time./ * /Frank has
shoveled the snow from the sidewalk. That lets me out./ Compare: LET
GO, LET OFF. 6, {informal} To discharge from a job; fire. * /The shop
closed down and all the men were let out./ 7. {informal} To dismiss or
be dismissed. * /The coach let us out from practice at 3 o'clock./ *
/I'll meet you after school lets out./
[let pass] {v. phr.} To disregard; overlook. * /Herb may have
overheard what was said about him, but he decided to let it pass./
[let ride] {v. phr.}, {informal} To allow to go on without change;
accept (a situation or action) for the present. * /The committee could
not decide what to do about Bob's idea, so they let the matter ride
for a month or so./ * /The class was rather noisy but the teacher let
it ride because it was near Christmas./ * /Ruth's paper was not very
good, but the teacher let it ride because she knew Ruth had tried./
Compare: LET GO(3), LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE.
[let's don't] also [don't let's] {substandard} Let's not; let us
not; I suggest that we don't. * /"'Let's go out and play," said Fred.
"Let's don't until the rain stops," said Mary./ * /Don't let's go now.
Let's go tomorrow instead./
[let's have it] See: LET HAVE IT.
[let sleeping dogs lie] Do not make (someone) angry and cause
trouble or danger; do not make trouble if you do not have to. - A
proverb. * /Don't tell Father that you broke the window. Let sleeping
dogs lie./
[let slip] {v. phr.} To unintentionally reveal. * /Ellen let it
slip that she had been a witness to the accident./
[letter] See: CHAIN LETTER, NIGHT LETTER, TO THE LETTER.
[letter-perfect] {adj. phr.} Memorized perfectly; perfect to the
last letter. * /The actor was letter-perfect in his role./
[let the cat out of the bag] {v. phr.}, {informal} To tell about
something that is supposed to be a secret. * /We wanted to surprise
Mary with a birthday gift, but Allen let the cat out of the bag by
asking her what she would like./ - Sometimes used in another form. *
/Well, the cat is out of the bag - everybody knows about their
marriage./ Compare: GIVE AWAY(3), LET OUT(2), SPILL THE BEANS.
[let the chips fall where they may] {v. phr.} To pay no attention
to the displeasure caused others by your actions. * /The senator
decided to vote against the bill and let the chips fall where they
may./ * /The police chief told his men to give tickets to all speeders
and let the chips fall where they may./ Compare: COME WHAT MAY.
[let the grass grow under one's feet] {v. phr.}, {informal} To
waste time; be slow or idle. * /Grandpa spends so much time sitting
and thinking that Grandma accuses him of letting the grass grow under
his feet./
[let up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To become less, weaker, or quiet;
become slower or stop. * /It's raining as hard as ever. It's not
letting up at all./ * /It snowed for three days before it let up and
we could go outdoors./ 2. To do less or go slower or stop; relax; stop
working or working hard. * /Grandfather has been working all his life.
When is he going to let up?/ * /Let up for a minute. You can't work
hard all day./ * /Jim ran all the way home without letting up once./
Compare: SLOW DOWN. Contrast: BEAR DOWN. 3. To become easier, kinder,
or less strict. - Usually used with "on". * /Let up on Jane. She is
sick./ Syn.: EASE UP. 4. or [change up] To pitch a ball at less than
full speed in baseball. - Usually used with "on". * /John pitched a
ball that was very fast and the batter missed it. Then he let up on
the next pitch and the batter was badly fooled./
[let well enough alone] or [leave well enough alone] {v. phr.} To
be satisfied with what is good enough; not try to improve something
because often that might cause more trouble. * /John wanted to make
his kite go higher, but his father told him to let well enough alone
because it was too windy./ * /Ed polished up his car until his friends
warned him to leave well enough alone./ * /Ethel made a lot of changes
in her test paper after she finished. She should have let well enough
alone, because she made several new mistakes./ Compare: LET RIDE.
[level] See: ON THE LEVEL.
[level best] {adj. phr.} One's utmost; one's very best. * /Eric
refused to stay in school although his parents did their level best to
make him finish./
[levelheaded] {adj. phr.} Having good common sense; practical;
reasonable. * /What our office needs is a good, level-headed manager./
[level off] or [level out] {v.} 1. To make flat or level. * /The
steamroller leveled out the gravel roadbed and then the concrete was
poured./ 2. To move on an even level. * /The airplane leveled out at
2,000 feet./ * /After going up for six months, the cost of living
leveled off in September./
[level with] {v. phr.} To tell someone the truth; not engage in
lies and subterfuge. * /"You can level with me," his father said. "Did
you break that window?"/
[liberty] See: TAKE LIBERTIES.
[lick and a promise] {n. phr.}, {informal} A careless, hasty job;
an unsatisfactory piece of work. * /You didn't wash your hands. You
just gave them a lick and a promise./ * /The boys didn't cut the grass
properly. All it got was a lick and a promise./
[lickety-split] also [lickety-cut] {adv.}, {informal} At full
speed; with a rush. * /As soon as school was out the boys ran
lickety-split to the swimming pool./
[lick into shape] {v. phr.} To make perfect; drill; train. * /The
sergeant licked the new volunteer army into shape in three months./
[lick one's boots] {v. phr.} To flatter or act like a slave; do
anything to please another. * /She wanted her boyfriend to lick her
boots all the time./ * /A wise king would not want his friends and
officials to lick his boots./
[lick one's chops] {v. phr.}, {informal} To think about something
pleasant; enjoy the thought of something. * /John is licking his chops
about the steak dinner tonight./ * /Tom is licking his chops about the
lifeguard job he will have at the beach next summer./ * /Our team is
licking its chops because we beat the champions last night./ (From the
fact that some animals lick their mouths when they expect to be fed or
when they see food, and after eating.) Compare: LOOK FORWARD TO, MAKE
ONE'S MOUTH WATER.
[lick the --- out of] See: BEAT THE --- OUT OF.
[lid] See: FLIP ONE'S LID, THE LID.
[lie] See: GIVE THE LIE TO, LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE, MAKE ONE'S BED
AND LIE IN IT.
[lie around] {v. phr.} To be unused; inert. * /This old typewriter
has been lying around ever since Grandpa died./
[lie down on the job] {v. phr.}, {informal} To purposely fail to do
your job; neglect a task; loaf. * /Bill isn't trying to learn his
lessons. He is lying down on the job./ * /If you lie down on your job,
you will lose it./
[lief] See: AS SOON also AS LIEF, HAD AS SOON also HAD AS LIEF.
[lie in state] {v. phr.} Of a dead person: To lie in a place of
honor, usually in an open coffin, and be seen by the public before
burial. * /When the president died, thousands of people saw his body
lying in state./
[lie in wait] {v. phr.} To watch from hiding in order to attack or
surprise someone; to ambush. * /The driver of the stage-coach knew
that the thieves were lying in wait somewhere along the road./
[lie low] or {nonstandard} [lay low] {v.}, {informal} 1. To stay
quietly out of sight; try not to attract attention; hide. * /After
holding up the bank, the robbers lay low for a while./ 2. To keep
secret one's thoughts or plans. * /I think he wants to be elected
president, but he is lying low and not saying anything./
[lie through one's teeth] {v. phr.} To lie uninhibitedly and
unashamedly. * /Everyone in the courtroom could sense that the accused
was lying through his teeth./
[lie to] {v.} Of a ship: To stay in one place facing against the
wind; stop. * /Our ship will lie to outside the harbor until
daylight./ Compare: LAY TO(2).
[lieu] See: INSTEAD OF also IN LIEU OF.
[life] See: BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, BIG AS LIFE, CAT HAS NINE
LIVES, CHARMED LIFE, COME ALIVE OT COME TO LIFE, FACTS OF LIFE, FOR
DEAR LIFE, FOR THE LIFE OF ONE, LEAD A DOG'S LIFE, NIGHT LIFE, NOT ON
YOUR LIFE OR ONE'S LIFE, TAKE ONE'S LIFE IN ONE'S HANDS, TIME OF ONE'S
LIFE, YOU BET or YOU BET YOUR LIFE, WALK OF LIFE, WITHIN AN INCH OF
ONE'S LIFE.
[life of Riley] {n. phr.}, {informal} A soft easy life; pleasant or
rich way of living. * /He's living the life of Riley. He doesn't have
to work anymore./ Compare: BED OF ROSES, IN CLOVER, LIVE HIGH OFF THE
HOG.
[life of the party] {n. phr.} A person who makes things enjoyable
or interesting for a group of people. * /Bill is the life of the party
at school. He is always making us laugh./
[lift a finger] or [lift a hand] also [raise a hand] {v. phr.} 1.
To do something; do your share; to help. - Usually used in the
negative. * /We all worked hard except Joe. He wouldn't lift a
finger./ * /The king did not lift a hand when his people were hungry./
Compare: LEND A HAND.
[light] See: BRING TO LIGHT, COME TO LIGHT, DASH LIGHT, HIDE ONE'S
LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL, IN THE LIGHT OF, MAKE LIGHT OF, MANY HANDS MAKE
LIGHT WORK, OUT LIKE A LIGHT, SEE THE LIGHT, TRAVEL LIGHT.
[light-fingered] {adj.} Given to stealing; having a tendency to be
dishonest or a kleptomaniac. * /I always suspected that Freddie might
be lightfingered and my suspicions were confirmed when he was arrested
for shoplifting./
[light housekeeping] {n.}, {slang} An arrangement in which an
unmarried couple live together. * /Are Joe and Sue married? - Oh, no,
- it's just a case of light housekeeping./ See: SHACK UP WITH.
[light into] See: LAY INTO.
[lightly] See: ONCE OVER LIGHTLY at ONCE OVER(2).
[lightning never strikes twice in the same place] The same accident
does not happen twice; the same person does not have the same luck
again. - A proverb. * /Billy won a pony in the contest last year, but
lightning never strikes twice in the same place./
[light on] also [light upon] {v.} To pick out by sight from among
others; see; notice. * /His eyes lighted on the cookies and he
remembered how hungry he was./ * /Her eyes lighted upon the row of
boxes, and she asked what was in them./
[light out] {v.}, {slang} 1. To run as fast as you can. * /The boy
lit out for home with the bully chasing him./ * /On the next pitch the
runner will light out for second./ 2. To go away in a hurry; leave
suddenly. - Often used with "for". * /Jack won't be in town long. He
wants to light out as soon as he has enough money saved./ * /The
robbers lit out for Mexico./ Syn.: BEAT IT, TAKE OFF(1), HEAD FOR THE
HILLS.
[light up] {v.} Suddenly to look pleased and happy. * /Martha's
face lit up when she saw her old friend./ * /Tom will really light up
when he sees his new bike!/
[like] See: EAT LIKE A BIRD, FEEL LIKE, LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE
THE CANARY, NOTHING LIKE, THE LIKES OF or THE LIKE.
[like a bird] See: EAT LIKE A BIRD.
[like a book] See: READ ONE LIKE A BOOK.
[like a fish out of water] See: FISH OUT OF WATER.
[like a glove] See: FIT LIKE A GLOVE.
[like a hole in the head] {adv. phr.} Not at all; scarcely;
grudgingly; in an unwelcome manner. * /Joan needs her mother-in-law to
stay with her for a week like a hole in the head./
[like a horse] See: EAT LIKE A HORSE.
[like a light] See: OUT LIKE A LIGHT.
[like a million] See: FEEL LIKE A MILLION.
[like a million dollars] See: LOOK LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS.
[like anything] {adv. phr.} To an extreme degree. * /He swore like
anything when he found out that he hadn't been promoted./
[like a steel trap] See: MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP.
[like clockwork] See: GO LIKE CLOCKWORK or GO OFF LIKE CLOCKWORK.
[like crazy] See: LIKE MAD.
[like father, like son] A son is usually like his father in the way
he acts. - A proverb. * /Frank's father has been on the city council;
he is now the mayor, and is running for governor. Frank is on the
student council and is likely to he class president. Like father, like
son./ * /Mr. Jones and Tommy are both quiet and shy. Like father, like
son./ Compare: SPITTING IMAGE, FOLLOW IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS.
[like hell] {adv.}, {slang}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} 1. With great
vigor. * /As soon as they saw the cops, they ran like hell./ 2.
{interj.} Not so; untrue; indicates the speaker's lack of belief in
what he heard. * /Like hell you're gonna bring me my dough!/
[like it is] See: TELL IT LIKE IT IS.
[like looking for a needle in a haystack] See: NEEDLE IN A
HAYSTACK.
[like mad] or [like crazy] {adv.}, {slang}, {informal} With great
enthusiasm and vigor; very fast. * /We had to drive like mad (like
crazy) to get there on time./ See: LIKE HELL(1).
[like two peas in a pod] {adj. phr.} Closely similar; almost
exactly alike. * /The twin sisters Eve and Agnes are like two peas in
a pod./
[like water] {adv. phr.} As something easily poured out or wasted;
freely. - Usually used in the phrase "spend money like water". *
/Sailors on shore leave often spend money like water./ * /During the
World Wars, the United States spent money like water./
[like water off a duck's back] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Without
changing your feelings or opinion; without effect. * /Advice and
correction roll off him like water off a duck's back./ * /Many people
showed him they didn't like what he was doing, but their disapproval
passed off him like water off a duck's back./
[lily] See: GILD THE LILY also PAINT THE LILY.
[limb] See: OUT ON A LIMB.
[line] See: BLOW ONE'S LINES or FLUFF ONE'S LINES, CHOW LINE, DOWN
THE LINE, DRAW A LINE or DRAW THE LINE, DROP A LINE, END OF THE ROAD
or END OF THE LINE, FOUL LINE, GOAL LINE, GOAL LINE STAND, HOLD THE
LINE, HOOK, LINE AND SINKER, IN LINE, IN LINE WITH, INTO LINE, LAY ON
THE LINE or PUT ON THE LINE, ON THE LINE, OUT OF LINE, OUT OF LINE
WITH, READ BETWEEN THE LINES, TOE THE LINE, WALK THE CHALK or WALK THE
CHALK LINE.
[line drive] {n.} A batted baseball that is usually hit hard and
travels in the air not far above the ground. * /The batter hit a line
drive to left field for a single./
[linen] See: AIR ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC or WASH ONE'S DIRTY
LINEN IN PUBLIC.
[line of fire] {n. phr.} The path that something fired or thrown
takes. * /When the bandit and the police began to shoot, John was
almost in their line of fire./ Compare: CROSS FIRE.
[line of least resistance] or [path of least resistance] {n. phr.}
The easiest way; the way that takes least effort. * /In becoming a
doctor like his father John had really just followed the line of least
resistance./ * /Some parents take the path of least resistance with
their children and let them do as they please./
[line of scrimmage] {n. phr.} An imaginary line on a football field
parallel to the goal lines where each play except the kickoff begins.
* /The play was stopped at the line of scrimmage./
[line one's pockets] also [line one's purse] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To get a lot of money unfairly; get rich by being dishonest. * /The
policeman lined his pockets by taking bribes./ * /The inspector lined
his pockets by permitting contractors to use poor building materials./
Compare: FEATHER ONE'S NEST.
[lineup] {n.} 1. An alignment of objects in a straight line. * /A
lineup of Venus and the moon can be a very beautiful sight in the
night sky./ 2. An arrangement of suspects through a one-way mirror so
that the victim or the witness of a crime can identify the wanted
person. * /She picked out her attacker from a police lineup./
[line up] {v. phr.} 1. To take places in a line or formation; stand
side by side or one behind another; form a line or pattern. * /The
boys lined up and took turns diving off the springboard./ * /The
football team lined up in a "T" formation./ 2. To put in line. * /John
lined up the pool balls./ 3. To adjust correctly. * /The garage man
lined up the car's wheels./ 4a. {informal} To make ready for action;
complete a plan or agreement for; arrange. * /Henry's friends lined up
so many votes for him that he won the election./ * /Roger lined up a
summer job before school was out./ * /The superintendent lined up all
the new teachers he needed before he went on vacation./ 4b. {informal}
To become ready for action; come together in preparation or agreement.
* /The football schedule is lining up well; the coach has arranged all
games except one./ * /Larry wanted to go to the seashore for the
family vacation, but the rest of the family lined up against him./
Compare: GANG UP, SHAPE UP, TAKE SIDES.
[lining] See: EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING.
[link] See: MISSING LINK.
[lion's share] {n. phr.} A disproportionate share; the largest
part. * /The manager always gets the lion's share of the company's
profits./
[lip] See: BUTTON ONE'S LIP or ZIP ONE'S LIP, HANG ON THE WORDS OF
or HANG ON THE LIPS OF, KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP, SLIP OF THE TONGUE
also SLIP OF THE LIP.
[lip service] {n.} Support shown by words only and not by actions;
a show of loyalty that is not proven in action. - Usually used with
"pay". * /Bv holding elections, communism pays lip service to
democracy, but it offers only one candidate per office./ * /Some
people pay lip service to education, but don't vote taxes for better
schools./
[liquid assets] {n. phr.} Those belongings that can be easily
converted into cash. * /Herb asked for a loan and the bank manager
told him to bring in proof of all his liquid assets./
[liquor up] {v. phr.}, {slang} To drink an excessive amount of
liquor before engaging in some activity as if comparing oneself to a
car that needs to be filled before a journey. * /Joe always liquors up
before he takes Sue for a dance./
[list] See: SUCKER LIST, WAITING LIST.
[listen in] {v.} 1. To listen to a radio broadcast. * /We found
them listening in to the president's speech./ 2. To listen to the talk
of others, often to talk that is not intended for your ears;
eavesdrop. * /When Mary talked to her boyfriend on the telephone, her
little brother listened in./
[listen to reason] {v. phr.} To listen to and think about advice
that you are given. * /Joe was stubborn and would not listen to
reason./ * /It will save you a lot of trouble if you will just listen
to reason./
[litterbug] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who leaves garbage
in a public place, such as a park or beach or a street; one who
litters. * /Don't be a litterbug; keep the city clean!/
[little] See: A LITTLE, A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING,
GREAT OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW, LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND, MAKE
LITTLE OF, NOT A LITTLE, QUITE A LITTLE or QUITE A LITTLE BIT, THINK
LITTLE OF, TWIST AROUND ONE'S LITTLE FINGER.
[little does one think] {v. phr.} To not realize; not expect; be