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[on the market] {adj. phr.} For sale. * /In the summer many fresh
vegetables are on the market./ * /The Goodwins put their house on the
market in January, but they did not sell it till August./
[on the mend] {adj. phr.} Healing; becoming better. * /John's
broken leg is on the mend./ * /Mary's relationship with Joan is on the
mend./
[on die money] {adv. phr.} Exactly right; exactly accurate. *
/Algernon won the lottery; the numbers he picked were right on the
money./ Compare: ON THE NOSE.
[on the move] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Moving around from place to
place; in motion. * /It was a very cold day, and the teacher watching
the playground kept on the move to stay warm./ * /It was vacation
time, and the highways were full of families on the move./ 2. Moving
forward; going somewhere. * /The candidate promised that if people
would make him president, he would get the country on the move./
[on the nose] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Just right; exactly. *
/Stanley hit the ball on the nose./ * /The airplane pilot found the
small landing field on the nose./
[on the other foot] See: SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT.
[on the other hand] {adv. phr.} Looking at the other side; from
another point of view. - Used to introduce an opposite or different
fact or idea. * /Jim wanted to go to the movies; his wife, on the
other hand, wanted to stay home and read./ * /Mr. Harris may still
want a boy to mow his lawn; on the other hand, he may have found
someone to do it./ Compare: ON ONE HAND.
[on the outs] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not friendly; having a
quarrel. * /Mary and Sue were on the outs./ * /Being on the outs with
a classmate is very upsetting./ Syn.: AT ODDS.
[on the point of] {prep.} Ready to begin; very near to. - Usually
used with a verbal noun. * /The coach was on the point of giving up
the game when our team scored two points./ * /The baby was on the
point of crying when her mother finally came home./ Compare: ABOUT TO,
AT THE POINT OF.
[on the Q.T.] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Secretly; without anyone's
knowing. * /George and Paul formed a club on the Q.T./ * /The teachers
got the principal a present strictly on the Q.T./ (from quiet.)
[on the road] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Traveling; moving from one
place to another. * /When we go on vacation, we take a lunch to eat
while on the road./ * /Mr. Smith is on the road for his insurance
company./ 2. Changing; going from one condition to another. * /Mary
was very sick for several weeks, but now she is on the road to
recovery./ * /Hard study in school put John on the road to success./
[on the rocks] {adj. phr.} 1. {informal} Wrecked or ruined. * /Mr.
Jones' business and marriage were both on the rocks./ 2. With ice
only. * /At the restaurant, Sally ordered orange juice on the rocks./
[on the ropes] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Against the ropes of a
boxing ring and almost not able to stand up. * /The fighter was on the
ropes and could hardly lift his gloves./ 2. Almost defeated; helpless;
near failure. * /The new supermarket took most of the business from
Mr. Thomas's grocery, and the little store was soon on the ropes./
[on the run] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In a hurry; hurrying. * /Jane
called "Help!" and Tom came on the run./ * /Modern mothers are usually
on the run./ 2. Going away from a fight; in retreat; retreating. *
/The enemy soldiers were on the run./
[on the safe side] {adv. phr.} Provided for against a possible
emergency; well prepared. * /"Please double-check these proofs, Mr.
Brown," the printer said, "just to be on the safe side."/
[on the shelf] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} Laid aside; not
useful anymore. * /When a girl grows up, she puts childish habits on
the shelf./ * /Mr. Myron's company put him on the shelf when he
reached the age of 65./
[on the side] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. In addition to a main
thing, amount or quantity; extra. * /He ordered a hamburger with
onions and French fries on the side./ * /His job at the hospital did
not pay much, so he found another on the side./ * /The cowboys in the
rodeo competed for prize money and also made bets on the side./ 2. or
[on the --- side] Tending toward; rather. * /Grandmother thought
Jane's new skirt was on the short side./
[on the sly] {adv. phr.} So that other people won't know; secretly.
* /The boys smoked on the sly./ * /Mary's mother did not approve of
lipstick, but Mary used it on the sly./
[on the spot] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. or [upon the spot] At that
exact time and at the same time or place; without waiting or leaving.
* /The news of important events is often broadcast on the spot over
television./ * /When Tom ruined an expensive machine, his boss fired
him on the spot./ Compare: AT ONCE, IN ONE'S TRACKS, THEN AND THERE.
2. {informal} also [in a spot] In trouble, difficulty, or
embarrassment. * /Mr. Jones is on the spot because he cannot pay back
the money he borrowed./ * /Bill is on the spot; he invited George to
visit him, but Bill's parents said no./ Compare: BACK TO THE WALL. 3.
{slang} In danger of murder; named or listed for death. * /After he
talked to the police, the gangsters put him on the spot./
[on the spur of the moment] {adv. phr.} On a sudden wish or
decision; suddenly; without thought or preparation. * /John had not
planned to take the trip; he just left on the spur of the moment./ *
/Mary saw a help-wanted advertisement and applied for the job on the
spur of the moment./
[on the stage] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} In or into the work of being
an actor or actress. * /John's brother is on the stage./ * /Mary went
on the stage./
[on the strength of] {prep.} With faith or trust in; depending
upon; with the support of. * /On the strength of Jim's promise to
guide us, we decided to climb the mountain./ * /Bill started a
restaurant on the strength of his experience as a cook in the army./
[on the string] or [on a string] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Under your
influence or control; obedient to every wish. * /The baby had his
mother on a string./ * /She was pretty and popular, with two or three
boys on the string all the time./
[on the take] {adv. phr.} Bribable; corrupt. * /Officer O'Keefe was
put on three months' probation because it was alleged that he was on
the take./
[on the tip of one's tongue] {adv. phr.} About to say something,
such as a name, a telephone number, etc., but unable to remember it
for the moment. * /"His name is on the tip of my tongue," Tom said.
"It will come to me in a minute."/
[on the town] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In or into a town
to celebrate; having a good time or enjoying the amusements in a town.
* /When the sailors got off their ship they went out on the town./
Compare: PAINT THE TOWN RED.
[on the track of] or [on the trail of] Hunting or looking for;
trying to find; following. * /The hunter is on the track of a deer./ *
/The lawyer is on the trail of new proof in the case./ * /Jim collects
old stamps; he is on the track of one in Midville this afternoon./
[on the trail of] See: ON THE TRACK OF.
[on the trigger] See: QUICK ON THE TRIGGER.
[on the up and up] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Honest; trustworthy;
sincere. * /We felt that he was honest and could be trusted. This
information is on the up and up./ Compare: ON THE LEVEL.
[on the vine] See: DIE ON THE VINE or WITHER ON THE VINE.
[on the wagon] {adv. phr.} Participating in an alcohol addiction
program; not touching any alcoholic beverage. * /Jim's doctor and his
family finally managed to convince him that he was an alcoholic and
should go on the wagon./ Contrast: FALL OFF THE WAGON.
[on the wane and on the wax] {adv. phr.} Decreasing and increasing.
- Said of the moon. * /The moon is regularly on the wane and on the
wax at regular intervals lasting half a month./
[on the warpath] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Very angry. * /When
Mother saw the mess in the kitchen she went on the warpath./ * /Betty
has been on the warpath ever since she found out she was not invited
to the party./ 2. Making an attack; fighting. * /The government is on
the warpath against narcotics./ * /The police are on the warpath
against speeders./
[on the watch] {adj. phr.} Alert; watchful. * /The customs
inspector was on the watch for diamond smugglers./ * /Mary was on the
watch for bargains at the auction./ Compare: EYE OUT, LOOK OUT(2).
[on the way] or [on one's way] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Coming; going
toward a place or goal; started. * /Help was on the way./ * /The train
left and Bill was on his way to New York./ * /He is well on the way to
becoming a fine mechanic./
[on the whole] {adv. phr.} 1. In the most important things; in most
ways. * /On the whole, Billy did very well in school this year./ *
/Everybody agreed that on the whole it was a good show./ Syn.: IN
ALL(2), FOR THE MOST PART. 2. In most cases; usually. * /On the whole,
men are stronger than women./ * /On the whole, children begin walking
when they are about one year old./ Syn.: BY AND LARGE, IN GENERAL.
[on the wing] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In the air; while flying. *
/The duck flew away, but John shot it on the wing./ 2. {informal} In
constant motion; always very busy. * /Susan was on the wing doing
things to get ready for her trip./ * /Mr. Jones had a busy schedule
and his secretary had to catch him on the wing to sign the letters./
Syn.: ON THE FLY. 3. {informal} Moving from one place to another;
traveling; going somewhere. * /Mary's husband is a traveling salesman
and he's always on the wing./ * /They stayed in France for a week and
then they were on the wing again./ Syn.: ON THE GO, ON THE MOVE.
[on the words] See: HANG ON THE WORDS OF.
[on the wrong foot] See: GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT.
[on the wrong side of the bed] See: GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE
BED.
[on the wrong track] {adv. phr.} Lost; pursuing the wrong lead. *
/Professor MacAlister confessed that his chemical experiments were on
the wrong track./ Contrast: BARK UP THE WRONG TREE.
[on time] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. At the time arranged; not late;
promptly. * /The train left on time./ * /Mary is always on time for an
appointment./ Contrast: AHEAD OF TIME, BEHIND TIME. 2. On the
installment plan; on credit, paying a little at a time. * /John bought
a car on time./ * /You can buy things at the department store on
time./
[on top] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In the lead; with
success; with victory. * /The horse that everyone had expected would
be on top actually came in third./ * /Although John had been afraid
that he was not prepared for the exam, he came out on top./
[on top of] {prep}. 1. On the top of; standing or lying on; on. *
/When the player on the other team dropped the ball, Bill fell on top
of it./ * /That high hill has a tower on top of it./ 2. {informal}
Very close to. * /The elevator was so crowded that everybody was on
top of each other./ * /I couldn't find my umbrella and then I realized
I was almost on top of it./ 3. {informal} In addition to; along with.
* /Mrs. Lane had many expenses and on top of everything else, her baby
became ill./ * /Mary worked at the store all day and on top of that
she had to baby-sit with her brother./ 4. {informal} Managing very
well; in control of. * /Although his new job was very complicated,
John was on top of it within a few weeks./ * /No matter what goes
wrong, Mary always stays on top of it./ 5. Knowing all about; not
falling behind in information about; up-to-date on. * /Mary stays on
top of the news by reading newspapers and magazines./ * /When he was
in California, Mr. Jones kept on top of things in his office by
telephoning every day./
[on top of the world] or [sitting on top of the world] also
(Southern) [sitting on high cotton] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Feeling
pleased and happy; feeling successful. * /John was on top of the world
when he found out that he got into college./ * /When Ruth won first
prize in the contest, she felt as though she was sitting on top of the
world./ * /The girls were sitting on high cotton because their
basketball team had won the trophy./ Compare: FLYING HIGH, WALK ON
AIR.
[on trial] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. For testing or trying out for a
time before making a decision. * /I was lucky that I had bought the
machine on trial because I didn't like it and was able to return it./
* /Mother bought a new dishwasher on trial and was trying it out
before deciding whether to keep it./ 2. In a court being tried for a
crime before a judge or jury. * /John White was on trial for murder./
* /Mary was on trial before the Student Committee for spoiling school
property./
[on words] See: PLAY ON WORDS.
[on your life] See: NOT ON YOUR LIFE.
[open] See: EYES OPEN, THROW OPEN.
[open and aboveboard] {adj. phr.} Honest. * /Jacob felt that the
firm he was doing business with wasn't entirely open and aboveboard./
[open and shut] See: CUT AND DRIED.
[open arms] See: RECEIVE WITH OPEN ARMS.
[open-door policy] {n. phr.} A policy that states that newcomers
are welcome to join the company, firm, or country in question. *
/During the nineteenth century the United States had an open-door
policy regarding immigration./
[open fire] {v. phr.} To begin shooting. * /The big warship turned
its guns toward the enemy ship and opened fire./ * /When the policeman
called to the robber to stop, he turned and suddenly opened fire./
[openhanded] {adj.} Generous; liberal. * /Although not wealthy
himself, Bob was always very openhanded with those who needed help./
[open heart] {n.} 1. No hiding of your feelings; frankness;
freedom. * /She spoke with an open heart of her warm feelings for her
pupils./ * /She told her troubles with an open heart./ Compare: HEART
ON ONE'S SLEEVE. 2. Kindness; generosity. * /She contributed to the
fund with an open heart./ * /Mr. Jones has an open heart for
underprivileged children./ Compare: OPEN ONE'S HEART.
[open its doors] {v. phr.} 1. To allow someone or something to
enter or join; become open. * /That college was started for women
only, but a few years ago it opened its doors to men./ 2. To begin
doing business; open. * /Proffitts Department Store is having a
birthday sale; it first opened its doors fifty years ago this month./
Contrast: CLOSE ITS DOORS.
[open letter] {n. phr.} A public message in the form of a letter
addressed to a particular person or to a group. * /There was an open
letter to the president of the United States in today's morning
paper./
[open market] {n. phr.} Goods or securities available for purchase
by all. * /The stocks of certain companies are on the open market./
[open marriage] {n. phr.} An arrangement by mutual agreement
between husband and wife whereby they are both allowed to have
extramarital affairs. * /Chances are the open marriage arrangement
they had didn't work out too well so they are getting a divorce./
[open-minded] {adj.} Having no dogmatic or biased views on matters
of theory, religion, politics, etc. * /Fred is easy to talk to about
anything; he is a highly intelligent and open-minded person./
[open one's eyes] or [open up one's eyes] {v. phr.} To make a
person see or understand the truth; make a person realize; tell a
person what is really happening or what really exists. * /Mary didn't
believe that her cousin could be mean until the cousin opened Mary's
eyes by scratching and biting her./ * /John's eyes were opened up to
the world of nature when he visited his grandfather's farm./ Compare:
EYES OPEN, WISE UP. - [eye opener] {n.} Something that makes you
understand the truth. * /Pam's first visit to school was a real
eye-opener./
[open one's heart] {v. phr.} 1. To talk about your feelings
honestly; confide in someone. * /After going around worrying, Mary
opened her heart to her mother./ * /John felt much better after he
opened his heart to Betty./ 2. To be sympathetic to; give love or help
generously. * /Mrs. Smith opened her heart to the poor little boy./ *
/After the moving speech by the UN official, the people opened their
hearts to the poor people of India./ Compare: OPEN HEART, WEAR ONE'S
HEART ON ONE'S SLEEVE.
[open onto] {v. phr.} To have a view of. * /Our apartment in
Chicago has a set of windows that open onto Lake Michigan./
[open Pandora's box] See: PANDORA'S BOX.
[open question] {n. phr.} A debatable issue. * /Whether assisted
suicide is legal and moral or not is still an open question, recent
publicity on the matter notwithstanding./
[open secret] {n.} Something that is supposed to be a secret but
that everyone knows. * /It is an open secret that Mary and John are
engaged./ * /Who will be appointed as the next president of the
college is an open secret./
[open sesame] {n. phr.}, {literary} Immediate means of entrance, or
unobstructed access to something. * /Tom mistakenly believed that his
wealth would be an open sesame to the world of creative arts./
[open shop] {n. phr.} A factory or firm that employs both union and
non-union labor. * /The firm refuses to adopt an open shop policy./
Contrast: CLOSED SHOP.
[open the door] {v. phr.} To allow more action or discussion; give
a chance. * /Learning to read and write opens the door to a better job
and better living conditions./ * /Raising the tax rates will open the
door to more help for older people./ Contrast: CLOSE THE DOOR.
Compare: OPEN ITS DOORS.
[open the floodgates] {v. phr.} To let loose an outburst of human
activity or emotion. * /It would open the floodgates of anger and
discontent if the university raised tuition too soon./
[open up] {v.} 1. To show for the first time; make clear; reveal. *
/The story of Helen Keller's life opened up a whole new world to
Mary./ * /Einstein's theories opened up a whole new area for study./
2. To make available; present an opportunity; offer. * /The building
of the railroad opened up new lands to the pioneers./ * /John opened
up a whole new section of the Scrabble board./ 3. {informal} To go
faster. * /When they got out on the highway John opened up and drove
at 65 miles per hour./ 4. {informal} To begin to shoot. * /When they
got close to the enemy lines, they opened up with all they had./ 5.
{informal} To begin to talk frankly. * /After John learned to trust
Mr. Jones, he opened up and told him how he felt./ 6. To spread out. *
/After a while the road opened up and they traveled more quickly./ 7.
To become available. * /When she got her college diploma, many new
jobs opened up./
[open up one's eyes] See: OPEN ONE'S EYES.
[opinion] See: MATTER OP OPINION.
[opposite number] {n. phr.} A person occupying the same position as
someone in a different group, organization, or country. * /The
opposite number of the President of the United States in Germany is
the Chancellor of the Federal Republic./
[opposite sex] {n. phr.} The sex different from the one being
discussed or mentioned. * /Fred came out and said he was gay, having
never had any interest in the opposite sex./
[optional origin] {n.} Stipulation in international commodities
contract whereby the seller may ship from either his foreign or his
domestic resources. * /Be sure to enter that in the books as an
optional origin order./
[orbit] See: GO INTO ORBIT.
[order] See: APPLE-PIE-ORDER, CALL TO ORDER, IN ORDER, IN ORDER TO,
IN SHORT ORDER, JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, MADE TO ORDER, OUT OF
ORDER, PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER or SET ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER, SHORT
ORDER COOK, TO ORDER, WALKING PAPERS or WALKING ORDERS.
[order about] or [around] {v. phr.} To dictate arrogantly to
someone; domineer. * /Dan orders his younger colleagues around in a
most unpleasant way./
[ordinary] See: OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
[or other] {adv.} - Used to emphasize indefinite words or phrases
beginning with "some" (as "someone", "something", "somewhere",
"somehow", "sometime"). * /Somehow or other, Linda managed to get to
the show on time./ * /I'll think of something or other for the
program./ * /She found a beautiful cup and saucer somewhere or other./
* /I'll get around to cleaning the closets sometime or other./ *
/Someone or other will take the letters to the post office./
[or so] {adv.} About; or a little more. * /Mr. Brown will be back
in a day or so./ * /The book cost $5 or so./ * /There will be twenty
or so people at the party./ Compare: MORE OR LESS.
[other] See: EACH OTHER, EVERY OTHER, GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE or GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE HILL, GO IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER, LAUGH ON THE WRONG
SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH or LAUGH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH, ON THE
OTHER HAND, OR OTHER, SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT, SIX OF ONE AND
HALF-A-DOZEN OF THE OTHER, THIS AND THAT also THIS, THAT, AND THE
OTHER, TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.
[other fish to fry] {n. phr.}, {informal} Other things to do; other
plans. * /They wanted John to be the secretary, but he had other fish
to fry./ * /Mary was invited to the party but she refused because she
had other fish to fry./
[other side of the tracks] See: WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS.
[out and about] See: UP AND ABOUT.
[out-and-out] {adj.} Extreme; complete; thorough. * /The candidate
was an out-and-out conservative./ * /It was out-and-out robbery to
charge twice the usual price for eggs just because they were scarce./
Compare: THROUGH AND THROUGH.
[out at the elbows] {adj. phr.} Poorly or shabbily dressed. * /Roy
walks around out at the elbows, but it's not because he is penniless,
but more in imitation of a certain style./
[out back] {adv. phr.} In one's backyard. * /On the Fourth of July
they were out back making preparations for their holiday barbecue./
[outback] {n.} 1. The remote and uncultivated wilderness areas of
Australia or New Zealand, with very few inhabitants. * /Mike and
Barbara roughed it in the Australian outback for nearly two years./ 2.
Any remote, sparsely populated region. * /Tom's old ranch in Texas is
next to an arid outback./
[out cold] {adv.} or {adj.}, {informal} Unconscious; in a faint. *
/The ball hit Dick in the head and knocked him out cold for ten
minutes./ * /They tried to lift Mary when she fell down, but she was
out cold./ Syn.: OUT LIKE A LIGHT(2). Compare: PASS OUT.
[outer space] {n.} What is outside of the earth's air. * /An
astronaut cannot live without oxygen when he goes into outer space./
[out for] {prep.} Joining, or planning to join; taking part in;
competing for a place in. * /John is out for the basketball team./ *
/Mary is going out for the school newspaper./ Compare: TRY OUT.
[out from under] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Free from something that
worries you; seeing the end; finished. - Usually used with "be" or
"get". * /Mary had so much to do in the new house she felt as though
she would never be out from under./ * /John had so many debts, he
couldn't get out from under./
[out in force] {adv. phr.} Present in very large numbers; en masse.
* /On the Fourth of July the police cars are out in force in the
Chicago area./
[out in left field] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Far from the right
answer; wrong; astray. * /Johnny tried to answer the teacher's
question but he was way out in left field./ * /Susan tried to guess
what the surprise was but she was way out in left field./ 2. Speaking
or acting very queerly; crazy. * /The girl next door was always queer,
but after her father died, she was really out in left field and had to
go to a hospital./ Compare: OUT OF ONE'S HEAD.
[out in the cold] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Alone; not included. *
/All the other children were chosen for parts in the play, but Johnny
was left out in the cold./ * /Everybody made plans for Christmas Day
and Mary found herself out in the cold./ Compare: HIGH AND DRY.
[out in the open] See: COME OUT IN THE OPEN.
[out like a light] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Fast asleep; to sleep
very quickly. * /Tom got so much fresh air and exercise that he went
out like a light as soon as he lay down./ * /As soon as the lights
were turned off, Johnny was out like a light./ 2. In a faint;
unconscious. * /Johnny was hit by a ball and went out like a light./ *
/After she read that Tom had married another girl Jean was out like a
light for several minutes./ Compare: OUT COLD.
[out loud] {adv. phr.} In an ordinary speaking voice and not
whispering or talking quietly; so everybody can hear; aloud. * /The
teacher read the final grades out loud./ * /Mary spoke out loud so the
people standing nearby would hear./ * /Sometimes I find it helpful to
think out loud./
[out of] {prep.} 1a. From the inside to the outside of. * /John
took the apple out of the bag./ * /Get out of the car!/ * /The teacher
has gone out of town./ 1b. In a place away from. * /No, you can't see
Mr. Jones; he is out of the office today./ * /Our house is ten miles
out of town./ 2. From a particular condition or situation; not in;
from; in a way changed from being in. * /The drugstore is going out of
business./ * /The sick man is out of danger at last./ * /Bob is never
out of trouble./ 3. Beyond the range of. * /The plane is out of sight
now./ * /If you can't swim, don't go out of your depth./ 4. From (a
source). * /Mother asked Billy who started the fight, but she couldn't
get anything out of him./ * /The teacher gave a test to see what the
students got out of the lesson./ * /Mr. Jones made a fortune out of
cotton./ 5. Because of; as a result of. * /Mary scolded Joan out of
jealousy./ * /The cat ran away out of fear of the dog./ 6. Without;
not having. * /The store is out of coffee./ * /John's father is out of
work./ 7. From (a material). * /The house is built out of stone./ *
/His suit is made out of cotton and is cool./ 8. From among. * /The
man picked Joe out of the crowd./ * /Our team won eight out of ten
games last season./
[out of a bandbox] See: LOOK AS IF ONE HAS COME OUT OF A BANDBOX.
[out of account] See: LEAVE OUT OF ACCOUNT.
[out of a clear sky] or [out of a clear blue sky] See: OUT OF THE
BLUE.
[out of action] {adv. phr.} Useless; crippled; damaged so as to be
quiescent. * /American bombers put Nazi heavy industry out of action
during World War II./ * /When I broke my leg I was out of action for
the entire football season./
[out of all proportion] {adv. phr.} Disproportionate; lopsided. *
/The news coverage of the sensational celebrity double murder has
grown out of all proportion, obscuring the international news./
[out of bounds] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Outside of the boundary
lines in a game; not on or inside the playing field. * /Bill thought
he had scored a touchdown, but he had stepped out of bounds before he
reached the goal line./ 2. Outside of a circumscribed area for a
certain kind of work, such as construction or military site. * /The
principal told the students that the new gymnasium being built on the
school grounds was out of bounds./ * /The captain's cabin is out of
bounds to the passengers on the ship./ Contrast: WITHIN BOUNDS. 3.
Outside of safe or proper limits; not doing what is proper; breaking
the rules of good behavior. * /John was out of bounds when he called
Tom a liar in the meeting./ * /His request for a 25% salary raise was
totally out of bounds./
[out of breath] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Not breathing easily or
regularly; gasping; panting. * /The fat man was out of breath after
climbing the stairs./ * /The mile run left Bill out of breath./
[out of character] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Not in agreement with a
person's character or personality; not in the way that a person
usually behaves or is expected to behave; not usual; unsuitable;
uncharacteristic. * /Mary is a nice girl. Her fit of temper was out of
character./ 2. Not in character; unsuitable for a part or character. *
/It isn't always out of character for a young actor to play an old
man, if he is a good actor./ Contrast: IN CHARACTER.
[out of circulation] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not out in the company
of friends, other people, and groups; not active; not joining in what
others are doing. * /John has a job after school and is out of
circulation with his friends./ Contrast: IN CIRCULATION.
[out of commission] {adj. phr.} 1. Retired from active military
service; no longer on active duty. * /When the war was over, many
warships were placed out of commission./ Contrast: IN COMMISSION(1).
2. Not in use or not working; so that it cannot work or be used. *
/The strike put the airline out of commission for a week./ * /John
will have to walk to the store. His bicycle is out of commission./
Compare: OUT OF ORDER. Contrast: IN COMMISSION(2).
[out of condition] See: OUT OF SHAPE or OUT OF CONDITION.
[out of date] {adj. phr.} Old fashioned; superseded; no longer
valid; too old to be used. * /Father's suit is out of date; he needs a
new one./ * /The news magazines in the doctor's office were all out of
date./
[out of fashion] {adj. phr.} Having passed from vogue; out of the
current mode. * /The miniskirt is now out of fashion in most quarters,
but it may very well come back some day./
[out of gas] {adv. phr.} 1. Out of fuel (said of automobiles). *
/Be sure you don't run out of gas when you go on a long distance trip
by car./ 2. Rundown; depleted of energy; in poor physical condition. *
/Mary said she had to take a break from her job as she was running
totally out of gas./
[out of gear] See: THROW OUT OF GEAR.
[out of hand] {adv. phr.} 1. Out of control. * /Bobby's birthday
party got out of hand and the children were naughty./ * /Small puppies
often get out of hand./ 2. Suddenly, quickly without examination of
possible truth or merit; without any consideration. - Often used after
"dismiss" or "reject". * /The senator rejected out of hand the
critics' call for his resignation./ Compare: OUT OF LINE. Contrast: IN
HAND.
[out of hot water] See: HOT WATER.
[out of keeping] {adj. phr.} Not going well together; not agreeing;
not proper. * /Loud talk was out of keeping in the library./ * /It was
out of keeping for the kind man to kick the dog./ Contrast: IN
KEEPING.
[out of kilter] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Not balanced right; not
in a straight line or lined up right. * /The scale must be out of
kilter because when I weighed myself on it, it said 300 pounds./ *
/The wheels of my bicycle were out of kilter after it hit the tree./
Contrast: IN BALANCE. 2. Needing repair; not working right. * /My
watch runs too slowly; it must be out of kilter./ Syn.: OUT OF
ORDER(2).
[out of line(1)] {adv. phr.} Not in a straight line; away from a
true line. * /The two edges were out of line and there was a space
between them./ * /The sergeant ordered the soldier who was out of line
to get properly lined up./
[out of line(2)] {adj. phr.} Not obeying or agreeing with what is
right or usual; doing or being what people do not expect or accept;
outside ordinary or proper limits; not usual, right, or proper. *
/Little Mary got out of line and was rude to Aunt Elizabeth./ * /The
teacher asked Charlie not to tell one of the jokes because it was out
of line./ * /Mrs. Green thought the repair man's charge was out of
line./ Compare: OUT OF HAND, OUT OF ORDER. Contrast: IN LINE(2).
[out of line with] {prep.} Not in agreement with. * /The price of
the bicycle was out of line with what Bill could afford./
[out of luck] {adj. phr.} Being unlucky; having bad luck; having
something bad happen to you. * /Mr. Jones missed his train and was out
of luck in getting to the ball game on time./ * /All of the girls had
dates so Ben was out of luck./
[out of mind] See: OUT OF SIGHT, out OF MIND.
[out of nowhere] {adv. phr.} Without having been seen before;
suddenly and unexpectedly. * /Mr. Jones was driving too fast on the
express highway when a police patrol car appeared out of nowhere and
stopped him./ Syn.: OUT OF THE BLUE.
[out of one's blood] {adv. phr.} Separate from one's feelings,
interests, or desires. * /When Tom moved to the city, he couldn't get
the country out of his blood./ * /Mary is having a hard job getting
summer laziness out of her blood./ Contrast: IN ONE'S BLOOD.
[out of one's element] {adv. phr.} Outside of your natural
surroundings; where you do not belong or fit in. * /Wild animals are
out of their element in cages./ * /Chris is out of his element in
singing class./ Compare: OUT OF PLACE, BEYOND ONE'S DEPTH. Contrast:
IN ONE'S ELEMENT.
[out of one's hair] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Rid of as a nuisance;
relieved of as an annoyance. * /Harry got the boys out of his hair so
he could study./ Compare: OUT OF ONE'S WAY. Contrast: IN ONE'S HAIR.
[out of one's hand] See: EAT OUT OF ONE'S HAND.
[out of one's head] or [out of one's mind] or [out of one's senses]
also [off one's head] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Acting in a crazy way;
especially, wildly crazy. * /The patient was feverish and out of his
head and had to be watched./ * /Her friends thought she was out of her
mind to marry that man./ Compare: OFF ONE'S ROCKER. Contrast: COME TO
ONE'S SENSES.
[out of one's mind] See: OUT OF ONE'S HEAD.
[out of one's mouth] See: TAKE THE BREAD OUT OF ONE'S MOUTH, TAKE
THE WORDS OUT OF ONE'S MOUTH.
[out of one's pocket] {adv. phr.} Having sustained a financial
loss; poorer by a said amount. * /The show was so bad that, besides
having a lousy time, I was also $35 out of my pocket./
[out of one's sails] See: TAKE THE WIND OUT OF ONE'S SAILS.
[out of one's senses] See: OUT OF ONE'S HEAD.
[out of one's shell] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Out of one's
bashfulness or silence; into friendly conversation. - Usually used
after "come". * /John wouldn't come out of his shell and talk to the
boys and girls at the party./ * /The other girls tried to draw Ella
out of her shell, but without success./ Contrast: IN ONE'S SHELL.
[out of one's skin] See: JUMP OU T OF ONE'S SKIN.
[out of one's way] See: OUT OF THE WAY(3).
[out of one's wits] See: SCARE OUT OF ONE'S WITS.
[out of (one's) reach] {adv. phr.} Unreachable; unattainable;
unobtainable. * /Sam wanted to be a United States senator but he came
to realize that such a dream was out of his reach./
[out of order] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In the wrong order; not
coming after one another in the right way. * /Peter wrote the words of
the sentence out of order./ * /Don't get out of order, children. Stay
in your places in line./ Contrast: IN ORDER. 2. In poor condition; not
working properly. * /Our television set is out of order./ 3. Against
the rules; not suitable. * /The judge told the people in the courtroom
that they were out of order because they were so noisy./ * /The
children's whispering was out of order in the church./ Compare: OUT OF
LINE, OUT OF PLACE, OUT OF THE WAY, OUT OF TURN, OUT OF COMMISSION(2).
Contrast: IN ORDER.
[out of place(1)] {adv. phr.} Not in the right or usual place or
position. * /Harry fell and knocked one of his teeth out of place./ *
/The teacher lined up the class and told them not to get out of
place./ Compare: OUT OF ORDER. Contrast: IN PLACE.
[out of place(2)] {adj. phr.} In the wrong place or at the wrong
time; not suitable; improper. * /Joan was the only girl who wore a
formal at the party, and she felt out of place./ * /It was out of
place for Russell to laugh at the old lady./ Compare: OUT OF ONE'S
ELEMENT, OUT OF ORDER, OUT OF THE WAY. Contrast: IN PLACE.
[out-of-pocket expenses] {n. phr.} Expenses one has to pay for
oneself, not the company that sends one on a given assignment, such as
tips for waiters, cab drivers, etc. * /Luckily, my out-of-pocket
expenses didn't amount to more than $15./
[out of practice] {adj. phr.} Not in proper condition; unable to do
something well because of lack of practice. * /The basketball team got
out of practice during the Christmas holidays./ Compare: OUT OF SHAPE.
Contrast: IN PRACTICE.
[out of print] {adj. phr.} No longer obtainable from the publisher
because the printed copies have been sold out; no longer printed. *
/The book is out of print. An edition of one thousand copies was sold
and no more copies were printed./ Compare: OUT OF STOCK. Contrast: IN
PRINT.
[out of school] See: TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL.
[out of season] {adv. phr.} 1. Not at the right or lawful time for
hunting or catching. * /The boys were caught fishing out of season./
2. Not at the usual time for growing and selling. * /The corn we get
out of season is different from the kind we grow here./ Contrast: IN
SEASON.
[out of shape] or [out of condition] {adj. phr.} 1. Not in good
condition; not able to perform well. * /Father was out of shape when
he took a long hike with the boys, and he was stiff and sore the next
day./ * /Jack's pitching arm got out of condition during the winter,
when he wasn't using it./ Compare: OUT OF PRACTICE. 2. Not look the
same; changed. * /Someone sat on father's new hat and mashed it. It is
now out of shape./ Contrast: IN SHAPE.
[out of sight] {adv. phr.} 1. Not within one's field of vision. *
/The sailboat disappeared out of sight over the horizon./ 2. Extremely
expensive. * /The builder's estimate was so high that it was out of
sight./ 3. Unbelievable; fantastic; incredible (both in the positive
and the negative sense; an exaggeration.) * /Roxanne is such a
stunning beauty, it's simply out of sight./ * /Mr. Gargoyle is so
repulsive, it's out of sight./ 4. Unreachable; unrealizable; belonging
to the world of fiction and fantasy. * /Max's dreams about winning the
Senatorial election are really out of
sight; he admits it himself./ Compare: PIPE DREAM.
[out of sight, out of mind] If one doesn't see something for an
extended period of time, one tends to forget about it. - A proverb. *
/After Caroline moved out of town, Ray soon found other women to date.
As the saying goes, "out of sight, out of mind."/
[out of sorts] {adj. phr.} In an angry or unhappy mood; in a bad
temper; grouchy. * /Mary was out of sorts and wouldn't say good
morning./ * /Bob was out of sorts because he didn't get a bicycle for
his birthday./
[out of step] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Not in step; not matching
strides or keeping pace with another or others. * /George always
marches out of step with the music./ 2. Out of harmony; not keeping
up. - Often followed by "with". * /Just because you don't smoke, it
doesn't mean you are out of step with other boys and girls your age./
Contrast: IN STEP.
[out of stock] {adj. phr.} Having none for sale or use; no longer
in supply; sold out. * /When Father tried to get tires for an old car,
the man in the store said that size was out of stock and were not sold
anymore./ * /So many children have bought balloons that the store is
now out of stock./ Compare: OUT OF PRINT. Contrast: IN STOCK.
[out of the blue] or [out of a clear sky] or [out of a clear blue
sky] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Without any warning; by surprise;
unexpectedly. * /At the last minute Johnny came out of the blue to
catch the pass and score a touchdown./ * /The cowboy thought he was
alone but suddenly out of a clear sky there were bandits all around
him./ Syn.: OUT OF NOWHERE. Compare: BOLT FROM THE BLUE.
[out of the corner of one's eye] {adv. phr.} Without looking at a
person or thing directly or openly; secretly; without being noticed. *
/The cat looked at the mouse out of the corner of his eye./ * /Mike
watched the boys across the street out of the corner of his eye as he
mowed the lawn./
[out of the frying pan into the fire] Out of one trouble into worse
trouble; from something bad to something worse. - A proverb. * /The
movie cowboy was out of the frying pan into the fire. After he escaped
from the robbers, he was captured by Indians./
[out of the hole] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1a. With a
score better than zero in a game; especially a card game, to a score
above zero. * /It took us a long time to get out of the hole in the
card game./ 1b. Even with an opponent after being behind; out of
trouble in a sport or game. * /The team played very hard, but could
not get out of the hole./ 2. Out of debt; ahead financially. * /It was
a small business, but it was wisely managed, and it kept out of the
hole./ * /The first year was bad, but after that Fred got out of the
hole./ Contrast: IN THE HOLE.
[out of the ordinary] {adj. phr.} Outside or beyond common
experience; unusual; wonderful; extraordinary. * /The parade will be
something out of the ordinary because a real king will be there./ *
/This juggler was out of the ordinary because he could juggle with his
feet as well as his hands./
[out of the picture] {adv. phr.} No longer a possibility or in the
running; rejected. * /Mark assured Carol that his ex-wife was
completely out of the picture./
[out of the question] {adj. phr.} Not worth considering;
unthinkable; impossible. * /It sometimes snows as late as June in the
mountains, but the summer campers thought that snow was out of the
question./ * /The boys had no money, so it was out of the question for
them to go to the movies./
[out of the rain] See: KNOW ENOUGH TO COME IN OUT OF THE RAIN.
[out of the red] {adv. phr.} Having reached solvency; no longer in
debt. * /Under the new management, our company finally got out of the
red./ Contrast: IN THE HOLE, IN THE RED. Compare: IN THE BLACK.
[out of the running] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Having no chance to win;
not among the real contenders; not among those to be considered. *
/John had been out of the running since his first date with Mary, but
he didn't realize it./ * /Jones's horse was put out of the running
early in the race./ Contrast: IN THE RUNNING.
[out of the swim] {adj. phr.} Not doing what others are doing; not
active in business or social affairs. * /Mary had to stay home and
take care of Mother while she was sick, and soon felt out of the
swim./ * /The toy manufacturer who is out of the swim will lose
money./ Contrast: IN THE SWIM.
[out of the way] {adv. phr.} 1. Not where people usually go;
difficult to reach. * /When little Tommy comes to visit her, Aunt
Sally puts her lamps and vases out of the way./ - Often used with
hyphens before a noun. * /Gold was found in an out-of-the-way village
in the mountains, and soon a good road and airfield were built./ *
/Jack and Fred found an old gun in an out-of-the-way corner of the
empty house./ Compare: OFF THE BEATEN TRACK. 2. Not what is usual or
proper; strange. * /To leave before the guest of honor would be out of
the way./ * /I'm sorry if I said something out of the way./ * /The
night watchman looked around the building, but he saw nothing out of
the way./ Compare: OUT OF PLACE. 3. or [out of one's way] Not able to
stop or bother you. * /Tommy wished the visitors were out of the way
so that he could have the candy for himself./ Compare: OUT OF ONE'S
HAIR, PUT OUT OF THE WAY.
[out of the woods] See: CROW BEFORE ONE IS OUT OF THE WOODS.
[out of thin air] {adv. phr.} Out of nothing or from nowhere. *
/The teacher scolded Dick because his story was made out of thin air./
* /On the way home from town, Tom saw a house standing on the lot that
had been empty that morning; it seemed to have appeared out of thin
air./ Compare: INTO THIN AIR.
[out of this world] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Wonderfully good or
satisfying; terrific; super. * /The dress in the store window was out
of this world!/ * /Mother was on TV last night. Isn't that out of this
world?/
[out of touch] {adj. phr.} Not writing or talking with each other;
not getting news anymore. * /Fred had got out of touch with people in
his hometown./ * /On his island Robinson Crusoe was out of touch with
world news./ Compare: LOSE TOUCH, LOSE TRACK. Contrast: IN TOUCH.
[out of town] {adv. phr.} Having left one's usual residence or
place of work on a longer trip. * /"Mr. Smith is out of town until
Monday," the secretary said. "May I take a message?"/
[out of tune] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Out of proper musical pitch;
too low or high in sound. * /The band sounded terrible, because the
instruments were out of tune./ 2. Not in agreement; in disagreement;
not going well together. - Often used with "with". * /What Jack said
was out of tune with how he looked; he said he was happy, but he
looked unhappy./ Compare: OFF-KEY. Contrast: IN TUNE.
[out of turn] {adv. phr.} 1. Not in regular order; at the wrong
time. * /John played out of turn./ * /By taking a day off out of turn,
Bob got the schedule mixed up./ 2. Too hastily or wrongly; at the
vegetables are on the market./ * /The Goodwins put their house on the
market in January, but they did not sell it till August./
[on the mend] {adj. phr.} Healing; becoming better. * /John's
broken leg is on the mend./ * /Mary's relationship with Joan is on the
mend./
[on die money] {adv. phr.} Exactly right; exactly accurate. *
/Algernon won the lottery; the numbers he picked were right on the
money./ Compare: ON THE NOSE.
[on the move] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Moving around from place to
place; in motion. * /It was a very cold day, and the teacher watching
the playground kept on the move to stay warm./ * /It was vacation
time, and the highways were full of families on the move./ 2. Moving
forward; going somewhere. * /The candidate promised that if people
would make him president, he would get the country on the move./
[on the nose] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Just right; exactly. *
/Stanley hit the ball on the nose./ * /The airplane pilot found the
small landing field on the nose./
[on the other foot] See: SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT.
[on the other hand] {adv. phr.} Looking at the other side; from
another point of view. - Used to introduce an opposite or different
fact or idea. * /Jim wanted to go to the movies; his wife, on the
other hand, wanted to stay home and read./ * /Mr. Harris may still
want a boy to mow his lawn; on the other hand, he may have found
someone to do it./ Compare: ON ONE HAND.
[on the outs] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not friendly; having a
quarrel. * /Mary and Sue were on the outs./ * /Being on the outs with
a classmate is very upsetting./ Syn.: AT ODDS.
[on the point of] {prep.} Ready to begin; very near to. - Usually
used with a verbal noun. * /The coach was on the point of giving up
the game when our team scored two points./ * /The baby was on the
point of crying when her mother finally came home./ Compare: ABOUT TO,
AT THE POINT OF.
[on the Q.T.] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Secretly; without anyone's
knowing. * /George and Paul formed a club on the Q.T./ * /The teachers
got the principal a present strictly on the Q.T./ (from quiet.)
[on the road] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Traveling; moving from one
place to another. * /When we go on vacation, we take a lunch to eat
while on the road./ * /Mr. Smith is on the road for his insurance
company./ 2. Changing; going from one condition to another. * /Mary
was very sick for several weeks, but now she is on the road to
recovery./ * /Hard study in school put John on the road to success./
[on the rocks] {adj. phr.} 1. {informal} Wrecked or ruined. * /Mr.
Jones' business and marriage were both on the rocks./ 2. With ice
only. * /At the restaurant, Sally ordered orange juice on the rocks./
[on the ropes] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Against the ropes of a
boxing ring and almost not able to stand up. * /The fighter was on the
ropes and could hardly lift his gloves./ 2. Almost defeated; helpless;
near failure. * /The new supermarket took most of the business from
Mr. Thomas's grocery, and the little store was soon on the ropes./
[on the run] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In a hurry; hurrying. * /Jane
called "Help!" and Tom came on the run./ * /Modern mothers are usually
on the run./ 2. Going away from a fight; in retreat; retreating. *
/The enemy soldiers were on the run./
[on the safe side] {adv. phr.} Provided for against a possible
emergency; well prepared. * /"Please double-check these proofs, Mr.
Brown," the printer said, "just to be on the safe side."/
[on the shelf] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} Laid aside; not
useful anymore. * /When a girl grows up, she puts childish habits on
the shelf./ * /Mr. Myron's company put him on the shelf when he
reached the age of 65./
[on the side] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. In addition to a main
thing, amount or quantity; extra. * /He ordered a hamburger with
onions and French fries on the side./ * /His job at the hospital did
not pay much, so he found another on the side./ * /The cowboys in the
rodeo competed for prize money and also made bets on the side./ 2. or
[on the --- side] Tending toward; rather. * /Grandmother thought
Jane's new skirt was on the short side./
[on the sly] {adv. phr.} So that other people won't know; secretly.
* /The boys smoked on the sly./ * /Mary's mother did not approve of
lipstick, but Mary used it on the sly./
[on the spot] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. or [upon the spot] At that
exact time and at the same time or place; without waiting or leaving.
* /The news of important events is often broadcast on the spot over
television./ * /When Tom ruined an expensive machine, his boss fired
him on the spot./ Compare: AT ONCE, IN ONE'S TRACKS, THEN AND THERE.
2. {informal} also [in a spot] In trouble, difficulty, or
embarrassment. * /Mr. Jones is on the spot because he cannot pay back
the money he borrowed./ * /Bill is on the spot; he invited George to
visit him, but Bill's parents said no./ Compare: BACK TO THE WALL. 3.
{slang} In danger of murder; named or listed for death. * /After he
talked to the police, the gangsters put him on the spot./
[on the spur of the moment] {adv. phr.} On a sudden wish or
decision; suddenly; without thought or preparation. * /John had not
planned to take the trip; he just left on the spur of the moment./ *
/Mary saw a help-wanted advertisement and applied for the job on the
spur of the moment./
[on the stage] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} In or into the work of being
an actor or actress. * /John's brother is on the stage./ * /Mary went
on the stage./
[on the strength of] {prep.} With faith or trust in; depending
upon; with the support of. * /On the strength of Jim's promise to
guide us, we decided to climb the mountain./ * /Bill started a
restaurant on the strength of his experience as a cook in the army./
[on the string] or [on a string] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Under your
influence or control; obedient to every wish. * /The baby had his
mother on a string./ * /She was pretty and popular, with two or three
boys on the string all the time./
[on the take] {adv. phr.} Bribable; corrupt. * /Officer O'Keefe was
put on three months' probation because it was alleged that he was on
the take./
[on the tip of one's tongue] {adv. phr.} About to say something,
such as a name, a telephone number, etc., but unable to remember it
for the moment. * /"His name is on the tip of my tongue," Tom said.
"It will come to me in a minute."/
[on the town] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In or into a town
to celebrate; having a good time or enjoying the amusements in a town.
* /When the sailors got off their ship they went out on the town./
Compare: PAINT THE TOWN RED.
[on the track of] or [on the trail of] Hunting or looking for;
trying to find; following. * /The hunter is on the track of a deer./ *
/The lawyer is on the trail of new proof in the case./ * /Jim collects
old stamps; he is on the track of one in Midville this afternoon./
[on the trail of] See: ON THE TRACK OF.
[on the trigger] See: QUICK ON THE TRIGGER.
[on the up and up] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Honest; trustworthy;
sincere. * /We felt that he was honest and could be trusted. This
information is on the up and up./ Compare: ON THE LEVEL.
[on the vine] See: DIE ON THE VINE or WITHER ON THE VINE.
[on the wagon] {adv. phr.} Participating in an alcohol addiction
program; not touching any alcoholic beverage. * /Jim's doctor and his
family finally managed to convince him that he was an alcoholic and
should go on the wagon./ Contrast: FALL OFF THE WAGON.
[on the wane and on the wax] {adv. phr.} Decreasing and increasing.
- Said of the moon. * /The moon is regularly on the wane and on the
wax at regular intervals lasting half a month./
[on the warpath] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Very angry. * /When
Mother saw the mess in the kitchen she went on the warpath./ * /Betty
has been on the warpath ever since she found out she was not invited
to the party./ 2. Making an attack; fighting. * /The government is on
the warpath against narcotics./ * /The police are on the warpath
against speeders./
[on the watch] {adj. phr.} Alert; watchful. * /The customs
inspector was on the watch for diamond smugglers./ * /Mary was on the
watch for bargains at the auction./ Compare: EYE OUT, LOOK OUT(2).
[on the way] or [on one's way] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Coming; going
toward a place or goal; started. * /Help was on the way./ * /The train
left and Bill was on his way to New York./ * /He is well on the way to
becoming a fine mechanic./
[on the whole] {adv. phr.} 1. In the most important things; in most
ways. * /On the whole, Billy did very well in school this year./ *
/Everybody agreed that on the whole it was a good show./ Syn.: IN
ALL(2), FOR THE MOST PART. 2. In most cases; usually. * /On the whole,
men are stronger than women./ * /On the whole, children begin walking
when they are about one year old./ Syn.: BY AND LARGE, IN GENERAL.
[on the wing] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In the air; while flying. *
/The duck flew away, but John shot it on the wing./ 2. {informal} In
constant motion; always very busy. * /Susan was on the wing doing
things to get ready for her trip./ * /Mr. Jones had a busy schedule
and his secretary had to catch him on the wing to sign the letters./
Syn.: ON THE FLY. 3. {informal} Moving from one place to another;
traveling; going somewhere. * /Mary's husband is a traveling salesman
and he's always on the wing./ * /They stayed in France for a week and
then they were on the wing again./ Syn.: ON THE GO, ON THE MOVE.
[on the words] See: HANG ON THE WORDS OF.
[on the wrong foot] See: GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT.
[on the wrong side of the bed] See: GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE
BED.
[on the wrong track] {adv. phr.} Lost; pursuing the wrong lead. *
/Professor MacAlister confessed that his chemical experiments were on
the wrong track./ Contrast: BARK UP THE WRONG TREE.
[on time] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. At the time arranged; not late;
promptly. * /The train left on time./ * /Mary is always on time for an
appointment./ Contrast: AHEAD OF TIME, BEHIND TIME. 2. On the
installment plan; on credit, paying a little at a time. * /John bought
a car on time./ * /You can buy things at the department store on
time./
[on top] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In the lead; with
success; with victory. * /The horse that everyone had expected would
be on top actually came in third./ * /Although John had been afraid
that he was not prepared for the exam, he came out on top./
[on top of] {prep}. 1. On the top of; standing or lying on; on. *
/When the player on the other team dropped the ball, Bill fell on top
of it./ * /That high hill has a tower on top of it./ 2. {informal}
Very close to. * /The elevator was so crowded that everybody was on
top of each other./ * /I couldn't find my umbrella and then I realized
I was almost on top of it./ 3. {informal} In addition to; along with.
* /Mrs. Lane had many expenses and on top of everything else, her baby
became ill./ * /Mary worked at the store all day and on top of that
she had to baby-sit with her brother./ 4. {informal} Managing very
well; in control of. * /Although his new job was very complicated,
John was on top of it within a few weeks./ * /No matter what goes
wrong, Mary always stays on top of it./ 5. Knowing all about; not
falling behind in information about; up-to-date on. * /Mary stays on
top of the news by reading newspapers and magazines./ * /When he was
in California, Mr. Jones kept on top of things in his office by
telephoning every day./
[on top of the world] or [sitting on top of the world] also
(Southern) [sitting on high cotton] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Feeling
pleased and happy; feeling successful. * /John was on top of the world
when he found out that he got into college./ * /When Ruth won first
prize in the contest, she felt as though she was sitting on top of the
world./ * /The girls were sitting on high cotton because their
basketball team had won the trophy./ Compare: FLYING HIGH, WALK ON
AIR.
[on trial] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. For testing or trying out for a
time before making a decision. * /I was lucky that I had bought the
machine on trial because I didn't like it and was able to return it./
* /Mother bought a new dishwasher on trial and was trying it out
before deciding whether to keep it./ 2. In a court being tried for a
crime before a judge or jury. * /John White was on trial for murder./
* /Mary was on trial before the Student Committee for spoiling school
property./
[on words] See: PLAY ON WORDS.
[on your life] See: NOT ON YOUR LIFE.
[open] See: EYES OPEN, THROW OPEN.
[open and aboveboard] {adj. phr.} Honest. * /Jacob felt that the
firm he was doing business with wasn't entirely open and aboveboard./
[open and shut] See: CUT AND DRIED.
[open arms] See: RECEIVE WITH OPEN ARMS.
[open-door policy] {n. phr.} A policy that states that newcomers
are welcome to join the company, firm, or country in question. *
/During the nineteenth century the United States had an open-door
policy regarding immigration./
[open fire] {v. phr.} To begin shooting. * /The big warship turned
its guns toward the enemy ship and opened fire./ * /When the policeman
called to the robber to stop, he turned and suddenly opened fire./
[openhanded] {adj.} Generous; liberal. * /Although not wealthy
himself, Bob was always very openhanded with those who needed help./
[open heart] {n.} 1. No hiding of your feelings; frankness;
freedom. * /She spoke with an open heart of her warm feelings for her
pupils./ * /She told her troubles with an open heart./ Compare: HEART
ON ONE'S SLEEVE. 2. Kindness; generosity. * /She contributed to the
fund with an open heart./ * /Mr. Jones has an open heart for
underprivileged children./ Compare: OPEN ONE'S HEART.
[open its doors] {v. phr.} 1. To allow someone or something to
enter or join; become open. * /That college was started for women
only, but a few years ago it opened its doors to men./ 2. To begin
doing business; open. * /Proffitts Department Store is having a
birthday sale; it first opened its doors fifty years ago this month./
Contrast: CLOSE ITS DOORS.
[open letter] {n. phr.} A public message in the form of a letter
addressed to a particular person or to a group. * /There was an open
letter to the president of the United States in today's morning
paper./
[open market] {n. phr.} Goods or securities available for purchase
by all. * /The stocks of certain companies are on the open market./
[open marriage] {n. phr.} An arrangement by mutual agreement
between husband and wife whereby they are both allowed to have
extramarital affairs. * /Chances are the open marriage arrangement
they had didn't work out too well so they are getting a divorce./
[open-minded] {adj.} Having no dogmatic or biased views on matters
of theory, religion, politics, etc. * /Fred is easy to talk to about
anything; he is a highly intelligent and open-minded person./
[open one's eyes] or [open up one's eyes] {v. phr.} To make a
person see or understand the truth; make a person realize; tell a
person what is really happening or what really exists. * /Mary didn't
believe that her cousin could be mean until the cousin opened Mary's
eyes by scratching and biting her./ * /John's eyes were opened up to
the world of nature when he visited his grandfather's farm./ Compare:
EYES OPEN, WISE UP. - [eye opener] {n.} Something that makes you
understand the truth. * /Pam's first visit to school was a real
eye-opener./
[open one's heart] {v. phr.} 1. To talk about your feelings
honestly; confide in someone. * /After going around worrying, Mary
opened her heart to her mother./ * /John felt much better after he
opened his heart to Betty./ 2. To be sympathetic to; give love or help
generously. * /Mrs. Smith opened her heart to the poor little boy./ *
/After the moving speech by the UN official, the people opened their
hearts to the poor people of India./ Compare: OPEN HEART, WEAR ONE'S
HEART ON ONE'S SLEEVE.
[open onto] {v. phr.} To have a view of. * /Our apartment in
Chicago has a set of windows that open onto Lake Michigan./
[open Pandora's box] See: PANDORA'S BOX.
[open question] {n. phr.} A debatable issue. * /Whether assisted
suicide is legal and moral or not is still an open question, recent
publicity on the matter notwithstanding./
[open secret] {n.} Something that is supposed to be a secret but
that everyone knows. * /It is an open secret that Mary and John are
engaged./ * /Who will be appointed as the next president of the
college is an open secret./
[open sesame] {n. phr.}, {literary} Immediate means of entrance, or
unobstructed access to something. * /Tom mistakenly believed that his
wealth would be an open sesame to the world of creative arts./
[open shop] {n. phr.} A factory or firm that employs both union and
non-union labor. * /The firm refuses to adopt an open shop policy./
Contrast: CLOSED SHOP.
[open the door] {v. phr.} To allow more action or discussion; give
a chance. * /Learning to read and write opens the door to a better job
and better living conditions./ * /Raising the tax rates will open the
door to more help for older people./ Contrast: CLOSE THE DOOR.
Compare: OPEN ITS DOORS.
[open the floodgates] {v. phr.} To let loose an outburst of human
activity or emotion. * /It would open the floodgates of anger and
discontent if the university raised tuition too soon./
[open up] {v.} 1. To show for the first time; make clear; reveal. *
/The story of Helen Keller's life opened up a whole new world to
Mary./ * /Einstein's theories opened up a whole new area for study./
2. To make available; present an opportunity; offer. * /The building
of the railroad opened up new lands to the pioneers./ * /John opened
up a whole new section of the Scrabble board./ 3. {informal} To go
faster. * /When they got out on the highway John opened up and drove
at 65 miles per hour./ 4. {informal} To begin to shoot. * /When they
got close to the enemy lines, they opened up with all they had./ 5.
{informal} To begin to talk frankly. * /After John learned to trust
Mr. Jones, he opened up and told him how he felt./ 6. To spread out. *
/After a while the road opened up and they traveled more quickly./ 7.
To become available. * /When she got her college diploma, many new
jobs opened up./
[open up one's eyes] See: OPEN ONE'S EYES.
[opinion] See: MATTER OP OPINION.
[opposite number] {n. phr.} A person occupying the same position as
someone in a different group, organization, or country. * /The
opposite number of the President of the United States in Germany is
the Chancellor of the Federal Republic./
[opposite sex] {n. phr.} The sex different from the one being
discussed or mentioned. * /Fred came out and said he was gay, having
never had any interest in the opposite sex./
[optional origin] {n.} Stipulation in international commodities
contract whereby the seller may ship from either his foreign or his
domestic resources. * /Be sure to enter that in the books as an
optional origin order./
[orbit] See: GO INTO ORBIT.
[order] See: APPLE-PIE-ORDER, CALL TO ORDER, IN ORDER, IN ORDER TO,
IN SHORT ORDER, JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, MADE TO ORDER, OUT OF
ORDER, PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER or SET ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER, SHORT
ORDER COOK, TO ORDER, WALKING PAPERS or WALKING ORDERS.
[order about] or [around] {v. phr.} To dictate arrogantly to
someone; domineer. * /Dan orders his younger colleagues around in a
most unpleasant way./
[ordinary] See: OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
[or other] {adv.} - Used to emphasize indefinite words or phrases
beginning with "some" (as "someone", "something", "somewhere",
"somehow", "sometime"). * /Somehow or other, Linda managed to get to
the show on time./ * /I'll think of something or other for the
program./ * /She found a beautiful cup and saucer somewhere or other./
* /I'll get around to cleaning the closets sometime or other./ *
/Someone or other will take the letters to the post office./
[or so] {adv.} About; or a little more. * /Mr. Brown will be back
in a day or so./ * /The book cost $5 or so./ * /There will be twenty
or so people at the party./ Compare: MORE OR LESS.
[other] See: EACH OTHER, EVERY OTHER, GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE or GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE HILL, GO IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER, LAUGH ON THE WRONG
SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH or LAUGH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH, ON THE
OTHER HAND, OR OTHER, SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT, SIX OF ONE AND
HALF-A-DOZEN OF THE OTHER, THIS AND THAT also THIS, THAT, AND THE
OTHER, TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.
[other fish to fry] {n. phr.}, {informal} Other things to do; other
plans. * /They wanted John to be the secretary, but he had other fish
to fry./ * /Mary was invited to the party but she refused because she
had other fish to fry./
[other side of the tracks] See: WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS.
[out and about] See: UP AND ABOUT.
[out-and-out] {adj.} Extreme; complete; thorough. * /The candidate
was an out-and-out conservative./ * /It was out-and-out robbery to
charge twice the usual price for eggs just because they were scarce./
Compare: THROUGH AND THROUGH.
[out at the elbows] {adj. phr.} Poorly or shabbily dressed. * /Roy
walks around out at the elbows, but it's not because he is penniless,
but more in imitation of a certain style./
[out back] {adv. phr.} In one's backyard. * /On the Fourth of July
they were out back making preparations for their holiday barbecue./
[outback] {n.} 1. The remote and uncultivated wilderness areas of
Australia or New Zealand, with very few inhabitants. * /Mike and
Barbara roughed it in the Australian outback for nearly two years./ 2.
Any remote, sparsely populated region. * /Tom's old ranch in Texas is
next to an arid outback./
[out cold] {adv.} or {adj.}, {informal} Unconscious; in a faint. *
/The ball hit Dick in the head and knocked him out cold for ten
minutes./ * /They tried to lift Mary when she fell down, but she was
out cold./ Syn.: OUT LIKE A LIGHT(2). Compare: PASS OUT.
[outer space] {n.} What is outside of the earth's air. * /An
astronaut cannot live without oxygen when he goes into outer space./
[out for] {prep.} Joining, or planning to join; taking part in;
competing for a place in. * /John is out for the basketball team./ *
/Mary is going out for the school newspaper./ Compare: TRY OUT.
[out from under] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Free from something that
worries you; seeing the end; finished. - Usually used with "be" or
"get". * /Mary had so much to do in the new house she felt as though
she would never be out from under./ * /John had so many debts, he
couldn't get out from under./
[out in force] {adv. phr.} Present in very large numbers; en masse.
* /On the Fourth of July the police cars are out in force in the
Chicago area./
[out in left field] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Far from the right
answer; wrong; astray. * /Johnny tried to answer the teacher's
question but he was way out in left field./ * /Susan tried to guess
what the surprise was but she was way out in left field./ 2. Speaking
or acting very queerly; crazy. * /The girl next door was always queer,
but after her father died, she was really out in left field and had to
go to a hospital./ Compare: OUT OF ONE'S HEAD.
[out in the cold] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Alone; not included. *
/All the other children were chosen for parts in the play, but Johnny
was left out in the cold./ * /Everybody made plans for Christmas Day
and Mary found herself out in the cold./ Compare: HIGH AND DRY.
[out in the open] See: COME OUT IN THE OPEN.
[out like a light] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Fast asleep; to sleep
very quickly. * /Tom got so much fresh air and exercise that he went
out like a light as soon as he lay down./ * /As soon as the lights
were turned off, Johnny was out like a light./ 2. In a faint;
unconscious. * /Johnny was hit by a ball and went out like a light./ *
/After she read that Tom had married another girl Jean was out like a
light for several minutes./ Compare: OUT COLD.
[out loud] {adv. phr.} In an ordinary speaking voice and not
whispering or talking quietly; so everybody can hear; aloud. * /The
teacher read the final grades out loud./ * /Mary spoke out loud so the
people standing nearby would hear./ * /Sometimes I find it helpful to
think out loud./
[out of] {prep.} 1a. From the inside to the outside of. * /John
took the apple out of the bag./ * /Get out of the car!/ * /The teacher
has gone out of town./ 1b. In a place away from. * /No, you can't see
Mr. Jones; he is out of the office today./ * /Our house is ten miles
out of town./ 2. From a particular condition or situation; not in;
from; in a way changed from being in. * /The drugstore is going out of
business./ * /The sick man is out of danger at last./ * /Bob is never
out of trouble./ 3. Beyond the range of. * /The plane is out of sight
now./ * /If you can't swim, don't go out of your depth./ 4. From (a
source). * /Mother asked Billy who started the fight, but she couldn't
get anything out of him./ * /The teacher gave a test to see what the
students got out of the lesson./ * /Mr. Jones made a fortune out of
cotton./ 5. Because of; as a result of. * /Mary scolded Joan out of
jealousy./ * /The cat ran away out of fear of the dog./ 6. Without;
not having. * /The store is out of coffee./ * /John's father is out of
work./ 7. From (a material). * /The house is built out of stone./ *
/His suit is made out of cotton and is cool./ 8. From among. * /The
man picked Joe out of the crowd./ * /Our team won eight out of ten
games last season./
[out of a bandbox] See: LOOK AS IF ONE HAS COME OUT OF A BANDBOX.
[out of account] See: LEAVE OUT OF ACCOUNT.
[out of a clear sky] or [out of a clear blue sky] See: OUT OF THE
BLUE.
[out of action] {adv. phr.} Useless; crippled; damaged so as to be
quiescent. * /American bombers put Nazi heavy industry out of action
during World War II./ * /When I broke my leg I was out of action for
the entire football season./
[out of all proportion] {adv. phr.} Disproportionate; lopsided. *
/The news coverage of the sensational celebrity double murder has
grown out of all proportion, obscuring the international news./
[out of bounds] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Outside of the boundary
lines in a game; not on or inside the playing field. * /Bill thought
he had scored a touchdown, but he had stepped out of bounds before he
reached the goal line./ 2. Outside of a circumscribed area for a
certain kind of work, such as construction or military site. * /The
principal told the students that the new gymnasium being built on the
school grounds was out of bounds./ * /The captain's cabin is out of
bounds to the passengers on the ship./ Contrast: WITHIN BOUNDS. 3.
Outside of safe or proper limits; not doing what is proper; breaking
the rules of good behavior. * /John was out of bounds when he called
Tom a liar in the meeting./ * /His request for a 25% salary raise was
totally out of bounds./
[out of breath] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Not breathing easily or
regularly; gasping; panting. * /The fat man was out of breath after
climbing the stairs./ * /The mile run left Bill out of breath./
[out of character] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Not in agreement with a
person's character or personality; not in the way that a person
usually behaves or is expected to behave; not usual; unsuitable;
uncharacteristic. * /Mary is a nice girl. Her fit of temper was out of
character./ 2. Not in character; unsuitable for a part or character. *
/It isn't always out of character for a young actor to play an old
man, if he is a good actor./ Contrast: IN CHARACTER.
[out of circulation] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not out in the company
of friends, other people, and groups; not active; not joining in what
others are doing. * /John has a job after school and is out of
circulation with his friends./ Contrast: IN CIRCULATION.
[out of commission] {adj. phr.} 1. Retired from active military
service; no longer on active duty. * /When the war was over, many
warships were placed out of commission./ Contrast: IN COMMISSION(1).
2. Not in use or not working; so that it cannot work or be used. *
/The strike put the airline out of commission for a week./ * /John
will have to walk to the store. His bicycle is out of commission./
Compare: OUT OF ORDER. Contrast: IN COMMISSION(2).
[out of condition] See: OUT OF SHAPE or OUT OF CONDITION.
[out of date] {adj. phr.} Old fashioned; superseded; no longer
valid; too old to be used. * /Father's suit is out of date; he needs a
new one./ * /The news magazines in the doctor's office were all out of
date./
[out of fashion] {adj. phr.} Having passed from vogue; out of the
current mode. * /The miniskirt is now out of fashion in most quarters,
but it may very well come back some day./
[out of gas] {adv. phr.} 1. Out of fuel (said of automobiles). *
/Be sure you don't run out of gas when you go on a long distance trip
by car./ 2. Rundown; depleted of energy; in poor physical condition. *
/Mary said she had to take a break from her job as she was running
totally out of gas./
[out of gear] See: THROW OUT OF GEAR.
[out of hand] {adv. phr.} 1. Out of control. * /Bobby's birthday
party got out of hand and the children were naughty./ * /Small puppies
often get out of hand./ 2. Suddenly, quickly without examination of
possible truth or merit; without any consideration. - Often used after
"dismiss" or "reject". * /The senator rejected out of hand the
critics' call for his resignation./ Compare: OUT OF LINE. Contrast: IN
HAND.
[out of hot water] See: HOT WATER.
[out of keeping] {adj. phr.} Not going well together; not agreeing;
not proper. * /Loud talk was out of keeping in the library./ * /It was
out of keeping for the kind man to kick the dog./ Contrast: IN
KEEPING.
[out of kilter] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Not balanced right; not
in a straight line or lined up right. * /The scale must be out of
kilter because when I weighed myself on it, it said 300 pounds./ *
/The wheels of my bicycle were out of kilter after it hit the tree./
Contrast: IN BALANCE. 2. Needing repair; not working right. * /My
watch runs too slowly; it must be out of kilter./ Syn.: OUT OF
ORDER(2).
[out of line(1)] {adv. phr.} Not in a straight line; away from a
true line. * /The two edges were out of line and there was a space
between them./ * /The sergeant ordered the soldier who was out of line
to get properly lined up./
[out of line(2)] {adj. phr.} Not obeying or agreeing with what is
right or usual; doing or being what people do not expect or accept;
outside ordinary or proper limits; not usual, right, or proper. *
/Little Mary got out of line and was rude to Aunt Elizabeth./ * /The
teacher asked Charlie not to tell one of the jokes because it was out
of line./ * /Mrs. Green thought the repair man's charge was out of
line./ Compare: OUT OF HAND, OUT OF ORDER. Contrast: IN LINE(2).
[out of line with] {prep.} Not in agreement with. * /The price of
the bicycle was out of line with what Bill could afford./
[out of luck] {adj. phr.} Being unlucky; having bad luck; having
something bad happen to you. * /Mr. Jones missed his train and was out
of luck in getting to the ball game on time./ * /All of the girls had
dates so Ben was out of luck./
[out of mind] See: OUT OF SIGHT, out OF MIND.
[out of nowhere] {adv. phr.} Without having been seen before;
suddenly and unexpectedly. * /Mr. Jones was driving too fast on the
express highway when a police patrol car appeared out of nowhere and
stopped him./ Syn.: OUT OF THE BLUE.
[out of one's blood] {adv. phr.} Separate from one's feelings,
interests, or desires. * /When Tom moved to the city, he couldn't get
the country out of his blood./ * /Mary is having a hard job getting
summer laziness out of her blood./ Contrast: IN ONE'S BLOOD.
[out of one's element] {adv. phr.} Outside of your natural
surroundings; where you do not belong or fit in. * /Wild animals are
out of their element in cages./ * /Chris is out of his element in
singing class./ Compare: OUT OF PLACE, BEYOND ONE'S DEPTH. Contrast:
IN ONE'S ELEMENT.
[out of one's hair] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Rid of as a nuisance;
relieved of as an annoyance. * /Harry got the boys out of his hair so
he could study./ Compare: OUT OF ONE'S WAY. Contrast: IN ONE'S HAIR.
[out of one's hand] See: EAT OUT OF ONE'S HAND.
[out of one's head] or [out of one's mind] or [out of one's senses]
also [off one's head] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Acting in a crazy way;
especially, wildly crazy. * /The patient was feverish and out of his
head and had to be watched./ * /Her friends thought she was out of her
mind to marry that man./ Compare: OFF ONE'S ROCKER. Contrast: COME TO
ONE'S SENSES.
[out of one's mind] See: OUT OF ONE'S HEAD.
[out of one's mouth] See: TAKE THE BREAD OUT OF ONE'S MOUTH, TAKE
THE WORDS OUT OF ONE'S MOUTH.
[out of one's pocket] {adv. phr.} Having sustained a financial
loss; poorer by a said amount. * /The show was so bad that, besides
having a lousy time, I was also $35 out of my pocket./
[out of one's sails] See: TAKE THE WIND OUT OF ONE'S SAILS.
[out of one's senses] See: OUT OF ONE'S HEAD.
[out of one's shell] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Out of one's
bashfulness or silence; into friendly conversation. - Usually used
after "come". * /John wouldn't come out of his shell and talk to the
boys and girls at the party./ * /The other girls tried to draw Ella
out of her shell, but without success./ Contrast: IN ONE'S SHELL.
[out of one's skin] See: JUMP OU T OF ONE'S SKIN.
[out of one's way] See: OUT OF THE WAY(3).
[out of one's wits] See: SCARE OUT OF ONE'S WITS.
[out of (one's) reach] {adv. phr.} Unreachable; unattainable;
unobtainable. * /Sam wanted to be a United States senator but he came
to realize that such a dream was out of his reach./
[out of order] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In the wrong order; not
coming after one another in the right way. * /Peter wrote the words of
the sentence out of order./ * /Don't get out of order, children. Stay
in your places in line./ Contrast: IN ORDER. 2. In poor condition; not
working properly. * /Our television set is out of order./ 3. Against
the rules; not suitable. * /The judge told the people in the courtroom
that they were out of order because they were so noisy./ * /The
children's whispering was out of order in the church./ Compare: OUT OF
LINE, OUT OF PLACE, OUT OF THE WAY, OUT OF TURN, OUT OF COMMISSION(2).
Contrast: IN ORDER.
[out of place(1)] {adv. phr.} Not in the right or usual place or
position. * /Harry fell and knocked one of his teeth out of place./ *
/The teacher lined up the class and told them not to get out of
place./ Compare: OUT OF ORDER. Contrast: IN PLACE.
[out of place(2)] {adj. phr.} In the wrong place or at the wrong
time; not suitable; improper. * /Joan was the only girl who wore a
formal at the party, and she felt out of place./ * /It was out of
place for Russell to laugh at the old lady./ Compare: OUT OF ONE'S
ELEMENT, OUT OF ORDER, OUT OF THE WAY. Contrast: IN PLACE.
[out-of-pocket expenses] {n. phr.} Expenses one has to pay for
oneself, not the company that sends one on a given assignment, such as
tips for waiters, cab drivers, etc. * /Luckily, my out-of-pocket
expenses didn't amount to more than $15./
[out of practice] {adj. phr.} Not in proper condition; unable to do
something well because of lack of practice. * /The basketball team got
out of practice during the Christmas holidays./ Compare: OUT OF SHAPE.
Contrast: IN PRACTICE.
[out of print] {adj. phr.} No longer obtainable from the publisher
because the printed copies have been sold out; no longer printed. *
/The book is out of print. An edition of one thousand copies was sold
and no more copies were printed./ Compare: OUT OF STOCK. Contrast: IN
PRINT.
[out of school] See: TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL.
[out of season] {adv. phr.} 1. Not at the right or lawful time for
hunting or catching. * /The boys were caught fishing out of season./
2. Not at the usual time for growing and selling. * /The corn we get
out of season is different from the kind we grow here./ Contrast: IN
SEASON.
[out of shape] or [out of condition] {adj. phr.} 1. Not in good
condition; not able to perform well. * /Father was out of shape when
he took a long hike with the boys, and he was stiff and sore the next
day./ * /Jack's pitching arm got out of condition during the winter,
when he wasn't using it./ Compare: OUT OF PRACTICE. 2. Not look the
same; changed. * /Someone sat on father's new hat and mashed it. It is
now out of shape./ Contrast: IN SHAPE.
[out of sight] {adv. phr.} 1. Not within one's field of vision. *
/The sailboat disappeared out of sight over the horizon./ 2. Extremely
expensive. * /The builder's estimate was so high that it was out of
sight./ 3. Unbelievable; fantastic; incredible (both in the positive
and the negative sense; an exaggeration.) * /Roxanne is such a
stunning beauty, it's simply out of sight./ * /Mr. Gargoyle is so
repulsive, it's out of sight./ 4. Unreachable; unrealizable; belonging
to the world of fiction and fantasy. * /Max's dreams about winning the
Senatorial election are really out of
sight; he admits it himself./ Compare: PIPE DREAM.
[out of sight, out of mind] If one doesn't see something for an
extended period of time, one tends to forget about it. - A proverb. *
/After Caroline moved out of town, Ray soon found other women to date.
As the saying goes, "out of sight, out of mind."/
[out of sorts] {adj. phr.} In an angry or unhappy mood; in a bad
temper; grouchy. * /Mary was out of sorts and wouldn't say good
morning./ * /Bob was out of sorts because he didn't get a bicycle for
his birthday./
[out of step] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Not in step; not matching
strides or keeping pace with another or others. * /George always
marches out of step with the music./ 2. Out of harmony; not keeping
up. - Often followed by "with". * /Just because you don't smoke, it
doesn't mean you are out of step with other boys and girls your age./
Contrast: IN STEP.
[out of stock] {adj. phr.} Having none for sale or use; no longer
in supply; sold out. * /When Father tried to get tires for an old car,
the man in the store said that size was out of stock and were not sold
anymore./ * /So many children have bought balloons that the store is
now out of stock./ Compare: OUT OF PRINT. Contrast: IN STOCK.
[out of the blue] or [out of a clear sky] or [out of a clear blue
sky] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Without any warning; by surprise;
unexpectedly. * /At the last minute Johnny came out of the blue to
catch the pass and score a touchdown./ * /The cowboy thought he was
alone but suddenly out of a clear sky there were bandits all around
him./ Syn.: OUT OF NOWHERE. Compare: BOLT FROM THE BLUE.
[out of the corner of one's eye] {adv. phr.} Without looking at a
person or thing directly or openly; secretly; without being noticed. *
/The cat looked at the mouse out of the corner of his eye./ * /Mike
watched the boys across the street out of the corner of his eye as he
mowed the lawn./
[out of the frying pan into the fire] Out of one trouble into worse
trouble; from something bad to something worse. - A proverb. * /The
movie cowboy was out of the frying pan into the fire. After he escaped
from the robbers, he was captured by Indians./
[out of the hole] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1a. With a
score better than zero in a game; especially a card game, to a score
above zero. * /It took us a long time to get out of the hole in the
card game./ 1b. Even with an opponent after being behind; out of
trouble in a sport or game. * /The team played very hard, but could
not get out of the hole./ 2. Out of debt; ahead financially. * /It was
a small business, but it was wisely managed, and it kept out of the
hole./ * /The first year was bad, but after that Fred got out of the
hole./ Contrast: IN THE HOLE.
[out of the ordinary] {adj. phr.} Outside or beyond common
experience; unusual; wonderful; extraordinary. * /The parade will be
something out of the ordinary because a real king will be there./ *
/This juggler was out of the ordinary because he could juggle with his
feet as well as his hands./
[out of the picture] {adv. phr.} No longer a possibility or in the
running; rejected. * /Mark assured Carol that his ex-wife was
completely out of the picture./
[out of the question] {adj. phr.} Not worth considering;
unthinkable; impossible. * /It sometimes snows as late as June in the
mountains, but the summer campers thought that snow was out of the
question./ * /The boys had no money, so it was out of the question for
them to go to the movies./
[out of the rain] See: KNOW ENOUGH TO COME IN OUT OF THE RAIN.
[out of the red] {adv. phr.} Having reached solvency; no longer in
debt. * /Under the new management, our company finally got out of the
red./ Contrast: IN THE HOLE, IN THE RED. Compare: IN THE BLACK.
[out of the running] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Having no chance to win;
not among the real contenders; not among those to be considered. *
/John had been out of the running since his first date with Mary, but
he didn't realize it./ * /Jones's horse was put out of the running
early in the race./ Contrast: IN THE RUNNING.
[out of the swim] {adj. phr.} Not doing what others are doing; not
active in business or social affairs. * /Mary had to stay home and
take care of Mother while she was sick, and soon felt out of the
swim./ * /The toy manufacturer who is out of the swim will lose
money./ Contrast: IN THE SWIM.
[out of the way] {adv. phr.} 1. Not where people usually go;
difficult to reach. * /When little Tommy comes to visit her, Aunt
Sally puts her lamps and vases out of the way./ - Often used with
hyphens before a noun. * /Gold was found in an out-of-the-way village
in the mountains, and soon a good road and airfield were built./ *
/Jack and Fred found an old gun in an out-of-the-way corner of the
empty house./ Compare: OFF THE BEATEN TRACK. 2. Not what is usual or
proper; strange. * /To leave before the guest of honor would be out of
the way./ * /I'm sorry if I said something out of the way./ * /The
night watchman looked around the building, but he saw nothing out of
the way./ Compare: OUT OF PLACE. 3. or [out of one's way] Not able to
stop or bother you. * /Tommy wished the visitors were out of the way
so that he could have the candy for himself./ Compare: OUT OF ONE'S
HAIR, PUT OUT OF THE WAY.
[out of the woods] See: CROW BEFORE ONE IS OUT OF THE WOODS.
[out of thin air] {adv. phr.} Out of nothing or from nowhere. *
/The teacher scolded Dick because his story was made out of thin air./
* /On the way home from town, Tom saw a house standing on the lot that
had been empty that morning; it seemed to have appeared out of thin
air./ Compare: INTO THIN AIR.
[out of this world] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Wonderfully good or
satisfying; terrific; super. * /The dress in the store window was out
of this world!/ * /Mother was on TV last night. Isn't that out of this
world?/
[out of touch] {adj. phr.} Not writing or talking with each other;
not getting news anymore. * /Fred had got out of touch with people in
his hometown./ * /On his island Robinson Crusoe was out of touch with
world news./ Compare: LOSE TOUCH, LOSE TRACK. Contrast: IN TOUCH.
[out of town] {adv. phr.} Having left one's usual residence or
place of work on a longer trip. * /"Mr. Smith is out of town until
Monday," the secretary said. "May I take a message?"/
[out of tune] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Out of proper musical pitch;
too low or high in sound. * /The band sounded terrible, because the
instruments were out of tune./ 2. Not in agreement; in disagreement;
not going well together. - Often used with "with". * /What Jack said
was out of tune with how he looked; he said he was happy, but he
looked unhappy./ Compare: OFF-KEY. Contrast: IN TUNE.
[out of turn] {adv. phr.} 1. Not in regular order; at the wrong
time. * /John played out of turn./ * /By taking a day off out of turn,
Bob got the schedule mixed up./ 2. Too hastily or wrongly; at the