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the way and size wanted. * /The manufacturer built the machine to
order./ * /A very big man often has his suits made to order./ 2. See:
CALL TO ORDER.
[tooth] See: BY THE SKIN OF ONE'S TEETH, CUT TEETH or CUT EYETEETH,
EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH, FED TO THE GILLS or FED TO THE
TEETH, GET ONE'S TEETH INTO or SINK ONE'S TEETH INTO, KICK IN THE
PANTS or KICK IN THE TEETH, PULL ONE'S TEETH, SET ONE'S TEETH ON EDGE,
TAKE THE BIT IN ONE'S TEETH, THROW SOMETHING IN ONE'S FACE or THROW
SOMETHING IN ONE'S TEETH.
[tooth and nail] See: HAMMER AND TONGS.
[tooth and nail] {adv. phr.} With all weapons or ways of fighting
as hard as possible; fiercely. - Used after "fight" or a similar word.
* /When the Indian girl was captured, she fought tooth and nail to get
away./ * /The farmers fought tooth and nail to save their crops from
the grasshoppers./ * /His friends fought tooth and nail to elect him
to Congress./
[toot one's own horn] See: BLOW ONE'S OWN HORN.
[top] See: AT THE TOP OF ONE'S VOICE, BIG TOP, BLOW A FUSE or BLOW
ONE'S TOP, HARD-TOP, OFF THE TOP OF ONE'S HEAD, ON TOP, ON TOP OF, ON
TOP OF THE WORLD, OVER THE TOP.
[top banana] or [top dog] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} The head of any
business or organization; the most influential or most prestigious
person in an establishment. * /Who's the top banana in this outfit?/
See: MAIN SQUEEZE.
[to pass] See: COME TO PASS.
[top-drawer] {adj.}, {informal} Of the best; or most important
kind. * /Mary's art work was top-drawer material./ * /Mr. Rogers is a
top-drawer executive and gets a very high salary./
[topflight] or [topnotch] See: TOP DRAWER.
[to pieces] {adv. phr.} 1. Into broken pieces or fragments;
destroyed. * /The cannon shot the town to pieces./ * /The vase fell to
pieces in Mary's hand./ 2. {informal} So as not to work; into a state
of not operating. * /After 100,000 miles the car went to pieces./ *
/When Mary heard of her mother's death, she went to pieces./ 3.
{informal} Very much; greatly; exceedingly. * /Joan was thrilled to
pieces to see Mary./ * /The noise scared Bob to pieces./ 4. See: PICK
APART.
[top off] {v.} To come or bring to a special or unexpected ending;
climax. * /John batted three runs and topped off the game with a home
run./ * /Mary hadn't finished her homework, she was late to school,
and to top it all off she missed a surprise test./ * /George had steak
for dinner and topped it off with a fudge sundae./
[to put It mildly] See: TO SAY THE LEAST.
[torch] See: CARRY A TORCH.
[to reason] See: STAND TO REASON.
[to rest] See: LAY TO REST.
[to rights] See: PUT TO RIGHTS or SET TO RIGHTS.
[to Rome] See: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME.
[to say nothing of] See: NOT TO MENTION.
[to say the least] {v. phr.} To understate; express as mildly as
possible. * /After all we did for him, his behavior toward us, to say
the least, was a poor way to show his appreciation./
[to scale] {adv. phr.} In the same proportions as in the true size;
in the same shape, but not the same size. * /The statue was made to
scale, one inch to a foot./ * /He drew the map to scale, making one
inch represent fifty miles./
[to sea] See: PUT TO SEA.
[to shame] See: PUT TO SHAME.
[to size] See: CUT DOWN TO SIZE.
[to speak of] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Important; worth talking
about; worth noticing. - Usually used in negative sentences. * /Did it
rain yesterday? Not to speak of./ * /What happened at the meeting?
Nothing to speak of./ * /Judy's injuries were nothing to speak of;
just a few scratches./ Compare: NOT TO MENTION.
[to spite one's face] See: CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S FACE.
[toss off] {v. phr.} 1. To drink rapidly; drain. * /He tossed off
two drinks and left./ 2. To make or say easily without trying or
thinking hard. * /She tossed off smart remarks all during dinner./ *
/He thinks a reporter should be able to toss off an article every few
hours./
[toss one to the sharks] See: THROW ONE TO THE WOLVES.
[toss out] See: THROW OUT.
[total] See: SUM TOTAL.
[to task] See: TAKE TO TASK.
[to terms] See: BRING TO TERMS, COME TO TERMS.
[to that effect] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} With that meaning. * /She
said she hated spinach, or words to that effect./ * /When I leave, I
will write you to that effect so you will know./
[to the best of one's knowledge] As far as you know; to the extent
of your knowledge. * /He has never won a game, to the best of my
knowledge./ * /To the best of my knowledge he is a college man, but I
may be mistaken./
[to the bitter end] {adv. phr.} To the point of completion or
conclusion. - Used especially of a very painful or unpleasant task or
experience. * /Although Mrs. Smith was bored by the lecture, she
stayed to the bitter end./ * /They knew the war would be lost, but the
men fought to the bitter end./
[to the bone] {adv.}, {slang}, {informal} Thoroughly, entirely, to
the core, through all layers. * /I am dreadfully tired; I've worked my
fingers to the bone./ See: ALSO WORK ONE'S FINGERS TO THE BONE.
[to the bottom] See: GET TO THE BOTTOM OF.
[to the contrary] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} With an opposite result or
effect; just the opposite; in disagreement; saying the opposite. *
/Although Bill was going to the movies, he told Joe to the contrary./
* /We will expect you for dinner unless we get word to the contrary./
* /School gossip to the contrary, Mary is not engaged to be married./
Compare: ON THE CONTRARY.
[to the effect that] {adj. phr.} With the meaning or purpose; to
say that. * /He made a speech to the effect that we would all keep our
jobs even if the factory were sold./ * /The new governor would do his
best in the office to which he had been elected./
[to the eye] {adv. phr.} As it is seen; as a person or thing first
seems; apparently. * /That girl looks to the eye like a nice girl to
know, but she is really rather mean./ * /That suit appears to the eye
to be a good buy, but it may not be./ Compare: AT FIRST GLANCE.
[to the fore] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Into leadership; out into
notice or view; forward. * /The hidden skill of the lawyer came to the
fore during the trial./ * /In the progress of the war some new leaders
came to the fore./
[to the full] {adv. phr.} Very much; fully. * /The campers enjoyed
their trip to the full./ * /We appreciated to the full the teacher's
help./ Compare: TO THE HILT.
[to the gallery] See: PLAY TO THE GALLERY.
[to the good] {adv. phr.} On the side of profit or advantage; in
one's favor; to one's benefit; ahead. * /After I sold my stamp
collection, I was ten dollars to the good./ * /The teacher did not see
him come in late, which was all to the good./
[to the grindstone] See: KEEP ONE'S NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE.
[to the heart] See: GET TO THE HEART OF.
[to the hilt] or [up to the hilt] {adv. phr.} To the limit; as far
as possible; completely. * /The other boys on the team told Tom he
couldn't quit. They said, "You're in this to the hilt."/ * /The
Smith's house is mortgaged up to the hilt./ Compare: HEART AND SOUL,
TO THE FULL, UP TO THE --- IN.
[to the kings taste] or [to the queen's taste] {adv. phr.}
Perfectly; just as anyone could want it; very satisfactorily. * /The
rooms in her new home were painted and decorated to the queen's
taste./ * /The soldiers dressed and marched to the king's taste./
[to the letter] {adv. phr.} With nothing done wrong or left undone;
exactly; precisely. * /He carried out his orders to the letter./ *
/When writing a test you should follow the instructions to the
letter./ Compare: TO A T.
[to the manner born] {adj. phr.} At ease with something because of
lifelong familiarity with it. * /She says her English is the best
because she is to the manner born./
[to the nth degree] {adv. phr.} To the greatest degree possible;
extremely; very much so. * /Scales must be accurate to the nth
degree./ * /His choice of words was exactly to the nth degree./
[to the point] See: COME TO THE POINT.
[to the punch] See: BEAT TO THE PUNCH.
[to the ribs] See: STICK TO ONE'S RIBS or STICK TO THE RIBS.
[to the salt mines] See: BACK TO THE SALT MINES.
[to the stump] See: TAKE THE STUMP or TAKE TO THE STUMP.
[to the sword] See: PUT TO THE SWORD.
[to the tune of] {adv. phr.}, {informal} To the amount or extent
of; in the amount of. * /He had to pay to the tune of fifty dollars
for seeing how fast the car would go./ * /When she left the race track
she had profited to the tune of ten dollars./
[to the wall] {adv. phr.} Into a place from which there is no
escape; into a trap or corner. - Usually used after "drive" or a
similar word. * /John's failing the last test drove him to the wall./
* /The score was 12-12 in the last minute of play, but a touchdown
forced the visitors to the wall./ * /Bill had to sell his five Great
Danes. The high cost of feeding them was driving him to the wall./
[to the wolves] See: THROW TO THE WOLVES.
[to the woods] See: TAKE TO THE WOODS.
[to the world] See: DEAD TO THE WORLD.
[to think of it] See: COME TO THINK OF IT.
[toto] See: IN TOTO.
[touch] See: COMMON TOUCH, IN TOUCH, LOSE TOUCH, OUT OF TOUCH,
[touch and go] {adj. phr.} Very dangerous or uncertain in
situation. * /Our team won the game, all right, but it was touch and
go for a while./ * /At one time while they were climbing the cliff it
was touch and go whether they could do it./
[touch base with] {v. phr.} To confer or consult with one. *
/Before we make a decision, I'd like to touch base with our financial
department./
[touch bottom] See: HIT BOTTOM.
[touch off] {v.} 1. To cause to fire or explode by lighting the
priming or the fuse. * /The boy touched off a firecracker./ Compare:
SET OFF. 2. To start something as if by lighting a fuse. * /The
coach's resignation touched off a quarrel./ Compare: SET OFF.
[touch on] or [touch upon] {v.} To speak of or write of briefly. *
/The speaker touched on several other subjects in the course of his
talk but mostly kept himself to the main topic./ Contrast: DWELL ON.
[touch to the quick] {v. phr.} To hurt someone's feelings very
deeply; offend. * /His remark about her lack of education touched her
to the quick./
[touchup] {n.} 1. A small repair; a small amount of paint. * /Just
a small touchup here and there and your novel may be publishable./ 2.
Redoing the color of one's hair. * /My roots are showing; I need a
touchup./
[touch up] {v.} 1. To paint over (small imperfections.) * /I want
to touch up that scratch on the fender./ * /The woodwork is done, but
there are a few places he has to touch up./ 2. To improve with small
additions or changes. * /He touched up the photographic negative to
make a sharper print./ * /It's a good speech, but it needs a little
touching up./ 3. {slang} To talk into lending; wheedle from. * /He
touched George up for five bucks./
[tough act to follow] {n. phr.} A speech, performance, or activity
of such superior quality that the person next in line feels and thinks
that it would be very difficult to match it in quality. * /Sir
Lawrence Olivier's performance of Hamlet was a tough act to follow in
every sense./
[tough break] See: TOUGH LUCK, TOUGH SHIT.
[tough cat] {n.}, {slang} A man who is very individualistic and, as
a result, highly successful with women. * /Joe is a real tough cat,
man./
[tough cookie] {n. phr.} An extremely determined, hardheaded
person, or someone with whom it is unusually difficult to deal. *
/Marjorie is a very pretty girl, but when it comes to business she
sure is one tough cookie./
[tough it out] {v. phr.} To live through and endure a trying
situation. * /The tourists got lost in the desert without a compass,
and they had to tough it out for three days on a single bottle of
water./
[tough luck] {n. phr.} An informal way to say that one had that
coming; it serves one right. * /So your date didn't show up, eh? Tough
luck, fellow./
[tough nut to crack] See: HARD NUT TO CRACK.
[tough row to hoe] See: HARD ROW TO HOE.
[tough shit] {n. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} See: HARD CHEESE,
TOUGH LUCK.
[tough sledding] See: HARD SLEDDING.
[tourist trap] See: CLIP JOINT.
[to use] See: PUT TO USE.
[tow] See: IN TOW.
[towel] See: THROW IN THE SPONGE or THROW IN THE TOWEL.
[tower of strength] {n. phr.} Someone who is strong, helpful, and
sympathetic, and can always be relied on in times of trouble. * /John
was a veritable tower of strength to our family while my father was in
the war and my mother lay ill in the hospital./
[town] See: GO TO TOWN, ON THE TOWN, PAINT THE TOWN RED.
[town and gown] {n.} The residents of a college town and the
students and teachers of the college. * /The senator made a speech
attended by both town and gown./ * /There were fights between town and
gown./
[toy with an] or [the idea] {v. phr.} To consider an idea or an
offer periodically without coming to a decision. * /He was toying with
the idea of accepting the company's offer of the vice presidency in
Tokyo, but he was unable to decide./
[to your hat] See: HANG ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT.
[trace] See: KICK OVER THE TRACES also JUMP THE TRACES.
[track] See: COVER ONE'S TRACKS, IN ONE'S TRACKS, INSIDE TRACK,
JUMP THE TRACK, KEEP TRACK, LOSE TRACK, MAKE TRACKS, OFF THE BEATEN
TRACK, ON THE TRACK OF, THE TRACKS.
[track down] {v.} To find by or as if by following tracks or a
trail. * /The hunters tracked down game in the forest./ * /She spent
weeks in the library tracking the reference down in all their hooks on
the subject./ Compare: HUNT DOWN.
[trade] See: CARRIAGE TRADE, HORSE TRADE, TRICKS OF THE TRADE.
[trade in] {v.} To give something to a seller as part payment for
another thing of greater value. * /The Browns traded their old car in
on a new one./ Syn.: TURN IN(3).
[trade-in] {n.} Something given as part payment on something
better. * /The dealer took our old car as a trade-in./ - Often used
like an adjective. * /We cleaned up the car at trade-in time./
[trade on] {v.} To use as a way of helping yourself. * /The coach
traded on the pitcher's weakness for left-handed batters by using all
his southpaws./ * /The senator's son traded on his father's name when
he ran for mayor./
[trading stamp] {n.} One of the stamps that you get (as from a
store or gas station) because you buy something there; a stamp you get
with a purchase and save in special books until you have enough to
take to a special store and trade for something you want. * /Mother
always buys things in stores where they give trading stamps./
[trail] See: BLAZE A TRAIL, ON THE TRACK OF or ON THE TRAIL OF.
[trail-blazer] See: BLAZE A TRAIL.
[trap] See: MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP, SAND TRAP, SPEED TRAP.
[travel light] {v. phr.} To travel with very little luggage or with
very little to carry. * /Plane passengers must travel light./ * /Tom
and Fred traveled light on their camping trip./
[tread on the toes of] or [tread on one's toes] See: STEP ON THE
TOES OF or STEP ON ONE'S TOES.
[tread water] {v. phr.} To keep the head above water with the body
in an upright position by moving the feet as if walking. * /He kept
afloat by treading water./
[treat] See: TRICK OR TREAT.
[tree] See: BARK UP THE WRONG TREE, CAN'T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE
TREES, UP A TREE.
[trembling] See: FEAR AND TREMBLING.
[trial] See: ON TRIAL.
[trial and error] {n.} A way of solving problems by trying
different possible solutions until you find one that works. * /John
found the short circuit by trial and error./ * /The only way Tom could
solve the algebra problem was by the method of trial and error./
[trial balloon] {n.} A hint about a plan of action that is given
out to find out what people will say. * /John mentioned the class
presidency to Bill as a trial balloon to see if Bill might be
interested in running./ * /The editorial was a trial balloon to test
the public's reaction to a change in the school day./
[trice] See: IN A FLASH also IN A TRICE.
[trick] See: DO THE TRICK, TURN THE TRICK.
[trick of the trade] {n. phr.}, {usually in plural}, {informal} 1.
A piece of expert knowledge; a smart, quick, or skillful way of
working at a trade or job. * /Mr. Olson spent years learning the
tricks of the trade as a carpenter./ * /Any one can learn how to hang
wallpaper, but only an expert can show you the tricks of the trade./
2. A smart and sometimes tricky or dishonest way of doing something in
order to succeed or win. * /The champion knows all the tricks of the
boxing trade; he knows many ways to hurt his opponent and to get him
mixed up./
[trick or treat] {n.} The custom of going from house to house on
Halloween asking for small gifts and playing tricks on people who
refuse to give. * /When Mrs. Jones answered the doorbell, the children
yelled "Trick or treat." Mrs. Jones gave them all some candy./ * /On
Halloween Bill and Tom went out playing trick or treat./
[trigger] See: QUICK ON THE TRIGGER.
[trigger happy] See: QUICK ON THE TRIGGER(1).
[triple threat] {n.} A football player who is able to pass, kick,
and run all very well. * /The triple threat halfback was the star of
the team./
[tripped out] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal} Incoherent, confused,
faulty of speech, illogical; as if under the influence of drugs or
alcohol. * /It was hard to make sense of anything Fred said yesterday,
he sounded so tripped out./ See: SPACED OUT.
[trip up] {v.} 1. To make (someone) unsteady on the feet; cause to
miss a step, stumble, or fall. * /A root tripped Billy up while he was
running in the woods, and he fell and hurt his ankle./ 2. To cause
(someone) to make a mistake. * /The teacher asked tricky questions in
the test to trip up students who were not alert./
[trolley] See: OFF ONE'S ROCKER or OFF ONE'S TROLLEY.
[trot out] {v. phr.} To bring out for inspection; display. * /Don't
mention compact disks to Joe, or he'll trot out his entire collection
and we'll be stuck here all night./
[trouble] See: BORROW TROUBLE, GO TO THE TROUBLE or TAKE THE
TROUBLE.
[troubled waters] See: POUR OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.
[trousers] See: WEAR THE TROUSERS.
[trowel] See: LAY IT ON.
[truck] See: PANEL TRUCK.
[true] See: COME TRUE, HOLD TRUE, RUN TRUE TO FORM.
[trump] See: HOLD ALL THE TRUMPS.
[trump card] {n.} Something kept back to be used to win success if
nothing else works. * /The coach saved his star pitcher for a trump
card./ * /Mary had several ways to get Joan to come to her party. Her
trump card was that the football captain would be there./
[trump up] {v.} To make up (something untrue); invent in the mind.
* /Every time Tom is late getting home he trumps up some new excuse./
* /The Russians were afraid he was a spy, so they arrested him on a
trumped-up charge and made him leave the country./
[trust] See: IN TRUST.
[truth] See: CHILDREN AND FOOLS SPEAK THE TRUTH.
[try on] {v.} To put (clothing) on to see if it fits. * /She tried
on several pairs of shoes before she found one she liked./ * /The
clerk told him to try the coat on./
[try one's hand] {v. phr.} To make an inexperienced attempt (at
something unfamiliar.) * /I thought I would try my hand at bowling,
although I had never bowled before./
[try one's wings] {v. phr.} To try out a recently acquired ability.
* /Marjorie just had her twelfth French lesson and wants to try her
wings by speaking with our visitors from Paris./
[tryout] {n.} An audience at a theater or opera for would-be actors
and singers. * /The Civic Opera is holding tryouts throughout all of
next week. Maybe I'll go and see if I can sing in the chorus./
[try out] {v. phr.} 1. To test by trial or by experimenting. * /He
tried golf out to see if he would like it./ * /The scientists tried
out thousands of chemicals before they found the right one./ * /The
coach wants to try the new play out in the first game./ 2. To try for
a place on a team or in a group. * /Tom tried out for the basketball
team./ * /Shirley will try out for the lead in the play./ Compare: OUT
FOR.
[tuck] See: NIP AND TUCK.
[tucker] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER.
[tuck in] {v. phr.} To place the covers carefully around the person
(usually a child) in bed. * /When I was a child, my mother used to
tuck me into bed every night./
[tug-of-war] {n.} 1. A game in which two teams pull on opposite
ends of a rope, trying to pull the other team over a line marked on
the ground. * /The tug-of-war ended when both teams tumbled in a
heap./ 2. A contest in which two sides try to defeat each other;
struggle. * /A tug-of-war developed between the boys who wanted to go
fishing and those who wanted to go hiking./ * /Betty felt a tug-of-war
between her wish to go to the movies and her realizing she had to do
her homework./ * /The tug of war between the union men and management
ended in a long strike./
[tune] See: CALL THE TUNE, CHANGE ONE'S TUNE, IN TUNE, SING A
DIFFERENT TUNE or WHISTLE A DIFFERENT TUNE also SING A NEW TUNE, TO
THE TUNE OF.
[tune in] To adjust a radio or television set to pick up a certain
station. * /Bob tuned in his portable radio to a record show./ * /Tom
tuned in to Channel 11 to hear the news./
[tune out] {v. phr.} To not listen to something. * /"How can you
work in such a noisy environment?" Jane asked Sue.
"Well, I simply tune it out," she
answered./
[tune up] {v.} 1a. To adjust (a musical instrument) to make the
right sound. * /Before he began to play, Harry tuned up his banjo./
1b. To adjust a musical instrument or a group of musical instruments
to the right sound. * /The orchestra came in and began to tune up for
the concert./ 2. To adjust many parts of (car engine) which must work
together so that it will run properly. * /He took his car to the
garage to have the engine tuned up./
[tune-up] {n.} 1. The adjusting or fixing of something (as a motor)
to make it work safely and well. * /Father says the car needs a
tune-up before winter begins./ 2. Exercise or practicing for the
purpose of getting ready; a trial before something. * /The team went
to the practice field for their last tune-up before the game
tomorrow./ Syn.: WARM UP.
[turkey] See: TALK TURKEY.
[turn] See: AT EVERY TURN, BLOOD RUN COLD or BLOOD TURNS TO ICE, BY
TURNS, CALL THE TURN at CALL ONE'S SHOTS(2), EVERY TIME ONE TURNS
AROUND, IN TURN, NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN, OUT OF TURN, TAKE A TURN,
TAKE TURNS, TO A T or TO A TURN.
[turn a blind eye] {v. phr.} To pretend not to see; not pay
attention. * /The corrupt police chief turned a blind eye to the open
gambling in the town./ * /Bob turned a blind eye to the "No Fishing"
sign./ Compare: CLOSE ONE'S EYES.
[turn a cold shoulder] See: COLD SHOULDER.
[turn a deaf ear to] {v. phr.} To pretend not to hear; refuse to
hear; not pay attention. * /Mary turned a deaf ear to Lois's asking to
ride her bicycle./ * /The teacher turned a deaf ear to Bob's excuse./
Compare: COLD SHOULDER.
[turn a hand] {v. phr.} To do anything to help. - Usually used in
the negative. * /When we were all hurrying to get the house ready for
company, Mary sat reading and wouldn't turn a hand./ Syn.: LIFT A
FINGER.
[turn an honest penny] {v. phr.} To realize a good profit. * /Tom
turned an honest penny in the soybean trading business./ Compare:
PRETTY PENNY.
[turn back the clock] See: PUT BACK THE CLOCK.
[turn color] {v. phr.} To become a different color. * /In the fall
the leaves turn color./ * /When the dye was added the solution turned
color./
[turn down] {v.} 1. To reduce the loudness, brightness, or force
of. * /The theater lights were turned down./ * /Turn down that radio,
will you?/ * /The hose was throwing too much water so I turned down
the water a little bit./ 2. To refuse to accept; reject. * /His
request for a raise was turned down./ * /If she offers to help, I'll
turn her down./ * /Many boys courted Lynn, but she turned them all
down./
[turn for the worse] See: FOR THE WORSE.
[turn in] {v.} 1. or [hand in] To give to someone; deliver to
someone. * /I want you to turn in a good history paper./ * /When the
football season was over, we turned in our uniforms./ 2. To inform on;
report. * /She turned them in to the police for breaking the street
light./ 3. To give in return for something. * /They turned in their
old money for new./ * /We turned our car in on a new model./ Syn.:
TRADE IN. 4. {informal} To go to bed. * /We were tired, so we turned
in about nine o'clock./ Contrast: TURN OUT(4).
[turn in one's grave] or [turn over in one's grave] {v. phr.} To be
so grieved or angry that you would not rest quietly in your grave. *
/If your grandfather could see what you're doing now, he would turn
over in his grave./
[turn loose] See: LET LOOSE(1a).
[turn off] {v.} 1. To stop by turning a knob or handle or by
working a switch; to cause to be off. * /He turned the water off./ *
/He turned off the light./ 2. To leave by turning right or left onto
another way./ * /Turn off the highway at exit 5./ * /The car turned
off on Bridge Street./ 3. {slang} To disgust, bore, or repel (someone)
by being intellectually, emotionally, socially, or sexually
unattractive. * /I won't date Linda Bell anymore - she just turns me
off./ Contrast: TURN ON.
[turn of the century] {n. phr.} The time at the end of one century
and the beginning of the next century; {especially}: The time when the
1800's became the 1900's; the early 1900's. * /Automobiles were
strange things to see at the turn of the century./
[turn on] {v.} 1. To start by turning a knob or handle or working a
switch; cause to be on. * /Jack turned on the water./ * /Who turned
the lights on?/ 2. {informal} To put forth or succeed with as easily
as turning on water. * /She really turns on the charm when that new
boy is around./ 3. To attack. * /The lion tamer was afraid the lions
would turn on him./ * /After Joe fumbled the ball and lost the big
game, his friends turned on him./ 4. {slang} The opposite of turning
someone off; to become greatly interested in an idea, person, or
undertaking; to arouse the senses pleasantly. * /Mozart's music always
turns me on./ 5. Introducing someone to a new experience, or set of
values. * /Benjamin turned me on to transcendental meditation, and
ever since I've been feeling great!/ Contrast: TURN OFF.
[turn on a dime] {v. phr.} To be able to turn in a very narrow spot
comparable to a small coin. * /This new sports car can turn on a
dime./
[turn one around one's little finger] See: TWIST ONE AROUND ONE'S
LITTLE FINGER.
[turn one's back on] {v. phr.} To refuse to help (someone in
trouble or need.) * /He turned his back on his own family when they
needed help./ * /The poorer nations are often not grateful for our
help, but still we can not turn our back on them./ Compare: GO BACK
ON(1).
[turn one's hand to] See: PUT ONE'S HAND TO.
[turn one's head] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make you lose your good
judgment. * /The first pretty girl he saw turned his head./ * /Winning
the class election turned his head./
[turn one's nose up at] {v. phr.} To scorn; snub; look down at
somebody or something. * /I don't understand why Sue has to turn her
nose up at everyone who didn't go to an Ivy League college./
[turn one's stomach] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make you feel sick. *
/The smell of that cigar was enough to turn your stomach./ * /The
sight of blood turns my stomach./
[turn on one's heel] {v. phr.} To turn around suddenly. * /When
John saw Fred approaching him, he turned on his heel./ * /When little
Tommy's big brother showed up, the bully turned on his heel./
[turnout] {n.} The number of people in attendance at a gathering. *
/This is a terrific turnout for Tim's poetry reading./
[turn out] {v.} 1. To make leave or go away. * /His father turned
him out of the house./ * /If you don't behave, you will be turned
out./ Compare: THROW OUT. 2. To turn inside out; empty. * /He turned
out his pockets looking for the money./ * /Robbers turned out all the
drawers in the house in a search for jewels./ 3. To make; produce. *
/The printing press turns out a thousand books an hour./ * /Sally can
turn out a cake in no time./ * /Martin turns out a poem each week for
the school paper./ 4. {informal} To get out of bed. * /At camp the
boys had to turn out early and go to bed early too./ Contrast: TURN
IN(4). 5. {informal} To come or go out to see or do something. *
/Everybody turned out for the big parade./ * /Many boys turned out for
football practice./ Compare: FALL OUT. 6. To prove to be; be in the
end; be found to be. * /The noise turned out to be just the dog
scratching at the door./ * /Her guess turned out to be right./ *
/Everything turned out all right./ 7. To make (a light) go out. *
/Please turn out the lights./ Syn.: TURN OFF(1).
[turnover] {n.} 1. The proportion of expenditure and income
realized in a business; the volume of traffic in a business. * /Our
turnover is so great that in two short years we tripled our original
investment and are expanding at a great rate./ 2. Triangular baked
pastry filled with some fruit. * /John's favorite dessert is apple
turnovers./ 3. The number of employees coming and going in a company.
* /The boss is so strict in our office that the turnover in personnel
is very large./
[turn over] {v.} 1. To roll, tip, or turn from one side to the
other; overturn; upset. * /He's going to turn over the page./ * /The
bike hit a rock and turned over./ 2, To think about carefully; to
consider. * /He turned the problem over in his mind for three days
before he did anything about it./ 3. To give to someone for use or
care. * /I turned my library books over to the librarian./ * /Mrs.
Jackson brought her boy to the school and turned him over to the
housefather./ * /Bob turns over most of the money he earns to his
mother./ 4. Of an engine or motor; to start. * /The battery is dead
and the motor won't turn over./ 5a. To buy and then sell to customers.
* /The store turned over $5,000 worth of skiing equipment in January./
5b. To be bought in large enough amounts; sell. * /In a shoe store,
shoes of medium width turn over quickly, because many people wear that
size, but a pair of narrow shoes may not be sold for years./
[turn over a new leaf] {v. phr.} To start afresh; to have a new
beginning. * /"Don't be sad, Jane," Sue said. "A divorce is not the
end of the world. Just turn over a new leaf and you will soon be happy
again."/ Compare: CLEAN SLATE.
[turn over in one's grave] See: TURN IN ONE'S GRAVE.
[turn over in one's mind] {v. phr.} To carefully consider. * /I
will have to turn it over in my mind whether to accept the new job
offer from Japan./
[turn tail] {v. phr.}, {informal} To run away from trouble or
danger. * /When the bully saw my big brother, he turned tail and ran./
[turn the clock back] {v. phr.} To return to an earlier period. *
/Mother wished she could turn the clock back to the days before the
children grew up and left home./ * /Will repealing the minimum wage
for workers under age eighteen turn the clock back to the abuses of
the last century?/
[turn the other cheek] {v. phr.} To let someone do something to you
and not to do it in return; not hit back when hit; be patient when
injured or insulted by someone; not try to get even. * /Joe turned the
other cheek when he was hit with a snowball./
[turn the scales] {v. phr.} To affect the balance in favor of one
party or group against the other. * /It could well be that the speech
he made turned the scales in their favor./
[turn the tables] {v. phr.} To make something happen just the
opposite of how it is supposed to happen. * /The boys turned the
tables on John when they took his squirt gun away and squirted him./
[turn the tide] {v. phr.} To change what looks like defeat into
victory. * /We were losing the game until Jack got there. His coming
turned the tide for us, and we won./ Compare: TIP THE SCALES.
[turn the trick] {v. phr.}, {informal} To bring about the result
you want; succeed in what you plan to do. * /Jerry wanted to win both
the swimming and diving contests, but he couldn't quite turn the
trick./ Compare: DO THE TRICK.
[turn thumbs down] {v. phr.} To disapprove or reject; say no. -
Usually used with "on". * /The company turned thumbs down on Mr.
Smith's sales plan./ * /The men turned thumbs down on a strike at that
time./
[turn to] {v.} To begin working with much energy. * /All the boys
turned to and cleaned the cabin in a few minutes./ * /Mary turned to
and studied for the test./ Syn.: FALL TO.
[turn turtle] {v. phr.} To turn upside down. * /The car skidded on
the ice and turned turtle./
[turn up] {v.} 1. To find; discover. * /The police searched the
house hoping to turn up more clues./ 2. To appear or be found suddenly
or unexpectedly. * /The missing boy turned up an hour later./ * /A man
without training works at whatever jobs turn up./ Compare: SHOW UP(3).
[turn up one's nose at] {v. phr.} To refuse as not being good
enough for you. * /He thinks he should only get steak, and he turns up
his nose at hamburger./
[turn up one's toes] {v. phr.}, {slang} To die. * /One morning the
children found that their pet mouse had turned up his toes, so they
had a funeral for him./ Compare: PUSH UP THE DAISIES.
[turtle] See: TURN TURTLE.
[tut-tut] {interj.}, {informal} Used to express mild disapproval. *
/"Tut-tut," said the teacher. "You shouldn't cross the street without
looking."/ * /Tut-tut, put that piece of candy back. You've already
had three pieces./
[twice] See: BIG AS LIFE(2), LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE
SAME PLACE, THINK TWICE, ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY and BURNT CHILD DREADS
THE FIRE.
[twice as natural] See: BIG AS LIFE or BIG AS LIFE AND TWICE AS
NATURAL.
[twiddle one's thumbs] {v. phr.} To do nothing; be idle. * /I'd
rather work than stand around here twiddling my thumbs./
[twist one around one's little finger] also [turn one around one's
little finger] or [wrap one around one's finger] {v. phr.} To have
complete control over; to be able to make (someone) do anything you
want. * /Sue can twist any of the boys around her little finger./
Compare: JUMP THROUGH A HOOP.
[twist one's arm] {v. phr.}, {informal} To force someone; threaten
someone to make him do something. - Usually used jokingly. * /Will you
dance with the prettiest girl in school? Stop, you're twisting my
arm!/ * /I had to twist Tom's arm to make him eat the candy!/
[two] See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA or BETWEEN TWO
FIRES, TWO CENTS, BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH, CUT BOTH
WAYS or CUT TWO WAYS, HAVE TWO STRIKES AGAINST ONE, IN TWO, KILL TWO
BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT, PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER,
STAND ON ONE'S OWN FEET or STAND ON ONE'S OWN TWO FEET, TELL A THING
OR TWO, THING OR TWO.
[two bits] {n.}, {slang} Twenty-five cents; a quarter of a dollar.
* /A haircut only cost two bits when Grandfather was young./ Compare:
FOUR BITS, SIX BITS.
[two cents] {n.} {informal} 1. Something not important or very
small; almost nothing. * /Paul was so angry that he said for two cents
he would quit the team./ * /When John saw that the girl he was
scolding was lame, he felt like two cents./ 2. or [two cents worth]
Something you want to say; opinion. - Used with a possessive. * /The
boys were talking about baseball, and Harry put in his two cents
worth, even though he didn't know much about baseball./ * /If we want
your two cents, we'll ask for it./
[two-faced] {adj.} Insincere; disloyal; deceitful. * /Don't confide
too much in him as he has the reputation of being two-faced./ Compare:
SPEAK WITH A FORKED TONGUE.
[two's company; three's a crowd] An informal way to express a
situation when two people desire privacy and a third one is present. -
A proverb. * /Beth and Carl wanted to be alone so when Maggie joined
them they said, "Two's company; three's a crowd."/
[two strikes against one] {n. phr.}-From baseball. Two
opportunities wasted in some undertaking, so that only one chance is
left. * /Poor John has two strikes against him when it comes to his
love for Frances: first, he is too fat, and, second, he is bald./
[two-time] {v.}, {slang} To go out with a second boy or girlfriend
and keep it a secret from the first. * /Joan was two-timing Jim with
Fred./ * /Mary cried when she found that Joe was two-timing her./
Compare: DOUBLE-CROSS.
[two to one] See: TEN TO ONE.
[two ways about it] See: NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT.
[U.F.O.] {n. phr.} Unidentified Flying Object. * /Some people think
that the U.F.O.s are extraterrestrial beings of higher than human
development who pay periodic visits to Earth to warn us of our
self-destructive tendencies./
[ugly duckling] {n.} An ugly or plain child who grows up to be
pretty and attractive. * /Mary was the ugly duckling in her family,
until she grew up./
[uh-huh] or [um-hum] {adv.}, {informal} Yes. - Used only in speech
or when recording dialogue. * /Are you going to the Fair? Uh-huh./ *
/We were in Alaska, um-hum, but that was long before the earthquakes./
* /When I asked for an appointment, the nurse said, "Um-hum, I have an
opening at four o'clock on Friday."/ Contrast: HUH-UH.
[um-hum] See: UH-HUH.
[unbosom oneself] {v. phr.} To confess one's personal thoughts or
feelings; disclose private information to a confidante. * /Once she
was at home with her mother, she unbosomed herself of all her
troubles./
[uncertain] See: IN SO MANY WORDS(2). or IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS.
[uncle] See: SAY UNCLE also CRY UNCLE.
[under] See: CUT THE GROUND FROM UNDER, GO UNDER, OUT FROM UNDER,
SNOW UNDER.
[under a bushel] See: HIDE ONE'S LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL.
[under a cloud] {adj. phr.} 1. Under suspicion; not trusted. *
/Joyce has been under a cloud since her roommate's bracelet
disappeared./ * /The butcher is under a cloud because the inspectors
found his scales were not honest./ 2. Depressed, sad, discouraged. *
/Joe has been under a cloud since his dog died./
[under age] {adj. phr.} Too young; not old enough; below legal age.
* /He could not enlist in the army because he was under age./ * /Rose
was not allowed to enroll in the Life Saving Course because she was
under age./ Contrast: OF AGE(1).
[under arrest] {adj. phr.} Held by the police. * /The man believed
to have robbed the bank was placed under arrest./ * /The three boys
were seen breaking into the school building and soon found themselves
under arrest./
[under construction] {adv. phr.} In the process of being built or
repaired. * /It is a good idea to take the train to work while the
expressway is under construction./
[under cover] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Hidden; concealed. * /The
prisoners escaped under cover of darkness./ * /He kept his invention
under cover until it was patented./ Compare: UNDER WRAPS.
[under false colors] See: SAIL UNDER FALSE COLORS.
[under fire] {adv. phr.} Being shot at or being attacked; hit by
attacks or accusations; under attack. * /The soldiers stood firm under
fire of the enemy./ * /The principal was under fire for not sending
the boys home who stole the car./
[under lock and key] {adv. phr.} Secured; locked up; well
protected. * /Dad keeps all his valuables under lock and key./
[under one's belt] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. In your stomach;
eaten; or absorbed. * /Once he had a good meal under his belt, the man
loosened his tie and fell asleep./ * /Jones is talkative when he has a
few drinks under his belt./ 2. In your experience, memory or
possession; learned or gotten successfully; gained by effort and
skill. * /Jim has to get a lot of algebra under his belt before the
examination./ * /With three straight victories under their belts, the
team went on to win the championship./
[under one's breath] {adv. phr.} In a whisper; with a low voice. *
/The teacher heard the boy say something under his breath and she
asked him to repeat it aloud./ * /I told Lucy the news under my
breath, but Joyce overheard me./
[under one's hat] See: KEEP UNDER ONE'S HAT.
[under one's heel] {adv. phr.} In one's power or control. * /If one
marriage partner always wants to keep the other person under his or
her heel, it is not a happy or democratic arrangement and may lead to
a divorce./
[under one's nose] or [under the nose of] {adv. phr.}, {informal}
In sight of; in an easily seen or noticeable place. * /The thief
walked out of the museum with the painting, right under the nose of
the guards./ * /When Jim gave up trying to find a pen, he saw three
right under his nose on the desk./
[under one's own steam] {adv. phr.}, {informal} By one's own
efforts; without help. * /The boys got to Boston under their own steam
and took a bus the rest of the way./ * /We didn't think he could do
it, but Bobby finished his homework under his own steam./
[under one's skin] See: GET UNDER ONE'S SKIN.
[under one's spell] {adv. phr.} Unable to resist one's influence. *
/From the first moment they saw each other, Peter was under Nancy's
spell./
[under one's thumb] or [under the thumb] {adj.} or {adv. phr.}
Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power. * /The Jones
family is under the thumb of the mother./ * /Jack is a bully. He keeps
all the younger children under his thumb./ * /The mayor is so popular
that he has the whole town under his thumb./ Compare: JUMP THROUGH THE
HOOP.
[under one's wing] {adv. phr.} Under the care or protection of. *
/Helen took the new puppy under her wing./ * /The boys stopped teasing
the new student when Bill took him under his wing./ Compare: IN TOW.
[under orders] {adv. phr.} Not out of one's own desire or one's own
free will; obligatorily; not freely. * /"So you were a Nazi prison
guard? " the judge asked. "Yes, your Honor," the man answered, "but I
was acting under orders and not because I wished to harm anyone."/
[under pain of] See: ON PAIN OF also UNDER PAIN OF.
[under protest] {adv. phr.} Against one's wish; unwillingly. *
/"I'll go with you all right," she said to the kidnapper, "but I want
it clearly understood that I do so under protest."/
[understand] See: GIVE ONE TO UNDERSTAND.
[under the circumstances] also [in the circumstances] {adv. phr.}
In the existing situation; in the present condition; as things are. *
/In the circumstances, Father couldn't risk giving up his job./ *
/Under the circumstances, the stagecoach passengers had to give the
robbers their money./
[under the collar] See: HOT UNDER THE COLLAR.
[under the counter] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Secretly (bought or
sold). * /That book has been banned, but there is one place you can
get it under the counter./ * /The liquor dealer was arrested for
selling beer under the counter to teenagers./ - Also used like an
adjective, with hyphens. * /During World War II, some stores kept
scarce things hidden for under-the-counter-sales to good customers./
[under the hammer] {adv. phr.} Up for sale at auction. * /The
Brights auctioned off the entire contents of their home. Mrs. Bright
cried when her pewter collection went under the hammer./ * /The
picture I wanted to bid on came under the hammer soon after I
arrived./
[under the nose of] See: UNDER ONE'S NOSE.
[under the sun] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} On earth; in the world. -
Used for emphasis. * /The President's assassination shocked everyone
under the sun./ * /Where under the sun could I have put my purse?/
[under the table] See: UNDER THE COUNTER.
[under the thumb of] See: UNDER ONE'S THUMB.
[under the weather] {adv. phr.} In bad health or low spirits. *
/Mary called in today asking for a sick day as she is under the
weather./
[under the wire] {adv. phr.} With a narrow time limit; in the last
minute. * /The journalist's new lead article on Russia was due in
press at 5 P.M., and he got it in at 4:57, just under the wire./
[underway] {adv. phr.} In progress; in motion. * /The yearly
fund-raising campaign for the renovation of our university campus is
already underway./
[under wraps] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Not allowed to be seen until
the right time; not allowed to act or speak freely; in secrecy;
hidden. - Usually used with "keep". * /We have a new player, hut we
are keeping him under wraps until the game./ * /What the President is
order./ * /A very big man often has his suits made to order./ 2. See:
CALL TO ORDER.
[tooth] See: BY THE SKIN OF ONE'S TEETH, CUT TEETH or CUT EYETEETH,
EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH, FED TO THE GILLS or FED TO THE
TEETH, GET ONE'S TEETH INTO or SINK ONE'S TEETH INTO, KICK IN THE
PANTS or KICK IN THE TEETH, PULL ONE'S TEETH, SET ONE'S TEETH ON EDGE,
TAKE THE BIT IN ONE'S TEETH, THROW SOMETHING IN ONE'S FACE or THROW
SOMETHING IN ONE'S TEETH.
[tooth and nail] See: HAMMER AND TONGS.
[tooth and nail] {adv. phr.} With all weapons or ways of fighting
as hard as possible; fiercely. - Used after "fight" or a similar word.
* /When the Indian girl was captured, she fought tooth and nail to get
away./ * /The farmers fought tooth and nail to save their crops from
the grasshoppers./ * /His friends fought tooth and nail to elect him
to Congress./
[toot one's own horn] See: BLOW ONE'S OWN HORN.
[top] See: AT THE TOP OF ONE'S VOICE, BIG TOP, BLOW A FUSE or BLOW
ONE'S TOP, HARD-TOP, OFF THE TOP OF ONE'S HEAD, ON TOP, ON TOP OF, ON
TOP OF THE WORLD, OVER THE TOP.
[top banana] or [top dog] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} The head of any
business or organization; the most influential or most prestigious
person in an establishment. * /Who's the top banana in this outfit?/
See: MAIN SQUEEZE.
[to pass] See: COME TO PASS.
[top-drawer] {adj.}, {informal} Of the best; or most important
kind. * /Mary's art work was top-drawer material./ * /Mr. Rogers is a
top-drawer executive and gets a very high salary./
[topflight] or [topnotch] See: TOP DRAWER.
[to pieces] {adv. phr.} 1. Into broken pieces or fragments;
destroyed. * /The cannon shot the town to pieces./ * /The vase fell to
pieces in Mary's hand./ 2. {informal} So as not to work; into a state
of not operating. * /After 100,000 miles the car went to pieces./ *
/When Mary heard of her mother's death, she went to pieces./ 3.
{informal} Very much; greatly; exceedingly. * /Joan was thrilled to
pieces to see Mary./ * /The noise scared Bob to pieces./ 4. See: PICK
APART.
[top off] {v.} To come or bring to a special or unexpected ending;
climax. * /John batted three runs and topped off the game with a home
run./ * /Mary hadn't finished her homework, she was late to school,
and to top it all off she missed a surprise test./ * /George had steak
for dinner and topped it off with a fudge sundae./
[to put It mildly] See: TO SAY THE LEAST.
[torch] See: CARRY A TORCH.
[to reason] See: STAND TO REASON.
[to rest] See: LAY TO REST.
[to rights] See: PUT TO RIGHTS or SET TO RIGHTS.
[to Rome] See: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME.
[to say nothing of] See: NOT TO MENTION.
[to say the least] {v. phr.} To understate; express as mildly as
possible. * /After all we did for him, his behavior toward us, to say
the least, was a poor way to show his appreciation./
[to scale] {adv. phr.} In the same proportions as in the true size;
in the same shape, but not the same size. * /The statue was made to
scale, one inch to a foot./ * /He drew the map to scale, making one
inch represent fifty miles./
[to sea] See: PUT TO SEA.
[to shame] See: PUT TO SHAME.
[to size] See: CUT DOWN TO SIZE.
[to speak of] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Important; worth talking
about; worth noticing. - Usually used in negative sentences. * /Did it
rain yesterday? Not to speak of./ * /What happened at the meeting?
Nothing to speak of./ * /Judy's injuries were nothing to speak of;
just a few scratches./ Compare: NOT TO MENTION.
[to spite one's face] See: CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S FACE.
[toss off] {v. phr.} 1. To drink rapidly; drain. * /He tossed off
two drinks and left./ 2. To make or say easily without trying or
thinking hard. * /She tossed off smart remarks all during dinner./ *
/He thinks a reporter should be able to toss off an article every few
hours./
[toss one to the sharks] See: THROW ONE TO THE WOLVES.
[toss out] See: THROW OUT.
[total] See: SUM TOTAL.
[to task] See: TAKE TO TASK.
[to terms] See: BRING TO TERMS, COME TO TERMS.
[to that effect] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} With that meaning. * /She
said she hated spinach, or words to that effect./ * /When I leave, I
will write you to that effect so you will know./
[to the best of one's knowledge] As far as you know; to the extent
of your knowledge. * /He has never won a game, to the best of my
knowledge./ * /To the best of my knowledge he is a college man, but I
may be mistaken./
[to the bitter end] {adv. phr.} To the point of completion or
conclusion. - Used especially of a very painful or unpleasant task or
experience. * /Although Mrs. Smith was bored by the lecture, she
stayed to the bitter end./ * /They knew the war would be lost, but the
men fought to the bitter end./
[to the bone] {adv.}, {slang}, {informal} Thoroughly, entirely, to
the core, through all layers. * /I am dreadfully tired; I've worked my
fingers to the bone./ See: ALSO WORK ONE'S FINGERS TO THE BONE.
[to the bottom] See: GET TO THE BOTTOM OF.
[to the contrary] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} With an opposite result or
effect; just the opposite; in disagreement; saying the opposite. *
/Although Bill was going to the movies, he told Joe to the contrary./
* /We will expect you for dinner unless we get word to the contrary./
* /School gossip to the contrary, Mary is not engaged to be married./
Compare: ON THE CONTRARY.
[to the effect that] {adj. phr.} With the meaning or purpose; to
say that. * /He made a speech to the effect that we would all keep our
jobs even if the factory were sold./ * /The new governor would do his
best in the office to which he had been elected./
[to the eye] {adv. phr.} As it is seen; as a person or thing first
seems; apparently. * /That girl looks to the eye like a nice girl to
know, but she is really rather mean./ * /That suit appears to the eye
to be a good buy, but it may not be./ Compare: AT FIRST GLANCE.
[to the fore] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Into leadership; out into
notice or view; forward. * /The hidden skill of the lawyer came to the
fore during the trial./ * /In the progress of the war some new leaders
came to the fore./
[to the full] {adv. phr.} Very much; fully. * /The campers enjoyed
their trip to the full./ * /We appreciated to the full the teacher's
help./ Compare: TO THE HILT.
[to the gallery] See: PLAY TO THE GALLERY.
[to the good] {adv. phr.} On the side of profit or advantage; in
one's favor; to one's benefit; ahead. * /After I sold my stamp
collection, I was ten dollars to the good./ * /The teacher did not see
him come in late, which was all to the good./
[to the grindstone] See: KEEP ONE'S NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE.
[to the heart] See: GET TO THE HEART OF.
[to the hilt] or [up to the hilt] {adv. phr.} To the limit; as far
as possible; completely. * /The other boys on the team told Tom he
couldn't quit. They said, "You're in this to the hilt."/ * /The
Smith's house is mortgaged up to the hilt./ Compare: HEART AND SOUL,
TO THE FULL, UP TO THE --- IN.
[to the kings taste] or [to the queen's taste] {adv. phr.}
Perfectly; just as anyone could want it; very satisfactorily. * /The
rooms in her new home were painted and decorated to the queen's
taste./ * /The soldiers dressed and marched to the king's taste./
[to the letter] {adv. phr.} With nothing done wrong or left undone;
exactly; precisely. * /He carried out his orders to the letter./ *
/When writing a test you should follow the instructions to the
letter./ Compare: TO A T.
[to the manner born] {adj. phr.} At ease with something because of
lifelong familiarity with it. * /She says her English is the best
because she is to the manner born./
[to the nth degree] {adv. phr.} To the greatest degree possible;
extremely; very much so. * /Scales must be accurate to the nth
degree./ * /His choice of words was exactly to the nth degree./
[to the point] See: COME TO THE POINT.
[to the punch] See: BEAT TO THE PUNCH.
[to the ribs] See: STICK TO ONE'S RIBS or STICK TO THE RIBS.
[to the salt mines] See: BACK TO THE SALT MINES.
[to the stump] See: TAKE THE STUMP or TAKE TO THE STUMP.
[to the sword] See: PUT TO THE SWORD.
[to the tune of] {adv. phr.}, {informal} To the amount or extent
of; in the amount of. * /He had to pay to the tune of fifty dollars
for seeing how fast the car would go./ * /When she left the race track
she had profited to the tune of ten dollars./
[to the wall] {adv. phr.} Into a place from which there is no
escape; into a trap or corner. - Usually used after "drive" or a
similar word. * /John's failing the last test drove him to the wall./
* /The score was 12-12 in the last minute of play, but a touchdown
forced the visitors to the wall./ * /Bill had to sell his five Great
Danes. The high cost of feeding them was driving him to the wall./
[to the wolves] See: THROW TO THE WOLVES.
[to the woods] See: TAKE TO THE WOODS.
[to the world] See: DEAD TO THE WORLD.
[to think of it] See: COME TO THINK OF IT.
[toto] See: IN TOTO.
[touch] See: COMMON TOUCH, IN TOUCH, LOSE TOUCH, OUT OF TOUCH,
[touch and go] {adj. phr.} Very dangerous or uncertain in
situation. * /Our team won the game, all right, but it was touch and
go for a while./ * /At one time while they were climbing the cliff it
was touch and go whether they could do it./
[touch base with] {v. phr.} To confer or consult with one. *
/Before we make a decision, I'd like to touch base with our financial
department./
[touch bottom] See: HIT BOTTOM.
[touch off] {v.} 1. To cause to fire or explode by lighting the
priming or the fuse. * /The boy touched off a firecracker./ Compare:
SET OFF. 2. To start something as if by lighting a fuse. * /The
coach's resignation touched off a quarrel./ Compare: SET OFF.
[touch on] or [touch upon] {v.} To speak of or write of briefly. *
/The speaker touched on several other subjects in the course of his
talk but mostly kept himself to the main topic./ Contrast: DWELL ON.
[touch to the quick] {v. phr.} To hurt someone's feelings very
deeply; offend. * /His remark about her lack of education touched her
to the quick./
[touchup] {n.} 1. A small repair; a small amount of paint. * /Just
a small touchup here and there and your novel may be publishable./ 2.
Redoing the color of one's hair. * /My roots are showing; I need a
touchup./
[touch up] {v.} 1. To paint over (small imperfections.) * /I want
to touch up that scratch on the fender./ * /The woodwork is done, but
there are a few places he has to touch up./ 2. To improve with small
additions or changes. * /He touched up the photographic negative to
make a sharper print./ * /It's a good speech, but it needs a little
touching up./ 3. {slang} To talk into lending; wheedle from. * /He
touched George up for five bucks./
[tough act to follow] {n. phr.} A speech, performance, or activity
of such superior quality that the person next in line feels and thinks
that it would be very difficult to match it in quality. * /Sir
Lawrence Olivier's performance of Hamlet was a tough act to follow in
every sense./
[tough break] See: TOUGH LUCK, TOUGH SHIT.
[tough cat] {n.}, {slang} A man who is very individualistic and, as
a result, highly successful with women. * /Joe is a real tough cat,
man./
[tough cookie] {n. phr.} An extremely determined, hardheaded
person, or someone with whom it is unusually difficult to deal. *
/Marjorie is a very pretty girl, but when it comes to business she
sure is one tough cookie./
[tough it out] {v. phr.} To live through and endure a trying
situation. * /The tourists got lost in the desert without a compass,
and they had to tough it out for three days on a single bottle of
water./
[tough luck] {n. phr.} An informal way to say that one had that
coming; it serves one right. * /So your date didn't show up, eh? Tough
luck, fellow./
[tough nut to crack] See: HARD NUT TO CRACK.
[tough row to hoe] See: HARD ROW TO HOE.
[tough shit] {n. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} See: HARD CHEESE,
TOUGH LUCK.
[tough sledding] See: HARD SLEDDING.
[tourist trap] See: CLIP JOINT.
[to use] See: PUT TO USE.
[tow] See: IN TOW.
[towel] See: THROW IN THE SPONGE or THROW IN THE TOWEL.
[tower of strength] {n. phr.} Someone who is strong, helpful, and
sympathetic, and can always be relied on in times of trouble. * /John
was a veritable tower of strength to our family while my father was in
the war and my mother lay ill in the hospital./
[town] See: GO TO TOWN, ON THE TOWN, PAINT THE TOWN RED.
[town and gown] {n.} The residents of a college town and the
students and teachers of the college. * /The senator made a speech
attended by both town and gown./ * /There were fights between town and
gown./
[toy with an] or [the idea] {v. phr.} To consider an idea or an
offer periodically without coming to a decision. * /He was toying with
the idea of accepting the company's offer of the vice presidency in
Tokyo, but he was unable to decide./
[to your hat] See: HANG ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT.
[trace] See: KICK OVER THE TRACES also JUMP THE TRACES.
[track] See: COVER ONE'S TRACKS, IN ONE'S TRACKS, INSIDE TRACK,
JUMP THE TRACK, KEEP TRACK, LOSE TRACK, MAKE TRACKS, OFF THE BEATEN
TRACK, ON THE TRACK OF, THE TRACKS.
[track down] {v.} To find by or as if by following tracks or a
trail. * /The hunters tracked down game in the forest./ * /She spent
weeks in the library tracking the reference down in all their hooks on
the subject./ Compare: HUNT DOWN.
[trade] See: CARRIAGE TRADE, HORSE TRADE, TRICKS OF THE TRADE.
[trade in] {v.} To give something to a seller as part payment for
another thing of greater value. * /The Browns traded their old car in
on a new one./ Syn.: TURN IN(3).
[trade-in] {n.} Something given as part payment on something
better. * /The dealer took our old car as a trade-in./ - Often used
like an adjective. * /We cleaned up the car at trade-in time./
[trade on] {v.} To use as a way of helping yourself. * /The coach
traded on the pitcher's weakness for left-handed batters by using all
his southpaws./ * /The senator's son traded on his father's name when
he ran for mayor./
[trading stamp] {n.} One of the stamps that you get (as from a
store or gas station) because you buy something there; a stamp you get
with a purchase and save in special books until you have enough to
take to a special store and trade for something you want. * /Mother
always buys things in stores where they give trading stamps./
[trail] See: BLAZE A TRAIL, ON THE TRACK OF or ON THE TRAIL OF.
[trail-blazer] See: BLAZE A TRAIL.
[trap] See: MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP, SAND TRAP, SPEED TRAP.
[travel light] {v. phr.} To travel with very little luggage or with
very little to carry. * /Plane passengers must travel light./ * /Tom
and Fred traveled light on their camping trip./
[tread on the toes of] or [tread on one's toes] See: STEP ON THE
TOES OF or STEP ON ONE'S TOES.
[tread water] {v. phr.} To keep the head above water with the body
in an upright position by moving the feet as if walking. * /He kept
afloat by treading water./
[treat] See: TRICK OR TREAT.
[tree] See: BARK UP THE WRONG TREE, CAN'T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE
TREES, UP A TREE.
[trembling] See: FEAR AND TREMBLING.
[trial] See: ON TRIAL.
[trial and error] {n.} A way of solving problems by trying
different possible solutions until you find one that works. * /John
found the short circuit by trial and error./ * /The only way Tom could
solve the algebra problem was by the method of trial and error./
[trial balloon] {n.} A hint about a plan of action that is given
out to find out what people will say. * /John mentioned the class
presidency to Bill as a trial balloon to see if Bill might be
interested in running./ * /The editorial was a trial balloon to test
the public's reaction to a change in the school day./
[trice] See: IN A FLASH also IN A TRICE.
[trick] See: DO THE TRICK, TURN THE TRICK.
[trick of the trade] {n. phr.}, {usually in plural}, {informal} 1.
A piece of expert knowledge; a smart, quick, or skillful way of
working at a trade or job. * /Mr. Olson spent years learning the
tricks of the trade as a carpenter./ * /Any one can learn how to hang
wallpaper, but only an expert can show you the tricks of the trade./
2. A smart and sometimes tricky or dishonest way of doing something in
order to succeed or win. * /The champion knows all the tricks of the
boxing trade; he knows many ways to hurt his opponent and to get him
mixed up./
[trick or treat] {n.} The custom of going from house to house on
Halloween asking for small gifts and playing tricks on people who
refuse to give. * /When Mrs. Jones answered the doorbell, the children
yelled "Trick or treat." Mrs. Jones gave them all some candy./ * /On
Halloween Bill and Tom went out playing trick or treat./
[trigger] See: QUICK ON THE TRIGGER.
[trigger happy] See: QUICK ON THE TRIGGER(1).
[triple threat] {n.} A football player who is able to pass, kick,
and run all very well. * /The triple threat halfback was the star of
the team./
[tripped out] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal} Incoherent, confused,
faulty of speech, illogical; as if under the influence of drugs or
alcohol. * /It was hard to make sense of anything Fred said yesterday,
he sounded so tripped out./ See: SPACED OUT.
[trip up] {v.} 1. To make (someone) unsteady on the feet; cause to
miss a step, stumble, or fall. * /A root tripped Billy up while he was
running in the woods, and he fell and hurt his ankle./ 2. To cause
(someone) to make a mistake. * /The teacher asked tricky questions in
the test to trip up students who were not alert./
[trolley] See: OFF ONE'S ROCKER or OFF ONE'S TROLLEY.
[trot out] {v. phr.} To bring out for inspection; display. * /Don't
mention compact disks to Joe, or he'll trot out his entire collection
and we'll be stuck here all night./
[trouble] See: BORROW TROUBLE, GO TO THE TROUBLE or TAKE THE
TROUBLE.
[troubled waters] See: POUR OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.
[trousers] See: WEAR THE TROUSERS.
[trowel] See: LAY IT ON.
[truck] See: PANEL TRUCK.
[true] See: COME TRUE, HOLD TRUE, RUN TRUE TO FORM.
[trump] See: HOLD ALL THE TRUMPS.
[trump card] {n.} Something kept back to be used to win success if
nothing else works. * /The coach saved his star pitcher for a trump
card./ * /Mary had several ways to get Joan to come to her party. Her
trump card was that the football captain would be there./
[trump up] {v.} To make up (something untrue); invent in the mind.
* /Every time Tom is late getting home he trumps up some new excuse./
* /The Russians were afraid he was a spy, so they arrested him on a
trumped-up charge and made him leave the country./
[trust] See: IN TRUST.
[truth] See: CHILDREN AND FOOLS SPEAK THE TRUTH.
[try on] {v.} To put (clothing) on to see if it fits. * /She tried
on several pairs of shoes before she found one she liked./ * /The
clerk told him to try the coat on./
[try one's hand] {v. phr.} To make an inexperienced attempt (at
something unfamiliar.) * /I thought I would try my hand at bowling,
although I had never bowled before./
[try one's wings] {v. phr.} To try out a recently acquired ability.
* /Marjorie just had her twelfth French lesson and wants to try her
wings by speaking with our visitors from Paris./
[tryout] {n.} An audience at a theater or opera for would-be actors
and singers. * /The Civic Opera is holding tryouts throughout all of
next week. Maybe I'll go and see if I can sing in the chorus./
[try out] {v. phr.} 1. To test by trial or by experimenting. * /He
tried golf out to see if he would like it./ * /The scientists tried
out thousands of chemicals before they found the right one./ * /The
coach wants to try the new play out in the first game./ 2. To try for
a place on a team or in a group. * /Tom tried out for the basketball
team./ * /Shirley will try out for the lead in the play./ Compare: OUT
FOR.
[tuck] See: NIP AND TUCK.
[tucker] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER.
[tuck in] {v. phr.} To place the covers carefully around the person
(usually a child) in bed. * /When I was a child, my mother used to
tuck me into bed every night./
[tug-of-war] {n.} 1. A game in which two teams pull on opposite
ends of a rope, trying to pull the other team over a line marked on
the ground. * /The tug-of-war ended when both teams tumbled in a
heap./ 2. A contest in which two sides try to defeat each other;
struggle. * /A tug-of-war developed between the boys who wanted to go
fishing and those who wanted to go hiking./ * /Betty felt a tug-of-war
between her wish to go to the movies and her realizing she had to do
her homework./ * /The tug of war between the union men and management
ended in a long strike./
[tune] See: CALL THE TUNE, CHANGE ONE'S TUNE, IN TUNE, SING A
DIFFERENT TUNE or WHISTLE A DIFFERENT TUNE also SING A NEW TUNE, TO
THE TUNE OF.
[tune in] To adjust a radio or television set to pick up a certain
station. * /Bob tuned in his portable radio to a record show./ * /Tom
tuned in to Channel 11 to hear the news./
[tune out] {v. phr.} To not listen to something. * /"How can you
work in such a noisy environment?" Jane asked Sue.
"Well, I simply tune it out," she
answered./
[tune up] {v.} 1a. To adjust (a musical instrument) to make the
right sound. * /Before he began to play, Harry tuned up his banjo./
1b. To adjust a musical instrument or a group of musical instruments
to the right sound. * /The orchestra came in and began to tune up for
the concert./ 2. To adjust many parts of (car engine) which must work
together so that it will run properly. * /He took his car to the
garage to have the engine tuned up./
[tune-up] {n.} 1. The adjusting or fixing of something (as a motor)
to make it work safely and well. * /Father says the car needs a
tune-up before winter begins./ 2. Exercise or practicing for the
purpose of getting ready; a trial before something. * /The team went
to the practice field for their last tune-up before the game
tomorrow./ Syn.: WARM UP.
[turkey] See: TALK TURKEY.
[turn] See: AT EVERY TURN, BLOOD RUN COLD or BLOOD TURNS TO ICE, BY
TURNS, CALL THE TURN at CALL ONE'S SHOTS(2), EVERY TIME ONE TURNS
AROUND, IN TURN, NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN, OUT OF TURN, TAKE A TURN,
TAKE TURNS, TO A T or TO A TURN.
[turn a blind eye] {v. phr.} To pretend not to see; not pay
attention. * /The corrupt police chief turned a blind eye to the open
gambling in the town./ * /Bob turned a blind eye to the "No Fishing"
sign./ Compare: CLOSE ONE'S EYES.
[turn a cold shoulder] See: COLD SHOULDER.
[turn a deaf ear to] {v. phr.} To pretend not to hear; refuse to
hear; not pay attention. * /Mary turned a deaf ear to Lois's asking to
ride her bicycle./ * /The teacher turned a deaf ear to Bob's excuse./
Compare: COLD SHOULDER.
[turn a hand] {v. phr.} To do anything to help. - Usually used in
the negative. * /When we were all hurrying to get the house ready for
company, Mary sat reading and wouldn't turn a hand./ Syn.: LIFT A
FINGER.
[turn an honest penny] {v. phr.} To realize a good profit. * /Tom
turned an honest penny in the soybean trading business./ Compare:
PRETTY PENNY.
[turn back the clock] See: PUT BACK THE CLOCK.
[turn color] {v. phr.} To become a different color. * /In the fall
the leaves turn color./ * /When the dye was added the solution turned
color./
[turn down] {v.} 1. To reduce the loudness, brightness, or force
of. * /The theater lights were turned down./ * /Turn down that radio,
will you?/ * /The hose was throwing too much water so I turned down
the water a little bit./ 2. To refuse to accept; reject. * /His
request for a raise was turned down./ * /If she offers to help, I'll
turn her down./ * /Many boys courted Lynn, but she turned them all
down./
[turn for the worse] See: FOR THE WORSE.
[turn in] {v.} 1. or [hand in] To give to someone; deliver to
someone. * /I want you to turn in a good history paper./ * /When the
football season was over, we turned in our uniforms./ 2. To inform on;
report. * /She turned them in to the police for breaking the street
light./ 3. To give in return for something. * /They turned in their
old money for new./ * /We turned our car in on a new model./ Syn.:
TRADE IN. 4. {informal} To go to bed. * /We were tired, so we turned
in about nine o'clock./ Contrast: TURN OUT(4).
[turn in one's grave] or [turn over in one's grave] {v. phr.} To be
so grieved or angry that you would not rest quietly in your grave. *
/If your grandfather could see what you're doing now, he would turn
over in his grave./
[turn loose] See: LET LOOSE(1a).
[turn off] {v.} 1. To stop by turning a knob or handle or by
working a switch; to cause to be off. * /He turned the water off./ *
/He turned off the light./ 2. To leave by turning right or left onto
another way./ * /Turn off the highway at exit 5./ * /The car turned
off on Bridge Street./ 3. {slang} To disgust, bore, or repel (someone)
by being intellectually, emotionally, socially, or sexually
unattractive. * /I won't date Linda Bell anymore - she just turns me
off./ Contrast: TURN ON.
[turn of the century] {n. phr.} The time at the end of one century
and the beginning of the next century; {especially}: The time when the
1800's became the 1900's; the early 1900's. * /Automobiles were
strange things to see at the turn of the century./
[turn on] {v.} 1. To start by turning a knob or handle or working a
switch; cause to be on. * /Jack turned on the water./ * /Who turned
the lights on?/ 2. {informal} To put forth or succeed with as easily
as turning on water. * /She really turns on the charm when that new
boy is around./ 3. To attack. * /The lion tamer was afraid the lions
would turn on him./ * /After Joe fumbled the ball and lost the big
game, his friends turned on him./ 4. {slang} The opposite of turning
someone off; to become greatly interested in an idea, person, or
undertaking; to arouse the senses pleasantly. * /Mozart's music always
turns me on./ 5. Introducing someone to a new experience, or set of
values. * /Benjamin turned me on to transcendental meditation, and
ever since I've been feeling great!/ Contrast: TURN OFF.
[turn on a dime] {v. phr.} To be able to turn in a very narrow spot
comparable to a small coin. * /This new sports car can turn on a
dime./
[turn one around one's little finger] See: TWIST ONE AROUND ONE'S
LITTLE FINGER.
[turn one's back on] {v. phr.} To refuse to help (someone in
trouble or need.) * /He turned his back on his own family when they
needed help./ * /The poorer nations are often not grateful for our
help, but still we can not turn our back on them./ Compare: GO BACK
ON(1).
[turn one's hand to] See: PUT ONE'S HAND TO.
[turn one's head] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make you lose your good
judgment. * /The first pretty girl he saw turned his head./ * /Winning
the class election turned his head./
[turn one's nose up at] {v. phr.} To scorn; snub; look down at
somebody or something. * /I don't understand why Sue has to turn her
nose up at everyone who didn't go to an Ivy League college./
[turn one's stomach] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make you feel sick. *
/The smell of that cigar was enough to turn your stomach./ * /The
sight of blood turns my stomach./
[turn on one's heel] {v. phr.} To turn around suddenly. * /When
John saw Fred approaching him, he turned on his heel./ * /When little
Tommy's big brother showed up, the bully turned on his heel./
[turnout] {n.} The number of people in attendance at a gathering. *
/This is a terrific turnout for Tim's poetry reading./
[turn out] {v.} 1. To make leave or go away. * /His father turned
him out of the house./ * /If you don't behave, you will be turned
out./ Compare: THROW OUT. 2. To turn inside out; empty. * /He turned
out his pockets looking for the money./ * /Robbers turned out all the
drawers in the house in a search for jewels./ 3. To make; produce. *
/The printing press turns out a thousand books an hour./ * /Sally can
turn out a cake in no time./ * /Martin turns out a poem each week for
the school paper./ 4. {informal} To get out of bed. * /At camp the
boys had to turn out early and go to bed early too./ Contrast: TURN
IN(4). 5. {informal} To come or go out to see or do something. *
/Everybody turned out for the big parade./ * /Many boys turned out for
football practice./ Compare: FALL OUT. 6. To prove to be; be in the
end; be found to be. * /The noise turned out to be just the dog
scratching at the door./ * /Her guess turned out to be right./ *
/Everything turned out all right./ 7. To make (a light) go out. *
/Please turn out the lights./ Syn.: TURN OFF(1).
[turnover] {n.} 1. The proportion of expenditure and income
realized in a business; the volume of traffic in a business. * /Our
turnover is so great that in two short years we tripled our original
investment and are expanding at a great rate./ 2. Triangular baked
pastry filled with some fruit. * /John's favorite dessert is apple
turnovers./ 3. The number of employees coming and going in a company.
* /The boss is so strict in our office that the turnover in personnel
is very large./
[turn over] {v.} 1. To roll, tip, or turn from one side to the
other; overturn; upset. * /He's going to turn over the page./ * /The
bike hit a rock and turned over./ 2, To think about carefully; to
consider. * /He turned the problem over in his mind for three days
before he did anything about it./ 3. To give to someone for use or
care. * /I turned my library books over to the librarian./ * /Mrs.
Jackson brought her boy to the school and turned him over to the
housefather./ * /Bob turns over most of the money he earns to his
mother./ 4. Of an engine or motor; to start. * /The battery is dead
and the motor won't turn over./ 5a. To buy and then sell to customers.
* /The store turned over $5,000 worth of skiing equipment in January./
5b. To be bought in large enough amounts; sell. * /In a shoe store,
shoes of medium width turn over quickly, because many people wear that
size, but a pair of narrow shoes may not be sold for years./
[turn over a new leaf] {v. phr.} To start afresh; to have a new
beginning. * /"Don't be sad, Jane," Sue said. "A divorce is not the
end of the world. Just turn over a new leaf and you will soon be happy
again."/ Compare: CLEAN SLATE.
[turn over in one's grave] See: TURN IN ONE'S GRAVE.
[turn over in one's mind] {v. phr.} To carefully consider. * /I
will have to turn it over in my mind whether to accept the new job
offer from Japan./
[turn tail] {v. phr.}, {informal} To run away from trouble or
danger. * /When the bully saw my big brother, he turned tail and ran./
[turn the clock back] {v. phr.} To return to an earlier period. *
/Mother wished she could turn the clock back to the days before the
children grew up and left home./ * /Will repealing the minimum wage
for workers under age eighteen turn the clock back to the abuses of
the last century?/
[turn the other cheek] {v. phr.} To let someone do something to you
and not to do it in return; not hit back when hit; be patient when
injured or insulted by someone; not try to get even. * /Joe turned the
other cheek when he was hit with a snowball./
[turn the scales] {v. phr.} To affect the balance in favor of one
party or group against the other. * /It could well be that the speech
he made turned the scales in their favor./
[turn the tables] {v. phr.} To make something happen just the
opposite of how it is supposed to happen. * /The boys turned the
tables on John when they took his squirt gun away and squirted him./
[turn the tide] {v. phr.} To change what looks like defeat into
victory. * /We were losing the game until Jack got there. His coming
turned the tide for us, and we won./ Compare: TIP THE SCALES.
[turn the trick] {v. phr.}, {informal} To bring about the result
you want; succeed in what you plan to do. * /Jerry wanted to win both
the swimming and diving contests, but he couldn't quite turn the
trick./ Compare: DO THE TRICK.
[turn thumbs down] {v. phr.} To disapprove or reject; say no. -
Usually used with "on". * /The company turned thumbs down on Mr.
Smith's sales plan./ * /The men turned thumbs down on a strike at that
time./
[turn to] {v.} To begin working with much energy. * /All the boys
turned to and cleaned the cabin in a few minutes./ * /Mary turned to
and studied for the test./ Syn.: FALL TO.
[turn turtle] {v. phr.} To turn upside down. * /The car skidded on
the ice and turned turtle./
[turn up] {v.} 1. To find; discover. * /The police searched the
house hoping to turn up more clues./ 2. To appear or be found suddenly
or unexpectedly. * /The missing boy turned up an hour later./ * /A man
without training works at whatever jobs turn up./ Compare: SHOW UP(3).
[turn up one's nose at] {v. phr.} To refuse as not being good
enough for you. * /He thinks he should only get steak, and he turns up
his nose at hamburger./
[turn up one's toes] {v. phr.}, {slang} To die. * /One morning the
children found that their pet mouse had turned up his toes, so they
had a funeral for him./ Compare: PUSH UP THE DAISIES.
[turtle] See: TURN TURTLE.
[tut-tut] {interj.}, {informal} Used to express mild disapproval. *
/"Tut-tut," said the teacher. "You shouldn't cross the street without
looking."/ * /Tut-tut, put that piece of candy back. You've already
had three pieces./
[twice] See: BIG AS LIFE(2), LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE
SAME PLACE, THINK TWICE, ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY and BURNT CHILD DREADS
THE FIRE.
[twice as natural] See: BIG AS LIFE or BIG AS LIFE AND TWICE AS
NATURAL.
[twiddle one's thumbs] {v. phr.} To do nothing; be idle. * /I'd
rather work than stand around here twiddling my thumbs./
[twist one around one's little finger] also [turn one around one's
little finger] or [wrap one around one's finger] {v. phr.} To have
complete control over; to be able to make (someone) do anything you
want. * /Sue can twist any of the boys around her little finger./
Compare: JUMP THROUGH A HOOP.
[twist one's arm] {v. phr.}, {informal} To force someone; threaten
someone to make him do something. - Usually used jokingly. * /Will you
dance with the prettiest girl in school? Stop, you're twisting my
arm!/ * /I had to twist Tom's arm to make him eat the candy!/
[two] See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA or BETWEEN TWO
FIRES, TWO CENTS, BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH, CUT BOTH
WAYS or CUT TWO WAYS, HAVE TWO STRIKES AGAINST ONE, IN TWO, KILL TWO
BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT, PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER,
STAND ON ONE'S OWN FEET or STAND ON ONE'S OWN TWO FEET, TELL A THING
OR TWO, THING OR TWO.
[two bits] {n.}, {slang} Twenty-five cents; a quarter of a dollar.
* /A haircut only cost two bits when Grandfather was young./ Compare:
FOUR BITS, SIX BITS.
[two cents] {n.} {informal} 1. Something not important or very
small; almost nothing. * /Paul was so angry that he said for two cents
he would quit the team./ * /When John saw that the girl he was
scolding was lame, he felt like two cents./ 2. or [two cents worth]
Something you want to say; opinion. - Used with a possessive. * /The
boys were talking about baseball, and Harry put in his two cents
worth, even though he didn't know much about baseball./ * /If we want
your two cents, we'll ask for it./
[two-faced] {adj.} Insincere; disloyal; deceitful. * /Don't confide
too much in him as he has the reputation of being two-faced./ Compare:
SPEAK WITH A FORKED TONGUE.
[two's company; three's a crowd] An informal way to express a
situation when two people desire privacy and a third one is present. -
A proverb. * /Beth and Carl wanted to be alone so when Maggie joined
them they said, "Two's company; three's a crowd."/
[two strikes against one] {n. phr.}-From baseball. Two
opportunities wasted in some undertaking, so that only one chance is
left. * /Poor John has two strikes against him when it comes to his
love for Frances: first, he is too fat, and, second, he is bald./
[two-time] {v.}, {slang} To go out with a second boy or girlfriend
and keep it a secret from the first. * /Joan was two-timing Jim with
Fred./ * /Mary cried when she found that Joe was two-timing her./
Compare: DOUBLE-CROSS.
[two to one] See: TEN TO ONE.
[two ways about it] See: NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT.
[U.F.O.] {n. phr.} Unidentified Flying Object. * /Some people think
that the U.F.O.s are extraterrestrial beings of higher than human
development who pay periodic visits to Earth to warn us of our
self-destructive tendencies./
[ugly duckling] {n.} An ugly or plain child who grows up to be
pretty and attractive. * /Mary was the ugly duckling in her family,
until she grew up./
[uh-huh] or [um-hum] {adv.}, {informal} Yes. - Used only in speech
or when recording dialogue. * /Are you going to the Fair? Uh-huh./ *
/We were in Alaska, um-hum, but that was long before the earthquakes./
* /When I asked for an appointment, the nurse said, "Um-hum, I have an
opening at four o'clock on Friday."/ Contrast: HUH-UH.
[um-hum] See: UH-HUH.
[unbosom oneself] {v. phr.} To confess one's personal thoughts or
feelings; disclose private information to a confidante. * /Once she
was at home with her mother, she unbosomed herself of all her
troubles./
[uncertain] See: IN SO MANY WORDS(2). or IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS.
[uncle] See: SAY UNCLE also CRY UNCLE.
[under] See: CUT THE GROUND FROM UNDER, GO UNDER, OUT FROM UNDER,
SNOW UNDER.
[under a bushel] See: HIDE ONE'S LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL.
[under a cloud] {adj. phr.} 1. Under suspicion; not trusted. *
/Joyce has been under a cloud since her roommate's bracelet
disappeared./ * /The butcher is under a cloud because the inspectors
found his scales were not honest./ 2. Depressed, sad, discouraged. *
/Joe has been under a cloud since his dog died./
[under age] {adj. phr.} Too young; not old enough; below legal age.
* /He could not enlist in the army because he was under age./ * /Rose
was not allowed to enroll in the Life Saving Course because she was
under age./ Contrast: OF AGE(1).
[under arrest] {adj. phr.} Held by the police. * /The man believed
to have robbed the bank was placed under arrest./ * /The three boys
were seen breaking into the school building and soon found themselves
under arrest./
[under construction] {adv. phr.} In the process of being built or
repaired. * /It is a good idea to take the train to work while the
expressway is under construction./
[under cover] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Hidden; concealed. * /The
prisoners escaped under cover of darkness./ * /He kept his invention
under cover until it was patented./ Compare: UNDER WRAPS.
[under false colors] See: SAIL UNDER FALSE COLORS.
[under fire] {adv. phr.} Being shot at or being attacked; hit by
attacks or accusations; under attack. * /The soldiers stood firm under
fire of the enemy./ * /The principal was under fire for not sending
the boys home who stole the car./
[under lock and key] {adv. phr.} Secured; locked up; well
protected. * /Dad keeps all his valuables under lock and key./
[under one's belt] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. In your stomach;
eaten; or absorbed. * /Once he had a good meal under his belt, the man
loosened his tie and fell asleep./ * /Jones is talkative when he has a
few drinks under his belt./ 2. In your experience, memory or
possession; learned or gotten successfully; gained by effort and
skill. * /Jim has to get a lot of algebra under his belt before the
examination./ * /With three straight victories under their belts, the
team went on to win the championship./
[under one's breath] {adv. phr.} In a whisper; with a low voice. *
/The teacher heard the boy say something under his breath and she
asked him to repeat it aloud./ * /I told Lucy the news under my
breath, but Joyce overheard me./
[under one's hat] See: KEEP UNDER ONE'S HAT.
[under one's heel] {adv. phr.} In one's power or control. * /If one
marriage partner always wants to keep the other person under his or
her heel, it is not a happy or democratic arrangement and may lead to
a divorce./
[under one's nose] or [under the nose of] {adv. phr.}, {informal}
In sight of; in an easily seen or noticeable place. * /The thief
walked out of the museum with the painting, right under the nose of
the guards./ * /When Jim gave up trying to find a pen, he saw three
right under his nose on the desk./
[under one's own steam] {adv. phr.}, {informal} By one's own
efforts; without help. * /The boys got to Boston under their own steam
and took a bus the rest of the way./ * /We didn't think he could do
it, but Bobby finished his homework under his own steam./
[under one's skin] See: GET UNDER ONE'S SKIN.
[under one's spell] {adv. phr.} Unable to resist one's influence. *
/From the first moment they saw each other, Peter was under Nancy's
spell./
[under one's thumb] or [under the thumb] {adj.} or {adv. phr.}
Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power. * /The Jones
family is under the thumb of the mother./ * /Jack is a bully. He keeps
all the younger children under his thumb./ * /The mayor is so popular
that he has the whole town under his thumb./ Compare: JUMP THROUGH THE
HOOP.
[under one's wing] {adv. phr.} Under the care or protection of. *
/Helen took the new puppy under her wing./ * /The boys stopped teasing
the new student when Bill took him under his wing./ Compare: IN TOW.
[under orders] {adv. phr.} Not out of one's own desire or one's own
free will; obligatorily; not freely. * /"So you were a Nazi prison
guard? " the judge asked. "Yes, your Honor," the man answered, "but I
was acting under orders and not because I wished to harm anyone."/
[under pain of] See: ON PAIN OF also UNDER PAIN OF.
[under protest] {adv. phr.} Against one's wish; unwillingly. *
/"I'll go with you all right," she said to the kidnapper, "but I want
it clearly understood that I do so under protest."/
[understand] See: GIVE ONE TO UNDERSTAND.
[under the circumstances] also [in the circumstances] {adv. phr.}
In the existing situation; in the present condition; as things are. *
/In the circumstances, Father couldn't risk giving up his job./ *
/Under the circumstances, the stagecoach passengers had to give the
robbers their money./
[under the collar] See: HOT UNDER THE COLLAR.
[under the counter] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Secretly (bought or
sold). * /That book has been banned, but there is one place you can
get it under the counter./ * /The liquor dealer was arrested for
selling beer under the counter to teenagers./ - Also used like an
adjective, with hyphens. * /During World War II, some stores kept
scarce things hidden for under-the-counter-sales to good customers./
[under the hammer] {adv. phr.} Up for sale at auction. * /The
Brights auctioned off the entire contents of their home. Mrs. Bright
cried when her pewter collection went under the hammer./ * /The
picture I wanted to bid on came under the hammer soon after I
arrived./
[under the nose of] See: UNDER ONE'S NOSE.
[under the sun] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} On earth; in the world. -
Used for emphasis. * /The President's assassination shocked everyone
under the sun./ * /Where under the sun could I have put my purse?/
[under the table] See: UNDER THE COUNTER.
[under the thumb of] See: UNDER ONE'S THUMB.
[under the weather] {adv. phr.} In bad health or low spirits. *
/Mary called in today asking for a sick day as she is under the
weather./
[under the wire] {adv. phr.} With a narrow time limit; in the last
minute. * /The journalist's new lead article on Russia was due in
press at 5 P.M., and he got it in at 4:57, just under the wire./
[underway] {adv. phr.} In progress; in motion. * /The yearly
fund-raising campaign for the renovation of our university campus is
already underway./
[under wraps] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Not allowed to be seen until
the right time; not allowed to act or speak freely; in secrecy;
hidden. - Usually used with "keep". * /We have a new player, hut we
are keeping him under wraps until the game./ * /What the President is