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CLOVER, ON EASY STREET.
[well-off] {adj. phr.} 1. Rich. * /They may not be millionaires,
but they are sufficiently well-off./ 2. In good condition; free of
problems or difficulties./ * /He is pleased that his business is
well-off./
[well put] {adj. phr.} Well expressed or defined. * /His remarks
about too much violence on television were extremely well put./
[well-to-do] {adj.} Having or making enough money to live
comfortably; prosperous. * /John's father owns a company and his
family is well-to-do./ - Often used with "the" like a plural noun. *
/This is the part of town where the well-to-do live./ Compare: IN THE
LAP OF LUXURY, IN THE CHIPS, ON EASY STREET.
[wet] See: ALL WET, GET ONE'S FEET WET, MAD AS A WET HEN, WRINGING
WET.
[wet behind the ears] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not experienced; not
knowing how to do something; new in a job or place. * /The new student
is still wet behind the ears; he has not yet learned the tricks that
the boys play on each other./ Compare: DRY BEHIND THE EARS.
[wet blanket] {n.}, {informal} A person or thing that keeps others
from enjoying life. * /The teenagers don't invite Bob to their parties
because he is a wet blanket./ * /The weatherman throws a wet blanket
on picnic plans when he forecasts rain./ Compare: CREPE HANGER.
[wet one's whistle] {v. phr.}, {slang} To have a drink, especially
of liquor. * /Uncle Willie told John to wait outside for a minute
while he went in to the cafe to wet his whistle./
[whack] See: OUT OF WHACK.
[whale away] {v.}, {informal} 1. To beat or hit hard; strike again
and again. - Often used with "at". * /The boxer is whaling away at his
opponent with both fists./ 2. To attack severely or again and again;
go on without stopping or with great force; pound away. * /Mary has
been whaling away on the typewriter for an hour./ - Often used with
"at". * /During the election the Mayor whaled away at the other party
in his speeches./
[whale the --- out of] See: BEAT THE --- OUT OF.
[what] See: COME WHAT MAY, GET WHAT'S COMING TO ONE, I'LL TELL YOU
WHAT, JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, SO WHAT.
[what about] {interrog.} 1. About or concerning what; in connection
with what. - Often used alone as a question. * /"I want to talk to
you." "What about?"/ Compare: WHAT FOR. 2. See: WHAT OF IT. 3. See:
HOW ABOUT.
[what about that] See: HOW ABOUT THAT.
[What a pity!] How unfortunate! What a shame! * /What a pity that
he couldn't join us on our Hawaiian trip./
[what for(1)] {interrog.} For what reason; why? * /I told Mary what
I was going to town for./ * /What are you running for?/ - Often used
alone as a question. * /Billy's mother told him to wear his hat. "What
for?" he asked./ Compare: HOW COME.
[what for(2)] {n. phr.}, {informal} A scolding, or other
punishment. - Usually used with "get" or "give". * /Tom got what for
from his father for answering him rudely, and I heard him crying in
the house./ * /The teacher gave me what for because I was late./
[what have you] or [what not] {n. phr.}, {informal} Whatever you
like or want; anything else like that. * /The store sells big ones,
small ones, medium ones, or what have you./ * /We found suits, coats,
hats and what not in the closet./ Syn.: AND SO FORTH.
[what if] What would, or will, happen if; what is the difference
if; suppose that. * /What if you go instead of me?/ * /What if we
paint it red. How will it look?/ * /"You can't go now" said mother.
"What if I do?" Dick asked./ * /What if Jack scores a touchdown?/
[what is what] See: WHAT'S WHAT.
[what of it] or [what about it] {interj.}, {informal} What is wrong
with it; what do you care. * /Martha said "That boy is wearing a green
coat." Jan answered, "What of it?"/ * /"John missed the bus." "What of
it?"/ Syn.: SO WHAT.
[what not] See: WHAT HAVE YOU.
[what's cooking] See: WHAT'S UP.
[what's doing] See: WHAT'S UP..
[what's sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander] What goes for
the one, also goes for the other. - A proverb. * /If Herb gets a
speeding ticket, so should Erica, who was right behind him; after all,
what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander./
[what's the big idea] or [what's the idea] {informal} What is the
purpose; what do you have in mind; why did you do that; what are you
doing; how dare you. - Often used to question someone or something
that is not welcome. * /The Smith family painted their house red,
white, and blue. What's the big idea?/ * /What's the idea of coming in
here after I told you not to?/ * /I heard you are spreading false
rumors about me, what's the big idea?/
[what's the idea] See: WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA.
[what's up] or [what's cooking] also [what's doing] {slang} What is
happening or planned; what is wrong. - Often used as a greeting. *
/"What's up?" asked Bob as he joined his friends. "Are you going to
the movies?"/ * /What's cooking? Why is the crowd in the street?/ *
/What's doing tonight at the club?/ * /Hello Bob, what's up?/ Compare:
WHAT'S WITH.
[what's what] or [what is what] {n. phr.}, {informal} 1. What each
thing is in a group; one thing from another. * /The weeds and the
flowers are coming up together, and we can't tell what is what./ 2.
All that needs to be known about something; the important facts or
skills. * /Richard did the wrong thing, because he is new here and
doesn't yet know what's what./ * /When Bob started his new job, it
took him several weeks to learn what was what./ * /When it comes to
cooking, Jenny knows what's what./ * /Harold began to tell the teacher
how to teach the class, and the teacher told him what was what./
Compare: WHICH IS WHICH, WHO'S WHO.
[what's with] or [what's up with] also [what's by] {slang} What is
happening to; what is wrong; how is everything; what can you tell me
about. * /Mary looks worried. What's with her?/ * /What's with our old
friends?/ * /I'm fine. What's with you?/
[what with] {prep.} Because; as a result of. * /I couldn't visit
you, what with the snowstorm and the cold I had./ * /What with dishes
to wash and children to put to bed, mother was late to the meeting./
Compare: ON ACCOUNT OF.
[wheel] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG WHEEL, GREASE THE WHEELS, PUT ONE'S
SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL.
[wheel and deal] {v. phr.}, {slang} To make many big plans or
schemes; especially with important people in government and business;
in matters of money and influence; handle money or power for your own
advantage; plan important matters in a smart or skillful way and
sometimes in a tricky, or not strictly honest way. * /Mr. Smith made a
fortune by wheeling and dealing on the stock market./ * /The senator
got this law passed by wheeling and dealing in Congress./ -
[wheeler-dealer] {n. phr.}, {slang} A person with power and control. *
/The biggest wheeler-dealer in the state has many friends in high
places in business and government and is a rich man himself./
[wheelhorse] {n. phr.} A reliable and industrious worker on whom
one may depend. * /Jake is such a good worker that he is the
wheelhorse of our tiny firm./
[when hell freezes over] {adv. phr.}, {slang} Never. * /I'll
believe you when hell freezes over./ Contrast: UNTIL HELL FREEZES
OVER.
[when it comes to] See: COME TO(4).
[when one's ship comes in] See: SHIP COME IN.
[when push comes to shove] {adv. phr.} A time when a touchy
situation becomes actively hostile or a quarrel turns into a fight. *
/Can we count on the boss' goodwill, when push comes to shove?/
[when the chips are down] {adv. cl.}, {informal} When the winner
and loser of a bet or a game are decided; at the most important or
dangerous time. * /Tom hit a home run in the last inning of the game
when the chips were down./ * /When the chips were down, the two
countries decided not to have war./ (From the fact that in gambling
games, a person puts chips or money down in front of him to show that
he is willing to risk an amount in a bet.)
[where] See: TELL ONE WHERE TO GET OFF or TELL ONE WHERE TO HEAD
IN.
[wherefore] See: WHY AND WHEREFORE.
[where it's at] {adv. phr.}, {informal} That which is important;
that which is at the forefront of on-going social, personal, or
scientific undertakings. * /Young, talented and black, that's where
it's at./ * /We send sophisticated machines to Mars instead of people,
that's where it's at./
[where the shoe pinches] {n. phr.}, {informal} Where or what the
discomfort or trouble is. * /Johnny thinks the job is easy, but he
will find out where the shoe pinches when he tries it./ * /The coach
said he wasn't worried about any position except quarterback; that was
where the shoe pinched./
[whether one is coming or going] See: KNOW IF ONE IS COMING OR
GOING.
[whether --- or] or [whether --- or whether[] 1. {coord. conj.}
Used to introduce an indirect question. * /You must decide whether you
should go or stay./ * /I don't know whether Jack or Bill is a better
player./ Compare: EITHER --- OR(2). Used to show a choice of things,
or that different things are possible. * /Whether the bicycle was blue
or red, it didn't matter to Frank./
[which] See: GAME AT WHICH TWO CAN PLAY.
[which is which] {n. phr.} Which is one person or thing and which
is the other; one from another; what the difference is between
different ones; what the name of each one is. * /Joe's coat and mine
are so nearly alike that I can't tell which is which./ * /Mr. Hadley
hadn't seen his friend's daughters in such a long time that he
couldn't remember which was which./ Compare: WHAT'S WHAT, WHO'S WHO.
[which was which] See: WHICH is WHICH.
[while] See: AFTER A WHILE or IN A WHILE, ALL THE TIME(1), EVERY
NOW AND THEN or EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ONCE IN A WHILE.
[while ago] {adv.} At a time several minutes in the past; a few
minutes ago; a short time ago. - Used with "a". * /I laid mv glasses
on this table a while ago; and now they're gone./ * /A while ago, Mary
was tired and wanted to go home; now she's dancing with Bob as if she
could dance all night./ Compare: JUST NOW(2).
[while away] {v.} To make time go by pleasantly or without being
bored; pass or spend. * /We whiled away the time that we were waiting
by talking and playing cards./ * /We whiled away the summer swimming
and fishing./
[while back] {adv.} At a time several weeks or months in the past.
- Used with "a". * /We had a good rain a while back, but we need more
now./ * /Grandfather is well now, but a while back he was in the
hospital for three weeks./ See: CRACK THE WHIP.
[whip hand] See: UPPER HAND.
[whipping boy] {n. phr.} The person who gets punished for someone
else's mistake. * /"I used to be the whipping boy during my early days
at the company," he musingly remembered./
[whip up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To make or do quickly or easily. *
/Mary whipped up a lunch for the picnic./ * /The reporter whipped up a
story about the fire for his paper./ 2. To make active; stir to
action; excite. * /The girls are trying to whip up interest for a
dance Saturday night./ Compare: STIR UP, WHOOP IT UP(2).
[whispering campaign] {n.} The spreading of false rumors, or saying
bad things, about a person or group, especially in politics or public
life. * /A bad man has started a whispering campaign against the
mayor, saying that he isn't honest./
[whistle] See: BLOW THE WHISTLE ON, WET ONE'S WHISTLE.
[whistle a different tune] See: SING A DIFFERENT TUNE.
[whistle for] {v.}, {informal} To try to get (something) but fail;
look for (something) that will not come. * /Mary didn't even thank us
for helping her, so the next time she needs help she can whistle for
it./
[whistle in the dark] {v. phr.}, {informal} To try to stay brave
and forget your fear. * /Tom said he could fight the bully with one
hand, but we knew that he was just whistling in the dark./ (From the
fact that people sometimes whistle when walking in a dark, scary place
to keep up their courage.)
[whistle-stop] {n.} A small town where the trains only stop on a
special signal. * /President Truman made excellent use of the
whistle-stop during his 1948 campaign for the presidency./
[white] See: BLACK AND WHITE, IN BLACK AND WHITE.
[white around the gills] See: GREEN AROUND THE GILLS.
[white-collar workers] {n. phr.} Workers employed in offices and at
desks as opposed to those who work as manual workers; the middle
class. * /It is a well-known fact that white-collar workers are less
well organized than unionized manual workers./ Contrast BLUE-COLLAR
WORKERS.
[white elephant] {n. phr.} Unwanted property, such as real estate,
that is hard to sell. * /That big house of theirs on the corner sure
is a white elephant./
[white lie] {n. phr.} An innocent social excuse. * /I am too busy
to go to their house for dinner tonight. I will call them and tell a
little white lie about having the flu./
[white sale] {n.} The selling, especially at lower prices, of goods
or clothing usually made of white cloth. * /Mother always buys many
things at the January white sale to save money./
[whitewash] {n.}, {informal} A soothing official report that
attempts to tranquilize the public. * /Some people believe that the
Warren Commission's report on the Kennedy assassination was a
whitewash./
[whitewash something] {v.}, {informal} To explain a major, national
scandal in soothing official terms so as to assure the public that
things are under control and there is no need to panic. * /Many people
in the United States believe that President Kennedy's assassination
was whitewashed by the Warren Commission./ See: WHITEWASH.
[whiz] See: GEE WHIZ.
[who] See: SAYS WHO.
[whodunit] {n.} A detective story; a murder story; a thriller. *
/Agatha Christie was a true master of the whodunit./
[who is who] See: WHO'S WHO.
[who laughs last laughs best] See: HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST.
[whole] See: ALL THE WAY or THE WHOLE WAY, GO THE WHOLE HOG, ON THE
WHOLE, WITH A WHOLE SKIN or IN A WHOLE SKIN.
[whole cheese] {slang} or {informal} [whole show] {n.}, {informal}
The only important person; big boss. * /Joe thought he was the whole
cheese in the game because he owned the ball./ * /You're not the whole
show just because you got all A's./ Compare: BIG CHEESE.
[whole hog] See: GO THE WHOLE HOG.
[whole lot] See: A LOT.
[whole show] See: WHOLE CHEESE.
[whoop it up] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To make a loud noise; have a
noisy celebration; enjoy yourself noisily. * /The team whooped it up
after winning the game./ 2. To praise something enthusiastically;
encourage enthusiasm or support. - Often used with "for". * /Father
wanted to go to the country, but the children whooped it up for the
beach./
[who's who] or [who is who] {informal} 1. Who this one is and who
that one is; who the different ones in a group of people are or what
their names or positions are. * /It is hard to tell who is who in the
parade because everyone in the band looks alike./ * /It took the new
teacher a few days to remember who was who in the class./ Compare:
WHICH IS WHICH. 2. Who the important people are. * /John didn't
recognize the champion on television. He doesn't know who is who in
boxing./ * /After about a year, Mr. Thompson had lived in this town
long enough to know who was who./ Compare: WHAT'S WHAT.
[why and wherefore] {n.} The answer to a question or problem.
Usually used in the plural. * /Father told him not to always ask the
whys and wherefores when he was told to do something./
[wide] See: FAR AND WIDE, GIVE A WIDE BERTH.
[wide-eyed] See: ROUND-EYED.
[wide of the mark] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Far from the target or
the thing aimed at. * /James threw a stone at the cat but it went wide
of the mark./ 2. Far from the truth; incorrect. * /You were wide of
the mark when you said I did it, because Bill did it./ Contrast: HIT
THE BULL'S-EYE, HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.
[widow] See: GOLF WIDOW.
[wiener roast] or [hot dog roast] {n.} A party where frankfurters
are cooked and eaten over an outdoor fire. * /For his birthday party,
John had a wiener roast in his backyard./ * /Mary's Girl Scout troop
had a hot dog roast on their overnight hike./
[wig] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG WIG.
[wild] See: RUN WILD, SOW ONE'S WILD OATS.
[wildcat strike] {n.}, {informal} A strike not ordered by a labor
union; a strike spontaneously arranged by a group of workers. * /The
garbage collectors have gone on a wildcat strike, but the union is
going to stop it./
[wild goose chase] {n. phr.} An absurd and completely futile
errand. * /I was on a wild goose chase when I was sent to find a man
who never really existed./
[wild pitch] {n.} A pitch in baseball that is so high, so low, or
so far from the plate that the catcher cannot catch it and a base
runner can move to the next base. * /The runner went to second base on
a wild pitch./
[will] See: AT WILL, OF ONE'S OWN ACCORD or OF ONE'S OWN FREE WILL.
[will not hear of] {v. phr.} Will not allow or consider, refuse
attention to or permission for. * /I want to go to the show tonight,
but I know my mother will not hear of it./ * /Mary needs another day
to finish her book report, but the teacher won't hear of any delay./ *
/John's father told him he would not hear of his having a car./
[win] See: HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU LOSE.
[wind] See: GET WIND OF, GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB,
GONE WITH THE WIND, IN THE WIND, IT'S AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NOBODY
GOOD, SECOND WIND, STRAW IN THE WIND, TAKE THE WIND OUT OF ONE'S
SAILS, THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND or THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND, THROW
CAUTION TO THE WIND, WAY THE WIND BLOWS or HOW THE WIND BLOWS.
[windbag] {n.} Someone who talks too much; a boring person. *
/Uncle Joe goes on and on; he is a boring windbag./
[windfall] {n.} An unexpected gift or gain of sizeable proportion.
* /The unexpected retroactive pay raise was a most welcome windfall./
[window] See: GO OUT THE WINDOW.
[window dressing] {n. phr.} An elaborate exterior, sometimes
designed to conceal one's real motives. * /All those fancy invitations
turned out to be nothing but window dressing./ * /All he really wanted
was to be introduced to my influential father-in-law./
[wind up] {v.} 1. To tighten the spring of a machine; to make it
work or run. * /Mary wound up the toy car and let it run across the
room./ * /He doesn't have to wind up his watch because it is run by a
battery./ 2. To make very excited, nervous, upset. - Usually used in
the past participle. * /The excitement of her birthday party got Jane
all wound up so she could not sleep./ 3. {informal} To bring or come
to an end; finish; stop. * /John got two hits and wound his afternoon
up with a home run./ * /Before Jim knew it, he had spent all his money
and he wound up broke./ * /The boys followed the path to the left and
wound up where they started./ Syn.: END UP. Compare: FINISH OFF, TURN
OUT(6). 4. To put (your business or personal affairs) in order;
arrange; settle. * /Fred wound up his business and personal affairs
before joining the Navy./ 5. To swing your arm with the ball just
before pitching to a batter. * /The pitcher wound up quickly and then
threw a curve./
[wing] See: CLIP ONE'S WINGS, LEFT-WING, ON THE WING, RIGHT-WING,
UNDER ONE'S WING.
[win hands down] {v. phr.} To win conclusively and without external
help. * /The opposition was so weak that Dan won the election hands
down./
[win in a walk] or [win in a breeze] {v. phr.}, {informal} To win
very easily; win without having to try hard. * /Joe ran for class
president and won in a walk./ * /Our team won the game in a breeze./
Compare: HANDS DOWN.
[wink] See: FORTY WINKS, SLEEP A WINK.
[wink at] {v.} To allow and pretend not to know about (a rule or
law being broken). * /John was not allowed to stay out late at night,
but his parents winked at his being five minutes late./ * /A judge
should never wink at any law-breaking./
[winning streak] {n.} A series of several wins one after the other.
* /The team extended their winning streak to ten./
[win one's spurs] {v. phr.} 1. In old times, to be named a knight
with the right to wear little sharp spikes on your heels. * /A young
squire won his spurs in battle./ 2. To win fame or honor. * /The young
lieutenant won his spurs by leading an attack on enemy machine guns./
* /Edison won his spurs as an inventor while rather young./ * /He has
yet to win his spurs as a big league ball player./
[win out] {v. phr.} To win after a rather protracted struggle. *
/The lawsuit lasted a long time, but we finally won out./
[win over] {v. phr.} To convert to one's position or point of view.
* /The Democrats offered him a high-level executive position and thus
way won him over to their side./
[wipeout] {n.} A total failure. * /The guy is so bad at his job
that he is a total wipeout./
[wipe out] {v.} 1. To remove or erase by wiping or rubbing. * /The
teacher wiped out with an eraser what she had written on the board./
Compare: RUB OUT. 2. {informal} To remove, kill, or destroy
completely. * /The earthquake wiped out the town./ * /Doctors are
searching for a cure that will wipe out cancer./ * /The Indians wiped
out the soldiers who were sent to stop their attacks./ Compare: RUB
OUT, STAMP OUT.
[wipe out an old score] See: SETTLE A SCORE.
[wipe the floor with] or [wipe up the floor with] See: MOP THE
FLOOR WITH.
[wire] See: ACROSS THE WIRE, DOWN TO THE WIRE, PULL STRINGS or PULL
WIRES.
[wise] See: GET WISE, PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH, PUT WISE, THE
WISER.
[wisecrack] {n.} A joke or witty remark usually made at someone
else's expense. * /The comedians kept up a steady stream of
wisecracks./
[wise guy] {n. phr.}, {informal} A person who acts as if he were
smarter than other people; a person who jokes or shows off too much *
/Bill is a wise guy and displeases others by what he says./
[wise up to] {v. phr.}, {slang} To finally understand what is
really going on after a period of ignorance. * /Joe immediately quit
his job when he wised up to what was really going on./
[wish on] {v.} 1. To use as a lucky charm while making a wish. *
/Mary wished on a star that she could go to the dance./ * /Bob wished
on his lucky rabbit's foot that he could pass the test./ 2. or [wish
off on] {informal} To get rid of (something unwanted) by passing it on
to someone else. * /Martha did not like to do the dishes and wished
the job on to her little sister./ * /Tom got a very ugly tie for his
birthday and when Billy's birthday came, Tom wished the tie off on
Billy./
[wit] See: AT ONE'S WITS' END, KEEP ONE'S HEAD or KEEP ONE'S WITS
ABOUT ONE, SCARE OUT OF ONE'S WITS.
[witch-hunt] {n. phr.} A hysterical movement during which people
are persecuted for having views (political or religious) considered
different or unpopular. * /During the McCarthy era many innocent
Americans were accused of being Communists, as Republican patriotism
deteriorated into a witch-hunt./
[with a free hand] See: FREE HAND.
[with a grain of salt] or [with a pinch of salt] See: TAKE WITH A
GRAIN OF SALT.
[with all one's heart] See: FROM THE BOTTOM OF ONE'S HEART.
[with an eye to] See: EYE TO.
[with a silver spoon in one's mouth] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON
IN ONE'S MOUTH.
[with a whole skin] also [in a whole skin] {adv. phr.} With no
injury; unhurt; safely. * /The boy was lucky to escape with a whole
skin when the car went off the road./ * /Jack came through the game
with a whole skin./ * /The horse threw him off, but he got away in a
whole skin./ Syn.: SAFE AND SOUND.
[with bad grace] or [with a bad grace] {adv. phr.} In an unpleasant
or discourteous way; unwillingly, * /Fred takes defeat with bad
grace./ * /Tom shouted "Hello" to Bill. Bill was in a sour mood and
replied with a bad grace./ Contrast: WITH GOOD GRACE.
[with bells on] {adv. phr.}, {informal} With enthusiasm; eager or
ready and in the best of spirits for an event. * /"Will you come to
the farewell party I'm giving for Billy?" asked Jerry. "I'll be there
with bells on," replied Ed./
[with child] {adv. phr.}, {literary} Going to have a baby;
pregnant. * /The angel told Mary she was with child./ Compare: IN A
FAMILY WAY or IN THE FAMILY WAY.
[wither on the vine] See: DIE ON THE VINE.
[with fire] See: PLAY WITH FIRE.
[with flying colors] {adv. phr.} With great or total success;
victoriously. * /Tow finished the race with flying colors./ * /Mary
came through the examination with flying colors./
[with good grace] {adv. phr.} With pleasant and courteous behavior;
politely; willingly; without complaining. * /The boys had been
well-coached; they took the loss of the game with good grace./ * /The
principal scolded Nora, who accepted his criticism with good grace./
Contrast: WITH BAD GRACE.
[with heart and soul] See: HEART AND SOUL.
[within an ace of] {informal} or [within an inch of] {adv. phr.}
Almost but not quite; very close to; nearly. * /Tim came within an ace
of losing the election./ * /John was within an inch of drowning before
he was pulled out of the water./ Compare: BY THE SKIN OF ONE'S TEETH.
[within an inch of one's life] {adv. phr.} Until you are almost
dead; near to dying. * /The bear clawed the hunter within an inch of
his life./ Often used after "to". * /The prize fighter was beaten to
within an inch of his life./
[within bounds] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Inside of the boundary
lines in a game; on or inside of the playing field. * /You must hit
the ball inside the lines of the tennis court or it will not be within
bounds./ * /If you kick the football over a side-line, it will not be
in bounds./ 2. Inside of a place where one is allowed to go or be. *
/The soldiers are within bounds on one side of the city, but are out
of bounds on the other side./ 3. Inside of safe or proper limits;
allowable. * /If you ask Father for a quarter, he might give it to
you, but a dollar would not be within bounds./ * /He succeeded in
keeping his temper within bounds./ Contrast: OUT OF BOUNDS.
[within call] or [within hail] {adv. phr.} 1. Near enough to hear
each other's voices. * /When the two ships were within hail, their
officers exchanged messages./ * /Billy's mother told him to stay
within call because supper was nearly ready./ 2. In a place where you
can be reached by phone, radio, or TV and be called. * /The sick man
was very low and the doctor stayed within call./ * /The soldiers were
allowed to leave the base by day, but had to stay within call./
[within reason] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Within the limits of good
sense; in reasonable control or check; moderate. * /I want you to have
a good time tonight, within reason./ * /If Tom wants to go to the
fair, he must keep his expenses within reason./ * /Jean's plans are
quite within reason./
[with it] See: GET WITH IT.
[with might and main] {adv. phr.} With full strength or complete
effort. * /The sailors pulled the rope with might and main./ * /John
tried with all his might and main to solve the problem./
[with one's boots on] See: DIE IN ONE'S BOOTS or DIE WITH ONE'S
BOOTS ON.
[with one's pants down] See: CATCH ONE WITH ONE'S PANTS DOWN.
[with open arms] {adv. phr.} 1. With the arms spread wide for
hugging or catching. * /When Father came home from work, little Sally
ran out to meet him with open arms./ * /Dick stood under the window
with open arms, and Jean dropped the bag of laundry down to him./ 2.
With words or actions showing that you are glad to see someone;
gladly, warmly, eagerly. * /When Grandmother came to visit us at
Christmas, we welcomed her with open arms./ * /After his pioneering
flight in the Friendship VII, Col. John Glenn was welcomed with open
arms' by the people of his hometown./
[without] See: DO WITHOUT or GO WITHOUT, MAKE BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW,
RECKON WITHOUT.
[without a paddle] See: UP THE CREEK or UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A
PADDLE.
[without batting an eye] or [without batting an eyelash] See: BAT
AN EYE.
[without fail] {adv. phr.} Without failing to do it or failing in
the doing of it; certainly, surely. * /Be here at 8 o'clock sharp,
without fail./ * /Ben promised to return the bike at a certain time
without fail./
[without number] See: BEYOND NUMBER.
[without rhyme or reason] See: RHYME OR REASON.
[with reference to] See: IN REFERENCE TO.
[with regard to] See: IN REFERENCE TO.
[with relation to] See: IN RELATION TO.
[with respect to] See: IN RESPECT TO.
[with the best] or [with the best of them] {adv. phr.} As well as
anyone. * /Bob could horseback ride with the best of them, but he
never boasted about it./ * /John can bowl with the best of them./
[with the Joneses] See: KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES.
[wolf] See: CRY WOLF, KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR, LONE WOLF, THROW
TO THE WOLVES.
[wolf in sheep's clothing] {n. phr.} A person who pretends to be
good but really is bad. * /Mrs. Martin trusted the lawyer until she
realized that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing./ * /Mr. Black was
fooled by the salesman's manners until he showed that he was really a
wolf in sheep's clothing by selling Mr. Black a car that was falling
apart./
[wonder] See: NO WONDER also SMALL WONDER.
[woo] See: PITCH WOO.
[wood] See: CAN'T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES, KNOCK ON WOOD, SAW
WOOD.
[woodpile] See: NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE.
[woods] See: BABE IN THE WOODS, CROW BEFORE ONE IS OUT OF THE
WOODS, NECK OF THE WOODS, TAKE TO THE WOODS.
[wool] See: ALL WOOL AND A YARD WIDE, PULL THE WOOL OVER ONE'S
EYES.
[word] See: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS, AS GOOD AS ONE'S WORD,
BY WORD OF MOUTH, EAT ONE'S WORDS, FROM THE WORD "GO", GET A WORD IN,
GET THE MESSAGE or GET THE WORD, HANG ON THE WORDS OF, IN BRIEF or IN
A WORD, IN SO MANY WORDS, LAST WORD, MAN OF FEW WORDS, MAN OF HIS
WORD, MUM IS THE WORD, PLAY ON WORDS, PUT WORDS INTO ONE'S MOUTH, SAY
THE WORD, SWALLOW ONE'S WORDS, TAKE AT ONE'S WORD, TAKE THE WORDS OUT
OF ONE'S MOUTH, WEASEL WORD, WEIGH ONE'S WORDS.
[word for word] {adv. phr.} In exactly the same words. * /Mary
copied Sally's composition word for word./ * /Joan repeated the
conversation word for word./ * /She learned the poem many years ago
but she recited it word for word./
[word of mouth] {n. phr.} Communication by oral rather than written
means. * /The merchant told us that the best customers he had were
recommended to him by word of mouth./
[words of one syllable] {n. phr.} Language that makes the meaning
very clear; simple, or frank language. - Usually used after "in". *
/Mary explained the job to Ann in words of one syllable so that she
would be sure to understand./ * /Some people say that John is cute and
mischievous, but in words of one syllable, he's just a brat./ Compare:
IN SO MANY WORDS, SPELL OUT.
[word to the wise] {n. phr.} A word of warning or advice which the
intelligent person is expected to follow. - A proverb. * /I had once
spoken to him about being late all the time, and thought that a word
to the wise was enough./
[work] See: ALL IN A DAY'S WORK, ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A
DULL BOY, AT WORK, BUSY WORK, IN THE WORKS, MAKE SHORT WORK OF, MANY
HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK, SHOOT THE WORKS, THE WORKS, IN THE WORKS.
[work cut out] See: CUT OUT(2).
[worked up] also [wrought up] {adj.}, {literary} Feeling strongly;
excited; angry; worried. * /Mary was all worked up about the exam./ *
/John got worked up when they blamed him for losing the game./
Compare: ON EDGE.
[work in] {v.} 1. To rub in. * /The nurse told Mary to put some
cream on her skin and to work it in gently with her fingers./ 2. To
slip in; mix in; put in; * /When Mary was planning the show, she
worked a part in for her friend Susan./
[working girl] {n.}, {slang} 1. ({vulgar}, {avoidable}) A
prostitute. * /I didn't know Roxanne was a working girl./ 2. A girl,
usually single, who supports herself by working in an honest job, such
as in an office, etc. * /The average working girl can't afford such a
fancy car./
[work into] {v.} 1. Force into little by little. * /John worked his
foot into the boot by pushing and pulling./ 2. Put into; mix into. *
/Mary worked some blue into the rug she was weaving./
[work off] {v.} To make (something) go away, especially by working.
* /John worked off the fat around his waist by doing exercise every
morning./ * /Mr. Smith worked off his anger by chopping wood./
[work on] also [work upon] {v.} 1. Have an effect on; influence. *
/Some pills work on the nerves and make people feel more relaxed./ 2.
To try to influence or convince. * /Senator Smith worked on the other
committee members to vote for the bill./
[work one's fingers to the bone] {v. phr.} To work very hard. * /"I
have to work my fingers to the bone for a measly pittance of a
salary," Fred complained./
[workout] {n.} A physical exercise session. * /My morning workout
consists of sit-ups and push-ups./
[work out] {v. phr.} 1. To find an answer to. * /John worked out
his math problems all by himself./ * /Mary had trouble getting along
with her roommate, but they worked it out./ Compare: FIGURE OUT. 2. To
plan; develop. * /Mary worked out a beautiful design for a sweater./ *
/Alice worked out a new hair-do./ 3. To accomplish; arrange. * /The
engineers worked out a system for getting electricity to the factory./
4. To be efficient; get results. * /If the traffic plan works out, it
will be used in other cities too./ 5. To exercise. * /John works out
in the gym two hours every day./
[work over] {v. phr.}, {slang} To beat someone up very roughly in
order to intimidate him or extort payment, etc. * /Matthew was worked
over by the hoodlums in the park right after midnight./
[work through channels] {v. phr.} To go through the proper
procedures and officials. * /At a state university everybody must work
through channels to get things done./
[work up] {v.} 1. To stir up; arouse; excite. * /I can't work up
any interest in this book./ * /He worked up a sweat weeding the
garden./ 2. To develop; originate. * /He worked up an interesting plot
for a play./
[work upon] See: WORK ON.
[world] See: COME UP IN THE WORLD or RISE IN THE WORLD, DEAD TO THE
WORLD, FOR ALL THE WORLD, IN A WORLD OF ONE'S OWN or IN A WORLD BY
ONESELF, IN THE WORLD, LOOK AT THE WORLD THROUGH ROSE-COLORED GLASSES,
NOT FOR THE WORLD, ON TOP OF THE WORLD or SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD,
OUT OF THIS WORLD, SET THE WORLD ON FIRE, THIRD WORLD.
[world is one's oyster] Everything is possible for you; the world
belongs to you; you can get anything you want. * /When John won the
scholarship, he felt as though the world was his oyster./ * /The rich
girl acts as though the world is her oyster./
[world on one's shoulders] See: WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S
SHOULDERS.
[world on one's back] See: WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS.
[world without end] {adv. phr.}, {literary} Endlessly; forever;
eternally. * /Each human being has to die, but mankind goes on world
without end./
[worlds apart] {adj. phr.} Completely different; in total
disagreement. * /Jack and Al never agree on anything; they are worlds
apart in their thinking./
[worm] See: EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM or EARLY BIRD GETS THE
WORM.
[worm in] {v. phr.} To insinuate oneself; penetrate gradually. *
/By cultivating the friendship of a few of the prominent merchants,
Peter hoped to worm his way into that exclusive elite of export
magnates./
[worm may turn] Even the meek will ultimately rebel if always
maltreated. * /Sam may think that he can continue to mistreat his
wife, but, knowing her, I think that some day the worm may turn./
[warm out] {v. phr.} To learn through persistent questioning; draw
out from. * /I finally wormed out of her the reason she broke off her
engagement to Larry./
[worn to a frazzle] {adj. phr.} To be fatigued; be exhausted. *
/I'm worn to a frazzle cooking for all these guests./
[worrywart] {n. phr.} A person who always worries. * /"Stop being
such a worrywart," Bob said to Alice, who was constantly weighing
herself on the bathroom scale./
[worse] See: BARK WORSE THAN ONE'S BITE, FOR BETTER OR WORSE or FOR
BETTER OR FOR WORSE, FOR THE WORSE, GO FROM BAD TO WORSE.
[worse for wear] {adj. phr.} Not as good as new; worn out; damaged
by use. - Used with "the". * /Her favorite tablecloth was beginning to
look the worse for wear./ - Often used with "none" to mean: as good as
new. * /The doll was Mary's favorite toy but it was none the worse for
wear./
[worst] See: GET THE WORST OF also HAVE THE WORST OF, IF WORST
COMES TO WORST.
[worth] See: BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH, FOR ALL ONE
IS WORTH, GAME IS NOT WORTH THE CANDLE, NOT WORTH A TINKER'S DAMN,
WORTH A CENT.
[worth a cent] {adj. phr.} Worth anything; of any value. - Used in
negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. * /The book was
old and it was not worth a cent./
[worth one's salt] {adj. phr.} Being a good worker, or a productive
person; worth what you cost. * /Mr. Brown showed that he was worth his
salt as a salesman when he got the highest sales record for the year./
- Often used with "not" or "hardly". * /When the basketball team did
so poorly, people felt that the coach was hardly worth his salt./
Compare: PAY ONE'S WAY(2).
[would-be] {adj.} Aspiring. * /The Broadway casting offices are
always full of would-be actors./
[would that] or [I would that] or [would God] or [would heaven]
{literary} I wish that. - Used at the beginning of a sentence
expressing a wish; followed by a verb in the subjunctive; found mostly
in poetry and older literature. * /Would that I could only drop
everything and join you./ * /Would that my mother were alive to see me
married./ Syn.: IF ONLY.
[wouldn't put it past one] {v. phr.} To think that someone is quite
capable or likely to have done something undesirable or illegal. *
/Congressman Alfonso is insisting that he didn't violate congressional
ethics, but knowing both his expensive habits and his amorous
escapades, many of us wouldn't put it past him that he might have
helped himself to funds illegally./
[wrack] See: GO TO WRACK AND RUIN.
[wrap] See: UNDER WRAPS.
[wrap one around one's finger] See: TWIST ONE AROUND ONE'S LITTLE
FINGER.
[wrapped up in] {adj. phr.} Thinking only of; interested only in. *
/John has no time for sports because he is all wrapped up in his
work./ * /Mary was so wrapped up in her book she didn't hear her
mother calling her./ * /Jean is so wrapped up in herself, she never
thinks of helping others./ * /Mrs. Brown gave up her career because
her life was all wrapped up in her children./ Compare: IN A WORLD OF
ONE'S OWN (2b).
[wrap up] or [bundle up] {v. phr.} 1. To put on warm clothes; dress
warmly. * /Mother told Mary to wrap up before going out into the
cold./ 2. {informal} To finish (a job). * /Let's wrap up the job and
go home./ 3. {informal} To win a game. * /The Mets wrapped up the
baseball game in the seventh inning./
[wreak havoc with] {v. phr.} To cause damage; ruin something. *
/His rebellious attitude is bound to wreak havoc at the company./
[wrench] See: THROW A MONKEY WRENCH.
[wringing wet] adj. Wet through and through; soaked; dripping. *
/He was wringing wet because he was caught in the rain without an
umbrella./ * /He was wringing wet after working in the fields in the
hot sun./
[write home about] {v. phr.} To become especially enthusiastic or
excited about; boast about. - Often used after "to". * /Mary's trip to
the World's Fair was something to write home about./ * /Joe did a good
enough job of painting but it was nothing to write home about./ *
/"That was a dinner worth writing home about!" said Bill coming out of
the restaurant./
[write off] {v. phr.} 1. To remove (an amount) from a business
record; cancel (a debt); accept as a loss. * /If a customer dies when
he owes the store money, the store must often write it off./ Compare:
CHARGE OFF. 2. To accept (a loss or trouble) and not worry anymore
about it; forget. * /Mr. Brown had so much trouble with the new TV set
that he finally wrote it off and bought a new one./ * /Jim's mistake
cost him time and money, but he wrote it off to experience./ Compare:
CHARGE OFF(2). Contrast: CHALK UP(2). To say that (something) will
fail or not be good; believe worthless. * /Just because the boys on
the team are young, don't write the team off./ Compare: COUNT OUT.
[write-off] {n.} A loss. * /This last unfortunate business venture
of ours is an obvious write-off./
[writer's cramp] {n.} Pain in the fingers or hand caused by too
much writing. * /Holding your pencil too tightly for too long often
gives you writer's cramp./ Often used humorously to stress the idea
that you have been doing a lot of writing./ * /By the time Mary
finished her Christmas cards she complained of writer's cramp./
[writer's block] {n. phr.} A condition of being unable to write; a
period when the words just won't come. * /One of the more common
problems writers occasionally experience is a writer's block that may
last a shorter or a longer time./ * /They say that the reason for
Ernest Hemingway's suicide was a severe and seemingly endless writer's
block./
[write-up] {n.} A report or story in a newspaper or magazine. *
/There was a write-up of the accident in the newspaper./ * /I read an
interesting write-up about the President in a new magazine./
[write up] {v.} 1. To write the story of; describe in writing; give
a full account of. * /Reporters from many newspapers are here to write
up the game./ * /The magazine is writing up the life of the
President./ 2. To put something thought or talked about into writing;
finish writing (something). * /John took notes of what the teacher
said in class and he wrote them up when he got home./ * /The author
had an idea for a story when he saw the old house, and he wrote it up
later./
[writing] or [handwriting on the wall] {n. phr.}, {literary} A
warning; a message of some urgency. * /"This nuclear plant is about to
explode, I think," the chief engineer said. "We'd better get out of
here in a hurry, the handwriting is on the wall."/
[wrong] See: BARK UP THE WRONG TREE, BET ON THE WRONG HORSE, GET
OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT, GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED, IN THE
WRONG, LAUGH ON THE WRONG SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH, RUB THE WRONG WAY.
[wrong side of the tracks] See: THE TRACKS.
[wrought up] See: WORKED UP.
[x-double minus] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal} Extremely poorly done,
bad, inferior (said mostly about theatrical or musical performances).
* /Patsy gave an x-double minus performance at the audition and lost
her chance for the lead role./
[X marks the spot] An indication made on maps or documents of
importance to call attention to a place or a feature of some
importance. * /The treasure hunter said to his companion, "Here it is;
X marks the spot."/
[x-rated] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal} Pertaining to movies,
magazines, and literature judged pornographic and therefore off limits
for minors. * /My son celebrated his 21st birthday by going to an
x-rated movie./
[x-raying machine] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
Speed detection device by radar used by the police. * /The smokies are
using the x-raying machine under the bridge!/
[yak-yak] or [yakety-yak] or [yakib-yak] {n.}, {slang} Much talk
about little things; talking all the time about unimportant things. *
/Tom sat behind two girls on the bus and he got tired of their silly
yak-yak./
[year] See: ALONG IN YEARS or ON IN YEARS.
[year in, year out] See: DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
[year-round] or [year-around] {adj.} Usable, effective, or
operating all the year. * /Colorado is a year-round resort; there is
fishing in the summer and skiing in the winter./
[yellow around the gills] See: GREEN AROUND THE GILLS.
[yellow-bellied] {adj.}, {slang} Extremely timid, cowardly. * /Joe
Bennett is a yellow-bellied guy, don't send him on such a tough
assignment!/
[yellow journalism] {n. phr.} Cheap and sensational newspaper
writing; inflammatory language designed to stir up popular sentiment
against another country. * /Yellow journalism is hardly ever truly
informative./
[yellow-livered] {adj.} Cowardly. * /The young boy greatly resented
being called yellow-livered and started to fight right away./
[yeoman service] {n. phr.} Help in time of need; serviceable and
good assistance. * /Sam was pressed into yeoman service in organizing
our annual fundraiser for cerebral palsy victims./
[yes-man] {n.}, {informal} A person who tries to be liked by
agreeing with everything said; especially, someone who always agrees
with a boss or the one in charge. * /John tries to get ahead on his
job by being a yes-man./
[yesterday] See: BORN YESTERDAY.
[yon] See: HITHER AND THITHER or HITHER AND YON.
[yoo-hoo] {interj.} - Used as an informal call or shout to a person
to attract his attention. * /Louise opened the door and called
"Yoo-hoo, Mother - are you home?"/ See: ALL RIGHT FOR YOU, I'M TELLING
YOU, SAYS WHO or SAYS YOU, THAT'S --- FOR YOU, WHAT HAVE YOU.
[you bet] or [you bet your boots] or [you bet your life] {informal}
Most certainly; yes, indeed; without any doubt. - Used to declare with
emphasis that a thing is really so. * /Do I like to ski? You bet your
life I do./ * /You bet I will be at the party./ * /You can bet your
boots that Johnny will come home when his money is gone./ Compare: BET
ONE'S BOTTOM DOLLAR.
[you can say that again] See: YOU SAID IT.
[you can't teach an old dog new tricks] It is very hard or almost
impossible to train an older person to acquire some new skill. - A
proverb. * /You'll never teach your grandfather how to do his income
tax on a personal computer. You can't teach an old dog new tricks./
[you don't say] {interj.}, {informal} - Used to show surprise at
what is said. * /Your ring is a real diamond? You don't say!/ * /"Bill
and Jean are going to get married." "You don't say!"/ Syn.: DO TELL.
[your] See: HANG ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD YOUR
HAT, YOU BET YOUR BOOTS or YOU BET YOUR LIFE.
[you're telling me] {interj.}, {informal} - Used to show that a
thing is so clear that it need not be said, or just to show strong
agreement. * /"You're late." "You're telling me!"/ Compare: YOU BET,
YOU SAID IT.
[you said it] or [you can say that again] {interj.}, {slang} - Used
to show strong agreement with what another person has said. * /"That
sure was a good show." "You said it!"/ * /"It sure is hot!" "You can
say that again!"/ Compare: SAY A MOUTHFUL.
[you tell 'em] {interj.}, {slang} - Used to agree with or encourage
someone in what he is saying. * /The drunk was arguing with the
bartenders and a man cried, "You tell 'em!"/
[yours truly] {adv. phr.} 1. Signing off at the end of letters. *
/Yours truly, Tom Smith./ 2. I, the first person singular pronoun,
frequently abbreviated as t.y. * /As t.y. has often pointed out.../ *
/T.y. is not really interested in the offer./
[yum-yum] {interj.}, {informal} - Used usually by or to children,
to express great delight, especially in the taste of food. *
/"Yum-Yum! That pie is good!"/
[zero hour] {n.} 1. The exact time when an attack or other military
action is supposed to start. * /Zero hour for the bombers to take off
was midnight./ 2. The time when an important decision or change is
supposed to come; the time for a dangerous action. * /It was zero hour
and the doctor began the operation on the man./ * /On the day of the
championship game, as the zero hour came near, the players grew
nervous./
[zero in on] {v.} 1. To adjust a gun so that it will exactly hit (a
target); aim at. * /Big guns were zeroed in on the enemy fort./ *
/American missiles have been zeroed in on certain targets, to be fired
if necessary./ 2. {slang} To give your full attention to. * /The
Senate zeroed in on the Latin-American problems./ * /Let's zero in on
grammar tonight./
[zip one's lip] See: BUTTON ONE'S LIP.
[zone defense] {n.} A defense in a sport (as basketball or
football) in which each player has to defend a certain area. * /The
coach taught his team a zone defense because he thought his players
weren't fast enough to defend against individual opponents./
[zonk out] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To fall asleep very quickly. *
/Can I talk to Joe? - Call back tomorrow, he zonked out./ 2. To pass
out from fatigue, or alcohol. * /You won't get a coherent word out of
Joe, he has zonked out./
[zoom in] {v. phr.} 1. To rapidly close in on (said of airplanes
and birds of prey). * /The fighter planes zoomed in on the enemy
target./ 2. To make a closeup of someone or something with a camera. *
/The photographer zoomed in on the tiny colibri as it hovered over a
lovely tropical flower./
[well-off] {adj. phr.} 1. Rich. * /They may not be millionaires,
but they are sufficiently well-off./ 2. In good condition; free of
problems or difficulties./ * /He is pleased that his business is
well-off./
[well put] {adj. phr.} Well expressed or defined. * /His remarks
about too much violence on television were extremely well put./
[well-to-do] {adj.} Having or making enough money to live
comfortably; prosperous. * /John's father owns a company and his
family is well-to-do./ - Often used with "the" like a plural noun. *
/This is the part of town where the well-to-do live./ Compare: IN THE
LAP OF LUXURY, IN THE CHIPS, ON EASY STREET.
[wet] See: ALL WET, GET ONE'S FEET WET, MAD AS A WET HEN, WRINGING
WET.
[wet behind the ears] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not experienced; not
knowing how to do something; new in a job or place. * /The new student
is still wet behind the ears; he has not yet learned the tricks that
the boys play on each other./ Compare: DRY BEHIND THE EARS.
[wet blanket] {n.}, {informal} A person or thing that keeps others
from enjoying life. * /The teenagers don't invite Bob to their parties
because he is a wet blanket./ * /The weatherman throws a wet blanket
on picnic plans when he forecasts rain./ Compare: CREPE HANGER.
[wet one's whistle] {v. phr.}, {slang} To have a drink, especially
of liquor. * /Uncle Willie told John to wait outside for a minute
while he went in to the cafe to wet his whistle./
[whack] See: OUT OF WHACK.
[whale away] {v.}, {informal} 1. To beat or hit hard; strike again
and again. - Often used with "at". * /The boxer is whaling away at his
opponent with both fists./ 2. To attack severely or again and again;
go on without stopping or with great force; pound away. * /Mary has
been whaling away on the typewriter for an hour./ - Often used with
"at". * /During the election the Mayor whaled away at the other party
in his speeches./
[whale the --- out of] See: BEAT THE --- OUT OF.
[what] See: COME WHAT MAY, GET WHAT'S COMING TO ONE, I'LL TELL YOU
WHAT, JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, SO WHAT.
[what about] {interrog.} 1. About or concerning what; in connection
with what. - Often used alone as a question. * /"I want to talk to
you." "What about?"/ Compare: WHAT FOR. 2. See: WHAT OF IT. 3. See:
HOW ABOUT.
[what about that] See: HOW ABOUT THAT.
[What a pity!] How unfortunate! What a shame! * /What a pity that
he couldn't join us on our Hawaiian trip./
[what for(1)] {interrog.} For what reason; why? * /I told Mary what
I was going to town for./ * /What are you running for?/ - Often used
alone as a question. * /Billy's mother told him to wear his hat. "What
for?" he asked./ Compare: HOW COME.
[what for(2)] {n. phr.}, {informal} A scolding, or other
punishment. - Usually used with "get" or "give". * /Tom got what for
from his father for answering him rudely, and I heard him crying in
the house./ * /The teacher gave me what for because I was late./
[what have you] or [what not] {n. phr.}, {informal} Whatever you
like or want; anything else like that. * /The store sells big ones,
small ones, medium ones, or what have you./ * /We found suits, coats,
hats and what not in the closet./ Syn.: AND SO FORTH.
[what if] What would, or will, happen if; what is the difference
if; suppose that. * /What if you go instead of me?/ * /What if we
paint it red. How will it look?/ * /"You can't go now" said mother.
"What if I do?" Dick asked./ * /What if Jack scores a touchdown?/
[what is what] See: WHAT'S WHAT.
[what of it] or [what about it] {interj.}, {informal} What is wrong
with it; what do you care. * /Martha said "That boy is wearing a green
coat." Jan answered, "What of it?"/ * /"John missed the bus." "What of
it?"/ Syn.: SO WHAT.
[what not] See: WHAT HAVE YOU.
[what's cooking] See: WHAT'S UP.
[what's doing] See: WHAT'S UP..
[what's sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander] What goes for
the one, also goes for the other. - A proverb. * /If Herb gets a
speeding ticket, so should Erica, who was right behind him; after all,
what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander./
[what's the big idea] or [what's the idea] {informal} What is the
purpose; what do you have in mind; why did you do that; what are you
doing; how dare you. - Often used to question someone or something
that is not welcome. * /The Smith family painted their house red,
white, and blue. What's the big idea?/ * /What's the idea of coming in
here after I told you not to?/ * /I heard you are spreading false
rumors about me, what's the big idea?/
[what's the idea] See: WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA.
[what's up] or [what's cooking] also [what's doing] {slang} What is
happening or planned; what is wrong. - Often used as a greeting. *
/"What's up?" asked Bob as he joined his friends. "Are you going to
the movies?"/ * /What's cooking? Why is the crowd in the street?/ *
/What's doing tonight at the club?/ * /Hello Bob, what's up?/ Compare:
WHAT'S WITH.
[what's what] or [what is what] {n. phr.}, {informal} 1. What each
thing is in a group; one thing from another. * /The weeds and the
flowers are coming up together, and we can't tell what is what./ 2.
All that needs to be known about something; the important facts or
skills. * /Richard did the wrong thing, because he is new here and
doesn't yet know what's what./ * /When Bob started his new job, it
took him several weeks to learn what was what./ * /When it comes to
cooking, Jenny knows what's what./ * /Harold began to tell the teacher
how to teach the class, and the teacher told him what was what./
Compare: WHICH IS WHICH, WHO'S WHO.
[what's with] or [what's up with] also [what's by] {slang} What is
happening to; what is wrong; how is everything; what can you tell me
about. * /Mary looks worried. What's with her?/ * /What's with our old
friends?/ * /I'm fine. What's with you?/
[what with] {prep.} Because; as a result of. * /I couldn't visit
you, what with the snowstorm and the cold I had./ * /What with dishes
to wash and children to put to bed, mother was late to the meeting./
Compare: ON ACCOUNT OF.
[wheel] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG WHEEL, GREASE THE WHEELS, PUT ONE'S
SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL.
[wheel and deal] {v. phr.}, {slang} To make many big plans or
schemes; especially with important people in government and business;
in matters of money and influence; handle money or power for your own
advantage; plan important matters in a smart or skillful way and
sometimes in a tricky, or not strictly honest way. * /Mr. Smith made a
fortune by wheeling and dealing on the stock market./ * /The senator
got this law passed by wheeling and dealing in Congress./ -
[wheeler-dealer] {n. phr.}, {slang} A person with power and control. *
/The biggest wheeler-dealer in the state has many friends in high
places in business and government and is a rich man himself./
[wheelhorse] {n. phr.} A reliable and industrious worker on whom
one may depend. * /Jake is such a good worker that he is the
wheelhorse of our tiny firm./
[when hell freezes over] {adv. phr.}, {slang} Never. * /I'll
believe you when hell freezes over./ Contrast: UNTIL HELL FREEZES
OVER.
[when it comes to] See: COME TO(4).
[when one's ship comes in] See: SHIP COME IN.
[when push comes to shove] {adv. phr.} A time when a touchy
situation becomes actively hostile or a quarrel turns into a fight. *
/Can we count on the boss' goodwill, when push comes to shove?/
[when the chips are down] {adv. cl.}, {informal} When the winner
and loser of a bet or a game are decided; at the most important or
dangerous time. * /Tom hit a home run in the last inning of the game
when the chips were down./ * /When the chips were down, the two
countries decided not to have war./ (From the fact that in gambling
games, a person puts chips or money down in front of him to show that
he is willing to risk an amount in a bet.)
[where] See: TELL ONE WHERE TO GET OFF or TELL ONE WHERE TO HEAD
IN.
[wherefore] See: WHY AND WHEREFORE.
[where it's at] {adv. phr.}, {informal} That which is important;
that which is at the forefront of on-going social, personal, or
scientific undertakings. * /Young, talented and black, that's where
it's at./ * /We send sophisticated machines to Mars instead of people,
that's where it's at./
[where the shoe pinches] {n. phr.}, {informal} Where or what the
discomfort or trouble is. * /Johnny thinks the job is easy, but he
will find out where the shoe pinches when he tries it./ * /The coach
said he wasn't worried about any position except quarterback; that was
where the shoe pinched./
[whether one is coming or going] See: KNOW IF ONE IS COMING OR
GOING.
[whether --- or] or [whether --- or whether[] 1. {coord. conj.}
Used to introduce an indirect question. * /You must decide whether you
should go or stay./ * /I don't know whether Jack or Bill is a better
player./ Compare: EITHER --- OR(2). Used to show a choice of things,
or that different things are possible. * /Whether the bicycle was blue
or red, it didn't matter to Frank./
[which] See: GAME AT WHICH TWO CAN PLAY.
[which is which] {n. phr.} Which is one person or thing and which
is the other; one from another; what the difference is between
different ones; what the name of each one is. * /Joe's coat and mine
are so nearly alike that I can't tell which is which./ * /Mr. Hadley
hadn't seen his friend's daughters in such a long time that he
couldn't remember which was which./ Compare: WHAT'S WHAT, WHO'S WHO.
[which was which] See: WHICH is WHICH.
[while] See: AFTER A WHILE or IN A WHILE, ALL THE TIME(1), EVERY
NOW AND THEN or EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ONCE IN A WHILE.
[while ago] {adv.} At a time several minutes in the past; a few
minutes ago; a short time ago. - Used with "a". * /I laid mv glasses
on this table a while ago; and now they're gone./ * /A while ago, Mary
was tired and wanted to go home; now she's dancing with Bob as if she
could dance all night./ Compare: JUST NOW(2).
[while away] {v.} To make time go by pleasantly or without being
bored; pass or spend. * /We whiled away the time that we were waiting
by talking and playing cards./ * /We whiled away the summer swimming
and fishing./
[while back] {adv.} At a time several weeks or months in the past.
- Used with "a". * /We had a good rain a while back, but we need more
now./ * /Grandfather is well now, but a while back he was in the
hospital for three weeks./ See: CRACK THE WHIP.
[whip hand] See: UPPER HAND.
[whipping boy] {n. phr.} The person who gets punished for someone
else's mistake. * /"I used to be the whipping boy during my early days
at the company," he musingly remembered./
[whip up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To make or do quickly or easily. *
/Mary whipped up a lunch for the picnic./ * /The reporter whipped up a
story about the fire for his paper./ 2. To make active; stir to
action; excite. * /The girls are trying to whip up interest for a
dance Saturday night./ Compare: STIR UP, WHOOP IT UP(2).
[whispering campaign] {n.} The spreading of false rumors, or saying
bad things, about a person or group, especially in politics or public
life. * /A bad man has started a whispering campaign against the
mayor, saying that he isn't honest./
[whistle] See: BLOW THE WHISTLE ON, WET ONE'S WHISTLE.
[whistle a different tune] See: SING A DIFFERENT TUNE.
[whistle for] {v.}, {informal} To try to get (something) but fail;
look for (something) that will not come. * /Mary didn't even thank us
for helping her, so the next time she needs help she can whistle for
it./
[whistle in the dark] {v. phr.}, {informal} To try to stay brave
and forget your fear. * /Tom said he could fight the bully with one
hand, but we knew that he was just whistling in the dark./ (From the
fact that people sometimes whistle when walking in a dark, scary place
to keep up their courage.)
[whistle-stop] {n.} A small town where the trains only stop on a
special signal. * /President Truman made excellent use of the
whistle-stop during his 1948 campaign for the presidency./
[white] See: BLACK AND WHITE, IN BLACK AND WHITE.
[white around the gills] See: GREEN AROUND THE GILLS.
[white-collar workers] {n. phr.} Workers employed in offices and at
desks as opposed to those who work as manual workers; the middle
class. * /It is a well-known fact that white-collar workers are less
well organized than unionized manual workers./ Contrast BLUE-COLLAR
WORKERS.
[white elephant] {n. phr.} Unwanted property, such as real estate,
that is hard to sell. * /That big house of theirs on the corner sure
is a white elephant./
[white lie] {n. phr.} An innocent social excuse. * /I am too busy
to go to their house for dinner tonight. I will call them and tell a
little white lie about having the flu./
[white sale] {n.} The selling, especially at lower prices, of goods
or clothing usually made of white cloth. * /Mother always buys many
things at the January white sale to save money./
[whitewash] {n.}, {informal} A soothing official report that
attempts to tranquilize the public. * /Some people believe that the
Warren Commission's report on the Kennedy assassination was a
whitewash./
[whitewash something] {v.}, {informal} To explain a major, national
scandal in soothing official terms so as to assure the public that
things are under control and there is no need to panic. * /Many people
in the United States believe that President Kennedy's assassination
was whitewashed by the Warren Commission./ See: WHITEWASH.
[whiz] See: GEE WHIZ.
[who] See: SAYS WHO.
[whodunit] {n.} A detective story; a murder story; a thriller. *
/Agatha Christie was a true master of the whodunit./
[who is who] See: WHO'S WHO.
[who laughs last laughs best] See: HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST.
[whole] See: ALL THE WAY or THE WHOLE WAY, GO THE WHOLE HOG, ON THE
WHOLE, WITH A WHOLE SKIN or IN A WHOLE SKIN.
[whole cheese] {slang} or {informal} [whole show] {n.}, {informal}
The only important person; big boss. * /Joe thought he was the whole
cheese in the game because he owned the ball./ * /You're not the whole
show just because you got all A's./ Compare: BIG CHEESE.
[whole hog] See: GO THE WHOLE HOG.
[whole lot] See: A LOT.
[whole show] See: WHOLE CHEESE.
[whoop it up] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To make a loud noise; have a
noisy celebration; enjoy yourself noisily. * /The team whooped it up
after winning the game./ 2. To praise something enthusiastically;
encourage enthusiasm or support. - Often used with "for". * /Father
wanted to go to the country, but the children whooped it up for the
beach./
[who's who] or [who is who] {informal} 1. Who this one is and who
that one is; who the different ones in a group of people are or what
their names or positions are. * /It is hard to tell who is who in the
parade because everyone in the band looks alike./ * /It took the new
teacher a few days to remember who was who in the class./ Compare:
WHICH IS WHICH. 2. Who the important people are. * /John didn't
recognize the champion on television. He doesn't know who is who in
boxing./ * /After about a year, Mr. Thompson had lived in this town
long enough to know who was who./ Compare: WHAT'S WHAT.
[why and wherefore] {n.} The answer to a question or problem.
Usually used in the plural. * /Father told him not to always ask the
whys and wherefores when he was told to do something./
[wide] See: FAR AND WIDE, GIVE A WIDE BERTH.
[wide-eyed] See: ROUND-EYED.
[wide of the mark] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Far from the target or
the thing aimed at. * /James threw a stone at the cat but it went wide
of the mark./ 2. Far from the truth; incorrect. * /You were wide of
the mark when you said I did it, because Bill did it./ Contrast: HIT
THE BULL'S-EYE, HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.
[widow] See: GOLF WIDOW.
[wiener roast] or [hot dog roast] {n.} A party where frankfurters
are cooked and eaten over an outdoor fire. * /For his birthday party,
John had a wiener roast in his backyard./ * /Mary's Girl Scout troop
had a hot dog roast on their overnight hike./
[wig] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG WIG.
[wild] See: RUN WILD, SOW ONE'S WILD OATS.
[wildcat strike] {n.}, {informal} A strike not ordered by a labor
union; a strike spontaneously arranged by a group of workers. * /The
garbage collectors have gone on a wildcat strike, but the union is
going to stop it./
[wild goose chase] {n. phr.} An absurd and completely futile
errand. * /I was on a wild goose chase when I was sent to find a man
who never really existed./
[wild pitch] {n.} A pitch in baseball that is so high, so low, or
so far from the plate that the catcher cannot catch it and a base
runner can move to the next base. * /The runner went to second base on
a wild pitch./
[will] See: AT WILL, OF ONE'S OWN ACCORD or OF ONE'S OWN FREE WILL.
[will not hear of] {v. phr.} Will not allow or consider, refuse
attention to or permission for. * /I want to go to the show tonight,
but I know my mother will not hear of it./ * /Mary needs another day
to finish her book report, but the teacher won't hear of any delay./ *
/John's father told him he would not hear of his having a car./
[win] See: HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU LOSE.
[wind] See: GET WIND OF, GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB,
GONE WITH THE WIND, IN THE WIND, IT'S AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NOBODY
GOOD, SECOND WIND, STRAW IN THE WIND, TAKE THE WIND OUT OF ONE'S
SAILS, THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND or THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND, THROW
CAUTION TO THE WIND, WAY THE WIND BLOWS or HOW THE WIND BLOWS.
[windbag] {n.} Someone who talks too much; a boring person. *
/Uncle Joe goes on and on; he is a boring windbag./
[windfall] {n.} An unexpected gift or gain of sizeable proportion.
* /The unexpected retroactive pay raise was a most welcome windfall./
[window] See: GO OUT THE WINDOW.
[window dressing] {n. phr.} An elaborate exterior, sometimes
designed to conceal one's real motives. * /All those fancy invitations
turned out to be nothing but window dressing./ * /All he really wanted
was to be introduced to my influential father-in-law./
[wind up] {v.} 1. To tighten the spring of a machine; to make it
work or run. * /Mary wound up the toy car and let it run across the
room./ * /He doesn't have to wind up his watch because it is run by a
battery./ 2. To make very excited, nervous, upset. - Usually used in
the past participle. * /The excitement of her birthday party got Jane
all wound up so she could not sleep./ 3. {informal} To bring or come
to an end; finish; stop. * /John got two hits and wound his afternoon
up with a home run./ * /Before Jim knew it, he had spent all his money
and he wound up broke./ * /The boys followed the path to the left and
wound up where they started./ Syn.: END UP. Compare: FINISH OFF, TURN
OUT(6). 4. To put (your business or personal affairs) in order;
arrange; settle. * /Fred wound up his business and personal affairs
before joining the Navy./ 5. To swing your arm with the ball just
before pitching to a batter. * /The pitcher wound up quickly and then
threw a curve./
[wing] See: CLIP ONE'S WINGS, LEFT-WING, ON THE WING, RIGHT-WING,
UNDER ONE'S WING.
[win hands down] {v. phr.} To win conclusively and without external
help. * /The opposition was so weak that Dan won the election hands
down./
[win in a walk] or [win in a breeze] {v. phr.}, {informal} To win
very easily; win without having to try hard. * /Joe ran for class
president and won in a walk./ * /Our team won the game in a breeze./
Compare: HANDS DOWN.
[wink] See: FORTY WINKS, SLEEP A WINK.
[wink at] {v.} To allow and pretend not to know about (a rule or
law being broken). * /John was not allowed to stay out late at night,
but his parents winked at his being five minutes late./ * /A judge
should never wink at any law-breaking./
[winning streak] {n.} A series of several wins one after the other.
* /The team extended their winning streak to ten./
[win one's spurs] {v. phr.} 1. In old times, to be named a knight
with the right to wear little sharp spikes on your heels. * /A young
squire won his spurs in battle./ 2. To win fame or honor. * /The young
lieutenant won his spurs by leading an attack on enemy machine guns./
* /Edison won his spurs as an inventor while rather young./ * /He has
yet to win his spurs as a big league ball player./
[win out] {v. phr.} To win after a rather protracted struggle. *
/The lawsuit lasted a long time, but we finally won out./
[win over] {v. phr.} To convert to one's position or point of view.
* /The Democrats offered him a high-level executive position and thus
way won him over to their side./
[wipeout] {n.} A total failure. * /The guy is so bad at his job
that he is a total wipeout./
[wipe out] {v.} 1. To remove or erase by wiping or rubbing. * /The
teacher wiped out with an eraser what she had written on the board./
Compare: RUB OUT. 2. {informal} To remove, kill, or destroy
completely. * /The earthquake wiped out the town./ * /Doctors are
searching for a cure that will wipe out cancer./ * /The Indians wiped
out the soldiers who were sent to stop their attacks./ Compare: RUB
OUT, STAMP OUT.
[wipe out an old score] See: SETTLE A SCORE.
[wipe the floor with] or [wipe up the floor with] See: MOP THE
FLOOR WITH.
[wire] See: ACROSS THE WIRE, DOWN TO THE WIRE, PULL STRINGS or PULL
WIRES.
[wise] See: GET WISE, PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH, PUT WISE, THE
WISER.
[wisecrack] {n.} A joke or witty remark usually made at someone
else's expense. * /The comedians kept up a steady stream of
wisecracks./
[wise guy] {n. phr.}, {informal} A person who acts as if he were
smarter than other people; a person who jokes or shows off too much *
/Bill is a wise guy and displeases others by what he says./
[wise up to] {v. phr.}, {slang} To finally understand what is
really going on after a period of ignorance. * /Joe immediately quit
his job when he wised up to what was really going on./
[wish on] {v.} 1. To use as a lucky charm while making a wish. *
/Mary wished on a star that she could go to the dance./ * /Bob wished
on his lucky rabbit's foot that he could pass the test./ 2. or [wish
off on] {informal} To get rid of (something unwanted) by passing it on
to someone else. * /Martha did not like to do the dishes and wished
the job on to her little sister./ * /Tom got a very ugly tie for his
birthday and when Billy's birthday came, Tom wished the tie off on
Billy./
[wit] See: AT ONE'S WITS' END, KEEP ONE'S HEAD or KEEP ONE'S WITS
ABOUT ONE, SCARE OUT OF ONE'S WITS.
[witch-hunt] {n. phr.} A hysterical movement during which people
are persecuted for having views (political or religious) considered
different or unpopular. * /During the McCarthy era many innocent
Americans were accused of being Communists, as Republican patriotism
deteriorated into a witch-hunt./
[with a free hand] See: FREE HAND.
[with a grain of salt] or [with a pinch of salt] See: TAKE WITH A
GRAIN OF SALT.
[with all one's heart] See: FROM THE BOTTOM OF ONE'S HEART.
[with an eye to] See: EYE TO.
[with a silver spoon in one's mouth] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON
IN ONE'S MOUTH.
[with a whole skin] also [in a whole skin] {adv. phr.} With no
injury; unhurt; safely. * /The boy was lucky to escape with a whole
skin when the car went off the road./ * /Jack came through the game
with a whole skin./ * /The horse threw him off, but he got away in a
whole skin./ Syn.: SAFE AND SOUND.
[with bad grace] or [with a bad grace] {adv. phr.} In an unpleasant
or discourteous way; unwillingly, * /Fred takes defeat with bad
grace./ * /Tom shouted "Hello" to Bill. Bill was in a sour mood and
replied with a bad grace./ Contrast: WITH GOOD GRACE.
[with bells on] {adv. phr.}, {informal} With enthusiasm; eager or
ready and in the best of spirits for an event. * /"Will you come to
the farewell party I'm giving for Billy?" asked Jerry. "I'll be there
with bells on," replied Ed./
[with child] {adv. phr.}, {literary} Going to have a baby;
pregnant. * /The angel told Mary she was with child./ Compare: IN A
FAMILY WAY or IN THE FAMILY WAY.
[wither on the vine] See: DIE ON THE VINE.
[with fire] See: PLAY WITH FIRE.
[with flying colors] {adv. phr.} With great or total success;
victoriously. * /Tow finished the race with flying colors./ * /Mary
came through the examination with flying colors./
[with good grace] {adv. phr.} With pleasant and courteous behavior;
politely; willingly; without complaining. * /The boys had been
well-coached; they took the loss of the game with good grace./ * /The
principal scolded Nora, who accepted his criticism with good grace./
Contrast: WITH BAD GRACE.
[with heart and soul] See: HEART AND SOUL.
[within an ace of] {informal} or [within an inch of] {adv. phr.}
Almost but not quite; very close to; nearly. * /Tim came within an ace
of losing the election./ * /John was within an inch of drowning before
he was pulled out of the water./ Compare: BY THE SKIN OF ONE'S TEETH.
[within an inch of one's life] {adv. phr.} Until you are almost
dead; near to dying. * /The bear clawed the hunter within an inch of
his life./ Often used after "to". * /The prize fighter was beaten to
within an inch of his life./
[within bounds] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Inside of the boundary
lines in a game; on or inside of the playing field. * /You must hit
the ball inside the lines of the tennis court or it will not be within
bounds./ * /If you kick the football over a side-line, it will not be
in bounds./ 2. Inside of a place where one is allowed to go or be. *
/The soldiers are within bounds on one side of the city, but are out
of bounds on the other side./ 3. Inside of safe or proper limits;
allowable. * /If you ask Father for a quarter, he might give it to
you, but a dollar would not be within bounds./ * /He succeeded in
keeping his temper within bounds./ Contrast: OUT OF BOUNDS.
[within call] or [within hail] {adv. phr.} 1. Near enough to hear
each other's voices. * /When the two ships were within hail, their
officers exchanged messages./ * /Billy's mother told him to stay
within call because supper was nearly ready./ 2. In a place where you
can be reached by phone, radio, or TV and be called. * /The sick man
was very low and the doctor stayed within call./ * /The soldiers were
allowed to leave the base by day, but had to stay within call./
[within reason] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Within the limits of good
sense; in reasonable control or check; moderate. * /I want you to have
a good time tonight, within reason./ * /If Tom wants to go to the
fair, he must keep his expenses within reason./ * /Jean's plans are
quite within reason./
[with it] See: GET WITH IT.
[with might and main] {adv. phr.} With full strength or complete
effort. * /The sailors pulled the rope with might and main./ * /John
tried with all his might and main to solve the problem./
[with one's boots on] See: DIE IN ONE'S BOOTS or DIE WITH ONE'S
BOOTS ON.
[with one's pants down] See: CATCH ONE WITH ONE'S PANTS DOWN.
[with open arms] {adv. phr.} 1. With the arms spread wide for
hugging or catching. * /When Father came home from work, little Sally
ran out to meet him with open arms./ * /Dick stood under the window
with open arms, and Jean dropped the bag of laundry down to him./ 2.
With words or actions showing that you are glad to see someone;
gladly, warmly, eagerly. * /When Grandmother came to visit us at
Christmas, we welcomed her with open arms./ * /After his pioneering
flight in the Friendship VII, Col. John Glenn was welcomed with open
arms' by the people of his hometown./
[without] See: DO WITHOUT or GO WITHOUT, MAKE BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW,
RECKON WITHOUT.
[without a paddle] See: UP THE CREEK or UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A
PADDLE.
[without batting an eye] or [without batting an eyelash] See: BAT
AN EYE.
[without fail] {adv. phr.} Without failing to do it or failing in
the doing of it; certainly, surely. * /Be here at 8 o'clock sharp,
without fail./ * /Ben promised to return the bike at a certain time
without fail./
[without number] See: BEYOND NUMBER.
[without rhyme or reason] See: RHYME OR REASON.
[with reference to] See: IN REFERENCE TO.
[with regard to] See: IN REFERENCE TO.
[with relation to] See: IN RELATION TO.
[with respect to] See: IN RESPECT TO.
[with the best] or [with the best of them] {adv. phr.} As well as
anyone. * /Bob could horseback ride with the best of them, but he
never boasted about it./ * /John can bowl with the best of them./
[with the Joneses] See: KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES.
[wolf] See: CRY WOLF, KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR, LONE WOLF, THROW
TO THE WOLVES.
[wolf in sheep's clothing] {n. phr.} A person who pretends to be
good but really is bad. * /Mrs. Martin trusted the lawyer until she
realized that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing./ * /Mr. Black was
fooled by the salesman's manners until he showed that he was really a
wolf in sheep's clothing by selling Mr. Black a car that was falling
apart./
[wonder] See: NO WONDER also SMALL WONDER.
[woo] See: PITCH WOO.
[wood] See: CAN'T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES, KNOCK ON WOOD, SAW
WOOD.
[woodpile] See: NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE.
[woods] See: BABE IN THE WOODS, CROW BEFORE ONE IS OUT OF THE
WOODS, NECK OF THE WOODS, TAKE TO THE WOODS.
[wool] See: ALL WOOL AND A YARD WIDE, PULL THE WOOL OVER ONE'S
EYES.
[word] See: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS, AS GOOD AS ONE'S WORD,
BY WORD OF MOUTH, EAT ONE'S WORDS, FROM THE WORD "GO", GET A WORD IN,
GET THE MESSAGE or GET THE WORD, HANG ON THE WORDS OF, IN BRIEF or IN
A WORD, IN SO MANY WORDS, LAST WORD, MAN OF FEW WORDS, MAN OF HIS
WORD, MUM IS THE WORD, PLAY ON WORDS, PUT WORDS INTO ONE'S MOUTH, SAY
THE WORD, SWALLOW ONE'S WORDS, TAKE AT ONE'S WORD, TAKE THE WORDS OUT
OF ONE'S MOUTH, WEASEL WORD, WEIGH ONE'S WORDS.
[word for word] {adv. phr.} In exactly the same words. * /Mary
copied Sally's composition word for word./ * /Joan repeated the
conversation word for word./ * /She learned the poem many years ago
but she recited it word for word./
[word of mouth] {n. phr.} Communication by oral rather than written
means. * /The merchant told us that the best customers he had were
recommended to him by word of mouth./
[words of one syllable] {n. phr.} Language that makes the meaning
very clear; simple, or frank language. - Usually used after "in". *
/Mary explained the job to Ann in words of one syllable so that she
would be sure to understand./ * /Some people say that John is cute and
mischievous, but in words of one syllable, he's just a brat./ Compare:
IN SO MANY WORDS, SPELL OUT.
[word to the wise] {n. phr.} A word of warning or advice which the
intelligent person is expected to follow. - A proverb. * /I had once
spoken to him about being late all the time, and thought that a word
to the wise was enough./
[work] See: ALL IN A DAY'S WORK, ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A
DULL BOY, AT WORK, BUSY WORK, IN THE WORKS, MAKE SHORT WORK OF, MANY
HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK, SHOOT THE WORKS, THE WORKS, IN THE WORKS.
[work cut out] See: CUT OUT(2).
[worked up] also [wrought up] {adj.}, {literary} Feeling strongly;
excited; angry; worried. * /Mary was all worked up about the exam./ *
/John got worked up when they blamed him for losing the game./
Compare: ON EDGE.
[work in] {v.} 1. To rub in. * /The nurse told Mary to put some
cream on her skin and to work it in gently with her fingers./ 2. To
slip in; mix in; put in; * /When Mary was planning the show, she
worked a part in for her friend Susan./
[working girl] {n.}, {slang} 1. ({vulgar}, {avoidable}) A
prostitute. * /I didn't know Roxanne was a working girl./ 2. A girl,
usually single, who supports herself by working in an honest job, such
as in an office, etc. * /The average working girl can't afford such a
fancy car./
[work into] {v.} 1. Force into little by little. * /John worked his
foot into the boot by pushing and pulling./ 2. Put into; mix into. *
/Mary worked some blue into the rug she was weaving./
[work off] {v.} To make (something) go away, especially by working.
* /John worked off the fat around his waist by doing exercise every
morning./ * /Mr. Smith worked off his anger by chopping wood./
[work on] also [work upon] {v.} 1. Have an effect on; influence. *
/Some pills work on the nerves and make people feel more relaxed./ 2.
To try to influence or convince. * /Senator Smith worked on the other
committee members to vote for the bill./
[work one's fingers to the bone] {v. phr.} To work very hard. * /"I
have to work my fingers to the bone for a measly pittance of a
salary," Fred complained./
[workout] {n.} A physical exercise session. * /My morning workout
consists of sit-ups and push-ups./
[work out] {v. phr.} 1. To find an answer to. * /John worked out
his math problems all by himself./ * /Mary had trouble getting along
with her roommate, but they worked it out./ Compare: FIGURE OUT. 2. To
plan; develop. * /Mary worked out a beautiful design for a sweater./ *
/Alice worked out a new hair-do./ 3. To accomplish; arrange. * /The
engineers worked out a system for getting electricity to the factory./
4. To be efficient; get results. * /If the traffic plan works out, it
will be used in other cities too./ 5. To exercise. * /John works out
in the gym two hours every day./
[work over] {v. phr.}, {slang} To beat someone up very roughly in
order to intimidate him or extort payment, etc. * /Matthew was worked
over by the hoodlums in the park right after midnight./
[work through channels] {v. phr.} To go through the proper
procedures and officials. * /At a state university everybody must work
through channels to get things done./
[work up] {v.} 1. To stir up; arouse; excite. * /I can't work up
any interest in this book./ * /He worked up a sweat weeding the
garden./ 2. To develop; originate. * /He worked up an interesting plot
for a play./
[work upon] See: WORK ON.
[world] See: COME UP IN THE WORLD or RISE IN THE WORLD, DEAD TO THE
WORLD, FOR ALL THE WORLD, IN A WORLD OF ONE'S OWN or IN A WORLD BY
ONESELF, IN THE WORLD, LOOK AT THE WORLD THROUGH ROSE-COLORED GLASSES,
NOT FOR THE WORLD, ON TOP OF THE WORLD or SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD,
OUT OF THIS WORLD, SET THE WORLD ON FIRE, THIRD WORLD.
[world is one's oyster] Everything is possible for you; the world
belongs to you; you can get anything you want. * /When John won the
scholarship, he felt as though the world was his oyster./ * /The rich
girl acts as though the world is her oyster./
[world on one's shoulders] See: WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S
SHOULDERS.
[world on one's back] See: WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON ONE'S SHOULDERS.
[world without end] {adv. phr.}, {literary} Endlessly; forever;
eternally. * /Each human being has to die, but mankind goes on world
without end./
[worlds apart] {adj. phr.} Completely different; in total
disagreement. * /Jack and Al never agree on anything; they are worlds
apart in their thinking./
[worm] See: EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM or EARLY BIRD GETS THE
WORM.
[worm in] {v. phr.} To insinuate oneself; penetrate gradually. *
/By cultivating the friendship of a few of the prominent merchants,
Peter hoped to worm his way into that exclusive elite of export
magnates./
[worm may turn] Even the meek will ultimately rebel if always
maltreated. * /Sam may think that he can continue to mistreat his
wife, but, knowing her, I think that some day the worm may turn./
[warm out] {v. phr.} To learn through persistent questioning; draw
out from. * /I finally wormed out of her the reason she broke off her
engagement to Larry./
[worn to a frazzle] {adj. phr.} To be fatigued; be exhausted. *
/I'm worn to a frazzle cooking for all these guests./
[worrywart] {n. phr.} A person who always worries. * /"Stop being
such a worrywart," Bob said to Alice, who was constantly weighing
herself on the bathroom scale./
[worse] See: BARK WORSE THAN ONE'S BITE, FOR BETTER OR WORSE or FOR
BETTER OR FOR WORSE, FOR THE WORSE, GO FROM BAD TO WORSE.
[worse for wear] {adj. phr.} Not as good as new; worn out; damaged
by use. - Used with "the". * /Her favorite tablecloth was beginning to
look the worse for wear./ - Often used with "none" to mean: as good as
new. * /The doll was Mary's favorite toy but it was none the worse for
wear./
[worst] See: GET THE WORST OF also HAVE THE WORST OF, IF WORST
COMES TO WORST.
[worth] See: BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH, FOR ALL ONE
IS WORTH, GAME IS NOT WORTH THE CANDLE, NOT WORTH A TINKER'S DAMN,
WORTH A CENT.
[worth a cent] {adj. phr.} Worth anything; of any value. - Used in
negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. * /The book was
old and it was not worth a cent./
[worth one's salt] {adj. phr.} Being a good worker, or a productive
person; worth what you cost. * /Mr. Brown showed that he was worth his
salt as a salesman when he got the highest sales record for the year./
- Often used with "not" or "hardly". * /When the basketball team did
so poorly, people felt that the coach was hardly worth his salt./
Compare: PAY ONE'S WAY(2).
[would-be] {adj.} Aspiring. * /The Broadway casting offices are
always full of would-be actors./
[would that] or [I would that] or [would God] or [would heaven]
{literary} I wish that. - Used at the beginning of a sentence
expressing a wish; followed by a verb in the subjunctive; found mostly
in poetry and older literature. * /Would that I could only drop
everything and join you./ * /Would that my mother were alive to see me
married./ Syn.: IF ONLY.
[wouldn't put it past one] {v. phr.} To think that someone is quite
capable or likely to have done something undesirable or illegal. *
/Congressman Alfonso is insisting that he didn't violate congressional
ethics, but knowing both his expensive habits and his amorous
escapades, many of us wouldn't put it past him that he might have
helped himself to funds illegally./
[wrack] See: GO TO WRACK AND RUIN.
[wrap] See: UNDER WRAPS.
[wrap one around one's finger] See: TWIST ONE AROUND ONE'S LITTLE
FINGER.
[wrapped up in] {adj. phr.} Thinking only of; interested only in. *
/John has no time for sports because he is all wrapped up in his
work./ * /Mary was so wrapped up in her book she didn't hear her
mother calling her./ * /Jean is so wrapped up in herself, she never
thinks of helping others./ * /Mrs. Brown gave up her career because
her life was all wrapped up in her children./ Compare: IN A WORLD OF
ONE'S OWN (2b).
[wrap up] or [bundle up] {v. phr.} 1. To put on warm clothes; dress
warmly. * /Mother told Mary to wrap up before going out into the
cold./ 2. {informal} To finish (a job). * /Let's wrap up the job and
go home./ 3. {informal} To win a game. * /The Mets wrapped up the
baseball game in the seventh inning./
[wreak havoc with] {v. phr.} To cause damage; ruin something. *
/His rebellious attitude is bound to wreak havoc at the company./
[wrench] See: THROW A MONKEY WRENCH.
[wringing wet] adj. Wet through and through; soaked; dripping. *
/He was wringing wet because he was caught in the rain without an
umbrella./ * /He was wringing wet after working in the fields in the
hot sun./
[write home about] {v. phr.} To become especially enthusiastic or
excited about; boast about. - Often used after "to". * /Mary's trip to
the World's Fair was something to write home about./ * /Joe did a good
enough job of painting but it was nothing to write home about./ *
/"That was a dinner worth writing home about!" said Bill coming out of
the restaurant./
[write off] {v. phr.} 1. To remove (an amount) from a business
record; cancel (a debt); accept as a loss. * /If a customer dies when
he owes the store money, the store must often write it off./ Compare:
CHARGE OFF. 2. To accept (a loss or trouble) and not worry anymore
about it; forget. * /Mr. Brown had so much trouble with the new TV set
that he finally wrote it off and bought a new one./ * /Jim's mistake
cost him time and money, but he wrote it off to experience./ Compare:
CHARGE OFF(2). Contrast: CHALK UP(2). To say that (something) will
fail or not be good; believe worthless. * /Just because the boys on
the team are young, don't write the team off./ Compare: COUNT OUT.
[write-off] {n.} A loss. * /This last unfortunate business venture
of ours is an obvious write-off./
[writer's cramp] {n.} Pain in the fingers or hand caused by too
much writing. * /Holding your pencil too tightly for too long often
gives you writer's cramp./ Often used humorously to stress the idea
that you have been doing a lot of writing./ * /By the time Mary
finished her Christmas cards she complained of writer's cramp./
[writer's block] {n. phr.} A condition of being unable to write; a
period when the words just won't come. * /One of the more common
problems writers occasionally experience is a writer's block that may
last a shorter or a longer time./ * /They say that the reason for
Ernest Hemingway's suicide was a severe and seemingly endless writer's
block./
[write-up] {n.} A report or story in a newspaper or magazine. *
/There was a write-up of the accident in the newspaper./ * /I read an
interesting write-up about the President in a new magazine./
[write up] {v.} 1. To write the story of; describe in writing; give
a full account of. * /Reporters from many newspapers are here to write
up the game./ * /The magazine is writing up the life of the
President./ 2. To put something thought or talked about into writing;
finish writing (something). * /John took notes of what the teacher
said in class and he wrote them up when he got home./ * /The author
had an idea for a story when he saw the old house, and he wrote it up
later./
[writing] or [handwriting on the wall] {n. phr.}, {literary} A
warning; a message of some urgency. * /"This nuclear plant is about to
explode, I think," the chief engineer said. "We'd better get out of
here in a hurry, the handwriting is on the wall."/
[wrong] See: BARK UP THE WRONG TREE, BET ON THE WRONG HORSE, GET
OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT, GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED, IN THE
WRONG, LAUGH ON THE WRONG SIDE OF ONE'S MOUTH, RUB THE WRONG WAY.
[wrong side of the tracks] See: THE TRACKS.
[wrought up] See: WORKED UP.
[x-double minus] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal} Extremely poorly done,
bad, inferior (said mostly about theatrical or musical performances).
* /Patsy gave an x-double minus performance at the audition and lost
her chance for the lead role./
[X marks the spot] An indication made on maps or documents of
importance to call attention to a place or a feature of some
importance. * /The treasure hunter said to his companion, "Here it is;
X marks the spot."/
[x-rated] {adj.}, {slang}, {informal} Pertaining to movies,
magazines, and literature judged pornographic and therefore off limits
for minors. * /My son celebrated his 21st birthday by going to an
x-rated movie./
[x-raying machine] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
Speed detection device by radar used by the police. * /The smokies are
using the x-raying machine under the bridge!/
[yak-yak] or [yakety-yak] or [yakib-yak] {n.}, {slang} Much talk
about little things; talking all the time about unimportant things. *
/Tom sat behind two girls on the bus and he got tired of their silly
yak-yak./
[year] See: ALONG IN YEARS or ON IN YEARS.
[year in, year out] See: DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
[year-round] or [year-around] {adj.} Usable, effective, or
operating all the year. * /Colorado is a year-round resort; there is
fishing in the summer and skiing in the winter./
[yellow around the gills] See: GREEN AROUND THE GILLS.
[yellow-bellied] {adj.}, {slang} Extremely timid, cowardly. * /Joe
Bennett is a yellow-bellied guy, don't send him on such a tough
assignment!/
[yellow journalism] {n. phr.} Cheap and sensational newspaper
writing; inflammatory language designed to stir up popular sentiment
against another country. * /Yellow journalism is hardly ever truly
informative./
[yellow-livered] {adj.} Cowardly. * /The young boy greatly resented
being called yellow-livered and started to fight right away./
[yeoman service] {n. phr.} Help in time of need; serviceable and
good assistance. * /Sam was pressed into yeoman service in organizing
our annual fundraiser for cerebral palsy victims./
[yes-man] {n.}, {informal} A person who tries to be liked by
agreeing with everything said; especially, someone who always agrees
with a boss or the one in charge. * /John tries to get ahead on his
job by being a yes-man./
[yesterday] See: BORN YESTERDAY.
[yon] See: HITHER AND THITHER or HITHER AND YON.
[yoo-hoo] {interj.} - Used as an informal call or shout to a person
to attract his attention. * /Louise opened the door and called
"Yoo-hoo, Mother - are you home?"/ See: ALL RIGHT FOR YOU, I'M TELLING
YOU, SAYS WHO or SAYS YOU, THAT'S --- FOR YOU, WHAT HAVE YOU.
[you bet] or [you bet your boots] or [you bet your life] {informal}
Most certainly; yes, indeed; without any doubt. - Used to declare with
emphasis that a thing is really so. * /Do I like to ski? You bet your
life I do./ * /You bet I will be at the party./ * /You can bet your
boots that Johnny will come home when his money is gone./ Compare: BET
ONE'S BOTTOM DOLLAR.
[you can say that again] See: YOU SAID IT.
[you can't teach an old dog new tricks] It is very hard or almost
impossible to train an older person to acquire some new skill. - A
proverb. * /You'll never teach your grandfather how to do his income
tax on a personal computer. You can't teach an old dog new tricks./
[you don't say] {interj.}, {informal} - Used to show surprise at
what is said. * /Your ring is a real diamond? You don't say!/ * /"Bill
and Jean are going to get married." "You don't say!"/ Syn.: DO TELL.
[your] See: HANG ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD YOUR
HAT, YOU BET YOUR BOOTS or YOU BET YOUR LIFE.
[you're telling me] {interj.}, {informal} - Used to show that a
thing is so clear that it need not be said, or just to show strong
agreement. * /"You're late." "You're telling me!"/ Compare: YOU BET,
YOU SAID IT.
[you said it] or [you can say that again] {interj.}, {slang} - Used
to show strong agreement with what another person has said. * /"That
sure was a good show." "You said it!"/ * /"It sure is hot!" "You can
say that again!"/ Compare: SAY A MOUTHFUL.
[you tell 'em] {interj.}, {slang} - Used to agree with or encourage
someone in what he is saying. * /The drunk was arguing with the
bartenders and a man cried, "You tell 'em!"/
[yours truly] {adv. phr.} 1. Signing off at the end of letters. *
/Yours truly, Tom Smith./ 2. I, the first person singular pronoun,
frequently abbreviated as t.y. * /As t.y. has often pointed out.../ *
/T.y. is not really interested in the offer./
[yum-yum] {interj.}, {informal} - Used usually by or to children,
to express great delight, especially in the taste of food. *
/"Yum-Yum! That pie is good!"/
[zero hour] {n.} 1. The exact time when an attack or other military
action is supposed to start. * /Zero hour for the bombers to take off
was midnight./ 2. The time when an important decision or change is
supposed to come; the time for a dangerous action. * /It was zero hour
and the doctor began the operation on the man./ * /On the day of the
championship game, as the zero hour came near, the players grew
nervous./
[zero in on] {v.} 1. To adjust a gun so that it will exactly hit (a
target); aim at. * /Big guns were zeroed in on the enemy fort./ *
/American missiles have been zeroed in on certain targets, to be fired
if necessary./ 2. {slang} To give your full attention to. * /The
Senate zeroed in on the Latin-American problems./ * /Let's zero in on
grammar tonight./
[zip one's lip] See: BUTTON ONE'S LIP.
[zone defense] {n.} A defense in a sport (as basketball or
football) in which each player has to defend a certain area. * /The
coach taught his team a zone defense because he thought his players
weren't fast enough to defend against individual opponents./
[zonk out] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To fall asleep very quickly. *
/Can I talk to Joe? - Call back tomorrow, he zonked out./ 2. To pass
out from fatigue, or alcohol. * /You won't get a coherent word out of
Joe, he has zonked out./
[zoom in] {v. phr.} 1. To rapidly close in on (said of airplanes
and birds of prey). * /The fighter planes zoomed in on the enemy
target./ 2. To make a closeup of someone or something with a camera. *
/The photographer zoomed in on the tiny colibri as it hovered over a
lovely tropical flower./