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[cash-and-carry(2)] {adv}. With no credit, no time payments, and no
deliveries. * /Some stores sell cash-and-carry only./ * /It is cheaper
to buy cash-and-carry./
[cash crop] {n.} A crop grown to be sold. * /Cotton is a cash crop
in the South./ * /They raise potatoes to eat, but tobacco is their
cash crop./
[cash in] {v.} 1. To exchange (as poker chips or bonds) for the
value in money. * /He paid the bill by cashing in some bonds./ * /When
the card game ended, the players cashed in their chips and went home./
2. or [cash in one's chips] {slang} To die. * /When the outlaw cashed
in his chips, he was buried with his boots on./ * /He was shot through
the body and knew he was going to cash in./
[cash in on] {v.}, {informal} To see (a chance) and profit by it;
take advantage of (an opportunity or happening). * /Mr. Brown cashed
in on people's great interest in camping and sold three hundred
tents./
[cash on the barrelhead] {n. phr.}, {informal} Money paid at once;
money paid when something is bought. * /Father paid cash on the
barrelhead for a new car./ * /Some lawyers want cash on the
barrelhead./ Compare: COLD CASH.
[cast] or [shed] or [throw light upon] {v. phr.} To explain;
illuminate; clarify. * /The letters that were found suddenly cast a
new light on the circumstances of Tom's disappearance./ * /Einstein's
General Theory of Relativity threw light upon the enigma of our
universe./
[cast about] also [cast around] {v.}, {literary} 1. To look
everywhere; search. * /The committee was casting about for an
experienced teacher to take the retiring principal's place./ 2. To
search your mind; try to remember something; try to think of
something. * /The teacher cast about for an easy way to explain the
lesson./ * /Jane cast around for a good subject for her report./
[cast down] {adj.} Discouraged; sad; unhappy. - Used less often
than the reverse form, "downcast". * /Mary was cast down at the news
of her uncle's death./ * /Charles felt cast down when he lost the
race./
[cast in one's lot with] {formal} See: THROW IN ONE'S LOT WITH.
[castle in the air] See: BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR.
[castles in Spain] See: CASTLES IN THE AIR.
[cast off] {v.} 1a. or [cast loose] To unfasten; untie; let loose
(as a rope holding a boat). * /The captain of the boat cast off the
line and we were soon out in open water./ 1b. To untie a rope holding
a boat or something suggesting a boat. * /We cast off and set sail at
6 A.M./ 2. To knit the last row of stitches. * /When she had knitted
the twentieth row of stitches she cast off./ 3. To say that you do not
know (someone) any more; not accept as a relative or friend. * /Mr.
Jones cast off his daughter when she married against his wishes./
[cast one's lot with] See: THROW IN ONE'S LOT WITH.
[cast out] {v.}, {formal} To force (someone) to go out or away;
banish; expel. * /After the scandal, he was cast out of the best
society./ Compare: CAST OFF(3).
[cast pearls before swine] or [cast one's pearls before swine] {n.
phr.}, {literary} To waste good acts or valuable things on someone who
won't understand or be thankful for them, just as pigs won't
appreciate pearls. - Often used in negative sentences. * /I won't
waste good advice on John any more because he never listens to it. I
won't cast pearls before swine./
[cast the first stone] {v. phr.}, {literary} To be the first to
blame someone, lead accusers against a wrongdoer. * /Jesus said that a
person who was without sin could cast the first stone./ * /Although
Ben saw the girl cheating, he did not want to cast the first stone./
[cast up] {v.}, {literary} 1. To turn or direct upward; raise. *
/The dying missionary cast up his eyes to heaven and prayed./ 2.
{archaic} To do sums; do a problem in addition; add. * /Cast up 15,
43, 27, and 18./ * /When John had all the figures, he cast them up./
[cat] See: COPY CAT, CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT, FRAIDY-CAT or
FRAID-CAT or SCAREDY CAT OY SCARED-CAT, HOLY CATS, LET THE CAT OUT OF
THE BAG, LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY, PLAY CAT AND MOUSE
WITH, RAIN CATS AND DOGS.
[catch] See: EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM, FAIR CATCH, SHOESTRING
CATCH.
[catch-as-catch-can(1)] {adv. phr.} In a free manner; in any way
possible; in the best way you can. * /On moving day everything is
packed and we eat meals catch-as-catch-can./
[catch-as-catch-can(2)] {adj. phr.} Using any means or method;
unplanned; free. * /Rip van Winkle seems to have led a
catch-as-catch-can life./ * /Politics is rather a catch-as-catch-can
business./ Compare: HIT-OR-MISS.
[catch at] {v.} 1. To try to catch suddenly; grab for. * /The boy
on the merry-go-round caught at the brass ring, but did not get it./
2. To seize quickly; accept mentally or physically. * /The hungry man
caught at the sandwich and began to eat./ * /Joe caught at Bill's
offer to help./
[catch at a straw] See: GRASP AT STRAWS.
[catch cold] {v. phr.} 1. or [take cold] To get a common
cold-weather sickness that causes a running nose, sneezing, and
sometimes sore throat and fever or other symptoms. * /Don't get your
feet wet or you'll catch cold./ 2. {informal} To catch unprepared or
not ready for a question or unexpected happening. * /I had not studied
my lesson carefully, and the teacher's question caught me cold./ *
/The opposing team was big and sure of winning, and they were caught
cold by the fast, hard playing of our smaller players./
[catch (someone) dead] {v. phr.}, {informal} To see or hear
(someone) in an embarrassing act or place at any time. Used in the
negative usually in the passive. * /You won't catch Bill dead taking
his sister to the movies./ * /John wouldn't be caught dead in the
necktie he got for Christmas./
[catch fire] {v. phr.} 1. To begin to burn. * /When he dropped a
match in the leaves, they caught fire./ 2. To become excited. * /The
audience caught fire at the speaker's words and began to cheer./ *
/His imagination caught fire as he read./
[catch flat-footed] See: FLAT-FOOTED(2).
[catch forty winks] See: FORTY WINKS.
[catch hold of] {v. phr.} To grasp a person or a thing. * /"I've
been trying to catch hold of you all week," John said, "but you were
out of town."/ * /The mountain climber successfully caught hold of his
friend's hand and thereby saved his life./
[catch it] or [get it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be scolded or
punished. - Usually used of children. * /John knew he would catch it
when he came home late for supper./ * /Wow, Johnny! When your mother
sees those torn pants, you're going to get it./ Compare: GET WHAT'S
COMING TO ONE. Contrast: GIVE IT TO(2).
[catch it in the neck] or [get it in the neck] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To be blamed or punished. * /Tom got it in the neck because he forgot
to close the windows when it rained./ * /Students get it in the neck
when they lose library books./ Compare: CATCH IT, GET WHAT'S COMING TO
ONE.
[catch off balance] {v. phr.} To confront someone with physical
force or with a statement or question he or she is not prepared to
answer or deal with; to exploit the disadvantage of another. * /The
smaller wrestler caught his opponent off balance and managed to throw
him on the float in spite of his greater weight and strength./ * /Your
question has caught me off balance; please give me some time to think
about your problem./
[catch off guard] {v. phr.} To challenge or confront a person at a
time of lack of preparedness or sufficient care. * /The suspect was
caught off guard by the detective and confessed where he had hidden
the stolen car./
[catch on] {v.}, {informal} 1. To understand; learn about. - Often
used with "to". * /You'll catch on to the job after you've been here
awhile./ * /Don't play any tricks on Joe. When he catches on, he will
beat you./ 2. To become popular; be done or used by many people. *
/The song caught on and was sung and played everywhere./ 3. To be
hired; get a job. * /The ball player caught on with a big league team
last year./
[catch one's breath] {v. phr.} 1. To breathe in suddenly with fear
or surprise. * /The beauty of the scene made him catch his breath./
Compare: TAKE ONE'S BREATH AWAY. 2a. To rest and get back your normal
breathing, as after running. * /After running to the bus stop, we sat
down to catch our breath./ 2b. To relax for a moment after any work. *
/After the day's work we sat down over coffee to catch our breath./
[catch one's death of] or [take one's death of] {v. phr.},
{informal} To become very ill with (a cold, pneumonia, flu). * /Johnny
fell in the icy water and almost took his death of cold./ Sometimes
used in the short form "catch your death." * /"Johnny! Come right in
here and put your coat and hat on. You'll catch your death!"/
[catch one's eye] {v. phr.} To attract your attention. * /I caught
his eye as he moved through the crowd, and waved at him to come over./
* /The dress in the window caught her eye when she passed the store./
[catch red-handed] {v. phr.} /To apprehend a person during the act
of committing an illicit or criminal act./ * /Al was caught red-handed
at the local store when he was trying to walk out with a new camera he
had not paid for./
[catch sight of] {v. phr.} To see suddenly or unexpectedly. *
/Allan caught sight of a kingbird in a maple tree./ Contrast: LOSE
SIGHT OF.
[catch some rays] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To get tanned
while sunbathing. * /Tomorrow I'll go to the beach and try to catch
some rays./
[catch some Z's] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To take a nap, to
go to sleep. (Because of the "z" sound resembling snoring.) * /I want
to hit the sack and catch some Z's./
[catch-22] {n.}, {informal} From Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22",
set in World War II. 1. A regulation or situation that is
self-contradictory or that conflicts with another regulation. In
Heller's book it referred to the regulation that flight crews must
report for duty unless excused for reasons of insanity, but that any
one claiming such an excuse must, by definition, be sane. *
/Government rules require workers to expose any wrongdoing in their
office, but the Catch-22 prevents them from their doing so, because
they are not allowed to disclose any information about their work./ 2.
A paradoxical situation. * /The Catch-22 of job-hunting was that the
factory wanted to hire only workers who had experience making
computers but the only way to get the experience was by working at the
computer factory./
[catch up] {v.} 1. To take or pick up suddenly; grab (something). *
/She caught up the book from the table and ran out of the room./ 2. To
capture or trap (someone) in a situation; concern or interest very
much. - Usually used in the passive with "in". * /The Smith family was
caught up in the war in Europe and we did not see them again till it
was over./ * /We were so caught up in the movie we forgot what time it
was./ Compare: MIX UP. 3. To go fast enough or do enough so as not to
be behind; overtake; come even. - Often used with "to" or "with". *
/Johnny ran hard and tried to catch up to his friends./ * /Mary missed
two weeks of school; she must work hard to catch up with her class./
Compare: UP TO. 4. To find out about or get proof to punish or arrest.
- Usually used with "with". * /A man told the police where the robbers
were hiding, so the police finally caught up with them./ 5. To result
in something bad; bring punishment. - Usually used with "with". * /The
boy's fighting caught up with him and he was expelled from school./ *
/Smoking will catch up with you./ Compare: CHICKENS COME HOME TO
ROOST. 6. To finish; not lose or be behind. - Used with "on" and often
in the phrase "get caught up on". * /Frank stayed up late to get
caught up on his homework./ * /I have to catch up on my sleep./ * /We
caught up on all the latest news when we got back to school and saw
our friends again./ Syn.: KEEP UP.
[catch with one's pants down] {v. phr.}, {slang} To surprise
someone in an embarrassing position or guilty act. * /They thought
they could succeed in the robbery, but they got caught with their
pants down./ * /When the weather turned hot in May, the drive-in
restaurant was caught with its pants down, and ran out of ice cream
before noon./
[cat got one's tongue] You are not able or willing to talk because
of shyness. Usually used about children or as a question to children.
* /Tommy's father asked Tommy if the cat had got his tongue./ * /The
little girl had a poem to recite, but the cat got her tongue./
Compare: LOSE ONE'S TONGUE.
[cat has nine lives] A cat can move so fast and jump so well that
he seems to escape being killed many times. * /We thought our cat
would be killed when he fell from the roof of the house. He was not,
but he used up one of his nine lives./
[cathouse] {n.}, {slang} A house of ill repute, a house of
prostitution. * /Massage parlors are frequently cathouses in
disguise./
[cat's meow] or [cat's pajamas] {n.}, {slang} Something very
wonderful, special, or good. * /John's new hike is really the cat's
meow./ * /Mary's party is going to be the cat's pajamas./
[caught short] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not having enough of
something when you need it. * /Mrs. Ford was caught short when the
newspaper boy came for his money a day early./ * /The man was caught
short of clothes when he had to go on a trip./
[cause eyebrows to raise] {v. phr.} To do something that causes
consternation; to shock others. * /When Algernon entered Orchestra
Hall barefoot and wearing a woman's wig, he caused eyebrows to raise./
[cause tongues to wag] See: TONGUES TO WAG.
[caution] See: THROW CAUTION TO THE WINDS.
[cave in] {v.} 1. To fall or collapse inward. * /The mine caved in
and crushed three miners./ * /Don't climb on that old roof. It might
cave in./ 2. {informal} To weaken and be forced to give up. * /The
children begged their father to take them to the circus until he caved
in./ * /After the atomic bomb, Japan caved in and the war ceased./
[cease fire] {v.} To give a military command ordering soldiers to
stop shooting. * /"Cease fire!" the captain cried, and the shooting
stopped./
[cease-fire] {n.} A period of negotiated nonaggression, when the
warring parties involved promise not to attack. * /Unfortunately, the
cease-fire in Bosnia was broken many times by all parties concerned./
[ceiling] See: HIT THE CEILING or HIT THE ROOF.
[cent] See: TWO CENTS, WORTH A CENT.
[center] See: FRONT AND CENTER, OFF-CENTER, SHOPPING CENTER.
[century] See: TURN OF THE CENTURY.
[C.E.O.] {n.} Abbreviation of "Chief Executive Officer." The head
of a company, factory, firm, etc. * /We are very proud of the fact
that our C.E.O. is a young woman./
[ceremony] See: STAND ON CEREMONY.
[certain] See: FOR SURE or FOR CERTAIN.
[chain gang] {n.} A group of convicts or slaves in the old South
who were chained together. * /Chain gangs are no longer an acceptable
way of punishment, according to modern criminologists./
[chain letter] {n.} A letter which each person receiving it is
asked to copy and send to several others. * /Most chain letters die
out quickly./
[chain-smoke] {v.} To smoke cigarettes or cigars one after another
without stopping. * /Mr. Jones is very nervous. He chain-smokes
cigars./ [chain smoker] {n.} * /Mr. Jones is a chain smoker./
[chain-smoking] {adj.} or {n.} * /Chain smoking is very dangerous to
health./
[chain stores] {n.} A series of stores in different locations,
joined together under one ownership and general management. * /The
goods in chain stores tend to be more uniform than in independent
ones./
[chained to the oars] {adj. phr.} The condition of being forced to
do strenuous and unwelcome labor against one's wishes for an extended
period of time. * /Teachers in large public schools frequently
complain that they feel as if they had been chained to the oars./
[chair] See: MUSICAL CHAIRS.
[chalk] See: WALK THE CHALK.
[chalk up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To write down as part of a score;
record. * /The scorekeeper chalked up one more point for the home
team./ 2. To make (a score or part of a score); score. * /The team
chalked up another victory./ * /Bob chalked up a home run and two base
hits in the game./ * /Mary chalked up good grades this term./
[champ at the bit] {v. phr.} To be eager to begin; be tired of
being held back; want to start. * /The horses were champing at the
bit, anxious to start racing./ * /As punishment John was kept after
school for two hours. He was champing at the bit to go out./
[chance] See: BY CHANCE, FAT CHANCE, STAND A CHANCE, TAKE A CHANCE.
[chance it] {v. phr.} To be willing to risk an action whose outcome
is uncertain. * /"Should we take the boat out in such stormy weather?"
Jim asked. "We can chance it," Tony replied. "We have enough
experience."/
[chance on] also [chance upon] {v.} To happen to find or meet; find
or meet by accident. * /On our vacation we chanced upon an interesting
antique store./ * /Mary dropped her ring in the yard, and Mother
chanced on it as she was raking./ Syn.: HAPPEN ON. Compare: RUN INTO.
[change] See: RING THE CHANGES.
[change color] {v. phr.} 1. To become pale. * /The sight was so
horrible that Mary changed color from fear./ * /Bill lost so much
blood from the cut that he changed color./ 2. To become pink or red in
the face; become flushed; blush. * /Mary changed color when the
teacher praised her drawing./ * /Tom got angry at the remark and
changed color./
[change hands] {v. phr.} To change or transfer ownership. * /Ever
since our apartment building changed hands, things are working a lot
better./
[change horses in the middle of a stream] or [change horses in
midstream] {v. phr.} To make new plans or choose a new leader in the
middle of an important activity. * /When a new President is to be
elected during a war, the people may decide not to change horses in
the middle of a stream./
[change off] {v.}, {informal} To take turns doing something;
alternate. * /John and Bill changed off at riding the bicycle./ * /Bob
painted one patch of wall and then he changed off with Tom./
[change of heart] {n. phr.} A change in the way one feels or thinks
about a given task, idea or problem to be solved. * /Joan had a change
of heart and suddenly broke off her engagement to Tim./ * /Fred got
admitted to medical school, but he had a change of heart and decided
to go into the Foreign Service instead./
[change of life] {n. phr.} The menopause (primarily in women). *
/Women usually undergo a change of life in their forties or fifties./
[change of pace] {n. phr.} A quick change in what you are doing. *
/John studied for three hours and then read a comic book for a change
of pace./ * /The doctor told the man he needed a change of pace./
[change one's mind] {v. phr.} To alter one's opinion or judgment on
a given issue. * /I used to hate Chicago, but as the years passed I
gradually changed my mind and now I actually love living here./
[change one's tune] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make a change in your
story, statement, or claim; change your way of acting. * /The man said
he was innocent, but when they found the stolen money in his pocket he
changed his tune./ * /Bob was rude to his teacher, but she threatened
to tell the principal and he changed his tune./ Syn.: SING A DIFFERENT
TUNE.
[change up] See: LET UP(4).
[character] See: IN CHARACTER.
[charge] See: CARRYING CHARGE, CHARGE OFF(2), IN CHARGE, IN CHARGE
OF, TAKE CHARGE.
[charge account] {n.} An agreement with a store through which you
can buy things and pay for them later. * /Mother bought a new dress on
her charge account./ * /Mr. Jones has a charge account at the garage
on the corner./
[charge off] {v.} 1. To consider or record as a loss, especially in
an account book. * /The store owner charged off all of the last
season's stock of suits./ Syn.: WRITE OFF(1). 2. or [charge up]
{informal} To accept or remember (something) as a mistake and not
worry about it any more. - Often used with "to experience". * /He
charged off his mistakes to experience./ Syn.: CHALK UP. Compare:
CHARGE TO.
[charge something to something] {v.} 1. To place the blame on; make
responsible for. * /John failed to win a prize, but he charged it to
his lack of experience./ * /The coach charged the loss of the game to
the team's disobeying his orders./ 2. To buy something on the credit
of. * /Mrs. Smith bought a new pocketbook and charged it to her
husband./ * /Mr. White ordered a box of cigars and had it charged to
his account./
[charge up] {v. phr.} 1. To submit to a flow of electricity in
order to make functional. * /I mustn't forget to charge up my razor
before we go on our trip./ 2. To use up all the available credit one
has on one's credit card(s). * /"Let's charge dinner on the Master
Card," Jane said. "Unfortunately I can't," Jim replied. "All of my
credit cards are completely charged up."/
[charge with] {v. phr.} To accuse someone in a court of law. * /The
criminal was charged with aggravated kidnapping across a state line./
[charmed life] {n.} A life often saved from danger; a life full of
lucky escapes. * /He was in two airplane accidents, but he had a
charmed life./ * /During the war a bullet knocked the gun out of his
hand, but he had a charmed life./
[chase] See: GIVE CHASE, GO CHASE ONESELF, LEAD A MERRY CHASE.
[chase after] See: RUN AFTER.
[chase around] See: RUN AROUND.
[cheapskate] {n.}, {informal} A selfish or stingy person; a person
who will not spend much. - An insulting term. * /None of the girls
like to go out on a date with him because he is a cheapskate./
[cheat on someone] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be unfaithful (to one's
wife or husband, or to one's sweetheart or fiancee). * /It is rumored
that Joe cheats on his wife./
[check] See: BLANK CHECK, CLAIM CHECK, DOUBLE CHECK, IN CHECK, RAIN
CHECK, RUBBER CHECK, SALES CHECK.
[check in] {v.} 1a. To sign your name (as at a hotel or
convention). * /The last guests to reach the hotel checked in at 12
o'clock./ Contrast: CHECK OUT. 1b. {informal} To arrive. * /The
friends we had invited did not check in until Saturday./ 2. To receive
(something) back and make a record of it. * /The coach checked in the
football uniforms at the end of the school year./ * /The students put
their books on the library desk, and the librarian checked them in./
[check off] {v.} To put a mark beside (the name of a person or
thing on a list) to show that it has been counted. * /The teacher
checked off each pupil as he got on the bus./ * /Bill wrote down the
names of all the states he could remember, and then he checked them
off against the list in his book./ Compare: TICK OFF.
[check on someone/thing] or [check up on someone/thing] {v}. To try
to find out the truth or rightness of; make sure of; examine; inspect;
investigate. * /We checked on Dan's age by getting his birth record./
* /Mrs. Brown said she heard someone downstairs and Mr. Brown went
down to check up on it./ * /You can check on your answers at the back
of the book./ * /The police are checking up on the man to see if he
has a police record./ * /Grandfather went to have the doctor check on
his health./ Compare: LOOK INTO, LOOK OVER.
[check out] {v.} 1a. To pay your hotel bill and leave. * /The last
guests checked out of their rooms in the morning./ Contrast: CHECK IN.
1b. {informal} To go away; leave. * /I hoped our guest would stay but
he had to check out before Monday./ Compare: CHECK IN. 2a. To make a
list or record of. * /They checked out all the goods in the store./
2b. To give or lend (something) and make a record of it. * /The boss
checked out the tools to the workmen as they came to work./ 2c. To get
(something) after a record has been made of it. * /I checked out a
book from the library./ 3. {informal} To test (something, like a part
of a motor). * /The mechanic checked out the car battery./ * /"He
checked out from the motel at nine," said the detective, "then he
checked out the air in the car tires and his list of local clients."/
4. {slang} To die. * /He seemed too young to check out./
[check up] {v.} To find out or try to find out the truth or
correctness of something; make sure of something; investigate. * /Mrs.
Brown thought she had heard a burglar in the house, so Mr. Brown
checked up, but found nobody./ * /Bill thought he had a date with
Janie, but phoned her to check up./
[check-up] {n.} A periodic examination by a physician or of some
equipment by a mechanic. * /I am overdue for my annual physical
check-up./ * /I need to take my car in for a check-up./
[check with] {v. phr.} 1. To consult. * /I want to check with my
lawyer before I sign the papers./ 2. To agree with. * /Does my
reconciliation of our account check with the bank statement?/
[cheek] See: TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.
[cheer] See: BRONX CHEER.
[cheer on] {v. phr.} To vociferously encourage a person or a team
during a sports event. * /The spectators at the stadium cheered on
their home team./
[cheer up] {v.} 1. To feel happy; stop being sad or discouraged;
become hopeful, joyous, or glad. * /Jones was sad at losing the
business, but he cheered up at the sight of his daughter./ * /Cheer
up! The worst is over./ 2. To make cheerful or happy. * /The support
of the students cheered up the losing team and they played harder and
won./ * /We went to the hospital to cheer up a sick friend./ *
/Flowers cheer up a room./
[cheese] See: BIG CHEESE, WHOLE CHEESE.
[cheesebox] {n.}, {slang} A small, suburban house built by a land
developer available at low cost and resembling the other houses around
it. * /They moved to a suburb, but their house is just a cheesebox./
[cheesecake] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A showing of the legs of an
attractive woman or a display of her breasts as in certain magazines
known as cheesecake magazines. * /Photographer to model: "Give us some
cheesecake in that pose!"/
[cherry farm] {n.}, {slang} A correctional institution of minimal
security where the inmates, mostly first offenders, work as farmhands.
* /Joe got a light sentence and was sent to a cherry farm for six
months./
[chest] See: OFF ONE'S CHEST, ON ONE'S CHEST.
[chew] See: BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW.
[chew out] {v.}, {slang} To scold roughly. * /The boy's father
chewed him out for staying up late./ * /The coach chews out lazy
players./ Syn.: BAWL OUT, CALL ON THE CARPET, HAUL OVER THE COALS.
[chew the fat] or [chew the rag] {v. phr.}, {slang} To talk
together in an idle, friendly fashion; chat. * /We used to meet after
work, and chew the fat over coffee and doughnuts./ * /The old man
would chew the rag for hours with anyone who would join him./
[chew the scenery] {v. phr.}, {slang} To act overemotionally in a
situation where it is inappropriate; to engage in histrionics. * /I
don't know if Joe was sincere about our house, but he sure chewed up
the scenery!/
[chicken] See: COUNT ONE'S CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED, GO TO
BED WITH THE CHICKENS, SPRING CHICKEN.
[chicken-brained] {adj.} Stupid; narrow-minded; unimaginative. * /I
can't understand how a bright woman like Helen can date such a
chicken-brained guy as Oliver./
[chicken feed] {n.}, {slang} A very small sum of money. * /John and
Bill worked very hard, but they were only paid chicken feed./ * /Mr.
Jones is so rich be thinks a thousand dollars is chicken feed./
[chicken-hearted] {adj.} Cowardly; excessively timid. * /"Come on,
let's get on that roller coaster," she cried. "Don't be so
chicken-hearted."/ See: CHICKEN-LIVERED.
[chicken-livered] {adj.}, {slang}, {colloquial} Easily scared;
cowardly. * /Joe sure is a chicken-livered guy./ See: CHICKEN-HEARTED.
[chicken out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stop doing something because
of fear; to decide not to do something after all even though
previously having decided to try it. * /I used to ride a motorcycle on
the highway, but I've chickened out./ * /I decided to take flying
lessons but just before they started I chickened out./
[chickens come home to roost] {informal} Words or acts come back to
cause trouble for a person; something bad you said or did receives
punishment; you get the punishment that you deserve. * /Fred's
chickens finally came home to roost today. He was late so often that
the teacher made him go to the principal./ - Often used in a short
form. * /Mary's selfishness will come home to roost some day./
[chicken switch] {n.}, {slang}, {Space English} 1. The emergency
eject button used by test pilots in fast and high flying aircraft by
means of which they can parachute to safety if the engine fails; later
adopted by astronauts in space capsules. * /Don't pull the chicken
switch, unless absolutely necessary./ 2. The panic button; a panicky
reaction to an unforeseen situation, such as unreasonable or
hysterical telephone calls to friends for help. * /Joe pulled the
chicken switch on his neighbor when the grease started burning in the
kitchen./
[child] See: BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE, WITH CHILD.
[children and fools speak the truth] Children and fools say things
without thinking; they say what they think or know when grown-ups
might not think it was polite or wise to do so. - A proverb. * /"Uncle
Willie is too fat," said little Agnes. "Children and fools speak the
truth," said her father./
[children should be seen and not heard] A command issued by adults
to children ordering them to be quiet and not to interrupt. - A
proverb. * /Your children should not argue so loudly. Haven't you
taught them that children should be seen and not heard?/
[child's play] {adj.} Easy; requiring no effort. * /Mary's work as
a volunteer social worker is so agreeable to her that she thinks of it
as child's play./
[chill] See: SPINE-CHILLING.
[chime in] {v.} 1. {informal} To join in. * /The whole group chimed
in on the chorus./ * /When the argument got hot, John chimed in./ 2.
To agree; go well together. - Usually used with "with". * /Dick was
happy, and the holiday music chimed in with his feelings./ * /When
Father suggested going to the shore for the vacation, the whole family
chimed in with the plan./
[chin] See: KEEP ONE'S CHIN UP, STICK ONE'S NECK OUT or STICK ONE'S
CHIN OUT, TAKE IT ON THE CHIN, UP TO THE CHIN IN.
[china shop] See: BULL IN A CHINA SHOP.
[China syndrome] {n.}, {informal} From the title of the movie with
Jane Fonda and Jack Lemmon. The possibility that an industrial nuclear
reactor might explode, literally affecting the other side of the
planet (as if by eating a hole through the earth all the way to
China.) * /Antinuclear demonstrators are greatly worried about the
China syndrome./
[chip] See: CASH IN ONE'S CHIPS at CASH-IN, IN THE CHIPS. LET THE
CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY, FISH-AND-CHIPS, WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN.
[chip in] or [kick in] {v.}, {informal} To give together with
others, contribute. * /The pupils chipped in a dime apiece for the
teacher's Christmas present./ * /All the neighbors kicked in to help
after the fire./ * /Lee chipped in ten points in the basketball game./
* /Joe didn't say much but chipped in a few words./
[chip off the old block] {n. phr.} A person whose character traits
closely resemble those of his parents. * /I hear that Tom plays the
violin in the orchestra his father conducts; he sure is a chip off the
old block./
[chip on one's shoulder] {n. phr.}, {informal} A quarrelsome
nature; readiness to be angered. * /He went through life with a chip
on his shoulder./ * /Jim often gets into fights because he goes around
with a chip on his shoulder./
[chips] See: WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN.
[chisel] or [muscle in on] {v. phr.} To illegitimately and
forcefully intrude into someone's traditional sales or professional
arena of operation. * /Tim has a good sales territory, but he is
always afraid that someone might chisel in on it./ * /Las Vegas casino
owners are concerned that the Mafia might muscle in on their
territory./
[choice] See: BY CHOICE, FIELDER'S CHOICE.
[choke off] {v.} To put a sudden end to; stop abruptly or
forcefully. * /It was almost time for the meeting to end, and the
presiding officer had to move to choke off debate./ * /The war choked
off diamond shipments from overseas./
[choke up] {v.} 1a. To come near losing calmness or self-control
from strong feeling; be upset by your feelings. * /When one speaker
after another praised John, he choked up and couldn't thank them./ *
/When Father tried to tell me how glad he was to see me safe after the
accident, he choked up and was unable to speak./ 1b. {informal} To be
unable to do well because of excitement or nervousness. * /Bill was a
good batter, but in the championship game he choked up and did
poorly./ 2. To fill up; become clogged or blocked; become hard to pass
through. * /The channel had choked up with sand so that boats couldn't
use it./
[choose] See: PICK AND CHOOSE.
[chooser] See: BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS.
[choose up sides] {v. phr.} To form two teams with two captains
taking turns choosing players. * /The boys chose up sides for a game
of softball./ * /Tom and Joe were the captains. They chose up sides./
[chop] See: LICK ONE'S CHOPS.
[chow line] {n.}, {slang} A line of people waiting for food. * /The
chow line was already long when John got to the dining hall./ * /The
soldiers picked up trays and got into the chow line./
[Christmas] See: FATHER CHRISTMAS.
[Christmas card] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A
speeding ticket. * /Smokey just gave a Christmas card to the eighteen
wheeler we passed./
[Christmas club] {n.} A plan for putting money in the bank to be
saved for Christmas shopping. * /John deposits $10 each week in the
Christmas club./ * /The woman will get her Christmas club money on
December 10./
[chum around with] {v. phr.} 1. To be close friends with someone. *
/They have been chumming around with one another for quite some time./
2. To travel around with someone. * /Jack is planning to chum around
with Tim in Europe this summer./
[cigar-store Indian] {n. phr.} A wooden statue of an Indian which
in the past was placed in front of a cigar store. * /A cigar store
Indian used to mean a cigar store in the same way a barber pole still
means a barber shop./
[circle] See: COME FULL CIRCLE, IN A CIRCLE or IN CIRCLES, RUN
CIRCLES AROUND also RUN RINGS AROUND.
[circulation] See: IN CIRCULATION, OUT OF CIRCULATION.
[circumstance] See: UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES also IN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.
[circumstances alter cases] {formal} The way things are, or happen,
may change the way you are expected to act. * /John's father told him
never to touch his gun, but one day when Father was away, John used it
to shoot a poisonous snake that came into the yard. Circumstances
alter cases./
[circus] See: THREE-RING CIRCUS.
[citizen] See: SENIOR CITIZEN.
[civil] See: KEEP A CIVIL TONGUE IN ONE'S HEAD.
[claim] See: STAKE A CLAIM.
[claim check] {n.} A ticket needed to get back something. * /The
man at the parking lot gave Mrs. Collins a claim check./ * /The boy
put the dry cleaning claim check in his billfold./ * /The man told
Mary the pictures would be ready Friday and gave her a claim check./
[clamp down] {v.}, {informal} To put on strict controls; enforce
rules or laws. * /After the explosion, police clamped down and let no
more visitors inside the monument./ * /The school clamped down on
smoking./ * /When the crowds became bigger and wilder, the police
clamped down on them and made everyone go home./
[clam up] {v.}, {slang} To refuse to say anything more; stop
talking. * /The suspect clammed up, and the police could get no more
information out of him./
[class] See: HIGH-CLASS, SECOND CLASS.
[clay] See: FEET OF CLAY.
[clay pigeon] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A popular target at
practice shooting made of clay and roughly resembling a pigeon; an
easy target that doesn't move. * /All he can shoot is a clay pigeon./
2. A person who, like a clay pigeon in target practice, is immobilized
or is in a sensitive position and is therefore easily criticized or
otherwise victimized. * /Poor Joe is a clay pigeon./ 3. A task easily
accomplished like shooting an immobile clay pigeon. * /The math exam
was a clay pigeon./
[clean] See: COME CLEAN, KEEP ONE'S NOSE CLEAN, MAKE A CLEAN BREAST
OF, NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN, TAKE TO ONE'S HEELS, also SHOW A CLEAN
PAIR OF HEELS.
[clean bill of health] {n. phr.} 1. A certificate that a person or
animal has no infectious disease. * /The government doctor gave Jones
a clean bill of health when he entered the country./ 2. {informal} A
report that a person is free of guilt or fault. * /The stranger was
suspected in the bank robbery, but the police gave him a clean bill of
health./
[clean break] {n. phr.} A complete separation. * /Tom made a clean
break with his former girlfriends before marrying Pamela./
[cleaners] See: TO TAKE TO THE CLEANERS.
[clean hands] {n. phr.}, {slang} Freedom from guilt or dishonesty;
innocence. * /John grew up in a bad neighborhood, but he grew up with
clean hands./ * /There was much proof against Bill, but he swore he
had clean hands./
[clean out] {v.} 1. {slang} To take everything from; empty; strip.
* /George's friends cleaned him out when they were playing cards last
night./ * /The sudden demand for paper plates soon cleaned out the
stores./ 2. {informal} To get rid of; remove; dismiss. * /The new
mayor promised to clean the crooks out of the city government./
[clean slate] {n. phr.} A record of nothing but good conduct,
without any errors or bad deeds; past acts that are all good without
any bad ones. * /Johnny was sent to the principal for whispering. He
had a clean slate so the principal did not punish him./ * /Mary stayed
after school for a week, and after that the teacher let her off with a
clean slate./ Compare: TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.
[clean sweep] {n. phr.} A complete victory. * /Our candidate for
the United States Senate made a clean sweep over his opponent./
[clean up] {v. phr.} 1. To wash and make oneself presentable. *
/After quitting for the day in the garage, Tim decided to clean up and
put on a clean shirt./ 2. To finish; terminate. * /The secretary
promised her boss to clean up all the unfinished work before leaving
on her Florida vacation./ 3. {informal} To make a large profit. * /The
clever investors cleaned up on the stock market last week./
[clean-up] {n.} 1. An act of removing all the dirt from a given set
of objects. * /What this filthy room needs is an honest clean-up./ 2.
The elimination of pockets of resistance during warfare or a police
raid. * /The FBI conducted a clean-up against the drug pushers in our
district./
[clear] See: COAST IS CLEAR, IN THE CLEAR, OUT OF THE BLUE or OUT
OF A CLEAR SKY or OUT OF A CLEAR BLUE SKY, SEE ONE'S WAY CLEAR, STEER
CLEAR OF.
[clear-cut] {adj.} Definite; well defined. * /The president's new
policy of aggressive action is a clear-cut departure from his old
methods of unilateral appeasement./
[clear-eyed] {adj.} Understanding problems or events clearly; being
able to tell very well the results of a way of acting. * /Tom is very
clear-eyed. He knows he doesn't have much chance of winning the race,
but he will try his best./ * /He is a clear-eyed and independent
commentator on the news./
[clear one's name] {v. phr.} To prove someone is innocent of a
crime or misdeed of which he has been accused. * /The falsely accused
rapist has been trying in vain to clear his name./
[clear out] {v.} 1. To take everything out of; empty. * /When Bill
was moved to another class he cleared out his desk./ 2. {informal} To
leave suddenly; go away; depart. * /The cop told the boys to clear
out./ * /Bob cleared out without paying his room rent./ * /Clear out
of here! You're bothering me./ Compare: BEAT IT.
[clear the air] {v. phr.} To remove angry feelings,
misunderstanding, or confusion. * /The President's statement that he
would run for office again cleared the air of rumors and guessing./ *
/When Bill was angry at Bob, Bob made a joke, and it cleared the air
between them./
[clear the decks] {v. phr.} To put everything in readiness for a
major activity; to eliminate unessentials. * /The governor urged the
State Assembly to clear the decks of all but the most pressing issues
to vote on./
[clear up] {v.} 1. To make plain or clear; explain; solve. * /The
teacher cleared up the harder parts of the story./ * /Maybe we can
clear up your problem./ 2. To become clear. * /The weather cleared up
after the storm./ 3. To cure. * /The pills cleared up his stomach
trouble./ 4. To put back into a normal, proper, or healthy state. *
/The doctor can give you something to clear up your skin./ * /Susan
cleared up the room./ 5. To become cured. * /This skin trouble will
clear up in a day or two./
[clerk] See: ROOM CLERK or DESK CLERK.
[cliffdweller] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A city person who lives on
a very high floor in an apartment building. * /Joe and Nancy have
become cliffdwellers - they moved up to the 30th floor./
[clifihanger] {n.}, {informal} A sports event or a movie in which
the outcome is uncertain to the very end keeping the spectators in
great suspense and excitement. * /Did you see "The Fugitive"? It's a
regular cliffhanger./
[climb] See: SOCIAL CLIMBER.
[climb on the bandwagon] See: ON THE BANDWAGON.
[climb the wall] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. To react to a
challenging situation with too great an emotional response,
frustration, tension, and anxiety. * /By the time I got the letter
that I was hired, I was ready to climb the wall./ 2. To be so
disinterested or bored as to be most anxious to get away at any cost.
* /If the chairman doesn't stop talking, I'll climb the wall./
[clinging vine] {n.} A very dependent woman; a woman who needs much
love and encouragement from a man. * /Mary is a clinging vine; she
cannot do anything without her husband./
[cling to one's mother's apron strings] See: TIED TO ONE'S MOTHER'S
APRON STRINGS.
[clip joint] {n.}, {slang} A low-class night club or other business
where people are cheated. * /The man got drunk and lost all his money
in a clip joint./ * /The angry woman said the store was a clip joint./
[clip one's wings] {v. phr.} To limit or hold you back, bring you
under control; prevent your success. * /When the new president tried
to become dictator, the generals soon clipped his wings./ * /Jim was
spending too much time on dates when he needed to study so his father
stopped his allowance; that clipped his wings./
[cloak-and-dagger] {adj.} Of or about spies and secret agents. *
/It was a cloak-and-dagger story about some spies who tried to steal
atomic secrets./ * /The book was written by a retired colonel who used
to take part in cloak-and-dagger plots./ (From the wearing of cloaks
and daggers by people in old adventure stories.) Compare: BLOOD AND
THUNDER.
[clock] See: AGAINST TIME or AGAINST THE CLOCK, AROUND THE CLOCK or
THE CLOCK AROUND, PUT BACK THE CLOCK or TURN BACK THE CLOCK, GO LIKE
CLOCKWORK or GO OFF LIKE CLOCKWORK, TURN THE CLOCK BACK.
[clock watcher] {n. phr.}, {informal} A worker who always quits at
once when it is time; a man who is in a hurry to leave his job. *
/When Ted got his first job, his father told him to work hard and not
be a clock watcher./
[close at hand] {adj. phr.} Handy; close by; within one's range. *
/My calendar isn't close at hand, so I can't tell you whether we can
come next week or not./ * /I always keep my pencils and erasers close
at hand when I work on a draft proposal./
[close call] or [shave] {n. phr.} A narrow escape. * /That sure was
a close call when that truck came near us from the right!/ * /When Tim
fell off his bicycle in front of a bus, it was a very close shave./
[closed book] {n.} A secret; something not known or understood. *
/The man's early life is a closed book./ * /For Mary, science is a
closed book./ * /The history of the town is a closed book./
[closed-door] {adj.} Away from the public; in private or in secret;
limited to a few. * /The officers of the club held a closed-door
meeting./ * /The committee decided on a closed-door rule for the
deliveries. * /Some stores sell cash-and-carry only./ * /It is cheaper
to buy cash-and-carry./
[cash crop] {n.} A crop grown to be sold. * /Cotton is a cash crop
in the South./ * /They raise potatoes to eat, but tobacco is their
cash crop./
[cash in] {v.} 1. To exchange (as poker chips or bonds) for the
value in money. * /He paid the bill by cashing in some bonds./ * /When
the card game ended, the players cashed in their chips and went home./
2. or [cash in one's chips] {slang} To die. * /When the outlaw cashed
in his chips, he was buried with his boots on./ * /He was shot through
the body and knew he was going to cash in./
[cash in on] {v.}, {informal} To see (a chance) and profit by it;
take advantage of (an opportunity or happening). * /Mr. Brown cashed
in on people's great interest in camping and sold three hundred
tents./
[cash on the barrelhead] {n. phr.}, {informal} Money paid at once;
money paid when something is bought. * /Father paid cash on the
barrelhead for a new car./ * /Some lawyers want cash on the
barrelhead./ Compare: COLD CASH.
[cast] or [shed] or [throw light upon] {v. phr.} To explain;
illuminate; clarify. * /The letters that were found suddenly cast a
new light on the circumstances of Tom's disappearance./ * /Einstein's
General Theory of Relativity threw light upon the enigma of our
universe./
[cast about] also [cast around] {v.}, {literary} 1. To look
everywhere; search. * /The committee was casting about for an
experienced teacher to take the retiring principal's place./ 2. To
search your mind; try to remember something; try to think of
something. * /The teacher cast about for an easy way to explain the
lesson./ * /Jane cast around for a good subject for her report./
[cast down] {adj.} Discouraged; sad; unhappy. - Used less often
than the reverse form, "downcast". * /Mary was cast down at the news
of her uncle's death./ * /Charles felt cast down when he lost the
race./
[cast in one's lot with] {formal} See: THROW IN ONE'S LOT WITH.
[castle in the air] See: BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR.
[castles in Spain] See: CASTLES IN THE AIR.
[cast off] {v.} 1a. or [cast loose] To unfasten; untie; let loose
(as a rope holding a boat). * /The captain of the boat cast off the
line and we were soon out in open water./ 1b. To untie a rope holding
a boat or something suggesting a boat. * /We cast off and set sail at
6 A.M./ 2. To knit the last row of stitches. * /When she had knitted
the twentieth row of stitches she cast off./ 3. To say that you do not
know (someone) any more; not accept as a relative or friend. * /Mr.
Jones cast off his daughter when she married against his wishes./
[cast one's lot with] See: THROW IN ONE'S LOT WITH.
[cast out] {v.}, {formal} To force (someone) to go out or away;
banish; expel. * /After the scandal, he was cast out of the best
society./ Compare: CAST OFF(3).
[cast pearls before swine] or [cast one's pearls before swine] {n.
phr.}, {literary} To waste good acts or valuable things on someone who
won't understand or be thankful for them, just as pigs won't
appreciate pearls. - Often used in negative sentences. * /I won't
waste good advice on John any more because he never listens to it. I
won't cast pearls before swine./
[cast the first stone] {v. phr.}, {literary} To be the first to
blame someone, lead accusers against a wrongdoer. * /Jesus said that a
person who was without sin could cast the first stone./ * /Although
Ben saw the girl cheating, he did not want to cast the first stone./
[cast up] {v.}, {literary} 1. To turn or direct upward; raise. *
/The dying missionary cast up his eyes to heaven and prayed./ 2.
{archaic} To do sums; do a problem in addition; add. * /Cast up 15,
43, 27, and 18./ * /When John had all the figures, he cast them up./
[cat] See: COPY CAT, CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT, FRAIDY-CAT or
FRAID-CAT or SCAREDY CAT OY SCARED-CAT, HOLY CATS, LET THE CAT OUT OF
THE BAG, LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY, PLAY CAT AND MOUSE
WITH, RAIN CATS AND DOGS.
[catch] See: EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM, FAIR CATCH, SHOESTRING
CATCH.
[catch-as-catch-can(1)] {adv. phr.} In a free manner; in any way
possible; in the best way you can. * /On moving day everything is
packed and we eat meals catch-as-catch-can./
[catch-as-catch-can(2)] {adj. phr.} Using any means or method;
unplanned; free. * /Rip van Winkle seems to have led a
catch-as-catch-can life./ * /Politics is rather a catch-as-catch-can
business./ Compare: HIT-OR-MISS.
[catch at] {v.} 1. To try to catch suddenly; grab for. * /The boy
on the merry-go-round caught at the brass ring, but did not get it./
2. To seize quickly; accept mentally or physically. * /The hungry man
caught at the sandwich and began to eat./ * /Joe caught at Bill's
offer to help./
[catch at a straw] See: GRASP AT STRAWS.
[catch cold] {v. phr.} 1. or [take cold] To get a common
cold-weather sickness that causes a running nose, sneezing, and
sometimes sore throat and fever or other symptoms. * /Don't get your
feet wet or you'll catch cold./ 2. {informal} To catch unprepared or
not ready for a question or unexpected happening. * /I had not studied
my lesson carefully, and the teacher's question caught me cold./ *
/The opposing team was big and sure of winning, and they were caught
cold by the fast, hard playing of our smaller players./
[catch (someone) dead] {v. phr.}, {informal} To see or hear
(someone) in an embarrassing act or place at any time. Used in the
negative usually in the passive. * /You won't catch Bill dead taking
his sister to the movies./ * /John wouldn't be caught dead in the
necktie he got for Christmas./
[catch fire] {v. phr.} 1. To begin to burn. * /When he dropped a
match in the leaves, they caught fire./ 2. To become excited. * /The
audience caught fire at the speaker's words and began to cheer./ *
/His imagination caught fire as he read./
[catch flat-footed] See: FLAT-FOOTED(2).
[catch forty winks] See: FORTY WINKS.
[catch hold of] {v. phr.} To grasp a person or a thing. * /"I've
been trying to catch hold of you all week," John said, "but you were
out of town."/ * /The mountain climber successfully caught hold of his
friend's hand and thereby saved his life./
[catch it] or [get it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be scolded or
punished. - Usually used of children. * /John knew he would catch it
when he came home late for supper./ * /Wow, Johnny! When your mother
sees those torn pants, you're going to get it./ Compare: GET WHAT'S
COMING TO ONE. Contrast: GIVE IT TO(2).
[catch it in the neck] or [get it in the neck] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To be blamed or punished. * /Tom got it in the neck because he forgot
to close the windows when it rained./ * /Students get it in the neck
when they lose library books./ Compare: CATCH IT, GET WHAT'S COMING TO
ONE.
[catch off balance] {v. phr.} To confront someone with physical
force or with a statement or question he or she is not prepared to
answer or deal with; to exploit the disadvantage of another. * /The
smaller wrestler caught his opponent off balance and managed to throw
him on the float in spite of his greater weight and strength./ * /Your
question has caught me off balance; please give me some time to think
about your problem./
[catch off guard] {v. phr.} To challenge or confront a person at a
time of lack of preparedness or sufficient care. * /The suspect was
caught off guard by the detective and confessed where he had hidden
the stolen car./
[catch on] {v.}, {informal} 1. To understand; learn about. - Often
used with "to". * /You'll catch on to the job after you've been here
awhile./ * /Don't play any tricks on Joe. When he catches on, he will
beat you./ 2. To become popular; be done or used by many people. *
/The song caught on and was sung and played everywhere./ 3. To be
hired; get a job. * /The ball player caught on with a big league team
last year./
[catch one's breath] {v. phr.} 1. To breathe in suddenly with fear
or surprise. * /The beauty of the scene made him catch his breath./
Compare: TAKE ONE'S BREATH AWAY. 2a. To rest and get back your normal
breathing, as after running. * /After running to the bus stop, we sat
down to catch our breath./ 2b. To relax for a moment after any work. *
/After the day's work we sat down over coffee to catch our breath./
[catch one's death of] or [take one's death of] {v. phr.},
{informal} To become very ill with (a cold, pneumonia, flu). * /Johnny
fell in the icy water and almost took his death of cold./ Sometimes
used in the short form "catch your death." * /"Johnny! Come right in
here and put your coat and hat on. You'll catch your death!"/
[catch one's eye] {v. phr.} To attract your attention. * /I caught
his eye as he moved through the crowd, and waved at him to come over./
* /The dress in the window caught her eye when she passed the store./
[catch red-handed] {v. phr.} /To apprehend a person during the act
of committing an illicit or criminal act./ * /Al was caught red-handed
at the local store when he was trying to walk out with a new camera he
had not paid for./
[catch sight of] {v. phr.} To see suddenly or unexpectedly. *
/Allan caught sight of a kingbird in a maple tree./ Contrast: LOSE
SIGHT OF.
[catch some rays] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To get tanned
while sunbathing. * /Tomorrow I'll go to the beach and try to catch
some rays./
[catch some Z's] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To take a nap, to
go to sleep. (Because of the "z" sound resembling snoring.) * /I want
to hit the sack and catch some Z's./
[catch-22] {n.}, {informal} From Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22",
set in World War II. 1. A regulation or situation that is
self-contradictory or that conflicts with another regulation. In
Heller's book it referred to the regulation that flight crews must
report for duty unless excused for reasons of insanity, but that any
one claiming such an excuse must, by definition, be sane. *
/Government rules require workers to expose any wrongdoing in their
office, but the Catch-22 prevents them from their doing so, because
they are not allowed to disclose any information about their work./ 2.
A paradoxical situation. * /The Catch-22 of job-hunting was that the
factory wanted to hire only workers who had experience making
computers but the only way to get the experience was by working at the
computer factory./
[catch up] {v.} 1. To take or pick up suddenly; grab (something). *
/She caught up the book from the table and ran out of the room./ 2. To
capture or trap (someone) in a situation; concern or interest very
much. - Usually used in the passive with "in". * /The Smith family was
caught up in the war in Europe and we did not see them again till it
was over./ * /We were so caught up in the movie we forgot what time it
was./ Compare: MIX UP. 3. To go fast enough or do enough so as not to
be behind; overtake; come even. - Often used with "to" or "with". *
/Johnny ran hard and tried to catch up to his friends./ * /Mary missed
two weeks of school; she must work hard to catch up with her class./
Compare: UP TO. 4. To find out about or get proof to punish or arrest.
- Usually used with "with". * /A man told the police where the robbers
were hiding, so the police finally caught up with them./ 5. To result
in something bad; bring punishment. - Usually used with "with". * /The
boy's fighting caught up with him and he was expelled from school./ *
/Smoking will catch up with you./ Compare: CHICKENS COME HOME TO
ROOST. 6. To finish; not lose or be behind. - Used with "on" and often
in the phrase "get caught up on". * /Frank stayed up late to get
caught up on his homework./ * /I have to catch up on my sleep./ * /We
caught up on all the latest news when we got back to school and saw
our friends again./ Syn.: KEEP UP.
[catch with one's pants down] {v. phr.}, {slang} To surprise
someone in an embarrassing position or guilty act. * /They thought
they could succeed in the robbery, but they got caught with their
pants down./ * /When the weather turned hot in May, the drive-in
restaurant was caught with its pants down, and ran out of ice cream
before noon./
[cat got one's tongue] You are not able or willing to talk because
of shyness. Usually used about children or as a question to children.
* /Tommy's father asked Tommy if the cat had got his tongue./ * /The
little girl had a poem to recite, but the cat got her tongue./
Compare: LOSE ONE'S TONGUE.
[cat has nine lives] A cat can move so fast and jump so well that
he seems to escape being killed many times. * /We thought our cat
would be killed when he fell from the roof of the house. He was not,
but he used up one of his nine lives./
[cathouse] {n.}, {slang} A house of ill repute, a house of
prostitution. * /Massage parlors are frequently cathouses in
disguise./
[cat's meow] or [cat's pajamas] {n.}, {slang} Something very
wonderful, special, or good. * /John's new hike is really the cat's
meow./ * /Mary's party is going to be the cat's pajamas./
[caught short] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not having enough of
something when you need it. * /Mrs. Ford was caught short when the
newspaper boy came for his money a day early./ * /The man was caught
short of clothes when he had to go on a trip./
[cause eyebrows to raise] {v. phr.} To do something that causes
consternation; to shock others. * /When Algernon entered Orchestra
Hall barefoot and wearing a woman's wig, he caused eyebrows to raise./
[cause tongues to wag] See: TONGUES TO WAG.
[caution] See: THROW CAUTION TO THE WINDS.
[cave in] {v.} 1. To fall or collapse inward. * /The mine caved in
and crushed three miners./ * /Don't climb on that old roof. It might
cave in./ 2. {informal} To weaken and be forced to give up. * /The
children begged their father to take them to the circus until he caved
in./ * /After the atomic bomb, Japan caved in and the war ceased./
[cease fire] {v.} To give a military command ordering soldiers to
stop shooting. * /"Cease fire!" the captain cried, and the shooting
stopped./
[cease-fire] {n.} A period of negotiated nonaggression, when the
warring parties involved promise not to attack. * /Unfortunately, the
cease-fire in Bosnia was broken many times by all parties concerned./
[ceiling] See: HIT THE CEILING or HIT THE ROOF.
[cent] See: TWO CENTS, WORTH A CENT.
[center] See: FRONT AND CENTER, OFF-CENTER, SHOPPING CENTER.
[century] See: TURN OF THE CENTURY.
[C.E.O.] {n.} Abbreviation of "Chief Executive Officer." The head
of a company, factory, firm, etc. * /We are very proud of the fact
that our C.E.O. is a young woman./
[ceremony] See: STAND ON CEREMONY.
[certain] See: FOR SURE or FOR CERTAIN.
[chain gang] {n.} A group of convicts or slaves in the old South
who were chained together. * /Chain gangs are no longer an acceptable
way of punishment, according to modern criminologists./
[chain letter] {n.} A letter which each person receiving it is
asked to copy and send to several others. * /Most chain letters die
out quickly./
[chain-smoke] {v.} To smoke cigarettes or cigars one after another
without stopping. * /Mr. Jones is very nervous. He chain-smokes
cigars./ [chain smoker] {n.} * /Mr. Jones is a chain smoker./
[chain-smoking] {adj.} or {n.} * /Chain smoking is very dangerous to
health./
[chain stores] {n.} A series of stores in different locations,
joined together under one ownership and general management. * /The
goods in chain stores tend to be more uniform than in independent
ones./
[chained to the oars] {adj. phr.} The condition of being forced to
do strenuous and unwelcome labor against one's wishes for an extended
period of time. * /Teachers in large public schools frequently
complain that they feel as if they had been chained to the oars./
[chair] See: MUSICAL CHAIRS.
[chalk] See: WALK THE CHALK.
[chalk up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To write down as part of a score;
record. * /The scorekeeper chalked up one more point for the home
team./ 2. To make (a score or part of a score); score. * /The team
chalked up another victory./ * /Bob chalked up a home run and two base
hits in the game./ * /Mary chalked up good grades this term./
[champ at the bit] {v. phr.} To be eager to begin; be tired of
being held back; want to start. * /The horses were champing at the
bit, anxious to start racing./ * /As punishment John was kept after
school for two hours. He was champing at the bit to go out./
[chance] See: BY CHANCE, FAT CHANCE, STAND A CHANCE, TAKE A CHANCE.
[chance it] {v. phr.} To be willing to risk an action whose outcome
is uncertain. * /"Should we take the boat out in such stormy weather?"
Jim asked. "We can chance it," Tony replied. "We have enough
experience."/
[chance on] also [chance upon] {v.} To happen to find or meet; find
or meet by accident. * /On our vacation we chanced upon an interesting
antique store./ * /Mary dropped her ring in the yard, and Mother
chanced on it as she was raking./ Syn.: HAPPEN ON. Compare: RUN INTO.
[change] See: RING THE CHANGES.
[change color] {v. phr.} 1. To become pale. * /The sight was so
horrible that Mary changed color from fear./ * /Bill lost so much
blood from the cut that he changed color./ 2. To become pink or red in
the face; become flushed; blush. * /Mary changed color when the
teacher praised her drawing./ * /Tom got angry at the remark and
changed color./
[change hands] {v. phr.} To change or transfer ownership. * /Ever
since our apartment building changed hands, things are working a lot
better./
[change horses in the middle of a stream] or [change horses in
midstream] {v. phr.} To make new plans or choose a new leader in the
middle of an important activity. * /When a new President is to be
elected during a war, the people may decide not to change horses in
the middle of a stream./
[change off] {v.}, {informal} To take turns doing something;
alternate. * /John and Bill changed off at riding the bicycle./ * /Bob
painted one patch of wall and then he changed off with Tom./
[change of heart] {n. phr.} A change in the way one feels or thinks
about a given task, idea or problem to be solved. * /Joan had a change
of heart and suddenly broke off her engagement to Tim./ * /Fred got
admitted to medical school, but he had a change of heart and decided
to go into the Foreign Service instead./
[change of life] {n. phr.} The menopause (primarily in women). *
/Women usually undergo a change of life in their forties or fifties./
[change of pace] {n. phr.} A quick change in what you are doing. *
/John studied for three hours and then read a comic book for a change
of pace./ * /The doctor told the man he needed a change of pace./
[change one's mind] {v. phr.} To alter one's opinion or judgment on
a given issue. * /I used to hate Chicago, but as the years passed I
gradually changed my mind and now I actually love living here./
[change one's tune] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make a change in your
story, statement, or claim; change your way of acting. * /The man said
he was innocent, but when they found the stolen money in his pocket he
changed his tune./ * /Bob was rude to his teacher, but she threatened
to tell the principal and he changed his tune./ Syn.: SING A DIFFERENT
TUNE.
[change up] See: LET UP(4).
[character] See: IN CHARACTER.
[charge] See: CARRYING CHARGE, CHARGE OFF(2), IN CHARGE, IN CHARGE
OF, TAKE CHARGE.
[charge account] {n.} An agreement with a store through which you
can buy things and pay for them later. * /Mother bought a new dress on
her charge account./ * /Mr. Jones has a charge account at the garage
on the corner./
[charge off] {v.} 1. To consider or record as a loss, especially in
an account book. * /The store owner charged off all of the last
season's stock of suits./ Syn.: WRITE OFF(1). 2. or [charge up]
{informal} To accept or remember (something) as a mistake and not
worry about it any more. - Often used with "to experience". * /He
charged off his mistakes to experience./ Syn.: CHALK UP. Compare:
CHARGE TO.
[charge something to something] {v.} 1. To place the blame on; make
responsible for. * /John failed to win a prize, but he charged it to
his lack of experience./ * /The coach charged the loss of the game to
the team's disobeying his orders./ 2. To buy something on the credit
of. * /Mrs. Smith bought a new pocketbook and charged it to her
husband./ * /Mr. White ordered a box of cigars and had it charged to
his account./
[charge up] {v. phr.} 1. To submit to a flow of electricity in
order to make functional. * /I mustn't forget to charge up my razor
before we go on our trip./ 2. To use up all the available credit one
has on one's credit card(s). * /"Let's charge dinner on the Master
Card," Jane said. "Unfortunately I can't," Jim replied. "All of my
credit cards are completely charged up."/
[charge with] {v. phr.} To accuse someone in a court of law. * /The
criminal was charged with aggravated kidnapping across a state line./
[charmed life] {n.} A life often saved from danger; a life full of
lucky escapes. * /He was in two airplane accidents, but he had a
charmed life./ * /During the war a bullet knocked the gun out of his
hand, but he had a charmed life./
[chase] See: GIVE CHASE, GO CHASE ONESELF, LEAD A MERRY CHASE.
[chase after] See: RUN AFTER.
[chase around] See: RUN AROUND.
[cheapskate] {n.}, {informal} A selfish or stingy person; a person
who will not spend much. - An insulting term. * /None of the girls
like to go out on a date with him because he is a cheapskate./
[cheat on someone] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be unfaithful (to one's
wife or husband, or to one's sweetheart or fiancee). * /It is rumored
that Joe cheats on his wife./
[check] See: BLANK CHECK, CLAIM CHECK, DOUBLE CHECK, IN CHECK, RAIN
CHECK, RUBBER CHECK, SALES CHECK.
[check in] {v.} 1a. To sign your name (as at a hotel or
convention). * /The last guests to reach the hotel checked in at 12
o'clock./ Contrast: CHECK OUT. 1b. {informal} To arrive. * /The
friends we had invited did not check in until Saturday./ 2. To receive
(something) back and make a record of it. * /The coach checked in the
football uniforms at the end of the school year./ * /The students put
their books on the library desk, and the librarian checked them in./
[check off] {v.} To put a mark beside (the name of a person or
thing on a list) to show that it has been counted. * /The teacher
checked off each pupil as he got on the bus./ * /Bill wrote down the
names of all the states he could remember, and then he checked them
off against the list in his book./ Compare: TICK OFF.
[check on someone/thing] or [check up on someone/thing] {v}. To try
to find out the truth or rightness of; make sure of; examine; inspect;
investigate. * /We checked on Dan's age by getting his birth record./
* /Mrs. Brown said she heard someone downstairs and Mr. Brown went
down to check up on it./ * /You can check on your answers at the back
of the book./ * /The police are checking up on the man to see if he
has a police record./ * /Grandfather went to have the doctor check on
his health./ Compare: LOOK INTO, LOOK OVER.
[check out] {v.} 1a. To pay your hotel bill and leave. * /The last
guests checked out of their rooms in the morning./ Contrast: CHECK IN.
1b. {informal} To go away; leave. * /I hoped our guest would stay but
he had to check out before Monday./ Compare: CHECK IN. 2a. To make a
list or record of. * /They checked out all the goods in the store./
2b. To give or lend (something) and make a record of it. * /The boss
checked out the tools to the workmen as they came to work./ 2c. To get
(something) after a record has been made of it. * /I checked out a
book from the library./ 3. {informal} To test (something, like a part
of a motor). * /The mechanic checked out the car battery./ * /"He
checked out from the motel at nine," said the detective, "then he
checked out the air in the car tires and his list of local clients."/
4. {slang} To die. * /He seemed too young to check out./
[check up] {v.} To find out or try to find out the truth or
correctness of something; make sure of something; investigate. * /Mrs.
Brown thought she had heard a burglar in the house, so Mr. Brown
checked up, but found nobody./ * /Bill thought he had a date with
Janie, but phoned her to check up./
[check-up] {n.} A periodic examination by a physician or of some
equipment by a mechanic. * /I am overdue for my annual physical
check-up./ * /I need to take my car in for a check-up./
[check with] {v. phr.} 1. To consult. * /I want to check with my
lawyer before I sign the papers./ 2. To agree with. * /Does my
reconciliation of our account check with the bank statement?/
[cheek] See: TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.
[cheer] See: BRONX CHEER.
[cheer on] {v. phr.} To vociferously encourage a person or a team
during a sports event. * /The spectators at the stadium cheered on
their home team./
[cheer up] {v.} 1. To feel happy; stop being sad or discouraged;
become hopeful, joyous, or glad. * /Jones was sad at losing the
business, but he cheered up at the sight of his daughter./ * /Cheer
up! The worst is over./ 2. To make cheerful or happy. * /The support
of the students cheered up the losing team and they played harder and
won./ * /We went to the hospital to cheer up a sick friend./ *
/Flowers cheer up a room./
[cheese] See: BIG CHEESE, WHOLE CHEESE.
[cheesebox] {n.}, {slang} A small, suburban house built by a land
developer available at low cost and resembling the other houses around
it. * /They moved to a suburb, but their house is just a cheesebox./
[cheesecake] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A showing of the legs of an
attractive woman or a display of her breasts as in certain magazines
known as cheesecake magazines. * /Photographer to model: "Give us some
cheesecake in that pose!"/
[cherry farm] {n.}, {slang} A correctional institution of minimal
security where the inmates, mostly first offenders, work as farmhands.
* /Joe got a light sentence and was sent to a cherry farm for six
months./
[chest] See: OFF ONE'S CHEST, ON ONE'S CHEST.
[chew] See: BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW.
[chew out] {v.}, {slang} To scold roughly. * /The boy's father
chewed him out for staying up late./ * /The coach chews out lazy
players./ Syn.: BAWL OUT, CALL ON THE CARPET, HAUL OVER THE COALS.
[chew the fat] or [chew the rag] {v. phr.}, {slang} To talk
together in an idle, friendly fashion; chat. * /We used to meet after
work, and chew the fat over coffee and doughnuts./ * /The old man
would chew the rag for hours with anyone who would join him./
[chew the scenery] {v. phr.}, {slang} To act overemotionally in a
situation where it is inappropriate; to engage in histrionics. * /I
don't know if Joe was sincere about our house, but he sure chewed up
the scenery!/
[chicken] See: COUNT ONE'S CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED, GO TO
BED WITH THE CHICKENS, SPRING CHICKEN.
[chicken-brained] {adj.} Stupid; narrow-minded; unimaginative. * /I
can't understand how a bright woman like Helen can date such a
chicken-brained guy as Oliver./
[chicken feed] {n.}, {slang} A very small sum of money. * /John and
Bill worked very hard, but they were only paid chicken feed./ * /Mr.
Jones is so rich be thinks a thousand dollars is chicken feed./
[chicken-hearted] {adj.} Cowardly; excessively timid. * /"Come on,
let's get on that roller coaster," she cried. "Don't be so
chicken-hearted."/ See: CHICKEN-LIVERED.
[chicken-livered] {adj.}, {slang}, {colloquial} Easily scared;
cowardly. * /Joe sure is a chicken-livered guy./ See: CHICKEN-HEARTED.
[chicken out] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stop doing something because
of fear; to decide not to do something after all even though
previously having decided to try it. * /I used to ride a motorcycle on
the highway, but I've chickened out./ * /I decided to take flying
lessons but just before they started I chickened out./
[chickens come home to roost] {informal} Words or acts come back to
cause trouble for a person; something bad you said or did receives
punishment; you get the punishment that you deserve. * /Fred's
chickens finally came home to roost today. He was late so often that
the teacher made him go to the principal./ - Often used in a short
form. * /Mary's selfishness will come home to roost some day./
[chicken switch] {n.}, {slang}, {Space English} 1. The emergency
eject button used by test pilots in fast and high flying aircraft by
means of which they can parachute to safety if the engine fails; later
adopted by astronauts in space capsules. * /Don't pull the chicken
switch, unless absolutely necessary./ 2. The panic button; a panicky
reaction to an unforeseen situation, such as unreasonable or
hysterical telephone calls to friends for help. * /Joe pulled the
chicken switch on his neighbor when the grease started burning in the
kitchen./
[child] See: BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE, WITH CHILD.
[children and fools speak the truth] Children and fools say things
without thinking; they say what they think or know when grown-ups
might not think it was polite or wise to do so. - A proverb. * /"Uncle
Willie is too fat," said little Agnes. "Children and fools speak the
truth," said her father./
[children should be seen and not heard] A command issued by adults
to children ordering them to be quiet and not to interrupt. - A
proverb. * /Your children should not argue so loudly. Haven't you
taught them that children should be seen and not heard?/
[child's play] {adj.} Easy; requiring no effort. * /Mary's work as
a volunteer social worker is so agreeable to her that she thinks of it
as child's play./
[chill] See: SPINE-CHILLING.
[chime in] {v.} 1. {informal} To join in. * /The whole group chimed
in on the chorus./ * /When the argument got hot, John chimed in./ 2.
To agree; go well together. - Usually used with "with". * /Dick was
happy, and the holiday music chimed in with his feelings./ * /When
Father suggested going to the shore for the vacation, the whole family
chimed in with the plan./
[chin] See: KEEP ONE'S CHIN UP, STICK ONE'S NECK OUT or STICK ONE'S
CHIN OUT, TAKE IT ON THE CHIN, UP TO THE CHIN IN.
[china shop] See: BULL IN A CHINA SHOP.
[China syndrome] {n.}, {informal} From the title of the movie with
Jane Fonda and Jack Lemmon. The possibility that an industrial nuclear
reactor might explode, literally affecting the other side of the
planet (as if by eating a hole through the earth all the way to
China.) * /Antinuclear demonstrators are greatly worried about the
China syndrome./
[chip] See: CASH IN ONE'S CHIPS at CASH-IN, IN THE CHIPS. LET THE
CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY, FISH-AND-CHIPS, WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN.
[chip in] or [kick in] {v.}, {informal} To give together with
others, contribute. * /The pupils chipped in a dime apiece for the
teacher's Christmas present./ * /All the neighbors kicked in to help
after the fire./ * /Lee chipped in ten points in the basketball game./
* /Joe didn't say much but chipped in a few words./
[chip off the old block] {n. phr.} A person whose character traits
closely resemble those of his parents. * /I hear that Tom plays the
violin in the orchestra his father conducts; he sure is a chip off the
old block./
[chip on one's shoulder] {n. phr.}, {informal} A quarrelsome
nature; readiness to be angered. * /He went through life with a chip
on his shoulder./ * /Jim often gets into fights because he goes around
with a chip on his shoulder./
[chips] See: WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN.
[chisel] or [muscle in on] {v. phr.} To illegitimately and
forcefully intrude into someone's traditional sales or professional
arena of operation. * /Tim has a good sales territory, but he is
always afraid that someone might chisel in on it./ * /Las Vegas casino
owners are concerned that the Mafia might muscle in on their
territory./
[choice] See: BY CHOICE, FIELDER'S CHOICE.
[choke off] {v.} To put a sudden end to; stop abruptly or
forcefully. * /It was almost time for the meeting to end, and the
presiding officer had to move to choke off debate./ * /The war choked
off diamond shipments from overseas./
[choke up] {v.} 1a. To come near losing calmness or self-control
from strong feeling; be upset by your feelings. * /When one speaker
after another praised John, he choked up and couldn't thank them./ *
/When Father tried to tell me how glad he was to see me safe after the
accident, he choked up and was unable to speak./ 1b. {informal} To be
unable to do well because of excitement or nervousness. * /Bill was a
good batter, but in the championship game he choked up and did
poorly./ 2. To fill up; become clogged or blocked; become hard to pass
through. * /The channel had choked up with sand so that boats couldn't
use it./
[choose] See: PICK AND CHOOSE.
[chooser] See: BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS.
[choose up sides] {v. phr.} To form two teams with two captains
taking turns choosing players. * /The boys chose up sides for a game
of softball./ * /Tom and Joe were the captains. They chose up sides./
[chop] See: LICK ONE'S CHOPS.
[chow line] {n.}, {slang} A line of people waiting for food. * /The
chow line was already long when John got to the dining hall./ * /The
soldiers picked up trays and got into the chow line./
[Christmas] See: FATHER CHRISTMAS.
[Christmas card] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A
speeding ticket. * /Smokey just gave a Christmas card to the eighteen
wheeler we passed./
[Christmas club] {n.} A plan for putting money in the bank to be
saved for Christmas shopping. * /John deposits $10 each week in the
Christmas club./ * /The woman will get her Christmas club money on
December 10./
[chum around with] {v. phr.} 1. To be close friends with someone. *
/They have been chumming around with one another for quite some time./
2. To travel around with someone. * /Jack is planning to chum around
with Tim in Europe this summer./
[cigar-store Indian] {n. phr.} A wooden statue of an Indian which
in the past was placed in front of a cigar store. * /A cigar store
Indian used to mean a cigar store in the same way a barber pole still
means a barber shop./
[circle] See: COME FULL CIRCLE, IN A CIRCLE or IN CIRCLES, RUN
CIRCLES AROUND also RUN RINGS AROUND.
[circulation] See: IN CIRCULATION, OUT OF CIRCULATION.
[circumstance] See: UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES also IN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.
[circumstances alter cases] {formal} The way things are, or happen,
may change the way you are expected to act. * /John's father told him
never to touch his gun, but one day when Father was away, John used it
to shoot a poisonous snake that came into the yard. Circumstances
alter cases./
[circus] See: THREE-RING CIRCUS.
[citizen] See: SENIOR CITIZEN.
[civil] See: KEEP A CIVIL TONGUE IN ONE'S HEAD.
[claim] See: STAKE A CLAIM.
[claim check] {n.} A ticket needed to get back something. * /The
man at the parking lot gave Mrs. Collins a claim check./ * /The boy
put the dry cleaning claim check in his billfold./ * /The man told
Mary the pictures would be ready Friday and gave her a claim check./
[clamp down] {v.}, {informal} To put on strict controls; enforce
rules or laws. * /After the explosion, police clamped down and let no
more visitors inside the monument./ * /The school clamped down on
smoking./ * /When the crowds became bigger and wilder, the police
clamped down on them and made everyone go home./
[clam up] {v.}, {slang} To refuse to say anything more; stop
talking. * /The suspect clammed up, and the police could get no more
information out of him./
[class] See: HIGH-CLASS, SECOND CLASS.
[clay] See: FEET OF CLAY.
[clay pigeon] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A popular target at
practice shooting made of clay and roughly resembling a pigeon; an
easy target that doesn't move. * /All he can shoot is a clay pigeon./
2. A person who, like a clay pigeon in target practice, is immobilized
or is in a sensitive position and is therefore easily criticized or
otherwise victimized. * /Poor Joe is a clay pigeon./ 3. A task easily
accomplished like shooting an immobile clay pigeon. * /The math exam
was a clay pigeon./
[clean] See: COME CLEAN, KEEP ONE'S NOSE CLEAN, MAKE A CLEAN BREAST
OF, NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN, TAKE TO ONE'S HEELS, also SHOW A CLEAN
PAIR OF HEELS.
[clean bill of health] {n. phr.} 1. A certificate that a person or
animal has no infectious disease. * /The government doctor gave Jones
a clean bill of health when he entered the country./ 2. {informal} A
report that a person is free of guilt or fault. * /The stranger was
suspected in the bank robbery, but the police gave him a clean bill of
health./
[clean break] {n. phr.} A complete separation. * /Tom made a clean
break with his former girlfriends before marrying Pamela./
[cleaners] See: TO TAKE TO THE CLEANERS.
[clean hands] {n. phr.}, {slang} Freedom from guilt or dishonesty;
innocence. * /John grew up in a bad neighborhood, but he grew up with
clean hands./ * /There was much proof against Bill, but he swore he
had clean hands./
[clean out] {v.} 1. {slang} To take everything from; empty; strip.
* /George's friends cleaned him out when they were playing cards last
night./ * /The sudden demand for paper plates soon cleaned out the
stores./ 2. {informal} To get rid of; remove; dismiss. * /The new
mayor promised to clean the crooks out of the city government./
[clean slate] {n. phr.} A record of nothing but good conduct,
without any errors or bad deeds; past acts that are all good without
any bad ones. * /Johnny was sent to the principal for whispering. He
had a clean slate so the principal did not punish him./ * /Mary stayed
after school for a week, and after that the teacher let her off with a
clean slate./ Compare: TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.
[clean sweep] {n. phr.} A complete victory. * /Our candidate for
the United States Senate made a clean sweep over his opponent./
[clean up] {v. phr.} 1. To wash and make oneself presentable. *
/After quitting for the day in the garage, Tim decided to clean up and
put on a clean shirt./ 2. To finish; terminate. * /The secretary
promised her boss to clean up all the unfinished work before leaving
on her Florida vacation./ 3. {informal} To make a large profit. * /The
clever investors cleaned up on the stock market last week./
[clean-up] {n.} 1. An act of removing all the dirt from a given set
of objects. * /What this filthy room needs is an honest clean-up./ 2.
The elimination of pockets of resistance during warfare or a police
raid. * /The FBI conducted a clean-up against the drug pushers in our
district./
[clear] See: COAST IS CLEAR, IN THE CLEAR, OUT OF THE BLUE or OUT
OF A CLEAR SKY or OUT OF A CLEAR BLUE SKY, SEE ONE'S WAY CLEAR, STEER
CLEAR OF.
[clear-cut] {adj.} Definite; well defined. * /The president's new
policy of aggressive action is a clear-cut departure from his old
methods of unilateral appeasement./
[clear-eyed] {adj.} Understanding problems or events clearly; being
able to tell very well the results of a way of acting. * /Tom is very
clear-eyed. He knows he doesn't have much chance of winning the race,
but he will try his best./ * /He is a clear-eyed and independent
commentator on the news./
[clear one's name] {v. phr.} To prove someone is innocent of a
crime or misdeed of which he has been accused. * /The falsely accused
rapist has been trying in vain to clear his name./
[clear out] {v.} 1. To take everything out of; empty. * /When Bill
was moved to another class he cleared out his desk./ 2. {informal} To
leave suddenly; go away; depart. * /The cop told the boys to clear
out./ * /Bob cleared out without paying his room rent./ * /Clear out
of here! You're bothering me./ Compare: BEAT IT.
[clear the air] {v. phr.} To remove angry feelings,
misunderstanding, or confusion. * /The President's statement that he
would run for office again cleared the air of rumors and guessing./ *
/When Bill was angry at Bob, Bob made a joke, and it cleared the air
between them./
[clear the decks] {v. phr.} To put everything in readiness for a
major activity; to eliminate unessentials. * /The governor urged the
State Assembly to clear the decks of all but the most pressing issues
to vote on./
[clear up] {v.} 1. To make plain or clear; explain; solve. * /The
teacher cleared up the harder parts of the story./ * /Maybe we can
clear up your problem./ 2. To become clear. * /The weather cleared up
after the storm./ 3. To cure. * /The pills cleared up his stomach
trouble./ 4. To put back into a normal, proper, or healthy state. *
/The doctor can give you something to clear up your skin./ * /Susan
cleared up the room./ 5. To become cured. * /This skin trouble will
clear up in a day or two./
[clerk] See: ROOM CLERK or DESK CLERK.
[cliffdweller] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A city person who lives on
a very high floor in an apartment building. * /Joe and Nancy have
become cliffdwellers - they moved up to the 30th floor./
[clifihanger] {n.}, {informal} A sports event or a movie in which
the outcome is uncertain to the very end keeping the spectators in
great suspense and excitement. * /Did you see "The Fugitive"? It's a
regular cliffhanger./
[climb] See: SOCIAL CLIMBER.
[climb on the bandwagon] See: ON THE BANDWAGON.
[climb the wall] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. To react to a
challenging situation with too great an emotional response,
frustration, tension, and anxiety. * /By the time I got the letter
that I was hired, I was ready to climb the wall./ 2. To be so
disinterested or bored as to be most anxious to get away at any cost.
* /If the chairman doesn't stop talking, I'll climb the wall./
[clinging vine] {n.} A very dependent woman; a woman who needs much
love and encouragement from a man. * /Mary is a clinging vine; she
cannot do anything without her husband./
[cling to one's mother's apron strings] See: TIED TO ONE'S MOTHER'S
APRON STRINGS.
[clip joint] {n.}, {slang} A low-class night club or other business
where people are cheated. * /The man got drunk and lost all his money
in a clip joint./ * /The angry woman said the store was a clip joint./
[clip one's wings] {v. phr.} To limit or hold you back, bring you
under control; prevent your success. * /When the new president tried
to become dictator, the generals soon clipped his wings./ * /Jim was
spending too much time on dates when he needed to study so his father
stopped his allowance; that clipped his wings./
[cloak-and-dagger] {adj.} Of or about spies and secret agents. *
/It was a cloak-and-dagger story about some spies who tried to steal
atomic secrets./ * /The book was written by a retired colonel who used
to take part in cloak-and-dagger plots./ (From the wearing of cloaks
and daggers by people in old adventure stories.) Compare: BLOOD AND
THUNDER.
[clock] See: AGAINST TIME or AGAINST THE CLOCK, AROUND THE CLOCK or
THE CLOCK AROUND, PUT BACK THE CLOCK or TURN BACK THE CLOCK, GO LIKE
CLOCKWORK or GO OFF LIKE CLOCKWORK, TURN THE CLOCK BACK.
[clock watcher] {n. phr.}, {informal} A worker who always quits at
once when it is time; a man who is in a hurry to leave his job. *
/When Ted got his first job, his father told him to work hard and not
be a clock watcher./
[close at hand] {adj. phr.} Handy; close by; within one's range. *
/My calendar isn't close at hand, so I can't tell you whether we can
come next week or not./ * /I always keep my pencils and erasers close
at hand when I work on a draft proposal./
[close call] or [shave] {n. phr.} A narrow escape. * /That sure was
a close call when that truck came near us from the right!/ * /When Tim
fell off his bicycle in front of a bus, it was a very close shave./
[closed book] {n.} A secret; something not known or understood. *
/The man's early life is a closed book./ * /For Mary, science is a
closed book./ * /The history of the town is a closed book./
[closed-door] {adj.} Away from the public; in private or in secret;
limited to a few. * /The officers of the club held a closed-door
meeting./ * /The committee decided on a closed-door rule for the