[a lot] {n.}, {informal} A large number or amount; very many or very much; lots. I learned a lot in Mr. Smith’s class. A lot of our friends are going to the beach this summer. — Often used like an adverb. Ella is a jolly girl; she laughs a lot. Grandfather was very sick last … Читать далее
[yes-man] {n.}, {informal} A person who tries to be liked byagreeing with everything said; especially, someone who always agreeswith a boss or the one in charge. John tries to get ahead on hisjob by being a yes-man.
Идиома: the gory details Перевод: все детали, сведения, относительно какого-либо события, как правило, личного характера Пример: Come on, I want to know all the gory details about your date with John. Ну же, расскажи мне все подробности о свидании с Джоном.
[bone to pick] or [crow to pick] {n. phr.}, {informal} A reason for dispute; something to complain of or argue about. — Often used jokingly. «I have a bone to pick with you,» he said. There was always a crow to pick about which one would shave first in the morning. Compare: BONE OF CONTENTION.
[matter of course] {n. phr.} Something always done; the usual way;habit; rule. A was a matter of course for John to dress carefullywhen he was meeting his wife. Bank officers ask questions as amatter of course when someone wants to borrow money.
Идиома: serve someone right Перевод: получить то, что кто-либо заслуживает Пример: My friend never studies at all so it serves him right to fail his exam. Мой друг никогда ничего не учит, поэтому он заслужил провала на экзамене.
[make the best of] {v. phr.} To do something you do not like to doand not complain; accept with good humor. The girl did not like towash dishes but she made the best of it. Compare: MAKE A VIRTUE OFNECESSITY.
[bad actor] {n.}, {informal} A person or animal that is always fighting, quarreling, or doing bad things. The boy was a bad actor and nobody liked him.
[one up] {adj. phr.} Having an advantage; being one step ahead, John graduated from high school; he is one up on Bob, who droppedout. The Platters are one up on their neighbors. They own the onlycolor television set in their neighborhood.
[to the good] {adv. phr.} On the side of profit or advantage; inone’s favor; to one’s benefit; ahead. After I sold my stampcollection, I was ten dollars to the good. The teacher did not seehim come in late, which was all to the good.
[pick-me-up] {n. phr.} Something you take when you feel tired orweak. John stopped at a drugstore for a pick-me-up after workingthree hours overtime. Mary always carried a bar of chocolate inher pocketbook for a pick-me-up.
[gild the lily] also [paint the lily] {v. phr.} To addunnecessarily to something already beautiful or good enough. Totalk about a beautiful sunset is to gild the lily. For thebeautiful girl to use makeup would be to gild the lily. Frank’sfather is a millionaire, but Frank gilds the lily by saying he is abillionaire.
[how goes it?] {v. phr.}, {interrog.} How are you and your affairsin general progressing? Jim asked Bill, «how goes it with the newwife and the new apartment?»
[the edge] {n.}, {informal} The advantage. — Usually used in thephrases «get the edge on», «have the edge on». In the last quarterof the game, our team got the edge on the other team and kept it. Mary has the edge on Jane in the beauty contest.
[at ease] or [at one’s ease] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. In comfort; without pain or bother. You can’t feel at ease with a toothache. 2. or [at one’s ease] Comfortable in one’s mind; relaxed, not troubled. — Often used in the phrase «put at ease» or «put at one’s ease.» We put Mary at … Читать далее
[make one feel at home] {v. phr.} To be hospitable; welcome; makesomeone feel at ease. They are very popular hosts because theyalways manage to make their guests feel at home.
Идиома: set someone’s teeth on edge Перевод: раздражать, нервировать кого-либо Пример: The constant noise from the stereo next door set my teeth on edge. Постоянный шум из музыкального магазина по соседству меня сильно нервировал.
[put words into one’s mouth] {v. phr.} To say without proof thatanother person has certain feelings or opinions; claim a stand or anidea is another’s without asking; speak for another without right. When he said «John here is in favor of the idea.» I told him not toput words in my mouth.
[get the go-ahead] or [the green light] {v. phr.} To receive thepermission or signal to start or to proceed. We had to wait untilwe got the go-ahead on our research project.
[power behind the throne] {n. phr.} The person with the real powerbacking up the more visible partner. It is rumored that the First Lady it the powerbehind the throne in the White House.
Идиома: make the most of something Перевод: использовать что-либо наилучшим образом Пример: He made the most of his time in Europe and visited many art galleries. Он использовал свое время в Европе наилучшим образом, и посетил много художественных галерей.
[by the way] also [by the bye] {adv. phr.} Just as some added factor news; as something else that I think of. — Used to introduce something related to the general subject, or brought to mind by it. We shall expect you; by the way, dinner will be at eight. I was reading when the … Читать далее
Идиома: all over but the shouting Перевод: быть решенным Пример: It was all over but the shouting for the football fans after their team moved to another city. Для футбольных фанатов все было решено, и их команда отправилась в другой город.
[act out] {v.} 1. To show an idea, story, or happening by your looks, talk, and movements. He tried to act out a story that he had read. 2. To put into action. All his life he tried to act out his beliefs.
Идиома: argue for the sake of arguing / argue for the sake of argument Перевод: спорить ради спора, без надобности Пример: My friend’s brother always argues for the sake of arguing. Брат моего друга всегда спорит просто так.
[give oneself up to] {v. phr.} Not to hold yourself back from; letyourself enjoy. Uncle Willie gave himself up to a life ofwandering. John came inside from the cold and gave himself up tothe pleasure of being in a warm room. Compare: ENJOY ONESELF, LETONESELF GO.
[at will] {adv. phr.} As you like; as you please or choose freely. Little Bobby is allowed to wander at will in the neighborhood. With an air conditioner you can enjoy comfortable temperatures at will.
[savings bond] {n.} A government certificate given for money andsaved for a number of years so that the government will pay back themoney with interest. Mary bought a $25 savings bond for $18.75. John’s father gave him a savings bond for graduation.
[more or less] {adv. phr.} 1. Somewhat; rather; mostly; fairly. Earl made some mistakes on the test, but his answers were more orless right. Ed is more or less intelligent. Betty believesmore or less in fairies. Compare: IN A WAY. 2. About; nearly; notexactly, but almost. The new building cost more or less what thebuilder … Читать далее
[bog down, to get bogged down] {v. phr.}, {mostly intransitive or passive} 1. To stop progressing; to slow to a halt. Work on the new building bogged down, because the contractor didn’t deliver the needed concrete blocks. 2. To become entangled with a variety of obstacles making your efforts unproductive or unsatisfying. The novelist wrote … Читать далее
Идиома: at the expense of (someone or something) Перевод: за счет кого-либо или чего-либо, во вред кому-либо или чему-либо Пример: The man was very successful but it was at the expense of his family and health. Мужчина был очень успешен, но это достигалось во вред его семье и здоровью.
[eleventh hour] {adj. phr.} Pertaining to the last minutes; thelast opportunity to accomplish a task. The editors made severaleleventh hour changes in the headlines of the morning paper.
[according to] {prep.} 1. So as to match or agree with; so as to be alike in. Many words are pronounced according to the spelling but some are not. The boys were placed in three groups according to height. 2. On the word or authority of. According to the Bible, Adam was the first man.
[use up] {v. phr.} 1. To use until nothing is left; spend orconsume completely. Don’t use up all the soap. Leave me some towash with. Jack used up his last dollar to see the movies. Compare: GIVE OUT. 2. {informal} To tire completely; make verytired; exhaust; leave no strength or force in. — Usually used … Читать далее
[cut both ways] or [cut two ways] {v. phr.} To have two effects; cause in jury to both sides. People who gossip find it cuts both ways.
[sum total] {n.} The final amount; everything taken together;total. The sum total of expenses for the trip was $450. Tenyears was the sum total of John’s education.
[ghost-writer] {n.} A writer whose identity remains a secret andwho writes for another who receives all the credit. It is rumoredthat John Smith’s best-selling novel was written by a ghost-writer.
[buzz word] {n.} A word that sounds big and important in a sentence but, on closer inspection, means little except the speaker’s indication to belong to a certain group. The politician’s speech was nothing but a lot of misleading statements and phony promises hidden in a bunch of buzz words.
[first thing off the bat] {adv. phr.} Immediately; at once. Hecalled home from Paris first thing off the bat as he stepped off theplane.
[inner city] {n.}, {colloquial} Densely populated neighborhoods inlarge metropolitan areas inhabited by low income families usually ofminority backgrounds, such as Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, or AfricanAmericans; characterized by slums and government-owned high rises. Joe comes from the inner city — he may need help with his reading.
[play footsie] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. Touch the feet ofa member of the opposite sex under the table as an act of flirtation. Have you at least played footsie with her? 2. To engage in anysort of flirtation or collaboration, especially in a politicalsituation. The mayor was suspected of playing footsie with theSyndicate.
[have something going for one] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} Tohave ability, talent; good looks, and Or influence in important placeshelping one to be successful. Well now, Pat Jones, that’s anotherstory — she’s got something going for her.
Идиома: a doubting Thomas Перевод: Фома неверующий Пример: My friend is a doubting Thomas and you must tell him many times before he will believe something. Мой друг словно Фома неверующий, ему все нужно объяснять много раз, прежде чем он поверит хоть чему-то.
[on one’s hands] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} In your care orresponsibility; that you must do something about. Mrs. Blake lefther five children with me while she shopped. I could not get anythingdone with the children on my hands. After everyone bought ticketsto the dance, the club treasurer had over $100 on his hands. Theelectricity went … Читать далее
[Aunt Tom] {n.}, {slang}, {originally from Black English} A successful professional or business woman who, due to her success in a masculine profession, doesn’t care about the women’s liberation movement or the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. Hermione is a regular Aunt Tom, she’ll never vote for the ERA.
[vanishing cream] {n.} A cosmetic cream for the skin that is usedchiefly before face powder. Mrs. Jones spread vanishing cream onher face before applying her face powder.
Идиома: leave someone out in the cold Перевод: оставить кого-либо в стороне, не взять в свою компанию, не разрешить принимать участие в какой-либо деятельности; исключить кого-либо Пример: We made an effort not to leave my friend out in the cold when we were planning the birthday party. Мы постарались не исключать моего друга из планирования … Читать далее
Идиома: go into effect Перевод: вступать в силу, в действие (о законе, правилах, и т. п.) Пример: The new parking regulations will go into effect next week. Новые правила парковки вступят в силу на следующей неделе.
[get the show on the road]{v. phr.}, {informal} To start a program;get work started. It was several years before the rocket scientistsgot the show on the road. Compare: GET THE BALL ROLLING.
[good many] or [great many] {n.} or {adj.} A large number ;very many. Used with «a». We found some fall flowers, but the frosthad already killed a good many. A great many of the houses wereknocked down by the earthquake. Tom has a good many friends atschool. Mary has a great many ideas for interesting … Читать далее