[about to] 1. Close to; ready to.
— Used with an infinitive.
We were about to leave when the snow began.
I haven’t gone yet, but I’m about to.
Compare: GOING TO, ON THE POINT OF.
2. {informal} Having a wish or plan to.
— Used with an infinitive in negative sentences.
Freddy wasn’t about to give me any of his ice-cream cone.
«Will she come with us?» asked Bill. «She’s not about to,» answered Mary.
English food.
My favourite day.
Related topics:
- Значение идиомы sit with[sit with] {v.}, {informal} To be accepted by; affect. — Used ininterrogative sentences and in negative sentences modified by «well». How did your story sit with your mother? Bob’s poorsportsmanship doesn’t sit well with the coach....
- Значение идиомы for love or money[for love or money] {adv. phr.} For anything; for any price. Usedin negative sentences. I wouldn’t give him my dog for love ormoney. Compare: FOR ALL THE WORLD....
- Значение идиомы use up[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...
- Значение идиомы let alone[let alone] {conj. phr.} 1. Even less; certainly not. — Used aftera negative clause. I can’t add two and two, let alone dofractions. Jim can’t drive a car, let alone a truck. Compare:MUCH LESS, NOT TO MENTION. 2. [let alone] or [leave alone] {v.} Tostay away from; keep hands off; avoid. When Joel gets mad, ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы to speak of[to speak of] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Important; worth talkingabout; worth noticing. — Usually used in negative sentences. Did itrain yesterday? Not to speak of. What happened at the meeting? Nothing to speak of. Judy’s injuries were nothing to speak of;just a few scratches. Compare: NOT TO MENTION....
- Значение идиомы bat an eye[bat an eye] or [bat an eyelash] {v. phr.}, {informal} To show surprise, fear, or interest; show your feelings. — Used in negative sentences. When I told him the price of the car he never batted an eye. Bill told his story without batting an eyelash, although not a word of it was true. Compare: ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы cry before one is hurt[cry before one is hurt] or [holler before one is hurt] {v. phr.}, {informal} To complain when there is no reason for it; become upset because you are worried or afraid. — Used in negative sentences. When Billy went to the barber, he began to cry before the barber cut his hair and his father ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы all there[all there] or [all here] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Understanding well; thinking clearly; not crazy. — Usually used in negative sentences, Joe acted queerly and talked wildly, so we thought he was not all there....
- Значение идиомы can’t help but[can’t help but] {informal} also {formal} [cannot but] {v. phr.} To be forced to; can only; must. When the streets are full of melting snow, you can’t help but get your shoes wet. When a friend gave Jim a ticket to the game, he couldn’t help but go. When a close friend dies, you cannot ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы born yesterday[born yesterday] {adj. phr.} Inexperienced and easily fooled; not alert to trickery; easily deceived or cheated. — Usually used in negative sentences. When Bill started the new job, the other workers teased him a little, but he soon proved to everyone that he wasn’t born yesterday. I won’t give you the money till I see ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы in the least[in the least] {adv. phr.} Even a little; in any degree or amount.- Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. Suedid not understand physics in the least. Are you in the leastinterested in sewing? Mother won’t be upset if you come forsupper; I’ll be surprised if she cares in the least. Mike was notupset in ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы rhyme or reason[rhyme or reason] {n. phr.} A good plan or reason; a reasonablepurpose or explanation. — Used in negative, interrogative, orconditional sentences. Don could see no rhyme or reason to the plotof the play. It seemed to Ruth that her little brother had tempertantrums without rhyme or reason....
- Значение идиомы a bit[a bit] {n., informal} A small amount; some. There’s no sugar in the sugar bowl, but you may find a bit in the bag. If the ball had hit the window a bit harder, it would have broken it. — Often used like an adverb. This sweater scratches a bit. — Also used like an ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы snow under[snow under] {v.} 1. To cover over with snow. The doghouse wassnowed under during the blizzard. 2. {informal} To give so much ofsomething that it cannot be taken care of; to weigh down by so much ofsomething that’ you cannot do anything about it. — Usually used in thepassive. The factory received so many orders ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы leave no stone unturned[leave no stone unturned] {v. phr.} To try in every way; miss nochance; do everything possible. — Usually used in the negative. Thepolice will leave no stone unturned in their search for the bankrobbers. Compare: ALL OUT, BEND HEAVEN AND EARTH, FINE-TOOTH COMB....
- Значение идиомы get to[get to] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To begin by chance; begin to. — Used with a verbal noun or an infinitive. George meant to save hisdollar, but he got to thinking how good an ice cream cone would taste, and he spent it. On a rainy day, Sally got to looking around inthe attic and ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы cut ice[cut ice] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make a difference; make an impression; be accepted as important. — Usually used in negative, interrogative, or conditional sentences. When Frank had found a movie he liked, what others said cut no ice with him. Jones is democratic; a man’s money or importance never cuts any ice with him. ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы anything like[anything like] or [anywhere near] {adv.} Nearly. — Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences, often in the negative forms «nothing like» or «nowhere near». It’s not anything like as hot today as it was yesterday. Do you think that gold ring is worth anywhere near a hundred dollars? Today’s game was nowhere near as ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы hold water[hold water] {v. phr.} 1. To keep water without leaking. Thatpail still holds water. 2. {informal} To prove true; stand testing;bear examination. — Usually used in negative, interrogative, orconditional sentences. Ernest told the police a story that wouldn’thold water....
- Значение идиомы give out[give out] {v.} 1. To make known; let it be known; publish. Marygave out that she and Bob were going to be married. 2. To let escape;give. The cowboy gave out a yell. Syn.: GIVE OFF, LET GO. 3. togive to people; distribute. The barber gives out free lollipops toall the children. Compare: HAND OUT, ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы lay a finger on[lay a finger on] {v. phr.} To touch or bother, even a little. — Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. Don’tyou dare lay a finger on the vase! Suppose Billy fakes his brotherwith him; wilt the mean, tough boy down the street dare lay a fingeron him? If you so much as lay a ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы line up[line up] {v. phr.} 1. To take places in a line or formation; standside by side or one behind another; form a line or pattern. Theboys lined up and took turns diving off the springboard. Thefootball team lined up in a «T» formation. 2. To put in line. Johnlined up the pool balls. 3. To ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы give a hard time[give a hard time] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To give trouble by whatyou do or say; complain. Jane gave her mother a hard time on thebus by fighting with her sister and screaming. Don’t give me ahard time, George. I’m doing my best on this job. Compare: GIVE FITS.2. To get in the way by ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы cross a bridge before one comes to it[cross a bridge before one comes to it] {v. phr.} To worry about future events or trouble before they happen. — Usually used in negative sentences, often as a proverb. «Can I be a soldier when I grow up, Mother?» asked Johnny. «Don’t cross that bridge until you come to it,» said his mother. Compare: ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы take off[take off] {v. phr.} 1a. To leave fast; depart suddenly; run away. The dog took off after a rabbit. Compare: LIGHT OUT. 1b.{informal} To go away; leave. The six boys got into the car andtook off for the drug store. 2. To leave on a flight, begin going up. A helicopter is able to take ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы keep from[keep from] {v.}, {informal} To hold yourself back from; stop orprevent yourself from. Can you keep fromrepeating gossip? Jill can’t keep from talking about her trip. -Usually used with «can» in the negative. You can’t keep from likingJim. Compare: CAN HELP....
- Значение идиомы darken one’s door[darken one’s door] or [darken the door] To appear, as in a doorway; enter someone’s home or establishment. — Used in negative imperative sentences especially with «never» and «again». If you leave this house now, never darken my door again. After a son shamed his father by having to go to prison, the father told ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы check out[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 ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы all over[all over] {adv. phr.} 1. In every part; everywhere. He has a fever and aches all over. I have looked all over for my glasses. Compare: FAR AND WIDE. 2. {informal} In every way; completely. She is her mother all over. 3. {informal} Coming into very close physical contact, as during a violent fight; wrestling. ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы all right[all right ] {adv. phr.} 1. Well enough. The new machine is running all right. 2. {informal} I am willing; yes. «Shall we watch television?» «All right.» Compare: VERY WELL. 3. {informal} Beyond question, certainly. — Used for emphasis and placed after the word it modifies. It’s time to leave, all right, but the bus ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы let out[let out] {v.} 1a. To allow to go out or escape. The guard letthe prisoners out of jail to work in the garden. Mother won’t letus out when it rains. Compare: LET LOOSE. 1b. {informal} To make come out of the mouth; utter. A bee stung Charles. He letout a yell and ran home. Father ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы card up one’s sleeve[card up one’s sleeve] {n. phr.}, {informal} Another help, plan, or argument kept back and produced if needed; another way to do something. John knew his mother would lend him money if necessary, but he kept that card up his sleeve. Bill always has a card up his sleeve, so when his first plan failed ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы give it to[give it to] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To give punishment to; beat. The crowd yelled for the wrestler to give it to his opponent. Syn.: LET HAVE IT. 2. To scold. Jerry’s mother gave it to him forcoming home late. Compare: GIVE A PIECE OF ONE’S MIND, LACE INTO. Contrast: CATCH IT....
- Значение идиомы make head or tail of[make head or tail of] {v. phr.}, {informal} To see the why of;finding a meaning in; understand. — Used in negative, conditional, andinterrogative sentences. She could not make head or tail of thedirections on the dress pattern. Can you make head or tail of theletter?...
- Значение идиомы leave flat[leave flat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To quit or leave suddenlywithout warning when wanted or needed; desert; forsake; abandon. Sam found that being a member of the trail-clearing group was a lotof hard work, so he left them flat. My car ran out of gas and leftme flat, ten miles from town. Compare: LEAVE IN THE ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы cover one’s tracks[cover one’s tracks] or [cover up one’s tracks] {v. phr.} 1. To hide and not leave anything, especially foot marks, to show where you have been, so that no one can follow you. The deer covered his tracks by running in a stream. 2. {informal} To hide or not say where you have been or ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы give way[give way] {v.} 1. To go back; retreat. The enemy army is givingway before the cannon fire. Compare: FALL BACK. 2. To make room, getout of the way. The children gave way and let their mother throughthe door. Compare: MAKE WAY. 3. To lose control of yourself; loseyour courage or hope; yield. Mrs. Jones didn’t ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы run away[run away] or [run off] {v.} To leave and not plan to come back; gowithout permission; escape. Many times Tommy said he would run awayfrom home, but he never did. The guards in jail make sure thatnone of the prisoners run away. Compare: GET AWAY....
- Значение идиомы keep one’s eye on the ball[keep one’s eye on the ball] {v. phr.} 1. To watch the ball at alltimes in a sport, usually in order to hit it or get it; not stopwatching the ball. Keep your eye on the baseball or you won’t beable to hit it. 2. {informal} To be watchful and ready; be wide-awakeand ready to ... Читать далее...
- Значение идиомы count one’s chickens before they’re hatched[count one’s chickens before they’re hatched] {v. phr.}, {informal} To depend on getting a profit or gain before you have it; make plans that suppose something will happen; be too sure that something will happen. Usually used in negative sentences. When Jim said that he would be made captain of the team, John told him ... Читать далее...
Значение идиомы about to