Текст книги "Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц"

Автор книги: Adam Makkai

Соавторы: Maya Glinberg
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[in step]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. With the left or right foot stepping at the same time as another’s or to the beat of music; in matching strides with another person or persons. •/The long line of soldiers marched all in step: Left, right! Left, right!/ •/Johnny marched behind the band in step to the music./ 2. In agreement; abreast. – Often followed by «with». •/Mary wanted to stay in step with her friends and have a doll too./ Contrast: OUT OF STEP.

[in stitches]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Laughing so hard that the sides ache; in a fit of laughing hard. •/The comedian was so funny that he had everyone who was watching him in stitches./

[in stock]{adj. phr.} Having something ready to sell dr use; in present possession or supply; to be sold. •/The store had no more red shoes in stock, so Mary chose brown ones instead./ Compare: IN STORE, ON HAND. Contrast: OUT OF STOCK.

[in store]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Saved up in case of need; ready for use or for some purpose. •/If the electricity goes off, we have candles in store in the closet./ •/The squirrel has plenty of nuts in store for the winter./ Compare: IN RESERVE, IN STOCK, ON HAND. 2. Ready to happen; waiting. – Often used in the phrase «hold in store» or «have in store». •/What does the future hold in store for the boy who ran away?/ •/There is a surprise in store for Helen when she gets home./

[in stride] See: TAKE IN STRIDE.

[in substance]{adv. phr.} In important facts; in the main or basic parts; basically; really. •/In substance the weather report said that it will be a nice day tomorrow./ •/The two cars are the same in substance, except one is red and the other is red and white./

[insult] See: ADD INSULT TO INJURY.

[intent] See: TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.

[in terms of]{prep.} 1. In the matter of; on the subject of; especially about; about. •/He spoke about books in terms of their publication./ •/What have you done in terms affixing the house?/ •/The children ate a great many hot dogs at the party. In terms of money, they ate $20 worth./ 2. As to the amount or number of. •/We swam a great distance. In terms of miles, it was three./

[in that]{conj.} For the reason that; because. •/I like the city, but I like the country better in that I have more friends in the country./

[in the air]{adv. phr.} 1. In everyone’s thoughts. •/Christmas was in the air for weeks before./ •/The war filled people’s thoughts every day; it was in the air./ Compare: IN THE WIND. 2. Meeting the bodily senses; surrounding you so as to be smelled or felt. •/Spring is in the air./ •/Rain is in the air./ 3. See: LEAVE HANGING, UP IN THE AIR.

[in the back] See: STAB IN THE BACK.

[in the bag]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Sure to be won or gotten; certain. •/Jones had the election in the bag after the shameful news about his opponent came out./ •/We thought we had the game in the bag./ Compare: SEWED UP.

[in the balance] See: HANG IN THE BALANCE.

[in the bargain] or [into the bargain]{adv. phr.} In addition; besides; also. •/Frank is a teacher, and an artist into the bargain./ •/The heat failed, and then the roof began to leak in the bargain./ Compare: TO BOOT, FOR GOOD MEASURE.

[in the black]{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In a successful or profitable way; so as to make money. •/The big store was running in the black./ •/A business must stay in the black to keep on./ Contrast: IN THE RED.

[in the blood] See: RUN IN THE BLOOD or RUN IN THE FAMILY.

[in the bud] See: NIP IN THE BUD.

[in the can]{adj.}, {slang}, {movie jargon} Ready; finished; completed; about to be duplicated and distributed to exhibitors. •/No sneak previews until it’s all in the can!/ •/Once my book’s in the can, I’ll go for a vacation./

[in the cards] also [on the cards]{adj. phr.}, {informal} To be expected; likely to happen; foreseeable; predictable. •/It was in the cards for the son to succeed his father as head of the business./ •/John finally decided that it wasn’t in the cards for him to succeed with that company./

[in the charge of] See: IN CHARGE OF(2).

[in the chips]{slang} or {informal}[in the money]{adj. phr.} Having plenty of money; prosperous; rich. •/After his rich uncle died, Richard was in the chips./ •/After years of struggle and dependence, air transportation is in the money./ Compare: ON EASY STREET, WELL-TO-DO.

[in the circumstances] See: UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

[in the clear]{adj. phr.} 1. Free of anything that makes moving or seeing difficult; with nothing to limit action. •/The plane climbed above the clouds and was flying in the clear./ •/Jack passed the ball to Tim, who was in the clear and ran for a touchdown./ 2. {informal} Free of blame or suspicion; not thought to be guilty. •/After John told the principal that he broke the window, Martin was in the clear./ •/Steve was the last to leave the locker room, and the boys suspected him of stealing Tom’s watch, but the coach found the watch and put Steve in the clear./ 3. Free of debt; not owing money to anyone. •/Bob borrowed a thousand dollars from his father to start his business, but at the end of the first year he was in the clear./ Syn.: IN THE BLACK.

[in the clouds]{adj. phr.} Far from real life; in dreams; in fancy; in thought. •/When Alice agreed to marry Jim, Jim went home in the clouds./ – Often used with «head», «mind», «thoughts». •/Mary is looking out the window, not at the chalkboard; her head is in the clouds again./ •/A good teacher should have his head in the clouds sometimes, but his feet always on the ground./ Contrast: COME BACK TO EARTH, FEET ON THE GROUND.

[in the clover] See: IN CLOVER.

[in the cold] See: OUT IN THE COLD.

[in the cold light of day]{adv. phr.} After sleeping on it; after giving it more thought; using common sense and looking at the matter unemotionally and realistically. •/Lost night my ideas seemed terrific, but in the cold light of day I realize that they won’t work./

[in the dark]{adj. phr.} 1. In ignorance; without information. •/John was in the dark about the job he was being sent to./ •/If the government controls the news, it can keep people in the dark on any topic it chooses./ •/Mary had a letter from Sue yesterday, but she was left in the dark about Sue’s plans to visit her./ Contrast: IN THE KNOW. See: WHISTLE IN THE DARK.

[in the doghouse]{adj. phr.}, {slang} In disgrace or disfavor. •/Our neighbor got in the doghouse with his wife by coming home drunk./ •/Jerry is in the doghouse because he dropped the ball, and the other team won because of that./ Compare: DOWN ON.

[in the door] See: FOOT IN THE DOOR.

[in the driver’s seat]{adv. phr.} In control; having the power to make decisions. •/Stan is in the driver’s seat now that he has been made our supervisor at the factory./

[in the dumps] See: DOWN IN THE DUMPS.

[in the event] See: IN CASE(1).

[in the event of] See: IN CASE OF.

[in the eye] See: LOOK IN THE EYE.

[in the face] See: BLUE IN THE FACE, LOOK IN THE EYE or LOOK IN THE FACE, SLAP IN THE FACE, STARE IN THE FACE.

[in the face of]{adv. phr.} 1. When met or in the presence of; threatened by. •/He was brave in the face of danger./ •/She began to cry in the face of failure./ 2. Although opposed by; without being stopped by. •/Talking continued even in the face of the teacher’s command to stop./ Syn.: IN SPITE OF. Compare: FLY IN THE FACE OF, IN ONE’S FACE. 3. See: FLY IN THE PACE OF.

[in the family] See: RUN IN THE BLOOD or RUN IN THE FAMILY.

[in the first place]{adv. phr.} 1. Before now; in the beginning; first. •/You already ate breakfast! Why didn’t you tell me that in the first place instead of saying you didn’t want to eat?/ •/Carl patched his old football but it soon leaked again. He should have bought a new one in the first place./ 2. See: IN THE PLACE.

[in the flesh] See: IN PERSON.

[in the groove]{adj. phr.}, {slang} Doing something very well; near perfection; at your best. •/The band was right in the groove that night./ •/It was an exciting football game; every player was really in the groove./

[in the hole]{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1a. Having a score lower than zero in a game, especially a card game; to a score below zero. •/John went three points in the hole on the first hand of the card game./ 1b. Behind an opponent; in difficulty in a sport or game. •/We had their pitcher in the hole with the bases full and no one out./ Compare: ON THE SPOT. 2. In debt; behind financially. •/John went in the hole with his hot dog stand./ •/It’s a lot easier to get in the hole than to get out again./ Compare: IN A HOLE, IN THE RED. Contrast: OUT OF THE HOLE.

[in the know]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Knowing about things that most people do not know about; knowing secrets or understanding a special subject. •/Tina helped Professor Smith make some of the exam questions, and she felt important to be in the know./ •/In a print shop, Mr. Harvey is in the know, but in a kitchen he can’t even cook an egg./ Compare: GET WISE. Contrast: IN THE DARK.

[in the lap of luxury]{adv. phr.} Well supplied with luxuries; having most things that money can buy. •/Mike grew up in the lap of luxury./ Compare: ON EASY STREET, WELL-TO-DO.

[in the lap of the gods] also [on the knees of the gods]{adv. phr.}, {literary} Beyond human control; not to be decided by anyone. •/Frank had worked hard as a candidate, and as election day came he felt that the result was in the lap of the gods./ •/The armies were evenly matched and the result of the battle seemed to be on the knees of the gods./

[in the least]{adv. phr.} Even a little; in any degree or amount. – Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. •/Sue did not understand physics in the least./ •/Are you in the least interested in sewing?/ •/Mother won’t be upset if you come for supper; I’ll be surprised if she cares in the least./ •/Mike was not upset in the least by the storm./ •/It is no trouble to help you. Not in the least./ Compare: AT ALL.

[in the line of duty]{adj. phr.} Done or happening as part of a job. •/The policeman was shot in the line of duty./ •/The soldier had to clean his rifle in the line of duty./

[in the long run]{adv. phr.} In the end; in the final result. •/John knew that lie could make a success of the little weekly paper in the long run./ •/You may make good grades by studying only before examinations, but you will succeed in the long run only by studying hard every day./

[in the lurch] See: LEAVE IN THE LURCH.

[in the main]{adv. phr.}, {formal} In most cases; generally; usually. •/In the main, small boys and dogs are good friends./ •/In the main, the pupils did well on the test./

[in the market for]{adj. phr.} Wishing to buy; ready to buy. •/Mr. Jones is in the market for a new car./ •/People are always in the market for entertainment./

[in the middle]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In between two sides of an argument; caught between two dangers. •/Mary found herself in the middle of the quarrel between Joyce and Ethel./ •/John promised Tom to go fishing, but his father wanted him to help at home. John was in the middle./

[in the middle of nowhere]{adv. phr.} In a deserted, faraway place. •/When my car stopped on the highway in the middle of nowhere, it took forever to get help./

[in the money] See: IN THE CHIPS.

[in the mood (for)]{adj. phr.} 1. Interested in doing something. •/Sorry, I’m just not in the mood for a heavy dinner tonight./ 2. Feeling sexy. •/I am sorry, darling, I am just not in the mood tonight./

[in the mouth] See: LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.

[in the neck] See: CATCH IT IN THE NECK or GET IT IN THE NECK.

[in the nick of time]{adv. phr.} Just at the right time; barely soon enough; almost too late. •/The doctor arrived in the nick of time to save the child from choking to death./ •/Joe saw the other car in the nick of time./ Compare: IN TIME.

[in the pink] or [in the pink of condition]{adj. phr.}, {informal} In excellent health; strong and well; in fine shape. •/Mr. Merrick had aged well; he was one of those old men who always seem in the pink of condition./ •/After a practice and a rubdown, Joe felt in the pink./

[in the – place]{adv. phr.} As the (first or second or third, etc.) thing in order or importance; first, second, or third, etc. – Used with «first», «second», «third», and other ordinal numbers. •/No, you cannot go swimming. In the first place, the water is too cold; and, in the second place, there is not time enough before dinner./ •/Stealing is wrong, in the first place, because it hurts others, and, in the second place, because it hurts you./ Compare: FOR ONE THING.

[in the prime of life]{adv. phr.} At the peak of one’s creative abilities; during the most productive years. •/Poor John lost his job due to restructuring when he was in the prime of his life./

[in the public eye]{adj. phr.} Widely known; often seen in public activity; much in the news. •/The senator’s activity kept him in the public eye./ •/A big league ballplayer is naturally much in the public eye./

[in the raw]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. In the simplest or most natural way; with no frills. •/Henry enjoyed going into the woods and living life in the raw./ 2. {informal} Without any clothing; naked. •/In the summer the boys slept in the raw./

[in the red]{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In an unprofitable way; so as to lose money. •/A large number of American radio stations operate in the red./ •/A rich man who has a farm or ranch often runs it in the red, but makes his money with his factory or business./ Contrast: IN THE BLACK. (From the fact that people who keep business records usually write in red ink how much money they lose and in black ink how much money they gain.)

[in the right]{adj. phr.} With moral or legal right or truth on your side; in agreement with justice, truth, or fact; correct. •/When the cars collided, John was clearly in the right./ •/In going before his wife down the stairs, Mr. Franklin was in the right./ •/In many disputes, it is hard to say who is in the right./ Contrast: IN THE WRONG.

[in the rough] See: DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.

[in the running]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} Having a chance to win; not to be counted out; among those who might win. •/At the beginning of the last lap of the race, only two horses were still in the running./ •/A month before Joyce married Hal, three of Joyce’s boyfriends seemed to be still in the running./ •/Al was in the running for the trophy until the last hole of the golf tournament./ Contrast: OUT OF THE RUNNING.

[in the saddle] adv. or {adj. phr.} In command; in control; in a position to order or boss others. •/Mr. Park was in the saddle when he had over half the company’s stock./ •/Getting appointed chief of police put Stevens in the saddle./

[in the same boat]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In the same trouble; in the same fix; in the same bad situation. •/When the town’s one factory closed and hundreds of people lost their jobs, all the storekeepers were in the same boat./ •/Dick was disappointed when Fern refused to marry him, but he knew others were in the same boat./

[in the same breath]{adv. phr.} 1. At the same time; without waiting. •/John would complain about hard times, and in the same breath boast of his prize-winning horses./ •/Jane said Bill was selfish, but in the same breath she said she was sorry to see him leave./ 2. In the same class; in as high a group. – Usually used in the negative with «mention», «speak», or «talk». •/Mary is a good swimmer, but she should not be mentioned in the same breath with Joan./

[in the same place] See: LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE.

[in the sand] See: HIDE ONE’S HEAD IN THE SAND.

[in the second place] See: IN THE – PLACE.

[in the short run]{adv. phr.} In the immediate future. •/We are leasing a car in the short run; later we might buy one./ Contrast: IN THE LONG RUN.

[in the soup]{adj. phr.}, {slang} In serious trouble; in confusion; in disorder. •/When his wife overdrew their bank account without telling him, Mr. Phillips suddenly found himself really in the soup./ •/The police misunderstood Harry’s night errand, and arrested him, which put him in the soup with the boss./

[in the spotlight]{adv. phr.} In the center of attention, with everybody watching what one is doing. •/It must be difficult for the President to be in the spotlight wherever he goes./ Compare: IN THE LIMELIGHT.

[in the swim]{adj. phr.} Doing the same things that other people are doing; following the fashion (as in business or social affairs); busy with what most people are doing. •/Jim found some college friends at the lake that summer, and soon was in the swim of things./ •/Mary went to New York with introductions to writers and artists, and that winter she was quite in the swim./ Contrast: OUT OF THE SWIM.

[in the third place] See: IN THE – PLACE.

[in the till] See: ROB THE TILL or HAVE ONE’S HAND IN THE TILL.

[in the twinkling of an eye] See: BEFORE ONE CAN SAY JACK ROBINSON.

[in the wake of]{prep.}, {literary} As a result of; right after; following. •/Many troubles follow in the wake of war./ •/There were heavy losses of property in the wake of the flood./

[in the way] See: IN ONE’S WAY.

[in the way of] See: PUT IN THE WAY OF.

[in the wind]{adj. phr.} Seeming probable; being planned; soon to happen. •/Changes in top management of the company had been in the wind for weeks./ •/Tom’s close friends knew that marriage was in the wind./ Compare: IN THE AIR(1).

[in the works]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In preparation; being planned or worked on; in progress. •/John was told that the paving of his street was in the works./ •/It was reported that the playwright had a new play in the works./ •/The manager told the employees that a raise in wages was in the works./ Compare: UNDER WAY.

[in the world] or [on earth]{adv. phr.}, {informal} Of all possible things; ever. – Usually used for emphasis after words that ask questions, as «who», «why», «what», etc. •/Where in the world did you find that necktie?/ •/The boys wondered how on earth the mouse got out of the cage./ •/Betty could not understand what on earth the teacher meant./

[in the wrong]{adj. phr.} With moral or legal right or truth against you; against justice, truth, or fact; wrong. •/In attacking a smaller boy, Jack was plainly in the wrong./ •/Mary was in the wrong to drink from a finger bowl./ •/Since he had put pennies behind the fuses, Bill was in the wrong when fire broke out./ Compare: OUT OF THE WAY. Contrast: IN THE RIGHT.

[in time]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Soon enough. •/We got to Washington in time for the cherry blossoms./ •/We got to the station just in time to catch the bus./ •/John liked to get to work in good time and talk. to the man who worked on his machine before him./ 2. In the end; after a while; finally. •/Fred and Jim did not like each other at first, but in time they became friends./ 3. In the right rhythm; in step. •/The marchers kept in time with the band./ •/Johnny didn’t play his piano piece in time./

[into account] See: TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.

[into a nose dive] See: oo INTO A TAIL SPIN or GO INTO A NOSE DIVE.

[into a tail spin] See: GO INTO A TAIL SPIN.

[into commission] See: IN COMMISSION.

[into effect]{adv. phr.} Into use or operation. •/The new rule was put into effect at once./ •/The judge ordered the old suspended penalty into effect./

[into hot water] See: HOT WATER.

[into line]{adv. phr.} 1. Into agreement. •/The department’s spending was brought into line with the budget./ 2. Under control. •/Independent congressmen were brought into line by warnings that jobs for their friends would be kept back./ •/The players who had broken training rules fell into line when the coach warned them that they would he put off the team./

[into one’s blood] See: IN ONE’S BLOOD.

[into one’s head] See: BEAT INTO ONE’S HEAD, TAKE INTO ONE’S HEAD.

[into one’s own] See: COME INTO ONE’S OWN.

[into one’s own hands] See: TAKE THE LAW INTO ONE’S OWN HANDS.

[into one’s shell] See: IN ONE’S SHELL.

[into one’s shoes] See: STEP INTO ONE’S SHOES.

[into practice] See: IN PRACTICE.

[into question]{adv. phr.} Into doubt or argument. – Usually used with «call», «bring» or «come». •/This soldier’s courage has never been called into question./ •/If a boy steals, his parents' teaching comes into question./

[into the bargain] See: IN THE BARGAIN.

[into the fire] See: OUT OP THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE.

[into the ground] See: RUN INTO THE GROUND.

[into the hands of] See: PLAY INTO THE HANDS OF.

[into thin air]{adv. phr.} Without anything left; completely. •/When Bob returned to the room, he was surprised to find that his books had vanished into thin air./ Compare: OUT OF THIN AIR.

[in toto]{adv. phr.} As a whole; in its entirety; totally; altogether. •/The store refused the advertising agency’s suggestion in toto./ •/They bought the newspaper business in toto./ •/The paving job was accepted in toto./ (Latin, meaning «in the whole.»)

[in touch]{adj. phr.} Talking or writing to each other; giving and getting news. •/John kept in touch with his school friends during the summer./ •/Police anywhere in the U.S. can get in touch instantly with any other police department by teletype./ •/The man claimed to be in touch with people on another planet./ Compare: KEEP TRACK. Contrast: OUT OF TOUCH.

[in tow]{adj. phr.} 1. Being pulled. •/The tugboat had the large ocean liner in tow as they came into the harbor./ •/An engine came with a long string of cars in tow./ 2. Being taken from place to place; along with someone. •/Janet took the new girl in tow and showed her where to go./ •/Mrs. Hayes went to the supermarket with her four little children in tow./

[in trust]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In safe care for another. •/The money was held by the hank in trust for the widow./ •/At his death Mr. Brown left a large sum in trust for his son until he was twenty-five./

[in tune]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. At the proper musical pitch; high or low enough in sound. •/The piano is in tune./ 2. Going well together; in agreement; matching; agreeable. – Often used with «with». •/In his new job, John felt in tune with his surroundings and his associates./ Contrast: OUT OF TUNE.

[in turn]{adv. phr.} According to a settled order; each following another. •/Each man in turn got up and spoke./ •/Two teachers supervised the lunch hour in turn./ •/Two of the three boys tease their younger brother – John, the biggest, teases Bob, the middle boy; and Bob in turn teases Tim, the youngest./ Compare: IN ORDER.

[in two]{adv. phr.} Into two parts or pieces; into two divisions. •/John and Mary pulled on the wishbone until it came in two./ •/There was only one piece of cake, but we cut it in two./ Syn.: IN HALF.

[in two shakes of a lamb’s tail]{adv.}, {informal} Quickly; in no time at all. •/I’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail./

[in – up to the] See: UP TO THE – IN.

[in vain]{adv. phr.} 1. Without effect; without getting the desired result; without success. •/The drowning man called in vain for help./ •/To cry over spilled milk is to cry in vain./ Compare: GO FOR NOTHING, NO USE. 2. See: TAKE ONE’S NAME IN VAIN.

[in view]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In sight; visible. •/We came around a bend and there was the ocean in view./ 2. As a purpose, hope, or expectation. •/John had his son’s education in view when he began to save money./ •/The end that we must keep always in view is peace with justice./ Compare: EYE TO.

[in view of]{prep.} After thinking about; because of. •/Schools were closed for the day in view of the heavy snowstorm./ •/In view of rising labor costs, many companies have turned to automation./ Syn.: IN THE LIGHT OF.

[in virtue of] See: BY VIRTUE OF.

[in wait] See: LIE IN WAIT.

[in with]{prep.} In friendship, favor, or closeness with; in the trust or liking of. •/We trusted on Byrd’s being in with the mayor, not knowing that the mayor no longer liked him./ •/It took the new family some time to get in with their neighbors./

[I.O.U.]{adj. phr.} I owe you, abbreviated; a promissory note. •/I had to borrow some money from John and, in order to remind both of us, I wrote him an I.O.U. note for $250./

[Irish] See: GET ONE’S DANDER UP or GET ONE’S IRISH UP.

[iron horse]{n.}, {informal} A railroad locomotive; the engine of a railroad train. •/In its first days, the iron horse frightened many people as it roared across country scattering sparks./

[iron in the fire]{n. phr.} Something you are doing; one of the projects with which a person is busy; job, •/John had a number of irons in the fire, and he managed to keep all of them hot./ – Usually used in the phrase «too many irons in the fire». •/«Ed has a dozen things going all the time, but none of them seem to work out.» «No wonder. He has too many irons in the fire.»/

[iron out]{v.}, {informal} To discuss and reach an agreement about (a difference); find a solution for (a problem); remove (a difficulty). •/The company and its workers ironed out their differences over hours and pay./ •/The House and Senate ironed out the differences between their two different tax bills./ Compare: MAKE UP(5).

[is] See: SUCH AS IT IS, THAT IS.

[island] See: SAFETY ISLAND.

[issue] See: AT ISSUE, TAKE ISSUE.

[is that so]{informal} 1. Oh, indeed? That’s interesting. – Used in simple acceptance or reply. •/«The Republicans have pulled a trick at city hall.» «Is that so?»/ 2. Surely not? – Used in disbelief or sarcasm. •/«The moon is made of green cheese.» «Is that so?»/ •/«I’m going to take your girlfriend to the dance,» said Bob. «Oh, is that so!» said Dick. «Try it and you’ll be sorry.»/

[itching palm]{n.}, {slang} A wish for money; greed. •/He was born with an itching palm./ •/The bellboys in that hotel seem always to have itching palms./

[I tell you] See: I’LL SAY.

[I tell you what] See: I’LL TELL YOU WHAT.

[item] See: COLLECTOR’S ITEM, CONSUMER ITEMS.

[it figures]{informal sentence} It checks out; it makes sense; it adds up. •/It figures that Bob got the highest raise at our firm; he is the most productive salesman./

[it is an ill wind that blows nobody good] No matter how bad a happening is, someone can usually gain something from it. – A proverb. •/When Fred got hurt in the game John got a chance to play. It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good./

[it never rains but it pours] One good thing or bad thing is often followed by others of the same kind. – A proverb, •/John got sick, then his brothers and sisters all got sick. It never rains but it pours./

[it’s a cinch]{informal sentence} It is very easy. •/«What about the final exam?» Fred asked. «It was a cinch» Sam answered./ Compare: PIECE OF CAKE.

[it’s a deal]{informal sentence} Consider it done; OK; it is agreed. •/«How much for this used car?» Bill asked. «Two thousand,» the man answered. «I’ll give $1,500,» Bill said. «It’s a deal!» the owner answered as they sealed the transaction./

[it’s been –, it’s been real]{informal} Shortened form for «it has been real nice (being with you)» – used colloquially between very close friends.

[itself] See: END IN ITSELF.

[it’s high time]{informal sentence} It is overdue. •/It is high time for John Browning to be promoted to full professor; he has written a great deal but his books went unnoticed./

[Ivy League]{n.} A small group of the older and more famous eastern U.S. colleges and universities. •/Several Ivy League teams play each other regularly each year./ •/Harvard, Yale, and Princeton were the original Ivy League./