Текст книги "Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц"

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[as a matter of fact]{adv. phr.} Actually; really; in addition to what has been said; in reference to what was said. – Often used as an interjection. •/It’s not true that I cannot swim; as a matter of fact, I used to work as a lifeguard in Hawaii./ •/Do you think this costs too much? As a matter of fact, I think it is rather cheap./

[as an aside]{adv. phr.} Said as a remark in a low tone of voice; used in theaters where the actor turns toward the audience as if to «think out loud.» •/During the concert Tim said to his wife as an aside, «The conductor has no idea how to conduct Beethoven.»/

[as a rule]{adv. phr.} Generally; customarily. •/As a rule, the boss arrives at the office about 10 A.M./

[as an old shoe] See: COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE, COMMON AS AN OLD SHOE.

[as – as –] – Used with an adjective or adverb in a comparison or with the effect of a superlative. •/John is as tall as his father now./ •/I didn’t do as badly today as I did yesterday./ •/John’s father gave him a hard job and told him to do as well as possible./ •/The sick girl was not hungry, but her mother told her to eat as much as she could./ – Also used in the form «so – as» in some sentences, especially negative sentences. •/This hill isn’t nearly so high as the last one we climbed./ – Often used in similes (comparisons that are figures of speech). •/The baby mouse looked as big as a minute./ •/Jim’s face was red as a beet after he made the foolish mistake./ – Most similes in conventional use are cliches, avoided by careful speakers and writers.

[as best one can]{adv. phr.} As well as you can; by whatever means are available; in the best way you can. •/The car broke down in the middle of the night, and he had to get home as best he could./ •/George’s foot hurt, but he played the game as best he could./ •/The girl’s mother was sick, so the girl got dinner as best she could./

[as catch can] See: CATCH AS CATCH CAN.

[as far as] or [so far as]{adv. phr.} 1. To the degree or amount that; according to what, how much, or how far. •/John did a good job as far as he went, but he did not finish it./ •/So far as the weather is concerned, I do not think it matters./ •/As far as he was concerned, things were going well./ 2. To the extent that; within the limit that. •/He has no brothers so far as I know./ Compare: FOR ALL(2).

[as far as that goes] or [as far as that is concerned] or [so far as that is concerned] also [so far as that goes]{adv. phr.} While we are talking about it; also; actually. •/You don’t have to worry about the girls. Mary can take care of herself, and as far as that goes, Susan is pretty independent, too./ •/I didn’t enjoy the movie, and so far as that is concerned, I never like horror movies./ Syn.: FOR THAT MATTER, IN FACT. Compare: COME TO THINK OF IT.

[as follows] A list of things that come next; what is listed next. – Followed by a colon. •/My grocery list is as follows: bread, butter, meat, eggs, sugar./ •/The names of the members are as follows: John Smith, Mary Webb, Linda Long, Ralph Harper./ •/The route is as follows: From City Hall go south on Main Street to Elm Street, east on Elm to 5th Street, and south on 5th two blocks to the school./

[as for]{prep.} 1. In regard to; speaking of; concerning. •/We have plenty of bread, and as for butter, we have more than enough./ 2. Speaking for. •/Most people like the summer but as for me, I like winter much better./ Compare: FOR ONE’S PART.

[as good as]{adv. phr.} Nearly the same as; almost. •/She claimed that he as good as promised to marry her./ •/He as good as called me a liar./ •/We’ll get to school on time, we’re as good as there now./ •/The man who had been shot was as good as dead./ – Often used without the first «as» before adjectives. •/When the car was repaired, it looked good as new./

[as good as a mile] See: MISS IS AS GOOD AS A MILE.

[as good as one gets] See: GIVE AS GOOD AS ONE GETS.

[as good as one’s promise] See: AS GOOD AS ONE’S WORD.

[as good as one’s word] or [good as one’s word]{adj. phr.} Trustworthy; sure to keep your promise. •/The coach said he would give the players a day off if they won, and he was as good as his word./ •/We knew she was always good as her word, so we trusted her./

[as hard as nails]{adj. phr.} Very unfeeling; cruel, and unsympathetic. •/Uncle Joe is as hard as nails; although he is a millionaire, he doesn’t help his less fortunate relatives./

[aside] See: JOKING ASIDE, SET ASIDE.

[aside from] See: APART FROM.

[aside of]{prep.}, {dialect} Beside; by the side of. •/Mary sits aside of her sister on the bus./

[as if] or [as though]{conj.} 1. As (he, she, it) would if; in the same way one would if seeing to show. •/The baby laughed as if he understood what Mother said./ •/The book looked as though it had been out in the rain./ •/The waves dashed on the rocks as if in anger./ 2. That. •/It seems as if you are the first one here./

[as if one has come out of a bandbox] See: LOOK AS IF ONE HAS COME OUT OF A BANDBOX.

[as is]{adv.} Without changes or improvements; with no guarantee or promise of good condition. – Used after the word it modifies. •/They agree to buy the house as is./ •/He bought an old car as is./ Compare: AT THAT(1).

[as it were]{adv. phr.} As it might be said to be; as if it really were; seemingly. – Used with a statement that might seem silly or unreasonable, to show that it is just a way of saying it. •/In many ways children live, as it were, in a different world from adults./ •/The sunlight on the icy branches made, as it were, delicate lacy cobwebs from tree to tree./ Compare: SO TO SPEAK.

[ask] See: FOR THE ASKING.

[ask for]{v.}, {informal} To make (something bad) likely to happen to you; bring (something bad) upon yourself. •/Charles drives fast on worn-out tires; he is asking for trouble./ •/The workman lost his job, but he asked for it by coming to work drunk several times./ Compare: HAVE IT COMING, SERVE RIGHT, SIGN ONE’S OWN DEATH WARRANT.

[ask for one’s hand]{v. phr.} To ask permission to marry someone. •/«Sir,» John said timidly to Mary’s father, «I came to ask for your daughter’s hand.»/

[ask for the moon] or [cry for the moon]{v. phr.} To want something that you cannot reach or have; try for the impossible. •/John asked his mother for a hundred dollars today. He’s always asking for the moon./ Compare: PROMISE THE MOON.

[asleep at the switch]{adj. phr.} 1. Asleep when it is one’s duty to move a railroad switch for cars to go on the right track. •/The new man was asleep at the switch and the two trains crashed./ 2. {informal} Failing to act promptly as expected, not alert to an opportunity. •/When the ducks flew over, the boy was asleep at the switch and missed his shot./

[as likely as not]{adv. phr.} Probably. •/As likely as not, he will disappear forever./

[as long as] or [so long as]{conj.} 1. Since; because; considering that. •/As long as you are going to town anyway, you can do something for me./ 2. Provided that; if. •/You may use the room as you like, so long as you clean it up afterward./

[as luck would have it]{adv. clause} As it happened; by chance; luckily or unluckily. •/As luck would have it, no one was in the building when the explosion occurred./ •/As luck would have it, there was rain on the day of the picnic./

[as much]{n.} The same; exactly that. •/Don’t thank me, I would do as much for anyone./ •/Did you lose your way? I thought as much when you were late in coming./

[as much as]{adv. phr.} 1. or [much as] Even though; although. •/As much as I hate to do it, I must stay home and study tonight./ 2. or [so much as] Just the same as; almost; practically; really. •/By running away he as much as admitted that he had taken the money./ •/You as much as promised you would help us./ •/The clerk as much as told me that I was a fool./ Compare: AS GOOD AS. 3. See: FOR AS MUCH AS.

[as of] prep. At or until (a certain time). •/I know that as of last week he was still unmarried./ •/As of now we don’t know much about Mars./

[as one goes] See: PAY AS ONE GOES.

[as one man]{adv. phr.} Unanimously; together; involving all. •/The audience arose as one man to applaud the great pianist./

[as regards]{prep.} Regarding; concerning; about. •/You needn’t worry as regards the cost of the operation./ •/He was always secretive as regards his family./

[as soon as]{conj.} Just after; when; immediately after. •/As soon as the temperature falls to 70, the furnace is turned on./ •/As soon as you finish your job let me know./ •/He will see you as soon as he can./

[as the crow flies]{adv. clause} By the most direct way; along a straight line between two places. •/It is seven miles to the next town as the crow flies, but it is ten miles by the road, which goes around the mountain./

[as the story goes]{adv. phr.} As the story is told; as one has heard through rumor. •/As the story goes, Jonathan disappeared when he heard the police were after him./

[as though] See: AS IF.

[as to]{prep.} 1. In connection with; about; regarding. •/There is no doubt as to his honesty./ •/As to your final grade, that depends on your final examination./ Syn.: WITH RESPECT TO. 2. According to; following; going by. •/They sorted the eggs as to size and color./

[as usual]{adv. phr.} In the usual way; as you usually do or as it usually does. •/As usual, Tommy forgot to make his bed before he went out to play./ •/Only a week after the fire in the store, it was doing business as usual./

[as well]{adv. phr.} 1. In addition; also, too; besides. •/The book tells about Mark Twain’s writings and about his life as well./ •/Tom is captain of the football team and is on the baseball team as well./ 2. Without loss and possibly with gain. •/After the dog ran away, Father thought he might as well sell the dog house./ •/Since he can’t win the race, he may as well quit./ •/It’s just as well you didn’t come yesterday, because we were away./

[as well as]{conj.} In addition to; and also; besides. •/Hiking is good exercise as well as fun./ •/He was my friend as well as my doctor./ •/The book tells about the author’s life as well as about his writings./

[as yet]{adv. phr.} Up to the present time; so far; yet. •/We know little as yet about the moon’s surface./ •/She has not come as yet./

[as you please] 1. As you like, whatever you like or prefer; as you choose. •/You may do as you please./ 2. {informal} Very. – Used after an adjective or adverb often preceded by «as». •/There was Tinker, sitting there, cheerful as you please./ •/She was dressed for the dance and she looked as pretty as you please./

[at a blow] or [at a stroke] or [at one stroke]{adv. phr.} Immediately; suddenly; with one quick or forceful action. •/The pirates captured the ship and captured a ton of gold at a blow./ •/A thousand men lost their jobs at a stroke when the factory closed./ •/All the prisoners escaped at one stroke./ Compare: AT ONCE, AT ONE TIME.

[at all]{adv. phr.} At any time or place, for any reason, or in any degree or manner. – Used for emphasis with certain kinds of words or sentences. 1. Negative •/It’s not at all likely he will come./ 2. Limited •/I can hardly hear you at all./ 3. Interrogative •/Can it be done at all?/ 4. Conditional •/She will walk with a limp, if she walks at all./ Syn.: IN THE LEAST.

[at all costs]{adv. phr.} At any expense of time, effort, or money. Regardless of the results. •/Mr. Jackson intended to save his son’s eyesight at all costs./ •/Carl is determined to succeed in his new job at all costs./

[at all events] See: IN ANY CASE.

[at all hazards]{adv. phr.} With no regard for danger; at any risk; regardless of the chances you must take. •/The racer meant to win the 500-mile race at all hazards./

[at all hours]{adv. phr.} Any time; all the time; at almost any time. •/The baby cried so much that we were up at all hours trying to calm her down./

[at a loss]{adj. phr.} In a state of uncertainty; without any idea; puzzled. •/A good salesman is never at a loss for words./ •/When Don missed the last bus, he was at a loss to know what to do./

[at anchor]{adj. phr.} Held by an anchor from floating away; anchored. •/The ship rode at anchor in the harbor./

[at any rate]{adv. phr.} In any case; anyhow. •/It isn’t much of a car, but at any rate it was not expensive./ Compare: AT LEAST(2), IN ANY CASE.

[at a premium]{adv. phr.} At a high price due to special circumstances. •/When his father died, Fred flew to Europe at a premium because he had no chance to buy a less expensive ticket./

[at arm’s length] See: KEEP AT A DISTANCE or KEEP AT ARM’S LENGTH.

[at a set time]{prep. phr.} At a particular, pre-specified time. •/Do we have to eat in this hotel at a set time, or may we come down whenever we want?/

[at a snail’s pace] See: SNAIL’S PACE.

[at a straw] See: GRASP AT STRAWS.

[at a stroke] See: AT A BLOW or AT A STROKE.

[at a time]{adv. phr.} At once; at one time; in one group or unit; together. •/He checked them off one at a time as they came in./ •/He ran up the steps two at a time./ See: EVERY OTHER. •/They showed up for class three and four at a time./

[at bay]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In a place where you can no longer run away; unable to go back farther; forced to stand and fight, or face an enemy; cornered. •/The dog ran the rat into a corner, and there the rat turned at bay./ •/The police chased the thief to a roof, where they held him at bay until more policemen came to help./ Compare: BRING TO BAY.

[at best] or [at the best]{adv. phr.} 1. Under the best conditions; as the best possibility. •/A coal miner’s job is dirty and dangerous at best./ •/We can’t get to New York before ten o’clock at best./ Compare: AT MOST. Contrast: AT WORST. 2. In the most favorable way of looking at something; even saying the best about the thing. * The /treasurer had at best been careless with the club’s money, but most people thought he had been dishonest./

[at both ends] See: BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS.

[at call]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Ready or nearby for use, help, or service; on request. •/Thousands of auto insurance agents all over the country are at the insured person’s call, wherever he may travel./ 2. At the word of command; at an order or signal. •/The dog was trained to come at call./

[at close range]{adv. phr.} Close by; in proximity. •/The police officer fired at the fleeing murder suspect at close range./

[at cross purposes]{adv. phr.} With opposing meanings or aims; with opposing effect or result; with aims which hinder or get in each other’s way. •/Tom’s parents acted at cross purposes in advising him; his father wanted him to become a doctor; but his mother wanted him to become a minister./

[at death’s door]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} Very near death; dying. •/He seemed to be at death’s door from his illness./

[at each other’s throats]{prep. phr.} Always arguing and quarreling. •/Joan and Harry have been at each other’s throats so long that they have forgotten how much they used to love one another./

[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 her ease during the thunderstorm by reading her stories./ Compare: AT HOME(2). Contrast: ILL AT EASE, ON EDGE. 3. Standing with your right foot in place and without talking in military ranks. •/The sergeant gave his men the command «At ease!»/ Compare: PARADE REST.

[at every turn]{adv. phr.} Every time; all the time; continually without exception. •/Because of his drinking, the man was refused a job at every turn./

[at face value]{prep. phr.} What one can actually hear, read, or see; literally. •/John is so honest that you can take his words at face value./ •/This store’s advertisements are honest; take them at face value./

[at fault]{adj. phr.} Responsible for an error or failure; to blame. •/The driver who didn’t stop at the red light was at fault in the accident./ •/When the engine would not start, the mechanic looked at all the parts to find what was at fault./ Syn.: IN THE WRONG.

[at first]{adv. phr.} In the beginning; at the start. •/The driver didn’t see the danger at first./ •/At first the job looked good to Bob, but later it became tiresome./ •/There was a little trouble at first, but things soon were quiet./

[at first blush]{adv. phr.} When first seen; without careful study. •/At first blush the offer looked good, but when we studied it, we found things we could not accept./

[at first glance] or [at first sight]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} After a first quick look. •/At first sight, his guess was that the whole trouble between the two men resulted from personalities that did not agree./ •/Tom met Mary at a party, and it was love at first sight./

[at great length]{prep. phr.} 1. In great detail. •/Jim told us the story of his life at great length./ 2. For a long time. •/The boring speaker rambled on at great length./

[at half mast]{prep. phr.} Halfway up or down; referring primarily to flagposts, but may be used jokingly. •/When a president of the United States dies, all flags are flown at half mast./

[at hand] also [at close hand] or [near at hand]{adv. phr.} 1. Easy to reach; nearby. •/When he writes, he always keeps a dictionary at hand./ 2. {formal} Coming soon; almost here. •/Examinations are past and Commencement Day is at hand./

[at heart]{adv. phr.} 1. In spite of appearances; at bottom; in reality. •/His manners are rough but he is a kind man at heart./ 2. As a serious interest or concern; as an important aim or goal. •/He has the welfare of the poor at heart./

[at home]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In the place where you live or come from. * •/I went to his house, but he was not at home./ •/Americans abroad are protected by the government like Americans at home./ 2. Knowing what to do or say; familiar; comfortable. •/Charles and John enjoy working together because they feel at home with each other./ •/The politician was at home among poor farmers and among rich factory owners./ •/Make the new student feel at home in your school./ •/Would you be at home driving a truck?/ •/Jim always lived by a lake, and he is at home in the water./ •/Tom has read many books about missiles and is at home in that subject./ Syn.: AT EASE(2). Compare: IN ONE’S ELEMENT, MAKE ONESELF AT HOME. Contrast: AT A LOSS.

[at issue]{adj. phr.} 1. In dispute; to be settled by debate, by vote, by battle, or by some other contest. •/His good name was at issue in the trial./ •/The independence of the United States from England was at issue in the Revolutionary War./ Compare: IN QUESTION. 2. Not in agreement; in conflict; opposing. •/His work as a doctor was at issue with other doctors' practice./ Syn.: AT ODDS.

[at it]{adj. phr.} Busily doing something; active. •/His rule for success was to keep always at it./ •/The couple who owned the little cleaning shop were at it early and late./ •/Mr. Curtis heard a loud crash in the next apartment – the neighbors were at it again./

[at large]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Not kept within walls, fences, or boundaries; free. •/The killer remained at large for weeks./ Compare: AT LIBERTY. •/Cattle and sheep roamed at large on the big ranch./ 2. In a broad, general way; at length; fully. •/The superintendent talked at large for an hour about his hopes for a new school building./ 3. As a group rather than as individuals; as a whole; taken together. •/The junior class at large was not interested in a senior yearbook./ 4. As a representative of a whole political unit or area rather than one of its parts; from a city rather than one of its wards, or a state rather than one of its districts. •/He was elected congressman at large./ •/Aldermen are voted for at large./

[at last] also [at long last]{adv. phr.} After a long time; finally. •/The war had been long and hard, but now there was peace at last./ •/The boy saved his money until at last he had enough for a bicycle./

[at least]{adv. phr.} 1. or [at the least] At the smallest guess; no fewer than; no less than. •/You should brush your teeth at least twice a day./ •/At least three students are failing in mathematics./ •/Mr. Johnson must weigh 200 pounds at least./ Compare: ALL OF. 2. Whatever else you may say; anyhow; anyway. •/It was a clumsy move, but at least it saved her from getting hit./ •/She broke her arm, but at least it wasn’t the arm she writes with./ •/The Mortons had fun at their picnic yesterday – at least the children did – they played while their parents cooked the food./ •/He’s not coming – at least that’s what he said./ Compare: AT ANY RATE.

[at leisure]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Not at work; not busy; with free time; at rest. •/Come and visit us some evening when you’re at leisure./ 2. or [at one’s leisure] When and how you wish at your convenience; without hurry. •/John made the model plane at his leisure./ •/You may read the book at your leisure./

[at length]{adv. phr.} 1. In detail; fully. •/You must study the subject at length to understand it./ •/The teacher explained the new lesson at length to the students./ 2. In the end; at last; finally. •/The movie became more and more exciting, until at length people were sitting on the edge of their chairs./

[at liberty]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} Free to go somewhere or do something; not shut in or stopped. •/The police promised to set the man at liberty if he told the names of the other robbers./ •/I am sorry, but I am not at liberty to come to your party./ Compare: AT LARGE(1).

[at loggerheads]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} In a quarrel; in a fight; opposing each other. •/The two senators had long been at loggerheads on foreign aid./ •/Because of their barking dog, the Morrises lived at loggerheads with their neighbors./ Compare: AT ODDS.

[at long last] See: AT LAST.

[at loose ends]{adj. phr.} Without a regular job or settled habits; uncertain what to do next; having nothing to do for a while; undecided; unsettled; restless. •/Feeling at loose ends, I went for a long walk./ •/He had finished college but hadn’t found a job yet, so he was at loose ends./

[at most] or [at the most]{adv. phr.} By the largest or most generous guess; at the upper limit; by the maximum account; not more than; at best; at worst. •/It was a minor offense at most./ •/He had been gone 15 minutes at the most./ •/Their new house lot is a quarter acre at most./

[at odds]{adj. phr.} In conflict or disagreement; opposed. •/The boy and girl were married a week after they met and soon found themselves at odds about religion./ Compare: AT LOGGERHEADS.

[at once]{adv. phr.} 1. Without delay; right now or right then; immediately. •/Put a burning match next to a piece of paper and it will begin burning at once./ •/Mother called the children to lunch, and Paul came at once, but Brenda stayed in the sand pile a little longer./ Syn.: RIGHT AWAY or RIGHT OFF. Compare: ALL AT ONCE(2).

[at one]{adj. phr.} 1. In union or harmony; in agreement or sympathy. Not usually used informally. •/He felt at one with all the poets who have sung of love./ 2. Of the same opinion, in agreement. •/Husband and wife were at one on everything but money./ Contrast: AT ODDS.

[at one fell swoop] See: IN ONE FELL SWOOP.

[at one’s beck and call] or [at the beck and call of]{adj. phr.} Ready and willing to do whatever someone asks; ready to serve at a moment’s notice. •/A good parent isn’t necessarily always at the child’s beck and call./

[at one’s best]{prep. phr.} In best form; displaying one’s best qualities. •/Tim is at his best when he has had a long swim before a ballgame./ •/Jane rested before the important meeting because she wanted to be at her best./

[at one’s door] or [at one’s doorstep]{adv. phr.} 1. Very close; very near where you live or work. •/Johnny is very lucky because there’s a swimming pool right at his doorstep./ •/Mr. Green can get to work in only a few minutes because the subway is at his door./ 2. See: LAY AT ONE’S DOOR.

[at one’s ease] See: AT EASE(2).

[at one’s elbow]{adv. phr.} Close beside you; nearby. •/The President rode in an open car with his wife at his elbow./ •/Mary practiced for several years to become a champion swimmer and her mother was always at her elbow to help her./ Contrast: BREATHE DOWN ONE’S NECK.

[at one’s feet]{adv. phr.} Under your influence or power. •/She had a dozen men at her feet./ •/Her voice kept audiences at her feet for years./ Compare: THROW ONESELF AT SOMEONE’S FEET.

[at one’s fingertips]{adv. phr.} 1. Within easy reach; quickly touched; nearby. •/Seated in the cockpit, the pilot of a plane has many controls at his fingertips./ 2. Readily usable as knowledge or skill; familiar. •/He had several languages at his fingertips./ •/He had the whole design of the machine at his fingertips./

[at one’s heels]{adv. phr.} Close behind; as a constant follower or companion. •/The boy got tired of having his little brother at his heels all day./ •/John ran by the finish line with Ned at his heels./ •/Bad luck followed at his heels all his life./

[at one’s leisure] See: AT LEISURE(2).

[at one’s service]{adv. phr.} 1. Ready to serve or help you; prepared to obey your wish or command; subject to your orders. •/He placed himself completely at the President’s service./ •/«Now I am at your service,» the dentist told the next patient./ 2. Available for your use; at your disposal. •/He put a car and chauffeur at the visitor’s service./

[at one stroke] See: AT A BLOW or AT ONE STROKE.

[at one’s wit’s end] or [at wits end]{adj. phr.} Having no ideas as to how to meet a difficulty or solve a problem; feeling puzzled after having used up all of your ideas or resources; not knowing what to do; puzzled. •/He had approached every friend and acquaintance for help in vain, and now he was at his wit’s end./ •/The designer was at his wit’s end: he had tried out wings of many different kinds but none would fly./ Compare: AT A LOSS, END OF ONE’S ROPE.

[at one’s word] See: TAKE AT ONE’S WORD.

[at one time]{adv. phr.} 1. In the same moment; together. •/Let’s start the dance again all at one time./ •/Mr. Reed’s bills came all at one time and he could not pay them./ Syn.: AT THE SAME TIME(1). 2. At a certain time in the past; years ago. •/At one time people thought that Minnesota was not a good place to live./ •/At one time most school teachers were men, but today there are more women than men./

[at pains]{adj. phr.} Making a special effort. •/At pains to make a good impression, she was prompt for her appointment./

[at present]{adv. phr.} At this time; now. •/It took a long time to get started, but at present the road is half finished./ •/At present the house is empty, but next week a family will move in./

[at random]{adv. phr.} With no order, plan, or purpose; in a mixed-up, or thoughtless way. •/He opened the letters at random./ •/His clothes were scattered about the room at random./

[at sea(1)]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. On an ocean voyage; on a journey by ship. •/They had first met at sea./ 2. Out on the ocean; away from land. •/By the second day the ship was well out at sea./ •/Charles had visited a ship in dock, but he had never been on a ship at sea./

[at sea(2)]{adj. phr.} Not knowing what to do; bewildered; confused; lost. •/The job was new to him, and for a few days he was at sea./ •/When his friends talked about chemistry, Don was at sea, because he did not study chemistry./ Compare: AT A LOSS.

[at sight] or [on sight]{adv. phr.} 1. The first time the person or thing is seen; as soon as the person or thing is seen. •/First graders learn to read many words on sight./ •/Mary had seen many pictures of Grandfather, so she knew him on sight./ Compare: AT ONCE(1). 2. On demand, on asking the first time. •/The money order was payable at sight./

[at sixes and sevens]{adj. phr.} Not in order; in confusion; in a mess. •/He apologized because his wife was away and the house was at sixes and sevens./ •/Our teacher had just moved to a new classroom, and she was still at sixes and sevens./ •/After the captain of the team broke his leg, the other players were at sixes and sevens./

[at – stage of the game]{adv. phr.} At (some) time during an activity; at (some) point. •/At that stage of the game, our team was doing so poorly that we were ready to give up./ •/It’s hard to know what will happen at this stage of the game./ •/At what stage of the game did the man leave?/

[at stake]{adj. phr.} Depending, like a bet, on the outcome of something uncertain; in a position to be lost or gained. •/The team played hard because the championship of the state was at stake./ •/The farmers were more anxious for rain than the people in the city because they had more at stake./ Compare: HANG IN THE BALANCE.

[at straws] See: GRASP AT STRAWS.

[at swords' points]{adj. phr.} Ready to start fighting; very much opposed to each; other hostile; quarreling. •/The dog’s barking kept the Browns at swords' points with their neighbors for months./ •/The mayor and the reporter were always at swords' points./

[at table] See: AT THE TABLE; WAIT AT TABLE.

[at that]{adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. As it is; at that point; without more talk or waiting. •/Ted was not quite satisfied with his haircut but let it go at that./ 2. In addition; also. •/Bill’s seat mate on the plane was a girl and a pretty one at that./ 3. After all; in spite of all; anyway. •/The book was hard to understand, but at that Jack enjoyed it./ Syn.: ALL THE SAME.

[at the best] See: AT BEST.

[at the bit] See: CHAMP AT THE BIT.

[at the drop of a hat]{adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. Without waiting; immediately; promptly. •/If you need a babysitter quickly, call Mary, because she can come at the drop of a hat./ Compare: ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT. 2. Whenever you have a chance; with very little cause or urging. •/At the drop of a hat, he would tell the story of the canal he wanted to build./ •/He was quarrelsome and ready to fight at the drop of a hat./

[at the eleventh hour]{prep. phr.} At the last possible time. •/Aunt Mathilda got married at the eleventh hour; after all, she was already 49 years old./