Текст книги "Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц"

Автор книги: Adam Makkai

Соавторы: Maya Glinberg
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[let one’s left hand know what one’s right hand is doing]{v. phr.} 1. To make a show of your kindness or help to others. – Used in the negative. •/The Bible tells us not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing when we give to the poor./ 2. {informal} To let everyone taking part in something know what each is doing; encourage cooperation in working. •/Tom told Fred and Bill to meet him in town, but he forgot to tell them where. Next time he’ll let his left hand know what his right hand is doing./ – Often used in the negative. •/Our team lost today because the coach and captain did not let the left hand know what the right was doing, and the players were all mixed up./

[let out]{v.} 1a. To allow to go out or escape. •/The guard let the prisoners out of jail to work in the garden./ •/Mother won’t let us out when it rains./ Compare: LET LOOSE. 1b. {informal} To make (a sound) come out of the mouth; utter. •/A bee stung Charles. He let out a yell and ran home./ •/Father told Betty to sit still and not let out a peep during church./ 2. To allow to be known; tell. •/I’ll never tell you another secret if you let this one out./ Compare: LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG. 3. To make larger (as clothing) or looser; allow to slip out (as a rope). •/Mary’s mother had to let out her dress because Mary is growing so tall./ •/Father hooked a big fish on his line. He had to let the line out so the fish wouldn’t break it./ Compare: PIECE OUT. Contrast: TAKE IN. 4. {informal} To allow to move at higher speed. •/The rider let out his horse to try to beat the horse ahead of him./ 5. {informal} To free from blame, responsibility, or duty. – Often used with «of». •/Last time I let you out of it when you were late. I’ll have to punish you this time./ •/Frank has shoveled the snow from the sidewalk. That lets me out./ Compare: LET GO, LET OFF. 6, {informal} To discharge from a job; fire. •/The shop closed down and all the men were let out./ 7. {informal} To dismiss or be dismissed. •/The coach let us out from practice at 3 o’clock./ •/I’ll meet you after school lets out./

[let pass]{v. phr.} To disregard; overlook. •/Herb may have overheard what was said about him, but he decided to let it pass./

[let ride]{v. phr.}, {informal} To allow to go on without change; accept (a situation or action) for the present. •/The committee could not decide what to do about Bob’s idea, so they let the matter ride for a month or so./ •/The class was rather noisy but the teacher let it ride because it was near Christmas./ •/Ruth’s paper was not very good, but the teacher let it ride because she knew Ruth had tried./ Compare: LET GO(3), LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE.

[let’s don’t] also [don’t let’s]{substandard} Let’s not; let us not; I suggest that we don’t. •/«'Let’s go out and play,» said Fred. «Let’s don’t until the rain stops,» said Mary./ •/Don’t let’s go now. Let’s go tomorrow instead./

[let’s have it] See: LET HAVE IT.

[let sleeping dogs lie] Do not make (someone) angry and cause trouble or danger; do not make trouble if you do not have to. – A proverb. •/Don’t tell Father that you broke the window. Let sleeping dogs lie./

[let slip]{v. phr.} To unintentionally reveal. •/Ellen let it slip that she had been a witness to the accident./

[letter] See: CHAIN LETTER, NIGHT LETTER, TO THE LETTER.

[letter-perfect]{adj. phr.} Memorized perfectly; perfect to the last letter. •/The actor was letter-perfect in his role./

[let the cat out of the bag]{v. phr.}, {informal} To tell about something that is supposed to be a secret. •/We wanted to surprise Mary with a birthday gift, but Allen let the cat out of the bag by asking her what she would like./ – Sometimes used in another form. •/Well, the cat is out of the bag – everybody knows about their marriage./ Compare: GIVE AWAY(3), LET OUT(2), SPILL THE BEANS.

[let the chips fall where they may]{v. phr.} To pay no attention to the displeasure caused others by your actions. •/The senator decided to vote against the bill and let the chips fall where they may./ •/The police chief told his men to give tickets to all speeders and let the chips fall where they may./ Compare: COME WHAT MAY.

[let the grass grow under one’s feet]{v. phr.}, {informal} To waste time; be slow or idle. •/Grandpa spends so much time sitting and thinking that Grandma accuses him of letting the grass grow under his feet./

[let up]{v.}, {informal} 1. To become less, weaker, or quiet; become slower or stop. •/It’s raining as hard as ever. It’s not letting up at all./ •/It snowed for three days before it let up and we could go outdoors./ 2. To do less or go slower or stop; relax; stop working or working hard. •/Grandfather has been working all his life. When is he going to let up?/ •/Let up for a minute. You can’t work hard all day./ •/Jim ran all the way home without letting up once./ Compare: SLOW DOWN. Contrast: BEAR DOWN. 3. To become easier, kinder, or less strict. – Usually used with «on». •/Let up on Jane. She is sick./ Syn.: EASE UP. 4. or [change up] To pitch a ball at less than full speed in baseball. – Usually used with «on». •/John pitched a ball that was very fast and the batter missed it. Then he let up on the next pitch and the batter was badly fooled./

[let well enough alone] or [leave well enough alone]{v. phr.} To be satisfied with what is good enough; not try to improve something because often that might cause more trouble. •/John wanted to make his kite go higher, but his father told him to let well enough alone because it was too windy./ •/Ed polished up his car until his friends warned him to leave well enough alone./ •/Ethel made a lot of changes in her test paper after she finished. She should have let well enough alone, because she made several new mistakes./ Compare: LET RIDE.

[level] See: ON THE LEVEL.

[level best]{adj. phr.} One’s utmost; one’s very best. •/Eric refused to stay in school although his parents did their level best to make him finish./

[levelheaded]{adj. phr.} Having good common sense; practical; reasonable. •/What our office needs is a good, level-headed manager./

[level off] or [level out]{v.} 1. To make flat or level. •/The steamroller leveled out the gravel roadbed and then the concrete was poured./ 2. To move on an even level. •/The airplane leveled out at 2,000 feet./ •/After going up for six months, the cost of living leveled off in September./

[level with]{v. phr.} To tell someone the truth; not engage in lies and subterfuge. •/«You can level with me,» his father said. «Did you break that window?»/

[liberty] See: TAKE LIBERTIES.

[lick and a promise]{n. phr.}, {informal} A careless, hasty job; an unsatisfactory piece of work. •/You didn’t wash your hands. You just gave them a lick and a promise./ •/The boys didn’t cut the grass properly. All it got was a lick and a promise./

[lickety-split] also [lickety-cut]{adv.}, {informal} At full speed; with a rush. •/As soon as school was out the boys ran lickety-split to the swimming pool./

[lick into shape]{v. phr.} To make perfect; drill; train. •/The sergeant licked the new volunteer army into shape in three months./

[lick one’s boots]{v. phr.} To flatter or act like a slave; do anything to please another. •/She wanted her boyfriend to lick her boots all the time./ •/A wise king would not want his friends and officials to lick his boots./

[lick one’s chops]{v. phr.}, {informal} To think about something pleasant; enjoy the thought of something. •/John is licking his chops about the steak dinner tonight./ •/Tom is licking his chops about the lifeguard job he will have at the beach next summer./ •/Our team is licking its chops because we beat the champions last night./ (From the fact that some animals lick their mouths when they expect to be fed or when they see food, and after eating.) Compare: LOOK FORWARD TO, MAKE ONE’S MOUTH WATER.

[lick the – out of] See: BEAT THE – OUT OF.

[lid] See: FLIP ONE’S LID, THE LID.

[lie] See: GIVE THE LIE TO, LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE, MAKE ONE’S BED AND LIE IN IT.

[lie around]{v. phr.} To be unused; inert. •/This old typewriter has been lying around ever since Grandpa died./

[lie down on the job]{v. phr.}, {informal} To purposely fail to do your job; neglect a task; loaf. •/Bill isn’t trying to learn his lessons. He is lying down on the job./ •/If you lie down on your job, you will lose it./

[lief] See: AS SOON also AS LIEF, HAD AS SOON also HAD AS LIEF.

[lie in state]{v. phr.} Of a dead person: To lie in a place of honor, usually in an open coffin, and be seen by the public before burial. •/When the president died, thousands of people saw his body lying in state./

[lie in wait]{v. phr.} To watch from hiding in order to attack or surprise someone; to ambush. •/The driver of the stage-coach knew that the thieves were lying in wait somewhere along the road./

[lie low] or {nonstandard}[lay low]{v.}, {informal} 1. To stay quietly out of sight; try not to attract attention; hide. •/After holding up the bank, the robbers lay low for a while./ 2. To keep secret one’s thoughts or plans. •/I think he wants to be elected president, but he is lying low and not saying anything./

[lie through one’s teeth]{v. phr.} To lie uninhibitedly and unashamedly. •/Everyone in the courtroom could sense that the accused was lying through his teeth./

[lie to]{v.} Of a ship: To stay in one place facing against the wind; stop. •/Our ship will lie to outside the harbor until daylight./ Compare: LAY TO(2).

[lieu] See: INSTEAD OF also IN LIEU OF.

[life] See: BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, BIG AS LIFE, CAT HAS NINE LIVES, CHARMED LIFE, COME ALIVE OT COME TO LIFE, FACTS OF LIFE, FOR DEAR LIFE, FOR THE LIFE OF ONE, LEAD A DOG’S LIFE, NIGHT LIFE, NOT ON YOUR LIFE OR ONE’S LIFE, TAKE ONE’S LIFE IN ONE’S HANDS, TIME OF ONE’S LIFE, YOU BET or YOU BET YOUR LIFE, WALK OF LIFE, WITHIN AN INCH OF ONE’S LIFE.

[life of Riley]{n. phr.}, {informal} A soft easy life; pleasant or rich way of living. •/He’s living the life of Riley. He doesn’t have to work anymore./ Compare: BED OF ROSES, IN CLOVER, LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG.

[life of the party]{n. phr.} A person who makes things enjoyable or interesting for a group of people. •/Bill is the life of the party at school. He is always making us laugh./

[lift a finger] or [lift a hand] also [raise a hand]{v. phr.} 1. To do something; do your share; to help. – Usually used in the negative. •/We all worked hard except Joe. He wouldn’t lift a finger./ •/The king did not lift a hand when his people were hungry./ Compare: LEND A HAND.

[light] See: BRING TO LIGHT, COME TO LIGHT, DASH LIGHT, HIDE ONE’S LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL, IN THE LIGHT OF, MAKE LIGHT OF, MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK, OUT LIKE A LIGHT, SEE THE LIGHT, TRAVEL LIGHT.

[light-fingered]{adj.} Given to stealing; having a tendency to be dishonest or a kleptomaniac. •/I always suspected that Freddie might be lightfingered and my suspicions were confirmed when he was arrested for shoplifting./

[light housekeeping]{n.}, {slang} An arrangement in which an unmarried couple live together. •/Are Joe and Sue married? – Oh, no, – it’s just a case of light housekeeping./ See: SHACK UP WITH.

[light into] See: LAY INTO.

[lightly] See: ONCE OVER LIGHTLY at ONCE OVER(2).

[lightning never strikes twice in the same place] The same accident does not happen twice; the same person does not have the same luck again. – A proverb. •/Billy won a pony in the contest last year, but lightning never strikes twice in the same place./

[light on] also [light upon]{v.} To pick out by sight from among others; see; notice. •/His eyes lighted on the cookies and he remembered how hungry he was./ •/Her eyes lighted upon the row of boxes, and she asked what was in them./

[light out]{v.}, {slang} 1. To run as fast as you can. •/The boy lit out for home with the bully chasing him./ •/On the next pitch the runner will light out for second./ 2. To go away in a hurry; leave suddenly. – Often used with «for». •/Jack won’t be in town long. He wants to light out as soon as he has enough money saved./ •/The robbers lit out for Mexico./ Syn.: BEAT IT, TAKE OFF(1), HEAD FOR THE HILLS.

[light up]{v.} Suddenly to look pleased and happy. •/Martha’s face lit up when she saw her old friend./ •/Tom will really light up when he sees his new bike!/

[like] See: EAT LIKE A BIRD, FEEL LIKE, LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY, NOTHING LIKE, THE LIKES OF or THE LIKE.

[like a bird] See: EAT LIKE A BIRD.

[like a book] See: READ ONE LIKE A BOOK.

[like a fish out of water] See: FISH OUT OF WATER.

[like a glove] See: FIT LIKE A GLOVE.

[like a hole in the head]{adv. phr.} Not at all; scarcely; grudgingly; in an unwelcome manner. •/Joan needs her mother-in-law to stay with her for a week like a hole in the head./

[like a horse] See: EAT LIKE A HORSE.

[like a light] See: OUT LIKE A LIGHT.

[like a million] See: FEEL LIKE A MILLION.

[like a million dollars] See: LOOK LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS.

[like anything]{adv. phr.} To an extreme degree. •/He swore like anything when he found out that he hadn’t been promoted./

[like a steel trap] See: MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP.

[like clockwork] See: GO LIKE CLOCKWORK or GO OFF LIKE CLOCKWORK.

[like crazy] See: LIKE MAD.

[like father, like son] A son is usually like his father in the way he acts. – A proverb. •/Frank’s father has been on the city council; he is now the mayor, and is running for governor. Frank is on the student council and is likely to he class president. Like father, like son./ •/Mr. Jones and Tommy are both quiet and shy. Like father, like son./ Compare: SPITTING IMAGE, FOLLOW IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS.

[like hell]{adv.}, {slang}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} 1. With great vigor. •/As soon as they saw the cops, they ran like hell./ 2. {interj.} Not so; untrue; indicates the speaker’s lack of belief in what he heard. •/Like hell you’re gonna bring me my dough!/

[like it is] See: TELL IT LIKE IT IS.

[like looking for a needle in a haystack] See: NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK.

[like mad] or [like crazy]{adv.}, {slang}, {informal} With great enthusiasm and vigor; very fast. •/We had to drive like mad (like crazy) to get there on time./ See: LIKE HELL(1).

[like two peas in a pod]{adj. phr.} Closely similar; almost exactly alike. •/The twin sisters Eve and Agnes are like two peas in a pod./

[like water]{adv. phr.} As something easily poured out or wasted; freely. – Usually used in the phrase «spend money like water». •/Sailors on shore leave often spend money like water./ •/During the World Wars, the United States spent money like water./

[like water off a duck’s back]{adv. phr.}, {informal} Without changing your feelings or opinion; without effect. •/Advice and correction roll off him like water off a duck’s back./ •/Many people showed him they didn’t like what he was doing, but their disapproval passed off him like water off a duck’s back./

[lily] See: GILD THE LILY also PAINT THE LILY.

[limb] See: OUT ON A LIMB.

[line] See: BLOW ONE’S LINES or FLUFF ONE’S LINES, CHOW LINE, DOWN THE LINE, DRAW A LINE or DRAW THE LINE, DROP A LINE, END OF THE ROAD or END OF THE LINE, FOUL LINE, GOAL LINE, GOAL LINE STAND, HOLD THE LINE, HOOK, LINE AND SINKER, IN LINE, IN LINE WITH, INTO LINE, LAY ON THE LINE or PUT ON THE LINE, ON THE LINE, OUT OF LINE, OUT OF LINE WITH, READ BETWEEN THE LINES, TOE THE LINE, WALK THE CHALK or WALK THE CHALK LINE.

[line drive]{n.} A batted baseball that is usually hit hard and travels in the air not far above the ground. •/The batter hit a line drive to left field for a single./

[linen] See: AIR ONE’S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC or WASH ONE’S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC.

[line of fire]{n. phr.} The path that something fired or thrown takes. •/When the bandit and the police began to shoot, John was almost in their line of fire./ Compare: CROSS FIRE.

[line of least resistance] or [path of least resistance]{n. phr.} The easiest way; the way that takes least effort. •/In becoming a doctor like his father John had really just followed the line of least resistance./ •/Some parents take the path of least resistance with their children and let them do as they please./

[line of scrimmage]{n. phr.} An imaginary line on a football field parallel to the goal lines where each play except the kickoff begins. •/The play was stopped at the line of scrimmage./

[line one’s pockets] also [line one’s purse]{v. phr.}, {informal} To get a lot of money unfairly; get rich by being dishonest. •/The policeman lined his pockets by taking bribes./ •/The inspector lined his pockets by permitting contractors to use poor building materials./ Compare: FEATHER ONE’S NEST.

[lineup]{n.} 1. An alignment of objects in a straight line. •/A lineup of Venus and the moon can be a very beautiful sight in the night sky./ 2. An arrangement of suspects through a one-way mirror so that the victim or the witness of a crime can identify the wanted person. •/She picked out her attacker from a police lineup./

[line up]{v. phr.} 1. To take places in a line or formation; stand side by side or one behind another; form a line or pattern. •/The boys lined up and took turns diving off the springboard./ •/The football team lined up in a "T" formation./ 2. To put in line. •/John lined up the pool balls./ 3. To adjust correctly. •/The garage man lined up the car’s wheels./ 4a. {informal} To make ready for action; complete a plan or agreement for; arrange. •/Henry’s friends lined up so many votes for him that he won the election./ •/Roger lined up a summer job before school was out./ •/The superintendent lined up all the new teachers he needed before he went on vacation./ 4b. {informal} To become ready for action; come together in preparation or agreement. •/The football schedule is lining up well; the coach has arranged all games except one./ •/Larry wanted to go to the seashore for the family vacation, but the rest of the family lined up against him./ Compare: GANG UP, SHAPE UP, TAKE SIDES.

[lining] See: EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING.

[link] See: MISSING LINK.

[lion’s share]{n. phr.} A disproportionate share; the largest part. •/The manager always gets the lion’s share of the company’s profits./

[lip] See: BUTTON ONE’S LIP or ZIP ONE’S LIP, HANG ON THE WORDS OF or HANG ON THE LIPS OF, KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP, SLIP OF THE TONGUE also SLIP OF THE LIP.

[lip service]{n.} Support shown by words only and not by actions; a show of loyalty that is not proven in action. – Usually used with «pay». •/Bv holding elections, communism pays lip service to democracy, but it offers only one candidate per office./ •/Some people pay lip service to education, but don’t vote taxes for better schools./

[liquid assets]{n. phr.} Those belongings that can be easily converted into cash. •/Herb asked for a loan and the bank manager told him to bring in proof of all his liquid assets./

[liquor up]{v. phr.}, {slang} To drink an excessive amount of liquor before engaging in some activity as if comparing oneself to a car that needs to be filled before a journey. •/Joe always liquors up before he takes Sue for a dance./

[list] See: SUCKER LIST, WAITING LIST.

[listen in]{v.} 1. To listen to a radio broadcast. •/We found them listening in to the president’s speech./ 2. To listen to the talk of others, often to talk that is not intended for your ears; eavesdrop. •/When Mary talked to her boyfriend on the telephone, her little brother listened in./

[listen to reason]{v. phr.} To listen to and think about advice that you are given. •/Joe was stubborn and would not listen to reason./ •/It will save you a lot of trouble if you will just listen to reason./

[litterbug]{n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who leaves garbage in a public place, such as a park or beach or a street; one who litters. •/Don’t be a litterbug; keep the city clean!/

[little] See: A LITTLE, A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING, GREAT OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW, LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND, MAKE LITTLE OF, NOT A LITTLE, QUITE A LITTLE or QUITE A LITTLE BIT, THINK LITTLE OF, TWIST AROUND ONE’S LITTLE FINGER.

[little does one think]{v. phr.} To not realize; not expect; be hardly aware of. •/Little did Ed think that very soon he would be the father of twin daughters./

[little folk] or [little people] See: WEE FOLK.

[little frog in a big pond] or [small frog in a big pond]{n. phr.} An unimportant person in a large group or organization. •/In a large company, even a fairly successful man is likely to feel like a little frog in a big pond./ •/When Bill transferred to a larger high school, he found himself a small frog in a big pond./ Contrast: BIG FROG IN A SMALL POND.

[little pitchers have big ears] Little children often overhear things they are not supposed to hear, or things adults do not expect they would notice. – A proverb. •/Be especially careful not to swear in front of little children. Little pitchers have big ears./

[little theater]{n.} A theater, usually with nonprofessional actors and actresses, which presents plays more for personal pleasure and practice than for profit. •/Little theater groups are active in all parts of the United States./ •/Many famous actors began in little theaters./

[lit up like a Christmas tree]{adj. phr.}, {informal} To be drunk. •/On New Year’s Eve Ned was lit up like a Christmas tree./ Compare: THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND.

[live] See: PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES.

[live and learn] You learn more new things the longer you live; you learn by experience. – A proverb. •/«Live and learn,» said Mother. «I never knew that the Indians once had a camp where our house is.»/ •/Janet made her new dress from cheap cloth, and when she washed it, it shrank and was too little. Live and learn./

[live and let live] To live in the way you prefer and let others live as they wish without being bothered by you. •/Father scolds Mother because she wears her hair in curlers and Mother scolds Father because he smokes a smelly pipe. Grandfather says it’s her hair and his pipe; live and let live./ Compare: GIVE AND TAKE(1), LET BYGONES BE BYGONES, FORGIVE AND FORGET.

[live down]{v.} To remove (blame, distrust or unfriendly laughter) by good conduct; cause (a mistake or fault) to be forgiven or forgotten by not repeating it. •/John’s business failure hurt him for a long time, but in the end he lived it down./ •/Frank was rather a bad boy, but he lived it down as he grew up./ •/Sandra called her principal the wrong name at the banquet, in front of everyone, and she thought she would never live it down./

[live from hand to mouth]{v. phr.} To live on little money and spend it as fast as it comes in; live without saving for the future; have just enough. •/Mr. Johnson got very little pay, and the family lived from hand to mouth when he had no job./ •/These Indians live from hand to mouth on berries, nuts, and roots./

[live high off the hog] or [eat high on the hog] See: EAT (LIVE) HIGH ON THE HOG or EAT (LIVE) HIGH OFF THE HOG.

[live in] or [room in]{v.}, {informal} To live in the school you attend or the place where you work. •/Jack decided to live in during his freshman year at college./ •/Many women advertise for mother’s helpers to room in with families and help take care of children./

[live in a fool’s paradise]{v. phr.} To deceive oneself; tell oneself unreal stories. •/His information is based on a lot of misunderstanding – the poor guy is living in a fool’s paradise./

[live in an ivory tower]{v. phr.} To be blind to real life; live an unrealistically sheltered existence. •/Professor Nebelmacher has no idea of the cost of living; he lives in an ivory tower./

[live in the fast lane]{v. phr.}, {informal} To live a full and very active life pursuing wealth and success. •/They have been living in the fast lane ever since they arrived in New York City./

[live it up]{v. phr.}, {informal} To pursue pleasure; enjoy games or night life very much; have fun at places of entertainment. •/Joe had had a hard winter in lonesome places; now he was in town living it up./ •/The western cowboys usually went to town on Saturdays to live it up./

[live off someone]{v. phr.} To be supported by someone. •/Although Eric is already 40 years old, he has no job and continues to live off his elderly parents./

[live off the fat of the land] See: FAT OF THE LAND.

[live on borrowed time]{v. phr.} To live or last longer than was expected. •/Ever since his operation, Harvey felt he was living on borrowed time./ •/Mr. Brown was living on borrowed time because a year ago the doctors had told him he would only live six months./

[live out]{v.} 1. To finish (a period of time); spend. •/Smith lived out the year in the North as he had agreed, but then moved to the South again./ •/After retiring, John and his wife lived out their lives in Florida./ 2. To last through; endure to the end of. •/We lived out the winter on short ration./ •/He lived out the earthquake, but his house was destroyed./

[live out of a suitcase]{v. phr.} To have no permanent residence or a permanent place to hang one’s clothes. •/When Jennifer accepted her new job, she had no idea that she would have to live out of a suitcase for six months./

[live up to]{v.} To act according to; come up to; agree with; follow. •/So far as he could, John had always tried to live up to the example he saw in Lincoln./ •/Bob was a man who lived up to his promises./ •/The new house didn’t live up to expectations./

[live wire]{n. phr.} 1. An electrically charged wire, usually uninsulated. •/The electrician was severely burned by the live wire./ 2. An alert or energetic person. •/To sell the new merchandise, our company needs several salespeople who are live wires./

[living daylights] See: BEAT THE – OUT OF, KNOCK THE – OUT OF.

[living end]{adj.}, {slang} Great; fantastic; the ultimate. •/That show we saw last night was the living end./

[load] See: GET A LOAD OF.

[loaded for bear]{adj. phr.}, {slang} Ready for action; prepared and eager. •/Frank liked the new merchandise and as he set out on his rounds as a salesman, he felt really loaded for bear./ •/The football team arrived Friday noon, loaded for bear./

[load the bases] or [fill the bases]{v. phr.} To get men on all three bases in baseball. •/The Mets loaded the bases with two singles and a base on balls./ •/Don hit a home run with the bases loaded./

[loaf] See: HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NONE or HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NO BREAD.

[loan shark]{n. phr.} A money lender who charges excessive interest. •/Why go to a loan shark when you can borrow from the bank at the legal rate?/

[local yokel]{n.}, {slang}, {citizen’s hand radio jargon} City police officer, as opposed to state police or highway patrol. •/There’s a local yokel westbound on the move./

[lock] See: SCALP LOCK.

[lock, stock, and barrel]{n. phr.} Everything; completely. •/The robbers emptied the whole house – lock, stock, and barrel./ Compare: HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER.

[lock the barn door after the horse is stolen] To be careful or try to make something safe when it is too late. – A proverb. •/After Mary failed the examination, she said she would study hard after that. She wanted to lock the barn door after the horse was stolen./

[lock up]{v. phr.}, {slang} To be assured of success. •/How did your math test go? – I locked it up, I think./

[lodge a complaint]{v. phr.} To make a complaint; complain. •/If our neighbors don’t stop this constant noise, I will have to lodge a complaint with the management./

[loggerhead] See: AT LOGGERHEADS.

[loin] See: GIRD UP ONE’S LOINS.

[lone wolf]{n.} A man who likes to work or live alone. •/The man who paints a picture or establishes a business is often a lone wolf; so is the criminal outlaw./ •/Jones is a good pitcher, but he is a lone wolf./

[long] See: AT LAST or AT LONG LAST, BEFORE LONG, COME A LONG WAY, IN THE LONG RUN, NO LONGER, SO LONG, THE LONG AND THE SHORT.

[long and short of it]{n. phr.} The essence; the whole story in a nutshell. •/The long and short of it is that he is lazy and doesn’t really want to find a job./

[long ball]{n.} A baseball hit far enough to be a home run. •/The White Sox need a player who can hit the long ball./

[long face]{n.} A sad look; disappointed look. •/He told the story with a long face./ – Often used in the phrase «pull a long face». •/Don’t pull a long face when I tell you to go to bed./

[longhair(1)] 1. {n.}, {slang} A male hippie. •/Who’s that longhair? – It’s Joe./ 2. An intellectual who prefers classical music to jazz or acid rock. •/Catwallender is a regular longhair; he never listens to modern jazz./

[longhair(2)]{adj.}, {slang} Pertaining to classical art forms, primarily in dancing and music. •/Cut out that longhair Mozart Symphony and put on a decent pop record!/

[long haul] or [long pull]{n.}, {informal} 1. A long distance or trip. •/It is a long haul to drive across the country./ Contrast SHORT HAUL. 2. A long length of time during which work continues or something is done; a long time of trying. •/A boy crippled by polio may learn to walk again, but it may be a long haul./ – Often used in the phrase «over the long haul». •/Over the long haul, an expensive pair of shoes may save you money./ Contrast: SHORT HAUL.

[long pull] See: LONG HAUL. [long shot]{n.} 1. A bet or other risk taken though not likely to succeed. •/The horse was a long shot, but it came in and paid well./ •/Jones was a long shot for mayor./ •/The business long shot that succeeds often pays extremely well./ 2. See: BY A LONG SHOT.

[long-winded]{adj.} Tedious; overlong; given to too much talking. •/Everyone was bored by the old man’s long-winded stories./

[look] See: DIRTY LOOK.

[look after] also [see after]{v.} To watch over; attend to. •/John’s mother told him to look after his younger brother./ •/When he went to Europe, Mr. Jenkins left his son to see after the business./ Syn.: TAKE CARE OF(1). Compare: LOOK OUT(3).

[look a gift horse in the mouth] To complain if a gift is not perfect. – A proverb. Usually used with a negative. •/John gave Joe a baseball but Joe complained that the ball was old. His father told him not to look a gift horse in the mouth./

[look alive]{v.} Act lively; be quick; wake up and work; be busy; hurry. – Often used as a command. •/«Look alive there,» the boss called./