Текст книги "Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц"

Автор книги: Adam Makkai

Соавторы: Maya Glinberg
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Текущая страница: 39 (всего у книги 61 страниц)

[on fire] See: SET THE WORLD ON FIRE.

[on foot]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. By walking. •/Sally’s bicycle broke and she had to return home on foot./ 2. Being planned. •/The reporter said that a civil rights demonstration was on foot./ •/Plans have been set on foot for a party for Miss Jackson, because she is retiring./

[on guard]{adj. phr.} Watchful; watching. •/The police warned people to he on guard for pickpockets during the Christmas rush./ •/Two men are on guard at the door./ Contrast: OFF GUARD.

[on hand]{adv. phr.} 1a. Nearby; within reach. •/Always have your dictionary on hand when you study./ 1b. Here. •/Soon school will end and vacation will be on hand./ 2. Present. •/Mr. Blake’s secretary is always on hand when he appears in public./ 3. In your possession; ready. •/The Girl Scouts have plenty of cookies on hand./ •/Tim had no cash on hand to pay for the gas./ Compare: IN STORE.

[on high cotton] See: ON TOP OF THE WORLD also SITTING ON HIGH COTTON.

[on hold]{adv. phr.} 1. Left waiting while making a telephone call. •/«Sorry sir,» the secretary said, «I’ll have to put you on hold for a minute.»/ 2. Waiting; temporarily halted. •/«Put your marriage plans on hold, son, and wait until after graduation,» his father said seriously./

[on ice]{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {slang} 1. The same as won; sure to be won. •/The score was 20-10 in the last inning, and our team had the game on ice./ 2. Away for safekeeping or later use; aside. •/You will have to put your vacation plans on ice until your debts are paid./ •/The senator was voted out of office. He is on ice until the next election./

[on in years] See: ALONG IN YEARS.

[onion] See: KNOW ONE’S WAY AROUND(2).

[only] See: HAVE EYES ONLY FOR, IF ONLY.

[on occasion]{adv. phr.} Sometimes; occasionally. •/We go to New York on occasion./ •/On occasion we feel like celebrating and have a party./ Compare: ONCE IN A WHILE, FROM TIME TO TIME.

[on one hand]{adv. phr.} Looking at a thing in one of two possible ways; from one point of view. – Usually used with «on the other hand». •/John wants to be a printer or a teacher; on one hand, printing pays better; on the other hand, schools need good teachers./

[on one’s account]{adv. phr.} For your good; because you want to help or please someone. •/Barry studied hard on his mother’s account./ •/I hope you didn’t bring tea to the picnic just on my account./ •/The teacher stayed in school a little late on Tom’s account./ Compare: OF ONE’S OWN ACCORD, ON ACCOUNT OF.

[on one’s back]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Making insistent demands of you; being an annoyance or bother. •/My wife has been on my back for weeks to fix the front door screen./ •/I can’t get any work done with the children on my back from morning until night./ •/Jim could do a better job if his boss weren’t on his back so often./ Contrast: OFF ONE’S BACK.

[on one’s bad side] or [on the bad side of one]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Not liked by someone; not friendly with a person. •/Sally’s boyfriend got on Father’s bad side by keeping Sally out too late after the dance./ Contrast: ON ONE’S GOOD SIDE.

[on one’s behalf] See: ON BEHALF OF.

[on one’s chest]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Hidden in your thoughts or feelings and bothering you; making you feel worried or upset; that is something you want to talk to someone about. •/Jane looks unhappy because she has the quarrel with Susan on her chest./ •/«Well, Dave,» said the coach, «You look sad – what’s on your chest?»/ Compare: ON ONE’S MIND. Contrast: OFF ONE’S CHEST,

[on one’s coattails]{adv. phr.} Because of another’s merits, success, or popularity. •/Bob and Jim are best friends. When Jim was invited to join a fraternity, Bob rode in on his coattails./ •/Many people vote straight for all the candidates in the same political party. Most people voted for President K., so Governor B. rode in on K.'s coattails./

[on oneself] See: TAKE ON ONESELF.

[on one’s feet]{adv. phr.} 1. Standing or walking; not sitting or lying down; up. •/Before the teacher finished asking the question, George was on his feet ready to answer it./ •/In a busy gasoline station, the attendant is on his feet all day./ Compare: TO ONE’S FEET. Contrast: OFF ONE’S FEET. 2. Recovering; getting better from sickness or trouble. •/Jack is back on his feet after a long illness./ •/Susan was on her feet soon after the operation./ •/The bank loaned the store money to get it back on its feet after the fire./ 3. See: LAND ON ONE’S FEET, STAND ON ONE’S OWN FEET, THINK ON ONE’S FEET.

[on one’s good behavior]{adv. phr.} Behaving right to make a good impression. •/While his father was around the boy was on his good behavior, but when the father left the boy soon got into mischief./ •/The minister is coming to dinner, and Mother wants us to be on our good behavior./

[on one’s good side] or [on the good side of one]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Friendly with someone; liked by a person. •/John thought that he would get a good grade if he got on the good side of the teacher./ •/Successful workers stay on the good side of their bosses./ Contrast: ON ONE’S BAD SIDE.

[on one’s hands]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In your care or responsibility; that you must do something about. •/Mrs. Blake left her five children with me while she shopped. I could not get anything done with the children on my hands./ •/After everyone bought tickets to the dance, the club treasurer had over $100 on his hands./ •/The electricity went off while Mother was cooking supper, and she had a problem on her hands./ •/I had time on my hands before the bus came, so I bought a newspaper to read./ Contrast: OFF ONE’S HANDS. See: SIT ON ONE’S HANDS. Compare: HANG HEAVY or HANG HEAVY ON ONE’S HANDS.

[on one’s head] or [upon one’s head]{adv. phr.} On one’s self. •/When the school board fired the superintendent of schools, they brought the anger of the parents upon their heads./ •/Billy had been naughty all day, but he really brought his parents' anger down on his head by pushing his little sister into a mud puddle./ Compare: ABOUT ONE’S EARS.

[on one’s heel] See: TURN ON ONE’S HEEL.

[on one’s high horse]{adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Acting as if you are better than others; being very proud and scornful. •/Martha was chairman of the picnic committee, and at the picnic she was on her high horse, telling everyone what to do./ •/Mrs. Jones asked to see a less expensive hat. The salesgirl got up on her high horse and said the shop did not sell cheap merchandise./ 2. Refusing to be friendly because you are angry; in a bad temper. •/Joe was on his high horse because he felt Mary wasn’t giving him enough attention./ Contrast: OFF ONE’S HIGH HORSE.

[on one’s honor]{adj. phr.} Bound by one’s honesty; trusted. •/The students were not supervised during the examination. They were on their honor not to cheat./ •/The house father put the boys on their honor not to smoke in the dormitory./

[on one’s knees]{adj. phr.} 1. Pleading; begging very hard. •/The boys were on their knees for hours before their parents agreed to their camping plans./ •/The Jacksons won’t contribute to the Red Cross unless you get on your knees./ 2. In a very weak condition; near failure. •/When the graduates of the school heard that it was on its knees they gave money generously so that it would not close./

[on one’s last legs]{adj. phr.} Failing; near the end. •/The blacksmith’s business is on its last legs./ •/The dog is old and sick. He is on his last legs./ Compare: ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, ON ONE’S KNEES(2).

[on one’s mind]{adv. phr.} In one’s thoughts. •/I’m glad you want to talk about this. It’s been on my mind for weeks./ •/What’s on your mind?/ Compare: IN MIND.

[on one’s nerves] See: GET ON ONE’S NERVES.

[on one’s own]{adj. phr.} With no help from others. •/It is a happy day when you’re allowed to drive a car on your own./ •/Being on your own may be a frightening experience./ Compare: GO IT(2).

[on one’s own account] or {informal}[on one’s own hook]{adv. phr.} 1. For yourself; as a free agent; independently. •/After they had picked out the class gift, members of the committee did some shopping on their own account./ 2. See: OF ONE’S OWN ACCORD.

[on one’s own feet] See: STAND ON ONE’S OWN FEET.

[on one’s own hook] See: ON ONE’S OWN ACCOUNT.

[on one’s own time]{adv. phr.} During one’s free time; not during working or school hours. •/If you want to play football, you’ll have to do it on your own time./

[on one’s part] or [on the part of one]{adj. phr.} 1. Of or by you; of someone’s. •/When Miss Brown said I was a good student, that was pure kindness on her part./ •/The other team blamed their defeat on unfairness on the part of the referee./ 2. See: FOR ONE’S PART.

[on one’s shoulders]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In your care; as your responsibility. •/The success of the program rests on your shoulders./ •/He acts as if he had the cares of the world on his shoulders./

[on one’s toes]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Alert; ready to act. •/The successful ball player is always on his toes./ Compare: HEADS-UP, ON THE BALL.

[on one’s uppers]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Very poor. •/Mr. White had been out of work for several months and was on his uppers./ Compare: DOWN ON ONE’S LUCK.

[on one’s way] See: ON THE WAY.

[on pain of] also [under pain of]{prep.}, {formal} At the risk of; under penalty of. •/The workers went on strike on pain of losing their jobs./ •/The rebels had to swear under pain of death never to confess where their comrades were hiding./

[on paper]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} Judging by appearances only and not by past performance; in theory; theoretically. •/On paper, the American colonies should have lost the Revolutionary War./ •/The football team lost many games, even though they looked good on paper./

[on pins and needles]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Worried; nervous. •/Jane’s mother was on pins and needles because Jane was very late getting home from school./ •/Many famous actors are on pins and needles before the curtain opens for a play./

[on purpose]{adv. phr.} For a reason; because you want to; not accidentally. •/Jane did not forget her coat; she left it in the locker on purpose./ •/The clown fell down on purpose./

[on record]{adj. phr.} 1. An official or recorded statement or fact; said for everyone to know. •/We do not know when the famous writer was born, but the date of his death is on record./ •/The two candidates went on television to put their ideas on record./ 2. Known to have said or done a certain thing. – Usually used with «as». •/The mayor went on record as opposing a tax raise./ •/The governor is on record as favoring the new highway./ •/That congressman is on record as an enemy of waste in government./ Contrast: OFF THE RECORD.

[on sale]{adj. phr.} Selling for a special low price. •/Tomato soup that is usually sold for sixty cents a can is now on sale for fifty cents./ •/John and Mary couldn’t sell all of the lemonade at twenty cents a cup so they have it on sale for ten cents a cup./

[on schedule(1)]{adv. phr.} As planned or expected; at the right time. •/The school bus arrived at school on schedule./ •/The four seasons arrive on schedule each year./ Compare: ON TIME.

[on schedule(2)]{adj. phr.} Punctual; as planned. •/The new airline claims to have more on schedule arrivals than the competition./

[on season] See: HIGH SEASON. Contrast: OFF SEASON.

[on second thought] See: SECOND THOUGHT.

[on sight] See: AT SIGHT.

[on table] See: WAIT AT TABLE or WAIT ON TABLE.

[on the air]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} Broadcasting or being broadcast on radio or TV. •/His show is on the air at six o’clock./ •/The ball game is on the air now./

[on the alert]{adj. phr.} Alert; watchful; careful. •/Campers must be on the alert for poison ivy and poison oak./ •/Drivers must be on the alert for traffic signals./ Compare: ON ONE’S TOES.

[on the average] See: ON AN AVERAGE.

[on the back] See: PAT ON THE BACK.

[on the ball]{adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Paying attention and doing things well. – Used after «is» or «get». •/Ben is really on the ball in school./ •/The coach told Jim he must get on the ball or he cannot stay on the team./ Compare: GET WITH IT, HEADS-UP, KEEP ONE’S EYE ON THE BALL. 2. That is a skill or ability; making you good at things. – Used after «have». •/John will succeed in life; he has a lot on the ball./ •/The coach was eager to try out his new team and see what they had on the ball./

[on the bandwagon]{adj. phr.}, {informal} In or into the newest popular group or activity; in or into something you join just because many others are joining it. – Often used after «climb», «get», or «jump». •/When all George’s friends decided to vote for Bill, George climbed on the bandwagon too./ See: JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON.

[on the barrelhead] See: CASH ON THE BARRELHEAD.

[on the beam]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. (Of an airplane) In the radio beam that marks the path to follow between airports; flying in the right direction. •/A radio signal tells the pilot of an airplane when he is flying on the beam./ 2. {slang} Doing well; just right; good or correct. •/Kenneth’s answer was right on the beam./ Contrast: OFF THE BEAM.

[on the bench] 1. Sitting in a law court as a judge. •/Judge Wyzanski is on the bench this morning./ 2. Sitting among the substitute players. •/The coach had to keep his star player on the bench with a sprained ankle./ Compare: BENCH WARMER.

[on the blink]{adj. phr.} Faulty; malfunctioning; inoperative. •/I need to call a competent repairman because my computer is on the blink again./

[on the block]{adj. phr.} To be sold; for sale. •/The vacant house was on the block./ •/Young cattle are grown and sent to market to be placed on the block./

[on the brain]{adj. phr.}, {slang} Filling your thoughts; too much thought about; almost always in mind. •/Mary Ann has boys on the brain./ •/Joe’s hobby is ham radio and he has radio on the brain most of the time./

[on the brink of]{adv. phr.} Facing a new event that’s about to happen. •/«I am on the brink of a new discovery,» our physics professor proudly announced./

[on the button]{adv. adj.}, {slang} At the right place; at the heart of the matter. •/John’s remark was right on the button./ Compare: ON THE DOT.

[on the cards] See: IN THE CARDS.

[on the carpet] See: CALL ON THE CARPET.

[on the cheap]{adv. phr.} Inexpensively; on a tight budget. •/She buys most of her clothes on the cheap in secondhand stores./

[on the chin] See: TAKE IT ON THE CHIN.

[on the contrary]{adv. phr.} Exactly the opposite; rather; instead. •/The principal thought that the children went to the zoo; on the contrary, they went to the bakery./ •/«You don’t like football, do you?» «On the contrary, I like it very much.»/ Compare: TO THE CONTRARY.

[on the cuff]{adj.} or {adv. phr.}, {informal} Agreeing to pay later; to be paid for later; on credit. •/Peter lost the money that Mother gave him to buy meat, and the store would not let him have meat on the cuff./ •/Many people buy cars and television sets on the cuff./

[on the dole]{adv. phr.} Drawing unemployment benefits. •/When Jim lost his job he got on the dole and is still on it./

[on the dot] also [on the button]{adv. phr.}, {informal} Exactly on time; not early and not late. •/Susan arrived at the party at 2:00 P.M. on the dot./ •/Ben’s plane arrived on the dot./

[on the double!]{adv. phr.} Hurry up! •/«Let’s go! On the double!» the pilot cried, as he started up the engine of the small plane./

[on the eve of]{prep.} Just before (an event). •/On the eve of the election, the president proposed a plan to cut taxes./

[on the face of it]{adv. phr.} Apparently; as it seems. •/On the face of it, Joe’s claim that he can swim five miles is true./ •/His statement that he is a millionaire is, on the face of it, false./

[on the fence]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} Not able, or not wanting to choose; in doubt; undecided. – Often used with «sit». •/Jack sat on the fence for a week last spring before he finally joined the track team instead of the baseball team./ •/Mrs. Jones has decided to vote for the Democrats, but Mr. Jones is still on the fence./ See: FENCE-SITTER or FENCE-SITTING.

[on the fly(1)]{adv. phr.} 1. While in the air; in flight. •/The bird caught a bug on the fly./ •/Joe was called out because the catcher caught the ball on the fly./ 2. {informal} Between other activities; while busy with many things. •/The president was so busy that he had to dictate letters on the fly./ •/John is very busy, and people who want to talk to him have to catch him on the fly./ Compare: ON THE GO, ON THE WING(2).

[on the fly(2)]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Busy; going somewhere in a hurry; going about doing things. •/Getting the house ready for the visitors kept Mother on the fly all day./ •/The housekeeper of our school is always on the fly./

[on the go]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Active and busy. •/Successful businessmen are on the go most of the time./ •/Healthy, happy people are usually on the go./ Compare: ON THE MOVE.

[on the heels of]{prep.} Just after; following (something, especially an event). – Often used with «hard» for emphasis. •/Hard on the heels of the women’s liberation parade, homosexuals declared a «gay pride week.»/

[on the hog] See: LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG or EAT HIGH ON THE HOG.

[on the hour]{adv. phr.} Each time the hour has zero minutes and zero seconds. •/The uptown bus goes past the school on the hour./ •/The woman must take her pill on the hour./

[on the house]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Paid for by the owner. •/At the opening of the new hotel, the champagne was on the house./ •/Oscar was the first customer at the diner, so his lunch was on the house./

[on the increase] See: ON THE WAX. Contrast: ON THE DECREASE, ON THE WANE.

[on the job]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Working hard; not wasting time. •/Joe was on the job all of the time that he was at work./ •/The school paper came out on time because the editors were on the job./

[on the knees of the gods] See: IN THE LAP OF THE GODS.

[on the lam]{adj.} or {adv. phr.}, {slang} Running away, especially from the law; in flight. •/The bank robber was on the lam for ten months before the police caught him./ – Sometimes used in the phrase «take it on the lam». •/After a big quarrel with her father, the girl took it on the lam./

[on the level]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Honest and fair; telling the whole truth. •/Our teacher respects the students who are on the level with her./ •/Joyce wondered if the fortune-teller was on the level./

[on the line] See: LAY ON THE LINE or PUT ON THE LINE.

[on the lips] See: HANG ON THE WORDS OF or HANG ON THE LIPS OF.

[on the lookout]{adj. phr.} Watching closely. •/The little boy was on the lookout for his father./ •/Forest rangers are always on the lookout for forest fires./ •/The doctor is on the lookout for a new secretary./

[on the loose]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Free to go; not shut in or stopped by anything. •/The zookeeper forgot to close the gate to the monkey cage and the monkeys were on the loose./ •/All of the seniors were on the loose on «Senior Skip Day.»/

[on the make]{adj.}, {slang} 1. Promiscuous or aggressive in one’s sexual advances. •/I can’t stand Murray; he’s always on the make./ 2. Pushing to get ahead in one’s career; doing anything to succeed. •/The new department head is a young man on the make, who expects to be company president in ten years./

[on the map] See: PUT ON THE MAP.

[on the market]{adj. phr.} For sale. •/In the summer many fresh vegetables are on the market./ •/The Goodwins put their house on the market in January, but they did not sell it till August./

[on the mend]{adj. phr.} Healing; becoming better. •/John’s broken leg is on the mend./ •/Mary’s relationship with Joan is on the mend./

[on die money]{adv. phr.} Exactly right; exactly accurate. •/Algernon won the lottery; the numbers he picked were right on the money./ Compare: ON THE NOSE.

[on the move]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. Moving around from place to place; in motion. •/It was a very cold day, and the teacher watching the playground kept on the move to stay warm./ •/It was vacation time, and the highways were full of families on the move./ 2. Moving forward; going somewhere. •/The candidate promised that if people would make him president, he would get the country on the move./

[on the nose]{adv. phr.}, {informal} Just right; exactly. •/Stanley hit the ball on the nose./ •/The airplane pilot found the small landing field on the nose./

[on the other foot] See: SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT.

[on the other hand]{adv. phr.} Looking at the other side; from another point of view. – Used to introduce an opposite or different fact or idea. •/Jim wanted to go to the movies; his wife, on the other hand, wanted to stay home and read./ •/Mr. Harris may still want a boy to mow his lawn; on the other hand, he may have found someone to do it./ Compare: ON ONE HAND.

[on the outs]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Not friendly; having a quarrel. •/Mary and Sue were on the outs./ •/Being on the outs with a classmate is very upsetting./ Syn.: AT ODDS.

[on the point of]{prep.} Ready to begin; very near to. – Usually used with a verbal noun. •/The coach was on the point of giving up the game when our team scored two points./ •/The baby was on the point of crying when her mother finally came home./ Compare: ABOUT TO, AT THE POINT OF.

[on the Q.T.]{adv. phr.}, {informal} Secretly; without anyone’s knowing. •/George and Paul formed a club on the Q.T./ •/The teachers got the principal a present strictly on the Q.T./ (from quiet.)

[on the road]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Traveling; moving from one place to another. •/When we go on vacation, we take a lunch to eat while on the road./ •/Mr. Smith is on the road for his insurance company./ 2. Changing; going from one condition to another. •/Mary was very sick for several weeks, but now she is on the road to recovery./ •/Hard study in school put John on the road to success./

[on the rocks]{adj. phr.} 1. {informal} Wrecked or ruined. •/Mr. Jones' business and marriage were both on the rocks./ 2. With ice only. •/At the restaurant, Sally ordered orange juice on the rocks./

[on the ropes]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Against the ropes of a boxing ring and almost not able to stand up. •/The fighter was on the ropes and could hardly lift his gloves./ 2. Almost defeated; helpless; near failure. •/The new supermarket took most of the business from Mr. Thomas’s grocery, and the little store was soon on the ropes./

[on the run]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In a hurry; hurrying. •/Jane called «Help!» and Tom came on the run./ •/Modern mothers are usually on the run./ 2. Going away from a fight; in retreat; retreating. •/The enemy soldiers were on the run./

[on the safe side]{adv. phr.} Provided for against a possible emergency; well prepared. •/«Please double-check these proofs, Mr. Brown,» the printer said, «just to be on the safe side.»/

[on the shelf]{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} Laid aside; not useful anymore. •/When a girl grows up, she puts childish habits on the shelf./ •/Mr. Myron’s company put him on the shelf when he reached the age of 65./

[on the side]{adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. In addition to a main thing, amount or quantity; extra. •/He ordered a hamburger with onions and French fries on the side./ •/His job at the hospital did not pay much, so he found another on the side./ •/The cowboys in the rodeo competed for prize money and also made bets on the side./ 2. or [on the – side] Tending toward; rather. •/Grandmother thought Jane’s new skirt was on the short side./

[on the sly]{adv. phr.} So that other people won’t know; secretly. •/The boys smoked on the sly./ •/Mary’s mother did not approve of lipstick, but Mary used it on the sly./

[on the spot]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. or [upon the spot] At that exact time and at the same time or place; without waiting or leaving. •/The news of important events is often broadcast on the spot over television./ •/When Tom ruined an expensive machine, his boss fired him on the spot./ Compare: AT ONCE, IN ONE’S TRACKS, THEN AND THERE. 2. {informal} also [in a spot] In trouble, difficulty, or embarrassment. •/Mr. Jones is on the spot because he cannot pay back the money he borrowed./ •/Bill is on the spot; he invited George to visit him, but Bill’s parents said no./ Compare: BACK TO THE WALL. 3. {slang} In danger of murder; named or listed for death. •/After he talked to the police, the gangsters put him on the spot./

[on the spur of the moment]{adv. phr.} On a sudden wish or decision; suddenly; without thought or preparation. •/John had not planned to take the trip; he just left on the spur of the moment./ •/Mary saw a help-wanted advertisement and applied for the job on the spur of the moment./

[on the stage]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In or into the work of being an actor or actress. •/John’s brother is on the stage./ •/Mary went on the stage./

[on the strength of]{prep.} With faith or trust in; depending upon; with the support of. •/On the strength of Jim’s promise to guide us, we decided to climb the mountain./ •/Bill started a restaurant on the strength of his experience as a cook in the army./

[on the string] or [on a string]{adv. phr.}, {informal} Under your influence or control; obedient to every wish. •/The baby had his mother on a string./ •/She was pretty and popular, with two or three boys on the string all the time./

[on the take]{adv. phr.} Bribable; corrupt. •/Officer O’Keefe was put on three months' probation because it was alleged that he was on the take./

[on the tip of one’s tongue]{adv. phr.} About to say something, such as a name, a telephone number, etc., but unable to remember it for the moment. •/«His name is on the tip of my tongue,» Tom said. «It will come to me in a minute.»/

[on the town]{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In or into a town to celebrate; having a good time or enjoying the amusements in a town. •/When the sailors got off their ship they went out on the town./ Compare: PAINT THE TOWN RED.

[on the track of] or [on the trail of] Hunting or looking for; trying to find; following. •/The hunter is on the track of a deer./ •/The lawyer is on the trail of new proof in the case./ •/Jim collects old stamps; he is on the track of one in Midville this afternoon./

[on the trail of] See: ON THE TRACK OF.

[on the trigger] See: QUICK ON THE TRIGGER.

[on the up and up]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Honest; trustworthy; sincere. •/We felt that he was honest and could be trusted. This information is on the up and up./ Compare: ON THE LEVEL.

[on the vine] See: DIE ON THE VINE or WITHER ON THE VINE.

[on the wagon]{adv. phr.} Participating in an alcohol addiction program; not touching any alcoholic beverage. •/Jim’s doctor and his family finally managed to convince him that he was an alcoholic and should go on the wagon./ Contrast: FALL OFF THE WAGON.

[on the wane and on the wax]{adv. phr.} Decreasing and increasing. – Said of the moon. •/The moon is regularly on the wane and on the wax at regular intervals lasting half a month./

[on the warpath]{adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Very angry. •/When Mother saw the mess in the kitchen she went on the warpath./ •/Betty has been on the warpath ever since she found out she was not invited to the party./ 2. Making an attack; fighting. •/The government is on the warpath against narcotics./ •/The police are on the warpath against speeders./

[on the watch]{adj. phr.} Alert; watchful. •/The customs inspector was on the watch for diamond smugglers./ •/Mary was on the watch for bargains at the auction./ Compare: EYE OUT, LOOK OUT(2).

[on the way] or [on one’s way]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} Coming; going toward a place or goal; started. •/Help was on the way./ •/The train left and Bill was on his way to New York./ •/He is well on the way to becoming a fine mechanic./

[on the whole]{adv. phr.} 1. In the most important things; in most ways. •/On the whole, Billy did very well in school this year./ •/Everybody agreed that on the whole it was a good show./ Syn.: IN ALL(2), FOR THE MOST PART. 2. In most cases; usually. •/On the whole, men are stronger than women./ •/On the whole, children begin walking when they are about one year old./ Syn.: BY AND LARGE, IN GENERAL.

[on the wing]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In the air; while flying. •/The duck flew away, but John shot it on the wing./ 2. {informal} In constant motion; always very busy. •/Susan was on the wing doing things to get ready for her trip./ •/Mr. Jones had a busy schedule and his secretary had to catch him on the wing to sign the letters./ Syn.: ON THE FLY. 3. {informal} Moving from one place to another; traveling; going somewhere. •/Mary’s husband is a traveling salesman and he’s always on the wing./ •/They stayed in France for a week and then they were on the wing again./ Syn.: ON THE GO, ON THE MOVE.

[on the words] See: HANG ON THE WORDS OF.

[on the wrong foot] See: GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT.

[on the wrong side of the bed] See: GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED.

[on the wrong track]{adv. phr.} Lost; pursuing the wrong lead. •/Professor MacAlister confessed that his chemical experiments were on the wrong track./ Contrast: BARK UP THE WRONG TREE.

[on time]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. At the time arranged; not late; promptly. •/The train left on time./ •/Mary is always on time for an appointment./ Contrast: AHEAD OF TIME, BEHIND TIME. 2. On the installment plan; on credit, paying a little at a time. •/John bought a car on time./ •/You can buy things at the department store on time./

[on top]{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In the lead; with success; with victory. •/The horse that everyone had expected would be on top actually came in third./ •/Although John had been afraid that he was not prepared for the exam, he came out on top./

[on top of]{prep.}. 1. On the top of; standing or lying on; on. •/When the player on the other team dropped the ball, Bill fell on top of it./ •/That high hill has a tower on top of it./ 2. {informal} Very close to. •/The elevator was so crowded that everybody was on top of each other./ •/I couldn’t find my umbrella and then I realized I was almost on top of it./ 3. {informal} In addition to; along with. •/Mrs. Lane had many expenses and on top of everything else, her baby became ill./ •/Mary worked at the store all day and on top of that she had to baby-sit with her brother./ 4. {informal} Managing very well; in control of. •/Although his new job was very complicated, John was on top of it within a few weeks./ •/No matter what goes wrong, Mary always stays on top of it./ 5. Knowing all about; not falling behind in information about; up-to-date on. •/Mary stays on top of the news by reading newspapers and magazines./ •/When he was in California, Mr. Jones kept on top of things in his office by telephoning every day./