Текст книги "Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц"

Автор книги: Adam Makkai

Соавторы: Maya Glinberg
сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 57 (всего у книги 61 страниц)

[too close for comfort]{adj. phr.} Perilously near (said of bad things). •/When the sniper’s bullet hit the road the journalist exclaimed, «Gosh, that was too close for comfort!»/ Compare: CLOSE CALL, CLOSE SHAVE.

[too many cooks spoil the broth] or [stew] A project is likely to go bad if managed by a multiplicity of primary movers. – A proverb. •/When several people acted all at once in trying to reshape the company’s investment policy, Tom spoke up and said, «Let me do this by myself! Don’t you know that too many cooks spoil the broth?»/

[too many irons in the fire] See: IRONS IN THE FIRE.

[to one] See: TEN TO ONE, TWO TO ONE.

[to oneself(1)]{adv. phr.} 1. Silently; in the thoughts; without making a sign that others can see; secretly. •/Tom thought to himself that he could win./ •/Mary said to herself that Joan was prettier than Ann./ •/Bill laughed to himself when John fell down./ 2. Without telling others; in private; as a secret. – Used after «keep». •/Mary keeps her affairs to herself./ •/John knew the answer to the problem, but he kept it to himself./

[to oneself(2)]{adj. phr.} 1. Without company; away from others; alone; deserted. •/The boys went home and John was left to himself./ •/When Mary first moved to her new neighborhood she was very shy and kept to herself./ 2. Following one’s own beliefs or wishes; not stopped by others. •/When John insisted on going, Fred left him to himself./ •/The teacher left Mary to herself to solve the problem./

[to one’s face]{adv. phr.} Directly to you; in your presence. •/I told him to his face that I didn’t like the idea./ •/I called him a coward to his face./ Compare: IN ONE’S FACE. Contrast: BEHIND ONE’S BACK.

[to one’s feet]{adv. phr.} To a standing position; up. •/After Henry had been tackled hard by four big players, he got to his feet slowly and painfully./ •/When Sally saw the bus coming, she jumped to her feet and ran out./ Compare: ON ONE’S FEET.

[to one’s guns] See: STICK TO ONE’S GUNS.

[to one’s heart’s content]{adv. phr.} To the extent of one’s wishes; one’s complete satisfaction. •/There is a wonderful small restaurant nearby where you can eat to your heart’s content./

[to one’s heels] See: TAKE TO ONE’S HEELS.

[to one’s name]{adv. phr.} In your ownership; of your own; as part of your belongings. •/David did not have a book to his name./ •/Ed had only one suit to his name./

[to one’s ribs] See: STICK TO ONE’S RIBS.

[to one’s senses] See: COME TO ONE’S SENSES.

[to order]{adv. phr.} According to directions given in an order in the way and size wanted. •/The manufacturer built the machine to order./ •/A very big man often has his suits made to order./ 2. See: CALL TO ORDER.

[tooth] See: BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH, CUT TEETH or CUT EYETEETH, EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH, FED TO THE GILLS or FED TO THE TEETH, GET ONE’S TEETH INTO or SINK ONE’S TEETH INTO, KICK IN THE PANTS or KICK IN THE TEETH, PULL ONE’S TEETH, SET ONE’S TEETH ON EDGE, TAKE THE BIT IN ONE’S TEETH, THROW SOMETHING IN ONE’S FACE or THROW SOMETHING IN ONE’S TEETH.

[tooth and nail] See: HAMMER AND TONGS.

[tooth and nail]{adv. phr.} With all weapons or ways of fighting as hard as possible; fiercely. – Used after «fight» or a similar word. •/When the Indian girl was captured, she fought tooth and nail to get away./ •/The farmers fought tooth and nail to save their crops from the grasshoppers./ •/His friends fought tooth and nail to elect him to Congress./

[toot one’s own horn] See: BLOW ONE’S OWN HORN.

[top] See: AT THE TOP OF ONE’S VOICE, BIG TOP, BLOW A FUSE or BLOW ONE’S TOP, HARD-TOP, OFF THE TOP OF ONE’S HEAD, ON TOP, ON TOP OF, ON TOP OF THE WORLD, OVER THE TOP.

[top banana] or [top dog]{n.}, {slang}, {informal} The head of any business or organization; the most influential or most prestigious person in an establishment. •/Who’s the top banana in this outfit?/ See: MAIN SQUEEZE.

[to pass] See: COME TO PASS.

[top-drawer]{adj.}, {informal} Of the best; or most important kind. •/Mary’s art work was top-drawer material./ •/Mr. Rogers is a top-drawer executive and gets a very high salary./

[topflight] or [topnotch] See: TOP DRAWER.

[to pieces]{adv. phr.} 1. Into broken pieces or fragments; destroyed. •/The cannon shot the town to pieces./ •/The vase fell to pieces in Mary’s hand./ 2. {informal} So as not to work; into a state of not operating. •/After 100,000 miles the car went to pieces./ •/When Mary heard of her mother’s death, she went to pieces./ 3. {informal} Very much; greatly; exceedingly. •/Joan was thrilled to pieces to see Mary./ •/The noise scared Bob to pieces./ 4. See: PICK APART.

[top off]{v.} To come or bring to a special or unexpected ending; climax. •/John batted three runs and topped off the game with a home run./ •/Mary hadn’t finished her homework, she was late to school, and to top it all off she missed a surprise test./ •/George had steak for dinner and topped it off with a fudge sundae./

[to put It mildly] See: TO SAY THE LEAST.

[torch] See: CARRY A TORCH.

[to reason] See: STAND TO REASON.

[to rest] See: LAY TO REST.

[to rights] See: PUT TO RIGHTS or SET TO RIGHTS.

[to Rome] See: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME.

[to say nothing of] See: NOT TO MENTION.

[to say the least]{v. phr.} To understate; express as mildly as possible. •/After all we did for him, his behavior toward us, to say the least, was a poor way to show his appreciation./

[to scale]{adv. phr.} In the same proportions as in the true size; in the same shape, but not the same size. •/The statue was made to scale, one inch to a foot./ •/He drew the map to scale, making one inch represent fifty miles./

[to sea] See: PUT TO SEA.

[to shame] See: PUT TO SHAME.

[to size] See: CUT DOWN TO SIZE.

[to speak of]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Important; worth talking about; worth noticing. – Usually used in negative sentences. •/Did it rain yesterday? Not to speak of./ •/What happened at the meeting? Nothing to speak of./ •/Judy’s injuries were nothing to speak of; just a few scratches./ Compare: NOT TO MENTION.

[to spite one’s face] See: CUT OFF ONE’S NOSE TO SPITE ONE’S FACE.

[toss off]{v. phr.} 1. To drink rapidly; drain. •/He tossed off two drinks and left./ 2. To make or say easily without trying or thinking hard. •/She tossed off smart remarks all during dinner./ •/He thinks a reporter should be able to toss off an article every few hours./

[toss one to the sharks] See: THROW ONE TO THE WOLVES.

[toss out] See: THROW OUT.

[total] See: SUM TOTAL.

[to task] See: TAKE TO TASK.

[to terms] See: BRING TO TERMS, COME TO TERMS.

[to that effect]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} With that meaning. •/She said she hated spinach, or words to that effect./ •/When I leave, I will write you to that effect so you will know./

[to the best of one’s knowledge] As far as you know; to the extent of your knowledge. •/He has never won a game, to the best of my knowledge./ •/To the best of my knowledge he is a college man, but I may be mistaken./

[to the bitter end]{adv. phr.} To the point of completion or conclusion. – Used especially of a very painful or unpleasant task or experience. •/Although Mrs. Smith was bored by the lecture, she stayed to the bitter end./ •/They knew the war would be lost, but the men fought to the bitter end./

[to the bone]{adv.}, {slang}, {informal} Thoroughly, entirely, to the core, through all layers. •/I am dreadfully tired; I’ve worked my fingers to the bone./ See: ALSO WORK ONE’S FINGERS TO THE BONE.

[to the bottom] See: GET TO THE BOTTOM OF.

[to the contrary]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} With an opposite result or effect; just the opposite; in disagreement; saying the opposite. •/Although Bill was going to the movies, he told Joe to the contrary./ •/We will expect you for dinner unless we get word to the contrary./ •/School gossip to the contrary, Mary is not engaged to be married./ Compare: ON THE CONTRARY.

[to the effect that]{adj. phr.} With the meaning or purpose; to say that. •/He made a speech to the effect that we would all keep our jobs even if the factory were sold./ •/The new governor would do his best in the office to which he had been elected./

[to the eye]{adv. phr.} As it is seen; as a person or thing first seems; apparently. •/That girl looks to the eye like a nice girl to know, but she is really rather mean./ •/That suit appears to the eye to be a good buy, but it may not be./ Compare: AT FIRST GLANCE.

[to the fore]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} Into leadership; out into notice or view; forward. •/The hidden skill of the lawyer came to the fore during the trial./ •/In the progress of the war some new leaders came to the fore./

[to the full]{adv. phr.} Very much; fully. •/The campers enjoyed their trip to the full./ •/We appreciated to the full the teacher’s help./ Compare: TO THE HILT.

[to the gallery] See: PLAY TO THE GALLERY.

[to the good]{adv. phr.} On the side of profit or advantage; in one’s favor; to one’s benefit; ahead. •/After I sold my stamp collection, I was ten dollars to the good./ •/The teacher did not see him come in late, which was all to the good./

[to the grindstone] See: KEEP ONE’S NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE.

[to the heart] See: GET TO THE HEART OF.

[to the hilt] or [up to the hilt]{adv. phr.} To the limit; as far as possible; completely. •/The other boys on the team told Tom he couldn’t quit. They said, «You’re in this to the hilt.»/ •/The Smith’s house is mortgaged up to the hilt./ Compare: HEART AND SOUL, TO THE FULL, UP TO THE – IN.

[to the kings taste] or [to the queen’s taste]{adv. phr.} Perfectly; just as anyone could want it; very satisfactorily. •/The rooms in her new home were painted and decorated to the queen’s taste./ •/The soldiers dressed and marched to the king’s taste./

[to the letter]{adv. phr.} With nothing done wrong or left undone; exactly; precisely. •/He carried out his orders to the letter./ •/When writing a test you should follow the instructions to the letter./ Compare: TO A T.

[to the manner born]{adj. phr.} At ease with something because of lifelong familiarity with it. •/She says her English is the best because she is to the manner born./

[to the nth degree]{adv. phr.} To the greatest degree possible; extremely; very much so. •/Scales must be accurate to the nth degree./ •/His choice of words was exactly to the nth degree./

[to the point] See: COME TO THE POINT.

[to the punch] See: BEAT TO THE PUNCH.

[to the ribs] See: STICK TO ONE’S RIBS or STICK TO THE RIBS.

[to the salt mines] See: BACK TO THE SALT MINES.

[to the stump] See: TAKE THE STUMP or TAKE TO THE STUMP.

[to the sword] See: PUT TO THE SWORD.

[to the tune of]{adv. phr.}, {informal} To the amount or extent of; in the amount of. •/He had to pay to the tune of fifty dollars for seeing how fast the car would go./ •/When she left the race track she had profited to the tune of ten dollars./

[to the wall]{adv. phr.} Into a place from which there is no escape; into a trap or corner. – Usually used after «drive» or a similar word. •/John’s failing the last test drove him to the wall./ •/The score was 12-12 in the last minute of play, but a touchdown forced the visitors to the wall./ •/Bill had to sell his five Great Danes. The high cost of feeding them was driving him to the wall./

[to the wolves] See: THROW TO THE WOLVES.

[to the woods] See: TAKE TO THE WOODS.

[to the world] See: DEAD TO THE WORLD.

[to think of it] See: COME TO THINK OF IT.

[toto] See: IN TOTO.

[touch] See: COMMON TOUCH, IN TOUCH, LOSE TOUCH, OUT OF TOUCH,

[touch and go]{adj. phr.} Very dangerous or uncertain in situation. •/Our team won the game, all right, but it was touch and go for a while./ •/At one time while they were climbing the cliff it was touch and go whether they could do it./

[touch base with]{v. phr.} To confer or consult with one. •/Before we make a decision, I’d like to touch base with our financial department./

[touch bottom] See: HIT BOTTOM.

[touch off]{v.} 1. To cause to fire or explode by lighting the priming or the fuse. •/The boy touched off a firecracker./ Compare: SET OFF. 2. To start something as if by lighting a fuse. •/The coach’s resignation touched off a quarrel./ Compare: SET OFF.

[touch on] or [touch upon]{v.} To speak of or write of briefly. •/The speaker touched on several other subjects in the course of his talk but mostly kept himself to the main topic./ Contrast: DWELL ON.

[touch to the quick]{v. phr.} To hurt someone’s feelings very deeply; offend. •/His remark about her lack of education touched her to the quick./

[touchup]{n.} 1. A small repair; a small amount of paint. •/Just a small touchup here and there and your novel may be publishable./ 2. Redoing the color of one’s hair. •/My roots are showing; I need a touchup./

[touch up]{v.} 1. To paint over (small imperfections.) •/I want to touch up that scratch on the fender./ •/The woodwork is done, but there are a few places he has to touch up./ 2. To improve with small additions or changes. •/He touched up the photographic negative to make a sharper print./ •/It’s a good speech, but it needs a little touching up./ 3. {slang} To talk into lending; wheedle from. •/He touched George up for five bucks./

[tough act to follow]{n. phr.} A speech, performance, or activity of such superior quality that the person next in line feels and thinks that it would be very difficult to match it in quality. •/Sir Lawrence Olivier’s performance of Hamlet was a tough act to follow in every sense./

[tough break] See: TOUGH LUCK, TOUGH SHIT.

[tough cat]{n.}, {slang} A man who is very individualistic and, as a result, highly successful with women. •/Joe is a real tough cat, man./

[tough cookie]{n. phr.} An extremely determined, hardheaded person, or someone with whom it is unusually difficult to deal. •/Marjorie is a very pretty girl, but when it comes to business she sure is one tough cookie./

[tough it out]{v. phr.} To live through and endure a trying situation. •/The tourists got lost in the desert without a compass, and they had to tough it out for three days on a single bottle of water./

[tough luck]{n. phr.} An informal way to say that one had that coming; it serves one right. •/So your date didn’t show up, eh? Tough luck, fellow./

[tough nut to crack] See: HARD NUT TO CRACK.

[tough row to hoe] See: HARD ROW TO HOE.

[tough shit]{n. phr.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} See: HARD CHEESE, TOUGH LUCK.

[tough sledding] See: HARD SLEDDING.

[tourist trap] See: CLIP JOINT.

[to use] See: PUT TO USE.

[tow] See: IN TOW.

[towel] See: THROW IN THE SPONGE or THROW IN THE TOWEL.

[tower of strength]{n. phr.} Someone who is strong, helpful, and sympathetic, and can always be relied on in times of trouble. •/John was a veritable tower of strength to our family while my father was in the war and my mother lay ill in the hospital./

[town] See: GO TO TOWN, ON THE TOWN, PAINT THE TOWN RED.

[town and gown]{n.} The residents of a college town and the students and teachers of the college. •/The senator made a speech attended by both town and gown./ •/There were fights between town and gown./

[toy with an] or [the idea]{v. phr.} To consider an idea or an offer periodically without coming to a decision. •/He was toying with the idea of accepting the company’s offer of the vice presidency in Tokyo, but he was unable to decide./

[to your hat] See: HANG ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT.

[trace] See: KICK OVER THE TRACES also JUMP THE TRACES.

[track] See: COVER ONE’S TRACKS, IN ONE’S TRACKS, INSIDE TRACK, JUMP THE TRACK, KEEP TRACK, LOSE TRACK, MAKE TRACKS, OFF THE BEATEN TRACK, ON THE TRACK OF, THE TRACKS.

[track down]{v.} To find by or as if by following tracks or a trail. •/The hunters tracked down game in the forest./ •/She spent weeks in the library tracking the reference down in all their hooks on the subject./ Compare: HUNT DOWN.

[trade] See: CARRIAGE TRADE, HORSE TRADE, TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

[trade in]{v.} To give something to a seller as part payment for another thing of greater value. •/The Browns traded their old car in on a new one./ Syn.: TURN IN(3).

[trade-in]{n.} Something given as part payment on something better. •/The dealer took our old car as a trade-in./ – Often used like an adjective. •/We cleaned up the car at trade-in time./

[trade on]{v.} To use as a way of helping yourself. •/The coach traded on the pitcher’s weakness for left-handed batters by using all his southpaws./ •/The senator’s son traded on his father’s name when he ran for mayor./

[trading stamp]{n.} One of the stamps that you get (as from a store or gas station) because you buy something there; a stamp you get with a purchase and save in special books until you have enough to take to a special store and trade for something you want. •/Mother always buys things in stores where they give trading stamps./

[trail] See: BLAZE A TRAIL, ON THE TRACK OF or ON THE TRAIL OF.

[trail-blazer] See: BLAZE A TRAIL.

[trap] See: MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP, SAND TRAP, SPEED TRAP.

[travel light]{v. phr.} To travel with very little luggage or with very little to carry. •/Plane passengers must travel light./ •/Tom and Fred traveled light on their camping trip./

[tread on the toes of] or [tread on one’s toes] See: STEP ON THE TOES OF or STEP ON ONE’S TOES.

[tread water]{v. phr.} To keep the head above water with the body in an upright position by moving the feet as if walking. •/He kept afloat by treading water./

[treat] See: TRICK OR TREAT.

[tree] See: BARK UP THE WRONG TREE, CAN’T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES, UP A TREE.

[trembling] See: FEAR AND TREMBLING.

[trial] See: ON TRIAL.

[trial and error]{n.} A way of solving problems by trying different possible solutions until you find one that works. •/John found the short circuit by trial and error./ •/The only way Tom could solve the algebra problem was by the method of trial and error./

[trial balloon]{n.} A hint about a plan of action that is given out to find out what people will say. •/John mentioned the class presidency to Bill as a trial balloon to see if Bill might be interested in running./ •/The editorial was a trial balloon to test the public’s reaction to a change in the school day./

[trice] See: IN A FLASH also IN A TRICE.

[trick] See: DO THE TRICK, TURN THE TRICK.

[trick of the trade]{n. phr.}, {usually in plural}, {informal} 1. A piece of expert knowledge; a smart, quick, or skillful way of working at a trade or job. •/Mr. Olson spent years learning the tricks of the trade as a carpenter./ •/Any one can learn how to hang wallpaper, but only an expert can show you the tricks of the trade./ 2. A smart and sometimes tricky or dishonest way of doing something in order to succeed or win. •/The champion knows all the tricks of the boxing trade; he knows many ways to hurt his opponent and to get him mixed up./

[trick or treat]{n.} The custom of going from house to house on Halloween asking for small gifts and playing tricks on people who refuse to give. •/When Mrs. Jones answered the doorbell, the children yelled «Trick or treat.» Mrs. Jones gave them all some candy./ •/On Halloween Bill and Tom went out playing trick or treat./

[trigger] See: QUICK ON THE TRIGGER.

[trigger happy] See: QUICK ON THE TRIGGER(1).

[triple threat]{n.} A football player who is able to pass, kick, and run all very well. •/The triple threat halfback was the star of the team./

[tripped out]{adj.}, {slang}, {informal} Incoherent, confused, faulty of speech, illogical; as if under the influence of drugs or alcohol. •/It was hard to make sense of anything Fred said yesterday, he sounded so tripped out./ See: SPACED OUT.

[trip up]{v.} 1. To make (someone) unsteady on the feet; cause to miss a step, stumble, or fall. •/A root tripped Billy up while he was running in the woods, and he fell and hurt his ankle./ 2. To cause (someone) to make a mistake. •/The teacher asked tricky questions in the test to trip up students who were not alert./

[trolley] See: OFF ONE’S ROCKER or OFF ONE’S TROLLEY.

[trot out]{v. phr.} To bring out for inspection; display. •/Don’t mention compact disks to Joe, or he’ll trot out his entire collection and we’ll be stuck here all night./

[trouble] See: BORROW TROUBLE, GO TO THE TROUBLE or TAKE THE TROUBLE.

[troubled waters] See: POUR OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.

[trousers] See: WEAR THE TROUSERS.

[trowel] See: LAY IT ON.

[truck] See: PANEL TRUCK.

[true] See: COME TRUE, HOLD TRUE, RUN TRUE TO FORM.

[trump] See: HOLD ALL THE TRUMPS.

[trump card]{n.} Something kept back to be used to win success if nothing else works. •/The coach saved his star pitcher for a trump card./ •/Mary had several ways to get Joan to come to her party. Her trump card was that the football captain would be there./

[trump up]{v.} To make up (something untrue); invent in the mind. •/Every time Tom is late getting home he trumps up some new excuse./ •/The Russians were afraid he was a spy, so they arrested him on a trumped-up charge and made him leave the country./

[trust] See: IN TRUST.

[truth] See: CHILDREN AND FOOLS SPEAK THE TRUTH.

[try on]{v.} To put (clothing) on to see if it fits. •/She tried on several pairs of shoes before she found one she liked./ •/The clerk told him to try the coat on./

[try one’s hand]{v. phr.} To make an inexperienced attempt (at something unfamiliar.) •/I thought I would try my hand at bowling, although I had never bowled before./

[try one’s wings]{v. phr.} To try out a recently acquired ability. •/Marjorie just had her twelfth French lesson and wants to try her wings by speaking with our visitors from Paris./

[tryout]{n.} An audience at a theater or opera for would-be actors and singers. •/The Civic Opera is holding tryouts throughout all of next week. Maybe I’ll go and see if I can sing in the chorus./

[try out]{v. phr.} 1. To test by trial or by experimenting. •/He tried golf out to see if he would like it./ •/The scientists tried out thousands of chemicals before they found the right one./ •/The coach wants to try the new play out in the first game./ 2. To try for a place on a team or in a group. •/Tom tried out for the basketball team./ •/Shirley will try out for the lead in the play./ Compare: OUT FOR.

[tuck] See: NIP AND TUCK.

[tucker] See: BEST BIB AND TUCKER.

[tuck in]{v. phr.} To place the covers carefully around the person (usually a child) in bed. •/When I was a child, my mother used to tuck me into bed every night./

[tug-of-war]{n.} 1. A game in which two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, trying to pull the other team over a line marked on the ground. •/The tug-of-war ended when both teams tumbled in a heap./ 2. A contest in which two sides try to defeat each other; struggle. •/A tug-of-war developed between the boys who wanted to go fishing and those who wanted to go hiking./ •/Betty felt a tug-of-war between her wish to go to the movies and her realizing she had to do her homework./ •/The tug of war between the union men and management ended in a long strike./

[tune] See: CALL THE TUNE, CHANGE ONE’S TUNE, IN TUNE, SING A DIFFERENT TUNE or WHISTLE A DIFFERENT TUNE also SING A NEW TUNE, TO THE TUNE OF.

[tune in] To adjust a radio or television set to pick up a certain station. •/Bob tuned in his portable radio to a record show./ •/Tom tuned in to Channel 11 to hear the news./

[tune out]{v. phr.} To not listen to something. •/«How can you work in such a noisy environment?» Jane asked Sue. «Well, I simply tune it out,» she answered./

[tune up]{v.} 1a. To adjust (a musical instrument) to make the right sound. •/Before he began to play, Harry tuned up his banjo./ 1b. To adjust a musical instrument or a group of musical instruments to the right sound. •/The orchestra came in and began to tune up for the concert./ 2. To adjust many parts of (car engine) which must work together so that it will run properly. •/He took his car to the garage to have the engine tuned up./

[tune-up]{n.} 1. The adjusting or fixing of something (as a motor) to make it work safely and well. •/Father says the car needs a tune-up before winter begins./ 2. Exercise or practicing for the purpose of getting ready; a trial before something. •/The team went to the practice field for their last tune-up before the game tomorrow./ Syn.: WARM UP.

[turkey] See: TALK TURKEY.

[turn] See: AT EVERY TURN, BLOOD RUN COLD or BLOOD TURNS TO ICE, BY TURNS, CALL THE TURN at CALL ONE’S SHOTS(2), EVERY TIME ONE TURNS AROUND, IN TURN, NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN, OUT OF TURN, TAKE A TURN, TAKE TURNS, TO A T or TO A TURN.

[turn a blind eye]{v. phr.} To pretend not to see; not pay attention. •/The corrupt police chief turned a blind eye to the open gambling in the town./ •/Bob turned a blind eye to the «No Fishing» sign./ Compare: CLOSE ONE’S EYES.

[turn a cold shoulder] See: COLD SHOULDER.

[turn a deaf ear to]{v. phr.} To pretend not to hear; refuse to hear; not pay attention. •/Mary turned a deaf ear to Lois’s asking to ride her bicycle./ •/The teacher turned a deaf ear to Bob’s excuse./ Compare: COLD SHOULDER.

[turn a hand]{v. phr.} To do anything to help. – Usually used in the negative. •/When we were all hurrying to get the house ready for company, Mary sat reading and wouldn’t turn a hand./ Syn.: LIFT A FINGER.

[turn an honest penny]{v. phr.} To realize a good profit. •/Tom turned an honest penny in the soybean trading business./ Compare: PRETTY PENNY.

[turn back the clock] See: PUT BACK THE CLOCK.

[turn color]{v. phr.} To become a different color. •/In the fall the leaves turn color./ •/When the dye was added the solution turned color./

[turn down]{v.} 1. To reduce the loudness, brightness, or force of. •/The theater lights were turned down./ •/Turn down that radio, will you?/ •/The hose was throwing too much water so I turned down the water a little bit./ 2. To refuse to accept; reject. •/His request for a raise was turned down./ •/If she offers to help, I’ll turn her down./ •/Many boys courted Lynn, but she turned them all down./

[turn for the worse] See: FOR THE WORSE.

[turn in]{v.} 1. or [hand in] To give to someone; deliver to someone. •/I want you to turn in a good history paper./ •/When the football season was over, we turned in our uniforms./ 2. To inform on; report. •/She turned them in to the police for breaking the street light./ 3. To give in return for something. •/They turned in their old money for new./ •/We turned our car in on a new model./ Syn.: TRADE IN. 4. {informal} To go to bed. •/We were tired, so we turned in about nine o’clock./ Contrast: TURN OUT(4).

[turn in one’s grave] or [turn over in one’s grave]{v. phr.} To be so grieved or angry that you would not rest quietly in your grave. •/If your grandfather could see what you’re doing now, he would turn over in his grave./

[turn loose] See: LET LOOSE(1a).

[turn off]{v.} 1. To stop by turning a knob or handle or by working a switch; to cause to be off. •/He turned the water off./ •/He turned off the light./ 2. To leave by turning right or left onto another way./ •/Turn off the highway at exit 5./ •/The car turned off on Bridge Street./ 3. {slang} To disgust, bore, or repel (someone) by being intellectually, emotionally, socially, or sexually unattractive. •/I won’t date Linda Bell anymore – she just turns me off./ Contrast: TURN ON.

[turn of the century]{n. phr.} The time at the end of one century and the beginning of the next century; {especially}: The time when the 1800’s became the 1900’s; the early 1900’s. •/Automobiles were strange things to see at the turn of the century./

[turn on]{v.} 1. To start by turning a knob or handle or working a switch; cause to be on. •/Jack turned on the water./ •/Who turned the lights on?/ 2. {informal} To put forth or succeed with as easily as turning on water. •/She really turns on the charm when that new boy is around./ 3. To attack. •/The lion tamer was afraid the lions would turn on him./ •/After Joe fumbled the ball and lost the big game, his friends turned on him./ 4. {slang} The opposite of turning someone off; to become greatly interested in an idea, person, or undertaking; to arouse the senses pleasantly. •/Mozart’s music always turns me on./ 5. Introducing someone to a new experience, or set of values. •/Benjamin turned me on to transcendental meditation, and ever since I’ve been feeling great!/ Contrast: TURN OFF.

[turn on a dime]{v. phr.} To be able to turn in a very narrow spot comparable to a small coin. •/This new sports car can turn on a dime./

[turn one around one’s little finger] See: TWIST ONE AROUND ONE’S LITTLE FINGER.

[turn one’s back on]{v. phr.} To refuse to help (someone in trouble or need.) •/He turned his back on his own family when they needed help./ •/The poorer nations are often not grateful for our help, but still we can not turn our back on them./ Compare: GO BACK ON(1).

[turn one’s hand to] See: PUT ONE’S HAND TO.

[turn one’s head]{v. phr.}, {informal} To make you lose your good judgment. •/The first pretty girl he saw turned his head./ •/Winning the class election turned his head./

[turn one’s nose up at]{v. phr.} To scorn; snub; look down at somebody or something. •/I don’t understand why Sue has to turn her nose up at everyone who didn’t go to an Ivy League college./

[turn one’s stomach]{v. phr.}, {informal} To make you feel sick. •/The smell of that cigar was enough to turn your stomach./ •/The sight of blood turns my stomach./

[turn on one’s heel]{v. phr.} To turn around suddenly. •/When John saw Fred approaching him, he turned on his heel./ •/When little Tommy’s big brother showed up, the bully turned on his heel./

[turnout]{n.} The number of people in attendance at a gathering. •/This is a terrific turnout for Tim’s poetry reading./

[turn out]{v.} 1. To make leave or go away. •/His father turned him out of the house./ •/If you don’t behave, you will be turned out./ Compare: THROW OUT. 2. To turn inside out; empty. •/He turned out his pockets looking for the money./ •/Robbers turned out all the drawers in the house in a search for jewels./ 3. To make; produce. •/The printing press turns out a thousand books an hour./ •/Sally can turn out a cake in no time./ •/Martin turns out a poem each week for the school paper./ 4. {informal} To get out of bed. •/At camp the boys had to turn out early and go to bed early too./ Contrast: TURN IN(4). 5. {informal} To come or go out to see or do something. •/Everybody turned out for the big parade./ •/Many boys turned out for football practice./ Compare: FALL OUT. 6. To prove to be; be in the end; be found to be. •/The noise turned out to be just the dog scratching at the door./ •/Her guess turned out to be right./ •/Everything turned out all right./ 7. To make (a light) go out. •/Please turn out the lights./ Syn.: TURN OFF(1).