Текст книги "Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц"

Автор книги: Adam Makkai

Соавторы: Maya Glinberg
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Текущая страница: 60 (всего у книги 61 страниц)

[wet] See: ALL WET, GET ONE’S FEET WET, MAD AS A WET HEN, WRINGING WET.

[wet behind the ears]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Not experienced; not knowing how to do something; new in a job or place. •/The new student is still wet behind the ears; he has not yet learned the tricks that the boys play on each other./ Compare: DRY BEHIND THE EARS.

[wet blanket]{n.}, {informal} A person or thing that keeps others from enjoying life. •/The teenagers don’t invite Bob to their parties because he is a wet blanket./ •/The weatherman throws a wet blanket on picnic plans when he forecasts rain./ Compare: CREPE HANGER.

[wet one’s whistle]{v. phr.}, {slang} To have a drink, especially of liquor. •/Uncle Willie told John to wait outside for a minute while he went in to the cafe to wet his whistle./

[whack] See: OUT OF WHACK.

[whale away]{v.}, {informal} 1. To beat or hit hard; strike again and again. – Often used with «at». •/The boxer is whaling away at his opponent with both fists./ 2. To attack severely or again and again; go on without stopping or with great force; pound away. •/Mary has been whaling away on the typewriter for an hour./ – Often used with «at». •/During the election the Mayor whaled away at the other party in his speeches./

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

[what] See: COME WHAT MAY, GET WHAT’S COMING TO ONE, I’LL TELL YOU WHAT, JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, SO WHAT.

[what about]{interrog.} 1. About or concerning what; in connection with what. – Often used alone as a question. •/«I want to talk to you.» «What about?»/ Compare: WHAT FOR. 2. See: WHAT OF IT. 3. See: HOW ABOUT.

[what about that] See: HOW ABOUT THAT.

[What a pity!] How unfortunate! What a shame! •/What a pity that he couldn’t join us on our Hawaiian trip./

[what for(1)]{interrog.} For what reason; why? •/I told Mary what I was going to town for./ •/What are you running for?/ – Often used alone as a question. •/Billy’s mother told him to wear his hat. «What for?» he asked./ Compare: HOW COME.

[what for(2)]{n. phr.}, {informal} A scolding, or other punishment. – Usually used with «get» or «give». •/Tom got what for from his father for answering him rudely, and I heard him crying in the house./ •/The teacher gave me what for because I was late./

[what have you] or [what not]{n. phr.}, {informal} Whatever you like or want; anything else like that. •/The store sells big ones, small ones, medium ones, or what have you./ •/We found suits, coats, hats and what not in the closet./ Syn.: AND SO FORTH.

[what if] What would, or will, happen if; what is the difference if; suppose that. •/What if you go instead of me?/ •/What if we paint it red. How will it look?/ •/«You can’t go now» said mother. «What if I do?» Dick asked./ •/What if Jack scores a touchdown?/

[what is what] See: WHAT’S WHAT.

[what of it] or [what about it]{interj.}, {informal} What is wrong with it; what do you care. •/Martha said «That boy is wearing a green coat.» Jan answered, «What of it?»/ •/«John missed the bus.» «What of it?»/ Syn.: SO WHAT.

[what not] See: WHAT HAVE YOU.

[what’s cooking] See: WHAT’S UP.

[what’s doing] See: WHAT’S UP..

[what’s sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander] What goes for the one, also goes for the other. – A proverb. •/If Herb gets a speeding ticket, so should Erica, who was right behind him; after all, what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander./

[what’s the big idea] or [what’s the idea]{informal} What is the purpose; what do you have in mind; why did you do that; what are you doing; how dare you. – Often used to question someone or something that is not welcome. •/The Smith family painted their house red, white, and blue. What’s the big idea?/ •/What’s the idea of coming in here after I told you not to?/ •/I heard you are spreading false rumors about me, what’s the big idea?/

[what’s the idea] See: WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA.

[what’s up] or [what’s cooking] also [what’s doing]{slang} What is happening or planned; what is wrong. – Often used as a greeting. •/«What’s up?» asked Bob as he joined his friends. «Are you going to the movies?»/ •/What’s cooking? Why is the crowd in the street?/ •/What’s doing tonight at the club?/ •/Hello Bob, what’s up?/ Compare: WHAT’S WITH.

[what’s what] or [what is what]{n. phr.}, {informal} 1. What each thing is in a group; one thing from another. •/The weeds and the flowers are coming up together, and we can’t tell what is what./ 2. All that needs to be known about something; the important facts or skills. •/Richard did the wrong thing, because he is new here and doesn’t yet know what’s what./ •/When Bob started his new job, it took him several weeks to learn what was what./ •/When it comes to cooking, Jenny knows what’s what./ •/Harold began to tell the teacher how to teach the class, and the teacher told him what was what./ Compare: WHICH IS WHICH, WHO’S WHO.

[what’s with] or [what’s up with] also [what’s by]{slang} What is happening to; what is wrong; how is everything; what can you tell me about. •/Mary looks worried. What’s with her?/ •/What’s with our old friends?/ •/I’m fine. What’s with you?/

[what with]{prep.} Because; as a result of. •/I couldn’t visit you, what with the snowstorm and the cold I had./ •/What with dishes to wash and children to put to bed, mother was late to the meeting./ Compare: ON ACCOUNT OF.

[wheel] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG WHEEL, GREASE THE WHEELS, PUT ONE’S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL.

[wheel and deal]{v. phr.}, {slang} To make many big plans or schemes; especially with important people in government and business; in matters of money and influence; handle money or power for your own advantage; plan important matters in a smart or skillful way and sometimes in a tricky, or not strictly honest way. •/Mr. Smith made a fortune by wheeling and dealing on the stock market./ •/The senator got this law passed by wheeling and dealing in Congress./ – [wheeler-dealer]{n. phr.}, {slang} A person with power and control. •/The biggest wheeler-dealer in the state has many friends in high places in business and government and is a rich man himself./

[wheelhorse]{n. phr.} A reliable and industrious worker on whom one may depend. •/Jake is such a good worker that he is the wheelhorse of our tiny firm./

[when hell freezes over]{adv. phr.}, {slang} Never. •/I’ll believe you when hell freezes over./ Contrast: UNTIL HELL FREEZES OVER.

[when it comes to] See: COME TO(4).

[when one’s ship comes in] See: SHIP COME IN.

[when push comes to shove]{adv. phr.} A time when a touchy situation becomes actively hostile or a quarrel turns into a fight. •/Can we count on the boss' goodwill, when push comes to shove?/

[when the chips are down]{adv. clause}, {informal} When the winner and loser of a bet or a game are decided; at the most important or dangerous time. •/Tom hit a home run in the last inning of the game when the chips were down./ •/When the chips were down, the two countries decided not to have war./ (From the fact that in gambling games, a person puts chips or money down in front of him to show that he is willing to risk an amount in a bet.)

[where] See: TELL ONE WHERE TO GET OFF or TELL ONE WHERE TO HEAD IN.

[wherefore] See: WHY AND WHEREFORE.

[where it’s at]{adv. phr.}, {informal} That which is important; that which is at the forefront of on-going social, personal, or scientific undertakings. •/Young, talented and black, that’s where it’s at./ •/We send sophisticated machines to Mars instead of people, that’s where it’s at./

[where the shoe pinches]{n. phr.}, {informal} Where or what the discomfort or trouble is. •/Johnny thinks the job is easy, but he will find out where the shoe pinches when he tries it./ •/The coach said he wasn’t worried about any position except quarterback; that was where the shoe pinched./

[whether one is coming or going] See: KNOW IF ONE IS COMING OR GOING.

[whether – or] or [whether – or whether] 1. {coord. conj.} Used to introduce an indirect question. •/You must decide whether you should go or stay./ •/I don’t know whether Jack or Bill is a better player./ Compare: EITHER – OR(2). Used to show a choice of things, or that different things are possible. •/Whether the bicycle was blue or red, it didn’t matter to Frank./

[which] See: GAME AT WHICH TWO CAN PLAY.

[which is which]{n. phr.} Which is one person or thing and which is the other; one from another; what the difference is between different ones; what the name of each one is. •/Joe’s coat and mine are so nearly alike that I can’t tell which is which./ •/Mr. Hadley hadn’t seen his friend’s daughters in such a long time that he couldn’t remember which was which./ Compare: WHAT’S WHAT, WHO’S WHO.

[which was which] See: WHICH is WHICH.

[while] See: AFTER A WHILE or IN A WHILE, ALL THE TIME(1), EVERY NOW AND THEN or EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, ONCE IN A WHILE.

[while ago]{adv.} At a time several minutes in the past; a few minutes ago; a short time ago. – Used with "a". •/I laid mv glasses on this table a while ago; and now they’re gone./ •/A while ago, Mary was tired and wanted to go home; now she’s dancing with Bob as if she could dance all night./ Compare: JUST NOW(2).

[while away]{v.} To make time go by pleasantly or without being bored; pass or spend. •/We whiled away the time that we were waiting by talking and playing cards./ •/We whiled away the summer swimming and fishing./

[while back]{adv.} At a time several weeks or months in the past. – Used with "a". •/We had a good rain a while back, but we need more now./ •/Grandfather is well now, but a while back he was in the hospital for three weeks./ See: CRACK THE WHIP.

[whip hand] See: UPPER HAND.

[whipping boy]{n. phr.} The person who gets punished for someone else’s mistake. •/«I used to be the whipping boy during my early days at the company,» he musingly remembered./

[whip up]{v.}, {informal} 1. To make or do quickly or easily. •/Mary whipped up a lunch for the picnic./ •/The reporter whipped up a story about the fire for his paper./ 2. To make active; stir to action; excite. •/The girls are trying to whip up interest for a dance Saturday night./ Compare: STIR UP, WHOOP IT UP(2).

[whispering campaign]{n.} The spreading of false rumors, or saying bad things, about a person or group, especially in politics or public life. •/A bad man has started a whispering campaign against the mayor, saying that he isn’t honest./

[whistle] See: BLOW THE WHISTLE ON, WET ONE’S WHISTLE.

[whistle a different tune] See: SING A DIFFERENT TUNE.

[whistle for]{v.}, {informal} To try to get (something) but fail; look for (something) that will not come. •/Mary didn’t even thank us for helping her, so the next time she needs help she can whistle for it./

[whistle in the dark]{v. phr.}, {informal} To try to stay brave and forget your fear. •/Tom said he could fight the bully with one hand, but we knew that he was just whistling in the dark./ (From the fact that people sometimes whistle when walking in a dark, scary place to keep up their courage.)

[whistle-stop]{n.} A small town where the trains only stop on a special signal. •/President Truman made excellent use of the whistle-stop during his 1948 campaign for the presidency./

[white] See: BLACK AND WHITE, IN BLACK AND WHITE.

[white around the gills] See: GREEN AROUND THE GILLS.

[white-collar workers]{n. phr.} Workers employed in offices and at desks as opposed to those who work as manual workers; the middle class. •/It is a well-known fact that white-collar workers are less well organized than unionized manual workers./ Contrast BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS.

[white elephant]{n. phr.} Unwanted property, such as real estate, that is hard to sell. •/That big house of theirs on the corner sure is a white elephant./

[white lie]{n. phr.} An innocent social excuse. •/I am too busy to go to their house for dinner tonight. I will call them and tell a little white lie about having the flu./

[white sale]{n.} The selling, especially at lower prices, of goods or clothing usually made of white cloth. •/Mother always buys many things at the January white sale to save money./

[whitewash]{n.}, {informal} A soothing official report that attempts to tranquilize the public. •/Some people believe that the Warren Commission’s report on the Kennedy assassination was a whitewash./

[whitewash something]{v.}, {informal} To explain a major, national scandal in soothing official terms so as to assure the public that things are under control and there is no need to panic. •/Many people in the United States believe that President Kennedy’s assassination was whitewashed by the Warren Commission./ See: WHITEWASH.

[whiz] See: GEE WHIZ.

[who] See: SAYS WHO.

[whodunit]{n.} A detective story; a murder story; a thriller. •/Agatha Christie was a true master of the whodunit./

[who is who] See: WHO’S WHO.

[who laughs last laughs best] See: HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST.

[whole] See: ALL THE WAY or THE WHOLE WAY, GO THE WHOLE HOG, ON THE WHOLE, WITH A WHOLE SKIN or IN A WHOLE SKIN.

[whole cheese]{slang} or {informal}[whole show]{n.}, {informal} The only important person; big boss. •/Joe thought he was the whole cheese in the game because he owned the ball./ •/You’re not the whole show just because you got all A’s./ Compare: BIG CHEESE.

[whole hog] See: GO THE WHOLE HOG.

[whole lot] See: A LOT.

[whole show] See: WHOLE CHEESE.

[whoop it up]{v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To make a loud noise; have a noisy celebration; enjoy yourself noisily. •/The team whooped it up after winning the game./ 2. To praise something enthusiastically; encourage enthusiasm or support. – Often used with «for». •/Father wanted to go to the country, but the children whooped it up for the beach./

[who’s who] or [who is who]{informal} 1. Who this one is and who that one is; who the different ones in a group of people are or what their names or positions are. •/It is hard to tell who is who in the parade because everyone in the band looks alike./ •/It took the new teacher a few days to remember who was who in the class./ Compare: WHICH IS WHICH. 2. Who the important people are. •/John didn’t recognize the champion on television. He doesn’t know who is who in boxing./ •/After about a year, Mr. Thompson had lived in this town long enough to know who was who./ Compare: WHAT’S WHAT.

[why and wherefore]{n.} The answer to a question or problem. Usually used in the plural. •/Father told him not to always ask the whys and wherefores when he was told to do something./

[wide] See: FAR AND WIDE, GIVE A WIDE BERTH.

[wide-eyed] See: ROUND-EYED.

[wide of the mark]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Far from the target or the thing aimed at. •/James threw a stone at the cat but it went wide of the mark./ 2. Far from the truth; incorrect. •/You were wide of the mark when you said I did it, because Bill did it./ Contrast: HIT THE BULL’S-EYE, HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.

[widow] See: GOLF WIDOW.

[wiener roast] or [hot dog roast]{n.} A party where frankfurters are cooked and eaten over an outdoor fire. •/For his birthday party, John had a wiener roast in his backyard./ •/Mary’s Girl Scout troop had a hot dog roast on their overnight hike./

[wig] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG WIG.

[wild] See: RUN WILD, SOW ONE’S WILD OATS.

[wildcat strike]{n.}, {informal} A strike not ordered by a labor union; a strike spontaneously arranged by a group of workers. •/The garbage collectors have gone on a wildcat strike, but the union is going to stop it./

[wild goose chase]{n. phr.} An absurd and completely futile errand. •/I was on a wild goose chase when I was sent to find a man who never really existed./

[wild pitch]{n.} A pitch in baseball that is so high, so low, or so far from the plate that the catcher cannot catch it and a base runner can move to the next base. •/The runner went to second base on a wild pitch./

[will] See: AT WILL, OF ONE’S OWN ACCORD or OF ONE’S OWN FREE WILL.

[will not hear of]{v. phr.} Will not allow or consider, refuse attention to or permission for. •/I want to go to the show tonight, but I know my mother will not hear of it./ •/Mary needs another day to finish her book report, but the teacher won’t hear of any delay./ •/John’s father told him he would not hear of his having a car./

[win] See: HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU LOSE.

[wind] See: GET WIND OF, GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB, GONE WITH THE WIND, IN THE WIND, IT’S AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NOBODY GOOD, SECOND WIND, STRAW IN THE WIND, TAKE THE WIND OUT OF ONE’S SAILS, THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND or THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND, THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND, WAY THE WIND BLOWS or HOW THE WIND BLOWS.

[windbag]{n.} Someone who talks too much; a boring person. •/Uncle Joe goes on and on; he is a boring windbag./

[windfall]{n.} An unexpected gift or gain of sizeable proportion. •/The unexpected retroactive pay raise was a most welcome windfall./

[window] See: GO OUT THE WINDOW.

[window dressing]{n. phr.} An elaborate exterior, sometimes designed to conceal one’s real motives. •/All those fancy invitations turned out to be nothing but window dressing./ •/All he really wanted was to be introduced to my influential father-in-law./

[wind up]{v.} 1. To tighten the spring of a machine; to make it work or run. •/Mary wound up the toy car and let it run across the room./ •/He doesn’t have to wind up his watch because it is run by a battery./ 2. To make very excited, nervous, upset. – Usually used in the past participle. •/The excitement of her birthday party got Jane all wound up so she could not sleep./ 3. {informal} To bring or come to an end; finish; stop. •/John got two hits and wound his afternoon up with a home run./ •/Before Jim knew it, he had spent all his money and he wound up broke./ •/The boys followed the path to the left and wound up where they started./ Syn.: END UP. Compare: FINISH OFF, TURN OUT(6). 4. To put (your business or personal affairs) in order; arrange; settle. •/Fred wound up his business and personal affairs before joining the Navy./ 5. To swing your arm with the ball just before pitching to a batter. •/The pitcher wound up quickly and then threw a curve./

[wing] See: CLIP ONE’S WINGS, LEFT-WING, ON THE WING, RIGHT-WING, UNDER ONE’S WING.

[win hands down]{v. phr.} To win conclusively and without external help. •/The opposition was so weak that Dan won the election hands down./

[win in a walk] or [win in a breeze]{v. phr.}, {informal} To win very easily; win without having to try hard. •/Joe ran for class president and won in a walk./ •/Our team won the game in a breeze./ Compare: HANDS DOWN.

[wink] See: FORTY WINKS, SLEEP A WINK.

[wink at]{v.} To allow and pretend not to know about (a rule or law being broken). •/John was not allowed to stay out late at night, but his parents winked at his being five minutes late./ •/A judge should never wink at any law-breaking./

[winning streak]{n.} A series of several wins one after the other. •/The team extended their winning streak to ten./

[win one’s spurs]{v. phr.} 1. In old times, to be named a knight with the right to wear little sharp spikes on your heels. •/A young squire won his spurs in battle./ 2. To win fame or honor. •/The young lieutenant won his spurs by leading an attack on enemy machine guns./ •/Edison won his spurs as an inventor while rather young./ •/He has yet to win his spurs as a big league ball player./

[win out]{v. phr.} To win after a rather protracted struggle. •/The lawsuit lasted a long time, but we finally won out./

[win over]{v. phr.} To convert to one’s position or point of view. •/The Democrats offered him a high-level executive position and thus way won him over to their side./

[wipeout]{n.} A total failure. •/The guy is so bad at his job that he is a total wipeout./

[wipe out]{v.} 1. To remove or erase by wiping or rubbing. •/The teacher wiped out with an eraser what she had written on the board./ Compare: RUB OUT. 2. {informal} To remove, kill, or destroy completely. •/The earthquake wiped out the town./ •/Doctors are searching for a cure that will wipe out cancer./ •/The Indians wiped out the soldiers who were sent to stop their attacks./ Compare: RUB OUT, STAMP OUT.

[wipe out an old score] See: SETTLE A SCORE.

[wipe the floor with] or [wipe up the floor with] See: MOP THE FLOOR WITH.

[wire] See: ACROSS THE WIRE, DOWN TO THE WIRE, PULL STRINGS or PULL WIRES.

[wise] See: GET WISE, PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH, PUT WISE, THE WISER.

[wisecrack]{n.} A joke or witty remark usually made at someone else’s expense. •/The comedians kept up a steady stream of wisecracks./

[wise guy]{n. phr.}, {informal} A person who acts as if he were smarter than other people; a person who jokes or shows off too much •/Bill is a wise guy and displeases others by what he says./

[wise up to]{v. phr.}, {slang} To finally understand what is really going on after a period of ignorance. •/Joe immediately quit his job when he wised up to what was really going on./

[wish on]{v.} 1. To use as a lucky charm while making a wish. •/Mary wished on a star that she could go to the dance./ •/Bob wished on his lucky rabbit’s foot that he could pass the test./ 2. or [wish off on]{informal} To get rid of (something unwanted) by passing it on to someone else. •/Martha did not like to do the dishes and wished the job on to her little sister./ •/Tom got a very ugly tie for his birthday and when Billy’s birthday came, Tom wished the tie off on Billy./

[wit] See: AT ONE’S WITS' END, KEEP ONE’S HEAD or KEEP ONE’S WITS ABOUT ONE, SCARE OUT OF ONE’S WITS.

[witch-hunt]{n. phr.} A hysterical movement during which people are persecuted for having views (political or religious) considered different or unpopular. •/During the McCarthy era many innocent Americans were accused of being Communists, as Republican patriotism deteriorated into a witch-hunt./

[with a free hand] See: FREE HAND.

[with a grain of salt] or [with a pinch of salt] See: TAKE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.

[with all one’s heart] See: FROM THE BOTTOM OF ONE’S HEART.

[with an eye to] See: EYE TO.

[with a silver spoon in one’s mouth] See: BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE’S MOUTH.

[with a whole skin] also [in a whole skin]{adv. phr.} With no injury; unhurt; safely. •/The boy was lucky to escape with a whole skin when the car went off the road./ •/Jack came through the game with a whole skin./ •/The horse threw him off, but he got away in a whole skin./ Syn.: SAFE AND SOUND.

[with bad grace] or [with a bad grace]{adv. phr.} In an unpleasant or discourteous way; unwillingly, •/Fred takes defeat with bad grace./ •/Tom shouted «Hello» to Bill. Bill was in a sour mood and replied with a bad grace./ Contrast: WITH GOOD GRACE.

[with bells on]{adv. phr.}, {informal} With enthusiasm; eager or ready and in the best of spirits for an event. •/«Will you come to the farewell party I’m giving for Billy?» asked Jerry. «I’ll be there with bells on,» replied Ed./

[with child]{adv. phr.}, {literary} Going to have a baby; pregnant. •/The angel told Mary she was with child./ Compare: IN A FAMILY WAY or IN THE FAMILY WAY.

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

[with fire] See: PLAY WITH FIRE.

[with flying colors]{adv. phr.} With great or total success; victoriously. •/Tow finished the race with flying colors./ •/Mary came through the examination with flying colors./

[with good grace]{adv. phr.} With pleasant and courteous behavior; politely; willingly; without complaining. •/The boys had been well-coached; they took the loss of the game with good grace./ •/The principal scolded Nora, who accepted his criticism with good grace./ Contrast: WITH BAD GRACE.

[with heart and soul] See: HEART AND SOUL.

[within an ace of]{informal} or [within an inch of]{adv. phr.} Almost but not quite; very close to; nearly. •/Tim came within an ace of losing the election./ •/John was within an inch of drowning before he was pulled out of the water./ Compare: BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH.

[within an inch of one’s life]{adv. phr.} Until you are almost dead; near to dying. •/The bear clawed the hunter within an inch of his life./ Often used after «to». •/The prize fighter was beaten to within an inch of his life./

[within bounds]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Inside of the boundary lines in a game; on or inside of the playing field. •/You must hit the ball inside the lines of the tennis court or it will not be within bounds./ •/If you kick the football over a side-line, it will not be in bounds./ 2. Inside of a place where one is allowed to go or be. •/The soldiers are within bounds on one side of the city, but are out of bounds on the other side./ 3. Inside of safe or proper limits; allowable. •/If you ask Father for a quarter, he might give it to you, but a dollar would not be within bounds./ •/He succeeded in keeping his temper within bounds./ Contrast: OUT OF BOUNDS.

[within call] or [within hail]{adv. phr.} 1. Near enough to hear each other’s voices. •/When the two ships were within hail, their officers exchanged messages./ •/Billy’s mother told him to stay within call because supper was nearly ready./ 2. In a place where you can be reached by phone, radio, or TV and be called. •/The sick man was very low and the doctor stayed within call./ •/The soldiers were allowed to leave the base by day, but had to stay within call./

[within reason]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} Within the limits of good sense; in reasonable control or check; moderate. •/I want you to have a good time tonight, within reason./ •/If Tom wants to go to the fair, he must keep his expenses within reason./ •/Jean’s plans are quite within reason./

[with it] See: GET WITH IT.

[with might and main]{adv. phr.} With full strength or complete effort. •/The sailors pulled the rope with might and main./ •/John tried with all his might and main to solve the problem./

[with one’s boots on] See: DIE IN ONE’S BOOTS or DIE WITH ONE’S BOOTS ON.

[with one’s pants down] See: CATCH ONE WITH ONE’S PANTS DOWN.

[with open arms]{adv. phr.} 1. With the arms spread wide for hugging or catching. •/When Father came home from work, little Sally ran out to meet him with open arms./ •/Dick stood under the window with open arms, and Jean dropped the bag of laundry down to him./ 2. With words or actions showing that you are glad to see someone; gladly, warmly, eagerly. •/When Grandmother came to visit us at Christmas, we welcomed her with open arms./ •/After his pioneering flight in the Friendship VII, Col. John Glenn was welcomed with open arms' by the people of his hometown./

[without] See: DO WITHOUT or GO WITHOUT, MAKE BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW, RECKON WITHOUT.

[without a paddle] See: UP THE CREEK or UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE.

[without batting an eye] or [without batting an eyelash] See: BAT AN EYE.

[without fail]{adv. phr.} Without failing to do it or failing in the doing of it; certainly, surely. •/Be here at 8 o’clock sharp, without fail./ •/Ben promised to return the bike at a certain time without fail./

[without number] See: BEYOND NUMBER.

[without rhyme or reason] See: RHYME OR REASON.

[with reference to] See: IN REFERENCE TO.

[with regard to] See: IN REFERENCE TO.

[with relation to] See: IN RELATION TO.

[with respect to] See: IN RESPECT TO.

[with the best] or [with the best of them]{adv. phr.} As well as anyone. •/Bob could horseback ride with the best of them, but he never boasted about it./ •/John can bowl with the best of them./

[with the Joneses] See: KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES.

[wolf] See: CRY WOLF, KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR, LONE WOLF, THROW TO THE WOLVES.

[wolf in sheep’s clothing]{n. phr.} A person who pretends to be good but really is bad. •/Mrs. Martin trusted the lawyer until she realized that he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing./ •/Mr. Black was fooled by the salesman’s manners until he showed that he was really a wolf in sheep’s clothing by selling Mr. Black a car that was falling apart./

[wonder] See: NO WONDER also SMALL WONDER.

[woo] See: PITCH WOO.

[wood] See: CAN’T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES, KNOCK ON WOOD, SAW WOOD.

[woodpile] See: NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE.

[woods] See: BABE IN THE WOODS, CROW BEFORE ONE IS OUT OF THE WOODS, NECK OF THE WOODS, TAKE TO THE WOODS.

[wool] See: ALL WOOL AND A YARD WIDE, PULL THE WOOL OVER ONE’S EYES.

[word] See: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS, AS GOOD AS ONE’S WORD, BY WORD OF MOUTH, EAT ONE’S WORDS, FROM THE WORD «GO», GET A WORD IN, GET THE MESSAGE or GET THE WORD, HANG ON THE WORDS OF, IN BRIEF or IN A WORD, IN SO MANY WORDS, LAST WORD, MAN OF FEW WORDS, MAN OF HIS WORD, MUM IS THE WORD, PLAY ON WORDS, PUT WORDS INTO ONE’S MOUTH, SAY THE WORD, SWALLOW ONE’S WORDS, TAKE AT ONE’S WORD, TAKE THE WORDS OUT OF ONE’S MOUTH, WEASEL WORD, WEIGH ONE’S WORDS.

[word for word]{adv. phr.} In exactly the same words. •/Mary copied Sally’s composition word for word./ •/Joan repeated the conversation word for word./ •/She learned the poem many years ago but she recited it word for word./

[word of mouth]{n. phr.} Communication by oral rather than written means. •/The merchant told us that the best customers he had were recommended to him by word of mouth./

[words of one syllable]{n. phr.} Language that makes the meaning very clear; simple, or frank language. – Usually used after «in». •/Mary explained the job to Ann in words of one syllable so that she would be sure to understand./ •/Some people say that John is cute and mischievous, but in words of one syllable, he’s just a brat./ Compare: IN SO MANY WORDS, SPELL OUT.

[word to the wise]{n. phr.} A word of warning or advice which the intelligent person is expected to follow. – A proverb. •/I had once spoken to him about being late all the time, and thought that a word to the wise was enough./

[work] See: ALL IN A DAY’S WORK, ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY, AT WORK, BUSY WORK, IN THE WORKS, MAKE SHORT WORK OF, MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK, SHOOT THE WORKS, THE WORKS, IN THE WORKS.

[work cut out] See: CUT OUT(2).

[worked up] also [wrought up]{adj.}, {literary} Feeling strongly; excited; angry; worried. •/Mary was all worked up about the exam./ •/John got worked up when they blamed him for losing the game./ Compare: ON EDGE.

[work in]{v.} 1. To rub in. •/The nurse told Mary to put some cream on her skin and to work it in gently with her fingers./ 2. To slip in; mix in; put in; •/When Mary was planning the show, she worked a part in for her friend Susan./