fall (all) over oneself to behave awkwardly and eagerly when doing something. (See also fall over backwards (to do something ).) ᮀ Tom fell all over himself trying to make Jane feel at home. ᮀ I fall over myself when I’m doing something that makes me nervous. fall all over someone to give a lot of atten- tion, affection, or praise to someone. (In- formal.) ᮀ My aunt falls all over me whenever she comes to visit. ᮀ I hate for someone to fall all over me. It embarrasses me. fall apart at the seams [for something] to break into pieces; to fall apart; [for ma- terial that is sewn together] to separate at the seams. (Literal for cloth, otherwise figurative. See also come apart at the seams .) ᮀ My new jacket fell apart at the seams. ᮀ This old car is about ready to fall apart at the seams. fall asleep to go to sleep. ᮀ The baby cried and cried and finally fell asleep. ᮀ Tom fell asleep in class yesterday. fall back on someone or something to turn to someone or something for help. (Also lit- eral.) ᮀ Bill fell back on his brother for help. ᮀ John ran out of ink and had to fall back on his pencil. fall between two stools to come some- where between two possibilities and so fail to meet the requirements of either. ᮀ The material is not suitable for an acade- mic book or for a popular one. It falls be- tween two stools. ᮀ He tries to be both teacher and friend, but falls between two stools. fall by the wayside and drop by the wayside to give up and quit before the end (of something). (Refers to being too exhausted to finish a footrace.) ᮀ John fell by the wayside and didn’t finish college. ᮀ Many people start out to train for a ca- reer in medicine, but some of them drop by the wayside. ᮀ All of her projects fall by the wayside when she tires of them. fall down on the job to fail to do some- thing properly; to fail to do one’s job ad- equately. (Also literal referring to an ac- cident while one is working.) ᮀ The team kept losing because the coach was falling down on the job. ᮀ Tom was fired because he fell down on the job. fall flat (on its face) Go to fall flat (on one’s face). fall flat (on one’s face) and fall flat (on its face) to be completely unsuccessful. (Informal.) ᮀ I fell flat on my face when I tried to give my speech. ᮀ The play fell flat on its face. ᮀ My jokes fall flat most of the time. fall for someone or something 1. [with some- one] to fall in love with someone. ᮀ Tom fell for Ann after only two dates. He wants to marry her. ᮀ Some men always fall for women with blond hair. 2. [with some- thing] to be deceived by something. ᮀ I can’t believe you fell for that old trick. ᮀ Jane didn’t fall for Ann’s story. fall from grace to cease to be held in favor, especially because of some wrong or fool- ish action. ᮀ He was the teacher’s pet un- til he fell from grace by failing the history test. ᮀ Mary was the favorite grandchild until she fell from grace by running away from home. fall head over heels to fall down, perhaps turning over or rolling. (Also literal.) ᮀ Fred tripped on the rug and fell head over heels into the center of the room. ᮀ Slow down or you will fall down—head over heels. fall head over heels in love (with some- one ) to fall deeply in love with someone, perhaps suddenly. ᮀ Roger fell head over heels in love with Maggie, and they were married within the month. ᮀ Ver y fe w people actually fall head over heels in love with each other. ᮀ She fell head over heels in love and thought she was dreaming. fall ill to become ill. ᮀ Tom fell ill just be- fore he was to perform. ᮀ We both fell ill after eating the baked fish. fall in to line up in a row, standing shoul- der to shoulder. (Also literal, meaning “to collapse.” Usually refers to people in scouting or the military. Compare this with fall in(to) line and fall out.) ᮀ The Boy Scouts were told to fall in behind the scoutmaster. ᮀ The soldiers fell in quickly. fall (all) over oneself 110 fall in for something Go to come in for some- thing . fall in love (with someone ) to develop the emotion of love for someone. ᮀ Tom fell in love with Mary, but she only wanted to be friends. ᮀ John is too young to really fall in love. fall into a trap and fall into the trap; fall into someone’s trap to become caught in someone’s scheme; to be deceived into doing or thinking something. (Also lit- eral.) ᮀ We fell into a trap by asking for an explanation. ᮀ I fell into his trap when I agreed to drive him home. ᮀ We fell into the trap of thinking he was honest. fall in(to) line 1. to line up with each per- son (except the first person) standing be- hind someone. (Compare this with fall in .) ᮀ The teacher told the students to fall in line for lunch. ᮀ Hungry students fall into line very quickly. 2. to conform; to fall in(to) place. ᮀ All the parts of the problem finally fell into line. ᮀ Bill’s be- havior began to fall in line. fall in(to) place to fit together; to become organized. ᮀ After we heard the whole story, things began to fall in place. ᮀ When you get older, the different parts of your life begin to fall into place. fall into someone’s trap Go to fall into a trap. fall into the trap Go to fall into a trap. fall in with someone or something 1. [with someone] to meet someone by accident; to join with someone. ᮀ John has fallen in with a strange group of people. ᮀ We fell in with some people from our home- town when we went on vacation. 2. to agree with someone or something. ᮀ Bill was not able to fall in with our ideas about painting the house red. ᮀ Bob fell in with Mary’s plans to move to Texas. fall off to decline or diminish. ᮀ Business falls off during the summer months. ᮀ My interest in school fell off when I became twenty. fall on deaf ears [for talk or ideas] to be ignored by the persons they were in- tended for. ᮀ Her pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears. ᮀ All of Sally’s good advice fell on deaf ears. Walter had made up his own mind. fall out 1. to happen; to result. ᮀ As things fell out, we had a wonderful trip. ᮀ What fell out of our discussion was a decision to continue. 2. to leave one’s place in a for- mation when dismissed. (Usually in scouting or the military. The opposite of fall in.) ᮀ The scouts fell out and ran to the campfire. ᮀ All the soldiers fell out and talked among themselves. fall out (with someone about something ) Go to fall out (with someone over something ). fall out (with someone over something ) and fall out (with someone about something ) to quarrel or disagree about something. ᮀ Bill fell out with Sally over the question of buying a new car. ᮀ Bill fell out with John about who would sleep on the bottom bunk. ᮀ They are always arguing. They fall out about once a week. fall over backwards (to do something ) and bend over backwards (to do something ); lean over backwards (to do something ) to do everything possible to please some- one. (Informal. See also fall (all) over one- self. ) ᮀ The taxi driver fell over backwards to be helpful. ᮀ The teacher bent over backwards to help the students under- stand. ᮀ The principal said that it was not necessary to bend over backwards. ᮀ You don’t have to lean over backwards to get me to help. Just ask. fall short (of something ) 1. to lack some- thing; to lack enough of something. ᮀ We fell short of money at the end of the month. ᮀ When baking a cake, the cook fell short of eggs and had to go to the store for more. 2. to fail to achieve a goal. ᮀ We fell short of our goal of collecting a thou- sand dollars. ᮀ Ann ran a fast race, but fell short of the record. fall through not to happen; to come to nothing. (Informal.) ᮀ Our plans fell through, and we won’t be going to Texas after all. ᮀ The party fell through at the last minute. fall to to begin (to do something). (Com- pare this with turn to.) ᮀ The hungry children took their knives and forks and fell fall to 111 to. ᮀ The carpenter unpacked his saw and hammer and fell to. ᮀ The boys wanted to fight, so the coach put boxing gloves on them and told them to fall to. ᮀ John fell to and cleaned up his room after he got yelled at. fall to someone to do something to become the responsibility of someone. ᮀ It always falls to me to apologize first. ᮀ Why does it fall to me to answer the telephone every time it rings? fall (up)on someone or something 1. to attack someone or something. (Also literal.) ᮀ The cat fell upon the mouse and killed it. ᮀ The children fell on the birthday cake and ate it all. 2. [with someone] [for a task] to become the duty of someone. ᮀ The task of telling Mother about the bro- ken vase fell upon Jane. ᮀ The job of cleaning up the spill fell upon Tom. familiar with someone or something having a good knowledge of someone or some- thing. ᮀ Are you familiar with changing a flat tire? ᮀ I’m can’t speak German flu- ently, but I’m somewhat familiar with the language. Familiarity breeds contempt. Knowing a person closely for a long time leads to bad feelings. (Proverb.) ᮀ Bill and his broth- ers are always fighting. As they say: “Fa- miliarity breeds contempt.” ᮀ Mary and John were good friends for many years. Fi- nally they got into a big argument and be- came enemies. That just shows that famil- iarity breeds contempt. a fan of someone a follower of someone; someone who idolized someone. (Pre- ceded by be, become, seem like, or act like.) ᮀ My mother is still a fan of the Bea- tles. ᮀ I’m a great fan of the mayor of the town. fan the flames (of something ) to make something more intense; to make a situ- ation worse. ᮀ The riot fanned the flames of racial hatred even more. ᮀ The hostil- ity in the school is bad enough without anyone fanning the flames. far and away the best unquestionably the best. ᮀ This soap is far and away the best. ᮀ Sally is good, but Ann is far and away the best. far as anyone knows Go to (as) far as any- one knows. far as something is concerned Go to (as) far as something is concerned. a faraway look and a far-off look an ap- pearance on one’s face of having one’s mind in another place. ᮀ Dave had a far- away look in his eyes, so I touched him to get his attention. ᮀ Katherine’s face had a far-off look indicating that she was daydreaming. far be it from me to do something it is not really my place to do something. (Always with but, as in the examples below.) ᮀ Far be it from me to tell you what to do, but I think you should buy the book. ᮀ Far be it from me to attempt to advise you, but you’re making a big mistake. a far cry from something a thing that is very different from something else. (Infor- mal.) ᮀ What you did was a far cry from what you said you were going to do. ᮀ The song they played was a far cry from what I call music. far from it not it at all; not at all. ᮀ Do I think you need a new car? Far from it. The old one is fine. ᮀ BILL: Does this hat look strange? TOM: Far from it. It looks good. far into the night late into the night; late. ᮀ She sat up and read far into the night. ᮀ The party went on far into the night. a far-off look Go to a far-away look. far out 1. far from the center of things; far from town. ᮀ The Smiths live sort of far out. ᮀ The restaurant is nice, but too far out. 2. strange. (Slang.) ᮀ Ann acts pretty far out sometimes. ᮀ The whole group of people seemed pretty far out. farm someone or something out 1. [with some- one] to send someone (somewhere) for care or development. ᮀ When my mother died, they farmed me out to my aunt and uncle. T The team manager farmed out the baseball player to the minor leagues until he improved. 2. [with something] to send something (elsewhere) to be dealt with. ᮀ Bill farmed his chores out to his fall to someone to do something 112 brothers and sisters and went to a movie. T I farmed out various parts of the work to different people. fast and furious very rapidly and with un- restrained energy. ᮀ Her work in the kitchen was fast and furious, and it looked lovely when she finished. ᮀ Everything was going so fast and furious at the store dur- ing the Christmas rush that we never had time to eat lunch. faster and faster at an increasing rate of speed; fast and then even faster. ᮀ The car went faster and faster and I was afraid we would crash. ᮀ The cost of education goes up faster and faster every year. fat and happy well-fed and content. ᮀ Since all the employees were fat and happy, there was little incentive to improve pro- ductivity. ᮀ You look fat and happy. Has life been treating you well? fat as a pig Go to (as) fat as a pig. fat chance very little likelihood. (Infor- mal.) ᮀ Fat chance he has of getting a pro- motion. ᮀ You think she’ll lend you the money? Fat chance! favor someone or something with something to provide someone or something with something beneficial or special. ᮀ Mary favored us with a song. ᮀ Nature favored Bill with curly hair. feast one’s eyes (on someone or something ) to look at someone or something with plea- sure, envy, or admiration. ᮀ Just feast your eyes on that beautiful, juicy steak! ᮀ Yes, feast your eyes. You won’t see one like that again for a long time. a feather in one’s cap an honor; a reward for something. ᮀ Getting a new client was really a feather in my cap. ᮀ John earned a feather in his cap by getting an A in physics. feather one’s (own) nest 1. to decorate and furnish one’s home in style and comfort. (Birds line their nests with feathers to make them warm and comfortable.) ᮀ Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have feathered their nest quite comfortably. ᮀ It costs a great deal of money to feather one’s nest these days. 2. to use power and prestige to pro- vide for oneself selfishly. (Said especially of politicians who use their offices to make money for themselves.) ᮀ The mayor seemed to be helping people, but she was really feathering her own nest. ᮀ The building contractor used a lot of public money to feather his nest. fed up (to somewhere ) (with someone or some- thing ) bored with or disgusted with some- one or something. (Informal. The some- where can be here, the teeth, the gills, or other places.) ᮀ I’m fed up with Tom and his silly tricks. ᮀ I’m fed up to here with high taxes. ᮀ They are fed up to the teeth with screaming children. ᮀ I’m really fed up! feed one’s face to eat; to eat a regular meal. (Slang.) ᮀ Come on, everyone. It’s time to feed your faces. ᮀ Bill, if you keep feed- ing your face all the time, you’ll get fat. feed someone a line Go to give someone a line. feed the kitty to contribute money to a special, voluntary collection. (See also pass the hat.) ᮀ Please feed the kitty. Make a contribution to help sick children. ᮀ Come on, Bill. Feed the kitty. You can afford a dollar for a good cause. feel a glow of something a feeling of con- tentment, happiness, satisfaction, peace, etc. ᮀ Anne felt a glow of happiness as she held her new baby. ᮀ Sitting by the lake, the lovers felt a warm glow of contentment. feel at home to feel as if one belongs; to feel as if one were in one’s home; to feel accepted. (See also at home with someone or something .) ᮀ I liked my dormitory room. I really felt at home there. ᮀ We will do whatever we can to make you feel at home. feel dragged out to feel exhausted. (In- formal.) ᮀ What a day! I really feel dragged out. ᮀ If he runs too much, he ends up feeling dragged out. feel fit to feel well and healthy. ᮀ If you want to feel fit, you must eat the proper food and get enough rest. ᮀ I hope I still feel fit when I get old. feel free (to do something ) to feel like one is permitted to do something or take some- feel free (to do something) 113 thing. ᮀ Please feel free to stay for dinner. ᮀ If you see something you want in the re- frigerator, please feel free. feel it beneath one (to do something ) to feel that one would be lowering oneself to do something. ᮀ Ann feels it beneath her to carry her own luggage. ᮀ I would do it, but I feel it beneath me. feel like a million (dollars) to feel well and healthy, both physically and men- tally. ᮀ A quick swim in the morning makes me feel like a million dollars. ᮀ What a beautiful day! It makes you feel like a million. feel like a new person to feel refreshed and renewed, especially after getting well or getting dressed up. ᮀ I bought a new suit, and now I feel like a new person. ᮀ Bob felt like a new person when he got out of the hospital. feel like doing something 1. to want to do something; to be in the mood to do something. ᮀ Do you feel like stopping work to eat something? ᮀ I feel like going on a vacation. 2. to feel well enough to do something. ᮀ I believe I’m getting well. I feel like getting out of bed. ᮀ I don’t feel like going to the party. I have a headache. feel like (having) something to want to have something or do something. ᮀ I feel like having a nice cool drink. ᮀ I feel like a nice swim. feel one’s gorge rise to sense that one is getting very angry. ᮀ I felt my gorge rise and I knew I was going to lose my temper. ᮀ Bob could feel his gorge rise as he read his tax bill. feel on top of the world to feel very good, as if one were ruling the world. ᮀ I feel on top of the world this morning. ᮀ I do not actually feel on top of the world, but I have felt worse. feel out of place to feel that one does not belong in a place. ᮀ I feel out of place at formal dances. ᮀ Bob and Ann felt out of place at the picnic, so they went home. feel put-upon to feel taken advantage of or exploited. ᮀ Bill refused to help because he felt put-upon. ᮀ Sally’s mother felt put- upon, but she took each of the children home after the birthday party. feel someone out to try to find out how someone feels (about something). (In- formal. This does not involve touching anyone.) ᮀ Sally tried to feel Tom out on whether he’d make a contribution. T The students felt out their parents to find out what they thought about the proposed party. feel something in one’s bones and know something in one’s bones to sense some- thing; to have an intuition about some- thing. ᮀ The train will be late. I feel it in my bones. ᮀ I failed the test. I know it in my bones. feel the pinch to experience hardship be- cause of having too little money. ᮀ The Smiths used to go abroad every year, but now that he’s retired, they’re really feeling the pinch. ᮀ You’re bound to feel the pinch a bit when you’re a student. feel up to something to feel well enough or prepared enough to do something. (Of- ten in the negative.) ᮀ I don’t feel up to jogging today. ᮀ Aunt Mary didn’t feel up to making the visit. ᮀ Do you feel up to go- ing out today? feeling no pain drunk. ᮀ Bob’s on his eighth beer and feeling no pain. ᮀ At mid- night when we were all feeling no pain, the landlord comes up and tells us to be quiet. fence someone in to restrict someone in some way. (Also literal. See also hem someone or something in.) ᮀ I don’t want to fence you in, but you have to get home ear- lier at night. ᮀ Don’t try to fence me in. I need a lot of freedom. fend for oneself Go to shift for oneself. ferret something out of someone or something to remove or retrieve something from someone or something, usually with cun- ning and persistence. (In the case of someone, the thing being ferreted out would be information.) ᮀ I tried very hard, but I couldn’t ferret the information out of the clerk. ᮀ I had to ferret out the answer from a book in the library. feel it beneath one (to do something) 114 few and far between very few; few and widely scattered. (Informal.) ᮀ Get some gasoline now. Service stations on this high- way are few and far between. ᮀ Some peo- ple think that good movies are few and far between. a few cards short of a deck Go to a few cards shy of a full deck. a few cards shy of a full deck and a few cards short of a deck; two bricks shy of a load [of someone] not very smart or clever. ᮀ Bob’s nice, but he’s a few cards shy of a full deck. ᮀ You twit! You’re two bricks shy of a load! fiddle about (with someone or something ) Go to fiddle around (with someone or some- thing ). fiddle around (with someone or something ) and fiddle about (with someone or some- thing ) 1. [with someone] to tease, annoy, or play with someone; to waste someone’s time. (See also mess around (with some- one or something ).) ᮀ All right, stop fiddling around with me and tell me how much you will give me for my car. ᮀ Now it’s time for all of you to quit fiddling around and get to work. ᮀ Tom, you have to stop spend- ing your time fiddling about with your friends. It’s time to get serious with your studies. 2. [with something] to play with something; to tinker with something in- eptly. ᮀ My brother is outside fiddling around with his car engine. ᮀ He should stop fiddling around and go out and get a job. ᮀ Stop fiddling about with that stick. You’re going to hurt someone. fiddle while Rome burns to do nothing or something trivial while knowing that something disastrous is happening. (From a legend that the emperor Nero played the lyre while Rome was burning.) ᮀ The lobbyists don’t seem to be doing anything to stop this tax bill. They’re fid- dling while Rome burns. ᮀ The doctor should have sent for an ambulance right away instead of examining the woman. In fact, he was just fiddling while Rome burned. field questions to answer a series of ques- tions, especially from reporters. ᮀ After her speech, Jane fielded questions from re- porters. ᮀ The president’s press agents field questions from the newspaper. fight against time to hurry to meet a deadline or to do something quickly. ᮀ The ambulance sped through the city to reach the accident, fighting against time. ᮀ All the students fought against time to complete the test. fight someone or something hammer and tongs and fight someone or something tooth and nail; go at it hammer and tongs; go at it tooth and nail to fight against someone or something energeti- cally and with great determination. ᮀ They fought against the robber tooth and nail. ᮀ The dogs were fighting each other hammer and tongs. ᮀ The mayor fought the new law hammer and tongs. ᮀ We’ll fight this zoning ordinance tooth and nail. fight someone or something tooth and nail Go to fight someone or something hammer and tongs. a fighting chance a good possibility of success, especially if every effort is made. (See also sporting chance.) ᮀ They have at least a fighting chance of winning the race. ᮀ The patient could die, but he has a fighting chance since the operation. figure in something [for a person] to play a role in something. ᮀ Tom figures in our plans for a new building. ᮀ I don’t wish to figure in your future. figure on something to plan on something; to make arrangements for something. (Informal.) ᮀ We figured on twenty guests at our party. ᮀ I didn’t figure on so much trouble. figure someone or something out to under- stand someone or something; to find an explanation for someone or something. ᮀ It’s hard to figure John out. I don’t know what he means. T I can’t figure out this recipe. fill someone in (on someone or something ) to in- form someone about someone or some- thing. ᮀ Please fill me in on what is hap- pening in Washington. ᮀ Please fill me in on Ann. How is she doing? ᮀ Sit down, fill someone in (on someone or something) 115 and I’ll fill you in. T Later, I’ll fill in everyone else. fill someone’s shoes to take the place of some other person and do that person’s work satisfactorily. (Refers to the notion of taking on someone else’s problems by wearing the other person’s shoes.) ᮀ I don’t know how we’ll be able to do with- out you. No one can fill your shoes. ᮀ It’ll be difficult to fill Jane’s shoes. She did her job very well. fill the bill and fit the bill to be exactly the thing that is needed. ᮀ Ah, this steak is great. It really fills the bill. ᮀ I think that this book will fit the bill just right. filled to the brim filled all the way full; filled up to the top edge. ᮀ I like my cof- fee cup filled to the brim. ᮀ If the glass is filled to the brim, I can’t drink without spilling the contents. a final fling the last act or period of en- joyment before a change in one’s cir- cumstances or life-style. ᮀ You might as well have a final fling before the baby’s born. ᮀ Mary’s going out with her girl- friends for a final fling. She’s getting mar- ried next week. find a happy medium Go to strike a happy medium. find fault (with someone or something ) to find things wrong with someone or some- thing. ᮀ We were unable to find fault with the meal. ᮀ Sally’s father was always find- ing fault with her. ᮀ Some people are al- ways finding fault. find it in one’s heart (to do something ) to have the courage or compassion to do something. ᮀ She couldn’t find it in her heart to refuse to come home to him. ᮀ I can’t do it! I can’t find it in my heart. find its way somewhere [for something] to end up in a place. (This expression avoids accusing someone of moving the thing to the place.) ᮀ The money found its way into the mayor’s pocket. ᮀ The secret plans found their way into the enemy’s hands. find oneself to discover what one’s talents and preferences are. ᮀ Bill did better in school after he found himself. ᮀ John tried a number of different jobs. He finally found himself when he became a cook. find one’s feet to become used to a new sit- uation or experience. ᮀ She was lonely when she first left home, but she is find- ing her feet now. ᮀ It takes time to learn the office routine, but you will gradually find your feet. find one’s own level to find the position or rank to which one is best suited. (As water “seeks its own level.”) ᮀ You can- not force clerks to be ambitious. They will all find their own level. ᮀ The new student is happier in the beginning class. It was just a question of letting her find her own level. find one’s tongue to be able to talk. (In- formal.) ᮀ Tom was speechless for a mo- ment. Then he found his tongue. ᮀ Ann was unable to find her tongue. She sat there in silence. find one’s way (around) to be able to move about an area satisfactorily. ᮀ I can go downtown by myself. I can find my way around. ᮀ I know the area well enough to find my way. ᮀ He can find his way around when it comes to car engines. find one’s way somewhere to discover the route to a place. ᮀ Mr. Smith found his way to the museum. ᮀ Can you find your way home? find someone guilty and find someone in- nocent to decide guilt or innocence and deliver a verdict in a court of law. ᮀ The judge found the defendant not guilty by reason of insanity. ᮀ The jury found the defendant innocent. find someone innocent Go to find someone guilty. find someone or something out 1. [with some- thing] to discover facts about someone or something; to learn a fact. ᮀ I found something out that you might be interested in. T We found out that the Smiths are go- ing to sell their house. 2. [with someone] to discover something bad about some- one. ᮀ John thought he could get away with smoking, but his mother found him out. ᮀ Jane was taking a two-hour lunch period until the manager found her out. fill someone’s shoes 116 find ( something ) out the hard way Go to learn ( something ) the hard way. Finders keepers(, losers weepers). <a phrase said when something is found.> (The person who finds something gets to keep it. The person who loses it can only be sorry.) ᮀ John lost a quarter in the din- ing room yesterday. Ann found the quar- ter there today. Ann claimed that since she found it, it was hers. She said, “Finders keepers, losers weepers.” ᮀ John said, “I’ll say finders keepers when I find something of yours!” fine and dandy all right; okay; really fine. ᮀ Everything is fine and dandy at work. No special problems at the present time. ᮀ I feel fine and dandy. The new medicine seems to be working. a fine how-de-do Go to a fine how-do- you-do. a fine how-do-you-do and a fine how- de-do a predicament. ᮀ What a mess! This is a fine how-do-you-do! ᮀ Here’s a fine how-de-do! a fine kettle of fish a real mess; an un- satisfactory situation. ᮀ The dog has eaten the steak we were going to have for dinner. This is a fine kettle of fish! ᮀ This is a fine kettle of fish. It’s below freezing outside, and the furnace won’t work. the fine print Go to the small print. a fine state of affairs Go to a pretty state of affairs. fire a gun to shoot a gun; to discharge a gun. ᮀ The police caught the robber who had fired the gun. ᮀ Jane fired the gun and hit the target. fire away at someone or something 1. to shoot at someone or something. ᮀ The hunters fired away at the ducks. ᮀ On television, somebody is always firing away at some- body else. 2. [with someone] to ask many questions of someone; to criticize some- one severely. ᮀ When it came time for questions, the reporters began firing away at the mayor. ᮀ Members of the opposite party are always firing away at the president. firing on all cylinders and hitting on all cylinders working at full strength; mak- ing every possible effort. (Refers to an in- ternal combustion engine.) ᮀ The team is firing on all cylinders under the new coach. ᮀ The factory is hitting on all cylin- ders to finish the orders on time. first and foremost first and most impor- tant. ᮀ First and foremost, I think you should work harder on your biology. ᮀ Have this in mind first and foremost: Keep smiling! first and ten [in football] the first down [of four] with ten yards needed to earn another first down. ᮀ It is first and ten on the forty-yard line, and Army has the ball. ᮀ There will be no first and ten on the last play because there was a flag on the play. First come, first served. The first people to arrive will be served first. ᮀ They ran out of tickets before we got there. It was first come, first served, but we didn’t know that. ᮀ Please line up and take your turn. It’s first come, first served. first of all the very first thing; before any- thing else. ᮀ First of all, put your name on this piece of paper. ᮀ First of all, we’ll try to find a place to live. first off first; the first thing. (Almost the same as first of all.) ᮀ He ordered soup first off. ᮀ First off, we’ll find a place to live. first thing (in the morning) before any- thing else in the morning. ᮀ Please call me first thing in the morning. I can’t help you now. ᮀ I’ll do that first thing. first things first the most important things must be taken care of first. ᮀ It’s more important to get a job than to buy new clothes. First things first! ᮀ Do your homework now. Go out and play later. First things first. fish for a compliment to try to get some- one to pay you a compliment. (Informal.) ᮀ When she showed me her new dress, I could tell that she was fishing for a com- pliment. ᮀ Tom was certainly fishing for a compliment when he modeled his fancy haircut for his friends. fish for a compliment 117 fish for something to try to get information (from someone). (Also literal.) ᮀ The lawyer was fishing for evidence. ᮀ The teacher spent a lot of time fishing for the right answer from the students. fish in troubled waters to involve oneself in a difficult, confused, or dangerous sit- uation, especially in order to gain an ad- vantage. ᮀ Frank is fishing in troubled waters by buying more shares of that com- pany. They are supposed to be in finan- cial difficulties. ᮀ The company could make more money by selling armaments abroad, but they would be fishing in trou- bled waters. fish or cut bait either do the task you are supposed to be doing or quit and let someone else do it. ᮀ Mary is doing much better on the job since her manager told her to fish or cut bait. ᮀ The boss told Tom, “Quit wasting time! Fish or cut bait!” fit and trim slim and in good physical shape. ᮀ Jean tried to keep herself fit and trim at all times. ᮀ For some people, keep- ing fit and trim requires time, effort, and self-discipline. fit as a fiddle Go to (as) fit as a fiddle. fit for a king totally suitable. ᮀ What a de- licious meal. It was fit for a king. ᮀ Our room at the hotel was fit for a king. fit in someone Go to fit someone in(to some- thing ). fit in (with someone or something ) to be com- fortable with someone or something; to be in accord or harmony with someone or something. ᮀ I really feel as if I fit in with that group of people. ᮀ It’s good that you fit in. ᮀ This chair doesn’t fit in with the style of furniture in my house. ᮀ I won’t buy it if it doesn’t fit in. fit like a glove to fit very well; to fit tightly or snugly. ᮀ My new shoes fit like a glove. ᮀ My new coat is quite snug. It fits like a glove. fit someone in(to something ) and fit in some- one to manage to put someone into a schedule. ᮀ The doctor is busy, but I can fit you into the schedule. ᮀ Yes, here’s an opening in the schedule. I can fit you in. fit someone or something out (with something ) to provide or furnish someone or some- thing with something. ᮀ They fitted the camper out with everything they needed. ᮀ They fitted them out for only $140. ᮀ He fitted his car out with lots of chrome. fit someone to a T 1. Go to suit someone to a T. 2. [for something] to fit a person very well. ᮀ His new jacket fits him to a T. ᮀ My new shoes fit me to a T. fit the bill Go to fill the bill. fit to be tied very angry and excited. (Folksy. To be so angry that one has to be restrained with ropes.) ᮀ If I’m not home on time, my parents will be fit to be tied. ᮀ When Ann saw the bill, she was fit to be tied. fit to kill dressed up to look very fancy or sexy. (Folksy.) ᮀ Mary put on her best clothes and looked fit to kill. ᮀ John looked fit to kill in his tuxedo. fix someone’s wagon to punish someone; to get even with someone; to plot against someone. (Informal.) ᮀ If you ever do that again, I’ll fix your wagon! ᮀ Tommy! You clean up your room this instant, or I’ll fix your wagon! ᮀ He reported me to the boss, but I fixed his wagon. I knocked his lunch on the floor. fix someone up (with someone or something )1. [with something] to supply a person with something. (Informal.) ᮀ The usher fixed us up with seats at the front of the theater. T We fixed up the visitors with a cold drink. 2. [with someone] and line some- one up with someone to supply a person with a date or a companion. (Informal.) ᮀ They lined John up with my cousin, Jane. ᮀ John didn’t want us to fix him up. T We fixed up Bob with a date. fizzle out to die out; to come to a stop shortly after starting; to fail. ᮀ It started to rain, and the fire fizzled out. ᮀ The car started in the cold weather, but it fizzled out before we got very far. ᮀ My attempt to run for mayor fizzled out. ᮀ She started off her job very well, but fizzled out after about a month. flare up [for emotions or a chronic disease] to grow intense suddenly. (Refers to a fish for something 118 fire, suddenly burning brighter or with more vigor.) ᮀ Just when we thought we had put the fire out, it flared up again. ᮀ Mr. Jones always flares up whenever any- one mentions taxes. ᮀ My hay fever usu- ally flares up in August. a flash in the pan someone or something that draws a lot of attention for a very brief time. (Refers to a small grease fire in a frying pan. Informal.) ᮀ I’m afraid that my success as a painter was just a flash in the pan. ᮀ Tom had hoped to be a singer, but his career was only a flash in the pan. flat as a board Go to (as) flat as a board. flat as a pancake Go to (as) flat as a pancake. flat broke completely broke; with no money at all. (Informal.) ᮀ I spent my last dollar, and I’m flat broke. ᮀ The bank closed its doors to the public. It was flat broke! flat out 1. clearly and definitely; holding nothing back. (Informal.) ᮀ I told her flat out that I didn’t like her. ᮀ They reported flat out that the operation was a failure. 2. at top speed, with the accelerator pedal flat on the floor. (Slang.) ᮀ How fast will this car go flat out? ᮀ This car will hit about 110 miles per hour flat out. Flattery will get you nowhere. Yo u c a n praise me, but I’m not going to give you what you want. ᮀ I am glad to hear that I am beautiful and talented, but flattery will get you nowhere. ᮀ Flattery will get you nowhere, but that doesn’t mean you should stop flattering me! flesh and blood 1. a living human body, especially with reference to its natural limitations; a human being. ᮀ This cold weather is more than flesh and blood can stand. ᮀ Carrying 300 pounds is beyond mere flesh and blood. 2. the quality of be- ing alive. ᮀ The paintings of this artist are lifeless. They lack flesh and blood. ᮀ This play needs flesh and blood, not the mum- bling of intensely dull actors. 3. one’s own relatives; one’s own kin. ᮀ That’s no way to treat one’s own flesh and blood. ᮀ I want to leave my money to my own flesh and blood. ᮀ Grandmother was happier living with her flesh and blood. flesh something out to make something more detailed, bigger, or fuller. (As if one were adding flesh to a skeleton.) ᮀ This is basically a good outline. Now you’ll have to flesh it out. T The play was good, ex- cept that the author needed to flesh out the third act. It was too short. flight of fancy an idea or suggestion that is out of touch with reality or possibil- ity. ᮀ What is the point in indulging in flights of fancy about foreign vacations when you cannot even afford the rent? ᮀ We are tired of her flights of fancy about marrying a millionaire. fling oneself at someone Go to throw oneself at someone . flip one’s lid Go to flip one’s wig. flip one’s wig and flip one’s lid to suddenly become angry, crazy, or enthusiastic. (Slang.) ᮀ Whenever anyone mentions taxes, Mr. Jones absolutely flips his wig. ᮀ Stop whistling. You’re going to make me flip my lid. ᮀ When I saw that brand-new car and learned it was mine, I just flipped my wig. flirt with the idea of doing something to think about doing something; to toy with an idea; to consider something, but not too seriously. ᮀ I flirted with the idea of going to Europe for two weeks. ᮀ Jane flirted with the idea of quitting her job. float a loan to get a loan; to arrange for a loan. ᮀ I couldn’t afford to pay cash for the car, so I floated a loan. ᮀ They needed money, so they had to float a loan. flora and fauna plants and animals. (Latin.) ᮀ The magazine story described the flora and fauna of Panama. ᮀ We went for a hike in the Finnish wilderness hoping to learn all about the local flora and fauna. flotsam and jetsam worthless matter; worthless encumbrances. (Refers to the floating wreckage of a ship and its cargo or to floating cargo deliberately cast over- board to stabilize a ship in a rough sea.) ᮀ His mind is burdened with the flotsam flotsam and jetsam 119 [...]... an invitation at a later date 133 get a raw deal (Said to someone who has invited you to something that you cannot attend now, but would like to attend at a later time.) ᮀ We would love to come to your house, but we are busy next Saturday Could we take a rain check on your kind invitation? ᮀ Oh, yes You have a rain check that’s good anytime you can come by and visit 3 to accept a piece of paper that... example ᮀ I’ve lived in Almost everyone who is named Robert is called Bob for short many cities, for instance, Boston, Chicago, and Detroit ᮀ Jane is very generous For for starters Go to for openers 1 23 for sure for sure certainly; surely (Informal or slang.) ᮀ MARY: Do you like my new jacket? JANE: For sure ᮀ For sure, I want to go on the picnic for that matter besides; in addition ᮀ If you’re hungry,... ᮀ I have to stop at the next service station and gas up ᮀ The next time you gas up, try some of the gasoline with alcohol in it gather a case (against someone ) Go to build a case (against someone ) 130 gaudy as a butterfly Go to (as) gaudy as a butterfly gear (oneself ) up (for something ) to prepare for something; to get into shape for something ᮀ We are gearing up for a very busy summer season ᮀ... ᮀ John was in charge then, but he didn’t have a free hand either ᮀ I demand to have a free hand with my own child! get a frog in one’s throat to get soreness or something else in one’s throat that pre 131 get after someone vents one from talking well (This often leads to one clearing one’s throat Also with have See the note at get a big sendoff.) ᮀ The speaker got a frog in his throat and had to stop... start 2 [with something] to start something earlier (than someone else) ᮀ I was able to get a head start on my reading during the holidays ᮀ If I hadn’t had a head start, I’d be behind in my reading 132 get (a)hold of someone or something 1 [with someone] to make contact with someone; to call someone on the telephone (See also get one’s hands on someone or something ; get in touch (with someone ) Also... 2 [with something] to obtain something ᮀ I’m trying to get hold of a glass jar I need it for school ᮀ Does anyone know where I can get hold of a spare tire? ᮀ I have hold of a very large piece of land 3 Go to take (a)hold of someone or something get a hurry on and get a move on to start to hurry (Informal.) ᮀ We are going to leave in five minutes, Jane Get a hurry on! ᮀ Mary! Get a move on! We can’t... song ᮀ She said that for all intents and purposes she had completed her assignment for all it’s worth and for what(ever) it’s worth if it has any value ᮀ My idea—for all it’s worth—is to offer them only $30 0 ᮀ Here is my thinking, for whatever it’s worth ᮀ Ask her to give us her opinion, for what it’s worth for all practical purposes as might be reasonably expected; essentially ᮀ For all practical purposes,... ᮀ Mary really liked my joke I knew I could get a rise out of her ᮀ I got a rise out of him by telling him to go home get a rough idea (about something ) and get a rough idea (of something) to receive 134 with someone or something after a delay (Compare this with get around to doing something ) ᮀ It was noon before I got around to the breakfast dishes ᮀ The doctor was not able to get to John, even though... the mouse ᮀ Ok, you guys There he is Have at him! 2 [with something] to eat food; to gobble up food (Informal Also with have.) ᮀ I can’t wait to get at that cake ᮀ Dinner’s ready Sit down and have at it 3 [with someone] to find a way to irritate someone; to manage to wound someone, physically or emotionally ᮀ Mr Smith found a way to get at his wife ᮀ John kept trying to get at his teacher 4 [with something]... department ᮀ No one will get a whiff of your trouble with the police I’ll see to that get a word in edgeways Go to get a word in edgewise get a word in edgewise and get a word in edgeways to manage to say some 135 get back (at someone) thing when other people are talking and ignoring you (Often in the negative.) ᮀ It was such an exciting conversation that I could hardly get a word in edgewise ᮀ Mary talks so . something ) to feel like one is permitted to do something or take some- feel free (to do something) 1 13 thing. ᮀ Please feel free to stay for dinner. ᮀ If you see something you want in the re- frigerator,. natural limitations; a human being. ᮀ This cold weather is more than flesh and blood can stand. ᮀ Carrying 30 0 pounds is beyond mere flesh and blood. 2. the quality of be- ing alive. ᮀ The paintings of. flesh and blood. ᮀ This play needs flesh and blood, not the mum- bling of intensely dull actors. 3. one’s own relatives; one’s own kin. ᮀ That’s no way to treat one’s own flesh and blood. ᮀ I want