Adam Makkai - Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[of the first water] {adj. phr.} , {informal} Of the finest quality; superior; very good; best. •/ The jeweler chose diamonds of the first water for the queen’s crown. / •/ The dance program at graduation was of the first water. / Compare: FIRST-CLASS.

[of the same mind] {adv. phr.} In agreement; in consonance. •/ It is a good thing when father and son are of the same mind regarding business and politics. /

[oil]See: POUR OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.

[oil the wheels]See: GREASE THE WHEELS.

[ointment]See: PLY IN THE OINTMENT.

[old]See: CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK, COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE, COMMON AS AN OLD SHOE, OF OLD.

[old as the hills] {adj. phr.} Very old; ancient. •/ "Why didn’t you laugh?" she asked. "Because that joke is as old as the hills," he answered. /

[old boy network] {n. phr.} A system whereby men who went to the same school help each other to get good jobs, regardless of their ability or training. •/ Peter got his lucrative job thanks to the old boy network rather than because of his qualifications. / Compare: OLD COLLEGE TRY.

[old boy]or [old chap] {n.} , {Chiefly British} One of the men educated at the same institution and bound by strong ties of loyalty to each other. •/ He got the job because the boss was another old boy. /

[old college try] {n. phr.} An attempt to win a favor from another by mentioning the fact that one had gone to the same college or university as the party from whom the favor is requested. •/ Since he needed a job, he decided to use the old college try when he contacted Jerry, but it didn’t work. / Compare: OLD BOY NETWORK.

[old country] {n. phr.} Primarily Europe, but also any country other than the United States where one originally came from. •/ Al’s wife was born in Chicago but Al himself is from the old country, Ireland. /

[old flame] {n. phr.} An erstwhile lover. •/ Did you know that Meg was one of Howard’s old flames? /

[old guard] {n. phr.} People whose ideas may be out of date, but who have been in power for a long time. •/ There will not be any change in policy at the company, as long as the old guard still works here. /

[old hand] {n. phr.} An experienced and highly skilled expert at some particular job. •/ Uncle Joe is an old hand at repairing car engines. /

[old hat] {adj.} , {informal} Old-fashioned; not new or different. •/ By now, putting satellites in orbit is old hat to space scientists. / •/ Andrea thought her mother’s ideas about dating were old hat. /

[old maid] {n. phr.} A spinster; a woman who has never married. •/ Because my old maid aunt is a terrific cook as well as a good-looking woman, nobody understands why she never married. /

[old money]Contrast: NEW MONEY.

[Old Nick]See: FULL OF THE OLD NICK.

[old school tie]See: OLD BOY NETWORK, OLD COLLEGE TRY.

[old story] {n.} An everyday occurrence; something that often happens. •/ Jane’s temper tantrums were an old story. / •/ It’s an old story when a woman divorces her husband for too much drinking. /

[old-timer] {n.} An old person who remembers bygone days, matters, and personalities. •/ There was an old-timer at the party who told us interesting details about World War II. / Contrast: OLD GUARD, OLD HAND.

[old world] {n. phr.} Europe, the continent; a continental manner. •/ Tom had an old world manner that thoroughly charmed all the ladies. / Compare: OLD COUNTRY.

[olive branch] {n. phr.} An overture; a symbol of peace. •/ Tired of the constant fighting, the majority government extended an olive branch to the militant minority. /

[on account] {adv. phr.} As part payment of a debt; to lessen the amount owed. •/ John paid $10 down and $5 on account each month for his bicycle. /

[on account of] {prep.} As a result of; because of. •/ The picnic was held in the gym on account of the rain. / Compare: ON ONE’S ACCOUNT, OF ONE’S OWN ACCORD.

[on a dime] {adv. phr.} , {informal} In a very small space. •/ Bob can turn that car on a dime. / •/ Tom says his new sports car will stop on a dime. /

[on-again, off-again]See: OFF-AGAIN, ON-AGAIN.

[on air]See: WALK ON AIR.

[on a limb]See: OUT ON A LIMB.

[on all four]See: HIT ON ALL FOUR.

[on all fours] {adv. phr.} 1. On all four legs; on hands and knees. •/ Fido sat up to "beg" but dropped down on all fours to eat the dog biscuit Sam gave him. / •/ Billy’s father got down on all fours and gave the baby a ride. / 2. {informal} On a level of equality; of the same value. •/ Wigs may be widely used, but they are still not on all fours with beautiful natural hair. /

[on an average]or [on the average] {adv. phr.} In most cases; usually. •/ On an average Dan’s mother has to ask him three times before he helps with the dishes. / •/ On the average, Mr. Blank trades in his car for a new one every three years. /

[on and off]See: OFF AND ON.

[on an even keel] {adv. phr.} , {informal} In a well-ordered way or condition; orderly. •/ When the football rally seemed almost ready to become a riot, the principal stepped to the platform and got things back on an even keel. /

[on a pedestal] {adv. phr.} Lovingly honored and cared for. •/ Mrs. Raymond’s children served her breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day and later took her out to dinner. She felt on a pedestal. / •/ Bill is always waiting on his fiancee and bringing her flowers and candy. He has certainly put her on a pedestal. /

[on approval] {adv. phr.} With the understanding that the thing may be refused. •/ Mr. Grey bought his camera on approval. / •/ The company offered to send a package of stamps on approval. /

[on a scratched horse]See: PUT ONE’S MONEY ON A SCRATCHED HORSE.

[on a shoestring] {adv. phr.} With little money to spend; on a very low budget. •/ The couple was seeing Europe on a shoestring. /

[on a volcano]See: SIT ON A VOLCANO.

[on behalf of]See: IN BEHALF OP.

[on board(1)] {prep.} On (a ship). •/ Joan was not on board the ship when it sailed. /

[on board(2)] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} On a ship. •/ The captain was not on board when the S.S. Flandre sailed. / •/ A ship was leaving the harbor, and we saw the people on board waving. /

[on borrowed time]See: LIVE ON BORROWED TIME.

[on call] {adj. phr.} 1. Having to be paid on demand. •/ Jim didn’t have the money ready even though he knew the bill was on call. / 2. Ready and available. •/ This is Dr. Kent’s day to be on call at the hospital. / •/ The nurse is on call for emergency cases. /

[once]See: AT ONCE, EVERY NOW AND THEN or EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

[once and for all] {adv. phr.} 1. One time and never again; without any doubt; surely; certainly; definitely. •/ Let me say, for once and for all, you may not go to the party Saturday. / •/ For once and for all, I will not go swimming with you. / 2. Permanently. •/ Bill and Tom asked the teacher to settle the argument once and for all. / •/ The general decided that two bombs would destroy the enemy and end the war once and for all. /

[once bitten, twice shy]See: BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE.

[once for all]See: ONCE AND FOR ALL.

[once in a blue moon] {adv. phr.} Very rarely; very seldom; almost never. •/ Coin collecting is interesting, hut you find a valuable coin only once in a blue moon. / •/ Once in a blue moon someone grows a very pale marigold, but no truly white marigolds have been raised. /

[once in a while] {adv. phr.} Not often; not regularly; sometimes; occasionally. •/ We go for a picnic in the park once in a while. / •/ Once in a while the puppy would run away, but usually he stayed in the yard. / Syn.: AT TIMES, FROM TIME TO TIME, NOW AND THEN.

[once-over] {n.} , {slang} 1. A quick look; a swift examination of someone or something. — Usually used with "give" or "get". •/ The new boy got the once-over from the rest of the class when he came in. / •/ Bob gave his paper the once-over before handing it in. / 2. or [once-over-lightly]A quick or careless job, especially of cleaning or straightening; work done hastily for now. •/ Ann gave her room a quick once-over-lightty with the broom and dust cloth. / •/ "Just give my hair the once-over," Al said to the barber. / Compare: LICK AND A PROMISE.

[once upon a time] {adv. phr.} Sometime before now, long ago. •/ Once upon a time she was thought to be the most talented actress in the country. / — Often used at the beginning of fairy stories. •/ Once upon a time there lived a king who had an ugly daughter. /

[on cloud nine] {adj. phr.} , {slang} Too happy to think of anything else; very happy. •/ Ada has been on cloud nine since the magazine printed the story she wrote. / •/ We were on cloud nine when our team won the state championship. / Compare: ON TOP OF THE WORLD, WALK ON AIR.

[on condition that] {conj.} Providing that; if. •/ I will lend you the money on condition that you pay it back in one month. / •/ She agreed to act in the play on condition that she could keep her costumes. /

[on deck] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. On a floor of a ship open to the outdoors. •/ The passengers were playing shufflehoard on deck. / •/ The sailors kept busy cleaning and painting on deck. / 2. {informal} Ready to do something; present. •/ The scout leader told the boys to be on deck at 8:00 Saturday morning for the hike. / •/ Dick was at bat, and Bob was on deck. /

[on deposit] {adv. phr.} In a bank. •/ I have almost $500 on deposit in my account. / •/ The children save their pennies and each month place them on deposit. /

[on duty] {adj. phr.} Doing one’s job; supervising. •/ Two soldiers are on duty guarding the gates. / •/ There is always one teacher on duty during study hour. / Contrast: OFF DUTY.