Adam Makkai - Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[on top of the world]or [sitting on top of the world]also (Southern) [sitting on high cotton] {adj. phr.} , {informal} Feeling pleased and happy; feeling successful. •/ John was on top of the world when he found out that he got into college. / •/ When Ruth won first prize in the contest, she felt as though she was sitting on top of the world. / •/ The girls were sitting on high cotton because their basketball team had won the trophy. / Compare: FLYING HIGH, WALK ON AIR.

[on trial] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. For testing or trying out for a time before making a decision. •/ I was lucky that I had bought the machine on trial because I didn’t like it and was able to return it. / •/ Mother bought a new dishwasher on trial and was trying it out before deciding whether to keep it. / 2. In a court being tried for a crime before a judge or jury. •/ John White was on trial for murder. / •/ Mary was on trial before the Student Committee for spoiling school property. /

[on words]See: PLAY ON WORDS.

[on your life]See: NOT ON YOUR LIFE.

[open]See: EYES OPEN, THROW OPEN.

[open and aboveboard] {adj. phr.} Honest. •/ Jacob felt that the firm he was doing business with wasn’t entirely open and aboveboard. /

[open and shut]See: CUT AND DRIED.

[open arms]See: RECEIVE WITH OPEN ARMS.

[open-door policy] {n. phr.} A policy that states that newcomers are welcome to join the company, firm, or country in question. •/ During the nineteenth century the United States had an open-door policy regarding immigration. /

[open fire] {v. phr.} To begin shooting. •/ The big warship turned its guns toward the enemy ship and opened fire. / •/ When the policeman called to the robber to stop, he turned and suddenly opened fire. /

[openhanded] {adj.} Generous; liberal. •/ Although not wealthy himself, Bob was always very openhanded with those who needed help. /

[open heart] {n.} 1. No hiding of your feelings; frankness; freedom. •/ She spoke with an open heart of her warm feelings for her pupils. / •/ She told her troubles with an open heart. / Compare: HEART ON ONE’S SLEEVE. 2. Kindness; generosity. •/ She contributed to the fund with an open heart. / •/ Mr. Jones has an open heart for underprivileged children. / Compare: OPEN ONE’S HEART.

[open its doors] {v. phr.} 1. To allow someone or something to enter or join; become open. •/ That college was started for women only, but a few years ago it opened its doors to men. / 2. To begin doing business; open. •/ Proffitts Department Store is having a birthday sale; it first opened its doors fifty years ago this month. / Contrast: CLOSE ITS DOORS.