a half chance

See: ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE.

{n., slang} Marijuana of an exceptionally high quality. * /Jack doesn't just smoke pot, he smokes Acapulco gold./

{n. phr.}, {literary} A physical or psychological weakness named after the Greek hero Achilles who was invulnerable except for a spot on his heel. * /John's Achilles' heel is his lack of talent with numbers and math./

{n.} A herbicide used as a defoliant during the Vietnam War, considered by some to cause birth defects and cancer, hence, by extension, an instance of "technological progress pollution". * /If things continue as they have, we'll all be eating some Agent Orange with our meals./

{n.} A system of hotel management in which meals are included with the room, as opposed to the European plan that does not include meals. * /American tourists in Europe sometimes expect that their meals will be included, because they are used to the American plan./

{n.}, {slang}, {originally from Black English} A successful professional or business woman who, due to her success in a masculine profession, doesn't care about the women's liberation movement or the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. * /Hermione is a regular Aunt Tom, she'll never vote for the ERA./

{n., informal} A small amount; some. * /There's no sugar in the sugar bowl, but you may find a bit in the bag./ * /If the ball had hit the window a bit harder, it would have broken it./ - Often used like an adverb. * /This sweater scratches a bit./ - Also used like an adjective before "less", "more". * /Janet thought she could lose weight by eating a bit less./ * /"Have some more cake?" "Thanks. A bit more won't hurt me."/ - Often used adverbially after verbs in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences, sometimes in the form "one bit". * /"Won't your father be angry?" "No, he won't care a bit."/ * /Helen feels like crying, but I'll be surprised if she shows it one bit./ - Sometimes used with "little" for emphasis, also in the emphatic form "the least bit". * /"Wasn't Bob even a little bit sorry he forgot his date?" "No, Bob wasn't the least bit sorry."/ Syn.: A LITTLE. Compare: A FEW. Contrast: A LOT.

{v. phr.} To catch someone unawares; confront someone with an unexpected event or act. * /My professor pitched me a curve ball when he unexpectedly confronted me with a complicated mathematical equation that was way over my head./

{n.} or {adj.} A small number (of people or things); some. * /The dry weather killed most of Mother's flowers, but a few are left./ * /In the store, Mary saw many pretty rings and bracelets, and she wanted to buy a few of them./ * /After the party, we thought that no one would help clean up, but a few couples did./ * /Alice wanted to read a few pages more before she stopped./ - Usually "a few" is different in meaning from "few", which emphasizes the negative; "a few" means "some", but "few" means "not many". * /We thought no one would come to lunch, but a few came./ * /We thought many people would come to lunch, but few came./ But sometimes "a few" is used with "only", and then it is negative. * /We thought many people would come to lunch, but only a few came./ - Sometimes used like an adverb. * /Three students have no seats; we need a few more chairs./ * /If we can set up chairs faster than people come and sit in them, we will soon be a few ahead./ - Sometimes used with "very" for emphasis. * /Uncle Ralph gave away almost all of his sea shells, but he still had a very few left./ Compare: A LITTLE. Contrast: A LOT, QUITE A FEW.

A genuine friend on whom one can always depend. - A proverb; often shortened to "a friend in need..." * /When John's house burned down, his neighbor Jim helped him and his family with shelter, food and clothing. John said, "Jim, a friend in need is a friend indeed - this describes you."/

{n.} An opportunity; a reasonable chance. * /Just give yourself half a chance and you will quickly get used to your new job./

{prep.} In the same way as; like. * /Billy played ball like a champion today, a la the professional ball players./ * /Joe wanted to shoot an apple off my head a la William Tell./ (From French "a la", in the manner of.)

{n.} or {adj.} A small amount (of); some. - Usually "a little" is different in meaning from "little", which emphasizes the negative; "a little" means "some"; but "little" means "not much". We say * /"We thought that the paper was all gone, but a little was left."/ But we say, * /"We thought we still had a bag of flour, but little was left."/ Also, we say, * /"Bob was sick yesterday, but he is a little better today."/ But we say, * /"Bob was sick yesterday, and he is little better today."/ Sometimes "a little" is used with "only", and then it is negative. * /We thought we had a whole bag of flour, but only a little was left./ * /We have used most of the sugar; but a little is left./ * /We did not eat all the cake; we saved a little of it for you./ * /I'm tired; I need a little time to rest./ * /Where is the paper? I need a little more./ - Often used like an adverb. * /Usually the teacher just watched the dancing class, but sometimes she danced a little to show them how./ * /The children wanted to play a little longer./ - Sometimes used with "very" for emphasis. * /The sick girl could not eat anything, but she could drink a very little tea./ Syn.: A BIT. Compare: A FEW. Contrast: A LOT, QUITE A LITTLE.

To have learned something from a mysterious, unknown, or secret source. * /"Who told you that Dean Smith was resigning?" Peter asked. "A little bird told me," Jim answered./

{literary} A person who knows a little about something may think he knows it all and make bad mistakes. - A proverb. * /John has read a book on driving a car and now he thinks he can drive. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing./

{n.}, {informal} A large number or amount; very many or very much; lots. * /I learned a lot in Mr. Smith's class./ * /A lot of our friends are going to the beach this summer./ - Often used like an adverb. * /Ella is a jolly girl; she laughs a lot./ * /Grandfather was very sick last week, but he's a lot better now./ * /You'll have to study a lot harder if you want to pass./ - Also used as an adjective with "more", "less", and "fewer". * /There was a good crowd at the game today, but a lot more will come next week./ - Often used with "whole" for emphasis. * /John has a whole lot of marbles./ * /Jerry is a whole lot taller than he was a year ago./ Compare: GOOD DEAL, GOOD MANY, A NUMBER. Contrast: A FEW, A LITTLE.

{n.} 1. An inevitability; a necessity. * /Visas in many foreign countries are a must./ 2. An extremely interesting or memorable event, such as a free concert given by an international celebrity. * /Alfred Brendel's Beethoven master classes are open to the public and are not to be missed; they're a must./

{n.} A rather large number; numbers. - Used when there arc more than several and fewer than many. * /The parents were invited to see the program, and a number came./ * /We knew the Smiths rattier well; we had visited them a number of times./ - Used like an adjective before "less", "more". * /We have not set up enough folding chairs; we need a number more./ Compare: QUITE A FEW.

{n. phr.} An unfortunate condition; a critical state. * /While the boss was away, things at the company had come to a pretty pass./

{v. phr.} To have the right to express one's opinion or cast a vote in a pending matter. * /Our boss is friendly and democratic; he always encourages us to have a say in what we will do next./

{v.} To accept and obey; be willing to follow. * /A basketball player may know he did not foul, but he must abide by the referee's decision./ * /The members agree to abide by the rules of the club./

{n.} A sudden change of course or a decision opposite to what was decided earlier. * /Her decision to become an actress instead of a dentist was an about face from her original plans./

{n. phr.} Finally, but later than it should have been; at last. * /Mother said, "It's about time you got up, Mary."/ * /The basketball team won last night. About time./

1. Close to; ready to. - Used with an infinitive. * /We were about to leave when the snow began./ * /I haven't gone yet, but I'm about to./ Compare: GOING TO, ON THE POINT OF. 2. {informal} Having a wish or plan to. - Used with an infinitive in negative sentences. * /Freddy wasn't about to give me any of his ice-cream cone./ * /"Will she come with us?" asked Bill. "She's not about to," answered Mary./

{adv. phr.} Of first or highest importance; most especially. * /Children need many things, but above all they need love./ Syn.: FIRST AND LAST.

{adj. phr.} Too good to be suspected; not likely to do wrong. * /The umpire in the game must be above suspicion of supporting one side over the other./

{adj.} Absent without permission; used mostly in the military. * /Jack left Fort Sheridan without asking his commanding officer, and was punished for going AWOL./

æbˈsenʃɪə See: IN ABSENTIA.

əˈkɔ:d See: OF ONE'S OWN ACCORD or OF ONE'S OWN FREE WILL.

{conj.} 1. Depending on which; whichever. * /You may take an oral or written exam according as you prefer./ 1. Depending on whether; if. * /We will play golf or stay home according as the weather is good or bad./

{prep.} 1. So as to match or agree with; so as to be alike in. * /Many words are pronounced according to the spelling but some are not./ * /The boys were placed in three groups according to height./ 2. On the word or authority of. * /According to the Bible, Adam was the first man./

{adv. phr.} In accordance with one's conscience or inclinations. * /Citizens should vote according to their own lights./

əˈkaunt See: CALL TO ACCOUNT, CHARGE ACCOUNT, LEAVE OUT OF ACCOUNT, ON ACCOUNT, ON ACCOUNT OF, ON ONE'S ACCOUNT, ON ONE'S OWN ACCOUNT, SAVINGS ACCOUNT, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.

eɪs See: WITHIN AN ACE OF.

{n. phr.} 1. An ace given to a player face down so that other players in a card game cannot see it. * /When the cowboy bet all his money in the poker game he did not know that the gambler had an ace in the hole and would win it from him./ 2. {informal} Someone or something important that is kept as a surprise until the right time so as to bring victory or success. * /The football team has a new play that they are keeping as an ace in the hole for the big game./ * /The lawyer's ace in the hole was a secret witness who saw the accident./ Compare: CARD UP ONE'S SLEEVE.

{n.}, {slang} A regular user of LSD on whom the hallucinogenic drug has left a visible effect. * /The reason John acts so funny is that he is a regular acid head./

{n.}, {slang} A characteristic kind of rock in which loudness and beat predominate over melody; especially such music as influenced by drug experiences. * /John is a regular acid rock freak./

ˈeɪkɔ:n See: GREAT OAKS PROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW.

{n.}, {slang} Sound for covering up unwanted noise, such as music over loudspeakers in a noisy construction area. * /Let's get out of here - this acoustic perfume is too much for my ears./

{v. phr.} To become fond of something; get to like something. * /Jack acquired a taste for ripe cheeses when he went to France./

{adv. phr.} 1. So that equal amounts of money are bet on the same horse to win a race, to place second, or third. * /I bet $6 on the white horse across the board./ - Often used with hyphens as an adjective. * /I made an across-the-board bet on the white horse./ 2. {informal} Including everyone or all, so that all are included. * /ThÅ President wanted taxes lowered across the board./ - Often used with hyphens as an adjective. * /ThÅ workers at the store got an across-the-board pay raise./

See: THE TRACKS.

ækt See: READ THE RIOT ACT.

{v. phr.} To wield power; act overbearingly; order others around; look down on others. * /Paul is an inexperienced teacher and he acts high and mighty with his students./

{n.} An occurrence (usually some sort of catastrophe) for which the people affected are not responsible; said of earthquakes, floods, etc. * /Hurricane Andrew destroyed many houses in Florida, but some types of insurance did not compensate the victims, claiming that the hurricane was an act of God./ See: FICKLE FINGER OF FATE.

{n. phr.} An act or a deed that shows unquestioning belief in someone or something. * /It was a real act of faith on Mary's part to entrust her jewelry to her younger sister's care./

{v.} 1. To show an idea, story, or happening by your looks, talk, and movements. * /He tried to act out a story that he had read./ 2. To put into action. * /All his life he tried to act out his beliefs./

{v.}, {informal} 1. To behave badly; act rudely or impolitely. * /The dog acted up as the postman came to the door./ 2. To work or run poorly (as a after all machine); skip; miss. * /ThÅ car acted up because the spark plugs were dirty./

What you do shows your character better and is more important than what you say. - A proverb. * /John promised to help me, but he didn't. Actions speak louder than words./ * /Joe is very quiet, but actions speak louder than words. He is the best player on the team./

ˈæktə See: BAD ACTOR.

ˈædˈlɪb {v. phr.} To improvise; interpolate during speech. * /When the actress forgot her lines during the second act, she had to ad lib in order to keep the show going./

{v. phr.} To make a bad matter worse by adding to its cause; spread trouble, increase anger or other strong feelings by talk or action. * /By criticizing his son's girl, the father added fuel to the flame of his son's love./ * /Bob was angry with Ted and Ted added fuel to the flame by laughing at him./

{v. phr.} 1. To hurt someone's feelings after doing him harm. * /He added insult to injury when he called the man a rat after he had already beaten him up./ 2. To make bad trouble worse. * /We started on a picnic, and first it rained, then to add insult to injury, the car broke down./

{v. phr.} To complete; finish. * /Mary's first novel promised to be excellent; however, her editor suggested that she should add some finishing touches before accepting it./

{v.} 1. To come to the correct amount. * /The numbers wouldn't add up./ 2. {informal} To make sense; be understandable. * /His story didn't add up./

{v.} 1. To make a total of; amount to. * /The bill added up to $12.95./ 2. {informal} To mean; result in. * /The rain, the mosquitoes, and the heat added up to a spoiled vacation./

əˈdɪʃən See: IN ADDITION.

əˈdres See: PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM.

ədˈvɑ:ns See: IN ADVANCE or IN ADVANCE OF.

ədˈvɑ:ntɪdʒ See: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, TO ADVANTAGE.

əˈfɛə See: LOVE AFFAIR.

{prep.} 1. In collision with. * /The boat ran afoul of a buoy./ 2. In or into trouble with. * /The thief ran afoul of the night watchman./ * /Speeders can expect to fall afoul of the law sometimes./

{adj. phr.}, {informal} Scared of small or imaginary things; very easily frightened; jumpy; nervous. * /Mrs. Smith won't stay alone in her house at night; she is afraid of her own shadow./ * /Johnny cries whenever he must say hello to an adult; he is afraid of his own shadow./

{adv. phr.} Not very well or properly; poorly. * /He played tennis after a fashion./ * /The roof kept the rain out after a fashion./ Compare: IN A WAY.

{adv. phr.} 1. As a change in plans; anyway. - Used with emphasis on "after". * /Bob thought he couldn't go to the party because he had too much homework, but he went after all./ 2. For a good reason that you should remember. - Used with emphasis on "all". * /Why shouldn't Betsy eat the cake? After all, she baked it./

{adv. or adj. phr.} Not during the regular, correct, or usual time; going on or open after the usual hours. * /The store was cleaned and swept out after hours./ * /The children had a secret after hours party when they were supposed to be in bed./

{adj. phr.}, {informal} Well liked because of agreeing with your own feelings, interests, and ideas; to your liking-agreeable. Used after "man" or some similar word. * /He likes baseball and good food; he is a man after my own heart./ * /Thanks for agreeing with me about the class party; you're a girl after my own heart./ Compare: SEE EYE TO EYE.

əˈɡen See: COME AGAIN, EVERY NOW AND THEN or EVERY NOW AND AGAIN, NOW AND THEN or NOW AND AGAIN, OFF AGAIN, ON AGAIN or ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN, SOMETHING ELSE AGAIN, THEN AGAIN, TIME AND AGAIN, YOU SAID IT or YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.

See: UP AGAINST IT.

{adv. phr.} 1. As a test of speed or time; in order to beat a speed record or time limit. * /John ran around the track against time, because there was no one else to race against./ 2. As fast as possible; so as to do or finish something before a certain time. * /It was a race against the clock whether the doctor would get to the accident soon enough to save the injured man./ 3. So as to cause delay by using up time. * /The outlaw talked against time with the sheriff, hoping that his gang would come and rescue him./,See: AGAINST TIME.

{adv. phr.} 1. Across rather than with the direction of the fibers (as of wood or meat). * /He sandpapered the wood against the grain./ 2. So as to annoy or trouble, or to cause anger or dislike. - Usually follows "go". * /His coarse and rude ways went against the grain with me./ * /It went against the grain with him to have to listen to her gossip./ Compare: RUB THE WRONG WAY.

See: SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT.

eɪdʒ See: ACT ONE'S AGE or BE ONE'S AGE, DOG'S AGE or COON'S AGE, LEGAL AGE or LAWFUL AGE, OF AGE, OVER AGE, UNDER AGE.

ˈeɪdʒənt See: FREE AGENT.

əˈɡəu See: WHILE AGO.

{v.} To have a good effect on, suit. * /The meat loaf did not agree with him./ * /The warm, sunny climate agreed with him, and he soon grew strong and healthy./

əˈhed See: DEAD AHEAD, GET AHEAD.

{prep.} 1. In a position of advantage or power over. * /He studies all the time, because he wants to stay ahead of his classmates./ 2. In front of; before. * /The troop leader walked a few feet ahead of the boys./ 3. Earlier than; previous to, before. * /Betty finished her test ahead of the others./

{adv. or adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. In a position of advantage; winning (as in a game or contest); ahead (as by making money or profit); making it easier to win or succeed. * /The time you spend studying when you are in school will put you ahead of the game in college./ * /After Tom sold his papers, he was $5 ahead of the game./ 2. Early; too soon; beforehand. * /When Ralph came to school an hour early, the janitor said, "You're ahead of the game."/ * /John studies his lessons only one day early; if he gets too far ahead of the game, he forgets what he read./

{adv. phr.} Before the expected time; early. * /The bus came ahead of time, and Mary was not ready./ * /The new building was finished ahead of time./ Contrast: BEHIND TIME.

eɪm See: TAKE AIM.

ɛə See: BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR, CLEAR THE AIR, GIVE ONESELF AIRS, GET THE AIR at GET THE BOUNCE(1), GIVE THE AIR at GIVE THE BOUNCE(1), IN THE AIR, INTO THIN AIR, LEAVE HANGING or LEAVE HANGING IN THE AIR, ON THE AIR, OUT OF THIN AIR, UP IN THE AIR, WALK ON AIR.

{n.}, {informal} Air service for regular commuters operating between major cities at not too far a distance, e.g., between Boston and New York City; such flights operate without reservation on a frequent schedule. * /My dad takes the air shuttle from Boston to New York once a week./

n. A trade name, also used informally for a wide-bodied airplane used chiefly as a domestic passenger carrier. * /Airbuses don't fly overseas, but mainly from coast to coast./

{n.} An explosive noise of undetermined origin usually heard in coastal communities and appearing to come from some higher point in elevation. * /What was that awful noise just now? - I guess it must have been an airquake./

{n. phr.}, {literary} Guilt, the haunting past, an unforgettable problem. * /Even though it was an accident, John's father's death has been an albatross around John's neck./ Compare: MONKEY ON ONE'S BACK.

əˈlə:t See: ON THE ALERT.

əˈlaɪv See: COME ALIVE, KNOW --- IS ALIVE, LOOK ALIVE, SKIN ALIVE.

{adj. phr.} Very active; vigorous; full of energy. * /Grandpa was taken to the hospital with pneumonia, but he was discharged yesterday and is alive and kicking./

{prep.}, {informal} Crowded with; filled with. * /The lake was alive with fish./ * /The stores were alive with people the Saturday before Christmas./

ɔ:l See: AFTER ALL, AND ALL, AT ALL, BEAT ALL or BEAT THE DUTCH, FOR ALL, FOR ALL ONE IS WORTH, FOR ALL ONE KNOWS, FOR ALL THE WORLD, FOR GOOD also FOR GOOD AND ALL, FROM THE BOTTOM OF ONE'S HEART or WITH ALL ONE'S HEART, HAVE ALL ONE'S BUTTONS or HAVE ALL ONE'S MARBLES, IN ALL, JUMP ON or JUMP ALL OVER or LAND ALL OVER, KNOW-IT-ALL, ON ALL FOURS, ONCE AND FOR ALL, PUT ALL ONE'S EGGS IN ONE BASKET, STRIKE ALL OF A HEAP, WALK OVER or WALK ALL OVER or STEP ALL OVER.

{adj. phr.} Fully recovered; all well again; no longer painful. - Usually used to or by children. * /"All better now," he kept repeating to the little girl./

{adv. phr.} Very nearly; almost. * /Crows all but destroyed a farmer's field of corn./ * /The hikers were exhausted and all but frozen when they were found./

{adj. phr.}, {informal} Very eager to hear; very attentive. - Used in the predicate. * /Go ahead with your story; we are all ears./ * /When John told about the circus, the boys were all ears./

{adj. phr.}, {informal} Wide-eyed with surprise or curiosity; watching very closely. - Used in the predicate. * /At the circus the children were all eyes./

{adj. phr.} Used up; exhausted (said of supplies); done with; over with. * /We used to travel a lot, but, alas, those days are all gone./

{adj. phr.}, {informal} Understanding well; thinking clearly; not crazy. - Usually used in negative sentences, * /Joe acted queerly and talked wildly, so we thought he was not all there./,See: ALL THERE.

{n. phr.}, {informal} Late or irregular times. * /The boy's mother said he must stop coming home for meals at all hours./ * /He stayed up till all hours of the night to finish his school work./

{adj. phr.}, {informal} Very tired; exhausted. * /The players were all in after their first afternoon of practice./ Syn.: PLAYED OUT, WORN OUT.

{n. phr.}, {literary} The person or thing that you love most. * /She was all in all to him./ * /Music was his all in all./