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1 of 10


more often than not

Categories: adverb time
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[more often than not]  {adv. phr.}
More than half the time; fifty-one or more times out of a hundred; not quite usually, but fairly regularly.
Nancy comes over on Saturday more often than not.
Ben is a fairly good runner. He wins more often than not.
Categories: adverb time
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


monkey business

A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[monkey business]  {n.},  {slang},  {informal}
1. Any unethical, illegitimate, or objectionable activity that is furtive or deceitful, e.g., undercover sexual advances, cheating, misuse of public funds, etc.
There is a lot of monkey business going on in that firm; you'd better watch out who you deal with!
2. Comical or silly actions; goofing off.
Come on boys, let's cut out the monkey business and get down to work!
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


knotty problem

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[knotty problem]  {n. phr.}
A very complicated and difficult problem to solve.
Doing one's income tax properly can present a knotty problem.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


run that by me again!

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[run that by me again!]  {v. phr.},  {informal command}
Repeat what you just said, as I couldn't understand you.
"Run that by me again," he cried. "This telephone connection is very bad."
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


run short

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[run short]  {v. phr.}
1. To not have enough.
Bob asked Jack to lend him five dollars because he was running short.
We are running short of sugar.
Compare: [RUN OUT].
2. To be not enough in quantity.
We are out of potatoes and the flour is running short.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


run away with

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[run away with]  {v.}
1a. To take quickly and secretly, especially without permission; steal.
A thief ran away with Grandma's silver teapot.
Syn.: [MAKE OFF].
1b. To go away with; elope.
Mary said that if her parents wouldn't let her marry Phil, she would run away with him.
1c. To take hold of; seize.
The boys thought they saw a ghost in the old house last night; they let their imagination run away with them.
Compare: [GET THE BETTER OF].
2. To be much better or more noticeable than others in; win easily.
Our team ran away with the game in the last half.
The fat comedian ran away with the TV show.
Compare: [STEAL THE SHOW].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


under the weather

Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[under the weather]  {adv. phr.}
In bad health or low spirits.
Mary called in today asking for a sick day as she is under the weather.
Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


up a tree

A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[up a tree]  {adv.} or  {adj. phr.}
1. Hunted or chased into a tree; treed.
The dog drove the coon up a tree so the hunter could shoot him.
2.  {informal} in trouble; having problems; in a difficulty that it is hard to escape or think of a way out of.
John's father has him up a tree in the checker game.
Compare: [UP THE CREEK].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


until all hours

Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[until all hours]  {adv. phr.}
Until very late at night.
He is so anxious to pass his exams with flying colors that he stays up studying until all hours.
Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


vibrations

Categories: noun relationship
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[vibrations] or [vibes]  {n.}
Psychic emanations radiating from an object, situation, or person.
I don't think this relationship will work out — this guy has given me bad vibes.
Categories: noun relationship
A Dictionary of American Idioms