L
Idioms beginning with "L"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of L:
[labor movement] {n.}
Groups which form, strengthen, and increase membership in labor unions.
His father was connected with the labor movement in the 1920's.
[labor of love] {n. phr.}
Something done for personal pleasure and not pay or profit.
Building the model railroad was a labor of love for the retired engineer.
[labor under] {v. phr.}
To be the victim of; suffer from.
Ken is obviously laboring under the delusion that Jennifer will marry him out of love.
[lace into] or [tie into] {v.}, {informal}
To attack physically or with words; begin to hit or criticize.
The boxer laced into his opponent.
The critics laced into the new movie.
Syn.: [LAY INTO], [RIP INTO].
Compare: [GIVE IT TO].
[ladies' room] {n. phr.}
A public toilet and restroom for women.
Can you please tell me where the ladies' room is?
[lady friend] {n.}
1. A woman friend.
His aunt stays with a lady friend in Florida during the winter.
2. A woman who is the lover of a man. — Used by people trying to appear more polite, but not often used by careful speakers.
* /The lawyer took […]
[lady of the house] {n. phr.}
Female owner, or wife of the owner, of the house; the hostess.
"Dinner is served," the lady of the house announced to her guests.
[lady's man] {n.}
A man or boy who likes to be with women or girls very much and is popular with them.
Charlie is quite a lady's man now.
[lady-killer] {n.}, {informal}
1. Any man who has strong sex appeal toward women.
Joe is a regular lady-killer.
2. A man who relentlessly pursues amorous conquests, is successful at it, and then abandons his heartbroken victims.
* /The legendary […]
[laid up] {adj.}
Sick; confined to bed.
I was laid up for a couple of weeks with an ear infection.
[lame duck] {n.}, {informal}
An elected public official who has been either defeated in a new election or whose term cannot be renewed, but who has a short period of time left in office during which he can still perform certain duties, though with […]
[land on one's feet] also [land on both feet] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To get yourself out of trouble without damage or injury and sometimes with a gain; be successful no matter what happens.
* /No matter what trouble he gets into, he always seems to land […]
[land-office business] {n.}, {informal}
A great rush of business.
It was a hot day, and the drive-ins were doing a land-office business in ice cream and cold drinks.
[landing ship] {n.}
A ship built to land troops and army equipment on a beach for an invasion.
The landing ship came near the beach, doors in the bow opened, and marines ran out.
[landslide] {n.}
An overwhelming victory during a political election.
Ronald Reagan won the election of 1980 in a landslide.
[lap up] {v.}
1. To eat or drink with the tip of the tongue.
The kitten laps up its milk.
2. {informal}
To take in eagerly.
She flatters him all the time and he just laps it up.
* /William is interested in rockets and space, and he laps up […]
[lardhead] {n.}, {slang}
A stupid or slow-witted person.
You'll never convince Donald; he's a lardhead.
[large order] {n. phr.}
Difficult job; a difficult task to fulfill.
It is a large order to educate three children in college at the same time.
Compare: [TALL ORDER].
[lash out] {v.}
1. To kick.
The horse lashed out at the man behind him.
2. To try suddenly to hit.
The woman lashed out at the crowd with her umbrella.
3. To attack with words.
The senator lashed out at the administration.
* /The […]
[last]
See:
[AT LAST],
[EVERY LAST MAN],
[EVERY SINGLE] or [EVERY LAST],
[FIRST AND LAST],
[HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST],
[HAVE THE LAST LAUGH],
[ON ONE'S LAST LEGS],
[TILL THE LAST GUN IS FIRED] or [UNTIL THE LAST GUN IS FIRED].
[last but not least] {adv. phr.}
In the last place but not the least important.
Billy will bring sandwiches, Alice will bring cake, Susan will bring cookies, John will bring potato chips, and last but not least, Sally will bring the lemonade.
[last ditch] {n.}
The last place that can be defended; the last resort.
They will fight reform to the last ditch.
[last lap] {n. phr.}
The final stage.
Although the trip had been very interesting, we were glad that we were on the last lap of our tiring journey.
See: [LAST LEG].
[last leg] {n. phr.}
1. Final stages of physical weakness before dying.
The poor old man was on his last leg in the nursing home.
2. The final stage of a journey.
The last leg of our round-the-world trip was Paris to Chicago.
See: [LAST […]
[last out] {v.}
1. To be enough until the end of.
There is enough food in the house to last out the snowstorm.
Our candies won't last out the night.
2. To continue to the end of; continue to live after; live or go through.
* /The old man is […]
[last straw] or [straw that breaks the camel's back] {n. phr.}
A small trouble which follows other troubles and makes one lose patience and be unable to bear them.
* /Bill had a bad day in school yesterday. He lost his knife on the way home, then he […]
[last word] {n.}
1. The last remark in an argument.
I never win an argument with her. She always has the last word.
2. The final say in deciding something.
The superintendent has the last word in ordering new desks.
3. {informal}
The most […]
[last-ditch] {adj.}
Made or done as a last chance to keep from losing or tailing.
He threw away his cigarettes in a last-ditch effort to stop smoking.
Compare: [BACK TO THE WALL].
[latch on] or [hitch onto] {v.}, {informal}
1. To get hold of; grasp or grab; catch.
He looked for something to latch onto and keep from falling.
The football player latched onto a pass.
2. {slang} To get into your possession.
* /The banker […]
[latch string] {n.}
1. A string that opens an old-fashioned door by lifting a small bar.
The early settlers kept the latch string outside the door when they were working around the house, but at night they pulled it to the inside.
2. {informal}
A […]
[later on] {adv.}
Later; not now.
Finish your lessons. Later on, we may have a surprise.
Bill couldn't stand on his head when school started, but later on he learned how.
[laugh all the way to the bank] {v. phr.}
To have made a substantial amount of money either by lucky investment or by some fraudulent deal and rejoice over one's gains.
* /If you had done what I suggested, you, too, could be laughing all the way to the […]
[laugh off] {v.}
To dismiss with a laugh as not important or not serious; not take seriously.
He had a bad fall while ice skating but he laughed it off.
You can't laugh off a ticket for speeding.
Compare: [MAKE LIGHT OF].
[laugh on the wrong side of one's mouth] or
[laugh on the other side of one's mouth] or
[laugh out of the other side of one's mouth]
{v. phr.}, {informal}
also
[laugh on the wrong side of one's face]
To be made sorry; to feel annoyance or […]
[laugh one out of] {v. phr.}
To cause another to forget his/her worries and sorrows by joking.
Jack was worried about getting airsick, but his son and daughter laughed him out of it.
[laugh one's head off] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To laugh very hard; be unable to stop laughing.
Paul's stories are so wildly funny that I laugh my head off whenever he starts telling one of them.
[laugh up one's sleeve] or [laugh in one's sleeve]
or [laugh in one's beard]
To be amused but not show it; hide your laughter.
He was laughing up his sleeve when Joe answered the phone because he knew the call would he a joke.
[laughing matter] {n.}
A funny happening; a silly situation. — Usually used with "no".
John's failing the test is no laughing matter!
* /We were amused when our neighbor's cat had five kittens, but when our own cat had six kittens it was no […]
[launch window] {n.}, {Space English}, {informal}
1. A period of time when the line-up of planets, Sun, and Moon are such as to make favorable conditions for a specific space launch.
* /The mission was canceled until the next launch window which will […]
[law of averages] {n. phr.}
The idea that you can't win all the time or lose all the time.
The Celtics have won 10 games in a row but the law of averages will catch up with them soon.
[law unto oneself] {n. phr.}, {literary}
A person who does only what he wishes; a person who ignores or breaks the law when he doesn't like it.
Everybody in Germany feared Hitler because he was a law unto himself.
* /Mr. Brown told Johnny that he […]
[law-abiding] {adj.}
Obeying or following the law.
Michael had been a law-abiding citizen all his life.
[lay a finger on] {v. phr.}
To touch or bother, even a little. — Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences.
Don't you dare lay a finger on the vase!
* /Suppose Billy fakes his brother with him; wilt the mean, tough boy down the […]
[lay about one] {v. phr.}
To hit out in all directions. — Used with a reflexive object: "her", "him", or "them".
* /The bandits surrounded the sheriff, but he laid about him so hard, with his gun used as a club, that they stepped back and let him […]
[lay an egg] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To fail to win the interest or favor of an audience.
His joke laid an egg.
Sometimes he is a successful speaker, but sometimes he lays an egg.
[lay aside] {v. phr.}
1. To put off until another time; interrupt an activity.
The president laid aside politics to turn to foreign affairs.
2. To save.
They tried to lay aside a little money each week for their vacation.
[lay at one's door] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To blame (something) on a person.
The failure of the plan was laid at his door.
Compare: [LAY TO] (1).
[lay away] {v.}
1. To save.
She laid a little of her pay away each week.
2. To bury (a person). — Used to avoid the word "bury", which some people think is unpleasant.
He was laid away in his favorite spot on the hill.
[lay bare] {v. phr.}
To expose; reveal; divulge.
During his testimony the witness laid bare the whole story of his involvement with the accused.
[lay by] {v.}
To save, especially a little at a time.
The students laid a little money by every week till they had enough for a trip to Florida.
The farmer laid by some of his best corn to use the next year for seed.
[lay down] {v.}
1. To let (something) be taken; give up or surrender (something).
The general told the troops to lay down their arms.
He was willing to lay down his life for his country.
Compare: [GIVE UP].
2. To ask people to follow; tell […]
[lay down one's arms] {v. phr.}
To cease fighting; surrender.
The Civil War ended when the Confederate army finally laid down its arms.
[lay down one's life] {v. phr.}
To sacrifice one's life for a cause or person; suffer martyrdom.
The early Christians often laid down their lives for their faith.
[lay down the law] {v. phr.}
1. To give strict orders.
The teacher lays down the law about homework every afternoon.
2. To speak severely or seriously about a wrongdoing; scold.
* /The principal called in the students and laid down the law to […]
[lay eyes on] or [set eyes on] {v. phr.}
To see.
She knew he was different as soon as she laid eyes on him.
I didn't know the man; in fact, I had never set eyes on him.
[lay for] {v.}, {informal}
To hide and wait for in order to catch or attack; to lie in wait for.
The bandits laid for him along the road.
I knew he had the marks for the exam, so I was laying for him outside his office.
[lay hands on] {v. phr.}
1. To get hold of; find; catch.
The treasure hunters can keep any treasure they can lay hands on.
If the police can lay hands on him, they will put him in jail.
Compare: [LAY ONE'S HANDS ON] (2).
2. To do violence […]
[lay hold of] {v. phr.}
1. To take hold of; grasp; grab.
He laid hold of the rope and pulled the boat ashore.
2. To get possession of.
He sold every washing machine he could lay hold of.
3. {Chiefly British}
To understand.
* /Some ideas […]
[lay in] {v.}
To store up a supply of; to get and keep for future use.
Mrs. Mason heard that the price of sugar might go up, so she laid in a hundred pounds of it.
* /Before school starts, the principal will lay in plenty of paper for the […]
[lay into] or [light into] {v.}, {informal}
1. To attack physically; go at vigorously.
The two fighters laid into each other as soon as the bell rang.
John loves Italian food and he really laid into the spaghetti.
Syn.: [PITCH INTO], [SAIL […]
[lay it on] or [lay it on thick]
also [put it on thick] or [spread it on thick] or [lay it on with a trowel]
{v. phr.}, {informal}
To persuade someone by using very much flattery; flatter.
* /Bob wanted to go to the movies. He laid it on thick to his […]
[lay low] {v.}
1. To knock down; to force into a lying position; to put out of action.
Many trees were laid low by the storm.
Jane was laid low by the flu.
2. To kill.
The hunters laid low seven pheasants.
3. See: [LIE LOW].
[lay of the land] also [how the land lies] {n. phr.}
1. The natural features of a piece of land, such as hills and valleys.
The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land.
2. The way something is arranged; the […]
[lay off] {v. phr.}
1. To mark out the boundaries or limits.
He laid off a baseball diamond on the vacant lot.
Compare: [LAY OUT] (5).
2. To put out of work.
The company lost the contract for making the shoes and laid off half its workers.
[…]
[lay on] {v.}
1. To spread on or over a surface; apply.
He told us that we should lay on a second coat of paint for better protection against the weather.
2. To beat; to strike.
* /Little John seized a staff and began to lay on with great […]
[lay on the line] or [put on the line] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To pay or offer to pay.
The sponsors had to lay nearly a million dollars on the line to keep the show on TV.
* /The bank is putting $5,000 on the line as a reward to anyone who […]
[lay one's cards on the table] or [lay down one's cards] or [put one's cards on the table] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To let someone know your position and interest openly; deal honestly; act without trickery or secrets.
* /In talking about buying the […]
[lay one's hands on] or [get one's hands on] {v. phr.}
1. To seize in order to punish or treat roughly.
If I ever lay my hands on that boy he'll be sorry.
Compare: [LAY A FINGER ON].
2. To get possession of.
* /He was unable to lay his hands on […]
[lay oneself open to] {v. phr.}
To make oneself vulnerable to; expose oneself.
If you don't perform your job properly, you will lay yourself open to criticism.
[lay oneself out] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To make an extra hard effort; try very hard.
Larry wanted to win a medal for his school, so he really laid himself out in the race.
[lay out] {v. phr.}
1. To prepare (a dead body) for burial.
The corpse was laid out by the undertaker.
2. {slang}
To knock down flat; to hit unconscious.
A stiff right to the jaw laid the boxer out in the second round.
3. To plan.
* /Come […]
[lay over] {v.}
1. To put off until later; delay; postpone.
We voted to lay the question over to our next meeting for decision.
2. To arrive in one place and wait some time before continuing the journey.
* /We had to lay over in St. Louis for […]
[lay rubber] or [lay a patch] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To take off in a car or a motorcycle so fast that the tires (made of rubber) leave a mark on the pavement.
Look at those crazy drag racers; they laid rubber in front of my house.
[lay the blame at one's door] {v. phr.}
To say that another person or group is responsible for one's own failure.
The angry coach laid the blame at the door of the players when our college lost the basketball game.
[lay to] {v.}
1. To give the blame or credit to; to name as cause.
He was unpopular and when he made money, it was laid to his dishonesty, but when he lost money, it was laid to his stupidity.
Compare: [LAY AT ONE'S DOOR].
2. To hold a ship or […]
[lay to rest] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To put a dead person into a grave or tomb; bury.
President Kennedy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
2. To get rid of; put away permanently; stop.
* /The Scoutmaster's fears that Tom had […]
[lay up] {v.}
1. To collect a supply of; save for future, use; store.
Bees lay up honey for the winter.
2. To keep in the house or in bed because of sickness or injury; disable.
* /Jack was laid up with a twisted knee and couldn't play in the […]
[lay waste] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To cause wide and great damage to; destroy and leave in ruins; wreck.
Enemy soldiers laid waste the land.
[lay-away plan] {n.}
A plan for buying something that you can't pay cash for; a plan in which you pay some money down and pay a little more when you can, and the store holds the article until you have paid the full price.
* /She could not afford to pay […]
[layoff] {n.}
A systematic or periodical dismissal of employees from a factory or a firm.
Due to the poor economy, the car manufacturer announced a major layoff starting next month.
[layout] {n.}
General situation; arrangement; plan.
The layout of their apartment overlooking Lake Michigan was strikingly unusual.
Compare: [LAID OUT].
[layover] {n.}
A stopover, usually at an airport or in a hotel due to interrupted air travel.
There were several layovers at O'Hare last month due to bad weather.
[lead a dog's life] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To live a hard life, work hard, and be treated unkindly.
A new college student of long ago led a dog's life.
[lead a merry chase] {v. phr.}
To delay or escape capture by (someone) skillfully; make (a pursuer) work hard.
The deer led the hunter a merry chase.
Valerie is leading her boyfriend a merry chase.
[lead by the nose] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To have full control of; make or persuade (someone) to do anything whatever.
Many people are easily influenced and a smart politician can lead them by the nose.
* /Don't let anyone lead you by the nose; use […]
[lead off] {v.}
To begin; start; open.
Richardson led off the inning with a double.
We always let Henry lead off.
Mr. Jones led off with the jack of diamonds.
* /When the teacher asked if the film helped them to understand, Phil led off […]
[lead on] {v. phr.}
To encourage you to believe something untrue or mistaken.
Tom led us on to believe that he was a world traveler, but we found out that he had never been outside our state.
* /We were led on to think that Jeanne and Jim were […]
[lead one a merry dance] {v. phr.}
To cause someone unusual discomfort or expense; tire someone by causing one to overdo.
With her personal extravagances and constant social activities that cost a fortune, Carol led her husband a merry dance.
[lead the way] {v. phr.}
To go before and show how to go somewhere; guide.
The boys need someone to lead the way on their hike.
The men hired an Indian to lead the way to the Pueblo ruins.
* /That school led the way in finding methods to […]
[leading light] {n. phr.}
A prominent person in a community, company, or group.
Alan is the leading light of our discussion group on music.
[leaf through] {v. phr.}
To scan or glance through a book or other reading matter.
I only had time to leaf through the program before the concert started.
[leak out] {v. phr.}
To become known; escape.
The famous beauty queen tried to keep her marriage a secret, but news of it soon leaked out.
[leak to] {v. phr.}
To purposely let a secret be known, as if conveying it in the strictest confidence.
The movie star's secret divorce was leaked to the tabloids by her housekeeper.
[lean on] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To pressure (someone) by blackmailing, threats, physical violence, or the withholding of some favor in order to make the person comply with a wish or request.
* /I would gladly do what you ask if you only stopped […]
[lean-to] {n.}
1. A shed for tools, such as spades, hoes, etc., attached to the wall of a house,
Joe looked for the garden hose in the lean-to.
2. A small cabin in the country.
They spend their weekends in their modest lean-to in Wisconsin.
[leap year] {n.}
Every fourth year during which the month of February contains 29 rather than 28 days.
During a leap year one must wait a day longer for one's February pay check.
[learn by rote] {v. phr.}
To blindly memorize what was taught without thinking about it.
If you learn a subject by rote, it will be difficult to say anything original about it.
[leatherneck] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
A member of the United States Marine Corps.
I didn't know your son Joe became a leatherneck.
[leave a bad taste in one's mouth] {v. phr.}
To feel a bad impression; make you feel disgusted.
Seeing a man beat his horse leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
His rudeness to the teacher left a bad taste in my mouth.
[leave at the altar] {v. phr.}
1. To decide not to marry someone in the last minute; jilt.
Ed left poor Susan at the altar.
2. To overlook and skip for promotion; not fulfill deserved expectation.
* /Once again I didn't get my promotion and was […]
[leave behind] {v. phr.}
1. Abandon.
Refugees on the run must sometimes leave old and sick people behind.
2. To forget; go away without.
We had reached our car when we noticed that we had left our keys behind.
[leave flat] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To quit or leave suddenly without warning when wanted or needed; desert; forsake; abandon.
Sam found that being a member of the trail-clearing group was a lot of hard work, so he left them flat.
* /My car ran out […]
[leave hanging] or [leave hanging in the air] {v. phr.}
To leave undecided or unsettled.
Because the committee could not decide on a time and place, the matter of the spring dance was left hanging.
* /Ted's mother didn't know what to do about the […]
[leave holding the bag] or [leave holding the sack] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To cause (someone) not to have something needed; leave without anything,
In the rush for seats, Joe was left holding the bag.
2. To force (someone) to take the whole […]
[leave in the lurch] {v. phr.}
To desert or leave alone in trouble; refuse to help or support.
The town bully caught Eddie, and Tom left him in the lurch.
Bill quit his job, leaving his boss in the lurch.
Compare: [LEAVE FLAT], [HIGH AND DRY] […]
[leave it at that] {v. phr.}
To avoid further and more acrimonious disagreement; not argue or discuss any further.
Our opinion on health care is obviously different, so let's just leave it at that.
[leave no stone unturned] {v. phr.}
To try in every way; miss no chance; do everything possible. — Usually used in the negative.
The police will leave no stone unturned in their search for the bank robbers.
Compare: [ALL OUT], [BEND HEAVEN AND […]
[leave off] {v.}
To come or put to an end; stop.
There is a high fence where the school yard leaves off and the woods begin.
Don told the boys to leave off teasing his little brother.
* /Marion put a marker in her book so that she would know […]
[leave one's mark] {v. phr.}
To leave an impression upon; influence someone.
Tolstoy never won the Nobel Prize, but he left his mark on world literature.
See: [MAKE ONE'S MARK].
[leave open] {v. phr.}
To remain temporarily unsettled; subject to further discussion.
Brad said that the question of health insurance would be left open until some future date.
[leave out] {v. phr.}
To skip; omit.
The printer accidentally left out two paragraphs from Alan's novel.
[leave out of account] {v. phr.}
To fail to consider; forget about.
The picnic planners left out of account that it might rain.
Contrast: [TAKE INTO ACCOUNT].
[leave word with] {v. phr.}
To leave a message.
Hank left word with his secretary where he could be reached by phone while he was away from his office.
[left field] {n.}
1. The part of a baseball out-field to the batter's left.
Right-handed batters usually hit to left field.
Compare: [CENTER FIELD], [RIGHT FIELD].
2. See: [OUT IN LEFT FIELD] — [left fielder] {n.}
The player in baseball who […]
[left-handed] {adj.}, {informal}
1. Using the left hand habitually.
2. Crooked; phoney; homosexual.
Morris is such a left-handed guy.
3. Clumsy; untoward; awkward.
Grab that hammer and stop acting so left-handed.
[left-handed compliment]
An ambiguous compliment which is interpretable as an offense.
I didn't know you could look so pretty! Is that a wig you're wearing?
[left-wing] {adj.}
That which is or belongs to a group of people in politics that favors radical change in the direction of socialism or communism.
The left-wing faction called for an immediate strike.
[leg man] {n.}, {informal}
1. An errand boy; one who performs messenger services, or the like.
Joe hired a leg man for the office.
2. {slang}, {semi-vulgar}, {avoidable}
A man who is particularly attracted to good looking female legs and pays […]
[leg to stand on] {n. phr.}
A firm foundation of facts; facts to support your claim. — Usually used in the negative.
Jerry's answering speech left his opponent without a leg to stand on.
* /Amos sued for damages, but did not have a leg to stand […]
[leg work] {n.}, {informal}
The physical end of a project, such as the typing of research reports; the physical investigating of a criminal affair; the carrying of books to and from libraries; etc.
* /Joe, my research assistant, does a lot of leg work […]
[legal age] or [lawful age]
The age at which a person is allowed to do a certain thing or is held responsible for an action.
In most states the legal age for voting is 27.
He could not get a driver's license because he was not of lawful age.
[lend a hand] or [give a hand] also [bear a hand] {v. phr.}
To give help; make yourself useful; help.
The stage manager asked some of the boys to lend a hand with the scenery.
* /Dick saw a woman with a flat tire and offered to give her a hand […]
[lend itself to] {v. phr.}
To give a chance for or be useful for; to be possible or right for.
Bob was sick and did not go to Jane's party, but his absence lent itself to misunderstanding.
* /The teacher's paperweight was a heavy piece of metal […]
[lend oneself to] {v. phr.}
To give help or approval to; encourage; assist.
Alice wouldn't lend herself to the plot to hide the teacher's chalk.
[length]
See: [AT LENGTH],
[GO TO ANY LENGTH],
[KEEP AT A DISTANCE] or [KEEP AT ARM'S LENGTH].
[less than] {adv.}
Not; little.
We were busy and less than delighted to have company that day.
The boys were less than happy about having a party.
Contrast: [MORE THAN].
[less than no time] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Very quickly.
We can be ready to go in less than no time.
It took Sally less than no time to get dinner ready.
[let alone] {conj. phr.}
1. Even less; certainly not. — Used after a negative clause.
I can't add two and two, let alone do fractions.
Jim can't drive a car, let alone a truck.
Compare: [MUCH LESS], [NOT TO MENTION].
2. [let alone] or [leave […]
[let be] {v.}
To pay no attention to; disregard; forget.
Let her be; she has a headache.
Compare: [LET ALONE].
[let bygones be bygones] {v. phr.}
To let the past be forgotten.
After a long, angry quarrel the two boys agreed to let bygones be bygones and made friends again.
We should let bygones be bygones and try to get along with each other.
Syn.: […]
[let down] {v. phr.}
1. To allow to descend; lower.
Harry let the chain saw down on a rope and then climbed down himself.
2. To relax; stop trying so hard; take it easy.
The horse let down near the end of the race and lost.
* /The team let […]
[let down easy] {v. phr.}
To refuse or say no to (someone) in a pleasant manner; to tell bad news about a refusal or disappointment in a kindly way.
* /The teacher had to tell George that he had failed his college examinations, but she tried to let him […]
[let drop] {v. phr.}
1. To cease to talk about; set aside; forget.
This is such an unpleasant subject that I suggest we let it drop for a few days.
2. To disclose; hint.
* /He unexpectedly let drop that he was resigning and joining another […]
[let George do it] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To expect someone else to do the work or take the responsibility.
Many people expect to let George do it when they are on a committee.
Compare: [PASS THE BUCK].
[let go] {v.}
1a. To stop holding something; loosen your hold; release.
The boy grabbed Jack's coat and would not let go.
- Often used with "of".
When the child let go of her mother's hand, she fell down.
Compare: [GIVE UP] (1a), [LET […]
[let go of] {v. phr.}
To release one's grasp.
As soon as Sally let go of the leash, her dog ran away.
[let go of one's mother's apron strings]
See: [TIED TO ONE'S MOTHER'S APRON STRINGS].
[let grass grow under one's feet] {v. phr.}
To be idle; be lazy; waste time. — Used in negative, conditional, and interrogative sentences.
* /The new boy joined the football team, made the honor roll, and found a girlfriend during the first month of […]
[let it all hang out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
Not to disguise anything; to let the truth be known.
Sue can't deceive anyone; she just lets it all hang out.
[let it lay] {v. phr.}, {used imperatively}, {slang}
Forget it; leave it alone; do not be concerned or involved.
Don't get involved with Max again — just let it lay.
[let it rip] {v. phr.}, {used imperatively}, {slang}
1. Don't be concerned; pay no attention to what happens.
Why get involved? Forget about it and let it rip.
2. (Imperatively) Do become involved and make the most of it; get in there and really […]
[let loose] {v.}
1a. or [set loose] or [turn loose]
To set free; loosen or give up your hold on.
The farmer opened the gate and let the bull loose in the pasture.
They turned the balloon loose to let it rise in the air.
1b. or [turn loose]
[…]
[let me see] or [let us see] {informal}
1. Let us find out by trying or performing an action.
Let me see if you can jump over the fence.
2. Give me time to think or remember.
I can't come today. Let me see. How about Friday?
* /Let's see. […]
[let off] {v.}
1. To discharge (a gun); explode; fire.
Willie accidentally let off his father's shotgun and made a hole in the wall.
Syn.: [GO OFF], [LET LOOSE] (2).
2. To permit to go or escape; excuse from a penalty, a duty, or a promise.
* […]
[let off steam] or [blow off steam] {v. phr.}
1. To let or make steam escape; send out steam.
The janitor let off some steam because the pressure was too high.
2. {informal}
To get rid of physical energy or strong feeling through activity; talk or […]
[let on] {v.}, {informal}
1. To tell or admit what you know. — Usually used in the negative.
Frank lost a quarter but he didn't let on to his mother.
2. To try to make people believe; pretend.
The old man likes to let on that he is rich.
[let one have it] {v. phr.}
1a. {slang}
To hit hard.
He drew back his fist and let the man have it.
Give him a kick in the pants; let him have it!
Syn.: [GIVE IT TO].
1b. {slang}
To use a weapon on; to shoot or knife.
* /The guard pulled […]
[let one in on] {v. phr.}
To reveal a secret to; permit someone to share in.
If I let you in on something big we're planning, will you promise not to mention it to anyone?
[let one's hair down] or [let down one's hair] {v. phr.}, {informal}
Act freely and naturally; be informal; relax.
Kings and queens can seldom let their hair down.
After the dance, the college girls let their hair down and compared dates.
[…]
[let one's left hand know what one's right hand is doing] {v. phr.}
1. To make a show of your kindness or help to others. — Used in the negative.
* /The Bible tells us not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing when we give to the […]
[let out] {v.}
1a. To allow to go out or escape.
The guard let the prisoners out of jail to work in the garden.
Mother won't let us out when it rains.
Compare: [LET LOOSE].
1b. {informal}
To make (a sound) come out of the mouth; utter.
* […]
[let pass] {v. phr.}
To disregard; overlook.
Herb may have overheard what was said about him, but he decided to let it pass.
[let ride] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To allow to go on without change; accept (a situation or action) for the present.
The committee could not decide what to do about Bob's idea, so they let the matter ride for a month or so.
* /The class was rather […]
[let sleeping dogs lie]
Do not make (someone) angry and cause trouble or danger; do not make trouble if you do not have to. — A proverb.
Don't tell Father that you broke the window. Let sleeping dogs lie.
[let slip] {v. phr.}
To unintentionally reveal.
Ellen let it slip that she had been a witness to the accident.
[let the cat out of the bag] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To tell about something that is supposed to be a secret.
We wanted to surprise Mary with a birthday gift, but Allen let the cat out of the bag by asking her what she would like.
- Sometimes used […]
[let the chips fall where they may] {v. phr.}
To pay no attention to the displeasure caused others by your actions.
The senator decided to vote against the bill and let the chips fall where they may.
* /The police chief told his men to give […]
[let the grass grow under one's feet] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To waste time; be slow or idle.
Grandpa spends so much time sitting and thinking that Grandma accuses him of letting the grass grow under his feet.
[let up] {v.}, {informal}
1. To become less, weaker, or quiet; become slower or stop.
It's raining as hard as ever. It's not letting up at all.
It snowed for three days before it let up and we could go outdoors.
2. To do less or go slower […]
[let well enough alone] or [leave well enough alone] {v. phr.}
To be satisfied with what is good enough; not try to improve something because often that might cause more trouble.
* /John wanted to make his kite go higher, but his father told him to let […]
[let's don't] also [don't let's] {substandard}
Let's not; let us not; I suggest that we don't.
"'Let's go out and play," said Fred. "Let's don't until the rain stops," said Mary.
Don't let's go now. Let's go tomorrow instead.
[letdown] {n.}
A disappointment; a heartbreak.
It was a major letdown for John when Mary refused to marry him.
[letter-perfect] {adj. phr.}
Memorized perfectly; perfect to the last letter.
The actor was letter-perfect in his role.
[level best] {adj. phr.}
One's utmost; one's very best.
Eric refused to stay in school although his parents did their level best to make him finish.
[level off] or [level out] {v.}
1. To make flat or level.
The steamroller leveled out the gravel roadbed and then the concrete was poured.
2. To move on an even level.
The airplane leveled out at 2,000 feet.
* /After going up for six […]
[level with] {v. phr.}
To tell someone the truth; not engage in lies and subterfuge.
"You can level with me," his father said. "Did you break that window?"
[levelheaded] {adj. phr.}
Having good common sense; practical; reasonable.
What our office needs is a good, level-headed manager.
[lick and a promise] {n. phr.}, {informal}
A careless, hasty job; an unsatisfactory piece of work.
You didn't wash your hands. You just gave them a lick and a promise.
* /The boys didn't cut the grass properly. All it got was a lick and a […]
[lick into shape] {v. phr.}
To make perfect; drill; train.
The sergeant licked the new volunteer army into shape in three months.
[lick one's boots] {v. phr.}
To flatter or act like a slave; do anything to please another.
She wanted her boyfriend to lick her boots all the time.
A wise king would not want his friends and officials to lick his boots.
[lick one's chops] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To think about something pleasant; enjoy the thought of something.
John is licking his chops about the steak dinner tonight.
* /Tom is licking his chops about the lifeguard job he will have at the beach […]
[lickety-split] also [lickety-cut] {adv.}, {informal}
At full speed; with a rush.
As soon as school was out the boys ran lickety-split to the swimming pool.
[lie around] {v. phr.}
To be unused; inert.
This old typewriter has been lying around ever since Grandpa died.
[lie down on the job] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To purposely fail to do your job; neglect a task; loaf.
Bill isn't trying to learn his lessons. He is lying down on the job.
If you lie down on your job, you will lose it.
[lie in state] {v. phr.}
Of a dead person: To lie in a place of honor, usually in an open coffin, and be seen by the public before burial.
When the president died, thousands of people saw his body lying in state.
[lie in wait] {v. phr.}
To watch from hiding in order to attack or surprise someone; to ambush.
The driver of the stage-coach knew that the thieves were lying in wait somewhere along the road.
[lie low] or {nonstandard} [lay low] {v.}, {informal}
1. To stay quietly out of sight; try not to attract attention; hide.
After holding up the bank, the robbers lay low for a while.
2. To keep secret one's thoughts or plans.
* /I think he wants […]
[lie through one's teeth] {v. phr.}
To lie uninhibitedly and unashamedly.
Everyone in the courtroom could sense that the accused was lying through his teeth.
[lie to] {v.}
Of a ship: To stay in one place facing against the wind; stop.
Our ship will lie to outside the harbor until daylight.
Compare: [LAY TO] (2).
[life]
See:
[BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH],
[BIG AS LIFE],
[CAT HAS NINE LIVES],
[CHARMED LIFE],
[COME ALIVE OT COME TO LIFE],
[FACTS OF LIFE],
[FOR DEAR LIFE],
[FOR THE LIFE OF ONE],
[LEAD A DOG'S LIFE],
[NIGHT LIFE],
[NOT ON YOUR LIFE] or [NOT ON […]
[life of Riley] {n. phr.}, {informal}
A soft easy life; pleasant or rich way of living.
He's living the life of Riley. He doesn't have to work anymore.
Compare: [BED OF ROSES], [IN CLOVER], [LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG].
[life of the party] {n. phr.}
A person who makes things enjoyable or interesting for a group of people.
Bill is the life of the party at school. He is always making us laugh.
[lift a finger] or [lift a hand] also [raise a hand] {v. phr.}
1. To do something; do your share; to help. — Usually used in the negative.
We all worked hard except Joe. He wouldn't lift a finger.
* /The king did not lift a hand when his people […]
[light]
See:
[BRING TO LIGHT],
[COME TO LIGHT],
[DASH LIGHT],
[HIDE ONE'S LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL],
[IN THE LIGHT OF],
[MAKE LIGHT OF],
[MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK],
[OUT LIKE A LIGHT],
[SEE THE LIGHT],
[TRAVEL LIGHT].
[light housekeeping] {n.}, {slang}
An arrangement in which an unmarried couple live together.
Are Joe and Sue married? — Oh, no, — it's just a case of light housekeeping.
See: [SHACK UP WITH].
[light on] also [light upon] {v.}
To pick out by sight from among others; see; notice.
His eyes lighted on the cookies and he remembered how hungry he was.
Her eyes lighted upon the row of boxes, and she asked what was in them.
[light out] {v.}, {slang}
1. To run as fast as you can.
The boy lit out for home with the bully chasing him.
On the next pitch the runner will light out for second.
2. To go away in a hurry; leave suddenly. — Often used with "for".
* /Jack […]
[light up] {v.}
Suddenly to look pleased and happy.
Martha's face lit up when she saw her old friend.
Tom will really light up when he sees his new bike!
[light-fingered] {adj.}
Given to stealing; having a tendency to be dishonest or a kleptomaniac.
I always suspected that Freddie might be lightfingered and my suspicions were confirmed when he was arrested for shoplifting.
[lightning never strikes twice in the same place]
The same accident does not happen twice; the same person does not have the same luck again. — A proverb.
* /Billy won a pony in the contest last year, but lightning never strikes twice in the same […]
[like]
See:
[EAT LIKE A BIRD],
[FEEL LIKE],
[LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY],
[NOTHING LIKE],
[THE LIKES OF] or [THE LIKE].
[like a hole in the head] {adv. phr.}
Not at all; scarcely; grudgingly; in an unwelcome manner.
Joan needs her mother-in-law to stay with her for a week like a hole in the head.
[like anything] {adv. phr.}
To an extreme degree.
He swore like anything when he found out that he hadn't been promoted.
[like father, like son]
A son is usually like his father in the way he acts. — A proverb.
* /Frank's father has been on the city council; he is now the mayor, and is running for governor. Frank is on the student council and is likely to he class […]
[like hell] {adv.}, {slang}, {vulgar}, {avoidable}
1. With great vigor.
As soon as they saw the cops, they ran like hell.
2. {interj.}
Not so; untrue; indicates the speaker's lack of belief in what he heard.
* /Like hell you're gonna bring me […]
[like looking for a needle in a haystack]
See: [NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK].
[like mad] or [like crazy] {adv.}, {slang}, {informal}
With great enthusiasm and vigor; very fast.
We had to drive like mad (like crazy) to get there on time.
See: [LIKE HELL] (1).
[like two peas in a pod] {adj. phr.}
Closely similar; almost exactly alike.
The twin sisters Eve and Agnes are like two peas in a pod.
[like water] {adv. phr.}
As something easily poured out or wasted; freely. — Usually used in the phrase "spend money like water".
Sailors on shore leave often spend money like water.
* /During the World Wars, the United States spent money like […]
[like water off a duck's back] {adv. phr.}, {informal}
Without changing your feelings or opinion; without effect.
Advice and correction roll off him like water off a duck's back.
* /Many people showed him they didn't like what he was doing, but […]
[line]
See:
[BLOW ONE'S LINES] or [FLUFF ONE'S LINES],
[CHOW LINE],
[DOWN THE LINE],
[DRAW A LINE] or [DRAW THE LINE],
[DROP A LINE],
[END OF THE ROAD] or [END OF THE LINE],
[FOUL LINE],
[GOAL LINE],
[GOAL LINE STAND],
[HOLD THE LINE],
[HOOK, […]
[line drive] {n.}
A batted baseball that is usually hit hard and travels in the air not far above the ground.
The batter hit a line drive to left field for a single.
[line of fire] {n. phr.}
The path that something fired or thrown takes.
When the bandit and the police began to shoot, John was almost in their line of fire.
Compare: [CROSS FIRE].
[line of least resistance] or [path of least resistance] {n. phr.}
The easiest way; the way that takes least effort.
In becoming a doctor like his father John had really just followed the line of least resistance.
* /Some parents take the path of […]
[line of scrimmage] {n. phr.}
An imaginary line on a football field parallel to the goal lines where each play except the kickoff begins.
The play was stopped at the line of scrimmage.
[line one's pockets] also [line one's purse] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To get a lot of money unfairly; get rich by being dishonest.
The policeman lined his pockets by taking bribes.
* /The inspector lined his pockets by permitting contractors to use […]
[line up] {v. phr.}
1. To take places in a line or formation; stand side by side or one behind another; form a line or pattern.
The boys lined up and took turns diving off the springboard.
The football team lined up in a "T" formation.
2. To […]
[lineup] {n.}
1. An alignment of objects in a straight line.
A lineup of Venus and the moon can be a very beautiful sight in the night sky.
2. An arrangement of suspects through a one-way mirror so that the victim or the witness of a crime can […]
[lion's share] {n. phr.}
A disproportionate share; the largest part.
The manager always gets the lion's share of the company's profits.
[lip]
See:
[BUTTON ONE'S LIP] or [ZIP ONE'S LIP],
[HANG ON THE WORDS OF] or [HANG ON THE LIPS OF],
[KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP],
[SLIP OF THE TONGUE] also [SLIP OF THE LIP].
[lip service] {n.}
Support shown by words only and not by actions; a show of loyalty that is not proven in action. — Usually used with "pay".
* /Bv holding elections, communism pays lip service to democracy, but it offers only one candidate per […]
[liquid assets] {n. phr.}
Those belongings that can be easily converted into cash.
Herb asked for a loan and the bank manager told him to bring in proof of all his liquid assets.
[liquor up] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To drink an excessive amount of liquor before engaging in some activity as if comparing oneself to a car that needs to be filled before a journey.
Joe always liquors up before he takes Sue for a dance.
[listen in] {v.}
1. To listen to a radio broadcast.
We found them listening in to the president's speech.
2. To listen to the talk of others, often to talk that is not intended for your ears; eavesdrop.
* /When Mary talked to her boyfriend on […]
[listen to reason] {v. phr.}
To listen to and think about advice that you are given.
Joe was stubborn and would not listen to reason.
It will save you a lot of trouble if you will just listen to reason.
[lit up like a Christmas tree] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
To be drunk.
On New Year's Eve Ned was lit up like a Christmas tree.
Compare: [THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND].
[litterbug] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
A person who leaves garbage in a public place, such as a park or beach or a street; one who litters.
Don't be a litterbug; keep the city clean!
[little]
See:
[A LITTLE],
[A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING],
[GREAT OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW],
[LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND],
[MAKE LITTLE OF],
[NOT A LITTLE],
[QUITE A LITTLE] or
[QUITE A LITTLE BIT],
[THINK LITTLE OF],
[TWIST […]
[little does one think] {v. phr.}
To not realize; not expect; be hardly aware of.
Little did Ed think that very soon he would be the father of twin daughters.
[little frog in a big pond] or [small frog in a big pond] {n. phr.}
An unimportant person in a large group or organization.
In a large company, even a fairly successful man is likely to feel like a little frog in a big pond.
* /When Bill […]
[little pitchers have big ears]
Little children often overhear things they are not supposed to hear, or things adults do not expect they would notice. — A proverb.
* /Be especially careful not to swear in front of little children. Little pitchers have […]
[little theater] {n.}
A theater, usually with nonprofessional actors and actresses, which presents plays more for personal pleasure and practice than for profit.
Little theater groups are active in all parts of the United States.
* /Many famous […]
[live and learn]
You learn more new things the longer you live; you learn by experience. — A proverb.
"Live and learn," said Mother. "I never knew that the Indians once had a camp where our house is."
* /Janet made her new dress from cheap cloth, […]
[live and let live]
To live in the way you prefer and let others live as they wish without being bothered by you.
* /Father scolds Mother because she wears her hair in curlers and Mother scolds Father because he smokes a smelly pipe. Grandfather says […]
[live down] {v.}
To remove (blame, distrust or unfriendly laughter) by good conduct; cause (a mistake or fault) to be forgiven or forgotten by not repeating it.
John's business failure hurt him for a long time, but in the end he lived it down.
* […]
[live from hand to mouth] {v. phr.}
To live on little money and spend it as fast as it comes in; live without saving for the future; have just enough.
Mr. Johnson got very little pay, and the family lived from hand to mouth when he had no job.
* […]
[live high off the hog] or [eat high on the hog]
See: [EAT (LIVE) HIGH ON THE HOG] or [EAT (LIVE) HIGH OFF THE HOG].
[live in] or [room in] {v.}, {informal}
To live in the school you attend or the place where you work.
Jack decided to live in during his freshman year at college.
* /Many women advertise for mother's helpers to room in with families and help take […]
[live in a fool's paradise] {v. phr.}
To deceive oneself; tell oneself unreal stories.
His information is based on a lot of misunderstanding — the poor guy is living in a fool's paradise.
[live in an ivory tower] {v. phr.}
To be blind to real life; live an unrealistically sheltered existence.
Professor Nebelmacher has no idea of the cost of living; he lives in an ivory tower.
[live in the fast lane] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To live a full and very active life pursuing wealth and success.
They have been living in the fast lane ever since they arrived in New York City.
[live it up] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To pursue pleasure; enjoy games or night life very much; have fun at places of entertainment.
Joe had had a hard winter in lonesome places; now he was in town living it up.
* /The western cowboys usually went to […]
[live off someone] {v. phr.}
To be supported by someone.
Although Eric is already 40 years old, he has no job and continues to live off his elderly parents.
[live on borrowed time] {v. phr.}
To live or last longer than was expected.
Ever since his operation, Harvey felt he was living on borrowed time.
* /Mr. Brown was living on borrowed time because a year ago the doctors had told him he would only […]
[live out] {v.}
1. To finish (a period of time); spend.
Smith lived out the year in the North as he had agreed, but then moved to the South again.
After retiring, John and his wife lived out their lives in Florida.
2. To last through; endure […]
[live out of a suitcase] {v. phr.}
To have no permanent residence or a permanent place to hang one's clothes.
When Jennifer accepted her new job, she had no idea that she would have to live out of a suitcase for six months.
[live up to] {v.}
To act according to; come up to; agree with; follow.
So far as he could, John had always tried to live up to the example he saw in Lincoln.
Bob was a man who lived up to his promises.
* /The new house didn't live up to […]
[live wire] {n. phr.}
1. An electrically charged wire, usually uninsulated.
The electrician was severely burned by the live wire.
2. An alert or energetic person.
* /To sell the new merchandise, our company needs several salespeople who are live […]
[living end] {adj.}, {slang}
Great; fantastic; the ultimate.
That show we saw last night was the living end.
[load the bases] or [fill the bases] {v. phr.}
To get men on all three bases in baseball.
The Mets loaded the bases with two singles and a base on balls.
Don hit a home run with the bases loaded.
[loaded for bear] {adj. phr.}, {slang}
Ready for action; prepared and eager.
Frank liked the new merchandise and as he set out on his rounds as a salesman, he felt really loaded for bear.
The football team arrived Friday noon, loaded for bear.
[…]
[loan shark] {n. phr.}
A money lender who charges excessive interest.
Why go to a loan shark when you can borrow from the bank at the legal rate?
[local yokel] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
City police officer, as opposed to state police or highway patrol.
There's a local yokel westbound on the move.
[lock the barn door after the horse is stolen]
To be careful or try to make something safe when it is too late. — A proverb.
* /After Mary failed the examination, she said she would study hard after that. She wanted to lock the barn door after the […]
[lock up] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To be assured of success.
How did your math test go? — I locked it up, I think.
[lock, stock, and barrel] {n. phr.}
Everything; completely.
The robbers emptied the whole house — lock, stock, and barrel.
Compare: [HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER].
[lodge a complaint] {v. phr.}
To make a complaint; complain.
If our neighbors don't stop this constant noise, I will have to lodge a complaint with the management.
[lone wolf] {n.}
A man who likes to work or live alone.
The man who paints a picture or establishes a business is often a lone wolf; so is the criminal outlaw.
Jones is a good pitcher, but he is a lone wolf.
[long]
See:
[AT LAST] or [AT LONG LAST],
[BEFORE LONG],
[COME A LONG WAY],
[IN THE LONG RUN],
[NO LONGER],
[SO LONG],
[THE LONG AND THE SHORT].
[long and short of it] {n. phr.}
The essence; the whole story in a nutshell.
The long and short of it is that he is lazy and doesn't really want to find a job.
[long ball] {n.}
A baseball hit far enough to be a home run.
The White Sox need a player who can hit the long ball.
[long face] {n.}
A sad look; disappointed look.
He told the story with a long face.
- Often used in the phrase "pull a long face".
Don't pull a long face when I tell you to go to bed.
[long haul] or [long pull] {n.}, {informal}
1. A long distance or trip.
It is a long haul to drive across the country.
Contrast: [SHORT HAUL].
2. A long length of time during which work continues or something is done; a long time of trying.
* […]
[long shot] {n.}
1. A bet or other risk taken though not likely to succeed.
The horse was a long shot, but it came in and paid well.
Jones was a long shot for mayor.
The business long shot that succeeds often pays extremely well.
2. See: […]
[long-winded] {adj.}
Tedious; overlong; given to too much talking.
Everyone was bored by the old man's long-winded stories.
[longhair] (1)
1. {n.}, {slang}
A male hippie.
Who's that longhair? — It's Joe.
2. An intellectual who prefers classical music to jazz or acid rock.
Catwallender is a regular longhair; he never listens to modern jazz.
[longhair] (2) {adj.}, {slang}
Pertaining to classical art forms, primarily in dancing and music.
Cut out that longhair Mozart Symphony and put on a decent pop record!
[look a gift horse in the mouth]
To complain if a gift is not perfect. — A proverb. Usually used with a negative.
John gave Joe a baseball but Joe complained that the ball was old. His father told him not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
[look after] also [see after] {v.}
To watch over; attend to.
John's mother told him to look after his younger brother.
When he went to Europe, Mr. Jenkins left his son to see after the business.
Syn.: [TAKE CARE OF] (1).
Compare: [LOOK OUT] […]
[look alive] {v.}
Act lively; be quick; wake up and work; be busy; hurry. — Often used as a command.
"Look alive there," the boss called.
[look as if butter wouldn't melt in one's mouth]
See: [BUTTER WOULDN'T MELT IN ONE'S MOUTH].
[look as if one has come out of a bandbox] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To look very clean and fresh; look as if you had just had a bath and put on all-new clothing.
* /In spite of the long, hot train ride, Jody arrived looking as if she had come out of a […]
[look at] {v.}
To have a way of thinking or feeling toward; think about something in a certain way.
Is he a hero or a villain? That depends on how you look at it.
* /Depending on how you looked at it, the tea party could be called a pleasure or a […]
[look at the world through rose-colored glasses] or [see with rose-colored glasses] {v. phr.}
To see everything as good and pleasant; not see anything hard or bad.
* /When Jean graduated from high school, she looked at the world through rose-colored […]
[look back] {v.}
To review the past; think of what has happened.
As John looked back, his life seemed good to him.
Murphy looked back on his early struggles as having made him feel especially alive.
* /When Ed applied for a job and asked the […]
[look bleak] {v.}
To indicate misfortune; appear threatening or ruinous.
As prices dropped lower and lower, things looked bleak for Henry's company.
Many witnesses gave testimony against Jerry and his case looked bleak.
* /The future looked […]
[look daggers] {v. phr.}
To show anger with a look; express hate or enmity by a look or stare; look fiercely.
The other driver looked daggers at Morris for turning in before him.
* /Mary did not dare talk back to her father, but she looked […]
[look down on] also [look down upon] {v.}
To think of (a person or thing) as less good or important; feel that (someone) is not as good as you are, or that (something) is not worth having or doing; consider inferior.
* /Mary looked down on her […]
[look down one's nose at] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To think of as worthless; feel scorn for.
The banker's wife has beautiful china cups, and she looked down her nose at the plastic cups that Mrs. Brown used.
* /Harry has never had to work, and he […]
[look for] {v.}
1. To think likely; expect.
We look for John to arrive any day now.
The frost killed many oranges, and housewives can look for an increase in their price.
* /Bob wouldn't go for a ride with the boys because he was looking for […]
[look forward to] {v.}
1. To expect.
At breakfast, John looked forward to a difficult day.
2. To expect with hope or pleasure.
Frank was looking forward to that evening's date.
[look high and low for] {v. phr.}
To look everywhere; search all over.
Everyone has been looking high and low for the lost key but no one could find it.
[look in on] {v.}
To go to see; make a short visit with; make a call on.
On his way downtown, Jim looked in on his aunt.
The doctor looked in on Mary each day when he went by.
[look in the eye] or [look in the face] {v. phr.}
To meet with a steady look; to face bravely or without shame.
Mary looked the gangster in the eye, and he turned away without hurting her.
John had looked death in the face many times.
* /We […]
[look into] {v.}
To find out the facts about; examine; study; inspect.
The mayor felt he should look into the decrease of income from parking meters.
Mr. Jones said he was looking into the possibility of buying a house.
Compare: [GO INTO] […]
[look like a million dollars] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To look well and prosperous; appear healthy and happy and lucky; look pretty and attractive.
* /John came back from Florida driving a fine new car, tanned and glowing with health. He looked like a […]
[look like the cat that ate the canary] or [look like the cat that swallowed the canary] {v. phr.}
To seem very self-satisfied; look as if you had just had a great success.
* /Peter bet on the poorest horse in the race and when it won, he looked like […]
[look on] or [look upon] {v.}
1. To regard; consider; think of.
The stuff had always been looked on as a worthless factory waste.
Until the day Bob made the touchdown, the other boys had looked upon him as rather a sissy.
2. To be an […]
[look oneself] {v. phr.}
To appear self-possessed and well; look or seem in full possession of your abilities and in good health; to appear all right or normal.
Mary had had a long illness, but now she looked quite herself again.
* /It had been a […]
[look out] or [watch out] {v.}
1. To take care; be careful; be on guard. — Usually used as a command or warning.
"Look out!" John called, as the car came toward me.
"Look out for the train," the sign at the railroad crossing warns.
2. To be […]
[look out for] {v. phr.}
To watch out for; be on the alert.
There were signs along the highway warning drivers to look out for deer crossing.
[look over] {v.}
To look at and try to learn something about; look at every part or piece of or at every one of; examine; inspect; study.
I looked hurriedly over the apples in the basket and took one that looked good.
* /Mrs. Jones spent the […]
[look sharp] {v.}
To be alert; be very attentive; keep a close watch.
It pays to look sharp in traffic.
The guide told us to look sharp because there were rattlesnakes around.
[look to] {v.}
1. To attend to; get ready for; take care of.
Plans had been prepared that looked to every possibility.
The president assigned a man to look to our needs.
2. To go for help to; depend on.
* /The child looks to his mother to […]
[look to one's laurels]
To make sure that your reputation is not spoiled; protect your good name; keep your record from being beaten by others.
Tom won the broad jump, but he had to look to his laurels.
* /Look to your laurels, Joan. Betty says […]
[look up] {v.}
1. {informal}
To improve in future chances; promise more success.
The first year was tough, but business looked up after that.
2. To search for; hunt for information about; find.
* /It is a good habit to look up new words in a […]
[look up to] {v.}
To think of (someone) as a good example to copy; honor; respect.
Mr. Smith had taught for many years, and all the students looked up to him.
Young children look up to older ones, so older children should be good examples.
[look-in] {n.}, {informal}
A chance or hope. — Usually used with a negative.
It wasn't much of a look-in, but it was the only chance they let him have.
Charlie didn't realize it, but he never had a look-in with Bonnie.
[loose]
See:
[AT LOOSE ENDS],
[CAST OFF] or [CAST LOOSE],
[CUT LOOSE],
[PLAY FAST AND LOOSE],
[HAVE A SCREW LOOSE],
[LET LOOSE] or [SET LOOSE] or [TURN LOOSE],
[ON THE LOOSE].
[loose ends] {n.}
1. Parts or things that should be finished or put together.
Mary's composition had many loose ends.
When George came home after a long trip, he started picking up the loose ends.
2. See: [AT LOOSE ENDS].
[lord it over] {v. phr.}
To act as the superior and master of; dominate; be bossy over; control.
John learned early to lord it over other children.
The office manager lorded it over the clerks and typists.
[lose face] {v.}
To be embarrassed or shamed by an error or failure; lose dignity, influence or reputation; lose self-respect or the confidence of others.
* /Many Japanese soldiers were killed in World War II because they believed that to give up or […]
[lose ground] {v. phr.}
1. To go backward; retreat.
The soldiers began to lose ground when their leader was killed.
Compare: [GIVE GROUND].
2. To become weaker; get worse; not improve.
* /The sick man began to lose ground when his cough grew […]
[lose heart] {v. phr.}
To feel discouraged because of failure; to lose hope of success.
The team had won no games and it lost heart.
Contrast: [TAKE HEART].
[lose one's grip] {v. phr.}
To fail in control or command; lose your strength, force, or ability to lead.
Mr. Jones began to lose his grip: he no longer wanted the hard jobs, and he left decisions to others.
* /When a locomotive engineer loses his […]
[lose one's head (over)] {v. phr.}
1. To panic.
"Let's not lose our heads," the captain cried. "We have good lifeboats on this vessel."
2. To become deeply infatuated with someone.
Don't lose your head over Jane; she is already married.
[…]
[lose one's heart] {v. phr.}
To fall in love; begin to love.
She lost her heart to the soldier with the broad shoulders and the deep voice.
Bill lost his heart to the puppy the first time he saw it.
[lose one's marbles] {v. phr.}
To go mad; become crazed.
Stan must have lost his marbles; he is hopelessly pursuing a happily married woman.
[lose one's shirt] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To lose all or most of your money.
Uncle Joe spent his life savings to buy a store, but it failed, and he lost his shirt.
Mr. Matthews lost his shirt betting on the horses.
[lose one's temper] {v. phr.}
To lose control over one's anger; to get angry.
He lost his temper when he broke the key in the lock.
Compare: [BLOW A FUSE], [FLY OFF THE HANDLE].
Contrast: [HOLD ONE'S TEMPER].
[lose one's tongue] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be so embarrassed or surprised that you cannot talk.
The man would always lose his tongue when he was introduced to new people.
Compare: [CAT GET ONE'S TONGUE].
[lose oneself] {v. phr.}
1. To go wrong; miss your way; become unable to find the right direction.
Fred lost himself in the confusion of downtown Boston streets.
2. To conceal yourself; hide.
* /The pick-pocket lost himself in the crowd and […]
[lose out] {v.}
To fail to win; miss first place in a contest; lose to a rival.
John lost out in the rivalry for Mary's hand in marriage.
Fred didn't want to lose out to the other salesman.
Compare: [MISS OUT]. Contrast: [WIN OUT].
[lose sight of] {v. phr.}
1. Not to be able to see any longer.
I lost sight of Mary in the crowd.
I watched the plane go higher and higher until I lost sight of it.
Contrast: [CATCH SIGHT OF].
2. To forget; overlook.
* /Johnny was so […]
[lose touch] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To fail to keep in contact or communication. — Usually used with "with".
After she moved to another town, she lost touch with her childhood friends.
Compare: [OUT OF TOUCH].
[lose track] {v. phr.}
To forget about something; not stay informed; fail to keep a count or record.
What's the score now? I've lost track.
- Usually used with "of".
Mary lost track of her friends at camp after summer was over.
* /John lost […]
[lost cause] {n. phr.}
A movement that has failed and has no chance to be revived.
Communism in Eastern Europe has become a lost cause.
[lost upon] {adj.}
Wasted.
Tim's generosity is completely lost upon Sue; he can't expect any gratitude from her.
[lot]
See:
[A LOT],
[CAST ONE'S LOT WITH],
[SAND LOT],
[THINK A GREAT DEAL OF] or [THINK A LOT OF],
[THROW IN ONE'S LOT WITH] or [CAST IN ONE'S LOT WITH].
[loud]
See:
[ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS],
[FOR CRYING OUT LOUD],
[OUT LOUD],
[THINK ALOUD] or [THINK OUT LOUD].
[loud mouth] or [big mouth] {n.}, {slang}
A noisy, boastful, or foolish talker.
Fritz is a loud mouth who cannot be trusted with secrets.
When he has had a few drinks, Joe will make empty boasts like any other big mouth.
[loud-mouthed] or [big-mouthed] {adj.}, {slang}
Talking noisily, boastfully, or foolishly.
Fred was a loud-mouthed fellow, whose talk no one listened to.
If I were you, I would not listen to that loud-mouthed boy.
[lounge lizard] {n. phr.}
A well-dressed male fortune hunter who sits around in bars and other public places, and attends many social events to try to pick up wealthy women through smart conversation.
* /Harry has the reputation of being a lounge […]
[louse up] {v.}, {slang}
To throw into confusion; make a mess of; spoil; ruin.
When the man who was considering John's house heard that the basement was wet, that was enough to louse up the sale.
* /Fred's failure in business not only lost him his […]
[love]
See:
[FOR LOVE OR MONEY],
[IN LOVE],
[LABOR OF LOVE],
[MAKE LOVE],
[NO LOVE LOST],
[PUPPY LOVE] also [CALF LOVE].
[love affair] {n.}
A friendship between lovers; a romance or courtship.
The love affair of Bob and Jane went on for months.
Harry had many love affairs, but he never married.
[love game] {n.}
A game of tennis which is won without the opponent scoring.
Britain took a love game on Songster's service.
[love-in] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
A festival or occasion to celebrate life, human sensuality, the beauty of nature, human sexuality, and universal love; affairs so conceived by some frequently deteriorate into obscenity and drug using sessions in […]
[lovers' lane] {n.}
A hidden road or walk where lovers walk or park in the evening.
A parked car in a lonely lovers' lane often is a chance for holdup men.
[low-key] {adj.}
Relaxed and easygoing.
Surprisingly, dinner with the governor was a low-key affair.
[lowbrow] {n.}
A person of limited culture; a nonintellectual.
Some people claim that only lowbrows read the comics.
Contrast: [HIGH BROW].
[lowdown] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
The inside facts of a matter; the total truth.
Nixon never gave the American people the lowdown on Watergate.
[lower the boom] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To punish strictly; check or stop fully.
The mayor lowered the boom on outside jobs for city firemen.
Father lowered the boom on the girls for staying out after midnight.
Syn.: [CRACK DOWN].
* /The […]
[luck]
See:
[DOWN ON ONE'S LUCK],
[LUCK OUT],
[PRESS ONE'S LUCK] or [PUSH ONE'S LUCK],
[IN LUCK],
[OUT OF LUCK].
[luck out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
1. Suddenly to get lucky when in fact the odds are against one's succeeding.
I was sure I was going to miss the train as I was three minutes late, but I lucked out, the train was five minutes late.
2. To […]
[lucky star] {n.}
A certain star or planet which, by itself or with others, is seriously or jokingly thought to bring a person good luck and success in life.
John was born under a lucky star.
* /Ted was unhurt in the car accident, for which he […]
[lump in one's throat] {n. phr.}
A feeling (as of grief or pride) so strong that you almost sob.
John's mother had a lump in her throat at his college graduation.
All during her husband's funeral, Aunt May had a lump in her throat.
* /The […]
[lump sum] {n.}
The complete amount; a total agreed upon and to be paid at one time.
The case was settled out of court with the plaintiff receiving a lump sum of half a million dollars for damages.
[lunar module (L.M.)] or [Lem] {n.}, {Space English}
That portion of the rocket assemblage on a flight to the Moon in which the astronauts descend to the Moon's surface.
* /Building the L.M. was one of the most expensive parts of the American space […]
[lust for] {v. phr.}
To physically yearn for; hanker after; want something very strongly.
Ed has been lusting after Meg for a very long time.