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1 of 10


up for grabs

Categories: adjective informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[up for grabs]  {adj. phr.},  {informal}
Available for anyone to try to get; ready to be competed for; there for the taking.
When the captain of the football team moved out of town, his place was up for grabs.
Categories: adjective informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


of the same mind

Categories: adverb business
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[of the same mind]  {adv. phr.}
In agreement; in consonance.
It is a good thing when father and son are of the same mind regarding business and politics.
Categories: adverb business
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


jot down

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[jot down]  {v. phr.}
To quickly commit to writing; make a quick note of something.
Let me jot down your address so that I can send you a postcard from Europe.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


hand it to

Categories: hand informal music verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[hand it to]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To admit the excellence of; give credit or praise to.
You have to hand it to Jim; he is very careful and hard-working in all he does.
The teacher said, "I hand it to Jane for the way she managed the Music Club."
Syn.: [TAKE OFF ONE'S HAT TO].
Categories: hand informal music verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


fall by the wayside

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[fall by the wayside] also [drop by the wayside]  {v. phr.}
To give up or fail before the finish.
The boys tried to make a 50-mile hike, but most of them fell by the wayside.
George, Harry, and John entered college to become teachers, but Harry and John fell by the wayside, and only George graduated.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


eke out

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[eke out]  {v.}
1. To fill out or add a little to; increase a little.
Mr. Jones eked out a country teacher's small salary by hunting and trapping in the winter.
The modest meal was eked out with bread and milk.
2. To get (little) by hard work; to earn with difficulty.
Fred eked out a bare living by farming on a rocky hillside.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


call a halt

Categories: call verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[call a halt]  {v. phr.}
To give a command to stop.
The scouts were tired during the hike, and the scoutmaster called a halt.
When the children's play, got too noisy, their mother called a halt.
Categories: call verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


sandwich board

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[sandwich board]  {n.}
Two advertising signs worn by a man, one on his chest and the other on his back.
The man walking along Main Street wore a sandwich board saying "Eat at Joe's."
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


turn over in one's mind

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[turn over in one's mind]  {v. phr.}
To carefully consider.
I will have to turn it over in my mind whether to accept the new job offer from Japan.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


write home about

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[write home about]  {v. phr.}
To become especially enthusiastic or excited about; boast about. — Often used after "to".
Mary's trip to the World's Fair was something to write home about.
Joe did a good enough job of painting but it was nothing to write home about.
"That was a dinner worth writing home about!" said Bill coming out of the restaurant.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms