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1 of 10


call in question

Categories: call doubt verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[call in question] or [call into question] or [call in doubt]  {v. phr.}
To say (something) may be a mistake; express doubt about; question.
Bill called in question Ed's remark that basketball is safer than football.
Categories: call doubt verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


beyond question

Categories: adjective doubt
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[beyond question] (1)  {adj. phr.}
Not in doubt certain; sure. — Used in the predicate.
People always believe anything that Mark says; his honesty is beyond question.
Contrast: [IN QUESTION].
Categories: adjective doubt
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


money is no object

Categories: informal money
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[money is no object]  {informal sentence}
The price of something is irrelevant.
Please show me your most beautiful mink coat; money is no object.
Categories: informal money
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


put one's foot down

Categories: foot informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[put one's foot down]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To take a decided stand; be stubborn in decision.
John didn't want to practice his piano lesson, but his teacher put his foot down.
When it came to smoking pot at parties, our parents put their foot down.
Categories: foot informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


pass up

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[pass up]  {v.}
To let (something) go by; refuse.
Mary passed up the dessert because she was on a diet.
John was offered a good job in California, but he passed it up because he didn't want to move.
Compare: [TURN DOWN].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


with bad grace

Categories: adverb mood
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[with bad grace] or [with a bad grace]  {adv. phr.}
In an unpleasant or discourteous way; unwillingly.
Fred takes defeat with bad grace.
Tom shouted "Hello" to Bill. Bill was in a sour mood and replied with a bad grace.
Contrast: [WITH GOOD GRACE].
Categories: adverb mood
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


pipe down

Categories: rude slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[pipe down]  {v.}
1. To call (sailors) away from work with a whistle.
He piped the men down after boat drill.
2.  {slang}
To stop talking; shut up; be quiet.
"Oh, pipe down," he called.
- Often considered rude.
Categories: rude slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


get hold of

Categories: children verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[get hold of]  {v.}
1. To get possession of.
Little children sometimes get hold of sharp knives and cut themselves.
2. To find a person so you can speak with him.
Mr. Thompson spent several hours trying to get hold of his lawyer.
Categories: children verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


sawed-off

Categories: adjective informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[sawed-off]  {adj.},  {informal}
Shorter than usual; small of its kind.
The riot police carried sawed-off shotguns.
Jimmy was a sawed-off, skinny runt.
Categories: adjective informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


pigeonhole

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[pigeonhole]  {v.}
1. To set aside; defer consideration of.
The plan was pigeonholed until the next committee meeting.
2. To typecast; give a stereotypical characterization to someone.
It was unfair of the committee to pigeonhole him as a left-wing troublemaker.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms