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1 of 10


pan out

Categories: informal success verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[pan out]  {v.},  {informal}
To have a result, especially a good result; result favorably; succeed.
Suppose the class tried to make money by selling candy. How would that pan out?
Edison's efforts to invent an electric light bulb did not pan out until he used tungsten wires.
Categories: informal success verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


facts of life

Categories: life noun world
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[facts of life]  {n. phr.}
1. The truth which we should know about sex, marriage, and births.
His father told him the facts of life when he was old enough.
2. The truths one learns about people and their good and bad habits of life, work or play.
As a cub reporter he would learn the facts of life in the newspaper world.
Categories: life noun world
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


polish the apple

Categories: noun slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[polish the apple]  {v. phr.},  {slang}
To try to make someone like you; to try to win favor by flattery.
Mary polished the apple at work because she wanted a day off.
Susan is the teacher's pet because she always polishes the apple.
- [apple polisher]  {n.},  {slang}
A person who is nice to the one in charge in order to be liked or treated better; a person who does favors for a superior.
Jane is an apple polisher. She is always helping the teacher and talking to him.
Joe is an apple-polisher. He will do anything for the boss.
Compare: [EAGER BEAVER], [YES-MAN].
- [apple polishing]  {n.},  {slang}
Trying to win someone's good-will by small acts currying favor; the behavior of an apple polisher.
When John I brought his teacher flowers, everyone thought he was apple polishing.
Categories: noun slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


leave at the altar

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[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 left at the altar.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


far cry

Categories: cars noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[far cry]  {n.}
Something very different.
His last statement was a far cry from his first story.
The first automobile could run, but it was a far cry from a modern car.
Categories: cars noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


play off

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[play off]  {v.}
1. To match opposing persons, forces, or interests so that they balance each other.
The girl played off her admirers against each other.
Britain tried to play off European nations against each other so that she would have a balance of power.
2. To finish the playing of (an interrupted contest).
The visitors came back the next Saturday to play off the game stopped by rain.
3. To settle (a tie score) between contestants by more play.
When each player had won two matches, the championship was decided by playing off the tie.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


in the line of duty

Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[in the line of duty]  {adj. phr.}
Done or happening as part of a job.
The policeman was shot in the line of duty.
The soldier had to clean his rifle in the line of duty.
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


cash in on

Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[cash in on]  {v.},  {informal}
To see (a chance) and profit by it; take advantage of (an opportunity or happening).
Mr. Brown cashed in on people's great interest in camping and sold three hundred tents.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


happy as the day is long

Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[happy as the day is long]  {adj. phr.}
Cheerful and happy.
Carl is happy as the day is long because school is over for the summer.
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


pay one's respect to

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[pay one's respect to]  {v. phr.}
To discharge one's social obligations by visiting someone or by calling them on the phone.
The newly arrived people paid their respects to their various neighbors during their first couple of weeks in town.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms