McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: The Most Practical Reference to the Idiomatic and Verbal Expression of Contemporary American English

McGraw-Hill’s Dictionary of American Idioms is the most comprehensive reference of its kind, bar none. It puts the competition to shame, by giving both ESL learners and professional writers the complete low-down on more than 24,000 entries and almost 27,000 senses. Entries include idiomatic expressions (e.g. the best of both worlds), proverbs (the best things in life are free), and clich é s (the best-case scenario). Particular attention is paid to verbal expressions, an area where ordinary dictionaries are deficient. The dictionary also includes a handy Phrase-Finder Index that lets users find a phrase by looking up any major word appearing in it. 001.Cover......Page 1 03 Contents......Page 0 02.Copyright ©......Page 3 04.pdf......Page 5 05.About This Dictionary......Page 6 06.pdf......Page 7 07.pdf......Page 8 08.pdf......Page 9 09.How to Use This Dictionary......Page 10 010.pdf......Page 11 011.pdf......Page 12 012.pdf......Page 13 013.pdf......Page 14 014.pdf......Page 15 015.Acknowledgments......Page 16 016.pdf......Page 17 017.Terms and Symbols......Page 18 1.Aa......Page 19 2.about as exciting as watching......Page 20 3.abstract something from......Page 21 4.accredit something to......Page 22 5.act of war......Page 23 6.adhere to something......Page 24 7.affiliate (someone or something) with......Page 25 8.agitate for......Page 26 9.Ain’t it the truth?......Page 27 10.all dressed up and nowhere to go......Page 28 11.all over creation......Page 29 12.all the marbles......Page 30 13.allocate something to......Page 31 14.alphabet soup......Page 32 15.and the like......Page 33 16.answer to the description of......Page 34 17.appear out of nowhere......Page 35 18.arbitrate between......Page 36 19.argue with......Page 37 20.arrive (somewhere) at the stroke of......Page 38 21.as it is......Page 39 22.Ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lies.......Page 40 23.assist someone in......Page 41 24.at ease......Page 42 25.at once......Page 43 26.at the drop of a hat......Page 44 27.at this juncture......Page 45 28.avenue of escape......Page 46 29.Bb......Page 47 30.back on track......Page 48 31.backfire on......Page 49 32.bail someone or something out......Page 50 33.bandage someone or something up......Page 51 34.bare something......Page 52 35.bash someone or something around......Page 53 36.Be happy to (do something)......Page 54 37.bear the blame for......Page 55 38.beat someone or something out......Page 56 39.become of someone......Page 57 40.Beggars can’t be choosers......Page 58 41.believe something of someone......Page 59 42.bend someone’s ear......Page 60 43.best things in life are free......Page 61 44.better off (doing something)......Page 62 45.beyond the pale......Page 63 46.big picture......Page 64 47.bitch someone off......Page 65 48.black as pitch......Page 66 49.bleed to death......Page 67 50.block someone up......Page 68 51.Blow it out your ear......Page 69 52.blow someone out......Page 70 53.blues......Page 71 54.bollix something up......Page 72 55.bore someone stiff......Page 73 56.bottom of the barrel......Page 74 57.bowl someone over......Page 75 58.Bread is the staff of life......Page 76 59.break loose (from someone)......Page 77 60.break something away......Page 78 61.break through......Page 79 62.breeze off......Page 80 63.bring an amount of money in......Page 81 64.bring someone or something into contact with someone......Page 82 65.bring someone over......Page 83 66.bring something down on one(’s head)......Page 84 67.bring something to an end......Page 85 68.brown as a berry......Page 86 69.buck up......Page 87 70.build someone in......Page 88 71.bully is always a coward.......Page 89 72.bundle someone off (to some place)......Page 90 73.burn someone down......Page 91 74.burst forth......Page 92 75.bury someone or something away......Page 93 76.bust someone out of some place......Page 94 77.Butter wouldn’t melt (in someone’s mouth)......Page 95 78.buy the big one......Page 96 79.By godfrey! By God!......Page 97 80.by the seat of one’s pants......Page 98 81.Cc......Page 99 82.call hogs......Page 100 83.call someone or something out......Page 101 84.called to straw......Page 102 85.cannot help doing something......Page 103 86.capable of doing something......Page 104 87.carry on (with something)......Page 105 88.carry something on......Page 106 89.case of something......Page 107 90.Cast one’s bread upon the waters.......Page 108 91.Catch me some other time......Page 109 92.catch something......Page 110 93.cede something to someone......Page 111 94.chances are......Page 112 95.charge at someone......Page 113 96.chase someone or an animal in......Page 114 97.check someone or something out......Page 115 98.chew something up......Page 116 99.chip something in(on something)......Page 117 100.Christmas comes but once a year.......Page 118 101.cite someone for something......Page 119 102.clean as a whistle......Page 120 103.clear someone’s name......Page 121 104.cloak someone or something in secrecy......Page 122 105.Close only counts in horseshoes......Page 123 106.cloud up......Page 124 107.cock-and-bull story......Page 125 108.collaborate with someone or something......Page 126 109.come after someone or something......Page 127 110.come between something and something else......Page 128 111.come home from......Page 129 112.come into sight......Page 130 113.come out against......Page 131 114.come over......Page 132 115.come to an understanding......Page 133 116.come to think of it......Page 134 117.come within an inch of......Page 135 118.communicate something to someone......Page 136 119.compress something into......Page 137 120.condescend to do something......Page 138 121.conjecture on something......Page 139 122.Constant dropping wears away a stone.......Page 140 123.control the purse strings......Page 141 124.cool someone out......Page 142 125.correlate with something......Page 143 126.(Could I) give you a lift?......Page 144 127.couldn’t be happier......Page 145 128.counter someone or something with something......Page 146 129.cow juice......Page 147 130.cramp someone’s style......Page 148 131.crawling with some kind of creature......Page 149 132.creep out (from under someone or something)......Page 150 133.cross someone or something out......Page 151 134.crowd together......Page 152 135.cry before one is hurt......Page 153 136.cunning as a fox......Page 154 137.cut a wide swath and cut a big swath......Page 155 138.cut no ice (with someone)......Page 156 139.cut someone or something off† (short)......Page 157 140.cut the deadwood out......Page 158 141.Dd......Page 159 142.dance to something......Page 160 143.date from something......Page 161 144.dead easy......Page 162 145.Dear John letter ......Page 163 146.deduce something from something......Page 164 147.deliver someone of something......Page 165 148.deposit something in(to) something......Page 166 149.despise someone for something......Page 167 150.devil-may-care manner......Page 168 151.die in something......Page 169 152.dig at someone or something......Page 170 153.dime a dozen......Page 171 154.disagree with someone......Page 172 155.disengage something from something......Page 173 156.dissatisfied with someone or something......Page 174 157.dive off ((of ) something)......Page 175 158.do a fade......Page 176 159.Do I need to paint you a picture?......Page 177 160.do someone one better......Page 178 161.Do we have to go through all that again?......Page 179 162.(Do you) want to make something of it?......Page 180 163.Dog my cats!......Page 181 164.Don’t cry before you are hurt.......Page 182 165.don’t know whether to eat it or rub it on......Page 183 166.Don’t take any wooden nickels.......Page 184 167.dose someone or an animal with something......Page 185 168.down in the mouth......Page 186 169.down-to-earth......Page 187 170.drag something up ......Page 188 171.draw for something and draw lots......Page 189 172.draw something forth......Page 190 173.drench someone or something in something......Page 191 174.drill something into someone or something......Page 192 175.Drive safely.......Page 193 176.drive something home......Page 194 177.drop by the wayside and fall by the wayside......Page 195 178.drop someone or something into something......Page 196 179.drum something into someone......Page 197 180.dump a load......Page 198 181.Ee......Page 199 182.ease someone or something down......Page 200 183.Eat my shorts!......Page 201 184.ebb and flow......Page 202 185.elect someone (as) something......Page 203 186.empathize with someone or something......Page 204 187.End of story.......Page 205 188.engrave something with something......Page 206 189.enshrine someone in one’s heart......Page 207 190.entwine around someone or something......Page 208 191.estimate the cost at some amount......Page 209 192.every living soul......Page 210 193.Everything’s coming up roses.......Page 211 194.exciting as watching (the) paint dry......Page 212 195.expect something (out) of someone......Page 213 196.expose someone or something to someone or something......Page 214 197.exult at something and exult over something......Page 215 198.Ff......Page 216 199.fade into something......Page 217 200.fall asleep......Page 218 201.fall heir to something......Page 219 202.fall on someone’s shoulders......Page 220 203.fall within something......Page 221 204.faraway look......Page 222 205.fatten someone or an animal up† (with something)......Page 223 206.feed the kitty......Page 224 207.feel someone up......Page 225 208.few and far between......Page 226 209.fight over someone or something......Page 227 210.file something away (from something)......Page 228 211.final say......Page 229 212.find (something) out the hard way......Page 230 213.Fire is a good servant but a bad master.......Page 231 214.first hundred years are the hardest.......Page 232 215.fit in (with someone or something)......Page 233 216.fix something on(to) something ......Page 234 217.flash across something......Page 235 218.flavor food with something......Page 236 219.fling something at someone or something......Page 237 220.float on air......Page 238 221.flounce in(to some place)......Page 239 222.flutter about......Page 240 223.fly someone or something in(to some place)......Page 241 224.fold, spindle, or mutilate......Page 242 225.fool around......Page 243 226.for chicken feed......Page 244 227.for the birds......Page 245 228.force someone’s hand......Page 246 229.form someone or something into something......Page 247 230.freaked (out)......Page 248 231.fresh (with someone)......Page 249 232.from giddy-up to whoa......Page 250 233.from the top......Page 251 234.full up......Page 252 235.Gg......Page 253 236.garnish something with something......Page 254 237.gear something to someone or something......Page 255 238.get ahead of oneself......Page 256 239.get by (on a small amount of money)......Page 257 240.get into a mess......Page 258 241.Get off it!......Page 259 242.get one’s bowels in an uproar......Page 260 243.get one’s wits about one and have one’s wits about one......Page 261 244.get shed of someone or something......Page 262 245.get someone or something through......Page 263 246.get something into someone’s thick head......Page 264 247.get the drift of something......Page 265 248.get to something......Page 266 249.get with the program......Page 267 250.give in......Page 268 251.give out......Page 269 252.give someone or something a wide berth......Page 270 253.give something back......Page 271 254.glad hand......Page 272 255.glue something down......Page 273 256.go ahead (of someone or something)......Page 274 257.Go away!......Page 275 258.go by the book......Page 276 259.Go for it!......Page 277 260.go into action......Page 278 261.go on a binge......Page 279 262.go out of practice......Page 280 263.go so far as to say something......Page 281 264.go through (the proper) channels......Page 282 265.go to someone or something......Page 283 266.go up......Page 284 267.God takes soonest those he loveth best.......Page 285 268.good as gold......Page 286 269.good old boy and good ole boy......Page 287 270.gorked (out)......Page 288 271.grapple (with someone) (for something)......Page 289 272.great unwashed......Page 290 273.grip on oneself......Page 291 274.grovel before someone or something......Page 292 275.grow up......Page 293 276.gulp for air......Page 294 277.Hh......Page 295 278.hale and hearty......Page 296 279.hand in glove (with someone)......Page 297 280.Handsome is as handsome does.......Page 298 281.hang on (to someone or something)......Page 299 282.hanker after someone or something......Page 300 283.harden oneself to something......Page 301 284.haul someone in......Page 302 285.have a conniption (fit)......Page 303 286.have a keen interest in something......Page 304 287.have a seat......Page 305 288.have an ax(e) to grind......Page 306 289.have feelings about someone or something......Page 307 290.have neither rhyme nor reason......Page 308 291.have one’s heart in the right place......Page 309 292.have someone behind the eight ball......Page 310 293.have someone’s eye......Page 311 294.have something stick in one’s craw......Page 312 295.have to do with something......Page 313 296.He lives long who lives well.......Page 314 297.He will get his. and She will get hers.......Page 315 298.Heads up!......Page 316 299.heave to......Page 317 300.helluva someone or something......Page 318 301.Here (it) goes.......Page 319 302.high-and-mighty......Page 320 303.hit at someone or something......Page 321 304.hit the (broad) side of a barn......Page 322 305.hobnob with......Page 323 306.hold one’s fire......Page 324 307.hold someone or something out (of something)......Page 325 308.hold something together......Page 326 309.home free......Page 327 310.hook something into something......Page 328 311.hopeless at doing something......Page 329 312.hound someone or an animal down......Page 330 313.How do you like school?......Page 331 314.How’s the world (been) treating you?......Page 332 315.hungry as a hunter......Page 333 316.hurt someone’s feelings......Page 334 317.Ii......Page 335 318.(I) can’t thank you enough.......Page 336 319.I don’t rightly know.......Page 337 320.(I) have to shove off.......Page 338 321.I promise you!......Page 339 (I) wouldn’t count on it.......Page 340 323.identify someone or something with......Page 341 324.if not......Page 342 325.If you don’t mind! 1.......Page 343 326.ill at ease......Page 344 327.I’ll thank you to mind your own business.......Page 345 328.(I’m) glad you could drop by.......Page 346 329.(I’m) sorry to hear that.......Page 347 330.impose something (up)on someone......Page 348 331.in a fix......Page 349 332.in a word......Page 350 333.in between......Page 351 334.in defiance (of someone or something)......Page 352 335.in full flight......Page 353 336.in ink......Page 354 337.in no time (at all)......Page 355 338.in order......Page 356 339.in pursuit of something......Page 357 340.in some respects......Page 358 341.in the absence of someone or something......Page 359 342.in the doghouse......Page 360 343.in the mainstream (of something)......Page 361 344.in the short haul......Page 362 345.in touch with......Page 363 346.incline away (from someone or something)......Page 364 347.indulge someone with something......Page 365 348.inject something into someone, something, or some creature......Page 366 349.inside story......Page 367 350.interact with something......Page 368 351.intertwine with something......Page 369 352.invasion of (someone’s) privacy......Page 370 353.(Is it) hot enough for you?......Page 371 354.It doesn’t quite suit me.......Page 372 355.It is the pace that kills.......Page 373 356.(It’s) better than nothing.......Page 374 357.It’s raining pitchforks (and hammer handles).......Page 375 358.It will be your ass!......Page 376 359.I’ve done my do.......Page 377 360.Jj......Page 378 361.jar on someone or something......Page 379 362.jog along......Page 380 363.jugged (up)......Page 381 364.jump out of the frying pan into the fire......Page 382 365.just the same......Page 383 366.Kk......Page 384 367.keep an eye on someone or something......Page 385 368.keep in training......Page 386 369.keep one’s chin up......Page 387 370.keep one’s nose to the grindstone......Page 388 371.keep someone company......Page 389 372.keep someone or something going......Page 390 373.keep something for a rainy day......Page 391 374.keep to oneself......Page 392 375.kick against someone or something......Page 393 376.kick something off......Page 394 377.kiss of death......Page 395 378.knock around......Page 396 379.knock someone or something over......Page 397 380.knock the (living) daylights out of someone......Page 398 381.know one’s way around......Page 399 382.pdf......Page 400 383.Ll......Page 401 384.lame duck......Page 402 385.lap over (something)f......Page 403 386.last something out......Page 404 387.laugh out of the other side of one’s face......Page 405 388.lay down......Page 406 389.lay someone or something in(to) something......Page 407 390.lay something to waste......Page 408 391.lead someone on a merry chase......Page 409 392.lean against someone or something......Page 410 393.leap up to jump upwards.......Page 411 394.leave of absence......Page 412 395.leave someone or something out of something......Page 413 396.lecture at someone (about something)......Page 414 397.less than pleased displeased.......Page 415 398.let one’s guard down......Page 416 399.let someone get on with something......Page 417 400.Let the buyer beware.......Page 418 401.liar is not believed (even) when he tells the truth.......Page 419 402.lie below someone or something......Page 420 403.Life isn’t all beer and skittles.......Page 421 404.like a bat out of hell......Page 422 405.like looking for a needle in a haystack......Page 423 406.limit something to something......Page 424 407.linger on (after someone or something)......Page 425 408.little bit (of something)......Page 426 409.Live by the sword, die by the sword.......Page 427 410.live on one’s own......Page 428 411.load into something......Page 429 412.lock, stock, and barrel......Page 430 413.longest way round is the shortest way home.......Page 431 414.look down (at someone or something)......Page 432 415.look (out) on(to) something......Page 433 416.loom out of something......Page 434 417.lose one’s hold on someone or something......Page 435 418.lost-and-found......Page 436 419.lower someone’s ears......Page 437 420.lurch forward......Page 438 421.Mm......Page 439 422.make a break for someone or something......Page 440 423.make a habit of something......Page 441 424.make a point of doing something......Page 442 425.make arrangements to do something......Page 443 426.make hamburger (out) of someone......Page 444 427.make mischief......Page 445 428.make (out) like something......Page 446 429.make someone’s position clear......Page 447 430.make something up from something......Page 448 431.make water......Page 449 432.Many hands make light work.......Page 450 433.marry above oneself......Page 451 434.materialize out of nowhere......Page 452 435.measure something out......Page 453 436.melt something down......Page 454 437.mess up......Page 455 438.millstone about one’s neck......Page 456 439.miss the point......Page 457 440.model something in something......Page 458 441.mop the floor up with someone......Page 459 442.motion (for) someone to do something......Page 460 443.move heaven and earth to do something......Page 461 444.move someone or something up......Page 462 445.mulct something out of someone......Page 463 446.My house is your house.......Page 464 447.Nn......Page 465 448.Necessity is the mother of invention.......Page 466 449.nest together......Page 467 450.nibble at something......Page 468 451.no contest......Page 469 452.No pain, no gain.......Page 470 453.nominate someone for something......Page 471 454.not able to get something for love or money......Page 472 455.not care two hoots about someone or something......Page 473 456.not hold with something......Page 474 457.not miss a thing......Page 475 458.not up to scratch......Page 476 459.nothing of the kind......Page 477 460.no-win situation......Page 478 461.Oo......Page 479 462.of one’s own accord......Page 480 463.off the mark......Page 481 464.ogle (at) someone or something......Page 482 465.on a roll in the midst of a series of successes.......Page 483 466.on easy street......Page 484 467.on one’s way (to something or some place)......Page 485 468.on standby......Page 486 469.*on the edge......Page 487 470.on (the) one hand......Page 488 471.on the strength of something......Page 489 472.on top of the world......Page 490 473.one false move......Page 491 474.one’s best bib and tucker......Page 492 475.one’s next of kin......Page 493 476.one-man show......Page 494 477.open season (on some creature)......Page 495 478.opening gambit......Page 496 479.originate from something......Page 497 480.out (in blossom)......Page 498 481.out of hand......Page 499 482.out of service......Page 500 483.out of the picture......Page 501 484.Out, please.......Page 502 485.over (with)......Page 503 486.Pp......Page 504 487.pad something out......Page 505 488.pander to someone or something......Page 506 489.part company (with someone)......Page 507 490.pass muster......Page 508 491.pass the time of day (with someone)......Page 509 492.pattern something on something......Page 510 493.pay someone (for something) (with something)......Page 511 494.peek out (from underneath someone or something)......Page 512 495.peer under something......Page 513 496.percolate through something......Page 514 497.pertain to someone or something......Page 515 498.pick on somebody your own size......Page 516 499.pick up someone for a song......Page 517 500.pile someone or something on(to) someone or something......Page 518 501.pinch something back......Page 519 502.pitch someone a curve(ball)......Page 520 503.place someone or something in someone’s care......Page 521 504.plant something on someone......Page 522 505.play down to someone......Page 523 506.play on to continue to play.......Page 524 507.play something up......Page 525 508.plead for someone to beg for someone to be spared.......Page 526 509.pluck at someone or something......Page 527 510.poetic license......Page 528 511.poke one’s nose in(to something)f......Page 529 512.pop in(to something)......Page 530 513.post someone somewhere......Page 531 514.pound the pavement......Page 532 515.Poverty is no sin.......Page 533 516.preach to the converted......Page 534 517.preside at something......Page 535 518.pretty oneself or something up......Page 536 519.print something up†......Page 537 520.promise someone the moon......Page 538 521.provide something for......Page 539 522.puff (away) at something......Page 540 523.pull oneself together......Page 541 524.pull someone or something to pieces......Page 542 525.pull the plug (on someone)......Page 543 526.punch someone’s lights out......Page 544 527.push for something......Page 545 528.push someone or something on (ahead) (of someone or something)......Page 546 529.put a contract out on someone......Page 547 530.put on airs......Page 548 531.put one’s head on the block (for someone or something)......Page 549 532.put people’s heads together......Page 550 533.put someone off the track......Page 551 534.put someone or something on something......Page 552 535.put something aside†......Page 553 536.put something into effect......Page 554 537.put something to rest......Page 555 538.put the skids on (something)......Page 556 539.putz around Inf.......Page 557 540.quail at someone or something......Page 558 541.quick on the uptake......Page 559 542.race against someone or something......Page 560 543.rage out of contro......Page 561 544.raise money for someone or somet......Page 562 545.rake through something......Page 563 546.rant at someone or something......Page 564 547.raunch someone out†......Page 565 548.reach some place in a body......Page 566 549.read something off†......Page 567 550.reassure someone of something......Page 568 551.recognize something for what it is......Page 569 552.red herring......Page 570 553.reflect (back) (up)on......Page 571 554.regular as clockwork......Page 572 555.release someone or something from......Page 573 556.remain within (something)......Page 574 557.renounce someone for something......Page 575 558.represent something to someone......Page 576 559.resound with something......Page 577 560.result in something......Page 578 561.revel in something......Page 579 562.ride away......Page 580 563.right and left and left and right......Page 581 564.ring something up......Page 582 565.rip something in half and rip something in two......Page 583 566.risk of showers......Page 584 567.Roger (wilco).......Page 585 568.roll something down......Page 586 569.root of the matter......Page 587 570.rough something out......Page 588 571.rub off (on someone)......Page 589 572.rule over someone or something......Page 590 573.run around after......Page 591 574.run for something......Page 592 575.run one’s feet off......Page 593 576.run someone ragged......Page 594 577.run the risk (of something)......Page 595 578.rush something off (to someone or something)......Page 596 579.Ss......Page 597 580.sail into someone or something......Page 598 581.satiate someone or an animal with something......Page 599 582.saw something (up) (in(to) something)......Page 600 583.Says you!......Page 601 584.schiz(z) out......Page 602 585.scrape by (something)......Page 603 586.screeching (drunk)......Page 604 587.scrub something out†......Page 605 588.search something with a fine-tooth comb......Page 606 589.see no further than the end of one’s nose......Page 607 590.see something through......Page 608 591.seek revenge (against someone)......Page 609 592.sell at something......Page 610 593.send someone away with something......Page 611 594.send someone over (to) some place......Page 612 595.separate the wheat from the chaff......Page 613 596.set fire to someone or something......Page 614 597.set someone off......Page 615 598.set something before someone, something, or some creature......Page 616 599.set the world on fire......Page 617 600.shadow of oneself......Page 618 601.Shape up or ship out.......Page 619 602.shoot for the sky......Page 620 603.Short reckonings make long friends.......Page 621 604.show one’s hand......Page 622 605.shut something down†......Page 623 606.sight for sore eyes......Page 624 607.signal for something......Page 625 608.single file......Page 626 609.sit for an exam......Page 627 610.sit with someone......Page 628 611.skim through something......Page 629 612.slant something toward someone or something......Page 630 613.sled over something......Page 631 614.slide out of something......Page 632 615.slip off ((of ) someone or something)......Page 633 616.slippery customer......Page 634 617.slouch down (in something)......Page 635 618.smack of something......Page 636 619.smear someone or something with something......Page 637 620.smooth something back†......Page 638 621.snap something back†......Page 639 622.sneeze at something......Page 640 623.snuggle up (to someone or something)......Page 641 624.soak something off (of) something......Page 642 625.soft touch......Page 643 626.someone’s claim to fame......Page 644 627.son of a gun and son of a bachelor......Page 645 628.sound someone out......Page 646 629.speak about......Page 647 630.speak up (against someone or something)......Page 648 631.spend something on......Page 649 632.spin something out......Page 650 633.splice something (in)to something......Page 651 634.sponge something up......Page 652 635.spread something onto something......Page 653 636.spurt something out......Page 654 637.squash someone or something up†......Page 655 638.squint out of something......Page 656 639.stagger under something to struggle......Page 657 640.stand a chance (of doing something)......Page 658 641.stand on one’s dignity......Page 659 642.stand up against someone or something......Page 660 643.start in on someone or something......Page 661 644.starve for some food......Page 662 645.stay on a diet Go to on a diet.......Page 663 646.steal something off someone......Page 664 647.stem from something......Page 665 648.step over (to) some place......Page 666 649.stick shift......Page 667 650.still as death......Page 668 651.Stolen pleasures are sweetest.......Page 669 652.store something away......Page 670 653.straighten something out†......Page 671 654.stretch away (from something)......Page 672 655.strike up a conversation......Page 673 656.strike up a friendship......Page 674 657.strong as a lion......Page 675 658.study for something......Page 676 659.submerge someone or something in something......Page 677 660.suck something from something......Page 678 661.suit someone to a T and fit someone to a T......Page 679 662.sure as hell......Page 680 663.swallow someone or something up†......Page 681 664.swear someone to something......Page 682 665.sweep something out†......Page 683 666.swill something down......Page 684 667.switch back (to something)......Page 685 668.Tt......Page 686 669.take a drag (on something)......Page 687 670.take a pound of flesh......Page 688 671.take attendance......Page 689 672.take it easy on someone, something, or an animal......Page 690 673.take off......Page 691 674.take one’s own life......Page 692 675.take someone below......Page 693 676.take someone or something by something......Page 694 677.take someone’s word on something......Page 695 678.take something in (one’s) stride......Page 696 679.take something up to someone......Page 697 680.take the liberty of doing something......Page 698 681.take turns (with something)......Page 699 682.talk like a nut......Page 700 683.talk turkey......Page 701 684.tarred with the same brush......Page 702 685.tear down something......Page 703 686.tease something out......Page 704 687.tell someone where to get off......Page 705 688.test someone or something for something......Page 706 689.Thanks loads.......Page 707 690.That’s enough for now.......Page 708 691.That’s what she wrote.......Page 709 692.then the fat hit the fire......Page 710 693.There is no royal road to learning.......Page 711 694.There will be the devil to pay.......Page 712 695.thing you don’t want is dear at any price.......Page 713 696.think nothing of someone or something......Page 714 697.this a-way and that a-way......Page 715 698.thrill someone to pieces...... Covers the full breadth and scope of idiomatic American English. A valuable resource for ESL students, as well as writers, scholars, and public speakers, this reference combines in one volume the two most perplexing aspects of American English phraseology, idioms and phrasal verbs, providing access to the complete meanings and varying usages of thousands of common terms and verb constructs. Features: More than 24,000 entries; concise definitions of each entry and sense, followed by one or two example sentences; Idiomatic phrases, proverbial expressions, and cliches; guidance on the tone appropriate for a select phrase as well as its origin; treatment of variation, of particular help to ESL learners; a comprehensive phrase-finder Index

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With more entries than any other reference of its kind, McGraw-Hill’s Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs shows you how American English is spoken today. You will find commonly used phrasal verbs, idiomatic expressions, proverbial expressions, and clichés. The dictionary contains more than 24,000 entries, each defined and followed by one or two example sentences. It also includes a Phrase-Finder Index with more than 60,000 entries.