Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook (72 page)

take/taking it easy

taken up with

takes something from the menu

takes the order

taking a nap

taking it easy

taking off

taking on

taking revenge

taking time off

talk a blue streak

talk down to

talk on

talk out of

talk over

talk someone’s ear off

talk someone’s head off

talk until one is blue in the face

talk up

tall tale

tapped

taught

teach someone a lesson

teacher’s pet

teaches

tear jerker

tear up

teed off

tell a joke

tell it like it is

tell it to one’s face

tell the truth

telling a lie

ten to one

terrific

test

test one’s wings

thank you

thanks a bunch/lot/million

thanks a million

thanks loads/much

thanks to you

that green stuff

that makes my day

that sucks

that went right over my head

that works for me

that’s a bunch of bull

that’s a negative

that’s all right

that’s B.S.

That’s it!

that’s just the way it is

that’s life

that’s my girl/boy

that’s okay

that’s okay by/fine with me

that’s the best news I’ve heard all day

that’s the pits

that’s the way it goes

that’s why

That’s why!

The American Dream

the big five-oh

the big four-oh

the blues

the can

the drink

the four corners of the earth

the golden rule

the head

the john

the line’s engaged, British

The pleasure was all mine!

the three R’s

the whole nine yards

there’s a chance

They’re practically giving it away

thick-headed

think it over

think nothing of it

think on one’s feet

think over

think tank

think through

think up

thinking only of themselves

third date

third degree

third helping

third world

thirds

those three little words

thousand apologies

three little words

three R’s

three sheets to the wind

three strikes and you’re out

three-ring circus

three-word phrasal verbs

thriller

throw a fit

throw around

throw away

throw money away

throw money down the drain

throw on/off

throw together

throw up one’s hands

throwing money away

thumb a ride

thumb one’s nose

thumb through

thumbs up/down

tick something off (a list), British

ticked (off)

tickle your funny bone

tickled pink

tide one over

tidy up

tie the knot

tie up

tie/hold up traffic

tight with their money

tightwad

time for breakfast/lunch/dinner

time will tell

tired out

to be sure

to become

to cheat behind someone’s back

to creep along

to do okay

to do well

to drop out

to eat one’s fill

to flunk

to hand

to have a bath

to hold up/tie up traffic

to inch along

to move at a snail’s pace

to play around behind someone’s back

to sweep someone off his/her feet

to tell (you) the truth

to the nth degree

to turn

to turn red

toddlers

toe the line

toes

too bad

took off

took on so

top-ten

tore down

tore up

torn up

toss and turn (all night)

toss around

tots

touch off

touch up

traffic

traffic jam/snarl

trailer

transitive verbs

trim down

true

true blue

true love

true/false questions

trust me

try one’s wings

try out on

tuckered out

tune in/out

turn around

turn blue

turn down

turn down the sheets

turn heads

turn in

turn on/off

turn one’s stomach

turn out

turn over

turn over something in one’s mind

turn red

turn someone on to something

turn up

turn up one’s nose

turn up/down

turned a deaf ear

turned in

turning an idea over

turning over a new leaf

twenty-twenty hindsight

twiddle one’s thumbs

twilight years

twist someone around one’s (little) finger

twist someone’s arm

two bits

two left feet

two of a kind

two packs a day

two shakes (of a lamb’s tail)

two thumbs up

two-bit

two-faced

two’s company, three’s a crowd

two-timer

two-word phrasal verbs

type over

uh-huh

uh-uh

umpteen

under the weather

underage

Understand?

understudy

underweight

unrequited love

untrue

up

up at the crack of dawn

up in arms

up to one’s neck (in something)

up with the chickens

upbeat

upper-income

use one’s head

use up

using the bathroom

verbs, American versus British use

vicious lie

vino

voting age

wait a minute

wait at tables, British

wait for me

wait on

wait on someone hand and foot

wait on tables

wait up

wake up

wake up (someone)

walk all over

walk around

walk down the aisle (together)

walk in on

walk on tiptoes

walk out

walk out on

walk over

walking encyclopedia

walking on air

walking two feet off the ground

wallflower

want a drink

warm up to

warm-hearted

wash one’s hands of

wash out

wash up

wash up, British

washing-up liquid, British

waste (paper) basket

waste money

waste time

wasted

watch it

watch my weight

watch out

watch the road

watch their money

watch your head

watch your step

watching my weight

watching what they eat

way to go

wealth

wear down

wear their hearts on their sleeves

well done

well kept up

well off

we’ll see

well to do

We’re getting nowhere!

were handed out

were in the right place at the right time

wet behind the ears

wet blanket

wet kiss

what a bummer

what a drag

what a pity

what a shame

What about it?

What are you doing?

What are you up to?

What do you care?

What do you know!

What for?

What gives?

What in the heck?

What in the hell?

What in the world?

What is happening here?

what luck

what not/have you

What of it?

What the?

What was I thinking?

What?

whatever

whatever you want/think

What’s cooking?

What’s going on?

What’s happening?

What’s it to me?

What’s it to you?

What’s new?

What’s that?

What’s the (big) rush/hurry?

What’s up?

What’s up with?

What’s up with that?!

what’s what

What’s with someone?

when

when all is said and done

when in Rome

when it comes down to it

when it comes to

when the dust settles

Where have you been?

where it counts

where it’s at

where one is coming from

where one stands

where someone (something) is concerned

Where’s the fire?

Where’s the men’s (ladies’) room?

whip up

whipped/whupped

whisper sweet nothings

white as a ghost/sheet

white lie

white-collar

white-collar workers

whitewash

Who can say?

Who cares?

Who gives

Who knew!

Who knows?

Who says?

whoa

whodunit

whole nine yards

Who’s there?

who’s who

Why!

Why ask me?

Why don’t

Why don’t you?

Why in the world?

Why not!

Why not?

Why should I care?

window on the world

wine bars

winter cold

wipe out

wipe up

wiped out

Wish me luck!

with flying colors

with one hand tied behind one’s back

with open arms

womanize

womanizer

womanizing

wording, American versus British

work 24/7

work around the clock

work day and night

work in

work like a dog

work like crazy

work like gangbusters

work off

work one’s butt off

work one’s fingers to the bone

work one’s hardest

work one’s tail off

work out

work through

work up to

work-a day job

workhorse

working

working class

working for peanuts

working mom

worn out

worried sick

Would I lie to you?

would you be so kind as to

would you care for

would you mind

wrap someone around one’s (little) finger

wrapped up in themselves

write down

write off

write over

write up

written all over his/someone’s face

yeah

yeah, sure

yellow

yellow-bellied

yes

yes, indeed

you bet

you betcha

you can count me in

you can say that again

you did it

you done good

you don’t know what you’re talking about

You don’t say?

you go (girl)

you lie

You mean it?

you never can tell

you never know

you said it

you win some, you lose some

you(‘ve) got that right

you’re welcome

young love

your guess is as good as mine

your mouth is open!

You’re a sight for sore eyes

you’re all wet

you’re crazy

you’re full of it

you’re most welcome

You’re not alone

you’re not thinking straight

you’re nuts

you’re pulling my leg

you’re the man

you’re wrong

yours truly

you’ve got me

yup

zero

zero in

zero tolerance

zip it

zits

zonked