Словарь американских идиом (8000 единиц)
Шрифт:
[call on the carpet] <v. phr.>, <informal> To call (a person) before an authority (as a boss or teacher) for a scolding or reprimand. * /The worker was called on the carpet by the boss for sleeping on the job./ * /The principal called Tom on the carpet and warned him to stop coming to school late./
[call the roll] <v. phr.> To read out the names on a certain list, usually in alphabetical order. * /The sergeant called the roll of the newly enlisted volunteers in the army./
[call the shots] <v. phr.>, <informal> To give orders; be in charge; direct; control. * /Bob is a first-rate leader who knows how to call the shots./ * /The quarterback called the shots well, and the team gained twenty yards in five plays./ Syn.: CALL THE TUNE.
[call the tune] <v. phr.>, <informal> To be in control; give orders or directions; command. * /Bill was president of the club but Jim was secretary and called the tune./ * /The people supported the mayor, so he could call the tune in city matters./ Syn.: CALL THE SHOTS.
[call the turn] See: CALL ONE'S SHOT(2).
[call to account] <v. phr.> 1. To ask (someone) to explain why he did something wrong (as breaking a rule). * /The principal called Jim to account after Jim left school early without permission./ 2. To scold (as for wrong conduct); reprimand. * /The father called his son to account for disobeying him./
[call to arms] <v. phr.> To summon into the army. * /During World War II millions of Americans were called to arms to fight for their country./
[call to mind] <v. phr.> To remember; cause to remember. * /Your story calls to mind a similar event that happened to us a few years back./
[call to order] <v. phr.> 1. To open (a meeting) formally. * /The chairman called the committee to order./ * /The president pounded with his gavel to call the convention to order./ 2. To warn not to break the rules of a meeting. * /The judge called the people in the court room to order when they talked too loud./
[call out] <v. phr.> 1. To shout; speak loudly. * /My name was called out several times, but I was unable to hear it./ 2. To summon someone. * /If the rioting continues, the governor will have to call out the National Guard./
[call up] <v.> 1. To make someone think of; bring to mind; remind. * /The picture of the Capitol called up memories of our class trip./ 2. To tell to come (as before a court). * /The district attorney called up three witnesses./ 3. To bring together for a purpose; bring into action. * /Jim called up all his strength, pushed past the players blocking him, and ran for a touchdown./ * /The army called up its reserves when war seemed near./ 4. To call on the telephone. * /She called up a friend just for a chat./
[call upon] See: CALL ON.
[calm down] <v. phr.> To become quiet; relax. * /"Calm down, Mr. Smith," the doctor said with a reassuring smile. "You are going to live a long time."/
[camel] See: STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK at LAST STRAW.
[camp] See: BREAK CAMP.
[campaign] See: WHISPERING CAMPAIGN.
[camp follower] <n.> 1. A man or woman who goes with an army, not to fight but to sell something. * /Nowadays camp followers are not allowed as they were long ago./ 2. A person who goes with a famous or powerful person or group in hope of profit. * /A man who runs for president has many camp followers./
[camp out] <v.> To live, cook, and sleep out of doors (as in a tent). * /We camped out near the river for a week./
[can] See: AS BEST ONE CAN, CATCH AS CATCH CAN.
[canary] See: LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY or LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT SWALLOWED THE CANARY.
[cancel out] <v.> To destroy the effect of; balance or make useless. * /The boy got an "A" in history to cancel out the "C" he got in arithmetic./ * /Our track team won the mile relay to cancel out the other team's advantage in winning the half-mile relay./ * /Tom's hot temper cancels out his skill as a player./
[cancer stick] <n.>, <slang> A cigarette. * /Throw away that cancer stick! Smoking is bad for you!/
[candle] BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS, GAME IS NOT WORTH THE CANDLE, HOLD A CANDLE.
[canned heat] <n.> Chemicals in a can which burn with a hot, smokeless flame. * /Some people use canned heat to keep food warm./ * /The mountain climbers used canned heat for cooking./
[canned laughter] <n.>, <informal> The sounds of laughter heard on certain television programs that were obviously not recorded in front of a live audience and are played for the benefit of the audience from a stereo track to underscore the funny points. * /"How can there be an audience in this show when it is taking place in the jungle?
– Why, it's canned laughter you're hearing."/
[canned music] <n.> Recorded music, as opposed to music played live. * /"Let us go to a real concert, honey," Mike said. "I am tired of all this canned music we've been listening to."/
[canoe] See: PADDLE ONE'S OWN CANOE.
[can of worms] <n.>, <slang>, <informal> 1. A complex problem, or complicated situation. * /Let's not get into big city politics that's a different can of worms./ 2. A very restless, jittery person. * /Joe can't sit still for a minute - he is a can of worms./
[can't help but] <informal> also <formal> [cannot but] <v. phr.> To be forced to; can only; must. * /When the streets are full of melting snow, you can't help but get your shoes wet./ * /When a friend gave Jim a ticket to the game, he couldn't help but go./ * /When a close friend dies, you cannot but feel sad./ Compare: CAN HELP, HAVE TO.
[can't make an omelette without breaking (some) eggs] To achieve a certain goal one must sometimes incur damage, experience difficulties, or make sacrifices.
– A proverb. * /When we drove across the country, we put a lot of mileage on our car and had a flat tire, but it was a pleasant trip. "Well, you can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs," my wife said with a smile./