Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц
Шрифт:
[in the know]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Knowing about things that most people do not know about; knowing secrets or understanding a special subject. •/Tina helped Professor Smith make some of the exam questions, and she felt important to be in the know./ •/In a print shop, Mr. Harvey is in the know, but in a kitchen he can’t even cook an egg./ Compare: GET WISE. Contrast: IN THE DARK.
[in the lap of luxury]{adv. phr.} Well supplied with luxuries; having most things that money can buy. •/Mike grew up in the lap of luxury./ Compare: ON EASY STREET, WELL-TO-DO.
[in the lap of the gods] also [on the knees of the gods]{adv. phr.}, {literary} Beyond human control; not to be decided by anyone. •/Frank had worked hard as a candidate, and as election day came he felt that the result was in the lap of the gods./ •/The armies were evenly matched and the result of the battle seemed to be on the knees of the gods./
[in the least]{adv. phr.} Even a little; in any degree or amount. — Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. •/Sue did not understand physics in the least./ •/Are you in the least interested in sewing?/ •/Mother won’t be upset if you come for supper; I’ll be surprised if she cares in the least./ •/Mike was not upset in the least by the storm./ •/It is no trouble to help you. Not in the least./ Compare: AT ALL.
[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./
[in the long run]{adv. phr.} In the end; in the final result. •/John knew that lie could make a success of the little weekly paper in the long run./ •/You may make good grades by studying only before examinations, but you will succeed in the long run only by studying hard every day./
[in the lurch] See: LEAVE IN THE LURCH.
[in the main]{adv. phr.}, {formal} In most cases; generally; usually. •/In the main, small boys and dogs are good friends./ •/In the main, the pupils did well on the test./
[in the market for]{adj. phr.} Wishing to buy; ready to buy. •/Mr. Jones is in the market for a new car./ •/People are always in the market for entertainment./
[in the middle]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In between two sides of an argument; caught between two dangers. •/Mary found herself in the middle of the quarrel between Joyce and Ethel./ •/John promised Tom to go fishing, but his father wanted him to help at home. John was in the middle./
[in the middle of nowhere]{adv. phr.} In a deserted, faraway place. •/When my car stopped on the highway in the middle of nowhere, it took forever to get help./
[in the money] See: IN THE CHIPS.
[in the mood (for)]{adj. phr.} 1. Interested in doing something. •/Sorry, I’m just not in the mood for a heavy dinner tonight./ 2. Feeling sexy. •/I am sorry, darling, I am just not in the mood tonight./
[in the mouth] See: LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.
[in the neck] See: CATCH IT IN THE NECK or GET IT IN THE NECK.
[in the nick of time]{adv. phr.} Just at the right time; barely soon enough; almost too late. •/The doctor arrived in the nick of time to save the child from choking to death./ •/Joe saw the other car in the nick of time./ Compare: IN TIME.
[in the pink] or [in the pink of condition]{adj. phr.}, {informal} In excellent health; strong and well; in fine shape. •/Mr. Merrick had aged well; he was one of those old men who always seem in the pink of condition./ •/After a practice and a rubdown, Joe felt in the pink./
[in the --- place]{adv. phr.} As the (first or second or third, etc.) thing in order or importance; first, second, or third, etc. — Used with "first", "second", "third", and other ordinal numbers. •/No, you cannot go swimming. In the first place, the water is too cold; and, in the second place, there is not time enough before dinner./ •/Stealing is wrong, in the first place, because it hurts others, and, in the second place, because it hurts you./ Compare: FOR ONE THING.
[in the prime of life]{adv. phr.} At the peak of one’s creative abilities; during the most productive years. •/Poor John lost his job due to restructuring when he was in the prime of his life./
[in the public eye]{adj. phr.} Widely known; often seen in public activity; much in the news. •/The senator’s activity kept him in the public eye./ •/A big league ballplayer is naturally much in the public eye./
[in the raw]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} 1. In the simplest or most natural way; with no frills. •/Henry enjoyed going into the woods and living life in the raw./ 2. {informal} Without any clothing; naked. •/In the summer the boys slept in the raw./
[in the red]{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In an unprofitable way; so as to lose money. •/A large number of American radio stations operate in the red./ •/A rich man who has a farm or ranch often runs it in the red, but makes his money with his factory or business./ Contrast: IN THE BLACK. (From the fact that people who keep business records usually write in red ink how much money they lose and in black ink how much money they gain.)