Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц
Шрифт:
[I.O.U.]{adj. phr.} I owe you, abbreviated; a promissory note. •/I had to borrow some money from John and, in order to remind both of us, I wrote him an I.O.U. note for $250./
[Irish] See: GET ONE’S DANDER UP or GET ONE’S IRISH UP.
[iron horse]{n.}, {informal} A railroad locomotive; the engine of a railroad train. •/In its first days, the iron horse frightened many people as it roared across country scattering sparks./
[iron in the fire]{n. phr.} Something you are doing; one of the projects with which a person is busy; job, •/John had a number of irons in the fire, and he managed to keep all of them hot./ — Usually used in the phrase "too many irons in the fire". •/"Ed has a dozen things going all the time, but none of them seem to work out." "No wonder. He has too many irons in the fire."/
[iron out]{v.}, {informal} To discuss and reach an agreement about (a difference); find a solution for (a problem); remove (a difficulty). •/The company and its workers ironed out their differences over hours and pay./ •/The House and Senate ironed out the differences between their two different tax bills./ Compare: MAKE UP(5).
[is] See: SUCH AS IT IS, THAT IS.
[island] See: SAFETY ISLAND.
[issue] See: AT ISSUE, TAKE ISSUE.
[is that so]{informal} 1. Oh, indeed? That’s interesting. — Used in simple acceptance or reply. •/"The Republicans have pulled a trick at city hall." "Is that so?"/ 2. Surely not? — Used in disbelief or sarcasm. •/"The moon is made of green cheese." "Is that so?"/ •/"I’m going to take your girlfriend to the dance," said Bob. "Oh, is that so!" said Dick. "Try it and you’ll be sorry."/
[itching palm]{n.}, {slang} A wish for money; greed. •/He was born with an itching palm./ •/The bellboys in that hotel seem always to have itching palms./
[I tell you] See: I’LL SAY.
[I tell you what] See: I’LL TELL YOU WHAT.
[item] See: COLLECTOR’S ITEM, CONSUMER ITEMS.
[it figures]{informal sentence} It checks out; it makes sense; it adds up. •/It figures that Bob got the highest raise at our firm; he is the most productive salesman./
[it is an ill wind that blows nobody good] No matter how bad a happening is, someone can usually gain something from it. — A proverb. •/When Fred got hurt in the game John got a chance to play. It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good./
[it never rains but it pours] One good thing or bad thing is often followed by others of the same kind. — A proverb, •/John got sick, then his brothers and sisters all got sick. It never rains but it pours./
[it’s a cinch]{informal sentence} It is very easy. •/"What about the final exam?" Fred asked. "It was a cinch" Sam answered./ Compare: PIECE OF CAKE.
[it’s a deal]{informal sentence} Consider it done; OK; it is agreed. •/"How much for this used car?" Bill asked. "Two thousand," the man answered. "I’ll give $1,500," Bill said. "It’s a deal!" the owner answered as they sealed the transaction./
[it’s been ---, it’s been real]{informal} Shortened form for "it has been real nice (being with you)" — used colloquially between very close friends.
[itself] See: END IN ITSELF.
[it’s high time]{informal sentence} It is overdue. •/It is high time for John Browning to be promoted to full professor; he has written a great deal but his books went unnoticed./
[Ivy League]{n.} A small group of the older and more famous eastern U.S. colleges and universities. •/Several Ivy League teams play each other regularly each year./ •/Harvard, Yale, and Princeton were the original Ivy League./
J
[Jack] See: ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY.
[jack] See: EVERY LAST MAN also EVERY MAN JACK.
[jack of all trades]{n.}, {informal} (Often followed by the words "master of none.") A person who is knowledgeable in many areas. Can be used as praise, or as a derogatory remark depending on the context and the intonation. •/Peter is a jack of all trades; he can survive anywhere!/ •/"How come Joe did such a sloppy job?" Mary asked. "He’s a jack of all trades," Sally answered./
[jackpot] See: HIT THE JACKPOT.
[jack-rabbit start]{n.}, {informal} A very sudden start from a still position; a very fast start from a stop. •/Bob made a jack-rabbit start when the traffic light turned green./
[Jack Robinson] See: BEFORE ONE CAN SAY JACK ROBINSON.
[jack up]{v.} 1. To lift with a jack. •/The man jacked up his car to fit a flat tire./ 2. {informal} To make (a price) higher; raise. •/Just before Christmas, some stores jack up their prices./