Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц
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[maiden speech]{n. phr.} One’s first public speech, usually before some legislative body. •/It was the new congressman’s maiden speech and everyone was listening very keenly./
[maiden voyage]{n. phr.} The first voyage of a boat. •/The Titanic sank on her maiden voyage to America from England./
[mail order]{n. phr.} A purchase made by mail. •/If you don’t have a chance to go to a store, you can sometimes make a purchase by mail order./
[main] See: IN THE MAIN, WITH MIGHT AND MAIN.
[main drag]{n.}, {colloquial} 1. The most important street or thoroughfare in a town. •/Lincoln Avenue is the main drag of our town./ 2. The street where the dope pushers and the prostitutes are. •/Wells Street is the main drag of Chicago, actionwise./
[main squeeze]{n.}, {slang} 1. The top ranking person in an organization or in a neighborhood; an important person, such as one’s boss. •/Mr. Bronchard is the main squeeze in this office./ 2. The top person in charge of an illegal operation, such as drug sales, etc. •/Before we can clean up this part of town, we must arrest the main squeeze./ 3. One’s principal romantic or sexual partner. •/The singer’s main squeeze is a member of the band./
[majority leader]{n.} The leader of the political party with the most votes in a legislative house. •/The majority leader of the House of Representatives tried to get the members of his party to support the bill./ Compare: MINORITY LEADER.
[make] See: ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY, HAVE IT MADE, MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK, ON THE MAKE.
[make a beeline for]{v. phr.} To go in a straight line toward. •/The runner made a beeline for first base./ •/When the bell rang Ted made a beeline for the door of the classroom./
[make a big deal about]{v. phr.}, {informal} To exaggerate an insignificant event. •/Jeff said, "I’m sorry I banged into you in the dark. Don’t make a big deal out of it."/
[make a clean breast of]{v. phr.} To admit (your guilt); tell all about (your wrong doing); confess everything. •/The police caught the hit-and-run driver and he made a clean breast of his crime./ •/Arthur worried because he cheated on the test, and finally he went to the teacher and made a clean breast of it./ Compare: OFF ONE’S CHEST.
[make a clean sweep of]{v. phr.} 1. Achieve a complete victory. •/In 7980 the Reagan Republicans made a clean sweep of the western states./ 2. To eliminate thoroughly and completely. •/The new attorney general is expected to make a clean sweep of all the old administrative personnel./
[make a clown of] See: MAKE A FOOL OF.
[make a day of it]{v. phr.}, {informal} To do something all day. •/When they go to the beach they take a picnic lunch and make a day of it./ Compare: MAKE A NIGHT OF.
[make a dent in]{v. phr.}, {informal} To make less by a very small amount; reduce slightly. — Usually used in the negative or with such qualifying words as "hardly" or "barely". •/John shoveled and shoveled, but he didn’t seem to make a dent in the pile of sand./ •/Mary studied all afternoon and only made a dent in her homework./
[make a difference] or [make the difference]{v. phr.} To change the nature of something or a situation; be important; matter. •/John’s good score on the test made the difference between his passing or failing the course./ •/It doesn’t make a bit of difference if you are late to my party. I just want you to come./
[make a face]{v. phr.}, {informal} To twist your face; make an ugly expression on your face (as by sticking out your tongue). •/The boy made a face at his teacher when she turned her back./ •/The sick boy swallowed the medicine and made a face./
[make a fast buck] See: FAST BUCK.
[make a federal case out of] See: MAKE A BIG DEAL ABOUT, MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL.
[make a fool of] or (informal) [make a monkey of]{v. phr.} To make (someone) look foolish. •/The boy made a fool of himself./ •/Mary’s classmates made a fool of her by telling her the party was to be a masquerade./
[make after]{v. phr.} To chase something; run after something. •/The mouse escaped from the kitchen corner and the cat made after it./
[make a fuss over]{v. phr.} 1. To quarrel about something or someone. •/I want you kids to stop fussing about who gets the drumstick./ 2. To he excessively concerned about someone or something; worry. •/Let’s not fuss over such an insignificant problem!/ 3. To show exaggerated care or preoccupation about a person or an animal. •/Aunt Hermione is constantly fussing over her old lapdog./
[make a go of]{v. phr.} To turn into a success. •/He is both energetic and highly skilled at trading; he is sure to make a go of any business that holds his interest./
[make a hit]{v. phr.}, {informal} To be successful; be well-liked; get along well. •/Mary’s new red dress made a hit at the party./ •/Alice was so happy that her boyfriend made a hit with her parents./ Compare: GO OVER(6).
[make a killing]{v. phr.} To earn or suddenly win a very large sum of money. •/Herb bought a lot of soybean stock when the price was low and sold it when the price went up. Small wonder he made a huge killing./