Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц
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[on trial]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. For testing or trying out for a time before making a decision. •/I was lucky that I had bought the machine on trial because I didn’t like it and was able to return it./ •/Mother bought a new dishwasher on trial and was trying it out before deciding whether to keep it./ 2. In a court being tried for a crime before a judge or jury. •/John White was on trial for murder./ •/Mary was on trial before the Student Committee for spoiling school property./
[on words] See: PLAY ON WORDS.
[on your life] See: NOT ON YOUR LIFE.
[open] See: EYES OPEN, THROW OPEN.
[open and aboveboard]{adj. phr.} Honest. •/Jacob felt that the firm he was doing business with wasn’t entirely open and aboveboard./
[open and shut] See: CUT AND DRIED.
[open arms] See: RECEIVE WITH OPEN ARMS.
[open-door policy]{n. phr.} A policy that states that newcomers are welcome to join the company, firm, or country in question. •/During the nineteenth century the United States had an open-door policy regarding immigration./
[open fire]{v. phr.} To begin shooting. •/The big warship turned its guns toward the enemy ship and opened fire./ •/When the policeman called to the robber to stop, he turned and suddenly opened fire./
[openhanded]{adj.} Generous; liberal. •/Although not wealthy himself, Bob was always very openhanded with those who needed help./
[open heart]{n.} 1. No hiding of your feelings; frankness; freedom. •/She spoke with an open heart of her warm feelings for her pupils./ •/She told her troubles with an open heart./ Compare: HEART ON ONE’S SLEEVE. 2. Kindness; generosity. •/She contributed to the fund with an open heart./ •/Mr. Jones has an open heart for underprivileged children./ Compare: OPEN ONE’S HEART.
[open its doors]{v. phr.} 1. To allow someone or something to enter or join; become open. •/That college was started for women only, but a few years ago it opened its doors to men./ 2. To begin doing business; open. •/Proffitts Department Store is having a birthday sale; it first opened its doors fifty years ago this month./ Contrast: CLOSE ITS DOORS.
[open letter]{n. phr.} A public message in the form of a letter addressed to a particular person or to a group. •/There was an open letter to the president of the United States in today’s morning paper./
[open market]{n. phr.} Goods or securities available for purchase by all. •/The stocks of certain companies are on the open market./
[open marriage]{n. phr.} An arrangement by mutual agreement between husband and wife whereby they are both allowed to have extramarital affairs. •/Chances are the open marriage arrangement they had didn’t work out too well so they are getting a divorce./
[open-minded]{adj.} Having no dogmatic or biased views on matters of theory, religion, politics, etc. •/Fred is easy to talk to about anything; he is a highly intelligent and open-minded person./
[open one’s eyes] or [open up one’s eyes]{v. phr.} To make a person see or understand the truth; make a person realize; tell a person what is really happening or what really exists. •/Mary didn’t believe that her cousin could be mean until the cousin opened Mary’s eyes by scratching and biting her./ •/John’s eyes were opened up to the world of nature when he visited his grandfather’s farm./ Compare: EYES OPEN, WISE UP. — [eye opener]{n.} Something that makes you understand the truth. •/Pam’s first visit to school was a real eye-opener./
[open one’s heart]{v. phr.} 1. To talk about your feelings honestly; confide in someone. •/After going around worrying, Mary opened her heart to her mother./ •/John felt much better after he opened his heart to Betty./ 2. To be sympathetic to; give love or help generously. •/Mrs. Smith opened her heart to the poor little boy./ •/After the moving speech by the UN official, the people opened their hearts to the poor people of India./ Compare: OPEN HEART, WEAR ONE’S HEART ON ONE’S SLEEVE.
[open onto]{v. phr.} To have a view of. •/Our apartment in Chicago has a set of windows that open onto Lake Michigan./
[open Pandora’s box] See: PANDORA’S BOX.
[open question]{n. phr.} A debatable issue. •/Whether assisted suicide is legal and moral or not is still an open question, recent publicity on the matter notwithstanding./
[open secret]{n.} Something that is supposed to be a secret but that everyone knows. •/It is an open secret that Mary and John are engaged./ •/Who will be appointed as the next president of the college is an open secret./
[open sesame]{n. phr.}, {literary} Immediate means of entrance, or unobstructed access to something. •/Tom mistakenly believed that his wealth would be an open sesame to the world of creative arts./
[open shop]{n. phr.} A factory or firm that employs both union and non-union labor. •/The firm refuses to adopt an open shop policy./ Contrast: CLOSED SHOP.
[open the door]{v. phr.} To allow more action or discussion; give a chance. •/Learning to read and write opens the door to a better job and better living conditions./ •/Raising the tax rates will open the door to more help for older people./ Contrast: CLOSE THE DOOR. Compare: OPEN ITS DOORS.
[open the floodgates]{v. phr.} To let loose an outburst of human activity or emotion. •/It would open the floodgates of anger and discontent if the university raised tuition too soon./