NTC''''s Pocket Dictionary of Words and Phrases part 37 ppsx

let someone off (with something ) to give someone a light punish- ment [for doing something]. let someone or something down to fail someone or something; to dis- appoint someone or a group. let something out 1. to reveal something; to tell about a secret or a plan. 2. to enlarge the waist of an article of clothing. let something out (to someone ) to rent something to someone. let something pass to let something go unnoticed or unchallenged. let something slide (by) Go to let something slip by. let something slip by and let something slide (by) 1. to forget or miss an important time or date. 2. to waste a period of time. let the cat out of the bag and spill the beans to reveal a secret or a surprise by accident. let the chance slip by to lose the opportunity (to do something). let up 1. to diminish. 2. to stop [doing something] altogether. let up (on someone or something ) to reduce the pressure or demands on someone or something. let’s ["lEts] cont. let us; we will [do something]. (A gentle command or request. A response is usually expected.) letter ["lEt #] 1. n. a written or printed symbol in an alphabet. 2. n. a written message sent to a person or a group. letter carrier ["lEt # kEr i #] Go to mail carrier. lettuce ["lEt Is] n. a leafy, green vegetable, often used in salads. (No plural. Number is expressed with leaf or leaves of lettuce and head(s) of lettuce.) → head of lettuce level ["lEv @l] 1. n. a flat surface; a horizontal plane. 2. n. one of the floors of a building or other struc- ture. 3. n. a layer; a step or a stage. 4. n. the amount of a measure- ment; a position on a scale of measurement. 5. n. a tool or device that shows when a surface is exactly horizontal or vertical. 6. adj. [of a surface] exactly hori- zontal, so every point is the same height. 7. adj. [of a measurement] steady; not changing. (Figurative on Y.) 8. tv. to knock down trees, buildings, or other objects until the land is flat; to clear land by knocking down trees or buildings. → find one’s own level → on the level → sea level → (strictly) on the level level off [for variation or fluctua- tion in the motion of something] to diminish; [for a rate] to stop increasing or decreasing. level out [for something that was going up and down] to assume a more level course or path. level something at someone to aim a remark at someone; to direct something at someone. level something off to make some- thing level or smooth. level something out to cause some- thing to assume a more level course or path. lever ["lEv #] 1. n. a bar of metal or wood, positioned so that it increases one’s power in lifting or moving heavy objects. 2. n. a bar let someone off (with something) 326 05 7/23/03 8:49 AM Page 326 TLFeBOOK or handle that serves as a control device. liability [laI @ "bIl @ ti] 1. n. a kind of danger to people that could cause a lawsuit against whoever is responsible for creating the dan- ger. (No plural form.) 2. n. a cost or [monetary] charge; a potential cost; a negative consideration. (No plural form.) → assume liability (for something ) liar ["laI #] n. someone who tells lies; someone who does not tell the truth. liberty ["lIb # ti] 1. n. the freedom from control; the freedom to think or act for oneself. (No plu- ral.) 2. n. the permission to do something; a right or a privilege that one has been given. librarian [laI "brEr i @n] n. someone who manages or helps operate a library. library ["laI brEr i] 1. n. a building or room that has a supply of books or similar materials available for use by a number of people. 2. n. a collection of books, records, videotapes, etc. license ["laI s@ns] 1. n. a document that proves that someone has offi- cial permission to do or own something. 2. n. a freedom to do something. (No plural.) 3. tv. to give or sell someone a Q for some- thing; to authorize someone or something; to permit someone or something. license plate ["laI s@ns "plet] n. a rectangular panel, showing a car’s license number, that is put on the rear and, in some states, the front of a car. (Can be shortened to plate.) license to do something permis- sion, right, or justification to do something. lick ["lIk] 1. tv. to move the tongue along someone or something; to taste something by moving one’s tongue along it; to make some- thing wet by moving one’s tongue along it. 2. n. the movement of the tongue along the surface of some- thing as in Q. 3. n. a small amount of something that one gets by moving the tongue as in Q. → give something a lick and a promise lick one’s lips to show eagerness or pleasure about a future event. lid ["lId] 1. n. a cover for a con- tainer, surface, hole, etc. 2. n. the fold of skin over the eye; an eyelid. lie ["laI] 1. n. a statement that is not true and that the speaker knows is not true; a false statement. 2. iv. to say something that is not true; to tell Q. (Past tense and past par- ticiple: lied. Present participle: lying.) 3. iv., irreg. to be in a flat position; to place oneself in a flat position. (Past tense: lay; past par- ticiple: lain. See also lay. Present participle: lying.) 4. iv., irreg. to be located; to be in a certain place. 5. iv., irreg. to remain in a place or condition; to stay in a certain con- dition or position. → a pack of lies → take something lying down lie down to recline. lie fallow 1. [for land] to remain unused. 2. [for a skill and talent] to remain unused and neglected. lie fallow 327 05 7/23/03 8:49 AM Page 327 TLFeBOOK lie in [for a woman] to lie in bed awaiting the birth of her child. lie through one’s teeth to lie boldly, obviously, and with no remorse. lied ["laId] past tense and past par- ticiple of lie W. life ["laIf] 1. n. the power that causes plants and animals to exist, in general. (No plural.) 2. n., irreg. an individual instance of Q that can be lived, lost, saved, spent, wasted, etc.; the period of time between the time of one’s birth and one’s death or between the time of one’s birth and the pres- ent. (Plural: lives.) 3. n., irreg. the activities, experiences, and habits of a person. 4. n. excitement; vigor. (No plural.) 5. n. a kind of living; a quality of living. (No plu- ral.) → all walks of life → claim a life → get the shock of one’s life → have the time of one’s life → in the prime of life → lead a dog’s life → lead the life of Riley → live a dog’s life → live a life of something → live the life of Riley → make life miserable for someone → a matter of life and death → milestone in someone’s life → a new lease on life → one’s mission in life → run for one’s life → the seamy side of life → within an inch of one’s life life jacket and life preserver; life vest ["laIf dZAk @t, pr@ "z#v #, vEst ] n. a thick jacket without sleeves that floats and will keep the person who wears it from sinking in the water. (See also life- saver .) life of the party the type of per- son who is lively and helps make a party fun and exciting. life preserver Go to life jacket. life vest Go to life jacket. lifeboat ["laIf bot] n. a boat used to carry people away from a sinking ship; a boat used to save people in danger of drowning. lifeguard ["laIf gard] n. someone who works at a beach or swim- ming pool to encourage water safety and rescue people from danger in the water. lifesaver ["laIf sev #] 1. n. some- one or something that saves some- one’s life. 2. n. something that serves well in an emergency. (Fig- urative on Q.) lifetime ["laIf taIm] 1. n. the time that a person or animal is living. 2. n. the period of time that some- thing works or can be used. (Figu- rative on Q.) lift ["lIft] 1. tv. to pick someone or something up from the ground; to raise someone or something to a higher level. 2. iv. [for clouds, fog, smoke, smog] to rise or go away. 3. n. a free ride in a car or truck. (Informal.) 4. n. something that makes someone feel happier, stronger, or more awake. lift off [for a plane or rocket] to move upward, leaving the ground. lift something off (of) someone or something to raise something and uncover or release someone or something. lie in 328 05 7/23/03 8:49 AM Page 328 TLFeBOOK light ["laIt] 1. n. a form of radiation or energy that makes things visi- ble. (No plural.) 2. n. something that produces Q, such as a lamp or a flame. 3. n. something, such as a match, that produces fire. (No plu- ral.) 4. n. the period of time when the sun is in the sky; daytime. (No plural.) 5. n. a traffic signal that uses W that are red, yellow, and green to control people and vehi- cles. (Short for traffic light.) 6. n. a view; the way that something is seen or thought of. (No plural.) 7. adj. pale in color; not dark or deep; mixed with white. (Adv: lightly.) 8. adj. not heavy; not weighing much; easy to carry. (Adv: lightly.) 9. adj. not having much force; gentle. (Figurative on I. Adv: lightly.) 10. iv., irreg. [for a creature] to land on a surface after flight. (Past tense and past participle: lighted or lit.) 11. tv., irreg. to set something on fire; to cause something to begin to burn. → (as) light as a feather → begin to see the light → bring something to light → come to light → get off lightly → hide one’s light under a bushel → make light of something → out like a light → see the light (at the end of the tunnel) → see the light (of day) → traffic light light someone or something up to shine lights on someone or some- thing. light up 1. [for something] to become brighter. 2. [for someone] to become interested in and responsive to something. light (up)on someone or something 1. to land on someone or some- thing; to settle on someone or something. 2. to arrive at some- thing by chance; to happen upon something. (Figurative. Close to Q.) lighter ["laIt #] n. a device that makes a flame to light cigarettes or cigars. lighthouse ["laIt haUs] n., irreg. a tall structure near the sea with a bright light near the top that warns ships away from danger. (Plural: [ haU z@z].) lighting ["laIt IN] 1. n. light that makes things and people visible; illumination; the type or quality of light in a room or other place. (No plural.) 2. n. the equipment that directs light, especially for effect in a television or movie studio or on a stage. (No plural.) lightning ["laIt nIN] n. a flash or streak of light in the sky, especially during a thunderstorm. (No plu- ral. Number is expressed with bolt(s) or flash(es) of lightning.) lightning bug and firefly ["laIt nIN b@g, "faIr flaI ] n. a type of beetle that is able to fly and to illu- minate its body in the dark. like ["laIk] 1. tv. to enjoy someone or something; to find someone or something pleasant. 2. n. a desire; something that one enjoys having or doing. 3. adj. similar; same. (Prenominal only.) 4. prep. similar to someone or something; in the same way as someone or some- thing. 5. prep. for instance, the fol- lowing people or things; such as the following people or things. like 329 05 7/23/03 8:49 AM Page 329 TLFeBOOK 6. conj. in the same way as some- one or something does; similar to the way someone or something is. (Viewed as incorrect by some peo- ple.) 7. conj. as though; as if. (Viewed as incorrect by some people.) like a bat out of hell with great speed and force. like a bolt out of the blue sud- denly and without warning. like a bump on a log unrespon- sive; immobile. like a fish out of water awkward; in a foreign or unaccustomed environment. like a lamb to the slaughter and like lambs to the slaughter [proceeding] quietly and without seeming to realize or complain about the likely difficulties or dan- gers of a situation. like a sitting duck and like sit- ting ducks unguarded; unsus- pecting and unaware. like a three-ring circus chaotic; exciting and busy. like lambs to the slaughter Go to like a lamb to the slaughter. like looking for a needle in a haystack [of a search] hopeless. like nothing on earth unique, extraordinary and, surprising. (Informal.) like sitting ducks Go to like a sit- ting duck. like to hear oneself talk [for someone] to enjoy one’s own talk- ing more than other people enjoy listening to it. like water off a duck’s back eas- ily; without any apparent effect. likelihood ["laIk li hUd] n. the chance of being likely; the state of something being probable. (No plural.) likely ["laIk li] 1. adj. probable. 2. adj. suitable; apt. → (as) likely as not likely to do something apt to do something; tending to do some- thing. lily ["lIl i] n. a flower with large petals that grows from a bulb. → gild the lily limb ["lIm] 1. n. a large tree branch. 2. n. an arm, leg, or wing. → out on a limb lime ["laIm] 1. n. a small, green cit- rus fruit. 2. n. a white substance, made by burning a kind of rock, which is used to make plaster, cement, and mortar. (No plural.) 3. adj. made or flavored with Q. limit ["lIm It] 1. n. a boundary; the edge; the farthest point of some- thing; the greatest amount allowed or possible. 2. tv. to prevent some- one or something from passing a certain point or amount; to restrict something to a certain amount of space or time. → go the limit → The sky’s the limit. → speed limit limp ["lImp] 1. n. an uneven walk; a way of walking where one’s foot drags or moves as if it is injured. 2. iv. to walk to somewhere show- ing Q. 3. adj. not stiff; having no resistance. (Adv: limply. Comp: limper; sup: limpest.) like a bat out of hell 330 05 7/23/03 8:49 AM Page 330 TLFeBOOK line ["laIn] 1. n. a thin mark, straight or curved, made on the surface of something. 2. n. a bor- der; a mark that shows the limit, border, or end of something. 3. n. a wide band; a stripe. 4. n. a string, rope, or cord. (On boats and ships, ropes are called lines.) 5. n. a wire, pipe, or cable that carries a public utility company’s product, such as electricity, water, gas, telephone, etc. 6. n. a tele- phone connection. 7. n. a row or series of people standing and waiting for a turn to do some- thing. 8. n. a row of words in printing or writing. 9. n. some- thing that is said by an actor onstage or in a film. 10. tv. to put a lining in something; to cover the inside of something with some- thing else. → draw the line between something and something else → drop someone a line → drop someone a few lines → the end of the line → fall in(to) line (with someone or something ) → in the line of duty → lay something on the line → the party line → put something on the line → read between the lines → sign on the dotted line → step out of line → toe the line the line of least resistance and the path of least resistance the course of action that will cause the least trouble or effort. line someone or something up 1. to put people or things in line. 2. to schedule someone or something [for something]. line someone or something up (in something ) to put people or things into some kind of formation, such as a row, column, ranks, etc. line up to get into a line; [for a number of people or vehicles] to join or form a line. line up for something to form or get into a line and wait for some- thing. line up in(to) something to form or get into a line, row, rank, column, etc. linen ["lIn @n] 1. n. a fabric made from flax. (No plural form.) 2. n. tablecloths and sheets made of Q or some other fabric; underwear. (Sometimes plural with the same meaning.) 3. the adj. use of Q or W. → air one’s dirty linen in public → wash one’s dirty linen in public linger on (after someone or some- thing ) and stay on (after some- one or something ) to outlast someone or something; to live longer than someone else or long after an event. lining ["laIn IN] n. a fabric or other material put on the inside surface of something for protection, warmth, etc. link ["lINk] 1. n. one of the loops or circles that make up a chain. 2. n. someone or something that con- nects someone or something to someone or something else. (Figu- rative on Q.) 3. tv. to connect someone or something to someone or something else. link up to someone or something and link (up) with someone or link up to someone or something 331 05 7/23/03 8:49 AM Page 331 TLFeBOOK something to join up with some- one or something. link (up) with someone or some- thing Go to link up to someone or something. lint ["lInt] n. a tiny piece of thread; a small cluster of threads, dirt, hair, etc. (No plural.) lion ["laI @n] n. a large, tan-colored wild animal in the cat family, native to Africa. the lion’s share (of something ) the larger share of something. → beard the lion in his den → mountain lion lip ["lIp] 1. n. one of the two ridges of flesh on the outside of the mouth. 2. n. a rim; an edge, espe- cially a part of an edge of a con- tainer. → button one’s lip → keep a stiff upper lip → lick one’s lips liquid ["lIk wId] 1. n. a flowing sub- stance, such as water, that is not a gas or a solid. 2. n. the sounds [l] and [r]. 3. adj. in the form of Q. 4. adj. [of an asset that can be] easily converted to cash. liquor ["lIk #] 1. n. broth or juices from cooking. (No plural.) 2. n. alcohol for drinking. (Plural only for types and instances.) list ["lIst] 1. n. a printed or written series of words, names, or items. 2. n. a slant or tilt to one side, as with a ship. 3. tv. to write things on Q. 4. iv. to lean to one side. → on a waiting list listen ["lIs @n] iv. to pay attention to a source of sound. listen in (on someone or some- thing ) 1. to join someone or a group as a listener. 2. to eavesdrop on someone. lit ["lIt] a past tense and past par- ticiple of light. liter ["lit #] n. a metric unit of liq- uid measurement equal to 1.06 quarts. literacy ["lIt @ r@ si] n. the ability to read and write. (No plural.) literal ["lIt @ r@l] 1. adj. [of the meaning of a word or phrase] basic instead of secondary or figu- rative. (Adv: literally.) 2. adj. exact, especially pertaining to translations; translating or inter- preting one word at a time. (Adv: literally.) literature ["lIt @ r@ tS#] 1. n. writ- ing considered as art, such as fic- tion, plays, and poetry. (No plural.) 2. n. all the written mate- rial of a specific subject or region. (No plural.) 3. n. information; a brochure or small book that has information about something. (No plural.) litmus test a question or experi- ment that seeks to determine the state of one important factor. little ["lIt @l] 1. adj. small in size. (Comp: littler; sup: littlest.) 2. adj., irreg. not much. (Without a. Comp: less; sup: least. Used with items that cannot be counted. Compare this with few Q.) 3. adj., irreg. some; a small amount. (With a. Comp: less; sup: least. Used with items that cannot be counted. Compare this with few W.) 4. adv., irreg. not much; not a lot. (Comp: less; sup: least.) → precious little link (up) with someone or something 332 05 7/23/03 8:49 AM Page 332 TLFeBOOK → twist someone around one’s little finger a little 1. adv. somewhat; to some degree or in some amount. (Comp: less; sup: least.) 2. n. a small amount [of something men- tioned before or known from the context]; some. (No plural. Treated as singular. Use a few for items that are counted.) a little bird told me learned from a mysterious or secret source. little by little slowly, a bit at a time. livable ["lIv @ b@l] adj. suitable to be lived in or with. (Adv: livably.) live 1. ["laIv] adj. not dead; having life. 2. ["laIv] adj. carrying elec- tricity; electrically charged. (Figu- rative on Q.) 3. ["laIv] adj. on the air; not taped; broadcast at the same time something is happen- ing. 4. ["laIv] adv. while some- thing is really happening; broadcast at the moment that something is happening. 5. ["lIv] iv. to be; to exist; to be alive; to survive. 6. ["lIv] iv. to reside at a certain address; to reside in or at a certain place. 7. ["lIv] iv. to exist in a certain way. live a dog’s life Go to lead a dog’s life. live a life of something to have a life of a certain quality or style. live and let live to not interfere with other people’s business or preferences. live beyond one’s means to spend more money than one can afford. live by one’s wits to survive by being clever. live from hand to mouth to live in poor circumstances. live in an ivory tower to be aloof from the realities of living. live off (of) someone or something to obtain one’s living or means of survival from someone or some- thing. live off the fat of the land to grow one’s own food; to live on stored-up resources or abundant resources. live out of a suitcase to live briefly in a place, never unpacking one’s luggage. live something down to overcome some embarrassing or trouble- some problem or event. live the life of Riley Go to lead the life of Riley . live through something to endure something; to survive an unpleas- ant or dangerous time of one’s life. live up to one’s end of the bar- gain to carry through on a bar- gain; to do as was promised in a bargain. live up to something to be equal to expectations or goals. live with something to put up with something. (Does not mean “to dwell with.”) live within one’s means to spend no more money than one has. live within something 1. to live within certain boundaries. 2. to keep one’s living costs within a certain amount, especially within one’s budget, means, etc. live without something to survive, lacking something. live without something 333 05 7/23/03 8:49 AM Page 333 TLFeBOOK lively ["laIv li] adj. showing energy or excitement; cheerful; active. (Comp: livelier; sup: liveliest.) liven something up to make some- thing more lively or less dull. liver ["lIv #] 1. n. an organ, in the body of an animal, that produces fluids used in digestion and per- forms other important functions. 2. n. a whole Q, eaten as food. 3. n. Q, eaten as food. (No plural.) lives 1. ["laIvz] plural of life. 2. ["lIvz] the third-person singular of live. livestock ["laIv stak] n. animals that are kept on a farm or ranch, usually for the production of food. (No plural. Treated as singular or plural, but not countable.) living room ["lIv IN rum] n. the main room of a house or apart- ment, large enough to hold a num- ber of people. lizard ["lIz #d] n. a reptile with legs, scaly skin, and a tail. load ["lod] 1. n. something that is carried; a burden; a weight. 2. n. the amount of something that can be carried; one large portion of something for carrying. 3. n. the amount of electricity used by an electrical device. 4. tv. to put bul- lets into a gun; to put film or videotape into a camera; to install computer software into a com- puter. 5. tv. to fill something with something. → get a load off one’s feet → get a load off one’s mind → take a load off one’s feet load someone or something into something to put someone or something into something. load up (with something ) to take or accumulate a lot of something. loaf ["lof] 1. n., irreg. a mass of bread dough baked in one piece. (Plural: loaves.) 2. n., irreg. a mass of food cooked in a shape like Q. (Often part of a compound.) 3. iv. to waste time. loan ["lon] 1. n. something, espe- cially money, that is lent to some- one. 2. tv. to lend something to someone; to let someone borrow something. (Some people object to the use of loan in this sense rather than lend, reserving loan for the lending of money.) → float a loan → take out a loan loathe ["loD] tv. to hate someone or something very much. loaves ["lovz] plural of loaf. lobby ["lab i] 1. n. the entrance room of a building. 2. tv. to try to influence someone who makes laws or regulations to vote a cer- tain way. lobby against something to solicit support against something, such as a piece of legislation or a gov- ernment regulation. lobby for something to solicit sup- port for something among the members of a voting body, such as the Congress. lobster ["lab st#] 1. n. an edible sea animal with six legs and (possibly) two large claws. 2. n. the meat of Q used as food. (No plural.) 3. adj. made or flavored with W. lively 334 05 7/23/03 8:49 AM Page 334 TLFeBOOK local ["lok @l] 1. adj. of or about the nearby area. (Adv: locally.) 2. n. a bus or train that stops at every sta- tion. 3. n. a person who lives in the area that something is in. (Often plural.) locate ["lo ket] 1. tv. to find some- one or something; to learn where someone or something is. 2. tv. to place someone or something in a particular place. location [lo "ke S@n] n. the place where someone or something is; the place where someone or some- thing is found. → on location lock ["lak] 1. n. a device on a door opening that prevents the door from being opened without a key. 2. n. a device similar to a Q that controls access to something. 3. n. a part of a canal or river between two heavy, watertight gates where the level of the water can be raised or lowered, allowing boats to move from one level of water to another. 4. n. a small bundle of [head] hair; a strand or curl of hair. 5. iv. not to be able to move. → combination lock → pick a lock lock horns (with someone ) to get into an argument with someone. lock someone or something up to put someone or something into a place that can be secured with a lock; to put someone in jail. lock something in to take action to fix a rate or price at a certain fig- ure. lock something (up) to secure something by using a lock so it cannot be opened without a key. lock, stock, and barrel absolutely every part or item. locker ["lak #] n. a cabinet like a tiny closet that can be locked, where clothes and valuables are kept. → Davy Jones’s locker locomotive [lok @ "mot Iv] 1. n. a train engine. 2. the adj. use of Q. locust ["lok @st] n. a kind of insect that travels in large swarms and destroys crops. lodge ["ladZ] 1. n. a small, privately owned cabin for campers, hunters, skiers, and others who like to stay in the country. 2. n. the place where a men’s organization meets. 3. n. the structure that beavers build to live in. 4. iv. to become stuck somewhere; to become wedged in something. lodge a charge against someone to place a charge against someone. lodge something against some- thing to place or prop something against something. log ["lOg] 1. n. a length of the trunk or main branch of a tree with all of the branches removed. 2. n. a detailed record of a trip written by the captain of a ship, plane, train, etc. 3. tv. to note something in W. → like a bump on a log log off and log out to record one’s exit from a computer system. (This action may be recorded, or logged, automatically in the com- puter’s memory.) log on to sign oneself on to use a computer system. (This action may be recorded, or logged, auto- log on 335 05 7/23/03 8:49 AM Page 335 TLFeBOOK . that floats and will keep the person who wears it from sinking in the water. (See also life- saver .) life of the party the type of per- son who is lively and helps make a party fun and exciting. life. accumulate a lot of something. loaf ["lof] 1. n., irreg. a mass of bread dough baked in one piece. (Plural: loaves.) 2. n., irreg. a mass of food cooked in a shape like Q. (Often part of a compound.). individual instance of Q that can be lived, lost, saved, spent, wasted, etc.; the period of time between the time of one’s birth and one’s death or between the time of one’s birth and the pres- ent.