Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 591 on board - to be on a ship/plane or similar form of transportation We got on board the airplane just before they closed the doors. on call - to be available to be called to go to work His job is to repair computers and he is always on call. on campus - to be on the grounds of a college or university We often go to a small coffee shop on campus after our classes. on cloud nine - to be very happy She has been on cloud nine since she decided to get married last month. on consignment - being sold in a store by someone who still owns the goods We went to the store to buy some baby furniture that was on consignment. on credit - to be purchased by using credit I purchased the stereo on credit. on deck - to be on the deck of a boat or a ship When we were on the ship we spent most of the time on deck. Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 592 on duty - to be at work, to be currently doing one's work There was nobody on duty when we arrived at the swimming pool. to be on easy street - to have enough money to live comfortably He has been on easy street since he sold his house and invested the money. on edge - to be nervous or irritable He has been on edge lately because of his exams. on end - seemingly endless My uncle works for hours on end at his hobbies. on faith - without question or proof I took it on faith that my friend would help me when I had extra work to do. on fire - to be burning, being burned with flames The small house was on fire when the fire truck arrived. on foot - by walking We decided to go downtown on foot. Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 593 on good terms with (someone) - to be friendly with someone We have always been on good terms with our neighbors. on guard - to be careful/wary He has been on guard since he was robbed last month. on hand - to be available I am sorry but I do not have any aspirin on hand at the moment. on hand - to be nearby, to be within reach "Please keep your dictionary on hand in case you need to use it." on hand - to be present The speaker will be on hand after the lecture if you have any questions that you want to ask her. on hold - to be waiting, to be temporarily halted The construction of the building is on hold while the city engineers finish their inspection. Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 594 on hold - to be left waiting on a telephone line I phoned the bank but I was quickly put on hold. on horseback - to be on the back of a horse We went up to the campground on horseback. on ice - to be away for safekeeping or later use, to be postponed The city have put the plans for the new stadium on ice while they try to raise more money. on impulse - something that is done without planning I bought the DVD player on impulse. on land - on the land, on the soil, not at sea The old sailor was never very comfortable when he was on land. on line - connected to a remote computer The editor is able to do most of his work on line. on location - a movie being filmed in a location away from the movie studio The movie was filmed on location in the mountains. Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 595 on medication - taking medicine for a current medical problem The woman has been on medication for many years. on no account - for no reason, absolutely not On no account am I going to let my friend borrow my laptop computer. on occasion - occasionally We go to my favorite restaurant on occasion. on one's best behavior - being as polite as possible The little boy was on his best behavior when he went to the meeting with his teacher. on one's chest - worrisome thoughts or feelings that one might need to share with someone else I had a long talk with my friend last night because I had many problems on my chest. on one's coat-tails - as a result of someone else doing something The mayor was elected on the coat-tails of his brother who is a famous actor. on one's feet - recovering from sickness or trouble I was sick for a couple of weeks but now I am on my feet again. Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 596 on one's feet - standing up Everybody in the audience was on their feet when the singer walked onto the stage. on one's guard - to be cautious/watchful I was on my guard when I went into the meeting with my boss. on/upon one`s head - to be one`s own responsibility He himself brought the anger on his head and should not try and blame someone else. on one`s high horse - to be acting as if one is better than others, to be very proud and scornful He is always on his high horse and never thinks about other people. on one's honor - with honesty and sincerity I am on my honor when I look after the money of our club. on one's mind - currently being thought about The incident at school was on my mind all week. on one's own - by oneself The young girl has been on her own since she finished high school. Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 597 on one's own time - not while one is at work The company told the employees that they must make their personal phone calls on their own time. on one's person - carried with one The criminal had a knife on his person when he was arrested. on one`s shoulders - one`s responsibility "Please don`t try to put the failure of your business on my shoulders." on one`s toes - to be alert The teacher asks the students many questions to keep them on their toes. on order - ordered with the delivery expected at some future date The store has several computer printers on order. on par with (someone or something) - to be equal to someone or something The new French restaurant is on par with the best restaurants in Paris. on pins and needles - to be excited/nervous Her daughter has been on pins and needles all day waiting for the contest to begin. Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 598 on probation - to be serving a period of probation, to be serving a trial period The new employee was on probation for several months before he became a regular member of the staff. on purpose - intentionally I think that the woman spilled her drink on purpose. on sale - to be offered for sale at a special low price The small television set was on sale so we decided to buy it. on schedule - to be at the expected or desired time The train arrived on schedule and we found our friend easily. on second thought - after having reconsidered something On second thought I do not think that I will go to a movie tomorrow. on shaky ground - to be unstable, to be not secure His position at the company has been on shaky ground for a long time. on (someone's) account - because of someone We went to the children's festival on our daughter's account. Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 599 on (someone`s) back/case - making demands or criticizing someone, being an annoyance or bother to someone My boss has been on my back all week trying to get me to finish my monthly report. on (someone's) behalf - acting as someone's agent, acting for the benefit of someone I was able to sign for the registered letter on my wife's behalf. on (someone's) doorstep - in someone's care, as someone's responsibility The responsibility for feeding the extra staff suddenly arrived on my doorstep. on (someone's) head - on someone's own self (often used with blame) The responsibility for fixing the computer was again on my head. on (someone or something's) last legs - to be almost worn out or finished My computer is on its last legs and soon I will have to buy another one. on (someone's) say-so - with someone's permission or authority I was able to ask for a new stove on the apartment manager's say-so. on (someone's) shoulders - to be someone's responsibility The responsibility for organizing the office is always on my shoulders. Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 600 on speaking terms with (someone) - on friendly terms with someone My mother is not on speaking terms with her older sister. on standby - to be waiting for a seat/ticket to become available on a train/plane/bus We decided to fly to visit my parents on standby. on target - to be on schedule, to be exactly as predicted Our company is on target to have its best year of sales ever. on the air - being broadcast on radio or TV That television program has been on the air for three years now. on the alert (for someone or something) - to be watchful and attentive for someone or something The police are on the alert for the man who robbed the small store. on the average - generally, usually On the average I get about eight hours of sleep every night. on the ball - to be intelligent, to be able to do things well He is on the ball and can usually get his work done quickly. . suddenly arrived on my doorstep. on (someone's) head - on someone's own self (often used with blame) The responsibility for fixing the computer was again on my head. on (someone. say-so - with someone's permission or authority I was able to ask for a new stove on the apartment manager's say-so. on (someone's) shoulders - to be someone's responsibility. responsibility for organizing the office is always on my shoulders. Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com 600 on speaking terms with (someone) - on friendly terms with someone My mother is not on