(BQ) The dictionary will prove useful for native speakers who are looking for synonymous idiomatic phrases. Many phrases can be expressed in a variety of ways, and this dictionary, through crossreferencing, can lead the native speaker to equivalent forms with the same or similar meaning. The index provides a means for a writer to find the most appropriate phrase for a given purpose. Native speakers can find most of what they want by looking up words representing key ideas in the index and following the references to phrases in the dictionary itself.
A B Qq C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z quail at someone or something to show fear at someone or something; to shrink from someone or something ᮀ Todd quailed at the thought of what he had to ᮀ The students quailed at the teacher who had been so hard on them in the past quail before someone or something to cower before or at the threat of someone or something ᮀ The students quailed before the angry principal ᮀ They quailed before the thought of punishment quake in one’s boots Go to shake in one’s boots quake with something to shake as with fear, terror, etc ᮀ Alice was quaking with fear as the door slowly opened ᮀ Todd quaked with terror when he saw the vicious dog at the door qualify as something to fulfill the requirements to be something ᮀ Tom qualified as a mechanic ᮀ I have been qualified as a mechanic since I was twenty qualify for something to meet the requirements for something ᮀ I’m sorry, you not qualify for this job ᮀ I don’t qualify for it qualify someone as something to cause someone to fulfill the requirements for something ᮀ Does this course qualify me as a stockbroker? ᮀ She qualified herself as a realtor qualify someone for something to enable someone to meet the requirements for something ᮀ His years with the company qualified him for pension ᮀ Does this ticket qualify me for the drawing? quality time time spent with someone allowing interaction and closeness ᮀ He was able to spend a few minutes of quality time with his son, Buxton, at least once every two weeks *qualms (about someone or something ) an uneasy feeling of one’s conscience about someone or something (*Typically: cause ~ ; have ~ ; have no ~ ; give someone ~ ) ᮀ Do you have any qualms about telling a little white lie to Mary about her not getting an invitation to the party? quarrel (with someone ) (about someone or something ) to have an argument with someone about the subject of someone or something ᮀ Please don’t quarrel with me about money ᮀ You are always quarreling with Claire quarrel (with someone ) (over someone or something ) to have an argument with someone about someone or something ᮀ Todd quarreled with Carl over who was going to get the new secretary ᮀ They are quarreling over Sally quarrel with something to argue against something; to have a complaint about something ᮀ I can’t quarrel with that ᮀ Does anyone want to quarrel with that last remark? The Queen’s English “Official” British English ᮀ He can’t even speak The Queen’s English! Despicable! queer as a three-dollar bill Go to phony as a threedollar bill queer for something Inf in the mood for something; desiring something (Old.) ᮀ I’m queer for a beer right now ᮀ She’s queer for him because of his money quest for someone or something to seek after someone or something ᮀ Martin is off questing for a book on baroque organ building ᮀ She is questing for a better way to it a question of something a matter of something; a problem of something ᮀ It’s not a matter of not wanting to go to the opera It’s a question of money question someone about someone or something to ask someone about someone or something ᮀ The police questioned Roger about the crime ᮀ Then they questioned Claire about Roger question someone at great length Go to at great length queue up (for something ) to line up for something (Typically British.) ᮀ We had to queue up for tickets to the play ᮀ You must queue up here to get in quibble (about someone or something ) (with someone ) and quibble (over someone or something ) (with someone ) to be argumentative or contentious with someone about someone or something ᮀ Let’s not quibble about it ᮀ Please don’t quibble with your sister ᮀ No need to quibble over it quick and dirty Fig [done] fast and carelessly; [done] fast and cheaply ᮀ I am not interested in a quick and dirty job I want it done right ᮀ The contractor made a lot of money on quick and dirty projects that would never last very long quick as a flash Go to next *quick as a wink and *quick as a flash; *quick as (greased) lightning; *swift as lightning very quickly (*Also: as ~ ) ᮀ As quick as a wink, the thief took the lady’s purse ᮀ I’ll finish this work quick as a f lash ᮀ Quick as greased lightning, the thief stole my wallet quick as (greased) lightning Go to previous quick like a bunny really quick ᮀ Now’s your chance Do it! Quick like a bunny! quick off the mark quick starting or reacting (Compare this with slow off the mark.) ᮀ Boy, you were quick off the mark there! ᮀ If you can be really quick off the mark, you can soon find the answer quick on the draw Go to next quick on the trigger and quick on the draw Lit quick to draw a gun and shoot ᮀ Some of the old cowboys were known to be quick on the trigger ᮀ Wyatt Earp was particularly quick on the draw Fig quick to respond to anything ᮀ John gets the right answer before anyone else He’s really quick on the trigger ᮀ Sally will probably win the quiz game She’s really quick on the draw 540 Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Click here for terms of use quote, unquote quick on the uptake quick to understand or learn something ᮀ Just because I’m not quick on the uptake, it doesn’t mean I’m stupid ᮀ Mary understands jokes before anyone else because she’s so quick on the uptake a quick study a person who is quick to learn things (Compare this to a slow study.) ᮀ Jane, who is a quick study, caught the joke immediately and laughed before everyone else a quick temper and a short temper; a short fuse a bad temper that can be easily aroused ᮀ Tyler has a quick temper and doesn’t mind letting everyone see it quicker than hell Inf very fast ᮀ You got over here quicker than hell ᮀ Be careful in the stock market You can lose all your money quicker than hell quicker than you can say Jack Robinson Go to before you can say Jack Robinson *quiet as a (church) mouse and *quiet as the grave very quiet (*Also: as ~ ) ᮀ You’d better be as quiet as a mouse while Grandma takes her nap so you won’t wake her up ᮀ This town is quiet as the grave now that the factories have closed quiet as the grave Go to previous quiet down to become quiet; to become less noisy ᮀ Please quiet down ᮀ Ask them to quiet down quiet someone or an animal down† to make someone or an animal more quiet ᮀ Please go and quiet the children down ᮀ Try to quiet down the children ᮀ Please quiet that dog down quip about someone or something to joke about someone or something ᮀ The kids were quipping about the principal’s hairpiece ᮀ It is rude to quip about an elderly person quit a place to leave a place ᮀ In the autumn, Melinda quit Paris and traveled south to warmer climes quit on someone [for something] to quit while someone is using it ᮀ This stupid car quit on me ᮀ I hope this thing doesn’t quit on me [for one] to leave one’s job, usually suddenly or unannounced ᮀ Wally, the park supervisor, quit on us at the last minute ᮀ My assistant quit on me quit over someone or something to stop working or doing something because of someone or something; to quit because of a dispute over someone or something ᮀ Please don’t quit over a silly thing like that ᮀ She quit over one of her fellow workers quit while one is ahead to stop doing something while one is still successful ᮀ When will I learn to quit while I’m ahead? ᮀ Get into the market Make some money and get out Quit while you’re ahead quite a bit Go to next quite a few and quite a lot; quite a bit; quite a number much or many ᮀ Do you need one? I have quite a few ᮀ I have quite a bit—enough to spare some ᮀ How many? Oh, quite a number quite a lot Go to previous quite a number Go to quite a few quite a something definitely something; a good example of something ᮀ The captain of the swim team is quite a swimmer ᮀ That’s quite a bruise you have there quite something something very good or remarkable ᮀ You should see their new house It’s quite something ᮀ Meg’s mother has bought a new hat for the wedding and it’s quite something quiver with something Lit to shake or shiver from something, such as cold, fear, anticipation, etc ᮀ On seeing the bear, the dogs quivered with fear ᮀ Todd quivered with the cold Fig to experience eagerness or joy ᮀ I quivered with delight when I saw the dessert ᮀ Tom quivered with eagerness as the door opened quiz out (of something ) to earn permission to waive a college course by successful completion of a quiz or exam ᮀ Andrew was able to quiz out of calculus ᮀ After studying very hard, he quizzed out quiz someone about someone or something to ask someone many questions about someone or something ᮀ The general quizzed the soldier about the incident ᮀ The officer quizzed her about Randy quiz someone on someone or something to give someone a quiz or test over the subject of someone or something ᮀ The teacher quizzed the students on the chapter she had assigned for homework ᮀ I hope they quiz me on George Washington I am prepared quote a price to name or state in advance the charge for doing or supplying something ᮀ The mechanic quoted a price of $100 to repair my car ᮀ The carpenter quoted a price for fixing the stairs quote someone or something out of context Go to out of A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q context quote (something ) from someone or something to recite something verbatim that someone else has said; to recite something verbatim from a printed source ᮀ May I quote from your letter of the tenth? ᮀ Do you mind if I quote a line from Keats? quote, unquote a parenthetical expression said before a word or short phrase indicating that the word or phrase would be in quotation marks if used in writing ᮀ So I said to her, quote, unquote, it’s time we had a little talk R S T U V W X Y Z 541 A ᮀ The children raced through dinner, in a hurry to get outside to play B race to someone or something to run to someone or something ᮀ The girls raced to the front room ᮀ We all raced to Mary, who had the candy Rr C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W race against someone or something to attempt to win a trial of speed against someone or something ᮀ I don’t want to race against Kelly She is too fast ᮀ I had to race against time to get there before the baby got worse race against time a rush; a rush to beat a deadline ᮀ We were in a race against time to beat the deadline ᮀ It was a race against time, but we made it to hurry to beat a deadline ᮀ We had to race against time to finish before the deadline ᮀ You don’t need to race against time Take all the time you want race around to run or move around in a great hurry ᮀ Stop racing around and calm down! ᮀ I have been racing around all morning, trying to get some things done race around (after someone or something ) to rush here and there to find or fetch someone or something ᮀ I had to race around after Tom I couldn’t seem to catch up to him ᮀ I wish I could find the dog without having to race around all over the neighborhood race for something to run or drive fast to get to something in a hurry ᮀ I raced for the door to see who was there ᮀ The children raced for the best seats in front of the television set race into someone or something to bump or crash into someone or something ᮀ The boys raced into the side of the car, and one of them was hurt ᮀ We raced into Mary and knocked her over race into something to run into a place ᮀ The children raced into the room and headed straight for their presents ᮀ Please don’t race into the garden You will trample the f lowers race someone for something to compete against someone for a prize; to try to outrun someone to get to something first ᮀ I will race you for the grand prize ᮀ Ned raced his sister for the breakfast table every morning race someone to some place to compete against someone to see who gets to a place first ᮀ I will race you to the door ᮀ Tim wanted to race me to the corner Y race through someone or something to run or chase through a group of people or a place ᮀ The children raced through the group of ladies standing by the door ᮀ The dogs raced through the room, upsetting a lamp Z race through something to perform some task very rapidly ᮀ They raced through their prayers and jumped into bed X race up to someone or something to run to someone or something ᮀ Molly raced up to Paul and kissed him on the cheek ᮀ We raced up to the door and opened it cautiously race with someone or something to enter a speed contest with someone or something ᮀ I refuse to race with Carla She is much too fast for me ᮀ I can’t race with a horse! rack one’s brain(s) Fig to try very hard to think of something ᮀ I racked my brains all afternoon, but couldn’t remember where I put the book ᮀ Don’t waste any more time racking your brain Go borrow the book from the library rack out Sl to go to bed and to sleep ᮀ I’m really tired I’ve got to go rack out for a while ᮀ I racked out until nearly noon rack something up† Lit to place something onto or into its rack ᮀ You had better rack the billiard balls up when you finish this game ᮀ Please rack up the balls Fig to accumulate something; to collect or acquire something ᮀ They all racked a lot of profits up ᮀ We racked up twenty points in the game last Saturday Sl to wreck or damage something ᮀ Fred racked his new car up ᮀ He racked up his arm in the football game racked with pain suffering from severe pain ᮀ My body was racked with pain, and I nearly passed out ᮀ My head was racked with pain radiate from someone or something to spread out from someone or something, as with rays ᮀ Happiness radiated from Mary She was so proud! ᮀ The heat radiated from the wall next to the furnace room raffle something off† to give something away by a drawing or raffle ᮀ They will raff le a television set off ᮀ They are going to raff le off a television set this weekend at the school rag on someone and rake on someone Sl to bother someone; to irritate someone; to criticize and humiliate someone ᮀ I wish you would stop ragging on me I don’t know why you are so annoyed at me ᮀ Stop raking on me! rag out Sl to dress up ᮀ I like to rag out and go to parties ᮀ I hate to rag out I like comfortable clothes rag someone about someone or something to complain to someone about someone or something ᮀ Why are you always ragging me about Mary? ᮀ Stop ragging me about being late to tease someone about someone or something ᮀ I wish you would stop ragging me about my hat ᮀ Why you always rag me about my funny walk? I can’t help it rage against someone or something to vent one’s anger about someone or something; to criticize someone or something severely ᮀ She exhausted herself raging against Judy ᮀ Mary is raging about the office politics again rage at someone or something to direct one’s anger at someone or something ᮀ Why are you raging at me? What on earth did I do? ᮀ Nothing can be solved by raging at the police department 542 Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Click here for terms of use raise hob with someone or something rage out of control to become uncontrollable ᮀ The fire raged out of control and threatened the residential area ᮀ If we didn’t something quickly, the fire would be raging out of control rage over someone or something to fight furiously over someone or something ᮀ The two managers both wanted to hire the same prospective employee They raged over her for nearly an hour ᮀ The bears raged over that one fish for a long time rage through something Lit [for a fire] to burn rapidly through an area or a building ᮀ The fire raged through the unoccupied building ᮀ When the fire began to rage through the forest, we knew we had better head for the river Fig [for someone] to move rapidly through some sequence or process, as if in a rage ᮀ Harry raged through the contract, looking for more errors ᮀ She raged through the book, angry with everything she read rail against someone or something to complain vehemently about someone or something ᮀ Why are you railing against me? What did I do? ᮀ Leonard is railing against the tax increase again rail at someone (about something ) to complain loudly or violently to someone about something ᮀ Jane railed at the payroll clerk about not having received her check ᮀ I am not responsible for your problems Don’t rail at me! railroad someone into something to force someone into doing something in great haste ᮀ The salesman tried to railroad me into signing the contract ᮀ You can’t railroad me into doing anything! railroad something through (something ) to force something through some legislative body without due consideration ᮀ The committee railroaded the new constitution through the ratification process ᮀ Mary felt she could railroad the legislation through rain cats and dogs Fig to rain very hard ᮀ It’s raining cats and dogs Look at it pour! ᮀ I’m not going out in that storm It’s raining cats and dogs a rain check (on something ) a piece of paper allowing one to see an event—which has been canceled—at a later time (Originally said of sporting events that had to be canceled because of rain *Typically: get ~ ; have ~ ; take ~ ; give someone ~ ) ᮀ The game was canceled because of the storm, but we all got rain checks on it ᮀ I can’t use a rain check because I’m leaving town for a month a reissuance of an invitation at a later date (Said to someone who has invited you to something that you cannot attend now, but would like to attend at a later time *Typically: get ~ ; have ~ ; take ~ ; give someone ~ ) ᮀ We would love to come to your house, but we are busy next Saturday Could we take a rain check on your kind invitation? ᮀ Oh, yes You have a rain check that’s good anytime you can come by and visit a piece of paper that allows one to purchase an item on sale at a later date (Stores issue these pieces of paper when they run out of specially priced sale merchandise *Typically: get ~ ; have ~ ; take ~ ; give someone ~ ) ᮀ The store was all out of the shampoo they advertised, but I got a rain check ᮀ Yes, you should always take a rain check so you can get it at the sale price later when they have more rain down on someone or something to fall or drop down on someone or something like rain ᮀ The ashes from the incinerator rained down on us, getting our clothes dirty ᮀ The hail rained down on us—some of it quite large A rain in on someone or something [for rain] to enter a window or other opening and get someone or something wet ᮀ Carol left the window open, and it rained in on her in the night ᮀ The storm rained in on my carpet! B rain on someone’s parade and rain on someone or something Fig to spoil something for someone ᮀ I hate to rain on your parade, but your plans are all wrong ᮀ She really rained on our plans rain or shine no matter whether it rains or the sun shines (See also come rain or shine.) ᮀ Don’t worry I’ll be there rain or shine ᮀ We’ll hold the picnic—rain or shine rain something down† (on someone or something ) to pour something, such as criticism or praise, onto someone or something (Based on rain down on someone or something ) ᮀ The employees rained criticism down on the personnel manager for the new policy on sick leave ᮀ The audience rained down compliments on the performers rain something out† [for the weather] to spoil something by raining ᮀ Oh, the weather looks awful I hope it doesn’t rain the picnic out ᮀ It’s starting to sprinkle now Do you think it will rain out the ball game? rain (up)on someone or something [for rain, or something similar] to fall on someone or something (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) ᮀ The ashes from the erupting volcano rained on all the people f leeing the village ᮀ It rained on the fields until they were f looded raise a (big) stink (about someone or something ) Go to make a (big) stink (about someone or something ) C D E F G H I J K L M raise a few eyebrows Go to raise some eyebrows N raise a hand (against someone or something ) Go to lift a hand (against someone or something ) O raise a hue and cry (about something ) Fig to make an issue about something; to alert people to a problem or difficulty (See also hue and cry.) ᮀ The city council raised a hue and cry about the mayor’s proposed budget raise a stink (about something ) Go to create a stink (about something ) raise (an) objection (to someone or something ) to mention an objection about someone or something ᮀ I hope your family won’t raise an objection to my staying for dinner ᮀ I’m certain no one will raise an objection We are delighted to have you raise Cain to make a lot of trouble; to raise hell (A Biblical reference, from Genesis 4.) ᮀ Fred was really raising Cain about the whole matter ᮀ Let’s stop raising Cain P Q R S T U raise havoc with someone or something and play havoc with someone or something to create confusion or disruption for or among someone or something ᮀ Your announcement raised havoc with the students ᮀ I didn’t mean to play havoc with them V raise hell (with something ) Go to raise the devil (with something ) X raise hob with someone or something and play hob with someone or something to something devilish to someone or something; to cause trouble for someone or something (A hob is a hobgoblin, a wicked little elf.) ᮀ Your sudden Y 543 W Z raise money for someone or something A arrival is going to play hob with my dinner plans ᮀ Sorry, I didn’t mean to raise hob with you B raise money for someone or something and raise money to something to work to earn money or encourage donations for the benefit of someone, something, or doing something ᮀ I worked hard to raise money for college, and then decided not to go C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z raise one’s glass to someone or something to propose a drinking toast in salute to someone or something ᮀ Let us all raise our glasses to George Wilson! ᮀ They raised their glasses to the successful campaign raise one’s sights Fig to set higher goals for oneself (Alludes to someone lifting the sights of a gun in order to fire farther.) ᮀ When you’re young, you tend to raise your sights too high ᮀ On the other hand, some people need to raise their sights raise one’s voice against someone or something Fig to speak out loudly or angrily against someone or something; to complain about someone or something ᮀ Tony was very polite and did not raise his voice against Roger ᮀ I was too timid to raise my voice against the injustices of the day raise one’s voice (to someone ) Fig to speak loudly or shout at someone in anger ᮀ Don’t you dare raise your voice to me! ᮀ I’m sorry I didn’t mean to raise my voice raise some eyebrows and raise a few eyebrows Fig to shock or surprise people mildly (by doing or saying something) (Some can be replaced with a few, someone’s, a lot of, etc.) ᮀ What you just said may raise some eyebrows, but it shouldn’t make anyone really angry ᮀ John’s sudden marriage to Ann raised a few eyebrows raise someone from something to help someone up from a lowly state ᮀ They hoped for some windfall to raise them from their poverty ᮀ They raised me from the depressed state I was in raise someone from the dead Fig to bring a dead person back to life (When used figuratively, usually refers to something very bad or offensive.) ᮀ How great are your magic powers? Can you raise people from the dead? ᮀ They say her singing could raise people from the dead raise someone or an animal from something Fig to bring up someone or an animal from a young state ᮀ My grandmother raised me from a baby ᮀ We raised all these rabbits from babies raise someone or something to something to elevate someone or something to something at a higher level ᮀ Dan raised Alice up to the window ᮀ I helped raise the ladder to the top of the roof raise someone or something to the surface (of something) to bring someone or something up to the surface of a body of water ᮀ The pull of the inf latable life vest raised Tom to the surface of the water ᮀ The divers were able to raise the sunken ship to the surface raise someone or something up† to lift someone or something up ᮀ The aides raised the patient up while the nurse spread clean linen beneath him ᮀ Jane raised up the lid raise someone’s spirits Go to someone’s spirits raise someone to something to promote or advance someone to a higher rank ᮀ The boss raised her to vice president after one year ᮀ I hope she raises me to head clerk 544 raise something with someone to bring up a matter with someone ᮀ I will raise that question with Mary when she comes in ᮀ Please raise the question with the boss raise the ante Go to up the ante raise the bar Fig to make a task a little more difficult (As with raising the bar in high jumping or pole vaulting.) ᮀ Just as I was getting accustomed to my job, the manager raised the bar and I had to perform even better raise the devil (with someone) to severely chastise someone or a group ᮀ The coach came in and raised the devil with Sally for her error in the first quarter of the game ᮀ I’m going to raise the devil with him! raise the devil (with something ) and raise hell (with something ) to cause trouble with something ᮀ That idea raises hell with my plan ᮀ The onions raised the devil with my stomach raise the dickens (with someone or something ) to act in some extreme manner; to make trouble; to behave wildly; to be very angry ᮀ John was out all night raising the dickens ᮀ That cheap gas I bought really raised the dickens with my car’s engine raise up to lift oneself up; to get up or begin to get up ᮀ She raised up and then fell back onto her bed She was too weak to get up ᮀ I could not raise up enough to see out the window raised in a barn brought up to behave like a barnyard animal; having crude behavior ᮀ Close the door behind you! Were you raised in a barn? ᮀ Don’t wipe your nose on your sleeve Were you raised in a barn? rake on someone Go to rag on someone rake someone over the coals and haul someone over the coals Fig to give someone a severe scolding ᮀ My mother hauled me over the coals for coming in late last night ᮀ The manager raked me over the coals for being late again rake something around† to spread something around with a rake ᮀ She raked the leaves around, spreading them over the f lower beds as natural fertilizer ᮀ I need to rake around the soil and stir it up rake something in† Lit to draw or pull something inward with a rake ᮀ Jane is raking in the leaves into a big pile Fig to take in a lot of something, usually money ᮀ Our candidate will rake votes in by the thousand ᮀ They were raking in money by the bushel rake something off† to steal or embezzle a portion of a payment or an account ᮀ They claimed that no one was raking anything off and that the money was only mislaid ᮀ The county treasurer was caught raking off some of the tax money Go to next rake something off (of ) something and rake something off† to remove something from something by raking (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) ᮀ Please rake the leaves off the lawn ᮀ Rake off the leaves rake something out of something and rake something out† to clean something out of something by raking ᮀ You ought to rake the leaves out of the gutter so the water will f low ᮀ Please rake out the leaves rake something up† Lit to gather and clean up something with a rake ᮀ Would you please rake these leaves up before it rains? ᮀ Please rake up the leaves to clean rant (at someone) about someone or something something up by raking ᮀ Would you rake the yard up? ᮀ I will rake up the yard Fig to find some unpleasant information ᮀ His opposition raked an old scandal up and made it public ᮀ That is ancient history Why did you have to rake up that old story? rake through something Fig [for someone] to rummage through something, as if with a rake ᮀ She quickly raked through the mass of loose papers, looking for the right one ᮀ I will have to rake through everything in this drawer to find a red pencil rible in this part of the north ᮀ The appraisals of the property ranged from high to low A range over something to cover an area; to travel about in one area ᮀ The buffalo ranged over vast areas of prairie, grazing and breeding ᮀ These animals range over a very large territory B rank above someone to outrank someone; to rank higher than someone ᮀ I think that I rank above you, so I will sit by the window ᮀ The boss ranks above everyone and demands that everyone recognize the fact rally around someone or something Fig to unite or assemble in support of someone or something ᮀ All the other workers rallied around Fred in his fight with management ᮀ They rallied around the principle that Fred stood for rank among something to be included in a particular group ᮀ In my opinion, Kelly ranks among the very best ᮀ Tom ranks among the most widely known of the contemporary writers rally to someone or something to unite in support of someone or something ᮀ The students rallied to Betty, their elected president ᮀ We all rallied to the cause rank and file Lit regular soldiers, not the officers ᮀ I think there is low morale among the rank and file, sir ᮀ The rank and file usually exactly as they are told Fig the ordinary members of a group, not the leaders ᮀ The rank and file will vote on the proposed contract tomorrow ᮀ The last contract was turned down by the rank and file last year ralph something up† Sl to vomit something (Teens and collegiate.) ᮀ The doctor gave him some stuff that made him ralph it up ᮀ He ralphed up his dinner ram into someone or something to crash into someone or something ᮀ Mary accidentally rammed into a fence as she rode along ᮀ The car rammed into the tree and was totally wrecked ram someone or something down someone’s throat Go to shove someone or something down someone’s throat ram something down to pack something down by pounding, as with a ram ᮀ The worker used a pole to ram the earth down and pack it tight ᮀ The worker rammed down the earth † ram something into someone or something and ram something in† to pound something into someone or something ᮀ He rammed his fist into Bill’s side and shouted something angry at him ᮀ He rammed in his fist ram something through (something ) to force something through something ᮀ He rammed his fist through the window, cutting himself in the process ᮀ Harry put the brick up to the window glass and rammed it through Next time he would remember his key to force something through a deliberative body, usually not allowing due consideration ᮀ They rammed the bill through the city council ᮀ The President was unable to ram the measure through Congress ram through something to crash or pound through something ᮀ The car rammed through the back of the garage ᮀ I was afraid that the truck would ram through the fence ramble on to wander about aimlessly (As with a traveler or a winding path.) ᮀ The road rambled on through mile after mile of wilderness [for a structure] to spread out over a large area, perhaps in a random way ᮀ This old house rambles on, way back into the woods ramble on (about someone or something ) Fig [for someone] to talk endlessly and aimlessly about someone or something (Based on ramble on.) ᮀ I wish you wouldn’t ramble on about your first husband all the time ᮀ Must you ramble on so? range from something to something to vary from one thing to another ᮀ The winter weather ranges from bad to ter- rank as something to have a particular rank; to serve in a particular rank ᮀ She ranks as a fine pianist in my book ᮀ Don ranks as the top economist of the day C D E F G H I J K rank on someone Sl to attack someone verbally; to gossip about someone ᮀ Please stop ranking on my family! ᮀ Tom keeps ranking on Jennifer, and she is really mad about it L rank someone among something to judge someone to be essentially equal to a specific group of people ᮀ I don’t rank Kelly among the best drivers in the world ᮀ Our committee ranked Fred among the best of the current applicants N M rank someone or something as something to assign a particular rank to someone or something ᮀ I have to rank Sally as number one She’s the best ᮀ Mary ranked the chocolate as the best she had ever eaten O rank someone (out†) Sl to annoy someone ᮀ He really ranks me out What a pest! Sl to chastise someone ᮀ She ranked him out for being a coward ᮀ I ranked out the whole gang, but good! Q rank someone with someone to judge someone to be equal with someone ᮀ Would you rank Tom with Donna? ᮀ Fred ranked himself with Tom when it came to diving rank with someone or something to be equal to someone or something ᮀ Do you think Sarah ranks with Albert? ᮀ No one ranks with Albert ᮀ The food at that restaurant ranks with that of the best places in New York rant against someone or something to rave and yell against someone or something ᮀ She spent most of the morning ranting against her mother-in-law ᮀ Leonard spent the entire morning ranting against the government rant and rave (about someone or something ) to shout angrily and wildly about someone or something ᮀ Barbara rants and raves when her children don’t obey her ᮀ Bob rants and raves about anything that displeases him rant (at someone ) about someone or something to talk in a loud, violent way, about someone or something ᮀ Anne ranted about the bad service she had received at the store 545 P R S T U V W X Y Z rant at someone or something A ᮀ On the bus, someone was ranting at me about the end of the world B rant at someone or something to rave and yell at someone or something ᮀ Stop ranting at me! ᮀ The boss would never rant at the office staff C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z rate someone or something below someone or something else to judge someone to rank lower than someone else; to judge something to rank lower than something else ᮀ I have to rate Carol below Donna in this regard ᮀ We all rate plain chocolate ice cream below rocky road ice cream rap at something and rap on something to tap on something to attract someone’s attention ᮀ Who is that rapping at my door? ᮀ Someone is rapping at the window, trying to get my attention ᮀ I will rap on her window and try to wake her rate someone or something with someone or something else to judge someone or something to be equal to someone or something else ᮀ I rate Fred with Don They are equally good ᮀ Vanilla is very nice, but I don’t rate it with chocolate ice cream rap on something Go to previous rate something at something to assign a particular level of rating to something ᮀ I rate this brand at about a B- ᮀ The broker rated this stock at a buy rap someone across the knuckles and rap someone on the knuckles; rap someone’s knuckles to strike someone on the knuckles ᮀ As punishment, she rapped him across the knuckles ᮀ The teacher rapped the student on the knuckles rap something out† (on something ) to tap out the rhythm of something on something ᮀ Try to rap the rhythm out on the table ᮀ He rapped out the rhythm on the table rap with someone Sl to have a chat with someone or a group of people (Old.) ᮀ Come in, sit down, and rap with me for a while ᮀ Let’s get together and rap with one another sometime rarin’ to go extremely keen to act or something ᮀ Jane can’t wait to start her job She’s rarin’ to go ᮀ Mary is rarin’ to go and can’t wait for her university term to start rasp something out† to carve or smooth something out with a rasp ᮀ You should use this tool to rasp the inside of the bowl out Use sandpaper to make the inside smoother ᮀ Rasp out the inside carefully rat around Sl to waste time loafing around; to kick around (Collegiate.) ᮀ I didn’t anything but rat around all summer ᮀ If kids don’t have jobs, they just rat around rat on someone Inf to report someone’s bad behavior to someone in authority; to tattle on someone ᮀ John ratted on me, and I got in trouble ᮀ If he rats on me, I’ll hit him! rat out Sl to quit; to fink out (on someone or something ) ᮀ It’s too late to rat out ᮀ He tried to rat out at the last minute rat race Fig a fierce struggle for success, especially in one’s career or business ᮀ Bob got tired of the rat race He’s retired and gone to the country ᮀ The money market is a rat race, and many people who work in it get out quickly because of the stress rate someone or something above someone or something else to judge someone to rank higher than someone else; to judge something to rank higher than something else ᮀ Do you rate Alice above Valerie? ᮀ I rate chocolate ice cream above vanilla rate something below something else Go to rate someone or something below someone or something else rate with someone to be in someone’s favor; to be thought of highly by someone ᮀ Ann is great She really rates with me ᮀ She doesn’t rate with me at all ration something out† (among someone ) to give people limited shares of something, attempting to make it last as long as possible ᮀ The captain rationed the water out among all the crew, trying to make it last as long as possible ᮀ Jane rationed out the cookies among the kids Rats abandon a sinking ship and like rats abandoning a sinking ship Prov You can tell when something is about to fail because large numbers of people begin to leave it (Can imply that the people who leave are “rats,” that is, selfish and disloyal.) ᮀ Jill: The company next door must be going bankrupt Jane: How you know? Jill: All its employees are resigning Rats abandon a sinking ship rattle around in something Lit to make a rattling noise inside something ᮀ What is rattling around in this package? ᮀ There is something rattling around in my glove compartment Fig to ride about in a vehicle with a rattle ᮀ I am perfectly happy to rattle around in my ten-year-old car ᮀ Todd rattles around in his grandfather’s old car Fig to live in a place that is much too big ᮀ We have been rattling around in this big old house for long enough Let’s move to a smaller place ᮀ I can’t afford to rattle around in a three-story house any longer rattle away to chatter endlessly and aimlessly ᮀ The two old men sat there and rattled away at one another ᮀ Tom rattled away at Jane for a few minutes and then left the house rattle its saber Go to rattle one’s saber rattle on (about someone or something ) Fig to talk endlessly about someone or something ᮀ Martin talked incessantly He would rattle on about any topic whenever he could trap an unfortunate listener rate someone or something among something to judge someone or something to be essentially equal to something ᮀ I rate Polly among the best of this year’s class ᮀ We rate these contestants among the best ever rattle one’s saber and rattle its saber Fig to make threatening statements or actions ᮀ The president is just rattling his saber He would never attack such a small country! rate someone or something as something to assign a particular rating to someone or something ᮀ I rate her as a number four ᮀ The judge rated my cake as second place rattle something off† and reel something off† to recite something quickly and accurately ᮀ She can really reel song lyrics off ᮀ Listen to Mary rattle off those numbers 546 reach someone raunch someone out† Sl to disgust someone ᮀ These dirty socks absolutely raunch me out! ᮀ Sam and Beavis enjoy raunching out everyone in the room rave about someone or something to rage in anger about someone or something ᮀ Gale was raving about Sarah and what she did ᮀ Sarah raved and raved about Gale’s insufferable rudeness to sing the praises of someone or something ᮀ Even the harshest critic raved about Larry’s stage success ᮀ Everyone was raving about your excellent performance rave over someone or something to recite praises for someone or something ᮀ The students were just raving over the new professor ᮀ Donald raved over the cake I baked But he’ll eat anything ravished with delight Fig happy or delighted; overcome with happiness or delight ᮀ Mary was ravished with delight by the dozen roses ᮀ My parents were ravished with delight when I graduated from college *a raw deal an instance of unfair or bad treatment (*Typically: get ~ ; have ~ ; give someone ~ ) ᮀ Mary got a raw deal on her traffic ticket She was innocent, but she had to pay a big fine ᮀ I bought a used TV that worked for two days and then quit I sure got a raw deal ᮀ You sure had a raw deal raw recruit a new, inexperienced, or fresh recruit, such as someone just entering the army, navy, police, etc ᮀ These boys are nothing but raw recruits They’ve never seen a gun up close! raze something to the ground to tear down something, usually a building, to ground level ᮀ The council decided to raze the old city hall to the ground ᮀ This building is to be razed to the ground reach a compromise to achieve a compromise; to negotiate an agreement ᮀ After many hours of discussion, we finally reached a compromise ᮀ We were unable to reach a compromise and quit trying reach a conclusion to complete discussion and decide an issue ᮀ It took three days of talks to reach a conclusion ᮀ When we reach a conclusion, we will notify you of the results reach a dead end Go to come to a dead end reach a decision Go to arrive at a decision reach a turning point Go to a turning point reach an accord (with someone ) and reach an agreement (with someone ) to come to an agreement with someone ᮀ I hope that we can reach an accord with the union so work can start again ᮀ We will try one more time to reach an agreement with you ᮀ We reached an agreement and signed a contract reach an agreement (with someone ) Go to previous reach an impasse to progress to the point that a barrier stops further progress ᮀ When negotiations with management reached an impasse, the union went on strike ᮀ The discussion reached an impasse and no one was able to propose a compromise reach an understanding with someone and come to an understanding (with someone ) to achieve a settlement or an agreement with someone ᮀ I hope we are able to reach an understanding with the commissioners ᮀ We were able to reach an understanding with Tony A reach back (in)to something to extend back into a particular period in time ᮀ This policy reaches back into the last century ᮀ Our way of making fine candies reaches back to the recipes used by the founder of the company B reach down to extend downward ᮀ The stems of the plant reached down almost to the f loor ᮀ The drapes don’t quite reach down to the f loor C D reach first base (with someone or something ) Go to get to first base (with someone or something ) E reach for someone or something to extend one’s grasp to someone or something ᮀ I reached for my father, but he wasn’t there ᮀ I reached for a pen, but I only had a pencil F reach for the sky and aim for the sky; shoot for the sky Fig to set one’s sights high ᮀ Reach for the sky! Go for it! ᮀ You should always reach for the sky, but be prepared for not attaining your goals every time Fig Inf to put one’s hands up, as in a burglary ᮀ The gunman told the bank teller to reach for the sky ᮀ Reach for the sky and give me all your money! Reach for the stars! Go to Aim for the stars! reach in(to something ) to stick one’s hand into something to grasp something ᮀ Bob reached into the cookie jar and found it empty ᮀ Bob went to the cookie jar and reached in reach one’s stride and hit one’s stride to something at one’s best level of ability ᮀ When I reach my stride, things will go faster, and I’ll be more efficient ᮀ Now that I’ve hit my stride, I can work more efficiently reach out Lit to extend one’s grasp outward ᮀ He reached out, but there was no one to take hold of ᮀ I reached out and grabbed onto the first thing I could get hold of Fig to enlarge one’s circle of friends and experiences ᮀ If you are that lonely, you ought to reach out Get to know some new friends ᮀ I need to reach out more and meet people reach out (after someone or something ) and reach out (for something) to extend one’s grasp to someone or something ᮀ Don reached out after Doris, but she slipped away before he could get a good hold on her ᮀ Doris reached out for the door, but it slammed closed reach out into something to extend one’s grasp out into something, such as the darkness ᮀ Laura reached out into the darkness, looking for the light switch ᮀ Jane reached out into the unlit room, hoping to find a lamp or even a candle reach out to someone Fig to offer someone a helping hand ᮀ You reached out to me just when I needed help the most ᮀ I reach out to other people in trouble because I would want someone to that for me Fig to seek someone’s help and support ᮀ When I reached out to Don for help, he turned me down ᮀ Jane reached out to her friends for the help and support that she needed reach (rock) bottom Go to (rock) bottom reach someone Lit to travel up to or as far as someone ᮀ I ran until I reached her just in time to save her from going over the cliff Fig to manage to be understood by someone; to have one’s message appreciated by someone ᮀ If 547 G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z reach some place in a body A we could only reach them with our message, we might be able to convince them to stay in school have read of you in the papers ᮀ Mary read of the job opening in the newspaper B reach some place in a body Go to in a body reach something down† Inf to hand something down ᮀ Please reach the hammer down to me ᮀ Would you reach down the hammer to Jane? reach something in the (very) nick of time Go to in read on to continue to read ᮀ Please read on Don’t stop ᮀ She read on until she had come to the end of the story C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z the (very) nick of time reach something up to someone Inf to hand something up to someone ᮀ I reached the hammer up to Jack, who was fixing a loose shingle on the roof ᮀ Please reach this cold drink up to your brother reach speeds of some amount Go to speeds of some amount reach to something to extend all the way to something ᮀ Our property reaches to the bank of the river ᮀ The grounds reach all the way to the banks of the river reach toward someone or something to aim one’s reach to someone or something ᮀ Sam reached toward Walter and took hold of his shoulder ᮀ He reached toward the apple but withdrew his hand when he saw it was rotten react against someone or something to respond negatively to someone or something ᮀ Why did she react against me so strongly? ᮀ There is no need to react against the plan with such force react to someone or something to act in response to someone or something ᮀ You made some very good points I would like to take some time to react to you ᮀ How did Mary react to the news? read about someone or something to read information concerning someone or something ᮀ Did you read about John in the newspaper? ᮀ I read about bonds, and learned a lot about finance read between the lines Fig to infer something (from something else); to try to understand what is meant by something that is not written explicitly or openly ᮀ After listening to what she said, if you read between the lines, you can begin to see what she really means ᮀ Don’t believe everything you read literally Learn to read between the lines read for something to read, looking especially for something, such as errors, clarity, etc ᮀ Please read this manuscript for spelling and grammar errors ᮀ Read this book for entertainment and nothing more read from something to read [aloud] from something in particular ᮀ I will now read from a book of poetry that I like very much ᮀ I like that poem very much What are you reading from? read from the same page and sing from the same hymnbook Cliché share the same understanding of something ᮀ Okay, I think we are reading from the same page now We can discuss the future of this project more productively read it and weep Fig read the bad news; hear the bad news ᮀ I’m sorry to bring you the bad news Read it and weep Read my lips! Go to Watch my lips! read of someone or something (somewhere ) to read news about someone or something in something ᮀ I think I 548 read one one’s rights to make the required statement of legal rights to a person who has been arrested ᮀ All right, read this guy his rights and book him on a charge of theft ᮀ You have to read them their rights before questioning them read oneself to sleep to read something in preparation for falling asleep ᮀ I need a really dull book so I can read myself to sleep ᮀ That’s the kind of book I use to read myself to sleep read someone like a book Fig to understand someone very well ᮀ I’ve got John figured out I can read him like a book ᮀ Of course I understand you I read you like a book read someone or something as something to interpret someone or something as something ᮀ I read you as a quiet guy who wants to settle down and have kids ᮀ Mary read the problem as one that did not require a lot of understanding read someone out† (for something ) to chastise someone verbally for doing something wrong ᮀ The coach read the player out for making a silly error ᮀ She really read out the lazy players read someone out of something to expel someone from an organization, such as a political party ᮀ Because of her statement, they read her out of the party ᮀ The officers tried to read me out of the society, but they didn’t succeed read someone’s lips to manage to understand speech by watching and interpreting the movements of the speaker’s lips ᮀ I couldn’t hear her but I could read her lips read someone’s mind Fig to guess what someone is thinking ᮀ You’ll have to tell me what you want I can’t read your mind, you know ᮀ If I could read your mind, I’d know what you expect of me read (someone ) something out of something to read something [aloud] from something ᮀ He read us a story out of the book ᮀ Mary read the story out of the magazine read someone the riot act Fig to give someone a severe scolding ᮀ The manager read me the riot act for coming in late ᮀ The teacher read the students the riot act for their failure to their assignments read something back† (to someone ) to read back some information to the person who has just given it ᮀ Yes, I have written the telephone number down Let me read it back to you to make sure I have it right ᮀ Please read back the letter to me read something in something to read something in particular in a some publication or document ᮀ I read an interesting article about moose in today’s newspaper ᮀ Did you read that in today’s newspaper? read something into something Fig to attach or attribute a new or different meaning to something; to presume inferences as one reads something ᮀ This statement means exactly what it says Don’t try to read anything else into it ᮀ Am I reading too much into your comments? reassure someone about something read something off† to read aloud from a list ᮀ Nick read the list of the names off, and I wasn’t on the list ᮀ Jane read off the names read something out† to read something aloud ᮀ Please read it out so everyone can hear you ᮀ Read out the names loudly read something over to read something ᮀ When you have a chance, read this over ᮀ Also, read over this report † read something through to read all of something ᮀ Take this home and read it through ᮀ Read through this report and see if you can find any errors † read (something ) to someone to read something aloud to someone ᮀ Please read a story to me ᮀ Grandpa read to Timmy all afternoon read the handwriting on the wall Fig to anticipate what is going to happen by observing small hints and clues (See also see the (hand)writing on the wall.) ᮀ I know I am going to be fired I can read the handwriting on the wall ᮀ Can’t you read the handwriting on the wall? Can’t you see what they are planning? read up (on someone or something ) to find and read some information about someone or something ᮀ Please go to the library and read up on George Washington ᮀ I don’t know anything about that I guess I need to read up readjust to someone or something to make a new adjustment to someone or something ᮀ Please make an attempt to readjust your work schedule for the next two weeks ᮀ I don’t think I can readjust to this climate ready, set, go Go to on your mark, get set, go *ready (to something) prepared to something (*Typically: be ~ ; get ~ ) ᮀ Get ready to jump! ᮀ It’s time to get ready to go to work ready, willing, and able Cliché eager or at least willing [to something] ᮀ If you need someone to help you move furniture, I’m ready, willing, and able ᮀ Fred is ready, willing, and able to anything you ask him a (real) go-getter an active, energetic, and aggressive person ᮀ Mary is very aggressive in business A real go-getter the real McCoy an authentic thing or person ᮀ Of course it’s authentic It’s the real McCoy the real thing something that is genuine and not an imitation ᮀ I don’t want frozen yogurt, I want the real thing! Yes, ice cream! ᮀ She hates plastic that looks like wood She wants the real thing the reality of the situation the truth or actuality of the situation; the way the situation really is ᮀ The reality of the situation is that we must act right now ᮀ Let’s face the reality of the situation and go out and get jobs so we can pay our bills realize one’s potential to fulfill one’s potential; to as well as one possibly can ᮀ I hope I can get a good education so I can realize my potential realize something from something to perceive something from some kind of evidence ᮀ I just now realized something from what you’ve been saying ᮀ Tom realized how wrong he had been from what Mary told him to reap a profit by selling an asset that has increased in value ᮀ He realized a large profit from the sale of the house ᮀ We hoped to realize a lot of money from the sale of stock A ream someone out† Sl to scold someone severely ᮀ The teacher really reamed him out ᮀ The coach reamed out the whole team ream something out† to widen or clean an interior cavity or channel by scraping, grinding, or drilling ᮀ Ream the opening out so the f low will be faster ᮀ We had to ream out the pipes so the fuel would f low to the engine reap something from something Lit to harvest something from something ᮀ We reaped a fine harvest from our cornfields this year ᮀ They will reap nothing from their f looded fields Fig to gain something from something ᮀ The students reaped a lot of information from their interview with the police chief ᮀ I hope to reap some good advice from the discussion reappoint someone as something to select or appoint someone to serve again in the same office ᮀ Are they going to reappoint Alan as the chairman again? ᮀ Alan was reappointed as the head of the committee rear back Lit [for a horse] to pull back and up onto its hind legs in an effort to move backwards rapidly or throw a rider (See also rear up.) ᮀ The animal reared back in terror ᮀ The horse reared back and almost threw its rider Fig [for a person] to pull back and stand up or sit up straighter ᮀ He reared back in his chair and looked perturbed ᮀ Tom reared back in his chair, waiting for something else to happen rear its ugly head Fig [for something unpleasant] to appear or become obvious after lying hidden ᮀ Jealousy reared its ugly head and destroyed their marriage ᮀ The question of money always rears its ugly head in matters of business rear up Lit [for a horse] to lean back on its hind legs and raise its front legs, assuming a threatening posture or avoiding something on the ground such as a snake (See also rear back.) ᮀ The horse reared up suddenly, throwing the rider onto the ground ᮀ When the horse reared up, I almost fell off Fig [for something, especially a problem] to raise up suddenly ᮀ A new problem reared up and cost us a lot of time ᮀ A lot of new costs reared up toward the end of the month reason against something to argue against something, using reason ᮀ I can hardly be expected to reason against a silly argument like that! ᮀ I reasoned against it, but they paid no attention to me reason something out† to figure something out; to plan a reasonable course of action ᮀ Now let’s be calm and try to reason this out ᮀ Let us reason out our difficulties reason with someone to discuss something with someone, seeking a reasonable solution to a problem ᮀ Try to reason with Jill If she won’t listen, forget her ᮀ You cannot reason with someone who is so narrow-minded reassign someone to something to change someone’s assignment to something else ᮀ I will reassign Jill to a different department ᮀ I was reassigned to the accounting department reassure someone about something to give someone confidence about something ᮀ Nancy reassured Betty about her promotion ᮀ Betty was reassured about her promotion B 549 C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z ... rip something off† Inf to steal something [from someone] ᮀ The mugger ripped my purse off of me ᮀ Jane ripped off a lot of money ᮀ Somebody ripped my wallet off rip something off (of ) someone... dislikes Rise and shine! Fig Get out of bed and be lively and energetic! (Often a command.) ᮀ Come on, children! Rise and shine! We’re going to the beach ᮀ Father always calls “Rise and shine!”... custody of someone ᮀ The court remanded the prisoner into the custody of the sheriff ᮀ The judge remanded Mary to the custody of the sheriff ᮀ The judge remanded Gerald over to his father remand