y's or man's hair style, cut so that the hair stands up in short, stiff bristle. * /Many boys like to get crew cuts during the summer to keep cooler./ [crisp] See: BURN TO A CRISP. [crocodile tears] {n.} Pretended grief; a show of sorrow that is not really felt. * /When his rich uncle died, leaving him his money, John shed crocodile tears./ (From the old legend that crocodiles make weeping sounds to attract victims and then shed tears while eating them.) [crook] See: BY HOOK OR BY CROOK. [crop] See: CASH CROP, CREAM OF THE CROP, STICK IN ONE'S CRAW or STICK IN ONE'S CROP. [crop out] {v.} To appear at the surface; come through or show through from hiding or concealment. * /Rocks often crop out in New England pasture land./ * /A hidden hate cropped out in his words./ [cropper] See: COME A CROPPER. [crop up] {v.} To come without warning; appear or happen unexpectedly. * /Problems cropped up almost every day when Mr. Reed was building his TV station./ * /Serious trouble cropped up just when Martin thought the problem of his college education was solved./ Compare: TURN UP. [cross] See: AT CROSS PURPOSES, CARRY ONE'S CROSS, DOUBLE CROSS, KEEP ONE'S FINGERS CROSSED at CROSS ONE'S FINGERS(1b). [cross a bridge before one comes to it] {v. phr.} To worry about future events or trouble before they happen. - Usually used in negative sentences, often as a proverb. * /"Can I be a soldier when I grow up, Mother?" asked Johnny. "Don't cross that bridge until you come to it," said his mother./ Compare: BORROW TROUBLE. [cross-check(1)] {v.} To test the truth of by examining in different ways or by seeing different reports about. * /If you see something in a book that may not be true, be sure to crosscheck it in other books./ [cross-check(2)] {n.} The testing of the truth of by checking one report against another or others. * /A cross-check with other books will show us if this story is true./ [cross fire] {n.} 1. Firing in a fight or battle from two or more places at once so that the lines of fire cross. * /The soldiers on the bridge were caught in the crossfire coming from both sides of the bridge./ 2. Fast or angry talking back and forth between two or more people; also, a dispute; a quarrel. * /There was a cross fire of excited questions and answers between the parents and the children who had been lost in the woods./ * /The principal and the graduates quarreled about the football team, and the coach was caught in the cross fire and lost his job./ [cross one's fingers] {v. phr.} 1a. To cross two fingers of one hand for good luck. * /Mary crossed her fingers during the race so that Tom would win./ 11b. or [keep one's fingers crossed] {informal} To wish for good luck. * /Keep your fingers crossed while I take the test./ 2. To cross two fingers of one hand to excuse an untruth that you are telling. * /Johnny crossed his fingers when he told his mother the lie./ [cross one's heart] or [cross one's heart and hope to die] {v. phr.}, {informal} To say that what you have said is surely true; promise seriously that it is true. - Often used by children in the longer form. Children often make a sign of a cross over the heart as they say it, for emphasis. * /"Cross my heart, I didn't hide your bicycle," Harry told Tom./ * /"I didn't tell the teacher what you said. Cross my heart and hope to die," Mary said to Lucy./ [cross one's mind] or [pass through one's mind] {v. phr.} To be a sudden or passing thought; be thought of by someone; come to your mind; occur to you. * /At first Bob was puzzled by Virginia's waving, but then it crossed his mind that she was trying to tell him something./ * /When Jane did not come home by midnight, many terrible fears passed through Mother's mind./ [cross one's path] {v. phr.} To meet or encounter someone; to come upon someone more by accident than by plan. * /Surprisingly, I crossed John's path in Central Park one afternoon./ [cross street] {n.} A street that crosses a main street and runs on both sides of it. * /Elm Street is a cross street on Main Street and there is a traffic light there./ Compare: THROUGH STREET. [cross swords] {v. phr.}, {literary} To have an argument with; fight. - Often used with "with". * /Don't argue with the teacher; you're not old enough to cross swords with her./ [cross the wire] {v. phr.} To finish a race. * /The Russian crossed the wire just behind the American./ [cross up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To block or upset; throw into confusion or disorder. * /We were going to catch him at the gate, but he crossed us up by going in the back way./ * /Father crossed up the surprise party we had planned for him by not getting back in time./ 2. To deceive or be false to. * /George crossed up his partner by selling a lot of things secretly./ [crow] See: EAT CROW. [crow before one is out of the woods] {v. phr.} To be glad or brag before you are safe from danger or trouble. - Usually used in negative sentences, often as a proverb, "Don't crow before you are out of the woods." * /John thought his team would win because the game was almost over, but he didn't want to crow before they were out of the woods./ Often used in a short form, "out of the woods". * /Mary nearly died during the operation, and she is not out of the woods yet./ [crown jewels] {n. pl.} The crown, staff, and jewels used for the crowning of a king or queen; the crown and jewels representing royal power and authority. * /The crown jewels are handed down from one king to the next when the new king is crowned./ [crow to pick] See: BONE TO PICK or CROW TO PICK. [crust] See: UPPER CRUST. [crux of the matter] {n. phr.} The basic issue at hand; the core essence that one must face. * /The crux of the matter is that he is incompetent and we will have to fire him./ [cry] See: FAR CRY, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, HUE AND CRY. [cry] or [scream bloody murder] {v. phr.} To bitterly and loudly complain against an indignity. * /Pete cried bloody murder when he found out that he didn't get the promotion he was hoping for./ [cry before one is hurt] or [holler before one is hurt] {v. phr.}, {informal} To complain when there is no reason for it; become upset because you are worried or afraid. - Used in negative sentences. * /When Billy went to the barber, he began to cry before the barber cut his hair and his father told him not to cry before he was hurt./ - Often used as a proverb. * /John was worried because he would soon have a new boss. His mother said, "Don't cry before you're hurt!"/ Syn.: BORROW TROUBLE. [cry buckets] {v. phr.} To shed an excessive amount of tears. * /Grandma is crying buckets over the loss of our cat./ [cry for] or [cry out for] {v.}, {informal} To need badly; be lacking in. * /It has not rained for two weeks and the garden is crying for it./ * /The school is crying out for good teachers./ [cry out] {v.} 1. To call out loudly; shout; scream. * /The woman in the water cried out "Help!"/ 2. To complain loudly; protest strongly. - Used with "against". * /Many people are crying out against the new rule./ [cry out for] See: CRY FOR. [cry over spilled milk] or [cry over spilt milk] {v. phr.}, {informal} To cry or complain about something that has already happened; be unhappy about something that cannot be helped. * /After the baby tore up Sue's picture book, Sue's mother told her there was no use crying over spilled milk./ * /You have lost the game but don't cry over spilt milk./ Compare: MAKE ONE'S BED AND LIE IN IT, WATER OVER THE DAM or WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE. [crystal ball] {n.} A ball, usually made of quartz crystal (glass) that is used by fortune-tellers. * /The fortune-teller at the fair looked into her crystal ball and told me that I would take a long trip next year./ 2. Any means of predicting the future. * /My crystal ball tells me you'll be making the honor roll./ [crystal gazing] {n.} The attempt to predict future events. * /The magician's specialty was crystal gazing./ [cry uncle] See: SAY UNCLE. [cry wolf] {v. phr.} To give a false alarm; warn of a danger that you know is not there. * /The general said that the candidate was just crying wolf when he said that the army was too weak to fight for the country./ (From an old story about a shepherd boy who falsely claimed a wolf was killing his sheep, just to start some excitement.) [cub scout] {n.} A member of the Cub Scouts, the junior branch of the Boy Scouts for boys 8-10 years of age. * /Jimmie is only seven, too young to be a Cub Scout./ [cucumber] See: COOL AS A CUCUMBER. [cudgel] See: TAKE UP THE CUDGELS FOR. [cudgel one's brains] See: BEAT ONE'S BRAINS OUT. [cue in] {v. phr.}, {informal} To add new information to that which is already known. * /Let's not forget to cue in Joe on what has been happening./ [cuff] See: OFF-THE-CUFF, ON THE CUFF. [culture vulture] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who is an avid cultural sightseer, one who seeks out cultural opportunities ostentatiously, such as going to the opera or seeing every museum in a town visited, and brags about it. * /Aunt Mathilda is a regular culture vulture; she spends every summer in a different European capital going to museums and operas./ [cup] See: IN ONE'S CUPS. [cup of tea] also [dish of tea] {n. phr.}, {informal} 1. Something you enjoy or do well at; a special interest, or favorite occupation. Used with a possessive. * /You could always get him to go for a walk: hiking was just his cup of tea./ Compare: DOWN ONE'S ALLEY. 2. Something to think about; thing; matter. * /That's another cup of tea./ Compare: KETTLE OF FISH. [curb service] {n.} Waiting on customers while they sit in their cars. * /Families with small children often look for hamburger stands that offer curb service./ [curiosity killed the cat] {informal} Getting too nosy may lead a person into trouble. - A proverb. * /"Curiosity killed the cat," Fred's father said, when he found Fred hunting around in closets just before Christmas./ [curl] See: PIN CURL. [curl one's hair] {v. phr.}, {slang} To shock; frighten; horrify; amaze. * /Wait till you read what it says about you - this'll curl your hair./ * /The movie about monsters from another planet curled his hair./ [curl up] {v.} 1a. To become curly or wavy. * /Bacon curls up when it is cooked./ 1b. To roll oneself into a ball. * /Tim curled up in bed and was asleep in five minutes./ 2. See: FOLD UP. [current] See: SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT. [curry favor] {v.} To flatter or serve someone to get his help or friendship. * /Joe tried to curry favor with the new teacher by doing little services that she didn't really want./ * /Jim tried to curry favor with the new girl by telling her she was the prettiest girl in the class./ Compare: POLISH THE APPLE. [curve] See: THROW A CURVE. [cut] See: FISH OR CUT BAIT. [cut a class] {v. phr.} To be truant; to deliberately miss a class and do something else instead. * /"If you keep cutting classes the way you do, you will almost surely flunk this course," John's professor said to him./ [cut a figure] {v. phr.} To make a favorable impression; carry off an activity with dignity and grace. * /With his handsome face and sporty figure, Harry cuts quite a figure with all the ladies./ [cut across] {v.} 1. To cross or go through instead of going around; go a short way. * /John didn't want to walk to the corner and turn, so he cut across the yard to the next street./ 2. To go beyond to include; stretch over to act on; affect. * /The love for reading cuts across all classes of people, rich and poor./ [cut-and-dried] {adj. phr.} Decided or expected beforehand; following the same old line; doing the usual thing. * /The decision of the judge was cut-and-dried./ * /The ways of the king's court were cut-and-dried./ * /People at the convention heard many cut-and-dried speeches./ [cut and run] {v.}, {informal} To abandon an unfavorable situation. * /When the price of coffee dropped sharply many investors wanted to cut and run./ [cut a swathe] {v. phr.} 1a. To mow a path through a field. * /The farmer cut a swathe through the high grass with his scythe./ 1b. To cut down as if by mowing. * /The machine gun cut a swathe in the lines of enemy soldiers./ 2. {informal} To attract notice; make an impression; seem important. * /The movie star cut a wide swathe when he walked down the street./ * /John tries to show off and cut a big swathe with the girls./ Compare: GO OVER(6), MAKE A HIT. [cut back] {v.} 1. To change direction suddenly while going at full speed. * /The halfback started to his left, cut back to his right, and ran for a touchdown./ 2. To use fewer or use less. * /After the big job was finished, the builder cut back the number of men working for him./ * /The school employed forty teachers until a lower budget forced it to cut back./ [cut back] {v. phr.} To diminish; lessen; decrease (said of budgets). * /The state had to cut back on the university budget./ [cutback] {n.} An act of decreasing monetary sources. * /The cutback in military spending has caused many bases to be closed./ [cut both ways] or [cut two ways] {v. phr.} To have two effects; cause injury to both sides. * /People who gossip find it cuts both ways./ [cut corners] {v. phr.} 1. To take a short way; not go to each corner. * /He cut corners going home in a hurry./ 2. To save cost or effort; manage in a thrifty way; be saving. * /John's father asked him to cut corners all he could in college./ 3. To do less than a very good job; do only what you must do on a job. * /He had cut corners in building his house, and it didn't stand up well./ [cut down] {v.} To lessen; reduce; limit. * /Tom had to cut down expenses./ * /The doctor told Mr. Jones to cut down on smoking./ [cut down to size] {v. phr.}, {informal} To prove that someone is not as good as he thinks. * /The big boy told John he could beat him, but John was a good boxer and soon cut him down to size./ Syn.: PUT IN ONE'S PLACE. [cut ice] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make a difference; make an impression; be accepted as important. - Usually used in negative, interrogative, or conditional sentences. * /When Frank had found a movie he liked, what others said cut no ice with him./ * /Jones is democratic; a man's money or importance never cuts any ice with him./ * /Does comfort cut any ice with you?/ * /I don't know if beauty in a woman cuts any ice with him./ [cut in] {v.} 1. To force your way into a place between others in a line of cars, people, etc.; push in. * /After passing several cars, Fred cut in too soon and nearly caused an accident./ - Often used with "on". * /A car passed Jean and cut in on her too close; she had to brake quickly or she would have hit it./ * /The teacher beside the lunch line saw Pete cut in, and she sent him back to wait his turn./ 2. To stop a talk or program for a time; interrupt. * /While Mary and Jim were talking on the porch, Mary's little brother cut in on them and began to tell about his fishing trip./ * /While we were watching the late show, an announcer cut in to tell who won the election./ Syn.: BREAK IN(2). 3. {informal} To tap a dancer on the shoulder and claim the partner. * /Mary was a good dancer and a boy could seldom finish a dance with her; someone always cut in./ - Often used with "on". * /At the leap year dance, Jane cut in on Sally because she wanted to dance with Sally's handsome date./ 4. To connect to an electrical circuit or to a machine. * /Harry threw the switch and cut in the motor./ * /The airplane pilot cut in a spare gas tank./ 5. {informal} To take in; include. * /When John's friends got a big contract, they cut John in./ [cut into] {v.} 1. To make less; reduce. * /The union made the company pay higher wages, which cut into the profits./ * /The other houses got old and shabby, and that cut into the value of his house./ * /At first Smith led in votes, but more votes came in and cut into his lead./ 2. To get into by cutting in. * /She heard the other women gossiping and cut into the talk./ * /While Bill was passing another car, a truck came around a curve heading for him, and Bill cut back into line quickly./ [cut loose] {v.} 1. To free from ties or connections, cut the fastenings of. * /The thief hastily cut the boat loose from its anchor./ Compare: LET LOOSE(1a). 2. {informal} To break away from control; get away and be free. * /The boy left home and cut loose from his parents' control./ 3. {informal} To behave freely or wildly. * /The men had come to the convention to have a good time, and they really cut loose./ * /When he got the news of his job promotion, Jack cut loose with a loud "Yippee!"/ Compare: LET GO(6). [cut no ice] {v. phr.} To have no effect; achieve no result; be insignificant. * /The fact that the accused is a millionaire will cut no ice with this particular judge./ [cut off] {v.} 1. To separate or block. * /The flood cut the townspeople off from the rest of the world./ * /The woods cut off the view./ * /His rudeness cuts him off from friends he might have./ 2. To interrupt or stop. * /The television show was cut off by a special news report./ * /We were told to pay the bill or the water would be cut off./ 3. To end the life of; cause the death of. * /Disease cut Smith off in the best part of life./ 4. To give nothing to at death; leave out of a will. * /Jane married a man her father hated, and her father cut her off./ * /Frank's uncle cut him off without a penny./ 5. To stop from operating; turn a switch to stop. * /The ship cut off its engines as it neared the dock./ Syn.: SHUT OFF, TURN OFF. [cut off one's nose to spite one's face] {v. phr.} To suffer from an action intended originally to harm another person. * /In walking out and leaving his employer in the lurch, John really cut off his nose to spite his face, since no business wanted to hire him afterwards./ [cut offs] {n.}, {colloquial} Pants cut to the length of shorts and usually left unhemmed so as to look old and worn, e.g., considered cool and elegant. * /Jack always wears cut-offs during the summer./ [cut one's eyeteeth on] See: CUT TEETH(2). [cut one's losses] {v. phr.} To stop spending time, money, or energy on unprofitable projects and concentrate on what goes well. * /"Just cut your losses, Jim," his father suggested, "and get on with the rest of your life."/ [cut one's teeth on] See: CUT TEETH(2). [cut one's throat] {v. phr.}, {informal} To spoil one's chances; ruin a person. * /He cut his own throat by his carelessness./ * /The younger men in the company were cutting each other's throats in their eagerness to win success./ * /John cut Freddie's throat with Mary by telling her lies./ [cut out(1)] {v.}, {slang} 1. To stop; quit. * /All right, now - let's cut out the talking./ * /He was teasing the dog and Joe told him to cut it out./ Compare: BREAK UP(3). 2. To displace in favor. * /Tony cut Ed out with Mary./ * /John cut out two or three other men in trying for a better job./ [cut out(2)] {adj.} 1. Made ready; given for action; facing. * /Mary agreed to stay with her teacher's children all day; she did not know what was cut out for her./ - Often used in the phrase "have one's work cut out for one." * /If Mr. Perkins wants to become a senator, he has his work cut out fur him./ 2. Suited to; fitted for. * /Warren seemed to be cut out for the law. It was clear very early that Fred was cut out to he a doctor./ [cut rate(1)] {n.} A lower price; a price less than usual. * /Toys are on sale at the store for cut rates./ [cut-rate(2)] {adj.} Sold for a price lower than usual; selling cheap things. * /If you buy cut-rate things, be sure they are good quality first./ * /John's brother bought a cut-rate bicycle at the second-hand store./ * /There is a cut-rate drug-store on the corner./ [cut short] {v.} To stop or interrupt suddenly; end suddenly or too soon. * /Rain cut short the ball game./ * /An auto accident cut short the man's life./ * /When Dick began to tell about his summer vacation the teacher cut him short, saying "Tell us about that another time."/ [cut teeth] {v. phr.} 1. To have teeth grow out through the gums. * /The baby was cross because he was cutting teeth./ 2. or [cut eye teeth] {informal} To learn something very early in life; gain experience; start by learning or doing. - Used with a possessive, usually used with "on". * /The professional ball player cut his teeth on a baseball bat in the sandlots./ * /Mr. Jones's company is building the new Post Office in town but Mr. Jones cut his eye teeth as a carpenter./ [cut the ground from under] {v. phr.} {informal} To make (someone) fail; upset the plans of; spoil the argument for (a person) in advance. * /Paul wanted to he captain but we cut the ground from under him by saying that Henry was the best player on the team./ * /Several workers applied for the retiring foreman's job, but the owner cut the ground from under them by hiring a foreman from another company./ [cut the mustard] {v. phr.}, {slang} To do well enough in what needs to be done; to succeed. * /His older brothers and sisters helped Max through high school, but he couldn't cut the mustard in college./ [cut-throat] {adj.} Severe; intense; unrelenting. * /There is cut-throat competition among the various software companies today./ [cut to pieces] {v. phr.} 1. To divide into small parts with something sharp; cut badly or completely. * /Baby has cut the newspaper to pieces with scissors./ 2. To destroy or defeat completely. * /The soldiers were cut to pieces by the Indians./ * /When Dick showed his book report to his big sister for correction, she cut it to pieces./ [cut to the bone] {v. phr.} To make (something) the least or smallest possible amount; reduce severely; leave out everything extra or unnecessary from. * /Father cut Jane's allowance to the bone for disobeying him./ * /When father lost his job, our living expenses had to be cut to the bone./ [cut to the quick] {v. phr.} To hurt someone's feelings deeply. * /The children 's teasing cut Mary to the quick./ [cut two ways] See: CUT BOTH WAYS. [cut up] {v.} 1. {informal} To hurt the feelings of; wound. - Usually used in the passive. * /John was badly cut up when Susie gave him back his ring./ 2. {slang} To act funny or rough; clown, * /Joe would always cut up if there were any girls watching./ * /At the party Jim and Ron were cutting up and broke a chair./ Compare: FOOL AROUND. D [dab] See: SMACK-DAB or SMACK-TO DAB. [dagger] See: CLOAK-AND-DAGGER, LOOK DAGGERS. [daily dozen] {n.}, {informal} Gymnastic exercises; especially, several different exercises done daily. * /The boys did their daily dozen early each morning./ [daisy] See: PUSH UP DAISIES. [dam] See: WATER OVER THE DAM. [damn] See: GIVE A HANG, NOT WORTH A TINKER'S DAMN. [damned if one does, damned if one doesn't] {adj. phr.} No matter what one does, someone is likely to criticize one. * /No matter what decisions I make, there are always some people who will approve them and those who won't. It is a classical case of "damned if I do, damned if I don't."/ [dance] See: SONG AND DANCE. [dance to another tune] {v. phr.} To talk or act differently, usually better because things have changed; be more polite or obedient because you are forced to do it. * /Johnny refused to do his homework but punishment made him dance to another tune./ Compare: CHANGE ONE'S TUNE, SING A DIFFERENT TUNE. [dander] See: GET ONE'S BACK UP, GET ONE'S DANDER UP or GET ONE'S IRISH UP. [dandy] See: JIM-DANDY. [dangerous] See: A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING. [dare say] {v. phr.} To think probable; suppose; believe. - Used in first person. * /Mary is unhappy now but I dare say she will be laughing about this tomorrow./ * /There is no more ice cream on the table, but I dare say we can find some in the kitchen./ [dare one to do something] {v. phr.} To challenge someone to do something. * /"I dare you to jump off that rock into the sea," Fred said to Jack./ [dark] See: IN THE DARK, SHOT IN THE DARK, WHISTLE IN THE DARK. [darken one's door] or [darken the door] To appear, as in a doorway; enter someone's home or establishment. - Used in negative imperative sentences especially with "never" and "again". * /If you leave this house now, never darken my door again./ * /After a son shamed his father by having to go to prison, the father told him never to darken his door again./ [dark horse] {n.}, {informal} A political candidate little known to the general voting public; a candidate who was not expected to run. * /Every once in a while a dark horse candidate gets elected President./ [dark of the moon] {n. phr.}, {literary} A time when the moon is not shining or cannot be seen. * /A was the dark of the moon when the scouts reached camp and they had to use flashlights to find their tents./ Contrast: FULL OF THE MOON. [dash cold water on] See: THROW COLD WATER ON. [dash light] {n.} A light on the front inside of a car or vehicle. * /Henry stopped the car and turned on the dash lights to read the road map./ [dash off] {v.} To make, do, or finish quickly; especially, to draw, paint, or write hurriedly. * /Ann took out her drawing pad and pencil and dashed off a sketch of the Indians./ * /John can dash off several letters while Mary writes only one./ * /Charles had forgotten to write his English report and dashed it off just before class./ [date] See: DOUBLE-DATE, TO DATE. [date back] {v. phr.} To go back to a given period in the past. * /My ancestors date back to the sixteenth century./ [dawn on] {v.} To become clear to. * /It dawned on Fred that he would fail the course if he did not study harder./ [day] See: ALL IN A DAY'S WORK, CALL IT A DAY, CARRY THE DAY, EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY, FATHER'S DAY, FOREVER AND A DAY, GOOD DAY, MAKE A DAY OF IT, NAME DAY, NIGHT AND DAY, ONE OF THESE DAYS, or SOME OF THESE DAYS, PASS THE TIME OF DAY, RAINY DAY, SAVE THE DAY, SEE BETTER DAYS, THAT'LL BE THE DAY. [day and night] or [night and day] {adv.} 1. For days without stopping; continually. Syn.: AROUND THE CLOCK. * /Some filling stations on great highways are open day and night 365 days a year./ * /The three men took turns driving the truck, and they drove night and day for three days./ 2. Every day and every evening. * /The girl knitted day and night to finish the sweater before her mother's birthday./ [day by day] {adv.} Gradually. * /The patient got better day by day./ [day in and day out] or [day in, day out] {adv. phr.} Regularly; consistently; all the time; always. * /He plays good tennis day in and day out./ - Also used with several other time words in place of day: week, month, year. * /Every summer, year in, year out, the ice cream man comes back to the park./ [day in court] {n. phr.} A chance to be heard; an impartial hearing; a chance to explain what one has done. * /The letters from the faculty members to the dean gave Professor Smith his day in court./ [daylight] See: SCARE OUT OF ONE'S WITS or SCARE THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF, SEE DAYLIGHT. [daylight saving time] also [daylight saving] or [daylight time] or [fast time] {n.} A way of keeping time in summer that is one or two hours ahead of standard time. - Abbreviation DST. * /Many places in the United States keep their clocks on daylight saving time in the summer; in this way people get up earlier and have more free time in the afternoon and evening while it is still daylight./ * /Father said that next week it will get dark later because we will change to daylight saving lime./ * /We go off daylight saving in the fall./ Compare: CENTRAL TIME. Contrast: STANDARD TIME. [daylight robbery] See: HIGHWAY ROBBERY. [daydream] {v.} To spend time in reverie; be absentminded during the day. * /John spends so much time daydreaming that he never gets anything done./ [day of grace] {n. phr.} An extension period after the due date of some contract or bond. * /The premium is due on the first of each month, but they allow ten days of grace./ [day of reckoning] {n. phr.} 1. A time when one will be made to account for misdeeds. * /When the criminal was caught and brought to trial his victims said, "finally, the day of reckoning has come."/ 2. A time when one's will and Judgment are severely tested. * /"You always wanted to run the department," the dean said to Professor Smith. "Now here is your chance; this is your day of reckoning."/ [day off] {n.} A day on which one doesn't have to work, not necessarily the weekend. * /Monday is his day off in the restaurant, because he prefers to work on Saturdays and Sundays./ [day-to-day] {adj.} Daily; common; everyday. * /For best results, students' homework should be checked on a day-to-day basis./ [days are numbered] (Someone or something) does not have long to live or stay. * /The days of the old school building are numbered./ * /When a man becomes ninety years old, his days are numbered./ [dazzle] See: RAZZLE-DAZZLE. [dead] See: CATCH DEAD, DROP DEAD, STONEDEAD. [dead ahead] {adv.}, {informal} Exactly in front; before. * /The school is dead ahead about two miles from here./ * /Father was driving in a fog, and suddenly he saw another car dead ahead of him./ [deadbeat] {n.}, {slang} A person who never pays his debts and who has a way of getting things free that others have to pay for. * /You'll never collect from Joe - he's a deadbeat./ [dead and buried] {adj. phr.} Gone forever. * /Slavery is dead and buried in twentieth-century America./ [dead as a doornail] {adj. phr.} Completely dead without the slightest hope of resuscitation. * /This battery is dead as a doornail; no wonder your car won't start./ [dead broke] See: STONE-BROKE. [dead center] {n.} The exact middle. * /The treasure was buried in the dead center of the island./ Often used like an adverb. * /The arrow hit the circle dead center./ [dead duck] {n.}, {slang} A person or thing in a hopeless situation or condition; one to whom something bad is sure to happen. * /When the pianist broke her arm, she was a dead duck./ [deadhead] {n.}, {slang} An excessively dull or boring person. * /You'll never get John to tell a joke - he's a deadhead./ [dead letter] {n. phr.} An undeliverable letter that ends up in a special office holding such letters. * /There is a dead letter office in most major cities./ [deadline] {n.} A final date by which a project, such as a term paper, is due. * /The deadline for the papers on Shakespeare is November 10./ [dead loss] {n. phr.} A total waste; a complete loss. * /Our investment in Jack's company turned out to be a dead loss./ [dead on one's feet] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Very tired but still standing or walking; too tired to do more; exhausted. * /Jimmy never leaves a job unfinished. He continues to work even when he's dead on his feet./ * /After the soldiers march all night, they are dead on their feet./ Compare: DEAD TIRED, WEAR OUT(2). [deadpan] {adj.}, {adv.}, {slang} With an expressionless or emotionless face; without betraying any hint of emotion. * /She received the news of her husband's death deadpan./ [dead pedal] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} A slow moving vehicle. * /Better pass that eighteen wheeler, Jack; it's a dead pedal./ [dead ringer] {n. phr.} A person who strongly resembles someone else. * /Charlie is a dead ringer for his uncle./ [dead set against] {adj. phr.} Totally opposed to someone or something. * /Jack is dead set against the idea of marriage, which upsets Mary./ [dead tired] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Very tired; exhausted; worn out. * /She was dead tired at the end of the day's work./ Compare: DEAD ON ONE'S FEET. [dead to rights] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Without a chance of escaping blame; proven wrong. * /Mother had Bob dead to rights, because she caught him with his hand in the cookie jar./ * /The police caught the man dead to rights./ [dead to the world] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Fast asleep. * /Tim went to bed very late and was still dead to the world at 10 o'clock this morning./ 2. As if dead; unconscious. * /Tom was hit on the head by a baseball and was dead to the world for two hours./ [dead-end] {n.} A street closed at one end; a situation that leads nowhere. * /Jim drove into a dead-end street and had to back out./ * /Mary was in a dead-end job./ [dead-end] {v.} To not continue normally but end in a closure (said of streets). * /Our street dead-ends on the lake./ [deaf] See: TURN A DEAF EAR TO. [deal] See: GOOD DEAL or GREAT DEAL, NEW DEAL, NO DEAL, THINK A GREAT DEAL OF, WHEEL AND DEAL. [deal in] {v. phr.} To sell; do business in a certain commodity. * /Herb's firm deals in sporting goods./ [deal with] {v. phr.} 1. To conduct negotiations or business dealings with. * /John refuses to deal with the firm of Brown and Miller./ 2. To handle a problem. * /Ted is a very strong person and dealt with the fact that his wife had left him much better than anyone else I know./ [dealer] See: WHEELER-DEALER at WHEEL AND DEAL. [dear] See: FOR DEAR LIFE. [Dear John letter] {n. phr.} A note or a letter informing one that a romantic relationship or a marriage is over. * /Jane left a "Dear John letter" on the table and went home to live with her parents./ [dear me] {interj.} Used to show surprise, fear, or some other strong feeling. * /Dear me! My purse is lost, what shall I do now?/ [death] See: AT DEATH'S DOOR, BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, CATCH ONE'S DEATH OF or TAKE ONE'S DEATH OF, SIGN ONE'S OWN DEATH WARRANT, TO DEATH. [death knell] {n.}, {formal} 1. The ringing of a bell at a death or funeral. * /The people mourned at the death knell of their friend./ 2. {literary} Something which shows a future failure. * /Bill's poor grade on his final examination sounded the death knell of his hope to be a doctor./ * /His sudden deafness was the death knell of his hope to become President./ [death on] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Very successful in meeting or dealing with. * /Joe is death on fast balls. He usually knocks them out of the park./ 2. Disliking or strongly against; very strict about. * /The new teacher is death on students who come late to class./ * /The twins' grandmother is death on smoking./ [deck] See: HIT THE DECK, ON DECK. [decked out] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Dressed in fancy clothes; specially decorated for some festive occasion. * /The school band was decked out in bright red uniforms with brass buttons./ * /Main Street was decked with flags for the Fourth of July./ [declare] See: I DECLARE. [deep] See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, GO OFF THE DEEP END, IN DEEP, KNEE-DEEP. [deep-six] {v.}, {slang} To throw away; dispose of. * /As the police boat came near, the drug smugglers deep-sixed their cargo./ (An expression originally used by sailors, suggesting throwing something into water six fathoms deep.) [deep water] {n.} Serious trouble or difficulty. * /When Dad tried to take Mom's place for a day, he found himself in deep water./ [defense] See: ZONE DEFENSE. [defiance] See: IN DEFIANCE OF. [degree] See: TO A DEGREE, TO THE NTH DEGREE. [deliver the goods] {v. phr.} 1. To carry things and give them to the person who wants them. * /Lee delivered the goods to the right house./ 2. {slang} To succeed in doing well what is expected. * /The new pitcher delivered the goods by striking out 20 men in his first game./ * /This personal computer surely delivers the goods./ Compare: BRING HOME THE BACON. [delta wave] {n.}, {informal}, {semi-technical} A brain wave 1-3 cycles per second, associated with very deep sleep. * /Good night, honey, I'm off to produce some delta waves./ Compare: CATCH SOME Z'S, HIT THE HAY or HIT THE SACK. [demand] See: IN DEMAND. [Dennis the Menace] {n. phr.} After the notorious television character played by a young boy who always creates trouble for the grownups. Any hyperactive little boy who needs calming down. * /"Your son, Joey, is becoming a regular 'Dennis the Menace'," Jane said to Elvira./ [dent] See: MAKE A DENT IN. [deposit] See: ON DEPOSIT. [depth] See: BEYOND ONE'S DEPTH. [desk clerk] See: ROOM CLERK. [detective] See: HOUSE DETECTIVE. [devil] See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, FULL OF THE OLD NICK or FULL OF THE DEVIL, GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE, GO TO THE DEVIL, PLAY THE DEVIL WITH, RAISE THE DEVIL, SPEAK OF THE DEVIL AND HE APPEARS. [devil-may-care] {adj.} Not caring what happens; unworried. * /Johnny has a devil-may-care feeling about his school work./ * /Alfred was a devil-may-care youth but became more serious as he grew older./ [devil-may-care attitude] {n. phr.} An attitude of no concern for financial or other loss. * /"Easy come, easy go," John said in a devil-may-care attitude when he lost all of his money during a poker game./ [devil of it] or [heck of it] {n. phr.} 1. The worst or most unlucky thing about a trouble or accident; the part that is most regrettable. * /Andy lost his notebook, and the devil of it was that the notebook contained all his homework for the coming week./ * /When I had a flat tire, the devil of it was that my spare tire was flat too./ 2. Fun from doing mischief. - Used after "for". * /The boys carried away Miss White's front gate just for the devil of it./ [devil to pay] {n. phr.} Great trouble. - Used after "the". * /There'll be the devil to pay when the teacher finds out who broke the window./ * /When Jim wrecked his father's car, there was the devil to pay./ [dewey-eyed] See: MISTY-EYED. [diamond in the rough] {n. phr.} A very smart person without a formal education who may have untutored manners. * /Jack never went to school but he is extremely talented; he is a veritable diamond in the rough./ [dibs] See: TO HAVE DIBS ON or TO PUT DIBS ON. [dice] See: NO DEAL or NO DICE. [Dick] See: TOM, DICK AND HARRY. [die] See: CROSS ONE'S HEART or CROSS ONE'S HEART AND HOPE TO DIE, DO-OR-DIE, NEVER SAY DIE. [die away] or [die down] {v.} To come slowly to an end; grow slowly less or weaker. * /The wind died down./ * /The music died away./ * /He waited until the excitement had died down./ * /His mother's anger died away./ [die in one's boots] or [die with one's boots on] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be killed or hanged rather than die in bed. * /The badmen of the Old West usually died in their boots./ * /The robber said he wanted to die with his boots on./ [die is cast] {v. phr.}, {literary} To make an irrevocable decision. (From Julius Caesar's famous words in Latin, "alea iacta est", when he crossed the river Rubicon, which meant war.) * /Everything was ready for the invasion of Europe, the die had been cast, and there was no turning back now./ [die off] {v.} To die one at a time. * /The flowers are dying off because there has been no rain./ [die on the vine] or [wither on the vine] {v. phr.} To fail or collapse in the planning stages. * /The program for rebuilding the city died on the vine./ [die out] {v.} To die or disappear slowly until all gone. * /This kind of bird is dying out./ * /If you pour salt water on grass, it dies out./ * /The America