ook on Mother's face./ [five o'clock shadow] {n. phr.} A very short growth of beard on a man's face who did shave in the morning but whose beard is so strong that it is again visible in the afternoon. * /"You have a five o'clock shadow, honey," Irene said, "and we're going to the opera. Why don't you shave again quickly?"/ [fix] See: GET A FIX or GIVE SOMEONE A FIX, GET A FIX ON. [fix someone's wagon] or [fix someone's little red wagon] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. (Said to a child as a threat) to administer a spanking. * /Stop that right away or I'll fix your (little red) wagon!/ 2. (Said of an adult) to thwart or frustrate another, to engineer his failure. * /If he sues me for slander, I will counter-sue him for malicious prosecution. That will fix his wagon!/ [fix someone up with] {v. phr.}, {informal} To help another get a date with a woman or man by arranging a meeting for the two. * /Say Joe, can you possibly fix me up with someone this weekend? I am so terribly lonesome!/ [fix up] {v. phr.} 1. To repair. * /The school is having the old gym fixed up./ 2. To arrange. * /I think I can fix it up with the company so that John gets the transfer he desires. /3. To arrange a date that might lead to a romance or even to marriage. * /Mary is a great matchmaker; she fixed up Ron and Betty at her recent party./ [fizzle out] {v.}, {informal} 1. To stop burning; die out. * /The fuse fizzled out before exploding the firecracker./ 2. To fail after a good start; end in failure. * /The power mower worked fine for a while but then it fizzled out./ * /The party fizzled out when everyone went home early./ [flag down] {v.}, {informal} To stop by waving a signal flag or as if waving a signal flag. * /The signalman flagged down the freight train./ * /A policeman flagged down the car with his flashlight./ [flakeball] or [flake] {n.}, {slang}, {drug culture} A disjointed, or "flaky" person, who is forgetful and incoherent, as if under the influence of narcotics. * /Hermione is a regular flakeball./ Compare: SPACED OUT. [flame] See: ADD FUEL TO THE FLAME, GO UP IN FLAMES. [flanker back] {n.} A football back who can play far to the outside of his regular place. * /The coach is still looking for a speedy boy to play flanker back./ [flare up] {v.} 1. To burn brightly for a short time especially after having died down. * /The fire flared up again and then died./ 2. To become suddenly angry. * /The mayor flared up at the reporter's remark./ * /The mother flared up at her children./ 3. To begin again suddenly, especially for a short time after a quiet time. * /Mr. Gray's arthritis flared up sometimes./ * /Even after they had conquered the country, revolts sometimes flared up./ [flare-up] {n.} The reoccurrence of an infection or an armed conflict. * /He had a flare-up of his arthritis./ * /There was a bad flare-up of hostilities in some countries./ [flash] See: IN A FLASH. [flash card] {n.} A card with numbers or words on it that is used in teaching, a class. * /The teacher used flash cards to drill the class in addition./ [flash in the pan] {n. phr.}, {slang} A person or thing that starts out well but does not continue. * /The new quarterback was a flash in the pan./ * /Mary got 100 on the first test in arithmetic but it was just a flash in the pan because she failed in arithmetic./ [flat] See: FALL FLAT, IN NO TIME or IN NOTHING FLAT, LEAVE FLAT. [flat as a pancake] {adj. phr.} Very level; very flat; having no mountains or hills. * /A great part of the American Midwest is as flat as a pancake./ [flat broke] See: STONE-BROKE. [flatfoot] {n.}, {slang}, {derogatory} A policeman. * /"What does Joe do for a living? - He's a flatfoot."/ [flat-footed] {adj.}, {informal} 1. Straightforward; forthright; direct; outright. * /The governor issued a flat-footed denial of the accusation./ * /He came out flat-footed against the idea./ 2. Not ready; not prepared; - usually used with "catch". * /The teacher's question caught Tim flat-footed./ * /Unexpected company at lunch time caught Mrs. Green flat-footed./ [flat-out] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1. Without hiding anything; plainly; openly. * /The student told his teacher flat-out that he was not listening to her./ 2. At top speed; as fast as possible. * /He saw two men running flat-out from the wild rhinoceros./ [flatter oneself] To be sure of your own talent or skill; highly confident. * /I flatter myself that I am a better swimmer than he is./ [flea in one's ear] {n. phr.}, {informal} An idea or answer that is not welcome; an annoying or surprisingly sharp reply or hint. * /I'll put a flea in his ear if he bothers me once more./ [flea market] {n. phr.} A place where antiques, second-hand things, and cheap articles are sold, and especially one in the open air. * /The local antique dealers held a flea market and fair on the high-school athletic field./ * /There are many outdoor flea markets in Europe./ [flesh] See: IN PERSON also IN THE FLESH, NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL also NEITHER FISH, FLESH, NOR FOWL, PRESS THE FLESH, THORN IN THE FLESH. [flesh and blood] {n.} 1. A close relative (as a father, daughter, brother); close relatives. Used in the phrase "one's own flesh and blood". * /Such an answer from her - and she's my own flesh and blood, too!/ 2. The appearance of being real or alive. * /The author doesn't give his characters any flesh and blood./ 3. The human body. * /Before child labor laws, small children often worked 50 or 60 hours a week in factories. It was more than flesh and blood could bear./ [flesh out] {v.}, {informal} 1. To add to; make fuller, bigger, or longer. * /The author fleshed out his story by adding more about his war experiences./ 2. also [flesh up] To become heavier, put on weight, or flesh. * /He lost weight after his illness but is beginning to flesh out again./ See: FILL OUT. [flesh up] See: FLESH OUT(2). [fling oneself at] See: THROW ONESELF AT. [fling oneself at someone's head] See: THROW ONESELF AT SOMEONE'S HEAD. [flip-flop(1)] {v.}, {informal} To alternate the positions of; exchange the places of; switch. * /The football coach had one play in which he flip-flopped his left halfback and fullback./ [flip-flop(2)] {n.}, {informal} A complete change; a switch from one thing to an entirely different one. * /John wanted to be a carpenter like his father, but when he saw the print shop he did a flip-flop and now he's learning printing./ [flip-flop(3)] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Involving or using a change from one of two places, positions, or alternatives to the other. * /The machine was controlled by a flip-flop switch./ * /The football coach hoped to surprise his opponents by using a flip-flop offense./ [flip one's lid] also [flip one's wig] {slang} 1. To lose one's temper. * /When that pushy salesman came back Mom really flipped her lid./ Compare: BLOW A FUSE. 2. To lose your mind; become insane. * /When he offered me three times the pay I was getting, I thought he had flipped his lid./ 3. To become unreasonably enthusiastic. * /She flipped her lid over a hat she saw in the store window./ * /He's flipped his lid over that new actress./ [flip out] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To go insane, to go out of one's mind. * /A is impossible to talk to Joe today - he must have flipped out./ [flock] See: BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER. [floor] See: GROUND FLOOR, MOP THE FLOOR WITH, WALK THE FLOOR. [floor one] {v. phr.} To overwhelm; astound; nonplus. * /John's sudden announcement that he would retire floored all of us in the office./ [floorwalker] {n.} A section manager in a department store. * /To exchange this pair of shoes, you must first get the floorwalker's approval./ [flop] See: FLIP-FLOP. [flower child] {n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. A young person who believes in nonviolence and carries flowers around to symbolize his peace-loving nature. * /Flower children are supposed to be nonviolent, but they sure make a lot of noise when they demonstrate!/ 2. Any person who cannot cope with reality. * /"Face facts, Suzie, stop being such a flower child!"/ [flower power] {n.}, {slang} The supposed power of love and nonviolence as intended to be used by members of the anti-culture to change American society. * /The young people were marching for flower power./ [fluff one's lines] See: BLOW ONE'S LINES. [fluff stuff] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon} Snow. * /We can expect some fluff stuff this afternoon./ [flunk out] {v. phr.} To have to withdraw from school or college because of too many failing grades. * /Fred flunked out of college during his junior year./ [flush it] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To fail (something). * /I really flushed it in my math course./ 2. {interj.}, {used imperatively} Expression registering refusal to believe something considered stupid or false. * /"You expect me to buy that story? Flush it!"/ [fly] See: BIRD HAS FLOWN, GO FLY A KITE, MAKE THE FEATHERS FLY, MAKE THE FUR FLY, ON THE FLY, POP FLY, SACRIFICE FLY. [fly at one's throat] {v. phr.} To attack you suddenly with great anger. * /When Tom called Dick a bad name, Dick flew at his throat./ [fly ball] {n.} A baseball hit high into the air. * /He hit an easy fly ball to center field./ [fly blind] {v. phr.} 1. To fly an airplane by instruments alone. * /In the heavy fog he had to fly blind./ 2. {informal} To do something without understanding what you are doing. * /I'm glad the car runs now; I was flying blind when I fixed it./ * /He's flying blind when he talks about philosophy./ [fly-by-night(1)] {adj.} Set up to make a lot of money in a hurry, then disappear so people can't find you to complain about poor work, etc.; not trustworthy; not reliable. * /Mrs. Blank bought her vacuum cleaner from a new company; when she tried to have it fixed, she found it was a fly-by-night business./ [fly-by-night(2)] {n.}, {informal} 1. A company that sells many cheap things for a big profit and then disappears. * /A dependable company honors its guarantees, but a fly-by-night only wants your money./ 2. A person who does not pay his bills, but sneaks away (as at night.) * /Hotels are bothered by fly-by-nights./ [fly by the seat of one's pants] {v. phr.}, {slang} To fly an airplane by feel and instinct rather than with the help of the instruments. * /Many pilots in World War I had to fly by the seat of their pants./ [flying] See: WITH FLYING COLORS. [flying high] {adj.}, {slang} Very happy; joyful. * /Jack was flying high after his team won the game./ Compare: IN THE CLOUDS, ON TOP OP THE WORLD. [flying start] See: GET OFF TO A FLYING START. [flying tackle] {n.}, {informal} A tackle made by jumping through the air at the person to be tackled. * /Most football coaches don't want their players to make flying tackles./ * /The policeman stopped the burglar with a flying tackle./ [flying wedge] {n.}, {informal} 1. An offensive formation in football in which players link arms and line up to form a "V" with the ball carrier in the middle. * /The flying wedge was so dangerous and hurt so many players that rules have forbidden it for over 50 years./ 2. A group (as of guards or policemen) who use a "V" formation to help someone get through a crowd. * /Police had to form a flying wedge to get the movie star through the crowd of autograph hunters./ [fly in the face of] or [fly in the teeth of] {v. phr.} To ignore; go against; show disrespect or disregard for. * /You can't fly in the face of good business rules and expect to he successful./ * /Floyd's friends tried to help him, but he flew in the teeth of their advice and soon became a drunkard./ [fly in the ointment] {n. phr.}, {informal} An unpleasant part of a pleasant thing; something small that spoils your fun. * /We had a lot of fun at the beach; the only fly in the ointment was George's cutting his foot on a piece of glass./ * /Your new job sounds too good to be true - interesting work, high pay, short hours. Isn't there any fly in the ointment?/ [fly off the handle] {v. phr.}, {informal} To become very angry. * /John flew off the handle whenever Mary made a mistake./ * /The children's noise made the man next door fly off the handle./ Syn.: LOSE ONE'S TEMPER. [fly the coop] {v. phr.}, {slang} To leave suddenly and secretly; run away. * /The robbers flew the coop before the police arrived./ * /His partner flew the coop with all the money./ [flying visit] {n. phr.} A visit of very short duration. * /Tom came to New York for only a flying visit. We had hardly eaten lunch when he had to leave./ [flying saucer] See: U.F.O. [fly into a rage] or [temper] {v. phr.} To become very angry. * /By the time we mention the name of her ex-husband, she flies into a rage./ [foam at the mouth] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be very angry, like a mad dog. * /By the time Uncle Henry had the third flat tire he was really foaming at the mouth./ [fob off] {v.}, {informal} 1. To get something false accepted as good or real. * /The peddler fobbed off pieces of glass as diamonds./ Syn.: PALM OFF, PASS OFF. 2. To put aside; not really answer but get rid of. * /Her little brother asked where she was going, but she fobbed him off with ah excuse./ [fog] See: IN A FOG. [foggy bottom] {n.}, {slang} An area in downtown Washington, D.C. where many offices of the Department of State are located; hence figuratively, the U.S. Department of State. * /The press secretary gave us a lot of foggy bottom double-talk about the hostage crisis in the Near East./ [fold up] {v.}, {informal} To collapse; fail. * /The team folded up in the last part of the season./ * /The new restaurant folded up in less than a year./ Compare: FALL APART. [folk] See: WEE FOLK. [follow] See: AS FOLLOWS. [follower] See: CAMP FOLLOWER. [follow in one's footsteps] also [follow in one's tracks] {v. phr.} To follow someone's example; follow someone exactly, * /He followed in his father's footsteps and became a doctor./ Compare: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON. [follow one's heart] {v. phr.} To do what one wishes to do rather than to follow the voice of reason. * /Instead of accepting a lucrative job in his father's business, Jim followed his heart and became a missionary in the jungle./ [follow one's nose] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To go straight ahead; continue in the same direction. * /Just follow your nose and you'll get there./ 2. To go any way you happen to think of. * /Oh, I don't know just where I want to go. I'll just follow my nose and see what happens./ [follow out] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To do fully; finish (what you are told to do.) * /The boy followed out the instructions and made a fine model plane./ Compare: FOLLOW THROUGH. 2. To keep working at (something) until it is finished; give (something) your attention until it comes to an end or conclusion. * /The student followed out all the index references in the encyclopedia until he found what he wanted to know./ Compare: FOLLOW UP. [follow suit] {v. phr.} 1. To play a card of the same color and kind that another player has put down. * /When diamonds were led, I had to follow suit./ 2. To do as someone else has done; follow someone's example. * /When the others went swimming, I followed suit./ [follow through] {v. phr.} 1. To finish a movement that you have started; continue an action to its natural ending. * /A football passer should follow through after he throws the ball./ 2. To finish an action that you have started. * /Bob drew plans for a table for his mother, but he did not follow through by making it./ [follow up] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To chase or follow closely and without giving up. * /The Indians followed up the wounded buffalo until it fell dead./ 2. Make (one action) more successful by doing something more. * /After Mary sent a letter to apply for a job, she followed it up by going to talk to the personnel manager./ * /The doctor followed up Billy's operation with x-rays, and special exercises to make his foot stronger./ Compare: FOLLOW OUT, FOLLOW THROUGH(2). 3a. To hunt for (more news about something that has already been in the newspapers, radio or TV news); find more about. * /The day after news of the fire at Brown's store, the newspaper sent a reporter to follow up Mr. Brown's future plans./ 3b. To print or broadcast (more news about some happening that has been in the news before). * /The fire story was printed Monday, and Tuesday's paper followed it up by saying that Mr. Brown planned to build a bigger and better store at the same place./ [follow-up] {n.} Additional work or research by means of which an earlier undertaking's chances of success are increased. * /I hope you'll be willing to do a bit of follow-up./ [fond of] Having a liking for; attracted to by strong liking. * /Alan is fond of candy./ * /Uncle Bill was the children's favorite, and he was fond of them too./ [food for thought] {n. phr.} Something to think about or worth thinking about; something that makes you think. * /The teacher told John that she wanted to talk to his father, and that gave John food for thought./ * /There is much food for thought in this book./ [fool] See: CHILDREN AND FOOLS SPEAK THE TRUTH, MAKE A FOOL OF. [fool and his money are soon parted] A foolish person soon wastes his money. - A proverb, * /Jimmy spends all his pennies for candy. A fool and his money are soon parted./ [fool around] or [mess around] or [play around] or [monkey around] {v.}, {informal} 1. To spend time playing, fooling, or joking instead of being serious or working; waste time. * /If you go to college, you must work, not fool around./ * /The boys fooled around all afternoon in the park./ Compare: CUT UP(2). To treat or handle carelessly. * /Bob cut himself by fooling around with a sharp knife./ * /Suzie says she wishes John would quit playing around with the girls and get married./ 3. or [fiddle around] To work or do something in an irregular or unplanned way; tinker. * /Jimmy likes to monkey around with automobile engines./ * /Alice is fooling around with the piano in her spare time./ Compare: FUCK AROUND. [fool around] See: MESS AROUND. [fool away] or [fritter away] {v.}, {informal} To waste foolishly. * /Paul failed history because he fooled away his time instead of studying./ * /The man won a lot of money, but he soon frittered it away and was poor again./ [foolish] See: PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH. [foolproof] {adj.} So constructed that not even a fool can spoil it; easy. * /This entrance examination is so easy that it is actually foolproof./ [fool's paradise] See: LIVE IN A FOOL'S PARADISE. [foot] See: AT ONE'S FEET, COLD FEET, DEAD ON ONE'S FEET, DRAG ONE'S FEET, FROM HEAD TO FOOT, GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT, GET ONE'S FEET WET, HAND AND FOOT, KEEP ONE'S FEET, KNOCK OFF ONE'S FEET, LAND ON ONE'S FEET, LET GRASS GROW UNDER ONE'S FEET, ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, ON FOOT, ON ONE'S FEET, PLAY FOOTSIE, PUT ONE'S BEST FOOT FORWARD, PUT ONE'S FOOT DOWN, PUT ONE'S FOOT IN IT, SET FOOT, SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT, STAND ON ONE'S OWN FEET, SWEEP OFF ONE'S FEET, THINK ON ONE'S FEET, THROW ONESELF AT SOMEONE'S FEET. [footed] See: FLAT FOOTED. [foot in the door] {n. phr.}, {informal} The first step toward getting or doing something; a start toward success; opening. * /Don't let Jane get her foot in the door by joining the club or soon she'll want to be president./ [footstep] See: FOLLOW IN ONE'S FOOTSTEPS. [foot the bill] {v. phr.} To cover the expenses of; pay for something. * /The bride's father footed two-thirds of the bill for hix daughter's wedding./ Compare: PICK UP THE TAB. [footloose and fancy-free] {adj. phr.} Free and free to do what one wants (said of unmarried men). * /Ron is a merry bachelor and seems to enjoy greatly being footloose and fancy-free./ [for a fall] See: RIDING FOR A FALL. [for all] 1. In spite of; even with, despite. - Used for contrast. * /For all his city ways, he is a country boy at heart./ * /There may be mistakes occasionally, but for all that, it is the best book on the subject./ * /For all his money, he was very unhappy./ 2. also [for aught] To the extent that. - Used like a negative with "care" and "know". * /For all I care, you can throw it away./ * /For all he knows, we might be in Boston./ Compare: AS FAR AS(2), ONCE AND FOR ALL. [for all one cares] {adv. phr.} In the opinion of one who is not involved or who does not care what happens. * /For all Jane cares, poor Tom might as well drop dead./ [for all one is worth] With all of your strength; as hard as you can. * /Roger ran for all he was worth to catch the bus./ [for all one knows] {adv. phr.} According to the information one has; probably. * /For all we know, Ron and Beth might have eloped and been married in a French chateau./ [for all that] {adv. phr.} In spite of what has been said, alleged, or rumored. * /Well, for all that, we think that she is still the most deserving candidate for Congress./ [for all the world] {adv. phr.} 1. Under no circumstances. * /Betty said she wouldn't marry Jake for all the world./ 2. Precisely; exactly. * /It began for all the world like a successful baseball season for the UIC Flames, when suddenly they lost to the Blue Demons./ [for a loop] See: KNOCK FOR A LOOP or THROW FOR A LOOP. [for a loss] See: THROW FOR A LOSS. [for a ride] See: TAKE FOR A RIDE. [for as much as] {conj.}, {formal} Because; since. * /For as much as the senator is eighty years old, we feel he should not run for reelection./ Syn.: INASMUCH AS. [for a song] {adv. phr.}, {informal} At a low price; for a bargain price; cheaply. * /He sold the invention for a song and its buyers were the ones who got rich./ * /They bought the house for a song and sold it a few years later at a good profit./ [for aught] See: FOR ALL(2). [for bear] See: LOADED FOR BEAR. [for better or worse] or [for better or for worse] {adv. phr.} 1. With good or bad effect, depending on how one looks at the matter. * /The historian did justice, for better or worse, to the careers of several famous men./ 2. Under any eventuality; forever; always. * /Alex and Masha decided to leave Moscow and come to Chicago, for better or for worse./ 3. (Marriage vows) Forever, for as long as one may live. * /With this ring I thee wed, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, til death do us part./ [forbid] See: GOD FORBID. [for broke] See: GO FOR BROKE. [force] See: IN FORCE, JOIN FORCES. [force one's hand] {v. phr.} To make you do something or tell what you will do sooner than planned. * /Ben did not want to tell where he was going, but his friend forced his hand./ * /Mr. Smith planned to keep his land until prices went up, but he had so many doctor bills that it forced his hand./ [force play] or [force-out] {n.} A play in baseball in which a runner is out because he does not run to the next base before the fielder with the ball touches the base. * /Bob was out at second base when Joe hit into a force play./ [for certain] See: FOR SURE. [for crying out loud] {informal} Used as an exclamation to show that you feel surprised or cross. * /For crying out loud, look who's here!/ * /For crying out loud, that's the third time you've done it wrong./ Compare: FOR ONE'S SAKE. [for days on end] {adv. phr.} For a long time; for many days. * /The American tourists tried to get used to Scottish pronunciation for days on end, but still couldn't understand what the Scots were saying./ [for dear life] {adv. phr.} As though afraid of losing your life. * /He was running for dear life toward town./ * /When the horse began to run, she held on for dear life./ [fore] See: TO THE FORE. [foremost] See: FIRST AND FOREMOST. [forest] See: CAN'T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES or CAN'T SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES. [forever and a day] {adv. phr.}, {informal} For a seemingly endless time; forever; always. Used for emphasis. * /We waited forever and a day to find out who won the contest./ * /They promised to remain friends forever and a day./ [forever and ever] {adv. phr.} Forever; always. - Used for emphasis, usually about spiritual things. * /God will live forever and ever./ [for example] or [for instance] {adv. phr.} As an example; as proof; to give an example or illustration. * /Not only rich men become President. For example, Lincoln was born poor./ * /There are jobs more dangerous than truck driving; for instance, training lions./ Compare: FOR ONE THING. [for fear] Because of fear. * /He left an hour early for fear of missing his train./ * /She worried for fear that the child would be hurt./ [for fear of] {adv. phr.} Because of being afraid of something; on account of being scared. * /Dave refuses to go to Europe for fear of an airplane crash and for fear of a shipwreck./ [for free] {adj. phr.}, {substandard} Without having to pay; free. * /Hey you guys, look at this balloon! They're for free down at the new store./ [for fun] {prep. phr.} As amusement, not seriously, as a joke. * /Let's try to play Beethoven's Emperor Concerto together, you on one piano, and I on another one./ Compare: IN FUN. [forget] See: FORGIVE AND FORGET. [forget oneself] {v. phr.} To do something one should have remembered not to do; do something below one's usual conduct although one knows better; let one's self-control slip. * /He forgot himself only once at dinner - when he belched./ * /He knew he should hold his temper, but because of the trouble he forgot himself and began to shout./ [forgive and forget] {v.} To have no bad feelings about what happened in the past. * /After the argument the boys decided to forgive and forget./ Syn.: LET BYGONES BE BYGONES, LIVE AND LET LIVE. [for good] also [for good and all] Permanently, forever, for always. * /The lost money was gone for good./ * /He hoped that the repairs would stop the leak for good./ * /When John graduated from school, he decided that he was done with study for good and all./ Syn.: FOR KEEPS(2). [for good measure] {adv. phr.} As something more added to what is expected or needed; as an extra. * /He sold me the car at a cheap price and included the radio for good measure./ * /She puts in the spices the recipe calls for and then adds an extra pinch for good measure./ Compare: IN THE BARGAIN, TO BOOT. [for granted] See: TAKE FOR GRANTED. [for Heaven's sake!] {adv. phr.} Please. * /"Help me, for Heaven's sake!" the injured man cried./ [for hours on end] {adv. phr.} For many hours; for a very long time. * /We have been trying to get this computer going for hours on end, but we need serious professional help./ [for instance] See: FOR EXAMPLE. [for it] See: RUN FOR IT. [for keeps] {adv. phr.} 1. For the winner to keep. * /They played marbles for keeps./ 2. {informal} For always; forever, * /He left town for keeps./ Syn.: FOR GOOD. 3. Seriously, not just for fun. * /This is not a joke, it's for keeps./ - Often used in the phrase "play for keeps". * /The policeman knew that the robber was trying to shoot him. He was playing for keeps./ [forked tongue] See: SPEAK WITH A FORKED TONGUE. [fork over a lot of money] {v. phr.} To pay an excessive amount of money often unwillingly. * /"According to my divorce decree," Alan complained, "I have to fork over a lot of money to my ex-wife every month."/ [fork over] or [fork out] also [fork up] {v.} To pay; pay out. * /He had to fork over fifty dollars to have the car repaired./ Compare: HAND OVER. [for laughs] {adv. phr.} For pleasure; for fun; as a joke. * /The college boys climbed up into the girls' dorms and stole some of their dresses just for laughs, but they were punished all the same./ [for love or money] {adv. phr.} For anything; for any price. Used in negative sentences. * /I wouldn't give him my dog for love or money./ Compare: FOR ALL THE WORLD(1). [form] See: RAN TRUE TO FORM. [for no man] See: TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN. [for one] As the first of several possible examples; as one example. * /Manv people do not like certain foods. I for one do not like cabbage./ - Also used with similar words instead of "one". * /Several materials can be used to make the box: plywood, for one; masonite, for another; sheet metal, for a third./ [for one's money] {prep. phr.} Regarding one's endorsement or support; as far as one is concerned. * /For my money, the best candidate for Congress is Ms. Smith./ [for one's part] also [on one's part] {adv. phr.} As far as you are concerned; the way you feel or think. * /I don't know about you, but for my part I don't want to go to that place./ Compare: AS FOR. [for one thing] {adv. phr.} As one thing of several; as one in a list of things. * /The teacher said, "You get a low mark, for one thing, because you did not do your homework."/ * /The house was poorly built; for one thing, the roof leaked./ Compare: FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE FIRST PLACE. [for real(1)] {adj. phr.}, {informal} Not practice or play; earnest, real, serious. * /The war games were over now. This battle was for real./ [for real(2)] {adv. phr.}, {substandard} Not for practice; really; seriously. * /Let's do our work for real./ [for one's sake] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Used with different possessive nouns to show surprise, crossness, or impatience. * /For heaven's sake, where did you come from?/ * /For Pete's sake, look who's here!/ * /Well, for pity's sake, I wish you'd told me sooner./ * /Oh, for gosh sake, let me do it./ [for shame] {interj.} Shame on you; you should be ashamed of yourself. - An exclamation no longer in common use, having been largely replaced by "shame on you". * /"For shame, John, taking the toy from your baby brother!"/ [for short] {adv. phr.} So as to make shorter; as an abbreviation or nickname. * /The boy's name was Humperdink, or "Dink" for short./ * /The National Broadcasting Company is called NBC for short./ [for sure] or [for certain] {adv. phr.} 1. Without doubt; certainly; surely. * /He couldn't tell for sure from a distance whether it was George or Tom./ * /He didn't know for certain which bus to take./ * /I know for certain that he has a car./ 2. {slang} Certain. * /"That car is smashed so badly it's no good any more." "That's for sure!"/ Compare: SURE THING. [fort] See: HOLD THE FORT. [forth] See: AND SO FORTH, BACK AND FORTH, CALL FORTH, HOLD FORTH, SET FORTH. [for that matter] {adv. phr.} With regard to that; about that. * /I don't know, and for that matter, I don't care./ * /Alice didn't come, and for that matter, she didn't even telephone./ Compare: MATTER OP FACT, [for the asking] {adv. phr.} By asking; by asking for it; on request. * /John said I could borrow his bike any time. It was mine for the asking./ * /Teacher said her advice was free for the asking./ [for the best] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} good or best; not bad as thought; lucky; well, happily. * /Maybe it's for the best that your team lost; now you know how the other boys felt./ * /John's parents thought it would be for the best if he stayed out of school for the rest of the year./ Often used in the phrase "turn out for the best". * /You feel unhappy now because you got sick and couldn't go with your friends, but it will all turn out for the best./ Compare: TURN OUT(6). Contrast: FOR THE WORSE. [for the better] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} With a better result; for something that is better. * /The doctor felt that moving Father to a dry climate would be for the better./ * /The new large print in the book is a change for the better./ Compare: TAKE A TURN. Contrast: FOR THE WORSE. [for the birds] {adj. phr.}, {slang} Not interesting; dull; silly; foolish; stupid. * /I think history is for the birds./ * /I saw that movie. It's for the birds./ [for the books] See: ONE FOR THE BOOKS. [for the devil] or [heck] or [the hell of it] {adv. phr.} For no specific reason; just for sport and fun. * /We poured salt into Uncle Tom's coffee, just for the heck of it./ See: DEVIL OF IT. [for the hills] See: HEAD FOR THE HILLS. [for the life of one] {adv.}, {informal} No matter how hard you try. - Used for emphasis with negative statements. * /I can't for the life of me remember his name./ [for the moon] See: ASK FOR THE MOON or CRY FOR THE MOON. [for the most part] {adv. phr.} In general; mostly; most of the time; commonly; generally. * /European countries are, for the most part, tired of war./ Syn.: BY AND LARGE, ON THE WHOLE. [for the nonce] See: FOR THE TIME BEING. [for the ride] See: ALONG FOR THE RIDE. [for the sake of] or [for one's sake] {adv. phr.} On behalf of; for the benefit of. * /For the sake of truth and freedom, Dr. Sakharov, the Soviet dissident, was willing to be banished from Moscow./ * /"Do it for my sake, please!" Tom begged./ [for the time being] also {literary} [for the nonce] {adv. phr.} For now; for a while; temporarily. * /I haven't any note paper, but this envelope will do for the time being./ * /She hasn't found an apartment yet; she's staying with her aunt for the time being./ [for the world] See: NOT FOR THE WORLD. [for the worse] {adj. phr.} or {adv. phr.} For something that is worse or not as good, with a worse result. * /He bought a new car but it turned out to be for the worse./ * /The sick man's condition changed for the worse./ Compare: TAKE A TURN. Contrast: FOR THE BETTER. [for to] {prep. phr.}, {dialect} So that you can; to. * /Simple Simon went a-fishing for to catch a whale./ Syn.: IN ORDER TO. [forty winks] {n. phr.}, {informal} A short period of sleep; a nap. * /When the truck driver felt sleepy, he stopped by the side of the road to catch forty winks./ Compare: SHUT-EYE. [forward] See: BACKWARD AND FORWARD, LOOK FORWARD TO, PUT ONE'S BEST FOOT FORWARD. [forward wall] {n.} The line of a football team. * /Princeton 's line outplayed the Rutgers forward wall./ [for you] See: THAT'S --- FOR YOU. [foul ball] {n.} A batted baseball that lands outside the foul line. * /Mickey hit a long foul ball that landed on the roof./ [foul line] {n.} 1. Either of two lines separating fair from foul ground in baseball. * /Willie hit the ball just inside the foul line for a double./ 2. A line across the upper end of a bowling alley across which a bowler must not step. * /John bowled a strike but it didn't count because he stepped over the foul line./ 3. A line on the floor in front of the basket in basketball, from which foul shots are made. * /Tony scored eight points from the foul line./ [foul out] {v.} 1. To make an out in baseball by hitting a foul fly ball that is caught. * /He fouled out to the catcher./ 2. To be forced to leave a basketball game because of getting more than the limit number of personal fouls. * /A professional basketball player is allowed six personal fouls before fouling out./ [foul play] {n.} Treachery; a criminal act (such as murder). * /After they discovered the dead body, the police suspected foul play./ * /"She must have met with foul play," the chief inspector said when they couldn't find the 12-year-old girl who had disappeared./ [foul shot] {n.} A free throw given in basketball to a player who has been fouled. * /Tony was given two foul shots when he was fouled while trying to shoot./ Compare: FIELD GOAL 2, FREE THROW. [foul up] {v.}, {informal} 1. To make dirty. * /The birds fouled up his newly washed car./ 2. To tangle up. * /He tried to throw a lasso but he got the rope all fouled up./ 3. To ruin or spoil by stupid mistakes; botch. * /He fouled the whole play up by forgetting his part./ 4. To make a mistake; to blunder. * /Blue suit and brown socks! He had fouled up again./ 5. To go wrong. * /Why do some people foul up and become criminals?/ [foul-up] {n.} (stress on "foul") 1. {informal} A confused situation; confusion; mistake. * /The luncheon was handled with only one or two foul-ups./ 2. {informal} A breakdown. * /There was a foul-up in his car's steering mechanism./ 3. {slang} A person who fouls up or mixes things. * /He had gotten a reputation as a foul-up./ [foundation garment] {n.} A close-fitting garment designed for women to wear underneath their clothes to make them look slim; a piece of woman's underwear. * /Jane wears a foundation garment under her evening dress./ [four] See: HIT ON ALL FOUR, ON ALL FOURS. [four bits] {n.}, {slang} Fifty cents. * /Tickets to the play are four bits," said Bill./ Compare: TWO BITS. [four corners] {n.} All parts of a place. * /People came from the four corners of the world to see him./ * /He has been to the four corners of the country./ Compare: ALL OVER. [four-eyes] {n.}, {slang} A person who wears glasses. - A rude expression, * /Hey, four-eyes, come over here./ [four-leaf clover] {n.} A small green plant with four leaves which many people think means good luck because clover plants usually have three leaves. * /John has a four-leaf clover in his pocket. He thinks he will have good luck now./ [fourth class] {n.} A class of mail that is not sealed and weighs a pound or more, that includes things that are bought and sold and sent in the mail, and printed things that are not second or third class mail. * /Bill sent away 98 cereal box tops and a dollar and got back a sheriff's badge and gun in the mail by fourth class./ [fourth-class(1)] {adj.} Belonging to the fourth class of mail. * /The package weighed a pound and a half, so it had to be sent by fourth-class mail./ [fourth-class(2)] {adv.} By fourth-class mail. * /How did the company mail the package? Fourth-class./ [fourth world] {n.}, {informal} The poor nations of the world, as distinguished from the oil-rich nations of the third world. * /Sri Lanka will never join OPEC, since it is a fourth world nation./ [fowl] See: NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL. [fox and geese] {n. phr.} A tag game in which the player representing the fox tries to catch one of the players representing geese as they run around the outside of a circle. [fraidy-cat] or [fraid-cat] or [scaredy-cat] or [scared cat] {n.}, {informal} A shy person; someone who is easily frightened. - Usually used by or to children. * /Tom was a fraidy-cat and wouldn't go in the water./ [frame of mind] {n. phr.} One's mental outlook; the state of one's psychological condition, * /There is no use trying to talk to him while he is in such a negative frame of mind./ [freak] {n.}, {slang} 1. A good, or well-liked person, the opposite of a square, someone with long hair and who is likely (or known) to be a marijuana smoker or a drug user. Also said of homosexuals. * /Is Joe a square, establishment type? - Oh no, he's a regular freak./ 2. [--- freak] An enthusiast, a person who does or cultivates something in excess. * /Ellen is a film-freak./ [freak-out(1)] {n.}, {slang} An act of losing control; a situation that is bizarre or unusual. * /The party last night was a regular freak-out./ [freak out(2)] {v. phr.}, {slang} To lose control over one's conscious self due to the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. * /Joe freaked out last night./ [free] See: FOR FREE, MAKE FREE, MAKE FREE WITH, OF ONE'S OWN ACCORD or OF ONE'S OWN FREE WILL. [free agent] {n.} A professional player who does not have a co