an injection (said of animals). * /Dr. Murphy, the veterinarian, put our sick, old dog to sleep./ [put to the sword] {v. phr.}, {literary} To kill (people) in war, especially with a sword. * /The Romans put their enemies to the sword./ * /In some wars captives have been put to the sword./ [put to use] {v. phr.} To use. * /During the early part of the Korean war the cooks and office workers of the U.S. Army were put to use in battle./ * /Henry decided to put his dictionary to use./ * /I wish you'd put the lawn mower to use!/ [put two and two together] {v. phr.} To make decisions based on available proofs; reason from the known facts; conclude; decide. * /He had put two and two together and decided where they had probably gone./ * /It was just a mater of putting two and two together: the facts seemed to permit only one decision./ [put up] {v.} 1a. To make and pack (especially a lunch or medicine); get ready; prepare. * /Every morning Mother puts up lunches for the three children./ * /The druggist put up the medicine that the doctor had prescribed./ Compare: MAKE UP(1). 1b. To put food into jars or cans to save; can. * /Mother is putting up peaches in jars./ 1c. To store away for later use. * /The farmer put up three tons of hay for the winter./ 2. To put in place; put (something) where it belongs. * /After he unpacked the car, John put it up./ * /After the hard ride, the doctor gave the horse to the stable boy to put up./ * /After the battle, the knight put up his sword./ Syn.: PUT AWAY. 3. To suggest that (someone) be chosen a member, officer, or official. * /The club decided to take in another member, and Bill put up Charles./ - Often used with "for". * /The Republicans put Mr. Williams up for mayor./ 4. To put (hair) a special way; arrange. * /Aunt May puts up her hair in curlers every night./ Compare: DO UP(3a). 5. To place on sale; offer for sale. * /She put the house up for sale./ 6a. To provide lodging for; furnish a room to. * /The visitor was put up in the home of Mr. Wilson./ * /They put Frank up at a good hotel./ 6b. To rent or get shelter; take lodging; stay in a place to sleep. * /The traveler put up at a motel./ * /We put up with friends on our trip to Canada./ 7. To make; engage in. * /He put up a good fight against his sickness./ Compare: CARRY ON. 8. To furnish (money) or something needed; pay for. * /He put up the money to build a hotel./ [put-up] {adj.} Artificially arranged; plotted; phony; illegal. * /The FBI was sure that the bank robbers worked together with an insider and that the whole affair was a put-up job./ [put up a (brave, good, etc.) flght] {v. phr.} To resist. * /He put up a good fight but he was bound to lose in the end to the older, more experienced chess player./ [put up a (brave] or [good) front] {v. phr.} To act courageously, even though one is actually afraid. * /When Joe was taken in for his open heart surgery, he put up a brave front, although his hands were shaking./ [put up or shut up] {v. phr.} {informal} 1. To bet your money on what you say or stop saying it. - Often used as a command; often considered rude. * /The man from out of town kept saying their team would beat ours and finally John told him "Put up or shut up."/ 2. To prove something or stop saying it. - Often used as a command; often considered rude. * /George told Al that he could run faster than the school champion and Al told George to put up or shut up./ [put upon] {v.} To use (someone) unfairly; expect too much from. - Used in the passive or in the past participle. * /Martha was put upon by the bigger girls./ * /Arthur was a much put-upon person./ [put up to] {v. phr.}, {informal} To talk to and make do; persuade to; get to do. * /Older boys put us up to painting the statue red./ Compare: EGG ON. [put up with] {v.} To accept patiently; bear. * /We had to put up with Jim's poor table manners because he refused to change./ * /The mother told her children, "I refuse to put up with your tracking in mud!"/ Compare: STAND FOR. [put wise] {v.}, {slang} To tell (someone) facts that will give him an advantage over others or make him alert to opportunity or danger. * /The new boy did not know that Jim was playing a trick on him, so I put him wise./ - Often used with "to". * /Someone put the police wise to the plan of the bank robbers, and when the robbers went into the bank, the police were waiting to catch them./ Compare: TIP OFF. [put words into one's mouth] {v. phr.} To say without proof that another person has certain feelings or opinions; claim a stand or an idea is another's without asking; speak for another without right. * /When he said "John here is in favor of the idea." I told him not to put words in my mouth./ Q [q] See: MIND ONE'S P'S AND Q'S. [Q.T.] See: ON THE Q.T. [qualms] See: HAVE (NO) QUALMS ABOUT. [quantity] See: UNKNOWN QUANTITY. [quarterback sneak] {n.} A football play in which the quarterback takes the ball from the center and dives straight ahead in an attempt to gain a very short distance. * /Johnson took the ball over on a quarterback sneak for a touchdown./ [queen] See: HOMECOMING QUEEN. [queer fish] {n.} A strange or unusual person who does odd things. * /Uncle Algernon dresses in heavy furs in the summer and short-sleeved shirts in the winter. No wonder everyone considers him a queer fish./ [queer oneself] {v. phr.} To act in such a manner as to offend others and thus one's own chances or position. * /Phil has queered himself with many girls by his erratic behavior./ [quest] See: IN SEARCH OF also IN QUEST OF. [question] See: BEG THE QUESTION, BESIDE THE POINT or BESIDE THE QUESTION, BEYOND QUESTION also WITHOUT QUESTION, CALL IN QUESTION, IN QUESTION, INTO QUESTION, OUT OF THE QUESTION, POP THE QUESTION. [quick buck] See: FAST BUCK. [quick on the draw] See: QUICK ON THE TRIGGER. [quick on the trigger] or [trigger happy] {adj. phr.} Ready to shoot without warning; fast with a gun. * /He's a dangerous criminal quick on the trigger./ 2. {informal} Fast at answering questions or solving problems. * /In class discussions John is always quick on the trigger./ [quick on the uptake] {adj. phr.} Smart; intelligent. * /Eleanor is very witty and quick on the uptake./ [quick study] {n. phr.} One who acquires new skills and habits in record time. * /Sue is new at her job but people have confidence in her because she is a quick study./ [quit] See: CALL IT QUITS. [quite a bit] See: QUITE A LITTLE. [quite a few] or [quite a number] also {formal} [not a few] {n.} or {adj. phr.} Rather a large number; more than a few. * /Quite a few went to the game./ * /The basket had quite a few rotten apples in it./ - The phrase "quite a number" is used like an adjective only before "less", "more". * /Few people saw the play on the first night but quite a number more came on the second night./ - Sometimes used like an adverb. * /We still have quite a few more miles to go before we reach New York./ Syn.: GOOD MANY, NOT A FEW. Compare: A FEW, A NUMBER. [quite a little] or {informal} [quite a bit] also {formal} [not a little] {n.} or {adj. phr.} Rather a large amount; rather much; more than a little. * /We are not finished; quite a little is left to do./ * /Cleaning the backyard needed quite a little work./ - The phrase "quite a bit" is used like an adjective only before "less", "more". * /Six inches of snow fell today, and quite a bit more is coming tonight./ - Sometimes used like an adverb. * /Harry was sick quite a little last winter./ Compare: A LITTLE, A LOT, QUITE A PEW. [quite a number] See: QUITE A FEW. [quite the thing] {n. phr.} The socially proper thing to do. * /In polite society it is quite the thing to send a written thank you note to one's host or hostess after a dinner party./ R [rabbit] See: JACK-RABBIT START. [race] See: DRAG RACE, RAT RACE. [race against time] {v. phr.} To be in a great hurry to finish a given project by a specified deadline. * /The workers were racing against time to finish the campus modernization project./ [race to stand still] {v. phr.} To be so far behind in one's work that one must exert an effort similar to that needed to win a race in order simply not to fall even further behind. * /"Could you review this book for us, Professor Brown?" the editor asked. "Unfortunately, no," the professor answered. "I'm so behind in my work that I am racing to stand still."/ [rack and ruin] {n. phr.} Complete decay; condition of decline. * /The entire house had been so neglected that it had gone to rack and ruin./ [rack one's brain] {v. phr.} To try your best to think; make a great mental effort; especially: to try to remember something you have known. * /Bob racked his brain trying to remember where he left the book./ * /Susan racked her brain trying to guess whom the valentine came from./ * /John racked his brain during the test trying to solve the problem./ [radio ham] {n. phr.} Someone whose hobby is the operating of shortwave radio. * /The code letters C.Q. are used by radio hams to invite other radio hams to join in the conversation./ [rag] See: CHEW THE FAT or CHEW THE RAG, GLAD RAGS. [rag doll] {n.} A doll made of cloth and filled with soft stuffing. * /My baby brother won't go to bed without his rag doll./ [ragged] See: RUN RAGGED. [rag trade] {n. phr.} The clothing industry. * /My brother is working in the rag trade, manufacturing dresses./ [railroad] {v.} To force through; push through by force. * /The bill was railroaded through the state legislature due to the influence of some very wealthy sponsors./ [rain] See: IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS, KNOW ENOUGH TO COME IN OUT OF THE RAIN. [rain cats and dogs] or [rain buckets] or [rain pitchforks] {v. phr.}, {informal} To rain very hard; come down in torrents. * /In the middle of the picnic it started to rain cats and dogs, and everybody got soaked./ * /Terry looked out of the window and said, "It's raining pitchforks, so we can't go out to play right now."/ [rain check] {n.} 1. A special free ticket to another game or show which will be given in place of one canceled because of rain. * /When the drizzle turned into a heavy rain the manager announced that the baseball game would be replayed the next day. He told the crowd that they would be given rain checks for tomorrow's game as they went out through the gates./ 2. {informal} A promise to repeat an invitation at a later time. * /Bob said, "I'm sorry you can't come to dinner this evening, Dave. I'll give you a rain check."/ [rained out] {adj.} Stopped by rain. * /The ball game was rained out in the seventh inning./ * /The Friday night rally in the stadium was rained out./ [rain on] {v. phr.}, {slang} To bring misfortune to (someone); to complain to (someone) about one's bad luck. * /Don't rain on me./ [rain or shine] {adv. phr.} 1. If the weather is stormy or if it is fair. * /The parade will start promptly, rain or shine./ 2. No matter; if your luck is good or bad. * /Sam knows he can depend on his family, rain or shine./ [rainproof] {adj.} Resistant to rain; something that will not soak in water; referring to a material that repels water. * /"I don't need an umbrella," she said, "as my coat is rainproof."/ [rainy day] {n.} A time of need; especially: a time when you really need money. * /Squirrels gather acorns for a rainy day./ * /Each week Mrs. Carlson saved a little money for a rainy day./ [raise a hand] See: LIFT A FINGER. [raise a row] {v. phr.} To cause a disturbance, a fuss, or a scene. * /He raised quite a row when he noticed that someone had scratched his brand new car./ [raise a stink] {v. phr.} To cause a disturbance; complain; protest strongly. * /Quite a stink was raised in the office when the boss discovered that several employees had left early./ [raise Cain] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be noisy; cause trouble. * /When John couldn't go on the basketball trip with the team he raised Cain./ * /The children raised Cain in the living room./ Compare: KICK UP A FUSS, RAISE THE DEVIL. [raise eyebrows] {v. phr.} To shock people; cause surprise or disapproval. * /The news that the princess was engaged to a commoner raised eyebrows all over the kingdom./ [raise funds] or [money] {v. phr.} To solicit donations for a charity or a specific project. * /Our church is trying to raise the funds for a new organ./ [raise hackles] or [raise one's hackles] {v. phr.} To make (someone) upset or annoyed; arouse hostility. * /Attempts to add new ingredients to the beer raised hackles among all the old brew masters./ [raise havoc] See: PLAY HAVOC WITH. [raise heck] See: RAISE THE DEVIL. [raise hob] See: RAISE THE DEVIL. [raise one's sights] {v. phr.} To aim high; be ambitious. * /Teenage boys sometimes think too much of themselves and have a tendency to raise their sights too high./ [raise one's voice] {v. phr.} To speak loudly, as if in anger or in protest. * /"I'm sorry, Mom," Peter said. "I didn't mean to raise my voice."/ [raise the devil] or [raise heck] or [raise hob] or [raise ned] {v. phr.}, {informal} To make trouble; start a fight or an argument. * /Mr. Black raised heck when he saw the dented fender. He blamed the other driver./ * /Some teenage boys raised the devil in town on Halloween night and damaged a lot of property./ Compare: KICK UP A FUSS. [raise the roof] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To make a lot of noise; be happy and noisy. * /The gang raised the roof with their singing./ 2. To scold loudly. * /Mother raised the roof when she saw the dog's muddy footprints on her new bedspread./ Compare: KICK UP A FUSS, RAISE CAIN. [rake in] {v. phr.} To realize great profits; take in money. * /Because of the heavy snowfall, ski lodge operators in the Rocky Mountains have been raking in the dough this winter season./ [rake off] {v. phr.} To illegally expropriate part of a sum paid. * /The secretary-treasurer of the association has been caught raking off some of the membership dues./ [rake-off] See: KICKBACK. [rake over the coals] See: HAUL OVER THE COALS. [rake up] {v. phr.} To expose; gather; bring to light. * /Let's forget about the past; there's no need to rake up all those old memories./ [ramble on about] {v. phr.} To chatter on idly and without a purpose. * /When Ted has too much to drink, he always rambles on about the good old days./ [ram down one's throat] See: SHOVE DOWN ONE'S THROAT. [random] See: AT RANDOM. [rank] See: CLOSE RANKS, PULL RANK. [rank and file] {n. phr.} Ordinary people; the regular membership of an organization; the enlisted privates in the Army. * /The general usually inspects the rank and file on specific national holidays./ * /The secretary of the association sends letters annually to the rank and file./ [rap] See: TAKE THE RAP. [rap one's knuckles] {v. phr.} To scold or punish. * /The principal rapped our knuckles for cheating on the test./ * /If you talk back to Dad, you'll get your knuckles rapped./ * /The club got its knuckles rapped by the principal for hazing new members./ * /Why rap my knuckles? It wasn't my fault./ Compare: DRESSING DOWN, GIVE IT TO(2). [rat] See: SMELL A RAT. [rate] See: AT ANY RATE, FIRST RATE. [rather] See: HAD RATHER. [rat on] See: BLOW THE WHISTLE, RAT OUT. [rat out] or [rat out on] {v. phr.}, {slang} To desert; to leave at a critical time. * /Joe ratted out on Sue when she was seven months pregnant./ [rat race] {n.}, {slang} A very confusing, crowded, or disorderly rush; a confusing scramble, struggle, or way of living that does not seem to have a purpose. * /The dance last night was a rat race. It was too noisy and crowded./ * /School can be a rat race if you don't keep up with your studies./ * /This job is a rat race. The faster you work, the faster the boss wants you to work./ [rate with someone] {v. phr.} To be esteemed highly by another. * /The professor really rates with both the graduate students and the undergraduates./ [rattle] See: SABRE RAITLING. [rattle off] or [reel off] {v.} To say quickly without having to stop to think; recite easily and rapidly. * /When Roger was seven he could rattle off the names of all the states in alphabetical order./ * /Joan memorized the "Gettysburg Address" so well that she could reel it off./ * /We asked the waitress what flavors of ice cream she had, and she rattled them off./ [rattle one's saber] {v. phr.} To threaten another government or country without subsequent acts of war. * /It is considered an act of demagoguery on the part of politicians to rattle their sabers./ Compare: YELLOW JOURNALISM. [rave about] {v. phr.} To talk very enthusiastically about someone or something. * /Hank praised the new TV show very highly but we didn't think it was anything to rave about./ [raw] See: IN THE RAW. [raw deal] {n. phr.} Unfair treatment; inequity. * /Barry got a raw deal when he was sent to teach the class on advanced nuclear physics; he's an inexperienced graduate student./ [razzle-dazzle] {n.}, {slang} Fancy display; showing off. * /He is such a good player that he doesn't have to add razzle-dazzle to his game./ * /Do we need all this razzle-dazzle to advertise our fair?/ [reach] See: BOARDING HOUSE REACH. [reach first base] See: GET TO FIRST BASE. [reach for the sky] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To put your hands high above your head or be shot. - Usually used as a command. * /A holdup man walked into a gas station last night and told the attendant "Reach for the sky!"/ Syn.: HANDS UP. 2. To set one's aims high. * /"Why medical technician?" asked her father. "Reach for the sky! Become a physician!"/ [read between the lines] {v. phr.} To understand all of a writer's meaning by guessing at what he has left unsaid. * /Some kinds of poetry make you read between the lines./ * /A clever foreign correspondent can often avoid censorship by careful wording, leaving his audience to read between the lines./ [read into] {v. phr.} To attribute extra meaning to; deduce from; consider to be implicit in. * /Just because Fred's letters sounded so friendly Mary was wrong to read anything serious into them./ [read off] {v. phr.} To read in a speaking voice from a list. * /The secretary read off the names of those present in alphabetical order./ [read one like a book] {v. phr.}, {informal} To understand someone completely; know what he will think or do at any time. * /John's girlfriend could read him like a book./ Compare: READ ONE'S MIND. [read one one's rights] {v. phr.} To give to an arrested person the legally required statement regarding the rights of such a person. * /"Read him his rights," Sergeant," the captain said, "and book him for breaking and entering."/ [read one's mind] {v. phr.} To know what someone else is thinking. * /I have known John so long that I can read his mind./ - [mind reader] {n.} * /That's exactly what I was going to say. You must be a mind reader!/ Compare: READ LIKE A BOOK. [read the riot act] {v. phr.} To give someone a strong warning or scolding. * /Three boys were late to class and the teacher read the riot act to them./ [read over] {v. phr.} To read hurriedly in a rather superficial manner. * /The professor said he had no time to read my essay thoroughly but that he had read it over and would comment later in detail./ [read up on] {v. phr.} To study carefully in preparation for an examination or other special purpose. * /Since Mr. and Mrs. Lee are going to take their American citizenship exams soon, they must read up on the Constitution and the three branches of government./ [ready] See: AT THE READY, ROUGH-AND-READY. [ready-made] {adj.} Mass-produced; machine made. * /I buy all my dresses ready-made because I can't afford to have them made to order./ [ready money] {n. phr.} Cash on hand. * /Frank refuses to buy things on credit, but, if he had the ready money, he would buy that lovely old house./ [real] See: FOR REAL, IT'S BEEN REAL. [rear] See: BRING UP THE REAR. [rear end] {n.} 1. The back part (usually of a vehicle) * /The rear end of our car was smashed when we stopped suddenly and the car behind us hit us./ - Often used like an adjective, with a hyphen. * /A head-on crash is more likely to kill the passengers than a rear-end crash./ Contrast: HEAD-ON. 2. Rump; backside. * /Bobby's mother was so annoyed with his teasing that she swatted his rear end./ [rear its head] {v. phr.} To appear; emerge. * /After decades of certainty that tuberculosis had been eradicated globally, it suddenly reared its ugly head right here in the United States./ [reason] See: IN REASON, LISTEN TO REASON, RHYME OR REASON, STAND TO REASON, WITHIN REASON. [receive with open arms] See: WITH OPEN ARMS. [reckon with] {v.} To consider as one of the things which may change a situation; consider (something) that will make a difference in the results. * /The coach said the opposing pitcher had a fast ball to be reckoned with./ Syn.: TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. [reckon without] {v.} To fail to consider as one of the things which might change a situation; not think about. * /The committee for the class picnic party made careful plans for a beach party but they reckoned without a sudden change in the weather./ [record] See: MATTER OF RECORD, OFF THE RECORD, ON RECORD. [red] See: IN THE RED, PAINT THE TOWN RED, SEE RED. [redcap] {n.} A porter at an airport or at a railroad station. * /Mr. Smith works as a redcap at Chicago's O'Hare Airport./ [red carpet] See: ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET. [red cent] {n. phr.} The one-cent coin; a copper coin; very little money. * /Poor Oscar is so broke he doesn't have a red cent to his name./ [red eye] {adj. phr.} Bloodshot eyes that are strained from too much reading. * /Poor Tim has a red eye; he must have been studying too late again./ [red eye] {n. phr.}, {informal} A night flight. * /The company refused to pay for him to take a more expensive daytime flight, so he had to come in on the red eye./ [red-handed] {adj.} In the very act; while committing a crime or evil action. * /The criminal was caught red-handed while holding up the neighborhood bank at gunpoint./ [red herring] {n. phr.} A false scent laid down in order to deceive; a phony or misleading story designed to cause confusion. * /That story about the president having an affair was a red herring created by the opposition in order to discredit him./ [red-letter day] {n. phr.} A holiday; memorable day (usually printed in red on calendars). * /The Fourth of July is a red-letter day./ * /It was a red-letter day for Felix, when he won the lottery./ [red-light district] {n. phr.} A district of brothels or where prostitutes hang out. * /Most unwisely, the young sailor decided to spend his leave on shore by haunting the red-light districts of the port of call./ [red tape] {n. phr.} Unnecessary bureaucratic routine; needless but official delays. * /If you want to get anything accomplished in a hurry, you have to find someone in power who can cut through all that red tape./ [reel off] See: RATTLE OFF. [reference] See: IN REFERENCE TO or WITH REFERENCE TO. [refine on] or [refine upon] {v.} 1. To make better; improve. * /Mary was asked to refine on her first outline to make it clearer and more exact./ 2. To be better than; surpass. * /Modern medical techniques refine on those of the past./ [regain one's feet] {v. phr.} To get back up again after falling down. * /Tom fell while he skied down the hill but he regained his feet quickly./ Compare: TO ONE'S FEET. [regard] See: IN REFERENCE TO or IN REGARD TO or WITH REGARD TO. [regular guy] or [regular fellow] {n.}, {informal} A friendly person who is easy to get along with; a good sport. * /You'll like Tom. He's a regular guy./ Syn.: GOOD EGG. [rein] See: FREE REIN, GIVE REIN TO or GIVE FREE REIN TO. [relation] See: IN RELATION TO or WITH RELATION TO. [relative to] 1. On the subject of; about. * /Relative to school athletics, the principal said the students should not allow athletics to interfere with homework./ 2. In comparison with; in proportion to. * /Relative to the size of an ant, a blade of grass is as tall as a tree./ [repeat oneself] {v. phr.} To say the same thing over again, often in the same words; repeat ideas because you forget what you said or because you want to stress their importance. * /Grandfather is forgetful and often repeats himself when he tells a story./ * /A teacher often has to repeat herself several times before her pupils remember what she tells them./ [resign oneself] {v. phr.} To stop arguing; accept something which cannot be changed. * /When Jane's father explained that he could not afford to buy her a new bicycle, she finally resigned herself to riding the old one./ Compare: GIVE UP. [resistance] See: LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE. [rest] See: LAY TO REST, PARADE REST. [rest assured] {v. phr.} To be convinced; persuaded; certain and unworried. * /"Please rest assured," he said seriously, "that I will keep all of my promises."/ [rest home] See: CONVALESCENT HOME. [rest on one's laurels] {v. phr.} To be satisfied with the success you have already won; stop trying to win new honors. * /Getting an A in chemistry almost caused Mike to rest on his laurels./ [rest on one's oars] {v. phr.} To stop trying; stop working for a while; rest. * /The man who wants to become a millionaire can never rest on his oars./ * /A high school student who wants to go to college cannot rest on his oars./ [rest room] {n.} A room or series of rooms in a public building which has things for personal comfort and grooming, such as toilets, washbowls, mirrors, and often chairs or couches. * /Sally went to the rest room to powder her nose./ Compare: POWDER ROOM. [retreat] See: BEAT A RETREAT. [return] See: IN RETURN. [return the compliment] {v. phr.} To say or do the same to someone that he has said or done to you; pay someone back. * /Mary said, "I love your new hairdo" and Suzy returned the compliment with "What a pretty dress you're wearing, Mary."/ * /John punched Jerry in the nose, and Jerry returned the compliment./ [reverse] See: DOUBLE REVERSE, IN REVERSE. [rev up] {v. phr.}, {informal}, {slang} 1. To press down sharply several times on the accelerator of an idling car in order to get maximum acceleration. * /The race driver revved up his car by pumping his accelerator./ 2. To get oneself ready in order to accomplish a demanding or difficult task. * /The boys were getting all revved up for the football game./ See: PSYCHED UP. [rhyme or reason] {n. phr.} A good plan or reason; a reasonable purpose or explanation. - Used in negative, interrogative, or conditional sentences. * /Don could see no rhyme or reason to the plot of the play./ * /It seemed to Ruth that her little brother had temper tantrums without rhyme or reason./ [rib] See: STICK TO ONE'S RIBS or STICK TO THE RIBS. [rich] See: STRIKE IT RICH. [ride] See: ALONG FOR THE RIDE, LET RIDE, RUN WITH HARE AND HUNT (RIDE) WITH THE HOUNDS, TAKE FOR A RIDE, THUMB A RIDE. [ride herd on] {v. phr.} 1. To patrol on horseback around a herd of animals to see that none of them wanders away. * /Two cowboys rode herd on the cattle being driven to market./ 2. {informal} To watch closely and control; take care of. * /A special legislative assistant rides herd on the bills the president is anxious to have congress pass./ * /Mary rode herd on the small children walking home from school to keep them from running into the street./ [ride on one's coattails] {v. phr.} To succeed in a certain endeavor by attaching oneself to the greater weight of another person or corporate body. * /"We will never get our Ph.D. program approved on our own," said the head of the modern dance department, "but we might succeed if we stay in the Division of Fine Arts, riding on their coattails, as it were."/ [ride out] {v.} To survive safely; endure. * /The captain ordered all sails lowered so the ship could ride out the storm./ * /Jack decided to ride out his troubles by saying that he had made a mistake but that he had learned his lesson./ [ride roughshod over] {v. phr.} To do as you wish without considering the wishes of (another person); treat with scorn or lack of courtesy; show no sympathy for. * /The city officials rode roughshod over the people who did not want their homes torn down for a new school./ * /The boss rode roughshod over the men when they asked for higher wages./ [ride the brake] or [ride the clutch] {v. phr.}, {informal} To keep your foot on the pedal. * /Riding the brake is a bad habit for a driver to form./ [ride the gravy train] {v. phr.} To live a life of plenty and luxury. * /Those who have a wealthy executive or heir to a fortune for a spouse can ride the gravy train without doing any work./ [ride up] or [crawl up] {v.} To slip gradually upward on the body. * /Shorts that ride up can be very uncomfortable./ [riding for a fall] {adj. phr.} Behaving in an overconfident way that is likely to lead to trouble; being too sure of yourself; doing something dangerous. * /The student who does not study for exams is riding for a fall./ * /Mr. Smith has borrowed too much money on his home. He is riding for a fall./ Compare: COME A CROPPER(2). [riding high] {adj.} Attracting attention; enjoying great popularity. * /After scoring the winning touchdown, John is riding high with his classmates./ [rid of] Free of; away from; without the care or trouble. * /The puppy is finally rid of worms./ * /If I could be rid of the children for the day, I would go./ * /I wish you'd get rid of that cat!/ Compare: DO AWAY WITH, THROW AWAY(1), THROW OFF(1). [right] See: ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT FOR YOU, DEAD TO RIGHTS, GIVE ONE'S RIGHT ARM, HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE, IN THE RIGHT, PLAY ONE'S CARDS RIGHT, PUT TO RIGHTS or SET TO RIGHTS, SERVE RIGHT, TO RIGHTS. [right along] {adv. phr.}, {informal} 1a. On your way satisfactorily or without trouble. * /They fixed the engine and the train ran right along./ 1b. On your way without delay. * /Don't wait for me. Go right along./ 2. See: ALL ALONG. [right and left] {adv. phr.} In or from every direction; all around; on all sides. * /The knight rode into battle striking at the enemy right and left with his broadsword./ * /When the talk ended, questions were thrown at the speaker right and left./ [right away] or {informal} [right off] also {informal} [right off the bat] {adv. phr.} Immediately; as the next thing in order; without delay. * /Phil's mother told him to do his homework right away so that he could enjoy the weekend./ * /The Red Cross aids disaster victims right away./ * /Jill knew the answer right off./ * /The teacher said he could not think of the title of the book right off the bat./ Syn.: AT ONCE(2). Compare: HERE AND NOW, ON THE SPOT. Contrast: AFTER A WHILE. [right down] or [up one's alley] {adv. phr.} In accordance with one's specialty or predilection. * /This kind of preclassical music is right up Bill's alley; after all, he wrote his Ph.D. on Bach./ [right field] {n.} The part of a baseball outfield to the batter's right. * /Left-handed batters usually hit to right field./ Compare: CENTER FIELD, LEFT FIELD. - [right fielder] {n.} The outfielder in baseball who plays in right field. * /The batter hit a high fly ball and the right fielder caught it easily./ [right-hand man] {v. phr.} A valued and indispensable assistant. * /The chancellor of the university never goes anywhere without the vice chancellor, his right-hand man, whose judgment he greatly trusts./ [right on] {adj.}, {interj.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. Exclamation of animated approval "Yes," "That's correct," "You're telling the truth," "we believe you," etc. * /Orator: And we shall see the promised land! Crowd: Right on!/ 2. Correct; to the point; accurate. * /The reverend's remark was right on!/ [right out] or [straight out] {adv.} Plainly; in a way that hides nothing; without waiting or keeping back anything. * /When Mother asked who broke the window, Jimmie told her right out that he did it./ * /When Ann entered the beauty contest her little brother told her straight out that she was crazy./ [right side of the tracks] See: THE TRACKS. [right-wing] {adj.} Being or belonging to a political group which opposes any important change in the way the country is run. * /Some countries with right-wing governments have dictators./ Contrast: LEFT-WING. [rig out] {v. phr.} To overdecorate; doll up; dress up. * /Ann arrived all rigged out in her newest Parisian summer outfit./ [Riley] See: LIFE OF RILEY. [ring] See: GIVE A RING, RUN CIRCLES AROUND or RUN RINGS AROUND, THREE-RING CIRCUS, THROW ONE'S HAT IN THE RING. [ring a bell] {v. phr.} To make you remember something; sound familiar. * /Not even the cat's meowing seemed to ring a bell with Judy. She still forgot to feed him./ * /When Ann told Jim the name of the new teacher it rang a bell, and Jim said, "I went to school with a James Carson."/ [ring in] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To bring in (someone or something) from the outside dishonestly or without telling; often: hire and introduce under a false name. * /Bob offered to ring him in on the party by pretending he was a cousin from out of town./ * /No wonder their team beat us; they rang in a professional to pitch for them under the name of Dan Smith./ 2. To ring a special clock that records the time you work. * /We have to ring in at the shop before eight o'clock in the morning./ [ringleader] {n. phr.} The chief of an unsavory group; a higher-up. * /The FBI finally caught up with the ringleader of the dope smugglers from South America./ [ring out] {v.} To ring a special clock that records the time you leave work. * /Charles can't leave early in his new job; he has to ring out./ [ring the changes] {v. phr.} To say or do the same thing in different ways; repeat the same idea in many ways. * /David wanted a new bicycle and he kept ringing the changes on it all day until his parents got angry at him./ * /A smart girl saves money on clothes by learning to ring the changes on a few dresses and clothes./ [ring true] {v. phr.} To have a tone of genuineness; sound convincing. * /I believed his sob story about how he lost his fortune, because somehow it all rang true./ [ring up] {v.} 1. To add and record on a cash register. * /The supermarket clerk rang up Mrs. Smith's purchases and told her she owed $33./ * /Business was bad Tuesday; we didn't ring up a sale all morning./ 2. {informal} To telephone. * /Sally rang up Sue and told her the news./ [riot] See: READ THE RIOT ACT, RUN RIOT. [ripe] See: TIME IS RIPE. [rip into] or [tear into] {v.}, {informal} 1. To start a fight with; attack. * /The puppy is tearing into the big dog./ Syn.: PITCH INTO. 2. To quarrel with; scold. * /Mrs. Brown ripped into her daughter for coming home late./ Syn.: BAWL OUT, LACE INTO, LAY OUT, LET HAVE IT. [rip off] {v.}, {slang} (Stress on "off") Steal. * /The hippies ripped off the grocery store./ [rip-off] {n.}, {slang} (Stress on "rip") An act of stealing or burglary. * /Those food prices are so high, it's almost a rip-off./ [rise] See: GET A RISE OUT OF, GIVE RISE TO. [rise from the ashes] {v. phr.} To rise from ruin; start anew. * /A year after flunking out of medical school, Don rose from the ashes and passed his qualifying exams for the M.D. with honors./ [rise in the world] See: COME UP IN THE WORLD. [rise to] {v.} To succeed in doing what is expected by trying especially hard in or on; show that you are able to do or say what is needed or proper in or on. * /Jane was surprised when the principal handed her the prize, but she rose to the occasion with a speech of thanks./ * /When Michael became sick on the day before the program, Paul rose to the need and learned Michael's part./ [rise up] {v. phr.} To stage a rebellion; revolt. * /The people finally rose up and communism came to an end in Eastern Europe./ [risk] See: CALCULATED RISK, RUN A RISK. [road] See: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME, BURN UP THE ROAD, END OF THE ROAD, GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD, HIT THE ROAD, HUG THE ROAD, MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, ON THE ROAD. [road gang] {n.} A group of men who work at road construction. * /Football players often work with road gangs during summer vacations./ [road hog] {n.}, {informal} A car driver who takes more than his share of the road. * /A road hog forced John's car into the ditch./ [road show] {n.} A theatrical play that is performed for a few days in one town and then moves to other towns. * /Many actors get their start in road shows./ * /The road show is often not as good as the original play on Broadway./ [road sign] {n.} A sign on which there is information about a road or places; a sign with directions to drivers. * /The road sign read, "25 MPH LIMIT" but Jack drove along at fifty miles an hour./ * /The road sign said Westwood was four miles away./ [road test] {n.} 1. A test to see if you can drive a car. * /Jim took the road test and got his driver's license last week./ 2. A test to see if a car works all right on the road. * /Most new cars are given road tests before they are put on the market./ * /After he repaired the car, the mechanic gave it a road test./ [roast] See: WEINER ROAST or HOT DOG ROAST. [roasting ear] {n.} An ear of corn young and tender enough to be cooked and eaten; also corn cooked on the cob. * /The scouts buried the roasting ears in the coals of their campfire./ * /At the Fourth of July picnic we had fried chicken and roasting ears./ [robbery] See: HIGHWAY ROBBERY. [robin] See: ROUND ROBIN. [rob Peter to pay Paul] {v. phr.} To change one duty or need for another; take from one person or thing to pay another. * /Bill owed Sam a dollar, so he borrowed another from Joe to pay Sam back. He robbed Peter to pay Paul./ * /Trying to study a lesson for one class during another class is like robbing Peter to pay Paul./ [rob the cradle] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have dates with or marry a person much younger than yourself. * /When the old woman married a young man, everyone said she was robbing the cradle./ - [cradle-robber] {n.} * /The judge died when he was seventy. He was a real cradle-robber because he left a thirty-year-old widow./ - [cradle-robbing] {adj.} or {n.} * /Bob is seventeen and I just saw him with a girl about twelve years old. Has he started cradle-robbing? No, that girl was his sister, not his date!/ [rob the till] or [have one's hand in the till] {v. phr.}, {informal} To steal money in your trust or for which you are responsible. * /The supermarket manager suspected that one of the clerks was robbing the till./ * /Mr. Jones deposited one thousand dollars in their joint savings account and told his wife not to rob the till./ * /The store owner thought his business was failing until he discovered that the treasurer had his hand in the till./ [rock] See: HAVE ROCKS IN ONE'S HEAD, ON THE ROCKS. [rock and roll] See: ROCK 'N' ROLL. [rock-bottom] {n.} The lowest possible point. * /The nation's morale hit rock bottom in the hours following the president's assassination./ - Often used like an adjecti