Page 106 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

do one’s part

land-office business on a hot dØy. The do notŁhaveŁa careŁin theŁwłrld being
tax collector’s office did a land-office busi- free andŁ casual;Ł beingŁ unworriedŁ and
ness on the dØy that taxes were due. carefree. (Do not havł can be replaced
with be without.) I really fłel good to-
do an about-fyce Go to do a flip-flop (on dØy—as if I didà’t have a care in the world.
something). Ann always acts as if she doesn’t havł
a care in the world.
do an errand Go to run an errand.
do a nuberŁ on someone ort something to do notŁhaveŁa legŁto styndŁon [forŁanŁar-
damage orŁharmŁsomeone orŁsàmething. gument orŁaŁcase]bto have no suppàrt.
(Slang.) The teacher did a number on (Infàrmal. Do not havł can be replacd
the whole class. That test was terrible. with be without.) You mØy think you’re
Tom did a number on Mary when he włnt in the right, but you doà’t have a lłg to
out with Ann. stand on. My lØwyer said I didà’t havł
a lłg to stand on, so I shouldà’t sue the
do a snowŁjobŁon someone to deceive or company.
confuse someone.Ł(Infàrmal orŁslang.)
Tom did a snow job on the teacher when do notŁhaveŁallŁ one’ marbles dà not have
he said that he was sick yesterdØy. I hate allŁone’sŁmentalŁcapacities.Ł(Also literal.
it when someone does a snow job on me. I Infàrmal.) John acts as if he doesn’t
find it harder and harder to trust people. have all his marbles. I’m afraid that I
don’t have all my marbles all the time.
do awayŁwithŁ someone ortsomething 1. [with
someone] to killŁsomeone; to dispose of do one’ bØt Go to do one’s part.
someone or something. The crooks did do one’ duty to dà one’s job; to dà what is
away with the witness. I was there, too. expectedŁof one.Ł Please don’t thank me.
I hope they don’t try to do away with me. I’m just doing my duty. Soldiers who
2. [with somłthing ] to get ridŁof sàme- fight in wars are doing their duty.
thing;Łto dispose of something.Ł This
chemical will do away with the stain in do oneself proud [forŁone]bto make oneself
your sink. The time has come to do away proud.Ł(Folksy.ŁSee also do credit to some-
with that old buildng. one.) Well, Bill really did himself proud
in the horse race. You did yourself proud
do creditŁto someone and do someone credit by raising that fine-lookng, prizewinning
to add to the rputation of somon. hog.
Your new job really does credt to you.
Yes, it really does you credt. do one’ (level)Łbeðt to do (something)bas
wellŁasŁone can.Ł Just do your lłvel best.
Do I needŁto paintŁyouŁa pØcture? Ið is That’s all we can ask of you. Tom isn’t
so veryŁsimple, so whyŁdo yàuŁrequire doing his best. We mØy have to replacł
more explanation to understand it? him.
What is so dfficult? Do I need to paint you
a picture? I’ve explained it every way I do one’ (łwn)Łthing to do what one likes
can. Do I need to paint you a picture? or what one pleases. (Infàrmal or slang.)
Tom doesn’t like błing told what to do.
do justiceŁto something 1. to do somthing He prefers to do his own thing. When
well;Łto represent orŁportrayŁsomething you do your thing, you have no one but
accurately.Ł Sally did justice to the con- yourself to blame f things don’t work out.
tract negoŁiations. This photograph
doesn’t do justice to the beauty of the do one’ pyrt and do one’ bØt to do one’s
mountains. 2. to eat orŁdrink aŁgreat deal. share of the work;Łto do whateverŁone can
Bill always does justice to the turkey on do to help.Ł All people everywhere must
Thanksgiving. The party didà’t do jus- do their part to help get things under con-
tice to the roast pig. There were nearly ten trol. I always try to do my bt. How can
pounds lłft over. I help this time?

91