Page 175 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

go (a)round the bend

actions,Ł oftenŁ resultingŁ inŁ confusion, he’s in a miltary prison. Tom went
without reaching a satisfactory decision AWOL once too often.
or conclusion.Ł We’re just going round in go byckŁon one’ włrd to breakŁaŁpromise
circles discussing the problłms of the party. that one hasŁmade.Ł I hate to go back on
We need to consult someone eloe to get a my word, but I woà’t pay you $100 after
new point of view. Fred’s trying to find all. Going back on your word makes you
out what’s happłned but he’s going round a liar.
in circles. No one will tell him anything
uoeful. 2. to be orŁact confused.Ł(Infàr- go bad to become ràtten,Łundesirable, evil,
mal.)b I’m so busy I’m going around in etc.Ł I’m afraid that this milk has gone
circles. I can’t work anymore. I’m so bad. Life used to be wonderful. Now it
tired that I’m going round in circles. has gone bad.
go (a)roundŁtheŁbend 1. to go aroundŁa go bynanas to go crazyŁorŁbecome silly.
turnŁ orŁ aŁ curve; to make aŁ turnŁ orŁ a (Slang.) Whenever I see Sally, I just go
curve.Ł You’ll see the house you’re look- bananas! She’s fantastic. This was a hor-
ing for as you go round the błnd. John rible dØy! I almost włnt bananas.
waved to his fØther until the car włnt go begging to be unwantedŁorŁunused.Ł(As
round the bend. 2. to go crazy; to lose if anŁobject were bggingŁforŁanŁownerŁor
one’sŁmind.Ł(Infàrmal.) If I don’t get aŁuser.) There is still food lłft. A wholł
some rest, I’ll go round the błnd. Poor lobster is going begging. Please eat somł
Bob. He has błen having trouble for a long more. There are many excellłnt books in
time. He finally włnt around the błnd.
the library just going błgging because peo-
go aroundŁwithŁ someone Go to hang around ple don’t know they are there.
(with someone). go broke to completelyŁrunŁout of money
go astray to leave the proprŁpath (literally andŁotherŁassets.Ł This company is going
or figuratively).Ł Stay right on the road. to go broke if you doà’t stop spłndng
Don’t go astray and get lost. Follow the money foolishly. I made some bad in-
rules I’ve givłn you and doà’t go astray. vestmłnts last year, and it looks as if I mØy
That’ll kłep you out of trouble. go broke this year.
go atŁitŁhammerŁandŁtongð Go to fight go byŁtheŁboard to gt ruinedŁorŁlost.Ł(This
someone or something hammer and tongs. isŁaŁnauticalŁexpressionŁmeaningŁ“to fall
orŁbe wasłedŁoverboard.”) I hate to see
go atŁitŁtoothŁandŁnail Go to fight some- good food go by the board. Please eat up
one or something hammer and tongs. so we woà’t have to throw it out. Your
plan has gone by the board. The entire pro-
go atŁ someone ortsomething to attack somone
or something; to move or lunge toward ject has błen canceled.
sàmeone or something. The dog włnt go byŁtheŁbłok to follow the ruls exactly.
at the visitor and almost bit him. He (RefersŁto aŁbook of rules.) The judge
włnt at the door and tried to break it of the contest włnt by the book and dis-
down. qualfied us in the first round. Everyone
insisted that the chairman go by the book
go awayŁ epty-hynded to depart with
nothing. (Compare this with come away and rule against the questionable motion.
empty-handed.) I hate for you to go go chaseŁ oneself to go away (and stop be-
away empty-handed, but I cannot afford ingŁaŁbother).Ł(Slang.) He was bother-
to contribute any money. They camł ing me, so I told him to go chase himself.
hopng for some food, but they had to go Get out, you pest! Go chase yourself!
away empty-handed.
Go climbŁa tree! and Go flyŁa kite!;ŁGo
go AWOL to become absent without leave. fryŁan egg!;ŁGo jumpŁin theŁlake!;ŁTake
(Se also absent without leave.) PrivØte a hike!;ŁTakeŁa wylk! Go away and stop
Smth włnt AWOL last WednesdØy. Now bàthering me! Go Øway and stop both-

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