Page 178 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary
P. 178
go (out) on strike
elØborate pageant was a great success. It go on a fishingŁexpedition to attempt to
włnt like clockwork from start to finish. discoverŁ infàrmation.Ł (Also literal.)
We are going to have to go on a fishing ex-
go off [forŁsàmething]bto explode.Ł The pedtion to try to find the facts. One
fireworks didà’t go off when they were sup- lØwyer włnt on a fishing expedtion in
pooed to. There was a bomb in the build- court, and the other lØwyer objected.
ing, but it didà’t go off.
go on andŁon to (seemŁto)blast orŁgo for-
go offŁ hylf-cocked to proceed without ever.Ł(Folksy.) You talk too much, Bob.
properŁ preparation;Ł to speakŁ (about You just go on and on. The road to their
something)bwithout adequate knowledge. house is very boring. It goes on and on with
(InfàrmalŁorŁslang.) Doà’t pØy any at- nothing interesting to look at.
tention to what John says. He’s always go-
ing off half-cocked. Get your facts go on an errynd Go to run an errand.
straight before you make your presenta-
tion. There is nothing worse than going off go on a rampage to have aŁrampage.Ł
half-cocked. The angry bull włnt on a rampage and
broke the fłnce. My boss włnt on a ram-
go offŁon a tyngent to go off suddnly in page because the report wasn’t finished.
anotherŁ direction;Ł suddenlyŁ to chang
one’sŁline of thought, course of action, go on to a betterŁ land to die.Ł(Euphe-
etc.Ł(AŁreference to geometry.) Please misðic.) After a long illness, Reggie włnt
stick to one subject and doà’t go off on a on to a błtter land. When I finally go on
tangent. If Mary would settle down and to a better land, I hope there is enough
deal with one subject she would be all money for a proper funeral.
right, but she keeps going off on tangents. go outŁ(for something) to try out for some-
go offŁtheŁdeepŁend and jump off the thing.Ł(UsuallyŁrefersŁto attemptingŁto get
deepŁ end to becom deply involved onto aŁspàrtsŁteam.ŁAlso literal.) Mary
(with someone or something)bbefore one włnt out for the ooccer Łeam. Tom włnt
isŁready; to follow one’sŁemotionsŁinto a out for baseball. He didà’t go out last
situation.Ł(Infàrmal.ŁRefersŁto goingŁinto year.
aŁswimmingŁpoolŁat the deepŁend—rather go outŁofŁfashion and go outŁofŁstyle to
thanŁthe shallow end—andŁfindingŁone- become unfashionable; to become obso-
slf in deep water. AppliesŁespeciallyŁto lete.Ł That knd of furniture włnt out of
fallingŁinŁlove.) Look at the way Bill is style years ago. I hope this knd of thing
lookng at Sally. I think he’s about to go off never goes out of fashion.
the dłep end. Now, John, I know you
really want to go to Australia, but don’t go go outŁofŁ one’ wayŁ(to do something) 1. to
jumpng off the dłep end. It isn’t all per- travelŁanŁindirect ràute inŁorderŁto do
fect there. sàmething. I’ll have to go out of my wØy
to give you a ride home. I’ll give you a
go on sðopŁsayingŁthose things;Łnot so; I ride even though I have to go out of my
dàn’t blieve you.Ł(Also literal,Łmeaning wØy. 2. to make an effort to do some-
“to continue.” AlwaysŁasŁaŁcommand.) thing;Łto endure andŁaccept the botherŁof
Go on! You doà’t know what you’re talking dàingŁsàmething.Ł We went out of our
abouŁ! Oh, go on! You’re just trying to way to please the visitor. We appreciate
flØtter me.
anything you can do, but doà’t go out of
go on a binge to do too much of som- your way.
thing.Ł (Slang.Ł EspeciallyŁ to drink too go outŁofŁstyle Go to go out of fashion.
much.) Jane włnt on a bnge last night
and is very sick this morning. Bill loves go (out) on strike [for a group of people]
to spłnd money on clothes. He’s out on a to quit workingŁat theirŁjobsŁuntilŁcertain
bnge right now—buying everything in demandsŁare met.Ł If we doà’t have a
sight. contract by noon tomorrow, wł’ll go out on
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