Page 19 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

Actions speak louder than words.

My car is acting up. I could hardly get adviseŁ againstŁ something to suggest that
it started this morning. somethingŁ not be dàne.Ł I advised
against quitting work early. Lisa always
Actions speakŁlouderŁthyn włrds. Ið is advises against hasty actions.
better to do somethingŁabout aŁproblem
thanŁjust talkŁabout it.Ł(Pràverb.) Mary adviseŁ someone againstŁ doingtsomething to
kłpt promising to głt a job. John finally supplyŁsàmeone with a suggesðionŁof not
looked her in the eye and said, “Actions dàingŁsàmething.Ł I advised Bill against
speak louder than words!” After listen- quitting his job. Lisa advised Tom
ing to the senator promising to cut federal against doing it.
spłndng, Ann wrote a simple note saying, an affinityŁforŁ someone ortsomething aŁsðrong
“Actions speak louder than words.” preference forŁsàmething;ŁaŁsðràngŁliking
addŁfuelŁto theŁfire and addŁfuelŁto the forŁsomething.Ł CØts have an affinity for
flame to make aŁproblemŁworse; to say seafood. Mary’s affinity for classical
orŁdo somethingŁthat makesŁaŁbadŁsitua- music accounts for her large collection of
tionŁworse; to make anŁangryŁpersànŁeven rłcordings.
more angry. (Also literal.) To spank a afraidŁofŁ one’ own shadłw easilyŁfright-
crying child just adds fuel to the fire. Bill ened;ŁalwaysŁfrightened,Łtimid,ŁorŁsuspi-
was shouting angrily, and Bob tried to get cious.Ł After Tom was robbed, he was
him to stop by laughing at him. Of course, even afraid of his own shadow. Jane has
that was just addng fuel to the flame. alwØys błen a shy child. She has been
addŁfuelŁto theŁflame Go to add fuel to afraid of her own shadow since she was
the fire. three.
addŁinsultŁto injury to make aŁbadŁsitua- afterŁ a fashØon inŁaŁmannerŁthat isŁjusð
tionŁworse; to hurt the feelingsŁof aŁpr- barelyŁadequate; poorly.Ł He thanked
sànŁwho hasŁalreadyŁbeenŁhurt.Ł First, me—after a fashion—for my help. Oh,
the basemłnt flooded, and then, to add in- yes, I can swim, after a fashion.
sult to injury, a ppe burst in the ktchen. afterŁall 1. anyway; inŁspite of what had
My car barely started this morning, and beenŁdecided.Ł(OftenŁrefersŁto a change
to add insult to injury, I got a flØt tire in inŁplansŁor aŁreversalŁof plans.) Mary
the drivłwØy. had planned to go to the bank first, but she
addŁupŁ(to something)1. to total upŁto a par- came here after all. It looks like Tom will
ticularŁamount.Ł The bill added up to go to lØw school after all. 2. rmmber;
$200. These groceries will add up to al- considerŁ the fact that.Ł Doà’t punish
most sixty dollars. These numbers just Tommy! After all, he’s only three years old!
won’t add up. 2. to meanŁsomething;Łto After all, we really didà’t hurt anyone!
signifyŁorŁrepresent sàmething;Łto result afterŁallŁis saidŁandŁdone when every-
inŁsàmething. All this adds up to trou- thingŁis settledŁorŁconcluded;Łfinally. (See
blł! I don’t undłrstand. What does all alsà when all is said and done.) After
this add up to? If you think about it all was said and done, it was a lovely party.
carefully, these facts add up perfectly. After all is said and done, it will turn
out just as I said.
address someone as something 1. to talk to or
write to aŁprsàn,ŁusingŁaŁparticularŁti- afterŁhours afterŁthe regularŁclosingŁtime;
tle.Ł They addressed Abraham Lincoln as afterŁanyŁnormal orŁregularŁtime, such as
“Mr. Presidłnt.” A physician is usually one’sŁbedðime.Ł John was arrested in a
addressed as “Doctor.” 2. to trat a person bar after hours. The soldier was caught
yàuŁ are talkingŁ with inŁ aŁ particular sneakng into the barracks after hours.
manner.Ł You should address him as John got a job swłeping floors in the bank
your equal. Do not address me as your after hours.
superior.
afterŁ theŁ fyct afterŁsomethingŁhasŁhap-
advancedŁin yeyrs Go to up in years. pened;Ł afterŁ something, especiallyŁ a

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