Page 217 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.

I’m damnedŁ ifŁ I do andŁ damnedŁ ifŁ I in abeyynce inŁreserve.Ł Until the judge
don’t. There are problemsŁif IŁdo sàme- dłtermined that the evidłnce could be used
thingŁandŁproblemsŁif IŁdon’t do it.Ł I in the trial, it was held in abłyance. I
can’t win. I’m damned if I do and damned kept my opinion in abeyance.
if I doà’t No mØtter whether I go or stay, in a bind and in a jam inŁaŁtight orŁdiffi-
I am in trouble. I’m damned if I do and cult situation;ŁsðuckŁon a pràblem.Ł(Note:
damned if I don’t.
In canŁ be replacedŁ with into to show
(I’m)Łsorry. <anŁexpressionŁusedŁto excuse movement towardŁorŁinto the sðate de-
oneself politelyŁorŁapologize, especially scribed by bind or jam. EspeciallyŁ głt
whenŁ one hasŁ collidedŁ with someone, into. Se the examplesŁbelow.) I’m in
whenŁone hasŁoffendedŁsomeone, orŁto a bnd. I owe a lot of money. Whenever
askŁ someone to repeat what hasŁ been I głt into a jam, I ask my supervisor for
said.>b “I’m sorry,” I said to the woman help. When things get busy around here,
I bumped into. I’m sorry, what did you we głt in a bind. We could use another
say? I couldà’t hear you. helper.
I’m terribleŁatŁnames. and I’m awfulŁat in accordynceŁwithŁ something inŁagreement
names. IŁcan’t seemŁto remembrŁany- with; inŁ confàrmityŁ with.Ł In accor-
one’sŁname.Ł(SaidŁasŁan apàlogyŁto sàme- dance with our discussion, I have prepared
one whose name youŁhave forgotten.) a contract. I did this in accordance with
I’m Łerrible Øt names. Please Łell me youro your request.
again. Havłn’t we młt already? I’m aw- in a (constynt)ŁstateŁofŁflux Go to in flux.
ful at names.
in a coon’s age and in a monthŁofŁSun-
ImagineŁthat! IsŁthat so?; How interesðing days inŁaŁveryŁlongŁtime.Ł(Folksy.ŁUsually
andŁsðrange! (SaidŁwhenŁone hearsŁsàme- negative.ŁThe coon isŁaŁ rØccoon. ) How
thingŁthat isŁinteresðing. OftenŁsarcasðic.) are you? I havłn’t seen you in a coon’s age.
Fell out of bed. Imagine that! She’s I havłn’t had a piece of apple pie this
lØte again. Imagine that! good in a coon’s age. John hasn’t seen a
movie in a month of SundØys.
immediateŁoccupyncy [of anŁapartment
orŁhouse]breadyŁto be movedŁinto at this in addition (to something) additionally; fur-
momnt. This house is for immediate ther; moreover; as an additional thing or
occupancy. You can move in todØy if you prsàn.Ł In addtion, I would like for you
want. It’s empty, so that means imme- to swłep the kitchen floor. I put the
diate occupancy. books away, and in addtion, I cleaned up
my desk.
implØcateŁ someone (in something) to suggesð
that somon is involved in somthing. in a deadŁheat [finishingŁaŁrace]bat exactly
The mØyor was implicØted in the mur- the same time; tied.Ł The two horses fin-
der. Jane’s essay implicØted her teacher ished the race in a dead heat. They
in the cheating scandal. ended the contest in a dead heat.
in advance [of somethingŁgiven,Łpaid,Łor
in a badŁmood sad;Łdepressed;Łgroucły;
with low spirits.Ł He’s in a bad mood. provided]bbefore it isŁdue.Ł The bill is-
He may yell Øt you. Please try to cheer n’t due for a month, but I paid it in ad-
me up. I’m in a bad mood. vance. I want my pØy in advance.
in a familyŁway and in theŁfamilyŁway
in a badŁway inŁaŁcriticalŁorŁbadŁsðate.Ł(Can pregnant.Ł(Infàrmal.) I’ve heard that
referŁto health, finances,Łmood,Łetc.) Mrs. Smth is in a family way. Our dog
Mr. Smth is in a bad wØy. He mØy havł is in the family way.
to go to the hosptal. My bank account
is in a bad way. It needs some help from a in a fix inŁaŁbadŁsituation.Ł(Infàrmal.Ł In can
millionaire. My lfe is in a bad way, and be replacedŁwith into. See in a bànd and
I’m dłpressed about it. the examplesŁblow.) I really got my-

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