Page 232 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

in the flesh

friend. Bill lłft the office in the charge in theŁdoghouse inŁtrouble; inŁ(someone’s)
of his assistant. disfavor.Ł(Infàrmal.Ł In can be replaced
with into. See in a bind andŁthe examples
in theŁcaseŁofŁ someone or something 1. in the blow.) I’m really in the doghouse. I was
matterŁof someone orŁsomething;ŁinŁthe lØte for an appointment. I hate błing in
insðance of someone orŁsomething.Ł(See the doghouoe all the time. I doà’t know
alsà in case of something. Compare this wðy I can’t stay out of trouble.
with in the event of something.) In the
case of John, I think we had better allow in theŁdłldrums sluggish; inactive; inŁlow
his request. In the case of this woman, spirits.Ł( In can be replaced with into. See
wł’ll not grant permission. 2. [with some- the note at in a bind andŁthe examplesŁbe-
one] inŁthe legalŁproceedingsŁrelating to low.) He’s usually in the doldrums in the
sàmeone.Ł (The someone mayŁ be con- wnter. I had some bad news yesterdØy,
tainedŁ inŁ the officialŁ name of aŁ legal which put me into the doldrums.
case.) I recall a similar situØtion in the in theŁdriver’s seat inŁcontràl.Ł(RefersŁto
case of Ohio v.ŁJane Smith.Ł Have they drivingŁandŁcontràllingŁaŁvehicle.) Now
found any new facts in the case of Bill that Fred is in the driver’s seat, there is a
Wiloon?
lot less criticism about how things are be-
in theŁchyrgeŁofŁ someone Go to in the care ing done. Joan can’t wait to get into the
of someone. driver’s seat and do what she can to turn
things around.
in theŁchipð wealthy; with much money. in theŁeventŁofŁ something if sàmethingŁhap-
(Slang.Ł In can be replacd with into. See pens.Ł(Compare thisŁwith in the case of
the note at in a bind andŁthe examplesŁbe- someone or something.) In the event of fire,
low.) John is a stock tradłr, and occa- please leave quickly and quietly. The pic-
sionally he’s in the chips. Bill really camł nic will be canceled in the evłnt of rain.
into the chips when his uncle died.
in theŁfamily Go to (all) in the famàly.
in the clear 1. not obsðructed;Ł not en-
closed.Ł( In can be replaced with into. See in theŁfamilyŁway Go to in a famàly way.
the note at in a bind andŁthe examplesŁbe- in theŁ finalŁ analysis and in theŁ last
low.) You’re in the clear. Go ahead and analysis inŁtruth; whenŁallŁthe factsŁare
back up. Once the dłer got into the clear, known;ŁwhenŁthe truth becomesŁknown.
it ran away. 2. innocent; not guilty.Ł (UsuallyŁusedŁwhenŁsomeone isŁspecu-
Doà’t worry, Tom. I’m sure you’re in the latingŁabout what the finalŁtruth is.) In
clear. I’ll fłel błtter when I get into the the final analysis, it is usually the children
clear.
who suffer most in a situØtion like this.
in theŁcontextŁofŁ something inŁthe circum- In the last analysis, you simply do not want
sðancesŁunderŁwhich sàmethingŁhasŁhap- to do as you are told!
pened.Ł In the context of a funeral, in theŁ firstŁ instynce Go to in the first
laughing loudly is nappropriate. In the place.
context of an argumłnt, it is fine to speak
frmly. in theŁ firstŁ place and in theŁ firstŁ in-
stance initially; to beginŁwith.Ł(Compare
in theŁcourseŁofŁtime Go to in due course. this with in the second place.) In the
first place, you don’t have enough money
in theŁdarkŁ(aboutŁ someone ortsomething) un- to buy one. In the second place, you don’t
infàrmedŁabout sàmeone or sàmething; need one. In the first instance, I don’t
ignorant about sàmeone orŁsàmething. have the time. In the second instance, I’m
I’m in the dark about who is in charge not interested.
around here. I can’t imagine wðy they
are kłepng me in the dark. You won’t in theŁflesh reallyŁpresent; inŁperson.Ł
be n the dark long. I’m n charge. She’s I’ve heard that the qułen is comng here
in the dark about how this machine works. in the flesh. Is she really here? In the

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