Page 236 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary
P. 236

in tune with someone or something


              I’ve  seen  nothing  in  the  wØy  of nicł  times past, the air alwØys seemed fresher
              weather in this part of the country.  and cleaner.
            in theŁwind about to happen.Ł(Also literal.)  in topŁform 1. [of someone orŁsàme crea-
                There are some major changes in the  ture]binŁveryŁgoodŁphysicalŁcondition.Ł
              wind.  Expect  these  changes  to  happen  The runners are in top form, so this should
              soon.   There is somłthing in the wind.  be a good race.   I’m not n top form, but
              We’ll find out what it is soon.    I’m not a physical mess either. 2. abl to
                                                 make  wittyŁ remarksŁ andŁ clever  sðate-
            in the works being  prepared;Ł being
              planned;ŁbeingŁdone.Ł(Infàrmal.)     There  mentsŁ quicklyŁ andŁ easily.Ł    That  was
              are some new lØws in the works that will  really  funny,  Bob.  You  are  in  top  form
              affect all of us.   I have oome ideas n the  tonight.
              works that you might be interested in.  in tow closelyŁfollowing; under someone’s
            in theŁwłrld  Go to on earth.        contràl.Ł   The  nanny  walked  into  the
                                                 park with three children in tow.   The
            in theŁwłrstŁway  veryŁmuch.Ł(Also literal.  manager włnt to the młeting with her staff
              Infàrmal.)    I want a new car in the worst  in tow.
              wØy.    Bob wants to retire in the worst
              wØy.                             in  trynsit while  inŁ the  processŁ of being
                                                 transpàrted.Ł   Dave  is  in  transit  from
            in theŁwrong on the wrong or illegal side  London to Chicago.   The new stereo is
              of anŁissue; guilty orŁinŁerràr. (Compare  now in transit from the manufacturer.
              this with in the right.)   I felt she was in
              the wrong, but the judge ruled in her fa-  in triplØcate [of a document]bproducedŁin
              vor.   It’s hard to argue with Jane. She al-  three copies.Ł   Mr. Smth asked me to
              wØys believes that everyone else is in the  type up his notes in triplicØte.    I com-
              wrong.                             plłted each form in triplicØte.
            in the wrong place at the wrong time  in trouble 1. inŁdangr; inŁdifficulty; du
              inŁ the  locationŁ where  somethingŁ isŁ to  forŁpunishment.Ł   If you don’t be quiet,
              happenŁexactlyŁwhenŁit happens.Ł(Usually  you’re going to be in trouble.    The com-
              about somethingŁbad.)    I alwØys głt into  pany was in trouble for months, and then
              trouble. I’m just in the wrong place at the  włnt bankrupt. 2. prgnant and unmar-
              wrong time.   It isn’t my fault. I was just  ried.Ł(Euphemisðic.)    They had to głt
              in the wrong place at the wrong time.  married. She was in trouble.   She’ll be
                                                 in trouble before long, if she doesn’t quit
            the in thingŁ(to do) the fashionable thing  running around like that.
              to do.   Eating low-fat food is the in thing
              to  do.    Bob  is  very  old-fashioned.  He  in tune inŁaŁsðate where musicalŁnotesŁare
              never does the in thing.           at their proper intervals so that nàne ar
                                                 flat orŁsharp.Ł(Compare thisŁwith  out of
            in this dayŁandŁage presntly; currently;  tune (with someone or something).)   Your
              nowadays.Ł(Folksy.)    You doà’t expect  piano is nicely in tune.   The choir młm-
              people to be polte in this dØy and age.     bers all sang in tune.
              Young folks doà’t take care of their par-
              ents in this dØy and age.        in tuneŁwithŁ someone ortsomething 1. að the
                                                 same orŁaŁharmonizingŁmusicalŁpitch.Ł(  In
            in time 1. Go to in due course. 2. Go to in  can be replacd with  into. Se the note
              step (with someone or something). 3. before  að  in  a  bind  andŁ the  examplesŁ below.)
              the deadline; before the last minute.Ł      The violn isn’t in tune with the piano.
              Did you turn in your paper in time?   I    Bill,  please  głt  in  tune  with  John.
              didà’t go to Florida. I didà’t get to the air-  2. [with  somłthing ]  keepingŁ up  with
              port in time.
                                                 something.Ł   Tom, your clothes are old-
            in times past long ago; inŁpreviousŁtimes.  fashioned.  You  aren’t  in  tune  with  the
                In times past, you would not have błen  times.   Come on, Sally. Get n tune with
              able to wear casual clothing to work.   In  what’s going on around you.

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