Page 273 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

make a clean breast of something

Please make a check out to John Jones. T started to tell John where I was last night,
Do you want cash, or should I make out a but Bill made a face so I didà’t. John
check? made a face at me as I was testifying, so I
avoided tellng everything.
makeŁa cleyn breastŁofŁ something to con-
fessŁsomething;Łto get something off one’s makeŁ a fastŁ buck and makeŁ a quØck
chest. You’ll feel better if you make a buck to make màny wiðh liðtle effort.
clean breast of it. Now tell us what hap- (Slang.) Tom is always ready to make
płned. I was forced to make a clean a fast buck. I made a quick buck sellng
breast of the whole affair. uoed cars.
makeŁ a cleyn sweep to do something
completelyŁ orŁ thoroughly, with no ex- makeŁa federylŁcaseŁoutŁofŁ something and
ceptions.Ł(Infàrmal.) The boss decided makeŁa bigŁdeylŁaboutŁ something to ex-
to fire everybody, so he made a clean aggrate the seriousnessŁof sàmething.
swłep. They made a clean swłep (The first entryŁ headŁ canŁ be literal.
through the neighborhood, repairing all Slang.) Come on. It was nothing! Don’t
the sidłwalks. make a federal case out of it. I oàly
stepped on your toe. Don’t make a big deal
makeŁa comebyck to return to one’s for- abouŁ it.
merŁ(successful)bcareer.Ł(Infàrmal.)
After ten years in retiremłnt, the singer makeŁa fłol outŁofŁ someone and makeŁa
made a comeback. You’re never too old monkeyŁoutŁofŁ someone to make som-
to make a comeback. one look foolish.Ł John made a monkey
out of himself while trying to make a fool
makeŁa dayŁofŁ doingtsomething and make ouŁ of Jim. John made a fool out of him-
a dayŁofŁit to spend the whole day do- self at the party. Are you trying to make
ingŁsomething.Ł We włnt to the museum a monkey out of me?
to see the new exhibt and then decided to
make a dØy of it. They made a dØy of makeŁa friend and makeŁfriendð to es-
cleaning the attic. tablish aŁlinkŁof friendshipŁwith sàmeone.
makeŁa dayŁofŁit Go to make a day of do- I have never found it dfficult to make
ing something. friends. Mary had to make new friendo
when she changed schools.
makeŁa dentŁin something to beginŁto con-
sume orŁaccomplish sàmething. (Also lit- makeŁ a fuss (overŁ someone ort something)
eral.Ł Infàrmal.) Bob, you’ve hardly and makeŁoverŁ someone ortsomething 1. to
made a dłnt in your dnner! There is a worryŁ about or make aŁ bother about
lot of rice lłft. We hardly made a dłnt in someone or something. Why do you
it all włek. Get busy! You havłn’t even fuss over a problłm like that? Please
made a dłnt in your work. doà’t make a fuss. Everything will be all
makeŁ a fyce to twist one’sŁ face into a right. Doà’t make ovłr me so much!
sðrange expressionŁinŁorderŁto słow one’s 2. to be very solicitousŁ andŁ helpful
dislike, ridicule, etc.,ŁorŁinŁorderŁto make toward a person or a pet. How can any-
sàmeone laugh.Ł The comedian madł one make a fuss over a cØt? Billy was
faces in order to amuse the children. embarrassed when his mother made a fuss
Jane made a face when she was asked to over him. 3. to argue about sàmeone or
work late. something.Ł Please doà’t make a fuss
over who gets the last cookie. Please dis-
makeŁa fyceŁ(atŁ someone) 1. to make aŁface cuss it. Doà’t make a fuss over it!
at someone inŁridicule.Ł Mother, Billy
made a face at mł! The teacher sent makeŁa go ofŁit to make sàmethingŁwork
Jane to the principal for makng a face in out allŁright.Ł(Infàrmal.) It’s a tough sit-
class. 2. to attempð to communicate to uØtion, but Ann is trying to make a go of
someone thràugh facial gesðures,Łusually it. We don’t like lving here, but we havł
anŁ attempt to sayŁ “no” orŁ “stop.” I to make a go of it.

258