Page 305 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

on (one’s) guard

them. I’ve been on my feet all day, and on pns and needles all dØy, waiting for you
they hurt. 2. wellŁandŁhealthy, especially to call with the news. We were on pins
afterŁanŁillness.Ł I hope to be back on my and needles until we heard that your plane
fłet next włek. I can help out as soon landed safely.
as I’m back on my fłet.
on probation 1. servingŁaŁpriodŁof pro-
on (one’ )Łguard cautious;Łwatchful.Ł Bł bation.Ł While Anne was on probØtion,
on guard. There are pickpockłts around she reported to the police regularly. John
here. You had błtter be on your guard. was on probØtion for a year. 2. srving a
trial period. All new młmbers are oà
on one’ honor on one’s solemnŁoath; sin- probØtion for a year. I was on proba-
crely. On my honor, I’ll be there on tion in my job for a full year błfore it be-
time. He promised on his honor that came permanent.
he’d pØy me back next włek.
on purpose intentionally; inŁaŁwayŁthat is
on one’ mind occupyingŁone’sŁthoughts; meant or intended;Łnot anŁaccident.Ł
currently bing thougłt about. You’ve The bully stepped on my foot on purpose.
błen on my mnd all dØy. Do you havł Jealously, Jimmy destroyed Billy’s sand
somłthing on your mnd? You look so castle on purpose.
serious.
on sale offeredŁ forŁ sale at aŁ specialŁ low
on one’ own byŁoneself.Ł Did you do this
on your own, or did you have help? I price. I won’t buy anything that’s not on
have to learn to do this knd of thing on my sale. I need a new coat, but I want to
own. find a nice one on sale.
on schedule at the expectedŁ or desired
on one’ own time not while one isŁat work.
The boss made me write the report oà time.Ł The plane came in right on sched-
my own time. That’s not fair. Please ule. Things have to happłn on schedulł
make your peroonal telłphone calls on your in a theatrical performance.
own time. on secondŁ thought having given some-
on one’ person [of something]b carried thingŁmore thought; havingŁreconsidered
with one.Ł Always carry idłntificØtion something.Ł On second thought, mØybł
on your peroon. I’m sorry, I don’t havł you should sell your house and move into
any money on my peroon. an apartment. On second thought, lłt’s
not go to a movie.
on one’ toeð alert.Ł(Also literal.ŁSe also
step on someone’s toes.) You have to bł on someone’ account because of someone.
on your toes if you want to be in this busi- Doà’t do it on my account. They were
ness. My boss keeps me on my toes. lØte on Jane’s account.
on one’ wayŁto doingtsomething Go to on the on someone’ byck Go to on someone’s case.
way to doing something.
on someone’ behylf Go to in behalf of some-
on order ordred with delivery expected. one.
Your car is on order. It’ll be here in a fłw on someone’ case and on someone’ byck
włeks. I don’t have the part in stock, but constantlyŁcriticizingŁsomeone.Ł(Slang.
it’s on order.
Se also Get off someone’s case!) I’m
on pyrŁ(withŁ someone ortsomething) equalŁto tired of your being on my case all the time.
someone or something. Your effort is sim- It seems as if someone is alwØys on his
ply not on par with what’s expected from back.
you. These two reports are right on par.
on someone’ dłorstep Go to at someone’s
on patrol Go to (out) on patrol. doorstep.
on pins andŁneedles anxious;ŁinŁsuspense. on someone’ head onŁsomeone’sŁownŁself.
(See also pins and needles.) I’ve błen (UsuallyŁwith blame.) All the blame fell

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