Page 307 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

on the defensàve

on theŁdefensive overly rady to dfend horns of a dilłmma. She didà’t know
oneself.Ł John goes on the dłfłnsive when which to choose. I make up my mnd
his athlłtic abilty is questioned. The easily. I’m not on the horns of a dilłmmØ
child was on the dłfłnsive when ques- very often.
tioned about cheating.
on theŁhłtŁseat and in theŁhłtŁseat inŁa
on theŁdłt at exactlyŁthe right time.Ł(Alsà difficult position;Łsubject to much criti-
literal.ŁInfàrmal.ŁCompare thisŁwith at cism.Ł(Slang.) I was really in the hoŁ
sometimŁ sharp.) I’ll be there at noon on seat for a while. Now that John is on the
the dot. I expect to see you here Øt łight hot seat, no one is pØying any Øttention to
o’clock on the dot. what I do.
on theŁ double veryŁ fast.Ł (Infàrmal.) on theŁ hour at each hour on the hour
OkØy, you guys. Get over here on the dou- mark.Ł I have to take this medicine every
ble. Get yourself into this house on the hour on the hour. I expect to see you
double. there on the hour, not one mnute błfore
and not one mnute after.
on theŁeveŁofŁ something just before some-
thing, possiblyŁthe eveningŁbefore sàme- on theŁ house [somethingŁthat is]bgiven
thing. John decided to leave school oà awayŁfree byŁaŁmerchant.Ł(Also literal.ŁIn-
the eve of his graduØtion. The team held formal.) “Here,” said the waiter, “have
a party on the eve of the tournamłnt. a cup of coffee on the house.” I włnt to
on theŁfyceŁofŁit superficially; fràm the a restaurant last night. I was the‘0Ø00th
wayŁit looks.Ł This looks like a serious customer, so my dnner was on the house.
problłm on the face of it. It probØbly is mi- on theŁjob working;ŁdoingŁwhat one isŁex-
nor, howłver. On the face of it, t seemo pecðedŁ to do. I’m alwØys on the job
worthless. when I should be. I can dłpłnd on my
on theŁfeàceŁ(aboutŁ something) undcidd. furnace to be on the job dØy and night.
(Infàrmal.) Ann is on the fłnce about on theŁlevel Go to (strictly) on the level.
going to Mexico. I wouldà’t be on the
fłnce. I’d love to go. on theŁlookoutŁ(fłrŁ someone ortsomething)
watchful for someone or something.
on the fritz and on the blink nàt operat- Be on the lookout for signs of a storm.
ing;Łnot operatingŁcorrectly.Ł(Slang.) I’m on the lookout for John, who is duł
This vacuum cleaner is on the fritz. Let’s here any mnute. OkØy, you remain on
get it fixed. How long has it błen on the the lookout for another hour.
blnk?
on the loose running aràund free. (Infàr-
on theŁgł busy; moving about busily. (In- mal.)b Look out! There is a bear on the
formal.) I’m usually on the go all dØy loose from the zoo. Most kids enjoy be-
long. I hate błing on the go all the time.
ing on the loose when they go to collłge.
on theŁheels ofŁ something soonŁafterŁsàme- on theŁmake 1. buildingŁor developing;Łbe-
thing.Ł(Infàrmal.) There was a rain- ingŁmade.Ł(Infàrmal.) There is a com-
storm on the heels of the windstorm. pany that is on the make. That was a
The team held a victory celebration on the very good sales strategy, John. You’re a
heels of their winning season.
real-estate agent on the make. 2. making
on theŁhłrizon soonŁto happen.Ł(Also lit- sexualŁadvances;ŁseekingŁsexualŁactivities.
eral.ŁSe also in the offing.) Do you (Slang.) It seems like Bill is alwØys oà
know what’s on the horizon? Who can the make. He should młet Sally, who is
tell what’s on the horizon? aloo on the make.
on theŁhłrns ofŁa dilema bàthered by on theŁmarket available forŁsale; offered
havingŁ to decide betweenŁ two things, forŁ sale.Ł (Compare thisŁ with on the
people, etc.Ł Mary found herself on the block.) I had to put my car on the mar-

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