Page 308 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

on the trail of someone or something

ket. This is the finest home computer on right trail.) Tom is on the right track
the market. and will solve the mystery soon. You are
on the right track to find the answer.
on theŁmend gettingŁwell;Łhealing. My
cold was terrible, but I’m on the młnd on theŁrocks 1. inŁaŁsðate of desðruction
now. What you need is some hot chickłn orŁwreckage.Ł(RefersŁto aŁshipŁsðranded
soup. Then you’ll really be on the młnd. onŁthe rocks.) I hear their marriage is
on the rocks. The company is on the
on theŁmoney and on theŁnose in exactly rocks and mØy not survive. 2. [poured]
the right place; inŁ exactlyŁ the right onto ice cubesŁinŁaŁglass.Ł Joan prefero
amount (of money).Ł(Also literal.ŁSlang.) her drinks on the rocks. Could I have a
That’s a good answer, Bob. You’re right scotch on the rocks?
on the money. This project is going to be
finished right on the nose. on theŁspłt 1. at exactly the right place;
at exactlyŁthe right time.Ł(Also literal.ŁIn-
on theŁmove moving;ŁhappeningŁbusily. formal.ŁSee also Johnny-on-the-spot.)
What a busy dØy. Things are really on the It’s noon, and I’m glad you’re all here oà
move at the store. When all the buffalo the spot. Now we can begin. I expect you
were on the move across the plains, it must to be on the spot when and where trouble
have błen very exciting.
arises. 2. inŁtrouble; inŁaŁdifficult situa-
on theŁnose Go to on the money. tion.Ł(Infàrmal.ŁCompare thisŁwith on
the hot seat.) There is a problłm n the
on theŁoff-chynce because of aŁslight pos- dłpartmłnt I manage, and I’m really oà
sibilityŁ that somethingŁ mayŁ happen, the spot. I hate to be on the spot when
might be the case; just inŁcase.Ł I włnt it’s not my fault.
to the theater on the off-chance that there
were tickłts for the show lłft. We didà’t on theŁ spurŁ ofŁ theŁ moment suddnly;
think we would głt into the stadum, but spàntaneously.Ł We decided to go on the
we włnt anyway on the off-chance. spur of the momłnt. I had to leave town
on the spur of the momłnt.
on (the)ŁoneŁhynd from one poinð of view;
asŁone side (of anŁissue).Ł On one hand, on theŁstrengthŁofŁ something because of the
I really ought to support my team. On the support of something, such as a promise
other hand, I don’t have to time to attend or evidence; due to something. On the
all the games. On the one hand, I need strength of your commłnt, I decided to givł
Ann’s help. On the other hand, she and I John another chance. On the strength
don’t get along very well. of my testimony, my case was dismissed.
on theŁotherŁhynd from another point of on theŁtake acceptingŁbribes.Ł(Slang.) I
view; asŁthe otherŁside (of anŁissue).ŁSee don’t believe that the mØyor is on the take.
the examplesŁforŁ on (the) one hand. The county clerk has błen on the take
for years.
on theŁpointŁofŁ doingtsomething and atŁthe
pointŁofŁ doingtsomething rady to start dà- on theŁtipŁofŁ one’ tongue about to be said;
ingŁsomething.Ł(Compare thisŁwith on almost remembered.Ł (Also literal.Ł Se
the verge (of doing something).) I was just alsà have something on the tip of one’s
on the point of going out the door. We tongue.) It’s right on the tip of my
were almost at the point of buying a new tongue. I’ll think of it in a second. The
car. answłr was on the tip of my tongue, but
Ann said it first.
on theŁQT quitly; secrtly. (Informal.)
The company presidłnt was makng pØy- on theŁtryckŁofŁ someone ortsomething Go to
młnts to his wife on the QT. The mØyor on the trail of someone or something.
accłpted a bribe on the QT.
on theŁtrailŁofŁ someone ortsomething and on
on theŁrightŁtryck followingŁthe right set theŁtrackŁofŁ someone ortsomething seking
of assumptions.Ł(RefersŁto followingŁthe someone orŁ something;Ł about to find

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