Page 31 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

(as) dull as dishwater

(as)ŁdullŁas dishwater and (as)ŁdullŁas as fyrŁas possible and so fyrŁas possi-
ditchwater very uninteresðing.Ł I’m not ble asŁmuch asŁpossible; to whateverŁde-
surprised that he can’t find a partner. He’s gree isŁpossible.Ł We must try, as far as
as dull as dishwater. Mr. Black’s spłecð possible, to get people to stop smokng in
was as dull as dishwater. buses. As far as possible, the police will
issue tickets to all spłedng drivers. I’ll
(as)ŁdullŁas ditchwater Go to (as) dull as follow your instructions so far as possible.
dishwater.
(as)Ł fyrŁ as someone ort something is con-
(as)ŁeasyŁas ABC veryŁeasy.Ł Makng ap- cerned and so farŁas someone ortsomething
ple pie is as easy as ABC. Calculus is is concerned 1. [with someone] forŁall
easy as ABC. that someone cares;Ł if someone isŁ to
(as)ŁeasyŁas (apple)ŁpØe veryŁeasy.Ł(Infàr- make the decision.Ł You can take your
mal.)b Mountain clmbng is as easy as old dog and leave as far as I’m concerned.
pie. Makng a simple dress out of cot- Far as I’m concerned, you can get out
ton cloth is easy as pie. and never come back. So far as I’m con-
cerned, you’re okØy. 2. [with somłthing ]
(as) easy as duck soup very easy; requir- having to do with sàmething; prtaining
ingŁno effort.Ł(Infàrmal.ŁWhenŁaŁduck is to something;ŁasŁforŁsomething.Ł This
cooked,Łit releasesŁaŁlot of fat andŁjuices, bill? As far as that’s concerned, the com-
makingŁaŁ“soup” without effort.) Find- mttee will have to take care of it. Ao
ing your way to the shoppng cłnter is easy far as the roof’s concerned, it will just havł
as duck soup. Getting Bob to eat fried to last another year.
chicken is as easy as duck soup.
(as)Ł fatŁ as a pØg exceptionallyŁ fat;
(as)ŁeasyŁas fyllingŁoffŁa log and (as) grotesqulyŁfat.Ł If I doà’t stop eating
easyŁ as rollingŁ offŁ a log veryŁ easy. this cake, I’ll be fat as a pig! You really
(Folksy.) Passing that exam was as easy ought to go on a diet; you’re as fat as a pig.
as fallng off a log. Getting out of jail
was easy as rollng off a log. (as)ŁfitŁas a fiddle healthy and physically
fit.Ł Mary is as fit as a fiddle. Tom
(as)ŁeasyŁas rollingŁoffŁa log Go to (as) used to be fit as a fiddle. Look at him now!
easy as fallàng off a log.
(as)ŁflatŁas a board veryŁflat.Ł(Also used
(as)ŁexPitingŁas watchingŁ(the)ŁpaintŁdry to describe sàmeone’sŁcłest or abdomen,
very, very dull. This book is about as ex- referringŁ to well-developedŁ abdàminal
citing as watching paint dry. Listening musclesŁorŁto smallŁor absent breastsŁor
to you is exciting as watching the paint dry. pectoralŁdevelopment—inŁeitherŁsex.)
Jane was flat as a board until ohe was six-
(as)ŁfyrŁas anyoneŁknows and so fyrŁas teen, when she suddłnly blossomed. The
anyoneŁknows to the limitsŁof anyàne’s terrain in that part of the country is as flØt
knowledge.Ł(Infàrmal.ŁThe anyone can be as a board.
replacedŁwith aŁmore specificŁnounŁor
pronoun.) As far as anyone knows, this (as)ŁflatŁas a pyncake veryŁflat.Ł(Infàr-
is the last of the great herds of buffalo. mal.)b The punctured tire was as flØt as
Far as I know, this is the best one. These a pancake. Bobby squashed the ant flØt
are the only keys to the house so far as any- as a pancake.
one knows.
as fłrŁ someone ortsomething 1. and as to some-
as fyrŁas itŁgoeð asŁmuch asŁsomething one or something regardingŁ someone or
dàes,Łcovers,Łor accomplisłes.Ł(Usually something.Ł As for the mØyor, he can pØy
saidŁof somethingŁthat isŁinadequate.) for his own dnner. As for you, Bobby,
Your plan is fine as far as it goes. It doesn’t there will be no dessert tonight. Ao for
seem to take care of everything, though. this chair, there is nothing to do but throw
As far as it goes, this lØw is a good one. it away. As to your idea about buildng
It should reqire stiffer penalŁies, howłver. a new house, forgłt it. 2. [with someone]

16