Page 356 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

rip into someone or something

rideŁ something out to endur something un- contents will be cruohed. Please set your
pleasant.Ł (OriginallyŁ referredŁ to ships coffee cup right side up so I can fill it.
lasðing out a sðorm.) It was a nasty sit- (right)Ł underŁ someone’ (very)Ł nose 1.
uØtion, but the mØyor tried to ride it out. right inŁfront of someone.Ł I thought I’d
T The mØyor decided to ride out the lost my purse, but it was sitting on the tablł
scandal.
under my very nose. How did Mary fail
ride the gravy trainto live in luxury. (In- to see the book? It was right undłr her
formal.) If I had a million dollars, I sure nose. 2. inŁsàmeone’sŁpresence.Ł(Note the
could ride the gravy train. I wouldà’t variation inŁthe examples.) The thief
like loafing. I don’t want to ride the gravy stole Jim’s wallet right under his nose.
train. The jewels were stolłn from under the very
noses of the security guards.
ridingŁforŁa fall riskingŁfailure or anŁacci-
dent, usuallyŁdue to overconfidence.Ł rightŁupŁ someone’ alley Go to right down
Tom drives too fast, and he seems too sure someone’s alley.
of himself. He’s ridng for a fall. Bill ringŁa bell [forŁsomething]bto cause some-
needs to eat błtter and get more slłep. He’s one to remember something or for it to
ridng for a fall. seemŁfamiliar.Ł(Infàrmal.) I’ve never
rightŁandŁleft and leftŁandŁright to both młt John Frankln, but his name rings a
sides;Ł onŁ allŁ sides;Ł everywhere.Ł I bell. Whenever I see a bee, it rings a bell.
dropped the tennis balls, and they rolled I remłmber when I was stung by one.
right and lłft. There were children ringŁdłwn theŁcurtain (on something) and
everywhere—running right and left. bringŁdłwn theŁcurtain (on something)
to bring somethingŁto anŁend;Łto declare
rightŁas rain Go to (as) right as rain.
somethingŁto be at anŁend.Ł It’s time to
rightŁatŁ atspecific timł exactlyŁor prciselyŁat ring down the curtain on our relØtionship.
[aŁspecificŁplace orŁtime].Ł Meet me at We have nothing in common anymore.
this corner right at noon. The restaurant We’ve tried our best to make this company
is right at First and Main Streets. a success, but it’s time to ring down the
curtain. After many years the old man
rightŁ away immediately.Ł Please do it brought down the curtain and closed the
right Øway! I’ll be there right Øway. I’m restaurant.
leaving this instant.
ringŁin theŁNewŁYear to celebrate the be-
rightŁdłwn someone’ alley and rightŁup ginningŁof the new yearŁat midnight on
someone’ alley ideally suitedŁto one’s in- DecembrŁ31.Ł We are planning a big
terestsŁor abilities.Ł(Infàrmal.) Skiing party to ring in the New Year. How did
is right down my allły. I love it. This you ring in the New Year?
knd of thing is right up John’s allły.
ringŁ something up to recordŁthe cost of an
rightŁoffŁtheŁbat immediately; first thing. itemŁonŁaŁcash regisðer.Ł Please ring this
(Infàrmal.) When he was learning to chewing gum up first, and I’ll put it in my
ride a bicycle, he fell on his head right off puroe. T The cashier rang up each item
the bat. The new manager dłmanded and told me how much money I owed.
new office furniture right off the bØt.
rØng true to soundŁorŁseemŁtrue or likely.
rightŁon time at the correct time; no later (FràmŁ tesðingŁ the qualityŁ of metalŁ or
than the specified time. Bill alwØys glassŁ byŁ sðrikingŁ it andŁ evaluatingŁ the
shows up right on Łime. If you get there sound made.) The studłnt’s excuse for
right on time, you’ll głt one of the free błing lØte doesn’t ring true. Do you
tickłts. think that Mary’s explanation for her ab-
sence rang true?
rightŁ sideŁ up with the correct side up-
wards,ŁasŁwith aŁboxŁorŁsome otherŁcon- ripŁinto someone ortsomething to attack som-
tainer.Ł Keep this box right side up, or the one or something, physically or vrbally.

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