Page 39 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

(as) wise as an owl

(as)ŁwiseŁas an owl very wise.Ł Grand- assaultŁtheŁeyrs [forŁsàundŁor speech]bto
fØther is as wise as an owl. My goal is be very loudŁorŁpersisðent.Ł That loud
to be wise as an owl. music assaults the ears! I can’t hear with
all that talk assaulŁing my ears.
(as)ŁwiseŁas Solomon very wise.Ł(Refers
to a characterŁinŁthe Bible.) If you are assembleŁa caseŁ(againstŁ someone) Go to
in trouble, get Chris to advise you. He’s as build a case (against someone).
wise as Solomon. This is a dfficult prob- assueŁliability to accepð the rsponsibil-
lłm. You’d need to be as wise as Solomon ityŁforŁpayingŁaŁcost.Ł Mr. Smth as-
to be able to solve it.
sumed liabilty for his son’s studłnt loans.
asideŁfrom someone ortsomething not includ- The store assumed liabilty for the in-
ingŁsàmeone or something. Aside from jured customłr’s hosptal bill.
a small bank account, I have no money at atŁall without disðinguishing;Łwithout qual-
all. Aside from Mary, I have no friends.
ification.Ł(Se the examplesŁforŁwordŁor-
askŁforŁ something to do sàmethingŁthat will der variations.) It really wasn’t very cold
cause trouble.Ł(Also literal.) Don’t talk at all. It really wasn’t at all cold. Tom
to me that way! You’re really askng for it. will eat anything at all. Jane isn’t at all
Anyone who acts like that is just askng hungry. Grandma was always ready to
for a good talkng to. go anywhere at all.
askŁforŁtheŁmoon to askŁforŁtoo much; to atŁallŁcosts and atŁanyŁcost regardlessŁof
make great demands.Ł When you’re try- the difficultyŁor cost; no matterŁwhat.Ł
ing to głt a job, it’s uàwise to ask for the I ntend to have that car Øt all costs. I’ll
moon. Please lłnd me the money. I’m get there by six o’clock at all costs. Mary
not askng for the moon! was going to get that job at any cost.
askŁfłrŁtrouble and lłok for trouble to atŁ allŁ times cànstantly; càntinuously.
seemŁto be tryingŁto gt into tràuble; to You must keep your passport handy at all
do sàmethingŁthat would cause tràuble; times when you are travelng in a foreign
to do or say something that will cause country. When you’re in a crowd, you
trouble.Ł Stop talking to me that wØy, must watch your child at all times.
John. You’re just askng for trouble. The atŁ a loss (fłrŁ włrds) unable to speak;
guard asked me to leave uàless I was look- speechless;Ł befuddled.Ł I was so sur-
ing for trouble. Anybody who threatens prised that I was at a loss for words. Tom
a police officer is just asking for trouble. was terribly confused—really at a loss.
You’re lookng for trouble if you ask the
boss for a raise. atŁan eyrlyŁdate soon;Łsome day soon.Ł
The note said, “Please call me at an early
askŁ someone out to askŁaŁprsàn forŁaŁdate.
Mary hopes that John will ask her out. dØte.” You’re expected to return the form
T John doesn’t want to ask out his best to the office at an early dØte.
friend’s girl. atŁanyŁcost Go to at all costs.
asleepŁatŁtheŁswitch not attendingŁto one’s at any rate anyway. (Infàrmal. Frequently
job;ŁfailingŁto do one’sŁdutyŁat the proper usedŁasŁanŁintroduction to aŁconclusion
time.Ł (Also literal.) The guard was orŁaŁfinalŁsðatement.) At any rate, wł
aslłep at the switch when the robber broke had a nice time at your party. We are
in. If I hadà’t błen aslłep Øt the switch, grateful that you asked us. It’s not much,
I’d have seen the stolłn car. at any rate, but it’s the best we can do.
assaultŁandŁbattery aŁviolent attackŁ[upon atŁa preium at aŁhigh price; pricedŁhigh
sàmeone]bfollowedŁbyŁa beating.Ł(AŁcrim- because of somethingŁ special.Ł Sally
inalŁcharge.) Max was charged with two bought the shoes at a premum because
counts of assault and bØttery. Dave does they were of very high qualty. This
not go out at night because he does noŁ model of car is sellng at a premum be-
want to be a victim of assault and bØttery. cause so many people want to buy it.

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