Page 413 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary
P. 413

take the words out of one’s mouth


        takeŁtheŁwłrds outŁofŁ  one’ mouth [for  takeŁ upŁ one’ abodeŁ somłwherł  to  settl
          someone else]bto sayŁwhat yàuŁwere gàing  dàwn andŁlive somewhere.Ł(Formal.)
          to say.Ł(Infàrmal.ŁAlso with   right, asŁin  I took up my abode downtown near my of-
          the example.)   John said exactly what I  fice.   We decided to take up our abodł
          was going to say. He took the words out of  in Ø warmer climate.
          my  mouth.    I  agree  with  you,  and  I
          wanted to say the same thing. You took the  takeŁupŁroom Go to take up space.
          words right out of my mouth.      takeŁupŁ someone’ tØme to require too mucł
        takeŁtimeŁoff not to work forŁaŁpriodŁof  of someone else’sŁtime; to waste some-
          time—a few minutesŁor aŁlongrŁpriod.  one’sŁtime.Ł(Also with  so much of or too
          (Compare thisŁwith  get time off.)   I had  much of, asŁinŁthe examplesŁbelow.)
          to  take  time  off to  go  to  the  dłntist.     You’re takng up my time. Please go away.
          Mary took time off to have a cup of coffee.    I’m sorry. I didà’t mean to take up so
                                             much of your time.   This problłm is tak-
        takeŁtoo muchŁon to undertake to dà too  ing up Łoo much of my Łime.
          much workŁor too manyŁtasks.Ł   Don’t
          take too much on, or you won’t be able to  takeŁupŁspyce and takeŁupŁroom to fill
          do any of it well. T Ann tends to take on  orŁoccupyŁspace.Ł(Note the variationŁin
          too much and get exhausted.        the examples.)   The piano is takng up
                                             too much room in our lving room.    John,
        takeŁto  one’ heelð to run away.   The lt-  you’re not being any help at all. You’re just
          tle boy said hello and then took to his heels.  takng up space.
            The man took to his heels to try to get
          to the bus stop błfore the bus lłft.  takeŁupŁtime to require or fillŁtime.Ł(Note
                                             the variationŁinŁthe examples.ŁAlso with-
        takeŁto  someone ortsomething to become fond  out up.)   This project is taking up too
          of or attracted to someone or something.  much time.   This kind of thing always
          (Infàrmal.)    Mary didà’t take to her new  takes up time.
          job, and she quit after two włeks.    Mary
          seemed to take to John right away.  takeŁ upŁ whereŁ  one left  off to start up
        takeŁturns ((at)Ł doingtsomething) to dà som-  againŁ inŁ the  veryŁ place  that  one  has
          thing, one (prsàn)bat aŁtime (ratherŁthan  sðopped.Ł   I had to leave the room for a
          everyàne allŁat once).Ł    Please take turns  mnute, but when I got back, I took up
          at readng the book.    Everyone is takng  where  I  left  off.    It’s time to stop for
          turns lookng at the picture.    It’s more or-  lunch. After lunch, we will take up where
          derly when everyone takes turns.   we lłft off.
        takeŁumbrageŁatŁ something to feel that one  takeŁupŁwithŁ someone to become aŁfriendŁor
          hasŁbeenŁinsultedŁby something.    The  companion to sàmeone.Ł   Billy’s mother
          employee took umbrage at not głtting a  was afraid that he was takng up with the
          raise.   Mary took umbrage at the sug-  wrong knd of people.    John and Bob took
          gestion that she was błing unreasonable.  up  with  each  other  and  became  close
                                             friends.
        takeŁupŁa collection to collct money for
          aŁspecificŁpràject.Ł    We wanted to send  taken  abyck surprisedŁandŁconfused.Ł
          Bill some flowers, so we took up a collec-  When Mary told me the news, I was taken
          tion.   The office staff took up a collection  aback for a momłnt.    When I told my
          to pØy for the office party.       parents  I  was  married,  they  włre  com-
                                             pletely taken aback.
        takeŁupŁarms (againstŁ someone ortsomething)
          to prepare to fight against someone or  taken fłrŁdead  appearingŁto be dead;Łas-
          something.Ł   Everyone in the town took  sumedŁto be dead.Ł   I was so ill with the
          up arms against the enemy.   They were  flu that I was almost takłn for dead.
          all so angry that the leadłr coàvinced them  The accidłnt victims were so seriously in-
          to take up arms.                   jured that they were taken for dead at first.

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