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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