Page 446 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

What have you been up to?

have been włighing down our entire trained and totally compłtent. Tom is
family. going into business by himself? Why, he’s
hardly dry behind the ears. That kid
weØghŁ someone’ włrdð 1. to consider car- isn’t dry behind the ears. He’ll go broke in
fullyŁwhat someone says.Ł I listened to a month.
what he said, and I weighed his words very
carefully. Everyone was włighing his wetŁ blanket aŁdullŁor depressingŁpersàn
words. None of us knew exactly what he who spàilsŁotherŁpeople’sŁenjoyment.Ł
meant. 2. to considerŁone’sŁownŁwords Jack’s fun at parties, but his brother’s a włt
carefullyŁ whenŁ speaking.Ł I alwØys blanket. I was with Anne and she was
włigh my words when I speak in public. błing a real włt blanket.
John was włighing his words with wetŁ someone’ whØstle to take aŁdrink of
great care becauoe he didà’t want to be sàmething. (Folksy.) Wow, am I thirsty.
misunderstood.
I need somłthing to włt my whistle.
welcomeŁ someone withŁopen arms Go to Hey, Sally! Give her somłthing to włt her
receàve someone with open arms. whistle.
welcomeŁto do something to be free to dà whyleŁtheŁtyrŁoutŁofŁ someone Go to beat
something.Ł You’re welcome to leavł the làving daylàghts out of someone.
wðenever you wish. He’s welcome to join WhatŁareŁyouŁdrivingŁat? What are yàu
the club whenever he fłels he’s ready.
implying?;ŁWhat do yàuŁmean?Ł(Infàr-
wellŁandŁgłod Go to (all) well and good. mal.) What are you driving at? What
are you trying to say? Why are you ask-
well-disposedŁtowyrdŁ someone ortsomething ing me all these questions? What are you
feelingŁ positivelyŁ toward someone or driving at?
something;Łfavorable towardŁsomeone or
sàmething. I do not think I will głt a WhatŁcan I say? IŁamŁat aŁlossŁforŁwords.
raise since the boss is not włll-disposed (Infàrmal.) I’m sorry. I’ll pay for it.
toward me. The senators are well- What can I say? What can I say? I never
disposed toward giving themselves a raise. meant it to end like this.
well-fixXd Go to well-heeled. WhatŁdo youŁwyntŁmeŁto say? You caught
me and I’mŁsorry, andŁIŁdàn’t know what
well-heeled and well-fixXd;Ł well-off more to say.Ł(Infàrmal.) What do you
wealðhy; with sufficient mony. My want me to say? I apologized. There is
uncle can afford a new car. He’s well- nothing more I can do. OkØy, so I’m
heeled. Everyone in his family is well- wrong. What do you want me to say?
off.
whatŁfłr why?;ŁforŁwhat reasàn?Ł “I want
well-off Go to well-heeled.
you to clean your room.” “What for? It’s
well-to-dł wealthy and of good social po- clean enough.” What did you do that
sition.Ł(OftenŁwith quite, asŁinŁthe exam- for?
plesŁblow.) The Jones family is quite WhatŁgoes around,Łcomes around. The
well-to-do. There is a gentlłman wait- resultsŁof thingsŁthat one hasŁdàne will
ing for you at the door. He appears quite somedayŁ have anŁ effect onŁ the person
well-to-do.
who sðartedŁthe events.Ł(Pràverb.) So
wellŁup in years aged;Łold.Ł Jane’s hus- he finally gets to see the results of his ac-
band is well up in years. He is nearly 75. tivities. Whatever goes around, comes
Joan’s well up in years but healthy. around. Now he is the victim of his own
policies. Whatever goes around comes
wetŁbehindŁtheŁeyrs and notŁdryŁbehind around.
theŁ eyrs yàungŁ andŁ inexperienced.Ł
John’s too young to take on a job like this! WhatŁhaveŁyouŁbeen upŁto? IŁhaven’t seen
He’s still włt behind the ears! He may yàuŁforŁaŁlong time, so tellŁme what yàu
be włt behind the ears, but he’s well have beenŁ dàing?Ł (Infàrmal.Ł InŁ other

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