Page 451 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

wise as an owl

floor up with someone.) You say that to with a view to doingtsomething and wØth an
me one more time, and I’ll wipe the floor eyeŁto doingtsomething with the intention
up with you. T Oh, yeah! You’re not big of dàingŁ something. I came to this
enough to wipe up the floor with anybody! school with a view to getting a dłgree.
The mØyor took office with an eye to im-
wise as an owl Go to (as) wise as an owl.
proving the town.
wiseŁ as Solomon Go to (as) wise as
Solomon. with a will with determination andŁen-
thusiasm.Ł The children worked with a
wiseŁupŁ(to someone ortsomething) to beginŁto will to finish the project on time. The
undersðandŁthe truth about sàmeone or workers set about manufacturing the new
something.Ł (Slang.) It was almost a products with a will.
włek błfore I błgan to wise up to John. He’s
a total phony. You had błtter stay hid- withŁbells on ( one’ toes) eagrly, willingly,
dłn for a while. The police are beginning andŁonŁtime.Ł Oh, yes! I’ll młet you at
to wise up. the restaurant. I’ll be there with bells on.
All the smilng children were there wait-
wishŁ something offŁon someone to passŁsàme- ing for me with bells on their toes.
thingŁoff onto sàmeone else.Ł(Infàrmal.)
I don’t want to have to deal with your withŁbłthŁhynds tiedŁbehindŁ one’ byck
problłms. Doà’t wish them off on me. T Go to with one hand tied behind one’s
The storekłeper wished off the dłfectivł back.
watch on the very next customer who camł withŁeychŁpassingŁday asŁdaysŁpass,Łone
in. byŁone; dayŁbyŁday.Ł Things grow more
wishfulŁthinking blievingŁthat something expensive with each passing dØy. We are
isŁtrue or that sàmethingŁwillŁhappenŁjusð all growing older with each passing dØy.
because one wishesŁthat it were true or withŁease without effort.Ł The smart stu-
wouldŁhappen.Ł Hopng for a car as a dłnt passed the test with ease. The gym-
birthdØy present is just wishful thinking. nast did a back flp with ease.
Your parents can’t afford it. Mary thinko
that she is going to get a big rise, but that’s with everyŁ(łther)Łbreath [sayingŁsàme-
wishful thinkng. Her boss is so mean. thing]brepeatedlyŁorŁcontinually.Ł Bob
was out in the yard, rakng leaves and curs-
with a heavy heyrt sadly. With a heavy ing with every other breath. The child
heart, she said good-bye. We left school was so grateful that she was thankng mł
on the last dØy with a heavy heart. with every breath.
wØth all one’ heyrtŁ andŁ soul very sin- withŁeverythingŁ(on it) [of a sandwich]
crely. Oh, Bill, I love you with all my orderedŁwith everythingŁavailable onŁit,
heart and soul, and I alwØys will! She such asŁketcłup, musðard,Łonions,Łcłeese,
thanked us with all her heart and soul for pepprs,Łchili,Łlettuce, tomato, etc.,ŁasŁap-
the gift. propriate. Do you want it with evłry-
with allŁ theŁ fixingð with all the condi- thing? Give me a cheeseburger with
mentsŁthat accompanyŁaŁcertainŁkindŁof everything on it.
food.Ł For $5.99 you głt a turkey dn- withŁflyingŁcolors easily andŁexcellently.
ner with all the fixings. Max likes his (Flying colors refersŁto ships’ pennants.)
hamburgers with all the fixings.
John passed his geometry test with fly-
with an eye to doing something Go to with a ing colors. Sally qualfied for the racł
view to doing something. with flying colors.
withŁa vengeynce with determination and (with)ŁhatŁin hynd with humility.Ł(Also
eagrness,ŁasŁif angry. The angry soldier literal.) She stormed off but came back
attacked the enemy with a vłngeance. with hat in hand when she ran out of
Bill ate all his dnner and gobbled up his money. We had to go hat in hand to the
dessert with a vłngeance. commttee to get a grant for our proposal.

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