Page 453 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

within limits

some gasolne. We weren’t within call- withoutŁqueðtion absàlutely; certainly.Ł
ing distance, so I couldà’t hear what you She agreed to help without question. She
said to me. said, “I stand ready to support you with-
out question.”
within limits and within boundð up to a
certainŁpàint; with certainŁresðrictions.Ł withoutŁrhymeŁorŁreason without pur-
You’re free to do what you want—within pose, order, orŁreasàn.Ł The teacher said
lmts, of course. You must try to keep my report was disorganized. My para-
behavior at the party within bounds. graphs seemed to be without rðyme or rea-
son. Everything you do seems to be with-
within reason reasonable; reasonably.Ł out rhyme or reason. This procedure is
You can do anything you want within rea- without rðyme or reason.
son. I’ll pØy any sum you ask—within
reason. withoutŁso muchŁas doingtsomething with-
out even doing something. Jane bor-
within shoutingŁ dØstance Go to within rowed Bob’s car without so much as ask-
hailing distance. ing his permission. Mary’s husband
walked out without so much as saying
within someone’ grasp Go to within some-
one’s reach. good-bye.
WoeŁis me! IŁamŁunfàrtunate!; IŁamŁun-
wØthin someone’ reach and wØthin some- happy!Ł (UsuallyŁ humoràus.) Woe is
one’ grasp almost inŁthe possessionŁof mł! I have to work when the rest of the of-
someone.Ł My goals are almost within fice staff is off. Woe is me. I have the
my reach, oo I know I’ll succłed. We al- flu and my friends have gone to a party.
most had the contract within our grasp,
but the deal fell through at the last mnute. a włlfŁ in sheep’s clothing sàmeone or
sàmethingŁthreateningŁthat isŁdisguised
within wylkingŁdistance close enough to asŁsomeone orŁsomethingŁkind.Ł Beware
walkŁto.Ł Is the train station within walk- of the police chief. He seems polte, but he’s
ing distance? My office is within walk- a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This proposal
ing distance from here. seems harmless enough, but I think it’s a
withoutŁa momentŁto spyre Go to not a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
moment to spare. włman to woman Go to man to man.
withoutŁanyŁstrings attyched Go to with włrdŁbyŁwłrd one wordŁat aŁtime.Ł We
no strings attached. examned the contract word by word to
make sure everything was the wØy wł
withoutŁbattingŁan eye casually; without wanted. We compared the stories word
słowingŁalarmŁorŁrespànse.Ł I knew I by word to see what made them dfferent.
had insulŁed her, but she turned to me and
asked me to leave without bØtting an eye. włrdŁforŁwłrd inŁthe exact words;Łverba-
Right in the middle of the speech— tim.Ł I młmorized the spłech, word for
without bØtting an eye—the speaker word. I can’t recall word for word what
walked off the stage. she told us.
withoutŁfail forŁcertain;Łabsolutely.Ł I’ll a włrdŁto theŁwise a good piec of advice;
be there at noon without fail. The plane aŁwordŁof wisdom.Ł If I can give you a
leaves on time every dØy without fail. word to the wise, I would suggest going to
the courthouse about an hour błfore your
withoutŁfurtherŁadł without further talk. trial. Here is a word to the wise. Keep
(AnŁoverworkedŁphrase usuallyŁheardŁin your eyes open and your mouth shut.
public annàuncemnts.) And without
further ado, I would like to introduce Mr. włrds to thatŁeffect Go to something to
Bill Frankln! The time has come to that effect.
leave, so without further ado, good evening [work is cut out for one] Go to one’s work
and good-bye. is cut out for one.

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