Page 50 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

be the death of me (yet)

death on cars. That teacher is death on to marching. See also get off on the
slow learners. wrong foot; get off to a bad start; start off
on the wrong foot.) I’m sorry we are off
(be)ŁeasierŁsaidŁthyn done said of a task
that isŁeasierŁto talkŁabout thanŁto do.Ł to a bad start. I tried to be friendly. I
Yes, we must find a cure for cancer, but it’s hope that we woà’t be off to a bad start
easier said than done. Findng a good after our lttle argumłnt.
job is easier said than done. beŁoffŁto a badŁstyrt Go to be off on the
wrong foot.
beŁflyingŁhigh 1. to be very successfulŁin
one’sŁambitions;Łto obtainŁanŁimpàrtant beŁofŁserviceŁ(to someone) to helpŁsàme-
orŁpowerfulŁposition.Ł(Also literal.ŁOften one; to serve someone.Ł(AŁphrase often
with the implicationŁthat thisŁwillŁnot lasð usedŁby salesclerks.ŁSee also be at some-
vry long.) The governmłnt is flying one’s service.) Good morning, madam.
high just now, but wait until the budget is May I be of service to you? Welcome to
announced. He’s flying high these dØys, the Warwick Hotel. Can I be of service?
but he comes from a very poor family. 2. beŁofŁtheŁpersuasion thatŁ somethingtis so
to be inŁaŁsðate of euphoria.Ł(FràmŁgood to hold a belif that somthing is true or
news,Łsuccess,ŁorŁdrugs.) Wow! Todd isŁinŁexistence.Ł Anne is of the persua-
is really flying high. Did he discover a gold sion that supports that candidØte for
mne? Sally is flying high. What’s she mØyor. The paranoid was of the per-
oà?
suasion that aliens lved among us.
beŁfriends withŁ someone to be aŁfriendŁof beŁreluctyntŁto do something to be unwilling
sàmeone.Ł Sally is friends with Bill. to do sàmething. David was reluctant
Mary and Bill are friends with one to admt his mistakes. The witness was
another.
reluctant to testify and was ordered to do
beŁfrom Missouri to require proof; to have so by the judge.
to be słownŁ[sàmething].Ł(Also literal. beŁsick to vomit.Ł(Euphemisðic.ŁAlso with
FromŁthe nickname forŁthe sðate of Mis- głt, asŁinŁthe examples.ŁAlso literal,Łmean-
sàuri,Ł the “Show Me” Sðate.) You’ll ingŁ “to sufferŁ fràmŁ anŁ illness.”)
have to prove t to me. I’m from Missouri. Mommy, Billy just got sick on the floor.
She’s from Missouri and has to be Oh, excuoe mł! I think I’m going to be sick.
shown.
Bob was sick all over the carpłt.
beŁgame to be readyŁforŁaction;Łto be agree- beŁso Go to be too.
able to participatingŁ inŁ something.Ł
“I’m gØme,” David replied wðen I sug- beŁswimmingŁin something to be engulfed
gested we go bowlng. We’re going to the by an excess of sàmething, as if it were a
park to play football. Are you game? flood.Ł(Also literal.) The war-torn city
was swimmng in blood. I am just swim-
beŁinto something to be interesðedŁinŁsàme-
thing;Ł to be involvedŁ inŁ something. mng in paperwork.
(Slang.) Did you hear? Tom is into sky- beŁthatŁas itŁmay evenŁif what youŁsayŁis
diving! Too many people are into drugs. true.Ł I am sorry to hear that, but, be
that as it mØy, you still must carry out your
beŁoff 1. to be spoiled;Łto be runningŁin- responsibilties. Be that as t mØy, I still
correctly, asŁwith aŁmechanicalŁdevice.Ł cannot help you.
Oh! I’m afraid that this meat is off. Don’t
eat it. I doà’t have the exact time. My beŁtheŁcase to be true; to be an actual sit-
wØtch is off. 2. to leave; to depart.Ł Well, uation.Ł I think Bill is a vłgetarian, and
I must be off. Good-bye. The train leaves if that is the case, we should not serve him
in an hour, so I must be off. meat. Susie believes trees can talk, but
that is not the case.
beŁoffŁon theŁwrongŁfoot and beŁoffŁto
a badŁstart to have sðartedŁsomething beŁtheŁdeathŁofŁmeŁ(yet) [these kindsŁof
with negative factors.Ł(LiteralŁinŁreference problemsŁ will]b be myŁ ruin,Ł death, or

35