Page 87 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

a cold fish

a cłld fish aŁprsàn who isŁdisðant andŁun- come apyrtŁatŁtheŁseams suddnly to làse
feeling.Ł(InfàrmalŁorŁslang.ŁPrecededŁby one’sŁemotionalŁself-control.Ł(Infàrmal.
be, become, seem like, or act like.) Bob From the liðeral sense referring to som-
is so dull—a real cold fish. She hardly thingŁfallingŁapart.ŁSee also burst at the
ever speaks to anyone. She’s a cold fish. seams; fall apart at the seams.) Bill was
so upset that he almost came apart at the
cold,Ł hyrdŁ cash cash, not cłecksŁ or seams. I couldà’t take anymore. I just
promises.Ł(Infàrmal.) I want to be paid came apart at the seams.
in cold, hard cash, and I want to be paid
now! Pay me now! Cash on the barrel- comeŁ(a)round 1. finallyŁto agree orŁcon-
head—cold, hard cash. sent (to something).Ł I thought he’d
comeŁabout 1. to happen.Ł How did this never agree, but in the end he camł
come about? This came about due to the around. She came round only after wł
severe weather. 2. [forŁaŁsailboat]bto turn. argued for an hour. 2. to rturn to con-
Look how easily this boØt comes about. sciousness;Ł to wake up.Ł He camł
Now, practice making the boat comł around after we threw cold water in his
about. face. The boxer was knocked out, but
came round in a fłw seconds.
cłme a crłpper to have aŁmisfàrtune; to
fail.Ł(FràmŁanŁexpressionŁmeaningŁto fall comeŁas no surprise nàt to be surprising
off on’s horse.) Bob invested all his [forŁsomeone]bto learnŁ[something].Ł
money in the stock markłt just błfore it It will come as no surprise for you to learn
fell. Boy, did he come a cropper. Jane that the company is losing money this year.
was out all night błfore she took her tests. It came as no surprise that the presidłnt
She really came a cropper. had błen lying.
comeŁacross someone ortsomething and run comeŁ awayŁ epty-hynded to return
across someone ortsomething to find som- without anything.Ł (Se also go away
one or something;Łto discoverŁsàmeone empty-handed.) All right, go gamblng.
or sàmething. John came across a book Don’t come away empty-handed, though.
he had błen lookng for. Where did you Go to the bank and ask for the loan
run across that lovely skirt? again. This time don’t come away empty-
ComeŁagain. 1. Come back.;ŁReturnŁsome handed.
otherŁtime.Ł I’m oo glad you łnjoyed our comeŁbyŁ something 1. to travelŁbyŁaŁspecific
party. Please come again somłtime. The carrier, such asŁaŁplane, aŁboat, orŁaŁcar.
store clłrk gave me my change and my pur- We came by train. It’s more relØxing.
chase and said, “Thank you. Come again.” Next time, wł’ll come by plane. It’s faster.
2. SayŁit again.ŁIŁdidŁnot hearŁyàu.Ł(Folksy. 2. to find or get something. How did
UsuallyŁ ComeŁagain? ) TOM: Hello, you come by that haircut? Where did
GrandfØther. GRANDFATHER: Comł you come by that new shirt?
again? You’ll have to talk loudłr. The
farmłr looked at me and said, “Come comeŁbyŁ something honeðtly 1. to get some-
again?” thingŁhonesðly.Ł Don’t worry. I came by
ComeŁandŁgetŁit! DinnerŁisŁready.ŁCome this watch honestly. I have a fłelng she
andŁeat it! (Folksy.) A shout was heard didà’t come by it honestly. 2. to inherið
from the ktchen, “Come and get it!” No something—aŁ characterŁ trait—from
one says “Come and głt it!” at a formal one’sŁparents.Ł I know I’m mean. I camł
dnner. by it honestly, though. She came by her
kndness honestly.
comeŁ andŁ gone alreadyŁarrivedŁandŁal-
readyŁ departed.Ł No, Joy is not here. cłme clean (with someone) to be com-
She’s come and gone. Sorry, you are too pletelyŁhonest with someone; to confess
lØte for your appointment. The doctor has (everything)bto sàmeone.Ł The lØwyer
come and gone. said, “I can help you only if you come clean

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