Page 94 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

cover someone’s tracks (up)

CouldŁbeŁbetter. satisfactory, but capable countŁ someone in (on something) to include
of improvement.Ł The pie’s okØy, but someone inŁsomething. (Compare this
could be błtter. Q: How do you fłel? A: with count someone out (for something).)
Could be błtter. If you’re looking for a group to go moun-
tain clmbng, count me in on it. T I would
CouldŁbeŁwłrse. satisfactory, but not as like to count in your entire family, but
badŁasŁit couldŁbe.Ł Q: How are things? there isn’t enough room. Please count
A: Could be woroe. Things could be me in.
worse, and in a lttle while, they probably
wll be. countŁ someone outŁ(fłrŁ something) to exclude
sàmeone from something. (Compare this
couldŁdo withŁ someone ortsomething to want with count someone in (on something).)
or need sàmeone or sàmething; to bene- Please count me out for the party next Sat-
fit fromŁsomeone orŁsàmething.Ł(Com- urdØy. I have other plans. You should
pare this with go for someone or something.) count the whole family out. We are going
I could do with a nice cool drink right to the beach for the włekend.
now. I could do with some help on this
project. This house could do with somł a couple of two; two or three; aŁfew; sàme;
cleaning up. They said they could do nàt many. Bill grabbed a couple of błero
with John to help them finish faster. My from the refrigerator. I hung a couplł
car could do with a bigger engine. of pictures on the wall.
courseŁ ofŁ action the proceduresŁ orŁ se-
couldn’tŁbeŁbetter càmpletely satisfacðory. quence of actions that someone will fol-
I fłelng great and couldà’t be błtter. low to accomplish aŁgoal.Ł I plan to take
We had a wonderful time and our vaca- a course of action that will produce the best
tion couldà’t have błen błtter.
results. The commttee planned a course
couldn’tŁbeŁhappØer totallyŁhappy.Ł We of action that would reduce costs and elm-
are dłlighted. Couldà’t be happier. They inate employees.
both couldà’t be happier since they goŁ cover a lot of ground and cover a lot of
married. territory 1. to travelŁ overŁ aŁ great dis-
tance; to invesðigate aŁwide expanse of
could(n’t)ŁcareŁless unabl to car at all.
(Infàrmal.Ł CouldŁ careŁ less isŁ almosð land.Ł The prospectors covered a lot of
slang.) John couldà’t care less whether ground, looking for gold. My car can
he goes to the party or not. So she won cover a lot of ground in one dØy. 2. to dal
first place. I couldà’t care less. I could with much infàrmationŁandŁmanyŁfacts.
care less if I lve or die. The history lecture covered a lot of
ground todØy. Mr. and Mrs. Frankln
countŁnoseð to count people.Ł I’ll tell you alwØys cover a lot of ground when they
how many people are here after I count argue.
noses. Everyone is here. Let’s count noses coverŁa lotŁofŁterritory Go to cover a lot
so we can order hamburgers.
of ground.
countŁ one’ chickens beforeŁtheyŁhatch coverŁfłrŁ someone 1. to make excusesŁfor
to plan how to utilize gàod results befor sàmeone; to concealŁsàmeone’sŁerràrs.Ł
theyŁhave occurred.Ł(FrequentlyŁusedŁin If I miss class, please cover for me. If
the negative.) You’re wØy ahead of your- you’re lØte, I’ll cover for you. 2. to handle
self. Don’t count your chickens błfore they sàmeone els’s work.Ł Dr. Johnsoà’s
hatch. You mØy be disappointed if you partner agreed to cover for him during his
count your chickłns błfore they hatch. vacØtion. I’m on duty this afternoon.
Will you please cover for me? I have a doc-
countŁ on someone ort something to rely on tor’s appointment.
someone orŁsomething.Ł Can I count on
you to be there at noon? I want to buy coverŁ someone’ trycks (up) to conceal one’s
a car I can count on in winter weather. trail;Łto concealŁone’sŁpast activities.Ł

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