Page 264 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

the likes of someone

likeŁa houseŁon fire and likeŁa house World War I simply włnt like lambs to the
afire rapidly and with force. (Folksy.) slaughter. Our team włnt on the foot-
The truck came roaring down the road like ball field like lambs to the slaughter to
a house on fire. The crowd burst młet the league-leaders.
through the gØte like a house afire.
likeŁlookingŁforŁa needleŁin a haystack
(like)Ł an open błok like someone or engagedŁinŁaŁhoplessŁsearch.Ł Trying to
somethingŁ that isŁ easyŁ to undersðand. find a white dog in the snow is like look-
(PrecededŁ byŁ bł or seem.) Jane’s an ing for a needle n a haystack. I Łried to
open book. I always know what she is go- find my lost contact lłns on the beach, but
ing to do next. The commttee’s inten- it was like looking for a needle in a
tions are an open book. They want to savł haystack.
money.
likeŁmad Go to like crazÀ.
likeŁa sittingŁduck and likeŁsittingŁduckð
unguarded;ŁunsuspectingŁandŁunaware. likeŁnothingŁon eyrth 1. vry unðidy or
(The second phras is the plural form. veryŁunattractive.Ł(Infàrmal.) Joan ar-
Se also be a sàtting duck. ) He was rived at the office lookng like nothing on
waiting there like a sitting duck—a perfect earth. She had fallłn in the mud. Alicł
targłt for a mugger. The soldiers were was like nothing on earth in that electric
standng at the top of the hill like sitting yłllow dress. 2. veryŁ unusual;Ł other-
ducks. It’s a wonder they weren’t all killed. worldly.Ł The new car models look likł
nothing on earth this year. This cake is
likeŁa three-ringŁcircuð chaàtic;Łexciting so good! It’s like nothing on earth!
and busy. Our household is like a three-
ring circus on MondØy mornings. This likeŁoneŁofŁtheŁfamily asŁif someone (or
młeting is like a three-ring circus. Quiet aŁpet)bwere aŁmemberŁof one’sŁfamily.Ł(In-
down and listen! formal.) We treat our dog like one of the
family. We are very happy to have you
likeŁ crazy and likeŁ mad furiously; very stay with us, Bill. I hope you don’t mnd
much, fast, many, or actively.Ł(Slang.) if we treat you like one of the family.
People are comng in here like crazP. There
isn’t łnough room for them all. We sold likeŁsittingŁduckð Go to like a sàtting duck.
ice cream like crazP. It was a very hot dØy. likeŁto heyrŁ oneself talk [forŁsomeone]bto
When she stubbed her toe, she started enjoyŁone’sŁtalkingŁmore thanŁotherŁpeo-
screamng like mad.
ple enjoy lisðeningŁto it.Ł I guess I don’t
likeŁgreasedŁlightning veryŁfast.Ł(Folksy. really have anything to say. I just like to
Infàrmal.ŁSee also (as) quick as greased hear myself talk, I guess. There he goes
làghtnàng .) He lłft the room like greased again. He just likes to hear himself talk.
lightning. They fled the burning build-
ing like greased lightning. like (two) peas in a pod very close or in-
timate.Ł(Compare thisŁwith as alike as
likeŁitŁorŁlumpŁit either accept it or drop (two) peas in a pod.) Yes, they’re close.
dead. (SlangŁandŁfairlyŁrude.) I don’t Like two peas in a pod. They’re always
care whether you care for my attitude or togłther. Like peas in a pod.
not. You can just like t or lump t. This
is all the food you get. Like it or lump it! likeŁwaterŁoffŁa duck’s byck easily; with-
out anyŁapparent effect.Ł Insults rolled
LikeŁit’s suchŁa bigŁdeyl! Ið really isn’t all off John like wØter off a duck’s back. The
that important! (Infàrmal.ŁSarcasðic.) bullłts had no effect on the steel door. They
So I dropped the glass. Like it’s such a big fell away like water off a duck’s back.
deal. Like it’s such a big deal. Who cares?
likelyŁas not Go to (as) likely as not.
likeŁlambs to theŁslaughter quitly and
without seemingŁto realize orŁcomplain the likes ofŁ someone sàmeone; anyàne like
about the likelyŁdifficultiesŁorŁdangrsŁof someone.Ł(Infàrmal.ŁAlmost alwaysŁinŁa
aŁ situation.Ł Young młn fighting in ngativ sense.) I doà’t like Bob. I

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