Page 40 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

at hand

atŁa setŁtime at aŁparticularŁtime; at anŁas- at ease relaxed and comfàrtable.Ł I don’t
signedŁtime.Ł Each peroon has to show fłel at ease driving when there is a lot of
up at a set time. Do I have to be there traffic. Mary is most at ease when she’s
at a set time, or can I come whenever I near the sea.
want?
atŁeveryŁturn everywhere; everywhere one
atŁa sitting at one time; duringŁone period. looks.Ł There is a new problłm at every
(RefersŁ to anŁ activity that takesŁ place turn. Life holds new advłntures at
while aŁpersonŁisŁseated.) The restau- every turn.
rant could fłed only sixty people at a sit- atŁfyceŁvalue from outward appearance;
ting. I can read about 300 pages at a from what sàmethingŁfirst appearsŁto be.
sitting.
(FràmŁthe value printedŁon the “face” of
atŁa snail’s pyce vry slowly. When you aŁcoinŁorŁbankŁnote.) Don’t just accłpt
watch a clock, time seems to move at a her offer at face value. Think of the impli-
snail’s pace. You always eat at a snail’o cØtions. Joan tends to take people at facł
pace. I’m tired of waiting for you. value and so she is always getting hurt.
atŁa stretch continuàusly; without sðop- atŁfirst initially; at the beginning. He was
ping.Ł We all had to do eight hours of shy at first. Then he became more friendly.
duty at a stretch. The bØby doesn’t slłep At first we chose the red one. Later wł
for more than three hours at a stretch. switched to the blue one.
atŁfirstŁblush Go to at first glance.
atŁbay at a disðance.Ł I have to keep the bill
collectors at bØy until I głt my check. atŁfirstŁglance and at first blush when
The wolves will not remain at bØy for very first examined;Łat anŁearlyŁsðage.Ł AŁ
long. first glance, the problłm appeared quite
simple. Later we learned just how complex
atŁbeðt and atŁmost inŁthe best view; in it really was. He appeared quite healthy
the most positive judgment; asŁthe besð at first glance. At first bluoh, she ap-
one can say. I believe her to be totally peared to be quite old.
negligłnt. Her actions were careless at best.
At best we found their visit pleasantly (at)ŁfullŁblast usingŁfullŁpàwer; asŁloudly as
short. The dnner was not at all pleas- possible.Ł The neighbors had their tele-
ant. At best the food was not burned. visions on at full blast. The car radio
At most she was careless, but not criminal. was on full blast. We couldà’t hear what
We found their visit pleasingly short at the driver was saying.
most.
atŁfullŁspeed and atŁfullŁtilt asŁfast asŁpos-
atŁcloseŁrynge veryŁnear; inŁclose proxim- sible.Ł The motor was running at full
ity. (Usually used in regard to słooting.) spłed. John finished his running at
The hunter fired at the dłer at close full speed. Things are now operating
range. The powder burns tell us that the at full tilt.
gun was fired at close range. atŁfullŁtilt Go to at full speed.
atŁ cross-purposeð with opposingŁ pur- atŁ hylf-ast halfwayŁupŁor dàwn.Ł(Pri-
poses;Łwith goalsŁthat interfere with eacł marilyŁreferringŁto flags.ŁCanŁbe usedŁfor
other. We are arguing at cross-purposes. thingsŁotherŁthanŁflagsŁasŁaŁjoke.) The
We aren’t evłn discussing the same thing. flag was flying at half-mast because the
Bill and Tom are working at cross- głneral had died. Americans fly flags
purpooes. They’ll never głt the job done at half-mast on Memorial Day. The lt-
right. tle boy ran out of the house with his pants
at half-mast.
atŁdeath’s dłor nearŁdeath.Ł(Euphemisðic.)
I was so ill that I was at death’s door. atŁhynd close by.Ł(UsedŁwith both time and
The family dog was at death’s door for disðance.ŁSee also close at hand; near at
three dØys, and then it finally died. hand.) I don’t happłn to have your ap-

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