Page 42 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

at someone’s service

many large fortunes włre wiped out in one atŁsey onŁthe sea;ŁawayŁonŁaŁvoyage onŁthe
fell swoop. ocean.Ł(Se also (all) at sea (about some-
thing).) The ship is at sea now, and you
atŁ one’ beðt inŁthe best of health; display-
ingŁthe most civilizedŁbehavior.Ł(OftenŁin can’t disembark. I spent many happy
the negative.) I’m not at my best when dØys at sea on my cruise.
I’m angry. He’s at his best after a good atŁsea (aboutŁ something) Go to (all) at sea
nap. (about something).
atŁ one’ leØsure Go to at leisure. atŁsea level located at the bottom of the
sea.Ł It is easier to breathe at sea lłvel
atŁ one’ wit’s end at the limitsŁof one’sŁmen-
talŁresàurces.Ł I’m at my wit’s end with than in the mountains. Boats on the
this problłm. I cannot figure it out. Tom ocean are at sea lłvel, but those on rivero
could do no more. He was Øt his wit’s łnd. are not.
atŁsixes andŁsevens disorderly; lost and
atŁpeyce 1. peaceful;Łrelaxed;Łhappy.Ł I
am alwØys Øt peace when I sit n my rock- bwildered;Ł at loose ends. Mrs. Smth
ing chair. When the warm breeze is is at sixes and sevłns since the death of her
blowing, I am at peace. 2. dead.Ł It wØs husband. Bill is always at sixes and sev-
a long illness, but she is at peace now. AŁ ens when he’s home by himself.
last, Uncle Tom is at peace. atŁsomeŁlength Go to at length.
atŁplay [at thisŁmoment]binvolvedŁinŁplay- atŁ someone’ beckŁandŁcall rady to obey
ing.Ł The children are at plØy, and I am someone.Ł What makes you think I wait
doing household chores. Whether I am around here at your beck and call? I lvł
at work or at plØy, I try to be pleasant to here too, you know! It was a fine hotel.
people. There were dozens of maids and waiters at
our beck and call.
atŁpresent now; at thisŁpàint inŁtime.Ł We
are not able to do any more at present. atŁ someone’ dłorstep and on someone’
We may be able to lłnd you money next dłorstep inŁ someone’sŁ care; asŁ some-
włek, but not at present. one’sŁrespànsibility.Ł Why do you alwØys
have to lØy your problłms Øt my doorstep?
atŁryndłm without sequence or ordr. I shall put this issue on someone eloe’s
Sally picked four names at random from doorstep. I doà’t want it on my doorstep.
the telłphone book. The gunman walked
into the crowded restaurant and fired at atŁ someone’ eyrlØestŁconvenieàce asŁsoon
random. Jane will read almost anything. asŁit isŁeasyŁorŁconvenient forŁsàmeone.
She selects four novels at random at the (ThisŁisŁalso aŁpolite wayŁof saying im-
library each włek and reads them all. mediately.) Please stop by my office at
your earliest convenience. Bill, please
atŁ regularŁ intervalð at pointsŁ that are
equalŁinŁdisðance apart.Ł You will find have the oil changed at your earliest
service stations at regular intervals along convenience.
the highway. There are streetlights at atŁ someone’ mercy Go to at the mercy of
regular intervals on the main street of someone.
town.
atŁ someone’ requeðt due to someone’s re-
atŁrest not moving;Łnot active.Ł After the quest; onŁbeingŁaskedŁbyŁsomeone.Ł AŁ
hectic dØy, the office was finally at rest by his mother’s request, Tom stopped plØying
midnight. Do not remove your seat belŁ the saxophone. At the request of the po-
until the plane is at rest. lice officer, Bill pulled his car over to the
side of the road.
atŁrisk inŁaŁsituationŁwhere there isŁriskŁor
hazard;ŁinŁdangr.Ł I refuse to put my atŁ someone’ service readyŁto helpŁsàmeone
family’s welfare at risk by quitting my job. inŁ anyŁ way.Ł The count greeted mł
Your whole future is at risk if you don’t warmly and said, “Welcome to my home.
stop smokng. Just lłt me know what you need. I’m at

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