Phrase definitions Webster's 1828 Dictionary PHRASE, n. s as z. [Gr. to speak.] 1. A short sentence or expression. A phrase may be complete, as when it conveys complete sense, as ... a peculiar sentence of short idiomatic expression; as a Hebrew phrase; an Italian phrase. 3. Style; expression. Thou speak'st In better phrase. 4. In music, any regular symmetrical course of notes ...
... successfully. By the way, en passant, as we proceed; a phrase introducing something in discourse, not immediately connected with the subject ... of all the earth, to die. In the way, a phrase noting obstruction. What is there in the way of your ... or carriage moves 11. category, kind — usually used in the phrase in the way of < doesn't require much in the ... your way, or eat your way, followed by a prepositional phrase or adverb, in order to indicate movement, progress, or force ... distance is. He had to walk all the way home... PHRASE: usu PHR after v, oft PHR adv/prep [emphasis] 26 ... Having started a revolution we must go all the way... PHRASE: PHR after v [emphasis] 27. If someone says that ...
... decided it was time to retire > — often used in the phrase about time < about time for a change > 4. a. a ... few movie makers with original ideas were given a chance... PHRASE: it v-link PHR that, PHR as reply [emphasis] 23 ... out ahead of time what regulations apply to your situation. PHRASE: PHR after v 24. If someone is ahead of their ... of her time. She surrounded me with culture and art. PHRASE: v-link PHR, oft PHR in -ing 25. If something ... continually. We can't be together all the time... = continually PHRASE: PHR after v 26. You say at a time after ... or group. Beat in the eggs, one at a time... PHRASE: amount PHR 27. If something could happen at any ...
... her comments, bearing in mind the party she belongs to. PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR that, PHR n 7. If something ... way. That brings to mind a wonderful poem by Riokin... PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR n 8. If you cast your ... your mind back to 1978, when Forest won the title. PHRASE: V and N inflect, oft PHR to n 9. If ... She has closed her mind to last year's traumas. PHRASE: V and N inflect, usu PHR to n 10. If ... for Reagan... It would be impossible to change his mind. PHRASE: V and N inflect 11. If something comes to mind ... words that spring to mind when talking of the man. PHRASE: V inflects 12. If you say that an idea ...
... used.] To bear a hand, to hasten; a seaman's phrase. To be hand and glove, to be intimate and familiar ... strict hand, severe discipline; rigorous government. Hands off, a vulgar phrase for keep off, forbear. pour water on the hands, in ... Having the right equipment at hand will be enormously helpful... PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR 12. If someone experiences ... suffering greatly at the hands of the security forces. PREP-PHRASE: PREP n 13. If you do something by hand, you ... machine. Each pleat was stitched in place by hand. = manually PHRASE: PHR after v 14. When something changes hands, its ownership ... The firm has changed hands many times over the years. PHRASE: V inflects 15. If you have someone eating out ...
... part, and is used for the whole person, in the phrase, let the evil fall on my head. 2. An animal ... the fight renews. [Unusual.] 8. Resistance; successful opposition; in the phrase, to make head against, that is, to advance, or resist ... to a head, is to suppurate. Head and ears, a phrase denoting the whole person, especially when referring to immersion. He ... this side or that side; this thing or that; -- a phrase used in throwing a coin to decide a choice, guestion ... neither this thing nor that; nothing distinct or definite; -- a phrase used in speaking of what is indefinite or confused; as ... This simple chicken dish costs less than £1 a head... PHRASE: amount PHR 20. From head to foot means all ...
... or restricted to poetry. It is all one is a phrase equivalent to the same thing in effect; that is, it ... applied to persons or things. All in all is a phrase which signifies, all things to a person, or every thing ... tree fell, nest, eagles and all. At all is a phrase much used by way of enforcement or emphasis, usually in ... But from Lye's Saxon Dictionary, it appears that the phrase is a corruption of the Sax. ealle at somne, all ... All in the wind, in seamen's language, is a phrase denoting that the sails are parallel with the course of ... as to shake. All is well is a watchman's phrase, expressing a state of safety. All, in composition, enlarges ...
phrase book definitions WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005) n 1: a ... a foreign language and their translation Webster's 1913 Dictionary Phrase Phrase, n. [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr. ?, fr. ? to ... or being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial phrase. ``Convey'' the wise it call. ``Steal!'' foh! a fico for the phrase. --Shak. 2. A short, pithy expression; especially, one which is ... Phrases of the hearth.'' --Tennyson. Thou speak'st In better phrase and matter than thou didst. --Shak. 4. (Mus.) A ...
... the kids were full of hell > — often used in the phrase for the hell of it especially to suggest action on ... hurts like hell > < funny as hell > — often used in the phrase hell of a < it was one hell of a good ... be armed, but they sure as hell weren't trained... PHRASE: adj PHR [emphasis] 5. If you say that a place ... dunes. She said: 'It was hell on earth'. = living hell PHRASE: oft v-link PHR [emphasis] 6. If someone does something ... to be spending millions just for the hell of it. PHRASE: usu PHR with cl, PHR after v, n PHR 7 ... unpleasant or evil. (INFORMAL) He's a child from hell... PHRASE: n PHR [emphasis] 8. If you tell someone to ...
... could not for my heart refuse his request. Or, this phrase may signify, for my life; if my life was at ... strongly. My own family I loved with all my heart. PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl [emphasis] 9. If you ... very different. He was a very gentle boy at heart. PHRASE: PHR with cl 10. If you say that someone has ... about you and that is why they are doing something. PHRASE: usu have n PHR 11. If someone breaks your heart ... end a love affair or close relationship with you. (LITERARY) PHRASE: V and N inflect 12. If something breaks your heart ... It really breaks my heart to see them this way. PHRASE: V and N inflect, oft PHR to-inf 13. ...
... A lot of them died in front of our eyes... PHRASE: usu PHR after v, v-link PHR [emphasis] 10. If ... over it and tell me what he thought of it... PHRASE: V inflects, PHR prep 11. If something catches your eye ... turned back, a movement across the lawn caught her eye. PHRASE: V inflects see also eye-catching 12. If you catch ... s eye to find out what she was playing at. PHRASE: V inflects 13. To clap eyes on someone or something ... was he doing when you last set eyes on him? PHRASE: V inflects, oft after superl, oft with brd-neg 14 ... the high street, desperately avoiding eye contact with passers-by. PHRASE: PHR after v 15. If you close your eyes ...
... Elections will now take place on November the twenty-fifth. PHRASE: V inflects 5. Place can be used after 'any', 'no ... different places. Businesses are closing down all over the place... PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR 29. If things are ... disorganized way. Our fingerprints are probably all over the place... PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v 30. If you say ... was careful and diligent. I was all over the place. PHRASE: v-link PHR 31. If you change places with another ... you can change places, and he can test you... = swap PHRASE: V inflects, pl-n PHR, PHR with n 32. If ... decision were explained, of course, it all fell into place... PHRASE: V inflects 33. If things fall into place, events ...
noun phrase definitions WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005) n 1: a phrase that can function as the subject or object of a verb [syn: noun phrase, nominal phrase, nominal] Merriam Webster's noun Usage: often capitalized N&P Date: 1923 a phrase formed by a noun and all its modifiers and determiners ... abbreviation NP Collin's Cobuild Dictionary (noun phrases) A noun phrase is the same as a noun group. N-COUNT
... to cut down on staff in order to cut costs. PHRASE 2. If someone must be in a particular situation in ... They need hostages in order to bargain with the government. PHRASE 3. If something must happen in order for something else ... they need both the name and address of the individual. PHRASE: CONJ n to-inf II. COMMANDS AND REQUESTS (orders, ordering ... The airlines still have 2,500 new aeroplanes on order. PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR 10. If you do ... it. She now makes wonderful dried flower arrangements to order... PHRASE: PHR after v 11. If you are under orders to ... not to discuss his mission or his location with anyone. PHRASE: v-link PHR to-inf 12. your marching orders: ...
catch-phrase definitions Collin's Cobuild Dictionary also catch phrase(catch-phrases) A catch-phrase is a sentence or phrase which becomes popular or well-known, often because it is ...