idiomU.htm
Collected from various sources by U Kyaw Tun (UKT), M.S. (I.P.S.T., U.S.A.), and staff of TIL (Tun Institute of Learning, http://www.tuninst.net ) for staff and students of TIL Computing and Language Center, Yangon, Myanmar. Not for sale.
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Eidiom-txt-indx.htm
• U-turn • uh-huh • uh-uh • under a spell • under arrest • under control • under fire • under his own steam • under my belt • under my breath • under my care • under my nose • under my skin • under my wing • under oath • under pressure • under the influence of alcohol • under the table • under the weather • under the wire •
From Magnuson
U-turn
-- under my
breath Internet link
U-turn
U-turn -- turn and go the opposite direction,
do a 180
The driver of the truck made a U-turn and drove back into town.
From Magnuson
uh-huh --
yes,
yep
"Do you want a piece of cake?" "Uh-huh."
From Magnuson
uh-uh --
no,
nope
"Have you done your homework?" "Uh-uh."
From Magnuson
under a spell --
controlled by a spirit or magic,
cast a spell
She danced when she saw the cat. She seemed to be under a spell.
From Magnuson
under arrest --
stopped and taken away by the police,
busted
"Jean, you are under arrest." "What for, sir?" "For stealing a loaf of bread."
From Magnuson
under control --
order restored, control returned
The prisoners caused a riot, but things are now under control.
From Magnuson
under fire --
being asked many difficult questions
After your speech, you will be under fire from reporters.
From Magnuson
under his own steam --
by himself, without help
Although Don was injured, he left the field under his own steam.
From Magnuson
under my belt --
completed, finished
With an accounting course under my belt, I can do the bookkeeping.
From Magnuson
under my breath --
whispered, not spoken loud enough to hear
When the teacher asks questions, I often answer under my breath.
From Magnuson
under my care
-- under
the wire Internet link
under my care
under my care -- cared for by me,
look after
The house is under my care until the owner returns from Europe.
From Magnuson
under my nose --
easy to see, close and visible,
in plain view
Isn't that the way! I've been looking for a partner all my life, and then I
found Lila - she was right under my nose all the time!
From Magnuson
under my skin --
in my thoughts, in my feelings
I can't stop thinking about Paul. I've got him under my skin.
From Magnuson
under my wing --
having my protection and help and guidance
I am Anna's guardian. She'll be under my wing until she's 18.
From Magnuson
under oath --
after promising to tell the truth in court,
cross my heart and...
At the trial you will be asked to tell your story under oath.
From Magnuson
under pressure --
feeling of too much to do, feeling a lot of stress
Gabor is under a lot of pressure now. He's working at two jobs.
From Magnuson
under the influence of alcohol --
partly drunk,
buzzed
Is he under the influence now? Is he drunk?
From Magnuson
under the table --
hidden, not recorded, not
above board,
on the side
"Do you get paid for bringing customers to the store?" "I don't get a check -
just a little money under the table."
From Magnuson
under the weather --
not feeling well, ill, sick,
not feeling myself
Dan's been under the weather lately - sick with the flu.
From Magnuson
under the wire --
just before the end, before closing,
just in time
"Did you receive my application?" "It arrived on the last day of the
competition, just under the wire."
U03. under way -- up against it Internet link under way
under way -- started, commenced
The concert is under way. The band is playing O Canada.
under wraps -- secret, not advertised,
on the QT
I know the name of the winner, but I have to keep it under wraps until tonight.
under your thumb -- under your control, doing your wishes
Willie is under your thumb now. He does what you tell him to do.
underdog -- the player or team that is not likely to win
The Sharks are underdogs this year. People say they won't win.
underhanded -- not legal, not according to rules, not
above board
Some people say the government was underhanded in dealing with the Indians.
unsung hero -- great person who has not been honored or praised,
behind the scenes
The mothers of the graduates are the unsung heroes. The mothers are Homework
Supervisors!
until you're blue... -- (See till you're blue in the face)
up a storm -- (See sing up a storm)
up against -- competing against, trying to defeat
"Who were you up against?" "Gaetan Boucher, the Champion."
up against it -- poor, not able to pay the bills,
hard up
We were up against it that year. The crop had failed, we had lots of bills, and
none of us had a job.
U04. up and coming -- up on Internet link up and coming
up and coming -- starting to develop ability, showing potential
Lisel has won six junior trophies. She's an up-and-coming athlete.
up and running -- operating, working
Andre is repairing the copier. It will soon be up and running.
up for grabs -- available, can be bought
The estate will be sold by auction. Even the antiques are up for grabs.
up for it -- ready, prepared to play,
pumped
Tonight's game is important. Every player has to be up for it.
up for sale -- advertised for sale,
on the market
The Wongs must be moving. Their house is up for sale.
up front -- at the beginning,
level with beforehand
He was up front with me. He told me about the interest charges first.
up in arms -- angry, ready to fight,
hot
The smokers are up in arms about the no-smoking bylaw.
up in smoke -- burned, destroyed by fire
The barn went up in smoke before the fire truck arrived.
up in the air -- not decided, not settled
They aren't sure who killed the President. It's still up in the air.
up on -- aware of, informed about,
on top of
Are you up on the latest computer games? Have you played UFOX?
U05. up shit creek [B] -- up to no good Internet link up shit creek [B]
up shit creek [B] -- in a bad situation,
in a fix
If we lose our matches, we're up shit creek. We need a campfire.
up the ante -- increase the payment, increase the deposit
If they up the ante to $50, I won't enter the hockey pool this year.
up the creek -- in a predicament, in difficulty,
in a jam
Without insurance, you could be up the creek if there's a fire.
up the stump [B] -- pregnant,
a bun in the oven
She didn't use a contraceptive, so she's up the stump again.
up the wahoozey -- a lot, more than needed,
coming out of our ears
The Burnsides are so rich they have money up the wahoozey!
up to -- planning, doing
What are you up to? Are you planning another fishing trip?
up to date -- recent, current
The radio reports events as they happen. The news is up to date.
up to it -- have enough energy to do it,
up for it
"Would you like to play another game of badminton?" "No, I don't think I'm up to
it."
up to my ears -- have too many,
coming out of our ears
You're selling books? I'm up to my ears in books!
up to no good -- doing bad things, causing problems
Tom's up to no good these days - stealing drugs and selling them.
U06. up to par -- up yours [B] Internet link up to par
up to par -- good enough to pass, up to a standard
This woodwork is not up to par. It's below our standard.
up to scratch -- good enough,
up to par
The cloth in these jeans is poor quality. It's not up to scratch.
up to snuff -- good quality,
measure up
We expect quality photographs - every picture must be up to snuff.
up to something -- trying to make a deal, planning a joke
David is up to something. He has a look of mischief in his eye.
up to speed -- at normal speed, feeling healthy again
Tim's recovered from his surgery but he's not up to speed yet.
up to you -- your choice, your decision
Whether you go or stay is up to you. It's your decision.
up with -- support it, this is good
Millie was waving a flag and shouting, "Up with fluoride!"
up your alley -- what you like to do, what interests you
Sewing - that's right up your alley. It's one of your hobbies.
up your sleeve -- hidden, ready to use if asked
When I write an exam, I like to have a topic up my sleeve.
up yours [B] -- I hope you have an accident,
screw you
When she told him to get out of the house, he said, "Up yours!"
U07. upchuck -- uptight Internet link upchuck
upchuck -- vomit, puke,
barf,
hork
Please hand me the paper towel. Baby upchucked on my sweater.
uphill battle -- difficult work,
rough going,
tough sledding
We've asked the government to protect children's rights, but it's an uphill
battle all the way.
upon my word -- believe me, this is the truth,
honestly
Upon my word, I don't know why they hate me so.
upon the words offhandedly spoken -- upon words spoken casually or
carelessly,
offhand
Upon the words offhandedly spoken by a lover we often rely, only to feel the
sweetness of their promise disappear.
upper crust -- upper class, high class, aristocracy
Kurt acts like upper crust because his ancestor was a German baron.
upper hand -- (See the upper hand)
upset the apple cart -- cause a major problem, stop progress
You will upset the apple cart if you tell your folks we're moving.
upside -- positive side, good news
If war has an upside, it would be that it's good for the economy.
uptalk -- ending statements with your voice rising slightly,
inflecting the tone of your voice upwards
Uptalking sounds weak - like the speaker lacks confidence.
uptight -- tense, nervous, not relaxed,
worried sick
"What are you uptight about?" "I'm not sure. It could be fear of losing my job."
U08. use up -- uzi Internet link use up
use up -- use all of it, use all you have
We've used up all the shampoo. Please buy some more.
used to -- accustomed to, having felt it often
Lynn is used to being alone. Henry is away from home a lot.
useless as a fifth wheel -- (See as useless as a fifth wheel)
useless as the tits... -- (See as useless as tits on a boar)
user friendly -- easy to learn or use, easy to operate
Cars with automatic transmission are user friendly - easy to drive.
uzi -- (See pack uzis)
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