Adam Makkai - Словарь американских идиом - 8000 единиц

[well put] {adj. phr.} Well expressed or defined. •/ His remarks about too much violence on television were extremely well put. /

[well-to-do] {adj.} Having or making enough money to live comfortably; prosperous. •/ John’s father owns a company and his family is well-to-do. / — Often used with "the" like a plural noun. •/ This is the part of town where the well-to-do live. / Compare: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY, IN THE CHIPS, ON EASY STREET.

[wet]See: ALL WET, GET ONE’S FEET WET, MAD AS A WET HEN, WRINGING WET.

[wet behind the ears] {adj. phr.} , {informal} Not experienced; not knowing how to do something; new in a job or place. •/ The new student is still wet behind the ears; he has not yet learned the tricks that the boys play on each other. / Compare: DRY BEHIND THE EARS.

[wet blanket] {n.} , {informal} A person or thing that keeps others from enjoying life. •/ The teenagers don’t invite Bob to their parties because he is a wet blanket. / •/ The weatherman throws a wet blanket on picnic plans when he forecasts rain. / Compare: CREPE HANGER.

[wet one’s whistle] {v. phr.} , {slang} To have a drink, especially of liquor. •/ Uncle Willie told John to wait outside for a minute while he went in to the cafe to wet his whistle. /

[whack]See: OUT OF WHACK.

[whale away] {v.} , {informal} 1. To beat or hit hard; strike again and again. — Often used with "at". •/ The boxer is whaling away at his opponent with both fists. / 2. To attack severely or again and again; go on without stopping or with great force; pound away. •/ Mary has been whaling away on the typewriter for an hour. / — Often used with "at". •/ During the election the Mayor whaled away at the other party in his speeches. /

[whale the --- out of]See: BEAT THE --- OUT OF.

[what]See: COME WHAT MAY, GET WHAT’S COMING TO ONE, I’LL TELL YOU WHAT, JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, SO WHAT.

[what about] {interrog.} 1. About or concerning what; in connection with what. — Often used alone as a question. •/ "I want to talk to you." "What about?" / Compare: WHAT FOR. 2. See: WHAT OF IT. 3. See: HOW ABOUT.

[what about that]See: HOW ABOUT THAT.

[What a pity!]How unfortunate! What a shame! •/ What a pity that he couldn’t join us on our Hawaiian trip. /

[what for(1)] {interrog.} For what reason; why? •/ I told Mary what I was going to town for. / •/ What are you running for? / — Often used alone as a question. •/ Billy’s mother told him to wear his hat. "What for?" he asked. / Compare: HOW COME.

[what for(2)] {n. phr.} , {informal} A scolding, or other punishment. — Usually used with "get" or "give". •/ Tom got what for from his father for answering him rudely, and I heard him crying in the house. / •/ The teacher gave me what for because I was late. /

[what have you]or [what not] {n. phr.} , {informal} Whatever you like or want; anything else like that. •/ The store sells big ones, small ones, medium ones, or what have you. / •/ We found suits, coats, hats and what not in the closet. / Syn.: AND SO FORTH.

[what if]What would, or will, happen if; what is the difference if; suppose that. •/ What if you go instead of me? / •/ What if we paint it red. How will it look? / •/ "You can’t go now" said mother. "What if I do?" Dick asked. / •/ What if Jack scores a touchdown? /

[what is what]See: WHAT’S WHAT.

[what of it]or [what about it] {interj.} , {informal} What is wrong with it; what do you care. •/ Martha said "That boy is wearing a green coat." Jan answered, "What of it?" / •/ "John missed the bus." "What of it?" / Syn.: SO WHAT.

[what not]See: WHAT HAVE YOU.

[what’s cooking]See: WHAT’S UP.

[what’s doing]See: WHAT’S UP..

[what’s sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander]What goes for the one, also goes for the other. — A proverb. •/ If Herb gets a speeding ticket, so should Erica, who was right behind him; after all, what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. /

[what’s the big idea]or [what’s the idea] {informal} What is the purpose; what do you have in mind; why did you do that; what are you doing; how dare you. — Often used to question someone or something that is not welcome. •/ The Smith family painted their house red, white, and blue. What’s the big idea? / •/ What’s the idea of coming in here after I told you not to? / •/ I heard you are spreading false rumors about me, what’s the big idea? /

[what’s the idea]See: WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA.

[what’s up]or [what’s cooking]also [what’s doing] {slang} What is happening or planned; what is wrong. — Often used as a greeting. •/ "What’s up?" asked Bob as he joined his friends. "Are you going to the movies?" / •/ What’s cooking? Why is the crowd in the street? / •/ What’s doing tonight at the club? / •/ Hello Bob, what’s up? / Compare: WHAT’S WITH.

[what’s what]or [what is what] {n. phr.} , {informal} 1. What each thing is in a group; one thing from another. •/ The weeds and the flowers are coming up together, and we can’t tell what is what. / 2. All that needs to be known about something; the important facts or skills. •/ Richard did the wrong thing, because he is new here and doesn’t yet know what’s what. / •/ When Bob started his new job, it took him several weeks to learn what was what. / •/ When it comes to cooking, Jenny knows what’s what. / •/ Harold began to tell the teacher how to teach the class, and the teacher told him what was what. / Compare: WHICH IS WHICH, WHO’S WHO.

[what’s with]or [what’s up with]also [what’s by] {slang} What is happening to; what is wrong; how is everything; what can you tell me about. •/ Mary looks worried. What’s with her? / •/ What’s with our old friends? / •/ I’m fine. What’s with you? /

[what with] {prep.} Because; as a result of. •/ I couldn’t visit you, what with the snowstorm and the cold I had. / •/ What with dishes to wash and children to put to bed, mother was late to the meeting. / Compare: ON ACCOUNT OF.

[wheel]See: BIG CHEESE or BIG WHEEL, GREASE THE WHEELS, PUT ONE’S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL.

[wheel and deal] {v. phr.} , {slang} To make many big plans or schemes; especially with important people in government and business; in matters of money and influence; handle money or power for your own advantage; plan important matters in a smart or skillful way and sometimes in a tricky, or not strictly honest way. •/ Mr. Smith made a fortune by wheeling and dealing on the stock market. / •/ The senator got this law passed by wheeling and dealing in Congress. / —  [wheeler-dealer] {n. phr.} , {slang} A person with power and control. •/ The biggest wheeler-dealer in the state has many friends in high places in business and government and is a rich man himself. /