Adam Makkai: Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[act of faith]{n. phr.} An act or a deed that shows unquestioning belief in someone or something. •/ It was a real act of faith on Mary’s part to entrust her jewelry to her younger sister’s care. /

[act of God]{n.} An occurrence (usually some sort of catastrophe) for which the people affected are not responsible; said of earthquakes, floods, etc. •/ Hurricane Andrew destroyed many houses in Florida, but some types of insurance did not compensate the victims, claiming that the hurricane was an act of God. / See: FICKLE FINGER OF FATE.

[act one’s age]or [be one’s age]{v. phr.} To do the things that people expect someone of your age to do, not act as if you were much younger than you are. •/ Mr. O’Brien was playing tag with the children at the party. Then Mrs. O’Brien said, "Henry! Act your age!" and he stopped. /

[actor]See: BAD ACTOR.

[act out]{v.} 1. To show an idea, story, or happening by your looks, talk, and movements. •/ He tried to act out a story that he had read. / 2. To put into action. •/ All his life he tried to act out his beliefs. /

[act up]{v.} , {informal} 1. To behave badly; act rudely or impolitely. •/ The dog acted up as the postman came to the door. / 2. To work or run poorly (as a after all machine); skip; miss. •/ Thе car acted up because the spark plugs were dirty. /

[add fuel to the flame]{v. phr.} To make a bad matter worse by adding to its cause; spread trouble, increase anger or other strong feelings by talk or action. •/ By criticizing his son’s girl, the father added fuel to the flame of his son’s love. / •/ Bob was angry with Ted and Ted added fuel to the flame by laughing at him. /

[add insult to injury]{v. phr.} 1. To hurt someone’s feelings after doing him harm. •/ He added insult to injury when he called the man a rat after he had already beaten him up. / 2. To make bad trouble worse. •/ We started on a picnic, and first it rained, then to add insult to injury, the car broke down. /

[addition]See: IN ADDITION.

[address]See: PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM.

[add the finishing touches]{v. phr.} To complete; finish. •/ Mary’s first novel promised to be excellent; however, her editor suggested that she should add some finishing touches before accepting it. /

[add up]{v.} 1. To come to the correct amount. •/ The numbers wouldn’t add up. / 2. {informal} To make sense; be understandable. •/ His story didn’t add up. /

[add up to]{v.} 1. To make a total of; amount to. •/ The bill added up to $12.95. / 2. {informal} To mean; result in. •/ The rain, the mosquitoes, and the heat added up to a spoiled vacation. /

[ad lib]{v. phr.} To improvise; interpolate during speech. •/ When the actress forgot her lines during the second act, she had to ad lib in order to keep the show going. /

[advance]See: IN ADVANCE or IN ADVANCE OF.

[advantage]See: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, TO ADVANTAGE.

[a few]{n.} or {adj.} A small number (of people or things); some. •/ The dry weather killed most of Mother’s flowers, but a few are left. / •/ In the store, Mary saw many pretty rings and bracelets, and she wanted to buy a few of them. / •/ After the party, we thought that no one would help clean up, but a few couples did. / •/ Alice wanted to read a few pages more before she stopped. / — Usually "a few" is different in meaning from "few", which emphasizes the negative; "a few" means "some", but "few" means "not many". •/ We thought no one would come to lunch, but a few came. / •/ We thought many people would come to lunch, but few came. / But sometimes "a few" is used with "only", and then it is negative. •/ We thought many people would come to lunch, but only a few came. / — Sometimes used like an adverb. •/ Three students have no seats; we need a few more chairs. / •/ If we can set up chairs faster than people come and sit in them, we will soon be a few ahead. / — Sometimes used with "very" for emphasis. •/ Uncle Ralph gave away almost all of his sea shells, but he still had a very few left. / Compare: A LITTLE. Contrast: A LOT, QUITE A FEW.

[affair]See: LOVE AFFAIR.

[afoul of]{prep.} 1. In collision with. •/ The boat ran afoul of a buoy. / 2. In or into trouble with. •/ The thief ran afoul of the night watchman. / •/ Speeders can expect to fall afoul of the law sometimes. /

[afraid of one’s shadow]{adj. phr.} , {informal} Scared of small or imaginary things; very easily frightened; jumpy; nervous. •/ Mrs. Smith won’t stay alone in her house at night; she is afraid of her own shadow. / •/ Johnny cries whenever he must say hello to an adult; he is afraid of his own shadow. /

[a friend in need is a friend indeed]A genuine friend on whom one can always depend. — A proverb; often shortened to "a friend in need…" •/ When John’s house burned down, his neighbor Jim helped him and his family with shelter, food and clothing. John said, "Jim, a friend in need is a friend indeed — this describes you." /

[after a fashion]{adv. phr.} Not very well or properly; poorly. •/ He played tennis after a fashion. / •/ The roof kept the rain out after a fashion. / Compare: IN A WAY.

[after all]{adv. phr.} 1. As a change in plans; anyway. — Used with emphasis on "after". •/ Bob thought he couldn’t go to the party because he had too much homework, but he went after all. / 2. For a good reason that you should remember. — Used with emphasis on "all". •/ Why shouldn’t Betsy eat the cake? After all, she baked it. /

[after a while]{informal} or [in a while]{adv. phr.} Later, at some time in the future; after a time that is not short and not long. •/ "Dad, will you help me make this model plane?" "After a while, Jimmy, when I finish reading the newspaper." / •/ The boys gathered some wood, and in a while, a hot fire was burning. / Syn.: BY AND BY. Contrast: RIGHT AWAY.

[after hours]{adv. or adj. phr.} Not during the regular, correct, or usual time; going on or open after the usual hours. •/ The store was cleaned and swept out after hours. / •/ The children had a secret after hours party when they were supposed to be in bed. /

[after one’s own heart]{adj. phr.} , {informal} Well liked because of agreeing with your own feelings, interests, and ideas; to your liking-agreeable. Used after "man" or some similar word. •/ He likes baseball and good food; he is a man after my own heart. / •/ Thanks for agreeing with me about the class party; you’re a girl after my own heart. / Compare: SEE EYE TO EYE.

[after the dust clears]or [when the dust settles]{adv. phr.} When a troubling, confusing, or disastrous event is finally over. •/ John invited Tim for dinner, but since Tim’s father had just died, he replied, "Thanks. I’d like to come after the dust settles." /