ABOUT
— it’s about time! (colloq., freq. sarc.): finally!, it has taken too long! (for s/thing expected to happen) >It’s about time Gail showed up! She’s almost two hours late.
ABS
— abs (abz) (colloq.): abdominal muscles >He’s working on his abs to try and get rid of his potbelly.
ACAPULCO GOLD
— Acapulco gold (a´kә pŭl´kō/ä´kә pŭl´kō ...) (sl.): high-grade marijuana (cultivated in Mexico) >He got arrested with a kilo of Acapulco gold.
ACCIDENT
** have an accident (colloq.): urinate or defecate in (one’s) clothes, urinate or defecate in an inappropriate place (said esp. of children and pets) >Uh, oh! The dog had an accident on the rug.
ACCIDENTALLY-ON-PURPOSE
— accidentally-on-purpose (colloq.): maliciously (although apparently unintentionally) >He said “excuse me,” but I think he stepped on my foot accidentally-on-purpose.
ACCORDING
— according to Hoyle (... hoil) (colloq.): following the rules or proper procedures, fairly >I don’t think they made that campaign contribution according to Hoyle.
A.C./D.C.
— A.C./D.C. (sl.): bisexual >They say he’s gay, but actually he’s A.C./D.C.
ACE
* ace1 (colloq.): expert, very talented or able person (in some activity) (also adj.) >He’s an ace at ballroom dancing. >Captain Riggins is an ace pilot.
** ace2 (vt) (sl.): receive a grade of “A” on (a test), complete (a competition) perfectly >She’s so smart that she aces all her exams. >He aced the drivin’ course.
— ace [s/one] out (of [s/thing]) (sl.): better [s/one] (to achieve [s/thing]), trick or outmaneuver [s/one] (to gain [s/thing]) >Kelly aced him out of the job by flatterin’ the manager’s wife. >We were both after her, but he aced me out.
* ace/card up [one’s] sleeve (colloq.): important hidden resource or advantage ready to use when needed >Martin’s got an ace up his sleeve. His father-in-law owns the land they want to build on. >She doesn’t seem worried. She must have a card up her sleeve.
ACE IN THE HOLE
* ace in the hole (colloq.): important hidden resource or advantage ready to use when needed >My ace in the hole is that the supervisor is a friend of mine.
ACID
* acid (sl.): L.S.D. (lysergic acid diethylamide, a hallucinogenic drug) >He started out smokin’ marijuana, but he’s been droppin’ acid lately.
ACIDHEAD
* acidhead (sl.): habitual user of the drug L.S.D. >That guy used to be an acidhead, and I think he fried his brain.
ACROSS
— come across (see COME)
— come across (as) (see COME)
* get/put [s/thing] across (colloq.): explain [s/thing] successfully, make [s/thing] understood >He just couldn’t get his plan across to the boss. >You’ve got to put it across to them that they can’t do it.
ACT
** act up1 (vi) (colloq.): behave badly, be mischievous >If that kid starts acting up I’ll throw him out.
** act up2 (vi) (colloq.): start functioning poorly, begin causing problems for proper function >The washing machine’s acting up, making some real weird sound. >That damn shoulder! My arthritis has been acting up lately.
— clean up [one’s] act (see CLEAN)
** get/have [one’s] act together (colloq.): put/have [one’s] affairs in order, get/have control over how [one] lives (his/her) life, get/have things functioning well >If the staff doesn’t get its act together soon, we’re going to have to close down the office. >He used to be a mess, but he has his act together now.
** get in on/into the act (colloq.): participate also, get included in what is going on >All Jeff’s friends were taking up golf, so he decided to get in on the act, too.
ACTION
** action (sl.): exciting activity (esp. a vice) >The sailors wanted some action, so they went to the casino. >The sailors wanted some action, so they went to the red light district.
— piece of the action (see PIECE)
— where the action is (see WHERE)
ADAM
— not know [s/one] from Adam (see KNOW)
ADD
** add up (vi) (colloq.): make sense, seem reasonable, be consistent (said of stories, explanations, actions, etc.) (freq. used in the neg.) >It just doesn’t add up that he’d leave his wife like that.
— add up to (colloq.): signify, be equivalent to, indicate >It adds up to murder if they keep buying him booze.
AD-LIB
** ad-lib (ad´lib´) (vi, vt) (colloq.): say or perform (s/thing) without special preparation, improvise >You’d better plan what you’re going to say, because if you ad-lib you’re liable to mess it up. >If they ask me to speak, I’ll just ad-lib it.
ADORABLE
** adorable (colloq.): charming, cute, very likable >Her baby is adorable.
ADORE
* adore (vt) (colloq.): like very much, love >I adore your new furniture!
AFTER
** after [s/one] (colloq.): pressuring [s/one], constantly requesting of [s/one] >They’ve been after him for his opinion, but he’s keeping quiet. >My wife was after me to fix that broken window.
** get after (colloq.): scold or reprimand >Dad’s going to get after you if you don’t clean this up.
AGAIN
— you can say that again! (see SAY)
A-GAME
— [one’s] A-game (sl.): [one’] best effort or performance >Ya gotta bring your A-game to the tournament if ya wanna beat those pros.
AGES
** ages (colloq.): a long time >It’s been ages since I’ve seen Debbie. >Oh, he moved there ages ago!
AGGRAVATE
** aggravate (vt) (colloq.): annoy, bother, irritate >My children insist on aggravating me.
AGGRAVATION
** aggravation (colloq.): annoyance, irritation, bother >Don’t get him started. Who needs the aggravation?
AH
— ooh and ah (see OOH)
AHA MOMENT
— aha moment (a´ha´ ...) (colloq.): moment when (one) realizes (s/thing), moment when (s/thing puzzling) becomes clear >My aha moment was when I saw them whispering and I realized they were the ones responsible for the whole scheme.
AHEAD
** ahead of the game (colloq.): having an advantage, winning >He tries to stay ahead of the game by keeping up with the new software.
AHOLD
** get ahold of1 (... ә hōld´ ...) (colloq.): make contact with, communicate with (esp. by telephone) >I’ll see if I can get ahold of him at the office.
* get ahold of2 (colloq.): obtain >It’ll be hard to get ahold of the right part for this old car.
A-HOLE
— a-hole (ā …) (= “asshole”) (vulg.): contemptible or reprehensible person, stupid person (also adj.) >They’re gonna have to fire that a-hole one of these days. >Keep that a-hole brother-in-law of yours away from me!
AIN’T
* ain’t (ānt) (colloq.): am not, is not, are not, have not, has not >I’m right about this, ain’t I? >You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
AIR
** up in the air (colloq.): undecided, not certain or settled >I’m up in the air about how to handle this. >Our plans are up in the air until we know when Phil can get time off.
AIRHEAD
** airhead (sl.): stupid or silly person, flighty person >You’re not gonna put an airhead like her in charge, are ya?
A.K.A.
* A.K.A. (colloq.): also known as, alias >The cops are looking for a Winston Legret, A.K.A. “The Spider.”
ALIVE
* alive and kicking (colloq.): well, in good health >My grandma’s alive and kicking at ninety-two.
— eat [s/one] alive (see EAT)
— look alive! (see LOOK)
— not (even) know [s/one] is alive (see KNOW)
— skin [s/one] alive (see SKIN)
ALKIE
— alkie (al´ kē) (sl., pej.): alcoholic (person) >It’s a wonder she turned out so nice, since both her parents were alkies.
ALL
* all kinds (of ...) (colloq.): much (...), many (...) >Let Baxter pay. He’s got all kinds of money. >No more ice cream for me—I still got all kinds left.
* all [s/one] needs (colloq., sarc.): exactly what [s/one] does not need, what is very detrimental or inconvenient for [s/one] >All I need is for your mother to come for a visit right now! >Cream pie? That’s all he needs when he’s on his diet!
* all over [s/one] (sl.): making sustained physical contact with [s/one], touching or hitting [s/one] aggressively >As soon as he got her alone in the car, he was all over her. >The guy was all over me before I even got through insultin’ him.
* all sorts (of ...) (colloq.): much (...), many (...) >Let’s go skiing. They say there’s all sorts of snow in the mountains. >Not another necktie! I already got all sorts in my closet.
— as/like all get-out (see GET-OUT)
— be all ears (see EARS)
— be all in (colloq.): be completely committed (to a cause or endeavor) >Don’t worry about Mandy’s support on this—he’s all in.
— be all over but the shouting (colloq.): be virtually finished or won, have an imminent and obvious outcome >They’re leading eight to one with a minute to go—it’s all over but the shouting.
** be all set (colloq.): be ready, be prepared >We’re all set, so start any time you like.
** [neg.] be all there (colloq.): be mentally unbalanced, be somewhat crazy, be feebleminded >That guy’s acting real weird. I’d say he’s not all there.
— be all thumbs (see THUMBS)
— be all wet (see WET)
— for all [one] is worth (colloq.): to the greatest degree that [one] can, (doing) [one’s] best >Jules tried for all he was worth, but only came in fifth.
** go all out (to) (colloq.): proceed with complete determination or all resources (to) (do s/thing) >They went all out to see that we were comfortable. >Jimmy’s going all out because he really wants to win this game.
* go all the way (sl.): have sexual intercourse (not just kiss and caress) >They’ve been datin’ for a while, but I don’t think they’ve gone all the way yet.
— have it all over (see HAVE)
— let it all hang out (see HANG)
— not have all day (see HAVE)
* that’s all she wrote! (sl.): it’s finished! it’s all gone! >It was his last chance. If he blew it, that’s all she wrote! >That’s all she wrote! We just ran outta paint.
ALLEY
* (right) up/down [s/one’s] alley (colloq.): (very) pertinent to [one’s] interests or abilities >He was glad they asked him about sports on the quiz show because it was right up his alley. >Give it to Will. That’s down his alley.
ALL-FIRED
— all-fired (colloq.): extreme, excessive (said esp. of emotions) (also adv.) >His all-fired enthusiasm won’t help if he doesn’t have the know-how. >You don’t have to be so all-fired smug about it.
ALL-NIGHTER
* all-nighter (ôl´nī´tәr) (colloq.): activity that lasts all night >My bachelor party was an all-nighter.
* pull an all-nighter (sl.): remain awake all night (in order to complete a task) >I had to pull an all-nighter last night to get this presentation ready.
ALL-OUT
** all-out (colloq.): using all resources, with complete determination, total >We got to make an all-out effort to win this one.
ALL RIGHT
** all right! (colloq.): hurrah! wonderful! >All right! We’re ahead by ten points!
* all right already! (colloq.): that’s enough! don’t keep going on about it! >All right already! Shut up for a while, will you?
— all right for [s/one]! (colloq.): I’m finished with [s/one]! I will no longer deal favorably with [s/one]! (due to perceived unfairness or mistreatment on his/her part) >All right for you, if you want to be that way! Just don’t expect me to help you.
** be all right (colloq.): be likable, be good, be reliable >I like your friends. They’re all right. >Hey, this party’s all right.
ALL-RIGHT
* all-right (colloq.): likable, good, reliable >I guess it’s an all-right school, but it ain’t Harvard. >His brothers are all-right guys.
ALL RIGHTY
— all righty (... rī´tē) (interj.) (colloq.): all right, yes, very well >All righty, I’ll take care of that right away.
ALONG
— along about (colloq.): approximately (a point in time) >Along about then, the phone rang.
** far along (colloq.): advanced, having made considerable progress >Terry’s pretty far along in his studies now. >How far along are you on your building project?
— get along (colloq.): leave, move on >My, it’s late! I’d better be getting along.
* (just) along for the ride (colloq.): present without participating, having joined in without contributing >We don’t want anybody in this organization who’s just along for the ride—everyone’s got to help out.
* will be along (colloq.): will arrive, will appear >Jon said he’d be along about six.
ALONGSIDE
— alongside (of) (colloq.): when compared to, in comparison with >He’s a good player, but alongside the pros he’s nothing.
ALREADY
* ... already! (colloq.): ... without further delay! (used to express impatience or frustration) >So get to the point already!
AMBULANCE CHASER
— ambulance chaser (colloq.): unscrupulous lawyer (esp. one who urges victims to file suits) >Some ambulance chaser talked her into letting him take the driver to court.
AMMO
* ammo (am´ō) (colloq.): ammunition >They surrendered when they ran out of ammo. >His opponent used the scandal as ammo against him during the campaign.
ANAL
— anal (sl., freq. vulg.): overly concerned about formality and proper procedure, extremely fastidious or meticulous >Don’t be so anal! What does it matter if the towels don’t match the bathmat?
AND
— and ... (see entry under ... word)
ANDS
— no ifs, ands, or buts (about it) (see IFS)
ANGEL DUST
* angel dust (sl.): phencyclidine (hallucinogenic drug) >The dude was so high on angel dust that it took six cops to hold him down.
ANGLE
* angle (sl.): personal or secret motive, sly strategy to gain advantage >What’s his angle in this business? >I got an angle on how to get a few bucks from these tourists.
ANIMAL
* animal (colloq.): thing (used esp. when questioning or denying its existence) >A seven-piston engine? I don’t think there is any such animal.
ANNIHILATE
* annihilate (vt) (sl.): defeat decisively >The Rockets got annihilated in last night’s game.
ANOTHER
** have another thing/think coming (colloq.): will experience s/thing other (and neg.) than what (one) expects >If he thinks I’m just going to give up and not fight back, he’s got another thing coming.
ANTE
— ante (colloq.): cost of participation, share of expenses >That’s a pretty high ante for a two-day fishing trip.
— ante up (vi, vt): pay (for the cost of participation or one’s share of expenses) >OK, everyone ante up so we can rent the boat. >I anted up my ten bucks, so I get to go, too.
— up the ante (see UP)
ANTS
* have ants in [one’s] pants (sl.): be overly eager, be impatient (to begin s/thing) >He’s got ants in his pants to get to the slopes and start skiin’.
ANTSY
* antsy (ant´sē) (colloq.): nervous, fidgety, impatient >I’m getting antsy about the job interview. >We’re antsy to get started.
A-NUMBER-ONE
— A-number-one (colloq.): excellent, first-rate >He’s an A-number-one guy for this kind of job.
ANY
* any old (freq. ... ōl) (colloq.): any (without regard to quality or type) >Any old pan will do to heat this up. >Ask me any old question you want. >Do it any old way you can.
— give [s/one] [s/thing] any day (see GIVE)
ANYTHING
— (as) ... as anything (colloq.): very ..., extremely ... >He was as mean as anything to his kids when they were little.
— like anything (colloq.): to the utmost degree, intensely, wholeheartedly >We tried like anything to get him to see it our way, but he wouldn’t. >It was raining like anything when we left.
A-O.K.
* A-O.K. (colloq.): very good, excellent (also adv.) >This room we rented is A-O.K. >I feel A-O.K. now.
A-ONE
* A-one (colloq.): excellent, first-rate >They do A-one work at that garage.
APART
* come apart at the seams (colloq.): become overwrought, lose emotional control >He was under so much stress that he just came apart at the seams.
* coming apart at the seams (colloq.): in a ruinous state, deteriorating badly >We got to move. This apartment’s coming apart at the seams.
— fall apart (see FALL)
* rip/take/tear apart (vt) (sl.): criticize severely >The critics ripped him apart in that film. >The poor slob’s old lady really tore him apart in front of everyone.
— take/tear apart (vt) (sl.): beat up, thrash >You try messin’ with my kids, and I’ll take you apart.
APE
* ape (colloq.): big and clumsy person, coarse person >She came in with some ape who started busting up the place.
* go ape (over)1 (sl.): become very enthusiastic (about), show favorable excitement (toward) >Her fans went ape over her new hit.
— go ape (over)2 (sl.): lose emotional control (because of), become very excited or furious (about) >When he got the bill for all their new clothes, he went ape.
APE SHIT
— go ape shit (over)1 (... āp´shit ...) (vulg.): lose emotional control (because of), become very excited or furious (about) >They went ape shit when the beer ran out and started trashin’ the place.
— go ape shit (over)2 (vulg.): become very enthusiastic (about), show favorable excitement (toward) >When the girls see these new shoes, they’re gonna go absolutely ape shit over ‘em.
APPLE-POLISH
— apple-polish (vi) (colloq.): be servile or obsequious to gain favor, engage in flattery >He apple-polished his way to the top. >I can’t stand his apple-polishing around the boss.
APPLE-POLISHER
— apple-polisher (colloq.): person who is servile or obsequious to gain favor, servile flatterer >He’s always got a bunch of yes-men and apple-polishers around him.
APPLES
— how do you like them apples? (see THEM)
APRON STRINGS
— tied to [s/one’s] apron strings (see TIED)
ARE
— there you go/are (see THERE)
ARM
** an arm and a leg (colloq.): a large amount of money (seen as a sacrifice to pay) >This place cost me an arm and a leg, but it’s worth it.
— shot in the arm (see SHOT)
— twist [s/one’s] arm (see TWIST)
— would give [one’s] right arm (see GIVE)
ARMPIT
— the armpit of (sl.): the worst place in, the most unpleasant part of >This lousy town’s the armpit of the state.
AROUND
** around (colloq.): near, close to (also adv.) >We ran out of gas around Fifth Street. >I’ll be around if you need me.
** get around (vi) (colloq.): become known (said of information) >When it gets around that he’s an ex-convict, he’ll have a hard time getting a job.
** get around [s/thing] (colloq.): evade or circumvent (an obstacle) >He says he knows how to get around that tax law.
** get around to (colloq.): eventually deal with, find the time to take care of >She finally got around to explaining why she’d come. >I’d like to wash the car today, but I don’t know if I’ll get around to it.
** have been around (colloq.): be experienced in worldly matters, not be naive or innocent >You won’t fool him with that—he’s been around.
* have been around the block (a few times) (sl.): be (very) experienced in worldly matters, not be (at all) naive or innocent >That brassy woman he goes out with has been around the block a few times.
ARTILLERY
— artillery (colloq.): small firearms >You should have seen the artillery the guy was toting—three pistols and a sawed-off shotgun!
ARTIST
— ... artist (sl.): ... expert, person good at (doing)... (esp. s/thing neg.) >They say that playboy’s a real seduction artist. >Don’t trust that ripoff artist.
ARTSY-FARTSY
— artsy-fartsy (ärt´sē färt´sē) (sl., sarc., freq. vulg.): pretentious, showy, pseudosophisticated (said of artistic efforts) >She wants to go to some artsy-fartsy exhibit of ceramic plants.
AS
— as/like all get-out (see GET-OUT)
— as if! (sl.): that’s not going to happen, it’s ridiculous to think that could be >That dummy thinks he can get into Harvard. Ha! As if!
** as is (colloq.): in its present condition, without improvements made >I’ll sell you the car for eight hundred bucks as is.
A.S.A.P.
** A.S.A.P. (= “as soon as possible”) (colloq.): as soon as possible, right away >Text me that info A.S.A.P., all right?
ASK
** ask for it (colloq.): invite trouble, behave as to risk punishment, court danger >You’d better shut up. You’re asking for it. >He was asking for it by driving drunk.
* ask out (vt) (colloq.): invite (s/one) out on a date >He’d like to ask Tricia out, but he’s afraid she’ll turn him down.
** if you ask [s/one] (colloq.): in [s/one’s] opinion >If you ask me, it’ll never work.
ASS
** ass1 (vulg.): buttocks, rump, anus, rectum >He fell on his ass. >The nurse stuck a thermometer up his ass.
* ass2 (vulg., pej.): woman or women (seen as sex object[s]) >He said there was a lot of nice ass at the dance.
* ass3 (vulg.): sexual intercourse (with a woman) (freq. used with some or any) >He finally got some ass last night.
** [one’s] ass (vulg.): [one]self, [one] (esp. when seen as troublesome or contemptible) >Hey, get your ass over here right now! >I’m gonna beat his ass this time.
— [for one’s] ass [to be] in a sling (vulg.): [for one to be] in serious trouble >He’s got his ass in a sling because he didn’t declare a bunch of income to the I.R.S.
— [one’s] ass is grass (vulg.): [one] is doomed, [one] is sure to get hurt or be punished >Your ass is grass if they catch ya.
* ... [one’s] ass off (vulg.): ... with maximum effort or sacrifice, ... to the utmost >Beth worked her ass off to get where she is today. >I danced my ass off last night.
* be [s/one’s] ass (vulg.): [s/one] is subject to punishment, [s/one] must pay the consequences >Remember, if anything goes wrong, it’s your ass.
— be no skin off [s/one’s] ass (see SKIN)
— blow it out your ass/asshole! (see BLOW)
— bust/break [one’s] ass (see BUST)
— cover [one’s] ass (see COVER)
— drag [one’s] ass (see DRAG)
— fall flat on [one’s] ass (see FALL)
— get [one’s] ass handed to [one] (vulg.): suffer a decisive defeat >If he tries to take on the champ he’ll get his ass handed to him.
* get off [one’s] ass (vulg.): stop being lazy, start moving or working >If he’d just get off his ass he could make something of himself.
— give a rat’s ass (see RAT’S)
— have a burr up [one’s] ass/butt (see BURR)
— haul ass (see HAUL)
— have [s/one’s] ass (vulg.): punish or hurt [s/one] severely, take revenge on [s/one] >If he crosses me, I’ll have his ass.
— (have) ... coming out (of) [one’s] ass (see COMING)
— have ... up the ass (vulg.): have an abundance of ..., have ... in large supply >They got four-wheel-drive trucks up the ass at that dealership.
— kick [s/one’s] ass (see KICK)
— kick (some) ass (see KICK)
— kiss ([s/one’s]) ass (see KISS)
— kiss my ass! (see KISS)
— my ass! (see MY)
— not know/can’t tell [one’s] ass from a hole in the ground (see KNOW)
* off [s/one’s] ass (vulg.): no longer putting pressure on [s/one], no longer being critical of [s/one] (cf. “on [s/one’s] ASS”) >Let’s just pay the bill! I want ‘em off my ass about it.
* on [s/one’s] ass (vulg.): putting pressure on [s/one], being critical of [s/one] (cf. “off [s/one’s] ASS”) >The media’s sure been on his ass since the scandal broke.
— out on [one’s] ass (see OUT)
— pain in the ass (see PAIN)
— piece of ass (see PIECE)
— pull [s/thing] out of [one’s] ass (see PULL)
— [one’s] sorry ass (vulg.): [one]self, [one] (esp. when seen as very troublesome or contemptible) >I’m gonna sue his sorry ass for all he’s worth. >Hey, get your sorry ass up outta that chair and help me out here.
— (tell [s/one] to take [his/her s/thing] and) shove/stick it up [his/her] ass (see SHOVE)
* up to [one’s] ass in (vulg.): having an abundance or excess of, very occupied with >Poor Eric’s up to his ass in irate customers.
* up your ass! (vulg.): (interj. to express great anger or contempt to s/one) >Up your ass, you idiot!
— you (can) bet your ass (see BET)
ASSBACKWARDS
* assbackwards (as´bak´wәrdz) (sl., freq. vulg.): backwards, in reversed order, confused (cf. “BASSACKWARDS”) >No, you got it assbackwards—the washer goes on first, then the nut.
ASSHOLE
** asshole1 (vulg.): contemptible or reprehensible person, stupid person (also adj., also voc.) >That asshole just kicked his dog for no reason. >I don’t wanna have anything to do with you or your asshole friends. >You really screwed up this time, asshole.
— asshole2 (vulg.): anus >They fixed his asshole and got rid of his hemorrhoids.
— blow it out your ass/asshole! (see BLOW)
— rip/tear [s/one] a new asshole (see RIP)
ASS-KICKING
— ass-kicking (vulg.): decisive beating, disciplinary action, punishment >If anyone screws up, there’s gonna be some serious ass-kickin’ around here.
ASS-KISSER
— ass-kisser (vulg.): person who is servile or obsequious to gain favor, adulator, servile flatterer >Everyone in the office hates Kevin. He’s such an ass-kisser.
ASS-KISSING
— ass-kissing (vulg.): servility or obsequiousness to gain favor, adulation, flattery to gain favor >The supervisor wants hard work from the employees, not ass-kissin’.
ASSWIPE
— asswipe (as´wīp) (vulg.): contemptible or reprehensible person, stupid person (also adj., also voc.) >That asswipe better watch out, or he’ll end up with a bloody nose. >Your asswipe brother just screwed up our plans. >Stay outta my way, asswipe!
AT
— where it’s at (see WHERE)
ATTABOY
* attaboy! (at´ә boi´) (colloq.): you’re doing very well! keep it up! hurrah for you! congratulations! (said to a male) >Attaboy! Nice shot you made!
ATTACHED
— strings (attached) (see STRINGS)
ATTACK
* ... attack (colloq.): sudden craving or desire for ... >I got a pizza attack at midnight and called for one to be delivered.
ATTAGIRL
— attagirl! (at´ә gûrl´) (colloq.): you’re doing very well! keep it up! hurrah for you! congratulations! (said to a female) >You got the scholarship? Attagirl!
ATTITUDE
** attitude (sl.): bad attitude, hostility, uncooperativeness >Boy, does that stupid jerk have an attitude! >Get rid of that attitude, or you’ll get thrown off the team.
AUSSIE
— Aussie (ô´sē) (colloq.): Australian >Those Aussies sure do like racing.
AVOID
* avoid [s/one, s/thing] like the plague (sl.): avoid [s/one, s/thing] at all costs, do everything (one) can to avoid [s/one, s/thing] >What did I do to Bucky? He’s been avoidin’ me like the plague. >She’s a recovering alcoholic who avoids liquor like the plague.
AW
* aw! (ô) (colloq.): (interj. to express irritation, disappointment, or sympathy) >Aw! Why’d he go and do that? >Aw, that’s too bad!
AWAY
— get away with (see GET)
— get away with murder (see GET)
— put away (see PUT)
AWESOME
** awesome (sl.): impressive, excellent >That dude’s got, like, an awesome motorcycle. >Ya got a hundred-dollar raise at work?! Awesome!
AWFUL
* awful (colloq.): very, extremely >Herb’s an awful nice guy.
— something awful (colloq.): awfully, badly >What’s with Billy? He’s been acting something awful lately.
A-WHISTLING
— you just ain’t (a-)whistlin’ Dixie! (see WHISTLING)
AX
* get the ax (colloq.): be fired, be abruptly dismissed >They caught him padding his expense account, and he got the ax.
* give [s/one] the ax (colloq.): fire [s/one], abruptly dismiss [s/one] >If Swensen doesn’t start doing a better job, we’ll have to give him the ax.