MA
** ma (mä) (colloq.): mother (also voc.) >I’ll ask my ma if it’s OK. >Let me give you a hand there, Ma.
MAC
— Mac (mak) (voc.) (colloq.): friend, mister (used esp. with a male stranger) >Say, Mac, you got a cigarette?
MAD
— (as) mad as a hornet (colloq.): very angry >Zelda’s dad was as mad as a hornet when he found out she’d been seeing that rock musician.
— (as) mad as a wet hen (colloq.): very angry >Roxy got mad as a wet hen when she saw the dent in her car.
— hopping mad (see HOPPING)
* like mad (colloq.): wholeheartedly, to the utmost degree, intensely >When I drove by they were yelling like mad to get someone’s attention. >It’s been snowing like mad in the mountains.
— mad about (colloq.): wildly enthusiastic about, very fond of >I’m mad about her, but she doesn’t love me.
MADAM
— madam (colloq.): woman who manages a house of prostitution >She was the madam of some high-class whorehouse in Nevada.
MADE
** have it made (colloq.): be assured of success, be in a thoroughly positive situation >If he gets that job, he’s got it made.
* have it made in the shade (sl.): be assured of success, be in a thoroughly positive situation >I’ll have it made in the shade if I get in good with the boss.
MADHOUSE
* madhouse (colloq.): disorderly or noisy place or event >The shopping center is a madhouse right before Christmas.
MAD MONEY
— mad money (colloq.): sum of discretional funds for unexpected expenses or impulse purchases >I’m going to use my mad money and buy that coat.
MAG
— mag (mag) (sl.): magnesium-alloy automobile wheel >He took off the stock wheels and put on some expensive mags.
MAIN
— main (sl.): favorite, most loved or admired >Roland’s my main man in this here group.
— [one’s] (main) squeeze (see SQUEEZE)
MAIN DRAG
* main drag (sl.): main street (of a city or town) >We stopped at a motel on the main drag.
MAINLINE
— mainline (vt) (sl.): inject (a drug, esp. heroin) directly into a vein >He used to just snort a little cocaine, but now he’s into mainlinin’ heroin.
MAJOR
* major (sl.): substantive, significant, of consequence >This isn’t a small-time deal—we’re talkin’ major bucks here.
MAKE
* make1 (sl.): identification, act of recognizing >The cops got a make on one of the holdup men.
* make2 (vt) (colloq.): gain the position of, gain a position on >He made full professor by the time he was thirty-seven. >Did you make the team?
— make3 (vt) (sl., freq. vulg.): have sex with, seduce into sex >He says he made her last night after they got to his apartment.
— make4 (vt) (sl.): recognize, identify (esp. to the detriment of the person recognized) >The captain had him workin’ undercover till some drug dealer made him.
* (go ahead,) make my day! (sl., sarc.): do that and I will punish you! I will take pleasure in hurting you if you try what you threaten! >Ya wanna fight me? Go ahead, make my day!
— make (a/the/[one’s]) ... (see entry under ... noun)
— make for (colloq.): escape toward, head for >I made for the exit when I smelled smoke.
** make it1 (colloq.): arrive, appear, reach (a place) >Try to make it to our party Saturday. >Think we can make it to Phoenix before dark?
** make it2 (colloq.): succeed, attain (one’s) goal, arrive (at a position) >I hope their new business makes it. >He wanted to win the trophy, and he made it. >I think she’ll make it to president of the company.
— make it hot for (see HOT)
— make it snappy (see SNAPPY)
— make it (with) (sl., freq. vulg.): have sex (with) >I’d like to make it with that cute chick. >Hey, honey, come back to my place with me and let’s make it!
— make like (sl.): imitate, pretend (that) >Make like a movie star and pose for the camera. >I made like I was a real expert on the law, and he believed it.
— make nice (see NICE)
— make no bones about (see BONES)
— [neg.] make no never mind (see NEVER)
* make out1 (vi) (colloq.): fare, do fairly well, succeed >How did you make out at the interview? >We’ll make out all right if we can keep expenses down a little.
* make out2 (vi) (colloq.): kiss, caress (one another) (esp. sexually) >They were making out in the backseat when her old man caught them.
— make out like a bandit (see BANDIT)
— make [oneself] scarce (see SCARCE)
— make quick work of (see QUICK)
* make something (out) of (colloq.): start a fight or argument over, use as a motive for fighting >You heard what I said. You want to make something out of it?
* on the make1 (sl.): trying to make romantic or sexual conquests, trying to make a seduction >That singles bar’s full of guys on the make.
— on the make2 (colloq.): trying to improve (one’s) social or financial position (esp. in a selfish way) >Watch out for young executives on the make.
— put the make on (sl.): attempt to make a romantic or sexual conquest of, try to seduce >Look at Bret puttin’ the make on that babe.
MAKES
— what makes [s/one] tick (see TICK)
MALARKEY
— malarkey (mә lär´kē) (colloq.): misleading or untrue statements or information, exaggeration, nonsense >That business about him being a professional golfer is a bunch of malarkey.
MALE CHAUVINIST PIG
* male chauvinist pig (sl., pej.): male chauvinist, man who disparages women because he believes them to be inferior >You wouldn’t believe how that male chauvinist pig puts women down!
MAMA
* mama1 (mä´mә) (colloq.): mother (also voc.) >Your mama’s a nice lady. >Don’t let them push you around, Mama!
— mama2 (sl., freq. pej.): woman (esp. a good-looking or sexually attractive one) (also voc.) >Man, look at that sweet mama at the next table! >Hey, mama, let’s dance!
MAMA’S BOY
* mama’s boy (mä´mәz ...) (colloq.): man or boy who is overly dependent on his mother, sissy >He’s a mama’s boy who can’t make a decision on his own.
MAMMA
— mamma (see “MAMA”)
MAN
** man (voc.) (colloq.): mister, friend >Hey, man, watch where you’re going, will you?
— [s/one] (is) the man! (man stressed) (sl.): [s/one] is the best! (a man), [s/one’s] performance is/was extraordinary! (a man's) >A perfect score! You the man! >No one can beat Arnie. He’s the man!
— man alive! (sl): (interj. to express surprise or wonder): >Man alive! That guy can really run fast!
* [one’s] old man1 (sl., freq. pej.): [one’s] father >My old man got laid off at work, so I gotta find a job to help the family out.
* [one’s] old man2 (sl., freq. pej.): [one’s] husband or boyfriend >Her old man won’t give her enough money to pay all the bills.
** man! (colloq.): (interj. to express surprise, wonder, or disappointment) >Man! What a play! >Man! I just got this suit cleaned and now look at it!
* ... man (colloq.): man esp. attracted to (a part of a woman’s body) >Wes is a leg man, but I’m more of an ass man myself.
— [one’s] man (sl.): [one’s] friend, [one’s] chum >Meet Johnny—he’s my man.
— man up (vi) (sl.): (for a man to) react in a mature and responsible way, (for a man to) show masculine bravery or fortitude >Hey, Sammy, it’s time for you to man up and fix this mess you caused.
— the man (sl.): the authorities, person or people in control, police (esp. when seen as oppressive) >The man raised the rent on us again last month. >When the man tells ya to halt, you better do it.
— the Man upstairs (colloq.): God >I was real sick, but I guess the Man upstairs decided it wasn’t my time to die.
— the old man (colloq.): the commanding officer, the boss, the man in authority >We got to get the old man to approve this first.
MAN CAVE
— man cave (sl.): room in a residence used for men’s entertainment and relaxation >Him and his buddies spend a lot of time in his man cave drinkin’ beer and watchin’ sports on TV.
MAN-SIZE
— man-size(d) (colloq.): large, substantive >He needs a man-sized steak for his man-sized hunger.
MANSPLAIN
— mansplain (man´splān´) (vt) (sl.): (for a male to) explain (s/thing) in a patronizing way (esp. to a female) >Troy was mansplainin’ the rules to us like we were just some dumb girls.
MAP
— put on the map (see PUT)
MARBLES
— marbles (sl.): assets put into play, goods or valuables at risk >When Hilliard saw the deal was about to go bad he pulled all his marbles out. >If they get the upper hand, they win all the marbles.
— [neg.] have all [one’s] marbles (sl.): be somewhat crazy, think irrationally >When I see the way Cal’s been actin’, I don’t think he’s got all his marbles.
— lose (all) [one’s] marbles (see LOSE)
MARK
— mark (sl.): intended victim of a swindle or theft >The pickpocket spotted his mark and started toward him.
MARY JANE
— Mary Jane (mâ´rē jān´) (sl.): marijuana >He scored a little Mary Jane from a dealer he knows.
MASHER
— masher (sl., dtd.): man who makes unwanted sexual advances toward a woman >Mildred had to slap that masher in the face to make him stop.
MASSACRE
— massacre1 (sl.): decisive defeat (esp. in sports) >The game was a massacre, forty-nine to nothin’.
* massacre2 (vt) (sl.): defeat decisively (esp. in sports) >The home team got massacred last night.
MATH
— do the math (colloq.): figure (s/thing) out, examine the facts >If you do the math you’ll see that his scheme just won’t work.
MAX
** max (maks) (sl.): maximum, at the most (also adv.) >The max I’ll pay is two hundred bucks. >He can lift three hundred pounds max.
* max out (vi, vt) (sl.): reach the maximum limit (on), be able to do or endure no more (with) >She’s already maxed out all her credit cards. >I maxed out after studyin’ six hours straight.
— ... to the max (sl.): totally ..., ... in the extreme >That horror movie was gross to the max.
MAYO
* mayo (mā´ō) (colloq.): mayonnaise >You want that sandwich with mustard or mayo?
M.C.
— M.C. (see “EMCEE”)
MCCOY
— the real McCoy (... mә koi´) (colloq.): the genuine thing, the authentic article >It sure looks like a diamond, but it’s not the real McCoy.
ME
— me time (colloq.): time dedicated to [one’s] own enjoyment or relaxation >Gladys needs a little me time after the rough week she’s had.
MEAL TICKET
— meal ticket (colloq.): means of support or financial security >Leona doesn’t love him—she just married him as her meal ticket. >He doesn’t field so good. His hitting’s his meal ticket.
MEAN
* a mean ... (sl.): an excellent ..., (a) ... (done) skillfully or impressively >That Texan makes a mean chili. >He plays a mean saxophone.
— I mean … (colloq.): uh ... (crutch phrase to fill a pause or introduce s/thing hard to express) > They could have made another choice, I mean it wasn’t the only model available.
— mean business (see BUSINESS)
MEANIE
— meanie (see “MEANY”)
MEANY
— meany (mē´nē) (colloq.): mean or unkind person (used esp. with children) >Don’t let that meany hit you!
MEASLY
* measly (mē´zlē) (colloq.): contemptibly small or inferior >You expect me to work for a measly eight bucks an hour? >That measly little kid isn’t going to make it as a lumberjack.
MEAT
— meat (vulg., pej.): woman or women (seen as sex object[s]) >He said he was tired of her and wanted some fresh meat.
— beat [one’s] meat (see BEAT)
— [one’s] meat (vulg.): [one’s] penis >He pulled out his meat and took a leak.
MEATHEAD
— meathead (sl.): stupid or inept person, fool >That meathead flunked another test.
MEAT HOOK
— meat hook (sl.): hand (esp. when seen as neg.), fist >Keep your meat hooks off her! >You get hit by one of them meat hooks and you’re out.
MEAT MARKET
— meat market (sl.): place where (one) seeks sex partners (esp. a bar or nightclub) >I got tired of goin’ to singles bars—they’re nothin’ but meat markets.
MED
— med (med) (colloq.): medical >I hear he got into med school. >She’s a fourth-year med student.
MEDS
— meds (medz) (colloq.): medications >He’s OK as long as he takes his meds.
MEGABUCKS
* megabucks (meg´ә buks´) (sl.): a very large amount of money >That development project’s gonna cost megabucks.
MEGASTAR
— megastar (meg´ә stär´) (sl.): very popular or successful entertainer >He dreamed of bein’ a megastar even when he was actin’ in school plays.
MEH
— meh (me) (colloq.): (it is/was) mediocre, (it is/was) nothing special, (it is/was) just so-so >What I think of his new movie? Meh.
MELLOW
* mellow out (vi, vt) (sl.): relax (s/one), get rid of (one’s, s/one’s) tension or worry, become/make less contentious >He needs to take a vacation and mellow out a little. >She’s mellowed him out a lot since they’ve been married.
MELONS
— melons (sl., freq. vulg.): (woman’s) large breasts >He says she’s really got a pair of melons on her.
MENTAL
— mental (colloq.): mentally unstable, crazy >The way that guy stares at people I’d say he’s mental.
MENTION
** don’t mention it (colloq.): you’re welcome >Don’t mention it—I was glad to help..
MERCH
— merch (mûrch) (colloq.): merchandise (esp. related to a group or activity) >They were selling a bunch of the band’s merch outside the arena.
MESS
* mess (colloq.): traumatized or neurotic person, anxiety-ridden person >She’s been a real mess since her husband left her.
* a mess (of ...) (colloq.): much (...), many (...) >I got a mess of bills to pay. >The boss says we have a mess of work to finish by tonight. >I don’t want any more forms—I got a mess to fill out already.
** mess around (vi) (colloq.): pass time idly, work halfheartedly or unproductively >Hey, we’re not paying you guys to mess around, so get to work!
* mess around (with) (colloq.): be sexually involved (with) (esp. illicitly), be sexually promiscuous (with) >I hear she’s messing around with her husband’s partner. >She divorced him because he was messing around on her.
* mess (around) with (colloq.): treat without due respect or seriousness, handle capriciously, toy with >You mess around with that bad dude and you’ll be sorry. >I don’t want anybody messing with my things.
** mess up1 (vi) (colloq.): make a mistake, botch things up >They’ll fire anyone that messes up.
* mess up2 (vt) (colloq.): botch, ruin, spoil >Brad messed up our surprise by telling all his friends.
* mess up3 (vt) (colloq.): injure, severely beat, hurt >He messed up his knees playing football. >They grabbed him and really messed him up. >This delay is going to mess us up.
* mess up4 (vt) (colloq.): traumatize, create anxiety in, make neurotic >He’s been real messed up ever since his divorce. >That rape messed her up bad.
MESSAGE
* get the message (colloq.): understand, catch the meaning (esp. through inference, esp. when the message is neg.) >Don’t return Leon’s calls and he’ll get the message that you’re not interested.
MESS-UP
* mess-up (colloq.): mistake, blunder, botch >One more mess-up and you’re out of this company! >There was a schedule mess-up, so they’ll be late.
METAL
— put the pedal to the metal (see PEDAL)
MEXICAN
— Mexican standoff (colloq., freq. pej.): confrontation that cannot be won by either side, standoff, impasse >It was a Mexican standoff, so they both just backed away.
MIC
— mic (see “MIKE”)
MICKEY MOUSE
* mickey mouse (mik´ē ...) (colloq.): overly simple, trivial, inferior, worthless >He’s been taking a lot of mickey mouse courses just to improve his grade point average. >I don’t want this mickey mouse saw! Give me your best heavy-duty one.
MIDDLE
* the middle of nowhere (colloq.): a remote or isolated place >What do you guys do for fun living out there in the middle of nowhere?
MIDDLE LEG
— middle leg (vulg.): penis >He got his middle leg caught in the zipper.
MIDDLE NAME
* ... is [s/one’s] middle name (colloq.): [s/one] is very talented in or knowledgeable about ... >Ask Morris about that exemption—tax law is his middle name.
MIDDLING
— fair to middling (see FAIR)
MIDTERM
** midterm (colloq.): examination given in the middle of a school term >Lonny didn’t do so good on his midterms, so he’s hitting the books for his finals.
MIGHTY
* mighty (colloq.): very, extremely >That plan sounds mighty dangerous to me!
MIKE
** mike (mīk) (colloq.): microphone >Speak right into the mike, please.
MIL
— mil (mil) (sl.): million dollars >His new movie took in over twelve mil the first week it played.
MILE
— a mile a minute (colloq.): very fast (esp. in speaking) >She was so excited she was talking a mile a minute.
— go the extra mile (see EXTRA)
— stick out a mile (see STICK)
MILEAGE
* get mileage out of (colloq.): get use or advantage from, profit from >The speaker’s gotten a lot of mileage out of that story over the years. >I think I’ve got about all the mileage I’m going to get out of this coat.
MILK RUN
— milk run (sl.): routine trip (esp. on an uneventful, regularly scheduled transport) >I’ll hop on the afternoon milk run and be there this evening.
MILL
* through the mill (colloq.): undergoing a difficult or painful situation >Claire’s really been through the mill with her divorce. >The sergeant is putting the recruits through the mill.
MILLENNIAL
— millennial (mә le´nē әl) (colloq.): person born between 1981 and 1996 in the U.S. >The millennials are really into social networking and multitasking.
MILLION
* like a million dollars/bucks (colloq.): excellent, beautiful, superb (also adv.) >Honey, you look like a million dollars tonight. >This car drives like a million bucks.
— one in a million (see ONE)
* thanks a million! (colloq., freq. sarc.): thank you very much! >Thanks a million! You just sat on my glasses. >Thanks a million for all your help!
MINCEMEAT
— make mincemeat (out) of (... mins´mēt´ ...) (colloq.): defeat decisively, beat thoroughly >You start a fight and he’ll make mincemeat out of you.
MIND
— blow [s/one’s] mind (see BLOW)
— give [s/one] a piece of [one’s] mind (see PIECE)
— have half a mind to (see HALF)
* (I) don’t mind if I do (colloq.): I happily accept (an offer) >Some chocolate chip ice cream? Don’t mind if I do.
— [neg.] make no never mind (see NEVER)
* [one’s] mind in the gutter (colloq.): thinking of obscene or lewd things, having vulgar thoughts >How can you think that about her? Your mind’s in the gutter.
— mind [one’s] Ps and Qs (… pēz … kyūz) (colloq.): behave appropriately >Be sure to mind your Ps and Qs when we’re meeting with the grant committee.
— mind the store (colloq.): attend to business, watch over things (while s/one is away) >Just go and enjoy your vacation—I’ll mind the store.
MIND-BLOWING
— mind-blowing (sl.): astonishing, awesome, very impressive >Watchin’ that huge rocket go up was mind-blowin’!
MIND-BOGGLING
* mind-boggling (mīnd´bog´ling) (colloq.): astounding, awesome, overwhelming >It’s mind-boggling to think how many stars there are in the universe.
MINT
* a mint (colloq.): a very large amount of money >He’s made a mint selling souvenirs to tourists.
MINUTE
— a mile a minute (see MILE)
— would ... in a minute (colloq.): would readily ..., would enthusiastically or unhesitantly ... >If they offered Don the job, he’d take it in a minute.
MIRRORS
— smoke and mirrors (see SMOKE)
MISS
* miss the boat (colloq.): lose an opportunity, not take advantage of an opportunity >You missed the boat by not applying for that grant.
— Mrs./Miss ... (see MRS.)
* not miss a trick (colloq.): be aware of everything that happens, be astute, take advantage of every opportunity >Put Gardner in charge of overseeing the project—he doesn’t miss a trick.
MISSIS
— the missis (see “the MISSUS”)
MISSUS
* the missus (... mis´әz/mis´әs) (colloq.): (one’s) wife, the housewife >Let me talk it over with the missus. >Is the missus home, please?
MISTER
* mister (voc.) (colloq.): sir, man >Hey, mister, you got some loose change you can spare?
— Mister ... (see “MR. ...”)
— Mister Right (see “MR. Right”)
— no more Mister Nice Guy! (see “no more MR. Nice Guy!”)
MITT
— mitt (sl.): hand (esp. when seen as neg.) >Keep your mitts off my things!
MIX
— mix it up (sl.): start fighting, brawl >They mixed it up after one of ‘em called the other a dummy.
MIXED
** mixed up (colloq.): confused, emotionally troubled >The kid’s been real mixed up since his parents divorced.
* mixed up in/with (colloq.): involved in/with (objectionable activity or persons) >He was mixed up in some insurance fraud case out west. >Don’t get mixed up with those hoods.
MOB
** the Mob (colloq.): the Mafia, an organized crime syndicate >They say the Mob had him killed.
MOBILE
— ...mobile (...´mō bēl´) (sl.): automobile used by ...s, automobile of ... quality >Here comes the nerdmobile with a bunch of geeks inside. >Get that junkmobile off the road!
MOBSTER
* mobster (mob´stәr) (colloq.): gangster, mafioso, member of an organized crime syndicate >They finally convicted the mobster on an income tax evasion rap.
MOD
— mod (mod) (colloq.): fashionably modern, in the vanguard of style >She goes for funky, mod clothes.
MOI
— moi?! (mwä) (sl., sarc.): I?! me?! (used facetiously to deny an accusation) >You think I’m happy that jerk lost his job? Moi?!
MOJO
— [one’s] mojo (... mō´jō´) (sl.): [one’s] special talent or appeal >I think Sean’s lost his mojo—he’s struck out with every babe he’s hit on tonight.
MOLE
— mole (sl.): infiltrator and informer, spy >The old man’s got a mole in the front office of his competitor’s firm. >He was a C.I.A. mole in Eastern Europe for years.
MOM
** mom (mom) (colloq.): mother (also voc.) >I think your mom’s nice. >What’s for dinner, Mom?
MOM-AND-POP
— mom-and-pop (mom´әn pop´) (colloq.): owned by a family, small retail (said of a business) >The mom-and-pop stores just can’t compete with the big outfits.
MOMISM
— momism (mom´iz әm) (colloq.): typical expression of advice or concern (spoken by a mother to her children) >“Put on your coat or you’ll catch your death of cold!” is a momism I heard a lot when I was growing up.
MOMMA
— momma (see “MAMA”)
MOMMY
** mommy (mom´ē) (colloq.): mother (used esp. among children) (also voc.) >My mommy says it isn’t nice to call people names. >Read me a story, Mommy!
MONEY
— for [one’s] money (colloq.): in [one’s] opinion, according to [one’s] preference >For my money, they’d be better off forgetting about the lawsuit.
— give [s/one] a run for [his/her] money (see RUN)
* have money to burn (colloq.): have a great deal of money >They can afford that vacation—they’ve got money to burn.
— in the money (colloq.): having gotten a great deal of money, wealthy >He’ll really be in the money if he swings that deal.
* put [one’s] money where [one’s] mouth is (colloq.): take action to prove [one] is sincere in what [one] says >You say you trust him, so put your money where your mouth is and put him in charge.
* (right) on the money (colloq.): precise, at the exact spot, on the dot, accurate (also adv.) >I checked for the correct time, and my watch is right on the money. >The bomb hit right on the money. >Art said he’d get here at noon, and he arrived on the money.
— throw money at (see THROW)
MONEYBAGS
— moneybags (colloq.): very rich person >Some moneybags has been buying up a lot of property near that commercial development.
MONEYGRUBBER
— moneygrubber (mun´ē grub´әr) (colloq.): overly greedy person, person obsessed with gaining money >That moneygrubber’s always scheming to make a buck.
MONEYGRUBBING
— moneygrubbing (mun´ē grub´ing) (colloq.): overly greedy, obsessed with gaining money >Don’t let those moneygrubbing lawyers talk you into anything.
MONIKER
— moniker (mon´i kәr) (sl.): (person’s) name or nickname >His moniker’s Lucky ‘cause he always wins at poker.
MONKEY
* monkey around (vi) (colloq.): pass time idly or playfully, work halfheartedly or unproductively >If you guys would stop your monkeying around we could get some work done around here.
— monkey around (with) (colloq.): be sexually involved (with) (esp. illicitly), be sexually promiscuous (with) >If Hugh finds out you’ve been monkeying around with his sister, you’re in trouble. >Don’t marry him—he likes to monkey around.
* monkey (around) with (colloq.): treat without due respect or seriousness, handle capriciously, toy with >Don’t monkey with your computer if it’s working OK. >I wouldn’t monkey around with the cops if I was you.
— monkey on [one’s] back (sl.): addiction to drugs, severe and persistent personal vice or problem >Cigarettes are a real monkey on his back. >Joel’s got a monkey on his back with that gamblin’ habit of his.
MONKEY BUSINESS
* monkey business (colloq.): deceitful or improper conduct, illicit activity, trickery >Don’t try any monkey business when you’re out with my daughter! >There’s some monkey business going on around here because he always gets the best commissions.
MONKEYS
— more fun than a barrel of monkeys (see FUN)
MONKEY SUIT
— monkey suit (sl.): tuxedo, fancy suit, formal uniform >I hate puttin’ on this monkey suit for some dumb banquet.
MONKEY’S UNCLE
— (well,) I’ll be (a monkey’s uncle)! (see BE)
MONKEY WRENCH
— throw a monkey wrench into (see THROW)
MONO
* mono (mon´ō) (colloq.): infectious mononucleosis >She says she got mono from kissing her boyfriend.
MONSTER
— monster (sl.): very large, gigantic >How can I go to the dance with this monster pimple on my nose?
— create a monster (see CREATE)
MONTEZUMA’S REVENGE
* Montezuma’s revenge (mon´tә zū´mәz ...) (sl.): diarrhea affecting travelers (esp. foreigners in Mexico) >She got a bad case of Montezuma’s revenge in Guadalajara last summer.
MONTH
— a month of Sundays (colloq.): a long time (esp. that s/thing has not recurred) >Why, I haven’t seen Martha in a month of Sundays.
MOOCH
— mooch1 (mūch) (sl.): person who habitually begs or borrows without repaying (esp. small things or amounts) >Don’t let that mooch come along unless she’s got her own money.
* mooch2 (vi, vt) (sl.): obtain free of charge, beg or borrow without repaying (esp. small things or amounts) >People are gettin’ tired of your moochin’. >He always shows up around dinnertime and mooches a meal.
MOOCHER
— moocher (mū´chәr) (sl.): person who habitually begs or borrows without repaying (esp. small things or amounts) >You’d better chip in, too, ‘cause we don’t like moochers.
MOOLA
— moola (mū´lä) (sl.): money >What do ya mean, “ideals”? He’s in it for the moola!
MOOLAH
— moolah (see “MOOLA”)
MOON
* moon (vt) (sl.): bend over and expose the bare buttocks to (as a prank or to show contempt) >He mooned the whole TV audience from a distance while Maclovio was talkin’ in the foreground.
— shoot for the moon (see SHOOT)
MOONLIGHT
** moonlight (vi) (colloq.): work at a second job (esp. at night) >That cop moonlights as a bouncer at a nightclub.
MOONSHINE
— moonshine (sl.): illegally distilled whiskey, homemade liquor >Have a shot of my cousin’s moonshine—it’ll curl your toenails.
MOP
— mop (up)/wipe the floor with (sl.): defeat decisively, beat up >Don’t mess with him—he’ll mop up the floor with ya. >I'll wipe the floor with ya if ya wanna start something.
MORE
— more (...) than you can shake a stick at (colloq.): an abundance (of ...), much (...), many (...) >There are going to be more people than you can shake a stick at lined up to buy tickets for that show. >Sure he’s got money—he’s got more than you can shake a stick at.
— that’s more like it (see THAT’S)
MOSEY
— mosey (on) (over/down/up to) (mō´zē ...) (colloq.): walk in a slow and leisurely manner (to), stroll (to), go on (to) >Let’s mosey over to Red’s and see what’s going on. >Now, you kids mosey on and stop hanging out around here. >I’m going to mosey on down to Pete’s for a visit.
MOST
— the most (sl.): wonderful, the best >I want his autograph—he’s the most!
MOTHER
* mother1 (sl., freq. vulg.): person or thing (esp. seen as large or impressive) >No one on the field can stop that mother today. >How we gonna get this mother loaded on the truck?
* mother2 (sl., freq. vulg.): mean or contemptible person >I’ll make that mother pay for what he did.
— the mother of all ... (colloq.): the largest or most important ... of all >We’re going to have the mother of all beer parties when school’s over.
MOTHERFUCKER
* motherfucker1 (muð´әr fuk´әr) (vulg.): mean or contemptible person (also voc.) >We can’t let that motherfucker get away with stealin’ our stuff. >Watch your mouth, motherfucker!
* motherfucker2 (vulg.): person or thing (esp. seen as troublesome or contemptible) >There’s some motherfucker out there bitchin’ about the food. >Can’t find my wrench. Where’d I put the motherfucker?
MOTHERFUCKING
— motherfucking (muð´әr fuk´ing/muð´әr fuk´en) (vulg.): (intens. to express anger, contempt, or wonder) >I don’t want none of your motherfuckin’ sympathy! >Where ya think you’re motherfuckin’ goin’? >Biggest motherfuckin’ tires I ever saw!
MOTOR-MOUTH
— motor-mouth (sl.): person who constantly talks, compulsive talker >Will ya tell that motor-mouth to shut up for a while?
MOTOWN
— Motown (mō´toun´) (colloq.): Detroit, Michigan >He’s originally from Motown.
MOUNTAIN DEW
— mountain dew (colloq.): illegally distilled corn liquor, homemade liquor >He bought a jug of mountain dew from some old guy back in the hills.
MOUTH
* mouth (colloq.): indiscreet or annoying talk, impudence >Watch your mouth or you’re going to get in trouble. >Just do what I say and don’t give me no mouth!
— [one’s] big (fat) mouth (colloq.): [one’s] mouth (as the cause of overtalkativeness or indiscretion) >My big fat mouth always gets me in trouble. >Don’t open your big mouth or you’ll ruin it for us.
— diarrhea of the mouth (see DIARRHEA)
— down in the mouth (see DOWN)
— foam at the mouth (see FOAM)
** keep [one’s] mouth shut (colloq.): stay quiet, not reveal a secret >Keep your mouth shut or we’ll all get fired.
* mouth off (vi) (sl.): speak forcefully or imposingly, speak impudently or indiscreetly >He’s always gotta mouth off just to get attention. >We don’t wanna hear ya mouthin’ off about our sister.
— put [one’s] foot in [one’s] mouth (see FOOT)
— put [one’s] money where [one’s] mouth is (see MONEY)
— run off at the mouth (see RUN)
— shoot [one’s] mouth off (see SHOOT)
MOUTHFUL
* mouthful1 (colloq.): long word or phrase, difficult word or phrase to pronounce >“Perspicacious periphrasis” is quite a mouthful.
— mouthful2 (colloq.): very perceptive or relevant remark >What he said about Vic’s really working against himself was a mouthful.
MOUTHPIECE
— [one’s] mouthpiece (sl.): [one’s] lawyer or spokesperson >They’ll just send their mouthpiece to court and get a postponement.
MOVE
* move1 (vi) (colloq.): sell well, be commercially popular >This new model’s been moving pretty good.
* move2 (vt) (colloq.): sell (esp. quickly or completely) >We got to move our stock before we take inventory.
* get a move on (colloq.): get underway, begin, hurry (used esp. as a command) >It’s late—let’s get a move on. >Get a move on! We don’t have all day.
* make [one’s] move (colloq.): assert [oneself], take determined action (esp. at an opportune time) >Now’s the time to make your move if you want to get some good property cheap.
* move in on (colloq.): make advances toward controlling (s/thing belonging to another), usurp >The imports were moving in on the children’s toys market.
** move it (sl.): hurry up, begin going fast (used esp. as a command) >Come on, slowpoke, move it! >We’d better move it if we wanna get there on time.
— put a move on (sl.): make a sexual advance toward, make an attempt to seduce >Trent’s thinkin’ about puttin’ a move on that babe over there.
MOVER
— mover (colloq.): important or influential person >He’s a mover in the organization, one of their top execs.
MOVERS
* movers and shakers (colloq.): important or influential people >The movers and shakers want the program, so they’ll get it.
MOVES
— put the moves on (sl.): make sexual advances toward, try to seduce >I can’t believe that nerdy guy’s puttin’ the moves on that beautiful chick.
MOXIE
— moxie (mok´sē) (sl.): nerve, vigor, assertiveness, pluck >If you’ve got the moxie, go right to your boss and complain.
MR.
* Mr. ... (colloq., freq. sarc.): a very ... man or boy >What an ego! He thinks he’s Mr. Perfect. >Boswell is Mr. Clean. No one’s going to come up with anything against him.
* Mr. Right (colloq.): an ideal (male) romantic partner or potential husband >She’s just waiting for Mr. Right to come along.
* no more Mr. Nice Guy! (colloq.): I am going to stop being so agreeable or lenient! I am no longer going to permit myself to be taken advantage of or mistreated! >OK, if they want to play rough with me, then no more Mr. Nice Guy!
MRS.
— Mrs./Miss ... (colloq., freq. sarc.): a very ... woman/girl >He can get away with anything—his wife is Mrs. Understanding. >I’m sure little Miss Know-it-all will explain it to us.
MUCH
— much obliged (see OBLIGED)
— so much for ... (see SO)
— so much/bad I can taste it (see SO)
MUCHO
— mucho (mū´chō) (sl.): much, many, very >He’s got mucho power in this town. >Hazel made mucho bucks on that deal. >The boss is mucho grumpy today.
MUCK
— muck up (muk ...) (vt) (colloq.): botch, ruin, spoil >Somehow that idiot managed to muck up the whole operation in just two weeks.
MUCK-A-MUCK
— muck-a-muck (muk´ә muk´) (sl.): important or influential person >Some muck-a-mucks from headquarters are comin’ down tomorrow to look things over.
MUD
— mud (colloq.): scandalous charges, malicious or defamatory remarks >They threw a lot of mud at each other during the campaign.
— (as) clear as mud (see CLEAR)
— drag through the mud (see DRAG)
— here’s mud in your eye! (sl.): here’s to you! cheers! (said as a toast) >Here’s mud in your eye! Drink up!
— [for s/one’s] name [to] be mud (see NAME)
MUFF
— muff (muf) (vt) (colloq.): botch, bungle, ruin >He muffed the job—we’ll have to do it over.
MUG
— mug1 (colloq.): face >I don’t want to see your mug around here anymore.
** mug2 (vt) (colloq.): assault and rob >The old woman was mugged in the park and had her purse stolen.
— mug3 (vi) (colloq.): exaggerate facial expressions, clown (esp. for an audience or camera) >Settle down and stop mugging for the camera!
MUG SHOT
* mug shot (sl.): police photograph of a criminal’s or arrestee’s face >The victim identified the robber from mug shots.
MUGGER
* mugger (mug´әr) (colloq.): person who assaults and robs others >A mugger attacked him just as he turned the corner.
MULE
— mule (sl.): person who transports illegal substances (esp. drugs) >She’s one of his mules bringin’ heroin into the country.
— (as) stubborn as a mule (see STUBBORN)
MUMBO-JUMBO
— mumbo-jumbo (mum´ bō jum´ bō) (colloq.): confusing or incomprehensible language >We’ll need a lawyer to explain all this legal mumbo-jumbo in the contract. >The ceremony had a bunch of religious mumbo-jumbo I didn’t get.
MUNCHIES
* munchies (mun´chēz) (colloq.): snack foods, snacks >I can’t watch TV without having some munchies like popcorn or pretzels.
* the munchies (sl.): craving for snack foods >Jimmy always gets the munchies about an hour before dinner.
MURDER
* murder1 (sl.): extremely demanding or severe person or thing, arduous or dangerous experience >They say Professor Benson is murder in English lit. >The last three miles of the hike are uphill, and they’re murder. >Joggin’ on concrete is murder on the knees.
* murder2 (vt) (sl.): defeat decisively >Their team ain’t nothin’—we’ll murder ‘em.
— get away with murder (see GET)
— scream bloody murder (see SCREAM)
MURDER ONE
* murder one (colloq.): (criminal charge of) first-degree murder >She’s facing a murder one rap because the killing was premeditated.
MUSCLE
— muscle (sl.): person(s) used to intimidate by force or threat of violence, thug(s), bodyguard(s) >Those big dudes are his muscle—they do his dirty work for him. >If ya need some muscle to deal with that jerk, just let me know.
— muscle ([one’s] way) in(to) (colloq.): enter or participate by forceful or aggressive means >Somehow Kyle muscled his way into the meeting and took it over. >That gang’s trying to muscle in on the rock cocaine market here.
MUSCLEMAN
— muscleman (sl.): person used to intimidate by force or threat of violence, thug, bodyguard >That gorilla is the mafioso’s muscleman—he goes everywhere with him.
MUSH
— mush (colloq.): exaggerated sentimentality, foolish amorousness >Aw, gee, he’s going to kiss her now! Do we have to watch this mush?
MUSHY
— mushy (mush´ē/mŭsh´ē) (colloq.): overly sentimental, foolishly amorous >I hate these mushy good-byes.
MUSIC
— face the music (see FACE)
MUSTARD
— cut the mustard (see CUT)
MUST-SEE
* must-see (colloq.): something that should be seen or attended (because it is good) >His new movie is a must-see. >This house is a must-see in your price range.
MUTT
* mutt (mut) (colloq.): dog (esp. a mongrel, esp. a contemptible one) >Stop that mutt’s barking, will you?
MY
* my ass! (vulg.): not so! in no way! not at all! >A doctor, my ass! He’s a bricklayer.
— my eye! (colloq.): not so! in no way! not at all! >I’ll pay you, my eye! You owe me money!
— my foot! (colloq.): not so! in no way! not at all! >A college graduate, my foot! He dropped out his junior year.
MYSELF
— myself (colloq.): I, me >My boss and myself took care of the shipment. >As for myself, I don’t care for opera.