RABBIT
— rabbit (vi) (sl.): take off quickly, flee >If he sees any cops he’s gonna rabbit.
RACK
— rack (vulg.): (woman’s) breasts (esp. large or shapely ones) >She’s got a nice rack and she knows it.
— rack time (sl.): time spent sleeping, sleep >I’m dead tired. I need some rack time bad.
* rack up1 (vt) (colloq.): accumulate (points, money, etc.) >I’ve racked up a lot of miles in this old truck. >How much money have you racked up working for commissions on sales?
— rack up2 (vt) (sl.): wreck, smash, ruin >Joey racked up his motorcycle and darn near got killed. >He racked his knee up bad playin’ football.
— the rack (sl.): bed, place for sleeping >It’s after ten—ya gonna stay in the rack all day?
RACKET
* racket1 (colloq.): easy way to make money (esp. unscrupulously) >They had some telephone sales racket, but the feds shut them down. >He’s got a nice racket going, with a twenty percent profit guaranteed.
* racket2 (sl.): business or occupation >I’m in sales—what’s your racket? >The real estate racket is tougher than it looks.
RAD
— rad (rad) (= “radical”) (sl.): wonderful, extraordinary >That band put out this really rad new album.
RADAR
— on [s/one’s] radar (colloq.): (for s/one to be) alert to or suspicious of >They think that character is smugglin’ drugs. He’s been on the cops’ radar for a long time.
RAG
— rag (colloq.): contemptible or inferior newspaper or magazine >Why do you read that gossip rag?
— chew the rag (see CHEW)
— on the rag (vulg.): menstruating, having (one’s) menstrual period >She told the guy she was on the rag so he’d stop botherin’ her.
* rag (on) [s/one] (sl.): complain to [s/one], pressure or criticize [s/one] >My old lady’s always raggin’ on me about my schoolwork. >Don’t let ‘em rag ya about how ya wear your hair.
RAGGED
— run [s/one] ragged (see RUN)
RAGGEDY-ASS
— raggedy-ass (sl., freq. vulg.): inferior, shoddy, run-down >Why don’t ya get outta this raggedy-ass apartment and find yourself a nicer place?
RAGS
— rags (sl.): clothes >Nice rags you’re wearin’!
RAH-RAH
— rah-rah (rä´rä´) (colloq., freq. sarc.): enthusiastically supportive, enthusiastic >I can’t stand their rah-rah attitude about the company.
RAILROAD
* railroad1 (vt) (colloq.): hastily and forcefully promote and gain approval of (a law or measure) (esp. despite opposition) >The senator tried to railroad the bill through congress at the end of a long session.
— railroad2 (vt) (colloq.): convict hastily or without a fair trial >I tell you, I didn’t know they were going to rob the store—don’t try to railroad me.
* railroad [s/one] (into) (colloq.): force or pressure [s/one] (into) (esp. hastily) >I won’t be railroaded into signing the petition till I’ve read it carefully. >He didn’t want to retire, but they railroaded him by threatening to tie up his pension.
RAILS
— go/be off the rails (colloq.): start behaving/behave very irrationally, begin acting/act in a delusional way >I think he’s gone off the rails with these crazy proposals he’s come up with. >She’s been off the rails ever since her husband left her.
RAIN
— (as) right as rain (see RIGHT)
* rain cats and dogs (colloq.): rain heavily >It was raining cats and dogs when the lightning struck.
— rain on [s/one’s] parade (sl.): spoil [s/one’s] special occasion, ruin [s/one’s] good situation >I hate to rain on your parade, but you’ll have to cancel your plans.
RAIN CHECK
** rain check (colloq.): promise to renew an invitation (to an event that is canceled or that cannot be attended) >We already have plans for Saturday. Can we take a rain check for dinner? >I’ve got to call off the fishing trip for this weekend, but I’ll give you a rain check.
RAISE
— raise (a/the) ... (see entry under ... noun)
RAKE
* rake in (vt) (colloq.): take in or gain in abundance (esp. money) >I hear Cindy’s really raking in the dough with her new job.
— rake [s/one] over the coals (colloq.): criticize or reprimand [s/one] severely >They raked her over the coals for being such a snob. >I got raked over the coals for something that wasn’t even my fault.
RAM
— shove/ram [s/thing] down [s/one’s] throat (see SHOVE)
R. AND B.
* R. and B. (colloq.): rhythm and blues music (also adj.) >He likes R. and B. more than jazz. >He was an R. and B. legend.
R. AND R.
* R. and R. (colloq.): rest and recuperation, short vacation, break >We’re all going to need a little R. and R. after we finish this huge project.
RANG
— you rang? (sl.): did you call me? I heard you state a need that I can fill >You rang? I’m right here. >You rang? I’m in that very business.
RANK
* pull rank (on) (colloq.): impose (one’s) greater authority (over), get (one’s) way by asserting (one’s) superior position (over) >The dean finally had to pull rank on the prof and make him apologize to the student.
RAP
* rap1 (rap) (sl.): criminal charge or conviction >They threw him in jail on a burglary rap.
* rap2 (sl.): conversation, chat, informal discussion >We had a good rap about what we’re gonna do in the future.
— rap3 (sl.): talk designed to promote (s/thing) or to persuade >I don’t wanna hear his conspiracy rap again. >A lot of people bought after hearin’ his sales rap.
** rap4 (vi) (sl.): chant rhyming verse with a rhythmic musical accompaniment >Hey, let’s go listen to those dudes rappin’ there on the corner.
* rap5 (vi) (sl.): converse, chat, discuss (s/thing) >We need to rap, man, ‘cause we got a big problem.
** rap6 (sl.): relating to music where rhyming verse is chanted with a rhythmic accompaniment >That rap group just finished a new album. >My old lady hates rap music.
* beat the rap (sl.): succeed in escaping conviction or punishment for an offense (esp. when one is guilty) >With the slick lawyer he’s got, I bet he beats the rap.
* take the rap (sl.): accept the blame and punishment for an offense (esp. when one is not guilty) >Hey, Mikey’s the one that stole the cell phone. I’m not gonna take the rap for him.
RAP SHEET
— rap sheet (rap ...) (sl.): record of past arrests and convictions >They ain’t gonna give him probation with the rap sheet he’s got.
RARING
— raring to (râr´ing ...) (colloq.): eager or enthusiastic to (begin doing s/thing) >We’re all psyched up and raring to play. >Denny’s raring to celebrate his big sale.
* raring to go (colloq.): eager or enthusiastic to begin (s/thing) >Hurry up and deal the cards—we’re raring to go.
RASPBERRY
— raspberry (colloq.): noise expressing contempt or disapproval (made by extending the tongue between the lips and blowing) >He gave the school principal a raspberry, then ran like hell.
RASSLE
— rassle (ras´әl) (vi, vt) (colloq.): wrestle >He likes watching Dangerous Dan rassle on TV. >They rassled the thief to the ground and handcuffed him.
RAT
* rat1 (colloq.): scoundrel, contemptible person (esp. s/one untrustworthy) >That rat dumped his wife and ran off with some nightclub singer.
* rat2 (sl.): treacherous person, traitor, informer >Someone here’s a rat that’s been talkin’ to the cops.
* rat (on) (sl.): inform (on), denounce >You rat and you’re dead! >He ratted on ‘em when they wouldn’t give him his cut.
— rat out1 (vi) (sl.): desert (s/one), fail to come through, retreat, quit >If things get rough, I know Duncan’ll rat out on us.
— rat out2 (vt) (sl.): inform on, denounce >They thought they could trust Betty, but she ratted ‘em out.
— smell a rat (see SMELL)
RATE
* rate (with) (colloq.): be held in esteem (by), get special treatment (from), have status (with) >They’re treating Brian like a king. How does he rate? >Romantic guys really rate with women.
RATFINK
— ratfink1 (rat´fingk´) (sl.): scoundrel, contemptible person (esp. s/one untrustworthy) >The ratfink was lyin’ the whole time.
— ratfink2 (sl.): treacherous person, traitor, informer >That ratfink turned in three of his old gang to the cops.
RATHOLE
* rathole (colloq.): small and dirty room or apartment >I couldn’t believe the three of them were living in that stinking rathole.
RAT RACE
* rat race (colloq.): unceasing exhaustive routine, continuous stressful situation (esp. in a competitive, urban setting) >I’d like to retire to a cabin in the mountains and get out of this rat race.
RATS
* rats! (colloq.): (interj. to express disappointment or irritation) >Rats! I lost again.
RAT’S ASS
— [neg.] give a rat’s ass (vulg.): be unconcerned, not care, take no interest >His old man was a drunk who never gave a rat’s ass about him.
— worth a rat’s ass (see WORTH)
RATTLE
* rattle (vt) (colloq.): unnerve, undermine the confidence of, confuse >Murray got rattled when the boss started questioning him about the report.
— rattle [s/one’s] cage (sl.): unnerve or anger [s/one], upset or overexcite [s/one] >Gee, is Jake ever steamed! Who rattled his cage?
RATTY
* ratty (rat´ē) (colloq.): shoddy, dilapidated, shabby >Haven’t you gotten rid of that ratty old couch yet?
RAUNCHY
* raunchy1 (rôn´chē/rän´chē) (sl.): dirty, filthy, slovenly >I gotta get outta these raunchy clothes and take a bath.
* raunchy2 (sl.): obscene, pornographic >He really embarrassed the gals with his raunchy jokes.
RAVE
* rave (colloq.): extremely favorable or enthusiastic appraisal (also adj.) >The new play’s gotten nothing but raves. >He gave the book a rave review.
RAW
— in the raw (colloq.): naked, undressed >They were swimming in the raw when some strangers came by.
RAW DEAL
* raw deal (colloq.): unfair treatment, unjust situation (for s/one) >Brad really got a raw deal from the company he used to work for.
RAYS
** catch some rays (sl.): sunbathe, get a suntan >Today I’m gonna hit the beach and catch some rays.
— cop some rays (kop ...) (sl.): sunbathe, get a suntan >Hey, cop some rays and relax, man!
RAZZ
* razz (raz) (vt) (sl.): tease, make fun of >The other kids razzed him when he asked her to dance.
RAZZLE-DAZZLE
— razzle-dazzle (raz´әl daz´әl) (sl.): showiness, flashiness, dazzling display (also adj.) >I want a salesman that will give me straight answers without a bunch of razzle-dazzle. >The fans love his razzle-dazzle moves on the court.
RAZZMATAZZ
— razzmatazz (raz´mә taz´) (sl.): showiness, flashiness, dazzling display (also adj.) >It was a great party, with live music, a champagne fountain and a lot of other razzmatazz. >Just bring her on stage without a big razzmatazz intro, OK?
R. & B.
— R. & B. (see “R. AND B.”)
READ
* read (vt) (colloq.): understand, comprehend what (s/one) expects >I want you to get to work, do you read me?
* read [s/one] like a book (colloq.): know [s/one] thoroughly, understand well [s/one’s] motives and feelings >I can read Doug like a book, and I tell you he’s feeling real nervous about the meeting.
** read my lips! (colloq.): listen to me carefully! be sure you understand what I’m telling you! >Read my lips! You will not borrow my car tonight!
REAL
** real (colloq.): absolute, very much a (also adv.) >You’ll like Marty—he’s a real prince. >Gee, your sister’s real pretty!
* for real1 (colloq.): genuine, to be taken seriously >Is this crazy weirdo for real? >Don’t laugh, Andy! Their warning’s for real.
* for real2 (colloq.): actual, real, authentic (also adv.) >Is that a for real gun, or just a starter pistol? >Did he join the Army for real, or is he just teasing?
* get real! (sl.): don’t be absurd! stop your ridiculous behavior or comments! >Get real! He’s not gonna change after he’s married. >Me, join the church choir? Get real!
— the real McCoy (see MCCOY)
REAL DEAL
— the real deal (colloq.): the authentic or genuine (person, thing or situation) >They call others heroes, but that brave firefighter is the real deal. >No more practice sessions. Today’s the real deal.
REAM
— ream (vt) (sl., freq. vulg.): deceive, victimize, treat unfairly >He gave twelve good years to that company, but they ended up reamin’ him royally.
— ream out (vt) (sl.): severely scold or reprimand >The sergeant would really ream us out when we’d screw up.
REAR
* get off [one’s] rear (sl.): stop being lazy, start moving or working >If ya don’t get off your rear, you’ll never get this job done.
— [one’s] rear (sl.): [one]self, [one] (esp. when seen as troublesome or contemptible) >I told him to get his rear outta there. >Get your rear up off the couch and do it!
REAR END
** rear end (colloq.): buttocks, rump >She sat on that filthy bench, and now her rear end’s all dirty.
REAR-END
** rear-end (vt) (colloq.): crash into the rear of >Some drunk rear-ended me on the freeway last week.
RECAP
* recap1 (rē´kap´) (colloq.): recapitulation, summary >Haines will give us a recap of what was discussed.
* recap2 (vt) (colloq.): recapitulate, summarize >They’ll recap the news at eleven.
RECKON
— reckon (rek´әn) (vt) (colloq.): suppose, think >Do you reckon it’s going to rain?
RECORD
— (like) a broken record (see BROKEN)
RED
— Red (voc.) (colloq.): red-headed person >Where’d you get all those freckles, Red?
— (as) red as a beet (colloq.): very red (esp. a person’s face, esp. due to a strong emotional reaction) >She got embarrassed and turned red as a beet. >His face was as red as a beet, he was so mad.
* see red (colloq.): become furious >He saw red when they insulted his girlfriend.
— red, white and blue (colloq.): patriotic, all-American >The mayor always give a red, white and blue speech on the Fourth of July.
RED CENT
— [neg.] one/a red cent (colloq.): no money at all >He never pays one red cent to help out around here. >I didn’t get a red cent for that work.
REDEYE
* redeye (sl.): late-night flight >He took the redeye to Washington.
RED-HOT
— red-hot: very “hot” (see “HOT1-9”)
REDNECK
* redneck (colloq., freq. pej.): unsophisticated or bigoted white person (esp. from a rural area) (also adj.) >I don’t want to work for that dumb redneck. >His redneck opinions didn’t go over very well at the Multicultural Council meeting.
REDSKIN
— redskin (colloq., pej.): Native American, American Indian >The redskins were attacking the wagon train in the movie.
REEFER
— reefer (rē´fәr) (sl.): marijuana cigarette >The cops busted him holdin’ a couple of reefers.
REF
** ref (ref) (colloq.): referee (in sports) (also voc.) >Didn’t the ref see that foul? >Hey, ref, time out!
REFRIDGE
— refridge (ri frij´) (colloq.): refrigerator >There’s some cold beer in the refridge.
REGS
— regs (regz) (colloq.): regulations, rules >It’s against dormitory regs to have beer in your room.
REGULAR
* regular1 (colloq., freq. sarc.): absolute, veritable >Sure you’re smart—you’re a regular genius.
— regular2 (colloq.): down-to-earth, decent, genuine >I know Clint won’t get mad—he’s a regular guy.
REHAB
* rehab (rē´hab´) (colloq.): rehabilitation >How’s his drug rehab going? >He’s been going to the rehab center since his accident.
RELIGION
— get religion (colloq.): become convinced to reform (oneself), commit (oneself) to proper behavior >After being thrown in jail for three months, he got religion and really straightened his life out.
RENT-A-COP
* rent-a-cop (rent´ә kop´) (sl.): private security guard >Two rent-a-cops! They call that security?
REP
** rep1 (rep) (colloq.): representative >You’ll have to get the service rep to help you.
* rep2 (colloq.): reputation >That kind of rumor can give a girl a bad rep.
REPO
— repo (rē´pō´) (colloq.): repossessed property (for failure to make payments) (esp. an automobile) >This Buick’s a repo, but it’s in real good shape.
REPRO
— repro (rē´prō) (colloq.): reproduction (esp. of a piece of art), copy >This repro is good—looks just like the original in the museum.
REPS
* reps (reps) (colloq.): repetitions (esp. in weightlifting) >Do three sets of eight reps for the biceps.
RERUN
* rerun (rē´run´) (colloq.): s/thing redone or imitated, s/thing rehashed >This looks like a rerun of her big crisis last year. >That gag is a rerun of something Johnny Carson used to do.
RES
— the res (... rez) (colloq.): (a particular Indian) reservation >Begay moved off the res to go work in Flagstaff.
RESERVATION
— go off the reservation (see GO)
REST
* give [s/thing] a rest (sl.): stop doing or saying [s/thing] (esp. s/thing annoying) >I wish that screamin’ baby would give it a rest. >Give the wisecracks a rest, will ya?
RETARD
* retard (rē´tärd´) (sl., pej.): retarded person, stupid or dull-witted person >He said he didn’t want that retard playin’ cards with us.
RETOOL
— retool (vi) (colloq.): prepare (oneself) for a change in occupation, make substantial self-improvements >It’s hard for an old guy like him to retool for a new career.
RE-UP
— re-up (rē´up´) (vi) (sl.): reenlist (in the military) >The corporal re-upped for another four years.
REV
* rev up1 (rev ...) (vt) (colloq.): accelerate (a motor) >Rev it up a little and we’ll see how it sounds.
— rev up2 (vt) (colloq.): give strength or energy to, speed up, enliven, enthuse >Lower interest rates should rev the economy up. >The kids are all revved up for the game.
— rev up3 (vi) (colloq.): gain strength or energy, speed up, become enlivened >If this party doesn’t rev up pretty soon, I’m getting out of here.
REZ
— the rez (see RES)
RHINO
* rhino (rī´nō) (colloq.): rhinoceros >They’ve got a white rhino at the zoo.
RIB
* rib (vt) (colloq.): make fun of, tease >They ribbed Slick about his punk haircut.
RIBBING
* ribbing (rib´ing) (colloq.): instance of teasing or making fun of >Don’t get so upset—can’t you take a ribbing?
RIBS
— stick to [s/one’s] ribs (see STICK)
RICH
— filthy rich (see FILTHY)
— strike it rich (see STRIKE)
— that’s rich! (colloq., freq. sarc.): that’s funny! that’s unbelievable! >You mean the guy Jennifer married already had a wife? That’s rich! >Him, a spy? That’s rich!
— too rich for [s/one’s] blood (colloq.): beyond [s/one’s] ability to pay, unaffordable for [s/one] >Their poker games are too rich for my blood.
RIDE
— ride1 (sl.): car, automobile >That BMW’s a real nice ride, man.
* ride2 (vt) (colloq.): tease, ridicule >The guys have been riding Randy about the silk shirt he’s wearing.
* ride3 (vt) (colloq.): put pressure on, harass >Rhonda’s folks have been riding her to get better grades.
— (just) along for the ride (see ALONG)
— let [s/thing] ride (see LET)
— ride herd on (colloq.): keep under control, watch over, manage >The night manager really rides herd on his workers, and production’s way up.
— ride shotgun (colloq.): ride in the front passenger seat (of an automobile) >Let Nicky ride shotgun—he’s tall and needs the extra legroom.
* take [s/one] for a ride (sl.): swindle or cheat [s/one], deceive [s/one] >If he insisted ya pay him first, I bet he’s takin’ ya for a ride. >Oscar really took her for a ride—he was seein’ other women the whole time.
RIDICULOUS
— ridiculous (colloq.): extremely impressive, unbelievable >He won the race in the ridiculous time of just under four minutes.
RIGHT
— right (colloq.): very, quite >That was a right nice thing you done for us.
— (as) right as rain (colloq.): very correct or appropriate >Their marriage is as right as rain—they were made for each other.
— fly right (see FLY)
— Mr. Right (see MR.)
— (straight/right) from the horse’s mouth (see HORSE’S MOUTH)
** right off the bat (colloq.): at once, without hesitation >I met this woman and right off the bat she asks me for my phone number.
* right on (colloq.): correct, to the point, true >I’m voting for Mendez—what he says is right on.
* right on! (sl.): (interj. to express approval, support, or encouragement) >Right on, brother! You tell ‘em!
— (right) on the money (see MONEY)
— (right) up/down [s/one’s] alley (see ALLEY)
— (right) up there (see UP)
* the right side of the tracks (colloq.): wealthy neighborhood, area where the higher socioeconomic classes live (cf. “the WRONG side of the tracks”) >She dreamed of marrying a boy from the right side of the tracks.
— would give [one’s] left/right nut (see GIVE)
— would give [one’s] right arm (see GIVE)
RIGHTEOUS
— righteous (sl.): wonderful, excellent, genuine >They play some righteous jazz in that joint. >Smiley’s righteous, so don’t badmouth him.
RIGHTO
— righto! (rī´tō´) (sl.): right! all right! correct! >Righto! I’ll be there at three on the dot.
RIGHTS
— dead to rights (see DEAD)
RIGHT STUFF
* the right stuff (colloq.): the necessary qualities or abilities >We’re looking for someone with the right stuff to run our West Coast office.
RING
* give [s/one] a ring (colloq.): telephone [s/one] >I’ll give you a ring next week to see how you’re doing.
** ring a bell (colloq.): seem somewhat familiar, evoke a partial recollection >That title rings a bell, but I don’t think I’ve read it.
— ring [s/one’s] bell (sl.): hit [s/one] hard on the head, stun [s/one] with a hit to the head (cf. “get [one’s] BELL rung”) >The linebacker really rang the quarterback’s bell when he sacked him.
* ring off the hook (colloq.): (for a telephone to) ring incessantly >How can you just sit there with your phone ringing off the hook like that?
RINGER
— ringer (sl.): person with great ability brought in to compete for one side and whose ability is hidden from or misrepresented to the other side >Where’d they get that so-called amateur? The guy’s a ringer!
— ringer for (sl.): person who closely resembles (another) >The old guy with the beard is a ringer for Grampa.
RINKY-DINK
* rinky-dink (ring´kē dingk´) (sl.): inferior, cheap, insignificant >He took some rinky-dink phone sales job. >Get rid of this rinky-dink crescent wrench and get yourself a good set of socket wrenches.
RIOT
* a riot (sl.): an extremely funny or entertaining person or thing >You should have been at the party—it was a riot. >Listen to this hilarious guy—he’s a riot.
RIP
— rip/tear [s/one] a new asshole (vulg.): attack [s/one] vigorously (physically or verbally), make [s/one] suffer complete defeat or humiliation >You’d better apologize, or he’s liable to rip you a new asshole. >The boss really tore Delaney a new asshole right in front of everyone because he screwed up that big order.
— rip/tear [s/one] a new one (sl., freq. vulg.): attack [s/one] vigorously, make [s/one] suffer complete defeat or humiliation (physically or verbally) >You pick a fight with that bad dude and he’ll tear ya a new one. >His lawyer ripped the prosecution’s star witness a new one right there on the stand.
— let ‘er rip! (see LET)
— rip/take/tear apart (see APART)
— rip into (sl.): assail, attack vigorously (physically or verbally) >He ripped into the guy, kickin’ and swingin’ and yellin’. >The judge really ripped into the defense lawyer ‘cause he wasn’t prepared.
** rip off1 (vt) (sl.): steal from, cheat, exploit >Someone broke into my house and ripped me off when I was outta town. >They really rip ya off in that damn bar.
** rip off2 (vt) (sl.): steal >I left my watch on the table, and somebody ripped it off.
RIPE
— ripe (colloq.): rotten, stinky >Wow! Something in the storeroom’s awful ripe. >Take a shower! You’re pretty ripe.
RIPOFF
** ripoff (sl.): theft, fraud, worthless product or service >The cop went to investigate some ripoff at the department store. >That real estate deal is a ripoff. >Don’t buy one of those lousy cars—they’re a ripoff.
RIPPED
— ripped1 (sl.): very drunk or intoxicated >He started drinkin’ at eleven, and by four he was ripped..
— ripped2 (sl.): muscular and fit >He worked out with weights all summer and was really ripped by the time school started in the fall.
RIP-ROARING
— rip-roaring (colloq.): boisterous, wild, exciting >That was one rip-roaring party last night!
RIPSNORTER
— ripsnorter (colloq.): remarkable or impressive example (of s/thing) (esp. in strength or action) >That was a ripsnorter of a fight last night. >His new adventure film’s a real ripsnorter.
RISE
* get a rise out of (colloq.): get a reaction of anger or irritation from (due to provocation or teasing) >Call him a sissy—that’ll get a rise out of him.
RISK
— risk [one’s] hide (colloq.): put [one]self at risk, chance trouble or danger >The pilot really risked his hide setting the helicopter down in that small clearing.
* risk [one’s] neck (colloq.): put [one]self at risk, chance trouble or danger >I don’t want you risking your neck for that worthless bum.
— risk [one’s] skin (colloq.): put [one]self at risk, chance trouble or danger >I’m not going to risk my skin by going along with that crazy scheme.
RITZY
* ritzy (rit´sē) (sl.): elegant, fancy, costly, posh >Herman drives a ritzy car and lives in a real ritzy apartment.
RIVER
— sell [s/one] down the river (see SELL)
ROACH
— roach (sl.): marijuana cigarette butt >He took one last toke on the roach.
ROACH COACH
— roach coach (sl., hum.): lunchwagon, catering truck >I’ll grab a sandwich from the roach coach when it comes by.
ROAD
— get the/this show on the road (see SHOW)
— hit the road (see HIT)
— one for the road (see ONE)
— wide place in the road (see WIDE)
ROAD HOG
— road hog (colloq.): driver who inconsiderately uses more space for his vehicle than is needed >That damn road hog wouldn’t let me by.
ROADIE
— roadie (rō´dē) (sl.): worker who handles a touring musical group’s equipment >They’ll start their first set as soon as the roadies finish setting up.
ROAR
— roar (vi) (colloq.): drive fast and loudly (s/where) >He roars around town in a big old Chevy.
ROAST
* roast1 (colloq.): ceremony honoring s/one in which acquaintances good-naturedly tease and insult him/her in turn >The fund-raiser’s going to be a celebrity roast of a big-time movie producer.
* roast2 (vt) (colloq.): honor s/one at a ceremony in which acquaintances good-naturedly tease and insult him/her in turn >They roasted a well-known star in honor of his seventieth birthday.
ROB
— steal/rob [s/one] blind (see STEAL)
* rob the cradle (colloq.): date or marry a person much younger than (oneself) >She can’t be over sixteen! Markham’s robbing the cradle, isn’t he?
ROCK
** rock1 (colloq.): rock-’n’-roll music (also adj.) >I listen to rock more than jazz. >I don’t care for hard rock. >He’s a big-name rock star.
* rock2 (sl.): precious stone, gem (esp. a diamond) >Did ya see the size of the rock on her engagement ring?
— rock3 (sl.): rock cocaine >Some dude’s been dealin’ rock there.
* rock4 (vi) (sl.): be lively and exciting, be wildly festive >That dance hall really rocks on Saturday nights.
— rock5 (vi) (sl.): be impressive, be excellent >When it comes to software design, that guy really rocks!
— between a rock and a hard place (see BETWEEN)
— rock and roll (vi) (sl.): begin (s/thing exciting or momentous) >We got all our gear, so let’s rock and roll!
— rock out (vi) (sl.): move or dance enthusiastically to rock-’n’-roll music >The crowd really rocked out when the band played some of the rock classics.
* rock the boat (colloq.): upset the smooth operation (of s/thing), be uncooperative, cause problems >Don’t rock the boat by asking a lot of embarrassing questions.
ROCKER
— rocker (sl.): rock-’n’-roll music enthusiast or musician >The rockers went wild when he played his big hit. >He’s been a rocker in different bands for years.
* off [one’s] rocker (sl.): crazy, very irrational >You must be off your rocker to quit that cushy job.
ROCKET SCIENTIST
— rocket scientist (sl., freq. sarc.): especially intelligent person (freq. used in the neg.) >Ya don’t gotta be a rocket scientist to know that story’s bogus. >I’m no rocket scientist, but I can figure that one out.
ROCK HOUND
— rock hound (colloq.): geologist, rock and mineral collector >I met a couple of rock hounds looking for rose quartz out in the desert.
ROCKS
— get [one’s] rocks off (vulg.): have an orgasm (esp. a male) >Honey, all that clown wants is to get his rocks off with you.
— get [one’s] rocks off (on) (vulg.): enthusiastically enjoy, be very excited (by) (freq. used to express contempt) >That jerk must get his rocks off on insultin’ people. >Racin’ boats is how he gets his rocks off.
— have rocks in [one’s] head (colloq.): behave irrationally, use poor judgment, be foolish >He’s got rocks in his head if he bet on that lousy team.
** on the rocks1 (colloq.): with ice (said esp. of an alcoholic drink) >Give me a scotch on the rocks.
* on the rocks2 (colloq.): in a ruinous state, in a very poor or precarious condition >Their marriage is on the rocks because of his drinking. >Sell your stock quick—the company’s on the rocks.
ROD
— rod1 (sl.): pistol, handgun >He ditched the rod after pullin’ the robbery.
— rod2 (vulg.): penis >Keep your rod in your pants—she’s married.
RODEO
— not be [s/one’s] first rodeo (sl.): not be [s/one’s] first experience (in a given situation), (for s/one) to be able to handle (a given situation) due to practice or experience >Don’t worry about Bob doin' the presentation. This ain’t his first rodeo.
ROGER
— roger (roj´әr) (colloq.): all right, I understand >Roger. I’ll be there.
ROLL
* roll1 (sl.): large amount of money (esp. in bills) >He pulled out a huge roll and paid for the car in cash.
— roll2 (vi) (sl.): leave, depart, get going >It’s late—let’s roll.
— roll3 (vt) (sl.): steal from, pick the pockets of (esp. s/one drunk or unconscious) >They rolled him when he passed out.
— [for] [s/one’s] head/heads [to] roll (see HEAD)
** on a roll (colloq.): enjoying a period of luck, having a series of successes >Gary’s really on a roll—he’s made all of his last twelve shots. >I can’t stop betting now. I’m on a roll.
— roll in the hay (sl.): episode of sexual intercourse >She told him they had time for a quick roll in the hay.
— roll the dice (colloq.): take a chance, risk it >A lawsuit would be pretty risky, so let’s roll the dice with an arbitrator and hope for the best.
— roll with [s/one] (sl.): habitually be in the company of [s/one] >Jerry rolls with a couple of dudes from his old neighborhood.
* roll with the punches (colloq.): cope successfully with difficulties, deal with adversity >You got to learn to roll with the punches to be happy.
ROLLING
— get/keep the ball rolling (see BALL)
* rolling in (colloq.): having an abundance of (esp. s/thing positive) >She’s rolling in furs and diamonds, but she’s not happy.
ROMANCE
— romance (vt) (colloq.): woo, seek the affection or favor of >Jim’s been romancing some gal he met at his sister’s.
ROMCOM
— romcom (rom´kom´) (colloq.): romantic comedy (movie) >That actor’s been wanting some dramatic roles, not just those romcom parts he’s been doing.
ROMP
— romp (colloq.): very easy win or victory >We really outplayed them—it was a romp.
ROOF
— go through the roof (see GO)
— hit the roof (see HIT)
— raise the roof1 (colloq.): celebrate wildly or noisily, be loud and rowdy >They’re going to be raising the roof on graduation night.
— raise the roof2 (colloq.): complain angrily and noisily >The tenants raised the roof when their rent went up.
ROOK
— rook1 (rŭk) (colloq.): swindle, unfair transaction (where what one buys is not worth the money spent) >A cover charge of twenty-five bucks for that dumb show? What a rook!
— rook2 (vt) (colloq.): cheat, swindle >They’re trying to rook you out of ten bucks by adding on that extra charge.
ROOKIE
** rookie (rŭk´ē) (colloq.): novice, recruit, person with little experience (in some occupation) (also adj.) >Gunther’s only been here for three months—he’s still a rookie. >The rookie officers usually ride with veterans.
ROOMIE
* roomie (rū´mē) (colloq.): roommate >My roomie’s gone to his parents’ house for the weekend.
ROOMY
— roomy (see “ROOMIE”)
ROOST
— rule the roost (see RULE)
ROOTIN’-TOOTIN’
— rootin’-tootin’ (rū´tin tū´tin) (sl.): noisy and exciting, boisterous >We had a rootin’-tootin’ good time in Vegas last week. >He likes to go to some rootin’-tootin’ cowboy joint on the other side of town.
ROOTING-TOOTING
— rooting-tooting (see “ROOTIN’-TOOTIN’”)
ROPE
— at the end of [one’s] rope (see END)
* rope [s/one] into1 (colloq.): commit [s/one] to (do s/thing), pressure [s/one] into (doing s/thing) (despite his/her reluctance or resistance) >How’d you get roped into planning the conference?
— rope [s/one] into2 (colloq.): lure [s/one] into (s/thing deceptive), trick into (doing s/thing) >I don’t know how that lawyer roped Tricia into giving him control over her money.
ROPES
— on the ropes (colloq.): close to failure, near defeat, in a desperate situation >I hear that their business is on the ropes because sales are way down.
* the ropes (colloq.): the details or particulars (of how s/thing functions, esp. a business or occupation) >If you got any questions, ask Kitty—she knows the ropes. >When you’ve learned the ropes of this business, you’ll start making some real money.
ROSE
— smelling like a rose (see SMELLING)
ROSES
— come up roses (see COME)
ROTGUT
— rotgut (sl.): inferior liquor >Don’t ya have anything better to drink than this rotgut?
ROTTEN
* feel rotten (colloq.): feel very bad, be ill, feel sorry >I feel rotten after eating all that fried food. >She says she feels rotten about not having helped out.
ROUGH
— play rough (see PLAY)
ROUGH STUFF
* rough stuff (colloq.): violence, excessive aggressiveness >Hey, cut out the rough stuff! No need to kick. >Watch out for the rough stuff under the basket!
ROUND
* go round and round (colloq.): argue at length, quarrel constantly >They went round and round about where they’re going to spend their vacation. >I can’t believe they stay married, the way they go round and round.
* round up (vt) (colloq.): search for and find by chance or unconventionally, collect any way possible >Let’s round up something to eat—I’m hungry. >See if you can round up some books on mountain climbing.
— square peg (in a round hole) (see SQUARE PEG)
ROUNDS
* make the rounds (colloq.): circulate, be widely reported >Don’t just chat with Mack all night at the party—make the rounds and talk to other people, too. >There’s a rumor making the rounds that he’s been in prison.
ROUST
— roust1 (roust) (sl.): raid (by the police) >The roust netted a bunch of drug dealers.
— roust2 (vt) (sl.): harass, raid (said of the police) >This cop would roust me every time I went into the park. >The police are always roustin’ that bar.
ROUTINE
* routine (colloq.): routine speech or act (used to persuade or deceive s/one) >I can’t stand his helpless-old-man routine. >If she’s that mad, give her the old “so sorry” routine.
ROYAL
* a royal ... (sl.): a real ..., an extreme ..., an awful ... (used to express contempt or dismay) >This lawsuit’s gonna be a royal mess! >Your brother-in-law is a royal pain in the butt!
ROYALLY
* royally (sl.): extremely, thoroughly, awfully (used to express contempt or dismay) >Our team got beaten royally. >They messed us up royally on that development deal.
R. & R.
— R. & R. (see “R. AND R.”)
RUB
* rub elbows (colloq.): associate, have social contact (esp. with well-known or influential people) >He loves working in Washington, rubbing elbows with lobbyists and congressmen.
* rub it in (colloq.): remind (s/one) of an embarrassment or failure in order to annoy >OK, so I messed up that play—you don’t have to keep rubbing it in.
— rub [s/one’s] nose in [s/thing] (colloq.): tease [s/one] about [s/thing] (which causes [him/her] embarrassment or humiliation), gloat (to [s/one]) over [s/thing] >When Mel got the job over Brenda, he really rubbed her nose in it.
— rub out (vt) (sl.): kill, murder >He was rubbed out on Spike’s orders ‘cause he was a rat.
* rub [s/one] the wrong way (colloq.): annoy or offend [s/one], be irritating to [s/one] >The way he’s always smirking rubs everyone the wrong way. >I just don’t like her—she rubs me the wrong way.
RUBBER
** rubber1 (sl., freq. vulg.): condom >She can’t take the pill, so he uses rubbers.
— rubber2 (colloq.): tires >I got to get new rubber for this car before we take our trip.
— lay/burn rubber (sl.): accelerate a vehicle so fast that its tires turn on the pavement and leave black marks >With this bigger engine I can really burn rubber. >He floored it and laid rubber for thirty feet.
RUBBER CHECK
— rubber check (colloq.): check written without sufficient funds to cover it (cf. “BOUNCE1”) >He gave me a rubber check and left town.
RUBBERNECK
* rubberneck (vi) (colloq.): turn (one’s) head to look or stare >Traffic would speed up if drivers wouldn’t rubberneck every time there’s a fender bender.
RUBBER STAMP
— rubber stamp (vt) (colloq.): approve routinely or without scrutiny >The chairman just rubber stamps any proposal they give him without even looking at it.
RUBE
— rube (rūb) (colloq.): unsophisticated person from the country, rustic, yokel >Some rube came into town last night asking about “girlie shows.”
RUCKUS
* ruckus (ruk´әs) (colloq.): commotion, noisy disturbance, fracas >They raised a ruckus when they found out the bus would be three hours late. >What was that ruckus outside all about?
RUG
— rug (sl.): hairpiece, toupee >That rug he’s wearin’ is awful—he looks better bald.
— cut a rug (see CUT)
* pull the rug out from under (colloq.): undermine, unexpectedly withdraw support for >The legislature pulled the rug out from under us when they cut our funding.
— sweep [s/thing] under the rug (see SWEEP)
RUG RAT
— rug rat (sl.): small child, infant (esp. one in the crawling stage) (esp. when seen as annoying or contemptible) >Now she’s married and stuck at home with a couple of rug rats.
RULE
— rule the roost (colloq.): be in control, dominate (esp. in a domestic situation) >She talks tough, but the old man still rules the roost.
RUMBLE
— rumble1 (sl.): street fight (esp. one between youth gangs) >Two young punks were stabbed during the rumble last night.
— rumble2 (vi) (sl.): have a street fight (esp. one between youth gangs) >Those two gangs have rumbled a lot the last few years.
RUMMY
— rummy (rum´ē) (sl.): drunkard, alcoholic >Some old rummy was hangin’ around bummin’ drinks.
RUN
* run1 (vi) (colloq.): leave, hurry off >I need to run—got to pick Jim up in ten minutes.
— run2 (vt) (colloq.): cost >How much does the fancier model run? >That’ll run you eight dollars a yard.
* give [s/one] a run for [his/her] money (colloq.): be a worthy competitor or contender for [s/one] >They gave us a run for our money, but we finally won. >Vince thinks he can control any woman, but Cindy’ll give him a run for his money.
* run [s/one, s/thing] [s/where] (colloq.): take [s/one, s/thing] [s/where] (esp. on a short, quick trip or errand, esp. in an automobile) >Will you run me down to the store this afternoon? >I’ll be right back—I just got to run this package over to Greg’s office.
* run around like a chicken with its head cut off (colloq.): move quickly all over, go quickly from place to place (esp. in an unorganized way) >I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get everything ready for the party.
* run around (on) (colloq.): be sexually unfaithful (to) (esp. repeatedly) >If he really loves her, why is he running around on her?
* run around (together) (with) (colloq.): spend a great deal of time and go to many places together (with) (esp. as friends), socialize a great deal (with) >Me and her brother ran around together in high school. >I don’t like you running around with those druggies.
* run [s/thing] by (colloq.): explain [s/thing] to (esp. to get s/one’s opinion or reaction) >Let me run that idea by Cheryl to see what she thinks. >I don’t get it—run that by me again.
— run in (vt) (sl.): arrest, take into custody >If he gets outta line, run him in.
— run interference (for) (see INTERFERENCE)
* run [s/thing] into the ground (colloq.): overdo or overuse [s/thing], tire or bore others with an excessive amount of [s/thing] >His puns were funny at first, but now he’s running them into the ground.
— run off at the mouth (sl.): talk too much, speak indiscreetly >I don’t want none of ya runnin’ off at the mouth about this.
* run out of gas (colloq.): become tired out, become ineffective, flag >I can’t dance another step—I’ve run out of gas.
* run out (on) (colloq.): abandon, leave (esp. at a critical time or when escaping one’s responsibility) >Lisa’s husband ran out on her when she got sick.
* run [s/one] ragged (colloq.): keep [s/one] working or moving a great deal, tire [s/one] out >My kids are running me ragged—I just can’t keep up with them.
* run the show (colloq.): be in control, make the decisions (in a business or situation) >Owens is the head of the department, but her assistant really runs the show.
* run with1 (sl.): spend a great deal of time with, keep company with >I don’t like them punks he runs with.
— run with2 (colloq.): proceed with, put into action >If they OK the program, we’ll run with it.
— run with the ball (colloq.): take on the main responsibility, take charge and proceed aggressively >Gorman saw how to get the project done, and he ran with the ball.
RUNAROUND
* the runaround (colloq.): evasive or delaying talk or actions >Stop giving me the runaround and tell me when you’ll have my car ready. >I got the runaround when I tried to find out who was responsible.
RUNG
— get [one’s] bell rung (see BELL)
RUN-IN
* run-in (colloq.): argument, confrontation, conflict >I had a run-in today at the store with some moron who tried to cut in line in front of me.
RUNS
* the runs (colloq.): diarrhea >Something I ate last night gave me the runs.
RUNT
* runt (colloq., pej.): small or short person >Tell that little runt to mind his own business.
RUSH
* rush (sl.): sudden feeling of exhilaration, surge of pleasure >He said crack cocaine gives him a rush. >I felt a real rush when I got the award.
RUSSKI
— Russki (rus´kē/rū´skē) (sl., pej.): Russian >He says if we hadn’t supported that dictator, the Russkies would have.
RUSSKY
— Russky (see “RUSSKI”)
RUSTLE
— rustle up (vt) (colloq.): search for and find by chance or unconventionally, collect any way possible >I’ll rustle us up some breakfast. >Metric wrenches? I can rustle some up for you.
R.V.
** R.V. (colloq.): recreational vehicle >That big R.V. only gets five miles to the gallon.