W
WACKO
* wacko (wak´ō) (sl.): very eccentric or crazy person (also adj.) >What’s that wacko yellin’ about? >Get outta here with your wacko ideas.
WACKY
— wacky (wak´ē) (sl.): very eccentric, crazy, outrageous >He had some wacky plan to open an Eskimo restaurant in Miami. >That wacky comedian had us laughin’ for hours.
WAD
* wad (colloq.): large amount of money (esp. in bills) >He was carrying a wad that could choke a horse. >Vinny lost a wad at the racetrack yesterday.
— shoot [one’s] wad (see SHOOT)
WAFFLE
— waffle (vi) (colloq.): be evasive or equivocal (when speaking or writing) >The candidate waffles every time they ask him about something controversial.
WAGON
* wagon (colloq., dtd.): station wagon automobile >First I bought a truck, then got a wagon a couple of years later.
— fix [s/one’s] wagon (see FIX)
* off the wagon (sl.): drinking alcohol again (after a period of abstinence) (cf. “on the WAGON”) >He was sober for over a year, but now he’s off the wagon.
* on the wagon (colloq.): abstaining from alcohol (esp. after a period of excessive drinking) (cf. “off the WAGON”) >The booze was killing him, so he went on the wagon.
WAGONS
— circle the wagons (see CIRCLE)
WAIL
— wail (vi) (sl.): perform vigorously and excellently >I wailed on that test and aced it. >Man, can he ever wail on those drums!
WAIT
** wait up (vi) (colloq.): stop and wait (for), not proceed until (another) arrives >Hey, you guys, wait up—I’m coming, too.
WALK
— walk1 (vi) (sl.): be set free without punishment >They couldn’t prove he pulled the robbery, so he walked.
— walk2 (vi) (sl.): leave, abandon or desert (s/one, s/thing) (esp. because of dissatisfaction) >Meet our demands or we walk. >He couldn’t take his job anymore, so he walked.
— take a walk (sl.): leave, walk away (from s/thing unpleasant) >She started actin’ weird, so I took a walk.
* walk all over (colloq.): treat contemptuously, mistreat or exploit >Don’t let that jerk walk all over you like that. Stand up for yourself!
* walk away/off with (colloq.): win, be awarded >All that training paid off—she walked away with first prize. >He hopes to walk off with the award.
— walk in the park (sl.): easy success or victory >Winnin’ this game will be a walk in the park for the champs.
* walk off with (colloq.): steal or shoplift >That girl walked off with my credit card!
** walk out on (colloq.): abandon or desert >Her husband walked out on her ten years ago and she’s had to raise the kids alone.
WALKING PAPERS
— walking papers (colloq.): notification of dismissal, order to be fired >Vivian screwed up the contract and got her walking papers the next day.
WALL
— beat [one’s] head against the wall (see BEAT)
— drive [s/one] up the/a wall (see DRIVE)
— nail [s/one] to the wall (see NAIL)
— off the wall (see “OFF-THE-WALL”)
WALLOP
— wallop1 (wol´әp) (colloq.): blow, hit >That was quite a wallop he took on the head during the fight.
— wallop2 (vt) (colloq.): strike hard, sock >She walloped him a good one with a broomstick.
— pack a punch/wallop (see PACK)
WALLOPING
— walloping (wol´ә ping) (colloq.): beating, decisive defeat >His old man gave him a walloping for what he did. >They took a walloping from the visiting team.
WALLS
— bouncing off the walls (see BOUNCING)
— climb the walls (see CLIMB)
WALL-TO-WALL
* wall-to-wall (colloq.): completely occupied with, full of >It was crazy—wall-to-wall people, all pushing and yelling.
WALTZ
— waltz (vi) (colloq.): walk, move, go (s/where) (esp. in an unconcerned or impertinent way) >Tina waltzed right over to him and told him to go to hell. >He just waltzed in like he owned the place.
WAMPUM
— wampum (wom´pәm/wôm´pәm) (sl.): money >It’s gonna take a lot of wampum to fix up this old place.
WANABE
— ... wanabe (see WANNABE)
WANNA
** wanna1 (won´ә/wô´nә) (colloq.): want to >Ya wanna go to the movies tonight?
** wanna2 (colloq.): want a >Wanna piece of melon?
— ... wanna be (see WANNABE)
WANNABE
— ... wannabe (won´ә bē/wô´nә bē) (= “want to be”) (sl.): person who wants to be ... (s/thing or s/one that he/she is not) >All the cowboy wannabes were in their Western clothes hangin’ around the rodeo.
WAREHOUSE
— warehouse (vt) (colloq.): institutionalize (the handicapped, mentally ill, or aged) for long-term care (esp. to rid oneself of the obligation to provide personal care) >You can’t believe how many parents just warehouse these poor kids. >A bunch of forgotten old folks are warehoused in there.
WARM
* warm the bench (colloq.): play rarely or serve as a substitute (on a team) (cf. “BENCHWARMER”) >I wasn’t such a hot player—all I did was warm the bench.
WAR PAINT
— war paint (sl., hum.): women’s makeup, cosmetics >You think all that war paint ya put on’s gonna help ya get a husband?
WARPATH
— on the warpath (colloq.): in a hostile or combative mood, on the attack >She’s been on the warpath ever since they snubbed her.
WARTS
— warts and all (colloq.): even with the imperfections, including the flaws >If you love me, you’ll accept me like I am, warts and all.
WASH
— wash out (of) (colloq.): leave or be eliminated (from) (an educational or training program) due to failure >He finished the coursework but washed out during the exams. >McIntire washed out of flight school.
— wash (with) (colloq.): be convincing or acceptable (to), pass a test for validity (for) (used esp. in the neg.) >The professor’s analysis doesn’t wash with most of his colleagues. >That explanation just doesn’t wash.
WASHED-UP
** (all) washed-up (colloq.): failed and finished, no longer useful or effective, done for >You’re all washed-up in this business, Jones! >Why are they asking what that washed-up politician thinks?
WASHOUT
* washout (colloq.): person who leaves or is eliminated from an educational or training program due to failure >He’s some law school washout who’s running for office.
WASN’T
— wasn’t born yesterday (see BORN)
WASP
** WASP (wosp) (colloq., freq. pej.): White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, white person in the U.S. from the middle or higher class (also adj.) >You can’t succeed in this town unless you’re a WASP. >Get out of here with your snobbish WASP attitudes.
WASSUP
— wassup? (= what’s up?) (wә sup´) (sl.): what’s going on?, what’s new?, how are you? (cf. “S’UP?”) >Wassup,dude? Whatcha been doin’?
WASTE
* waste (vt) (sl.): murder, kill >You’re gonna get wasted by some punk if ya keep mouthin’ off like that.
— waste [one’s] breath (colloq.): try futilely to persuade or convince (s/one of s/thing) >You’re wasting your breath if you think you’ll get that loser to shape up.
WASTED
* wasted (sl.): very drunk or intoxicated >Everyone got wasted at the party. >Don’t give him another beer—he’s already wasted.
WATCH
— watch [one’s] back (colloq.): be prepared to protect [oneself] in case of danger, be cautious >You’d better watch your back when you’re around that rough bunch.
WATER
— blow [s/one] out of the water (see BLOW)
— dead in the water (see DEAD)
— hold water (see HOLD)
WATERING HOLE
— watering hole (colloq.): bar, favorite drinking establishment >That joint’s the watering hole the guys go to every Friday night.
WATERWORKS
— (turn on) the waterworks (sl.): (begin) crying >All she’s gotta do is turn on the waterworks, and she gets her way. >Cut the waterworks, crybaby!
WAVELENGTH
* be on the same wavelength (as) (colloq.): have similar attitudes or values (to), be in rapport or harmony (with) >They get along so well because they’re on the same wavelength. >I can’t work with Mick—I’m just not on the same wavelength as him.
WAVES
* make waves (colloq.): create a disturbance, upset (an accepted order or situation), cause problems for the status quo >Nobody wants to make waves, so nothing’s ever done about this problem.
WAX
— the whole ball of wax (see BALL)
WAY
* way (colloq.): extremely, very much, to a great extent >I feel way better today. >He lives way on the other side of town.
— way! (stressed) (sl.): it is true! (response to “no way!” in order to affirm s/thing) >—He won the lottery? No way! —Way!
— every which way (see EVERY)
* from way back (colloq.): since a long time ago, for a long time >A Democrat? No, he’s a Republican from way back.
— go out of [one’s] way (see GO)
* go way back (colloq.): have a longstanding relationship (with one another), be long-time friends >Max and me go way back, since the war.
— in a bad way (see BAD)
— in a big way (see BIG)
— in the worst way (see WORST)
** know [one’s] way around ([s/thing, s/where]) (colloq.): be experienced and knowledgeable (regarding [s/thing, s/where]), be resourceful and effective (regarding [s/thing, s/where]) >Green knows his way around loan agreements, so customers can’t argue with him. >We need a lobbyist that knows his way around Washington. >Watch Fran—she knows her way around.
— muscle ([one’s] way) in(to) (see MUSCLE)
** no way (...)! (colloq.): under no circumstance (...)! absolutely not (...)! it’s impossible (...)! >Me, wear that gaudy thing? No way! >No way Pam’s going to take him back after what he did to her!
* no way, Jose! (... hō´ zā´) (sl.): under no circumstance! absolutely not! it’s impossible! >You want me to apologize to that jerk? No way, Jose!
— not know which end/way is up (see KNOW)
— that’s the way the ball bounces (see BALL)
— that’s the way the cookie crumbles (see COOKIE)
— [s/one’s] way (colloq.): in [s/one’s] vicinity, near [s/one’s] home >Drop by and see us when you’re down our way.
* way back when (colloq.): a long time ago >He hosted one of the first television shows way back when.
** way to go! (colloq., freq. sarc.): well done! >A three-pointer! Way to go, Sammy! >Way to go! You just knocked over my beer.
WAY-OUT
— way-out (sl.): very unconventional, avant-garde, radical >He’s got some way-out theory on reincarnation. >Those purple boots are way-out, man.
WAYS
* a ways (colloq.): a long distance >We got a ways to go yet till we reach Grand Junction. >He lives quite a ways from here.
— there’s no two ways about it (see TWO)
WAZOO
— have ... up the wazoo (... wä´ zū´) (sl., freq. vulg.): have an abundance of ..., have ... in large supply >I have paperwork up the wazoo to finish at the office.
WEAR
— wear the pants (colloq.): have a man’s authority, be in charge, have the dominant role (esp. in a domestic situation) >Walker talks big, but his wife wears the pants in the family.
WEASEL
— weasel ([one’s] way) out of (colloq.): succeed in avoiding or removing [oneself] from (a task or commitment), renege on or back out of (an obligation) (esp. in a sneaky or cowardly way) >You said you’d fix my car, and I’m not going to let you weasel out of it. >Somehow Gerty weaseled her way out of serving on the committee this year.
WEATHER
* under the weather (colloq.): not feeling well, ill (esp. with a cold or the flu during cold weather) >The secretary’s a little under the weather and won’t be in today.
WEED
* weed (sl.): marijuana >He smokes weed but doesn’t drink.
— grow like a weed (see GROW)
WEENIE
* weenie1 (wē´nē) (vulg.): penis >Joe said he got his weenie caught in his zipper.
— weenie2 (sl.): weak and contemptible male, cowardly or insignificant male >That weenie couldn’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag. >Don’t be a weenie, Howie—hit him back!
— weenie3 (colloq.): wiener, frankfurter >She brought the weenies but forgot the buns.
WEEPY
— weepy (wē´pē) (colloq.): melodramatically sad, sentimentally pathetic >Take some Kleenex to that movie—it’s got a lot of weepy parts.
WEE-WEE
— wee-wee1 (wē´wē´) (colloq.): urine (used esp. with small children) >There’s wee-wee on the floor where the baby was sitting.
* wee-wee2 (vi) (colloq.): urinate (used esp. with small children) >You let Daddy know when you have to wee-wee, OK?
WEIGHT
— carry (a lot of) weight (see CARRY)
— pull [one’s] (own) weight (see PULL)
— throw [one’s] weight around (see THROW)
WEIRD
— weird out (vt) (sl.): frighten, cause emotional discomfort to >That big, ugly guy that keeps staring at me is weirdin’ me out.
WEIRDO
** weirdo (wēr´dō) (sl.): very eccentric or strange person, person with deviant behavior (also adj.) >She’s afraid of all the weirdos that hang around the park at night. >Keep Joey away from those weirdo kids next door.
WELCH
— welch (on) (welch ...) (see “WELSH (on)”)
WELCOME
* welcome to the club! (colloq.): I’m in that situation too! you’re not the only one to suffer or experience that! >He stole money from you, too? Welcome to the club!
WELCOME MAT
* put out the welcome mat (for) (colloq.): give a hearty welcome (to) >The city put out the welcome mat for its foreign visitors.
WELL-HEELED
— well-heeled (colloq.): wealthy, well-to-do >Well-heeled doctors and lawyers can afford to live in this neighborhood, but I can’t.
WELSH
— welsh (on) (welsh ...) (sl.): cheat by not paying (a debt) >I ain’t gonna let him welsh on what he owes me. >You welsh and you’re finished around here.
WET
— (as) mad as a wet hen (see MAD)
— be all wet (sl.): be wrong, be completely mistaken >You’re all wet if ya think her old man will let her go out with you.
— get [one’s] feet wet (see FEET)
— (still) wet behind the ears (colloq.): inexperienced, immature >You ain’t going to put that kid in charge, are you? Why, he’s still wet behind the ears.
— wet [one’s] whistle (colloq.): take a drink (of an alcoholic beverage) >I got a bottle of tequila in the car—like to wet your whistle?
WETBACK
* wetback (colloq., pej.): undocumented Mexican immigrant in the U.S., Mexican-American >That bigoted jerk calls anyone who looks Latino a wetback.
WET BLANKET
— wet blanket (colloq.): person who spoils others’ fun, person who discourages enthusiasm, killjoy >Don’t be such a wet blanket—stop whining about everything.
WHACK
— whack (hwak/wak) (vt) (sl.): murder, kill >He got whacked with a shotgun blast to the chest.
— give [s/thing] a whack (sl.): give [s/thing] a try, make an attempt at [s/thing] >This game’s great—wanna give it a whack?
* out of whack (sl.): out of order, not functioning properly, not adjusted right >The TV’s outta whack. We only get two channels. >My back’s a little outta whack, so I can’t pick up anything heavy.
* take/have a whack at (sl.): make an attempt at, give (s/thing) a try >I can’t get this thing put together right—you wanna take a whack at it?
— whack off (vi, vt) (vulg.): masturbate (said of a male) >He likes to whack off when he feels horny. >He said she whacked him off last night.
WHACKED-OUT
— whacked-out (hwakt´out´/wakt´out´) (sl.): crazed, behaving in a bizarre or irrational way >Some whacked-out drug addict was on the corner screamin’ into the night.
WHACKO
— whacko (hwak´ō) (see “WACKO”)
WHACKY
— whacky (hwak´ē) (see “WACKY”)
WHALE
— whale (colloq., pej.): very large and fat person >Your aunt must have gained a hundred pounds. She’s a whale!
* a whale of a (colloq.): a very impressive, an excellent (also adv.) >We had a whale of a time skiing. >The show was a whale of a success. >He’s doing a whale of a good job.
— whale into (colloq.): attack vehemently (physically or verbally) >He whaled into me when I called him a bozo. >She whaled into her opponent during the debate.
WHAMMO
— whammo! (hwam´ō/wam´ō) (colloq.): wham! bang! >Then all of a sudden, whammo! They crashed right into a tree.
WHAMMY
— double/triple whammy (... hwam´ē/wam´ē) (colloq.): double or second/triple or third dose of misfortune >The double whammy was losing his job and then getting sued. >First I got lost, and then I ran out of gas. The triple whammy was when they stole my car.
— put the whammy on (colloq.): give bad luck to >I never wear red in Las Vegas because it puts the whammy on me.
WHAT
— (I’ll) tell you what (see TELL)
— (just) what the doctor ordered (see DOCTOR)
* ..., or what? (colloq.): ..., isn’t that so? (used after a question to affirm s/thing) >Hey, is my wife smart, or what?
— say what? (see SAY)
— say what?! (see SAY)
— so what? (see SO)
* (so) what else is new? (colloq., sarc.): that’s no surprise, that’s well- known >You need a little loan till payday again? So what else is new?
* what do you say? (colloq.): how have you been? how are you doing? >Hey, what do you say, Carlos? Long time no see!
* what do you say ...? (colloq.): I propose that ..., what do you think of the idea that ...? >What do you say we grab a couple of beers down at Patty’s Tavern?
— what [s/one] is getting at (see GETTING)
— what gives? (see GIVES)
** what if ...?1 (colloq.): what would happen if ...? suppose that ... >What if we ask Professor Gillian to look our project over before we hand it in?
* what if ...?2 (colloq.): what business is it of (s/one’s) if ...? >What if I did get drunk last night? Who cares?
** what it takes (colloq.): the necessary qualities or abilities >If you’ve got what it takes, you’ll go far in this business.
— what makes [s/one] tick (see TICK)
* what the fuck! (... fuk) (vulg.): why not allow it? I’ll risk it! It’s not that important! >Sometimes ya gotta say “what the fuck!” and try somethin’ new.
* what the heck! (... hek) (colloq.): why not allow it? I’ll risk it! It’s not that important! >You want to go along with your older brother? What the heck! Go ahead.
* what the hell! (colloq., freq. vulg.): why not allow it? I’ll risk it! It’s not that important! >What the hell! As long as we’re here, let’s buy tickets and go in.
— what the hey! (... hā) (sl.): why not allow it? I’ll risk it! It’s not that important! >What the hey! I guess I can afford a couple of raffle tickets.
— what the shit! (... shit) (vulg.): why not allow it? I’ll risk it! It’s not that important! >I figured, what the shit! Nothin’ ventured, nothin’ gained.
— what’s what (see WHAT’S)
WHATCHA
** whatcha (hwuch´ә/wuch´ә) (colloq.): what (do/are) you >Whatcha wanna do? >Whatcha gonna do?
WHATCHAMACALLIT
* whatchamacallit (hwuch´ә mә kôl´it/wuch´ә mә kôl´it) (colloq.): thing, gadget, object (for which one does not know or cannot recall the name) >No, put the whatchamacallit on before you screw on the nut.
WHAT-IF
— what-if (colloq.): possible outcome or future problem, eventuality >You’ll go crazy worrying about all the what-ifs.
WHAT’S
— get what’s coming to [one] (see COMING)
** what’s happening? (sl.): how are you? how are things? >What’s happenin’, dude? Whatcha up to?
* what’s his/her face (sl.): that (male/female) person (whose name one does not remember) >Tell what’s her face—you know, that redhead in the front office—that I’ll be a little late.
* what’s his/her name (colloq.): that (male/female) person (whose name one does not remember) >Say hi to old what’s his name at the station for me.
— what’s shaking? (sl.): what’s happening? what’s going on? >Yo, Popeye! What’s shakin’, man?
* what’s the big idea? (colloq.): explain why you’re doing (s/thing presumptuous or offensive) >Hey, what’s the big idea? That’s my chair!
— what’s the good word? (sl.): how are things? how are you doing? what’s new? >Hey, Ron, I ain’t seen ya in months—what’s the good word?
* what’s what (colloq.): the real situation, the complete facts >You don’t need to give her advice—she knows what’s what.
* what’s with ...? (colloq.): what’s the matter with ...? what’s the explanation for (s/one’s behavior, s/thing’s presence)? >What’s with Carrie? Why’s she crying? >Hey, Al, what’s with the sunglasses? It’s after midnight.
WHEEL
* wheel and deal (vi) (colloq.): operate or negotiate astutely and vigorously (esp. for personal gain) >He wheeled and dealed all over town to get support for his project. >She’ll do good in this business because she knows how to wheel and deal.
WHEELER
— wheeler and dealer (see “WHEELER-DEALER”)
WHEELER-DEALER
* wheeler-dealer (colloq.): person who operates or negotiates astutely and vigorously (esp. for personal gain) >Some wheeler-dealer almost talked Grampa into selling his land for half its value.
WHEELIE
* wheelie (hwē´lē/wē´lē) (sl.): raising of the front of a vehicle off the ground due to rapid acceleration >Let’s see if ya can do a wheelie on this bike.
WHEELMAN
— wheelman (sl.): driver (esp. in the commission of a crime) >They use him as a wheelman on bank heists.
WHEELS
— hell on wheels (see HELL)
* (set of) wheels (sl.): (an) automobile >How can ya get to work without wheels? >Nice set of wheels ya got there.
— spinning [one’s] wheels (see SPINNING)
— [for one’s] wheels [to be] spinning (colloq.): [for one to be] thinking hard >I could see that Trish’s wheels were spinning, but she just couldn’t come up with the answer.
WHEN
— say when (see SAY)
— way back when (see WAY)
WHERE
— tell [s/one] where to get off (colloq.): reprimand or rebuke [s/one] >When the clerk got rude with me, I told him where to get off.
* tell [s/one] where to put/stick [s/thing] (sl., freq. vulg.): insult or rebuke [s/one] regarding [s/thing], emphatically reject [s/thing] associated with [s/one] >When that clown tried to sell me some brushes, I told him where to put ‘em. >She told her boss where to stick his job.
* where [s/one] comes in (colloq.): the part [s/one] plays (in a plan), the thing [s/one] is responsible for >Convincing the jury is where the lawyer comes in. >The money for my project? That’s where you come in, my friend.
* where does [s/one] get off [doing s/thing]? (colloq.): how does [s/one] dare [do s/thing]? what gives [s/one] the right [to do s/thing]? >Where do you get off telling me how to run my life?
* where (have) you been keeping yourself? (colloq.): I haven’t seen you in a long time, where have you been lately? >It’s been a while, buddy—where you been keeping yourself?
* where [s/one’s] head is at (sl.): [s/one’s] mental state, [s/one’s] attitudes or opinions >I know where your head’s at, man—I feel the same way.
* where [s/one] is coming from (sl.): what [s/one’s] beliefs or attitudes are, why [s/one] thinks or feels as [he/she] does >Hey, I know where you’re comin’ from. I used to be a socialist myself.
* where it’s at (sl.): where the greatest excitement is, a very popular or profitable situation or activity >The Red Dog’s where it’s at. Let’s go! >Real estate is where it’s at in a slow economy, if ya ask me.
* where the action is (sl.): where the greatest excitement is, a very popular or profitable situation or activity >That bar’s where the action is in this town. >Boat leasing’s where the action is around here.
* where the sun doesn’t/don’t shine (sl., freq. vulg.): in (one’s) rectum >They checked her everywhere for drugs—even where the sun doesn’t shine. >Tell that moron to take his contract and stick it where the sun don’t shine!
WHERE’S
— where’s the fire? (colloq.): why are you hurrying so? >Hey, slow down a minute! Where’s the fire?
WHICH
— every which way (see EVERY)
— not know which end/way is up (see KNOW)
WHICHAMACALLIT
— whichamacallit (hwich´ә mә kôl´it/wich´ә mә kôl´it) (colloq.): thing, gadget, object (for which one does not know or cannot recall the name) >I got to get one of those whichamacallits so I can find coins and things on the beach.
WHILE
— get while the getting’s good (see GET)
WHING-DING
— whing-ding (hwing´ding´) (see “WING-DING”)
WHIP
* whip (vt) (colloq.): beat, defeat >He can whip guys twice his size. >We whipped them five to nothing.
— whip/lick [s/thing, s/one] into shape (colloq.): make [s/thing, s/one] ready, improve [s/thing, s/one] in performance or behavior (esp. through hard work or discipline) >My book’s about licked into shape. >The Army will whip him into shape in no time.
— whip off (vt) (colloq.): write hurriedly >I’ll whip off a news release and get it out right away.
* whip out (vt) (colloq.): take out quickly (esp. with assuredness or determination) >I was low on cash, so I just whipped out a credit card to pay for it.
* whip up (vt) (colloq.): prepare quickly >I’ll whip us up an omelet for breakfast. >I don’t think that plan Bunny whipped up will work.
WHIPPERSNAPPER
— whippersnapper (hwip´әr snap´әr/wip´әr snap´әr) (colloq., dtd.): insignificant and presumptuous or insolent person (esp. a young one) >I could do twice the work that whippersnapper does when I was his age—and I knew how to keep my mouth shut, too.
WHIRL
— give [s/thing] a whirl (colloq.): give [s/thing] a try, make an attempt at [s/thing] >You’ll like skiing—give it a whirl.
— take/have a whirl at (colloq.): make an attempt at, try >I doubt I can do it, but I’ll take a whirl at it.
WHIRLYBIRD
— whirlybird (hwûr´lē bûrd´/wûr´lē bûrd´) (colloq.): helicopter >He was a whirlybird pilot in the Army.
WHISTLE
— (as) clean as a whistle (see CLEAN)
— blow the whistle (on) (see BLOW)
— wet [one’s] whistle (see WET)
WHISTLE BLOWER
— whistle blower (colloq.): denouncer (of s/one) to the authorities, exposer of wrongdoing >Some whistle blower in the governor’s office brought that corruption to light.
WHISTLES
— bells and whistles (see BELLS)
WHISTLING
— you just ain’t (a-)whistlin’ Dixie! (colloq.): that’s the truth! that’s for sure! >You just ain’t a-whistlin’ Dixie, because that’s just what’s going to happen!
WHITE
* (as) white as a sheet (colloq.): very pale (said of a person’s skin) >Grace turned white as a sheet when she saw the man had a knife.
WHITE HAT
— white hat (colloq.): hero, virtuous character (in a story, esp. a Western) (cf. “BLACK HAT”) >Don’t worry—the white hat will ride by and save her. >You always think you’re the white hat, don’t you?
WHITE MAN’S DISEASE
— white man’s disease (sl., hum., freq. pej.): a complete lack of rhythm, an inability to move gracefully (in dancing) >I hope Brent doesn’t ask me to dance—he’s got white man’s disease bad.
WHITE MEAT
— white meat (vulg., pej.): white person/people (seen as sex object[s]) (cf. “DARK MEAT”) >He said he cruised the boulevard lookin’ for white meat.
WHITEY
— whitey (hwī´tē/wī´tē) (sl., pej.): white person/people (also voc.) >Whitey gets all the breaks in this racist company. >Hey, whitey, whatcha doin’ in this neighborhood?
WHITY
— whity (see “WHITEY”)
WHIZ
* whiz1 (hwiz/wiz) (colloq.): talented or proficient person (at an activity), expert >He’s a whiz on that video game. >She’s a whiz at science.
— whiz2 (vi) (sl., freq. vulg.): urinate >He whizzed on the grass.
— take a whiz (sl., freq. vulg.): urinate >Be right back—gotta take a whiz.
WHIZ KID
* whiz kid (hwiz´/wiz´ kid´) (colloq.): young talented or proficient person (at an activity), young expert >I think those computer whiz kids could write a program to do that.
WHOA
* whoa!1 (hwō/wō) (colloq.): stop what you’re saying! stop talking so fast! >Whoa, there! I did not say that! >Whoa! Calm down and speak slow.
— whoa! 2 (colloq.): (interj. to express surprise or admiration) >Whoa! Did you see the size of that trout? >Whoa! Is she ever beautiful!
WHODUNIT
— whodunit (hū´dun´it) (colloq.): murder mystery story, detective story >She loves reading those British whodunits.
WHOLE
— a (whole) bunch (of ...) (see BUNCH)
* a whole ‘nother (... nuð´әr) (colloq.): a completely different, altogether another >I’m just telling you what he did. Why he did it’s a whole ‘nother story.
— the (whole) ... (see entry under ... noun)
WHOLE HOG
— go whole hog (colloq.): (do s/thing) thoroughly or without restraints, indulge (oneself) freely >They went whole hog planning this party. >He didn’t have just one or two drinks—he went whole hog and got completely drunk.
WHOMP
— whomp (hwomp/womp) (vt) (sl.): beat, defeat decisively >You’re gonna get whomped if ya mess with that dude. >They whomped us sixty-six to forty.
WHOOP
— whoop it up (hwūp/wūp/hūp/hwŭp/wŭp/hŭp ...) (colloq.): celebrate noisily, have boisterous fun >They bought some beer and whooped it up after winning the game.
WHOOP-DE-DO
— whoop-de-do (hwūp´/wūp´/hūp´/hwŭp´/wŭp´/hŭp´dē dū´) (colloq.): noisy celebration, merrymaking >The city planned a big whoop-de-do for the Fourth of July.
WHOOPEE
— make whoopee (... hwūp´ē/wūp´ē/hwŭp´ē/wŭp´ē) (sl.): have sex >Hey, babe, let’s go make whoopee.
* whoopee! (hwūp´ē´/wūp´ē´/hwŭp´ē´/wŭp´ē´) (colloq.): (interj. to express joy or excitement) >Whoopee! I got the raise. >This ride’s wild! Whoopee!
WHOOPS-A-DAISY
* whoops-a-daisy! (hwūps´/wūps´/hwŭps´/wŭps´ә dā´zē) (colloq.): (interj. to reassure a child when he/she falls) >Whoops-a-daisy! Three whole steps that time!
WHOPPER
* whopper1 (hwop´әr/wop´әr) (colloq.): a very large (example of s/thing) >That fish Wanda caught was a whopper.
— whopper2 (colloq.): big lie >He told them a whopper, saying he was a state senator.
WHOPPING
— whopping1 (hwop´ing/wop´ing) (colloq.): very large or extraordinary >He was wearing this whopping cowboy hat.
— whopping2 (colloq.): very, extraordinarily >That was a whopping good meal.
WHO’S
— look who’s talking! (see LOOK)
* who’s who (colloq.): group of the most outstanding or famous persons (of a profession or activity) >The who’s who of electrical engineering was at the conference.
WICKED
— a wicked ... (sl.): an excellent ..., (a) ... done skillfully or impressively >That tennis player’s got a wicked serve. >Mort plays a wicked rhythm guitar.
WIDE
* wide open (sl.): at full throttle, applying full acceleration or power >It’ll go over a hundred wide open.
— wide place in the road (colloq.): very small town (esp. on a highway) >She comes from some little town in the desert that’s just a wide place in the road.
WIDOW
— ... widow (colloq.): woman whose husband neglects her because he devotes excessive time to ... >Sarah’s a golf widow—her old man’s always out playing.
WIENER
— wiener (vulg.): penis >He made a joke about his wiener being too small.
WIENIE
— wienie (see “WEENIE”)
WIG
— flip [one’s] wig (see FLIP)
— wig out1 (vi) (sl.): lose (one’s) self-control, become mentally unstable, go crazy >They kept teasin’ him till he totally wigged out and started screamin’ at everyone.
— wig out2 (vi) (sl.): become very excited or enthusiastic >His fans really wig out at his concerts.
WIGGED
— wigged out (wigd ...) (sl.): having lost (one’s) self-control, having become mentally unstable, crazed >They had to call the cops ‘cause the dude was totally wigged out.
WIGGLE
* wiggle ([one’s] way) out of (colloq.): succeed in avoiding or removing [oneself] from (a task or commitment), renege on or back out of (an obligation) (esp. in a sneaky way) >He’s not going to wiggle out of doing me this favor. >I don’t know how they wiggled their way out of planning the show.
WILD
** wild (sl.): very stimulating, excitingly good >The Formula One race was wild! >I saw a really wild movie last night.
— (a team of) wild horses couldn’t (colloq.): nothing could (change s/one’s determined course of action) >A team of wild horses couldn’t keep me away from their party. >Wild horses couldn’t drag any information out of that closemouthed kid.
* wild about/over (colloq.): very enthusiastic about, very fond or enamored of >Everyone’s wild over that song. >Megan’s wild about that cute guy.
WILD CARD
* wild card (colloq.): unpredictable element, unknown determinant >The weather’s going to be the wild card in this race.
WILDFIRE
* like wildfire (colloq.): quickly and vigorously (esp. how s/thing spreads) >Cholera went like wildfire through the city’s slums.
WILLIES
— the willies (... wil´ēz) (sl.): nervous uneasiness or fright, nervous shaking >Snakes give him the willies. >I get the willies every time I go by that old place at night.
WILLY
— willy (wil´ē) (colloq.): penis (used esp. with children) >Put you willy back in your pants, Mikey.
WIMP
** wimp (wimp) (sl.): contemptibly weak or cowardly person >Don’t be such a wimp—fight back!
— wimp out (vi) (sl.): retreat in a cowardly way, fail to meet a challenge due to weakness or fear >Vic’s a weenie—he wimps out every time he starts to ask Doreen to go out with him.
WIMPY
* wimpy (wim´pē) (sl.): contemptibly weak or cowardly >His wimpy friend won’t play football with us.
WIN
— win/lose by a nose (see NOSE)
WIND
— three sheets to/in the wind (see THREE)
* wind down (wīnd ...) (vi) (colloq.): relax, relieve (one’s) stress >Coleman winds down with a cocktail every day after work.
* wind up1 (wīnd ...) (vi) (colloq.): end up, find (oneself) (in a resulting place or situation) >Toby drove after he’d had a few beers, and he wound up in jail. >You’re going to wind up all alone if you keep treating people that way.
* wind up2 (wīnd ...) (vt) (colloq.): complete, be finished with >We’ll wind up the job next week.
WINDBAG
— windbag (wind´bag´) (colloq.): person who talks too much (esp. while saying little of substance), pretentious talker >You didn’t take anything that windbag said seriously, did you?
WINDOW
— throw [s/thing] out the window (see THROW)
WING
* wing it (colloq.): do (s/thing) without due preparation, improvise >I don’t know what they expect me to say at the meeting, so I’ll just have to wing it.
WING-DING
— wing-ding (wing´ding´) (sl.): big and noisy party or celebration >They’re gonna have a big wing-ding to celebrate his new job.
WINGMAN
— wingman (sl.): accompanying protector or assistant, backup, guard (esp. in a specific situation) >I take big Tommy along as my wingman when I go barhoppin’.
WINGNUT
— wingnut (sl.): crazy, radical or extremist person (also adj.) >Some wingnut interrupted the meeting ranting about a plot to rig the election. >Get outta here with your wingnut conspiracy theories!
WINNER
** winner (sl.): charmed or successful person, person worthy of respect (cf. “LOSER”) >That’s a great kid ya got there—a real winner. >If ya wanna be a winner, ya gotta look like one.
WINO
* wino (wī´nō) (sl.): impoverished alcoholic (esp. a derelict, esp. one who drinks cheap wine) >Nobody but drug addicts and winos stay in that cheap hotel.
WIN-WIN
— win-win (colloq.): advantageous for all involved, having no drawbacks >If you fill in for me at work tomorrow you can earn some extra bucks and I can get the rest I need—it’s a win-win situation.
WIPE
* wipe out1 (vt) (sl.): exhaust, tire completely >Diggin’ that trench wiped me out. >We were wiped out after that long hike.
* wipe out2 (vt) (colloq.): murder, kill >One gangster had the other wiped out. >The disease wiped out the whole tribe.
* wipe out3 (vt) (sl.): defeat decisively >The Eagles wiped ‘em out in the semi-finals.
— wipe out4 (vi) (sl.): crash or fall (esp. in sports) >When he tried to turn the corner too fast, he wiped out. >He wiped out on that humungous wave he tried to ride in.
— wipe out5 (vt) (sl.): intoxicate (with drugs or alcohol) >This coke’ll wipe ya out, man. >Three drinks and she was wiped out.
— mop (up)/wipe the floor with (see MOP)
WIPEOUT
— wipeout1 (sl.): decisive defeat >What a wipeout! We killed ‘em, forty-nine to six.
— wipeout2 (sl.): crash or fall (esp. in sports) >A bad wipeout can really hurt a surfer. >The wipeout bent up her bike, but she was OK.
WIRE
— wire (sl.): hidden microphone and transmitter (worn on a person) >The cops got him to wear a wire to his meeting with the smugglers.
— down to the wire (see DOWN)
* (just) under the wire (colloq.): just by the deadline, barely in time >He filed for candidacy just under the wire.
WIRED
* wired1 (sl.): excited, tense, edgy >Everyone gets real wired right before a game. >I’m pretty wired after drinkin’ eight cups of coffee.
— wired2 (sl.): intoxicated (esp. on drugs) >He went out to his car, snorted some coke and came back totally wired.
— have [s/thing] wired (sl.): be assured of success with [s/thing], have [s/thing] virtually achieved >No problem, man—I got this exam wired. >He thinks he’s got the job wired ‘cause his old man’s a buddy of the owner.
WIRES
* get [one’s] wires crossed (colloq.): have a miscommunication, miscomprehend [one another] >I guess we got our wires crossed, because that’s not the way I understood it.
WISE
* wise (sl.): impudent or presumptuous, disrespectful >He tried to get wise with me, so I punched him. >I don’t like them wise teenage punks.
* wise to (sl.): aware or informed of, no longer deceived by or naive about >If the feds get wise to this, we’re finished. >I’m wise to your scheme.
* wise up (vi, vt) (sl.): become/make aware, become informed/inform (esp. to end some deceit or naiveness) >Wise up, Chuck—she’s really in love with Grant. >When’s that dummy gonna wise up and see what they’re really doin’ to him? >I’d better wise Warren up before he makes a fool of himself.
WISEACRE
— wiseacre (wīz´ā´kәr) (colloq.): obnoxiously self-assured or conceited person, insolent person >I wish someone would tell that wiseacre to keep his mouth shut.
WISE ASS
— wise ass (vulg.): obnoxiously self-assured or conceited person, insolent person >Some wise ass was pissin’ everyone off sayin’ how he could have done it better.
WISE-ASS
— wise-ass (vulg.): obnoxiously self-assured or conceited, insolent >Get rid of that wise-ass attitude if ya wanna keep your job!
WISECRACK
* wisecrack (sl.): sarcastic or flippant remark >Jerry’s always makin’ wisecracks in class and gettin’ on the teacher’s nerves. >No wisecracks about my lumpy gravy.
WISE GUY
* wise guy (... gī) (colloq.): obnoxiously self-assured or conceited person, insolent person (also voc.) >Don’t be a wise guy or I’ll have to shut you up. >Watch out, wise guy!
WISHY-WASHY
* wishy-washy (wish´ē wosh´ē/wô´shē) (colloq.): indecisive, lacking in purpose >Her wishy-washy husband can’t make up his mind.
WITCH’S
— colder than a witch’s tit (see COLDER)
WITH
* be with (colloq.): be in agreement with >I’m with Bartlett—he’s got the right idea.
— be [s/where] with bells on (see BELLS)
— what’s with ...? (see WHAT’S)
* with it (sl.): up-to-date with the latest styles, aware of and in concert with what’s going on (cf. “WITH-IT”) >You ain’t gotta do drugs to be with it. >Get with it, man, nobody drinks wine coolers any more.
— with one hand tied behind [one]/[one’s] back (see HAND)
WITHIN
— … within an inch of [s/one’s] life (see INCH)
WITH-IT
* with-it (sl.): up-to-date with the latest styles, aware of and in concert with what’s going on (cf. “be WITH it”) >I’ve been datin’ this really stylish, with-it chick.
WOKE
— woke (sl., freq. sarc.): overly politically correct, pretentiously socially conscious >All the woke people got upset over his racially insensitive remarks.
WOLF
— wolf (colloq., dtd.): man who aggressively pursues women sexually >Watch out for that wolf, or he’ll be all over you before you know it.
WOMAN
— the little woman (see LITTLE)
WONK
— … wonk (… wonk) (sl.): … expert, knowledgeable devotee of … >He’s a policy wonk that got a job as a congressman’s aide. >Some sports statistics wonk is writing a book on weird records set in pro baseball.
WOOD
— saw wood (see SAW)
WOODS
— neck of the woods (see NECK)
* out of the woods (colloq.): no longer in danger, finally safe (freq. used in the neg.) >The patient’s improved some, but he’s not out of the woods yet. >We won’t be out of the woods until we make that last payment.
WOODWORK
— come/crawl out of the woodwork (see COME)
WOOL
— pull the wool over [s/one’s] eyes (colloq.): deceive or mislead [s/one] >The kid thinks he’s pulling the wool over his mother’s eyes, but she’s smarter than he thinks.
WOP
— wop (wop) (sl., pej.): Italian-American, Italian >I can’t believe he actually called Marco a wop.
WORD
* cannot get a word in (edgewise) (colloq.): not have a chance to say anything (because another dominates the conversation) >Morrison started talking about politics, and nobody else could get a word in edgewise.
— from the word “go” (see GO)
* (just) say/give the word (colloq.): you need only indicate your desire or approval, just give the signal to proceed >Give the word and I’ll beat the jerk up for you. >If you want another helping, just say the word.
— the word (colloq.): an interesting rumor, the latest gossip >The word is that the supervisor has a drinking problem. >Hey, Jonsey, what’s the word?
— the ...-word (colloq.): (euphemism to refer to a word beginning with the letter ...) >Don’t mention the M-word around a confirmed bachelor like Larry. >He’s so foul-mouthed! He just said the F-word in front of these ladies.
— what’s the good word? (see WHAT’S)
WORK
* work (vt) (colloq.): gain advantage over through persuasion, exploit through cajolery or manipulation >He knows how to work the customers till he’s got them eager to buy. >The homeless man was out working the crowd for handouts.
* have [one’s] work/job cut out for [one] (colloq.): be facing a great deal of work or a difficult task >You’ve got your work cut out for you cleaning up this big mess.
— make quick work of (see QUICK)
— piece of work (see PIECE)
* work like a charm (colloq.): work very well, be very effective >My story worked like a charm on that gullible receptionist.
* work over (vt) (sl.): beat thoroughly or severely >If he don’t wanna cooperate, work him over till he does.
WORKAHOLIC
** workaholic (wûrk´ә hol´ik/wûrk´ә hô´lik) (colloq.): compulsive worker, person who is overly dedicated to his/her job >Some of the workaholics even come into the office on Sundays.
WORKER
— fast worker/operator (see FAST)
WORKS
* in the works (colloq.): being prepared or planned, being developed or processed >I hear there’s a big company reorganization in the works.
— shoot the works (see SHOOT)
** the works (colloq.): all the accompaniments, everything involved >Give me a burger with the works. >He got it with leather seats, all-wheel drive, power sunroof—the works.
WORLD
— dead to the world (see DEAD)
* out of this world (colloq.): wonderful, excellent >Their barbecued ribs are out of this world.
* what/who/[etc.] in the world ...? (colloq.): (intens. expressing impatience, anger, or surprise) >Where in the world did you get that awful painting? >Why in the world didn’t she say something about it to her friends?
WORM
— worm (colloq.): contemptibly cowardly or treacherous person, reprehensible person >I don’t trust that sneaky worm that works as his aide.
WORST
* in the worst way (colloq.): very much, very strongly (esp. referring to desire) >She wanted him to ask her out in the worst way.
WORTH
— for all [one] is worth (see ALL)
— no/any ... worth his/her salt (colloq.): no/any ... who is competent >No accountant worth his salt would have missed that. >Any carpenter worth his salt could frame that house in three days.
** worth a damn (colloq., freq. vulg.): the least bit valuable (freq. used in the neg.) (also adv.) >This computer’s not worth a damn to me if I don’t have the right software. >Who hired him? He can’t sing worth a damn.
— worth a dang (... dang) (colloq.): the least bit valuable (freq. used in the neg.) (also adv.) >This old refrigerator’s not worth a dang anymore. >Bring me a sharper knife—this one doesn’t cut worth a dang.
* worth a darn (... därn) (colloq.): the least bit valuable (freq. used in the neg.) (also adv.) >That new guy’s not worth a darn on this job. >If he can keep books worth a darn, the job’s his.
* worth a darn (... därn) (colloq.): the least bit valuable (freq. used in the neg.) (also adv.) >That new guy’s not worth a darn on this job. >If he can keep books worth a darn, the job’s his.
— worth a fuck (... fuk) (vulg.): the least bit valuable (freq. used in the neg.) (also adv.) >He’s a nice kid, but he ain’t worth a fuck on the job. >Poor Leo can’t drive a car worth a fuck.
— worth a goddamn (colloq., freq. vulg.): the least bit valuable (freq. used in the neg.) (also adv.) >They don’t have a player that’s worth a goddamn. >That player can’t hit worth a goddamn.
— worth a rat’s ass (vulg.): the least bit valuable (freq. used in the neg.) (also adv.) >This cheap wrench ain’t worth a rat’s ass. >Me on the team? I can’t bowl worth a rat’s ass.
— worth (a) shit (... shit) (vulg.): the least bit valuable, at all worthwhile (freq. used in the neg.) (also adv.) >Any plumber that’s worth a shit could fix that leak in five minutes. >This beat-up wheelbarrow don’t work worth shit. >If he can play worth a shit, he’s on the team.
— worth beans (sl.): the least bit valuable (freq. used in the neg.) (also adv.) >The crummy report she wrote isn’t worth beans. >That ham can’t act worth beans.
WOULD
— would give [one’s] left/right nut (see GIVE)
— would give [one’s] right arm (see GIVE)
— would give [s/one] the shirt off [one’s] back (see SHIRT)
— would ... in a minute (see MINUTE)
WOULDN’T
— wouldn’t be caught dead (see DEAD)
— wouldn’t put it past [s/one] (to [do s/thing]) (see PUT)
— wouldn’t hurt a fly/flea (see HURT)
— wouldn’t touch [s/thing, s/one] with a ten-foot pole (see TOUCH)
— wouldn’t you know it! (see KNOW)
WOUND
* wound up (wound ...) (colloq.): tense, nervous >She gets real wound up right before a performance.
WOW
— wow1 (wou) (colloq.): very impressive or exciting exhibition or person >His juggling act is a real wow. >That beautiful actress is a wow!
* wow2 (vt) (colloq.): greatly impress, excite >I know you’re going to wow them with that publicity idea.
** wow! (colloq.): (interj. to express wonder, surprise, or excitement) >Wow! Did you see that lightning flash?
WRAP
* wrap/twist [s/one] around [one’s] little finger (colloq.): easily dominate [s/one], easily influence [s/one] to do [one’s] will >She’s got her boyfriend wrapped around her little finger.
— wrap/get [one’s] head around [s/thing] (see HEAD)
** wrap up (vt) (colloq.): finish, conclude, take care of the last details of >We ought to be able to wrap this project up by tomorrow.
WRAPPED
* wrapped up in (colloq.): very involved in, overly devoted to >How’d you get so wrapped up in motorcycle racing? >He’s really wrapped up in his work.
WRASTLE
— wrastle (see “RASSLE”)
WRINGER
* through the wringer (colloq.): undergoing a difficult or painful situation >Jerry’s been through the wringer with that lawsuit. >The cops put him through the wringer till he gave them the info they wanted.
WRINKLE
* wrinkle1 (colloq.): minor problem or defect >We got to work a couple of wrinkles out of this plan before it’ll work.
— wrinkle2 (colloq.): clever trick or innovation >The public relations guy’s got a new wrinkle for his next campaign.
WRIST
— slap on the wrist (see SLAP)
— slap [s/one] on the/[s/one’s] wrist (see SLAP)
WRITE
—nothing to write home about (see NOTHING)
WRITTEN
— have “…” written all over [one/it/them] (colloq.): show clear evidence of being a … >That dumb slob has “loser” written all over him. >The proposal that clown showed me had “scam” written all over it.
WRONG
— barking up the wrong tree (see BARKING)
— get off on the wrong foot (colloq.): start a relationship badly, begin an endeavor poorly >I think we got off on the wrong foot when we met, so I apologize for the misunderstanding.
— get up on the wrong side of the bed (see GET)
— rub [s/one] the wrong way (see RUB)
* the wrong side of the tracks (colloq.): poor neighborhood, area where the lower socioeconomic classes live (cf. “the RIGHT side of the tracks”) >His parents got real upset when he started seeing a girl from the wrong side of the tracks.
WROTE
— that’s all she wrote! (see ALL)
* wrote the book on (colloq.): is the original or foremost expert on (a subject) >Everyone consults Givens—he wrote the book on designing these things.
WUSS
— wuss (wŭs) (sl.): cowardly or overly timid man >That wuss won’t jump off the high dive!
— wuss out (sl.): desist or withdraw due to fear >Don’t wuss out—just stand up to him!
WUSSY
— wussy (wŭs´ē) (sl.): cowardly, overly timid >That wussy kid is afraid to ask her to dance.