Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

Makkai Adam

[like water]{adv. phr.} As something easily poured out or wasted; freely. — Usually used in the phrase "spend money like water". •/Sailors on shore leave often spend money like water./ •/During the World Wars, the United States spent money like water./

[like water off a duck’s back]{adv. phr.}, {informal} Without changing your feelings or opinion; without effect. •/Advice and correction roll off him like water off a duck’s back./ •/Many people showed him they didn’t like what he was doing, but their disapproval passed off him like water off a duck’s back./

[lily] See: GILD THE LILY also PAINT THE LILY.

[limb] See: OUT ON A LIMB.

[line] See: BLOW ONE’S LINES or FLUFF ONE’S LINES, CHOW LINE, DOWN THE LINE, DRAW A LINE or DRAW THE LINE, DROP A LINE, END OF THE ROAD or END OF THE LINE, FOUL LINE, GOAL LINE, GOAL LINE STAND, HOLD THE LINE, HOOK, LINE AND SINKER, IN LINE, IN LINE WITH, INTO LINE, LAY ON THE LINE or PUT ON THE LINE, ON THE LINE, OUT OF LINE, OUT OF LINE WITH, READ BETWEEN THE LINES, TOE THE LINE, WALK THE CHALK or WALK THE CHALK LINE.

[line drive]{n.} A batted baseball that is usually hit hard and travels in the air not far above the ground. •/The batter hit a line drive to left field for a single./

[linen] See: AIR ONE’S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC or WASH ONE’S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC.

[line of fire]{n. phr.} The path that something fired or thrown takes. •/When the bandit and the police began to shoot, John was almost in their line of fire./ Compare: CROSS FIRE.

[line of least resistance] or [path of least resistance]{n. phr.} The easiest way; the way that takes least effort. •/In becoming a doctor like his father John had really just followed the line of least resistance./ •/Some parents take the path of least resistance with their children and let them do as they please./

[line of scrimmage]{n. phr.} An imaginary line on a football field parallel to the goal lines where each play except the kickoff begins. •/The play was stopped at the line of scrimmage./

[line one’s pockets] also [line one’s purse]{v. phr.}, {informal} To get a lot of money unfairly; get rich by being dishonest. •/The policeman lined his pockets by taking bribes./ •/The inspector lined his pockets by permitting contractors to use poor building materials./ Compare: FEATHER ONE’S NEST.

[lineup]{n.} 1. An alignment of objects in a straight line. •/A lineup of Venus and the moon can be a very beautiful sight in the night sky./ 2. An arrangement of suspects through a one-way mirror so that the victim or the witness of a crime can identify the wanted person. •/She picked out her attacker from a police lineup./

[line up]{v. phr.} 1. To take places in a line or formation; stand side by side or one behind another; form a line or pattern. •/The boys lined up and took turns diving off the springboard./ •/The football team lined up in a "T" formation./ 2. To put in line. •/John lined up the pool balls./ 3. To adjust correctly. •/The garage man lined up the car’s wheels./ 4a. {informal} To make ready for action; complete a plan or agreement for; arrange. •/Henry’s friends lined up so many votes for him that he won the election./ •/Roger lined up a summer job before school was out./ •/The superintendent lined up all the new teachers he needed before he went on vacation./ 4b. {informal} To become ready for action; come together in preparation or agreement. •/The football schedule is lining up well; the coach has arranged all games except one./ •/Larry wanted to go to the seashore for the family vacation, but the rest of the family lined up against him./ Compare: GANG UP, SHAPE UP, TAKE SIDES.

[lining] See: EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING.

[link] See: MISSING LINK.

[lion’s share]{n. phr.} A disproportionate share; the largest part. •/The manager always gets the lion’s share of the company’s profits./

[lip] See: BUTTON ONE’S LIP or ZIP ONE’S LIP, HANG ON THE WORDS OF or HANG ON THE LIPS OF, KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP, SLIP OF THE TONGUE also SLIP OF THE LIP.

[lip service]{n.} Support shown by words only and not by actions; a show of loyalty that is not proven in action. — Usually used with "pay". •/Bv holding elections, communism pays lip service to democracy, but it offers only one candidate per office./ •/Some people pay lip service to education, but don’t vote taxes for better schools./

[liquid assets]{n. phr.} Those belongings that can be easily converted into cash. •/Herb asked for a loan and the bank manager told him to bring in proof of all his liquid assets./

[liquor up]{v. phr.}, {slang} To drink an excessive amount of liquor before engaging in some activity as if comparing oneself to a car that needs to be filled before a journey. •/Joe always liquors up before he takes Sue for a dance./

[list] See: SUCKER LIST, WAITING LIST.

[listen in]{v.} 1. To listen to a radio broadcast. •/We found them listening in to the president’s speech./ 2. To listen to the talk of others, often to talk that is not intended for your ears; eavesdrop. •/When Mary talked to her boyfriend on the telephone, her little brother listened in./

[listen to reason]{v. phr.} To listen to and think about advice that you are given. •/Joe was stubborn and would not listen to reason./ •/It will save you a lot of trouble if you will just listen to reason./

[litterbug]{n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who leaves garbage in a public place, such as a park or beach or a street; one who litters. •/Don’t be a litterbug; keep the city clean!/