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Question 1

In the mainstream (of)

Answer 1

following the current trends or styles that are popular or are considered normal. (*Typically: be ~ ; get [into] ~ .) Bob is too old-fashioned to be in the mainstream of modern living.

Question 2

in the making

Answer 2

in development; in the process of developing. This is a real problem in the making. Let’s try to keep it from getting any worse.

Question 3

in the market (for)

Answer 3

Fig. wanting to buy something. (*Typically: be ~ ; find oneself ~ .)
I’m in the market for a new camera. If you have a boat for sale, we’re in the market.

Question 4

in the meantime

Answer 4

the period of time between two things; the period of time between now and when something is supposed to happen.

The movie starts at 6:00. In the meantime, let’s eat dinner. My flight was at 8:00. In the meantime, I played solitaire.

Question 5

in the middle of nowhere

Answer 5

Fig. in a very remote place. (*Typically: be ~ ; drive [into] ~ ; put someone or something [into] ~ .)

To get to my house, you have to drive into the middle of nowhere. We found a nice place to eat, but it’s out in the middle of nowhere.

Question 6

in the money 0

Answer 6

Fig. wealthy.

John is really in the money. He’s worth millions. If I am ever in the money, I’ll be generous.

Question 7

In the money 0

Answer 7

Fig. in the winning position in a race or contest. (As if one had won the prize money; in horse racing the top three finishers can pay off on bets.)

I knew when Jane came around the final turn that she was in the money. The horses coming in first, second, and third are said to be in the money.

Question 8

in the mood (for) & in the mood (to)

Answer 8

having the proper state of mind for a particular situation or for doing something.

I’m not in the mood to see a movie tonight. Are you in the mood for pizza?

Question 9

in the near future

Answer 9

Cliché in the time immediately ahead.

I don’t plan to go to Florida in the near future. Today’s prices won’t be around in the near future.

Question 10

in the offing

Answer 10

happening at some time in the future.

There is a big investigation in the offing, but I don’t know when. It’s hard to tell what’s in the offing if you don’t keep track of things.

Question 11

in the open

Answer 11

in the outdoors; in an area that is not closed in. (*Typically: be ~ ; put something ~ .)

John’s bike was stolen because he left it out in the open. Mary loves gardening because she loves to be in the open.

Question 12

in the picture

Answer 12

Fig. well-informed; aware of what is going on. (*Typically: be ~ ; keep someone ~ ; put someone ~ .)

Please, keep me fully in the picture. John found out about the plan. He’s in the picture, so take care.

Question 13

in the pink (of condition) & in the pink (of health)

Answer 13

Fig. in very good health; in very good condition, physically and emotionally. (*Typically: be ~ ; get [into] ~ .)

He recovered completely from his surgery and has been in the pink ever since. She was lively and active and in the pink of condition.

Question 14

in the pipeline

Answer 14

Fig. backed up somewhere in a process; in process; in a queue.

There’s a lot of goods still in the pipeline. That means no more new orders will be shipped for a while. Your papers are in the pipeline somewhere. You’ll just have to wait.

Question 15

in the poorhouse 0

Answer 15

Lit. in a (historical) communal dwelling for impoverished persons. (*Typically: live ~ ; end up ~ .)

He couldn’t pay his debts and had to live in the poorhouse.

Question 16

in the poorhouse 0

Answer 16

Fig. in a state of poverty. (*Typically: live ~ ; end up ~ .)

If I lose my job, we’ll end up in the poorhouse.

Question 17

in the prime of life

Answer 17

g. in the best and most productive and healthy period of life.

The good health of one’s youth can carry over into the prime of life. He was struck down by a heart attack in the prime of life.

Question 18

in the public eye

Answer 18

Fig. publicly; visible to all; conspicuous. (*Typically: be ~ ; find oneself ~ ; get [into] ~ .)

Elected officials find themselves constantly in the public eye. The mayor made it a practice to get into the public eye as much as possible.

Question 19

in the rear

Answer 19

located in the space or area behind someone or something.

The waiter told me that the bathrooms were in the rear. All deliveries must be made in the rear.

Question 20

in the red

Answer 20

Fig. losing money. (*Typically: be ~ ; go [into] ~ ; as opposed to in the black.)

State government has been operating in the red for five straight years. What with all those car repairs, we’re going to be in the red this month.

Question 21

in the right

Answer 21

correct; morally or legally correct.

I know I’m in the right. You are not in the right on this point.

Question 22

in the right place at the right time

Answer 22

in the location where something good is to happen exactly when it happens.

I got a good deal on a car because I was in the right place at the right time. Unless you are in the right place at the right time, you won’t get a chance to meet a movie star.

Question 23

in the road 0

Answer 23

Lit. on the roadway.

What’s that in the road ahead?

Question 24

in the road 0

Answer 24

Fig. in the way; obstructing the way.

You are always in the road. Move aside.

Question 25

in the running

Answer 25

Fig. in competition; competing and having a chance to win. (See also in a bind and the examples.)

Is Tom still in the running? Does he still have a chance to be elected? I don’t know about Tom, but Gladys is definitely still in the running.

Question 26

in the same boat (as)

Answer 26

in the same situation; having the same problem. (*Typically: be ~ ; get [into] ~ .)

Tom: I’m broke. Can you lend me twenty dollars? Bill: Sorry. I’m in the same boat. Jane and Mary are both in the same boat. They have been called for jury duty.

Question 27

in the same breath

Answer 27

Fig. [stated or said] almost at the same time.

He told me I was lazy, but then in the same breath he said I was doing a good job. The teacher said that the students were working hard and, in the same breath, that they were not working hard enough.

Question 28

in the second place

Answer 28

secondly; in addition. (Usually said after one has said in the first place.)

In the first place, you don’t have enough money to buy one. In the second place, you don’t need one. In the first place, I don’t have the time. In the second place, I’m not interested.