344 Flashcards
in the soup
Fig. in a bad situation. (*Typically: be ~ ; get [into] ~ .)
Now I’m really in the soup. I broke Mrs. Franklin’s window. I make a lot of mistakes. It’s easy for me to get into the soup.
in the spotlight 0
Fig. in the beam of a spotlight, as on a stage.
The singer was in the spotlight but the band was almost in the dark.
In the spotlight 0 & in the limelight
Fig. at the center of attention. (Limelight refers to an obsolete type of spotlight, and the word occurs only in this phrase.)
John will do almost anything to get himself into the limelight. I love being in the spotlight. All elected officials spend a lot of time in the limelight.
in the swim of things
Fig. involved in or participating in events or happenings. (*Typically: be ~ ; get [into] ~ .)
I’ve been ill, but soon I’ll be back in the swim of things. I can’t wait to settle down and get into the swim of things.
in the trust of
under the responsibility or in the care of someone. (*Typically: be ~ ; leave someone or something ~ ; place someone or something ~ .)
The state placed the orphan in the trust of the foster parents. Our bonds are left in the trust of our broker.
in the twinkling of an eye & in the wink of an eye
Fig. very quickly.
In the twinkling of an eye, the deer had disappeared into the forest. I gave Bill ten dollars and, in the twinkling of an eye, he spent it.
in the unlikely event of & in the unlikely event that
if something—which probably will not happen—actually happens.
In the unlikely event of my getting the job, I’ll have to buy a car to get there every day. In the unlikely event of a fire, please walk quickly to an exit.
In the (very) nick of time
Fig. just in time; at the last possible instant; just before it’s too late. (*Typically: arrive ~ ; get there ~ ; happen ~ ; reach something ~ ; save someone ~ .)
The doctor arrived in the nick of time. The patient’s life was saved. I reached the airport in the very nick of time and made my flight.
in the wake of
Fig. after something; as a result of some event. (Alludes to a ship’s wake.)
We had no place to live in the wake of the fire. In the wake of the storm, there were many broken tree limbs.
in the way of
as a kind of something; as a style of something.
What do you have in the way of dress shoes? We have nothing in the way of raincoats.
in the wind
Fig. about to happen.
There are some major changes in the wind. Expect these changes to happen soon. There is something in the wind. We’ll find out what it is soon.
in the works
Fig. being prepared; being planned; being done.
There are some new laws in the works that will affect all of us. I have some ideas in the works that you might be interested in.
in the worst way
Fig. very much.
I want a new car in the worst way. Bob wants to retire in the worst way.
In the wrong
wrong; morally or legally incorrect.
I am not in the wrong, you are. No, you are in the wrong.
in the wrong place at the wrong time
in the location where something bad is to happen exactly when it happens.
I always get into trouble. I’m just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s isn’t my fault. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
in theory
according to a theory; theoretically.
In theory, if I take my medicine regularly, I will get well. How things work in theory doesn’t always match with how things work in reality.
In there
Sl. sincere; likeable.
Martha is really in there. Everybody likes her. I like a guy who’s in there—who thinks about other people.
in there pitching
Fig. trying very hard.
Bob is always in there pitching. Just stay in there pitching. You’ll make some progress eventually.
in these parts
Rur. around here; in this area.
There aren’t any big hospitals in these parts. Joe’s the richest man in these parts.
-the- in thing (to do)
the fashionable thing to do.
Eating low-fat food is the in thing to do. Bob is very oldfashioned. He never does the in thing.
in this day and age
Fig. now; in these modern times.
Bill: Ted flunked out of school. Mother: Imagine that! Especially in this day and age. Bill: Taxes keep going up and up. Bob: What do you expect in this day and age?
in those parts
Rur. around there; in that area.
I’ve got a cousin who lives in those parts. We used to spend our vacations in those parts.
in times past
Fig. long ago; in previous times.
In times past, you would not have been able to wear casual clothing to work. In times past, the air always seemed fresher and cleaner.
in top form 0
[of someone or some creature] in very good physical condition.
The runners are in top form, so this should be a good race. I’m not in top form, but I’m not completely out of shape either.
