arrive

*ahead of one's time

Fig. having ideas or attitudes that are too advanced to be acceptable in the present. (*Typically: be ~; think ~.) Sue's grandmother was ahead of her time in wanting to study medicine.

See also: ahead, time

*ahead of time

beforehand; before the announced time. (*Typically: arrive ~; get there ~; leave ~; show up ~.) If you show up ahead of time, you will have to wait. Be there ahead of time if you want to get a good seat.

See also: ahead, time

*in a body

Fig. as a group of people; as a group; in a group. (*Typically: arrive some place ~; go ~; leave ~; reach some place ~; travel ~.) The tour members always traveled in a body.

See also: body

*in force 

1. [of a rule or law] currently valid or in effect. (*Typically: be ~.) Is this rule in force now? The constitution is still in force.

2. Fig. in a very large group. (*Typically: arrive ~; attack ~.) The entire group arrived in force. The mosquitoes will attack in force this evening.

See also: force

*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.

See also: nick, time

*on a wing and a prayer

Fig. to arrive or fly in with one's plane in very bad condition. (Sometimes used fig. of other vehicles. *Typically: come (in) ~; arrive ~.) Finally we could see the plane through the smoke, coming in on a wing and a prayer.

See also: and, prayer, wing

arrive

(some place) at some time to reach some place at a particular time. We will arrive at the border at noon. They arrived at seven o'clock in the evening.

arrive (somewhere) (up)on the stroke of some time and arrive (somewhere) at the stroke of some time

to reach a place at a particular instant of time.(Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) She arrived home on the stroke of midnight. We all arrived at the stroke of two.

See also: some, stroke, time

arrive (somewhere) (up)on the stroke of some time and arrive (somewhere) at the stroke of some time

to reach a place at a particular instant of time. (Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) She arrived home on the stroke of midnight. We all arrived at the stroke of two.

See also: some, stroke, time

arrive (somewhere) (up)on the stroke of some time and arrive (somewhere) at the stroke of some time

to reach a place at a particular instant of time. (Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) She arrived home on the stroke of midnight. We all arrived at the stroke of two.

See also: some, stroke, time

arrive (up)on the scene (of something) and arrive at the scene (of something)

to reach the location of an event in progress. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on and at.) The police arrived on the scene of the crime. They arrived upon the scene of a frightening accident. What did they do when they arrived at the scene?

See also: scene

arrive at a decision and reach a decision

to make a decision; decide. Have you arrived at a decision yet? We will reach a decision tomorrow.

See also: decision

come on the scene and arrive on the scene 

1. Lit. to arrive at a place. When we came on the scene, the ambulances were already there. The police arrived on the scene and began directing traffic.

2. Fig. to become part of a situation. She thought she was in love with Harry until Bob came on the scene.

See also: come, scene

have arrived

to have reached a position of power, authority, or prominence. Jane saw her picture on the cover of the magazine and felt that she had finally arrived. When I got an office with a window, I knew that I had arrived.

See also: have

It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.

Prov. You should enjoy the process of doing something, rather than anticipate the result of doing it. Bill: I can't wait till I get my high school diploma. Fred: You should concentrate on enjoying high school instead. It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.

See also: better, travel

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in the nick of time

at the last possible moment

Usage notes: A nick was a mark on a stick which was used in the past to measure time.

We got there just in the nick of time. A minute later and she'd have left.

See also: nick, time

on a wing and a prayer

if you do something on a wing and a prayer, you do it hoping that you will succeed although you are not prepared enough for it With scarcely any funding and a staff of six, they operate on a wing and a prayer.

See also: and, prayer, wing

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(just) in the nick of time

at the last possible moment A man walking his dog saw her fall into the river and pulled her out just in the nick of time.

See also: nick, time

ahead of your time also before your time

having very modern ideas The inventor was years ahead of his time in realizing the importance of being able to record sound. Taylor's ideas have been before his time on many occasions.

See also: ahead, time

ahead of time

before something happens We'd better buy our tickets ahead of time if we want to avoid waiting in a long line.

See also: ahead, time

arrive at something

to come to a decision or agreement about something after serious thought or discussion The town council needs to explain how they arrived at their plan for future development of the town.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of arrive at (to come to a place)

in force

in effect and in use The law has been in force for two years.

Usage notes: used when referring to laws, rules, agreements, and systems

See also: force