fat

*fat as a pig

exceptionally fat; grotesquely fat. (*Also: as ~.) If I don't stop eating this cake, I'll be fat as a pig! You really ought to go on a diet; you're as fat as a pig.

See also: pig

*fat hit the fire

Fig. a situation that suddenly becomes frantic and unpleasant. (*Typically: suddenly ~; then ~; when ~.) Things were looking bad in the stock market, then the fat hit the fire and I lost everything.

See also: fire, hit

chew the fat and chew the rag

Fig. to chat or gossip. Sit yourself down and let's chew the fat for a while. We were just chewing the rag. Nothing important.

See also: chew

fat and happy

Fig. content, as if from being well-fed. Since all the employees were fat and happy, there was little incentive to improve productivity. You look fat and happy. Has life been treating you well?

See also: and, happy

fat and sassy

Fig. in good health and spirits. She came back from her vacation all fat and sassy. Under Joe's care, the runt of the litter grew up fat and sassy.

See also: and

fat cat

Fig. someone who is ostentatiously and smugly wealthy. I like to watch the fat cats go by in their BMWs. I'm no fat cat. I can't even pay my normal bills!

See also: cat

fat chance

Fig. very little likelihood. Fat chance he has of getting a promotion. You think she'll lend you the money? Fat chance!

See also: chance

fat is in the fire

Prov. Matters have come to a crisis; trouble is about to start. Brother: Mom found out that we broke the clock. Sister: Uh-oh. The fat's in the fire now. The fat is in the fire at work; we're nowhere near finishing the project, but the deadline is in two days.

See also: fire

kill the fatted calf

Fig. to prepare an elaborate banquet (in someone's honor). (From the biblical story recounting the return of the prodigal son.) When Bob got back from college, his parents killed the fatted calf and threw a great party. Sorry this meal isn't much, John. We didn't have time to kill the fatted calf.

See also: kill

live off the fat of the land

Fig. to live on stored-up resources or abundant resources. If I had a million dollars, I'd invest it and live off the fat of the land. I'll be happy to retire soon and live off the fat of the land.

See also: land, live

till the fat lady sings and when the fat lady sings

Fig. at the end; a long time from now. (Supposedly from a tale about a child—sitting through an opera—who asks a parent when it will be over. "Not until the fat lady sings" is the answer.) Relax. It won't be over till the fat lady sings. We can leave with everybody else when the fat lady sings.

See also: lady, sing, till

work some fat off and work some weight off to

get rid of body fat by doing strenuous work. I was able to work a lot of weight off by jogging. I need to work off some fat.

See also: some, work

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a fat cat  (informal)

an impolite way of referring to someone who is very rich and powerful He's just another fat cat - a corporate tycoon from Boston. (informal)

See also: cat

a fat lot of good/use  (informal)

not helpful or useful She can't lift anything heavy, so she's a fat lot of use! 'I'm going to tell him exactly what I think of him.' 'A fat lot of good that'll do you!'

See also: good, lot

chew the fat  (British informal) also chew the rag (American informal)

to have a long friendly conversation with someone We spent the evening watching the TV and chewing the fat.

See also: chew

Fat chance!  (informal)

something that you say which means something is not very likely to happen 'D'you think your Dad'll drive us to the disco?' 'Fat chance!'

It's not over until the fat lady sings.  (informal)

something that you say when someone is losing a game or competition but you think there is still a chance they might win Tony's only two games behind. And as they say, it's not over until the fat lady sings.

See also: lady, sing, until

kill the fatted calf

to celebrate in order to welcome a friend or relative that you have not seen for a long time

Usage notes: This phrase comes from a story in the Bible when a father killed a young cow in order to celebrate the return of his son who he thought was dead.

Annie's coming home, let's kill the fatted calf!

See also: kill

live off the fat of the land

to have enough money to live in a very comfortable way without having to do much work Times have changed for the upper classes, many of whom are no longer able to live off the fat of the land.

See also: land, live

puppy fat  (British & Australian)

fat that a child has but which they lose when they become older He's a little overweight but that's just puppy fat.

See also: puppy

the fat is in the fire  (old-fashioned)

something that you say which means there will soon be problems because of something that has happened Susie knows you've been seeing her boyfriend, so the fat's in the fire.

See chew the fat, live off the fat of the land

See also: fire

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fat chance

there is very little or no possibility of that happening Will Hal make you laugh? Fat chance.

Usage notes: usually used as a separate sentence to remark on what was just said, as in the example

See also: chance