(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) before a particular hour. The phrase "(a) quarter of" can be used by itself or followed by a specific hour (e.g., "quarter of six," which means 5:45). Primarily heard in US. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter of eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter of before I'm back. After lunch, the kids get to have recess until quarter of one.

(a) quarter till (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) before the named hour in time (e.g., "quarter till six" would mean 5:45). A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "A quarter till eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter till six before I'm back. After lunch, the kids get to have recess until quarter till one.

(a) quarter to (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) before the named hour in time (e.g., "quarter to six" would mean 5:45). A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter to eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter to six before I'm back. After lunch, the kids get to have recess until quarter to one.

11 Downing Street

The address of the residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, used by extension to refer to the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the UK's treasury department. Primarily heard in UK. What's the word from 11 Downing Street? How will this change affect our taxes? 10 and 11 Downing Street have to find a way to work together on this issue, or else it will never be resolved. I've heard that 11 Downing Street will make an announcement about these changes later today.

11th commandment

A well-known or widely accepted practice or axiom in a particular setting or situation. Because the phrase alludes to the Biblical 10 Commandments, 11th commandments sometimes also start with "Thou shalt." Fostering strong relationships with clients is the 11th commandment around here—after all, they're the ones that keep us in business. "Thou shalt clean thy room" was the 11th commandment in my parents' house when I was growing up. Joe will be here on time, I'm sure—keeping appointments is like the 11th commandment for him.

20 to (some hour)

Twenty minutes before the next hour. Come on, kids, hurry up! It's already 20 to 8, and we have to be there by 8:10! A: "Is it 5:40? Or 20 to 6?" B: "It's both. You do know that they refer to the same time, right?" It's already 20 to 4? Oh boy, with all this traffic, there's no way we'll make it there by 4.

at the tender age of

At the young age of. This phrase is used to emphasize how young one was when one did something in particular. I'm not surprised to hear that he was doing science experiments at the tender age of seven—he's a child genius! I experienced my first true heartbreak at the tender age of 17. My dad grew up on a farm, so he had a lot responsibility at a tender age of 13.

film at 11

cliché Primarily heard in US.

1. A phrase used in broadcast journalism during clips of news stories that are to be featured in greater detail later (when a news program airs, traditionally at 11 PM) Coming up tonight—doctors who let their pets perform surgery. Film at 11. Our reporters were the first on the scene as firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze in a high-rise apartment building. Film at 11. "Film at 11"? Ugh, I can't stay up that late—can't they just tell me how that bus accident happened now?

2. Used by extension to indicate something not at all newsworthy. A: "Don't you think that's interesting?" B: "No, not really. 'Local boy discovers big pit in a field. Film at 11.'" Oh yeah, I did great on that test. "D-student gets his first F! Film at 11!" Ugh. Why do you have that camera in my face? "Mom eats breakfast, film at 11"? No, I don't think so.

half (a particular hour)

Thirty minutes after the beginning of a particular hour. Primarily heard in UK. Our reservation is at six, so we need to get moving—it's already half five! Do you think we'll be able to make it by half one in all this traffic? Ok, I'm worried—Becky was supposed to be here at half two and it's nearly 4:00 now.

half past (a particular hour)

Thirty minutes after the beginning of a particular hour. Our reservation is at six, so we need to get moving—it's already half past five! Do you think we'll be able to make it by half past one in all this traffic? Ok, I'm worried—Becky was supposed to be here at half past two and it's nearly 4:00 now.

more at 11

cliché Primarily heard in US.

1. Formerly used by television news broadcasters to advertise the fact that footage of a breaking news story would be shown during the 11 PM local news slot. Coming up tonight—doctors who let their pets perform surgery? More at 11.

2. Used by extension to indicate something not at all newsworthy. A: "Don't you think that's interesting?" B: "No, not really. 'Local boy discovers big pit in a field. More at 11.'"

Number 11

A shortening of "11 Downing Street," the address of the residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, used by extension to refer to the Chancellor themselves or the UK's treasury department as a whole. Primarily heard in UK. What's the word from Number 11? How will this change affect our taxes? Number 10 and Number 11 Downing Street have to find a way to work together on this issue, or else it will never be resolved.

quarter past (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) after the named hour in time. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter past eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter past before I'm back.

up to eleven

To an intense, excessive, or extreme degree; at or beyond the maximum amount or normal threshold. (Coined in the 1984 comedy film This is Spinal Tap, referring to the guitar player's amplifier going to eleven, as opposed to the traditional limit of ten.) Some of the best nights we had when we were teenagers were spent just driving aimlessly, cranking the car stereo up to eleven. Whenever our parents' fighting got up to eleven, my sister and I made ourselves scarce.