4th

circle of hell

Used to describe something or some place one considers to be utterly vile or torturous. It alludes to the misery and anguish experienced in the nine levels of hell as described by Dante Alighieri in his epic poem Inferno. The entire trade negotiation process has devolved into the fifth circle of hell, as politicians and lobbyists flail about in a sea of red tape while trying to gain some advantage over one another. This part of the country becomes the ninth circle of hell in the winter—a barren, frozen wasteland. A: "What circle of hell have we entered today, day three of auditions for the school play?" B: "It probably depends on how many off-key renditions of 'My Favorite Things' we have to sit through."

See also: circle, hell, of

fourth gear

The highest level of function, operation, or performance that someone or something can achieve. It's been hard-fought game, and the team is going to have to go into fourth gear if they want to force overtime. You guys need to get into fourth gear creatively if you want to break into such a highly competitive market. Unless Gregory goes into fourth gear, he'll never make it past the minor leagues.

See also: fourth, gear

fourth wall joke

In fiction, especially theater, film, or television, a joke that intentionally draws attention to the illusion of separation between the audience and the fiction itself. I love it when a TV show throws in a good fourth wall joke—I think it's fun being in on the humor like that. Make sure you look directly into the camera when you tell that fourth wall joke. How many fourth wall jokes does a mockumentary need?

See also: fourth, joke, wall

Happy (Holiday Name)!

A standard greeting and phrase of celebration on a particular holiday. Happy Fourth of July, everyone! A: "Good morning, my love. Happy Valentine's Day!" B: "Aw, thank you, you're so sweet. Happy Valentine's, sweetie." Three… two… one… Happy New Year's!

See also: happy

knee-high by the 4th of July

old-fashioned The height to which corn seedlings ought to have grown by the beginning of July. Primarily heard in US. This dry spell is showing no signs of letting up. I'm worried about our crops this year, but if we can get to knee-high by the 4th of July, we should be all right.

See also: 4th, by, July, of

May the Fourth be with you

A phrase said on "Star Wars Day," a fan holiday that celebrates the Star Wars media franchise and its fanbase. The phrase is a pun on the name of the date May 4th (May the fourth) and the famous phrase from the franchise, "May the Force be with you." Happy Star Wars Day, everyone! As part of the festivities today, we'll be featuring artwork drawn by fans of all ages. May the Fourth be with you!

See also: fourth, may

the fourth quarter is ours

We will or must be dominant in the fourth quarter (of some sporting event). Come on, don't give up—the fourth quarter is ours! It's common for fans to hold up four fingers at the end of the third quarter, which means, "the fourth quarter is ours!"

See also: fourth, ours, quarter

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*knee-high by the 4th of July

Fig. grown as tall as it should. (Corn seedlings are proverbially supposed to be as high as someone's knee by July 4th.) (*Typically: be ~; become ~; grow ~.) What with this drought, I don't think the crop will be knee-high by the 4th of July. It's gonna be a good year. Knee-high by the 4th of July.

See also: 4th, by, July, of

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.