Idioms

edging

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bottom edge

1. noun In cricket, a strike of the ball on the bottom edge of the bat (the edge closest to the ground), such that the ball is deflected directly toward the ground. That was an unlucky bottom edge for the batsman, as the ball bounced back into his own wicket. Niall misjudged his swing, but at least it was only a bottom edge. Good grief, that bottom edge went straight into the ground.
2. verb In cricket, to strike the ball with the bottom edge of the bat (the edge closest to the ground), such that the ball is deflected directly toward the ground. The batsman bottom edged the ball back into his own wicket. This bowler's a spinner, so I wouldn't bottom edge against him. Sorry I bottom edged it while I was batting, fellas.
See also: bottom, edge

edge

1. noun, slang Mild intoxication. I only had a couple of beers. Enough to get a bit of an edge, but nothing debilitating. No I don't want to do molly with you! I'm only looking for an edge, not to get high! I've only gotten an edge, but I still don't feel comfortable driving home from the bar.
2. noun, slang Intensity or severity. We won't be having lunch for another hour, but if you're hungry now, I've got some snacks to take the edge off. We can give you some medication to help take the edge off the pain. I started drinking to take the edge off the grief I felt when my wife died.
3. verb, vulgar slang To provide just enough sexual stimulation to approach but not reach orgasm. Usually said of males.

edge around (something)

To move around something very carefully. The path was so narrow that I had to edge around the pond to avoid tumbling into it. Please edge around my prized tulips—I don't want them to get jostled! Once I got the baby to sleep, I practically held my breath as I edged around the crib and out of the room.
See also: around, edge

edge away

To move slowly away from someone or something. I didn't want to agitate the dog any further, so I just edged away. Once I got the baby to sleep, I practically held my breath as I edged away from the crib and out of the room. Edge away from that table full of valuables before you break something!
See also: away, edge

edge in

To insert, work, or force something or oneself into a narrow margin of available time or space. I usually go unnoticed at the board meetings, but I managed to edge in a few suggestions before the time was up. The party was packed, and I didn't really know anyone, so I edged in and took a place by the corner. A: "I'm not over the line of the parking space, am I?" B: "Amazingly, no. I have no idea how you edged in like that!"
See also: edge

edge up

1. To move or creep up toward someone or something very slowly, cautiously, or furtively. Usually followed by "to." I edged up to the singer and nervously asked if she would sign my copy of her CD. The burglar began edging up to the skylight to see if there was any movement in the house below. I edged up to the glass for a better look and hoped no one would notice me.
2. To cause someone or something to move toward someone or something else very slowly, cautiously, or furtively. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "edge" and "up." She edged her chair up to the side of her father's hospital bed so as not to disturb his sleep. I edged the table up to the wall and vacuumed the center of the room. I edged the car up to the curb and put it in park.
3. To rise physically up something or toward some point or level at a gradual or incremental pace. Usually said of water. The tide edged up the shoreline, washing away the drawings and castles children had made on the beach. I could feel water edging up to my waist as the boat continued to sink. We're going to have to empty this bucket soon because the rainwater is edging up to the brim!
4. To rise gradually or incrementally, as in value or amount. The cost of living hasn't stopped edging up, but people's wages have remained stagnant for years, so many are finding it difficult just to get by. Supermarkets have warned that their prices are going to edge up if the new tax law is passed. The cost of medical care edges up every year, it seems.
5. To cause something to rise gradually or incrementally in value or amount. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "edge" and "up." Having to pay for my brother's flight has edged the wedding costs up to $10,000. Have you factored in the tip? Because that will edge the total amount up even further. A lack of inventory is what finally edged house prices up around here.
6. To approach or get closer to something, such as a goal or target, gradually or incrementally. Usually followed by "to." We're continuing to edge up to our funding goal, but I'm concerned that we won't get enough by the time the fundraiser finishes. The petition is edging up to the 100,000 signatures it requires to be debated before Parliament. I'm afraid we're edging up to capacity for the venue, sir. We're going to have to start turning people away.
See also: edge, up

edge with (something)

To put or attach something on the border of something else. A noun or pronoun can be used between "edge" and "with." Haley said to not edge the wall with a floral border because it looks something Grandma would have in her house. Every little girl has to have at least one puffy-sleeved dress with a hem edged with lace. When I was a tween, I would edge each week in my school planner with stickers.
See also: edge

edging

vulgar slang The act or practice of providing just enough sexual stimulation to approach but not reach orgasm. Usually said of males.

top edge

1. noun In cricket, a hit that goes off the top edge of a bat held sideways. I think I can get a top edge against this bowler.
2. verb To hit the ball in such a way. Albert just top edged the ball.
See also: edge, top
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

edge away (from someone or something)

to move cautiously away from someone or something. We edged away from the dirty man in the ragged clothes. As others saw the gun, they edged away.
See also: away, edge

edge

( one's way) across (something) to make one's way across something carefully. The hikers edged their way across the narrow ledge. Now, edge your way across and don't look down.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

edge in

Work into a limited space or time; move gradually or hesitantly; insert. For example, The train was crowded but I managed to edge in, or Everyone was talking at once and he barely managed to edge in a word. [Mid-1600s] Also see get a word in edgewise.
See also: edge
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

edge

n. drunkenness; the early stage of intoxication from alcohol or drugs. (see also have an edge on.) She was beginning to show a little edge, but she obviously still could drive.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
See also:
References in periodicals archive
Backfill the edging leaving the bed side lower to accommodate mulch.
The depth should match the thickness of the edging selected.
If a curbing machine is available, it will speed the placement of curb edging. The curbing machine requires either that a trench be excavated to the depth of the edging, or that the finish grade be built up after the edging is completed.
Wall stone or flagstone can also be used for edging planting beds.
Bender boards and composite materials can be effective when used as edging for planting beds.
Install treated 12 inch long 1 x 2 stakes every 18 inches along the desired alignment of the edging (Figure 36-15).
Trim the edging to the proper length using a hacksaw before installing the final section.
Relatively inexpensive and low in maintenance once installed, wood presents a natural material choice for edging beds.
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