clap (one) in irons
To put one in jail, often abruptly. "Irons" refers to shackles or handcuffs. They'll clap you in irons if you abandon your post! You can't just clap someone in irons with no explanation! What are the charges here? All of a sudden, they clapped him in irons and led him to the police car.
clap (one) in jail
To put one in jail, often abruptly. You can't just clap someone in jail! What are the charges here? They'll clap you in jail if you abandon your post! The cops around here know me by now, and they're always looking for an excuse to clap me in jail.
clap (one) in(to) (something or some place)
1. To force one into a particular place, especially jail. You can't just clap him into a jail cell without any explanation! I'm sorry, but we're going to have to clap the puppy into his cage if he keeps tearing the house apart while we're out. They'll clap you in jail if you abandon your post!
2. To force one to wear some device for confining the hands or feet, such as handcuffs. All of a sudden, they clapped him in handcuffs and led him to the police car. They'll clap you in irons if you abandon your post! You can't just clap someone in shackles with no explanation! What are the charges here?
clap (something) on(to) (something)
To attach something to another object or a surface. You can't just clap fliers onto the wall outside my classroom—that's what the bulletin boards are for! All right, now clap the jumper cables onto the car battery. First, you need to clap that tool onto the table.
clap (something) together
To slap or smack two things together, typically resulting in a clapping noise. Please clap your shoes together outside to get the dirt out of them. He clapped his hands together to the music of the band. Back in the days of chalkboards, someone in the class had to take the erasers outside and clap them together at the end of the week.
clap back
1. verb To respond to an insult or criticism, sometimes in a vengeful manner. She calmly clapped back at critics by asserting that her weight is none of their business. I'm not proud of it, but I did clap back at the girl who stole my boyfriend by starting a vicious rumor about her. If she thinks I'm too nice to clap back about the awful things she's said, she is in for a rude awakening!
2. noun A response to an insult or criticism, sometimes in a vengeful manner. Sometimes written as one word when used in this way. I'm not great at the clap back because I get easily flustered by criticism. Her clap back was a vicious rumor targeting the girl that stole her boyfriend. Whew, that was an epic clapback. No one's gonna be picking on that kid again any time soon!
clap eyes on (someone or something)
To look at or see someone or something. Honestly, I loved my wife the minute I clapped eyes on her. I haven't clapped eyes on that book in weeks, so good luck finding it in my office! Though I tried to block her view, Lilly managed to clap eyes on the spider and immediately started shrieking.
clap hold of (someone or something)
To grasp or grab onto someone or something quickly or suddenly. Luckily, Seth was able to clap hold of the dog's leash and pull him back into the yard. I tried to clap hold of her before she fell off the step, but it happened too fast. How am I supposed to clap hold of this bulky, awkwardly shaped box?
clap on
1. To put something, such as an article of clothing, on very quickly and forcefully. A noun or pronoun can be used between "clap" and "on." The man clapped on his hat and hurried out the door. The knight clapped on his armor and mounted his horse in preparation for battle. After his rousing speech, the captain clapped on his helmet and led the team out of the locker room.
2. To attach something to something else very quickly and forcefully. A noun or pronoun can be used between "clap" and "on." I clapped the lid back on the pot after the chef yelled at me for removing it. Luckily, I was able to catch the dog and clap his leash on him before he got out of the yard. Hey, you can't just clap fliers onto the wall outside my classroom—this tape is gonna pull the paint off the wall!
3. To strike someone lightly but firmly with an open hand on a particular part of their body. A noun or pronoun is used between "clap" and "on." Everyone clapped me on the back to congratulate me for the victory. I nearly jumped out of my skin when someone came up from behind and clapped me on the shoulder. Grandpa clapped me on the head and told me he was proud of me.
clap out
To clap one's hands along to the beat of a song, typically so that one can learn it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "clap" and "out." You clap out the beat, and I'll try to play it on the bass. I'm going to have my kindergartners clap out the beat to the song next, if you want to stick around for some entertainment. A: "Hang on, I keep messing up that part of the song." B: "Why don't you clap it out first?"
clapped-out
In poor condition due to overuse or age. This phrase is often applied to cars. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. You can hear her clapped-out car coming from a mile away because the engine is in such poor condition. I can't believe you drove down the entire West Coast in that clapped-out old junker. It's a miracle you even made it! I think it's time for me to get a new car—this one is really clapped out after only, oh, 15 years.
golf clap
1. noun An instance of applause performed in a quiet, restrained manner. Typical of spectators at a golf course, where it is traditional to maintain a quiet, restrained atmosphere. Elsewhere, it can be done in a humorous or mocking way. You're performing in a museum—you're only going to get a golf clap here, not wild cheers. All I got for my effort was golf claps—really? Golf claps only, please. This is a library, after all.
2. verb To clap in such a way. The crowd golf clapped and murmured in appreciation of the player's massive drive. You don't have to golf clap here—let's see some enthusiasm, folks! After the artist spoke about his newest collection, the audience golf clapped and began to peruse his works in the gallery.
lay (one's) eyes on (something)
To see or look at someone or something, especially for the first time. A possessive adjective can be used between "lay" and "eyes." I'll never forget the first time I laid eyes on my son. That sunset may be the most beautiful thing I've ever laid my eyes on. He knew he had to buy the watch from the minute he laid his eyes on it.
set eyes on (someone or something)
To look at or see someone or something. Honestly, I loved my wife the minute I set eyes on her. I haven't set eyes on that book in weeks, so good luck finding it in my office!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.