deliver (someone or oneself) of (something)
1. To rescue or free someone from a difficulty or burden. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "deliver" and "of." Ugh, nothing will deliver us of all the extra work we've inherited since Jane retired. The act of confession finally delivered me of my guilt. Money won't deliver you of life's problems, though. Keep that in mind as you work all these hours.
2. To say something. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "deliver" and "of." I can't believe he delivered himself of such inappropriate language in front of children! Why did you have to deliver yourself of the fact that I like Tommy? Why couldn't you just keep it between us? You've got to make sure that he never delivers himself of what went on here today.
deliver (someone or something) to (someone or something)
To transfer or give someone or something to someone or something else. In his will, my grandfather delivered the deed of his house to me, so I guess I'm a homeowner now. Do you really think she'll deliver her whole record collection over to me someday? When I get a new car, I'm going to deliver this one to my 17-year-old son.
deliver (someone) from (someone or something)
To rescue someone from someone or something. Ugh, nothing will deliver us from all the extra work we've inherited since Jane retired. The act of confession finally delivered me from my guilt. Money won't deliver you from life's problems, though. Keep that in mind as you work all these hours.
deliver (something) up to (one)
To give or yield something to someone. I already delivered the budget report up to the finance department, so I can't add these receipts to it now. All right, class, time to deliver your exams up to me for grading. When you retire, you'll have to deliver all of your responsibilities up to someone else, you know.
deliver a/the knockout blow
1. In boxing and similar sports, to strike someone with a blow that renders them unconscious or technically disqualifies them from continuing. The newcomer delivered the knockout blow in the first 30 seconds of the second round. She was behind for nearly the whole match, but she delivered an incredible knockout blow that laid her opponent out flat. I know he's the reigning champ, but, wow—I didn't expect him to deliver the knockout blow that fast!
2. By extension, to do something that completely and decisively ensures the defeat or downfall of someone or something. The Supreme Court's decision delivered a knockout blow to our hopes of overturning the legislation. Their company was already struggling to survive, but the arrival of a new big-box retailer next door delivered the knockout blow. I expect this major scandal will deliver the knockout blow to that candidate's chances of getting elected.
deliver a/the knockout punch
1. In boxing and similar sports, to strike someone with a blow that renders them unconscious or technically disqualifies them from continuing. The newcomer delivered the knockout punch in the first 30 seconds of the second round. She was behind for nearly the whole match, but she delivered an incredible knockout punch that laid her opponent out flat. I know he's the reigning champ, but, wow—I didn't expect him to deliver the knockout punch that fast!
2. By extension, to do something that completely and decisively ensures the defeat or downfall of someone or something. The Supreme Court's decision delivered a knockout punch to our hopes of overturning the legislation. Their company was already struggling to survive, but the arrival of a new big-box retailer next door delivered the knockout punch. I expect this major scandal will deliver the knockout punch to that candidate's chances of getting elected.
deliver on (something)
To fulfill an obligation, such as keeping a promise or paying a debt. You better deliver on all the things you said you would do, or the client is not going to be happy. Trust me, I always deliver on my promises to pay my debts, OK? Only tell my kids you'll take them out for ice cream if you can deliver on it, OK? They're always really disappointed when you don't show up.
deliver the goods
To produce the desired results. He's the best graphic designer we have, so I'm confident that he can deliver the goods for this ad campaign. I can't believe I ever thought we'd win a Super Bowl when we signed that dude. He was here six years and could never deliver the goods. I told my parents I'd get my grades up, but, because I was totally distracted by my first girlfriend ever, I didn't deliver the goods.
deliver the message to Garcia
To show initiative in undertaking important or requisite tasks in the face of difficulties or without requiring specific instructions on how to do so. It refers to the essay "Message to Garcia," published in 1899 by Elbert Hubbard, in which a lieutenant named Andrew Rowan undertakes establishing communication with Cuban rebel leader Calixto García to create an alliance in case of war with Spain. One should always aspire to be the type of employee who will deliver the message to Garcia, for it says more about you than merely doing what you're told. I know you're shy, but when you're surrounded by important industry people like that, you need to deliver the message to Garcia and make connections. Teresa is a good reporter because when she sees a good story, she delivers the message to Garcia—she doesn't wait to be told what to cover.
signed and sealed
Officially approved or verified; successfully executed or completed. Once the contract is signed and sealed, we'll send an engineer to the house to set up the new satellite dish. The deal between the two companies has been signed and sealed.
signed, sealed, and delivered
Officially approved or verified; successfully executed or completed. Once the contract is signed, sealed, and delivered, we'll send an engineer to the house to set up the new satellite dish. The deal between the two companies has been signed, sealed, and delivered.
stand and deliver
1. obsolete A threat made by highwaymen (muggers operating along the King's highway) in 18th-century England, demanding the traveler halt and surrender their money or goods. A group of bandits descended on the caravan of travelers, the leader stopping in front of the first carriage and shouting, "Stand and deliver!"
2. To stand firm and perform one's duties to the best of one's abilities. No one believes our team can win, so now it's up to us to stand and deliver.
under pressure
1. Literally, forced through or into some vessel with great compressive force. The contents of this container are under pressure, so do not pierce it or expose it to fire or you could risk triggering an explosion. Crude oil underneath the ground can be under intense pressure, which is why it can erupt into a geyser when drilled into directly.
2. (While) facing or enduring a great amount of stress caused by some compelling or constraining influence. I can't talk now, I'm under pressure to get this done before the end of the day! Sorry, I'm just under so much pressure at work that it's made me rather irritable.
under-promise and over-deliver
To avoid raising expectations in order to subsequently exceed them. Used as a strategy to ensure the satisfaction of one's client, customer, boss, etc. Also spelled without hyphens. I want all of our customer service representatives to under-promise and over-deliver, so that all experiences with our company are positive ones. The boss urges us to underpromise and overdeliver, but I think our clients are perfectly happy when we do just what we promised.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
deliver someone from someone or something
to save or rescue someone from someone or something. The hero delivered the children from a fiery death. Thank you for delivering me from a very boring meeting by calling me to the telephone.
deliver someone of something
to free someone from some burden or problem; to liberate someone from some confinement. He was looking for someone to deliver him of his burdensome responsibility. He was delivered of his burden.
deliver someone or something to someone or something
to transfer someone or something to someone or something; to yield over someone or something to someone or something. When will you deliver the deed to me? I will deliver the deed to you when I have your check.
deliver something up to someone
to render or yield something to someone. Will you please deliver the documents up to Jane? Will you please deliver up the documents to Jane?
signed, sealed, and delivered
Fig. formally and officially signed; [for a formal document to be] executed. Here is the deed to the property—signed, sealed, and delivered. I can't begin work on this project until I have the contract signed, sealed, and delivered.
stand and deliver
to give up something to someone who demands it. (Originally used by highway robbers asking for passengers' valuables.) And when the tax agent says "Stand and deliver" you have to be prepared to pay what is demanded. The robber stopped the coach and demanded of Lady Ellen, "Stand and deliver!"
*under pressure
1. and *under a deadline; *under the gun (about something) Fig. facing or enduring something such as pressure or a deadline. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) I have to get back to work. I am under a deadline. I am under a lot of pressure lately. The management is under the gun for the mistakes made last year.
2. [of a gas or liquid] being forced, squeezed, or compressed. (*Typically: be ~; deliver something ~; put something ~.) The gas in the pipes leading to the oven are under pressure.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.