(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.
800-pound gorilla
A person, group, or organization so powerful (either by size or by influence) that it does not need to heed the rules or threats of others. It refers to the riddle "Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit?" (Answer: "Wherever it likes.") Primarily heard in US. Don't mess with that guy; he's like an 800-pound gorilla! These big corporations act like 800-pound gorillas, making up the rules to suit themselves. Unfortunately, Washington is full of 800-pound gorillas, so good luck getting anything done as a representative.
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.
be behind the eight ball
To be in a challenging situation; to be at a disadvantage. An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided. If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk. Because I got the flu, I'm behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping. It's no wonder we're behind the eight ball, with the amount you lot fool around in the office!
be one over (the) eight
To be thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I think someone should drive Jerry home, he's one over the eight. I guess I was making something of a show of myself, but I was having too much fun to realize that I was one over eight. A: "I can't believe Mary Alice is doing karaoke—she's so shy!" B: "I know, she must be one over the eight."
behind the eight ball
In a challenging situation; at a disadvantage. An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided. If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk. Because I got the flu, I'm behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping. It's no wonder we're behind the eight ball, with the amount you lot fool around in the office!
eight ball
1. One of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. And now, for the win: eight ball, corner pocket. Dude, what are you doing? You're supposed to hit the eight ball last! I got hit in the back with an errant eight ball, courtesy of some drunks playing pool.
2. A billiard game in which the winner must hit seven balls into the pockets followed by the eight ball. Pocketing the eight ball before any of the others results in an automatic loss. Here's a pool cue—do you know how to play eight ball? Ugh, that's how you lose at eight ball, right? I didn't mean to hit the eight ball in second! I barely know how to play pool, let alone eight ball or snooker!
3. slang One-eighth ounce of an illegal drug (often cocaine or an amphetamine). I scored us some eight balls from my dealer. A: "I have an eight ball for the concert." B: "Whoa, no thanks, man. I haven't touched that stuff since I got out of rehab." Dude, you're done if the police catch you with an eight ball of speed and all those pills!
eight ways from Sunday
Thoroughly or completely; in every possible way; from every conceivable angle. Everyone had their money on the reigning champion, but he was beaten eight ways from Sunday by the newcomer. We researched the case eight ways from Sunday, but there didn't seem to be any way that we could win with the evidence at hand. You can plan this out eight ways from Sunday, but I doubt you're gonna say the magic words that get Mom and Dad to let you go to the concert.
eight ways to Sunday
Thoroughly or completely; in every possible way; from every conceivable angle. Everyone had their money on the reigning champion, but he was beaten eight ways to Sunday by the newcomer. We researched the case eight ways to Sunday, but there didn't seem to be any way that we could win with the evidence at hand. You can plan this out eight ways to Sunday, but I doubt you're gonna say the magic words that get Mom and Dad to let you go to the concert.
get behind the eight ball
To find oneself at a disadvantage or in a challenging situation. An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided. Our country is going to get behind the eight ball on this issue if we don't take action now. I got behind the eight ball on this project after coming down with the flu. I've been so busy that I've gotten behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping.
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.
have one over (the) eight
slang To have enough alcoholic drinks to be thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I was composed and in control of myself for most of the evening, but somewhere around midnight, I had one over the eight and started making a show of myself. It seems like Jenny makes a point of having one over eight every time she goes out on the weekend. A: "I can't believe Mary Alice is doing karaoke—she's so shy!" B: "I know, she must have one over the eight."
on the stroke of (some specific time)
Exactly at a specific time, especially the very beginning of the hour. The store is opening its doors on the stroke of midnight for the Black Friday sale. If you're not home on the stroke of 11, you're grounded!
one over (the) eight
Primarily heard in UK.
1. adjective Thoroughly inebriated. I think someone should drive Jerry home, he's one over the eight. I guess I was making something of a show of myself, but I was having too much fun to realise that I was one over eight.
2. noun The final alcoholic drink that pushes a person from mild or safe intoxication to being very drunk. I was composed and in control of myself for most of the evening, but somewhere around midnight, I had one over the eight and started making a show of myself. It seems like Jenny makes a point of having one over eight every time she goes out on the weekend.
plan for (someone)
To make preparations for someone or a some number of people. You're more than welcome to join us for dinner, but I hadn't planned for more than four, so there might not be very much food. Jeff said you can plan for him for Christmas dinner.
plan on (someone)
To make preparations for someone or a some number of people. You're more than welcome to join us for dinner, but I hadn't planned on more than four, so there might not be very much food. Jeff said you can plan on him for Christmas dinner.
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.
the eighty-eight
slang The piano. A reference to the eighty-eight keys of a piano. Tom got up and played an amazing tune on the eighty-eight. It was a classy place. The waiters were all in tuxedos and there was a woman in the corner playing on the eighty-eight the whole evening.
two and eight
slang An agitated or upset emotional state. The phrase comes from rhyming slang in which "eight" rhymes with "state." Primarily heard in UK. Don't get into a two and eight over this—we'll come up with a solution.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.