Idioms

exercise

Also found in: Dictionary, Medical, Legal, Financial, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

an exercise in (something)

An action, activity, or behavior that is certain to have a particular outcome. They've filed a lawsuit to block the deal from happening, but most legal experts agree that it's just an exercise in futility. To me, working in this industry is an exercise in patience and determination. You won't make it here if you want to see immediate results. I'll never fly during the holidays again. Crowds, long lines, weather-related issues—it's just an exercise in the absurd.
See also: an, exercise

an exercise in futility

An action, activity, or behavior that has no chance whatsoever of being successful. A: "I'm going to ask if the boss will increase our budget." B: "It's an exercise in futility, if you ask me. She has never increased a project's budget in the 15 years I've been working here." They've filed a lawsuit to block the deal from happening, but most legal experts agree that it's just an exercise in futility. Yeah, don't even bother trying to get the school to reimburse you, it's an exercise in futility.
See also: an, exercise

exercise (one) in (something)

To help one to practice something. Will you exercise me in these chemistry terms before the tomorrow's test? How did I get a D on that test after my Mom exercised me in the French names for foods? You need to exercise kids in the multiplication tables at a young age so they can take that information with them into harder math classes.
See also: exercise

exercise for the reader

A subject, debate, or other matter that is not decided or dealt with directly by the author or presenter, but rather is left up to the judgment or interpretation of the observer, reader, or addressee. The report merely details the spending practices of the parties concerned; whether or not these payments were dubious in nature is left as an exercise for the reader. The politician's speech made broad references to invigorating the economy with practical, no-nonsense measures—what such measures might be, though, was left as an exercise for the reader. Your thesis is not supposed to be an exercise for the reader—it needs to be clear and apparent from page one.
See also: exercise, for, reader

exercise power over (someone or something)

To assert control or authority over someone or something. Even though we're adults now, my sister still tries to exercise power over me like I'm a little kid. Even though he's left the White House, he still acts like he can exercise power over foreign and domestic enemies. Actually, I can exercise power over you and tell you when to go to bed—Mom and Dad left me in charge!
See also: exercise, over, power

exercised about (something)

Upset or agitated because of something. We can't tell Mom we broke the vase—she'll get totally exercised about it! Before you get exercised about it, let me tell you exactly what happened. You broke up with Ben, so why are you exercised about me going on a date with him? That's not very fair.
See also: exercise

the object of the exercise

The main point, focus, or goal of an activity or task. If you're an investor, holding onto stocks that damage your portfolio defeats the object of the exercise. If you're trying to improve your health, not just shed a few quick pounds, the object of the exercise should be to develop a diet that is sustainable in the long term.
See also: exercise, object, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

exercise power over

someone or something and exercise control over someone or something; exercise influence over someone or something to have someone or something under one's control or influence. The dictator exercised power over the island for many years. See if you can exercise some control over your appetite. I wish I could exercise some influence over the committee.
See also: exercise, over, power

exercise (someone or an animal) in

something to give someone or an animal practice in doing something; to drill someone or an animal at something. Please exercise the dog in obedience routines. I hope you will exercise me in my Spanish irregular verbs.
See also: exercise

exercised about something

Fig. upset about something. Mary: You lost a hundred dollars playing poker!? Bill: Now don't get exercised about it. I can't tell Ma I'm failing English class. She gets exercised about every dumb thing I do.
See also: exercise

*firm hand

Fig. [someone's] strong sense of management; a high degree of discipline and direction. (*Typically: exercise ~; have ~; need ~; take ~; use~.) I had to use a firm hand with Perry when he was a child. He had a problem with discipline.
See also: firm, hand
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

the object of the exercise

the main point or purpose of an activity.
See also: exercise, object, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive
83(b) election in the absence of a spread on exercise.
Worth the risk? Weighing strategies for nonqualified stock options in a volatile market
Even if cold symptoms appear to be improving, that does not mean you should dive back into your exercise routines.
How to approach exercise when battling a cold
Current exercise is 11th of Naseem Al Bahr Series and will continue till 17 Feb in Saudi Arabian Waters.
First phase of joint Pak-Saudi naval exercise concludes
In this study, eight men with type 2 diabetes completed three exercise trials: 60 minutes of continuous exercise in hypoxia, intermittent exercise in hypoxia and intermittent exercise in a normal oxygen environment.
Exercise even if intermittent improves blood glucose control for diabetics
Scott published a paper titled "Misconceptions about Aerobic and Anaerobic Energy Expenditure," where he explains his argument and highlights one of his studies comparing a 3.5-minute aerobic exercise challenge with three work-equivalent 15-second sprints.
Exercise is medicine: new insights on exercise for weight loss
Exercise is also related to reports of having ever been diagnosed with depression.
Exercise and Well-Being: A Little Goes a Long Way; Those who exercise even 1-2 days a week better off than those who do not exercise
26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, older, obese adults who do a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises have less insulin resistance (a warning sign of type 2 diabetes) and are better able to do simple tasks.
Research shows even more benefit for exercising seniors: performing aerobic and resistance exercises may help ward off diabetes
Finally, the preamble states that the proposed regulations are meant to clarify that the transfer of property pursuant to the exercise, release or lapse of a GPA created in a grandfathered GSTT-exempt trust is not a "transfer under the trust" but a transfer by the person holding the power at the time the exercise, release or lapse becomes effective.
TC upholds GSTT Regs
Our main findings indicate that students who were taught exercise physiology using a combination of PBL exercises with web-based discussion, lectures and laboratory exercises performed as well as students taught using a more traditional teaching strategy (i.e.
PBL improves retention of exercise physiology
There are a variety of free-weight exercises you can do sitting on the ball for added benefit.
The crosstraining report: get on the ball
We began to notice that there were other benefits to these exercise sessions, in addition to conditioning.
The therapeutic benefits of physical activity
$1,300 (To record issuance of stock upon exercise of options) For tax purposes, XYZ Corp.
Options and the deferred tax bite: just when you thought it couldn't get any more complicated
The exercise simulates realistic peninsula seaport operations through the use of a Combined Seaport Coordination Center (CSCC).
599th Transportation Group participates in annual UFL exercise
"From the top of your head to the bottom of your toes, being physically active is the stimulus that gets most organs in the body to work at their best," says Tufts University exercise expert Miriam Nelson.
While you wait: the cost of inactivity
A 1-day table-top exercise in San Diego, California, in December 2004 emphasized voluntary compliance with home quarantine to control an emerging infectious disease outbreak.
Quarantine stressing voluntary compliance
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.