back and fill
1. To move a ship's sails in an alternating fashion to accommodate the wind in a narrow channel. We need to back and fill the sails in order to pass through this channel. A: "Sir, it looks too narrow?" B: "No, we'll be OK—we'll back and fill." Back and fill the sails, men, just like that!
2. To be indecisive. You need to make a decision and stick to it—quit backing and filling! Come on, don't back and fill any longer. Pick a paint color so we can finally get this renovation wrapped up. A: "Have they picked a candidate for the job yet?" B: "Nope, they're still backing and filling."
fill (one's) boots
1. To take or obtain as much of something as one can. Primarily heard in UK. Since the shop announced its going-out-of-business sale, customers have been filling their boots with formerly overpriced homeware. Come on, you don't need to fill your boots with everything in sight. We're still going to have access to supermarkets stores on our trip! If you're giving things away for free, people will fill their boots whether they could actually use your items!
2. To replace one in some role; to take over for one in some position. You do so much for the company that I don't see how anyone could fill your boots. I know Marcia was really popular and that it will be hard to fill her boots—but I'm going to try my best! How am I supposed to fill Stan's boots? The man was with the company for 40 years!
fill (one's) hand
1. To draw a firearm into one's hand, as in preparation for a gunfight. Fill your hand, stranger—you've been talkin' fighting words all day and I've had enough! The robber filled his hand, but not fast enough to avoid being shot by the cop. Don't worry, I have a gun on me, and I'll fill my hand if we run into any trouble.
2. biblical To be consecrated or initiated as a priest, i.e., by placing objects of worship or holy sacrifice into one's hands. After years of studying in the rectory, young Adam was finally ready to fill his hands and enter the priesthood. How long does Peter have to study before the Church will fill his hand? God has filled my hands, and now I'm Father James.
fill (one's) head with (something)
To cause one to begin having particular thoughts or ideas. Everything she's said sounds like it's straight out of Pat's wacky schemes. He must be filling her head with crazy ideas. I don't want my mom to fill the kids' heads with tales of family dysfunction—they're too young to hear about all that. Who is filling my employees' heads with talk of unionizing?
fill (one's) prescription
1. To supply and sell a dose or set of doses of a medicine as prescribed to one by a doctor. Because of the strength of the medication, I have to be there in person with ID when they fill my prescription for the first time. When filling a patient's prescription, you have to be sure that all directions and warnings are on the medicine and said to the patient directly. I wonder if the pharmacy has filled my prescription by now.
2. To go to or contact a pharmacy in order to buy a dose or set of doses of a medicine as prescribed by a doctor. Do you mind if we swing by the pharmacy on the way home? I need to fill my new prescription. She just went in to fill her prescription—she should be back in a minute. I tried to fill my prescription, but the pharmacy's computers are down. They told me to come back later.
fill (one's) shoes
To replace one in some role; to take over for one in some position. You do so much for the company that I don't see how anyone could fill your shoes. I know Marcia was really popular and that it will be hard to fill her shoes—but I'm going to try my best! How am I supposed to fill Stan's shoes? The man was with the company for 40 years!
fill (something) to (some point)
To insert or place something inside something else, but only to a certain stopping point. Often said of liquids. Well, no wonder she spilled her juice—you filled her cup all the way to the brim! Only fill the box up to here—otherwise, it will be too heavy to carry. I thought we were only supposed to fill the beaker to the 10 mL line.
fill a/the void
To replace someone or something that is absent or missing. No, we got that project done—Rebecca filled the void while you were on vacation. If Mike doesn't play sports this year, what will fill the void besides his trouble-making friends? Who will fill the void if our keynote speaker can't make it?
fill in
1. To provide information or details, usually by actually writing something in a blank space on a test, form, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "fill" and "in." Fill in the blank with the correct answer. Ugh, I had to fill in so much paperwork on my first day of work. Make sure you fill in the form completely, or they may reject your application.
2. To substitute for someone or something. In this usage, "fill in" is followed by "for." Can you fill in for me on the conference call? I have to leave early today for a doctor's appointment. No, we got that project done—Rebecca filled in while you were on vacation. Who will fill in if our keynote speaker can't make it?
3. To fill a hole or void, especially so something looks more uniform in appearance. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "fill" and "in." Your eyebrows are looking a little sparse—can I fill them in? The landscaper is coming today to fill in all these holes in the lawn. Don't you think we could use some more flowers to fill in this area here?
4. To inform one of something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "fill" and "in." Fill me in—what happened at the party last night? The weekly newsletter is intended to fill in everyone about company policy, but no one reads it. A: "How was the meeting?" B: "Eh, it was fine—I'll fill you in later."
fill in the blank(s)
1. verb Literally, to complete a form or statement by adding information to a space that has been intentionally left empty or blank. The instructions at the top of the test sheet told us to fill in the blanks with the correct information about World War I. Fill in the blank with what you think is the correct answer. The vocab test will require you to fill in the blanks with the correct words from this unit.
2. verb To figure something out; to determine an answer to something that was previously unknown. My parents may not know who dented the car now, but they'll fill in the blank eventually. You need to tell Jenny that you're dating her ex-boyfriend before she fills in the blanks herself. I had no idea why my car was making that awful noise. Thankfully, my mechanic was able to fill in the blanks.
3. expression A phrase used when one does not supply all the necessary information, instead relying on the listener to infer the missing details. A: "What happened last night between Katie and Rob? I saw them leave the bar together." B: "What do you think happened? She went home with him—fill in the blanks!" If he demanded a trade after this alleged confrontation with his coach, I think we can all fill in the blanks. No, nothing ever happened between us—people just filled in the blanks and started that rumor.
fill in the details
To give information about a particular topic, sometimes by actually writing it in the blank space on a form. Please fill in the details about your medical history on this form. Who are you dating? Come on, fill in the details for me! A: "What happened last night between Katie and Rob? I saw them leave the bar together." B: "Do I have to fill in the details for you? What do think happened?"
fill out
1. To provide information or details, usually by actually writing something in a blank space on a test, form, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "fill" and "out." Fill out the blank with the correct answer. Ugh, I had to fill out so much paperwork on my first day of work. Make sure you fill out the form completely, or they may reject your application.
2. To become less thin or skinny by gaining weight or muscle or by simply growing into a fuller figure. He was such a skinny kid that I'm glad to see he's finally filled out some. A: "Nicky is a really talented athlete." B: "I know, and just imagine how far he'll be able to hit the ball once he fills out more!" Have you been hitting the gym lately? You've really filled out!
3. To properly fit into a piece of clothing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "fill" and "in." I can't wear a strapless dress—I don't have the bust to fill it out! No, get him a smaller size shirt—he's too scrawny to fill out a medium. Wow, Amanda sure fills out that top nicely. I'm sorry, but I can't stop staring!
4. To become less sparse in appearance. After being so bare all winter, the trees are finally filling out again. Would you stop over-plucking your eyebrows and just let them fill out? Now that it's spring, it won't be long until the botanical garden is filled out with tulips.
fill the bill
To be helpful, useful, or what is needed in a certain situation. A: "I need another string of lights." B: "Will this one fill the bill?" I could probably find something to fill the bill if you were only out of vegetable oil—but you don't have eggs or flour either! How did you expect to bake anything today? Those snow boots would fill the bill—if they were only in my size!
fill the gap
To assist on a temporary basis. Aunt Helen is coming over to stay with us and fill the gap until Mom gets home from work. You're going to fill the gap while Carrie's on maternity leave? Oh, thank goodness. No, we got that project done—Rebecca filled the gap while you were on vacation.
fill up
1. To cause someone to feel full from eating, as by providing them with food. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "fill" and "up." If the kids aren't hungry, it's probably because your mother filled them up with junk food. Hey, don't fill up on sweets—I have dinner warming in the Crock Pot. Even though I tried to fill up on appetizers before the lecture, my stomach started growling halfway through.
2. To become full of something. The hamper filled up in no time when we got back from our trip. Our living room promptly filled up with our kids' junk once they came home for summer vacation. If we had more closets, they'd just fill up in no time. What we really need is to get rid of some stuff!
3. To cause something to become full of or crammed with something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "fill" and "up." Did you fill the hamper up already? Where am I going to put my dirty clothes? Don't worry, I'll fill up the pantry and fridge before you come to housesit. Did Grandpa seriously fill the basement up with old car parts? Why?
4. To put fuel in a vehicle's gas tank. Let me just stop and fill up before we get on the highway. Why wouldn't you fill up before embarking on a five-hour drive? Let me know the next time you see a rest stop with a gas station—I'm going to need to fill up soon.
filling station
A place where one can fill a vehicle with gasoline. Also commonly called a "gas station." Pop took the truck down to the filling station so we have a full tank of gas before hitting the road. Let me just stop at the filling station before we get on the highway. Let me know the next time you see a rest stop with a filling station—I'm going to need more gas soon.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
back and fill
Fig. to act indecisively; to change one's direction repeatedly; to reverse one's course. (Originally nautical, referring to trimming the sails so as to alternately fill them with wind and release the wind, in order to maneuver in a narrow space.) The president spent most of his speech backing and filling on the question of taxation. The other candidate was backing and filling on every issue, depending on whom she was addressing.
fill in
[for an indentation, hole, etc.] to become full. The scar filled in after a few months. Will this hole in the ground fill in by itself, or should I put some dirt in?
fill in (for someone or something)
Fig. to substitute for someone or something; to take the place of someone or something. I will have to fill in for Wally until he gets back. I don't mind filling in.
fill out
to become full; to gain weight. About a month after her debilitating illness, Maggie began to fill out again. The fruit on the trees began to fill out, and we knew it was going to ripen soon.
fill someone in (on someone or something)
to tell someone the details about someone or something. Please fill me in on what happened last night. Please fill in the committee on the details.
fill someone or something up (with something)
to put as much as possible into someone or something. We filled him up with chili and crackers. We will fill up the basket with leaves. I will fill the basket up with flowers.
fill something in
1. to add material to an indentation, hole, etc., to make it full. You had better fill the crack in with something before you paint the wall. You should fill in the cracks first.
2. Fig. to write in the blank spaces on a paper; to write on a form. (See also
Fill in the blanks)
Please fill this form in. I will fill in the form for you. fill something out
Fig. to complete a form by writing in the blank spaces. Please fill this form out and send it back to us in the mail. I will fill out the form as you asked.
fill the bill
and fit the billto be acceptable. Jane: I need some string. Tom: Here's some twine. Will it fill the bill? I need cloth to make a shirt. This muslin ought to fit the bill.
fill the gap
to serve temporarily. I think that the temp will fill the gap until a new person can be hired.
fill up
1. to become full. The creek filled up after the heavy rain yesterday. The rain barrel began to fill up during the storm.
2. to fill one's gas tank. I've got to stop and fill up. The gas tank is running low. We will fill up at the next little town.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
back and fill
Vacillate, be undecided, as in This measure will never be passed if the town meeting continues to back and fill. This term comes from sailing ships, where it signifies alternately backing and filling the sails, a method used when the wind is running against a ship in a narrow channel. The sail is hauled back against the wind and braced so that the tide or current carries the ship forward against the wind. Then the sail must be swung around and filled, to keep the ship on course. The term's figurative use for indecisiveness dates from the mid-1800s.
fill in
1. Complete something, especially by supplying more information or detail. For example,
Be sure to fill in your salary history. It is also put as
fill in the blanks, as in
We'll rely on Mary to fill in the blanks. Yet another related usage is
fill someone in, as in
I couldn't attend, so will you fill me in? The first term dates from the mid-1800s; the others from the first half of the 1900s. Also see
fill out.
2. Also,
fill in for. Take someone's place, substitute for. For example,
The understudy had to fill in at the last minute, or
I can't come but my wife will fill in for me. Also see
fill someone's shoes.
fill out
1. Complete by supplying required information, especially in writing. For example, Please fill out the application form, or I don't quite understand this drawing, so fill out the details. [Late 1800s]
2. Become enlarged, distended, rounded in outline. For example, The wind filled out the sails, or He's put on weight and really filled out. Applied to objects, this expression dates from about 1700, but to persons or animals becoming fatter, only from the late 1800s.
fill the bill
Serve a particular purpose well, as in I was afraid there wasn't enough chicken for everyone, but this casserole will fill the bill , or Karen's testimony just fills the bill, so we're sure to get a conviction. This expression alludes to adding less-known performers to a program (or bill) in order to make a long enough entertainment. [First half of 1800s]
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.