go through a phase
To experience or be in the midst of a temporary period of change, development, or fluctuation. I went through a phase of being obsessed with superhero movies this summer. Timothy has been really aggressive and demanding lately, but I think he's just going through a phase. Our toddler's going through a phase where he really enjoys hitting. So that's been fun for us.
honeymoon phase
The short amount of time at the beginning of a new relationship, activity, or pursuit when everything goes well and seems to be free of problems. Donna was excited when she started her new job, but once the honeymoon phase was over, she realized that she had more responsibilities than she could handle. Many couples find it difficult to maintain a relationship after the honeymoon phase ends. They've only been dating for about five minutes, though! Let's see if they're this lovey-dovey once the honeymoon phase is over.
in phase (with someone or something)
1. Happening, functioning, or moving at the same time and pace as someone or something else; in a synchronized or coordinated manner (with someone or something). Primarily heard in UK. Every soldier in the squad marched perfectly in phase. Is it just me, or is the audio not in phase with the movie? They're synchronized swimmers—isn't the whole point for them to be in phase with each other?
2. Sharing the same or similar goals, ideals, desires, likes, dislikes, etc.; having the same or similar perspectives or opinions. Primarily heard in UK. Throughout the date, it just seemed like she and I were totally in phase about everything we brought up. If your team isn't in phase with one another, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done. You'll probably never be entirely in phase with a candidate, but you still need to do your civic duty and vote.
out of phase (with someone or something)
1. Not or no longer happening, functioning, or moving at the same time and pace as someone or something else; in an unsynchronized or uncoordinated manner (with someone or something). Primarily heard in UK. The soldiers got in trouble for being out of phase while marching. Is it just me, or is the audio out of phase with the movie?
2. Not sharing the same or similar goals, ideals, desires, likes, dislikes, etc.; having the different or dissimilar perspectives or opinions. Primarily heard in UK. I don't think I'll go out with her again. It just seemed like we were out of phase on every topic. If your team is out of phase with one another, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done.
phase down
To reduce something in size or scale in incremental phases over time. A noun or pronoun can be used between "phase" and "down." The government claims that it will begin phasing down its military presence in that region. We'll have to phase the program down if we want to survive in this economy.
phase in
To introduce or implement (someone or something) gradually to some new function, condition, or situation, especially in distinct phases or stages. We've been phasing in a new company-wide policy to help deal with cyber security threats. The program was phased in over a period of seven years, with the final implementation going live today. They said they would phase me in slowly when they first offered the job to me, but that hasn't been the case at all.
phase into (something)
1. To begin or introduce something very gradually or in increments. We're slowly phasing into an online-only business model. We want to phase you into the position over a few weeks to let you acclimate to the role as we train you.
2. To introduce someone or something to some new state, situation, or function very gradually or in increments. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "phase" and "into." We want to phase the area into a position as the new hub of cutting-edge commerce in the region. They said they would phase me into the job slowly when they first offered it to me, but that hasn't been the case at all.
3. To appear in some space or location from another dimension or plane of existence. Used primarily in fantasy and science fiction. The superhero phased into the room using quantum tunneling.
phase out
To gradually eliminate or remove someone or something from some condition, function, or situation. A noun or pronoun can be used between "phase" and "out." Of course I'm worried—the corporate office is phasing out all of the jobs in our department! When was the two-dollar bill phased out of circulation? Let's start giving Sarah more of Bill's responsibilities so that we can start phasing him out.
phase out of (something)
1. To remove someone or something from some status, situation, mode, or role very gradually or in increments. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "phase" and "out of." The board of directors agreed to phase the controversial CEO out of his position. The government announced that it will be phasing taxpayers out of the single-payer healthcare system over the next 12 months.
2. To disappear from some space or location by traveling another dimension or plane of existence. Used primarily in fantasy and science fiction. His quantum state had become unstable, and he began phasing out of our reality at random.
phased
A common misspelling of "fazed," meaning disconcerted or having one's composure, comfort, or confidence disrupted.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
in phase
Also,
in sync. In a correlated or synchronized way; in accord, in harmony. For example,
If everyone were in phase we could step up the schedule, or
John and Pat often say the same thing at the same time; their minds are perfectly in sync . Both versions of this idiom refer to physical phenomena. The first, dating from the second half of the 1800s, alludes to being at the same stage in a series of movements. The second, a slangy abbreviation of
synchronization dating from the mid-1900s, alludes to exact coincidence in the time or rate of movement. Also see
in step;
phase in; for the antonym, see
out of phase.
out of phase
Also,
out of sync. In an unsynchronized or uncorrelated way. For example,
Inventory control and shipping are out of phase, so we can't rely on their figures, or
The lights are out of sync and keep flashing at random. For dates, see the antonym
in phase.
phase in
Introduce one stage at a time. For example, New technology must be phased in or the office will be overwhelmed. The antonym is phase out, meaning "to bring or come to an end, one stage at a time," as in The department is phasing out all the older computers. [Mid-1900s]
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.