a night to remember
A night on which something memorable has happened. I was always told that prom would be a night to remember, but it was actually pretty lame—nothing like you see in the movies. Getting caught in a freak ice storm has certainly made this a night to remember. The gala was pretty darn dull at first, but it became a night to remember when the ceiling in the ballroom collapsed during dinner!
as far as I (can) recall/remember
To the extent that I am able to remember. Piper is off today, as far as I can recall. As far as I remember, we need this part of the project done by Wednesday. As far as I can recall, Scott said he's coming to the party. Has anyone else heard from him?
be remembered as (something)
To have one's particular role as something be the primary part of one's legacy. That choreographer will be remembered as a true innovator in the world of dance. I was so sad to hear of Mrs. Smith's passing. I know she'll be remembered as one of the school's finest educators. Joel will be remembered as the most hilarious employee this department's ever seen. I can practically hear his wild, cackling laugh in my head now!
be remembered for (something)
To have one's particular action, such as an accomplishment or misdeed, be the primary part of one's legacy. That choreographer will be remembered for all of her innovations in the world of dance. I was so sad to hear of Mrs. Smith's passing. She was one of the school's finest educators, and I know she'll be remembered for her lessons on the classics. Joel will be remembered for his hilarious jokes and wild, cackling laugh. I can practically hear it in my head now!
Does anybody remember laughter?
A phrase suggestive of a grim reality or situation. It was famously said by Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant during a live performance of "Stairway to Heaven" in 1976. Yeah, she's been acting like a total weirdo lately, wearing all black and walking around saying eerie things like, "Does anybody remember laughter?" A: "So, as you can see, our sales forecasts for this quarter are… well, once again, they're not very good." B: "Wow. Does anybody remember laughter?" A: "Only one more day of exams to get through." B: "Thank goodness. Does anyone remember laughter?"
I can't remember the last time (something happened)
A phrase used literally or rhetorically to indicate that it has been an extremely long time since the last time something happened or occurred. Wow, I can't remember the last time you bought me flowers for my birthday! Thank you! This is just what we needed. I can't remember the last time you and I took a vacation on our own, without the kids. Oh my gosh, I can't remember the last time I saw you. You look great!
remember (one) to (someone)
To bring or deliver one's greetings to someone else. Have fun on your trip—please remember me to Aunt Lily and Uncle Michael!
remember (oneself)
To regain awareness of one's manners; to begin to act more politely or appropriately. I wanted to scream at the woman on the phone, but then I remembered myself. She was just the messenger, after all, and not the source of the problem. I was so taken by Nicole's beauty that it took me a moment to remember myself and say hi.
remember (someone or something) as (something)
To have a memory of someone or something as being a particular way or a particular type of person or thing. I remember my childhood as a very happy experience, so I was shocked to find out that my brother remembers it differently. I remember him as a being real jerk, but everyone looks back on him very fondly. You'll remember your college years as the best time of your life, so make the most of them.
remember (someone) in (one's) will
To include someone in one's final will and testament in order to bequeath something to them after one's death. My grandfather and I were very close, so I was so surprised when he didn't remember me in his will. You've done so much for me and my wife—we'll be sure to remember you in our wills.
remember (something) like it was yesterday
To remember something very vividly, especially if it happened a long time ago. My wedding was the most wonderful day of my life. It's been nearly 40 years, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. I remember my graduation like it was yesterday. I could probably still recite my salutatorian speech!
remember the Alamo
A rallying cry among Texan troops during the Texas Revolution of the 1830s. It refers to the Alamo, a San Antonio church converted into a fort. The Texans famously, but unsuccessfully, defended the Alamo against Mexican forces. During the Battle of San Jacinto, which happened one month after the siege at the Alamo, Texan troops shouted, "Remember the Alamo!" as they fought against Mexican soldiers.
remember the Maine(, to hell with Spain)
A US rallying cry in support of the Spanish–American War. Refers to the Maine, a US battleship destroyed in Havana in 1898. When this happened, the US and Spain were already at odds over Spain's treatment of Cuba, so the explosion was seen as an escalation in tensions, though Spain's role in it was never proven. Though many Americans were not exactly eager to go to war with Spain, the incident with the Maine changed public opinion on that front. "Remember the Maine" soon became a popular refrain.
remember to write
A clichéd farewell urging someone to remain in contact while they are gone. Sometimes used humorously as a casual farewell. Have a wonderful time in Paris, Colin! Remember to write! A: "I'd better get going, thanks for having me!" B: "No problem. Remember to write!"
remember, remember, the fifth of November
A phrase associated with Guy Fawkes Day, November 5. Guy Fawkes was a conspirator in the thwarted Gunpowder Plot, which would have killed King James I and blown up Parliament on November 5, 1605. Primarily heard in UK. A: "What exactly is Guy Fawkes Day anyway?" B: "Ah, remember, remember, the fifth of November."
something to remember (one) by
A memento or keepsake to remind one of someone. I'll miss you too. Here, keep my hat—something to remember me by.
up to (one's) neck in alligators
business adage So overcome or preoccupied by various tangential worries, problems, or tasks that one loses sight of the ultimate goal or objective. The full expression is some variation of "When you are up to your neck in alligators, it's easy to forget that the goal was to drain the swamp." I've spent so much time dealing with various infrastructure problems for my new business that I've had no time to actually develop our product properly. I guess it's easy to forget that when up to your neck in alligators, the mission was to drain the swamp.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Remember me to someone.
Please carry my good wishes to someone. (The someone can be a person's name or a pronoun.) Tom: My brother says hello. Bill: Oh, good. Please remember me to him. Tom: I will. Fred: Bye. John: Good-bye, Fred. Remember me to your Uncle Tom.
remember someone as something
to recall someone as being a particular type of person. I remember Terri as a rather cheerful girl, always willing to help out. William will be remembered as a grouchy person.
remember someone in one's will
to bequeath something to someone in one's will. My uncle always said he would remember me in his will. He failed to remember me in his will.
remember someone to someone
to carry the greetings of someone to someone else. Please remember all of us to your uncle. I will remember you to my brother, who asks of you often.
Remember to write,
and Don't forget to write. 1. Lit. a final parting comment made to remind someone going on a journey to write to those remaining at home. Alice: Bye. Mary: Good-bye, Alice. Remember to write. Alice: I will. Bye. Sally: Remember to write! Fred: I will!
2. Fig. a parting comment made to someone in place of a regular good-bye. (Jocular.) John: See you tomorrow. Bye. Jane: See you. Remember to write. John: Okay. See you after lunch. Jane: Yeah. Bye. Remember to write.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.