vaccinate (someone or something) with (something)
To use a vaccine or similar substance as a means of inoculating a person or animal against infection or disease. Scientists began vaccinating people with weakened or altered forms of the disease. We're experimenting with vaccinating poultry with chemical compounds that trick the birds' immune systems into producing antibodies.
vaccinate against (something)
1. To make use a vaccine or similar substance to produce immunity or resistance against a particular disease. Citizens are being urged to vaccinate against the flu this winter. The mortality rate for polio was the highest in the world before the country started vaccinating against it in the 1960s.
2. To give someone or an animal a vaccine or similar substance to produce immunity or resistance against a particular disease. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "vaccinate" and "against." Before we began vaccinating children against tetanus, getting even a minor cut from something rusty could have proved lethal. Farmers who do not vaccinate their livestock against these diseases could face high fines or even jail time.
vaccinate for (something)
1. To make use a vaccine or similar substance to produce immunity or resistance against a particular disease. Citizens are being urged to vaccinate for the flu this winter. The mortality rate for polio was the highest in the world before the country started vaccinating for it in the 1960s.
2. To give someone or an animal a vaccine or similar substance to produce immunity or resistance against a particular disease. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "vaccinate" and "against." Before we began vaccinating children for tetanus, getting even a minor cut from something rusty could have proved lethal. Farmers are being fined if their animals are not vaccinated for the contagious disease.
vaccinated with a gramophone needle
old-fashioned Disposed to lengthy or endless chatter. A reference to the needle used on a gramophone, a type of early record player, and the needle used to inoculate against infectious disease during vaccination. You'd think he was vaccinated with a gramophone needle from the way he yammers on like that. My mother says I was vaccinated with a gramophone needle, so please stop me if I start rambling.
vaccinated with a Victrola needle
old-fashioned Disposed to lengthy or endless chatter. A reference to the needle used on a Victrola, a brand of early record players, and the needle used to inoculate against infectious disease during vaccination. You'd think he was vaccinated with a Victrola needle from the way he yammers on like that. My mother says I was vaccinated with a Victrola needle, so please stop me if I start rambling.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
vaccinate (someone or an animal) against something
to inoculate or immunize someone or an animal against some disease. They had to vaccinate us against yellow fever. The vet vaccinated the horse against everything that threatened it.
vaccinate (someone or an animal) with something
to inoculate or immunize someone or an animal with some substance. This time the doctor vaccinated Tom with killed virus. The vet vaccinated the cat with something that would prevent rabies.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
vaccinated with a Victrola needle
Someone who chatters incessantly. Victrola, a division of R.C.A. Victor, was a brand of phonograph players. Since phono records were played with needles that picked up the sound vibrations in the record's grooves, to be vaccinated with a Victrola needle, as the joke implied, was to be inoculated with the gift of nonstop gab.
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price Copyright © 2011 by Steven D. Price