(one's) comfort zone
1. A place, activity, situation, or psychological state in which a person feels free from anxiety and is within their normal level of ability, experience, security, or control. Though it is often outside your comfort zone, traveling to foreign countries gives you a much greater perspective on how other people in the world live. The new job is a little out of my comfort zone, but it will give me a great opportunity to see what I'm truly capable of. Going on a blind date is definitely not in my comfort zone, but I'm tired of being alone.
2. The temperature range wherein one's body feels naturally comfortable, being neither too hot nor too cold. Many retired Americans, being more sensitive to the cold, settle in Florida, where the balmy weather better suits their comfort zones. Thank you for turning the heat up—this is more like my comfort zone. A: "I think Tammy's internal thermostat must be broken." B: "I know, her comfort zone is way colder than mine, which is a problem, since we live together!"
be a war zone
1. To be characterized by violence, lawlessness, or chaos. Likened to an area in which literal military combat takes place. That part of the city is a total war zone now due to all the gang violence. After the local government collapsed, what was left behind was a war zone of various political groups vying for control. Those poor refugees escaped the famine but now they're in a war zone—it's truly awful.
2. To be especially cluttered, disorderly, or chaotic. Your bedroom is a war zone. Now get in there and clean it up! I know my desk looks like a war zone, but I know exactly where everything is that I need. Can you help me organize the file cabinet? It's just a war zone right now and no one can find anything they're looking for.
danger zone
1. The temperature range 40–140 °F (5–60°C), above and below which food must be heated or chilled respectively in order to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. When reheating meat, it's important to make sure that every part of it is heated above the danger zone, not just the outside layer. Don't forget to refrigerate the leftovers right away—you don't want them to stay in the danger zone by leaving them out. I wouldn't eat anything that's been sitting out in this heat—I'm sure it's all in the danger zone by now.
2. Any range of some measurement in which someone or something is at risk. With only another two weeks to get the points necessary to qualify for the playoffs, the team finds itself in the danger zone for elimination. See the red portion of the pressure gauge? That's the danger zone—if the pressure gets up that high, the whole thing could blow. Please tell me we're not in the danger zone for flash flooding.
3. Any situation that is dangerous or concerning. The doctor says she's going to monitor Omar for the next hour and then operate if he's still in the danger zone. Oh god, the rocket is in the danger zone—it's plummeting to Earth much too quickly! OK, they've figured it out, they know we're spies—we're definitely in the danger zone now.
flood the zone
1. In sports, to apply a large amount of pressure to a particular area of play. Their left safety is shaky, so let's try flooding the zone with the tight end and both wide receivers on the next play. We know she's going to flood the zone with high fastballs, so lay off 'em. It's a must-win game for them, so you know they'll flood the zone with shots right from the puck drop.
2. To put forth or provide a large quantity of something. We need to flood the zone as best we can to get this story heard. That means I want everyone posting about it on social media, blogging about it, anything to get it out into the public consciousness. His opponent flooded the zone with ads that proved devastating to his chances of reelection. We couldn't get anywhere near City Hall because protestors had flooded the zone.
friend zone
1. noun Where someone is said to be when the object of their affection only sees them as a friend, rather than as a potential romantic partner. This term is usually (but not always) applied to males. If Bella cries to you about all of her bad dates but never asks you out, I'm afraid you're in the friend zone, dude. Ugh, I thought Chad and I had some real chemistry, but it's pretty clear that I'm just in the friend zone with him. A: "Did he send you a winky face or a smiley face?" B: "Just a smiley face." A: "Hmm, that seems more friend zone than flirty to me."
2. verb To treat someone who is romantically interested in one as a friend, rather than as a potential romantic partner. When used as a verb, this phrase is usually written as one word. Why are you friendzoning Zack? He's a good guy, so you should trying going out with him. I didn't mean to friendzone Pete, I just never knew he was into me. And I was still hung up on my ex anyway. A: "I'm sorry, Maya, I wasn't trying to friendzone you." B: "No, I just stupidly never realized how much you liked Caroline."
in (one's) comfort zone
1. In a place, activity, situation, or psychological state in which a person feels free from anxiety and is within their normal level of ability, experience, security, or control. I know it's not in your comfort zone, but traveling to a foreign country can give you a much better perspective on how other people in the world live. I've been in my comfort zone for way too long with this job. It's time to take some risks and see what else is out there for me! Going on a blind date is definitely not in my comfort zone, but I'm tired of being alone.
2. Within the temperature range that feels naturally comfortable to a person's body, being neither too hot nor too cold. When I retire, I'm definitely moving to Florida. The balmy weather there is more in my comfort zone than Minnesota, that's for sure. Thank you for turning the heat up—now we're in my comfort zone. A: "I think Tammy's internal thermostat must be broken." B: "I know, she's only in her comfort zone when it's freezing in here!"
in the friend zone
slang Considered merely a friend by someone rather than as a potential romantic interest. If Bella cries to you about all of her bad dates but never asks you out, I'm afraid you're in the friend zone, dude. Ugh, I thought Chad and I had some real chemistry, but it's pretty clear that I'm just in the friend zone with him. A: "Did he send you a winky face or a smiley face?" B: "Just a smiley face." A: "Hmm, that doesn't seem flirty to me. Hate to tell you this, but you might be in the friend zone."
in the zone
In a state in which one can or feels as though one can perform with exceptional focus, skill, and energy. I'm not the best chess player in the world, but when I'm in the zone, I feel unstoppable. Their goaltender has been in the zone all game long. Nothing has gotten by her! Sorry, what was that? I was in the zone with my writing and didn't hear what you said.
red zone
1. In American football, the area between the 20-yard line and the goal line on either end of the field, indicating a scoring opportunity for one team or a threat to the other. Down by five points with just three minutes remaining, the Steelers are in the Broncos' red zone with a chance to claim victory.
2. An area or region that is forbidden or especially dangerous. The disputed territory has become a red zone after an increase in military activity between the two nations.
3. The section of a meter, gauge, dial, etc., indicating unsafe conditions or usage. You've got to keep a close eye on the pressure gauge. If you let it get into the red zone, the boiler could explode.
twilight zone
An ambiguous area between the boundaries of two concepts, conditions, etc.; a gray area. The phrase originated before it became the title of the popular television show. Unfortunately, his citizenship status is in the twilight zone now that the courts are reviewing the legality of the immigration restrictions. Jeff and I somehow ended up holding hands at the movie last night, and now we're in this weird twilight zone between friendship and dating.
war zone
1. Literally, an area in which military combat takes place. That region has been a war zone for the whole last year following the rebel uprising.
2. By extension, any place or area that is characterized by violence, lawlessness, or chaos. That part of the city has become so consumed by drugs and gang violence that it has turned into a total war zone. The local government has collapsed, leaving behind a war zone of various political groups vying for control.
3. Any area that is especially cluttered, disorderly, or chaotic. Your bedroom is a war zone. Now get in there and clean it up! I know my desk looks like a war zone, but I know exactly where everything is that I need.
zone (some place) as (something)
To mark the boundaries of a particular area for the express purpose of becoming or serving as something. The city council has zoned the patch of land as a residential area, barring any corporate development on the site. The government zoned the entire region as a federal park decades ago.
zone (something) for (something)
To set a restriction as to what can be built on or done to a specific area. Often used in passive constructions. They zoned the entire are for commercial buildings years ago, so even though the city is in dire need of housing, they can't legally be built there. Huge parts of the city are zoned for parks and other forms of green space, which has constrained its ability to bring in new businesses and residences somewhat.
zone in and out
To lose and regain focus, attention, or awareness intermittently, as due to boredom, fatigue, or intoxication. A: "Did you catch what the boss said about the policy changes?" B: "Not really. I kind of zoned in and out while he was talking." The pain medication the doctors gave me is really strong, so I keep zoning in and out.
zone in on (something)
To focus one's attention on something. Critics seem to have really zoned in on a single scene in the film, and I think they're missing some important points elsewhere. I love how my toddler zones in on new words when she hears them.
zone off
To set a restriction as to what can be built on or done to, on, or within a specific area. "A noun or pronoun can be used between "zone" and "off." Often used in passive constructions. They zoned the entire area off years ago for commercial buildings, so even though the city is in dire need of housing, they can't legally be built there. Huge parts of the city are zoned off for parks and other forms of green space, which has constrained its ability to bring in new businesses and residences somewhat.
zone out
1. To lose focus or stop paying attention to something, usually unintentionally. The term can be used to indicate that someone has focused on one thing to the exclusion of everything else. I think I must have zoned out during that lecture, because when it was over I realized I didn't remember anything the professor said. Jerry kind of zones out when he plays video games, so you have to be really loud to get his attention.
2. To intentionally ignore or block out certain stimuli, distractions, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "zone" and "out." When you're playing, you have to zone out everything except what's happening on the field. I know Aunt Lula can be aggravating, but she's only here for a few days, so just try to zone her out.
zoned (out)
In a state of suspended focus, attention, or awareness, as due to boredom, fatigue, or intoxication. A: "Did you catch what the boss said about the policy changes?" B: "Not really. I was zoned out for most of the meeting." The pain medication the doctors gave me is really strong, so I've been pretty zoned all day.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.