able (redirected from ablest)

able to breathe (easily) again and able to breathe (freely) again 

1. Lit. able to breathe clean, fresh air with no restriction or obstruction. After I got out of the dank basement, I was able to breathe easily again.

2. Fig. able to relax and recover from a busy or stressful time; able to catch one's breath. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Final exams are over, so I can breathe easily again.

See also: again, breathe

able to cut something

Fig. to be able to manage or execute something. (Often negative. Able to can be replaced with can.) We thought he could handle the new account, but he is simply not able to cut it.

See also: cut

able to do something

to have the strength or skill to do something. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Are you able to carry those bags by yourself?

able to do something blindfolded and able to do something standing on one's head

Fig. able to do something very easily, possibly without even looking. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Bill boasted that he could pass his driver's test blindfolded.

able to do something with one's eyes closed

Fig. able to do something very easily, even without having to think about it or look at it. (Always affirmative. Able to can be replaced with can.) It's easy. I can do it with my eyes closed.

See also: closed, eye

able to fog a mirror

Fig. Inf. alive, even if just barely. (Usually jocular. Alludes to the use of a small mirror placed under the nose to tell if a person is breathing or not. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Look, I don't need an athlete to do this job! Anybody able to fog a mirror will do fine!

See also: fog, mirror

able to make an event

able to attend an event. (Able to can be replaced with can.) I don't think I'll be able to make your party, but thanks for asking me.

See also: event, make

able to take a joke

to be able to accept ridicule good-naturedly; to be able to be the object or butt of a joke willingly. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Better not tease Ann. She can't take a joke.

See also: joke, take

able to take just so much and able to take only so much

able to endure only a limited amount of discomfort or unpleasantness. (Able to can be replaced with can.) Please stop hurting my feelings. I'm able to take just so much.

See also: just, much, take

not able

See the expressions listed at can't as well as those listed below.

not able to call one's time one's own

too busy; so busy as not to be in charge of one's own schedule. It's been so busy around here that I haven't been able to call my time my own. She can't call her time her own these days.

See also: call, time

not able to get something for love or money

Fig. not able to get something at any price; completely unable to get something. Oranges were so scarce last winter that you couldn't get them for love or money. I wanted to go to the concert, but I was not able to get a ticket for love or money.

See also: get, love, money

not able to go on

unable to continue (doing something—even living). (Not able to is often expressed as can't.) I just can't go on this way. Before her death, she left a note saying she was not able to go on.

not able to help something

unable to prevent or control something. (Not able to is often expressed as can't.) I'm sorry about being late. I wasn't able to help it. Bob can't help being boring.

See also: help

not able to make anything out (of someone or something)

unable to understand someone or something. (Not able to is often expressed as can't. The anything may refer to something specific, as in the first example.) I can't make sense out of what you just said. We were not able to make anything out of the message.

See also: anything, make, out

not able to make head or tail of something

Fig. not able to understand something at all. I couldn't make head or tail of the professor's geology lecture this morning. Can you help me fill out my tax forms? I can't make head or tail of the instructions.

See also: head, make, tail

not able to see the forest for the trees

Cliché allowing many details of a situation to obscure the situation as a whole. (Not able to is often expressed as can't.) The solution is obvious. You missed it because you can't see the forest for the trees. She suddenly realized that she hadn't been able to see the forest for the trees.

See also: forest, see, tree

not able to stomach someone or something and cannot stomach someone or something

Fig. not to be able to put up with someone or something; not to be able to tolerate or endure someone or something. Jane cannot stomach violent movies. The sensitive student could not stomach a lot of ridicule.

See also: stomach

not able to wait

to have to go to the bathroom urgently. (Also more broadly literal.) Mom, I can't wait. Driver, stop the bus! My little boy can't wait.

See also: wait

ready, willing, and able

Cliché eager or at least willing [to do something]. If you need someone to help you move furniture, I'm ready, willing, and able. Fred is ready, willing, and able to do anything you ask him.

See also: and