borrow (redirected from borrowing)

borrow something

Euph. to steal something. The bank robber borrowed a car to drive out of state. I discovered that my office mate had been borrowing money out of my wallet when I wasn't looking.

borrow something from someone

to request and receive the use of something from someone. Can I borrow a hammer from you? Sorry, this hammer was borrowed from my father.

borrow trouble

Fig. to worry needlessly; to make trouble for oneself. Worrying too much about death is just borrowing trouble. Do not get involved with politics. That's borrowing trouble.

See also: trouble

live on borrowed time

Fig. to exist only because of good fortune; to live on when death was expected. The doctors told him he was living on borrowed time. You are living on borrowed time, so make the best of it.

See also: live, time

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living on borrowed time

if someone is living on borrowed time, they are not expected to live much longer I've got cancer - I'm living on borrowed time.

See hell on earth

See also: living, time

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on borrowed time

not likely to be active or working much longer Sales were down by a whole lot, putting the company on borrowed time. I think our hot water heater is on borrowed time.

Usage notes: often used in the form living on borrowed time (not likely to live very long): He knew he was living on borrowed time after two heart attacks.

See also: time