coming

not be backward in coming forward (British & Australian, humorous)

to be confident and always ready to express an opinion. If he doesn't like it, he'll tell you. He's not exactly backward in coming forward.

See also: backward, forward

be coming/falling apart at the seams

1. if a system or organization is coming apart at the seams, it is in a very bad condition and likely to fail. For a while it seemed that the whole Asian economy was just coming apart at the seams.

2. if someone is coming apart at the seams, they are feeling extremely upset and have difficulty continuing to do the things they usually do. It's no excuse, but we were all working really hard and none of us noticed that Rory was just falling apart at the seams.

See also: apart, fall, seam

the comings and goings

the movements of people arriving at places and leaving places. One of our neighbours is always at her window watching the comings and goings of everyone in the street.

See also: going

Everything's coming up roses.

something that you say when a situation is successful in every way. Everything's coming up roses for George at the moment - he's been promoted at work and he's just got engaged.

See also: rose

had it coming (informal)

if someone had it coming, something bad happened to them which they deserved. I wasn't at all surprised to hear he'd been fired. With all that unexplained time off he had it coming to him. (often + to)

See also: had

have something coming out of your ears (informal)

to have more of something than you want or need. He's going to have money coming out of his ears if this deal comes off.

See also: ear

If someone thinks something, they've got another thing/think coming! (informal)

something that you say when you are angry with someone because they are expecting you to do something for them that you do not want to do. If he thinks I'm going to do the work for free, he's got another think coming!

See also: another, got, thing, think

not know if/whether you are coming or going

to be unable to think clearly and decide what to do because you have so many things to deal with. I had so much to do yesterday that I didn't know whether I was coming or going. The recent changes in the school curriculum mean that most teachers don't know if they're coming or going.

See also: going, know, whether

see it coming

to see that something is likely to happen, especially something bad. I wasn't surprised when the company closed down. You could see it coming.

See also: see

up-and-coming

becoming more and more successful in a job. She founded a summer school for up-and-coming musicians. (always before noun)

What's the world coming to?

something that you say which means that life is not as pleasant or safe as it was in the past. What's the world coming to when you can't leave your house for five minutes without someone trying to break in and rob you?

See also: world

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have something coming out (of) your ears

to have a lot of something. Ask him for a loan, he's got money coming out his ears.

See also: ear

have it coming

to deserve something. We worked so hard to make the business succeed that I think we have it coming.

Usage notes: often said about someone who deserves something bad: The jury felt the guy had it coming, so they didn't convict her of attacking him.

not know if you are coming or going

to be confused or unable to control something that is happening to you. I am so busy packing everything to move, I don't know if I'm coming or going. It's scary.

See also: going, know

see it coming

to know that something bad is about to happen. I wasn't surprised when they divorced — you could see it coming.

See also: see

up and coming

beginning to achieve success or popularity. It's an up and coming business center that has attracted many new offices and stores. Many fans think Jimmy is an up and coming country singer.

what's the world coming to

I am shocked and disappointed. What's the world coming to when you can't leave your house for five minutes without someone trying to break in and rob you?

See also: world

where someone is coming from

what causes someone to have a particular opinion. I can understand where he's coming from, but I don't completely agree with him.

See also: from