corner (redirected from corners)

around the corner

going to happen very soon. With the end of the century just around the corner, major celebrations are being planned.

See also: around

be backed into a corner

to be forced into a difficult situation which you have little control over. I feel I've been backed into a corner and I have no choice but to sign the contract.

be in a tight corner/spot

to be in a difficult situation. She had been in tight corners before and had always managed to get out of them.

See also: spot, tight

catty-corner (American, American)

in a direction from one corner of a square to the opposite, far corner. Catty-corner to the theatre, there's a drugstore. (often + to)

corner the market

to become so successful at selling or making a particular product that almost no one else sells or makes it. They've more or less cornered the fast-food market - they're in every big city in the country.

See also: market

cut corners

to do something in the easiest, quickest, or cheapest way, often harming the quality of your work. We've had to cut corners to make a film on such a small budget. Companies are having to cut corners in order to remain competitive in the market.

See also: cut

fight your corner (British)

to defend something that you believe in by arguing. You'll have to be ready to fight your corner if you want them to extend the project.

See also: fight

the four corners of the earth/world

every part of the world. Wedding guests arrived from the four corners of the world.

See also: earth, four, world

have someone in your corner

to have the support or help of someone. We're lucky we've got James in our corner. No one can beat him in a debate.

hole-and-corner (British, British)

hole-and-corner activities are kept secret, usually because they are dishonest. I don't want any more hole-in-the-corner deals, from now all our business will be done in the open. (always before noun)

kitty-corner (American, American)

in a direction from one corner of a square to the opposite, far corner. You know the building - it's kitty-corner to my office. (often + to)

paint yourself into a corner

to do something which puts you in a very difficult situation and limits the way that you can act. I've painted myself into a corner here. Having said I won't take less than £20 an hour, I can't then be seen to accept a job that pays less.

See also: paint

turn the corner

if something or someone turns the corner, their situation starts to improve after a difficult period. Certainly, the company's been through difficult times but I think we can safely say that we have now turned the corner. I was really ill on Tuesday and Wednesday but I think I've finally turned the corner.

See also: turn

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around the corner

close. Lighter and smaller laptops are just around the corner. Spring is here and baseball season is just around the corner.

See also: around

back someone into a corner

to force someone into a bad situation. The company backed its workers into a corner by hiring replacements during the strike.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form get backed into a corner: When that team gets backed into a corner, they aren't afraid to fight their way out.

See also: back

corner the market

to control the supply or sale of a particular product. The company tried to corner the market on several types of computer software.

See also: market

cut corners

to do something in the fastest or cheapest way. We couldn't get the money we needed, so we had to cut corners to make the film — and it shows.

See also: cut

the four corners of the earth

every part of the world. The giant company plans to bring coffee and soft drinks to the four corners of the earth.

to the four winds

See also: earth, four

from the corner of your eye

not seen completely, only briefly noticed. From the corner of his eye he thought he saw a large dog, but it was actually a coyote.

See also: eye, from

in your corner

supporting you. It makes a big difference to have a crackerjack, experienced lawyer in your corner.

paint someone/yourself into a corner

to do something that takes away all of your choices. They've painted themselves into a corner by promising to announce the results of their investigation. The army painted the rebels into a corner, and the only choice they had was to fight.

See also: paint

turn the corner

to improve after going through something difficult. I wonder if the country has really turned the corner in this crisis.

See also: turn