course (redirected from coursed)

*off course 

1. Lit. not going in the right direction. (*Typically: be ~; drift ~; get ~.) The ship is off course and may strike the reef!

2. Fig. not following the plan correctly. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) The project is off course and won't be finished on time. l am off course and doing poorly.

*on course 

1. Lit. going in the right direction or on the right route. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; stay ~.) We are on course and should arrive at our port about noon.

2. Fig. following the plan correctly. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; stay ~.) Is the project on course? Nothing I am doing is exactly on course right now.

as a matter of course

normally; as a normal procedure. The nurse takes your temperature as a matter of course. You are expected to make your own bed as a matter of course.

See also: matter

course of action

the procedures or sequence of actions that someone will follow to accomplish a goal. I plan to follow a course of action that will produce the best results. The board planned a course of action that would reduce costs and eliminate employees.

See also: action

course of true love never did run smooth

Prov. People in love with each other often have to overcome difficulties in order to be together. (From Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream.) Jill: What am I going to do? My boyfriend's job is transferring him to Texas, and I have to stay here. Jane: The course of true love never did run smooth.

See also: did, love, never, run, smooth, true

course through something

to run, race, or flow rapidly through something. I believe, sometimes, that ice water courses through your veins. No, perfectly red blood courses through them.

See also: through

crash course (in something)

a short and intense training course in something. I took a crash course in ballroom dancing so we wouldn't look stupid on the dance floor.

See also: crash

in due course and in due time; in good time; in the course of time; in time

in a normal or expected amount of time. The roses will bloom in due course. The vice president will become president in due course. I'll retire in due time. Just wait, my dear. All in good time. It'll all work out in the course of time. In time, things will improve.

See also: due

of course

yes; certainly; for sure. Sally: Are you ready to go? Bob: Of course. Sally: Then let's go. Jane: Are you coming with us? John: Of course. I wouldn't miss this for the world. "And you'll be there, of course?" asked Alice. "I would be happy to help, of course," confided Tom, a little insincerely.

par for the course

typical; about what one could expect. (This refers to golf courses, not school courses.) So he went off and left you? Well that's about par for the course. He's no friend. I worked for days on this proposal, but it was rejected. That's par for the course around here.

See also: par

run its course

[for something] to continue through its cycle of existence, especially a disease. Sorry. There is no medicine for it. It will just have to run its course.

See also: run

take a course (in something)

to enroll in a course and do the required work. I decided to take a course in history. Bob drives into the city where he is taking a course.

See also: take

take its course

to continue along its way; [for a disease] to progress the way it normally progresses until it is cured naturally. There is really no good medicine for this. This disease simply has to take its course.

See also: take

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as a matter of course

if something happens as a matter of course, it happens without people thinking about whether they want it or not I don't think the Welsh language should be taught in schools as a matter of course - if students want to learn it, that's their choice.

See also: matter

be on a collision course

if two people or groups are on a collision course, they are doing or saying things which are certain to cause a serious disagreement or a fight between them All attempts at diplomacy have broken down and the two states now appear to be on a collision course. (often + with ) The British government is on a collision course with the American administration over trade tariffs.

be on course for something   also be on course to do something

to be very likely to succeed at something If he keeps playing like this, Henman is on course for his third victory.

See run its course, stay the course

be par for the course

if the way something happens or is done is par for the course, it happens or is done as you would expect, especially when you do not think this is very good

Usage notes: In golf, par is the number of times you would expect to hit the ball in order to get it in the hole.

'Gareth was half an hour late.' 'That's just par for the course, isn't it?'

See also: par

Horses for courses.  (British & Australian)

something that you say which means that it is important to choose suitable people for particular activities because everyone has different skills Ah well, horses for courses. Just because a plumber can mend your washing machine, it doesn't follow that he can mend your car as well.

See Don't spare the horses, Hold horses!

See also: Horse

in due course  (slightly formal)

if you say that something will happen in due course, you mean that it will happen at a suitable time in the future You will receive notification of the results in due course.

See also: due

let nature take its course

to allow someone or something to live or die naturally By this stage, her illness was so severe that the doctors agreed to let nature take its course rather than prolong her suffering. We plant the seeds in springtime and then just let nature take its course.

See also: let, nature, take

run its course

if something runs its course, it continues naturally until it has finished Many people believe that feminism has run its course. The doctor insisted I rest for a few days while the infection ran its course.

See also: run

stay the course

to continue to do something that is difficult or takes a long time until it is finished Giving up smoking won't be easy - you must be prepared to stay the course.

See also: stay

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as a matter of course

naturally or automatically Many pet owners lavish affection on their animals as a matter of course.

See also: matter

in due course (slightly formal)

after a certain period in due time They're working on the plan and will announce it in due course.

See also: due

let nature take its course

to allow something to happen naturally Normally, the Parks Department lets nature take its course and doesn't replace dead trees, but this situation is different.

See also: let, nature, take

of course

1. (spoken) obviously yes “May I use your telephone?” “Of course, go right ahead.”

Usage notes: often used in the phrase of course not (obviously no): “Is she really going to leave without paying?” “Of course not.”

2. it is obvious Of course you should call the doctor if she starts feeling worse.

off course

not moving forward as wanted or expected The opinion polls show that voters think the government has gone off course.

Opposite of: on course

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of a ship or spacecraft going in the wrong direction

on course

moving forward as desired or expected Are we on course to finish this book on time?

Opposite of: off course

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of a ship or spacecraft going in the right direction

par for the course

what should be expected because of past experience The school budget is going to be cut again this year, but then that's par for the course.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of par for the course ( the expected number of times a good player in golf will hit the ball to get it in all the holes)

See also: par

run its course

to continue until finished Unfortunately, a cold has to run its course. It was a wonderful show, but I think this play has run its course.

See also: run

stay the course

to continue doing something, even when it is difficult I will stay the course and finish the job I was hired to do.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of a ship continuing in the same direction, even in bad conditions

See also: stay