power (redirected from did a power of good)

*in power

in control; in charge. (*Typically: be ~; come [into] ~; get [into] ~.) Who is in power now? No one is in power. The provisional government came into power six months ago.

*on a power trip

exercising power and authority, especially unduly. (*Typically: be ~; be off ~; go ~; have ~.) Old Molly is off on a power trip again. She loves ordering everyone about.

See also: trip

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Prov. One who has total authority is very likely to abuse his position. (This phrase was used by the British historian Lord Acton: "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.") We thought that Johnson would be a responsible mayor, but within a year of taking office, he was as bad as all the rest. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

See also: absolutely

do someone a power of good and do someone a heap of good

Rur. to be very good for someone. You should take a vacation. It'd do you a power of good. Just hearing your voice does me a heap of good.

See also: good

exercise power over

someone or something and exercise control over someone or something; exercise influence over someone or something to have someone or something under one's control or influence. The dictator exercised power over the island for many years. See if you can exercise some control over your appetite. I wish I could exercise some influence over the committee.

See also: exercise

fall from power

Fig. to go out of power; to go out of office. The dictator fell from power after the riots. Every ruler will fall from power sooner or later.

See also: fall

have no staying power

to lack endurance; not to be able to last. Sally can swim fast for a short distance, but she has no staying power. That horse can start fairly fast, but it has no staying power.

See also: have, stay

Knowledge is power.

Prov. The more you know, the more you can control. Child: How come I have to study history? I don't care what all those dead people did hundreds of years ago. Mother: Knowledge is power. If you know something about the past, it may help you to anticipate the future.

See also: knowledge

Money is power.

Prov. If you have money, you can get things and do things. Emily wanted a career that would make her a lot of money, since money is power.

See also: money

More power to you!

Well done!; You really stood up for yourself!; You really did something for your own benefit! (The stress is on to, and the you is usually "ya.") Bill: I finally told her off, but good. Bob: More power to you! Sue: I spent years getting ready for that job, and I finally got it. Mary: More power to you!

See also: more

power something up

to start something, such as an engine. You should power the engine up and let it run awhile before you drive away. Power up the engine and mow the grass.

See also: up

power something with something

to provide something as the source of energy for something to operate. The government decided to power its vans with natural gas engines. We will power the generators with coal as long as it is cheap.

power behind the throne

Fig. the person who actually controls the person who is apparently in charge. Mr. Smith appears to run the shop, but his brother is the power behind the throne. They say that the vice president is the power behind the throne.

See also: behind, throne

power play

Fig. a strategy using one's power or authority to carry out a plan or to get one's way. In a blatant power play, the manager claimed he had initiated the sales campaign.

See also: play

power up

to start an engine. Well, let's power up so we will be ready to leave with the others. It's time to power up and get going.

See also: up

put someone into power and put someone in

to elect or appoint someone to office or a position of power. The board decided to put an unknown from another company into the presidency. They put in a complete unknown.

See also: put

the balance of power

the situation where the power held by one governing body or adversary is balanced by the power of another. The balance of power was threatened when China captured our airplane.

See also: balance

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do somebody a power of good  (informal)

to make someone feel much better That walk in the fresh air did me a power of good.

See also: good

More power to your elbow!  (British & Australian) also More power to you! (American & Australian)

something that you say to praise someone and to say that you hope they continue to have success 'I've decided to set up my own business.' 'Good for you. More power to your elbow!'

See also: more

the corridors of power

the highest level of government where the most important decisions are made His laziness became a legend in the corridors of power.

the power behind the throne

someone who does not have an official position in a government or organization but who secretly controls it In his later years, the chairman's daughter was the power behind the throne.

See also: behind, throne

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more power to somebody/something (spoken)

someone or something has my support and encouragement If they can make this city work, more power to them. I didn't know what I wanted to do after high school, so more power to you for knowing what you want.

See also: more

the power behind the throne

someone without an official job who secretly controls an organization or government The chairman's daughter was the power behind the throne for several years before he died.

See also: behind, throne