enter (redirected from enter upon)

Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.

Prov. If you come in, be prepared for the worst. (Describes a hopeless situation or one somehow similar to hell. Often used jocularly. This is the English translation of the words on the gate of Hell in Dante's Inferno.) This is our cafeteria. Abandon hope, all ye who enter here!

See also: abandon, here, who

breaking and entering

the crime of forcing one's way into a place. (A criminal charge.) Wilbur was charged with four counts of breaking and entering. It was not an act of breaking and entering. The thief just opened the door and walked right in.

See also: and, breaking

enter

(something) by something and enter (something) through something to enter something or some place by way of a certain entrance. We entered the building by the west door. You should enter through the revolving door only.

enter (up)on something 

1. . to come in at a particular point as marked by something. We entered the theater upon the most delicate point of the story. Weenteredon thetail end of a live scene.

2. to begin something. Todd entered upon a new phase of his life. He entered on the management of a new project.

enter someone or something in(to) something

to enroll someone or something in something; to make someone or something a competitor in something. I will enter you into the contest whether you like it or not. The trainer entered his fastest horse in the race.

enter in something

to enroll as a participant in something, such as a contest, competition, etc. She was not ready to enter in the competition. I can't enter in that contest. I'm not prepared.

enter into something 

1. . Lit. to get into something. She entered into the house and immediately went to work. As the people entered into the cathedral, they became quiet.

2. Fig. to join in something; to participate in something. I couldn't get him to enter into the spirit of the party. She just loves to enter into things and have a good time with people.

enter one's mind

Fig. [for an idea or memory] to come into one's consciousness; to be thought of. Leave you behind? The thought never even entered my mind. A very interesting idea just entered my mind. What if I ran for Congress?

See also: mind

enter the lists

Fig. to begin to take part in a contest or argument. He had decided not to stand for Parliament, but entered the lists at the last minute. The family disagreement had almost been resolved when the grandfather entered the lists.

See also: list

join the fray and jump into the fray; enter the fray

Fig. to join the fight or argument. After listening to the argument, Mary decided to jump into the fray. Tom joined the fray and immediately got knocked down.

See also: fray, join

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enter/get into the spirit of something

to show that you are happy to be at a social event by talking to a lot of people, dancing, or wearing special clothes 'Hey, I like your hat!' 'Well, I thought I'd better enter into the spirit of things.' I'm afraid I was feeling too ill to really get into the spirit of the evening.

See also: spirit

enter/join the fray

to become involved in an argument or a fight Members of the royal family rarely enter the political fray.

See also: fray

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enter the fray also join the fray

to become involved in a very competitive situation Cable TV companies have entered the fray, using their high-speed lines to provide Internet access.

See also: fray