fat (redirected from fats)

chew the fat (British, informal, American, informal)

to have a long friendly conversation with someone. We spent the evening watching the TV and chewing the fat.

See also: chew

a fat cat (informal)

an impolite way of referring to someone who is very rich and powerful. He's just another fat cat - a corporate tycoon from Boston.

See also: cat

Fat chance! (informal)

something that you say which means something is not very likely to happen. 'D'you think your Dad'll drive us to the disco?' 'Fat chance!'

See also: chance

the fat is in the fire (old-fashioned)

something that you say which means there will soon be problems because of something that has happened. Susie knows you've been seeing her boyfriend, so the fat's in the fire.

See also: fire

a fat lot of good/use (informal)

not helpful or useful. She can't lift anything heavy, so she's a fat lot of use! 'I'm going to tell him exactly what I think of him.' 'A fat lot of good that'll do you!'

See also: good, lot, use

fat-cat (informal)

a fat cat - an impolite way of referring to someone who is very rich and powerful. There's a lot of resentment against fat-cat lawyers who've made huge amounts from the case. (always before noun)

It's not over until the fat lady sings. (informal)

something that you say when someone is losing a game or competition but you think there is still a chance they might win. Tony's only two games behind. And as they say, it's not over until the fat lady sings.

See also: it's, lady, over, sing, until

kill the fatted calf

to celebrate in order to welcome a friend or relative that you have not seen for a long time. Annie's coming home, let's kill the fatted calf!

See also: kill

live off the fat of the land

to have enough money to live in a very comfortable way without having to do much work. Times have changed for the upper classes, many of whom are no longer able to live off the fat of the land.

See also: land, live

puppy fat (British & Australian)

fat that a child has but which they lose when they become older. He's a little overweight but that's just puppy fat.

See also: puppy

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fat chance

there is very little or no possibility of that happening. Will Hal make you laugh? Fat chance.

Usage notes: usually used as a separate sentence to remark on what was just said, as in the example

See also: chance