front (redirected from fronted)

*on the front burner

Fig. receiving particular attention or consideration. (Compare this with on the back burner. *Typically: be ~; put something ~.) So, what's on the front burner for us this week? Move this project to the front burner so it will get some attention.

See also: burner

burn one's bridges in front of (one)

Fig. to create future problems for oneself. (A play on burn one's bridges (behind one).) I made a mistake again. I always seem to burn my bridges in front of me. I accidentally insulted a math teacher whom I will have to take a course from next semester. I am burning my bridges in front of me.

See also: Bridges, burn

can't see one's hand in front of one's face

Fig. [to be] unable to see very far, usually due to darkness or fog. (Also with cannot.) It was so dark that I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. Bob said that the fog was so thick he couldn't see his hand in front of his face.

See also: face, hand, see

dangle something before someone and dangle something in front of someone 

1. Lit. to tempt someone by dangling a tempting object in front of them. Don't dangle that string of pearls infront of me unless you intend to give them to me!

2. Fig. to lure someone with something. He dangled the keys before Wally, hoping to get him to drive. He dangled the money in front of Eric, hoping to make him change his mind.

See also: before, dangle

front someone some amount of money

to provide an advance payment of some amount to someone. The buyer fronted me half the purchase price as a favor.

See also: amount, money, some

front for someone or something

to serve as the public contact or public "face" for someone or something. Her publicity agent fronted for her most of the time. Max fronted for a gang of thieves.

front off (about something)

Sl. to be brash and resentful about something. Todd was fronting off about his assignment and got a detention for it. You will wish you hadn't fronted off about your supervisor.

front on something

[for a building or a piece of land] to face out on something. The property fronts on a lovely boulevard that has very little traffic. Our house fronts on a lake.

front-runner

the person or thing thought most likely to win or succeed. The press found out some juicy secrets about the front-runner and made them all public. Who is the front-runner in the race to be governor?

out front 

1. in the front of one's house. Our mailbox is out front. We have a spruce tree out front and a maple tree in the back.

2. leading, as in a race. My horse was out front by two lengths until the final turn. The other candidate is out front in the polls.

See also: out

parade someone or something in front of someone or something

to exhibit someone or something in front of someone or something, as if in a parade. One by one, the teacher paraded the honor students in front of the parents. The sheriff paraded the suspects in front of the camera. The sheriff paraded the suspects in front of the victim.

See also: parade

pull (out) in front of someone or something

to drive out into the road in front of someone or some vehicle. A car pulled out in front of me, and I almost hit it. The car pulled in front of a truck and there was a terrible wreck.

See also: pull

put one foot in front of the other 

1. Lit. to walk deliberately. I was so tired that I could hardly even put one foot in front of the other. She was putting one foot in front of the other so carefully that I thought she must be ill.

2. Fig. to do things carefully and in their proper order. Let's do it right now. Just put one foot in front of the other. One thing at a time. All I need to do is put one foot in front of the other. Everything else will take care of itself.

See also: foot, one, other, put

put up a (brave) front and put on a (brave) front

Fig. to appear to be brave (even if one is not). Mary is frightened, but she's putting up a brave front. If she weren't putting on a front, I'd be more frightened than l am.

See also: put, up

up front 

1. in the forefront; under fire (at the front). You guys who are up front are gonna get the most fire. You two go up front and see if you can help.

2. Fig. at the beginning; in advance. She wanted $200 up front. The more you pay up front, the less you'll have to finance.

3. Fig. open; honest; forthcoming. She is a very up front gal—trust her. I wish the salesman had been more up front about it.

See also: up

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be in the front line

to be in an important position where you have influence, but where you are likely to be criticized or attacked (often + of ) Many social workers are in the front line of racial tension.

See also: line

put a brave face/front on something

to behave in a way that makes people think you are happy when you are not They've had some bad luck, but they've put a brave face on their problems. She's very ill but she's putting a brave front on it. (= making people believe her illness does not worry her)

See also: brave, face, put

put on/up a front

to pretend to feel a certain way He hasn't shown any signs of grief over his father's death, but I'm sure he's just putting up a front.

See also: put

the front office  (American)

the managers of a company The front office has decided to cut back on technical staff. (American)

See also: office

up front

if you give someone an amount of money up front, you pay them before they start a job Did you pay up front or are you waiting till they've finished the job?

See also: up

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in front of somebody

while other people are present Why did you have to embarrass me in front of all those people?

on the front burner also on somebody's front burner

getting or needing immediate attention We want to make sure that aid for Africa is on the front burner. Retirement planning hasn't exactly been on Kessler's front burner.

Usage notes: sometimes used with put: The president has finally put this issue on the front burner.

Opposite of: on the back burner

See also: burner

on the front line of something also on the front lines of something

leading others in an effort to change something For years the group has been on the front line of efforts to educate people about global warming. Doctor Tay is on the front lines of improving treatment for people with head and spinal injuries.

Etymology: based on the military use of soldiers on the front line or front lines (closest to the enemy and very important but also those most likely to be hurt or killed)

See also: line

put up a brave front See: put on a brave face

See also: brave, put, up