minute (redirected from minutely)

*mile a minute

Fig. very fast. (*Typically: go ~; move ~; talk ~; travel ~.) She talks a mile a minute and is very hard to keep up with.

See also: mile

*up to the minute

Fig. current. (*Typically: be ~; bring something ~.) This report is up to the minute and fresh from the wire services.

See also: up

at the last minute

Fig. at the last possible chance; in the last few minutes, hours, or days. (Often an exaggeration.) Please don't make reservations at the last minute. Why do you ask all your questions at the last minute?

See also: last

Every minute counts, and Every moment counts.

Fig. time is very important. (Used especially in situations where time is very limited.) Doctor, please try to get here quickly. Every minute counts. When you take a test, you must work rapidly because every minute counts. When you're trying to meet a deadline, every moment counts.

See also: count, every

Hold on (a minute)! and Hold on for a minute!

Stop right there!; Wait a minute! (Minute can be replaced by moment, second, or other time periods.) Bob: Hold on, Tom. Tom: What? Bob: I want to talk to you. "Hold on!" hollered Tom. "You're running off with my shopping cart!"

See also: hold

in (just) a second and in (just) a minute

in a very short period of time. I'll be there in a second. I'll be with you in just a minute. I'm on the phone.

See also: second

just a minute

only a short time; [wait] a short period of time. I'm almost done. I'll be there in just a minute! Could I have just a minute of your time?

See also: just

Just a minute (you)!

Stop where you are! (Not very polite.) Just a minute, you! Where are you going with my coat?

See also: just

minute something happens

the point in time at which an event happens. I'll be inside the minute it rains. Call me the minute you get to town.

See also: happen

up-to-the-minute

the very latest or most recent. I want to hear some up-to-the-minute news on the hostage situation. I just got an up-to-the-minute report on Tom's health.

when you get a minute and when you get a chance a phrase introducing a request, especially to talk to someone

. Bill: Tom? Tom: Yes. Bill: When you get a minute, I'd like to have a word with you. "Please drop over for a chat when you get a chance," said Fred to Bill.

See also: get

With you in a minute. and Someone will be with you in a minute.

Please be patient, someone will attend to you very soon. (The someone can be any person's name or a pronoun, typically I. If there is no one mentioned, I is implied. The minute can be replaced by moment or second.) Sue: Oh, Miss? Clerk: Someone will be with you in a minute. Bill: Please wait here. I'll be with you in a minute. Bob: Please hurry.

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not have a minute to call your own

to be extremely busy With a full-time job and a family to look after, I don't have a minute to call my own.

See also: call, have

a mile a minute  (American & Australian)

very quickly Mike was very excited and talking a mile a minute. My heart beat a mile a minute waiting for his plane to land.

See also: mile

be a laugh a minute  (informal)

to be very funny and entertaining

Usage notes: This phrase is often used humorously to mean the opposite.

You know what Mark's like - he's not exactly a laugh a minute. 'A two-hour meeting with Nigel Owen? I bet that was fun.' 'Oh, it was a laugh a minute.'

See also: laugh

There's one born every minute.  (humorous)

something that you say about someone who you think has been very stupid 'He left a window open and then wondered why he'd been burgled!' 'There's one born every minute, isn't there?'

See That's's one for the books, take each day as it comes, be of like mind, be one sandwich short of a picnic, six of one and half a dozen of the other

See also: born, every, one

up-to-the-minute

containing the most modern or recent ideas or information For top designer names and up-to-the-minute fashion, shop at Taylors.

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a laugh a minute

very funny and entertaining Paul's clever screenplay makes this new comedy a laugh a minute.

Usage notes: often used humorously to mean the opposite: Any meeting with a school principal has to be a laugh a minute.

See also: laugh

a mile a minute

very quickly Mike was very excited and talking a mile a minute.

Etymology: the speed of going a mile in a minute, or 60 miles an hour, at one time was considered extremely fast

See also: mile

in a New York minute

very quickly I would sell that car in a New York minute if the right offer came along.

Etymology: based on the idea that everything happens more quickly in New York City

See also: new

in just a minute (spoken)

after a little while in just a moment She'll be downstairs in just a minute.

See also: just

just a minute (spoken)

wait a short period of time just a moment Just a minute, I'm not finished talking.

Usage notes: also used in the form just a second: Just a second, let me check the batteries first.

See also: just

the last minute

the last possible opportunity for doing something He always waits until the last minute to shop for presents.

Usage notes: used with until or till, as in the example, or with at: At the last minute, we found our tickets.

See also: last

the minute (that)

as soon as The minute I saw him, I knew something was wrong.

up to the minute

the most recent Now coverage of the news on the Internet is up to the minute.

See also: up

wait a minute (spoken)

I have just thought of something important wait a second Wait a minute, what did you say her aunt's name was?

Usage notes: used to interrupt someone

See also: wait