now (redirected from nowness)

*now or never

at this time and no other. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) This is your only chance, John. It's now or never. I decided that it was now or never, and jumped.

See also: never

(every) now and then and (every) now and again; (every) once in a while

occasionally; infrequently. We eat lamb every now and then. We eat pork now and then. I read a novel every now and again.

See also: and

(I) have to go now.

an expression announcing the need to leave. Fred: Bye, have to go now. Mary: See you later. Take it easy. Sue: Would you help me with this box? John: Sorry. I have to go now.

See also: have

Good-bye for now. and (Good-bye) until next time.; Till next time.; Bye for now.; Till we meet again.; Until we meet again.

Good-bye, I'll see you soon.; Good-bye, I'll see you next time. (Often said by the host at the end of a radio or television program.) Alice: See you later. Good-bye for now. John: Bye, Alice. Mary: See you later. Bob: Good-bye for now. The host of the talk show always closed by saying, "Good-bye until next time. This is Wally Off, Slgning off."

not right now, thanks

No for the present. (It is hoped that one will be asked again later. Usually used for a [temporary] refusal of a serving of food or drink. There is an implication that more will be wanted later.) Waiter: Do you want some more coffee? Mary: Not right now, thanks. John: Can I take your coat? Sue: Not right now, thanks. I'm still a little chilly.

See also: right, thanks

now and then

sometimes; occasionally. (See also (every) now and then.) I like to go to a movie now and then. We visit my parents now and then, but we rarely see our other relatives.

See also: and

Now hear this!

Pay attention to what is going to be said! (In the manner of an announcement over a public address system, especially in the military.) Now hear this! You have to turn off the television and go to bed! Now hear this! Now hear this! Everyone is ordered to abandon ship.

See also: hear

now then

a sentence opener indicating that a new topic is being opened or that the speaker is getting down to business. (Expressions such as this often use intonation to convey the connotation of the sentence that is to follow. The brief intonation pattern accompanying the expression may indicate sarcasm, disagreement, caution, consolation, sternness, etc.) "Now then, where's the pain?" asked the doctor. Mary: Now then, let's talk about you and your interests. Bob: Oh, good. My favorite subject. Sue: Now then, what are your plans for the future? Alice: I want to become a pilot. "Now then, what did you have in mind when you took this money?" asked the police investigator.

Now what? and What now?

Inf. What is going to happen now?; What kind of new problem has arisen? The phone rang again, and Tom said, rising from the chair, "Now what?" Bob: There's a serious problem—sort of an emergency—in the mail room. Sue: What now? Bob: They're out of stamps or something silly like that.

Now you're cooking (with gas)!

Inf. Fig. Now you are doing what you should be doing! As Bob came to the end of the piece, the piano teacher said, "Now you're cooking with gas!" Tom (painting a fence): How am I doing with this painting? Any better? Jane: Now you're cooking. Tom: Want to try it?

Now you're talking!

Inf. Now you are saying the right things. Tom: I won't put up with her behavior any longer. I'll tell her exactly what I think of it. Bill: Now you're talking! John: When I get back to school, I'm going to study harder than ever. Mother: Now you're talking!

now, now

Inf. a calming and consoling phrase that introduces good advice. "Now, now, don't cry," said the mother to the tiny baby. Jane: I'm so upset! Andy: Now, now, everything will work out all right.

now, where was I

I was interrupted, so please help me remember what I was talking about. (The emphasis is on was.) Now, where was I! I think I lost my place. Q: Where was I? A: You had just described the War of 1812.

See also: was

right away and right now

immediately. John: Take this over to Sue. Bill: Right away. John: How soon can you do this? Sue: Right away.

See also: away, right

That's enough for now.

No more of that for now.; Please stop for a while. Mary: Here, have some more cake. Do you want a larger piece? Bill: Oh, no. That's enough for now. Bill: Shall I cut a little more off this tree, lady, or save the rest till spring? Jane: No, that's enough for now.

See also: enough

the here and now

the present, as opposed to the past or the future. I don't care what's happening tomorrow or next week! I care about the here and now. The past is dead. Let's worry about the here and now.

See also: and, here

There, there. and There, now.

an expression used to comfort someone. There, there. You'll feel better after you take a nap. There, now. Everything will be all right.

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every now and again/then  also every so often

sometimes Every now and then I go to town and spend loads of money.

See also: again, and, every

It's now or never.

something that you say which means that you must do something immediately because you will not get another opportunity As she was leaving I thought, it's now or never. So I just went up to her and asked her out.

See Now you're talking!

See also: never

Now you're talking!

something that you say when someone makes a better suggestion or offer than one that they made before 'Or we could go out for dinner if you prefer.' 'Now you're talking!'

See be speaking out of both sides of mouth, Look who's talking!

There, there.  (old-fashioned)

something that you say to comfort someone, especially a child There, there. You'll feel better in a minute.

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(every) now and then also (every) now and again

sometimes We still meet for lunch now and then, but not as often as we used to. Every now and then I'll take the kids to the playground.

Related vocabulary: every so often

See also: and

(it's) now or never

you should do something immediately because you may not get another opportunity Olympic athletes only get a chance to compete every four years, so it's now or never for me.

See also: never

(right) here and now

in this place at this time People will remember us because we're going to make a deal, not tomorrow or next week but right here and now.

Related vocabulary: then and there

See also: and, here

just now

a short time ago I came from a meeting just now where the governor said he would veto the proposed law.

See also: just

now you're talking (spoken)

you have finally had a good idea "Would you like pizza for dinner?" "Now you're talking!"

See also: talk

right away also right off

immediately She wanted to leave right away and not wait for her sister. You could tell right away that something was wrong.

See also: away, right

the here and now

the present Jazz and hip-hop and gospel talk about the here and now in a way that everyone can understand.

See also: and, here