post

*deaf as a post

deaf. (*Also:as ~.) When my cousin was a teenager, she played her drum set without ear protection, and she was as deaf as a post by the age of twenty-five. Mark can't hear you even if you shout; he's deaf as a post.

See also: deaf

by return mail and by return post

by a subsequent mailing (back to the sender). (A phrase indicating that an answer is expected very soon, by mail.) Since this bill is overdue, would you kindly send us your check by return mail? I answered your request by return post over a year ago. Please check your records.

See also: and, mail, return

from pillar to post

Fig. from one place to a series of other places; (figuratively) from person to person, as with gossip. My father was in the army, and we moved from pillar to post year after year. After I told one person my secret, it went quickly from pillar to post.

See also: pillar

keep someone posted

Fig. to keep someone informed (of what is happening); to keep someone up to date. If the price of corn goes up, I need to know. Please keep me posted. Keep her posted about the patient's status.

See also: keep

post someone (somewhere)

to place someone, as if on guard, at something or some place. The police chief posted a guard at the hospital door. The boss posted himself at the water cooler to catch up on the gossip.

post something on something

to fasten a notice onto something. Please post this notice on the door where everyone will see it. I will post this photo on the bulletin board.

post something to someone

to mail something to someone. I posted it to him over a month ago. I can't imagine where it is now. The letter was posted last week.

post something up

to record a transaction in an account. I'll post this charge up right away, and then you can check out. Please post up the charges a little later.

See also: up

send someone from pillar to post

Fig. to send someone to many different places, none of which is the correct place. (Compare this with send someone on a wild-goose chase.) Jill sent Roger from pillar to post to look for a special kind of paper. Roger was sent from pillar to post with his problem.

See also: pillar, send

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be as deaf as a post  (British, American & Australian informal) also be as deaf as a doorknob/doornail (Australian)

to be completely deaf She's 89 and as deaf as a post.

See fall on deaf ears, turn a deaf ear

See also: deaf

be first past the post  (British & Australian)

if someone is first past the post in a competition, they are the first to achieve something The Russian team were first past the post in the race to complete the expedition.

See also: first, past

be pipped at/to the post  (British & Australian)

to be beaten in a competition or race by a very small amount I'd have won quite a lot of money but my horse was pipped to the post.

See also: pip

from pillar to post  (British & Australian)

if someone goes from pillar to post, they are forced to keep moving from one place to another After his mother died, Billy was passed from pillar to post and ended up in a children's home.

See a pillar of strength

See also: pillar

keep somebody posted

to make sure that someone always knows what is happening (sometimes + on ) Keep me posted on anything that happens while I'm away.

See also: keep

post-haste  (formal)

as quickly as possible A letter was dispatched post-haste to their offices.

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keep you posted

to make sure you know what is happening The doctors kept me posted about her condition.

Usage notes: usually refers to a situation that is quickly changing

See also: keep