remain (redirected from remains)

*ahead (of someone or something)

farther forward than someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; keep ~; remain ~; stay ~.) I managed to get ahead of everyone else in line and get tickets for everyone. Try to stay ahead of that big truck we just passed.

See also: ahead

*ahead of something

ahead or on target with one's work schedule or responsibilities. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; keep ~; remain ~; stay ~.) By the end of the week, I usually can get ahead of my duties, but not by much. Jerry can't seem to get ahead of his work.

See also: ahead

*ahead of the game

being early; having an advantage in a competitive situation; having done more than necessary. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; keep ~; remain ~; Stay ~.) Without the full cooperation of my office stafj', I find it hard to stay ahead of the game. If being ahead of the game is important to you and to your business, lease a mobile phone from us.

See also: ahead, game

*at bay

Fig. at a distance. (*Typically: be ~; keep someone or something ~; remain ~.) I have to keep the bill collectors at bay until I get my paycheck. The mosquitoes will not remain at bay for very long.

See also: bay

*clear of something

without touching something; away from something. (*Typically: keep ~; move ~; remain ~; stand ~.) Please stand clear of the doors while the train is moving. Make sure the dog moves clear of the driveway before backing the car up.

See also: clear

*in limbo 

1. Lit. a region of the afterlife on the border of hell. (In some Christian religions, there is a limbo set aside for souls that do not go to either heaven or hell. This sense is used only in this religious context. *Typically: be ~; remain ~; stay ~.) The baby's soul was in limbo because she had not been baptized.

2. Fig. in a state of neglect; in a state of oblivion; in an indefinite state; on hold. (*Typically: be ~; leave something ~; put something ~.) We'll have to leave the project in limbo for a month or two. After I got hit on the head, I was in limbo for about ten minutes.

*in the back of someone's mind

Fig. remembered by someone, but not very important; vaguely remembered by someone. (*Typically: have something ~; keep something ~; leave something ~; put something ~; remain ~; Stay ~.) You should put this problem in the back of your mind and concentrate on other things.

See also: back, mind

*on (one's) guard (against someone or something)

alert against someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; keep ~; remain ~; stay ~.) Try to stay on guard against pickpockets. I am always on my guard. Be on guard when you go into the city.

See also: guard

clear someone of something

to show that a person is innocent; to exonerate someone of a crime. (See also clear someone's name.) An investigation cleared me of any wrongdoing. They were unable to clear themselves of the charges.

See also: clear

keep in touch (with someone or something) and remain in touch (with someone or something); stay in touch (with someone or something)

to maintain communications with someone; to maintain up-to-date knowledge about someone or something. After my neighbor moved, we still remained in touch. I want to stay in touch with my office over the someone or something, in any combination weekend.

See also: keep, touch

Keep in touch.

Good-bye. (Sometimes a sarcastic way of saying good-bye to someone one doesn't care about.) Nice talking to you. Keep in touch. Sorry, we can't use you anymore. Keep in touch.

See also: keep, touch

remain at some place

to stay at some place; to stay behind at some place. I will remain at the office until supper time. Please remain at home until I call you.

See also: place, some

remain away (from someone or something)

to stay away from someone or something. I must ask you to remain away from my daughter. I cannot remain away any longer. I must be with her.

See also: away

remain behind

to stay at a place even when others have left. Can't I go too? Do I have to remain behind? I will remain behind for a day or two.

See also: behind

remain down

to stay down; to keep down. I asked them to remain down until the shooting stopped. Please remain down with me so no one will see us.

remain in (something) 

1. to stay within something. Please remain in the house today. It is too cold to go out. You should remain in because the weather is bad.

2. to stay in an organization as a member. He remained in the Boy Scouts until he was sixteen. I will remain in the teacher's union for many years.

remain on 

1. to continue to stay in one place. (The on is an adverb, not a preposition.) Everyone else left, but I decided to remain on there. I remained on for a while during the time they were training my replacement.

2. and remain on something to continue to be on something; to continue to serve on a body. Will you remain on the board of directors for another year? I will remain on this committee as long as I am needed.

3. to continue to take a particular medicine. How long should I stay on these pills? I want you to remain on this medication until you run out.

remain together

to stay close together; to stay in association. We will have to remain together while we are on this tour. It is very easy to get lost in this town. The two boys remained together throughout college.

See also: together

remain under something

to continue to stay beneath the surface of something. Please remain under the umbrella so you don't get wet. A lot of people decided to leave the shelter, but I remained under it.

remain up

to stay awake and out of bed. I remained up throughout most of the night. I cannot remain up much longer.

See also: up

remain within (something)

to stay inside something or some place. Please try to remain within the boundaries of the campus. Everyone else went out, but I decided to remain within.

See also: within

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ahead of the game (spoken)

in a good situation to achieve progress With everyone looking for new business, how does your company stay ahead of the game?

Usage notes: usually used with the verbs keep, be, and stay

See also: ahead, game

in the back of your mind also at the back of your mind

understood or known but not actively considered I'd like to believe we can still be friends, but in the back of my mind, I know that's not true.

See also: back, mind

on your guard

to be careful and aware because a situation might be dangerous I resent this attitude that you can't trust anybody, that you always have to be on your guard.

See also: guard