root (redirected from rootlet)

*root of the problem

an understanding of the causes or basis of a problem. (*Typically: determine ~; figure out ~; find ~; get to ~; get at ~.) It will take a little more study to get to the root of the problem. Let's stop avoiding the issue and get at the root of the problem.

See also: problem

*rooted to something

[of someone] firmly attached to something. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) She is firmly rooted to her homeland and has no intention of emigrating. The farmer is rooted to the land and will not leave.

*rooted to the spot

Fig. unable to move because of fear or surprise. (*Typically: appear to be ~; be ~;become ~.) Jane stood rooted to the spot when she saw the ghostly figure. Mary stood rooted to the spot when the thief snatched her bag.

See also: spot

Idleness is the root of all evil.

Prov. If you have no useful work to do, you will think of harmful things to do in order to amuse yourself. (Compare this with Money is the root of all evil.) Child: Why do you make me do so many chores? Father: Idleness is the root of all evil.

See also: evil

Money is the root of all evil. and The love of money is the root of all evil.

Prov. People do many evil things in order to get rich. (Biblical. Compare this with Idleness is the root of all evil.) Fred: I know I could make more money if I just knew the right things to invest in. Ellen: Don't worry so much about money. It's the root of all evil, after all. As the newspapers continued to report the dastardly things the wealthy young banker had done to become even wealthier, people shook their heads and remarked, "The love of money is the root of all evil."

See also: evil, money

put roots down (some place)

to settle down somewhere; to make a place one's permanent home. I'm not ready to put roots down anywhere yet. I'm ready to put down roots someplace. I want to settle down. I want to put roots down and buy a house.

See also: put

root someone or something out of something and root someone or something out

to seek and remove someone or something from something or some place; to seek to discover or bring something to light. The committee wanted to root all the lazy people out of the club. The manager rooted out all the deadwood.

See also: out

root something in something

to start a plant growing roots in something. I tried to root the plants in sand, but they died. You have to root this kind of tree in very rich soil.

root something out

to get rid of something completely; to destroy something to its roots or core. No government will ever root out crime completely. The principal wants to root out troublemakers at the local school.

See also: out

root something up

[for a pig] to find something in the ground by digging with its nose. The pigs will root your plants up if they get out of their pen. The pigs will root up your plants if they get out of their pen.

See also: up

root around (for something)

to dig or shuffle in or through something, looking for something. Alice rooted around in her desk drawer for a pen. I'll root around here and see if I can find it.

See also: around

root for someone or something

to cheer and encourage someone or something. Are you rooting for anyone in particular, or are you just shouting because you're excited? I'm rooting for the home team.the root of the matter Go to the crux of the matter.

rooted in something

based on something; connected to a source or cause. The civil war was rooted in old cultural hatred. This fictional book was rooted in actual events.

take root 

1. Lit. [for a plant] to develop roots in soil or some other growing medium. The new plants should take root in a few weeks and start growing.

2. Fig. to begin to take hold or have effect. Things will begin to change when my new policies take root. My ideas began to take root and influence other people.

See also: take

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glued/rooted to the spot

if you are glued to the spot, you cannot move, usually because you are very shocked or frightened I stood there rooted to the spot as he came nearer and nearer.

See also: glue, spot

put down roots

if you put down roots in a place, you do things which show that you want to stay there, for example making friends or buying a home It would be hard to leave Brighton after eleven years - he's put down roots there.

See also: put

root and branch  (formal)

if something is changed or removed root and branch, it is changed or removed completely because it is bad Racism must be eliminated, root and branch. (formal)

See also: and, branch

take root

if an idea, belief, or system takes root somewhere, it starts to be accepted or established there Democracy is now struggling to take root in most of these countries.

See also: take

the grass roots

the ordinary people in a society or political organization and not the leaders (often + of ) The feeling among the grass roots of the party is that the leaders aren't radical enough.

See let the grass grow under feet, be like watching grass grow

See also: grass

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put down roots

to feel that you belong in a place He hasn't put down roots anywhere because he has trouble making new friends.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form pull up roots (to move away from a place in which you felt comfortable): It's hard to pull up roots after living in the area for ten years.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of put down roots (to start to grow roots in the ground)

See also: put

root for somebody/something

to support or encourage a person or team I always root for the home team. When you take the test tomorrow, we'll be rooting for you.

Usage notes: often used when talking about a sports competition

root out something also root something out

to find and remove a problem She promises to root out corruption in state government. Retreating forces can blend into the landscape, making it more difficult to root them out.

See also: out

rooted to the spot

not able to move Mary was afraid and wanted to run away, but she was rooted to the spot and watched as the building collapsed.

See also: spot

take root

to become established take hold The organization took root all over the world and began expanding its many programs.

Usage notes: often refers to an idea or set of beliefs: Has democracy truly taken root in the region?

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of take root (to start to grow roots in the ground)

See also: take