wave (redirected from waves down)

be on the crest of a wave

to be very successful so that many good things happen to you very quickly. The band are currently on the crest of a wave, with a new album and a concert tour planned for next year.

See also: crest

catch the wave (American & Australian)

to try to get an advantage for yourself by becoming involved with something that is becoming popular or fashionable. Older Spanish restaurants are expanding to try to catch the tapas wave.

See also: catch

fly/show/wave the flag

to support or to represent your country. In the absence of any other Italian film directors, Mr Infascelli bravely flew the flag for his country. (often + for)

See also: flag, fly, show

kiss/say/wave goodbye to something

if you say goodbye to something, you accept that you will not have it any more or that you will not get it. You can say goodbye to your £10. Tom never repays his debts.

See also: goodbye, kiss, say

ride (on) a/the wave

to become involved with and get advantages from opinions or activities which have become very common or popular. She came to power riding on a wave of personal popularity. (often + of)

See also: ride

ride the crest of a wave

be on the crest of a wave - to be very successful so that many good things happen to you very quickly. Our local team are riding the crest of a wave with their third win this season. (usually in continuous tenses)

See also: crest, ride

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catch the wave

to understand and behave according to the most modern fashions in social behavior. The company's move was aimed at catching the wave of consumers rushing to the Web. Is the topic hip enough for TV to want to catch the wave?

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of catch a wave (= to start riding a board across the rolling surface of the sea)

See also: catch

ride a wave of something

to be helped by being connected to something attractive or interesting. The president rode a wave of good feeling among voters that made it impossible for him to lose the election.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of ride a wave (= to stand on a board moving across the rolling surface of the sea)

See also: ride

wave a magic wand

to solve a difficult problem with no effort. Unfortunately, you can't just wave a magic wand and get rid of poverty.

Etymology: from the practice of waving a wand (= a special stick) when someone is doing a magic trick

See also: magic, wand

wave the flag

to defend and support someone or something. Marsalis waves the flag better than anyone and attracts new fans to jazz all the time. Brown's job is to show the flag for the president and remind voters that he is working for them.

Usage notes: also used in the form fly the flag: When she was in jail, several newspapers flew the flag for her.

See also: flag