factor in
To incorporate or involve something in something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "factor" and "in." Before you accept this job offer, you need to factor in how long the commute is. Wow, so I didn't factor in at all, huh? You really made this decision without giving your girlfriend a second thought. Come on, your new relationship seems really great—don't let baggage from past relationships factor in.
factor out
1. To exclude something or keep it from being incorporated into something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "factor" and "out." Before you accept this job offer, you need to factor out everyone else's opinions and think about what you really want. Wow, so you factored me out right in the beginning, huh? You really made this decision without giving your girlfriend a second thought. Come on, factor out baggage from past relationships and just enjoy the one you're in now.
2. In mathematics, to change an equation so that something (such as a variable) used multiple times is instead used once. A noun or pronoun can be used between "factor" and "out." OK, what do we need to factor out in order solve this equation? Has your tutor gone over how to factor out yet? Because that's definitely going to be on your Algebra test. A: "Are we supposed to factor out with the quadratic equation?" B: "Better question—do I even remember what the quadratic equation is?"
fudge factor
Room for error or mistakes. I'm not very good at math, so I always leave a fudge factor when I'm tallying up my expenditures for the month. I'm not too worried because that small amount is well within the fudge factor. Should I build in a fudge factor when I'm processing expense reports?
gut factor
The subjective, emotional element or dimension that influences a decision. All three candidates appear ideal for the position, so we'll have to rely on the gut factor when we make our choice. While good résumés always help, the gut factor is also a guiding force when I'm hiring people. It's my firm belief that, when one takes the gut factor into account, one makes better decisions.
it factor
A unique and noteworthy quality that makes someone or something exceptional. There are a lot of really talented singers in this contest, but I think Molly's stage presence will be her it factor. A lot of similar products are on the market right now—ours has to have an it factor to that sets it apart! As soon as I saw him in front of the camera, I knew he had the it factor and would make it in Hollywood.
serve as the driving force (behind someone or something)
To act as the instigator, catalyst, or motivator that compels someone to do something or causes something to happen. While they haven't admitted why they reversed their decision, everyone knows the lawsuit served as the driving factor. The willingness of the banks to let anyone and everyone get a mortgage, whether or not they would be able to meet their repayments, served as the single biggest driving factor behind the financial crisis. My family has always served as the driving factor behind me.
sleaze factor
An aspect, element, or part of a group, organization, campaign, activity, etc., that engages in, is tainted by, or is known for immoral, corrupt, or scandalous behavior. We're aiming to create a dating website for professional adults, without the sleaze factor for which some of our competitors are known. The deregulation of this industry has caused the sleaze factor to skyrocket, as people motivated purely by greed now have myriad ways to manipulate the system.
X factor
A unique and noteworthy quality that makes someone or something exceptional. There are a lot of really talented singers in this contest, but I think Molly's X factor is her stage presence. A lot of similar products are on the market right now—ours has to have an X factor!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
factor in
Figure in, include as a basic element. For example, In preparing the schedule we factored in vacation and sick days. This term comes from mathematics. [Mid-1900s]
sleaze factor
The element in a political party, administration, or other organization that is corrupt, controversial, or tainted by scandal. For example, I can't see myself making a campaign contribution to them-there's too much of a sleaze factor . This slangy expression derives from the adjective sleazy, which means "vulgar" or "tawdry." The idiom was first used in politics in the 1980s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
sleaze factor
The part of a situation or organization that is sordid or corrupt. The word sleaze has been used in the sense of immoral or corrupt since about 1960. The entire phrase is used mostly for components of an administration, political party, or campaign. An article by Joshua E. Keating was headlined, “Sleaze Factor, Is There an Epidemic of Corruption in the World’s Democracies?” (Foreign Policy, July 12, 2010). An article about a television reality show was headlined, “Critics Blame Big Media for Sleaze Factor” (Frank Ahrens, Washington Post, February 11, 2004).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer