glue

(with) (one's) eyes glued to (something)

With all of one's attention focused solely on the thing one is looking at. If "with" is omitted, the entire phrase is separated from the rest of the sentence by one or two commas. I will not abide people eating at my table with their eyes glued to their phones! I came back two hours later to find the kids sitting in exactly the same position, their eyes still glued to the television. I don't think they heard a word I said because their eyes were glued to that video game the whole time.
See also: eye, glue, to

be glued to (one)

To be following or staying very close to one, especially in an annoying or clingy way. We thought Sarah would love the freedom of running around the beach on her own, but she's been glued to us all day. When your kids are really young, it feels like they are glued to you at all times. Then they grow up and want nothing to do with you! Because I'm pretty shy, I tend to be glued to anyone I know in unfamiliar situations.
See also: glue, to

be glued to (something)

1. To be giving something one's undivided attention, to the exclusion of everyone and everything else. He's been glued to that book for the entire camping trip. I wish he would take a break and enjoy the scenery. Connor's kids are always glued to the TV. They don't even say hello when we come over. I don't think they heard a word I said because their eyes were glued to that video game the whole time.
2. To remained fixed to or unmoving from some thing or location. I told him to run, but he was glued to the spot with fear. You kids have been glued to that sofa all weekend long. Go outside and get some fresh air for a change! Because I have to finish up my thesis before the end of this semester, I've been glued to my desk for the past few weeks.
See also: glue, to

glue (something) to (something)

To use glue to adhere something to something else. Have you glued those pictures to the poster yet? The contractor is gluing the kitchen tiles to the plywood now. You can't just glue a bumper to the back of your car! You have to get a mechanic to fix it!
See also: glue, to

glue (something) together

To adhere the parts or pieces of something to each other. Don't worry about this old thing, I'll just glue it back together when I get home. Do you really think we can glue the pieces of Mom's vase together? This glue is a powerful adhesive, so please be careful not to glue your fingers together.
See also: glue, together

glue down

To use glue to adhere something to something else. A noun or pronoun can be used between "glue" and "down." Have you glued down those pictures yet? The contractor is gluing the kitchen tiles down now. I just have to glue the lace down, and then this ornament is finished!
See also: down, glue

glue factory

Where animals, particularly old horses, are said to be sent so that their bones can be used to make "animal glue" (an adhesive prepared from animal parts). The phrase can also be applied to people. Please don't mention the "glue factory" around my son—he's too young to hear that that's where his favorite old horse went. I'm not that old—don't send me to the glue factory! A: "How can you even consider putting Grandma in a nursing home?" B: "A really nice nursing home! Geez, you act like I'm sending her to the glue factory!
See also: factory, glue

glue on(to) (something)

To use glue to adhere something to something else. When "on" is used, a noun or pronoun can be used between "glue" and "on." Have you glued those pictures onto the poster yet? No, it's fine, I'll glue the lace on. Do you think we can just glue the handle back onto the pitcher?
See also: glue

glued

slang
1. Drunk. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were really glued! I'm past the point in my life where I want to spend every weekend at a bar getting glued. I must have been glued if I got up and did karaoke at the bar last night!
2. Arrested. Dude, I hear sirens—we're gonna get glued if we stay here any longer! I heard Tom got glued by the police. We'll all get glommed by the cops if they catch us drinking—we are underage, you know.
See also: glue

glued to (someone or something)

1. Following or staying very close to someone, especially in an annoying or clingy way. We thought Sarah would love the freedom of running around the beach on her own, but she's been glued to us all day. I wasn't close with them in high school, but they were the only people I knew in the university, so I stayed glued to their group until I made some new friends of my own. You not going to endear yourself to your new teammates if you're glued to them at every social function.
2. Giving something one's complete attention, and ignoring everything else. He's been glued to that book for the entire camping trip. I wish he would take a break and enjoy the scenery. Conor's kids are always glued to the television. They don't even say hello when we come over. It annoys me so much when I try to talk to the kids, and they are totally glued to their phones.
See also: glue, to

glued to the spot

Unable to move, usually due to fear or surprise. Primarily heard in UK. I wanted to run when I saw the car headed towards me, but my legs just wouldn't move—I was glued to the spot. The terrified child was glued to the spot as he watched the monster scuttle closer. A: "We only got caught because of you, Sammy! Why didn't you run when the alarm went off?" B: "I don't know, OK? It's like I was glued to the spot!"
See also: glue, spot, to

have (one's) eyes glued to (something)

To have all of one's attention focused solely on the thing one is looking at. I absolutely hate it when people eat at my house and have their eyes glued to their phones for the entire meal. I came back two hours later to find the kids still had their eyes glued to the television. I don't think they heard a word I said because they had their eyes glued to that video game the whole time.
See also: eye, glue, have, to

I'm rubber, you're glue

childish A shortening of the phrase "I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you," used as a retort to insults or criticism. A: "You're just a big doo-doo head!" B: "Oh yeah? Well, I'm rubber, you're glue!" A: "This report is pretty sloppy, Dave." B: "I'm rubber and you're glue." A: "Wow, real mature, Dave." I don't care if you think I'm dumb. Know why? Because I'm rubber, you're glue!
See also: glue

stick like glue

To persist or endure relentlessly. I got the nickname "Spider Boy" in elementary school, and it has stuck like glue ever since! The governor assured the public that she would stick like glue to the emergency relief plan.
See also: glue, like, stick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

glue something down

to fix something down onto something with cement. Glue the edge of the rug down before someone trips over it. You should glue down the rug.
See also: down, glue

glue something on(to) something

 and glue something to something; glue something on
to attach something to something else with cement. Please glue the binding onto this book. Someone pulled it off. Please glue on the binding.
See also: glue, on

glue something together

to attach the pieces of something together with glue. She glued the pieces of the model plane together. She glued together all the loose pieces.
See also: glue, together

glued to someone or something

Fig. following someone everywhere; very close to or touching something. His little sister was glued to him all afternoon. Finally he sent her home.
See also: glue, to
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

your eyes glued to something

or

your eyes glued on something

Someone with their eyes glued to something or glued on something, is watching it with all their attention. Her eyes glued to the screen of her laptop, Kate did not notice the room growing dark. People stood in groups, their eyes glued to the TV and a look of disbelief on their faces. The boys sat politely on the gym floor, their eyes glued on the special visitor. Note: You can also keep your eyes glued to something or glued on something. I just kept my eyes glued to the road. I kept my eyes glued on the door, just waiting for him to come.
See also: eye, glue, something, to
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

be ˈglued to something

(informal) give all your attention to something; stay very close to something: He spends every evening glued to the TV.Her eyes were glued to the screen (= she did not stop watching it).
See also: glue, something, to

ˌglued/ˌrooted to the ˈspot

not able to move, for example because you are frightened or surprised: He shouted at her to run, but she just stood there, glued to the spot.She stood there rooted to the spot when she saw the body.
See also: glue, root, spot, to
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

glue factory

n. the place where old horses are sent so their bones can be made into glue; a similar, imaginary place for people. I’m not as young as I used to be, but I’m not ready for the glue factory yet.
See also: factory, glue

glued

1. mod. arrested. (Underworld.) Shorty goes to great extremes to keep from getting glued.
2. mod. alcohol intoxicated. About three more beers and I’ll be glued.
See also: glue
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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