at a rate of knots
Rapidly. (A boat's speed is measured in knots.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. We're going to have to move at a rate of knots to have any hope of getting there on time. A: "Hey, the boss wants to know if you'll have that report done by the end of the week." B: "Yeah, if I do it at a rate of knots!" Come on, we have to move at a rate of knots—every second counts!
at any rate
Anyway; regardless; in any case. We're going to be late, but, at any rate, we should still be there be before 9. I think your mother just tolerates me—at any rate, she certainly doesn't shower me with affection. I can't remember if we're stopping in Philly or Baltimore. At any rate, we're definitely staying in D.C. for the night.
at that rate
In that case. At that rate, we'll never make it on time! Tanya is busy all month. At that rate, we'll never see her. He's still only on the data entry portion of the project? Well, at that rate, we won't have the finished report for a few weeks!
at this rate
1. At this pace. Drive faster! At this rate, we'll never get there on time! It doesn't have to be perfect. At this rate, we'll frost one cupcake every hour! I know you want your research paper to be great, but, at this rate, you won't even finish it in time!
2. If this situation persists. All of my friends are getting engaged, and I'm still single. At this rate, I'll be a bridesmaid at least 10 times before I get to be a bride. A: "Come on, I know our sales aren't where they were five years ago, but things aren't all that bad, right?" B: "If we keep going at this rate, the company will be bankrupt by the end of the year." Great, another awful hand of cards. I'll never win my money back at this rate!
cut-rate
Offered or sold at a low price. I told you you'd regret buying a cut-rate car like that! These books were all cut-rate, though—that's why I bought so many. Is anyone surprised that cut-rate blender stopped working after a week?
first-rate
1. adjective Excellent; of the best or highest possible quality or rank. That movie was positively first-rate! The tiny nation boasts a first-rate healthcare system. That's a first-rate idea—I think we should implement it right away.
2. adverb Very well; superbly; fantastically. I hear Joanna did first-rate on her exams last week. Jane did first-rate at organizing this whole party. I scored first-rate on my presentation? Oh, great!
rat on (one)
To inform an authority figure of one's bad or illegal behavior. I can't believe you ratted on me like that to mom and dad—I'm never telling you anything ever again! The criminal ratted on his accomplices to avoid jail time.
rate above (someone or something)
1. To be considered more valuable, significant, or important than another person, thing, or group of people or things. I believe preserving the well-being of our fellow citizens rates above trying to maximize the profits of corporations. Although he is largely written off by music aficionados, he still rates above nearly every other singer on the billboards every time he releases a new album.
2. To consider someone or something to be more valuable, significant, or important than another person, thing, or group of people or things. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rate" and "above." I wouldn't rate it above her other work, but it's still a very well-written piece of literature. We rate Sarah above any other lawyers in the city, so we have full confidence in her ability to handle this case on her own.
rate as (something)
1. To be considered as having particular rank, designation, or characterization. The company still rates as one of the most profitable businesses in the world. Some of it has become pretty clichéd by today's standards, but I'd say it still rates as a fantastic horror movie in its own right.
2. To consider someone or something to have a particular rate, designation, or characterization. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rate" and "as." I'd have to rate that as one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. I still rate Tom as a great writer, even if his last book was a little underwhelming.
rate at (something)
1. To have or earn a particular rating level. The newer model is rated at a much higher energy yield than older machines. They say the battery is rated at roughly three hours per charge, but I've never gotten longer than a single hour out of it.
2. To assign someone or something a particular rating or score. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rate" and "at." The Sunday Inquirer rated the comedian at a stellar 4.5 out of 5 stars. I personally enjoyed the film despite its flaws, but I'd probably rate it more objectively at a 6 out of 10. The packaging rates the light bulb at a Level A in energy consumption.
rate below (someone or something)
1. To be considered less valuable, significant, or important than another person, thing, or group of people or things. I personally believe that trying to maximize the profits of corporations rates below preserving the well-being of our fellow citizens. His music is very popular across the globe, even though he tends to rate below most "serious" musical artists.
2. To consider someone or something to be less valuable, significant, or important than another person, thing, or group of people or things. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rate" and "below." It's still very well written, but I would probably rate it below her other work. I have to rate my last driver below others I've had through your service. He was very unprofessional.
rate with (someone or something)
1. To be considered equal or comparable to someone or something else in value, ability, significance, importance, etc. Even after so many years, the company still rates with the most profitable businesses in the world. I really think she rates with the likes of Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin—her voice is just that good.
2. To consider someone or something to be equal or comparable to someone or something else in value, ability, significance, importance, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rate" and "with." Many people rate the exquisite building with the greatest pieces of architecture in the world. I still rate Tom with the best writers out there today, even if his last book was a little underwhelming.
sell-through
1. noun The amount of some item bought wholesale that is purchased by a retail customer. I brought in a whole new fashion line for the fall season, but the sell-through has been surprisingly low.
2. adjective Of or relating to the sell-through of some item at retail. We bought a ton of these things at the height of their popularity, but then the sell-through rate just plummeted.
the going rate (for something)
The typical cost of something. What's the going rate for a new heating system? Ours is on the fritz. A: "$200 seems pretty steep for such a small repair!" B: "That's the going rate, I'm afraid."
X-rated
1. Carrying an X rating, as from the Motion Picture Association of America, for including extremely mature themes or content and thus made unavailable to anyone under the age of 17. For film, this rating has been changed to NC-17. Our film was originally X-rated because of the really graphic drug and sex scenes, but with a bit of editing we managed to get it down to an R rating.
2. Having, showing, or containing extremely explicit, mature content or themes, especially graphic sexual content. With such a goofy name and bright, colorful box art, how were parents supposed to know the video game would be X-rated? He got a name for himself making X-rated illustrations before moving on to what some would call more serious art.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
at any rate
in any case; anyway. At any rate, what were we talking about? At any rate, I don't think you should quit your job.
at that rate
in that manner; at that speed. If things keep progressing at that rate, we'll be rich by next year. At that rate we'll never get the money that is owed us.
at this rate
at this speed; if things continue in the same way. (Usually of a pessimistic view.) Hurry up! We'll never get there at this rate. At this rate, all the food will be gone before we get there.
going rate
the current rate or the current charges for something. The going interest rate for your account is 10 percent. Our babysitter charges us the going rate.
rate (someone or something) above (someone or something else)
to judge someone to rank higher than someone else; to judge something to rank higher than something else. Do you rate Alice above Valerie? I rate chocolate ice cream above vanilla.
rate someone or something among something
to judge someone or something to be essentially equal to something. I rate Polly among the best of this year's class. We rate these contestants among the best ever.
rate someone or something as something
to assign a particular rating to someone or something. I rate her as a number four. The judge rated my cake as second place.
rate (someone or something) below (someone or something else)
to judge someone to rank lower than someone else; to judge something to rank lower than something else. I have to rate Carol below Donna in this regard. We all rate plain chocolate ice cream below rocky road ice cream.
rate (someone or something) with (someone or something else)
to judge someone or something to be equal to someone or something else. I rate Fred with Don. They are equally good. Vanilla is very nice, but I don't rate it with chocolate ice cream.
rate something at something
to assign a particular level of rating to something. I rate this brand at about a B-. The broker rated this stock at a buy.
rate something below something else Go to rate someone or something below someone or something
else.
rate with someone
to be in someone's favor; to be thought of highly by someone. Ann is great. She really rates with me. She doesn't rate with me at all.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.