be riveted to the ground
To be immobilized by fear or surprise. A: "Why didn't you move when that dog lunged at you?" B: "I don't know, I was just riveted to the ground!" When I saw that car heading straight for me, I was riveted to the ground. Thank goodness my brother pulled me out of the way! We only got caught because Sammy was riveted to the ground after the alarm went off!
be riveted to the spot
To be immobilized by fear or surprise. A: "Why didn't you move when that dog lunged at you?" B: "I don't know, I was just riveted to the spot!" When I saw that car heading straight for me, I was riveted to the spot. Thank goodness my brother pulled me out of the way! We only got caught because Sammy was riveted to the spot after the alarm went off!
mad enough to chew nails and spit rivets
Seething with anger; furious to the point of becoming irrational. I tell you, I was mad enough to chew nails and spit rivets when they told me they'd given the grant to that hack, Dr. Warner. The boss was mad enough to chew nails and spit rivets after he heard we'd lost the Jefferson account.
rivet (one's) attention (on someone or something)
1. To capture and hold one's attention completely. The astonishing magic trick riveted the audience's attention. The film riveted my attention from beginning to end.
2. To focus one's attention completely and continuously (on someone or something). I riveted my attention on the television as the final seconds of the game ticked away. I don't think I could handle celebrity. Having thousands of people rivet their attention on me every day sounds like a nightmare.
rivet (one's) eyes on (someone or something)
To focus one's gaze or attention completely and continuously on someone or something. I riveted my eyes on the television as the final seconds of the game ticked away. I don't think I could handle celebrity. Having thousands of people rivet their eyes on me every day sounds like a nightmare.
rivet (one's) gaze (on someone or something)
1. To capture and hold one's gaze or attention completely and for an extended period of time (on someone or something). The magician riveted our gaze on the mysterious box, as we waited with bated breath to see what would emerge. The film riveted my gaze from beginning to end.
2. To focus one's gaze or attention completely and continuously (on someone or something). I riveted my gaze on the television as the final seconds of the game ticked away. I don't think I could handle celebrity. Having thousands of people rivet their gaze on me every day sounds like a nightmare.
rivet (one's) glare on (someone or something)
To focus one's angry gaze or attention completely and continuously (on someone or something). Oh no, she's still mad at me—she riveted her glare on me as soon as I got here. I saw that the boss was riveting his glare on the sales figures I had put up on the white board.
rivet (something) onto (something)
To attach or fasten something very securely to something else, with or as with rivets. We'll need to rivet a new handle onto the door as soon as possible. They riveted a makeshift ladder onto the side of the house.
rivet (something) to (someone or something)
1. To attach or fasten something very securely to something else, with or as with rivets. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rivet" and "to." We'll need to rivet a new handle to the door as soon as possible. They riveted a makeshift ladder to the side of the house.
2. To focus one's attention or gaze on someone or something else. A noun or pronoun is used between "rivet" and "to." I riveted my gaze on the television as the final seconds of the game ticked away. I don't think I could handle celebrity. Having thousands of people rivet their attention on me every day sounds like a nightmare. As I stood atop the Empire State Building, my eyes were riveted to the tiny specks of people on the ground below.
rivet counter
Someone who demands an exceptionally or unreasonably high level of minute detail or accuracy in something. Used especially in reference to hobbyists, particularly in the field of model train building. I might be considered a rivet counter by others, but I'm particularly proud of the level of detail that goes into my model sets. I can't stand seeing movies with a rivet counter like Jerry. After every film, he just sits there listing all the factual inaccuracies in it rather than just enjoying the darn thing!
rivet on (someone or something)
1. To attach or fasten something very securely to something else, with or as with rivets. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rivet" and "on." We'll need to rivet on a new handle before we'll be able to use this door. They riveted a makeshift ladder on the side of the house.
2. To focus one's attention or gaze on someone or something else. A noun or pronoun is used between "rivet" and "on." I riveted my gaze on the television as the final seconds of the game ticked away. I don't think I could handle celebrity. Having thousands of people rivet their attention on me every day sounds like a nightmare. As I stood atop the Empire State Building, my eyes were riveted on the tiny specks of people on the ground below.
rivet the eyes on
To stare or gape at something. Often used as an imperative. Rivet the eyes on this—my first A in Chemistry!
riveted to (one's) spot
Fixed in place; unable or unwilling to move. She beckoned me to follow her down into the dark cellar, but my feet were riveted to their spot. The warriors stood riveted to their spots as the enemy advanced on horseback.
riveted to the ground
Fixed in place; unable or unwilling to move. She beckoned me to follow her down into the dark cellar, but my feet were riveted to the ground. The warriors stood riveted to the ground as the enemy advanced on horseback.
riveted to the spot
Fixed in place; unable or unwilling to move. She beckoned me to follow her down into the dark cellar, but my feet were riveted to the spot. The warriors stood riveted to the spot as the enemy advanced on horseback.
rivets
obsolete slang Money, especially copper coins. Hey, buddy, can you spare a few rivets?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.