round down
To use a lower or the next-lowest number, especially so as to eliminate decimal places. (Usually done when the non-whole number is less than .5; higher than that, and the number would typically be rounded up.) A noun or pronoun can be used between "round" and "down." Most stores round their prices down to .99 instead of keeping them as whole numbers. The accountant had been using the exact numbers from the sales data, while I had been rounding them down when doing my own calculations.
round down to (something)
To express a number as a lower or the next-lowest number, especially so as to eliminate decimal places in a non-whole number. (Usually done when the non-whole portion is less than 0.5; decimals of 0.5 and up would typically be rounded up.) A noun or pronoun can be used between "round" and "down." The bill came out to $41.73, but they were nice enough to just round it down to $40 even. You can't just round these figures down to whole numbers—you've got to report them exactly as they are.
round in
dated
1. To herd animals, especially cattle, together; to round animals up. I worked on a ranch for a little while, mostly helping to round in the cattle.
2. nautical To haul in the slack of a loose line that passes through one or more blocks, especially a brace. You there! Clear away the bowlines and round in the braces!
round off
1. To eliminate the decimals from a fraction in order to create a whole number, either by moving to the next lowest number when the decimals are less than one half, or moving up the next highest number when the decimals are greater than one half. A noun or pronoun can be used between "round" and "off." Please round off the figures used in your return, as failure to do so may result in delay to it being processed correctly. You can't just round the number off like that—it has to be exact!
2. To finish or complement something, especially in a perfect or appropriate way. A noun or pronoun can be used between "round" and "off." We rounded off the evening with a lovely walk through Central Park. I actually think it's nicer to round a meal off with a selection of cheeses, rather than a dessert.
round off to (something)
To express a number as a higher or lower figure, as by eliminating all or some of the decimals from a fraction or by writing the number as a multiple of 10. A noun or pronoun can be used between "round" and "off." For the sake of simplicity, just round off to a whole number before entering the figure into the calculation. These larger companies tend to round off to the nearest million or hundred-thousand when reporting their sales figures to the public. Because the fraction 1/3 is infinitely repeating, we normally just round off to 0.33.
round on
To suddenly attack, berate, or show hostility toward someone, especially verbally. I know he seems friendly, but he'll round on you in an instant if you disagree with him. I was really taken aback when Sally rounded on me because of what I said. It was just a joke, after all!
round out
To complete or complement something in an appropriate or satisfactory way. A noun or pronoun can be used between "round" and "out." Let's round out the evening with a sunset walk on the beach. The singer's solo rounded out the performance really well. I actually think it's nicer to round a meal out with a selection of fine cheeses as opposed to a dessert.
round the corner
1. adverb In close proximity to another location. Said especially when traveling by car, often when literally approaching a corner. Primarily heard in UK. The store isn't far from here, it's just round the corner.
2. adverb Imminent or likely to happen very soon. Primarily heard in UK. It's so hard to believe that the holiday season is round the corner again already. Our company is devoted to the self-driving car and believes that its widespread use is just round the corner.
3. verb To begin something. As we round the corner into year-end festivities, there's nothing more you can do about your grades. Just work harder next year.
4. verb To begin to find success or improvement after a particularly difficult or troubling period. I know that rehab has been hard on you, but I feel like you've been really rounding the corner lately. Their new startup took a couple of years to get going, but they rounded the corner when their product was featured in a high-profile tech magazine.
round the turn
To come to the beginning of something, often a new phase or a part of some larger event or situation. As we round the turn into year-end festivities, there's nothing more you can do about your grades. Just work harder next year. I can't believe we're already rounding the turn for the playoffs. Who's your pick to win it all?
round to
nautical
1.To turn in the direction of something. The lead boat lost control and began rounding to starboard.
2. dated To turn the vessel into the wind. (Used without an object.) The captain ordered the helmsman to round to, then dropped anchor once the boat had come to a stop.
round up
To use a higher or the next-highest number, especially so as to eliminate decimal places. (Usually done when the non-whole number is .5 or greater; lower than that, and the number would typically be rounded down.) A noun or pronoun can be used between "round" and "up." Most stores mark their prices at .99 instead of rounding them up to whole numbers. The accountant had been using the exact numbers from the sales data, while I had been rounding them up when doing my own calculations.
round up to (something)
To express a number as a higher or the next-highest number, especially so as to eliminate decimal places in a non-whole number. (Usually done when the non-whole number is .5 or greater; lower than that, and the number would typically be rounded down.) A noun or pronoun can be used between "round" and "up." Most stores mark their prices at .99 instead of rounding up to the nearest dollar. The accountant had been using the exact numbers from the sales data, while I had been rounding them up to whole numbers when doing my own calculations.
round upon (one)
To suddenly attack, berate, or show hostility toward one. (A more formal variant of "round on one.") He rounded upon the would-be assailant, knocking him to the ground and bludgeoning him with his cane. The senator rounded upon the reporter after he accused her of accepting bribes.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
round off
1. Change a number to the closest whole number or the closest multiple of 10. For example, Rounding it off, I expect the new school addition will cost a million dollars.
2. Also,
round out. Finish, complete, especially in a neat or perfect way. For example,
They rounded off the dinner with a magnificent liqueur, or
That stamp rounded out his collection. [Mid-1700s; variant, mid-1800s] Also see
round out.
round on
Turn on, assail, especially verbally. For example, They all rounded on Jake for not upholding the party line. [Mid-1800s]
round out
2. Grow or develop to a round form, as in The tree was spindly when first planted, but it has since rounded out nicely. [c. 1900]
round up
Collect or gather in a body, as in We'll have to round up some more volunteers for the food drive, or The police rounded up all the suspects. This term comes from the West, where since the mid-1800s it has been used for collecting livestock by riding around the herd and driving the animals together. By about 1875 it was extended to other kinds of gathering together.
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.