be subject to (something)
1. To be guided, controlled, or ruled by something. Remember, when you travel to a foreign country, you are subject to their unique laws and traditions, not your own. I'm afraid our stores are subject to the rules established by the corporate headquarters, so there's nothing we can do about it here. Of course, all of our plans there will be subject to the weather—if we get nothing but rain, we'll be spending the vacation indoors.
2. To be required to receive, incur, or experience something. During your stay at this institution, your room will be subject to weekly inspections. Any company caught misrepresenting its tax liabilities will be subject to an external audit carried out by our regulatory branch. How much oversight will our team be subject to?
3. To be prone or susceptible to something; to be likely or inclined to incur or experience something. I've been subject to hay fever since I was a child. While the small island usually gets blissful sunshine, its location means it is subject to awful storms every now and then. Because I sit so close to the hiring manager's office, I'm subject to the awkward conversations she has with the candidates that didn't get the job.
change the subject
To introduce a different topic of discussion, usually intentionally. I changed the subject after that last remark made Jeff and Bill visibly tense. Don't try to change the subject—I know one of you kids dented my car! OK, I think it's best we change the subject now. Politics shouldn't be discussed at a diner party.
drop the subject
Stop discussing this topic at once. Yes, I was late today—can we just drop the subject now? I don't want to talk about my ex anymore! Drop the subject! OK, Tom, you've made your point. Now drop the subject already.
off subject
Introducing, addressing, or discussing things not relevant to or concerned with the subject at hand. Sometimes hyphenated (always if used immediately before a noun). Make sure you don't go off subject during your lecture, or you'll just confuse your students. This is off-subject a bit, but what do you think about the recent economic trend in the Asian markets? My father always includes this off-subject remarks whenever he tells a story, and it just drags the whole thing out for what feels like an eternity.
off the subject
Introducing, addressing, or discussing things not relevant to or concerned with the subject at hand. Make sure you don't go off the subject during your lecture, or you'll just confuse your students. This is off the subject a bit, but what do you think about the recent economic trend in the Asian markets?
on a (subject or activity) kick
Experiencing a particularly intense and constant enthusiasm for some subject or activity. Jim's been on a real cycling kick ever since he bought that new bike. I'm on a bit of a politics kick at the moment, but I reckon it will die down once the election season is over.
subject (one) to (someone or something)
To force one to tolerate, endure, or deal with someone or something. I'm sorry for subjecting you to my dad's political rant. He can't talk about anything else at dinner. They subjected the prisoner to all sorts of physical and mental torture to extract information from him.
subject to (something)
1. Guided, controlled, or ruled by something. Remember, when you travel to a foreign country, you are subject to their unique laws and traditions, not your own. I'm afraid our stores are subject to the rules established by the corporate headquarters, so there's nothing we can do about it here. Of course, all of our plans there will be subject to the weather—if we get nothing but rain, we'll be spending the vacation indoors.
2. Required to receive, incur, or experience something. During your stay at this institution, your room will be subject to weekly inspections. Any company caught misrepresenting its tax liabilities will be subject to an external audit carried out by our regulatory branch.
3. Prone or susceptible to something; likely or inclined to incur or experience something. I've been subject to hay fever since I was a child. While the small island usually gets blissful sunshine, its location means it is subject to awful storms every now and then.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
change the subject
to begin talking about something different. They changed the subject suddenly when the person whom they had been discussing entered the room. We'll change the subject if we are embarrassing you.
Drop the subject!
and Drop it!Fig. Do not discuss it further! Bill: Sally, you're gaining a little weight. I thought you were on a diet. Sally: That's enough! Drop the subject! Bill: That house is a mess. I wonder who lives there. Mary: That's my aunt's house. Just what did you want to know about it? Bill: Oh, drop it! Sorry I asked.
off the subject
not concerned with the subject being discussed. I got off the subject and forgot what I was supposed to be talking about. The speaker was off the subject, telling about his vacation in Hawaii.
subject someone or something to something
to cause someone to endure someone or something. I didn't mean to subject you to Uncle Harry. I am sorry I have to subject you to all this questioning.
subject to something
likely to have something, such as a physical disorder, The sick man was subject to dizzy spells. I am subject to frequent headaches.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
change the subject
Deliberately talk about another topic, as in If someone asks you an embarrassing question, just change the subject. This term uses subject in the sense of "a topic of conversation," a usage dating from the late 1500s.
subject to, be
1. Be under the control or authority of, as in All citizens in this nation are subject to the law. [First half of 1300s]
2. Be prone or disposed to, as in This child has always been subject to colds. [Late 1300s]
3. Be likely to incur or receive, as in This memo is subject to misinterpretation. [Late 1300s]
4. Depend on, be likely to be affected by, as in Our vacation plans are subject to the boss's whims. [Early 1800s]
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.