act as though (one) is above (something)

To behave as though one has too much pride, dignity, moral superiority, etc., to participate or engage in some activity, especially when such behavior is or seems affected. A manager who acts as though they are above helping out with grunt work from time to time is going have a lot of trouble earning their employees' respect. She acts as though she's above the gossip and snipe of other girls in our class, but she's actually worse than any of them! Please, you only act as though you're above these popularity contests. You secretly wish you could be head cheerleader!

as if

1. Like. I have such a terrible headache—I feel as if my head is going to explode. I did tell her that I wouldn't be home for dinner tonight. It's as if she doesn't listen to me at all! After traveling all night, I felt as if I could fall asleep standing up.

2. An interjection indicating complete dismissal of what has been said or suggested, implying that it is not the case or would never happen. A: "Tim thinks he's going to go to the prom with you." B: "As if! I'd rather go by myself." Please, like Alice would ever take the trash out—as if! As if! There's no way I'm staying home on a Saturday night!

as though

Similar to, likened to, or fashioned after something like it were the truth. So many bad things happened all at once, it's as though life itself were against me. He acts as though he's some famous author, though really he's only ever published a single short story. Anyone who talks as though they know more than anyone else is a fool, plain and simple.

even though

In spite of (something). Even though it rained, we still had a great time at the parade. Even though people thought print books would vanish with the rise of eBook readers, printed media lives on. Even though she was recently diagnosed with cancer, most of her family members are still fighting with each other—can you believe it?

for all the world as if (someone or something)

Exactly; in every way. Wow, you look for all the world as if you did something wrong—why the guilty face? Some of these knockoff watches seem for all the world as if they're the real thing, but they're poorly constructed and made from much cheaper materials. I can't believe you made this drink yourself. It tastes for all the world as if you picked it up at Starlux.

for all the world as though (someone or something)

Exactly; in every way. Wow, you look for all the world as though you did something wrong—why the guilty face? Some of these knockoff watches seem for all the world as if though they're the real thing, but they're poorly constructed and made from much cheaper materials. I can't believe you made this drink yourself. It tastes for all the world as though you picked it up at Starlux.

it isn't as though

It isn't true or correct that; it is not the case that. Usually used to point out a misinterpretation or misperception. I'm just holding onto the funds until the company's new account is set up—it isn't as though I'm going to keep them for myself! It's not as though she couldn't handle the work herself. She's just being lazy! It isn't as though I just abandoned you—I told you I was leaving!

look as though (one) has seen a ghost

To look terrified, shocked, or pale from fright. What's wrong, Daniel? You look as though you've seen a ghost! The test was so nerve-racking that I came away looking as though I had seen a ghost.

make as if

To behave as if; to pretend or make it appear that. Mark always makes as if he cares deeply about other people's problems, but he's never willing to actually help. Samantha's been making as if she's writing the next great American novel, but it's just some trashy thriller.

make as though

To behave as if; to pretend or make it appear that. Mark's boyfriend always makes as though he cares deeply about other people's problems, but he's never willing to actually help. Samantha's been making as though she's writing the next great American novel, but it's just some trashy thriller.

reverberate through (something or some place)

Of a sound, to fill and resound through something or some place in a series of loud echoes. The singer's booming voice reverberated through the dance hall. The sound of gunshots has been reverberating through the war-torn city for weeks.

reverberate throughout (something or some place)

Of a sound, to fill and resound throughout something or some place in a series of loud echoes. The singer's booming voice reverberated throughout the dance hall. The sound of gunshots has been reverberating throughout the war-torn city for weeks.

as if

Also, as though. As it would be, as in He decided to accept, as if it really mattered, or John scowled as though he were really angry. The first idiom dates from the late 1500s, the variant from the late 1700s. Also see make as if.

make as if

Also, make as though; make like. Behave as if, pretend that. For example, Jean made as if she really liked the soup, or Dad made as though he had not heard them, or She makes like she's a really important person. The first two usages date from the early 1500s; the third, a colloquialism, dates from the late 1800s.

do something like it's going out of style

do something as though it's going out of style

If you do something like it's going out of style or as though it's going out of style, you do it a lot and with great energy. My grandkids eat this dish like it's going out of style. These footballers have been spending money as though it was going out of style.

See also: going, like, of, out, something, style

as ˈif

(spoken) used to express anger at or disapproval of a suggestion, an explanation, etc., or to deny a possibility: As if I really cared! ♢ ‘Don’t tell Tom I said that, will you?’ ‘Oh, as if (I would)!’

as if/as though

in a way that suggests something: He behaved as if nothing had happened. ♢ It sounds as though you had a good time.

it isn’t as if/as though

it’s not as if/as though

used to show that a particular explanation for something is not the correct one: It isn’t as if he didn’t recognize me! He just walked straight past me as I stood there.

even if/though

in spite of the fact or belief that; no matter whether: I’ll get there, even if I have to walk. ♢ I like her, even though she can be annoying at times.

ˈmuch as/though

although: Much as I’d like to stay, I really must leave now. ♢ He agreed, much though he disliked the idea of selling the business.

for all the ˈworld as if/though...

for all the ˈworld like somebody/something

(written) exactly as if...; exactly like somebody/something: She stood up and shouted at him, then sat down and went on with her work for all the world as if nothing had happened.