be weighed (in the balance) and found wanting

To be judged deficient or substandard after being tested or reviewed. The phrase comes from the Bible. The senator always claimed to be hugely popular within his state, but in the most recent election, he was weighed in the balance and found wanting. Look, employee reviews are always nerve-racking—no one wants to be weighed and found wanting. Based on those reports, it sounds like the government's stimulus plan has been weighed in the balance and found wanting in several key areas.

find (something) wanting

To discover or determine that someone or something is deficient in certain or overall requirements, expectations, or standards. The report found the government's stimulus plan wanting in several key areas. Though impressed by his application letter, the firm found his C.V. wanting. Mary was found wanting in basic social etiquette by her peers.

want (one's) bread buttered on both sides

1. To want to benefit or profit from two or more separate and often contradictory or incompatible things or sources. In trying to strike a trade deal with the two nations, it's clear that the prime minister wants his bread buttered on both sides. The CEO wants her bread buttered on both sides, secretly investing in oil companies while publicly backing green energy initiatives to gain popular support.

2. To desire easy prosperity, success, or wealth without having to make sacrifices or put in the necessary effort. Kids these days want their bread buttered on both sides. They expect high-paying jobs like it's their birthright, but they aren't willing to work their way to the top!

See also: both, bread, butter, on, side, want

want (someone or something) back

To desire for someone or something to return or be returned by someone or something else. I didn't mind lending you my book for the weekend, but I want it back now. Jenny says she wants Marcus back, but I really don't think he's good for her. Kids are always eager to be adults, then they grow up and want their childhoods back.

want for (something)

To lack something. Please don't get the kids any more toys, Mom—they really want for nothing.

want for nothing

To be in no great need of anything; to not lack anything, whether a necessity or a comfort. We weren't rich or anything growing up, but we were happy, healthy, and wanted for nothing. I always figured someone earning that much money would want for nothing, but I guess there are some things money can't buy.

See also: for, nothing, want

want in

1. To wish to enter (some place). A: "What's that scratching noise?" B: "Oh, the dog just wants in."

2. To desire to be included in or a part of something. I know you all are cooking up some scheme to rob this place, and I want in! You have to prove the potential of your company before investors will want in.

3. To desire or require that someone or something be present some place. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "want" and "in." We have a busy day tomorrow, so I want all of you in by 8 AM at the latest. The staff all want a coffee machine in the employee lounge.

4. To desire that someone else be included or participate in something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "want" and "in." Often followed by "on (something)." I've got a great idea for a movie, and I want you in it! We want only the best and brightest in on our newest project.

See also: want

want into (something or some place)

1. To wish to enter some place or thing. A: "What's that scratching noise?" B: "Oh, the dog just wants into the house."

2. To desire to be included in some activity or situation. Once they understood how much money they stood to make, every investor in the country suddenly wanted into the deal.

See also: want

want jam on it

To want more than is reasonable or can be readily provided. A: "We gave the client everything they requested, plus a few bonus features, but now they're asking for some more add-ons." B: "Oh boy, they really want jam on it, huh?" Do you want jam on it? I'm telling you, there's nothing more I can do in this situation!

want no part in/of (something)

To not want any involvement or role in something. For someone who wants no part in this trip, you sure are talking about it a lot.

want none of (something)

To refuse to tolerate, accept, or participate in something. I was going to move back home with my girlfriend, but my parents wanted none of it. I want none of this plan—find someone else to finance your schemes.

want none of it/that

To refuse to accept something or to not want any involvement in something. I heard your proposal and I want none of it. Count me out. I've heard that reasoning before and I want none of that in my house.

want off

1. To desire to disembark (from something) or come down off (of something). Please, this roller coaster is making me sick—I want off! Why didn't you stop? I wanted off the bus three blocks ago! I could tell those poor kids just wanted off that stage.

2. To desire or require for someone to disembark (from something) or come down off (of something). In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "want" and "off." I want you kids off the train this instant, or I'll call the police! That slide is for bigger boys and girls, Tommy. I want you off right now!

3. To desire to no longer be taking drugs or medication. The medication they gave me has actually been making me even more anxious lately, so I really want off. She says she wants off the antidepressants, but her doctor doesn't think it's the right time for that yet. I know he wants off heroin, so we need to do everything we can to help him quit.

4. To desire or require for someone to no longer be taking drugs or a certain kind of medication. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "want" and "off." I want you off those drugs if you're going to be staying in our house, understand? The surgeon said she wanted me off blood thinners before she would operate on me.

want off of (something)

1. To desire to disembark from something or come down off of something. Please, I want off of this roller coaster—it's making me sick! Why didn't you stop? I wanted off of the bus three blocks ago! I could tell those poor kids just wanted off of that stage.

2. To desire or require for someone to disembark from something or come down off of something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "want" and "off." I want you kids off of this train, or I'll call the police! That slide is for bigger boys and girls, Tommy. I want you off of it right now!

3. To desire or require for someone to no longer be taking drugs or a certain kind of medication. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "want" and "off." I want you off of those drugs if you're going to be staying in our house, understand? The surgeon said she wanted me off of blood thinners before she would operate on me.

want out

1. To wish to exit or leave (some place). Sorry, this steam room is too hot for me, I want out! A: "Why is the dog scratching on the door like that?" B: "Oh, he just wants out."

2. To desire to depart or be excluded from something, such as a project, plan, undertaking, etc. This heist is going to be way too dangerous—I want out. More and more investors have been wanting out as the company's latest product fails to gain any traction in the market.

3. To wish to no longer be in a relationship. I just hate being constrained by a boyfriend's expectations and demands, and I invariably want out of the relationship after the first year or so.

4. To desire or require that someone or something leave some place. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "want" and "in." Your friends have been nothing but trouble since they arrived—I want them out of the house, now! The boss said he wants any personal equipment out of the office by Friday.

5. To desire that someone else be excluded or removed from something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "want" and "in." Often followed by "on (something)." The board of directors made it clear that they want the acting CEO out as soon as possible. If they want me out, they're going to have to fire me.

See also: out, want

want out of (something)

1. To wish to exit or depart some place. Sorry, I want out of this steam room—it's way too hot for me! I think the dog wants out of the house. He's been scratching on that door for 10 minutes.

2. To desire to be excluded from or no longer involved in something, such as a project, plan, undertaking, etc. Whatever harebrained scheme you're cooking up, I want out of it! A number of senior developers indicated that they wanted out of the project well before it was anywhere close to being completed.

3. To wish to no longer be in a relationship. I just hate being constrained by a boyfriend's expectations and demands, and I invariably want out of the relationship after the first year or so. I hope I'm wrong, but I think he wants out of the marriage.

want rid of somebody/something

To wish to no longer be responsible for, associated with, or affected or by someone or something. Though many senators made it clear they wanted rid of the candidate before the election began, now that she has surged in popularity, those same senators are now embracing her. I really want rid of this restaurant—it's been nothing but a financial sinkhole since we bought it.

See also: of, rid, somebody, something, want

want the D

vulgar slang To be sexually interested in a male. "D" is short for "dick," a slang term for the penis. Did you see the flirty texts she sent me? She totally wants the D.

See also: want

want the first crack at (something)

To have the first chance to do something. Is it true? Does that studio really want the first crack at my script?

want to curl up and die

To wish one could have an escape or some instant relief from being mortified or extremely embarrassed. Hershel just asked me out in the middle of class in front of everyone. I want to curl up and die. After my presentation, I realized my fly had been down the whole time, and I wanted to curl up and die.

want to know the ins-and-outs of a cat's arse

To be excessively or irritatingly curious, seeking to know the most particular details and nuances of a situation, task, etc. Primarily heard in UK. Johnny is driving me nuts on this project, wanting to know the ins-and-outs of a cat's arse. Why does he think I have the answers to everything?

want for nothing

Fig. not to lack anything; to have everything one needs or desires. The Smiths don't have much money, but their children seem to want for nothing. Lisa's husband spoils her. She wants for nothing.

See also: for, nothing, want

want in (something)

and want into (something)

to want to come into something or some place. It's cold out here! I want into the house. The dog wants in.

See also: want

want off (something)

and want off of something

to desire to be off or get off something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) I want off of this bus this very minute! Stop this train! I want off!

want out

(of something)

1. to desire to get out of something or some place. I want out of this stuffy room. Where's the door? I want out.

2. Fig. to desire to be relieved of a responsibility. I want out of this responsibility. I don't have the time to do it right. This job is no good for me. I want out.

3. Fig. to want to remove oneself from some association or relationship. I want out. This relationship is stifling me.

See also: out, want

want someone or something in something

to desire that someone or something be in something or some place. I want you in my office immediately. I want some coffee in this room now!

See also: want

want for nothing

Not lack any necessities or comforts, as in He saw to it that his mother wanted for nothing. This term uses want in the sense of "lack." "Mid-1600s"

See also: for, nothing, want

want in

1. Desire to enter, as in The cat wants in. The antonym is want out, as in The dog wants out. [First half of 1800s]

2. Wish to join a business, project, or other undertaking, as in Some investors want in but have not yet been admitted. Again, the antonym is want out, as in Many Quebec residents want out of Canada. [Mid-1900s]

See also: want

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.

want for ˈnothing

have everything you need or want: They both earn good salaries so their children want for nothing.

See also: for, nothing, want

want ˈrid of somebody/something

(British English, spoken, informal) want to be free of somebody/something that has been annoying you or that you do not want: Are you trying to say you want rid of me?

See also: of, rid, somebody, something, want

want in

v. Slang

1. To desire entrance: The dog wants in.

2. To wish to join a project, business, or other undertaking: Ever since they've seen our success, they all want in. I want in on the deal.

3. To desire that someone join a project, business, or other undertaking: Do you want me in on this project or not?

See also: want

want out

v. Slang

1. To desire to leave: The cat wants out. I want out of this city.

2. To desire to leave a project, business, or other undertaking: The recruit wanted out after realizing how risky the venture was. I want out of this program.

3. To desire that someone or something leave a project, business, or other undertaking: The boss wanted those employees out after they messed up the project.

See also: out, want

want out

in. to want to remove oneself from some association or relationship. Ted had had as much as he could stand, and he wanted out.

See also: out, want

weighed (in the balance) and found wanting

Tested and proved faulty. This expression comes from the Bible, as part of Daniel’s interpretation to King Belshazzar of the writing on the wall (Daniel 5:27). It has been used ever since to mean a deficiency or failure.