frame

be in the frame

To be a likely recipient of something, such as a job or an award. I'm pretty sure I'm in the frame for Connie's position once she retires. My daughter is a great student, so she's in the frame for many academic awards at graduation.

See also: frame

frame (one)

To manipulate a situation so that an innocent person appears to have committed a crime (so that the actual criminal can avoid blame or detection). A: "They're framing me, officer, I swear! I would never go to a seedy place like that!" B: "Oh yeah? Then why did we find your fingerprints there?"

See also: frame

frame (someone) for (something)

To manipulate a situation so that an innocent person appears to have committed a crime (so that the actual criminal can avoid blame or detection). A: "They're framing me for this crime, officer, I swear! I would never go to a seedy place like that!" B: "Oh yeah? Then why did we find your fingerprints there?"

See also: for, frame

frame (something) in (something)

1. Literally, to place something within a frame. I think you should frame your diploma in this gold one—it suits our décor more.

2. To state something in a particular manner or with a particular focus. He framed his comments on the novel in the context of postcolonialism. If you want Molly to be receptive to your remarks, be sure to frame them in a kind way.

See also: frame

frame of mind

A person's outlook, mood, or attitude. I'm always in a much better frame of mind if I have a chance to unwind after work. You've got to improve your frame of mind if you want to get that job. No one's going to hire someone who isn't confident in their own abilities!

See also: frame, mind, of

frame out

To construct a building's fundamental structure (also called a "frame"). A noun or pronoun can be used between "frame" and "out." How long do you think it will take the construction crew to frame out the building.

See also: frame, out

frame up

1. To put something, such as a photograph or painting, in a frame. A noun or pronoun can be used between "frame" and "up." I wanted to frame the portrait up in something really classy, like mahogany or walnut. We spent the day framing up posters and artwork to sell at the convention.

2. To construct the frame of a wall or building. A noun or pronoun can be used between "frame" and "up." We framed up the barn on the weekend, and we'll spend the next couple weeks finishing the rest of the work. There's plenty of space to add a new wall down the middle of the room. We'll just need to frame it up and start putting up drywall.

3. To falsely incriminate someone for some crime or wrongdoing, as by planting evidence or giving false testimony. A noun or pronoun can be used between "frame" and "up." He had always maintained that the police had framed him up, but no one believed him. The gang framed up the accountant so he would take the fall for the murder.

See also: frame, up

frame-up

A situation manipulated so that an innocent person appears to have committed a crime (so that the actual criminal can avoid blame or detection). A: "It's a frame-up, officer, I swear! I would never go to a seedy place like that!" B: "Oh yeah? Then why did we find your fingerprints there?"

in the frame

1. Very likely to be chosen; at the forefront of all choices. After 10 years of dutiful service, she's finally in the frame to move into an upper management position.

2. Suspected of having committed some crime or wrongdoing. Two weeks after the gruesome murder that shocked the small town, police still have no suspects in the frame.

See also: frame

sheriff's picture frame

obsolete The gallows. Many a knave has been placed in the sheriff's picture frame for less than the crime of which you have been accused, my young fellow.

See also: frame, picture

the right frame of mind

The proper or necessary outlook, mood, or attitude. I always take a 15-minute walk in the morning. It helps put me in the right frame of mind before I start work. You've got to get into the right frame of mind if you want to get that job. No one's going to hire someone who isn't confident in their own abilities!

See also: frame, mind, of, right

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

frame something in something

 

1. Lit. to place a frame of something around something. Let us frame the photograph in a wood frame rather than a metal one. Alice chose to frame the painting in a simple, unmatted frame.

2. Fig. to express something in a particular way. He framed his comments in very simple language. I hope you frame your remarks more clearly next time.

See also: frame

frame something out

to build the basic wood structure of a building, such as a house. The carpenters, working fast, framed the whole house out in a day. They framed out the house.

See also: frame, out

one's frame of mind

Fig. one's mood or mental state. My frame of mind is sort of low at the moment. I've had a very bad day.

See also: frame, mind, of

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

frame of mind

Mental or emotional attitude or mood, as in You have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy hiking in the rain. This idiom was first recorded in 1665.

See also: frame, mind, of

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.

frame of mind

Someone's frame of mind is the mood they are in. In the morning he woke in a more optimistic frame of mind. He was just not in the right frame of mind to deal with this young man.

See also: frame, mind, of

in the frame

BRITISH

COMMON

1. If you are in the frame for a job or a successful activity, you are very likely to be chosen for it. Steve has done well. He's back in the frame and I will have a good look at him in training this week. Note: You can talk about someone being the name in the frame when they are very likely to be chosen for a job or a successful activity. Speculation about potential replacements is already rife, with Sir David Scholey and Lord Lawson among the names in the frame.

2. If someone is in the frame for a crime or a bad action, people think that they are responsible for it. The fact is, there's only ever been one guy in the frame for this killing, and that's the husband. Note: The `frame' referred to here is probably one of the frames, or images, in a reel of film.

See also: frame

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

be in (or out of) the frame

1 be (or not be) eligible or the centre of attention. 2 under suspicion or wanted (or not) by the police.

See also: frame

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

be in/out of the ˈframe

be taking part/not taking part in something: We won our match last week, so we’re still in the frame for the championship.

See also: frame, of, out

a frame of ˈmind

a particular way of thinking, mood, etc: You should ask her for permission when she’s in a better frame of mind. ♢ I wonder what frame of mind he was in when he wrote the letter.

See also: frame, mind, of

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

frame

1. tv. to cause an innocent person to be blamed for a crime; to contrive evidence so that someone appears to be guilty. (Originally underworld.) Jimmy tried to frame his sister for painting the cat yellow.

2. and frame-up and frameup n. a scheme where an innocent person is made to take the blame for something; incrimination caused by contrived evidence. (Underworld.) The frame-up would have worked if it weren’t for one little thing.

frame-up

verb

See frame

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.