give the word


Also found in: Legal.

give (someone) the word

To give an order, make a request, or expressly state a desire for someone to do something or undertake some task. We're ready to begin writing the report whenever you are, so just give us the word, and we'll get going. If the President gives the word, the military could begin airstrikes as early as tomorrow morning.
See also: give, word

give the word

Also, say the word. Give an order, tell or show when something is to be done, as in If you want us to move out, just give the word, or When you want the car, just say the word. The first expression, dating from about 1400, originally alluded to uttering a password in response to a sentinel's challenge. The second is even older, appearing in an early translation of the biblical books of Genesis and Exodus: "And God said the word to Abraham."
See also: give, word
References in periodicals archive ?
In other words, if he wants to accelerate Gruevski's fall, he will have to give the word of honor in advance that somebody else, and not him, will run the state.
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l give the word will go out and picket any museum I want them to.
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Give the word a sarcastic twist, and we're talking about a waste of time.
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In a world where green usually describes the color of money, two businesses, from two different industries, have come together to give the word a whole new meaning.
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Though she might give the words of Nancy Dell'Olio a wide berth.
TERRYBLE EXAMPLE
The court found nothing in the legislative history of the latter statute to indicate that Congress intended to give the words "tax required to be shown on a return" any temporal significance.
Postfiling administrative expenses reduce estate tax fraud penalty
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