Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[on one’s high horse]{adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Acting as if you are better than others; being very proud and scornful. •/Martha was chairman of the picnic committee, and at the picnic she was on her high horse, telling everyone what to do./ •/Mrs. Jones asked to see a less expensive hat. The salesgirl got up on her high horse and said the shop did not sell cheap merchandise./ 2. Refusing to be friendly because you are angry; in a bad temper. •/Joe was on his high horse because he felt Mary wasn’t giving him enough attention./ Contrast: OFF ONE’S HIGH HORSE.

[on one’s honor]{adj. phr.} Bound by one’s honesty; trusted. •/The students were not supervised during the examination. They were on their honor not to cheat./ •/The house father put the boys on their honor not to smoke in the dormitory./

[on one’s knees]{adj. phr.} 1. Pleading; begging very hard. •/The boys were on their knees for hours before their parents agreed to their camping plans./ •/The Jacksons won’t contribute to the Red Cross unless you get on your knees./ 2. In a very weak condition; near failure. •/When the graduates of the school heard that it was on its knees they gave money generously so that it would not close./

[on one’s last legs]{adj. phr.} Failing; near the end. •/The blacksmith’s business is on its last legs./ •/The dog is old and sick. He is on his last legs./ Compare: ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, ON ONE’S KNEES(2).

[on one’s mind]{adv. phr.} In one’s thoughts. •/I’m glad you want to talk about this. It’s been on my mind for weeks./ •/What’s on your mind?/ Compare: IN MIND.

[on one’s nerves] See: GET ON ONE’S NERVES.

[on one’s own]{adj. phr.} With no help from others. •/It is a happy day when you’re allowed to drive a car on your own./ •/Being on your own may be a frightening experience./ Compare: GO IT(2).

[on one’s own account] or {informal}[on one’s own hook]{adv. phr.} 1. For yourself; as a free agent; independently. •/After they had picked out the class gift, members of the committee did some shopping on their own account./ 2. See: OF ONE’S OWN ACCORD.

[on one’s own feet] See: STAND ON ONE’S OWN FEET.

[on one’s own hook] See: ON ONE’S OWN ACCOUNT.

[on one’s own time]{adv. phr.} During one’s free time; not during working or school hours. •/If you want to play football, you’ll have to do it on your own time./

[on one’s part] or [on the part of one]{adj. phr.} 1. Of or by you; of someone’s. •/When Miss Brown said I was a good student, that was pure kindness on her part./ •/The other team blamed their defeat on unfairness on the part of the referee./ 2. See: FOR ONE’S PART.

[on one’s shoulders]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} In your care; as your responsibility. •/The success of the program rests on your shoulders./ •/He acts as if he had the cares of the world on his shoulders./

[on one’s toes]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Alert; ready to act. •/The successful ball player is always on his toes./ Compare: HEADS-UP, ON THE BALL.