Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[on one’s uppers]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Very poor. •/Mr. White had been out of work for several months and was on his uppers./ Compare: DOWN ON ONE’S LUCK.

[on one’s way] See: ON THE WAY.

[on pain of] also [under pain of]{prep.}, {formal} At the risk of; under penalty of. •/The workers went on strike on pain of losing their jobs./ •/The rebels had to swear under pain of death never to confess where their comrades were hiding./

[on paper]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} Judging by appearances only and not by past performance; in theory; theoretically. •/On paper, the American colonies should have lost the Revolutionary War./ •/The football team lost many games, even though they looked good on paper./

[on pins and needles]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Worried; nervous. •/Jane’s mother was on pins and needles because Jane was very late getting home from school./ •/Many famous actors are on pins and needles before the curtain opens for a play./

[on purpose]{adv. phr.} For a reason; because you want to; not accidentally. •/Jane did not forget her coat; she left it in the locker on purpose./ •/The clown fell down on purpose./

[on record]{adj. phr.} 1. An official or recorded statement or fact; said for everyone to know. •/We do not know when the famous writer was born, but the date of his death is on record./ •/The two candidates went on television to put their ideas on record./ 2. Known to have said or done a certain thing. — Usually used with "as". •/The mayor went on record as opposing a tax raise./ •/The governor is on record as favoring the new highway./ •/That congressman is on record as an enemy of waste in government./ Contrast: OFF THE RECORD.

[on sale]{adj. phr.} Selling for a special low price. •/Tomato soup that is usually sold for sixty cents a can is now on sale for fifty cents./ •/John and Mary couldn’t sell all of the lemonade at twenty cents a cup so they have it on sale for ten cents a cup./

[on schedule(1)]{adv. phr.} As planned or expected; at the right time. •/The school bus arrived at school on schedule./ •/The four seasons arrive on schedule each year./ Compare: ON TIME.

[on schedule(2)]{adj. phr.} Punctual; as planned. •/The new airline claims to have more on schedule arrivals than the competition./

[on season] See: HIGH SEASON. Contrast: OFF SEASON.

[on second thought] See: SECOND THOUGHT.

[on sight] See: AT SIGHT.

[on table] See: WAIT AT TABLE or WAIT ON TABLE.

[on the air]{adj.} or {adv. phr.} Broadcasting or being broadcast on radio or TV. •/His show is on the air at six o’clock./ •/The ball game is on the air now./

[on the alert]{adj. phr.} Alert; watchful; careful. •/Campers must be on the alert for poison ivy and poison oak./ •/Drivers must be on the alert for traffic signals./ Compare: ON ONE’S TOES.

[on the average] See: ON AN AVERAGE.

[on the back] See: PAT ON THE BACK.