Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[on the ball]{adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Paying attention and doing things well. — Used after "is" or "get". •/Ben is really on the ball in school./ •/The coach told Jim he must get on the ball or he cannot stay on the team./ Compare: GET WITH IT, HEADS-UP, KEEP ONE’S EYE ON THE BALL. 2. That is a skill or ability; making you good at things. — Used after "have". •/John will succeed in life; he has a lot on the ball./ •/The coach was eager to try out his new team and see what they had on the ball./

[on the bandwagon]{adj. phr.}, {informal} In or into the newest popular group or activity; in or into something you join just because many others are joining it. — Often used after "climb", "get", or "jump". •/When all George’s friends decided to vote for Bill, George climbed on the bandwagon too./ See: JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON.

[on the barrelhead] See: CASH ON THE BARRELHEAD.

[on the beam]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. (Of an airplane) In the radio beam that marks the path to follow between airports; flying in the right direction. •/A radio signal tells the pilot of an airplane when he is flying on the beam./ 2. {slang} Doing well; just right; good or correct. •/Kenneth’s answer was right on the beam./ Contrast: OFF THE BEAM.

[on the bench] 1. Sitting in a law court as a judge. •/Judge Wyzanski is on the bench this morning./ 2. Sitting among the substitute players. •/The coach had to keep his star player on the bench with a sprained ankle./ Compare: BENCH WARMER.

[on the blink]{adj. phr.} Faulty; malfunctioning; inoperative. •/I need to call a competent repairman because my computer is on the blink again./

[on the block]{adj. phr.} To be sold; for sale. •/The vacant house was on the block./ •/Young cattle are grown and sent to market to be placed on the block./

[on the brain]{adj. phr.}, {slang} Filling your thoughts; too much thought about; almost always in mind. •/Mary Ann has boys on the brain./ •/Joe’s hobby is ham radio and he has radio on the brain most of the time./

[on the brink of]{adv. phr.} Facing a new event that’s about to happen. •/"I am on the brink of a new discovery," our physics professor proudly announced./

[on the button]{adv. adj.}, {slang} At the right place; at the heart of the matter. •/John’s remark was right on the button./ Compare: ON THE DOT.

[on the cards] See: IN THE CARDS.

[on the carpet] See: CALL ON THE CARPET.

[on the cheap]{adv. phr.} Inexpensively; on a tight budget. •/She buys most of her clothes on the cheap in secondhand stores./

[on the chin] See: TAKE IT ON THE CHIN.

[on the contrary]{adv. phr.} Exactly the opposite; rather; instead. •/The principal thought that the children went to the zoo; on the contrary, they went to the bakery./ •/"You don’t like football, do you?" "On the contrary, I like it very much."/ Compare: TO THE CONTRARY.

[on the cuff]{adj.} or {adv. phr.}, {informal} Agreeing to pay later; to be paid for later; on credit. •/Peter lost the money that Mother gave him to buy meat, and the store would not let him have meat on the cuff./ •/Many people buy cars and television sets on the cuff./