Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[on top of]{prep.}. 1. On the top of; standing or lying on; on. •/When the player on the other team dropped the ball, Bill fell on top of it./ •/That high hill has a tower on top of it./ 2. {informal} Very close to. •/The elevator was so crowded that everybody was on top of each other./ •/I couldn’t find my umbrella and then I realized I was almost on top of it./ 3. {informal} In addition to; along with. •/Mrs. Lane had many expenses and on top of everything else, her baby became ill./ •/Mary worked at the store all day and on top of that she had to baby-sit with her brother./ 4. {informal} Managing very well; in control of. •/Although his new job was very complicated, John was on top of it within a few weeks./ •/No matter what goes wrong, Mary always stays on top of it./ 5. Knowing all about; not falling behind in information about; up-to-date on. •/Mary stays on top of the news by reading newspapers and magazines./ •/When he was in California, Mr. Jones kept on top of things in his office by telephoning every day./

[on top of the world] or [sitting on top of the world] also (Southern) [sitting on high cotton]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Feeling pleased and happy; feeling successful. •/John was on top of the world when he found out that he got into college./ •/When Ruth won first prize in the contest, she felt as though she was sitting on top of the world./ •/The girls were sitting on high cotton because their basketball team had won the trophy./ Compare: FLYING HIGH, WALK ON AIR.

[on trial]{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. For testing or trying out for a time before making a decision. •/I was lucky that I had bought the machine on trial because I didn’t like it and was able to return it./ •/Mother bought a new dishwasher on trial and was trying it out before deciding whether to keep it./ 2. In a court being tried for a crime before a judge or jury. •/John White was on trial for murder./ •/Mary was on trial before the Student Committee for spoiling school property./

[on words] See: PLAY ON WORDS.

[on your life] See: NOT ON YOUR LIFE.

[open] See: EYES OPEN, THROW OPEN.

[open and aboveboard]{adj. phr.} Honest. •/Jacob felt that the firm he was doing business with wasn’t entirely open and aboveboard./

[open and shut] See: CUT AND DRIED.

[open arms] See: RECEIVE WITH OPEN ARMS.

[open-door policy]{n. phr.} A policy that states that newcomers are welcome to join the company, firm, or country in question. •/During the nineteenth century the United States had an open-door policy regarding immigration./

[open fire]{v. phr.} To begin shooting. •/The big warship turned its guns toward the enemy ship and opened fire./ •/When the policeman called to the robber to stop, he turned and suddenly opened fire./

[openhanded]{adj.} Generous; liberal. •/Although not wealthy himself, Bob was always very openhanded with those who needed help./