Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[well-to-do]{adj.} Having or making enough money to live comfortably; prosperous. •/John’s father owns a company and his family is well-to-do./ — Often used with "the" like a plural noun. •/This is the part of town where the well-to-do live./ Compare: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY, IN THE CHIPS, ON EASY STREET.

[wet] See: ALL WET, GET ONE’S FEET WET, MAD AS A WET HEN, WRINGING WET.

[wet behind the ears]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Not experienced; not knowing how to do something; new in a job or place. •/The new student is still wet behind the ears; he has not yet learned the tricks that the boys play on each other./ Compare: DRY BEHIND THE EARS.

[wet blanket]{n.}, {informal} A person or thing that keeps others from enjoying life. •/The teenagers don’t invite Bob to their parties because he is a wet blanket./ •/The weatherman throws a wet blanket on picnic plans when he forecasts rain./ Compare: CREPE HANGER.

[wet one’s whistle]{v. phr.}, {slang} To have a drink, especially of liquor. •/Uncle Willie told John to wait outside for a minute while he went in to the cafe to wet his whistle./

[whack] See: OUT OF WHACK.

[whale away]{v.}, {informal} 1. To beat or hit hard; strike again and again. — Often used with "at". •/The boxer is whaling away at his opponent with both fists./ 2. To attack severely or again and again; go on without stopping or with great force; pound away. •/Mary has been whaling away on the typewriter for an hour./ — Often used with "at". •/During the election the Mayor whaled away at the other party in his speeches./

[whale the --- out of] See: BEAT THE --- OUT OF.

[what] See: COME WHAT MAY, GET WHAT’S COMING TO ONE, I’LL TELL YOU WHAT, JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, SO WHAT.

[what about]{interrog.} 1. About or concerning what; in connection with what. — Often used alone as a question. •/"I want to talk to you." "What about?"/ Compare: WHAT FOR. 2. See: WHAT OF IT. 3. See: HOW ABOUT.

[what about that] See: HOW ABOUT THAT.

[What a pity!] How unfortunate! What a shame! •/What a pity that he couldn’t join us on our Hawaiian trip./

[what for(1)]{interrog.} For what reason; why? •/I told Mary what I was going to town for./ •/What are you running for?/ — Often used alone as a question. •/Billy’s mother told him to wear his hat. "What for?" he asked./ Compare: HOW COME.

[what for(2)]{n. phr.}, {informal} A scolding, or other punishment. — Usually used with "get" or "give". •/Tom got what for from his father for answering him rudely, and I heard him crying in the house./ •/The teacher gave me what for because I was late./

[what have you] or [what not]{n. phr.}, {informal} Whatever you like or want; anything else like that. •/The store sells big ones, small ones, medium ones, or what have you./ •/We found suits, coats, hats and what not in the closet./ Syn.: AND SO FORTH.

[what if] What would, or will, happen if; what is the difference if; suppose that. •/What if you go instead of me?/ •/What if we paint it red. How will it look?/ •/"You can’t go now" said mother. "What if I do?" Dick asked./ •/What if Jack scores a touchdown?/

[what is what] See: WHAT’S WHAT.