Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[a few]{n.} or {adj.} A small number (of people or things); some. •/The dry weather killed most of Mother’s flowers, but a few are left./ •/In the store, Mary saw many pretty rings and bracelets, and she wanted to buy a few of them./ •/After the party, we thought that no one would help clean up, but a few couples did./ •/Alice wanted to read a few pages more before she stopped./ — Usually "a few" is different in meaning from "few", which emphasizes the negative; "a few" means "some", but "few" means "not many". •/We thought no one would come to lunch, but a few came./ •/We thought many people would come to lunch, but few came./ But sometimes "a few" is used with "only", and then it is negative. •/We thought many people would come to lunch, but only a few came./ — Sometimes used like an adverb. •/Three students have no seats; we need a few more chairs./ •/If we can set up chairs faster than people come and sit in them, we will soon be a few ahead./ — Sometimes used with "very" for emphasis. •/Uncle Ralph gave away almost all of his sea shells, but he still had a very few left./ Compare: A LITTLE. Contrast: A LOT, QUITE A FEW.

[affair] See: LOVE AFFAIR.

[afoul of]{prep.} 1. In collision with. •/The boat ran afoul of a buoy./ 2. In or into trouble with. •/The thief ran afoul of the night watchman./ •/Speeders can expect to fall afoul of the law sometimes./

[afraid of one’s shadow]{adj. phr.}, {informal} Scared of small or imaginary things; very easily frightened; jumpy; nervous. •/Mrs. Smith won’t stay alone in her house at night; she is afraid of her own shadow./ •/Johnny cries whenever he must say hello to an adult; he is afraid of his own shadow./

[a friend in need is a friend indeed] A genuine friend on whom one can always depend. — A proverb; often shortened to "a friend in need…" •/When John’s house burned down, his neighbor Jim helped him and his family with shelter, food and clothing. John said, "Jim, a friend in need is a friend indeed — this describes you."/

[after a fashion]{adv. phr.} Not very well or properly; poorly. •/He played tennis after a fashion./ •/The roof kept the rain out after a fashion./ Compare: IN A WAY.

[after all]{adv. phr.} 1. As a change in plans; anyway. — Used with emphasis on "after". •/Bob thought he couldn’t go to the party because he had too much homework, but he went after all./ 2. For a good reason that you should remember. — Used with emphasis on "all". •/Why shouldn’t Betsy eat the cake? After all, she baked it./

[after a while]{informal} or [in a while]{adv. phr.} Later, at some time in the future; after a time that is not short and not long. •/"Dad, will you help me make this model plane?" "After a while, Jimmy, when I finish reading the newspaper."/ •/The boys gathered some wood, and in a while, a hot fire was burning./ Syn.: BY AND BY. Contrast: RIGHT AWAY.