{prep.}, {formal} In connection with; on the subject
of, about; concerning. •/Apropos of higher tuition, Mr. Black told the boy
about the educational loans that banks are offering./ •/Mr. White went to
see Mr. Richards apropos of buying a car./
[arm]
See: GIVE ONE’S RIGHT ARM, KEEP AT A DISTANCE Or KEEP AT ARM’S
LENGTH, SHOT IN THE ARM, TAKE UP ARMS, TWIST ONE’S ARM, UP IN ARMS, WITH OPEN
ARMS, COST AN ARM AND A LEG.
[arm and a leg]
{n.}, {slang} An exorbitantly high price that must
be paid for something that isn’t really worth it. •/It’s true that to get a
decent apartment these days in New York you have to pay an arm and a leg./
[armed to the teeth]
{adj. phr.} Having all needed weapons; fully
armed. •/The paratroopers were armed to the teeth./
[arm in arm]
{adv. phr.} With your arm under or around another person’s
arm, especially in close comradeship or friendship. •/Sally and Joan were
laughing and joking together as they walked arm in arm down the street./
•/When they arrived at the party, the partners walked arm in arm to meet the
hosts./ Compare: HAND IN HAND.
[around one’s ears]
See: ABOUT ONE’S EARS.
[around the clock]
also [the clock around]{adv. phr.} For 24 hours
a day continuously all day and all night. •/The factory operated around the
clock until the order was filled./ •/He studied around the clock for his
history exam./ — [round-the-clock]{adj.} •/That filling station
has round-the-clock service./
[around the corner]
{adv. phr.} Soon to come or happen; close by; near
at hand. •/The fortuneteller told Jane that there was an adventure for her
just around the corner./
[arrest]
See: UNDER ARREST.
[as]
See: FOR AS MUCH AS, IN AS MUCH AS.
[as a last resort]
{adv. phr.} In lieu of better things; lacking better
solutions. •/"We’ll sleep in our sleeping bags as a last resort," John said,
"since all the motels are full."/
[as a matter of fact]
{adv. phr.} Actually; really; in addition to what
has been said; in reference to what was said. — Often used as an interjection.
•/It’s not true that I cannot swim; as a matter of fact, I used to work as a
lifeguard in Hawaii./ •/Do you think this costs too much? As a matter of
fact, I think it is rather cheap./
[as an aside]
{adv. phr.} Said as a remark in a low tone of voice; used
in theaters where the actor turns toward the audience as if to "think out
loud." •/During the concert Tim said to his wife as an aside, "The conductor
has no idea how to conduct Beethoven."/
[as a rule]
{adv. phr.} Generally; customarily. •/As a rule, the boss
arrives at the office about 10 A.M./
[as an old shoe]
See: COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE, COMMON AS AN OLD SHOE.