6/14/2008

after Idioms

(English Idioms & Sayings)

after a fashion

- poorly, barely adequate

The cleaning staff cleaned the room after a fashion but certainly not very well.

after all

- in spite of what has been decided

I decided to take the swimming course after all.

after all

- considering the fact that something happened or is usually assumed

"You don't need to phone him. After all, he never phones you."

after all is said and done

- finally, when everything is settled

After all is said and done the mayor of our city is doing a very good job.

after hours

- after the regular closing or finishing time

The library has a place to leave books after hours.

after the fact

- after something (often a crime) has happened

Although the man said he was sorry, it was after the fact and he had already caused a big problem.

against one's will

- to be without a person's consent or agreement

The police took the man to jail against his will.

against the clock

- to be in a hurry to do something before a particular time

We worked against the clock to finish the project.

ahead of one's time

- to have ideas or attitudes that are more advanced than those of others

The ideas of the politician were very much ahead of his time.

ahead of the game

- to do more than necessary

We worked hard all week in order to be ahead of the game on Monday morning.

ahead of time

- early

We started the meeting ahead of time so that we could go home early.

air one`s dirty laundry/linen in public

- to make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret

The dinner party became uncomfortable when the host began to air his colleague's dirty laundry in public.

air one's grievances

- to complain (often publicly)

We spent the meeting airing our grievances to the new supervisor.

air (something) out

- to freshen something by putting it out in the open air

We put the blankets outside in order to air them out.

alive and well/kicking

- to be well and healthy

My aunt is 87 years old and she is very much alive and kicking.

Posted by Learning English through Idioms and Sayings

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