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1 of 10


paint the town red

Categories: slang time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[paint the town red] or [paint the town]  {v. phr.},  {slang}
To go out to drink and have a good time; celebrate wildly; carouse.
It was the sailors' first night ashore; they painted the town red.
Compare: [ON THE TOWN] (2).
Categories: slang time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


hold good

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[hold good]  {v.}
1. To continue to be good; last.
The coupon on the cereal box offered a free toy, but the offer held good only till the end of the year.
Attendance at the basketball games held good all winter.
2. To continue; endure: last.
The demand for new houses held good all that year.
The agreement between the schools held good for three years.
See: [HOLD TRUE].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


as long as

Categories: conjunction
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[as long as] or [so long as]  {conj.}
1. Since; because; considering that.
As long as you are going to town anyway, you can do something for me.
2. Provided that; if.
You may use the room as you like, so long as you clean it up afterward.
Categories: conjunction
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


cut the ground from under

Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[cut the ground from under]  {v. phr.}  {informal}
To make (someone) fail; upset the plans of; spoil the argument for (a person) in advance.
Paul wanted to he captain but we cut the ground from under him by saying that Henry was the best player on the team.
Several workers applied for the retiring foreman's job, but the owner cut the ground from under them by hiring a foreman from another company.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


part of the furniture

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[part of the furniture]  {n. phr.}
In a job or position for so long that one is taken entirely for granted, like a part of the physical surroundings.
He has been working in the same office for so many years now that people consider him to be a part of the furniture.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


have one's fill

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[have one's fill]  {v. phr.}
To be satisfied; be surfeited; be overindulged.
Howard says he's had his fill of expensive golf tournaments in Europe.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


fill one's shoes

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[fill one's shoes]  {v. phr.}
To take the place of another and do as well; to substitute satisfactorily for.
When Jack got hurt, the coach had nobody to fill his shoes.
Joe hopes to fill his father's shoes.
See: [IN ONE'S SHOES].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


in one's shoes

Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[in one's shoes] also [in one's boots]  {adv. phr.}
In or into one's place or position.
How would you like to be in a lion tamer's boots?
Compare: [PUT ONESELF IN ANOTHER'S PLACE], [STEP INTO ONE'S SHOES].
Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


put oneself in another's place

Categories: feelings verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[put oneself in another's place] or [put oneself in another's shoes]  {v. phr.}
To understand another person's feeling imaginatively; try to know his feelings and reasons with understanding; enter into his trouble.
It seemed like a dreadful thing for Bob to do, but I tried to put myself in his place.
If you will put yourself in the customer's shoes you may realize why the thing isn't selling.
Categories: feelings verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


in place

Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[in place] (1)  {adv. phr.}
1a. In the right or usual place or position.
Nothing is in place after the earthquake. Even trees and houses are turned over.
The picture is not in place on the wall. It is crooked.
1b. In one place.
Our first exercise in gym class was running in place.
2. In proper order.
Stay in place in line, children.
Compare: [IN ORDER].
Contrast: [OUT OF PLACE].
Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms