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1 of 10
1. Just at this moment; at this time.
2. {informal}
A very short time ago; only a moment ago; only a little while ago.
Compare: [WHILE AGO].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
. just now
[just now] {adv. phr.}
1. Just at this moment; at this time.
Mr. Johnson isn't here just now. Will you phone back later?
2. {informal}
A very short time ago; only a moment ago; only a little while ago.
"Where could that boy have gone so quickly? He was here just now!"
Compare: [WHILE AGO].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
Provided; if.
Syn.: [AS LONG AS] (2).
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
. just so
[just so] (2) {conj.}
Provided; if.
Take as much food as you want, just so you don't waste any food.
Syn.: [AS LONG AS] (2).
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
To try doing something at random without sufficient preparation.
Contrast: [STAB IN THE BACK], [STAB IN THE DARK].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
. make a stab at
[make a stab at] {v. phr.}
To try doing something at random without sufficient preparation.
The singer was not familiar with the aria but she decided to make a stab at it anyhow.
Contrast: [STAB IN THE BACK], [STAB IN THE DARK].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
To have enough money to pay one's bills; earn what it costs to live.
A Dictionary of American Idioms, "Lady Madonna" lyrics video by "The Beatles"
5 of 10
1. To take or use (things) without asking.
2. To act toward (someone) in a rude or impolite way.
Compare: [TAKE LIBERTIES].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
. make free with
[make free with] {v.}
1. To take or use (things) without asking.
Bob makes free with his roommate's clothes.
A student should not make free with his teacher's first name.
2. To act toward (someone) in a rude or impolite way.
The girls don't like Ted because he makes free with them.
Compare: [TAKE LIBERTIES].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
To say quickly without having to stop to think; recite easily and rapidly.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
. rattle off
[rattle off] or [reel off] {v.}
To say quickly without having to stop to think; recite easily and rapidly.
When Roger was seven he could rattle off the names of all the states in alphabetical order.
Joan memorized the "Gettysburg Address" so well that she could reel it off.
We asked the waitress what flavors of ice cream she had, and she rattled them off.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
To be convinced; persuaded; certain and unworried.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
A room or series of rooms in a public building which has things for personal comfort and grooming, such as toilets, washbowls, mirrors, and often chairs or couches.
Compare: [POWDER ROOM].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
. rest room
[rest room] {n.}
A room or series of rooms in a public building which has things for personal comfort and grooming, such as toilets, washbowls, mirrors, and often chairs or couches.
Sally went to the rest room to powder her nose.
Compare: [POWDER ROOM].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
A good plan or reason; a reasonable purpose or explanation. — Used in negative, interrogative, or conditional sentences.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
. rhyme or reason
[rhyme or reason] {n. phr.}
A good plan or reason; a reasonable purpose or explanation. — Used in negative, interrogative, or conditional sentences.
Don could see no rhyme or reason to the plot of the play.
It seemed to Ruth that her little brother had temper tantrums without rhyme or reason.
A Dictionary of American Idioms