pit against  {v.}

To match against; oppose to; put in opposition to; place in competition or rivalry with.

The game pits two of the best pro football teams in the East against each other.

He pitted his endurance against the other man's speed.

pitch in  {v.},  {informal}

1. To begin something with much energy; start work eagerly.

Pitch in and we will finish the job as soon as possible.

2. To give help or money for something; contribute.

Everyone must pitch in and work together.

We all pitched in a quarter to buy Nancy a present.

Syn.: CHIP IN. Compare: FALL TO.

pitch into  {v.},  {informal}

1. To attack with blows or words.

He pitched into me with his fists.

He pitched into the idea of raising taxes.

Syn.: LAY INTO (1),(2), RIP INTO.

2. To get to work at; work hard at.

She pitched into the work and had the house cleaned up by noon.

He pitched into his homework right after dinner.

Compare: LAY INTO, SAIL INTO.

pitch woo  {v. phr.},  {slang}

To kiss and hug; make love.

Mary and John pitched woo in the movies.

pitch a curve or a curve ball  {v. phr.}

To catch someone unawares; confront someone with an unexpected event or act.

throw a curve  {v. phr.},  {slang},  {informal}

1. To mislead or deceive someone; to lie.

John threw me a curve about the hiring.

2. To take someone by surprise in an unpleasant way.

put up or shut up  {v. phr.}  {informal}

1. To bet your money on what you say or stop saying it. — Often used as a command; often considered rude.

The man from out of town kept saying their team would beat ours and finally John told him "Put up or shut up."

2. To prove something or stop saying it. — Often used as a command; often considered rude.

shut up  {v.}

1.  {informal}

To stop talking.

Little Ruthie told Father about his birthday surprise before Mother could shut her up.

- Often used as a command; usually considered rude.

Shut up and let Joe say something.

If you'll shut up for a minute, I'll tell you our plan.

Syn.: BUTTON YOUR LIP, DRY UP (3), KEEP ONE'S MOUTH SHUT.

2. To close the doors and windows of.

We got the house shut up only minutes before the storm hit.

3. To close and lock for a definite period of time.

The Smiths always spend Labor Day shutting up their summer home for the year.

We got to the store only to find that the owner had shut up shop for the weekend.

4. To confine.

That dog bites. It should be shut up.

shut off  {v.}

1. To make (something like water or electricity) stop coming.

Please shut off the hose before the grass gets too wet.

Compare: TURN OFF.

2. To be apart; be separated from; also to separate from.

Our camp is so far from the highway we feel shut off from the world when we are there.

talk turkey  {v. phr.},  {informal}

To talk about something in a really businesslike way; talk with the aim of getting things done.

Charles said, "Now, let's talk turkey about the bus trip. The fact is, it will cost each student $1.50."