A
Idioms beginning with "A"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
No categories:
Contents of A:
[at great length] {prep. phr.}
1. In great detail.
Jim told us the story of his life at great length.
2. For a long time.
The boring speaker rambled on at great length.
[at half mast] {prep. phr.}
Halfway up or down; referring primarily to flagposts, but may be used jokingly.
When a president of the United States dies, all flags are flown at half mast.
[at hand] also [at close hand] or [near at hand] {adv. phr.}
1. Easy to reach; nearby.
When he writes, he always keeps a dictionary at hand.
2. {formal}
Coming soon; almost here.
Examinations are past and Commencement Day is at hand.
[at heart] {adv. phr.}
1. In spite of appearances; at bottom; in reality.
His manners are rough but he is a kind man at heart.
2. As a serious interest or concern; as an important aim or goal.
He has the welfare of the poor at heart.
[at home] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}
1. In the place where you live or come from.
I went to his house, but he was not at home.
Americans abroad are protected by the government like Americans at home.
2. Knowing what to do or say; familiar; […]
[at issue] {adj. phr.}
1. In dispute; to be settled by debate, by vote, by battle, or by some other contest.
His good name was at issue in the trial.
The independence of the United States from England was at issue in the Revolutionary War.
[…]
[at it] {adj. phr.}
Busily doing something; active.
His rule for success was to keep always at it.
The couple who owned the little cleaning shop were at it early and late.
* /Mr. Curtis heard a loud crash in the next apartment — the neighbors […]
[at large] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}
1. Not kept within walls, fences, or boundaries; free.
The killer remained at large for weeks.
Compare: [AT LIBERTY].
Cattle and sheep roamed at large on the big ranch.
2. In a broad, general way; at length; […]
[at last] also [at long last] {adv. phr.}
After a long time; finally.
The war had been long and hard, but now there was peace at last.
The boy saved his money until at last he had enough for a bicycle.
[at least] {adv. phr.}
1. or [at the least]
At the smallest guess; no fewer than; no less than.
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day.
At least three students are failing in mathematics.
* /Mr. Johnson must weigh 200 pounds at […]