A

[at worst] or [at the worst]  {adv. phr.}

1. Under the worst conditions; as the worst possibility.

When Don was caught cheating in the examination he thought that at worst he would get a scolding.

Compare: [AT MOST].

Contrast: [AT BEST].

2.  […]

[aught]

See:

[FOR AUGHT] at [FOR ALL] (2),

[FOR ALL ONE KNOWS].

[Aunt Tom]  {n.},  {slang},  {originally from Black English}

A successful professional or business woman who, due to her success in a masculine profession, doesn't care about the women's liberation movement or the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment to  […]

[avail]

See:

[TO NO AVAIL] or [OF NO AVAIL].

[average]

See:

[ON AN AVERAGE] or [ON THE AVERAGE],

[LAW OF AVERAGES].

[awe]

See: [STAND IN AWE OF].

[awkward age]  {n.}

Adolescence; awkwardness during adolescence.

[AWOL]

See: [ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE].

[ax to grind]  {n. phr.},  {informal}

Something to gain for yourself: a selfish reason.

In praising movies for classroom use he has an ax to grind; he sells motion picture equipment.

* /When Charles told the teacher he saw Arthur copying his  […]