[down-at-heel] or [down-at-the-heel] or [down-at-the-heels] {adj.} Poorly kept up or dressed shabby; not neat; sloppy. * /John is always down-at-the-heels, but his sister is always very neat./ * /Old houses […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

take to one's heels

[take to one's heels] also [show a clean pair of heels] {v. phr.} To begin to run or run away. * /When he heard the police coming, the thief took […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

set back on one's heels

[set back on one's heels] or [knock back on one's heels] {v. phr.}, {informal} To give an unpleasant surprise; upset suddenly; stop or turn back (someone's) progress. * /Jack brags […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

at one's heels

[at one's heels] {adv. phr.} Close behind; as a constant follower or companion. * /The boy got tired of having his little brother at his heels all day./ * /John […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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Brander Matthew

(1852-1956) A highbrow is a person educated beyond his intelligence.

Quizzes on idioms starting with O

CLM (Career Limiting Move)

[CLM] (Career Limiting Move) Used by microserfs to describe an ill-advised activity. * /"Trashing your boss while he or she […]

Norp

[Norp] from pr0n. Used to discreetly speak of pornography without alerting the attention of others (less obvious in meaning […]

hit bottom

[hit bottom] or [touch bottom] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To be at the very lowest. * /In August there was a big supply of […]

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 […]

hardly any

[hardly any] or [scarcely any] Almost no or almost none; very few. * /Hardly any of the students did well on the test, so […]

hell-on-wheels

[hell-on-wheels] {n.}, {slang} A short-tempered, nagging, or crabby person especially one who makes another unhappy by […]