T
Idioms beginning with "T"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
Categories:
Contents of T:
[take stock] {v. phr.}
1. To count exactly the items of merchandise or supplies in stock; take inventory.
The grocery store took stock every week on Monday mornings.
2. To study carefully a situation, or a number of possibilities or opportunities. […]
[take stock in] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To have faith in; trust; believe. — Usually used in the negative.
He took no stock in the idea that women were better cooks than men.
* /They took little or no stock in the boy's story that he had lost the […]
[take the bit in one's mouth] also [take the bit in one's teeth] {adv. phr.}
To have your own way; take charge of things; take control of something.
* /When Mary wanted something, she was likely to take the bit in her teeth and her parents could do […]
[take the bread out of one's mouth] {v. phr.}
To take away or not give your rightful support, especially through selfish pleasure.
She accused her husband of drinking and gambling — taking bread out of his children's mouths.
[take the bull by the horns] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To take definite action and not care about risks; act bravely in a difficulty.
He decided to take the bull by the horns and demand a raise in salary even though it might cost him his job.
Compare:
[…]
[take the cake] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To take the first prize; be the best; rank first.
Mr. Jones takes the cake as a storyteller.
2. To be the limit; to be the worst; have a lot of nerve; be a very rude, bold, or surprising action.
* /I let […]
[take the defensive] {v. phr.}
To make oneself the defending party.
Contrast: [TAKE THE OFFENSIVE].
[take the edge off] also [take off the edge] {v. phr.}
To lessen, weaken, soften or make dull.
Eating a candy bar before dinner has taken the edge off Becky's appetite.
Bob was sorry for hurting Tom and that took the edge off Tom's anger.
* […]
[take the fifth] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. Taking refuge behind the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States which guarantees any witness the right not to incriminate himself while testifying at a trial.
* /Alger Hiss took the Fifth when […]