U
Idioms beginning with "U"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of U:
[under one's heel] {adv. phr.}
In one's power or control.
If one marriage partner always wants to keep the other person under his or her heel, it is not a happy or democratic arrangement and may lead to a divorce.
[under one's nose] or [under the nose of] {adv. phr.}, {informal}
In sight of; in an easily seen or noticeable place.
The thief walked out of the museum with the painting, right under the nose of the guards.
* /When Jim gave up trying to find a […]
[under one's own steam] {adv. phr.}, {informal}
By one's own efforts; without help.
The boys got to Boston under their own steam and took a bus the rest of the way.
* /We didn't think he could do it, but Bobby finished his homework under his own […]
[under one's spell] {adv. phr.}
Unable to resist one's influence.
From the first moment they saw each other, Peter was under Nancy's spell.
[under one's thumb] or [under the thumb] {adj.} or {adv. phr.}
Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power.
The Jones family is under the thumb of the mother.
Jack is a bully. He keeps all the younger children under his thumb.
* /The […]
[under one's wing] {adv. phr.}
Under the care or protection of.
Helen took the new puppy under her wing.
The boys stopped teasing the new student when Bill took him under his wing.
Compare: [IN TOW].
[under orders] {adv. phr.}
Not out of one's own desire or one's own free will; obligatorily; not freely.
* /"So you were a Nazi prison guard? " the judge asked. "Yes, your Honor," the man answered, "but I was acting under orders and not because I […]
[under protest] {adv. phr.}
Against one's wish; unwillingly.
"I'll go with you all right," she said to the kidnapper, "but I want it clearly understood that I do so under protest."