U
Idioms beginning with "U"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of U:
[up a tree] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}
1. Hunted or chased into a tree; treed.
The dog drove the coon up a tree so the hunter could shoot him.
2. {informal} in trouble; having problems; in a difficulty that it is hard to escape or think of a way out […]
[up against] {prep. phr.}
Blocked or threatened by.
When she applied to medical school, the black woman wondered whether she was up against barriers of sex and race prejudice.
[up against it] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Faced with a great difficulty or problem; badly in need.
The Smith family is up against it because Mr. Smith cannot find a job.
* /You will be up against it if you don't pass the test. You will probably fail […]
[up and about] or [around] {adv. phr.}
Recovered and able to move about; once again in good health after an illness.
My sister was ill for several weeks, but is now up and about again.
[up and at them]
1. {adv. phr.}
Actively engaged in a task as if doing combat.
"You want to know whether he will make a diligent worker?" Dick asked. "Well, I can tell you that most of the time he is up and at them like no one else I know."
2. […]
[up for grabs] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Available for anyone to try to get; ready to be competed for; there for the taking.
When the captain of the football team moved out of town, his place was up for grabs.
[up front] (1) {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
The managerial section of a corporation or firm.
Joe Catwallender finally made it (with the) up front.
[up front] (2) {adj.}, {slang}, {informal}
Open, sincere, hiding nothing.
Sue was completely up front about why she didn't want to see him anymore.
[up in arms] {adj. phr.}
1. Equipped with guns or weapons and ready to fight.
All of the colonies were up in arms against the Redcoats.
Syn.: [IN ARMS].
2. Very angry and wanting to fight.
* /Robert is up in arms because John said he was […]
[up in the air] {adj.} or {adv. phr.}
1. {informal}
In great anger or excitement.
My father went straight up in the air when he heard I damaged the car.
The Jones family are all up in the air because they are taking a trip around the world.
[…]