W
Idioms beginning with "W"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of W:
[wade in] or [wade into] {v.}, {informal}
1. To go busily to work.
The house was a mess after the party, but Mother waded in and soon had it clean again.
2. To attack.
When Bill had heard Jim's argument, he waded in and took it apart.
* […]
[wade through] {v. phr.}
To read through something long and laborious.
It took John six months to wade through Tolstoy's War and Peace in the original Russian.
[wag one's chin] or [chinwag]
See:
[BEAT ONE'S GUMS],
[CHEW THE FAT],
[CHEW THE RAG],
[SHOOT THE BREEZE].
[wagon]
See:
[FIX SOMEONE'S WAGON],
[HITCH ONE'S WAGON TO A STAR],
[JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON],
[OFF THE WAGON],
[ON THE WAGON].
[wait at table] or [wait on table] or [wait table] {v. phr.}
To serve food.
Mrs. Lake had to teach her new maid to wait on table properly.
The girls earn spending money by waiting at table in the school dining rooms.
[wait on] or [wait upon] {v.}
1. To serve.
Sue has a summer job waiting on an invalid.
The clerk in the store asked if we had been waited upon.
2. {formal}
To visit as a courtesy or for business.
* /We waited upon the widow out of respect […]
[wait on hand and foot] {v. phr.}
To serve in every possible way; do everything for (someone).
Sally is spoiled because her mother waits on her hand and foot.
The gentlemen had a valet to wait on him hand and foot.
Compare: [HAND AND FOOT].
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