Rabbit »
Caught like a rabbit in the headlights.
|
rabble rouser »
Someone or something that tends to inspire mobs; something controversial or provocative.
|
rack one's brain »
To struggle to think of or remember something.
|
rag bagger »
A sailboat, usually a cruising sailboats which tend to carry and store lots of supplies along the deck, or any sailboat that looks like a neglected vessel, or messy vessel.
|
rag bagger »
A sailor who tends to sail on messy cruising vessels.
|
rag doll »
soft toy
|
rag the puck »
To proceed slowly at any activity in order to use up time; to stall for time.
|
rag the puck »
To retain possession of the puck by skillful skating and stickhandling without attempting to score, as a deliberate tactic intended to use up time.
|
rag-chewing »
A phrase used by morse code operators for a longer than usual conversation, generally a conversation extending about 30 minutes.
|
rags to riches »
In a biographical context, from poverty to exceptional wealth.
|
rain cats and dogs »
To rain very heavily.
|
rain check »
In social interactions, a polite way to turn down an invitation, with the implication one is simply postponing it and that another time would be acceptable.
|
rain check »
To provide a service at a later date.
|
rain cheque »
Any postponement, especially of an offer.
|
rain cheque »
Any voucher or note issued by a store to allow a customer to get a special or sale price later if an item is out of stock.
|
rain dogs and cats »
To rain very heavily.
|
rain on someone's parade »
To disappoint or discourage someone.
|
rain or shine »
Regardless of what the circumstances are, and how the weather is.
|
rain pitchforks »
To rain heavily.
|
rained cats and dogs »
poured
|
rainy day »
A difficult period of need, when things do not go right.
|
raise a hand »
To raise one's arm and hand.
|
raise a hand »
To volunteer.
|
raise a stink »
To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.
|
raise Cain »
To behave in a disruptive manner.
|
raise Cain »
To cause trouble.
|
raise hell »
To cause a great disturbance.
|
raise one's hand »
To dare to question.
|
raise one's hand »
To volunteer.
|
raise somebody's hackles »
Make someone angry.
|
raise the bar »
To raise standards or expectations, especially by creating something to a higher standard.
|
raise the flag and see who salutes »
It generates, usually as a preliminary step.
|
raise the spectre »
To cause concern that something unfortunate might happen.
|
raise the stakes »
To increase in significance or risk.
|
raise the stakes »
To raise the stakes of a hand of poker.
|
rake »
A garden tool with a row of pointed teeth fixed to a long handle, used for collecting grass or debris, or for loosening soil.
|
rake »
A lot, plenty.
|
rake »
A set of coupled rail vehicles, normally coaches or wagons.
|
rake »
The direction of slip during fault movement. The rake is measured within the fault plane.
|
rake »
The sloped edge of a roof at or adjacent to the first or last rafter.
|
ramp up »
To increase rapidly to a new value.
|
ramp up »
To be in the process of learning a new ability.
|
ramp up »
Of a project or operation, to start up.
|
rank and file »
Those lacking any particular title or status; those having no station.
|
raring to go »
Extremely eager or anxious to begin.
|
rat race »
An activity or situation which is congested with participants and which is hectic or tedious, especially in the context of a busy, modern urban lifestyle.
|
rat run »
A small road that people venture down when they want to sneak off the motorway and take a short cut.
|
rat running »
Present participle of rat run.
|
rattle off »
To list or recite quickly.
|
rattle someone's cage »
To demand attention; to nag, nudge, or remind.
|
re run »
repeat
|
reach an early grave »
To be sentenced to death before the age of 18.
|
reach an early grave »
To die young. To die before the age of 80.
|
reach an early grave »
To resign near the start for good.
|
reach for the stars »
To have high hopes, to be ambitious.
|
read between the lines »
To infer a meaning that is not stated explicitly.
|
read lips »
To lipread.
|
read out »
To read something and say the words to inform other people.
|
read out »
To read some data and inform the person using the device.
|
read somebody the riot act »
To scold or berate somebody; to reprimand.
|
read somebody's lips »
To discern what somebody is saying by watching the shape of the mouth rather than by hearing the sounds of the words.
|
real deal »
A thing or person which is genuine, authentic, or worthy of serious regard.
|
real job »
A hobby that takes all of a person's free time.
|
real job »
A job that can't be replaced advantageously by a machine or a procedure.
|
real job »
A job which requires the employee to, work regular hours for a consistent wage that often exceeds the provisions of applicable minimum wage legislation. A job that produces a living wage.
|
real Macoy »
The genuine thing, neither a substitute nor an imitation.
|
real McCoy »
The genuine thing, neither a substitute nor an imitation.
|
real McKoy »
The genuine thing, neither a substitute nor an imitation.
|
real men don't eat quiche »
(aphorism, humorous) The stereotypical man does not do things that are considered effeminate, as to do so would imply they are effeminate.
|
reality check »
A check or review to make sure something is consistent, reasonable, etc.
|
reality check »
A wake-up call, reminder.
|
reap what one sows »
To receive as a reward or harvest in the same measure as one's exertions, in a good or a bad sense. To receive justice.
|
rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic »
To do something pointless or insignificant that will soon be overtaken by events, or that contributes nothing to the solution of a current problem.
|
rebound relationship »
A relationship proceeding a longterm relationship, usually short in duration and used to help mend the "broken heart".
|
rebrousser chemin »
To retrace one's steps, to turn back.
|
reckon for »
To answer for; to pay the account for.
|
reckon on »
To count on or depend on.
|
reckon on »
To plan on; to expect.
|
reckon upon »
To count upon or depend upon.
|
reckon upon »
To plan upon; to expect.
|
reckon with »
To settle accounts with or to settle claims with.
|
reckon with »
To deal with.
|
reckon with »
To take into account.
|
reckon without »
To ignore that which cannot readily be ignored.
|
red card »
referee's item
|
red face test »
A hypothetical test of a person's embarrassment, that is either passed or failed. Saying one passes the red face test means one would not blush and thus would not be embarrassed by disclosing something to others or doing something, and saying one fails the red face test means a situation would cause them discernible embarrassment.
|
red flag »
A cue, warning, or alert; a sign or signal that something is wrong.
|
red herring »
A clue that is misleading or that has been falsified, intended to divert attention.
|
red herring »
A smoke-cured herring.
|
red hot »
to be keen; he is the favourite to win
|
red ink »
A euphemism for financial loss.
|
red letter day »
Usually very positive, sometimes very negative.
|
red light »
A sign of a brothel.
|
red light »
A warning light, especially as a traffic signal indicating ‘stop’..
|
red light »
Denial to proceed. Ruling out of any possibility.
|
red mist »
Anger sufficient to cloud judgement, to stop clear thinking.
|
red mist »
Uncontrollable rage.
|
red state »
A state of the United States voting Republican in a given election, or tending to vote Republican in general.
|
red tape »
A derisive term for regulations or bureaucratic procedures that are considered excessive or excessively time- and effort-consuming.
|
red-handed »
In the act of wrongdoing.
|
rediscover fire »
To relearn fundamental concepts, principles or practices that had been previously well known and widely practiced at a prior time in human society.
|
redolent »
Fragrant or aromatic; having a sweet scent.
|
redolent »
Having the smell of.
|
redolent »
Suggestive or reminiscent.
|
reflect on »
To think carefully about something, and give it due consideration.
|
reflect on »
At run-time using reflection.
|
reflect on »
To give an impression of .
|
reflect upon »
To reflect on.
|
rein in »
To stop or slow a horse by pulling the reins.
|
rein in »
To stop or slow something, by exercising control.
|
reinvent the wheel »
To redo work unnecessarily when it has already been done satisfactorily; to rethink an already working system, technique, etc. in a pointless attempt to improve it.
|
rely on »
To be confident in.
|
rely on »
To be dependent upon.
|
remains to be seen »
Is not yet known.
|
rest assured »
Be sure; no need to worry; trust.
|
rest his soul »
Used parenthetically to mark the referent as being deceased.
|
rest on one's laurels »
To rely on a past success instead of trying to improve oneself further.
|
rev up »
To increase the speed of an engine, especially that of a stationary motor car.
|
revenge is a dish best served cold »
An expression that emotional detachment is ideal when taking revenge, as one is righting the wrongs that have been done to the doer.
|
rex-pat »
A repeat expatriate, one who becomes ex-patriated a second time.
|
rhyme off »
To list or recite quickly.
|
rhyme or reason »
Logic. Common sense.
|
ridden hard and put away wet »
Mistreated; not properly cared for.
|
ride herd on »
To supervise a group of people, such as workers, and/or their actions, i.e. their work.
|
ride one's luck »
To avoid failure only by good fortune.
|
ride out »
To tackle a difficult problem and survive.
|
ride roughshod over »
To act in a bullying or inconsiderate manner; to display disregard towards someone or something.
|
ride shotgun »
To assist and protect.
|
ride shotgun »
To ride in the front passenger seat of a vehicle, next to the driver.
|
ride tall in the saddle »
To act or conduct oneself in a manner that is imposing, impressive, resolute, or manly.
|
ride tall in the saddle »
To ride a horse in an erect, imposing manner.
|
ride the rails »
To travel by railway train, trolley, etc.
|
ride the short bus »
To have a need for a special education program, as because learning disabled.
|
ride the short bus »
To participate in a special education program, such as for those with learning disabilities.
|
right as rain »
Correct; factually accurate.
|
right as rain »
Very good; healthy.
|
right away »
Very soon; quickly; immediately.
|
right back »
Used in several informal constructions to indicate return -- especially imminent return to a point of origin.
|
right on »
An expression of enthusiasm or encouragement.
|
right on the money »
Exact; precise; exactly right.
|
rim job »
Anilingus; act where one person licks the other's anus.
|
ring a bell »
To seem at least vaguely familiar.
|
ring around »
To call a number of people by phone, usually a circle of friends, to organise something.
|
ring back »
To return a phone call.
|
ring back »
To make another phone call to the same person.
|
ring false »
To seem to be incorrect, or implausible.
|
ring hollow »
To seem to be false or implausible; to be unconvincing.
|
ring in »
To make a phone call to one's usual place of work.
|
ring off »
To finish a telephone conversation and disconnect.
|
ring off the hook »
Of a telephone, to ring constantly or excessively.
|
ring out »
To sound very loudly.
|
ring out »
To make a phone call from an internal phone system to a general telephone network number.
|
ring round »
To call a number of people by phone, usually a circle of friends, to organise something.
|
ring up »
To telephone, to call on the telephone.
|
ring up »
To enter a payment into a cash register, or till in a shop.
|
ringside seat »
A seat in the front row of a boxing or wrestling match.
|
ringside seat »
Any vantage point providing an excellent view.
|
rip off »
To pull off by ripping.
|
rip off »
To steal, cheat or swindle.
|
rip off »
To copy, especially illegally.
|
rip off »
To charge an exorbitant or unfair rate.
|
rip to shreds »
To rip up, so that only shreds remain.
|
rip to shreds »
To severely devalue, to refute.
|
rip up »
tear into pieces
|
rip up »
tear to pieces
|
rip up »
tear apart
|
rise from the ashes »
To make a comeback after a long hiatus. To come back into common use or practice. To come back into popularity. To come back to being a thing of today.
|
rise up »
To rebel.
|
rise up »
To rise to the surface.
|
rise up »
To rear.
|
rivet counter »
A person who has an obsession with the minutae of their particular interest. Anyone preoccupied with small distinguishing features between different items.
|
roach coach »
Whimsically, a catering or food truck.
|
road apple »
Horse manure, especially when deposited on a road.
|
road movie »
A film in which much of the action takes place during a journey, especially one involving overland travel.
|
road to Damascus »
A road to Damascus moment, or change, is an important point in someone's life where a great change, or reversal, of ideas or beliefs occurs.
|
road to Damascus »
That was my Road to Damascus moment. They played one hit after another and this is the song I remember most clearly.
|
roadwarrior »
A person who carries a mobile device such as a laptop or PDA and uses wireless internet connections to work.
|
roadwarrior »
Alternative spelling of road warrior.
|
rob Peter to pay Paul »
To solve a problem in a way that makes another problem worse.
|
rob the cradle »
To marry or become romantically involved with a much younger person.
|
rob the cradle »
To use a young person for a purpose inappropriate to his or her age.
|
robber baron »
Especially in the 19th-century and early 20th-century, a business tycoon who had great wealth and influence but whose methods were morally questionable.
|
robber baron »
In Europe, an aristocrat who charged exorbitant fees or otherwise exacted money from people who journeyed across land or waterways which he controlled.
|
rock bottom »
The very lowest possible level.
|
rock salmon »
huss
|
rock the boat »
To disturb the status quo or go against rules or conventions, as in an effort to get attention.
|
rock the house »
To jam at a concert, get down.
|
rock up »
To work one's way vertically up a chimney or cleft using a rocking movement.
|
rock up »
To turn up to a place or function unexpectedly, or without notice or prior warning.
|
rocket science »
Anything overly complex, detailed or confusing.
|
rocket science »
The science or study of rockets and their design.
|
rocket scientist »
One specializing in the science or study of rockets and their design.
|
rocket scientist »
Someone qualified to understand or handle that which is overly complex, detailed or confusing; a genius.
|
rocking horse »
toy
|
rocking horse shit »
A metaphor for something exceedingly rare or, more likely, nonexistent.
|
rocking-horse shit »
Alternative form of rocking horse shit.
|
roll down the windows »
To flail one's arms in a circular motion when off-balance, as to mimic the act of rolling down a car window.
|
roll in wealth »
To be very rich.
|
roll out the red carpet »
To extend the utmost hospitality; to treat someone as an honored guest; to welcome or host, especially in a showy or extravagant manner.
|
roll up one's sleeves »
To prepare to work.
|
rolling pin »
kitchen utensil
|
rolling stone »
A person who moves around a lot and never settles down.
|
Rome wasn't built in a day »
It takes a long time to create something complicated or impressive.
|
romper suit »
baby's outfit
|
root around »
Alternative form of root about.
|
root cause »
An initiating cause of a chain of events which leads to an outcome or effect of interest.
|
root up »
To dig or pull up by the roots; to deracinate.
|
ropable »
Alternative spelling of ropeable. Able to be roped.
|
ropable »
Upset; irate.
|
rose-colored glasses »
An optimistic perception of something; a positive opinion; seeing something in a positive way, often thinking of it as better than it actually is.
|
rose-colored glasses »
Glasses that are tinted in a pink or rose shade.
|
rose-coloured »
Cheerfully optimistic.
|
rose-coloured »
Having a pink colour.
|
roses are red »
The start of a generic poem about love.
|
rough and ready »
Crude or unpolished, but still fit for use; good enough.
|
rough around the edges »
In need of refinement; unsophisticated.
|
rough sledding »
A difficult period of time.
|
rough trot »
A series of difficult circumstances.
|
rough up »
To manhandle or beat up.
|
rough up »
To make rough, to roughen.
|
round down »
To the greatest integer that is not greater than it, or to some other lower value, especially a whole number of hundreds, thousands, etc.
|
round of applause »
An outburst of clapping among a group or audience. Often asked for by the Master of Ceremonies at a concert or other performance.
|
round off »
To change the shape of an object to make it more circular.
|
round off »
To change a number into an approximation having fewer significant digits.
|
round off »
To complete or finish something.
|
round out »
To make more complete by adding details.
|
round the bend »
Crazy, mad or insane.
|
round the clock »
Nonstop, 24 hours per day.
|
round up »
Together.
|
round up »
To the smallest integer that is not less than it, or to some other greater value, especially a whole number of hundreds, thousands, etc.
|
royal flush »
poker hand
|
rub in »
To apply by rubbing.
|
rub in »
To irritatingly make a point.
|
rub it in »
To add insult to injury; to emphasize one's strengths or another's weaknesses in a manner that degrades another.
|
rub off on »
To adapt to a way of behaving after constant exposure to it.
|
rub out »
By rubbing.
|
rub out »
To kill.
|
rub out »
delete, erase
|
rub salt in the wound »
To make an injury feel worse.
|
rub somebody the wrong way »
To bother, disturb, irritate, or annoy.
|
rub up against »
To touch something with one's body.
|
rub up against »
To touch another person with one's body in a sexually stimulating manner.
|
rub up against »
Of pets. To touch a person's body in a friendly manner, seeking attention.
|
rubber-chicken dinner »
A formal dinner or event thrown by politicians to raise funds.
|
rubbish dump »
tip
|
ruffle some feathers »
To disturb; to arouse resentment, anger, or concern.
|
rugby league »
sport
|
rule of thumb »
A general guideline, rather than a strict rule; an approximate measure or means of reckoning based on experience or common knowledge.
|
rule out »
To cross an item out by drawing a straight line through it, as with a ruler.
|
rule out »
To reject an option from a list of possibilities.
|
rule out »
To make something impossible.
|
rule with an iron fist »
To rule with absolute authority or to the detriment of the people. To rule tyrannically.
|
rules are made to be broken »
it is acceptable to break rules.
|
rules OK »
To be popularly accepted, or supported by the general majority of people.
|
rum go »
An odd affair; a surprising event; a confusing experience; a queer thing.
|
rumor campaign »
A method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concerning a person or other target, while the source of the rumors tries to avoid detection.
|
rumor mill »
A group or network of persons who originate or promulgate gossip and other unsubstantiated claims.
|
run a bath »
To fill a bathtub with water in preparation for taking a bath.
|
run a mile »
To escape, flee or leave a situation or relationship, usually as a result of a shocking or sudden announcement or revelation.
|
run about »
To be very busy doing many different things.
|
run across »
To cross by running.
|
run across »
To find or discover by chance.
|
run afoul of »
To become entangled in; to run aground on.
|
run afoul of »
To contravene.
|
run after »
To chase.
|
run after »
To make a determined effort to win someone's affections.
|
run along »
To leave.
|
run around »
To be very busy doing many different things.
|
run around after »
To spend a lot of time doing things for another person or group of people. Often used when that person could reasonably do the things for themselves.
|
run around with »
To spend a lot of time with a person or group of people. Often used to talk about a person's group of friends that one does not like much.
|
run away »
To flee by running.
|
run away »
To leave home, or other place of residence, usually unannounced, or to make good on a threat, with such action usually performed by a child or juvenile.
|
run away »
escape
|
run away with »
To leave secretly with another person. Usually with the intention of getting married or of living together against the wishes of the family.
|
run away with »
To be misled by imagining that one's desires can come true.
|
run back »
To take someone home by car. Give someone a lift to their house.
|
run back »
To rewind a film or cassette.
|
run by »
To inform someone briefly of the main points of an idea.
|
run by »
To repeat some information.
|
run down »
To hit someone with a car or other vehicle and injure or kill them.
|
run down »
To criticize someone or an organisation, often unfairly.
|
run down »
To find something or someone after searching for a long time.
|
run down »
To lose power slowly. Used for a machine, battery, or other powered device.
|
run down »
To read quickly a list or other short text.
|
run down »
To reduce the size or stock levels of a business, often with a view to closure.
|
run for »
To try to obtain political position through the democratic voting process.
|
run for office »
To seek political power.
|
run for one's money »
A difficult challenge for the person indicated, especially one involving a competitive situation.
|
run for one's money »
A reasonable opportunity to succeed, perform acceptably, or escape harm, especially in a difficult situation.
|
run for the hills »
Flee.
|
run for the roses »
A college football game or series of games played with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the championship Rose Bowl game.
|
run for the roses »
A hard-fought competition or demanding challenge of any kind.
|
run for the roses »
Nickname for the Kentucky Derby horse race.
|
run hot and cold »
To alternate between two opposite extremes, such as enthusiasm and disinterest or success and failure.
|
run in »
Alternative spelling of run-in.
|
run in »
argument
|
run in »
arrest
|
run into »
To enter by running.
|
run into »
To collide with.
|
run into »
To cause to collide with.
|
run into »
To blend into; to be followed by or adjacent to without there being a clear boundary.
|
run into »
To cause to blend into.
|
run into »
To reach a large figure.
|
run into the ground »
To discuss ad nauseam.
|
run into the ground »
To mismanage to the point of ruin.
|
run into the ground »
To wear out, especially through excessive use.
|
run off »
To flee or depart quickly.
|
run off »
To make photocopies, or print.
|
run off »
To write something quickly.
|
run off »
To pour or spill off or over.
|
run off »
To leave someone without prior advice.
|
run off »
To chase someone away.
|
run off »
To operate by a particular energy source.
|
run off with »
To leave with someone with the intention of living with them or marrying them. Usually in secret because other people think it is wrong.
|
run off with »
To steal or abscond.
|
run on »
To continue without interruption.
|
run on »
To continue talking for a long time.
|
run on »
To operate with a particular energy source.
|
run on fumes »
By extension, to operate with few resources or little money.
|
run on fumes »
To operate a vehicle that is low on fuel.
|
run oneself ragged »
To work or exert oneself to the point of exhaustion.
|
run out »
Alternative spelling of runout.
|
run out of steam »
To run out of energy; to run out of motivation.
|
run out on »
To leave a partner suddenly and without prior warning.
|
run out the clock »
To preserve a lead in a game by retaining possession, to waste time.
|
run over »
To exceed the allotted time.
|
run over »
To cross by running.
|
run over »
To drive over, causing injury or death.
|
run over »
To briefly describe.
|
run over »
To practice quickly, briefly.
|
run over »
To overflow.
|
run over »
to rehearse
|
run rampant »
To go unchecked or without control; to be wild or excessive.
|
run roughshod over »
To treat roughly or without care, respect, or moderation; to act without control; to damage.
|
run scared »
To try everything to avoid defeat.
|
run somebody ragged »
To exhaust; to demand excessive effort or work from somebody.
|
run something by »
To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.
|
run something past »
To bring an idea or proposal to the attention of someone in order to obtain their opinion.
|
run something up the flagpole »
To float an idea that one suspects might be controversial.
|
run the gamut »
To encompass the full range or variety possible.
|
run through »
To go through by running.
|
run through »
To briefly summarise.
|
run through »
To repeat something.
|
run through »
To use completely, in a short space of time. Usually money.
|
run through »
To pervade, of a quality that is characteristic of a group, organisation, or system.
|
run through »
To impale a person with a blade, usually a sword.
|
run to »
To reach a particular maximum amount, size, value, etc.
|
run to »
To reach the limit of one's abilities or tastes.
|
run up »
Of a bowler, to run, or walk up to the bowling crease in order to bowl a ball.
|
run up »
To bring a flag to the top of it's flag pole.
|
run up »
To make something, usually an item of clothing, very quickly.
|
run up »
To accumulate a debt.
|
run up against »
Begin to encounter problems with someone or something.
|
run-of-the-mill »
Ordinary; not special.
|
runner up »
second-placed competitor
|
running on empty »
Losing enthusiasm or willingness, lacking energy.
|
rush hour »
The times of the day when traffic jams are commonplace, due mainly to people commuting to or from work.
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rush hour »
busy travel period
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rustle up »
To quickly prepare something.
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