Also: Close at hand Near at hand Meaning of Idiom ‘At Hand’ 1. To be at hand means to be nearby; within easy reach and ready to use. 1Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013., 2McCarthy, Michael. Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms. Cambridge University Press, 2002 2. In reference to time, soon … Read more
Meaning of Idiom ‘Ill at Ease’ To be ill at ease means to be uneasy, uncomfortable, feel nervous or awkward. 1Spears, Richard A. McGraw-Hill’s American Idioms Dictionary. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008.,2Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. Usage “How are you feeling about the new promotion?” asked Betty. “I feel a bit ill at … Read more
Meaning of Idiom ‘At Your (or one’s) Fingertips’ When something is at your fingertips it is in a convenient place, is easy to find or is readily available or accessible; easy to get and to use immediately. 1Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.,2Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.,3McIntosh, Colin. Cambridge … Read more
Meaning of Idiom ‘At Your (or one’s) Wit’s End’ To be at your wit’s end means that you are so confused, puzzled, or upset or have encountered so many difficulties that you have no idea what to do. 1Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. 2Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford … Read more
Also: At the end of your (or one’s) tether (U.K.) Meaning of Idiom ‘At the End of Your (or one’s) Rope To be at the end of your rope means that you have reached the limit of your patience, resources, abilities, energy, etc. and so are unable to deal with a situation any longer. 1Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English … Read more
Also: In the end Meaning of Idiom ‘At the End of the Day’ At the end of the day is a quite commonly used and misunderstood idiom since it makes literal sense if used to actually refer to the end of the day. When used as an idiom, it has a similar meaning to the idiom when all … Read more
Meaning of the Idiom ‘at Loggerheads’ To be ‘at loggerheads’ means to be engaged in a quarrelsome argument; strongly disagreeing. This somewhat formal idiom tends to carry the connotation of being unable to reach an agreement. Usage “The union has been at loggerheads with management on the benefits package for months now.” “Peace talks are … Read more
Meaning of Idiom ‘At Length’ At length means in full detail, for a long time. 1Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. 2Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth M. The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms. Ware: Wordsworth, 1995. Usage The idiom is used in regards to speaking or writing about a subject. Examples: “The CEO talked at length … Read more
Meaning of Idiom ‘At Last” or ‘At Last’ The idiom ‘at last’ is used the same way as adverb finally, to mean after a long time or delay. It may have the connotation of something finally occurring after a long period of difficulty or irritation. At long last is a more emphatic version of the same … Read more
Meaning of Idiom ‘At Large’ To be at large means to be free; not in custody, imprisoned, or otherwise confined. A synonym for on the loose. Less Common Meanings 1. At length, fully; generally. 2. Elected to represent an entire group rather than just a segment. 1Jarvie, Gordon. Bloomsbury Dictionary of Idioms. London: Bloomsbury, 2009. 2Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary … Read more