A
Idioms beginning with "A"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of A:
[answer for] {v.}
1. To take responsibility for; assume charge or supervision of.
The secret service has to answer for the safety of the President and his family.
2. To say you are sure that (someone) has good character or ability; guarantee: […]
[answer one's calling] {v. phr.}
To fulfill one's destiny in terms of work or profession by doing what one has a talent for.
Don answered his calling when he became a chiropractor. Susy answered her calling when she became a violinist.
[answer the call of nature] or [obey the call of nature] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To go to the bathroom to relieve oneself by urinating or defecating.
* /Ted was hiking in the mountains when suddenly he had to answer the call of nature but since there was no […]
[answer to] {v.}
To be named; go by a certain name or designation; be accountable.
When you walk my dog, please remember that he answers to the name "Caesar."
As head of the company she does not have to answer to anyone.
[ante up] {v.}, {informal}
To produce the required amount of money in order to close a transaction; to pay what one owes.
"I guess I'd better ante up if I want to stay an active member of the Association", Max said.
[ants in one's pants] {n. phr.}, {slang}
Nervous over-activity; restlessness.
Jane can not sit still; she has ants in her pants.
You have ants in your pants today. Is something wrong?
[a number] {n.}
A rather large number; numbers. — Used when there are more than several and fewer than many.
The parents were invited to see the program, and a number came.
* /We knew the Smiths rattier well; we had visited them a number of […]
[any number] {n.}, {informal}
A large number; many.
There are any number of reasons for eating good food.
Don't ask George what his excuse is. He can invent any number.
Compare: [A LOT], [A NUMBER], [GOOD MANY].
[any old how] / [any old way] {adv. phr.}, {informal}
Doing something in a casual, haphazard, or careless way.
"John," the teacher said, "you can't just do your homework any old way; you must pay attention to my instructions!"