A
Idioms beginning with "A"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of A:
[as if] or [as though] {conj.}
1. As (he, she, it) would if; in the same way one would if seeing to show.
The baby laughed as if he understood what Mother said.
The book looked as though it had been out in the rain.
* /The waves dashed on the […]
[as if one has come out of a bandbox]
See: [LOOK AS IF ONE HAS COME OUT OF A BANDBOX].
[as is] {adv.}
Without changes or improvements; with no guarantee or promise of good condition. — Used after the word it modifies.
They agree to buy the house as is.
He bought an old car as is.
Compare: [AT THAT] (1).
[as it were] {adv. phr.}
As it might be said to be; as if it really were; seemingly. — Used with a statement that might seem silly or unreasonable, to show that it is just a way of saying it.
* /In many ways children live, as it were, in a different […]
[ask for] {v.}, {informal}
To make (something bad) likely to happen to you; bring (something bad) upon yourself.
Charles drives fast on worn-out tires; he is asking for trouble.
* /The workman lost his job, but he asked for it by coming to work […]
[ask for one's hand] {v. phr.}
To ask permission to marry someone.
"Sir," John said timidly to Mary's father, "I came to ask for your daughter's hand."
[ask for the moon] or [cry for the moon] {v. phr.}
To want something that you cannot reach or have; try for the impossible.
John asked his mother for a hundred dollars today. He's always asking for the moon.
Compare: [PROMISE THE MOON].
[asleep at the switch] {adj. phr.}
1. Asleep when it is one's duty to move a railroad switch for cars to go on the right track.
The new man was asleep at the switch and the two trains crashed.
2. {informal}
Failing to act promptly as expected, […]
[as likely as not] {adv. phr.}
Probably.
As likely as not, he will disappear forever.