A
Idioms beginning with "A"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of A:
[at one's beck and call] or [at the beck and call of] {adj. phr.}
Ready and willing to do whatever someone asks; ready to serve at a moment's notice.
A good parent isn't necessarily always at the child's beck and call.
[at one's best] {prep. phr.}
In best form; displaying one's best qualities.
Tim is at his best when he has had a long swim before a ballgame.
Jane rested before the important meeting because she wanted to be at her best.
[at one's door] or [at one's doorstep] {adv. phr.}
1. Very close; very near where you live or work.
Johnny is very lucky because there's a swimming pool right at his doorstep.
* /Mr. Green can get to work in only a few minutes because the subway […]
[at one's elbow] {adv. phr.}
Close beside you; nearby.
The President rode in an open car with his wife at his elbow.
Mary practiced for several years to become a champion swimmer and her mother was always at her elbow to help her.
Contrast: […]
[at one's feet] {adv. phr.}
Under your influence or power.
She had a dozen men at her feet.
Her voice kept audiences at her feet for years.
Compare: [THROW ONESELF AT SOMEONE'S FEET].
[at one's fingertips] {adv. phr.}
1. Within easy reach; quickly touched; nearby.
Seated in the cockpit, the pilot of a plane has many controls at his fingertips.
2. Readily usable as knowledge or skill; familiar.
* /He had several languages at […]
[at one's heels] {adv. phr.}
Close behind; as a constant follower or companion.
The boy got tired of having his little brother at his heels all day.
John ran by the finish line with Ned at his heels.
* /Bad luck followed at his heels all his […]
[at one's service] {adv. phr.}
1. Ready to serve or help you; prepared to obey your wish or command; subject to your orders.
He placed himself completely at the President's service.
* /"Now I am at your service," the dentist told the next […]