F
Idioms beginning with "F"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of F:
[fifth column] {n. phr.}
A group or organization within a country that works to bring about the country's downfall, usually through acts of espionage and sabotage.
* /The Communist party in the United States was considered by Senator McCarthy to be the […]
[fifty-fifty] (1) {adv.}, {informal}
Equally; evenly.
The two boys divided the marbles they won fifty-fifty.
When Dick and Sam bought an old car, they divided the cost fifty-fifty.
[fifty-fifty] (2) {adj.}, {informal}
1. Divided or shared equally.
It will be a fifty-fifty arrangement; half the money for me and half for you.
2. Half for and half against; half good and half bad.
* /There is only a fifty-fifty chance that we […]
[fight fire with fire] {v. phr.}, {slightly formal}, {of Biblical origin}
To fight back in the same way one was attacked; make a defense similar to the attack.
The candidate was determined to fight fire with fire in the debate.
[fighting chance] {n. phr.}
A chance that necessitates struggle and courage; a slim chance.
The doctor told the family that Jack had a fighting chance to recover.
* /Our business lost a lot of money, but we have a fighting chance to stage a […]
[fight off] {v. phr.}
1. To struggle against someone so as to free oneself; push an attacker back.
Suzy fought off her two attackers in Central Park with a couple of karate chops.
2. To strive to overcome something negative.
* /After twelve […]
[fight shy of] {v. phr.}
To avoid; escape from.
Jack always fights shy of anything that even remotely resembles serious work.