O
Idioms beginning with "O"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of O:
[on one's part] or [on the part of one] {adj. phr.}
1. Of or by you; of someone's.
When Miss Brown said I was a good student, that was pure kindness on her part.
The other team blamed their defeat on unfairness on the part of the referee.
2. […]
[on one's shoulders] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}
In your care; as your responsibility.
The success of the program rests on your shoulders.
He acts as if he had the cares of the world on his shoulders.
[on one's toes] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Alert; ready to act.
The successful ball player is always on his toes.
Compare: [HEADS-UP], [ON THE BALL].
[on one's uppers] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Very poor.
Mr. White had been out of work for several months and was on his uppers.
Compare: [DOWN ON ONE'S LUCK].
[on pain of] also [under pain of] {prep.}, {formal}
At the risk of; under penalty of.
The workers went on strike on pain of losing their jobs.
The rebels had to swear under pain of death never to confess where their comrades were hiding.
[on paper] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}
Judging by appearances only and not by past performance; in theory; theoretically.
On paper, the American colonies should have lost the Revolutionary War.
* /The football team lost many games, even though they […]
[on pins and needles] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
Worried; nervous.
Jane's mother was on pins and needles because Jane was very late getting home from school.
Many famous actors are on pins and needles before the curtain opens for a play.
[on purpose] {adv. phr.}
For a reason; because you want to; not accidentally.
Jane did not forget her coat; she left it in the locker on purpose.
The clown fell down on purpose.
[on record] {adj. phr.}
1. An official or recorded statement or fact; said for everyone to know.
We do not know when the famous writer was born, but the date of his death is on record.
* /The two candidates went on television to put their ideas on […]