W
Idioms beginning with "W"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of W:
[while away] {v.}
To make time go by pleasantly or without being bored; pass or spend.
We whiled away the time that we were waiting by talking and playing cards.
We whiled away the summer swimming and fishing.
[while back] {adv.}
At a time several weeks or months in the past. — Used with "a".
We had a good rain a while back, but we need more now.
Grandfather is well now, but a while back he was in the hospital for three weeks.
See: [CRACK THE WHIP].
[whipping boy] {n. phr.}
The person who gets punished for someone else's mistake.
"I used to be the whipping boy during my early days at the company," he musingly remembered.
[whip up] {v.}, {informal}
1. To make or do quickly or easily.
Mary whipped up a lunch for the picnic.
The reporter whipped up a story about the fire for his paper.
2. To make active; stir to action; excite.
* /The girls are trying to whip […]
[whispering campaign] {n.}
The spreading of false rumors, or saying bad things, about a person or group, especially in politics or public life.
A bad man has started a whispering campaign against the mayor, saying that he isn't honest.
[whistle for] {v.}, {informal}
To try to get (something) but fail; look for (something) that will not come.
Mary didn't even thank us for helping her, so the next time she needs help she can whistle for it.
[whistle in the dark] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To try to stay brave and forget your fear.
Tom said he could fight the bully with one hand, but we knew that he was just whistling in the dark.
(From the fact that people sometimes whistle when walking in […]