a sec
When Dad says he'll be there in a jiffy, he means 20 minutes. in a long time for months or years, for a
dog's age
I haven't seen you in a long time. Where have you been hiding? in a pickle in a difficult situation, in a
jam
When the motor on our boat quit, I knew we were in a pickle. in a pig's ass [B] not true, unbelievable,
bull, full of it
You wrote War and Peace? In a pig's ass! in a pinch in a difficult situation, in a
jam
I was in a pinch because I had no money to pay for the meal. in a rut always doing it the same
way, never changing the method or style
After ten years in the same job with the same manager in the same building, he was in a rut.
in a sec in a second, very soon, in a jiffy
Wait. I'll be there in a sec. in a slump not performing well for
several days
Wayne's in a slump. He hasn't scored a point in four games. in a snit upset, worried, in a stew Ms. Mak is in a snit because she lost her cat.
in a split second in less than a second, in a flash
In a split second, the cat twisted and landed on its feet. in a stew concerned and upset, in a
tizzy
Dad gets in such a stew when Mom is sick. He really worries. in a tight spot in a difficult position, in a
pinch
Mom told me to go, and Dad told me to stay. I was in a tight spot. in a tizzy upset, flustered, in a flap Aunt Lottie gets in a tizzy when she can't find her wig.
in agreement believing or feeling the same things
When we discuss Canadian unity, we're in agreement. in any way, shape or
form
in any way, at all, in the least
Winning the award didn't affect her in any way, shape or form. She hasn't changed at all.
in bad faith not sincere, not really trying to agree
The workers accused management of bargaining in bad faith. in bad shape not feeling well, out of it The day after the party I was in bad shape. How my head ached! in black and white written and signed, in
writing
If they say the car is guaranteed, get it down in black and white. in brief briefly, without giving
details
In brief, all flights have been canceled. in broad daylight easy to see, not trying to
hide
The man undressed right there on the street - in broad daylight. in cahoots like partners, helping
each other
I think the judge and lawyer are in cahoots - working together. in charge responsible for, in control Who's in charge here? Who is the manager or supervisor? in clover becoming wealthy,
receiving lots of money
We were in clover! We bought a ranch, a car, and a house in town. in cold blood without feeling, without
mercy
He's accused of killing a Mountie in cold blood. in control able to manage, in
charge
Mr. Blum is not in control of his pets. They run all over town. in-crowd (See the in-crowd)
in deep doo-doo [B] in serious difficulties, in deep shit, in deep trouble
He's a member of parliament and has been caught twice for tax fraud. Now he's in deep doo-doo.
in deep shit [B] in bad trouble, likely to be punished
If you shoot a bear in a national park, you are in deep shit, man. in deep trouble in serious trouble, sure to
catch hell
Driving without a license could get you in deep trouble. in dire straits in debt, having no money If we don't get a good crop this year, we'll be in dire straits. in dribs and drabs a few at a time, little by
little
Many came to the sale, but they arrived in dribs and drabs. in fact to state a fact, as a
matter of fact, to be perfectly honest
When some people hear the word gravity, they think of falling bodies; in fact, gravity keeps us from falling.
in full flight going full speed, flat out The cyclist was in full flight when he passed the cars. in glowing terms with much praise, praise
you to the skies (see
125
praise him to the skies) in good faith sincerely, hoping to reach
a fair agreement
The union president said that he always bargained in good faith. in good hands cared for by a friend, with
a trusted person
If Darlene is caring for your dad, he's in good hands. in hand able to control, under
control
Some fans began fighting, but the police have things in hand. in heaven's name if we think of heaven, for
heaven's sake
Why in heaven's name did we come to Canada? It's cold here! in her good graces being liked by her, doing
what she likes
If you are in her good graces, you will be invited to her tea party. in his blood an important part of him,
in his personality
The prairie is his blood. He's a prairie boy in his good books among those he likes, on
his list of good people
She's in his good books because she praised his painting. in hock in debt, owing money,
having a large mortgage
We were in hock after buying the property. We had a large debt. in hot water needing discipline or
correction, in deep shit
My son took his pet snake to school, and now he's in hot water. He could be suspended from classes.
in keeping with following the rules or customs
Refunds are not in keeping with company policy. No refunds. in leaf having new leaves,
growing leaves
Poplar trees were in leaf, wild roses in bloom. in love feeling romantic love, fall
in love
Peter's in love with Wendy, but Wendy's in love with Tom. in mind thinking of, remembering,
keep you in mind
When she wrote the story about the lawyer, she had you in mind. in mint condition in new condition, as new The Nash was in mint condition. It looked like a new car.
in my care for me to protect, under my wing
The children were in my care when the dog chased us. in my good books among the people I like,
on my good side
To get in my good books, you can help me with my homework in no time very soon, in a sec We'll be there in no time. We have less than a kilometer to go. in no uncertain terms definitely, clearly, call a
spade a spade
They told us about sex and drugs in no uncertain terms. in one ear and out
the other
not listening, hearing but not paying attention
The kids don't listen to me; it's in one ear and out the other! in one fell swoop in one action, in one
attack, at once
Our TV ad is effective. In one fell swoop we create doubts about the other products and sell our own.
in order to make it possible, to help it happen
In order to win, we have to work as a team. in over your head unable to win, competing
against better players
If you play chess against Boris, you'll be in over your head. in person being there yourself, first
hand
Dad saw the wall come down. He was there in person. in place in the correct position or
location, available
Be sure to have the money in place before you buy a house. in plain view easy to see, where all
can see, in broad daylight
In Daqing, some of the men urinated in plain view - very close to the street.
in point of fact (See in fact)
in seventh heaven in a very good mood, feeling very happy
When Smitty asked me to marry him, I was in seventh heaven. in sick bay very sick, very ill, as sick
as a parrot, as sick as a dog
"Where's Mel?" "In sick bay after last night's pub crawl."
in step doing things in a similar way, together
Are you in step with our youth? Do you understand how they feel? in stir (See in the tank)
in stitches laughing hard, crack me up
I was in stitches before she finished telling the joke. in store for in the future, going to
happen
Carlos didn't know what was in store for him in Canada. in stride (See take it in stride)