attached

attached to someone or something fond of

something or something. John is really

attached to his old-fashioned ideas. I’m

really attached to this old house.

attract someone’s attention to cause some-

one to take notice; to get someone’s at-

tention. I called and waved to attract

Ann’s attention. A small yellow f lower

attracted my attention.

augur well for someone or something to indi-

cate or predict good things for someone

or something. (Usually in the negative.)

This latest message does not augur well

for the hostages. I am afraid that this

does not augur well for the outcome of the

election.

avenue of escape the pathway or route

along which someone or something es-

capes. The open window was the bird’s

only avenue of escape from the house.

Bill saw that his one avenue of escape was

through the back door.

avoid someone or something like the plague

to avoid someone or something totally.

(Informal.) What’s wrong with Bob?

Everyone avoids him like the plague. I

don’t like opera. I avoid it like the plague.

away from one’s desk not available for a

telephone conversation; not available to

be seen. (Sometimes said by the person

who answers a telephone in an office. It

means that the person whom the caller

wants is not immediately available due to

personal or business reasons.) I’m

sorry, but Ann is away from her desk just

now. Can you come back later? Tom is

away from his desk, but if you leave your

number, he will call you right back.

awkward as a cow on a crutch Go to (as)

awkward as a cow on a crutch.

awkward as a cow on roller skates Go

to (as) awkward as a cow on roller skates.

AWOL Go to absent without leave.