in so

in so many words exactly; explicitly; lit-

erally. I told her in so many words to

leave me alone. He said yes, but not in

so many words.

in some neck of the woods in some vicin-

ity or neighborhood; in some remote

place. (Folksy. The some is usually this,

that, your, their, etc.) I think that the

Smiths live in your neck of the woods.

What’s happening over in that neck of the

woods?

in someone else’s place Go to in someone else’s

shoes.

in someone else’s shoes and in someone else’s

place seeing or experiencing something

from someone else’s point of view. (See

the note at in a bind and the examples.

See also put oneself in someone else’s place.)

You might feel different if you were in

her shoes. Pretend you’re in Tom’s place,

and then try to figure out why he acts the

way he does.

in someone’s behalf Go to in behalf of some-

one.

in someone’s favor 1. to someone’s advan-

tage or credit. (Especially in sports

scores, as in the examples below.) The

score was ten to twelve in our favor. At

the end of the second half, the score was

forty to three in the other team’s favor. 2.

liked by someone; approved of by some-

one. (In can be replaced with into. See the

note at in a bind and the examples below.)

John might be able to help me. I hope

I’m currently in his favor. My mother

is mad at me. I’m certainly not in her fa-

vor. I’ll try to get into her favor. 3. and

in favor of someone to someone, as when

writing a check. (See also honor someone’s

check.) Please make out a check for $300

in Tom’s favor. I’m making out the check

in favor of Mr. Brown.

in someone’s or something’s custody Go to in

custody of someone or something.

in someone’s prayers [of someone] remem-

bered and called by name when someone

prays. I am sorry to hear of your sick-

ness. You will be in our prayers. The

whole family is in my prayers because they

have suffered so much.

in some respects and in many respects

with regard to some or many details.

In some respects, Anne’s comments are

similar to yours. The three proposals are

quite different in many respects.

in spite of someone or something regardless of

someone or something; in defiance of

someone or something. In spite of what

you said, I still like you. He went to the

concert in spite of his parents.

in step (with someone or something) 1. [with

someone] [marching or dancing] in ca-

dence with another person; marching

with the same rhythm as someone else.

(In can be replaced with into. See the

note at in a bind and the examples below.)

Please keep in step with Jane. You

two, back there. You aren’t in step. Get

into step! 2. and in time [with some-

thing] keeping in rhythm or cadence with

music. John, your marching isn’t in step

with the beat. I’m trying to play in time.

3. as up to date as someone or something.

Bob is not in step with the times. We

try to keep in step.

in stock readily available, as with goods in

a store. I’m sorry, I don’t have that in

stock. I’ll have to order it for you. We

have all our Christmas merchandise in

stock now.

in storage in a place where things are

stored or kept. Mary placed her winter

clothes in storage during the summer.

John’s furniture is in storage while he is in

the army.

in surgery involved in surgery. Dr. Smith

is in surgery now. The patient is still in

surgery.

in tatters in torn pieces of cloth.

poor man’s clothes hung in tatters.

f lag was in tatters after the storm.

in terms of something relating to something;

with regard to something. In terms of

value to this company, how much do you

think you are worth? Is this a good paint

job on my car—in terms of the quality, not

the color?

in the absence of someone or something while

someone or something isn’t here; without

someone or something. In the absence

of the cook, I’ll prepare dinner. In the

absence of opposition, she won easily.

in the affirmative in the form of an an-

swer that means yes. The soldier an-

swered in the affirmative by nodding his

head “yes.” My manager’s response was

in the affirmative.

in the air everywhere; all about. (Also lit-

eral.) There is such a feeling of joy in the

air. We felt a sense of tension in the air.

in the altogether and in the buff; in the

raw naked; nude. (Informal. In can be re-

placed with into. See in a bind and the ex-

amples below.) We often went swim-

ming in the altogether down at the creek.

The museum has a painting of some

ladies in the buff. Mary felt a little shy

about getting into the altogether.

says he sleeps in the raw.

in the balance in an undecided state. (See

also hang in the balance.) He stood on

the edge of the cliff, his life in the balance.

With his fortune in the balance, John

rolled the dice.

in the best of health very healthy.

is in the best of health. He eats well and ex-

ercises.  I haven’t been in the best of

health. I think I have the f lu.

in the black not in debt; in a financially

profitable condition. (Compare this with

in the red. In can be replaced with into.

See in a bind and the examples below.)

I wish my accounts were in the black.

Sally moved the company into the black.

in the blood and in one’s blood built into

one’s personality or character. John’s a

great runner. It’s in his blood. The whole

family is very athletic. It’s in the blood.

in the bullpen [for a baseball pitcher to be]

in a special place near a baseball playing

field, warming up to pitch. (In can be re-

placed with into. See the note at in a bind

and the examples below.) You can tell

who is pitching next by seeing who is in the

bullpen. Our best pitcher just went into

the bullpen. He’ll be pitching soon.

in the cards in the future. (Informal.)

Well, what do you think is in the cards for

tomorrow? I asked the boss if there was

a raise in the cards for me.

in the care of someone and in the charge

of someone in the keeping of someone. (In

can be replaced with into. See the note

at in a bind and the examples below.)

I left the baby in the care of my mother.

I placed the house into the care of my

friend. Bill left the office in the charge

of his assistant.

in the case of someone or something 1. in the

matter of someone or something; in the

instance of someone or something. (See

also in case of something. Compare this

with in the event of something.) In the

case of John, I think we had better allow

his request. In the case of this woman,

we’ll not grant permission. 2. [with some-

one] in the legal proceedings relating to

someone. (The someone may be con-

tained in the official name of a legal

case.) I recall a similar situation in the

case of Ohio v. Jane Smith. Have they

found any new facts in the case of Bill

Wilson?

in the charge of someone Go to in the care

of someone.

in the chips wealthy; with much money.

(Slang. In can be replaced with into. See

the note at in a bind and the examples be-

low.) John is a stock trader, and occa-

sionally he’s in the chips. Bill really came

into the chips when his uncle died.

in the clear 1. not obstructed; not en-

closed. (In can be replaced with into. See

the note at in a bind and the examples be-

low.) You’re in the clear. Go ahead and

back up. Once the deer got into the clear,

it ran away. 2. innocent; not guilty.

Don’t worry, Tom. I’m sure you’re in the

clear. I’ll feel better when I get into the

clear.

in the context of something in the circum-

stances under which something has hap-

pened. In the context of a funeral,

laughing loudly is inappropriate. In the

context of an argument, it is fine to speak

firmly.

in the course of time Go to in due course.

in the doghouse in trouble; in (someone’s)

disfavor. (Informal. In can be replaced

with into. See in a bind and the examples

below.) I’m really in the doghouse. I was

late for an appointment. I hate being in

the doghouse all the time. I don’t know

why I can’t stay out of trouble.

in the doldrums sluggish; inactive; in low

spirits. (In can be replaced with into. See

the note at in a bind and the examples be-

low.) He’s usually in the doldrums in the

winter. I had some bad news yesterday,

which put me into the doldrums.

in the driver ’s seat in control. (Refers to

driving and controlling a vehicle.) Now

that Fred is in the driver’s seat, there is a

lot less criticism about how things are be-

ing done. Joan can’t wait to get into the

driver’s seat and do what she can to turn

things around.

in the event of something if something hap-

pens. (Compare this with in the case of

someone or something.) In the event of fire,

please leave quickly and quietly. The pic-

nic will be canceled in the event of rain.

in the family Go to (all) in the family.

in the family way Go to in a family way.

in the final analysis and in the last

analysis in truth; when all the facts are

known; when the truth becomes known.

(Usually used when someone is specu-

lating about what the final truth is.) In

the final analysis, it is usually the children

who suffer most in a situation like this.

In the last analysis, you simply do not want

to do as you are told!

in the first instance Go to in the first

place.

in the first place and in the first in-

stance initially; to begin with. (Compare

this with in the second place.) In the

first place, you don’t have enough money

to buy one. In the second place, you don’t

need one. In the first instance, I don’t

have the time. In the second instance, I’m

not interested.

in the forefront (of something) Go to at the

forefront (of something).

in the gutter [for a person to be] in a low

state; depraved. (Also literal. In can be re-

placed with into. See the note at in a bind

and the examples below.) You had bet-

ter straighten out your life, or you’ll end

in the gutter. His bad habits put him

into the gutter.

in the hole in debt. (Informal. In can be

replaced with into with go. See in a bind

and the examples.) I’m $200 in the hole.

Our finances end in the hole every

month. We went into the hole on that

deal.

in the hot seat Go to on the hot seat.

in the interest of someone or something as an

advantage or benefit to someone or

something; in order to advance or im-

prove someone or something. (Formal.)

In the interest of health, people are

asked not to smoke. The police impris-

oned the suspects in the interest of public

safety.

in the interim (between things) in the

meantime; in the time between the end-

ing of something and the beginning of

something else. In the interim between

her morning and afternoon classes, Susan

rushed home to get a book she had forgot-

ten. My favorite show starts in five min-

utes, but I’ll talk to you in the interim.

in their entirety Go to in its entirety.

in the know knowledgeable. (Informal. In

can be replaced with into. See in a bind

and the examples below.) Let’s ask Bob.

He’s in the know. I have no knowledge

of how to work this machine. I think I can

get into the know very quickly, though.

in the lap of luxury in luxurious sur-

roundings. (See the explanation at in a

bind and the examples below.)

lives in the lap of luxury because his fam-

ily is very wealthy. When I retire, I’d like

to live in the lap of luxury.

in the last analysis Go to in the final

analysis.

in the laundry with the clothes that are

waiting to be washed. Is my blue shirt

clean or is it in the laundry? All my socks

are in the laundry. What shall I do?

in the limelight and in the spotlight at

the center of attention. (In can be re-

placed with into. See the note at in a bind

and the examples. Limelight refers to an

obsolete type of spotlight, and the word

occurs only in this phrase.) John will

do almost anything to get himself into the

limelight. I love being in the spotlight.

All elected officials spend a lot of time

in the limelight.

in the line of duty as part of the expected

(military or police) duties. When sol-

diers fight people in a war, it’s in the line

of duty. Police officers have to do things

they may not like in the line of duty.

in the long run over a long period of time;

ultimately. (Compare this with in the

short run.) We’d be better off in the long

run buying one instead of renting one.

In the long run, we’d be happier in the

South.

in the mainstream (of something) follow-

ing the current trends or styles that are

popular or are considered normal. Bob

is too old-fashioned to be in the main-

stream of modern living. Max likes to

make fun of people in the mainstream.

in the market (for something) wanting to

buy something. I’m in the market for

a video recorder. If you have a boat for

sale, we’re in the market.

in the meantime the period of time be-

tween two things; the period of time be-

tween now and when something is sup-

posed to happen. The movie starts at

6:00. In the meantime, let’s eat dinner.

My f light was at 8:00. In the meantime, I

played solitaire.

in the middle of nowhere in a very re-

mote place. (Informal. In can be replaced

with into. See in a bind and the examples

below.) To get to my house, you have to

drive into the middle of nowhere. We

found a nice place to eat, but it’s out in the

middle of nowhere.

in the money 1. wealthy. (Informal. See

also on the money.) John is really in the

money. He’s worth millions. If I am ever

in the money, I’ll be generous. 2. in the

winning position in a race or contest.

(Refers to winning the prize money.)

I knew when Jane came around the final

turn that she was in the money.

horses coming in first, second, and third

are said to be in the money.

in the mood to do something Go to in the

mood for something.

in the near future in the time immediately

ahead. (In can be replaced with into. See

the note at in a bind and the examples be-

low.) I don’t plan to go to Florida in the

near future. Today’s prices won’t extend

into the near future. What do you in-

tend to do in the near future?

in the neighborhood of something Go to

(somewhere) in the neighborhood of

something.

in the nick of time Go to in the (very) nick

of time.

in the nude in a state of nudity. Bill says

he sleeps in the nude. All the little boys

swam in the nude in the creek.

in the offing happening at some time in

the future. (See the note at in a bind and

the examples below.) There is a big in-

vestigation in the offing, but I don’t know

when. It’s hard to tell what’s in the off-

ing if you don’t keep track of things.

in the open in the outdoors; in an area that

is not closed in. John’s bike was stolen

because he left it out in the open. Mary

loves gardening because she loves to be in

the open.

in the pink (of condition) in very good

health; in very good condition, physically

and emotionally. (Informal. In can be re-

placed with into. See in a bind and the ex-

amples below.) The garden is lovely. All

the f lowers are in the pink of condition.

Jane has to exercise hard to get into the

pink of condition. I’d like to be in the

pink, but I don’t have the time.

in the public eye publicly; visible to all;

conspicuous. (In can be replaced with

into. See the note at in a bind and the ex-

amples below.) Elected officials find

themselves constantly in the public eye.

The mayor made it a practice to get into

the public eye as much as possible.

in the raw Go to in the altogether.

in the rear located in the space or area be-

hind someone or something.

waiter told me that the bathrooms were in

the rear. All deliveries must be made in

the rear.

in the red in debt. (Compare this with in

the black and out of the red. In can be

replaced with into. See the note at in a

bind and the examples below.) My ac-

counts are in the red at the end of every

month. It’s easy to get into the red if you

don’t pay close attention to the amount of

money you spend.

in there pitching trying very hard. (Infor-

mal.) Bob is always in there pitching.

Just stay in there pitching. You’ll make

some progress eventually.

in the right place at the right time in

the location where something is to hap-

pen, exactly when it happens. (Usually

about something good.) I got a good

deal on a car because I was in the right

place at the right time. Unless you are

in the right place at the right time, you

won’t get a chance to meet a movie star.

in the running in competition; competing

and having a chance to win. (Compare

this with out of the running. In can be

replaced with into. See the note at in a

bind and the examples below.) Is Tom

still in the running? Does he still have a

chance to be elected? I’m glad I didn’t

get into the running.

in the same boat (as someone) in the same

situation; having the same problem. (In

can be replaced with into. See the expla-

nation at in a bind and the examples be-

low.) TOM: I’m broke. Can you lend me

twenty dollars? BILL: Sorry. I’m in the

same boat. Jane and Mary are both in

the same boat. They have been called for

jury duty.  I am in the same boat as

Mary.

in the same breath [stated or said] almost

at the same time. He told me I was lazy,

but then in the same breath he said I was

doing a good job. The teacher said that

the students were working hard and, in the

same breath, that they were not working

hard enough.

in the second place secondly; in addition.

(Usually said after one has said in the first

place.) In the first place, you don’t have

enough money to buy one. In the second

place, you don’t need one. In the first

place, I don’t have the time. In the second

place, I’m not interested.

in the short run for the immediate future.

(Compare this with in the long run.) In

the short run, we’d be better off saving our money

We decided to rent an apart-

ment in the short run. We can buy a house

later.

in the spotlight Go to in the limelight.

in the swim of things involved in or par-

ticipating in events or happenings. (The

in can be replaced with into. See the ex-

planation at in a bind and the examples.

The opposite of out of the swim of

things.) I’ve been ill, but soon I’ll be

back in the swim of things. I can’t wait

to settle down and get into the swim of

things.

in the trust of someone under the respon-

sibility or in the care of someone. The

state placed the orphan in the trust of the

foster parents. Our bonds are left in the

trust of our broker.

in the twinkling of an eye very quickly.

(A biblical reference.) In the twinkling

of an eye, the deer had disappeared into

the forest. I gave Bill ten dollars and, in

the twinkling of an eye, he spent it.

in the unlikely event of something and in

the unlikely event that something happens

if something—which probably will not

happen—actually happens. (Compare

this with in the event of something.) In

the unlikely event of my getting the job, I’ll

have to buy a car to get there every day.

In the unlikely event of a fire, please

walk quickly to an exit.

in the unlikely event that something happens

Go to in the unlikely event of something.

in the (very) nick of time just in time; at

the last possible instant; just before it’s

too late. The doctor arrived in the nick

of time. The patient’s life was saved. I

reached the airport in the very nick of

time.

in the wake of something after something;

as a result of some event. (Refers to the

wake of a boat.) We had no place to live

in the wake of the fire. In the wake of

the storm, there were many broken tree

limbs.

I’ve seen nothing in the way of nice

weather in this part of the country.

in the wind about to happen. (Also literal.)

There are some major changes in the

wind. Expect these changes to happen

soon. There is something in the wind.

We’ll find out what it is soon.

in the works being prepared; being

planned; being done. (Informal.) There

are some new laws in the works that will

affect all of us. I have some ideas in the

works that you might be interested in.

in the world Go to on earth.

in the worst way very much. (Also literal.

Informal.) I want a new car in the worst

way. Bob wants to retire in the worst

way.

in the wrong on the wrong or illegal side

of an issue; guilty or in error. (Compare

this with in the right.) I felt she was in

the wrong, but the judge ruled in her fa-

vor. It’s hard to argue with Jane. She al-

ways believes that everyone else is in the

wrong.

in the wrong place at the wrong time

in the location where something is to

happen exactly when it happens. (Usually

about something bad.) I always get into

trouble. I’m just in the wrong place at the

wrong time. It isn’t my fault. I was just

in the wrong place at the wrong time.