picture

the picture of something the perfect exam-

ple of something; an exact image of

something. The young newlyweds were

the picture of happiness. Our family is

just the picture of love and joy. The doc-

tor says I am the picture of health.

pie in the sky a future reward after death,

considered as a replacement for a reward

not received on earth. You expect to get

rich from this scheme, but that’s just pie

in the sky. His promises are just pie in

the sky! He is a liar if I ever saw one.

piece of cake very easy. (Slang.) No, it

won’t be any trouble. It’s a piece of cake.

It’s easy! Look here—piece of cake.

a piece of the action a share in a scheme

or project; a degree of involvement.

(Slang.) If you guys are going to bet on

the football game, I want a piece of the ac-

tion, too. My brother wants in on it.

Give him a piece of the action.

a piercing scream a very loud and shrill

scream. Suddenly, there was a piercing

scream from the next room. Bob heard

Susan’s piercing scream and ran to help

her.

pile out (of something) to get out of some-

thing roughly. Okay, kids, pile out!

The car door burst open, and the children

piled out.

pile something up to crash or wreck some-

thing. (Also literal meaning “to heap

something up.”) Drive carefully if you

don’t want to pile the car up. T The dri-

ver piled up the car against a tree.

pile up to crash or wreck. (Also literal.)

The car piled up against the tree.

bus piled up on the curve.

a pillar of strength and a pillar of sup-

port; a tower of strength someone or

something that consistently provides

moral, emotional, or financial support as

does a pillar. My parents are my pil-

lars of support. The minister looked to

God as her pillar of strength. Jack was

a tower of strength during the time that his

father was unemployed.

a pillar of support Go to a pillar of

strength.

pin one’s faith on someone or something and

pin one’s hope(s) on someone or something

to put one’s hope, trust, or faith in some-

one or something. I’m pinning my faith

on your efforts. Don’t pin your hopes on

Tom. He’s not dependable.

pin one’s hope(s) on someone or something Go

to pin one’s faith on someone or something.

pin someone down to force someone to

make a decision or choice. (See also on

pins and needles.) The doctor tried to

pin Jane Smith down for her next ap-

pointment. I won’t make up my mind

for a week so don’t try to pin me down

now.

pin someone down (on something) to force

someone to explain or clarify something.

(Also literal. Informal.) Try to pin her

down on the time. T Pin down Jane on ex-

actly what she means. Please find out

exactly how much it costs. Pin them down

on the price.

pin someone’s ears back to scold someone

severely; to beat someone. (Slang.)

Tom pinned my ears back because I in-

sulted him. I got very mad at John and

wanted to pin his ears back, but I didn’t.

pin something on someone to place the blame

for something on someone. (Also literal.

Slang.) I didn’t take the money. Don’t

try to pin it on me. I wasn’t even there.

The police managed to pin the crime on

Bob.

pinch-hit (for someone) to substitute for

someone. (Originally from baseball,

where it refers to a substitute batter.)

Will you pinch-hit for me at band practice?

Sorry, I can’t pinch-hit. I don’t have the

time.

pins and needles a tingling feeling in

some part of one’s body, especially the

arms and legs. (See also on pins and needles

I’ve got pins and needles in my

legs. Mary gets pins and needles if she

crosses her arms for long.

a pipe dream a wish or an idea that is im-

possible to achieve or carry out. (From

the dreams or visions induced by the

smoking of an opium pipe.) Going to

the West Indies is a pipe dream. We’ll never

have enough money. Your hopes of win-

ning a lot of money are just a silly pipe

dream.

pipe up with something to speak up and say

something, especially with a high-

pitched voice. Billy piped up with a silly

remark. Did I hear somebody pipe up

with an insult?

piping hot [of food] extremely hot. On

a cold day, I like to eat piping hot soup.

Be careful! This coffee is piping hot!

pique someone’s curiosity and pique some-

one’s interest to arouse interest; to arouse

curiosity. The advertisement piqued my

curiosity about the product. The pro-

fessor tried to pique the students’ interest

in French literature.

pique someone’s interest Go to pique some-

one’s curiosity.

pit someone or something against someone or

something to set someone or something in

opposition to someone or something.

The rules of the tournament pit their team

against ours. John pitted Mary against

Sally in the tennis match. In an inter-

esting plowing match, Bill pitted himself

against a small tractor.

pitch a tent to erect a tent at a campsite.

The campers pitched their tent in a

clearing in the woods. I pitched my tent

next to a large oak tree.

pitch-black very black; as black as pitch.

The hearse was pitch-black. The ban-

dit rode on a pitch-black horse and wore

black clothing.

pitch camp to set up or arrange a camp-

site. We pitched camp near the stream.

Two campers went ahead of us to pitch

camp while it was still light.

pitch in (and help) to get busy and help

(with something). Pick up a paintbrush

and pitch in and help. Why don’t some

of you pitch in? We need all the help we can get

pitch someone a curve (ball) to surprise

someone with an unexpected act or

event. (Alluding to pitching a curve ball

in baseball. It is the route of the ball that

is curved, not the ball itself.) You really

pitched me a curve ball when you said I

had done a poor job. I did my best. You

asked Tom a hard question. You certainly

pitched him a curve.

the pits the worst possible. (Slang.) John

is such a boring person. He’s the pits.

This restaurant isn’t the best, but it’s not

the pits either.

place an order to submit an order. My

secretary placed an order for a new com-

puter. I placed my order only yesterday.

[place of business] Go to someone’s place

of business.

place someone to recall someone’s name; to

recall the details about a person that

would help you identify the person. I

am sorry, I can’t seem to place you. Could

you tell me your name again? I can’t

place her. Did I meet her once before?

place the blame on someone or something Go

to put the blame on someone or something.

a place to call one’s own Go to somewhere

to hang (up) one’s hat.

a place to hang one’s hat Go to somewhere

to hang (up) one’s hat.

plain and simple Go to pure and simple.

plain as a pikestaff Go to (as) plain as a

pikestaff.

plain as day Go to (as) plain as day.

plain as the nose on one’s face Go to (as)

plain as the nose on one’s face.

play about (with someone or something) Go

to play around (with someone or something).

play a joke on someone to make a joke that

tricks someone. The children played a

joke on their teacher. I don’t like it when

you play jokes on me.

play along with someone or something to

agree to cooperate or conspire with

someone or someone’s plan; to pretend to

agree to cooperate or conspire with

someone or someone’s plan. I refused

to play along with the treasurer when she

outlined her plan. It might be wise to

play along with the kidnappers, at least for

a little while. I’ll play along with your

scheme until the others get here, but I don’t

like it.

play around (with someone or something)

and play about (with someone or some-

thing) to engage in some amusing activ-

ity with someone or something; to tease

someone or something. Please don’t

play around with that vase. You’ll break

it. Don’t play about with the parrot. It’ll

bite you. Bill and I were just playing

around when we heard the sound of break-

ing glass.

play a trick on someone to do a trick that

affects someone. Somebody played a

trick on me by hiding my shoes. The lit-

tle boys planned to play a trick on their

teacher by turning up the heat in the

classroom.

play ball (with someone) to cooperate with

someone. (Literal when referring to play-

ing a ball game. Informal.) Look,

friend, if you play ball with me, everything

will work out all right. Things would go

better for you if you’d learn to play ball.

play both ends (against the middle) [for

one] to scheme in a way that pits two

sides against each other (for one’s own

gain). (Informal.) I told my brother

that Mary doesn’t like him. Then I told

Mary that my brother doesn’t like her.

They broke up, so now I can have the car

this weekend. I succeeded in playing both

ends against the middle. If you try to

play both ends, you’re likely to get in trou-

ble with both sides.

play by ear Go to play something by ear.

a play-by-play description a description

of an event given as the event is taking

place. (Usually in reference to a sporting

event.) And now here is Bill Jones with

a play-by-play description of the baseball

game. John was giving me a play-by-

play description of the argument going on

next door.

play cat and mouse (with someone) to al-

ternate between kinds of behavior when

dealing with someone, often in matters

of pursuit. The police played cat and

mouse with the suspect until they had suf-

ficient evidence to make an arrest. Tom

had been playing cat and mouse with Ann.

Finally she got tired of it and broke up with

him.

play dumb Go to play ignorant.

play fair to do something by the rules; to

play something in a fair and just manner.

John won’t play with Bill anymore be-

cause Bill doesn’t play fair. You moved

the golf ball with your foot! That’s not

playing fair!

play fast and loose (with someone or some-

thing) to act carelessly, thoughtlessly, and

irresponsibly. (Informal.) I’m tired of

your playing fast and loose with me. Leave

me alone. Bob got fired for playing fast

and loose with the company’s money. If

you play fast and loose like that, you can

get into a lot of trouble.

play first chair 1. to be the leader of a sec-

tion of instruments in an orchestra or a

band. Sally learned to play the violin so

well that she now plays first chair in the

orchestra. I’m going to practice my f lute

so I can play first chair. 2. to act as a

leader. I need to get this job done. Who

plays first chair around here? You’re not

the boss! You don’t play first chair.

play footsie (with someone) 1. to attract

someone’s attention by touching feet un-

der the table; to flirt with someone. (In-

formal.) Bill was trying to play footsie

with Sally at the dinner table. The hostess

was appalled. They shouldn’t play foot-

sie at a formal dinner. 2. to get involved

with someone; to collaborate with some-

one. (Informal.) The treasurer got fired

for playing footsie with the vice president.

When politicians play footsie, there is

usually something illegal going on.

play for keeps to take an action that is per-

manent or final. (Slang.) Mary told me

that Tom wants to marry me. I didn’t

know he wanted to play for keeps. I like

to play cards and make money, but I don’t

like to play for keeps.

play hard to get to be coy, shy, and fickle.

(Usually refers to someone of the oppo-

site sex.) Why can’t we go out? Why do

you play hard to get? Sally annoys all the

boys because she plays hard to get.

play havoc with someone or something Go to

raise havoc with someone or something.

play hob with someone or something Go to

raise hob with someone or something.

play hooky not to go to school or to some

important meeting. (Slang.) Why

aren’t you in school? Are you playing

hooky? I don’t have time for the sales

meeting today, so I think I’ll just play

hooky.

play ignorant and play dumb to pretend

to be ignorant [of something]. I played

ignorant even though I knew about the

surprise party.  John played ignorant

when I asked him if he knew who had been

on the telephone.

play innocent to pretend to be innocent

and not concerned. There is no need to

play innocent. I know you broke the lamp!

John is playing innocent, and he knows

more than he is telling us.

play into someone’s hands [for a person one

is scheming against] to come under one’s

control without realizing it. John is do-

ing exactly what I hoped he would. He’s

playing into my hands. John played into

my hands by taking the coins he found in

my desk. I caught him and had him

arrested.

play it cool to act calm and unconcerned.

(Slang.) No one will suspect anything

if you play it cool. Don’t get angry, Bob.

Play it cool.

play it safe to be or act safe; to avoid tak-

ing a risk. You should play it safe and

take your umbrella. If you have a cold

or the f lu, play it safe and go to bed.

play one’s cards close to one’s vest Go to

play one’s cards close to the chest.

play one’s cards close to the chest and

play one’s cards close to one’s vest;

keep one’s cards close to one’s chest;

keep one’s cards close to one’s vest [for

someone] to work or negotiate in a care-

ful and private manner. (Literal when re-

ferring to concealing one’s cards in a card

game.) It’s hard to figure out what John

is up to because he plays his cards close to

his chest.  Don’t let them know what

you’re up to. Keep your cards close to your

vest.

play one’s cards right and play one’s cards

well to work or negotiate correctly and

skillfully. (Also literal. Informal.) If

you play your cards right, you can get

whatever you want. She didn’t play her

cards well, and she ended up with some-

thing less than what she wanted.

play one’s cards well Go to play one’s cards

right.

play one’s trump card to use a special trick;

to use one’s most powerful or effective

strategy or device. (Also literal. Infor-

mal.) I won’t play my trump card until

I have tried everything else. I thought

that the whole situation was hopeless un-

til Mary played her trump card and solved

the whole problem.

play on something to have an effect on some-

thing; to manage something for a desired

effect. The clerk played on my sense of

responsibility in trying to get me to buy the

book. See if you can get her to confess by

playing on her sense of guilt.

play politics 1. to negotiate politically.

Everybody at city hall is playing politics

as usual. If you’re elected as a member

of a political party, you’ll have to play pol-

itics. 2. to allow politics to dominate in

matters where principle should prevail.

Look, I came here to discuss this trial, not

play politics. They’re not making rea-

sonable decisions. They’re playing politics.

play second fiddle (to someone) to be in a

subordinate position to someone. I’m

tired of playing second fiddle to John.

I’m better trained than he, and I have

more experience. I shouldn’t play second

fiddle.

play someone for something to treat someone

like (a) something. (Slang. Compare this

with take someone for someone or something.)

Don’t play me for a fool! I know what’s

going on. They played her for a jerk, but

were they surprised!

play someone off against someone else to

scheme in a manner that pits two of your

adversaries against one another. Bill

wanted to beat me up and so did Bob. I did

some fast talking, and they ended up fight-

ing with each other. I really played Bill off

against Bob. The president played the

House off against the Senate and ended up

getting his own way.

play someone or something down to lessen the

effect or importance of someone or

something. John is a famous actor, but

the director tried to play him down as just

another member of the cast. T They tried

to play down her earlier arrest.

play someone or something up to make some-

one or something seem to be more im-

portant. The director tried to play Ann

up, but she was not really a star. T Try to

play up the good qualities of our product.

play (the) devil’s advocate to put forward

arguments against or objections to a

proposition—which one may actually

agree with—purely to test the validity of

the proposition. (The devil’s advocate

was given the role of opposing the

canonization of a saint in the medieval

Church in order to prove that the

grounds for canonization were sound.)

I agree with your plan. I’m just playing the

devil’s advocate so you’ll know what the

opposition will say. Mary offered to play

devil’s advocate and argue against our case

so that we would find out any f laws in it.

play the field to date many different peo-

ple rather than going steady. (Informal.

See also go steady with someone.) When

Tom told Ann good-bye, he said he wanted

to play the field. He said he wanted to

play the field while he was still young.

play the fool to act in a silly manner in

order to amuse other people. The

teacher told Tom to stop playing the fool

and sit down. Fred likes playing the fool,

but we didn’t find him funny last night.

play the market to invest in the stock mar-

ket, perhaps recklessly. (Informal. As if it

were a game or gambling.) Would you

rather put your money in the bank or play

the market? I’ve learned my lesson play-

ing the market. I lost a fortune.

play to the gallery to perform in a man-

ner that will get the strong approval of

the audience; to perform in a manner

that will get the approval of the ruder

members of the audience. John is a

competent actor, but he has a tendency to

play to the gallery. When he made the

rude remark, he was just playing to the

gallery.

play tricks (on someone) to trick or confuse

someone. I thought I saw a camel over

there. I guess my eyes are playing tricks on

me. Please don’t play tricks on your lit-

tle brother. It makes him cry.

play up to someone to try to gain someone’s

favor. Bill is always playing up to the

teacher. Ann played up to Bill as if she

wanted him to marry her.

played out worn out; spent; exhausted.

This charcoal is just about played out.

The batteries in this f lashlight are almost

played out.

pleased as punch Go to (as) pleased as

punch.

plenty of something lots of something; an

abundance of something; enough of

something. I have plenty of candy. Do

you want some? This project is giving

me plenty of trouble.

The plot thickens. Things are becoming

more complicated or interesting. The

police assumed that the woman was mur-

dered by her ex-husband, but he has an al-

ibi. The plot thickens. John is supposed

to be going out with Mary, but I saw him

last night with Sally. The plot thickens.

plow into someone or something to crash into

someone or something; to bump hard

into someone or something. (Also literal

if one is running a plow into someone or

something.) The car plowed into the

ditch. The runner plowed into another

player.

plow through something to work through

something with determination. (Also lit-

eral.) She plowed through the book to

learn everything she could. Billy plowed

through dinner and ran outside to play.

pluck up one’s courage to increase one’s

courage a bit. Come on, Ann, make the

dive. Pluck up your courage and do it.

Pluck up your courage, Ann! You can do it!

plug away (at something) and peg away (at

something) to keep trying something; to

keep working at something. John kept

pegging away at the trumpet until he be-

came pretty good at it. I’m not very good

at it, but I keep plugging away.

plug something in to place a plug into a re-

ceptacle. (In can be replaced with into.)

This television set won’t work unless you

plug it in! T Please plug in this lamp.

plumb loco completely crazy. (Folksy.)

If you think you can stand up against Mar-

shall Dillon, you’re plumb loco. Bob is

not just a little strange, he’s plumb loco.

poetic justice the appropriate but chance

receiving of rewards or punishments by

those deserving them. It was poetic jus-

tice that Jane won the race after Mary tried

to get her banned. The car thieves stole

a car with no gas. That’s poetic justice.

the point of no return the halfway point;

the point at which it is too late to turn

back. (Often with past.) The f light was

past the point of no return, so we had to

continue to our destination. The entire

project is past the point of no return; we

will have to continue with it.

point of view a way of thinking about

something; [someone’s] viewpoint; an at-

titude or expression of self-interest.

From my point of view, all this talk is a

waste of time. She has a strange point of

view, but she has made some good obser-

vations about the problem.

point someone or something out to select or in-

dicate someone or something (from a

group). Everyone pointed the error out.

She pointed the thief out to the police of-

ficer. T She pointed out the boy who took

her purse.

point something up to emphasize something;

to demonstrate a fact. I’d like to point

your approach up by citing some authori-

ties who agree with you. T This kind of in-

cident points up the f laws in your system.

point the finger at someone to blame some-

one; to identify someone as the guilty

person. (See also put the finger on some-

one.) Don’t point the finger at me! I

didn’t take the money. The manager re-

fused to point the finger at anyone in par-

ticular and said that everyone was some-

times guilty of being late.

poised for something ready for something;

in the right position and waiting for

something. The cat stared at the mouse,

poised for action. The army was poised

for battle.