IOU
- I Owe You - a signed paper saying that you owe money to someone
eg. I gave my friend an IOU when I bought his stereo.
IQ
- Intelligence Quotient - a measure of a person's intelligence
eg. The IQ of the new student is very high.
idiot box
- television set
eg. He sits in front of the idiot box all day and never gets any work done.
if the shoe fits, wear it
- if what is being said in general describes you then it probably means you
eg. He was complaining that most of the workers at his company were lazy. However his friend looked at him and said that if the shoe fits, wear it.
if the shoe fits wear it
- that what is said in general can also be said of an individual person
eg. You shouldn`t criticize others for something that you would do yourself. Remember, if the shoe fits wear it.
if worst comes to worst
- if the worst possible thing happens
eg. If worst comes to worst we can cancel our holiday and go next year.
ill at ease
- feel nervous/uncomfortable
eg. He appeared to be ill at ease during the interview.
in a bind
- in trouble
eg. They will really be in a bind if they can`t sell their house by next month.
in a family way
- pregnant, going to have a baby
eg. Our new secretary is in a family way and plans to take a few months off from work soon.
in a fog (haze)
- confused, not sure what is happening
eg. He is always in a fog and never seems to know what is going on.
in a hole
- in some trouble, in an embarrassing or difficult position
eg. He is really in a hole now that he has problems both at work and at home.
in a hurry
- a need to move or act quickly
eg. He is very busy and always in a hurry.
in a jam
- in trouble
eg. He is really in a jam now that his car is not working properly.
in a kind (sort) of way
- to a certain extent, a little, somewhat
eg. I would like to go in a kind of way but still I don`t think that I will bother going today.
in a nutshell
- briefly
eg. I tried to explain the problem to him in a nutshell but there still wasn`t enough time.
in a pig`s eye
- hardly, unlikely, not so
eg. In a pig`s eye will I let him borrow my car next weekend.
in a pinch
- okay when nothing else is available
eg. That other tool will do in a pinch if we can`t find the correct one.
in a rush
- in a hurry
eg. They got the job done in a big rush so I am a little worried about the quality.
in a rut
- always doing the same thing
eg. She feels that she is in a rut after doing the same job for seven years.
in a spot
- in some trouble, in an embarrassing or difficult position
eg. She is really in a tight spot right now since she was unable to enter university and also has no job.
in a way
- to a certain extent, a little, somewhat
eg. In a way I would like to go but basically I don`t care.
in a word
- briefly, to sum up
eg. In a word, the problem with the car is that it needs a new motor.
in a world of one`s own
- in deep thought or concentration, not caring about other people
eg. He is always in a world of his own and doesn`t notice what other people say or think.
in a pig`s eye
- hardly, unlikely, not so
eg. In a pig`s eye he will be able to save enough money to go to Hawaii for the winter.
in a nutshell
- briefly, in a few words
eg. We went to the meeting and they told us in a nutshell what would be happening to everyone next year.
in advance
- ahead of time
eg. They bought the tickets in advance so that they could get a good seat.
in and out
- coming in and going out often
eg. He has been in and out all day but I don`t know where he is at the moment.
in any case (event)
- no matter what happens, surely, without fail
eg. I may not be able to meet you next week but in any case I will still give you the books before then.
in arms
- armed, ready to fight
eg. They are all in arms since they found out about the wage decrease.
in black and white
- in writing
eg. I want to get the information in black and white before I go to the meeting.
in cahoots with
- in secret agreement or partnership with someone
eg. The supermarket was in cahoots with the vegetable producer to try and keep the prices high.
in case
- as a precaution, in order to be prepared
eg. In case there is a fire, we keep our computer backup files in a fireproof safe.
in character
- as usual, typical, in the way that a person usually behaves
eg. Supporting the other members of the staff is in character with her usual actions.
in charge
- in control or authority, responsible
eg. He is charge of the sales department at his company.
in check
- under control, kept quiet or back
eg. The violence was kept in check by the police department and the army.
in charge of
- in control of, responsible for
eg. My sister has been in charge of buying supplies at her company for many years.
in clover
- rich or successful, having a pleasant or easy life
eg. They are in clover now that they have sold their business and retired.
in cold blood
- without feeling or pity, cooly and deliberately
eg. The family was murdered in cold blood by the criminal gang.
in common
- shared together or equally, in use or ownership by all
eg. We had to use the bathroom in common with the other people in the house.
in deep
- seriously mixed up in something like debt or trouble
eg. He owes a lot of money and is in very deep with his new house and car.
in due course
- in the usual amount of time, at the right time
eg. We will send the information to you in due course.
in fact
- actually, the truth is
eg. He`s been to China before. In fact he`s been there three times.
in for
- unable to avoid, sure to get
eg. He is in for a lot of trouble now that he is unable to finish his graduation essay.
in good time
- a little early, sooner than necessary
eg. I will try and get the information to you in good time so that you will be able to decide what to do.
in hand
- under control
eg. The teacher had the class in hand when the principal came to visit the classroom.
in hot water
- in trouble
eg. I am in hot water over the extra expenses that I used during the conference.
in keeping with
- going well together, agreeing, similar
eg. In keeping with our tradition of letting the visiting team kick first we will do it for this game as well.
in kind
- in a similar way, with the same kind of thing
eg. We will pay them back in kind for the use of their sailboat.
in league with
- in secret agreement or partnership with someone
eg. The union has been in league with management in trying to build the new factory.
in light of
- as a result of new information, because of
eg. In light of his contribution to the company we decided to give him a large summer bonus.
in line
- doing or being what people expect or accept, within ordinary limits
eg. It was difficult to keep the children in line at the picnic but somehow we managed.
in love
- liking very much, loving
eg. He has been in love with his girlfriend ever since he met her in high school.
in luck
- having good luck, finding something good by chance
eg. I think that we are in luck. I have found two tickets for the concert.
in memory of
- as a reminder of, as a memorial to
eg. We decided to put our money together and buy a painting in memory of our grandfather.
in nothing flat
- quickly
eg. I will have this information printed out for you in nothing flat.
in no time
- soon, quickly
eg. I will have this done for you in no time and then you can go for lunch.
in on
- joining together for something
eg. We went in on a present for our father for Father`s Day.
in one`s element
- in an environment or situation that comes naturally to someone
eg. She is in her element being in charge of the new sales department.
in one`s face
- abruptly, unexpectedly
eg. The plan blew up in our face just as we were ready to start.
in one`s good books (graces)
- approved of by someone, liked by someone
eg. I have been in her good books since I helped her with her work last month.
in one`s hair
- annoying someone
eg. She has been in my hair all morning because she is on her summer holiday starting this week.
in one`s mind`s eye
- in one`s imagination
eg. In your mind`s eye try and imagine that you are on a nice sunny beach in Hawaii.
in one`s shell
- withdrawn, silent, not sociable
eg. We have been trying to get her out of her shell but it is of no use. She doesn`t want to talk to anyone.
in one`s shoes
- in someone elses place or position
eg. I wish that I was in his shoes with his great job and new car.
in one`s tracks
- abruptly, immediately, just where one is at the moment
eg. I was forced to stop in my tracks when I saw the snake on the road.
in one`s shoes
- in another`s place or position
eg. I would hate to be in his shoes now that he has lost his job.
in one`s mind`s eye
- in one`s imagination
eg. I tried to relax and in my mind`s eye pretend that I was on a beautiful island.
in one`s face
- abruptly, unexpectedly
eg. The plan to have a going away party for our boss blew up in our face when we heard he would not attend.
in one`s hair
- bothering one, always annoying someone
eg. My sister's small son is always in her hair when she is making dinner.
in order to
- for the purpose of
eg. We have decided to close down the school for the summer in order to do some major repairs.
in other words
- say something in a different (usually more direct) way
eg. In other words if you don`t finish the assignment by Wednesday you will not pass the course.
in part
- to some extent, partly
eg. I think the reason he is not golfing well this year is in part due to his problem with his back.
in point of fact
- really, truthfully
eg. In point of fact there were not enough people at the meeting to vote on the proposal.
in seventh heaven
- very happy
eg. I have been in seventh heaven since I started my new job.
in short supply
- not enough, in less than the amount or number needed
eg. Chairs were in short supply so some of the guests had to sit on the floor.
in spite of
- in opposition to, despite
eg. In spite of the terrible weather we went to the beach for a picnic.
in stitches
- laughing
eg. They were in stitches over their teacher`s joke.
in stock
- having something ready to sell or use
eg. The store didn`t have any computer discs in stock so we bought some over the Internet.
in store
- ready to happen, waiting
eg. I don`t really know what the future has in store for me but I will be ready for anything.
in stock
- have something ready to sell or use
eg. They didn't have any computer printer ribbons in stock at the store.
in the air
- current, exerting an influence
eg. It is in the air that we will be getting a new president next week.
in the bag
- certain, sure
eg. The new contract will be in the bag if we put in a good proposal.
in the black
- have a credit balance, make a profit
eg. The company has been in the black for over three years now.
in the cards
- to be expected, likely to happen, predictable
eg. I think that a new company structure is in the cards but I can`t be sure.
in the charge of
- under the care or supervision of
eg. She has been in the charge of her grandmother since her mother and father died.
in the clear
- with nothing to limit action, free of anything that makes moving or seeing difficult
eg. We seem to be in the clear now so it should be safe to cross the road.
in the clouds
- far from real life, in dreams, in thought
eg. He is usually in the clouds so you may have trouble finding out what you want to know from him.
in the course of
- during
eg. In the course of his life he visited over 45 countries.
in the dark
- having no information about something
eg. He is still in the dark about my plans to quit my job.
in the doghouse
- in trouble
eg. He is in the doghouse with his wife after staying out drinking last night.
in the first place
- firstly, to begin with
eg. Of course I can`t go. In the first place I must work on Saturday. In the second place I have no money.
in the groove
- at one`s best, doing something very well
eg. We are finally getting in the groove and should be able to finish this job by early next week.
in the hole
- having a score lower than zero in a game, a score below zero
eg. At the beginning of the card game I was in the hole but later I began to do well.
in the line of duty
- done or happening as part of a job
eg. The police officer was killed in the line of duty during the bank robbery.
in the long run
- the distant future, in the end
eg. For now he is losing money on his stocks but in the long run he should make money.
in the market for
- wanting or ready to buy something
eg. I am in the market for a new computer as my old one is too slow.
in the red
- lose money, not make a profit
eg. The company has been in the red for three years now.
in the saddle
- in command, in control
eg. The president is back in the saddle again after being ill for several months.
in the same boat
- in a similar situation
eg. We are all in the same boat now that our company has gone out of business.
in the soup
- in serious trouble, in disorder
eg. She is in the soup now that she has had a big fight with her boss.
in the swim
- active in or knowing what is going on
eg. He is definitely in the swim. He has information about everybody.
in the wake of
- as a result of, following
eg. In the wake of the large number of people who have recently left our company we will need to hire some more people.
in the wind
- soon to happen, being planned
eg. It is in the wind that they are planning to open a new store next year.
in the works
- in preparation, being planned or worked on
eg. Don`t worry about whether or not we will be building the new computer lab. It is definitely in the works.
in the wrong
- wrong; against justice, truth or fact
eg. The driver was in the wrong and was arrested by the police after the accident.
in the doghouse
- in disgrace or disfavor
eg. He is in the doghouse with his wife because he went out drinking three times last week.
in the black
- successful or making money
eg. The new company has been in the black for over a year now.
in the long run
- in the final result
eg. The company has been losing money recently but in the long run they should do very well.
in the market for
- ready to buy something
eg. We have been in the market for a new computer for a long time but still we haven't bought one.
in the red
- losing money, unprofitable
eg. The company began to go into the red when the price of oil began to rise rapidly.
in the works
- in preparation, being planned or worked on
eg. The camera company has a new automatic camera in the works but nobody knows about it yet.
in the black
- successful or profitable
eg. The company has been in the black since they began to adopt many new ideas to cut costs.
in the red
- lose money, unprofitable
eg. The company has been in the red for three years now - ever since their exports to Asia decreased by 35 per cent.
in the soup
- in serious trouble, in disorder
eg. She is really in the soup now. She told her boss that she was sick but he saw her downtown shopping.
in the black
- profitable, making money
eg. Our company has been in the black since it was first started.
in the hole
- in debt, owing money
eg. I think that we are going in the hole in our attempts to make our business prosper.
in the red
- unprofitable, losing money
eg. The company has been in the red for several months now and will soon have to go bankrupt.
in time
- early enough
eg. I didn`t come home in time to meet my cousin.
in touch
- talking or writing to each other, giving or getting news
eg. We are still in touch even though we have been out of school for many years.
in tow
- being pulled
eg. The truck had a trailer in tow when it went off the highway.
in tune
- going well together, in agreement, matching
eg. We have been in tune with each other ever since we met at our high school graduation party.
in turn
- each following another
eg. We went up to the front of the class in turn in order to pick up our diplomas.
in two shakes of a lamb`s tail
- quickly, in no time at all
eg. I will have this finished in two shakes of a lamb`s tail and then I will give it to you.
in two minds about something
- undecided
eg. My niece is in two minds about whether or not she will come and visit me this summer.
in two shakes of a lamb's tail
- very quickly and without difficulty
eg. Wait one minute. I will be able to help you in two shakes of a lamb's tail.
in vain
- without effect, without success
eg. We tried in vain to find a good job but it was impossible.
in view of
- after thinking about, because of
eg. In view of the large number of people who have come I think that we will need a bigger room.
in with
- in friendship, favor or closeness with
eg. I think that he was in with the wrong group of people when he was in high school.
ins and outs
- all the details
eg. He knows all the ins and outs of the new machine.
inside and out
- in every part, completely
eg. We looked through the room inside and out for my lost wallet.
inside out
- so that the inside is turned outside
eg. She turned her purse inside out in order to look for her lost key.
inside track
- an advantage, shortest distance around a racetrack
eg. I think that he has the inside track on getting the new job at the computer company.
instead of
- in place of
eg. Let`s meet at the restaurant instead of the department store as we had planned.
into thin air
- completely, without anything left
eg. The group of hikers vanished into thin air and were never heard of again.
iron out
- work out
eg. We have ironed out all of our problems and are finally doing better.
irons in the fire
- things one is doing, projects with which a person is busy
eg. Recently he has too many irons in the fire. That is why he has become sick.
itching palm
- a wish for money, greed
eg. The guard at the border crossing has an itching palm so be careful of him.
Last Update: 2005/12/18