Idioms: Act - hard a. to follow

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Idiom(s) of the day: a hard act to follow

My category (Russian-to-English translation): Положительная или отрицательная оценка (Positive or negative evaluation).

Explanation(s):

Collins Cobuild Dictionary of Idioms, 2004 (CCDI):

If you say that someone is a hard act to follow, you mean that they are so impressive or so effective that it will be for anyone else to be as good or as successive. Adjectives such as ‘tough’ and ‘difficult’ can be used instead of ‘hard’.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

an achievement or performance which sets a standard regarded as being hard for others to measure up to

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary v4.7:

Translation(s):

CCDI:

Не знающий себе равных, непревзойденный мастер чего-либо; недосягаемый образец чего-либо.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

1) номер, имевший шумный успех, повторить который последующим выступающим очень трудно 2) труднодостижимый уровень, высокая планка; образцовое исполнение своих обязанностей

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Multitran (www.multitran.ru):

Multilex (www.multilex.ru):

Examples:

CCDI:

Prince Charles has known his destiny since childhood. He knows too that his mother will be a hard act to follow.

He had a hard act to follow. His predecessor was a brilliant intellectual who also drew, as Chancellor, on long practical experience as an observer of the economic scene.

There’s no doubt Ford’s vision and hard work has played a major role in the museum’s success. He’ll be a tough act to follow.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

Will we ever see his like again? A titan like John Paul II will always be a hard act to follow. (Times Online) — Появится ли в будущем на папском престоле личность такого же масштаба? Иоанн Павел Второй задал очень высокую планку.

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Oxford English Dictionary (OED) v4.0:

Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary v4.7:

British National Corpus (BNC), Mark Davies (http://corpus.byu.edu/bnc/): 27 total

Whenever he goes, he will be a hard act to follow .

Last season's total of 38 seemed like a hard act to follow, but McCoist admitted: "I always knew that I was capable of scoring even more, but I didn't want to shout too loudly about it. "

"He will be, as they say, a hard act to follow , but the board will rally round whoever is chosen for this difficult and very important job."

There is no question that Mr Brown's will be an exceedingly hard act to follow . His tenure saw the gallery grow from a provincial treasure house to a world-renowned showcase which challenged the Metropolitan as the country's most prestigious venue.

You've certainly set us a hard act to follow !

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Idioms: Act - get in on the a.

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Idiom(s) of the day: Get in on the act; variant: get into the act

My category (Russian-to-English translation): Начало действия и остановка (Starting and stopping). Участие и заинтересованность (Involvement and interest)

Explanation(s):

Collins Cobuild Dictionary of Idioms, 2004 (CCDI):

If you get in on the act, you start doing something which was first done by someone else, usually so that you can have the same success as them, or get some advantage for yourself. You can also say that you are in on the act, or use other verbs instead of ‘get’.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

become or be involved in a particular activity, in order to gain profit or advantage

to become involved in a profitable undertaking or advantageous situation in order to share in the benefits

To do something because others are engaged in the same act; join others.

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

into the act or in on the act : into an undertaking or situation as an active participant

Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary v4.7:

Translation(s):

CCDI:

Войти в дело, компанию и т.п.; заняться чем-либо, присоединившись к кому-либо.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

присоединяться к кому-л., подражать кому-л., добившемуся успеха, с желанием разделить этот успех

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Multitran (www.multitran.ru):

быть вовлечённым во что-либо

Multilex (www.multilex.ru):

Oxford English Dictionary (OED) v4.0:

… in other phrases: to get into the act (colloq., orig. U.S.), to become a participant; to involve oneself in some (successful, fashionable, etc.) venture or activity; also (to be) in on the act...

Examples:

CCDI:

Its reputation has reached the United States and American investors have been trying to get in on the act.

It’s rather like the Greens in Britain in the eighties: everyone wants to get in on the act.

It’s not enough to read the books, I want to be in on the act.

Even the lifeguards have been brought in on the act, policing the beach for reckless sunbathers.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

Folks try to get in on the act whenever they can — Люди всегда стараются примазаться там, где можно что-нибудь урвать для себя He's the sort of guy that would get in on the act when my baby is around — Когда я прихожу со своей девушкой, он всегда вертится рядом How did he get in on the act? — А он-то как тут оказался? Why are you trying to get in on the act? — Что ты тут крутишься?

John's business is succeeding so well that both of his brothers want to get in on the act.

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Oxford English Dictionary (OED) v4.0:

(b) 1947 Current Biog. 1946 168/1 The Durante quips (‘I've got a million of 'em’, ‘Everybody wants to get into da act,’‥) are ‘timelessly colorful’. 1951 ‘J. Tey’ Daughter of Time viii. Morton had been very much ‘in on the act’. 1958 Spectator 22 Aug. 239/1 President Chamoun got back into the act by announcing that they would not be asked to withdraw from the Lebanon. 1967 Listener 22 June 835/2 No one for a moment supposes that Friendly will not be in on the act. 1969 M. Puzo Godfather ii. xiii. 188 The author‥came west on Johnny's invitation, to talk it over without agents or studios getting into the act.

Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary v4.7:

British National Corpus (BNC), Mark Davies (http://corpus.byu.edu/bnc/): [get] in on the act; total 36

Even their parents got in on the act , when the Mercedes hired to take them to the reception blew up.

By the time Adidas and Umbro got in on the act in the late-Seventies, a shirt could be carrying up to 40 little advertisements…

Later European governments got in on the act and set about invading and colonizing large chunks of the globe.

It was then that Nigger decided to get in on the act , and launched himself the length of the hallway.

But in the wings, British Telecom wants to get in on the act .

Even British farmers have been getting in on the act , attracted by the lure of cheap agricultural land at prices half those on our side of the Channel.

Getting in on the act , [the comma seems unwarranted – AVD] is the crew of the Marton horse bus (left) who were about to become redundant.

Even Eldorado gets in on the act and two episodes of EastEnders will be screened, one on Christmas Eve and the other on Christmas Day.

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Idioms: Act - clean up your a.

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Idiom(s) of the day: act - clean up your act

My category (Russian-to-English translation): Качество и старание. Успех и неудача. Прогресс.

Explanation(s):

Collins Cobuild Dictionary of Idioms, 2004 (CCDI):

If a person or organization cleans up their act, they stop behaving badly or irresponsibly, and begin to act in a more socially acceptable way.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

to start behaving in a moral or responsible way

behave in a more acceptable manner; begin to behave in a better way, esp. by giving up alcohol, drugs, or illegal activities

to behave in a more acceptable manner (as by discontinuing questionable practices)

to start to behave in a responsible manner

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

to start to obey certain laws or generally accepted standards of behavior

do it better, do it legally, get your act together

To improve one's behavior or performance

If someone who has been behaving badly cleans up their act, they start to behave in a more acceptable or responsible way. (INFORMAL)

Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary v4.7:

to begin adhering to more acceptable practices, rules of behavior, etc.

Translation(s):

CCDI:

Покончить с расхлябанностью, разгильдяйством; взяться за ум.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Multitran (www.multitran.ru):

улучшать качество исполняемой работы; браться за ум; исправиться; одуматься; навести порядок

Multilex (www.multilex.ru):

Examples:

CCDI:

The Minister warned the press two years ago that privacy laws would be implemented unless newspapers cleaned up their act.

There is enormous corruption in the game, but the game does not want to clean up its act.

In the last couple of years I’ve cleaned up my act a bit. I just drink wine and beer mostly, hardly any spirits.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

He cleaned up his act and came off drugs.

If you don't clean up your act, you'll be sent home — Если ты не исправишься, тебя отправят домой

Since she cleaned up her act her performance is quite good — С тех пор, как она взялась за ум, качество ее работы стало почти отличным

We were told to clean up our act or move out — Нам сказали: "Или работайте, или увольняйтесь"

the casino industry is bent on cleaning up its act

Some companies could face heavy fines if they fail to clean up their act.

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

You're going to have to clean up your act if you're serious about keeping your job.

I've missed classes, failed tests. I need to clean up my act.

The article 'NYPL cleans up its act' describes the 4 phases of a project conducted by the Conservation Division of the New York Public Library to improve its collections.

The nation's advertisers need to clean up their act.

Oxford English Dictionary (OED) v4.0:

Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary v4.7:

The factory must clean up its act and treat its employees better.

British National Corpus (BNC), Mark Davies (http://corpus.byu.edu/bnc/):

1 KRM S_brdcast_news and a Government Minister has warned farmers who dump their waste in the waterways to clean up their act . He has told them there's no excuse and tough new

2 KRM S_brdcast_news pollution paints a depressing picture. Despite a concerted Government-initiated campaign to encourage farmers to clean up their act , the number of reported cases of pollution has risen to record

3 CN3 W_fict_prose had fallen foul of the Gorbachev reforms when a new KGB chief was appointed to clean up their act . One night she had boarded a small fishing vessel moored at

1 CH2 W_newsp_tabloid " YOB SOCCER bad boy Ian Jolosa, who was ordered by a judge to clean up his act by watching Gary Lineker videos, has been banned from the game

2 CH3 W_newsp_tabloid Dutch midfielder Richard Goulooze. WALSH BUZZING TOUGH Leicester defender Steve Walsh is planning to clean up his act after serving a three-match ban already this

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Idioms: Act - a class a.

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Idiom(s) of the day: a class act

My category (Russian-to-English translation): Положительная или отрицательная оценка (Positive or negative evaluation)

Explanation(s):

Collins Cobuild Dictionary of Idioms, 2004 (CCDI):

If you say that someone, for example a sports player or a performer, is a class act, you mean that they are very good at what they do.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

a person or thing displaying impressive and stylish excellence

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

an example of outstanding quality or prestige

AMERICAN someone who has the natural ability to choose the best thing or behave in the most appropriate way in every situation; INFORMAL a person or group with great style and skill

One of distinctive and superior quality

someone who shows impressive and stylish excellence

Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary v4.7:

something or someone regarded as outstanding or elegant in quality or performance

Translation(s):

CCDI:

Классный игрок, музыкант, певец и т.д.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Multitran (www.multitran.ru):

отличный парень

первоклассное действие

Multilex (www.multilex.ru):

Examples:

CCDI:

Koeman is a class act. He’s got great control and can hit passes from one side of the pitch to the other with amazing accuracy.

I have been tracking Neil for a year, he is a class act and I’ve got a lot of respect for his ability.

Hiatt’s songs have been recorded by class acts like Bob Dylan, Rosanne Cash, The Everly Brothers and Willie Nelson.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

I like the way you move on the field. It's a real class act — Мне нравится, как ты двигаешься по полю. Сразу чувствуется мастер

The prof puts on a real class act but he grades very hard — Преподаватель блестяще объясняет материал, но хорошие оценки ставит туго

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Always a class act[,] Martin offered to resign rather than become involved in the ugly political battle.

“Academy members... tend to favor films that will make Hollywood seem a class act instead of a hotbed of money-grubbing vulgarians” (Jay Carr)

Multitran (www.multitran.ru):

My friend Jimmy is such a class act!

Oxford English Dictionary (OED) v4.0:

British National Corpus (BNC), Mark Davies (http://corpus.byu.edu/bnc/): 35 total

1 HYE S_meeting of A W as the er, I think it was the creme de la creme of the Class act of the industry. class act of the industry. So it's a

3 JT5 S_unclassified Erm It's er just offering a service er I really think it's a class act, to use an expression Mhm. you know you cover all the areas

5 CH3 W_newsp_tabloid back to Wembley," he added. Laughton commented: "Kevin is a class act who's proved his worth in the English game. He's a big

6 CH5 W_newsp_tabloid Irons starring opposite his wife, Sinead Cusack you know you're in for a class act. Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name, the movie tells

7 CH7 W_newsp_tabloid month." LIFE AFTER ANDY Wigan call up their young guns Jason's a class act MARTIN RICHARDS JASON Robinson heads a posse of Wigan young guns who will be

8 AA9 W_newsp_brdsht_nat_arts doubt that she is much like the real Gertrude Lawrence but she is decidedly a class act. Alan Strachan as director knits the whole show together neatly and Jonathan Cohen

11 K45 W_newsp_other_social lifted last autumn. Most batsmen would agree, though, that Foster remains a class act even if 12 first-class wickets this season have cost 49 runs each. "By

12 K4J W_newsp_other_social "I'm relishing the opportunity to follow someone like John. Wigan is a class act. "I have my goals and all I can do is set out

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Idioms: Act - catch someone in the a.

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Idiom(s) of the day: catch someone in the act

My category (Russian-to-English translation): Раскрытие и сокрытие (Revealing and hiding)

Explanation(s):

Collins Cobuild Dictionary of Idioms, 2004 (CCDI):

If you are caught in the act, someone sees you doing something secret or wrong. In this expression, “act” refers to the act of doing something.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

usu. be caught in the act: surprise someone in the process of doing something wrong

surprise someone in the process of doing something wrong

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

catch someone in the act (of doing something) to find someone and interrupt them when they are doing something wrong

Translation(s):

CCDI:

Поймать кого-либо на месте преступления; поймать кого-либо с поличным.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

застать кого-либо "на горячем", совершающим неблаговидный поступок

застать кого-л. на месте преступления

Multitran (www.multitran.ru):

поймать на месте преступления

поймать с поличным

поймать в момент совершения преступления

схваченный в момент совершения преступления (caught in the act)

Multilex (www.multilex.ru):

Examples:

CCDI:

The men were caught in the act of digging up buried explosives.

The local authority has set aside £500 to spend on security cameras, hoping the residents will be able to catch vandals in the act on film.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

the thieves were caught in the act

He was caught in the act of stealing a car.

they photographed him in the act of reading other people's mail

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

He denies all guilt, even though he was caught in the act.

Oxford English Dictionary (OED) v4.0:

British National Corpus (BNC), Mark Davies (http://corpus.byu.edu/bnc/):

A5Y W_ac_polit_law_edu street late at might, and was very respectful and deferential when caught in the act , but, upon the policeman recalling that he had recently been one of

HE5 S_brdcast_documentary break in, the intruder badly damaged a door. He was caught in the act but got off with a caution. You lot of woofers. We had been

HJ4 W_newsp_other_report Richie (29), host of BBC's home video series Caught In The Act , is playing rockabilly rebel Kenickie (John Travolta's best friend in the film

B24 W_non_ac_soc_science year ago in Liverpool, a boy was caught upon a Sunday evening in the act of stealing a handkerchief out of somebody's pocket and was arrested.

CCL W_religion an unconditional and wholehearted response from them. Having assured the woman caught in the act of adultery of forgiveness, he tells her, "do not sin again"

A0J W_misc tell when someone is using drugs only occasionally --; unless they are caught in the act , or when intoxicated like being drunk.

CJE W_misc easily reach a worktop in a kitchen. If you catch your dog in the act of stealing food, then you should scold it appropriately; after the event though

K3M W_newsp_other_arts on his trail --; but for some reason never manages to catch him in the act . Then a couple of pensioners are robbed of their video, camera and watches

K4L W_newsp_other_social when they take things into their own hands. Householders who catch burglars in the act may get a bit rough and individual policemen may strike out in some after-hours pub rough-house

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Idioms: Act - a balancing a.

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Idiom(s) of the day: a balancing act

My category (Russian-to-English translation): Качество и старание (Quality and effort). Успех и неудача (Success and failure).

Explanation(s):

Collins Cobuild Dictionary of Idioms, 2004 (CCDI):

If you say that someone is performing a balancing act, you mean that they are trying to please two or more people or groups or to follow two or more sets of ideals that are in opposition to each other.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

an action or activity that requires a delicate balance between different situations or requirements

when you are trying to please two or more people or groups who all want different things, or who have ideas that are completely different from each other

a process in which sb tries to please two or more people or groups who want different things

an attempt to cope with several often conflicting factors or situations at the same time

a circus act in which a performer displays his or her balancing ability; a situation requiring careful balancing of opposing groups, views, or activities

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

a situation in which a person tries to give care and attention to two or more activities at the same time

the process of trying to achieve something that different groups will all be satisfied with

If you perform a balancing act, you try to deal successfully with two or more people, groups, or situations that are in opposition to each other.

Translation(s):

CCDI:

Попытка угодить и тем и другим; и нашим и вашим.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Multitran (www.multitran.ru):

эквилибристика

Multilex (www.multilex.ru):

Examples:

CCDI:

Mr Alia is performing a delicate balancing act. He talks of reform, but clings to old certainties.

It’s been a difficult balancing act for the Japanese government, under pressure both at home and abroad.

Vice-Mayor Simitian called it a classic balancing act between individual rights and community rights.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

our balancing act between working more to buy luxuries and having enough leisure to enjoy them

Gilmore had to perform the difficult balancing act of attracting moderate voters without losing his Conservative base.

The UN must perform a delicate balancing act between the different sides in the conflict.

social life … becomes a balancing act between the realms of politics, economics and religion — Mark Lilla

a delicate balancing act between Greek and Turkish interests

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

I found myself having to do a balancing act between work and family.

...a delicate balancing act between a career, a home, and motherhood

The author considers planning as a balancing act between conflicting forces, the need for clear and specific objectives, and good communications between the staff concerned.

Oxford English Dictionary (OED) v4.0:

British National Corpus (BNC), Mark Davies (http://corpus.byu.edu/bnc/):

1 F7V S_meeting and Church Langley as I explained before and it's always been a very difficult balancing act you know, to keep both going along. I'm sure you will

2 K77 S_parliament that were operating in favour of the employer that were against them, but it was a balancing act , or if you don't want that you can stay with the old

3 HUC S_speech_scripted the unions should support Labour to balance big biglifs big business and what a major balancing act that is. The shipping and construction group P & O gave a hundred

4 K20 W_news_script , with brakes at his feet. His groom on the back does the final balancing act . The real test is in America at the end of this month.

5 AKH W_newsp_brdsht_nat_misc the caring By George Jones and Philip Johnston MR MAJOR'S Cabinet is a careful balancing act that reflects the emphasis he has always placed on party unity. His first

6 A28 W_newsp_brdsht_nat_report for their words in front of the sometimes sinister figures who still control the land. French balancing act tipped Beirut into war: In his concluding article on Lebanon's history,

7 A2P W_newsp_brdsht_nat_report is to be provided has been weakly postponed," he added. Fiendishly complicated balancing act that demands a subtle mind By RICHARD NORTH CHRIS PATTEN'S decision is not

8 AAB W_newsp_brdsht_nat_report required to change the constitution. The Tigers' political leadership is attempting a difficult balancing act . It is entering the mainstream to satisfy the demands of the people of

9 AJ5 W_newsp_brdsht_nat_social . The question now facing voters is which approach is likely to achieve the best balancing act . Whatever the government, the NHS has always been seen as underfunded and

10 AHB W_newsp_brdsht_nat_commerce rates are quite good. "For those considering remortgages it is something of a balancing act . A lot of people are inquiring about remortgages but

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Idioms: Acquaintance - a passing/nodding a. (2)

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Idiom(s) of the day: A PASSING ACQUAINTANCE/NODDING ACQUANTANCE (2)

My category (Russian-to-English translation): Понимание и знание (Understanding & Knowledge)

Explanation(s):

Collins Cobuild Dictionary of Idioms, 2004 (CCDI):

If you have a passing acquaintance or a nodding acquaintance with something, you know a little about it but not very much.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

a very slight or superficial knowledge or understanding of something

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

a slight acquaintance with a person or knowledge of a subject

Translation(s):

CCDI:

Поверхностное знакомство с чем-либо

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

Multitran (www.multitran.ru):

Multilex (www.multilex.ru):

Examples:

CCDI:

We chatted for a while about poetry, with which he showed considerably more than a nodding acquaintance.

Lingvo (www.lingvo.com):

had no more than a nodding acquaintance with economic theory

Babylon (www.babylon.com):

students will need a nodding acquaintance with three other languages

Oxford English Dictionary (OED) v4.0:

British National Corpus (BNC), Mark Davies (http://corpus.byu.edu/bnc/):

Nodding acquaintance:

1 B1P W_non_ac_humanities_arts , the British (or American) student of English local history will need a nodding acquaintance with, or at least dictionaries of, three other languages. These are the

2 CD9 W_biography Hunt, he was driving a car with which he had no more than a nodding acquaintance . The season began in January in Brazil and prior to that he had had

3 FEU W_misc of the four you have had to use. You will now have at least a nodding acquaintance with twelve reference books. If you are sensible, you will return and

Passing acquaintance:

1 AR3 W_fict_prose , I continued to find myself in surroundings with which I had at least a passing acquaintance . Now I had always supposed I had travelled very little, restricted as I

2 ASY W_non_ac_polit_law_edu a danger that a broad curriculum may be superficial, containing nothing but a passing acquaintance with a variety of different subjects, and though this danger must be constantly

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