1557
Ways and Means Committee
They are trying to find a way of settling the dispute. | We couldn't contact you – we had no way of knowing where you were. | We could have the car fixed here or get it towed home; either way (=whichever course of action we choose) it will be very expensive. | [+to-v] What's the right way to say this in English? | (infml) She doesn't enjoy her job the way she used to. (=as she used to) 5 [C] a particular manner or style of behaviour: He has a pleasant way of speaking. | I don't like the way that (=in which) you laugh at her. | the American way of life | They eventually came round to our way of thinking. (=began to share our opinion) 6 [C] a particular point or detail (of many possible): In some ways it's quite a good idea, but the high cost makes it impossible. | In a way I can see what you mean, even though I don't share your point of view. | The result should in no way be seen as a defeat for the government. 7 [S] (used especially with verbs that do not express movement to describe an advance towards a particular result) one's path or course: The acid bit its way through the metal. | She managed to talk her way out of a difficult situation. | He worked his way through college. (=paid for his education by working at the same time) → see also make one's way (WAY¹) 8 [(the)S] the room or space needed for movement or activity: I couldn't get through the door because there was a big box in the way. | Clear a way through the crowd. | Move out of my way so that I can get to the kitchen. | (fig.) Her social life got in the way of her studies. (=prevented her from having the time she needed for studying) | (fig.) The success of these talks will clear the way for the release of the hostages. → see also make way (WAY¹(22)) 9 [U] freedom to do exactly what one wants (especially in the phrase my/his/her etc way): If I had my way, these drug dealers would be shot. | He's very charming and always manages to get his own way. 10 [U] forward movement; HEADWAY: The ship was rapidly gathering way. (=going faster) 11 [S] the stated condition, especially of health: I'm afraid he's in a bad way. (=is ill) 12 [C] (especially in names) a road or path: a cycle way | Abercrombie Way → see also HIGHWAY, PERMANENT WAY, RAILWAY, RUNWAY; see STREET (USAGE) 13 always the way infml (especially of something bad) what always happens: The train was late. 'That's always the way when you're in a hurry.' 14 by the way (used to introduce a new subject in speech) in addition: Oh by the way, have you heard from Bill lately? → see USAGE 15 by way of a) by going through: We went by way of London. b) especially BrE as a sort of or instead of: We had some sandwiches by way of a meal. c) with the intention of: By way of introducing himself he showed me his card. 16 every which way AmE infml in every direction; all over the place: When the police arrived, the crowd started running every which way. 17 give way (to) a) to admit defeat in an argument or fight: My new evidence forced him to give way. b) to break under pressure; COLLAPSE: The floor gave way under the heavy weight. c) BrE || usually yield AmE — to allow other traffic to go first: You must give way when you come to this junction. d) to have its place taken by: Steam trains gave way to electric trains. e) to allow oneself to show (especially a feeling): He gave way to tears. 18 go out of the/one's way (to do) to take the trouble (to do); make a special effort, especially in spite of difficulties: Although he was busy he went out of his way to help me. | She went out of her way to make things difficult for us. 19 have a way with one infml to have an attractive quality which persuades or pleases other people 20 have it both ways to gain advantage from each of two opposing opinions or actions: You'll have to decide whether you want to lose weight or eat chocolates; you can't have it both ways! 21 make one's way to go: I made my way home/towards the harbour/along the road/up the stairs. 22 make way to get out of someone's path; provide the necessary space: Make way, there! I need to get through. | The old houses were knocked down to make way for a new office development. 23 no way infml (used to show strong refusal or opposition): 'Will you help me do this?' 'No way; do it yourself!' | There's no way I'm agreeing to that! 24 out of the way unusual or not commonly known: We did nothing out of the way on our holiday. → see also OUT-OF-THE-WAY 25 put someone in the way of (doing) something BrE old-fash to give someone the chance of doing/getting something: He put me in the way of a job. 26 to my way of thinking in my opinion 27 under way moving forward: The great ship got under way. | (fig.) Our project is now well under way. 28 AmE way to go (used to express satisfaction at or approval of something someone has done): Way to go, team! 29 in a big way a lot, to a great degree, or in the most complete way: European companies are putting their money into Asia in a big way. | I'm not into country music in a big way, but I love Lyle Lovett's new album. | Americans soon forgot about the oil shortages of the 70s and big cars came back in a big way. → see also WAYS, EACH WAY, RIGHT OF WAY, WAYS AND MEANS, in the family way (FAMILY), pave the way (PAVE), pay one's way (PAY), see one's way (clear) to (SEE)
1 Way is not usually used when you are thinking of a particular road path or track etc: There's a car outside parked in the road. | We followed a muddy path through the forest. | The shortest route to the village isn't by the main road but by a narrow, overgrown track. —see also STREET (USAGE). 2 By the way. Although this expression seems to suggest that you are going to add unimportant information, in fact it is often used to introduce a subject that is really very important to you: By the way, I wonder if we could discuss my salary some time? | By the way, do you think you could lend me £10? → see also INCIDENTALLY (USAGE)
way² adv 1 [+adv/prep] far: That happened way back in the 19th century. | Their profits were way below the original forecasts. | We're friends from way back. (=have been friends a very long time) 2 [after n] near: They live down Canterbury way.
way-bill /'weɪ,bɪl/ n a paper showing details of goods or passengers being carried or delivered
way-far-er /'weɪ,fɛərə/ n especially old use or lit a traveller on foot —wayfaring adj [A]
way-lay /weɪ'leɪ|'weɪleɪ/ v -laid /leɪd/ to wait for and stop (someone going somewhere), especially in order to attack them: The travellers were waylaid by bandits. | (fig.) She waylaid me in the corridor and asked if she could speak to me in private.
Wayne, John /weɪn/ (1907–79) a US film actor who was known especially for appearing in WESTERNS (=films about the American west in the 19th century), such as Stagecoach (1939) and True Grit (1969). The characters he played were usually brave, strong, honest men who loved their country, and he is thought of as representing typical American values.
Wayne and Waynetta → see SLOB, Wayne and Waynetta
'Wayne's World (1992) a US humorous film in which two young men who make an amusing programme for their local television station suddenly become popular on national television. The characters spend a lot of time thinking about girls and ROCK music. The film became known for certain expressions and ways of saying things, such as saying 'not' after a statement to show you did not mean it: Oh yeah, she's a great actor – not!
way of 'life n pl. ways of life 1 daily behaviour typical of a group of people, or chosen by someone: the British way of life | That family have a very strange way of life. 2 the most important thing in one's life: Being a doctor isn't a job, it's a way of life.
way-'out adj infml, becoming old-fash unusual or strange, especially in a modern way: way-out clothes/music
-ways → see WORD FORMATION TABLE
ways /weɪz/ n 1 [P] customs or habits: We all have our funny little ways. → see also mend one's ways (MEND) 2 [S] especially AmE for WAY¹: We've a long ways to go yet. 3 sb swings both ways used in order to say that someone is sexually attracted to both men and women: 'Is he gay?' 'Well, I think he swings both ways.' | Rumour has it that their lead singer swings both ways.
ways and 'means n [P] 1 methods of doing or obtaining something, especially unusual or mysterious methods: These addicts seem to have ways and means of getting the drugs they need. 2 means of obtaining the money that is needed by a government to carry out its plans: the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives
Ways and 'Means Com,mittee n [C] AmE a group of representatives in the government of a US state or in Congress who must find money for the government to spend