defend someone against something • defend someone from something defend someone against something—protect a person by re- pelling an attack against him: The way to defend Milton against all impugners is to take down the book and read it. defend someone from something—keep a person free from at- tack, danger, etc.: The U.S. intelligence services sponsored his rise to power, and defended him from any credible oppo- sition. defense industries • defensive industries defense industries —factories involved in manufacturing weaponry: In 1941 Roosevelt issued an executive order pro- hibiting racial discrimination in the employing of workers by national defense industries . defensive industries —industries which provide the consumer with his basic needs (such as food, utilities, etc.): In emerging markets, defensive industries have typically been populated with small to medium-sized companies. defer something • defer to something defer something—put smth. off until a later time: It was agreed to defer this application for two weeks in order to re- ceive documentation from the agent. defer to something—acknowledge the merit of a person’s opinion or action: The Tribunal will normally defer to his judgment on such matters. definite answer • definitive answer definite answer —answer that is precise, clear and leaves no room to uncertainty: In all encounters with Leonardo there is never a definite answer to any of the aesthetic or psychological questions which he raises. definitive answer —answer that is final and may no longer be changed: There is no definitive answer to the question of how many senses there are: we have yet to discover all of our own. deliver someone from something • deliver someone of something deliver someone from something—(formal) 1. save or rescue a person from smth.: They armed to deliver him from prison. Crowds had gathered … loud in their outcries for mercy. 2. free a person from some problem or responsibility: Chilperic was delivered from the necessity of inventing any new expe- dient. deliver someone of something— = deliver someone from some- thing 2: He was looking for someone to deliver him of his burdensome responsibility. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase deliver oneself of something—express one’s thoughts, views, etc.: After I had delivered myself of this ponderous thought, conversation turned into pleasant channels again. deliver the goods • get the goods deliver the goods —(coll.) succeed in doing what one is hoped or expected to do: He is the best manager that we have ever had. He knows how to deliver the goods . get the goods —(coll.) find out true and often bad information about smb.: I think that I have finally got the goods on him and will have to talk to the police as soon as possible. demand for something • demand on something demand for something—need for smth. that people desire to purchase or have: The problem is that the demand for health care is unlimited. demand on something—request or claim for smth. by virtue of right or authority: There are so many demands on my time that I have very little leisure. Democratic Republic of the Congo, the • Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the—an African country, formerly known as Zaïre, with the capital Kinshasa: Coltan has permitted the Rwandan army to sustain its presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . Republic of Congo, the—the smaller and more westerly African country, with Brazaville as its capital: The Republic of Congo is one of Africa’s largest petroleum producers with significant potential for offshore development. depart out of this world • go out of this world depart out of this world—(euph.) die; pass away: But one thing, at times, assuages my grief, which is this: I am sure that he departed out of this world in peace. go out of this world —1. (also: go from this world) = depart out of this world: This put people to their graves a lot quicker than they should have gone out of this world . 2. have one’s mind far away from reality: He hadn’t talked to anybody since then and it seemed he had gone out of this world . Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase retire from the world1. live alone from principle, seeing no one: After a busy life teaching, he retired from the world and considered his own inner development. 2. enter a monastery or become a hermit: To think that Catharine Glover nourished the private wish to retire from the world ! descend on someone • descend to someone descend on someone—1. arrive suddenly to stay with smb.: The whole family descends on us every Christmas. 2. attack a person suddenly: Thieves descended on the travelers while they slept. descend to someone—pass to a person after smb.’s death: The property descended to the man’s eldest son. desk-book • table book desk-book —a reference book suitable for use at a desk: This desk-book for business executives is highly recommended. table book—1. (also: coffee-table book) a big sized richly il- lustrated book: She sat in her wingback chair flicking through one of the table books . 2. (dated) a small book for making notes or memoranda: He was observed to busy himself by writing in his table book . determined in something • determined on something determined in something —showing resolution in one’s man- ner or speech: He sounded most determined in his answer. determined on something—resolved to do smth.; firm in one’s decision to do smth.: He is quite determined on a trip to Egypt. deus ex machina • ghost in the machine deus ex machina —an improbable person or event that pro- vides a sudden and unexpected solution to a difficulty: When the impoverished hero is relieved by an unexpected inheri- tance, it is often called a deus ex machina . ghost in the machine—is used to denote the view of the human mind as being completely independent of the physical body: So there is nothing magical about human brains — no ghost in the machine , to use Ryle’s phrase. devil’s coachhorse • devil’s horse devil’s coachhorse—any of several rove beetles of the family Staphylinid: This atrocious tale of lies turned up joint by joint before her like a devil’s coach-horse . devil’s horse—praying mantis of the family Mantid (an insect that feeds upon other insects and is harmless to man): Another – 95 – devil’s coachhorse