rassing, etc.: We avoided talking about what had been hap- pening between us over the past days, but it was like an ele - phant in the room . like a clock • like one o’clock like a clock(also: like clockwork) in an orderly way; with regularity and precision: He manages my whole farm like a clock . like one o’clock—(coll.) vigorously; eagerly: “Toads are valu- able animals,” answers Jane. “They eat the snails like one o’clock .” like a dream • like in a dream like a dream —1. like smth. imaginary or unreal: How could a cat appear in my apartment? I looked up, and for a moment I thought the cat had vanished like a dream . 2. (coll.) said of smth. that functions exceptionally well: The car goes like a dream but I should get the belts changed just in case. like in a dream —(also: as in a dream) 1. perceived like some illusory images seen in a dream: My recollection of that event is hazy…. It was so unreal. Like in a dream . 2. said of smb. living out of contact with reality: I have been living like in a dream until your tenderness and love warmed me. like a scalded cat • like a singed cat like a scalded cat—1. rushing madly without regard to where one is going: He leapt over the fence and was down the road- way like a scalded cat . 2. screaming in a shrill, piercing voice: But why should you squall like a scalded cat ? like a singed cat—said of smb. who is better than appearance indicates: His new friend, however, proved to be like a singed cat , much better than he looked. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase like a cat on hot bricks1. ill at ease; very nervous: He was like a cat on hot bricks . Scared out of his life as to what she might say. 2. moving swiftly and nimbly: A well-bred, raking- looking sort of mare…. Beautiful action she had, stepped away like a cat on hot bricks . like a wet rag • like a wet weekend like a wet rag—utterly exhausted: At the end of a day I’m just like a wet rag . All I’m good for is to plotz in a chair. like a wet weekend —sad and miserable: Try to be a bit more cheerful. I don’t want you standing around looking like a wet weekend . like death • like grim death like death—(U.S. also: like death warmed over) feeling or looking very unwell or completely exhausted: Much of the time I feel like death . I am in rather a bad temper. like grim death — gripping smth. very firmly; clinging to smth. tenaciously: By clinging like grim death to the gunwale, we just managed to keep inside the boat, but it was exhausting work. like water • like water off a duck’s back like water —(of money) spend in great quantity or recklessly: She spends money like water to create a luxurious home far beyond the means of her humble husband. like water off a duck’s back—(of criticism, etc.) have no effect or make no impression whatsoever: I keep telling him it’s fool- ish to gamble, but it’s like water off a duck’s back . listen for something • listen out for something listen for something—make a conscious effort to catch the sound of smth.; concentrate on hearing smth.: If beyond the silence we listen for the faintest undertones, we detect a stifled, continuous hum of insects. listen out for something—1. = listen for something: You will be listening out for any human presence such as cutting of firewood, dogs barking, etc. Poaching still sadly exists…. 2. wait expectantly to hear or learn smth.: He sees Focus Groups as a platform in which we test known hypotheses rather than listen out for new hypotheses to emerge. listen in to something • listen to something listen in to something —(also: listen in on something) 1. listen secretly to a conversation: Little does he know that the shop’s owner is standing in the doorway, listening in to the conver- sation. 2. follow a radio broadcast: We recieved a positive response from everyone that contacted us after listening in to the show. listen to something—1. = listen in to something 2: I have just listened to the show with Marc Perrin and it was great. 2. fol- low what smb. is saying, etc.: Here are a few of the notes I took while I was listening to his sermon. 3. pay attention to smth.; heed smth.: The problem is, neither of the other two are particularly willing to listen to his advice. Little England • Little England beyond Wales Little England —Barbados (an island nation in West Indies): In spite of Barbados being called “Little England ” in the Caribbean, many islanders are weighing the possibility of a divorce from the mother country. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase Little Englander(hist.) a person who advocated a “little England,” that is, desired to restrict the dimensions and responsi- bilities of the Empire: Stanley was in these days a stop-the-war, pacifist Little Englander , anti-militarist, anti–Chamberlain. b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase Little Britain—(dated) Brittany (the duchy of Bretagne in France): Brittany, or “Little Britain ,” derives many of its unique cultural traditions from Celts who arrived from Britain around A.D. 460. Little England beyond Wales—Pembrokeshire (former county and historic region of south Wales): I have never been able to speak Welsh fluently, and being from the South West (Pem- brokeshire—little England beyond Wales ) have had little Welsh heritage. little friend • small friend little friend —1. is used of a pet animal as a term of endear- ment: All of us are or have been attached to a small animal. I am going to talk to you about my little friend . 2. (euph.) menstruation: Women have no shame connected to their “little friend ” every month. Your museum is a powerful tool in increasing acceptedness of menstruation. small friend — = little friend 1: My dog leapt into my arms and licked me with wild abandon. I cried for the reunion with my small friend . Note: a) Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase petit ami—(Fr., euph.) the partner for a male homosex- ual: Your petit ami was calling me a horrid baggy little man. b) Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase petite amie—(Fr., euph.) a sexual mistress (of a middle-aged man): His petite amie had raised the subject of marriage. little game • small game little game —scheming in order to win personal gain, advan- tage, or profit: How long do you mean to carry on this little game ? small game—1. a game in which the stakes are low: Some stuck to cards, and though no longer deep gamblers, rather played small game than sat out. 2. the smaller animals or birds hunted for food: There were few better areas than the country eighty miles round Delhi for small game . See also: big game / large game. – 219 – little game