part or from the beginning: By the time the song was over the girl was still carrying on, so we played it again from the top . from the wood • out of the wood from the wood—(usually of beer) from the cask or barrel: “Beer from the wood ,” or the dispensing of ales from wooden casks, is a phenomenon at which American brewers must sim- ply stand in awe. Cf.: in the wood —(also: in wood) said of wine or beer kept in barrels: Wines have been kept in the wood for the period proper for attaining maturity. out of the wood—(usually negat.) free from trouble or difficulties (also: out of the woods): As long as Riel is uncaptured the Canadian Government is not out of the wood . from time to time • time after time from time to time—occasionally; now and again: He left here five or six years ago, but I still see him from time to time . time after time—repeatedly; over and over again: I have warned him time after time , but he takes no notice. from top to bottom • from top to toe from top to bottom—in every part (of a house): The police searched the house from top to bottom . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase from the zenith to the nadir(liter.) from the highest to the lowest possible point in one’s fortunes, etc.: The film flopped, and all Chu’s contracts were cancelled. In no time he plummeted from the zenith to the nadir . from top to toe—(also: from head to foot) 1. all over a person’s body: He was covered in mud from top to toe . 2. in every way; in all respects: He was French from top to toe , sleek and elegant. front man • frontsman front man —1. a man who publicly represents a person or an organization: The former adviser now serves as a front man for a large foundation. 2. (also: straw man) a respectable man who serves as a cover for a questionable enterprise: Depart- ment of Justice investigators believe that Earl Browder is a mere front-man . 3. the lead performer in a musical group: The key- board player is the front man for this band and he puts on a great, high energy show. 4. a television presenter: Dimbleby is the most accomplished front-man in television’s history. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase front runnera competitor who performs best or is in a leading position: Until several days ago, she was a front runner in this week’s Democratic primary. frontsman—1. = front man 1: The frontsman at the inquiry desk is sympathetic and directs us to come back in an hour to ask the boss. 2. = front man 3: Throughout his career, the frontsman , composer, and sax player Blicher has been influ- enced by the great songwriters. frown at something • frown on something frown at something—draw the eyebrows together to express displeasure, etc. when looking at smth.: Then he took one final glance over my application and frowned at my birth date. frown on something—show or express disapproval of smth.: The older generation have always frowned on some of the ideas of the young. full stop (UK) • full stop (U.S.) full stop (UK)—1. punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence: I remember sitting in class, repeating after the teacher—full stop , capital letter. 2. is used as an interjection to terminate a phrase with finality and emphasis: In fact, any- thing nuclear-related scares me, full stop . 3. a complete stop (as of traffic, etc.): The horse then … made a full stop , and expressed an unwillingness to proceed any farther. full stop (U.S.)— = full stop (UK) 3: Despite the lack of any visible traffic, Sam made a full stop at the intersection and then turned north. funny money • serious money funny money—1. counterfeit money: The police warned storekeepers that some funny money was being passed around town. 2. money obtained from an illegal or questionable source: Is he really there to launder some “funny money ” with his partner, Sammy? 3. currency with little value, especially artificially inflated: Selling by speculators caused the stock market to correct. The correction encouraged the authorities to print more funny money . serious money—(also: serious coin) a considerable sum of money; a lot of money: She has made some serious money and was fairly convincing of the idea that I could do the same. fur coat • fur-lined coat fur coat—a coat made of fur: The fur coat she wore must have cost her black-marketeer husband the best part of a thou- sand. fur-lined coat—a coat with a fur lining: He was wearing a heavy fur-lined coat which made him appear bigger and more fearsome than he was. fuss at someone • fuss over someone fuss at someone—(coll.) scold or noisily reproach a person (also: fuss someone out): I hate it when I fuss at my kids. I think of how awful other parents sound when they fuss at their kids. fuss over someone—(also: make a fuss over someone) treat smb. with an excessive display of attention or concern: High in the castle, Ariashal waited for the birth of her child. Her women fussed over her, trying to help her prepare. fuss someone • fuss someone out fuss someone(coll.) 1. (also: fuss over someone) treat smb. with an excessive display of attention or concern: This was fine when she was at home to fuss me … but when she had to leave me I got very upset. 2. bother or annoy a person: It is generally the safest way to take care to be in time ourselves, but to guard against fussing other people. fuss someone out—(coll.) scold or noisily reproach a person (also: fuss at someone): I was slightly scared she was going to fuss me out for waking her up. G gain a point • gain one’s point gain a point—1. score a point in a game or contest: A player gains a point if the opponent hits the ball when it is out of bounds (anywhere not on his court). 2. increase one’s author- ity, influence, or reputation: The English Minister can often gain a point by dexterous dealing in Parliament. gain one’s point—persuade smb. to agree to one’s objective: When he saw that he could not gain his point , the young gen- tleman got into a temper. gain credit • get credit gain credit—1. receive recognition, praise, or approval: It was Alberto Santos-Dumont who gained credit for building the first dirigible that could be maneuvered through the air. 2. complete a part of the higher education course (passing a test, etc.): Students may seek approval to use previously gained credit toward a new program of study. 3. (of rumors, etc.) acquire credence; be generally believed: An accusation so improbable gained but little credit . from the wood – 128 –