achieve peace • win the peace achieve peace —achieve a state in which a nation or commu- nity is not at war with another: Neutrality is essential if we are to play a constructive role in achieving peace . win the peace —carry out successful reconstruction after the war: We may have had enough troops to win the war—but not nearly enough to win the peace . Achilles of England, the • English Achilles, the Achilles of England, the—(hist.) 1. the name given to the Duke of Wellington (1769–1852). 2. the name given to John- Talbot, first Earl of Shrewsbury (1373–1453): This great cap- tain, whose merit was acknowledged equally by friends and foes, received the appellation of the Achilles of England . English Achilles, the— = Achilles of England, the 2: This man was John Talbot, known as the English Achilles , and hero of countless battles. act as angel • act like an angel act as angel —act as a sponsor for a firm, organization, etc.: It was agreed that he should act as angel to the enterprise. act like an angel —be an excellent performer: She sings and acts like an angel and is extremely pleased because Wolfgang has served her extraordinarily well. act as someone • act for someone act as someone—perform as an interpreter, guide, etc.: I had a local student who acted as my translator, as my Spanish is extremely rudimentary. act for someone—represent smb. as a barrister, etc., in a law court: Mr. Bilmes agreed to act for me, attending court as my legal representative. act foolishly • act the fool act foolishly —act without reason or good judgment: She acted foolishly in her business dealings, trusting the wrong people or not trusting her employees enough. act the fool —(also: play the fool) deliberately act so as to ap- pear eccentric or foolish: He was a small, puny lad who acted the fool to stop himself being bullied. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase make a fool of oneself— act in a way that makes a person appear ridiculous or stupid: My advice to you is to refrain from making careless comments, for you’ll only make a fool of yourself . act of God • action of God act of God —1. (legal) the action of forces uncontrollable by man, such as hurricane, etc.: In the event of an act of God , the school reserves the right to suspend training. 2. said of the work of God in creation: The doctrine regarded our a priori ideas as infused into the intellect by an act of God . action of God —(also: work of God) = act of God 2: Creation is the origin of the totality of the universe by the action of God . act one’s age • show one’s age act one’s age—behave in a manner appropriate to one’s age (often used in asking children to act in a more grown-up fashion): She doesn’t look or act her age , she has no gray hairs, not even crows feet. show one’s age—show signs of being old: Booth is starting to show his age . His face is deeply creased and lined, and his voice has gotten mushy and lispy. act something out • outact someone act something out—give expression to thoughts, unconscious fears, etc. in one’s actions and behavior: Children often act out their troubled feelings in their games. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the intransitive phrasal verb act out—behave anti-socially or mis- behave: The child with a learning problem may act out to di- vert attention from, for example, his inability to read. outact someone—surpass another person in acting or per- forming: The man can outact just about anybody out there. His prime example is his portrayal of Rollins in Devil in a Blue Dress. action man • man of action action man—a person who makes a show of being very vig- orous and energetic: I had very little in common with the sort of larger-than-life action man I played in film after film. man of action —smb. who does things and is not content to just meditate or talk: Foscolo was intended for a man of action and strife: ease and fortune unnerved and demoralized him. actual time • real time actual time —the time to be compared with the standard or expected time: The actual time of its [Indian summer] occur- rence and the character of the weather appear to vary for dif- ferent regions. real time—1. the time during which an event occurs: The date displayed by monitors is from the previous day, making it almost impossible to know the real time of air pollution. 2. said of the processing of data which occurs as it is generated: A higher speed in computers means that they can more easily engage in activities in what we call “real time .” Note: Neither expression is equivalent in meaning to the phrase true timethe time according to the position of the sun: True (nonrelative) time can only be measured by using a constant, such as the objective speed of light. Adam and Eve • Adam-and-Eve Adam and Eve—1. said of men and women in general: The great dual law which makes Adam and Eve one humanity, the dry land and the seas one globe. 2. (U.S. diners) two poached or fried eggs: Diner lingo is one example of a mnemonic device that aids memory. “Adam and Eve ” refers to two eggs, usually poached. Adam-and-Eve—a North American orchid: A woman will carry a piece of Adam-and-Eve root in a little bag round her neck. It’s really Aplectrum hyemale, useful in bronchial trou- bles. Adam and Eve on a log • Adam and Eve on a raft Adam and Eve on a log—(U.S. diners) two poached eggs with link sausage: Adam and Eve on a log are two poached eggs with link sausage, but there are plenty of other short order cook gems like “Bowl of Red” (chili peppers with meat). Adam and Eve on a raft—(U.S. diners) two poached eggs on toast: There were Zepps in a Cloud (sausages and mashed) and Adam and Eve on a raft . Cf.: Adam and Eve on a raft and wreck them—(U.S. diners) two scrambled eggs on toast: You ask for scrambled eggs on toast, and the waitress says to the chef, “we need an Adam and Eve on a raft and wreck them .” adapted for something • adapted to something adapted for something—(of things) made suitable for a new use, situation, etc.: The book was adapted for television as a four-part series screened by the BBC. adapted to something —(of people) accustomed or suitable to smth.: I am not adapted to this business. I was bred a farmer, and ought not to have left that occupation. add color to something • give color to something add color to something —(of a story, account, etc.) provide de- tails that would interest and excite readers or listeners: The lecturer told a few jokes to add color to his talk. give color to something—(also: lend color to something) give – 11 – add color to something