pacity: Four refineries that were shut down are now operating at full strength . 2. (of a group of people) with all its members present: Although none of our teams were at full strength they all put in spirited performances. in full strength—(also: in full force) = at full strength 2: The ladies were in full strength … each of them bringing a dish prepared by themselves. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase with all one’s strength—using as much physical effort as one can: He looped the rope over the branch and pulled with all his strength . at full time • in the fullness of time at full time—reaching the normal mass or dimension: At full time the fetus weighs from six and one-half to eight pounds. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase full time1. the regular number of hours allotted to daily or weekly work: All the factories we visited were running full time . 2. (also: high time) time when smth. should be done at once: The vessel is going to pieces, and it is full time for all who can, to leave her. in the fullness of time—at the proper or destined time: In the fullness of time , your children and your in-laws become friends. at hand • in hand at hand—(also: on hand) within easy reach; close by: Keep a good dictionary at hand as you write. Proofread carefully. in hand—1. said of smth. being dealt with: If you apply yourself to the job in hand , you’ll soon finish it. 2. (also: on hand) in one’s possession: Sometimes it is a better idea to bor- row money than to wait until you have the money in hand . at hazard • on the hazard at hazard—1. at random; without plan: The following ex- amples were selected at hazard . 2. at stake; in danger: Their worldly interests were at hazard . on the hazard— = at hazard 2: Messala’s whole fortune was on the hazard . at high pressure • under high pressure at high pressure —1. (of matter) when strongly pressed: Steam and oxygen at high pressure are introduced at the lower end of the gasifier. 2. acting with great energy and speed: As for Robert, he, of course, was living at high pressure all round. under high pressure —1. = at high pressure 1: The new material loses its resistance only under high pressure . 2. when strongly persuaded or compelled: Working under high pressure for sus- tained periods results in stress. at home • on home ground at home—(predic.) very competent in smth. (with the im- plication that it makes a person feel confident and relaxed): Melanie is equally at home singing oratorio, jazz or performing in musical theater. on home ground—1. in the area where one works or lives: It was nice to renew acquaintances of students I’ve taught and to meet them on “home ground .” 2. = at home: Godber is on home ground , writing with cold-eyed affection about the Yorkshire mining communities. at home in something • at home with something at home in something—very competent in a particular sub- ject (with the implication that it makes a person feel confident and relaxed): Richard was at home in mathematics and physics as well as Greek. at home with something—feeling easy and confident about using smth.: From the day we arrived he was completely at home with the camera. at home to someone • at home with someone at home to someone—prepared and willing to receive visitors: Mrs. Hill is not at home to anyone except relatives. at home with someone—1. on friendly terms with smb.: She described his charm as “magnetic” and said “he was at home with everybody.” 2. feeling comfortable in a person’s company: His genial manner made me feel quite at home with him. at interest • with interest at interest—(of money) borrowed or lent on the condition that interest is to be paid: The sum was placed in a bank at interest and not to be drawn before a set maturity date. with interest—1. (of money) paid with interest included: The company will return your original investment to you with in - terest . 2. return or repay with increase or addition: The boys make monkey faces at me and I return the compliment with interest . at it • in it at it—1. hard at work exerting oneself: He never gives him- self any rest; he’s always at it . 2. doing smth., especially repeat- edly, of which the speaker disapproves: Those children lighting fires in the park. So they are at it again, are they? 3. arguing or quarrelling, especially when this happens repeatedly: There they are at it now, with their caterwauling, squealing, all to- gether. 4. (euph., sl.) indulging in sexual intercourse: The cou- ple next door have been at it all night. in it—taking part in an activity; engaged in smth.: There is no money in boxing. Those of us who started it many years ago are really not in it for the money. at large • in large at large—1. not in confinement or captivity: The suspect was not found, and was still at large , police said. 2. unemployed; without an occupation: Are you at large or have you any other occupation? 3. is used of people in general: Did the people at large approve of the government’s policy? 4. without definite aim; at random: A single stroke well aimed returns a better result than a score which are delivered at large . 5. at great length; in detail: My mother and I talked at large on the subject. in large—(also: in the large) as a whole: Are they pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth rather than their family and neighbors: their community in small and in large ? at last • at the last at last—after much waiting or delay: It is an uplifting thought that truth is to be told at last . at the last—during the final period: Ah, but you never saw him at the last . He was not at all what he used to be. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase at the last minute—at the last possible moment: The plane took a nose dive. The pilot was able to bring it out at the last minute b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase at the latestused of smth. that must happen at or before a par- ticular time: Changes will become necessary by the autumn at the latest . at need • in need at need—in time of need: They had the support of older men whose experience could be called upon at need . in need—requiring help: Many elderly people who are in need fail to apply for a supplementary allowance. at no time • in no time at no time—on no occasion; never: This organization has at no time been an official subdivision of the Labor Party. at full time – 22 –