vals: There is no way of coping with orders that come in fits and starts throughout the year. in flesh • in the flesh in flesh —(dated) corpulent; well-fed: The widow, being a little in flesh , as warmly protested against walking. in the flesh —(also: in flesh and blood) in person (of smb. actu- ally present): The minutes passing on, and no Mrs. White in the flesh appearing. in flight • on the fly in flight—1. while flying: Gliders are now fitted with a means of cleaning off the leading edges of the wings in flight . 2. running away; fleeing: The two men are hiding in a hotel apparently in flight from the police. on the fly—1. = in flight 1: Peregrine falcons are predators and their prey consists mainly of birds, caught on the fly . 2. in motion; moving fast: She is constantly on the fly as she directs, plays piano or walks through the rows of children. 3. do smth. quickly or in passing (while busy with other things): Changes must be made on the fly , as the program progresses. 4. (sl.) having a lively, merry time; on the spree: My father had been on the fly in that town for nine or ten days. in force • in strength in force—1. (of laws, statutes, etc.) operative or binding at the time: In the south this ancient custom still remains in force . 2. in large numbers: The enemy was in force , the reg- iment came under heavy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire. 3. in full command of one’s energies or abilities: Latterly Cal- vert was better, and able to go with us. He was in force again… in strength —1. having great military power: Bonaparte was yet in strength to make face against the united armies of the remainder of Europe. 2. = in force 2: The civilian population used to turn out in strength every evening to watch our guard mounting parade. 3. in number: The refugee camp has grown to 600 in strength with many people being treated by the team medics for various illnesses. in form • on form in form—1. in structure: Cretan buildings are simple in form , conforming to architectural norms of Byzantine prove- nance. 2. in good physical or mental condition: Even if a horse is in form a bad trip almost surely will cancel its chances. 3. as a mere formality: The laws, which heretofore existed only in form , have been thoroughly enforced. on form —1. on the basis of previous results: On form , they have no chance of winning today. 2. = in form 2: We all knew that Michael was always on form when he played and he exceeded his own expectations today! in front of something • in the front of something in front of something—in the position directly before smth.: She couldn’t watch the television because he was standing in front of the screen. in the front of something—in the foremost or most important part of smth.: Two rooms were built in the front of the west end of the house. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase at the front of something—1. in the position nearest to the front part of smth.: At the front of the machine is the feeding board, a large wooden surface sloping gently down. 2. involved in the most advanced developments in a particular field: The Beach Boys are at the front of this wave of frantic surf music. in full • to the full in full —(of payments, etc.) without leaving anything out; to the full amount: It was part payment only, payment in full was still to come. to the full —as completely as possible; to the greatest degree: We did not enjoy our holiday to the full , because we were worried about my father. in full spate • in spate in full spate—1. (of a current of water) at abnormally high level: This stream cannot be crossed when it is in full spate . 2. said of some intense activity: A migration into the valley continued in full spate beyond the middle of the century. 3. said of an outpouring of unrestrained speech: He was in full spate …. What he was talking about was that they would send off one of these surface-to-air missiles. in spate — = in full spate 1: The worm fisher has his oppor- tunity when the streams are in spate . in future • in the future in future —from now on; from this time onwards: In future , in my presence, you will no longer wear these garments. in the future—1. = in future: In the future I’ll ask you not to make me look a fool before the servants. 2. at some time after the present but not immediately: The program can be resumed at its point of disruption at some time in the fu- ture . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase for the future—as far as the future is concerned: For the future , we shall have to rely on our own efforts. in glory • in one’s glory in glory —(of saints, etc.) in heavenly bliss and splendor: The crown is placed on the head of the maternal Virgin in glory . in one’s glory—in one’s highest state of prosperity or enjoy- ment: I was in my glory when they gave me a standing ova- tion. in good nick • in the nick in good nick—(sl.) in good condition: It’s not a local ale. Last year it turned up in a couple of pubs, sometimes in good nick other times not so good. in the nick —1. (also: in the nick of time) at a critical moment when smth. urgently requires to be done: Opening our mail we were relieved to discover the catalog had arrived. Just in the nick . 2. (sl.) at a police station or in prison: Everybody in the nick had already been dubbed up for the night. in good time • in one’s own good time in good time —1. early enough (when there is no risk of being late): I’d like to reach Salisbury in good time to take a look at the city’s many charms. 2. in a short amount of time: I’ve never been able to make that trip in good time . 3. (also: all in good time) in due course: If we can see any problems ahead, we’ll tell you in good time and work through them with you. in one’s own good time—(also: in one’s own time) at a time and rate of one’s own choosing: Don’t rush the job. Let me do it in my own good time . in grease • in the grease in grease—(of an animal) fat and fit for killing: The harts are “in grease ” from August to the middle of October. in the grease—(of sheep’s wool) not cleansed when shearing: If you wash the sheep you should do it thoroughly, for oth- erwise you had better shear in the grease . Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase be greased—(sl.) be drunk: Look at him stumble around! He is so greased he can hardly stand on his own two feet! in green • in the green in green —1. wearing green clothes: The Glaistig is a female fairy … sometimes described as a little, stout woman, clothed in green . 2. executed or finished in various shades of green color: – 189 – in green