a symbol of peace: There may be no better symbol of peace than this peace dove pendant. peaceful dove—a mainly sedentary dove (Geopelia placida) widely distributed through eucalypt forests of Australia: The Peaceful Dove has grey-brown upperparts, barred with black, pink-buff underparts. peak time • up time peak time—1. (also: peak hours) periods when traffic, con- sumption of electricity, etc. is at its highest: The survey shows that average peak time traffic speeds have risen. 2. (Radio, TV) a period characterized by the largest audience of the day: This peak-time program will be geared for a Sunday night family audience. up time —the time when a machine or computer is operat- ing: Maximum up-time is assured with the ability to replace a failed server disk or power supply, on-the-fly. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase time is up—(of a period of time) expire; be over: The water clock was used to control speakers’ times. When the water ran out, the speaker’s time was up . See also: high time / low time. Peeping Tom • Peeping-Tom TV Peeping Tom—a person who gets (sexual) pleasure, from secretly watching others: Why don’t you tell everyone that Bob is a Peeping Tom ? You saw him peeping into Mariah’s bedroom window… Peeping-Tom TV—said of reality television shows that focus on the personal lives of ordinary people: “Taxi!” is the latest manifestation of Peeping Tom TV , of which Jeremy Beadle is the brand master. peg leg • peg legs peg leg —1. a wooden leg: McPhail has created a pirate crew consisting of animals dressed in pirate gear: eye patches and peg-legs included. 2. (sl.) a person who wears a wooden leg: See that peg leg over there? He lost his foot to a shark. peg legs—(U.S. sl.) pants which are tapered at the ankle: Heavy thighs? Forget about peg legs and baggy shapeless jeans. peg someone down • take someone down a peg peg someone down—1. force a person to keep to a decision, agreement, etc.: One can’t peg him down to one genre of music because each CD can span several genres. 2. have a fixed opinion of a person: She had already pegged him down as a lazy, boozing, drug-taking, and altogether irresponsible man. take someone down a peg—(also: take someone down a peg or two) make smb. feel less important; snub or humiliate a per- son: The most influential paper picked the moment of his greatest triumph to take him down a peg . per cent • per cents per cent—is used with preceding numerals in stating a pro- portion of smth.: During the 10 years, the entire population increased at the rate of 13 per cent . per cents —public securities bearing a specific rate of interest: The conversion of the four per cents into three and a half per cents was facilitated. performance art • performing art performance art—multimedia art form combining static ele- ments with music, song, dance, film, and spoken dialogue: Performance art grew out of avant-garde movements, partic- ularly in poetry and painting. performing art—an art (such as the dance, music, drama, etc.) involving public performance: I am delighted to know that the Prime Minister is interested in having a center in Ottawa for the performing arts . permit of something • permit something permit of something—leave room for smth.: He must go quickly like a man bent upon urgent business which permits of no delay. permit something—allow smth.: If the owner does not per - mit smoking, people who wish to smoke can decide not to patronize that restaurant. person of few words • short-spoken person person of few words—1. smb. who does not speak much: Others who knew him say he was a person of few words , who usually spoke only when spoken to. 2. a person of action rather than words: Rose, also a person of few words , is known for getting the job done. No excuses, no stories—just do the best you can. short-spoken person—1. = person of few words 1: Another way to get more information out of a short-spoken person is to ask “clusters” of questions…. 2. smb. given to speaking in an abrupt, unfriendly way: He saw no one but the door-keeper, a short-spoken person who believed that it was part of his duty to be frowning. pester someone about something • pester someone for something pester someone about something—annoy a person by con- stantly referring to a specific matter: Mrs. Buster is always pestering me about which dress to wear, which card to send, what color pen to use on the card. pester someone for something—trouble a person by continu- ally asking for smth.: Inertia selling was the practice by which companies sent unsolicited goods, then pestered people for payment if they were not returned. petty cash • small cash petty cash —a small fund of money that a firm keeps for inci- dental expenses: Custodians of petty cash must ensure that any funds that have been spent will be replenished monthly. small cash—(usually attrib.) a small sum of money: This award will be given based on nominations by faculty in the form of a certificate and a small cash prize. photo finish • photo finishing photo finish —1. (Racing ) a finish so close that only a pho- tograph can decide the winner: In the tense, final moments of the race she had craned forward with the rest to watch the photo finish . 2. a very close contest in an election, etc.: A photo finish was predicted by public opinion polls. The final one showed M. Mitered winning on the second ballot… photo finishing —the process of producing prints from neg- atives: In the photographic chemicals market the company offers a range of chemicals for photo finishing . physical exercise • physical exercises physical exercise—physical exertion of the body (such as walking, playing football, etc.) engaged in for health or amuse- ment: We take no physical exercise , except riding or swim- ming. physical exercises —specific movements within a regimen of physical training: Physical exercises performed to the accom- paniment of music may be a pleasant and stimulating way of passing the time. pick at someone • pick on someone pick at someone—continually nag at smb.; find fault with a person: Why are you always picking at the poor child? pick on someone—single a person out for criticism, repri- mand, etc.: Have you any idea why the Inspector should have picked on you first? – 265 – pick at someone