for one • for one thing for one —as at least one person (as distinguished from “none at all”): I for one would rather command a computer through a keyboard than talk to it. for one thing—as a single consideration; for one reason out of several: English football is so boring. For one thing , there are so few goals scored. for pity’s sake • out of pity for pity’s sake—is used when pleading for smth.: When you drive, for pity’s sake don’t smoke with one hand while you’re trying to turn a corner. out of pity—do smth. because of a feeling of pity: If I con- tinue this relationship, I’d be doing it out of pity not actual love and that isn’t fair for her either. for short • in short for short—as an abbreviation: We call him Monty for short , his real name being Montgomery. in short—(also: in short words) in brief; by way of summary: He became, in short , the finest actor on the American stage. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in short ordervery quickly; without delay: In short order they tried, condemned and hanged all the prisoners. for someone’s liking • to someone’s liking for someone’s liking—said of smth. which is too big, too hot, etc. and therefore not suited to smb.’s taste: They play music too loudly for their parents’ liking . to someone’s liking—said of smth. suited to a person’s inter- ests, tastes or preferences: Do you find the room temperature to your liking ? for the foreseeable future • in the foreseeable future for the foreseeable future—for a long time ahead: This seems likely to remain the pattern for the foreseeable future . in the foreseeable future—fairly soon: There is little hope that this will occur in the foreseeable future . for the good • to the good for the good —for the benefit of smb. or smth.: We will work for the good of our community and protect the interests of all the taxpayers. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase for good—(also: for good and all) permanently; for ever: He says that he is leaving the country for good . to the good —1. having a certain amount of money as profit: I am two thousand to the good . But he paid me in gourds, not dollars. 2. = for the good: Individual successes work to the good of the institution overall, notes Professor Denham. for the last time • last time for the last time —as the last and final instance: To-night he drives his engine for the last time . last time —on the occasion next before the present: The last time I saw him he was looking about for something to do. for the meantime • in the meantime for the meantime —as far as the period of time from now on is concerned: Nevertheless this action does patch up, for the meantime , the quarrel that was developing between them. in the meantime—during the period of time between two events; in the intervening time: His case won’t come to court for months, and in the meantime half the people think him guilty. for the support of someone • in support of someone for the support of someone—for the purpose of providing financial assistance to smb.: Many years ago a sum of money was left for the support of aged spinsters. in support of someone — speak, etc. in order to give one’s back- ing to a person: Some railway workers vote in favor of an unofficial “token” strike in support of busmen. forceful language • strong language forceful language—language which is assertive and definite in expression: France and Russia began circulating proposals to significantly reduce the forceful language of the resolution. strong language—1. = forceful language: Dismayed by the strong language of the resolution, the United States fired back with a harsh assessment of the behavior of some of its allies. 2. rude, offensive or abusive language: Some of the sites below may contain strong language , so please don’t proceed if you are easily offended. forget doing something • forget to do something forget doing something—fail to keep in mind smth. that one has done: I guess she forgot talking to me yesterday and did not recognize me earlier. She is so busy after all. forget to do something—fail to bear in mind smth. that one has to do: I’m not used to asking permission to do what I need to do, so it seems I forgot to talk to the manager. four kings, the • three kings, the four kings, the —the playing-cards bearing the representation of a king: Just turn over the cards, one by one, until the four kings turn up, all together. Cf.: history of the Four Kings, the— (arch., also: books of the Four Kings, the) a pack of playing cards: Freddy is up at Oxford, but Uncle says … all he seems to be studying is the History of the Four Kings . three kings, the—(the Bible) the Wise Men who came from the East to worship the new-born Christ: The angel may be the one who helped the Three Kings to return home. foxy lady • foxy man foxy lady —(U.S. sl.) a sexually attractive woman: My strictly platonic friend Mei is a foxy lady even when she is just moving around the house in her sweatpants. foxy man —1. a man who is sly and tricky: Herod was a foxy man and always tried to win power, but in the end he was recalled by the Roman emperor in disgrace. 2. a man resem- bling a fox in appearance: We found him waiting to receive us — a small, foxy man with a sharp but by no means amiable expression. free in something • free with something free in something—(of one’s manners, speech, etc.) informal; unceremonious: I have always been frank and free in my talks. free with something—generous with one’s money, praise, etc.: In the woman’s opinion, the gentleman was wonderfully free with his money. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase free of something—(also: free from something) not affected by smth.; without smth.: They agreed to certify that every ship- ment [of beef] was free of mad cow disease. free ride • free trip free ride—(coll.) participation without contributing any- thing: You’ve had a free ride long enough. You have to do your share of the work now. free trip—(Drug users) an “echo” or a “flashback” of an L.S.D. experience: The kid got a free trip , and it scared her to death. free someone from something • make someone free of something free someone from something—1. rid a person from smth. for one – 126 –