a large area: Boston lacks big blocks of land that make housing construction on a large scale more economically feasible. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in large measure—(also: in large part) to a considerable extent: Public — and in large measure also independent — edu- cation in the United States has undergone a process of secu- larization. on the large side—rather large; a little too large: Although it is on the large side for slipping into a pocket it is still much smaller than a typical super zoom camera. on a level • on the level on a level —1. at the same height: She had only brogue heels on her feet; and her shoulders were just about on a level with his. 2. of the same rank or quality: His work was highly regarded by the ancients, who placed him on a level with Homer and Sophocles. on the level —1. in an area where the ground is level: I should like a house on the level ; I find it very tiring to climb this hill. 2. = on a level 1: His uniform was always spotless and he wore his white hat, no baseball caps then, down on the level with his eyebrows. 3. = on a level 2: It is hard to imagine that West would have minded this tribute, which put him on the level with Hogarth and Rembrandt. 4. (coll.) honest; trustworthy: Fred is on the level . He’ll do a proper job for you and charge you a reasonable price. on a rope • on a tightrope on a rope—(of mountain climbers) roped together (also: on the rope): It is a useful loop knot…. Once much used for the middleman on a rope in climbing, but now superseded. on a tightrope—in an extremely precarious situation: He went right back to the IQ … saying that my grades weren’t what they should be. I felt on a tightrope with him. on a shoestring • on a string on a shoestring—(of a business, etc.) run on a very small amount of money: It is said that Henry Ford started his busi- ness on a shoestring . on a string—said of smb. completely controlled by a person: Mr. Bradley said he was not a candidate on a string ; he had his own convictions. on active duty • on duty on active duty—fighting as a member of the armed forces: This file contains a history card on each Air Force Officer who was on active duty . on duty—engaged in one’s regular work or service: A uni- formed sergeant was drinking orange squash because he was on duty . on again, off again • on and off on again, off again—(also: off again, on again) subject to fre- quent change: The plans for the fireworks display were on again, off again because of the rainy and windy weather. on and off—(also: off and on) from time to time; not regu- larly: I tried a variety of diets on and off . Finally, with my wedding approaching I decide to try Weight Watchers. on at someone • on to someone on at someone—(coll.) nagging smb. persistently; trying to persuade a person to do smth.: His wife’s forever on at him to do something about the fence. on to someone—1. = on at someone: She’s been on to me to buy her a new coat for a year. 2. aware of smb.’s true nature: You want people to think you’re just some sportswriter, but I am on to you now. 3. (Police) in hot pursuit of a wrongdoer: The police are on to the men responsible for that break-in. on board • on the board on board—1. on a ship, aircraft, or public vehicle: The life of a boy on board a ship isn’t one to be envied, he is at every one’s beck and call. 2. said of smb. working with an organi- zation or a group of people: We are in the process of inter- viewing applicants and hope to have a new teacher on board soon. 3. (sl.) said of drink consumed by a person: With a brandy like this on board , I’d face the devil himself. on the board —1. on the notice-board to which public notices are affixed: The matriculation takes place in the Senate Hall at times indicated on the board . 2. on the patterned surface on which some games are played: He slowly built an assault, using every piece on the board . 3. belonging to the committee controlling a business: He is on the board of thirty companies, and can fairly claim to be the biggest hotelier in Europe. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase on the drawing board—under preparation: A plan is now on the drawing board to build new schools in remote areas. b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase on the boards—on the stage: Many of England’s most talented actors appear on the boards at the Swan Theater. on commission • on the commission on commission—receiving a percentage of the proceeds of goods sold: These jobs are all on commission only. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in commission1. in the exercise of delegated authority: When the treasury was in commission , the junior lords had sixteen hundred a year each. 2. (of a ship, aircraft, etc.) in working condition; in service: Some wartime vessels are still in commission . on the commission—serving on a committee: This brings the number of management consultants on the commission up to three. on deck • on the deck on deck—(coll.) 1. available and ready for action: Behind and off stage, a large stage crew are on deck to change scenes and regulate the lighting and sound. 2. alive: Don’t tell me old Bill’s still on deck . I thought he died years ago. on the deck—(RAF) on the ground; on the landing-ground: I didn’t see the bombs drop, but Mac yelled over the inter- com—“There’s one on the deck .” Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase on the decks—(U.S. tramps, dated) on top of the train: I am on top of the train — on the “decks ,” as the tramps call it. on edge • on the edge on edge—in an irritable state; very nervous or agitated: I was on edge all the time and the smallest thing would make me cry. on the edge—1. on the point of smth.: We are on the edge of losing many fundamental rights and at the top of the list is the right to privacy. 2. = on edge: His manner had not the ease it used to have. He seemed on the edge about something. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase on the edge of one’s seat— in the state of nervous excitement or anticipation (used of an audience watching a movie of suspense, etc.): I was engrossed in the film and my son was on the edge of his seat for most of the movie. on either hand • on every hand on either hand—1. on either one of the hands: There is no need to move your wedding ring. You can wear an anniversary ring on either hand . 2. positioned to right and left; on both sides: See these mountains, standing on either hand , one in the shade and the other in the light. on every hand —everywhere; on all sides: But the retreat was over-hasty, and rich booty remained behind on every hand . – 249 – on either hand