in the time of something—(also: in the times of something) during the period associated with smth.: The payment of an- nates had originated in the time of the crusades. at the top of the heap • on top of the world at the top of the heap—(also: at the top of the tree) 1. as high as possible in one’s career or profession: Regardless of who is at the top of the heap in our government we are still the most diverse nation. 2. of the highest rank within a group of items: At the top of the heap are private colleges and universities such as Yale, Williams and Harvard which are world renowned. on top of the world—extremely happy: I was on top of the world and it seemed like just the beginning of a long and glo- rious career. at the top of the tree • up a tree at the top of the tree—(also: at the top of the heap) 1. as high as possible in one’s career or profession: You’re asking us to believe that a man right at the top of his particular tree , is going to commit forgery. 2. of the highest rank within a group of items: You may be selling products on behalf of another company, or you might be the company at the top of the tree up a tree—1. (coll.) in trouble or difficulty (also: up a gum- tree): The news that no hotel accommodations were obtainable left me rather up a tree . 2. (sl.) alcohol intoxicated: Only two glasses of booze and he was up a tree for sure. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase up the pole—(sl.) 1. (UK) confused or muddled: The Pope told Galileo that he was up the pole for pretending the world was round. 2. (Irish) pregnant: “Is she up the pole ?” “Better ask Seymour that.” b) The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase out of one’s tree(sl.) crazy; lacking common sense: I do believe that Bill was out of his tree when he made this decision. at the trail • on the trail at the trail —(Military) carrying a rifle in the right hand, the arm at full length, and the gun horizontal: The volunteers are in step, rifles are carried uniformly horizontal at the “trail .” on the trail—1. following a path in a wild or uninhabited region: In discrete valleys were a few cabins, and they stayed in them or siwashed (camped on the trail ). 2. following traces or tracks in hunting: Jacob’s dog leads them into the woods on the trail of a fox, and there they come upon the wreckage of a small plane. 3. following smb.; in pursuit of a person: The police are on the trail of a group of Satanists, believed to have caused a young man’s death. at the utmost • to the utmost at the utmost—(also: at the most) not more than the number or amount specified: The administration has promised to spend one billion dollars at the utmost on the operation. to the utmost—to the highest possible degree: The land and the sea were exploited to the utmost for the islanders’ subsis- tence. at the view of someone • in the view of someone at the view of someone—at the sight of smb.; on seeing a person: He tried not to laugh out loud at the view of his son dressed like a woman. in the view of someone—1. near enough to be seen by smb.: She stood in the view of everybody and uttered that strange prediction. 2. in the opinion of a person: In the view of the magistrate, the offence was not a serious one. at the view of something • with the view of some- thing at the view of something—at the sight of smth.; on seeing smth.: As you step into the courtyard you are amazed at the view of the trees, grass and flowers. with the view of something—for the purpose of doing smth.: He commenced a tour of the continent, with the view of ac- quiring a knowledge of European life. See also: in view of something / on view of something. at this minute • this minute at this minute—(also: at the minute) at present; just now: She’s feeding the baby at this minute . this minute —at once; immediately: You don’t have to make a decision this minute . at this time • this time at this time —at present; now: A local man is under suspicion but there isn’t enough evidence to justify an arrest at this time . Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase at this time of day—in present circumstances; when things have reached the stage they now have: It’s no good changing our minds at this time of day ; we ought to have done that before. this time —on this occasion: With the new scroll placed on the bulletin board, all may see who made the honor roll this time . at work • in work at work —1. at one’s place of employment: He’s at work now, but he’ll be back at six. 2. engaged in a particular activity: The poor woman was still hard at work at an ironing-table. 3. having a particular influence or effect: The same disastrous processes are at work in the whole of this area. in work—1. having employment: He has been out of work for a year. He’ll be glad to be in regular work again. 2. in process of preparation or completion: The company has three films in work right now. 3. (of a horse) in training: I had two horses in work during November and December. Note: a) The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase in the works— = in work 2: A plan of reor- ganization is reported to be now in the works . b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in laborexperiencing the pains and efforts of childbirth: Vane had been in labor for eight hours before her twin daughters were finally born. attach oneself to someone • attach to someone attach oneself to someone—associate with a person; become smb.’s constant companion: Fred seems to have attached him - self to a much older woman. attach to someone —(of blame, fault, etc.) become fixed onto a person: A lot of guilt attaches to Henry for his part in the plot. attached home • semi-detached house attached home—(U.S.) a house attached to another house on the other side of the shared wall: One son lives in an at - tached home adjacent to our home. semi-detached house—(UK) = attached home: What are peo- ple’s experiences of having a piano in a semi-detached house ? Does it depend on how thin the walls are? attempt at something • attempt on something attempt at something—an effort to do smth.: This publica- tion is the first attempt at a representation of our knowledge about vitamins and avitaminoses. attempt on something—1. an act of trying to accomplish smth. difficult: When he makes his next attempt on the world’s record, he will be using a “jet-propelled” speed-boat. 2. (in the phrase “attempt on someone’s life”) an act of trying to kill smb. (usually of an unseccessful attack or assault): Musharraf survived a second attempt on his life when attackers rammed a car bomb into his motorcade. at the top of the heap – 26 –