usually unfavorable, position: When John told her how poor he was she said that she was in the same boat . sail in the same boat—act together; make common cause with a person: If I were you I wouldn’t sail in the same boat with someone as corrupt as he is. be in the swim • swim with the stream be in the swim—have interest or active role in modern life and social activities: The need to be in the swim —up to date — might not have been the least of our driving forces for general progress. swim with the stream(also: float with the stream) act as the majority of people do; behave in a conventional way: Those who prefer to swim with the stream are numerous everywhere. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase come on stream(also: go on stream) be in active oper- ation: The second phase of the airport will come on stream in two years. be in the wind • hang in the wind be in the wind—1. (also: be in the air) be rumored or sus- pected: Everyone in the industry knew that a change was in the wind . 2. (sl.) be alcohol intoxicated: I am not in the wind … for you see I’m perfectly sober. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in a breeze—(coll.) easily, without visible effort: It had been a battle of the sexes and the girls had won in a breeze ! No contest really: Girls 4—Boys nil! hang in the wind —show signs of uncertainty; hesitate: She waited for what was coming. But he hung in the wind . be in the wrong • be wrong be in the wrong —act in a way not morally justifiable: In all questions between a government and an individual, the pre- sumption is that the government is in the wrong . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be in the wrong box(UK coll.) be in a wrong position and so in difficulty or trouble: Mr. O’shea, if you report what a private member says to you then you will be in the wrong box . be wrong—have the wrong idea or opinion; be incorrect in one’s statements, etc.: None of us are so proud as never to confess that we are wrong . be in trouble • have trouble be in trouble—1. be in a difficult or dangerous situation: The Youth Board finds the youngsters who are in trouble and begins to work with them. 2. (euph., of an unmarried woman) be pregnant: She said she consented to be married to the pris- oner as she believed she was in trouble . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be troubled1. be put to the inconvenience of doing smth.: Mineralogists have often been troubled to distinguish with certainty between apatite and nephelin. 2. be anxious or concerned: The King was troubled , lest this eloquent man should shake his resolution. have trouble— experience serious problems: The telegraph lines began to have trouble , and for a while the experts couldn’t figure out what was the matter. be in trouble with someone • have trouble with someone be in trouble with someone—suffer unhappiness or have problems because of smb.: He has been in trouble with the police arising out of his activities with the British Israelites. have trouble with someone—1. have problems with smb. be- cause of this person’s behavior: The Post Office is having much trouble with people who underpay their letters. 2. = be in trouble with someone: This wasn’t the first time that my family have had trouble with the police. be in waiting • lie in wait be in waiting —1. be in attendance on a person of rank: Es- mond’s friend, Dick Steele, who was in waiting on the Prince, heard the controversy between the ladies at court. 2. be ready for service: Dr Sinclair, who was in waiting , had the man carefully examined, and it is wonderful to say no bones were broken. lie in wait—remain hidden while preparing to attack: Police yesterday fired tear gas into a car to immobilize a couple alleged to be lying in wait to rob a cash-filled armoured van. be in want • be wanting be in want—be destitute; live in poverty: Many people are now out of work and in want . be wanting —be deficient or inadequate: Nothing will be wanting to render your stay agreeable. be in with someone • be with someone be in with someone—(coll., also: be on the in with someone) be on friendly or familiar terms with a person: We go along for a drink occasionally, but we’re not really in with the people staying there. Cf.: be out with someone—(coll., also: be on the outs with someone) be no longer friendly with a person: He is out with his former friend and in with his former adversary. be with someone —(coll.) 1. pay attention to what a person is saying: Are you still with me —or shall I go over it again? 2. support a person; back smb. up: If you do decide to oppose him, then we’re with you all the way! See also: have an in with someone / have it in for someone. be interested in someone • have an interest in someone be interested in someone—be keen to know or learn about a person: I do not suppose that George was interested in Steven- son as a writing man. have an interest in someone—concern oneself about or sym- pathize with smb.: She happens to be my only sister’s child and I have an interest in her. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase interest oneself for someone—seek attention for another person: I will interest myself for you and try to obtain a promise of the post. be laid low • lie low be laid low —1. (of a disease or injury) cause a person to take to bed: I’ve been laid low with this cough most of the winter. 2. be defeated or forced into a humble position: Kidd was laid low by an incredible run of sheer bad luck. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be low—feel weak or depressed; be in low spirits: I am low today. What is it that makes one day good and another bad? b) The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase be laid up1. = be laid low 1: The test pilot, Robert Turner, was laid up with back injuries for months. 2. (of a ship) be put in dock, as for repairs: In 1910 she stranded in Singapore and was laid up with hull damage. lie low —keep a low profile; try to be inconspicuous: Sarah decided to lie low until the train got underway again. be left in peace • rest in peace be left in peace —be free from interference or coercion: These men should be left in peace for they have served their time. rest in peace—(euph.) said of smb. dead and buried: My grandparents, who now rest in peace , loved Halloween. be loaded • be loaded for bear be loaded—(U.S. sl.) 1. be under the influence of drugs or alcohol: I’m not loaded . I’m just a little tipsy. 2. be very rich: Mr. Wilson is loaded , but he is also generous with his money. be in the swim – 38 –