friendship or enter into conversation: They got on well for a few months, but now they hardly talk to each other, because Lily is so standoffish . be a steady hand • have a steady hand be a steady hand —be not given to frivolity, eccentricity, etc.: Thomas is a steady hand , never late for business, never out of temper… have a steady hand —1. have a firm hand, one not shaky: Mr. Peterson still has a steady hand , shaving himself twice weekly. 2. (usually of a leader) be firm and consistent in one’s behavior: He has a steady hand and will do an excellent job of guiding the division. be about to • be not about to be about to —be on the point of doing smth.: But just as he was about to say something, he forgot what it was he was about to say. be not about to —1. be not going to do smth. soon: It seems that conventional teaching is not about to be supplanted by virtual universities. 2. (U.S. coll.) be unwilling to do smth.: “I’m sorry, I can’t lend you the money. I may need it….” “Hey, why don’t you just say that you’re not about to .” be absent from something • be absent in some- thing be absent from something—(of people) be not present at a place: He is never absent from work without an excuse. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase absent oneself from something— stay away from an event, etc.; avoid something: I absented myself from the conversation at the next decent opportunity. be absent in something —(of things) be missing in smth.: The impulsive type of noise (ignition interference and static) is generally absent in radar. be afraid • be afraid, be very afraid be afraid—1. be frightened or apprehensive about smth.: Willie recounted his life of drugs and violence in remorseless terms, and said he was not afraid to die. 2. feeling regret about smth.: Mary did not let me send the paper at first, she kept hoping it was a mistake, but I am afraid it is too true. be afraid, be very afraid —(imper.) is used as a humorous cliché to say that smth. unwelcome is imminent: The reser- vation staff are friendly—but be afraid, be very afraid of the restaurant staff… be against something • be up against something be against something —express opposition to smth.: And even though no one in the audience was against the project, there was plenty of skepticism. be up against something—(also: come up against something) encounter a serious obstacle or problem: But now we are up against a different kind of health concern—a potential pan- demic. If the bird flu develops the ability to spread easily be- tween humans it will be quite dangerous. be all wet • be wet be all wet—(U.S. coll.) be completely wrong: If you think I’m going to take that kind of talk from you, you’re all wet . be wet—(UK coll.) be unable to make decisions or take firm actions: Don’t be so wet ! Just tell them that you don’t want to go. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase be wet behind the ears—(coll.) be young, naïve, and inexperi- enced: For a twenty-five-year-old kid, still wet behind his ears , he got a lot of wisdom from somewhere. Cf.: be dry behind the ears — be mature or experienced: The three children, barely dry behind the ears , have taken over running the family dairy. be ancient history • be history be ancient history —said of a past event that has lost its orig- inal impact or importance: For today’s high school students all of that war is ancient history . be history—1. said of smb. whose career has been brought to an end: We are familiar with that reference: “He is history now,” which condemns some poor individual to the rubbish bin of life. 2. = be ancient history: After reading the two latest reports, I have to wonder about Bishop Gregory’s assertion that this scandal is history . be assured of something • be sure of something be assured of something—1. be guaranteed smth.: General Franks is assured of a place in history in a country where for- mer officials are respected even when out of office. 2. have trust in smth.; be positive about smth.: The king was assured of the rectitude of the motives on which he had himself acted. 3. be firmly persuaded of smth.: In 1415, Hus was summoned to defend himself at the Council of Constance, having been assured of a safe conduct. be sure of something—1. feel confident of smth.: If nothing occurs to stir the rage of this vindictive madman, I am sure of victory. 2. = be assured of something 2: The jury are told they cannot convict unless they are “sure” of the man’s guilt. be at each other’s throats • cut each other’s throats be at each other’s throats—be arguing violently; be very angry with each other: We cannot deal with tomorrow’s problems if we are at each other’s throats over economic issues. cut each other’s throats—harm each other’s interests, espe- cially because of fierce competition: They are cutting each other’s throats in their eagerness to finish the work first. be at loose ends • tie up loose ends be at loose ends —(also: be at a loose end) 1. be without em- ployment or fixed occupation: He was the only stranger in Cyprus who was thus at a loose end , as it were, and not on some professional duty. 2. be in an unsettled or uncertain sit- uation: He’s at loose ends . Hates his work, loathes his wife, and the kids bore him to death. tie up loose ends—deal with some parts of work that have been left over: She spent the afternoon tying up loose ends : editing a feature on California Cuisine, making phone calls, answering memos. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase make both ends meet—live within one’s means: With a family becoming daily more expensive, the little book-keeper had found it hard work to make both ends meet . be at rest • be resting be at rest—1. be in a state of physical or mental repose: He sat in his chair, still, but not at rest : expectant evidently. 2. (of an issue) be settled or decided: I never can take any office under the present rulers; so that question is at rest . 3. (euph.) be dead and buried: He is now at rest after a full and dedicated life. We salute his extraordinary legacy… be resting—1. (euph., coll.) be out of work: I am an inter- preter…. At present I am resting . 2. (of the body of a dead per- son) remain at an undertaker’s, a chapel, etc. before burial: Remains will be resting at the John Doe Funeral Home. be at someone’s service • be in someone’s service be at someone’s service—1. be ready to help or assist a person: I am at your service whenever you should need my advice. 2. (of things) be at smb.’s disposal or ready to be used: My car is at your service to take you around Rome and its surround- ings. be a steady hand – 32 –