first lady, the • first woman, the first lady, the —1. the wife of a president: The first lady car- ries no official duties…. Nonetheless, she attends many official ceremonies. 2. a woman who is most important or better than any other at smth.: Dubbed the “First Lady of Song,” Fitzger- ald has clearly earned her title. 3. (U.S. diners) spare ribs: The phrase “first lady ” meaning “spare ribs” was a pun referring to Eve. The Bible describes her as being made of one of Adam’s ribs. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase leading lady, the—the chief actress in a theatrical com- pany or a film: Mme du Châtelet always took the part of the leading lady , dressed up to kill and covered with diamonds. first woman, the1. (also: prima donna) the principal female singer in an opera: The part of the first woman in an inter- mezzo was filled by a very promising singer. 2. = first lady, the 1: Considering Hillary Clinton’s ambitious agenda, they found themselves reluctant to criticize the First Woman ’s conven- tional version of feminism. 3. is used with reference to Biblical Eve: However, disagreement starts soon after the creation of the first man, Adam, and the first woman , Eve. first school • primary school first school —(UK) a school for children aged between five and eight or nine: The village would consent to the school becoming a first school , rather than a primary. primary school—a school for the first four to eight years of education: I started primary school in a class together with fifteen other children, who were all a bit older than I was. first time • for the first time first time—said of the very first occasion of smth. (similar events could possibly follow later though not necessarily): She put on her hat and shawl and, realizing it was the first time she was to leave him at home, she hugged and kissed him. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase first time round—(also: first time around) used of the first instance of some cyclic or repeated event: John didn’t pass the bar exam the first time round . He passed it on his second try. for the first time —as the first instance since some past point in time: Negotiations began in the 1950s when it became clear for the first time that coastal resources needed protection. first time out of the box • just out of a bandbox first time out of the box —(coll.) said of one’s first experience with smth.: This is the first time out of the box with these cars and nobody has had a lot of time to work with them yet. just out of a bandbox—said of a person looking extremely smart and neat: They are all exceedingly neat and cleanly as if they were just out of a band-box . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase just off the boat(coll.) used of smb. newly immigrated and, perhaps, trusting and naive: I showed the students a short narrative written from the point of view of a new immigrant, just off the boat . See also: out of one’s box / out of the box. fish slice • slice of fish fish slice—1. (UK) a fish-carving knife; a kitchen tool used for turning or serving fish: A fish slice can be used to lift fish fillets or pieces of meat. 2. a thin, wide, flat piece cut off (cooked) fish: Sprinkle lime juice over the fish slices and season with salt. slice of fish — = fish slice 2: To make grilled fish, thin slices of fish have to be mixed with ginger, saffron, fermented cold rice, pepper and fish sauce. fish story • fishy story fish story—an exaggerated story; an incredible tale (about fishing): A friend who does not tell fish stories , says he has seen them [herring] in such schools that he could not row his boat through them. fishy story—a doubtful, questionable story suggestive of deception: He gives me a fishy story about how he bought the bike from an auction and is now selling it because it is too small for him. fit in with someone • fit someone in fit in with someone—feel comfortable among particular peo- ple: Lou just can’t seem to fit in with her new family. She … resists any kind of companionship from her host-parents. fit someone in—find time to see or speak to a person: Send me a note with your resume and let me check my schedule to see if I can fit you in . fit to be hung • fit to kill fit to be hung—said of a person deserving the worst pun- ishment: They regarded the Socialists as cowardly deserters or rascally mutineers, fit to be hung . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase fit to be tied—(coll.) used of smb. roused to great anger or indignation: I was fit to be tied when I realized what you had done. One of your producers was kind enough to call me and apologize. fit to kill—(coll.) said of smb. wearing very fancy clothes (usually in the phrase “dressed up fit to kill”): She looked fit to kill in the burgundy dress that perfectly complimented her glossy black hair. five-by-five • four-by-four five-by-five —1. said of a radio signal which is loud and clear: The standard “loud and clear” to an American had to be a “five by five ” or a “three by three” depending on the reception. 2. (in the phrase “everything is five by five”) everything is all right: To stave off any potential concerns about my wellbeing, let me reassure you all that everything is five by five . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase seven-by-nine—(dated sl.) said of people or things of poor or inferior quality: The Duke of Newcastle in the elder Pitt’s time was a “seven-by-nine ” or peanut politician of the foremost type. four-by-four—a vehicle with four-wheel drive: Those involved are calling for higher road taxes on four by four users and higher parking permit fees. fix it up with someone • fix someone up with someone fix it up with someone —(coll.) arrange smth. with a person: Can you fix it up with the Headmaster so that the meeting will be delayed? fix someone up with someone—(coll.) provide a date or social companion for a person: Daniel met his wife when she was trying to fix him up with her friend. fix someone up with something • fix someone with something fix someone up with something—arrange for a person to have smth.: His father tried to fix him up with a job at the local municipality. fix someone with something—confront a person with an angry, hostile, etc. look: He fixed me with a steady look, rather owl-like with his heavy rimmed glasses. flammable liquid • inflammable liquid flammable liquid —liquid capable of being inflamed or easily set on fire: This report provides an evaluation of the hazards associated with flammable liquid storage lockers. – 121 – flammable liquid