in one’s prime • in the prime of life in one’s prime—in the period of life when a person is most prosperous and successful: Robinson was an amazing player in his prime and a lot of us are probably too young to remem- ber it. in the prime of life—in the period of life when a person is at the peak of health and beauty: Multiple Sclerosis is the most common neurological disorder affecting young adults in the prime of life . in one’s right mind • in the right mind in one’s right mind—healthy in mind; sane: He is not in his right mind … he is talking nonsense, and is stark mad. in the right mind —in a proper or favorable disposition: Ask him after a good meal, just when he is in the right mind . in one’s sight • in one’s sights in one’s sight—1. in one’s vision: As we climbed the stairs of the subway station, Big Ben was waiting to be the first thing in our sight ! 2. in one’s opinion; in one’s view: The fact of his being a money-maker was redeemed in their sight by his devo- tion to music. 3. regarded as a prospective objective: For at least one night, the talk will be of the victory Martin had in his sight and the way Harvick yanked it from him. in one’s sights—1. visible through the sights of one’s rifle, etc.: I had a large buck in my sights , clicked off the safety, hesitated, and then lowered the rifle. 2. = in one’s sight 3: Now she had it in her sights —a wonderful mansion flat overlooking the Thames at Chiswick. in one’s way • on one’s way in one’s way—1. situated along one’s route: I’ll take that book back for you; the library is in my way as I go to the town. 2. placed so as to be an obstruction or cause inconven- ience: If there is a physical obstacle in our way , we move it, jump over it or break it down. Mental obstacles are differ- ent…. 3. within the limitations of one’s character: “Prendy’s not so bad in his way ,” said Grimes, “but he can’t keep order.” on one’s way—1. on a journey; going to a place: On our way to Sidon we repeatedly encountered unknown ruins. 2. = in one’s way 1: We stopped to see Harris quite often as his house was on our way to and from downtown Winfield. 3. in good prospect of smth.: Don’t hundreds of thousands of immigrants on their way to becoming U.S. citizens work hard and serve in the military. in order • in orders in order—1. in the sequence in which things occur: I will answer your three questions in order . 2. (of a machine, etc.) working properly: Before setting out on a long journey, see that your car is in order . 3. (also: in place) be due or appro- priate: That phrase means different things to different people, so some explanation is in order . 4. in conformity with the prescribed mode of proceeding in debates, etc.: The chairman ruled that the question was in order . in orders—said of smb. appointed or ordained minister of the Christian church: He was in orders , but was not a placed minister. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase under orders(also: on orders) acting under authorita- tive instructions: Congress ratified the bill and sent it to the President who was under orders from his backers to sign it into law. in order of something • in the order of something in order of something —arranged according to some specified criterion: This arrangement of items in order of size or other value, is called by statisticians an array. in the order of something—1. approximately; roughly: Britain’s contribution is something in the order of five per cent. 2. = in order of something: Counting from below upwards the members arise in the order of their age. in ordinary • in the ordinary way in ordinary —1. added to the titles of people regularly serving royalty: The King’s painter to Charles IX was Henry Mellein, and his painter-in-ordinary was Conrad de Vulcop. 2. (of a ship) laid up for repairs; not fit for service: When ships are said to be in ordinary … they are in one of three stages of readiness for commission and active service. in the ordinary way—1. as is usual: Had it been decided to wash the coal in the ordinary way instead of dry cleaning it, additional ovens would have been necessary. 2. if the circum- stances were normal or usual: In the ordinary way he would have come with us, but he is not feeling well. in pain • in pains in pain—suffering physical pain or discomfort caused by injury or disease: They lay rolling themselves on the ground, heavily groaning in pain . in pains—1. (of a woman) in the throes of childbirth: I remember that in the film, the husband of the woman in pains was sitting far from the scene. 2. = in pain: She saw herself test it on a criminal — a rapist, and she saw how much he was in pains . 3. (followed by Infinitive) making a particular effort to do smth.: He was in pains to stress that the main task of government was the defense of the rich against the poor. Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase at pains= in pains 3: Linda was at pains to see that no one was left out. in part • in parts in part—partly; to some extent: The improvement was brought about in part by the Trade Union Movement. Cf.: in good part—to a great extent; largely: These mechanisms are intensely studied and in good part understood. in parts—1. (of a book) published in installments: Once the craze was all for issuing volumes in parts ; today part publica- tion is almost unknown. 2. (of a melody) performed by par- ticular voices or instruments: The old barcarole was sung in parts , at stem and stern of the same boat, by its own gondo- liers. in particular • in the particular in particular—especially; to an exceptional degree: One large star in particular excited our admiration. in the particular —(dated) in a specific case: Though he was often in the general the avowed enemy of oppression, we never … found him so in the particular . in pink • in the pink in pink—1. wearing pink clothes, especially a scarlet hunt- ing-coat: Although not in pink , I was the best mounted man in the field. 2. executed or finished in pink color: Decorated in pink and green the room boasts a king size feather bed and Jacuzzi for two. in the pink—(coll.) in the most perfect condition; in very good health: I am writing these lines to say I am still in the pink and hoping you are the same. in place • in places in place—1. in the proper position: One bathroom seemed all but finished…. A toilet bowl was in place . 2. (also: in order) be due or appropriate: Some explanation is in place to justify the seriousness and necessity of this project to everyone. in places —in some parts but not others: In places , the trees on both sides formed a tunnel over the river, masking off the sunlight. in one’s prime – 192 –