were paid by the great monopolies to wave the red flag and talk about blowing people up. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase wave the flag—1. demonstrate patriotism and loyalty: I will continue to wave the flag , because I continue to love the ideals that our country represents. 2. show support for smth.: This series clearly waved the flag for acupuncture, herbal reme- dies and alternative medicine in general. put the screws to someone • screw someone up put the screws to someone—put extreme pressure on a person: I know that the Department of Finance are putting the screws on the Land Commission to bring their operations to an end. screw someone up—(sl.) 1. cause harm to a person: Remem- ber, even one hint of a rumor about this type of conduct will screw you up for the rest of your life. 2. make smb. nervous or anxious: One thing that always screws me up here is the food. I have trouble buying it, but the food itself is invariably not what I expected. put the shoe on the other foot • put the shoe on the right foot put the shoe on the other foot—experience the opposite situ- ation (when circumstances are reversed): I could put the shoe on the other foot , and think how this would effect me if we turn the tables. put the shoe on the right foot—(also: lay the saddle upon the right horse) put the blame on the right person: Don’t keep on blaming me, Graham was the culprit. Put the shoe on the right foot . put the skids on something • put the skids under something put the skids on something—bring smth. to a halt: After World War II put the skids on the big band era, Louis Arm- strong and many others cast about for a new direction. put the skids under something—stop smth. from succeeding or making progress: Will progressively higher interest rates put the skids under our growing economy. put up a good show • put up a show put up a good show—perform well; make a good effect: In the words of Osborne, who leads the raid, the important thing is to put up a “good show .” put up a show—(also: put on a show) display an outward appearance or semblance of smth.: I thought I was the only one who wasn’t brave—but then I found out that they all were putting up a show . put words into someone’s mouth • take the words out of someone’s mouth put words into someone’s mouth—1. tell a person what to say: “So you refuse to explain?” she asked sharply. “Now don’t go putting words into my mouth , please,” Jean retorted. 2. sug- gest or claim falsely that a person has said smth.: Frank said fiercely: “She never said anything! You’re trying to put words in her mouth !” take the words out of someone’s mouth—say what another person was about to say; anticipate smb.’s words: “Wasn’t that a magnificent performance?” “You took the words right out of my mouth !” Q qualify as something • qualify for something qualify as something —be described or characterized in a par- ticular way: The £1 a week rise would not qualify as an excep- tion to the nil norm laid down in the summer. qualify for something—have the right to smth.; be eligible for smth.: Students who do not qualify for the desired course may repeat the exam. Queen’s College • Queens’ College Queen’s College—(UK) Oxford University: The ancient cer- emony of serving up a boar’s head at Queen’s College was duly observed yesterday. Queens’ College—(UK) Cambridge University: The Library is open to all current members of Queens’ College and to old members and visiting scholars. question of the hour • question of time question of the hour—currently the most debated issue: It is the living question of the hour , and not the dead story of the past, which forces itself into all minds. question of time—said of smth. that is thought certain to happen sooner or later: Baby-sitting having become firmly established, it was only a question of time before somebody offered to provide a similar service for dogs. quite a few • quite a lot quite a few —a considerable number: There are quite a few people with Spanish surnames around here. quite a lot— = quite a few: Quite a lot of people will telecommute daily to their London offices while living on a Pacific island. R radio net • radio network radio net—a system of intercommunicating radio sets (such as used by a police force, etc.): A re-broadcast system had been installed which allowed them to monitor the police radio net . radio network—a system of radio stations; a broadcasting organization: This concern to tailor the news to the listener has even spread to National Public Radio, the non-commercial radio network . ragged blue line • thin blue line ragged blue line —(U.S.) the Union forces (who wore blue uniforms) in the American Civil war: A ragged blue line of four infantry regiments on line and one in reserve moved across the open valley. thin blue line —(UK) the police; the protective power of the law: You’ve heard about the thin blue line that protects prop- erty and the owners of property. See also: all-red line / thin red line. rail car • railroad car rail car —a self-propelled railroad vehicle designed to trans- port passengers: Railcars are often used on minor railway lines where passenger traffic is sparse. railroad car —a coach for passengers on a train: Persons who drink at a bar, ride in a railroad car , or visit the theater without charge, are called dead heads. – 279 – rail car