phrase in no temper—not in the mood for smth.: Garibaldi, marching obstinately to defeat, was in no temper to listen to anybody, to Mazzini least of all. out of temper — = in a temper: Don’t go upstairs. Mother’s there and she’s out of temper . in a world apart • worlds apart in a world apart—out of touch with reality; unaware of the latest news, etc.: The returned exiles lived in a world apart . They hatched plans and business schemes and visionary ideas for transforming society. worlds apart—(of two or more people or things) completely different: It can seem that men and women are “worlds apart when it comes to life and love. Why did God plan it that way? in act to do something • in the act of doing something in act to do something—on the point of doing smth.: Nero persuaded himself that his mother was watching him like a tiger-cat in act to spring. in the act of doing something —in the process of doing smth.: The thief was caught in the act of breaking into the house. in action • out of action in action —1. engaged in an activity, especially as a particular or good example: It is not hard to understand why the team is so talented when you see the team in action . 2. in military combat: Charles Havlat is thought to be the very last American soldier killed in action in the European operations of World War II. out of action—1. (of a machine or vehicle) not working or functioning properly: We were aware that the hotel was under renovation, however for two days the elevator was out of action . 2. (of a sportsman) unable to participate in a compe- tition, etc. because of an injury: He had surgery on both of his knees and therefore was out of action for several weeks. in an excess of something • in excess of something in an excess of something—1. when smth. is present beyond the limits of what is normal: This can be made by burning sulphur in an excess of air. 2. through too much emotion: My own copy has long been gone, pocketed by an acquaintance whom I pressed it on in an excess of generosity. in excess of something—to a greater amount than smth. else: “Armorplate” has acquired a degree of strength far in excess of that with which the original plate glass was endowed. in an instant • on the instant in an instant—in a moment: Our ship was in an instant full of these swarthy gentlemen quite naked. on the instant—at once; immediately: When you shut the doors of this grotto, it becomes on the instant , from a lumi- nous room, a camera obscura. in and out • ins and outs in and out—1. said of smb. coming and going from a place all the time: Sam was in and out of the office most of the day today. 2. (of work, etc.) not continuous; done at irregular inter- vals: His engagements are only for particular plays—“in and out ” work. ins and outs—1. the details or fine points of smth.: She left the explanation to those who pretended to understand the ins and outs of the gravest mysteries of life. 2. people holding office and those out of office or in opposition: In Britain the parties are organized under party chiefs, and elections are sim- ply a struggle between the ins and the outs . See also: inside and out / inside out. in another world • on other worlds in another world—1. out of touch with reality; unaware of the latest news, etc.: I had for some time been living, as it were, in another world . I now came down to earth with a bang. 2. is used of a state of existence after death: A night’s reflection has convinced me that there is no hell for these women in another world . Cf.: in this world—during our life on earth (as distinguished from the world beyond the grave): All human beings are destined to exist forever—in this world , and the world to come. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase there’s a whole other world out there— there is a whole new world of ideas, information, etc. that is different from what we know: There’s a whole other world out there , one in which chemists work on more immediate problems in close collab- oration with customers. on other worlds—on other planets: Most scientists believe the universe is so vast that it is almost a statistical certainty that intelligence exists on other worlds . See also: in the next world / in the second world. in arms • up in arms in arms —(of people) armed; prepared to fight: When their country is at war, they have many men in arms . up in arms—1. actively rebelling: All of the colonies were up in arms against the Redcoats. 2. indignant over smth.; strongly protesting: The country is up in arms over the denial of voting rights to the men and women serving overseas. in at it • in for it in at it—(also: in on it) taking part in an activity; involved in smth.: If any mischief or practical joke was going forward, young George was sure to be in at it . in for it—(coll.) said of smb. who is to suffer punishment or some unpleasant consequences: If the farmer catches those boys stealing his apples, they’ll be in for it . in balance • on balance in balance(also: in the balance) 1. properly balanced; in equilibrium: When there are two equally weighted objects on the seesaw, the board will be in balance . 2. in harmony with: The human body is in the balance with the mineral substances and each damage of this balance can initiate serious health problems. 3. (of a situation) uncertain as to the outcome: The financial situation is by no means resolved and the club’s future is still very much in the balance . on balance—1. = in balance 1: The other foot should be behind you, acting as a support. You should be stable and completely on balance . 2. having considered all the relevant facts: Although the evaluation process was not perfect, it was, on balance , fair to the proponents. in black • in the black in black—1. wearing black clothes: A gentleman in black proceeded to call over the names of the jury. 2. wearing mourning clothes: Mrs. Smith is in black , I see. Whom has she lost? 3. executed or finished in black color: The table is very ornamental … the legs being of iron finished in black and gold. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in a black mood—irritable, angry, or depressed: We often talk about being in a black mood , feeling blue, going red with anger and green with envy. in the black —(coll.) in a sound financial position; making a profit: We toyed with bankruptcy for a while, but now we’re in the black . in blue • in the blue in blue —1. wearing blue clothes: Kim was chatting to a girl in blue as she laid crackling thorns on a fire. 2. executed or finished in various shades of blue color: Finished in blue , this item comes complete with a comfortable head cushion. in a world apart – 186 –