not supported by facts or sound reasons: He said that the gov- ernment did not have a leg to stand on in regard to that bill. not have the legs—(of a ball in golf ) have not enough mo- mentum to reach the desired point: I thought my shot had reached the green but it didn’t quite have the legs . Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase find one’s legs—(also: find one’s feet) 1. acquire the power of walking steadily: We spent a week on board and after the first day we were able to find our legs even when the boat rolled. 2. (also: feel one’s feet) get confidence; be able to act inde- pendently: New teachers in their first year or so are still very much in the process of finding their legs . not in a condition • out of condition not in a condition—(followed by Infinitive) unable to do smth. because of an illness, fatigue, etc. (also: in no condition): Tupman was not in a condition to rise, after the unwonted dissipation of the previous night. out of condition—in bad shape; physically unfit: The way was rough and all three of them after so many idle days at sea, were distressingly out of condition . not in it • not with it not in it—1. not engaged in smth. as partners, competitors, etc.: For the most part the faculty members were not in it [distance education programs] for the money. 2. (coll.) not worthy of comparison with the thing stated first: Have you seen his new BMW? The old Opel isn’t in it ! not with it—(coll.) 1. not fully alert and aware of what is happening: I forgot to stamp the letters I posted—I’m really not with it this morning. 2. not thinking or behaving in the most modern way: That teacher will never be popular with the students, he’s just not with it . See also: beyond it / off it / out of it. not in one’s backyard • not in one’s province not in one’s backyard—is used to express objection to the siting of smth. considered unpleasant in one’s own locality: Many people want to see more prisons being built, but not in their backyard . not in one’s province—(also: outside one’s province) outside the area of one’s learning or activity: What happened to the juvenile after the court’s decision was not really in our prov - ince . not in so many words • without many words not in so many words—stated indirectly; not in these exact words: She would sometimes allude to this herself, though not in so many words . But the implication was clear. without many words—without much discussion or deliber- ation: When he had a duty to perform, Dobbin was accus- tomed to go through it without many words or much hesitation. See also: in a few well-chosen words / in a few words. not in the same street • up another street not in the same street(coll.) not nearly so good as smth.; much inferior (also: not in the same league): Although the fruit is sweet it’s not in the same street as an edible delicacy. up another street—(coll.) quite another thing: You want a few details…. That’s about what you want; but giving you the information is up another street . not know how the other half lives • not know what the other hand is doing not know how the other half lives—not know how other, especially poorer people live: People with steady jobs, decent income, and money in the bank often don’t know how the other half lives . not know what the other hand is doing—(used in allusion to the saying “one hand does not know what the other hand is doing”) said of a state of utter disorganization and confusion within an organization, etc.: There are lots of subcommittees that don’t know what the other hand is doing . not know which way to look • not know which way to turn not know which way to look—(also: not know where to look) be quite embarrassed: She came up to me and talked and laughed till I did not know which way to look . I felt that I must be the jest of the room. not know which way to turn—(also: not know where to turn) be uncertain or confused about what to do next: I’ve tried to find various solutions to this problem, but none seem to work. I don’t know which way to turn . Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase know one’s way around—(also: know one’s way about) 1. know how to get from place to place in a neighborhood: I like to go to London with Frank because he really does know his way around . 2. be extremely knowledgeable or experienced in smth.: Chef Elsner is a culinary master who knows his way around a kitchen like the back of his hand. not like the color of someone’s money • see the color of someone’s money not like the color of someone’s money—be reluctant to take smb.’s money (because it is tainted in some way or for personal reasons): I’m not used to people telling me they don’t like the color of my money . see the color of someone’s money—have proof that a person has money and can pay: When I see the color of your money , I may be interested in dealing with you. Until then, thanks, but no thanks. not move a finger • not move a muscle not move a finger —(also: not lift a finger) not make the slight- est effort to do smth.: It is unbelievable but my husband will not move a finger to help me on the domestic front. not move a muscle—1. remain perfectly motionless: Find yourself a comfortable, out-of-sight place to sit, keep quiet, and don’t move a muscle . 2. = not move a finger: I can’t believe Christians would let a thing like this happen and not move a muscle to help her. not much for something • not much of something not much for something—(also: not much on something ) 1. not enthusiastic about smth.; having no liking for smth.: The party broke up a little after … I guess the Ramsays aren’t much for staying up late anyway. 2. not good or effective at smth.: I am not much for dream interpretation so the next morning I put this dream to rest and continued with my daily life. not much of something—said of people or things of weak or poor quality: It was raining. Not much of a rain, just the beginning of a rain, cold and miserable. not once • not once or twice not once —on no occasion; never: It’s not once in six months that Madame Baret’s coiffure is amiss. not once or twice—many times: Not once or twice in times gone by have I been friendly to her, and so will I be again. not quite the thing • quite the thing not quite the thing —1. not feeling well: Wilfrid took his arm … saying: “You’re not quite the thing today, sir.” 2. not quite suitable or respectable: I do not mean to set you against him, but indeed he is not quite the thing ! – 243 – not quite the thing