smth.: Lots of people were very down on the idea of paying for products that they aren’t using. up on something—well informed or up-to-date about smth.: Most of the psychiatrists in this country are not up on the lat- est medications available. down someone’s street • up someone’s street down someone’s street—(coll., also: down someone’s alley) within smb.’s competence or interest: The historical line of inquiry is outside your scope, but the analysis of the book is right down your street . up someone’s street—(also: up someone’s alley) = down someone’s street: A great many of the books published today are, as the saying is, right up her street . down-to-date • up-to-date down-to-date —present-day; contemporary: The down-to- date traveler discovered that without the aid of airplanes it was only just possible to equal Fogg’s record. up-to-date — = down-to-date: The Abbey was innocent of anything so up to date as central heating. down to earth • down to the ground down to earth —pragmatic; realistic: The committee will in- clude some down-to-earth people who know something about what goes on. down to the ground —(coll.) 1. thoroughly; completely: He looks as if he could be trusted down to the ground . 2. said of smth. that is very typical of a person: He made some rude re- marks, but then that’s Bill down to the ground . down-turn • turn-down down-turn —a decline, especially in economic or business activity: The economy has already demonstrated that it can suffer a mild downturn in manufacturing. turn-down —1. the turned-down part of smth.: I showed him the turn-down , only the turn-down, of your note. 2. said of the action of rejecting: I look back on that period of sour welcome and curt turn-down with feelings I cannot express. 3. (U.S.) smb. who is rejected, especially as unfit for military service: We’ve gotten a lot of turndowns , yeah; but we’ve got- ten guys who’re willing, too. 4. = down-turn: How far Amer- icans could continue running up debts during an economic turndown was not clear. drag one’s feet • drag one’s foot drag one’s feet—(also: drag one’s heels) delay doing smth. or doing it very slowly: It’s quite clear that the Government have been dragging their feet over this bill. drag one’s foot—let one’s foot touch the ground and be pulled along as one moves: George limped back toward the cabin, dragging his foot along the ground. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the nominal compound foot-dragging— deliberate slowness or delay: Parliamentarians again expressed concern over foot-dragging on legislative changes. See also: pull foot / pull someone’s leg. drama school • play school drama school —a college which specializes in the teaching of acting: Known as a major drama school , The New School for Drama provides a theatrical education for those choosing a career in acting. play school —school for children under five: Ryan attends a play school two days a week and will likely be attending pre- school later this year. draw a veil over something • veil something draw a veil over something—(also: throw a veil over some- thing ) refrain from discussing smth.; be secretive about smth.: Let us draw a veil over the rest of the episode. veil something—disguise or obscure smth. so as to hide the real nature of it: The book veils its critique of authoritarian politics in a fairy tale setting. draw away • draw off draw away —1. move off; move away: The crowd cheered as the ship drew slowly away . 2. move ahead of competitors (in a race): The best runner was beginning to draw away . 3. isolate oneself socially: She has drawn away lately and we can’t find out why. draw off—1. = draw away 1: The ships drew off at sunset, but celebrated the expected victory by blowing trumpets. 2. (of troops) retreat; withdraw: The army drew off to await fresh developments elsewhere. draw in one’s claws • draw in one’s horns draw in one’s claws—(also: pull in one’s claws) be less hostile and aggressive: They have drawn in their claws , and have be- come innocent and demure…. The intolerant bigotry of the dark ages is seemingly renounced. draw in one’s horns—(also: pull in one’s horns) be less keen or active, and more careful: Nor is there any reason to think that Tyson has learned to draw in his horns where women are concerned. draw out • pull out draw out—1. (of troops) march out of camp or quarters: The enthusiastic troops drew out in formidable strength beneath the holy banner. 2. (of a vehicle) move across traffic: Suddenly the car in front of us drew out and nearly caused an accident. 3. extend in length; become longer: The days are now begin- ning to draw out . 4. (Racing ) get gradually farther ahead: The favorite drew out and won by two lengths. pull out—1. leave a place; move out: We reached the station too late just as the train was pulling out . 2. = draw out 2: The car in front pulled out to overtake just as I was about to over- take it. 3. (of troops) move away; withdraw: Troops are pulling out of these troubled areas. 4. extricate oneself from an unfa- vorable condition: He’s been dogged by failure for years; now he’s working strenuously to pull out . 5. withdraw from an un- dertaking: He knows if he keeps his money in the business he will lose it, so he has pulled out . draw someone in • pull someone in draw someone in—1. (of an actor, performance, etc.) attract the public: This play always drew in large crowds. 2. persuade a person to participate; involve smb.: It’s your private quarrel, don’t try to draw me in . pull someone in—1. = draw someone in 1: Its unusual menu, prompt service and excellent location is pulling the crowds in . 2. = draw someone in 2: Against my better judgment, I got pulled in to help with the school concert again. 3. (of an of- fender or a suspect) arrest; detain: When I put a person under house arrest and she breaks it, I pull her in . draw someone out • pull someone out draw someone out—encourage a person to talk about one’s private thoughts: Mary is very quiet; try to draw her out at the party. pull someone out—cause smb. to regain cheerfulness or good health: You’re feeling low because you’re overtired; a good hol- iday will pull you out . draw something in • pull something in draw something in —1. bring smth. in by pulling: When the fisherman drew in his net he found in it a remarkable fish. 2. (of air) breathe in; inhale: Draw in a deep breath and let it down someone’s street – 106 –