characters … resemble each other in the practice of nursing in secret some pet superstition. 2. in strict confidence: This story is told in secret , as it were, because the people were afraid to tell it openly. in the secret—(predic.) sharing a secret; privately aware of smth.: One of her maids who was in the secret revealed the truth. in service • in the service in service—1. (of a machine, etc.) in operation: The latest fighter-bomber is as fast as any fighter yet in service anywhere in the world. 2. employed as a domestic servant: I suppose you see it as somewhat anachronistic—a young girl “in serv - ice .” in the service —while serving in the armed forces: Riggs had been wounded in the service . He was a hero and a fine young American. in shore • on shore in shore —on the water near the shore: We saw a small ship in shore … plying up the coast. on shore—ashore; on land: Water on the ship will be safe, but only drink bottled water when on shore . in show • on show in show—in appearance only: By an unfortunate accident the actor was stabbed in reality, and not merely in show . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase for show—for the sake of ostentatious demonstration: The ornaments serve no useful purpose; they are only put there for show . on show—being exhibited; on view: Some of her paintings are on show in the local art gallery. in so many words • so many words in so many words—(usually negat.) stated in these exact words: That the object was to bring Romayne and Stella together … was as plain to him as if he had heard it confessed in so many words . so many words —(of documents, utterances, etc.) nothing more than mere words: Such a law is just so many words without continued commitment and oversight by the legislative and executive branches. in someone’s arms • in someone’s hands in someone’s arms—held by a person (lovingly) in both arms: On the dance floor, Kezia was whirling slowly in the arms of the Baron. in someone’s hands—in smb.’s power; under smb.’s control: She’s going to change the history of the country and the fate of the people is now in her hands . in spirit • in spirits in spirit—inwardly; in one’s mind: Such as I are free in spirit when our limbs are chained. in spirits —(also: in high spirits) in a cheerful mood: His time is pretty much taken up in keeping his relation in spirits . in the air • up in the air in the air —1. not inside a house or building: We have taken our last walk in the air and having succeeded in tiring ourselves feel free to go to bed unashamed. 2. aboard an aircraft; in flight: After all, Short’s Empire class flying boats fifty years ago could offer a bed in the air . 3. (of plans, questions, etc.) still uncertain; remaining undecided: As for other ever chang- ing events, next year’s plans are still in the air . 4. (also: in the wind) rumored or suspected but not definitely known: What changes they will make nobody knows, but there is something in the air . 5. said of the general mood or atmosphere: There was a feeling of joy in the air . Men who had never voted before said that they felt like human beings for the first time in their lives. 6. (of military position) uncovered or unprotected This left the French First Army’s flank in the air , forcing it to with- draw as well. Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase in the open air1. = in the air 1: In the early evening Ernest went to speak to a group of the neighboring inhabitants in the open air . 2. unsheltered or unprotected from the elements: I myself saw new motors and parts piled up unprotected in the open air . up in the air—1. = in the air 2: If you’re up in the air and something goes wrong, you pull that parachute, and the whole plane goes down slowly. 2. = in the air 3: Our plans for a vaca- tion are still up in the air, but we’ll be going sometime after the new year. 3. (coll.) angry; excited: He is all up in the air because he had to wait a few minutes. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase on the air1. speaking over the radio: If Bucky Maynard doesn’t like you, you got a lot of trouble. I mean, he can destroy you on the air . 2. (of a program) being broadcast: Mc- Gannon is asking that stations be obliged to set aside a time when only children’s programs would be allowed on the air . in the blinking of an eye • without blinking an eye in the blinking of an eye—very quickly: Mrs. Shaw’s mood changes in the blinking of an eye during an hour long inter- view—sullen one moment, warm and witty the next. without blinking an eye—without hesitation or remorse: Why is the police chief, a loving family man at home, able to torture a man to the edge of death without blinking an eye ? in the bottom of the bag • in the bottom of the barrel in the bottom of the bag(also: at the bottom of the bag) remaining as a last resource or possibility: If this be done, which is in the bottom of the bag , and must be done, we shall be able to buoy up our reputation. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in the bag—(sl.) 1. as good as certain; virtually assured: Winning this game is in the bag —we’re leading by five goals to nil. 2. totally intoxicated: One look at Bill’s eyes was enough to tell me he was in the bag . Cf.: half in the bag —(sl.) slightly drunk: He had a shotgun next to the chair, and he was half in the bag from booze. 3. (UK Army WWI, WWII) taken pris- oner or killed in battle: Tell him if he tries to stick it out, he’ll only end in the bag . in the bottom of the barrel—(also: at the bottom of the barrel) among the worst or the least desirable elements of a particular group: Graduating in the 15 percent of one’s class from a bot- tom of the barrel school, still leaves you in the bottom of the barrel . in the box • in the ice box in the box —(coll.) 1. in the jury box: By his country, repre- sented by twelve men in a box , he will be tried. 2. in a refrig- erator: “Beer’s in the box ,” he pointed to the fridge in the kitchen and jostled back toward the den. 3. live in extremely confined, second-rate quarters: You live in a box down by the river…. Is that how we’re supposed to live? in the ice box—1. = in the box 2: He found a lot of food in the icebox and had fixed a big salad. 2. (U.S. sl.) in a mortuary (also: in cold storage): He’s got seven stiffs down there in the icebox . in the broad light of day • in the cold light of day in the broad light of day—(also: in broad daylight) said of smth. done openly in the daytime: They [actors] have shown in service – 194 –