hotter than a pistol • hotter than blazes hotter than a pistol —(coll.) said of a person or thing that is very popular: Radios were hotter than a pistol . Shimek’s still sells radios as well as televisions and sound equipment. hotter than blazes —(coll.) is used to hyperbolically designate smth. very hot: Now Djibouti is hotter than you can imagine. Humid, hot, hot as blazes, hotter than blazes . hound someone • hound someone down hound someone—(also: dog someone) 1. make smb. the victim of continual persecution: Club owners were afraid to hire a comedian who was hounded by police. 2. annoy or harass a person persistently: A year later, he is still hounding me to pay, and still refuses to cover the cost of repairs for the damages he made. hound someone down—1. search for or pursue a person, espe- cially for arrest or punishment: A price was put on his head, and he was hounded down throughout the war. 2. track down and finally find a person, especially for arrest or punishment: In fleeing for safety they were eventually hounded down to the Cave of the Lakes. house man • man of the house house man —1. a person hired to perform general work about a house: She went through to tell the house-man to clear away the tea. 2. house detective employed by a department store, hotel, etc.: He … grinned at me sociably. “I’m the house man here. Spill it.” 3. a doctor who has a junior post in a hospital; an intern who serves in residence at a hospital: After qualifi- cation you have to spend a year working as a hospital house - man . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase house husbanda man who stays at home while his spouse works outside the home: John tried being the house husband for some years, but I’d prefer not to give up my work. man of the house—the chief male in a household: Look at him! The man of the house ! Why don’t you talk to me? I’m your wife, aren’t I? Cf.: little man of the house — said of a child who is the top male of the household: “Little man of the house ,” his grandmother said, chuckling. Vince was four years old when his father split. house master • master of the house house master—a teacher in charge of one of the boarding- houses in a school: Where senior house masters exist … they should be able to exercise an effective supervision over the boys in their care. master of the house—male head of a household: During meals, when he was not serving or pouring, the Butler stood behind the chair of the master of the house . Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase master of one’s own house—a person who manages his household affairs without interference from others: I shall let my wife and daughters know, that I will be master of my own house . householder • housekeeper householder —1. an owner or renter of a house: The inspec- tion techniques used were explained to the householder so that he could carry out future inspections on his own. 2. the head of a family: A family consists of a householder and one or more other persons living in the same household who are related to the householder. housekeeper —1. a person employed to do household main- tenance tasks: With my additional income I hired a house - keeper to do my laundry and keep the house in order. 2. smb. who takes care of his own house and its residents: We found out my husband is a wonderful housekeeper , better than I am at it, and it was actually kind of fun. how are you doing • how do you do how are you doing—(also: how are you) 1. is used to ask a person whether everything is going well: I am not really good at showing people how I am really feeling, you know … the “how are you doing ?” “Oh, I am doing okay” that stuff. 2. is used as an informal greeting when meeting people and requires no reply: We used to have short conversations every day, but now, it’s more of a “Hi, how are you doing ?” how do you do—is used as a formal greeting when meeting people or being introduced: “How do you do , Miss Ferrell? I am Miss Wright.” “How do you do.” how comes it • how goes it how comes it—(also: how come) how or why does it happen: How comes it that you are always late on Monday? how goes it—(also: how’s it going) is used to ask a person whether everything is going well: How goes it in your office since your new boss arrived? how ever • however how ever—is used as a more emphatic variant of “how”: Everything is fabulous—how ever are you going to choose? however —1. in whatever manner or way: However you cal- culate the costs, we need your estimate by tomorrow after- noon. 2. to whatever degree: However hard he tries to balance his responsibilities, Piech is always going to be left open to accusations of double dealing. 3. yet; nonetheless: Tom went on a date with a really nice girl. However , he forgot to take his credit card with him… how’s that • how’s that for high how’s that—1. is used as an expression of surprise or praise: I bought sandwiches with chicken … and I didn’t gain any weight so how’s that ! 2. is used to ask whether smth. is accept- able or satisfactory: I’ll go up as high as fifteen dollars. How’s that ? 3. is used when asking smb. to repeat what the person has just said: “My name’s Sijan.” “How’s that again?” how’s that for high— = how’s that 1: How is that for high , my hearty? Miracle! It was, by thunder! hungry for something • starved for something hungry for something—desiring smth. very much: We seek individuals who are personally disciplined and hungry for new experience. starved for something —(also: starved of something) being in great need of smth.: The relevant departments in the Univer- sities are starved for new material. I I am listening • I hear what you say I am listening —you have my attention, so speak: Sergius again hesitated. “I am listening ,” she said. I hear what you say—1. I know what you mean and agree with you: “I think it’s about time for a small revolution!” “I hear what you’re saying .” 2. is used with the implication that a person does not agree with his interlocutor: I hear what you say , and you know why I’m not going to debate that with you again today. I have seen better • I have seen worse I have seen better—(also: seen better) is used as a noncom- hotter than a pistol – 182 –