as a matter of fact • fact of the matter is, the as a matter of fact—as it happens; actually: As a matter of fact , I recently found two small stories that provoked more thought than the other articles I read. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase as a matter of course— as part of a standard procedure; as smth. that one expects automatically to happen: Medical in- surance is provided for students by the Institute as a matter of course . fact of the matter is, the —the essential or important thing is: The fact of the matter is that she only married me because Zeeman wouldn’t get a divorce, and she was punishing him. as a reward for something • in reward for some- thing as a reward for something—is used of smth. given to reward a person: I receive as a reward for my services a post with which I am well satisfied. in reward for something—is used with reference to the reason for the reward: He was presented with a gold watch in reward for his services. as anything • like anything as anything—an intensifier used as part of an informal com- parison: Natasha was one of these people who’s nice as any - thing until you don’t do something she says. like anything—(coll.) do smth. with great energy or enthu- siasm: He waved to us and we waved back like anything . Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase like nothing on earth—(coll.) 1. extremely strange; highly unusual: You may yet meet with a lumbering native bear, like nothing on earth so much as a child’s woolly toy. 2. feeling or looking very ill or miserable: That dreadful period when you’re just coming out of an anesthetic and feeling like nothing on earth is not the time when you want a visitor. as big as a barn • as big as all outdoors as big as a barn—very large: The restaurant is as big as a barn —and as plain and welcoming as a farmhouse kitchen. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase as big as they come— used of a size not likely to be exceeded: If he did really catch a 20 lb. salmon, he was lucky; that’s about as big as they come . as big as all outdoors—1. very vast and spacious: The store room is as big as all outdoors . 2. huge; great: Bob likes a chal- lenge that’s as big as all outdoors . Note: Neither expression is related in meaning to the phrase as big as life—(also: as large as life) used of smb. actually present, especially in a place where a person is not supposed to be: I thought Tom had gone to Europe. There he is, as big as life . as far • so far as far —(also: this far) to a specified point or place: They opened more clinics since people couldn’t travel as far for med- ical care. so far —1. until now; up to the present time: There has not so far been any book-length study focused on postmodernism. 2. = as far: It really makes you think about how amazing it is that you can travel so far in one day. as far as • so far as as far as—1. up to a point or place mentioned: We went as far as the Marble Lodge, a keeper’s cottage, and came back the same way. 2. to the extent that: As far as I can tell, people reply according to what their experience and knowledge is and to the best of their ability. so far as — = as far as 2: So far as I can remember, I’ve always been success-driven and goal-oriented, and all it’s gotten me is a mediocre job. as far as one can see • as far as the eye can see as far as one can see—in one’s opinion: Pete wants nothing serious because as far as he can see we wouldn’t get along be- cause we argue all the time. as far as the eye can see—to the very horizon: A panorama of Lake Michigan and dunes stretching as far as the eye can see unfolds before you. as good as • as well as as good as —practically; almost: He as good as promised me the job. as well as—in addition: We will travel by night as well as by day. as hell • like hell as hell —(coll.) extremely; very much (is used to intensify ad- jectives): Nobody believed him of course, and this made him sore as hell . like hell—1. (interj.) not at all; on the contrary (is used to emphatically contradict a statement): “I’ve quite enjoyed it here.” “Like hell I have,” she added under her breath. 2. (coll.) madly; frantically (is used to intensify verbs): I fired when some- thing came into my sights and then turned like hell as some- thing fired at me! as is • as it is as is—just the way it is (usually said of goods that may be slightly damaged, without guarantee, etc.): We bought this samovar as is from an antique dealer. as it is —1. = as is: It was actually a demo but the producers were so impressed with the quality that they took it as it is . 2. in the actual state of affairs; as the situation is: He might have been killed; as it is he was severely injured. as it was • as it were as it was—1. just the way it was (usually said of goods that may be slightly damaged, without guarantee, etc.): The family bought the estate as it was : ruined, discredited, its buildings in bad condition. 2. in the actual state of affairs; as the situa- tion was: If we had been able to find a taxi, we should have caught the train. As it was we were late. as it were—in a way; so to speak: He was, as it were , the missing link between the artist and the commercial public. as much • as much again as much—1. is used to express equality with the amount specified: The Irish Independent also reports that we’ve never earned as much . 2. think or say virtually the same thing: That a plant will be built is not in doubt: the Government has said as much . as much again—twice as much: People who sell you goods earn as much again if they sell you this insurance too. as of now • for now as of now—from this moment: It’s been over a month and a half and still no word. So, as of now I will never order there again. for now—temporarily; for the time being: The status quo may be good enough for now , but it’s not good enough for tomorrow. as one man • to a man as one man—(of a group of people) acting unanimously and at exactly the same time (also: as a man): As he uttered these words, the members of the convention rose as one man to their feet. to a man—(also: to the last man) 1. (of a group of people) every person without exception: The inhabitants, almost to a man , had left the city. 2. (of combatants) keep fighting until as a matter of fact – 18 –