Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase house warming—a party held when a person moves into a new house: This day James has come to see us and we give a “chez-vous” on the occasion, it may be called our house warming . warmer-up • warmer-upper warmer-up—(pl. warmers-up) 1. a preliminary item designed to put an audience in a receptive mood: As a “warmer-up ” the concert began with a rather pedestrian ren- dering of the Hebrides overture. 2. (also: warm-up man) a presenter of a preliminary item designed to prepare an audi- ence for another—more famous—performer: As so often it is the warmers-up (in this case Gordon and Bunny Jay) who do the hard work. 3. (coll.) a stimulating drink: Would you like a warmer up ? There’s a gentleman at the bar who would like to buy you a drink. warmer-upper— = warmer-up 3: The weather is just an excuse to pop into a bar or cafe to have a warmer-upper . wash-house • washroom wash-house —room or outbuilding equipped for washing: Nestled in the back courtyard of the gardens is a vintage wash house , now remodeled as The Wash House Gift Shop. washroom —(U.S.) lavatory (especially in a public building): The detectives try to piece together a motive for the shooting of a forensic expert in a restaurant washroom . washing machine • washing-up machine washing machine —an electrical apparatus used for washing clothes: Samsung manufactures all types of washing machines from twin tub to front loading. washing-up machine —a dishwasher: The kitchen is fully equipped, including an electric stove, microwave oven, refrig- erator and a washing-up machine . waste water • wasted water waste water —water that has been used in some industrial process: The liquefaction process could give off up to 4.8 mil- lion gallons of wastewater per day. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase waste of water—1. (also: waste of waters) a vast expanse of water: It seemed to her that her life was like that gull’s— the world stretched before her, like a great waste of water , shoreless and desolate. 2. the continued use of more water than is needed: These taps start dripping after being used for some time, causing a great waste of water every year. wasted water —water used without a good purpose or in greater amount than is necessary: An inefficient irrigation sys- tem can cost you hundreds of dollars each month in wasted water . watch for something • watch out for something watch for something—wait for smth. that’s going to happen or expected to appear: Watch for our new improved product, which will be on the market next week. watch out for something —(also: look out for something ) 1. be on guard for smth. dangerous or undesirable: I’m always watching out for mistakes that I may have missed before. 2. look after smth.; protect smth. from harm: Participants watch out for their neighbour’s property and report suspicious activ- ities to the police. 3. = watch for something 1: However, we will be running it [competition] again in the future. Watch out for our briefing events later this year. watch the clock • watch the time watch the clock—1. keep one’s eye on the clock to avoid being late, etc.: They work under the beady eye of their crew chief, who monitors their progress and constantly watches the clock , counting the minutes. 2. (also: clock-watch) keep one’s eye on the clock waiting for the end of one’s work day (used showing disapproval): The man who watches the clock and is afraid he will do too much will never get very far in the milling business. Cf.: clock-watcher —(derog.) a man who takes care not to exceed his minimum working hours; smb. who quits at once when it is time: I don’t want to be a clock-watcher , and appre- ciate that my working conditions are better than most peo- ple’s. watch the time —1. = watch the clock 1: Trying to read a book, she watched the time tick round until it was a reasonable time to get undressed and try to sleep. 2. wait for the right moment or opportunity: This is the chance to live in dreams and to watch the time for dreams to become your own reali- ties. water boat • water craft water boat—(hist.) a boat carrying fresh water to ships: He built some water boats and, by these boats furnished the gar- rison with good water. water craft—a boat or boats: The object lying upon the table was a ten-foot model of a strange-looking water craft . water boatman • water-man water boatman—a water-bug (Notonecta glauca), whose body resembles a boat: The water boatman , an insect related to the Cimicidae, made me suffer still more severely. water-man —1. a man who rows or lends out small boats for pay: A coachman, postboy, or waterman , generally expects some grace from the passengers, over and above his fare. 2. a man employed in the distribution of water: Duran is the water man . Maneuvering his 15-ton tanker down narrow ravines, he delivers water to people the city cannot afford to supply. 3. (hist.) an attendant at coach-stands, whose primary function was to water the horses: The waterman darts from the pump, seizes the horses by their respective bridles, and drags them, and the coach too, round to the house. 4. (coll.) a water-color artist: The collection of water colors includes among its con- tributors many of the best living “water-men .” Note: a) The compound does not correlate in meaning with the noun seaman—a mariner; a sailor : Seamen in the mer- chant vessels are required to enter into a contract in writing commonly called shipping articles. b) The compound is not antonymous in meaning to the noun landman—(also: landsman) 1. a person who lives and works on land (as opposed to seaman): Up to a third of the crew in wartime were landmen , who had volunteered to serve. 2. (Petroleum Industry) land consultant responsible for obtaining permission to drill an oil well, build a pipeline, etc.: I was a landman in Texas and Illinois (in the good old days) before the bottom fell out of the oil business. water hole • watering hole water hole —a pond or pool in a dry area: In many locations in Namibia, one simply waits by a water hole to photograph the never ending parade of animals. watering hole —1. = water hole: Appoint a place for washing clothes clear of the watering hole . 2. (joc.) a licensed café or pub: The restaurant was once a cosmopolitan watering hole for actors and writers. water house • watering house water house—a building in which water is retained in a reservoir: They have no water but what is forced from a deep well into a waterhouse , whence they are furnished by pipes. watering house —(UK hist.) a pub providing water for horses and refreshments for travelers: Travelers would stop at these “watering houses ” to quench their own and their animals thirst. – 331 – water house