pacity: Four refineries that were shut down are now operating at full strength . 2. (of a group of people) with all its members present: Although none of our teams were at full strength they all put in spirited performances. in full strength—(also: in full force) = at full strength 2: The ladies were in full strength … each of them bringing a dish prepared by themselves. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase with all one’s strength—using as much physical effort as one can: He looped the rope over the branch and pulled with all his strength . at full time • in the fullness of time at full time—reaching the normal mass or dimension: At full time the fetus weighs from six and one-half to eight pounds. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase full time—1. the regular number of hours allotted to daily or weekly work: All the factories we visited were running full time . 2. (also: high time) time when smth. should be done at once: The vessel is going to pieces, and it is full time for all who can, to leave her. in the fullness of time—at the proper or destined time: In the fullness of time , your children and your in-laws become friends. at hand • in hand at hand—(also: on hand) within easy reach; close by: Keep a good dictionary at hand as you write. Proofread carefully. in hand—1. said of smth. being dealt with: If you apply yourself to the job in hand , you’ll soon finish it. 2. (also: on hand) in one’s possession: Sometimes it is a better idea to bor- row money than to wait until you have the money in hand . at hazard • on the hazard at hazard—1. at random; without plan: The following ex- amples were selected at hazard . 2. at stake; in danger: Their worldly interests were at hazard . on the hazard— = at hazard 2: Messala’s whole fortune was on the hazard . at high pressure • under high pressure at high pressure —1. (of matter) when strongly pressed: Steam and oxygen at high pressure are introduced at the lower end of the gasifier. 2. acting with great energy and speed: As for Robert, he, of course, was living at high pressure all round. under high pressure —1. = at high pressure 1: The new material loses its resistance only under high pressure . 2. when strongly persuaded or compelled: Working under high pressure for sus- tained periods results in stress. at home • on home ground at home—(predic.) very competent in smth. (with the im- plication that it makes a person feel confident and relaxed): Melanie is equally at home singing oratorio, jazz or performing in musical theater. on home ground—1. in the area where one works or lives: It was nice to renew acquaintances of students I’ve taught and to meet them on “home ground .” 2. = at home: Godber is on home ground , writing with cold-eyed affection about the Yorkshire mining communities. at home in something • at home with something at home in something—very competent in a particular sub- ject (with the implication that it makes a person feel confident and relaxed): Richard was at home in mathematics and physics as well as Greek. at home with something—feeling easy and confident about using smth.: From the day we arrived he was completely at home with the camera. at home to someone • at home with someone at home to someone—prepared and willing to receive visitors: Mrs. Hill is not at home to anyone except relatives. at home with someone—1. on friendly terms with smb.: She described his charm as “magnetic” and said “he was at home with everybody.” 2. feeling comfortable in a person’s company: His genial manner made me feel quite at home with him. at interest • with interest at interest—(of money) borrowed or lent on the condition that interest is to be paid: The sum was placed in a bank at interest and not to be drawn before a set maturity date. with interest—1. (of money) paid with interest included: The company will return your original investment to you with in - terest . 2. return or repay with increase or addition: The boys make monkey faces at me and I return the compliment with interest . at it • in it at it—1. hard at work exerting oneself: He never gives him- self any rest; he’s always at it . 2. doing smth., especially repeat- edly, of which the speaker disapproves: Those children lighting fires in the park. So they are at it again, are they? 3. arguing or quarrelling, especially when this happens repeatedly: There they are at it now, with their caterwauling, squealing, all to- gether. 4. (euph., sl.) indulging in sexual intercourse: The cou- ple next door have been at it all night. in it—taking part in an activity; engaged in smth.: There is no money in boxing. Those of us who started it many years ago are really not in it for the money. at large • in large at large—1. not in confinement or captivity: The suspect was not found, and was still at large , police said. 2. unemployed; without an occupation: Are you at large or have you any other occupation? 3. is used of people in general: Did the people at large approve of the government’s policy? 4. without definite aim; at random: A single stroke well aimed returns a better result than a score which are delivered at large . 5. at great length; in detail: My mother and I talked at large on the subject. in large—(also: in the large) as a whole: Are they pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth rather than their family and neighbors: their community in small and in large ? at last • at the last at last—after much waiting or delay: It is an uplifting thought that truth is to be told at last . at the last—during the final period: Ah, but you never saw him at the last . He was not at all what he used to be. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase at the last minute—at the last possible moment: The plane took a nose dive. The pilot was able to bring it out at the last minute … b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase at the latest—used of smth. that must happen at or before a par- ticular time: Changes will become necessary by the autumn at the latest . at need • in need at need—in time of need: They had the support of older men whose experience could be called upon at need . in need—requiring help: Many elderly people who are in need fail to apply for a supplementary allowance. at no time • in no time at no time—on no occasion; never: This organization has at no time been an official subdivision of the Labor Party. at full time – 22 –