cannot therefore be used: This will tell you how much “dead money ” is tied up in the three products. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase dead rent—a fixed rent for a mining concession, etc.: A claim for an increase in the amount of the dead rent fixed in a contract cannot be upheld. dead on the money—(coll.) totally correct: I have always read Howard’s articles with a great deal of interest, as they are usu- ally dead on the money . dead right • dead to rights dead right—(coll.) absolutely right: You are dead right about the Web connection being the most critical part for a classroom teacher now. dead to rights—(in the phrase “catch someone dead to rights”) catch a person in the act of committing a crime: He was caught dead to rights with the goods on him. dead room • death chamber dead room —a room or studio made absolutely soundproof: With the advent of radio broadcasting and sound pictures very “dead” rooms have been built. death chamber—1. (also: lethal chamber) a room specially equipped for executing people: It was with similar displeasure that I undertook a tour of Maryland’s death chamber . 2. (U.S. sl.) an unsafe vehicle (also: death trap): The Ford Pinto was considered a death chamber due to its gas tank tendency to explode on impact. dead rope • death rope dead rope —1. a rope that is fixed, and does not run in a pul- ley: There must always be at least two complete turns of dead rope on the pulley or drum. 2. a bell-rope working on a half- wheel, for chiming: The bells were not hung for “full circle” ringing until 1678; prior to this date they were hung “dead rope .” death rope —a rope used for hanging a person: “You want to do the honors?” asked our lieutenant, holding up the untied end of the German officer’s death rope dead season • dead time dead season —1. (of holiday resorts, etc.) the time when there are very few guests: Since it was the dead season , the hotel beach wasn’t crowded at all. 2. a period without commercial, social, or intellectual activity: It was the dead season in Lon- don; every one of consequence was out of town. dead time —time during which the active work is not going on: Machine owners strive to minimize the dead time by fine- tuning the control system. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase dead on time—exactly at the expected or pre-arranged time: We arrived dead on time at Cape Town where we were met by Che in the arrivals hall. dead ship • death ship dead ship—(Nautical) a ship without power: They saw no movement, no living or dead person, no sign of violence; nothing, but the ordered emptiness of a darkened and dead ship . death ship—a ship deliberately wrecked so that the owners can collect insurance money: He is forced to join the crew of a “death ship ” … betrothed to the ocean floor in exchange for insurance money. See also: ghost ship / ghost train. dead sleep • never-ending sleep dead sleep —profound sleep simulating death: Well, I don’t remember getting home but in the middle of the night I woke up out of a dead sleep and was wide awake and sober. never-ending sleep —(euph.) death: Hamlet sees a never-end - ing sleep full of dreams as extremely pleasant, but these very dreams are the “undiscovered country” which makes him fear death… dead weight • live weight dead weight—1. (also: dead load) the fixed weight of a struc- ture (such as a bridge on its supports): This inefficient use of material contributes substantially to the dead weight of the structure itself. 2. a heavy or oppressive burden: The dead weight of this legacy has grown heavier from generation to generation. The classical precepts have come to be a millstone round the neck… live weight—the weight of an animal before being slaugh- tered: Live weight changes of calves were calculated as average daily gain for the June to October period. dead wire • live wire dead wire —(also: dead line) a cable through which no elec- tricity passes: A young carpet layer was installing carpet when he grabbed what he thought was a dead wire . live wire —1. (also: live line) a wire carrying electric current: If you were to touch the live wire a current would flow through your body to the ground. 2. a vivacious and energetic person: He is a live wire and a free spirit. It is easy to see why people are so keen to flock around him and worship at his feet. deal in something • deal with something deal in something —trade in a particular commodity: Before shops were common in every village, he dealt in needles, thread, and the like. deal with something—1. be a customer of a business: I’ve dealt with this firm for twenty years. 2. manage smth.; attend to smth.: There are many difficulties to be dealt with when starting a business. 3. (of a book, etc.) be concerned with smth.; treat a subject: His latest book deals with police methods. deal with someone • make a deal with someone deal with someone—1. have to do with a person: Until the end of his term Britain has a statesman, and not a catch-vote politician, to deal with . 2. treat or behave towards a person in a manner specified: We ourselves shall one time or other be dealt with as we deal with others. make a deal with someone—make a bargain or business transaction with smb.: He’s willing to “make a deal ” with dis- gruntled investors to win their support. death-wish • dying wish death-wish —a conscious or unconscious wish for the death or downfall: Whatever handicaps he labors under as Minister, they do not include the death-wish ; he is still determined to win the next election. dying wish —a person’s last wish expressed at the time of dying: We are delighted that Patrick’s remains are being brought home in accordance with his dying wish . decide on something • decide something decide on something—1. choose smth. from two or more pos- sibilities: After exhaustive product research, I finally decided on licensed leather sports caps. 2. settle a question, etc.; make a judgment on smth.: The courts that decided on the case had been wrong in concluding that he was not the co-owner of the property. decide something—1. = decide on something 2: A jury of cit- izens and not the judge decided the case, and the company in which Turk owned stock actually lost. 2. influence or deter- mine the outcome of smth.: Diallo also had no complaints about the penalty kick that decided the match. dead right – 94 –