between hay and grass1. (of a season, etc.) neither one thing nor the other: “It’s sort of between hay and grass with us, you know,” he explained. “Walnuts all marketed and oranges not ready for the pickers.” 2. (U.S. coll., of a young person) not a boy (or a girl) and not yet a man (or a woman): The boy was between hay and grass , but would make a man soon. For now, though, he looked miserable and every bit a child. between maid • go-between between maid —(UK dated) a young girl servant who helps in cooking and housework: She saved money for the voyage by working as a “between maid ” in the London home of a “ti- tled lady.” go-between —smb. acting as a messenger or intermediary between two parties: Beginning in the seventies, he was a go- between for Western arms manufacturers doing business with Iraq. beyond it • off it beyond it—(also: past it) unable any longer to pursue a nor- mally active life as when younger: Jackson is eighty, yet he still goes to business every day. Most people are beyond it long before that age. off it—(coll.) not feeling well: I shall hesitate before swal- lowing painkillers next time I feel off it and give natural reme- dies a try I think. See also: not in it / not with it; out of it / well out of it. beyond limits • out of limits beyond limits—beyond the bounds of what is usual or proper: The total lack of respect from the staff in this place was beyond limits . Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase without limits—without restriction; to any extent or degree: If only the banks would lend money without limits ! out of limits—(of an area) with restricted access (also: off limits): The entrance to the building was out of limits to the non-students. beyond one • beyond oneself beyond one—beyond one’s power: It is beyond me to even propose an opinion on what should be implemented to resolve this issue. beyond oneself—overpowered with some strong feeling (also: beside oneself ): He was beyond himself with rage and could not keep his temper. beyond the bounds of something • out of bounds to someone beyond the bounds of something—beyond the limits of what is acceptable or possible: To acknowledge that the question is beyond the bounds of science, is to admit that science cannot explain everything. out of bounds to someone—said of an area not allowed to be visited by certain people: The police patrolled the bridges that gave access to a small village, which was out of bounds to troops. biannual event • biennial event biannual event—an event that happens twice a year: The fair, also known as Canton Fair, has been a biannual event held in spring and autumn since 1957. biennial event—an event that happens once in every two years: This biennial event (home furnishings trade show) is held in the spring of odd-numbered years. big day • long day big day—a day on which important things happen: Today is going to be a big day for local athletes. long day—1. a working-day of fairly lengthy duration: I made a very long day last Friday. 2. a day perceived as lasting unusually long (because it is boring, etc.): I was held up by storms for three long days . 3. (biol.) a long period of light: In most polycyclic insects long days cause continuous develop- ment. big deal, a • big deal big deal, a—1. an important business transaction: My brother pulled off a big deal today. I think we’re going into business together. 2. said of smth. important: This attack alone may not be a big deal but in combination with others it has greater impact. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase great deal, a—very much; a lot: Vancouver Island has done a great deal to support the Mainland in the past, and is doing so at present. big deal —is used as an ironic exclamation to say that smth. is not important at all: “So, I can charge an evening’s enter- tainment to business expenses.” “Oh, big deal . Carry on.” big dog • Big Grey Dog big dog —(UK dated sl.) a man engaged to expel unruly per- sons from a saloon, etc.; a “chucker-out”: He was “big-dog to a disorderly house, and when called upon … to turn out of the establishment those who had been robbed in it he did not do his spiriting gently. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase short dog—(U.S. sl.) a bottle of cheap wine: Every now and then I get a short dog of Train and make my friends make funny faces as they watch me drink it. Big Grey Dog —(U.S. sl.) a Greyhound Lines, Inc. bus (Grey- hound Lines, Inc. providing the major intercity bus transporta- tion): Greyhound is as American as apple pie. You have not lived unless you rode the Big Grey Dog , as I like to call it. big drink • long drink big drink—(U.S. sl.) the Atlantic ocean (also: big pond): When you’re [flying] over the big drink you really get to feel how tiny we humans are. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase big drink of water—(sl.) 1. a large body of water: Lake Michigan is a big drink of water ; the bacteria levels fluctuate dramatically as you move around the shore. 2. (also: tall drink of water) a tall person: All they knew was that the bank officer’s killer was a big drink of water who looked like a mountain man. long drink—a cold refreshing drink served in a tall glass, containing little or no alcohol: Facilities include a swimming pool and a “beach shack” serving long drinks all day. big game • large game big game —1. the larger animals, such as lions, etc.: For big game , Bushveld is that part of the Transvaal which the hunter must seek. 2. an important sport event: Believe it or not, the best players on your team get nervous before a big game . 3. an adventurous undertaking involving great risk and gain: Just look at my life, Luke. It’s all one big long game . Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase great game1. excellent performance in a sports event: It was a great game that was tightly contested throughout. 2. = big game 3: Disraeli was an adventurer who played the great game va banque with a courage and effrontery… large game — = big game 1: The country round is full of large game , especially elephants, giraffe, and zebras. See also: little game / small game. big hand • small hand big hand—(usually in the phrase “give someone a big hand”) between maid – 48 –