none is left alive: The Persian army closed in on them, and the Spartans died fighting to a man . as security • for security as security —1. as a pledge against possible financial loss: It is not unusual to require one or more partners to pledge their own property as security for a loan. 2. as a guarantee for the performance of some action: Three of the leading men were seized as security . The Mayor paid the sum and the “bonds” men were released. for security—in order to ensure safety from possible harm: For security , the door was chained as well as locked. as thick as peas in a pod • like two peas in a pod as thick as peas in a pod —(also: as thick as peas in a shell) in- timate or very friendly: He and I are as thick as peas in a pod . He comes to me with most of his troubles. like two peas in a pod—very similar; almost exactly alike: She and Karen are like two peas in a pod —they both sing in clubs, share the same dirty laugh, smoke the same brand of cigarettes. ask another • ask me another ask another—is used as an expression of boredom or a protest against a worn-out joke: “I say, Joe, when’s a door not a door?” “Oh, ask another .” ask me another—is used to tell that one does not know the answer: “Are you fond of birds, uncle Nic?” “Ask me another , Greta!” ask for someone’s hand • ask someone for a hand ask for someone’s hand—propose to a woman: I’ve told him I have asked for your hand in marriage and that you’ve rejected me. ask someone for a hand—1. ask smb. to help in what one is doing: Sometimes you feel a bit stupid asking someone for a hand . 2. ask the audience, etc. for applause: Asking the audi - ence for a hand for the band he showed his confidence in their abilities. ask someone in • ask someone out ask someone in—invite a person into one’s home, office, etc.: I sent them my information and they asked me in for an in- terview. ask someone out—invite a person out to a disco, restaurant, etc.: I am just not too sure about how to ask her out . ask someone to leave • ask someone’s leave ask someone to leave—1. ask a person to depart from a place: She said that what she had heard was self-explanatory and asked him to leave . 2. dismiss smb. from employment: The company thought it did not look good, so they asked him to leave . They are very concerned about integrity… ask someone’s leave—(formal) ask smb.’s permission: When he offered her freedom to do as she wished, she asked his leave to join the Order. ask the question • put the question ask the question —1. call to a person for an answer to or about smth.: I heard your voice tremble as you asked me the ques - tion . 2. (Horse races) call upon the horse for a special effort: I asked King Lud the question . He answered in the most gen- erous manner possible and won. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase beg the question—1. take for granted the very point that needs to be proved: You’re simply begging the question in as- suming that O’Neill wasn’t a racist. 2. used to indicate that the question really ought to be addressed: This year’s budget deficit is half a trillion dollars. This begs the question : how are we going to balance the budget? put the question—ask those present at a meeting, etc. to record their votes for or against the proposal: I must put the question to the House, and the House must say “Aye” or “No.” assimilate something into something • assimilate something to something assimilate something into something—adapt smth. making it part of a larger group: The costs of assimilating a traffic artery into an existing urban area are a massive community burden. assimilate something to something—make smth. like smth. else: The laws of the defeated country were assimilated to those of the stronger country. associate with someone • be associated with some- one associate with someone—spend a lot of time in smb.’s com- pany (especially if that person is objectionable): Those extra- moralists refuse to associate with a convict legally pardoned. be associated with someone—be connected in people’s mind with smb. (because of common interests, etc.): He was asso - ciated with , although he never joined, the British environ- mentalists. at a birth • at birth • at the birth at a birth —during a single act of reproduction: Cats some- times have four or five young at a birth . at birth—at the time when a baby or an animal is born: No animal at birth is mature or perfect in intelligence. at the birth—1. present or attending during the birth: Josephine did not want her husband at the birth of her own children. 2. during the emergence of smth.: The UN had been the indispensable midwife at the birth of their country. at a clap • in a clap at a clap —(dated) with one effort; at once: It was a good occasion to kill all Caesar’s Enemies at a clap . in a clap —(dated) in a moment; immediately (also: in a clap or two): Our Master will be on us all now in a clap . at a distance • in the distance at a distance—1. not too near: This is where you get truly wonderful views of the Acropolis — seeing it at a distance , the Parthenon grows more impressive. 2. a long way away from smth. in time: Remembering this disaster at a distance , I now feel sure that it was not her fault. in the distance—far away: A sliver of an island appeared in the distance . The plane made a wide turn and continued its slow descent. at a draft • on draft at a draft— drink all of smth. during one continuous action of swallowing: He drank half a pint of beer at a draft . on draft—(usually of beer) served from a barrel and not sold in bottles: We had no beer on draft and a handful of bottled beers. at a glance • at first glance at a glance—notice smth. immediately without having to look carefully: When I warm up for a road race I can usually tell at a glance the newcomers to the sport. at first glance —(also: at first sight) when first seen or consid- ered: This arrangement pleases at first glance , but soon fatigues the eye by its uniformity. at a good price • at a goodly price at a good price —1. sell at a fairly high price: It’s wise to look far ahead in order to use the market to your advantage and sell at a good price . 2. buy at a very low price (also: at a great price): He lends people hospital beds, which he happened to get at a good price . – 19 – at a good price