Ten Thousand Islands, the • Thirty Thousand Islands, the • Thousand Islands, the Ten Thousand Islands, the—islands that lie off the southwest coast of Florida, USA: Marco Island is the largest of the so- called Ten Thousand Islands … that stretch from Naples down to the southern tip of the Florida mainland. Thirty Thousand Islands, the—islands that lie on the east side of Georgian Bay, Ontario (Canada): Georgian Bay Islands National Park is situated in the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, known as the “Thirty Thousand Islands .” Thousand Islands, the—islands that lie on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border in the Saint Lawrence River just east of Lake Ontario: The St. Lawrence River was wide here in the heart of the Thousand Islands region… tend something • tend to something tend something—give care and attention to smth., especially smth. that needs constant supervision: He faithfully tended his garden all summer long. tend to something —1. (also: attend to something ) take care of smth.; deal with smth.: “I thought I heard you talking,” she said as she tended to the fire. 2. be generally inclined to smth. or likely to behave in a particular way: He was a born agitator, and as such tended to exaggeration. tent-boy • tent-man tent-boy —a young man whose job it is to have the tent put up and ready: Robert Blake plays a young tent-boy ; tent-boy as opposed to house-boy since through half the movie the main characters were part of a caravan. tent-man —1. a tent-dweller; a person who lives or lodges in a tent: I must admit I am a tent man . My tent can withstand anything … it is also pretty low weight. 2. a man who has charge of a circus tent: As Joe hurried across the arena he saw the tent man who had given him the note. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase tent camper—1. a campsite dweller: There will be a quiet area for tent campers who want to go to sleep after the evening performances have ended. 2. a trailer vehicle furnished for camping: So my husband and I rented a tent camper for the weekend. We loved it! test bed • tester bed test bed—equipment for testing engines, etc. before their acceptance for general use: Once the engine was finished it was tested on a test bed , outside of the car it would be built into. tester bed —a bed with four corner posts and a canopy: We continued in this suburb three days, during the greatest part of which time I was stretched on the tester bed . test someone for something • test someone on something test someone for something—perform a medical check on a person to detect a possible disease, etc.: The doctors tested him for malaria and other illnesses. test someone on something—ask questions to find out how much a person knows about a subject: The teacher tested me on my knowledge of French. that makes two of us • two can play at that game that makes two of us—1. is used to say that one is in the same position: She wanted reassurance. That makes two of us , he thought. 2. is used to indicate agreement with what another speaker just said: “I find the Church’s stance in this case absolutely revolting.” “That makes two of us , Chris.” Cf.: that makes one of us—my opinion is different from yours here (used as a pun on the former): “Liz, I’m really glad you decided to come here,” I said. She gave a short laugh. “So far that makes one of us .” two can play at that game—is used to say that one can act in a similar objectionable way (as retaliation for smb.’s unfair practices): Sulking until you get your own way is a game that two can play , you know. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase it is a game of two halves—used to say that smb.’s for- tunes or luck in sports, etc. may change: The history of British Liberals is a game of two halves . Up to 1914, they enjoyed the moral ascendancy in politics. See also: it takes two to make a bargain / it takes two to tango. that will be the day • those were the days that will be the day —1. that will be a great day worth waiting for: That will be the day when every class is a place where every child has consistent, quality instruction. 2. (ironic) that’s very unlikely (is used to express doubt following some boast or claim by a person): “He says he’ll do the washing-up.” “That’ll be the day !” those were the days —is used as an expression of nostalgia for a happier time past: Well, those were the days . It was a great time for jazz in Chicago. that will do • that will never do that will do —that is enough; that will suffice: There’s a lot more to tell about this process but that will do for now. that will never do—is used to say that a situation is wrong and unacceptable: “They served red wine with the chicken.” “Dear me! That will never do !” that’s about the size of it • that’s about your size that’s about the size of it—(coll.) that sums up the situation; that’s how things are (also: that’s about it): “The house is exactly what we want, but it’s too expensive.” “Yes, I’m afraid that’s about the size of it .” that’s about your size—(sarcastic) one would expect that of you: That’s about your size to send a threat through the mail, but I notice you haven’t the guts to sign it. that’s all right • that’s right that’s all right—1. said to smb. who has just thanked you or apologized: “I came to tell you how greatly our men appreci- ated your help.” “Oh, that’s perfectly all right .” 2. it doesn’t matter any more: I still don’t understand it. But that’s all right now. I understand why I don’t, and that’s enough to be at peace with myself at least. that’s right—that’s correct: “Your name is Spanish, isn’t it?” “Yes, that’s right .” that’s an idea • that’s the idea that’s an idea—that thought, proposal, etc. is worth con- sidering: Well, that’s an idea all right. Not a good one, but it’s an idea. that’s the idea—1. is used to indicate approval of what has just been said: “Shall I look and see?” “That’s the idea .” 2. that’s what smb. has in mind: Personal liberty isn’t everything. The collective utopian omelet cannot be made without break- ing eggs or intellectuals … I think that’s the idea , and it’s still quite a bad one. that’s life • this is the life that’s life—(also: such is life) that’s the way things happen (said with the implication that unpleasant events occur occasion- ally): It’s a pity Colin and Rowena got divorced, but then that’s life ! this is the life —(exclam.) used as an admiring comment on a comfortable, enjoyable, and carefree existence: A sandy beach, plenty of hot sun, lots of nice people! This is the life ! – 319 – that’s life