in no time —very soon: Our lessons by professional instruc- tors will have you phobia-free and swimming in no time . at noon • in the afternoon at noon—in the middle of the day; at twelve o’clock: The committee will meet at noon on the third Monday of each month. in the afternoon—in the period between mid-day and eve- ning: The morning will be set aside for committees to meet and the full group will meet in the afternoon . at one • in one at one—in agreement: Here is an inner core of Evangelism in which all true believers are at one . in one—combined; together: He is President, Chairman and Secretary in one . at one time and another • at one time or another at one time and another—from time to time; occasionally: He wanted the robust exchange of love and passion such as he had had with her at one time and another . at one time or another—1. = at one time and another: Most people suffer from headaches at one time or another . 2. one day; sooner or later: God has told the prophets that these events will happen at one time or another . at one’s back • on one’s back at one’s back—1. said of smb. pursuing or chasing a person: He hopped on the bike and tore out of the lot, as though the hounds of hell were at his back . 2. said of smb. giving support or protection to a person: He has the head of the Department at his back . on one’s back—1. said of smb. causing trouble to a person: He wants to know who’s going to be Sheriff. That’s the person who’s going to be on his back . 2. said of smb. being a burden to a person (causing expense, etc.): We’re the backbone of the country, but you see, Bob, there’s too many people on our backs . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase on one’s shoulders—being smb.’s responsibility: I’d like to get the decision made as early as possible because I don’t want to have it on my shoulders for the whole season. at one’s command • under one’s command at one’s command—1. at smb.’s word or phrase by which an order is given: He presented, at her command , a rose that he gathered. 2. ready to be used; at one’s disposal: Never was his inventive force more flexible and more at his command . under one’s command—under smb.’s charge or control: The editorial policy of the Daily Mail was under his total com - mand . at one’s fingertips • to one’s fingertips at one’s fingertips—(of facts, information, etc.) readily avail- able thanks to thorough knowledge (also: at one’s finger-ends): Thanks to an excellent filing system, he has all the figures at his fingertips . to one’s fingertips—(also: to one’s finger-ends) completely; thoroughly: Frank was a gentleman to his fingertips . He was always good to meet and has a word for one and all. at one’s risk • at risk at one’s risk—accepting responsibility; agreeing to make no claims: The consumer shall, at his risk , install and retain con- trol over the equipment. at risk —exposed to danger; subject to hazard: The initiative aims at developing techniques for identifying individuals at risk for heart attacks. at one’s time of life • in one’s lifetime at one’s time of life—at one’s age (especially middle age): If I can’t bear a bit of pain at my time of life I’m no sports- woman. in one’s lifetime—for the duration of one’s life; while a per- son is alive: In my lifetime , four things have happened to rev- olutionize farming. at one’s worst • at the worst at one’s worst—said of smb. in the worst or most undesirable state: Glennie was at her worst : still unchanged, wearing her dirty forenoon wrapper. at the worst—in the worst possible case: If a man played long enough he was sure to win at last, or at the worst , not to come off a loser. at play • in play at play—1. playing games: It’s a bit like watching children at play , creating an imaginative world that they believe in com- pletely. 2. engaged in gambling (playing cards, etc.): This gen- tleman has been at play at that there gaming-house over the way. in play—1. said of smth. done for amusement and not in- tended to be taken seriously: Don’t be offended; I only said it in play . 2. said of factors actively involved or having influence: Mighty forces are in play in the present round of negotiations. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in full playin full action or operation; acting with full force: A desperate fight was going on … the rebel batteries were in full play. at present • in the present at present—right now; at this time (of a situation that might be temporary): John lives in London, but at present he is on holiday abroad. in the present—said of a period of time we are living in: She thinks the world has always been the way it is now, in the present . She probably thinks that George Washington com- municated with Thomas Jefferson by email. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase for the present—for the time being; for now: We have enough butter for the present , though we may have to buy some more next week. at quiet • on the quiet at quiet—at peace; in a state of calm or repose: The lives of the poor people arrested were saved, and the country remained at quiet . on the quiet—said of smth. done privately or in secret: If you are engaged and have got married on the quiet then there is nothing to be ashamed of. at short hand • in short hand at short hand— in the short term; quickly: The demo failed because the problem could not be solved at short-hand . in short hand—using a quick way of writing which utilizes signs instead of words: He had attended all the lectures taking them down in short-hand . at sight • in sight at sight—(also: on sight) 1. shoot a person immediately on see- ing him: Had we shot Jodl at sight , that piece of evidence would never have been obtained. 2. reading music without previous study: That pianist can read the most difficult music at sight . 3. (of bank drafts, etc.) to be paid on presentation: I’ll give you a check at sight on the Pennsylvanian Bank. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase at first sight—(also: at first glance) when first seen or con- sidered, often with the implication that one’s first impression is – 23 – at sight