immediately above General and conferred only in wartime: George C. Marshall was one of the most renowned military figures in United States history, serving as a General of the Army … gentleman of fortune • man of fortune gentleman of fortune —(euph., dated) a pirate: By a “gentle - man of fortune ” they plainly meant neither more nor less than a common pirate. man of fortune —a person possessing great (usually inherited) wealth: A sailing club consisting of four or five young men of fortune , have conducted the annual Regattas. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase fortunate man— a man favored by fortune; a lucky per- son: He was a fortunate man , learning from her to embrace the simple joys of everyday life. Gentleman Usher • Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod Gentleman Usher—(UK) a man who ushers visitors into the presence of a person of rank: It now being dinner time, the Gentleman Usher proceeds to take his Lord’s commands. Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod—usher to the British House of Lords: They assemble in their own chamber from where they are summoned by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod . George Cross, the • Saint George’s cross, the George Cross, the—(UK) a decoration instituted in 1940, primarily for civilians in recognition of acts of the greatest heroism: In recognition of the part played by the Maltese people, King George VI awarded the George Cross to the island. Saint George’s cross, the—an upright and a horizontal bar of red, crossing each other in the center: The Saint George’s Cross flag as the national flag of England has no official proportions, as it is not used officially by government bodies. get a break • have a break get a break—1. take time off from an activity: It was hard for me because whenever I got a break from school, I had to leave and see my other parent. 2. (coll.) get a good deal in a transaction, etc.: Our customers usually expect to get a break when they buy in quantity. 3. (coll.) get an opportunity or special consideration: He talked about racism and about how hard it is to get a break when you are Black. Cf.: get all the breaks — be fortunate; have luck: That fellow gets all the breaks ! He’s been working here only six months, and he’s already been promoted to vice president! have a break — = get a break 1: Finally, I told him I’d inter- view him over lunch, when he had a break . get a bump • make a bump get a bump—1. get a swelling on one’s body as a result of a blow: My poor dad hit the branch with his head and got a bump and a cut. 2. (of a vehicle) be hit by another vehicle, etc.: Her car got three severe bumps while parked in London. make a bump—(UK Universities boat races) “bump” another boat as a proof of overtaking it: The best coxswain cannot make a bump , unless his boat can overlap the other! get a call • get one’s call get a call —receive a message by radio or telephone; be sum- moned: As soon as I got the call , I was in the car and on my way. get one’s call—(euph.) feel impending death: His breath labored, and there was pain in his eyes. “I’ve got my call ,” he said faintly. get a duck • get the bird get a duck—(Sport) fail to score (also: get a duck’s egg): Life is very much like cricket: Some get scores and some “a duck .” get the bird—1. (Theater) be hissed by the audience: You should have been there when Caballe got the bird— deservedly, I fear. 2. (coll.) be dismissed from employment: When you were ill, I stole for you. I got the bird for it. See also: give someone the bird / have a bird. get a fix of something • get a fix on something get a fix of something —(coll.) obtain a dose of smth., espe- cially an addictive drug: Politicians up for re-election are like crack addicts; they’ll say anything to anyone to get a fix of votes. get a fix on something—(coll.) obtain a clear understanding of smth.: Because of lax reporting requirements it’s difficult to get a fix on precisely what these companies own. get a foot in • put a foot in get a foot in—start working at a low level in the hope of getting a better position in the future: Baker was soon playing bit parts on the stage, got a foot in at the National Theatre, and then the big break came. Cf.: get a foot on the housing lad- der—manage to buy one’s first house so that one can buy a better second house later: Soldiers are to be offered interest-free Gov- ernment loans to help them get a foot on the housing ladder . put a foot in —interfere in smth.: Whatever happens to me, I won’t have this fellow Getliffe putting a foot in . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase put the boot in—(coll.) 1. kick a person in a brutal man- ner: With that lot it’s not too bad as long as you stay on your feet. If they get you down they put the boot in . 2. take unfair advantage of smb., especially when the person is already defeated: They rough him up when he gives evidence, and then, while the bruising is still fresh, they put the boot in by issuing a critical report. get a good bang for one’s buck • get a good run for one’s money get a good bang for one’s buck—(coll.) get a good value for one’s money (also: have a good bang for one’s buck): I am a stu- dent who does not make much money and I really got a good bang for my buck here. get a good run for one’s money—(also: have a good run for one’s money) 1. face a strong challenge or competition from a person: If matched competitively Steven would get a good run for his money . Chuck would give him a good fight. He may be short, but he is agile and a fast mover. 2. derive much sat- isfaction in return for one’s outlay or efforts: I was not on the ballot paper but there was serious interest in my attempt…. I got a good run for my money nonetheless. get a goose egg • goose that lays the golden eggs get a goose egg —1. (Sport) fail to score (also: get a duck’s egg): Anytime you get a goose egg in modern-day football, it’s absolutely phenomenal. 2. (sl.) get a bump on the head: I walked into a door and got a big goose egg on my forehead. goose that lays the golden eggs —a source of wealth that should not be sacrificed (in allusion to the proverb “kill the goose that lays the golden eggs”): With recent developments in the airline industry, the last thing Atlanta needs is to lose faith in the goose that lays the golden eggs . get a grip on something • get to grips with something get a grip on something—take control of smth. so that one can deal with it successfully: So far the country has failed to get a grip on its inflation rate. gentleman of fortune – 130 –