Old streets a glamour hold. (K. W. Baker)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
old thing
A familiar mode of address between friends.
old tom
Extra strong gin; sometimes termed CAT’S WATER. Various reasons are given for the use of the words OLD TOM. The distillers have the sign of a tom cat on their illuminated placards. The origin of the phrase is, however, in the fact that the managing clerk of a once celebrated "gin-spinning" firm, who was known as OLD TOM, used to keep a special bottle of extra good stuff with which to regale customers when they settled their accounts. To get a drink of OLD TOM’S was then a great favour.
old wine in a new bottle
Something old or familiar presented as new or innovative
old woman
One's wife.
Old World
So Europe, Asia, and Africa are called when compared with North and South America (the New World).
old-fashioned look
A style or appearance that is outdated or traditional
Oldenburg Horn
A horn long in the possession of the reigning princes of the House of Olden- burg, but now in the collector!
older than dirt
very old
oliver
The moon; "OLIVER don’t widdle," i.e., the moon does not shine. Nearly obsolete.
oliver's fiddler
Sir Roger L'Estrange (1616- 1704). So called because he, at one time, was playing a fiddle or viol with others m the house of John Kingston, the composer, when Cromwell was one of the guests.
oll korrect
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
ollapod
A country apothecary. From George Coleman’s comedy of The Poor Gentleman.
olli compolli
The name of one of the principal rogues of the canting crew. CANT.
Olympian Zeus
A statue by Phidias, one of the "Seven Wonders of the World." Pausamas (vii, 2) says when the sculptor placed it in the temple at Olympia (433 B.C.), he prayed the god to indicate whether he was satisfied with it, and immediately a thunder- bolt fell on the floor of the temple without doing the slightest harm.
Olympic Games
The greatest of the four sacred festivals of the ancient Greeks, held at Olympia (q.v.) every fourth year, in the month of July. The festival began with sacrifices and included racing, wrestling, and all kinds of contests, ending on the fifth day with pro- cessions, sacrifices, and banquets to the victors — who were garlanded with olive leaves.
olympus and made immortal
Hence, a cup- bearer generally. Nature waits upon thee still, And thy verdant cup does fill; 'Tis filTd wherever thou dost tread Nature's self's thy Ganymede. COWLEY: The Grasshopper (Anacreontics').
Omar Khayyam
The Aga Khan's horse of this name won the Derby in 1935. Bail (Fr. bailler, to deliver up). Security given for the temporary release of an accused person pending his trial or the completion of his trial; also the person or persons giving sucfo security. See also LEG-BAIL.
omee
A master or landlord; "the OMEE of the carsey’s a nark on the pitch," the master of the house will not let us perform. Italian, UOMO, a man; "UOMO DELLA CASA," the master of the house. Latin, HOMO.—Lingua Franca.
Omnibus Bill
The Parliamentary term for a Bill embracing clauses that deal with a number of different subjects, as a Revenue Bill dealing with Customs, Taxes, Stamps, Excise, etc.
omnibus box
A box at a theatre for which the subscription is paid by several different parties, each of which has the right of using it.
omnibus train
An old name for a train that stops at all stations — a tram for all, as apart from the specials and the expresses that ran between only a few stations.
omnibus volume
A collection in one volume of an author's works, of short stones, essays, etc.
omnium gatherum
The whole together: jocular imitation of law Latin.
omnium gatherum
Dog Latin for a gathering or collection of all sorts of persons and things; a miscellaneous gathering together without regard to suitability or order.
on
"to be ON," in public-house or vulgar parlance, is synonymous with getting "tight" or tipsy; "it’s St. Monday with him, I see he’s ON again," i.e., drunk as usual, or on the road to it. "I’m ON" also expresses a person’s acceptance of an offered bet. To GET ON a horse or a man is to make bets on it or him. "Try it ON," a defiant challenge to a person.
on a day-to-day basis
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on a dime
to turn or stop suddenly
on a first-name basis
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on a full stomach
feeling content and satisfied
on a kick
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on a lark
done spontaneously or on a whim
on a losing wicket
In a situation that is likely to end in failure
on a plate
Given or presented very easily
on a regular basis
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on a shoestring
with very limited financial resources
on a silver platter
Given or presented something easily or with little effort required
on a sixpence
To turn one's life around completely
on a tear
doing something very successfully or enthusiastically
on a whim
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on account
A commercial phrase imply- ing "in part payment for." On the account was an old pirates' phrase for sailing a-pirating.
on account of
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on acid
perceiving something in a distorted or exaggerated way
on all fours
in a position on hands and knees
on an irregular basis
Not at regular times or intervals
on and off
Intermittently or at irregular intervals
on another note
Changing to a different subject
on average
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on bad terms
Not having a good relationship with someone
on behalf of somebody
Acting as a representative for someone
on blast
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on board
supporting or participating in a project
on both sides
on two opposing sides of an issue or situation
on cloud nine
Very happy.
on cloud seven
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on course
proceeding as planned
on demand
Provided or done when requested
on earth
used to emphasize a question or statement
on edge
Feeling anxious or nervous
on end
continuously or without stopping