off the bat
Immediately or from the very beginning
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off the beaten path
Away from popular or usual destinations
off the beaten track
Away from popular or usual places
off the deep end
to suddenly become completely involved or obsessed with something
off the face of the earth
To completely disappear or become nonexistent
off the grid
Not connected to public utilities or mainstream society
off the horn
A term used in reference to very hard steak, which is fancifully said to be OFF THE HORN.
off the radar
No longer being considered or noticed
off the rails
to become out of control or chaotic
off the record
Originally a legal term, where- by a judge directs that improper or irrevelant evidence shall be struck off the record. This since became commonly synonymous with in confidence, an unofficial expression of views.
off the reservation
Beyond the limits of authority or control
off the scale
Extremely good or bad, beyond normal measurement
off the table
No longer considered or available as an option
off the top of one's head
without prior thought or preparation
off the wagon
To resume a bad habit after quitting
off to the races
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Offa's Dyke
An entrenchment which runs from Beachley, near the mouth of the Wye, to
offer affordances
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
offer one can't refuse
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
offer one's condolences
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
offer up
to give or provide something willingly
office
To give the office; to give information, or make signs to the officers to take a thief.
office
"to give the OFFICE," to give a hint dishonestly to a confederate, thereby enabling him to win a game or bet, the profits being shared. Also in sporting phraseology to give any information worth having.
Officer Friendly
A police officer who is approachable and helpful
offish
Distant, not familiar. Corruption of STAND-OFFISH.
often wrong, never in doubt
Completely confident but frequently incorrect
Ogier the Dane
One of the great heroes of mediaeval romance; a paladin of Charlemagne, and son of Geoffrey, King of
ogle
To look, or reconnoitre.
ogles
Eyes. Rum ogles; fine eyes.
ogles
Eyes.—Old Cant. French, ŒIL.
Ogygian Deluge
In Greek legend a flood supposed to have taken place two hundred years before Deucalion's flood, when Ogyges was King of Bceotia.
oh dark hundred
Very early in the morning, typically before sunrise
oh dark thirty
an extremely early hour of the morning
oh my
An expression of surprise or shock
oh my goodness
An expression of surprise or shock
oh my goodness gracious
An expression of strong surprise or shock
oh my gosh
An expression of surprise or shock
oh well
Expressing acceptance or resignation
Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet... (Rudyard Kipling)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
ohiah
Ohio
oi oi
A greeting.
oi oi saveloy
A greeting.
oignon vert
meter maid
oil and water
Things that do not mix or combine well
oil and water do not mix
People with different natures or interests cannot get along
oil burner
A person who drinks alcohol heavily
oil of gladness
I will anoint you with the oil of gladness; ironically spoken for, I will beat you.
oil of stirrup
A dose the cobler gives his wife whenever she is obstropulous.
oil trash
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
ointment
Medical student slang for butter.
old as the hills
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
old as the hills
Very old indeed. Hinc iliac lachrymfle (hingk il e lak' ri me) (Lat., "hence those tears." Terence, Andria, I, i, 99). This was the real offence; this was the true secret of the annoyance; the real source of the vexation.
Old Bags
John Scott, Lord Chancellor Eldon (1751-1838); so called from his carrying home with him m different bags the cases still pending his judgment.
Old Ballad
The Friar of Orders Grey. Hot cockles. See HOT.
old boots
A simile as general in its application as it is irrelevant. "Like OLD BOOTS" means like anything. "As cheeky as OLD BOOTS;" "As quick as OLD BOOTS," seem a little more reasonable, new boots being somewhat unfavourable to speedy locomotion.
old boy network
Informal connections and friendships used to gain advantage
old chestnut
An old, familiar, and often repeated joke or story
old codger
An old man.
Old Contemptibles
The British Expedi- tionary Force that crossed to France in 1914 and fought in the battle and retreat from Mons. The phrase originated in the alleged comment of the Kaiser about "the contemptible British army.
old dog
A knowing blade, an experienced person. Butler uses the phrase, Hudibras, part ii. canto iii. 208, where it was said of Sidrophel, "And was OLD DOG at physiology." An Irish proverb says, "OLD DOG for hard road," meaning that it requires an experienced person to execute a difficult undertaking.