under the influence
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
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under the lee of a ship
On the side opposite to the wind, so that the ship shelters or wards it off.
under the lee of the land
Under the shelter of the cliffs which break the force of the winds.
under the mahogany
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
under the radar
Not noticed or detected by others
under the rose
In strict con- fidence. The origin of the phrase is wrapped in obscurity, but the story is that Cupid gave Harpocrates (the god of silence) a rose, to bribe him not to betray the amours of Venus. Hence the flower became the emblem of silence, and was sculptured on the ceilings of banquet- rooms, to remind the guests that what was spoken sub vino was not to be uttered sub divo. In 1526 it was placed over confessionals.
under the rug
To hide or conceal a problem or issue
under the saya
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
under the sheets
engaging in sexual activity
under the sun
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
under the surface
Hidden from view, but still existing or happening
under the wire
to do something just before a deadline
under way
started or in progress
under way
Said of a ship in motion; it is a mistake to take thjs as "under weigh" and connect it with weighing the anchor.
under weigh
A solecism for under way. See WAY. Weighed in the balance and found wanting.
Underground Railroad
The route by which runaway slaves were secretly transported through the Northern States to Canada and freedom.
understand the assignment
Know what is expected or required in a task or situation
understandings
The feet or boots. Men who wear exceptionally large or thick boots, are said to possess good UNDERSTANDINGS.
understrapper
An inferior in any office, or department.
understudy
To STUDY a part for the stage, not with the view of playing it at once, but so as to be ready in the event of anything happening to its present representative. Some actors of position, who suffer from delicate health, or mental weakness, have always other and inferior, but more robust, artists UNDERSTUDYING their parts.
undress with one's eyes
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Unearned Increment
The increase in the value of land which results from the building of roads or railways, from the growth of popu- lation, or from the working of mines beneath the surface.
uneasy lies the head that wears a crown
Great responsibilities bring great troubles
Unfinished Symphony
Schubert's Symphony in B minor, of which only two movements were completed. Other work or disinclination caused the composer to leave unfinished the four movements he had originally designed.
unfortunate
A modern euphuism for a prostitute, derived from Thomas Hood’s beautiful poem of The Bridge of Sighs:—
unfortunate gentlemen
The horse guards, who thus named themselves in Germany, where a general officer seeing them very awkward in bundling up their forage, asked what the devil they were; to which some of them answered, unfortunate gentlemen.
unfortunate women
Prostitutes: so termed by the virtuous and compassionate of their own sex.
ungrateful man
A parson, who at least once a week abuses his best benefactor, i.e. the devil.
unicorn
A coach drawn by three horses.
unicorn
A style of driving with two wheelers abreast and one leader—termed in the United States a "spike team." "Tandem" is one wheeler and one leader. "Random," three horses in line. "Manchester" means three horses abreast. See HARUM-SCARUM.
unicorn bait
A virgin.
unicorn barf
a bright, shiny, and often overly flashy or attention-seeking thing
unicorn puke
something overly flashy or gaudy
unicorn vomit
something overly idealized or ridiculously perfect
Union of South Africa
The self-governing former colonies of Cape of Good Hope, Natal, the Transvaal, Orange River Colony, united in a legislature in 1910, with its capital at Pretoria and the seat of government at Capetown.
United States
The forty-eight States, and one Federal District, composing the Federal
united we bargain; divided we beg
Unity gives strength in negotiations
united we stand, divided we fall
Unity leads to strength, while division leads to weakness
unity is strength
Together, individuals can achieve more than alone
university of the streets
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
unknown quantity
A person or thing with uncertain characteristics or outcome
Unknown Warrior
The body of an unknown, and now unidentifiable, British soldier brought home from one of the battlefields of World War I and "buried among the kings'* in
unkooky
Not kooky.
unlicked
Ill-trained, uncouth, rude, and rough; an "UNLICKED cub" is a loutish youth who has never been taught manners; from the tradition that a bear’s cub, when brought into the world, has no shape or symmetry until its dam licks it into form with her tongue. Possibly said of a boy who has been petted, i.e., who has been insufficiently thrashed or licked. Case of spared rod and spoilt child.
unlicked cub
A rude uncouth young fellow.
unmask one's batteries
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Unmerciful Parliament
The. Another name for the Wonderful Parliament (q.v.). U.N.RJR.A.
uno ab alto
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
unparliamentary
Or UNSCRIPTURAL, language, words unfit for use in ordinary conversation.
unrigged
Undressed, or stripped. Unrig the drab; strip the wench.
unring a bell
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
unscoffed
Uneaten.
unshaggable
unfuckable
unsung hero
Someone who makes significant contributions without receiving recognition
until hell freezes over
Forever.
until one is blue in the face
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
until the cows come home
for a very long time
until the cows freeze over
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
until the last dog is hung
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Until the lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter (African Proverb)
History is often told from the perspective of the powerful