serve : Idioms & Phrases

Index

break of serve

  • noun (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving
    break.
    • he was up two breaks in the second set
WordNet

drop one's serve

  • verb lose a game in which one is serving
WordNet

first-come-first-serve

  • adjective satellite not accepting reservations
    rush.
WordNet

self-serving

  • adjective satellite interested only in yourself
    self-seeking.
WordNet

serve up

  • verb provide (usually but not necessarily food)
    dish; dish out; serve; dish up.
    • We serve meals for the homeless
    • She dished out the soup at 8 P.M.
    • The entertainers served up a lively show
WordNet

serve well

  • verb promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to
    serve.
    • Art serves commerce
    • Their interests are served
    • The lake serves recreation
    • The President's wisdom has served the country well
WordNet

serving cart

  • noun a handcart for serving food
WordNet

serving dish

  • noun a dish used for serving food
WordNet

serving girl

  • noun a girl who is a servant
    servant girl.
WordNet

To serve a process

  • (Law), in general, to read it, so as to give due notice to the party concerned, or to leave an attested copy with him or his attorney, or his usual place of abode.
Webster 1913

To serve a warrant

  • to read it, and seize the person against whom it is issued.
Webster 1913

To serve a writ

  • (Law), to read it to the defendant, or to leave an attested copy at his usual place of abode.
Webster 1913

To serve an attachment ∨ a writ of attachment

  • (Law), to levy it on the person or goods by seizure, or to seize.
Webster 1913

To serve an execution

  • (Law), to levy it on a lands, goods, or person, by seizure or taking possession.
Webster 1913

To serve an office

  • to discharge a public duty.
Webster 1913

To serve one out

  • to retaliate upon; to requite. "I'll serve you out for this." C. Kingsley.
Webster 1913

To serve one right

  • to treat, or cause to befall one, according to his deserts; used commonly of ill deserts; as, it serves the scoundrel right;
Webster 1913

To serve one the same sauce

  • to retaliate in the same kind. Vulgar
Webster 1913

To serve one's self of

  • to avail one's self of; to make use of. A Gallicism
    I will serve myself of this concession. Chillingworth.
Webster 1913

To serve out

  • to distribute; as, to serve out rations.
Webster 1913

To serve the cable

  • to bind it round with ropes, canvas, etc., to prevent its being, worn or galled in the hawse, et.
Webster 1913

To serve the time ∨ the hour

  • to regulate one's actions by the requirements of the time instead of by one's duty; to be a timeserver. Obs.
    They think herein we serve the time, because thereby we either hold or seek preferment. Hooker.
Webster 1913