way : Idioms & Phrases

Index


-ways

-ways
Definitions
  1. A suffix formed from way by the addition of the adverbial -s (see -wards). It is often used interchangeably with wise; as, endways or endwise; noways or nowise, etc.
Webster 1913

Air way

  • a passage for a current of air; as the air way of an air pump; an air way in a mine.
Webster 1913

all the way

  • adverb to the goal
    all the way.
    • she climbed the mountain all the way
  • adverb completely
    clear.
    • read the book clear to the end
    • slept clear through the night
    • there were open fields clear to the horizon
  • adverb not stopping short of sexual intercourse
    • she went all the way with him
WordNet

apex of the sun's way

  • noun the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars
    apex; solar apex.
WordNet

appian way

  • noun an ancient Roman road in Italy extending south from Rome to Brindisi; begun in 312 BC
WordNet

Bilge ways

  • the timbers which support the cradle of a ship upon the ways, and which slide upon the launching ways in launching the vessel.
Webster 1913

Bridle path, Bridle way

  • a path or way for saddle horses and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for vehicles.
Webster 1913

Bulge ways

  • . (Naut.) See Bilge ways.
Webster 1913

By the way

  • adverb introducing a different topic; in point of fact
    by the bye; incidentally; apropos.
    • incidentally, I won't go to the party
WordNet
  • in passing; apropos; aside; apart from, though connected with, the main object or subject of discourse.
  • by the bye; used to introduce an incidental or secondary remark or subject. -
Webster 1913

By way of

  • for the purpose of; as being; in character of.
Webster 1913

Companion way

  • (Naut.), a staircase leading to the cabin.
Webster 1913

Covered way

  • (Fort.), a corridor or banquette along the top of the counterscarp and covered by an embankment whose slope forms the glacis. It gives the garrisonn an open line of communication around the works, and a standing place beyond the ditch. See Illust. of Ravelin.
Webster 1913

Covert way

  • (Fort.) See Covered way, under Covered.
  • . (Fort.) See Covered way, under Covered.
Webster 1913

every which way

  • adverb in a random manner
    arbitrarily; willy-nilly; indiscriminately; haphazardly; randomly; at random.
    • the houses were randomly scattered
    • bullets were fired into the crowd at random
  • adverb haphazardly
    helter-skelter.
    • the books were piled up helter-skelter
WordNet

flaminian way

  • noun an ancient Roman road in Italy built by Gaius Flaminius in 220 BC; extends north from Rome to cisalpine Gaul
WordNet

four-way

Four"-way` adjective
Definitions
  1. Allowing passage in either of four directions; as, a four-way cock, or valve. Francis.
Webster 1913

Four-way cock

  • a cock connected with four pipes or ports, and having two or more passages in the plug, by which the adjacent pipes or ports may be made to communicate; formerly used as a valve in the steam engine, and now for various other purposes. In the illustration, a leads to the upper end of a steam engine cylinder, and b to the lower end; c is the steam pipe, and d the exhaust pipe.
Webster 1913

Fresh way

  • (Naut.), increased speed.
Webster 1913

from way back

  • adverb since long ago
    since a long time ago.
    • she knows him from way back
WordNet

give way

  • verb move in order to make room for someone for something
    ease up; move over; yield; give.
    • The park gave way to a supermarket
    • `Move over,' he told the crowd
  • verb break down, literally or metaphorically
    collapse; founder; give; break; cave in; fall in.
    • The wall collapsed
    • The business collapsed
    • The dam broke
    • The roof collapsed
    • The wall gave in
    • The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
  • verb end resistance, as under pressure or force
    yield.
    • The door yielded to repeated blows with a battering ram
  • verb stop operating or functioning
    die; give out; break; go; go bad; conk out; fail; break down.
    • The engine finally went
    • The car died on the road
    • The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
    • The coffee maker broke
    • The engine failed on the way to town
    • her eyesight went after the accident
WordNet

go a long way

  • verb suffice or be adequate for a while or to a certain extent
WordNet

great white way

  • noun a street in Manhattan that passes through Times Square; famous for its theaters
    Broadway.
WordNet

in a bad way

  • adjective satellite facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty
    distressed; hard put; hard-pressed.
    • distressed companies need loans and technical advice
    • financially hard-pressed Mexican hotels are lowering their prices
    • we were hard put to meet the mortgage payment
    • found themselves in a bad way financially
WordNet

in a broad way

  • adverb in a general fashion
    at large.
    • he talked at large about his plans
WordNet

In a family way

  • like one belonging to the family. "Why don't we ask him and his ladies to come over in a family way, and dine with some other plain country gentlefolks?" Thackeray.
Webster 1913

in a heartfelt way

  • adverb in a sincere and heartfelt manner
    dearly.
    • I would dearly love to know
WordNet

in a similar way

  • adverb with something of the same kind
    in kind.
    • she pays him back in kind
WordNet

in a way

  • adverb from some points of view
    • she was right in a way
WordNet

in an elaborate way

  • adverb with elaboration
    elaborately; intricately.
    • it was elaborately spelled out
WordNet

in some way

  • adverb in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
    someway; someways; somehow; in some manner.
    • they managed somehow
    • he expected somehow to discover a woman who would love him
    • he tried to make is someway acceptable
WordNet

in someone's way

  • adverb forming a hindrance, impediment, or obstruction
    in someone's way.
    • she might have succeeded in her ambition, had not circumstances been in her way
WordNet

In the family way

  • pregnant. Colloq.
Webster 1913

In the way

  • adverb forming a hindrance, impediment, or obstruction
    in someone's way.
    • she might have succeeded in her ambition, had not circumstances been in her way
WordNet
  • so as to meet, fall in with, obstruct, hinder, etc.
Webster 1913

In the way with

  • traveling or going with; meeting or being with; in the presence of.
Webster 1913

in two ways

  • adverb in a twofold manner
    doubly.
    • he was doubly wrong
WordNet

Key way

  • a channel for a key, in the hole of a piece which is keyed to a shaft; an internal key seat; called also key seat.
Webster 1913

Launching ways

  • . (Naut.) See Way, n. (Naut.).
Webster 1913

Lich way

  • the path by which the dead are carried to the grave. Prov. Eng.
Webster 1913

make way

  • verb get out of the way
    • make way for the President's motorcade
WordNet

Milky way

  • noun the galaxy containing the solar system; consists of millions of stars that can be seen as a diffuse band of light stretching across the night sky
    Milky Way Galaxy; Milky Way.
WordNet
  • . (Astron.) See Galaxy, 1.
Webster 1913

milky way galaxy

  • noun the galaxy containing the solar system; consists of millions of stars that can be seen as a diffuse band of light stretching across the night sky
    Milky Way Galaxy; Milky Way.
WordNet

milky way system

  • noun the galaxy containing the solar system; consists of millions of stars that can be seen as a diffuse band of light stretching across the night sky
    Milky Way Galaxy; Milky Way.
WordNet

No way, No ways

  • . See Noway, Noways, in the Vocabulary.
Webster 1913

On the road, On the way, On the wing

  • etc. See under Road, Way, etc.
Webster 1913

On the way

  • adverb on a route to some place
    en route.
    • help is on the way
    • we saw him on the way to California
WordNet
  • traveling or going; hence, in process; advancing toward completion; as, on the way to this country; on the way to success.
Webster 1913

one-way

  • adjective satellite moving or permitting movement in one direction only
    • one-way streets
    • a one-way ticket
WordNet

one-way light time

  • noun the elapsed time it takes for light (or radio signals) to travel between the Earth and a celestial object
    OWLT.
WordNet

one-way street

  • noun unilateral interaction
    • cooperation cannot be a one-way street
  • noun a street on which vehicular traffic is allowed to move in only one direction
WordNet

Out of harm's way

  • beyond the danger limit; in a safe place.
Webster 1913

Out of the way

  • adverb extraordinary; unusual
    • such erratic behavior was out of the way for him
  • adverb improper; amiss;
  • adverb in a remote location or at a distance from the usual route
    • the restaurant is top-notch, but a little out of the way
  • adverb murdered
    • the mob boss wanted his rival out of the way
  • adverb dealt with; disposed of
    • I'm so relieved that my midterm is out of the way
  • adverb so as not to obstruct or hinder
    • put that box out of the way so that no one trips on it
WordNet
  • . (a) On one side; hard to reach or find; secluded . (b) Improper; unusual; wrong.
Webster 1913

out-of-the-way

  • adjective satellite out of the ordinary
    • out-of-the-way information
  • adjective satellite improper or even offensive
    • out-of-the-way remarks
  • adjective satellite remote from populous or much-traveled regions
    off the beaten track.
    • they found a quiet out-of-the-way resort
WordNet
Out`-of-the-way" adjective
Definitions
  1. See under Out, adv.
Webster 1913

Permanent way

  • the roadbed and superstructure of a finished railway; so called in distinction from the contractor's temporary way.
Webster 1913

Plank road, ∨ Plank way

  • a road surface formed of planks. U.S.
Webster 1913

point the way

  • verb indicate the right path or direction
    • The sign pointed the way to London
WordNet

Private way

  • a right of private passage over another man's ground.
Webster 1913

Race way

  • the canal for the current that drives a water wheel.
Webster 1913

Right of way

  • noun the privilege of someone to pass over land belonging to someone else
  • noun the right of one vehicle or vessel to take precedence over another
  • noun the passage consisting of a path or strip of land over which someone has the legal right to pass
WordNet
  • (Law), a right of private passage over another's ground. It may arise either by grant or prescription. It may be attached to a house, entry, gate, well, or city lot, as well as to a country farm. Kent.
Webster 1913

roundabout way

  • noun a roundabout road (especially one that is used temporarily while a main route is blocked)
    detour.
WordNet

Sliding ways

  • (Naut.), the timber guides used in launching a vessel.
Webster 1913

Straight-way valve

  • a valve which, when opened widely, affords a straight passageway, as for water.
Webster 1913

the other way around

  • adverb with the order reversed
    contrariwise; vice versa.
    • she hates him and vice versa
WordNet

the right way

  • adverb in the right manner
    right; decent; in good order; decently; properly.
    • please do your job properly!
    • can't you carry me decent?
WordNet

the way of the world

  • noun the manner in which people typically behave or things typically happen
    the way of the world.
    • the ordinary reader is endowed with considerable wisdom and knowledge of the way of the world
    • she was well-versed in the ways of the world before she had taken the veil
    • he was amazingly innocent of the ways of the world
WordNet

the ways of the world

  • noun the manner in which people typically behave or things typically happen
    the way of the world.
    • the ordinary reader is endowed with considerable wisdom and knowledge of the way of the world
    • she was well-versed in the ways of the world before she had taken the veil
    • he was amazingly innocent of the ways of the world
WordNet

the whole way

  • adverb to the goal
    all the way.
    • she climbed the mountain all the way
WordNet

three-way

  • adjective satellite involving three parties or elements
    three-party; tripartite.
    • a tripartite treaty
    • a tripartite division
    • a three-way playoff
WordNet
Three"-way` adjective
Definitions
  1. Connected with, or serving to connect, three channels or pipes; as, a three-way cock or valve.
Webster 1913

three-way calling

  • noun a way of adding a third party to your conversation without the assistance of a telephone operator
WordNet

three-way switch

  • noun an electric switch that has three terminals; used to control a circuit from two different locations
    three-point switch.
WordNet

To be under way, ∨ To have way

  • (Naut.), to be in motion, as when a ship begins to move.
Webster 1913

To bring one on one's way

  • to accompany, guide, or attend one.
Webster 1913

To do way

  • to take away; to remove. Obs. "Do way your hands." Chaucer.
  • to put away; to lay aside. Obs. Chaucer.
Webster 1913

To elbow one's way

  • to force one's way by pushing with the elbows; as, to elbow one's way through a crowd.
Webster 1913

To freshen the way

  • to increase the speed of a vessel.
Webster 1913

To gather way

  • (Naut.), to begin to move; to move with increasing speed.
Webster 1913

To give way

  • . (a) To withdraw; to give place. (b) To yield to force or pressure; as, the scaffolding gave way. (c) (Naut.) To begin to row; or to row with increased energy. (d) (Stock Exchange). To depreciate or decline in value; as, railroad securities gave way two per cent.
Webster 1913

To give way together

  • to row in time; to keep stroke.
Webster 1913

To go one's way

  • to set forth; to depart.
Webster 1913

To go one's way, ∨ To come one's way

  • to go or come; to depart or come along. Shak.
Webster 1913

To go the way of all the earth

  • to die. = to go the way of all flesh.
Webster 1913

To lead the way

  • to show the way by going in front; to act as guide. Goldsmith.
Webster 1913

To lie in the way

  • to be an obstacle or impediment.
Webster 1913

To make one's way

  • to advance in life by one's personal efforts.
Webster 1913

To make way

  • . See under Make, v. t.
Webster 1913

To make way, ∨ To make one's way

  • . (a) To make progress; to advance. (b) To open a passage; to clear the way .
Webster 1913

To make way with

  • to make away with. See under Away. Archaic
Webster 1913

To meet half way

  • literally, to go half the distance between in order to meet (one); hence, figuratively, to yield or concede half of the difference in order to effect a compromise or reconciliation with.
Webster 1913

To put out of the way

  • to kill; to destroy.
Webster 1913

two-way

  • adjective satellite supported by both sides
    bipartisan; two-party; bipartizan.
    • a two-way treaty
  • adjective satellite involving two parts or elements
    two-part; bipartite.
    • a bipartite document
    • a two-way treaty
  • adjective satellite operating or permitting operation in either of two opposite directions
    • a two-way valve
    • two-way traffic
    • two-way streets
WordNet

two-way street

  • noun a street on which vehicular traffic can move in either of two directions
    • you have to look both ways crossing a two-way street
WordNet

under way

  • adverb in motion; set in motion
    • the ship got under way
WordNet

Under way, ∨ Under weigh

  • (Naut.), in a condition to make progress; having started.
Webster 1913

water way

Wa"ter way`
Definitions
  1. Same as Water course.
Webster 1913

Way leave

  • permission to cross, or a right of way across, land; also, rent paid for such right. Eng
Webster 1913

way of life

  • noun a course of conduct
    path; way.
    • the path of virtue
    • we went our separate ways
    • our paths in life led us apart
    • genius usually follows a revolutionary path
WordNet

Way of the cross

  • (Eccl.), the course taken in visiting in rotation the stations of the cross. See Station, n., 7 (c).
Webster 1913

Way of the rounds

  • (Fort.), a space left for the passage of the rounds between a rampart and the wall of a fortified town.
Webster 1913

way out

  • noun an opening that permits escape or release
    issue; exit; outlet.
    • he blocked the way out
    • the canyon had only one issue
WordNet

Way pane

  • a pane for cartage in irrigated land. See Pane, n., 4. Prov. Eng.
Webster 1913

Way passenger

  • a passenger taken up, or set down, at some intermediate place between the principal stations on a line of travel.
Webster 1913

way shaft

Way" shaft`
Definitions
  1. (Mach.) A rock shaft.
  2. (Mining) An interior shaft, usually one connecting two levels. Raymond.
Webster 1913

Way station

  • noun a stopping place on a journey
    stopover.
    • there is a stopover to change planes in Chicago
  • noun a small railway station between the principal stations or a station where the train stops only on a signal
    whistle stop; flag stop.
WordNet
  • an intermediate station between principal stations on a line of travel, especially on a railroad.
Webster 1913

Way train

  • a train which stops at the intermediate, or way, stations; an accommodation train.
Webster 1913

Way warden

  • the surveyor of a road.
Webster 1913

way-going

Way"-go`ing adjective
Definitions
  1. Going away; departing; of or pertaining to one who goes away.
Webster 1913

way-goose

Way"-goose` noun
Definitions
  1. See Wayz-goose, n., 2. Eng.
Webster 1913

way-out

  • adjective satellite informal terms; strikingly unconventional
    offbeat; quirky; kinky; far-out.
WordNet

way-wise

Way"-wise` adjective
Definitions
  1. Skillful in finding the way; well acquainted with the way or route; wise from having traveled.
Webster 1913

Ways and means

  • noun resources available to meet expenses (especially legislation for raising revenue for a government)
WordNet
  • . (a) Methods; resources; facilities. (b) (Legislation) Means for raising money; resources for revenue.
Webster 1913

ways and means committee

  • noun a permanent committee of the United States House of Representatives that makes recommendations to the US House on all bills that would raise revenue
WordNet

Ways of God

  • his providential government, or his works.
Webster 1913