on


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on (one)

1. Being one's responsibility or obligation. My team just designs the products. It falls on the marketing team to figure out how to advertise them. The obligation to provide evidence is on the prosecution.
2. Being one's fault. Sorry, I'm the one who put the wrong kind of paper in the machine. That one's on me! If you're late to the test, that's on you—you will be locked out of the testing room at 8:00 AM sharp.
3. Persistently nagging one. A: "What is the boss on you for now?" B: "Alphabetizing those stupid files." My mom's always on me about folding my laundry and putting it away, but it's so much easier to just get what I need out of the basket.
See also: on

on (one's) hands

1. Imposed upon one, especially as one's responsibility to confront or manage. I'd come and pick you up, but I've got Jane's kids on my hands this weekend. If the two countries don't stop this antagonistic back-and-forth, we could have a nuclear war on our hands!
2. In one's possession. I need to take up a hobby or something. I've got too much time on my hands lately!
See also: hand, on

on (someone or something)

About or detailing someone or something. Here's the report on Crimea that you wanted for the article. I've got some scandalous information on the senator that is sure to sink his reelection campaign.
See also: on

on (something)

1. Taking medication of some kind. Is the patient on anything that might interact negatively with the treatment drugs? My doctor put me on steroids to treat my hay fever.
2. Experiencing the physiological or psychological effects of some illicit or recreational drug. He's acting so weird. Do you think he's on drugs? I watched the movie on acid, and it was one of the most mind-blowing experiences of my life! The athlete was disqualified when it came to light that he was on speed during the race.
See also: on

on behalf of (someone)

1. As the representative of someone else; in lieu of someone. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package on behalf of her.
2. In the interest or for the benefit of someone else. It's quite common, even natural, that children don't understand that everything their parents do is on behalf of them.
See also: behalf, of, on

on its ear

Dramatically and unexpectedly altered, distorted, or upended. Used with the verbs "turn" and "set." The advent of the Internet turned the world on its ear, changing nearly every single aspect of human interactivity. He has set fine dining in this town on its ear with three words—hot dog soup.
See also: ear, on

on pain of

With the threat of undergoing something extremely bad or unpleasant as a punishment. Often used in the phrase "on pain of death." The prisoners were forced to march on pain of death from the POW camp across the burning desert. On pain of having our pay docked, we were told we had to come in every Saturday until further notice to take care of the backlog of work.
See also: of, on, pain

on request

Whenever one requests or demands something. Our client reserves the right to withdraw the license to use her writing in your anthology on request.
See also: on, request

on the dot

At the exact time specified. True to his word, the detective arrived at 1:38 PM on the dot. If we don't leave the house at 6 o'clock on the dot, we'll miss our flight.
See also: dot, on

on the double

Rapidly; faster than one normally goes. Can you please drive on the double? Yes, we'll be there on the double!
See also: double, on

on the heels of (someone or something)

Following close behind or soon after someone or something. Look, the cops are hard on the heels of the bank robbers! The new revelation comes on the heels of the previous scandal.
See also: heel, of, on

on the street(s)

1. Without an established place of residence or accommodation; homeless. Even though I was still employed, I couldn't afford my mortgage anymore and was on the streets for nearly a year. More and more people are ending up on the street as rent prices skyrocket in the city.
2. In a state of being widely and publicly known or discussed. Of course, word on the street is that he's been taking bribes like that for years. He's been putting it on the streets that he's looking for a bassist to join his band.
3. Working as a prostitute. In this part of town, there are women on the streets every night. She was actually on the streets for a number of years before she saved enough money to go to college in another state.
4. Living freely, typically after having been freed from prison or police custody. The notorious gangster was cleared of the charges and back on the streets that very day. We're doing our utmost to have this conviction overturned and get our brother back on the street as soon as possible.
See also: on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*(up)on someone

Fig. to be someone's obligation or responsibility. (*Typically: be ~; lie ~.) The obligation is upon you to settle this. The major part of the responsibility is on you.

*on someone or something

[incriminating or harmful information] about someone or something. (*Typically: get something ~; have something ~; give someone something~.) I've gotten something on Albert that would really shock you. She is trying to get something on her husband so she can divorce him.

on something

 
1. taking a medication. I am on an antibiotic for my chest cold. I want you to be on this drug for another week.
2. taking an illegal drug or controlled substance and acting strangely. What is the matter with that kid? Is he on something? She acted as if she were on barbiturates or something.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

on

/at the dot
Exactly at the appointed time; punctual or punctually: arrived at nine o'clock on the dot.

on

/at the double
1. Immediately.
2. In double time.

on

/in behalf of
1. As the agent of; on the part of.
2. For the benefit of; in the interest of.

on

/in the street
1. Without a job; idle.
2. Without a home; homeless.
3. Out of prison; at liberty.

on

/into/down the wind Nautical
In the same or nearly the same direction as the wind.

on

/under pain of
Subject to the penalty of (a specified punishment, such as death).

on

/upon (one's) hands
In one's possession, often as an imposed responsibility or burden: Now they have the grandchildren on their hands.

on

/upon request
When asked for: References are available on request.

on

/upon the heels of
1. Directly behind.
2. Immediately following.

on

(one's)/the way
In the process of coming, going, or traveling: She is on her way out the door. Winter is on the way.

on

its/someone's ear
In a state of amazement, excitement, or uproar: a controversial movie that set the film industry on its ear.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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