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be (as) large as a barge

To be exceptionally large, bulky, or fat. Tom used to be really athletic in high school, but he's put on a ton of weight. He's as large as a barge now. When she said she bought a boat, I was expecting a little schooner or something, but this thing was large as a barge!

be broker than the Ten Commandments

dated, humorous To have no money at all; to be completely broke. Man, I'm broker than the Ten Commandments. I get paid next week, though—can we get dinner then? I've been broker than the Ten Commandments since I got that huge medical bill.

drive (one) to drink

To be so unpleasant as to impel one to drink alcohol to forget about it. The stress of this job will drive me to drink.

lie in wait for (someone or something)

To await someone or something from a concealed position, especially to surprise, trap, or attack them. When I'm walking alone at night, I'm always worried that attackers are just lying in wait for me. Agents for the anti-money sector have lain in wait for months for the corporation to fall for their new sting operation.

live on top of (someone)

To live in very close proximity to someone else. I'm sick of being in this tiny apartment with so many roommates. It feels like we're all living right on top of one another.

put (one's) mind to (something)

To give something one's complete attention, determination, and effort. You can still manage a B average if you put your mind to acing the final exam. I know we can win this game, but we all have to put our minds to it.

reach for the moon

To set one's goals or ambitions very high; to try to attain or achieve something particularly difficult. My parents always taught me to reach for the moon when I was growing up—that I could be anything I set my mind to! With all that money, you could do whatever you want. Reach for the moon, kiddo!

to little purpose

To no or an insignificant amount of usefulness or utility. That art degree has been put to little purpose, as I ended up getting a job as an accounts manager for a financial firm. HR is insisting that we all attend these meetings, but they're to little purpose if you ask me.

to no purpose

To no or an insignificant amount of usefulness or utility. That art degree has been put to no purpose, as I ended up getting a job as an accounts manager for a financial firm. HR is insisting that we all attend these meetings, but they're to no purpose if you ask me.

to

little/no purpose

With few or no results.

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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