Table of Contents
What does drawing a bead mean?
Take careful aim, as in The debater drew a bead on his opponent. This term, dating from about 1830, alludes to the bead on a revolver or rifle, that is, a small knob in the foresight. [.
What does have a bead mean?
May 19, 2016 yanira.vargas. In American English when you focus narrowly on something or define it carefully you “get a bead” or “draw a bead” on it. In this expression the term “bead” comes from the former name for the little metal bump on the end of a gun barrel which helped the shooter aim precisely at a target.
What does took a bead mean?
take a bead on (someone or something) 1. To aim at someone or something with the sights on a firearm. I managed to take a bead on the enemy sniper but had to wait until I received the order to fire. 2. By extension, to focus one’s attention on someone or something so as to deal with or attack him, her, or it.
What does bead up mean?
v. To form into the shape of a bead; come together in droplets: Because I just waxed my car, the rain beaded up its surface as it fell. Sweat started to bead up on my forehead. See also: bead, up.
Where did the expression draw a bead on come from?
draw a bead on (someone), to To take careful verbal aim at a person. An Americanism dating from about 1830, the term comes from aiming a revolver or rifle, on which the “bead” was a small knob on the foresight. It was being used figuratively by about 1930.
What does it mean to stew in your own juice?
Definition of stew in one’s own juice/juices informal. : to worry and suffer because of something that one did Let him stew in his own juices for a while.
What does a good bead mean?
To have a good bead on thus means, figuratively, to have a good, clear shot lined up. It suggests the people so described see the target clearly and have command of the situation. All that remains for them to do is pull the trigger.
Can’t get a bead on meaning?
Literally speaking, if you have a bead on someone, then your gun is aimed at them. Figuratively speaking, this means you know exactly where they are, or what they are doing. If you can’t get a bead on someone, you either don’t know where they are, or don’t understand their actions or intent.
What does it mean to get a beat on someone?
(beat on someone) to hurt someone by hitting them a lot of times. According to the witness, the police ran up and started beating on him. Synonyms and related words.
What does telling her beads mean?
count / say / tell one’s beads, to say one’s prayers, using rosary beads: There were a few old women counting their beads in the hushed silence of the chapel.
What is a group of beads called?
1) A “sting” of beads. 2) A “row” of beads. 3) A “rope” of beads.
What is water beading?
Water beading, also known more scientifically as hydrophobicity, is simply when water beads up on your car’s surface and rolls off. However, there are some substances like oils, fats and waxes, that are not attracted to water and instead, repels it by creating surface tension. This surface tension causes beads to form.
What causes water beading?
Water molecules are attracted in every direction by other water molecules and are more attract- ed to each other than they are to the wax paper. Water’s attraction to itself and its strong surface tension causes water to bead up instead of spreading out on the wax paper.
What roll off means?
1. To fall or move from on top (of someone or something) in a rolling motion, on wheels, or atop or in something with wheels on it. To cause someone or something to fall or move from on top (of someone or something) in a rolling motion, on wheels, or atop or in something with wheels on it.
What is zeroed in?
1 : to direct all of one’s attention to (someone or something) Scientists are hoping to zero in on a cure. 2 : to aim something (such as a gun or camera) directly at (someone or something) The gunner zeroed in on the target.
How the table turns Meaning?
A major change has happened, especially one that results in the opposite of an earlier situation. I spent years as John’s supervisor, but with his recent promotion, the tables are turned and now I report to him! See also: table, turn. See also: a fly on the wall.
What does it mean to have your teeth set on edge?
set one’s teeth on edge. Irritate, annoy, make one cringe, as in That raucous laugh sets my teeth on edge. This expression alludes to the shuddering feeling evoked by a grating noise or similar irritation.
What does the phrase high and dry mean?
Definition of high and dry 1 : being out of reach of the current or tide or out of the water. 2 : being in a helpless or abandoned position. Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About high and dry.
What does the idiom butter someone up mean?
: to charm or beguile with lavish flattery or praise. Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About butter up.
What is meant by stick in the mud?
Definition of stick-in-the-mud : one who is slow, old-fashioned, or unprogressive especially : an old fogy.
Has a bead on him mean?
By extension, to focus one’s attention on someone or something so as to deal with or attack him, her, or it. The candidate got a bead on his opponent’s poor political record during the debate. The president has pledged to get a bead on the growing problem of adolescent obesity.
What does have a beat on something mean?
To strike something repeatedly. Quit beating on the door, I’m coming! I’ve been beating on at that nail and still can’t get it to go into the wall.
