building

(as) busy as a beaver (building a new dam)

Very busy, assiduous, or hardworking. The phrase refers to beavers' reputation for being extremely industrious. Between working two part-time jobs, volunteering on the weekends, and looking after his little brother, Sam's been busy as a beaver this summer. I've been as busy as a beaver building a new dam this year. I've had almost no free time!

build (one's) hopes on (someone or something)

To have expectations that are tied to the success, performance, etc., of a particular person or thing. Why are we building our hopes on him when we know he's not popular enough to defeat the incumbent? I had built my hopes on this promotion and was crushed when I didn't get it.

build (something) out over (something)

To extend a structure or building over a particular area or thing. The house is famous for building an outdoor area out over a waterfall.

build (something) over (something)

To extend a structure or building over a particular area or thing. The house is famous for building an outdoor area over a waterfall.

build (up)on (something)

1. To use something as the foundation on which to construct (something else). A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "(up)on." The city council has already given us permission to build on this land. They built the old house upon a foundation of sand, and it unsurprisingly sank into the ground over time.

2. To use something as a starting point that one develops or adds to, as of an argument or topic of conversation. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "(up)on." Would anyone like to build on Katie's point about romanticism in the text? The prosecution built their entire case upon the defendant's police interviews.

See also: build

build a case

To compile evidence that supports an argument or charges against someone or something. The job of the prosecutor is to build a case to prove that the defendant is guilty. We're trying to build a case because many employees have been wrongly terminated by the company.

build a case against (someone or something)

To compile evidence that supports an argument or charges against someone or something. The job of the prosecutor is to build a case against the defendant. We're trying to build a case against the company because many employees have been wrongly terminated.

build bridges

To connect disparate people or groups. The senator was working to build bridges between the two parties on the contentious issue. A lingua franca is used to build bridges between people who do not speak the same language.

build castles in Spain

To create dreams, hopes, or plans that are impossible, unrealistic, or have very little chance of succeeding. You need sound financial advice and a strong plan if you're going to start your own business—don't just build castles in Spain.

build castles in the air

build castles in the sky

build down

To decrease or lessen. That group encourages the government to build down on wasteful spending. Give the traffic some time to build down before you leave the office—otherwise, you'll just sit on the highway for an hour.

build in

To include someone or something as a fundamental component of something else. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "in." Be sure to build in some extra time for questions from the audience. There's hardly any storage in the house right now, so we asked the contractor to build more shelves in. People won't take you seriously as student council president if you just build your friends in as cabinet members.

See also: build

build into (something)

1. To construct (something) into something else. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "into" to specify what is being built. I thought they were crazy to build their mansion into the side of the cliff like that, but they really pulled it off! The law prohibits us from building into this part of the land.

2. To develop gradually into something larger in size, scope, or meaning. While the film itself is only mediocre, it's obvious that its story is building into something much grander that will be covered in subsequent movies. It may seem inconsequential right now, but this could build into a serious problem for us down the line.

3. To grow or develop something gradually into something larger in size, scope, or meaning. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "into." It's just a short story at the moment, but I hope to build it into a full-fledged novel someday. She's been building her business into something pretty remarkable over the years.

4. To include something as a fundamental component of something else. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "into." What new features did they build into this app update? Be sure to build time for audience questions into your presentation.

5. To give someone an essential role in something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "into." Of course that company isn't hiring—the CEO has built all of his pals into every department!

See also: build

build on (something)

1. Literally, to construct or assemble (something) on top of something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "on." The local council is finally allowing companies to build on the vacant plots of land on the outskirts of the city. Tom is building a new shed on the back patio.

2. To use something as a starting point upon which additional details, information, content, etc., can be formed or conceived. OK, class, let's build on Janet's idea. What else does this passage tell us about the protagonist's motivation? If the government would commit to building on the existing legislative framework instead of trying to scrap the whole thing, they could create something that truly benefited most citizens.

3. To use something as a starting point from which some new is created, such as an idea, argument, narrative, etc. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "on." She built her entire argument on the data presented in scientific article that was later proven to have been falsified. The director made it clear that he was eager to build more films on the rich lore of the book series.

build onto (something)

To use something as a foundation and expand or construct additional elements to it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "onto." This kitchen is far too small—we'll need to build an addition onto it. Many were opposed to the city's plan of building onto the ancient church.

See also: build

build out of (something)

To assemble or construct something from a certain material. The construction crew plans to build the wall out of bricks.

build out onto (something)

To expand or extend a structure or building into a certain area. Our neighbors had to get a permit to build out onto the undeveloped tract behind their house.

build to order

To construct or assemble something in accordance with specific parameters (usually from a buyer). A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "to." The client must be rich if he wants us to build the boat to order!

build up

1. verb To increase something gradually. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." I've been putting $50 aside every month in an attempt to build up my savings.

2. verb To encourage or flatter someone. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." Not getting that job left my son really discouraged, so I've been trying to build him up.

3. verb To become stronger or more muscular. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." I'm trying to build up my leg muscles so that I can run even faster.

4. verb To develop an area with more buildings or businesses. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." Wow, they've really built up that part of town—I remember when it was just a field!

5. verb To greatly raise expectations for something by praising or hyping it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." I thought that movie was really disappointing, possibly because my friends told me how amazing it was and built it up too much.

6. verb To accumulate over time. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." You should wash your hair every day, unless you want oily residue building up. The dirty laundry is really building up—when was the last time you did the wash?

7. noun An accumulation of something. In this usage, the phrase is often hyphenated. I use so many products in my hair that I need to wash the build-up out at the end of the day. It looks like you've got a lot of build-up around the filter. It should run fine after I clean it.

See also: build, up

build up a head of steam

To gain momentum or the energy needed to move forward. The protests against the corrupt organization built up a head of steam when the national media started covering the story. You can't make the jump standing still—you'll need to build up a head of steam.

build up to (something)

1. To reach something gradually. I know you're building up to your point, but you're also putting your audience to sleep. You can't just walk into the gym and grab the 50-pound weights—you need to build up to that!

2. To become or develop into something gradually. The issues that you're trying to ignore in your relationship will build up to serious problems in time.

See also: build, up

confidence-building measure

Any action taken to eliminate or reduce the fear of attack or escalation of conflict between two or more parties, as in international politics, interpersonal communication, business interactions, etc. The term is usually pluralized. The two countries, long on the brink of all-out war, have introduced several confidence-building measures between their governments to facilitate better communication and hopefully avert the need for a military offensive by either side. One of our goals in marriage counseling is to create confidence-building measures between spouses, so that each person learns to communicate their frustrations before they turn into a source of conflict.

Elvis has left the building

Said when an event or performance has come to an end, or when someone or something has left a place, especially in a dramatic fashion. The phrase refers to an announcement famously made at the end of Elvis Presley concerts alerting people that he vacated the premises and no further encores would be played. We kept waiting for the band to come back on stage to perform some of the fans' favorite songs, but it looked like Elvis had left the building. That ball is flying, and it looks like... yes, it's a homerun! Elvis has left the building, folks!

build a case (against someone)

and gather a case (against someone)

to put together the evidence needed to make a legal or disciplinary case against someone. The police easily built a case against the drunken driver. As soon as we gather the case against her, we can obtain a warrant to arrest her.

build castles in the air

and build castles in Spain

Fig. to daydream; to make plans that can never come true. Ann spends most of her time building castles in Spain. I really like to sit on the porch in the evening, just building castles in the air.

build down

[for traffic] to reduce in volume or diminish. At about six, the going-home traffic begins to build down. When traffic builds down, I leave for home.

build someone or something up

1. Lit. to make someone or something bigger or stronger. Tom is lifting weights to build himself up for basketball. Tom needs to build up his upper body.

2. Fig. to advertise, praise, or promote someone or something. Theatrical agents work very hard to build up their clients. Advertising can build a product up so much that everyone will want it.

See also: build, up

build someone or something up (into someone or something)

to develop or advance someone or something into a particular [desirable] kind of person or thing. The publicity people built her up into a singer whom everyone looked forward to hearing. The agent built up the local band into a top national act.

See also: build, up

build someone or something up (into someone or something)

See also: build, up

build someone up (for something)

Fig. to prepare someone for something; to bring a person into a state of mind to accept some information. We built them up for the challenge they were to face. We had to build up the woman before breaking the bad news.

See also: build, up

build something to order

to build an individual object according to a special set of specifications. I am having them build a new house to order—just for us. The car will be built to order.

build something up

1. Lit. to add buildings to an area of land or a neighborhood. They are really building this area up. There is no more open space. They built up the area over the years.

2. Fig. to develop, accumulate, or increase something, such as wealth, business, goodwill, etc. I built this business up through hard work and hope. She built up a good business over the years.

3. Fig. to praise or exalt something; to exaggerate the virtues of something. The master of ceremonies built the act up so much that everyone was disappointed when they saw it. He built up the act too much.

See also: build, up

build up

to increase; to develop. The storm clouds are building up. Better close the windows.

See also: build, up

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

build down

Reduce, diminish, as in Owing to increased vigilance, traffic in narcotics is finally building down. This term, the antonym of build up, came into use about 1980 with regard to reducing the stockpile of nuclear weapons and soon was applied more widely.

build in

Also, build into. Construct or include as an integral part; also, make automatic, concomitant, or inherent. For example, Frank Lloyd Wright liked to build in as much furniture as possible, not just bookcases but desks, tables, and the like , or We've got to build some slack into the schedule for this project. The literal usage referring to physical objects dates from the late 1920s. The figurative arose a decade or so later. Both are frequently used in past participle form, that is, built in.

See also: build

build up

1. Fill an area with houses or other buildings, urbanize. For example, We want to protect the wetlands against those who want to build up the area. [c. 1400]

2. Gradually develop, increase in stages. For example, I want to build up my endurance for the race. [Early 1700s]

3. Accumulate or collect, as in A lot of rust has built up on the farm machinery. [Mid-1900s]

4. Increase, strengthen, develop toward, as in The sound built up until it was nearly deafening, or His argument was building up to a grand climax. [c. 1930]

5. Establish or enhance a reputation; praise or flatter. For example, Months before the official campaign could begin, they had been building up the senator's image . [c. 1930]

See also: build, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

build bridges

COMMON If you build bridges between groups of people, you do something to improve the relationship between them. It was our duty to help build bridges between the communities involved. We are looking for ways to build bridges between our two organizations. Note: You can call this process bridge-building. Do all you can to develop an open mind which allows bridge-building between you. Lovett took the initiative to arrange a bridge-building luncheon at which a compromise could be agreed.

build up a head of steam

1. If someone or something builds up a head of steam, they get enough energy or support to make something happen. Agitation for reform had built up a head of steam sufficient to make it inevitable. Note: Verbs such as work up, produce or gather can be used instead of build up. The campaign is gathering a head of steam. Note: You can also use a head of steam to talk about a situation where there is a lot of support for something. While most MPs still believe an election next year is more likely, there's an increasing head of steam behind November. They need to get a sufficient head of steam to force the Foreign Office to act on their behalf.

2. If someone builds up a head of steam, they gradually become more and more angry, anxious, or emotional about something until they can no longer hide their feelings. She had built up a head of steam while waiting to speak to him. Note: Verbs such as work up or get up can be used instead of build up. Now well into his mid-30s, Elton still manages to work up a head of steam over little things. Note: A steam engine can only work when the steam has reached a particular pressure level.

build castles in the air (or in Spain)

have a visionary and unattainable scheme; daydream.

The concept was known to St Augustine ( 354–430 ), who uses the phrase subtracto fundamento in aere aedificare meaning ‘build on air without foundation’. Castles in the air has been the version predominant in English since the late 16th century, but castles in Spain , from Old French châteaux en Espagne , was used in the late medieval period and occasionally in more recent times. The form of the saying in Old French, known from the 13th century, may refer to the fact that much of Spain in the Middle Ages was under Moorish control, so any scheme to build castles there was clearly unlikely to succeed.

build ˈbridges (between A and B/with somebody)

if you build bridges between people who disagree on something or who do not like each other, you try to find ways to improve the relationship between them: The police are trying to build bridges with the local community. ▶ ˈbridge-building noun: The company has a lot of bridge-building to do with angry investors.

build in

To construct or include something as an integral part of another thing: When you install the new bathroom, make sure to build in a towel rack. We didn't add shelves to the wall; we built them in when we constructed the house.

See also: build

build up

1. To develop or increase something in stages or by degrees: I'm building up my endurance for the big race by running every day. We built the family business up over many years.

2. To accumulate, collect or increase: Sediment is building up on the riverbank.

3. To become bigger, stronger, or bulkier, especially through exercise: I need to build up if I'm going to make the football team this year.

4. To bolster something: The company plans to build up their new product with a big advertising campaign. The interview went well and built up my hopes for getting the job.

5. To fill some region with buildings: There was a forest here before they started building up the area. The developer bought the farmland and built it up.

See also: build, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

See also:

(as) busy as a beaver (building a new dam)
beaver
busy as a beaver
dam
busy beaver
busy little beaver
work like a beaver
work like a Trojan
I don't have time to breathe
I don't have time to catch my breath

References in classic literature

Then pieces of the archway began to drop, and the lower masonry of the building to fall in with the rumbling sound of coals being shot into a cellar.

Below, every point of vantage bristled with spectators, the roofs of the towering buildings, the public squares, the active ferry boats, and every favourable street intersection had its crowds: all the river piers were dense with people, the Battery Park was solid black with east-side population, and every position of advantage in Central Park and along Riverside Drive had its peculiar and characteristic assembly from the adjacent streets.

No city in the world was ever so finely placed as New York, so magnificently cut up by sea and bluff and river, so admirably disposed to display the tall effects of buildings, the complex immensities of bridges and mono-railways and feats of engineering.

Down through the twilight sank five attacking airships, one to the Navy Yard on East River, one to City Hall, two over the great business buildings of Wall Street and Lower Broadway, one to the Brooklyn Bridge, dropping from among their fellows through the danger zone from the distant guns smoothly and rapidly to a safe proximity to the city masses.

Beyond these newspaper buildings again, and partially hidden by the arches of the old Elevated Railway of New York (long since converted into a mono-rail), there was another cordon of police and a sort of encampment of ambulances and doctors, busy with the dead and wounded who had been killed early in the night by the panic upon Brooklyn Bridge.

He had seen airships flying low and swift over darkened and groaning streets; watched great buildings, suddenly red-lit amidst the shadows, crumple at the smashing impact of bombs; witnessed for the first time in his life the grotesque, swift onset, of insatiable conflagrations.

Below, the immense buildings, tremendous and fine as they were, seemed like the giant trees of a jungle fighting for life; their picturesque magnificence was as planless as the chances of crag and gorge, their casualty enhanced by the smoke and confusion of still unsubdued and spreading conflagrations.

He clung to the frame of the porthole as the airship tossed and swayed, and stared down through the light rain that now drove before the wind, into the twilight streets, watching people running out of the houses, watching buildings collapse and fires begin.

The War in the Air

It is the first existing building in New York State to achieve LEED Gold and among only 19 such facilities in the country.

NYPA first New York State building to score Gold LEED

Her year-old apartment building is the first result of a nationwide program that expects to build green low-income housing in 20-odd states over five years.

Buildings that breathe: green construction is coming of age

The Green Building Studio web service continues to be the first and only web service specifically designed for architects to use at the earliest phase of design to fully understand the cost-effective opportunities to maximize their building's sustain ability.

ARCHITECTS USE WEB SERVICE FOR EARLY DESIGN PHASE

However, as design progressed and aesthetic preferences changed, the building that was once the essence of simplicity began to look dated.

Making way in the windy city: a demolition company takes down a Chicago landmark to usher in a new architectural era

Both the design and construction are being undertaken by Obayashi Gumi Corporation, a pioneer in environmentally friendly building materials and technologies.

Is your building green? Environmentally friendly office buildings in Tokyo

Underutilized, specialized classrooms like the driver's education room and the health classroom, often sited off on the end of the building near the gym, are located in the main space of the building so that they can be a resource available to all teachers.

Smart design: two schools prove that style, energy savings and innovative layouts can all be present in your next school building

This review, however, attempts to unify building, user and locale through Dennis Gilbert's insightful photographs of the building in use: images that deserve to be seen in amplified format.

Destination Wolfsburg: burg or a berg ... stronghold or floating mass?... Phaeno is open to interpretation

词组	building
释义	building (as) busy as a beaver (building a new dam) Very busy, assiduous, or hardworking. The phrase refers to beavers' reputation for being extremely industrious. Between working two part-time jobs, volunteering on the weekends, and looking after his little brother, Sam's been busy as a beaver this summer. I've been as busy as a beaver building a new dam this year. I've had almost no free time! See also: beaver, busy, new build (one's) hopes on (someone or something) To have expectations that are tied to the success, performance, etc., of a particular person or thing. Why are we building our hopes on him when we know he's not popular enough to defeat the incumbent? I had built my hopes on this promotion and was crushed when I didn't get it. See also: build, hope, on build (something) out over (something) To extend a structure or building over a particular area or thing. The house is famous for building an outdoor area out over a waterfall. See also: build, out, over build (something) over (something) To extend a structure or building over a particular area or thing. The house is famous for building an outdoor area over a waterfall. See also: build, over build (up)on (something) 1. To use something as the foundation on which to construct (something else). A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "(up)on." The city council has already given us permission to build on this land. They built the old house upon a foundation of sand, and it unsurprisingly sank into the ground over time. 2. To use something as a starting point that one develops or adds to, as of an argument or topic of conversation. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "(up)on." Would anyone like to build on Katie's point about romanticism in the text? The prosecution built their entire case upon the defendant's police interviews. See also: build build a case To compile evidence that supports an argument or charges against someone or something. The job of the prosecutor is to build a case to prove that the defendant is guilty. We're trying to build a case because many employees have been wrongly terminated by the company. See also: build, case build a case against (someone or something) To compile evidence that supports an argument or charges against someone or something. The job of the prosecutor is to build a case against the defendant. We're trying to build a case against the company because many employees have been wrongly terminated. See also: build, case build bridges To connect disparate people or groups. The senator was working to build bridges between the two parties on the contentious issue. A lingua franca is used to build bridges between people who do not speak the same language. See also: bridge, build build castles in Spain To create dreams, hopes, or plans that are impossible, unrealistic, or have very little chance of succeeding. You need sound financial advice and a strong plan if you're going to start your own business—don't just build castles in Spain. See also: build, castle, Spain build castles in the air To create dreams, hopes, or plans that are impossible, unrealistic, or have very little chance of succeeding. You need sound financial advice and a strong plan if you're going to start your own business—don't just build castles in the air. See also: air, build, castle build castles in the sky To create dreams, hopes, or plans that are impossible, unrealistic, or have very little chance of succeeding. You need sound financial advice and a strong plan if you're going to start your own business—don't just build castles in the sky. See also: build, castle, sky build down To decrease or lessen. That group encourages the government to build down on wasteful spending. Give the traffic some time to build down before you leave the office—otherwise, you'll just sit on the highway for an hour. See also: build, down build in To include someone or something as a fundamental component of something else. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "in." Be sure to build in some extra time for questions from the audience. There's hardly any storage in the house right now, so we asked the contractor to build more shelves in. People won't take you seriously as student council president if you just build your friends in as cabinet members. See also: build build into (something) 1. To construct (something) into something else. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "into" to specify what is being built. I thought they were crazy to build their mansion into the side of the cliff like that, but they really pulled it off! The law prohibits us from building into this part of the land. 2. To develop gradually into something larger in size, scope, or meaning. While the film itself is only mediocre, it's obvious that its story is building into something much grander that will be covered in subsequent movies. It may seem inconsequential right now, but this could build into a serious problem for us down the line. 3. To grow or develop something gradually into something larger in size, scope, or meaning. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "into." It's just a short story at the moment, but I hope to build it into a full-fledged novel someday. She's been building her business into something pretty remarkable over the years. 4. To include something as a fundamental component of something else. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "into." What new features did they build into this app update? Be sure to build time for audience questions into your presentation. 5. To give someone an essential role in something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "into." Of course that company isn't hiring—the CEO has built all of his pals into every department! See also: build build on (something) 1. Literally, to construct or assemble (something) on top of something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "on." The local council is finally allowing companies to build on the vacant plots of land on the outskirts of the city. Tom is building a new shed on the back patio. 2. To use something as a starting point upon which additional details, information, content, etc., can be formed or conceived. OK, class, let's build on Janet's idea. What else does this passage tell us about the protagonist's motivation? If the government would commit to building on the existing legislative framework instead of trying to scrap the whole thing, they could create something that truly benefited most citizens. 3. To use something as a starting point from which some new is created, such as an idea, argument, narrative, etc. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "on." She built her entire argument on the data presented in scientific article that was later proven to have been falsified. The director made it clear that he was eager to build more films on the rich lore of the book series. See also: build, on build onto (something) To use something as a foundation and expand or construct additional elements to it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "onto." This kitchen is far too small—we'll need to build an addition onto it. Many were opposed to the city's plan of building onto the ancient church. See also: build build out of (something) To assemble or construct something from a certain material. The construction crew plans to build the wall out of bricks. See also: build, of, out build out onto (something) To expand or extend a structure or building into a certain area. Our neighbors had to get a permit to build out onto the undeveloped tract behind their house. See also: build, out build to order To construct or assemble something in accordance with specific parameters (usually from a buyer). A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "to." The client must be rich if he wants us to build the boat to order! See also: build, order build up 1. verb To increase something gradually. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." I've been putting $50 aside every month in an attempt to build up my savings. 2. verb To encourage or flatter someone. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." Not getting that job left my son really discouraged, so I've been trying to build him up. 3. verb To become stronger or more muscular. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." I'm trying to build up my leg muscles so that I can run even faster. 4. verb To develop an area with more buildings or businesses. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." Wow, they've really built up that part of town—I remember when it was just a field! 5. verb To greatly raise expectations for something by praising or hyping it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." I thought that movie was really disappointing, possibly because my friends told me how amazing it was and built it up too much. 6. verb To accumulate over time. A noun or pronoun can be used between "build" and "up." You should wash your hair every day, unless you want oily residue building up. The dirty laundry is really building up—when was the last time you did the wash? 7. noun An accumulation of something. In this usage, the phrase is often hyphenated. I use so many products in my hair that I need to wash the build-up out at the end of the day. It looks like you've got a lot of build-up around the filter. It should run fine after I clean it. See also: build, up build up a head of steam To gain momentum or the energy needed to move forward. The protests against the corrupt organization built up a head of steam when the national media started covering the story. You can't make the jump standing still—you'll need to build up a head of steam. See also: build, head, of, steam, up build up to (something) 1. To reach something gradually. I know you're building up to your point, but you're also putting your audience to sleep. You can't just walk into the gym and grab the 50-pound weights—you need to build up to that! 2. To become or develop into something gradually. The issues that you're trying to ignore in your relationship will build up to serious problems in time. See also: build, up confidence-building measure Any action taken to eliminate or reduce the fear of attack or escalation of conflict between two or more parties, as in international politics, interpersonal communication, business interactions, etc. The term is usually pluralized. The two countries, long on the brink of all-out war, have introduced several confidence-building measures between their governments to facilitate better communication and hopefully avert the need for a military offensive by either side. One of our goals in marriage counseling is to create confidence-building measures between spouses, so that each person learns to communicate their frustrations before they turn into a source of conflict. See also: measure Elvis has left the building Said when an event or performance has come to an end, or when someone or something has left a place, especially in a dramatic fashion. The phrase refers to an announcement famously made at the end of Elvis Presley concerts alerting people that he vacated the premises and no further encores would be played. We kept waiting for the band to come back on stage to perform some of the fans' favorite songs, but it looked like Elvis had left the building. That ball is flying, and it looks like... yes, it's a homerun! Elvis has left the building, folks! See also: building, left Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. build a case (against someone) and gather a case (against someone) to put together the evidence needed to make a legal or disciplinary case against someone. The police easily built a case against the drunken driver. As soon as we gather the case against her, we can obtain a warrant to arrest her. See also: build, case build castles in the air and build castles in Spain Fig. to daydream; to make plans that can never come true. Ann spends most of her time building castles in Spain. I really like to sit on the porch in the evening, just building castles in the air. See also: air, build, castle build down [for traffic] to reduce in volume or diminish. At about six, the going-home traffic begins to build down. When traffic builds down, I leave for home. See also: build, down build someone or something up 1. Lit. to make someone or something bigger or stronger. Tom is lifting weights to build himself up for basketball. Tom needs to build up his upper body. 2. Fig. to advertise, praise, or promote someone or something. Theatrical agents work very hard to build up their clients. Advertising can build a product up so much that everyone will want it. See also: build, up build someone or something up (into someone or something) to develop or advance someone or something into a particular [desirable] kind of person or thing. The publicity people built her up into a singer whom everyone looked forward to hearing. The agent built up the local band into a top national act. See also: build, up build someone or something up (into someone or something) to develop or advance someone or something into a particular [desirable] kind of person or thing. The publicity people built her up into a singer whom everyone looked forward to hearing. The agent built up the local band into a top national act. See also: build, up build someone up (for something) Fig. to prepare someone for something; to bring a person into a state of mind to accept some information. We built them up for the challenge they were to face. We had to build up the woman before breaking the bad news. See also: build, up build something to order to build an individual object according to a special set of specifications. I am having them build a new house to order—just for us. The car will be built to order. See also: build, order build something up 1. Lit. to add buildings to an area of land or a neighborhood. They are really building this area up. There is no more open space. They built up the area over the years. 2. Fig. to develop, accumulate, or increase something, such as wealth, business, goodwill, etc. I built this business up through hard work and hope. She built up a good business over the years. 3. Fig. to praise or exalt something; to exaggerate the virtues of something. The master of ceremonies built the act up so much that everyone was disappointed when they saw it. He built up the act too much. See also: build, up build up to increase; to develop. The storm clouds are building up. Better close the windows. See also: build, up McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. build down Reduce, diminish, as in Owing to increased vigilance, traffic in narcotics is finally building down. This term, the antonym of build up, came into use about 1980 with regard to reducing the stockpile of nuclear weapons and soon was applied more widely. See also: build, down build in Also, build into. Construct or include as an integral part; also, make automatic, concomitant, or inherent. For example, Frank Lloyd Wright liked to build in as much furniture as possible, not just bookcases but desks, tables, and the like , or We've got to build some slack into the schedule for this project. The literal usage referring to physical objects dates from the late 1920s. The figurative arose a decade or so later. Both are frequently used in past participle form, that is, built in. See also: build build up 1. Fill an area with houses or other buildings, urbanize. For example, We want to protect the wetlands against those who want to build up the area. [c. 1400] 2. Gradually develop, increase in stages. For example, I want to build up my endurance for the race. [Early 1700s] 3. Accumulate or collect, as in A lot of rust has built up on the farm machinery. [Mid-1900s] 4. Increase, strengthen, develop toward, as in The sound built up until it was nearly deafening, or His argument was building up to a grand climax. [c. 1930] 5. Establish or enhance a reputation; praise or flatter. For example, Months before the official campaign could begin, they had been building up the senator's image . [c. 1930] See also: build, up The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. build bridges COMMON If you build bridges between groups of people, you do something to improve the relationship between them. It was our duty to help build bridges between the communities involved. We are looking for ways to build bridges between our two organizations. Note: You can call this process bridge-building. Do all you can to develop an open mind which allows bridge-building between you. Lovett took the initiative to arrange a bridge-building luncheon at which a compromise could be agreed. See also: bridge, build build up a head of steam 1. If someone or something builds up a head of steam, they get enough energy or support to make something happen. Agitation for reform had built up a head of steam sufficient to make it inevitable. Note: Verbs such as work up, produce or gather can be used instead of build up. The campaign is gathering a head of steam. Note: You can also use a head of steam to talk about a situation where there is a lot of support for something. While most MPs still believe an election next year is more likely, there's an increasing head of steam behind November. They need to get a sufficient head of steam to force the Foreign Office to act on their behalf. 2. If someone builds up a head of steam, they gradually become more and more angry, anxious, or emotional about something until they can no longer hide their feelings. She had built up a head of steam while waiting to speak to him. Note: Verbs such as work up or get up can be used instead of build up. Now well into his mid-30s, Elton still manages to work up a head of steam over little things. Note: A steam engine can only work when the steam has reached a particular pressure level. See also: build, head, of, steam, up Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. build castles in the air (or in Spain) have a visionary and unattainable scheme; daydream. The concept was known to St Augustine ( 354–430 ), who uses the phrase subtracto fundamento in aere aedificare meaning ‘build on air without foundation’. Castles in the air has been the version predominant in English since the late 16th century, but castles in Spain , from Old French châteaux en Espagne , was used in the late medieval period and occasionally in more recent times. The form of the saying in Old French, known from the 13th century, may refer to the fact that much of Spain in the Middle Ages was under Moorish control, so any scheme to build castles there was clearly unlikely to succeed. See also: air, build, castle Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary build ˈbridges (between A and B/with somebody) if you build bridges between people who disagree on something or who do not like each other, you try to find ways to improve the relationship between them: The police are trying to build bridges with the local community. ▶ ˈbridge-building noun: The company has a lot of bridge-building to do with angry investors. See also: bridge, build Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary build in v. To construct or include something as an integral part of another thing: When you install the new bathroom, make sure to build in a towel rack. We didn't add shelves to the wall; we built them in when we constructed the house. See also: build build up v. 1. To develop or increase something in stages or by degrees: I'm building up my endurance for the big race by running every day. We built the family business up over many years. 2. To accumulate, collect or increase: Sediment is building up on the riverbank. 3. To become bigger, stronger, or bulkier, especially through exercise: I need to build up if I'm going to make the football team this year. 4. To bolster something: The company plans to build up their new product with a big advertising campaign. The interview went well and built up my hopes for getting the job. 5. To fill some region with buildings: There was a forest here before they started building up the area. The developer bought the farmland and built it up. See also: build, up The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. See also: (as) busy as a beaver (building a new dam) beaver busy as a beaver dam busy beaver busy little beaver work like a beaver work like a Trojan I don't have time to breathe I don't have time to catch my breath References in classic literature Then pieces of the archway began to drop, and the lower masonry of the building to fall in with the rumbling sound of coals being shot into a cellar. Below, every point of vantage bristled with spectators, the roofs of the towering buildings, the public squares, the active ferry boats, and every favourable street intersection had its crowds: all the river piers were dense with people, the Battery Park was solid black with east-side population, and every position of advantage in Central Park and along Riverside Drive had its peculiar and characteristic assembly from the adjacent streets. No city in the world was ever so finely placed as New York, so magnificently cut up by sea and bluff and river, so admirably disposed to display the tall effects of buildings, the complex immensities of bridges and mono-railways and feats of engineering. Down through the twilight sank five attacking airships, one to the Navy Yard on East River, one to City Hall, two over the great business buildings of Wall Street and Lower Broadway, one to the Brooklyn Bridge, dropping from among their fellows through the danger zone from the distant guns smoothly and rapidly to a safe proximity to the city masses. Beyond these newspaper buildings again, and partially hidden by the arches of the old Elevated Railway of New York (long since converted into a mono-rail), there was another cordon of police and a sort of encampment of ambulances and doctors, busy with the dead and wounded who had been killed early in the night by the panic upon Brooklyn Bridge. He had seen airships flying low and swift over darkened and groaning streets; watched great buildings, suddenly red-lit amidst the shadows, crumple at the smashing impact of bombs; witnessed for the first time in his life the grotesque, swift onset, of insatiable conflagrations. Below, the immense buildings, tremendous and fine as they were, seemed like the giant trees of a jungle fighting for life; their picturesque magnificence was as planless as the chances of crag and gorge, their casualty enhanced by the smoke and confusion of still unsubdued and spreading conflagrations. He clung to the frame of the porthole as the airship tossed and swayed, and stared down through the light rain that now drove before the wind, into the twilight streets, watching people running out of the houses, watching buildings collapse and fires begin. The War in the Air It is the first existing building in New York State to achieve LEED Gold and among only 19 such facilities in the country. NYPA first New York State building to score Gold LEED Her year-old apartment building is the first result of a nationwide program that expects to build green low-income housing in 20-odd states over five years. Buildings that breathe: green construction is coming of age The Green Building Studio web service continues to be the first and only web service specifically designed for architects to use at the earliest phase of design to fully understand the cost-effective opportunities to maximize their building's sustain ability. ARCHITECTS USE WEB SERVICE FOR EARLY DESIGN PHASE However, as design progressed and aesthetic preferences changed, the building that was once the essence of simplicity began to look dated. Making way in the windy city: a demolition company takes down a Chicago landmark to usher in a new architectural era Both the design and construction are being undertaken by Obayashi Gumi Corporation, a pioneer in environmentally friendly building materials and technologies. Is your building green? Environmentally friendly office buildings in Tokyo Underutilized, specialized classrooms like the driver's education room and the health classroom, often sited off on the end of the building near the gym, are located in the main space of the building so that they can be a resource available to all teachers. Smart design: two schools prove that style, energy savings and innovative layouts can all be present in your next school building This review, however, attempts to unify building, user and locale through Dennis Gilbert's insightful photographs of the building in use: images that deserve to be seen in amplified format. Destination Wolfsburg: burg or a berg ... stronghold or floating mass?... Phaeno is open to interpretation
随便看	not just whistling Dixie not just yet not know A from a windmill not know (any) better not know any better not know any more about (something) than a hog knows about Sunday not know any more about (something) than a pig knows about Sunday not know beans not know beans about not know beans (about something) not know beans about something not know B from a battledore not know enough to come in out of the rain not know from Adam not know from nothing not know from (something) not know if (one) is afoot or on horseback not know if (one) is coming or going not know if you are coming or going not know/not be able to tell one end of something from the other not know one end (of something) from another not know (one) from Adam not know (one) is born not know (one's) ass from a hole in the ground not know (one's) own strength