attitude
attitude-adjuster
A club that can be used to make people comply, often a police officer's baton. Although the officer threatened to use his attitude-adjuster, the group of teens didn't seem remotely scared. In the midst of the chaos was a police officer using his attitude-adjuster to try to direct traffic.
cop an attitude
slang To act irritably. Don't cop an attitude with me, young lady, or I'll take away your allowance! All of a sudden, John copped an attitude—I guess he was unhappy with the change in plans.
See also: attitude, cop
devil-may-care attitude
A nonchalant attitude, especially toward risks or consequences. I can't believe he went out on his motorcycle in this rain. His devil-may-care attitude is going to get him killed. If you keep up this devil-may-care attitude toward your money, you'll be broke in no time.
See also: attitude
have a bad attitude
To tend to be pessimistic. I know I can have a bad attitude, so I'm trying to be more positive these days. If she didn't have such a bad attitude, she could definitely be as good a musician as her sisters.
See also: attitude, bad, have
pull an attitude (with one)
To act in an impertinent, disrespectful, or haughty manner (toward one). That cop would have let us go if you hadn't pulled an attitude with her, you idiot! We knew better than to ever pull an attitude with our mom.
See also: attitude, pull
strike a pose
To assume a dramatic or exaggerated bodily attitude or position, as for a photograph or portrait. After the serious wedding photos were finished, everyone struck a silly pose for a funny picture. I always feel awkward striking a pose for these publicity shots. It always feels so forced.
See also: pose, strike
strike an attitude
To assume a dramatic or exaggerated bodily attitude or position, as for a photograph or portrait. After the serious wedding photos were finished, everyone struck a silly attitude for a funny picture. I always feel awkward striking an attitude for these publicity shots. It always feels so forced.
See also: attitude, strike
wait-and-see attitude
A hesitant, skeptical, or circumspect mindset or outlook. The boss has always had a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to new market opportunities, which can be maddening when you're trying to tap into a fresh revenue stream. My wife likes to jump into every wild idea as soon as she's had it, whereas I have more of a wait-and-see attitude about things.
See also: attitude
with attitude
Especially intense, impressive, or demanding of attention. She has now built an entire media empire on being a nanny with attitude, one who won't tolerate the bad behavior of children or parents alike. It's not quite rock climbing—more like hiking with attitude.
See also: attitude
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
cop an attitude
Sl. to take a negative or opposite attitude about something. My teenage son copped an attitude when I asked why he seemed to be sneaking around.
See also: attitude, cop
devil-may-care attitude
and devil-may-care mannera very casual attitude; a worry-free or carefree attitude. You must get rid of your devil-may-care attitude if you want to succeed. She acts so thoughtless—with her devil-may-care manner.
See also: attitude
have a bad attitude
to have a negative outlook on things; to be uncooperative. Perry has a bad attitude and has nothing positive to contribute to the conversation.
See also: attitude, bad, have
strike a pose
to position oneself in a certain posture. Bob struck a pose in front of the mirror to see how much he had bulked up. Lisa walked into the room and struck a pose, hoping she would be noticed.
See also: pose, strike
wait-and-see attitude
Fig. a skeptical attitude; an uncertain attitude in which someone will just wait to see what happens before reacting. John thought that Mary couldn't do it, but he took a wait-and-see attitude. His wait-and-see attitude seemed to indicate that he didn't really care what happened.
See also: attitude
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
with attitude
If you describe a thing as something or someone with attitude, you mean that they are more impressive or confident than a normal example of that thing. This is going to be sailing with attitude. Patti Smith and Janis Joplin were women with attitude and talent.
See also: attitude
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
strike a ˈpose/an ˈattitude
sit, stand or lie in a position in order to attract attention: He was striking a pose, leaning against the ship’s rail.See also: attitude, pose, strike
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
attitude-adjuster
n. a police officer’s nightstick; any club. Andy had a black attitude-adjuster hanging from his belt, and I wasn’t going to argue with him.
cop an attitude
tv. to take a negative or opposite attitude about something. (see also tude.) I think you’re copping an attitude. Not advised, dude. Not advised.
See also: attitude, cop
pull an attitude
tv. to be haughty; to put on airs. Don’t pull an attitude with me, chum!
See also: attitude, pull
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- attitude-adjuster
- under the baton of
- devil-may-care attitude
- cop an attitude
- a cool head
- cool head
- have a bad attitude
- tude
- sing a different song
- sing another tune