incline

incline (one's) ear

To listen intently, attentively, and receptively (to what someone is saying). the phrase is used in several places in the Bible, usually in reference to listening to God. You need to learn to incline your ear to the words of wisdom your elders have to offer. The representative pleaded with world leaders to incline their ears to her country's distress.
See also: ear, incline

incline away (from someone or something)

To tilt or slant away from someone or something. Please don't tell me that the attic is inclining away from the rest of the house.
See also: away, incline, someone

incline forward

1. To lean or tilt forward. I inclined forward to see if that would loosen up my tight back muscles.
2. To cause something to lean or tilt forward. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "incline" and "forward." If you can't reach the table, just incline your chair forward.
See also: forward, incline

incline toward (someone or something)

1. To physically lean or tilt toward someone or something. The way those branches are inclining toward our house is really starting to worry me.
2. By extension, to feel or show a preference for someone or something. I haven't been feeling well all week, so I'm inclined toward staying in this weekend. Honestly, I'm inclined toward Sharon—I just think she'd make a better mayor.
See also: incline, toward
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

incline away (from someone or something)

to lean or slope away from someone or something. I inclined away from her to avoid her alcohol breath. The land inclined away from the house.
See also: away, incline

incline forward

to lean forward; to slant forward. The earthquake-ravaged building inclined forward a little bit more and looked as if it was going to fall. My chair inclined forward and I kept feeling as if I were going to fall off.
See also: forward, incline

incline something forward

to lean something forward; to make something slant forward. Incline the light forward a little bit, so you can see better. The fence had been inclined slightly forward to make it harder to climb.
See also: forward, incline

incline toward someone or something

 
1. to lean or slant toward someone or something. The piece of scenery inclined toward Roger very slowly and he jumped out of the way just in time. The tree inclined toward the direction of the wind.
2. to favor or "lean" toward choosing someone or something. I don't know which to choose. I incline toward Terri but I also favor Amy. I am inclining toward chocolate.
See also: incline, toward
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

incline your ear

listen favourably. literary
Incline thine ear is an expression used throughout the Bible, for example in Psalms 17:6: ‘I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech’.
See also: ear, incline
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • incline (one's) ear
  • incline your ear
  • be swift to hear, slow to speak
  • eggs is eggs
  • God forfend
  • from my cold, dead hands
  • but for the grace of God
  • (one's) best foot forward
  • best foot forward
  • search high and low (for someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
To make the energy spent when using a treadmill on par with running outdoors, the incline needs to be raised slightly by 1% and you can be expending calories similar to what you will be spending while working or running outdoors.
Increased Workout Benefits with Elliptical Cross Training Arms
There is obviously a demand for wealth advice in Incline.
A Hideaway Where Billionaires Come to Play (and Save on Taxes)
McGlinchey adds: "Incline was drawn on the inside and got a dream run.
The day Incline made the most of late call; MEMORY LANE
A Virgin cross country service heads down | one in thirty seven Lickey Incline
The long history of The Lickey Incline
Each participant performed two trials of incline propulsion along the ramp at a self-selected speed.
Coordination patterns of shoulder muscles during level-ground and incline wheelchair propulsion
The acquisition is seen as a further step within the companya[euro](tm)s efforts to become a global leader in acute and intensive care medicine, the buyer said.Country: USASector: PharmaceuticalsTarget: Incline Therapeutics IncBuyer: The Medicines CompanyDeal size in USD: 185mType: Corporate acquisitionStatus: ClosedComment: Deal size refers to initial price.
The Medicines Company wraps up Incline Therapeutics buy
Upon closing, Incline has become a wholly owned subsidiary of The Medicines Company.
The Medicines Company acquires Incline Therapeutics Inc for undisclosed amount
Skateboarders may have picked the faster slope at the park because they knew from past rides which incline was speedier, suggested Stanford University psychologist Barbara Tversky.
Skateboarders rock at physics: experienced riders show gut knowledge of slope speeds
Cadence will pay $3.5 million to Incline as upfront option fee.
Cadence Pharmaceuticals Inc
A car gwyllt in action "The hooter went at 4pm and soon after a queue formed at the head of the incline, and a stream of 200 cars or more poured down the inclines.
Quarry ride to go on display
INCLINE BENCH PRESS: Lie on an incline bench raised to 45 degrees.
Your Life daily: A Chest and back; in association with Coventry Fostering Service
The pattern of friction inserts can be custom designed to allow optimum covering for the angle of inclination required for either incline or decline conveyors
High friction modular conveyor belts
The largest bore, in the centre, was the Wapping tunnel, along incline leading to Wapping Dock.
Flash back: Building Sights; Edge Hill station (opened 1836)
Company offers an extensive line of conveyors for parts-handling, which include horizontal, incline, noseover and z-shaped models.
Other parts-handling equipment
To make your workout harder, increase the incline and alternate with a quick walk on a steeper incline to work your calf muscles.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK