launch
launch (one's) lunch
slang To vomit profusely. I felt like I was going to launch my lunch from seasickness out on that boat. She's so squeamish that she'll lose her lunch at the merest sight of blood.
See also: launch, lunch
launch (something) against (someone or something)
To instigate or initiate some action or plan of attack against another person, group, or thing. We are prepared to launch a counterattack against them that would wipe them off the face of the earth, should we be so provoked. We're launching an information campaign against our primary competitor in the market.
See also: launch
launch forth
1. To begin or set out on a journey or trip. We'll need to launch forth around 8 AM if we want to reach New York before dusk. The battalion of soldiers launched forth, heading toward an uncertain fate.
2. To issue, propel, or project something forward with force. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "launch" and "forth." The candidate launched forth another series of attacks against his opponents. We launched our boat forth into the water, hoping to catch the wind and continue our momentum. The great god launched forth his mighty lightning bolts down upon the inhabitants of the planet.
3. To begin or initiate some plan, undertaking, or project. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "launch" and "forth." The government will be launching forth its controversial new plan next month. The group of rebels launched forth their uprising in Spring of that year.
See also: forth, launch
launch forth on (something)
1. old-fashioned To begin or set out on a journey or trip. We'll need to launch forth on our trip around 8 AM if we want to reach New York before dusk. The battalion of soldiers launched forth on their mission.
2. old-fashioned To begin moving or journeying on some body of water. We must ensure our supplies are fully stocked before we launch forth on the unforgiving Atlantic ocean. We launched forth on the wild river.
3. old-fashioned To giving a spoken address of some kind. The priest launched forth on a heated sermon about the sin of material wealth. I left the table when my grandfather launched forth on yet another long-winded diatribe about the government.
4. To begin or initiate some plan, undertaking, or project. The government will be launching forth on its controversial new plan next month. The group of rebels launched forth on a futile attempt to overthrow the government.
See also: forth, launch, on
launch forth upon (something)
1. old-fashioned To begin or set out on a journey or trip. We'll need to launch forth upon our trip around 8 AM if we want to reach New York before dusk. The battalion of soldiers launched forth upon their mission.
2. old-fashioned To begin moving or journeying in a boat on some body of water. We must ensure our supplies are fully stocked before we launch forth upon the unforgiving Atlantic ocean. We launched forth upon the wild river.
3. old-fashioned To giving a spoken address of some kind. The priest launched forth upon a heated sermon about the sin of material wealth. I left the table when my grandfather launched forth upon yet another long-winded diatribe about the government.
4. To begin or initiate some plan, undertaking, or project. The government will be launching forth upon its controversial new plan next month. The group of rebels launched forth upon a futile attempt to overthrow the government.
See also: forth, launch, upon
launch into (something)
To begin doing something, often excitedly. Don't ask Grandpa about the weather unless you want him to launch into a full analysis of the Farmers' Almanac.
See also: launch
launch out on (something)
1. To begin or set out on a journey or trip. The battalion launched out on their voyage across the sea. I was filled with both pride and sadness to watch my youngest child set out on his first trip by himself.
2. To begin or initiate some plan, undertaking, or project. After a disastrous season last year, the team has bounced back and launched out on a 12-game winning streak. The group of rebels launched out on a futile attempt to overthrow the government. The young entrepreneur was only 23 when he launched out on his own, founding what would eventually become a multi-billion dollar corporation.
3. To begin moving or journeying on some body of water. We must ensure our supplies are fully stocked before we launch out on the unforgiving Atlantic ocean. Nearly 200 rowers launched out on the wild river.
See also: launch, on, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
launch forth (upon something)
to set out on something; to begin on something, such as a journey or a long lecture or sermon. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) We launched forth on our trip before dawn. What time shall we launch forth tomorrow morning?
See also: forth, launch
launch into something
to start in doing something. Now, don't launch into lecturing me about manners again! Tim's mother launched into a sermon about how to behave at the dinner table.
See also: launch
launch (one's lunch)
Sl. to empty one's stomach; to vomit. When I saw that mess, I almost launched my lunch. Watch out! She's going to launch!
launch out on something
to start out to do something or go somewhere. When are you going to launch out on your expedition? Ted and Bill launched out on their trip through the mountains.
See also: launch, on, out
launch something against someone or something
to set something going against someone or something. The general launched an attack against the town. Claire launched a gossip attack against James.
See also: launch
set forth on something
and launch forth on something1. Lit. to start out on something, such as a journey. We intend to set forth on our journey very early in the morning. What time will you launch forth on your trip?
2. Fig. to begin presenting a speech or an explanation. As soon as John set forth on his speech, three people walked out. Every time he launches forth on a presentation, it's a half hour before he shuts up.
See also: forth, on, set
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
launch into
v.
To start saying or doing something enthusiastically; plunge into something: The professor launched into the topic after a brief introduction.
See also: launch
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
launch (one’s lunch)
tv. & in. to empty one’s stomach; to vomit. When I saw that mess, I almost launched my lunch.
See also: launch, lunch
launch
verbSee launch one’s lunch
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
face that launched a thousand ships, the
fAn exceptionally beautiful woman; or, ironically, someone lacking in beauty. The phrase comes from Christopher Marlowe’s play Doctor Faustus (ca. 1588), and describes Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Greece, whose legendary beauty led to her abduction by Paris, which set off the Trojan War. “Was this the face that launched a thousand ships, And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?” wrote Marlowe.
See also: face, launch, that, thousand
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- launch (one's) lunch
- lose (one's) lunch
- lose one’s lunch
- lose one's lunch
- lose your lunch
- blow (one's) lunch
- blow lunch
- blow one’s lunch
- launch one’s lunch
- do lunch