lent
lend (one) (something)
To allow one to borrow or make use of something temporarily. I can lend you $20, but I'll need it back by this weekend. Would you mind lending me a pencil? I forgot to bring one.
See also: lend
lend (one) a hand
To help one; to give one assistance. If you lend me a hand, I can get this done much faster. Lend your mother a hand in the kitchen, will you?
See also: hand, lend
lend (one's) ear (to someone or something)
To listen carefully or pay close attention (to someone or something). Be sure to lend your ear during the presentation. I know we're supposed to lend our ear's to the safety presentation before each flight, but I've seen it so many times that I just tune it out now.
See also: ear, lend, someone
lend (one's) name to (something)
To give one's formal and public support to something; to allow oneself or one's name to be associated with something. Now that we've got a big movie star lending his name to our campaign, we're finally starting to get the traction we've wanted.
See also: lend, name
lend (oneself) to (something)
To give one's talent, skills, or effort to assist in some task, project, endeavor, etc. The famous actor is lending herself to the charity drive, promising to match the total amount donated dollar for dollar. I've lent myself to a new TV show as a writing consultant.
See also: lend
lend (something) out (to one)
To allow someone to borrow or make use of something temporarily. Normally not used in reference to money. Some linguists, especially in British English, believe that "lend" should only be used as a noun, while the correct verb is only "lend." I can't come pick you up tonight—I lent the car out to your brother. I stopped lending my books out to friends because I never get them back.
See also: lend, out
lend a hand
To help. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lend" and "a." If you can lend a hand, we could use some more help in the kitchen. Lend your mother a hand in the kitchen, will you?
See also: hand, lend
lend a hand with (something)
To help or give assistance to someone with something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lend" and "a hand." Tom and his wife said they could lend a hand with the move tomorrow. Would you mind lending me a hand with this dresser unit? It's too heavy to lift alone.
See also: hand, lend
lend an ear (to one)
To listen to one, especially when they are discussing a problem. Sorry I'm late, I had to lend an ear to Jane. She's been going through a lot lately. Thank you for lending an ear, I feel much better now that I've gotten that off my chest. Please lend an ear to Ian, who will be giving us an update about the last quarter.
See also: ear, lend
lend color to (something)
To embellish or add information or details to an account of something, especially to make it seem more credible or probable. He splashed mud all over his car and clothes to lend color to his story about being in the mountains all weekend. We cannot do anything that will lend color to our opponents' allegations about us.
See also: color, lend
lend credence to (something)
To make something seem more credible or probable, perhaps by providing additional information or details. He splashed mud all over his car and clothes to lend credence to his story about being in the mountains all weekend. We cannot do anything that will lend credence to our opponents' allegations about us.
See also: credence, lend
lend itself to (something)
To be suited for something, especially some kind of purpose or use. This fabric really lends itself to evening wear. The chefs are always looking for versatile ingredients that lend themselves to many dishes.
See also: itself, lend
lend support to (something)
1. To add information or details to something, especially to make it seem more credible or probable. Do you have any evidence that lends support to your assertion? We cannot do anything that will lend support to our opponents' allegations about us.
2. To provide assistance or approval to something. The president is lending support to the governor's re-election campaign. Your department will have responsibility, but the sales team will lend support to the project if needed.
See also: lend, support
lend weight to (something)
To make something seem more credible or probable, perhaps by providing additional information or details. Do you have any evidence that lends weight to your assertion? We cannot do anything that will lend weight to our opponents' allegations about us.
See also: lend, weight
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
*busy as a beaver (building a new dam)
and *busy as a bee; *busy as a one-armed paperhanger; *busy as Grand Central Station; *busy as a cat on a hot tin roof; *busy as a fish peddler in Lent; *busy as a cranberry merchant (at Thanksgiving); *busy as popcorn on a skilletvery busy. (*Also: as ~.) My boss keeps me as busy as a one-armed paperhanger. I don't have time to talk to you. I'm as busy as a beaver. When the tourist season starts, this store is busy as Grand Central Station. Sorry I can't go to lunch with you. I'm as busy as a beaver building a new dam. Prying into other folks' business kept him busy as popcorn on a skillet.
See also: beaver, busy
lend a hand
(to someone) Go to lend (someone) a hand.
See also: hand, lend
lend (someone) a hand
and lend a hand (to someone)Fig. to give someone some help, not necessarily with the hands. Could you lend me a hand with this piano? I need to move it across the room. Could you lend a hand with this math assignment? I'd be happy to lend a hand.
See also: hand, lend
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
busy as a beaver
Also, busy as a bee. Hardworking, very industrious, as in With all her activities, Sue is always busy as a bee, or Bob's busy as a beaver trying to finish painting before it rains. The comparison to beavers dates from the late 1700s, the variant from the late 1300s. Also see eager beaver; work like a beaver.
See also: beaver, busy
lend a hand
Also, lend a helping hand. Be of assistance, as in Can you lend them a hand with putting up the flag, or Peter is always willing to lend a helping hand around the house. [Late 1500s]
See also: hand, lend
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
lend (somebody) a ˈhand (with something)
help somebody (to do something): I saw two men pushing a broken-down car along the road so I stopped to lend them a hand. She stayed with us for three weeks and didn’t once lend a hand with the housework!See also: hand, lend
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
lend a hand
To be of assistance.
See also: hand, lend
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- lend (one) (something)
- lend (something) to (one)
- pencil out
- pencil in
- pencil me in
- cadge
- lend a hand with
- lend a hand with (something)
- in pencil
- lend (one) a hand