afternoon
Related to afternoon: late afternoon
dog day afternoon
An afternoon in the part of the summer often thought to be hottest, usually considered to be July 3 to August 11. As such, it is often related to feelings of lethargy. In ancient times, people associated the heat during this period with the concurrent rising of Sirius, nicknamed "the dog star." As a kid, I loved lounging in the swimming pool on dog day afternoons. Working in the field can be hell on a dog day afternoon.
See also: afternoon, dog
good afternoon
A conventional expression of greeting or, less commonly, farewell used during the afternoon. Good afternoon, class. We'll begin by discussing the chapter I assigned you to read last night. He abruptly bid the gentleman good afternoon and walked briskly out of the room.
See also: afternoon, good
good day
1. old-fashioned A conventional expression of greeting or farewell used during the daytime (i.e., after morning but before dusk). He abruptly bid the gentleman good day and walked briskly out of the room. Good day, everyone. Shall we proceed?
2. cliché A curt dismissal indicating annoyance or aggravation. While still considered old-fashioned, it is often used by modern speakers for humorous or ironic effect. A: "Well, if that's your decision, then I must bid you good day." B: "Please, try to understand—" A: "Good day, sir!"
See also: good
laze away
1. To be idle or slothful; to be totally inactive. ("Laze" is an informal verbalization of "lazy.") I don't want you lazing away on this sofa for the whole weekend, young man! After a long week of work, there's nothing I like better than to laze away for a while with video games or movies.
2. To pass a certain amount or period of time by being very lazy or idle. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "laze" and "away." Too many kids just laze the summer away in front of their computers or televisions. In my 20s, I would spend every Friday and Saturday night at the bar with my friends, but now that I have kids, I just want to laze away the evenings at home.
See also: away, laze
loaf away
1. To be idle or slothful; to be totally inactive. I don't want you loafing away on this sofa for the whole weekend, young man! After a long week of work, there's nothing I like better than to loaf away for a while with some video games or movies.
2. To pass a certain amount or period of time by being very lazy or idle. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "loaf" and "away." Too many kids just loaf the summer away in front of their computers or televisions. In my 20s, I would spend every Friday and Saturday night at the bar with my friends, but now that I have kids, I just want to loaf away the evenings at home.
See also: away, loaf
loiter away
1. To be idle or slothful; to be totally inactive. I don't want you loitering away on this sofa for the whole weekend, young man! After a long week of work, there's nothing I like better than to loiter away for a while with some video games or movies.
2. To pass a certain amount or period of time by being very lazy or idle. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "loiter" and "away." Too many kids just loiter the summer away in front of their computers or televisions. You really need to be working on your college applications, not loitering away your weekends with your friends.
See also: away, loiter
of a morning/afternoon/evening
1. Very often at this time of day; on most occasions at this time of day. My father has a ritual of an evening, enjoying the newspaper with a measure of whiskey after dinner in front of the fire. There's nothing better of a morning than taking your first sip of coffee.
2. At some point at this time of day. There's a soccer club playing at the park if you're ever stuck for something to do of a morning in the summertime. Why don't we go for a quick hike? There are worse things to do of a Saturday afternoon than get some fresh air and exercise in the mountains!
See also: afternoon, evening, morning, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
(Good) afternoon.
1. the appropriate greeting for use between noon and supper time. Sally: How are you today? Jane: Good afternoon. How are you? Sally: Fine, thank you. Bob: Afternoon. Nice to see you. Bill: Good afternoon. How are you? Bob: Fine, thanks.
2. an expression used on departure or for dismissal between noon and supper time. (Meaning "I wish you a good afternoon.") Sally: See you later, Bill. Bill: Afternoon. See you later. Mary: Nice to see you. Tom: Good afternoon. Take care.
laze something away
to spend a period of time being lazy. I just love to sit here and laze the day away. I will laze away the entire day.
See also: away, laze
loaf something away
to waste away a period of time. You have loafed the entire day away! He loafed away the entire day.
See also: away, loaf
loiter something away
to idle away a period of time. Those boys will loiter half their lives away. They loitered away their summer vacation.
See also: away, loiter
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
good day
Also, good afternoon or evening or morning . Formal ways of saying "Hello" or "Goodbye." For example, He began rather oddly by addressing the audience with " Good day," or " Good afternoon, ladies," said the sales clerk as we walked out. All these greetings represent an abbreviation of the now obsolete God give you a good day (afternoon, etc.), which dates from about 1200. Also see good night.
See also: good
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- dog day afternoon
- breathe
- breathe (something) to (someone)
- be in the market for
- find (oneself) in the market for (something)
- gift horse
- a gift horse
- make a go of
- make a go of (something)
- make a go of something