pepper
Related to pepper: black pepper, green pepper
pepper with
1. To sprinkle, dot, or cover something with a lot of something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "pepper" and "with." Birds have peppered the various statues with poo, making for some very unsightly tourist attractions. Their entire house has been peppered with their kids' toys—you can't walk anywhere without tripping over something!
2. To add a lot of something interspersed or intermixed into something else, especially something spoken such as a story, speech, lecture, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "pepper" and "with." He always peppered his lessons with funny anecdotes and skits to help the students really engage with the material. My uncle can't tell a story without peppering it with various embellishments and mistruths.
3. To shower or rain down on someone or something with small projectiles or missiles. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "pepper" and "with." Riot police peppered the protestors with rubber bullets and tear gas.
See also: pepper
pepper-upper
1. A stimulant of some kind; that which quickly imparts energy and alertness. I find that yerba mate tea is a much better pepper-upper than coffee—it gives you the same boost, without making you feel jittery or on-edge.
2. Something that increases enthusiasm, optimism, or eagerness. I hate these public speakers they bring in—they're meant to be pepper-uppers, but they just come across as totally phony to me.
salt-and-pepper
A mottled mixture of black, grey, and white. Usually used in reference to hair. Her salt-and-pepper hair gave our teacher a look of distinction and authority.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
pepper someone or something with something
to shower someone or something with something, such as stones, bullets, etc. The angry crowd peppered the police with stones. The sheriff's posse peppered the bandit's hideout with bullets.
See also: pepper
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
pepper with
v.
1. To intersperse something with something else, especially to make it more exciting, interesting, or colorful: She peppers her stories with interesting details. Our vacation consisted of long days at the beach peppered with exciting trips to the city.
2. To sprinkle liberally with something; dot with something: The kids have peppered the backyard with lost marbles.
3. To be sparsely distributed across something; dot something. Used in the passive: The green plain was peppered with small yellow shrubs.
4. To attack someone or something with or as if with small missiles: The attackers peppered the castle wall with a hail of bullets.
See also: pepper
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
pepper-upper
n. an amphetamine tablet or capsule; a pep pill. I need me a little pepper-upper. Can I have a prescription?
salt and pepper
1. n. a black and white police car. There is a salt and pepper around the corner waiting for speeders.
2. mod. interracial, including black and white. It was sort of a salt and pepper meeting, with representatives from all neighborhoods.
See also: and, pepper, salt
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- add in
- all right
- a slew of (something)
- a slue of (something)
- a/the feel of (something)
- (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
- a straw will show which way the wind blows
- a crack at (someone or something)
- (you) wanna make something of it?
- all for the best