roar
a dull roar
A low level of noise. Kids, when you work together, please keep it down to a dull roar.
See also: dull, roar
I am (someone), hear me (do something)
Modeled on the phrase "I am woman, hear me roar" from the 1972 song “I am Woman” by Helen Reddy. Either used genuinely as a phrase of empowerment for some person, or else used humorously or sarcastically to deride or poke fun at someone. The protestors gathered outside of the meat-packing plant, many carrying signs reading "I am vegan, hear me roar!" We got my dad a mug for his birthday that says, "I am your father, hear me snore!"
See also: hear
I am woman, hear me roar!
Used as a phrase of empowerment to oneself as a woman and to womanhood as a whole. Taken from the 1972 song “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy. I know you doubt yourself, but you're brilliant and you've worked so hard to get where you are. Just keep saying to yourself, "I am woman, hear me roar!"
See also: hear
keep it down to a dull roar
To be quiet or stop making a lot of noise; to maintain a low level of noise. Often used as an imperative. Kids, when you work together, please keep it down to a dull roar.
See also: down, dull, keep, roar
roar at (someone or something)
1. To utter a loud, fierce, guttural cry at someone or some animal. The little boy came up and roared at me. He was pretending to be a lion, apparently. The bear roared at the mountain lion to scare it away from her cubs.
2. To issue forth a loud prolonged cry in celebration of something. The crowd roared at the news that their candidate had won the election. The group of fans roared at the mention of the famous artist's name.
3. To laugh uproariously at some humorous person or thing. The entire audience was roaring at the stand-up comic, but I just didn't think he was that funny. It makes me happy to hear my kids roar at the slapstick of The Three Stooges.
See also: roar
roar away
1. To utter a loud, fierce, guttural cry in an unrestrained manner or for some prolonged period of time. The drunk stood on the corner roaring away, obviously incensed over something to which no one but himself was privy. We can always hear the lions roaring away whenever we walk past the zoo.
2. To depart at great speed while making a huge din. Typically said of a motor vehicle or someone riding within one. She called something out to me, but I couldn't quite make it out as the train roared away. The three burglars burst through the doors of the bank, their bags of money in tow, and roared away in a getaway car that was waiting for them in the alley.
See also: away, roar
roar back
To surge into a position of success after a period of time spent performing less favorably. The team, who fell to a 30–0 disadvantage in the first 20 minutes of play, roared back in the fourth quarter The company has been roaring back into a position of superiority this year, after seeing its share of the market dwindle over the last decade.
See also: back, roar
roar off
1. Of a motor vehicle or its driver, to leave very quickly while making lots of noise from the engine. Said either of the driver or the vehicle itself. She climbed aboard the motorcycle and roared off into the night. The car had roared off before I could make note of its license plate number.
2. To depart from or off of something in such a fashion. The astronauts hit the ignition switch, and the rocket ship roared off the launch pad. The F1 racers roared off the starting line.
3. To usher someone or some group off of some area, especially for a sporting event, with raucous cheering. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "roar" and "off." The stadium positively shook as 40,000 fans roared the home team off the field after their incredible victory.
See also: off, roar
roar on
To encourage or support someone or some group of people with raucous cheering. A noun or pronoun can be used between "roar" and "on." The stadium positively shook as 40,000 fans roared on the home team as they took to the field. We were nervous about playing in front of such a large audience, but the sound of our fans roaring us on filled us with confidence.
See also: on, roar
roar out
To call or shout something in a very loud, guttural, and prolonged cry. A noun or pronoun can be used between "roar" and "out." The crowd of protestors began roaring out demands for the political prisoner to be set free. The frustrated teacher roared the answer out with anger that the students all withdrew into stunned silence.
See also: out, roar
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
roar at someone or something
1. Lit. to bellow or bawl at someone or something. Don't roar at me! Control your temper. The lion roared at the hyena, who ran off.
2. Fig. to laugh very hard at someone or something. The audience roared at the clown. The children roared at Dad's jokes.
See also: roar
roar away
to speed away, making a loud clamor. The car roared away into the night with tires screeching. The train roared away, carrying Andy to Canada.
See also: away, roar
roar something out
to bellow something out loudly. Walter roared his protest out so everyone knew how he felt. Jane roared out her criticism.
See also: out, roar
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
roar back
v.
To have great success after a period of weak performance; make a dramatic recovery: The tennis player lost the first set but roared back to win the match.
See also: back, roar
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
dull roar
n. a relatively quiet degree of noisiness. Try to keep it at a dull roar if you can.
See also: dull, roar
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- a dull roar
- dull roar
- deadly dull
- deadly
- not anything to write home about
- not something to write home about
- not worth writing home about
- be as dull as dishwater
- dishwater
- dull as dishwater