rate
Related to rate: bank rate, exchange rate, heart rate
at a rate of knots
Rapidly. (A boat's speed is measured in knots.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. We're going to have to move at a rate of knots to have any hope of getting there on time.
See also: knot, of, rate
at any rate
Anyway. We're going to be late, but, at any rate, we should still be there be before 9. I think your mother just tolerates me—at any rate, she certainly doesn't shower me with affection.
See also: any, rate
at that rate
In that case. At that rate, we'll never make it on time! Tanya is busy all month. At that rate, we'll never see her.
See also: rate, that
at this rate
1. At this pace. Drive faster! At this rate, we'll never get there on time! It doesn't have to be perfect. At this rate, we'll frost one cupcake every hour!
2. If this situation persists. All of my friends are getting engaged, and I'm still single. At this rate, I'll be a bridesmaid at least 10 times before I get to be a bride.
See also: rate, this
cut-rate
Offered or sold at a low price. I told you you'd regret buying a cut-rate car like that!
first-rate
1. adjective Excellent; of the best or highest possible quality or rank. That movie was positively first-rate! The tiny nation boasts a first-rate healthcare system.
2. adverb Very well; superbly; fantastically. I hear Joanna did first-rate on her exams last week.
rat on (one)
To inform an authority figure of one's bad or illegal behavior. I can't believe you ratted on me like that to mom and dad—I'm never telling you anything ever again! The criminal ratted on his accomplices to avoid jail time.
See also: on, rat
rate above (someone or something)
1. To be considered more valuable, significant, or important than another person, thing, or group of people or things. I believe preserving the wellbeing of our fellow citizens rates above trying to maximize the profits of corporations. Although he is largely written off by music aficionados, he still rates above nearly every other singer on the billboards every time he releases a new album.
2. To consider someone or something to be more valuable, significant, or important than another person, thing, or group of people or things. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rate" and "above." I wouldn't rate it above her other work, but it's still a very well-written piece of literature. We rate Sarah above any other lawyers in the city, so we have full confidence in her ability to handle this case on her own.
See also: above, rate
rate as (something)
1. To be considered as having particular rank, designation, or characterization. The company still rates as one of the most profitable businesses in the world. Some of it has become pretty clichéd by today's standards, but I'd say it still rates as a fantastic horror movie in its own right.
2. To consider someone or something to have a particular rate, designation, or characterization. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rate" and "as." I'd have to rate that as one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. I still rate Tom as a great writer, even if his last book was a little underwhelming.
See also: rate
rate at (something)
1. To have or earn a particular rating level. The newer model is rated at a much higher energy yield than older machines. They say the battery is rated at roughly three hours per charge, but I've never gotten longer than a single hour out of it.
2. To assign someone or something a particular rating or score. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rate" and "at." The Sunday Inquirer rated the comedian at a stellar 4.5 out of 5 stars. I personally enjoyed the film despite its flaws, but I'd probably rate it more objectively at a 6 out of 10. The packaging rates the light bulb at a Level A in energy consumption.
See also: rate
rate below (someone or something)
1. To be considered less valuable, significant, or important than another person, thing, or group of people or things. I personally believe that trying to maximize the profits of corporations rates below preserving the wellbeing of our fellow citizens. His music is very popular across the globe, even though he tends to rate below most "serious" musical artists.
2. To consider someone or something to be less valuable, significant, or important than another person, thing, or group of people or things. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rate" and "below." It's still very well-written, but I would probably rate it below her other work. I have to rate my last driver below others I've had through your service. He was very unprofessional.
See also: below, rate
rate with (someone or something)
1. To be considered equal or comparable to someone or something else in value, ability, significance, importance, etc. Even after so many years, the company still rates with the most profitable businesses in the world. I really think she rates with the likes of Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin—her voice is just that good.
2. To consider someone or something to be equal or comparable to someone or something else in value, ability, significance, importance, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rate" and "with." Many people rate the exquisite building with the greatest pieces of architecture in the world. I still rate Tom with the best writers out there today, even if his last book was a little underwhelming.
See also: rate
the going rate (for something)
The typical cost of something. What's the going rate for a new heating system? Ours is on the fritz. A: "$200 seems pretty steep for such a small repair!" B: "That's the going rate, I'm afraid."
See also: going, rate
X-rated
1. Carrying an X rating, as from the Motion Picture Association of America, for including extremely mature themes or content and thus made unavailable to anyone under the age of 17. For film, this rating has been changed to NC-17. Our film was originally X-rated because of the really graphic drug and sex scenes, but with a bit of editing we managed to get it down to an R rating.
2. Having, showing, or containing extremely explicit, mature content or themes, especially graphic sexual content. With such a goofy name and bright, colorful box art, how were parents supposed to know the video game would be X-rated? He got a name for himself making X-rated illustrations before moving on to what some would call more serious art.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
at any rate
in any case; anyway. At any rate, what were we talking about? At any rate, I don't think you should quit your job.
See also: any, rate
at that rate
in that manner; at that speed. If things keep progressing at that rate, we'll be rich by next year. At that rate we'll never get the money that is owed us.
See also: rate, that
at this rate
at this speed; if things continue in the same way. (Usually of a pessimistic view.) Hurry up! We'll never get there at this rate. At this rate, all the food will be gone before we get there.
See also: rate, this
going rate
the current rate or the current charges for something. The going interest rate for your account is 10 percent. Our babysitter charges us the going rate.
See also: going, rate
rate (someone or something) above (someone or something else)
to judge someone to rank higher than someone else; to judge something to rank higher than something else. Do you rate Alice above Valerie? I rate chocolate ice cream above vanilla.
See also: above, rate
rate someone or something among something
to judge someone or something to be essentially equal to something. I rate Polly among the best of this year's class. We rate these contestants among the best ever.
See also: among, rate
rate someone or something as something
to assign a particular rating to someone or something. I rate her as a number four. The judge rated my cake as second place.
See also: rate
rate (someone or something) below (someone or something else)
to judge someone to rank lower than someone else; to judge something to rank lower than something else. I have to rate Carol below Donna in this regard. We all rate plain chocolate ice cream below rocky road ice cream.
See also: below, rate
rate (someone or something) with (someone or something else)
to judge someone or something to be equal to someone or something else. I rate Fred with Don. They are equally good. Vanilla is very nice, but I don't rate it with chocolate ice cream.
See also: rate
rate something at something
to assign a particular level of rating to something. I rate this brand at about a B-. The broker rated this stock at a buy.
See also: rate
rate something below something else Go to rate someone or something below someone or something
else.
See also: below, else, go, rate
rate with someone
to be in someone's favor; to be thought of highly by someone. Ann is great. She really rates with me. She doesn't rate with me at all.
See also: rate
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
at any rate
In any event, whatever the case may be; also, at least. For example, At any rate, I promise to be there even if I'm a little late, or It may not pay well, but at any rate it's a job. [Early 1600s] Also see in any case.
See also: any, rate
at this rate
Also, at that rate.
1. Progressing at this (or that) speed, as in At this rate we'll never finish in time. [Mid-1600s]
2. Under these circumstances, in that case. For example, At this rate they'll never settle their differences. [Late 1700s]
See also: rate, this
X-rated
Sexually explicit, vulgar, or obscene, as in This film should be X-rated; it's not suitable for children. This expression alludes to a rating system established for motion pictures, in which films rated X may not be viewed by persons under the age of 17. [c. 1970]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
at a rate of knots
BRITISHIf someone does something at a rate of knots, they do it very quickly. The band worked at a rate of knots on the LP, often flying back to Dublin after a European show, working all night on the album. By 1935, Blyton was publishing at a rate of knots — adventures, fairy tales, mysteries. Note: The speed of ships is measured in knots. A knot is one nautical mile per hour, equivalent to 1.15 land miles per hour.
See also: knot, of, rate
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
at a rate of knots
very fast. British informalA knot here is a nautical unit of speed, equal to one nautical mile per hour.
See also: knot, of, rate
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
at ˈany rate
(spoken)1 used to say that a particular fact is true in spite of what has happened in the past or what may happen in the future: Well, that’s one good piece of news at any rate.
2 used to show that you are being more accurate about something that you have just said: He said he’d be here on the 5th. At any rate, I think that’s what he said.
3 used to show that what you have just said is not as important as what you are going to say: There were maybe 80 or 90 people there. At any rate, the room was packed.
See also: any, rate
at a rate of ˈknots
(British English, informal) very fast: You must have been going at a rate of knots to have finished so soon. OPPOSITE: at a snail’s paceThe speed of a boat or ship is measured in knots.
See also: knot, of, rate
at ˈthis/ˈthat rate
(spoken) if the situation continues as it is: This traffic’s terrible. At this rate we’ll never get to the airport on time.See also: rate, that, this
the ˌgoing ˈrate (for something)
the usual amount of money paid for goods or services at a particular time: They pay slightly more than the going rate for freelance work.See also: going, rate
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
cut-rate
mod. cheap; low-priced. Where are your cut-rate sweaters?
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
at any rate
1. Whatever the case may be; in any case: You should at any rate apologize.
2. Used to indicate a revision or correction to a previous remark: We were delighted, or at any rate satisfied, with the results.
See also: any, rate
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- at a rate of knots
- chip
- chips
- up on (one's) ear
- tie the knot
- tie the knot, to
- Two Bob
- (as) dead as mutton
- dead as mutton
- mutton