serious

dead serious

Completely serious, and not joking in any way. This phrase is usually used to implore the listener to believe the speaker. I'm dead serious—stop playing tricks on me!
See also: dead, serious

for serious

slang Really; seriously. Often used as a question. A: "I just got a raise!" B: "For serious? Good for you!" For serious, guys. We're going to have to stay late to get all this work done.
See also: serious

get down to some serious drinking

slang To start drinking alcohol, particularly in large quantities. It's been a long week—I'm ready to get down to some serious drinking!
See also: down, drink, get, serious

get serious

1. To adopt a serious attitude or demeanor after having been joking or being silly. Often used as an imperative. Get serious for a minute, will you? This is not something to joke about.
2. To begin to seriously focus on something, especially after having been wasting time or procrastinating. Often used as an imperative. Your book report is due tomorrow—turn off the video games and get serious! I've been dabbling for a while, but I think it's time I got serious as a writer.
3. To realize or accept the truth; to be realistic or practical. Often used as an imperative. Oh, get serious—there's no way you got the job over the CEO's son, no matter how qualified you are.
See also: get, serious

pose a question

To raise, present, or imply a question of some kind. Modifiers are often used between "pose" and "question" to indicate or specify the type or nature of the questions being raised, presented, or implied. I'd like to pose a question for you: What do we do when this water supply runs out? The report poses several serious questions about the legality of the president's plan.
See also: pose, question

serious about (someone)

Wanting or committed to a permanent or long-term romantic relationship with one. I know he's getting really serious about her. I wouldn't be surprised if he proposed in the next year or two. I don't really want to get serious about anyone during my time in college. I'd rather be free to do as I please.
See also: serious
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

dead serious

absolutely serious; not joking. Tom: You're funning me. Bill: No, I'm dead serious. Mary has threatened divorce a hundred times, but this time she says she's dead serious.
See also: dead, serious

Get serious!

Inf. Get realistic!; Stop horsing around! Oh, come on! Get serious! You don't really mean that!
See also: get

pose a question

to ask a question; to imply the need for asking a question. Genetic research poses many ethical questions. My interviewer posed a hypothetical question.
See also: pose, question

serious about someone

in love with someone; romantically interested in someone. I'm afraid I'm getting serious about Bill. Bill, unfortunately, is pretty serious about Mary.
See also: serious
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

get down to some serious drinking

in. to settle down to a long session of drinking. Well, now we can get down to some serious drinking.
See also: down, drink, get, serious

serious

mod. good; profound; excellent. (see also heavy.) Man, these tunes are, like, serious.

serious about someone

mod. in love, or almost in love, with someone. I’m afraid I’m getting serious about Bill.
See also: serious, someone
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • dead serious
  • get serious
  • Get serious!
  • for serious
  • and the band played on
  • band
  • bear cross
References in periodicals archive
The biker had serious injuries and wastaken to hospital.
Motorcyclist serious injured after collision with car in Coventry; Emergency services were called to the scene around 8.30 on Saturday morning
'It's a very serious marine casualty, and as against the President's little maritime accident, there is no contradiction.
For Duterte, neglect of Filipino fishers at Recto Bank a 'serious marine casualty'
As a result three people were killed while seven others sustained serious injuries that were rushed to nearby local hospital for first aid.
6 killed, 27 others injured in two different road incidents
You may be looking at someone thinking that they're not serious, and they're probably looking at you thinking you're not serious either.
JUSTBRENDA: I'm afraid of getting into a serious relationship
The SWS poll, taken from March 23 to 27, found 67 percent of adult Filipinos who think fake news in the internet is a serious problem (40 percent very serious and 26 percent somewhat serious) against 13 percent who said it is not serious (nine percent somewhat not serious and four percent not serious at all).
7 in 10 internet users concerned about fake news
The nationwide SWS survey conducted from March 23 to 27 found 67 percent of Filipino internet users saying fake news in the internet is a serious problem (40 percent saying it is very serious, 26 percent saying it is somewhat serious).
SWS: 7 in 10 Filipino internet users view fake news as a serious problem
Among serious incidents at the Heart of England trust in 2016/17 were four unexpected neonatal deaths, as well as two unexpected maternal deaths, including one postnatal death.
Deaths, delays and poor care in hospitals
Other serious incidents recorded in the West Midlands included four issues of child safeguarding at Heart of England, 12 incidents of assault, violence and harassment at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health trust, 14 incidents of self harm at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health trust and one incident of apparent/actual/suspected self-harm at Heart of England.
DEATHS, DELAYS, MISTAKES; serious incidents recorded by the NHS in Birmingham last year
([section]) Serious emotional or behavioral difficulties (EBDs) were based on parents'responses to the following question: "Overall, do you think that (child) has any difficulties in one or more of the following areas: emotions, concentration, behavior, or being able to get along with other people?" Children whose parent or guardian responded "yes, definite" or "yes, severe" were defined as having serious emotional or behavioral difficulties.
FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS
Linking up once again with producer Dami Bones (Wande Coal, Moelogo, 9ice), and sound engineer Tobi Notch (Bonkaz, Baseman, Mazi Chukz), 'Serious' sees NewAgeMuzik take on a more energetic and braggadocios approach, than they showed on 'Brown Skin', with 'Serious' offering heavy Hip-Hop sensibilities, while still being underpinned by the duo's Afrocentric flow and lush vocals.
NewAgeMuzik unveils 'Serious' music video
Historically there has been polarised debate about the treatment of serious mental illness.
Coalition to work to secure effective treatment package; THEPROFESSIONALS
In the early stages, serious infections such as meningitis, pneumonia, kidney or bone infections, or dangerous inflammations of the skin have symptoms that resemble those of more common viral infections.
Rapid blood test can rule out serious infections in children
Nine of 10 Republicans said ineligible voters voting would be a serious problem, 69 percent of independents said so and only 23 percent of Democrats agreed.
UT/TT Poll: Texas voters feeling high anxiety over election security
Inpatients with psoriasis in the United States also were at greater risk of serious infections, compared with nonpsoriatic inpatients at every time point studied, and serious infections were associated with increased hospital costs, length of stay, and risk of mortality, reported Derek Hsu, a medical student at Northwestern University, Chicago, and his associates.
Serious infections are increasing among psoriasis inpatients