word

phrases

• from the word go

  from the time when something starts

  We expected business would start slowly, but from the word go we were really busy.

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• give/say the word

  to give someone an order to do something

  All you have to do is say the word, and I'll leave.

  When I give the word, start the machine.

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• give (someone) your word

  to promise to do something

  You gave me your word that you would look after them.

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• have/exchange words (with someone)

  to have an argument with someone

  Tom and I have already had words about that today.

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• keep your word

  to do what you promised to do

  She always keeps her word.

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• in a word

  used for giving the shortest answer possible, without explaining anything

  'Did you like Vince?' 'In a word, no.'

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• in other words

  used for introducing another way of saying or explaining something, especially a more simple way

  These were people who fought for money – mercenaries, in other words.

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• a man/woman of his/her word

  a man or woman who does what he or she promises to do

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• my word

  or upon my word old-fashioned

  used for showing surprise or anger

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• not have a good word for

  to think that someone or something is not very good

  He never seems to have a good word for me.

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• not hear a word (said) against

  or not hear a bad word about

  used for emphasizing that you think someone or something is extremely good

  Jan won't hear a word against him.

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• not hear/understand etc a (single) word

  used for emphasizing that someone does not hear/understand etc anything that you say to them

  Jane could hardly understand a word Mervyn said.

  I don't believe a single word he told me.

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• not in so many words

  used for saying that someone says something in a very indirect way

  'Did he say he was unhappy?' 'Not in so many words.'

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• put in a (good) word for someone

  to tell someone about the good qualities that a particular person has, usually in order to get an advantage for that person

  He promised to put in a word for me with the boss.

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• put words into someone's mouth

  to claim that someone has said a particular thing, although they have not said it, or they did not mean what you say they meant

  He accused the interviewer of putting words into his mouth.

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• take someone at their word

  to do something as a result of what someone has said, even though they may not have meant exactly what they said

  He said he didn't mind what we did, and we took him at his word.

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• take my word for it

  used for emphasizing that what you are saying is completely true

  Take my word for it, she still loves you!

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• too...for words

  used for emphasizing a particular quality that someone or something has

  If her father came to pick her up, that would be too embarrassing for words!

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• word for word

  if you repeat something word for word, you repeat it exactly as someone else said it or wrote it

  I swear that's what he said, word for word.

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• (the) word is that

  used for telling someone what other people have said about something

  Word is that her latest book is the best yet.

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• word of mouth

  communication that consists of comments that people make to each other in an informal way, not formal communication such as news reports and advertisements

  The book became a worldwide best-seller, largely by word of mouth.

  Most of our customers hear about us by word of mouth.

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• words fail me

  spoken
  used for emphasizing that you are very pleased, surprised, or angry

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• words to that effect

  used for reporting the general meaning of what someone has said, rather than their exact words

  He told me, 'Go away,' or words to that effect.

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• your word (of honour)

  a sincere promise that you make

  I give you my word of honour this will never happen again.

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