意味:
3Dfx Interactive 
n. 3Dｆｘ インタラクティブ, エヌビディア社（もともとはライバル会社）によって買収されるまで3Dグラフィックスカードとグラフィック加工ユニットを製造した1994年に設立した会社
NT イディオム
a bit off/a bit mental
not rational, unbalanced, one brick short Kate talks to the birds. Do you think she's a bit off?
a contract out on
a contract that pays to have someone killed There's a contract out on Mike. The boss doesn't like him.
a different kettle of fish
different, not the same A cult is not a religion. A cult is a different kettle of fish entirely.
a horse of a different color
a different matter, a separate issue If he wants to buy the land, that's a horse of a different color.
a into g
(See ass into gear)
a mental block
a problem with learning a subject or concept I have a mental block when I try to do algebra. I can't think.
a month of Sundays
a very long time, many days It will take a month of Sundays to phone the students in our school.
a sucker for punishment
one who allows himself to be hurt or blamed If I accept blame for a team loss, I'm a sucker for punishment.
a word to the wise is sufficient
a wise person understands when he hears a key word I can't discuss the plan, but a word to the wise is sufficient: progress.
absent-minded
forgetful Our neighbor is very absent-minded and is always getting locked out of his house.
an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
prevent a problem so you don't have to solve it, a stitch in time... Forest fires deserve an ounce of prevention: public education in campfire safety.
anal retentive
too concerned with detail, pedantic Amy is anal retentive. She writes down everything the teacher says.
ante up
pay, produce a necessary amount of money I had to ante up a lot of money to get my car fixed.
ants in one
restlessness, nervousness You are moving around as if you have ants in your pants the teacher said to the little boy.
antsy
" restless; impatient and tired of waiting."
ass into gear
moving, working, doing After holidays, I'll get my ass into gear and paint the house.
at a moment's notice
with little warning, on short notice We may call you at a moment's notice - whenever we need help.
at the eleventh hour
" at the last minute; almost too late. "
at this point in time
now, at this time At this point in time, ten cases of AIDS have been reported.
back yourself into a corner
put yourself in a bad position, have no escape If you buy what you can't afford you back yourself into a corner.
bean-counter
accountant We asked the bean-counters to look over the figures in the new budget.
bear the brunt
accept the most blame or responsibility When we got in trouble, Ed bore the brunt of the blame.
beat into one
teach by telling again and again, drill I have been trying to beat the history material into the student's head.
beat the pants off
defeat by a large score, blow you away "Ho plays table tennis very well; she'll beat the pants off you."
bent out of shape
needlessly worried about something.
beside the point
not relevant to the subject that you are considering or discussing "What you are saying is beside the point. We are not talking about salary now."
best interests at heart
thinking of a person's needs, in mind When I give low grades, I still have your best interests at heart.
blow this joint
leave this building, quit this place I'm sick of playing billiards. Let's blow this joint.
bone of contention
point of disagreement, controversial point Job security is the bone of contention in our discussions.
break and enter
break a lock or window to enter illegally, B&E They were charged with break and enter. They stole some cash.
break into
break a door or window to enter, break and enter I couldn't believe that my son would break into a store.
break into song
begin to sing suddenly, sing without warning One of our teachers used to break into song when he taught poetry.
bring someone into line
persuade someone to agree with you He was finally able to bring the other members of the committee into line.
brownie points
points for doing extra work for the manager Bruno earns brownie points by offering to help the manager.
bump into
meet by chance, run into Do you know who I bumped into yesterday? Larry Mason.
buy into
believe and support, agree to support, come onside He will buy into our plan if the money goes to needy children.
by a country mile
by a long distance, by a wide margin Black Beauty won the race by a country mile. She was far ahead.
by dint of
as a result of, because of By dint of her efforts alone, this family is happy and healthy.
by the seat of your pants
with little money, a lick and a promise You can't operate a business by the seat of your pants.
call attention to
ask you to read or notice, draw attention to I would like to call attention to the student parking problem.
case in point
an example to support my point or thesis Social democracy can succeed. Sweden is a case in point.
caught with his pants down
found doing a bad act, caught in the act Percy was caught cheating - caught with his pants down.
cement hands
awkward hands, butter fingers "Joey can't type; he's got cement hands."
chintzy
unwilling to spend, cheap, tight Don't be so chintzy with your time. Volunteer to visit seniors.
come back to haunt you
cause you to feel guilty or ashamed Lies will come back to haunt you, remind you of the past.
come into
inherit, receive as a gift When her father died, she came into a lot of money.
come into fashion
become fashionable Recently in some areas the mini-skirt has come into fashion again.
come into play
affect, influence, be a factor In sales, all of your skills come into play. You use them all.
come into your own
be your natural best, find your voice, realize your potential After five years in medicine, he came into his own. He became an excellent doctor.
come onto
talk to in a sexual way, make advances In the car he started coming onto her. He said he wanted her.