800-pound gorilla
A person, group, or organization so powerful (either by size or by influence) that it does not need to heed the rules or threats of others. It refers to the riddle "Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit?" (Answer: "Wherever it likes.") Primarily heard in US. Don't mess with that guy; he's like an 800-pound gorilla! These big corporations act like 800-pound gorillas, making up the rules to suit themselves.
have one over (the) eight
To have enough alcoholic drinks to be thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I was composed and in control of myself for most of the evening, but somewhere around midnight, I had one over the eight and started making a show of myself. It seems like Jenny makes a point of having one over eight every time she goes out on the weekend.
be one over (the) eight
To be thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I think someone should drive Jerry home, he's one over the eight. I guess I was making something of a show of myself, but I was having too much fun to realise that I was one over eight.
one over (the) eight
1. adjective Thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I think someone should drive Jerry home, he's one over the eight. I guess I was making something of a show of myself, but I was having too much fun to realise that I was one over eight.
2. noun The final alcoholic drink that pushes a person from mild or safe intoxication to being very drunk. Primarily heard in UK. I was composed and in control of myself for most of the evening, but somewhere around midnight, I had one over the eight and started making a show of myself. It seems like Jenny makes a point of having one over eight every time she goes out on the weekend.
(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)
A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) before the named hour in time (e.g., "quarter of six" would mean 5:45). Primarily heard in US. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter of eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter of before I'm back.
quarter past (a given hour in time)
A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) after the named hour in time. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter past eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter past before I'm back.
eight ways from Sunday
Thoroughly or completely; in every possible way; from every conceivable angle. Everyone had their money on the reigning champion, but he was beaten eight ways from Sunday by the newcomer. We researched the case eight ways from Sunday, but there didn't seem to be any way that we could win with the evidence at hand.
eight ways to Sunday
Thoroughly or completely; in every possible way; from every conceivable angle. Everyone had their money on the reigning champion, but he was beaten eight ways to Sunday by the newcomer. We researched the case eight ways to Sunday, but there didn't seem to be any way that we could win with the evidence at hand.
be behind the eight ball
To be in a challenging situation; to be at a disadvantage. An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided. If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk. Because I got the flu, I'm behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping.