- Home
- Idioms
- hip
hip
on the hip
In a vulnerable position; lacking power. The prosecution really has me on the hip now—I don't think there's any way I'm going to win this case.
be joined at the hip
slang To spend a lot of time with someone else, often a close friend. Every time I see Jenna, Kelli is right there with her. Those two are really joined at the hip these days.
*hip to someone or something
Inf. knowing about someone or something; adapting to someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; become ~.) The boss began to get hip to Mary and her deviousness. She finally began to get hip to what was going on.
joined at the hip
Sl. closely connected; always together. Those two are joined at the hip. They are always together. Sam and Martha are joined at the hip.
shoot from the hip
1. Lit. to fire a gun that is held at one's side, beside one's hip. (This increases one's speed in firing a gun but is much less accurate.) When I lived at home on the farm, my father taught me to shoot from the hip. I quickly shot the snake before it bit my horse. I'm glad I learned to shoot from the hip.
2. Fig. to speak directly and frankly. (Alluding to the rapidness of firing a gun from the hip.) John has a tendency to shoot from the hip, but he generally speaks the truth. Don't pay any attention to John. He means no harm. It's just his nature to shoot from the hip.
joined at the hip
1. very closely connected The two companies have been joined at the hip since their founders went camping together a hundred years ago.
2. together The new law would keep unhappy couples joined at the hip for the sake of their children.
shoot from the hip
to react quickly without considering the possible effects He works slowly and methodically while she jumps quickly into projects and shoots from the hip, but they make a good team.
be joined at the hip
if you say that two people are joined at the hip, you mean that they are very friendly with each other and spend more time together than is usual I can go to London without Mike. We're not joined at the hip, you know.
shoot from the hip
to react to a situation very quickly and with a lot of force, without thinking about the possible effects of your actions His critics accuse him of shooting from the hip when challenged.
shoot from the hip
Speak or act recklessly or impulsively, as in
Steve isn't very tactful; indeed, he's known for shooting from the hip. This expression transfers the fast shooting accomplished by drawing a gun from a holster and shooting without raising it to quick speaking or acting. [
Slang; mid-1900s] For a similar transfer, see
shoot off one's mouth.
hip
1. mod. informed; aware. (see also
hep.)
The guy is just not hip. He’s a nerd. 2. tv. to tell someone; to inform someone. What’s happening? Take a minute and hip me!
hip-shooter
n. someone who talks without thinking; someone who speaks very frankly. (see also
shoot from the hip.)
He’s just a loudmouthed hip-shooter. Pay no attention. hit me on the hip
tv. call me on my pager. (Pagers are usually worn attached one’s belt or in a pants packet.) When you need me, just hit me on the hip.
joined at the hip
mod. closely connected; as thick as thieves. (As Siamese twins are joined.) Those two are joined at the hip. They are always together.
shoot from the hip
in. to speak quickly and without thinking. (see also
hip-shooter.)
She has a tendency to shoot from the hip, but that’s not really a problem. shoot from the hip
Slang To act or speak on a matter without forethought.