- Home
- Idioms
- rate
rate
first-rate
1. adjective Excellent; of the best or highest possible quality or rank. That movie was positively first-rate! The tiny nation boasts a first-rate healthcare system.
2. adverb Very well; superbly; fantastically. I hear Joanna did first-rate on her exams last week.
at a rate of knots
Rapidly. (A boat's speed is measured in knots.) Primarily heard in UK, Australia. We're going to have to move at a rate of knots to have any hope of getting there on time.
at any rate
Anyway. We're going to be late, but, at any rate, we should still be there be before 9. I think your mother just tolerates me—at any rate, she certainly doesn't shower me with affection.
at that rate
In that case. At that rate, we'll never make it on time! Tanya is busy all month. At that rate, we'll never see her.
at this rate
1. At this pace. Drive faster! At this rate, we'll never get there on time! It doesn't have to be perfect. At this rate, we'll frost one cupcake every hour!
2. If this situation persists. All of my friends are getting engaged, and I'm still single. At this rate, I'll be a bridesmaid at least 10 times before I get to be a bride.
at any rate
in any case; anyway. At any rate, what were we talking about? At any rate, I don't think you should quit your job.
at that rate
in that manner; at that speed. If things keep progressing at that rate, we'll be rich by next year. At that rate we'll never get the money that is owed us.
at this rate
at this speed; if things continue in the same way. (Usually of a pessimistic view.) Hurry up! We'll never get there at this rate. At this rate, all the food will be gone before we get there.
going rate
the current rate or the current charges for something. The going interest rate for your account is 10 percent. Our babysitter charges us the going rate.
rate (someone or something) above (someone or something else)
to judge someone to rank higher than someone else; to judge something to rank higher than something else. Do you rate Alice above Valerie? I rate chocolate ice cream above vanilla.
rate someone or something among something
to judge someone or something to be essentially equal to something. I rate Polly among the best of this year's class. We rate these contestants among the best ever.
rate someone or something as something
to assign a particular rating to someone or something. I rate her as a number four. The judge rated my cake as second place.
rate (someone or something) below (someone or something else)
to judge someone to rank lower than someone else; to judge something to rank lower than something else. I have to rate Carol below Donna in this regard. We all rate plain chocolate ice cream below rocky road ice cream.
rate (someone or something) with (someone or something else)
to judge someone or something to be equal to someone or something else. I rate Fred with Don. They are equally good. Vanilla is very nice, but I don't rate it with chocolate ice cream.
rate something at something
to assign a particular level of rating to something. I rate this brand at about a B-. The broker rated this stock at a buy.
rate something below something else Go to rate someone or something below someone or something
else.
rate with someone
to be in someone's favor; to be thought of highly by someone. Ann is great. She really rates with me. She doesn't rate with me at all.
at any rate
more exactly at (the very) least I don't think they liked my idea - at any rate, they weren't enthusiastic.
at a rate of knots
(British & Australian) if someone does something at a rate of knots, they do it very quickly
Usage notes: The speed a boat travels is measured in knots.
She did her homework at a rate of knots so that she could go out with her friends. at any rate
In any event, whatever the case may be; also, at least. For example,
At any rate, I promise to be there even if I'm a little late, or
It may not pay well, but at any rate it's a job. [Early 1600s] Also see
in any case.
at this rate
Also, at that rate.
1. Progressing at this (or that) speed, as in At this rate we'll never finish in time. [Mid-1600s]
2. Under these circumstances, in that case. For example, At this rate they'll never settle their differences. [Late 1700s]
X-rated
Sexually explicit, vulgar, or obscene, as in This film should be X-rated; it's not suitable for children. This expression alludes to a rating system established for motion pictures, in which films rated X may not be viewed by persons under the age of 17. [c. 1970]
cut-rate
mod. cheap; low-priced. Where are your cut-rate sweaters?
at any rate
1. Whatever the case may be; in any case: You should at any rate apologize.
2. Used to indicate a revision or correction to a previous remark: We were delighted, or at any rate satisfied, with the results.