on the point of
Ready to begin; very near to. Usually used with a verbal noun.
The coach was on the point of giving up the game when our team scored two points.
The baby was on the point of crying when her mother finally came home.
on the spot
in a spot
upon the spot
At that exact time and at the same time or place; without waiting or leaving.
The news of important events is often broadcast on the spot over television.
When Tom ruined an expensive machine, his boss fired him on the spot.
In trouble, difficulty, or embarrassment.
Mr. Jones is on the spot because he cannot pay back the money he borrowed.
Bill is on the spot; he invited George to visit him, but Bill's parents said no.
In danger of murder; named or listed for death.
After he talked to the police, the gangsters put him on the spot.
on the string
on a string
Under your influence or control; obedient to every wish.
The baby had his mother on a string.
She was pretty and popular, with two or three boys on the string all the time.
on the wane and on the wax
on the increase
Decreasing and increasing, said of the moon.
The moon is regularly on the wane and on the wax at regular intervals lasting half a month.
on the wing
In the air; while flying.
The duck flew away, but John shot it on the wing.
In constant motion; always very busy.
Susan was on the wing doing things to get ready for her trip.
Mr. Jones had a busy schedule and his secretary had to catch him on the wing to sign the letters.
Moving from one place to another; traveling; going somewhere.
Mary's husband is a traveling salesman and he's always on the wing.
They stayed in France for a week and then they were on the wing again.
on top of the world
sitting on top of the world
be on top of the world
on high cotton
Feeling pleased and happy; feeling successful.
Чувствовать себя счастливым; чувствовать удачу, успех; быть на седьмом небе от счастья.
John was on top of the world when he found out that he got into college.
When Ruth won first prize in the contest, she felt as though she was sitting on top of the world.
When he was told that he would be a father, he was on top of the world.
Когда ему сказали, что он станет отцом, он был на седьмом небе от счастья.
once in a blue moon
Very rarely; very seldom; almost never.
Очень редко, почти никогда.
Coin collecting is interesting, hut you find a valuable coin only once in a blue moon.
Once in a blue moon someone grows a very pale marigold, but no truly white marigolds have been raised.
Bill has very little contact with his brother. They see each other once in a blue moon.
Билл почти не общается с братом. Они встречаются совсем не часто.
I visit my relatives once in a blue moon.
Я навещаю своих родственников очень редко.
Snow falls on the city of San Diego, California, once in a blue moon.
Once in a blue moon my wife and I eat at a very expensive restaurant.
once in a while
Not often; not regularly; sometimes; occasionally.
We go for a picnic in the park once in a while.
Once in a while the puppy would run away, but usually he stayed in the yard.
Gary gets a cold once in a while even though he takes good care of himself.