in the first place
Before now; in the beginning; first.
You already ate breakfast! Why didn't you tell me that in the first place instead of saying you didn't want to eat?
Carl patched his old football but it soon leaked again. He should have bought a new one in the first place.
in the first place
in the second place
in the third place
in the place
As the (first or second or third, etc.) thing in order or importance; first, second, or third, etc. Used with first, second, third, and other ordinal numbers.
No, you cannot go swimming. In the first place, the water is too cold; and, in the second place, there is not time enough before dinner.
Stealing is wrong, in the first place, because it hurts others, and, in the second place, because it hurts you.
in the groove
Doing something very well; near perfection; at your best.
The band was right in the groove that night.
It was an exciting football game; every player was really in the groove.
in the hole
Having a score lower than zero in a game, especially a card game; to a score below zero.
John went three points in the hole on the first hand of the card game.
Behind an opponent; in difficulty in a sport or game.
We had their pitcher in the hole with the bases full and no one out.
In debt; behind financially.
John went in the hole with his hot dog stand.
It's a lot easier to get in the hole than to get out again.
in the know
Knowing about things that most people do not know about; knowing secrets or understanding a special subject.
Tina helped Professor Smith make some of the exam questions, and she felt important to be in the know.
In a print shop, Mr. Harvey is in the know, but in a kitchen he can't even cook an egg.
in the lap of luxury
Well supplied with luxuries; having most things that money can buy.
Mike grew up in the lap of luxury.
in the lap of the gods
on the knees of the gods
Beyond human control; not to be decided by anyone.
Frank had worked hard as a candidate, and as election day came he felt that the result was in the lap of the gods.
The armies were evenly matched and the result of the battle seemed to be on the knees of the gods.
in the least
Even a little; in any degree or amount. Used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences.
Sue did not understand physics in the least.
Are you in the least interested in sewing?
Mother won't be upset if you come for supper; I'll be surprised if she cares in the least.
Mike was not upset in the least by the storm.
It is no trouble to help you. Not in the least.