over a barrel
over the barrel
In the power of your enemies; not able to do anything about what happens to you; in a helpless condition; trapped.
Bill had Tom over a barrel because Tom owed him money.
Ralph has me over a barrel; I need five dollars, and he won't lend it to me unless I let him use my bicycle.
over age
Too old; not young enough; above the legal age.
Grandfather wanted to fight in World War II, but he could not because he was over age.
over and done with
Finished; completed; forgotten.
Norm and Meg's affair has been over and done with for a long time.
over one's dead body
Not having the ability to stop something undesirable from taking place.
"You will get married at age sixteen over my dead body!" Jane's father cried.
over one's head
Not understandable; beyond your ability to understand; too hard or strange for you to understand.
Mary laughed just to be polite, but the joke was really over her head.
The lesson today was hard; it went over my head.
It was impossible for the tutor to get through to Bill about the physics problem because the subject matter was over Bill’s head.
To a more important person in charge; to a higher official.
When Mary's supervisor said no, Mary went over her head to the person in charge of the whole department.
If Johnny can't get what he wants from his big sister, he goes over her head and asks his mother.
To be very busy, to have too much to do
I’d love to take a week off for a hiking trip, but at the moment I am over my head in work. Maybe next week when I’m only up to my ears!
A danger or threat. A source of concern or worry for one.
I'm so glad that exam is over - it's been over my head for months.
All these bills are hanging over my head, and I don't get paid for another week.
over the hill
Past one's prime; unable to function as one used to; senile.
Poor Mr. Jones is sure not like he used to be; well, he's over the hill.
over the hump
Past the most difficult part; past the crisis; out of danger.
Mary was failing math, but she is over the hump now.
John was very sick after his accident, hut he's over the hump.
When Mr. Smith was out of work it looked as if his family would have to go on relief, but they got over the hump.
over the top
Out of the trenches and against the enemy.
The plan was to spend the night in the trenches and go over the top at dawn.
Johnny found that he was braver than he thought he would be when his company went over the top.
Over the goal.
Our goal was to collect a half million dollars for the new school building, but we went over the top.
Mary was asked to sell twenty tickets, and she went over the top.