16-letter words containing the
- thesis statement — a short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, etc., and is developed, supported, and explained in the text by means of examples and evidence.
- through the mill — a factory for certain kinds of manufacture, as paper, steel, or textiles.
- to a/the minimum — If you say that someone keeps something to a minimum, or to the minimum, you mean that they keep the amount of it as small as possible.
- to beat the band — a company of persons or, sometimes, animals or things, joined, acting, or functioning together; aggregation; party; troop: a band of protesters.
- to bite the dust — If you say that something has bitten the dust, you are emphasizing that it no longer exists or that it has failed.
- to break the ice — If you break the ice at a party or meeting, or in a new situation, you say or do something to make people feel relaxed and comfortable.
- to call the tune — If you say that a person or organization is calling the tune, you mean that they are in a position of power or control in a particular situation.
- to carry the can — If you have to carry the can, you have to take all the blame for something.
- to carry the day — If someone carries the day, they are the winner in a contest such as a battle, debate, or sporting competition.
- to clear the air — If you do something to clear the air, you do it in order to resolve any problems or disagreements that there might be.
- to dish the dirt — If someone dishes the dirt on you, they say bad things about you, without worrying if they are true or not, or if they will damage your reputation.
- to draw the line — If you draw the line at a particular activity, you refuse to do it, because you disapprove of it or because it is more extreme than what you normally do.
- to foot the bill — If you have to foot the bill for something, you have to pay for it.
- to hold the fort — If you hold the fort for someone, or, in American English, if you hold down the fort, you look after things for them while they are somewhere else or are busy doing something else.
- to lose the plot — If someone loses the plot, they become confused and do not know what they should do.
- to miss the boat — If you say that someone has missed the boat, you mean that they have missed an opportunity and may not get another.
- to pass the buck — If you pass the buck, you refuse to accept responsibility for something, and say that someone else is responsible.
- to pass the time — If you do something to pass the time you do it because you have some time available and not because you really want to do it.
- to play the fool — If you play the fool or act the fool, you behave in a playful, childish, and foolish way, usually in order to make other people laugh.
- to rock the boat — If you say that someone is rocking the boat, you mean that they are upsetting a calm situation and causing trouble.
- to say the least — at the minimum
- to see the light — If someone sees the light, they finally realize something or change their attitude or way of behaving to a better one.
- to set the scene — If someone sets the scene or sets the stage for an event to take place, they make preparations so that it can take place.
- to set the stage — If someone sets the scene or sets the stage for an event to take place, they make preparations so that it can take place.
- to take the cake — If someone has done something very stupid, rude, or selfish, you can say that they take the cake or that what they have done takes the cake, to emphasize your surprise at their behavior.
- to tell the time — If a child can tell the time, they are able to find out what the time is by looking at a clock or watch.
- toad-in-the-hole — a dish consisting of beef or pork sausages baked in a coating of batter.
- top-of-the-range — de luxe, expensive
- touch of the sun — slight sunstroke
- tread the boards — to set down the foot or feet in walking; step; walk.
- troop the colors — to parade the colors, or flag, before troops
- turn up the heat — to increase the intensity of activity, coercion, etc
- under the hammer — a tool consisting of a solid head, usually of metal, set crosswise on a handle, used for beating metals, driving nails, etc.
- under the plough — If an area of land is under the plough, it is used for growing crops. If land is brought or put under the plough, it is ploughed for the first time and is then used for growing crops.
- unmarried mother — a woman who has a baby while she is not married
- up to the elbows — deeply engaged (in work, etc.)
- up with the lark — up early in the morning
- up-to-the-minute — extending to the present moment, as information, facts, or style: an up-to-the-minute news report.
- walk the streets — to be a prostitute
- way of the cross — stations of the cross.
- way of the world — a comedy of manners (1700) by William Congreve.
- weather advisory — advisory (def 5).
- weather forecast — meteorological prediction
- weatherstripping — A piece of weatherstrip material.
- what's the odds? — what difference does it make?
- wide of the mark — If something such as a claim or estimate is wide of the mark, it is incorrect or inaccurate.
- will-o'-the-wisp — ignis fatuus (def 1).
- win the exchange — to win a rook in return for a bishop or knight
- wipe off the map — to put out of existence
- worth the effort — If you say that something is worth the effort, you mean that it will justify the energy that you have spent or will spend on it.