At face value, take
accept from its outward appearance, as in you can’t always take a manufacturer’s advertis-m-nts at face value; they’re bound to exaggerate. literally this idiom has referred to the monetary value printed on a bank note, stock certificate, bond, or other financial instrument since the 1870s. the figurative usage is from the late 1800s.
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- At fault
a defect or imperfection; flaw; failing: a fault in the brakes; a fault in one’s character. responsibility for failure or a wrongful act: it is my fault that we have not finished. an error or mistake: a fault in addition. a misdeed or transgression: to confess one’s faults. sports. a ball that when served does […]
- At first
initially, at the start, as in at first the berries were green, but when they ripened they turned bright red. [ second half of 1500s ]
- At first sight
the power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision. an act, fact, or instance of seeing. one’s range of vision on some specific occasion: land is in sight. a view; glimpse. mental perception or regard; judgment. something seen or worth seeing; spectacle: the sights of london. informal. something unusual, […]
- At first hand
directly from the origin, without intervention or intermediary. for example, i prefer to hear his criticism at first hand, rather than having it p-ssed on by my boss. this phrase uses hand in the sense of “person” (coming directly from one person). [ first half of 1700s ] also see: at second hand
- At full speed
rapidity in moving, going, traveling, proceeding, or performing; swiftness; celerity: the speed of light; the speed of sound. relative rapidity in moving, going, etc.; rate of motion or progress: full speed ahead. full, maximum, or optimum rate of motion: the car gets to speed in just nine seconds. automotive. a transmission gear ratio. photography. also […]