Definitions by VAKI5

all-nighter 

A study or work session that goes through the night; studying without sleep (usually a last-minute course of action).

The term is popular with college students who spend the night before an exam studying (or 'cramming'), trying to learn a lot of material in a short period of time. The term is frequently used in the phrase 'pull an all-nighter'.

1) We pulled an all-nighter to finish the report.

2) I pulled an all-nighter to study for my math exam.

all-nighter by VAKI5 May 10, 2005

an arm and a leg 

A large amount of money; very expensive or costly.

Some things are so expensive that they are painful to buy, and cost everything you have.

My new Mercedes cost me an arm and a leg!

an arm and a leg by VAKI5 May 10, 2005

anyhoo 

Alternative form of "anyhow"; in spite of it all; anyway.

Anyhoo... Let's get back to me issue at hand--we need to cut back on our expenses.

anyhoo by VAKI5 May 10, 2005

all ears 

Listening carefully; keenly attentive.

You listen with your ears, so if you are 'all ears' your entire being is listening to someone speak.

I was all ears as Svet told me his exciting story.

all ears by VAKI5 May 10, 2005

all-out 

Giving as much effort as possible; not holding back.

'All' refers to everything, and 'out' is an intensifier. So 'all-out' means 'everything and more'.

1) Karen went all-out in the race, and won a gold medal.

2) Captain Barne's final act was to order an all-out assault on the fortress.

all-out by VAKI5 May 10, 2005

angel investor

An individual who invests in a company during its start-up phase; a financial supporter in the early stages of a corporation's existence.

An 'angel' is a winged creature from heaven who is supposed to help you when you are in danger. An 'angel investor' is someone who provides money for young businesses that really need it. The phrase was first used to describe wealthy patrons who kept Broadway plays on stage despite a lack of profits.

The company never would have survived without the backing of its angel investors.

angel investor by VAKI5 May 10, 2005

all of your eggs in one basket 

Having all of your resources in one place; putting your money or hopes or future into one thing.

'Eggs' are delicate, and if all of your eggs were in one container, and that container was damaged, you might lose all of your eggs in one quick and painful moment.

1) You don't want to keep all of your eggs in one basket. You might lose everything!

2) Tom had all of his eggs in one basket -- Yoyodyne.com stock -- and when the stock market crashed he was bankrupt.

all of your eggs in one basket by VAKI5 May 10, 2005