Definitions by vaki5

art house 

A movie theater that shows independent or noncommercial or foreign films.

In the United States, most people like big, expensive movies with lots of explosions and violence. Any film that is made by people outside of the Hollywood production system, and that focuses on more subtle themes, tends to be called an 'art film'.

I love our local art house - it's the only place you can see the new existentialist thriller 'The Angry Clown'.

art house 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

apple of my eye 

One's favorite person; the one you love most.

In Old English, the pupil of the eye (the round, dark center) was called the 'apple'. It was thought that the pupil was a round object much like an apple (a piece of fruit). When you look at someone, their reflection appears in your pupil. So if someone is the 'apple of your eye', he or she is someone that you look at a lot and enjoy seeing.

1) Miranda is the apple of my eye - I love her more than anything on earth.

2) Her granddaughter is the apple of her eye.

apple of my eye 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

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-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