To cross one’s bridges before one comes to them
A man about town
That’s (all) water under the bridge
A lady of the town
To go to town
To pull up the drawbridge
The talk of the town
A ghost town
A sociable man who attends many fashionable parties and has a wide circle of wealthy friends. ‘My brother has become quite ____; when he was young, he hated going to parties’.
To worry unnecessarily about something that may never happen. ‘I don’t know why you are worrying about Father catching one of those tropical diseases in Africa. His company hasn’t decided yet whether to send him to Africa. Don’t ____.’
That is all past now, and there is nothing that can be done about it. ‘Yes, it’s a pity you didn’t accept Fred’s offer, but it’s useless to reproach yourself now. It’s ____.’
A town that is no longer inhabited.
To spend one’s money recklessly. ‘The Howards have really ____ on a house for their daughter. They have bought her an absolute beauty.’ It is an American colloquialism referring to the people who come into town from the countryside to spend their money. It was originally used about cowboys and ranch hands.
A woman of loose morals.
To keep visitors out in order to ensure privacy for oneself and one’s family. ‘We enjoy entertaining, but at Christmas we like ____ and be on our own.’
Someone whose behaviour and wild way of life give rise to gossip and scandal-mongering. ‘You had better behave yourself, Pauline. You are becoming ___.’ / it’s ___ – it’s the most talked-about or fashionable place or thing.
