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reckon
force to be reckoned with
A person or thing considered to be strong, powerful, or difficult to defeat. They say the young boxer is a force to be reckoned with, so I'm betting he'll win the match tonight. The attorney may look petite and meek, but she's a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom.
reckon without (one's) host
To plan without taking into account all the necessary or important factors or people. It was originally used to describe one who did not consult one's host, such as an innkeeper, when calculating one's lodging expenses. A: "You made plans for Mother's Day without even asking your mom what she wants to do?" B: "I know, I really reckoned without my host on that one."
be a force to be reckoned with
To be strong, powerful, or difficult to defeat. They say the young boxer is a force to be reckoned with, so I'm betting he'll win the match tonight. The attorney may look petite and meek, but she's a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom.
force to be reckoned with
Fig. someone or something that is important and powerful and must not be ignored. Walter is a force to be reckoned with. Be prepared to deal with him. The growing discontent with the political system is a powerful force to be reckoned with.
reckon someone as someone or something
to perceive someone as someone or something. I reckoned her as a more thoughtful individual than she turned out to be. Mary reckoned Scott as a constant irritation, and she was right on the button.
reckon someone or something among something
to judge someone or something to belong among a select group. I reckon Donna among the best tennis pros in the country. We reckon this automobile among the most advanced in the world.
reckon someone or something into something
and reckon someone or something into figure someone or something in; to include someone or something in one's calculations. I will reckon Jane into the total number of guests. I reckoned in a few too many people.
reckon with someone or something
to deal with someone or something; to cope with someone or something. I have to reckon with the troublesome Mr. Johnson this afternoon. Mary knew just exactly how she had to reckon with the bill collector.
reckon without someone
to fail to think about someone. He thought he'd get away with his crime, but he reckoned without the FBI agents. He had thought he was gone for sure, but he had reckoned without the paramedics.
a force to be reckoned with
also a force to reckon with a powerful and influential person or thing In my new job, I felt like a force to be reckoned with.
reckon with somebody/something
to consider the influence or power that someone or something has He failed to reckon with the bureaucratic skills of the military. You have to reckon with these angry people who just don't like change of any kind.
be a force to be reckoned with
if an organization or person is a force to be reckoned with, they are very powerful The Scottish team's performance last month shows that they are once again a force to be reckoned with.
force to be reckoned with
reckon with
1. Take into account, be prepared for, as in The third-party movement is a force to be reckoned with during the primaries. This usage was first recorded in 1885.
2. Deal with, as in
Your lost wallet isn't the only problem we have to reckon with. Also see
take into account.
reckon on
v. To expect and take something into account; bargain on something: The farmers hadn't reckoned on an early frost. Reckon on spending $250 for a hotel room in New York.
reckon with
v. To take someone or something into account; deal with someone or something: The new governor will have to reckon with a large budget deficit. Now that this candidate has the support of the unions, she is definitely someone to be reckoned with.
reckon without
v. To fail to consider or deal with someone or something; ignore someone or something: They thought it would be an easy victory, but they had reckoned without the determination of their enemy.