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anybody
anyone in their right mind
Anyone of a sound, rational mind. Usually used to set up a context in which any sane person would or could do, say, or think a certain thing. Anyone in their right mind can see that poverty affects the entire world.
anyone who is anybody
All the most famous or important people in society. Usually used to indicate something as being glamorous, trendy, or chic, which all such famous people have, do, or are attending. I hear that the gala in New York City is going to be a star-studded event. Anyone who is anybody will be there!
burst the bubble of (someone)
To upset or destroy someone's belief, conviction, or mood by delivering news that runs contrary to what he or she holds to be true. I hate to burst the bubble of everyone here, but this period of economic success will not last long.
anybody who is anybody
Anyone of fame or high social status. If we want to find a financial backer, we have to go to the gala tonight—anybody who is anybody will be there.
anyone I know?
Who? The phrase can be an innocent question or have a suggestive or coy undertone. A: "Some guys from class will be at the party tonight." B: "Oh really? Anyone I know?" A: "I hear you've begun dating again. Anyone I know?" B: "You know Stan and I are back together, stop pretending you don't."
be anybody's guess
To be uncertain or unknown. Why dogs and cats hate each other is anybody's guess. No one has been able to determine why my daughter has been having nightmares—apparently, it's anybody's guess.
Anyone I know?
and Anybody I know?a coy way of asking who? Sally: Where were you last night? Jane: I had a date. Sally: Anyone I know? Bill: I've got a date for the formal next month. Henry: Anybody I know?
It's anybody's guess
No one knows, so anyone's guess is as good as anyone else's. A: When will the messenger be here? B: It's anybody's guess.
run something up
1. Lit. to raise or hoist something, such as a flag. Harry ran the flag up the flagpole each morning. Will you please run up the flag today?
2. Fig. to cause something to go higher, such as the price of stocks or commodities. A rumor about higher earnings ran the price of the computer stocks up early in the afternoon. They ran up the price too high.
3. Fig. to accumulate indebtedness. I ran up a huge phone bill last month. Walter ran up a bar bill at the hotel that made his boss angry.
4. to stitch something together quickly. She's very clever. I'm sure she can run up a costume for you. The seamstress ran up a party dress in one afternoon.
run up (to someone or something)
to run as far as someone or something and stop; to run to the front of someone or something. I ran up to the mailman and said hello to him. I ran up and said hello.
run up something
to cause something to reach a high level or large amount Carol ran up a huge phone bill last month, calling the UK and Mexico.
anybody who is anybody
(humorous) if anybody who is anybody is doing something, all the most famous and important people are doing that thing Anybody who is anybody will be at the Queen's birthday celebrations.
be anybody's guess
if a piece of information is anybody's guess, no one knows it Why Becky left is anybody's guess. 'So what's going to happen now?' 'That's anybody's guess.'
run up
1. Make or become greater or larger, as in That offer will run up the price of the stock. [Late 1500s]
2. Accumulate, as in She ran up huge bills at the florist. [First half of 1700s]
3. Sew rapidly, as in I can run up some new curtains for the kitchen. [Mid-1800s]
4. Raise a flag, as in Let's run up the flag in time for the holiday. This usage, originating in the navy about 1900, gave rise to the slangy phrase, Let's run it up the flagpole and see if anybody salutes, meaning, "Let's try this out." The latter originated about 1960 as advertising jargon.
run up
v.1. To cause some debt to accumulate: Don't run up such a big bill next time you go out to eat! He has been running a large debt up for months.
2. To increase some value: The craze for this company's stock will run up its price. The bidders ran the price up to $100.