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View synonyms for

on, be

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be on

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  1. Be scheduled, as in Is tonight's rally still on? [ Colloquial ; second half of 1990s]

  2. Be taking medication or an illegal drug, as in Are you on some antibiotic? or He was definitely on narcotics when it happened . [1930s]

  3. Be in favor of something or willing to participate, as in We're going dancing after the play—are you on? [ Colloquial ; late 1800s]

  4. not be on . Be unacceptable, not allowable, as in I can't believe you'd cancel; that's just not on . This usage is more common in Britain than America. [ Colloquial ; 1930s] For a synonym, see not done . Also see be on to .

  5. be on one . Be at one's expense, either as a treat or the butt of a joke. For example, This round of drinks is on me , or He enjoys a good laugh, even when the joke's on him . [ Colloquial ; second half of 1800s]

  6. Perform extremely well, as in I can't return Dan's serve—he's really on today . [ Slang ; second half of 1900s]

  7. Be engaged in some action, especially on the stage, as in Hurry up, you're on in five minutes . [Late 1700s]

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Idioms and Phrases

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Example Sentences

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On the day of the tragedy - 30 October 2021 - the group were on a tour run by Lloyd's Salty Dog Co Ltd, based in Port Talbot.

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Wildlife charities say it's a great time to get out and about and enjoy nature, but people should be on their guard against accidentally starting a fire.

From

Buck Owens, a famous musician friend who in the late 1960s was about to be on “Hee Haw,” dropped her name for consideration by the folks casting the show.

From

Questions had been raised about whether Dame Andrea Jenkyns was entitled to be on the electoral roll in the county, one of the criteria for being a candidate.

From

"Everything is on the table, our food system, our water, our air, different ways of parenting, all the kind of changes that may have triggered this epidemic," Kennedy later told Fox News.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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Beogradbe oneself