| on the contrary |
in contradiction to something already said. |
| on the dot |
(informal) exactly on time; punctually. |
| on the double |
(informal) right away; immediately. |
| on the downgrade |
losing rank, status, position, or wealth; declining. |
| on the house |
free, as a gift from a business establishment. |
| on the mend |
getting better, esp. in health; recuperating. |
| on the nose |
exactly. |
| on the off chance |
with the very slight likelihood; against the faint hope. |
| on the pad |
(slang) of a policeman, accepting a share of graft payments. |
| on the q.t. |
(informal) in stealth or secret; quietly. |
| on the qui vive |
on the lookout; alert; watchful. |
| on the rebound |
just after the bounce of a ball or the like. [2 definitions] |
| on the road |
traveling, esp. as a salesperson, performer, or theatrical company. |
| on the rocks |
in a state of financial ruin. [2 definitions] |
| on the shelf |
inactive or unused; put aside; reserved for future use or consideration. |
| on the sly |
secretly; stealthily. |
| on the spot |
at once; immediately. [2 definitions] |
| on the spur of the moment |
without much thought; on a sudden impulse. |
| on the upgrade |
improving, rising, or gaining importance. |
| on the uptake |
in understanding, realizing, or grasping. |
| on the wagon |
(informal) refraining from drinking alcohol. |