contract
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a verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on
A humorous phrase emphasizing the lack of value and reliability in an oral contract. Typically attributed to 20th-century movie mogul Samuel Goldwyn, though the phrase is likely a misquote. Get everything in writing, Jean. How many times do I have to tell you—a verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on. Of course the boss is backpedaling after telling you you'd get a raise—a verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on! My dad was a lawyer, and one of his big axioms was, "A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on."
contract for (something)
To enter into an agreement with someone or a group to do or produce something. We contracted for that massive scanning project with an outside company because no one on our staff has time to do it. I bet they contract for software with a mega corporation like FlemCo. We contracted for wedding planning with her, and, let me tell you, she was terribly disorganized.
contract for (something) with (someone or something)
To enter into an agreement with someone or a group to do or produce something. We contracted for that massive scanning project with an outside company because no one on our staff has time to do it. I bet they contract for software with a mega corporation like FlemCo. We contracted for wedding planning with her, and, let me tell you, she was terribly disorganized.
contract out
To give a job or assignment to an outside entity (so as to avoid doing the job oneself). A noun or pronoun can be used between "contract" and "out." We contracted the project out because no one on our staff has the time to scan all of those documents. If we're not going to contract out the filing, then we need to hire a file clerk to handle it all in-house. If I could contract out these tedious monthly budget reports, believe me, I would.
contract with (someone or something)
To agree with someone or a group to do something. No one on our staff has the time to scan all of those documents, so we'll contract with a company that can do it for us. I bet they contract with a mega corporation like FlemCo. We contracted with that woman for wedding planning, and, let me tell you, she was terribly disorganized.
See also: contract
contract with (someone or something) for (something)
To enter into an agreement with someone or a group to do or produce something. We contracted with an outside company for that massive scanning project that no one on our staff has time to do. I bet they contract with a mega corporation like FlemCo. for software. We contracted with that woman for wedding planning, and, let me tell you, she was terribly disorganized.
ink
slang
1. noun A tattoo. Whoa, nice ink, Sarah! When did you get it done? Everyone in our platoon got ink together as a symbol of our lifelong fraternity. A: "Mom is going to freak out when she sees your new ink!" B: "That's why I only packed long-sleeved shirts—so she'll never have to know. At least not this weekend, anyway."
2. noun Coverage or publicity, as in print media like newspapers or magazines. There has been so much ink dedicated to the topic already. Can't we cover something else this week? As a celebrity, the last thing you want is for the ink to dry up. A: "Is there really no such think as bad ink?" B: "Yes! The more people are interested in you, the better—who cares if they love you or hate you?"
3. verb To tattoo (someone or something). Often used in passive constructions. I'm getting my family crest inked on my shoulder. The artist who inked me has done tattoos for celebrities all over the world. I really don't think Molly and her idiot boyfriend should get inked with each other's initials—especially since they break up every few weeks!
4. verb To sign one's name to (something); to formalize and seal something, as a deal or contract. Before we ink the contract, I want my lawyer to have a look at the details. The paperwork should be inked by Friday. I'm not willing to ink a new deal unless it includes a no-trade clause.
ironclad
1. Fixed; inflexible; unbreakable. But not playing ball in the house is one of Mom's ironclad rules! I think any lawyer will have a hard time getting you out of that contract—it's ironclad. The syllabus isn't ironclad, of course, but I certainly hope that we're able to cover all of these works this semester.
2. Unable to be contradicted. I didn't even know what to say in response to the ironclad argument made by the opposing counsel. This security footage is ironclad evidence that you were a part of the robbery! I thought my hypothesis was ironclad—and then my lab partner showed me where I'd gone wrong.
put a contract out on (one)
slang To order for one to be assassinated. Usually said in reference to organized crime. The mob put a contract out on the accountant because he had agreed to testify in court. It turns out that he had put a contract out on the owner of the business so that he could gain control of it.
sweetheart contract
1. An industrial agreement made between an employer and local labor union officials containing terms beneficial to the employer without the knowledge of the employees, typically in exchange for money to the union or its leaders. It was later discovered that the union leader had made a sweetheart contract with the company that eliminated employees' right to strike in exchange for a hefty yearly bonus for himself. The automotive manufacturer decided to move its factories to a different country, where it established a sweetheart contract with the local labor union to pay workers substantially less than those previously enjoyed by American employees.
2. Any kind of agreement or contract that is mutually beneficial two the two parties directly involved, typically at the expense of a third party that is not privy to the agreement. It turns out the athletic director had in place a sweetheart contract with the national athletics association, essentially receiving kickbacks every time one of his athletes performed well. The charity has come under fire for what some are calling a sweetheart contract with a for-profit events organizer that receives nearly 40% of the annual donations the charity receives.
See also: contract, sweetheart
yellow-dog contract
dated An employment contract in which an employee agrees not to join a labor union for the duration of their employment. Such contracts are no longer legal. Primarily heard in US. The company was accused of trying to make its new employees sign secret yellow-dog contracts to undermine the efforts of local labor unions.
See also: contract
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
contract something out
to make an agreement with someone to do a specific amount of work. (Rather than doing it oneself or in one's own place of business.) I will contract this out and have it done by consultants. I contracted out this kind of job the last time.
contract with someone (for something)
and contract (with someone) for somethingto make an agreement with someone to produce or supply something, or to do something. I will have to contract with an expert for that part of the project. We contracted with a local builder for a new kitchen. Did you contract for plumbing work with Eric?
See also: contract
put a contract out on someone
[for an underworld character] to order someone to kill someone else. The mob put out a contract on some crook from Detroit.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
contract out
v.
To engage another person or company by contract to undertake some job that is typically considered part of one's business: Many companies contract out administrative tasks in order to concentrate on sales and marketing.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ink
1. n. cheap red wine. The old wino prefers ink to anything else.
2. n. publicity; print media coverage of someone or something. The movie star’s divorce got a lot of ink for a few days.
3. n. a tattoo. (The same as paint.) When dya get the new ink?
4. n. tattoos in general; the amount of tattooing on someone’s body. (The same as paint.) He’s got ink covering his back.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.