Topic: CHRONOLOGY
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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | dæg |
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day S1 W1
1 a period of 24 hours : We spent three days in Paris. 'What day is it today?' 'Friday.' He left two days ago. I'll call you in a couple of days. The following day, a letter arrived.
24 hours
[countable]TMCWe spent three days in Paris.'What day is it today?' 'Friday.'He left two days ago.I'll call you in a couple of days.The following day, a letter arrived. on a/the following/that etc day (=during a particular day) Over 10,000 soldiers died on that one day in January. What really happened on that day so long ago?
Over 10,000 soldiers died on that one day in January.What really happened on that day so long ago?2 the period of time between when it gets light in the morning and when it gets dark [≠ night]: She only leaves her house during the day. It was a cold blustery day. Kept in that dark cell, I could no longer tell whether it was day or night.
not night
[uncountable and countable]TMCShe only leaves her house during the day.It was a cold blustery day.Kept in that dark cell, I could no longer tell whether it was day or night.3 the time during the day when you are awake and active : His day begins at six. Jackie starts the day with a few gentle exercises. Sometimes I feel I just can't face another day. 'See you later,' said the girl, 'Have a nice day.' (=used in a friendly way when you say goodbye to someone)
when you are awake
[countable usually singular]His day begins at six.Jackie starts the day with a few gentle exercises.Sometimes I feel I just can't face another day.'See you later,' said the girl, 'Have a nice day.' (=used in a friendly way when you say goodbye to someone)4 the time you spend doing your job during a 24-hour period : I work a ten-hour day.
time at work
[countable]I work a ten-hour day.5 used to talk about a time in the past : I knew him pretty well from his days as a DJ in the Bounty Club (=from when he was a DJ).
past
[countable]I knew him pretty well from his days as a DJ in the Bounty Club (=from when he was a DJ). in somebody's student/army/childhood etc days (=in the past when someone was a student etc) I used to run six miles a day in my army days.
I used to run six miles a day in my army days. those were the days spoken (=used to talk about a time in the past you think was better than now) We used to stay in bed all morning and party all night. Those were the days!
We used to stay in bed all morning and party all night. Those were the days!6 used to talk about the situation that exists now : It's incredible that such attitudes still exist in this day and age (=used to express disapproval that something still exists now).
now
[countable]It's incredible that such attitudes still exist in this day and age (=used to express disapproval that something still exists now). up to/until/to the present day (=until and including now) This tradition has continued right up until the present day.
This tradition has continued right up until the present day.7 used to talk about a time in the future
future
[countable] one day/some day (=some time in the future) I'd like to go and visit the States one day. Some day we might get him to see sense.
I'd like to go and visit the States one day.Some day we might get him to see sense.8 a successful period of time in someone's life or in something's existence : Don't be too disappointed you didn't win - your day will come (=you will be successful in the future).
somebody's/something's day
Don't be too disappointed you didn't win - your day will come (=you will be successful in the future).9 a day on which a particular event or celebration takes place : Rioting broke out just three days before polling day.
Independence/election/Christmas etc day
Rioting broke out just three days before polling day.10 exactly five years etc : It's two years to the day since he died.
five/three/nine etc years to the day
It's two years to the day since he died.12 used to say that someone or something will not exist for much longer : It seems that the hospital's days are numbered.
somebody's/something's days are numbered
It seems that the hospital's days are numbered.13 continuously for a long time in a way that is annoying or boring : I couldn't stand sitting at a desk day after day.
day after day
also day in day outI couldn't stand sitting at a desk day after day.14 if a situation changes from day to day or from one day to the next, it changes often : I never know from day to day what I'm going to be doing. His moods swung wildly from one day to the next. ➔ day-to-day
from day to day
also from one day to the nextI never know from day to day what I'm going to be doing.His moods swung wildly from one day to the next.; ➔ live from day to day
at live1 (5)16 all the time [= continuously]: Being together night and day can put a great pressure on any relationship.
night and day
also day and nightBeing together night and day can put a great pressure on any relationship.17 a trip you make for pleasure on a particular day : A visit to the caves makes a fascinating and exciting day out for all the family.
day out
especially British EnglishDLA visit to the caves makes a fascinating and exciting day out for all the family.18 to be less successful or happy than usual, for no particular reason : Even the greatest athletes have their off days.
have an off day
Even the greatest athletes have their off days.19 to make someone very happy : Hearing her voice on the phone really made my day.
make somebody's day
Hearing her voice on the phone really made my day.20 a soup, meal etc that a restaurant serves on a particular day in addition to the meals they always offer
soup/dish/fish etc of the day
DF21 if something difficult, unpleasant, or unusual is all in a day's work for someone, it is a normal part of their job
be all in a day's work
22 to deal with something as it happens and not worry about the future : Since I had the accident, I've learned to take each day as it comes.
take each day as it comes
also take it one day at a timeSince I had the accident, I've learned to take each day as it comes.23 a time when you have to deal with the bad results of something you did in the past
the day of reckoning
25 spoken used when several unpleasant things have happened to someone in one day : It wasn't Chris's day - he overslept and then his car broke down.
it's not somebody's day
It wasn't Chris's day - he overslept and then his car broke down.26 spoken to spend all day doing something for pleasure : If the weather's nice, we'll make a day of it and take a picnic.
make a day of it
British EnglishIf the weather's nice, we'll make a day of it and take a picnic.27 spoken used to say that you think something is very unlikely to happen : 'Bill says he's going to start going to the gym.' 'That'll be the day!'
that'll be the day
'Bill says he's going to start going to the gym.' 'That'll be the day!'28 spoken used to say that you want someone to do something faster because you do not have enough time to wait for them to finish : Hurry up! I haven't got all day!
not have all day
Hurry up! I haven't got all day!29 spoken used to say that something does not happen often and is therefore very special : Let's go out and celebrate. After all, it's not every day you get a new job.
it's not every day (that)
Let's go out and celebrate. After all, it's not every day you get a new job.30 spoken several years ago; used especially by young people to refer to a time when they were yuounger
back in the day
31 spoken to work during the day at a job you sometimes have to do at night : I'm on days this week.
be on days
I'm on days this week.32 spoken used to emphasize that someone is at least as old as you are saying : She's ninety if she's a day.
40/50/60 etc if he's/she's a day
She's ninety if she's a day.